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 Last July, I flew to Columbus, Ga., with a few members of our National Medal of Honor Heritage Center leadership team, to pick up an extraordinary soldier, COL Ralph Puckett, and his wife Jeannie. It was a privilege to escort them back to Chattanooga, where COL Puckett, the last living Korean War Medal of Honor recipient, was the guest of honor at the Heritage Centers event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice (July 27, 1953). In 1943, then 17-year old Ralph Puckett joined the Army Air Corps Enlisted Reserve hoping to become a pilot. But after completing his pre-aviation cadet training at Georgia Tech a year later, the abundance of pilots already serving diminished his chance for an aviation appointment. In 1945, he enrolled as a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, graduating in 1949. A year later, he volunteered to serve with the Eighth Army Ranger Company, formed shortly after the Korean War began. He was selected to serve as the companys commander, and quickly proved his leadership ability and courage in that role. He was originally awarded a Distinguished Service Cross (our nations second-highest award for valor) for his actions in Korea in November 1950, but 71 years after his DSC was issued, it was upgraded to a Medal of Honor. Some award upgrades are delayed for decades because nominees are universally humble warriors who are disinclined to promote their own nomination and, thus, require the advocacy of others. Likewise, the Medal of Honor upgrades of two other Army recipients I profiled recently, CPT Larry Taylor and COL Paris Davis, came more than 50 years after their heroic actions. According to COL Pucketts Medal of Honor citation: On November 25-26, 1950, leading his 8th Army Ranger Company to take the enemy position on Hill 205 a mere 60 miles from the Red Chinese border, then-1LT Puckett willfully subjected himself to enemy machine gun fields of fire, using himself as a target so his Army Rangers could spot the enemy machine-gunner locations in order to direct artillery fire. Many of those artillery attacks were danger close, meaning they were calling fire coordinates that were very close to Pucketts position. He was wounded several times, and after two mortars landed in his foxhole, he was unable to move, but he ordered his men to fall back and not risk retrieving him. However, PFC Billy Walls and PFC David Pollock ignored his order, much to Pucketts objection, and carried him to safety. First Lieutenant Pucketts extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. Responding to his award in typical humility, Ralph said: The people who earned that medal are the Rangers who did more than I asked. I think its important for them. Theyre the ones who did the job; they did the fighting and suffered. Though he was offered a medical discharge in 1951 for his severe wounds, Puckett refused and continued to serve on active duty. In 1967, then-LTC Puckett was commander of 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry (Airborne), 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. He was awarded a second Distinguished Service Cross in August of that year for his actions during a night-long battle near Chu Lai. In that firefight, he once again exposed himself to intense enemy fire while rallying his Rangers to defeat a substantially larger force of Viet Cong. A rifle platoon leader who believed his last stand was imminent recalled the response of his Rangers when they got word of Pucketts arrival: Word spread like wildfire. We all stiffened up and felt that nothing bad could happen now because the Ranger was with us. When Ralph retired in 1971, his decorations included the aforementioned Distinguished Service Crosses, two Silver Stars, three Legion of Merits, two Bronze Stars, and five Purple Hearts, along with his Master Parachutist Badge, Special Forces Tab, and Ranger Tab. He was also the recipient of the Taegeuk Cordon, the Republic of Koreas highest military decoration. After leaving active duty, Ralph was a lecturer at Fort Benning near his Columbus home, both as an Honorary Instructor for the Army Infantry School and as Honorary Colonel for the 75th Ranger Regiment. Yes, make that Fort Moore. While I classify the renaming of military installations much as I do the tearing down of historic monuments, in this case, it was fitting to honor LTG Harold Hal Moore, a USMA graduate, Vietnam War Veteran, and Distinguished Service Cross recipient. Ralph frequently encouraged Infantry School graduates with these words: Im proud of you. Be proud of yourselves, and never be satisfied! You can always do better! For his post-retirement service, he received Bennings Distinguished Civilian Service Award. In 1992, Ralph was an inaugural inductee into the Army Ranger Hall of Fame and would later be recognized as Ranger of the Year for the Ranger Infantry Companies of the Korean War. He was also inducted into the USAF Gathering of Eagles and selected as a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Military Academy. GEN Jay Hendrix (USA, Ret.) said of Pucketts service career: He feared no man, he feared no situation and he feared no enemy. Clearly a unique, courageous Soldier in combat and even more importantly, in my opinion, COL Puckett was an ultimate Infantry leader. In 2007, Ralph authored Words for Warriors: A Professional Soldiers Notebook, a compendium of advice about battlefield leadership from a legendary Ranger. Though he was a bold battlefield warrior, according his wife Jeannie, Ralph was a quiet and reserved man observably true. They were married 72 years, so I suspect she knows! She is a funny, smart, and assertive woman, who now apparently outranks Ralph by three or four grades. In his book, Ralph described her as the most attractive, vivacious and outgoing person I had ever met. She still is! Jeannie shared how she met Ralph: The first time I saw him ... I was a senior in high school and I saw a photograph of him in a newspaper and I said, Oh, that is a cute man. One of her teachers held up a news clipping about Ralphs actions in Korea and said, Some of you girls go out and see this young man, but Jeannie added, Nice girls didnt go to Benning to see soldiers. However, she eventually did go with a friend to meet Ralph at the hospital at Benning while he was recuperating from his wounds, recalling: We walked into the room, and Ralphs father said Ralph is going to marry one of you girls because last night a fortune teller came on the ward and said a blonde and a brunette would come visit him and he would marry one of them. And we all joked and laughed and he turned so red. He was very shy. I thought he was adorable. I really did. So a year later we got married. We actually married on November 26th, which was the day he was wounded on Hill 205. Ralph Puckett died on April 8, and on Monday of this week, he was honored by our nation, Laying in Honor under the U.S. Capitol rotunda. He is one of only six citizens who were not politicians, who have previously lain in honor, including Hershel Woody Williams (USMC), the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, who died in 2022. A joint statement from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) noted: The extraordinary valor of COL Ralph Puckett Jr. represents the best of the 1.7 million Americans who left home to fight for freedom in the Korean War. He demonstrated tireless sacrifice for our country and his fellow Rangers and is an exceptional model for service members and civilians alike. You can view his Laying in Honor ceremony here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqlyPQUXaSo). COL Puckett: Your example of valor a humble American Patriot defending Liberty for all above and beyond the call of duty, and in disregard for the peril to your own life is eternal. Greater love has no one than this, to lay down ones life for his friends. (John 15:13) Rangers lead the way! We ask your prayers for Jeannie, their daughter Martha and son Thomas, and their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis Pro Deo et Libertate 1776 Join us in daily prayer for our Patriots in uniform Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen standing in harms way in defense of American Liberty, and for Veterans, First Responders, and their families. Please consider a tax-deductible gift to support our hometown National Medal of Honor Sustaining Fund. Make a check payable to NMoH Sustaining Fund and mail to: Patriot Foundation Trust, PO Box 407, Chattanooga, TN 37401-0407. Visit the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center at Aquarium Plaza. (https://www.MOHHC.org) In a joint investigation between Hamilton County Sheriffs Office Criminal Investigative Services and Hamilton County Corrections Services, an organized attempt to smuggle contraband into the Hamilton County Jail has been successfully disrupted, contraband seized, and five suspects arrested and charged. This operation, uncovered through a comprehensive investigation revealed a conspiracy responsible for smuggling illegal contraband into the jail. The items seized included 12 wrapped bundles of suspected blue Fentanyl, 6 Suboxone strips, 35 strips of Toon Paper (papers laced with THC), some blue powder suspected to be Fentanyl, and approximately 20 blue Fentanyl pills. The people involved in the smuggling conspiracy were found to have intentionally bonded a person out of jail with the intent of having him rearrested, at which time he would then smuggle the contraband into the facility. Upon this person being bonded out and then intentionally rearrested he introduced the contraband into the facility, which was intercepted by Corrections Security personnel. Sheriff Austin Garrett said, "We take the safety and security of our facility seriously. This incident underscores the constant threat posed by those seeking to undermine our efforts to maintain a secure environment. I am grateful for the collaborative efforts of our Criminal Investigations and Corrections Services personnel to successfully disrupt this smuggling operation. Their unwavering commitment to upholding the integrity of the facility has undoubtedly averted potential risks and safeguarded the well-being of inmates and staff alike. Officials said, "The Hamilton County Sheriffs Office remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining strict security measures to prevent contraband from being introduced into our facility." The following suspects were arrested by Hamilton County Criminal Warrants detectives: Brian Stone, Diamond Smith, Kelsey Gray, Justin Finley, and Wendy Hughes. They are being charged with conspiracy to introduce contraband into a penal facility, possession of Fentanyl for resale, and possession of Suboxone for resale. The Sheriff's Office said a man who was shot Thursday night on Vulcan Lane was assaulting his son and neighbor, and no charges would be filed against the shooter. Gregory Burnett was charged with domestic assault and assault. Around 7 p.m., deputies responded to reports of a person shot at the 6000 block of Vulcan Lane. Deputies arrived to find Burnett suffering from a non-life threatening gunshot wound to the knee. HCSO Investigative Services conducted the investigation into the incident and determined that Burnett was the aggressor, and the shooting was in self-defense. Its critical that we understand how we got here. Michael Winters Im probably going to head to Israel next week. When my friend and colleague Mike Cosper said this to me barely a month after Hamas terrorists attacked Israeli civilians, I feared for his life. I prayed every day for his protection. But Im glad he made the trip. Cospers journey resulted in our cover story. He paints a vivid picture of the aftermath in the war-torn kibbutz of Kfar Aza. He goes beyond the physical evidence of destruction and addresses the question many of us might be asking: How did we even get here? Sign up for The Daily Briefing Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. Email* Sign Up This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Thanks for signing up. Please click here to see all our newsletters. Sorry, something went wrong. Please try again. Ideology is a story that offers a key to history, he writes. It frames a present crisis such that it points to an inevitable future. It also creates the overwhelming sense that the future is certain, and that its followers are agents of the progress of history. That sense of inevitability has a powerfuland terribleeffect on its subjects; they become capable of immeasurable cruelty. Cospers fervor for understanding and communicating truths about ideologies took root two decades ago during his academic work in social and political philosophy. A deep dive into the history of Nazi rule steeped in antisemitism captured his imagination and catalyzed his sense of alarm at how ideologies can affect interpersonal connections. He has traveled to Israel multiple times and has linked arms with Jewish-Christian relation groups. He went on to write a book on Estherone of the Bibles most direct depictions of ideology and antisemitismand produce CTs podcast The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill, which asks questions about Christian witness in the face of suffering and marginalized image bearers. This March cover story, along with Michael Winterss photo essay, accompanies Cospers limited podcast series on The Bulletin, Promised Land, largely recorded in Israel and Gaza weeks after the breakout of the war. There, Cosper captured conversations about the conditions of Kfar Aza, the darkness of violence, a search for moral clarity, and a quest for signs of redemption and hope. We are, after all, in the Easter seasonwhen we remember the ultimate act of violence on the cross but rejoice that all will be made well through the Resurrection and that the ultimate agent of moral clarity sits at the right hand of God. My hope is that fellow image bearers of the Most High will catch a glimpse of his compassion for those who suffer and will be reminded that even though there is deep darkness, the light shines in that darkness and the darkness will not overcome it. Joy Allmond is executive editor at Christianity Today. Home News African delegates denounce UMC votes to allow LGBT marriage, ordination: We are devastated A group of African delegates to the United Methodist Church General Conference have denounced the recent votes to allow for same-sex marriage and noncelibate LGBT clergy. This week, delegates at the UMC General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, passed a series of measures removing from the Book of Discipline rules preventing the officiating of same-sex weddings and the funding of LGBT advocacy groups. On Thursday, the churchwide legislative gathering voted 523 to 161 to remove from the Book of Discipline the statement that the "practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching," which had been originally added to the rule book in 1972. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Rob Renfroe, publisher of the theologically conservative Good News Magazine and attendee of the General Conference, forwarded The Christian Post a copy of Thursday's statement from several African delegates. "We have loved The United Methodist Church. We have been grateful for The United Methodist Church. We have joyfully served The United Methodist Church. But now our hearts are troubled," read the statement. "The United Methodist Church has changed the definition of marriage. It now defines marriage differently from what God created it to be in the beginning. It has changed the definition of marriage from how Jesus described it in Matthew 19 as one man and one woman." The delegates assert: "We do not believe we know better than Jesus. We do not believe we know better than God. We do not believe we know better than the Bible." "We are devastated now to be part of a denomination that officially contradicts the Bible's teaching on marriage and sexual morality. We return to Africa with important decisions to make regarding the future," they continued. "Still, we go home full of hope, confident in Jesus, standing on the word of God, and determined to contend for the faith once and for all delivered to the saints. We return to Africa where the church is growing, nonbelievers are coming to faith and disciples are being made for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." The African delegates blamed the UMC establishment for failing to properly invite 70 African delegates in time for them to travel to the General Conference, further biasing the proceedings. "That is roughly 25% of our delegates. Ten months ago we began sending letters and emails and making phone calls, alerting the Commission on General Conference and some of our bishops that there was a problem. Many of these communications never received a single response," the statement alleged. The statement was signed by the Rev. Jerry P. Kulah, head of the Liberia Annual Conference delegation; Prosperous Tunda, delegate of the East Congo Annual Conference; the Rev. Danjuma Judi, delegate of the Nigeria Annual Conference; Dr. Yeabu Kamara, delegate of the Sierra Leone Annual Conference; and Ginford Dzimati, delegate of the Zimbabwe Annual Conference. CP reached out to the UMC for comment on the claims. A spokesperson emailed a statement from Bishop Tracy S. Malone, president of the UMC Council of Bishops and resident bishop of the East Ohio Conference. Malone, the first African American woman to be president of the UMC Council of Bishops, said the delegates who signed the protest statement "do not speak for all the African delegates who are here at General Conference." "The staff of the Commission on the General Conference made every effort to get each delegate from the African region to the General Conference who had a right to be seated," she explained. "The Committee on Credentials reported to the General Conference and confirmed such efforts. The delegates from the African region who are here are fully engaged in all decisions being made. The delegates who are not here were not able to travel due to not receiving visas and other circumstances that prevented them from being here." Malone said the UMC is "a worldwide church" that embraces "our diversity and respect our cultural, contextual, and theological differences." Malone cited the regionalization measure that passed during the General Conference. This measure will allow different regions of the global denomination to determine their stance on LGBT issues. It must still be ratified by a majority of annual conferences before it can be added to the UMC constitution. "The regionalization legislation that overwhelming passed confirms this visible unity and witness," she added. "The Social Principles legislation that expands the definition of marriage that overwhelming passed also confirms this unity and diversity and respects our cultural and contextual realities." A UMC spokesperson also forwarded CP a brief statement from Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa of the Africa Central Conference, Zimbabwe Episcopal Area, who expressed support for Malone. "We want to go on record to say that the majority of the African bishops who are here at General Conference, support this statement from Bishop Malone," stated Nhiwatiwa. For the past several years, the UMC has been dealing with divisive debate over the Book of Discipline's stance on LGBT issues. While efforts to change the language at past General Conferences had always failed, many liberals refused to enforce or follow the rules. In 2019, at a special session of the General Conference, delegates passed a temporary measure that created a process for congregations to disaffiliate from the UMC over the debate. More than 7,500 mostly conservative churches left the denomination from 2019 to 2023. Home News Florida agency releases new rule to combat Biden 'disinformation' about women's healthcare Florida has become the latest state to push back against what it deems as disinformation and false claims about prohibiting necessary medical procedures for women after the governor signed a heartbeat abortion ban into law. The Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration published a new rule Thursday the day after the states new six-week abortion ban took effect that outlines Medical Records Procedures for Treatment of Premature Rupture of Membranes and Other Life Threatening Conditions. The rule is prefaced with a warning about an immediate danger to the health, safety, and welfare of pregnant women and babies due to a deeply dishonest scare campaign and disinformation being perpetuated by the media, the Biden administration, and advocacy groups to misrepresent the Heartbeat Protection Act and the states efforts to protect life, moms and families. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), ectopic pregnancy, and molar pregnancy are medical conditions that can occur when the gestational age of an unborn child is greater than six weeks, and can present an immediate danger to the health, safety, and welfare of women and unborn children in hospitals and abortion clinics if immediate and proper care and treatment is not rendered, the agency states. The rule adds, Each hospital shall maintain written policies and procedures governing the maintenance of medical records for the treatment of premature rupture of membranes, ectopic pregnancies, trophoblastic tumors, and other life-threatening conditions. Hospitals will be required to admit patients experiencing a premature rupture of membranes for observation unless the treating physician determines that another course of action is more medically appropriate under the circumstances to ensure the health of the mother and the unborn baby. It continues: When a physician attempts to induce the live birth of an unborn baby, regardless of gestational age, to treat the premature rupture of membranes, and the unborn baby does not survive, the incident does not constitute an abortion ... the treatment of an ectopic pregnancy is not an abortion ... the treatment of a trophoblastic tumor is not an abortion. Prior to publishing the emergency rule in the Florida Administrative Register, the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration included a myth vs. fact sheet in an X post in an effort to combat lies and misinformation surrounding Floridas Heartbeat Protection Act. The agency also responded to the assertion that women will be jailed as a result of the law by stating that Floridas criminal abortion penalties do not apply to pregnant women. The fact sheet maintains that Florida works to ensure the health and safety of mothers and babies by continuing to hold medical providers accountable to the standards of their oath to protect and ensure the health and well-being of their patients. It also addresses the contention that women who experience the tragic loss of a pregnancy, commonly known as a miscarriage, will be denied treatment. Florida law does not prohibit the removal of the pregnancy for women who experience a miscarriage in any circumstance, the fact sheet declares. The Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration also pushes back on the claim that women will be forced to give birth even if their life or health is in jeopardy. According to the fact sheet, Florida law includes exceptions to save the pregnant womans life or avert a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. Exceptions exist for pregnancies resulting from rape, incest, human trafficking, and for emergency medical procedures to save the life of the mother. Florida isn't the only state to establish what pro-life advocacy groups are referring to as Med Ed laws in an effort to inform medical professionals what procedures they can and cannot perform under pro-life laws. In March, South Dakota became the first state to implement a Med Ed law through the legislative process. Under House Bill 1224, approved by Republican Gov. Kristi Noem, the South Dakota Department of Health is required to create a video explaining criteria that a practitioner, exercising reasonable medical judgment, might use in determining the best course of treatment for a pregnant woman experiencing life-threatening medical conditions and for her unborn child. In addition to House Bill 1224, a handful of other states have also enacted similar measures administratively. The pro-life group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America has identified Oklahoma and Kentucky as additional states that have enacted Med Ed laws using the executive branch. In a statement released Thursday reacting to the new rule in Florida, the advocacy group signaled that the Texas Medical Board was considering a rule similar to Floridas. Home News Muslims armed with guns, batons attack Christians, seize family's farmland LAHORE, Pakistan Police in Pakistan are refusing to arrest Muslims who attacked a Catholic family and seized their farmland, and officers also damaged property, sources said. Shahnaz Yousaf, a resident of Chak 694/36 GB village in Toba Tek Singh District, Punjab Province, said dozens of armed Muslims led by local landlords Atif Ali, Khawar Ali and Baber Ali attacked her family as they were harvesting their wheat crop on April 16. Her father, Yousaf Masih, had obtained the 10.6-acre parcel on lease from the government in 1989, and the family has invested money and labor to make it cultivable, Shahnaz Yousaf said. Area Muslims became jealous and began plotting to deprive the family of their livelihood, she said. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The land was their only source of livelihood, but after they were unable to pay the lease for some years, in March 2023 a senior revenue official directed them to pay 3.5 million rupees (US$13,000) to retain the land 2.1 million rupees (US$7,300) upfront and the remaining amount in installments, she said. It was not easy to gather such a big amount on such short notice, yet we sold all our valuable possessions to pay the lease amount within the given deadline, Yousaf said. Months passed without any issue, but in November her brothers learned that the landlords had persuaded the local assistant commissioner to include their parcel in an auction. The family filed an injunction order against the proposed auction with the Lahore High Court, which it granted. Despite the courts order, the assistant commissioner leased the land in the name of Atif Ali, the son of Babar Ali, Yousaf said. We came to know of this shadowy auction a week later when police and revenue department officials arrived on the site and destroyed the fodder that we had cultivated for our cattle. We pleaded with them to stop and even showed them the courts order, but they refused to listen to us. The family filed a complaint in the commissioners office the same day, and he permitted them to continue cultivating the land, she said. During this time, we were continuously harassed and threatened by police officials and henchmen of the landlords to vacate the land, Yousaf said. On Feb. 6, two days before general elections, the Muslims again threatened her brother, Ashraf Yousaf, she said. He immediately called the police helpline, but we were shocked when a police team, instead of arresting the perpetrators, stormed our house and damaged household items, Shahnaz Yousaf, in tears, told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. They took me to the police station and kept me in illegal detention for more than two hours. Shahnaz said that the police told her brothers she would be freed only after they agreed to vacate the land. I was finally allowed to go home after the village headman intervened on our behalf, she said. Ashraf Yousaf said the Muslims continued to intimidate and harass the family, filing fake cases against them and damaging their crops. We have no experience of legal matters, as we only focused on our agricultural work and never got involved in fights with others, he said. But in the last few months, we have realized that we are not equals in the eyes of the law. Ashraf Yousaf said he was working in the fields on April 16 when the Muslims arrived in groups. They were armed with guns, batons and other weapons and had also brought along a wheat-harvesting machine, he said. When I tried to stop them, reminding them of the courts stay order, they attacked me and started hitting me with their guns and batons, Ashraf Yousaf said. Seeing the commotion, my two brothers and both sisters ran towards me to save me from the attack, but the attackers targeted them as well, resulting in several bone fractures and other injuries to all of us. They also seized his sisters mobile phone as she was trying to record the assault and tore her clothes, he said. The assailants fled before a police team arrived, he said. Officers told them to get medical treatment for their injuries and go to the police station, where they would also call the other party to settle the matter. However, when we went to the town for medical treatment, the Muslims returned to the fields, harvested our wheat crop and stole the entire produce, Ashraf Yousaf said. When we reached the police station and told them what had happened in our absence, the officer on duty refused to register our complaint and said that our plight will end only when we surrender to the demand of the Muslim landowners. The family also faced several difficulties in obtaining their medical-legal reports from the local government hospital. It seems that the entire system is working against us, he said. After much efforts and pleading, we finally got our medical reports, but the police delayed the registration of an FIR [First Information Report] for 10 days. Our FIR was registered on April 25, but the police made no effort to arrest the accused persons. Four days later, the Christian family learned that the Muslims had registered a fake case against them, alleging that they had injured someone, he said. We have lost everything, our livelihood, our money and most of all the hope of getting justice, Ashraf Yousaf said. We are financially drained, as whatever money we were left with is being spent on the treatment of our injuries. The family has appealed to the Punjab Province chief minister, senior police officials and Christian leaders to intervene and address their legitimate grievances, he said. We are weak and helpless people, but the local police are siding with the influential accused instead of supporting us, Ashraf Yousaf said. We desperately need help and support from our Christian leadership, as theres no one else we can turn to in this very difficult time. Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, as it was the previous year. Home Books Chonda Pierce says comedy helped her find God's faithfulness after loss, abuse: 'He delivered me' Emmy-nominated comedian Chonda Pierce might be best known as the "Queen of Clean Comedy," but her life hasnt always been humorous; in fact, its been marked by trials and tribulations she believes have honed her character and proven Gods faithfulness. It is interesting; if you research, a lot of comedians walk some dark roads, and that might be why we love to make people laugh, the 64-year-old comedian told The Christian Post. Hearing people laugh is just as much medicine for me as it is for anybody. I think early on in my career, my comedy was probably a lot of deflecting going on to try to mask some pain. What is amazing about God is, He created all the arts, and the devil's job is to pervert them all. And in that deflecting or using comedy that's cruel or hateful or filthy, that is Satan's job. He loves to steal that. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe I love that God blessed me with a sense of humor and an ability to tell a story or two that makes a room laugh because I love it just as much as anybody else. I need the laughter as well. I love that I get to do that for a living, and wasn't God so kind to direct my path that way, because that laughter has brought a lot of healing my way. For over three decades, Pierce, who has sold more comedy albums than any other female comedian, has built a career on weaving humor into her storytelling, inviting audiences into her world with relatable anecdotes. But her latest book,Life Is Funny Until It's Not: A Comic's Story of Love, Loss, and Lunacy, delves deeper than ever before, addressing topics like childhood trauma, her parents divorce, the loss of her two sisters and husband and abuse. I've told bits and pieces of my story for 32 years, Ive revealed parts of grief from my husbands death or the aftermath of that, and all of those stories are still true and I still hold on to them. But there was so much in the in-between traumas where I learned a lot. That's where I learned who God is and how He will sustain you, she said. She candidly shares how, as her comedy career blossomed as a young woman, trials continued to shadow her journey through marriage, motherhood and widowhood. Yet through every sorrow and every joy, God remained by her side. This is the reason I got into stand-up comedy to begin with, she said. I wanted to tell my story. I felt like the Lord had really delivered me through some things that would be helpful to other people. Pierce also opens up about her early years as a pastors daughter and how her earthly father impacted her view of God. When describing her father, she paints a picture of a complicated figure; a man who, at times, was loving and attentive and other times, cold and harsh. The comedian shares how, over the years, shes navigated the complexities of her father's role and his darker side, finding solace in her faith. "God revealed Himself to me many times, teaching me the difference between a Heavenly Father and an earthly father," she explained. "This understanding saved my life. Otherwise, I would have self-destructed a long time ago." Despite her challenges, Pierce has maintained her faith, crafting her comedic material in a way that reflects her beliefs. "Comedy is always the opening act, but I also turn the corner to share the stories behind it," she says. "Jesus Himself used humor in His teachings, and I aim to show both the good and the bad so people can see God at work." I'll never get an HBO or Netflix special because I really talk a lot about Jesus, she said. But when God directs your path, there's a lot of peace. A whole lot of peace may not be as big a paycheck, but its in telling the good and the bad and the ugly that you actually get to see the hand of God. Pierce is also on her Life is Funny tour, where she balances humor with heavier truths. "I wanted to tell my story to help people, but I didn't want to dive into the sad parts outright," she said. "I start with comedy, then turn the corner to reveal reality." And already, the tour, which launched in March, has had a profound impact on her audience, with many sharing how Pierce's humor has helped them through dark times. "Ive had people say they were considering ending their life, but my stories pulled them back," she recounted. "It's moments like those that make all the sacrifices worth it." "There are always new stories to tell," she added with a chuckle, "Like how I fell off my bathtub trying to get rid of bugs, despite having a Scripture above it saying 'God is within her, she will not fall.'" Today, Pierce also uses her platform to help others on a practical level: In 2006, she founded Branches Recovery Center, which offers counseling and treatment to those with depression, anxiety and addiction. Based on her own experiences with loss, trauma and depression, Pierce said she doesnt trust anyone who doesnt walk with a limp, adding: When Jacob finally did fight and wrestle with God, God touched his hip. He said, You will never forget that you wrestled with me, but he lived to tell about it. And he changed that mind of God. I'm so grateful for what He's brought me through. But I cut myself some slack every now and again and say, OK, this is a trigger day. This would have been my anniversary and in those moments, I say, Oh Lord, why is [my husband] not here? And then you'll strengthen yourself again, and God doesn't strike you with lightning. He will talk you through your anger. The Bible says, Be angry but sin not, and it also says, Bring everything to me. Whether through her books though she said Life is Funny will be her last or comedy tour, Pierce said her mission is to share stories that reflect God's faithfulness and provide hope to those struggling. "I want people to see that there's a woman who walked a rough road but never walked away from God," she said, "and to find hope and healing in His enduring faithfulness." Home News Portland State protesters 'delusional,' mayor says; university reopens after 30 demonstrators arrested Police have arrested 30 people related to anti-Israel protests at Portland State University in Oregon, where authorities also detained a driver who accelerated toward a crowd of demonstrators and allegedly sprayed them with mace or pepper spray. Anti-Israel encampments protesting the ongoing war in Gaza and demanding that universities cease support of the Jewish state have sprung up at college campuses throughout the country. Demonstrators at PSU had occupied the campus library building since Monday before the Portland police intervened. PSU did not immediately respond to The Christian Posts request for comment, but on Friday, the university announced the campus had reopened to access card holders. At the time of this report, the university did not disclose when the campus buildings would be open to those without access cards. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe According to NBC affiliate KGW-8, the Portland Police Bureau said it had made 30 arrests related to anti-Israel protests on PSUs campus. The outlet initially reported that police arrested 12 protesters for blocking the campus library, only four of whom were PSU students. In its updated report, KGW-8 noted that police arrested at least seven additional protesters after a group of anti-Israel demonstrators attempted to re-enter the campus library building. PSU Campus Safety also arrested one protester, according to KGW-8. "We can now confirm that trespassers did pull down the fence and broke back into the library. Police officers moved back into the library and made arrests. Arrests have also been made for people refusing to leave the park block at the library," Portland police posted on X Thursday night. Portland police are also searching for 18 people who fled the library when officers showed up to clear the building Thursday morning, KGW-8 added. As the police cleared the building, PSU students and other anti-Israel protesters remained near the police perimeter around the library. According to KGW-8, several protestors occupying the building carried improvised shields, and one demonstrator attempted to assault a police officer and was arrested. Police made additional arrests after several demonstrators attempted to block the van transporting those who were arrested. PPB requested assistance from the Oregon State Police Mobile Response Team to push back the demonstrators blocking the van from leaving, but some still followed the vehicle onto I-405. KGW-8 reported that the situation escalated around 3 p.m. local time after a police officer was hit with a water bottle thrown by one of the protesters. Authorities responded by deploying a sound truck to clear the South Park Blocks and Southwest Hall Street area. Around the time that this was happening, the driver of a Toyota sedan drove near the crowd and sprayed the anti-Israel protestors with a substance that had been reported as either mace or pepper spray. Police located the man after he abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. He was transported to the hospital on a mental health hold. According to PPB, seven officers were injured throughout the day, KGW-8 reported. Only one officer needed to be taken to the hospital with a knee injury. On Thursday, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler thanked the officers for the safe and effective manner in which they cleared the campus library, and thanked the Oregon State Police for assisting. The mayor also referenced a protest march on Wednesday night that resulted in demonstrators smashing several businesses windows. Wheeler vowed that protesters who destroy property would face consequences. "I, for the life of me, do not understand how terrorizing local business operators can possibly impact events in the Middle East," Wheeler said. "If you believe that by damaging a business which frankly harms the frontline employees who work in those businesses, and we've had reports that they were frightened, they were traumatized if you believe damaging those businesses or trashing a library on a university campus will impact events in the Middle East, then you are delusional." The Associated Press reported Thursday that more than 2,000 people have been arrested over the last two weeks at universities throughout the country. Home News Pastor says his mentally troubled wife died by suicide, but some refuse to believe Police in North Carolina are investigating the death of Mica Miller, the wife of Pastor John-Paul Miller of Solid Rock at Market Common in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, who was found with a bullet wound to her head at Lumber River State Park in Robeson County last Saturday as her widower comes under a barrage of suspicion online. Major Damien McLean of Robeson County Sheriff's Office told ABC15 News that officers are gathering information from people who knew the late 30-year-old pastors wife to understand how she died. Last Sunday, just hours after her body was found, Pastor Miller announced to his congregation in a viral video that his wife died by suicide even though investigators have not yet confirmed an official cause of death. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe After the announcement, Im going to ask that you leave church quietly and dont talk about the announcement here in the building, please, if you can, he said. My request to you is that you continue to come to church and serve for the next little bit because Im taking a little bit of a break, and I dont want to have to worry about the church. My break may be a few days, or a few weeks. I dont know, he said. I got a call late last night. My wife has passed away. Yeah, it was self-induced and it was up in North Carolina, he added, noting that a funeral will be held for her at the church at 3 p.m. on May 5. Im just kind of going on adrenaline right now, so yall pray for my kids and everybody. Yall knew she wasnt well mentally, and she needed medicine that was hard to get to her and so, Im sure therell be more details to come, so just keep our family in your prayers. Some members of Mica Millers family, like her sister Sierra Francis, quickly rejected the idea that she killed herself and suggested she was abused. There is a lot of talk already going on, so I want to set the record straight. Our sister Mica Miller passed away yesterday. Please do not listen to false stories being shared about her, Francis noted on Facebook. Mica was a God-fearing, joyful, loving woman who did not deserve the abuse she endured. If you hear anything about this from anyone other than her family please question it, reach out to her siblings or parents. Keep our family in your prayers and if you have any information that needs to be shared, please contact one of us. Please respect us in this time and honor her memory with joy that she is no longer suffering. #justiceformica. Speculation about Mica Millers death has spread like wildfire on social media. Some critics openly questioned why Pastor Miller was in the pulpit hours after his wifes death. Court records cited by The New York Post show that Mica Miller filed for divorce from her husband in October 2023, but the reasons were not stated. The case was eventually dismissed in February, but a few days later Pastor Miller filed for Separate Support and Maintenance seeking financial support. Mica Miller would file for similar support in April. A hearing was scheduled for June 5. In an interview with The Christian Post on Friday, Pastor Miller admitted that his relationship with Mica began with adultery. He said they were both previously married and cheated on their spouses, and many people left his church, forcing them to start over. He said he and Mica got married in 2017. Shortly after, she underwent surgery for an undisclosed reason and was diagnosed with bipolar II, schizophrenic and dependent personality disorder. Since 2017, says Pastor Miller, they have been trying to manage his wifes mental illness with lithium, and significant support. As long as she took her medication, Pastor Miller said, his wife would be fine. Mica, however, had a roller coaster relationship with the medication. He alleged she would complain how the medication would make her gain weight or cause her to slur. And earlier this year, the wife of a well-meaning pastor friend who had no understanding of mental illness offered to pray and believe that Mica Millers mental illness would go away. That incident, he said, stuck with Mica and she started to believe that she no longer needed the medication. I took care of her through every time she went to the mental institute. I took care of her every time she stopped taking her lithium. I would never expose this stuff of her if I didn't have to now, but every time she tried to kill herself, I would be there. I would literally sometimes pick her up physically put her in the truck, take her to the [hospital], Miller said with a slight crack in his voice. The pastor said he took his wife to probate court a few weeks ago to get her hospitalized, but the court stated that she wasnt a danger to others so she could not be forced. Nobody believed me when I told them that she was having a psychotic break. She would have never left. She would have never done what she did. They wouldn't believe me. I have 48 text messages that I sent out saying she needs her lithium; somebody help me please. And no one believed me, the grieving pastor said. Everybody thought I was a demon for trying to take her to probate court and get her put in a hospital. I told her family, I have text messages, over and over, I told her family she needs her medicine. They told me I'm crazy. She doesn't need any medicines. I text messaged her, but they sent her saying, it makes you fat or it makes you slur. Or you shouldn't take your meds, or you just need something holistic, you don't need what the doctors say. Though there were some things that Pastor Miller said were discussed with his church, he said the depths of the struggle with his wifes mental illness felt quite lonely at times. Nobody believed me. Nobody understood mental illness. She was diagnosed by the doctors for the past seven years as bipolar II, schizophrenic and dependent personality disorder. And I was with her every time she thought she was seeing aliens. I was with her every time she thought artificial intelligence was after her. I was with her through everything, and the last psychotic episode she had, she didn't know who I was, he explained. She thought that I was the enemy somehow. Nobody believed me, everybody thought that she was just normal being herself, and nobody understood. With her mental illness, people understand that she can say a sentence that's normal. In the very next sentence, she'd say, with the same cadence, the same tone, and it will be completely abnormal, which is why people didn't understand. She'd say, I want to go make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. And after that, I'm going to learn how to fly. The Rev. Charles Randall, Pastor Millers spiritual advisor and mentor, told CP that basically, social media is very wicked in saying things and lying about the situation, things that they are not aware of. He said he has known Miller for a long time and was one of his teachers in high school. He also said he had been counseling Mica and Pastor Miller since September 2023 and was not aware of any abuse. He acknowledged that there was a little bump in the road during efforts to restore their marriage but did not disclose what that bump was. I live by the Holy Spirit of God. If God would lead me to remove him, I will do that. It has not happened at this time. As far as abuse, they are lying about that. There was no abuse, Randall told CP. As far as working with him, I've been working closely with them since last September on their marriage. They did have a little bump in the road, no abuse, and he was working on that. The marriage was in the process of being restored. Randall said he was with Pastor Miller the night he got the call about his wifes death, and despite what people thought about his preaching last Sunday, he was tore up. He was very tore up when we got the news. I was with him on Saturday night when he received the news. Very, very, very, very, very, tore up over it because he loved his wife very much. If the naysayers would tell the truth, they would know how much he did and tried to please his wife, Randall said. The same people that are lying and saying he mistreated his wife, even the family members, he offered to pay for every family member to travel from wherever they are, wherever they live, to bring them here, pay for their accommodations, and take care of them to honor his wife during this time. And they are in the streets, some of them, I believe, lying about what he is doing, he added. Randall said rumors online that the pastor has already started dating are not true. When asked why Mica Miller wanted to leave her marriage, Randall said Mica did not even tell him she was filing for a divorce. She did not relay that to me, he said. Randall further noted that he couldnt remember the last time he counseled the couple together and was never told why Mica wanted to end her marriage. Pastor Miller had promised to answer additional questions from CP but noted that after talking with his attorney he was advised not to speak further because he was getting death threats. Randall also noted protesters are expected at Micas funeral on Sunday. Home News Suicide of pastors wife illuminates silent, deadly public health crisis among mothers Seven days after Paige Hilkens death, North Coast Church Senior Pastor Chris Brown said the grief her family experienced was so deep not even a Bible verse could help. I promise you, there is not a right sentence, there is not a right prayer, there is no verse in the Old Testament or in the New Testament thats going to help on a day like today, he said in his opening statement at her memorial service on Aug. 7. We are going to go through a really bad morning together. And thats the honesty of days like today. On July 31, Paige Hilken, the 28-year-old wife of 32-year-old North Coast Church Teaching Pastor Christopher Hilken, took her life at an Arizona mental health facility four months after giving birth to her fifth child. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The approximately 1-hour service to remember the life she lived featured no pictures or videos of her. It was just too much to sit through for her family. They were grieving with questions that perhaps wont be answered, explained Brown. This family, for the last seven days, has just grieved and held on to each other in the midst of questions that wont be answered. And thats also true on a day like today. Almost every question you have wont be answered. And we wont be able to do that in a service or probably in this lifetime, he said. For months, Brown revealed, Christopher Hilken had wrestled with how to address his wifes deteriorating mental health. Days before she took her life, he made a decision that was supposed to help but left him a widower with five young children. Over a week-and-a-half ago, when Chris did the absolute best job he could after months of just struggling with this ordeal and just finding and researching the absolute best clinic in the country and getting Paige there, and then to receive a phone call that doing the absolute best you can, the mind was just broken, Brown revealed without sharing much else about Paige Hilkens suicide. In his emotional recollection of the beauty and strength of his late wife, Christopher Hilken remembered her as an amazing Jesus follower, wife and mother. Even in the darkest depths of her sickness, she never relented to remind us of [that] all the time and time again," he recalled. "Her last words she ever texted to me before surrendering her phone at the mental health facility where she passed reminded us of this too. Hey baby, Im giving up my phone now. Youve been the best husband and father I could have ever asked for and I love you.'" Paige Hilken was not a weak person, her younger sister, Renee Finley, remembered in a tribute on Aug. 7. She was a beloved, passionate, overachiever who everyone in the small town where she grew up in California looked up to. We grew up on a farm in northern California. She was an all-star softball player. Everyone in the town looked up to her. It was Paige Finley. She graduated high school at 16 and started playing college softball that semester," Finley recalled. "Can you imagine sending your daughter off to school at 16? But she did it. Not only that, she graduated college at 19. And then to put the cherry on top, she decided to get married a few weeks later. And then Paige Hilken would go on to have five kids who were all under the age of 6 at the time of her death. She homeschooled them and started multiple businesses and influenced thousands of women through her online ministries, Finley said. Whatever she set her mind to she could accomplish. All the circumstances surrounding the death of the late pastors wife remain unclear and her family and church did not immediately respond to requests for interviews from The Christian Post. There is some evidence online, however, that suggests that Paige Hilken had been struggling with motherhood and the duties of domestic life as her mental health spiraled. [What] Ive come to realize over the last few years is that I often find myself being idle in the things that DO matter by making myself busy in the things that dont matter at all. Im constantly distracting myself with what I feel matters now for what matters MOST, she wrote on Instagram last October during her fifth pregnancy. Heres an example....Ill find myself diving deep into the depths about a health related topic on someones Instagram for hours, while ignoring an area of my house that desperately needs to be cleaned up or even worse, while ignoring my children and their needs. Learning about things Im passionate about isnt a bad thing but when it replaces the most important things I have been called to do, it is unwise, she confessed. And you know whats interesting? Whenever I neglect my household and the things Ive clearly been called to do I end up feeling much more discontent and overwhelmed overall, though the idleness and indulgence in these other things feels good and right in the moment. Ive come to realize that when I lean into Gods design for me and prioritize my life according to his will the reward is great and Im overcome with peace." A few months later in January, Paige Hilken detailed on her blog how she contracted COVID-19 while still pregnant and how it affected her mentally. For a week or two after my initial symptoms of a cold went away I struggled with some pretty intense brain fog, which I would describe as being all there mentally but almost feeling like I was in a dream," she wrote. "Sometimes the brain fog would be accompanied by some feelings of dizziness as well. This symptom has mostly cleared but sometimes during the hours of 5-8pm Ill get these brain fog feelings." Then on April 8, shortly after she gave birth, she wrote about her post partum reality on Instagram, revealing how she developed a pulmonary embolism and was fervently praying about her condition with her church community. Ive been processing so much mentally the last few days and clinging tightly to God. We have been so incredibly grateful for our community of prayer warriors who have been praying and continue to pray for the road ahead, she said. We are praying this clot completely dissolves as quickly as possible, that the medications do their job with zero side effects and that I will be able to have complete trust in God with my current circumstances and my future. Months later, Paige Hilken took her life. A public health crisis While Paige Hilkens suicide has been a stunning singularity for her family and friends, research shows maternal suicides are a growing public health crisis desperately in need of attention. A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry cites suicide as a leading cause of maternal death following childbirth in the United States and suggests that the prevalence of suicidal ideation and intentional self-harm in pregnant and postpartum women appears to be on the rise. In Trends in Suicidality 1 Year Before and After Birth Among Commercially Insured Childbearing Individuals in the United States, 2006-2017, lead author Dr. Lindsay Admon recommends with her colleagues ensuring access to universal suicidality screening and appropriate treatment for pregnant and postpartum individuals to mitigate this growing public health crisis, particularly for high-risk groups." Admon is an obstetrician-gynecologist at Michigan Medicine Von Voigtlander Womens Hospital and a researcher with the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. In their study, Admon and her team of researchers analyzed data on 595,237 childbearing women 15 to 44 years of age who were enrolled in a commercial health insurance plan in the U.S. between 2006 and 2017. Some 2,683 individuals were diagnosed with suicidality one year before or after giving birth for a total of 2,714 diagnoses. The prevalence of suicidal ideation increased from 0.1% in 2006 to 0.5% in 2017, while the prevalence of intentional self-harm increased from 0.1% in 2006 to 0.2% in 2017. Reports of suicidality in women with diagnoses of depression or anxiety also increased from 1.2% in 2006 to 2.6% in 2017. Meanwhile, reports of suicidality in women with diagnoses of bipolar or psychotic disorders increased from 6.9% in 2006 to 16.9% in 2017. The study further showed larger increases in suicidality over the study period in non-Hispanic black individuals, those with lower income and younger individuals. Suicide deaths are a leading cause of maternal mortality in the U.S. It is a public health crisis that has silently grown worse, Admon told reporters. We need to improve screening for mental health wellness during and after pregnancy. We know that untreated mental health conditions put both moms and their children at higher risk for adverse health outcomes, including preterm birth and maternal suicide. Since 1990, according to data cited by Columbia University Irving Medical Center, maternal mortality in the United States, which is the highest among wealthier nations, has more than doubled to an estimated 18 per 100,000 births. Columbia researchers estimate this rate could likely be higher if deaths from suicide and accidental overdoses are counted. Some studies estimate maternal deaths due to suicide or drug use account for between 14% and 30% of maternal mortality depending on the location. Dr. Kimberly Mangla, a reproductive psychiatrist at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, said there are no good estimates of exactly how many maternal deaths are taking place across the U.S. because there is no national registry or database of suicide and overdose deaths that records pregnancy status. It wasnt until 2003 that CDC first recommended that states add a pregnancy status checkbox to death certificates, but inclusion of the checkbox is voluntary, so we dont have data from all states, Mangla said, according to a report from Columbia University Irving Medical Center. We desperately need better, more reliable data. This would require accurate reporting of pregnancy status on death certificates and consideration of autopsy findings or other diagnostic tests to determine cause of death in this population. Christopher Garrett, a senior media adviser with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, acknowledged that maternal suicides arent tracked by SAMHSA separately. He was asked by The Christian Post if there was any recent data on maternal suicides from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that would speak to the latest findings from independent researchers on the scope of the problem. While SAMHSA does not track maternal suicide data as a separate track, we have programs geared toward helping women who might be dealing with postpartum and maternal depression get connected to support," Garrett said in a statement. He noted, however, that they do provide some help for mothers in distress and a 24/7 Maternal Mental Health Hotline is being developed. "Additionally, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is working to establish a Maternal Mental Health Hotline to be staffed 24 hours a day by qualified counselors. SAMHSA also wants to stress that anyone with suicidal thoughts or concern for a loved one who might be suicidal should contact the national Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Home Opinion Anti-Israel campus protesters are pampered, spoiled Many of the anti-Israel protesters at Columbia and other college campuses dwelled in cushy tents on the quad. These tents look pretty modern and uniform; one could only wonder who is paying for all this? In 1754, an advertisement for Columbia (then known as Kings College), promised, The chief thing that is aimed at in this college is to teach and engage children to know God in Jesus Christ. How far Columbia et al have strayed from the Christian faith that gave them birth. Are todays aggressive pro-Palestinian protests in line with what our forebears sacrificed to give us here in America? Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe George Washington was pleased, as were the other founders, that Jews here in America, whom he called the children of the stock of Abraham, would be free and not harassed for their religion. Washington viewed this land as a place described in his favorite Bible verse, Micah 4:4, where everyone shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. Alas, there are many today to make him afraid on these campuses of higher learning, where, for example, the tuition per year is $75,000 for Columbia. A lot of these protesters not only denounce Israel as a colonialist, white supremacist country, but they often denounce America in the same way. Contrast these future leaders of society with young people of the founding generation of this nation. Those committed to American independence, young and old, underwent many sacrifices as they fought hard for their (and our) liberties. Speaking of the young dwelling in tents, imagine spending months in tents in the freezing, open fields of Pennsylvania. Beginning around December 1, 1777, thousands of Americas rag-tag army spent the brutal winter in Valley Forge. Many of them were hungry and poorly equipped. It was said you could see where the troops had trod by the bloody footprints left in the snow. About 2,000 soldiers died not from battle, but from typhus, typhoid, influenza, and pneumonia. They slept in tents (not supplied by a camping goods superstore) until they were able to complete building the many wooden huts for their shelter. It is reported that George Washington, their commander-in-chief, chose also to sleep in a tent until the log cabins were finished. Only then did this servant leader move into his headquarters there at Valley Forge. Recently, I got to visit Valley Forge, Pennsylvania again. I was impressed by how incredible the sacrifice was by the early Americans for our freedom. Visiting Valley Forge was part of a faith and freedom tour of Coral Ridge Ministries, and our host was the head of the ministry, Dr. Rob Pacienza. Providence Forum, for which I serve as executive director, is a division of the ministry. The goal of Providence Forum is to teach Americans about our nations rich Judeo-Christian roots. Our tour guide was Dr. Peter Lillback, the founding president of Providence Forum. He and I co-wrote a big thick book on the true faith of George Washington. It was the Christian faith of the father of our country that sustained him during trials like Valley Forge. He repeatedly and publicly thanked Providence (a reverent reference to God) for His help in our becoming an independent nation. Why did the troops hunker down in Valley Forge? The British defeated the Americans at Brandywine on, what Dr. Lillback called, our nations first 9/11. September, 11, 1777. What this fiasco for the fledgling new nation meant to the discerning eye of General Washington was that Philadelphia, our nations capital at the time, had become indefensible. Soon the Congress and other government officials would have to flee. The Continental Congress ended up in York, Pennsylvania, and Washington led thousands of his troops to a defensible place called Valley Forge. Through months of hardship, the troops were forged into a stronger, more effective army. Washington prayed fervently. God provided. The troops were drilled regularly and learned soldierly discipline there in Valley Forge. The many who went through the tribulation of Valley Forge came off battle-ready. On May 2, 1778, after their time of testing and sharpening, Washington wrote his troops from his Valley Forge headquarters, To the distinguished character of a Patriot it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of a Christian. Modern protesters at elite universities, endowed with some of the greatest privileges the world has ever known, sit in expensive tents eating readily available food in fashionable protest against Israel. But George Washington, one of the Jewish peoples greatest supporters, led men (by personal example) through the roughest of times and conditions, to sacrificially lay the foundation for the freest nation on earth a nation despised by the pampered protestors. Let us have more true leaders and fewer spoiled children. Home Opinion How to land a job after working in an abortion clinic If youve worked in the abortion industry in some capacity, you know its not easy on multiple levels. There are things youve seen you can never forget. You may have had to dodge protestors just to get to the door. You have heard things you should not have heard and maybe you even participated in activities that you had no training in and had no business doing. Or you may have interviewed someone who worked in an abortion clinic and have wondered why they seem to be secretive or cagey. Either situation can be awkward and challenging. But theres hope for both someone who worked in an abortion clinic and those who are wondering if they can hire someone who worked in one. Say you made the decision to leave the abortion clinic and now you have to find work. There are lots of challenges to anyone searching to change jobs and entire industries but for those coming out of abortion clinics, some of those challenges can seem insurmountable. But there is hope. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe No matter what your work in the abortion clinic, you have transferable skills. If you were a receptionist, you would know how to schedule people, organize a calendar, and keep track of multiple things at once. If you were a nurse, you absolutely can still work as a nurse and aid patients, administer medication, check vitals. If you were a phlebotomist, the country is full of labs in need of people just like you. Even if you were an abortion doctor, you possess skills that can be used for life and not death. Thats the good news. The bad news is that during the job interview process, questions about your past can really be hard to answer and your previous employer may have gone to great lengths to blackball you solely because you left the abortion clinic. Many of our former abortion workers have told me that they didnt know how to answer the question of why they left their former jobs. Thats a loaded question for any interview because interviewees need to be careful about being honest while not throwing their former employer under the bus. However, those who have worked in abortion clinics often have traumatic experiences that not only they themselves dont want to think about but that they dont want to tell others about in order not to inflict trauma on them. Many former abortion workers will freeze when this question is posed. They may come across secretive or cagey, which is the exact opposite of what they are feeling. Hiring managers should be patient when interviewing candidates who used to work in abortion clinics. They are more than likely trying to be protective of their traumatic experiences. Honesty is crucial to any interview process and if you, as a former abortion worker, are feeling apprehensive about the question of why you left, its entirely plausible to say something like, The environment was one of destruction and dishonesty. I feel that my skills are better suited to a place that more closely aligns with my values and morals. Be prepared with a list of the skills you have that apply to the position you are seeking and you can be an asset to the company. Career and industry changes are common so you are not alone when seeking to jump ship to a new job. But being a former worker in the abortion industry is certainly a more unique position to be in. Thankfully, you can be sure that more than 680 other former abortion workers have been in your shoes. When I left Planned Parenthood, my manager told me, good luck ever finding work again. I was terrified. I was my familys breadwinner. I had to make a good living to support my family. This was a non-negotiable. But seeing what I saw inside that clinic had changed me and I could not, in good conscience, stay there. It was through the assistance of a pro-life group that I got my first interview. They backed me up, helped me with my resume, and spoke to others in the medical field who they knew would be open to having a former abortion worker amongst their ranks. Getting a job a good job after working in the abortion industry is entirely possible. Its not worth staying in an abortion clinic job that tears you down day after day. Those memories are hard to erase. You can quit and there are some fantastic jobs with caring bosses that are out there just waiting for you. Home Opinion Absurd: Parents are 'domestic terrorists' but real terrorists on campuses are 'protestors' In October 2021, just five days following a National School Boards Association letter to the Biden administration labeling parents behavior at school board meetings equivalent to domestic terrorism and hate crimes, Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a memo calling on the FBI to investigate threats to school boards and school staff. Garland wrote, While the spirited debate about policy matters is protected under our Constitution, that protection does not extend to threats of violence or efforts to intimidate individuals based on their views. Parents who were truly, peacefully protesting were dubbed domestic terrorists, but real terrorists shouting, Death to America on government school campuses today are given a pass and called protestors. Does anybody see the absurdity in this? Those calling for Death to America are not protestors. They are rioters and terrorists! Much like those employed by Antifa and BLM following the death of George Floyd, most of whom are not even students or local residents but are likely employed by the same nefarious actors. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Riot police in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Los Angeles fired tear gas and used pepper spray. Police vehicles were set on fire and shops were looted in several cities during the riots that followed George Floyds death. And yet, the media continued to call them peaceful protestors and claimed racial victimhood as an excuse for their criminal behavior. Where is the pepper spray and tear gas for the terrorists chanting to Jewish students Go back to the gas chamber? This comes on the heels of at least two decades of teaching post-secondary students that America is systemically racist and in recent years this falsehood is even taught in K-12 government schools. Moreover, Garland said in 2021 that constitutional protections do not extend to threats of violence or efforts to intimidate individuals based on their views. Are Jewish students on high school and college campuses not being intimidated based on their religious views and what about their race? Is Judaism not a race? Arent Hamas rioters racist and bigots? Where are the race police on this issue? But what is worse is these terrorists hate America and want us dead. Americans are the only people that Hamas hates more than Jews. In their worldview, America is the Big Satan, and Israel is the Little Satan. Children and young adults in America are taught white Judeo-Christians are oppressors while Muslim squatters are oppressed. We should not be surprised by the illegal activity of these young adults when this is what children have been taught to think and do. But will we stand for it? It is time for freedom-loving, law-abiding Americans to stand boldly and courageously against the threat to our freedom and our very lives. Marxist professors of the Frankfurt School were run out of Germany by the Nazis during World War II and infiltrated Columbia University. Three generations later, a deadline is issued for Hamas supporters to withdraw from their encampment at Columbia University or be expelled. The terrorists forged ahead and forcibly occupied one of the campus buildings. Obviously, expulsion was not the proper deterrent, and I dont believe the terrorists care about getting an education. The terrorists committing these crimes as well as the terrorists that indoctrinated them to think this way are to blame for this violence and chaos. These students are adults and should be held responsible for their actions. They should face legal prosecution not expulsion. College campuses were the ideal space to begin the recent antisemitic terrorist attacks in America because they are the bastion of free speech. Is there any ground exempt from the occupation of terrorists in America? We have already seen the rioters in D.C. Will it be your hometown next? Are terrorists being strategically placed across the country coming in from Bidens open border invitation? The terrorists on college campuses who refuse to dismantle their illegal encampments need to be arrested and if illegal, deported. If they have visas, they should be revoked. Americans do not negotiate with terrorists! Send them packing or lock them up. Essentially, this is a war against Americas Judeo-Christian heritage, and ground zero for anti-American propaganda warfare in K-12 government schools. Blatant propaganda is no longer limited to colleges and universities where it should have been extinguished long ago. Children are now taught at young ages Critical Marxist theories with an intentional agenda to divide and conquer our country from within. Children are being brainwashed just as they were in China during the Mao regime and in Germany during the Hitler regime. Americans need to wake up and take a bold and courageous stand against the takeover of our country happening before our very eyes. We need to insist on swift prosecution of true domestic terrorists with every measure of the law. Most of all, we need to take a serious look inside the horrors being taught in government schools so we can stop this indoctrination at its roots. What is the 'manosphere' and should Christians be concerned? Many Christians are sceptical of modern feminism. There are worries that it encourages hatred towards men or the family, or that its recent "sex positive" guise promotes promiscuity. Some traditionalist Christians go further and believe that feminist ideas contradict Biblical teaching about gender roles. Inside and outside the Church, there have been concerns about alleged negative effects of feminism or prioritisation of women's rights - such as fatherhood not being valued, or men being discriminated against in divorce and family court. Inconsistencies are highlighted, like a curious lack of concern about women's representation in difficult jobs such as rubbish collection or sewage treatment, or neglect of high rates of suicide in men. Given this context, it's perhaps not surprising that some Christians have shown sympathy to what is called the "manosphere", an online movement that challenges feminism and celebrates masculinity. However, the movement includes some beliefs that are contrary to orthodox Christian ethics, including encouraging the manipulation of women to have sex, severe misogyny and an expression of dislike for women. For example, there has been a considerable amount of hatred expressed online towards several women who turned to Christ after repenting from sex work recently, and a preoccupation with the sin of female 'body count' (the number of sexual partners) while ignoring the same behaviour in men. The manosphere can be confused with, or sometimes overlap with, a wider movement that seeks to encourage men in a more positive direction, addresses potential biases, is willing to question some feminist beliefs and is comfortable with traditional masculinity, perhaps led by popular figures such as psychologist Jordan Peterson and podcast host Joe Rogan. However the manosphere takes such concerns many steps further and has some questionable characters and interests. The self-named "godfather of the manosphere", Rollo Tomassi, which is a pseudonym, has a range of questionable advice and commentary on men and how to navigate the difficult arena of modern sexual relationships, such as "Women don't want a man to cheat, but they love a man who COULD cheat". Another prominent figure is H Pearl Davis, an American woman living in London who regularly posts highly controversial videos on YouTube and claims to be Catholic, although her understanding of Christian beliefs seems weak. A selection of her provocative views include that women should not be allowed to vote because they are not conscripted in war and that men should not get married as they are penalised by divorce law at present. She highlights the entitled and negative behaviour of a small number of women, such as gold-digging, sexual immorality or prostitution on OnlyFans, and presents it as if it is the normal behaviour of modern women today. A typical tweet reads: "Imagine all women disappeared tomorrow. Would society function? Like it or not yes it would. The same is not true vice versa." Even higher profile is Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer who has developed an enormous fanbase after advocating for a macho kind of masculinity and domination of women. Tate, a recent convert to Islam, has made dubious comments on whether women are a man's property, and is alleged to have boasted about manipulating a girlfriend into doing sex work for him. He is due to stand trial in Romania for alleged rape and trafficking, which he denies. It's clear that a lot of "manosphere" content is firmly opposed to Christian ethics, though the same could be said of the extremes of modern feminism, too. Here are some terms associated with the manosphere that illustrate its concerns: MGTOW Men Going Their Own Way is a movement that discourages men from having committed relationships, arguing that men are penalised by having children and getting married in society at present. Red pill In the 1999 film The Matrix, Neo chose to take the red pill rather than the blue pill, a decision that led to a realisation that the world was completely different to what he had believed it to be. The term can be used when people experience a sudden change of attitude towards politics, especially progressive ideology, but within the manosphere is used when people experience the unravelling of feminist beliefs. Incel This stands for 'involuntary celibate' and is a word for the increasing number of men who are not having relationships with women but want to. They are often characterised as resentful towards women and even dangerous, but more sympathetic coverage asks why so many younger people are finding it hard to find and stay in a relationship? Father's rights activism Broadly this movement argues that family courts penalise men and that current law and practice makes it difficult for separated fathers to maintain relationships with their children, or deal effectively with former partners who seek to alienate their child from the father. MRAs Men's Rights Activists include the above, but also many subjects that are considered problems for men but not women. It also challenges the denial of harms committed by women, such as female-on-male domestic violence and abuse. Pick Up Artists Within the manosphere there is a lot of dubious advice about how to attract women and have sex with them, including using manipulative and abusive behaviour. The Church's response Christian commentary on the manosphere varies. There has been a lot of concern, especially from those sympathetic with feminism. However even very traditional, conservative Christians, such as the Daily Wire's Michael Knowles, who opposes liberalism and advocates for women to stay in the home, hav strongly criticised ideas such as the manosphere's opposition to marriage, the promotion of promiscuity or discouragement of male responsibility. "I'm a little concerned that that even people who rightly diagnose the problems with marriage are coming up with solutions that will not help in the end - namely men being selfish," said Knowles in an interview with Pearl on his channel. Less traditional, complementarian voices have advocated for a more balanced understanding of masculinity. For example, pastor David Mathis, at the Godward Life conference in November, characterised the manosphere as calling for "men to rebel against feminizing in our world, and the church... the vision ends up being little more than a caricature of manly strength and backbone." Instead, he advocates for maturity in men: "Both strong and gentle, he can wield his strength when the moment calls for it, or with admirable restraint he can walk in gentleness." In turn, the Church has often been criticised by the manosphere. Even conservative pastors such as Desiring God author John Piper who can hardly be described as a friend of feminists due to his complementarian views - have been accused of minimising women's sins while harshly condemning men. "I have a great deal of respect for the ministries of many of these churches and pastors... but we must be honest that they are badly off base and very uncharitable in this area," writes conservative Christian writer Aaron Renn for the Theopolis Institute. "The Church has adopted a very skewed approach that improperly berates and belittles men, and has badly misled them with teachings that just aren't true. Those might be strong statements, but not nearly as strong as the anti-male sermons that these pastors themselves preach. "There's been a lot written about the way the Church has abused and harmed women, but the Church has abused and harmed a lot of men too." As with many modern internet movements, it seems that the manosphere feeds on hurt and resentment at genuine injustices that churches should listen to, explore and respond carefully. The manosphere's solutions to genuine concerns often do not align with Christian teaching, and the Church must outline a better way forward. Heather Tomlinson is a freelance journalist. Find her at www.heathertomlinson.substack.com or on twitter @heathertomli We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter. Jelani Cobb is the dean of the Columbia Journalism School. He is also a staff writer at The New Yorker. For much of the past few weeks, he has been enmeshed in Columbia Universitys efforts to grapple with a protest movement on campus over the war in Gazaone that culminated in the takeover of a building and, finally, on Tuesday, April 30, a police raid. The Kicker talks to Cobb about the role the Journalism School played throughout the crisis, including facilitating press access to campus after a lockdown was imposed and supporting the work of student journalists, who were the only ones left on campus to document the police raid as it unfolded. You can also read CJR on the work of the Columbia Daily Spectator, the undergrad student newspaper. Executive Producer: Amanda Darrach Josh Hersh is an editor at CJR. He was previously a correspondent and senior producer at Vice News. BROOK PARK, Ohio A wanted Cleveland man carrying a handgun was arrested at about 10:30 p.m. April 19 after he failed to stop his car for police on Brookpark Road, crashed his car into another vehicle in Cleveland and ran away. Police on patrol saw the man stop his Honda Civic over the stop line at a red light. The red light was on Brookpark at Eastland Road. The man sped away and didnt signal when changing lanes. Police activated their overhead lights to initiate a traffic stop. Business: Toyo Suisan Kaisha and its subsidiaries produce and sell food products in Japan and internationally. The company operates through the following segments: Seafood, Overseas Instant Noodles, Domestic Instant Noodles, Frozen and Refrigerated Foods, Processed Foods and Cold Storage. It purchases, processes, and sells seafood, and manufactures and sells a variety of products including instant cup and bag noodles, soup and processed foods. Activist Commentary: Nihon Global Growth Partners Management is a long-term investor in Japanese-listed companies that are growing rapidly in markets outside of Japan. Prior to founding Nihon Global in 2018, the firm's principals were involved in managing a private equity program in Japan starting in 2004. As private equity investors, the principals have done nine buyouts, including three listed companies in Japan. All the principals' prior private equity investments involved Japanese companies where a substantial portion of the growth was in markets outside of Japan. In late April, Nihon Global issued a press release and presentation detailing its investment in Toyo Suisan and four shareholder proposals it has put forward to be voted on at the company's upcoming 2024 general shareholders' meeting: (i) increase the dividend payout ratio to 40%; (ii) repurchase 20 billion yen of the company's shares; (iii) implement a director stock compensation program; and (iv) disclose the company's cost of capital. Toyo Suisan is an international conglomerate with multiple business segments across seafood, processed foods and refrigeration, but its crown jewel is its overseas instant noodle business. The company is a global leader in the space, specifically in North America which contributed 65% of consolidated earnings before interest and taxes in 2023 and is expected to surpass 70% in the coming years. Toyo Suisan's brand of packaged instant noodles under the brand name Maruchan can be found in more than the dorm rooms of college students, dominating 70% of market share by volume and 45% by sales value in the US, and 75%+ in Mexico. The segment has enjoyed roughly 10.9% revenue and 12.8% EBIT compound annual growth rates from 2012 to 2024, as well as consistently healthy EBIT margins in the mid-teens. Despite this staggering performance and status as a global leader in instant noodles in the U.S., Mexico, and Japan, the company appears deeply discounted to its intrinsic value. Nihon Global attributes this to the company's (i) lack of strategic focus on its core assets; (ii) poor capital allocation, dedicating far too much capex on low ROA legacy businesses and being substantially overcapitalized; and (iii) a lack of attention to total shareholder return, which has underperformed peers in terms of total returns, as well as a lack of a formal shareholder return policy. The ideal plan for Toyo Suisan would be to divest its legacy and non-core businesses and focus its capital and resources on growing its core noodles business. Legacy businesses have generated just 17% of the company's 10-year cumulative earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, yet they have been awarded 51% of the capex despite generating sub-5% return on assets. Assets like its valuable refrigerated warehouse segment, a very attractive business, would be better suited as a Japanese real estate investment trust or sold to a strategic acquirer. The same applies to its processed foods and seafood trading businesses, which would benefit from the scale and synergies provided by a strategic acquirer, yet they continue to languish in Toyo Suisan, hindering valuations and diverting attention from the company's core growth areas all while delivering poor ROAs. Nissin Foods (2897.T) is one of the largest and most respected instant noodle companies globally. Toyo Suisan has consistently outperformed Nissin Foods in North America, one of the most profitable and fastest-growing markets in the world. Yet, Nissin trades at a higher price-earnings multiple because it is a pure play focused on the instant noodle market. Nissin also has a clear 40% dividend payout ratio and conducts share buybacks. Toyo Suisan, on the other hand, is the last remaining company among its peers with no shareholder return policy and no stated targets regarding return on equity, dividend on equity, dividend payout ratio and total shareholder return, according to Nihon Global's presentation. It also hasn't conducted a share buyback in 17 years. Becoming a pure-play noodle company with improved capital allocation practices would almost immediately close the roughly 8 times P/E multiple discount that Toyo Suisan trades at versus Nissin Foods. After that, as the dominant player in the North American market, Toyo Suisan would be in a prime position to be a global consolidator in the instant noodle market, a market that is prime for consolidation with two to three players dominating the industry. With this plan, Nihon Global estimates that the intrinsic value of the company is 17,300 yen per share or more, as opposed to the low 10,000 range. However, while that type of an ambitious activist plan would be commonplace in the United States, activism in Japan is more of a jog than a sprint. It generally starts with shareholder proposals that by regulation can only address specific issues, such as capital allocation and dividends. Accordingly, Nihon Global has put forward four shareholder proposals to be voted on at the company's annual meeting in June 2024: (i) increase the dividend payout ratio to 40%; (ii) repurchase 20 billion yen of the company's shares; (iii) implement a director share compensation program which would make 40% of total compensation performance-linked and half of which would be stock; and (iv) disclose the company's cost of capital. These are incredibly reasonable proposals. The dividend raise is an incremental increase of only 1.9% of December 2023 cash. The repurchase is only 4.6% of shareholders equity as of December 2023. The compensation program is equal to market standard, and the disclosure of cost of capital is consistent with the existing recommendations of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. A word about shareholder proposals in Japan for those who are not familiar with them: They are like going before Judge Chamberlain Haller in the 1992 movie "My Cousin Vinny." "That is a lucid, intelligent, well thought out objection. Overruled." In other words, they rarely pass. Last year, 3% of corporate governance shareholder proposals were passed and 4% of balance sheet-based shareholder proposals were passed. That is part of an upward trend. But there is a lot of good news here. First, if passed they are binding unlike in the U.S. Second, and more importantly, they do not need to pass to get the attention of management. Japanese business culture takes shareholder concerns seriously: If a proposal gets at least 20% of the votes, management will often act in some way that is consistent with it. Last year, 107 shareholder proposals received more than 20% approval from shareholders, and 49 received more than 30%, according to a study by law firm White & Case. In this case, Nihon Global could potentially win here or receive upward of 40% of the vote, which is almost like a mandate in Japan. Last year at Toyo Suisan, a less experienced activist shareholder with negligible ownership who did not do any marketing or soliciting to support its more debatable proposal to amend the Articles of Incorporation received 19.8% of the vote. Moreover, the shareholder base here is 41% foreign and more likely to support a shareholder proposal. There is no "white knight" large shareholder and no cross holdings that support management. Nihon Global's first three proposals are more likely to pass than its fourth proposal, as the first three require a majority of votes cast and the fourth proposal would require two-thirds of the votes cast. One last possibility that often happens in Japan is that Nihon Global could withdraw its proposals after meeting with management, who would agree to institute some of the recommendations. Senior management has thus far refused to meet with Nihon Global, but the firm has only been requesting a meeting since September 2023 and that is somewhat standard in Japan. Now that Nihon Global has escalated it to shareholder proposals, senior management may decide to meet with the firm, particularly as this is a next-generation senior management team, some of whom are American trained. This activist campaign highlights three important themes in Japanese activist investing. First, it shows the opportunities available to activists in Japan where reasonable shareholder proposals could lead to significant shareholder value creation. Second, it shows the limitations of activism in Japan where ambitious plans, even if compelling and logical, such as divesting non-core businesses and focusing on the core business is a non-starter in the early stages of a campaign in Japan. Third, there is a trend in Asia of private equity investors turning to public company shareholder activism. While shareholder engagement in Japan is relatively new for public investors, private equity investors have been doing it for decades. Accordingly, it is the private equity investors who have the experience dealing with management teams of public Japanese companies. That is inviting a lot of former private equity investors into the space. Brian Doyle of Nihon Global and his team are a good example of this. Hiroyuki Otsuka, a former deputy head of Carlyle Group's Japan business, recently raised approximately $1 billion dollars to launch Newton Investment Management, a Japanese engagement fund. Ken Squire is the founder and president of 13D Monitor, an institutional research service on shareholder activism, and the founder and portfolio manager of the 13D Activist Fund, a mutual fund that invests in a portfolio of activist 13D investments. Prasit photo | Moment | Getty Images There's potential for 'life-changing wealth' Many employees receive so-called stock options as part of their compensation, which are the right to buy or "exercise" company shares at a preset price within a specific timeframe. "It's almost iconic to grant stock options in a startup private company," said Bruce Brumberg, editor-in-chief and co-founder of myStockOptions.com, which covers various types of equity compensation. Startups want to create the drive and incentive of ownership culture with the potential for "life-changing wealth," he said. Stock options become valuable when there's a discount between your preset price and the market value, which makes it more attractive to exercise. However, the taxes can be complicated, depending on the type of stock options. Incentive stock options can offer some tax benefits if you meet certain rules but could trigger the alternative minimum tax, a parallel system for higher earners. Photo by LanaStock via Getty Images By comparison, the more common nonqualified stock options generally have less favorable tax treatment and you'll owe regular income taxes on the discount upon exercise. But even with an initial discount, there's no guarantee a company's stock price won't decrease after exercising a stock option. "It could be worth nothing but a piece of paper," Ransom-Cooper from Zenith Wealth Partners said. Restricted stock units are 'like a cash bonus' Another benefit, restricted stock units, or RSUs, are company shares granted upon hiring, which vest over time. RSUs can also be tied to performance-based goals. Some 94% of public companies offer RSUs to at least middle managers, according to a 2021 survey from the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals. "I like to think of it like a cash bonus," said Pittsburgh-based CFP Matthew Garasic, founder of Unrivaled Wealth Management. I like to think of it like a cash bonus. Matthew Garasic Founder of Unrivaled Wealth Management For example, if the stock price is $10 and 100 shares vest, it's treated like $1,000 in compensation for that year, and the standard withholding of 22% might not be enough, depending on your tax bracket, he explained. After vesting, the decision to sell or hold RSUs depends on your short- and long-term investing goals. "We like to establish a target of what they like to hold in company stock," said Garasic, who aims to keep allocations of a single stock to 10% or less. "Once we get above that target, we just sell at vest." Employee stock purchase plans offer free money Many publicly traded companies may also offer discounted company shares via an employee stock purchase plan, or ESPP. "There's free money to be had" with an ESPP, Garasic explained. However, the decision to participate typically depends on your short-term financial goals. After enrolling, your ESPP collects a portion of after-tax money from each paycheck and uses the funds to buy discounted company stock on a specific date. The gold standard is a 15% discount with a lookback feature, which bases the stock purchase price on the value at the beginning or end of the offering period, whichever is lower, experts say. Any time you're investing in a single company, there's certainly a big risk. Kristin McKenna President of Darrow Wealth Management You can typically sell after a set period, but there's no guarantee you'll make money, even with the built-in discount. "Any time you're investing in a single company, there's certainly a big risk," CFP Kristin McKenna, president of Darrow Wealth Management in Boston, previously told CNBC. Yearly goals like investing up to your employer's 401(k) match should come before your ESPP, especially with limited income, she added. Some people start businesses in their parents' garages or basements. Others start theirs in college, building a clientele among fellow students. Jensen Huang started his trillion-dollar tech company Nvidia while eating at a Denny's restaurant in San Jose, California, he recently told CBS' "60 Minutes." Nvidia, one of the chipmakers behind the burgeoning artificial intelligence industry, is currently worth $2.22 trillion, ranking it among the most valuable companies in the world. But in 1993, it was a business idea shared by three friends and engineers Huang, Chris Malachowsky and Curtis Priem who wanted to revolutionize gaming and media with 3D graphics. In 1993, the trio met at the Denny's location, Huang said. He was 30 years old, married and a father of two when inspiration struck him at the same restaurant where he once worked as a busboy at age 15, he added "We came right here to this Denny's, sat right back there, and the three of us decided to start the company," said Huang, who remains Nvidia's CEO today. "Frankly, I had no idea how to do it, nor did they. None of us knew how to do anything." Russia launched an overnight drone attack on Ukraine's Kharkiv and Dnipro regions, injuring at least six people and hitting critical infrastructure, commercial and residential buildings, regional officials said on Saturday. The Ukrainian Air Force said the Russian forces launched 13 Shahed drones targeting the regions in the northeast and centre of the country. The air defence units downed all the drones, the air force commander said. However, debris from the downed drones struck civilian targets in Kharkiv in the northeast, injuring four people and sparking a fire in an office building, the regional governor said. Oleh Synehubov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said a 13-year-old child and a woman were being treated in hospital. Two other women were treated on site. Emergency services were bringing the fire under control, he added. In the industrial Dnipropetrovsk region, two people were wounded, said Serhiy Lysak, the regional governor. He said a critical infrastructure facility and three houses were damaged. OMAHA, Neb. Warren Buffett said that Berkshire Hathaway is looking into an investment in Canada. "We do not feel uncomfortable in any shape or form putting our money into Canada," he told an arena full of investors Saturday. "In fact, we're actually looking at one thing now." The billionaire investor has placed bets in the country in the past. He's previously taken a roughly $300 million position in Home Capital Group that investors took as a vote of confidence in the troubled Canadian mortgage underwriter. The "Oracle of Omaha" said during the annual shareholder meeting that he does not expect to make significant bets outside the U.S., saying his recent investments in Japanese trading houses were a compelling exception. But Buffett noted the similarity in operations between the Canada and the U.S. "There's a lot of countries we don't understand at all," Buffett said. "So, Canada, it's terrific when you've got a major economy, not the size of the U.S., but a major economy that you feel confident about operating there." Every year, tens of thousands of investors flock to Omaha and many more tune in around the world to watch Berkshire Hathaway chairman Warren Buffett field questions from shareholders at his company's annual meeting. This year, as ever, Buffett shared his insights not only on the financial fundamentals behind Berkshire's many subsidiaries and portfolio companies, but also the path to a successful life. This year's entire 4-plus-hour affair is worth a watch, listen or read. But without getting into the nitty-gritty, here's two key pieces of advice Buffett shared on Saturday one about money, and one about life. On smart investing: 'We never worried about missing something we didn't understand' One shareholder asked Buffett about one of the most fundamental decisions any investor can make: when to buy or sell an investment. The description of the process he and longtime partner Charlie Munger employed offers tremendous insight to his investment philosophy. "Charlie and I made decisions extremely fast, but in effect after years of thinking about the parameters that would enable us to make the quick decision when it presented itself," he said. He didn't make his sizable investment in Apple, he said, until he felt he had a full grasp of consumer behavior, an understanding he came to after owning several other consumer businesses, both successful and unsuccessful. After years of gathering intelligence on a particular subject, he said, "there is something that comes along and ticks a whole bunch of observations that you've made and knowledge you have, and then crystallizes your thinking into action, big action in the case of Apple." The point for investors: Buffett doesn't buy any investment based on vibes or impulse. Only after he determined that the iPhone was "maybe the greatest product of all time," did he buy. Meanwhile, he never worries about missing out on an investment if it involves a product or company that he hasn't devoted exhaustive research to. "Charlie and I missed a lot of things we never worried about missing something that we didn't understand," Buffett said. On a successful life: Write your own obituary Voters fill out their ballots on January 23, 2024 in Loudon, New Hampshire. With Florida Governor Ron DeSantis dropping out of the race two days earlier, Republican presidential candidates former President Donald Trump and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley are battling it out in this first-in-the-nation primary. 2014 was the first year Lonna Atkeson remembers receiving hate mail. Atkeson, a political scientist who researches election surveys and public opinion, has been conducting voter polls since 2004. She is currently a professor at Florida State University and has authored several books. But a decade into her polling work, she said, the angry messages began rolling in. "I started getting letters from people saying, 'You're part of the problem. You're not part of the solution. I'm not going to answer your surveys anymore. You're an evil academic trying to brainwash our children,'" Atkeson recalled in an interview with CNBC. For Atkeson, those notes marked a shift: a more polarized electorate had begun to lose faith in institutions like polling and voters might no longer be as willing to talk to her. At the same time, technology was advancing and landlines or mail were no longer foolproof ways to get in touch with survey respondents. "People were not answering their phones," Rachael Cobb, a political science professor at Suffolk University, told CNBC. "Even in the last 10 years, you might try 20 callers to get the one that you need. Now, it's double: 40 callers to get what you need. So every poll takes longer and it's more expensive." Polarization and technology are among the obstacles that pollsters cite as complicating the task of taking accurate voter surveys. As a result, over the past several election cycles, polling organizations have made some major mistakes. "If you look at some of the big misses, I mean, they're pretty big," Atkeson said. Despite what Sally Field says, Robin Williams wasnt such an unreliable dad after all. At least thats what his oldest Mrs. Doubtfire kid, Lisa Jakub, knows after Williams came to her rescue during filming. I got thrown out of high school on Doubtfire, Jakub said during a Mrs. Doubtfire reunion with her movie siblings Mara Wilson and Matthew Lawrence on Lawrences Brotherly Love podcast. Im Canadian. I was attending high school in Canada, then I left for four months to film the movie. We were going to set up this system, pre-internet, where Id mail my school work back and forth to the school. We did that for a while. That is, until Jakubs high school decided it no longer wanted to be part of the arrangement. Despite three hours a day of on-set tutoring over two months of filming, she said, My school in Canada sent a note saying, You know, this isnt working for us anymore. Dont come back. Don't Miss Jakub, who was only in the ninth grade at the time, was devastated. It was just so heartbreaking, she said, because you know I had this life that was very unusual and that was the one normal thing. Joey Lawrence related, noting that he continued to attend high school in Philadelphia while he worked on the West Coast. It was a little dicey at times trying to figure out the way it works, he explained, but being there for my graduation if I hadnt had an opportunity to do that, it would have been very traumatic for me. Things looked bleak until Jakubs adult costar stepped in. The amazing thing was Robin saw that I was upset, she remembered. He asked me what was going on. I explained. He wrote a letter to my principal saying that he wanted them to rethink this decision, that I was just trying to pursue my education and my career at the same time and could they please support me in this. Advertisement This sounds like the perfect setup for a Hollywood ending, but the head of Jakubs high school was worse than Principal Rooney in Ferris Buellers Day Off. This principal got the letter, framed the letter, put it up in the office and didn't ask me to come back, she said. Jakub, who later got her GED and studied writing at the University of Virginia, sounds like she learned more from Williams than she would have at her lousy high school anyway. Id been working for a decade when I started Doubtfire, but we had always used a script. I knew when it was my turn to speak, she said. Then you go on set with Robin, and its like who the fuck knows whats going to happen now? And so you had to be really present. I had to be present with the other person in the room and I actually had to listen. Advertisement Youre just going to go with it, she concluded, because hes Robin, and you can trust him. In 1994, writer-director Alan Parker adapted T. Coraghessan Boyles novel The Road to Wellville as a film. Loosely based on the real life and questionable wellness theories of Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, the story is set at and around Michigans Battle Creek Sanitarium, which Kellogg (played here by Anthony Hopkins) operated in the titular town. His brother, Will Keith Kellogg, also contributed to the promotion of healthy habits by joining John Harvey in the development of dry breakfast cereals. Thirty years later, Jerry Seinfeld has released Unfrosted, also about Kelloggs breakfast foods, also set in Battle Creek, also very loosely based on real people and events. How many moderately counterfactual movies do we need about this subject? Probably one less than we have now. Seinfeld plays Bob Cabana, an executive at Kelloggs working directly with heir Edsel Kellogg III (Jim Gaffigan). Bob busies himself with matters such as the spelling on Froot Loops, knowing no actual fruit is involved, and the demands of Snap (Kyle Mooney), Crackle (Mikey Day) and Pop (Drew Tarver) to extend their brand into a board game and maybe a beach movie. One day in 1963, Bob is outside the offices of Post, his companys biggest rival in Battle Creek, when he watches a couple of kids, Butchie (Bailey Sheetz) and Cathy (Eleanor Sweeney) hop into a dumpster; after they survive a fall from there into a garbage truck, then hop out into yet another Post dumpster, the sanitation worker tells Bob the kids come for the goo. Don't Miss When Cathy and Butchie share some with Bob, he figures out why the Post execs at the recent Bowl and Spoon Awards (for breakfast cereal excellence) were so cheerful despite getting entirely swept by Kelloggs: Post is about to bring the world a transportable fruit-filled pastry. To remain competitive, Kelloggs has to lure back its most daring engineer, Donna Stan Stankowski (Melissa McCarthy), from her new job at NASA. The movies main gag is how many of the historical events we know about were, in the world of Unfrosted, mainly Pop-Tart-related. At a splashy press conference, Kelloggs introduces the taste pilots Stan has assembled to spearhead the project, because creating Pop-Tarts is like the space race. Since toaster pastries dont require the addition of any dairy product, the announcement runs afoul of organized milk, because creating Pop-Tarts might risk reprisal from a group like the mob. When Kelloggs buys all the sugar from Puerto Rico, Marjorie Post (Amy Schumer) is forced to make a deal with Nikita Khruschev (Dean Norris) to import it from Cuba, leading to a potential nuclear standoff announced by president John F. Kennedy (Bill Burr), because creating Pop-Tarts echoes the Cuban Missile Crisis. Space doesnt permit me to explain how Maria Bakalova, Cedric The Entertainer, Ronny Chieng, Peter Dinklage, Alex Edelman, Tony Hale, John Hamm, Thomas Lennon, Dan Levy, Sebastian Maniscalco, Bobby Moynihan, Aparna Nancherla, Christian Slater, John Slattery, George Wallace, and Cedric Yarbrough are all implicated. Broadly speaking, its to distract you from how little courage the script has to commit to its conceit, going all the way back to the opening scene. George (Isaac Bae), a little boy running away from home, meets Bob by chance in a diner, orders Pop-Tarts, and reads the story on the side of the box. Advertisement Bob tells him that the printed tale of Grandma Kellogg coming up with the recipe is a bunch of baloney: You wanna know the real story? Nope! George chirps. After Stan has brought together taste pilots including fitness guru Jack Lalanne (James Marsden) and bike magnate Steve Schwinn (Jack McBrayer), Bob wonders aloud if they shouldnt have hired people who know more about food. Could have, Stan drawls, to no follow-up. When a lab test goes awry and a key character blows up, he is put to rest in a formal ceremony officiated by famous cereal Quaker Isaiah Lamb (Andy Daly), in the course of which various brand mascots fill the grave with milk and cereal until the coffin floats and Snap, Crackle, and Pop play the bagpipes. Advertisement Maybe we could all enjoy the elastic reality of the moment if not for the decedents widow questioning everything thats happening, including why anything that could take place at a cereal company would result in a fatal explosion but this is the no, but energy that co-writers Seinfeld and Spike Feresten bring to the screenplay when theyre not distracting you with countless cameos. Advertisement In terms of the historical tragedies Unfrosted evokes for laughs, every viewer will have to make their own judgment on how soon is too soon. JFKs assassination is more than 60 years behind us; most reasonable people would probably agree its fine to joke about witnesses near the grassy knoll spotting a milkman there. But we also get Thurl Ravenscroft (Hugh Grant), who plays Frosted Flakes mascot Tony the Tiger, dressed in a horned and shredded headdress while leading a riot on Kelloggs headquarters to prevent FDA representative Mike Puntz (Fred Armisen) from certifying the companys new toaster pastry. For one thing, we might not all be ready to laugh about this when some Capitol Riots defendants are still making their way through the federal court system and others are filing to run for office themselves. For another, is this the kind of humor fans want from Jerry Seinfeld? Maybe The Lonely Island or Lord and Miller or Rogen and Goldberg would have had the sense to cut the insurrection, and struck the right tone of absurdity to make this story pop. But probably no one could have, because its too high-fructose corny an idea to work under any circumstances. Calling Unfrosted one of the decades worst movies is giving it too much credit. Superlatively terrible movies haunt your memories forever. If you watch Unfrosted and you shouldnt youll forget it by lunch. This article originally appeared in are u coming?, a newsletter about New York nightlife. Sign up here. Caroline and her cat Matisse. Photo: Lily Burgess This is my whole 20s, Caroline Calloway tells me wistfully, gesturing around her messy burnt-sage-scented West Village apartment, littered with plant dirt, wine bottles, flower petals, dozens of matchboxes inscribed with her name, and, in an odd gesture toward conventional orderliness, a color-coded closet. Caroline turned 30 in December, and, like many manically charismatic young people who schmooze and shitshow their way through New York right out of college, she has decided its time to pull back, take stock, and at least for now leave town. In other words, good-bye to all that clout-chasing. As such, she was hosting a series of not-quite-dinner parties in her studio apartment, the seat of her reign of shamelessness for the past decade (for as long as shes had an Instagram), and mostly inviting other members of the status-thirsty-monde, many of whom, like her, are young women without boundaries. Maybe you know this apartment, which is in an unremarkable 55-unit 1960s building, from her social media, or have been invited to one of these salons yourself. For years she has DMd writers, artists, influencers and anyone with something to offer to come over so she could hold forth. Calloway is, of course, internet famous for being internet famous. (Her Wikipedia entry describes her this way: Caroline Gotschall Calloway is an American internet celebrity known for posting Instagram photos with long captions.) Then she became even more famous for being betrayed or possibly just described by her ex-best friend Natalie Beach, who wrote a tell-all essay in 2019 about their relationship for the Cut, taking partial credit for her influencer success. At the time Beachs piece came out, I was new to New York and didnt understand why I was supposed to care about these two Instagram girls and their melodramatic friendship meltdown. But soon enough, her mess roped me in too. That she became an object of trollish fixation on Reddit seemed to prove she was for some reason significant culturally and therefore worthy of my attention, if for no better reason than that she was attracting that of so many others. Or so I told myself. But she was undeniably entertaining. I first met Caroline in person last summer, when I followed her around for a story at a party at Russian Samovar. Unsurprisingly, she was an excellent person to party with determined to have a good time, she brought genuine smiles to the faces of those around her. That party (and her being in New York again) was part of her post-Natalie game plan to stay relevant. She also started an OnlyFans, sold a $75 skin-care oil called Snake Oil yeah, maybe too obvious, but shes proud of her scammer reputation and could be found around town trying to do the whole Dimes Square thing, systematically making friends with the influencers, writers, and artists who would accept her invitations to hang out, including me. As always, wining and dining on the floor. Photo: Lily Burgess The thing I discovered about Caroline after I met her is that you just cant easily say no to her; she sucks you in. Through the screen, you can dismiss her as a crazy disaster, and maybe in so doing reassure yourself that you comparatively have it together. In person, she traps you with her big doe-eyes and a flurry of compliments and scams you of any ability to deny her what she wants from you, whether that be validation, a bottle of wine, or your attendance at her party (or all three). Its hard to say no because you think that you might just be witnessing something important what that is youre not sure even though, deep down, you suspect its probably inconsequential. Still, the manic charm doesnt work on everyone. After being heckled at a sceney lit reading last summer, and organizing her own reading in response, Caroline spent the remainder of the year partying like the rest of us and then supposedly decamped to the U.K. to celebrate and recalibrate (she started her influencership by posting about her posh-looking undergraduate life at Cambridge University). But by the New Year, she was back in New York, showing up at the events you show up at if you want to be a part of the elusive scene, such as the artist Annie Hamiltons one-woman show at the Jane and Sean Thor Conroes book launch in Ridgewood. But in November, she went dark on social media and Is Caroline Calloway alive? became a question I heard often. She is, I can assure you. In February, Caroline reached out to inform me that shed soon be leaving, for real this time, moving to Florida to take care of her 99-year-old grandmother and focus on her masterpiece, her memoir. She wanted to invite me to one of the many farewell dinner parties she was scheduling at home, all organized in a hand-drawn calendar in her notebook. It is a Caroline Calloway custom that when you go for dinner at her apartment you eat from paper plates in the middle of her floor, the drinks served in an assortment of mugs and jars. The menu is always the same: either take-out sushi paired with Aperol spritzes or salads paired with wine (wine that you bring). I was there first for salad night, with two 20-something influencers. When I showed up, there were four plates already on the floor, her cat, Matisse (she says hes from Ukraine), wandering among them. They tasted like Sweetgreen (arugula, apples, avocado, Zaatar bread crumbs, seemingly no dressing) and had clearly been purchased earlier that day, then left out. The meal was served around her altar: a tableau of art supplies, animal skulls, flowers, vases, terrariums, and taper candles in the middle of her potting-soil-covered floor. Fancy a bath? Photo: Lily Burgess One of the influencers brought shrooms, and suddenly the very polite dinner, mostly spent talking about Carolines New York run and the iconic lines she cant wait to write down in her book, turned into a trip. Before I knew it, I was agreeing to let Caroline razor off the top coat of my nails to superglue French-tip acrylics to my fingers (I have no idea how she stuck these on there, my nail lady told me a few days later during the three-hour appointment it took to remove them), while the other two took selfies around the studio, on her bed, and in front of her walls, lined with hundred of books mostly classic novels, memoirs by women, a couple of collections with matching green-and-red slipcovers, and one clearly visible copy of Play It As It Lays. Caroline declared the night the beginning of the end of a historic era. At some point, she asked us all to share what we like about her, and when I shroom-stumbled my way through an answer, she asked me, What do you mean?, forcing me to try again. For a couple of hours, we drank wine and talked about Caroline. Despite the self-interest, shes warm and maternal in a way that reminds you of your one friends crazy mom. For a while, she spent her monologue telling each of us how special we were and handing out gift bags of Caroline Calloway matchbooks, Snake Oil, and vases of purple-hyacinth bulbs. Shortly before 2 a.m., she put her cat into a tote, and we set out down Sixth Avenue for Pauls Baby Grand. You might think its abuse, but I have to admit Ive never seen an animal so happy and docile, passed around the dance floor by kids who clearly couldnt believe theyd run into Caroline Calloway, not to mention her cat. (The next morning, it was on Twitter: I walked into a bar in NYC looking for a lowkey night and saw Caroline Calloway holding a cat and I left.) Over the next two weeks, the going-away parties continued, attended by Vogue editors, fashion designers, Canal kids, Spike editor Dean Kissick, Fuccboi author Sean Thor Conroe, and Meg Superstar Princess. In addition, Caroline talked about having invited Kaitlin Phillips, Victoria Paris, Serena Kerrigan, Alison Roman, and having at least intended to invite Emily Ratajkowski, none of whom, for various reasons, actually attended, however. Caroline told me Cat Marnell would be coming one of the nights I was there, though Marnell later denied to me that she ever agreed to go. This past Monday night at 8 p.m., Caroline FaceTimes me again from the bathtub, boobs out, just like the first time we ever spoke. She tells me it is finally her very last night in New York and that a number of people she admires will be coming over, including Julia Fox, Serena Shahidi (a.k.a. @glamdemon2004), Cat Marnell, the writer Honor Levy, the poet Rachel Rabbit White, and Real Housewife Leah McSweeney (by FaceTime). When I arrive shortly after 9 p.m., I find her once again on the floor, with Honor, Serena, and a number of other young people, drinking Martha Stewarts Chardonnay collab with Snoop Dogg and trying to piece together 3-D flower puzzles Caroline bought for them. Dont I look like an alien empress? Alien empress is what its giving, Caroline says when I walk through the door, running around the room in a powder-blue silk dress and with flowers in her hair before sitting crisscross applesauce and exposing her white panties, which read HONEY. She talks mostly about the same things she did the last time I was here: the memoirs of Catherine the Great, the time I lost my cat at KGB Bar, the books shes working on, the movie supposedly being made about her by Lena Dunham, possibly starring Maude Apatow and Emma Corrin, and about all of the things she wanted to do before leaving the city, like eating at Via Carota, drinking at Bar Pisellino, and meeting up with a guy she likes to fuck. @glamdemon2004 works on the 3D puzzle. Photo: Lily Burgess I know were about to see one of the most famous people in the world, she tells the group, referring to Julia Fox, though the only people to arrive after me are Rachel Rabbit White, (British) Vogues resident astrologer, and a sexy, beefy man who, she tells me, is 59th in line to the British throne and brought Cheez-Its and four Ferrero Rochers to the party (believe it or not, from what I could tell from Googling later, he actually is the queens first cousin, twice removed; Caroline refers to him as a former lover). At some point, Caroline FaceTimes Leah but she doesnt answer. Caroline plays Taylor Swift, talks about Kurt Vonnegut, and gives away more flowers and Snake Oil. When I was creating my brand, Blair Waldorf was on my mood board, I hear her say before giving us all pep talks about our respective careers (Youre one of the great minds, she tells Honor). Unlike last time, she has made an attempt at ambience in the bathroom by filling her tub with a foot of water and floating real daisies on top. On the ledge sits a Coca Cola can, more candles, and every product Glossier has ever made. Shortly before Midnight, Caroline opens a bottle of port that she says belonged to her father, declaring it another very special evening, though I also drank it at the last dinner, also from a dirty glass. Rachel braves the detritus in the pond/tub for a photoshoot, still wearing her ripped tights and six-inch Giuseppe Zanottis, and Caroline shows me how she can contort Matisses face into a number of personalities: first a bunny rabbit, then a vampire, then President Martin Van Buren, then President Martin Van Bunny. Its at that moment that she tells me shes on acid. Who needs to leave next? she asks the room, because she wants a private moment alone with everyone before they go. Rachel Rabbit White, the new occupant of Caroline Calloways apartment. Photo: Lily Burgess I cant wait to be in open air, where I cant catch on fire and none of my limbs fall asleep, Serena says, after the second puzzle box is set aflame from one of the three dozen lit candles on the floor. Caroline commands us to pretend this is her real going-away party, which is confusing because I thought that it actually was. Isnt Julia in Milan? Rachel asks when it starts to become clear she wont be joining us tonight. As people start to head home, Caroline, now somehow with a green juice in hand, says that shes going to the Waverly Inn for a martini and to read her lovers book, but with an 8 p.m. flight the next day, she decides to head out to Art Bar instead with the distant Royal, Serena, and a sweet gay boy who has spent most of the evening trying to put the 3-D puzzle together. I came, I saw, I conquered, Caroline calls behind her on the way out the door, encouraging Rachel and me to stay for awhile, soak in her famous apartment, and shut the door on our way out. Thinking her bottle of acid to be just more snake oil I bet its some herbal shit, says Rachel we drop it on our tongues and wander the littered apartment, looking for clues as to how someone becomes Caroline Calloway, catching glimpses in bowls of unidentifiable pills on the counter and the books and art, including a painting of herself, on the walls. This is like a horror movie, Rachel says. Having determined the acid really is just CBD oil or something, we take some more. We spend the next hour or so listening to Lana, screeching Ive been tearing up town in my fucking white gown like a goddamn near sociopath, gliding around the room, now fully tripping, and searching for something, were not sure what talismans, as Rachel calls them, that would explain who this woman is and what has happened in this apartment over the past ten years. Its crazy, not to mention probably irresponsible, but both of us agree that the studio is intoxicating in itself, altering our behavior as much as the acid. We put on Carolines perfume because we cant help it. Caroline, in front of her flowery floor tableau. Photo: Lily Burgess Around 3 a.m., I leave Rachel curled in a ball on the bed next to the cat, curled up in the same position. At 5:45 p.m. the next day, Rachel meets Caroline again before her flight, and she hands over the keys to the apartment so that Rachel can move in (the subsequent heavy-duty clean-up was documented on Instagram). Later that evening, Caroline misses her flight and ends up at the Jane Hotel. Meanwhile, Julia Fox posts a video: I had full dinner plans last night and decided to take a power nap and woke up the full next day. Forgive me @carolinecalloway. Rachel texts me, Look we were taken over by her spirit. Something happened there where she like brought us on on a psychic level to her vibrations. It is one of Caroline Calloways greatest wishes, among many other definitely grand and probably delusional things, that one day, when you arrive at her former apartment building in the West Village, there will be a metal plaque next to the front door commemorating her ten-year residence there. It was the decade she became, as she once told me, professionally, Caroline Calloway, and it ended this week or at least her time on West 13th Street did. What this hypothetical inscription would read will take time to determine. Maybe it would say Caroline Calloway, Notorious Scammer or Caroline Calloway, Internet Celebrity. If Caroline got her way, shed be memorialized like Edith Wharton: Caroline Calloway, Literary Sensation, Caroline Calloway, Best-Selling Author, Caroline Calloway, Downtown It-Girl. Of course, most likely, there will only be a buzzer that the landlord still hasnt fixed. As of today, Rachel Rabbit White lives in the apartment. Caroline says shes staying off social media to make prose that explodes over you like your favorite confetti, though she did return to TikTok briefly last week to mark the the end of a fucking era. In the last video, she signs off with a quote from Joan of Arc: I was not afraid. I was born to do this. In Gloversville, the Women in Christian Service and the Mission Team at North Main Street United Methodist Church on Main Street earlier this 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. It was the moment which underscored the absurdity of those behind the anti-Israeli student unrest that is currently sweeping through American university campuses. Clad in a keffiyeh, the Palestinian scarf that is now de rigueur garb for protesters I guess some cultural appropriations are deemed OK if the cause is sufficiently Left-wing one of the many young women leading the protests stood before the media outside New York's Columbia University on Tuesday. Students had just forcibly taken over its famous Hamilton Hall on Manhattan's Upper West Side and her purpose was to demand the university now provide 'humanitarian aid' to the occupiers. Since they'd only seized the building a few hours before, it wasn't clear why they were already desperate for food and water. But they couldn't wait to cosplay as Palestinians under siege, as if their position was as dire as those in Gaza. In pursuit of this performative nonsense they were even prepared to upend the very concept of humanitarian aid, which is usually reserved for those trapped and unable to replenish declining supplies of sustenance. Palestinians in Gaza, perhaps, not over-nourished posh students in New York, where there is an eaterie on almost every block. Protesters and spectators at a pro-Palestine rally at New York's Columbia University this week Officers detain a protester at the University of California during a pro-Palestinian protest These students were free to leave the hall whenever they wanted, wander down the road to the nearest Manhattan Starbucks and guzzle to their hearts' content. The students' spokesperson, dubbed Keffiyeh Karen, was asked why the authorities had any obligation to supply provisions to students who were trespassing and destroying university property. You wouldn't want to see students 'die of dehydration and starvation', she replied. Moreover, the students had paid for a 'meal plan' with their fees (they can only dream of such things in Gaza). Of course, that did not mean Columbia had an obligation to deliver any food to law-breakers. And a quick online check would have revealed that the campus canteen was open to anybody prepared to stroll across the lawn. 'The revolution will be televised,' we used to say as students in the late 1960s. It never crossed our minds that it should also be catered. K eep in mind this was no first-year, wet-behind-the-ears student spring chicken but a 33-year-old Comparative Literature PhD candidate researching 'Poetry as interpreted through a Marxian [naturally] lens to propose an alternative to historicist ideological critiques of the Romantic imagination'. Whatever that means and frankly I have no idea it clearly doesn't include lessons on how to turn on cold water taps, which are plentiful in Hamilton Hall, when you're thirsty. But it is perhaps too big a sacrifice to expect such precious souls to drink tap water. I dwell on this because it is the perfect illustration of the self-indulgent, pampered, privileged mindset behind the U.S. student encampments and occupations, which started in and are still largely dominated by America's elite Ivy League universities, where annual fees can top $90,000 (72,000) and the scions of America's upper-middle class still take a disproportionate number of the places. A few yards away from our aspiring PhD, another Keffiyeh Karen fully masked was hurriedly shoving food through the university railings for the occupiers as if she'd just given the evil Israeli Defence Force the slip to feed and water the university's pro-Palestinian martyrs. I fear she was not thanked for her sterling efforts in the face of danger for there was a distinct lack of carrot juice, acai and quinoa, the bread wasn't gluten-free and the water wasn't Evian. Later requests specified no bananas, no bagels, no nuts. I get the bagel bit (too Jewish for them) but what do they have against bananas? The protests have generated all manner of supportive sub-groups, such as 'Queers for Palestine' and 'Dykes4Disinvest' (as in close down investments in Israel). These are the equivalent of 'Chickens for KFC' and 'Turkeys for Christmas'. Such is their ignorance they seem blissfully unaware that the penalty for being gay in Hamas-run Gaza is ten years in jail, if you're lucky, and being thrown off a tall building if you're not. Ironically, the only place in the Middle East where they could safely enjoy their lifestyles is Israel. Activists lay flags and messages on their tents during a protest at the University of Manchester The blunt truth is that the protesters' antics demean the plight of the very people they are supposed to care about and make light of very real hardships. But, in practice, this is all about the protesters, the faux Palestinians worried about Ivy League meal plans, not actual Palestinians under Israeli bombardment and wondering where their next meal will come from. Despite their passion for the cause, their ignorance and stupidity is astounding. One student interviewed on TV at another New York university said she'd rushed over to the campus the moment she'd heard protests were underway. Asked what she was protesting about she confessed she 'didn't really know' and turned to her friend for guidance. She didn't know either. A favourite chant of the protesters is 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free'. That, of course, implies the destruction of Israel. But I'm not sure many of them appreciate that. A professor at Berkeley in California discovered that fewer than 50 per cent of his political science students could name which river (Jordan) and which sea (Mediterranean). Some thought it referred to the Nile and the Euphrates, which would imply a Palestine entity straddling most of the Middle East. Some thought the sea was the Atlantic (it's an ocean), the Dead Sea (an inland lake) and even the Caribbean (which is at least a sea, if an Atlantic Ocean away). At Hamilton Hall and other occupations, huge banners promoting 'INTIFADA' have been unfurled. Again, it is not clear if they really understand what this involves. It is certainly more than a few Palestinian kids throwing stones. At its worst, it has meant suicide bombers blowing up buses and nightclubs, killing youngsters the same age as the students waving the intifada banners from the safety of their campus. You have to be especially stupid to go down this road. It is easy to ridicule entitled know-nothings who get a kick out of saying, in effect, 'Look at me I'm just like a Palestinian refugee', who still couldn't find Gaza on a map after weeks of protest, whose only source for details of the complex and historic Israeli-Arab dispute is TikTok and who now believe the most important thing in their lives is something about which they weren't even aware less than a year ago. But there's a dark underside to it all: because they are so ignorant they're easily led into espousing repellent views by activists and agitators who know exactly what they're doing. S o anti-Israel sentiment, understandable given the pictures coming out of Gaza (especially when you have no concept of, nor context for, Hamas tactics), quickly became pro-Palestinian and then, just as speedily, morphed into pro-Hamas. Protesters vandalise a door at the University of California during a rally in support of Palestinians in Gaza In the process it became acceptable to deny Israel's right to exist, to bar Jewish students and those who supported them from campus (just as they did in the early days of Nazi Germany) and even to claim that October 7 wasn't really that bad or, worse, was justified. These are all sentiments that have emanated from makeshift university encampments across America in recent weeks as the protests gathered pace encampments which the New York Post described, with some justice, as 'Woodstock for anti-Semites'. They are also the reason university authorities from Columbia on the East Coast to UCLA on the West Coast belatedly called in the police to clear out the protesters. The pressure to act became irresistible as Republican and Democratic politicians averred that anti-Semitism was now more rife than it had ever been before in America and that, incredibly, universities had become the main source of the poison. Yet, perhaps, not incredible at all. American academia is dominated by a neo-Marxist narrative in which all the current ills of the world can be traced to racial injustice and colonialism, and the peoples of the world divided into oppressed and oppressor. Seen through this simplistic prism perhaps beguiling to those who know no history, politics or economics the Middle East becomes easily understandable: Israel is the oppressor, backed by evil imperial powers like America and Britain; Palestinians are the oppressed. Israelis are largely white (or so it is claimed) and Palestinians are brown. All the boxes are ticked. It is Israeli-Arab geopolitics for dummies. These views are also prevalent in British academia, which is why what has been happening on American campuses is now infecting our universities. It's an old story. Most movements which kick off in America soon reach our shores, whether they are relevant or not. U.S. anti-Vietnam War demonstrations in the 1960s and early 1970s spawned British imitations, even though Britain did not participate in that war and, unlike America, no young men here were ever conscripted for it. More recently America's Black Lives Matter movement was imported after the murder of George Floyd, with all manner of public figures performatively 'taking the knee', even though the British and American experience of race (and slavery) could hardly be more different. The barren wastelands of identity politics have been an even more recent U.S. import. And now British students are mounting pro-Palestine protests of their own, also tilting towards being pro-Hamas, and U.S.-style encampments have taken root at Sheffield, Bristol, Leeds and Newcastle universities. At Goldsmiths University in South London, students have been occupying buildings including the library for weeks, replete with U.S.-style chants such as: 'No justice, no peace, if you don't give us justice then you don't get no peace.' Clearly, neither originality nor good grammar are their strong points. So far the British protests seem pretty half-hearted. They could peter out when universities close down for the summer, though an autumn election campaign could reinvigorate them if Israel-Hamas hostilities are still extant. They could run out of steam in America too, but I suspect they will retain more traction there. There is increasing evidence in the U.S. that hardline agitators and anarchists are now orchestrating the protests, with privileged, naive students their useful idiots. A Leftist website, CrimethInc.com, run by veterans of BLM, Antifa and Occupy Wall Street, has been publishing lessons learned and coordinating activities across the country. According to the NYPD, half the protesters arrested at Columbia and New York's City College were not students. They push for the occupation of buildings wherever possible and that is when violence and vandalism are most likely to occur. They were behind the occupation of Hamilton Hall, which was roundly trashed, and behind the wilful and appalling damage done to the library at Portland State University in Oregon. There was a feeling in America this week that perhaps the worst was over. The university authorities had acted at last, major figures on the Left and Right had condemned the encampments, police intervention from Los Angeles to Texas to New York had been effective (and largely non-violent) and even President Biden was wheeled out to give his tuppence worth. It was the first time we've heard from 'Silent Joe' since the campus unrest took root. He has proved strangely reluctant to condemn the protesters and even on Thursday did no more than spout a few mealy-mouthed platitudes about free speech and peaceful protest. He needs the youth vote essential to his victory in 2020 to be re-elected in November and has been keen to court that vote with a $160 billion student debt write-off (with more to come before election day) and the reclassification of cannabis, effectively decriminalising it. Saying a few robust home truths to student protesters has so far eluded him. And this could come back to hurt Biden. If the protests continue and the Democratic convention in Chicago in August is hijacked by violent protesters, as the 1968 convention (also in Chicago) was by anti-Vietnam war protesters, then a sense of lawlessness would only help Donald Trump as it helped Republican Richard Nixon in 1968. So Biden might have to stiffen his resolve and his response before the summer is out to secure his re-election chances. More fundamentally, sensible politicians of all persuasions need to think seriously about why so many young Americans especially the ones who are supposed to be the smartest are so easily prepared to make common cause with a genocidal Islamism. It's been an undeniably good week for the Labour Party, and a bad one for the Conservatives. So it's no wonder that, after half a generation out of office, there is optimism, perhaps even confidence, among Labour supporters. Yet this is also a dangerous moment for them and for the country. The challenges and the terrible constraints now facing a British government of whatever colour are all too real. Take, for example, climate change, or the collapse of social care. Or the dire housing situation for young people, the disintegrating fabric of society or the desperate state of our national finances. These are vast problems. They are urgent priorities. And yet there are no agreed solutions to hand, let alone easy ones. That's why, even with victory seemingly in sight, Labour must be clear that tribal politics won't cut it any longer. Britain's opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer speaks next to Labour's Claire Ward, after Ward was elected as East Midlands Mayor, May 4 Conservative party candidate Susan Hall speaks as Labour's Sadiq Khan is re-elected as the Mayor of London Lord Blunkett (pictured) was a Labour Cabinet minister for eight years The task facing the next government the task facing all of us is too huge for that. It will take a national effort, not a political campaign, to get us out of the hole we are now in. After more than a decade of division, what we need is healing. Today the polls appear healthy for my party but looks can be deceptive and I believe that an eventual Labour victory will turn out to be rather less convincing than many seem to think. While I was naturally pleased that Labour won the Blackpool South by-election from the Conservatives with nearly 60 per cent of the vote the shockingly low turnout there and around the country makes Thursday's results an unreliable guide to the future. Apathy is a threat to our institutions and our democracy. The disruption of the war in Gaza is a further factor creating disaffection among some core Labour voters with effects that cannot be discounted or swept under the carpet. Nothing is guaranteed. Sir Keir Starmer has done well to rescue Labour from the disaster of the Corbyn era. But what we need now is a long-term vision of the future which unites men and women of all persuasions and wins their confidence. With the emphasis on 'long-term' and 'unite'. We have to plan for tomorrow, whether that's building power plants, upgrading the National Grid or increasing the availability of electric charging points, not to mention reforming the NHS and investing in vocational skills. That means being honest about the costs involved and the timings, and then investing in the human beings who are key to its success. For too long British politics has been bedevilled by short-term thinking and easy slogans. But if planning is important, so are its counterparts cooperation and partnership. A Labour government must mobilise private sector investment as the public coffers are rebuilt. We must agree a viable plan to make the most of our pension funds and other vast savings to regenerate and grow our economy. Winning major infrastructure investment means agreeing the way ahead with industry and businesses large and small and, yes, with some of our political opponents. That is why Keir Starmer and his team reached out to the business community in a way that may have bewildered some Labour stalwarts. A sign for a polling station near the Houses of Parliament in London on May 3 Prime Minister Rishi Sunak congratulates Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen on his re-election Tees Valley Conservative Mayor Ben Houchen was re-elected with a reduced majority from his second term with 53 per cent of the vote Labour should realise that government isn't now (and, in fact, never was) in a position to deliver on its own. It means looking across political and cultural divides, however uncomfortable that must feel for those who have been languishing in opposition. But out of sheer necessity, it must be done. It's right morally and it's in the interests of everyone. The alternative? Look across the Atlantic to a world where partisan politics has left the world's richest nation in a state of ungovernable chaos. It's a spectre to be avoided at all costs and one that we should fear. We cannot imagine that we are immune in this country. For too long, there has been a tendency for British governments to believe that the 'winner takes all'. So many of the key appointments to public services, quangos and even to positions of oversight of our cultural and artistic world, have been offered to those on the 'right side' as the new administration sees it of the political divide. It is what the philosopher and economist Antonio Gramsci called 'hegemony'. It's understandable but all too often an incoming administration causes massive and damaging disruption. Yet, there might be a different way. Giving people jobs on the basis of their competence, for example, and not because of which way they voted in the 2016 Brexit referendum. That would be a start. When Labour came to power in 1997, I appointed Conservative supporters, including former Tory Cabinet minister Tony Newton, to oversee key government agencies in the belief that they were capable and that they would command support. Gordon Brown did it before the 2010 Election, with what he called his Government of All the Talents (unfortunately described as 'GOATS'). It didn't entirely achieve its goal, but the intention was a good one. Today, while we are not our brother's keeper, we are entirely dependent on mutuality and reciprocity for success. The role of government is simply not the same as it was after the Second World War. The world has moved on and is infinitely more complicated. I appreciate that some of what I'm saying is nowhere near as exhilarating or uplifting as my own early years in politics. The approach I'm offering is long-term and uncertain in its outcome, but I don't believe there's any choice. Britain had a radical offer from the far Left amid the debacle of Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party. And then, in 2019, rejected it. We've seen what happened in the 49 days of Liz Truss' whirlwind premiership under the Conservatives, and the economic damage we're still suffering today. So why can't we be honest about the situation we are in, about the cost of getting out of it and the length of time it will take? We must be honest, too, about the nature of the British electorate which, even today, is cautious, conservative with a small 'c'. It wants long-term reassurance about the future. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak congratulates Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen on his re-election Ben Houchen, speaks as Rishi Sunak visits Teesside on May 3, 2024 Nearly eight decades of post-war politics have finally unravelled and it's our job to provide that confidence and hope. The key is stability, a steady hand on the tiller. Creating a picture in which many can contribute to the finished painting that's where we should be now. We must look to those who whichever way they voted still believe in our community and might just be prepared to join in a great national endeavour to restore the reputation of the United Kingdom in the world. And restore belief in our democratic processes here at home. That's one radical thought I hope the British people will accept when, finally, the time comes to elect a new government and start to tackle the mess in which we find ourselves. - Lord Blunkett was a Labour Cabinet minister for eight years. Nicole Cousens cried for 547 days straight after her beautiful baby girl was born. Excited to welcome baby Ellie, Nicole knew something was terribly wrong when she met her eagerly anticipated bundle of joy for the first time. Instead of being 'overwhelmed with love' like she thought she would be, she had a very different and confronting thought: 'What the heck have I done and how do I keep this thing alive?' The 34-year-old first time mother, from Perth, had been thrust deep into post-natal depression with no clear way out. She knew her headspace wasn't quite right but every Google search told her she had the 'Baby Blues' which typically subsides a few days after giving birth. Nicole tried to smile in pictures after welcoming Ellie into the world but she just didn't feel the love connection she had been promised and didn't think she could look after her baby properly Nicole cried for 547 days straight after her beautiful baby girl was born. Her daughter Ellie is pictured in the NICU. Her husband Shayne is with her But as days turned to months, she began to despair. 'I thought I was a terrible mother because I didn't love her the way I was supposed to,' Nicole told FEMAIL. Four years on and she and her daughter best friends and she is finally the fun mum she always wanted to be - but it took a while. Nicole is so scarred by the deep mental health episode she lived through for two years her dreams of having two children, a pigeon pair, have been shelved. The skin crawling feeling she got when she heard her baby's first cry contrasted with her desire to keep her safe at all costs. She told her partner Shayne to keep his eyes on her at all times. Nicole gave birth via C-section - but remained positive the whole time as she had during her glorious 'sunshine and rainbows' pregnancy. 'I was so naive I thought being a parent would be easy. I thought I would be the fun mum making toys and doing my own baby sensory activities,' she said. Relief came when she went back to work - but she was thrust back into the throes of depression every time her baby got sick and she stayed home to care for her She was 'strangely relieved' when she was discharged before her young daughter who ended up swallowing fluid at birth and had to stay in the NICU for a while. It was there that they also noticed holes in her heart and a 'clicky' hip they wanted to monitor. 'I went in and saw her every day but it wasn't like she was home and I had to look after her,' she said. But this also impacted their ability to bond - as did the brace her daughter came home with which kept her hips square until they developed properly. In hindsight the post natal depression was clear - there were indicators everywhere. Even her previous mental health issues signalled the potential for it to develop. Nicole's spiralling mental health meant she couldn't be the mum she thought she would be or have the enlightening maternity period she had dreamed of. Nicole and Ellie are best friends now - but the mum mourns the period of her life where she was anxious and depressed instead of the fun mum she had wanted to be Instead she was sitting at home, experiencing sensory overload every time her baby cried and believing she was the worst mum to ever exist. 'I just didn't know what she needed,' she said. She questioned her ability to feed baby or to keep her happy and safe. 'Shayne could actually work out what she needed much faster, knew when she was hungry or tired or needed her nappy checked. I just couldn't figure it out,' she recalled. Nicole mourned the confident woman she had once been and the dream of motherhood she'd created during those 'perfect' months of pregnancy. 'I thought we would be sitting in cafes, I was looking so forward to maternity leave and a ten month break,' she said. In fact she was relieved when maternity leave ended and she had to go back to her government office job. She explained she thought being a mum would be easy but her partner was actually more attuned to bub's needs At least there she knew what she was doing and whether she was doing it well. 'It made our relationship better. I missed her when I was at work and thought of all the fun things we could do,' she reflected. Nicole didn't realise the darkness she was facing was postnatal depression or how common it was. In fact Specialist Paedeatrician Dr Daniel Golshevsky, better known as Dr Golly, explains perinatal mental health struggles impact about one in five mums. 'Having a highly unsettled baby or a history of mental health problems will increase your chances of suffering. There are many symptoms but feeling numb or sad, as well as excessive crying, anxiety, fear or worry are some of the most common,' he said. The numbness, anxiety and sadness mentioned by the doctor were all ever-present for Nicole - but came to ahead one day when she and her now husband, Shayne, were shopping for an aircon. 'I didn't want to go home - because she was there and it meant I would have to look after her,' she said. 'We were in the car and I just burst into tears. Poor Shayne saw me crying all the time but didn't know how to help.' It took two years for Nicole to emerge from her post natal depression and begin to enjoy parenting Shayne held her and promised things would be okay - reminding her he was there and they were a team. The next time her feelings took over Nicole was alone. Ellie's cries sent her into a rage. 'I was screaming and shouting - not at her but in general - I was shaking. I called my mum and admitted I needed help,' she said. That phone call brought the family closer. 'She had a difficult birth with me and my twin sister. and admitted her own struggles with parenthood. She was of the generation where it wasn't talked about,' she said. Nicole has worked on her relationship with Ellie every day, with things becoming easier now the youngster can talk about what she wants. She says sending her to day care where she knew she was safe also helped with her mental health. Now she and Ellie are inseparable. Nicole wants other women to realise they are not alone, and that if they are feeling the crushing weight of depression and anxiety after birth then it could be something more sinister than the 'blues'. Nicole and Dr Golly are both doing The Push-Up Challenge next month to raise awareness for mental health. 'The most important thing you need to remember is if you need help, help is available,' Dr Golly said. PANDA has a national hotline 1300 726 306 and is a great starting point for any parent looking for advice An American woman living in London has revealed all the things others should know about the big city before making it their home. Dys, who hails from Atlanta, has revealed the pros and cons to living in the capital. From the close proximity to European countries to drinking culture and surprisingly nice weather, the content creator shared the reality of living in London. Listing off all the positives about London, Dys revealed that the city is more affordable in comparison to some US cities. Perhaps in the US many would assume London is far more expensive to live than New York, however according to Dys this is not the case. Dys, who hails from Atlanta Georgia and ventured from across the pond to the big city, has revealed the pros and cons to living in the bustling capital From difficulties with fostering a community to dreary British weather, the American shared here takes on London life Besides the cost of food, Dys revealed living in the Big Apple was more costly. But saving some money on her weekly grocery shop wasn't London's only advantage, according to the content creator. Acknowledging London's close proximity and cheap flights to other countries in Europe, the Middle East and more, Dys also added: 'Sometimes the best thing to do is leave.' Another upside to UK life for Dys was also being able to 'feel safe in large crowds and gatherings'. And although many would believe the dreary British weather would be a dealbreaker, Dys noted that it wasn't as bad as many were led to believe. She added: 'People are just dramatic and chronic complainers.' Acknowledging several positives about the city, she noted how close the city was to other European hot spots She also revealed that she felt safer in large groups and crowds in the UK (pictured) Even though the American had pointed out some positives bout the UK, her view of the country wasn't entirely upbeat. Dys shared that she was left feeling unimpressed by British drinking culture. 'Drinking is such a core part of culture here,' she wrote. 'You have to drink to make friends, progress at work, socialise, etc everything here involves drinking.' Also slamming London as 'fake 24 hour city', the American claimed it is difficult to purchase food after 9pm at night. Dys also found the capital city to be a very lonely place, quipping how hard it was to foster a 'warm, friendly or kind' community in the busy city. She added: 'The people, infrastructure and social fabric of London don't foster much spontaneity one of the many things I miss about the US.' Also disappointed by the UK's sweet treat selection, Dys encouraged Americans to appreciate how 'spoilt for choice' they are. However among her many gripes about British life was our drinking culture as well as the difficulty of finding food after 9pm Several Brits flooded the comments section strongly disagreeing with many of Dys' takes, namely her opinion on British weather Many Brits came to the city's defence in the comments, vehemently disagreeing with the American's claims. 'How is it raining almost everyday and youre saying its not that bad,' one asked. Defending London's food availability, a user exclaimed: 'You can literally buy food at 4am' Whilst another chimed in: 'It is definitely not hard to find food after 9pm.' A fifth penned: 'As for spontaneity, it's one of the best places in the world. You can get up any day of the week at anytime and find something to do' However, both Londoners and Americans came to Dys defence after some social media users were disgruntled by her opinions. 'I lived in London for 5 years and I could not agree more especially how difficult it is finding friends, though when you do, they last longer & stronger.' one wrote. 'As a Londoner I 100% agree on the spontaneity thing for nights out,' a viewer said. 'We just dont have bar culture like in the US or other UK cities where you can just go on a night out and see where it takes you.' Docherty said her daughter's name was so unique no one else in the world had it One of the biggest decisions you will make as a parent is deciding your child's name, as a wrong decision could mean a life of torment for them. Some parents may opt for a more traditional name like Amy or John, whilst others may want a slightly stand-out name for their child. One gypsy mother decided against giving any of her four children run-of-the-mill names. Taking to social media, Docherty revealed her children's unique names to her TikTok following of 15,600. Responding to a comment, which read: 'What [are] your children's names and where did you get their names from?' Mother-of-four Docherty (pictured) shocked viewers when she revealed her children's extremely unique names Eager to share the ode-mode names, the mother-of-four divulged that one of her daughters is called Solitaire Dior. Explaining how Solitaire was inspired by its diamond shape, she added: 'My granny gave me the name Solitaire, I just [added] Dior to it.' Docherty also dropped the bombshell that her other daughter has perhaps one of the most unique names in the world. She said: 'Well Shadora means holy I just put may on to it - and she is the only girl would you believe in the whole entire world called Shadora May. 'There are loads of Shadora's and loads of May's but there are no Shadora May's.' However, her third daughter's name is more geographically inspired. Sharing in a clip that now has over 56,000 views, Docherty revealed her other young daughter was named Malibu Alaska. She explained her cousin Peyton had drummed up the name Malibu, whilst she added Alaska. Finally, the mother-of-four revealed her son was named Stinger James. She quipped: 'And then my boy is called Stinger, and I call him James. He's named after his grandad.' Although the names are not your ordinary Joe or James, many expressed their admiration of the 'beautiful' monikers in the comments. The traveller woman divulged her daughter - Shadora May was the only person to bear her name in the entire world Social media users flocked to the comments to praise the mother-of-four for her unique names 'Absolutely love your babies names. My little girl is called Miami~rose she four now,' a mother penned. A second added: 'Beautiful names!! My daughter is called Malibu-Rose' 'Unbelievable names,' a third exclaimed. 'Very unusual I love the second girl's name - very different,' a fourth chimed. 'Love these names and lovely theyre linked to ideas from Granny and Grandad,' another said. 'Lovely...nice to hear something other than Jim, Joe or Mary.' 'Solitaire and Malibu and stinger! All the names are beautiful,' a viewer said. A key movement in the religion is making sure a man is always in charge Stay-at-home-daughters is often used a quirky description for a young woman who can live a lavish lifestyle off her family's wealth rather than get a job of her own - but it turns out, the term has a much darker meaning. Ashley Easter, who grew up in what she described as a 'cult within a cult within a cult within a cult' and was labeled a 'demon' when she was younger, recently revealed how vulnerable women end up forced into submission - and that it starts from birth. 'Stay at home daughters were basically unmarried adult women who continued to submit to their fathers until he gave them away in marriage to another man,' Ashley explained to host Shelise Ann Sola on the YouTube channel Cults to Consciousness. She continued: 'They would then submit to [their husband] for the rest of their life, say yes to sex, have all their babies.' Ashley Easter grew up in what she described as a 'cult within a cult within a cult within a cult' and was labeled a 'demon' when she was younger She explained that vulnerable women end up forced into submission - and that it starts from birth Ashley, who was apart of the Independent Fundamental Baptist Church (IFB), explained that the group want to continue their '200-year plan' until the world is populated with their 'very patriarchal religious views.' She described the moment she knew her 'body wasn't safe' - recalling her grandfather buying a white carnation and placing the stem in red food coloring before watching it change color. 'That was a symbol of my change into being a submissive girl, and that moment did change my life,' she recalls. Ashley, who grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia, said from that moment on she knew what could happen if she stepped out of line. 'I knew now what could happen [if] I was too rebellious, you don't deserve anything good and that it can be snatched away in a moment and that as a woman you don't have power in this and if you're going to survive you've got to submit eventually,' she listed. Both of Ashley's grandfathers were pastors within the IFB church - one in the North and one in South in Virginia, and she grew up in one of the most strict Christian churches. 'We actually kind of looked at Southern Baptists and people like from Liberty [Baptist Church] or from Thomas Road [Baptist Church] as liberal,' she admitted. 'We thought they're probably Christians but they weren't good Christians because we were so much more strict.' Ashley, who was apart of the Independent Fundamental Baptist Church (IFB), explained that the group want to continue their '200-year plan' until the world is populated with their 'very patriarchal religious views' According to Ashley, the major difference between IFB and Southern Baptists is the structure of the church, with Southern Baptists more apart of a larger corporation, while the IFB churches are run very independently According to Ashley, the major difference between IFB and Southern Baptists is the structure of the church, with Southern Baptists more a part of a larger corporation, while the IFB churches are run very independently. 'So, just Southern Baptist but much more extreme,' she surmised. She also said the Southern Baptist churches allow women to lead some groups, while that would never happen in IFB churches. Within the church, Ashley said the dress code enforced differed from family to family - describing it as 'creepy' because the fathers usually set the dress code. 'One father might be more of a boob guy than a leg guy, and you can almost kind of insinuate that by how their daughters are allowed to dress,' she shared. Ashley, who described her experience growing up as a mix between Shiny, Happy, People with the Duggar family and Let Us Prey, divulged that the men had so much control it even filtered down to the types of music they could listen to. 'We were allowed to listen to hymns and southern gospel,' she shared, adding the only secular music she listened to growing up was The Beach Boys because her dad loved them. Ashley explained there were several 'movements' within the church, including homeschooling, the patriarchy movement and something called the 'quiverful movement,' which is a guise for reproducing as much as possible. 'Many people did not use birth control, I personally know of people who almost died in childbirth but kept having children,' she recalled. 'It's basically this idea of domination through overpopulation,' she pointed out. Ashley added some of the abuse she suffered in her church and family is 'all very predictable from the outside,' but when you're on the inside, she thought it was what 'good Christians do' Ashley added some of the abuse she suffered in her church and family is 'all very predictable from the outside,' but when you're on the inside, she thought it was what 'good Christians do.' 'You don't see a lot of other examples and the ones that you do see they're painted as being rebellious or as being lesser of Christian,' she added. 'They try to indoctrinate you [by saying] women need protection from men and so we're doing this great service by telling them what to do and controlling their lives because men are the protectors,' she said. As Ashley got older, she said she started to realize that something wasn't right. 'The patriarchy is a system of abuse, and it is a system of abuse because it systemically places men over women for the purpose of power and control,' she pointed out. Ashely said her religious suffering began when she was in the womb and continued for as long as she can remember. She was later told that her mom had been unwell when she was pregnant and then Ashley herself was unsettled as a child - so the group thought she had a demon inside of her. 'Even before out of the womb they're already attributing evil happening because of your presence,' she said. According to Ashley, being rebellious is 'like the sin of witchcraft.' 'Witchcraft is alliance with the devil and alliance with the devil gets you thrown into hell,' she explained. When Ashely was four, her parents sent her to live with her grandparents because she was 'too much to handle' and it was there that she was locked in the basement for hours. Ashely said her religious suffering began when she was in the womb and continued for as long as she can remember Ashley said her breaking point came in her early 20s, after she broke off an abusive engagement and befriended someone who briefly attended her church, who encouraged her to talk to other Christians about their lives which made her realize how oppressed she was In the end, she started to believe in the oppressive system and began living by the rules the men in her life were setting for her - even writing a blog in her teen years about being a perfect submissive 'stay-at-home-daughter. 'I kind of internally decided if I'm going to survive this I have to be able to work within this system,' she reasoned. 'If I'm not allowed to preach well I can sing, if I'm not allowed to teach I can write, if I can't teach men I can write a blog to women.' Ashley said her breaking point came in her early 20s, after she broke off an abusive engagement and befriended someone who briefly attended her church, who encouraged her to talk to other Christians about their lives. She was introduced to a man who was curious about her religion and would ask her questions, leading her to do more research about other facets of Christianity. 'The more I research the more I was like "oh my god what is happening,"' she recalled. Ashley eventually told her family she didn't believe in the IFB's teachings, which lead to a long discussion but ultimately saw her distancing herself from the group. She met and married her husband in 2015, with her family attending the wedding but describing a feeling of relief when they were finally alone. 'He gave me this place to grow and therapy and encouraged me and believed in me,' she gushed. Ashley recently gave a TEDX talk about her experience growing up, saying her best piece of advice is to trust your own intuition. 'You know, if you are listening to your gut it's going to lead you in the right path,' she advises. Buckingham Palace was somewhat divided over the decision to drop 'consort' from Queen Camilla's title, it has been claimed. As the monarch, 75, formally ascended the throne at last year's Coronation, discussions were taking place behind the scenes over the Queen's title - as she was then known as Queen Consort. Camilla, 76, has now been referred to as 'Queen' for around a year, after her title was informally changed in media reports and among royal watchers. However, when the invitations for the Coronation at Westminster Abbey were issued, they formally accepted Camilla's new title; 'Queen'. Now, The Times reports that there were differing opinions within the Palace about whether or not Camilla's title should be changed - but that the Queen herself was fairly relaxed about the decision. There was disagreement within Buckingham Palace about if and when to drop 'consort' from Queen Camilla's title during the lead-up to the Coronation, sources have claimed A source revealed: 'There was never a fixed timeline for when or if this would happen and there were certainly differing views among courtiers within the household 'Above all the Queen was relaxed either way and felt it would happen organically.' The report suggests that, as the Coronation approached, those within the household who wanted to drop 'consort' believed it was the right time - however in contrast, some were concerned that the public had only recently become used to knowing Camilla as Queen Consort rather than the Duchess of Cornwall, and were more cautious about the decision. The Times has reported Camilla was 'relaxed either way' about a potential title change, according to sources For many years, it was believed that Camilla would hold the title of 'Princess' when King Charles ascended the throne. However in 2022, months before Queen Elizabeth passed away, she issued a public statement sharing her wish that Camilla be known as 'Queen Consort'. The statement, issued by Buckingham Palace, read: 'When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife, Camilla, the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.' When King Charles ascended the throne in September 2022, Camilla also became Queen Consort. However, sources told The Times that, as time passed and people seemed to informally drop 'consort' from Camilla's title, this informed the decision to formally drop it. The Queen's title has perhaps been more crucial than ever over the last months while King Charles has taken time out of public-facing duties to undergo cancer treatment. As well as continuing work on her cherished causes such as ending domestic violence, Camilla has represented the royal family at key events. In February, the Queen led the family at a memorial in St George's Chapel for King Constantine II of Greece. She also stood in for the King at the Maundy Thursday Service. Speaking to GB News earlier in the year, Paul Burrell remarked that the monarch's wife is the 'guiding force' for the family, as well as being the one behind Charles's openness regarding his health. 'I think she is the stabiliser,' he told the outlet. 'I think she has that touch. I think she's able to reach people in a way the King can't and I think she's taught him a lot in the last few years about monarchy and how to be King. 'Isn't that odd really, that she should come up through the ranks and be so supportive and such a stabilising influence in our modern-day Royal Family.' Last month, it was also reported that Camilla is 'proud' to take on more duties in a packed diary of royal events as Charles and the Princess of Wales receive their treatment for cancer. The Queen is 'resilient' and will do anything that is asked of her to help the Royal Family, aides reportedly told The Telegraph - as Camilla had completed one of the most important trips without her husband, visiting Belfast in Northern Ireland for a series of engagements that had been arranged before the King was diagnosed with cancer. The source added that she was 'juggling' her priorities as she wants to support Charles as much as she can, while still fulfilling her duties. The Royal Family sending Camilla to Belfast on her own reveals they are placing a lot of trust in her, as Northern Ireland is an incredibly sensitive place for the monarchy to visit. Her Majesty's presence has been a rock for the Firm, which has been riddled with health concerns as Charles and Kate are both undergoing cancer treatment. FEMAIL has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment. Queen Letizia of Spain looked elegant in a powder blue suit as she joined King Felipe in Madrid to celebrate an important military anniversary for her husband. The royal mother-of-two, 52, beamed with pride as she attended a ceremony at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza to mark 40 years since the monarch was promoted. As she watched on in high spirits, Letizia looked regal in her tailored suit, which featured wide-leg trousers. Her pride was boosted by the fact that there was a very special cadet among the crowd called to celebrate the king - their 18-year-old daughter and heir apparent, Princess Leonor The princess has been studying at the Academy since August last year and will complete a total of three years of military training, just as her father did before her, before she then goes to university. Queen Letizia was elegant and regal in a powder blue suit as she stood with her husband King Felipe at a ceremony marking his military promotions at the General Military Academy of Zaragoza The Princess, who turned 18 in October last year, has been making solo appearances and training at the Military Academy to ensure she's ready for her future in the monarchy. After a year at the academy, it is expected that Leonor will move to a naval academy in Spain, before heading for her final year of training at the General Air Academy. King Felipe served in the military for almost three decades until he acceded to the throne in 2014. Queen Letizia looked full of pride as she beamed at her husband King Felipe as he approached her at the ceremony The King and Queen attend the ceremony at Zaragoza Military Academy King Felipe stood to attention as he was recognised 40 years after his first promotion The King kissed the flag of Spain as he recognised his three decades of military service The Queen of Spain, 52, looked regal in a suit with a jacket and wide-leg trousers in a powder blue shade The King and Queen of Spain walked along the red carpet to attend the ceremony while Felipe did a salute Throughout his long military career King Felipe was promoted multiple times, achieving the status of lieutenant colonel in the Army, frigate captain in the Navy, and lieutenant colonel in the Air Force in 2009. On becoming King on June 19, 2014 when his father abdicated, King Felipe was made Commander-In-Chief of the entire military. When Leonor eventually ascends the throne, she will become commander-in-chief ot the Spanish military. Rather like a boarding school, the military academy follows a strict timetable during the week. but Leonor will be free to return home at the weekeneds if she's not on manouevres. Leonor graduated with the International Baccalaureate from the UWC Atlantic College in the Welsh county of Vale of Glamorgan in May. The school is often referred to as 'Hippie Hogwarts' thanks to its progressive approach to education and picturesque castle setting. It was founded in German educationalist Kurt Hahn, is situated at the 12th century St Donat's Castle on the country's south coast and costs a whopping 67,000 per year for courses including Tai Chi, the theory of knowledge and Tibetan literature. Doctors should not be Googling patients to uncover more information about their medical history and lifestyle, campaigners said today. Experts have demanded a crackdown on the unspoken habit. Dennis Reed, director of over-60s campaign group Silver Voices, said there are no circumstances where it's justifiable to search for patients online. Mr Reed said it is 'unprofessional' and could 'colour' a doctor's views, adding: 'If the permission is not given, it shouldn't be happening. 'If a doctor has told somebody to give up alcohol and the patient takes their own decision not to, but then the doctor looks them up on social media to see the individual with a glass in their hand, that does appear to be a complete infringement of civil liberty.' Doctors are not allowed to access patient's personal information unless they have a legitimate reason to view it, according to the General Medical Council (GMC) Mr Reed wants 'examples to be made' to discourage other doctors from looking up patients online, to prevent the habit from getting out of hand. But others say if a doctor can justify googling their patient for medical reasons then it should be allowed. One doctor MailOnline spoke to, under the condition of anonymity, admitted to Googling a patient who had been excluded from a GP practice for violent and aggressive behaviour and another who they believed was committing 'prescription fraud'. Currently, there are no official General Medical Council (GMC) rules which prevent doctors from searching for patients on Google or social media. Medics searching their patients online is 'more common than either they or authorities like to admit', according to an article published in the BMJ last year. It pointed to several studies that found medics to be googling their patients. One 2015 survey of Canadian emergency physicians and medical students found 64 out of 530 responses admitted to using Google to research a patient. Another US survey from 2018 uncovered that out of 392 genetic counsellors and trainees, 130 confessed to searching a patients name online or had considered it. It also revealed that 110 said they had looked at a patient's social media site. The journal raised several instances of this commonly broken taboo in anonymous confessions made by doctors. One doctor working for a London NHS trust in the emergency department revealed they took this step after taking a HIV positive patients history. The patient had told the medic that she was an office administrator, but the doctor suspected there was more to the patient's history. So, when the doctor got home they googled the patient's name and discovered she was an adult film performer. 'It raised questions: was she still working in that industry? Was the sex protected? Were they testing her regularly? I also knew she wasnt taking her antiretroviral drugs', the doctor told the BMJ. The doctor wanted to discuss this with a senior colleague, in case of potential safeguarding problems, but didn't out of fear of getting in trouble for how they had uncovered the information. Another anonymous case raised in the BMJ detailed how a foundation year doctor in the NHS searched online for more details about a patient who had been admitted with a femoral neck fracture. The doctor explained the patient had a history of factitious disorder, a mental condition where a person either pretends to be or acts in a purposeful way to become ill or injured. After believing the patient 'faked a seizure for attention' during the doctor's night shift, the medic decided to google the patient because they were 'annoyed'. The doctor found a Twitter account where the patient had posted pictures of herself in hospital and said she was there after a terminal cancer diagnosis. However, the doctor didn't tell anyone about the information discovered on Twitter because they 'didnt want the consequences'. Some say if a doctor can justify googling their patient for medical reasons then it should be allowed 'Im not sorry I googled her, it brought closure to a difficult night,' the doctor told the BMJ. 'It is publicly available information. I didnt break any rules.' But campaigners say googling a patient is a potential breach of trust between patient and doctor, if there is no justifiable reason to search for them online. 'If you are happy to write it in the medical record, and you'll be happy justifying it to your colleague and to the patient themselves, it's not a problem', says Sam Smith from campaign group Medconfidential. However, he does suggest the line is drawn if there is no medical need to search for the patient online. One hypothetical example he gives that would not be justifiable is if a young male doctor looks up a young woman on Instagram after they were in A&E. He also explains that an A&E doctor should not need to gather more lifestyle information about a patient as they will not likely see them again. But on the other hand a GP, who sees a patient far more regularly for example, could be justified seeking such information, he added. 'If you're an A&E doctor and you've gone off shift, and you've gone looking for them online, you're never going to see them again. But it is different if you have a continuing relationship with a patient.' A GMC spokesperson said: 'Trust is integral to maintaining relationships between doctors and their patients, and between the wider public and the medical profession. 'Our core guidance, Good Medical Practice, is clear that patients must be able to trust doctors with their lives and health. 'Doctors must make sure their conduct justifies their patients trust in them and the publics trust in the profession. 'And they must not use their professional position to pursue a sexual or improper emotional relationship with a patient or someone close to them. 'Finally, doctors must be prepared to justify the actions that they take. 'We consider concerns if they raise a question about a doctors fitness to practise.' Tens of thousands of asthma cases in children have been linked to gas and propane stoves, a study suggests. Researchers in California and Boston measured nitrogen dioxide levels in more than 100 US kitchens while stoves were on and then measured how the chemical spread to other rooms after the appliances were turned off. The team combined the data with figures from the US Energy Information Administration on how often people use their stoves, which gave them an estimate on how much exposure people face every year. They found that stoves using gas and propane added up to a yearly exposure to nitrogen dioxide of 4 parts per billion, which they estimated was responsible for roughly 50,000 childhood asthma cases. The study comes as officials have considered banning the appliance over fears of asthma and climate damage - but many scientists have questioned the validity of the research methods involved in the studies. Researchers found that stoves using gas and propane added up to a yearly exposure to nitrogen dioxide of 4 parts per billion, which they estimated was responsible for roughly 50,000 childhood asthma cases 'Short-term NO2 exposure from typical gas stove use frequently exceeds both World Health Organization and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency benchmarks,' the researchers wrote. This is because people living in spaces smaller than 800 square feet were exposed to up to 7.5 parts per billion, well above the World Health Organization's annual limit of 5.3 parts per billion for both indoor and outdoor exposure. Nitrogen dioxide is a pollutant made up of oxygen and nitrogen, which forms when fossils fuels like coal, oil, and methane gas are heated at high temperatures. According to the American Lung Association, nitrogen dioxide has been shown to caused increased inflammation in the airways, coughing, wheezing, reduced lung function, and asthma attacks. Data was collected from homes in the following citise: San Francisco, California; Los Angeles, California; Bakersfield, California; Denver, Colorado; Houston, Texas; New York, New York; and Washington DC. The team accounted for scenarios like the windows being open or closed, burners being on low versus high settings, and range hoods being on or off. What is nitrogen dioxide? Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a gas mainly produced during the combustion of fossil fuels. Short-term exposure to concentrations of NO2 can cause inflammation of the airways and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections and to allergens. NO2 can exacerbate the symptoms of those already suffering from lung or heart conditions. Advertisement In addition to the levels of nitrogen dioxide exposure, the team found that people livng in homes smaller than 800 square feet had four times the nitrogen dioxide exposure than those living in homes larger than 3,000 square feet. And the team pointed toward racial disparities as well. American Indian and Alaska native households had 60 percent more long-term exposure than the study's average, and Black and Hispanic households had 20 percent more exposure. Poorer people also were at an increased risk. Dr Rob Jackson, study co-author and a professor of Earth science at Stanford University, said: 'We found that poor people breathe dirtier air outdoors and if they own a gas stove indoors, too.' 'People in public housing and in poorer neighborhoods who often rent cant switch their appliances because they dont own them or they cant afford to do so.' However, caveats of the study included relying on self-reported behavioral data, such as asking people how high they turned up their stoves, and individual health conditions were not accounted for. Earlier studies have also shown an increased risk of childhood asthma from gas and propane stove exposure. A 2022 report, for example, found that these appliances increased the risk of asthma in kids by 13 percent. Additionally, scientists from Purdue University and Indiana University found that cooking on a gas stove resulted in greater exposure to harmful nanoparticles than breathing in car exhuast fumes. Last year, New York became the first state to call for bans on gas appliances. However, research linking these appliances to asthma has drawn criticism from other researchers and health authorities for flawed methodology and lack of concrete proof. The American Gas Association, which respresents energy companies that deliver natural gas, questioned past research that the study authors referenced. It pointed to a February study which found that although cooking with gas slightly increased the risk of asthma in kids, the result was not statistically significant. This led the agency to call the findings 'misleading and unsupported.' The study was published Friday in the journal Science Advances. Have you noticed that many women now get more stylish as they age? Those in the public eye include Victoria Beckham who, after turning 50 recently, looks infinitely better than she ever did as a Spice Girl. Theres also Angelina Jolie who, at 48, always looks polished and put together, even amid a turbulent divorce from Brad Pitt. Likewise former Gossip Girl star Kelly Rutherford, 55, with the relatable on-trend outfits she posts on social media, and 45-year-old Rosamund Pike, who looks effortlessly sleek and in control. These famous women all use clever little tricks to achieve the chic vibes they emanate. Here are ten of them you can easily copy without requiring their hefty bank balances. Wearing a trouser suit from Arket and top from Cos, with a Gucci bag 1. The most important thing these ladies have in common is that they keep their outfits very simple and stripped back. 2. They share a love of tailoring and structured pieces that add oodles of instant polish. Trouser suits, blazers and the crisp shirt are their secret weapons, and they wear them on rotation. 3. Pieces that define their waistlines, such as high-waisted maxi skirts, worn with a low heel, exude power and femininity and youll never see any of these women in ill-fitting sloppy knitwear or tops. 4. They know what suits their body proportions and all of them are fans of the cropped cardigan and wide-legged trouser. 5. An off-the-shoulder dress, a backless number or a well-placed split are favourites for the red carpet or a social engagement. Sexy over 40 is achievable by showing a little, not everything at once. Decide on your best asset and flash that like crazy. 6. They all use big sunglasses to lend an air of mystery and allure. Perfect for when you want to hide a tired face. 7. Timeless classics trench coats, ballet flats and this seasons billowing skirts are part of their armoury. 8. Victoria Beckham is particularly adept at colour blocking, often mixed in with a neutral palette. 9. They all elevate their outfits with a luxe bag and shoes. Angelina often wears the same designer accessories on repeat, which helps cement her style. 10. Linen waistcoats as tops are a favourite, while floaty dresses with statement jewellery and a wicker bag all come into play in summer. Finally, all these women adore a blow-dry, which keeps everything looking elegant and pulled together. Word up Slogan tops are having a moment and look great with trousers, jackets and blazers. I like this smart navy one from independent brand Wardrobe 44. In the loop Jigsaw always delivers when it comes to sleek accessories. These loop earrings will go with everything you wear. The new weave Seeking some covetable raffia for summer? Sezane has a stylish range in-store. The Isabelle (right) with shoulder strap caught my eye. @thestylistandthewardrobe @youmagazine Were cross about coffee this week, are we? Furious. I thought it was Meghan Markles jam. Food fury moves fast. This week the gourmet guns have turned on Pret A Manger. What has Pret done? Messed about with its subscription scheme, Club Pret, which (for 30 a month) gives members five barista-made drinks a day plus a 20 per cent discount on food. In theory customers can get 450-worth of coffee a month. Nobody can consume 450 of coffee in a month. True. So, wheres the problem? The wheels (lids?) have come off because members cant share QR codes (through which the discounts are delivered) with friends and family. They should have just read the T&Cs. They did and until six weeks ago QR code sharing was fine. Now its been banned and members are being forced to log in to the retailers app every time they want to use their subscription. Surely a storm in a coffee cup? Unlikely to blow over quickly because Club Pret members have now found the updated app wont let them log in at all, and that loyalty bonuses have vanished. Forced to pay full price for a Pret Humous & Falafel Mezze Salad the horror! Theres rising panic on the streets of West London. Whats Pret saying? Since we made this change in March, our team have either given refunds or applied the Club Pret discount as normal to any customers who have genuinely struggled to log in. An unlikely scenario. You dont think staff would be that generous? I dont think staff have time to establish whether a customers struggles are genuine or not. Have you been to a Pret recently? No. You get three nanoseconds to pick up your drink before a harassed barista starts yelling FLAT WHITE EXTRA HOT! at you. IT assistance tends to take a back seat. Theres also been trouble over at sister company Krispy Kreme. Insurgency at the doughnut stall? Exciting. Loyalty customers who spend 125 are supposed to get a free box of 12 doughnuts. I assume theres a hole in the thing. This is serious. As at Pret, customers are having trouble claiming rewards on the app. Theyre demanding fixes. Or doughnuts. Quite but so far JAB (the German holding company that owns Pret and Krispy Kreme) says each brand is responsible. This all comes hard on the heels of the Pret prices scandal. Isnt it now charging 7.15 for a cheese sandwich? Moaning about outrageous Pret markups has become a national sport. In the wake of Taylor Swifts new album (featuring a song called So Long London), one X/Twitter user wrote: Just paid 4.05 for a coffee in Pret A Manger. Im not surprised Taylor wrote So Long London, feeling it too. Pret is putting the queue in QR code On the subject of sandwich angst, isnt everyone cross about M&Ss offerings too? Yes, the 6 posh egg mayo (the standard egg and cress is 2.65) is causing the most offence. Pret rage doesnt just happen at Pret. What justifies doubling the price? An extra 51g of egg, it appears, although one social media user wondered whether the word posh costs 3 to print. Returning to Pret, though, I remember when it was the gold standard of flawless service. Back when its former owner Julian Metcalfe (who sold his shares in the company in 2018) printed his office number on every item in case customers had comments? Exactly. Ive just found an online response to a customer about a Pret airport lunch (sandwich, crisps, snack bar and drink) that came to 14.10. Go on... Does that include the flight? EV forecourts are rolling out more live charging pricing in a bid for transparency AA EV Recharge Report found EV prices were frozen across all speeds in March Electric vehicle (EV) charging prices across the public network remained stable last month while petrol prices soared, new data shows. The AA's EV Recharge Report found EV energy prices were frozen across all speeds in March, but petrol prices on the other hand rose 0.63p per litre last month. The cost of filling up a tank hit a five-month high this month, with petrol now north of 150p a litre. The EV charging price freeze comes as one retailer, EG Group, has begun adding EV charging costs to 50 forecourt price boards. The AA found that at home and public 7kW charging costs stayed flat between February and March, costing 29p/kWh and 52p/kWh respectively both months. Similarly fast charging (8-22kW) stayed consistent at 60p/kWh in March, as did rapid charging (23-100kW) at 74p/kWh and ultra-rapid (101+kW) at 77p/kWh. EV drivers will start seeing these prices displayed at more charging stations, as Forecourt Trader has reported that EG Group will start putting 'per unit charging prices' on forecourt poles in order for EV drivers to quickly calculate the cost of ultra-fast charging on the go. Charge bonus: EV charging rates are flat, but the price of petrol and diesel are soaring EG Group has been installing live pricing at its EV charging stations since 2021 - a move the AA has welcomed with open arms. The AA believes adding charging costs to totem poles to help advertise prices will make it easy to compare the cost of recharging an EV to the cost of refilling a fuel car with petrol or diesel. It will also highlight to drivers that there are more charge points than they perceive. Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: 'Prices that can be seen from the road will lead to good competition, and displaying them on price boards is great news. 'Not only will it show how cheap an EV is to run, it will raise the profile of chargepoints generally as drivers will notice there are more than they think.' Tesla Supercharger Membership is now open to non-Tesla EV owners, who'll now be able to benefit from the same cheaper kWh charging rate as Tesla owners. Membership cost has also been reduced - for all EV owners who are already signed up, or sign up from now on - to just 8.99 a month Other forecourt operators are reported to be weighing up adopting this transparent 'marked pricing' method, with Motor Fuel Group (MFG) telling Forecourt Trader: 'The topic is continually under review and were it to become mandatory in the UK, MFG would comply'. However adoption is a slow process as regulatory framework is being drip fed in. In November of last year, the government introduced a new law to improve transparent EV pricing, as part of its 'Public Charge Point Regulations 2023'. Charging operators are now required to display the cost of charging either on the chargepoint itself or through an app or separate device. They also have to offer contactless payment at new chargepoints. Tesla has recently introduced this with its latest V4 Supercharger, as well as opening Supercharger Membership up to non-Tesla EV drivers for the first time. The membership price has also been slashed from 10.99/month to 8.99/month. Sainsbury's new Smart Charge ultra-rapid service also displays live pricing data. Sainsbury's launched its own electric car charging brand in January, becoming the first supermarket in the UK to introduce and run its own EV charging network Stacking up: These Sainsbury's stores have Smart Charge devices already available The Government recently refused to cut VAT on public charging from 20 to five per cent - in line with home charging rates - despite industry-wide pressure. The Government ruled out this measure - proposed by the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee - as doing so 'would impose additional pressure on the public finances to which VAT makes a significant contribution'. In response the AA said: 'We are disappointed that the Government has decided to rule out equalising VAT between domestic and public EV charging at this stage. However, The AA will be campaigning on behalf of all drivers ahead of a general election to make this ambition happen.' FLAT EV CHARGING RATES Charge Type Speed Mar Ave (p/kWh) Feb Ave (p/kWh) Difference (p/kWh) Cost to charge to 80% Pence per mile (p/mile) Domestic Up to 7kW 29 29 0 11.60 6.52 Slow Up to 7kW 52 52 0 20.80 11.69 Fast 8-22kW 60 60 0 24.00 13.48 Rapid 23-100kW 74 74 0 29.60 16.63 Ultra-rapid +101kW 77 77 0 30.80 17.30 PETROL 145.26 ppl 144.63 ppl 0.63 ppl 46.48 12.91 Source - AA Recharge Report, March 2024 . * Calculations based on adding 80% to a Vauxhall e-Corsa, 50kW, with a WLTP range of 222 miles Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below. Ms F.M. writes: My father, in his late 80s, has art apparently worth about 78,000, purchased from Marks Art. Last year he was duped into paying more than 25,000 in fees linked to a promised sale. He was told to pay VAT, then insurance costs, then bank charges, and finally he was told the deal fell through. Tony Hetherington replies: Marks Art was a scam when I first warned against it last September. And it is still a scam today. Its website boasts: 'Since early 2017, we've been the pioneers of innovation, setting a golden standard for artists, investors, and galleries alike.' Not bad for an investment business whose accounts show it was dormant until 2020. Spotted: Tony Hetherington has traced Mark Steven Smith of Marks Art to a village called Incesu, located in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus But the lies told to victims are worse. Marks Art issued forged media reports said to be from the BBC and the Daily Telegraph praising a woman artist nicknamed 'Mrs Banksy', and your father, Mr W, invested 15,520. Mark Steven Smith, who owns the scam company, protested that he had been given the forgeries by someone else. I told him point blank that this did not give him the right to profit from fraud, and he returned your father's 15,520. This was just one small part of your father's losses though. He paid 7,500 to Art Store and Insure Limited so his pictures would be safe. Yet this business told Companies House it was not trading. I wonder whether it told the tax man the same thing. The company was compulsorily struck off last year. Who owned it? Surprise, surprise it was Mark Steven Smith. Under pressure from Marks Art, your father ended up deeply in debt. You appealed to the banks and card issuers he used to pay Marks Art. They were Lloyds Bank and M&S Bank, so I contacted them and offered evidence that the art company cheats its investors. This cannot have been an easy investigation for either bank. They had to decide whether your father had been cheated over every separate purchase. But the refunds began to flow. Lloyds had already decided to refund more than 13,000, it said, and then it went further and repaid almost 3,000 for two art purchases made as far back as 2018. M&S Bank told me it looked into 18 transactions. Four recent deals were refunded under chargeback rules. The rest have since been investigated under the Section 75 consumer protection rule and your father has been repaid in full except for one purchase which unfortunately exceeded the 30,000 allowed by Section 75. Lloyds found some payments went to other companies connected to Smith. Although chargeback rules did not apply, the bank generously repaid a further 27,500 as a gesture of goodwill. It told me: 'Keeping our customers safe from fraud is our priority and we have a great deal of sympathy for Mr W as the victim of a scam.' You told me: 'I honestly can't thank you enough for all you are doing. Dad turned 89 this week and treated himself to a new hearing aid. He has been able to clear all his debts, and has some left over to keep in the bank. The difference this has made to him is hard to put into words.' One final point. When I first sounded the alarm, I reported that Marks Art was recruiting a telephone sales team, offering earnings totalling 120,000. The jobs were in Northern Cyprus, and Smith explained: 'The warmer climate and lower expenses make it more attractive than the prices and weather in London.' Now though, I can reveal the real reason for Smith's choice of location. Meanwhile... Wanted: Mark Steven Smith Mark Steven Smith is a wanted man. Not for the art fraud he runs, but for doing a runner from a court hearing which sentenced him to four years in jail. I traced him to a village called Incesu in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. In March 2017, he was driving his Range Rover on the M25 in Surrey when it was in a minor collision with a Renault Clio. Minutes later, the Range Rover stopped at traffic lights on an exit slip road. A woman passenger got out of a Mercedes which was also at the lights, and reports say there was an argument about the earlier collision. The Range Rover then hit the woman and drove away. She was taken to hospital with multiple broken ribs, a fractured shoulder and an injury to her leg. Police later arrested Mark Steven Smith for offences including driving while disqualified, driving while uninsured and failing to stop after an accident. In June 2018, Smith was convicted at Kingston Crown Court of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He failed to appear for sentencing, and was given a four-year jail term in his absence. Victims of his art scam say they have been contacted by police in London who are investigating Marks Art. And police in Surrey want him so he can begin four years behind bars. Smith himself told me: 'Tony, this was not me. I had nothing to do with this. I myself and my team have researched it. Seems there is another Mark Smith with this offence.' Well, here is a police custody picture of Mark Steven Smith the dangerous driver. He is from the same area as Mark Steven Smith the art fraudster. And they share the same date of birth. What are the odds? The UK has no extradition treaty with Northern Cyprus, though the authorities there could kick Smith out. Or he could get on a plane and return to England. I'll meet him at the airport, and I am sure Surrey Police would be glad to attend. If the police have got the wrong man, I'll even write the headline myself: Art Fraudster Framed. How about it, Mark? If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned. In this series, we bust the jargon and explain a popular investing term or theme. Here it's primary listings. What is this? A company's primary listing refers to the stock market on which its shares were first listed when it went public. It is also possible to have a secondary listing on another market. This strategy gives a company access to a greater pool of capital, which is why so many larger businesses enjoy the arrangement. Increasingly, however, the secondary listing market (usually New York) is starting to look a lot more welcoming than the primary listing market. Value: More British companies are keen to swap their primary listing from London to New York Why are we reading this now? More British companies are keen to swap their primary listing from London to New York, where they believe their shares would be more generously valued because of the greater pool of available capital. The company's bosses may also hope to benefit from the higher pay rates for top executives in the US, although this is rarely the reason stated for the move. Who is quitting the UK? The latest is the gambling giant Flutter, which owns Betfair, Paddy Power and Poker Stars. At this week's annual general meeting, Flutter shareholders approved the New York move. In its defence, Flutter can argue it has expanded in the US. Flutter is following the lead of several others. Travel company Tui has swapped London for Frankfurt. Building supplies business CRH and pharmaceutical company Invidior have snubbed London in favour of New York. Shell has threatened that it may be the next to leave. Any more planning to move? A group of shareholders in Glencore has begun to agitate for a move to Sydney on the basis that the mining group's shares have underperformed in London. Who loses out? These departures are obviously damaging to London, especially since the London Stock Exchange is struggling to attract new listings to replace the companies that have quit in the hope of being objects of desire elsewhere. The Government put forward proposals last summer to address this issue. But unless it can be solved soon, the London stock markets may be in jeopardy. Charles Hall of brokers Peel Hunt even claims that the UK market 'is dying'. Such an outcome would be particularly damaging for smaller companies who would, in the normal course of events, have made their market debut in London. Is this just affecting London? No. The French oil major Total may say au revoir to Paris, heading for you guessed it New York, arguing the transfer would help narrow the valuation gap between Total and the US petroleum names. Who is to blame for this? The London Stock Exchange has played a role. A New York primary listing seems to offer more capital on offer from investors. But UK pension funds and institutions are also in the dock for the failure to support UK-listed companies. Holdings in such firms make up only about 4 per cent of their portfolios. It was bad enough to discover that Chinese counterfeiters have been flooding the UK with fake stamps, causing distress to thousands of people and businesses. Now there are suggestions that fraudsters have been at it for years but their crimes have only come to light since barcoded stamps became the norm. The stamps are produced by Cartor, a 100-year-old high-security company based in Wolverhampton. Cartor may be able to trace its roots back to Victorian times but the firm is one of only two businesses in the world with the technological nous to deliver stamps with encrypted barcodes. High security: Cartor is one of two businesses worldwide that produce barcoded stamps Now Cartor has been snapped up by Spectra Systems, an Aim-listed firm run by Nabil Lawandy, an astrophysics professor turned entrepreneur. Based in Rhode Island, USA, Spectra is a cutting-edge business in its own right and the shares, at 2.17, should go far. The group has developed a unique process that allows central banks to detect whether banknotes are the genuine article or not. Many of us hold notes up to the light to see whether they have a watermark and shop-owners do likewise, especially with large denominations. Spectra's technology is far more sophisticated. Known as a Level III Covert feature, it uses special powder injected into the notes themselves and detectable only by dedicated sensors. Spectra makes both the sensors and the powders and its detection system is already used by some of the largest central banks in the world. These include household names whose currencies are used on an international basis, as well as banks concerned about state-sponsored terrorists infiltrating their economies. Winning new customers can take years. Central banks are understandably cautious so checks and balances are extensive. But Spectra has grown consistently since floating on the stock market in 2011 and the next two to three years should see an acceleration in sales, profits and dividends. THIS IS MONEY PODCAST Could we turn pension saving into a fix for our finances - or should we leave it alone? Lawandy's biggest customer has just signed a major contract, under which Spectra will replace old sensors with new models. The project should turbo-charge results, adding millions to the bottom line. Then there is the Cartor acquisition. Cartor's customers include more than 150 postal firms worldwide. Today, only the UK and Germany use barcoded stamps but Cartor is expected to win many new customers over the next few years, all keen to reduce fraud. Cartor also works on passports and duty stamps on products, such as whisky, for export. Now, as part of Spectra, the firm is looking to move into plastic banknotes. Two companies have cornered the market for these notes De La Rue in the UK and Canadian group, CCL. But Spectra and Cartor hope to edge their way in, by incorporating the Level III Covert feature within the plastic itself. More than 60 central banks worldwide have made the switch from paper to plastic. But the new notes are vulnerable to fraud, like their paper predecessors, and Spectra is in advanced talks with several central banks that are concerned about security. The Cartor deal is expected to accelerate this process. Cartor specialises in high-security printing. Spectra specialises in security features. Together, they make a formidable force, especially as several central banks are keen to add a third supplier to De La Rue and CCL's duopoly. There are further avenues for growth, selling Spectra's smart fraud-elimination technology to Cartor's customers, including postal services. Spectra joined Aim in 2011 and has increased earnings by almost 15 per cent annually for close to a decade. This year should be even better. Brokers believe sales will more than double to $45 million (36 million), as the sensor fitting contract kicks in. Profits are forecast to rise by 22 per cent to $10 million and the dividend is expected to climb 6 per cent to 12.3 cents (9.9p) although a special payment could be on the cards either this year or next. Further large increases in sales, profits and shareholder payouts are pencilled in for next year and 2026, too. Midas verdict: Spectra's technology is known as the last line of defence against those intent on defrauding countries, companies and consumers. The business has been making progress for years but the tie-up with Cartor should create a whole that is significantly bigger than the sum of its parts. With state-sponsored terrorism on the rise and the world increasingly dangerous, Spectra's technology is likely to be in demand. At 2.17, the shares are a buy. Traded on: Aim Ticker: SPSY Contact: spsy.com Not that long ago, defence was almost considered a dirty word. Few people talked about it, businesses tried to disguise their involvement and politicians preferred to spend their cash elsewhere. Russia's invasion of Ukraine shifted the dial completely. Amid mounting tensions worldwide, Rishi Sunak has unveiled plans to increase annual defence spending to 87 billion a year, equivalent to 2.5 per cent of GDP. He is not alone. Governments across the globe are upping their game, concerned not just by Russia but also mounting turmoil in the Middle East and China's growing aggression in Asia. As defence moves centre-stage, Reading-based Cohort is reaping the benefits. is reaping the benefits. High-tech: Cohort recently announced a 135 million contract to supply the Royal Navy with units that detect and protect ships against threats such as missiles It specialises in high-tech systems and software that help to keep countries and their armed forces safe. Midas recommended the shares in the summer of 2022, when they were 5.29. Today, they are 8.16 and brokers expect further gains. The company recently announced a 135 million contract to supply the Royal Navy with units that detect and protect ships against threats such as missiles. Traditional decoy launchers are fixed to a ship's side and the entire vessel has to move when a missile is detected. Cohort systems do the moving themselves so they can respond to threats faster than anything else on offer. The Royal Navy is Cohort's first customer for this new technology but others are expected to follow. The group derives around half its revenues from overseas and effective protection against hostile naval forces is much in demand. Reflecting growth here and abroad, Cohort chief executive Andrew Thomis confirmed last week that results for the year to April 30 would be significantly ahead of expectations, with brokers forecasting robust figures for next year and 2026. Cohort is formed of six individual businesses, each of which operates quasi-independently. The structure helps firms to make decisions quickly and work closely with customers, freed from the constraints of overbearing, bureaucratic managers. Innovation is prized, too, and this is reflected in a spate of recent contracts won in the face of intense competition. The Canadian and Australian navies have chosen Cohort to supply surveillance equipment at sea and the group has also developed highly accurate sonar systems for submarines, allowing the use of unmanned vessels in hazardous waters. Brokers expect an 8 per cent increase in 2024 profits to 19.2 million, with stronger gains in 2025 and 2026. Cohort has also rewarded shareholders with dividends every year since joining Aim in 2006 and a payout of 14.8p is forecast for this year, up 10 per cent since 2023. Midas verdict: Cohort is a nimble, fast-growing business in an industry where spending is expected only to increase. The shares have performed well since 2022 but, at 8.16, there is still plenty of potential for further gains. Traded on: Aim Ticker: CHRT Contact: cohortplc.com Glencore is plotting a takeover offer for Anglo American that would spark a bidding war with rival BHP. The mining giant's top brass are weighing up an approach for Anglo after the London-listed miner rejected BHP's 31billion bid last week. An offer would kick off a bidding war for the 107-year-old mining company, with BHP also working on an improved deal. BHP boss Mike Henry arrived in South Africa yesterday to sweet talk officials amid fears a takeover could be derailed by opposition in the country. Anglo was founded in Johannesburg in 1917 and retains close ties to the country. Bidding war?: Glencore is holding preliminary, internal discussions about making an offer for Anglo The South African government is the miner's second biggest shareholder. The firm has become a takeover target at a politically charged time, with the country going to the polls this month. Glencore is holding preliminary, internal discussions about making an offer for Anglo, Reuters reported. The firm has not yet approached Anglo and discussions may not result in a bid, but a Glencore spokesman refused to comment on 'market rumour or speculation'. Bidders are eyeing up Anglo's copper mines in Peru and Chile amid a rush to cash in on soaring demand for the metal. Copper is used in everything from cars to power grids and construction as well as the development of clean energy and artificial intelligence. Analysts expect a copper shortage this year while demand grows, as it is crucial to the energy transition. Russ Mould, investment director at broker AJ Bell, said: 'The big prize is scooping up a ready-made portfolio of copper assets, a much easier way of increasing scale in a key metal for the energy transition than having to drill thousands of holes on exploration projects to find new supplies.' Anglo and Glencore each own 44 per cent of the Collahuasi mine in Chile, estimated to have some of the world's largest reserves of copper. At the same time, Anglo's sprawling portfolio includes platinum, iron ore, steelmaking coal, diamonds and a fertiliser project. BHP would sell Anglo's diamond unit De Beers, insiders said, while the future of its Woodsmith mine in North Yorkshire is in doubt. And under the proposal, Anglo would have to sell its shares in its platinum and iron ore businesses in South Africa, a country BHP the world's largest listed company exited in 2015. The company was forced to issue a statement on Thursday saying its plans to dump two of Anglo's South African businesses did 'not reflect a view on [the country] as an investment destination'. A deal with Glencore could face less opposition in the country, analysts said. An experienced bushwalker who was facing near certain death after being stranded in a remote valley without any mobile phone signal has revealed the last-minute decision that saved his life. Andy Collins, 59, embarked on a 47km three-day 'K2K' hike from Kanangra Walls to his hometown of Katoomba in the NSW Blue Mountains in late February. The pastor, who used to work for National Parks and Wildlife Service, has completed hundreds of similar walks in the region and knows the terrain more than most. But his wife Melissa still made him make one promise. 'She was a bit worried about me going off on my own without any sort of personal locator beacon [a device used in distress situations to alert authorities of your exact coordinates] so I promised her I'd take one,' Mr Collins told Daily Mail Australia. It was a promise that ended up saving his life. Andy Collins (pictured), 59, embarked on a 47km three-day hike from Kanangra Walls to his hometown of Katoomba in the NSW Blue Mountains in late February The pastor, who used to work for National Parks and Wildlife Service, has completed hundreds of similar walks in the region and knows the terrain more than most Top safety tips when planning a bushwalk With only 27 per cent of the Australian landmass covered by mobile phone reception, it's important travellers understand how to stay safe and connected when camping, hiking or 4WDing without reception. Tony Crooke, safety expert at Aussie-owned travel safety brand GME, said research and the basics were essential. 'Enough food and water, a navigation aid, whether that be a stand alone GPS, a mobile phone or a map,' Mr Crooke said. 'And then, the key thing is the communication devices.' 'It's really important to remember that less than 30 per cent of Australia is covered by mobile phone reception. Mr Crooke advised walkers to take a UHFC handheld radio (pictured below), which could be used to contact people if you experience difficulty in areas without any phone signal. It allows for two-way communication but relies on you being able to tell rescue authorities your location from your own navigation abilities and map-reading skills. 'In a situation where your life is at risk or a member of your party is in significant danger then a personal locator beacon (PLB) is a really good piece of insurance to have,' Mr Crooke added. 'When you activate a PLB it is transmitting your exact GPS location to rescue authorities who will dispatch someone to help you.' Advertisement Mr Collins had researched the route and read all he could find on recent trail reports to understand the conditions. The savage bushfires of 2019 and the subsequent floods have created a 'perfect storm' of conditions for rapid regrowth of the bush, leaving many tracks completely overgrown. But nothing he read overly worried him and so his wife dropped him off near the sandstone cliffs at Kanangra Walls on the evening of February 26. After saying goodbye, he walked into the wilderness for several hours before camping overnight. 'The next day, the trail was a little bit overgrown but nothing I haven't done before,' Mr Collins said. 'In fact, I made really good time that day and I thought, "Oh yeah, this will be ok".' Early that evening, he reached Mount Cloudmaker, which stands almost 1,170m high, before beginning an 800m descent across around 5km to Cox's River. 'As I got further and further down the ridge, it just became thicker and thicker with lots of fallen timber and lots of regrowth,' Mr Collins said. 'There were vines and wattle around chest-to-head height and it was impossible to get through. 'It was slow going and very tiring. It didn't feel particularly hot and I had three-and-a-half litres of water which I'd been sipping all day.' By sunset, Mr Collins was still 200m above the Cox's River and he was forced to camp among the undergrowth. 'I was exhausted,' Mr Collins said. 'I ended up collapsing on the side of the hill and wrapping myself in my sleeping bag as there was nowhere to pitch my tent.' Dawn came and it took Mr Collins over two hours to fight his way the remaining 1km to the river's edge. 'It was so overgrown that there was no sign of the track at all,' he said. When he finally arrived at the river he downed two litres of water mixed with hydrolytes in a bid to stop the cramping in his legs. At that stage, he had planned to abandon the hike and walk out of the bush at the nearest available point. 'But then all of a sudden I just started feeling really unwell. I was vomiting and passing water,' he said. 'I also started suffering really bad pains in my back, which I dismissed as cramp. But then it got to the point where I couldn't actually move.' What Mr Collins did not know was that he was actually suffering acute kidney failure caused by extremely high exertion and dehydration. The savage bushfires of 2019 and the subsequent floods have created a 'perfect storm' of conditions for rapid regrowth of the bush, leaving many tracks completely overgrown As the sun climbed higher in the sky and his pain intensified, he started to panic. He knew he needed to be out of the bush that evening so he could attend his son's graduation from NSW Police Academy in Goulburn the following day. Helpless, all he could do was lay in river to cool down with a towel to protect his skin from the fierce sun. With no signal on his phone and the temperature now over 40 degrees, he had only one option left - to set off the personal locator beacon (PLB). 'I was quite sad that I had to pull out. I didn't want to be an inconvenience to people but I just realised that my body had just completely shutdown,' he said. A PolAir helicopter arrived around 90 minutes later. With no signal on his phone and the temperature now over 40 degrees, he had only one option left - to set off the personal locator beacon (PLB). A PolAir helicopter arrived 90 minutes later His rescuers found Mr Collins lying in the river trying to cool down with a towel to protect his skin from the fierce sun (pictured) Mr Collins was suffering from acute kidney failure caused by extremely high exertion and dehydration The police realised the trouble Mr Collins was in and they dispatched a air ambulance. He missed his son Ben's graduation, spending five nights in hospital, but in a charming twist, the rescue chopper pilot attended Ben's graduation the following day. Even though Mr Collins could not make it as he recovered from acute renal failure, his wife, Melissa, and son Ben got a picture with his rescuer. 'The paramedics said if I hadn't had the PLB, it would have been a body recovery,' Mr Collins said. His one piece of advice to fellow bushwalkers would be to always carry one with them, no matter how experienced they are. 'They're so light and don't add anything to your pack weight. For all the convenience of having one, it's crazy not to,' Mr Collins said. GME, an Australian-owned safety technology company, subsidises the cost of PLBs to the National Parks Centres so they can be hired out by bushwalkers. A PLB similar to the one Mr Collins took with him on his walk (pictured) Mr Collins missed his son's graduation from the NSW Police Academy in Goulburn when he was forced to spend five nights in hospital recovering But in a charming twist, the pilot who rescued him was in attendance and took a photo with Mr Collins' wife, Melissa and his son, Ben (pictured) READ MORE: Frantic search for missing bushwalker ends in tragedy as his body is found at the base of a cliff Advertisement GME's safety expert Tony Crooke said that had Mr Collins not taken one of the emergency beacons, 'the outcome could have been quite different'. 'He's definitely not an amateur bushwalker,' said Mr Crooke. 'He's got a lot of experience and I suppose the fact that he is so experienced and yet he still saw fit to take a beacon in case something did go wrong. 'Ultimately, that's probably what saved his life.' Mr Crooke strongly advised bushwalkers to also consider taking a UHF CB handheld radio to allow two-way communication with rescue authorities if they ever found themselves in trouble. 'Most people rely on their mobile phone as their communications device, which is great if you're in a metro area,' Mr Crooke said. 'But if you're traveling into a regional or remote area, it's really important to remember that less than 30 per cent of the Australian landmass has mobile phone reception.' 'Something like a UHF CB handheld radio, which is an open communications platform, will allow you to make contact with other people who can help you assess your situation and provide the help you need.' Mr Crooke said a PLB, which uses satellites to transmit your exact coordinates to rescue authorities, is a last resort. It's been three months since beloved mother-of-three Samantha Murphy went missing and her family are no closer to knowing where her body may be. The 51-year-old left her home in Ballarat East, northwest of Melbourne, on February 4, for her usual morning run but never returned. Her disappearance made headlines around the country, sparked countless police and community-led searches and left her husband Mick and their three children devastated. In early March, Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, was charged with her alleged murder. Police allege Ms Murphy was killed on the day she went missing in the Canadian State Forest but no trace of her has been found since she vanished. Stephenson has not entered a plea and it's understood he has not cooperated with police and questions still remain as to where her body could be. Criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro said it is unlikely any more information into what happened to Ms Murphy will be made public in the near future. It's been three months since beloved mother-of-three Samantha Murphy went missing and her family are no closer to knowing where her body may be Her disappearance made headlines around the country, sparked countless police and community-led searches and left her husband Mick and their three children devastated READ MORE: Sam Murphy's husband breaks down Advertisement 'The accused has reserved his plea and in that setting he's entitled to the presumption of innocence so it's unlikely anymore information regarding her will be coming,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'I imagine he's maintained his right to silence.' While speaking generally about those who have been convicted of murder, Mr Watson-Munro said there can be reasons why they stay quiet 'They'd rather go the grave maintaining a position of innocence than an acknowledgement of guilt.' He said another reason was that they may fear how their loved ones may react. In early March, Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, was charged with her alleged murder In Victoria in 2017, the 'no body, no parole' law was introduced, meaning convicted killers can be refused parole if they don't disclose where their victims were. The law was introduced in NSW in 2022, and is also used in Queensland and South Australia. A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed to Daily Mail Australia there are currently no active searches for Ms Murphy. 'The community has been incredibly impacted by Ms Murphy's disappearance,' Mr Watson-Munro added. 'You'd hope the body could be found for the sake of the family.' Police used a cadaver dog during the search for the body of Samantha Murphy in Enfield State Park in Ballarat on April 11 Victoria Police added the investigation was still ongoing and they were 'continuing to do all we can to locate her'. Detectives from the Missing Persons Unit have been in a race against time to find Ms Murphy's body. In the three months since she vanished, the area around Ballarat has seen heatwaves, bushfires and heavy rain as search teams tried to retrace her steps. Wild animals including foxes are also known to have large populations in the dense bushland in the forests surrounding Ballarat. If left uncovered in the harsh bush, experts believe a body can quickly decompose, destroying important DNA evidence. 'The time taken for a body to decompose depends on climatic conditions, like temperature and moisture, as well as the accessibility to insects,' the Australian Museum stated. 'In summer, a human body in an exposed location can be reduced to bones alone in just nine days.' Experts believe if Ms Murphy's body has been buried, or dumped down one of Ballarat's many mine shafts, detectives could still be able to extract important evidence. 'A body that is buried 1.2m under the ground retains most of its tissue for a year,' the museum stated. Hope is fading in the hunt for Samantha Murphy's body Last month, police brought in specialist cadaver dogs from New South Wales to scour the Victorian bush at multiple locations in dense scrub. Teams of officers focused their search within Enfield State Park, 30km south of Ballarat - but another search team was also working 25km away in thick scrub in the Durham Lead Nature Conservation Reserve. The nature reserve is just south of Buninyong where Ms Murphy's phone was last detected by mobile phone towers at 5pm on the day she vanished. Just weeks ago, Ms Murphy's long suffering husband Mick Murphy told Channel 9 he had not stopped searching for her. 'On that particular day, I was outside and thought she'll be coming up the road pretty soon,' he said. 'Then she didn't.' Mr Murphy said he searched daily, either by driving through town or spending two hours walking through a pine plantation. Patrick Orren Stephenson will appear in court again on August 8 'Sometimes I go for a drive and it might not be anywhere particular, or I go for a walk for two hours. It varies every day,' he said. 'It's very good for my mind and if I sat at home I wouldn't do myself any favours.' Missing Persons Unit Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Hatt has previously stated police would never give up looking for Ms Murphy. 'I want to assure those in the Ballarat community that police remain focused on doing everything we can to return Samantha to her family,' he said last month. It comes as Ms Murphy's accused killer was hit with new charges in relation to an alleged drug and alcohol-fuelled bender last year. The hunt for Samantha Murphy's body Stephenson has received drink and drug driving charges after he allegedly crashed a motorbike into a tree on the night of October 1 following the AFL grand final. He has also been also charged with careless driving. Daily Mail Australia doesn't suggest that Stephenson has been involved in any wrongdoing, only that charges have been laid. He has not yet entered a plea to the new charges. Stephenson is due to face court again on August 8 over the driving and murder charges. Anyone with any information about Ms Murphy's disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Her car wasn't collected from the car park and her keys were left in plain view She had been visited friends in Malaga following the break down of her marriage Jo Timson, 58, paid Drive Park and Fly 78.99 to valet her car at Gatwick airport A woman was lumbered with a 600 bill after a 'meet and greet' parking company failed to collect her car from a short stay car park at Gatwick airport. When Jo Timson jetted off to visit friends in Malaga on February 3, she was hoping for a relaxing getaway after the breakdown of her marriage. But when she returned to the UK she was greeted by a nightmare, after firm Drive, Park and Fly failed to collect her car from the airport. Furious at being duped out of the 78.99 fee, Jo then discovered she could be facing a 600 parking ticket - a bill over six times the amount she paid for her holiday. Standing in the Gatwick Parking Office after the ordeal, Jo broke down explaining she felt humiliated, embarrassed and 'a complete fool'. 'I just felt humiliated, and when I stood [in the Gatwick parking office] I became upset I just felt completely embarrassed. I felt a complete fool,'Jo said (pictured: Gatwick Airport car park) Jo had paid Drive Park and Fly 68.99 to valet her vehicle, whilst also paying 10 to cover the parking tickets so the company could collect the car (pictured: Short stay car park at Gatwick) Explaining how she originally found the company, Jo revealed she was directed to them via a search engine after booking her flights to Malaga. 'When you look at their [Drive Park and Fly] wesbite, it looks like a legitimate bookings site, five star reviews - everything seemed fantastic,' she said. After confirming her booking, Jo rang Drive Park and Fly half an hour before she arrived - just as she had been instructed. Jo Timson (pictured), 58, was nearly left 600 bill after a meet and greet parking company failed to collect her car from a short stay car park at Gatwick But when she reached the short stay car park located in the North terminal, no one was there to greet her or collect her car. According to Jo, when she phoned the 'meet and greet' company they instructed her to leave her keys in a designated spot so she wouldn't run the risk missing her flight. I should have thought something, perhaps was off. But I didn't have a clue. I'd never use this kind of thing before,' she said. Other people parking were saying we have been told the same. There was nothing to suggest it was anything other than legit. However, shortly after landing it dawned on Jo that something was awry. When she hit the tarmac at Gatwick airport at around 1.30am on February 9, she attempted to phone Drive Park and Fly to inform them she was at baggage claim. But 12 phone calls later and the company did not answer, leaving her vulnerable and alone late at night. 'Again it was an unsociable time of day, so there was no public transport to get me home,' Jo said. Eventually, she managed to get through to Drive Park and Fly, who revealed they never picked up her car at all. But her holiday, where she hoped to escape the breakdown of her marriage, ended in a nightmare as her car was never collected by the business. Her keys had also been left in plain sight (pictured: Jo's car) Not only did Jo feel duped out of nearly 80, she had been lumbered with a 600 bill - which she eventually managed to get reduced to 300 For the entire week, the 58-year-old had been trying to get away from the aftermath of her broken marriage, her car had been left in the short-stay car park. The meet and greet parking company claimed the 58-year-old had not followed their guidance. However, Jo affirmed she followed their instructions to a t, and when she told this to the Drive Park and Fly operator she claims he called her 'a f****** liar'. I didn't know at the time but there were lots of people around suffering the same fate as me,' she said. 'It could have been worse some people's cars weren't there [and] they didn't have a car at all. But with everything going on in my life I just felt I had been lumbered with more bad luck. Upon arriving back to the short-stay car park, Jo saw her car hadn't been moved an inch away from where parked it. However her keys had been moved onto the front wheel, in glaring view for all to see. Anybody could have stolen my car. I could tell something was wrong even though it hadn't been moved, she said. Jo had already paid Drive, Park and Fly 68.99 and covered the 10 parking tickets to allow them to valet her car. But now the realisation dawned on her she would also be lumbered with quite the parking fee. After numerous phone calls Jo asked a phone operator for Drive Park and Fly why they hadn't collected her car - she claims she was eventually called a f*****g liar by the employee At around 2.30am, an emotional Jo headed down to the Gatwick parking office to recount what had happened. I got half way through telling the story and he said: "I will stop you there",' she said. 'He recanted what had happened to me verbatim and told me its happening all the time.' 'He [the Gatwick parking employee] told me "We are powerless to stop them",' Jo revealed. Initially she was facing an eye-watering fee of 600 because the 'meet and greet' parking company failed to collect her car - a service she had paid for. The parking bill was then reduced to 300, but with no credit card to hand, Jo had to phone friends to lend money. 'I stood in Gatwick car park on my own. I felt vulnerable with my marriage break up, my emotions were heightened anyway.' 'I just felt humiliated, and when I stood [in the Gatwick parking office] I became upset I just felt completely embarrassed. I felt a complete fool.' Jo turned to Sussex Police however she was told the incident was a civil matter. She has also reported the matter to Trading Standards, who have not yet responded to her report. 'You have no where to turn when it happens - no one wants to know,' she said. 'It's another smack in the face. Who do you turn to when things like this happen when nobody is interested in what's happened to you?' A spokesperson from Sussex Police said: 'Sussex Police supports West Sussex Trading Standards which is lead agency to investigate these matters.' MailOnline has approached Drive, Park and Fly and Trading Standards for comment. Retired prison officer says 'anyone' can become a guard in prison system A retired prison officer who worked in some of Britain's most notorious jails has said the profession is so deadly there are some inmates 'you can't even look at'. The former screw, who spent years on the wings of HMP Manchester, known as Strangeways, told MailOnline that some staff even had to enter witness protection after 'upsetting the wrong person'. It comes as chief inspector of prisons Charlie Taylor warned gang bosses are infiltrating jails by paying people with no criminal record to become prison officers and act as 'sleeper' agents for their drug smuggling operations. The retired officer claimed that 'anyone' can become a guard because both the public and private sector have failed to carry out adequate checks on new recruits. But he added that there was a solution to the violent jail crisis - US-style supermax jails. A retired prison officer has said the job is becoming increasingly dangerous Picture shows an aerial shot of HMP Manchester, which is also known as Strangeways, where the retired officer spent years working Chief inspector of prisons Charlie Taylor warned gang bosses were infiltrating prisons with 'sleeper' agents Picture shows supermax prison ADX Florence in Colorado. The retired officer recommended the government introduce this type of facility in the UK He said: 'When I was at Strangeways I discovered my home address and family details were on an easily accessible website. 'I heard of officers who had to enter witness protection after upsetting the wrong person. 'Within the Cat A system there are people who can turn your life upside down. They can and will send people to your front door. 'All the Cat A officers know this and are careful. The odd one slips ups and pays the price. 'There are individuals within the Cat A system that you literally can't look at. 'Even prison governors feel the fear and pressure.' He suggested the government had to commit building a US style supermax prison system where dangerous offenders were totally isolated. He said: 'Some of these people too dangerous for any contact with prison officers or anyone else.' Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor described in a blog how gangs were 'effectively putting a sleeper into a prison someone who has no criminal record, has no direct connections, and applies for a job as a prison officer'. These officers would then 'become established and be able to begin to bring drugs into the jail having worked out where the weaknesses are in any security systems in place'. The former prison officer said he had read about how the gangs recruit 'sleepers' but added that 'it is not really the issue'. 'Yes I have read that gangs are now recruiting individuals with no criminal records to become sleepers in the prison system,' he said. 'But for me that is not really the issue. The prison service has failed to carry out proper checks on recruits for years now. 'I hear of all sorts of people entering the service, with very dubious backgrounds. 'You have to remember some gang members are only lightly convicted, if that. They are passing under the radar and getting into the service. 'Both in the public and private sector. Management are simply not carrying out proper checks.' The former officer painted a picture of a prison service that was no longer fit for purpose. He said: 'The recruitment crisis means they will take anybody. And I mean anybody. I hear stories about officers being moved around the country due to the crisis in numbers. 'It is becoming a mobile service, moving resources around to deal with wherever the current crisis is. Mental health nursing assistant Amy Hatfield 'flooded' HMP Lindholme in South Yorkshire with drugs after being recruited by her prisoner lover Joseph Whittingham Hatfield smuggled spice into HMP Lindholme hidden inside these bottles of lemon Ribena 'A lot of prisons are keeping prisoners banged up for most of the day, due to the staff crisis. This leads to increased tensions and more violence. It dials up the pressure.' He said that many young female prison officers were being lured into relationships with gang members. He said: 'For every case you read about in the press, there are ten behind it. I hear many young officers are just asked to leave quietly rather than go through a process. It's called being 'walked to the gate'. 'The problem is that some of these gang members are very charming and promise the girls the earth. 'What the girls don't realise is that they are being used. The gangs want drugs, phones and sim cards. That is what they need to make money and exert power on the wings.' There have been a series of recent prosecutions of prison staff for smuggling drugs into prisons, although no evidence has been presented to show they were recruited by gangs before taking their jobs. Last year saw the prosecution of the UK's biggest prison drug-smuggling gang at HMP Lindholme in South Yorkshire, which mental health nurse Amy Hatfield 'flooded' with more than 1million worth of narcotics after being recruited by her inmate lover Joseph Whittingham. Prison officer Martin Mills admitted smuggling drugs and items such as phones into HMP Hewell In November, prison officer Martin Mills admitted sneaking drugs inside boxes of cereal into HMP Hewell in Worcestershire - working as part of a conspiracy alongside at least eight other people. And in December, prison employability tutor Jason Taylor was jailed for 32 months after bringing sheets of paper infused with spice into HMP Berwyn in Wrexham - where no less than 18 female staff have had affairs with inmates. The retired prison officer suggested the government had to commit to building a US style supermax prison system where dangerous offenders were totally isolated, adding: 'Some of these people too dangerous for any contact with prison officers or anyone else.' Vanessa Frake, former Head of Security at Wormwood Scrubs and author of best-selling book, The Governor, said 'poor recruitment techniques' were partly to blame for the surge of drug use behind bars. She told MailOnline: 'The problem is exacerbated by poor recruitment techniques, fewer people wanting to join a crumbling service, overcrowding, staff shortages and gangs taking advantage of all this. 'When I worked at Scrubs we believed people would get themselves into prison on short sentences with drugs concealed inside them to deal. 'But then, recruitment techniques were much better and so the chance of staff being specifically recruited was much less likely.' A breakaway city of wealthy white residents in Louisiana faces an exodus of parents who voted against the 'racist secession' amid fears their children could be kicked out of school. The creation of St George was given the green light by the state Supreme Court last week, ending a 'hostile' and divisive ten-year campaign that splits wealthy white residents from poorer black neighborhoods. Supporters hailed the ruling as a final victory in their long struggle to take back control of the area's 'failing' education system. But opponents claim the split is racially motivated and will create a 'white enclave', leaving struggling black communities behind. Now, there are fears of an exodus of families who live within the new city limits but voted against its creation. The Altazin family live in the new city of St George but their children live outside the boundaries of its proposed school district, meaning they could be kicked out of their current schools. Pictured from top left to bottom right: Kye, 2, Dani, 37, Ryan, Emma, 8, and Hayden, 12 Norman Browning (pictured with his family) spearheaded the campaign for the new city of St George in response to violence and falling grades at public schools in Baton Rouge St George will have 86,000 residents across a 60-square-mile area in the southeast of East Baton Rouge Parish Those particularly worried about their predicament include the Altazins, who live in St George but send their children to schools in the area of Baton Rouge the new city has separated from. Should a new St George school district come to fruition as planned, their children could be forced out of their current schools because they would be likely unable to live in one district but attend school in another. Mother-of-three Dani Altazin, 37, said she 'loved' the programs her children were currently in, so the family would consider moving out of St George to keep them there. She added that a 'swathe' of others were facing a similar dilemma. There are currently 8,349 pupils who live in the area of the proposed St George school district, but attend schools elsewhere, according to figures provided to DailyMail.com by the One Baton Rouge campaign, which opposed the new city. Andrew Murrell, a leader of the St George campaign, did not directly answer questions put to him on what would happen to these pupils, only pointing out that the new school district is yet to be created. Mrs Altazin accused the St George campaign of failing to 'prepare logistically' for the realities of running a new city. 'There's no guarantee that St George can give my children the same education they receive now. 'There's so much uncertainty.' Her eldest son, Hayden, 12, attends Sherwood Middle Academic Magnet School, while her daughter, Emma, 8, attends Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts. The Baton Rouge school system has been heavily criticized over falling grades and ill-discipline. But Mrs Altazin, who works in procurement at a local hospital, said she 'adored' the specialized programs Hayden and Emma are enrolled in and was hoping her youngest son, Kye, 2, would have the same opportunities. Now she fears the choice will be snatched away from her. She said it was 'unfortunate' that this was being done 'by the same people that are trying to push school choice' as the driving factor behind the creation of St George. Mrs Altazin added that she and her husband, Ryan, were seriously considering moving out, but that the 'terrible' state of the local property market made this unlikely. Browning, 71, was educated in the Baton Rouge public school system before working there. Pictured above in a Baton Rouge High School yearbook photo St George (right) will become a separate city to Baton Rouge Plans were first drawn up for a new school district in 2012. The campaign was spearheaded by Norman Browning, a former volunteer Woodlawn High, a school plagued by racial tensions and violence. Browning told a 2014 PBS Frontline documentary, 'Separate And Unequal', that years of bussing following the end of segregation in the 1950s had destroyed the sense of community in the area. The campaign for a new school district couldn't marshal the two-thirds majority vote needed in the legislature. Instead, they launched a bid to create their own city, eventually securing the simple majority required (54 percent) in 2019. But only those who would be living in St George were given a say - meaning 46 percent of residents who voted opposed the move. They are now stuck. Altazin said the split had created a 'hostile' atmosphere among neighbors. Others have used stronger language. Resident Paul Brady wrote on Facebook: 'The segregationist won. I'm no longer a citizen of Baton Rouge. I now live in the white enclave of St George.' M.E. Cormier, Executive Director of the One Baton Rouge campaign, said she 'sympathized with the people of St George'. 'They don't know what tomorrow looks like. It's incredibly unclear as to when tax collection will begin and how those tax dollars will be distributed. If there is no timeline to require our governor to appoint a new mayor. 'Once a new school system is formed, you can't live in one school district and attend a school in another school district.' Leader of an anti-St George campaign group, M.E. Cormier, said she sympathized with residents who live in the new city but opposed its creation. 'They don't know what tomorrow looks like,' she added. The split campaign emerged out of the ashes of a failed campaign to create a new school district by the wealthy, predominantly white residents of southern Baton Rouge The establishment of St George was stalled by a legal challenge by Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and Mayor Pro Tem Lamont Cole. They argued that St George would siphon over $48million in annual tax revenue from the city-parish government, with devastating effects for East Baton Rouge and its poorer black population. Opponents also argued that St George had not proposed a balanced budget and would have insufficient funds to provide its own public services. They have also pointed to research that shows more than 70 percent of St George's 86,000 strong population will be white, with less than 15 percent black. Lower courts in Louisiana supported Baton Rouge's arguments, but last week the state's Supreme Court overruled its decision, paving the way for the city's creation. The ruling increases the likelihood that campaigners will be able to create a new school district within the city - one of the prime motivations behind St George's establishment. Following the decision, Murrell said in a statement: 'This is the culmination of citizens exercising their constitutional rights. 'Now we begin the process of delivering on our promises of a better city.' Historic homes are being demolished across the US in favor of bigger houses Historic homes are being torn down and replaced with modern mansions as a concerning new trend sweeps across the US. The issue became a talking point in recent weeks after actor Chris Pratt and his wife Katherine Schwarzenegger demolished a 1950's landmark home in LA to make way for an enormous farmhouse style mansion. The celebrity couple bought the property in Brentwood, known as Zimmerman house, for $12.5million last year but tore it down upon purchase. The pair are set to replace it with a sprawling 15,000 square-foot mansion that has angered preservationists who claim the move is part of a trend of buying historic homes for the land, demolishing them and erecting larger houses instead. 'This situation isn't isolated. We do lose houses like this more than we care to say,' Adrian Fine, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Conservancy, told the Washington Post. Chris Pratt tore down a 1950's landmark home in LA to make way for an enormous farmhouse style mansion The actor bought the property in Brentwood, known as Zimmerman house, for $12.5million last year but tore it down upon purchase Chris Pratt and his wife Katherine Schwarzenegger are now building a larger mansion on the plot 'We're seeing more of these teardowns, because people see these as valuable plots of dirt' Fine explained. The issue of millionaires buying up valuable land and demolishing the historic homes on it is not confined to California. A midcentury home designed by Al Beadle is at risk of demolition in Phoenix, Arizona. A permit has been sought for Beadle's White Gate residence despite it being considered a architectural icon in the area. The 1954 home was built as a showcase of modernity at the time, and its white exterior contrasts with the red rocks of Camelback behind it. The property was bought earlier this year by a limited company and a permit for its destruction has been filed, according to the Modern Phoenix. Elizabeth Waytkus, executive director for the nonprofit preservationist group Docomomo US, told the Post part of the desire to demolish and build is because modernist homes become less convenient to run as their internal systems are beginning to fail. It is also hard to find the workers who can fix ailing systems on technology installed around seventy years ago, according to Waytkus. A demolition permit has been sought for Beadle's White Gate residence despite it being considered a architectural icon in the area The property was bought earlier this year by a limited company and a permit for its destruction has been filed The 1954 home was built as a showcase of modernity at the time, and its white exterior contrasts with the red rocks of Camelback behind it Two properties designed by Brutalist architect Marcel Breuer have come under threat In one case Waltkus got in touch with a couple who had bought a home designed by the Brutalist architect Marcel Breuer to introduce herself and ask what they intended to do with the property. 'The owner said to me, we understand what we have, we don't plan on demolishing it, we want our grandchildren to be able to use it in the summertime,' Waytkus told the Post. Adding: 'Two weeks later, it was gone.' Over on the East Coast another Breuer home is at threat of demolition on Cape Cod. Wellfleet Cottage, built in 1949, sits on four acres of pitch-pine woods. Preservation charity The Modern House Trust has offered to buy the cottage and historic contents if it is able to raise $1.4 million of the $2 million purchase price by the end of next May, WGBH reports. If they do not succeed it will be sold on the open market and likely demolished as the property's land is worth more than the house. Some architectural and preservation experts argue that Americans' appetite for enormous homes is part of the demolition problem. Wellfleet Cottage, another Breuer home is at threat of demolition on Cape Cod A historic John Schmidtke house in Elgin will be demolished by a developer unless anyone is willing to move the building elsewhere The 2,300-square-foot house was built in 1967 and was designated as a historic landmark in 1996 High Street Logistics paid $30 million for the property and four other neighboring parcels of land with plans to construct two light industrial buildings The company is willing to let the Schmidtke house go for free if it is removed, but so far no plan has been settled on The median single-family home built in 1973 was 1,525 square feet but rose to 2,383 square feet in 2022, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. However, some argue that criticism of such excess and shaming does not help preserve more historic homes. 'It doesn't do the preservation community any good,' Waytkus told the Post. We're missing the point' she added, explaining that only persuasion and restrictions will work. However, even when a compromise is sought a solution is not always found. Over in Illinois, a historic John Schmidtke house in Elgin will be demolished by a developer unless anyone is willing to move the building elsewhere. The 2,300-square-foot house was built in 1967 and was designated as a historic landmark in 1996, but has been bought by a property developer interested in the land, the Chicago Tribune reported. High Street Logistics paid $30 million for the property and four other neighboring parcels of land with plans to construct two light industrial buildings. The company is willing to let the Schmidtke house go for free if it is removed, but so far no plan has been settled on. A US tourist sentenced to eight months in a Turks and Caicos prison after ammunition was found in his luggage served his time in a squalid prison where he faced death threats from other inmates, his family has revealed. Michael Allan Grim, 26, from Indiana, was arrested in August 2023 after a 9mm magazine containing 20 round of ammunition was found by airport officials as he prepared to return to the US following a family vacation. He faced a months-long legal nightmare before he was 'made an example of' by the courts and jailed over the 'honest mistake'. In prison, Michael was held alongside rapists and murderers who were serving life sentences. Michael, who had left the ammunition in his luggage by mistake, returned to the US in February after serving six months before his early release for good behavior. His mother, Teresa Pfau, has now told DailyMail.com of the ordeal. She spoke out as several other American men currently await sentencing for the same offense after unintentionally taking ammo to Turks and Caicos. Michael Allan Grim, 26, served six months in a Turks and Caicos prison after he accidentally took ammunition to the islands during a family vacation Michael's mom, Teresa Pfau (pictured second from right during the family vacation before the arrest), told DailyMail.com about the hellish ordeal her son and family faced Michael spent six months in HM Prison. He lived in squalid conditions alongside murderers and rapists and was subject to an extortion attempt by another inmate who made death threats Teresa, who supported her son throughout the legal process and visited him monthly in jail, said the experience has 'changed our lives' and she is now trying to help the other families in similar positions. 'Michael made a mistake, he was careless, he should have known he was missing [an ammo] clip or it was not where it was supposed to be. He did break the law and he took full accountability for it as soon as he knew,' she said. The family were on their third vacation to Turks and Caicos, a British overseas territory where firearms offenses carry hefty sentences, and preparing for their return flight on August 1 when Michael was detained at the airport. Teresa recalled that just hours earlier, the family was reflecting on their vacation and told one another: 'We want to come back here, we love it.' At the airport, a security announcement called Michael to the customs area for a random bag check. His sister had been subject to the checks during their previous visits and the family thought nothing of it. Teresa said: 'We really had a joke about it. We said, 'okay, who is going to get called this time?' 'As we were waiting I text Michael because our flight got called and we were getting ready to board. He replied, 'I'm probably not going to make the flight' and I said, 'you're really funny'.' As the family waited for Michael, they quickly realized that he was serious. During the bag check, a customs official had found the magazine in his duffel bag. He was initially told to expect a fine and that he'd probably be allowed to catch a return flight the next day, but after police were called to the airport he was arrested. 'That's when we realized this was a nightmare,' said Teresa. 'I was very angry with Michael. Gosh, we always have this discussion [about checking luggage]. 'The night before we left, I said remember and he's like mom, of course, I know.' Michael was initially held at a police station while his family searched for an attorney. His mom and her husband, Michael's stepfather, remained on Turks and Caicos while the rest of his family returned to the US. Michael is pictured following his release from a six-month jail term in Turks and Caicos Michael pictured with his mother, Teresa, after his release from prison in Turks and Caicos Teresa said the magnitude of the situation dawned on her after one attorney told her: 'Your son has totally f****d up. This is a serious crime in this country. It carries a 12 year minimum sentence.' 'I was just in total shock. I felt totally numb. I didn't really cry, I just felt like there was a total pit in my stomach,' she said. Michael was charged with possession of ammunition and his family posted bail. For nearly two months, he lived in a small condo on Turks and Caicos with his mother as they awaited his sentencing. During his initial police interviews, Michael conceded the ammunition was his but insisted he didn't realize it was in the bag. Court filings reveal the judge who sentenced Michael, the Honourable Justice Chris Selochan, refused to accept his guilty plea unless he changed the statement to say he knowingly brought the ammunition. The wrangle - which meant Michael essentially had to lie - was one of several during the judicial process which left his family feeling a sense of injustice. Michael's attorney sought a fine as punishment, but he was ultimately sentenced to eight months' jail time. The maximum sentence is typically 12 years but the judge accepted there were 'exceptional circumstances' to Michael's case. 'I was not angry, I was just devastated,' said Teresa, who was present at all of her son's court hearings. Michael works for a member of Congress in the US and handles firearms as part of his work. His mother believes his treatment by the courts, and his sentence, may have been influenced by his career. 'At that point, we felt Michael is being made an example of because of his job and what he did,' she added. Michael served his sentence in HM Prison on Grand Turk, a squalid jail which lacks running water. There are bars instead of windows and the prison is rife with tropical diseases and vermin including cockroaches. He spent the first week in solitary confinement a 'covid measure' which meant he was isolated for 23 hours a day in a tiny cell which was around 9ft long and 5ft wide. After he was moved into the general population, where inmates' crimes range from theft to murder, Michael was subject to an extortion attempt by another prisoner who said Michael would be killed unless he paid $20,000. His family and attorney reported the incident and Michael was transferred again to the 'trustee wing' for well-behaved prisoners. Teresa returned to the US after Michael was jailed but visited her son once per month during his sentence. 'He looked very tired,' she said of the first visit. 'He was very scattered. I would say he was pretty fearful.' Michael Grims's family spoke out as several other Americans await sentencing after they also took ammo to Turks and Caicos. Bryan Hagerich (pictured with his wife Ashley and their children, Palmer and Catherine) was arrested in February Ryan Watson (pictured with his wife Valerie and their two young children) also faces 12 years in prison in Turks and Caicos after a handful of deer hunting bullets were found in his luggage Tyler Wenrich, 31, (pictured with his wife Jeriann) is also facing a lengthy prison term after bullets were found in his luggage as he departed a cruise She said her son was often 'covered in mosquito bites' and the jail was 'excruciatingly hot'. 'I was very concerned he's not going to do well with this if there was violence,' said Teresa. Michael did not reveal every detail of the ordeal to his mother during her visits and it was only after he returned home that she learned the true extent of the hellish conditions. He lived in a cell with a person who shot two people in a nightclub and neighboring cells included murderers and rapists. Michael was eventually released in February and flew back to the US with his mother. 'Not until we were in the air flying home did I feel like I could just breathe,' Teresa added. 'It was definitely an experience that really has changed our lives. 'He does not have a [criminal] record, he does not have a speeding ticket, he does not have anything. 'I'm still in counseling with trauma and stress associated with it. My whole body is so tense. My body is still in fight or flight mode.' Teresa and her son now 'hug a little bit harder' and say 'I love you' more than they used to, she added. 'The hardest part is not knowing, not being able to help,' she said. 'The communication was the hardest piece. Every step was did not have the outcome we hoped for.' TOKYO, May 04 (News On Japan) - Constitution Memorial Day, on May 3rd, marked 77 years since the enforcement of the Japanese Constitution. On May 3, 1947, a ceremony to commemorate the enforcement of the Japanese Constitution was held at the Imperial Palace Plaza. Despite the rain, approximately 10,000 people gathered. Two years after the war, under the new constitution based on the three principles of "popular sovereignty," "respect for fundamental human rights," and "pacifism," Japan embarked on a new path. Friday marked 77 years since that day. Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister (January): "As the president of the Liberal Democratic Party, I remain committed to achieving constitutional revision during my term, and this year, we will work on drafting proposals and accelerate bipartisan discussions." Kishida has expressed his desire for constitutional revision during his term as president, which runs until September. For the Liberal Democratic Party, constitutional revision has been a "party platform" since its founding. Last month, the House of Representatives' Constitutional Review Committee held the first substantial discussion of the current session, where the Liberal Democratic Party called for negotiations to draft a revision proposal. The Constitutional Democratic Party expressed reluctance, arguing, "Does the Liberal Democratic Party, which cannot resolve the slush fund issue, have the legitimacy to discuss constitutional revision?" The Upper House's Constitutional Review Committee will hold its first free debate of the current session on May 8. Source: ANN Red state coal towns and cities which power swathes of America face a reckoning as the country pivots towards clean energy. Experts warn cities like Colstrip, Montana, which is home to one of the country's most polluting coal-fired power plants, must replace their coal power with green energy or face economic ruin. But adapting to demands for clean power is only half of the problem. Colstrip and other plants like it send power worth hundreds of millions of dollars to West Coast states like California and Washington. But Democrat leaders are now signing off on their own wind and solar plants to bring their energy supplies in-house. That means even if towns like Colstrip replace their coal power plants with green alternatives, they won't enjoy the same demand as before. The Colstrip Steam Electric Station has been at the heart of the Montana city's economy for decades, but Colstrip faces a reckoning as America moves away from coal-generated energy Colstrip is a case in point for the troubles facing dozens of coal towns. Few deny the environmental harm wrought by coal - but few support closing down power plants which are the economic lifeblood of their communities. Around 500 miles south of Colstrip near Rock Springs, Wyoming, a coal mine which supplies the massive Jim Bridger power plant recently laid off a dozen workers. The plant is switching part of its operations to natural gas power, a less harmful alternative. Those devastating job losses are common in the dwindling coal industry. U.S. coal demand and production has fallen from 1.3 billion tons a decade ago to 870 million tons in 2022, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. U.S. coal mining employment has also shrunk by half over that period to about 40,000 workers, according U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures reported by the Associated Press. E. Mark Curtis, an economist at Wake Forest University, said: 'In places like Texas or in the middle of the country where there's a lot of solar and wind, fossil fuel communities are relatively well positioned to take advantage of renewables.' 'Coal communities generally don't have that, especially when you think about Appalachia,' he told the New York Times. For decades, states like California were happy to send millions of dollars eastward to states like Montana in exchange for coal-generated electricity. But as the Golden State has moved towards clean alternatives, its lawmakers have also worked to keep new energy facilities - and the power they generate - inside the state. Around 500 miles south of Colstrip near Rock Springs, Wyoming, a coal mine which supplies the massive Jim Bridger power plant recently laid off a dozen workers That has left cities like Colstrip, and their workers, feeling like they've been left high and dry. Plants are also under threat from clean air policies introduced by the federal government. The issue reached a head this week when new rules issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lowered thresholds for the amount of toxic chemicals which coal plants can emit. It will cost Colstrip Power Plant an estimated $500 million to comply with the new EPA rules an amount investors might be reluctant to pay. Analysts believe the companies which run the plant may decide it's not worth it. Around 320 of Colstrip's 2,000 residents work for the plant. Its closure would devastate the city. Dozens more coal power plants in the United States are also under threat as the nation moves further towards clean energy. The Biden administration has attempted to mitigate the damage by promising hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding for projects aimed at turning coal towns across the country into green energy hubs. Projects include a plant in Weirton, West Virginia, which will produce materials used in clean energy infrastructure. Another is a wind turbine manufacturer in Vernon, Texas. Jim Atchison, leader of the Southeast Montana Economic Development Corp, said: 'I hope that we have coal in Colstrip for another 15-20 years' 'The same communities that were once thriving coal mining and power plant towns will now be at the center of our clean energy economy,' Biden said in October. 'They deserve it.' But in Colstrip, city leaders are divided over the inevitable switch away from coal, whether that happens sooner or later. The city's power plants were built in the 1970s and 1980s. Today, power is transferred as far away as Washington state, Idaho and California. Official figures reveal the remaining plant is one of the biggest carbon dioxide emitters in the country, putting out nearly 11 million tons in 2022. Jim Atchison, leader of the Southeast Montana Economic Development Corp, advocates for the local coal industry but also accepts the need for new, clean energy sources if Colstrip is going to survive the green transition. 'We have one horse in the barn now. We need to add two or three more horses to the barn,' he said. But Atchison also rejected the idea coal could be immediately removed as a power source. Federal data shows coal powered 16.2 percent of energy generation in the US in 2023. Natural gas remains the country's number one fuel to generate electricity. 'Power needs are going up dramatically around the country, so to be talking about getting rid of fossil fuels or coal is just not in the works right now, it's just not going to happen,' Atchison told Fox Business. 'I think and I hope that we have coal in Colstrip for another 15-20 years and frankly we need it. 'I have never been more excited about the future of Colstrip and the southeastern part of our state than I am right now because of the opportunities that are coming and includes coal and other energy opportunities.' He said climate activists have been 'trying to shut us down for many, many years and they have hurt us' with their campaigning. Steam rises from the Miller coal Power Plant in Adamsville, Alabama on April 13, 2021. The plant is America's largest greenhouse gas emitter - but also crucial to the area's economy 'There's a lot of misinformation out there and a lot of blatant lies about coal and energy and some of these rural areas,' he said. A 2023 report published by the Harvard Kennedy School said that 'closing coal mines and plants poses significant economic and social challenges to the people employed there, their communities, and the economies of the wider regions in which they live'. 'Helping coal regions develop high-quality, secure employment alternatives will be critical not only for realizing a 'just transition' to a low-carbon economy for these regions, but also for accelerating global progress on climate change,' the report said. Experts have also noted that the replacements for coal plants including solar and wind farms often require far fewer permanent workers, meaning many jobs will still be lost. The people who live and work in these coal towns are all too aware of the predicament they are in. Jennifer Chesser lives a stone's throw from the James H. Miller Jr. Electric Generating Plant, the largest greenhouse gas emitter in the country, in West Jefferson, Alabama. The plant employs many of the town's 500 people. 'It's a double-edged sword for me,' said Chesser. 'It's harming the planet but at the same time, it helps us because it's what's making our living. So I'm torn.' The owner of Rebel sport stores knew about an alleged secret relationship between its CEO and HR boss months before it was acknowledged, lawyers have claimed. Rebel is part of shopping giant Super Retail Group, which also includes Supercheap Auto, adventure apparel brand Macpac and outdoor specialist BCF. Two senior female executives are now preparing to launch a potential $50million lawsuit against the conglomerate over allegations of bullying and poor management. Their lawyers claim to have explosive evidence of an undisclosed union between chief executive Anthony Heraghty and head of human resources Jane Kelly. Super Retail Group has denied Mr Heraghty was in a clandestine relationship with Ms Kelly, who left the business in November 2023 after more than seven years. Daily Mail Australia understands Mr Heraghty and Ms Kelly are separated from their respective spouses and both have children from those marriages. The alleged liaison became public knowledge when Super Retail Group made a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) on April 26. Shopping giant Super Retail Group knew about an alleged secret relationship between its CEO Anthony Heraghty (above) and HR boss Jane Kelly months before it was acknowledged, according to lawyers acting in a potential $50million lawsuit The company disclosed the two female executives - neither of whom is Ms Kelly - were set to launch their court action with a loss and damages claim for $30million to $50million. Brisbane-based Super Retail Group has annual sales of $3.8billion and Mr Heraghty received a total remuneration package of $4.15million last year. Harmers Workplace Lawyers revealed on Monday it was now representing four clients who had made allegations of poor governance at Super Retail Group. According to Super Retail Group, those claims include bullying, victimisation, adverse treatment, having unreasonable workloads and insufficient resources and inappropriate company travel practices. Super Retail Group said its board had engaged independent external advisers to investigate the claims - including the alleged covert romance - and found none to be true. The company would defend any court proceedings in relation to the allegations and would update the ASX on any developments. 'As these matters are expected to be the subject of litigation, the group does not intend to make any further comment at this time,' it said. Harmers said it had been approached by more current and former employees who had similar concerns about Super Retail Group after its announcement to the ASX. Super Retail Group has denied CEO Andrew Heraghty was in a clandestine relationship with HR boss Jane Kelly (above), who left the business in November 2023 after more than seven years 'We are confident that other current and former SRG staff will support our clients' claims,' a Harmers statement said. One person not associated with Super Retail Group had come forward with 'key evidence' about the relationship between Mr Heraghty and Ms Kelly, the statement said. The Australian newspaper quoted an unnamed source close to Super Retail Group management as describing the potential claim as 'like blackmail or a shakedown'. Harmers said its clients had offered to confidentially settle the matter for less than one third of the amount predicted by State Retail Group - $10million to $16million. 'SRG is well aware that this is not a "shakedown", but a justifiable legal claim for damages, being deliberately misrepresented,' it said. 'The Board of SRG has allegedly known of the relationship since December 2023 despite SRG's strident denials of that very relationship until as recently as this month.' Harmers said Super Retail Group seemed 'exclusively focused' on the claims about a relationship between Mr Heraghty and Ms Kelly but that was only one aspect of alleged governance issues. 'For clarity, SRG as recently as this month denied the existence of any such relationship of any kind,' it said. Rebel is part of shopping giant Queensland-based Super Retail Group, which also includes Supercheap Auto, recreational equipment and apparel brand Macpac and outdoor specialist BCF 'When Harmers pointed out that it had clear proof of an intimate relationship, and thus a significant unreported conflict of interest, SRG's position immediately shifted.' Harmers claimed that after Super Retail Group made its ASX announcement, it told some staff a relationship had existed between Mr Heraghty and Ms Kelly from January this year. 'However, even from that date, such a relationship carried significant conflicts of interest,' it said. Harmers said one of its clients had lodged a complaint concerning 'the longer term existence of the relationship and its impact on governance issues' in November last year. The complaint, made on Super Retail Group's internal Whispli whistleblower platform, was forwarded to HR management reporting directly to Ms Kelly, Harmers said. One person not associated with Super Retail Group had come forward with 'key evidence' about the relationship between Mr Heraghty and Ms Kelly, according to Harmers Workplace Lawyers Super Retail Group's policy on workplace relationships states 'they are permitted between team members as long as there is appropriate disclosure to line management'. Harmers said two of its clients had in recent months made protected disclosures about their employment at Super Retail Group. 'Friday's ASX announcement, and subsequent media coverage initiated by SRG, amounts to victimisation of these whistleblowers, and is causing them additional damage,' it said. Ms Kelly joined Super Retail Group as chief human resources officer from BT Financial Group, having previously worked at St George Bank and Westpac. Mr Heraghty has been Super Retail Group's chief executive officer for five years after a three-year stint as managing director. He was previously group general manager at Bonds. A man has revealed the horrifying moment he discovered a surfer stabbed multiple times during an early-morning attack at a popular NSW beach. Kye Schaefer, 22, was fatally stabbed in the neck and chest after leaving the surf at Park Beach on Ocean Parade in Coffs Harbour shortly after 6am on Thursday. A local man who had been sleeping rough in the carpark said he saw Mr Schaefer slumped on the ground next to his car before emergency services arrived. 'I put my joggers on to go for a run and I just saw him ... he looked like he was sitting down on the ground up against his driver's door,' he told 7News. 'All I could see was his legs in his wetsuit. He just looked like he was sitting there, and I couldn't see much more of him, except for his legs. 'Then I got back from my jog and there were cops who wouldn't let me into the carpark ... there were all these cops everywhere.' The family of Kye Schaefer, 22, have mourned the sudden and tragic loss of the young man with a 'heart of gold' The man said Mr Schaefer had been seen arriving at the beach early each morning over the past week. The revelations come as Mr Schaefer's family mourn the sudden and tragic loss of the young man with a 'heart of gold'. His uncle, Ralph, told 2BG radio his nephew had a 'gentle, caring nature'. 'He was a lovely young man,' he said on Friday. 'He definitely had a mischievous side to him. He loved to laugh, but more than anything else he just had a heart of gold.' Coffs businesswoman Sandy Ryman told The Daily Telegraph Mr Schaefer was a much loved young man. 'He was an extremely gentle soul, quiet spoken, polite and well mannered,' she said. 'All the family are wonderful people. Mr Schaefer, 22, was fatally stabbed in the neck and chest after leaving the surf at Park Beach on Ocean Parade in Coffs Harbour shortly after 6am on Thursday 'We had the privilege of both Kye, his dad Tony and Kye's sister Mimi all working for us, and Tony and his wife Pam have become good friends.' Cowper MP Pat Conaghan wrote on social media after the attack that more needed to be done to stop violent knife crime. 'My thoughts this afternoon are with the family and friends of the young man stabbed to death on one of our region's beautiful beaches,' he said. 'With two sons myself, I can only imagine what you are going through.' A local man who had been sleeping rough in the carpark said he saw Mr Schaefer slumped on the ground next to his car before emergency services arrived Mr Conaghan urged the NSW government to consider introducing legislation similar to Jack's Law. The law was recently passed in Queensland following the fatal stabbing of 19-year-old Jack Beasley on the Gold Coast in 2019. Coffs MP Gurmesh Singh said the community was in a state of 'significant fear and trauma'. 'I was actually in Sydney for the Bondi incident a few weeks ago and it hanged the feeling of Sydney overnight - this incident has done the same in Coffs,' he said. 'There's a lot of fear and trauma in the community at the moment and I would encourage anyone who needs mental health support to go and seek it out immediately through the available channels.' Police have released the names of the twin toddlers who tragically died after their father pulled their lifeless bodies out of their backyard pool. The three-year-old girls - Valentina and Penelope Ruiz - died at the hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, on Thursday, officials said. 'Preliminary information suggests that this incident is consistent with an accidental drowning,' Phoenix Police said in a statement on Friday. 'At this time, there is nothing that investigators have found that appears suspicious.' Police on Friday identified the two toddlers who drowned in their family's backyard pool in Pheonix, Arizona. Valentina and Penalapi Ruiz, 3, were rushed to a hospital where they were pronounced dead Fire department officials said the twin's father called 911 Phoenix Fire Captain Rob McDade said the twin's father was the one who called 911. 'You can imagine what that would look like, how taxing that would be. A tremendous tragic scene,' he said. McDade added the toddlers were underwater for an 'undetermined amount of time' before help arrived about 3.30pm on Thursday. First responders took less than three minutes to get to the home on 63rd Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road and found family members administering CPR to the twins. Phoenix Fire Capt. Rob McDade said it was 'a tragic scene' as family members tried to perform CPR on the children as first responders arrived at the home Phoenix Police said the tragic incident is consistent with an accidental drowning The backyard pool did not have fencing around it The girls were rushed to a nearby hospital where they were pronounced dead, officials said. Aerial shots of the three-bedroom home showed a kidney-shaped pool that did not have fencing around it. 'You can imagine what that would look like, how taxing that would be,' McDade said to local CBS 5 News. 'A tremendous tragic scene.' A scathing obituary penned by a son who was disowned a decade earlier by his late firefighter father has been promptly removed from the internet. The writer, Timothy McLaughlin, 42, responded to an obituary for his father James J. Becker, 81, a retired Milford, Connecticut firefighter. The tribute described Becker, who was a Jehovah's Witness, as a lover of his faith, and a keen outdoorsman, passionate about camping as well as road trips to Florida and watching TV shows like Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. But there was one line in particular that McLaughlin took issue with: 'The quality many will most remember him fondly for though, was his love for people,' the family obituary stated. McLaughlin, who was raised under the guideline's of his father's faith but later left the faith, explained how he had been excluded and shunned by the family for ten years after he abandoned the religion. He described feeling deeply hurt by being 'disfellowshipped' and estranged from his father since October 1, 2013 - so he decided to set the record straight. Timothy McLaughlin, 42, felt the need to write his own obituary for his father James J. Becker, 81, pictured, a retired Milford, Connecticut firefighter Timothy McLaughlin, 42, left, is pictured alongside his husband, Joseph McLaughlin McLaughlin's version of his father's obituary read in part, 'the previous obituary written by the family was highly misleading. 'It was accurate in saying that the part of James' life that he valued most was his religion as a Jehovah's Witness, but it failed to mention to what extentthis included disowning and shunning his adult son, Timothy, when he chose to leave the religion in October 2013.' McLaughlin's obituary garnered attention on social media as he aimed to rectify what he saw as glaring omissions and misrepresentations in the family's initial tribute. He emphasized how the family's obituary failed to acknowledge the extent of his father's disowning and shunning of him after he left the Jehovah's Witness faith which he describes as 'cult-like'. McLaughlin said 'shunning' is required by the religion when officially 'disfellowshipped'. But 24 hours later, the obituary had been pulled from the website. Legacy, the platform through which he attempted to publish this obituary, above, pulled the obit citing references to family conflict and negative remarks about the deceased as reasons for pulling the obit Legacy, the platform through which he attempted to publish it, cited references to family conflict and negative remarks about the deceased as reasons for pulling the obit. The second obit was also supposed to appear in a Connecticut newspaper on Sunday, but that was later pulled. McLaughlin appears to be at peace with the decision as he said everyone he wanted to see it has already done so. 'Everyone I care to see it has seen it. It served its purpose, take control of the narrative,' McLaughlin said to The Morning Call. 'Writing that obituary was very cathartic.' He explained how writing the obituary was a deeply cathartic experience for him. McLaughlin felt the need to write his obituary to his father after he was effectively shunned by his family after he left the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses After extending condolences, the site which removed the posting, Legacy, wrote: 'We are unable to publish this obituary as it references family conflict and includes negative references about the deceased.' McLaughlin received a full refund. McLaughlin, who is gay and has been married for eight years to Joseph McLaughlin, was surprised to have been mentioned among his father's surviving children in the family's initial obituary. However, he was hurt by the omission of his husband's name and their relationship but he included such details in his own version. 'The previous obituary also failed to mention my cherished husband of eight years, Joseph McLaughlin whom they have chosen to never meet and refuse to acknowledge,' Timothy wrote. 'They did not attend our wedding, never met our son when we fostered, and have never stepped foot into our home (even though our home is welcome to all!).' McLaughlin notes how he came out as gay to his parents at the 23. Although homosexuality is considered a sin in the faith, but he was allowed to stay in the religion so long as as he stayed celibate which he believes is now an unnatural expectation He acknowledged that while his father's had some positive traits such as his love for Yahtzee and other activities, he criticized the family's obituary for not addressing the pain and dehumanization he experienced after the fallout because of his differing beliefs. 'None of them even contacted me when my father died,' McLaughlin added. 'I found out second hand.' Despite the challenges, McLaughlin has said feels an obligation to speak out and shed light on his experiences for others who may be struggling with similar situations within the Jehovah's Witness faith. 'I must say that despite all the hurt they have caused, my life is full of love and happiness and that the loss is truly theirs. Thank you to all of our friends who have offered condolences this past week, despite the complicated circumstances,' he wrote. McLaughlin notes how he came out as gay to his parents at the 23. Although homosexuality is considered a sin in the faith, but he was allowed to stay in the religion so long as as he stayed celibate which he believes is now an unnatural expectation. 'I'm not trying to vilify the individuals that make up the rank and file membership,' McLaughlin clarified. 'The organization targets some of the kindest, most well-meaning people who may be at a vulnerable time in their lives or who are desperately searching for answers,' he said. Jehovah's Witnesses released a statement in response to McLaughlin's claims. 'Jehovah's Witnesses respect the free will and right of every individual to decide what religious beliefs he or she may have. We believe each individual has a right to change his belief system should he or she decide to do so. With that in view, we do not force our beliefs on anyone,' the statement reads, in part. Donald Trump's former communications director Hope Hicks testified in his criminal trial in Manhattan on Friday. The ex-White House adviser worked for his campaign when 'hush money' deals were arranged with porn Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. Therefore she is key witness for the prosecution, and is central to their case that the former president falsified business records. As she took the stand, DailyMail.com revealed she is set to get married later this summer to a man twenty years her senior. Hicks first worked for the former President at the Trump Organization before joining his 2016 campaign. She served in the White House as a top aide but resigned in 2018. She later returned to the Trump White House as he was running for reelection When did Hope Hicks work for Donald Trump? Hicks started working for the Trump Organization in 2014 under the former president's daughter, Ivanka. The publicist quickly became one of his closest confidantes and trusted members of staff. In 2015, she joined Trump's first presidential campaign as press secretary and guided him through to a stunning victory against Hillary Clinton in 2016. When she joined the Trump administration, she became the White House director of strategic communications. She resigned in 2018 after she was interviewed for nine hours by the House panel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election. After she quit, she worked for Fox News in Los Angeles and is now a communications consultant. Hope Hicks with Trump on the campaign trail in October 2020. During her testimony on Friday, Hicks revealed that she has not been in contact with Trump since the summer or fall of 2022 What testimony did Hope Hicks give at Donald Trump's hush money trial? Hicks took the stand and delivered riveting testimony on her experience with the ex-president at the Trump Organization, his wild 2016 campaign and her time at the White House. Hicks was an ultimate insider in Trump world and appeared in court on Friday having been subpoenaed in the hush money case. She gave detailed testimony on working for Trump and at one point even burst into tears. Hicks was a key figure in handling the 2016 campaign's responses to the Access Hollywood tape as well as damage control over Trump's alleged affairs with Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels. She revealed her interactions with Michael Cohen and detailed how the former president was worried affair allegations would impact his marriage to Melania. Hicks had already been mentioned during testimony with ex-National Enquirer publisher David Pecker telling the jury that he knows her, having met her while she was working for Ivanka Trump and doing public relations for Star magazine. Trump poses for picture with then White House Communications Director Hope Hicks on her last day before he boarded Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, March 29, 2018 Who is Hope Hick's fiance Jim Donovan and when are they marrying? DailyMail.com has revealed that Hope Hicks is soon to acquire a new title: that of Mrs. The lucky man is none other than Goldman Sachs boss Jim Donovan, 57, whose secret romance with 35-year-old Hicks was revealed by DailyMail.com in 2020. Sources have told DailyMail.com that the wedding will take place this summer - but not before Hicks appeared as a witness at Trump's hush money trial. Dad-of-four Donovan entered Hicks' life shortly before her return to DC to rejoin the Trump White House. The 57-year-old was repeatedly spotted at her Brentwood home in the weeks leading up to her return to the east coast, with DailyMail.com photographing the now-engaged couple enjoying a double date at swanky restaurant Mr Chow and three-hour lunch at celebrity hotspot Nobu. Hicks, 35, and Jim Donovan, 57, are set to get hitched this summer after their secret romance was revealed in 2020 Donovan's career has proved hugely successful with the 57-year-old holding the position of vice chairman of Goldman Sachs. One of his previous clients was Bain Capital, a private equity firm set up by Mitt Romney who later hired Donovan as an adviser during his 2012 presidential campaign. He later went on to work on Jeb Bush's failed 2016 attempt to become the Republican presidential nominee but was nominated for the number two job at the Treasury by President Trump the following year. Two months after his nomination, Donovan pulled out citing family concerns. In a statement released at the time, he said: 'I am deeply honored by President Trump's decision to nominate me as Deputy Secretary of the U.S Department of the Treasury. A fundraiser has been set up by the son of a farmer who was arrested over the fatal shooting of a suspected burglar at his farmhouse. Rob Lomas, 50, is being questioned on suspicion of murder after Marcus Smith, 19, was found dead at the his property at Mosley Hall Farm, in Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire, on Wednesday morning. Police were called to reports of a break-in at a property on the farm at around 1.20am. Mr Lomas's son, Joshua, has set up the Gofundme appeal using the hashtag 'freethefarmer'. He wrote: 'We are raising much needed funds to support our family and my father, Rob, through this very difficult time. 'Rob has the most steadfast loyalty you could ever wish for in a father and friend and has always been there for me, and all of his many friends. Rob Lomas, 50, (pictured) is being questioned on suspicion of murder after Marcus Smith, 19, was found dead at the his property at Mosley Hall Farm Marcus Smith (pictured, left) was found dead on Wednesday Mr Lomas's son Joshua (pictured) has set up the GoFundMe appeal using the hashtag 'freethefarmer 'As every farmer does, he works relentlessly in all weathers, but always makes time for a brew and a friendly humorous chat. 'During the early hours of the 1st May, Rob encountered intruders inside his property, having had a burglary the night prior also. Further details are available online and I won't duplicate. 'Rob, Kate (his partner) and I now need help in the coming weeks. That's why we need your kind and extremely valuable help. 'Please donate anything you are able to - every pound is hugely appreciated.' The fundraiser has already raised more than 16,000 of 10,000 target, with more than 600 people donating. Mr Lomas was also arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a second teenager was found with gunshot wounds in the road near the farmhouse. A former pupil at Chapel-en-le-Frith High School, Mr Smith had played for his local team He suffered serious injuries, which are not life-threatening, and remains in hospital after being arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary. A man, who is in his 20s, remains in custody after he was also arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary after the vehicle he was travelling in was stopped on the A6 on Wednesday afternoon. Another man, who is in his late teens, was arrested on Friday on suspicion of assisting an offender. Meanwhile, tributes have been paid to Marcus on social media. He's been described as the 'loveliest boy' and 'sweet and polite', and someone who 'lit up every room he entered'. Derbyshire Police said they received a report of burglary at the same property on on Tuesday afternoon, around 3,30pm, and they are 'keeping an open mind' if the two incidents are linked. Police wearing purple gloves comb the farm outbuildings for evidence at hte remote Peak District farmhouse Derbyshire Constabulary confirmed officers had been called to reports of a burglary at the remote Peak District farmhouse at 3.30pm and called to a second raid at 1.20am the next day And they've appealed for anyone with information to come forward. Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Dave Kirby, said: 'I'd like to thank the local community for all their support during this investigation so far. 'We appreciate the impact that an incident like this can have on communities so we are grateful to all those who have helped during these early stages. 'Officers will remain at the scene today and for some time to come as the investigations continue. 'If anyone does have any information, we'd ask them to please contact us, in confidence, using any of the below methods.' A week after thousands took to the streets to protest violence against women, the father of a young woman brutally killed almost five years ago has called for changes to the 'chaotic' criminal justice system. Twenty-eight women have been violently killed since the start of the year, according to data from advocacy group Destroy the Joint's project Counting Dead Women. John Herron's daughter Courtney was killed in 2019 at Melbourne's Royal Park by Henry Hammond, who beat her to death with a branch for 50 minutes in the early hours of Saturday, May 25. He dragged Ms Herron's body into a clearing, covered it with leaves and a tree branch, and placed a large piece of concrete on her face. Ms Herron's body was found by dog walkers a few hours later. She was just 25 years old at the time. John Herron criticised politicians for their lack of action in preventing violence against women Hammond was found not guilty of murder because he had schizophrenia at the time he killed Ms Herron. He was instead ordered to complete a 25-year custodial supervision order in a psychiatric facility. On Friday, Mr Herron, who works as a country lawyer and assists victims of domestic violence and their families, criticised politicians for their lack of action in preventing violence against women. He said a raft of changes to the criminal justice system were required, including law reform, support for victims, stricter bail laws, and administration of intervention orders. 'The system is chaotic, it's on the verge of collapse,' Mr Herron said. 'It's not doing what it's supposed to do to protect women.' Mr Herron said intervention orders were often abused by people so that police and magistrates were swamped with 'frivolous or minor intervention orders'. In his experience, he said the frivolous orders were sometimes taken out by an alleged perpetrator of domestic violence against a victim. 'It's very common that these women are absolutely bewildered that the abuser or perpetrator is able to have orders on them,' he said. Mr Herron called for stricter bail laws and said in most cases when women had been killed, the perpetrators had previously been brought to the attention of authorities. His daughter's attacker, Hammond, had been on a community corrections order at the time he killed Ms Herron. Courtney Herron was killed in 2019 at Melbourne 's Royal Park by Henry Hammond, who beat her to death with a branch. She was 25 at the time Courtney's killer, Henry Hammond, had been on a community corrections order at the time he killed her Mr Herron said the lead-up to the five year anniversary of his daughter's death was an 'emotional time'. 'With people in my situation, anniversaries really hit you very hard,' he said. 'When you're thinking about your daughter every day, it just rams it home.' Mr Herron said his daughter's birthday had recently passed. 'She would have been 30,' he said. 'There's no turning the clock back, you just don't get to see them anymore.' Mr Herron said he would continue fighting for justice and helping others. 'I have to keep going because who else is going to speak up?' 'I help other people because they don't have any help.' Mr Herron's comments come after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared violence against women a 'national crisis'. The government announced this week that it would invest $925m over five years to help women escape violent relationships and introduce new legislation to ban deepfake pornography as part of a suite of measures in a bid to combat gendered violence. King Charles has taken on more than 200 new patronages from the late Queen following a major review of charities supported by the Royal Family. Queen Camilla has also inherited several roles, including the presidency of the Sandringham Women's Institute. Most notably for Charles, he has taken on the Association of Commonwealth Universities one of Meghan's patronages before she and Harry stepped down as senior royals four years ago. In March 2020, the Duchess of Sussex met with representatives from the ACU in private at Buckingham Palace for her penultimate royal engagement, inviting a small group of journalists including her biographer Omid Scobie. He later wrote that she had taken the opportunity to whisper to him: 'It didn't have to be this way.' Many will consider it a diplomatically astute move for the King to take on the role not only because he is Head of the Commonwealth, but also because it might be considered inflammatory giving the role to William or Kate. King Charles has taken on more than 200 new patronages from the late Queen following a major review of charities supported by the Royal Family The reshuffling of more than 1,000 organisations with links to the Royal Family following the King's accession means that 20 per cent will permanently lose their royal figurehead but will likely keep the word 'royal' in their title. The losses have occurred because there are now fewer working members of the Royal Family such as Prince Andrew. When asked to relinquish existing patronages, they naturally reverted to the Queen. At the time of her death in 2022, the late Queen was still patron of 492 organisations aged 96, while Charles and Camilla spearheaded 441 and 100, respectively. The King now has 669 and the Queen 115. Patronages for other Royal Family members will be announced in due course. King Charles and Queen Camilla arriving for a visit to University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre, London on April 30 Such affiliations are considered to be hugely valuable for the organisations concerned in terms of profile, fundraising ability and attracting royal visits. The King is also taking over the role of patron of the Royal British Legion, the Royal Commonwealth Society and Samaritans. Among Queen Elizabeth's charities, Queen Camilla will take on the Royal Academy of Dance appropriate given the fact she and friends enjoy ballet lessons. It is understood the review took 18 months to complete due to the large number of organisations to examine as well as organising the Coronation. Aides said they would continue to keep a close eye on the King's workload during his cancer treatment. No role for Ant & Dec on royal roll They were among the most familiar faces at the Coronation, but Ant and Dec have not been included in the official record of the ceremony, it has emerged. Only guests with royal, political or ceremonial roles are named, meaning they have been categorised as other groups, along with Lionel Richie and Katy Perry. King Charles was presented this week with the Coronation Roll, a 700-year-old tradition that records the details of the ceremony on an illustrated scroll. Ant and Dec arrive for the Coronation of King Charles on May 6 last year King Charles was presented this week with the Coronation Roll, a 700-year-old tradition that records the details of the ceremony on an illustrated scroll The King joked that he hoped there were no mistakes among the 11,600 handwritten words and he was assured it had been checked many times. In fact there is an error: A missing dot on an i towards the end of the manuscript. A writer who lost her only child to anaphylactic shock has laid bare the heartbreaking reality of her struggle with grief. Tina Hedin, 62, says she is on the 'brink of shattering' ever since the devastating death of her daughter Kierstin, who she called Kiki, at the age of 25. Her nightmare began on January 8, 2023, when Kiki suffered a severe food allergy reaction which could not be reversed using her EpiPen. She was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital where she was placed in an induced coma, but sadly died just days later on January 13. 'I entered the world of grief, and discovered that when the worst thing happens, the cruelest part is, it doesnt kill you,' Hedin wrote on her blog. 'The pain makes you wish you were dead yet you have to go on.' Writer Tina Hedin, 62, who lost her only child Kiki (far right) to anaphylactic shock has laid bare the heartbreaking reality of her struggle with grief. Pictured: Mom and daughter with dad Eric Kiki suffered a severe food allergy reaction which could not be reversed using her EpiPen on January 8, 2023 Hedin laid bare her grief in her blog, Letters from Turkey Town, which she is using to process her loss The grieving mother has turned to writing to help process her loss and her place in the world now that she no longer has her only child. She cherishes the last time she was with Kiki, the day after Christmas in 2022 when they pored over an art book - a passion they shared. In a separate essay for the New York Times, Hedin describes breaking down over something as trivial as losing a water bottle at the gym because, 'some days I just couldn't take any more loss'. 'I used to be the mother of a 25-year-old,' Hedin wrote. 'I used to have a young person who loved me, belonged to me, connected me to the world of young people.' After she was first admitted, Kiki's parents were praying she would make a full recovery. 'She is a strong girl and always been a fighter so we are only thinking positive things,' dad Eric wrote. Since her daughter's death, Hedin has packed up her life in New Hampshire to take to the road in a van with her husband. The couple were both extremely close with their daughter and have been left bereft by her death, a loss which was compounded by the death of Eric's mother in the same year. She was the couple's only child and died just days later after being placed in an induced coma from which she never awoke Kierstin, or Kiki as she was known, died on January 13, 2023 at the age of 25 following anaphylaxis Hedin described how the pain of her loss makes her wish she was dead, but that she must keep going 'We dont cry in public anymore, or not often, 'Hedin said. 'But December is a minefield. I find myself getting annoyed and upset, crying over nothing. Its not nothing, though. Its the one thing. The unfixable thing.' In a post on Facebook marking the anniversary of his daughter's death, Eric's grief was still palpable. 'A year ago tonight Tina and I rested our heads on Kikis chest and heard her last heartbeat. We stayed with her for a bit after that, rubbed lotion on her, brushed her hair, spoke to her and held her for the last time,' he said. 'Since then there have been all the firsts without her: birthdays, Halloween, Christmas, Fathers and Mothers Day and each has been challenging. 'I dont want to go forward being thought of as the poor guy whose daughter died but as the guy whose daughter lived a great life and left such an impression on so many.' The couple now have plans to honor their daughter by getting the same tattoos that she had. Hedin is also channeling her grief into her 'Letters from Turkey Town' newsletter. Eric Hedin says he wants people to think of him as, 'the guy whose daughter lived a great life and left such an impression on so many' Kiki's story bears echoes of the death of Orla Baxendale, 25, (pictured) who suffered an allergic reaction to cookies from a Connecticut store so severe that not even her EpiPen could save her, according to lawyers for her family 'Its not all sad here,' Hedin wrote. 'My inspiration to write comes not from my daughters death, but from the power of her life, her sense of humor and the love that lives on. Kiki's death was one of the 1,000 deaths from anaphylaxis that occur among Americans each year. A fatal outcome is a rare, but very real threat to those with allergies. Average price of petrol increased by 3p to 150p per litre in April alone Drivers are being 'seriously overcharged' as average fuel prices have risen by 10p a litre this year. The average price of a litre of petrol increased by 3p to 150p in April alone, the RAC said. Average diesel prices rose by 2p per litre to 157.8p last month. Wholesale oil prices have risen a little this year, and the exchange rate is not currently favourable for imports to Britain. But retailers' margins have also risen during this period, RAC research shows, and are well above long-term averages. Average fuel prices have risen by 10p a litre this year, with petrol costs rising by 3p in April alone The motoring organisation is calling on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) - an independent non-ministerial Government department - to address 'glaring issues' with fuel retailing. It wants the regulator - which is responsible for monitoring prices - to tackle 'unfair retailer margins which lead to drivers getting a raw deal'. The RAC called on the biggest fuel retailers to end the 'postcode lottery' which means some companies charge 'wildly different prices' across locations. It said there is still too much so-called rocket and feather pricing, where pump prices surge when wholesale costs rise, but fall slowly when wholesale costs decline. It also said fuel prices across Britain should reduce to levels in Northern Ireland, where they are consistently 5p per litre cheaper. Despite the CMA expressing concern about retailer margins earlier this year, the average margins for a litre of petrol and diesel is 9.5p and 17.5p respectively, according to the RAC. The long-term average margin for both fuels is around 8p. The RAC is calling on the Competition and Markets Authority to intervene to stop drivers from 'getting a raw deal' from 'unfair' retail margins RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: 'Drivers are once again having to dig deep just to go about their daily lives. 'Our data shows petrol and diesel have now gone up 10p a litre so far this year on the back of further increases in April of 3p and 2p respectively. 'Some of this is down to the oil price and the pound-to-dollar exchange rate making wholesale petrol more expensive for retailers to buy. 'But unfortunately, it's also very apparent that retailers are making massive margins on diesel. 'Worryingly, the CMA's warning shot about higher retailer margins at the end of March appears to have fallen on deaf ears, meaning drivers are once again being seriously overcharged for diesel.' Shocking video showing a 'transgender' student attacking another girl in a women's restroom resulted in a bomb threat being sent to the school after the clip went viral. The assault at Greece Arcadia high school took place in February and saw the victim dragged out of a stall by her hair by a much larger attacker, described as transgender. Footage of the attack was shared by feminist website Reduxx on Thursday and resulted in a bomb threat being sent to the school, forcing it to close on Friday. Greece Central School District Superintendent Kathleen Graupman said the anonymous threat qualifies as a 'hate crime' as she slammed those using the video to further 'hateful' agendas. The clip in question shows a student barge into a restroom stall and begin beating a girl inside while other pupils film on their phones. Shocking video has emerged showing a ' transgender ' student attacking another girl at a school bathroom The assault at Greece Arcadia high school took place in February and saw the victim dragged out of a stall by her hair Footage of the attack recently emerged on social media and resulted in a bomb threat being sent to the school which forced it to close on Friday The student grabs the screaming girl by her hair and drags her out along the floor and into the hallway. The student throws several more punches before a member of staff comes running over to separate them. Even as they are dragged away, the assailant refuses to let go of the girl's hair. Eventually the student is escorted away and the girl who was attacked runs up behind and attempts to fight back. However, she is picked up and carried away by what appears to be another staff member. In the wake of the footage going viral on Thursday, the school was sent a bomb threat at 6.07am on Friday. Several bus loads of students who had already arrived on campus had to be redirected as cops worked to investigate. The threat accused the school of failing to make a safe learning environment and accused the district of encouraging 'mentally ill' and 'degenerate', making reference to the fight, NBC News10 reports. The threat claimed the assailant was a transgender student who attacked a girl in the women's restroom The anonymous message accused the school of failing to provide a safe learning environment after footage of the attack went viral Greece Central School District Superintendent Kathleen Graupman said the anonymous threat qualifies as a 'hate crime ' as she slammed those using the video to further 'hateful' agendas 'They created a situation that allowed for a girl to be assaulted in a women's restroom by a worthless degenerate sack of mentally ill who thinks he's a girl,' the threat said. 'We're here to send a message, we placed a bomb in the school, evacuate now.' There has been no confirmation from official sources about any of the students' gender identity. However, Reduxx stated it had spoken to another student at the school who claimed the attacker is transgender. 'It is clear that this is being used for an agenda, whether it's a personal or political agenda, it is being used,' Graupman said. 'That fight that occurred was significant and very, very upsetting and disturbing, and also I want to be very clear it involved minors, it involved minors that deserve respect and privacy. 'We don't get to share videos and names and peoples personal identities out there.' Graupman did not say what measures had been taken to discipline the attacking student in the wake of the fight. The police eventually deemed that the threat was not credible and the school reopened after 9am. New York is among states whose laws let transgender people use whichever bathroom aligns with their gender identity. Supporters of the law say it helps enshrine the dignity of trans people, who are often vulnerable to abuse and attacks. Detractors say it can threaten women's safety, by allowing men who decide to self-identify as transgender to access female-only spaces. Labour insiders have claimed that the mayoral election for London is on a knife edge, as bookies have slashed their odds on a shock defeat for Sadiq Khan. One party source told the Telegraph that Khan's race for the role against the Tories' Susan Hall was 'definitely going to be close', adding that there may be just a few points between the two. Another told the newspaper that the slim difference between the two candidates shows Labour that it needs to rethink its strategies and policies in London, amid massive controversies over ULEZ, among other contentious issues. They said: 'If the party wants to clearly demonstrate it has changed then it needs to take stronger action. There needs to be a quiet review of strategy and an end to policy announcements from on high regardless of voting geography and demographics.' Labour jitters were already spreading over Sadiq Khan's prospects in London amid claims of low turnout and a Gaza backlash. Labour jitters were spreading over Sadiq Khan 's prospects in London today amid claims of low turnout and a Gaza backlash Polls ahead of the election yesterday suggested that the incumbent was on track for a comfortable victory over Tory rival Susan Hall The final surveys gave Mr Khan a lead of between 10 and 22 points Polls ahead of the election yesterday suggested that the incumbent was on track for a comfortable victory over his Tory rival. The final surveys gave him a lead of between 10 and 22 points. But rumours have been circulating today that it could be significantly closer, with senior figures pointing to the impact of Gaza on other results across England. Verification of the votes is happening now, with turnout numbers due later and the count tomorrow. Mr Khan faced intense scrutiny over his record on law and order during the campaign, after a 14-year-old schoolboy become the latest victim of knife crime in the capital. Daniel Anjorin was killed just moments after leaving his house when he was attacked in a sword rampage in Hainault that saw four other people, including two police officers, seriously wounded. Home Secretary James Cleverly was among those slamming the Mayor's perceived failures, with calls for every front-line officer to be equipped with a Taser. Ms Hall appealed for Londoners to take their 'last chance to vote for a Mayor who will get a grip on crime and make people safe, stop the ULEZ expansion, halt Khan's plans for pay-per-mile and build more family homes that people can afford'. Polling Station signs are seen outside the 'Pirate Castle' outdoor activities centre as members of the public cast their votes during the London Mayoral election People come and go from a polling station as they place their votes Mr Khan was one of the first Labour politicians to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, but Sir Keir's strong support for Israel's right to self-defence caused anger among many supporters. There has been evidence of that in the results today, with Labour losing overall control of Oldham council after independents claimed seats. One senior ally of Ms Khan told MailOnline that it is 'going to be close'. 'The polls were rubbish,' they added. 'London is exceptionally difficult to poll.' Another political veteran, who still believes Mr Khan will win, pointed out that Labour has not been performing well in local council by-elections. Asked on Sky News this afternoon about the jitters, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting - MP for Ilford North - said: 'We've always feared this race will be close.' He highlighted that Mr Khan only won the first round of voting by 5 per cent in 2021. Since then the government has changed the voting system to first past the post, meaning Mr Khan will not benefit from second preferences of Greens and Lib Dems. 'We were warning Londoners you know, don't take the risk of waking up with a Conservative mayor,' Mr Streeting said. He went on: 'It is too early to say yet what we think the result will be, verification of votes are taking place today the counting will be tomorrow. 'I mean, based on what I saw in my own constituency and bearing in mind the last election a few years ago - Sadiq lost every ward in Iford North bar one - I felt that there was a bit more support for him this time in my constituency. Asked on Sky News this afternoon about the jitters, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting - MP for Ilford North - said: 'We've always feared this race will be close.' Keir Starmer and his allies are awaiting news of the London mayoral election tomorrow 'There are people who are angry with him about Ulez we sort of had that argument of following the Uxbridge by election. 'And, you know, I didn't agree with him, but he stuck to his guns, stuck to his convictions. Fair enough.' Mr Streeting hit out at racial abuse suffered by Mr Khan, but acknowledged that Gaza could be a factor in the election. 'There's no doubt looking at some of the results across the country that have already come in that Gaza has been an issue,' he said. 'And I say say that with great respect to voters who sent us a message on Gaza. So we'll have to wait and see where the results come in.' Pupils with special educational needs are facing a 'full-blown crisis' due to funding cuts, headteachers have warned. In a survey of 1,000 school leaders, 99 per cent said the funding they receive for such children is inadequate. The research, by education union NAHT, also found many have been forced to reduce the number of teaching assistants or the hours they work. This is despite TAs being vital for the care of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Nearly four in five - 78 per cent - said they needed to reduce spending on TAs in the last three years due to funding pressures. Pupils with special educational needs are facing a 'full-blown crisis' due to funding cuts, headteachers have warned as 99 per cent of teachers say the funding they receive is inadequate (Stock image) Education Secretary Gillian Keegan and the Department for Education have promised to increase funding to over 10.5billion next year Meanwhile 84 per cent anticipated they would be forced to do so in the next three years. READ MORE: Four out of five UK schools are crumbling due to a lack of funds, shocking survey finds Advertisement Some school leaders shared fears with the union that funding shortages mean they are unable to keep children and staff safe. School leaders also told the union about the additional pressures caused by schools having to try to fill the gaps left by under-resourced services, including health and social care services. Ian Kendal, executive headteacher at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Multi Academy Trust in Essex, said the funding received for pupils with SEND is 'not enough'. He said: 'There just isn't capacity within special schools in our area, meaning we are supporting even more pupils with complex needs within our mainstream settings. 'We believe in inclusion and are currently doing our best with the limited funds, but, put simply, it is not good enough for the children with the most complex needs - they deserve so much more than we can give them.' The findings have been published on the second day of the NAHT's annual conference in Newport, Wales. General Secretary Paul Whiteman said all political parties should pledge 'system-wide investment' needed to tackle the crisis head-on. He added: 'Schools face a perfect storm of growing demand to support more pupils with special educational needs at the same time as costs have increased massively and are still rising. 'This is a full-blown crisis and bad news for children, families, schools and local authorities.' A Department for Education spokesman said: 'We are helping to ensure that all children have the chance to reach their potential by increasing funding for children and young people with complex needs to over 10.5billion next year - up 60 per cent in the last five years. 'We are also providing 2.6billion to support the creation of places for children and young people with SEND, more than tripling the previous level of investment, so parents can be reassured that their child will receive the right support at the right time, close to home. 'Combined with the special and AP (Alternative Provision) free schools' programme, this is helping to increase capacity, creating over 60,000 specialist places across the country.' Australians have been appalled by a racist slur scrawled on a Qantas magazine and left in a plane seat pocket. Indigenous Olympian and former Federal senator Nova Peris has shared a photo of the magazine taken by her husband Scott Appleton when he flew from Alice Springs to Darwin on Tuesday. The magazine was in the seat pocket in front of the elderly lady next to Mr Appleton and appeared to be a spiteful reaction to the Welcome to Country broadcast by the airline before each landing. The husband of Indigenous Olympian former Federal senator Nova Peris was appalled to see the racist scrawl left on the cover of a Qantas in-flight magazine The message said that 'no one respects' Indigenous people, labelling them as 'lazy' using a racist slur. 'Stop the stupid respect to Elders bulls***,' the second line read. 'Here's to hoping Qantas tell their cleaning contractors to remove Qantas books from planes with racist messages written on them,' Ms Peris wrote. Those commenting also expressed their dismay. 'Dreadful, ignorant racist statement, the magazine should have definitely been seen & removed by staff,' one person wrote. 'Appalling. So sorry,' another said. 'Cleaning staff need to be more vigilant but also people need to show respect for others,' commented another. Mr Appleton is reported to have alerted a flight attendant about the defaced magazine, which was then removed. 'They handled the situation very well, and were extremely sensitive in the way it was handled,' he told the National Indigenous Times. Nova Peris has called on Qantas to make sure its cleaning staff are more diligent in removing racist graffiti Qantas expressed its shock and regret over the defaced magazine. 'We are appalled that someone would make these racist remarks,' a Qantas spokesperson told Yahoo News. 'We are committed to supporting our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and are proud that our crew acknowledge country for every flight landing in Australia.' New Orleans' Democrat mayor was snapped gazing adoringly at a taxpayer-funded bodyguard she's denied an affair with during a cozy dinner while he was on duty. Latoya Cantrell, 52, was seen dining on the balcony of a restaurant in the city's French Quarter last month while the member of her protection team was still on the clock. The pictures, which showed Officer Jeffrey Vappie and Cantrell together at the restaurant were promptly forwarded to the Metropolitan Crime Commission (MCC), whose goal is to reduce crime and expose corruption throughout Louisiana. Despite the pair appearing to consume alcohol (empty wine glasses were spotted at their table), records show that Vappie was supposed to be still on shift at the time of the dinner. Cantrell appeared lost in his gaze and was snapped looking adoringly at her close protection officer throughout the intimate meal. On the day the photo was taken, Vappie billed taxpayers for a full 12 hours of work - from 8am until 8pm. The dinner occurred at around 5:45pm on Sunday, April 7. New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell, 52, was caught dining with her taxpayer-funded bodyguard Officer Jeffrey Vappie, prompting an investigation Photos showed them enjoying alcohol during Vappie's supposed working hours, leading to his removal pending a probe by the New Orleans Police Department The MCC has since filed a complaint with the New Orleans Police Department and pushed for an internal investigation to be launched. Vappie has now been removed from the mayor's security team pending the NOPD administrative investigation into the dinner. Depending on the outcome, it could see Vappie either being suspended or fired. Vappie had been a detective with the City of New Orleans PD since 1997, according to his LinkedIn page. Cantrell and Vappie had each previously denied any relationship beyond a professional working relationship of protector and protectee - but local news station Fox 8 found the pair spent hours together inside a grace and favor city-owned apartment in the French Quarter. Bodyguards who spoke to the New Orleans Police Department as part of the investigation into Vappie, described Cantrell as a fiery, demanding boss who was overly familiar with her security detail, expecting them to act as her servants. The incident only adds to existing federal scrutiny over 52-year-old LaToya Cantrell's past activities, including misuse of funds for first-class flights In the past, Vappie (pictured) spent 112 hours at Cantrell's apartment over a 27 day stretch, and was even seen watering her plants Vappie and the mayor are seen leaving the Upper Pontalba Building apartment together Vappie and Cantrell are spotted walking together outside her stunning apartment in the French Quarter Kristy Johnson-Stokes, an officer that worked with Cantrell, told investigators they would be asked to pick her daughter up from school, take her credit card to buy gifts from the department store and water her plants. Vappie also spent 112 hours at her apartment over a 27-day stretch, and was even seen watering her plants. Vappie and Cantrell were also recorded leaving the apartment separately late at night and spending hours of the working day inside together. 'This is a social event while he's on the clock, paid by the city of New Orleans. He is not following employment conflict policies, and he's not protecting the mayor, even though he's paid to protect her,' Rafael Goyeneche, President of the MCC said. 'This is a violation of the protocols of the executive protection as well. If it's on-duty or off-duty -- either way you slice it -- I believe it's a violation of departmental rules, policies and protocols,' Goyeneche said. 'So, if he's off duty, and he's dining with the mayor, that would suggest that they're in a social relationship. And if they are in a social relationship, I don't see how he can remain on the executive protection unit team any longer.' Cantrell was previously exposed for forcing her bodyguards to hold her purse, do her shopping and take her daughter to the hairdresser. She is pictured in 2022 Cantrell and Vappie are both already under federal investigation with part of that inquiry looking into Vappie being paid for work he might not have undertaken '[Vappie] was simply not doing his job. So, that's an issue right there,' Dillard University political analyst Dr. Robert Collins told Fox 8. 'He's getting paid by the taxpayers. He's not doing the job that he's paid to do. 'He's putting himself and the mayor in danger by not securing the perimeter. He's, in essence, engaging in social interaction when he should be doing executive protection work and actually protecting the mayor and securing the perimeter. 'But the timesheet shows he's getting paid for police work. This clearly shows you that this is not police work happening here.' Cantrell and Vappie are both already under federal investigation with part of that inquiry looking into Vappie being paid for work he might not have undertaken. 'It shows that they're basically flaunting the law,' Collins said. 'They obviously don't care that they're under investigation. They don't care about appearance. It's disconcerting to see the chief executive officer of the city to basically be actively flaunting the law, when both she and Officer Vappie know that they are under investigation by the United States Justice Department and by the local U.S. Attorney's Office. 'Both the mayor and Officer Vappie know that they're under federal investigation right now. So, they have to know that anytime they go in public together in a public restaurant like this, and they're seen smiling and laughing, that's going to draw eyes. That's going to draw attention. That's going to draw questions.' This is not the first time the feds have looked into the mayor's activities, as she previously faced a federal probe for taking more than $29,000 worth of first class flights at city expense, violating a policy that requires city employees to use cheaper fares. Cantrell was charged by the Louisiana Board of Ethics for using premium upgrades for 15 flights over a two-year time frame. The charges fell under a state ethics law that prohibits officials from receiving anything of value for their public duties. The politician previously claimed her upgrades were not for luxury but for her health and safety - citing the threat of Covid and 'the world black women walk in'. Her flight upgrade for a trip to Nice, France - where she attended a jazz festival and a French National Day celebration - cost a whopping $12,988 on top of the base fare of $4,666, according to court documents. The 52-year-old politician claimed her upgrades were not for luxury but for her health and safety - citing the threat of COVID and 'the world black women walk in' Her flight upgrade for a trip to Nice, France - where she attended a jazz festival and a French National Day celebration - cost a whopping $12,988 on top of the base fare of $4,666 Cantrell finally reimbursed the city $28,856 for the 13 domestic flights and two international trips to Europe that she upgraded in October 2023 Cantrell spent $2,352 of state money on a first-class upgrade for her domestic flight from New Orleans to San Francisco - a five-hour journey. She eventually agreed to repay the difference reimbursing the city $28,856 for the 13 domestic flights and two international trips to Europe that she upgraded in October of 2021. 'Anyone who wants to question how I protect myself just doesnt understand the world black women walk in,' Mayor Cantrell previously said in a statement. Cantrell took office in 2018 and had a first-year approval rating of 57 percent, according to a periodic survey of voter attitudes by the University or New Orleans Survey Research Center. That plummeted to 31 percent in a poll the university released last October. One-punch killer Kieran Loveridge has been spotted enjoying a Saturday morning with a woman believed to be his girlfriend and two small children after he was recently released from prison after a decade behind bars. Loveridge, 30, was released on parole from Broken Hill prison two weeks ago having been imprisoned when he fatally struck 18-year-old Thomas Kelly with a single punch in Sydney's Kings Cross back in July 2012. The attack led the New South Wales Government to introduce strict mandatory sentencing laws for drunk violence and controversial lockout laws, which forced nightclubs and bars to refuse entry after 1.30am. But other than a visible ankle monitor, those days already seemed far behind Loveridge as he was seen exiting a hairdressing salon carrying a white plastic bag and strolling down the street beside the dark-haired woman, who pushed a pram, with the children, believed to be family members. One-punch killer Kieran Loveridge (left) has been spotted enjoying a Saturday morning with a woman believed to be his girlfriend (right) and two small children after he was recently released from prison after a decade inside At one stage he was seen walking beside one of the small children, believed to be a family member, who was wearing a pink windcheater Loveridge as he was seen exiting a hairdressing salon carrying a white plastic bag and speaking with a bearded man with heavily tattooed legs Other than other a visible ankle monitor, Loveridge's prison days already seemed far behind him At one stage he was also seen stopping to speak with a bearded man with heavily tattooed legs and then walking beside one of the small children, who was wearing a pink windcheater. One witness observed the children were happy to see him. It's understood Loveridge has been looking for work since returning to society. On his release Loveridge recently told the Daily Telegraph he was just a kid who 'messed up' by punching Thomas and had never meant to kill him. 'I was 18, I was still at school when that happened. I wasn't off the rails, I just went out and made a mistake,' he said. 'I went out that night and unfortunately I made a mistake, and I woke up going, "Far out, I'm going to jail".' He said he was 'extremely remorseful' for his crime, something Thomas' parents do not believe. 'They have been there in court when I have said sorry to them. I'm not sure what else I can do,' Loveridge said. Loveridge, 30, was released on parole from Broken Hill prison two weeks ago having been imprisoned when he fatally struck 18-year-old Thomas Kelly (pictured) with a single punch in Sydney 's Kings Cross back in July 2012 Loveridge (pictured at the NSW Supreme Court in 2013), who assaulted four others on the night he killed Thomas Kelly, initially got a sentence of just four years, but on appeal this was raised to a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 13 years and eight months Loveridge also said he now aims to educate young men about the dangers of alcohol and violence. Loveridge, who assaulted four others on the night he killed Thomas Kelly, initially got a sentence of just four years, but on appeal this was raised to a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 13 years and eight months. Mr Kelly's parents, Kathy and Ralph, initially supported Loveridge's parole but during a recent interview with the ABC's 7.30 program, they said they did so based 'on a pack of lies' after learning about incidents involving Loveridge inside prison, and that he had shown no remorse. At the April parole hearing, they learned Loveridge had been repeatedly violent during his years in prison, assaulting several people including punching a bikie in the face. In the most recent incident, just weeks before the parole hearing, Loveridge was drunk and violent towards corrections officers. 'It's hard to believe that the State Parole Authority think that he won't be a risk to the community, or a low risk, as they say,' Mr Kelly said. 'Given that he had an outburst on the 27th of February it shows that he is still the same person that he was 12 years ago.' Ms Kelly said Loveridge 'was drunk in prison and was aggravated'. 'We're talking a month-and-a-half ago... and we weren't aware of that when we put the submission forward saying that we supported the parole. We were doing the right thing, as far as we were concerned.' Mr Kelly's parents, Kathy and Ralph, initially supported Loveridge's parole but during a recent interview with the ABC's 7.30 program, they said they did so based 'on a pack of lies' She said they only found out about the extent of Loveridge's behaviour in prison at the parole hearing 'as the judge was basically summing everything up'. 'It was disgusting,' Ms Kelly said. 'It was just appalling that that we've been kept in the dark about that, because we really went in with our submission and supported the parole on a pack of lies. 'Had we known that, we definitely would not have supported it.' Mr Kelly believes 'it's only a matter of time' before Loveridge commits further crimes once he is given parole. After losing Thomas to the violent incident involving Loveridge, the Kellys lost their second son Stuart, also 18, to suicide four years later. His death followed a suspected assault at St Paul's College at Sydney University a matter of days after he'd spoken on the death of his brother. Biden's weak stance on students' pro Palestine protests will spell disaster for him at the polls, a famed conservative journalist has warned. Andrew Sullivan says Biden's lackluster approach to campus chaos is enough to see him booted from the White House. This combined with 'chaotic' border policies and Biden's stance on transgender rights will be enough to snuff out any chances of re-election, according to Sullivan, a gay conservative journalist. 'Biden is losing this election, deservedly,' he wrote on his Substack. 'And if he cannot pull off an almighty pivot and I suspect at this point, he really can't this election really is Trump's to lose.' Outlining his reasoning, he pointed to the student protests over the Vietnam war in 1968 which are largely blamed for costing the Democrats in the election of Richard Nixon. Biden's weak stance on students' pro Palestine protests will spell disaster for him at the polls, a famed conservative journalist has warned Andrew Sullivan says Biden's lackluster approach to campus chaos is enough to see him booted from the White House Pro Palestine protesters, such as these at UCLA, have been clashing with police all week in violent scenes reminiscent of the student demonstrations against the Vietnam war Sullivan, who is a staunch critic of Donald Trump, now fears the ex-president will be able to capitalize on Biden's oversights to get back into office. 'This is how you re-elect Trump: keep pandering to the far left, suck up to wealthy college grads, allow millions of fraudulent "asylum-seekers" to enter the country, insist that men are women, discriminate against whites and Asians and men, while constantly appearing as merely reacting to events rather than creating new political realities,' Sullivan wrote. His comments echoed those by Stephen Collinson, a political analyst for left-wing CNN. 'President Joe Biden can ill afford a long, hot summer of protest that comes to a boil in time for the Democratic National Convention in August and then bleeds into the final weeks of an already venomous clash with Donald Trump,' he wrote. More than 76 universities have seen pro Palestine protests crop up in recent weeks and more than 2,000 activists have been arrested. On Thursday, Biden finally addressed the escalating turmoil, following scenes of protesters destroying university property and replacing Old Glory with the Palestinian flag. However, he was careful not to further alienate progressive voters who have already become disillusioned with his stance on the war in Gaza. 'I understand people have strong feelings and deep convictions,' he said. California Highway Patrol officers clear a pro-Palestinian encampment after dispersal orders were given at UCLA. Biden finally issued a statement on the unrest on Thursday CHP officer detains a protester at UCLA on May 2. Sullivan warned Biden's comments were not strong enough and too late A skirmish during a pro Palestine rally at Rutgers University, New Jersey. A student encampment had been set up at the campus in scenes reminiscent of many across the country Georgia State Patrol officers detain a demonstrator on the campus of Emory University during a pro-Palestinian demonstration, Thursday, April 25, 2024 'In America, we respect the right and protect the right for them to express that. But it doesn't mean anything goes. It needs to be done without violence, without destruction, without hate, and within the law.' By contrast, Trump took a harsher stance blasting the protesters for disrupting learning and order, denouncing hem as 'raging lunatics and Hamas sympathizers'. 'To every college president, I say remove the encampments, immediately. Vanquish the radicals, and take back our campuses for all of the normal students who want a safe place from which to learn,' he told a campaign rally in Waukesha, Wisconsin on Wednesday. Addressing the comments, Sullivan said: 'It was fine so far as it went, but it was given only when he had no choice, after Trump goaded him [...] He was reactive, not proactive. His quiet words were overwhelmed with the noise of the streets.' Sullivan said Biden's 'extreme left' stances on abortion and transgender rights - including backing so-called 'gender-affirming care' for children are further alienating voters. The journalist and some other prominent gay figures have said aspects of trans orthodoxy are homophobic because they encourage children who are struggling to come to terms with being gay to believe that they're actually trans - and undergo irreversible medical procedures. Protesters have clashed with police at UCLA, Columbia, CUNY and Emory University among others in the last few weeks. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders warned that Biden could be headed for a similar fate as Lyndon B Johnson, who saw his Democrat support dissolve over the Vietnam War and resulting student protests. Johnson was forced to withdraw from his reelection bid and his successor Hubert H. Humphrey went on to lose to Nixon. In terms of his campaign, you know, I am thinking back and other people are making this reference that this may be Bidens Vietnam,' Sanders told CNN. Columbia University protesters smashed windows, upended furniture and caused damage throughout Hamilton Hall amid their brief occupation Members of the NYPD surround and breach Hamilton Hall where demonstrators barricaded themselves inside on the Columbia University campus on April 30, 2024 in New York City 'Lyndon Johnson, in many respects, was a very, very good president. He chose not to run in 68 because of opposition to his views on Vietnam.' Meanwhile, a forecaster who has predicted every presidential winner correctly for the last 40 years also identified the campus protests as a potential weak spot for Biden. Allan Lichtman said that social unrest is one of the keys which could cause Biden's demise. Lichtman, a professor of history at American University in Washington, DC, devised a system, which he terms '13 Keys', to the White House and wrote a 1980s book explaining the idea. However, he still insisted that 'a lot would have to go wrong' for Biden to lose to Trump in November. The swathe of pro-Palestinian protests that have been rocking US campuses for weeks were more muted Friday after a series of clashes with police, mass arrests and a stern White House directive to restore order. Police in Manhattan cleared an encampment at New York University after sunrise, with video posted to social media by an official showing protesters exiting their tents and dispersing when ordered to do so. The scene appeared relatively calm compared to crackdowns at other campuses around the country - and some worldwide - where protests over Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza have multiplied in recent weeks. University administrators, who have tried to balance the right to protest and complaints of violence and hate speech, have increasingly called on police to clear out the demonstrators ahead of final exams and graduation ceremonies. A protest encampment at George Washington University Law School on May 3, 2024 in Washington D.C. People pray at an encampment at University Yard at George Washington University on May 3, 2024 Pro Palestinian protesters gather outside of New York University (NYU) buildings in lower Manhattan as they continue an ongoing demonstration against their schools investments and the administrations views on Israel on May 3, 2024 in New York City A woman that was arrested at the protest is taken into an NYPD van. Early this morning the NYPD moved into the encampment at the John A. Paulson Center in New York University and arrested several students while destroying the encampment Biden gave his first full remarks on the massive campaign protests in a televised White House speech, saying 'order must prevail' The president of the University of Chicago said talks with protesters on a compromise had failed and indicated that the school might break up the encampment there. The news came the same day that dozens of American flag-wielding counter-protesters showed up to confront the school's pro-Palestinian group, but police separated the two sides, local media reported. More than 2,000 arrests have been made in the past two weeks across the United States, some during violent confrontations with police, giving rise to accusations of use of excessive force. During the NYPD's dramatic efforts to clear out protester-occupied Hamilton Hall on Columbia University's campus, an officer accidentally fired his gun inside the building. President Joe Biden, who has faced pressure from all political sides over the conflict in Gaza, gave his first expansive remarks on the protests Thursday, saying that 'order must prevail.' 'We are not an authoritarian nation where we silence people or squash dissent,' Biden said in a brief address from the White House. 'But neither are we a lawless country. We're a civil society, and order must prevail.' As Biden left the lectern, reporters asked him if the protests changed his position on Israel's invasion of Gaza and whether he was considering bringing in the National Guard to control and break up protests at college campuses. Biden gave resounding no's to both questions. Pro-Palestinians protesters clash with counter-protesters at the encampment in the quad at the University of Chicago on May 3, 2024 Campus police stand between demonstrators at a pro-Palestinian encampment on the campus of the University of Chicago and counter demonstrators after a brief skirmish between the groups on May 03, 2024 Given the clash between both counter protesters and pro-Palestine demonstrators, the University of Chicago could soon be inclined to break up the encampment Police clash with pro-Palestinian students after destroying part of the encampment barricade at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) early on May 2, 2024 His remarks came hours after police moved in on demonstrators at UCLA, which saw counter-protesters attacking a fortified encampment there. A large police force cleared the sprawling encampment early Thursday and launched flash bangs to disperse the crowds gathered outside. UCLA officials said that more than 200 people were arrested. On the west coast Friday, protesters at a University of California, Riverside encampment were set to disband by midnight after striking a compromise with administrators, local media reported. The agreement came after similar deals at New Jersey's Rutgers University Thursday and Brown University in Rhode Island earlier in the week. Republicans have accused Biden of being soft on what they say is anti-Semitic sentiment among the protesters, while he faces opposition in some in his own party for his strong support for Israel's military offensive. Police use a special vehicle to enter Hamilton Hall which was occupied by protesters, as other officers enter the campus of Columbia University. This is the building where an officer accidentally discharged his weapon Demonstrators at a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Chicago block their encampment from counter-demonstrators on May 3, 2024 Map of US universities at which pro-Palestinian protests have led to arrests since April 17 'There should be no place on any campus, no place in America for anti-Semitism, or threats of violence against Jewish students,' Biden said. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona echoed the condemnation in a letter to university leaders on Friday, pledging to investigate reports of anti-Semitism 'aggressively,' CNN reported. Students across the world have seemingly caught the protest bug, with demonstrations popping up in places such as Australia, France, Mexico and Canada. In Paris, police moved in to clear students staging a sit-in at the Sciences Po university. An encampment has grown at Canada's prestigious McGill University, where administrators on Wednesday demanded it be taken down 'without delay.' Police had yet to take action as of Friday. Protesters at the University of Sydney in Australia Negotiations between pro-Palestine protesters at the University of Chicago (pictured) and the school's administration faltered A woman belts chants into a mega-phone at a protest near NYU on May 3, 2024 Law enforcement personnel clash with demonstrators protesting the war in Gaza as they work to remove a non-sanctioned encampment on the campus of UW-Madison in Madison, Wisconsin on May 1, 2024 Police officers with riot shields go in to break up the encampment at UW-Madison Police detain a demonstrator at UW-Madison The Gaza war started when Hamas militants staged an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7 that resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israel estimates that 128 hostages remain in Gaza. The Israeli military says 35 of them are dead. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 34,600 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been flirting with a military assault in Rafah for weeks, where over 1 million Palestinians are sheltering. As a result, the United Nations says hundreds of thousands of people would be 'at imminent risk of death' if Israel were to launch strikes there. A pilot made the quick decision to steer his plummeting plane away from bustling roads, pylons and an industrial as he fell 300ft from the sky. When the engine of Mike Aubrey's two-seater plane stopped mid-air, he had the lives of others at the forefront of his mind - despite his being at risk. As the plane engine failed to restart on April 4, 2023, the heroic pilot made the split decision to steer his aircraft away from civilians and towards a wooded area. The plane smashed through trees before it eventually hit the ground, leaving the 58-year-old badly injured and fully conscious in the wreckage. The pilot sustained broken ribs, which compromised his breathing, as well as a broken left ankle. Mike Aubrey, 58 (pictured) made the split-second decision to steer his plummeting plane away from bustling roads, pylons and an industrial as he fell 300ft from the sky The heroic pilot sustained a broken ankle and ribs - which comprised his breathing - after his quick decision meant his plane avoided a busy road (pictured: emergency services helping Mr Aubrey) But thanks to the quick-responding London Air Ambulance service locating Mr Aubrey overhead near Damyns Hall Aerodrome in Aveley Road in Upminster, crews were able to reach him. London Fire Brigade (LFB) and the London Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team carefully extracted the injured pilot from the crumpled plane before transporting him to the nearby air ambulance. Paramedics from the Air Ambulance and London Ambulance Service gave him general anaesthetic so they could perform a surgical procedure on a collapsed lung and realign his broken ankle. Following the accident, Mr Aubrey was in a coma for three weeks. He eventually returned home a month after the accident. Recounting the life-changing incident, his wife Jo said it was 'remarkable' her husband had survived the wreckage. 'I was in Manchester at the time for work, so I had to catch the next train back to London,' she said. 'It was the most awful train journey I have ever had. 'The crash was being reported on in the news, using words like "life-changing" and "life-critical injuries".' Mike returned home on May 7, 2023, and his wife has been his full-time career ever since. The accident continues to impact the pilot's life, as he still suffers with a severe ankle injury, tiredness as well as a lack of concentration. 'At the beginning, he would have a lot of flashbacks from the incident and you'd see blind fear in his face. It was horrible,' she said. 'He is a different Mike now. But he is still here, and I am so lucky.' She praised London Air Ambulance, who were first on the scene to save her husband's life. 'We owe Mike's life to London's Air Ambulance Charity and all the clinicians who looked after him in hospital,' she said. 'Without them it could so easily have been a different outcome.' Following the incident, the brave pilot was left in a coma for three weeks after the accident in Upminister (pictured: the pilot, his family with the air ambulance crew) After returning home in May 2023, he continues to live with the aftermath of the accident (pictured: Mr Aubrey in hospital) 'At the beginning, he would have a lot of flashbacks from the incident and you'd see blind fear in his face. It was horrible,' his wife said Now his wife Jo has thanked London Air Ambulance service for saving her husband's (pictured right) life 'I can't believe the service that saved him is a charity. It wouldn't be here without support from the public. And Mike wouldn't be here without it. 'The air ambulance service doesn't stop after they deliver the patient to hospital, in our experience they were a constant source of support.' She added: 'They would appear on the bleakest of days and help us find the positives.' The family have since visited London Air Ambulance's helipad and met the team who helped save Mr Aubrey's life. 'I have no idea what the future holds for me. There is still a long road for me to travel and I'm sure it will have lots of ups and downs,' he said. 'I do however have a future and for that I will forever be grateful.' London Air Ambulance runs as a charity and is trying to raise 15 million to replace its two helicopters. People can donate to the appeal by visiting here. Sadiq Khan's bid for a third term as London mayor is hanging in the balance today as insiders warn the election is too close to call. Votes are being counted in the capital with Labour on high alert for Tory candidate Susan Hall to pull off a shock upset. Polls in the run up to the ballot on Thursday had shown Mr Khan with a comfortable lead of between 10 and 22 points. However, jitters started spreading through Labour circles yesterday amid rumours of a spike in turnout in outer London - typically dominated by Conservative voters and where anger about the ULEZ expansion has been most fierce. Supporters of Mr Khan are worried that he could have been damaged by a wider trend of Muslim voters shunning Labour over Keir Starmer's strong support for Israel. But Labour aides were said to be 'looking confident' at the count this morning. And on a visit to Mansfield Sir Keir insisted he is 'confident' that Mr Khan can keep control of City Hall. Official turnout figures last night suggested it had been higher in outer London and lower in inner London - Mr Khan's normal stronghold. Sadiq Khan with his wife Saadiya this morning as his bid for a third term as London mayor hangs in the balance The count taking place at the ExCel centre in London today Polls ahead of the election suggested that the incumbent was on track for a comfortable victory over Tory rival Susan Hall (pictured) On a visit to Mansfield this morning, Keir Starmer (pictured with new East Midlands mayor Claire Ward) insisted he is 'confident' that Mr Khan can keep control of City Hall Your browser does not support iframes. The final surveys gave Mr Khan a lead of between 10 and 22 points The row over the expansion of the 12.50-a-day ULEZ charge was previously credited with helping the Tories to cling on in the Uxbridge by-election, although Mr Khan's team had hoped the fallout was dissipating. Mr Khan was one of the first Labour politicians to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, but Sir Keir's strong support for Israel's right to self-defence caused anger among many supporters. There was evidence of that in the results yesterday, with Labour losing overall control of Oldham council after independents claimed seats. One senior ally of Mr Khan told MailOnline that it is 'going to be close'. 'The polls were rubbish,' they added. 'London is exceptionally difficult to poll.' Another political veteran, who still believes Mr Khan will win, pointed out that Labour has not been performing well in local council by-elections. But Sir Keir said: 'Sadiq Khan was absolutely the right candidate. He has got two terms of delivery behind him and I am confident that he has got another term of delivery in front of him.' Asked on Sky News yesterday about the jitters, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting - MP for Ilford North - said: 'We've always feared this race will be close.' He highlighted that Mr Khan only won the first round of voting by 5 per cent in 2021. Since then the government has changed the voting system to first past the post, meaning Mr Khan will not benefit from second preferences of Greens and Lib Dems. 'We were warning Londoners you know, don't take the risk of waking up with a Conservative mayor,' Mr Streeting said. He went on: 'It is too early to say yet what we think the result will be, verification of votes are taking place today the counting will be tomorrow. 'I mean, based on what I saw in my own constituency and bearing in mind the last election a few years ago - Sadiq lost every ward in Iford North bar one - I felt that there was a bit more support for him this time in my constituency. The count taking place at the ExCel centre in London today Asked on Sky News yesterday about the London jitters, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting - MP for Ilford North - said: 'We've always feared this race will be close.' 'There are people who are angry with him about Ulez we sort of had that argument of following the Uxbridge by election. 'And, you know, I didn't agree with him, but he stuck to his guns, stuck to his convictions. Fair enough.' Mr Streeting hit out at racial abuse suffered by Mr Khan, but acknowledged that Gaza could be a factor in the election. 'There's no doubt looking at some of the results across the country that have already come in that Gaza has been an issue,' he said. 'And I say say that with great respect to voters who sent us a message on Gaza. So we'll have to wait and see where the results come in.' Betfair spokesman Sam Rosbottom said: 'While Sadiq Khan remains the favourite to win the race for London Mayor this morning, doubts are clearly creeping in and Betfair Exchange punters are now seriously eyeing Tory rival Susan Hall as a contender.' A North Korean propaganda song about Kim Jong Un has gone viral on TikTok gaining millions of views. The song titled 'Friendly Father' praises the country's Communist dictator and has garnered a number of Gen Z fans on Tik Tok with one saying 'wait, this slaps' and another asking if it is available on Spotify. Kim Jong Un has joined the likes of Taylor Swift and Harry Styles to have a song gone viral on the social media site TikTok. Users posting their reaction to the song or dancing along have gained thousands, if not millions, of views. With one British TikTok user, Matas Kardokas, posting a video about listening to the tune while in a coffee shop gaining more than 400,000 likes. The propaganda anthem is set to a catchy synth-pop backing track and includes lyrics such as 'Let's sing Kim Jong Un, the great leader' and 'Let's brag about Kim Jong Un, our friendly father.' Kim Jong Un in the music video for the new propaganda song. The song titled 'Friendly Father' praises the country's Communist dictator and has garnered a number of Gen Z fans on Tik Tok with one saying 'wait, this slaps' and another asking if it is available on Spotify Kim Jong Un has joined the likes of pop sensations Taylor Swift and Harry Styles to have a song go viral on the social media site TikTok (stock image) One British TikTok user, Matas Kardokas, posting a video about listening to the tune while in a coffee shop gaining more than 400,000 likes The accompanying music video includes shots of a very smiley and happy Mr Kim surrounded by his adoring subjects with shots of North Koreans giving the thumbs including the nation's famous news anchor- Ri Chun-Lee. It is the type of pop music that gets stuck in your head, not dissimilar to chart-topping hits in the West with one Tik Tok users describing the song as 'Abba-coded' in reference to the Swedish band behind hits such as Waterloo. According to a North Korean expert that is exactly the point of the song to become an earworm that might influence the way North Koreans view their Supreme Leader. Speaking to BBC News, Alexandra Leonzini, a Cambridge University scholar who researches North Korean music, explained that in a country where the state owns the music industry - music becomes another tool of propaganda for the hermit kingdom. She said: 'All artistic output in North Korea must serve the class education of citizens and more specifically educate them as to why they should feel a sense of gratitude, a sense of loyalty to the party.' Ms Leonzini explained that the North Korean regime uses the 'seed theory' where every single work of art, from movies to songwriting, must contain a message or ideological seed that be dispersed to the wider population. Reading between the lyrics, the two minute long song appears to be part of a new propaganda drive to shore up support for Mr Kim. While it is not the first song about him the language used to describe the dictator has noticeable changed. Titles for Mr Kim used in this latest track, released last month, refer to him as 'father' and 'the Great' - titles which were previously only used to describe his grandfather Kim Il Sung. Titles for Mr Kim used in this latest track, released last month, refer to him as 'father' and 'the Great' - titles which were previously only used to describe his grandfather Kim Il Sung The accompanying music video includes shots of a very smiley and happy Mr Kim surrounded by his adoring subjects with shots of North Koreans giving the thumbs including the nation's famous news anchor- Ri Chun-Lee Speaking to BBC News , Alexandra Leonzini, a Cambridge University scholar who researches North Korean music, explained that in a country where the state owns the music industry - music becomes another tool of propaganda for the hermit kingdom He was the first leader of North Korea and is now venerated as a god-like figure with portraits of the former leader in every home and workplace. The use of these new titles can be interpreted as a means of Mr Kim bolstering his own image in the country as he becomes increasingly hostile to other nations. Outside of North Korea, the country has also allegedly been using TikTok to bolster its own image abroad. A page on the site called northkorealife features a compilation of 19 videos of North Koreans walking to work, playing games on mobile phones and driving cars from brands including Audi, Hyundai and Mercedes. It is unclear who runs or owns the account, which has over 4m views, but many believe it was used as a propaganda tool by the North Korean government. Each post contains a caption portraying the joys of living in the Asian country. Panoramic shots of the capital city and the surrounding countryside are tagged with statement such as 'busy street in North Korea, Pyongyang has the best nightlife and driving through the North Korean countryside, followed by love-heart eyed emoji. Meanwhile, in the United States, the app could soon be banned. A bill passed in the US Congress forces TikTok's Chinese parent company - ByteDance - to sell the app to a US company by next year or face being banned in the country. The battle for West Midlands mayor went into extra time tonight as Rishi Sunak hopes for a positive sign amid local elections carnage. Recounts are under way with Andy Street desperately trying to fend off a challenge from Labour's Richard Parker. Both sides are warning the race is 'too close to call', with the result - initially due around 3pm - now not expected to emerge for hours. Partial recounts were already happening in Birmingham and Wolverhampton, but Coventry is now being re-tallied in full as the parties wrangle over every single vote. Mr Sunak is willing Mr Street to join Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen in securing a third term, demonstrating that the party can still win big contests. Lord Houchen's success has seemingly helped Mr Sunak quell a fresh coup bid from rebels, most of whom who have now conceded the leader will not change before the general election. However, another defeat could infame anger, with the broader picture for the Conservatives relentlessly grim. The party likely to end up losing 500 councillors in one of the worst showings for 40 years. Mr Sunak is willing Andy Street (pictured) to join Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen in securing a third term this afternoon, with the outcome against Richard Parker (right) thought to be on a knife edge Putting a brave face on grim election results, Rishi Sunak admitted that voters are 'frustrated' but argued that Keir Starmer has not sealed the deal England Local England Mayoral London Assembly London Mayoral Police & Crime For the first time since 1996, the Lib Dems have won more councillors than the Conservatives at a round of local elections. The Blackpool South by-election caused particular consternation as Labour stormed the seat with a 26 point swing - and the Tories only barely scraped into second ahead of Reform. It was not all plain sailing for Sir Keir though, with experts warning that a slump in support in areas with large Muslim populations suggested he was 'in trouble'. Labour tied up more expected victories today, with Steve Rotheram re-elected as Liverpool City Region Mayor after securing a landslide 68 per cent of the vote. Andy Burnham emerged victorious in Greater Manchester by 63 per cent to just 10 per cent for his Tory opponent. Oliver Coppard was returned as as South Yorkshire Mayor with 138,611 votes, nearly three times as many as the 44,945 his Conservative rival Nick Allen received. Earlier, Mr Sunak insisted he can still turn the situation around, saying people are 'frustrated and wondering why they should vote'. 'The fact Labour is not winning in places that they admit themselves they need for a majority, shows that Keir Starmer's lack of plan and vision is hurting them,' he said. 'We Conservatives have everything to fight for and we will because we are fighting for our values and our country's future.' Mr Sunak pointed to his party's recent commitment to hike defence spending and cut migration as clear dividing lines with Labour. But polling guru Prof John Curtice said the results demonstrated Mr Sunak has 'very little to show' for his efforts to restore the Tories' fortunes after Liz Truss's abrtive premiership. The election expert told the BBC: 'There is nothing in these results to suggest contrary to the opinion polls that the Conservatives are actually beginning to narrow the gap on Labour, and that so far at least, Rishi Sunak's project which has tried to recover from the disaster from the Conservatives' point of view of the Liz Truss fiscal event, that project has still got very little to show for it. 'That in a sense is the big takeaway. 'Now the Conservatives, as when all parties do badly in elections, they always want you to focus on the exception rather than the rule, and Tees Valley and probably the West Midlands are the exceptions not the rule.' On Labour losses over its stance on Gaza, Sir John said: 'At the moment I think what we would find if we had a general election is that Labour might well fall back in some of these seats, but because the Labour Party is already so strong, they would probably still succeed in winning the parliamentary election. 'But yep, this is a big message to Labour from these local elections, is that you are indeed now in trouble with some of your Muslim former supporters.' On a visit to Mansfield this morning, Keir Starmer (pictured with new East Midlands mayor Claire Ward) insisted he is 'confident' that Mr Khan can keep control of City Hall Mr Sunak suffered a blow in his own back yard as Labour took the York and North Yorkshire mayor post. The region, which covers the PM's Richmond constituency, is somewhere Labour has historically struggled to compete in parliamentary elections. Labour also won inaugural mayoral contests in the East Midlands and the North East, and gained nine police and crime commissioner posts from the Tories, including in Cumbria, Avon and Somerset, and Norfolk. But in a smattering of councils, the Opposition party lost seats to independents and George Galloway's Workers Party of Britain, all apparently over the party's stance on Gaza. Overall, Labour won control of eight councils as it saw a net gain of 204 seats, while the Liberal Democrats gained 92 seats and the Greens 58. The Liberal Democrats' most significant victory was winning control of Dorset council from the Conservatives, where it now has 42 of the 82 seats after gaining 15. The Greens fell narrowly short of taking overall control of Bristol, one of their top targets, despite gaining 10 seats. Despite results that left the Conservatives on track to lose half the seats they contested, rebels admitted they had not persuaded enough MPs to join them to force a vote of no confidence in Mr Sunak's leadership. One rebel told the Mail simply: 'We're off to the pub.' Polls ahead of the election suggested that the London incumbent was on track for a comfortable victory over Tory rival Susan Hall (pictured) Dame Andrea Jenkyns, the first Tory MP to publicly move against the PM, said it was 'unlikely' that others would follow in sufficient numbers to trigger a leadership contest. 'My stance is the same,' she said. 'But we are where we are and it is looking unlikely that the MPs are going to put the letters in, so we need to pull together.' Former Cabinet minister Nadine Dorries - another high-profile critic of the PM - said it would be 'madness' to try to replace Mr Sunak before the general election, adding that it would 'make no difference' to the result. One rebel source said it was clear that Mr Sunak would 'limp on to the election', adding: 'We're not kamikaze pilots. In the end, there are too many MPs with their heads stuck in the sand for it to work.' The boyfriend of a murdered property manager has revealed he received messages from the man believed to have killed her at a 4million mansion near Hyde Park. Kamonnan Thiamphanit, who was a tenant at the former Ethiopian embassy in Stanhope Place, Bayswater, was found stabbed to death on Monday, April 8 just hours after neighbours heard ear piercing screams. Her body was found by police officers after they were contacted by friends of the 27-year-old on Sunday but only attended the scene more than 13 hours later. At an inquest into her death last month, it was revealed police have a name for the prime suspect and believe he has left the country. However, her boyfriend Chris Zeng, 27, believes that police missed a crucial opportunity to apprehend the suspect while he was still in the UK, The Times has reported. Zeng, who is a Chinese citizen based in Singapore, claims to have messaged the man that killed Thiamphanit just hours after she went missing and, when he tried to arrange a meeting with them, police declined to investigate. Kamonnan Thiamphanit, 27, who was found stabbed to death at a home near Hyde Park Police pictured at the scene on April 9, after Thiamphanit's body was found inside the property the day before Thiamphanit's family suspect that she was killed by an unknown man who messaged her on the property rental app AirBnB on the Friday before her body was found. Thiamphanit reportedly rented out several properties across Soho as AirBnBs for 12 years and had recently signed a two year lease for the Stanhope Place property for the same purpose. The unknown man messaged her using the AirBnB app on the Friday before her death and offered her around 30,000 to stay at the flat for a month, according to The Times. She told her boyfriend, who was living in Singapore, having dated long distance for two years, and her mother Fiona Fu about the offer. Zeng told The Times: 'She called me that [morning] extremely happy, because she had been worried after signing an expensive lease for two years, and now she was going to make around 30,000 instantly. 'She told me we could use this money to start her dream of owning her own hotel. I called her. '[She said] he agreed to take it and immediately moved in. He told her the payment would be transferred that evening.' Zeng claims the man had requested to visit the property before paying and arrived later that night after flying there 'directly in his private plane'. The 'chilling' messages that Thiamphanit's Chris Zeng, 27, sent in the hours after she went missing. He believes they are from the man that killed Thiamphanit Thiamphanit is then believed to have gone to a house party in East London, bringing with her her passport and extra clothes as she planned to stay at a hotel, Zeng said. Timeline of Kamonnan Thiamphanit's death: Friday, April 5 Mystery man gets in touch with Thiamphanit and makes a 30,000 offer to stay at her AirBnB in Bayswater for one month. He requests to visit the property before paying and arrives that night after flying 'directly in his private plane' Thiamphanit leaves the property to go to a house party in East London, while the man unpacks. Saturday, April 6 4am - Thiamphanit receives an 'urgent text message' and books an Uber home. 6.15am - Police believe Thiamphanit was stabbed 'at some point after' this time. 4pm - Thiamphanit's boyfriend Chris Zang messages her, asking if she is 'in any danger'. Sunday, April 7 1am - Zang sends a string of messages to her AirBnB account. Zang receives a reply from who he believes to be the killer, telling him 'everything is fine'. 7.05pm - The Met is contacted by one of Thiamphanit's friends reporting her missing. 9.34pm - The Met receives another call from a friend about Thiamphanit's disappearance. Monday, April 8 8.30am - Police force open the door at the property on the edge of Hyde Park and discover Thiamphanit's body. Advertisement But she left at 4am the next day, telling her friends that she received an urgent text message before booking an Uber home. At this point, Zeng said he was still in contact with her. Thiamphanit told him she was tired and shortly after Zeng sent her three texts that went unread. Police believe that Thiamphanit was attacked 'at some point after' 6.15am on April 6 and sustained a number of stab injuries. After not hearing from her for a few hours, Zeng texted his girlfriend again at 4pm on the Saturday, referring to her in Chinese as 'Meow Meow' and asking if her phone had run out of battery or if she was 'in any danger'. Zeng sent another string of messages, this time to Thiamphanit's Airbnb account, in the early hours of Sunday morning, writing again in Chinese: 'Meow meow, whats going wrong? If youre in danger, Ill have someone check the house.' He also used a coded message, 'Would you like a drink from Little Sure Tea? Grape or something', which they had established if either one of them was in danger. Zeng was then sent a 'chilling' message from the man he believes killed Thiamphanit, with the person using her account messaging him in English: 'Everything is fine, I just changed my phone and couldnt talk here well. 'I will try to download we chat now on the new phone. The house us (sic) booked. Someone rented it for a month. I lost all my WhatsApp contacts so im (sic) trying to recover it now.' A few minutes later the person added: 'But just give me privacy..I need my time. The house was rented for a month. Im going to Paris.' Zeng then asked for their phone number before telling them: 'Ok. just give me a call when you in Paris, I am in Paris now.' Growing suspicious, Zeng contacted Thiamphanit on Airbnb again but this time using another account which he thought she would have recognised. He pretended to be a prospective looking to rent the property, but the account user did not acknowledge it was him and instead tried to negotiate renting the property for 8,000. Zeng said he exchanged messages with the person using the account 'for hours' and even organised to meet, but he claimed police declined to follow up on the lead at the time. This map shows the street where Ms Thiamphanit was staying. It is located just off Bayswater Road, which is opposite Hyde Park in London Police officers at the scene after forcing entry to the house near Hyde Park at around 8.30am on April 8 In a statement, the Met said it had first been called by a friend of Thiamphanit at 7.05pm on April 7, grading the call as a 'medium risk missing person'. It then received a further call two and a half hours later at 9.34pm. But it was not until 8.30am on April 8 that police were seen forcing the door at the property on the edge of Hyde Park and sealing off the scene. An inquest into the 27-year-old property manager's death was opened and adjourned at Westminster Coroner's Court on Tuesday, April 16. Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell told the inquest that officers have a named individual as a suspect - and asked the Crown Prosecution Service whether there is sufficient evidence to extradite that person from outside the UK. Officers will not confirm the suspect's identity or where it is believed they currently are. Thiamphanit, who had dual Chinese-Hong Kong and Thai nationality, had been living in the UK for around nine years, having initially come over to study at university. Her family said in a statement: 'We are unspeakably hurt by the loss of our dearly loved one and are sincerely thankful for the relentless efforts of the British police in investigating this tragic event. 'We believe that with the commendable teamwork and dedication of the police, this case will be resolved swiftly, thereby preventing any further innocent victims.' Forensic officers gather evidence at the scene where Ms Thiamphanit was knifed to death Police tape cordon at the scene where a woman was found with stab wounds in her home in Stanhope Place, Bayswater Thiamphanit's cousin Nutcha Tiempanich, 28, spoke with Thiamphanit eight days before her body was found to rubber-stamp plans for her to jet back to the Thai province of Ratchaburi. But she suddenly cancelled at the last minute because she could no longer make it. According to Ms Tiempanich, Thiamphanit was flying back for the Qingming festival - a Chinese celebration that honours the dead. 'We talked about the day the whole family would meet in a Chinese cemetery [for] the festival,' she told The Times. 'Angela said she was ready to book the ticket, but she could not make it. 'We are shocked. We did not believe the news when we heard [she had died]. It happened so suddenly. We spoke only days before she passed.' She said there was no sign that anything was wrong before her killing and the property manager had last visited Ratchaburi in February. The Chinese-Hong Kong and Thai national moved to London eight years ago to study graphic design at the London College of Communication and would travel between Hong Kong and Thailand several times a year to see her parents. DCI Alison Foxwell told an inquest last month, held remotely by Westminster Coroner's Court: 'Angela which is what she was known as while here in the UK had been renting out the property as an Airbnb. 'We believe that the person who attacked her was known to her, this isn't a stranger attack but at some point after the 6 April at 6.15am she was attacked in the address and sustained a number of stab injuries. 'We are currently seeking the perpetrator but cannot give much more information about that at this stage, I'm afraid.' The scene on Stanhope Place, Bayswater, on April 9 after Thiamphanit was found dead with a number of stab wounds in her home in Westminster A police officer at the scene where a Woman was found with stab wounds in her home in Stanhope Place, Bayswater When asked by the corner Fiona Wilcox, for further details, DCI Foxwell said: 'We have a named individual. I think it unlikely that the person will be arrested in the next two weeks. 'We are asking the CPS whether we have sufficient evidence to extradite somebody from outside the UK.' The inquest also heard how she was identified by fingerprints through immigration records. Her mother in Thailand had been informed of her death with the family planning to hold a traditional funeral in Ratchaburi. An inquest revealed she had died from multiple stab injuries. The five storey building, just a stone's throw from Hyde Park, has a video camera entry and police are believed to have recovered that and used it to identify their prime suspect. No details of who that is have been released but the Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the IOPC watchdog over how it responded to an initial report of concern by the woman's friend 13 hours before she was found dead. An Airbnb spokesperson said: 'We were saddened to learn of this shocking incident and while it did not take place during an Airbnb reservation, we are supporting the police with their investigation.' The teenage TikTok joker who went viral after being arrested on Whitehall as he filmed a 'prank' on the King's Guard's horses insists his stunts are 'harmless' and simply an attempt to make some money from going viral. MailOnline can reveal @ymusa18, the joker who was cuffed by armed Ministry of Defence police outside the Household Cavalry Museum on Thursday, is 17-year-old Musa Raza, from Ilford, east London. Mr Raza says he aspires to be like Mizzy - the troublesome video-sharing lawbreaker who has since vowed to change his ways after being convicted of breaching court orders and stealing a mobile phone - but with 'harmless' jokes on the public. Like other young TikTokers, he says he wants to reach the point where he can make money from his viral videos - which is only possible after accumulating a certain number of followers and views. But his determination to make money has seen him take unnecessary risks: challenging armed police at Buckingham Palace and being stopped and searched outside Downing Street after he appeared to suggest he was carrying an explosive. Musa Raza, 17, is the prankster who was carted off by armed police on Thursday after getting into an altercation as he filmed a 'prank' outside the Household Cavalry Museum The teenager says his pranks, including those where he treats police vehicles as taxis (left) and pretends to fall asleep on strangers on the Elizabeth Line (right) are 'harmless' He films himself in areas of tight security, such as outside Buckingham Palace and Downing Street (above) But he has put himself and others at risk with other 'jokes', including this moment near No 10 when he was searched after appearing to suggest he was carrying an explosive in his bag And his prank on Whitehall on Thursday, which saw irate members of the public tell him to 'f*** off' as they labelled him a 'rude b******', saw him strong-armed out of sight by police carrying deadly Colt Canada C8 carbine rifles. Despite this, and other videos where he pretends to fall asleep on members of the public or pesters them for high-fives as he rides escalators on the London Underground, he refuses to believe he is putting himself, or others, in harm's way. 'It's just my TikTok,' he told MailOnline when asked why he would seek to deliberately draw the ire of armed police and the public. READ MORE: Moment armed police arrest TikToker poking his microphone under nose of King's Guard horse and its rider Advertisement 'As you can see my TikToks are harmless. It's just little pranks. 'I plan before I do my videos. I know where the line is. I know the stuff I'll do will not get me shot or arrested.' Videos on Mr Musa's current TikTok account, which he set up around a year ago, typically gather views in the tens of thousands. He wants to build a large following of more than 10,000 followers and build large view counts on his videos so he can apply for payouts from TikTok and make money from his 'jokes' like his idol, the infamous tearaway Mizzy. Ironically, the teenager's biggest hit to date wasn't even on his profile - but in viral YouTube footage that was later shared on X, formerly Twitter, of Mr Raza being told to 'f*** off' by irate members of the public. The teen gatecrashed tourists' pictures with the horse on Whitehall as he filmed himself 'interviewing' the equine and its famously stoic rider, angering those trying to take pictures while visiting London. As he was told to 'p*** off' by one bystander, Mr Raza got argumentative and was pushed back - prompting armed Ministry of Defence (MoD) police to run out from the museum and cart him off to the side. A protesting Mr Raza could be heard saying: 'I didn't do s***, I didn't do s***, did you not see what happened, mate? I'm calm, I'm calm, no need to grab my neck bro, no need to grab my neck. I did not threaten no-one, you know.' He was then handcuffed and led inside the compound, flashing a grin to the person filming for his TikTok. He now claims he was de-arrested off-camera. 'The police didn't have to get involved. They got involved because of a member of the public. I went up to him, we had an argument and he came at me,' he said. 'I was taken aside, behind the horses, they got my details, they called more officers and then they de-arrested me because they saw the clips and saw that there wasn't an actual offence.' Approached for comment on Mr Raza's claims, the MoD declined to comment. A clip from one of Musa Raza's videos where he claims he will scale the gates of Buckingham Palace after his video is 'liked' enough times. He has since backtracked on this Musa went viral after he was filmed harassing members of the King's Guard outside the Household Cavalry Museum on Whitehall in London He then confronts a YouTuber who tells him to 'f*** off', labelling him a 'rude b******' as the situation escalates The TikToker is then arrested by police under suspicion of committing a public order offence. he told MailOnline he was later de-arrested The teen says he makes his 'harmless' videos - like those where he climbs into the back of police cars and pretends they are taxis - to build his following up to 10,000 people, so he can apply for financial payouts from TikTok. But his hunger for fame lands him in regular trouble with the law, and he acknowledges that, in his pursuit of huge viewing figures, he may one day find himself on the business end of an armed police officer's gun. One video sees him climbing through a building site to reach the roof - not only illegal but potentially dangerous, with the area covered in scaffolding and unsafe fixtures. Last month, he filmed himself outside Downing Street where he said, in full view of armed police: 'Rishi Sunak, I've got a message for you. If I see you on the street, there's gonna be problems, you get it?' He adds: 'Your little minions, they ain't going to do nothing about it' - immediately before an armed police officer opens the gate and tells him to behave. Sometime later, he is led away by police further down Whitehall after seemingly suggesting he had an explosive in his bag. 'You tried to say you've got something in your bag,' a police officer can be heard saying. 'You mentioned C4 (a plastic explosive).' The video ends with him stepping out of Charing Cross Police Station after collecting his stop and search form, boldly proclaiming: 'Yes lads, I'm free now. The police can't hold me. What have I done? I'm innocent, yeah?' He also dared police to arrest him after crossing the threshold of the gates at Buckingham Palace in front of armed cops, who told him: 'Don't push your luck.' In a subsequent video, he promised to scale the gates of Buckingham Palace if the clip got 5,000 likes, a figure he later revised to 15,000. It now has 36,000. Mr Raza insisted today that he wouldn't really be climbing the gates of the Palace, saying the video was uploaded 'just for the views'. 'I'd probably be arrested or shot but I'm not going to cross that line,' he said. 'That's crossing the line and I'm not going to do it.' But while he hopes to build enough followers to become eligible for payouts, TikTok's Creator Rewards Program says it will only pay out to those creating videos with content that 'aligns with our mission of inspiring joy and creativity'. Mr Raza's clips of himself being pinned to walls by police are unlikely to meet that criteria. And previous TikTok funds for video-makers have been criticised for their paltry payouts, sometimes just a handful of dollars for videos getting million of hits. But the teenager says he wants to be like Mizzy, whom he called a 'friend', after the one-time TikTok terror claimed to have made 100,000 from his videos, according to an interview he gave to the Daily Star. His pranks are similar to those committed by Mizzy (above), who has since renounced his pranking antics after being convicted of several offences Mizzy's pranks saw him sneaking into strangers' houses (left) and riding e-bikes through supermarkets (right) A violent joker labelled the 'female Mizzy' was filmed punching strangers in the face in shops and on the London Underground. Mr Raza says he does not want to be like her The money did not come from TikTok, which regularly banned his accounts, but from YouTube advertising revenue, promotions on social media and donations from fans. The prankster, real name Bacari-Bronze O'Garro, has now put his pranking days behind him, with a young son to raise and a criminal record for theft and breaching court orders that will likely affect his future. Nevertheless, Mizzy has inspired copycats - including a woman who appeared to film herself punching strangers outside the Westfield Stratford shopping centre and on the London Underground. READ MORE: TikTok menace Mizzy is found guilty of theft after he stole woman's iPhone Advertisement Mr Raza insists he doesn't want to make those kinds of videos - and is braced for the hate he has received for those he has filmed to date. And he insists that he is not betting his future on pranks - with plans to study construction at college in September after dropping out of another course this year. He said: 'I've got a few TikTok friends, I'm Mizzy's friend as well. From their experience they've made a lot of money from TikTok and that's what I want to do. 'On TikTok you need over 10,000 followers to get payouts. That's what my goal is - from there you start getting paid. 'Some of them are just for the views but the difference between me and people like Mizzy and that girl who was slapping people is that they're targeting people, like Mizzy going into people's houses. Not me. 'And on TikTok, on social media, you're going to get hate from anything you do. If you can't handle hate it's not for you. 'There was a video I did on my old TikTok profile where I bought some shoes and clothes and gave them to a homeless person. I got hate for that, without doing anything. 'People said I was just doing it for the views but that one wasn't for the views, it was just to do something good.' Ecuadorian police believe a social media post by beauty queen Landy Parraga Goyburo, 23, showing her plate of octopus ceviche gave cartel hitmen her location so they could murder her. The former Miss Ecuador contestant was gunned down on Sunday in Quevedo, a short time after she shared details of her final meal to millions of followers on social media. The killers were believed to have been hired by the widow of a cartel boss who had an affair with Ms Parraga Goyburo before his violent death in prison. Shocking footage of the murder shows the gunmen approach the table where Ms Parraga Goyburo and a male companion were eating before shooting her repeatedly at point-blank range. The first masked attacker quickly opens fire, shooting towards both Parraga and the man, before firing another round of bullets at the woman as she lays on the ground. Did posting footage of this Octopus ceviche on social media alert cartel hitmen to Landy Parraga Goyburo's location allowing them to gun her down in a busy restaurant Landy Parraga Goyburo was shot dead in a restaurant on Sunday Horror CCTV footage captured the moment Parraga, 23, was chatting to a man in an eatery moments before her attackers enter Masked assailants clad in black storm into the restaurant and open fire before fleeing, leaving Parraga dead on the ground in a pool of blood Parraga, a former Miss Ecuador contestant, was gunned down after she was cryptically discussed by a drug trafficker before his murder in prison The second attacker stays on guard by the restaurant door. Both armed assailants then flee the scene, dashing out of the door and onto the street after carrying out their murder in broad daylight. The former model can be seen lying motionless on the floor in a pool of her own blood, with a bullet mark visible on her right thigh. The police are currently investigating the incident, working to discover the motive and identify the assailants responsible. Parraga was having an affair with cartel boss Leandro Norero before he was jailed and killed in a prison riot 18 months ago. He had earlier revealed to a confederate that if his wife ever discovered the affair he would be 'screwed'. Parraga was a former Miss Ecuador contestant, having represented Los Rios Province in 2022. She had more than a million followers across her social media accounts. The 23-year-old social media influencer was a highly successful businesswoman despite her young age, owning a households goods importer, while running her own sportswear line. On her social networks she shared the luxurious life she led, between trips around the world and meals in luxurious places. But there was a darker truth behind the glam lifestyle portrayed on social media. In December 2023, her name was mentioned in a chat made public by the Attorney General's Office as part of a major organised crime case it is investigating. One of the 52 people being prosecuted in the case is Helive Angulo, nicknamed 'Estimado'. In the chat, Angulo told the drug trafficker Leandro Norero, whose assets he managed, that the police had asked him about Parraga. Norero cryptically wrote: 'If my wife comes across anything about her, I'm screwed. 'My friend, her name cannot come out anywhere. Otherwise, my world will come crashing down.' According to El Comercio, at just 23-years-old, Parraga was the owner of a households goods importer, and ran her own sportswear line In December 2023, Parraga's name was mentioned in a chat made public by the Attorney General's Office as part of a major organised crime case it is investigating Norero was killed in prison in 2022, six months after his incarceration. Money transfers made to Parraga's bank account are under investigation by the Attorney General's Office. The office never prosecuted Parraga and she had never publicly commented on the case. The shocking daylight killing comes as the once peaceful Ecuador's murder rate has spiked more than 250 per cent since 2020. In recent years the murder rate has soared to record levels as Mexican drug cartels take over the territory. Beheadings, port massacres, public hangings and torture are becoming increasingly more popular as the South American country suffers a wave of bloodshed. A report from last year by respected NGO Crisis Group found that the livelihoods of many ordinary families in poor areas of Ecuador now depend on the drug business, with men selling cocaine while women pack it into plastic bags. One of the Crisis Group authors, expert Glaeldys Gonzalez Calanche, told MailOnline that the narcos' influence is spreading across the country: 'These groups are slowly gaining more ground or territorial control outside of these areas that they currently run.' Kevin Spacey has insisted he has never offered to help anyone in their career in exchange for sex ahead of a new Channel 4 documentary about the actor. The American Beauty and House Of Cards star, 64, was acquitted of a number of sexual offences alleged by four men between 2001 and 2013, following a trial at Southwark Crown Court in July last year. But, he has been thrown back into the limelight once more, with new claims about his past behaviour being made in an upcoming two-part docuseries, Spacey Unmasked, premiering on Channel 4 later this month. Speaking about the new allegations with former GB News presenter Dan Wootton, Spacey denied that he ever 'told someone that if they give me sexual favours, then I will help them out with their career'. Despite taking 'full responsibility' for his past behaviour, the American star said he would not apologise to people 'making up' or exaggerating stories about him and blasted the new allegations as 'ridiculous' and 'completely offensive'. Kevin Spacey, pictured on Dan Wooton's Outspoken series where he insisted he has never offered to help anyone in their career in exchange for sex Spacey pictured leaving Southwark Crown Court, London, after he was acquitted of a number of sexual offences alleged by four men between 2001 and 2013 New claims about Spacey's past behaviour have been made in an upcoming two-part docuseries, Spacey Unmasked, premiering on Channel 4 later this month Dan Wootton posted his exchange with Spacey on his Twitter/X yesterday evening. During the interview Spacey said: 'I take full responsibility for my past behaviour and my actions. But I cannot and will not take responsibility or apologise to anyone who's made up stuff about me or exaggerated stories about me. 'I've never told someone that if they give me sexual favours, then I will help them out with their career, ever. 'I've clearly hooked up with, you know, some men who thought they might get ahead in their careers by having a relationship with me. 'But there was no conversation with me, it was all part of their plan, one that was always destined to fail, because I wasn't in on the deal.' Channel 4 announced it had commissioned the upcoming documentary in 2022 and said it will 'follow the outcomes of two court cases against Spacey'. The documentary will air on May 6 and 7 on Channel 4 at 9pm and will feature fresh allegations from ten men including actors Ruari Cannon and Danny De Lillo. Mr Cannon has alleged in an interview with The i newspaper ahead of the documentary's release that Mr Spacey touched him in a 'highly intimate way' at a press night for an Old Vic theatre production in 2013. Spacey said the allegation was 'ridiculous' and denied that it ever happened. Kevin Spacey speaks to the media outside Southwark Crown Court, London, after he was found not guilty of sexually assaulting four men following a trial Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of actor Kevin Spacey wipes tears from his eyes as he found not guilty of sexually assaulting four men at Southwark Crown Court, London Meanwhile, Mr De Lillo alleged that in 2007, when he was 22, the actor pressed his groin against his face while he was seated at a production at the same theatre. An accusation Spacey said he found 'completely offensive'. Spacey continued: 'Were there times when I would flirt with some of the people who were involved in those programmes who were in their 20s? Yes. 'Did I ever hook up with another actor? Yes. Did I make a clumsy pass at someone who wasn't interested as it turned out? Yes. 'That may not have been the best decision and it's not one that I would do today. But it happened. It wasn't illegal, and nor has it ever been alleged to have been illegal.' Oscar-winning actor Spacey was one of the most recognised faces in Hollywood until allegations of sexual misconduct were made in 2017, with streaming giant Netflix cutting ties with the actor. He was accused of abusing his fame and power to carry out nine sex attacks on four men during his tenure as artistic director of the Old Vic theatre. But he insisted the claims were 'madness' and accused the claimants of 'lying for money'. In July 2023, the actor was dramatically cleared of sexually assaulting the four men following a high-profile trial at Southwark Crown Court in which Sir Elton John gave evidence in his defence. Channel 4 rolled out the trailer for Spacey Unmasked last month in which a voice over from two men being played over archived images of the actor says: 'This wasn't just any guy this was Kevin freakin' Spacey' and 'I knew I was in a 'sell your soul' situation'. Kevin Spacey pictured in a scene from Netflix's hit political drama House Of Cards Spacey has said he will 'not sit back and be attacked' by a Channel 4 documentary The show is produced by the channel's former head of news and current affairs Dorothy Byrne, who said when it was announced that it would be 'following the unfolding story of the allegations of abuse against him and the resulting court cases'. It will supposedly take a 'forensic look at a man who was once one of the most admired and respected actors in the world'. There is said to be on-camera testimonies from British and American men, whose identities will not be obscured, about their experiences with Spacey over the course of 50 years. On Thursday, the American star claimed he had 'repeatedly requested' that Channel 4 give him more than seven days to respond to the allegations made about him in their documentary and said the broadcaster refused. On X, he wrote: 'Over the last week, I have repeatedly requested that @Channel4 afford me more than seven days to respond to allegations made against me dating back 48 years and provide me with sufficient details to investigate these matters. Channel 4 has refused on the basis that they feel that asking for a response in seven days to new, anonymised and non-specific allegations is a 'fair opportunity' for me to refute any allegations made against me. 'I will not sit back and be attacked by a dying network's one-sided 'documentary' about me in their desperate attempt for ratings. 'There's a proper channel to handle allegations against me and it's not Channel 4. 'Each time I have been given the time and a proper forum to defend myself, the allegations have failed under scrutiny and I have been exonerated.' The American actor then revealed he will be issuing a response this weekend and added that Channel 4 and Roast Beef Productions, which helped produce the show, may find themselves 'speechless'. Responding to Spacey's comments, a Channel 4 spokesperson said: 'Kevin Spacey has been given sufficient opportunity to respond.' Data shows town has very high number of houses for sale Alice Springs gets new police force to crack down on crime wave Real estate data indicates Alice Springs locals are leaving the crime wave-hit town in droves with the NT government taking the unusual step of deploying a crack new police force to maintain order. The Alice Springs Territory Safety Division (TSD) will soon be a fixture of the Northern Territory's second biggest city, the government announced this week. Eighteen officers will be brought into the unit and tasked with providing rapid response to public disorder situations. The announcement coincides with data from Realestate.com which shows there are 284 vacant properties listed for the town of 25,000 people - more than double what would be considered a 'strong market'. 'This is a very high number,' Real Estate Institute NT's Lindsay Carey told Alice Springs News. NT Police Minister Brent Potter said that the Red Centre's new police force will focus on anti-social behaviour as the government attempts to curb common crime and entice resident to remain. A new permanent elite police force will be established in Alice Springs to help tame the areas crime wave (pictured, crime in Alice Springs) Police Minister Brent Potter (right) said this week the Red Centre's new police force will focus on anti-social behaviour as the government attempts to curb common crime This new unit adds to the 52 elite police already operating out of Darwin, bringing the total number of officers working in the territory to 70. 'The Territory Labor Government is establishing a specialist Alice Springs Territory Safety Division to keep Red Centre residents safe and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour,' Mr Potter said. 'We are investing more into the Northern Territory Police than ever before, more officers, better technology, added resources and new strategies to keep Territorians safe.' Mr Potter had previously announced in April that funding for the TSD would be increased by $16m on a year-on-year basis. Dates have yet to be announced for the new police force its but organiser assistant commissioner Janelle Tonkin will get to choose who makes the team. Alice Spring's TSD will also be given four new operational vehicles, the minister added. Locals had previously told Daily Mail Australia they were living in fear and forced to hide indoors as children as young as five run riot on the streets. When police were called, they said, no-one answered and when they did they were told officers are too busy elsewhere to attend. Locals have told Daily Mail Australia that they are afraid to go outside and that police were often too busy to respond (pictured, crime in Alice Springs) At the moment, elite police have to board a two-hour flight from Darwin to Alice Springs before they can respond to any criminal activity in the Red Centre (pictured, crime in Alice Springs) Police response times in Alice Springs will improve significantly with the new unit as previously members had to be deployed out of Darwin in times of crisis. Because of this any immediate response was hindered by a two-hour flight that officers needed to take before they could reach the incident. Surrounding communities such as Tennant Creek are also likely to be serviced by Alice Spring's TSD. From July the unit's main headquarters will be based out of the Nightcliff Police Station in Darwin. Two Britons who have been stripped of their citizenship are among 4,000 terrorists being held in a prison judged the world's worst jail by human rights watchdogs. The men are being held in the Panorama prison in the north eastern Syrian city of Hasakah, which is being run by Syrian Democratic Forces who are supported by the UK and US coalition. Security experts fear that housing so many radicalised terrorists together is a major blunder because if the men were able to overpower prison guards, they would form a formidable 4,000-strong terrorist army. About 400 inmates were able to escape from the facility in January 2022. Among those being held in the prison are Shahan Choudhury, 37, from east London and Ibrahim Ageed, 29. They have both been held for five years. Shahan Choudhury, pictured, was allegedly radicalised while on remand at Belmarsh Prison in London by hate preacher Anjem Choudary before fleeing to Syria Ibrahim Ageed, pictured, a former medical student from Leicester, is one of two Britons being held by Syrian Democratic Forces in the north east of the country after being captured while fighting for ISIS More than 400 inmates managed to escape from the jail in 2022 leading to fears of further break outs Choudhury's wife, Mahek, who has also been stripped of her British citizenship, is being held in a refugee camp. Now stateless, she is also prevented from returning to Tower Hamlets. According to an Amnesty International report, detainees are denied access to adequate food and medical care. The facility has a major outbreak of tuberculosis with one or two men and boys dying from the disease each week. The Times this week were allowed into the prison to talk to Choudhury and Ageed. Choudhury was captured in 2019. At the time he was digging graves for jihadis killed during vicious fighting in Baghouz. He said he has seen worse things in jail than he did while living under ISIS control. 'In my first year, I watched at least a thousand people die. In my room right now I am crammed with all the Europeans; many of them are dead. One guy from Sweden is currently very sick. He will probably die and we will watch him. They see this as our punishment.' According to Amnesty International, the UK Government has provided 15m in cash to expand the prison. In a report, the human rights organisation said: 'Those detained in Panorama have been denied access to adequate food and medical care leading to illnesses and diseases, including a severe outbreak of tuberculosis that has been ongoing for several years. 'If left untreated, tuberculosis is fatal in 50 per cent of cases.' Amnesty International's UK Chief Executive Sacha Desmukh said: 'The Government has put considerable resources into the detention facilities in north-east Syria and it has a responsibility to avoid being complicit in the ongoing cruelty and violence of these places. 'Continued inaction from the Government amounts to connivance in the unlawful detention of UK nationals amid misery, disease and possible death. 'The UK government has a responsibility for all its citizens, including Shamima Begum, which it can't cast off when that might suit it. 'The UK should be helping its citizens stranded in dangerous circumstances in Syria, not barring their safe return to the UK. 'The UK should support a long-overdue screening process to identify people in detention who need to be immediately released, and it should be working with the Syrian Democratic Forces and the US-led coalition to establish a fair means to finally bring to justice the perpetrators of ISIS's horrific crimes.' Choudhury said he travelled to Syria for charity work, although he was in Belmarsh Prison in London where he was allegedly radicalised by hate preacher Anjem Choudary. Sitting in freezing conditions, Choudhury told The Times: 'I regret it all, I didnt know it would turn out this ugly. I would go back and serve my life in a British prison if they would let me. But they probably wont, so I would go anywhere. I just want to leave.' US Major General Joel Vowell has warned that housing so many dangerous terrorists at the one location is a security threat. Amnesty International has warned that inmates at the prison and a nearby refugee camp are being denied access to adequate health care Choudhury's wife, who has also been stripped of her British citizenship, is being held in this camp in Hasakeh He said those being detained should be repatriated to their home nations as a jailbreak could allow ISIS to 'form an army overnight.' However, the British government said it has no plans to return jihadis or ISIS brides. A Foreign Office spokesperson said: 'Our priority remains the safety and security of the UK. We will continue to do whatever is necessary to protect the UK from those who pose a threat to our security.' The second Briton being held in the overcrowded jail, Ageed warned: 'The longer people are kept here, the more ideology breeds in groups.' Ageed had worked for the NHS in Leicester before moving to Syria. He said: 'I was asked by the administration to step in to help save prisoners from dying for a period. There were many sick men.' He added: 'I believe that theres a reasonable concern from the public about detainees going back to Britain. If I was to get a fair trial they would see themselves if I have been part of atrocities or not part of anything.' The Amnesty report also said women being held in nearby camps have been subjected to torture in order to force confessions. According to Amnesty there are a total of 20 UK nationals being held in various camps - including Shamima Begum who, according to the charity was 'groomed and trafficked to Syria'. A body has been found during an extensive search for a missing father after his dog and car were discovered six days after he vanished. John 'Tony' Locker, 77, was last seen on Culey Ave at Cooma, in the south of NSW, on Monday afternoon. NSW Police confirmed a body was found on farmland south of Cooma about 6pm on Saturday. While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of Mr Locker. Police confirmed initial inquiries indicate there are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be prepared for the Coroner. Worried family members reported Mr Locker missing on Monday, holding concerns for his health given his reliance on medication. During the widespread search, Mr Locker's black and white Border Collie dog Sophie was found by residents at Kiah Ave, Cooma about 10.30pm on Friday. John 'Tony' Locker, 77, has been missing from the Cooma region since Monday with his border collie Sophie, who was with him, found alone on Friday Mr Locker's Hilux was found abandoned on Saturday near farmland in the Cooma region Mr Locker's Toyota utility was also found during the search near farmland, 10km south of Cooma, about 3pm on Saturday. The discovery prompted a coordinated search by police, volunteers, SES and RFS is now focusing on this area and neighbouring properties. Monaro Police District Duty Officer, Acting Inspector Tyrone Stacey thanked the local community for their ongoing help and support during the search. On Friday, Mr Locker's family had issued a heartfelt plea for help finding him, saying 'each passing day heightens our worry'. 'It's with deep concern that we reach out to you, seeking your help in locating a cherished member of our family who has gone missing,' they wrote. 'We appeal to anyone who might have seen or heard something, regardless of how minor it may seem, to come forward and aid us in bringing Tony back home safely. 'We thank all the landowners that have taken the time to search their properties over the last week. 'Please help us bring dad home, as we fear that time is running out.' On Thursday, NSW Police had asked residents in the Cooma area to check outbuildings including garages, sheds and other structures for Mr Locker. A NSW Police spokesman said they'd explored 'numerous lines of enquiry', including that he may have travelled into Victoria. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Sadiq Khan is closing in on victory today as allies boasted that he has 'done better than anyone could have expected'. Labour sources hailed initial results from the count showing the incumbent gaining votes from the Tories - saying they expected the same 'right across London'. The numbers dash Tory hopes that Susan Hall could pull off a shock, driven by speculation turnout was down. Figures from Merton and Wandsworth and Greenwich and Lewisham suggest that Mr Khan saw a swing towards him from Conservative voters. Mr Khan also recorded commanding leads in the West Central area - by 54,481 to 43,405 for Ms Hall - where Tory candidates have previously triumphed. In the North East, he was ahead by 127,455 to 34,099, and in the South West by 77,011 to 68,856. The only exceptions so far were in Bexley and Bromley, where Ms Hall racked up a huge 111,216 votes, more than double the 48,952 for Mr Khan. In Brent and Harrow she was in front by 66,151 to 58,743. However, it looks nowhere near enough to turn the course of the battle. The total vote in London was 2,495,621. A senior Labour source said 'it's possible that Sadiq has done better than anyone could have expected'. They suggested that 'from the results that are in, it looks like there have been swings towards Sadiq and Labour right across London'. Polls in the run up to the ballot on Thursday had shown Mr Khan with a comfortable lead of between 10 and 22 points. However, jitters started spreading through Labour circles yesterday over a spike in turnout in outer London - typically dominated by Conservative voters and where anger about the ULEZ expansion has been most fierce. Supporters of Mr Khan were worried that he could have been damaged by a wider trend of Muslim voters shunning Labour over Keir Starmer's strong support for Israel. But Keir Starmer insisted this morning he was 'confident' that Mr Khan can keep control of City Hall. Your browser does not support iframes. Sadiq Khan with his wife Saadiya this morning as his bid for a third term as London mayor hangs in the balance Polls ahead of the election suggested that the incumbent was on track for a comfortable victory over Tory rival Susan Hall (pictured) Counting is under way in the London mayor election today Your browser does not support iframes. The final surveys gave Mr Khan a lead of between 10 and 22 points Official turnout figures last night suggested it had been higher in outer London and lower in inner London - Mr Khan's normal stronghold. Mr Khan won 83,792 votes in Greenwich and Lewisham, one of the first London boroughs to declare its mayoral vote, with Conservative Susan Hall on 36,822 and Zoe Garbett of the Greens third with 11,209. That was equivalent to a 4.5 per cent swing from the Tories to Labour compared to the previous contest in 2021. In Merton and Wandsworth Mr Khan received 84,725 and Ms Hall 50,976. That was a 5.1 per cent swing away from the Conservatives. The row over the expansion of the 12.50-a-day ULEZ charge was previously credited with helping the Tories to cling on in the Uxbridge by-election, although Mr Khan's team had hoped the fallout was dissipating. Mr Khan was one of the first Labour politicians to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, but Sir Keir's strong support for Israel's right to self-defence caused anger among many supporters. There was evidence of that in the results yesterday, with Labour losing overall control of Oldham council after independents claimed seats. One senior ally of Mr Khan told MailOnline that it is 'going to be close'. 'The polls were rubbish,' they added. 'London is exceptionally difficult to poll.' Another political veteran, who still believes Mr Khan will win, pointed out that Labour has not been performing well in local council by-elections. But Sir Keir said: 'Sadiq Khan was absolutely the right candidate. He has got two terms of delivery behind him and I am confident that he has got another term of delivery in front of him.' Asked on Sky News yesterday about the jitters, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting - MP for Ilford North - said: 'We've always feared this race will be close.' He highlighted that Mr Khan only won the first round of voting by 5 per cent in 2021. Since then the government has changed the voting system to first past the post, meaning Mr Khan will not benefit from second preferences of Greens and Lib Dems. 'We were warning Londoners you know, don't take the risk of waking up with a Conservative mayor,' Mr Streeting said. He went on: 'It is too early to say yet what we think the result will be, verification of votes are taking place today the counting will be tomorrow. 'I mean, based on what I saw in my own constituency and bearing in mind the last election a few years ago - Sadiq lost every ward in Iford North bar one - I felt that there was a bit more support for him this time in my constituency. On a visit to Mansfield this morning, Keir Starmer (pictured with new East Midlands mayor Claire Ward) insisted he is 'confident' that Mr Khan can keep control of City Hall The count taking place at the ExCel centre in London today Asked on Sky News yesterday about the London jitters, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting - MP for Ilford North - said: 'We've always feared this race will be close.' 'There are people who are angry with him about Ulez we sort of had that argument of following the Uxbridge by election. 'And, you know, I didn't agree with him, but he stuck to his guns, stuck to his convictions. Fair enough.' Mr Streeting hit out at racial abuse suffered by Mr Khan, but acknowledged that Gaza could be a factor in the election. 'There's no doubt looking at some of the results across the country that have already come in that Gaza has been an issue,' he said. 'And I say say that with great respect to voters who sent us a message on Gaza. So we'll have to wait and see where the results come in.' Betfair spokesman Sam Rosbottom said: 'While Sadiq Khan remains the favourite to win the race for London Mayor this morning, doubts are clearly creeping in and Betfair Exchange punters are now seriously eyeing Tory rival Susan Hall as a contender.' Key battlegrounds across the UK have turned from blue to red as counting for local elections have changed the political landscape in England and Wales. Most of the results are now in, but some are due to declare over the weekend and the final figures won't be known until Sunday afternoon. Labour has won big in the mayoral elections, holding London, South Yorkshire, Liverpool and Greater Manchester. The Party is now hoping to unseat the Conservatives' Andy Street in the West Midlands. That race is currently too close to call. These are some of the key battlegrounds as the Conservatives have faced a woeful showing across the board. In Woking it was a Lib Dem hold. However, the Tories lost all of the wards they had in 2021 The Tories took a bashing in Reigate and Banstead as well. From having control of the council there is no overall majority, with the Greens, Lib Dems and Labour making gains The Tories were decimated in Peterborough - as the map turned from blue to purple as the Conservatives lost a stunning 13 districts The Tories also lost control of Rushmoor Council, with Labour taking the lead READ MORE: Bring on the election! Sadiq Khan tells Rishi Sunak it is time to go to the polls as he wins historic third term as London mayor after trouncing Tory rival Susan Hall in a landslide Advertisement Adur (Lab gain from Con) Adur council in West Sussex was created in 1974 and in its entire 50-year history it has never been run by the Labour party until now. Labour picked up eight seats in Thursday's elections, enough to win the party its first majority on the council, while the Tories lost seven and overall control. Basildon (Con lose to no overall control) The Conservatives fared particularly badly in Essex at this set of local elections a part of England that will be another key battleground at the general election. In Basildon the party saw its number of councillors fall by 13, with Labour up nine and Independents up four, while in Castle Point they were wiped out entirely, losing every seat they were contesting. Some 13 Conservative candidates failed to appear on ballot papers in Castle Point because of problems with nominations an issue that has contributed to the new council consisting solely of 39 Independents. Cheltenham The Liberal Democrats strengthened their majority at Cheltenham in Gloucestershire by picking up another five seats, in the process leaving the Conservatives with no councillors whatsoever. This may unsettle the town's Tory MP, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk, who had a majority of just 981 at the last general election. In Stevenage, Labour held onto the council while the Tories suffered losses Labour rattled sabres as they took control of all but two Conservative districts in Ipswich Labour saw huge gains in Hartlepool as they took control over large swathes of the area Kingston-upon-Hull continued to avoid Conservative influence, although Labour celebrated gains against the Lib Dems Dudley (Con lose to no overall control) Dudley in the West Midlands was where Sir Keir Starmer launched Labour's local election campaign, being one of the very few Metropolitan councils controlled by the Conservatives. It has now slipped into no overall control, thanks to Labour increasing its seats by eight while the Tories lost seven. The new council will be tied, with both the Conservatives and Labour having 34 seats a scenario which gives the Liberal Democrats (three seats) and one Independent the balance of power. Hartlepool (Lab gain from no overall control) Three years ago Labour lost the Hartlepool parliamentary by-election to the Conservatives an event that reportedly led Sir Keir Starmer to consider resigning as party leader. This year Hartlepool in County Durham gave Labour cause for celebration, with the party winning control of the council for the first time since 2019 thanks to a net gain of seven seats, while the Tories lost six. Rossendale also saw a Labour hold this year In Hart the Conservative areas were whittled away at as they lost seats In Newcastle-upon-Tyne the Tories stunningly gained one area - although Labour cemented their dominance Harlow Sir Keir and his deputy Angela Rayner toured the Essex town of Harlow 24 hours before the polls opened, in a symbolic visit to a part of the country that will be a key battleground at the general election. But while Labour did make progress in Harlow in Thursday's elections, it fell short of an overall majority here by the narrowest of margins, ending up with 16 seats on the council, one behind the Tories on 17. Milton Keynes (Lab gain from no overall control) Labour has been gaining ground in Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire for several years and on Thursday the party finally won enough seats to gain overall control, the first time it has had a majority here since 2000. Nuneaton & Bedworth (Lab gain from Con) There has been a complete change in Nuneaton & Bedworth in Warwickshire, with Labour up 15 seats and the Conservatives down 11, enough for Labour to take control of the council for the first time since 2018. Tandridge again has been a close one - with no overall control this year South Tyneside was wracked as both Conservative and Labour Party seats were decimated with gains for the Green Party In Sunderland Tory and Lib Dem seats were unsettled as Labour secured new gains Oldham (Lab lose to no overall control) Independent candidates picked up five seats in Oldham in Greater Manchester while Labour lost four, along with overall control. Oldham is one of two councils where Labour lost its majority at these elections, the other being Kirklees in West Yorkshire, where Independents again made gains. Rushmoor (Lab gain from Con) There was better news for Labour deep in the so-called 'blue wall' of the traditional Conservative heartland of Hampshire. The party gained seven seats and a majority on Rushmoor council, an area that includes the army town of Aldershot, while the Tories lost eight seats and overall control. Redditch (Lab gain from Con) Labour will be pleased with its performance in the Worcestershire council of Redditch another important battleground at the general election where the party picked up nine seats and overall control, while the Conservatives saw their tally drop by 11. South Tyneside It was a less cheery picture for Labour in South Tyneside, where the party suffered a net loss of 10 seats. In Tunbridge Wells, the Lib Dems have gained the council Conservatives held the Broxbourne council as locals rallied behind their councillors Independent candidates gained nine seats and the Greens gained two, while the Tories lost their only councillor. Labour still has a majority here, but only just. The new council will have 28 Labour councillors, 15 Independents and 11 Greens. Thurrock (Lab gain from no overall control) Labour needed to gain six seats to take control of Thurrock in Essex, which has been run by the Tories for the past few years during a period of turbulence that saw the council declared effectively bankrupt in December 2022. Labour ended up making a net gain of eight seats, enough for a clear majority, with Independents picking up two and the Tories suffering a net loss of 10. Police and crime commissioners Some 27 of the 37 police & crime commissioner (PCC) results have been declared, with the remainder due over the weekend. Labour has so far gained nine PCCs from the Conservatives: Avon & Somerset, Bedfordshire, Cleveland, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Lancashire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire. Plaid Cymru has held on to its one PCC in Dyfed-Powys in Wales. From being asked to moo like a cow to a fake cancellation, applicants have revealed their worst job interview experiences. Going for a job interview is often the most stressful part of a job application and every applicant has had their own bad job interviews. However, for some people this experience can be downright bizarre. Aixin Fu had her own nightmare job interview when she applied for a minimum wage job as a university student ambassador. Ms Fu says that during a group interview they were asked to crawl around on the floor on their hands and knees and 'moo like a cow.' Speaking to BBC News Ms Fu said: 'We did that for about three to four minutes. 'At the time, I was quite annoyed. It was highly inappropriate. Axin Fu says that when she applied for a minimum wage job as a university student ambassador she was asked to 'moo like a cow.' Pearl Kasirye, who was born in Uganda, was asked in a job application for a remote job at a PR firm in Milan was told she would be paid in a Ugandan wage rather than a London wage 'But there was a bit of peer pressure because everyone else was doing it.' The interviewer told the group the strange cow-related activity was to see if the candidates were 'fun.' However, Ms Fu believe the interviewer could have been on 'a bit of a powertrip.' After the interview, Ms Fu has learnt to challenger interviewers if they ask her to do 'bizarre' or 'unreasonable' things during the interview. If Ms Fu's experience is not alone in her weird interview techniques. In Lae's case she never even got to the interview process. Lae arrived for a job interview at a law firm in Bristol early only to be told after waiting 20 minutes that it had been cancelled and she should come back tomorrow. After leaving feel understandably upset, she was left even more distressed when she received a message telling her the so-called cancellation was a test and she had failed and she did not get the job. Lae described the experience as 'totally bizarre' and afterwards she decided to set up her own business where she uses more typical hiring styles. Other people can experience prejudice during the job application process as was the case for Pearl Kasirye. Ms Kasirye, who was born in Uganda but moved to Europe as a child and now lives in London, was asked about her heritage during an interview for a PR role at a fashion brand in Milan. The interviewer for the remote job was insistent she was paid in a Ugandan wage rather than a London wage. After this she chose to withdraw her application. Meanwhile, a lot of women during the interview process face sexist comments about their marital status or if they have or plan to have children - which is illegal for employers to ask. Data from the hiring platform Applied found that nearly one in five women have been asked during interviews whether they have children or plan to have children. Chief executive of Applied - Khyati Sundaram says she has been asked if she had children or plans to have children in job interviews 'more times than I can count' Applied's own chief executive Khyati Sundaram says she has been asked that question 'more times than I can count.' Ms Sundaram claims this questions is often asked due to concerns over maternity leave. She said: 'The higher the pay, the more maternity you have to pay while finding a cover, and they don't want the hassle.' In 2022, people from across the UK took to Reddit to reveal their worst job interviews. One person wrote: 'I got interviewed at Toys R Us before and the woman interviewing me asked why I didn't have a job for a year or so. I told her it was because my mother had died and my mind was a bit messed up at the time. 'Her next question 'how did your mother die?' I replied and told her it was a heart attack and she came out with, 'Oh so it was a painful death then'.' 'I left the interview there and then, and went to speak to her manager about what she said. I don't know what happened after that, I'm assuming f*** all though.' Another wrote: wrote: 'Delivery driver for Iceland. Had to do all the sit in a circle and talk about yourself stuff, what animal would you be s****, build a tower with newspaper and sellotape b*******. Didn't stay to the end.' Male hair loss company 'HIMS' stock has further plummeted after its CEO sparked backlash and boycott threats by offering jobs to college pro-Palestine protestors. Andrew Dudum, who identifies as Palestinian-American, voiced support for the student protestors across US campuses on X. 'Moral courage > College degree,' the CEO, 35, wrote on Wednesday. 'If you're currently protesting against the genocide of the Palestinian people & for your university's divestment from Israel, keep going. It's working. There are plenty of companies & CEOs eager to hire you, regardless of university discipline.' Also known as Hims & Hers Health, Inc., the online sexual health company dropped from its opening price of $12.24 to $11.26 on Friday. The significant drop came just two days after Dudum's controversial post - which sparked immediate backlash - though it's unclear whether the recent drop is directly related. The eight percent decrease in price comes amid a 14 percent downward trend since May 1, when its price was $13.10. And beyond that, the stock has descended a total of 33 percent since March 21, when it was being sold at $16.73 a share. Male hair loss company 'HIMS' stock has plummeted after its CEO sparked furious backlash and boycott threats by offering jobs to college pro-Palestine protestors Andrew Dudum, who identifies as Palestinian-American, voiced support for the student protestors across US campuses on X University of Georgia pro-Palestinian students protest in front of the UGA arch in Athens on Friday Demonstrators at a pro-Palestinian encampment on the campus of the University of Chicago The company's chief legal officer had also pre-arranged a sale of $31,000 worth of stock in September that was put into affect on May 1 - which could explain why investors are pulling stock out of the company since then. Conservative writer Ben Domenech wrote: 'If you support Israel, cancel your HIMS subscription s immediately. You can get similar products elsewhere for cheaper anyway.' Joe Lonsdale, co-founder of software company Palantir Technologies, also weighed in, saying, 'Real moral courage doesn't involve joining a mindless mob, chanting anti-U.S. and other woke Pablum, following instructions not to debate or discuss your positions at all yet being indignantly righteous, while large numbers in the mob chant for violence and block Jewish students.' READ MORE: CEO of hair loss company HIMS sparks outrage by offering campus protestors jobs Andrew Dudum, who identifies as Palestinian-American, voiced support for the student protestors across US campuses on X Advertisement Many pointed out that Dudum may be harming the interest of shareholders who may not agree with him, given that HIMS is a publicly traded company. Others shared screenshots of the cancelation of their subscription, with one X user writing as the reason: 'Your CEO supports Hamas.' Dudum's declaration was a major change in tone compared to the protest reactions from many other CEOs. Others vowed to not hire student protestors amidst the anti-Israel movement sweeping across university campuses nationwide. Organized encampments first popped up at the prestigious Columbia University in New York City last week - and other universities across America followed suit. Bill Ackman, head of Pershing Square Capital Management, announced that he would not hire students from Harvard who signed a letter allegedly blaming Israel for Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel. 'Shark Tank' star Kevin O'Leary said that pro-Palestinian are 'screwed' because companies will be able to use AI technology in the hiring process to weed out any supports of the anti-Israel movement and refuse to hire them. 'Here's your resume with a picture of you burning a flag. See that one. That goes in this pile over here, cause I can get the same person's talent in this pile that's not burning anything,' O'Leary said on Fox News' 'The Five' on Wednesday. HIMS is facing a similar dilemma to Bud Light, the top beer brand in the US that faced widespread boycotts in April 2023 after partnering with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. In the month following the advertisement, Bud Light's sales fell between 11 percent and 26 percent. A quadriplegic YouTube star has been charged with striking a Miami cop with his wheelchair in a bizarre incident the likes of which the judge said he has never seen before. Bryant Amastha, 32, known on YouTube as recording artist El Valien-T, is facing two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer. Despite being unable to utilize his limbs, Amastha is accused of hitting an officer with his motorized wheelchair and allegedly spitting at her. But Amastha denies the allegations against him and described a different narrative. His story is a first for the Miami-Dade judge. 'I've truly never seen a case like this,' the judge said in court. Bryant Amastha, 32, known on YouTube as recording artist El Valien-T, is facing two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer When asked if he did it, Amastha told Local 10 News, 'I absolutely did not' Amastha, a YouTube star, boasts a substantial following on social media platforms like Instagram, where he has amassed nearly 100,000 followers. He shares music videos featuring himself singing and surrounded by dancing women on his YouTube channel When asked if he did it, Amastha told Local 10 News, 'I absolutely did not.' The incident occurred at his home in southwest Miami-Dade's Quail Heights area Wednesday, during a dispute with his mother. According to a police report, when his mother got arrested, Amastha got agitated. 'The officer, she bumped my wheelchair because I was standing in the driveway, and the driveway is thin,' Amastha said. Regarding the spitting incident, Amastha said: 'Right. So, I suffer from acid reflux, so I normally spit. And I spat in a totally different direction.' He told the outlet that officers hurt him when he was arrested and handcuffed - and taken out of his chair to be put in a squad car. 'They manhandled me,' Amastha told the outlet. 'They tried to cuff me with my hands behind my back, which I can't do.' The incident occurred at his home in southwest Miami-Dade's Quail Heights area Wednesday, during a dispute with his mother Despite being unable to utilize his limbs, Amastha is accused of hitting an officer with his motorized wheelchair and allegedly spitting at her Despite finding probable cause, the judge allowed Amastha to be released on his own recognizance as he noted he was not a flight risk. 'Obviously, my client's not a flight risk,' Amastha's attorney told the judge. Additionally, the judge ordered him to avoid contact with the officer involved in the incident. Miami-Dade police stated they had not received prior complaints regarding the incident. They also said they had not been informed of any allegations of rough handling during the arrest or damage to the wheelchair. The judge allowed Amastha to be released on his own recognizance, noting he was not a flight risk Amastha, recognized as a Colombian artist and producer, boasts a substantial following on social media platforms like Instagram, where he has amassed nearly 100,000 followers. He shares music videos featuring himself singing and, in some cases, surrounded by dancing women on his YouTube channel. There is bodycam footage from the incident but it has not yet been released. Thousands of avid readers have slammed a shambolic Colorado event as 'the Fyre festival of books' after reports of harassment, theft, assault and mismanagement. The 'Readers Take Denver' event, held April 18 to 21, left attendees branding themselves 'survivors,' while organizers have already canceled next year's conference. Bestselling author Rebecca Yarros led criticism of the expo, as she echoed complaints about a lack of security, aggressive staff and pre-ordered books that were not delivered on time. 'Readers, on behalf of every author at the event, Im sorry,' Yarros wrote in a scathing Facebook post. The 'Readers Take Denver' event has been slammed by attendees and authors amid reports of harassment, theft, assault and mismanagement One attendee claimed that when she suffered a 'hypoglycemic moment', she was 'screamed at by staff to 'get the f*** up off the floor' by staff Yarros continued by blaming organizers for a variety of issues, including what she perceived as a 'borderline abusive' workload placed on volunteers at the four-day conference. 'When it comes to the events of this weekend, many have been mistreated,' she wrote. Yarros claimed organizers shut lights off to herd readers because they 'weren't moving fast enough,' deadnamed an author and refused to change their badge name and failed to organize enough time for readers to get signings despite a pledge for there to be 'no lines' at the event. Addressing attendees, Yarros concluded, 'Im so sorry you couldnt get your preorders, couldnt see the authors you wanted to. 'Im sorry registration took hours, sorry food ran out, sorry security wasnt tight enough at the night events, sorry some volunteers raised voices. 'Sorry you did not get to bask in the overwhelming joy that spending three days in the book world should give you.' Disappointed readers told the Denver Post that the shambolic schedule was a 'nightmare' and said it failed to live up to promises made by organizer Lisa Renee Jones. TikToker Cass shared pics of the black eye she said she received at the event Organizer Lisa Renee Jones pledged to host the event with no lines, but attendees said they were disappointed to be left waiting for hours Author Rebecca Yarros blamed organizers for a variety of issues, including what she perceived as a 'borderline abusive' workload placed on volunteers and mismanagement Readers said they struggled to enjoy the conference because of the 'chaos,' with one author saying 'it was an absolute f****** horror show we all had to go through' 'Ive been to many conferences and this, by far, was the worst one Ive ever been to,' said Sarah Slusarczyk, a 32-year-old who traveled from Michigan for the event. Readers shelled out up to $375 to attend the event held in the Gaylord Rockies Resort, and Renee Jones reportedly claimed in an email to attendees after the event that she was even moved to tears by praise for her efforts. However, reports indicate at least one person claimed a volunteer shoved them, which Renee Jones insisted it was handled professionally. 'In the case that someone has claimed a volunteer put hands on someone, I got security involved IMMEDIATELY,' she wrote in the email, according to the Denver Post. Renee Jones did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com. Allegations of aggressive behavior were also cited in a blog post by author Abigail Owen, who said that she heard about incidents of 'harassment, assault' and 'theft.' On top of that, a TikToker named Cass detailed the black eye she said she received during the event. Allegations of unprofessional behavior at the event also surfaced on TikTok, as one woman claimed that she faced aggressive staff when suffering a medical emergency. 'I was having a hypoglycemic moment and was screamed at by staff to 'get the f*** up off the floor,' TikTok user Well Read Nurse said. She continued: 'There were so many horrific experiences between readers, vendors, authors, PAs, volunteers alike. 'This was not just a breakdown in communication, it is a systemic issue with this program.' Another author at the event, Kate Hall, detailed her experience in a 30-minute YouTube video, which she titled: 'I (Barely) Survived Readers Take Denver 2024.' 'I was really hoping this would get better but they kept getting worse and worse,' she said, sporting a black eye in her video. 'All weekend it was so chaotic... it was an absolute f****** horror show we all had to go through.' Hall said that organizers failed to let authors set up their book signing tables on time, and were left exhausted by long lines. Long lines waiting for authors at the event (pictured) left one exacerbated attendee to describe it as 'worse than Disney, and there wasn't even a ride at the end' Renee Jones marketed the event as ideal for book lovers hoping to meet their favorite authors as she pledged there would be no lines, and attendees were supposed to be using a timed ticketing system. But Kelli Meyer - a self-described 'RTD survivor' - said the system didn't work, and 'all we did was stand in line. It was total BS.' 'It was worse than Disney, and there wasnt even a ride at the end,' she added, noting that lines wrapped around the hotel that caused confusion about what author was being waited for. This also reportedly led some readers to wait hours in the wrong lines, with volunteers giving out incorrect information. Author Rhian Cahill added in a blog post that it was an 'unorganized disaster.' 'I witnessed the utter chaos of the event, the lack of communication between the organizer and her volunteers, between the volunteers themselves, between the volunteers and attendees. It was insane how little anyone seemed to know about what was going on,' he wrote. A witness who saw a crazed cannibal chewing the flesh of a mans face in Las Vegas made a harrowing 911 call asking for police to intervene. Colin Czech, 29, is accused of eating Kenneth Browns ear and eyeball after bashing him to death in a 7-Eleven car park on April 28. He has been charged with murder after police allegedly found him covered in blood and kneeling above the man's mutilated head. A convenience store employee called the police to report a man was on top of another at a bus stop eating his face. Its bad, maam, the worker said in the 911 call obtained by 8 News Now. Oh my God I dont what the f*** hes doing to this man, thats some weird s***. A witness who allegedly saw Colin Czech chewing the flesh of a mans face in Las Vegas made a harrowing 911 call asking for police to intervene The 29-year-old homeless man is accused of eating Kenneth Browns ear and eyeball after bashing him to death in a 7-Eleven car park on April 28 Another desperate employee called 911 just before 5am on Sunday and claimed Czech was standing outside the store all night and jumped on a customer. I guess he just rushed him, they told the dispatcher. I tried to have a conversation with him and he wont talk. Right now, hes on all fours like hes a dog about to rush the store. I guess he just rushed him. I need somebody to come get him now. Czech admitted to police he 'used his teeth to eat [the victim's] eyeball and ear', an arrest report alleged. Police claimed the homeless man murdered Brown by repeatedly bashing his head on the concrete, causing his death from severe head injuries. Authorities arrived and were horrified to allegedly find Czech with blood and 'biological matter' on his face, hands, mouth, and clothing. Brown was unresponsive and bleeding from his head and was missing his left ear and left eye. Czech admitted to police he 'used his teeth to eat [the victim's] eyeball and ear,' his arrest report alleged 911 call claimed Czech was 'eating the face of the male on the ground' at a nearby bus stop, and police arrived to find him kneeling over the victim and covered in blood Chief deputy public defender David Westbrook (pictured) told the court Czech was insane and was granted a competency hearing on May 24 Czech was 'kneeling on the ground' next to Brown's head and when cops asked what happened, he 'gave a blank stare' and didn't say anything, authorities said. He was taken to hospital as he was 'going in and out of consciousness', while Brown was pronounced dead on arrival. Czech is said to have told detectives he was homeless and hadn't slept for five nights in a row because something was 'possessing him.' He allegedly claimed Brown 'attacked him' and he thought he was fighting a 'shape-shifter' but was helped to victory by a 'higher power.' Voices in his head told him to kill a person called Drake, whom he didn't know and thought it was Brown, he allegedly told police. Czech also said he was 'tweaking.' When asked what he used to attack Brown, he allegedly said 'my teeth' and that he 'he used his teeth to eat [Brown's] eyeballs and ears.' Czech faced Las Vegas Justice Court on Wednesday where he made bizarre facial expressions and his lawyer argued he was too insane to stand trial. Chief deputy public defender David Westbrook told the court Czech was insane and was granted a competency hearing on May 24. 'I've spoken to him, and I've determined that he is incompetent,' he said. 'We will get to the bottom of all the factual allegations, that is a process. But before we get there we have to go into the competency proceedings.' Should the hearing determine Czech is too mentally incompetent to stand trial, he would be sent to a mental institution for treatment until that changed. Czech was remanded in custody without bail and is behind bars at Clark County Detention Center. The 7-Eleven parking lot is at 1100 S Las Vegas Boulevard, steps from the famous Haunted Museum and Little White Chapel. Russian hackers successfully breached a data firm used by hundreds of Australian companies and government agencies, resulting in the details of tens of thousands of Aussies being auctioned off on the dark web. ZircoDATA and the federal government have begun the process of working out what data was compromised from more than 200 Australian organisations impacted by the February breach. It was revealed on Friday that hackers accesses 4,000 sensitive documents from Monash Medical Centre and the electronic profiles of 60,000 Melbourne Polytechnic students. Among the leaks from Monash Medical Centre, the Queen Victoria Hospital and Southern Health were archived documents relating to family violence and sexual support units in Melbourne's east between 1970 and 1993. National Cyber Security Co-ordinator, General Michelle McGuinness, said on Friday that the government was working closely to identify the scope of the hack. In February ZircoDATA said in a statement that an 'unauthorised third party' accessed its systems after the hackers said they had done so on the dark web. The web post, by known cyber ring Black Basta, detailed an auction for the stolen information which prompted an AFP investigation. The federal government is working with Victorian data company ZircoDATA who suffered a data breach in February (stock pictured) Among the documents stolen were 4,000 archived files from Monash Medical Centre which concerned sexual violence in Melbourne's east Following the February 22 post and subsequent investigation Ms McGuinness said Friday that 'the impact for most government entities is likely to be minimal'. READ MORE: One million Aussies at risk of identity theft City of Sydney RSL is among dozens of pubs and clubs caught up in a major data breach Advertisement '[We] are still in the process of working with ZircoDATA to identify impacted data and any victims, and are yet to begin notifying impacted individuals,' she said. Monash Health said that it is verifying the identities of those compromised before contacting them in order to not inadvertently expose them to reprisals from the hackers. Chief executive Professor Eugine Yafele told The Age that he was helping in the investigation and was sorry to those that have been affected. 'Of utmost importance to us is providing support to those people who may be impacted by this breach,' he said. 'We are deeply disappointed to be in this position and understand the distress this may cause any impacted clients.' Mr Yafele said his teams were working 'tirelessly' to identify those who are impacted by the hack, which Ms McGuinness said was especially distressing as some stolen files related to sexual violence. 'This is a distressing development for those who have, or believe they may have, been impacted by this exposure,' Ms McGuiness said on X. ZircoDATA is still trying to determine the full list of affected persons and organisations and in the meantime Monash Health has launched a website and hotline for those worried that their documents might have been stolen. National Cyber Security Co-ordinator, General Michelle McGuinness, said on Friday that the government was working closely to identify the scope of the hack The federal government is working with ZircoDATA and those organisations affected by the hack to figure out who is affected Melbourne Polytechnic revealed the enrolment information for 60,000 past and present students, collected and stored by ZircoDATA, had also been accessed by the hackers. Chief executive Frances Coppolillo said the hackers retrieved 'low-risk identity attributes' including names, student identification numbers, addresses at the time of enrolment and birth dates. 'Melbourne Polytechnic apologises unreservedly to everyone affected by this incident,' Ms Coppolillo said in a statement. 'We have contacted every current student impacted and are endeavouring to contact past students, many of whose contact details may have changed over the past 10 years.' In dark web posts from Black Basta boasting about the hack the group claimed to have accessed 395 gigabytes of ZircoDATA archives, which included passports scans, individual immigration identifiers, and other sensitive documents. Another group, Crypmans, also allegedly breached ZircoDATA systems in January. The AFP launched an invstigation into the breach after a known cyber ring announced an auction for the stolen data on the dark web on February 22 (stock pictured) Cybersecurity firm Cyble tracks known hacking groups and scours the dark web for information and alerts on company breaches and has confirmed that it was assisting multiple companies affected by the ZircoDATA breaches. Cyble's Kapil Barman said he was not sure if the hacks were related but that both used the same vulnerability to get into ZircoDATA's systems. Cybersecurity manager of Risk Associates who also works with Cyble, Sameer Pradhan, told the publication that he had identified 191 Australian organisations affected by the hacks. On Saturday, the Department of Home Affairs confirmed its investigation into the matter. The department could not confirm who was responsible for the hacks or which government agencies had been affected. The CSIRO said that it had not been notified of any exposure through the breach and the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority did not respond to questions. Both are listed as ZircoDATA clients. Information Commissioner Sean Morrison has confirmed that his office 'will continue to monitor the incident and ... receive updates as necessary'. East Asia is grappling with a record-breaking heatwave as sweltering 48C temperatures leave schools shut, crops damaged, and residents warned to stay indoors. Several areas in the region have experienced scorching record-breaking temperatures as urgent health warnings are issued. The heat in Chauk, Myanmar, hit 48.2C - the highest ever measured, whilst the Filipino capital, Manila, banked a new high of 38.8C. Around 48,000 schools in the Philippines have also been shut for the entire week, whilst officials have urged citizens to not go outside. Additional pressure has been put on Luzon's electricity grid, as the use of air conditioning continues to surge. East Asia is grappling with a record-breaking heatwave as sweltering 48C temperatures (pictured: young boy transporting water in Myanmar) Around 48,000 schools in the Philippines have also been shut for the entire week, whilst officials have urged citizens to not go outside (pictured: Bulacan Province, Philippines) The prolonged heat also unearthed a 300-year-old Filipino town which was previously flooded in the 1970s. The ruins of the church and tombs located in Nueva Ecija town emerged after the lake's surface dropped by 50 metres. According to The Times, the sky-high temperatures, which are a product of climate change, have been exacerbated by the El Nino weather event. El Nino is a weather pattern - which happens every few years - where the temperature of the sea's surface becomes warmer, according to the Met Office. Vietnamese agriculture has also taken a massive hit, with the country's coffee crops being impacted due to drought. An overwhelming aroma also appeared in the nation's southern province of Dong Nai after hundreds of thousands of fish died in a dried-up lake. In several areas of Thailand including Bangkok, temperatures have sky-rocketed past 40C. At least 30 individuals have died from heatstroke in Thailand this year alone - a stark contrast to the 37 killed by soaring temperatures in 2023. Additional pressure has been put on the Philippines biggest island, Luzon, as the use of air conditioning continues to surge (pictured: children in Manila) The sky-high temperatures, which are a product of climate change , have been exacerbated by the El Nino weather event (pictured: a worker in Thailand) Several areas of Thailand including Bangkok, temperatures have sky-rocketed past 40C (pictured: children and their mother in Myanmar) Heatstroke largely poses a threat to infants, children, the elderly and people with severe underlying health issues. In the country's southern region, railway staff have been tirelessly placing ice on the tracks in a bid to stop them becoming faulty. In Chiang Rhai a city located in the country's north, a motorbike spontaneously combusted on Thursday, according to Thai media. Elsewhere in Cambodia, officials have claimed soaring temperatures contributed to an explosion which killed 20 soldiers last weekend. 'The incident of the ammunition explosion on April 27was a technical issue because the weapons are old, faulty, and the hot weather,' the country's defence ministry told The Times. However, it is not clear how the rise in temperature caused the incident at the army base in the Kampong Speu province. Scorching temperatures have increased rates of dengue fever in Indonesia, with incidents rising from 15,000 annual cases to 35,000 in the last year. Spread by infected mosquitoes, Dengue fever is a disease that can cause internal bleeding and even death according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bangladesh and Japan have recorded their warmest April since 1986, with the average weather temperature in Japan rising by 2.76C. A motorbike spontaneously combusted on Thursday in Chiang Rai in Thailand on Thursday (pictured: a man taking shelter from the head in New Dehli) Sadiq Khan has secured a historic third term as London Mayor and used his victory speech to tell Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to 'give the public a choice' and call for a general election. The Labour Mayor thanked Londoners for voting him back in after he trounced his Tory rival Susan Hall - dashing rumours that he could be ousted by a backlash over ULEZ, crime and Gaza. Mr Khan celebrated his 'increased margin of victory' on the previous election after he received 1,088,225 votes, a majority of nearly 276,000 over Ms Hall, who secured 812,397 votes. 'It's time for an election', Mr Khan said, adding that he hopes 2024 'will be a year of change' and declaring that Labour are 'ready to form the next government whenever Rishi Sunak calls a general election.' Asked if his third term will be his last in London and whether he has 'ambitions for national politics', Mr Khan said that he is currently celebrating the 'hat trick', before cryptically adding: 'Wait and see.' The Labour Mayor thanked Londoners for voting him back in after he trounced his Tory rival Susan Hall Your browser does not support iframes. Conservative Party mayoral candidate Susan Hall, left, shakes hands with the winning Labour Party's Sadiq Khan on stage as he is re-elected for a third time as Mayor of London 'You speak to Mo Salah, once he scores a hat trick he doesn't celebrate a fourth, he waits and he enjoys the hat trick,' he told Sky News. In the interview, he also said he was 'excited' by the prospect of working with Keir Starmer and his cabinet if they win the next general election, which the PM said in January would take place in 'the second half' of this year. Mr Khan vowed tonight that a Labour government working with City Hall for the first time in 20 years would be 'transformational' for London and would mean 'we can achieve much more.' 'For the last eight years London has been swimming against the tide of a Tory government and now with a Labour Party that's ready to govern again under Keir Starmer, it's time for Rishi Sunak to give the public a choice,' he said. 'A General Election will not just pave the path to a new direction for our country it will make bold action Londoners want to see a reality,' he said, adding that 'our brightest days are ahead of us'. Mr Khan's win will fuel soul-searching within the Conservative party over how they ended up with Ms Hall as the candidate - and why she was unable to capitalise on anger at the mayor's performance. The Tory candidate used her speech to slam Mr Khan for his record on crime, saying: 'The thing that matters to [Londoners] most and to me is reforming the Met and making London safe again. 'I hope Sadiq makes this his top priority. He owes it to the families of those thousand people who have lost lives to knife crime under his mayoralty.' She went on to criticise him for comments he made last month in response to concerns she raised about 'gangs running around with machetes' in London, saying his dismissal of her claims was 'patronising'. Your browser does not support iframes. Sadiq Khan (pictured with his wife Saadiya this morning) has emerged victorious in his bid for a third term as London mayor Mr Khan said at the time: 'I say in a respectful way, I think the Tory candidate should stop watching The Wire. We're not living in Baltimore, USA, in the noughties.' His comments came just a week before a horrifying sword attack took place in Hainault, which left a 14-year-old boy dead. Ms Hall said today that she hopes the incumbent Mayor 'stops patronising people like me who care. This isn't an episode of The Wire. This is real-life, on his watch. 'I will continue to hold Sadiq to account and stand up for the hard-working families, to motorists and to women. 'I love London, and I urge Sadiq to try harder to make it better, for all our sakes.' A Labour source hailed the win, insisting Mr Khan had 'done better than anyone could have expected' and gained ground on the Conservatives 'right across London'. They said the mayor 'has been re-elected with by far the biggest direct mandate in the UK and the second biggest in Europe'. Sir Keir Starmer wrote on X: 'Congratulations to my friend Sadiq Khan for winning an historic third term as Mayor. 'Londoners have voted for delivery over headlines, hope over fear, and unity over division. I look forward to working with him as he continues to deliver for London.' Mr Khan said he was 'excited' by the prospect of working with Keir Starmer and his cabinet if they win the next general election Mr Khan said he was 'beyond humbled' by the win and thanked those who voted for him 'from the bottom of my heart', adding 'it has been the honour of my life to serve the city that I love.' He admitted that it has been 'a difficult few months' as he sought re-election, but said: 'We've faced a campaign of non-stop negativity but I couldn't be more proud that we answer fear mongering with facts, hate with hope and attempts to divide with efforts to unite.' He thanked his family for their support, but also apologised to them for the 'threats' they had received and 'protests by our home'. Mr Khan said: 'A special thank you goes to my mum, everything she's done for me. I love you. And to my amazing wife, Saadiya, and our daughters Anisah and Ammarah, for their strength and support throughout all these years. 'I know there have been times when this job has taken a toll on you. But that's not right, or fair. Some of the stuff on social media, the protests by our home, the threats. It's upsetting, it's frightening and it's wrong. I'm truly sorry for putting you through this. 'But I also know, you share my belief as hard as it can be sometimes, this work is worth doing because it means being able to give to other families the same life-changing opportunities that this wonderful city has extended to ours. I love you all so much.' As the declarations were made in the 14 electoral areas, it quickly became clear that Tory hopes of a shock, driven by speculation turnout was down in inner London, were wide of the mark. On a visit to Mansfield this morning, Keir Starmer (pictured with new East Midlands mayor Claire Ward) insisted he was 'confident' that Mr Khan could keep control of City Hall Polls ahead of the election suggested that the incumbent was on track for a comfortable victory over Tory rival Susan Hall (pictured) The margin is significantly bigger than the 4.7 points he beat Shaun Bailey by at the last contest in 2021, and the widest victory for two decades. An ally of Mr Khan said: 'Sadiq has increased his share of the vote in places in both inner and outer London. 'Londoners have clearly rejected the overwhelmingly negative and divisive campaign run by the Tories. 'Labour's positive campaign resonated with Londoners, focusing on Sadiq's cost-of -living offer of universal free school meals and keeping fares low, as well as his world-leading green action. 'And this result gives Sadiq the mandate to deliver the bold pledges he campaigned on to build a fairer, safer and greener London for everyone.' The ally said that under Sir Keir's leadership Labour was 'winning the areas needed for a general election majority', suggesting Mr Khan will use his victory speech to repeat demands for an immediate general election. Mr Khan celebrated his 'increased margin of victory' on the previous election as he defeated Hall by more than 11 percentage points Polls in the run up to the ballot on Thursday had shown Mr Khan with a comfortable lead of between 10 and 22 points. However, jitters started spreading through Labour circles yesterday over a spike in turnout in outer London - typically dominated by Conservative voters and where anger about the ULEZ expansion has been most fierce. Supporters of Mr Khan were worried that he could have been damaged by a wider trend of Muslim voters shunning Labour over Keir Starmer's strong support for Israel. But Keir Starmer insisted this morning he was 'confident' that Mr Khan would be able keep control of City Hall. That view was proved right as the declarations began this morning. Mr Khan won 83,792 votes in Greenwich and Lewisham, one of the first London boroughs to declare its mayoral vote, with Ms Hall on 36,822. That was equivalent to a 4.5 per cent swing from the Tories to Labour compared to the previous contest in 2021. The count taking place at the ExCel centre in London today In Merton and Wandsworth Mr Khan received 84,725 and Ms Hall 50,976. That was a 5.1 per cent swing away from the Conservatives. Mr Khan also recorded commanding leads in the West Central area - by 54,481 to 43,405 for Ms Hall - where Tory candidates have previously triumphed. In the North East, he was ahead by 127,455 to 34,099, and in the South West by 77,011 to 68,856 - although there are still nine more results to come. The only exception was in Bexley and Bromley, where Ms Hall racked up a huge 111,216 votes, more than double the 48,952 for Mr Khan. Asked on Sky News yesterday about the London jitters, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting - MP for Ilford North - said: 'We've always feared this race will be close.' The total vote in London was 2,495,621. The row over the expansion of the 12.50-a-day ULEZ charge was previously credited with helping the Tories to cling on in the Uxbridge by-election, although Mr Khan's team had believed the fallout was dissipating. Mr Khan was one of the first Labour politicians to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, but Sir Keir's strong support for Israel's right to self-defence caused anger among many supporters. There was evidence of that in the results yesterday, with Labour losing overall control of Oldham council after independents claimed seats. Senior allies of Mr Khan had told MailOnline that it is 'going to be close'. The final surveys gave Mr Khan a lead of between 10 and 22 points But confidence grew during the course of the day. Sir Keir said: 'Sadiq Khan was absolutely the right candidate. He has got two terms of delivery behind him and I am confident that he has got another term of delivery in front of him.' Mr Khan faced intense scrutiny over his record on law and order during the campaign, after a 14-year-old schoolboy become the latest victim of knife crime in the capital. Home Secretary James Cleverly was among those slamming the Mayor's perceived failures, with calls for every front-line officer to be equipped with a Taser. Ms Hall appealed for Londoners to take their 'last chance to vote for a Mayor who will get a grip on crime and make people safe, stop the ULEZ expansion, halt Khan's plans for pay-per-mile and build more family homes that people can afford'. Conservative MP for Sutton Paul Scully, who stood unsuccessfully to be the Tory Mayor of London candidate, said his party had 'gifted' Khan the win and ran an 'incredibly underwhelming campaign' in the capital. Rob Blackie, the Lib Dem candidate who served as then-party leader Charles Kennedy's director of research during the Iraq War, has already conceded defeat. Posting on X/Twitter, he said: 'At City Hall for the official result. Thank you to everybody for voted for me and the @LondonLibDems team.' Iran's hardliners have employed female 'hijab enforcers' to spy on bare-headed women and bundle them into vans for interrogation amid a new crackdown. The new enforcers, dressed in black from head to toe, have been ordered to stand on the streets of cities in Iran over the past three weeks, patrolling cafes, restaurants, supermarkets, metro stations and universities. It comes after a number of recent videos showed officials stalking the streets of Iran looking for women in breach of the Islamic Republic's dress code laws, with one clip showing a woman being bundled into the back of a white van. Women discovered without a headscarf on, or found to be wearing fitted trousers, are approached and sent to the morality police. Then, patrol locations are decided and assigned to the enforcers by the Iranian authorities. The crackdown follows protests that swept the country in 2022 after the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, who was arrested by the morality police for wearing her headscarf 'improperly'. Footage shows an Iranian 'hijab enforcer' confronting women for wearing fitted trousers Iran's morality police have intensified their enforcement of the country's draconian hijab restrictions in several cities over the past week, with footage (pictured) emerging from the country of officers rounding up women and bundling them into white vans Amini went into a coma after being arrested in Tehran and died while she was in police custody in hospital. Her father has said she had bruises on her legs, and held police responsible for her death. Zahra, one of the women enforcers in her late 30s, told The Telegraph: 'We are the most part of implementing chastity in Iran and I am proud of it.' She added: 'We should intimidate [women] so they stop going out as if it's Paris or London.' Zahra was reportedly recruited in late March by the 'Basij of Sisters' and ordered to be prepared for a 'major operation' against women. Iran's hardliners have long tried to control how women dress, with Zahra explaining that women not dressing correctly shows 'disrespect' to the religion and law of Iran. This clip, shared by Masih Alinejad, an Iranian journalist and activist, appears to show the inside of one of the vans used by the morality police to detain women Iranian women burned hijabs in protest over the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022 People are pictured burning the Iranian flag in after the death of the 22-year-old Amini In one video posted online, a mother tries to stop her daughter from being arrested, adding: 'She is my daughter, and it's none of your business!' Zahra works full time, receiving 6 million rials (8) for a six-hour long shift - more than 50 per cent higher than the minimum wage in Iran. 'I am aware of the mistreatment [women] face in detention, and it's justified given their actions,' said Zahra. The crackdown on women across Iran follows Tehran announcing the 'Nour Project', according to the Jerusalem Post, which is aimed at 'dealing with anomalies'. This has resulted in the heavy presence of the country's Guidance Patrol, aka the morality police - its Islamic police and vice squad - in several cities. Police have been instructed to focus on 'positive behaviours' and avoid using 'negative behaviours,' according to Iran's Mehr News Agency. However, the Jerusalem Post's report suggests that the crackdown has been violent. It says there have been reports from the country of sexual harassment, beatings, widespread arrests, the breaking of windows and the use of tasers. Iran's crackdown also comes just a week after Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said that wearing the hijab was of the 'utmost importance,' the publication says. A 23-year-old man who was allegedly tortured has died in hospital, with two people set to front court over his alleged murder. Emergency services were called after reports of an alleged assault occurred at a McLean Rd property at Mount Mee, about 85km north of Brisbane, at 8.30pm on Wednesday. When they arrived at the property, a 23-year-old Eagle Farm man was found with critical head injuries. It's understood a 23-year-old Eagle Farm man was found partially buried alive at the property. He was taken to Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a critical condition but has since died from his injuries. A 21-year-old woman and 23-year-old man, both from Mount Mee, were initially charged with attempted murder but have since had their charges upgraded to murder. Emergency services were called to a Mclean Road property around 8.30pm on Wednesday following reports of an alleged assault A 21-year-old Mount Mee woman and 23-year-old man have been charged with a string of serious offences, including murder and torture The 21-year-old local woman is now charged with 10 offences, including murder, common assault, deprivation of liberty, disabling in order to commit indictable offence, grievous bodily harm, observations or recordings in breach of privacy genital or anal region, serious assault of police officer, torture, wounding and unlawful possession of weapons category A/B/M. The 21-year-old woman remains in custody and will next appear before Caboolture Magistrates Court on May 7. The 23-year-old local man is now charged with nine offences, including murder, common assault, deprivation of liberty, disabling in order to commit indictable offence, grievous bodily harm, observations or recordings in breach of privacy genital or anal region, torture, wounding and unlawful possession of weapons category A/B/M. The 23-year-old man, who also remains in custody, will have his matters next mentioned in Caboolture Magistrates Court on July 4. He was charged with first-degree murder after his wife Angela died of poisoning Officials have found new evidence that shows how accused Colorado dentist James Craig allegedly tried to cover up the murder of his wife. Craig, 46, was charged with first-degree murder after being accused of poisoning his wife, Angela, with potassium cyanide, while conducting an affair with an orthodontist in Texas. Apart from this, he was also charged with felony count of solicitation to commit tampering with physical evidence after it was revealed that Craig tried to persuade one of his daughters to dispose of key evidence in the case against him. Now, Craig is being accused of trying to convince a fellow jail inmate to plant suicide letters in his residence. On April 10, the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office filed a motion to add another 'tampering with physical evidence' count to the accused's charge sheet. Colorado dentist James Craig was arrested for murder after detectives discovered his wife Angela Craig, 43, had been fatally poisoned Angela started feeling unwell after drinking a shake that her husband made for her on March 6, 2023 Apart from this, he was also charged with felony count of solicitation to commit tampering with physical evidence after it was revealed that Craig tried to persuade one of his daughters to dispose of key evidence in the case against him Aurora Police Detective Bobbi Olson, the lead detective on the case, said that she spoke with an inmate who was imprisoned in a cell near Craig. She told the judge and court that Craig reportedly told the inmate about his charges and asked them to place letters in his garage and truck at his home. Olson testified that the letters were allegedly written from inside the prison and meant to appear as his deceased wife had written them. According to the detective, the letters were meant to show that Angela was not happy with her life, felt suicidal and was aware about her husband's affair. She testified that the entire point of those letters being written and spread across the house was so that law enforcement or defense attorneys could find them letters. After being arrested a few days after Angela's death, the accused pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence in October 2023 But on April 10, the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office filed a motion to add another 'tampering with physical evidence' count to the accused's charge sheet Aurora Police Detective Bobbi Olson testified that Craig reportedly told the inmate about his charges and asked them to place letters in his garage and truck at his home James and Angela Craig pose for a family picture with their six children aged eight to 20 Olson also told the court that the accused murderer had offered the inmate free dental work or money in exchange for scattering the letters across his house. However, the inmate did not take up the offer and instead contacted the authorities. But defense attorney Andrew Ho fired back and said that pointed out that the inmate only contacted authorities after Craig's initial preliminary hearing brought in media attention. However, the judge ruled the prosecution established probable cause and met their burden of proof. Last month, Mark Pray, 55, Angela's brother spoke exclusively to DailyMail.com and said he wanted to thank the Aurora detectives and the DA's office for their 'unwavering dedication for seeking justice' for his 'beloved sister's senseless murder.' Olson also told the court that the accused murderer had offered the inmate free dental work or money in exchange for scattering the letters across his house In the days following her death a deeply disturbing picture emerged of the life lived by the devoted wife of 23 years and mother who committed herself to her marriage despite doubts and despite her husband's numerous infidelities, self-confessed porn addiction and a worrisome gambling habit that ran alongside him, 'running his company into the ground' 'The heinous actions of her killer have left a void in the lives of her children, our family, her countless friends, and the world, depriving us of Angie's love and light,' he said. According to Pray, 'This cowardly act, driven by self-absorption, is a stark reminder of the depths of human depravity. 'The recent revelation of evidence tampering serves as damning proof not only of his guilt in orchestrating Angie's torment and demise but also of his utter disregard for the well-being of those around him, including his own children.' Pray continued, 'He manipulates and exploits anyone and anything to evade accountability for his monstrous deeds. However, his reckoning is inevitable. Whether in this life or the next, justice will prevail, and he will face the consequences of his actions.' According to police records, Angela started feeling unwell after drinking a shake that her husband made for her on March 6, 2023. Over the next 10 days, she visited hospital three times complaining of nausea and dizziness, but doctors couldn't determine what was causing her illness. On March 15, her brother took her to the hospital again. She had a seizure soon afterwards, lost brain function and died. After being arrested a few days after Angela's death, the accused pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence in October 2023. It was Pray who accompanied his sister to hospital on the morning of March 15, concerned by the severe headaches and dizziness she was experiencing. Within two hours of her admission to University Hospital that day she suffered a devastating seizure and began a rapid decline for which medical staff could find no cause. Ultimately, with Angela on life-support, intubated and in the Intensive Care Unit medics told the family to prepare for the worst. Angela Craig was taken to the hospital on March 15. She died on March 19, after four days on life support She was pronounced brain dead three days later, on March 18, 2023. She was 43 years old. In the days following her death a deeply disturbing picture emerged of the life lived by the devoted wife of 23 years and mother who committed herself to her marriage despite doubts and despite her husband's numerous infidelities, self-confessed porn addiction and a worrisome gambling habit that ran alongside him, 'running his company into the ground.' DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Craig's latest mistress was orthodontist Karin Cain, 50, from Marble Falls, Texas. She flew to be by his side as his wife lay dying in hospital but has since claimed she knew nothing of Craig's supposed plan to start a new life with her. Meanwhile the 52-page probable cause document filed in Arapahoe District Court detailed the allegedly calculated and 'heinous' plot that saw Craig allegedly research and purchase poisons online then deliver then to his unsuspecting wife through potassium cyanide laced protein shakes. Text messages exchanged between the couple show Craig apparently feigning concern for his wife even as she lay hospitalized, frightened and dying who was suffering through the symptoms of the poison he allegedly gave her Text messages exchanged between the couple show Craig apparently feigning concern for his wife even as she lay hospitalized, frightened and dying who was suffering through the symptoms of the poison he allegedly gave her. While Angela deteriorated in the hospital, Craig flew his mistress from Texas, rushing from his wife's hospital bedside to her while telling Angela how much he 'wished he could stay longer.' DailyMail.com revealed Craig was having an affair with orthodontist Karin Cain, 49, who is currently in the middle of a divorce from her husband Jason It is a reality that shocked all those who thought they knew Craig and who had bought in to the carefully curated image of a picture-perfect family that he presented. Living in an upscale development with parks, a nature reserve and playgrounds, the Craigs were a family who seemed to have it all. But the probable cause affidavit claims that, behind closed doors, Craig drugged Angela five or six years ago, in an incident he attempted to explain away by claiming he intended to commit suicide and didn't want her to stop him. Meanwhile, his wife was struggling to stay in a marriage riven by his repeated affairs, dire financial problems, and addictions. Chelsea Norton, 35, who worked for Craig at his Summberbrook Dental Practice, where Angela also worked, told DailyMail.com, 'We're all just in shock. He was a very good guy, like the least likely person for any of this. 'They were the nicest, sweetest family, with such cute kids. I've looked back on my memories to see if there's anything I missed that hinted at anything [that would explain this] at all. But there's nothing. 'He would give motivational speeches and do food for the staff some afternoons.' Craig allegedly drugged Angela five or six years ago, in an incident he attempted to explain away by claiming he intended to commit suicide and didn't want her to stop him Craig had arsenic delivered to the family's home in Aurora, Colorado, days before he allegedly poisoned her Yet according to the charging documents, it was in this office in a darkened exam room that Craig allegedly researched and purchased poison online. And it was to this address that he had a package containing potassium cyanide delivered March 13. An earlier delivery of arsenic was found to have been made to his home on March 4. The later delivery raised concerns when a staff member who had not got the message to not open what Craig described as a 'personal package,' opened it and could think of no medical reason for the purchase. She Googled the chemical, labeled a biohazard, and realized how closely the symptoms of cyanide poisoning mirrored those being suffered by Angela. It was Craig's business partner who reported the concerns to a nurse at University Hospital. The nurse in turn informed law enforcement setting in motion the investigation that led to Craig's arrest and charging. His next trial date is set for June. Students taking part in the infamous Otley Run pub crawl have dressed up in their fanciest sci-fi outfits to mark May 4 also known as Star Wars Day. Revellers were out in force today taking part in the Otley Run pub crawl across Leeds. They were dressed in a variety of costumes from lightsaber wielding Jedis, to Oompa Loompas as students embarked on the 16 pub whistle stop tour around the city. The Otley Run weaves its way from Headingley at the outskirts of Leeds along Headingley Lane, past the University of Leeds, and finishes at The Dry Dock Leeds in the city centre 1.5 miles away from the start. It is a considered a right of passage for any university students studying in Leeds to take part in at least one Otley Run and fancy dress is considered an essential part of the pub crawl. Today's bar-hopping tour of the West Yorkshire city also happens to fall on May 4 which for fans of Star Wars is an informal holiday known as Star Wars Day originating from the pun 'May the fourth be with you.' A group of students celebrated Star Wars Day appropriately dressed as jedi knights complete with their very own lightsabers. May 4 which for fans of Star Wars is an informal holiday known as Star Wars Day originating from the pun 'May the fourth be with you' Meanwhile a lone Jedi knight was pictured with a group of ladies who appeared to have missed the fancy dress memo and instead opted for their fanciest going-out outfits Space cowboys: Not everyone went for the Star Wars theme, others were inspired by Western movies A group of revellers pose for the camera on a bank holiday weekend night out in Leeds For this reasons, many costumes today appear to be sci-fi related. One group of boys seem to be very much aware of the significance of May 4 as all seven of the students pictured seem to have come dressed as jedi knights complete with their very own lightsabers. Meanwhile a lone jedi knight was pictured with a group of ladies who appeared to have missed the fancy dress memo and instead opted for their fanciest going-out outfits. From a different sci-fi universe one man joined fellow pub-goers dressed as Doctor Who - specifically as Matt Smith's incarnation of the time travelling alien. He was spotted with one student dressed up as Russell from the Disney film Up and three other students in unrecognisable costumes. One of other student with the Doctor and Russell seemingly was dressed up as Big Chef from the classic British children's tv series Big Chef Little Chef. Revellers were out in force today taking part in the Otley Run pub crawl across Leeds Youngsters in matching banana costumes enjoyed a drink or two on Saturday night in Leeds From a different sci-fi universe one man joined fellow pub-goers dressed as Doctor Who - specifically as Matt Smith's incarnation of the time travelling alien. He was spotted with one student dressed up as Russell from the Disney film Up among other costumes Four oompa loompas were also spotted out and about but without their Willy Wonka. With their faces painted orange, wearing green wigs the loompas were the perfect doppelgangers to the Roald Dahl characters Four oompa loompas were also spotted out and about but without their Willy Wonka. Who could be seen in the distance behind them. With their faces painted orange, wearing green wigs and brown overalls the loompas were the perfect doppelgangers to the Roald Dahl characters from his 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The Otley run first started in 1964 but at the time it wasn't a pub crawl for students but instead for farmers. The Licensing Act 1964 allowed pubs in Otley to remain open for longer and farmers started travelling from pub to pub on their tractors in what was then known as the 'Headingley mile'. As more pubs were added to the trail it became more and more popular with students but remains a popular pub crawl for city residents looking to celebrate a birthday or who just want a good night out. A pro-Palestine demonstration descended into chaos after violence broke out between security guards and students from the University of Leeds. The students standing against Israel's war in Gaza decided to stage a protest during the student union's Hall Awards in a bid to 'disrupt' the ceremony on Thursday. In a video posted by Student Rebellion Leeds, the group alongside Youth Demand Leeds began to chant: 'The students united will never be defeated.' But when the protesters attempted to enter the hall - where the ceremony was being held - pandemonium erupted. Screams and shouting could be heard, as the angry clash continued between the security guards and students. A violent clash broke out between pro-Palestine students and Leeds University student union security staff after the protesters attempted to enter the hall (pictured) One student could be seen sobbing on the floor as blood flooded from her nose following the shocking incident. Student Rebellion Leeds alleged on Instagram that injury had been sustained during the clash. In a statement posted to the social media site, the student group alleged security staff had threatened to remove them following the chants outside the awards ceremony. They also claimed security employees tried to take a university student's megaphone and also alleged they 'violently attack[ed] student protesters without warning.' The group claimed: 'Multiple students were manhandled, dragged, shoved, and kicked by security, with several sustaining injuries.' A spokesperson for the University of Leeds said: 'We are deeply disappointed that an annual celebration of outstanding student contribution to University life held by and for students - was temporarily disrupted by a demonstration by protesters entering the event. 'While we respect the right to freedom of expression within the law, we have communicated clear guidance regarding protests to those currently camped on our campus. 'The University will review evidence from the disrupted celebration and take appropriate disciplinary action against those found to be in breach of those rules. MANCEHSTER: People were seen chanting for the university to 'end it's partnership with systems which support Israel' SHEFFIELD: A number of students walked out lectures at Sheffield university on Wednesday to take part in their demonstration 'We know that many in our community are distressed and directly impacted by the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza, and we will continue to support our students and act to protect the cohesion of our community.' MailOnline has approached West Yorkshire Police and Leeds University Union for comment. This comes after scores of pro-Palestine students have been staging protests on university lawns across Britain in a stand against Israel's war in Gaza. Protesters at Russell Group universities including Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Sheffield and Newcastle have pitched tents and erected anti-Israel signs as they call for an end to military action in the Gaza strip. Students from Manchester University filled nearby Brunswick Park with banners, plaques and Palestinian flags to call for the university to 'end it's partnership with systems which support Israel'. NEWCASTLE: People gather during a protest in support of Palestinians, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on May 1 One banner read: 'UOM blood on your hands', while another claimed: 'UOM supports Israeli Genocide.' In Bristol, hand-painted banners were erected between tents, emblazoned with messages of defiance as students lobbied their university to cut ties with arms companies and back calls for a ceasefire as the war rages on in the Levant. Large crowds have also been forming in Newcastle, as students say their protest will 'highlight the institution's investment strategy and its complicity in the Israeli military's war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank'. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said police will 'have our full support' to tackle potential disorder if students attempt to replicate the violent demonstrations recently seen at US university campuses. A Tesla owner was left horrified after she got stuck in her Tesla when she tried to update the car's system in a Chic-Fil-A parking lot. Brianna Janel expected the software update to take 24 minutes but she was trapped inside her vehicle in Costa Mesa, California for close to 40 minutes last month. She complained it was 103 degrees in the Tesla and was concerned she might run out of air as she was unable to roll down the windows. Janel posted a video of her ordeal on TikTok where it has been viewed almost 30 million times. Tesla does have manual door releases which are designed to be used when the vehicle has no power but she decided to wait in case she damaged her car. A Tesla owner was left horrified after she got stuck in her Tesla when she tried to update the car's system in a Chic-Fil-A parking lot Brianna Janel expected the software update to take 24 minutes but she was trapped inside her vehicle for close to 40 minutes last month She was waiting for her order outside a Chic-Fil-A in Costa Mesa, California Inside my car it's 103 degrees, so I'm slightly freaking out. I hope I don't run out of air, a worried Janel said. I can't open up the doors or the windows otherwise I could potentially damage my car, so I'm just stuck in here roasting like a frickin chicken dripping sweat. There was a message displayed on the screen of the car which said driving and charging were suspended until the update was completed. My Chick-fil-A order has been done for 30 minutes. I'm literally sitting outside, she said. Janel shared a follow up video where she confirmed she was finally able to get out and turn on the air conditioning inside her car. She added that the internal temperature of the car reached a sweltering 115 degrees. I literally made it out of my car. Look I'm sweating, she said. The AC has never felt so good and Ive never felt better. I feel like I just took a bath. She complained it was 103 degrees in the Tesla and was concerned she might run out of air as she was unable to wind down the windows Tesla does have manual door releases which are designed to be used when the vehicle has no power but she decided to wait in case she damaged her car Janel also acknowledged she could have exited using the manual release feature but that she was afraid to mess up my car. She has had a Tesla for six years and said she has never tried updating the car while inside before. The TikTok user even tried to turn on the air conditioning using the app but claimed it didnt work. Do not update it when you're sitting in the car,' Janel warned. 'Stick to updating it at 2am like I used to do it. DailyMail.com has contacted Tesla for comment. Pro-Israel protesters unrolled 'Hamas are terrorists' banners today as they confronted Palestine supporters demonstrating against Barclays in a London stand-off. The pro-Palestine protest, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, was held on Tottenham Court Road in central London earlier today, with activists slamming Barclays' 'complicity' in Israel's conflict with Gaza. A small group of pro-Israel protesters were seen trying to mingle with the crowd, holding placards saying 'ISIS stand with Israel', 'Hamas are terrorists' and 'enough is enough'. Meanwhile, the signs of pro-Palestine activists read 'Barclays stop investing in Israel's crimes against humanity', and 'Israel's starvation of Gaza and blocking aid are war crimes'. A small group of Pro Israel protesters try to mingle with the crowd during a pro-Palestine protest in London today Police are seen observing the crowd next to a protester with a sign reading 'Hamas is terrorist' One sign at the protest reads: 'Barclays stop investing in Israel's crimes against humanity' Police are seen at the protest which saw pro-Israel supporters mingle with pro-Palestine activists One sign at the protest reads: 'Yes you can be against antisemitism and genocide in Gaza' People hold up signs as police observe the protest in London earlier today One banner reads: 'Israel's starvation of Gaza and blocking aid are war crimes' A Barclays' bank is seen in the background of the pro-Palestine protest in London today A woman is seen holding up a pro-Israel banner at a pro-Palestine protest today People hold up banners and wave flags during today's protest which was monitored by police The Brent & Harrow branch of Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) took to social media platform X to promote the protest. They wrote this morning: 'We're marching in protest @Barclays' complicity in Israel's #GenocideinGaza and decades-long oppression and war crimes against Palestinians.' They wrote later: 'Big protest outside @Barclays in Tottenham Court Road! Close your Barclays accounts now.' Photos posted online showed crowds waving their banners in the air while police closely observed the area. Today's demonstration follows several recent pro-Palestine protests across the country as the conflict in the Middle East continues. MailOnline has contacted the Met Police for comment. Late night host Bill Maher slammed President Biden's student loan forgiveness scheme as guests agreed the political ploy hasn't turned around his struggling poll numbers. The comedian, 68, said the forgiveness plans are particularly offensive to him amid rampant anti-Israel protests occupying college campuses across the nation, as he sees them as 'supporting Jew hating.' 'So, college's constantly raise tuition, then the kids take out more loans, then the government comes by and pays those loans,' he said. 'So, my tax dollars are supporting this Jew hating? I don't think so.' Late night host Bill Maher slammed President Biden's student loan forgiveness scheme in a blistering attack, saying he sees it as 'supporting Jew hatred' amid anti-Israel protests on college campuses Biden's debt forgiveness plan is estimated to cost between $870 billion to $1.2 trillion, but was condemned as a 'political play' that hasn't paid off On his HBO show 'Real Time with Bill Maher,' the comic noted that Biden's student debt forgiveness plan is estimated to cost between $870 billion to $1.2 trillion. The White House redoubled its efforts again this week, announcing on Wednesday it cancelled $6 billion in debt for borrowers who attended the Art Institutes between 2004 and 2017. That brought the total forgiveness so far to $160 billion for 4.6 million borrowers ahead of November's election. Biden's debt forgiveness drive is seen by some analysts as an attempt to turn the tide on his slumping poll numbers, particularly among young voters where Donald Trump has taken a surprising lead in several polls. In November, Trump took his first lead over Biden among young voters in an NBC poll, where he led the incumbent 46 percent to 42 percent among voters aged 18-34. Maher and his guests, former Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway and Bloomberg National Correspondent Joshua Green, agreed that they don't have high hopes for the debt forgiveness scheme to work for Biden. 'You can't have plumbers and pipe fitters paying for the student loans of doctors and lawyers,' Conway said. 'It's not fair. 'I'm all for the government trying to help people who need it, but he did that as a political play, and everyone knows it.' Disastrous polling news for President Joe Biden continues to pile up, as a new survey suggests that his predecessor, Donald Trump, is even beating him in the polls among voters under 35 Biden's poll numbers have slumped among young voters, with his handling of the Israel-Hamas war seen as a key reason. Pictured: Student protestors on NYU campus on April 23, 2024 Green interjected that the tactic 'hasn't worked.' 'If you look at issues young people care about, Gaza is like 15th out of 16, and the only thing that comes in lower than Gaza is student loan forgiveness,' he said. 'So, it hasn't worked as a motivator for the youth vote, half of which are out there chanting "Genocide Joe," so it's backfired not just in terms of public policy, but in terms of the politics too.' Referring to a recent CNN poll, Maher said: 'Yeah, I mean, Trump is winning the youth vote by I think 11 points, that's pretty astounding to me.' Green said that this may be down to the media focusing on anti-Israel protests far more than issues that may be damaging to Republicans, such as Donald Trump's New York trial. 'What I make of that a lot of it is if you turn on your TV today, you see young people protesting, angry, fighting with cops,' Green said. 'All of these stories that could potentially be damaging for Republicans to help Joe Biden have fallen by the wayside because all of the attention is on these protesters and on these fights, on their behavior, and on the fact that a lot of people don't like what they see on the television.' Maher and his guests, former Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway and Bloomberg National Correspondent Joshua Green, said they say Biden's student debt forgiveness plan won't reverse his poor polling He noted that Biden was 'elected to push aside the chaos and the havoc of the Trump years', with Conway chiming in that Trump's chaos was 'in a tweet... now it's chaos and crisis everywhere we look.' 'At the border, on our college campuses, by the way, in our halls of Congress, 31 Democrats voted against the resolution last October 18 to condemn Hezbollah and Hamas,' she said. 'And the resolution clearly said, Bill, that they were concerned about institutions of higher education allowing sympathies for Hezbollah and Hamas, which our own government, Biden's government, Trump's government have declared terrorist groups. 'They specifically said in there it was going to hurt, make uncomfortable, if not worse, Jewish students with all this antisemitism. 'That was October 18! Thirty-one Democrats including the most well-known young ones, the Squad that doesn't do squat, for example, all voted against that resolution.' READ MORE: Arizona Supreme Court rules state can ban nearly ALL abortions Emergency surgery took three times longer than usual because of delayed care Ashley Ortiz was told it was illegal to be given medicine because of abortion laws A newlywed from Arizona was left devastated after Arizona abortion laws forced her to wait to miscarry her baby boy and led to a traumatic emergency surgery. Ashley Ortiz of Phoenix was freshly and happily married when she found out in July that she and her husband were expecting a baby. 'We found out we were gonna have a boy and everything looked great in terms of all the testing,' Ortiz told Arizona's Family. However - at the 20-week ultrasound, Ortiz received the devastating news that her pregnancy was not viable and she was already in pre-term labor. Ortiz said she felt 'complete disappointment' - adding that she was 'really excited to meet' her son. A newlywed from Arizona was left devastated after Arizona abortion laws forced her to wait to miscarry her baby boy and ended up needing a traumatic surgery Ashley Ortiz of Phoenix was freshly and happily married when she found out in July that she and her husband were expecting a baby She was admitted to hospital and told that her fetus no chance of surviving - but doctors told her it was illegal to give her medicine to induce delivery because of Arizona's controversial 15 week abortion ban. Tragically, there was nothing for Ortiz to do but wait to get really sick or for the baby's heart to stop. 'Its very dangerous for people to have to go through that - also heartbreaking for the person, for me, and for my husband,' the heartbroken wife said. On Christmas eve - the fetus's heart stopped. Ortiz was given medicine and she delivered him. Further tragedy struck when complications due to delayed care occurred during the labor and Ortiz was forced to go into an emergency surgery. 'It was brutal... physically and emotionally,' she said. Because of the blood clotting and the trauma, the surgical procedure took three times as long as it usually would. She is still processing the grief of losing her baby - which was only amplified by the fact that the intense trauma she went through was preventable. Ortiz considers herself lucky - there are many other women who have been in similar situations due to Arizona's harsh abortion laws that saw different outcomes. Abortion laws in Arizona have been in limbo since The state's Legislature approved a repeal of a long-dormant ban on nearly all abortions Wednesday, sending the bill to Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, who is expected to sign it. However - at the 20-week ultrasound, Ortiz received the devastating news that her pregnancy was not viable and she was already in pre-term labor She was admitted to hospital and told that her fetus no chance of surviving - but doctors told her it was illegal to give her medicine to induce delivery because of Arizona's controversial 15 week abortion ban 'Its very dangerous for people to have to go through that - also heartbreaking for the person, for me, and for my husband,' the heartbroken wife said Two Republicans joined with Democrats in the Senate on the 16-14 vote in favor of repealing a Civil War-era ban on abortions that the state's highest court recently allowed to take effect, AP reported. The ban on all abortions - which provides no exceptions for survivors of rape or incest, and only allows for procedures done to save a patient's life - would still be active until the fall. Hobbs said in a statement that she looks forward to quickly signing the repeal, with a ceremony scheduled for Thursday. READ MORE: Arizona Supreme Court rules state can use 1864 law to ban nearly ALL abortions Arizona Supreme Court ruled the state can enforce its long-dormant law criminalizing all abortions except when a mother's life is at stake Advertisement 'Arizona women should not have to live in a state where politicians make decisions that should be between a woman and her doctor,' Hobbs said. 'While this repeal is essential for protecting women's lives, it is just the beginning of our fight to protect reproductive healthcare.' 'Across the country, women are living in a state of chaos and cruelty caused by Donald Trump,' Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement on Wednesday. 'While Arizona Democrats have worked to clean up the devastating mess created by Trump and his extremist allies, the state's existing ban, with no exception for rape or incest, remains in effect.' If the repeal bill is signed, a 2022 statute banning the procedure after 15 weeks of pregnancy would become Arizonas prevailing abortion law. Still, there would likely be a period when nearly all abortions would be outlawed, because the repeal wont take effect until 90 days after the end of the legislative session, likely in June or July. Within hours after the vote, efforts were already under way to prevent the older abortion ban from taking effect before the repeal becomes a reality. Pregnant former Miss Brazil has been found safe after going missing while visiting Rio Grande do Sul during deadly floods, leaving her American husband desperately trying to find her. Natalia Anderle, 37, who is seven months pregnant, lost touch with her family and friends four days ago while in Roca Sales, in the Vales Region, as confirmed by Cleber Rodrigues, head of Civil Defense, according to the Brazil news outlet G1. Anderle, currently living in the United States, traveled to Brazil to reunite with her family and prepare for the birth of her child in Roca Sales, her hometown. In her most recent social media post on Tuesday, she mentioned the disappearance of her brother's dog from a rural property in Roca Sales due to the flooding. Evandro Hazzy, president of Miss Grand Brazil, revealed in an Instagram post shared by Metropoles on Saturday that he 'just spoke to Natalia and heard from her that they are fine. They were left isolated and without communication. Thank you Lord.' Across the state, 67 people remain missing, with 57 fatalities. Additionally, 42,221 people have been reported to be displaced from their homes. Pregnant former Miss Brazil has been found after going missing while visiting Rio Grande do Sul during deadly floods, leaving her American husband desperately trying to find her Across the state, 67 people remain missing, with 57 fatalities. Additionally, 42,221 people have been reported to be displaced from their homes. Natalia Anderle, 37, who is seven months pregnant, lost touch with her family and friends four days ago while in Roca Sales, in the Vales Region. Pictured: Anderle, 2008 winner (right) crowns the new Miss Brazil in 2009 Currently, 9,581 people are housed in shelters, while 32,640 are seeking refuge with relatives or friends. A total of 300 municipalities out of the state's 496 have reported various problems, affecting approximately 422,307 individuals, according to reports. Rodrigues urged anyone in the region who has seen anything to come forward with any information. 'What we know is that she came to visit the family home with the hope of welcoming her son to Roca Sales. We are asking anyone who is in the region and knows the family to bring information about them, if possible', he said in Portuguese. Natalia, the daughter of farmers, also resided with her family in Encantado, a neighboring city severely affected by the storms in the Taquari Valley. Eric Thornton, her American husband, had been desperately trying to contact her. Prior to being crowned Miss Brazil 2008, she worked for around 15 days as a maid to pay for her cosmetology training. Following her victory, she invested in businesses within the construction and agricultural sectors alongside her brother, Lucas. Amilton Fontana, the mayor of Roca Sales, highlighted the severe challenges faced by the city in communication and basic services. 'Once again, the Municipality was severely impacted by the flood of the Taquari River, which destroyed houses, businesses and access roads.' Anderle, currently living in the United States, traveled to Brazil to reunite with her family and prepare for the birth of her child in Roca Sales, her hometown (Pictured: Anderele enjoys a boat ride at a beach party in central Vietnam on June 25, 2008) In her most recent social media post on Tuesday, she mentioned the disappearance of her brother's dog from a rural property in Roca Sales due to the flooding. (Pictured: Anderle attends the II Brazil Foundation Gala Miami on March 26, 2013 in Miami, Florida) 'It will be necessary to start over again. But the priority is the search for missing people in rural areas. To this end, we reinforce the importance of support aerial', said the mayor in Portuguese. The storms in Brazil have sparked floods and caused a hydroelectric dam to collapse. Shocking images and video show people wading through chest-high muddy water and huge swathes of land submerged in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in the country's south. The region has since declared a state of emergency with the death toll expected to rise and a desperate search underway for dozens of missing people among collapsed homes, bridges and roads. Storm damage has affected nearly 150 municipalities in the state, also injuring 36 people and displacing more than 10,000. Part of the structure of the hydroelectric dam '14 de Julho' located between the town of Cotipora and the city of Bento Goncalves has also collapsed on Thursday, raising the level of water in the Taquari river. The 14 de Julho dam dam in Rio Grande do Sul partially collapsed due to the floods Aerial view shows a flooded area of Capela de Santana, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, on May 2, 2024 Aerial view shows a flooded area of Capela de Santana, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, on May 2, 2024 An aerial view shows flooded areas in Encantado city, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, on May 1, 2024 Rescue workers stand near a flooded area next to the Taquari River during heavy rains in Encantado in Rio Grande do Sul on May 2, 2024 An aerial view shows flooded areas in Encantado city in Rio Grande do Sul on May 1 The downpour started on Monday and was expected to last through Friday. In some areas, such as valleys, mountain slopes and cities, more than six inches of rain fell in 24 hours, according to Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology, known by the Portuguese acronym INMET, on Tuesday. Governor Eduardo Leite said Rio Grande do Sul was dealing with 'the worst disaster in [its] history,' and added, 'We are living a very critical moment in the state.' 'With the deepest pain in my heart, I know it will be even more,' the governor said of the death toll. President Lula, who has blamed the torrent on climate change, arrived in the town of Santa Maria in the morning with a delegation of ministers and held a working meeting with Leite and other officials to coordinate rescue efforts, the government said. The president promised 'there will be no lack of human or material resources' to 'minimize the suffering this extreme event... is causing in the state.' The federal government, he added, 'will be 100 percent at the disposition' of state officials. This handout picture released by the Brazilian Presidency shows a woman being assisted by members of the Air Force after being rescued in a helicopter from a flooded area of Rio Grande do Sul State, at the Santa Maria Air Base in southern Brazil, on May 2 Debris piles up on a bridge over the Pardinho River after heavy rains in Sinimbu, in the Vale do Rio Pardo region of Rio Grande do Sul on May 1 Residents and a dog are evacuated from a flooded area in the city center of Sao Sebastiao do Cai, Rio Grande do Sul State on May 2 The roads of Encantado city in Rio Grande do Sul are nearly totally submerged on May 1 An aerial view shows a flooded area in the region of Guaiba Islands in Porto Alegre on May 2 Firefighters rescue a man and his dog from a flooded area at the city center of Sao Sebastiao do Cai, Rio Grande do Sul on May 2 Central authorities have already made available 12 aircraft, 45 vehicles and 12 boats as well as 626 soldiers to help clear roads, distribute food, water and mattresses, and set up shelters, a press statement said. As the rains continued, forecasts warned the state's main Guaiba River, which has already overflowed its banks in some areas, would reach an extraordinary level of 9.8 feet by Thursday and more than 13 feet the next day. Entire communities in Rio Grande do Sul state have been completely cut off as persistent rains have destroyed bridges and blocked roads, and left towns without even telephone or internet services. Rescuers and soldiers have been scrambling to free families trapped in their homes, many stuck on rooftops to escape rising waters. Record breaking floods in Brazil have left thousands homeless, with people having to be rescued from their roofs by the military. Footage showed residents hit by downpours receiving help as the country faced its worst flooding in 80 years. Local authorities in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul said that floods had so far claimed 56 lives as of Saturday afternoon, with dozens still yet to be accounted for. Rio Grande do Sul's civil defense authority said 67 people were still missing and more than 32,000 had been displaced as storms have affected nearly two thirds of the 497 cities in the state, which borders Uruguay and Argentina. Floods destroyed roads and bridges in several regions of the state. The storm also triggered landslides and the partial collapse of a dam at a small hydroelectric power plant. A second dam in the city of Bento Goncalves is also at risk of collapsing, authorities said. Extreme floods in Brazil have left some people waiting to be rescued from their roofs by the military after their homes became submerged in water Footage showed residents being assisted out of their flooded homes through the roof A total of 56 Brazilians have died so far in the country's worst floods in 80 years A street left underwater by the heavy rain in Porto Alegre, a city in the Rio da Grande do Sul state At least 56 are dead and 67 left unaccounted as of Saturday afternoon for following the intense flooding A car makes its way through a flooded street in Porto Alegre Over 32,000 people have been left displaced by storms which have affected two thirds of Brazilian cities A fruit vendor tries to save his products from flooding and his stall is surrounded by water In Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, the Guaiba lake broke its banks, flooding streets. Porto Alegre's international airport has suspended all flights for an indefinite period. Rain is expected in the northern and northeastern regions of the state in the next 36 hours, but the volume of precipitation has been declining, and should be well below the peak seen earlier in the week, according to the state meteorology authority. Still, 'rivers water levels should stay high for some days', Governor Eduardo Leite said on Saturday in a live video on his social media, adding it was difficult to say for how long. Less intense rain is expected to continue over the next 36 hours, with precipitation expected to have peaked Pictured: An aerial view shows the scale of widespread flooding in Porto Alegre Rio Grande do Sul is at a geographical meeting point between tropical and polar atmospheres, with climate change among factors believed to be behind the extreme weather Another flooded street in Porto Alegre. River water levels are expected to remain high for days Rubbish bins bobbing in a flooded street, as the high water level forces a pedestrian to roll up his trousers Rio Grande do Sul is at a geographical meeting point between tropical and polar atmospheres, which has created a weather pattern with periods of intense rains and others of drought. Local scientists believe climate change is among factors contributing to the intensifying weather pattern. Heavy rains had already hit Rio Grande do Sul last September, as an extratropical cyclone caused floods that killed more than 50 people. That came after more than two years of a persistent drought due to the La Nina phenomenon, with only scarce showers. A 'homophobic' killer who savagely beat a gay man to death in his own home has been jailed for life for his 'vodka-fuelled' onslaught. Vitalie Tanga repeatedly kicked 'gentle soul' Alfred Mattox to his head, leaving him with multiple facial fractures and brain damage. The 'senseless killing' came as 56-year-old Mr Mattox and his friends celebrated VE Day in his Wolverhampton home. Prosecutors suggested heartless Tanga lashed out at his victim with 'explosive violence' because he was gay. But Tanga claimed his victim had made a pass at him moments before his death and he wanted to 'show him he was a man'. Vitalie Tanga has been jailed for life after beating a gay man to death in a drunken attack Tanga's defence team said his crime was just a 'violent reaction' to the unwanted sexual advance. The 40-year-old denied murdering carer Mr Mattox and a second charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm relating to the victim's lodger. He was convicted of both charges on April 19. On Friday, he was jailed for life with a minimum term of 25 years at Wolverhampton Crown Court. Sentencing, Judge Michael Chambers KC said: 'You subjected Mr Mattox to a brutal and sustained attack when he was in his own home. 'It arose from what was a vodka-fuelled rage involving you repeatedly kicking him to the head causing extensive fractures and brain damage from which he died on May 24.' The court heard how Mr Mattox and his lodger went shopping, where they met a friend on May 10, 2021. They bought a bottle of vodka, with the group deciding to go back to Mr Mattox's flat in Merridale to 'celebrate the anniversary of the end of the Second World War'. Killer Tanga also joined in with the festivities before the group went out to buy more vodka. 'All was well' when the victim spoke to his brother on FaceTime at 4.34pm, the court heard. But neighbours raised the alarm with police after hearing 'banging noises' just under an hour later. Police rushed to the scene, arriving at 5.45pm to find Mr Mattox unconscious on the floor. He had sustained extensive fracturing to both sides of his face and skull, as well as brain damage which led to organ failure. The victim died a fortnight later on May 24. A Home Office pathologist told the earlier trial that there must have been 'at least three heavy blows to the head', consistent with kicking. When police arrived at the scene, Tanga told officers outside the flat: 'He is a ******, know what I mean' He later claimed his victim had made a pass at him, telling police in interview he 'had to show him he was a man'. Tanga's second victim was left with bruising to his head and scratches as a result of an attack in Mr Mattox's flat. It is not 'entirely clear' at what stage he sustained injuries but he has since made a full recovery. West Midlands Police said Tanga stopped officers from entering the victim's flat for seven minutes once they arrived on the scene. He is even said to have attempted to flee. Prosecutor Andrew Wallace told the court there was no intention to kill but rather an intention to cause serious bodily harm. He claimed the cruel killing was aggravated by Tanga's 'hostility' to his victim's sexual orientation. Amjad Malik KC, defending, claimed Mr Mattox had made a sexual advance towards his killer, sparking an 'out of proportion' response from 'very intoxicated' Tanga. The convict had been asked to leave the flat as he was 'no longer welcome' but he refused and 'responded with explosive violence', Mr Malik said. Carer Alfred Mattox, 56 was killed by Tanga at his home while he was celebrating VE Day with his friends He went on to insist that Tanga was not homophobic and the victim's sexual orientation was not the basis of his violence. Mr Malik added: 'It is very clear that Tanga knew Mr Mattox over a number of years. There had been no difficulty whatsoever.' Judge Chambers said there was 'no other explanation for the extreme violence' Tanga unleashed other than his 'hostility' towards the victim's 'sexual orientation'. The judge said: 'I'm satisfied so to be sure that this violent assault went far beyond simply a reaction to a sexual advance. 'This case was opened to the jury on the basis that it was caused and motivated by hostility to Mr Mattox's sexual orientation and the evidence is consistent with that.' The court heard how Tanga - who was supported in court by a Russian interpreter - had previous convictions for violence. He has experienced a psychotic condition - possibly paranoid schizophrenia - for a number of years, the judge said. The Year 7 pupil is believed to have been hit on the head in the attack The furious family of a 12-year-old girl who was allegedly attacked by a 17-year-old boy with a broken bottle have demanded to know how the suspect got onto the school site. The Year 7 pupil was in the reception area of Birley Academy, in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, when the assailant, a former pupil, allegedly struck at 8.50am on Wednesday morning. The schoolgirl is believed to have been hit on the head in the attack - which also left two teachers injured. A source close to her family said last night: 'You'd think she was in the safest place. We want to know how he got onto the site. The school needs to answer questions.' Police were called and the high school, which has 1,000 pupils, went into full-scale lockdown, with tearful children hiding under desks. Neither the schoolgirl nor the two injured staff members who are both female - were seriously hurt or needed hospital treatment. Meanwhile, a 17-year-old youth was arrested at the scene, Sheffield Youth Court heard yesterday. Police outside the Birley Academy in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, where a 17-year-old boy was charged with three charges of attempted grievous bodily harm A view of police at the scene at Birley Academy, Sheffield on Wednesday, May 1 The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in court on Friday lunchtime, charged with three charges of attempted grievous bodily harm and one charge of being in possession of a sharp or pointed article. The court heard how the youth, who had a shaved head and was dressed in a grey sweatshirt, allegedly lashed out attacking the young girl and a first staff member. A second adult was then attacked when stepping in to stop the commotion. The boy who the court heard has autism - was brought into court from police custody and spoke only to confirm he was not going to enter a plea at this time. When asked by District Judge James Gould what his plea would be, he simply said: 'No indication'. Judge Gould remanded the teen into custody until his next hearing at Sheffield Crown Court on May 31. Horrified parents have also questioned how the youth was able to enter the school site. Parents were sent a letter by Birley Academy headteacher Victoria Hall after the incident An aerial view of the scene at the school after the teenager was arrested on Wednesday A 'scrum' of mothers and fathers were waiting outside the gates to collect their children when pupils were sent home at 11am on Wednesday Birley Academy was rebuilt in the late 2000s and pupils and staff have to enter via a reception area with security procedures for visitors. Children described to their parents many of whom were waiting to collect them after they were allowed home at 11am - how they were lying on the floor and hiding under the tables during the incident as lockdown procedures were enacted. Speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told MPs his 'thoughts' were with those injured in the attack in Sheffield. Meanwhile, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan wrote on social media: 'We're in touch with the school and my thoughts are with those injured and all the school community affected by this frightening situation.' A statement from The Birley Academy, which reopened as normal on Thursday, said: 'The safety of students and staff is paramount and all students and staff are safe. 'We would like to praise our staff for their professionalism and our students for the way they responded. We continue to work closely with the police and will update as required.' He is also under investigation at the University of Glasgow where he is the rector A Gaza war surgeon from Scotland who praised the terrorist behind the murder of an Israeli rabbi as a 'hero' has been denied entry to France. Dr Ghassan Abu Sittah was due to speak at the French parliament hearing on the Israel-Hamas conflict. The medic was placed in a holding zone in the Charles de Gaulle airport and is waiting to be expelled, according to French senator Raymonde Poncet Monge, who had invited him to speak at the senate. France's refusal to allow the British-Palestinian surgeon to enter the country comes just weeks after he was also banned from entering Germany. The French authorities did not give a reason for their decision to bar the doctor from entering. Dr Ghassan Abu Sittah (pictured) has been banned from entering France where he was due to speak at the senate hearing on the Israel-Hamas conflict The British-Palestinian medic took to X to document his ordeal, claiming that Germany (where he was blocked from entering last month) have put a one-year ban on him entering Europe The high profile medic had been invited by French senator Raymonde Poncet Monge (pictured). She called the incident a 'disgrace' on X The well-known critic of Israel posted on X, formerly Twitter, claiming to have been banned from entering France where he was due to speak at the senate. READ MORE: Fury as Gaza war surgeon who hailed terrorist behind murder of Israeli rabbi as a 'hero' is elected rector of the University of Glasgow Advertisement The French foreign ministry, interior ministry, local police and the Paris airport authority would not comment on what happened or give an explanation as to their decision to bar Dr Abu Sitta. He had been invited by France's left-wing Ecologists group in the senate to speak at about the situation in Gaza, according to the senate press service. Ms Monge called the incident a 'disgrace' on social media. Last month he was 'forcibly prevented' from entering Germany to speak at a conference about his work in hospitals in Gaza. The gathering was set to include testimony from medics, journalists and international legal experts with Gaza-related experience. But he said he was stopped at passport control upon his arrival, held for several hours and then told he had to return to the UK. He said airport police told him he was refused entry due to 'the safety of the people at the conference and public order'. Dr Abu Sittah has previously been banned from Germany where he was due to speak at a conference in Berlin. Police broke up the gathering and threatened pro-Palestinian protestors with prosecution The critic of Israel claimed that he was being forced to take the last flight back to London and also accused Europe of being complicit in a genocide in Palestine in a series of posts The medic has been seen sitting next to plane hijacker and member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Leila Khaled at a memorial service in 2019 (pictured far right) He had been on his way to 'The Palestine Conference. We will put you on trial', an event calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, targeted by German pro-Israel organisations in recent weeks, inspiring calls for it to be banned. As the medic was being held at the border, the event was shut down with Berlin police cutting off power to the hall where the conference was being held, warning pro-Palestine attendees and speakers 'we will prosecute you'. Dr Abu Sittah took to X to express his frustrations. He wrote: 'I am at Charles De Gaule airport. They are preventing me from entering France. I am supposed to speak at the French Senate today. They say the Germans put a 1 year ban on my entry to Europe.' He followed this with several other posts including one which read: 'In an act of utter vindictiveness the french authorities are denying me access to an earlier flight and insisting on sending me on the last flight back late night to London.' While waiting he also posted another message where he accused Europe of being complicit in a genocide in Palestine. He said: 'Colonial genocide is a formative component of European identity. Hence their eagerness to become complicit in silencing the witnesses and arming the war criminals.' Dr Abu Sittah was treating patients in Gaza after the onset of the conflict and has collaborated with Scotland Yard to help the International Criminal Court investigate alleged war crimes Dr Abu Sittah has become a leading spokesperson on the situation in Gaza and has featured on national media outlets such as Sky News and the BBC since war broke out on October 7 Dr Abu Sittah became, one of the most prominent voices in the beleaguered Palestinian enclave after travelling to Gaza on October 9, two days after the conflict erupted, to attend to the wounded and report on the challenges facing the civilian population. But the medic has since been put under investigation by the University of Glasgow, where he was recently appointed rector, after UK Lawyers for Israel referred the institution to 'offensive social media tweets' shared by Abu Sittah, commenting on the longstanding conflict. Since being appointed as rector, Dr Abu Sittah has sought to change the University of Glasgow's definition of anti-Semitism to remove linking any criticism of Israel with the term, distinguishing between criticism of Zionism and anti-Semitism. He stated in his campaign manifesto: 'While I am absolutely committed to tackling all forms of anti-Semitism, it is my belief that, by linking criticism of Israel to antisemitism, this definition threatens academic criticism of Israel and Palestinian solidarity events. Dr Abu Sittah faced allegations he had shared offensive posts on social media. The Jewish Chronicle also revealed he had hailed Ahmad Jarrar, who organised the murder of father-of-six Rabbi Raziel Shevach near Nablus in 2018, calling him one of Palestine's 'dearest and best sons' and a 'hero'. 'The martyrdom of the resistance member Ahmed Nasr Jarrar, the hero of the Nablus operation, at the hands of the Zionist occupation army like the hundreds of resistance fighters who were martyred at the hands of this satanic alliance, represents a pivotal moment,' he wrote in Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar. Professor Ghassan Abu-Sittah (pictured) returned to the UK after travelling to Gaza in October and has spoken at high-profile events calling for an immediate ceasefire Palestinian Dr. Abu Sittah addressing students after becoming the Rector of Glasgow University. He has been put under investigation by the university after UK Lawyers for Israel referred the institution to 'offensive social media tweets' Dr Abu Sittah at a protest against the breaking up of a conference by police in Berlin in April A year later, he was pictured sitting next to Leila Khaled, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) who is noted for her role in the hijacking of TWA Flight 840 in 1969. The PFLP took control of the plane travelling from Rome to Tel Aviv, carrying an American diplomat, and forced its landing in Syria, where they blew up the nose section of the aircraft. There were no fatalities, but at least two passengers suffered light injuries. Criticism of Abu Sittah's associations and social media conduct provoked a probe by the university, confirmed by Principal and Vice Chancellor Sir Anton Muscatelli. Sir Anton Muscatelli wrote to the UKLFI advocacy group saying: 'The Rector is a wholly independent role (separate from University senior management) with no executive authority in the University, and whilst the Rector is free to express their thoughts and represent those of students- indeed this has been the case throughout history- we are clear these views are independent and do not represent those of the University.' In video shared online, the doctor was seen finishing his address after becoming rector, quoting MP and Provisional IRA member Bobby Sands in saying 'our revenge will be the laughter of our children'. He also took the time to pay tribute to colleagues and 'our land' in Palestine in a teary address, receiving applause from the crowd. 'My fear, shared by the University and Colleges Union, is that such a definition risks undermining freedom of speech and intellectual thought on campus.' Abu Sittah returned from Gaza to east London after 44 days in Gaza treating patients and collaborated with Scotland Yard to help the International Criminal Court investigate alleged war crimes in the Israel-Hamas war. He said earlier this year he hopes that by providing evidence of his time working in the strip, international bodies will 're-establish the norms of war that emerged after the Second World War', which he argues have been broken since the 'watershed' conflict began in October. The doctor, who is an honoury professor at King's College London and Imperial College London, previously worked throughout other bloody wars in Iraq, Syria and Yemen. He went on to become a founding member of the conflict medicine programme at the American University of Beirut. MailOnline has contacted Dr Ghassan Abu Sittah for comment. A Tuscon-area restaurateur slammed soft-on-crime policing and President Biden's open border policies for transforming his family-friendly neighborhood into a hotbed for crime. Grant Kreuger, owner of Union Hospitality Group, told Fox News that the decline of the Arizona hub has left him 'terrified,' and said the shift seemingly came when Biden entered the White House. 'We've had more crime in my restaurant establishments over the last four years than we had in the previous 15 combined,' he said. Tuscon saw a 300 percent spike in unsheltered homelessness from 2018 to 2023, which Kreuger said has triggered a crimewave, including an alarming surge in random attacks on his own customers. Grant Kreuger, owner of Union Hospitality Group, spoke out over rampant homelessness and drug taking ruining the Tuscon area, leaving him and his customers 'terrified' Homelessness surged 60 percent in Tuscon from 2018 to 2023, with unsheltered homelessness increasing by a startling 300 percent in that time frame, a government report found The businessman said his restaurant was previously found in one of the 'nicer areas of town', but the surge in homelessness and crime has caused a sharp decline. In particular, Kreuger blamed weak border policies for allowing drugs to flood Tuscon, and said his own children are often confronted with open-air drug taking. 'Quite frankly, it terrifies me for my own children to see this level of open drug use and distribution happen in broad daylight on our city streets,' he said. Kreuger added that he has personally spent tens of thousands of dollars on security because he says the police routinely fail to crack down. 'It's gotten to the point that we often don't even report it to the authorities anymore, because we feel, quite frankly, that there's very little that they're going to do,' he said. 'Our municipalities are currently not enforcing many laws on the books when it comes to public camping, when it comes to panhandling... when it comes to public urination, defecation or open consumption of alcohol and drugs. 'And the lack of enforcement of all these laws have made things tremendously worse here for us in the desert. 'On top of that, the open border policies that we've had over the last number of years have brought in a tremendous supply of fentanyl into our community.' Tuscon has seen an alarming increase in drug taking in recent years, which Kreuger blamed on weak border policies allowing drugs such as fentanyl to flood the city A volunteer is seen helping a homeless woman in Tuscon, Arizona, in July 2023 A government report published in May 2023 found that Pima County has seen an alarming surge in homelessness in recent years. The report found that over the five-year period, unsheltered homelessness - those sleeping rough on the streets rather than in shelters - increased by 300 percent. Homelessness in total rose 60 percent. During that time, Kreuger said the stretch of 100-mile riverwalk named 'The Loop' where his businesses are located has lost its family-friendly, safe appeal. 'These areas on The Loop have become a major area for homeless encampments,' he said. 'At one time this Loop was a tremendous benefit to both the community and our customers... Now it's a place where I would be afraid to take my friends and family.' The crisis has directly affected Kreuger's restaurants, he says, as a number of customers have been physically attacked while dining. 'I don't mean attacked as in verbally asking for change, but physically assaulted,' he said, adding there has also been 'many, many uncomfortable exchanges' that he never used to deal with. Kreuger said his restaurants are found in an area called 'The Loop' (pictured), which used to be one of the 'nicer areas' that he now said he is 'afraid' to take his children there Kreuger reportedly claimed a local anti-crime community initiative has been working to reduce the issue, such as adding anti-panhandling signs at intersections where homeless encampments are common, but said efforts are falling short of the mark. 'There's literally zero enforcement,' he said. 'We're paying what we call a crime tax, the cost of the city and county's lack of enforcing the current laws that are on the books right now are essentially costing business owners like myself an awful lot of money. 'It makes for situations that are substantially less comfortable for our patrons as well. 'Nobody wants to be accosted by homeless folks in your parking lot, have your car broken into or find people living in the bushes or behind various facilities in the various commercial establishments that we have here in Tucson. 'And so, it's really been a cost that's been borne by the private sector because of the public sector's inability or unwillingness to enforce laws already on the books.' Beware of conventional wisdom. It is meant to stop you from thinking, and so from acting, independently. For a long time now, political commentators who want to fit in with the crowd have been more or less assuming a Labour General Election victory. This assumption reveals itself in quirks of language, especially on the BBC. For instance, if Rishi Sunak says he can still win, an 'impartial' news bulletin will report that he 'insists' he can, a verb clearly expressing doubt that he is right. Yet none of those who ceaselessly presume the outcome of the poll can possibly know it. As quickly as pollsters develop methods that correct their past mistakes, new variables come into play. And the pollsters' language suggests much more movement than there actually is. Take the 'enormous' 26 per cent 'swing' from Tory to Labour at the Blackpool South by-election. This makes it sound as if thousands are switching energetically from one party to the other. But few reports noted that the winning Labour vote was lower than it had been at the last General Election, when Labour failed to win the seat. Who mentioned that the turnout was down from 32,752 to 18,375? Can it be wise to draw firm conclusions without doing so? For instance, if Rishi Sunak (pictured) says he can still win, an 'impartial' news bulletin will report that he 'insists' he can, a verb clearly expressing doubt that he is right But few reports noted that the winning Labour vote was lower than it had been at the last General Election, when Labour failed to win the seat. Pictured: Keir Starmer Our greatest living expert on polls and voting, Professor Sir John Curtice, has noted that Labour local government support is in fact weakening. It appears to be worse than it was under Ed Miliband and hugely worse than it was in 1995 under Tony Blair. Several results from different parts of the country confirm this. Labour is not sweeping all before it. Voters know that general elections change their fate substantially. They also know that by-elections and local elections change little. So they let off steam by lending their votes to parties they normally shun. Or they show their contempt by staying at home. There is a good deal more exasperated contempt for the Tories than there is enthusiasm for Sir Keir Starmer. This is understandable. The Tories have as we have often warned them done themselves no favours by their repeated internal quarrels and their petulant dumping of the most popular leader they have had in decades. But the last few months have seen signs that there is now some sort of order and purpose on the bridge of HMS Tory. The Rwanda policy is rapidly taking shape as a real deterrent to immigration, with strong independent evidence of its effectiveness coming from Ireland. The economy is quietly recovering, no mean feat. It is perfectly reasonable for people to be tired of a government after a long period in office; indeed, it is more or less compulsory. But surely only the sort of people who pay to have pain inflicted on themselves would choose to have a worse government because they do not like the present administration? Instead of acting as if a Starmer triumph is a foregone conclusion, those who describe and explain our national politics need to do some more work on what such a thing would mean. In 1997, Labour ruthlessly concealed devastating policies such as its raid on private pensions. What is the party concealing now? There is still all to play for, and every reason, when the day comes, for discontented Tories to return in their millions to the Conservative fold. Cancer patients in Scotland are being diagnosed more speedily and treated sooner thanks to a ground-breaking project using artificial intelligence (AI). In a move experts believe could save hundreds of lives every year, AI is being used to scan X-rays as they are carried out detecting tumours within seconds. The technology can even spot tiny growths at the earliest stages of cancer that a radiologist could easily miss. Using a comparative database of hundreds of thousands of previous X-rays, AI can also quickly identify the most serious cases which are then red-flagged for further tests and urgent treatment. Crucially, using AI to speed up diagnosis has seen patients begin treatment weeks earlier than previously, improving their chances of survival. AI can help medics by quickly flagging up tumours on chest X-rays for a clinician to examine further While a handful of AI trials are taking place around Scotland, there has been little scientific evidence of its benefits. But in a major development, a study of preliminary data from a trial at NHS Grampian has proved the value of the hi-tech process. The system is being used to detect lung cancer cases in Aberdeenshire, and NHS Grampians clinical director of innovation Dr Andy Keen believes AI will soon prove transformative for many other types of cancer. He said: Early results show we have reduced the time between people getting chest X-rays and being treated for lung cancer by nine days on average. We have also reduced the variation in the delay to treatment substantially. Previously we managed to get 90 per cent of people with lung cancer treated in 99 days now that is down to 76 days. We hope this technology will save lives in two ways. First, by categorising our X-ray images and accelerating investigations by experts, we believe we will continue to shorten the time to treatment and the earlier cancers are treated, the better. Second, our evidence so far is the AI tool is helping us identify earlier stage cancers that are treatable. The increase is about 11 per cent. If our early results hold true, then that could mean 600 more people per year in Scotland diagnosed with treatable lung cancer. AI uses computers to process large amounts of data and recognise patterns in order to perform tasks that would previously have required human intervention. In 2022, NHS Grampian began the first trial in the UK of a system made by Australian firm Annalise.ai. Installed at 12 sites across the health board, the AI was trained to detect tumours after having more than 820,000 chest X-ray images from patients around the world uploaded to its database. It quickly scans every X-ray for 124 potential issues 34 of which are deemed priority findings. Dr Andy Keen believes AI will soon prove transformative for many other types of cancer The AI can immediately highlight which patients need to be urgently seen by a clinician. Although the trial is ongoing, early data studied by the Scottish Health Technology Group shows the AI was proving successful at spotting tumours. And with the AI flagging cases of concern, patients were quickly sent for a detailed CT scan before beginning treatment sooner. The Scottish Health Technology Groups latest report found: Interim analysis from NHS Grampian shows use of AI alongside an adjusted clinical pathway shows promise in reducing time from chest X-ray report to CT, reducing time to treatment, and increasing the identification of patients with treatable lung cancers. Other projects are also trialling AI to detect cancer in Scotland. In NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, a different system is also examining chest X-rays to improve the detection of lung cancer which remains the most common cause of death in Scotland, with around 5,500 cases diagnosed each year. Meanwhile, a trial at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary is exploring whether AI can assist radiologists in reviewing mammograms. Dimitry Tran, co-founder of Annalise.ai, said: This data from NHS Grampian is evidence the addition of Annalise.ai to the clinical workflow has made marked improvements to the detection of early-stage lung cancers. This is a very important step towards reducing the mortality rate in lung cancer. For a moment, it was almost as if he got it. Announcing his decision to stand as SNP leader on Thursday, John Swinney told his audience of supporters their party had to change. We just cant go on the way we are, he said. If we go on the way we are, well face tough times. The fact the SNP began facing the toughest of times some time ago, aside, this sounded like a rare example of a Nationalist politician indulging in a little self-reflection. The SNPs obsession with holding a second independence referendum it has no power to deliver has shown contempt for both the pro-UK majority of Scots who want Ministers at Holyrood to focus on the issues that matter to them the NHS, education and the economy and Nationalists, cynically misled into believing a repeat of 2014 was imminent. An SNP leader truly committed to change would recognise that some honesty on the constitutional question is long overdue. The SNPs obsession with holding a second independence referendum shows contempt for the pro-UK majority of Scots who want to focus on more important issues There will not be a referendum any time soon and, privately, senior SNP figures accept as much. Some say the question will not return for a generation. However, asked on Thursday whether he would lead Scotland to independence, Mr Swinneys affable smile fell. Yes, he snapped, then quickly moved on to another question. So much for the need for change. Mr Swinney says he will unite Scotland for independence, which as evidence of poor country-reading skills takes some beating. Most Scots are sick and tired of the SNPs referendum monomania and if John Swinney doesnt recognise this soon then his leadership of his party will be brief. Nicola Sturgeon paralysed Scotland while she pursued her obsession with breaking up the UK. Public services were neglected as she and her senior colleagues including her Deputy First Minister John Swinney played petty constitutional games. Ministers invested money in pointless independence briefing papers while cutting budgets for vital services and refused to listen as voters in poll after poll said another referendum was at the bottom of their list of priorities. How, I wonder, is Mr Swinney going to lead Scotland to independence? Support for the SNP, mired in scandal, tied up in a police investigation, and hopelessly split on strategy and policy, is on the slide. The new leader will be considered a miracle worker if he stops his party losing power. When Mr Swinney becomes First Minister, he will have no more right than his predecessors to hold a referendum. There is no short-cut to secession, no wheeze claiming an election is a de facto referendum, for example that will allow him to achieve his objective. Scotlands seventh First Minister must start his time in office by doing something his predecessors could not. He must show some humility. Scotland has been failed by the SNP. Ministers who promised stable government have let public services rot and decay while showboating about a referendum that was never coming. And it is not solely on the matter of independence that Mr Swinney will have to understand and respond to public concerns. During his campaign launch, a journalist raised the matter of identity politics which has been at the heart of many of the fiercest political debates of recent years. What, she asked, was Mr Swinneys view on whether a trans woman was a woman? His response was pitiful. If our politics is defined purely and simply by these questions, said Mr Swinney, I think were not addressing the core issues and challenges that people face. So, today, I am going to address the core challenges and priorities that face people in our society. If the next First Minister thinks he can continue to dodge this question, he is very much mistaken. The truth is the SNPs obsession, encouraged by Ms Sturgeon during her years in charge, with gender ideology has caused serious splits in the party and infuriated mainstream voters. Ms Sturgeon ignored the warnings of feminists, the advice of legal experts and the opposition of a majority of voters to push ahead with reform of the Gender Recognition Act, a move that would have allowed anyone to self-identify in the sex of their choosing. Ms Sturgeons SNP was so fully captured by gender ideologues that when Nationalist MP Joanna Cherry received death and rape threats for speaking out against the plans, nobody from the partys leadership team reached out to her to offer support. Ms Cherrys entirely reasonable view that sex is a matter of biology saw her defamed as a bigot by scores of young SNP members. It is to Ms Sturgeons eternal shame that, even though she disagreed with Ms Cherrys views, she did not leap to her defence. So much for the SNP as a broad church, safe and welcoming for all. And when feminists who shared Ms Cherrys concern about an ideology that encourages young people who are confused about their gender to follow dangerous medical pathways and expects female victims of sexual violence to share their single-sex safe spaces with men spoke out, Ms Sturgeon treated them with sneering contempt. The writer and philanthropist JK Rowling, the feminist activist and writer Julie Bindel, the SNP Minister (later to defect to Alba) Ash Regan and scores more women were dismissed by the then First Minister. Ms Sturgeon declared herself the real feminist. On announcing her resignation as First Minister, she conceded she had become such a divisive figure that she could not advance the independence cause. One of the things that played a significant part in her becoming such a polarising character was her hopeless misjudgment of the public mood on gender issues. The subject was also to play its part in the end of Humza Yousafs First Ministership. Those same campaigners concerned about the impact on womens rights of trans ideology are also opposed to the medicating of children suffering gender dysphoria. They feel the prescription of so-called puberty blocker drugs and cross-sex hormones to children is unethical and dangerous. A number of SNP politicians many too scared to speak up feel the same. When Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie appeared on BBC Scotlands Sunday Show and refused to agree that the review by Dr Hilary Cass into NHS treatment of children and young people with gender dysphoria was a valid scientific document, Nationalist backbenchers were outraged. They could not countenance sharing the same space with a party that was playing down the dangers of puberty blockers and undermining an important piece of scientific work. The backlash from his members against Mr Harvie was the final straw for Mr Yousaf who tore up the Bute House Agreement, the power-sharing deal agreed by Ms Sturgeon and the Greens in 2021. Some politicians asked what is a woman? try to squirm out of answering, dismissing it as a gotcha question. It is nothing of the sort. Powerful lobbying groups funded by taxpayers cash by the SNP have spent years trying to redefine what a woman is and it is perfectly reasonable to expect Mr Swinney to have come to a conclusion on the matter. The way the SNP has traduced women with legitimate concerns about the demands of trans activists is revolting. The partys next leader has bridges to build. Perhaps Mr Swinney could begin his leadership by apologising on behalf of his party to Ms Cherry for the way she was failed? That might help him start convincing voters that he takes seriously their entirely legitimate concerns about the impact of dangerous gender ideology on the lives of confused young people and that he shares the majority belief that women must have single-sex spaces, free of men. If John Swinney continues to focus on the SNPs twin obsessions of independence and gender ideology, he will lead his party to new lows in the polls. A baby was kidnapped after her mother and another woman were shot dead in a park - and her five-year-old sister is in the hospital with a critical head injury. Two Texico, New Mexico women, Samantha Cisneros and Taryn Allen, both 23, were found dead at Ned Houk Park on Friday afternoon. The two women were found next to a 5-year-old girl with a critical head wound and an empty stroller and baby bottle belonging to a now-missing infant. Investigators say Samantha Cisneros is the mother to both the young child found at the scene and to the 10-month-old missing child, Eleia Maria Torres. Now, police are looking for the kidnapped infant, whom they believe the women's killer abducted and who is in 'immediate danger,' but have no suspects as of Saturday morning. Pictured: 10-month-old child, Eleia Maria Torres, who was kidnapped after her mom and another woman were shot dead in a park. Her five-year-old sister is in the hospital with a critical head injury Two New Mexico women, Samantha Cisneros and Taryn Allen, both 23, were found dead at Ned Houk Park on Friday afternoon The Clovis Police responded to a call reporting the two bodies found at Ned Houk Park at about 4:30 pm on Friday, Police Lt. Steven Wright said in a news release. Officers arrived on scene and found two female victims, with apparent gunshot wounds, laying on the ground near a silver Dodge minivan. Police said the 5-year-old was covered in blood and seriously injured - but officials are unsure at this time whether she was shot, beaten or possibly hit with a car. The child was transported to Plains Regional Medical Center and then transferred to a Lubbock, Texas, area hospital for treatment. 'Investigators believe Eleia Maria Torres has been abducted by the perpetrator of this crime and is in immediate danger,' the police statement read. An Amber Alert was issued for Eleia Maria Torres and reported the suspect 'was possibly in a maroon Honda car.' Investigators reportedly found a car part belonging to a maroon Honda at the scene of the killings - but said it could be a 'stretch' that it's related to the incident. The two dead women were found next to a 5-year-old girl with a critical head wound and an empty stroller and baby bottle belonging to a now-missing infant (pictured) At this time, police have no motive for the deaths, Clovis Deputy Police Chief Trevor Thron said, as reported by Eastern New Mexico News. The women's belongings, including a purse and car, were found with the deceased. Police said the father of the missing infant is 'not a suspect at this time,' after interviewing him. 'Dad came in and talked to us, and he was just as shocked as everyone else,' Thron said to the outlet. 'No idea where he is, and of course, we would like to speak with him,' Clovis Police Chief Roy Rice said on Saturday morning. It is unclear why the women were in the park. Police said their families said they were supposed to be at Walmart to sell puppies. The victims had stopped at Twin Cronnies drive-in, and their food was untouched in the car, according to Thron. Thron said investigators have 'no clue' what led to their deaths - and no arrests have been made yet. 'We do know they were supposed to be at Walmart, from what family members knew, selling puppies,' Thron said. 'They had five puppies inside their vehicle at Ned Houk. Everybody thought they were at Walmart with the puppies. We're not sure if they were at Walmart and then went to Ned Houk, we just don't know.' Rice said it's also not completely clear how the second women died. One women was shot dead but investigators with the Office of the Medical Investigator are still trying to determine the cause of death of the second women late Friday. The condition of the injured child, who is said to be the half-sibling of the 5-year-old, is unclear as of early Saturday. The 9th Judicial Major Crime Unit was activated and took over the investigation. The investigation is ongoing and police encourage anyone with pertinent information to contact the Clovis Police Department at 575-769-1921. Labour has claimed a shock victory in the West Midlands mayoral elections, beating Tory Andy Street - in a move a jubilant Kier Starmer tonight hailed as a 'phenomenal result'. Labour's Richard Parker beat him by 1,508 votes to become Mayor in an extremely close contest. It means Mr Street will be denied his third term, in a major blow for Rishi Sunak after a disastrous local elections - who tonight admitted it had been a 'disappointing' result. Speaking after his loss, the former John Lewis boss paid tribute to what he believes is important about his role. He said: 'Most importantly my thanks of course go to everybody who voted for me on Thursday and for the trust that they showed in me. 'That's perhaps the most important word in politics of all.' He continued: 'It has been my honour to lead you for the last seven years. I hope I have done it with dignity and integrity.' Talking to Sky News, he added that he was 'incredibly proud' he had lost by such a thin margin, despite being 'personally devastated' by the result. He said: 'Given that this has always been a place where some people said you should never have won in the first place, I'm actually very, very proud of what we've done. 'The thing everyone should take from Birmingham in the West Midlands tonight is this brand of moderate, inclusive, tolerant conservatism that gets on and delivered has come within an ace of beating the Labour Party in, what they considered to be their backyard.' Labour's Richard Parker speaks as he is elected as the new Mayor of West Midlands It means Mr Street (pictured) will be denied his third term, in a major blow for Rishi Sunak after a disasterous local elections Defeated Conservative Andy Street (left) listens to Labour's Richard Parker speaking as he is elected as the new Mayor of West Midlands Further questioned whether he thought it was the Conservative campaign that had been his downfall, he added: 'It was my campaign totally. I am not going to try to push responsibility anywhere else ... they'll be no sloping shoulders from me.' A tearful Richard Parker started his victory speech by leading applause to Andy Street, as said he deserved 'great credit' for his work. He said: 'Thank you to Andy - you have led this region through a number of great challenges and you deserve great credit for that. 'Whilst our politics are different we both have the best interests of the West Midlands at heart. ' He continued: 'This is the most important thing that I will ever do 'They recognised that a Labour mayor can make a positive difference in this region. You have put your trust in me and I will repay that trust. 'We will give this region the fresh start it richly deserves. I will stand up for all our councils in the face of unprecedented Tory cuts. 'It shows that people are calling for Labour and calling for change.' He added that people 'up and down the country' are calling for a general election. He said: 'Up and down the country people are looking for a fresh start; I hope the Prime Minister is watching as well, because if you haven't heard Rishi Sunak, our people are calling for a general election. 'I will get this region's future back, and a Labour mayor working with a Labour government will help get Britain's future back.' In a written statement following the victory, Sir Keir Starmer said: 'This phenomenal result was beyond our expectations. People across the country have had enough of Conservative chaos and decline and voted for change with Labour. 'Our fantastic new mayor Richard Parker stands ready to deliver a fresh start for the West Midlands. Richard Parker puffs as he walks away from the stage after being elected as the new Mayor of West Midlands There were cheers and whoops as the declaration came that the Tory incumbent had been defeated by Labour rival Richard Parker (pictured) after an extraordinary struggle that saw a series of recounts Andy Street dramatically lost the West Midlands mayor battle tonight in a body blow for Rishi Sunak Mr Parker gives a big thumbs up as he walks through the crowd after his victory 'My changed Labour Party is back in the service of working people, and stands ready to govern. Labour will turn the page after 14 years of Tory decline and usher in a decade of national renewal. That change starts today.' Speaking in Birmingham, he accused Rishi Sunak of having used Mr Street as a 'crutch for [his] weak leadership' - as he called for the Prime Minister to call an election. Labour won 37.8 per cent of the vote in the West Midlands mayoral election, with Andy Street following closely behind with 37.5 per cent. Independent candidate Akhmed Yakoob made 11.7 per cent of the vote, while Reform UK came in fourth with 5.8 per cent and the Green party got 5.2 per cent. The Lib Dem candidate got two per cent of the share. Mr Street further apologised to his Conservative team after being defeated by Labour. Saying thank you to his team across the region, he added: 'It has been my honour to lead you for the last seven years. 'I'm sorry, we couldn't make it that triple or hat-trick, but mark my words, you will be back for that.' Mr Street thanked his fellow candidates, including Mr Parker for 'how he's conducted himself in the campaign' and wished him 'all strength and wisdom as he takes on this role'. Rishi Sunak admitted it was 'disappointing' that Andy Street lost, but insisted the country was 'turning a corner' and that his party's plan 'is working'. In a statement, the Prime Minister said: 'After a tough few years in the aftermath of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, we as a nation are turning a corner. 'Our plan is working with inflation more than halved, tax cuts worth an average of 900 hitting people's pockets, state pensions protected with our triple lock, our Rwanda bill signed into law, allowing us to start detaining illegal migrants ready for the first flights, legal migration down and defence spending boosted. 'We Conservatives understand the priorities of the British people and are delivering on them. 'It's been disappointing of course to lose dedicated Conservative councillors and Andy Street in the West Midlands, with his track record of providing great public services and attracting significant investment to the area, but that has redoubled my resolve to continue to make progress on our plan. 'So we will continue working as hard as ever to take the fight to Labour and deliver a brighter future for our country. It is as clear that Labour just don't have a plan. They have no plan to defend our nation, no plan to stop the boats and no plan to grow the economy. They are a soft touch and would take us back to square one. 'So by sticking to the plan we will secure our borders, grow the economy and create opportunities so everyone in this great country can thrive and prosper.' Labour Party supporters celebrate as Richard Parker is elected as the new Mayor of West Midlands Defeated Conservative Andy Street after Labour's Richard Parker is elected as the new Mayor of West Midlands England Local England Mayoral London Assembly London Mayoral Police & Crime The failure of the former John Lewis boss to secure a third term is a huge setback for the PM, and leaves him with almost nothing to cling to from a nightmare set of local elections. Rebels immediately warned that the 'gamechanging' defeat meant Mr Sunak could now face a fresh bid to oust him - although other MPs reiterated their view it was too late. The premier had been desperate for Mr Street to join Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen in the winner's circle, demonstrating that the party can still win big contests. Lord Houchen's success had seemingly helped Mr Sunak quell a revolt. However, the latest defeat immediately inflamed anger, critics pointing to the relentlessly grim results for the Conservatives. The party is likely to end up losing nearly 500 councillors in one of the worst showings for 40 years. One Tory MP told MailOnline that Downing Street had quelled dissent up to now by 'bullsh*****' that 'all's going to be fine' and suggesting Susan Hall was going to win in London. 'Despite all the highly positive private spin from No10 to Tory MPs since Thursday, we've lost well over 400 council seats, Andy Street has lost, Susan Hall has been defeated in London,' they said. 'Ben Houchen won without having the balls to wear a blue rosette, even at his own victory count... Rishi's Sunak's utterly hapless Leadership is now definitely in play.' The MP added that they had not sent a letter of no confidence before, but would be now - predicting that the threshold of 52 for a vote would be hit. Conservative Andy Street (second left) shakes hands with Labour's Richard Parker (centre) as he is elected as the new Mayor of West Midlands On a visit to Mansfield this morning, Keir Starmer (pictured with new East Midlands mayor Claire Ward) insisted he is 'confident' that Mr Khan can keep control of City Hall Ex-Cabinet minister Simon Clarke, a public critic of Mr Sunak, reportedly posted on a Tory WhatsApp group after the news broke: 'These results are awful, and should be a massive wake up call.' A former minister told MailOnline that victory for Mr Street would have 'eased the pressure' on the PM. 'For those who say it would be madness to have another leader now just look at the statistics. They say that is precisely what the majority of Tory voters want,' they said. 'I think there will be more reflection now. There will be a lot of phone calls being made this Bank Holiday weekend, not least by supporters of rival candidates, although they will be discreet.' The MP added that there was 'an element of MPs simply being resigned to losing'. But another veteran Tory backbencher said Mr Street's loss 'is not going to shift anything'. 'People know Rishi has improved things, so let's stick with him and not let Kier take credit for Tories improving things over next six months,' they added. The MP said the key question for the rebels was who would be better than Mr Sunak: 'No one and they know it.' For the first time since 1996, the Lib Dems have won more councillors than the Conservatives at a round of local elections. Mr Parker appeared to be all smiles with party members and supporters before the declaration in Birmingham, where the result was set to be formally announced. Former West Midlands mayoral candidate and MP for Birmingham's Hodge Hill, Liam Byrne, posted a picture on social media of himself and Mr Parker smiling with their arms raised in an apparent celebration He posed for photographs while smiling with supporters close to the podium where the winner will be announced, but then declined to smile when asked to pose for the media, saying he was 'nervously waiting' for the result. Former West Midlands mayoral candidate and MP for Birmingham's Hodge Hill, Liam Byrne, posted a picture on social media of himself and Mr Parker smiling with their arms raised in an apparent celebration. Senior Labour sources suggested that there are as little as 1,000 votes in the victory in the run up to the declaration, the BBC reported. And Labour's deputy national campaign co-ordinator and Lewisham MP Ellie Reeves posted on X: 'Congratulations @RichParkerLab. An incredible result and significant victory. 'Right across the country people have voted for change and the message is clear... It's time for a General Election and a Labour govt to get our country's future back.' Both sides warned the race was 'too close to call', with the result - initially due around 3pm - finally expected to come this evening. Partial recounts were already happening in Birmingham and Wolverhampton, but Coventry was re-tallied in full as the parties wrangled over every single vote. Mr Sunak was hoping Mr Street would join Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen in securing a third term, demonstrating that the party can still win big contests. Mr Sunak is willing Andy Street (pictured) to join Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen in securing a third term this afternoon, with the outcome against Richard Parker (right) thought to be on a knife edge Putting a brave face on grim election results, Rishi Sunak admitted that voters are 'frustrated' but argued that Keir Starmer has not sealed the deal Who is Richard Parker? As Labour sources say Richard Parker has scored victory in the West Midlands' mayoral elections, who is the new top politician? His win is the public finance accountant's first foray into front-line politics, although he he has previously worked with the Labour party as an advisor. The Bristolian left school at 16 before returning to continue his education and get an economics degree. He moved to the West Midlands prior to launching his accountancy career. His campaign pledged a 'fresh start' in the West Midlands as he told his supporters: 'I'm not prepared to sit on the sidelines any more.' He promised to: Create 150,000 jobs and training opportunities across the West Midlands Revitalise our high streets Tackle crime and anti-social behaviour Advertisement Lord Houchen's success seemingly helped Mr Sunak quell a fresh coup bid from rebels, most of whom who have now conceded the leader will not change before the general election. But it is feared another defeat could infame anger, with the broader picture for the Conservatives having been relentlessly grim. It is likely to end up losing 500 councillors in one of the worst showings for 40 years. For the first time since 1996, the Lib Dems have won more councillors than the Conservatives at a round of local elections. Speaking about the West Midlands result, political scientist Sir John Curtice told the BBC: 'It is a testament to Andy Street's personal popularity that albeit he may have lost narrowly - the fact that he has run Labour so close I think he can take quite some considerable credit for. 'Because we know that in the parallel Police and Commissioner election the Conservatives were quite some way behind.' Labour candidate Simon Foster won the vote to become West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner ahead of the declaration for West Midlands Mayor earlier today. He won by nearly 100,000 votes ahead of his Conservative rival. saying: 'The only honour and privilege greater than being elected by our fellow citizens is to be re-elected by your fellow citizens.' Birmingham Labour MP Jess Phillips said that her party's delay in calling for a Gaza ceasefire cost them votes in the West Midlands, before the result was declared. It comes after Independent candidate Akhmed Yakoob won third place in the Birmingham result after campaigning on Palestine. A former frontbencher, Phillips broke ranks and quit to vote in favour of an SNP-led demand for an 'immediate ceasefire' in the Middle East last November. 'I'd be lying if I said if I said this hasn't been an issue that hurt the Labour party in this election,' she told the BBC. 'This is a political issue that the people here care about.' The Blackpool South by-election caused particular consternation as Labour stormed the seat with a 26 point swing - and the Tories only barely scraped into second ahead of Reform. And Sadiq Khan comfortably sailed to victory against Conservative candidate Susan Hall - securing a historic third term as London Mayor. He celebrated his 'increased margin of victory' on the previous election after he received 1,088,225 votes, a majority of nearly 276,000 over Ms Hall, who secured 812,397 votes. And he slammed the 'non-stop negativity' of the campaigning against him after a divisive race. He used his victory speech to apologise to his family for the 'threats' they had received and 'protests by our home'. But it was not all plain sailing for Sir Keir though, with experts warning that a slump in support in areas with large Muslim populations suggested he was 'in trouble'. Birmingham Labour MP Jess Phillips said that her party's delay in calling for a Gaza ceasefire cost them votes in the West Midlands, before the result was declared Independent candidate Akhmed Yakoob won third place in the Birmingham result after campaigning on Palestine Labour candidate Simon Foster reacts after winning the vote to become West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner ahead of the declaration for West Midlands Mayor He won by nearly 100,000 votes ahead of his Conservative rival. saying: 'The only honour and privilege greater than being elected by our fellow citizens is to be re-elected by your fellow citizens' Labour tied up more expected victories today, with Steve Rotheram re-elected as Liverpool City Region Mayor after securing a landslide 68 per cent of the vote. Andy Burnham emerged victorious in Greater Manchester by 63 per cent to just 10 per cent for his Tory opponent. Oliver Coppard was returned as as South Yorkshire Mayor with 138,611 votes, nearly three times as many as the 44,945 his Conservative rival Nick Allen received. Earlier, Mr Sunak insisted he can still turn the situation around, saying people are 'frustrated and wondering why they should vote'. 'The fact Labour is not winning in places that they admit themselves they need for a majority, shows that Keir Starmer's lack of plan and vision is hurting them,' he said. 'We Conservatives have everything to fight for and we will because we are fighting for our values and our country's future.' Mr Sunak pointed to his party's recent commitment to hike defence spending and cut migration as clear dividing lines with Labour. But polling guru Prof John Curtice said the results demonstrated Mr Sunak has 'very little to show' for his efforts to restore the Tories' fortunes after Liz Truss's abrtive premiership. The election expert told the BBC: 'There is nothing in these results to suggest contrary to the opinion polls that the Conservatives are actually beginning to narrow the gap on Labour, and that so far at least, Rishi Sunak's project which has tried to recover from the disaster from the Conservatives' point of view of the Liz Truss fiscal event, that project has still got very little to show for it. 'That in a sense is the big takeaway. 'Now the Conservatives, as when all parties do badly in elections, they always want you to focus on the exception rather than the rule, and Tees Valley and probably the West Midlands are the exceptions not the rule.' On Labour losses over its stance on Gaza, Sir John said: 'At the moment I think what we would find if we had a general election is that Labour might well fall back in some of these seats, but because the Labour Party is already so strong, they would probably still succeed in winning the parliamentary election. 'But yep, this is a big message to Labour from these local elections, is that you are indeed now in trouble with some of your Muslim former supporters.' On a visit to Mansfield this morning, Keir Starmer (pictured with new East Midlands mayor Claire Ward) insisted he is 'confident' that Mr Khan can keep control of City Hall Mr Sunak suffered a blow in his own back yard as Labour took the York and North Yorkshire mayor post. The region, which covers the PM's Richmond constituency, is somewhere Labour has historically struggled to compete in parliamentary elections. Labour also won inaugural mayoral contests in the East Midlands and the North East, and gained nine police and crime commissioner posts from the Tories, including in Cumbria, Avon and Somerset, and Norfolk. But in a smattering of councils, the Opposition party lost seats to independents and George Galloway's Workers Party of Britain, all apparently over the party's stance on Gaza. Overall, Labour won control of eight councils as it saw a net gain of 204 seats, while the Liberal Democrats gained 92 seats and the Greens 58. The Liberal Democrats' most significant victory was winning control of Dorset council from the Conservatives, where it now has 42 of the 82 seats after gaining 15. The Greens fell narrowly short of taking overall control of Bristol, one of their top targets, despite gaining 10 seats. Despite results that left the Conservatives on track to lose half the seats they contested, rebels admitted they had not persuaded enough MPs to join them to force a vote of no confidence in Mr Sunak's leadership. One rebel told the Mail simply: 'We're off to the pub.' Polls ahead of the election correctly suggested that the London incumbent was on track for a comfortable victory over Tory rival Susan Hall (pictured) Dame Andrea Jenkyns, the first Tory MP to publicly move against the PM, said it was 'unlikely' that others would follow in sufficient numbers to trigger a leadership contest. 'My stance is the same,' she said. 'But we are where we are and it is looking unlikely that the MPs are going to put the letters in, so we need to pull together.' Former Cabinet minister Nadine Dorries - another high-profile critic of the PM - said it would be 'madness' to try to replace Mr Sunak before the general election, adding that it would 'make no difference' to the result. One rebel source said it was clear that Mr Sunak would 'limp on to the election', adding: 'We're not kamikaze pilots. In the end, there are too many MPs with their heads stuck in the sand for it to work.' Andy Street dramatically lost the West Midlands mayor battle last night in a body blow for Rishi Sunak. There were cheers and whoops as the declaration came that the Tory incumbent had been defeated by Labour rival Richard Parker after an extraordinary struggle that saw a series of recounts. Following hours of wrangling, Mr Street was finally edged out by 1,508 votes - from a three-million strong electorate - with his opponent posting pictures of his celebrations. In his concession speech, Mr Street said: 'It has been my honour to lead you for the last seven years, I'm sorry we couldn't make it that triple or hat trick, but mark my words you will be back.' The failure of the former John Lewis boss to secure a third term is a huge setback for the PM, and leaves him with almost nothing to cling to from a nightmare set of local elections. Keir Starmer hailed the 'phenomenal result' saying it was 'beyond our expectations'. Rebels immediately warned that the 'game-changing' defeat meant Mr Sunak could now face a fresh bid to oust him - although other MPs reiterated their view it was too late. The premier had been desperate for Mr Street to join Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen in the winner's circle, demonstrating that the party can still win big contests. Lord Houchen's success had seemingly helped Mr Sunak quell a revolt. However, the latest defeat immediately inflamed anger, critics pointing to the relentlessly grim results for the Conservatives. The party is likely to end up losing nearly 500 councillors in one of the worst showings for 40 years. One Tory MP told MailOnline that Downing Street had quelled dissent up to now by 'bullsh*****' that 'all's going to be fine' and suggesting Susan Hall was going to win in London. 'Despite all the highly positive private spin from No10 to Tory MPs since Thursday, we've lost well over 400 council seats, Andy Street has lost, Susan Hall has been defeated in London,' they said. 'Ben Houchen won without having the balls to wear a blue rosette, even at his own victory count... Rishi's Sunak's utterly hapless Leadership is now definitely in play.' The MP added that they had not sent a letter of no confidence before, but would be now - predicting that the threshold of 52 for a vote would be hit. Andy Street dramatically lost the West Midlands mayor battle tonight in a body blow for Rishi Sunak There were cheers and whoops as the declaration came that the Tory incumbent had been defeated by Labour rival Richard Parker after an extraordinary struggle that saw a series of recounts Mr Street gave a magnanimous response and refused to blame Mr Sunak for his loss Richard Parker (right) posed for pictures on social media celebrating his victory tonight Putting a brave face on grim election results, Rishi Sunak admitted that voters are 'frustrated' but argued that Keir Starmer has not sealed the deal England Local England Mayoral London Assembly London Mayoral Police & Crime Ex-Cabinet minister Simon Clarke, a public critic of Mr Sunak, reportedly posted on a Tory WhatsApp group after the news broke: 'These results are awful, and should be a massive wake up call.' A former minister told MailOnline that victory for Mr Street would have 'eased the pressure' on the PM. 'For those who say it would be madness to have another leader now just look at the statistics. They say that is precisely what the majority of Tory voters want,' they said. 'I think there will be more reflection now. There will be a lot of phone calls being made this Bank Holiday weekend, not least by supporters of rival candidates, although they will be discreet.' The MP added that there was 'an element of MPs simply being resigned to losing'. But another veteran Tory backbencher said Mr Street's loss 'is not going to shift anything'. 'People know Rishi has improved things, so let's stick with him and not let Kier take credit for Tories improving things over next six months,' they added. The MP said the key question for the rebels was who would be better than Mr Sunak: 'No one and they know it.' For the first time since 1996, the Lib Dems have won more councillors than the Conservatives at a round of local elections. The Blackpool South by-election caused particular consternation as Labour stormed the seat with a 26 point swing - and the Tories only barely scraped into second ahead of Reform. The battle for West Midlands mayor had been due to declare at 3pm, but went into extra time with both sides saying it was 'too close to call'. Recounts took place in Birmingham and Wolverhampton, and Coventry as the parties wrangle over every single vote. It finally came down to Sandwell area, where Mr Parker needed to win by at least 11,456 votes. He cleared the bar by around 1,000 to overhaul Mr Street. Despite the misery for the Tories, it has not all been plain sailing for Sir Keir, with experts warning that a slump in support in areas with large Muslim populations suggested he was 'in trouble'. Labour tied up more expected victories today, with Steve Rotheram re-elected as Liverpool City Region Mayor after securing a landslide 68 per cent of the vote. Andy Burnham emerged victorious in Greater Manchester by 63 per cent to just 10 per cent for his Tory opponent. Oliver Coppard was returned as as South Yorkshire Mayor with 138,611 votes, nearly three times as many as the 44,945 his Conservative rival Nick Allen received. Earlier, Mr Sunak insisted he can still turn the situation around, saying people are 'frustrated and wondering why they should vote'. 'The fact Labour is not winning in places that they admit themselves they need for a majority, shows that Keir Starmer's lack of plan and vision is hurting them,' he said. 'We Conservatives have everything to fight for and we will because we are fighting for our values and our country's future.' Mr Sunak pointed to his party's recent commitment to hike defence spending and cut migration as clear dividing lines with Labour. But polling guru Prof John Curtice said the results demonstrated Mr Sunak has 'very little to show' for his efforts to restore the Tories' fortunes after Liz Truss's abrtive premiership. The election expert told the BBC: 'There is nothing in these results to suggest contrary to the opinion polls that the Conservatives are actually beginning to narrow the gap on Labour, and that so far at least, Rishi Sunak's project which has tried to recover from the disaster from the Conservatives' point of view of the Liz Truss fiscal event, that project has still got very little to show for it. 'That in a sense is the big takeaway. 'Now the Conservatives, as when all parties do badly in elections, they always want you to focus on the exception rather than the rule, and Tees Valley and probably the West Midlands are the exceptions not the rule.' On Labour losses over its stance on Gaza, Sir John said: 'At the moment I think what we would find if we had a general election is that Labour might well fall back in some of these seats, but because the Labour Party is already so strong, they would probably still succeed in winning the parliamentary election. 'But yep, this is a big message to Labour from these local elections, is that you are indeed now in trouble with some of your Muslim former supporters.' Mr Sunak had been willing Andy Street (pictured) to join Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen in securing a third term On a visit to Mansfield this morning, Keir Starmer (pictured with new East Midlands mayor Claire Ward) insisted he is 'confident' that Mr Khan can keep control of City Hall Mr Sunak suffered a blow in his own back yard as Labour took the York and North Yorkshire mayor post. The region, which covers the PM's Richmond constituency, is somewhere Labour has historically struggled to compete in parliamentary elections. Labour also won inaugural mayoral contests in the East Midlands and the North East, and gained nine police and crime commissioner posts from the Tories, including in Cumbria, Avon and Somerset, and Norfolk. But in a smattering of councils, the Opposition party lost seats to independents and George Galloway's Workers Party of Britain, all apparently over the party's stance on Gaza. Overall, Labour won control of eight councils as it saw a net gain of 204 seats, while the Liberal Democrats gained 92 seats and the Greens 58. The Liberal Democrats' most significant victory was winning control of Dorset council from the Conservatives, where it now has 42 of the 82 seats after gaining 15. The Greens fell narrowly short of taking overall control of Bristol, one of their top targets, despite gaining 10 seats. Despite results that left the Conservatives on track to lose half the seats they contested, rebels admitted they had not persuaded enough MPs to join them to force a vote of no confidence in Mr Sunak's leadership. One rebel told the Mail simply: 'We're off to the pub.' Polls ahead of the election suggested that the London incumbent was on track for a comfortable victory over Tory rival Susan Hall (pictured) Dame Andrea Jenkyns, the first Tory MP to publicly move against the PM, said it was 'unlikely' that others would follow in sufficient numbers to trigger a leadership contest. 'My stance is the same,' she said. 'But we are where we are and it is looking unlikely that the MPs are going to put the letters in, so we need to pull together.' Former Cabinet minister Nadine Dorries - another high-profile critic of the PM - said it would be 'madness' to try to replace Mr Sunak before the general election, adding that it would 'make no difference' to the result. One rebel source said it was clear that Mr Sunak would 'limp on to the election', adding: 'We're not kamikaze pilots. In the end, there are too many MPs with their heads stuck in the sand for it to work.' Texas has been slammed with brutal storms this week that have caused heavy flooding - leaving one panicked truck driver to scramble out of his vehicle as it sinks on the highway. Shocking video captured the moment the huge white truck plunged into the deep floodwater as bystanders watched in shock and horror. 'Current flash flooding situation stranded on I-69 near Shepherd, TX - please stay off the roads,' the person who took the video captioned it on TiKTok. The driver is seen in bright neon yellow clambering out of the window in a frantic bid to escape the doomed vehicle. As the truck continued to sink deeper and deeper, another truck zoomed past it - sending water gushing on both side, and a different vehicle also managed to wade through. Texas has been slammed with brutal storms this week that have caused heavy flooding - a truck is seen driving through flood water in North Woodland Hills after severe flooding Girls ride their bikes through flood water along West Lake Houston Parkway A Houston firetruck makes it way through flood water in North Woodland Hills after severe flooding After escaping amidst the chaos - the driver perched on the hood of the vehicle, stuck in the middle of the body of water formed by the catastrophic flash flood. Flooding further intensified on Saturday - after a week of downpours ravaged parts of western and central Texas. CNN weather predicted that the heaviest downpours in central Texas will take place upstream of the horrific flooding in Houston - which could worsen flooding in a region where 12 river gauges have already reached intense flooding stages. The state has been pounded with brutal weather conditions since early April as dozens of tornadoes have hit the Panhandle to the Gulf Coast. Certain parts of Texas have been smacked with 'softball-sized' hail and the relentless rainfall has caused rivers to see levels that have not been seen the devastating floods of Hurricane Harvey in 2017. On Thursday alone - some Texan communities saw more rainfall than they normally would in a two month period. San Jacinto County - where the terrifying highway flooding incident took place - has been particularly drenched by the flooding. Around 100-200 homes have been affected by the floodwaters in the county and mandatory evacuations are in effect. The currently flooding is '85% worse than Hurricane Harvey,' Emmitt Eldridge, the county's emergency management coordinator, told CNN. Eldridge also said there have been at least 58 water rescues in San Jacinto County so far - and even more rain is expected in the area next week. Friday's downpour left Texas officials scrambling to take cautionary efforts and issue evacuation warnings - worrying that the worst was yet to come. Emergency workers with Caney Creek Fire and Rescue carry a dog from a flooded area A man carries his dogs rescued by boat from his home by Caney Creek Fire and Rescue on River Plantation Drive Conroe firefighter Cody Leroy carries a resident evacuated in a boat by the CFD Rapid Intervention Team from her flooded home in the aftermath of a severe storm Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo cautioned: 'This threat is ongoing and it's going to get worse. It is not your typical river flood.' She further described the surge of water as 'catastrophic' and said several hundred structures were at risk of flooding. As of now, authorities have already conducted at least two dozen water rescues in the county, in addition to getting 30 pets to safety. Schools in the path of the flooding have canceled classes and roads remain jammed as officials have closed highways. Authorities have yet not reported any deaths or injuries. For weeks, drenching rains in Texas and parts of Louisiana have filled reservoirs and completely saturated the ground. Floodwaters began partially submerged cars and roads this week across parts of southeastern Texas, north of Houston, where high waters reached the roofs of some homes. In the rural community of Shepherd, Gilroy Fernandes said he and his spouse had about an hour to evacuate after a mandatory order. Their home is on stilts near the Trinity River, and they felt relief when the water began to recede on Thursday but things worsened overnight. 'Next thing you know, overnight they started releasing more water from the dam at Livingston. And so that caused the level of the river to shoot up by almost five or six feet overnight,' Fernandes said. Neighbors who left an hour later got stuck in traffic because of the flooding. Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough claims there have been more high-water rescues than he was able to count. 'We estimate we've had a couple hundred rescues from homes, from houses, from vehicles,' Keough said. A helicopter flies above the San Jacinto River, which rose out of its banks in the aftermath of a severe storm Family members survey the damage after a tree fell on the home of Monica Ramirez during a severe storm A woman is rescued by airboat from her home by Montgomery County Sheriff's Office deputies More than nine inches of rain has fell over the county in the last 24 hours, according to the National Weather Service. In Crosby, school officials said the driver of a school bus carrying 27 students stopped his vehicle just before driving into high water Friday. The students were forced to exit through a rear door and were taken to campuses on another bus. Later, Crosby school district Superintendent Paula Patterson said: 'I am proud of the quick action of our bus driver'. Of particular concern was an area along the San Jacinto River, on the eastern part of the county, which was expected to continue rising as more rain falls and officials release extra water from an already full reservoir. Storms over the past month in southeast Texas and parts of Louisiana have dumped more than 2 feet (61 centimeters) of rain in some areas, according to the National Weather Service. The greater Houston area covers about 10,000 square miles - a footprint slightly bigger than New Jersey. It is crisscrossed by about 1,700 miles of channels, creeks and bayous that drain into the Gulf of Mexico, about 50 miles to the southeast from downtown. The city's system of bayous and reservoirs was built to drain heavy rains. But engineering initially designed nearly 100 years ago has struggled to keep up with the city's growth and bigger storms. MoD says it's investing 10 billion over ten years on munitions supply Grant Shapps was challenged last night over plans to spend twice as much on yachts as on new bullets for the Army's machine guns. The Defence Secretary faced calls to explain proposals to splash out nearly 8million replacing the Ministry of Defence's fleet of sailing boats but only 4million on that ammunition. One MP privately mocked the plans last night, saying: 'We're supposed to be showing Vladimir Putin how tough we are not give him a laugh.' The spending plans are set out in the MoD's latest 'acquisition pipeline' proposals for potential contracts worth over 2 million and due for release within 18 months. They include spending an estimated 4 million for 're-procurement' of '7.62 x 35mm ammunition' from December 2025. The Defence Secretary Grant Shapps is planning to spend nearly 8million replacing the Ministry of Defence's sailing boats but only 4million on ammunition Mr Shapps has also been urged to send gas masks to Ukrainian soldiers amid claims Russian soldiers are using poison gas Military sources said the bullets were for the Army's main infantry machine gun which is also carried on light tanks as a secondary weapon for the crew. However, the acquisition plans also included an estimated 7.8 million contract to replace the MoD's fleet of yachts, starting in January 2025. The MoD maintains a fleet of sailing boats used for training for service personnel across the Army, Navy and RAF. However, Government sources said that the proposed spending on replacement yachts was part of a budgeting exercise for a 'future tender and is not confirmed'. At the end of March, Lieutenant General Sir Rob Magowan, Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff, warned that more money needed to be spent on ammunition. He added that Mr Shapps and his military chiefs had told the Prime Minister they needed a bigger budget to better protect the UK. Last night, senior Tory MP and defence committee member Mark Francois said: 'We urgently need to rebuild our ammunition stocks, not least for deterrent purposes.' Labour MP Emma Lewell-Buck, who also serves on the committee, said: 'I'm sure these yachts serve a useful purpose but it can't be right to be spending more on replacing them than on machine-gun ammunition.' Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during the conference of All-Russia People's Front on January 25, 2016 in Stavropol, Russia An MoD spokesman refused to comment on 'individual tender processes' but said that it was 'investing 10 billion over ten years to grow our domestic munitions production pipeline and improve stockpiles'. Mr Shapps also faced calls to send life-saving gas masks to Ukrainian soldiers after US claims that Russian forces have now used poison gas in the conflict. Jos Sclater, chief executive of Wiltshire-based company Avon Protection, which supplies protective masks to UK forces, said: 'It is now a strategic imperative that we manufacture and supply gas masks to Ukraine.' This follows a crackdown by border officers which have included dawn raids Only 0.5 per cent of illegal migrants have been deported Just 155 migrants who crossed the Channel in small boats last year have been removed from the country, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. Ministers have repeatedly vowed tough action on those entering the UK illegally, promising they will be removed with no right to return. But figures obtained by this newspaper under the Freedom of Information Act show only 155 of the 29,437 migrants who crossed the Channel last year a paltry 0.5 per cent have been removed. Tory MPs last night blamed a barrage of legal challenges for blocking removals and said the figures showed the urgent need for the Rwanda scheme, which they hope will deter others from making the perilous crossing. Senior Tory MP Neil O'Brien said: 'This just shows why the Rwanda scheme is so important and why we need to overhaul the system. People are able to have infinite numbers of appeals on spurious grounds. Migrants wading out to sea to be picked up by a smuggling boat travelling to England The government has been cracking down on illegal migrants and about 100 were rounded up in dawn raids earlier this week (pictured) 'Even when people are removed... it takes years and years to get there. 'What we need is a system where we make a very quick decision, and they know they won't get to stay if they have a spurious claim.' The Rwanda scheme, codenamed Operation Vector, began last week, with dawn raids to round up asylum seekers who arrived in small boats. Groups of men were seen being handcuffed before being taken to immigration removal centres, where they will be held until they can be deported to Africa. Home Office lawyers are, however, braced for a string of legal challenges, with a leaked Government forecast predicting that 75 per cent of migrants will bring successful judicial reviews to block their removal. Migrants can prevent their removal if they prove they face a 'real, imminent and foreseeable risk of serious and irreversible harm' in Rwanda. A total of 711 migrants crossed the Channel last Wednesday, the most in one day so far this year. Alp Mehmet, chairman of Migration Watch, said the 2023 removal figures obtained by the MoS from the Home Office four months after they were first requested were 'disgraceful'. He added: 'The small boats will not stop unless it's made clear that those crossing the Channel illegally stand little chance of being allowed to stay.' Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to abolish the Rwanda flights if his party comes to power. But Tory MP Alexander Stafford said the scheme will 'restore confidence' in the immigration system. The Home Office said it had already removed 26,000 people with no right to be in the UK and 'will get flights to Rwanda off the ground in nine to 11 weeks'. Incident took place near UCL where pro-Palestine protests were being staged Shocking footage shows the moment a man spits towards a group of counter-protesters supporting Israel near a pro-Palestine demonstration in London. Police are seen speaking to an individual who then turns to the person behind the camera and spits in his direction, in full view of one of the officers. The officer then walks the man away from the group for a few steps, pushing him as he ushers him to leave the area near the University College London (UCL) campus in Bloomsbury, central London. The Met officer responds to questions from the cameraman over whether he saw the incident by saying: 'Yes, I saw it, go away.' The exasperated policeman then appears to try to justify letting the man go, saying to the shocked person taking the video: 'He done it on your... in front of you. Yeah, he's not saying sorry he's being rude.' Police are seen speaking to an individual who turns to the person behind the camera and spits in his direction, in full view of one of the officers The man points at the officer as he appears to let the person who spat at him walk away The police officer then turns away from the camera and walks off, with it unclear as to whether any further action was taken as the clip comes to an end. Spitting in public is subject to a fine, and spitting at a person deliberately can constitute assault. The Metropolitan Police said on X that the man had been arrested shortly after the incident. The Met has been contacted for further comment. It took place outside UCL, where Israel-supporting demonstrators faced off with a pro-Palestine crowd. Police lined up in front of the two groups on either side of Gower Street in an attempt to keep them apart. UCL students, inspired by camp outs at US colleges, have pitched tents near the main campus building to show their opposition to the institution's position on the Israel-Hamas war. Around 100 protesters, many calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, joined them on Saturday, with chants of 'divest from death' and 'free Palestine'. Around 50 pro-Israel gathered too, The Telegraph reports, waving Union Jacks and Israeli flags and chanting: 'Terrorist supporters off our streets. Anti-Semites off our streets.' The incident took place outside UCL, where Israel-supporting demonstrators faced off with a pro-Palestine crowd A pro-Palestine protest, calling for a ceasefire at UCL main campus. A pro Israel counter protest took place on the other side of the street. A woman on the pro-Israel side of the street speaks to a police officer as the counter-protesters were kept on one side of the road More than 40 police officers were on the scene, and reportedly stopped three men who were carrying signs saying 'Hamas are terrorists' and holding Israel flags from crossing over to the side where the pro-Palestine demonstrators were. It comes after the Met sparked outrage last month when an officer threatened to arrest a man wearing a kippah for being 'openly Jewish' near a pro-Palestinian rally. Scotland Yard had to apologise twice after a short clip emerged on social media showing Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, was blocked by an officer close to a protest in the Aldwych area on Saturday 13 April. In the footage, which was shared online, Mr Falter was told he faced arrest if he did not leave the area because he was 'causing a breach of peace with all these other people' claiming his presence was 'antagonising'. Mr Falter maintained he was 'going for a walk' after attending synagogue. Gideon Falter demanded action after he was stopped by police after trying to cross the road near a pro-Palestine march The Met had issued an apology to Mr Falter for the way he was treated, describing the officer's choice to use the phrase 'openly Jewish' as 'hugely regrettable'. However, it then issued a second apology after being accused of 'victim blaming' when it claimed in its previous statement that campaigners filming themselves being abused are being 'provocative'. A spokesperson for the Jewish Board of Deputies said at the time: 'Since the horrific terror attacks of October 7th, almost every weekend we have seen tens of thousands of people march through the centre of London on 'anti-Israel' protests. 'While many marchers may have genuine concerns regarding the terrible situation in Gaza, others have taken the opportunity to amplify hideous antisemitic conspiracy theories, while a number clearly wish for the complete destruction of the world's only Jewish State. 'The Metropolitan Police has made a series of high-profile errors in their responses to these demonstrations.' Droves of sick and starved pelicans have been coming into a local wildlife center in Huntington Beach, California as a result of a 'mass stranding.' In the last month alone, more than 80 brown pelicans have been brought to the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center, with only 31 surviving. Debbie McGuire, executive director of the center, said the amount of sick birds that have been brought in has rescue teams concerns. The center is also starting to run out of supplies as more birds are brought in by people around the region, running out of 500 pounds of fish in just the past week, she said. Although McGuire said she could not pinpoint a reason behind the sudden influx of starving birds, she said she thinks it has something to do with their food. Pictured: Lindsey Campbell, left, a senior wildlife tech at Wildlife Care Center, uses a large feeding syringe to feed a brown pelican that was starving and badly dehydrated Pictured: Brown pelicans that were starving recuperate at the Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach Only a handful of pelicans are expected to be receiving treatment at the center, come late spring, but this year is an anomaly. The last time a pelican stranding occurred was 2022 when hundreds of pelicans were brought to the center for treatment, the epidemic stretching the state's entire coast line. Pelicans can dive around six feet deep to catch fish. 'What we know for sure is that once we start feeding them, they tend to respond vitamins, food, liquids,' McGuire told the Los Angeles Daily News. 'The biggest thing we need is money to buy fish.' The pelicans have ranged in age from younglings to full grown adults. McGuire said some of them have had to be put down as they come in with broken wings, an irreversible injury for a pelican depending on the type of break. Though it's unknown if the reason is the same as what's affecting the pelicans, McGuire added that there have been more western gulls and baby sea lions being treated who are exhibiting similar ailments. In the past week, McGuire said she fears that similar to the 2022 mass stranding, the entire California coast could be seeing this issue. In the past week, she said the sick pelicans came in from from San Clemente to Seal Beach and into the Los Angeles and Ventura coastlines. Others have come from Corona Del Mar, Laguna Beach, and Newport Beach. McGuire said teams of biologists will be performing necropsies on the deceased pelicans to try to piece together what's causing the issue. Pictured: Lindsey Campbell, left, a senior wildlife tech, is assisted by volunteer Lan Wiborg in feeding a malnourished brown pelican at Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach Pictured: Lindsey Campbell a senior wildlife tech at Wildlife Care Center, takes a blood sample from a brown pelican Featured: Brown pelicans that were starving recuperate at the Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach Early bloodwork on the birds concluded that they were emaciated and anemic, while others were caught in fishing nets. 'The scientists really need to take a deep look at what causes this. It could be theres nothing we can do. It could be just whats happening,' McGuire said. The center encourages those who spot a sick animal to Get in touch with animal control or lifeguards; they will transport it to a care facility A sick bird may require medical attention if it does not attempt to fly away upon approach. To find out more information on how you could help visit wwccoc.org. Taoiseach Simon Harris has been labeled as 'naive' by his cabinet ministers Rishi Sunak has sparked civil war in the Irish government after wrong-footing the Republic over the Rwanda deal. Key figures in the Irish Cabinet are taking aim at Taoiseach Simon Harris, in the role only since last month, for being out-manoeuvred. They told The Mail on Sunday he was guilty of 'naivety' and a 'flawed' strategy after losing a diplomatic spat with Sunak. The row comes amid a growing backlash in Ireland over migrants amid disputed claims that 80 per cent of asylum seekers arriving in the Republic after crossing the open border with Northern Ireland are fleeing the UK to avoid being sent to Rwanda. Tented communities have sprung up in Dublin and sparked big anti-migrant demonstrations, often outside politicians' homes. Taoiseach Simon Harris (pictured) has been described as naive by his cabinet ministers in the wake of the civil war with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak over the Rwanda deal Rishi Sunak is hoping to get flights off the ground to Rwanda by June as part of the government's strategy to combat illegal small boat crossings Ireland insists that the land border with the UK remains open post-Brexit, but critics say that has backfired and allowed asylum seekers easy access. In addition, the Irish high court has ruled that the UK is not to be judged a safe country to return asylum seekers because of the Rwanda legislation. And Mr Sunak has made it clear that Britain would not accept any under proposed new legislation until the EU agrees a similar deal so that Britain can send boat people back to France. Hundreds of asylum seekers were sleeping rough beside Dublin's International Protection Office, which had no toilets or washing facilities, before the camp was cleared on Wednesday. But yesterday a new camp sprang up alongside the Grand Canal. Tents cluster near Dublin's Office of International Protection, serving as temporary homes for asylum seekers on April 30, 2024, in Dublin, Ireland Two small boats carrying migrants towards England across the English Channel Local cab driver Michael Smith said: 'It's got ridiculous. They don't speak great English, but they say it's because of Rwanda.' A Nigerian migrant, Otumba, told MailOnline he decided to go to Dublin because he knew what was going to happen. 'I came to the UK to seek asylum. Then five weeks ago we heard that the Rwanda Bill is going to be passed, and we don't want to go back to Africa. 'It is not safe. Africa is like a volcano that can erupt any time.' Investigators think he targeted her because she is prosecuting Donald Trump Marc Shultz, 66, accused of promising to violently murder her and using slurs A man in California has been charged with sending death threats to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis because of her prosecution of former president Donald Trump. Marc Shultz, 66, from Chula Vista, appeared in federal court in San Diego on Thursday and will be formally arraigned in Atlanta in June. He is accused of making death threats against Willis in several comments on YouTube videos on October 4 and 5. Shultz made a promise to violently murder her, used racial slurs and said she 'will be killed like a dog', according to the US Attorney's Office in the Northern District of Georgia. Investigators believe he has targeted Willis because she is prosecuting Trump for his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. A man in California has been charged with sending death threats to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis because of her prosecution of former president Donald Trump Investigators believe he has targeted Willis because she is prosecuting Trump for his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia 'Threats of violence against government officials, specifically, threaten the very fabric of our democracy,' Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta said. 'Threats of violence against government officials, specifically, threaten the very fabric of our democracy. 'We want everyone to know that if you engage in such behavior, you will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.' While US Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan said: 'Sending death threats to a public official is a criminal offense that will not be tolerated. 'Our office will continue to diligently coordinate with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to help protect public officials while performing their duties and who deserve to do so free from threats of harm and intimidation.' Willis has thanked the US. Attorney in Northern Georgia for bringing the charges and hit out at Republican state senator Bill Cowsert. Marc Shultz, 66, from Chula Vista, appeared in federal court in San Diego on Thursday and will be formally arraigned in Atlanta in June. He is accused of making death threats against Willis in several comments on YouTube videos on October 4 and 5 Trump's legal team attempted to remove Willis from the case over an affair she had with former special prosecutor Nathan Wade (right) Judge Scott McAfee ruled Wade had to leave or Willis couldn't continue to pursue the charges 'On the same day Senator Bill Cowsert had the audacity to question whether an elected African American female District Attorney deserves protection from death threats, the United States Attorney and the FBI announced another indictment of someone who threatened my life,' she said. 'I thank US Attorney Ryan Buchanan, his staff and the FBI for believing the life of an African American elected official has value and for their diligent efforts in ensuring the safety of myself, my staff, and our families.' Trump's legal team attempted to remove her from the case over an affair she had with former special prosecutor Nathan Wade. Judge Scott McAfee ruled Wade had to leave or Willis couldn't continue to pursue the charges. He offered his resignation in a letter to Willis in March, saying he was doing so 'in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public and to move this case forward as quickly as possible.' 'I am sure that the case, and the team, will be in good hands moving forward and justice will be served,' Wade wrote. In a social media post, Trump said the 'Fani Willis lover' had 'resigned in disgrace,' and Trump repeated his assertion that the case is an effort to hurt his campaign to reclaim the White House in November. King Charles is said to be feeling like a 'caged lion' while stuck at home undergoing his cancer treatment, his Royal pen pals have revealed. According to the King's close friends who have received personal letters, he has spoken of his 'somewhat battered health'. However, he is still reportedly beaming with optimism and he is 'full of exclamation marks' when he writes of his hopes of a full recovery. It comes after it was revealed that Prince Harry and Charles are set to meet for the second time next week after his father's shock cancer diagnosis. The King's friend told The Times: 'He holds himself to very high standards of public service and genuinely feels he's letting people and organisations down if he's not out there doing all those public bits of his formal role.' King Charles is like a 'caged lion' while stuck at home undergoing cancer treatment, his Royal pen pals have revealed Prince William is said to be worried about his 'workaholic' father following his cancer diagnosis Prince Harry is next week set to meet with his father for the second times since his cancer diagnosis Another source close to Charles put it more bluntly, however, telling the publication: 'He's a bloody caged lion, driving everyone round the twist if he's stuck at home.' Meanwhile, a third source said that Prince William is 'worried' about his 'workaholic' father's pace and he 'wants to make sure his father is balancing his recovery'. Yesterday, it was revealed that the King, 75, has taken on more than 200 new patronages from the late Queen following a major review of charities supported by the Royal Family. Queen Camilla has also inherited several roles, including the presidency of the Sandringham Women's Institute. Most notably for Charles, he has taken on the Association of Commonwealth Universities one of Meghan's patronages before she and Harry stepped down as senior royals four years ago. In March 2020, the Duchess of Sussex met with representatives from the ACU in private at Buckingham Palace for her penultimate royal engagement, inviting a small group of journalists including her biographer Omid Scobie. He later wrote that she had taken the opportunity to whisper to him: 'It didn't have to be this way.' Many will consider it a diplomatically astute move for the King to take on the role not only because he is Head of the Commonwealth, but also because it might be considered inflammatory giving the role to William or Kate. Following the news of Prince Harry's rumoured meeting with his father, a royal expert told MailOnline it shows a thaw in frosty relations. Richard Fitzwilliams, an expert on the royal family, said he expected Harry to visit his father during his cancer recovery at every possible opportunity - and has suggested their meetings could pave the way for a reconciliation with his brother William. King Charles attends day three of the Royal Windsor Horse Show at Windsor Castle King Charles, patron of Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support, and Queen Camilla, arrive for a visit to University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre, London on April 30 Charles and Zara Tindall hug as as they greet each other at the Endurance event on day three of the Royal Windsor Horse Show And while there could even be room for Meghan and grandchildren Lilibet and Archie to join him on a future visit, he anticipates Harry will have to rebuild the family's trust after scathing attacks over the last couple of years. Mr Fitzwilliams said of the anticipated reunion. 'I'm not surprised. It is naturally a normal thing for a son to want to do. 'But what has happened, of course, a relatively short period ago, we had (controversial memoir) Spare at the beginning of last year and attacks on the royal family in the interviews he gave to promote it. A lot of it was very, very unwise. 'But the Sussexes have just beefed up their communications team with two new appointments and I think that is significant, because I think that they are paying more attention now to their PR, something they wouldn't (have considered before). 'Who advised Harry on Spare, when he told us how many Taliban he killed, when he discussed experimenting with drugs, penile frostbite, losing his virginity? 'This was someone who was simply doing his own thing and wasn't paying attention to the essential part of public relations - the importance of your brand. 'But now they realise that your brand is very, very important and they are now in a situation where they are monetising their royal connections through Netflix and Meghan's American Riviera Orchard. 'But on the other hand, there have been no attacks on the royal family recently, nor will there be for rather obvious reasons. 'The difficulty they now have is that they have to be trusted if they are going to build, or rebuild bridges, because I don't think members of the royal family will trust the Sussexes. 'The King has made clear his door is always open and obviously Harry is going to see quite a lot of him over the weeks and months ahead. 'When there is serious illness you have a situation where privately, quitely, which isn't the way the Sussexes do things normally, you have to have a meeting of minds.' A man told he was dying from inoperable cancer is set to make history by having multi-organ transplant surgery for the second time in a bid to beat the disease. Adam Alderson, 43, first entered medical textbooks in 2015 when surgeons removed a massive tumour and transplanted six organs from a single donor to save his life after other doctors told him nothing more could be done. He begged surgeons to try the pioneering op, which involved removing his stomach, small and large intestines, pancreas, spleen, gall bladder, appendix, most of his liver and abdominal wall. Mr Alderson's surgery was one of only a handful of such operations to be performed in the UK. At the time, there were no known living survivors of the procedure. Adam Alderson, 43, first entered medical textbooks in 2015 when surgeons removed a massive tumour and transplanted six organs from a single donor to save his life after other doctors told him nothing more could be done. Pictured: Adam Alderson with his wife Laura He begged surgeons to try the pioneering op, which involved removing his stomach, small and large intestines, pancreas, spleen, gall bladder, appendix, most of his liver and abdominal wall Mr Alderson's surgery was one of only a handful of such operations to be performed in the UK. At the time, there were no known living survivors of the procedure Now he is set to make history again as he prepares for another multiple transplant to replace seven of his organs after doctors discovered his extremely rare cancer had returned. Mr Alderson, who lives with wife Laura in Preston-under-Scar, North Yorkshire, said: 'It's never been done before in the UK, where someone has had two such transplants like this for this condition. It's amazing.' Surgeon Brendan Moran, part of a 30-strong team who carried out his first operation, said: 'This is a very rare cancer and it's not usually diagnosed until it's advanced, which makes it difficult to treat. 'We've done about 18 cases so far in the UK, and Adam is the oldest surviving patient. 'We have never before done two such transplants on the same patient. Adam is amazingly resilient and he is young and fit, but it's a very tough operation to go through.' Mr Alderson had been misdiagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome before he discovered he had pseudomyxoma peritonei, a rare cancer that usually starts with a small growth, or polyp, in the appendix. By the time such growths are detected and diagnosed, the disease is often well advanced. When specialists tried to remove Mr Alderson's tumour, they found the cancer had spread too far. Now he is set to make history again as he prepares for another multiple transplant to replace seven of his organs after doctors discovered his extremely rare cancer had returned. Pictured: Previously in hospital Mr Alderson had been misdiagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome before he discovered he had pseudomyxoma peritonei, a rare cancer that usually starts with a small growth, or polyp, in the appendix 'They said they were sorry, but there was nothing they could do,' he said. 'They disconnected my bowel, gave me a bag and a feeding tube and sent me home on palliative care with at best two years to live.' After chemotherapy Mr Alderson refused to give up, even when told he was nearing the end. He pleaded with Mr Moran, who agreed to treat him. As soon as a donor was found, Mr Alderson had the 18-hour operation at Churchill Hospital in Oxford. His recovery went so well he and Laura devoted themselves to raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. But last month a scan showed the cancer had returned and doctors suggested another multiple transplant, replacing the same six organs plus his liver. 'They will look at doing the transplant in the next 12 to 18 months,' he said. 'It's a very slow growing cancer, so it will definitely buy me more time. I feel very lucky to still be here I have Mr Moran and the team to thank for that.' First there were sensitivity readers, advising on whether a book might cause offence. Then, came intimacy co-ordinators, to ensure sex scenes in films neither outrage audiences nor cause difficulties for the actors involved. Now the latest innovation in these more sensitive times is the 'cultural consultant'. They are being embraced by modern Hollywood to stamp out any insensitivities around ethnicity, faith and race. Disney/Pixar is keen on them. To give one example, its animation Soul, the story of a school teacher who dies suddenly while dreaming of achieving his ambition of being a jazz pianist, is reported to have had no fewer than 11 consultants, among them musicians Herbie Hancock and Marcus McLaurine. Producers at Sony asked Sajid Varda, chief executive of media charity UK Muslim Film, to advise on a Pakistani-American character in new Ghostbusters film Frozen Empire. A still from the latest Ghostbusters movie Frozen Empire (file pic) 'Cultural consultants' were brought in to stamp out any insensitivities around ethnicity, faith and race (file pic) Producers at Sony asked Sajid Varda, chief executive of media charity UK Muslim Film, to advise on a Pakistani-American character in new Ghostbusters film Frozen Empire (file pic) A key part of the plot is the discovery of a secret room at his grandmother's and the selling of an ancient relic. The producers wanted to get the detail of the relationship right. Mr Varda told The Guardian the key to the job was not censorship but 'authenticity not just saying what is wrong with this, but how can we make it better and improve it?' He said his role is not about censorship. 'When you're consulting you present film-makers with, 'Here is the issue, or the concern', and 'This would be the recommendation' and then it's really up to them whether they take it on board. Sometimes a certain incident or a line of dialogue is for them integral to the story and to change it in a significant way may take the shine off.' Peace talks were under way in Cairo last night on a Gaza ceasefire deal that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called 'a no-brainer' for Hamas. Hamas said its delegation flew in from Qatar in a 'positive spirit' after studying the truce proposal, which would see a halt to the fighting and hostages returned to Israel. 'We are determined to secure an agreement in a way that fulfils Palestinians' demands,' said a communique from the negotiators for the Islamist militant group. The main question appears to be whether the ceasefire deal would be permanent or temporary. Taher Al-Nono, a Hamas official, said meetings with Egyptian and Qatari mediators had begun and Hamas was dealing with their proposals 'with full seriousness'. Smoke plumes billow into the sky following an Israeli bombardment in the central Gaza strip US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (pictured) has called the peace deal 'a no-brainer' for Hamas Palestinian children who fled Rafah city join crowds to protest for peace He reiterated the group's demand that any deal should include Israel pulling out of Gaza and an end to the war conditions that Israel has previously rejected. An Israeli official said: 'Israel will, under no circumstances, agree to ending the war as part of a deal to free our hostages.' The war began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 252 hostages. More than 34,600 Palestinians have been killed and more than 77,000 wounded in Israel's military operation, according to Gaza's health ministry. There was some optimism that a deal could be reached. 'Things look better this time, but whether an agreement is on hand would depend on whether Israel has offered what it takes for that to happen,' a Palestinian official told Reuters. Israel has given a preliminary nod to terms which one source said included the return of between 20 and 33 hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and a weeks-long suspension of fighting. That would leave around 100 hostages in Gaza, some of whom have died in captivity, according to Israel. The source told Reuters their return may require an additional deal with broader Israeli concessions. 'That could entail a de facto, if not formal, end to the war unless Israel somehow recovers them through force or generates enough military pressure to make Hamas relent,' the source said. Egyptian sources said CIA director William Burns arrived in Cairo on Friday. He has been involved in previous truce talks, and Washington has signalled there may be progress this time, with Mr Blinken saying 'taking the ceasefire should be a no-brainer' for Hamas. Meanwhile, Cindy McCain, the director of the UN World Food Programme, has said that the north of Gaza has tipped into a 'full-blown famine' that is heading towards the south. 'It's horror,' she told NBC, adding that a ceasefire and a greater flow of aid was sorely needed. FBI agents were drafted in to protect former PM from Ghadr organisation in 1931 Indian separatists plotted to kill Sir Winston Churchill during his near disastrous lecture tour of the United States, newly uncovered papers reveal. FBI agents were drafted in to protect him from the shadowy Ghadr organisation for his 1931 trip across the Atlantic, files at the National Archives at Kew disclose. Police feared a fugitive hitman would target him and so the future wartime leader had his Special Branch bodyguard Sgt Walter Thompson with him and he personally paid the officer's food and lodgings for the trip. It had been known that Churchill received death threats from Indian groups because of his trenchant support for the British empire. Historians dismissed them as nebulous but the files show Churchill was warned of a plot by California-based terrorists who were part-funded by Moscow. Pictured: Former prime minister Winston Churchill, then a backbench MP, is wheeled out of a hospital in New York after being knocked down by a car after arriving in the US. The future wartime leader was the target of a plot by the Ghadr organisation A Home Office memo sent to Churchill then a backbench MP in November 1931 alerted him. It said: 'The Ghadr Society has its headquarters in California. It is composed mostly of revolutionary Sikhs from the Punjab. 'At a recent meeting of the Society, a list was put forward of four or five persons whom it was thought desirable to remove, and a man who is now wanted for murder in California volunteered to undertake the removal, either of all the four or five persons or of one named individual. Lately the proposed assassin has fled from justice. The India Office have a good line of information on this society, and would get information quickly if there was anything moving. There would, however, be special danger in a visit to California.' Churchill then arranged a meeting with the Home Office and was told the threat specifically named him, according to the files. He had just returned to the Commons but was without a government job. Churchill showing his victory sign in around 1941. FBI agents were drafted in to protect the politician on his visit across the pond in 1931 Instead, he embarked on a lecture tour of North America, hoping to recoup financial losses from the Wall Street Crash. He wrote, in another newly disclosed memo, at the end of the tour that the threat had been so serious FBI agents were tasked with staking out each venue ahead of his arrival. Thompson later referred in his memoirs to a 'very correctly dressed Indian' who entered the lecture hall in Chicago. He believed 'his intention was to kill my man and you could see this in his eye'. Thompson wrote that he had drawn his gun, and the man ran into the arms of two plain-clothes officers, although he managed to escape. Until now, no credible evidence has emerged to support this claim. David Freeman, of the International Churchill Society, said the documents presented 'fresh material' not previously included in the numerous Churchill biographies. But it was not the threat of Ghadr that nearly did for Churchill during the trip. Days into the visit in New York, when crossing the road, Churchill looked the wrong way.He was knocked down and suffered a 'severe' head wound, but recovered to continue the tour. Rishi Sunak will this week tackle the 'alarming uptick' in anti-Semitism at UK universities. The Prime Minister will call university leaders to Downing Street to discuss the issue and how to stop US-style campus protests spreading to the UK. It comes amid violent demonstrations at US universities as well as a rise in reports of intimidation and abuse towards Jewish students in the UK. This week students have set up protests and 'encampments' across the country, with both pro-Palestine and pro-Israel demonstrators at UCL taking action on Saturday. Last week the Union of Jewish Students, which is due to attend the event at No 10, said Jewish students were angry, tired and hurt by 'the continuous torrent of anti-Semitic hatred on campus' since the October 7 attacks on Israel. Pro-Palestine protestors at UCL's main campus calling for a ceasefire This week students have set up protests and 'encampments' across the country, with both pro-Palestine and pro-Israel demonstrators at UCL taking action on Saturday Police officers attend the pro-Palestine protest at UCL on Saturday Protestors gather and chant through a megaphone at the pro-Palestine protest at UCL Last night Mr Sunak took aim at Goldsmiths, part of London University, after reports that it had 'caved in' to student demands by reviewing how anti-Semitism was defined on campus. The Prime Minister said: 'This kind of appeasement sends the wrong message. There must be no pandering to student occupations, and a vocal and aggressive minority must not be allowed to intimidate other students or academics.' Mr Sunak insisted that the UK was 'a country of kind, tolerant people' and that British university campuses 'should be places of rigorous debate but also bastions of tolerance and respect for every member of their communities'. But he said he had been 'alarmed' by scenes in recent months, adding: 'There has been a shocking uptick of anti-Semitism on too many university campuses.' The pro-Israel side at the protest at UCL on Saturday Police officers keep the pro-Israel and pro-Palestine protestors apart at UCL on Saturday Pro-Israel supporters hold posters reading 'rape is not resistance' and ones calling for the return of the hostages Some minor confrontations occur at the pro-Israel and pro-Palestine protest on Saturday At this week's meeting, the PM will make clear that universities must take immediate disciplinary action if any student is found to be inciting racial hatred or violence. They must also contact the police where they believe a crime has been committed. Communities Secretary Michael Gove and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan are expected to join him at the meeting. Ms Keegan will write to vice chancellors, setting out how the Government expects Jewish students to be supported. A man was allegedly stabbed to death during an early morning fight outside a suburban home. The incident happened outside a property on North Road, in Ormond, Melbourne's south-east, about 1.30am on Sunday. The man died at the scene while another man, aged in his 30s, was left wounded. A man has been killed in an alleged stabbing in an early morning brawl, that took place outside a suburban home in Melbourne (pictured), in the early hours of Sunday morning The horrifying incident took place on North Road, in Ormond (pictured), south-east of Melbourne He was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries and Victoria Police are yet to formally identify the deceased man. Sergeant Melissa Seach, from Victoria Police said officers have set up a crime scene and are investigating the incident. 'The exact circumstances surrounding the mans death are yet to be determined and the investigation remains ongoing,' she said. Two other men are understood to have fled the scene after emergency services arrived at the property. A spokeswoman from Victoria Police said officers are trying to locate the two men, who are believed to be known to the man who died and to the man who was injured. Earlier, forensic officers were at the scene taking photographs as police taped off the entire street while officers conducted their investigations. Police are investigating the incident, with westbound traffic heading toward Bethell Street and OLoughlan Street blocked off (pictured stock image) A fight reportedly broke out at the property before the physical confrontation spilled out onto the street. Traffic heading westbound on North Road will be blocked to motorists travelling toward Bethell Street and OLoughlan Street. Anyone who witnessed the incident has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. After a hard day labouring at his many jobs, George Osborne probably wanted a quiet stroll to his 10 million Notting Hill mansion. So imagine his surprise when the former chancellor stumbled straight on to a movie set featuring Richard E Grant and White Lotus actor Will Sharpe. Mr Osborne, 52, came across the making of Netflix series Too Much which is being directed by American actress Lena Dunham. One onlooker said: 'George was just there, minding his own business with his ear pods in and then all of a sudden he came face to face with a bunch of actors. Former chancellor George Osborne stumbled onto a movie set on his doorstep in Notting Hill A completely bemused Mr Osborne found his neighbour's house taken over by a Netflix crew filming the new Lena Durham rom com Too Much, featuring Richard E Grant (pictured) Also spotted on the set was White Lotus star Will Sharpe who plays the lead role A confused Mr Osborne (left) arrives at his home to find the film crew in action with tents erected 'He didn't manage to crack a smile but hopefully he saw the funny side and didn't take it too seriously. Notting Hill is a star-studded area so you'd think he'd be used to this kind of thing.' Notting Hill, Richard Curtis's 1999 hit film starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, catapulted the west London district to worldwide prominence. There are similarities in Ms Dunham's film, which will follow Jessica (US actress Megan Stalter) moving from New York with a broken heart. She will then begin dating Felix, played by Sharpe. It also stars Stephen Fry and models Adwoa Aboah and Emily Ratajkowski. Despite filming only starting recently, Too Much is already being touted as a modern day Notting Hill and is being made by the producers who worked on another of Curtis's movies, Love Actually. The hero cop who saved lives by taking down the Lindt Cafe siege killer almost 10 years ago still can't be named for legal reasons, and it's hugely affecting his life. On December 15-16 2014, Islamist terrorist Man Horon Monis held 18 hostages in the Lindt Cafe on Martin Place in Sydney in a 16-hour standoff with police. Monis was armed with a pump shotgun, which he used to kill cafe manager Tori Johnson, and said he had a bomb in his backpack. Officer A, who was part of the Alpha team, shot and killed Monis, bringing the siege to an end in the early hours of the morning. A decade on, hostage Louisa Hope told the Daily Telegraph that Officer A has 'no freedom ... he is still attached to this nightmare all because of a legal situation'. Sydney Siege hostage Elly Chen runs from the Lindt cafe in Martin Place, Sydney, Monday, December 15, 2014 On December 15-16 2014, Islamist terrorist Man Horon Monis held 18 hostages in the Lindt Cafe on Martin Place in Sydney in a 16-hour standoff with police (pictured) READ MORE: Counter terrorism cop who helped end Sydney's tragic Lindt siege revisits the site and relives the horrific scene of dead and wounded hostages The Lindt Cafe in Sydney is pictured Advertisement Ms Hope, who suffered shrapnel wounds to her foot and stomach, and Officer A have since become friends, with a bond only understood by those who have 'stared down death'. She said the suppression of his name has prevented him from rebuilding his life after the tragedy and that it stops him for doing what he dearly wants to do - helping victims of crime. The order keeping his name from the public is still active despite the coronial inquest into the siege being closed. 'The man went to work that day and found himself caught up in a throng of the most challenging matters a police officer could face yet here we are 10 years later and he is still in this limbo state,' Ms Hope said. She added that all the police officers involved that day were heroes and that a 'technicality' should not be allowed to affect Officer A's name from being revealed, especially as he in now retired from the force. Ms Hope said he should be free to pass on his experience, skills and knowledge to help other people, but he can't do so. The NSW State Coroner, Teresa O'Sullivan, told Officer A she 'has no power' to allow his name to be known 'as the proceedings are finalised'. If he went public and made his name known anyway, he would face huge fines and could be jailed. A spokesman for NSW Attorney General Michael Daley - who officer A has asked for help - said: 'Generally, non-publication orders are a matter for the parties and the relevant court. 'Anyone seeking to have a non-publication order varied or revoked should seek legal advice to consider the specific circumstances of their case.' With the legal block on naming him remaining, Officer A is forced to hide his identity, which Ms Hope said is 'morally wrong' as he could be working for the good of the community. 'I feel that it's a bureaucratic injustice because the truth of the matter is this is unfinished business from the Lindt Cafe siege,' she said. Ms Hope has set up an online petition to 'give Officer A back his name'. Hostage Louisa Hope said Officer A has 'no freedom ... he is still attached to this nightmare all because of a legal situation'. Picture from St Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church, Sydney Terrorist Man Horon Monis used Ms Hope (pictured) to repeat his demands after taking hostages in the Lindt cafe in 2014. She is now an advocate for Officer A People are pictured running with their hands up from the Lindt Cafe on December 16, 2014 She saw parallels with her story in the survivors of last month's Bondi Junction stabbing murders of six people. 'I'm very concerned about them. I know what's ahead for them, lots of pressure from the media, society in general, the community. They have the inquest ahead of them which is a lot of hard work, looking for answers,' she said. Joel Cauchi, who murdered six people and injured 12 others was shot dead by a police officer in the Westfield shopping mall. Unlike Officer A, that hero cop can be named - Amy Scott. Pressure is mounting on Sky News presenter Peter Stefanovic to publicly apologise and resign over a 'train wreck' interview where he shamed an Indigenous teenager who just won $1million in a fishing competition. The backlash against Stefanovic has become so intense that he appears to have deleted all of his social media accounts - while a prominent lawyer has spoken out against him on social media. Last Sunday Keegan Payne, 19, caught a 67cm barramundi in the Katherine River - with no idea it had a tag worth $1million in a Northern Territory fishing competition attached to it. When Stefanovic interviewed Mr Payne on Wednesday, he started by asking him if he had once stolen an off-road vehicle and a quad bike from a former employer. The teen paused and said 'Yes', but instead of the Sky News presenter being praised for his investigative journalism, he was slammed for bringing up something that happened when Mr Payne was 15. Pressure is mounting on Sky News presenter Peter Stefanovic (pictured) to resign over his 'train wreck' interview where he shamed an Indigenous teenager Keegan Payne had no idea he had caught a fish worth $1million (pictured) in a prize that had never previously been won during nine seasons of the Northern Territory competition READ MORE: Peter Stefanovic forced to apologise to teen after viewers called him out over 'harsh' question during TV interview Keegan Payne (pictured centre) gets emotional after catching a million dollar fish Advertisement 'So, what happened?' Stefanovic pressed. Mr Payne, who looked genuinely remorseful, told Stefanovic that he and his friend 'weren't thinking at the time' and he regretted his actions 'big time'. Daily Mail Australia subsequently revealed the teen was back in touch with his old boss, Bob Cavanagh from Cav's Mowing, and offered to pay him back for the stolen vehicles. 'Out of the blue this morning, his father rang me and said, "Keegan wants to repay you," and you could have knocked me down with a feather,' Mr Cavanagh said. 'He said Keegan has always felt so terrible for what he did.' Mr Cavanagh did not press police charges at the time, instead talking to the boys and their parents and having the boys work for free on weekends. But the teenager having squared things with the businessman has not saved Stefanovic from being lambasted for how he treated the new millionaire on live TV. Lawyer Jahan Kalantar - who regularly posts on legal issues to TikTok - said Stefanovic conducted a 'train wreck of an interview' and called him a 'smarmy news presenter' who asked Mr Payne about something he did as a child. 'Can you imagine any other community where you would bring up something that a child has done - which by the way is unlawful,' Mr Kalantar said in a video. 'It's completely inappropriate (to be asked) "do you feel sorry for this thing you did four years ago", when you've been invited on to give an interview about the fact that you won a fishing competition.' Mr Kalantar said the interview was 'disgusting' and that Stefanovic had a 'smug little smirk on his face' as he asked the question. He said the Sky presenter should 'mind your manners' and that what he did was 'embarrassing'. Yvonne Weldon, an Indigenous Sydney city councillor, said she was appalled by the interview. 'They invited him on to talk about his prize catch and then proceeded to put him on the stand for an adolescent misdemeanour,' she wrote on LinkedIn post. 'In doing so, they've shown no regard for his wellbeing and right to privacy. 'Moreover, they have perpetuated a harmful and negative stereotype about Aboriginal young people.' Lawyer Jahan Kalantar (pictured) said Stefanovic conducted a 'train wreck of an interview' On Friday afternoon Sky News took the video of the interview down and issued an apology to Mr Payne. 'Sky News Australia and Peter Stefanovic apologise to Mr Payne and his family for raising these claims during the live interview about his million dollar win in the fishing competition,' the statement said. 'Mr Stefanovic has reached out to Mr Payne and his family directly to convey his apology.' Mr Payne is the first person to win the biggest prize in the Northern Territory's annual Million Dollar Fish competition, which is in its ninth season. He said the win is life-changing for his family, which suffered the tragic death of one of his brothers in a crash four years ago. 'This is crazy for us, we're a big family, there's eight of us, this is more money than we could ever ask for. This is just great,' he said. The teenager said while his family was shocked, 'they're all proud of me. 'It's pretty hard going for us at the moment with money, but now with a million dollars, don't have to complain about it.' He added that 'I can buy what I want, maybe help dad and mum out with the home loans,' and said the family can now afford to take a holiday and is planning a trip to America. Mr Payne also intends to buy a new boat and a car. Keegan Payne (pictured) thought the 67-centimetre barramundi he reeled in from the Katherine River on Sunday would make a nice meal for his family Mr Payne said his family (pictured) can now afford to take a holiday and is planning a trip to America The very humble teenager was a grateful recipient of the massive prize. When asked what was the best thing about fishing in the Northern Territory, he answered: 'You can catch a million dollar barra.' The Cancer Council also got a cheque for $10,000 thanks to Mr Payne choosing it as his charity of choice. As for Stefanovic, by Saturday afternoon a petition demanding that he make a public apology to Mr Payne and resign, already had almost 2,000 signatures. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands attended a scaled-back World War II remembrance ceremony today as security was tightened amid Gaza protest fears. The city of Amsterdam announced earlier this week that it would severely restrict attendance at the annual event in the city's Dam Square. Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema said the war between Israel and Hamas and heightened tensions throughout the Middle East had raised the risk of protests and 'spontaneous actions' disturbing the ceremony. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands attended a scaled-back World War II remembrance ceremony today Police check visitors prior to the National Remembrance Day on Dam Square in Amsterdam Queen Maxima of The Netherlands waves as she attends the National Remembrance ceremony at the Dam Square The city of Amsterdam announced earlier this week that it would severely restrict attendance at the annual event in the city's Dam Square Measures were therefore needed to make sure the ceremony would remain 'dignified, controlled and safe', Dutch authorities said. The King and Queen of the Netherlands laid down a wreath at the National monument and joined in with two minutes of silence to remember the victims of World War II. Dressed all in black, the pair were also pictured waving to the crowds who attended the event. Dressed all in black, the pair were also pictured waving to the crowds who attended the event Police check visitors prior to the National Remembrance Day on Dam Square in Amsterdam The King and Queen of the Netherlands laid down a wreath at the National monument and joined in with two minutes of silence to remember the victims of World War II People gather prior to the National Remembrance Day on Dam Square in Amsterdam Measures were therefore needed to make sure the ceremony would remain 'dignified, controlled and safe', Dutch authorities said A Dutch flag waves above Dam Square during the ceremony today Hundreds of thousands ususally gather at Dam Square and other places throughout the Netherlands to take part in the annual remembrance ceremony every year on May 4 The heightened security measures come after pro-Palestinian protestors disrupted the opening of a Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam in March Hundreds of thousands ususally gather at Dam Square and other places throughout the Netherlands to take part in the annual remembrance ceremony every year on May 4. However, in the hope of preventing disturbances, the total capacity in Dam Square was limited to 10,000 today - roughly half the normal attendance at the event. The heightened security measures - which included a ban on signs, flags or sound equipment - come after pro-Palestinian protestors disrupted the opening of a Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam in March. Protesters who were opposed to Israel's military campaign in Gaza set off fireworks and booed Israeli President Isaac Herzog as he arrived at the museum. They were famously described as 'an elegant weapon of a more civilized age' in the first ever Star Wars film back in 1977. Ever since then, fans have dreamed of owning a real life lightsaber the colourful weapon that can effortlessly cut through flesh or metal. Despite some impressive attempts by engineers, the quest to create a version that's identical to the ones in the movies may seem outside the realm of reality. One scientist thinks it may actually be possible, and has revealed his step-by-step guide to creating a lightsaber. However, Dr Alex Baker, a chemist at the University of Warwick, warned MailOnline that the 'superheated stick of fiery death' may be too dangerous for members of the public to get their hands on. Inside the handle, a battery near the bottom would pass electrical energy to a laser that would make light energy, which in turn would be focused by a crystal to ionise the gas to make the plasma How would a real lightsaber work? A real lightsaber would generate a blade of plasma from inside the handle, according to Dr Alex Baker, a chemist at the University of Warwick. When switched on, a battery in the handle would pass electrical energy to a laser that would make light energy. This light energy would in turn be focused by a crystal to ionise the gas - turning it into plasma - which would shoot out to form the blade. To stop the plasma from disappearing shortly after it's been switched on, the plasma would need to be contained in a magnetic field - as well as a hefty power source that could fit inside the handle. This magnetic field would also let two lightsaber blades clash against each other like in the films, rather than passing through each other. Advertisement The blade of a lightsaber is made of 'plasma', the fourth state of matter after solid, liquid and gas. According to Dr Baker, a real lightsaber would take gas from the surrounding air, which it could ionise to become plasma. Plasma is an ionised gas, meaning its atoms or molecules are not neutral, but instead carry an electrical charge. It can also be fired out in straight beams at very high temperatures, allowing it to cut through steel. YouTubers have already tried to make their own plasma lightsabers, including Russia's Alex Burkan who made the world's first retractable one in 2022. However, his creation doesn't look at all like the films and the blade only fires for 30 seconds. Meanwhile, Canada's James Hobson created his own version with a longer-lasting blade, but that's only because it got its power source from a connected backpack. 'People have made devices that make a straight jet of plasma that eventually cools and deionises back to gas,' Dr Baker told MailOnline. 'The blade length is limited by how far they can spew out a jet of plasma i.e. how far can you fire an ionised gas before it cools and the electrons recombine with their ions.' The problem is that plasma tends to dissipate if it isn't contained in a magnetic field, so the blade would disappear shortly after the lightsaber is switched on. Russian YouTuber Alex Burkan made the world's first retractable lightsaber in 2022. The blade has the ability to cut through steel, but it works for only 30 seconds and doesn't look much like the perfectly straight jet of colour like in the movies Plasma is a stream of high ironized particles - so Burkan's lightsaber could also attract lightning and other high voltage charges READ MORE: The Death Star would melt before it could destroy a planet, scientist says An expert debunked several of the technologies in Star Wars Advertisement What's more, if they didn't have a magnetic field, two blades would just pass through each other instead of clashing against each other like in the movies. Dr Baker says this all-important magnetic field could potentially be emitted by a long, thin metal rod with an electric current running through it. If shaped correctly, the magnetic field could hold in place a 'loop' of plasma, but the rod would have to run the length of the blade. This metal rod could be made retractable so it wouldn't just stick out of the handle when the weapon is switched off. Dr Baker calls the metal rod 'a massive' copout' because it's not part of the lightsabers in the films but things stand it would be needed for a saber to work. 'The problem is you can't just project a magnetic field of the shape we want without the rod workaround,' he said. 'That is why in Star Wars the force solves this problem.' Meanwhile, because the plasma blade would probably be several thousand degrees Celsius, so the handle would also have to be made out of an 'excellent thermal insulator' and resistant to damage perhaps ceramics coated in yttrium oxide. In the original Star Wars films, Luke Skywalker (pictured) had blue and green lightsabers, while his nemesis Darth Vader had a red lightsaber READ MORE: The REAL Star Wars planet! Scientists discover a world in a Tatooine-like system with two stars Some planets orbit two stars at once like Tatooine in Star Wars (artist's impression) Advertisement Heat sinks made out of diamond inside the handle may also help dissipate heat. In terms of the initial power source, Dr Baker admits a lightsaber would 'definitely need something better than a AA battery' to keep the plasma and the magnetic field going. 'We don't currently have the technology to do this but as batteries improve, who knows maybe one day it will be possible,' he added. In the original Star Wars films, Luke Skywalker had blue and green lightsabers, while his nemesis Darth Vader had a red lightsaber. In the prequel trilogy, Mace Windu, played by Samuel L Jackson, had a purple lightsaber, allegedly at the actor's request. Because lightsabers need to take gas from the surrounding atmosphere to turn into plasma, the colour of the lightsaber would depend on the planet you're on. Seeing as Earth's atmosphere is predominantly made of nitrogen, all lightsabers on Earth would be an Obi-Wan Kenobi-style blue. 'If you wanted a specific colour you could fire salts like sodium chloride into it like a flame test in school,' the chemist added. According to Star Wars fan literature, a lightsaber handle contains a 'kyber crystal', capable of focusing and amplifying energy. In the Star Wars films, this magnetic field of a lightsaber supposedly enables them bounce of each other, as if made of a solid Although a fictional object, some kind of crystal would probably be needed to focus a laser beam to help improve the ionisation of the gas. So could lightsabers exist in this galaxy? Dr Baker says yes, although a lot of 'cool science' would still need to be developed. 'At the moment the biggest problems are how you would maintain your plasma both having enough energy to produce it and the magnetic field you would need to contain it, plus having materials for a hilt that could resist the plasma's heat,' he said. 'Does this mean that we won't achieve it? No, scientists have a funny way of making science fiction science fact.' Realistically, a lightsaber exactly like the ones in the films is around 30 years away, he added although 'a superheated stick of fiery death' is 'probably a bit too dangerous so we probably dont need them'. Lightsabers would also be 'incredibly inefficient energy-wise versus a fire-arm'. A recent survey ranked the number of only fans creators per each state Everyone from Beyonce to Cardi B to Bella Thorne has been talking about the adult content site OnlyFans. The latter two actually setting up their own pages on the platform to earn a little extra income. The site, in which creators invite users to subscribe to pages featuring their sexually explicit content, has exploded in the past few years. The number of OnlyFans creators worldwide has increased ten fold from 2019 to 2022 - from only 348,000 creators to 3,182,000. Much of the content is home-grown: 67 percent of the $1.9 billion net revenue generated on the platform in 2022 came from US content creators, Variety reported. Sometimes, the content is merely suggestive, other times, it's fully pornographic. But it's surprisingly lucrative, with some creators, like former teacher Allie Dawson, bringing in about $50,000 monthly from her OnlyFans account. Now, a new survey has revealed the parts of America with the highest number of OnlyFans creators topping up their incomes with the help of the platform. The BedBible survey used Only search to determine the number of creators per state. Ranking at number one was Connecticut, which Stacey Diane Aranez Litam, an assistant Professor at Cleveland State University and Forbes Health Advisor told the DailyMail.com that it 'was really surprising' to see. WHY It was followed closely by Nevada, Hawaii and North Dakota. This difference between states might be a reflection of the different needs for supplemental income based on location, Professor Litam, who has previously studied the demographics of OnlyFans users, said. The relative income in each state could be lower than the cost of living, for instance. 'A lot of folks are struggling now more financially than in past years, so I think people are getting creative in way in supplementing income,' she said. The state by state survey was conducted by Bedbible, a sex toy and sexual wellness company, using a search engine called OnlySearch, which allows you to search for OnlyFans creators by using key-words. What does AI think of YOUR state? DailyMail.com asked OpenAI's ChatGPT and the AI image-maker Midjourney to generate stereotypes for Americans, state by state, across the US states. While some results were cheery, others might be insults, and a few were just downright bizarre... READ MORE Advertisement Using this search function, BedBible divided the number of creators per 100,000 people in each state. Connecticut had the highest amount, with 24,64 accounts. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there were only 49 creators who listed themselves in New York. The survey also reported the average monthly income of OF creators in each state. South Carolina had the highest average, with users bringing in about $1,460 monthly from their profiles. Other states, like West Virginia, only bring in about $40 per month. This might seem shockingly low if you've heard of success stories, like Ms Dawson, whose based in Florida. But others in her state bring in on average $340, according to the BedBible survey. A key limitation of this method is that it only catches people who publicly list what their location is, Elissa Redmiles an Assistant Professor of computer science at Georgetown University shared with DailyMail.com. Professor Redmiles has previously conducted interviews and studies examining OnlyFans creator's motivations for joining the platform. She said that oftentimes, creators might not list their location because of safety concerns. Other times, creators might say they live in a particular state that they don't actually reside in, in order to craft a fantasy persona that they believe best caters to their audience's desires, Professor Redmiles said. All told, this means 'it's likely that all these numbers are underreported', Professor Litam said. It seems that with every new piece of information we learn about the vastness of the universe, the likelihood of contacting an intelligent alien lifeform gets smaller. But there has been a shift in consensus among some top scientists in recent years, who now think it's possible in the next decade. The optimism largely stems from NASA's upcoming mission to Jupiter's moon in 2030, which is believed to be a habitable ocean world. But other extraterrestrial hunters think contact will be made by signals traveling through the universe. Scientists have spent their life's work searching for life beyond out planet, but the leading their is humans will make contact with aliens in the next decade. The idea largely stems from NASA's upcoming mission to Jupiter's moon in 2030 (pictured) The is because astronomers have been sending transmissions out to space since the 1970s, with the first containing information about the chemicals of life and structure of DNA, along with Earth's location in our solar system. The SETI project has been on the hunt for alien life since the 1980s and one of the leaders of the group is betting one of the signals will be a winner by 2036. Intelligent aliens by 2036 Seth Shostak, 80, has been the senior astronomer at the SETI project (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) for almost a quarter of a century and is betting it all that on the human race will hear from intelligent aliens by 2036. The gamble is based on the steady improvements in telescope technology and computing hardware. In a recent Reddit AMA, Shostak said: 'The trend of improving hardware - mostly computers -- has proceeded unabated. I'm still betting on a signal by 2036.' The astronomer has also argued that recent research has determined there could be billions of Earth-like worlds in the universe, suggesting it's highly unlikely that Earth is the only one with life. 'That may be the strongest argument for life in space. Because, if there isn't any, there's something really exceptional about what's happened here on Earth. While that's not ruled out by the data, it does seem a little self-centered,' Shostak said. Not finding alien life yet has not stopped SETI from preparing for the the moment. Other exterrestrial hunters foresee communication will be made by signals traveling through the universe. The is because astronomers have been sending transmissions out to space since the 1970s 'There is a document. Briefly, it says, check the signal to make sure it is truly extraterrestrial,' said Shostak. 'Then announce it to the world, and consult internationally before transmitting a reply.' Seth Shostak has explained what will happen when we hear from aliens A 'reply' to NASA by 2029 Signals sent by NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN) to the Pioneer 10 satellite that launched in 1972 might have already reached aliens - and we could receive a reply before the end of this decade. The DSN currently consists of three radio dishes in Barstow, California, Madrid and Canberra, and ensures that no spacecraft is ever out of communication, sending powerful, targeted transmissions into space. Researchers discovered that a white dwarf star 27 light years from Earth is in the path of signals sent out by the DSN to Pioneer 10. If there is a planet around the white dwarf, we could 'hear back' as soon as 2029 - although no planet has yet been detected. Other transmission sent by the DSN to other probes could be answered in the 2030s, researchers have said. Signals sent by NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN) to the Pioneer 10 satellite that launched in 1972 might have already reached aliens - and we could receive a reply before the end of this decade In 2002, NASA sent radio wave transmission to the Pioneer 10 probe in a routine protocol to send data and ensure communication was established. READ MORE: Monster gamma ray burst is detected 310 miles above Earth Scientists said the 'brightest of all time' (or BOAT) managed to cause disturbances in Earth's ionosphere, around 310 miles above our heads. Advertisement This signal also reached a star roughly 27 light-years from our planet as transmission spreads out when they contact an object. Researchers at the University of California (UC) hope the signal was intercepted by extraterrestrials that returned a callback to Earth. Pioneer 10's transmissions will encounter 222 stars by 2313. The earliest we can expect a returned transmission is 2029,' the UC team shared. Aliens could use human techniques When telescopes on Earth spot worlds outside our solar system, known as exoplanets, astronomers look for 'transiting' planets moving in front of their sun. But aliens who have received radio signals from Earth could be using the same technique to spot us, astronomers have suggested. In fact, aliens orbiting 2,000 stars could spot 'Earth's shadow' as we move in front of the sun, astronomers suggested. There are 1,715 star systems which could have spotted Earth within the past 5,000 years, and another 319 stars will be able to do so in the next 5,000 years. Astrophysicist Jackie Faherty of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City says that these alien worlds will have, 'The front row seat to finding Earth as a transiting planet.' 'Detectable by the end of the decade' Scientists had believed that Earth's radio signals had 'dimmed' as radio receivers evolved from the 1950s onwards. But a 2023 study by Manchester University researchers suggested that the increasing number of satellites will make Earth 'readily detectable' in the near future - with the number of satellites expected to reach 100,000 by the end of the decade. Aliens orbiting 2,000 stars could spot 'Earth's shadow' as we move in front of the sun, astronomers suggested The team focused on radio signals which might be detectable from nearby stars including Barnard's Star, just six light years from Earth. Professor Mike Garrett, Team Leader of the project and Director of Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics at The University of Manchester, said: 'I've heard many colleagues suggest that the Earth has become increasingly radio quiet in recent years - a claim that I always contested. 'Although it's true we have fewer powerful TV and radio transmitters today, the proliferation of mobile communication systems around the world is profound. 'While each system represents relatively low radio powers individually, the integrated spectrum of billions of these devices is substantial. 'Current estimates suggest we will have more than one hundred thousand satellites in low Earth orbit and beyond before the end of the decade. The Earth is already anomalously bright in the radio part of the spectrum; if the trend continues, we could become readily detectable by any advanced civilization with the right technology'. A British woman who has ventured to the other side of the globe for a new life is on a bid to 'de-influence' others from going to Australia. Hannah, who now lives in Perth, migrated across the globe in February of this year. But unlike the gorgeous sunsets and picturesque walks we see online, the young woman's experience of the country has been very different. 'I would like to de-influence you to move to Australia,' she said in the clip with over 200,000 views. 'Because the girls on TikTok that just make videos of them running on the beach at 6 am having an acai bowl, enjoying the sunrise it is not like that.' Hannah (pictured), who moved to Australia in February, is on a bid to 'de-influence' other Brits from going down under Revealing she had been struggling to find a job, Hannah shared that she had cried several times in only the last three weeks. The ex-pat revealed she had never found it so difficult to secure employment- even when she was in the UK. Australia currently has an unemployment rate of 3.9 per cent, with 575,100 people without jobs in the country, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. She clarified that despite the doubt she still wanted to remain in the country and give life down under a genuine try. The travelling part that's fun that's easy that bit can be romanticised - that is amazing,' she said. 'But the whole living trying to find a job part it is tough.' Explaining that she might feel settled once she gets a job, she added: 'So maybe in six months I'll be running on the beach having an acai bowl but right now no.' No-one actually tells you how hard it is when moving over here. It took me 2 months to find a job in Melbourne Social media users flooded her comment section with support, urging her to keep pursuing her Australian dream. One penned: 'Its taken me 5 weeks to find a job here! Its not easy youre right but just stick at it! Youve got this!' 'I felt this! But honestly dont give up I interviewed for a company and they hired me instantly and even offered me sponsorship,' a second empathised. 'Theyre my little Aus family dont give up xxx' 'I was the same a few months ago, so was my partner {but] one day it just clicks,' another chimed in. 'I hated when people told me that when I was desperate but it does happen. when you're reconsidering it all, it'll click x' Sharing her Australian reality, Hannah confessed she had been struggling to find a job and feel settled in the country Several social media users flooded the comments with support for the youngster who had cried several times in the last three weeks One shared: 'I fully understand, the crying part too. I've been in Melbourne for 2 years now, I took long time to find a job, but you'll find something, don't worry.' Several others shared their own difficulties finding employment in Australia, with one writing: 'I went to Australia in January and really liked it but struggled to find any vibes. 'Made me realise even more how much London/the UK has to offer!!' Another added: I completely agree. If I do get a job then Any money I earn will just be covering expenses and if Im lucky, give back the money I lost from looking for a job. A user agreed: 'THIS!! The travelling part was great but the job part is awful! 'I tried au-pairing and I hated it and tried looking for something else and its been impossible!' Barmy but true: sometimes it costs more to take your case on a plane than it does for the seat itself. And with airline baggage fees constantly on the rise, its never been more important to pack well and pack light. Alas, this is not something which comes naturally to us all. I always take more than I need and live in fear of airport scales. Which is why I make an SOS call to an expert and ask them to teach me how to pack my carry-on for a weekend break to Barcelona. Into my life rolls Karen Powell, trailing her wheelie suitcase behind her as she promises to help me create more space. Shes professionally known as The Organising Lady and has been packing other peoples nick nicks (her words not mine) for 25 years. She takes one look at the swimwear, shorts and sun cream spilling out of my Antler suitcase and realises shes got her work cut out. Jo Kessel with her overflowing suitcase. She always takes more than she needs and lives in fear of airport scales The process The first thing that Karen spots is my hairdryer, which she casts aside immediately. Most hotel rooms have one, she says firmly, and if they dont, you can ask for one at reception. She then removes everything from the case and forms piles: tops in one, bikinis in another and so on. An eyebrow is raised at my four pairs of shoes. Youre only going for three days, how many can you possibly need? She flashes two sets of flip flops in one hand, two lots of trainers in the other and forces me to choose one of each. Elimination and compression Its painful at first because everything she places in the rejection pile is something I do want to take. But the process is also liberating. Four pairs of shorts become two, six tops become three and Im allowed to keep all of my dresses because theyre thin and will pack down. She folds and loads all of the above into a couple of compression packing cubes, which flatten to half-size once theyre double-zipped. Its magic. Next, she decants my toiletries into 100ml reusable squishy bottles and swaps out my two chunky jewellery boxes for a thin padded bag into which she slides my necklaces. We dont want anything with a hump or gusset. The aim is to keep everything flat, she says. TIME TO PACK I never realised most cases have an inner lining which unzips for a reason. Why? So you can pack your dirty shoes underneath. One trainer gets a bikini top wedged inside; another gets a belt, then under that lining they go, followed by the flip flops. Theres a space between the two, so Karen rolls my jeans to plug the gap. In artistic speak, packing is like making a collage. You keep adding bits until it creates the perfect, flat, cavity-free, compressed form. The trick is to fill the suitcase right up to the edges. Karen Powell, left, shows Jo how to divide and conquer when it comes to packing a suitcase effectively Finishing touches As Karen stuffs my hairbrush at one end and my adaptor at another (a universal one with integrated USB sockets is ideal), she makes some final suggestions. Instead of packing my bottle of Chanel No 5, she suggests we should open up the compression cubes and squirt perfume on to the clothes inside. Genius! And nobody should travel without a silk pillow case, she says: Its kinder to hair and skin and can be used to carry dirty laundry on the return journey. Once everythings packed the case zips up easily, with space to spare. Barcelona shopping spree here we come . . . Lucy Illingworth captivated the nation at just 13 years old when she performed Debussy's Arabesque on Channel 4's The Piano last year. The Halifax teen moved viewers to tears as they watched in awe as the blind and autistic pianist recited the piece from memory. The performance was so moving Lucy was crowned winner of the show February last year with classical pianist Lang Lang, one of the judges, calling her a 'genius'. The star pianist started playing piano at the tender age of three, and Daniel has been by her side ever since. Here we take a look at the musician's marvellous bond with her piano teacher and music activist Daniel Bath as The Piano returned to our screens last Sunday. Lucy Illingworth captured the hearts of the nation last year when she won The Piano in February 2023. Pictured: Lucy, aged 13 and Daniel Bath, her piano teacher at Leeds Station Lucy and Daniel worked closely together, and he adapted his methods to her blindness and autism. Pictured: Lucy performed at Windsor Castle celebrating the coronation of the King Lucy's piano teacher humbly branded himself a 'scruffy music teacher' in an X post alongside this picture of him beaming. The music activist aims to champion neurodivergent musicians It all started at a young age for the piano prodigy, first playing the keyboard when she was aged just two. Daniel first saw her ability when she played Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, years before the blind and autistic teen performed on stage at the Royal Festival Hall. In fact, Lily had the chance to start piano lessons with the teacher Daniel when she was just three through the musical charity The Amber Trust, that he is proudly part of. He recalled: 'I first met Lucy in ball pool at school and I couldn't see anyone in the room at first. And then I saw this little hand sticking out of the ball pool. 'And someone said "Oh that's Lucy". So I put a little keyboard under the hand, and the hand started playing, rather mutinously, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. 'And I thought: "Here's a girl for whom music is really important." And it could it be a way of unlocking her language, her social skills, and above all, her enjoyment of life'. The family upgraded her keyboard and realised she was composing music in her head while sitting on the sofa. She was also able to play back music after listening to it just once. 'From a fairy tale book with a piano on it, she started playing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star but it was pitch perfect. It was such a moment to hear that,' Lucy's mother Candice recalled. Music teacher Daniel first saw Lucy's fantastic ability when she played Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, years before he would see the rising pianist perform on stage in front of a huge crowd The teenager wowed passers by at Leeds train station with her rendition of Chopin's Nocturne in B-flat minor in February 2023, with the video being viewed over five million times online However, Daniel admitted that lessons weren't easy at first because he had to figure out how to teach and make the most of her talent. He said when he first started teaching, Lucy couldn't listen to a piece for more than 10 seconds before she got impatient and would push his hands out of the way. Now, he will play the entire the piece to her, before he asks Lucy to recite what she remembers she has had. He said: 'You can't teach Lucy, you can only guide her in the journey'. They teach the hands separately, with Daniel saying he has to physically pick her hands up at times so they can jump over each other. Lucy puts her hand underneath Daniel's with Daniel still playing, pressing her fingers down gently before she tries the piece on her own. 'She loves to improvise, she loves playing jazz and the social interplay of that', he said. To play, Lucy reacts to the music with her body, especially her head and leg, which Daniel said he sometimes has to hone her energy to her fingertips. The pianist, who was born with cancerous tumours in her eyes and is largely non-verbal, was put forward by her mother Candice forward for The Piano as she wanted to show others how 'amazing' she was and raise awareness of her condition. When Daniel first started teaching, Lucy couldn't listen to a piece for more than 10 seconds before she got impatient and would push his hands out of the way, a far cry from today The teenager from Halifax, West Yorkshire has since perfected her piano skills. She moved viewers to tears as they watched in awe as she recited the piece from memory on The Piano Proud piano teacher and music activist Daniel confessed: 'Of course she's brilliant and working with her is the greatest blessing a scruffy music teacher like me could dream of. 'But Lucy is what happens when you make instrumental tuition available to disadvantaged children. Help us to get this message across to those who decide'. According to his website, Daniel, who has experience with keyboard, strings, voice and brass is a 'jazz and classical pianist, ethnomusicologist and music education activist'. He is a music graduate from Cambridge University and worked as a community musician and teacher since he moved to Todmorden, West Yorkshire in 1997. The devout Catholic has worked in nurseries, refugee centres, schools, and even prisons. He still works as a tutor for Amber Trust, a charity for visually impaired young musicians and founded Music For The Many - to provide instrumental tuition free of charge, to children and young people. Selling The OC's Vanessa Hopp has rubbished claims that the Oppenheim Group fosters a 'toxic' work environment, claiming people should simply 'remove' themselves if they can't cope with the pressure. The luxury realtor, who works at the company's San Diego branch, hit back at former colleague Alexandra Jarvis, who recently blasted the workplace atmosphere following her exit from the Netflix show. Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, Vanessa said, like other sectors, the real estate industry can be 'cutthroat' and 'demanding' as she claimed agents need to have a strong 'Type A' personality in order to thrive otherwise they run the risk of being walked over. 'I feel like "toxic" is such an overused word now,' she said. 'If it feels toxic to you, you should 100 per cent remove yourself, but real estate is like any other corporate industry, it's cutthroat. Luxury realtor Vanessa Hopp, who is an employee at the company's San Diego branch, insisted the Oppenheim Group is not 'toxic' Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, she said that while the industry is 'cutthroat', it is no different to other careers 'It's also very competitive, but it's not toxic. Only the strong survive.' DailyMail.com revealed last month that Alexandra, who is often referred to by her nickname Jarvis, had become the third cast member to quit the Oppenheim Group's Orange County office in the space of one year, following fellow agents Sean Palmieri and Tyler Stanaland. In a recent interview with People, Alexandra revealed multiple factors played into her decision to exit, with the publication stating that 'toxic culture' was one of them. Addressing her comments, Vanessa continued: 'I understand that this energy is not what Alexandra wants to be exposed to anymore. 'But that doesn't mean that the Oppenheim Group is toxic. That just means that this industry is very, very demanding. 'At the Oppenheim Group, I've only felt extremely supported. It's like a family. Families fight and sometimes they make up. 'There's so much that can go wrong and can be misinterpreted and then people are butthurt about nothing. 'The thing about this industry is it is like a pressure cooker and the tempers are always rising. Following her exit from the Oppenheim Group's OC office, Alexandra Jarvis (pictured) described the company as 'toxic' Fellow luxury real estate agent Sean Palmieri announced his departure from the business in November 2023 Tyler Stanaland left the Oppenheim Group in October 2023 - after his public divorce from actress Brittany Snow 'Everyone has very strong personalities. You have to be Type A in this business otherwise you are gonna be chewed up and spat out. 'If you don't stand up for yourself in a very emphatic manner, people will walk all over you.' Type A refers to a pattern of behavior and personality associated with high achievement, competitiveness, and impatience, among other characteristics, according to WebMD. Turning her attention to her boss Jason Oppenheim, who founded the brokerage and features on both Selling The OC and Selling Sunset, Vanessa claimed he fosters a go-getter environment. She said: 'Jason isn't toxic. He is very professional and he's extremely good at his job. And it also without saying that he demands that the people around him rise to his level. He doesn't have to say it, he just hires like that. 'He is also very embracing and if he sees you're doing good work, then he is very good at assembling a crowd around him that is successful and going for it. 'That's not for everyone or it's not for every phase in life.' Vanessa stressed that while she is sad that Alexandra, Sean and Tyler are no longer agents at the Oppenheim Group, she does not believe there is any bad blood. 'Jason is for example, always stays in touch with everyone,' she said. Elsewhere in her interview, Vanessa insisted Selling The OC storylines are authentic and in no way manufactured by producers. 'As you can imagine, people always ask if the drama in Orange County is real. It's all real. This is real life,' she said. 'It's true. It's all happening. 'The castmates are all working agents by the way. I know people say "oh, but they're not working". Not true. Everyone's working their butts off. They're all rockstar agents.' Vanessa has been an agent for the Oppenheim Group at the San Diego office since it opened in April 2023. While Selling The OC fans have only seen a little slice of life in the workplace so far, she is passionate about the idea of a new spinoff based on her office. Speaking to DailyMail.com, Vanessa said: 'You have to be Type A in this business otherwise you are gonna be chewed up and spit out' Vanessa is vying for a Selling San Diego spinoff on Netflix after the office's grand opening last year 'They introduced the San Diego office this season, and if you remember way back in the original Selling Sunset, they did the same thing when they introduced the OC office,' she said. 'I haven't heard anything more, but I think they absolutely should have a spinoff of our office. 'There's so much going on. It's a very competitive business and we have the deals, and we have the mansions. 'San Diego was the most expensive city in the world a couple months ago. You can imagine who lives here... and most people here are changing the world. It's a very inspiring place to be.' As her for her San Diego colleagues, Vanessa also described them as 'rockstar agents.' She continued: 'I have so many deals right now going I'm an escrow on two huge deals, one of which I'm double ending which means I'm representing the buyer and the seller. 'I feel really supported and I have nothing but amazing things to say about my colleagues.' Enraged Netflix members have threatened to end their memberships after the streaming company announced it is axing its advertisement-free basic tier. In a mass email sent to customers, Netflix dropped the bombshell that it would be ending its basic subscription in both the UK and Canada on June 4. Customers who continue with this membership plan will automatically be put onto Netflix's new basic tier - which includes advertisements. Nine months ago the streaming giant announced new customers would no longer be able to buy the ad-free subscriptions. Netflix had notified customers that the change was coming with a couple of advantages for customers on April 18. Netflix have announced they will be scrapping their basic ad-free plan and will be introducing a standard 4.99 membership - that includes adverts (stock image) The streaming company highlighted that UK customers are currently dishing out 7.99 a month for a basic plan. However with the new subscription with adverts, they would be paying 3 less a month. Netflix also confirmed viewers' video quality would be improved with the new changes. Basic tier customers previously experienced 720 video quality - but now it will be entirely in HD. But, the cost of these advantages will cost you time rather than money with all the new adverts. The company initially announced the changes to their standard plan in a shareholder letter in January. The streaming goliath is set to generate an estimated $1 billion from advertisement revenue in 2024 - 50 per cent more than what it bagged the previous year, Reuters reports. Netflix users have been left disgruntled with the most recent announcement, with several threatening to end their subscriptions altogether. 'Netflix you are p****** me off. Removing my basic plan and forcing me to either pay more or put up with s***** ads,' one said. 'There is more competition out there now so why treat long-term customers like this?' The streaming giant are estimated to generate $1 billion in advertisement revenue in 2024 (stock) Netflix users have been left disgruntled with some branding the new membership change as 'daylight robbery' 'Netflix getting rid of their basic plan and only giving you the option of cheaper but with adverts or 10.99 a month without is honestly daylight robbery,' a second penned. A third added: 'Great, so we either have to sit through ads every so often, or pay twice as much to get the Standard/Basic experience that we already do now (albeit only for another few weeks)? Nah, I think I'll pass, Netflix. Cheers, though... 'Netflix forcing a new membership I liked my 7.99 with no adverts thanks,' another chimed in. One questioned: 'Hey @netflix how do you warrant a 40% increase in the standard membership?' 'So apparently is planning to kill off their lowest level, no-ad membership package,' a user furiously wrote. 'To be clear, should that happen, we will be killing off our subscription. This trend of sliding ads into our streaming services needs to stop and I will not be paying for ads.' 'Not paying 5 a month for Netflix just to be advertised to. Ill be cancelling my membership in June,' one member shared. When James Corden arrived back in London after eight years in Los Angeles last summer, he was looking for an 'enjoyable' project. He had, after all, hosted a nightly chat show in the US since 2015 and he was, say friends, 'bloody knackered'. In the back of his mind was the delightful idea of penning a script which would tie up all the loose ends which were left following the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special in 2019, when more than 18million people tuned in only to be left with the cliffhanger over whether his character Smithy and Ruth Jones's Nessa would end up together. Or not. While the Buckinghamshire-born star was 'very much aware' that Britain wanted answers, Corden was against putting out an episode unless he felt it was perfect. And yesterday he confirmed that he was thrilled with his and Ms Jones's work, because out of the blue he posted a picture of himself and the actress holding a script for Gavin and Stacey: The Finale on his Instagram. Last reunion: The sitcom's characters Jason (played by Robert Wilfort), Stacey, Gavin, Smithy, Nessa, Pam, Gwen, Bryn and Mick in the Christmas special in 2019 James Corden confirmed the final episode of Gavin and Stacey after posting a picture of himself and actress Ruth Jones holding a script on Instagram Corden captioned the picture: 'Some news... It's official! 'We have finished writing the last episode of Gavin and Stacey. See you on Christmas Day, BBC One. Love Ruth and James.' His post, which was liked by more than 600,000 people, means he and Ms Jones will be reunited with Mathew Horne, who portrays Gavin Shipman, Joanna Page, who plays his wife Stacey, Alison Steadman, who is Gavin's mum Pam, and Larry Lamb as Gavin's dad Mick. It will also see the return of young actor Oscar Hartland, who plays Smithy and Nessa's son Neil. The news of the return was met with huge excitement, with celebrities including Amanda Holden, Rio Ferdinand and Gordon Ramsay all taking to social media to share their delight. A source close to Corden, 45, said: 'Gavin and Stacey is so special to James, he is so proud of it but more than anything he knows how much people just love it. 'His mantra is simple, he will only make an episode if he thinks it's perfect. If it isn't, then forget it. That's very important to him, and of course Ruth.' So with more time on his hands now than he's had for the previous eight years, Corden teamed up with Ms Jones and thrashed out some ideas. Sources say that the BBC was 'chomping at the bit' for the new episode as it's regarded as a 'ratings champion'. Ruth Jones as Nessa and James Corden as Smithy in the classic BBC sitcom With a plan in place, it was only a matter of time before rumours began to circulate and, in February, Corden was said to be 'furious' when news that they were working on the project leaked to an American website. While he didn't make a public statement, he was, say sources close to him, looking at how he could shut the stories down as he was nervous that if he wasn't happy with his work then he would not go forward with the project, disappointing his fans. Jones did though. She went on Irish radio station RTE Radio 1 to deny there was any such project in the pipeline, saying: 'Apparently there's a bidding war going on between the BBC and Netflix and I love it because it says 'a source says' who is this source? 'It's sadly a rumour. All I can say is, if there was something to say on that front, James and I would happily announce it, we would.' Meanwhile, comedian Rob Brydon, who plays Stacey's Uncle Bryn, also quashed the talk, telling Radio 4's Today programme: 'I'd love it if it were true. I sound like a politician. As far as I'm aware, it's another rumour. I don't know.' The critically acclaimed series, which was first broadcast in 2007, follows the lives of the two titular characters, Gavin from Essex and Stacey from Barry Island, South Wales, documenting key points in their long-distance relationship and events that bring the two families together. Originally screened on BBC Three, it has spanned three seasons and two Christmas specials. At the climax of the 2019 episode Nessa got down on one knee to propose to Smithy but viewers did not get to hear his response. The pair had an on-off relationship during the series and in the special, it was revealed they were co-parenting Neil. Five years on, fans will be fascinated to know, as the show's Welsh characters would say, 'what's occurring'. It will also be interesting to witness the reunion of the main players Corden, Ms Jones, Ms Page and Horne whose lives have taken very different turns since they last shared a screen together. While Corden is widely known to have made a huge name and estimated 55million fortune for himself in the States, the others have lived quieter, less monied existences. Horne, 45, who reportedly fell out with Corden some years ago, relocated to the Highlands town of Helmsdale after the show ended saying, 'I'm there the whole time I'm not working. I just want to be in the Highlands.' His acting career, which for a time he supplemented by working as a DJ, resumed however and he went on to star in film Bad Education with Jack Whitehall and Catherine Tate's The Nan Movie in 2022, based on the character from her BBC Two sketch show. Most recently, he teamed up with Tamzin Outhwaite for a West End run of Michael Frayn's farce, Noises Off, which played at Theatre Royal Haymarket from September to December last year. Meanwhile, Ms Page, 47, is a regular panellist on ITV's Loose Women after starring in a number of TV series from Doctor Who to Midsomer Murders. She is married to former Emmerdale actor James Thornton and they have four children. Ms Jones, 57, is playing Mother Superior in Sister Act at London's Dominion Theatre this year, with her run set to last until August. In 2018, she published her first novel Never Greener, a romance about second chances, and went on to write two more. Melanie Walters, who plays Stacey's mum Gwen West, will this Christmas be starring in The Playhouse Weston's Beauty and the Beast pantomime. And Welsh-born Hartland, 15, who played Neil as a baby in four episodes and again as a ten-year-old in the Christmas special in 2019, is studying for his GCSEs this summer. Who would ever let their child be a star? Britney Spears may be the ultimate example of such exploitation, but she is hardly alone. We're in a moment of cultural reckoning with childhood fame and its monstrous costs: From the shocking docuseries 'Quiet on the Set' to Jennette McCurdy's runaway bestselling memoir 'I'm Glad My Mom Died' to Justin Bieber's breakdown this week and his naming as part of the ongoing Diddy scandal and Drew Barrymore's desperate on-air search for the mother she never had (calling Kamala Harris 'Momala' this week), we have no shortage of human carnage on display. Who among Drew's generation can ever forget those infamous photos of her as a small child at Studio 54, lighting Stephen King's cigarette or sitting disconsolate at a table full of cocktails, head in her hand? It's understandable that Drew's such a close talker when she's interviewing someone. Less so, perhaps, that she often looks like she'd like to cut a slit in any given subject's skin and crawl inside them for warmth and comfort, but hey she's intact, a survivor, and that's no small thing. Britney Spears, though. This latest crisis, dragged out of the Chateau Marmont nearly naked and barefoot, bedraggled and teary, is hardly the post-conservatorship victory we all rooted for. Who would ever let their child be a star? Britney Spears may be the ultimate example of such exploitation, but she is hardly alone. (Above) Spears seen barefooted outside the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles on Thursday, May 2 Who among Drew's generation can ever forget those infamous photos of her as a small child at Studio 54, lighting Stephen King's cigarette or sitting disconsolate at a table full of cocktails, head in her hand? (Above) Drew Barrymore attends party at The Palace in Hollywood in 1985 We're in a moment of cultural reckoning with childhood fame and its monstrous costs: From the shocking docuseries 'Quiet on the Set' to Jennette McCurdy 's runaway bestselling memoir 'I'm Glad My Mom Died' to Justin Bieber 's breakdown this week. (Above) Bieber recently posted a selfie showing tears streaming down his cheeks It is abundantly clear that those who argued to #FreeBritney, myself included, were very wrong. But after her trial became an international cause celebre, after her tearful testimony about her father controlling every aspect of her life down to her birth control well, what judge would ever sign off on reinstating a conservatorship for Britney now? Her public disintegration seems precipitated, perhaps, by two major life events: Reportedly paying her estranged father's $2 million in legal costs last week this after he paid himself $6 million as head of her conservatorship and the finalization on Thursday, the night of her breakdown, of her divorce from Sam Asghari. Asghari was supposed to be Britney's happy ending, the man she walked off into the proverbial sunset with, per her New York Times bestselling memoir. As for that memoir, wishfully titled 'The Woman in Me': It is a strange book, the rantings of a rage-filled author who does not know or understand herself, who discusses to an extent her heavy drug use and losing custody of her sons, but who takes zero responsibility for her life or the wreck it has become. Like Drew Barrymore, she was raised by a mother who treated her like a friend, who took a 13-year-old Britney to bars where they would drink daiquiris and smoke cigarettes. When she was signed to a record deal at 15 years old, Britney was packaged as a hypersexualized Catholic schoolgirl in her first video (for a hit called, with the subtlety of an anvil, '. . . Baby One More Time') and photographed at 17 years old for the cover of Rolling Stone in her own bedroom, clutching a Teletubby while reclining in a bra and underwear. Asghari was supposed to be Britney's happy ending, the man she walked off into the proverbial sunset with, per her New York Times bestselling memoir. Spears' memoir, wishfully titled 'The Woman in Me': It is a strange book, the rantings of a rage-filled author who does not know or understand herself, who discusses to an extent her heavy drug use and losing custody of her sons, but who takes zero responsibility for her life or the wreck it has become. It doesn't get closer to child pornography than that. 'My mother seemed concerned,' Britney writes. That's nice, but concern without intervention means nothing. It's actually, to my mind, a form of child abuse. Here we see the compromised dynamics at play, parents who see in their children the potential for fame and wealth, who consider their possible sexualization and exploitation simply the cost of doing business. Consider Usher, who in a recently unearthed 2016 interview with Howard Stern said he was sent to live with Sean 'Diddy' Combs at age 15. There is absolutely no reason a child should be sent to live with an adult male who is, for all intents and purposes, a stranger let alone a famous adult male with access to all manner of depravity. Then again, far too many parents allowed their young boys to have 'sleepovers' with Michael Jackson and that was just for ostensible bragging rights. 'I got the chance to see some things,' Usher told Stern of that time. 'It was pretty wild'. Would Usher, Stern asked, ever send his own kids to live with Diddy? 'Hell no,' he said. Usher was the one who mentored a 13-year-old Justin Bieber, himself having a public breakdown on social media this week. Spears was photographed at 17 years old for the cover of Rolling Stone in her own bedroom, clutching a Teletubby while reclining in a bra and underwear. 'I got the chance to see some things,' Usher told Stern of that time. 'It was pretty wild'. Would Usher, Stern asked, ever send his own kids to live with Diddy? 'Hell no,' he said. 'Success comes with a price,' Usher said of a troubled Bieber in 2014. 'I . . . always told him it was up to him if he wanted this. Now that he has it, as an adult, it's his to manage.' Is it, though? Is it fair to expect a child performer whose brain isn't fully matured, who is catnip for predators, whose parents likely want fame and wealth more than their small child does, to 'manage' their anxieties and emotions as adults? How much does anyone think Justin Bieber or Britney Spears have in the way of inner resources, let alone the ability to recognize and manage their emotions? Britney was a clear money-maker, a natural star, and as a young teenager was paying off her father's debts and buying her family a new home. She was, in effect, the boss, and it was probably the worst thing that could have happened to her. By 2007, she had a public meltdown that culminated in shaving her head and attacking a paparazzo's vehicle with an umbrella. The photo of Britney just last weekend sitting in a car, her foot up against a shattered windshield, evoked that very era of Britney, then at her lowest. It seems very clear that Britney Spears is incapable of helping herself and that's if she even wants to. No one, it seems, is a worse enemy to Britney than Britney herself. The photo of Britney just last weekend sitting in a car, her foot up against a shattered windshield, evoked that very era of Britney, then at her lowest. By 2007, she had a public meltdown that culminated in shaving her head and attacking a paparazzo's vehicle with an umbrella. On Friday, Spears posted a video of her swollen foot and ankle and explained, while seemingly slurring, that she 'turned' her ankle on the hotel's staircase. She has no relationship with her two sons, now 17 and 18 years old. She is estranged from her parents and her younger sister, and seems to have no real friends in her life. She spends her free time, of which she has way too much, on social media, dancing half-naked and twirling knives and, as she did on Thursday night, issuing nonsensical denials and declarations. 'The news is fake!!!' she wrote in a since-deleted Instagram post on Thursday, also claiming that 'most of the pics are body doubles.' On Friday, she posted a video of her swollen foot and ankle and explained, while seemingly slurring, that she 'turned' her ankle on the hotel's staircase. 'It's so bad,' she said, ' . . . but st happens.' She has the first part right. Britney Spears recalls no other celebrity right now more than Matthew Perry, who also wrote a self-serving memoir that was a total fiction, that tied his messy, complicated, self-pitying and blame-free life into a nice little bow, and who ultimately fell victim to the truth: He was a drug addict who abused the people around him, nothing more, and possibly possessed a death wish greater than he knew. Britney seems on a similar trajectory, incapable of taking a victory lap with her bestselling memoir because, deep down, she surely knows one true thing: The happy ending she wrote for herself is a lie. Robin Williams' on-screen daughter Lisa Jakub revealed that the late actor defended her after she was expelled from high school while filming Mrs. Doubtfire in 1993. The actress, 45, shared that Williams had noticed she was upset and when she told him her school kicked her out he personally wrote a letter to her principal. 'I got thrown out of high school on Doubtfire,' Jakub said while appearing on a Mrs. Doubtfire reunion episode with her movie siblings Mara Wilson and Matthew Lawrence, on Lawrence's Brotherly Love podcast. 'The amazing thing was Robin saw that I was upset,' she recalled. 'He asked me what was going on. I explained. He wrote a letter to my principal saying that he wanted them to rethink this decision, that I was just trying to pursue my education and my career at the same time and could they please support me in this.' Robin Williams' on-screen daughter Lisa Jakub, 45, revealed that the late actor defended her after she was expelled from high school while filming Mrs. Doubtfire; he is seen in 2013 The actress shared that Williams had noticed she was upset and personally wrote a letter to her principal; Jakub (back) and Williams (center) seen in a still from Mrs. Doubtfire Lisa explained that she was expelled due to the filming schedule. 'I'm Canadian. I was attending high school in Canada, then I left for four months to film the movie. We were going to set up this system, pre-internet, where I'd mail my school work back and forth to the school. We did that for a while.' However, the school decided that the system was not going to continue. 'My school in Canada sent a note saying, "You know, this isnt working for us anymore. Don't come back."' Jakub was in the ninth grade at the time and remembered being heartbroken by the news. 'It was just so heartbreaking, because you know I had this life that was very unusual and that was the one normal thing.' Though Robin's letter did not get her re-admitted, Jakub shared that her principal had proudly displayed the letter in his office. 'This principal got the letter, framed the letter, put it up in the office and didn't ask me to come back,' she said. Lisa later got her GED and studied writing at the University of Virginia. Elsewhere on the podcast she praised Williams' acting abilities. 'I'd been working for a decade when I started Doubtfire, but we had always used a script. I knew when it was my turn to speak,' she said. 'Then you go on set with Robin, and it's like who the f**k knows what's going to happen now? And so you had to be really present. I had to be present with the other person in the room and I actually had to listen.' 'You're just going to go with it,' she added, 'because he's Robin, and you can trust him.' 'The amazing thing was Robin saw that I was upset,' she recalled while appearing on a Mrs. Doubtfire reunion episode with her movie siblings Mara Wilson and Matthew Lawrence, on Lawrence's Brotherly Love podcast 'He asked me what was going on. I explained. He wrote a letter to my principal saying that he wanted them to rethink this decision, that I was just trying to pursue my education and my career at the same time and could they please support me in this,' she shared Though Robin's letter did not get her re-admitted, the principal displayed it in his office: '[He] got the letter, framed the letter, put it up in the office and didn't ask me to come back' The Mrs Doubtfire siblings enjoyed a fun reunion this week - 31 years after the iconic comedy premiered - pictured Wilson, 36, Lawrence, 44, and Lisa Lisa played one of Robin's three onscreen children in the classic comedy film, along Lawrence and Wilson; (L-R) Pierce Brosnan, Lawrence, Sally Field, Wilson, Jakub and Williams Lisa played one of Robin's three onscreen children in the classic comedy film, along Lawrence and Wilson. The Mrs. Doubtfire siblings enjoyed a fun reunion on the podcast - 31 years after the iconic comedy premiered. Former child stars Matthew, 44, Mara, 36 and Lisa, who played Hillard siblings Chris, Natalie and Lydia in the Williams and Sally Field-helmed 1993 film, smiled as they posed for a group photo. Lisa wrote in a caption: 'The sisters had so much fun hanging out with the brothers. @marawilson and @matthewlawrence still feel like my siblings even 30 years after filming Mrs Doubtfire.' 'We had a little reunion. 30 years later and my Mrs. Doubtfire family still feels like family.' Based on the novel Madame Doubtfire, the 1993 movie stars Robin as a floundering voice actor called Daniel who gets divorced and loses custody of his children. Daniel comes up with a harebrained scheme to see more of his little ones - go into drag as a Scottish nanny and get hired by his ex-wife Miranda (Sally Field). After decades struggling with bipolar disorder and addiction, Robin committed suicide in 2014 at the age of 63 by hanging himself with a belt. To mark 30 years since the film's release, its director Chris Columbus fondly told Business Insider he kept 'four cameras' running at all times to 'keep up with' Robin. In fact, Robin was such a whirlwind of improvisation that Chris still has '972 boxes of footage' from Mrs. Doubtfire - and hopes to use some of it in a documentary. Williams died in 2014 at the age of 63 by suicide; Pictured in 2009 'Early on in the process, he went to me: "Hey boss, the way I like to work, if you're up for it, is I'll give you three or four scripted takes, and then let's play,"' Chris recalled. 'By saying that, what he meant was he wanted to improvise. And that's exactly how we shot every scene. We would have exactly what was scripted, and then Robin would go off and it was something to behold.' Chris revealed that he hopes to go back into his massive stockpiles of footage from Mrs. Doubtfire to piece together a documentary about Robin's process. 'There are roughly 972 boxes of footage from Doubtfire - footage we used in the movie, outtakes, behind-the-scenes footage - in a warehouse somewhere and we would like to hire an editor to go in and look at all of that footage,' he said. 'We want to show Robin's process. There is something special and magical about how he went about his work and I think it would be fun to delve into it.' Patrick Swayze's brother has confirmed John Leguizamo's claims he and the late actor did not get on very well when working together. Leguizamo, 63, who starred with Swayze in 'To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar' with Swayze, told Andy Cohen Live on SiriusXM Thursday, that he personally liked Swayze, but he had a hard time starring alongside him on the 1995 comedy. The actor, who said said some unflattering things about basing his The Menu character on action star Steven Seagal, said he had difficulty in working with Swayze in the film about three drag queens who get stranded in a small country town on a cross country trip because 'He was just neurotic.' The Bogota, Colombia-born star softened the blow admitting, 'I'm neurotic too, but I don't know. He was just, it was difficult working with him.' TMZ spoke with the Dirty Dancing star's brother Sean Swayze who confirmed the friction between the two. One of Patrick Swayze's siblings has confirmed John Leguizamo's claims he and the late actor did not always get along well on the set of To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar; (L) Leguizamo seen in 2023, (R) Swayze pictured in 2006 The outlet said Sean told them Patrick found Leguizamo 'to be a difficult person,' with whom he 'butted heads a lot on set.' Sean, who was born 10 years after the Ghost star, who died from pancreatic cancer in 2009, alleged he had never heard any complaints about his brother's work style, and that the Golden Globe nominee seemed to get along with his co-workers. He said Patrick formed a good friendship with Wesley Snipes, 61, while working on the comedy. For his part, Leguizamo indicated the discord was due to his and Swayze's different styles. 'I'm also an improviser and he didn't like that,' the John Leguizamo's Latin History for Morons star said. 'He couldn't keep up with it and it would make him mad and upset sometimes.' 'He'd be like, "Are you gonna say a line like that?" I'd go, "You know me - I'm gonna do me, I'm gonna just keep making up lines." He goes, "Well, can you just say the line the way it is?" I go, "I can't," and the director didn't want me to.' Referring to Swayze The Green Veil star added, 'He was just... rest in peace. I love him.' Patrick Swayze's younger brother, Sean, confirmed to TMZ the late actor found Leguizamo 'to be a difficult person,' with whom he 'butted heads a lot on set'; Patrick is pictured with Sean The story of the 1995 comedy cast Wesley Snipes, Leguizamo and Swayze as a trio of drag queens whose car breaks down during a cross-country trip; the trio seen in a still Leguizamo said Swayze was often thrown off by his ad-libbing as cameras rolled on the film, which was encouraged by the director In terms of LGBTQ+ representation during the mid-1990s, Leguizamo said To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar was 'very important.' 'It was very important because a lot of transgender kids, LGBTQ+ kids, come up to me who are now, I guess, a little older, but they said because of that and my character, they felt confident to come out to their parents,' he recalled to Cohen. 'And I felt like, wow ... that's what art's supposed to do. 'Art's supposed to give people courage. Art is supposed to teach people empathy. That's what art - that's what I got in the business for.' The Valley's Jesse Lally has broken his silence on his new relationship with Lacy Nicole. After Dailymail.com exclusively broke the news of the 43-year-old's new romance, Jesse opened up to Page Six about the end of his marriage to wife Michelle and how he's moved on with philanthropist Lacy. 'I'm super happy right now. Weve been great friends, we newly started dating. Shes just a very amazing person and shes a beautiful soul,' he gushed. 'Its just new and I dont want no labels, no nothing,' he continued. 'Its just fun to spend time with somebody again.' While the couple have been trying to keep their romance out of the spotlight, they finally made their red carpet debut last Saturday at Sparkle's Drag Spectacular at the Comedy Chateau in Hollywood. The Valley's Jesse Lally has broken his silence on his new relationship with Lacy Nicole; the two seen on Thursday in in New York City Jesse split with wife and Valley co-star Michelle Lally last October The pair were there to support friend Jared Lipscomb, who was performing to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. A number of celebrities came out to support the good cause, including The Valley's Janet and Jason Caperna, Vanderpump Rules' Ariana Madix, and Real Housewives of Orange County star Gina Kirschenheiter. Lacy, who is based in Orange County, is a well known socialite and philanthropist with her own foundation benefitting people suffering from trauma and PTSD. She's well connected in the charity scene and is friends with several Bravolebrities, including Real Housewives stars Gretchen Rossi and Caroline Stanbury. However, despite her blonde bombshell looks and hectic social life, Lacy has no plans to follow Jesse into the world of reality television. 'She's not interested in reality TV and has zero interest in appearing on The Valley,' said a source. 'Plus, their relationship is still pretty new at this stage,' they added. The source also insisted that there's no bad blood between Lacy and Jesse's estranged wife Michelle. 'She loves Michelle and thinks she's great - there's no issues from her end.' 'I'm super happy right now. Weve been great friends, we newly started dating. Shes just a very amazing person and shes a beautiful soul,' he gushed; seen in 2024 While Jesse is enjoying his budding romance with Lacy, Michelle has moved on with hunky financial advisor Aaron Nosler; seen in an Instagram snap While Jesse is enjoying his budding romance with Lacy, Michelle has moved on with hunky financial advisor Aaron Nosler. Michelle has also tried to keep her new squeeze under wraps, but she finally made things Instagram official over the weekend by sharing photos of the two of them enjoying a pool day with friends. The pair didn't hide their affection and were more than happy to cuddle up for a photo together. Michelle's three-year-old daughter Isabelle, who she shares with Jesse, was also present. According to Michelle, she and Jesse officially split last October, shortly after filming the first season of The Valley. Bella Hadid was spotted stepping out with her boyfriend Adan Banuelos in New York City on Friday. While leaving the Bowery Hotel for her Orebella launch event, the supermodel, 27, was a vision in a vintage Roberto Cavalli runway dress with a waist corset and high-low skirt. She paired the bright yellow, patterned dress with metallic gold sandal heels as she greeted onlookers and joined her equestrian beau, 34, in their vehicle. For the special occasion, she threw up her dark brunette tresses in an elegant half-up and half-down hairstyle with wispy side fringe framing her face. The runway star who reportedly moved to Texas to be closer to her beau accessorized with dainty, dangling earrings and stacks of statement rings. Bella Hadid enjoyed a rare public outing with her boyfriend Adan Banuelos in New York City on Friday. They were seen leaving the Bowery Hotel for the model's Orebella launch event The supermodel, 27, was a vision in a vintage Roberto Cavalli runway dress with a waist corset and high-low skirt For makeup, she looked sun-kissed and radiant with warm peachy blush, a smoky eye and a nude pink lip to top it all off. At her side, her boyfriend looked sharp in a black button-down with a cowboy hat to match. He donned a pair of straight-leg jeans with a blue, crocodile-embossed leather cowboy boots and a brown belt featuring a massive gold buckle. He sported a pair of dark sunglasses and was seen carrying a jacket, presumably for his girlfriend as he waited for her to get into the sprinter van first. In February 2024, Hadid publicly debuted their romance as she hard launched him on her Instagram page. And last month, TMZ reported that she bought a house in a rural area near Fort Worth. Her boyfriend is a horseman and the son of Ascencion Banuelos, the first Mexican-American to be inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association Hall of Fame. He is said to own a home close to Hadid's, and the couple splits their time between their two places. For the special occasion, she threw up her dark brunette tresses in an elegant half-up and half-down hairstyle with wispy side fringe framing her face The runway star who reportedly moved to Texas to be closer to her beau accessorized with dainty, dangling earrings and stacks of statement rings She was seen waving at people gathering outside of her hotel and flashing her bright smile The model was then seen getting into a sprinter van with the long train of her dress flowing behind her After carefully stepping up into the vehicle with her stilettos, she appeared to be waiting for her boyfriend Her boyfriend looked sharp in a black button-down with a cowboy hat to match. He donned a pair of straight-leg jeans and crocodile-embossed leather cowboy boots Banuelos is a superstar in the horseriding world; in 2017, he became one of the youngest people to ever be inducted into the NCHA Hall of Fame. Hadid is also an avid equestrian herself and often documents her love of the animal and sport on her social media channels. Last year, Hadid took a six-month hiatus from working and competing in horse competitions amid her years-long battle with Lyme disease. It is unclear how the couple met met but since Hadid is competing in equestrienne events again, they probably run in the same horse circles and likely met that way. Dr. Chris Brown has opened up about his hopes of starting a family one day. The 45-year-old TV vet admitted after devoting the last 10 years to his career, he still wants to become a dad. 'I still feel that's very much a priority. Would I like to have done something about that in the last five years? Probably,' he said in an interview with Stellar magazine, which hits newsstands on Sunday. 'But it hasn't worked out that work that way. If it hasn't happened naturally and I'm not a dad yet, then I'm OK with that. I'm not worried. Chris, who will soon be seen on Seven's new renovation show Dream Home, added that he did not want to 'force things' and end up in a 'rushed' situation. Celebrity vet Dr. Chris Brown (pictured) has opened up about his hopes of starting a family. 'I feel like it will happen when it happens,' the former I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here host continued. Elsewhere in the chat, the Dr admitted that he would have liked to had a family at this stage in his life. 'I've probably prioritised work more than I potentially should have over the past 10 years to the detriment of my personal life,' he said. 'In a perfect world I'd had liked to have had kids, but it's not the way it's worked out.' The 45-year-old said that after devoting the last 10 years to his career he still wants to be a dad Chris will soon be seen in Seven's new renovation series Dream Home (pictured with the cast) It comes after Chris made made the shock network jump from Channel Ten to Channel Seven in July last year. According to reports, the television star is 'feeling the pressure' with his upcoming roles at Seven his first few duties include hosting Dancing With The Stars, a new renovation show Dream Home, and new animal adventure series Once In A Lifetime. 'I do think he's finding it tough,' a source told New Idea magazine. 'He's turned his whole life upside down moving to Seven, and he could be feeling the pressure.' The insider added the network is 'ruthless' for ratings and relying on Brown when the 'cameras start rolling'. 'He can't afford to stuff up,' they added. Brown signed a two-year contract with Seven worth more than $1million a year, following his contractual obligations for I'm A Celebrity at his former network. Brown signed a two-year contract with Seven worth more than $1million a year, following his contractual obligations for I'm A Celebrity at his former network. Pictured: Chris with his former I'm a Celebrity...co-host Julia Morris Dream Home is based on the successful New Zealand series of the same name which aired from 1999 to 2013. The series will be made by production company Endemol Shine and will begin filming last year before premiering in early 2024. Brown inked a multi-year deal with Seven in February last year to produce unspecified 'new projects' for the station. Aside from hosting Dream Home, he is also co-hosting Dancing With The Stars alongside Sonia Kruger. He also been seen in a new animal adventure series Once in a Lifetime. Chris will soon be seen in a new animal adventure series Once in a Lifetime Brown started his TV career in 2003 as a presenter on Harry's Practice on Seven, a role that earned him a Logie nomination for Most Popular New Talent. He joined Ten in 2008 to host Bondi Vet, which became a surprise ratings hit and was syndicated around the world. The factual series was based on his real-life experience as a vet at the Bondi Junction Veterinary Hospital in Sydney's east. He went on to become a part-time panelist on The Project and also co-hosted I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and The Living Room, which was axed last year. James Corden shared sweet artwork of his Gavin And Stacey character Smithy with his partner Nessa to his Instagram on Friday hours after confirming the beloved sitcom will return with a Christmas special. The actor and presenter, 45, sparked hope that his character Smithy accepted Nessa's proposal with the artwork by Lucy Claire Dunbar. In the painting, Smithy wraps his arm around Nessa and the two are surrounded by hearts and words below read: 'Tell me tomorrow, I'll wait by the window for you' - the lyrics to the show's theme song from Stephen Fretwell. Nessa (who is played by the show's co-creator Ruth Jones) proposed to Smithy in the 2019 Christmas special. Viewers never got to hear Smithy's response as the episode ended on a cliffhanger but, as the couple already share son Neil, fans were hopeful Smithy accepted. James Corden, 45, shared sweet artwork of his Gavin And Stacey character Smithy with his partner Nessa to his Instagram on Friday hours It came just hours after he confirmed Gavin And Stacey would return with a Christmas special, also on Instagram Fans flooded James's comments section with hopes for the special and questions about the meaning of his post. They wrote: 'Tell me at Christmas we will find out what happened on the fishing trip'; 'Is this a clue'; 'I can't wait for the final but I also don't want it to end '; 'OK you can just fast forward to December now for me nothing in-between even matters'; 'IT'S ALL THE DRAMA MICKKKKKKKK'; 'I want to watch it and not watch it both in equal measure because watching it will satisfy my need to know what happens next but then watching means it's really the end.' Earlier on Friday, James announced Gavin And Stacey's return by sharing a black and white snap of himself and Ruth holding the upcoming special's script. He captioned the post: 'Some news Its official!!! We have finished writing the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey. See you on Christmas Day, BBC One. Love Ruth and James .' It comes after reports that the BBC and Netflix were locked in a bidding war for the rights to air the special. A source told The Sun: 'They held conversations with Netflix who threw everything at them to land what is seen as a gem of British comedy. 'James, Ruth and the team were effectively offered a multi-million pound one-off deal, and were promised it would open the show up to a whole new international audience. 'Obviously it was tempting, but they felt Gavin and Stacey belonged to the BBC and the nation, really. The optics wouldnt have been great had they sold out so they went with their hearts, not the cash.' The source finished by saying James and Ruth are happy with their decision. Fans flooded James's comments section with hopes for the special and questions about the meaning of his post Previously, the series returned for a Christmas Special back in 2019, but ended on a jaw-dropping cliffhanger when Nessa (Ruth) proposed to her on/off flame Smithy (James) Previously, the series returned for a Christmas Special back in 2019, but ended on a jaw-dropping cliffhanger when Nessa got down on one knee and proposed to her on/off flame Smithy. Elsewhere during the special fans were left more desperate than ever to find out what really happened on the infamous fishing trip. After years of not knowing what occurred it appeared Uncle Bryn was ready to reveal what led to him and Jason falling out on the trip during the festive family gathering . The pair were gifted with a photo of themselves together which, unbeknownst to Gwen (Melanie Walters) who gave them the present, was taken on the fishing trip. Bryn (Rob Brydon) and Jason (Robert Wilfort) both immediately fell silent as the mysterious events of the trip came back to them. The fishing trip has been a running gag throughout the series and was the cause of Bryn and Jason's long-standing troubled relationship in the early episodes. Fans thought they were finally going to get an answer to what really happened on the trip when Bryn stood up to get it off his chest, but he was interrupted by Gavin and Stacey's children running into the room. The fishing trip has never properly been spoken off causing fans to brand the cliffhanger as the 'best unsolved mystery of all time'. Fans have long hoped James' decision to move back to the UK following his eight-year stint hosting The Late Late Show in the US will increase the chances of making another episode. And after James was spotted meeting co-creator Ruth in London's Soho in November 2023, speculation went into overdrive. The residents of Walford are donning their best fancy dress in upcoming scenes to celebrate Zack Hudson and Whitney Dean's joint 'sten-do'. However chaos will soon descend on the couple's party after Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) discovered the groom-to-be (James Farrar) was cheating on her adoptive daughter (Shona McGarty) with best friend Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa). In the first look snaps while the majority of the square enjoy the bash, Bianca and Zack can be seen sat together with the mother-of-four torn about wether to reveal the truth to Whitney. Billy (Perry Fenwick) and Honey (Emma Barton) are dressed as Fred and Wilma Flinstone while Eve Unwin (Heather Peace) looks unrecognisable as she arrives as her partner Suki Panesar. Actress Patsy announced her return to the soap last month, writing: 'I'm so excited to be reprising the role of Bianca. EastEnders holds such a special place in my heart, so it's always a pleasure to be back.' The residents of Walford are donning their best fancy dress in upcoming scenes to celebrate Zack Hudson and Whitney Dean's joint 'sten-do' However chaos will soon descend on the couple's party after Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) discovered the groom-to-be (James Farrar) was cheating on her adoptive daughter (Shona McGarty) with best friend Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) In the first look snaps while the majority of the square enjoy the bash, Bianca (R) and Zack (L) can be seen sat together in a tense exchange Last week's episode saw Lauren and Zach share a steamy kiss in the alley way after stepping out together to let off some steam. Patsy's character first hit screens in 1993 before Patsy quit in 1999 to spend more time with her family. She returned to screens in 2002 for a special and made further returns in 2009 and 2019, before her upcoming comeback. It comes after Shona, 31, revealed last year that she would be quitting the soap after portraying Whitney for 15 years, after joining at the age of 16 in 2008. Speaking to The Sun on Sunday about her decision to leave Albert Square, Shona said: 'I have decided to spread my wings and will be leaving EastEnders. I have loved my years in the show.' A source told the publication that it 'wasn't an easy decision' but that Shona feels now is the right time to 'try something new.' They added: 'She is hoping the door will be left open for her character to return one day, but nothing is guaranteed and it is all in the hands of the scriptwriters.' As the adopted daughter of the infamous Bianca, Whitney was part of several hard-hitting storylines. The mother-of-four torn about wether to reveal the truth to Whitney Billy (Perry Fenwick) and Honey (Emma Barton) are dressed as Fred and Wilma Flinstone while Eve Unwin (Heather Peace, pictured) looks unrecognisable as she arrives as her partner Suki Panesar Meanwhile Sonia (Natalie Cassidy), Bianca's sister, is dressed as a fish as she engages in a tense phone call Ian (Adam Woodyatt) and Cindy (Michelle Collins) cut stylish figures as James Bond and his femme fatale before chaos descends on the party It comes after Shona, 31, revealed last year that she would be quitting the soap after portraying Whitney for 15 years, after joining at the age of 16 in 2008 It comes after former EastEnders star Don Gilet was announced as the new lead in crime drama Death In Paradise as he steps up to the role as Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson. The actor, 57, will make his debut in a feature-length Christmas special later this year, before a brand-new series in 2025 as his character arrives on the idyllic island of Saint Marie from London, and isn't overly pleased with his new surroundings. But prior to his role in the sunny Caribbean, the star is best known for appearing in as Lucas Johnson in the BBC as well as an appearance in Doctor Who. Don made his first ever television debut on the Channel 4 dating show Streetmate, where he was interviewed as the friend of a participant. However he got his breakout role in 2001 as Johnny Lindo in Babyfather, where he starred opposite his future EastEnders co-star Diane Parish. Ed Sheeran paid a visit to the Oracle Red Bull Racing garage in Miami on Friday afternoon. The 33-year-old performer appeared to be getting ready for the upcoming F1 Grand Prix of Miami, which is set to take place this coming Sunday. The hitmaker - who was recently spotted during a rare date night with his wife - was also picture while speaking with motorsport executive Christian Horner during his tour of the facility. Sheeran cut a very casual figure while wearing a black t-shirt and dark gray cargo pants as he made the rounds at the garage. The Grammy Award-winning performer completed his look for the day with a pair of dual-tone Nike sneakers. Ed Sheeran paid a visit to the Oracle Red Bull Racing garage in Miami on Friday afternoon The songwriter's visit to the garage took place not long before the tenth anniversary of the release of his sophomore record, entitled X. X was preceded by the release of one single, Sing, which made its debut in April of 2014. The record was eventually released on June 20 of that year, and it was met with generally positive reviews from critics. Several further singles, including the hit track Thinking Out Loud, debuted following the record's release. X was later put up for the Grammy Awards for Best Pop Vocal Album and Album Of The Year. Sheeran went on to take home the Brit Award for British Album of the Year for his work on the record. The performer recently spoke about the release of X during an interview with Billboard and expressed that he was happy to see the record's lasting impact on fans. 'At the time, I was just happy that people are liking the songs and now I look back at the album, and it's an album people really liked, which I guess is good,' he said. The 33-year-old performer appeared to be getting ready for the upcoming F1 Grand Prix of Miami, which is set to take place this coming Sunday The hitmaker - who was recently spotted during a rare date night with his wife - was also picture while speaking with motorsport executive Christian Horner during his tour of the facility Sheeran cut a very casual figure while wearing a black t-shirt and dark gray cargo pants as he made the rounds at the garage The Grammy Award-winning performer completed his look for the day with a pair of dual-tone Nike sneakers Sheeran also credited the record with providing a monumental boost to his profile as a songwriter. 'It took me from arenas to stadiums and I feel like it was such an important album in my career,' he stated. The performer concluded by speaking about how he was committed to constantly growing as a songwriter. 'Musically, I'm always like, "Have I said this before? Has a song sounded like this before?" It's less about what other people are doing, and more about what I've already done and constantly doing something different,' he said. Anna Nicole Smith's lookalike daughter Dannielynn and her dad Larry Birkhead spent some quality time together during the Kentucky Derby weekend. Dannielynn, 17, and Larry, 51, shared a few Instagram snaps while attending the Barnstable-Brown Gala on Friday. The father-daughter duo made a stylish appearance, with Dannielynn rocking an all-black Gianfranco Ferre dress previously worn by Janet Jackson according to Julien's Auctions. 'On our way to Barnstable-Brown Gala for the kick-off of the @kentuckyderby weekend. Dannielynn is wearing her second @janetjackson outfit to the party that I got from Janets @juliens_auctions -charity auction,' Larry wrote in the caption. It comes hours after Abbie Cornish was spotted for the first time in character as the late Anna Nicole on the Toronto set of the movie Trust Me, I'm A Doctor, about the Playboy model's drug spiral before dying at age 39. Anna Nicole Smith's daughter Dannielynn, 17, and her dad Larry Birkhead, 51, spent some quality time together during the Kentucky Derby weekend Larry added at the end of his caption: 'Looking forward to a fun Derby weekend with the newly graduated high school student!' Dannielynn completed her outfit with chunky black boots and a silver necklace. She wore her blonde tresses parted in the middle and styled into loose curls. Meanwhile Larry looked dapper in a grey suit and black tie for the event. One snap saw the duo standing side by side in a hallway filled with roses as they showed off their stylish looks. Another photo showed them sitting together with Dannielynn flashing a bright smile. Fans were thrilled with the new snaps, with one writing, 'High school graduate?! Where has the time gone? Shes a beautiful girl, just like her mama.' 'Ahh The derby where you met her mama!!! I love that youve made it a tradition. Shes beautiful! You both look great. Congrats Danni!' another added. 'Such a beautiful young woman! Larry, you must be so proud. Youve done a wonderful job raising her.' Dannielynn and Larry shared a few Instagram snaps while attending the Barnstable-Brown Gala on Friday The father-daughter duo made a stylish appearance, with Dannielynn rocking an all-black Gianfranco Ferre dress previously worn by Janet Jackson At last year's gala the two paid homage to Smith, with Dannielynn wearing a Guess top that had black and white images of the late model posing for the brand throughout the fabric Dannielynn and Birkhead attend the Kentucky Derby together annually, as it is a tradition they've had since she was three years old. Last year Larry celebrated Dannielynn's birthday with a gushing Instagram post where he shared photos of his daughter with Anna before her death in February 2007. The former Playboy model welcomed her only daughter just one year earlier on September 7, 2006 before her tragic passing due to an accidental drug overdose. The father daughter duo appear to have a close bond, and last year they also made an appearance at 149th Kentucky Derby Gala. The two paid homage to Smith at the annual event, with Dannielynn wearing a Guess top that had black and white images of the late model posing for the brand throughout the fabric. The photographer was seen sporting a tie with the same print and design as his daughter's outfit. He jumped to his main Instagram page to share a photo of their ensembles, and recalled to his followers, 'Heading to the annual Barnstable-Brown Derby Eve Gala. Tonight is the 20th anniversary where I met Dannielynns Mom at the same event...' Birkhead first met Anna Nicole at the same Kentucky Derby Gala in 2003, and told DailyMail.com last year in May, 'I met Anna first in 2003 and she blew me kisses. I was intrigued by her but we didn't have too much interaction.' Dannielynn and Birkhead attend the Kentucky Derby together annually, as it is a tradition they've had since she was three years old; seen at the event in 2023 Last year Larry celebrated Dannielynn's birthday with a gushing Instagram post where he shared photos of his daughter with Anna before her death Former Playboy model Anna Nicole welcomed her only daughter in 2006, before her tragic passing due to an accidental drug overdose at age 39 in 2007; seen in 1993 'She came back the next year and she had totally transformed. I always thought she was so beautiful. She has a unique look. But when she returned to the Derby in 2004 she was in her tip top shape,' he further remembered. Larry explained, 'She was blowing me kisses, but I thought she was doing that for everyone. Being flirtatious for the camera. I never thought that she would want some guy like me from Kentucky when she could have any guys who wants.' Their budding romance soon began in 2004, and the photographer later moved in with the model at her Los Angeles home. However, she then moved to the Bahamas when she was pregnant with their daughter. At the time, she was filtering through a legal battle for $30 million from her late husband and billionaire, J. Howard Marshall. The two notably tied the knot in 1994 when he was 89, and she was only 26. However, just 14 months after their nuptials, he passed away. 'We were living together and doing baby planning. We were picking out names for our baby. Despite what anyone says, Anna knew I was the father,' Larry expressed to DailyMail.com. 'They took her to the Bahamas because she was in a lawsuit for all that money, and they thought that I was going to try and take it from her, so they saw me as a threat and Anna believed it.' 'It was a game I had to play and go through the motions. But we stayed in contact until the time when she passed away,' Larry further continued. After welcoming Dannielynn in the Bahamas on September 7, 2006, her other child and only son, Daniel Wayne Smith, tragically died just days later on September 10 while visiting his mother and half-sister in the hospital due to a drug overdose. Abbie Cornish will play Smith in the upcoming movie Trust Me, I'm a Doctor. The film is based on a memoir of the same name by Anna Nicole's pain medication doctor Sandeep Kapoor, played by Kal Penn; Smith seen in 2005 in Los Angeles The following year, when Dannielynn was only five-months-old, Smith passed away due to an accidental drug overdose. After her shocking death and following a custody battle, Larry was ruled as Dannielynn's biological father due to a DNA test. Not long after his daughter was born, Anna's lawyer, Howard K. Stern, had been assumed as the father, and the pair married during a ceremony in the Bahamas. But after the DNA test proved Birkhead as the father, the birth certificate was changed and Dannielynn began living with him in the state of Kentucky, where they both still currently reside. Cornish will play Smith in the upcoming movie Trust Me, I'm a Doctor. The film is based on a memoir of the same name by Anna Nicole's pain medication doctor Sandeep Kapoor, played by Kal Penn. After Anna Nicole died of an overdose, Sandeep was implicated in her wrongful death trial, but he was ultimately acquitted of all six counts against him. Advertisement Bella Hadid appeared in high spirits as she packed on the PDA with her boyfriend Adan Banuelos at the launch of her fragrance line Orebella in New York City on Friday. The stunning supermodel, 27 who has been developing the perfume brand for over five years showed off her svelte physique in a white crop top and ripped black leather jeans as she held hands with her handsome cowboy partner. Adding an extra layer of allure, she threw on a sleek black motorcycle jacket, accentuating her ensemble with a touch of urban cool. With her radiant smile lighting up her face, the sister of Gigi Hadid shared a joyous moment, sharing a laugh with the renowned Mexican-American equestrian. Bella and Adan led a cavalcade of stars at the glitzy event, including Bella's mom Yolanda Hadid, Ashley Graham, Rosalia, Anok Yai and more. Bella Hadid appeared in high spirits as she packed on the PDA with her boyfriend Adan Banuelos at the launch of her fragrance line Orebella in New York City on Friday The stunning supermodel, 27, showed off her svelte physique in a white crop top and ripped black leather jeans as she held hands with her handsome cowboy partner The gorgeous brunette kicked off her perfume launch by officially releasing three 'aura-enhancing' scents on Thursday to fans and consumers. For each fragrance, the beauty uploaded an image representing the specific aromas in each bottle. In one image, Hadid could be seen in a white cropped top with flowy, caped fabric that fell down behind her. A pink floral detail was embroidered on the front as she posed in front of warm hues of green and orange. Light, pastel pink florals also bordered the photo for a final touch. '@orebella The first intentional skin parfum. Hydrating - Alcohol-Free - Elevated with Essential Oils. Shake to activate the transformative bi-phase formula. Launching 5/02 with three aura-enhancing scents,' she penned in the caption. One of the fragrances is called Window2Soul, and to promote the specific scent, Bella modeled a nude-colored, mesh dress that clung to her frame and had various floral details throughout the fabric. Her brunette locks were combed back away from her face, allowing the strands to fall down in light waves. She sent a sultry gaze towards the camera while resting on a bed of colorful flowers. The model described the fragrance as: 'a sheer floral bouquet composed of rose, jasmine & tonka bean.' The pair could not keep their hands or eyes off each other Adding an extra layer of allure, she threw on a sleek black motorcycle jacket, accentuating her ensemble with a touch of urban cool With her radiant smile lighting up her face, the sister of Gigi Hadid shared a joyous moment, sharing a laugh with the renowned Mexican-American equestrian Bella added a set oh thick-heeled black boots to the mix The PDA was unstoppable throughout the evening The media personality also embraced her mermaid side in another image while posing topless with a thin piece of blue material draped around her neck and arms. Hadid additionally wore a semi-sheer, sparkling skirt and also opted for an assortment of both beaded and pearl necklaces. Her damp hair was slicked back away from her face and also added a pair of dangly earrings for a final touch. She stood in front of a teal backdrop with lighter, painted details that made it appear as if she were underneath falling water. The photo was for the fragrance, Salted Muse, which is 'a refreshing woody marine featuring sea salt, olive tree & cedarwood.' Lastly, the star turned up the heat in an image that had similar characteristics to artwork in a rust-colored, cutout ensemble. She showed off her toned midriff in the outfit that had a crisscross bodice as well as low-waisted skirt. Gold, rhinestone embellishments were placed throughout her body for a flashy flare. Bella was seen lying on a sandy hill with the orange sun in the distance and a bare tree above her. Bella's mom Yolanda Hadid looked fabulous in her peach suit Ashley Graham looked sensational in her black dress The supermodel gave a leggy display as she rocked sky-high heels Ashley let her natural beauty take center stage with minimal makeup Rosalia commanded attention when she arrived to the launch Rosalia rocked a white satin slip dress underneath a black trench coat Anok Yai stole the spotlight in her fabulous garb British beauty Paloma Elsesser kept it casually chic Rapper ASAP Ferg keeps it stylish attending Bella Hadid's star-studded Orabella launch The younger sister of Gigi Hadid posed for the scent, Blooming Fire, which is 'a transportive warm floral featuring monoi, bergamot & patchouli.' According to the Orebella website, a 10mL bottle for each fragrance is $35, 50mL is $72 and 100mL is $100. While the perfumes are available on the website, consumers can also purchase the scents at Ulta starting May 10. Earlier this week, Bella took to her Instagram page to share her excitement over the launch and also uploaded behind-the-scenes images of the process. 'Can't believe I'm almost able to share what I've been keeping from you 5+ years of creativity, tears, magic, and refueling of my life! My true passion.' She concluded, 'For you and me and everyone in between! I'm so excited for you all to be a part of!' Late last month in April, Bella opened up to Harper's Bazaar about Orebella and stated, 'I never had a fragrance I was so obsessed with that made me feel unique and different. I started making my own and started making decks about it.' 'Then, all of a sudden, I had conversations with myself about my future and, like, what excited me, and it really was bringing something that was so personal to me to the world, and having the opportunity for people to see my heart and my brain.' 'Creating Orebella was the best form of therapy, especially just using my brain again and educating myself on different things and knowing the business behind all of this, but also being able to stay true to who I am,' she added. In regards to the fragrances, Hadid later expressed that, 'I want people to really know that for me, there is something really nostalgic about the first three scents that were launching now...' 'Or the ones that I've already made that we'll be launching later this year, if all goes well. I want people's emotions to be triggered when they smell them.' Bella Hadid, 27, showcased her incredible figure in eye-catching, revealing ensembles while promoting her new Orebella fragrances in dreamy Instagram snaps The media personality also embraced her mermaid side while posing topless with a thin piece of blue material draped around her neck and arms Lastly, the star turned up the heat in an image that had similar characteristics to artwork in a rust-colored, cutout ensemble According to the Orebella website, a 10mL bottle for each fragrance is $35, 50 mL is $72 and 100mL is $100 Earlier this week, Bella took to her Instagram page to share her excitement over the launch and also uploaded behind-the-scenes images of the process 'I want people to feel nostalgic of something from their childhood or, you know, have a sense of peace knowing all of our experiences are not singular...' Her fragrance company launch comes shortly after it was revealed in March that Bella moved to Texas to be closer to boyfriend, Adan Banuelos, and was taking a step away from modeling. Banuelos is a successful horse rider and notably became one of the youngest individuals to be inducted into the NCHA Hall of Fame back in 2017. Bella is also an avid equestrian and has recently been competing in events, taking home two rodeo buckles last month - which her mother Yolanda proudly documented. In regards to the move and break from modeling, a source recently told Us Weekly that her older sister, Gigi, 'couldn't be prouder of Bella for making the decision to step away from modeling.' 'She knows it wasn't a decision Bella took lightly, but something that will make her feel more fulfilled than ever.' 'Plus, she knows this is just a break and its more than likely Bella will return to modeling at some point.' The insider added, 'Bella is a force to be reckoned with in the fashion industry and although it won't be the same for a little while, Gigi is so happy for her little sister.' Her fragrance company launch comes shortly after it was revealed in March that Bella moved to Texas to be closer to boyfriend, Adan Banuelos, and was taking a step away from modeling Banuelos is a successful horse rider and notably became one of the youngest individuals to be inducted into the NCHA Hall of Fame back in 2017 Bella is also an avid equestrian and has recently been competing in events, taking home two rodeo buckles last month - which her mother Yolanda proudly documented 'I love being able to do my own hair and makeup, be happy with how I look and get ready with my girlfriends here in Texas,' she gushed; seen in March in Arlington, Texas While talking to Allure last month about the choice, Bella explained, 'After 10 years of modeling, I realized I was putting so much energy and love and effort into something thatwasn't necessarily giving it back to me.' 'I love being able to do my own hair and makeup, be happy with how I look and get ready with my girlfriends here in Texas,' she gushed. 'We have the best time, and I never feel like I need to do too much. For the first time now, I'm not putting on a fake face.' 'If I don't feel good, I won't go. If I don't feel good, I take time for myself...Now, when anybody sees me in pictures and they say, "I look happy," I genuinely am.' Drake continued his ongoing beef with Kendrick Lamar on Friday night as he dropped a diss track called Family Matters. The 37-year-old Canadian rapper's latest music offering follows 36-year-old Lamar's two songs Euphoria and 6:16 in LA aimed at Drake, full name Aubrey Drake Graham. Family Matters addresses Lamar's previous shots at the former Degrassi star head-on. In response to Kendrick raising the subject of Drake's parenting, he raps: 'You mentioned my seed, now deal with his dad/I gotta go bad, I gotta go bad.' The For All The Dogs music artist also name-dropped a list of the California-bred rapper's collaborators including Anthony 'Top Dawg' Tiffith, Dave Free, and Baby Keem, spitting: 'K.Dot sh*t is only hitting hard when Baby Keem put his pen to it.' Mere minutes after Drake released his song, Kendrick fired back with Meet the Grahams, his third diss this week. Drake continued his ongoing beef with Kendrick Lamar on Friday night as he dropped a diss track called Family Matters. The 37-year-old rapper clapped back about Lamar's previous suggestion that he has a 'hidden daughter' Announcing the song on Instagram, Drake captioned the post, 'FAMILY MATTERS out on YouTube now. Stop trying to piece together what I know and go pick up the pieces of your broken home' On Family Matters, a nod to the beloved 90s sitcom, Drake also took the opportunity to direct his frustrations toward other members of the hip-hop community. He took aim at Metro Boomin with the line, 'Leland Wayne, he a f**kin' lame, so I know he had to be an influence.' Then he turned to Future, reciting, 'Pluto sh*t make me sick to my stomach/We ain't never really been through it.' Rick Ross was also mentioned with the bar, 'Ross callin' me the white boy, and the sh*t kinda got a ring to it/'Cause all these rappers wavin' white flags while the whole f**kin' club sing to it.' At one point Drake turned his focus to the legal aftermath of his Taylor Made Freestyle, which was removed from social media as the result of a cease-and-desist from the late rapper 2Pac's estate: 'A cease-and-desist is for hoes/Can't listen to lies that come out of your mouth/You called the 2Pac Estate/And begged 'em to sue me and get that sh*t down.' Bringing up a romantic relationship of Kendrick's and hinting at alleged domestic abuse by the hands of the Compton-bred rap star, Drake raps: 'They hired a crisis management team/To clean up the fact that you beat on your queen. The picture you painted ain't what it seems.' In addition to Taylor Made Freestyle, Family Matters comes after Push Ups. Announcing the song on Instagram, Drake captioned the post, 'FAMILY MATTERS out on YouTube now. Stop trying to piece together what I know and go pick up the pieces of your broken home.' Mere minutes after Drake released his song, Kendrick fired back with Meet the Grahams, his third diss this week; pictured in May 2023 On his quick-witted rebuttal Meet The Grahams, Kendrick suggests Drake has a secret daughter. 'You lied about your son, you lied about your daughter, huh, you lied about them other kids that's out there hoping that you come,' go the lyrics. In response, Drake shared a selfie to his Instagram Story and wrote, 'Nahhh hold on can someone find my hidden daughter pls and send her to me...these guys are in shambles,' with crying laughing emoji. Elsewhere on Kendrick's recording he points to Drake's alleged battle with gambling and alcohol. He even goes as far as suggesting there are pedophiles within Graham's OVO crew. 'You f**ked up the minute you called out my family's name / You got gambling problems, drinking problems, pill-popping and spending problems, bad with money, whore house/ Therapy's a lovely start,' he raps. 'F**k a rap battle, this a lifelong battle with yourself,' the Recipe hitmaker spews.. Along with Friday morning's 6:16 in LA, Lamar posted a snap of a single Maybach leather glove. The title is a play on Drake's well-known timestamp songs like 2013's 4 PM in Calabasas and 2023's 8 AM in Charlotte. It's been revealed that Lamar tapped Taylor Swift's frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff to co-produce the diss track. Three days after dropping Euphoria, Kendrick came for Drake again with 6:16 in LA It's been revealed that Lamar tapped Taylor Swift 's frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff to co-produce 6:16 in LA On Kendrick's Meet the Grahams, he points to Drake's alleged battle with gambling and alcohol; Kendrick pictured in 2017 Variety first reported that Antonoff co-produced the track alongside Lamar's in-house producer Sounwave. Earlier this week, in response to Kendrick's song Euphoria, Drake then seemingly fired back by posting a clip from 10 Things I Hate About You. Fans believed that Drake's humorous post was to mock Lamar's lyrics, 'Now let me say I'm the biggest hater, I hate the way that you walk, the way that you talk. 'I hate the way that you dress, I hate the way you sneak diss, if I catch flight, it's gon' be direct.' Laura Dundovic showed off her incredible sense of style as she shared an array of snaps from her luxury trip on Saturday. The model, 36, took to her Instagram Stories to reveal that she was jetting off to visit Cobram Estate's esteemed olive groves in Victoria. For the outing, Laura looked effortlessly chic in a deep purple leather-look co-ord set from Bubish, made up of a $249 bomber jacket and a $229 fitted pencil skirt. Laura completed her look with a pair of silver buckled sandals and shielded her eyes with a pair of rectangular sunglasses. She toted her essentials in a small Louis Vuitton designer handbag as she pulled out all the stops for the lavish trip. Laura Dundovic (pictured) showed off her incredible sense of style as she shared an array of snaps from her luxury trip on Saturday The model, 36, took to her Instagram Stories to reveal that she was jetting off to visit Cobram Estate's esteemed olive groves in Victoria with her pal Kate Waterhouse Laura also gave an insight into her luxury transport as she shared a photograph of herself on the runway besides a small private jet. She also tagged the Luxury Transport Group, which provides limousine and chauffeuring services, in one post as she sat in a vehicle during her travels. Laura then shared snaps of herself strolling around Cobram Estate's 6,500 hectares worth of olive groves, which boast more than 2.4 million trees. She was joined by Kate Waterhouse, model and blogger Nikki Phillips and former MasterChef Australia star Sarah Todd for the trip. For the outing, Laura looked effortlessly chic in a deep purple leather-look co-ord set from Bubish, made up of a $249 bomber jacket and a $229 fitted pencil skirt Laura then shared snaps of herself strolling around Cobram Estate's 6,500 hectares worth of olive groves, which boast more than 2.4 million trees She was joined by Kate Waterhouse, model and blogger Nikki Phillips and former MasterChef Australia star Sarah Todd as they all toured the groves and factories The trio were seen posing up a storm for the cameras as they took a tour of the groves and got a glimpse inside the factories where the olive oil is produced. Laura captioned one snap: 'Celebrating the 2024 first harvest of my favourite extra virgin olive oil.' Rob McGavin and Paul Riordan planted their first olive tree in 1998 and have gone on to grow into a hugely successful leading manufacturer of olive oil Down Under. Laura has had a busy few days, having attended the star-studded Australian premiere of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga on Thursday. Rob McGavin and Paul Riordan planted their first olive tree in 1998 and have gone on to grow into a hugely successful leading manufacturer of olive oil Down Under Laura has had a busy few days, having attended the Australian premiere of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga on Thursday, where she put on a show-stopping display in a sheer dress The 2008 Miss Universe Australia winner made sure to turn heads as she walked the red carpet at Sydney's State Theatre for the glitzy premiere. She showed off her incredible figure in a sheer jewelled gown, which she slipped over a strapless bra and high-waisted underwear. She was joined at the event by Hollywood stars Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth, who are both starring in the Mad Max prequel. Alice Evans has hit back at her ex-husband Ioan Gruffudd's new partner Bianca Wallace in a blistering new rant. The actress, 55, claimed she has never abused anyone online, needs money to feed her children and will take legal action against her critics when she can afford to. It comes after 31-year-old Bianca - who got engaged to Alice's ex-husband in January - recently launched an extraordinary attack on the actress, accusing her of 'stalking, harassing and abusing' Ioan. Alice became embroiled in a bitter custody battle over her and Ioan's two daughters, fourteen-year-old Ella and Elise, 10, following their split three years ago. Posting on Instagram, Alice posted screenshots of online trolls seemingly abusing her using a website called Tattle. The mother-of-two said a woman 'with a link to me' - who she later refers to as her 'ex-husband's girlfriend' - had posted on Instagram claiming 'thousands of people' had contacted her saying Alice 'abused them' - setting off 'hundreds of angry' women on Tattle's site. Alice Evans (pictured) has hit back at her ex-husband's new partner in a blistering rant Bianca Wallace (right) and Ioan Gruffudd (left) are now engaged following his split from Alice Posting on Instagram, Alice posted screenshots of online trolls seemingly abusing her using a website called Tattle Bianca and Ioan Gruffudd are now engaged following his dramatic split from Alice Alice became embroiled in a bitter custody battle over her and Ioan's two daughters, fourteen-year-old Ella and Elise, 10, following their split three years ago 'I'm fed up. I am a single mother who has my kids 100% of the time. I need to earn money to support them. Some of these angry women have gone as far as to contact my future employers and beg them to drop me,' Alice wrote underneath the screenshots. 'I have never abused anybody. I am one of the kindest people you could meet (many will attest to that) I will deal with the legal side of the unending trolling and lying about me when I have more money [and] my life is back on track.' Alice added: 'But please - if I have ''abused'' you in any way, while we are working together or maybe as friends or even online...? Please tell me what happened. Now is your time to explain to my face exactly why you are so angry with me and why you contacted my ex-husband's girlfriend instead of going to the police. 'I don't understand why ''thousands'' of you would do that and honestly? I smell a rat.' In the screenshots shared by Alice, apparent abusers can be seen writing: 'You have no need to set the alarm... any day. Also, scheming how to fleece every penny from your ex husband, figuring out how to con Judge Josh and continue to keep the two E's alienated from a loving father shouldn't be called ''niggly problems''. ' Welsh actor Ioan, 50, announced his engagement to Australian actress Bianca, his girlfriend 19 years his junior, in January. Bianca launched an extraordinary attack on Alice, accusing her of 'stalking, harassing and abusing' her and fiance Ioan Bianca sharing a sweet selfie of the pair that she captioned with flame and heart emojis Bianca got engaged to Alice's ex-husband in January following his dramatic split from Alice Following their acrimonious separation in March 2021, Alice and Ioan have been locked in a very public legal battle, resulting in slanging matches that threatened to overshadow their respective careers. Bianca recently claimed Alice had set up fake social media accounts with the purpose of harassing them after a restraining order banned her from mentioning him on social media. In a series of Instagram posts, Bianca went on to share 4512 pages worth of social media posts in which Alice had mentioned her or Gruffudd as well as links to court documents detailing the three-year restraining order he took out against her as a result of the relentless posts. In return, Alice said she was finally beginning to feel like herself again and thanked her fans for their ongoing support. She said: 'My life was uprooted with no warning in 2020. I didn't react well. I applaud the people who do. But I'm intact. My girls are intact.' Gruffudd now gets to see his daughters once a week in a new custody agreement after claiming his ex-wife stopped him from seeing them for a year. Oti Mabuse looked to be in great spirits as she danced on the beach in Mallorca on Friday as she enjoys a family holiday. The professional dancer, 33, welcomed her daughter, who is almost six months, prematurely with her husband Marius Lepure, 41, last October. And the family have headed to the Balearic Island to soak up some sun as Oti was seen dancing around in the waves with her daughter strapped to her front in a papoose. The former Strictly Come Dancing star opted for a bold green, black and white patterned dress, while she protected her daughter from the sun with a adorable stripy hat. Oti embraced her natural beauty as she went makeup free and wore her glasses. Oti Mabuse looked to be in great spirits as she danced on the beach in Mallorca on Friday as she enjoys a family holiday She was joined by her husband Marius Lepure as the family headed to the Balearic Island to soak up some sun Oti strapped her baby daughter, seven months, strapped to her front in a papoose Meanwhile Marius kept it casual in a white sleeveless top and black tracksuit bottoms as he walked beside his wife and child. Enjoying a stroll along the beach, they were later seen arriving at a restaurant for a bite to eat. The pair appeared relaxed on the holiday, after Oti previously documented the stressful experience of her baby's first ever flight last month. The family travelled to Germany to celebrate Oti's sister Motsi's 42nd birthday and Oti confessed she was holding back tears the entire flight due to her nervous. Taking to Instagram she wrote: 'Our first flight. In her big girl @inglesinababy pram. Man this parenting business is a trip. 'I've never held back tears so long in my life - everything is a first and I want her to feel calm and comfortable. I was so nervous she would be crying but she's laughing, interested and most importantly not scared at all. 'We are such lucky as parents. Now FOR THE ACTUAL FLIGHT. Wish us luck @mumandme_app.' Later, she wrote: 'Wow! So many asking for tips I didn't do a lot. I booked the flights around her sleeping schedule. The professional dancer, 33, welcomed her daughter prematurely with her husband Marius Lepure, 41, last October The former Strictly Come Dancing star opted for a bold green, black and white patterned dress The mother protected her daughter from the sun with a adorable stripy hat They were later seen arriving at a restaurant for a bite to eat as the waitresses cooed over the little one Oti embraced her natural beauty as she went makeup free and wore her glasses 'She wakes up usually at 5am for a feed, so I fed her and in her wake period changed and dressed her and got her in car. She slept until luggage checks because we had to move her but went straight back to sleep. 'She eventually Woke up for a feed during flight (we were nervous about take off and landing so we bought her ear phones) which she didn't need. 'I bought this breastfeeding shirt from Amazon which is dark so she can still feel like it's night and let her sleep on my skin for comfort.' Not one to forget her husband, Oti added: 'Daddy was a rockstar too! Only difficulty we had was deciding who does what. 'We realised we can't both do everything so one of us has the baby and the other does the luggage. Much easier to tag team for her to remain calm and us to be on the same page.' Though Oti and Marius' daughter's birth went smoothly, complications arose afterwards and she was diagnosed with sepsis. She told The Sun on Sunday: 'My sepsis was discovered after the birth its not something that was missed, so I just want to make that clear, as Id read it misinterpreted like that a while ago. The pair appeared relaxed on the holiday, after Oti previously documented the stressful experience of her baby's first ever flight last month Oti looked content as she walked along the water's edge Oti has been open and candid about the challenges of becoming a parent and her traumatic birth story Though Oti and Marius' daughter's birth went smoothly, complications arose afterwards and she was diagnosed with sepsis The pair were seen arriving at a restaurant for lunch The former Strictly Come Dancing professional has explained she always felt as if her daughter was in 'safe hands' as medics gave her the best possible treatment 'My daughter had an infection when she came out and the doctors gave her treatment. I didnt have time to panic we were just focused on her being better.' The former Strictly Come Dancing professional explained she always felt as if her daughter was in 'safe hands' as medics gave her the best possible treatment. Oti added that the little one had to learn how to eat alone and breathe alone but admitted that the neonatal unit is a world she knows little about she she claimed the team did an 'amazing' job. The dancer saw the 'incredible' work of midwives every day relied on the support of friends and family when she couldn't physically be at her baby's side. Yolanda Hadid looked stylish as she attended her daughter Bella Hadid's Orabella launch in New York alongside her partner, Joseph Jingoli. The former model, 60, was the epitome of chic as she wore a beige double-breasted blazer that she paired with matching lace trousers. She kept her ensemble simple and layered her look with a simple tan-coloured vest top. Adding inches to her statuesque figure, the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills completed her look with a pair of towering beige stilettos. To accessorise, she wore a pair of blue-tinted aviator sunglasses and a small leopard print handbag. Yolanda Hadid looked stylish as she attended her daughter Bella Hadid's Orabella launch in New York alongside her partner, Joseph Jingoli The former model, 60, was the epitome of chic as she wore a beige double-breasted blazer that she paired with matching lace trousers Alongside her, Joseph cut a sophisticated figure in a navy blue two-piece suit, which he paired with a crisp white shirt. Yolanda is also a parent to Gigi, 29, and son Anwar, 24, who shares with her ex-husband Mohammed Hadid, 75. The blonde beauty and the CEO of the Jingoli construction and development company started dating in 2019. According to People, the two met on Yolanda's farm in Pennsylvania, where the mother of three was recovering from Lyme disease. 'I really started focusing,' she said. 'I made a love spiral and wrote down exactly everything that was important to me in a man and he magically just rang the doorbell at the farm.' Yolanda was previously married to Mohamed Hadid from 1994 to 2000 and to musician David Foster from 2011 to 2017. All three of the children have followed in their mother's footsteps into modelling. But it remains to be seen if her only granddaughter will go into the family business. Adding inches to her statuesque figure, the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills completed her look with a pair of towering beige stilettos Yolanda (middle) is also a parent to Gigi, 29, (left) and son Anwar, 24,(middle) who shares with her ex-husband Mohammed Hadid, 75 (pictured with Bella, 27) Gigi Hadid shares the child with former One Direction star Zayn Malik. Gigi and Zayn started dating in 2015. They've had a rocky relationship in the past, breaking up and getting back together several times over the years. The pair officially got back together in February 2020, and their baby was born just seven months later. Noughties TV star Emilie De Ravin has showcased her age-defying beauty as she took to Instagram last month to wish pal Sean Maguire a happy birthday. The actress, 42, rose to fame 20 years ago after starring as a plane crash survivor named Claire Littlejohn in the hit TV series Lost. However, Emilie has seemingly not aged a day as she shared a sweet selfie of herself and Sean to her Instagram revealing their unlikely friendship. The mother-of-three looked positively radiant as she sported an elegant blonde bob and a flawless palette of makeup. Meanwhile, her pal Sean - who played veterinarian Aidan Brosnan in Eastenders - appeared all smiles as they got a selfie in the back of a car. Noughties TV star Emilie De Ravin has showcased her age-defying beauty as she took to Instagram last month to wish pal Sean Maguire a happy birthday The actress, 42, rose to fame 20 years ago after starring as a plane crash survivor named Claire Littlejohn in the hit TV series Lost (pictured in the series) She captioned the post: 'No clue where we are here, or where we are going! but I do know it was probs fun cos I was with you, and we always have a good time (silly emoji) Happy Birthday my friend! Love ya xoxo (from me, and my weird hand in this pic (laughing emoji) @iamseanmaguire.' Emilie moved to LA at the age of 18 and quickly landed her first role in the teen drama, Roswell. However, in 2004 she was cast in the life-changing role of Claire Littlejohn in the ABC series, Lost. Speaking about the phenomenal success of the show, Emilie told The Sun: 'It's sort of hard to say. 'You read something and have a good feeling about it, it sounds great, ties nicely together and then shooting something, editing it, the music, the actors involved, everything sort of plays a huge part. 'Everyone involved had a great feeling towards it, but you never really know.' The actress was a series regular for the first four seasons and then for the sixth and final season. She also appeared in Home and Away. The actress was a series regular for the first four seasons and then for the sixth and final season The star also made an appearance on the hit ABC series Once Upon A Time, which ran from 2011-2018. She shares three children with her American-born partner Eric Bilitch, a director. In 2016 they welcomed their first child Vera, a daughter. The couple welcomed a son in 2018, Theodore and in March 2023, the lovebirds announced they were expecting a third child. It comes after Emilie listed her Mornington Peninsula estate last year for an eye-watering $3.2million. Located in Balnarring, 83km's from Melbourne, the sprawling Seventies-era home features four bedrooms and four bathrooms. Bella Hadid has temporarily swapped her cowgirl boots for kitten heels while back in New York City ahead of the 2024 Met Gala following her move to Fort Worth, Texas. On Saturday, the supermodel, 27, served 1970s homecoming queen glam in a flowy sheer dress with a pink floral print and plunging neckline. Her look featured long billowy sleeves that draped down and connected to the ruched waist of the dress. Hadid complemented the stylish frock with a pair of matching open-toe heels, which displayed her blush pedicure. The Orebella founder showed off her matching manicure with sparkling rings while carrying a gold metal clutch. Bella Hadid served 1970s homecoming queen glam in a flowy sheer dress with a pink floral print as she stepped out Saturday in New York City Her look featured long billowy sleeves that draped down and connected to the ruched waist of the dress. Hadid complemented the dress with a pair of matching open-toe kitten heels, displaying her blush pedicure She framed her contoured glam look with a pair of silver earrings and a long straight hairstyle with a thin crown braid. Hadid smiled through a red glossy lip as she was escorted by her security out of The Bowery Hotel, where fans waited for a glimpse. After recently relocating to the Lone Star State, the model returned to the Big Apple just in time for Monday's Met Gala, where she's likely to make her red carpet debut with boyfriend Adan Banuelos. She previously stepped out with the rodeo star, 35, on Friday for the launch of her Orebella fragrance line. Hadid shared some behind-the-scenes images and videos from the party to her Instagram Story on Saturday. The Ramy actress donned a corseted yellow wrap dress, which featured a classic floral painting print. She showed off the perfume's structured gold bottle in one photo, biting into a pink flower-shaped 'Orebella' cookie in another. Hadid also posed for a selfie with fellow model Alex Consani, who donned a mauve dress for the event. Her latest outing comes after reports in March that she bought a house in Fort Worth to be closer to her new boyfriend. The Orebella founder showed off her matching manicure with sparkling rings while carrying a gold metal clutch She framed her contoured glam look with a pair of silver earrings and a long straight hairstyle with a thin crown braid Hadid smiled through a red glossy lip as she was escorted by her security out of The Bowery Hotel, where fans waited for a glimpse She previously stepped out on Friday for the launch of her Orebella fragrance line Hadid shared some behind-the-scenes images and videos from the party to her Instagram Story on Saturday, donning a corseted yellow wrap dress, which featured a classic floral painting print She showed off the perfume's structured gold bottle in one photo. Hadid also posed for a selfie with fellow model Alex Consani, who donned a mauve dress for the event After recently relocating to Texas, the model is back in NYC just in time for Monday's Met Gala, where she's likely to make her red carpet debut with boyfriend Adan Banuelos Adan is a superstar in the horse riding world, becoming one of the youngest people to be inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Hall of Fame in 2017. He's also son of Ascencion Banuelos, the first Mexican-American to be inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association Hall of Fame. Bella was first romantically linked to Adan last October, when they were spotted kissing and holding hands while walking through the historic Fort Worth stockyards. A longtime rider herself, Bella has been re-focused on equestrienne events since March 2023, after taking a break from modeling to treat her Lyme disease. The diagnosis previously forced her to give up riding in 2016, when she was a nationally ranked equestrienne on track for the Olympics. Hadid has recently shown off her rodeo buckles after some successful events, where she and Banuelos have supported each other. Gisele Bundchen revealed she is heartbroken over the devastating floods, triggered by days of heavy rain, in southern Brazil that have killed at least 56 people. On Saturday morning, the supermodel, 43, shared a post raising awareness of the torrential storms battering her home country as well as resources on how to help those affected by the tragedy. 'My heart breaks for the Brazilians who are living through the devastation of the massive floods in Rio Grande do Sol this week,' she wrote on Instagram. 'Thousands of people have sadly lost everything.' She continued: 'My team and I have been received many inquiries about where to donate to get funds directly to the people dealing with this disaster. Thus, I have made the decision to reopen donations to the Luz Alliance Emergency Fund in partnership with @brazilfound.' Gisele Bundchen revealed she is heartbroken over the devastating floods, triggered by days of heavy rain, in southern Brazil that have killed at least 56 people The mother-of-two added that 'all the funds will be allocated to the people affected by this natural disaster in our Rio Grande do Sul.' 'In addition, if you live near any of the regions and want to help directly, they need mattresses and pillows, all types of bedding, toiletries, cleaning products, all types of clothing for all ages, furniture, appliances, pet food, and general daily living items,' the Vogue cover girl told her 22.6 million Instagram followers. 'Please take these items to a collection drop off location near your home.' She urged her fans to 'come together and support' the areas devastated by these floods. 'Anything you can do to help will make a difference; no act of kindness is too small. The most important thing is to take care of each other in any way we can,' she concluded. According to CNN 'at least 56 people have been killed and a further 67 are missing' as a result of the disaster. The catastrophic floods have also resulted in at least '74 others' to have been injured and the 'government has declared a state of calamity in areas where more than 67,000 people are impacted.' 10,000 people have reportedly been displaced by the displaced and 'more than 4,500 are in temporary shelters.' Bundchen, a sixth-generation German Brazilian, was raised in the city of Horizontinaa small rural town in southern Brazil. On Saturday morning, the supermodel, 43, shared a post raising awareness of the torrential storms battering her home country as well as resources on how to help those affected by the tragedy 'My heart breaks for the Brazilians who are living through the devastation of the massive floods in Rio Grande do Sol this week,' she wrote on Instagram. 'Thousands of people have sadly lost everything' She continued: 'My team and I have been received many inquiries about where to donate to get funds directly to the people dealing with this disaster. Thus, I have made the decision to reopen donations to the Luz Alliance Emergency Fund in partnership with @brazilfound' 'Anything you can do to help will make a difference; no act of kindness is too small. The most important thing is to take care of each other in any way we can,' she concluded Last year, the first Gala for her Luz Alliance Fund with the BrazilFoundation raised close to a million dollars. The proceeds went to the 'Luz Alliance Fund, whose objective is to support civil society organizations focused on the preservation and regeneration of the six Brazilian biomes (Amazon, Caatinga, Cerrado, Atlantic Forest, Pampas, and Pantanal), as well as a marine biome,' according to their website. At the time, the beauty stated: 'This event is not only to raise money for a cause, but to shine a light on the importance of joining forces to regenerate our ecosystems. I have chosen to support the 7 different Brazilian biomes, because I believe everything is interconnected and nature needs to be in balance for all life to thrive.' In 2023, the model, who now resides in Florida, made a generous donation to the Lotus House, a residential facility serving more than 1,550 homeless women and kids annually, in Miami. The mother-of-two added that 'all the funds will be allocated to the people affected by this natural disaster in our Rio Grande do Sul' (seen in 2023) The environmentalist gifted $1 million to the county's largest women's shelter to help fund a 'state-of-the-art facility centered around the needs of the community's youth,' according to a press release, obtained by the Miami Herald. Her seven-figure contribution will also further 'the organization's mission to prevent homelessness in South Florida.' 'Building a solid community for children is so important, especially for those who are vulnerable and in need,' the mom-of-two, who split from her ex-husband Tom Brady in October. 'Like everything in life, it takes a seed of an idea for something to grow.' She continued: 'The benefits of play include physical fitness, social interactions, cognitive development, self-confidence, and overall well-being.' Bundchen, a sixth-generation German Brazilian, was raised in the city of Horizontinaa small rural town in southern Brazil The mother-of-two went on to say that 'all these elements build a strong foundation for growth.' According to the Lotus House's website, the group 'provides free transitional housing and wrap around support services with access to a wide range of resources to approximately 520 women, youth and children daily.' Lotus House 'serves women who are homeless, whether due to domestic violence, untreated medical or mental illness, disability or economic reasons.' The organization even has a 'special maternity wing for women, who are homeless and pregnant and their infants.' Some of the educational workshops they provide include creative writing, yoga, dance and art. Back in 2017, the runway queen founded the Luz Foundation, which provides grants and support to young girls Constance Collins opened the doors to the Lotus House in 2006, with with 34 shelter beds, before expanding with the larger Lotus Village in 2018. Back in 2017, the runway queen founded the Luz Foundation, which provides grants and support to young girls. 'My life is devoted to this,' she said, in a 2015 interview with the Sydney Morning Herald. 'I know from the outside that people think: 'This girl just poses for pictures.' 'But in my head, I'm thinking the whole time: 'Okay, if I take this job, then I can have more money to put into this.' 'My life is devoted to this,' she said, in a 2015 interview with the Sydney Morning Herald; pictured earlier this year 'So that's what I'm doing, because that's [why] God gave me to do what I can do, right?' In October 2021, she spoke about creating the Luz Alliance Fund to 'help the most vulnerable families in Brazil during the pandemic.' 'I am thrilled that together we raised over R$ 7,7 M funds that directly supported more than 143,000 people to date,' she wrote on Instagram, at the time. 'This was only possible because of every person who worked in and out of the 40 organizations supported by the Luz Alliance Fund.' Bundchen then encouraged her followers to 'keep this chain of solidarity and collaboration' going and how we 'can each find our own way of doing good.' 'Every action and every donation countand generosity only generates more generosity,' the model said. 'Together we are stronger and there is nothing we cant do.' He became an Eighties sensation for his role as the troubled womanising detective, Jim Bergerac. But fans hoping to see John Nettles in the drama's modern reboot will be left disappointed, with the actor saying he is 'miffed' showrunners haven't approached him. The Mail on Sunday exclusively revealed plans to revive Bergerac, famously set on the island of Jersey, which became a huge hit for the BBC when its original decade-long run began in 1981. It was widely assumed that Nettles, 80, would be offered some kind of role or cameo appearance in the new series. Fans hoping to see John Nettles (pictured) in the drama's modern reboot will be left disappointed, with the actor saying he is 'miffed' showrunners haven't approached him John Nettles pictured with his Triumph Roadster in 1988 But, in an interview this weekend, the star said he has so far been ignored by TV bosses. 'I'm rather miffed they haven't been in touch at all,' he said. READ MORE: John Nettles to return to Midsomer Murders for a special documentary episode to celebrate 25 years of the popular show Advertisement Producers of the series, which will begin shooting this summer, are promising a 'contemporary twist' on the much-loved favourite. Much of it will be shot in Jersey and the series will air on UKTV and Drama channels. Some of Britain's biggest stars have been linked with the revival, including Doctor Who's David Tennant, who is believed to have expressed a long-held interest in the role, former Poldark actor Aidan Turner and Happy Valley's James Norton. But Nettles was doubtful whether anyone could do justice to the role. Asked who should play the part, he said: 'I have no idea. To be honest, I can't imagine anyone playing him but me.' Nettles, who has since gone on to star in Midsomer Murders, also wondered whether the show could succeed in a different political and social climate. He told The Daily Telegraph: 'I can't see how a reboot will work. The show belonged to Thatcherite Britain, to a time of fast money and beautiful girls.' However, Nettles said he now thinks the detective's attitude towards women was 'awful', adding: 'I was channelling my younger self, I think. I was a child of the 1960s. An infantile sexuality characterised that time. The attitudes towards women were appalling throughout the 1950s and 1960s.' Therese Liotard (left) and John Nettles (right) on set during filming a scene for Bergerac in Aix en Provence, France But he praised the female cast in the original series, which included Celia Imrie and Louise Jameson, saying: 'None of them is your idea of a stereotypical decorative female.' He singled out actress Floella Benjamin, who had a role in the first series, for particular praise. 'Race was never about tokenism back then,' Nettles said. 'Actors were cast because they were talented and right for the part, which is the only reason to cast anyone. It was never part of an argument about inclusivity or social engineering.' He also revealed that he received countless letters from fans offering sexual favours following the role, which turned him into a sex symbol. 'I was flattered, of course I was,' he said. 'But I didn't take it seriously... You can't start to believe your own publicity.' She may be the new queen of daytime TV, but when it comes to her wardrobe, Cat Deeley's tastes are far more humble. The This Morning presenter is quickly proving that she doesn't need a lavish budget for onscreen style, sourcing many of her clothes from the High Street. While her predecessor Holly Willoughby favoured designer items, Ms Deeley has won fans over by wearing brands such as Zara and John Lewis. In Monday's episode, she wore a gold two-piece suit from the High Street store Mint Velvet, which cost 278. It was followed on Tuesday by a pair of white, wide-leg trousers from online brand Sosandar for 59 and a red floral blouse from Rixo. On Wednesday, Ms Deeley wore a white lace minidress from Mint Velvet, costing 199, and on Thursday she wore a cargo mini dress from Zara for 89. She may be the new queen of daytime TV, but when it comes to her wardrobe, Cat Deeley 's tastes are far more humble On Wednesday, Ms Deeley wore a white lace minidress from Mint Velvet, costing 199 The week before she wore a jumper from John Lewis for 32, a leather skirt from Danish brand Gestuz (154) and a pair of heels from Mango (45.99). She has also worn a Zara red suit, a Boden cardigan and the viral Adidas Samba trainers whose fans also include the Prime Minister that cost 90. Ms Willoughby, who quit This Morning in October, used her private stylist Danielle Whiteman on the show. The pair have worked together for years and Ms Whiteman now helps with Ms Willoughby's lifestyle brand Wylde Moon. During her 14 years on This Morning, Ms Willoughby would regularly wear clothing from the likes of Ted Baker, LK Bennett and Jaeger. In Monday's episode, she wore a gold two-piece suit from the High Street store Mint Velvet, which cost 278 She has also worn a Boden cardigan and the viral Adidas Samba trainers whose fans also include the Prime Minister that cost 90 While her predecessor Holly Willoughby favoured designer items, Ms Deeley has won fans over by wearing brands such as Zara and John Lewis But Ms Deeley uses ITV's own stylist David O'Brien, who has also dressed her co-stars Josie Gibson and Alison Hammond. Last year Ms Hammond was also praised for her low-budget wardrobe on the show, wearing clothes from I Saw It First and Asos. On one of Ms Deeley's recent posts of her outfits, which she captioned with the hashtag 'Cat's Closet', fans praised her style. One commented: 'Love your looks, a lot more affordable than others'. Another wrote: 'Cat wears a lot of her own clothes and that's so fantastic to see.' Katie Holmes showcased her chic casual style as she stepped out in New York City Friday. The style maker, 45, who sent fashion watchers into overdrive with her black slip dress earlier in the week, went with a mixture of cool and warm tones for her outing. The Rare Objects star and director kept warm in a brown suede jacket over a blue and white striped top. She wore straight ankle length jeans and donned a pair of plum tone leather ballet flats. The Ray Donovan actress appeared to be wearing little to no makeup behind her dark sunglasses. Katie Holmes, 45, showcased her chic casual style as she stepped out in New York City Friday. The Rare Objects star and director kept warm in a brown suede jacket over a blue and white striped top Her long, dark hair was styled in a high, loose bun. The Batman Begins star carried a black leather shoulder bag and was spotted having an animated phone conversation as she made her way through the Big Apple. The actress, whose daughter Suri just turned 18 and will graduate from high school in the next several weeks, could be an empty nester soon. The fashionista shares Suri with her ex-husband Tom Cruise, 61. 'Suri is applying to schools all over the place,' but is leaning towards going to university in NYC, a source told DailyMail.com '[Katie] really does want her to stay in New York so they can be close to each other. Katie takes great pride in her but is also extremely overprotective.' As she prepares for Suri to fly the coop, Holmes is 'actively looking for roles and is eager to throw herself back into the industry full-time,' according to a source who spoke with In Touch. She recently completed a still as-yet unnamed project starring as an FBI Special Agent trying to rebuild her career after an affair damages her professional reputation, according to IMDB. The Top Gun star reportedly has had minimal interaction with his ex and his youngest child since he and Holmes divorced in 2006. Holmes wore straight ankle length jeans and donned a pair of plum tone leather ballet flats. The Ray Donovan actress appeared to be wearing little to no makeup behind her dark sunglasses Holmes is reportedly looking to reinvigorate her career when her daughter Suri Cruise, 18 graduates from high school and goes to university. A source told Daily Mail the teen has been looking at colleges in New York During the marriage, Holmes reportedly received instruction in Scientology, and Suri was to have been brought up in the controversial religion. After their split, the Dawson's Creek alum returned to her Roman Catholic faith. Former leading Scientologist Karen De La Carriere, who used to be married to the religion's president, told DailyMail.com, that Scientology is at the center of Cruise's alleged estrangement with his teenage daughter. 'Katie was deemed a Suppressive Person and Suri, by extension, Potential Trouble Source,' she explained. 'Tom cannot engage or connect with his own daughter. In Scientology, it is Scientology first, family priorities come low down in the order.' Kinshasa, DRC (PANA) - Internally displaced people account for at least 12 of those killed and a further 31 injured when their camps were shelled by M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, MONUSCO, on Friday Former Pink Floyd star David Gilmour has announced his first solo UK show in eight years and will take to London's Royal Albert Hall for six nights in October. The musician, 78, posted to social media with the news and shared a glimpse of the iconic venue ahead of the release of his new album Luck and Strange. But fans of Pink Floyd will be left disappointed as David revealed he will only perform his new material and none of the rock band's hits from their heyday, saying he had an 'unwillingness to revisit the Pink Floyd of the Seventies'. He told Uncut: '[Other decades] might be better represented. I mean, at least one from the Sixties. The one weve done in the past is 1967s Astronomy. David left Pink Floyd in 1985 after falling out with Roger Waters and their long-running feud continues to this day. Former Pink Floyd star David Gilmour, 78, has announced his first solo UK show in eight years and will take to London's Royal Albert Hall for six nights in October (pictured 2019) But fans of Pink Floyd will be left disappointed as David revealed he will only perform his new material and none of the rock band's hits from their heyday, saying he had an 'unwillingness to revisit the Pink Floyd of the Seventies' (David pictured in Pink Floyd in 1977) The musician took to social media with the news and shared a glimpse of the iconic venue ahead of the release of his new album Luck and Strange Last January tensions between them showed no signs of improving after David backed his wife's claims that Roger was 'antisemitic' and 'a Putin apologist'. Polly Samson, 61, made a series of incendiary claims about legendary musician, 80, seemingly in response to an article he had shared concerning Israel. She had posted a tweet telling Waters he is 'antisemitic to (his) rotten core' adding that he was a 'Putin apologist and a lying, thieving, hypocritical, tax-avoiding, lip-synching, misogynistic, sick-with-envy, megalomaniac'. Bass guitarist Waters has denounced the claims as 'wildly inaccurate' and 'incendiary', adding that he is 'taking advice on his position'. Then earlier this year Rodger was finally been dropped by his record label months after he was accused of anti-Semitism for backing Hamas' October 7 attack against Israel. German music rights firm BMG, which signed Waters in 2016, recently parted ways with the 80-year-old rock star following a series of controversies including a slew of inflammatory remarks he made about Israel. David left Pink Floyd in 1985 after falling out with Roger Waters and their long-running feud continues to this day (Pink Floyd pictured 1968) Last January tensions between the band showed no signs of improving after David backed his wife Polly Samson's claims that Roger was 'antisemitic' and 'a Putin apologist' Then earlier this year Rodger was finally been dropped by his record label months after he was accused of anti-Semitism for backing Hamas ' October 7 attack against Israel (Roger pictured on stage in 2023) Waters told Variety in November he had been 'fired' by the company after the relatively new CEO Thomas Coesfeld canned a planned release of a newly-recorded rerun of a Pink Floyd album. Sources have now told the magazine they have parted ways. BMG officials told DailyMail.com they were aware of the report but would not comment on it. The band's former bassist had been slated to release a new version of the 1973 album 'Dark Side of the Moon' - but the project was reassigned to UK-based band Cooking Vinyl. It comes after he allegedly sang that his agent was a 'f***ing Jew' in an improvised song, and appeared to dress as a Nazi at a Berlin gig in May. The claim about the song came from Rogers' former producer Bob Ezrin in The Dark Side of Roger Waters, a documentary produced by the Campaign Against Antisemitism. Ezrin, who has also worked with huge names like Lou Reed, U2, Taylor Swift and Aerosmith, said he was 'embarrassed' to admit that he didn't challenge the bassist on his ditty about Bryan Morrison. He added: 'It was my first inclination that there may be some anti-semitism under the surface. German music rights firm BMG, which signed Waters in 2016, recently parted ways with the 80-year-old rock star following a series of controversies including a slew of inflammatory remarks he made about Israel Waters told Variety in November he had been 'fired' by the company after the relatively new CEO Thomas Coesfeld (pictured) canned a planned release of a newly-recorded rerun of a Pink Floyd album 'Now, Roger knew that I'm Jewish, so I didn't know whether this was another one of those button-poking things that he was doing, just to see if I would react, or if he just didn't even get how offensive that might be to a Jewish person.' He is convinced that Waters genuinely doesn't see himself as anti-semitic despite the nature of his alleged comments. Ezrin concluded: 'I don't believe that Roger sees himself as an anti-semite, in the same way that most people don't see themselves as racist. 'But he walks like one, he quacks one, he swims like one - so you know, from my point of view he's functionally a duck.' Bryan Morrison, the alleged subject of Waters' improvised song according to Mr Erzin, died in 2008 aged 66 after spending two years in a coma following a fall from a horse. The documentary also broadcasts claims Waters wanted a giant floating pig at his concerts to be emblazoned with the Star of David and slogans that contained denigrating language about Jewish people. If at first you don't succeed... be more like Hannah Dodd, about to be catapulted to stardom in the forthcoming third series of the costume romp Bridgerton. Hannah, 28, who a couple of years ago lost out in a battle for a key part in the Netflix drama, has now grabbed her chance to take over the role of Francesca, one of the eight siblings who feature in the series, set in early 19th Century London. Actress Ruby Stokes, seen only in glimpses as Francesca in the first two series, had to bow out because of other filming commitments and Hannah steps in just as Francesca takes centre stage in the new episodes. Record-breaking Bridgerton has a reputation for turning unknowns into hot properties think Rege-Jean Page and Phoebe Dynevor from series one. And Hannah's racy role will undoubtedly spark watercooler moments, as intimacy co-ordinators have been involved from the very start. 'It isn't something I necessarily wanted to do in my career,' Hannah explains in today's YOU magazine, 'but I read the book, and then when I got the role, fans kept tagging me in videos saying 'Does Hannah know what she's letting herself in for?' Bridgerton sensation Hannah Dodd, from Colchester, who has been working since she was 15, isn't likely to let success go to her head Dodd (centre) as Francesca Bridgerton will continue her role in the anticipated third season Hannah Dodd attends the Zimmermann Womenswear Fall Winter 2023-2024 show in Paris In When He Was Wicked, the sixth Bridgerton novel, Francesca is the central character and one fireside scene is described as one of the most sensual in period romantic fiction. Hannah, from Colchester, who has been working since she was 15, isn't likely to let success go to her head after appearing with Romeo Beckham in a Burberry advert when she was 19, she was back to scrubbing the toilets in her local pub the very next day Lea Michele is enjoying some quality time with her growing family ahead of the birth of her second child. As she stepped out Saturday in New York City with her husband Zandy Reich and their three-year-old son Ever Leo, the Golden Globe nominee, 37, kept it cozy in a set of beige knit pajamas. She layered the ensemble with an equally cozy-looking black collarless overcoat that draped to her ankles, matching her black ballet flats. Michele wore her hair up, blocking the sun with some round gold-framed shades and toting a black leather crossbody bag. The Glee alum held Ever's hand as Reich, 41, held his other hand, walking on either side of the toddler. Lea Michele kept it cozy in a set of beige knit pajamas as she stepped out Saturday in New York City with wife Zandy Reich and 3-year-old son Ever Leo She layered the ensemble with an equally cozy-looking black collarless overcoat that draped to her ankles, matching her black ballet flats. Michele wore her hair up, blocking the sun with some round gold-framed shades and toting a black leather crossbody bag She announced her second pregnancy with Reich in March, sharing some maternity photos on Instagram. 'Mommy, Daddy and Ever are overjoyed,' wrote Michele in the caption. With the exception of a pair of white underwear, she went nude under a floor-length shawl, cradling her baby bump. Michele tied the knot with the fashion executive in March 2019, and they welcomed Ever on August 20, 2020. Her latest outing comes after the proud mother returned from a trip to Florida. Michele previously shared photos of herself sunning her baby bump on the balcony of their oceanfront hotel. The Broadway star celebrated a pregnancy first in March as she took the stage at Radio City Music Hall for President Joe Biden's record-breaking $25 million fundraiser. 'So, I've never sung pregnant ever before,' she explained on her Instagram Story in a video for her 8.3 million followers. The Glee alum held Ever's hand as Reich, 41, held his other hand, walking on either side of the toddler Her latest outing comes after the proud mother returned from a trip to Florida She announced her second pregnancy with Reich in March, sharing some maternity photos on Instagram 'And I just decided why not for the first time come to Radio City, one of the most amazing, iconic venues in the whole world, to sing "Don't Rain on My Parade"?' added Michele. The event broke fundraising records with an estimated $25 million for the Biden Victory Fund, supporting the president's campaign for reelection in November. 'Such an honor getting to perform at @radiocitymusichall for three presidents tonight,' wrote Michele with a photo of the marquee. Michele gave an energetic performance of 'Don't Rain on My Parade' from her recent Broadway revival run in Funny Girl. Madonna brought her Celebration Tour to a close in style with her final concert as she rehearsed ahead of performing to a whopping 1.5M fans on Copacabana Beach in Brazil on Saturday - making it the biggest concert of her career. The Queen of Pop, 65, looked incredible as she took to the stage in lace lingerie and a tiny plaid mini skirt, flashing a glimpse of underwear beneath during one raunchy routine. The saucy show then saw her cosying up to a hunky backup dancer as she belted out some of her most iconic hits. Despite just hours before the record breaking audience's arrival Madonna was as confident as ever on stage and she strutted her stuff alongside a string of colourfully dressed dancers. Billed as 'the biggest dance floor in the world,' the show out front of the Belmond Copacabana Palace Hotel doesn't require fans to get tickets, while Brazil's TV Globo broadcasts the concert live, according to Rolling Stone. Madonna, 65, brought her Celebration Tour to a close in style with her final concert she rehearsed ahead of performing to a whopping whopping 1.5M fans on Copacabana Beach in Brazil on Saturday - making it the biggest concert of her career The Queen of Pop looked incredible as she took to the stage in lace lingerie and a tiny plaid mini skirt, flashing a glimpse of underwear beneath during one raunchy routine The saucy show then saw her cosying up to a hunky backup dancer as she belted out some of her most iconic hits The local mayor's office has prepared an operation equivalent to the one used for New Year's Eve celebrations in Copacabana, which is one of the most famous in the world that typically brings in some one million people. The concert will only be broadcast locally in Brazil. Fans outside Brazil can livestream the big event online on a cable streaming service that carries TV Globo or through a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Copacabana Beach has been the site of a number of huge concert gatherings over the years, including Rod Stewart, who had 4 million concertgoers for is show in 1994, while the Rolling Stones reportedly had a crowd of 1.5 million in 2006. Madonna kicked-off her first-ever retrospective tour at The O2 Arena on London, England back on October 14, and proceeded to travel across Europe into the beginning of December. She would eventually open the U.S. leg of the tour in New York City on December 13 and then take the show into the the rest of the States and Canada until an April 15 concert in Austin, Texas. From there, the pop superstar brought the tour to Mexico City for a five night run at Palacio de los Deportes that ended on April 26. After having thee last week off to prepare for the Celebration Tour finale in Rio de Janeiro, Madonna is now preparing for what is expected to be the largest audience she has ever play for during her illustrious career. The Celebration Tour not only pays homage to her long history of hit songs, Madonna also uses the platform to tell the story of how she become a global pop icon after arriving in New York City in 1978 with just $35 in her pocket. Despite just hours before the record breaking audience's arrival Madonna was as confident as ever on stage and she strutted her stuff alongside a string of colourfully dressed dancers Madonna's tour has been full of raunchy escapades (pictured on stage on Friday) Billed as 'the biggest dance floor in the world,' the show out front of the Belmond Copacabana Palace Hotel doesn't require fans to get tickets, while Brazil's TV Globo broadcasts the concert live Copacabana Beach has been the site of a number of huge concert gatherings over the years, including Rod Stewart, who had 4 million concertgoers for is show in 1994, while the Rolling Stones reportedly had a crowd of 1.5 million in 2006 It would take five years until she released her self-titled debut record in 1983 that shot her to the top of the pop world with hits like Everybody, Holiday, Borderline, Luck Star and Burning Up. Over the course of her illustrious career, the Bay City, Michigan native has released 14 studio album, with the most recent being Madam X in 2019. Her retrospective tour came on the heels of her remix album - Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones, which marks Madonna scoring 50 number one hit songs on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, the most number ones of any artist on any single Billboard chart. With sales of over 300 million records worldwide, Madonna is the best-selling female recording artist of all time. She is also a mother of six that includes her four adopted kids David, 18, Mercy, 18, and twins Stella and Estere, 11, as well as two biological children: Rocco, 23, from her marriage to ex-husband and filmmaker Guy Ritchie, 55, and Lourdes, 27, whom she shares with ex-partner and actor Carlos Leon, 57. More than seven years after her mother's death, Billie Lourd is keeping the Force alive in Carrie Fisher's family. The actress, 31, celebrated Star Wars Day on Saturday by sharing photos of herself with daughter Jackson Joanne, 16 months, at the Disneyland attraction Galaxy's Edge. 'May the 4th,' she wrote in the caption with emojis. Taken from behind, one photo shows Lourd holding her baby girl as they both grab onto a green lightsaber. Wearing Minnie Mouse ears for the outing, the proud mom kisses Jackson in another photo. Billie Lourd celebrated Star Wars Day on Saturday, sharing photos of herself with 16-month-old daughter Jackson Joanne at the Disneyland attraction Galaxy's Edge Taken from behind, one photo shows Lourd holding her baby girl as they both grab onto a green lightsaber. Wearing Minnie Mouse ears for the outing, the proud mom kisses Jackson in another photo Lourd shares Jackson and son Kingston Fisher, 3, with husband Austen Rydell, whom she married in 2022. Her late mother Carrie Fisher became a household name for her star-making role as Princess Leia in 1977's Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. After leading the original trilogy with Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford, the trio returned for Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015. Lourd also made her big screen debut in the sequel as Lieutenant Kaydel Ko Connix, returning alongside her mother for Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019). Fisher died at age 60 after suffering cardiac arrest in December 2016. The next day, her mother Debbie Reynolds died of a stroke at age 84. Lourd marked the seventh anniversary of her mother's death in December, sharing a tribute with a childhood photo of her with Fisher. 'I miss her every day but the cliche is also true - she is with me every day - she infuses my joyful moments with even more joy,' she wrote. 'It has been 7 years since my mom died (but whos counting?? Me I guess?) Every anniversary brings a different iteration of my grief,' added Lourd. The Scream Queens alum previously paid tribute to Fisher at her posthumous Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on Star Wars Day last year. Lourd's late mother Carrie Fisher became a household name for her star-making role as Princess Leia in 1977's Star Wars : Episode IV A New Hope Following the original trilogy, she returned for Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015, in which Lourd also made her big screen debut as Lieutenant Kaydel Ko Connix Fisher died at age 60 after suffering cardiac arrest in December 2016. The next day, her mother Debbie Reynolds died of a stroke at age 84 Lourd previously paid tribute to Fisher at her posthumous Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on Star Wars Day last year Carrie's brother Todd Fisher and sisters Tricia Leigh and Joely Fisher called out Lourd for excluding them from the ceremony. After TMZ reported that the decision was over Todd's attempt to cut Lourd out of Reynold's estate, Lourd released a statement alleging that he and his siblings 'capitalized on my mother's death.' 'The truth of my mom's very complicated relationship with her family is only known by me and those who were actually close to her,' wrote Lourd at the time. 'Though I recognize they have every right to do whatever they choose, their actions were very hurtful to me at the most difficult time in my life,' she added. 'I chose to and still choose to deal with her loss in a much different way.' Lourd continued, 'The people who knew and loved my mom at Disney and Lucasfilm have made this star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to honor her legacy possible. This moment is about Carrie Fisher and all that she accomplished and what she meant to the world. Im going to focus on that. May the 4th be with you.' Todd, 66, claimed in a statement that he 'never capitalized on either Carrie or my mother Debbie's deaths, and in no way meant to hurt Billie and that is the truth.' Starbucks has had a disastrous start to the year - with tens of millions of customers heading instead to rivals or staying at home. Tim Horton's, McDonald's and Dunkin Donuts have all taken market share from Starbucks across hot and cold drinks, and food. The company this week reported a fall in sales for the first time in nearly three years, which was at the height of the pandemic. It was only in November it reported record takings. Multiple factors are to blame - including high prices, customers cutting spending and bad weather - but slow service was highlighted by the Starbucks CEO. Starbucks' growth has come on the back of complicated and customizable drinks like Frappuccinos in the summer or pumpkin spice lattes in the fall - but each can take baristas several minutes to make. Starbucks, in the first three months of the year, has lost millions of customers Statbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan said slow service was putting off customers Starbucks customers are ditching orders while in the line - as they take too long Starbucks - which has about 17,000 stores in North America - also warned investors on Tuesday it would continue to see slow sales in the spring and summer. Boycotts by pro-Palestinian supporters over Starbucks' perceived support for Israel's military action in Gaza have also hit sales, particularly on college campuses. On slow service, the company said that each day it sees millions of examples of customers ordering items but then abandoning their drinks since they took took long. 'We have customers coming to our stores today, or on mobile order pay, who don't fulfill their transaction because of wait times,' CEO Laxman Narasimhan said in an interview with CNBC's Jim Cramer on Wednesday morning. 'Our team in the US has done a phenomenal job in improving speed of service but we see more opportunities in doing that.' Astonishingly, around one in seven customers ordering via the mobile app give up on their order since their local Starbucks is too busy. Customers have complained about the waits on social media. On TikTok, mikeylorenz0 complained he for a black coffee he has to 'wait 20 minutes' while others order a 'venti iced grande sugar caramel marshmallow ugat'. He called for an express line for people who just want basic drinks like a black coffee or a latte without modifications. Starbucks shares hit a two year low after the company's dire first quarter earnings were released on Wednesday evening. Narasimhan went on CNBC to defend the company, but was slammed by Cramer. The CEO told CNBC the quarter was also bad due to bad weather in the US and slow demand in China, its second biggest market. Price hikes across the board at cafes and restaurants last year have forced customers to cut back. Instead, they are drinking more coffee at home, hurting business for chains such as Starbucks. But rivals like Tim Horton's, McDonald's and Dunkin Donuts have not been hit as badly, CNBC's Jim Cramer said on the show. On TikTok, mikeylorenz0 complained that for a black coffee he has to 'wait 20 minutes' while others order a 'venti iced grande sugar caramel marshmallow ugat'. He called for an express line for people who just want basic drinks like a black coffee or a latte without modifications. Starbucks in Atlanta, Georgia, with long line of cars at the drive thru All three have recently said that they are taking market share from Starbucks. Talking to investors on a post earnings call on Wednesday, Narasimhan expanded on the reasons for poor sales. 'Many customers are being more exacting about where and how they choose to spend their money, particularly with stimulus savings mostly spent,' he said. 'We saw this materialize over the quarter as customers made the trade-offs between food away from home and food at home.' Canadian authorities, who arrested three Indian nationals in connection with the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, said their investigation has not concluded and "others" played a role in the homicide. Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karanpreet Singh, 28, all Indian nationals, residing in Edmonton have been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The three are believed by investigators to be members of an alleged hit squad tasked by the government of India with the killing of Nijjar, 45, outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023. He was a Canadian citizen. The investigation does not end here. We are aware that there are others out there that played a role in this homicide and we remain dedicated to identifying and arresting each one of them, Superintendent Mandeep Mooker, Officer in Charge of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) said. The three men were arrested for the murder of Nijjar Friday morning by IHIT investigators, with the assistance of members from the British Columbia and Alberta Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Edmonton Police Service. Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner David Teboul said they are not able to make any comments about the nature of the evidence collected by police nor can we speak about the motive behind Nijjar's murder. However, understanding this situation has attracted considerable and very broad public interest, I will say this matter is still very much under active investigation. I will underscore that today's announcements are not a complete account of the investigative work currently underway. "There are separate and distinct investigations ongoing into these matters, certainly not limited to the involvement of the people arrested today, and these efforts include investigating connections to the Government of India. The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in September last year of the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar. India has dismissed Trudeau's charges as "absurd" and "motivated." Teboul said that three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of Sikh activist Nijjar. Teboul stressed that the murder remains "very much under active investigation." During the press conference, Superintendent Mandeep Mooker, who leads the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, said, "IHIT is releasing photos of the accused men in hopes of furthering its investigation. Anyone who may have seen these individuals, in or around Surrey, in the weeks leading up to the homicide, or anyone with information about the homicide is asked to contact IHIT. He said that the suspects "were not known to the police" before the investigation into Nijjar's death, according to reports. Mooker said all three are Indian nationals and have been living as non-permanent residents in Canada for the last three to five years. He said coordination with India has been "challenging and rather difficult for the last several years". Mooker said that his investigation has relied on the Sikh community's support. "We would not be at this point without the bravery and courage of the Sikh community coming forward with information for this investigation," he said, adding that he believes they will continue to come forward for any future investigations, according to the report. Citing sources, a report in Global News said that the suspects had entered Canada on student visas but may have been working at the direction of Indian intelligence when they shot Nijjar. According to court records, Brar has been charged with a murder that occurred in Surrey on June 18, 2023. He also faces a charge of conspiracy to murder on May 1, 2023, in Edmonton and Surrey, the report said. Talking to reporters, Canada's Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc declined to confirm the Indian government connection, saying such questions are best addressed by the RCMP. "I have full confidence in the security apparatus of the government of Canada and the work of the RCMP, and the work that the (Canadian) Security Intelligence Service does," Leblanc said. "I think the police operation that you see ongoing today confirms that the RCMP take these matters extremely seriously. But questions with respect to particular links or non-links are properly put to the RCMP," he added. The indictments Friday allege the conspiracy unfolded in both Surrey and Edmonton between May 1, 2023, and the date of Nijjar's killing. Quoting sources close to the investigation, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported that the police are actively investigating possible links to three additional murders in Canada, including the shooting death of an 11-year-old boy in Edmonton. Members of the hit squad are alleged to have played different roles as shooters, drivers and spotters on the day Nijjar was killed at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, according to the sources. Sources said investigators identified the alleged hit squad members in Canada some months ago and have been keeping them under tight surveillance. India on Monday summoned the Canadian deputy high commissioner and lodged a strong protest with him over the raising of pro-Khalistan slogans at the event in the presence of Prime Minister Trudeau and several other leaders. Nijjar was a Khalistani separatist and he was wanted in India on various terror charges. Days after Trudeau's allegations, India asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country to ensure parity. Subsequently, Canada withdrew 41 diplomats and their family members from India. India has been asserting that its "core issue" with Canada remained that of the space given to separatists, terrorists and anti-India elements in that country. Following Trudeau's allegations last year, India temporarily suspended the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens. The visa services were resumed several weeks later. Turmoil within the INDIA bloc continued in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls as former Delhi Congress president and senior leader Arvinder Singh Lovely along with former Delhi Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan, former MLAs Neeraj Basoya, Naseeb Singh and Delhi youth Congress chief Amit Malik joined the BJP on Saturday. This will be the second innings of Lovely and Chauhan in the BJP while Basoya and Naseeb join the BJP first time. The development will boost the BJP prospects as these leaders will help to consolidate votes in Sikh, Dalit and Gurjar communities in the seven seats in Delhi which go to polls on May 25. The shock resignations of Lovely, Chauhan, Basoya and Naseeb came as a major blow to the party in the Capital. All the former Congress leaders slammed the Opposition party's alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi for the Lok Sabha polls as they joined the BJP in the presence of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and party general secretary Vinod Tawde. Puri praised these leaders and said the BJP will utilise their services effectively. Delhi Congress' interim chief Devender Yadav on Saturday described former party unit president Lovely, who joined the BJP, as an "opportunist". The Congress does not care about such people. It was strong before and will remain strong in the future, he said. Reacting to Lovely joining the BJP, Yadav said, "I put Arvinder Singh Lovely in the category of an opportunist person. This is not the first time that he has tried to sabotage the Congress." "The party does not care much about such people. The Congress was strong before and will remain strong in the future as well. This is their habit. Whenever there is a chance, he (Lovely) has tried to cheat and there is no place for cheaters in the party," he added. Speaking to reporters after joining the saffron party, Lovely said he met his supporters and several Congress workers following his resignation, who urged him "not to sit at home but join a strong party to fight for the people of Delhi." Lovely referred to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's speech where she had said that every drop of her blood is dedicated to the nation. "Indira ji ne bola tha mere khoon ka katra katra iss desh ke liye hai. Katre se Tukde Tukde pe aagye hain (Indira had said that every drop of her blood is dedicated to the nation. Now they are reduced to Tukde Tukde gang) Lovely, adding that he started feeling like a misfit in the party. Lovely hailed the BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for giving him and his colleagues the opportunity to join the party when they felt lost. He asserted that Modi is set to retain power with a big majority in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. Lovely had recently quit as the Delhi Congress president protesting the party's alliance with the AAP. Earlier Lovely had made it clear that he has only quit the party post and not the party, although a section of the Congress leadership as well as AAP leaders believed that he would be joining the BJP again. Lovely's resignation on April 28 was a setback to the party in terms of optics and perception. Coming four days after former Delhi Minister Rajkumar Chauhan quit the party, the resignation of Lovely, who has been heading the Delhi unit since August last year, has been a blow to the Congress's efforts for the May 25 elections in Delhi. The Congress leaders from North East and Northwest Delhi were upset with their party's choice of candidates, including Kanhaiya Kumar and Udit Raj, in the national Capital for the elections. Earlier, Lovely resigned from the Congress and joined the BJP in 2017. He, however, returned to the grand old party in 2018. After his induction into the BJP, Lovely exuded confidence that the party would sweep all seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi and win the national polls. In his resignation letter sent to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday, Lovely also said that all unanimous decisions taken by the senior Delhi unit leaders have been "unilaterally vetoed" by AICC Delhi in-charge Deepak Babria. Lovely also claimed the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) was not given any intimation about the decision to field Kanhaiya Kumar from North East Delhi seat and Udit Raj from North West Delhi seat before the official announcement was made by the party high command. Chauhan said the AAP Government has pushed the city backwards after all the "development" seen earlier, a reference to the Congress Government headed by Sheila Dikshit. A four-time MLA from Mangolpuri assembly segment, Chauhan was a Minister in Sheila Dikshit's Cabinet for 13 years and held several important portfolios, including PWD and urban development, is from Dalit community and his presence will help the BJP candidate Yogendra Chandoliya who is contesting from North West Seat against the India Alliance candidate Udit Raj here. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said no one can stand with those who have "looted" the city as he welcomed them to his party. Chauhan had lost the 2013 and 2015 polls to AAP's Rakhi Birla. Chauhan had resigned from the party in 2019 and joined the BJP but within a month he returned to the Congress. Under the seat-sharing pact, AAP will fight on four seats -- South Delhi, New Delhi, West Delhi and East Delhi -- and Congress three -- Northwest Delhi, Northeast Delhi and Chandni Chowk. Lok Sabha elections on seven seats of Delhi will be held on May 25. Dakar, Senegal (PANA) - A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded a mission to Senegal affirming that the countrys economy in 2023 proved resilient despite challenges Yet another Congress candidate this time for the Puri Lok Sabha constituency Sucharita Mohanty, has declined to contest the elections and returned the party ticket alleging lack of funding from the party. Mohanty, daughter of former Congress MP Brajamohan Mohanty in a mail to AICC general secretary (organization) K C Venugopal on Friday claimed that her campaign in the Puri Lok Sabha constituency has been hit hard because the party has denied funding. She alleged that AICC Odisha in-charge Ajoy Kumar "categorically" asked her to fight from her own resources. Elections to the Puri Lok Sabha constituency will be held on May 25. She is third contestant of the Congress who backed out with first from Surat, Nilesh Kumbhani, who withdrew his nomination enabling the BJP's Mukesh Dalal's unanimous win and the second was last week Akshay Bam of Indore who first withdrew his nomination as Congress candidate and then joined the BJP. "Surat marked the beginning of BJP's victory. In Indore, the Congress candidate came out in support of BJP," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on the withdrawal of nominations by Congress candidates. Sources said Congress has now decided to change the Puri LS candidate and a proposal was submitted to the Congress high command. The name of the new candidate will be announced very soon, AICC sources said. Sucharita has been fielded by the Congress from the Puri Lok Sabha seat against BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra and BJD candidate Arup Patnaik, a former Mumbai Police Commissioner. "I was a salaried professional journalist who entered electoral politics 10 years ago. I have given all I have into my campaign in Puri. I tried a public donation drive to support my campaign for progressive politics without much success so far. I also tried to cut down the projected campaign spending to the minimum," she said. As she was not able to raise funds on her own, the Congress leader had approached all senior leaders including the party's central leadership for funds for an impactful campaign in the Puri Lok Sabha constituency. "It is clear that only fund crunch is holding us back from a winning campaign in Puri. I regret that without party funding, it won't be possible to carry out the campaign in Puri. I, therefore, return the party ticket for the Puri Lok Sabha constituency herewith," she said in her mail to the AICC. However, Mohanty said she will remain a loyal Congress worker and her leader is Rahul Gandhi. "I was denied funds from the party. In Assembly segments under the Puri LS constituency, weak candidates were given tickets. BJP and BJD are sitting on mountains of money. Vulgar displays of wealth are everywhere. It was difficult for me to fight the election," Mohanty said talking to media. AICC in-charge of Odisha, Ajoy Kumar said "Mohanty is saying that no fund provided and weak MLA candidates have been fielded. The party has nominated its best candidate for the MLA seats and funds will be provided to a candidate when the candidate launches the campaign and seriously fights at the ground." In a stark reminder to the Pulwama terror attack on security personnel in February 2019 ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, an Indian Air Force (IAF) vehicle convoy was attacked in the similar fashion by terrorists in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir late Saturday evening in which one soldier was killed and four seriously injured. The attack occurred near Shashidhar when the convoy vehicles were moving towards Sanai Top in the district's Surankote area. The local military units launched cordon and search operations to capture the terrorists behind the strike, the IAF statement read. This is the ninth major attack on security personnel since October 2021 in the region including this which comes right in the midst of 2024 General Elections. A similar terrorist strike took place in the Poonch district on December 21, 2023. Four Army personnel sacrificed their lives and three others received critical injuries after their vehicles were ambushed by the hiding foreign terrorists in the general area of Dera ki Gali in the Poonch district. Five Indian Army personnel including two officers were "killed in action" in the Kalakote forest area of Rajouri on November 22. Meanwhile, the audacious strike has once again raised question marks as none of the terrorists were neutralised. The attack comes three weeks ahead of polling in Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency. Poonch is part of Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency which is going to polls in the sixth phase on May 25. The border district of Poonch along with adjoining Rajouri has witnessed some of the major terrorist attacks over the past two years, signalling return of terror activities to the region, which was once cleared of terrorism and remained peaceful between 2003 and 2021. The officials said five security personnel were injured, two of them critically, when terrorists opened fire on two vehicles, including one belonging to the IAF, near Shashidhar in the evening. The vehicles were moving towards nearby Sanai Top in the district's Surankote area, they said, suspecting the involvement of the same group of terrorists who carried out an ambush on the troops in adjoining Bufliaz on December 21 last year, that left four soldiers dead and three others injured. The Army truck bore the major brunt of the firing by the terrorists who were armed with AK assault rifles and are believed to have fled into the nearby forests, the officials said. Sources said reinforcements from the Army and police have been rushed to the area and a massive search and cordon operation was launched to track down and neutralise the terrorists. Police assisted by paramilitary forces carried out searches in Poonch town since Friday following inputs about movement of suspected persons. However, no one was arrested during the operation, said officials. The latest incident in the Pir Panjal region followed the killing of a Government employee Mohd Razaq, brother of an Army personnel, by terrorists at village Kunda Top in Rajouri's Shahdra area on April 22 and a village defence guard Mohd Sharief in Basantgarh area of Udhampur on April 28. Police have released pictures of two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, including suspected Pakistani national Abu Hamza, involved in the murder of Razaq and announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head. The Bufliaz ambush in December last year came weeks after a major gunfight in the Dharmsal belt of Bajimaal forest in Rajouri that left five Army personnel, including two captains, dead a month earlier. Two terrorists, including a top commander of LeT identified as Quari, were also killed in the two-day long gunfight. Quari was said to be the mastermind behind several attacks, including the killing of 10 civilians and five Army personnel in the district. The stretch between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz on the boundary of Rajouri and Poonch is densely forested and leads to Chamrer forest and then Bhata Dhurian forest, where five soldiers were killed in an ambush on an Army vehicle on April 20 last year. In May last year, five more Army personnel were killed and a major-rank officer was injured in Chamrer forest during an anti-terrorist operation. A foreign terrorist was also killed in the operation. In 2022, five Army personnel were killed when terrorists carried out a suicide attack on their camp at Pargal in Darhal area of Rajouri district. Both the terrorists involved in the attack were eliminated. In 2021, nine soldiers were killed in two separate attacks by terrorists in the forested region. While five Army personnel, including a junior commissioned officer (JCO), were killed on October 11 in Chamrer, a JCO and three soldiers were killed on October 14 in a nearby forest. On February 14, 2019, a terror attack was carried out in Pulwama by a suicide bomber resulting in the death of 40 CRPF personnel. The suicide bomber, identified as Jaish-e-Mohammad's Adil Ahmed Dar, rammed his vehicle into a bus with the CRPF convoy. World body United Nations and countries from across the globe, including the US, Russia, Australia, France, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, have condemned the brutal Pulwama terror attack, and extended their support to India in the fight against terrorism. Former Karnataka Minister and Holenarsipura MLA HD Revanna was arrested from his father and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda's residence in Padmanabha Nagar on Saturday evening. The arrest came minutes after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the special court for elected representatives, Bengaluru. Meanwhile, a day after former Congress President Rahul Gandhi wrote to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah requesting to extend all possible support to the victims of sexual abuse allegedly by JDS MP Prajwal Revanna, the Karnataka Government on Saturday said there is a possibility of the CBI issuing a "Blue Corner Notice" against the Hassan MP, who is said to have left the country. HD Revanna is father of Prajwal. High drama ensued as SIT teams, who had intelligence that MLA Revanna was at Gowda's residence, reached former Prime Minister's residence. The gates were not opened for them and even as the team was contemplating breaking in when Revanna opened the door of the house and walked out and gave himself up. Deve Gowda was also in the house even as high drama ensued outside the gates. Revanna has been taken to the SIT office, in the CID headquarters in the city. Revanna has been arrested in an abduction case booked against him in KR. Nagar Police Station, Mysuru District on May 2. A victim of sexual abuse, who is seen in a video pleading to spare her but was raped, was allegedly abducted on the night of April 29, at the behest of Revanna allegedly to prevent her from testifying against his son. The victim's son had lodged a complaint with KR. Nagar Police based on which a FIR was registered against Revanna and his close associate Satish Babu, who was arrested on May 3. Earlier in the day, the abducted woman was rescued by the SIT, hours before the court turned down the anticipatory bail plea of Revanna. She was allegedly held captive at the farmhouse of one Rajshekhar, a close associate of Revanna, in Kalenahalli, Hunsur Taluk, Mysuru district. "Now we will proceed for arrest of Prajwal with appropriate measures. There is a possibility of CBI issuing a Blue Corner Notice said State CMO. A Blue Corner Notice is issued by the international police cooperation body to collect additional information from its member countries about a person's identity, location or activities in relation to a crime. "They (SIT officials) have assured that they will arrest and get the accused back, as soon as they get the information from the airports," it said. The SIT is said to have sent a request to the CBI, the nodal body for Interpol matters in India, seeking a Blue Corner Notice against Prajwal Revanna, official sources said. The 33-year-old Prajwal, who is the grandson of former PM Deve Gowda, was the BJP-JD(S) alliance's candidate from Hassan, which went to the polls on April 26. Explicit video clips allegedly involving Prajwal had started making the rounds in Hassan in recent days, following which the state government constituted the SIT to probe the scandal. Prajwal is said to have flown abroad on April 27, a day after the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka was held. A day earlier in his letter, Rahul asked Siddaramaiah to ensure that all those responsible for these "heinous crimes are brought to book". The Congress leader also expressed that he is deeply shocked to learn that as far back as December 2023, our Home Minister Amit Shah was informed by G Devaraje Gowda about Prajwal's antecedents, especially his history of sexual violence and the presence of videos filmed by the perpetrator. Responding to the letter written by Rahul, the Chief Minister took to social media and assured that his Government is committed to protecting the victims of rape and injustice by Prajwal. "From our wreslters in Haryana to our sisters in Manipur, Indian women are bearing the brunt of the Prime Minister's tacit support for such criminals," Rahul's letter alleged. The Election Commission of India has announced the organization of the #MainBhiElectionAmbassador program through a social media campaign from 6:00 PM on May 7th to 8:00 PM on the same day. Saket Kumar Pandey, the Officer-in-Charge of Sveep Coordination and District Public Relations Officer, held a meeting with print and electronic media representatives to provide information regarding this initiative under the active guidance of Deputy Commissioner Vijaya Jadhav. Notably DEO Bokaro has been tirelessly working around the clock to enhance voter participation ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Analogous to the same and bid to increase voter turnout in the upcoming Lok Sabha general elections 2024 and to raise awareness among all voters, the Election Commission of India has decided to conduct the #MainBhiElectionAmbassador program. These details were shared by Saket Kumar Pandey during his address at the Media Interaction Session held at the Assembly Hall on Saturday. Also present at the event were Avinash Kumar Singh, Assistant District Public Relations Officer, along with other officials from the Sveep Coordination. Saket Kumar Pandey stated that the Election Commission of India/Ministry of Election, as per the instructions of the Jharkhand government, will organize the #MainBhiElectionAmbassador Social Media Campaign on all social media handles from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on May 7th. Various activities such as quiz competitions, painting competitions, preparation of songs in local and regional languages, voter pledge ceremonies, etc., will be organized in all schools/colleges in the district. Media role in making this campaign successful is crucial, he emphasized, encouraging maximum participation. Furthermore, Avinash Kumar Singh highlighted that the #MainBhiElectionAmbassador campaign is being organized to increase voter participation in the Lok Sabha general elections. Videos and photos related to various public awareness activities will be uploaded on social media handles between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM on May 7th, and tags will be sent to @ECISVEEP/@ceojharkhand/@election95291/@BokaroDc. Media representatives were also informed that media representatives who have expressed their consent to vote through postal ballots have been included in the category of essential services. Their voting has been facilitated by the Postal Ballot and PwD Coordination. They can exercise their voting rights at the Joint Labour Building Hall Camp-2, Bokaro, between 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM from May 18th to 21st. During this media brief various print and electronic media representatives, as well as Sveep Coordination officials, were present . In view of the increasing cases of cancer in the country, it is very important to create awareness. HPV vaccination is very important to combat the problem of cervical cancer especially in women. ED Prof Ajai Singh places great emphasis on the education of children in particular. According to him, educating or making a child aware means educating or making a generation aware. In this connection, Dr. Shashank Bansal, Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Oncology, AIIMS Bhopal, organized an awareness program on cancer for the students of Technocrats institute of technology Bhopal on 4th May 2024. In this awareness program, students were told about the screening technique through which any person can check himself at the primary level whether he has cancer. The risk of cervical cancer in women is almost completely eliminated after HPV vaccination. Besides, students were also given information about how to maintain their lifestyle. Because in the present lifestyle, children are mostly attracted towards junk food. Around 100 students participated in this cancer awareness program. The holy city of Ayodhya has been transformed into a fortress as preparations are underway for Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to this city on Sunday during which he will hold a roadshow seeking support for the Bharatiya Janata Party candidates. The prime ministers visit will mark his first return to Ayodhya since the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in which he oversaw the consecration of Ram Lalla on January 22 this year. Amid heightened security measures, Prime Minister Modi is slated to conduct a grand roadshow, symbolising both political outreach and spiritual reverence. Alongside seeking support for sitting BJP MP Lallu Singh from Faizabad and candidates contesting from neighbouring constituencies, the prime minister aims to galvanise voters ahead of the crucial phase of the elections. In anticipation of the prime ministers arrival, Ayodhya has undergone a visual makeover, with streets adorned with vibrant flowers and stages erected to herald his reception. The municipal authorities have been diligently engaged in ensuring the cleanliness of the city, leaving no stone unturned to meet the exacting standards for the prime ministers visit. While administrative efforts focus on security and infrastructure, local BJP leaders are spearheading the mobilisation of crowds, recognising the pivotal role Ayodhya plays in shaping the political narrative. Ram Dhun Tiwari, a prominent BJP leader, expressed confidence in the overwhelming turnout, underscoring the importance of projecting a positive message to bolster the partys electoral prospects. In a departure from traditional public rallies, Prime Minister Modi is slated to traverse the city atop an SUV. Nevertheless, BJP workers and affiliated organisations have been diligently canvassing support, laying the groundwork for a resounding reception. The much-anticipated roadshow, expected to span a distance of two kilometres, is scheduled for the late afternoon or evening hours, with Prime Minister Modis arrival at Ayodhya airport slated for 4 pm. Prime Minister Modis visit to Ayodhya holds profound significance, underscored by his previous engagements in the city. From addressing public gatherings during the 2019 elections to gracing the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Ram temple in August 2020, his recurrent visits underscore Ayodhyas enduring importance in the national consciousness. JAY PANDA UNDERGOES EYE SURGERY Bhubaneswar: BJP national vice president and the partys Kendrapada Lok Sabha candidate Baijayant Panda has postponed his campaign event due to an unanticipated medical complication for a few days. On Friday, he underwent eye surgery and is under medical observation. We pray to Mahaprabhu Jagannath for his speedy recovery, said Pandas office in a release. MANY BJD WORKERS JOIN BJP IN BRAHMAGIRI Puri: Hundreds of BJD workers have joined the BJP in the presence of Puri MP candidate Sambit Patra and Brahmagiri MLA candidate Upasana Mohapatra in Brahmagiri of Puri district. A huge bike rally was organised at Parikuda and Krushnaprasad. The rally started from Paikerapur village in Ramalenka gram panchayat. About 4,000 people on 2,000 bikes attended the rally. A public meeting was held at Tubuka Charichhakas Udyanath stadium. Prominent among who joined the BJP was Krushnaprasad BJD Yuva Morcha president Ranjit Mohanty. MAY DAY HELD BY IRPM DEPT, BU Brahmapur: The Berhampur University's PG Department of Industrial Relations and Personnel Management (IRPM) observed the International Labour Day, hosting a commemorative event in Bhanja Bihar on Wednesday. Chief guest Sanatan Biswal, advocate of the Orissa High Court and a notable trade union leader, delivered an address emphasising the significance of labour rights and the collective efforts towards their advocacy. Coordinator of the IRPM department Dr Satyabrata Patro introduced the distinguished guest and extended a vote of thanks. The event was concluded by Dr Bharat Kumar Lakra. The programme witnessed participation of PG students of the department, reflecting their keen involvement in labour-related issues. Biswal was felicitated on the occasion. EURO KIDS STUDENT IS SCIENCE OLYMPIAD TOPPER Chhatrpur: Adyasha Parida,(9) of EURO kids school, Chhatrapur, has secured all India first position in Level-2 Science Olympiad Competition this year. She appeared this exam in 2023 along with other students of the school. Sasmita Mahapatra, chief proprietor of EURO Kids School besides teachers of the school congratulated Adyasha and her parents for the success. Notably, EURO Kids School is one of the leading schools of Chhatrapur. JUNIOR ASST HELD TAKING BRIBE IN KPADA State President of Bharatiya Janata Party and Khajuraho MP Vishnudutt Sharma, while addressing the workers' conference in Raghogarh of Rajgarh Lok Sabha constituency, said that during the 10-year tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a campaign to change the lives of the poor is going on. Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji did the work of bringing smile in the life of every poor. There has been a change in every village and household through poor welfare schemes. The work has been done to change the lives of people of any caste or religion in the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought changes in the life of the last person in line. Narendra Modi ji is the son of an ordinary family, who is the Prime Minister of the country today. It is possible only in Bharatiya Janata Party that an ordinary worker reaches positions like Prime Minister and Chief Minister. The Congress party has now become a family party. Narendra Modi ji knows what poverty is. That's why we are working to wipe the tears of the poor. Before the workers conference, State President Sharma addressed a public meeting in Ashoknagar in support of Guna Lok Sabha party candidate and Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. BJP State President Vishnudutt Sharma said that when Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, he started the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for the poor. He guaranteed to change the lives of the poor. Congress ruled the country for 55 years, but did nothing for the development of the country. One family has been ruling Raghogarh for many years, it has no connection with development. Sharma said that by starting Ayushman Yojana, the Prime Minister has provided treatment facility of Rs 5 lakh per year to the poor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the most popular leader of the world. Under his leadership, India's reputation is increasing all over the world. In the times of Congress, if any leader did something wrong, he would never go to jail, but now if someone does something wrong, he will have to go to jail, this is the government of Narendra Modi ji. Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has affection for the people of the state. The people of Madhya Pradesh have PM Modi in their minds and the people of Madhya Pradesh are in the minds of PM Modi.*The people of Raghogarh have made up their mind to reject Congress*BJP State President Sharma said that while being the Prime Minister, Congress leader Late. Rajiv Gandhi used to say, if I send one rupee from Delhi, only 15 paise reaches the people. 85 paisa is lost to corruption. After becoming the Prime Minister, Modi ji planned to open bank accounts for everyone. India is the only country in the world where most of the people across the country have received both the Corona vaccines free of cost. Whatever work Prime Minister Narendra Modi does, it has huge results. Today, the amount of beneficiary schemes is coming into the bank accounts opened by Prime Minister Modi ji with zero balance. Prime Minister promoted Digital India and today the amount goes directly into the accounts of the beneficiaries through DBT. Now if Prime Minister Narendra Modi sends one rupee from Delhi for the poor, then only one rupee reaches the accounts of the poor. Not a single penny is misappropriated.*The people of Raghogarh will reject those who reject the invitation for Ramlala's life consecration*BJP State President Sharma said that it is a matter of good fortune for all of us that our beloved Ramlala is seated in his grand temple. A grand Ram temple has been constructed under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Congress had even rejected the invitation to Lord Shri Ram temple. Now the people of Raghogarh will reject Congress. Mr Sharma said that Congress has not fulfilled even a single promise made to the public in 2018 during the 15 months of government. Congress leaders will come, lie and do politics of deceit. They will mislead the public by making false promises, but the public has become alert. Congress neither waived off the loans of farmers nor gave unemployment allowance to the unemployed. Shri Sharma said that the country is moving forward under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The mentality and basic character of Congress has always been anti-women and anti-Dalit. Before 2003, Digvijay Singh had made the people of Madhya Pradesh yearn for basic facilities like roads, electricity and water. Digvijay Singh, who divided Madhya Pradesh before 2003, calling himself Sanatani is his biggest lie. The people of Ramnagar of Raghogarh will respond at every booth to the person who boycotts the life of Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya and supports those who opened fire on Ram devotees. A CME on Medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) & Medicolegal implications was organized on Saturday at AIIMS Bhopal. On this occasion, Professor (Dr) Ajai Singh, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhopal said that unsafe abortion has become the biggest cause of pregnancy related death today. Despite the enactment of the MTP Act 1971 and the MTP Amendment Bill 2020, a large number of illegal and unsafe abortions are taking place in India. Therefore, it becomes necessary that not only gynecologists and obstetricians but all people in the medical field including registered medical practitioners, students should have adequate knowledge in this field. Professor Singh said most of the medicolegal cases relate to issues of consent, emergency services, medical records, malpractice and negligence. These can be easily avoided with written consent, effective communication with the patient and his family, proper data recording and proper risk management. Earlier, welcoming the presence, Dr. K. Pushpalatha, Head of the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, while discussing the objectives of organizing the CME, said that the objective of this CME is to create awareness among the registered medical doctors, students, nurses, medicosocial workers working in the field. To create awareness about medicolegal and ethical considerations related to MTP. During this, Dr. Prabhakar Tiwari, CMHO, while explaining the importance of this type of workshop, stressed on organizing more such workshops. Professor (Dr) Rajneesh Joshi, Dean (Academics) expressed hope that the participants would get a chance to learn a lot from this workshop. Guest speaker from Ahmedabad, Gynecologist and Obstetrician and Medicolegal Expert Dr. MC Patel discussed the amendments made in the MTP Act while Dr. Geetendra Sharma discussed the topic of "Criminal Negligence in Medical Practice" in detail with the participants and answered their questions. In the third phase of Lok Sabha elections-2024, the election campaign will stop from 6 pm on May 5 in the 9 Lok Sabha parliamentary constituencies of Madhya Pradesh where voting is to be held from 7 am to 6 pm on Tuesday, May 7. Chief Electoral Officer Anupam Rajan has said that there is a provision to stop election campaigning in parliamentary constituencies 48 hours before the scheduled end of voting. After the deadline for campaigning to end, persons from outside the area, who are not voters in that Lok Sabha Parliamentary Constituency, will have to leave that constituency. For this, an intensive monitoring campaign is conducted. In the third phase, voting is to be held on May 7 in 9 Lok Sabha parliamentary constituencies of Madhya Pradesh, Morena, Bhind (SC), Gwalior, Guna, Sagar, Vidisha, Bhopal, Rajgarh and Betul (SC). Khaama Press, May 3, 2024 In videos circulated on social media, protesters in Badakhshan are heard expressing their opposition to the Taliban in the province, rejecting the Islamic Emirates presence. The residents of Darayim district, Badakhshan province, staged widespread protests against The Taliban on Friday, May 3rd. Residents of Badakhshan stated that protests continued following the killing of at least one person due to Taliban gunfire. According to the video content, the demonstrations began when Taliban members entered homes under the pretext of destroying poppy fields but engaged in harassment of womens modesty inside houses. The protesters in Darayim district, Badakhshan, claim that Taliban members are harassing and abusing residents lane by lane and house by house. One protester stated that even womens modesty is violated, and the Taliban trespass on the honor, religion, and privacy of the people. According to residents of Badakhshan, after initial protests, Taliban individuals opened fire on the crowd to suppress them, resulting in at least one casualty. Protesters stated that after the death of this individual, residents of Darayim continued their march. So far, the officials have not responded to the protests in Badakhshan province. The former five time Congress MP Jai Prakash Aggarwal filed his nomination for the Chandni Chowk constituency on Saturday ahead of the Lok Sabha 2024 elections slated to be held in the national capital on May 25. Both AAP and Congress party workers took part in the celebrations of the day of nomination filing by the joint Congress and INDIA alliance candidate. Aggarwal performed a puja at his residence before heading out to the HDM office in Alipur to file the nomination. A seasoned politician, he claimed that he is going to win the seat 100 per cent. The atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm with party workers chanting slogans of JP Aggarwal zindabad and Congress party zindabad. In the national capital, the Congress and AAP are fighting together against the BJP, who has for two successive terms, swept all the seats. While the grand old party is fighting from three seats, AAP is contesting elections in the city from four seats. While some party leaders wore Congress scarfs, the AAP party flag was also seen fluttering at the event. After performing the rituals, Aggarwal headed towards Alipur with the Delhi Congress interim President Devendra Yadav in his car. Yadav, who was appointed by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge after the former Delhi Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely resigned from the post on April 28, took to X (formerly Twitter) said, Today, I was present at the nomination program of JP Agarwal, Congress candidate for Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha seat. The enthusiasm of Chandni Chowk constituency is telling that the peoples mandate is for Congress. We will win all the seven seats of Delhi. Further, the workers and supporters claimed that they are poised to win all the seven seats in Delhi and that the former MP from the Chandni Chowk seat has the support of the people. While stepping out of his home, many leaders and workers showered flowers on him and greeted with garlands. INDIA alliance is winning all seven (Lok Sabha) seats in Delhi with good margin. In Chandni Chowk, we are winning the constituency by over 2 lakh votes," said Delhi Deputy Mayor Aaley Mohammad Iqbal on Aggarwal contesting from Chandni Chowk constituency. BJP candidate Praveen Khandelwal is contesting against Aggarwal, who filed his nominations on Friday in the presence of sitting MP from the seat Harsh Vardhan and Union Minister Piyush Goyal. Meanwhile, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said here it seems that Congress candidate Jai Prakash Agrawal from Chandni Chowk parliamentary constituency has already accepted his defeat even before the elections. Making this assertion, Kapoor said that is why he did not consider it necessary to go on a procession with local workers to file his nomination on the day of filing nominations from his parliamentary constituency. Traditionally, not only in the country but also all over the world, candidates gather people in the election constituency on the day of their nomination, showing their strength to their voters, he said. Like BJP candidate Praveen Khandelwal, Agrawal also has an old ancestral mansion in Old Delhi, but on Saturday the Congress candidate did not consider it necessary to start his election campaign from there because Congress does not have workers, and ten AAP MLAs from the area are only with him for show. Neither AAP MLAs are ready to give public support to Agrawal nor economic support. Because of this, Agrawal has become the first candidate in the history of Delhi elections from 1952 to 2024 who started his nomination yatra from another parliamentary constituency, i.e., New Delhi, and so could not even start his nomination journey from his own constituency, BJP leader said. The BJP on Saturday claimed here the Indi Alliance in Delhi is completely disturbed due to the lack of support from the general public towards the candidates' campaign, and therefore, the Aam Aadmi Party(AAP)is considering changing its candidate from New Delhi and fielding Arvind Kejriwals wife Sunita Kejriwal. Making this assertion in a news conference, BJPs national spokesperson RP Singh said after receiving feedback from the past month, even the AAM party realized that their campaign is lacklustre and their supporters are not standing by them, so now, instead of Somnath, the Aam Aadmi Party is creating an atmosphere to replace Somnath Bharti with Sunita Kejriwal for the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat. Singh claimed Sunita Kejriwal's nomination could be finalized on Monday, as people have rejected the Indi Alliance candidate outright, who is visible in their campaign. BJP candidates are likely to receive around 70% of the votes, while the Indi Alliance may only get 30%, and among them, Bansuri Swaraj is leading. He said even if AAP adopts all means to stay in the news, and this is also part of the same tactics. Delhi BJP spokesperson Harish Khurana said victory is certain for BJP on all seven seats in Delhi. Talking about the campaign, Indi Alliance candidates are neither visible on the ground nor is there any public support for them in New Delhi. He said the people of Delhi are now questioning Somnath Bharati from New Delhi, asking how women will be safe under his rule if his own wife is against him. Shri Khurana said that an atmosphere is being created around Sunita Kejriwal, and an attempt is being made to play a poor politics, but their hope that Kejriwal, who is inside jail, can garner votes in his name, has backfired. He said that instead of sympathizing with the people, the AAP has betrayed the people by joining hands with the Congress, and therefore, in this election, the people of Delhi are rejecting this arrogant coalition.Khurana said unlike Saurabh Bharadwaj and Atishi, we do not tell captivating stories, but it has been confirmed by the AAP sources themselves that the party is going to change its candidate for the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday campaigned for Bharatiya Janata Party candidates contesting from Farrukhabad and Kannauj Lok Sabha constituencies. He commenced the campaign with a public meeting in support of BJP candidate Jyotiraditya Scindia in Guna constituency of Madhya Pradesh. Following this, the chief minister appealed to the voters to send Mukesh Rajput and Subrat Pathak to the Lok Sabha from Farrukhabad and Kannauj constituencies respectively. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi took out a roadshow in Kanpur. During both rallies in Uttar Pradesh, the chief minister focused on criticising the Congress, the Samajwadi Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the INDI Alliance. He said that while during the SP rule, bullets were fired on Ram devotees in Ayodhya, today the city was witnessing the return of Tretayug and Ramrajya. In Farrukhabad, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that those who talk about jihad should feel ashamed of themselves and should rather go to the beggar Pakistan. He added that those talking about jihad drew their inspiration from those who were responsible for the countrys partition. By promoting jihad, they are disrespecting the democratic values of the country, he remarked. Attacking the SP, the Congress and the BSP, Chief Minister Yogi said, Those who have robbed the poor of their rights and have not spared even the disabled are now starting to remember jihad. They should know that this is the land of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna, and not jihad. Chief Minister Yogi remarked that before 2014, individuals who opposed Indias advancement engaged in corruption within every scheme. He also noted that previously, upon witnessing explosions and terrorist activities, governments used to say that they were from across the border. However, nowadays, even the masterminds from across the border are compelled to provide explanations even for minor incidents like firecracker bursts, he added. The chief minister said, The SP and Congress leaders are trying to divide people on religious grounds. When they talk of vote jihad, their aim is Islamisation of India. However, there is no jihad in voting. Our focus should be on strengthening the worlds largest democracy, ensuring the protection of our rights through the ballot. In Auraiya, Chief Minister Yogi said that during the Samajwadis rule, bullets were fired at Ram devotees in Ayodhya. In contrast, today, Ayodhya was witnessing the return of Tretayug and Ramrajya. After 500 years, Lord Ram played Holi in the new Ayodhya. On Ram Navami, the world was amazed to see Ram Lallas Surya Tilak. This magnificent event was not possible during the reign of SP, BSP and Congress because they questioned the existence of Lord Shri Ram, he added. The chief minister also remarked that there was a period when the SP claimed that not even a bird could come to Ayodhya, but under the BJP government, a large number of devotees from both the nation and abroad were heading for Lord Rams darshan and were filled with joy upon experiencing the divine Ayodhya. Lashing out at the SP and Congress, the chief minister said, During the United Progressive Alliance governments tenure, terrorist incidents occurred regularly in various parts of the country. The SP, which supported the UPA government, was withdrawing cases against terrorists. In reaction, the court issued a stern rebuke to the SP, cautioning that if they were discussing withdrawal of cases today, they might be honouring them with Padma awards tomorrow. Subsequently, the court restrained the SP. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is now free from terrorism. This is Modis guarantee. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Saturday announced actor Kareena Kapoor Khan as UNICEF India National Ambassador and appointed the four UNICEF India Youth Advocates under the presence of Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF India Representative. UNICEF India also unveiled the 75 year UNICEF India logo. On her conferment as UNICEF India National Ambassador, Kareena Kapoor Khan said, There are few things as important as the rights of children, the future generation of this world. I am honored to continue my association with UNICEF now as Indias National Ambassador. For every child deserves a childhood, a fair chance, a future. For the past 10 years, Kareena Kapoor has been UNICEF Indias Celebrity Advocate for girls education, gender equality, foundational learning, immunization, and breastfeeding. She has been a support in several of UNICEFs global campaigns on #EveryChildRights. McCaffrey said that UNICEF is delighted to welcome Kareena Kapoor Khan as their National Ambassador building on her years of commitment to advance childrens rights. UNICEF India also appointed their first-ever Youth Advocates between 16 to 24 years. The four appointed advocates, Gauranshi Sharma from Madhya Pradesh on right to play and disability inclusion, Kartik Verma From Uttar Pradesh on climate action and child rights advocacy, Nahid Afrin from Assam on mental health and early childhood development, and Vinisha Umashankar, from Tamil Nadu is a budding innovator and STEM pioneer. These youth advocates are part of UNICEFs global programme. Youth can lead the change in India. As the UNICEF India Youth Advocate, I will use my voice to amplify the concerns and perspectives of children and young people, said Kartik Verma on his appointment as youth advocate. In its 75th year of partnership with India UNICEF has also unveiled the 75-year UNICEF India logo. Top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are set to visit Odisha for crucial pre-election activities. They will release the party's manifesto and engage with local intellectuals. These visits aim to enhance the BJP's electoral prospects and address issues like the preservation of Odia culture and proper utilisation of Central funds. Already, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived here on Saturday on his maiden visit to Odisha. During his stay for two days in the State, he will interact with intellectuals, editors of media houses and others in the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. BJP National President JP Nadda is also scheduled to visit the State on Sunday. Modi will also reach Bhubaneswar on Sunday. After night stay in Bhubaneswar, he will attend two programmes each in Brahmapur and Nabarangpur on Monday. BJP State vice-president Golak Mohapatra said, These three days are crucial as the election narrative will come along with BJPs manifesto which will be released by the party president tomorrow and these will be a guideline for all of us. He said Modis visit is also crucial to ensure Central schemes reach the poor at the grassroots level. We have realised that the PM is worried over the degeneration of Odia language, culture and literature as they have been mortgaged. The concerns expressed by BJP will be expressed by PM Modi. Similarly, Amit Shah said that the Central funds are not being utilised properly, for which there is labour migration from the State, said Mohapatra. Notably, Modi is scheduled to hold a road show in Bhubaneswar on May 10. Sources said the PM would have at least six election rallies in Odisha by May 30. Congress candidate for the Puri Lok Sabha seat Sucharita Mohanty has returned party ticket due to lack of funding from the party. Sucharita, daughter of former Congress MP Brajamohan Mohanty, has written a mail to AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal in this regard. Mohanty said her campaign in the constituency has been hit hard because the party has denied funding. AICC Odisha in-charge Ajoy Kumar categorically told her to fight polls from her own resources. Sucharita has been fielded against BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra and former Mumbai Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik (BJD). I was a salaried professional journalist who entered electoral politics 10 years ago. I have given all I have into my campaign in Puri. I tried a public donation drive to support my campaign for progressive politics without much success so far. I also tried to cut down the projected campaign spending to the minimum, she mentioned. As she wasnt able to raise funds on her own, she approached all senior leaders including the partys central leadership for party funds. It is clear that only fund crunch is holding us back from a winning campaign in Puri. I regret that without party funding, it wont be possible to carry out the campaign. I, therefore, return the ticket for the constituency herewith, she said in her memo to the AICC. BJP and BJD are sitting on mountains of money. Vulgar displays of wealth are everywhere, she said. The BJP government has crippled the Congress. There are a lot of curbs on expenditure and many of the Congress bank accounts have been frozen, she added. However, Mohanty said she would remain a loyal Congress worker and her leader is Rahul Gandhi. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, she had lost to Pinaki Misra of the BJD. Misra polled 5,23,161 votes while she trailed with 2,89,800 votes. The international research and innovation conference Shodh Shikhar 2024 organised by Rabindranath Tagore University and affiliated institutions, concluded on Saturday. The theme of the summit was Developed India-New India. This year, the research paper 'Anushodhan' and research project 'Navnirmani' competition was organized.First place in theme Innovation and Technology, Best Research Paper Award to Ganpat University, Gujarat, Devarshi Patel, Cutting Edge Machine Learning Model for Crowd Surveillance using Violo V8, Second place to Abhishek Gupta, CMBT Research and Training Institute, Bhopal, Processing of Instant Definition Tea Bag and Its importance in our daily life given in different context. Aishwarya Vichare of Ganpat University, Gujarat got the first position in the theme Agriculture and Allied Science. Its title was Agri Export Digital Dashboard. The second place went to Surbhi Sharma of RNTU whose title was Impact of Organic Nutrition Management on Quality of Vegetables and Human Health.Shikha Chanda of RNTU got the first position in the theme Contemporary Science and Technology. Whose title was Contemporary Science and Technology and Education: A Comprehensive. The second position also went to Kutty S of RNTU whose title was Latent Fingerprint Development Using Various Cost-Effective S Powders.Bhola Nath Samantha of RNTU got the first place in the theme Environmental Sustainability. Whose title was Environmental Education and Sustainable Development: Assessing the Role of Schools in Creating Eco-Literate Citizens, while the second place went to Praveen Kumar Srivastava of Madhyanchal Professional University, Bhopal. Whose title was Water Quality Indexing of Betwa River with Reference to Contamination from Kaliyasot River. The first place in the theme Economic Development went to Suraj Shah of Ganpat University, Gujarat. Whose title was an empirical study to Measure Impact of Influencer Based Marketing on Consumer Behavior. Chief Electoral Officer Anupam Rajan has said that voter information slips have been distributed to the voters in the 9 Lok Sabha parliamentary constituencies where voting is to be held in the third phase on May 7. This voter information slip also has a QR code. In the third phase, voting will be held on May 7 in Morena, Bhind (SC), Gwalior, Guna, Sagar, Vidisha, Bhopal, Rajgarh and Betul (SC) parliamentary constituencies. There are a total of 1 crore 77 lakh 52 thousand 583 voters here. Out of these, voter information slips have been distributed to one crore 68 lakh 31 thousand 603 voters. Rajan said that voter information slips with QR codes are being distributed to all the voters of the Lok Sabha constituencies going to polls in the next two phases. From this QR code voter information slip, voters will be able to get important information like name, address, serial number, location, voter helpline number of the state and district of their polling station. If any voter has not received the voter slip, then he should go to the BLO of his polling station with his voter ID card. Show the Voter ID at the Voter Help Center established there. Here the BLO will give your voter information slip. If a voter does not have a voter information slip and his name is registered in the voter list, then he can still to vote by showing any one of the 13 documents. Amid mounting concerns regarding Covishields safety and the acknowledgment of potential adverse effects by its maker UK giant AstraZeneca, public unease is on the rise, with calls for accountability, says Archana Jyoti My CT scan result showed that they (doctors) had never seen anything like this before. Numerous blood clots were removed through surgery from my legs and lower abdomen, Alex Mitchell, a key litigant in the legal proceedings in the UK against British pharma giant AstraZeneca told a news channel in India about the side effects that he suffered after receiving the COVID vaccine. Mitchell is not the only one who has been reeling under the side effects due to the COVID jab and taken up a legal battle against AstraZeneca over allegations linking its vaccine to fatalities and severe adverse effects. The firm is facing at least 51 such cases and has recently conceded that its vaccine could, albeit exceedingly rarely, induce Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), a medical condition characterized by abnormally low levels of platelets and the formation of blood clots. With this admission by the UK pharma giant, in India, the Serum Institute of India (SII), headquartered in Pune, which was a licensee to AstraZeneca's vaccine formula may too find itself mired in potential legal ramifications with the parents of a young woman who died purportedly due to complications arising ten days post her inoculation with the vaccine in 2021 said that they are contemplating legal action against both SII and AstraZeneca. Though a section of legal experts say that SII may get clean chit in the case given it was a mere manufacturer of the jab, Venugopalan Govindan, bereaved father of the deceased Karunya has expressed profound dissatisfaction with AstraZeneca's belated admission, lamenting its timing vis-a-vis the lives already lost. He also castigated SII for its failure to suspend vaccine distribution following the restriction imposed by 15 European nations due to reported incidents of blood clot-related fatalities in March 2021. Govindan has also implicated governmental agencies, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders in the unfortunate demise of his daughter and numerous others post-vaccination. His sentiments have reverberated across social media platforms following AstraZeneca's acknowledgment of its COVID jab's potential to precipitate blood clotting. Govindan spearheaded a petition titled 'Post-vaccination side effects - Blood clots, MIS-A, etc. Awareness was required' shortly after his daughter's tragic demise in 2021. As the petition gained traction, it served as a platform for individuals to share their own experiences, concerns, and opinions regarding COVID-19 vaccines. For instance, one Shikha Bhalla, a netizen, has given her account of losing vision in her left eye due to a rare side effect underscoring the importance of thorough monitoring and reporting of adverse events. Another netizen Parikshit Suri has emphasized on the rigorous testing and transparency in vaccine development and echoed widespread calls for accountability and scrutiny in the approval process. Dr. A Rajkumar Sreenivasan's plea for informed consent highlighted the ethical dimensions of healthcare decision-making, emphasizing the need for individuals to have agency and autonomy in vaccination choices. Michelle Zeh's skepticism about vaccine necessity and safety shed light on broader concerns surrounding pharmaceutical influence and the importance of evidence-based decision-making. Manish Kumar's observation of increased heart attacks post-vaccination prompted calls for comprehensive investigation and surveillance to ensure the ongoing safety and efficacy of vaccination programs. While many doctors have said that benefits outweighs the downsides Dr Sankha Shubhra Chakrabarti, Head-Geriatrics, IMS-BHU posted on X, @these genius Indian doctors who are self consoling by saying it occurs within few weeks and cannot after 3 years probably do not know how the AdenoV delivery system is designed to work.@ Amidst these concerns and controversy over the safety aspects of the Covishield vaccine, the matter has now reached the Supreme Court on May 1, 2024, with a petition led by advocate Vishal Tiwari adding a layer of complexity and urgency to the discourse. Tiwari has sought the constitution of an expert medical panel to study the risk factors. "More than 175 crore doses of Covishield have been administered in India. After Covid 19 there has been an increase in deaths due to heart attacks and sudden collapse of persons. There have been several cases of heart attack even in youngsters. Now after the document filed in UK court by the developer of Covishield, we are compelled to think on the risk and hazardous consequences of Covishield vaccine which have been administered to the citizens at a large number," the petition filed by advocate Tiwari says. The plea points out that AstraZeneca, the company that developed the vaccine, has said that its AZD1222 vaccine against Covid-19, which was made under license in India as Covishield, could cause low platelet counts and the formation of blood clots in rare cases. The petition says the medical panel should be headed by an expert from AIIMS and supervised by a retired Supreme Court judge. Tiwari has further sought directions to the Centre to establish a 'Vaccine Damage Payment System' for citizens or families who have suffered debilitating health setbacks or even deaths after taking the vaccine. The plea has also called for strict action against the circulation of spurious Covishield, an offshoot of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which underwent extensive administration across India. However, SII, conspicuously headquartered in Pune, has remained reticent in response to the looming specter of legal action. Equally intriguing is the silence maintained by the Union Health Ministry, notwithstanding mounting apprehensions and criticisms voiced by recipients of Covishield on various social media platforms. Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has already raised the Centres attention to these links, saying that it should work to urgently address the alleged side-effects of the Covidshield vaccine as millions of people in India were administered the shit during the Covid pandemic. Bharadwaj expressed concern over the alleged link between the vaccine's side effects and a series of sudden deaths in India, claiming that Covidshield was banned in several European countries, including Germany, France, Spain, Finland, Norway, and Denmark. Despite the government's formation of a national committee to probe such occurrences, the determination of insufficient evidence linking her demise to the vaccine underscores the intricate challenge of establishing causality in rare adverse events. However, the narrative shared by individuals such as Govindan underscores the exigency for robust surveillance, reporting mechanisms, and support infrastructure to address post-vaccination complications comprehensively. Against the backdrop of Covishield's legal conundrum, SII's competitor Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech, has underscored the efficacy of its jab, Covaxin, saying that it was meticulously evaluated and efficacy. Rials were held within India. Symptoms of TTS A rare condition associated with Covishield, include severe headaches, abdominal pain, leg swelling, or shortness of breath, usually appearing two weeks post-vaccination. Timely identification and intervention are crucial in mitigating severe consequences. BIG NUMBER Indias vaccination campaign began on January 13, 2021, administering Covaxin and Covishield. Covishield received approval for use in 49 other countries. As of April 29, 2024, India has administered 1,749,417,978 doses of Covishield, making it the worlds largest vaccination program. Indias vaccine arsenal during the pandemic included Covaxin, Covishield, Sputnik-V, Covovax, Corbevax, and ZyCoV-D, among others. Worldwide, 13.5 billion COVID-19 vaccines have been administered since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to science research organization Our World in Data. Around 71% of the worlds population has received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine. GLOBAL INSIGHT According to global data on TTS available in the public domain, as of January 5, 2024, Canada had reported 89 cases of TTS, of which 56 cases were reported following vaccination with AstraZenecas Vaxzevria/Covishield COVID-19 vaccine, and 24 cases were reported following vaccination with Pfizer-BioNTechs Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine. Eight cases were also reported following vaccination with Modernas Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine. In the U.K., 122 instances of TTS following the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine have been reported as of November 2023. OPP MAKES A Gibe Where is the Thank You Modi ji banner now? Why are the PM and Health Ministry silent? Is this the reason why deaths due to heart attack at young age occur? Was this the reason why BJP took electoral bonds worth Rs 50 crore from Serum Institute? This issue is not a matter of politics but of safeguarding peoples lives, Srinivas Bhadravathi Venkata, the National President of the Indian Youth Congress in a post on X. Doctors speak TTS is a very rare condition resulting from an abnormal immune response. While it has several causes, it has also been linked with adenovirus vector vaccines. The WHO has deemed the vaccine safe and effective for all individuals aged 18 and above. We are yet to fully understand the impact of coronavirus on people, also called long Covid. The difficulty is to distinguish between the complications that are caused by Covid itself or the vaccine. That remains debatable. People who are vaccinated have an overall lower risk of complications such as post-Covid heart attacks and strokes among others. Dr Ravi Wankedekar, Former national president of the IMA Like many things in medicine, the exact mechanism for this is also unknown. It is an unusual immune reaction to a particular vaccine genre which is called as adenovirus vector vaccine. Adenovirus vectors are not disease-causing viruses but these are artificially fitted with the spike of the virus that our immune system needs to fight. In the case of AstraZenecas adenovirus vector vaccine, a chimpanzee adenovirus - ChAdOx1 - has been modified to enable it to carry the Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein injected into the muscles of humans. Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, Co-Chairman, IMA Covid-19 task force Study confirms higher risk of very rare clot with AstraZeneca Jab The Global Covid Vaccine Safety Project conducted an extensive analysis of adverse events associated with COVID-19 vaccines across multiple regions, including Argentina, Australia (New South Wales and Victoria), Canada (British Columbia and Ontario), Denmark, Finland, France, New Zealand, and Scotland. They employed a method called observed versus expected (OE) ratios to compare the number of adverse events reported with the expected baseline rates. In simple words, this means first healthcare providers have a baseline expectation of how many adverse events are likely given a certain number of vaccinated people, and compare it with the number of events reported to health systems. Expectations are formed based on experience with the rates of vaccination, and reactions observed historically. However, COVID-19 vaccination was an outlier event that saw billions of vaccines administered over a relatively short span. OE ratios greater than 1.5, indicating 50% more adverse reactions than expected, were identified as potential safety signals requiring thorough investigation. Notable findings included elevated OE ratios for Guillain-Barre syndrome and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis following the first dose of the ChAdOx1 vaccine. Additionally, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis showed a high OE ratio following the first dose of the mRNA-1273 vaccine. Increased OE ratios for myocarditis and pericarditis were also observed following vaccination with BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech), mRNA-1273 (Moderna), and ChAdOx1 (AstraZeneca/Serum Institute of India) vaccines. In India, as of December 6, 2022, a total of 92,003 Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) were reported, accounting for approximately 0.009% of the population vaccinated against COVID-19. However, it's essential to note that the strength of adverse event reporting systems can vary significantly between countries, influencing reported incidence rates. The study also highlighted differences in adverse event reporting rates between regions. For example, the affidavit submitted by the Indian government to the Supreme Court cited higher AEFI rates in the United States (0.2%) and the United Kingdom (0.7%) compared to India. These variations may be influenced by reporting system robustness and physiological factors. Despite confirming previously identified rare safety signals associated with COVID-19 vaccination, the study emphasized the need for further investigation to confirm associations and evaluate clinical significance. An affidavit by the government to the Supreme Court claimed that compared with India, nearly 0.2% of the people in the United States who received COVID-19 vaccines showed AEFI, as did 0.7% in the U.K. These ratios are, however, significantly influenced by the strength of the adverse event reporting system in countries. This can significantly vary among countries. "While our study confirmed previously identified rare safety signals following COVID-19 vaccination and contributed evidence on several other important outcomes, further investigation is warranted to confirm associations and assess clinical significance," the study by the Global Covid Vaccine Safety Project said. There have been studies that show the baseline rate in European states (adverse events related to COVID-19 vaccines) is higher than Asia. This is a combination of both a better reporting system as well as physiological factors. Studies done in one country may not easily translate to another. Chandrakant Lahariya, Physician and health policy expert Karnataka JD(S) MLA H D Revanna was taken into custody on Saturday by sleuths of the Special Investigation Team, minutes after a Court here rejected his anticipatory bail plea in a kidnapping case, officials said. The case was registered against Revanna, a former Minister and son of JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and his confidant Sathish Babanna in Mysuru on Thursday night for allegedly abducting a woman, who is also reportedly a victim of alleged sexual abuse by his son and MP Prajwal Revanna. Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur on Saturday said the BJP has to win both the Lok Sabha and assembly bypolls to accelerate the pace of development in the state. Addressing a gathering of panna pramukhs', Thakur, who is also the BJP candidate from Hamirpur Lok sabha seat, urged people to vote for party candidate ID Lakhanpal from Barsar seat to avail benefits of central schemes. Two lotus' the BJP's election symbol have to bloom in the elections instead of one to accelerate the pace of development in the state in general and Hamirpur in particular, Thakur said. He said this at a conference of panna pramukhs' of Barsar and Bhoranj assembly constituencies organised in Bhota town of Hamirpur district. The minister said that the work done by the central government in Himachal Pradesh, including for developing national highways, is commendable. Meanwhile, addressing a press conference at Dharamshala, Vipin Singh Parmar, the BJP in-charge for the Kangra parliamentary constituency and former Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, launched a sharp attack against Congress candidate Anand Sharma and the current state government. Referring to Sharma, Parmar accused the Congress of neglecting local candidates by assigning parliamentary tickets to outsiders. He claimed that as a central minister, Sharma had largely ignored the interests of Himachal Pradesh and remained politically active only within the confines of Delhi. "When it was crucial to advocate for Himachal, Anand Sharma was absent. His contributions were minimal during a period when the state needed robust representation," the BJP leader said. Parmar also raised concerns regarding the stalled construction of the Central University of Himachal Pradesh's Dharamshala building. He speculated that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu might have intentions of relocating the project since the required state government funds of Rs 30 crore are yet to be deposited. 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It is clear that only a fund crunch is holding us back from a winning campaign in Puri. I regret that without party funding, it won't be possible to carry out the campaign in Puri. I, therefore, return the INC ticket for the Puri Parliamentary Constituency herewith. I am a Congresswoman with core Congress values in my DNA. I shall remain a loyal soldier of the Congress and my leader Jananayak Rahul Gandhi, wrote the journalist-turned-politician in her resignation letter. Following her nomination for the Puri Lok Sabha seat, Mohanty had also tried to arrange funds through crowd-funding. She shared a UPI QR code and other account details on her social media account seeking donations to contest the elections. She was also unhappy with the Congress over the selection of candidates for seven Assembly segments under the Puri Lok Sabha constituency and had reportedly requested party seniors to change the candidates in some of the seats. However, the party didn't pay heed to her. Mohanty had fought from the Puri Lok Sabha constituency in the 2014 General Elections but lost to BJD candidate Pinaki Misra. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra has been contesting from the Puri Lok Sabha constituency while the ruling BJD has fielded former Mumbai Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik from the high-profile constituency. Coal scam: Delhi HC orders renewal of ex-RS MP Vijay Dardas passport for 3 years The Delhi High Court has ruled in favour of a three-year renewal of the passport of former Rajya Sabha MP, Vijay Darda, who was convicted in the Chhattisgarh coal block allocation irregularities case. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharmas order was based on Darda's history of compliance with prior travel permissions, despite opposition from the CBI which cited government rules generally restricting such renewals to one year or the duration ordered by the court in cases involving pending criminal matters. With the condition that he should not leave the country without court approval, the Delhi High Court had in September 2023, suspended the four-year sentence of Darda, who was handed a four-year jail term on July 26, 2023, with others in the case. Moreover, Darda sought a ten-year renewal, citing his frequent international engagements. Earlier, a special court had allowed his son, Devender, to travel to the UAE and Sweden last year. The Delhi High Court had suspended the four-year sentence of Devender, his father and JLD Yavatmal Energy Pvt Ltd's Director Manoj Kumar Jayaswal. Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma had granted Dardas and Jayaswal interim bail on July 28, 2023, till September 26, 2023, and had issued notice on the pleas moved by Dardas and Jayaswal against the trial court order convicting and sentencing them in the case. On September 26 last year, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma had allowed the pleas and suspended the sentence till the pendency of their appeals challenging their conviction and jail term in the case. The court had also directed them not to leave the country without its prior permission. They were also ordered not to directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to witnesses in the case. "It is directed that the sentence imposed on the appellant shall remain suspended during the pendency of the present appeal, subject to his furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs 1 lakh with two sureties of the like amount," the High Court had said. The accused were held guilty under Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, and sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. On November 20, 2014, the court had rejected the closure report submitted by the CBI in this case and had directed the probe agency to initiate a fresh investigation, citing that the former MP had "misrepresented" facts in letters addressed to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who also held the Coal portfolio. According to the court, Vijay Darda, who is the Chairperson of the Lokmat Group, resorted to such misrepresentations in order to obtain the Fatehpur (East) coal block in Chhattisgarh for JLD Yavatmal Energy. The court had ruled that the act of cheating was carried out by private entities as part of a conspiracy involving both private parties and public servants. JLD Yavatmal Energy was granted the Fatehpur (East) coal block by the 35th Screening Committee. Initially, the CBI alleged in its FIR that JLD Yavatmal had unlawfully concealed the previous allocation of four coal blocks to its group companies between 1999 and 2005. However, the agency later filed a closure report, stating that no undue benefit had been granted to JLD Yavatmal by the Coal Ministry during the coal block allocation. Hyderabad police have arrested five GST officials in seven cases of GST refund fraud involving about Rs 46 crore. Hyderabad Central Crime Station, Detective Department said on Saturday that it arrested the officials of different circles in the state. The arrests were made in connection with the seven cases registered by CCS against seven bogus electric bike manufacturing companies. The arrested include Peetala Swarna Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, GST, Nalgonda Division, Kelam Venu Gopal, Assistant Commissioner (State Taxes), Abids Circle, Podila Viswa Kiran, Assistant Commissioner (State Taxes), Madhapur-1 Circle, Vemavarapu Venkata Ramana, Deputy State Tax Officer, GST, Madhapur-II Circle and Marri Mahitha, Senior Assistant, Madhapur-III Circle. According to police, the officials had conspired with the accused, who had started bogus electric bike manufacturing units. The accused started bogus firms by collecting electricity bills from the owners of the premises in Hyderabad. They later registered firms in the GST portal by submitting fake and fabricated rental agreements. The accused criminally conspired with their tax consultant Chiraag Sharma, created fake and fabricated invoices, e-way bills and inward supply bills in the name of fake and bogus firms, showing non-existent companies as existing and filed GST refunds by offering bribes to the state government GST officials and claimed the GST refunds. Police said the accused caused wrongful loss to the government exchequer, without manufacturing e-bikes. The GST officials criminally conspired with other accused persons, accepted bribes, and misappropriated the public funds by using their official power deliberately disobeying the rules and procedures laid down in their department. The police had earlier arrested Chiraag Sharma, tax consultant from New Delhi, Vemireddy Raja Ramesh Reddy, and Mummagari Giridhar Reddy, both natives of Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh and Kondragunta Vineel Chowdary, native of Palnadu district of Andhra Pradesh. The cases were registered against Vinardh Automobiles Pvt. Ltd., represented by Vemireddy Raja Ramesh Reddy, Yoko electric bikes represented by Neeraj Sakhuja, Crox Electric Bikes of Inder Kumar, Growmore Electric Vehicles and Apex Electric Bikes of M. Giridhar Reddy and Vineel Chowdary, Supriya Electric Bikes of Supriya Pandey and Magnum Electric Bikes, represented by Gourav. As predicted correctly by the Squib, rat Sadiq Khan has won a third term as Mayor of London. One can only come to the horrid conclusion that London Has Fallen! Masochism One has to wonder what type of people populate the capital city to vote for a piece of detritus like Sadiq Khan three fucking times? What sort of masochistic filthy loser would stoop to such a low level and have morals or standards lower than any human on earth? Gross negligence The disgraceful intransigence and calamitous negligence of Sadiq Khan over three entire terms as Mayor of London are seen today in the streets of the capital city where crime is endemic, where houses are burgled sometime two or three times a week, where businesses have no control over shoplifting and where the police stand by whilst antisemitic extremists hunt Jews down with extreme prejudice. The capital city is lost, and Khans evil ULEZ scheme will be the precursor to a planned pay per mile that will make the already strained lives of Londoners even more unliveable. High treason Well, there it is, the rat has won a third term, and the deluded arse fuckers who voted for this abomination in for a third term should pat themselves on the back for killing off the capital city once and for allscratch that, they should all be hanged, drawn and quartered, each and every one of them. London Has Fallen! Multiple fires erupt in Ukraine's Kharkiv after overnight Russian attacks Multiple fires have broken out in the north-eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv following Russian missile and drone attacks overnight, authorities said on Saturday. The largest blaze erupted on a warehouse premise and spanned an area of about 3,000 square metres, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine said, adding that firefighters were on the scene. The agency said that four people were injured in Kharkiv, including a child, according to preliminary information. Ukraine's air force said Russia deployed 13 Shahed combat drones, as well as four converted S-300 anti-aircraft missiles. The Air Force claimed to have intercepted all the drones. But the mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, said two had struck the city. There were also two people injured from Russian strikes in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region. An infrastructure site and several residential buildings were damaged, Governor Serhiy Lysak said in a Telegram post. Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine has been going on for more than 800 days. At the start of the war, Russian forces tried unsuccessfully to occupy the city, located near the Russian border. Kharkiv has been attacked with missiles and drones practically every day for months, and there are fears Russia could be planning a fresh summer campaign to capture it. 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. UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis Invoking Mahatma Gandhi's statement that "freedom of the press is a precious privilege that no country can forego", General Assembly President Dennis Francis has called for reaffirming commitments "to protecting journalists and media workers worldwide". After posting the comment on the social media X on World Press Freedom Day, Friday, Francis issued a joint statement with Presidents Simona Mirela Miculescu of the UNESCO General Conference, Paula Narvaez of the UN Economic and Social Council, and Omar Zneiber of the Human Rights Council, focusing on journalists covering the environment. "We advocate for the strengthening of policies that promote free, independent, and pluralistic media, thereby fostering a vibrant and robust public sphere, a pillar of peaceful, just, inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous societies," they said. "We also recognise the role of journalists and media workers, including women, in raising public awareness about climate change, environmental and disaster issues," they said. According to Francis's Spokesperson Monica Grayely, the World Press Freedom Day this year "is dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis". Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a message, "The world is going through an unprecedented environmental emergency which poses an existential threat to this and future generations." "People need to know about this - and journalists and media workers have a key role in informing and educating them," he said. He said, "It is no surprise that some powerful people, companies and institutions will stop at nothing to prevent environmental journalists from doing their jobs. Media freedom is under siege. And environmental journalism is an increasingly dangerous profession." UNESCO reported that in the past 15 years, there have been about 750 attacks on journalists and news outlets reporting on environmental issues. Guterres said that other journalists are also facing risks. "Around the world, media workers are risking their lives trying to bring us news on everything from war to democracy," he said. "I am shocked and appalled by the high number of journalists killed in Israeli military operations in Gaza," he said. He said, "I call on governments, the private sector and civil society to join us in reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding press freedom and the rights of journalists and media professionals around the world." Three leading Irish female entrepreneurs will offer insight into the experience of starting and growing successful companies at an Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs event with THRIVE4women at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) on Wednesday 8 May. Entrepreneurs Adrienne Magnier of Zarasyl, Aisling Kirwan of Positive Carbon, and Sinead Crowther of Soothing Solutions will address the gathering and answer audience questions at the event which starts at 6.30pm at the Recital Room in the Carrolls Building. Now in its second year, Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs is supported by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG. Those attending the Dundalk event will have the opportunity to apply for the Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs support programme itself. The Inspiring initiative seeks to ignite a flame among women with entrepreneurial ambitions to start a business, but who may not have yet taken steps towards making their aspiration a reality. It is designed to appeal to women from a variety of backgrounds who are seeking a change of direction, including female professionals and women in senior corporate positions, or those with doctoral and postdoctoral qualifications. Research shows that almost one in five women in Ireland aspire to start their own business and the initiative is focused on encouraging women to follow through on their entrepreneurial ambitions and establish businesses that are scalable, innovative, and focused on export markets. The 8 May event is just one of a range of events around the country aiming to inspire future female entrepreneurs and inform them about the supports available. The Dundalk event is being hosted by Thrive4Women. Tickets are free but those hoping to attend are requested to register in advance as spaces are limited. Places can be booked here Sinead Crowther, co-founder of Soothing Solutions, was named the Enterprise Ireland High-Potential Start-Up (HPSU) Founder of the Year for 2023. Founded in 2017, the Louth-based healthcare firm manufactures a range of honey jelly pops called Tonstix to help children suffering from sore throats and coughs. Adrienne Magnier founded Zarasyl in 2018 to bring innovative dermatological and wound care products to the global animal health market. The formulation was the result of a decade of research at Cambridge University (UK). Zarasyl is now widely available in the veterinary market in Ireland, the UK and the USA. Aisling Kirwan is the co-founder of Positive Carbon, which provides food waste data to commercial kitchens to enable them to substantially reduce their food waste, waste collections and reach sustainability goals. Aisling had been working in the food waste sector for over eight years across Ireland, the UK, Australia, and Chile, before establishing Positive Carbon in 2020, with her former colleague, Mark Kirwan. The event is organised by Lavina McGahon, Manager of the THRIVE4Women Programme, which is delivered by the Regional Development Centre in DkIT. MC for the evening is Paula Fitzsimons, the founder of Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs and national director of a range of business development initiatives including Going for Growth, Starting Strong, ACORNS and Back for Business. Lavina McGahon, THRIVE4women Programme Manager, Dundalk Institute of Technology said: THRIVE4women has been at the forefront of supporting women in the region to launch STEM careers and businesses, and now we are truly delighted to host this event, giving a platform to three very successful female entrepreneurs to spread their stories of resilience and success. "MC for the night is Paula Fitzsimons, the visionary force behind Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs initiative. Her dedication to empowering women, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating lasting networks has ignited many female entrepreneurs, and we genuinely look forward to being inspired. We hope this event stimulates thought and discussion, generating some ideas on starting businesses of your own and following in the footsteps of Adrienne Magnier, Aisling Kirwan and Sinead Crowther. We expect everyone will be wowed by the determination, resilience and focus these women show on their business journey! Their stories are important and need to be heard by everyone. National Director of Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs, Paula Fitzsimons, said: The objective of this compelling and inspiring initiative is to increase the number of female- led innovative businesses of scale, focused on export markets. "Through the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) research, we know that more women in Ireland are aspiring to start new businesses and that the rate of early-stage female entrepreneurs that aspire for significant growth is also increasing. Building on this fertile ground, we want to introduce the possibility of an entrepreneurial career to particular groups of high achieving women that may not have considered it previously, and where we believe untapped, entrepreneurial potential lies. The Dundalk event is the latest in a series of Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs events taking place across the country in 2024, including events in Dublin and Galway that have already taken place. Students in graduation garb at UC Berkeley walk by a pro-Palestinian tent encampment on the steps of Sproul Hall on Thursday. With graduations looming and protests at many Bay Area universities seniors and families are wary about campus unrest. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle The rim of Ludwigs Fountain at UC Berkeley is marked with the words Free Palestine! near the site of a pro-Palestinian tent encampment on the steps of Sproul Hall. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle UC Berkeley math majors Olivia Weng, Chenxiao Chi, Julia Liu and Lucy Wang (left to right) prepare on May 3 for their upcoming graduation from UC Berkeley. Yuri Avila/The Chronicle As colleges head to graduation day amid widespread unrest on campuses across the country, UC Berkeley, Stanford and other Bay Area universities with active protests against Israels war in Gaza have so far steered clear of the mass arrests and civil disobedience at other schools. On Monday, Columbia University canceled its graduation ceremony and said it will hold smaller events for each of its colleges, away from its main campus that has been the center of protests and conflict. But while some universities elsewhere scale down commencement ceremonies, strengthen security, shift events off campus or replace them altogether with another kind of party, Bay Area members of the class of 2024 have complex feelings about the possibility of disruption at their upcoming graduation events. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It does make me nervous, said Loren Thatcher, a prelaw major at UC Berkeley, where protesters have set up more than 60 tents, and where some clashed briefly in recent days with pro-Israel counterprotesters when a man grabbed that groups Israeli flag. A day earlier at UCLA, counterprotesters attacked students in a pro-Palestinian encampment. Many in this graduating class have already had their fill of disruptions beginning college with remote instruction due to COVID-19 and in some cases missing their high school graduations because of the pandemic. I understand the protest, Thatcher said, but I really dont want it to stop our graduation, considering how hard its been to get here. UC Berkeley seniors take photos on May 3 for their upcoming graduation at UC Berkeley. Many in this graduating class have already had their fill of disruptions thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yuri Avila/The Chronicle UC Berkeley held no campus-wide graduation ceremonies for more than 20 years beginning in 1970, thanks to campus unrest over the Vietnam War, civil rights and other causes. At the 1969 graduation, some students donned gas masks. In 2024, its likely some will don keffiyehs, the checkered scarves that have become symbols of Palestinian identity. UC Berkeleys main commencement ceremony is set for Saturday at Memorial Stadium. University spokesperson Dan Mogulof declined to discuss security arrangements. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Berkeley graduation ceremonies have been venues for all sorts of protests for many years, Mogulof said. This year, like every year in the past, our efforts will focus on ensuring the ceremony can be successfully held, and on supporting the ability of graduating students, their friends, and families to safely enjoy and take part in an incredibly meaningful day in their lives. Many Bay Area students preparing for graduation expressed support for the cease-fire protests and shrugged at the possibility of disruption. I wouldnt consider it a hindrance, considering the protests are something I completely agree with, said Ryan Williams, a history major at San Francisco State, where commencement is scheduled for May 24 at Oracle Park, as usual. Many departments will also host individual ceremonies on campus in late May. Graduation isnt just about me, she said. There are political and humanitarian issues going on, and our universitys money is going to support a genocide. So I dont consider disruption at graduation to be a negative. On Monday, about 1,000 San Francisco State students protested outside the student union before erecting about two dozen tents on the quad. Kent Bravo, a campus spokesperson, said he doesnt expect the demonstrators to affect graduation ceremonies. The tent village has been calm, with no police actions or clashes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Omar Zahzah, a faculty member at San Francisco State University, speaks at a poetry reading at an encampment located on campus in support of Palestine on May 1. Zahzah said seeing the encampment at SFSU is inspiring. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle A similar scene has played out at a Stanford encampment of at least a dozen tents, although administrators posted warnings to campers that they risk being disciplined for violating university rules against sleeping overnight and posting signs. Hearing news from other campuses makes me afraid of being detained, afraid of possible legal repercussions down the road, said one protesting senior. The student asked not to be identified for fear of being suspended or arrested before graduation on June 16, or being doxxed by other students for his views. Even so, said the student, who is Filipino American, These are politics I believe in, that I feel connected to as an Asian American. Our histories of imperialism are intimately connected, he said, referring to Palestinians. As for the possibility of graduation being disrupted by protesters, its a ceremony, he said. Its one day of my life. I cant lose the bigger picture here of the fight for liberation in Palestine. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Pro-Palestinian protesters embrace in a tent camp at Stanford University last month. Administrators have posted warnings to campers that they risk being disciplined for violating university rules against sleeping overnight. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle Encampments at other California universities, and at many of the nearly 150 campuses nationwide where protesters have set up tents, have seen more tensions. Police have arrested about 2,000 protesters on campuses nationwide so far, according to a count by the New York Times. President Biden weighed in Thursday, affirming the right to free speech by protesters while denouncing antisemitic rhetoric as well as the vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses (that have forced) the cancellation of classes and graduations. At Cal Poly Humboldt in Arcata, about 300 officers in riot gear descended on campus in the wee hours of Tuesday and arrested 31 mostly student protesters a week after they seized control of an administration building and caused more than $1 million in damage. On Friday, university officials announced that on May 11, they will hold three modified commencement ceremonies off campus, which is closed for the rest of the semester. In Los Angeles, the University of Southern California called off its main graduation ceremony last month after a surge of protests over the universitys decision to cancel the valedictorians speech, citing safety concerns. Pro-Israel groups had complained that Asna Tabassums social media had a link to an anti-Israel post. Other scheduled speakers canceled their own talks in support of Tabassum. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But on Friday, USC announced it will hold a graduation event May 9 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, complete with fireworks, a drone show and added security as part of a four-day commencement celebration. Protesters wait outside the Humboldt County Superior Court in Eureka for the release of protesters arrested at the pro-Palestine encampment at CalPoly Humboldt on April 30. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle Also on Friday, well ahead of UC Riversides undergraduate commencement in mid-June, the campus announced an array of agreements with pro-Palestinian protesters, who dismantled their encampment that night in accordance with the pact, a university spokesperson said. Among the universitys concessions is that its business school will no longer conduct global programs in eight foreign countries, including Israel. The administration also agreed to post investment information on the campus website, with the goal of full disclosure of the list of companies in the portfolio and the size of investments. A major demand of anti-Israel protesters on every campus has been that universities end investments in companies doing business with Israel, whose offensive in the Gaza strip has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to health officials there, and triggered a humanitarian crisis. Israel has been bombarding Gaza since Hamas which governs Gaza but which the U.S. has designated a terrorist group invaded Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. Hamas is believed to still hold about 100 people. Bay Area universities have made no agreements like the one reached by UC Riverside with protesters. Political economy major Han Tseng graduates next Saturday and is not worried that demonstrations could affect his graduation. The protest has been going for a while and its been peaceful, he said on May 3 in Berkeley. Yuri Avila/The Chronicle Its always possible things could get out of hand, but its been peaceful so far, said Han Tseng, a political economy major who is graduating next week from UC Berkeley. He said hes not worried. Violet Tahsini, who is graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in environmental science, said her parents will be the most disappointed if graduation ceremonies are disrupted, especially since the pandemic prevented them from attending her high school graduation. My parents are driving for like seven hours from Los Angeles to come see my graduation. So Id definitely be annoyed if something happened to stop it, she said. I think theyd be pretty mad. I think Id be pretty mad, too. Anti-war demonstrations have made a significant mark on UC Berkeleys graduations over the years, stretching back to 1968, when about 8,000 students protesting the draft held their own Vietnam Commencement in Sproul Plaza spurred on by then-Gov. Ronald Reagans threat to shut down the event. Violet Tahsini stands on Telegraph Avenue May 3 before submitting her thesis in Environmental Sciences at UC Berkeley. She says she would definitely be annoyed if something happened to stop graduation. Yuri Avila/The Chronicle A year later, many students wore gas masks to the commencement ceremony at the Greek Theatre. Hundreds of students then walked out to protest the war and rally for Peoples Park, where police shot at protesters just a month earlier, killing one man and blinding another. The next year, with the Vietnam War still raging, there would be no campus-wide commencement event. Instead, individual departments held their own, smaller ceremonies, though the art department canceled its event in protest. A campus-wide graduation ceremony would not resume until 1993. Hayward police have found the body of a man believed to have been slain last week. Mark Winema/Getty Images Hayward police made a gruesome discovery this week of the body of a man believed to have been slain last week, his remains concealed with dirt and debris in an industrial part of the city. Police say the man was killed on April 26 near San Antonio and Hayman streets during an argument with another man, who pulled a handgun and shot him. Witnesses saw the attack but did not contact police or call 911 until two days later, police said. Police went to the scene and found evidence of a shooting but no victim. They also checked nearby hospitals but found no gunshot victims. As officers investigated the reported shooting, they identified Andres Sanchez, 38, of Hayward as a person of interest and learned he had outstanding felony warrants, police said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On Tuesday, after receiving a tip, officers found Sanchez riding an all-terrain vehicle near train tracks around Tennyson Road and Leidig Court, police said. He fled from officers, jumped a wall into a residential neighborhood and barricaded himself inside the garage of an occupied home on the 29000 block of Chance Street, police said. The two homeowners safely exited the home, and after hours of negotiations, Sanchez surrendered to police and was arrested on suspicion of murder, felony evasion and home invasion robbery. On Tuesday night, detectives found the body concealed with dirt and debris near the area where witnesses had told police they had seen the shooting. Police are not releasing the name of the victim at this time. The case is Haywards fourth homicide of the year. The investigation is ongoing, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Nate Scinto at 510-293-7176. JESSIE and Peter Kelly fell in love and married more than 40 years ago in Kenya before finally returning to live in Ireland. In 1992, they moved to a three-bed semi in Cabinteely, Co. Dublin, and have seven children and seven grandchildren. Even though their four eldest have flown the nest, the Kelly household just doesnt function properly as a family home. Their property features on Home Rescue: The Big Fix on RTE2 on Thursday, May 9, at 10.10pm. The family have no space to gather for meals because the cluttered living/dining space is effectively a museum, hemmed in by Jessies huge collection of African artefacts collected on trips back to her native Kenya. Enter Dee Coleman, Peter Finn and the team with a challenge to give the Kellys back their home without compromising the precious balance of Irish and Kenyan culture. Helped by a support team of friends and family at a local community centre, the clutter-busters soon discover that Peter, not Jessie, is the main collector of the household, and he is less than thrilled to declutter his extensive stash of bags, briefcases and camera boxes. THE sod has been turned on a new affordable housing development in Lehenaghmore on the outskirts of Cork city, which when complete will provide 45 new homes. Finance Minister Michael McGrath joined the Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Kieran McCarthy and the chief executive of Cork City Council, Ann Doherty, yesterday to turn the sod at the Glenmore Heights development. The affordable housing scheme, being constructed by OBR Construction in partnership with Cork City Council, will provide new homes for sale via Cork City Councils local authority affordable purchase scheme and consists of a mix of two and three-bedroom houses. The scheme is due to be advertised for applications in early autumn of this year, with the delivery of new units scheduled for 2025. Cork City Council said the homes will be made available for sale, circa 20% below open market value, to those who qualify for the Affordable Housing Scheme, with sales prices, in part, subsidised via the Department of Housings Affordable Housing Fund. Ballincollig scheme Minister Michael McGrath also visited a further affordable housing scheme of 70 two and three-bedroom homes at Heathfield, Carriginarra, Ballincollig which is currently under construction. The scheme, which is fully subscribed, is being developed by Murnane & OShea Group and the first purchasers are due to receive keys in the coming weeks. Speaking after the sod turning in Lehenaghmore, the Lord Mayor said he was honoured to have the opportunity to mark the commencement of construction on the new development. Hopefully, on completion, these affordable homes will provide a solid foundation for purchasers from which they can contribute to and enhance further, a sustainable and vibrant community in Lehenaghmore, he said. Dan O'Brien, OBR Construction; Cllr Kieran McCarthy, Lord Mayor of Cork, Michael McGrath TD, Minister for Finance, and Ann Doherty, Chief Executive, Cork City Council, pictured at the sod turning of 45 affordable homes at Glenmore Heights, Lehenaghmore, Togher, Cork. Picture: Michael O'Sullivan /OSM PHOTO In addition, I was delighted to visit the show-house at Heathfield, Carriginarra, Ballincollig, Cork, a further affordable development providing for 70 two and three-bedroom family homes, where, for Phase 1, keys will soon be in the hands of purchasers. The Finance Minister also welcomed the advancement of both projects. These two fantastic projects will deliver 115 new affordable homes for people and families in ideal locations for employment and other services, Mr McGrath said. The development of these two projects serves to highlight just what local authorities can achieve in the provision of affordable homes by working closely with the Department of Housing. Meanwhile, city councils chief executive said housing is at the very forefront of Cork City Councils objectives and will remain so for the coming years. I would like to acknowledge the efforts of all involved and assure people Cork City Council will continue to lead the way in the delivery of more affordable homes, with several schemes set to launch throughout 2024, Ms Doherty added. Government to revise housing targets Speaking in relation to the provision of housing earlier on Friday, the Finance Minister said Government will be revising upwards its housing targets quite significantly over the period ahead. But revising the targets doesnt in and of itself build any additional homes. We have to make sure the funding is there, the planning system is reformed, that we have the labour, that we have enough zoned land, that we are able to service that land and that the private sector makes a contribution in terms of funding and capital as well. Were working on all of those strands, he added. Mr McGrath said he would encourage anyone critical of Government when it comes to housing to have a look around and see the amount of developments now that are underway many of which, he said, would not be happening without the State being centrally involved. FINANCE Minister Michael McGrath has said the Government is committed to providing additional funding to the proposed Cork Luas project to progress it beyond the current stage. The ministers comments come after it was revealed last week that the National Transport Authority (NTA) is currently only funded to bring the project to emerging preferred route stage. Asked by The Echo if the Government is committed to allocating additional funding to progress the Cork Luas to planning and construction, Mr McGrath said it is. We have a very large capital envelope for the Department of Transport out to 2030 and, as the need arises and as projects progress to the different stages, additional funding will be provided to enable them to move forward. This is an important project for Cork, its one we are committed to and the Government will provide the necessary funding to enable the project to proceed, he said. I know that the NTA, working with the council [Cork City Council], are continuing to develop that project and when they need additional funding to take it beyond the forthcoming step, then the Government will be supportive of that. Speaking at Cork Chambers latest Business Breakfast event last week, the CEO of the NTA Anne Graham said that Transport Infrastructure Ireland funded by and in collaboration with the NTA is currently undertaking the detailed alignment study to determine the optimum layout for the rail system set to connect Ballincollig in the west to Mahon Point in the east via the city centre. That work is nearing completion, and it is expected that an emerging preferred option for Luas Cork will be published for public consultation this year, she said. Ms Graham said the NTA currently does not have the funding to progress the project beyond that stage. We dont have the funding to bring it to more detailed design, to bring it to planning at this stage, she said. [The Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy] sets it out as being delivered later in the strategy, so being a post-2030 delivery. Thats as much as we could say on the timeline at this stage. A TWO-YEAR suspended sentence was imposed on a young man caught with a stash of drugs in Douglas. David Maher, 22, was given the fully suspended prison term by Judge Jonathan Dunphy at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Dunphy said during the sentencing hearing that the defendant met gardai by appointment and made admissions. The man told officers it was part of a plan to pay off a drugs debt. He had no previous convictions and has not come to Garda attention since. He has shown commitment to rehabilitation and is at low risk of reoffending, said Judge Dunphy. I am imposing a two-year sentence. Under exceptional circumstances, I am suspending the sentence fully on condition that he continues with his rehabilitation. The man from Grosvenor Mews, Douglas, Cork, admitted having in his possession cannabis and cocaine for sale or supply on October 1, 2021. Defence barrister Paula McCarthy said the defendant was only 19 at the time. The drugs were found during the October 2021 search under warrant. As well as the drugs, gardai found zip-lock bags in various sizes that were used to store the drugs. The man admitted giving drugs to friends but also storing some of the larger quantities as a way of clearing a drugs debt to an unnamed person. Cocaine worth 1,300 was found along with 12,000 worth of cannabis. Cuimhne Ghlinn, the debut solo album by Buttevant-originating multi-instrumentalist David Murphy, has a leg in each of two worlds. One, of Murphys prior experience and influence, with Americana influences present and immersive throughout, from John Blek and the Rats to The Lost Brothers. Another, in experimentation and cross-pollination of ideas, leading Murphy to the work of iconoclastic and singularly important Irish composer/arranger Sean O Riada. Emerging from a pandemic-era series of recordings and collaborations, it unfurls gently, electronic and acoustic ambience setting a light tone for dreamy, swelling pedal-steel guitar perhaps best-known to casual listeners for its place in American folk and roots music. The album trades on Irish melodies old and new, recast in this hybrid form of European ambience and the American tradition - Sean ORiadas Aisling Gheal opens side A of the LP, while his son Peadars An Draigheann does the same for side B, while works by Turlough OCarolan sit alongside Murphys own composition, the eponymous title track. I guess, in my early to mid 20s, I was in a lot of rock bands, and I was a great lover of American folk and blues music and, y'know, naturally, eventually, it just led me to the pedal steel guitar. I just wanted to get to grips with it, really, just to use it in a musical way. I wasn't really trying to get into country music in a big way or anything, but a lot of bands that I really liked were using it. Bands like Calexico, Richmond Fontaine, they were using it in really musical, tasteful ways, which was intriguing to me. That was my intention, really, y'know, just to use it as another tool in the arsenal, I suppose. But as I got deeper into it, I just gravitated more towards it. I would be booked for gigs to play guitar and I'd show up with a pedal-steel instead, and, you know, I threw myself in at the deep end, but that's where I came to it, definitely more of a contemporary thing at the time. And then as I got more comfortable with it, as I got more interested in it, I started to seek out a lot more of the older players, the history of it, and how it evolved. While North Cork, specifically the corridors of villages and towns along the spine of the N20 that connects Cork and Limerick cities, lies at the very fringes of the Sliabh Luachra area, and isnt without its history of sessions and ceili bands, Murphy didnt have so much of a background in the living tradition. David Murphys Cuimhne Ghlinn: Explorations in Irish Music for Pedal Steel Guitar is available online at https://davidmurphymusic.bandcamp.com, and on 12 vinyl at independent record shops via Rollercoaster Records. Picture: Celeste Burdon His point of entry was a collaboration with Dublin composer Neil OConnor, who enlisted Murphy to add pedal steel to his own homage to ORiada, Nomos: ORiada Reimagined (also discussed in these pages in December of 2022), which started him thinking about the instruments own places in further meditations on inherited songforms and works. I've always been a great lover of Irish music, I would go to see a lot of trad gigs and even though I wouldn't play it, I would be a huge appreciator of it, I would be aware of what's going on. It just kind-of came during the pandemic, I was obviously not doing any gigs and I was doing a lot of recording projects from home for people, which I do regularly anyway. I just started messing around, just playing, picking up some tunes to learn, and I picked out some Irish tunes. 'Aisling Gheal', actually, the first one on the album, I just started playing it one evening at home, and I thought, 'lovely', y'know, 'there's something here'. I had two or three other tracks figured out, then, no intention of making a record. But as I started thinking more, and just getting on the hunt for more tunes, ones that worked nicely, before I knew it I had a handful worked up and I thought 'God, there's the record idea, here'. It just seemed to tie in with a lot of my own interests, that kind-of seemed to be a natural convergence, in terms of the sound of the record that I had in mind. I'm into a lot of ambient music and modern classical stuff, traditional Irish music, and then there's a whole 'cosmic Americana' thing that's happened in the past five or ten years as well in America, William Tyler and other psychedelic guitar players. It just seemed to be a matter of convergence of all those things for me, in terms of making this record. And I knew, I think, getting older, I knew I wanted to make a record on my own at some point, and I knew that I wanted to do something with pedal steel that wasn't 'American', that was very different. These tunes just really stood out to me that they need to be recorded. And now was the time to do it. The record, though it centres Murphys arrangements and ideas of the material via his guitars, keys and electronics, is, by nature and necessity, a deeply collaborative one. Steve Wickham, a longstanding violinist for The Waterboys, founder member of In Tua Nua and the violinist on U2s Sunday Bloody Sunday was an enthusiastic supporter of the project, lending his talents to two of the tunes. OConnor returns the favour with an appearance on the title track, while harpists Alannah Thornburgh and Aisling Urwin each appear, their instruments delicate nature acting in turn as compliment and counterpoint. It was a mix of people who I'd worked with before, and also people I've never worked with before, which is really, really lovely. So, for example, Laura McFadden who played the cello on the album, she was a big part of it really, I played a lot with her, with Arborist and Malojian, Northern Irish bands, and also with Mark McCausland from The Lost Brothers, I would have done recording for his solo projects as well. So I worked it out with Laura, and I knew she would be a big part of the sound of the record. Rory McCarthy, I never played with before, but I know Rory from around Cork, y'know, wonderful piano player. Peter Broderick, a big, big fan of Peter, had never worked with him, but I think I went to, probably, his first gig in Cork in 2007, maybe, and every time he's been back since. So I reached out to him, he was very interested. The harp players, Alannah and Aisling, I'd never worked with before, but admire them for what they do, and was really excited to work with them. Steve Wickham played fiddle as well, y'know, God, like, we all heard him growing up, 'Fisherman's Blues' and everything else. I worked with Steve a little bit with the Lost Brothers as well, and when I pitched the idea to me, he was really, really keen as well. So it was lovely, a lovely mix of people. David Murphys Cuimhne Ghlinn: Explorations in Irish Music for Pedal Steel Guitar is available online at https://davidmurphymusic.bandcamp.com, and on 12 vinyl at independent record shops via Rollercoaster Records. The record was made possible with support from Cork City Council Arts Office. James Cox The Book of Kells is closed to the public today as students continue to protest over Gaza at Trinity College Dublin. They have set up an encampment on campus to pressure the university to cut ties with Israel over its actions in Gaza. Organisers say 70 students in 43 tents took part. The students union has been fined 214,285 by university management for its protests - which included blocking access to the Book of Kells. In a post on X, outgoing students union president Laszlo Molnarfi said: Students at Trinity College Dublin have set up an encampment for Palestine, demanding that their university cut ties with Israel as per BDS [Boycott, Divest, Sanction] principles supported by the vast majority of students and staff. He also posted a picture of benches stacked up to block the Old Library, where the Book of Kells is housed. The Book of Kells is now closed indefinetly. No business as usual during a genocide. @tcddublin cut ties with the genocidal state of Israel! pic.twitter.com/LZ31xcvtYt Laszlo Molnarfi (SU) (@TCDSU_President) May 3, 2024 We plan on staying here indefinitely, our message is there is no business as usual during a genocide, he told the PA news agency. And when our academic institution, Trinity College Dublin, has ties to Israeli companies, entities and universities that are complicit in the war industry, we must speak up. And that is why we are doing this. And we must speak up in this disruptive, powerful way. Because when we tried to engage with the authorities, with petitions and letters and meetings, we were met with shameful silence. In a statement, Trinity said a student TCD BDS encampment is in place in Trinity. Trinity supports students right to protest within the rules of the university and is monitoring the situation closely. Access to campus is restricted to students, staff & residents with college ID. We will keep you updated. Academics for Palestine said the group is appalled by recent moves by Trinity College to target student leaders and punish the Students Union. It says it fully supports the "courageous student organisations" leading the Gaza encampment and shares their goal of pushing Trinity to cut ties with Israel due to its ongoing genocide in Gaza. The encampment at Trinity mirrors universities across the United States where students are looking to pressure academic institutions into cutting ties with Israel. Some of the US protests have led to clashes with authorities. In response to the latest protest, the university said: An unauthorised BDS encampment is in place in Trinity. While Trinity supports students right to protest, protests must be conducted within the rules of the university. It added: To ensure safety, access to campus is restricted to students, staff, residents and Department of Sports Members with college ID cards only. As custodians of the Book of Kells, Trinity has an obligation to protect this national treasure at all times. The Old Library and Book of Kells Experience will be closed on Saturday, 4 May. All ticket holders have been refunded. As stewards of the Old Library, Trinity has a duty to protect the building and the Long Room. The closure of the Old Library impacts on researchers, whether they are students, staff or visiting international researchers. It also impacts on the staff working there, many of whom are students themselves. Trinity said it was responding to the war in Gaza in several ways. It said the portfolio of companies included in its endowment fund investments are not hand picked by the university, but instead generated by its investment managers. The university said work was ongoing to update the portfolio in line with a UN blacklist of companies. In regard to ties with Israeli institutions, Trinity said it was for its academics to make their own decisions on what universities they collaborate with, insisting it will not impinge on that cornerstone of academic freedom. A CORK author-illustrator has produced a new childrens book that takes young readers on a fun-filled trip around her native country. Amy Louise OCallaghan is from Liscarroll in North Cork and is looking forward to seeing A Cork Fairytale a modern take on the well-known tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears on shelves from May 6. Shes currently based in Dublin and, as well as working full-time in film education the last few years, shes been freelancing as an illustrator since 2019. Among the many projects Amy Louise has been involved in are her Irish Mythology Tarot Deck and self-published comics. The Cork woman was approached by The OBrien Press to take on the book project. They already have a series of picture books celebrating various cities in Ireland, such as A Dublin Fairytale, A Galway Fairytale and A Limerick Fairytale and were looking to do one set in Cork. A Cork Fairytale a modern take on the well-known tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears on shelves from May 6th. So they approached me with the idea in the 2022 and I got to work creating the story and characters and getting it ready to pitch! A Cork Fairytale follows Goldilocks, a young girl living in Cork city, who is one day whisked away by the Bears to buy a gift for a special friend. They need three things - pretty flowers, tickets to a show and something tasty, and they travel all around Cork city and county to find what they need, including the River Lee, the Shandon Bells, the Everyman theatre, the English Market, UCC, Fitzgeralds Park, Shakey Bridge, Cobh, Blarney Castle, Blackrock Castle Observatory and beyond. The process was very different to what she was used to, Amy Louise admits. While I always thought it would be fun to write and illustrate a picture book, it definitely took me a bit to learn the best way to write and phrase parts of the story so that its fun for kids to read. It was great to take the well-known tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and turn it into something different and modern, and the writing process was definitely helped by me sitting down and wondering where in Cork I would like the characters to go. A lot of the locations are places I love to go myself, or what I picture when I think of Cork, so it was a really good exercise to think about what the characters would do in the different places and respond to that, and build the story around the locations. In a way, that was a unique challenge in itself as I mainly focus on folklore and fantasy, so writing and drawing something set in the modern world was very new to me, she said. The true-to-life detail in the books illustrations are impressive, and not surprisingly thats what took her the longest. The page showing the English Market took about 10 hours, but thats because I was having too much fun drawing bread and cakes, so not a bad problem to have! she said. Amy Louise is beyond excited to see her project come to life in bookshelves. The thought that my book will be sold alongside so many authors and illustrators I know and respect is surreal. I remember spending all day queuing to meet Jacqueline Wilson in Waterstones in Patrick Street when I was little, so it will feel particularly special getting to see the book in there, she said. Inspired by everything from mythology and folktales to her favourite animated films, she already has lots of ideas for future projects. Ill be finishing up full-time work soon and hoping to focus on pulling together some new stories and ideas. Ive a couple in my head, so Im really looking forward to sitting down and properly putting it to paper. Ive a huge passion for Irish mythology and folklore, so would really love to delve into that in any shape or form. For now, though, she just hopes people like her characters and worlds as much as she enjoyed making it. The book is out on May 6. ELIZABETH CITY, N.C.- Angel Teagle, a 23-year-old graduating senior at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU), is ready to conquer his dreams after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in emergency management with a minor in military science. The Fayetteville, N.C. native, has gained valuable knowledge and skills within disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, preparing him to effectively manage crises and mitigate the impact of natural and man-made disasters. As an emergency management student, Teagle has been actively involved in campus organizations and extracurricular activities related to both disciplines. My extracurricular engagements include serving as the Operations Chief for the ECSU CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), S3 for ROTC, and participating in the VR/Esports Lab team, Entrepreneurship Club, and serving as the 2024 president of the Gamma Rho chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, says Teagle. Elizabeth City State University has profoundly influenced my personal and professional growth, providing me with the resources to develop my transformative invention, The Car Seat Companion, and presenting opportunities beyond state borders that I never imagined possible, he said. Teagle says that his time at ECSU has blessed him with lifelong friendships, opportunities to travel outside the state for his personal and professional development, and connections with like-minded people willing to help him along his journey. Teagle looks forward to pursuing a career that allows him to combine his passions of emergency management and military services. Just one day prior to commencement, he took his oath of office to become a Quartermaster Officer in the U.S. Army where his first assignment will be in Fort Bliss, Texas. I am deeply grateful to Elizabeth City State University for all it has offered me, and I wholeheartedly recommend this institution to prospective students, he said. ELIZABETH CITY, N.C.- Jayshawn Blackledge, a graduating senior at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) is preparing to celebrate a major milestone in his academic journey as he earns his degree in kinesiology. A native of Washington, N.C., Blackledges dedication to his studies and his passion for promoting health and wellness have distinguished him as a standout student and role model among his peers. ECSU has impacted me by helping me realize my true capabilities when I put my mind to something, said Blackledge. It also taught me a lot about myself as a leader and as an individual. Throughout his time at ECSU, Blackledge has been deeply involved in campus life, serving as Mister Senior, a 2024 initiate of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and a plethora of other extracurricular activities. As he prepares to graduate, Blackledge looks forward to pursuing a career within his field of study. My future goals are to attend graduate school and become a physical therapist, he shared. His journey to graduation reflects his perseverance and dedication to conquering his dreams. He is optimistic and carries with him the knowledge, skills and values instilled in him during his time at ECSU. I know theres a lot of work ahead of me but Im ready to face that challenge head on. (Photo: Peter Kenny / Ecumenical News)Andrew Feinstein on Sept. 17, 2015 at the United Nations in Geneva during an event on how to stop the war in Syria during the UN Human Rights Council session. Key notes from speech given by Andrew Feinstein executive director of Corruption Watch in the UK and author of' The Shadow World: Inside the Global Arms Trade' at a meeting on how to stop the war in Syria and Iraq hosted by Caritas Internationalis and Dominicans for Justive and Peace at the United Nations in Geneva on Sept. 17: "When considering the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Syria, it is important to consider, in addition to the geopolitical and ideological dynamics, the nature and functioning of the global arms trade, that feeds these conflicts, intensifies the massive abuses of human rights, and which undermines the prospects for peace. I have been investigating and researching the arms trade for over 15 years 15 years, since I was a Member of Parliament for the African National Congress in South Africa and I was stopped from investigating a $10 billion arms deal in which $300 million dollars in bribes was paid. Because of this I resigned. Scale of trade: Global military expenditure is estimated to have totaled $1.75 trillion in 2015, that is $250 for every person on the planet. The small arms trade is worth at least $8.5 billion. Around 4.5/5m firearms are sold in a year and every year about 526,000 violent deaths occur through warfare and murder. The United States buys and sells almost as many weapons as the rest of the world combined. Other major producers of weaponry include Germany, the UK, France, Russia, Israel and China. These countries sell weapons through their large, government subsidised defence companies. Last year the biggest buyer of weapons was Saudi Arabia. With the UAE, Turkey, Israel and India also increasing their purchases significantly. While obviously an important dimension of national defence, a tool of foreign policy (including covert foreign policy) and a contributor (albeit overstated) to the economy, the arms trade, big and small, has additional profound impacts on the world: from the enabling, fuelling and perpetuation of conflict and repression, to the corrosion of democracy and human rights. Arms deals stretch across a continuum of legality and ethics from the official, or formal trade, to the black market or illicit trade. Grey markets are a combination of the two. And, in fact, in practice, the boundaries between these three markets are fuzzy. They are often intertwined and dependent on each other. With bribery and corruption commonplace, there are very few arms transactions that do not involve illegality, most often through middlemen or agents. Many arms dealers who provide services to large defence companies and governments, continue to operate in the black and grey markets. Also arms dealers can see embargoes as a chance to leverage even greater profits. A study conducted by Joe Roeber, then at Transparency International, calculated that the trade in weapons accounts for almost 40 per cent of all corruption in all global trade. A U.S, Dept. of Commerce study of five years of corrupt transactions involving U.S. businesses found that half were in the defense sector! So why is the arms trade so susceptible to corruption and other malfeasance? Roeber argues that the arms trade is hard-wired for corruption. It is built into its structure, into its very DNA. You have contracts worth a vast amount, being decided on by a very small number of people behind a national security imposed veil of secrecy. Perfect conditions for rampant corruption and other illegality The consequences of this malfeasance and the efforts to conceal it, include the corrosion of democratic institutions and the rule of law in buying and selling countries, greater instability in fragile states, massive opportunity costs especially in relation to socio-economic development and sometimes an undermining of the very national security that the deals are supposed to bolster. This worsens in times of conflict, where checks and balances seldom exist, time is of the essence, and few questions are asked. Crucially, those involved in the trade wield enormous political influence through the phenomenon of the revolving door: the movement of people between positions in government, politics, the military, intelligence agencies and defense companies. The consequences of this are a distortion of policy making - not just in the ascendancy of war-making over diplomacy, but also in foreign and economic policy decisions. A crucial dimension of these arrangements is the link between defence companies, arms dealers and political parties - the trade plays a crucial role in party political funding around the world. This national security elite not only wields enormous power while they are enriching themselves, but also operate in something of a parallel legal universe, as they seldom face the legal consequences of their often illegal actions. Of the 502 violations of UN arms embargoes recorded, two resulted in legal action, one in a conviction! In addition, the trade in weapons suffers remarkable degrees of what is referred to as blowback: the unexpected consequences of any action, which are the opposite of that which the action intended. In the arms trade, blowback results in weapons sold often landing up in the wrong hands or even being turned against the very countries that sold them. The NATO bombings of Libya, during the late period of the Gaddafi regime, were noteworthy for the reality that the targets were often weapons systems sold to Libya by the very countries undertaking the bombings. The ultimate political blowback is probably Afghanistan, where the multi-billion dollar arming of the Mujahideen was key to the creation of the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Which brings us to Iraq and Syria: Arms dealers, such as those I've referred to, are doing a roaring trade, selling to all sides. The world's most powerful nations' failure to clamp down on these dealers (because they use them for covert foreign policy or as intelligence assets) is coming home to roost! But the strategies of the world's most powerful nations in the region is also at fault. As we discovered in Iraq, Intel in the region is difficult and often faulty. So the alliances between governments and the various groups on the ground are in a state of constant flux. This is fertile ground for regular and inevitable blowback. So weapons sold or brought into the region, on whichever side in these complicated conflicts, serve, not to aid peace, but primarily to worsen the severity and fatal consequences of the fighting. If we have learned anything from history it is this! In addition, the objectives of the world's most powerful countries are themselves in a state of constant flux. But arming a few of the key protagonists in the region (which have bought more weapons than any other countries over the past 18 months), is highly unlikely to contribute to peace. The profound irony of the current situation is that the tidal wave of refugees are going predominantly to the countries that are the biggest suppliers of weapons to the conflicts they are fleeing. As we stand here today, the world's largest arms fair is taking place in London where most of the protagonists in these conflicts will be re-stocking their armories. So what can we do? In general terms, as even the illiberal industrialist, Henry Ford, fathomed: "Show me who makes a profit from war and I'll show you how to stop the war." We have numerous national, regional and international regulations, but most are barely applied, because of the economic and political interests that would be effected by their rigorous application. Let us demand zero tolerance enforcement, so that no weapons could be sold to any of the protagonists - both directly and indirectly involved in these two conflicts. Let us ensure that individual arms dealers active in the region are locked up if they sell into these countries, regardless of whose intelligence assets they might be. If there is not the political will to do this, because of the political and economic interests at stake, then let us as citizens of the world say "no more" to the countries involved, starting with the voters and tax payers in each of the world's major weapons makers, whose tax dollars subsidise the arms manufacturers. For, if we don't stop the flow of weapons into these conflicts the slaughter of 100s of thousands will continue unabated and the tragic march of millions fleeing conflict, human rights abuses and extreme instability, will become a permanent drumbeat of desperation and anguish." Alumni Village blocks off a 150-foot stretch of UC Berkeleys Sproul Plaza adjacent to the encampment. Michael Cabanatuan/The Chronicle A pro-Palestinian encampment at UC Berkeley expanded Friday after alumni arrived at Sproul Plaza and set up additional tents. The encampment was established on April 22, and protesters have said they plan to stay until the university divests from companies doing business in Israel and creates a Palestinian studies program for students. Around 5:30 p.m. Friday, a group of protesters began erecting tents inside an Alumni Village, blocking off a 150-foot stretch of Sproul Plaza adjacent to the encampment. The group constructed a wall by chaining together plastic folding tables and attaching them to the campus kiosks, as well as plastic trash cans. In total, there were 12 tents at the village in addition to the tents outside Alumni Village, which a protest spokesperson said numbered 180. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It was not known how many people were expected to occupy the new tents. The pro-Palestinian encampment at UC Berkeley mirrors dozens of similar demonstrations at college campuses nationwide. Michael Cabanatuan/The Chronicle On Friday, UC Berkeley spokesperson Dan Mogulof told the Chronicle the university was aware of the additions to the encampment. We will continue to act in support of our two primary objectives: the prevention of any disruption to university operations, and the safety of the campus community, he said. The demonstration on campus has been mostly peaceful, but tensions briefly rose this week during a brief scuffle between pro-Palestinian protesters and counterprotesters that left three people injured. The encampment mirrors dozens of similar pro-Palestinian demonstrations at college campuses across the U.S. to call for an end to Israels attack on Gaza. Israel declared war on Gaza after Hamas invaded Israel on Oct. 7, killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostages, 100 of whom are still missing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Since then, Israel has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians in Gaza, most of them women and children, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has said. Pro-Palestinian protesters say they intend to remain at Sproul Plaza until UC Berkeley divests from companies doing business in Israel and creates a Palestinian studies program. Yuri Avila/The Chronicle At the encampment Friday, UC Berkeley alumni spoke to the Chronicle about the importance of their presence. This is basically a camp for alumni of all the UCs to show support for the students and the Palestinian people, said Ellen Brotsky, a 1989 UC Berkeley graduate. We have alumni here who participated in the encampments against apartheid and in the Free Speech Movement. A 2020 UC Berkeley graduate, Violette Mansour, told the Chronicle that 10,000 alumni have signed an online petition pledging not to donate to the UC system until the regents divest from businesses that support Israel. The Chronicle could not independently verify that number, but ABC7 reported Thursday that more than 5,000 had signed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad (Photo: Reuters / Fabrizio Bensch)A sculpture showing a pistol following Swedish artist Carl Frederik Reutersvaerd sculpture, "Non-Violence" is pictured in front of the Berlin Chancellery Feb. 26, 2013. The German peace initiative "Aktion Aufschrei - Stoppt den Waffenhandel" (Outcry - Stop the arms trade) protest with the sculpture on a square in front of the Chancellery against German arms trade. The words read: "Our arms kill. Germany is the third largest arms-exporting country in the world." Pope Francis has again denounced the global arms industry, saying it is "terrible to make money from death." "Unfortunately, today the investments that bring the greatest return are arms factories," he said in his weekly general audience on May 1 in the Vatican, according to DPA. Francis used his words to appeal for peace, mentioning the war in Ukraine, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the persecution of the Muslim Rohingya minority in Myanmar by government forces. DPA cited a study by the Stockholm International Peace Research that a record $2.44 trillion was spent on armaments worldwide last year, a 6.8 percent rise from 2022. Russia's war in Ukraine was cited as one of the key reasons for the global increase in defense spending. The United States has the highest military expenditure in the world by far, representing 37 percent of total global spending. The combined arms revenue of the world's largest arms-producing and military services companies (the SIPRI Top 100) was $597 billion in 2022. This represents a 3.5 per cent decrease in their arms revenue from 2021 in real terms. SIPRI said that was 3.5 percent down in their arms revenue from 2021 in real terms. The fall in the total global arms revenue in 2022 was mostly driven by overall decreases in the arms revenue of companies in the United States and Russia. However, despite the year-on-year drop, the total Top 100 arms revenue was still 14 percent higher in 2022 than in 2015the first year for which SIPRI included Chinese companies in its ranking. Large backlogs in orders and surging demand for arms during 2022 and 2023 suggest that the total Top 100 arms revenue may rise significantly in the years ahead SIPRI forecast. Pope Francis had on Christmas Day 2023 also blasted the weapons industry and its "instruments of death" that fuel wars as he made an appeal for peace in the world, and in particular between Israel and the Palestinians, The Associated Press reported. Speaking the from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica to the throngs of people below, Francis said he grieved the "abominable attack" of Hamas against southern Israel on Oct. 7 and called for the release of hostages. And he had begged for an end to Israel's military campaign in Gaza and the "appalling harvest of innocent civilians" as he called for humanitarian aid to reach those in need. A San Francisco woman has been convicted of stealing more than $60,000 worth of merchandise in a series of thefts at the Stonestown Gallerias Target store. Salgu Wissmath/The Chronicle A San Francisco woman has been convicted of felony grand theft for a series of retail thefts at the Stonestown Gallerias Target store. In addition to grand theft, Aziza Graves, 43, was also convicted of 52 misdemeanor counts of petty theft and one count of misdemeanor theft in relation to a theft that occurred at an Abercrombie and Fitch store in the city, according to the San Francisco District Attorneys Office. She now faces more than three years in state prison, the DAs office said, adding that her sentencing is scheduled for May 24. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In court, prosecutors said that Graves entered the Target store on dozens of occasions between Oct. 3, 2020, and Nov. 16, 2021, stealing more than $60,000 in merchandise. The DAs office said she would take items from the shelves, proceed to the self-checkout to scan each item, and then insert a nominal amount, such as a single coin or bill, when paying. She would then exit the store. With the help of the San Francisco Police Department, authorities were able to surveil Graves selling her stolen items at United Nations Plaza to both buyers of stolen property and anyone passing by, according to the DAs office. Graves was eventually arrested at the Stonestown Target in November 2021. Graves is out of custody while she awaits sentencing. In a statement Friday, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins praised the verdict. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rachel Ryan, Stud Collective president and general manager, welcomes guests as they arrive at the Stud bar to celebrate the venues opening night at its new location. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to the Chronicle People arrive at the Stud bar to celebrate its opening night at a new location in San Francisco on April 20. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle Kari Orvik holds her son, Luz, 9 months, as she arrives at the Stud bar with her partner Vero Majano, left, for the blessing ceremony for the venues opening night in San Francisco on April 20. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle Chris Cashion shows his tattoo as he arrives at the Stud bar to celebrate the venue's opening night at a new location in San Francisco on April 20. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle Artists Jamil Hellu, left, Marcel Pardo Ariza, center, and Salimatu Amabebe, arrive at the Stud bar to celebrate the venues opening night at a new location in San Francisco on April 20. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle Andrea Gallardo talks to a bartender at the Stud bar as the venue celebrates its opening night at a new location in San Francisco on April 20. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle Sister Tonkabelle, member of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, right and Major Mccarty arrive at the Stud bar for its opening night at a new location in San Francisco on April 20. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle Carl Linkhart, left, and Scrumbly Koldewyn arrive at the Stud bar to celebrate the venues opening night at a new location in San Francisco on April 20. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle Members of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence offer blessings during the opening ceremony for the Stud bar as the venue celebrates its opening night at a new location in San Francisco on April 20. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle Members of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence offer blessings during the opening ceremony for the Stud bar as the venue celebrates its opening night at a new location in San Francisco on April 20. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle A members of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence poses for a portrait outside the Stud bar as the venue celebrates its opening night at a new location in San Francisco on April 20. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle People arrive at the Stud bar to celebrate its opening night at a new location in San Francisco on April 20. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle Rachel Ryan, Stud Collective President and General Manager, welcomes guests at the Stud bar as the venue celebrates its opening night at a new location in San Francisco on April 20. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle People arrive at the Stud bar to celebrate the venues opening night at a new location in San Francisco on April 20. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle Rachel Ryan, Stud Collective President and General Manager, left, together with Sister Bubble Bathory, member of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, welcome guests at the Stud bar as the venue celebrates its opening night at a new location in San Francisco on April 20. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle City life is often about loss, and trying to be graceful in the face of change. Cherished legacy businesses close, populations leave, buildings come and go, and the character of neighborhoods transforms. We make a bargain when we live in places like San Francisco to accept that some losses are inevitable. I temporarily abandoned that philosophy as I walked into the new home of the Stud at 1123-1125 Folsom St. for its grand reopening last month. In the early days of the pandemic shutdowns in March 2020, the 15-person Stud Collective that owns and operates the citys oldest gay bar made the decision to move out of its home since 1987 at 399 Ninth St. until a new venue could be found. During the collectives four-year hiatus, an important landmark in San Franciscos queer nightlife scene was missing, leaving a hole in the heart of the South of Market neighborhood. But now, after a traditional glitter blessing by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence on April 20, the Stud is back. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As I moved through the throng on the dance floor, I let the sound systems bass vibrate throughout my body and the falsetto siren song of disco queen Sylvester carry me away. My soul sang along: You make me feel mighty real. Knowing Sylvester had performed at the Studs original 1535 Folsom St. spot in the 1970s, I felt like the past and present were blurred in the reflection of the mirror ball. The original Stud was one of the few gay spaces that allowed drag queens, women and queer hippies, and it had been a hangout for the fabulous Cockettes, the drag troupe of which Sylvester was a member. In my years going to the Stud in the 2000s and 2010s, it was still a place where you could go if you were a queerdo who didnt mesh with the more pop vibe of the bars and clubs in the Castro. Members of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence offer blessings during the opening ceremony for the Stud bar. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to the Chronicle Looking around, it could have been the 70s again as patrons dressed in theme with the openings celebration of the six decades through which the Stud had existed. Some came dressed in cowboy Levis and Stetsons to honor the bars original country-western motif; others were full disco glam. Later, 80s new wave revelers would take to the floor as Depeche Mode blasted through the speakers, and then the neopunks, inspired by the heyday of Heklinas legendary Trannyshack drag nights hosted at the Stud in the 90s and early 2000s. Even though its a brand-new space for the 58-year-old Stud, it already felt familiar. Adorned with the old Victorian bar fixtures, the jeweled folk art, Western kitsch and the signs in the bars signature bold font that had been brought from the two previous locations, queer history is all around you when you step into the space. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It made me wonder, can you come home to a place youve never been? I got my answer as I started to see familiar faces in the crowd. There were icons of the bars history, like drag performers Gina LaDivina, Donna Personna and Cockette Scrumbly Koldwyn who all spanned the early decades of the bar, as well as Oaklash co-founder Mama Celeste, and artists Marcel Pardo Ariza and Jamil Hellu, who represent a more recent era. There was a shared feeling that the bar and by extension the community had been victorious over forces that had doomed so many other establishments in recent years. Gina LaDivina, left, and Donna Personna celebrate the reopening of the Stud bar. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to the Chronicle You dont get many second chances when a gay venue closes. The local LGBTQ community knows this lesson all too well, with the closure of queer spaces like lesbian bar the Lexington Club in the Mission in 2015, the Gangway in the Tenderloin (formerly the oldest gay bar in San Francisco) in 2018, and Harveys bar and restaurant in the Castro in 2023, among others. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lets not waste the moment. Raise a glass to the rebirth of San Franciscos oldest gay bar I know a place that just opened that could use the business. Kathiwada Dahi Thikari is a popular dish during summers in homes in Gujarat, and now you can make it too Yoghurt is the main ingredient in this recipe from Kalpesh Kature, Executive Chef Renaissance Ahmedabad Hotel. Yoghurt helps maintain the bodys temperature, and this dish aids digestion and supports cardiac health, explains Chef Kalpesh. It is a favourite in homes in Gujarat during the summer. With the spices and tadka, the dish is a very tasty accompaniment to any meal. Kathiawadi Dahi Thikari Ingredients 4 tsp oil 8 cloves garlic, chopped 1/2 tsp cumin seeds 2 whole dry red chillies 1/2 tsp chopped ginger 1 small onion, chopped 2 green chillies, chopped 1/2 tsp coriander powder A pinch hing 1/4 tsp turmeric powder Salt to taste 1/2 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder tsp garam masala 1 tsp kasuri methi 2 tsp raisins 2 curry leaves 1.5 cups thick yoghurt Coriander leaves, to garnish Method Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed pan, and add the garlic, cumin seeds, red chillies, and ginger. Saute until the mixture is fragrant. Add the onion and green chillies, and cook until the onions turn golden-brown. Add the coriander powder, hing, turmeric, salt, Kashmiri red chilli powder, garam masala , and kasuri methi , mix well and cook until the spices release their aroma. Add the raisins and curry leaves, and mix well Add the yoghurt and stir well to mix into the masala . Garnish with the fresh coriander and serve hot. Recipe and image: Renaissance Ahmedabad Hotel Also Read: Eat With The Season: Chilled Mango Basil Soup Unisex garments are becoming increasingly popular in Vietnamese exports to the Singaporean market. The trend reflects the preferences of consumers in Singapore. Vietnamese apparel exports to Singapore totalled $32.634 million in the first two months of the current season, with unisex garments accounting for $11.243 million, or 34.45 per cent of the total. The share of women's garments was 33.60 per cent, while men's garments made up 31.01 per cent of the total shipment to the island nation. According to Fibre2Fashion's market insight tool TexPro, shipments of women's and men's garments during the first two months of the current year were valued at $10.965 million and $10.121 million, respectively. Vietnamese apparel exports to Singapore are increasingly characterised by the demand for unisex and knitted garments. In the first two months of the current season, unisex garments accounted for 34.45 per cent of Vietnamese apparel exports to Singapore. In 2023, unisex garments represented 35.91 per cent of total apparel exports to Singapore. In 2023, exports of unisex garments totalled $63.839 million out of $179.263 million in total apparel shipments to Singapore, making up 35.91 per cent of the total. The outbound shipment of women's garments amounted to $60.967 million (34.01 per cent), and men's garments totalled $53.566 million (29.88 per cent). The analysis shows that consumers prefer garments that can be worn by all adults in a family. Unisex garments remained the top preference for Singaporean consumers. Another dimension of the analysis shows that knitted garments were also preferred by Singaporean consumers. Knitted garment exports were noted at $20.071 million in January-February 2024, representing 61.50 per cent of Vietnam's total exports to Singapore. Vietnams exports of woven garments were valued at $12.563 million, accounting for 38.50 per cent. According to TexPro, exports of cotton garments amounted to $15.593 million, which was 47.78 per cent of Vietnam's total apparel exports to Singapore. Shipments of man-made garments totalled $9.316 million, while garments made of other materials were valued at $7.683 million during this period. Man-made garments accounted for 28.55 per cent, and others made up 23.54 per cent of the total shipment. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) Footfall across various retail spaces in the UK in April declined notably, as per recent data from BRC-Sensormatic IQ. Overall, footfall decreased by 7.2 per cent year-on-year (YoY), a significant change from the 1.3 per cent decline observed in March. High streets saw a 6.9 per cent drop in footfall compared to the previous year, which is worse than the 1.5 per cent decrease recorded in March. Retail parks followed a similar trend, with footfall falling by 6.2 per cent, a noticeable decline from March's 3.5 per cent decrease, British Retail Consortium (BRC) said in a press release. On the other hand, shopping centres managed to see a 7.2 per cent increase in footfall, although this was still a significant drop from the 0.3 per cent increase seen in March. UK retail footfall fell by 7.2 per cent in April, according to BRC-Sensormatic data. High streets saw a 6.9 per cent drop, while retail parks experienced a 6.2 per cent decline. Despite a 7.2 per cent rise in shopping centre footfall, it was still lower than March's increase. Scotland had the smallest drop, while Northern Ireland saw an 11.1 per cent drop. Across the UK, all nations experienced year-on-year declines in footfall. Scotland had the smallest decline, with a 3.6 per cent drop, while England experienced a 7.4 per cent decrease. Wales had an 8.1 per cent fall, and Northern Ireland suffered the most, with a substantial 11.1 per cent year-on-year decrease. Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: While UK footfall was impacted by poor weather last month, this was artificially exacerbated by the comparison with 2023, when Easter was in April. All locations saw declines on the previous month, and nearly all major cities performed similarly poorly. However, there was good news in Edinburgh, where footfall was positive once again owing to the investment in local shopping locations in the Scottish capital over the past few years. It is now vital that elected councillors, mayors and Police and Crime Commissioners all play their part in designing the right planning, transport and neighbourhood safety policies to create thriving shopping destinations in communities across the country. These actions, locally and nationally, can contribute to boosting footfall and revitalising retail centres. Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, commented: After an early Easter fuelled improved footfall performance in March, there is little doubt lacklustre levels of store visits in April will have come as a blow for many retailers. Whilst a drop in traffic may have been expected due to Easter falling early and the May bank holiday falling late, this will have been of little consolation. An exceptionally wet April also seems to have dampened many shoppers appetite for spending, especially in outlet and outdoor focused retailers. However, with financial pressures starting to ease for some, and indications of growing consumer confidence being reported, we will have to look forward to May to see if that filters through to improved in-store shopping. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD) In the pulsating heart of Bollywood, where dreams are spun into tales of love, loss and redemption, one name has been quietly but steadily etching its mark into the annals of Indian cinema - Raj Shekhar. With an illustrious career spanning over a decade, Shekhars lyrical prowess has not only captivated listeners but has also earned him a certain respect among the music composers. From humble beginnings to becoming the wordsmith behind some memorable melodies, Shekhars journey is as inspiring as the meaningful songs he pens. Raised in a family of farmers, Shekhars upbringing instilled in him a deep connection with his roots, a theme that often finds resonance in his lyrics. Its the experiences of my childhood, the sights, the sounds and the smells of the countryside that often inspire my lyrics, Shekhar reminisces, his voice tinged with nostalgia. Growing up amidst the lush green fields of Madhepur, I learned to appreciate the beauty of simplicity and the richness of emotions that define the human experience. In the bustling corridors of Bollywood, where commercial considerations often dictate artistic choices, Shekhar remains steadfast in his pursuit of authenticity. Hes a Hindi literature student who sometimes finds himself at crossroads when it comes to composing lyrics for Hindi films, as most filmmakers these days want to cater to the lowest common denomination. Agyeya, Pant, Nirala, Renu are my idols. But in Mumbai, who has the bent of mind to talk about literature, he laments. People ask you to listen to a popular song and tell you to replicate it. This state of affairs is disheartening indeed. Its not easy to find filmmakers who know the value of good poetry and to his delight and surprise, he found such a soul in Sandeep Reddy Vanga. He has written songs like Papa meri jaan, Pehle bhi main and Marham for Vangas Animal. It was a dream come true for him to compose a song for Ranbir Kapoor. He narrates, One evening, I received a call from composer Vishal Mishra. He asked me to come to his studio and said that he wanted to introduce someone. I met Sandeep sir. He briefed me about the situation. When I asked him who the lead actor of the film was, he named Ranbir Kapoor. Vishal was looking at me with a big smile on his face. I too was smiling from ear to ear. The lyricist thought he was hired for just one song and was surprised when Vanga called him up again for a meeting. Sandeep sir wanted a song about father-son relationship. He said it would be like a theme song for the film and would be used five-six times. He asked me to come up with a catchy hook line for it and I came up with Papa meri jaan. His joy was doubled when he came to know that it was Ranbirs favourite song from the film as it made him relate with his own father, Rishi Kapoor. We have had songs aplenty about mothers and this was perhaps the first song about a childs love for his father. Sons, particularly, think of their father as a superhero and indulge in hero worship. I drew on all those experiences while writing the song. It was during his formative years in Delhi that Shekhars passion for poetry and storytelling began to blossom. As a college student, he found himself playing the role of a love guru, crafting heartfelt verses for classmates seeking to express their affection through handwritten notes. Little did he know that these early experiences would lay the foundation for a career that would see him penning verses for Bollywoods films. Drawing inspiration from his own experiences and observations, Shekhar infuses authenticity and depth into his words, breathing life into characters and narratives. Take Rangrez from Tanu Weds Manu for example. Its a song which celebrates realisation of love. Your world takes on a different hue when it hits you that youre indeed in love. Ive seen it happen around me and that helped me write the lyrics when I was briefed on the situation by Aanandji (director Aanand L Rai). While the relationship between him and Rai remains cordial, they havent done much work after Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015). Shekhar says he has nothing but respect for his mentor. Aanandji is like family to me. Id be there any time he calls me. It neednt be for a song. It can be for anything. Our association goes deeper than mere collaboration. Shekhars lyrics resonate with audiences on a visceral level, evoking emotions that transcend language and culture. Every song is a story waiting to be told, he explains. Whether its capturing the euphoria of newfound love or the anguish of heartbreak, my goal as a lyricist is to evoke emotions that resonate with audiences on a visceral level. He believes that a lyricists primary duty is to stay true to the essence of the characters and the emotions of the narrative, even if it means challenging societal norms or perceptions. In a world where emotions are often conveyed through music and lyrics, my aim is to create a connection with listeners that goes beyond words, Shekhar muses, his expression thoughtful. Its about capturing the essence of the human experience and offering a window into the depths of the heart. At the heart of every memorable Bollywood song lies a seamless collaboration between lyricist and music director. For Shekhar, this collaborative process is akin to a symphony, where each note and each word harmonise to create a masterpiece. Collaboration is key to creating magic in music, he asserts. My aim is to create melodies that not only entertain but also resonate with audiences on a deeper level. He got the opportunity to write a Hindi song, Chalte raho for a Malayalam film Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum, featuring Fahadh Faasil, who is also one of his favourite actors. It was surreal talking with one of the best actors we have today. Fahadh Faasil is a superstar and yet is so down to earth. Hes a Guru Dutt fan and had so many anecdotes to share. We talked at length about Guru Dutt films while travelling together around Mumbai taking local transport. Hes unlike any other star Ive met. He says Fahadh reminded him of Irrfan Khan. Shekhar had penned two songs, Khatam kahani and Jaane de for Irrfan starrer Qarib Qarib Singlle. Fahadh has the same intensity as Irrfan had. In real life, he is like any other person, lost in his own world. But on screen, he exploded. One has eyes only for him. Shekhar adds that Irrfans passing away felt personal. I didnt know Irrfan at all. We must have met just one-two times. But his sudden death felt like a personal loss. Jaise ki koi apna kho gaya ho, he observes. Hes a politically-conscious lyricist, whose song Bihar me bahar ho, Nitesh Kumar ho, written by him and composed by Sneha Khanvilkar, became a popular slogan. But that hasnt stopped him from being critical of the Bihar CM either. Right to dissent is one of the fundamental bases of a true democracy, he asserts. Every citizen has a right to speak out and they should continue to do so and not indulge in hero worship. Ask him what his decade-long journey has taught him, and he says one needs to be patient here to succeed. He was actually learning direction when chance made him a lyricist. He still dreams of being a director and is working on a script. Says she, Perhaps now, thanks to the success of Animal, people will be more open to my ideas and more doors will open for me. His parents have been egging him on to marry and he says he might give marriage a thought soon. You cant just bring someone into your life just like that. Financial stability is important as well and thats only possible with commercial success. As Shekhars journey in Bollywood continues to unfold, the road ahead is paved with endless possibilities and untold stories waiting to be told. From upcoming projects like the third season of Mismatched to neo-noir film Phir Aayi Haseen Dilruba, Shekhars creative energy shows no signs of slowing down. I see each new project as an opportunity to push the boundaries of my craft and explore new horizons, the lyricist declares, his gaze fixed on the future. Whether its delving into new themes or experimenting with different styles, Im committed to evolving as a poet and continuing to tell stories that resonate with audiences. Kunstliche Intelligenz hat spatestens nach dem Raketenstart von Chat GPT das Leben aller verandert. Doch der Superzyklus steht nach Meinungen von Experten erst am Anfang. Wahrend Aktien wie Nvidia von der ersten Aufwartsentwicklung stark profitieren konnten, versprechen aussichtsreiche Player aus der zweiten Reihe noch enormes Aufwartspotenzial. Im kostenlosen, exklusiven Spezialreport prasentieren wir ihnen 5 innovative KI-Unternehmen, die bahnbrechende Entwicklungen in diesem Sektor pragen konnten. Warum sollten Sie dabei sein? Trotz der jungsten Erfolge steht die Entwicklung der kunstlichen Intelligenz noch am Beginn eines neuen Superzyklus. Experten gehen davon aus, dass der Sektor bis 2032 global auf 1,3 Billionen US-Dollar explodieren wird, wobei ein groer Teil auf Hardware und Infrastruktur entfallen wird. Nutzen Sie die Chance! Fordern Sie sofort unseren brandneuen Spezialreport an und erfahren Sie, welche 5 KI-Aktien das grote Potenzial zur Vervielfachung besitzen. Dieser Report ist komplett kostenlos und zeigt Ihnen die aussichtsreichsten Investments im KI-Sektor. Handeln Sie jetzt und sichern Sie sich Ihren kostenfreien Report! Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 3, 2024) - Tisdale Clean Energy Corp. (CSE: TCEC) is pleased to announce that the company is presenting a live virtual corporate update hosted by Red Cloud Financial Services on May 6th, 2024 at 2pm 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/events/rcwebinar-tcec/. Learn about an undervalued microcap explorer developing a near-surface uranium deposit within a larger, highly prospective exploration opportunity in the Athabasca Basin. Commodities to be covered: Uranium About Tisdale Clean Energy Corp. Tisdale Clean Energy is a uranium exploration and development company developing the Fraser Lakes B Uranium Deposit within the larger South Falcon East project, Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan. 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: Tisdale Clean Energy Corp. Alex Klenman, CEO 6049704330 aklenman@tisdalecleanenergy.com 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 SOURCE: Red Cloud Financial Services New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - May 4, 2024) - In a significant achievement for young entrepreneurs and the luxury apparel industry, Pink Palm Puff, under the leadership of Lily Balaisis, has been honored with a 2024 Global Recognition Award. This prestigious recognition underscores the company's remarkable success and innovative approach in engaging the Gen Z demographic, showcasing its unique product offerings and exceptional market strategy. About Pink Palm Puff Launched in September of 2023 by 16-year-old entrepreneur Lily Balaisis, Pink Palm Puff quickly established itself in the luxury apparel market. The company's focus on high-quality, oversized hoodies led to thousands of units sold of its flagship product, the 'Everything Comes in Waves' hoodie. The product has resonated deeply with its target audience in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Pink Palm Puff's ability to foster a highly engaged and passionate customer base is a key differentiator. With over 360,000 followers on TikTok, Instagram and Youtube, the brand's connection with its audience is unparalleled. This engagement highlights the innovative and youthful approach to marketing and demand creation that Pink Palm Puff represents. Innovation and Milestones Reflecting on the company's ethos, Lily Balaisis said, "Being a member of Gen Z, I understand the wants and needs of my generation. As a consumer, I identify the kinds of products my friends and I admire, and aim to refine the products. " This innovative spirit has driven significant sales and redefined youth entrepreneurship in the luxury apparel sector. The company's focus on quality, customer satisfaction, combined with a unique market approach has paved the way for its success, and established a new model for engaging consumers. Pink Palm Puff's achievements serve as a benchmark for the industry, and the growing importance of genuine connections between brands and their customers. Recognition and Future Outlook The Global Recognition Awards, celebrated for acknowledging groundbreaking achievements across industries, spotlighted Pink Palm Puff's outstanding performance in the 2024 ceremony. Alex Sterling from the Global Recognition Awards noted, "Pink Palm Puff exemplifies the innovative spirit and dynamic approach that defines modern entrepreneurship. Their engagement with the Gen Z audience sets a new standard for the luxury apparel market." With an eye toward the future, Pink Palm Puff is set on continuing its impressive growth and expanding its market reach. The company has already launched a second line of hoodies, "To Live For The Hope Of It All," and a sweatpant line. The brand will be releasing a swimwear line in the summer of 2024. PPP Swim will be a new division under Pink Palm Puff diversifying its product offerings and enhancing its engagement strategies. This will further solidify its position as a leader in luxury apparel. Pink Palm Puff's story is a powerful testament to the impact of visionary leadership and the significance of connecting authentically with one's audience. About Global Recognition AwardsTM: Global Recognition AwardsTM is an international organization that recognizes exceptional companies and individuals who have significantly contributed to their industry. Their awards are highly regarded and sought after by businesses across the globe. Contact Details: Alexander Sterling Global Recognition Awards Email: contact@globalrecognitionawards.org Website: https://globalrecognitionawards.org/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/206801 SOURCE: Baden Bower DOHA, Qatar, May 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, is proud to announce the signing of renowned actor Ahmed Helmy as its new brand ambassador. The announcement comes in line with the Group's vision and the values of innovation and excellence reflected by its brand. Ahmed Helmy, one of the most influential artists of his generation in the region and humanitarian and artistic commitment, making him the ideal ambassador to consolidate brand values and contribute to the Group's efforts to build a better future for all. In his new role, Ahmed will strengthen the Bank's image as a leading financial institution committed to providing the best customer experience, attracting a new customer base, supporting the Group's vision and brand and building customer relationships. Commenting on the announcement, Ms. Heba Ali Al Tamimi, Senior Executive Vice President, QNB Group Communications, said: "We are delighted to welcome Ahmed Helmy as our brand ambassador. His exceptional career makes him the right personality to represent our brand. We hope that this collaboration will support QNB Group's commitment to providing the best innovative solutions and services, reinforcing our position as a leading financial institution, while making a lasting impact in the communities in which we operate and strengthening the QNB's position as a trusted financial partner in the region." This partnership reflects the shared values of Ahmed Helmy with QNB, a banking icon committed to the highest standards of innovation, excellence and success. QNB Group currently ranks as the most valuable bank brand in the Middle East and Africa. Through its subsidiaries and associate companies, the Group's presence spans more than 28 countries across three continents providing a comprehensive range of advanced products and services. The total number of employees is 30,000, operating from approximately 900 locations, with an ATM network of 5000 machines. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2404804/QNB_Group.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1917328/4687801/QNB_Group_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/qnb-group-appoints-prominent-actor-ahmed-helmy-as-brand-ambassador-302136122.html COURMAYEUR, Italy, May 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Grand Alpine Journey of the Coppa delle Alpi by 1000 Miglia 2024.has finished. At the end of this Grand Tour of 1600 kilometres along the Alpine ridge, which touched all 7 countries of the macro-region, along which the 30 competing crews challenged each other in 90 Time Trials and 18 Average Trials, it was time to wrap things up. The morning opened at 9.30 a.m. with the prize-giving ceremony: the winners were Stefano Ginesi and Susanna Rohr in a 1934 Fiat 508 S Balilla; second place went to the Belgian crew Decremer-Mertens in their 1951 Aston Martin Db2 and third were Carrara and Consoli in a 1953 Jaguar XK 120 Ots. This was followed by the Final Conference, which gave a sense of the thematic itinerary of the talk legs, during which a team of experts chosen by 1000 Miglia, who travelled in 8 historic cars following the convoy, met with institutions and representatives of local best practices.Alberto Piantoni, CEO of 1000 Miglia Srl, presented the project as follows: "Bringing classic cars to the Alps to talk about sustainability seemed crazy at first glance. But the boldness of the 1000 Miglia today is no longer about speed, it is boldness of thought: with this project we wanted to create a network between the Alpine communities, which have a reserve of important values that we wanted to narrate with the help of these cars, masterpieces of technique and design. The towns responded enthusiastically and even opened the doors of their pedestrian centres to us". Two macro-areas were discussed in depth by the numerous guests on stage: "Traces of place consciousness and good practices in the Alpine platform" followed by "Scenarios and the great challenges of the Alpine platform". This edition of the Coppa delle Alpi will remain a one-off and in 2025 the race will again be held in winter. The Think Tank part will take an independent route, mindful of what this journey has left behind. Landscapes, voices, values, the consciousness of an urgent change enclosed in an image that has remained imprinted in the eyes of the participants: that of the mer de glace from the Refuge Montenvers or, better, what remains of it. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2404809/Coppa_delle_Alpi.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2404808/4687807/Coppa_delle_Alpi_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-final-convention-in-courmayeur-closed-the-coppa-delle-alpi-2024-302136127.html KOSEC - Kodari Securities has announced the launch of Buffett 2.0, a revolutionary valuation model poised to reshape investment analysis and the equities markets. Inspired by the legendary Warren Buffet's renowned investment philosophy, Buffett 2.0 represents the culmination of nearly a decade of meticulous development and rigorous testing. Spearheaded by KOSEC's Founder, Michael Kodari , the model aims to elevate valuation methodologies to unprecedented levels of precision and insight. At its core, Buffett 2.0 integrates an array of diverse financial metrics, departing from conventional models to offer investors a more comprehensive understanding of a company's intrinsic value. This holistic approach, combined with advanced mathematical algorithms and cutting-edge data analytics, positions Buffett 2.0 as a powerful tool for navigating today's dynamic market landscape. Michael Kodari, CEO of KOSEC, emphasized the model's innovative features, stating, "What sets Buffett 2.0 apart is its holistic approach to valuation. We have combined advanced mathematical algorithms with cutting-edge data analytics to create a model that not only identifies hidden gems but also provides investors with a deeper understanding of the intrinsic value of companies." Developed in collaboration with a team of esteemed mathematicians and data scientists affiliated with the Fields Institute of Mathematics in Canada, Buffett 2.0 offers investors a strategic advantage in identifying investment opportunities and managing risk. The Fields Institute, internationally recognized for its mathematical prowess, bears the name of John Charles Fields, the visionary behind the prestigious Fields Medal, often hailed as akin to the Nobel Prize in Mathematics. This institute has been a crucible for pioneering research in mathematical sciences, shaping its global reputation for excellence. As KOSEC continues to push the boundaries of financial analysis and innovation, Buffett 2.0 stands as a testament to the company's commitment to excellence and its relentless pursuit of delivering exceptional value to clients. In addition to this milestone, KOSEC has recently announced its national expansion across Australia acquiring top advisers, following successful ventures in the United States. Leveraging its success from unparalleled product and service offerings, KOSEC aims to redefine the investment landscape. At the forefront of this expansion is also the introduction of other cutting-edge financial technology products, including the groundbreaking Phantom X. This state-of-the-art software equips KOSEC clients with a distinct competitive edge by seamlessly integrating comprehensive resources. "KOSEC is committed to empowering investors with the tools they need to succeed in today's dynamic market," said Michael Kodari . "With the launch of Phantom X and our other innovative products, we are transforming the way investors approach their portfolios." Phantom X offers a wealth of opportunities, providing access to decision-driving data, macroeconomic insights, sector analysis, insider trading intel, fundamental analysis, and the force of Artificial Intelligence. Crafted by industry professionals, this remarkable software was initially designed for internal use but is now available to KOSEC clients, offering unparalleled access to a wealth of knowledge. About KOSEC - Kodari Securities: KOSEC stands out as a leading hub for investors seeking expert guidance in navigating the complexities of wealth management while safeguarding their financial assets. By equipping clients with indispensable insights and an extensive range of resources, KOSEC empowers them to make well-informed and strategic investment decisions. Collaborating with a diverse clientele including individuals, family offices, trusts, SMSFs, corporations, and charitable organizations, KOSEC ensures swift access to top-tier resources and invaluable insights. With an unwavering dedication to excellence, KOSEC fosters genuine connections among clients and its exceptional team, all driven by a unified mission: to arm investors with unmatched knowledge, state-of-the-art tools, and abundant resources that pave the way for groundbreaking investment opportunities. About Michael Kodari: Renowned globally as a distinguished investor, philanthropist, and expert in financial markets, Michael Kodari has consistently demonstrated outstanding performance, setting him apart on the international stage. Praised by CNBC Asia as 'the brightest 21st-century entrepreneur in wealth management,' Kodari's illustrious career has been characterized by collaboration with industry leaders and consultations with prestigious financial institutions. With an unprecedented foundation in funds management and stockbroking, Kodari's journey began with notable achievements. He made history as the youngest expert panelist on the Sky Business Channel at just 25 years old, captivating audiences and achieving record-high ratings. Over three transformative years, Kodari solidified his reputation as a formidable presence in the financial sector. Kodari's influence transcends traditional media, extending to diverse platforms and spearheading enlightening global conferences. His involvement in significant events, such as 'Inside China's Future,' underscores his expertise in fund management. Notably, he shared the stage with eminent figures like George Soros as the sole financiers invited to offer insights on Chinese government asset allocation offshore, a testament to his extraordinary expertise. In 2019, Kodari's reputation reached new heights as he served as an esteemed expert panelist at Parliament House, contributing significantly to discussions on the dynamic landscape of innovation and entrepreneurship between Australia and China. His role as a trusted authority in investment and collaboration on an international scale further solidified through his profound insights and expertise. Media Contact Organization: KOSEC - Kodari Securities Pty Ltd Contact Person: Keely Murphy Website: https://www.kosec.com.au Email: info@kosec.com.au Contact Number: +61299553151 City: Sydney State: NSW Country: Australia SOURCE: KOSEC - Kodari Securities Pty Ltd View the original press release on accesswire.com Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Heeramandi, which arrived on Netflix on 1st May, has turned out to be a global blockbuster. The web series is garnering love from all across the world including Pakistan. SLB shared about Heeramandi being set in Lahore and how the show brings us all together. There was so much love that I received from Pakistan, people waiting for it anxiously, waiting for this to be told, he said while talking to IndieWire. Advertisement The first ever series from Sanjay Leela Bhansali, set in a dazzling world- Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, coming soon only on Netflix! We cant wait to share his glorious vision with everyone!! #Heeramandi #HeeramandiOnNetflix pic.twitter.com/H6ZZ29BDvq Aditi Rao Hydari (@aditiraohydari) February 1, 2024 Its a piece that somehow brings us all together, when all India was one, it was undivided. These people belong to us as much as they belong to them. I think they belong to both of us and both countries are showing a lot of love for finally the show being made. I still feel were all one, I still feel that were all connected in so many ways. Theres a lot of love for people on both sides, leave aside a few people would want to create issues but those are not relevant, SLB added. The filmmaker also revealed that he didnt receive any pushback while making Heeramandi . There are things in the characters that connect to people in my work. That is why they talk about it. A lot of people like it, a lot of people dont like it. Its a part of a give-and-take with an audience and filmmaker. I dont mind being loved when they give me love, and I dont mind quite being criticised when they dont connect to my work. Heeramandi stars Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal and others in key roles. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) handling the alleged sexual assault charges against absconding JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna has urged the CBI to issue a Blue Corner Notice against him. This notice is issued by Interpol. How does it function? read more JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna fled to Germany using a diplomatic passport following allegations of sexual abuse. X/iPrajwalRevanna The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the alleged sexual assault charges against Janata Dal (Secular) party MP Prajwal Revanna has informed Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is likely to issue a Blue Corner notice against him. Revanna fled to Germany on a diplomatic passport after the accusations surfaced. Prajwal is the grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda. Prajwal and his father, Holenarasipura MLA H.D. Revanna, have been implicated in a sex scandal reportedly involving multiple women. Advertisement What are Blue Corner notices? According to the Interpol website, Blue Corner notices deal with gathering information about an individual in relation to a criminal investigation. They are international requests for cooperation or alerts allowing police in member countries to share critical crime-related information. The CBI refers to it as B Series (Blue) Notices. The B series notices are also called enquiry notices and may be issued in order to have someones identity verified; to obtain particulars of a persons criminal record; to locate someone who is missing or is an identified or unidentified international criminal or is wanted for a violation of ordinary criminal law and whose extradition may be requested, its website states. For example, in January 2020, Interpol issued a Blue Corner notice to aid in the search for the fugitive self-proclaimed godman Nithyananda. This action came after the Gujarat Police requested the agencys assistance. What are INTERPOL notices? INTERPOL Notices serve as international requests for cooperation or alerts, facilitating the sharing of vital crime-related information among police agencies in member countries. These notices are issued by the General Secretariat upon the request of a member countrys INTERPOL National Central Bureau and are accessible to all member countries through our Notices database. Most Notices are for police use only and are not available to the public. Interpol website Additionally, notices can be issued at the behest of International Criminal Tribunals and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to locate individuals wanted for crimes falling within their jurisdiction, such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. They may also be requested by the United Nations for the enforcement of sanctions imposed by the Security Council. Advertisement While most Notices are strictly for police use and remain confidential, an excerpt may be published on our website if the requesting country intends to alert the public or solicit their assistance. All United Nations Special Notices are made public, says INTERPOLs website. What types of colour-coded INTERPOL notices are there? Red Notice: To seek the location and arrest of persons wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence. Yellow Notice: To help locate missing persons, often minors, or to help identify persons who are unable to identify themselves. Blue Notice: To collect additional information about a persons identity, location or activities in relation to a criminal investigation. Black Notice: To seek information on unidentified bodies. Green Notice: To provide warning about a persons criminal activities, where the person is considered to be a possible threat to public safety. Orange Notice: To warn of an event, a person, an object or a process representing a serious and imminent threat to public safety. Purple Notice: To seek or provide information on modus operandi, objects, devices and concealment methods used by criminals. INTERPOLUnited Nations Security Council Special Notice: Issued for entities and individuals who are the targets of UN Security Council Sanctions Committees. What is the difference between a red notice & a blue notice? The main difference between a Blue Corner notice and a Red Corner notice lies in their purpose and timing. A Red Corner notice is issued by a member state to apprehend a wanted criminal for extradition or similar legal action. These notices are typically issued after criminal convictions or when arrest warrants or court decisions have been issued. On the other hand, a Blue Corner notice is issued prior to the filing of criminal charges, often to locate individuals or gather information about them. A Notice is published only if it complies with INTERPOLs Constitution. Interpol Website When a Red Corner notice is issued, the individual can be detained and arrested while traveling through a member state, and there may be additional consequences such as the freezing of bank accounts. Advertisement However, Interpol cannot compel law enforcement agencies in any country to arrest the subject of a Red Corner notice, as the decision to do so is discretionary. Member countries may also request cooperation from each other through another mechanism known as a diffusion. Interpol website For example, in 2018, Red Corner notices were issued against fugitive billionaires Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi in connection with the Punjab National Bank scam, reported The Hindu. However, in October 2022, Interpol declined a second request by India to issue a Red Corner notice against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, whom the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs had listed as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA). Interpol stated that India had not provided sufficient information to support its case and that Pannuns activities had a clear political dimension, which does not fall within the scope of a Red Corner notice according to Interpols regulations. Advertisement Can nations misuse Interpols notice system? While Interpols Constitution prohibits any activities of a political nature, critics argue that the organisation has failed to effectively enforce this rule. Russia has particularly drawn scrutiny for repeatedly issuing notices and diffusions for the arrest of Kremlin opponents. Human rights activist Bill Browder, known for exposing corruption in Russian state-owned companies, has faced multiple red notice requests allegedly orchestrated by Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Freedom House, Russia is responsible for 38% of all public red notices. Also Read: What is a diplomatic passport that JD(S) MP Revanna used to flee from India? Other countries, including China, Iran, Turkey, and Tunisia, have also been accused by international human rights groups of abusing Interpols notice system for authoritarian purposes. Advertisement In response to mounting criticism, Interpol has implemented stricter oversight of its red notice system. However, vulnerabilities persist, particularly concerning the issuance of blue notices, which experts argue are less likely to undergo thorough review before publication. Data from the agency indicates that the number of blue notices has approximately doubled over the past decade. Countries like Turkey contend that exercising restraint in issuing notices impedes police cooperation and assert that Western nations should not interfere in their internal affairs, reported The Hindu. In 2021, Turkey publicly criticised Interpol for refusing to publish 773 red notices against followers of Fethullah Gulen, an exiled religious leader accused of plotting a coup attempt against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2016. Rape allegations against Revanna father-son duo H.D. Revanna is currently facing two FIRs. The Holenarasipura town police registered a case on 28 April after pen drives containing 2,967 files went viral in the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency. A 47-year-old woman lodged a police complaint alleging sexual abuse by Prajwal and his father. The second FIR was lodged against H.D. Revanna and his associate Sathish Babanna in Mysuru on Thursday (2 May, 2024) night, accusing them of kidnapping a woman who is reportedly another victim of sexual abuse. Also Read: How HD Deve Gowdas grandson Prajwal, son Revanna are embroiled in a sex scandal in Karnataka Additionally, the CID in Bengaluru filed another FIR against Prajwal on Wednesday. This action was initiated based on a complaint from a JD(S) party member, who claimed to have been raped by the MP at gunpoint. Prajwal, who has been suspended from JD(S), reportedly left the country on 27 April, the day following the second phase of Lok Sabha polls on 26 April. His advocate had requested a seven-day delay for him to appear before the SIT. However, the investigative team responded that such a provision does not exist. With inputs from agencies Rohith Vemulas suicide in 2016 ignited a nationwide debate on caste discrimination in Indian universities. It turned him into a symbol of Dalit resistance. Now, a controversial report has challenged his Dalit identity. We give you the context around this development read more Rohith Vemula had become a symbol of Dalit resistance in the aftermath of his death. File image In January 2016, the death of Rohith Vemula, a young research scholar at Hyderabad Central University, had caused a national uproar. It had sparked an important conversation about systemic discrimination that Dalits face in educational institutions in India. Now, Vemula, specifically his caste status, is back in the headlines. We explain why Vemulas name is back in the news, and why his death in 2016 had caused a furore in India. We also shed light on the important political context surrounding the deceased student. Advertisement Rohit Vemula, back in the headlines A closure report has thrust Vemula back into the national conversation. This report, filed by the Telangana Police, claims that Vemula was not a member of the Scheduled Caste (SC) community as he had purported to be. Instead, it alleges that the SC certificate used by Vemula was falsified by his mother. The closure report has not cited any evidence for this claim. The report instead alleges that Vemulas suicide was prompted by him not performing well academically due to his involvement in protests and activities of the Ambedkar Students Association, which advocates for the rights of Dalits. It further claims that Vemula was stressed about his mother arranging a fake caste certificate for him. The claim is that Vemula feared his true caste would be revealed, which could lead to the loss of his academic achievements. The family, particularly Vemulas brother, has criticised the police for focusing more on Vemulas caste rather than investigating the alleged harassment and institutional discrimination he faced. Who Was Rohith Vemula? Rohith Vemula was a 26-year-old doctoral student whose life and death have become emblematic of the systemic issues faced by Dalit students in Indias educational institutions. His suicide note, lamenting his birth as a fatal accident due to his caste, resonated deeply, turning Vemula into a symbol of Dalit resistance and mobilisation. Before his death, Vemula was expelled from his hostel room. He was accused of being involved in an altercation with some members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) student arm, Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP). It was alleged that Member of Parliament Bandaru Datttareya had put pressure on Vice Chancellor of Hyderabad University, C Appa Rao, to punish Vemula after this incident. Union minister Smriti Irani was also said to have followed up on this matter. Advertisement Days before his suicide, Vemula had written a letter to the V-C alleging that he was facing harassment, false cases and complaints. The aftermath of his death saw widespread protests, not only on university campuses but also in political corridors from Hyderabad to New Delhi. These protests compelled the government to address allegations of caste-based discrimination within higher education. Previous opposition to such claims about Vemulas caste In October 2016, months after he had committed suicide, Vemulas caste identity had come into question. Back then, a one-man judicial commission of A K Roopanwal had suggested that Vemula did not belong to the SC community. Advertisement Rohith Vemulas caste had come in question before, too. Image courtesy: Facebook This was promptly countered by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Chairman P L Punia. He had said that the report of the commission was fake and fictitious, adding that The final authority on caste is District Collector, and the Collector with conclusive evidences has given us report that he is a Scheduled Caste (person) and does not belong backward class. Punia also pointed out how an inquiry set up for determining the cause of death of Vemula, had instead chosen to question whether he was a Dalit or not. Back then, the allegations against this commission were that its focus seemed to not be on getting justice for him, but to instead weaken with the image of systemic discrimination against Dalits. Advertisement The political context Vemulas death was also heavily politicised. The opposition Congress party accused the BJP of failing to initiate action against its leaders, including Union Minister Irani. The saffron party fluctuated between accusing the Congress of politicising the death of a brave student and questioning Vemulas Dalit identity. The closure report, too, absolves several key political figures previously implicated in exacerbating the circumstances leading to Vemulas suicide. It is interesting to note that the report comes just 10 days before voting in Telangana for the Lok Sabha polls on May 13. The report has been met with skepticism and dismay. This latest development has reopened wounds and prompted calls for further investigation.The allegations have stirred significant disappointment and anger among his family and supporters. Advertisement Telangana is a Congress-ruled state. The party came to power in December last year. It had promised justice for Vemula. Now, the party is pushing for re-investigation in this case. Rohith Vemulas tragic end is not just a story of a young man lost too soon but a continuing dialogue on caste, identity, and institutional accountability in India. As new reports emerge and old wounds are reopened, the debate around his life and death remains as pertinent as ever. Volunteers Anna Eng and Graham Huey scan files at Cameron House in San Franciscos Chinatown on April 26 as part of an effort to preserve historical documents at Chinese American organizations. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle Documents from Cameron House will be donated to UC Berkeleys Bancroft Library after being digitized. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle A familiar line on TV cop shows after police arrest someone is, Read him his rights. You probably know that the cops are talking about Miranda rights, which include the right to remain silent, because anything they say can be used against them in court, and the right to have an attorney present during questioning. What you may not know is that the Supreme Courts 1966 Miranda decision cited a 1924 federal court ruling that found a Chinese American mans murder confession was inadmissible because it was coerced after days of harsh interrogation by Washington, D.C., police. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The right to remain silent is just one of several civil and constitutional protections stemming from lawsuits filed by Chinese Americans. Preserving the forgotten or little-known role of Chinese Americans in U.S. history is the goal of a volunteer project to scan and digitize the archives of Chinese business, civic and community organizations on the West Coast led by David Lei, a longtime San Francisco Chinatown activist, and Anna Eng, a historian and lecturer UC Berkeley. This effort to learn from history is the antithesis of conservative movements to restrict or sanitize what schools teach about racism and discrimination because it will make students hate their country or make white people feel guilty. The documents being archived such as ledgers, legal files, letters between family members and meeting minutes offer a look at the lives of Chinese Americans in the 19th and early 20th centuries not found in many history books, according to Lei. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I think the narrative is all wrong about the Chinese, and thats why I pushed to have these things scanned, because it gives the other side, Lei told me. Many people may know that fortune seekers, including many from China, flooded into California after the 1849 discovery of gold, looking for quick riches they could take home. But that view of Chinese immigrants is mostly wrong, Lei said. By the late 1840s, a Chinese American community had already been established in San Francisco, and many were here to stay. They faced racism and violence but werent helpless immigrants. They fought back in the only way they could through the courts, filing thousands of lawsuits challenging what they believed was unfair. That was really their only way to defend themselves, legitimately, without getting killed, John Park, an Asian American studies professor and legal historian at UC Santa Barbara, told me. Perhaps the best known of these lawsuits is an 1898 Supreme Court ruling in favor of San Francisco native Wong Kim Ark, who was denied reentry to the U.S. under the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which barred most Chinese immigration and banned immigrants from becoming citizens. The ruling clarified that birthright citizenship applies to Chinese Americans and anyone else born in the U.S. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In Yick Wo v. Hopkins, the Supreme Court said in 1886 that San Francisco discriminated against Chinese-owned laundries in how it enforced a permitting ordinance. The court interpreted the 14th Amendment right to equal protection under the law to include noncitizens for the first time. In Tape v. Hurley, the California Supreme Court ruled in 1885 that all children in the state had the right to public education, though schools remained segregated. The suit was filed by a San Francisco Chinese American couple after their daughter was denied enrollment into a city school. In Lau v. Nichols, the Supreme Court ruled that not offering bilingual education to all non-native English-speaking students violated their civil rights after a suit led by a Chinese American family against the San Francisco school district. The 1974 ruling led to improvements in education for non-English speaking students. Amy Lai Huey prepares a 1920 English-Chinese Bible for scanning at Cameron House in San Franciscos Chinatown. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle The impact of litigation by Chinese Americans in these and other cases isnt typically taught in U.S. history courses, according to University of New Hampshire history professor Lucy Salyer, author of Laws Harsh as Tigers: Chinese Immigrants and the Shaping of Modern Immigration Law. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Whenever I teach my history of law class, and we have a segment where we're talking about the contributions of Chinese American litigation to constitutional law the students are always surprised, Salyer told me. I think it's safe to say they dont normally encounter it. One reason for this is that much of what was written in U.S. history textbooks often ignored what Chinese Americans and other groups experienced. However, in the past 30 years, historians have reexamined these neglected groups. While researching the 14th Amendment, legal historian Charles McClain noticed the thousands of lawsuits filed by Chinese Americans challenging laws, and he became one of the first researchers to comprehensively study their litigiousness. Its a part of American legal history that ought to be better known, McClain, a retired administrator and lecturer at the UC Berkeley School of Law, told me. Chinese Americans are actors in the drama of the legal and constitutional history of the United States. The archiving project will enable more of these stories to be told. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Volunteers have digitized documents in San Francisco at Cameron House, which originally rescued immigrant women from sex slavery, the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, which assisted early immigrants and backed many lawsuits, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Ghee Kung Tong, a fraternal organization. The group has also scanned documents at Bo Kai Temple in Marysville (Yuba County), the Chinese Temple in Oroville (Butte County) and the Chinese collection at the Kern County Museum in Bakersfield. Documents being scanned include photos of program participants and a register of people who lived at Cameron House, the headquarters of a community services agency that was a former womens shelter and orphanage in San Franciscos Chinatown. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle This will be a boon for scholars because much of the current understanding of this Chinese American history was drawn from one-sided 19th century American press reports, Eng told me. These files will give a much better explanation of the larger social circumstances of what people were experiencing under exclusion laws, Eng said. Anna Eng holds a portrait of May Yoke, daughter of a Cameron House resident who was born in 1900. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle Chinese Americans during that era had some big legal wins, but most litigants lost, and The entire system of immigration rules that kept them out of the country, those rules were generally upheld, Park said. The exclusion act and other discriminatory laws were eventually repealed. But racism and discrimination directed at Chinese Americans and every group of newcomers in this country ebbs but never goes away, and its now on an up cycle. The most blatant example is how anti-Asian hate surged in 2020 the start of the pandemic. (The coronavirus was from China, so attack anyone Chinese or looks Chinese for it.) More subtle are bans on property ownership similar to those that targeted Asian immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Florida passed a law in 2023 that bans most Chinese immigrants from buying homes in many areas of the state. Its been challenged in court and is on hold. Virginia enacted a law that bans citizens of foreign adversaries, including China and North Korea, from owning agricultural land in the state. These types of laws are not as overtly racist as those of the 1800s but their effect is the same, demonizing people based on arbitrary and senseless reasoning. Its probably not a coincidence that fear-mongering over immigrants and fear of teaching about race and discrimination are strongest in states like Florida that are pushing these laws. How can we learn from the past if were afraid to talk about it, warts and all? About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies Just like the lawsuit plaintiffs from decades ago, Chinese and Asian American activists today arent letting injustices go unchallenged. Theyre fighting these discriminatory laws because they know their history. Any American who loves their country should protest and keep reprehensible history from repeating itself. Wonder why we are talking about COVID vaccines again. AstraZenecas admission in a UK court that its jab causes a rare side effect has created panic. Now parents of an Indian girl, who died days after receiving the vaccine, are mulling action. We bring you this story and other developments from India in our weekly roundup read more A women receives Covishield, AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute of India in the country, at a health centre. AstraZeneca has admitted that its vaccine can cause a rare side effect of blood clotting and low platelet count after immunisation. File photo/Reuters Its been a week full of controversies. Some news from the past is grabbing headlines again like the Covishield vaccine and the alleged plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The election season continues and campaigns are getting personal with lots of tu-tu-mein-mein. Amid all this, a sex scandal row has erupted in Karnataka. It involves former prime minister HD Deve Dowdas grandson Prajwal Revanna. In Uttar Pradesh, days of suspense came to an end on Friday. The Gandhi scion will not fight from Amethi but Rae Bareli instead. Advertisement All this and more in our weekly wrap of the most-read explainers. 1. It is official. Rahul Gandhi will contest from Rae Bareli and not Amethi, a seat he lost to BJPs Smriti Irani in 2019. And Priyanka Gandhi has decided to stay away from the poll race. But why has Rahul made the switch? What is the Congress thinking? We analyse . Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra upon their arrival before the nomination filing of Rahul ahead of the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections, in Rae Bareli. PTI 2. Karnataka politics has been rocked by a sexual assault scandal. It involves one of the states most famous political families that of former prime minister HD Deve Gowda. Karnatakas Hassan, from where Prajwal Revanna is contesting, went to polls on 26 April and days before that sex videos involving him surfaced online. This was followed by a police complaint by a woman who alleged that Prajwal and his father, HD Revanna, had allegedly sexually harassed her. Now Prajwal, who has been suspended from the Janata Dal (Secular), has fled the country. HD Revanna has been booked in connection with kidnapping one of the victims in the sex video scandal. We tell you all about this case and how it unfolded . Student union members burn a poster of JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna during a protest against his involvement in the alleged sexual abuse case, in Bengaluru. PTI 3. In India, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is a terrorist. And if the US is to be believed, Indian officials have plotted to kill the Sikhs for Justice founder, an allegation New Delhi has denied. The controversy, however, refuses to die down. A report by The Washington Post published earlier this week said that the alleged plan to assassinate Pannun was hatched by a RA&W agent, now identified as Vikram Yadav. But who is Yadav and what else do we know about this case? Read to find out more . Advertisement Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is pictured in his office in New York. US authorities have been alleging Indias role in a plot to assassinate Pannun in New York City after he advocated for a sovereign state for Sikhs. File photo/AP 4. The pandemic is largely behind us, but AstraZeneca has brought back dreadful memories of COVID-19. The pharmaceutical giant has admitted in a UK court that its vaccine, sold as Covishield in India, can cause Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) in very rare cases. Should we be worried? What are doctors saying? We have some answers. 5. After AstraZencas court admission, trouble seems to be brewing for the pharma firm in India. Parents of a girl, who died months after taking Covishield, are likely to sue the company along with vaccine maker Serum Institute of India (SII). The family of the 20-year-old data scientist Karunya Venugopal alleges that she died after taking the Covishied jab. Now they want to take action against AstraZeneca and SII. Heres the complete story . Advertisement 6. Another heartbreaking story comes from Uttar Pradesh. Its about the states topper. Youd think that would be a reason to celebrate. However, excelling in her studies turned into a nightmare for Prachi Nigam. As images of the Class 10 Uttar Pradesh board exams ranker went viral, she was not praised but mocked for her physical appearance her facial hair to be precise. Sadly, this is not an isolated case. Women across the world are made conscious about their body hair. We talk about the taboo in this essay . Let's fight cyberbullying together! Joining us on #TheBreakfastClub is Prachi Nigam, UP board topper, bullied on the internet for her facial hair "I want to thank people who came in support of me"@toyasingh #PrachiNigam #FacialHair #Bullying #Cyberbullying #UPBoardTopper pic.twitter.com/e5ee07sd4g News18 (@CNNnews18) April 29, 2024 Advertisement Thats some food for thought for you this weekend. Happy reading. And if you like the way we break down the news, bookmark this page . PS: If you plan to binge-watch Heeramandi, heres an interesting story . Its about the real-life tawaifs and their role in Indias Independence struggle. The attack took place near Shashidhar in the evening when the vehicles were moving towards Sanai Top in the districts Surankote area. Five soldiers were injured and the condition of two is critical. read more At least one soldier was killed while four others injured after terrorists opened fire on two security vehicles, including one belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF), in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district on Saturday. The firing was reported from Sanai village of Surankote and reinforcements from Army and police have been rushed to the area and a massive search and cordon operation has been launched to track down and neutralise the terrorists, officials told PTI. Advertisement In the ensuing gunfight with terrorists, the Air Warriors fought back by returning fire. In the process, five IAF personnel received bullet injuries, and were evacuated to the nearest military hospital for immediate medical attention. One Air Warrior succumbed to his injuries later. Further operations are on by the local security forces, the IAF said in a post on X. #WATCH | Vehicle checking underway at Poonch Highway after a terrorist attack on an Indian Air Force convoy, earlier this evening One IAF soldier has succumbed, one is critical and the other three are stable and undergoing treatment. pic.twitter.com/K6vPEH3JWB ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2024 The latest incident in the Pir Panjal region followed the killing of a government employee Mohd Razaq, brother of an Army personnel, by terrorists at village Kunda Top in Rajouris Shahdra area on April 22 and a village defence guard Mohd Sharief in Basantgarh area of Udhampur on April 28. Police have released pictures of two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, including suspected Pakistani national Abu Hamza, involved in the murder of Razaq and announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head. Advertisement The Bufliaz ambush in December last year came weeks after a major gunfight in the Dharmsal belt of Bajimaal forest in Rajouri that left five Army personnel, including two captains, dead a month earlier. Two terrorists, including a top commander of LeT identified as Quari, were also killed in the two-day long gunfight. Quari was said to be the mastermind behind several attacks, including the killing of 10 civilians and five Army personnel in the district. The stretch between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz on the boundary of Rajouri and Poonch is densely forested and leads to Chamrer forest and then Bhata Dhurian forest, where five soldiers were killed in an ambush on an Army vehicle on April 20 last year. Advertisement In May last year, five more Army personnel were killed and a major-rank officer was injured in Chamrer forest during an anti-terrorist operation. A foreign terrorist was also killed in the operation. In 2022, five Army personnel were killed when terrorists carried out a suicide attack on their camp at Pargal in Darhal area of Rajouri district. Both the terrorists involved in the attack were eliminated. In 2021, nine soldiers were killed in two separate attacks by terrorists in the forested region. While five Army personnel, including a junior commissioned officer (JCO), were killed on October 11 in Chamrer, a JCO and three soldiers were killed on October 14 in a nearby forest. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. With Sucharita Mohanty out of the fray now, the Congress has time on May 6 to choose another candidate for this candidate read more While the Congress celebrates Rahul Gandhis second candidature from Uttar Pradeshs Raebareli, his first being from Wayanad, Sucharita Mohanty, the partys candidate from the Puri Lok Sabha constituency has withdrawn her name and returned her ticket. The Puri constituency will go to polls in the second last phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 25. With Mohanty out of the fray now, the Congress has time on May 6 to choose another candidate for this candidate. Advertisement Why did Mohanty return her ticket? In a mail to All India Congress Committee (AICC) chief KC Venugopal, Mohanty cited a lack of funds that forced her to step down from the race. She claimed that the grand old party has been denying funding for her campaign. She alleged that AICC Odisha in-charge Ajoy Kumar categorically asked her to fight from her own resources. I was a salaried professional journalist who entered electoral politics 10 years ago. I have given all I have into my campaign in Puri. I tried a public donation drive to support my campaign for progressive politics without much success so far. I also tried to cut down the projected campaign spending to the minimum, she mentioned. Last month, Mohanty opened a public funding drive to keep her campaign afloat. On her X account, Mohanty shared a QR code linked to her account to raise funds. Jai Jagannath! SAVE OUR CAMPAIGN IN PURI! MAKE A DONATION! TOGETHER, WE CAN! My Dear Fellow Citizens, As you are aware, the BJP government has sought to choke the main Opposition Congress of its own funds during these elections in the most undemocratic design to suppress the pic.twitter.com/GkdbjSuaj8 Sucharita Mohanty (@Sucharita4Puri) April 29, 2024 Please support my campaign in Puri with any financial contribution you can make. support good politics! defeat money bags & scamsters! she wrote. She added, I am a salaried professional woman with limited resources of my own to carry out a successful campaign to defeat the corrupt and Electoral Bond scamsters. In the post, she has also written that the Congress party is providing zero funding for the campaign. Her appeal, however, did not garner much support so Mohanty approached senior leaders of Congress including the partys central leadership for funds. #WATCH | Congress candidate from Puri parliamentary constituency Sucharita Mohanty says, "I have returned the ticket because the party was not able to fund me. Another reason is that in some of the seats in 7 Assembly segments, winnable candidates have not been given the ticket. pic.twitter.com/xNpQslvDQy ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2024 Advertisement It is clear that only fund crunch is holding us back from a winning campaign in Puri. I regret that without party funding, it wont be possible to carry out the campaign in Puri. I, therefore, return the party ticket for the Puri Lok Sabha constituency herewith, she said in her mail to the AICC. Advertisement Nevertheless, Mohanty said that she would remain loyal to the party. Who is Sucharita Mohanty? Daughter of former Congress MP Brajamohan Mohanty, Sucharita Mohanty is a journalist by profession. She joined politics 10 years ago. Sucharita had been fielded for the Puri LS seat against BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra and BJD candidate Arup Patnaik, a former Mumbai Police Commissioner. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Mohanty lost her seat to Biju Janata Dals candidate Pinaki Mishra. Former Delhi minister Raj Kumar Chauhan also joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with former MLAs Neerajy Basoya and Naseeb Singh read more Former Delhi Congress chief Arvinder Singh Lovely on Saturday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Lovely had left the Congress party last week after resigning as the Delhi unit chief of the party. His switch to the BJP comes amid ongoing Lok Sabha elections. This will be his second stint in the BJP. Former Delhi minister Raj Kumar Chauhan and MLAs Neerajy Basoya and Naseeb Singh also joined the BJP. Former Delhi Congress President Arvinder Singh Lovely, former Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan, former MLA Naseeb Singh, Neeraj Basoya, and former Delhi Youth Congress President Amit Malik joins BJP in the presence of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri pic.twitter.com/lJpRpxPrJJ IANS (@ians_india) May 4, 2024 Advertisement Lovely had been a minister in the Sheila Dixit-led Delhi government and had previously also served as the chief of the partys Delhi unit. In the seven-phase general elections, Delhi will vote on May 25 in the sixth phase. While the first phase was held on April 19, the final round will be held on June 1. The counting of votes will take place on June 4 and results are expected on the same day. Lovely hails PM Modis leadership As he joined the BJP, Lovely hailed the leadership of the party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He thanked them for giving him and fellow new entrants an opportunity when they felt lost. Lovely and others joined the BJP in the presence of Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri and BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde. Lovely said that Modi is set to return as the prime minister with a big majority in the ongoing elections. In his resignation letter addressed to Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge, he had said the Delhi unit of the party was being sidelined by the party high command. He said that all unanimous decisions taken by the senior Delhi unit leaders were unilaterally vetoed by All India Congress Committee (AICC) Delhi In-Charge Deepak Babria, as per PTI. Lovely further said that the Delhi unit was against the partys alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), but the central leadership went ahead with it anyway, as per the agency. Advertisement The to and fro of Lovely between Congress & BJP This will be Lovelys second tenure in the BJP. Previously, he was in the party briefly during 2017-18. In 2017, Lovely quit the Congress and joined the BJP. At the time, he had hit out at the partys leadership and said it had died. Just like now, he had also praised Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the time, saying that the two had redefined Indian politics. It was later reported that he had differences with Congress leader Ajay Maken. The child has died. The party is finishedNobody took note of his grievances. Several leaders in the Congress are feeling suffocated for the past two years, said Lovely at the time, as per PTI. Advertisement In 2018, Lovely rejoined the Congress and said that he was an ideological misfit in the BJP. I was ideologically misfit in the BJP. I realised this from the next day I joined the party, said Lovely at the time. The 1 May order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court said that when rape involves the insertion of the penis into the mouth, urethra, or anus of a woman, and if this act is committed with his wife, provided she is not below the age of 15 years, then the consent of the wife becomes irrelevant read more In a judgment recently, the Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that unnatural sex with a wife does not constitute rape and her consent is immaterial in such cases. Justice GS Ahluwalia stated that marital rape is not an offence under the IPC while quashing an FIR registered by an estranged wife against her husband under IPC sections 377 (unnatural sex) and 506 (criminal intimidation), according to a Times of India report. The 1 May order said that when rape involves the insertion of the penis into the mouth, urethra, or anus of a woman, and if this act is committed with his wife, provided she is not below the age of 15 years, then the consent of the wife becomes irrelevant. The judge mentioned that marital rape has not been acknowledged thus far. Advertisement What constitutes unnatural sex In India, unnatural sex typically refers to sexual activities considered to be against the order of nature, as defined by Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). This has historically included acts like anal and oral sex even if they were consensual and involved adults. However, in a significant judgment in September 2018, the Supreme Court of India partially struck down Section 377. This means that consensual sexual acts between adults, regardless of their nature, are no longer considered criminal solely because they fall under the category of unnatural sex. The understanding of what constitutes unnatural sex has therefore changed reflecting a more inclusive and rights-based approach to sexual relationships. The Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018) is a significant turning point, although it was primarily brought under the ambit of the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in India. The case was brought forward by a group of petitioners, including Navtej Singh Johar, challenging the constitutionality of Section 377. Notably, on 3 July, 2013, Yukta Mookhey, a former Miss World, filed a case against her husband, parents-in-law and sisters-in-law. She accused them of cruelty under Section 498A and criminal breach of trust under Section 406, as well as alleging unnatural sex under Section 377 against her husband. In India, the marital rape debate is still on Advertisement Marital rape entails non-consensual sexual intercourse imposed by a husband upon his wife through coercion, threats, physical violence or when she is unable to provide consent. The term unwanted intercourse encompasses any form of penetration, including anal, vaginal, or oral, carried out against her will or without her explicit consent. Historically, marital rape was not always recognised as a criminal offence in many legal systems. However, attitudes and legal frameworks have evolved and many countries now consider marital rape to be a punishable offence, recognising that marriage does not grant one spouse ownership or control over the others body. In September 2022, the Supreme Court of India made a historic legal acknowledgment by recognising marital rape. It declared that sexual assault perpetrated by a husband can constitute rape. This landmark decision was prompted by the courts interpretation of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act and its associated regulations, particularly regarding the differentiation in treatment between married and unmarried women in permitting abortions up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. Advertisement The verdict acknowledges marital rape albeit solely in the context of abortion. Nevertheless, it stands as a groundbreaking ruling in a nation where marital rape remains not criminalised. During the delivery of a significant ruling on terminating pregnancies, Justice DY Chandrachud, who is now the Chief Justice of India, had stated that all women are entitled to safe and legal abortion. Additionally, he emphasized that under the MTP Act, marital rape falls within the definition of rape highlighting that sexual assault by husbands can constitute rape. In the case of State of Karnataka v. Krishnappa, the Supreme Court ruled that sexual assault not only violates an individuals right to privacy and the sanctity of their body but also constitutes a demeaning act, especially when perpetrated against women. In the case of Suchita Srivastava v. Chandigarh Administration, the Supreme Court drew parallels between the freedom to make decisions regarding sexual activity and the principles of privacy, personal autonomy and dignity enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution. It emphasized the importance of upholding physical integrity alongside these fundamental rights. Advertisement However, there are inconsistencies as well. Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines rape as any non-consensual sexual intercourse with a woman. However, Exception 2 to Section 375 specifically excludes unwilling sexual intercourse between a husband and a wife over the age of 15 from the definition of rape under Section 375. Consequently, such acts are shielded from prosecution. Be that as it may, as per the Section 376B of the Indian Penal Code, if a man engages in sexual intercourse with his estranged wife without her consent, he can face legal consequences. The law stipulates that the offender may be subjected to imprisonment for a period ranging from two to seven years. Advertisement Striving for clarity The recent Madhya Pradesh High Court ruling highlights the ongoing complexities in handling the legal tenability of marital rapes as to whether they exist or not. It shows the need for clearer legal guidelines that match changing societal views on consent and sexual freedom. The Biden administration maintains that the Department of Justice and courts are independent and that it has no role to play, but given the stakes involved, things cannot be taken at face value read more What a sight to behold! Once the worlds most powerful person, who strode majestically on the world stage, is now sitting sullenly in a New York court as an accused in a criminal trial. If convicted, he can be imprisoned for up to four years and be debarred from holding a public office for life. Of course, I am referring to former President Trump. So, has the ethos of democracy and the rule of law finally prevailed? Lets hold judgement pending a deeper dive. Advertisement But first, the atmospherics and optics. Naturally, the high-octane spectacle has the country riveted and divided. Depending on your political affiliations, youre either enraged or elated to see the spectacle of Trump flitting across the nation from courtroom to courtroom to defend himself in numerous civil and criminal cases, some quite serious. The hardcore Republicans, comprising under 30 per cent of the electorate, fall into the first category and firmly believe that their leader is being subjected to vendetta. Trump accuses the current administration of orchestrating a witch hunt ad nauseum. The Democrats, on the other hand, see it as his comeuppance and are eager to see him behind bars. Meanwhile, the media is having a field day. Cameras are not allowed in American courtrooms, though artists can draw sketches and reporters can cover the courtroom proceedings. Lurid details of the trial hog the limelight, with substantive parts relegated to the margins, at times. Trumps alleged scowls, naps, jury and witness intimidation, as well as the daily barrage of media statements, complaints, innuendoes, social media posts, and name-calling, provide enough grist for the mill. Nothing is off-limits for Trump. He has roasted practically every judge, prosecutor, and witness just for doing her/his job and has hitherto been getting away with it. Any other defendant would have been hauled up for contempt of court many times over. But as is his wont, he went a bit too far in the ongoing hush-money criminal trial in New York, presided over by Judge Juan Merchan. Advertisement The case stems from Trumps alleged dalliance with porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal in 2006, which is not illegal in the US. However, in 2016, in the midst of his presidential race against Hillary Clinton, Daniels threatened to go public with the story, which could have caused irreparable damage to his campaign and presidential prospects. McDougals counsel, too, sought to have the story published. Trumps associates then embarked upon a so-called catch-and-kill practice to hush up such stories by paying off the women and buying their silence. Daniels received $130,000 from Michael Cohen, Trumps former lawyer and confidant, which was reimbursed to him as legal fees by falsifying the business records. McDonald received $150,000. Meanwhile, the candidate maintained his innocence in public by completely denying the stories, stating that he was being viciously attacked with smears and lies. Advertisement The prosecutors see this as a criminal act, especially as it led to tax evasion and suppression of information, preventing the American voter from making an informed judgement. Numerous legal experts are not convinced and opine that the case is weak. The Trump legal team tried hard to delay the trial until after the elections or have it shifted to another city. They have been successful in most of the cases, including three prospective criminal trials involving unlawful possession of classified documents by Trump even after demitting office and an attempted insurrection on January 6, 2021, to overturn the peoples mandate. His lawyers took the stand that their client could not get justice in the Manhattan Court in New York, a bastion of the Democratic Party. They further alleged that Judge Merchans daughter had a business relationship with the Biden administration, and hence there was a conflict of interest. They demanded that the judge must recuse himself. Next, they asked that the hearing be deferred until the Supreme Courts decision on Trumps claim of absolute presidential immunity from all public or private actions. They tried to delay the jury selection. None of these worked, prompting intemperate rants from the defendant, despite numerous gag orders by the courts. Advertisement Earlier this week, Judge Merchan finally cracked the whip, holding Trump in contempt for nine violations. He imposed a $1000 fine for each violation, the maximum permitted under the law, while recognising that it may not mean anything to the defendant but ominously cautioning that further violations could even result in his incarceration. Trump is putting up a brave front, but the legal troubles are taking their toll. He is short of funds; his campaign has lost some momentum, as he is obliged to be present in court for eight hours or more, four days a week. It may possibly have even begun to sow doubts in the minds of some supporters. In any event, his family members are conspicuously absent at the trials. Advertisement Some of his former friends and associates, including former Vice President Mike Pence, have gone cold or even turned hostile. That is not to say that his grip over the party has weakened. Very few in the Republican Party dare to cross swords with him. He continues to be ahead of President Biden in opinion polls by 4 to 6 percentage points. That brings us back to the question about the timing of the court cases. The hush-money case dates back eight years, and the other criminal cases date back at least three years. The civilian cases also go back in time. What were the prosecutors doing all these years? Even if he had immunity from prosecution as president, it has been over three years since he relinquished office. Is it a mere happenstance that a flurry of court cases has come up for hearing bang in the middle of the presidential campaign? If they have coalesced organically at this juncture, it is indeed too much of a coincidence! Given the stakes involved, it is prudent not to take things at face value. The Biden administration naturally maintains that the Department of Justice and courts are independent and that it has no role to play. True, division of power is enshrined in the Constitution, but is it so watertight? Trump and his followers blame the White House for master-minding his legal troubles. He has been calling President Biden crooked besides deploying even more colourful language. He describes the trials as an assault on America. Be that as it may, it is a no-loss proposition for the ruling Democrats. If Trump is disqualified, the Republican campaign could be thrown into disarray. At the very least, the renewed spotlight on Trumps character-flaws and misdemeanours is bound to dent his standing with the independents and moderate Republicans voters. And yet the greatest irony is that, come November, Trump could very well succeed in reclaiming the high office. All court cases could then instantly vanish in thin air, and everything could be forgiven if not forgotten. Would therefore one be wrong to surmise that when it comes to the rich and powerful, the wheels of justice grind laboriously and selectively in the worlds oldest democracy, as they do in any other part of the world? You decide! The author is a foreign affairs specialist and an ex-envoy to Canada and South Korea. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Much against the Chinese irritations, India went ahead with its critical project of the frontier highway because it realised the safety of its border space was of great importance amid Beijings brinkmanship in the eastern Himalayas read more The work-in-progress frontier highway in Arunachal Pradesh is a strategic asset for India. This project should have seen the light of day in the immediate aftermath of the Sino-Indian War in 1962. The Chinese intention was crystal clear then and even now. It is and was intended to expand territorially and exercise its hegemony in the neighbourhood. India went through unwarranted procrastination over a few decades. This procrastination continued, which risked Indias Himalayan border space. Advertisement Decoding the prolonged indecision, S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, called it the era of diffidence. He characterises the current strength of India and its proactiveness, global importance, and determination to protect its border space, come what may, as an era of confidence. He gives credit to the diplomatic heft of India over the last ten years and its keenness to protect its interests and the interests of its friends. Inarguably, India is cautious but not afraid. Protecting its interests is its top priority. Much against the Chinese irritations, India went ahead with its critical project of the frontier highway because it realised the safety of its border space was of great importance. The geostrategic gravity of this highway emanates from the Chinese brinkmanship in the eastern Himalayas. The Chinese geopolitical weight in the region became evident in the 1950s because, during this period, it annexed Tibet by force, which led to a massive migration of Tibetans, including His Holiness Dalai Lama, to India. Following this geopolitical tension, the Sino-Indian War in 1962 unsettled the region. The Chinese territorial appetite was amplified, and behaved like a regional hegemon. Salami slicing (incremental territorial expansionism), border skirmishes, and cartographic redrafting became its preferred tactics to keep the tension in the region brewing. Beijings expansionist streak has recently been seen in Doklam, Galwan, Tawang, etc. This was responded to in equal measure. For India, territorial integrity is paramount. This resolve is shown in action under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 1,700 km-long frontier highway along the McMahon Line connecting the border districts of Tawang, East Kameng, Upper Subansiri, West Siang, Upper Siang, Dibang Valley, Lower Dibang Valley, Anjaw, and Changlang in Arunachal Pradesh adjoining Tibet and Myanmar is a geostrategic milestone. It was conceived in 2016 and is expected to be completed in 2027. Work in this direction has started at a quick pace. This shows the urgency and importance India gives to its territorial integrity. Advertisement The infrastructural development that China has brought along the McMahon Line is quite extensive. The frontier highway is a precise and direct response to this and to curb Chinas irrationality. The highway will become an all-weather road to handle any geopolitical and geostrategic pressure likely to emanate from the other side of the border. From Tawang to Vijayanagar, which covers the entire border space in Arunachal Pradesh, the frontier highway is a milestone in Indias robust preparedness in the eastern Himalayas. The dragon finds a fitting competitor. The scale with which China develops its infrastructural might, both at the border and in the hinterland, the frontier highway is a geostrategic imperative. The risk these complex infrastructures present leaves no scope for a second thought but to act urgently to protect the territorial integrity of India. The frontier highway manifests Indias right intent and seriousness in addressing the possible dangers that the enemy constantly poses. Advertisement The frontier highway will present the required checkmate to Chinese bullying attitudes in the region. Beijings reaction to these infrastructural initiatives is not new. It always does this to keep itself relevant in the thick of things. However, it has no business in making any comment as Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of the sovereign India. China uses this drama to keep the issue alive and effectively uses its propaganda machinery to develop some geopolitical weight in the region. It presents no hesitation in developing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). It knows the disputed character of PoK and exercises no restraint. Instead, it tutors India on what it does in its sovereign territory. India understands Chinas cunning and exercises patience and quietness, making necessary preparations to check the latters possible misadventures. Advertisement However, the work-in-progress frontier highway will significantly strengthen Indias border infrastructure and seamless connectivity. It will present a significant impetus for encouraging economic engagement in the region. Infrastructure and connectivity have always played a pivotal role in modernising the economy and opening the scope for economic participation. Therefore, the frontier highway will also be an economic asset, apart from being a strategic masterstroke. This will also develop a connectivity conduit by interlinking the East-West Industrial Corridor Highway and the Trans-Arunachal Highway. It will also discourage migration from the border space to urban areas. The development will become more distributive than concentric. Pressure on the urban space will be primarily eased. The volatilities of the border space and Chinese hegemonic gravity will be minimised because of Indias fully prepared, vigilant presence in the region. Advertisement The Myanmar chapter is currently in the doldrums. The Chinese alleged involvement in derailing democratic government there disturbs the geopolitics in the region, which imposes a cloud of uncertainty around Indias infrastructure projects in Myanmar. Given the geopolitical complexity in the region, India makes measured strategic progress and anchors its hold firmly and irreplaceably. Building tunnels, bridges, airports, railroads, highways, etc, has become part of the process that systematically ensures Indias strength and resilience. On the contrary, Chinas determined efforts in building highways, tunnels, bridges, railways, etc, on the Tibetan Plateau explain its preparedness. The skirmishes it indulges in along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) indicate its ulterior motive. Though Beijing might claim that packing the plateau with high-tech infrastructure is mainly for the economic development of Tibet, the territorial desires embedded in this exercise cannot be ignored. The Nyingchi-Lhasa rail line and highway that Beijing has built, as well as some sections that remain under construction, come close to the McMahon Line. Its concept of reconstituting border villages and a host of other things are symptoms of the regions complex geopolitics. Chinese brinkmanship has been primarily responsible for the disturbed geopolitics of the region. Much of these crises is expected to be resolved by the frontier highway. Therefore, India puts the required effort in the right direction to ease these tensions in the region. Jajati K Pattnaik is an Associate Professor at the Centre for West Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Chandan K Panda is an Assistant Professor at Rajiv Gandhi University (A Central University), Itanagar. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. If Israel is allowed to get away with the Rafah offensive, it will definitely be the end of solidarity in the region for the Palestinian cause for a long time, and the two state solution may be lost forever, something that Netanyahu has long proposed read more The war in Gaza is due to complete seven months on May 7, marking the longest war in Gaza since Israels voluntary vacation of Gaza in 2005. Contrary to expectations, borne more out of Israels enormous military superiority against Hamas as well as past conflicts in Gaza, the conflict has not ended swiftly. During this time, however, Israeli strikes have flattened Gaza to the ground, making it completely uninhabitable, perhaps for decades. The stench of death and decay overwhelms the thin strip straddling the Mediterranean Sea, with estimates of over 34,500 deaths, including 13,000 children, and over 77,500 injured and maimed for life. Medical aid, food, and water have been severely restricted, and most international aid agencies, including UNRWA as well as WCK (World Central Kitchen), have been targeted and prevented from delivering lifesaving aid. Advertisement Despite a UN Security Council resolution of March 25 calling for an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of hostages, neither of the warring parties has been able to come to a common understanding. Iran-Israel Escalation In the midst of it, there was a period of dangerous escalation when an Israeli strike on April 1 targeted the Iranian Consulate building in Damascus, Syria, resulting in the deaths of seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, the senior-most commander in Lebanon and Syria. Outraged by the attack on its sovereign territory, Iran retaliated on April 13 with a massive and well-synchronised attack by drones and missiles. While most of the drones were intercepted mid-air, some of the missiles found their mark and struck the Nevatim Israeli air base in the Negev desert. Nevatim is the air base from which Israel launched its F-35 fighters that attacked the Iranian consulate in Damascus. Despite decades of hostility between Israel and Iran, this was the first time that Iran had launched strikes directly on Israel from its territory. Israel and its allies, though forewarned by Iran of the retaliation, were surprised that Iran had actually called the bluff this time. Israel, under pressure at home, responded with a strike into Iran on April 19, when loud explosions were heard in the vicinity of the city of Isfahan in the early morning hours. It was reported that Iranian air defences had shot down three drones over the skies of the city. Although some media outlets later presented satellite pictures to show that some part of the Air Defence Battery in Isfahan was damaged, neither Iran, Israel, nor the US commented on it. With tit-for-tat strikes into each others territory, there is a general sense that both countries have called it quits as far as targeting each other directly is concerned. Advertisement With this threat of escalation over, the focus has shifted back to Gaza and finding means to put an early end to the war. As a part of the effort, US Secretary of State Blinken was in the region recently to hold talks with Arab leaders. He also stopped over in Israel, meeting PM Netanyahu in an effort to convince him to agree to a ceasefire and also to deter him from launching a ground offensive in Rafah. Whether Blinken was successful in convincing Netanyahu on it or not is a different question all together. Also, if and when the Rafah offensive takes place, what are its implications for ending or escalating the conflict and how the regional countries could react to it, is something to be watched out for. Advertisement What is Rafah? Rafah is a border crossing town in southern Gaza located on its border with Egypt and is often called the lifeline of Gaza due to the fact that it is one of the main in-route for international aid coming into Gaza. It is also the opening into the Sinai Peninsula on the Egyptian side. The crossing is manned and controlled by Egypt and Hamas on either side. It is the only crossing into Gaza that is not directly under Israeli control. This important crossing was in fact under Israeli control until 2005, when it unilaterally withdrew from Gaza, marking the first time that Palestinians had control over a border crossing without direct Israeli oversight. Currently, it is estimated that more than 1.3 million Palestinians are confined in Rafah, driven by Israeli strikes from the northern parts, over the past seven months. Advertisement Israels Position on Rafah Offensive Netanyahu seems adamant that a ground offensive in Rafah is the final nail in the coffin of Hamas, and irrespective of a deal or no deal, the planned ground offensive in Rafah would go on. Addressing the nation on April 30, he said, We will enter Rafah, and we will eliminate the Hamas battalions therewith or without a dealin order to achieve total victory. Israels finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, was more aggressive when he called for annihilating Israels enemies, saying that there are no half measures. [The Gazan cities of] Rafah, Deir al-Balah, Nuseirattotal annihilation. It may be recalled that Netanyahu had approved the militarys plan for an attack on Rafah in March itself, leaving the time of assault to a later date. However, on April 7, under threat of Irans retaliatory strike, Israel withdrew all combat troops from Gaza except one brigade to guard important points as well as the thin Nitsareem strip dividing Gaza into two halves, north and south. Recent developments in the area clearly indicate that the IDF is back in the area and is preparing the battlefield for the Rafah operations. As per reports, two reserve brigades have been called up for duty. Satellite images also show a new tent city with over 10,000 tents that have come up recently in areas north of Rafah, which can hold thousands of people. Advertisement Israel estimates that Hamas higher leadership and four remaining battalions are entrenched in Rafah. Although Hamas does not possess combat battalions in the conventional sense, Israeli intelligence estimates that most of the remaining Hamas combat cadres are hiding among the Palestinians in Rafah. There has been intensification of air strikes in Rafah in an attempt to soften the target which has resulted in large civilian casualties in the past few days; 22 killed on April 30 and 13 killed on May 2. It is estimated that over 250 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in Rafah since the start of the holy month of Ramzan in March. The efficacy and success of an offensive in Rafah to achieve Israels politico-military objectives are, however, suspected. Best estimates suggest that Israeli operations till now have been able to eliminate 3035 per cent of Hamas combat cadres and leadership. Can Israel be assured that the remaining Hamas leadership will be taken out in Rafah operations? Can Israel be sure that the military operations will kill the entire military capability of Hamas? Is Israel sure that the remaining weaponry and arsenal are concentrated and hidden in Rafah? Even if Israel kills the entire 1.3 million people in Rafah, can it be sure that Hamas has been eliminated from the face of the earth? Sadly, the answer to most of these questions is No. Rafah and Region Within the region, there is apprehension about the Rafah offensive. Egypt has already lined up tanks and guns along the Rafah border and has clearly spelled out to Israel that it is a red line that should not be crossed. Any direct intervention by Egypt not only threatens escalation but could also pose a threat to the 1979 Peace Treaty with Israel. Turkey, too, has taken a very hard stand on the issue. Earlier, in March, it imposed severe restrictions on trade with Israel, and on May 2, it announced the suspension of all trade ties with Israel owing to Israeli atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank. Jordan, which could be directly impacted by the influx of refugees in case of an offensive, made it clear at the very beginning of the war that it is a red line that must not be crossed. Saudi Arabia is another important regional player. It is also a part of the GCC and in their meeting with Blinken on April 30, GCC foreign ministers strongly opposed any attempts to displace Palestinians and the escalation of violence in the West Bank. The Saudi Foreign Minister added that a possible invasion of Rafah will inevitably lead to a humanitarian disaster with severe consequences for the Palestinians and serious repercussions for all parties. Earlier in February, after an Israeli airstrike had killed 67 Palestinians in Rafah, the Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that the kingdom strongly condemns and rejects the extremely dangerous consequences of storming and targeting Rafah. On the other hand, there are contrarian reports that the US and Saudi Arabia are very close to finalising a defence pact. Within Saudi Arabia, anti-Israel protests are being dealt with a heavy hand, and there are unconfirmed reports that Saudi Arabia aided Israel and the US in fending off Iranian missiles during the attack on April 13. Such inputs and the rather ambivalent position taken by Saudi Arabia during this war raise questions about Saudi Arabias commitment to the Gaza war. As regards Iran, it has shown that it is not going to exercise restraint in any future conflict situation. Also, it is the only one that has been pro-actively supporting and fighting the Gaza war with its proxies in the region. In case of the Rafah offensive going ahead, there is all likelihood that the engagements from Hezbollah into northern Israel will grow. In the past few weeks, Hezbollah rockets and missiles have successfully targeted Israeli command and communication centres in the North. The Houthis in Yemen continue to disrupt sea trade in the Red Sea and have the ability to up the ante if required. The US Factor The US is Israels main benefactor and has assured ironclad support for it. However, it has also repeatedly stressed to Netanyahu that Rafah is a red line that should not be crossed. Instead, Israel should plan on precise intelligence based operations to flush out Hamas operatives and leaders. Just a few days earlier, on April 24, the US had approved $17 billion in military aid to Israel as part of an overall package of $94 billion, which includes Ukraine and Taiwan. However, its blind support for Israel is causing severe backlash back home. In the past week or so, there have been massive protests on university and college campuses in the US, wherein students and faculty have come out in open support for the Palestinians, calling out the genocide being committed in Gaza. In the election year, President Biden is caught between two conflicting requirements, the need to support Israel and pressure to do the right thing. With little time left until July, when he and Trump will join the battle directly for the presidency, the US is left with very few good options, except to prevail upon Netanyahu for an early end to the war. Conclusion Like the Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, the Rafah offensive too threatens to escalate the conflict if launched. Many of the countries in the region, which have so far maintained an ambivalent and stand-off policy, will have to take a tough call. The nation on the front lines will definitely be Egypt, and its reaction will be the trigger for the others in the region. While the Iran-Israel spat was short, the Rafah offensive could spread very fast. On the other hand, if Israel is allowed to get away with the Rafah offensive, it will definitely be the end of solidarity in the region for the Palestinian cause for a long time, and the two state solution may be lost forever, something that Netanyahu has long proposed. The only face-saving exit for either of the parties is an early and long lasting ceasefire in Gaza before any offensive in Rafah. Hopefully, better sense will prevail and thousands of innocent lives will be saved. The author is Assistant Director, MP-IDSA. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. According to the court filing, Tesla said that the Indian battery maker had continued to use the brand name despite a cease-and-desist notice sent to it in April 2022 read more Elon Musks Tesla is suing an Indian battery maker over copyright infringement after the Indian company used the brand name Tesla Power to promote its product. In the lawsuit, the electric vehicle company is seeking unspecified damages and a permanent injunction from its Indian namesake. According to the court filing, Tesla said that the battery maker had continued to use the brand name despite a cease-and-desist notice sent to it in April 2022. Advertisement The lawsuit came days after the US-based car manufacturer conducted a major layoffs, which impacted at least 500 employees. What Tesla Power told the court During the hearing held in the New Delhi High Court this week, the Indian company argued that its main business is to make lead acid batteries and has no intention of making electric vehicles, Reuters reported. Tesla, on the other hand, told the judge that it discovered that the Indian company was using its brand name in 2022. The company accused the Indian firms of using trade names Tesla Power and Tesla Power USA. They supported their argument by sharing screenshots of a website that showed that Tesla Power USA LLC was headquartered in Delaware and had been acknowledged for being a pioneer and leader in introducing affordable batteries with a very strong presence in India. Musks Tesla is also incorporated in Delaware. After hearing both sides, the judge allowed Tesla Power three weeks to submit a written response on the matter along with a set of documents in support of its defence. The case will be next heard on May 22. Meanwhile, a Tesla Power representative told Reuters that the company had been operating in India much before Musks Tesla and had all government approvals. We have never claimed to be related to Elon Musks Tesla, Tesla Powers Manoj Pahwa averred. The case comes after the Tesla CEO cancelled his planned visit to India on April 21 where he was scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Days after the change of plans were announced, the billionaire made a surprise visit to China, a move which is seen by many as a snub to India. Advertisement With inputs from Reuters. Israel is now suffering from a double whammy under Benjamin Netanyahus leadership as it is deeply divided internally and it stands isolated internationally more than ever over the conduct of the war in Gaza, said Israeli affairs expert Khinvraj Jangid from Tel Aviv read more Israel has suffered a series of sebacks in the war with Hamas under the leadership of PM Benjamin Netanyahu. (Photo: AP) Six months into the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lost the plot and has plunged the country into the worst crisis, according to Israeli affairs expert Khinvraj Jangid. Despite suffering one of the worst terrorist attacks anywhere in the world, Jangid said Netanyahu failed to amass the worlds support and sympathy and, on the contrary, Israel now stands more isolated internationally than ever over the conduct of the war in Gaza. Advertisement As for the recent exchange of fire between Israel and Iran, Jangid said Tehran was never detached from the war. While Iran did not take responsibility for the October 7 attack, it endorsed it and patronised the escalation in the region against Israel by its proxies after the attack. It never kept itself away from the war, said Jangid, Director of the Jindal Center for Israel Studies (JCIS) at the OP Jindal Global University and Adjunct Faculty at Azrieli Centre for Israel Studies (MALI) of the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. Khinvraj Jangid, Director of the Jindal Center for Israel Studies (JCIS) at the OP Jindal Global University and Adjunct Faculty at Azrieli Centre for Israel Studies (MALI) of the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel In an interview with Firstposts Madhur Sharma, here is how Jangid described Netanyahus handling of Israels war in Gaza, the history of the Israel-Iran conflict and the recent clashes, and crisis within Israel: Netanyahu didnt have political outreach, brute force approach failed In response to the October 7 attack, Netanyahu did not adopt any political outreach and instead opted for brute military force alone. I see that the result is that he has failed militarily, diplomatically, and politically. Militarily, the main objective of the war was to defeat Hamas which remains unfulfilled. Multiple battalions of Hamas still exist and Rafah remains its last bastion. Moreover, not all tunnels in Gaza have been discovered and dismantled. The tunnels allow Hamas to hide, regroup, and keep its warstores safe. The military also could not rescue hostages Diplomatically, Israel has lost goodwill internationally. It faces a genuine existential threat from Hamas and other groups sponsored by Iran. It suffered one of the most devastating terror attacks of all time. Yet it is isolated because of the devastation and humanitarian crisis in Gaza that the world has seen daily for six months on TV and the internet. The humanitarian crisis was not at all unpredictable and I believe Israel could have and should have prepared for the wars effect on civilians beforehand. Advertisement Politically, Netanyahu is at a point where everyone is angry with him. His far-right allies are miffed because they say he is not applying enough force in Gaza and centrists are miffed at the poor conduct of the war. The public, particularly the families of the hostages, is angry at the failure to rescue the hostages and the high toll of the war. Israeli publics reaction to Irans attack & Israeli retaliation very interesting I see that the common Israelis did not support an overwhelming retaliation to the Iranian attack. It was surprising considering the general perception was that they would support a forceful retaliation to the unprecedented Iranian barrage but that was not the case. Advertisement It was evident on the street and surveys also showed it. Polling by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that 76% of Israelis were against any retaliation that could threaten the newfound coalition with Western and Arab countries against Iran. The primary wish of the Israeli public is the return of all hostages whether alive or diseased. The calls for retribution or punitive actions against Iran or its proxies are a distant second. It is evident in ongoing protests against Netanyahu and in everyday conversations. Israel & Iran were not always enemies, conflict began with Islamic Revolution of 1979 Israel and Iran have been in a shadow war for so long that it appears the two countries have always been enemies, but thats not the case. The real enmity began with the Islamic Revolution of Iran in 1979 when the new regime of the Supreme Leader declared Israel as a fundamental enemy. Advertisement While antisemitism is quite fundamental to the post-1979 Iranian regime, its not mere hatred of the Jews that drives its war against Israel. There are also political and domestic agendas. Politically, the Iranian regimes main enemy is the United States whom it calls the Great Satan. The regime calls Israel the American imperial outpost in the Middle East and thats why as the Great Satans proxy Israel is also a fundamental enemy. Domestically, the new regime of the Supreme Leader had to create an ideological enemy to rally people around the new state ideology. They made Israel that enemy. The framing of Israel as an ideological enemy and as the imperialist outpost of the Great Satan was also a tool to fuel the Islamic Revolutions ideology. Advertisement The Iranian regime does not actually care for the Palestinians. It exploits them to meet their end-goal of undermining its principal adversaries: the United States and Israel. Mild Israeli retaliation a good thing, Iranian reaction tells it also doesnt want war Since Israel is infamous for the disproportionate use of force, the mild reaction was actually strategic. While it conveyed the message to Tehran that Israel could respond and it could touch its nuclear facilities and bypass its defences, it did not cause enough damage that would draw the two countries into a spiral. Iran has also dismissed the Israeli attack. The news of the attacks broke through anonymous US and Israeli sources and Iran never properly acknowledged the attack. The lack of acknowledgement on Irans part allows Iranians to not respond. The lack of desire of Iranians to not respond shows they dont want a direct war with Israel. As for the broader Israel-Iran ping-pong, it will continue as long as the Islamic Republic of Iran exists. Since the Iranian regime has fundamental enmity with Israel, only a fundamental change in Iran a successful democratic movement may end this enmity. I dont see that happening anytime soon. Netanyahu opposed Palestinian statehood to rise to power, now lack of solution haunts Israel Netanyahu used the rhetoric against Palestinian statehood to help his rise to power for the first time in 1996. He spoke against the Oslo Accords during the campaign. Since then, the idea of a two-state solution under his leadership has weakened. The unprecedented violence during the Second Intifada and the rise of Hamas in Palestinian polity further weakened the desire for any solution within Israel. Using these incidents as a pretext, Netanyahu has continued to say that any Palestinian state would be adversarial for Israels security. For more than a decade, Israeli politics has revolved around Netanyahu. During this time, he did not work for any political solution to the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The lack of any proposed solution to the Palestinian question is now haunting Israel. He took a unilateral approach to Israels national and foreign policies where he dismissed the Palestinian statehood when much of the world including Israeli partners like the United States supported it. Netanyahus longstanding opposition to Palestinian statehood has led Israel to a point today where the Israeli leader and the country have lost goodwill in front of the international community as there is simply no answer within the Israeli polity to the Palestinian question when the world really wants one. Netanyahu thought he could keep going on forever without addressing the Palestinian issue but now its come to haunt him and Israel. Israels internal political worsens international standing, helped Hamas For years, Israel has been going through a political crisis. The 2022 elections that brought Netanyahus far-right coalition to power was the fifth in four years. The right-wing in Israel has practically been taken over by far-right. I see the collapse of the moderate right-wing as a tragedy. Netanyahus coalitions survival depends on the support of two extremist ministers: Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir. This means their inflammatory statements go unchecked and their wishes regarding moves like judicial changes and West Bank settlements are honoured, which attract international ire, inflame domestic polity, and harm reconciliation prospects with the Palestinians. Throughout last year, there were protests against judicial changes that the coalition was bringing. Netanyahu had to commit to the changes to keep the extremists in the coalition. In doing so, he ended up dividing the nation. This meant that Israel stood fundamentally divided and politicians were engaged in the worst political crisis. Hamas used instability and distraction to carry out its attack. Hamas attack & Gaza war have damaged Israeli security systems reputation Israeli military and intelligence services have had a legendary status for a long time. Stories of their daring operations have long been envied by other agencies in the world. But thats now in the past. The fact that thousands of terrorists were able to storm southern Israel and carry out a rampage for days was a blow to the Israeli security establishment. Moreover, the failed war in Gaza has further shattered the Israeli militarys reputation. Six months into the war, none of the wars objectives have been met. While there is a political failure on Netanyahus part, there are military failures as well: not all tunnels have been destroyed, not all Hamas battalions have been defeated, no hostages have been rescued in military missions, and Yahya Sinwar Hamas leader in Gaza has not yet been captured or killed. It is shocking that the Israeli military famed for rescuing hostages like in the Entebbe mission failed to locate and rescue hostages. This military failure also contributed to the political failure as Netanyahu did not employ a political approach to the war at all. He counted on the military approach alone and, now that it has failed, Israel is in a stalemate with few good options left. Shafik, earlier this week, sought the New York Police Departments help to clear the anti-Israel protests and encampments around the campus. Eventually, dozens of students were arrested while others were suspended read more Minouche Shafik, the Columbia University President who called the police to quell pro-Palestinian protests on the campus, finally broke silence over the turmoil at the Ivy League school. Shafik, earlier this week, sought the New York Police Departments help to clear the anti-Israel protests and encampments around the campus. Eventually, dozens of students were arrested while others were suspended. This was the second time in two months that the police force was requested to enter the campus. In April, 100 students at Columbia University were arrested by the NYPD over their demonstrations. The decision to involve the police has drawn the ire of many members of the university including the faculty. Advertisement US universities including Columbia, UCLA, Yale and NYU have become the center of resistance against Israeli forces waging a war in Gaza. In the past couple of weeks, students at these universities have been setting up tents to rally support for the Palestinians. What did Shafik say? In a video message, released late on Friday Shafik said, These past two weeks have been among the most difficult in Columbias history. No matter where you stand on any issue, Columbia should be a community that feels welcoming and safe for everyone, she added. Shafik said that her administration tried very hard to address the issue of encampment on the campus via dialogue and discussions with the protesting students but in vain. The students crossed a new line by breaking into Hamilton Hall, the Columbia University president said, adding that the destruction caused in the hall was distressing. A message from President Shafik. pic.twitter.com/zd8i2DE4wp Columbia University (@Columbia) May 3, 2024 During the listening sessions I held with many students in recent months, Ive been heartened by your intelligence, thoughtfulness and kindness, she said. Advertisement Every one of us has a role to play in bringing back the values of truth and civil discourse that polarization has severely damaged, Shafik added. The president drew on her own experience of being born in a Muslim family in West Asia and having several Jewish friends to highlight that people can disagree and still make progress. She admitted that issues like the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, antisemitism, and anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bias cannot be resolved single-handedly by Columbia University. What we can do is be an exemplar of a better world where people who disagree do so civilly, recognize each others humanity, and show empathy and compassion for one another, Shafik said. Protests spread to other nations Meanwhile, other countries including France and Australia have been similarly witnessing a wave of anti-Israel protests at campuses following the showdown at US schools. Advertisement Police in Paris entered Frances prestigious Sciences Po university on Friday and removed student activists who had occupied its buildings overnight in protest against Israels conduct in its war against Hamas in Gaza. Hundreds of people protesting Israels war in Gaza rallied at one of Australias top universities demanding it divest from companies with ties to Israel, in a movement inspired by the student occupations sweeping US campuses. With inputs from agencies Despite the new law and the threat of being sent to Rwanda, migrants have continued to make the dangerous cross-Channel trip from France. More than 7,500 have arrived this year, with 711 detected on Wednesday alone, the most in a single day so far this year. read more In this drone view an inflatable dinghy carrying migrants makes its way towards England in the English Channel, Britain, May 4, 2024. - Photo- Reuters Dozens of people arrived on the southern coast of England on Saturday in two rubber dinghies, the latest among thousands of asylum-seeking migrants who have made the perilous sea crossing from France this year. Last month, the UK Parliament passed a law that enabled Britain to send asylum seekers who arrive without permission to Rwanda, a measure PM Sunak believes will deter migrants from undertaking the risky journey to Britain in small boats. Advertisement The boats sailed across the narrow strip of sea separating France and Britain bobbing on the waves of the English Channel. with a French naval vessel following them until they reached English waters. Despite the implementation of the new law and the potential consequences of being sent to Rwanda, migrants have persisted in undertaking the perilous cross-Channel journey from France. This year alone, over 7,500 individuals have arrived via this route, with 711 detected on Wednesday alone, marking the highest single-day total thus far in the year. Sunak hopes his flagship Rwanda policy to deport those arriving in Britain without permission to the African nation will deter people from making the Channel crossing. Five people died in the attempt last month. Sunak, who has made the scheme one of his key policies, is hoping that the first flights will leave in the next 10 to 12 weeks. He says the plan will smash the business model of people smugglers who have brought tens of thousands of asylum seekers across the Channel in small boats. The arrivals illustrate the difficulties British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces on his pledge to tackle illegal migration and stop the boats, ahead of a national election expected later this year. More than 8,000 people have arrived so far this year on small boats, with many fleeing war or famine and travelling through Europe to Britain, making the start of this year a record for such arrivals. The employees claim that the company deleted internal posts supporting Palestinians. The employees accused Meta of censoring any dissent and demanded that the deletions of internal posts stop. read more A group of Meta employees has reportedly criticised the companys internal and external censorship of any show of support for Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. In an open letter published this week, some employees have accused the company of removing any open support for our Palestinian colleagues or the millions facing a humanitarian crisis in Palestine on company forums such as Workplace, according to Business Insider. The employees claim that the company deleted internal posts supporting Palestinians. The employees accused Meta of censoring any dissent and demanded that the deletions of internal posts stop. Advertisement While we loudly display Your voice is valued, CEE is used as a guise to delete dissenting opinions and silence employees that may simply be seeking solace from their co-workers or raising awareness about building safer products, the letter reads. They also claimed that employee resource groups for Muslims and Palestinians at Meta had been subject to so much censorship that an employee proposed just deleting the ERG altogether instead of giving the illusion that we can freely build community at Meta, it said as reported by Business Insider. The Israel-Hamas war was started by the Oct. 7 raid into southern Israel in which terrorists killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians and abducted around 250 hostages. Hamas is believed to still hold around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others. Since then, Israels campaign in Gaza has wreaked vast destruction and brought a humanitarian disaster, with several hundred thousand Palestinians in northern Gaza facing imminent famine, according to the UN report. The productive basis of the economy has been destroyed and poverty is rising sharply among Palestinians, according to the report released Thursday by the United Nations Development Program and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. Hopes for a deal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages has increased in recent days as negotiations have picked up pace read more Negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip are expected to resume soon as a delegation of terrorist group Hamas has arrived in Egypt. While talks for a truce between Israel and Hamas were stalled for weeks, negotiations have picked up pace in recent weeks. Hamas has said that it was studying the latest ceasefire proposal positively. Separately, state media in Egypt, which has been hosting and facilitating the talks, has reported that there has been significant progress in the talks. Advertisement US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has also said that it should be a no brainer for Hamas to accept the deal. While the specifics of the deal under discussions are not yet public, it is understood that any deal reached between Israel and Hamas will involve a ceasefire in Gaza in lieu of release of hostages in captivity in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Concessions by Israel in Gaza, such as relaxations for the return of displaced persons to their homes, are also expected. Negotiations resume as Hamas delegation arrives amid positive signals Amid positive signals, a Hamas delegation arrived in Egypt on Saturday to resume talks for a ceasefire in Gaza. Previously, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh had said that the group was studying the latest ceasefire proposal in positive spirit. Now, there has been significant progress in the negotiations and the parties involved have reached an agreed-upon formula on most points of contention, according to a high-ranking source quoted by Al-Qahera News, associated with the Egyptian intelligence services. Separately, a senior Hamas official told AFP that talks were scheduled to start. The source said, All delegations have now arrived in Egypt, and at one oclock, the first round of negotiations will begin with the presence of all Qatari, Egyptian, and even American delegations. The senior Hamas official further told the agency that it looks with an open mind to changes in the occupations (Israels) position and the American position, but there are issues that must be addressed. Advertisement Earlier, Hamas has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to derail the talks with his assertions that an invasion of Rafah will happen with or without a deal. Rafah is a town in southern Gaza where more than 1 million displaced Palestinians have taken shelter. The international community, including the United States, has warned Israel against an invasion, saying any operation there would be a humanitarian disaster. Netanyahu said that the invasion is a must as multiple battalions of Hamas are intact in Rafah and are making their last stand there. Senior Hamas official Hossam Badran on Friday said Netanyahus insistence on invading Rafah was calculated to thwart any possibility of concluding an agreement, according to AFP. Advertisement Accepting the deal should be no brainer for Hamas: Blinken US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that accepting the deal should be a no brainer of Hamas. The Joe Biden administration of the United States has repeatedly urged that Hamas remains the roadblock to the truce in Gaza. Blinken has previously said that Israel has been extraordinarily generous with the latest proposal on the table. He further said the latest proposal very strong. In his latest remarks, Blinken noted that Hamas purports to represent the Palestinian people. If it is true, then taking the ceasefire should be a no-brainer, said Blinken, as per The Times of Israel. Advertisement Blinken added, But maybe something else is going on, and well have a better picture of that in the coming days. Highlighting the difficulties part of the ongoing talks, Blinken further said, The leaders of Hamas that were indirectly engaged with through the Qataris, through the Egyptians are, of course, living outside of Gaza. The ultimate decision-makers are the folks who are actually in Gaza itself with whom none of us have direct contact. Hamas has before it a proposal that is extraordinarily, extraordinarily generous on the part of Israel. And in this moment the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire is Hamas. They have to decide and they have to decide quickly. Im hopeful that they will make the right decision, said Blinken earlier this week during a visit to Saudi Arabia. While the specifics of the proposal are not yet public, any deal will include a ceasefire in Gaza in lieu of the release of hostages in captivity read more Hamas has said its delegation will arrive in Egypts capital Cairo on Saturday for talks for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. For the past few days, Hamas has been studying a ceasefire proposal presented to it during the latest rounds of talks held in Cairo. While the specifics of the proposal are not yet public, any deal will include a ceasefire in Gaza in lieu of the release of hostages in captivity. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails are also expected to be released along with other concessions on Israels part. Advertisement While talks had been stalled for weeks, the negotiations have picked up pace lately. The United States along with regional partners Egypt and Qatar are facilitating negotiations between Hamas and Israel. Determined to achieve complete cessation of aggression: Hamas In a statement released on Friday, Hamas said that it is determined to achieve a deal that includes a complete cessation of aggression. We in Hamas and the Palestinian resistance forces are determined to achieve an agreement that fulfils our peoples demands for a complete cessation of the aggression, the withdrawal of the occupation forces, the return of the displaced, relief and reconstruction, and a serious exchange deal, said Hamas in the statement carried by AFP. The statement further said, We emphasise the positive spirit with which the Hamas leadership dealt with the ceasefire proposal it recently received, and we are going to Cairo in the same spirit to reach an agreement. Previously, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said the group was studying the latest ceasefire proposal in positive spirit. While the specifics of the deal are not out, AFP reported that the deal being discussed includes a ceasefire for 40 days in exchange for hostages in Gaza and prisoners in Israeli jails. Israeli invasion of Rafah a roadblock The repeated assertions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he would order the invasion of Rafah, the town in southern Gaza where more than 1 million displaced Palestinians are sheltering, have emerged as a major stumbling block, according to AFP. Advertisement Hamas is the last remaining town in Gaza where major fighting has not taken place. Multiple battalions of Hamas are understood to be making their last stand in the town amidst more than 1 million internally displaced Palestinians. The United States and much of the international community has warned Israel against the invasion of Rafah. They have aid that an operation without adequate arrangements to evacuate and rehabilitate the civilians would lead to a humanitarian disaster. A top Hamas official on Friday accused Netanyahu of trying to derail the ongoing efforts for a truce in Gaza. Netanyahu was the obstructionist of all previous rounds of dialogue and it is clear that he still is, senior Hamas official Hossam Badran told AFP. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have arrested Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22 and Karan Brar, 22 read more The Canadian Police on Saturday said that they will continue their investigation to find the alleged Indian government link to the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The statement comes hours after the police arrested and charged three Indian nationals over their involvement in the killing of Nijjar in June last year. There are separate and distinct investigations ongoing into these matters, certainly not limited to the involvement of the people arrested today, and these efforts include investigating connections to the Government of India, said Assistant Commissioner David Teboul. Advertisement Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner David Teboul said they were probing whether the three Indian men, who were arrested and charged with the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, had ties to the Indian government https://t.co/E6XljxxXSM pic.twitter.com/PUdMD7uZF2 Reuters (@Reuters) May 4, 2024 The Assistant Commissioner refused to make comments on the nature of evidence collected by the police or speak about the motive behind Nijjars murder. Nijjars murder in Vancouver last year sparked a diplomatic row between India and Canada with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accusing the Indian government of its involvement in the killing of the Canadian national. Who are the people arrested by police? The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have arrested Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22 and Karan Brar, 22. The police said that all these men had been living in Edmonton, Alberta at the time of their arrest. Karan Brar, Kamalpreet Singh and Karanpreet Singh, the three individuals charged with first-degree murder The trio has been booked with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Nijjar was killed by masked gunmen. However, it is not clear whether the three arrested people are the same people who shot Nijjar. Advertisement The police added that Karanpreet, Amarpreet and Karan had been living in Canada for three to five years. We welcome the arrests but this does lead to a lot more questions, said Balpreet Singh, legal counsel and spokesperson for the Canada-based World Sikh Organization advocacy group. Those who have been arrested are part of a hit squad but its clear that they were directed, he said by phone. US universities including Columbia, UCLA, Yale and NYU have become the center of resistance against Israeli forces waging a war in Gaza. In the past couple of weeks, students at these universities have been setting up tents to rally support for the Palestinians read more (File) Students continue to maintain a protest encampment in support of Palestinians at Columbia University, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in New York City, U.S., on 26 April, 2024. Reuters Students suspended from US universities for staging pro-Palestinian protests have been offered education by Houthis, the Yemen-based Iran-backed terror group that has disrupted global shipping in the Red Sea to show support to Hamas. We are serious about welcoming students that have been suspended from US universities for supporting Palestinians, an official at Sanaa University, which is run by the Houthis, told Reuters. We are fighting this battle with Palestine in every way we can. Advertisement Sanaa University is the educational institution that has come out to support the students at US universities, saying they have taken a humanitarian position to back Palestinians. The administration has offered these students to continue their studies in Yemen. The board of the university condemns what academics and students of U.S. and European universities are being subjected to, suppression of freedom of expression, the board of the university said in a statement, which included an email address for any students wanting to take up their offer. US universities including Columbia, UCLA, Yale and NYU have become the center of resistance against Israeli forces waging a war in Gaza. In the past couple of weeks, students at these universities have been setting up tents to rally support for the Palestinians. Demonstrators have called on President Joe Biden, who has supported Israels right to defend itself, to do more to stop the bloodshed in Gaza and demanded schools divest from companies that support Israels government. Many of these Ivy League schools have involved police to help the administration quell the protests, in turn drawing the ire of activists around the world. Protests spread to other nations Meanwhile, other countries including France and Australia have been similarly witnessing a wave of anti-Israel protests at campuses following the showdown at US schools. Police in Paris entered Frances prestigious Sciences Po university on Friday and removed student activists who had occupied its buildings overnight in protest against Israels conduct in its war against Hamas in Gaza. Advertisement Hundreds of people protesting Israels war in Gaza rallied at one of Australias top universities demanding it divest from companies with ties to Israel, in a movement inspired by the student occupations sweeping US campuses. With inputs from agencies It is pertinent to note that the crew also included 17 Indian crew members. Last month, one of the 17 crew members safely returned to India last month read more Amid the brewing tensions in the Middle East, Iran said that it has released all the crew of MSC Aries, the Portuguese-flagged ship linked to Israel, which was seized by Iran last month. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian confirmed that the crew stranded onboard the vessel were released but Iran will still remain in control of the ship. On April 13, Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized the container ship MSC Aries which comprised 25 crew members. It is pertinent to note that the crew also included 17 Indian crew members. Last month, one of the 17 crew members safely returned to India. Advertisement The Iranian foreign minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian said that the crew was released with a humane approach and informed that it is possible for them to return to their home countries. Meanwhile, Abdollahian mentioned that the ship itself will still remain under judicial detention". Israel, India and the United States are yet to give a response on the matter. MSC Aries: A symbol of Iran-Israel tensions The ship was commandeered less than two weeks after Tehran pledged to retaliate against a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy in Damascus. The attack on the consulate led to the death of several Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders, including two senior generals. After seizing the ship, the Iranian authorities reasoned that the vessel was blocked because it violated maritime laws. The MSC leases the Aries from Gortal Shipping, an affiliate of Zodiac Maritime, which is partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer. At the time it was detained, it was reported that the vessel had been boarded by Iranian authorities via helicopter. The vessel was passing through the Strait of Hormuz when it was seized by the Iranian authorities. It is important to note that this was not the first time Iran seized a commercial vessel. In January this year, Irans navy seized a tanker loaded with oil off the coast of Oman. Before the ongoing Israel-Hamas war rattled the Middle East, the United States had often accused Iran of harassing and attacking more than a dozen internationally flagged merchant ships in recent years. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. The Iran-aligned Houthi terrorist have launched repeated drone and missile strikes on ships in the crucial shipping channels of the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab strait and the Gulf of Aden since November to show their support for the Palestinians in the Gaza war. read more An Iranian warship has begun a mission in oceanic waters following a warning from Houthi rebels about potential attacks on vessels in the region, Irans state media reported. The aircraft carrier Shahid Mahdavi operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has reportedly reached waters in the southern hemisphere, the semi-official Fars news agency reported, although the exact location was not specified. military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a televised speech on Friday that Yemens Houthis will target ships heading to Israeli ports in any area that is within their range. We will target any ships heading to Israeli ports in the Mediterranean Sea in any area we are able to reach, he said. Advertisement The Iran-aligned terrorist group have launched repeated drone and missile strikes on ships in the crucial shipping channels of the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab strait and the Gulf of Aden since November to show their support for the Palestinians in the Gaza war. The Houthis have launched more than 50 attacks on shipping, seized one vessel and sunk another since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration. Houthis had targeted the MSC Orion container ship in a drone attack in the Indian Ocean days back as part of their ongoing campaign against international shipping in solidarity with Palestinians against Israels military actions in Gaza. Last week, a missile attack by Yemens Houthi rebels damaged a ship in the Red Sea, authorities said, the latest assault in their campaign against shipping in the crucial maritime route. The attack happened off the coast of Mokha, Yemen, the British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center said. Houthi attacks have dropped in recent weeks as the rebels have been targeted by a U.S.-led airstrike campaign in Yemen. Shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has declined because of the threat. American officials have speculated the rebels may be running out of weapons as a result of the U.S.-led campaign against them and after firing drones and missiles steadily for months. However, the rebels have renewed their attacks in the past week. Early Sunday morning, the U.S. military shot down five drones in the air over the Red Sea, its Central Command said. Advertisement The drones presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels in the region, Central Command said in a statement. The Houthis say their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden are aimed at pressuring Israel to end its war against Hamas in Gaza. With inputs from agencies. While anti-Israel protests across the campuses, such as the Universities of Columbia and Rutgers, did not have a central organisation running them, external elements were supporting them and training sessions were held for the agitators, as per the report read more Left-leaning groups and veteran of previous wave of protests trained and encouraged the anti-Israel demonstrators who made encampments in university campuses across the United States in recent days, according to a report. While protests across the campuses, such as the Universities of Columbia and Rutgers, did not have a central organisation running them, external elements were supporting them and training sessions were held for the agitators, as per The Wall Street Journal. Advertisement In recent days, a number of American universities campuses were struck with protests against Israel over the war in the Gaza Strip. The protests, which featured chanting, occupation of academic building, and vandalisation of campus Palestinian motifs, were also accused of antisemitism as a number of videos appeared to show chants and slogans on placards that could be considered antisemitic. The WSJ reported that longtime protester groups like the National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP), Samidoun: Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, and veterans of Black Panthers were involved in these training and encouragement activities. In at least one such session, open support for Hamas, the Gaza-based terrorist group, was expressed. Training sessions, self-defence classes, online tips: How protests were fuelled The recent wave of anti-Israel protesters became a multi-generational effort as protesters researched past protests in campuses, attended sessions, and engaged with veterans of Black Panthers, a far-left American organisation of the yesteryears. At Columbia, organisers of the protesters went to a community meeting on gentrification and development and attended a teach-in put on by many Black Panthers veterans, as per the WSJ. We took notes from our elders, engaged in dialogue with them and analysed how the university responded to previous protests, said Sueda Polat, one of the organisers. Since October, when terrorist group Hamas started the war by mounting the worst-ever attack on Israel and killing around 1,200 people, the National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) had been promoting a day of resistance with college demonstrations. The group, which has more than 300 chapters across the United States, also offered tips to potential protesters. Advertisement In a post on X (formerly Twitter), NSJP posted friendly advice which including tips to wear comfortable clothes and running shoes and bring water, energy bar, and bandanna. In another post, it referred to police personnel as pigs and said: If someone is arrested, dont linger too long or pigs will kettle the march. Free the comrade, or else get their name and birthdate for jail support and keep it moving. In March, Canada-based group Samidoun: Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network organised a session titled Resistance 101 for Columbia protesters, according to the report. The group had celebrated the October 7 terrorist attack. In the session, Samidoun coordinator Charlotte Kates said there is nothing wrong with being a member of Hamas, being a leader of Hamas, being a fighter in Hamas, as per the report. Advertisement The report further said that Kates encouraged students to build an international popular cradle of the resistance. She further called Hamas terrorists and leaders as people that are on the front lines defending Palestine. In another instance, University of California teacher Saree Makdisi, part of the Faculty for Justice in Palestine, said that his campus encampment organised self-defence teams comprising students who had received training beforehand. The meeting of the council of ministers chaired by Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal Prachanda took a decision to print the new map of Nepal, which includes the Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani in the Rs 100 denomination bank notes read more Nepal shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states - Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. PTI Nepal on Friday announced the printing of a new Rs 100 currency note with a map that shows the controversial territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani, already termed as artificial enlargement and untenable by India. The meeting of the council of ministers chaired by Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal Prachanda took a decision to print the new map of Nepal, which includes the Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani in the Rs 100 denomination bank notes, government spokesperson Rekha Sharma told media persons while briefing about the cabinet decision. Advertisement The cabinet approved the redesign of the banknote of Rs 100 and replace the old map printed in the background of the bank note during the cabinet meetings held on April 25 and May 2, Sharma, who is also the Minister for Information and Communication, added. On June 18, 2020, Nepal completed the process of updating the countrys political map by incorporating three strategically important areas Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura areas by amending its Constitution, something that India reacted sharply, calling it a unilateral act and terming as untenable the artificial enlargement of the territorial claims by Nepal. India maintains Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura belong to it. Nepal shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states - Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The ATACMS missiles, with a range of up to 300 km (190 miles)were used for the first time in the early hours of April 17, launched against a Russian airfield in Crimea that was about 165 km (103 miles) from the Ukrainian front lines read more The Russian defence ministry said on Saturday its air defence forces shot down four US-produced long-range missiles over the Crimea peninsular, weapons known as Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) that Washington has shipped to Ukraine in recent weeks. The ministry did not give details. On Tuesday, Russian officials also said Ukraine had attacked Crimea with ATACMS in an attempt to pierce Russian air defences of the annexed peninsula but that six had been shot down. A US official said in Washington last month that the United States secretly shipped long-range missiles to Ukraine in recent weeks. Advertisement The ATACMS missiles, with a range of up to 300 km (190 miles)were used for the first time in the early hours of April 17, launched against a Russian airfield in Crimea that was about 165 km (103 miles) from the Ukrainian front lines, the official said. The Pentagon initially opposed the long-range missile deployment, concerned that taking the missiles from the American stockpile would hurt US military readiness. There were also concerns that Ukraine would use them to attack targets deep inside Russia, a step that could lead to an escalation of the war towards a direct confrontation between Russia and the United States. Russia seized and annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. Its Black Sea Fleet is based on the peninsula. On Thursday, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron promised 3 billion pounds ($3.7 billion) of annual military aid for Ukraine for as long as it takes, adding that London had no objection to its weapons being used inside Russia, drawing a strong rebuke from Moscow. Russia also issued an arrest warrant for the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor who last year prepared a warrant for President Vladimir Putin on war crimes charges. read more Russia has opened a criminal case against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and put him on a wanted list, the state news agency TASS reported on Saturday, citing the Interior Ministrys database. The move came as another instance of Russia issuing arrest warrants for several Ukrainian and other European politicians since the beginning of the conflict with Ukraine in February 2022. Both Zelenskyy and his predecessor, Petro Poroshenko, featured on the ministrys list of people wanted on unspecified criminal charges as of Saturday afternoon. The commander of Ukraines ground forces, Gen. Oleksandr Pavlyuk, was also on the list. Advertisement Russian officials refrained from immediately clarifying the allegations against any of the individuals. Mediazona, an independent Russian news outlet, asserted on Saturday that both Zelenskyy and Poroshenko had been listed since at least late February. Russia issued an arrest warrant for the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor who prepared a warrant for President Vladimir Putin on war crimes charges last year. Responding to these developments, Ukraines foreign ministry published an online statement on the same day, dismissing the reports of Zelenskyys inclusion as evidence of the desperation of the Russian state machine and propaganda. Russias wanted list includes numerous officials and lawmakers from Ukraine and NATO countries. Notably, Kaja Kallas, the prime minister of NATO and EU member Estonia, is among them. Kallas has vehemently advocated for increased military aid to Kyiv and stronger sanctions against Moscow. Russia has laws criminalizing the rehabilitation of Nazism that include punishing the desecration of war memorials. Also on Russias list are cabinet ministers from Estonia and Lithuania, as well as the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor who last year prepared a warrant for President Vladimir Putin on war crimes charges. Moscow has also charged the head of Ukraines military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, with what it deems terrorist activities, including Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian infrastructure. With agency inputs. A little over 9,800 people used to live in the Ruang island which was located in the province of North Sulawesi read more Indonesia announced that it will be permanently relocating almost 10,000 residents after the Ruang volcano witnessed a series of explosive eruptions. The volcanos eruptions have raised concerns among authorities about the dangers of residing on the island in future. A little over 9,800 people used to live in the Ruang island which was located in the province of North Sulawesi. However, multiple volcanic eruptions in recent weeks have forced all residents to evacuate the tiny island region. Advertisement The situation became worse after the mountain continued spewing incandescent lava and columns of ash kilometres into the sky. The authorities raised the alert status in the region to the highest level and eventually closed the provincial airport in Manado. They also issued a warning of a possible tsunami after parts of the mountain collapsed into the surrounding waters. What are the relocation plans? According to ABC Australia, Indonesias Human Development Minister Muhadjir Effendy informed that hundreds of simple but permanent homes would be built in the Bolaang Mongondow to help the residents relocate from the island. As instructed by President Joko Widodo, we will build houses that meet disaster standards, Effendy after conducting a cabinet meeting to discuss the matter. The Bolaang Mongondow site is located just 200 kilometres from Ruang island. The Mount Ruang catastrophe The Ruang mountain began to dramatically erupt last month causing lava to flow into the residential areas. Experts believed that the recent eruptions were triggered by an increase in seismic activity, including deep sea earthquakes. On Tuesday, the volcano erupted once again, causing significant damage to homes and forcing residents to evacuate from the Tagulandang island, where they had initially sought refuge. From there, the residents went to the provincial capital of Manado. While the volcano has not erupted since then, the regions Manados Sam Ratulangi Airport remained closed until the evening due to the spread of volcanic ash. It is pertinent to note that Indonesia is situated in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an area which is known for high seismic activity. Earlier this week, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) had warned of a potential tsunami triggered by volcanic material collapsing into the ocean. During the hearing, she also gave an insight into how Trumps White House dealt with the stories about the hush money payments made to former porn star Stormy Daniels read more Former US President Donald Trumps ex-campaign press secretary and communications director Hope Hicks took the stand in the ongoing hush money trial. On the 11th day of the trial, Hicks sat feet away from her former boss and described the fallout from the damaging Access Hollywood tapes. During the hearing, she also gave an insight into how Trumps White House dealt with the stories about the hush money payments made to former porn star Stormy Daniels. Advertisement Hicks who looked visibly nervous during the testimony became emotional while narrating the ordeal. Hicks was Trumps campaign spokesperson during 2016 and was also known as his close confidante. The former American commander-in-chief pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal the payments made with the intention to kill the damaging stories against him. Here are 5 takeaways from the proceedings; 1) The Access Hollywood tapes Hicks was working as the press secretary for Trumps 2016 presidential campaign when she was confronted by the leaking of the highly controversial Access Hollywood tapes. Hicks mentioned that dealing with the fallout from the revelation was an intense ordeal. In the tape, Trump was heard talking about groping women. When youre a star, they let you do it, you can do anything, he was heard saying on the tape. During her testimony, Hicks said she first learned about the tape when the reporter emailed her for a comment on the matter. I was concerned, Hicks testified about her thinking. I was concerned about the contents of the email. I was concerned about the lack of time to respond. I was concerned we had a transcript without a tape. There was a lot at play," she added. Hicks eventually forwarded that email to Trumps staffers including Kellyanne Conway. FLAGGING, Hicks wrote in the email, with two notes: 1) Need to hear the tape, to be sure. 2) Deny, deny, deny. Advertisement Hicks also recalled telling Trump about the tapes. He said that didnt sound like something he would say, Hicks testified, noting Trump asked to see the actual tape. However, once he saw the tape, Hicks mentioned that Trump was visibly upset. He didnt want to offend anybody, Hicks said of Trump. I think he felt like it was pretty standard stuff for two guys chatting with each other," she added. 2) Hicks suggests Trump was the mastermind of the Stormy Daniels saga When asked about what Hicks thought about the hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels, Hicks cast doubt on the claims that Cohen had simply paid Daniels out of selflessness. That would be out of character for Michael, Hicks acknowledged. I didnt know him to be an especially selfless person. He was the kind of person to seek credit," she added. Advertisement She went on to discredit the Trump teams contention that the entire hush-money scheme was orchestrated by Cohen and Trump was completely removed from the whole ordeal. She went on to suggest that the former president had direct knowledge about the hush-money scheme. Trumps lawyer Emil Bove objected twice during this revelation. 3) The Melania defence In her testimony, Hicks mentioned that Trump was more concerned about his wifes reaction to the stories than their impact on his presidential campaign. He was concerned about how it would be viewed by his wife, Hicks said while talking about the tapes. While giving their opening statements, Trumps team suggested that the main reason why the catch-and-kill scheme to buy Daniels story happened was because Trump found it embarrassing for him and for Melania. Hicks supported this chain of arguments. Advertisement 4) Hicks helped Trump to distance himself from Cohen During the testimony, Hicks mentioned that Hicks asked Trump to maintain distance from Cohen. She revealed that Cohen had juvenile tendencies and that he often inserted himself into Trumps 2016 campaign unsolicited. He liked to call himself fixer, or Mr Fix-It," she said. Hicks also mentioned that Cohen sometimes acted unilaterally causing more issues. Trump faces another gag-order ruling After Hicks testimony was over Justice Merchan fined Trump $9,000 for violating a gag order barring attacks on trial participants, Justice Merchan. The court also warned Trump that if he continues to rant this away he can face a jail sentence as well. Advertisement During the hearing, prosecutors presented four more incidents and called Trumps statements corrosive. Trumps legal team on the other hand argued that he was merely responding to political attacks. Justice Merchan is yet to rule on these recent allegations. With inputs from agencies. Britains Foreign Secretary David Cameron, during his visit to Kyiv, told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the UK government will provide $3.75 billion each year to the war-torn country as long as necessary read more The UK has left it up to Ukraine to decide how it wants to use British weapons, adding that Kyiv has the right to strike Russian targets. Britains Foreign Secretary David Cameron, during his visit to Kyiv, told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the UK government will provide $3.75 billion each year to the war-torn country as long as necessary. Just as Russia is striking inside Ukraine, you can quite understand why Ukraine feels the need to make sure its defending itself, he said. Advertisement Meanwhile, he told Reuters that some of the weapons would arrive in Ukraine during his visit itself. Cameron, who led the UK from 2010 and 2016 as prime minister and only returned to frontline politics several months ago, met Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on his second visit to Kyiv as foreign secretary. The US, on the other hand, does not enable or encourage Ukraine to use American-made weapons against targets within Russia, US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said. UKs military aid to Ukraine Since the war between Ukraine and Russia began in 2022, Britain has pledged 12.5 billion to Kyiv, of which 7.6 billion is for military assistance. This includes 3 billion for military assistance in 2024/25. The military aids include both lethal and non-lethal weaponry, including tanks, air defence systems and long-range precision strike missiles. Last month, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the country is putting its defense industry on a war footing by increasing defense spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by the end of the decade, and pledged to send arms worth $620 million to Ukraine. Another dangerous statement The Kremlin slammed the UKs Cameron for making another very dangerous statement regarding the war. This is a direct escalation of tension around the Ukrainian conflict, which would potentially pose a threat to European security, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Advertisement The UK Home Secretary, however, did not directly indicate that Ukraine should use the weapons against Russia. Donetsk is one of the four regions of Ukraine that Moscow says it has annexed. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Friday that Moscow had taken control of 547 sq km (211 sq miles) of the annexed territories this year. read more President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the soldiers of Ukraines 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade shot down a Russian Su-25 fighter jet in Donetsk Oblast, located in eastern Ukraine, on Saturday. The Su-25 is commonly used to provide close air support for Russian ground troops. In a video address, Zelensky said It is important to be very focused these days. A special commendation goes to the warriors of the 110th separate mechanised brigade for today taking down another Russian Su-25 in the Donetsk region. Advertisement Donetsk is one of the four regions of Ukraine that Moscow says it has annexed. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Friday that Moscow had taken control of 547 sq km (211 sq miles) of the annexed territories this year. Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Ukraines Kharkiv and Dnipro regions and the Black Sea port city of Odesa killed at least two civilians, injured others and damaged critical infrastructure, homes and commercial buildings, regional officials said on Saturday. Earlier today, Russia has opened a criminal case against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and put him on a wanted list, the state news agency TASS reported on Saturday, an announcement Ukraine dismissed as evidence of Moscows desperation. TASS reported that the Russian Interior Ministry database showed Zelenskiy was on a wanted list but gave no further details. Ukraines foreign ministry noted Russian President Vladimir Putin was himself subject to arrest under an International Criminal Court warrant. The United States employed double-standards about the effects of the war and the humanitarian crisis when it came to Israel, said Hala Rharrit, a US diplomat who quit in protest to the US policy on the war in Gaza read more Hala Rharrit resigned as a US diplomat in protest to the US policy on the war in Gaza. (Photo: Department of State) Hala Rharrit, an American diplomat who resigned in protest to the Joe Biden administrations stand on the Israel-Hamas War, has said that she was concerned that the United States was on the wrong side of history. At the time of her resignation, Rharrit was an Arabic language spokesperson for the Department of State. Even as the Biden administrations, including the President of the United States himself and his Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have increasingly called out the Israeli conduct of the war in recent months, a section of the administration considers it too little too late. There have been at least three-high profile exits in protest. Advertisement Im fundamentally concerned that were on the wrong side of history and we are hurting our interests, said Rharrit, as per CNN. While Rharrit was the first diplomat to resign, two more State Department officials, Josh Paul and Annelle Sheline, also left the Biden administration in protest. Internally, dissent cables have also been circulated, which refer to memos to Blinken by officials in disagreement under a dissent channel that was established during the Vietnam War era. US has double-standards on war & humanitarian crisis Rharrit said that there were double-standards at play in the US policy when it came to effects of war and humanitarian crisis. In an interview with CNN, Rharrit flagged the double-standards and said the US policy cannot make exceptions on principles. She said, As the United States, we have to stand on our principles. We cannot make exceptions. Our allies and our adversaries are watching and it is hurting us as a nation. It was just one devastating frustration after another. I just kept on hoping until finally I was just like, I think I need to start planning. I dont think things are going to get any better. Rharrit said that there was no one particular moment that made her resign. Instead, it was the build-up throughout the war from destabilising American policy that pushed her to resign. Advertisement Anti-Americanism rose, out favourability plummeted in Middle East Through repeated polls, Rharrit said they saw that anti-America sentiment was rising across the Middle East because of the Biden administrations stand on the Israel-Hamas War. Rharrit also said that while her job as an Arabic spokesperson was to address an Arabic audience, her talking points were sharply distant and were focused towards a domestic US audience. She said she warned the State Department that the approach would be seen as dehumanising to Palestinians and thats what she said actually happened. Thats indeed what we saw. Through polls, we saw just growing anti-Americanism, our favorability plummet across the entire region, in countries where we had great relations, said Rharrit. Advertisement She further said, The notion that we are complicit in the killings of those civilians is a very difficult and devastating thing for a diplomat to have to admit to themselves. And what do you do with that information if youre not the one that can change the policy? When asked if Ukraine could win the war with such restrictions in place, the American official made it clear that the restrictions were in place and remained unchanged since the commencement of the ongoing war read more As the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war continues to escalate, US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said that Washington does not enable or encourage Kyiv to use American-made weapons when it comes to attacking targets within the Russian territories. The proclamation came just a week after US President Joe Biden agreed to provide a whopping $61 billion Ukraine aid package to Ukraine. After the aid package was passed the White House stated that Ukraine would be receiving new shipments of weapons and military equipment within days. Advertisement While Brink insisted that the United States wants to help Ukraine defend itself, she made it clear that the country will not support stikes made by US weapons inside the Russian borders, The Kyiv Independent reported. Zelenskyy assures the same Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy assured that Kyiv will not use weapons supplied by foreign partners to hit targets outside the countrys border. However, he maintained that such restrictions would not be imposed on domestically produced arms. When asked if Ukraine could win the war with such restrictions in place, the American official made it clear that the restrictions were in place and remained unchanged since the commencement of the ravaging war. The first part of helping Ukraine defend itself is supplying our weapons and those of our partners to support the efforts of your brave heroes on the front lines to return your territories, the ambassador said. Our position from the beginning has been that we do not enable or encourage the use of our weapons in Russia, outside Ukraines territory, she added. Cameron thinks otherwise While the US continues to adhere to such restrictions, other allies of Ukraine have a different take on the matter. According to Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze, some allies have sent weapons to Kyiv with no restrictions on strikes inside Russia. Advertisement UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron said that Ukraine has the right to use British-supplied weapons to strike Russia inside its own territory. During an interview with Reuters, Cameron said it was up to Ukraine to decide how UK weapons are used. Ukraine has that right. Just as Russia is striking inside Ukraine, you can quite understand why Ukraine feels the need to make sure its defending itself, he said. The assertion from the American envoy came after Ukraine launched a series of strikes against Russias oil industry prompting criticism from US officials. However, Kyiv maintained that it considers Russian refineries to be legitimate military targets. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. May 3, 2024: Russia has lost at least ten percent of its combat aircraft since they invaded Ukraine in early 2022. Since the 2022 invasion Russia has lost 347 combat aircraft and 325 helicopters. Ukrainian losses have been similar, with 346 combat aircraft and 270 helicopters lost so far, all or almost all of Russian design. European NATO nations are providing Ukraine with fifty or sixty American-made F-16 fighters. These are arriving in 2024, as quickly as Ukrainian pilots can be trained to fly them. NATO countries have over a thousand F-16s and the U.S. Air Force operates over 900 of them. European NATO nations offered to supply over 60 F-16 jet fighters and these are already arriving in Ukraine and all of them are supposed to be in Ukraine by the end of 2024. Pilot training is continuing and Ukrainian pilots who have completed their training speak highly of the F-16 and its capabilities, especially compared to the MiG-29, which was designed as the Russian equivalent of the F-16 during the Cold War. MiG-29s and F-16s have never fought each other but many Western pilots have flown the MiG-29 because after the Cold War ended many East European nations were soon NATO members, and still had their Cold War era MiG-29s. The East European MiG-29 pilots preferred the F-16 once they had flown in one. But the pilots who had flown both F-16s and MiG-29s warned that the MiG-29 could be a formidable opponent for an F-16 if the MiG was flown by an experienced pilot. The Cold War ended in 1991 and MiG-29s have not seen much combat since then while the F-16s have. Pilot quality will determine how well MiG-29s do against F-16s. Russia has a problem replacing lost aircraft. Production of new aircraft in Russia was greatly reduced by economic sanctions, which include the loss of key aircraft components formerly obtained from foreign suppliers. That means Russia is only able to replace five percent of aircraft lost in combat. Meanwhile Ukraine, which also lost hundreds of their Russian-made combat aircraft, most of them Cold War era MiG-29s, and most of which were provided since the war started by NATO nations which used to be Soviet satellites, now has access to hundreds of American and European F-16s which are being replaced by the new F-35s. Currently some Ukrainian pilots are training in F-16s, which have been the worlds most popular post-Cold War combat aircraft. Communist governments and the Soviet Union collapsed by 1991 and eastern European nations, recently under communist rule, wanted to join NATO so the Russians, Communist or not, would be less likely to return. During the last three decades these former Communist controlled nations joined NATO and have been replacing their Russian weapons, like MiG29s, with Western models that are usually F-16s. The F-16 and MiG-29 are both considered 4th generation, 1970s and 80s, aircraft. The 5th generation, so far, consists of the American F-22 and F-35 as well as Chinas J-20. The MiG-29 dates from the 1980s and was the last aircraft designed by the now defunct MiG company. Rival Sukhoi later introduced two new aircraft, the Su-24 and Su-35. Both performed poorly in combat over Ukraine. The MiG-29 entered service in 1983. Some 1,600 MiG-29s were produced, with about 900 of them exported. The 22-ton aircraft is roughly comparable to the F-16, but it depends a lot on which version of either aircraft you are talking about. Russia is making a lot of money upgrading MiG-29s. Not just adding new electronics but also making the airframe more robust. The MiG-29 was originally rated at 2,500 total flight hours. At that time, Russia expected MiG-29s to fly about a hundred or so hours a year. Didnt work out that way. India, for example, flew them at nearly twice that rate, as did Malaysia. Eventually Russia offered an upgrade to the airframe so that the aircraft could fly up to 4,000 hours, with more life extension upgrades promised. This has not been easy, as the MiG-29 has a history of unreliability and premature breakdowns, both mechanical and electronic, which indicates a flawed design. Western warplanes are built to last longer. The F-16C was originally designed for a service life of 4,000 hours in the air. Advances in engineering, materials, and maintenance techniques extended that to over 8,000 hours. Because of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, F-16s sent to these areas flew over a thousand hours a year more than what they would fly in peacetime. That led to a refurbishment program to extend F-16C flight hours to 10,000 or more. The U.S. Air Force had to refurbish several hundred of its 22-ton F-16 fighters, because their replacement, the 31-ton F-35, had not arrived on time. Most existing F-16s are old, and by 2016, many were too old to operate. Back then the average age of F-16s was over 20 years, and the average aircraft had over 5,000 flight hours on it. In 2009 the first Block 40 F-16 passed 7,000 hours. In 2008 the first of the earliest models, Block 25 F-16s, passed 7,000 hours. While older F-16s are being retired for their age, they tend to have at least twice as many flight hours as their Russian counterparts. Because of greater durability and ease of maintenance, the seemingly more expensive Western fighters are actually cheaper in the lifetime of an aircraft because they last longer and are easier to maintain than equivalent Russian designs. The Block 70 F-16 was also sold to Slovakia which ordered 14, Bulgaria asked for eight and Bahrain received 16 new F-16s plus twenty older F-16s upgraded to Block 7o. South Korea upgraded over a hundred of its F-16s to the Block 70 standard. The F-16V was the popular choice for post-Cold War members of NATO, like Slovakia and Bulgaria, seeking to replace early model MiG-29s. New users of the F-16 also purchase spares, maintenance equipment, training, aircraft accessories, like look and shoot helmets plus tech support and assistance in setting up maintenance and support facilities. These can be used for other aircraft types and are a good investment. The sale includes air-to-air missiles and smart bombs as well. The F-16V was introduced in 2012 as the last model of the F-16 but production of the F-16 did not halt as planned in 2016 because possible further sales of the F-16V turned into actual orders for more F-16s. Additionally it became possible to upgrade some or all of the older F-16s to the Block 7o standard. These Block 7o upgrades are not always possible, or practical, for the oldest models of the F-16. These upgrades include replacing many structural elements as well as installing more powerful engines and the most modern electronics and fire control systems available. Although production of the F-16 ceased temporarily, its manufacturer Lockheed Martin, known as LockMart, continues to do upgrades and refurbishments, and produce new F-16Vs due to buyer demand. The changes in the V model are considerable. The airframe is upgraded and strengthened to enable 12,000 flight hours per aircraft. The electronics undergo an even more extensive upgrade which involves replacing the mechanical radar with an AESA phased array radar, an upgraded cockpit, a Sniper targeting pod, a Link 16 digital data link and upgraded navigation gear. The newly redesigned cockpit is all digital and flat screen touch displays that replace dozens of gauges and switches and make it much easier to fly. AESA and the new fire control system make it possible to track multiple aircraft at once as well as track vehicles on land or vessels at sea. The targeting pod enables the pilot to confirm visually what is on the surface and promptly attack it with smart bombs or missiles. LockMart initially expected to get orders for at least 700 newly built F-16V or less expensive upgrades. An upgrade brings in as little as $10 million per aircraft while five or ten of these upgrades equal the price of one new F-16V. But when you have orders for hundreds of F-16V upgrades you have a lot of F-16 work. The F-16 thus follows the path of previous best selling fighters. During the 1947-1991 Cold War Russia built over 10,000 MiG-21s and the U.S over 5,000 F-4s. After 1991 warplane manufacturing plummeted about 90 percent. However, the F-16 has been popular enough to keep the production lines going strong into the 2020s. The U.S. still has about 900 F-16s in service, with many of them in reserve units. F-16s built so far went to 27 countries before Ukraine requested them. America has hundreds in storage, available for sale on the used airplane market. The end of the Cold War led to a sharp cut in U.S. Air Force fighter squadrons. Moreover, the new F-35 is on its way to replacing all U.S. F-16s by the 2030. The U.S. has plenty of little-used F-16s sitting around, while many allies need low cost jet fighters. Many current F-16 users planned to replace the F-16 with the F-35 but that aircraft costs more than twice as much as a new F-16V, so air forces are seeking to operate a mixed force of F-35s and late model F-16s. A current example of this is Poland, which is sending its older MiG-29s to Ukraine. These have a few good years left, which is all Ukraine needs. Since the 1990s most F-16s produced were for export and some cost as much as $70 million each, like the F-16I for Israel. Some nations, like South Korea, built over a hundred F-16s under license. The 16 ton F-16 also has an admirable combat record and is very popular with pilots. It has been successful at ground support as well. When equipped with 4-6 smart bombs, it is an effective bomber. Since first entering service some 4,600 F-16s have flown over 12 million hours. Despite fears that a single engine fighter would be less safe, F-16s have, in the 21st century, suffered an accident rate (loss or major damage) of only 2.4 per 100,000 flight hours. The most successful F-16 user so far is Israel which set a number of combat records with its F-16s. Israel plans to keep some of its late model F-16s flying until 2030 as it retires the oldest ones. At the end of 2016, Israel retired the last of its 125 F-16A fighters. The first 70 were acquired in 1980 and 1981 and included 8 two-seater F-16B trainers. One of the F-16As achieved a record by being the single F-16 with the most air-to-air kills, 7, all achieved in 1982 using three different pilots. Overall Israeli F-16s have shot down eight or more enemy aircraft in combat. While the F-16 is widely used, its combat operations have almost all involved using missiles or smart bombs against ground targets. So far, where F-16s have operated in a hostile environment, they were able to maintain air supremacy, often to the extent it was air domination. The Ukrainians are well aware of the F-16s track record, especially when compared to the MiG-29. Thats why Ukraine kept asking for F-16s and eventually got them. By the end of 2024 it will be known how well F-16s operate against similar aircraft and modern anti-aircraft systems the Russians have. The Russians are not looking to this because they cant replace losses while Ukraine has hundreds of F-16s sitting in foreign countries and available to replace Ukrainian losses. The war has lasted long enough, and Ukraine has had so much access to Western pilot-training programs, that it has enough fighter pilots who only need orientation in F-16s. Worldwide Tablet shipments in the first quarter of 2024 saw a slight increase of 0.5%, totaling 30.8 million units, according to IDCs preliminary data. This growth followed a decline lasting over two years since the second quarter of 2021, mainly due to market saturation. Despite ongoing economic challenges, IDC notes that the increase in shipments this quarter was driven by the beginning of a refresh cycle, though its unlikely to match the peak levels seen during the pandemic. Despite the overall market trend, theres a shift towards premium tablets as consumers seek productivity-focused devices. Notably, Tablet shipments worldwide declined by 17.4% year-over-year in Q4 2023. Key company highlights for Q1, 2024: Apple faced an 8.5% decline in shipments compared to the previous year, primarily due to economic conditions and the absence of new models. The company aims to clear older inventory before launching new models in 2Q24. Samsung, ranking second, experienced a 5.8% decline in shipments, influenced by competitive promotions and a lack of new products. The company focuses on enhancing user experience and promoting premium products. HUAWEI maintained its third position, achieving a remarkable 43.6% year-over-year growth with 2.9 million units shipped. The resurgence of its smartphone business likely contributed to this growth. Lenovo, in fourth place, saw a 13.2% increase in shipments. The Tab P series drove growth in detachable models, although slate tablets still dominate their shipments. Xiaomi retained its position in the top 5 with an impressive 92.6% year-over-year growth, shipping 1.8 million units. The company saw significant growth outside its largest market, China, across various regions. Speaking on the current market dynamics, Anuroopa Nataraj, Senior Research Analyst at IDCs Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers, commented: The tablet market is exhibiting early signs of recovery in the first quarter. The true momentum will likely build during the upcoming refresh cycle, particularly with increasing tablet usage in education and the gig economy within commercial segments. Nevertheless, challenges persist as competition from PCs and smartphones continues to impact the tablet markets growth trajectory. However, there remains potential for growth, especially with the integration of AI capabilities, mirroring trends seen in other device categories. Source May 3, 2024: Serbia is a small, landlocked country in southeastern Europe. The population is 6.6 million and there are 24,500 armed forces personnel. The defense budget is $1.5 billion a year. Serbs, Russians, and Ukrainians all speak Slavic languages. Serbians speak a South Slavic language while Ukrainians and Russians speak an East Slavic language and can understand each other, but Serbians cannot understand Ukrainian and Russian. On the other hand, Serbs and their immediate Croat and Bosnian neighbors speak such closely related languages they can understand each other, though their religions and alphabets are quite different. Serbs are mostly Orthodox Christian using the Cyrillic alphabet, Croats are mostly Roman Catholic using the Latin alphabet, and Bosnians are mostly Muslim using their own combination of the Cyrillic and Latin alphabets with many Arabic and Turkish loan words. For centuries Serbia was a close ally of Russia and the Russians considered Serbia a friendly ally in the Balkans. That changed after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Serbia was enthusiastically pro-Russian until Russia invaded Ukraine. After that the Serbian government and most of the Serbs backed Ukraine with only a minority supporting Russia. This shift in attitudes was immediate; with Serbia condemning the Russian invasion a month after it took place. Despite that, many Serbs would like to eventually resume their good relations with Russia, which will have to wait until Russia gets out of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Serbia has stopped buying weapons from Russia and has turned to NATO countries for arms. Serbia ordered twelve French Rafale fighter-bombers to replace its fourteen aging MiG-29s. Serbia is also the last operator of the 11-ton twinjet J-22 ground-attack aircraft. Serbia has 17 of these aircraft, which are over thirty years old and rarely flown because of their age. Serbia has also purchased 30 modern French helicopters to replace its elderly 25 Russian Mi-35s and Mi-8s. Serbia also has 18 Chinese and Israeli UAVs with twelve more on order from a Serbian company. The Serbian army has 13,000 personnel and is equipped with 232 Serbian built M-84 tanks. These vehicles are Serbian variants of the Russian T-72. The M84s were produced in the 1990s and are beginning to show their age. The M-84AS1, a major upgrade was introduced in 2023 and Serbia ordered twelve and hopes it can afford to order more in the future. The M-84AS1 is considered far superior to the Russian T-72B3. May 4, 2024: Worldwide military spending reached a record $2.443 trillion in 2023. This was an increase of 6.8 per cent since 2022. This was the largest year-to-year increase since 2009. Global defense spending passed two trillion dollars a year in 2021. The nations with the largest defense budgets remain the same. In 2023 the top ten spenders were the United States, China, India, Britain, Russia, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and South Korea. As usual the United States accounted for the largest amount of global spending, 38 percent of it. China came in at 14 percent while India has 3.6 percent. The number ten nation, South Korea, had 2.4 percent. Russia, long the number two spender has not fallen to number five with 3.2 percent of world spending. The rest of the world, which has about 170 nations, account for 25.3 percent of global defense spending. The current global superpowers are the United States and China, with China a distant second to the Americans. As of 2023 global defense spending has now increased for nine consecutive years. Another first, since 2009, is that spending increased in four of the major regions, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East. A major distortion in national spending occurred because of the war in Ukraine. Here Ukraine survived the Russian 2022 invasion because of enormous military aid from NATO nations and the inability of Russia alone to match those increases. Russian defense spending increased by 24 per cent to $109 billion in 2023. This was a 57 per cent increase since 2014, the year that the war in Ukraine began when Russia annexed Crimea. In 2023 Russias military spending made up 16 per cent of total government spending and its military spending as a share of GDP was 5.9 per cent. Ukraine was the eighth largest spender in 2023, after a spending surge of 51 per cent to reach $64.8 billion. This gave Ukraine a military burden of 37 per cent and represented 58 per cent of total government spending. Ukraines military spending in 2023 was 59 per cent the size of Russias. That was made possible by the $35 billion in military aid received that year, including $25.4 billion from the United States. Combine this with Ukraines own military spending and Ukraine was spending about 91 percent of what the Russians were spending. While the United States still has the largest defense budget among NATO nations, it combined with the spending of the other 30 NATO members meant NATO nations spent 1.34 trillion dollars on defense, which is about 55 per cent of the global total. Military spending by the United States increased by 2.3 per cent to reach $916 billion in 2023, representing 68 per cent of total NATO military spending. In 2023 most European NATO members increased their military expenditure. Their combined share of the NATO total was 28 per cent, the highest in a decade. The remaining 4 per cent came from Canada and Turkey. Another change has been the two years of fighting in Ukraine, which has changed the attitudes of NATO nations about their security situation. Russian leaders have openly stated that Ukraine is only the first of several areas they want to conquer in an effort to revive the Soviet empire, or at least as much of the Soviet Union as they can. The Soviet Union fell apart in 1991 because of mismanagement and efforts by regions of the Soviet Union that wanted to become independent states once more. In 1991 that happened with the Soviet Union dissolving into fifteen nations including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. The two largest of these successor states were Russia, now known as the Russian Federation, and Ukraine. Russia intended to rebuild its federation into something resembling the Soviet Union and Ukraine was the first acquisition Russia went after. That effort has not proceeded as expected. None of the new post-Soviet nations want to become part of a new Soviet Union. Russian leader Vladimir Putin sees this as an obstacle that he can and must overcome. Putin seems to ignore the fact that these acquisition goals are opposed by all the other successor states to the Soviet Union. No one wants to return to being part of any new Soviet Union. The only supporter of this revival is the Russian Federation, which wants to restore the Soviet Union as a much larger Russian Federation. The Russians have nuclear weapons and none of the other successor states do. Some, especially Ukraine, did have nuclear weapons in 1991 but gave them up due to a treaty proposed by the United States and other NATO nations. This deal left Russia as the only former Soviet state with nuclear weapons while nations that gave them up, like Ukraine, were guaranteed their continued independence and that Russia would not try, in the future, to conquer Ukraine. That deal lasted 30 years until Putin breached it in 2014 when Russia seized the Ukrainian Crimean peninsula and portions of eastern Ukraine. That dispute festered until 2022 when Russia decided to invade, conquer, and absorb Ukraine back into the Russian Federation. That did not happen because the NATO nations opposed it and wanted to allow Ukraine to join NATO and the European Union. Russia opposed both of these goals and saw the conquest of Ukraine as the solution. In terms of defense spending and total armed forces, NATO is far larger and more powerful than Russia. At the same time Russia and some NATO nations (the United States, Britain, and France) have nuclear weapons. Together the NATO forces far outnumber what Russia can muster. The losses Russia has suffered in Ukraine so far have diminished Russian military power even more. At this point Russia should be willing to negotiate a peace deal. Mainly because Vladimir Putin does not want to admit defeat, that has not happened yet. Outside of the war in Ukraine, there is not a lot of violence in the rest of the world. There are disputes between India and China over where their mutual border should be. This occasionally gets violent but so far both nations have tried to keep the violence at a low level. In the Middle East, Iran became more aggressive against Israel, which Iran has long sought to destroy, along with American forces in the region. Iran acted in early 2024, making an unprecedented direct attack on Israel. That attack failed completely, doing minor damage to an Israeli air base where some of Israels new F-35 jet fighters were based. Israel currently has 35 F-35s and will eventually have at least 75. Iran sees these aircraft as a major obstacle to Iranian power in the region. After the failure of their early 2024 attack on Israel, Iran has to rethink its military objectives because there is no longer any doubt that Israel is too powerful for Iran to attack successfully. May 4, 2024: Ukraine recently revealed the Sea Baby-2024 USV (Unmanned Surface Vehicle), a major upgrade of the 2023 model Sea Baby. This new USV carries 859 kg of explosives and has a range of 1,000 kilometers. These new USVs are cheap, costing $216,000 each. Ukraine used USVs for the first time in 2022 when one was used to attack ships in Crimeas Sevastopol Bay. An optional weapon for the new Sea Baby USV is six launching tubes for RPV-16 thermobaric rockets. These rockets have a range of 600 meters. The warhead detonates when it hits a target creating a cloud 2,500 degree heat that can kill or injure personnel within 80 meters of the detonation. First used by Ukrainian ground troops, in one case an RPV-16 warhead hit the room of a single story building, detonated, and destroyed the entire building. At sea, if one of these warheads landed on the deck of a warship the damage to any nearby personnel or weapons would be catastrophic. A hit against the hull could sink the ship, or at least put it out of action because of a hole at the waterline. Thermobaric explosives dont work underwater, only in the atmosphere. Because of Ukrainian attacks since 2022 with USVs, UAVs, and missiles, the Russian Black Sea Fleet lost 14 ships with several others badly damaged and towed to more distant portions of the Black Sea, including the Sea of Azov extension in the northeast and the more distant naval base at Novorossiysk. The remaining ships of the Black Sea Fleet include six guided missile cruisers, one corvette, seven diesel attack submarines, seven landing ships and dozens of High-speed landing craft, sea-going minesweepers, anti-saboteur boats, missile boats and anti-submarine ships. These ships rarely leave their well-guarded ports, even for a few days, because of the Ukrainian USVs that might be waiting for them. Ukrainian USVs are low in the water and are difficult to detect during the day and impossible to see at night. Ukraine has several USV models, including the original Sea Baby, Mother, Malyuk and MAGURA. Sea Baby and Mother were developed by the Ukrainian Navy with assistance from the SBU secret service organization. At the end of 2023 Ukraine revealed an updated Mother USV with a top speed of 100 kilometers an hour. Manufacture of these USVs is done in underground production facilities to avoid Russian missile and guided bomb attacks. Malyuk was used in a mid-2023 Kerch Bridge attack, carrying 850 kg of explosives to inflict significant damage on the bridge. MAGURA carries 320 kg of explosives while Mamai carries 450 kg. These USVs are no longer used just for delivering explosives against a target, as they can also be used for reconnaissance when equipped with video cameras that broadcast what they see back to the USV operator. Some USVs have been armed with small rocket launchers. Malyuk has a range of over 700 kilometers, which means they are suitable for operations on the high seas. Endurance is about 60 hours, and top speed is over 70 kilometers an hour. MAGURA has similar characteristics. Mamai was used in the long range attack at the distant naval base at Novorossiysk on Russias Black Sea eastern coast, which is a thousand kilometers from Crimea. Ukraine has been developing subsurface UUV (Unmanned Underwater Vessels) and in early 2023 the first one, the Toloka2 TK-150 entered service. This UUV was 2.5 meters long and equipped with a sensor mast that remained above the surface for navigation and to identify targets. Toloka2 can also carry a small explosive warhead. More recently, Ukraine developed the larger Marichka UUV that is 6 meters long and one meter in diameter. Ukraine seeks a Western manufacturer to build many more of these USVs and UUVs than Ukraine can. Ukrainian USVs have been quite successful in attacking and sinking or disabling Russian navy ships. So far there have been twelve attacks which resulted in damage to 12 ships and the sinking of a cruiser, two small landing ships and one missile corvette. The longest range raids have been against targets in the Kerch Strait including the eighteen kilometer long Kerch Strait bridge, which has been repeatedly attacked by Ukrainian USVs. As of early 2024 the bridge is unusable and being restored. When repairs are finished, the Ukrainians will attack the bridge again. The Kerch Strait bridge is a vital supply line for Russian forces in the Crimean Peninsula. Sending supplies by sea is no longer practical because of the risk of attack by Ukrainian USVs. This leaves the Kerch Strait bridge and when that is out of commission, the only supply route is a road from Russia that is under observation by the Ukrainians, who can attack supply movements most of the time. This means Russian supply vehicles arrive in Crimea intermittently, leaving the Russian garrison weaker. Worse for the Russians, their Crimea garrison cannot hold out without fuel resupply. Apparently the only effective protection from USV attacks is the installation of multiple 25mm or 30mm automatic cannon gun mounts that are automated and use advanced AI and sensors. The guns must be able to point downward towards waters close to the hull. This makes it possible for the autocannon to fire on UAVs that get very close to the ship. No one has installed such a system yet, but the Russian Navy is working on something like this. U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar and His Wife Charged with Bribery, Unlawful Foreign Influence, and Money Laundering Schemes Friday, May 3, 2024 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs Congressman Allegedly Accepted $600,000 in Bribes from Two Foreign Entities in Exchange for Official Acts as a Member of Congress An indictment was unsealed today in the Southern District of Texas charging U.S. Congressman Enrique Roberto "Henry" Cuellar, 68, and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, 67, both of Laredo, Texas, with participating in two schemes involving bribery, unlawful foreign influence, and money laundering. Congressman Cuellar and Imelda Cuellar made their initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Palermo in Houston. According to court documents, beginning in at least December 2014 and continuing through at least November 2021, Congressman Cuellar and Imelda Cuellar allegedly accepted approximately $600,000 in bribes from two foreign entities: an oil and gas company wholly owned and controlled by the Government of Azerbaijan, and a bank headquartered in Mexico City. The bribe payments were allegedly laundered, pursuant to sham consulting contracts, through a series of front companies and middlemen into shell companies owned by Imelda Cuellar, who performed little to no legitimate work under the contracts. In exchange for the bribes paid by the Azerbaijani oil and gas company, Congressman Cuellar allegedly agreed to use his office to influence U.S. foreign policy in favor of Azerbaijan. In exchange for the bribes paid by the Mexican bank, Congressman Cuellar allegedly agreed to influence legislative activity and to advise and pressure high-ranking U.S. Executive Branch officials regarding measures beneficial to the bank. Congressman Cuellar and Imelda Cuellar are each charged with the following offenses and if convicted, face maximum penalties as indicated: two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery of a federal official and to have a public official act as an agent of a foreign principal, five years in prison on each count; two counts of bribery of a federal official, 15 years in prison on each count; two counts of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, 20 years in prison on each count; two counts of violating the ban on public officials acting as agents of a foreign principal, two years in prison on each count; one count of conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering, 20 years in prison; and five counts of money laundering, 20 years in prison on each count. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division; Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division; Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division; and Deputy Assistant Inspector General Jason Loeffler and Special Agent in Charge Chris Hileman of the Department of State Office of Inspector General (DOS-OIG) made the announcement. The FBI and DOS-OIG investigated the case. Acting Deputy Chief Marco A. Palmieri, Acting Deputy Chief Rosaleen O'Gara, and Trial Attorney Celia Choy of the Criminal Division's Public Integrity Section and Trial Attorney Garrett Coyle of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Topic: Public Corruption Components: Criminal Division Criminal - Public Integrity Section Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Investigative Division (FBI) National Security Division (NSD) Press Release Number: 24-571 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Carolina Guard Welcomes New Zambian State Partnership By Lt. Col. Ellis Parks, North Carolina National Guard May 3, 2024 LIVINGSTONE, Zambia -- North Carolina sent a delegation, including the National Guard, over 7,000 miles to the Republic of Zambia in April to officially begin their partnership with the African nation under the State Partnership Program. The delegation included Kristi Jones, chief of staff of the governor's office; members of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; 19 members of the North Carolina Army and Air National Guard; and Richard Bonanno, associate dean for North Carolina State's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. After the long flight, the team touched down in Johannesburg and made their way to the Republic of Zambia. There they joined Linnisa Wahid, the charge d'affaires for the U.S. Embassy, Republic of Zambia; Eddie Buffaloe, the secretary for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety; Army Lt. Gen. John Brennan, deputy commander, U.S. Army Africa Command; and Army Maj. Gen. Todd Hunt, the adjutant general of North Carolina. After getting acclimated, the leaders met with members of the Republic of Zambia's Army, Air Force, Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Agriculture. "Although we are here to mark the official start of the state partnership between us (NCNG and Zambia), we have been working together for years already," Hunt said. The two groups discussed the needs of the Zambian people and ways the state government and the NCNG could assist. The Zambian leaders shared their best practices and lessons learned over the years. Many of Zambia's 20 million people work in agriculture. North Carolina produces tobacco and potatoes, which are Zambia's main exports. "We are more than excited to have Zambia as our state partners," said Buffaloe. "This opportunity opens doors for both groups to share our cultures, our knowledge of the world, our military capabilities, and to improve upon our democratic ways of life." The partnership could not have come at a better time, as Zambia is experiencing the worst drought in over 40 years. The country has massive bodies of water and shares Victoria Falls, the largest set of waterfalls in the world, with Zimbabwe. However, the Zambian people lack the resources to access and use the water from these waterways to irrigate farmland. "The State Partnership Program between my country and North Carolina is one that I hope helps with ensuring food security for our people," said Norman Chipakupaku, permanent secretary for Zambia's Ministry of Defence. "We must learn to use our natural resources to help with our food insecurities. We feel if we work with North Carolina and Malawi, we can learn to use our water and land to be the food basket for all of South Africa." On April 26, Hunt joined the Honorable Ambrose Lwizhi Lufuma, the Republic of Zambia's member of Parliament, minister of defence; the Honorable Jack Mwiimbu, SC member of Parliament, minister of home affairs and internal security; and approximately 250 guests for the State Partnership Program letter of intent signing ceremony. "We need the building of the relationships between North Carolina, Zambia and Malawi to be a historical one," said Chipakupaku. Malawi and North Carolina are also partners in the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau program, which has grown over more than 30 years to include 106 partner nations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US, Tunisian public affairs specialists unite for training during African Lion 2024 By Maj. Joe Legros May 3, 2024 EL AOUINA AIR BASE, Tunisia -- Camera shutters clicked as photographers scrambled to capture the best shot. Videographers huddled nearby, recording every detail in high definition. But this was not a red-carpet event and no foreign dignitary was conducting a diplomatic visit. From April 22 to 26, 2024, a unique opportunity for collaboration and skill-building unfolded as a group of ten Tunisian public affairs specialists joined forces with instructors from U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and the Maryland-based 55th Signal Company (Combat Camera). This special public affairs academics course, held as part of African Lion 2024, aimed to equip participants with essential skills in photography, videography, interview techniques and media preparation. "Working together with public affairs professionals from different countries is invaluable," said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jasmen Young, a combat cameraman with the 55th Signal Co. "We learned from each other's experiences and perspectives, ultimately enhancing our ability to effectively communicate the military's message." US, Tunisia conduct public affairs academic week during African Lion 2024 The course emphasized the importance of multinational cooperation among public affairs officers as both the Tunisians and Americans prepared for the start of AL24. This year, 27 countries and over 8,100 participants come together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the exercise. Tunis is just one of the locations to host exercise events. Bizerte, Ben Ghilouf Training Area and Bouficha also serve as host sites, featuring various academics courses, multinational live-fire exercises, combined artillery training and air to ground integration. Outside of Tunisia, AL24 will be hosted in Morocco, Ghana and Senegal, running through May 31. "The exercise gives us plenty of chances to put into practice all those photography and videography skills we just trained, further strengthening our capabilities," said U.S. Army Cpl. Genesis Miranda, Young's co-instructor and fellow combat cameraman with the 55th Signal Co. This training initiative is part of a broader effort by the U.S. military to strengthen partnerships and enhance readiness. It reflects the U.S. military's dedication to maintaining strong relationships with allies and partners throughout Africa. By working closely with ministries of defense and other security entities, SETAF-AF enhances partner nation capacity and capabilities, promoting stability and security in the region. "At the opening ceremony, U.S. and Tunisian leadership emphasized the importance of working together," said Miranda. "As I stood side-by-side with my fellow Tunisian videographer from the public affairs course, it made me realize we're also a multinational team. We're actually doing what those leaders just talked about." The significance of exercises like AL24 extends beyond immediate training objectives. They contribute to setting the theater for current operations and contingencies, ensuring operational access, critical infrastructure and partner nation support. "The combined US, Tunisian public affairs course was effective for many reasons," said Tunisian Army 1st Lt. Aladin Rajeb, video and photography training officer. "We all saw our skills improve and learned methods we can immediately put into practice at African Lion." In preparation for AL24, Both Miranda and Young were at Tunisia's Port of Gabes awaiting the arrival of military equipment for usage at the exercise, as well as weaponry and vehicles shipped from multiple military units based in the U.S. Their assignment was to document port operations, highlighting the cooperation between Tunisian hosts and American partners. Essentially, they were helping to set the theater for current operations. "Not only did Tunisians assist with personnel at the port, they also used their own forklifts and flatbed trucks to lift and transport American equipment to other training areas," said Young. Both instructors expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by their Tunisian hosts. "From the moment we arrived in the country, the Tunisians welcomed us and made us feel at home," said Young. "It's been a wonderful experience and I look forward to keeping in touch with my new Tunisian friends." About 55th Signal Company The 55th Signal Company (Combat Camera) holds the proud distinction of being the U.S. Army's only active duty COMCAM unit. Their mission is to provide still and video documentation of Army operations during peacetime, contingencies and combat. Ready to deploy on a moment's notice, the unit employs state-of-the-art documentation equipment equipped with still and motion cameras, night-vision equipment and editing suites. They hold the distinction of being an airborne unit requiring personnel to conduct quarterly airborne operations to maintain airborne qualified status. About African Lion 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Army Africa Command's premier and largest annual, combined, joint exercise African Lion. This year's exercise will take place April 19 through May 31 and is hosted across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia with more than 8,100 participants from over 27 nations and contingents from NATO. African Lion 24 focuses on enhancing readiness between the U.S. and partner nation forces. This joint all-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants and set the theater for strategic access. African Lion content can be found on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS). About SETAF-AF SETAF-AF provides U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa a dedicated headquarters to synchronize Army activities in Africa and scalable crisis-response options in Africa and Europe. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Update on the Construction of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore Capability in Mediterranean Sea U.S. Central Command Press Release | May 3, 2024 USCENTCOM May 03, 2024 Release Number 20240503-01 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TAMPA, Fla. -- Yesterday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) temporarily paused offshore assembly of the floating pier in the vicinity of Gaza due to sea state considerations. Forecasted high winds and high sea swells caused unsafe conditions for Soldiers working on the surface of the partially constructed pier. The partially built pier and military vessels involved in its construction have moved to the Port of Ashdod, where assembly will continue, and will be completed prior to the emplacement of the pier in its intended location when sea states subside. Once in place, the temporary pier in Gaza will allow for the delivery of additional humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in need. This temporary pier, part of the U.S. military's Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) capability, enables the delivery of large quantities of humanitarian aid from ship to shore by truck, with vehicles driving directly off ships and across the temporary pier to a marshaling yard ashore. Humanitarian aid will be offloaded in the shore facility before being transferred to humanitarian partners for onward distribution inside Gaza. The maritime corridor between Cyprus and Gaza facilitates international humanitarian assistance deliveries by sea. The U.S. military's unique JLOTS capability provides an essential logistics enabler for the multinational effort to increase the supply of humanitarian aid to Gaza by all routes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address May 3, 2024 Transcript Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Press Conference With Counterparts From Australia, Japan and the Philippines, in Honolulu, Hawaii Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense for Australia Richard Marles; Minister for Defense for Japan Minoru Kihara; Philippines Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. STAFF: Introduce our secretaries and ministers today. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III; the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense for Australia, the Honorable Richard Marles; Minister for Defense for Japan, the Honorable Minoru Kihara; and the Philippines Secretary of National Defense, the Honorable Gilberto Teodoro Jr. Each of the secretaries and ministers will deliver opening remarks and then have time to take a few questions. Please note that I will moderate those questions and call on journalists. With that, Mr. Secretary or Secretary Austin, the floor is yours, Sir. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD J. AUSTIN III: Thanks, Patrick. Well, good afternoon everyone. Deputy Prime Minister Marles, Minister Kihara, Secretary Teodoro, it's been great to welcome you to Camp Smith. And it's been great to be back here in Honolulu. I want to thank Admiral Aquilino in INDOPACOM for their hospitality on the eve of tomorrow's Change of Command Ceremony. Earlier today, I had the chance to meet with Deputy Prime Minister Marles and Minister Kihara. We discussed how we can deepen our trilateral cooperation to strengthen stability and security throughout the Indo-Pacific. And together with Secretary Teodoro, we held a historic meeting to further deepen the defense relationships among our four countries. Just last year, in Singapore, the defense ministers from Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States met together for the first time. Today's meeting, the second of its kind, built on that momentum, and it helped advance a vision that are for democracy share for a free and open Indo-Pacific. I'm proud of all that the United States has achieved each of your country's gentlemen since President Biden took office, and I'm proud that all that we've achieved together. Just last month, our four militaries conducted a maritime cooperative activity in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. This was the second multilateral cooperative activity of its kind in the last 12 months alone. Activities like this don't just strengthen our interoperability, they also build bonds among our forces. And they underscore our shared commitment to international law in the South China Sea. Now, we also talked about the security landscape across the Indo-Pacific and discussed new initiatives to make the region more stable and secure. We're looking to conduct more maritime exercises and activities among our four countries. We also want to pursue coordinated security assistance to the Philippines that will boost interoperability and help the Philippines achieve its defense modernization goals. So, it's been a highly productive day. We've gathered here because we share a vision for peace, stability, and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. We've chartered an ambitious course to advance that vision together, and that's why today's meetings were so important. So ministers, thanks again for joining me here in Honolulu, and Richard, over to you. AUSTRALIAN MINISTER OF DEFENSE RICHARD MARLES: Thank you, Secretary Austin, Minister Kihara, Secretary Teodoro, it is a pleasure and an honor to be standing with the three of you here today. We meet at a time when the global rules-based order is under intense pressure. We see that in Ukraine, with the appalling invasion by Russia of that country. But we see the global rules-based order under pressure in the Indo-Pacific as well. And a challenge to the global rules-based order in Ukraine is a challenge to the global-rules based order in the East China Sea, in the South China Sea, in the West Philippine Sea. And our four countries are utterly committed to asserting freedom of navigation, to asserting the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, to asserting the global rules-based order around the oceans of the world, including in the West Philippine Sea. Our alliance with the United States has been the cornerstone of Australia's national security since World War II. And today, the security relationship that we have with both Japan and with the Philippines has never been closer, but as close as our respective bilateral relationships are, there is a power and a significance in our four countries acting together. And today, the meetings that we have held represents a very significant message to the region and to the world about four democracies which are committed to the global rules-based order. In our discussions today, we've spoken about an increased tempo of defense exercises based on the reciprocal access agreements, the status of forces agreements that we have between our countries, all which are being negotiated. We have been very pleased to sign the research, development, testing, and evaluation arrangement with Japan and with the United States, and this arrangement will see much greater collaboration between our countries in relation to defense science and technology. And we've also discussed ways in which our countries can coordinate more in terms of our activities in the Philippines, which is very important as well. As I said, we are four people who have a very close personal relationship, which reflects the significance of the relationship between our countries, and the determination and commitment that we have as four countries to upholding the global rules-based order within our region, and Australia has been very pleased to be able to participate in today's meetings. Finally, can I just say the United States Indo-Pacific Command is profoundly important to the national security of Australia but also the countries of the region. And I want to take this opportunity to thank Admiral Chris Aquilino for his service in this command during his tenure of office. He is a dear friend of Australia and we wish him very much the best for his future. In the same breath, I'd also like to say how much we are looking forward to Admiral Sam Paparo taking up his role as the Commander of Indo-Pacific Command. I've had the opportunity to get to know Admiral Paparo over the last few years, excuse me, and I know that this command could not be in a safer or better pair of hands. And so with that, we wish both men all the best for the handover tomorrow. JAPANESE MINISTER FOR DEFENSE MINORU KIHARA: First and foremost, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Secretary Austin, DPM Marles, Secretary Teodoro, and everyone involved for your effort to realize this meeting. While the security environments around us is facing even harsher challenges, it is extremely vital for us, allies and like-minded countries, to cooperate and collaborate with each other in order to maintain and bolster peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region under such circumstances. It is extremely significant that we are able to hold a second meeting of the Japan -- U.S., Australia, Japan, and Philippines Defense Ministries meeting. Furthermore, to be able to hold the first joint press conference on the four nations. We stand by together with all the nations who share a common vision of the free and open Indo-Pacific, which is the foundation of the peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region. Japan, I consider it is the most important to maintain and bolster free and open international order based on the rule of law. I express -- explained East China Sea situation in the meeting as well as also issues around South China Sea is the valid interest matters of the international society, including the four nations, which is directly related to the peace and stability of the region. We stand united to strongly oppose any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo of the South China Sea by force or any activity to heighten the tension in the region. Last month, we had a joint exercise with U.S., Australia, Philippines, and Japan in the South China Sea. This was the first joint maritime cooperative activities, MCA, by the four nations to strengthen the regional cooperation to realize free and open Indo-Pacific. And at the -- and that opportunity, the four ministers who are present today issued a joint statement demonstrated that solidarity of our four nations to the international society. We would like to continue to pursue the further opportunities of cooperations. Currently, we are under negotiation to reach RAA, Reciprocal Access Agreement, with the Philippines. The early settlement of this negotiation will further activate and vitalize the bilateral joint exercise and training of the Philippines and Japan military units and expected to contribute to the reinforcement cooperation -- of the cooperation among the four nations. Japan is determined to further strengthen the cooperation of the four nations and will make all possible efforts to secure peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. Thank you. PHILIPPINES SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE GILBERTO TEODORO JR.: Thank you very much, Secretary Austin, Deputy Prime Minister Marles, Minister Kihara. Thank you once again for -- to Secretary Austin for hosting this historic meeting today. It comes after the trilateral meeting between our heads of state in Washington, D.C. and in our case, the visits bilaterally of President Ferdinand Marcos to Australia, Japan, and the United States. The underlying principle of this meeting is a shared respect for a rules-based international order and the upholding of international law. And it is safe to say that four countries, four independent countries voicing the same message means an important thing in the face of a unilateral declaration by a single theater actor. And this is what perhaps the symbolic suggestion of four defense ministry and department heads are here today. And in this spirit of upholding a rules-based international order, a free and open Indo-Pacific, and upholding international law, we meet here once again today, we meet here once again today in the latest iteration of a -- our four countries multilateral cooperation. We are gratified to see that the Philippines' role as at the forefront of severe challenges to its territorial rights, challenging the accepted norms of international law are accepted by like-minded nations. We welcome their partnership and cooperation, not only to protect solely its territorial integrity and sovereignty, but to uphold, once again, let me reiterate, principles of international law, which guide the global order in the proper way that nations should live amongst each other. On a more concrete note, this latest iteration will give birth to further cooperation and coordination and interoperability between four of our countries, which the four of us have committed to work closer together in order to have more synergies and partnerships, in order to make this alliance that we have stronger and more sustainable in the long run. Also, we look forward to concluding Reciprocal Access Agreement between Japan and the Philippines so that our interoperability quadrilaterally can be in a more complete manner -- can be enforced in a more complete manner. Lastly, we thank Admiral Aquilino of INDOPACOM for his service to the region. And we welcome working with Admiral Sam Paparo. Once again, thank you, Secretary Austin for hosting us. And we look forward to more fruitful outcomes in the future as we work closer together, not only in terms of our departments, but in true people to people understandings and exchanges. Thank you. STAFF: Thank you all, gentlemen. Our first question will come from Phil Stewart, Reuters. Q: Thank you. Secretary Austin, on Gaza, do you have any credible information that Hamas hopes to target U.S. troops building and eventually operating the pier of Gaza? And then a question on U.S. and Philippines. To Secretary Teodoro, given recent clashes with China in the Second Thomas Shoal, do you believe it's increasingly likely that you will need to invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty? And what kind of U.S. response would you like to see if a Filipino service member is killed? And just to clarify, Secretary Austin, to confirm President Marcos referring to your comments, said it would take the death of a Filipino service member to invoke the treaty. Is that correct that you feel that way? And what makes that threshold the right one? Thank you. SEC. AUSTIN: Well, thanks, Phil. Number of questions in there, so I'll try to work my way through them. But first, I think the first question was regarding any credible information that we have that Hamas is going to attack our troops. Of course, I don't discuss intelligence information at the podium, but I don't see any indications currently that there is an active intent to do that. Having said that, Phil, this is a combat zone and a number of things can happen, a number of things will happen. And the safety and security of our troops is very important to me. And so the chairman and I have worked through -- have talked with the Combatant Commander, General Kurilla, a number of times on what measures he's putting in place. He personally is putting in place to ensure that our troops are protected. And so I think he's done an incredible job of making sure that he has the right means in place. Our allies are also providing security in that area as well. And so it's going to require that we continue to coordinate with them very closely to ensure that, you know, if anything happens that, you know, our troops are protected. The second question I think you asked was regarding our treaty with the Philippines. You know, we've been very clear to everyone to include Beijing that the kind of behavior that we've seen where Filipino crews are put in danger where, you know, troop -- sailors have been injured and in property damage that's irresponsible behavior and it disregards international law. So, Phil, I won't get into any hypotheticals on what could happen and how it could happen. I would just say that you've heard me say. You've heard our president say a number of times that our commitment to the treaty is ironclad and we stand with the Philippines. And finally, let me just say that, as all of us have said, we're doing historic work with the Philippines and helping them modernize their military and it's exciting work and we look forward to continuing to make progress. And today's discussion just highlighted the kinds of things that we need to focus on, that we are focusing on, types of exercises and operations we're going to do to ensure that we increase interoperability. So, it's been a very, very fruitful day from that standpoint. SEC. TEODORO: I would like to echo the words of Admiral Aquilino that it would really be counterproductive to delve into hypotheticals. And I, for one, as Defense Secretary, would like to steer away the discussion from a scenario when or in what occasions the MDT may be invoked, when our jobs as secretaries is to make sure that there are no situations through capability building, through deterrence, that an MDT situation would arise. And so we are very conscious of the fact that we need to assert our rights but in a manner that safeguards the safety of each and every member of the Philippine Armed Force, which is the principal actor in the area. And the talk about MDT sometimes also is exploited in the international press and used sometimes as a bogeyman in order for our countries bilaterally and multilaterally to go forward with legitimate hardening measures for the Republic of the Philippines. So I would stay away from theoretical and hypothetical talks of the MDT because to me, these are counterproductive. It is an agreement and it will be a political decision at the end of the day of both the -- principally the Philippine government when to invoke it. And I will leave it at that. STAFF: Thank you, gentlemen. Our next question will go to Tajima Yoshihiko, Asahi Shimbun. Q: My name is Tajima from Asahi Shimbun. I would like to ask all of you, sirs, this is the first time that the Secretary and the Ministry -- Ministers of Defense of the four countries gathered together to make an appearance for the press conference. And having standing side by side to hold this press conference like this, what kind of message you could send to China? SEC. AUSTIN: Is this for all of us? Okay, I'll start. And first and foremost, we're here today because we share a common vision. And that vision is a free and open Indo-Pacific. And we believe that our continued work together will continue to promote activities that will help lead to that accomplishment of that vision. And you just heard us talk about some of the work that we're doing together. And I think that kind of work will advance again, our efforts to achieve the objective. Now, having said that, we're clear-eyed about the challenges that exist throughout the region. And it's a -- and so we'll need to continue to work together, to increase interoperability, to make sure that we share information, share intelligence. And again, I think that's the way that you promote security and stability. But that's why we're here because we share a common visions. MIN. MARLES: Thank you. Well, we -- in standing here, I think we reflect a determination to work as closely as we can together to pursue our objectives. And those objectives are around what each of these four countries stands for on their own and what we stand for together. And that is, as Secretary Austin has just said, a free and open Indo-Pacific. It is the maintenance of the global rules-based order within our region. And we do that as four democracies, which have shared values. So we stand here today is actually about us. That is what we are giving expression to in this moment. And I'd make the observation that in standing for a free and open Indo-Pacific, in standing for the expression of the global rules-based order in our region, we are standing for what has underpinned prosperity and security within the Indo-Pacific for decades, which has seen this region of the world experience enormous economic growth, and in many ways, be the powerhouse of the global economy and has literally seen millions of people raised out of poverty. That's what this is about. This is first and foremost about what each of us stand for collectively. It is about the way in which we work together. And it is about the assertion of a global rules-based order. MIN. KIHARA: Press conference today, we expressed concerns regarding the situation in East and South China Sea. However, this statement is not directed to towards any specific or particular nation. And it is towards the nations which are trying to change the status quo by force. Based on that, it is urgent that we strengthen cooperation and interoperability with allies in like-minded countries in order to maintain peace and stability in the Pacific nation. At the last trilateral meeting, we were able to agree to promote cooperation and also in interoperability in the area of the defense and peacekeeping and security. And not too far from off from the U.S., Philippine, and Japan summit, this time, we were able to hold this defense ministers and the secretaries' meeting, and also hold this joint press conference today. And I would like to continue sending messages throughout the world that us, four nations and governments gathered together here today, and we'll be sending we'll be in hand to hand to continue making efforts to the realization of free and open Indo-Pacific region, as well as realizing inter orders based on keeping -- abiding by the rules. SEC. TEODORO: Is here, have a common understanding of generally accepted principles of international law, UNCLOS, and the need for a global and open Indo-Pacific. And this common understanding includes the interpretation of these bodies of law, which are commonly accepted against unilateral appropriations of singular interpretations for the benefit of any one country. For the Philippines, this is particularly important, being a small archipelagic nation, where our integrity as an archipelagic country and as a political and legal whole depend on the world's acknowledgement of its baselines under international law. And this is not only a question of legal or political importance. But being a country with a growing population with climate change challenges, this is essential for its sustainability and for the sustenance of our future generations. So generally, we are fighting today for the betterment of future generations of Filipinos. And that is the fight for us, which we appreciate, because it falls under the context of a rules-based international order that the three countries are supporting us in our common quest for already commonly understood definitions of international law, particularly in the maritime domain. This is the message that I interpret this meeting to be. Q: One more question I would like to ask. For Japan, which is increasing the defense capability, how do you evaluate its effort? And then please tell us what you expect you have for Japan in the framework of these four nations. Also, we have another question for Minister Kihara. We understand that the very first maritime cooperative activity for U.S., Australia, Philippines, and Japan, and we are also understanding that there'll be more MCA or more frequent MCAs, and then with our constitution, and what would you think that you can -- what you can do, what type of activities you can do? SEC. AUSTIN: (inaudible) to -- or efforts to defend -- efforts to increase his defense capability. And I'll let Minister Kihara speak to how they're doing and what they're doing. What I will say is that Japan is a very important ally to us. It is a very capable country, a proud democracy. And we have often described Japan as -- our relationship with Japan as a cornerstone to our efforts in the region. And certainly, leads to or contributes to greater security and stability in the region. So we're going to do -- continue to do everything that we can to help Japan achieve its goals and objectives. You know, they -- they're looking to further modernize their force, do some things to restructure their command and control, invest in new capabilities. And we're going to help any way we can, every step of the way. And you saw from the recent summit conducted in Washington, we announced a number of defense initiatives that I think are going to ensure that we're working together with Japan to continue to build real, credible capability as far as their defense is concerned. MIN. MARLES: As I said at the outset, we have never been closer to Japan than we are right now in terms of the way in which we cooperate on our collective security. We have a reciprocal access agreement in place, which is a step change in the way in which we engage with each other in respect of defense. And that last year, for example, saw us operate F-35s in both of our countries together. And so we welcome an increase in Japan's defense capabilities. We welcome it because we see Japan as a close partner with us, but with America, with the Philippines, in contributing to the collective security of the region in which we all live. And from Australia's point of view, we take the position now that the Defense of Australia doesn't mean much unless we see the collective security of the region in which we live. And so when we look at Japan making its commitments to increase its capability and working closely with us in providing for the collective security of the region, that is a very good thing. SEC. TEODORO: Japan has been a traditional, industrial, commercial, and tourism partner of the Philippines for some time now. So it is a logical facet of our bilateral relations that we welcome the increase in defense capabilities, particularly in the technological field of Japan of which the Philippines can be a partner or a recipient of. Now, for the collective regional question, we welcome the additional capabilities of Japan, because as we said, they are an important cog in our scheme of things, particularly in this quadrilateral summit in enforcing regional peace in the area. And we look forward to Japan's increasing role, not only bilaterally with the signing of our reciprocal access agreement, but all the resultant benefits that this and other multilateral initiatives will bring to the region. MIN. KIHARA: Well, that was my question too about my -- our contribution to the -- our role in the framework, correct? Okay. Last month, our -- the four nations had the joint exercise. And today we released a joint statement by four secretary and ministries -- ministers for who are standing here today. The MCA by our four countries is an effort that strengthens the international cooperation as -- and represents our stance that we support and respect maritime rights under the international laws, now, such as Freedom of Maritime activity in order to achieve realization of free and open Indo-Pacific. And in terms of what type of activities that the Japan Self-Defense Force will or may participate in MCA will be considered and determined individually and specifically for each activity. In any case, I would work on deepening our commonality in our common tasks and pursue to have more opportunities of cooperation by four nations and including MCA. Thank you. STAFF: Thank you, gentlemen. Our last question will go to Haley Britzky, CNN. Q: Thank you so much. Question for you, Mr. Secretary and then for you as well, Minister Marles. Secretary Austin, you've said that you've not yet seen a detailed plan from Israel that takes into account removing civilians from harm in Rafah before an offensive operation. What consequences would Israel face from the U.S. if they moved on this operation without appropriately taking into account those civilians in the area? And secondly, on Niger, where it was reported today that Russian troops have moved into an air base that also are housed in U.S. forces, are you concerned about the proximity of Russian and U.S. forces? And what is your message to other countries on the continent who may be eying expanding their relationship with Russia? And for you, Minister Marles, Australia announced recently another 100 million in aid to Ukraine. After your recent visit to Ukraine, do you believe that that's enough? And would Australia be prepared to provide more support, particularly in air defenses? Thank you. SEC. AUSTIN: Well, thanks, Haley. In terms of consequences, you know, I'll -- I won't speculate on what could happen, what should happen. That'll be determined by the President if we reach a point that we-- that something like that needs to happen. But what we've asked, what we've highlighted for the Israelis is that, it's really important to make sure that the civilians that are in that battle space move out of the battle space before any activity is conducted. And that, you know, when -- if and when they return to any kind of operation, that it'd be conducted in a more -- much more precise fashion. They have not yet moved the civilians out of the battle space. Just as you know, Haley, there were some 275,000 or so people that were living in and around Rafah before the conflict started. Now, there's 1. 4 million or so people there. And that's a lot of people in a very small space. And again, if there's a good chance that, you know, without taking the right measures that the civilians will be, you know, civilians --- we'll see a lot more civilian casualties going forward. So before anything happens, we certainly want to see them address that threat to the civilians. And again, we would ask that things be sequenced. But, you know, right now, the conditions are not favorable to any kind of operation. And we've been clear about that. You know, it's necessary to take care of the civilian population that's in that area before anything else happens. In Niger, you asked about Niger and Russians being in the same space that we're in in Niger. I think you know that Air Base 101, where our forces is, is a Nigerian Air Force base that is co-located with an international airport in the capital city. The Russians are in a separate compound and don't have access to U.S. forces or access to our equipment. And this is something that, you know, again, I'm always focused on the safety and the protection of our troops, something that we'll continue to watch. But right now, I don't see a significant issue here in terms of our force protection. Thank you. MIN. MARLES: Thanks for the question. I was very pleased and honored to be able to announce our most recent package in support of Ukraine, which was $100 million. But in announcing that package, it is just the most recent package. There will be more. We've made it clear from the outset that we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes for Ukraine to resolve this conflict on its terms. And we see this as an enduring conflict where we will need to be standing side by side with Ukraine over the long-term. And so that will see future packages, just as there have been previous packages to the one that we announced last week. But we did see that this was a particularly precarious moment for Ukraine. And so we felt that it was important on this occasion in announcing the package to do so in Ukraine. And I felt very -- as I say, very privileged and honored to be able to make this announcement in Ukraine itself. Integrated air and missile defense was a key priority for Ukraine in the conversations that we'd had with the Ukrainian government. It formed about half of the package that we announced. And we will continue to work with the Ukrainian government going forward about what their priorities are and where our support can be best placed. STAFF: Mr. Ministers, Secretaries, thank you very much, gentlemen, for your time today. Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes our press briefing. Thank you for joining us today. https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3764361/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address May 3, 2024 By Matthew Olay, DOD News DOD Adapts to Rough Seas Off Gaza, Continues Temporary Pier Construction Construction of a temporary humanitarian aid pier for Gaza will continue after the Army had to relocate the construction site due to forecasted high seas, U.S. Central Command announced today. Construction of the temporary pier which is part of the U.S. military's Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore capability has moved to the Israeli Port of Ashdod, just over 18 miles northeast of the Gazan border. Soldiers had to temporarily pause assembly of the floating pier in the vicinity of Gaza Thursday due to high sea swells and elevated wind conditions, according to a press release from Centcom. While in the Port of Ashdod, pier "assembly will continue and will be completed prior to the emplacement of the pier in its intended location" when conditions improve, according to the release. The JLOTS construction project includes a floating pier, an approximately 1,800-foot-long causeway that will be attached to the shore, and a group of logistic support vessels and barges that will transport the aid from the pier to the causeway. Construction of the JLOTS was over 50% complete as of Wednesday, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters at a briefing. "The floating pier has been completely constructed and set up; the causeway is in progress," she said. The Pentagon originally announced its mission to construct the pier on March 8, one day after President Joe Biden called on the military to carry out the operation during his State of the Union address. Within days, several vessels carrying the JLOTS equipment manned by service members from the Army's 7th Transportation Brigade got underway from Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia en route to Centcom's area of responsibility. Initially, officials anticipate the pier will facilitate the delivery of about 90 daily truckloads of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Once fully operational, that number should increase to roughly 150 truckloads, or close to 2 million meals per day. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address May 3, 2024 By Joseph Clark, DOD News Austin Lauds Strong Ties Between Key Allies in Indo-Pacific Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III underscored today the United States' commitment to deepening ties with key allies throughout the Indo-Pacific after meeting with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines. The meeting, which Austin hosted at the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command headquarters in Hawaii, marks a key milestone as the four nations work to enhance interoperability among their forces. "Just last year in Singapore, the defense ministers from Australia, Japan, the Philippines and the United States met together for the first time," Austin said during a press conference following the talks. "Today's meeting the second of its kind built on that momentum and it helped advance a vision that our four democracies share for a free and open Indo-Pacific." In describing that momentum, Austin highlighted last month's Maritime Cooperative Activity in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone the second multilateral cooperative of its kind over the past year. "Activities like this don't just strengthen our interoperability, they also build bonds among our forces," he said. "And they underscore our shared commitment to international law in the South China Sea." These discussions come at a critical time for defense cooperation throughout the region, a defense official said earlier this week in previewing the talks. The official noted China's recent harassment of Philippine vessels operating in the South China Sea. "Japan and Australia have been some of our most vocal and staunchest allies in speaking up about the completely unacceptable nature of this behavior," the official said, adding that the Philippines have also highlighted China's concerning behavior throughout the region. "How we, as allies, not only operate together, but how we think about addressing the really worrisome operational behavior and coercion that we see taking place in a number of places across the region, is obviously a topic that we're going to focus on together," the official said. During their meeting today, the four leaders discussed the current security landscape across the region and discussed new initiatives to extend more security and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Those efforts include more maritime exercises and activities between the four countries and pursuing coordinated security assistance for the Philippines. "We've gathered here because we share a vision for peace, stability and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific," Austin said. "We've charted an ambitious course to advance that vision together, and that's why today's meetings were so important. The meeting capped a series of meetings between Austin and his counterparts while in Hawaii. Earlier today, Austin met bilaterally with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles. The meeting followed Australia's announcement last week of its new national defense strategy which commits to a 20% increase in defense spending over the next decade. Austin also met with Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru. The meeting followed Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's official state visit to the U.S. last month where the two countries announced significant strides in strengthening defense cooperation. Following the bilateral meetings with his counterparts, Austin convened the 13th trilateral defense ministers' meeting among the U.S., Australia and Japan. The three leaders focused on a range of regional topics and how the three countries can further expand initiatives aimed at peace and security throughout the Indo-Pacific. They also discussed cooperation on science and technology and signed a new trilateral agreement outlining cooperation on research, development, test and evaluation for new capabilities. The agreement encourages standardization and interoperability on defense technology and aims to make the countries' already strong ties on science and technology more efficient and cost effective. On Friday, Austin will preside over the Indo-Pacom change of command ceremony. During the ceremony, Austin is expected to recognize outgoing Indo-Pacom commander Navy Adm. John Aquilino's efforts that were instrumental in strengthening U.S. partnerships throughout the region. Additionally, the secretary will have an opportunity to meet with the leaders of the Freely Associated States, which include the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs discusses measures to improve preparedness for crises and develop European defence industry Finnish Government Government Communications Department 3.5.2024 Press release In its meeting on Friday 3 May, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs rounded out its earlier positions on strengthening the EU's resilience and preparedness for crises. The Ministerial Committee also discussed ways to develop the European defence industry and outlined Finland's positions for two upcoming ministerial meetings. Promoting comprehensive security in Europe is one of the key objectives of the Government's EU policy, and Finland's initiative for an EU-wide preparedness strategy has been well received by its EU partners. At the March European Council, the EU leaders instructed the Commission to propose a preparedness strategy for the EU. In this context, the Belgian Presidency is drawing up Council conclusions on horizontal crisis management. As part of the preparations for these negotiations and Finland's efforts to influence the programme for the next European Commission, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs elaborated on its earlier positions at today's meeting. The Ministerial Committee noted that Finland considers it particularly important to promote the EU's preparedness and ensure a comprehensive and coordinated crisis response that takes into account all potential threats. When it comes to strengthening comprehensive security at the EU level and developing the strategy for the preparedness union, the most important objective should be to improve the level of preparedness in the Member States and the EU as a whole. Finland's cooperation-based comprehensive security operating model offers good principles for strengthening the EU's preparedness and crisis response. Finland points out that each Member State is responsible for its preparedness and security of supply, and that measures at the EU level should complement and strengthen national structures as needed without undermining them. The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs also discussed the European Defence Industrial Strategy published by the Commission in March and the proposal for a Regulation on the European Defence Industry Programme. The purpose of these initiatives is to promote joint defence industry procurement and projects among the EU Member States and to increase the share of European products in EU Member States' procurement. In Finland's view, strengthening the foundation of the European defence industry also plays a key role in supporting the EU's defence-related preparedness. The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs also outlined Finland's positions for the following upcoming meetings: Foreign Affairs Council (Development) (7 May) Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (7 May) The Foreign Affairs Council will meet in its development configuration. Topics on the agenda will be Ukraine, Palestine and EU engagement in fragile contexts. The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council will discuss issues related to gender equality and equal treatment. The Council will seek to approve conclusions on the economic empowerment of women, discuss the state of play of the proposed directive on equal treatment and hold a policy debate on women in public life. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discuss GPS disturbances and Defence Forces' participation in international exercises Finnish Government Government Communications Department 3.5.2024 Press release 215/2024 In their meeting on Friday 3 May, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed GPS disturbances originating in Russia. Finland will continue to be in close contact with NATO allies and EU partners on the matter. The President and the Ministerial Committee also discussed the Finnish Defence Forces' participation in international exercises. Finland's NATO membership, deepening defence cooperation with the United States, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom and other important allies, and the significant changes in the security environment all have an impact on the Defence Forces' international exercises. The nature of the exercises has changed, and allies are conducting more and more exercises in Finland. The goal of the exercises is to strengthen the defence of the Alliance and Finland and to increase allies' familiarity with the northern operating environment. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Letter of intent on deeper cooperation between Sweden and Germany Government Offices of Sweden 03 May 2024 On 5 March, Swedish Minister for Defence Pal Jonson and German Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius signed a letter of intent on deeper defence cooperation between Sweden and Germany. Download: The two countries previously signed a joint letter of intent in 2017, which has now been updated in light of the deteriorating security situation in Europe and Sweden's NATO membership. The purpose of the letter of intent is to continue to develop and expand the defence policy cooperation between Sweden and Germany, and it enables both countries' armed forces and defence agencies to build on their current cooperation and advance new initiatives. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US military base in eastern Syria hit by missiles IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 3, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- News sources reported a missile attack on the American military base in eastern Syria on Friday night. According to IRNA's report from Al-Mayadeen, several explosions were heard from inside the American base in the Omar oil field located in Deir Ezzur province. On the other hand, the Russian news agency Sputnik reported that seven missiles hit the American base in the Omar oilfield. No group has yet claimed responsibility for this attack. The Iraqi Islamic Resistance, in support of the Palestinian resistance and condemning the comprehensive US support for the crimes of the Zionist regime in the Gaza Strip, has repeatedly targeted US military bases in Iraq and Syria, as well as targets in the occupied territories, with drone and missile attacks. 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza death toll mounts amid Zionist bombing, shelling IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 3, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- 210 days into the war on Gaza, the death toll of the Zionist regime's incessant air and artillery strikes on the besieged Palestinian strip has reached 34,622. 26 people have been martyred and 51 others injured in Israeli attacks across Gaza over the past 24 hours, the Palestinian Sama News reported on Friday, citing an update by the Palestinian Health Ministry. A majority of those killed in the onslaught are women and children. Some 77,867 Gazans have also been injured since the regime launched its war on the coastal territory on October 7, last year, according to the ministry. The regime has continued its massacre of civilians, including aid workers in defiance of growing international calls to end the attacks and agree to a ceasefire in Gaza. Israeli bombardments have turned some 75 percent of Gaza into the rubble, including critical infrastructure such as hospitals and schools. According to the Gaza health ministry, thousands of people are still under the rubbles while many were left along the roads as rescue workers could not carry the dead bodies due to the Zionist bombing campaign. 9341**4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM Netanyahu on Efforts to Return the Hostages, at a Meeting with the Holocaust Survivors who will Serve as Torchlighters at Yad Vashem Israel - Prime Minister's Office News The 37th Government 03.05.2024 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Efforts to Return the Hostages, at a Meeting with the Holocaust Survivors who will Serve as Torchlighters at Yad Vashem: "We are determined to return all of them - both the living and the deceased. We do not forget any Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, yesterday evening, at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, met with the Holocaust survivors who will serve as torchlighters at the official opening ceremony for Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day at Yad Vashem. Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs, Yad Vashem Chairman Danny Dayan and the survivors also attended the meeting. At the emotional meeting, the Prime Minister and his wife heard the survivors' Holocaust stories, and about their aliyah to Israel and their families. [All quotes below are translated from Hebrew.] Izi (Itzhak) Kabilio, an 88-year old Holocaust survivor from Yugoslavia, said that, first and foremost, what happened must not be forgotten and added, "Today, the State of Israel is the one and only haven of the Jewish People. If somebody ever thinks that the USA could be a haven, with what is happening there today, we see that it is no longer the case. Therefore, we must strengthen the state." Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked him for his remarks and emphasized that they were very precise. Sara Netanyahu noted that she is the daughter of a survivor who made aliyah before the war, and that her father was the only member of his entire family who survived. "I very much agree with the definition that this was the Holocaust of the Jewish People." Arie Eitani, a 97-year-old Holocaust survivor from Italy, said: "At the age of 18, in the ghetto, only a weakened population remained, and out of all of them, only I returned. I am asked 'Why?' and I do not know. I was not wiser, more religious or stronger. I do not know how I survived." Eitani added: "I was also imprisoned in Syria, and in Cyprus, and I escaped. I was in prison for two months. I was in enough prisons and I retain only one aspiration, Mr. Prime Minister, bring back the hostages. It greatly disturbs me, and drives me crazy. Thar is it sir, bring back the hostages. Please." Prime Minister Netanyahu replied: "We are making great efforts. We have already returned half, when many people believed that we would not bring back even one. I can tell you that we are determined to return all of them - both the living and the deceased. We do not forget anyone." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address L. Kasciunas invites further strengthening of cooperation between the U.S. and Lithuanian Special Operations Forces Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence 2024-05-03 International cooperation Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasciunas visited the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) in Tampa, Florida, and met with Commander USSOCOM General Brayn P. Fenton. Minister at the meeting highlighted the long-standing cooperation, addressed the security challenges facing the Baltic region and the transatlantic area. "We are grateful to the United States for the consistent assistance in developing the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces. Our military personnel train and deploy to multinational operations and missions, we have gained invaluable experience and skills of being productive in the most complex of situations. From my perspective, this is an outstanding contribution to the strength of the Lithuanian Armed Forces," said L. Kasciunas. Minister underscored that Lithuania deeply appreciated the persistent presence of the U.S. Special Operations Forces in our country which makes Lithuania's security and deterrence significantly more credible. According to L. Kasciunas, new regional ANTO defence plans require a novel approach to the Allied special forces cooperation expressed in strengthening reciprocal connections and building the capacity of interoperability. The Lithuanian and U.S. special forces launched the first contacts back in early 1990, while in 2002 the cooperation gained new pace and depth. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister's Participation in the Meeting of Foreign Ministers Preparatory to the 15th Islamic Summit of the OIC Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar participated in the preparatory Meeting of Foreign Ministers to the Islamic Summit of the OIC held on 2 May 2023 in Banjul, The Gambia. The theme of this year's Summit is "Enhancing Unity and Solidarity through Dialogue for Sustainable Development". During the Meeting, Pakistan was unanimously elected as the Vice-Chair of the Bureau of Foreign Ministers' Preparatory Meeting for 15th Islamic Summit of the OIC. In his remarks, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister congratulated the Gambian Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara, on assuming the Chairmanship of the Session and 15th Islamic Summit and appreciated the role of the outgoing chair, the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister expressed Pakistan's deep concern about the ongoing genocide and starvation of Gaza people over the last several months due to relentless Israeli war against the people of Gaza. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister stressed upon the need for immediate implementation of the following measures: * Immediate end of indiscriminate use of force and inhuman siege of Gaza by Israel; * Unimpeded flow of humanitarian assistance to the besieged people of Gaza; * An immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza; * Return of the displaced Palestinian people to their homeland; * Accountability for the war crimes committed by Israel with impunity; * The UN Security Council to ensure immediate implementation of its Resolution 2728 for cessation of hostilities; * Earliest resumption of an inclusive, transparent, and irreversible peace process to secure the realization of the two-state solution; * Reactivation of OIC's Ministerial Committee on Israeli aggression against the Palestinians. Pakistan offered to assist the Committee's efforts; and * Stoppage of all Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories and relinquishment of all usurped Palestinian properties. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister reaffirmed Pakistan's full support for the inalienable right to self-determination of the Palestinian people and stated that the only permanent solution to the current crisis lies in the creation of a secure, viable, contiguous, and sovereign state of Palestine based on the pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister strongly condemned the oppressive actions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) including extrajudicial killings and media blackouts. He pledged Pakistan's unwavering diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people's right to self-determination as mandated by relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister stressed the imperative of joint action by the OIC to confront rising Islamophobia, which is manifested by an increasing number of incidents of discrimination, violence, and incitement against Muslims around the world. He stated that while global social media platforms have set for themselves a clear understanding and the responsibility of content relating to "Antisemitism" and "Holocaust denial", same is not the case for blasphemous and anti-Islamic content that is responsible for widespread distress among Muslims and the global wave of Islamophobia. The Deputy Prime Minister urged the OIC to formulate a joint strategy to influence global information networks/platforms particularly the Global Social Media platforms to harmonize their application of content regulation policies for blasphemous, anti-Islamic and Islamophobic content. During the preparatory meeting, the OIC Foreign Ministers adopted the report of the Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) and finalized various documents, including the Resolution on the Issue of Palestine, the Final Communique of the OIC Summit Conference and the Banjul Declaration. Islamabad 3 May 2024 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Netanyahu stonewalling truce deal: Top Hamas official Iran Press TV Friday, 03 May 2024 6:36 PM A senior Hamas official says Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is stonewalling a truce deal between the Gaza Strip-based resistance movement and the Tel Aviv regime, which has brought the Palestinian territory under a genocidal war. "Netanyahu was the obstructionist of all previous rounds of dialog... and it is clear that he still is," Hossam Badran, member of Hamas' Political Bureau, told AFP by telephone on Friday. Bardan cited the Israeli premier's insistence on carrying out a ground invasion against the southern Gaza city of Rafah as a key stumbling block in negotiations aimed at potential arrival at a deal. Around 1.5 million Palestinians have sought refuge in the city from the ravages of the war that has so far killed at least 34,622 Palestinians. Badran said Netanyahu's resolve to attack Rafah was calculated to "thwart any possibility of concluding an agreement." The Israeli official has said the regime would go ahead with invading the city "with or without" a truce deal. "We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate the Hamas battalions there - with or without a deal, in order to achieve the total victory," Netanyahu said late last month. Hamas, however, says the regime will stop short of defeating the resistance as it has so far during the war. The regime has also failed to achieve its other objectives, including displacing Gaza's entire population to neighboring Egypt, and enabling the release of those who were taken captive in Gazan resistance groups' Operation al-Aqsa Storm, following which Tel Aviv launched the war. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel 'too cowardly' to respond to Iran's retaliatory strikes: Yemen's Ansarullah Iran Press TV Friday, 03 May 2024 6:34 PM A ranking official of Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement says Israel is "too cowardly" to respond to Iran's daring strikes on the occupied territories last month, which were carried out in retaliation for the regime's earlier aggression on the Islamic Republic's diplomatic premises in Syria. Nasr al-Din Amer, the deputy head of Ansarullah's press service, made the statement in an exclusive interview with Russia's RT news channel while asked whether there was a chance that Israel would attack Iran and a full-scale war would begin. "Israel today is a criminal and aggressive entity that resorts to terrorist methods. Currently, it is too cowardly to respond to the Islamic Republic in full measure. However, caution is still necessary," Amer said. The Ansarullah official underlined that Iran's retaliatory strikes on Israel with missiles and drones were effective and destroyed the occupying regime's "prestige." "It had a considerable impact on the course of events and destroyed Israel's prestige," he said. "Iran's attack was effective, powerful, and historic. Moreover, self-defense is the legitimate right of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This step has demonstrated Tehran's great support for the oppressed Palestinian people." In a multi-pronged attack, dubbed Operation True Promise, Iran's armed forces launched late on April 13 dozens of drones and missiles at the occupied territories in response to the regime's aggression on the Iranian diplomatic premises in the Syrian capital of Damascus on April 1. The Israeli airstrikes on Iran's embassy compound in Damascus had killed two generals of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, as well as five of their accompanying officers. The Israeli regime's aggression on the Iranian diplomatic facilities in Syria drew widespread condemnation from the international community, with Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations saying in a statement that Tehran's response to Israeli aggression was a "legitimate defense" in accordance with the UN Charter. Yemen's Ansarullah 'ready' for any turn of events Elsewhere in his interview with RT, Amer pointed to Yemen's unwavering support for Palestinians by attacking Israeli-linked shipping in the Red Sea since the Israeli regime started its Western-backed genocidal war on the besieged Gaza Strip last October. "Our operations consist of two goals; the first one is to support the oppressed Palestinian people by blocking Israeli ships or vessels heading to the ports of occupied Palestine. The second goal of our operations is to respond to US and British aggression against our country," the Ansarullah official said. "We do this by blocking US and British navigation in the Red Sea. Through these operations, we strive, first of all, to stop the aggression in Gaza and lift the blockade imposed on it, and, secondly, to defend Yemen's sovereignty. And, God willing, we will continue this work," he added. Amer also responded positively when queried whether the Yemeni resistance movement was capable of confronting a potentially large-scale war with Israel and the West. "Today, we are fighting against Western forces that support Israel and possess more advanced, modern technologies. Nevertheless, they have not been able to stop our operations in the Red Sea," he said. "We have quite a lot of determination and perseverance. We are also supported by the people and possess weapons that we have developed over the years. We can resist any opponent and react to any turn of events. We never submit or give up. Our doctrine is resistance until complete victory," he added. The Israeli war, which was launched following al-Aqsa Storm, a retaliatory operation by Gaza-based resistance groups, has so far killed at least 34,622 people, most of them women and children. Over 77,700 Palestinians have also sustained injuries in the barbaric aggression, while thousands of others remain unaccounted for. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen announces new phase in pro-Gaza retaliatory operations Iran Press TV Friday, 03 May 2024 3:03 PM The Yemeni army has declared the initiation of a fresh phase in Yemen's retaliatory operations, carried out in solidarity with the Palestinians facing the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza. In a statement on Friday, Yahya Saree, a spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces, announced "the commencement of the fourth phase of escalation." The statement noted that the decision comes in solidarity with the Palestinians, amid an expected Israeli invasion of the southern city of Rafah where nearly more than half of Gaza's population of 2.4 have sought shelter from Israeli strikes elsewhere in Gaza. According to the statement, the Yemeni forces, under the new phase, will target all ships heading to Israeli ports "in the Mediterranean Sea in any area within our reach." Saree warned that the military would also "impose comprehensive sanctions" on all ships of companies involved in supplying and accessing the Israeli ports, regardless of their nationality, and "prevent all ships of these companies from passing through the operational area of the Armed Forces, regardless of their destinations," if Israel launched a ground offensive against Rafah. The statement vowed "broader and stronger escalatory stages" until the Israeli war on Gaza ends, and the siege imposed on people there is lifted. Saree made the statement during a million-man rally in the capital Sana'a. Almost every week, Yemenis take to the streets of several cities across the country to condemn the Israeli crimes in Gaza and reiterate their support for their country's retaliatory operations against Israel. Since October last year, the Yemeni armed forces have been launching attacks on targets in the occupied territories, and targeting ships in the Red Sea with owners linked to Israel or those going to and from ports in the occupied territories in solidarity with the Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip. Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians. Tel Aviv has also blocked water, food, and electricity to Gaza, plunging the coastal strip into a humanitarian crisis. Since the start of the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 34,622 Palestinians and injured 77,867 others. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas chief returns to Qatar after talks with Erdogan, political leaders in Turkey Iran Press TV Friday, 03 May 2024 11:06 AM The political bureau chief of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, has returned to Qatar following a trip to Turkey, where he held meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other high-profile political figures. The 62-year-old Hamas chief conducted talks with Erdogan, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan as well as Director of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Ibrahim Kalin. Haniyeh also received dozens of leaders and members of various Turkish political factions besides scholars, who expressed their solidarity with Gaza and the Palestinian nation. Moreover, the Hamas leader received condolences over the death of three of his sons in an Israeli airstrike on a refugee camp in the northern part of the Gaza Strip on April 10. Meetings were additionally held with high-profile members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and the Islamic Jihad resistance movement. Haniyeh's visit to Turkey was his first trip to Turkey since Israel began its bloody military campaign against Gaza on October 7. His visit to Istanbul centered on addressing the escalating situation in Gaza following Israel's attacks, the deteriorating conditions of Palestinians enduring the blockade, and the intensified hardships due to continuous airstrikes over the last seven months. Discussions also encompassed the provision of humanitarian aid and the pursuit of ceasefire agreements. The Israeli offensive has left 85 percent of Gaza's population internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60 percent of the territory's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the United Nations. So far during the military onslaught, the regime has killed at least 34,596 Gazans, most of them women, children, and adolescents. Another 77,816 Palestinians have sustained injuries as well. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Niger: Russian military deployed at airbase housing American troops Iran Press TV Friday, 03 May 2024 8:21 AM Russian military personnel have entered an airbase in Niger hosting US troops, amid Niger's decision to force American military forces out of the country. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed the development on Friday while downplaying it. He said that there were no major concerns as the Russian troops did not have any access to US personnel or equipment. "Airbase 101 where our forces [are], is a Nigerien air force base that is co-located with an international airport in the capital city. The Russians are in a separate compound and don't have access to US forces or access to our equipment," Austin told a news conference in Honolulu. "Right now, I don't see a significant issue here in terms of our force protection," he added. On Thursday, a senior US defense official disclosed that Russian troops were stationed at Airbase 101 near Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger, but were not interacting with US forces, they told Reuters news agency, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Reports of Russian deployment to the airbase emerged after Niger informed Washington in March to withdraw the nearly 1,000 US military personnel stationed in the country. The deployment brings American and Russian troops into close proximity, intensifying the already strained military and diplomatic relationship between the two nations due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Following a potential pullout, questions are also being raised regarding the future of Washington's facilities in the region. "(The situation) is not great but in the short-term manageable," the official who spoke with Reuters said. The US official also stated that Nigerien authorities had informed President Joe Biden's administration that approximately 60 Russian military personnel would be present in Niger. However, the official was unable to confirm the exact number. Washington and its allies have been compelled to withdraw their troops from several African countries due to the rise of military leaders through coups, who have expressed their desire to create a divide between themselves and Western governments. Following the coup in Niger in July last year, Washington relocated a portion of its troops stationed in Niger from Airbase 101 to Airbase 201 situated in Agadez in central Niger. American troops which are set to leave Niger soon, have already departed from Chad, while, the French military has been expelled from Mali and Burkina Faso in recent days. In March, Niger's junta said that it revoked a military accord with the US that allowed military personnel and civilian staff from the Pentagon on its soil. The withdrawal of American troops from Niger will follow the pullout of troops from France, the former colonial power that for the past decade has led the so-called foreign counter-terrorism efforts against Takfiri groups in West Africa. Nigerian people took to the streets of Niamey on April 13 to demand the departure of American troops, after the junta further gravitated to Russia, welcoming Russian military instructors. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address May 2: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Iran Press TV Friday, 03 May 2024 8:20 AM By Press TV Website Staff Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 34,500 Palestinians so far, including more than 16,000 children, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers. The major operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Thursday, May 2, are as follows: Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on May 2: Bombed a position of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles with a barrage of heavy-caliber mortar shells around the Sheikh Ajlin area, southwest of Gaza City. Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces and their military vehicles storming the Jalazone camp, north of the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, with machine guns and explosive devices. Bombed the command-and-control center of the Israeli military along the supply line of the "Netzarim" axis with a barrage of heavy-caliber mortar shells. Bombed the "Netzarim" military site with concentrated missile salvos from several directions. Bombed a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles with mortar shells south of Gaza City. Al-Quds Brigades' operations on May 2: In a joint operation with the Omar Al-Qasim Forces, bombed a gathering of Israeli forces in the Sheikh Ajlin area west of Gaza City with mortar shells. Mujahideen Brigades' operations on May 2: Bombed a gathering of Israeli forces stationed in the "Netzarim" axis with a barrage of short-range rockets. Martyr Omar Al-Qasim Forces' operations on May 2: Targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers using several mortar shells and short-range rockets on the "Netzarim" axis. Hezbollah's operations on May 2: Eastern sector: At around 15:00 local time, the Zabdin site in Lebanon's Shebaa was targeted with artillery shells. At around 15:45 local time, the Al-Samaqa site in Lebanon's Kfar Shuba was targeted with appropriate weapons. Western sector: At 23:25, the headquarters of the 91st Division in the Beranit Barracks was targeted with missiles. Islamic Resistance in Iraq's operations on May 2: Targeted a vital facility belonging to the Israeli military in the occupied Eilat (Umm al-Rashrash) with a barrage of drones. Targeted a vital facility belonging to the Israeli military in Bir Al-Sabi in the occupied territories using Al-Arqab advanced cruise missiles. Islamic Resistance in Bahrain (Saraya Al-Ashtar) operations on May 2: Targeted the headquarters of an enterprise responsible for land transportation to the Israeli regime (Trucknet) in the occupied city of Umm Al-Rashrash ("Eilat") with a volley of drones. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza reconstruction could take 80 years, damage unseen since World War II: UN Iran Press TV Friday, 03 May 2024 7:33 AM A United Nations official says the destruction caused by Israel's war on the Gaza Strip is unseen since the Second World War, estimating that the reconstruction of the Palestinian territory could take 80 years and cost up to $40 billion. Speaking at a press conference in the Jordanian capital Amman on Thursday, Abdallah al-Dardari, UN assistant secretary-general and director of the UN Development Program's (UNDP) regional office for the Arab states, added that the Israeli aggression has completely or partially destroyed 72 percent of all residential buildings in Gaza. "The United Nations Development Programme's initial estimates for the reconstruction of... the Gaza Strip surpass $30 billion and could reach up to $40 billion," he said. "The scale of the destruction is huge and unprecedented... This is a mission that the global community has not dealt with since World War II." He also estimated the Israeli attacks have left 37 million tons of rubble across Gaza, warning that the "colossal figure" is increasing every day and approaching 40 million tons. Dardari further said that the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip through a normal process could take decades. Earlier, the UN Development Programme released an assessment, noting that Gaza would need "approximately 80 years to restore all the fully destroyed housing units" under a scenario assuming the pace of reconstruction follows the trend of several previous Gaza conflicts. "It is therefore important that we act quickly to re-house people in decent housing and restore their lives to normal - economically, socially, in terms of health and education," he noted. "This is our top priority, and it must be achieved within the first three years following the cessation of hostilities." The UN official also stressed that the Gaza genocide has wiped out 40 years worth of investments in the territory's human development, saying, "We are almost back in the '80s." Israel unleashed its US-backed Gaza onslaught on October 7 after the Palestinian Hamas resistance group carried out a surprise operation against the occupying entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people. The Tel Aviv regime has so far killed at least 34,596 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 77,816 others. '1.74mn Palestinians pushed into poverty since Gaza war' Additionally, on Thursday, a joint study by the UNDP and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), found that the poverty rate in Palestine has surged to 58.4 percent since Israel's Gaza offensive, pushing nearly 1.74 million additional people into poverty. At the same time, it added, Palestine's gross domestic product (GDP) plummeted by 26.9 percent, resulting in a loss of $7.1 billion compared to a 2023 baseline. The assessment also predicted that the poverty level could more than double to 60.7 percent and the GDP would further decline by 29 percent if the war were to continue for nine months. "Every additional day that this war continues is exacting huge and compounding costs to Gazans and all Palestinians, now and in the medium and long term," UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner warned. "Unprecedented levels of human losses, capital destruction, and the steep rise in poverty in such a short period of time will precipitate a serious development crisis that jeopardizes the future of generations to come." Meanwhile, the report said that human development in Gaza will be set back by 44 years if the Israeli aggression continues for nine months. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Georgian Protesters Beaten Amid Police Crackdown At Rallies By RFE/RL's Georgian Service and RFE/RL's Echo of the Caucasus May 03, 2024 TBILISI -- Tensions remain high in Tbilisi on May 3 as a standoff continues between the government and Georgians opposed to a controversial "foreign agent" law who have been staging large protests that authorities have attempted to disperse using violent means, including rubber bullets, according to eyewitnesses. Traffic was finally restored in the early hours of May 3 at a main intersection of the Georgian capital that had been blocked for about six hours by large numbers of peaceful protesters descending upon Heroes' Square. Late on May 3, protesters moved to the area near the Paragraph Hotel, where a meeting of the Asian Development Bank is being held. At least one person was detained for allegedly "insulting" police officers, the head of the Tbilisi Police Patrol told RFE/RL. Authorities said police had arrested at least 23 people overnight, bringing the total to at least 100 detained over the past three days. The Interior Ministry told RFE/RL that detainees have been accused of administrative offenses, petty hooliganism, and disobeying police officers. Eyewitnesses, including two injured men, told RFE/RL that what they called "provocateurs" arrived by car around 1 a.m. in Heroes' Square and physically assaulted some of the protesters. At around 6 p.m., shortly after the start of the May 2 protest, police arrested several demonstrators in a first attempt to clear the road. Georgia has been rocked by days of protests over the proposed law, denounced by opponents as being inspired by similar repressive legislation in Russia that Moscow has used to stifle dissent. The bill would require organizations receiving more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad to register as "agents of foreign influence." Opponents warn that implementing the law could jeopardize the country's move toward European Union membership. The bill was passed in a second reading on May 1, followed by a violent crackdown by riot police against demonstrators that ended with some 15 people being hospitalized. A parliamentary session on May 2 was subsequently canceled. In at least eight cases on May 1, the victims claimed that, in addition to water cannons and tear gas, police also used rubber bullets. RFE/RL gathered eyewitness accounts, photographic evidence of injuries, interviewed two of the injured, and filmed the rubber bullets at the scene where they were reportedly fired. Freelance reporter Davit Tamazashvili showed his injuries to RFE/RL on May 2 and recalled the events of the previous night, telling RFE/RL he was adjusting his camera when shooting suddenly started and he felt three bullets hit his legs. The evidence seen by RFE/RL is consistent with injuries caused by rubber bullets, but Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Aleksandre Darakhvelidze denied the use of rubber bullets against demonstrators when he addressed reporters at a press briefing. Darakhvelidze told reporters early on May 2 that "no rubber bullets" were used by law enforcement officers, "although there were sufficient legal reasons for their use." Georgia's Special Investigation Service said a probe into excessive force against the demonstrators was ongoing. Nika Demurishvili, 24, who was hospitalized after protests on May 1, told RFE/RL by phone on May 3 that he was back at home after being hit in the eye by a suspected rubber bullet. He said he remains in pain and is unable to open his damaged eye. "I was wearing an anti-gas mask that also had an eye protector," he said. "It was like a rubber bullet hit me. What else it could be, I don't know.... I don't know exactly, but if it were a gas cylinder, I wouldn't have been hit directly right in the face," he added. Doctor Vako Lobzhanidze told reporters that there was "there is a serious injury to the [victim's] right eye, although the eye survived," adding that it did not appear that surgery would be needed. The May 1 demonstration -- one of the largest the country has ever seen -- took place after the legislation was advanced in a second reading. A third and final reading is expected on May 17. A large protest against the bill is currently being planned for May 11, one of the organizers told RFE/RL. "I want you to remember this date. Let's all organize a very large demonstration on May 11th. A large, peaceful, strong, confident manifestation. Put it on your calendars," the unnamed organizer said. UN human rights chief Volker Turk voiced concern about the authorities' treatment of protesters. Turk also urged authorities to withdraw the bill and engage in dialogue with civil society and journalists, who risk being affected by the proposed legislation. "I am concerned by reports of unnecessary and disproportionate use of force by law enforcement personnel against demonstrators and media workers in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, this week," he said. A wave of anger has washed across Georgia since the ruling Georgian Dream party said it was reintroducing a slightly modified version of legislation that protests forced it to back away from last year. Critics call the bill "the Russian law," a reference to the "foreign agent" law in Russia that the government in Moscow has used to silence its critics. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who has distanced herself from the policies of the ruling party, has promised to veto the law if it is formally adopted in a third reading, as expected. The Georgian Foreign Ministry on May 2 refused an invitation from the United States to speak directly with U.S. officials, U.S. Ambassador Robin Dunnigan said. "Recently, we have invited senior members of the Georgian Government to engage directly with the most senior leaders in the United States to discuss our strategic partnership and any concerns with U.S. assistance; unfortunately, the Georgian side chose not to accept this invitation," she said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter. A statement from the Georgian Foreign Ministry said the invitation was rejected because there was a condition that the parliament temporarily stop the discussion of the draft law. This prerequisite "does not correspond to the spirit of partnership," the ministry statement said. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze later accused the United States of making "false" statements over the controversial law, saying Washington's words are similar to previous statements that "encouraged" violence during other times of unrest in the Caucasus nation. Dunnigan's statement, which also urged Georgia to "recommit the country to its Euro-Atlantic future, as written in Georgia's constitution," makes no reference to any conditions for holding talks. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/foreign-agents-law-rubber- bullets-georgia-protests/32931648.html Copyright (c) 2024. 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 Houthis Ready to Attack Israeli-Linked Ships in Mediterranean Sea - Military Spokesman Sputnik News 20240503 DOHA (Sputnik) - Yemen's Ansar Allah movement, also known as Houthis, are ready to attack any ships heading to Israel from Mediterranean Sea if the Jewish state launches an offensive in Rafah, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said on Friday. The spokesman announced a new stage of "escalation" in response to the "calls of the Palestinian people." "First, the targeting of all ships that violate the ban decision of Israeli navigation and that heading to the ports of occupied Palestine from the Mediterranean Sea in any reachable area within our ample zone. Second, implementation of this comes into effect immediately and from the moment this statement is announced," Saree said in a statement. The spokesman also said that Houthis will target ships that are heading towards Israeli ports. "Third: If the Israeli enemy intends to launch an aggressive military operation against Rafah, the Yemeni Armed forces will impose comprehensive sanctions on all ships and companies that are related to supplying and entering the occupied Palestinian ports of any nationality and will prevent all ships of these companies from passing through the armed forces' operation zone, regardless of their destination," the spokesman said. Houthis have been launching attacks on commercial and military vessels in the region for months in response to Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip. The attacks prompted the United States to form a multinational coalition to protect shipping in the area, as well as to strike Houthi targets on the ground. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK sanctions extremist groups and individuals for settler violence in the West Bank The UK has imposed new sanctions on extremist groups and individuals for inciting and perpetrating settler violence in the West Bank. 3 May 2024 further sanctions package targets those inciting and perpetrating settler violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank. new measures follow unprecedented rise in settler violence over the last year and come after a previous UK sanctions package in February The Foreign Secretary has today announced further sanctions on extremist Israeli groups and individuals for violence in the West Bank. Today's package includes 2 groups known to have supported, incited and promoted violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank, as well as 4 individuals responsible for perpetrating human rights abuses against these communities. The measures follow an unprecedented rise in settler violence in the West Bank over the last year, with the UN recording at least 800 incidents since October. Hilltop Youth, one of the groups sanctioned today, is a hardline nationalist Israeli youth group which establishes illegal settler outposts across the West Bank with the stated mission of expelling all Palestinians from the Occupied Territories. Lehava is also sanctioned today for facilitating, inciting, and promoting violence against Arab and Palestinian communities. Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said: Extremist settlers are undermining security and stability and threatening prospects for peace. This latest package of sanctions targets 2 groups leading these attacks, and 4 individuals who are directly responsible for egregious violence against Palestinian civilians. The Israeli authorities must clamp down on those responsible. The UK will not hesitate to take further action if needed, including through further sanctions. The 4 individuals sanctioned today for egregious human rights abuses against Palestinian communities are: Noam Federman: a radical settler activist and former leader and spokesperson of the now-defunct Kach party, that espoused overtly racist and violent policies. He has trained settler groups to commit acts of violence against Palestinians and how to avoid repercussions from the Israeli state Neria Ben Pazi: is responsible for illegally constructing 3 illegal outposts between 2015 and 2023 and has supported and participated in acts of violence and displacement of Bedouin and Palestinian communities in the West Bank Eden Levi: has been documented on multiple occasions as taking part in assaults and intimidation of Palestinians, as part of a wider intimidation campaign aiming to drive their population out of the area. As recently as 12 October 2023, he was involved in an incident during which Palestinian villagers were beaten and sexually assaulted Elisha Yered: is an unofficial spokesperson for Hilltop Youth. He has a history of making inflammatory statements inciting religious hatred and violence, including justifying the killing of Palestinians on religious grounds, and calling for the takeover of Palestinian land and the expulsion of Palestinians from the West Bank Today's measures impose financial restrictions on the entities and individuals, and travel restrictions on the individuals. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Grave concern over civilians cut off from life-saving aid in Sudan UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 3 May 2024 Over a year since the start of the war in Sudan, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, remains extremely concerned about shocking levels of violence and devastating humanitarian and protection risks as many areas across the country remain beyond the reach of aid organizations. For the first time since the conflict started, a UNHCR team with Sudan's Commissioner for Refugees and national aid agency, JASMAR for Human Security, reached Omdurman in Khartoum State, a city severely impacted by the conflict. UNHCR staff saw the massive destruction caused by the war, with vast needs and high levels of suffering among a population which has been out of reach to humanitarians for months. During the two-day mission to Omdurman, which hosts over 12,000 refugees and more than 54,000 internally displaced people, UNHCR met with local officials and people impacted by the conflict to identify needs and understand the protection risks. Displaced families, including Sudanese and refugees who were in Sudan before the war, told UNHCR of their struggles to get enough food due to soaring prices, leading to fears of children becoming malnourished. Children have no access to schools, or places to play, and they are distressed by the sounds of clashes. Displaced people do not have adequate shelter, with many living in overcrowded conditions in gathering sites located mainly in schools. While two hospitals remain open, there is not enough medicine, especially for those with chronic illnesses. Pregnant women are not able to access prenatal care. People also shared serious concerns for their safety, reporting increasing sexual violence as well as limited legal support. Many are severely traumatized. UNHCR identified relevant national agencies, NGOs and other community groups on the ground to whom we could offer support and supplies. Beyond Khartoum State, escalating hostilities in Darfur's El Fasher city are aggravating the already perilous protection situation for civilians. According to available reports, tens of villages have been targeted, some razed to the ground, killing innocent people and destroying public property and crops. Indiscriminate violence, including sexual violence as well as cases of separated and missing children, are on the rise. Movement restrictions on key roads are preventing people from fleeing to safer areas, forcing them to shelter in severely overcrowded displacement sites or open spaces, adding to risks. UNHCR continues to call for the safety of civilians, safe access for aid agencies so that support and supplies can be delivered and, above all, for a cessation of hostilities. Humanitarian partners also need more support to boost their capacity to respond. UNHCR, alongside UN partners, remains in Sudan to support its people and continues to operate wherever it has safe access. In Khartoum, Darfur and Kordofan State, we are working with local partners, refugee leaders and community-based protection networks to monitor needs and assist where we can. We are also present in Red Sea, Northern, White Nile, Blue Nile, Gedaref and Kassala states, which host hundreds of thousands of refugees already in the country prior the conflict. Nearly 6.7 million people have been internally displaced in Sudan, and the situation remains dangerous and volatile. The over 920,000 refugees in Sudan, mainly from South Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia, include over 200,000 who have been displaced several times within the country since the start of the war. A year on, thousands continue to leave Sudan daily in search of safety in neighbouring countries. To date, 1.8 million people have crossed into Chad, Egypt, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and the Central African Republic. As the humanitarian situation continues to worsen, financial resources needed to meet needs across Sudan and in neighbouring countries are dangerously insufficient. To date, only 10 per cent of the $2.6 billion required to reach over 18 million people with life-saving assistance within Sudan have been received, and only 8 per cent of the $1.4 billion financial requirements outlined in the 2024 Regional Refugee Response Plan for Sudan have been met. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address An attack on El Fasher would endanger hundreds of thousands of children, warns UNICEF UNICEF Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on situation in Darfur, Sudan 03 May 2024 NEW YORK, 3 May 2024 -- "The increase of fighting in Sudan's North Darfur state has taken a deadly toll on children in recent weeks. But the threat of an imminent military attack on El Fasher, a city sheltering at least 500,000 people displaced by violence elsewhere in the country, risks a catastrophic escalation, endangering the lives and wellbeing of 750,000 children in El Fasher, and potentially millions more. We call on parties to the conflict to urgently step back from such a dangerous confrontation. "At least 43 people, including children and women, have been killed since the escalation of fighting in and around El Fasher a little over two weeks ago. Continued attacks, including the use of explosive weapons in residential neighbourhoods, are particularly dangerous for children, and will only result in more children displaced, injured, and killed. "Recent attacks on more than a dozen villages in western El-Fasher have resulted in horrific reports of violence, including sexual violence, children injured and killed, homes set on fire, and destruction of critical civilian supplies and infrastructure. Families, including those who had previously been displaced by the conflict, have once again been forced to flee with little more than the clothes on their backs. There are deeply concerning reports of children being separated from their families or reportedly going missing. "The fighting and growing fear of ethnically motivated violence has driven many families to overcrowded displacement camps such as Zamzam camp and informal gathering sites in and around El Fasher city. Many of the displacement sites lack adequate access to food, safe water and shelter, putting children at additional risk. "The encircling of El Fasher by armed groups and restrictions on movement on key roads out of the city are limiting families from leaving. At the same time, a severe lack of humanitarian access and an inability to deliver commercial goods due to the insecurity have led to scarcity of essential services and rocketing costs for water, food, and fuel. More than 330,000 people are reportedly facing acute food insecurity in El Fasher. "All of these deeply worrying developments are happening at a time when the continuing brutal violence across Sudan is pushing the country toward a conflict-induced famine and a further catastrophic loss of life, especially among children. "Parties to the conflict must make every effort to de-escalate the situation, allow the safe movement of civilians, including the sick and wounded, who want to move to safer areas, and ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. The parties to the conflict must also ensure rapid, sustained, and unimpeded humanitarian access - both across conflict lines within Sudan and across borders with neighbouring countries. "Children in Sudan continue to suffer unconscionable violence, while their parents and grandparents still bear the scars of previous cycles of violence. We cannot allow it to continue to happen." ##### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN agencies warn of imminent starvation risk in Sudan's Darfur region 3 May 2024 - UN agencies issued a joint warning on Friday that time is running out to prevent starvation in Sudan's Darfur region due to intensifying clashes around the northern capital of El Fasher, which are hindering efforts to deliver life-saving aid. Since fighting erupted last April between rival militaries, Sudan has witnessed shocking levels of violence, plunging the country into a devastating humanitarian and protection crisis. Close to 25 million people - more than half the population - are estimated to need assistance, with approximately 17.7 million people facing "acute" levels of food insecurity. The crisis, described as being of "epic proportions" by the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), is exacerbated by limited access to vulnerable communities due to ongoing fighting and authorities' restrictions, particularly in Darfur, while the fighting rages on between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The latest escalation of violence around El Fasher has halted aid convoys from Chad's Tine border crossing, while authorities in Port Sudan are preventing aid transport via Adre, the only other viable cross-border corridor from Sudan's western neighbour. Desperation and dire conditions Michael Dunford, Regional Director for Eastern Africa at the UN World Food Programme (WFP), stressed the desperation of civilians caught up in the fighting. "Our calls for humanitarian access to conflict hotspots in Sudan have never been more critical: WFP urgently requires unrestricted access and security guarantees to deliver assistance to the families struggling for survival amid devastating levels of violence," he said. "The situation is dire. People are resorting to consuming grass and peanut shells. If assistance does not reach them soon, we risk witnessing widespread starvation and death in Darfur and across other conflict-affected areas in Sudan," he added. The senior WFP official stressed that humanitarians must be able to use the Adre border crossing and move aid across frontlines from Port Sudan to reach people throughout Darfur. Children killed, amid 'unconscionable violence' Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), highlighted the impact of the fighting on children. At least 43 people, including women and children, have been killed since clashes escalated in North Darfur. Recent attacks on more than a dozen villages have resulted in horrific reports of violence, including sexual violence, and further deaths and injuries among children. There are concerns that the siege of El Fasher by armed groups and restrictions on movement on key roads out of the city are preventing families from leaving. "All of these deeply worrying developments are happening at a time when the continuing brutal violence across Sudan is pushing the country toward a conflict-induced famine and a further catastrophic loss of life, especially among children," Ms. Russell emphasized. She called on warring sides to de-escalate the situation, allow safe movement of civilians - including the sick and wounded - who want to move to safer areas, and ensure protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. "Children in Sudan continue to suffer unconscionable violence, while their parents and grandparents still bear the scars of previous cycles of violence. We cannot allow it to continue to happen," the UNICEF head said. Call to de-escalate tensions Meanwhile Ramtane Lamamra, Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Sudan, also continued his engagement with the parties in Sudan to de-escalate tensions, a UN spokesperson said. Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN chief, said that Mr. Lamamra called on the RSF and the Sudanese authorities to refrain from fighting in El Fasher. "[He] stressed that an attack on the city would likely have devastating consequences for the civilian population," Mr. Haq said. He added that since his participation in the Paris conference in April, Mr. Lamamra has travelled to Chad, Ethiopia and Eritrea for discussions with the African Union and regional leaders on the way forward. People severely traumatized The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) underscored the challenges it has been facing reaching those in need. For the first time since the war started, it reached Omdurman, a major city across the river from the national capital Khartoum. The city hosts over 12,000 refugees and more than 54,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). "Displaced families, including Sudanese and refugees who were in Sudan before the war, told UNHCR of their struggles to get enough food due to soaring prices, leading to fears of children becoming malnourished," said agency spokesperson, Olga Sarrado Mur. Ms. Mur added that children have no access to schools or places to play and are traumatized by the sound of the fighting. There are inadequate shelters for the displaced, with many living in overcrowded conditions, including abandoned classrooms. "While two hospitals remain open, there is not enough medicine, especially for those with chronic illnesses. Pregnant women are not able to access prenatal care. People also shared serious concerns for their safety, reporting increasing sexual violence as well as limited legal support," she said. "Many are severely traumatized." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Targeting Rafah could lead to slaughter, warns UN aid agency 3 May 2024 - An Israeli military operation in Rafah "could lead to a slaughter" and cripple lifesaving humanitarian work throughout Gaza, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said on Friday. "Any ground operation would mean more suffering and death" for the 1.2 million displaced Palestinians sheltering in and around the Strip's southernmost city, OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke told journalists in Geneva. Echoing those concerns, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said that "Band-Aid" contingency plans have been made in case a full-scale military incursion does indeed happen, but they will not be enough to prevent Gaza's humanitarian catastrophe from getting worse. Band-Aid plans "This contingency plan is Band-Aids. It will absolutely not prevent the expected substantial additional mortality and morbidity caused by a military operation," said Dr Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Speaking via videolink from Jerusalem, the WHO medic warned that a military operation would spark a new wave of displacement, more overcrowding, less access to essential food, water and sanitation "and definitely more outbreaks (of disease)". "The ailing health system will not be able to withstand the potential scale of devastation that the incursion will cause," Dr Peeperkorn insisted. The worsening security situation could also severely impede the movement of food, water, and medical supplies into and across Gaza via the border points, the WHO official noted. After nearly seven months of heavy Israeli bombardment sparked by Hamas-led terror attacks on southern Israel on 7 October, only 12 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza and 22 of the enclave's 88 primary health care facilities are "partially functional" today, according to the UN health agency. Dialysis under threat These include Najjar Hospital in Rafah which offers dialysis treatment to hundreds of people, explained Dr Ahmed Dahir, WHO team leader in Gaza. "The health system is barely surviving...if any (Israeli) operation will happen which means the population and patients will not be able to access these hospitals, what is going to happen to these patients; ultimately that would be a catastrophe." Despite "a slight improvement" in the availability and diversity of food in Gaza in recent weeks, Dr Peeperkorn rejected any suggestion that the looming threat of acute malnutrition had receded for the enclave's most vulnerable. "We will see the effects for years to come," the WHO official continued, noting that 30 children have now reportedly died because of illnesses linked to malnutrition. Deaths linked to the kind of food insecurity that Gazans have endured should have been completely preventable, Dr Peeperkorn insisted, as he pointed to the widespread destruction of poultry farming and fishing production, along with vegetable and fruit growing which are "not there anymore...we should never have any level of malnutrition in this place". As part of UN contingency efforts, the WHO and partners are setting up a new field hospital in Al Mawasi in Rafah. Supply lines A large warehouse has also been created in the central city of Deir Al Balah from where WHO has moved supplies to Khan Younis, the Middle Area and north Gaza. Further supplies have also been prepositioned at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al Balah and European Gaza Hospital near Khan Younis in the south. Also in Khan Younis, Nasser Medical Complex is being refurbished to provide "a basic package of health services", now that cleaning and inspection of essential equipment have been completed. Nine out of 10 operating theatres there are operational and emergency medical teams are preparing to work there alongside national staff, WHO said. Pre-positioning key WHO and partners are also establishing additional primary health centres and medical points in Khan Younis and the Middle Area, as well as pre-positioning medical supplies to enable these facilities to detect and treat communicable and non-communicable diseases and manage wounds. In the north, the UN health agency is helping to increase services at Al-Ahli, Kamal Adwan and Al-Awda hospitals with emergency medical teams and by pre-positioning supplies. "Plans are also being developed to support the restoration of the Patients' Friendly Hospital, focusing on paediatric services, and expansion of primary health care centres and medical points," WHO reported. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group visits Souda Bay, Crete US Navy - Press Release 03 May 2024 The Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE), embarked staff from Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) departed Souda Bay, Crete after a scheduled port visit, May 2, 2024. The port visit to Souda Bay followed IKECSG's presence in U.S. 5th Fleet, operating in support of freedom of navigation through Operation Prosperity Guardian and self-defensive strikes into Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. "We are incredibly grateful to Greece for hosting us during our very first port visit of the deployment," said Rear Adm. Marc Miguez, commander, CSG-2, IKECSG. "The Sailors of Carrier Strike Group Two have worked tirelessly for six months straight to keep us operating on station in the most challenging, dynamic combat environment the Navy has seen in decades. This port visit is well-deserved." This port visit was the IKE's first stop since deploying to the U.S. Naval Forces Central (NAVCENT) and U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR) areas of operations. IKECSG units departed their homeports of Norfolk, Virginia, and Mayport, Florida, on Oct. 13 & 14 for a scheduled deployment. During their time in Souda Bay, Sailors from the ships experienced Greek culture, explored the region, enjoyed local cuisine, and volunteered in the community to build regional relations. "We are here to support our forward-deployed forces with everything from resupply and physical security, to a much-needed port call for our shipmates that have been out to sea and in harm's way," said Cmdr. James Kotora, executive officer, Naval Support Activity Souda Bay. "For the Mighty Ike, with their extension at sea, we want to make sure their time here in Souda Bay is relaxing and rejuvenating." The IKECSG is operating in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations to deepen strategic relationships with allies and partners, and to support maritime security and stability. The strike group is commanded by CSG-2 and comprised of flagship Dwight D. Eisenhower, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 with its nine squadrons, USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22, with Gravely and the guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87). Squadrons of CVW-3 include the "Gunslingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105, the "Fighting Swordsmen" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32, the "Rampagers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 83, the "Wildcats" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 131, the "Screwtops" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123, the "Zappers" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130, the "Dusty Dogs" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7, the "Swamp Foxes" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 and the "Rawhides" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40. For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability. Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN sets contingency plans in case of Israeli assault on Rafah By Lisa Schlein May 03, 2024 Warning of a bloodbath should Israeli forces attack Rafah, U.N. agencies are making contingency plans to provide health care and other essential aid to the besieged population in the southern Gaza city. "Despite measures, the ailing health system will not be able to withstand the potential scale of devastation that the incursion will cause," said Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO representative for occupied Palestinian territories. "With more than 1.2 million people crammed in Rafah, an operation will result in worsening the humanitarian catastrophe," he said. Speaking from Jerusalem Friday, Peeperkorn told journalists in Geneva that an assault on Rafah will trigger a new wave of displacement, which "will lead to more overcrowding, reduced access to essential food, water and sanitation services, and increased infectious disease outbreaks." WHO reports most health care facilities in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed amid repeated attacks and airstrikes by Israeli forces. It says the health system is barely surviving, with 12 out of 36 hospitals and 22 out of 88 primary health care facilities only partially functional. The U.N. health agency says three small hospitals in Rafah that currently are partially operational "will become unsafe to be reached by patients, staff, ambulance and humanitarians when hostilities intensify." Peeperkorn said, "Every time we have seen when there is a military incursion in places in the north, in Gaza city, or Khan Younis, these hospitals very quickly become not reachable. So, they go from being partly functional very quickly to nonfunctional." As part of contingency efforts in southern Gaza, WHO and partners are setting up a new field hospital in Al Mawasi in Rafah and a large warehouse in the central Gaza city of Deir Al Balah, from where medical supplies can be quickly sent to facilities in the Middle Area and North Gaza. Plans are underway to set up other warehouses where medical supplies can be prepositioned. Nasser Medical Complex, the most important hospital in south Gaza, was severely damaged and put out of commission amid heavy fighting and bombing in Khan Younis. Peeperkorn said the complex is being refurbished and that hospital staff have completed the first phase of restoration, "including cleaning and ensuring essential equipment is functioning." He noted that the emergency ward, the maternity ward, nine operating theaters, intensive care unit and several other departments now are partially operational. "I want to really say that this contingency plan is a Band-Aid. It will absolutely not prevent the expected substantial additional mortality and morbidity caused by a military operation," he said. "We do not want to make those plans. I want to make it very clear: We do not want to make these plans. We all, of course, hope and expect that this military incursion will not happen and that we will move to a sustained cease-fire." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this week that Israeli forces would invade Rafah regardless of the outcome of ongoing hostage release negotiations with Hamas. Netanyahu vowed to eliminate Hamas following the militant group's attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in the killing of some 1,200 people and 250 being taken hostage. In a statement Wednesday, Martin Griffiths, the U.N. under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs warned that "a ground operation in Rafah will be nothing short of a tragedy beyond words." "For the hundreds of thousands of people who have fled to Gaza's southernmost point to escape disease, famine, mass graves and direct fighting, a ground invasion would spell even more trauma and death," he said. Aid agencies agree there have been recent improvements in bringing more aid into Gaza but say that it still is not enough and "the risk of famine is not over." "Rafah is at the heart of the humanitarian operations in Gaza," said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). "It is where dozens of aid organizations store their lifesaving supplies that they deliver to civilians across the Gaza Strip. Rafah is central to the U.N. and partners' ongoing efforts to provide food, water, health, sanitation, hygiene, and other critical support to people," he said. For example, he notes that the U.N. Population Fund operates clinics for sexual and reproductive health at field hospitals in Rafah; UNICEF and partners treat acutely malnourished children at more than 50 sites in Rafah; the World Food Program distributes nutrition supplements to children under 5, pregnant and breastfeeding women in Rafah. "Most importantly, there are hundreds of thousands of civilians who have fled to Rafah to escape bombardment, an imminent famine and disease," he said. Laerke told journalists that he had no idea whether it was possible to move 1.2 million people out of Rafah to a so-called safe place in advance of a military incursion by Israel. However, he scotched any suggestion of U.N. involvement in such a scheme. "The United Nations is not part of any planning and will not participate in any ordered non-voluntary evacuation of people," adding that "I have not in my experience, limited as it is, ever seen this amount of people voluntarily move overnight." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas indicates 'positive spirit' as it studies Israel's latest peace proposal By VOA News May 03, 2024 After months of negotiations, Hamas is offering hope that a cease-fire agreement with Israel could be near, while the threat of an Israeli incursion into the southern city of Rafah is looming. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said the militant group, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., the UK and other Western countries, will "soon" dispatch a delegation to Egypt to complete ongoing cease-fire discussions with an agreement that "realizes the demands of our people." Haniyeh, the leader of the militant group's political wing, spoke on the phone with Egyptian and Qatari negotiators Thursday, and he said that Hamas was looking at the latest proposal from Israel with a "positive spirit." Egypt, Qatar and the United States have been leading efforts to broker a deal for a cease-fire in the nearly seven-month war between Israel and Hamas. CIA Director William Burns is visiting the Egyptian capital Cairo Friday for discussions about the conflict in Gaza, an Egyptian security source and three sources at Cairo airport said, according to Reuters. Israel's truce offer was described by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken as "extraordinarily generous," and he urged Hamas to accept it. The proposed cease-fire being considered includes a 40-day pause of fighting and the exchange of Israeli hostages for potentially thousands of Palestinian prisoners, according to details released by Britain. Hamas is mulling Israel's proposed cease-fire proposal, while protesters in Israel demand their government negotiate the release of the remaining hostages. Israel has repeatedly warned it is planning to launch an assault against Hamas cells in the southern Gaza city where about a million displaced people are crowded together, having fled months of Israeli attacks on the enclave. "It could be a slaughter of civilians and an incredible blow to the humanitarian operation in the entire strip because it is run primarily out of Rafah," said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the U.N. humanitarian office, or OCHA, at a Geneva press briefing. Among the aid operations in Rafah are medical clinics, warehouses stocked with humanitarian supplies, food distribution points and 50 centers for acutely malnourished children, Laerke said. Israel has promised to ensure the safe evacuation of civilians from Gaza's border city with Egypt. A World Health Organization official said at the same briefing that a plan for Rafah had been prepared, and it included a new field hospital. He underscored, however, it would not be enough to prevent a significant increase in the death toll in the event of an assault. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO representative for the occupied Palestinian territory, said via video link that he was "extremely concerned" that any incursion would close the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, a corridor currently being used to import medical supplies. At least 34,622 Palestinians have been killed and 77,867 have been injured during Israel's military offensive on Gaza since the beginning of the war, the Gaza health ministry said in a statement Friday. Israel's counteroffensive on Gaza was triggered by Hamas' October 7 terror attack in southern Israel. The attack killed approximately 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and the assailants abducted more than 230 people. An Israeli man held hostage in Gaza since the October 7 Hamas attack has been confirmed dead, according to the Israeli government on Friday and the kibbutz where he had lived. Dror Or, 49, is the latest hostage to have been confirmed dead by Israel after being abducted by Hamas. "We are heartbroken to share that Dror Or, who was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, had been confirmed as murdered and his body is being held in Gaza," the Israeli government said on social media platform X. Or's wife Yonat was killed in the initial attack, and two of their three children, Noam and Alma, ages 17 and 13, were taken hostage and then freed in November as part of a cease-fire and hostages-for-prisoners swap deal between Israel and Hamas, where 105 hostages were exchanged for 240 Palestinian prisoners. Israel estimates that 35 hostages out of the 129 remaining in Gaza are dead. Meanwhile, the U.N. warned it will take decades to rebuild Gaza. "The scale of the destruction is huge and unprecedented ... this is a mission that the global community has not dealt with since World War II," Abdallah al-Dardari, the UNDP's Regional Director for Arab States told a briefing in Jordan. The UNDP assessment predicted that it would take generations of Palestinians to rebuild Gaza's socio-economic infrastructure and called for an urgent ceasefire. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Austin: US sees no indications of intent to hurt US troops building Gaza pier By Carla Babb May 03, 2024 U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said late Thursday he does not see signs that Hamas is going to attack U.S. forces who are building a pier off the coast of Gaza to deliver aid to the war-torn strip by sea. "I don't see any indications currently that there is an active intent to do that," Austin told reporters at a press conference in Hawaii. Austin stressed that the top commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, CENTCOM chief Gen. Erik Kurilla, has put several security measures in place to keep the troops who are building the pier and helping with aid distribution safe. "Our allies are also providing security in that area as well, and so it's going to require that we continue to coordinate with them very closely to ensure that if anything happens that, you know, our troops are protected," Austin said. The new port is just southwest of Gaza City. Last week a mortar attack targeted the port site but officials said no one was hurt. "This is an accident, a very serious accident waiting to happen," Bradley Bowman, the senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told VOA. Bowman, who is also a U.S. Army veteran, said Thursday that efforts to feed those in desperate need are "laudable," but security concerns since the inception of this U.S. mission appear to remain unanswered while some of the plans are still being developed. "The kind of terrorists, the kind of person - I hesitate to use that term - that would ... wage the October 7 terror attack, use human shields and hold innocent men, women and children as hostages, those are the very same people that will not hesitate to attack those trying to bring food and water to hungry and thirsty people," Bowman said. Crews from the USNS Roy P. Benavidez and several Army vessels started building the floating platform for the operation last week, according to a senior military official. Next will come construction of the causeway, which will be anchored to the shore by the Israel Defense Forces. U.S. and Israeli officials have said they hope to complete construction and begin operations this month. The senior military official told reporters the Pentagon expects deliveries to "begin at about 90 trucks a day ... and then quickly increase to 150 trucks a day." Aid has been slow to get into Gaza because of long backups of vehicles at Israeli inspection points. The U.S. and other nations have been air-dropping food into Gaza, but each military plane only holds about one to three truckloads of food, a U.S. official told VOA. Aid organizations have said several hundred truckloads of food are needed in Gaza each day. Israel attacked Hamas in Gaza following Hamas' October 7 terror attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and saw hundreds more taken hostage. In the nearly seven months since the attack, more than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to Gazan health officials. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Residents of northeastern Mali town trapped, blocked from humanitarian aid By Mohammed Yusuf May 03, 2024 Save the Children says more than 140,000 people in the Malian town of Menaka, including 80,000 children, face malnutrition and disease due to a blockade by Islamic State-linked insurgents. The organization warns that the months-long blockade has driven supplies to alarmingly low levels as aid agencies and Malian government programs struggle to deliver basic necessities. In a statement this week, Save the Children said that unless aid gets to the Menaka communities soon, the area could see many deaths in coming months. The London-based organization said some of its workers who went to assess the population's needs had been trapped for more than three weeks. The blockade in Menaka follows a siege in Timbuktu that began last August and has trapped more than 136,000 people, 74,000 of them children. In Timbuktu, however, some aid supplies are able to reach people in need, according to Save the Children. David Otto, a Nigerian-based security analyst, says the lack of government presence in northern Mali is complicating aid efforts. "Humanitarian activities within that region also have been very, very much limited," said Otto. "Not just due to insecurity, which is one of the main factors, but also due to the fact that the regime or the military government has limited access to that region for humanitarian organizations on the basis of jihadist groups." Aid agencies say Mali is locked in a complex crisis, facing criminal organizations, an Islamist insurgency, socio-economic challenges, and climate change. More than 7 million people need humanitarian assistance, and the situation is worse in conflict-affected areas of northern and central Mali. According to Cadre Harmonise 2024, a framework used to identify food and nutrition insecurity in the Sahel and West Africa, over 40,000 residents of Menaka already face emergency levels of hunger. Aid agencies warn the situation is expected to deteriorate in June, by which time nearly 50,000 people will be food insecure and needing urgent support. Kevin Oduor teaches International Criminal Law at Technical University in Kenya. He says the starving the population in Menaka is a war crime. "Blocking aid getting to the people is tantamount to exposing them to murder, exposing them to situations that would hinder them from living their full life," said Oduor. "So, these are actually war crimes." Mali's military junta recently launched a joint operation with the military governments in Burkina Faso and Niger to fight jihadist and insurgent groups that have destabilized parts of West Africa. The junta says it sees the operations as one way of easing the suffering of its people in the hands of armed groups. However, the government has been unable to break the sieges of either Menaka or Timbuktu. Meanwhile, the government has ordered the U.N. mission in Mali to close its offices and end the support it was providing to the population. Otto says saving lives and feeding its people is not a top priority for the military government in Mali. "The government is now focusing a lot on dealing with security issues rather than actually looking at the humanitarian aspects within that area," said Otto. "This is why you are seeing an increase in the number of people living in very dire circumstances within that region. Right now, the government is focusing on consolidating its power from a military and defense point of view rather than actually providing some kind of economic or sustainable assistance to the people living in this area." Experts warn Mali's unwillingness to work with regional and international institutions may worsen the humanitarian situation in the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Explosion at DRC displaced persons' camp kills at least 9 By VOA News May 03, 2024 Local officials and media reports in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo say at least nine people - most of them children - were killed Friday following an explosion or explosions at displaced persons camp in the eastern city of Goma. From his X social media account, DRC journalist Daniel Michombero reported an explosion at the Mugunga displaced persons camp in Goma. He posted a video to his account showing the bodies of children among the rubble. VOA could not independently verify the authenticity of the video. It was not immediately clear what kind of explosive device was used or who was responsible for the attack. Witnesses and local officials reported seeing at least nine bodies at the scene and at least 20 wounded. A local hospital official told the French news agency AFP the facility had received 32 wounded and four bodies. In a statement on his official X account, DRC government spokesman Patrick Muyaya blamed the Rwandan army and its "terrorist auxiliaries" the M23 rebels for the attack. He called the bombing "barbarity" and "horror in its most serious form!" The DRC government, along with the United Nations and other Western countries, say M23, backed by the Rwandan government, has been waging an offensive in mineral-rich eastern Congo since 2021. The Rwandan government has denied its involvement. At a U.N. Security Council meeting in March, U.N. special envoy for Congo Bintou Keita said that in recent months, the rebel group has made "significant advances and expanding its territory," creating a more disastrous humanitarian situation. She reported 23.4 million people suffer from food insecurity in the DRC, "meaning that 1 in 4 Congolese faces hunger and malnutrition, making the Democratic Republic of Congo the country most affected by food insecurity." Earlier this year, U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood condemned "the aggressive military incursion" into eastern Congo by the M23 rebel group and the Rwandan Defense Force and attacks. He called on Rwanda and Congo to "walk back from the brink of war," the sharpest warning yet of a looming conflict. Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chad opposition protests military involvement in May 6 presidential polls By Moki Edwin Kindzeka May 03, 2024 Angry youths in Chad are pulling down campaign posters of transitional President General Mahamat Idriss Deby in protest of what they call his attempt to seize power. Deby's main challengers in the May 6 election, including former opposition leader and current Prime Minister Succes Masra, say several hundred of their supporters have been arrested. Some among the disgruntled opposition are calling for an election boycott. Several hundred civilians shout as they pull down campaign posters of Chad's transitional president, General Mahamat Idriss Deby. The posters have come down in several towns, including Chad's capital, N'djamena, and Moundou, the central African nation's second-most-populated city. In the audio extracted from videos circulating on social media, especially Facebook and WhatsApp, the civilians say they need a leadership change in Chad and an end to what they call a Deby dynasty. Deby took power as a military ruler in April 2021 after his father, Idriss Deby Itno, who had ruled the country for 30 years, was killed by rebels. Chad's opposition and civil society have always condemned what they call Deby's seizure of power, asking him to hand power to civilians. The younger Deby told Chad state TV this week that campaigning for Chad's May 6 polls has faced major hitches, including attacks on his campaign officials and the pulling down of his posters. Deby says he has asked government troops, the guarantors of peace and security, to restore order and end growing hate speech and preelection violence. He says when he took power three years ago, he vowed to maintain Chad as a peaceful country before handing it to constitutional order after the May 6 presidential polls. Deby did not accuse his challenges of ordering or allowing their supporters to pull down his campaign posters. But he said civilians who are planning to disturb the elections have been arrested. Deby's main election rivals, Prime Minister Masra and Pahimi Padacke Albert, who also served as Chad's prime minister under Deby from April 2021 to October 2022, say hundreds of their supporters are in jail illegally. Meanwhile, opposition candidates also accuse Deby of ordering government troops to crack down on his challengers' campaign caravans. Masra says Deby wants to crack down on his rivals to maintain his grip on power. He spoke to VOA via a messaging app from N'djamena Friday. Masra says he and his supporters will not be intimidated into stopping the fight for the rule of democracy in Chad. He says he is committed to making sure that all Chadians have access to electricity, water and security, which are basic needs Deby and his father have not been able to give civilians for more than three decades. And yet, he says, the Deby family wants to stay in power eternally. Some opposition and civil society groups have intensified their campaign for a total boycott of the election. They assert that Deby controls Chad's election commission, the National Agency for Elections Management, or ANGE. Djimet Clemen Bagaou, president of the Democratic Party of Chadian People says ANGE will declare Deby the winner, so there is no point to the elections. ANGE rejects that line of thinking, saying the country's more than 8 million registered voters should count on its independence to ensure a free, transparent and credible vote. It is urging Chadians to come out to the polls. Deby says he will respect the verdict of the ballot and hand over power if defeated. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address WFP warns time is running out to prevent starvation in Darfur as violence in El Fasher escalates World Food Programme 3 May 2024 PORT SUDAN -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warns that time is running out to prevent starvation in Darfur as intensifying clashes in North Darfur's capital El Fasher hinder efforts to deliver vital food assistance into the region. Civilians in El Fasher and the wider Darfur region are already facing devastating levels of hunger, yet deliveries of food assistance have been intermittent due to fighting and endless bureaucratic hurdles. The latest escalation of violence around El Fasher has halted aid convoys coming from Chad's Tine border crossing - a recently opened humanitarian corridor that passes through North Darfur's capital. Meanwhile, restrictions from the authorities in Port Sudan are preventing WFP from transporting assistance via Adre, the only other viable cross-border corridor from Chad. The route can serve West Darfur and other locations in Central, South and East Darfur. These access constraints are jeopardizing WFP's plans to provide vital assistance to over 700,000 people ahead of the rainy season when many roads across Darfur become impassable. "Our calls for humanitarian access to conflict hotspots in Sudan have never been more critical: WFP urgently requires unrestricted access and security guarantees to deliver assistance to the families struggling for survival amid devastating levels of violence. We must be able to use the Adre border crossing and move assistance across frontlines from Port Sudan so we can reach people throughout the Darfur region," said Michael Dunford, WFP's Regional Director for Eastern Africa. The recent surge in violence in El Fasher is exacerbating critical humanitarian needs in Darfur, where at least 1.7 million people are already experiencing emergency levels of hunger (IPC4). El Fasher had been a relative safe-haven for families, hosting many IDP camps that pre-date the current conflict. Yet conditions were already critical with reports of children dying of malnutrition. Now many are being forced to flee El Fasher and surrounding areas - some for the second or third time - and are becoming increasingly vulnerable. On top of the impact of the escalating violence, WFP is concerned that hunger will increase dramatically as the lean season between harvests sets in and people run out of food. "The situation is dire. People are resorting to consuming grass and peanut shells. If assistance doesn't reach them soon, we risk witnessing widespread starvation and death in Darfur and across other conflict-affected areas in Sudan," said Dunford. Over the last six weeks, WFP has delivered emergency food and nutrition assistance to over 300,000 people in North, West, and Central Darfur using the Tine and Adre border crossings and a crossline route from Port Sudan. These breakthroughs followed lengthy negotiations. But the progress appears to have been short-lived with all routes now blocked. WFP and the rest of the humanitarian community needs to be able to deliver humanitarian assistance consistently and at scale to prevent a worsening of the crisis. One year of conflict in Sudan has created an unprecedented hunger catastrophe and threatens to ignite the world's largest hunger crisis. With almost 28 million people facing acute food insecurity across Sudan, South Sudan, and Chad, the conflict is spilling over and exacerbating the challenges already faced by its neighbours. The window to avert the worst is rapidly closing. A concerted diplomatic effort by the international community is needed to push the warring parties to provide access and safety guarantees and adhere to their obligations under International Humanitarian Law. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) Two leading pro-Palestinian groups in the United States - American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) and National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) - are a propaganda front working to recruit uninformed, misguided, and impressionable college students to serve as foot soldiers for Hamas according to federal lawsuit filed 01 May 2024. Nine survivors of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks on southern Israel brought a federal lawsuit by major U.S. and global law firm Greenberg Traurig. They are not innocent advocacy groups, but rather the propaganda arm of a terrorist organization operating in plain sight, according to the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, VA. The lawsuit alleged that AMP and NSJP are in continuous active dialogue with Hamas to amplify propaganda on social media or help craft it from America. The lawsuit alleges that NSJPs messaging and communications tailored to student groups constitute material support for a foreign terrorist organization. The suit also notes that AMP and NSJP are merely the current version of several prior entities that were already determined by the U.S. government to be supporters of Hamas. AMPs message to college campuses through NSJP is unambiguous: violent attacks are a justified response to Zionism as an idea, to Israel as an entity, and to Zionists as people, the lawsuit says. The purpose of this messaging is not only to justify the terrorism of Hamas and its affiliates in Gaza within Western academia and society at large but also to establish an environment where violence against Jews and anyone else associated with Israel could be construed as acceptable, justified, or even heroic. Richard A. Edlin, Vice Chair of Greenberg Traurig, notes: It is deeply ironic that the same people carrying signs saying Death to America and Death to Jews claim they are protected by free speech. They are not. Free speech has never included the active support of terrorism, and it has never protected the destruction of private property or the brutalization of innocent men, women, and children of many faiths, not just Jews. In the defendants, we confront an American problem, as well as a Jewish problem. We cannotand through this lawsuit, we are saying we will notallow the infiltration of Hamas-directed hatred, violence, and intimidation anywhere we can prevent it. AMPs chairman, Hatem Bazian, rejected the lawsuit as an assault on students rights to free speech and protest. We will defend ourselves, Bazian said. The lawsuit is an Islamophobic text reeking in anti-Palestinian racism and resorts to defamation to deflect from the live-streamed genocide in Gaza. American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) is a national grassroots organization based in the United States. It focuses on advocating for the rights of Palestinians and raising awareness about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. AMP engages in various activities such as education, lobbying, and community organizing to promote its goals. The organization supports the Palestinian cause for self-determination, human rights, and justice. It opposes Israeli occupation policies, settlements, and the blockade of Gaza, among other issues. AMP also advocates for the rights of Palestinian refugees and works to challenge misconceptions about Palestine and its people. AMP's activities include organizing conferences, seminars, and educational events to raise awareness about Palestinian issues. It also engages in political advocacy efforts, such as lobbying elected officials and participating in campaigns to promote Palestinian rights. Historically, Hamas supporters abused the US financial system to send millions of dollars overseas. From 1989-2001, one such network raised millions of dollars for Hamas through a Texas-based charity known as the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development. In December 2001, U.S. authorities raided HLF and froze its assets. Ultimately, five individuals were convicted and sent to prison for providing material support to Hamas. The Islamic Association for Palestine (IAP), which provided media, communications, and fundraising services to HLF, still operated. American Muslims for Palestine is merely a new name for the same terrorism funding enterprise that previously operated under the guise of the Islamic Association, its alternative name American Muslim Society, and Holy Land Foundation. The Islamic Associations leaders, including Rafeeq Jaber, closed the Islamic Association in name only to avoid paying the $156 million owed, plotted a transition to a purportedly new entity, continued the old Islamic Associations activities under the new name American Muslims for Palestine, and attempted to disguise any connection between the defunct and new organizations. The new American Muslims for Palestine is one and the same organization as the purportedly defunct Islamic Association and Holy Land Foundation, just with a different namein other words, it is an alter ego of the original defendant organizations. AMPs annual fundraising conferences often feature family members of senior Hamas leadership as speakers. Although AMPs official party line is that it does not discuss Hamas explicitly, it has also published fundraising appeals for the imprisoned leaders of the Holy Land Foundation. In 1996 David Boim was shot and killed by Hamas terrorists while studying abroad in Israel. David, a 17-year-old American citizen, was studying in Israel when two Hamas terrorists shot him in the head at a bus stop near Jerusalem. His parents later sued several American nonprofit organizations for their role in funding Hamas and secured a $156 million judgment under the federal Anti-Terrorism Act. Those organizations then shuttered, leaving Stanley and Joyce Boim mostly empty handed. So in 2017 they filed a new lawsuit against two different American entities and three individuals, alleging that these new defendants are alter egos of the nowdefunct nonprofit organizations and therefore liable for the remainder of the $156 million judgment. In the new lawsuit, the district court allowed limited jurisdictional discovery, decided the new entities and individuals were not alter egos of the defunct nonprofits, and then dismissed the action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. This should not have happened, for the district courts finding on the alter ego question constituted a merits determination that went beyond a proper jurisdictional inquiry. Because the Boims new lawsuit arises under the Anti-Terrorism Act, the district court possessed federal jurisdiction and should have allowed the case to proceed on the merits, consistent with the ordinary course of civil litigation. The Boims had little success collecting their $156 million judgment. Shortly after the district court entered the judgment in 2004, the Islamic Association and Holy Land Foundation claimed they no longer had any assets and announced they were closing. Less than a year later, a new organization named American Muslims for Palestine emerged and then incorporated in 2006. Some of the Islamic Associations former leaders migrated to positions at the new American Muslims for Palestine organization, and the new organization held its first convention in November 2006 at the same location and during the same time of year as the Islamic Association had done in the past. A few years later, American Muslims for Palestines leaders formed a separate organization called Americans for Justice in Palestine Educational Foundation but the two legal entities now operate as one. The necessary consequence is that American Muslims for Palestine is the same organization that provided material support to Hamas in connection with David Boims deathmeaning it is directly liable under the Anti-Terrorism Act. A broad coalition of Wisconsin organizations that work for peace and justice formed on October 8th to respond to the "false and one-sided narratives regarding Israels war on Gaza and the continued oppression of the indigenous Palestinian population". The coalitions member organizations include Milwaukee Muslim Womens Coalition, Jewish Voice for PeaceMilwaukee, Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance, Islamic Society of Milwaukee, Racine Coalition for Peace and Justice, Milwaukee Anti-war Committee, American Muslims for Palestine, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukees Students for Democratic Society, Adalah Justice Group, Syrian American Medical Society-Milwaukee, Peace Action Wisconsin, Students for Justice in Palestine at UWM, Marquette University and UW-Madison, Arab and Muslim Womens Research and Resource Institute, Muslim American Society, Party for Socialism and Liberation, Friends of Palestine WI, Milwaukee Islamic Dawa Center, Al-Quran Foundation, Catholics for Peace and Justice, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Black Youth Project 100, We Are Many - United Against Hate, MKE4Palestine, United States Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), Sunseekers Milwaukee, Madison-Rafah City Project and Palestine Partners. On 14 December 2023 US Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent a letter to Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, regarding disturbing reports that Meta is suppressing or mistranslating Palestinian and Palestine-related content following Hamass deadly October 7 attacks. The following organizations have endorsed the letter: 7amleh, Access Now, Adalah Justice Project, American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Americans for Justice in Palestine Action (AJP Action), Fight for the Future, MPower Change, Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity (MASGD), and Washington People's Privacy. Reports of Metas suppression of Palestinian voices raise serious questions about Metas content moderation practices and anti-discrimination protections, Senator Warren continued. Social media users deserve to know when and why their accounts and posts are restricted, particularly on the largest platforms where vital information-sharing occurs. Users also deserve protection against discrimination based on their national origin, religion, and other protected characteristics. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) Two leading pro-Palestinian groups in the United States - American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) and National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) - are a propaganda front working to recruit uninformed, misguided, and impressionable college students to serve as foot soldiers for Hamas according to federal lawsuit filed 01 May 2024. Nine survivors of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks on southern Israel brought a federal lawsuit by major U.S. and global law firm Greenberg Traurig. They are not innocent advocacy groups, but rather the propaganda arm of a terrorist organization operating in plain sight, according to the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, VA. The lawsuit alleged that AMP and NSJP are in continuous active dialogue with Hamas to amplify propaganda on social media or help craft it from America. The lawsuit alleges that NSJPs messaging and communications tailored to student groups constitute material support for a foreign terrorist organization. AMPs message to college campuses through NSJP is unambiguous: violent attacks are a justified response to Zionism as an idea, to Israel as an entity, and to Zionists as people, the lawsuit says. The purpose of this messaging is not only to justify the terrorism of Hamas and its affiliates in Gaza within Western academia and society at large but also to establish an environment where violence against Jews and anyone else associated with Israel could be construed as acceptable, justified, or even heroic. Richard A. Edlin, Vice Chair of Greenberg Traurig, notes: It is deeply ironic that the same people carrying signs saying Death to America and Death to Jews claim they are protected by free speech. They are not. Free speech has never included the active support of terrorism, and it has never protected the destruction of private property or the brutalization of innocent men, women, and children of many faiths, not just Jews. In the defendants, we confront an American problem, as well as a Jewish problem. We cannotand through this lawsuit, we are saying we will notallow the infiltration of Hamas-directed hatred, violence, and intimidation anywhere we can prevent it. AMPs chairman, Hatem Bazian, rejected the lawsuit as an assault on students rights to free speech and protest. We will defend ourselves, Bazian said. The lawsuit is an Islamophobic text reeking in anti-Palestinian racism and resorts to defamation to deflect from the live-streamed genocide in Gaza. Activists supporting Palestinian human rights are also frequently falsely accused of supporting terrorism. This can have severe consequences, often bringing undue law enforcement scrutiny upon individuals and groups. For example, Students for Justice in Palestine, a student group with many chapters around the country, has been accused of having ties to Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the US. The movement for Palestinian rights is growing steadily in the United States from the mushrooming of campus groups like Students for Justice in Palestine, to the rise in boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaigns, to everyday people moved to change the status quo in the region. Eman Abdelhadi, a sociologist at the University of Chicago, said that the heavy-handed law enforcement approach to the Gaza solidarity protests has undercut Democratss argument that electing Biden would protect the nation from Trump, whom they accuse of authoritarianism. The reality is the Democrats have been telling us that young people need to save democracy and that people of colour need to save democracy and that any quibbles with this current administration needs to be put aside in order to save democracy, she told Al Jazeera. But wheres the democracy when you have state troopers beating up students and faculty for protesting, and the White House saying nothing about that? The echoes of the Gaza war moved from Gaza to the corridors of American universities, and student organizations played a pivotal role in public mobilization and organizing massive demonstrations and marches in solidarity with the Palestinian people, calling for a ceasefire, and denouncing the United States support and financing of the aggression launched by Israel against the Gaza Strip. As a result, student groups supporting the Palestinian cause were dissolved and their student activities were banned. Among these groups was Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), which is considered the most prominent and active movement against Israel and the Zionist occupation in the United States of America. US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, who is Jewish, accused the student movement of being influenced by the interests of foreign governments, and non-governmental groups carrying programs and ideas that conflict with the interests of America. Mayorkas wrote on 14 November 2023 that DHS reporting has illuminated the evolving risk of foreign malign influence in higher education institutions. He said that foreign governments and nonstate actors such as nongovernmental organizations are engaged in funding research and academic programs, both overt and undisclosed, that promote their own favorable views or outcomes. On 13 December 2023 the Homeland Security Academic Partnership Council (HSAPC) School and Campus Safety Considering the Conflict in the Middle East (SCSCME) Subcommittee, co-chaired by Chief John Ojeisekhoba and Dr. Cynthia D. Shapira, submitted a report to DHS Secretary Mayorkas. THe report recommended "Instruct OSLLE [Office for State and Local Law Enforcement] to work externally with IACLEA [International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators] and NASRO [National Association of School Resource Officers] to ask Congress to address laws prohibiting DHS from providing certain resources, such as training and information, to private universities and schools. Current limitations serve as a barrier to yielding maximum optimum results." Founded in 2012, Palestine Legal is an independent organization dedicated to protecting the civil and constitutional rights of people in the US who speak out for Palestinian freedom. Palestine Legal is the only legal organization in the United States exclusively dedicated to supporting the movement for Palestinian rights. Attorneys are based in Chicago, New York City and the Bay Area, and their work spans all 50 states and Washington DC. It works closely with several organizations, including the Center for Constitutional Rights, the National Lawyers Guild and others, to provide legal support to activists around the country. Palestine Legal is a fiscally sponsored project of the Tides Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Campus Support Coalition (CSC) is a collective of organizations supporting students fighting for Palestinian liberation on university campuses. The CSC can offer many types of support: whether just starting a chapter and need resources, facing campus backlash, or need campaign materials, they are here to help. Any campus-based Palestine liberation organization is welcome, regardless of the organizations name. A request made to the Campus Support Coalition does not guarantee that support will be granted. An open letter to universities was released on April 21, 2024. "We, the Student Movement for Palestinian Liberation, demand institutional accountability and immediate divestment from israel and its genocide of the Palestinian people of Gaza. As our Palestinian counterparts face the systematic eradication of their homes, holy sites, and universities, the assassination of their professors, peers, and families, and the seizure of their homeland, we stand resolutely with their struggle for liberation." On 20 April 2024, SJP stated "Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapters across North America have risen in defense of the Palestinian people, establishing autonomous zones on several university campuses to assert their strength and demands in the face of severe university repression. Today, April 20th, 2024, National Students for Justice in Palestine announces the Popular University for Gaza, a coordinated pressure campaign against university administrations and trustees to immediately divest from the israeli state. After hundreds of student government resolutions, meetings with administrators, and protests on campus, and following months of increased targeting, harassment, and arrests, the students are ramping up the pressure. We will not back down; we will reclaim our universities until administrators comply with our demands." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Outside Agitators "How does a 'news' organization like MSNBC do a 2 minute segment on campus protests, mention 'outside agitators' & not even bother to investigate the organizations running these protests who PUT THEIR NAMES ALL OVER THE PROTEST SIGNS?" Arthur Treacherous [self described "Actor, restaurateur, entrepreneur, punk rocker. Russophobic & MAGAphobic."] asked 01 May 2024. "Legit media has always shied away from giving coverage to the extreme fringes because it only spotlights those groups. For example the LaRouchies. But these groups have now cracked into the mainstream of US political discourse on this issue & theres no ignoring them." Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Edward A. Caban on 02 May 2024 released additional details surrounding the arrests of 282 individuals two days ago who participated in violent protests and unlawful conduct at Columbia University and The City College of New York (CCNY). On April 30, 112 individuals were arrested at a protest at Columbia ; approximately 29 percent of these individuals were not affiliated with Columbia. Also, on April 30, 170 individuals were arrested at a protest at CCNY; 60 percent of these individuals were not affiliated with CCNY. "We were well aware, based on a series of observations, that what should have been a peaceful protest that is part of the constitutional rights of Americans has clearly been co-opted, a right which this administration supports and defends to voice your concern. We have also, well continue, and we have sounded the alarm numerous times before about external actors who are attempting to hijack this protest.... They are actively creating serious public safety issues at these protests. Maybe some of the students involved don't understand what they are involved in." New York City mayor Eric Adams said 30 April 2024. "This group and the individuals we're going to, one that we're going to show, is an outside agitator with a history of escalating situations and trying to create chaos. It is our belief we are now actively co-opting what should be a peaceful gathering. This is to serve their own agenda. They're not here to promote peace or unity or allow a peaceful displaying of one's voice, but they're here to create discord and divisiveness." Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Weiner, Intelligence and Counterterrorism, Police Department, stated "these protests have been and are being influenced by external actors who are unaffiliated with universities, some of whom have been known to our department and others for many years for their dangerous, disruptive, and at times criminal activity associated with protests for years. This is not about what's happening overseas. It's not about the last seven months. It's about a very different commitment to, at times, violent protest activity as an occupation. "A number of university partners have reported to us in New York and also across the country that significant portions of their protestor populations are unaffiliated with their schools. They haven't got a right to be on campus and this violates university policies. Most importantly, it presents dangers to students and to the whole university communities where it's happening. "Second, we see an escalation in tactics. When we see what we saw last night, I'm going to show you a few examples and they exemplify some of the behavior that we're seeing in a much more holistic way. We think these tactics are a result of guidance that's being given to students from some of these external actors. We see individuals in black bloc attire scaling buildings, breaking into windows, barricades being made out of furniture, or being dragged from the lawn into Hamilton Hall, cameras that have been destroyed. There's only one reason to destroy a camera. It's certainly not something anyone is taught to do in school. De-arresting tactics being encouraged, property destruction, signs being fortified into shields, reports of physical altercations between individuals and other forms of intimidation. This has gone to the next level and we have real cause for concern. " It was reported by the Publica that the leaders of the pro-Palestine student protests released internal guidance on how to occupy college campuses and engage in other criminal activities. The Washington Free Beacon also discovered that far-left activist groups and Islamic organizations are pressing American politicians to block a bipartisan proposal to strip tax-exempt status from nonprofits that provide material support to terrorist organizations. Multiple communist groups met on May 7, 2024, at Revolution Books in Harlem, Manhattan, and discussed gathering forces for revolution, the Epoch Times reported. Nobody is an outsider when it comes to fighting injustice. Everybody has a right and responsibility to do that. And we need to bring to them the way out of this mess, where its coming from and why it can be ended. And how it can be ended in a real revolution. And the fact that right now is a time when revolution is more possible. This is something we need to seize on, Carl Dix, a representative of the Revolutionary Communist Party, said. One of the groups, Revolutionary Internationalist Youth (RIY), took credit for participating in many of the protests that are happening all around the country. Strike committees are necessary to mobilize nationwide for a coordinated strike. It can be the spark that spreads a fire more broadly in society, crucially to the labor movement which has the power to stop arms shipments, another pamphlet written by Marxist newspaper Workers Vanguard titled Escalate the Struggle! National Student Strike to Free Palestine stated. During the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, "outside agitators" referred to individuals who traveled from other regions to support local civil rights efforts. These activists came from various backgrounds and often belonged to organizations such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), or were affiliated with religious groups like the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), led by figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. Maryland Governor Spiro T. Agnew spoke 01 April 1968 of outside agitators, saying "I think you know them as well as I you've seen them functioning. I'm referring to certain members of the NAACP. A Mr. Brown, I think, is the name of one. I'm referring to the Howard Uni- versity students, who have no business on the Bowie State campus. It wasn't a social visit they made; it was a visit for the purpose of causing this disturbance. Those are outside influences. I don't consider them to be good outside influences. Mrs. Rice from the Prince George's County NAACP. I've had other wires from other individuals whom I won't bother to designate at this moment." It was a time of marked social unrest and Governor Agnew became increasingly outspoken on law and order issues, blaming the disturbances in Cambridge and Baltimore on outside agitators and inadequate community leadership. Initially a supporter of Nelson Rockefeller, Agnew was selected by Richard Nixon as the Republican Vice Presidential candidate in 1968. He was inaugurated as vice president in 1969 and re-elected in 1972. On October 10, 1973, while under investigation for corruption, Agnew resigned as vice president, entering a plea of nolle contendere which was accepted. Many of these "outside agitators" were students, clergy, or activists who believed in the principles of racial equality and justice and traveled to places like the American South to participate in protests, sit-ins, voter registration drives, and other forms of civil disobedience. Every one who has ever stimulated a rebellion by sending in outside agitators or focos" in the past has claimed that the rebellion was a spontaneous act of the people already legitimately present, but there has always been reason to discount and suspect this as propaganda. Some notable examples of "outside agitators" include: Freedom Riders: Activists, both black and white, who rode interstate buses into the segregated Southern United States in 1961 to challenge the non-enforcement of Supreme Court decisions that ruled segregated buses unconstitutional. Northern activists who traveled to the South to participate in events like the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. James Reeb and Viola Liuzzo: Two white civil rights activists from outside the South who were killed while participating in civil rights activities in Selma, Alabama, in 1965. Many volunteers who joined voter registration drives in states like Mississippi during the Freedom Summer of 1964, organized by groups like the SNCC and CORE. While some local authorities and segregationists used the term "outside agitator" to dismiss the legitimacy of the civil rights movement, activists viewed their involvement as essential to challenging systemic racism and advancing the cause of equality. They were black and white, young and old, men and women. In the spring and summer of 1961, they put their lives on the line, riding buses through the American South to challenge segregation in interstate transport. Their story is one of the most celebrated episodes of the civil rights movement, yet a full-length history has never been written until now. In these pages, acclaimed historian Raymond Arsenault provides a gripping account of six pivotal months that jolted the consciousness of America. The Freedom Riders were greeted with hostility, fear, and violence. They were jailed and beaten, their buses stoned and firebombed. In Alabama, police stood idly by as racist thugs battered them. When Martin Luther King met the Riders in Montgomery, a raging mob besieged them in a church. In the White House, the Kennedys were just awakening to the moral power of the civil rights struggle, In the cells of Mississippi's infamous Parchman Prison, Riders tormented their jailers with rousing freedom anthems. Along the way, dynamie figures such as James Farmer, Diane Nash, John Lewis, and Fred Shuttlesworth, demonstrated improbable, almost unbelievable heroic sacrifice and unexpected triumph. The Riders were widely eriticized as reckless provocateurs, or "outside agitators." But indelible images of their courage, broadcast to the world by a newly awakened press, galvanized the movement for racial justice across the nation. On 21 May 1961, a proclamation was issued by Governor John Patterson, declaring a state of martial rule in Montgomery, "as a result of outside agitators coming into Alabama to violate our laws and customs" which has led to "outbreaks of lawlessness and mob action." The proclamation stated that "the Federal Government has by its actions encouraged these agitators to come into Alabama to foment disorder and breaches of the peace ..." In 1958, George Wallace ran against John Patterson in his first gubernatorial race. Wallace refused to make race an issue, and declined the endorsement of the Ku Klux Klan. Wallace won the support of the NAACP. Patterson embraced Klan support and won the election. Wallace later said "I was out-niggered, and I will never be out-niggered again." In 1964 Wallace wrote a constituent that "we have never had a problem in the South except in a few very isolated instances and these have been the result of outside agitators." Wallace asserted that "I personally have done more for the Negroes of the State of Alabama than any other individual," citing job creation and the salaries of black teachers in Alabama. He rationalized segregation as "best for both races," writing that "they each prefer their own pattern of society, their own churches and their own schools which history and experience have proven are best for best for both races. ( ... outside agitators have created any major friction occurring between the races.) Columnist Art Buchwald, in his own inimitable way, pointed out in an August 1963 column that discrimination comes in varying sizes and shapes. "Our women were very happy to sit in the balcony until outside agitators from the North came down here and started causing trouble. Women prefer to be together. That's why they have women's colleges and women's magazines. We've always treated our women good, but they wouldn't know what to do with equal rights if we gave it to them." By 1965, African Americans in the United States had possessed the right to vote for almost a hundred years. However, Black citizens attempting to vote encountered often insurmountable barriers. Civil rights workers had long recognized that the right to vote was central to achieving full citizenship. In the 1950s and 1960s, many civil rights organizations turned to mass demonstrations and nonviolent acts of civil disobedience. Martin Luther King, Jr. became internationally known for promoting, supporting, and participating in nonviolent disobedience. On 07 March 1965, television programs were interrupted with shocking images of African-American men and women being beaten with billy clubs in a cloud of tear gas. They were attempting to march peacefully from the small town of Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery. A resolution passed by the Alabama State Senate decryied the role of outside agitators and asking all loyal citizens of the State to avoid the march route. In the aftermath of the nationwide urban riots of the Summer of 1967, the police tended to lay blame for them on outside agitators, yet a majority rejected a greater show of force to maintain inner city control. Black Americans took to the streets to publicly express their historical grievances with white power structures. Scapegoats appear from everywhere. Instead of wretched housing and stifling unemployment, outside agitators and wily Communists are said to be the most important causes. Protestors, from the YIPPIES - the Youth International Party, to MOBE - the National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam made plans to come to Chicago for the August 1968 Democratic National Convention. Confrontation between protestors and Chicago policemen and the National Guard occurred throughout convention week. During the night of the actual democratic nomination, network TV aired scenes of law enforcement officers beating protestors in the streets as they chanted "the whole world is watching." The whole world was watching and was sickened. In September 1968, Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley claimed the violence was a result of outside agitators, who provoked police and disobeyed rules. On March 20, 1969, the grand jury returned indictments on eight demonstrators: David Dellinger, Rennie Davis, Tom Hayden, Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Lee Weiner, John Froines, and Bobby Seale. The trial of the Chicago Seven began on September 24, 1969 and lasted thirteen months. On 02 September 2020, top congressional Republicans blamed the mayor of Washington, DC, for recent skirmishes in the nation's capital involving protesters demanding racial justice. The ranking Republicans on the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees Jim Jordan (Ohio) and James Comer (Ky.), respectively wanted DC Mayor Muriel Bowser to produce documents pertaining to how the city handled what the Republicans described as "left-wing agitators," according to a letter the GOP duo sent to the Democratic mayor. "Like other Democrat-run cities, the District of Columbia (D.C.) under your leadership has allowed radical left-wing violent extremists to commit senseless acts of violence and destruction," the letter stated. "By your inaction in response to their mayhem, these left-wing agitators have become emboldened to be even more aggressive and more dangerous." Bowser later said the agitators were outsiders who "came together to create havoc" and were separate from the peaceful March on Washington that took place on the National Mall. "What we're certainly not going to do is stand by and allow outside agitators to come to our city to distract us from the work of D.C. residents," Bowser said. "We know the President considers himself Mr. Law and Order... We are for law and order, too." The Minneapolis city government reported "In 2020, the community of 18th Ave and Little Earth, located in East Philips neighborhood in central Minneapolis experienced new challenges presented by the civil unrest following the death of George Floyd. The area, located just three blocks north of Lake Street where the majority of the destruction took place experienced a persistent increase in safety concerns due criminal activity, sales of illicit drugs, gun violence, speeding and other factors brought on due to an increase of outside agitators. Historically, this area where the majority of the civil unrest had occurred is also the citys poorest area with 48 percent of people living in poverty and is designated as an Area of Concentrated Poverty (ACP50s)" On April 22, 2024 Congresswoman Elise Stefanik led a letter to Columbia University President Dr. Minouche Shafik urging her to resign for failing to put an end to an unsanctioned mob of students and agitators involved in "documented incidents of despicable antisemitic harassment and calls for violence and terrorism against Jewish students" on Columbias campus. "Your failure to enforce the rules on campus has created an environment in which students and outside agitators know they are able to operate with impunity and without any accountability. While the rot is systemic, the responsibility rests squarely on your shoulders. It is time for Columbia University to turn the page on this shameful chapter. This can only be done through the restoration of order and your prompt resignation. Rep. Stefanik was joined by Reps. Tenney, Lawler, Malliotakis, Langworthy, DEsposito, Williams, LaLota, Garbarino, and Molinaro. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) The Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) is a Marxist-Leninist political party in the United States. It was founded in 2004 as a breakaway faction from the Workers World Party. The Party for Socialism and Liberation is comprised of leaders and activists, workers and students, of all backgrounds. It is organized in branches across the country to link the everyday struggles of oppressed and exploited people to the fight for a new world. The PSL brings together a new generation of revolutionaries alongside veterans of the peoples movements with decades of experience. Leninism emphasizes the need for a vanguard party of professional revolutionaries to lead the working class in overthrowing capitalism and establishing a socialist state. Cadres within such a party are often highly dedicated and disciplined members who undergo ideological training and are expected to carry out the party's directives and goals with loyalty and commitment. Their responsibilities may include organizing and mobilizing the working class, propagating party ideology, participating in political education and propaganda efforts, and often taking on leadership roles within the party structure. In Leninist parties, cadres play a crucial role in maintaining the party's cohesion, advancing its political objectives, and ensuring its survival and growth. The Workers World Party (WWP) is a Marxist-Leninist political party founded in the United States in 1959. It emerged from a split within James Cannon's old Trot group, the Socialist Workers Party (SWP), with the WWP Trotskyists siding with the Soviet Union invasion of Hungary. The WWP advocates for socialism and working-class interests, focusing on issues such as labor rights, anti-imperialism, anti-racism, and anti-capitalism. The party has been involved in various social movements and protests over the years, including anti-war demonstrations, labor strikes, and civil rights campaigns. Sam Marcy was a Trotskyist who eventually used the logic of permanent revolution to basically come to the geopolitical conclusion that China, the DPRK, Cuba, etc are actually existing socialism [AES] rather than degenerated workers states. The WWP had abandoned democratic centralism, and had the same leadership of a handful of people for a long time. PSLs split from WWP had happened because communication with leadership became impossible. The San Francisco branch of the WWP, along with much of the ANSWER coalition, found that the WWP's national leadership was no longer genuinely engaged in its founding objectives and the tradition of Sam Marcy, and was therefore incapable of building socialism in the US. So that branch split off and became the PSL, taking the ANSWER coalition with it. According to the founding statement of the party in 2004 "As former leaders and members of Workers World Party, we defend that groups historical tradition and mission, particularly that of its founder Sam Marcy. Although we believe that the Workers World Party leadership is no longer capable of fulfilling that mission, we still consider it to be a progressive organization with many honest activists." PSL co-founders included Richard Becker, Brian Becker, Gloria La Riva [normally their presidential candidate], and Eugene Puryear [twice their candidate for VP]. Other notable members include Michael Prysner, and Claudia de la Cruz. PSL is a founding member of the ANSWER Coalition. ANSWER's National Coordinator is Brian Becker,r who said "we do a great deal of work through" ANSWER. PSL leadership are closely involved with The People's Forum and BreakThrough News. Anchors on BreakThrough News include Becker and PSL 2016 vice-presidential candidate Puryear. Becker also co-hosted a show with John Kiriakou on Radio Sputnik of the RT state media network. PSL is closely tied to the Tricontinental Institute for Social Research and its founder, Vijay Prashad, who has often appeared on BreakThrough News. Students For Socialism is the student affiliate of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, a national organization involved in a wide range of struggles, from local battles over affordable housing and racist police brutality, to global issues of imperialist war and environmental destruction. SFS continues this tradition and attempts to merge the struggles of oppressed and exploited people with the fight for socialism. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Readout of Annual Principals Meeting of the Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group Friday, May 3, 2024 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs Attorney General Merrick B. Garland attended the Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group (FELEG) Annual Principals Meeting this week, where international and national partners met to discuss technology, innovation and encryption, and the emergent impacts on global safety. FELEG is a collaborative intelligence-sharing law enforcement community. The annual meeting was attended by FELEG partners FBI, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Australian Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), Australian Federal Police (AFP), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), U.K. National Crime Agency (UK NCA), U.K. Counter Terrorism Policing (UK CTP), and New Zealand Police. Deputy Director and Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director Patrick J. "P.J." Lechleitner of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the current chair for FELEG. Discussions included End-to-end Encryption (E2EE) and law enforcement legal issues on global public safety. "The FELEG partnerships enhance law enforcement investigations on the national and international level, particularly related to cyber-enabled crime, where complex tactics and cyber techniques empower transnational criminal organizations and threaten global security," said ICE Acting Director Lechleitner. "FELEG has increased sharing and cooperation between partner nations, and HSI is proud to be a part of it." "The FBI understands that we are all better positioned to execute our mission when the international law enforcement community is bonded together through close collaboration and coordination," said Executive Assistant Director Timothy Langan of the FBI's Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch. "We will continue to foster these strategic partnerships by sharing knowledge, experience, and capabilities in the pursuit of creating a safer world bound by the rule of law." "At a time in history when the global drug landscape is more complex, more violent, and more deadly than ever before, it is critical that we work together to protect the safety and health of all communities," said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. "Two Mexican cartels, the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels, are not only causing devastating harm to Americans, but they are operating worldwide on almost every continent. They are exploiting technology to enable their operations, trafficking deadly drugs quickly and widely through social media and encrypted applications. At DEA, we are committed to working with our partners across the globe to most effectively attack the criminal networks threatening the security of all our countries." "The importance of trusted partnerships, like FELEG, that allow us to combine capabilities, knowledge and experience to combat these threats cannot be understated," said ACIC CEO Heather Cook. "Serious and organized criminal enterprises are globalized, collaborative and adaptable a coming together to share information and respond collectively helps us stay ahead of our adversaries." "We must develop innovative new technological counter-measures in an ethical, transparent and accountable manner,'' said AFP Deputy Commissioner Lesa Gale. "We cannot do this alone and call upon the technology industry to support the detection of illegal and harmful activities on their platforms. "The online world should be like the real world and criminals should not be protected because of a technological overlay. Through collaboration we can make a difference and create a safe online world for all in our community." "The relationships developed through FELEG are fundamental to identifying international criminal trends and responding to threats of mutual concern. The RCMP and its partners have proven, and continue to prove, the success of our partnerships when combatting transnational organized crime, cybercrime and taking actions to protect national security," said RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme. "Collaborations like FELEG are fundamental in our collective approach to keeping the public safe and reducing the global impact of serious organized crime," said NCA Director General Graeme Biggar. "But industry have a part to play too. As technology evolves and end-to-end encryption begins to be rolled out, solutions must be found to deliver both privacy and public safety measures. We all have a responsibility to ensure that those who seek to abuse these platforms are identified and caught, and that platforms become more safe, not less." "The FELEG partnership provides a strong basis for tackling the problems that are faced by the global law enforcement community," said Commissioner Andrew Coster of New Zealand Police. "We have a common goal of keeping vulnerable people safe and holding offenders to account," said Commissioner Andrew Coster of New Zealand Police. Component: Office of the Attorney General Press Release Number: 24-565 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cyber: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on continued malicious behaviour in cyberspace by the Russian Federation European Commission Council of the EU Press release 3 May 2024 The European Union and its Member States, together with international partners, strongly condemn the malicious cyber campaign conducted by the Russia-controlled Advanced Persistent Threat Actor 28 (APT28) against Germany and Czechia. Today, Germany has shared publicly its assessment on APT28 compromise of various e-mail accounts of the German Social Democratic Party executive. At the same time, Czechia announced its institutions have been a target of this cyber campaign. State institutions, agencies and entities in Member States, including in Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia and Sweden have been targeted by the same threat actor before. In 2020, the EU imposed sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for the APT28 attacks targeting the German Federal Parliament in 2015. The malicious cyber campaign shows Russia's continuous pattern of irresponsible behaviour in cyberspace, by targeting democratic institutions, government entities and critical infrastructure providers across the European Union and beyond. This type of behaviour is contrary to the UN norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, such as impairing the use and operation of critical infrastructure. Disregarding international security and stability, Russia has repeatedly leveraged APT28 to conduct malicious cyber activities against the EU, its Member States and international partners, most notably Ukraine. The EU will not tolerate such malicious behaviour, particularly activities that aim to degrade our critical infrastructure, weaken societal cohesion and influence democratic processes, mindful of this year's elections in the EU and in more than 60 countries around the world. The EU and its Member States will continue to cooperate with our international partners to promote an open, free, stable and secure cyberspace. The EU is determined to make use of the full spectrum of measures to prevent, deter and respond to Russia's malicious behaviour in cyberspace. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lithuania condemns the continued malicious Russian behavior in cyberspace alongside the EU and NATO Allies Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence 2024-05-03 Cyber security European Union, NATO and partners have issued declarations condemning hostile activities of the Russian state-sponsored Advanced Persistent Threat Actor 28 (APT28) hacker group targeting institutions and processes of Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Sweden and other allies. "Just like our allies, Lithuania is regularly identifying cyber espionage activities conducted by the Russian security and intelligence hackers against Lithuania's information systems. It is unacceptable and Lithuania stands ready to activate coordinate measures together with the international community to prevent and respond to the Russian cyber operations," said Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasciunas. The coordinated solidarity statement of the EU, NATO and partners made on May 3 regarding the APT28 attribution to Russia builds on the national German and Czech attributions published this week at national level regarding the Russian attempt to sway democracy in their countries, as well as earlier data provided by other countries, including Lithuania, regarding cyber espionage operations of the Russian cybercrime group. The National Cyber Security Centre and intelligence institutions published information in the National Cyber Security Status Report back in 2016, as well as in the National Security Threat Assessment in 2019, about the cases of professional cyber espionage equipment used in the Lithuania which was linked to the APT28 group employed by the Russian intelligence services. According to Lithuanian institutions, main areas of the APT28 interest are politics, the military and economy. High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell underscored in the statement on behalf of all the EU member states the need for cooperation of the international community so as to ensure security of the upcoming elections across the EU and over 60 other countries worldwide in 2024. This is not the first instance of coordinated action taken against Russia's malicious cyber activities. The EU officially attributed a cyberattack to Russia for the first time in history on 10 May 2022 when a cyber-attack targeted the KA-SAT telecommunications satellite of the U.S. Viasat satellite communications operator only hours left until the mass invasion of Ukraine. As a result, not only Ukraine but also in Germany, France, Hungary, Greece, Italy and Poland suffered broadband service was interruptions. Also, Lithuania initiated a joint EU declaration issued on 19 July 2022 addressing malicious cyber activities conducted by pro-Russian hackers against Lithuania and other EU countries in the context of the Russian war against Ukraine. Moreover, EU and NATO members apply ad hoc sanctions to persons or entities in Russia linked to cyber-attacks to deter cyber threats and attacks originating from third-state sources or malicious actors. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by the North Atlantic Council concerning malicious cyber activities against Germany and Czechia NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 03 May. 2024 We stand in solidarity with Germany following the malicious cyber campaign against a political party, in this case the Social Democratic Party of Germany, and with Czechia following the malicious cyber activities against its institutions. Allies recognize that Germany and Czechia have attributed the responsibility of the malicious cyber activities in their respective countries to the threat actor APT28 sponsored by the Russian Federation, specifically the Russian General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU). Allies also note with concern that the same threat actor targeted other national governmental entities, critical infrastructure operators and other entities across the Alliance, including in Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Sweden. We strongly condemn malicious cyber activities intended to undermine our democratic institutions, national security and free society. The malicious cyber activities targeting Germany and Czechia underscore that cyberspace is contested at all times. Cyber threat actors persistently seek to destabilize the Alliance. We remain committed to countering the substantial, continuous and increasing cyber threat, including to our democratic systems and our critical infrastructure. We are determined to employ the necessary capabilities in order to deter, defend against and counter the full spectrum of cyber threats to support each other, including by considering coordinated responses. We promote a free, open, peaceful and secure cyberspace. We call on all States, including Russia, to respect their international obligations and commitments to uphold international law and act within the framework for responsible state behavior in cyberspace as affirmed by all members of the United Nations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The United States Condemns Malicious Cyber Activity Targeting Germany, Czechia, and Other EU Member States US Department of State Press Statement Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson May 3, 2024 The United States strongly condemns the malicious cyber activity by Russia's General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), also known as APT28, against Germany, Czechia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Sweden. We join Germany in attributing specific malign activity carried out by APT28 that targeted a German political party. APT28, also known as Fancy Bear, Strontium, and Forest Blizzard, is a well-known threat actor with a long history of engaging in malicious, nefarious, destabilizing and disruptive behavior. The United States has previously indicted and sanctioned actors associated with APT28 for their involvement in a wide range of malign cyber activity, including cyber activities aimed at interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections, and sustained hack-and-leak operations targeting the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that intended to undermine and sow doubt in the integrity of the organization. The U.S. Department of Justice has worked with Germany to remediate a network of hundreds of small office/home office routers that APT28 was using to conceal and carry out malicious activity, including the exploitation of CVE-2023-23397 against targets in Germany. The DOJ action further blocked the GRU from regaining access to remediated devices. Russia's pattern of behavior blatantly disregards the Framework for Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace, as affirmed by all United Nations Member States. The United States is committed to the security of our allies and partners and upholding the rules-based international order, including in cyberspace. We call on Russia to stop this malicious activity and abide by its international commitments and obligations. With the EU and our NATO Allies, we will continue to take action to disrupt Russia's cyber activities, protect our citizens and foreign partners, and hold malicious actors accountable. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Statement on the Inaugural U.S.-Sweden Cyber and Digital Dialogue US Department of State Media Note Office of the Spokesperson May 3, 2024 The following joint statement was released by the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden, on the occasion of the inaugural U.S.-Sweden Cyber and Digital Dialogue. Begin Text: The United States and Sweden held their inaugural bilateral Cyber and Digital Dialogue on May 2, 2024, in Washington, DC. The United States and Sweden affirmed their ongoing partnership on cyberspace and digital policy issues. Both sides reiterated their commitment to promote an open, free, global, interoperable, secure, and reliable Internet and stable cyberspace, and to protect and respect human rights online. U.S. and Swedish officials exchanged views on the importance of strengthening the security of the ICT ecosystem and protecting privacy, intellectual property rights, and respect for human rights. This includes promoting the development and deployment of secure and trusted 5G networks in advanced and emerging economies to help ensure countries, companies, and citizens can trust the firms that provide ICT equipment, software, and services are not subject to authoritarian regimes that can force them to share personal data without judicial recourse. Both sides recognized the progress made in open radio access networks, including on industry scale, security, cost efficiency, sustainability and performance. Both sides decided to further strategic collaboration on trusted connectivity, including through exploring opportunities to leverage the co-financing arrangement between the U.S. Export-Import Bank and Sweden's export credit agency EKN. Both sides also decided to further collaboration in promoting open and transparent digital ecosystems and trusted digital infrastructure in partner countries, taking into account the recently extended collaboration between development agencies Sida and USAID on Alleviating Poverty through Science, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships. Both sides reiterated the importance of cooperation on shared principles for the research and development of 6G and FutureG wireless communication systems. Both sides welcomed the recent Memorandum of Understanding on Scientific and Technological Research Cooperation between the U.S. National Science Foundation, Sweden's Innovation Agency Vinnova, and the Swedish Research Council, to promote cooperation on next generation networks including 6G, as well as research areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning; chemical sensing; quantum information sciences; and STEM education. The United States and Sweden plan to explore further opportunities to advance bilateral collaboration in advanced wireless, including 6G. Both sides discussed a range of digital policy issues, including cybersecurity of cloud services, AI governance, and secure and trusted data flows, emphasizing their importance in supporting strong transatlantic digital cooperation and a competitive and innovative digital economy. U.S. and Swedish officials welcomed discussions on the UN Global Digital Compact, which Sweden and Zambia co-facilitate. The Cyber and Digital Dialogue included exchanges on trust, privacy, and accountability in cyberspace and identified further action to strengthen cooperation to investigate, prevent, disrupt, deter, and otherwise respond to malicious cyber activity. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the UN Framework of Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace, grounded in the application of international law, adherence to voluntary norms, and implementation of cyber confidence building measures. Both sides also continue to promote establishing the UN Cyber Programme of Action to advance and support states in the framework's implementation. Both sides discussed further coordination to advocate for third countries to enact legislation in line with the provisions of the Convention on Cybercrime of the Council of Europe (Budapest Convention) and engage in accession to the treaty. U.S. and Swedish officials reaffirmed the importance of bilateral and multilateral collaboration to address cybercrime, including through the UN Ad Hoc Committee process. Acknowledging the rise in cyber threats, both sides discussed deepening their collaboration in enhanced cyber resilience, including bolstering information sharing between law enforcement and Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs), conducting cyber exercises, addressing AI and other emerging technology-related cybersecurity risks, and tackling challenges related to quantum-resistant cryptography. Both sides discussed ways to continue cybersecurity assistance to Ukraine, including through the Tallinn Mechanism. Both sides stressed the importance of information integrity and exchanged views on how best to advance it. Officials also discussed ongoing collaboration on countering the proliferation and misuse of commercial spyware and noted the importance of ensuring that the development and use of AI is rights-respecting. Nathaniel Fick, Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy at the U.S. Department of State, and AndrAs Jato, Ambassador for International Cyber and Digital Affairs at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, launched the dialogue with opening remarks that highlighted the importance of U.S.-Sweden cooperation on cyber and digital issues. On the U.S. side, the dialogue was chaired by Steve Lang, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Information and Communications Policy for the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy at the U.S. Department of State, and Liesyl Franz, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Cyberspace Security for the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy at the U.S. Department of State. The United States was also represented by the Department of Homeland Security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the National Cyber Director, the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Federal Communications Commission, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the International Trade Administration, and the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security. Sweden was represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Finance, the National Security Council, and the Embassy of Sweden to the United States. End Text. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The United Kingdom has joined with its international partners to condemn malicious cyber activity by the Russian Intelligence Services. 3 May 2024 A UK government spokesperson said: The United Kingdom stands with the European Union, Germany, Czechia and other allies in strongly condemning malicious cyber activity by Russian Intelligence Services. Today's statements from our allies demonstrate the scale, persistence, and seriousness of unacceptable Russian behaviours in cyberspace. Recent activity by Russian GRU cyber group APT28, including the targeting of the German Social Democratic Party executive, is the latest in a known pattern of behaviour by the Russian Intelligence Services to undermine democratic processes across the globe. On 7 December 2023, the UK exposed a series of attempts by the Russian Intelligence Services to target high-profile UK individuals and entities through cyber operations. At the same time, we sanctioned 2 Russian nationals responsible for political interference. With multiple elections around the world in 2024, raising awareness of the threat to the UK and our international partners remains vitally important for our collective resilience. Today, as part of a broad coalition of allies, we are making clear to the Russian state that we will continue to identify, expose, and respond to such unacceptable activity. Germany warns Russia about cyberattacks By VOA News May 03, 2024 Germany's Foreign Ministry summoned the acting charge d'affaires of the Russian embassy a Russia's top embassy official a accusing Moscow's military intelligence agency of launching cyberattacks against Germany's ruling coalition party dating back to last year. At a Berlin news briefing Friday, government deputy spokesperson Wolfgang BAchner told reporters German intelligence agencies have determined Russia's GRU military intelligence was responsible for a 2023 cyberattack on Germany's Social Democratic Party or SPD. In June 2023, the SPD announced that cybercriminals targeted email accounts belonging to its executives earlier that year. BAchner said the German government a with the backing of the European Union, NATO and "international partners" a condemns "in the strongest possible terms" the campaign by the state-controlled Russian cyberespionage group APT28 or Fancy Bear, under direction of the GRU. Speaking during a visit to Australia Friday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock confirmed the 2023 attacks could be attributed to Russian intelligence and warned that Russia will face consequences. While Baerbock offered no specifics regarding the consequences, German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christian Wagner told reporters in Berlin that Germany will "use the entire spectrum of measures" to respond to Russia's attacks, including diplomatic actions and sanctions. Last month, Germany's cybersecurity agency, working with researchers from Google's parent company, Alphabet, determined a similar Russian-controlled group called APT29 had been caught targeting several German political parties, aiming to burrow into their networks and steal data. NATO and the EU issued separate statements Thursday and Friday expressing concern and condemning Russia's malicious cyber campaign not only against Germany, but Britain, Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Sweden. Through State Department spokesperson Andrew Miller, the United States issued a statement as well Friday, condemning the cyberattacks and joining Germany in attributing them to the Russian-controlled APT28 espionage group. The NATO statement said the attacks included cyber and electronic interference, disinformation campaigns, and other hybrid operations. The EU statement said the cyber campaign targeted "democratic institutions, government entities, and critical infrastructure providers across the European Union and beyond." Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China successfully launches epic Chang'e-6 lunar probe in first human attempt to retrieve samples from far side of the Moon Global Times By Fan Anqi Published: May 03, 2024 06:57 PM China has made another historic stride in its deep space endeavors on Friday, as the Long March-5 Y8 carrier rocket blasted off at 5:27 pm from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in South China's tropical island of Hainan, sending the Chang'e-6 lunar probe onto its odyssey in the world's first ever attempt to bring back lunar samples from the far side of the Moon. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) confirmed the success of the launch after two pairs of solar panels of the spacecraft opened smoothly. The round trip of Chang'e-6 to the moon and back will take about 53 days, more than double the duration of its predecessor Chang'e-5, which returned samples from the near side of the moon in some 23 days, media reported. The longer duration also indicates more complex flight stages - researchers have designed 11 stages for Chang'e-6, including launch and orbit insertion, lunar transfer, among others, media reported on Friday. The amount of Moon samples to be returned this time is also expected to be larger than the Chang'e-5 mission. It is expected to retrieve around 2,000 grams of lunar dust and rocks, an increase of some 270 grams than the last time. The Chang'e-6 mission aims to break new ground in lunar retrograde orbit design and control, intelligent sampling on the moon's far side, and ascent from the lunar surface, according to the CNSA. It will conduct an automated sample return from the moon's far side, along with scientific exploration of the landing area and international collaboration, the agency added. After flying into orbit, it will head toward the Moon. Upon reaching its vicinity, the probe will brake to enter lunar orbit, and then fly around the orbit, during which time the lander and ascender combination will land on the far side of the moon, a research fellow with CASC revealed on Friday. After completing the sampling, the ascender carrying the collected lunar soil will take off from the far side of the Moon to rendezvous and dock with the orbiter-returner combination, transfer the lunar samples to the returner, and then head back to Earth. It will re-enter the Earth's atmosphere in a semi-ballistic skip manner and land in Siziwang Banner, North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Chang'e-6 will adopt the same sampling methods used by Chang'e-5, utilizing drilling and scooping to obtain samples from different layers and depths of the lunar surface, simultaneously conducting scientific exploration on the lunar far side. The location of the drilling is targeted at the Aitken Basin in the lunar south pole, a crater formed some 4 billion years ago and believed to contain water ice. The Aitken Basin is one of the three major lunar landforms, and is the oldest and deepest impact crater basin on the moon, with significant scientific research value. "This is of great significance for humans to have a more comprehensive understanding of the Moon, deepen the study of lunar origin and evolution, planetary evolution, and the origin of the solar system," said Hu Zhenyu, the chief engineer of the launch site engineering technology group for the mission. To promote international cooperation, the Chang'e-6 mission will carry a number of international payloads to the Moon, including the European Space Agency's lunar surface ion composition analyzer, France's radon detection instrument, Italy's laser corner reflector, and a CubeSat from Pakistan, the CNSA revealed to the Global Times. The Chang'e-6 mission is part of the country's Phase-4 lunar exploration program, which eyes landing taikonauts on the Moon before 2030. China is also leading the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project together with Russia in the lunar south pole. The project will see a basic station built by 2035 and an expansion set for completion by 2045, with a moon-orbiting space station as the hub and facilities featuring complete functions. So far, nearly 20 countries and organizations have joined the ILRS, including US Hawaii-based International Lunar Observatory Association, Swiss company Nano-SPACE for Cooperation, and France's Thales Group. The mission comes amid increasing efforts by various countries to enhance their lunar programs, driven by a heightened interest in the opportunities for accessing resources and advancing deep space exploration. Following Russia, the US and China, India successfully landed its first spacecraft on the Moon last year. And in January this year, Japan became the fifth member to join the lunar landing club, but its lander soon faced power issues due to incorrect landing angle. The US is also pursuing its own schemes to return astronauts to the Moon as soon as 2026 and build a scientific base camp. However, the program, called Artemis, has been facing a number of challenges that put the scheduled date in question. The Long March-5 carrier rocket, with a total length of nearly 60 meters and a takeoff mass of about 869 tons, is a true "giant" in China's rocket family. It is equipped with four boosters and has a payload capacity of 25 tons to low Earth orbit and 14 tons to geostationary transfer orbit, making it the largest launch vehicle in active service in China. Since the Chang'e-6 probe is 100 kilograms heavier than Chang'e-5, designers have managed to help the rocket to "lose weight" and thus increasing Long March-5's lunar transfer orbit payload capacity by 100 kilograms to meet the requirements of its "passenger," the CASC revealed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US begins review process for key AUKUS pillar Under the change, Australian and British firms could import US military technology without needing licenses. By Alex Willemyns for RFA 2024.05.03 -- The U.S. State Department has opened the public review process for proposed changes to export controls that would allow defense contractors in Australia and the United Kingdom to import American military technology without needing to obtain licenses. Australia and the United Kingdom would join Canada as the only countries with exemptions from licensing requirements under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, or ITAR, which is meant to stop U.S. defense technology falling into the wrong hands. Public comment on the proposed exemptions - central to "Pillar 2" of the AUKUS security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States - is being sought by May 31, according to a statement issued by the State Department on Thursday. The change "would create a license exemption supporting billions of dollars in license-free defense trade between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States and allow for deeper security cooperation and innovation among AUKUS partners," it said. "All three nations are committed to working with our private sectors and our research communities - those who will use these exemptions - to ensure the exemptions, taken together, support the goals of the AUKUS enhanced security partnership," the statement added. AUKUS Pillar 2 aims to create a broad and "seamless" defense industry across the three nations amid ongoing production backlogs in America as its defense industrial base is stretched by growing commitments to allies in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. However, the proposed ITAR changes have been criticized by some U.S. lawmakers, including the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, who has asked whether Australia can protect defense secrets from Chinese spies. ITAR exemption Officials at the State Department last year also expressed concerns about the proposed ITAR exemptions, arguing that Australian and British firms can already freely access U.S. military technology after being vetted and going through the licensing process. Proponents of Pillar 2, though, said the process is bureaucratic and burdensome for many foreign firms, and that exemptions are needed to facilitate production innovation across the three AUKUS countries. Congress ultimately approved the possible exemptions in last year's defense spending authorization bill, and gave President Joe Biden until last month to evaluate whether Australia and the United Kingdom had appropriate safeguards in place to protect U.S. military secrets. On April 19, though, the State Department said Biden had not yet reached such a determination and would again evaluate the allies in 120 days, at which time the exemptions could be "finalized." Sen. Jim Risch, a Republican from Idaho and his party's ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, slammed the decision at the time as undermining the AUKUS pact. "The Biden Administration's determination that the U.K. and Australia do not have a system of export controls comparable to those of the United States is deeply misguided and further delays the implementation of AUKUS," Risch said in a April 22 statement. "This judgment means our trade with the U.K. and Australia will continue to operate under the existing ITAR rules for at least the next four months," he said. "It is time to deliver on the promise of AUKUS. Continued failure to do so would demonstrate the administration is fundamentally unserious about competing with China." Last year, Risch noted that Australia and the United Kingdom were - along with Canada and New Zealand - already trusted as part of the "Five Eyes" intelligence sharing alliance with the United States. Widening net Those critical of the exemptions point out that Five Eyes is an arrangement with trusted foreign governments, while the changes to ITAR would put U.S. defense technology into the hands of private companies who would then be responsible for safeguarding it. Australian and British companies would no longer need to seek approval from the State Department "prior to any export, reexport, retransfer, or temporary import of defense articles" from America, according to a filing on the U.S. Federal Register. In order to mitigate the risks involved with that, the proposed exemptions say individuals in Australia and the United Kingdom with access to sensitive U.S. technologies would need the equivalent in their countries of "Secret"-level clearance in the United States. The exemptions would also not be comprehensive. The State Department will compile "a list of defense articles and defense services excluded from eligibility for transfer under the proposed new exemption," the Federal Register filing says. Whatever the case, the Biden administration seems intent on passing the exemptions that could dramatically expand military production amid fears about China's aims of territorial expansion in the Pacific. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell - who until February was Biden's top advisor on Asia - said last month that Pillar 2 of AUKUS was "basically ... the way forward" from the massive backlogs that he said have "plagued" the America's defense industrial base. In time, U.S. officials say that Pillar 2 could be expanded to include more allies. Last month, officials indicated Japan could be the first extra country added, but also said Tokyo has to wait until the arrangement with Canberra and London is "fully fleshed out." South Korea this week also expressed its interest in joining. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, 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 May 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 US warns of Russia-North Korea refined petroleum trade Russia sent over 165,000 barrels of refined petroleum to North Korea in March alone, say US officials. By Taejun Kang for RFA 2024.05.02 -- Russia delivered more than 165,000 barrels of refined petroleum to North Korea in March alone, U.S. officials said, noting the U.S is working with South Korea, Japan and other partners to roll out new sanctions this month against those aiding it. "In March alone, Russia shipped more than 165,000 barrels of refined petroleum (to the North)," said the U.S. National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby on Thursday. "Given the close proximity of Russian and North Korean commercial ports, Russia could sustain these shipments indefinitely." Under U.N. Security Council (UNSC) sanctions, Pyongyang is banned from importing more than 500,000 barrels of refined petroleum products per year. "The United States is going to continue to impose sanctions against all those working to facilitate arms and refined petroleum transfers between Russia and the DPRK," Kirby added. DPRK, or the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is North Korea's official name. Separately, Matthew Miller, the U.S. State Department spokesperson, said that Washington was working with its partners, including South Korea, Britain, Australia, the European Union, New Zealand and Japan, to announce new coordinated sanctions designations this month. His remarks came after U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said on Wednesday that 50 U.N. members, including the United States, Japan, and South Korea, were considering alternatives to ensure continued "objective and independent" monitoring of sanctions on North Korea after the recent dissolution of a panel investigating suspected violations. The U.N. panel of experts, tasked with investigating violations of sanctions related to North Korea's prohibited nuclear and ballistic missile programs, was officially dissolved on Tuesday. This followed the U.N. Security Council's failure to renew the panel's mandate on March 28 due to a veto by permanent council member Russia. Russia's veto at the U.N. Security Council came amid accusations by the U.S. and South Korea that North Korea was providing weapons for Russia's war in Ukraine. Both Russia and North Korea deny that. But the expert panel, in a report released in March, provided photographic evidence of Russia's sanction-violating arms transactions with North Korea and confirmed investigations into these transfers. Cybersecurity advisory The U.S. also issued a cybersecurity advisory against a North Korea-linked hacking group called Kimsuki on Thursday, accusing it of using malicious emails to U.S. government officials and experts to gather information about U.S. policy toward the North. Kimsuki seeks to gather information about North Korea, including geopolitical events and foreign policy strategies, by hacking into the emails, documents, and devices of U.S. government officials, think tanker members, and journalists, according to the advisory released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the State Department and the National Security Agency. Kimsuki, affiliated with North Korea's General Reconnaissance Department, was added to the U.S. Treasury Department's sanctions list in December last year. A State Department official explained that North Korea has been cut off from the outside world for the past four years due to COVID-19 and had refused to engage in diplomatic dialogue, suggesting that the government may be resorting to hacking because it is not using the usual means to gather information about other countries. Edited by Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2016, 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 May 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 7th India-Indonesia Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting held in New Delhi India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Defence Secretary & Secretary General of MoD, Indonesia agree to enhance collaboration in areas of defence industry, maritime security & multilateral cooperation Posted On: 03 MAY 2024 3:45PM by PIB Delhi Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane and Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence, Indonesia, Air Marshal Donny Ermawan Taufanto, M.D.S. co-chaired the 7th India-Indonesia Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting in New Delhi on May 03, 2024. During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction at the expanding scope of defence cooperation between the two countries. The progress made on various bilateral defence cooperation initiatives deliberated in meetings of Working Groups on Defence Cooperation and Defence Industries Cooperation was also reviewed by the co-chairs. In addition, the dignitaries identified means to enhance existing areas of collaboration especially in the field of defence industry ties, maritime security and multilateral cooperation. During the visit, the Secretary General visited the DRDO headquarters in New Delhi as well as TATA Advanced Systems and L&T Defence facilities in Pune. He also held deliberations with other Indian defence industry partners like Bharat Forge, Mahindra Defence & Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited and discussed ways to enhance defence industrial capabilities by cooperation in research & joint production. He also called on the Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan during the visit. The Secretary General is on a visit to India from May 02-04, 2024. He laid a wreath and paid homage to the fallen heroes at National War Memorial, New Delhi. India and Indonesia have a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and have arrived at a shared vision of the Indo-Pacific. In current times, this partnership is characterised by closed cooperation in bilateral and multilateral arena, including frequent high-level interactions. Indonesia is an important partner in India's Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific region. **** ABB/Savvy/KB (Release ID: 2019551) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address India: Opposition party leader Rahul Gandhi enters electoral battle Iran Press TV Friday, 03 May 2024 10:57 AM The primary opposition in India, the Indian National Congress has announced after weeks of suspense and uncertainty that Rahul Gandhi, the party's former president will run for the general elections from Raebareli in northern India. The announcement of the scion of the Gandhi family, whose father, grandmother and great-grandfather were all Indian Prime Ministers, came just hours before the deadline to file nominations on Friday for the seat that will go to poll on May 20. The party said that the decision to field Gandhi from Raebareli was made at a meeting of the 'Central Election Committee'. The Raebareli constituency has been consistently won by members of the Gandhi family since 1952. Both grandfather and grandmother of Rahul, Feroze Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, and his Italian-born mother Sonia Gandhi have previously held this seat. The party and the family's choice to nominate Gandhi from the constituency in Uttar Pradesh (UP) state demonstrates their belief in challenging the political power of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Gandhi who previously contested from the adjoining Amethi seat, also situated in UP, lost the 2019 Lok Sabha elections to BJP leader and Union Minister Smriti Irani, while Raebareli was retained by Sonia against BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh, which made it the only seat Congress had won of the 80 in UP. He contested from the second seat in Wayanad, a southern state of Kerala, and entered parliament. Once again, he is in the fray from Wayanad, which had its voting on April 26. The Indian electoral system permits candidates to compete for multiple seats, but they can only hold onto one seat if they secure victories in multiple contests. Gandhi will now face Singh this time, who was announced as the BJP's pick from Raebareli on Thursday. "Rahul Gandhi had to contest from UP. Contesting from Amethi would have converted the fight into Rahul Vs Smriti. In that scenario, Rahul would have needed more time in Amethi. Raebareli remains a safer seat," said a Congress leader. Meanwhile, the Amethi seat, which has been a family bastion for the Gandhis, would be contested by party loyalist Kishori Lal Sharma, who will face Irani. Talking to reporters, Congress worker Yogendra Yadav said Sharma is a part of the Gandhi family. "There is no disappointment. We will definitely win from Amethi. Sharma is also a part of the Gandhi family now. He has worked for the Gandhi family in Amethi for 30 to 35 years," he said. For several decades, the neighboring constituencies of Raebareli and Amethi have consistently supported the Gandhi family or their close relatives in elections, making them strongholds of the family's political influence since the 1950s. For 54 of the 76 years following India's independence from British rule, the Indian National Congress, the nation's oldest political party and a key player in the independence movement, governed New Delhi. This tenure ended in 2014 when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power. The general elections in India commenced on April 19, and the voting process will be conducted in seven phases until June 1. The counting of votes is scheduled to take place on June 4. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump's possible return reignites South Korea nuclear debate By William Gallo, Lee Juhyun May 03, 2024 South Korean calls to acquire nuclear weapons, which were subdued for the past year following steps to strengthen the U.S.-South Korea alliance, are once again bubbling to the surface ahead of the possible return of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump, who appears locked in a tight race with President Joe Biden as November's election approaches, sparked concern this week after making comments that many Korean media interpreted as a threat to pull U.S. troops from South Korea. In an interview with Time magazine, Trump lamented that U.S. troops are "in a precarious position" a a reference to nuclear-armed North Korea a and said Seoul should pay much more for U.S. protection. "Why would we defend somebody ... and we're talking about a very wealthy country," asked Trump, who elsewhere in the interview said U.S. troops were "in a lot of places they shouldn't be." Those kinds of statements are not new. Trump has long questioned the value and necessity of the U.S. military presence in South Korea. Trump's supporters say the comments are simply a negotiating tactic meant to persuade South Korea to pay more for the cost of hosting approximately 28,500 U.S. troops. Trump, they insist, does not intend to abandon Seoul. South Koreans appear less certain about Trump, who once said he "could go either way" on the idea of U.S. troops staying in South Korea. Many are also concerned Trump could pursue a deal with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that would effectively recognize the North as a nuclear weapons state. "We can't allow this. We must have our own nuclear arsenal, in a limited sense," Yoon Sang-hyun, a five-term conservative lawmaker, said in a Facebook post this week. Conservative South Korean newspapers have also begun publishing articles reassessing the idea of nuclear arms a an idea once considered unthinkable. "The level of concern is really high," said a researcher at a government-linked think tank in Seoul, who supports South Korea considering nuclear weapons in certain Trump-related scenarios. "Almost every research institution has a project on preparations for the Trump administration," said the researcher, who noted growing support among colleagues for acquiring a nuclear deterrent. Many, including the Seoul-based academic, are hesitant to publicly disclose their openness to attaining nuclear capabilities, seeing little incentive to make statements that would risk antagonizing the current or potential leaders of a country that South Korea has relied on for protection for over 70 years. Public support If South Korea ever pursues a nuclear arsenal, the decision will come with massive economic, reputational and regional security risks. Not only could the move upend South Korea's alliance with the United States, but it could also prompt others in the region to pursue similar weapons, invite international economic sanctions, and would almost certainly elicit a fierce reaction from China, according to analysts. Despite such barriers, opinion polls consistently indicate between 60% to 70% of South Koreans support their country developing nuclear weapons. Even many national security experts, who are presumably more aware of the consequences, back such a move. According to a poll released this week by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, 34% of South Korean elite support acquiring nuclear weapons. That support likely would increase significantly if Trump wins in November, the poll found. Kim Gunn, who will soon begin a term in South Korea's National Assembly after recently stepping down as the country's top nuclear envoy, said he can "fully understand" the sentiment of wanting a nuclear deterrent, considering North Korea's development of tactical nuclear weapons. But Kim does not advocate for acquiring nuclear weapons. Instead, he says, it is vital that the South Korean public be assured that the U.S.-South Korean alliance is "well-prepared" to cope with any eventuality. Last January, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol made global headlines when he suggested South Korea could easily develop its own nuclear arms if the security situation with North Korea worsens. At the time, South Korea was seeing an unprecedented wave of mostly conservative academics, ex-officials and other commentators calling for nuclear weapons. Reassurances Those calls subsided after Yoon and Biden agreed in April 2023 to strengthen the U.S. defense commitment to South Korea in a document known as the Washington Declaration. In the statement, the United States vowed to deploy more "strategic assets," such as nuclear-capable submarines, long-range bombers and aircraft carriers, to South Korea. In return, South Korea reaffirmed it would not pursue nuclear weapons. "The problem is if Trump comes back to the White House, he will probably undermine the very basic pillars of extended deterrence a that is, the deployment of strategic assets and joint military exercises," said Park Won-gon, a professor at Seoul's Ewha University. As president, Trump often slammed what he said were provocative and expensive military exercises with South Korea. During his first summit with Kim in June 2018, Trump unilaterally suspended what he referred to as "war games" with South Korea, stunning some observers in Seoul. Blunt talk There is also growing concern about recent comments by former Trump officials, who have hinted at major changes to Washington's South Korea policy, Park said. Most recently, former senior Pentagon advisor Elbridge Colby told VOA's Korean Service last month that South Korea's nuclear armament should no longer be seen as off-limits. "Nuclear proliferation, even to our allies, is a bad thing. But we live in a world of hard choices, so I think everything needs to be on the table," said Colby, who is viewed as a leading candidate for a top national security position in a second Trump administration. Colby also said the United States may not be able to live up to its defense commitments to South Korea if North Korea can conduct nuclear attacks on American cities. "We need to have clarity between ourselves and our own thinking so we come up with a strategy and force posture ... that actually mitigates this threat from North Korea," Colby said. While analysts have long questioned whether the United States would really sacrifice an American city to save that of a U.S. ally, Colby's comments stand in sharp contrast to those of U.S. officials, who regularly insist that the U.S. defense commitment to Seoul is "ironclad." "Those kinds of simple statements can seriously undermine the U.S. commitment to defend allies," said Park, who predicts a "huge wave" of nuclear advocacy in Seoul if such comments continue. Actions or words? Not all Trump allies support South Korea getting nuclear weapons. One of those who opposes the idea is Alex Gray, chief of staff in Trump's White House National Security Council. In an interview with VOA, Gray rejected the notion that Trump should serve as a rationale for any U.S. ally, including South Korea, to acquire nuclear weapons. "I would really encourage everyone to look at the policies that came out of the first Trump administration a not just the media reporting, not just language and statements," Gray said. In Gray's estimation, Trump was only trying to drive a hard bargain in military cost-sharing negotiations so that the alliance could become more beneficial to the United States. But Gray also hinted at tensions ahead a especially after U.S. and South Korean officials last week launched early negotiations on a new military cost-sharing arrangement, 20 months before the current six-year deal expires. The negotiations, which have been characterized by some media as an attempt to "Trump-proof" the alliance, show a "lack of respect" for Trump, Gray said. Robert Rapson, who served as a senior U.S. diplomat in Seoul during Trump's terms, said the cost-sharing negotiations and other efforts to "mitigate the risks" of a second Trump presidency are "fully understandable" but also risky. "I would suggest that ROK officialdom not let its angst over the uncertainty drive them to take preemptive actions that don't necessarily help them with Trump and may even backfire," he said. Rapson, however, cautions anyone from feeling too sure about how Trump might act toward South Korea. "The only real certainty about a prospective second Trump administration," he said, "is that there will be a high degree of uncertainty." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Telephone conversation with President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon. May 3, 2024 14:55 The two presidents discussed taking part together in the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, since Emomali Rahmon was invited to attend these events. The conversation also included a detailed and constructive exchange of opinions on certain topical bilateral matters, including cooperation in combatting the terrorist threat, as well as migration-related matters. In this context, the two leaders agreed to further improve cooperation mechanisms between the corresponding ministries and agencies. Vladimir Putin and Emomali Rahmon went on to express their certainty that they would work together to cut short the recent attempts by certain forces to use the issue of labour migrants coming to Russia, including from Tajikistan, to stir up tension, affirming that these efforts would never have any negative bearing on the time-tested brotherly relations between the two nations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kyrgyzstan Advises Citizens To Avoid Traveling To Russia By RFE/RL May 03, 2024 Kyrgyzstan has advised its citizens to refrain from traveling to Russia in the face of rising scrutiny of Central Asians in the country following the deadly Crocus City Hall attack near Moscow in late March. The Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry issued the travel advisory on May 2, warning Kyrgyz citizens of intensified checks and controls at borders by Russian authorities. The advisory comes as human rights watchdogs report rising levels of xenophobia against Central Asians in Russia following the terrorist attack on the concert venue, which left 144 people dead and hundreds more injured. Eleven Tajik men and a Kyrgyz-born Russian citizen have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the attack. The Tajik president's website said on May 3 that the Central Asian nation's leader, Emomali Rahmon, held phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discussed, among other things, "issues of cooperation in the field of labor migration." "The heads of the two states also emphasized the close coordination of law enforcement structures and special services in the fight against terrorism, extremism and transnational organized crime, [as well as] the importance of further strengthening of their cooperation," the presidential website said. Meanwhile, the Kremlin said in its statement about the phone talks that the two leaders "expressed hope that recent intensified attempts by certain forces to artificially escalate the situation around work migrants coming to Russia -- including Tajikistan -- be jointly suppressed and will not be able to damage the time-tested brotherly ties between the two nations' peoples." Earlier this week, the Tajik Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador to Dushanbe and handed him a note of protest against the "unfair" treatment of Tajik nationals in Russia since the deadly incident. Last weekend, the Tajik Foreign Ministry said hundreds of Tajik citizens trying to enter Russia had been stranded in several Moscow airports, including the Vnukovo airport, where, according to the ministry, almost 1,000 Tajik nationals, including students attending Moscow universities, had been held "without proper sanitary conditions." According to the ministry, the situation was caused by tightened passport and custom controls in the wake of the March 22 attack. Russian investigators say the assault -- Russia's worst terrorist attack in two decades -- was carried out by four men, all Tajik nationals. The other detainees are being held for aiding and abetting the attackers. An offshoot of the Islamic State extremist group, the Islamic State-Khorasan group active in Afghanistan and Central Asia, claimed responsibility for the attack. Tajikistan has also detained nine people suspected of having links to the attack. Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on April 29 that the measures to prevent terrorism that had been tightened in recent weeks do not target citizens of certain nations. With reporting by RFE/RL's Kyrgyz and Tajik Services Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan-russia- travel-advisory/32932034.html Copyright (c) 2024. 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 Foreign Minister's Special Representative for Cooperation to Promote Respect for the Right to Freedom of Religion and Foreign Ministry's Ambassador-at-Large Gennady Askaldovich's comment on the annual report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (May 2024) 3 May 2024 17:10 830-03-05-2024 This year, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom devoted its annual report to the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the International Religious Freedom Act. Convinced as it is in its messianic mission, the United States has long assumed that it knows better than anyone else around the world how to protect religious freedoms and is free to criticise, lecture and control other countries in this regard. Drafted along the same lines, this latest report focuses on a traditional group of undesirable countries, including Russia, which have been subjected to these offensive claims for quite some time now. Once again, the report sets forth an updated list of facts which allegedly evidence violations of the rights of believers in our country and demonstrate the effort to suppress civil society. Russia stands accused of arbitrarily persecuting Crimean Tatar activists, representatives of the Jehovah's Witnesses sect, Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, etc. Of course, the authors mostly sought guidance from excessively biased and partisan sources sponsored by the United States itself to obtain and interpret this information, including all kinds of foreign agents and undesirable organisations dreaming about defeating and dismembering Russia. They used this information to offer an all-too-common set of recommendations which have been copied from one report to another for many years now. We would like to emphasise that the report interpreted the facts it presents in an extremely distorted manner, turning them upside down. In all instances when what they refer to as persecution did take place, everything was done according to the law. Some may consider that it is extremely strict or harsh, but this cannot absolve anyone from strictly abiding by it. Confident as they are in their immaculate nature, Americans have no right whatsoever to cover outright extremists. Russia rejects these allegations and attempts to distort the reality. No one is facing repression for their religious beliefs in our country, and all those who fail to abide by the law get the punishment they deserve. We advise the American champions of truth and justice to focus on their own country considering the rise in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia there. The United States should refrain from meddling in the domestic affairs of other countries by supporting and sponsoring movements which follow the most dubious and extremist beliefs and creeds, or by creating exclusive puppet clubs akin to the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA). Moreover, it is an open secret that Washington is seeking to incite inter-faith strife in the pursuit of its geopolitical objectives. The United States has played an obvious role in the attempts to split the international Orthodox denomination apart, particularly in Ukraine, where the Canonical Orthodox Church has been subjected to cruel persecution for many years now. It is clear that it is for this reason that the Americans mention the Kiev regime only passingly in their report while shifting all the blame for the lawlessness there on Russia, let alone designating Ukraine under any of the statuses used in the report. Russia could not care less about being designated on yet another American list. However, we will never fail to respond to an outrageous lack of objectivity and the distortion of facts by these overseas authors, or to expose their bad intentions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation General of the Army Sergei Shoigu address the special teleconference with the leadership of the Russian Armed Forces 03.05.2024 I would like to start with the situation in the special military operation zone. The Russian groups of forces continue to force the enemy's strongholds system on the line of contact. AFU units are trying to gain access to certain lines, but they are forced to abandon their positions and retreat under our onslaught. Since the beginning of the year, we have taken control of 547 square kilometres of the territory in the new regions of the country. Over the past two weeks, the Russian Armed Forces have liberated Novobakhmutovka, Semyonovka, and Berdychi (Donetsk People's Republic). The United States of America and its allies are demanding that Ukraine prevent a breakdown in defence and stop the Russian offensive at all costs. As a result, the enemy's daily losses increased to thousands of troops in April. So far this year, in total, the enemy's losses have amounted to more than 111,000 people, 211,000 units of weapons and military hardware. The Kiev regime is intensifying its mobilisation efforts to replenish military personnel. Ukrainians who do not want to fight are forcibly sent to the front line. In fact, they are sent to the slaughter. Such inhuman treatment towards its population demonstrates the desire of the Ukrainian authorities to curry favour with the Western masters so that they can continue to provide financial and military assistance to them. The Russian Armed Forces will continue to liberate the Russian territories from neo-Nazism. *** I have a few words to say about preparations for the military parades dedicated to the 79th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. They will be held in seven Hero Cities and 18 cities where the headquarters of military districts, fleets, and combined arms armies are located. Ceremonial events are organised in 314 localities with the participation of garrison troops. In total, about 150,000 people and 2,500 samples of weapons and military hardware will be involved in the Victory Day celebration. More than 9,000 people and 70 units of military hardware will take part in the main military parade on Red Square. The marching column includes regiments, battalions, and companies by branches and service arms, parade units from Suvorov, Nakhimov, cadet, and music schools, Yunarmiya, servicewomen, Cossacks, and a combined military orchestra. Participants of the special military operation will also march on Red Square. The parade will conclude with the passage of Russian Knights and Strizhi aircraft. The general rehearsal will take place on 5 May. *** As part of the Victory Day celebration, an exposition of trophy weapons and military equipment captured during the special military operation was organised on Poklonnaya Hill. These include American Abrams and Bradley, German Leopard and Marder, and other foreign equipment, including those of the UK, the Czech Republic, France, and Finland. The exposition gave rise to great interest. More than 83,000 people visited it during the first day alone. The exhibition will last until the end of May. *** Next, we shall consider the progress of daily activities. In particular, we shall summarise the results of the heating period at Ministry of Defence facilities. It has been completed all over the country, with the exception of the northern regions. Despite abnormally low temperatures in central and western Russia, heavy snowfalls and spring high water, another season has been a regular one. Repairs of quarters, maintenance of equipment, testing of utility systems are carried out as planned. *** Also today, the state of coastal radio technical posts, which are currently actively used to detect enemy objects, will be discussed. During the special military operation, according to data from the coastal radio equipment of the Black Sea Fleet, more than 80 unmanned aerial vehicles and 20 uncrewed surface vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been eliminated. In order to increase the efficiency of the work, particular attention is paid to modernising the infrastructure of coastal radar posts. Surveillance posts are being established in the Kuril Islands, within the responsibility area of the Pacific Fleet. Two military towns of the Northern Fleet's coastal surveillance system are being modernised in the Arctic zone. At the meeting, we will hear how the buildings and facilities of the Navy's coastal radar posts are being built and maintained. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kremlin on Russia's Niger Presence: Moscow Bolstering Ties With African States Sputnik News 20240503 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia is cultivating relations with African countries on all fronts, even in the area of defense, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday, commenting on reports about the presence of Russian military personnel at a base in Niger. Earlier in the day, a Pentagon spokesperson told Sputnik that Russian forces were sharing a base in Niger with the US military until the United States withdrew its contingent from the African country. "We are expanding our relations in all areas, including defense, with various African states. They are interested, and we are also interested in it. We will continue to develop our relations with African states," Peskov told reporters. Earlier, former CIA intelligence officer and US Department of State official Larry Johnson explained to Sputnik why Russia's presence in Africa is ever-growing: "Russia doesn't have a history of enslaving Black Africans - number one. Russia is not closely tied to the colonial empires: The French, the Brits, the Germans, the Dutch, the Belgians have a long history of exploiting Africa and exploiting the people, exploiting the resources. So I think that both Russia and China are viewed as more honest brokers, to be candid. Much more so than the United States," Johnson stressed. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Forces in Separate Compound on Niger Base, No Access to US Forces Sputnik News 20240503 WASHINGTON, (Sputnik) - Russian forces are being housed on the same base in Niger but in a separate compound with no access to US forces until the withdrawal of the contingent of the United States from the country, a US official has told Sputnik. "The Russians are housed in a separate compound and do not have access to US forces, spaces, or equipment," the official said. "We continue to monitor the situation and to take all necessary and prudent measures to ensure the security of US forces, facilities, and equipment." The official noted that Russian forces arrived a few weeks ago at Air Base 101, a Nigerien Air Force base that is co-located with the international airport in Niger's capital, Niamey. On April 12, a Sputnik correspondent reported that Russian specialists have arrived in Niger to train local forces on combating terrorism. Washington and Niamey recently began discussions for the "orderly withdrawal" of US servicepeople based in Niger. The military pullout was initiated in March after a Nigerien military spokesperson said the country's transitional government, which took power in a coup last July, had terminated the military agreement with the US with immediate effect, citing the interests of the Nigerien people. The Pentagon later announced that some of the US contingent will also be withdrawn from Chad. On Wednesday, a US defense official told Sputnik that the US has relocated 60 of its military personnel to Germany, where they will continue their work, as part of their withdrawal from Chad. There are around 1,100 US personnel in Niger. Veteran Defense Department analyst Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski told Sputnik that the expulsion of US forces from Niger and Chad, along with similar trends across Africa, show that the post-World War II era of US-led neocolonialism to exploit the continent's peoples and riches is finally ending A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 8 soldiers injured in Israeli airstrike on outskirts of Syria's Damascus People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 09:40, May 03, 2024 DAMASCUS, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Israel launched an aerial attack from the direction of the occupied Golan Heights on Thursday night against a military site near Syrian capital Damascus, injuring eight soldiers and causing material losses, the Syrian Defense Ministry said. While the defense ministry statement spelled no further details, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported explosions were heard in the southwestern countryside of the capital Damascus, precisely along the administrative boundary shared with Quneitra Province and the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. According to the Britain-based watchdog group, the explosions were accompanied by the flight of suspected Israeli drones. The observatory's director, Rami Abdul-Rahman, stated that this is the only available information at present. This attack follows a reported decline in Israeli attacks over the past month, which the Syrian observatory's director attributed to the strikes on the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1. The targeted areas are known strongholds for elements of Hezbollah and Iranian-backed militias, according to the observatory. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daesh attack kills 13 Syrian army troops, allied forces: Report Iran Press TV Friday, 03 May 2024 6:33 PM Thirteen Syrian army troops and allied forces have been reportedly killed in a Daesh terrorist attack in the Western part of Syria. The attack took place in al-Sukhnah area in the eastern Homs countryside on Friday, Lebanon's al-Mayadeen television network reported. According to the report, the attack occurred two weeks after 22 Palestinian volunteers from al-Quds Brigade which is supporting the Syrian army, were killed in a Daesh ambush in the same area. A pro-opposition monitoring group put the death toll at 15. The remnants of the terrorists "attacked three military sites belonging to regime forces and fighters loyal to them... in the eastern Homs countryside, triggering armed clashes... and killing 15" allied forces, the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Daesh overran large swathes of Syria in 2014, but the government and its allies defeated the group in late 2019. The group's remnants still conduct sporadic terrorist attacks. Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. The Syrian government says the United States, the Israeli regime, and their Western and regional allies are materially sponsoring Takfiri terrorist groups that are engaged in destabilizing activities in the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli airstrike on outskirts of Damascus leaves eight Syrian soldiers injured Iran Press TV Friday, 03 May 2024 6:18 AM At least eight soldiers suffered injuries when Israeli military aircraft carried out a strike against a building operated by Syrian security forces on the outskirts of the capital Damascus. Syria's official news agency SANA, citing a military source, reported that Israeli warplanes launched an assault from the direction of the occupied Golan Heights against a site in the vicinity of Damascus at around 10:50 p.m. local time (1950 GMT) on Thursday. The source added that the attack resulted in the injury of eight soldiers, and caused material losses in the targeted area. The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that explosions were heard in the southwestern countryside of Damascus, precisely along the administrative boundary shared with Syria's southwestern province of Quneitra and the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. According to the Britain-based war monitor, the explosions were accompanied by the flight of suspected Israeli drones. The Israeli airstrike against the crisis-hit Arab nation comes amid the regime's bloody onslaught against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip. Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the coastal territory, including hospitals, residences, and houses of worship, since Palestinian resistance movements launched their surprise attack, dubbed Operation al-Aqsa Storm, against the regime on October 7. At least 34,596 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed while another 77,816 individuals have sustained injuries. Israel frequently targets military positions inside Syria, especially those of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah which has played a key role in helping the Syrian army in its fight against foreign-backed terrorists. The Tel Aviv regime rarely comments on its cowardly attacks on Syrian territories, which many see as a knee-jerk reaction to the Syrian government's phenomenal success in confronting and decimating terrorism. Israel has been the principal supporter of terrorist groups that oppose the democratically-elected government of President Bashar al-Assad since the foreign-backed militancy erupted in Syria. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese aircraft detected 75.8 km from Taiwan: Defense ministry ROC Central News Agency 05/03/2024 03:41 PM Taipei, May 3 (CNA) Fourteen Chinese military aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait in the 24-hour period starting at 6 a.m. Thursday, with an unspecified number flying as close as 41 nautical miles (75.8 km) of Keelung in northern Taiwan. The 14 aircraft were part of a larger fleet of 26 aircraft detected in Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), while five Chinese vessels were also operating in the waters around Taiwan, according to the Ministry of National Defense on Friday. The median-line crossings were among the largest-scale and closest to Taiwan recorded in recent weeks. The number had not been that high since 14 median-line crossings by Chinese military aircraft were recorded in the 24 hours after 6 a.m. on April 20. On April 28, the defense ministry recorded an unspecified number of Chinese aircraft flying as close as 37 nautical miles (68.5 kilometers) to Keelung. The ministry, which has published PLA activities in waters and airspace around Taiwan on a regular basis since September 2020, said the intruding aircraft included Sukhoi Su-30 aircraft, KJ-500 airborne early warning and control vehicles and drones, and were accompanied by the ships on a "joint combat readiness patrol." An ADIZ is a self-declared area in which a country claims the right to identify, locate and control approaching foreign aircraft, but it is not part of the country's territorial airspace as defined by international law. Chinese sorties of military aircraft in the Taiwan Strait and Taiwan's ADIZ had eased late last year and early this year, but they have picked up since then. Shu Hsiao-huang (), an associate research fellow at the government-funded think tank Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said last week that Chinese warplanes flying so close to Keelung served a "political and military purpose." Militarily, he said, it was intended to continuously compress Taiwan's airspace. Chinese military aircraft crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait and flying close to Taiwan has been intended to "deliberately create a tense atmosphere" by engaging in "gray zone operations" during peacetime, Shu said. Politically, he suggested, the missions were intended to keep the political heat on Taiwan's new government before it takes office on May 20, and he cautioned that similar practices by China's military will only increase as the date draws nearer. (By Sean Lin) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan bans its citizens from working for China's Confucius Institutes ROC Central News Agency 05/03/2024 12:01 AM Taipei, May 2 (CNA) Confucius Institutes have been added to a list of Chinese political, governmental and military bodies at which Taiwan's citizens are banned from working, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said on Thursday. In a press release, the MAC said that revisions to an existing act prohibit Taiwanese nationals from working for any Chinese organization involved in matters relating to national identity and loyalty, united front work, or which threatens national security. Specifically, the revised guidelines ban citizens from working at Confucius Institutes -- non-profit educational institutes funded by China's government to spread Chinese culture. These have also come under suspicion as tools for political influence. Also added to the blacklist were the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) -- China's semi-official body in charge of handling technical and business matters with Taiwan -- as well as the All-China Youth Federation and the All-China Federation of Taiwanese Compatriots. Under the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (the Cross-Strait Act), citizens who work for such prohibited organizations can be fined NT$100,000 to NT$500,000 (US$3,077-US$15,389). If the violator is a government official or a person working in defense, foreign affairs, intelligence, China affairs, or other relevant agencies whose work is related to matters of national security or other classified information, they can also face up to three years in prison, according to the Act. The MAC said the revisions to the Act are aimed at preventing Beijing from intentionally exploiting the regulations. It said it had originally established the guidelines in 2004 in line with authority granted to it under the Cross-Strait Act. Over the following 20 years, however, the rules were unchanged, even as the Chinese government underwent significant structural changes, it said. Following the announcement, the Straits Exchange Foundation -- the Taiwanese counterpart to the ARATS -- said it would make efforts to explain the changes to Taiwanese traveling frequently between Taiwan and China, to ensure they do not inadvertently run afoul of the law. (By Lee Ya-wen and Matthew Mazzetta) Enditem/cs NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US should immediately stop hyping up Taiwan question using the World Health Assembly as an excuse: Chinese mainland spokesperson Global Times By Global Times Published: May 03, 2024 08:17 PM The Taiwan question is China's internal affair, which doesn't allow any foreign interferences. The US should immediately stop hyping up the Taiwan question using the World Health Assembly as an excuse, said Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, urging the US to adhere to the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques with practical actions, instead of saying one thing and doing another, and constantly indulging "Taiwan independence" activities. Chen made the remarks on Friday in response to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's statement on Wednesday which "encouraged the WHO to reinstate an invitation to Taiwan to participate as an observer at this year's WHA." Regarding Taiwan region's participation in WHO activities, Chen said the mainland's position is consistent and clear, which is that the situation must be handled in accordance with one-China principle, which is also the fundamental principle confirmed by UNGA resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1, Chen said. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities stubbornly insist in their "Taiwan independence" separatist stance, refusing to acknowledge the 1992 Consensus which embodies the one-China principle, resulting in the political basis for Taiwan region's participation in WHA no longer existing. This situation is entirely caused by the DPP authorities, according to the spokesperson. Chen said the mainland has made proper arrangements for Taiwan region's participation in global health affairs under the premise of adhering to the one-China principle. However, the DPP authorities, in their pursuit of "Taiwan independence," have deliberately politicized public health issues and attempted to rely on external forces to engage in secessionist activities at WHA. The facts of the past seven years have proven that this wrong path is not viable, and the attempt this time will also end up in failure, Chen said. China's foreign ministry also slammed Blinken's statement on Thursday, saying China strongly deplores and firmly opposes the statement, noting the one-China principle has the extensive support of the international community. It is where global opinion trends and where the arc of history bends. There's no denying or stopping that trend. Any attempt to play the "Taiwan card" and use Taiwan to contain China will meet the firm opposition of the international community and is doomed to failure. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China opposes U.S. statement encouraging Taiwan's presence at WHA People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 09:15, May 03, 2024 BEIJING, May 2 (Xinhua) -- China strongly deplores and firmly opposes the statement from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in which he said the United States encourages the World Health Organization (WHO) to invite Taiwan's presence as an observer at this year's World Health Assembly (WHA), a foreign ministry spokesperson said Thursday. "The U.S. statement seriously violates the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. Joint CommuniquAs. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes the statement," said the spokesperson. The spokesperson noted that there is but one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. China's position on the Taiwan region's participation in the activities of international organizations, including the WHO, is consistent and clear, that is, this must be handled under the one-China principle, which is also a basic principle enshrined in the UNGA Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1. The spokesperson added that the Democratic Progressive Party authorities have stubbornly stuck to the separatist position of "Taiwan independence," which means that the political foundation for Taiwan region's participation in the WHA no longer exists. The U.S. statement presents this matter in a misleading way essentially to connive at and support "Taiwan independence" separatist activities. "The Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests and the number one red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations," the spokesperson said. "We once again urge the U.S. to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. Joint CommuniquAs, observe international law and the basic norms governing international relations, act on the U.S. leader's commitment of not supporting 'Taiwan independence,''two Chinas' or 'one China, one Taiwan,' stop using the WHA to create confusion on Taiwan-related issues, and avoid sending wrong signals to 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces," said the spokesperson. "The one-China principle has the extensive support of the international community. It is where global opinion trends and where the arc of history bends. There's no denying or stopping of that trend. Any attempt to play the 'Taiwan card' and use Taiwan to contain China will meet the firm opposition of the international community and is doomed to failure," the spokesperson added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan May 3, 2024 ROC Ministry of National Defense 2024/05/03 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1.Dateis 6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Thursday to Friday, May 2-3 2.PLA activitiesis 26 PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 17 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MBABANE - Graduating is not a small achievement or minor milestone. It is a big day. After four years of hard work and sleepless nights, surely it calls for a celebration. Yesterday, Botho University (BU) Eswatinis first cohort of 2023 graduated. The momentous occasion, held at The George Hotel in Manzini, was filled with pride and achievement for the institution as well as the graduands as the ceremony was testament to the struggle they went through, having gone through COVID-19 and still making it. It was a celebration of academic excellence and the culmination of years of hard work and dedication by the graduads. A total of 16 students were coffered with various degrees, but only 12 were present to receive their degrees. Highlights of the event were the presence of the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Phila Buthelezi, and Chief Gija, who attended the occasion as special guests. Among other esteemed guests were Botho Universitys Vice-Chancellor Dr Sheela Raja Ram and the Pro-Vice Chancellor Golekanye Setume, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Education and Training. Sharing his welcoming remarks, the Assistant Dean and Head of the Campus at BU Eswatini and soon-to-be Doctor, Viswanathan Sankaranayanan, shared that it had been a long, perhaps exhausting and not always fun, but rewarding journey and further congratulated the class of 2023. Urged Addressing the graduating students, Dr Sheela Raja Ram urged them to be confident and actively seek new opportunities both locally and globally, she said the fact that they had graduated from BU put them in a good position to seize opportunities, as the university strived to produce industry-ready graduates. Concluding, Dr Raja Ram urged them to be adaptable to remain relevant and to keep acquiring new skills. Delivered The minister delivered a stirring keynote address, highlighting the importance of education in shaping the workforce of tomorrow and emphasising the role of BU in providing quality education and training to empower young minds in Eswatini. Buthelezi commended them for their hard work, resilience, and determination in reaching this significant milestone. He encouraged them to continue striving for excellence, to embrace new challenges with confidence, and to make a positive impact in their respective fields and communities. Xi Heads To Europe Looking For A Larger Chinese Role In Ukraine By Reid Standish May 03, 2024 Chinese leader Xi Jinping's upcoming trip to France, Serbia, and Hungary will focus on China's economic ties to Europe and escalating trade tensions between Beijing and Brussels. But China's position on Russia's war in Ukraine will also take center stage, especially during Xi's visit to France, two EU officials told RFE/RL. High on the agenda is China's participation in a Kyiv-backed international conference set for mid-June in Switzerland that will discuss the prospects for ending the war in Ukraine. Russia has said it will not participate. But Kyiv is actively pushing for Beijing, a key partner of Moscow, to attend. Xi's trip to Europe comes as China aims to carve out a larger diplomatic role around the war in Ukraine while still preserving its strong ties with Moscow. The EU officials said Brussels is increasingly skeptical about the role Beijing can play in any future peace process. But the issue will be raised when Xi meets with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Paris on May 6. "Beijing's conditions are that it won't be a full-blown summit, so they could then likely send some sort of envoy instead of a top level official, and they want 'other' peace plans on the table alongside [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskiy's," one of the EU officials told RFE/RL on condition of anonymity in order to discuss matters openly. "Brussels thinks that Beijing is paving the way for Moscow's participation in similar meetings in the future," the official added. Xi's five-day European tour beginning on May 5 comes as Kyiv faces setbacks on the battlefield and lingering questions over future levels of Western military support. Since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, China has maintained that it is neutral in the conflict but also continued to deepen its political and economic ties with Russia. European officials have pressed Beijing to use its influence to moderate Russia's behavior and help bring it to the negotiating table. But those efforts have not yielded any breakthroughs. "Many people would like to see China play a constructive role, but I think now that we're in the third year of the war, this idea is wearing a bit thin," said Theresa Fallon, director of the Brussels-based Center for Russia Europe Asia Studies. In February 2023, Beijing unveiled its own outline for a potential peace process in Ukraine. But the document has been criticized by Western officials for being too accommodating to Moscow. "Kyiv still believes that getting China to the table for the peace summit would be beneficial for Ukraine, but there are risks to Chinese involvement as well," said Yurii Poita of the Kyiv-based Center for Army, Conversion, and Disarmament Studies. "Beijing could also hamper the process and use its presence to push Russia's narratives." While there is no direct evidence that China has sold arms to Russia, it does sell dual-use goods such as machines, civilian drones, semiconductors, and other technology that Moscow in turn is using to produce weaponry for use in its war against Ukraine. During a trip to Beijing in April, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said China was "overwhelmingly the No. 1 supplier" for Russia's military industry and that this support has had a "material effect" on the battlefield. French officials have said Macron intends to press the issue of Chinese dual-use goods when he meets with Xi. An EU official told RFE/RL that Macron plans to be "firmer" with Xi than in the past and the atmosphere is unlikely to be "super-friendly." Chinese messaging around Ukraine is expected to be different when Xi travels to Belgrade and Budapest. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has forged close relations with China and Russia while angering Brussels for refusing to join EU sanctions against Russia or allowing, like other NATO countries, arms shipments to Ukraine. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic also has strong ties with Beijing and Moscow and will welcome Xi on May 7, the 25th anniversary of the NATO bombing of China's Embassy in Belgrade. A large Chinese cultural center has been built at the former site of the embassy, and Xi is expected to visit a memorial there in honor of Chinese diplomats killed during the accidental strike. "Xi will be underscoring that there are different interpretations within Europe regarding the war in Ukraine and the economic relationship with China," said Janka Oertel, director of European Council on Foreign Affairs' Asia program. "This will dilute the tough signaling that is to be expected in Paris." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/xi-china-hungary-serbia- macron-ukraine/32932396.html Copyright (c) 2024. 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 Zelenskiy Marks 800th Day Of Full-Scale Invasion As Russian Missiles Hit Civilian Sites By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service May 03, 2024 KYIV -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy marked the 800th day since Russia's full-scale invasion, saying "all Ukrainians" and Ukraine's allies must do everything possible to block the Kremlin's plans, as authorities said Russian shelling killed at least three people in Ukraine's Donetsk region. "Today is the 800th day of the war," Zelenskiy said on May 3 in an address to Ukraine's border guard personnel. "This is an extremely difficult and tough path that our country had to go through, and the path that still needs to be passed to end the war on fair terms, on Ukraine's terms. "Now we are facing a new stage of the war. The occupier is preparing to try to expand offensive operations," Zelenskiy said. "Today, all Ukrainians, as well as Ukraine's allies, must do everything possible to thwart Russia's plans," he added. The Ukrainian leader said that it was important to "prove that the enemy will not achieve its goals under any circumstances and no matter how despicable it acts." In Moscow, meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed the Kremlin was ready to consider "serious" proposals to settle the conflict based on existing "realities" and keeping in mind Russia's security concerns, including a pledge by Kyiv to remain militarily neutral in the future. The conditions appear to be identical to those repeatedly rejected by Kyiv in the past. On the battlefield on May 3, authorities in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region said three people were killed and five injured as a result of Russian shelling in the Pokrovsk and Bakhmut districts. Authorities said a 12-year-old child was among those killed. Authorities in Ukraine's Kirovohrad region said housing an infrastructure sites were hit by a Russian missile strike on May 3, severely injuring one person. Battlefield claims cannot immediately be verified because of the intense violence in the regions. Russia has intensified missile attacks on Ukrainian civilian and infrastructure sites in recent months as Ukrainian leaders have pleaded with Western allies to speed up deliveries of air-defense systems and other weapons. Russia denies that it targets civilian sites, despite widespread evidence of such attacks. With reporting by Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-zelenskiy-russia- war-donetsk/32932475.html Copyright (c) 2024. 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 Kremlin Takes Macron to Task Over 'Dangerous' Remark of Sending Troops to Ukraine Sputnik News 20240503 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - French President Emmanuel Macron's recent statement about the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine is crucial and dangerous, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. Earlier this week, Macron said in an interview with The Economist that he did not rule out the possibility of deploying troops to Ukraine should Kiev make such a request. Many European countries have understood France's approach about the likelihood of sending troops to Ukraine and have concurred with the notion, the president added. "The statement is very important. It is very important and very dangerous," Peskov told reporters. Moscow is closely monitoring statements from Paris about such a possibility, the official said, adding that France continues to constantly talk about the possibility of its direct involvement on the ground in the conflict around Ukraine. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Loses Over 111,000 Troops in 2024 - Russian Defense Minister Sputnik News 20240503 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine has already lost more than 111,000 troops and 21,000 units of weapons and military equipment in 2024, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Friday. "In total, this year, they [Kiev's losses] have exceeded 111,000 servicepeople, 21,000 units of weapons and military equipment," Shoigu said at a conference call with the senior staff of the Russian armed forces. Moreover, Kiev loses 1,000 soldiers a day due to the demands of the United States and its allies to stop the offensive of the Russian armed forces at any cost, Shoigu said. "The US and its allies are demanding that Ukraine prevent the collapse of its defenses and contain the offensive of Russian troops at all costs. As a result, the enemy's daily losses in April increased to a 1,000 servicepeople," he said. The minister said that the Russian military had taken control of 547 square kilometers (211 square miles) of the territory of new regions of the country since the beginning of the year. The Russian armed forces fully liberated the settlements of Novobakhmutovka, Semenovka and Berdychi in the Donetsk People's Republic over the past two weeks, he added. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Our Border Guards Have Proven Themselves at the Highest Level - the President During the Meeting at the National Academy of the State Border Guard Service President of Ukraine 3 May 2024 - 18:24 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Bohdan Khmelnytskyi National Academy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. The Head of State got acquainted with the changes introduced to the work of the institution after the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. The Rector, Major General Oleksandr Lutskyi, pointed out that the Academy had enhanced its military training. During a conversation with lyceum students, cadets and teachers, Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the functions of the SBGSU had significantly expanded due to the war. Besides defending Ukraine's borders, the border guards are also mastering various types of equipment and performing combat missions on the front line. In particular, drone operators have shown effective results at the front. "Our border guards have proven themselves at the highest level. They performed all combat missions with utmost courage and professionalism. The Border Guard Service is expanding its skills because of the war. Of course, when the war is over, all these skills will not vanish. And this number of electronic warfare and drone operators, all these specialists should stay and ensure the protection of Ukraine's modern border in time of peace," the President said. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also inspected the machinery used by Ukrainian border guards today. These include armored vehicles, MLRS, artillery, drones, and electronic warfare equipment. Since the beginning of the war, 9 combined detachments have been created on the basis of the Academy, and they have performed combat missions near Kyiv, Hostomel, Bucha, Moshchun, and on the eastern border of our country. For their courage and heroism, 234 servicemen of the Academy were presented with state awards, and 10 graduates received the titles of Hero of Ukraine and the Orders of the Golden Star, 7 of them posthumously. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Security is the Top Priority: In the Khmelnytskyi Region, the Head of State Introduced the New Head of the Regional Military Administration and Held a Meeting on the Situation in the Region President of Ukraine 3 May 2024 - 14:08 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting on the security and socio-economic situation in the Khmelnytskyi region. The President introduced the new Head of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Military Administration Serhiy Tiurin who had been Acting RMA Head since March 2023. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked him for his work during this period. "The key thing today is the security of the Khmelnytskyi region and its people. Of course, assistance to our military, the wounded, especially rehabilitation, is also important," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The Commander of the Operational Command "West", Brigadier General Volodymyr Shvediuk and the Commander of the grouping of forces and means of territorial defense "West" reported to the Head of State on the operational situation in the Khmelnytskyi region. In particular, on the protection of critical infrastructure. The Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko informed about measures to defend the Khmelnytskyi NPP, including the use of mobile air defense groups and electronic warfare equipment. The Commander of the Air Command "West" Borys Genov, reported on air defense in the western regions and the means of protecting the gas infrastructure of the Lviv region. The Minister of Energy German Galushchenko presented the program of completion of the Khmelnytskyi NPP power units, the concept of development and increase of power generation at the plant. The Head of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Military Administration Serhiy Tiurin reported on the aftermath of Russian shelling and the restoration of damaged buildings and power facilities. He informed about support for relocated businesses and educational institutions, as well as internally displaced persons. In addition, the Khmelnytskyi region is actively providing assistance to the Kherson region as part of the "Side by Side" program. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Aggressor State of the Russian Federation will not Participate in the Inaugural Global Peace Summit - Andriy Yermak on the Air of the "United News" Telethon President of Ukraine 3 May 2024 - 08:40 Ukraine expects the Global Peace Summit that will take place in Switzerland on June 15-16 to be attended by the state leaders from all continents who respect international law and the principles of the UN Charter. The Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak said this on the air of the "United News" telethon. He emphasized that the main idea of the Global Peace Summit is to return to the principles of international law, which can protect any country from the actions of aggressors. This is the approach that should dominate international relations. "It is necessary to return a just peace to the Ukrainian land, to restore respect for international law and the UN Charter. And, of course, we need to consolidate the responsible countries to further support Ukraine and to show that all these countries are interested in the war ending," said Andriy Yermak. The Head of the President's Office stated that the notion of a just peace is not only the end of the war, but also the restoration of territorial integrity and sovereignty, the return of all Ukrainian POWs and illegally deported children. "It is important for Ukraine that the Global Peace Summit is attended by as many countries as possible. That is why everyone is involved: the government, the parliament, and the Presidential Office - everyone is working to make the world speak about the Peace Summit and encourage leaders to participate in it," emphasized Andriy Yermak. According to him, China's participation is particularly important. Therefore, diplomats at all levels are working to ensure that representatives of this country join the Global Peace Summit. The Head of the President's Office also emphasized that the aggressor state of Russia will not participate in the first Peace Summit. This is Ukraine's principled position. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President Met with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom President of Ukraine 3 May 2024 - 08:09 The day before, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland David Cameron in Kyiv. The Head of State thanked the UK Government for the largest package of defense support worth half a billion pounds announced last week. "The provision of this package, along with the crucial decision of the United States to provide assistance, is of great importance to us at this key moment," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The President informed of the situation on the frontline and emphasized the importance of delivering the weapons envisaged by the support package as soon as possible. First of all, armored vehicles, ammunition and missiles of various types. Special attention was paid to preparations for important international events that will take place shortly: the G7 Summit in Italy, the inaugural Peace Summit in Switzerland, the NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., and the 4th European Political Community Summit in the United Kingdom. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia may escalate Ukraine war if Western countries directly involved By VOA News May 03, 2024 The Kremlin characterized as "dangerous" comments by British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and French President Emmanuel Macron indicating their countries' direct involvement in Ukraine's strikes on Russian-occupied territory. "This is a direct escalation of tension around the Ukrainian conflict, which could potentially pose a danger to European security, to the entire European security architecture," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Friday at a news briefing. "This is where we see such a dangerous trend of escalating tension in official statements. This is a cause for our concern," he said. Also addressing the briefing, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said, "This is the first time that a Western politician has so frankly acknowledged what has long been a well-known secret for a majority of the world's countries: That the West is waging a covert war against Russia with the hands of Ukrainians." Russia, she added, will respond if Ukraine launches strikes against Russian territory with British weapons. During a visit to Kyiv, Cameron told Reuters that Ukraine has the right to strike in self-defense. "Just as Russia is striking inside Ukraine, you can quite understand why Ukraine feels the need to make sure it's defending itself," he said. Cameron promised 3 billion pounds ($3.7 billion) of annual military aid for Ukraine for "as long as it takes," adding Thursday that London had no objection to its weapons being used inside Russia. In a separate interview Thursday, Macron repeated a prior observation, that he doesn't exclude sending troops to Ukraine, an act Russia said would lead to a direct and dangerous escalation of tensions around the conflict. Zakharova also said that Russia is ready to consider "serious" Ukrainian peace proposals based on what she called existing "realities" and Moscow's security concerns, adding that Ukraine must pledge to remain militarily neutral in future. Moscow's conditions were identical to previous ones that Ukraine has several times rejected. Russia also warned Friday it would respond with a "devastating revenge strike" if Ukraine hits Crimea or the Crimean Bridge linking southern Russia to the Black Sea peninsula. "The Crimean Bridge is once again in the crosshairs," Zakharova told the briefing. "Preparations for an attack on it, which is hard to believe, are now being carried out openly, with ostentatious bravado and with the absolute direct and shameless support of the collective West." Moscow said it believed that Ukraine a which has recently received the long-range MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACM, from the United States a was plotting to attack the bridge ahead of or on May 9, Russia's anniversary of the Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Russia's Black Sea Fleet, which Ukraine has repeatedly attacked, is based in Crimea. Kyiv has said that it considers illegal the construction of the road and rail bridge, which has been used in the past to move Russian troops and weaponry against Ukraine. It says it wants Crimea back. Russia seized and annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. Crimea was part of the Russian Empire from 1783, and later of the Russian Soviet Socialist Republic, until Moscow in 1954 gifted it to what was then the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. Moscow now says that decision was a mistake. Russian missile strikes A Russian missile struck Ukraine's central Kirovohrad region Friday, wounding one civilian and damaging houses and infrastructure, a local official said on the Telegram messaging app. Ukraine's energy infrastructure has borne the brunt of Russia's intensified attacks in the recent months, barraging Ukraine's energy grid with missiles and drones, while Kyiv is dealing with a serious shortage of air defenses. Two people were killed Friday in a Russian attack on the city of Kurakhove, located in the eastern Donetsk region. "Various high-rise buildings were damaged. Two people were injured, two people died," the head of the military administration, Roman Padun, said on social media. Kurakhove is near the frontlines in eastern Ukraine, 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of the Russia-occupied main city of Donetsk. Assault toward Chasiv Yar Outgunned and outmanned, Ukrainian troops in the wider region are struggling against Russian forces who are pushing toward the key town of Chasiv Yar. Ukrainian officials have said Russian forces aim to seize the hilltop town before May 9, on that key Russian WWII anniversary to give President Vladimir Putin a symbolic victory. In an interview with Britain's The Times, Ukraine's Ground Forces Commander Oleksandr Pavliuk described a dire situation around the key city. "We are trying everything we can do to stop the Russian plan to capture Chasiv Yar before May 9," Pavliuk was quoted as saying. "But Russians have a 10-to-1 ratio of artillery superiority there, and total air superiority," he said. Russia's land gains Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said his troops had seized 547 square kilometers (211 square miles) of Ukrainian territory this year in what he called Russia's "new regions," a reference to four Ukrainian regions that Moscow says it has annexed. Shoigu remarked in a meeting with senior military commanders Friday that Russian troops were advancing through Ukrainian strongholds in the Donetsk region and that the Ukrainian forces are retreating all along the front line. "The Ukrainian army units are trying to cling on to individual lines, but under our onslaught they are forced to abandon their positions and retreat," he said. Ukrainian forces have been suffering ammunition shortages, partly due to monthslong delays in U.S. aid, which were approved by President Joe Biden last week after Congress finally passed the measure. Some information for this report was provided by Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address TORONTO, May 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galway Metals Inc. (TSXV: GWM) (Galway or the Corporation) is pleased to announce that further to its press release dated April 25, 2024, it has closed the second and final tranche of its non-brokered private placement (the Private Placement). The second tranche consisted of 238,095 traditional flow-through units of the Corporation (Traditional FT Units) at a price of $0.42 per Traditional FT Unit for aggregate gross proceeds to the Corporation of $99,999.90, bringing the total gross proceeds of the Private Placement to $4,519,984.26. Each Traditional FT Unit consists of one flow-through common share of the Corporation (each, a FT Share), and one common share purchase warrant (a Warrant). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one non-flow-through common share of the Corporation for an exercise price of $0.60 per share for a period of 2 years from the closing date of the Private Placement. Each FT Share and each Warrant qualify as flow-through shares within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the Tax Act). The gross proceeds of the Private Placement will be used for Canadian exploration expenses (within the meaning of the Tax Act), which will qualify, once renounced, as flow-through mining expenditures, as defined in the Tax Act, which will be renounced with an effective date of no later than December 31, 2024 (provided the subscriber deals at arms length with the Corporation at all relevant times) to the subscribers of Traditional FT Units in an aggregate amount not less than the gross proceeds raised from the issue of the Traditional FT Units. Pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws, all securities issued in connection with the second tranche Private Placement are subject to a hold period of four months and one day, expiring on September 4, 2024. The Private Placement remains subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSXV). About Galway Metals Inc. Galway Metals is focused on creating significant per share value through the exploration and sustainable development of its two 100%-owned projects in Canada. Galways flagship project, Clarence Stream, is one of the most important gold districts in Atlantic Canada as it hosts a large, high-grade gold resource in SW New Brunswick. Also important is Estrades, the former-producing, high-grade, gold- and zinc-rich polymetallic VMS mine in the northern Abitibi of western Quebec as it hosts significant resources in the middle of a major gold camp. After its successful spinout to existing shareholders from Galway Resources following the completion of the US$340 million sale of that company. The company is looking to replicate the same success in Canada with our two highly perspective projects. 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: info@galwaymetalsinc.com Look us up on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn 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 THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect the Corporations current expectations regarding future events, including with respect to the Corporation's business, operations and condition, management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions, and the use of proceeds from the Private Placement. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events and future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements could differ materially from those projected herein including as a result of a change in the trading price of the common shares of the Corporation, the TSXV not providing its final approval for the Private Placement, the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future prices of gold and/or other metals, possible variations in grade or recovery rates, failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, the failure of contracted parties to perform, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration, as well as those factors disclosed in the Corporations publicly filed documents. Investors should consult the Corporations ongoing quarterly and annual filings, as well as any other additional documentation comprising the Corporations public disclosure record, for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to these forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. Subject to applicable law, the Corporation disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ultra Lithium Inc. (TSXV: ULT OTCQB: ULTXF Frankfurt: QFB) (Ultra Lithium or the Company) is providing this bi-weekly default status report in accordance with National Policy 12-203 Management Cease Trade Orders (NP 12-203). On March 4, 2024, the Company announced that effective February 29, 2024 it has been granted a voluntary management cease trade order in accordance with NP 12-203 due to it not being able to file its annual financial statements and managements discussion and analysis (MD&A) for the year ended October 31, 2023, and the related CEO and CFO certifications (collectively, the Annual Filings) on SEDAR within 120 days of its financial year-end. The management cease trade order has been granted by the Companys principal regulator, the British Columbia Securities Commission. The Company was not able to complete the year-end audit within the time periods required by National Instrument 51-102 due to the delay in commencing the audit owning to insufficient funds. As a result, the Company requires additional time to file the Annual Filings. The Company has obtained a loan financing and has commenced the annual audit. The Company experienced some delays obtaining documents from Argentina that its auditors require to complete the audit. The Company applied for and received an extension of the MCTO to May 13, 2024. The relevant documents have now been provided to the auditors. The Company expects to file its Annual Filings as soon as they are available, but in any event no later than May 13, 2024, and will issue a news release once they have been filed. Pursuant to NP 12-203, the Company must file bi-weekly default status reports in the form of further news releases during the period of the MCTO. The Company reports that it is working diligently with its auditors to complete the audit in a timely manner and since its news release of March 4, 2024, there have been no material changes regarding the information contained in that news release. The Company confirms there have been no failures by the Company in fulfilling its stated intentions with respect to satisfying the provisions of the alternative information guidelines under NP 12-203, and there has not been, nor is there anticipated to be, any specified default subsequent to the default announced in the Companys news release of March 4, 2024. The Company also confirms that there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed as of the date of this news release. About Ultra Lithium Inc. Ultra Lithium Inc. is an exploration and development company with a focus on the acquisition and development of lithium, gold, and copper assets. The Company holds a brine lithium property in Argentina, hard rock spodumene type lithium properties at the Georgia Lake / Forgan Lake area in northwestern Ontario, Canada, and a brine lithium property in the Big Smoky Valley, Nevada, USA. The Company also holds other gold and base metals properties in Argentina. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kiki Smith Kiki Smith, CFO, Director For further information, please contact the Company at: Attention: Kiki Smith Telephone: 778 968-1176 Email: kiki@ultralithium.com Website: www.ultralithium.com or view the Companys filings at www.SEDARPLUS.ca. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Some of the statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as plans, expects, intends, is expected, potential, suggests or variations of such words or phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, should, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information are not historical facts and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties beyond the Companys control. Actual results and developments are likely to differ and may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NEW YORK, May 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm, reminds investors that class actions have been commenced on behalf of stockholders of HireRight Holdings Corporation (NYSE: HRT), Doximity, Inc. (NYSE: DOCS), Global Cord Blood Corporation (OTC: CORBF), and Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE: LNC). Stockholders have until the deadlines below to petition the court to serve as lead plaintiff. Additional information about each case can be found at the link provided. HireRight Holdings Corporation (NYSE: HRT) Class Period: pursuant and/or traceable to the Offering Documents issued in connection with HireRights October 2021 initial public offering (the IPO or Offering) Lead Plaintiff Deadline: June 3, 2024 HireRight provides technology-driven workforce risk management and compliance solutions to a customer base characterized as a diverse set of organizations, from large-scale multinational businesses to small and medium-sized businesses, across a broad range of industries. The Company offers background screening, verification, identification, monitoring, and drug and health screening services for customers under the HireRight brand name and boasts a purportedly robust pipeline of opportunities developed by [its] sales team to continue to attract new customers and take share in the market. On October 6, 2021, HireRight filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the SEC in connection with the IPO, which, after an amendment, was declared effective by the SEC on October 28, 2021 (the Registration Statement). On November 1, 2021, HireRight filed a prospectus on Form 424B4 with the SEC in connection with the IPO, which incorporated and formed part of the Registration Statement (the Prospectus and, collectively with the Registration Statement, the Offering Documents). That same day, pursuant to the Offering Documents, HireRights common stock began publicly trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol HRT. Pursuant to the Offering Documents, HireRight issued approximately 22. million shares of its common stock to the public at the Offering price of $19.00 per share for proceeds to the Company of approximately $399 million after applicable underwriting discounts and commissions, and before expenses. According to the complaint, the Offering Documents were negligently prepared and, as a result, contained untrue statements of material fact or omitted to state other facts necessary to make the statements made not misleading and was not prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations governing its preparation. Specifically, the Offering Documents made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) HireRight was exposed to customers with significant employment and hiring risk and the Company derived greater revenue growth from existing client hiring than from new client hiring; (ii) as a result, the Companys revenue growth was unsustainable to the extent that it relied on the stability of its current customers hiring and/or the profitability of securing new customers; (iii) accordingly, HireRight had overstated its post-IPO business and/or prospects; and (iv) as a result, Defendants statements about the Companys business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. On January 19, 2023, Stifel, a brokerage and investment banking firm, downgraded HireRights stock from a Hold to a Buy, prompting several market analysts to issue publications discussing the downgrade. For example, Seeking Alpha reported that Stifel found HireRight to be exposed to large technology firms where there is more acute employment and hiring risk, and that more of the Company's growth comes from existing client hiring than from new. On this news, HireRights stock price fell $0.88 per share, or 7.5%, to close at $10.75 per share on January 19, 2023 At the time of the Complaint's filing, HireRights common stock continue to trade below the $19.00 per share IPO price. For more information on the HireRight class action go to: https://bespc.com/cases/HRT Doximity, Inc. (NYSE: DOCS) Class Period: February 9, 2022 - April 1, 2024 (Common Stock Only) Lead Plaintiff Deadline: June 17, 2024 Doximity operates a digital platform that provides connections between, medical information to, and patient scheduling tools for medical professionals. The Class Period begins on February 9, 2022, when Doximity released its quarterly financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2022, after the market closed the night prior. During the accompanying quarterly investor earnings call afterhours on February 8, 2022, Defendant Anna Bryson, the Companys Chief Financial Officer, emphasized that marketers have been able to witness the value of running these digital programs and that it was this value thats the main reason were seeing this sustained demand from our customers and not new [COVID] variants. To this end, Defendant Bryson further assured investors that the Company was focused on . . . really building a business that can provide years of sustainable growth with high margins. The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants continued to tout the sustainability of the Companys business prospects while also downplaying the importance of customer upsell rates on the Companys financial performance. For example, during the Companys second quarter fiscal year 2023 investor earnings call on November 10, 2022, Defendant Jeffrey Tangney, the Companys Chief Executive Officer, reassured investors that pharmas doing quite well amid investor concerns that macroeconomic headwinds would substantially impact Doximity financial performance. Defendant Bryson similarly emphasized that the Companys sales pipeline has bigger dollar deals than weve seen before and, to alleviate investor concerns, explained that, while Doximitys upsell rates were a little below historical norms, customer upsells are not a significant portion of our revenue. Similarly, in February 2023, Defendant Bryson specifically noted that Doximity is less dependent on major upsell than prior years, and in May 2023, Defendant Bryson indicated that the Company was being conservative with its financial guidance to the market by assuming upsell rates of half of our historical [upsell] rate. The complaint further alleges that notwithstanding Defendants claims regarding the sustainability of Doximitys growth and profitability, investors began to learn the truth on August 8, 2023, when, after the market closed, Doximity reported its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, which ended June 30, 2023. While the Company exceeded its quarterly revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance for the first quarter, the Company provided disappointing guidance for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 and slashed its guidance for the full fiscal year 2024. Specifically, Doximity announced that it expected fiscal year 2024 revenue of between $452 million and $468 million (down from prior guidance of between $500 million and $506 million, and representing year-over-year revenue growth of only between 7.9% and 11.7%), and adjusted EBITDA of between $193 million and $209 million (down from prior guidance of between $216 million and $222 million, and representing year-over-year adjusted EBITDA growth of only between 4.9% and 13.6%). In conjunction with the disappointing guidance, Doximity announced that it would reduce its workforce by approximately 10%. The Company further noted that the workforce reduction is expected to cost approximately $8 million to $10 million. In explaining this about-face, Defendant Bryson admitted that the Companys major upsells have materially underperformed, and we expect this to continue in the near term. Defendant Tangney further explained that Doximity failed to close sales due, in part, to fewer face-to-face meetings with our clients. On this news, the price of Doximity common stock declined $7.49 per share, or nearly 23%, from a close of $32.79 per share on August 8, 2023, to close at $25.30 per share on August 9, 2023. Investors learned more about the unsustainability of the Companys revenue growth on April 1, 2024, when Jehoshaphat Research published a report alleging, among other things, that Doximitys underlying sales . . . are declining at a negative -3-6% rate, but that this decline has been masked through accelerated revenue recognition. On this news, the price of Doximity common stock declined $1.11 per share, or more than 4% over two trading-days, from a close of $26.91 per share on March 28, 2024, to close at $25.80 per share on April 2, 2024. The Complaint further alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts, about the Companys business and operations. Specifically, Defendants repeatedly touted the Companys business prospects and the sustainability of the Companys revenue growth and profitability, while downplaying the impact of competition and tightening macroeconomic conditions on the Company and Doximitys reliance on upselling products and services (such as additional advertising) to existing customers to sustain the Companys performance and future growth. For more information on the Doximity class action go to: https://bespc.com/cases/DOCS Global Cord Blood Corporation (OTC: CORBF) Class Period: June 4, 2019 - May 3, 2022 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: June 21, 2024 Global Cord, together with its subsidiaries, provides umbilical cord blood storage and ancillary services in the in the Beijing Municipality, Guangdong Province, and Zhejiang Province of the People's Republic of China ("PRC"). The Company has received but rejected multiple "going private" offers, or transactions in which a public company is converted into private ownership. From the Company's inception until January 2018, Global Cord's largest shareholder was Golden Meditech Holdings Limited ("Golden Meditech" or "GMHL"), a medical device and hospital management company incorporated in the Cayman Islands and based in the PRC. Founded in 2001 by Defendant Yuen Kam ("Kam"), Golden Meditech was publicly listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange until October 2020, when it was taken private by Kam. Golden Meditech's previous financial interest in Global Cord is just one of the significant connections that have existed between the two companies during the relevant time. Global Cord and Golden Meditech also maintained the same registered address in Hong Kong, even occupying the same building floor. Defendants Kam, Ting Zheng ("Zheng"), and Bing Chuen (Albert) Chen ("Chen") also have significant additional business and/or personal ties to each other and to Global Cord and Golden Meditech, as further alleged in the Complaint. In September 2016, Golden Meditech, in combination with The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, announced the founding of Cellenkos Inc. ("Cellenkos"), a biotechnology company based in Houston that focuses on umbilical cord blood-derived T-regulatory cellular therapies. On April 29, 2022, after the market closed, in a Form 6-K filed with the SEC, Global Cord announced that it had entered into a Material Definitive Agreement to acquire Cellenkos for over $1 billion, including $664 million in cash and 114 million Global Cord shares-roughly the same number of the Company's shares that were already outstanding (the "Transaction"). The Transaction thus stood to dilute the Company's shareholders by half and deplete its sizable cash balance. On this news, Global Cord's stock price fell $0.98 per share, or 28.57%, from $3.43 at the close of trading on April 29, 2022, to close at $2.45 per share on May 2, 2022. According to the filed complaint, the Transaction was rushed to completion in under three days from when Global Cord's Board was first notified of it, without the shareholder approval that would be expected-and was required-for such a momentous transaction. Further, it grossly overvalued Cellenkos, such as by assuming that all of its treatments would receive regulatory approval. Global Cord's Directors approved the Transaction to benefit themselves and other Company insiders and related parties. The court in the Cayman Islands has criticized the role of Global Cord's Directors and management in the Transaction, stating (among other observations) that "it is impossible at this stage to discern any easily comprehensible commercial rationale for the Company, especially being a listed company, consummating and implementing an arrangement which was so financially and strategically significant with such a breath-taking combination of speed and stealth, particularly in circumstances where the Company was (as at April 29, 2022) under 'minority' rather than majority shareholder control." On May 3, 2022, Blue Ocean Structure Investment Company Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nanjing Yingpeng, filed a Petition (the "Petition") in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, Financial Services Division, opposing the Transaction. Specifically, the Petition asserted that Cellenkos had no discernible long-term value, that the Transaction purchase price was unjustifiable, that the Transaction would result in a massive dilution of Global Cord shareholders, that the close relationship between Global Cord and Cellenkos constituted a conflict of interest, and that the Transaction was approved without sufficient shareholder knowledge. On this news, Global Cord's stock price fell $0.22 per share, or 9.09%, to close at $2.20 per share on May 5, 2022. On September 22, 2022, as a result of the actions described above and other misconduct by the Individual Defendants related to the Transaction, the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands suspended the powers of Global Cord's Directors and appointed Joint Provisional Liquidators over the Company. Following the appointment of the Joint Provisional Liquidators, the NYSE halted trading in Global Cord's ordinary shares, effective September 23, 2022. Evidence that was presented to the Cayman Islands court, and that was investigated further and corroborated by the Joint Provisional Liquidators appointed by the Cayman court, shows that the Cellenkos Transaction was actually part of a cover-up aimed at "filling a gap" in Global Cord's balance sheet. It turns out that from September 2015 to May 2022, Global Cord made secret, undisclosed payments of approximately $606 million to entities related to Golden Meditech and controlled by Defendant Kam. Kam and the Golden Meditech Defendants misappropriated even more of Global Cord's funds. The Joint Provisional Liquidators have been able to identify only approximately US$427,000 and HK$135,000 in Global Cord's bank accounts, as compared to the over $1 billion in cash that the Company reported before the Transaction was announced. On June 22, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed a Form 25 Notification of Removal from Listing and/or Registration Under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, stating: "Pursuant to 17 CFR 240.12d2-2(b), the Exchange has complied with its rules to strike the class of securities from listing and/or withdraw registration on the Exchange." The Company's shares continue to trade in the United States on the over-the-counter market and, as of April 22, 2024, are trading at $1.35 per share. The complaint further alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Global Cord employed a capital allocation strategy designed to reserve funds for Company insiders and related parties rather than for the benefit of Company shareholders; (ii) Global Cord's decisions to reject multiple going private offers and enter into the Transaction were nothing more than self-serving and conflicted attempts by Defendants to divert company funds to corporate insiders and related parties; (iii) Defendants had fundamentally misrepresented to investors Global Cord's approach to capital allocation, strategic investments, acquisitions, and related party transactions as a result of the misappropriation by Defendant Kam and his entities of hundreds of millions of dollars from the Company; and (iv) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. For more information on the Global Cord class action go to: https://bespc.com/cases/CORBF Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE: LNC) Class Period: November 4, 2020 - November 2, 2022 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: June 24, 2024 On November 2, 2022, after the market closed, Lincoln National released its third quarter 2022 financial results, reporting a net loss of $2.6 billion for the quarter. This was compared to a net income of $318 million for the third quarter of 2021 the previous year. The Company explained [t]he current quarters adjusted operating results included net unfavorable notable items of $2.0 billion, or $11.62 per share, related to the companys annual review of DAC and reserve assumptions. The Company also disclosed that it incurred a $634 million goodwill impairment to the life insurance business. On this news, Lincolns stock price fell $17.27, or 33.2%, to close at $34.83 per share on November 3, 2022, on unusually heavy trading volume. The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Companys business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors: (1) that the Company was experiencing a decline in its VUL business; (2) that, as a result, the goodwill associated with the life insurance business was overstated; (3) that, as a result, the Companys policy lapse assumptions were outdated; (4) that, as a result, the Companys reserves were overstated; (5) that, as a result, the Companys reported financial results and financial statements were misstated; and (6) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants positive statements about the Companys business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. For more information on the Lincoln class action go to: https://bespc.com/cases/LNC About Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C.: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. is a nationally recognized law firm with offices in New York, California, and South Carolina. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in commercial, securities, derivative, and other complex litigation in state and federal courts across the country. For more information about the firm, please visit www.bespc.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Contact Information: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. Brandon Walker, Esq. Marion Passmore, Esq. (212) 355-4648 investigations@bespc.com www.bespc.com Paris, May 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to International Relations Study Association(IRSA), as globalization deepens, China's ties with other countries grow closer. The cordial ties between France and China have traditionally garnered the most attention among them. The two nations have made impressive progress in recent years in fostering trade and economic cooperation as well as cultural exchanges, all of which are crucial for advancing the growth of bilateral relations. The people of China and France have developed a close affinity and understanding as a result of their cultural interactions. France, one of the major nations on the continent, has an extensive cultural heritage and a lengthy history. Also, the cultural legacy of China is equally broad and profound. Events involving art shows, musical and performing arts, and other forms of cultural interchange between the two nations not only strengthen connections of friendship and understanding between each other but also give their respective cultures fresh life. People have developed their mutual exchanges and experienced the beauty of the collision and integration of other cultures thanks to these exchange activities. Economic and trade cooperation between France and China has injected strong impetus into the economic development of both countries. In recent years, the economic cooperation between China and France has continued to deepen, and trade and investment cooperation have achieved remarkable results. The highly complementary economic landscape provides the two countries with vast trade and investment opportunities. In parallel, an increasing number of French businesses are turning their attention to the Chinese market in search of collaborators and economic prospects as the country's market grows and its consumption structure changes. This mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation model not only promotes the economic development of China and France, but also brings vitality to the economic development of the world. Furthermore, China and France have enhanced their collaboration in the domains of veterinary care, plant quarantine, agro-food, and agriculture. In order to address climate change and promote global energy transition, China and France must work together in the energy sector.The two parties signed a series of cooperation agreements to further strengthen cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, which is of positive significance for promoting sustainable development of global energy. Lu Shaye, Chinese Ambassador to France, said in his speech that China-France relations have been in the forefront of China's relations with Western nations for the past 60 years, benefiting the people of both nations and promoting global peace, stability, and growth. Standing at a new historical turning point, China and France need to maintain their initial goals, share responsibilities, build mutual trust, build a future, promote and implement true multilateralism, expand and strengthen pragmatic cooperation that benefits both parties, and carry out civilized dialogue that leads to openness.It is hoped that the people of the two countries will take the China-France Culture and Tourism Year and the Paris Olympics as an opportunity to have more exchanges and travels, setting off a new upsurge in people-to-people and cultural exchanges. It is noteworthy that France is the guest country of honor at the 7th China International Import Expo and the 2024 China International Fair for commerce in Services, which amply illustrates the strong relations and reciprocal support between China and France in the realm of commerce and economics. The organization of these significant international gatherings benefits French businesses by expanding their market reach and bolstering China's global influence. It is right that this win-win, mutually beneficial approach to cooperation be further developed and supported. Paris, May 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to International Relations Study Association(IRSA), Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to France after five years. This is the "opening" of the head of state's visit this year. It will be the climax of a series of activities celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, and will also write a new chapter in China-EU relations. The stability of relations between China and the EU is strongly influenced by that of France. With the exception of Russia, France is the largest and third most populous country in Europe. It is extensively dispersed and has many overseas territories. It can be thought of as the "world empire" in a small version. France still maintains a full military industrial system, including the capacity to produce nuclear submarines, nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, and hypersonic missiles, in contrast to Germany, which was placed under restrictions following World War II. France is one of the EU's main powers and a major force in the organization. President Macron paid a visit to China last year. The leaders of China and France shook hands, ushering in a new era in their relations. President Xi Jinping's visit to France this time, and the two heads of state shaking hands again, will open a new chapter in China-EU relations, which will have far-reaching significance and widespread influence. France and China are two highly developed cultural nations that interact frequently and in greater detail. The distinct historical background of France's connections with China has influenced the "France in China spirit" of self-reliance, understanding, anticipation, and reciprocal gain. Chinese businesses took involved in Notre Dame de Paris' restoration. This year is China-France Culture and Tourism Year as well as the 60th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations being established. China and France's people-to-people exchanges have increased in frequency and intimacy. 104,000 French nationals have entered China since January 1, 2024, a 294.71% rise from the same time in 2023. The primary motivations for entering are travel, business, and visiting family and friends; 130,000 Chinese nationals living on the Chinese mainland have traveled to France, a 294.71% rise from the same period in 2023. Over the same time period, the number climbed by 215.28%, with business and tourism being the primary drivers of outbound travel. The connection between China and France has grown stronger and wider in the past 60 years. President Xi Jinping took the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to review the China-France spirit with French leaders, and jointly chart the future of China-France relations from a historical perspective and a strategic perspective, so that China-France relations will continue to lead the steady and long-term development of China-EU relations. Local people are eagerly looking forward to President Xi's visit, believing that this visit will promote the sustained, stable and healthy development of China-EU relations and inject more stability and certainty into the turbulent world. It is reasonable to assume that President Xi Jinping's tour will serve as a demonstration of friendliness, a means of inspiring confidence, and a catalyst for collaboration. Paris, May 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to International Relations Study Association(IRSA), China and France, two of the greatest civilizations in the East and the West, have had an amazing history of exchanges. Over the past 60 years, the relationship between the two countries has gone through many ups and downs, and has always been at the forefront of China's relations with Western countries, bringing benefits to the people of the two countries, contributing to world peace, stability and development, and highlighting strategy and leadership in a turbulent and changing world.Looking to the future, the two countries will collaborate to achieve even greater glory. 1. The significance of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France goes far beyond the scope of bilateral relations On January 27, 1964, with the world shrouded in the shadow of the Cold War, the Chinese and French governments issued a joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations: "The government of the People's Republic of China and the government of the French Republic unanimously decided to establish diplomatic relations. The two governments agreed to appoint ambassadors within three months. " This is the most concise and unique communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations in Chinas diplomatic history. Just two sentences announced to the world: China and France, two countries pursuing independence in a bipolar world, have finally come together. France became the first major Western country to formally establish diplomatic relations with New China. At the time, the international public referred to the opening of diplomatic relations between China and France as a "diplomatic nuclear explosion" since it represented a significant advancement in Sino-Western relations. Beyond the purview of typical bilateral ties, the connection between France and China is extremely significant. China-France ties greatly influence China-EU relations, particularly in light of the serious challenges Europe is currently facing both at its borders and globally. No matter how the global environment has changed over the previous 60 years, China-France ties have always continued to improve. This friendship, which spans the Eurasian continent, shows the openness and tolerance of the two peoples as well as the foresight of the two heads of state. This not only stems from the history of relations between the two countries, but is also more in line with reality and demonstrates the two countries' common pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity. 2. The relationship between France and China is now serving as an example for other big countries "Independence, mutual understanding, foresight, mutual benefit, and win-win" is how President Xi Jinping summed up the Chinese-French spirit, thoroughly encapsulating the distinct spiritual temperament and shared values of the two countries and civilizations. China and France, two powerful nations with a long history, can communicate, understand, and coexist. This is because the spirit of independence is resonant. It is both a historical requirement and a reflection of the two civilizations' mutual admiration and affection. The amicable coexistence of great nations with diverse social systems has been pioneered over the past 60 years by China and France, and their relationship has grown to represent a new paradigm in major-country relations. They have successfully encouraged the peaceful advancement of human society and have had a significant influence on global trends. The history of close exchanges between China and France has been written in new chapters in recent years by the steady development of political mutual trust between the two nations, the frequency of high-level exchanges, the effectiveness of dialogue and consultation mechanisms, and the cordial exchange of state visits between the two heads of state. 2018 saw President Macron's first trip to China, and in April 2023 he returned. The heads of state of China and France oppose the decoupling of China and the EU and support the strengthening of mutually beneficial cooperation and the consensus on the general direction of the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership that is stable, reciprocal, pioneering and progressive.In addition, over ten bilateral cooperation documents covering the fields of agriculture, food, science and technology, aviation, nuclear energy, sustainable development, and culture have been inked by the two parties. China and France have achieved historical "firsts" in a variety of domains, most notably trade and economic cooperation. France is the first Western nation to strike a deal with China for air transportation and the first to collaborate with China on civil nuclear energy projects. France is currently China's third-largest actual investment source and trading partner in the European Union. China is the sixth-largest trading partner in the world and France's biggest trading partner in Asia. It can be said that as the cornerstone of China-France bilateral relations, the importance of economic and trade relations is constantly being highlighted. President Xi Jinpings visit to France will promote China-France comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level President Xi Jinping made his first trip to France in March 2014. Together, the two chiefs of state made the decision to usher in a new phase of close and enduring comprehensive strategic relationship between China and France. President Xi Jinping made a second visit to France in March 2019, during which he reiterated that China and France will continue to advance together on the path of shared development as special friends and win-win partners. The comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France has grown steadily and healthily under the direction of heads of state diplomacy. Together, they have become strong advocates of global multipolarity and the democratization of international relations. From May 5 to 10, at the invitation of President Macron of the French Republic, Aleksandar Vucic, President of the Republic of Serbia, Tamas Sulyok, President of Hungary, and Viktor Orban, Prime Minister, Xi Jinping will pay state visits to the above three countries. This is President Xi Jinpings third state visit to France. President Xi Jinping's visit will encourage China and France to adhere to the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations, maintain traditional friendship, promote the continuous development of a close and long-lasting China-France comprehensive strategic partnership, and jointly promote world security and stability. It was mentioned by French people from every profession of life that this year is the 60th anniversary of France and China's diplomatic ties being established. The visit by President Xi will have a significant impact on the two nations' relations. They anticipate the visit to advance the overall strategic partnership between France and China to a new height. As friends of sincerity and mutual trust and a model of exchanges and mutual learning, China and France must face the future and unswervingly develop bilateral relations to cope with the uncertainty of the world. Continue to uphold equality, respect, and mutual trust, work together to respond to global challenges, jointly advocate an equal and orderly world multipolarization, and economic globalization that benefits all and inclusiveness, so as to build a stronger and more dynamic China-France comprehensive strategic partnership and contribute to the enhancement of the two countries and make greater contributions to the well-being of the people of the country and the world. Washington DC, May 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prepare to witness an epic clash of memes as the battle for supremacy unfolds in the mystical land of Nojeet. $HOME emerges as the rallying cry for enthusiasts to pick their side and join one of the five powerful houses vying for dominion over the realm. The Five Houses: 1. House of Brett 2. House of Pepe 3. House of Shib 4. House of Wifi 5. House of Bonk Each house embodies a distinct meme, with its own unique strengths and characteristics, ready to stake its claim to the meme throne. The Pinksale Fairlaunch: - Tax: 0% -Liquidity: 25% - Buyback Wallet 45% - Marketing and CEX 30% - Supply: 100,000,000 - Token Symbol $HOME Join the Battle: Participate in the Pinksale fair launch and seize your opportunity to align with one of the five houses. With no tax on transactions, the path to victory is clear for those who dare to venture into the fray. Embrace $HOME: Step into the world of Nojeet and make $HOME your sanctuary amidst the chaos of battle. With each house vying for dominance, the stakes are high, and the rewards are boundless for those who emerge victorious. About $HOME: $HOME is more than just a meme token; it's a testament to the power of community and camaraderie in the world of decentralized finance. As the battle for the meme throne rages on, $HOME stands as a beacon of hope and unity for all who seek glory and fortune in the realm of Nojeet. Join the Battle, Find Your $HOME: To learn more and join the battle for the meme throne, visit the official website at [Your Website URL]. Connect with $HOME: - Telegram - Twitter Contact: Anthony Paulo London, United Kingdom VANCOUVER, May 3, 2024 - Vizsla Silver Corp. (TSXV: VZLA) (NYSE: VZLA) (Frankfurt: 0G3) ("Vizsla Silver" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has now issued 448,137 common shares (the "Consideration Shares") for the previously announced asset purchase agreement (the "Acquisition Agreement") dated March 5, 2024, entered into with Inca Azteca Gold S.A.P.I. de C.V. (the "Seller") and the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Minera Canam, S.A. de C.V. ("Minera Canam") pursuant to which the Company agreed to acquire, through Minera Canam, all of the Seller's right, title and interest in and to the mineral concessions (the "Acquisition"). The Company will acquire two large claims comprising 10,667.0 Ha (the "El Richard - San Enrique claims" or "San Enrique prospect") located south and partially adjacent to the Company's Panuco project (the "Panuco Project" or "Panuco"). The San Enrique prospect is situated along the highly prospective Panuco - San Dimas corridor and is covered 100% with LiDAR and partially covered with high-resolution aero-magnetic and radiometric surveys. For full details on the Acquisition, please view the April 16, 2024, news release located on our website at https://vizslasilvercorp.com/news/2024/. The Consideration Shares have been issued at a share price of C$1.97 for total consideration of C$882,830 (US$650,000). The Consideration Shares are subject to a four-month hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws and the Seller has agreed to voluntary resale restrictions, whereby 12.5% of the Consideration Shares will become free trading on the date that is four months and one day from the effective date and an additional 12.5% will become free trading every three months thereafter. About the San Enrique prospect The San Enrique prospect area is adjacent to the southern boundary of the Panuco project. The prospect comprises two titled mining claims covering 10,667.0 Ha (El Richard with 3,688.6 Ha and San Enrique with 6,978.4 Ha) in the emerging silver-gold-rich Panuco - San Dimas corridor with estimated past production plus current resources and reserves of 1.2-Boz Ag and 15-Moz Au. The LiDAR and mag survey from the San Enrique prospect show strong NW-trending lineaments, indicative of regional faults and fractures. Two of these lineaments are aligned and seem to be the SE extensions of the Copala fault and the Cordon del Oro - Animas vein structures in Panuco. The main lithologies identified to date are predominantly rhyolite domes which produce strong magnetic anomalies in the north, and felsic flows and tuffs (rhyolites and dacites). Recent 40Ar/39Ar age dating on adularia separates from veins in Panuco project indicates that epithermal mineralization post dates felsic volcanism in the area. Additionally, preliminary recognizance mapping in the northeast has revealed the presence of andesite tuffs and flows, quartz veining and breccia structures. The Santa Fe mine is located three kilometres south of San Enrique, is owned and operated by Inca Azteca Gold and is a small scale mine producing high-grade silver and gold from a NW trending epithermal vein. This supports the hypothesis that the NW trending structures within San Enrique have the potential to host additional veins yet to be discovered. The San Enrique prospect contains several indicators that suggest it is a highly prospective area, namely: location (Panuco - San Dimas corridor), high-grade deposits immediately north (Copala and Panuco), structural controls (southeast extensions of the Copala fault and Cordon - Animas lineament), domes and an operating mine to the south along another NW regional fault (Santa Fe mine, Inca Azteca). Vizsla Silver is in the process of acquiring a multispectral World View III satellite image covering the whole Panuco and San Enrique claims to speed up the target generation process. Furthermore, the Company intends to conduct regional recognizance-mapping and a stream-sediment geochemical survey at San Enrique in the near future. About the Panuco Project The newly consolidated Panuco silver-gold project is an emerging high-grade discovery located in southern Sinaloa, Mexico, near the city of Mazatlan. The 17,856.5-hectare, past producing district benefits from over 86 kilometres of total vein extent, 35 kilometres of underground mines, roads, power, and permits. The district contains intermediate to low sulfidation epithermal silver and gold deposits related to siliceous volcanism and crustal extension in the Oligocene and Miocene. Host rocks are mainly continental volcanic rocks correlated to the Tarahumara Formation. On January 8, 2024, the Company announced an updated mineral resource estimate for Panuco which includes an estimated in-situ indicated mineral resource of 155.8 Moz AgEq and an in-situ inferred resource of 169.6 Moz AgEq. Vizsla Silver About Vizsla Silver is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, focused on advancing its flagship, 100%-owned Panuco silver-gold project located in Sinaloa, Mexico. To date, Vizsla Silver has completed over 350,000 metres of drilling at Panuco leading to the discovery of several new high-grade veins. For 2024, Vizsla Silver has budgeted +30,000 metres of resource/discovery-based drilling designed to upgrade and expand the mineral resource, as well as test other high priority targets across the district. Qualified Person In accordance with NI 43-101, Jesus Velador, Ph.D. MMSA QP., Vice President of Exploration, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has reviewed and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release. Information Concerning Estimates of Mineral Resources The scientific and technical information in this news release was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 which differs significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The terms "measured mineral resource", "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource" used herein are in reference to the mining terms defined in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Standards (the "CIM Definition Standards"), which definitions have been adopted by NI 43-101. Accordingly, information contained herein providing descriptions of our mineral deposits in accordance with NI 43-101 may not be comparable to similar information made public by other U.S. companies subject to the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. You are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral resources will ever be converted into reserves. Pursuant to CIM Definition Standards, "inferred mineral resources" are that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Such geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade or quality continuity. An inferred mineral resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an indicated mineral resource and must not be converted to a mineral reserve. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of inferred mineral resources could be upgraded to indicated mineral resources with continued exploration. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Canadian standards, including the CIM Definition Standards and NI 43-101, differ significantly from standards in the SEC Industry Guide 7. Effective February 25, 2019, the SEC adopted new mining disclosure rules under subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SEC Modernization Rules"), with compliance required for the first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021. The SEC Modernization Rules replace the historical property disclosure requirements included in SEC Industry Guide 7. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC now recognizes estimates of "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources". Information regarding mineral resources contained or referenced herein may not be comparable to similar information made public by companies that report according to U.S. standards. While the SEC Modernization Rules are purported to be "substantially similar" to the CIM Definition Standards, readers are cautioned that there are differences between the SEC Modernization Rules and the CIM Definitions Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any mineral resources that the Company may report as "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources" under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared the resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules. 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. SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release includes certain "ForwardLooking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forwardlooking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "would", "could", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forwardlooking statements or information. These forwardlooking statements or information relate to, among other things: the exploration, development, and production at the Panuco Project and the San Enrique prospect, including the potential acquisition of a multispectral World View III satellite image covering the whole Panuco and San Enrique claims and the conduct of regional recognizance-mapping and a stream-sediment geochemical survey at San Enrique. Forwardlooking statements and forwardlooking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of Vizsla Silver, future growth potential for Vizsla Silver and its business, and future exploration plans are based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of silver, gold, and other metals; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; Vizsla Silver's ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms. These statements reflect Vizsla Silver's respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information and Vizsla Silver has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the Company's dependence on one mineral project; precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities in Mexico; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; risks regarding mineral resources and reserves; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities and artisanal miners; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in Vizsla Silver's management discussion and analysis. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information. Although Vizsla Silver 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. Vizsla Silver does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law. SOURCE Vizsla Silver Corp. Contact For more information and to sign-up to the mailing list, please contact: Michael Konnert, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tel: (604) 364-2215, Email: info@vizslasilver.ca, Website: www.vizslasilvercorp.ca Rachel Donadio at the NYT: In April 2022, soon after Russia invaded Ukraine, two men arrived at the library of the University of Tartu, Estonias second-largest city. They told the librarians they were Ukrainians fleeing war and asked to consult 19th-century first editions of works by Alexander Pushkin, Russias national poet, and Nikolai Gogol. Speaking Russian, they said they were an uncle and nephew researching censorship in czarist Russia so the nephew could apply for a scholarship to the United States. Eager to help, the librarians obliged. The men spent 10 days studying the books. Four months later, during a routine annual inventory, the library discovered that eight books the men had consulted had disappeared, replaced with facsimiles of such high quality that only expert eyes could detect them. It was terrible, Krista Aru, the director of the library, said. They had a very good story. At first, it seemed like a one-off bad luck at a provincial library. It wasnt. Police are now investigating what they believe is a vast, coordinated series of thefts of rare 19th-century Russian books primarily first and early editions of Pushkin from libraries across Europe. more here. Marie Morelli in Syracuse.com: Former President Donald Trump testified in the New York civil fraud trial, earning rebukes from the judge for his off-topic comments. In the editorial cartoon gallerys lead image, Nick Anderson pokes fun at Trumps courtroom theatrics by showing him descending a golden escalator to the witness stand, a visual reference to the announcement at Trump Tower of his first presidential bid. Trump and other defendants are accused of duping banks, insurers and others by inflating his wealth on financial statements. The ex-presidents children Ivanka and Donald Jr. also testified, provoking visual barbs from Jack Ohman and Drew Sheneman. Mike Luckovich draws Trump in an overvalued prison cell. Sheneman has him overseeing an overpriced garage sale. More here. Residents looking to get their pets microchipped or given the rabies vaccine are invited to a May 11 outreach the Department of Agriculture Animal Health Division is hosting. The division will hold its latest responsible pet ownership event at the Mongmong-Toto-Maite Mayors Office pavilion from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday. At the event, a range of essential services designed to promote responsible pet ownership and enhance the well-being of pets in the community will be offered, Agriculture said in a press release. Pet owners will have the opportunity to get their furry companions microchipped for a nominal fee of $10, ensuring a secure way to reunite lost pets with their families. Additionally, Animal Health will provide rabies vaccinations for $15, which includes a complimentary pet license. For pets with a current rabies certificate, a pet license fee of $5 will be offered with proof of vaccination. This is for dogs only at this time, and only cash payment will be accepted. By microchipping your pet, you can be at ease knowing you can identify them when they get lost or if theyre ever stolen, Agriculture said. Additionally, the rabies vaccine is the best way to protect pets from contracting rabies and keeping Guam rabies free, the department added. The stray and free roaming dog over population issue is a community wide problem, which requires a community wide solution. Licensing your pet, along with spaying and neutering are the first steps in responsible pet ownership, said Mariana Turner, territory veterinarian for the Department of Agriculture. For further information regarding this event, contact the Department of Agricultures Animal Health Division at (671) 300-7966/64 or quarantine@doag.guam.gov. Government of Guam employees, retirees and their families now have another option of seeing the doctor through telemedicine with the implementation of Teladoc. The Office of the Governor announced that those under the governments medical self-insurance plan now have access to Teladoc. Teladoc offers immediate access to medical care 24/7, particularly during weekends and late hours when traditional clinics may be closed, the governors office said in a press release. Teladoc empowers GovGuam enrolled members and their families to access non-emergency medical care from the comfort of their homes, ensuring convenience and timely assistance, Adelup said. By connecting with doctors virtually, members can receive diagnoses, treatment, and even prescriptions without the need to visit a physical healthcare facility. Introducing telemedicine to government of Guam employees, retirees, and their families marks a pivotal moment in our islands healthcare landscape. This historic move signifies our commitment to transforming healthcare access and signals the beginning of expanded opportunities for all of our people to receive quality care, regardless of location or circumstance, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said in a statement. The service caters to a wide range of non-emergent medical conditions, including colds and rashes. It is available 24/7 through call centers, websites, and mobile apps. By choosing Virtual Visits, individuals and their families can receive quality care promptly, potentially averting the need for more costly healthcare settings such as Urgent Care Centers and Emergency Departments. Through Virtual Visits, individuals have access to a doctor whenever and wherever they need it, effectively eliminating the inconvenience of hospital or clinic visits, Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio said in a statement. With a one-hour turnaround time, members can expect prompt attention to their healthcare needs. For a medical emergency, members should visit the emergency room or dial 911. The service is provided as an in-network visit through Calvos SelectCare medical network with UnitedHealthcare. Teladoc not only enhances access to healthcare but also addresses the unique challenges faced by individuals seeking medical assistance while traveling, Adelup said. Whether its navigating unfamiliar healthcare systems or ensuring confidence in the care received, Teladoc offers a reliable solution for individuals on the move, it added. For more information on the Virtual Visit Program, contact Calvos Customer Service Team at (671) 477-9809 or email service@calvos.com. Haiti - News : Zapping... US military plane lands with unknown cargo Friday May 3rd, an American military plane landed at Toussaint Louverture international airport. At the moment it is unknown what plane came delivered to Haiti. 29 tanker trucks leave Varreux Friday May 3rd, 2024, after major street clearing work by Public Works, 29 trucks carrying 187,650 gallons of gasoline and 70,900 gallons of diesel were able to leave the Varreux oil terminal bound for service stations. A ship with 162,000 barrels is expected to arrive at the dock on Sunday morning. Road and canal cleaning The West Departmental Directorate of the Ministry of Public Works MTPTC is beginning a series of road cleaning and mechanical cleaning activities in the metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince. These activities, carried out in particular on the RN#1 in the town of Cite Soleil. For the week from April 30 to May 5, 2024, technicians are busy cleaning Route Varreux, along Blvd of the Ameriques. At the same time, another team is working hard to clean out the chancerelles canal which flows onto the roadway. Purchase and sale of fuel on the sidewalk prohibited Me Edler Guillaume, Government Commissioner of Port-au-Prince recalls that according to article 1 of the Law of December 20, 1949, the purchase and sale of petroleum products in containers is prohibited throughout the national territory. The police have already received instructions from the Port-au-Prince Prosecutor's Office to arrest and bring to justice all people caught buying or selling fuel on public roads starting May 3 2024 A Substitute for the Government Commissioner sanctioned Me Garry Chery, the Substitute for the Government Commissioner of Grande Riviere du Nord, was placed on leave without pay. In a letter addressed to the latter, on May 2nd, the Ministry of Justice accuses him of having irregularly released a father who committed rape on his child. Gerald Oriol Jr. new President of FFTP Gerald Oriol Jr. the Former Secretary of State for the Integration of People with Disabilities in Haiti, with nearly 20 years of collaboration with "Food for the Poor Haiti" (FFTP) notably during his mandate as a member of the council alongside the former presidents Daniel Gerard Rouzier and Monseigneur Oge Beauvoir have been appointed new President of FFTP. HL/ HaitiLibre After around five years of dispute, a final decision has now been made: The antivirus software manufacturer Avast must pay a fine of around 13.9 million euros (351 million Czech crowns) for violations of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The fine was imposed by the Czech data protection authority, as the company is headquartered in Prague. The inspectors sensed massive GDPR violations as early as 2020 after Avast had transferred user data from its own core product and associated browser extensions to its subsidiary Jumpshot on a large scale without a corresponding legal right to such processing. Anzeige According to the final decision published by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) on April 10, 2024, the transferred data concerned around 100 million users. In particular, it also included "pseudonymized internet browsing histories" of the data subjects, linked to a unique identifier. Furthermore, Avast had "misinformed its customers about the aforementioned data transfers" and claimed that these were anonymized and used exclusively for statistical trend analyses. Aggravating: Avast presents itself as an expert in cyber security The Czech auditors came to the conclusion that browsing history on the internet - even if it is not complete - can constitute personal data. This is because it is possible to re-identify at least some of those affected. Avast's infringement is all the more serious as the company is "one of the leading experts in cybersecurity" and offers tools to protect users' data and privacy. Specifically, the supervisory authority considers Articles 6 and 13 of the GDPR to have been violated, which deal, for example, with the requirement for informed consent and the obligation to provide information when collecting personal data from the data subject. In 2020, Avast assured users that it takes their privacy concerns very seriously. This is why Jumpshot was closed. Although the company no longer considers the approach to be appropriate, all actions were absolutely legal under the GDPR. Further penalty by US trade authority The data protection authorities initiated the proceedings based on media reports from the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020 and anonymous tips. The period of the disputed transfers was between April and July 2019. The supervisory authority issued its first relevant decision on 14 March 2022, against which Avast filed an appeal under administrative law, which the supervisory authority has now rejected. This means that all legal remedies have been exhausted. The decision can therefore now be enforced. Anzeige The US trade authority, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), has imposed another large fine of 16.5 million US dollars on the antivirus software provider. This also relates to the misconduct of the browser extension, which was supposed to provide tracking protection, and the transfer of data to Jumpshot. (mki) However, with most citizens online, this does put a target on its back. And several major data breaches have caused headlines worldwide. As one of the first countries to make internet access legal, Finland has always been at the cusp of cybersecurity. So, how exactly does Finland respond to a cyber threat? What lessons can other countries and companies learn from these events? And just how can you apply these actions to your organization? Read on to find out. Finland and its record on cybersecurity Research from Reboot Digital PR in 2022 found that Finland had the lowest cyber danger score worldwide at just 12.6. This starkly contrasts with countries like the United States, which scored a worrying 62.4 in cybersecurity. Finland scored well because it had fewer phishing sites and only 11 compromised computers per 100,000 users. However, despite this impressive score, the country has still been the subject of some notable data breaches. Some of these have inspired real change in how businesses worldwide view cybersecurity. Below are some of the data breaches that we can learn from: 1. Data breach on Finnish healthcare services One of Finland's most significant data breaches was against healthcare facilities. In 2020, hackers seized sensitive data from the psychotherapy service Vastaamo. Over 25 centers were affected, compromising private medical records and therapist notes. It's estimated that over 30,000 people have received blackmail threats from the hackers. They demanded payment, threatening to leak sensitive files on the dark web. How did this enormous breach happen? An investigation found that Vastaamo did not encrypt or anonymize sensitive patient data. Furthermore, their security practices were "wholly inadequate." Even worse, hackers accessed patient records as early as 2018. The security flaw existed for six months before being patched. 2. Cyberattack on Finnish communications As the only commercial news agency, STT is essential to Finnish media. But in 2022, a distributed denial of service attack (DDoS) forced the agency to shut down some of its servers. The attack restricted the agency's news and image distribution for some days. Due to a possible data breach of sensitive information, a report was sent to the Data Protection Ombudsman. In response to the breach, STT shared notes with other news organizations throughout Europe. This helped to better prepare them for similar cyberattacks launched at news organizations. 3. Cyberattacks on the Finnish banking sector With over 180 banks and 2 million customers, The OP Financial Group is one of Finland's largest financial organizations. It was, and remains, a prime target for hackers. In 2021, it suffered two significant cyberattacks. The first saw a DDoS attack against the bank's login service, which had to be put in a maintenance state. Thankfully, the bank restored services within a few hours that day. But later that week, phishing messages posing as the bank were sent to customers. The messages included malicious links that, once clicked, would defraud the customer. Despite containing these attacks, the incident has put OP Financial Group on the map for future attacks. The OP Financial Group's CISO recently confirmed that there had been a 200% increase in DDoS attacks in 2023 compared to 2022. 4. Cyberattack on the Finnish parliament In 2022, the Finnish parliament was the victim of a DDoS cyberattack, which firmly placed the issue of cybersecurity in the public eye. The attack occurred during an address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The attack slowed down the website hosting the president's address or prevented users from accessing it. Although no data was seized in the attack, it caused widespread embarrassment and panic for the government. It is thought that the motive behind the attack was because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and of Finland's application to join NATO. 5. Data breach on Finnish air travel In 2021, the basic information of over 200,000 clients of the country's national airline, Finnair, was breached. This was done by hacking a service company attached to the airline, which handled frequent flier information. Information seized included customer names, numbers, seating, and meal requests. While no financial information was stolen, customers were still asked to change account passwords. Other airlines affected by the breach included United Airlines and Malaysia Airlines. This breach highlights the importance of vetting supply chain services on data compliance. What can we learn from Finland's response to cyber breaches? Despite suffering severe cyberattacks, there are a lot of things we can learn from Finland. Below are some strategies you can use to strengthen your cybersecurity: 1. Using encryption software One reason the Vastaamo data breach was so significant was that sensitive patient information was an easy target for hackers. If the company had used encryption, this would have reduced the breach significantly. Thankfully, there are many ways of implementing encryption into your everyday business. One of the easiest ways is using a virtual private network (VPN) across businesses. What is a VPN? It's a cybersecurity tool that encrypts internet connections. This protects data sent and received and prevents anyone from being able to monitor online activity. Workers can use a VPN to access sensitive data, such as patient records, without compromising their integrity or security. Moreover, premium VPN services go beyond securing internet connections. They offer dark web monitoring to notify about compromised personal information and malware detection to prevent harmful software downloads. 2. Exchanging information The World Economic Forum has stressed that companies must share information about data breaches. It helps upskill entire industries and ensures compliance between countries. This is evident in the case of the Finnish news agency STT. By sharing their notes with other news agencies across Europe, they helped prevent similar attacks. This information sharing is vital to staying one step ahead of opportunistic hackers. Especially since hackers are often politically motivated, communication businesses must stand united. 3. Improving legislation Another core strength of Finland's cybersecurity is its government. They are constantly implementing robust legislation and improving policies. The Finnish cyber security strategy was created in 2013, revised in 2019, and will receive further updates by 2024. This document highlights cybersecurity in everyday life. It also maps out the responsibilities authorities must follow. In many of the data breaches this article has explored, reports to the Data Protection Ombudsman ensure that governments are up-to-date with issues across the country. The final word Hackers do not discriminate when it comes to launching a cyberattack. They will target any country and businesses of any size to get what they want. But by examining a specific country's approach, we stand to learn a great deal about how to defend ourselves. As this article has shown, Finland has encountered and overcome many attacks. Companies worldwide can mount a similar defense against rising threats by normalizing encryption technologies and exchanging information. HT The EBU, responsible for overseeing the competition, declared its intention to remove any Palestinian flags or political symbols wielded by attendees, citing concerns over potential politicisation of the event. In the lead-up to the Eurovision Song Contest set to take place in Malmo, Sweden, organisers have ignited a storm of controversy by announcing a ban on Palestinian flags and pro-Palestinian symbols during the event. The decision, made public by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), has sparked heated debate and drawn sharp criticism from various quarters. This move comes amidst heightened tensions surrounding Israels participation in the contest, while Isreal is conducting a mass slaughter of innocent civilians in Gaza and is being investigated for genocide. The announcement has drawn swift condemnation from pro-Palestinian groups, who view it as an infringement on freedom of expression and a silencing of dissenting voices. With protests expected to accompany the event, tensions are running high, prompting security concerns in the host city of Malmo. Adding fuel to the fire, Israels entry into the competition has courted controversy of its own. Initially titled October Rain and perceived to contain references to recent conflicts, the song was barred from performance due to breaches of political neutrality. However, following pressure from Israeli authorities and the zionist lobby, adjustments were made, allowing Israel to compete under the revised title Hurricane. Calls for a boycott of the competition have echoed across various countries, with artists and industry professionals voicing their opposition to Israels participation. Leading up to the 2024 edition, numerous voices have advocated for a boycott of the competition from various nations. Notable among these calls, over 1,000 Swedish artists including Robyn, Fever Ray, and First Aid Kit, have urged for Israel's exclusion from this year's event. Similarly, more than 1,400 Finnish music industry professionals have lent their support to a petition seeking to bar Israel from participating in the contest. Additionally, individual artists like Olly Alexander, representing the UK in this year's competition, have faced pressure to boycott the event. Alexander, who initially signed a statement in December denouncing Israel as an "apartheid state" and accusing it of genocide, underscores the depth of sentiment surrounding the issue. Despite these calls, some performers have chosen to participate, viewing the contest as an opportunity to advocate for peace and unity. In response to mounting tensions, the EBU has issued a warning against harassing Eurovision entrants over the Israel-Palestine issue. While acknowledging the sensitivity of the matter, the EBU reaffirmed its commitment to freedom of speech while condemning any form of online abuse directed at participants. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the EBU swiftly took action, preventing the country from participating in future editions of the iconic contest. EBU has refused to ban Isreal despite public outcry and severity of Isreals crimes clearly exceeding that of Russia. As the Eurovision Song Contest approaches, it remains to be seen how the contentious issue of Israels participation will unfold. With emotions running high and protests expected, the event promises to be more than just a showcase of musical talent, but also a battleground for political expression and activism. HT Scheduled for May 16 at Aaniwalli, the concert will feature performances by artists such as Arppa, Asa, Elias Gould, F, Julia Delgado, Lyyti (solo), Mira Shatat, Paleface, Tonium 4plays Plutonium 74, Q, Raappana, and Suad. DJs Kenno, SoulllJay (Funky Amigos), and Smokey & Critical Moss will provide rhythm throughout the night. Several prominent Finnish musicians are coming together for "Concert for Palestine," a charitable event following the successful Art Patronage initiative, which raised an impressive 12,042 for Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Finnish Palestine Network through the sale of works donated by 95 artists. The artists participating in the Art Patronage and Concert for Palestine initiatives are showing their support for equality and human rights by advocating for Palestine. The United Nations' third article states that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and personal security. The events emphasize the need for change and the importance of basic rights for Palestinians. The events are being held in response to the critical situation in Palestine and to harness the potential to help. Funds raised from the Art Patronage Art Sale for Palestine and Concert for Palestine events will be donated entirely to Medical Aid for Palestinians, which provides healthcare services in the West Bank and Gaza and advocates for Palestinians' rights to health and dignity, and to Sumud, the Finnish Palestine Network, which works to end Israeli apartheid, occupation, and colonialism, while advocating for Palestinian human and political rights. HT Russia deploying nuclear-capable missile systems to the Finnish border was covered in an article by inews.co.uk on April 24. Here is a selection of what the international press has published about Finland in the last week: The article describes the move as a strategic maneuver amidst tensions with the West, particularly in light of Russia's recent warnings regarding the use of nuclear weapons. The Iskander-M missiles, capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads, were moved to Republic of Karelia, near the Finnish border. This move is perceived as a response amidst tensions with NATO, particularly as Sweden also recently joined the alliance. However, while this move may appear provocative, some experts argue that it is more of a symbolic gesture than a strategic game-changer. The presence of Iskander missiles in neighboring regions like Kaliningrad has been a longstanding reality, and moving them to Karelia might not significantly alter the strategic balance. Additionally, the limited range of these missiles compared to other nuclear-capable rockets means that their impact on NATOs overall military posture is relatively limited. It doesnt change the balance of power at all the missile is relatively short-ranged compared to other nuclear-capable rockets. Dr Kristian Gustafson, deputy director of Brunel Universitys Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies told inews. If anything, it might slightly change the operational level calculus in NATOs northern region, he added. The deployment of missiles highlights the complex dynamics of the Russia-NATO relationship and the ongoing efforts by both sides to assert their influence and protect their interests in Eastern Europe. Original story was published by inews.co.uk on 24.04.2024 and can be found here. Von der Leyen promises Finland EU help to counter migrants from Russia Finlands concerns about potential migrant flows from Russia and the European Unions pledge to assist Finland in securing its eastern border was covered in an article by Reuters on April 19. The article delves into the EU's response, which underscores the need to balance border security with international obligations. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised Finland 230 million in support, along with operational assistance from the EUs Frontex border agency. Finland is considering emergency legislation to empower its border guards to block migrants and return them to Russia without processing asylum applications. During a visit to the Finnish-Russian border, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen referenced a previous hybrid attack initiated by Belarus in November 2021 against Latvia, Poland, and Lithuania. We all know how Putin and his allies instrumentalise migrants to test our defences and try to destabilise us. Now, Putin is focusing on Finland, Ursula von der Leyen told reporters. We are preparing our own legislation but we also need EU measures, Finlands Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said. Original story was published by Reuters on 19.04.2024 and can be found here. The EU needs to get its trade mojo back, say Sweden and Finland Sweden and Finlands concerns about the European Unions trade policy becoming more defensive and restrictive was covered in an article by Politico on April 18. The article highlights the tension within the EU regarding its trade policy direction and the differing priorities among member states. Sweden and Finland lament the decline in the EUs proactive approach to trade negotiations, citing a lack of progress in securing trade deals compared to previous years. They argue that protectionist tendencies, particularly from countries like France, have hindered the EUs ability to pursue comprehensive trade agreements. One major concern raised by the Nordic nations is the tendency to link trade agreements with environmental and other policy objectives. They argue that such conditions, particularly related to issues like carbon taxes and deforestation regulations, have complicated negotiations and deterred potential trade partners. This approach is seen as limiting the EUs capacity to effectively negotiate trade deals. In response to these challenges, Sweden and Finland advocate for a return to a more traditional approach to trade policy, emphasizing positive incentives and market-driven solutions. They suggest that the EU should prioritize trade agreements that focus solely on economic benefits. Moreover, the two countries propose strengthening ties with the Asia-Pacific region, including engagement with trade blocs like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF). Original story was published by Politico on 18.04.2024 and can be found here. Athens turns orange, Helsinki goes white as Europes weather springs a surprise The unusual April snowfall in Finland was covered in an article by CNN on April 24. The article describes two contrasting weather phenomena in Europe: a yellow-orange haze of dust from the Sahara desert blanketing parts of Greece and a white April in Finland covered with snowfall. Finland experienced a rare late April snowfall, with some areas receiving more than 20 centimeters (7.9 inches) of snow. This unusual weather disrupted public transport, causing delays and cancellations of bus, metro, and flight services. Road traffic accidents were reported in the southwest of the country, although there were no serious injuries. The heavy snowfall also led to challenges in clearing snow from power lines and other infrastructure. Additionally, Helsinki Airport experienced freezing rain overnight, which quickly turned to ice upon hitting the ground. This necessitated increased de-icing measures for runways and aircraft wings, adding to the operational challenges posed by the unexpected weather conditions. In Greece, the dust haze resulted from weather conditions that favored the movement of dust from Africa, particularly affecting the southern part of the country. Videos and images shared online showed the striking yellow-orange fog enveloping Athens, prompting health warnings due to limited visibility and potential breathing risks. Original story was published by CNN on 24.04.2024 and can be found here. British army helicopters fly to Finland in largest NATO exercise since Cold War A significant NATO exercise involving the deployment of nine British Army Apache attack helicopters to Finland was covered in an article by LBC on April 24. The article highlights this helicopter deployment as the largest overseas NATO exercise since the Cold War, conducted by the UK outside of Afghanistan and Iraq, with about 20,000 British personnel participating. These helicopters will engage in strike missions in support of Finnish army training and later join exercises in Estonia alongside Wildcat reconnaissance helicopters and RAF Chinook support helicopters. Led by the 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, the British airborne forces are training with counterparts from Estonia, Poland, and the United States. The focus is on practicing air assault operations to seize a foothold against armed opposition, with Chinooks lifting troops and equipment while Wildcats provide surveillance support and Apaches execute strike missions. The significance of what we are doing is matched by the demanding nature of the deployment were deploying helicopters and everything we need to operate them across Europe, to build relationships with our allies, understand their capabilities and procedures, to then plan and carry out missions together, Lieutenant Colonel Dave Lambert, 4 Regiment Army Air Corps Battlegroup Commander told LBC. Original story was published by LBC on 24.04.2024 and can be found here. Why Finlands Stubb wants EU to be cool, calm and collected on Russia Finlands President Alexander Stubbs interview, urging European leaders to adopt a cool, calm, and collected approach towards potential Russian threats, was covered in an article by Financial Times on April 11. The interview revolves around Stubbs stance of less talk and more action on Russia, stressing the need for readiness rather than dwelling on pessimistic scenarios. Stubb highlights Finland's historical preparedness for potential Russian attacks and calls for greater collaboration among EU and NATO allies in defense procurement and planning. When it comes to procurement of defence material, we need to start pooling. When it comes to financing, we need to start pooling. When it comes to planning and operations, we need to start pooling, Stubb said. In NATO, were already doing that. But in Europe, I think were lagging a little bit behind. Stubb clarifies that this doesnt necessarily involve mutual debt pooling for defense investment but rather emphasizes administrative planning and private sector involvement. I am not making here a call for defence bonds, Stubb said. Original story was published by Financial Times on 24.04.2024 and can be found here. HT Farmers eye options for preserving agricultural land We cant afford to put off preserving farmland, Linda Odom Pryor told fellow farmers last week during a presentation on options for saving agricultural land. Apple orchards become subdivisions, a forest is chain-sawed for a distribution center and the suburbs creep into the agricultural heart of the county. Studies rank North Carolina among the most threatened states in terms of loss of farmland and Henderson County is among the most endangered. We cant afford to put off preserving farmland, Linda Odom Pryor declared to a group of fellow farmers last Thursday night. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to hear from Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler and he announced an alarming projection that North Carolina could lose up to 1.6 million acres of agricultural land within the next 17 years. To put the magnitude of those 1.6 million acres in perspective, take a moment and imagine the land area of Jackson, Haywood, Transylvania, Buncombe and Henderson County. The amount of projected loss would encompass an area equivalent to those five counties. That is just unfathomable to me. Pryor, an Edneyville farmer who is active in the Farm Bureau Federation, was speaking to a roomful of 75 farmers and public officials to open a presentation at St. Paul Mountain Vineyards organized by the farm community to explain options for protecting farmland from residential and commercial encroachment. So-called food security is one driving consideration. Food requires agriculture. Agriculture requires land is a motto of the farm preservation movement. Agricultural land loss affects everyone and there are serious implications when food and fiber production are decreased, Pryor said. Preserving farmland is good for the economy, environment and a safe and affordable food supply and the rural character of our county. As long as the flag is flying Evan Davis, director of the N.C. Agriculture Departments farmland preservation division since January of 2022, described the states main tool for preserving farms. Agriculture conservation easements buy the farmers development rights, ensuring that the land remains in production while barring commercial development, subdivisions, dumping of trash, commercial billboards and non-farm structures. Anything related to the ag operation would be allowed, Davis said. The meeting last week was organized independently from the countys new Farmland Preservation Task Force, which gavels its first meeting to order on May 13. Davis emphasized that no one would force a farm conservation easement on anyone. I want to make clear that this is a voluntary program, Davis said. This is something that landowners have to want to participate. And with this program, the land remains in private ownership. There are no land transfers, no condemnation. The conservation easement is going to be focusing on one property right and that is your development right. So through this program the development right will be purchased, the ability to develop the land will be restricted, but you still maintain ownership of the land. Its important for the landowner to accept, too, that farm conservation easements are perpetual. What that means is I love this phrase as long as the flag is flying the easement will be in force, Davis said. This is a very important decision not only for yourself but for those who come after. The easement runs with land, so the next owners, whether thats through a sale or transfer or inheritance, the land will be subject to the same restrictions. Easement preserves right to farm Preserving farmland is important, Davis said, because agriculture accounts for $103.2 billion in economic value, or 16 percent of North Carolinas gross state product. Land in a conservation easement remains on the tax books, he added, and agricultural lands are net providers of local tax dollars rather than net users. Other funding sources for farmland preservation are local bond issues, rollback taxes counties collect when land goes out of farm production, sales tax increases approved by county voters and the USDAs Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Davis ticked off the reasons why a farmer might want to consider an agriculture conservation easement. The land remains in private ownership. You still own the fee-simple to the property, he said. That means you have the right to privacy. You can enforce your trespass. The easements we record do not allow public access. Right to farm honestly, thats the purpose of program. We want to make sure that youre able to engage in any type of agricultural, horticultural, forestry operations. The State and the police are meant to serve and protect the citizen. In law, there is a presumption that any act done by the State is done in good faith. It is because of this presumption that every acquittal does not lead to the initiation of criminal proceedings against the police. However, like every presumption, even this is rebuttable. Last week, two high courts (HC) in India found the protectors of society to be the perpetrators of violence and ordered compensation to the victims. J&Ks Public and Safety Act: An individual's plight stretching over four years On April 3, 2024, the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh HC at Srinagar quashed a preventive detention order, the fourth in a row, passed against a 60-year-old petitioner, Advocate Ali Mohammad Lone. From March 5, 2019, to September 14, 2022, the State kept imposing preventive detention orders, under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA), against the petitioner whom they claimed was a threat to the security of the state. What was strange about these orders though was that the three prior orders dated March 5, 2019, July 19, 2019, and June 29, 2020, had all been quashed by the same HC. Lone was first arrested in 2019 under the PSA, while already in custody on the charges of rioting and unlawful activities. The detaining authority cited three previous cases of rioting and unlawful activities as one of the reasons for the detention order. However, the court quashed his detention order on July 11, 2019, on the ground that the detaining authority failed to mention that the petitioner had already been granted bail in all three rioting cases mentioned by the detaining authority. Non-mention about the grant of bail is serious lapse which in turn gives rise to the inference that there is non-application of mind, the HC stated. The court also noted that the petitioner had not been provided the requisite information to enable him to defend himself. Further, it noted that the detention order used the terms maintenance of public order" and the security of state interchangeably, which reflected a clear non-application of mind. It is also pertinent to note that the petitioner was already in police custody when this detention order was passed. However, before the petitioner could be released, he was slapped with another detention order dated July 19, 2019. The petitioner again challenged this order, and while quashing this fresh detention order on March 3, 2020, the HC noted that the petitioner, yet again, wasnt furnished the requisite material which formed the basis of the detention order. Subsequently, the petitioner was also granted bail on April 11, 2020, in another criminal rioting case. However, despite being granted bail in the rioting case, the detaining authority issued another preventive detention order premised on the very same rioting case on June 29, 2020. He again moved the HC challenging the detention order. The State vehemently defended its orders stating that they were passed as the petitioner, who had been an active member of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami since 1987, was instigating the youth and attempting to disturb the peace. It cited all his previous cases since the 1990s as enough evidence to detain him. The J&K court on February 9, 2021, dismissed the State claims and while quashing the detention order noted yet again that the detaining authority had not made any mention of the bail order and the detention order was premised on material which had already been found wanting by the court on two prior occasions. Despite the HC quashing three detention orders, yet another preventive detention order was passed against Lone on September 14, 2022. While quashing the fourth order, the court questioned the fairness of a fourth detention order when the previous three on the same grounds had already been quashed. Suffice to say that preventive detention of the petitioner is afflicted with malice in law, if not malice in fact, at the end of the entire chain of the preventive detention proposing, making and confirming authorities This court can not be diplomatic to avoid observing that if left to the whims and fancies of the SSP Pulwama and the respondent No. 2- District Magistrate, Pulwama then the judgment of the high court of J&K and Ladakh quashing a given preventive detention of a person is of no interest to them and same very person by repeat of the pretext can be made to suffer cyclic preventive detentions to outnumber judgments quashing the given preventive detention, the HC stated. The high court also noticed that the reason for the preventive detention security of the state finds no mention in the PSA. The petitioner was subject to 1,080 days of preventive detention from 2019 till date. The court found this a fit case for compensation and ordered the State to pay him five lakhs within three months of the judgment. Patna HC sets precedent in custodial torture cases On April 23, the Patna HC ordered the State to pay compensation to a victim of police abuse in Dinesh Singh v. State of Bihar and Ors. Here, the petitioner was the father of a young boy who had been arrested from the Siwan district court by the police on July 4, 2017, at 2:30 PM, with a case registered under Sections 326, 307, and 34 of the Penal Code, 1860 and Section 27 of the Arms Act, 1959. Subsequently, he was taken to the Muffasil police station and kept in custody. According to the police, he suddenly complained of breathing problems and was taken to the doctor at 5:00 PM, where eight injuries caused by blunt and hard substances were recorded. As the victims condition deteriorated, he was shifted to the Patna Medical College and Hospital where he was treated till July 7, 2017. Meanwhile, on July 5, the victim had lodged a complaint citing police torture and custodial violence. On July 8, when he was produced before the magistrate, he orally mentioned the torture and showed his wounds to the magistrate, however, the magistrate merely remanded him to judicial custody and directed the medical officer to treat him well. The victim was finally acquitted in the case on February 29, 2020. The court noted that it was an admitted fact that the victim was in the custody of the police right from the time of his arrest. Further, he was not injured when arrested. Thus, it was the responsibility of the police to explain how he suffered injuries while in custody. On their (police) failure to provide such information, they are liable to be prosecuted. It also ordered the State to pay a compensation of 2.5 lacs to the victim within 4 weeks of the order, the court stated while ordering for an FIR to be registered against the police personnel in the station and prosecution of the perpetrators. Police persecution and custodial torture is not new in India. In 1993, the Supreme Court in the landmark case of Nilabati Behera v. State of Orissa, had ordered the State to pay compensation to the mother of a victim who had died in police custody. While deciding the D.K. Basu case in 1997 the Supreme Court lamented upon custodial violence and noted, It is aggravated by the fact that it is committed by persons who are supposed to be the protectors of the citizens. It is committed under the shield of uniform and authority in the four walls of a police station or lock-up, the victim being totally helpless. Twenty-seven years later, sadly the words still hold true. Every year we hear of cases of excesses committed by the police and occurrences of custodial death and torture. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) reported a total of 2,152 cases of deaths of persons in jails and 155 deaths in police lockups, i.e. a total of 2,307 persons in 2021-2022. However, it is important to remember that these figures account for only the reported cases. Most cases of police violence go unreported. Further, the NHRC itself noted that disciplinary action was taken in only 21 cases. Police stations as places of violence have become so normalised that most people think twice before going to a police station to file a complaint or seek assistance. The need of the hour is for the implementation of a zero-tolerance policy in cases of police violence, and policing in India needs an overhaul. Quick action and prosecution to make the perpetrator accountable will help in putting an end to this violence. Parijata Bharadwaj, a lawyer and researcher based in New Delhi, co-founded the Jagdalpur Legal Aid Group that offered legal services to adivasis in Chhattisgarh. The views expressed are personal. Dear Reader, The books of Paul Auster and C J Sansom Two writers I loved passed away recently. Both died of cancer, both were in their seventies, one on each side of the Atlantic. Paul Auster, novelist, translator and filmmaker, died a few days ago at his Brooklyn home, of complications caused by lung cancer. I feel as if I met him only a few days ago. And in a sense, I did. I visited Paul Auster at his home, along with the novelist Salman Rushdie and his wife Eliza, in the pages of Knife, Rushdies recently released memoir. Thinking of Paul Auster takes me back a year, to the streets of Brooklyn. Do you think Paul Auster lives on this road, I ask my daughter as we walk down an oak tree-lined road in Park Slope, with brownstones on both sides. Or maybe its the road we just walked by ? My daughter rolls her eyes. But I am obsessed with Auster. I am reading Auster's The Brooklyn Follies, a book about a middle-aged man who lives in Park Slope and struggles to find meaning in ordinary life. Its so beautifully written, that I feel like pausing every paragraph or two to highlight lines or copy them down for the sheer beauty of the prose. How much of this novel is drawn from the writer's own life, I speculate. Auster lives on these very streets he is describing. The Brooklyn Follies Ive always been a detective story addict, everything from Sherlock Holmes to Patricia Highsmith to the French detective Maigret to Keigo Higashino. So when I read about The New York Trilogy, Paul Austers famous series of interconnected detective novels, I couldnt wait to pick it up. The New York Trilogy turned out to be starkly and provocatively different from any mystery stories Id ever read before. I was very quickly pulled into the detective protagonists head, as I sought to make sense of an existential fog of reality, of the detectives own identity, looking out for clues and with twists and turns that arrived with every new chapter. I loved how skillfully Auster constructed a narrative of menace, how he built uneasiness, creating playful puzzles for the reader, teasing them with the tropes of storytelling. With every twist, you are asking yourself could this possibly be true, yes maybe it could. Or is it all a hallucination? Its like a trip, only there is no alcohol or drugs, I told a friend who confessed she didnt like Paul Auster. We agreed you have to be in a special kind of mood to read him its a mood Ive been in for all the years Ive known this writer. An ocean away, in Brighton, Sussex, lived CJ Sansom, the second much-loved writer who also passed earlier this week. Sansoms historical mysteries wowed me so strongly, that like a squirrel with a store of nuts, I piled his Mathew Shardlake series up on my bookshelf, and in my Kindle, without reading them. After I read Dissolution, the very first book in the series, I proceeded to buy copies of it for all my friends. The book is set in Tudor England at the time when Henry VIII has broken away from the Catholic Church and is dissolving the monasteries (hence, the name dissolution). Besides being part of the Catholic church, the monasteries are also centres of enormous wealth and places of great intrigue. So, when a monk is murdered, our hero, the lawyer Mathew Shardlake is called in and we get treated to gritty socio-economic history. I loved how effortlessly Sansom brings in the sights and sounds of London the royal court, and Bedlam, London's notorious madhouse. I loved that Mathew Shardlake was a brilliant lawyer, damaged by disability, a hunch-back who wins us over with his dogged perseverance, practicality and living by a sense of ethics in a polarised political landscape. When beloved writers pass away, I feel sad because their passing means there will be no more new works from these writers. But if I have to be truly honest, my sadness is mixed with something celebratory- something sweet in an ode To a Skylark kind of way our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thoughts. The sadness of writing a writer's obituary also holds the sweetness of going back to their work, re-reading it, and talking about it with other readers. Today Paul Auster and C J Sansom are dead, but they lived richly imaginative lives and wrote beautiful books. As a reader, I will celebrate their life by re-reading The New York Trilogy. And by treating myself from my jealously guarded store of unread Mathew Shardlake mysteries; perhaps Lamentation where Queen Catherine Parr enlists the help of Mathew Shardlake. Or Winter in Madrid, a standalone spy novel by Sansom. Or maybe both. What about you dear Reader? Are you in the mood for mystery thrillers? If so, consider starting with Dissolution. And then watch the movie version, which just released on Disney, a few days after the death of Sansom. The timing is ironic, but its also a comforting testimony to how good writers are immortal. Or do you prefer some non-fiction? As the election season swirls around us, here are books on engaging with democracy. And more on the secret lives of democracies. And until next week, Happy Reading. Sonya Dutta Choudhury is a Mumbai-based journalist and the founder of Sonyas Book Box, a bespoke book service. Each week, she brings you specially curated books to give you an immersive understanding of people and places. If you have any reading recommendations or suggestions, write to her at sonyasbookbox@gmail.com The views expressed are personal Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), India's largest private port operator, is eyeing the Philippines' Bataan for its port development plan. Karan Adani, managing director and chief executive director of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd.(Bloomberg) During a courtesy call with President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr at Malacanang on Thursday, APSEZ managing director Karan Adani expressed the company's interest in "stability and favourable regulatory environments". Your Excellency, as a private sector, what we always look for is stability. Stability in the regulation, stability in the environment that we are operating in. That is what, as you said, you are providing, Karan Adani told president Marcos, a press release from the Philippines president's office said. ALSO READ- Six Adani group companies receive show-cause notices from Sebi: Report The company plans to develop a 25-meter-deep port that can accommodate Panamax vessels. Adani Group, meanwhile, is also planning investments in ports, airports, power, and defence sectors. President Marcos advised starting regionally, with the ports initially serving local or domestic shipping needs before expanding to the international market. President Marcos suggested that the company start regionally. The ports could also cater to local or domestic shipping before shifting to the international market, he added. ALSO READ- Gautam Adani says proud to be Indias first das hazari on Adani Green Energy's milestone Adani Ports quarterly results Adani Ports saw its fourth-quarter profit soar by 76% on Thursday, thanks to record cargo volumes. The company reported a consolidated net profit of 2,040 crore for the quarter ending March 31, up from 1,158 crore rupees in the same period last year. ALSO READ- Tata Projects restores its profitability Adani Ports achieved its highest-ever quarterly volumes, handling 10.9 crore metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo in January-March. This surge in activity boosted revenue by 19 per cent to 6,897 crore as business picked up pace in early 2024. APSEZ operates at 13 ports and terminals across India, including Mundra, the country's largest container handling port in Gujarat. Karnataka BJP President B Y Vijayendra on Saturday rejected claims that he was in the know about the sexual abuse allegations against Hassan JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, and asserted that the issue would have no adverse impact on the two parties in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Vijayendra asserted that he has not yet received any letter regarding the allegations till now and that such claims are "far from the truth". Did not get any letter on allegations against Prajwal Revanna: Vijayendra(ANI) Also Read - Prajwal Revanna's sexual harassment case: Karnataka CM asks SIT to speed up the investigation Vijayendra's comments came after BJP leader G Devaraje Gowda, who was the party's candidate for the Holenarasipur Assembly seat against Prajwal's father H D Revanna in the May 2023 assembly elections, had claimed that he had written a letter to Vijayendra in December 2023. The letter, he claimed, informed him about the alleged explicit video clips related to the MP, and warned him about the possible embarrassment to the party if he was fielded as the NDA candidate from Hassan. JD(S) headed by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda joined the BJP-led NDA in September last year. The parties are contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha elections together. The 33-year-old Prajwal, who is the grandson of Deve Gowda, was the NDA candidate in the Hassan Lok Sabha segment, which went to polls on April 26. In the purported letter opposing the BJP's probable alliance with the JD(S) in Hassan, Gowda stated that he was in possession of a pen drive containing scores of explicit video clips and photos allegedly shot by Prajwal Revanna, who also allegedly used them to blackmail many women. Stating that another pen drive containing the videos and documents have reached the hands of Congress leadership, he also warned in the letter that if Prajwal is fielded as the alliance's candidate for Lok Sabha polls, there are chances of them using it as a weapon to target the BJP and cause embarrassment. "The claims that Vijayendra was aware about the incident and a letter was written to me as the state President in this regard is not true. The person who has said it, please question him....Such incidents should not happen, everyone should bow down their heads in shame because of such incidents," Vijayendra said, while speaking to reporters here. Explaining further, Vijayendra said, "I have not received any letter till this moment. I'm saying this with full responsibility...As the state president I'm saying that on this pen drive (containing explicit video clips) matter, the claims that one had written a letter to me sharing the information about the scandal is far from truth." "Until this moment I have received no such letter as the party president, it has not reached me," he said. The state government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the sexual abuse allegations against Prajwal after the videos emerged. Complaints have also been filed against him and H D Revanna, raising similar allegations, with police registering separate cases on those. Speculating that the Congress government might have gotten the pen drive containing the videos some time ago, Vijayendra alleged that the government "purposely released" it one day before the first phase of polling in the state, citing "discussions among public". He demanded answers on this from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the government. He also claimed that this scandal would have "no impact" on the Lok Sabha poll results, as the voters want Narendra Modi to become Prime Minister once again. "Our party's stand is very clear, there is no question of BJP supporting such incidents in any way and those involved in it. Those who have committed wrong will face punishment," he said. The JDS MLA, accused in the sexual harassment and kidnap cases, HD Revanna, was taken into custody by the officials of the special investigation team (SIT) on Saturday evening in Bengaluru. Minutes after the court rejected the anticipatory bail of HD Revanna, SIT officials reached former prime minister HD Devegowdas residence and took the latters son into their custody. HD Revanna taken into custody by SIT: What is likely to happen next?(AFP File photo) Also Read - JD(S) leader HD Revanna taken into custody by SIT in kidnapping case What is likely to happen next? HD Revanna was already brought to the SIT office of Karnatakas capital, and medical tests are currently being conducted. He is likely to be produced in front of the magistrate, and SIT will seek permission for his further custody to investigate sexual harassment and kidnap charges. If custody is given, SIT is expected to start the investigation immediately but if the custody is denied, HD Revanna will be sent to Parappana Agrahara jail under judicial custody. After the serial sexual harassment charges against HD Revanna and his son Prajwal Revanna, a fresh case was filed on Thursday night against HD Revanna along with his confidant Sathish Babanna in Mysuru. The case was t for allegedly abducting a woman, who is also reportedly a victim of alleged sexual abuse by his son and MP Prajwal Revanna. Prajwal Revanna, who fled the country sought seven days' time to appear for SIT questioning and his request was denied. A second look out notice was issued to him on Friday and CBI is also likely to issue a blue corner notice against him. Prajwal Revanna had reportedly fled to Germany on the next day of Lok Sabha polling in his constituency. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah even wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asked him to cancel the diplomatic visa of Prajwal Revanna. The Supreme Court has stayed an order of the Punjab and Haryana high court asking authorities to clear the Chandigarh-Mohali road blocked at Yadavindra Public School (YPS) Chowk by a group of protesters since January 7, 2023. The Punjab and Haryana high court had passed the order on a plea of NGO Arrive Safe Society, which contended that residents and commuters are facing harassment because of the protest at YPS Chowk on the Chandigarh-Mohali road since January 2023. (Keshav Singh/HT file) A bench of justices BR Gavai, Satish Chandra Sharma and Sandeep Mehta issued notice on a plea of the Punjab government and sought the response of an NGO, which has filed the plea, the Centre and the Chandigarh administration among others. Also read: Nine years on, CBI court frames murder charges against Kalyani in Sippy Sidhu case During the hearing, solicitor general Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said it supports the stand of the Punjab government. Mehta said, Federalism is always protected except when it comes to corruption. In Covid times, every state and the Centre worked together. Punjab advocate general Gurminder Singh said the high court order be stayed. In its orders dated April 9, passed on a batch of PILs, the high court said despite repeated opportunities given, neither the state of Punjab nor the Union Territory of Chandigarh has been able to give any redressal to the commuters of Chandigarh and Mohali. On account of a handful of people sitting and blocking the road, inconvenience is being caused to the commuters and residents of the tricity and the misery is continuing, it had said. It had noted that the Centre was also impleaded as party on October 9 last year in the matter. The Punjab director general of police Gaurav Yadav had also been summoned in the matter a year ago. Only on account of the fact that some of the protesters have been hiding behind a shield of religious legitimacy by placing the Guru Granth Sahib would not as such give the State reason not to act against the persons concerned, who are misusing the religious sentiments, it had said. The high court said it is also apparent from the photographs that have been placed on record that there is no large gathering. In spite of the fact that it is well known that all the agitators from the rural background are busy in harvesting and it is the most opportune time to remove the blockage of the road, the State of Punjab and the Union Territory, Chandigarh, are dragging their feet for the reasons best known to them, it had said in its interim order. The high court, while deferring the proceedings, further said it is hoping the Punjab and Chandigarh administration will wake up from their slumber and keep in mind the observations of the apex court given in various verdicts related to protests on roads. The high court had passed the order on a plea of NGO Arrive Safe Society, which contended that local residents and commuters are facing unnecessary harassment because of the protest on the Chandigarh-Mohali road that have been ongoing since January 2023. The protesters have been seeking the release of Sikh prisoners, including Balwant Singh Rajoana, a convict in the former Punjab chief minister Beant Singhs assassination, and Devinderpal Singh Bhullar, a 1993 Delhi bomb blast convict. LUCKNOW: As the polling date draws near, the district administration has vigorously initiated several voter turnout campaigns in collaboration with diverse sections of society. The pace of these campaigns is intense because the state capital had the lowest voter turnout across all 80 constituencies of the state in the previous general elections. In 2019, Lucknow recorded a 54.72% vote, which was around 4.49% less than the state average of 59.21%. In the 1967 Lok Sabha polls, only 27.62% of Lucknow voters turned out to vote. (Sourced) However, the 2019 voter turnout was slightly higher than in 2014, when only 53.02% of voters chose to vote. But when comparing the numbers from 2014 and 2019 to elections in the decade before that, the voter turnout shows an encouraging increase. In the 2004 Lok Sabha polls, the voter turnout was a meagre 35.28%, while in 2009 it was 37.49%. Undoubtedly, between 2004 and 2014, Lucknows voter turnout has shifted from being less than 40% to well above 50%. The voters responded to the big-ticket political fervour of 2014, when anti-incumbency against the then UPA-2 government was at its peak, and BJPs promise of Ache Din was resonating. Similarly, in 2019, nationalism was a driving force after India conducted a surgical strike on Pakistan following the Pulwama terror attack. Professor Manuka Khanna, head of the department of political science, Lucknow University said nationalism or other significant events that captured the peoples general imagination surely impacted voter turnout. This trend had been well observed from Indias first general election in 1951 to the recent past, she said. The inaugural 1951 election had a relatively moderate voter turnout of 42.03%. Subsequent elections generally saw an upward trend, with the 1962 elections witnessing the highest turnout till then at 58.49%. This phenomenon was likely a reflection of the publics mood during the India-China conflict era. However, in the years that followed, the people of Lucknow perhaps became less engaged in political discourse, leading to a significant drop in voter turnout. As the then-mighty Congress became embroiled in bitter internal party politics in the era after Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri, people also lost interest. In the 1967 Lok Sabha polls, only 27.62% of Lucknow voters turned out to vote. However, in 1971, the turnout significantly rose to above 46%, fueled by nationalist zeal during the India-Pakistan tensions over East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh). The desire to overthrow the Indira Government in the first election in 1977 after the emergency was evident in the decent voter turnout of 53.62%. However, as people soon became disappointed by the Janata Party government that came to power, the next election in 1980 saw disillusioned voters choosing to abstain from voting. Lucknow Lok Sabha recorded just 37.63% voting. Prime Minister Indira Gandhis assassination in 1984 resulted in a marginal increase to 40.30% in Lucknow. In the election where there was virtually no opposition to Congress, the results were clear even before the polls. The 1989 election was probably the worst in terms of voter turnout in Lucknow. The city recorded its lowest-ever voting percentage at a mere 28.65%. In the decades of the 90s when Hindutva politics and caste-based identity politics dominated the Hindi heartland of Uttar Pradesh, the polling percentage in the state capital remained close to 50%. However, it actually crossed the 50% mark only in 1996 when the charismatic Atal Bihari Vajpayee was pitched as a possible PM candidate. He went on to become the prime minister, but only for 13 days in his first stint. The 1998 and 1999 elections also registered decent polling at 49.35% and 48.57%, respectively. A big reason was again Atals candidature and the citys belief of having a prime minister as their MP. By the time the 2004 Lok Sabha polls came, Lucknows voters had probably again lost the zeal. As BJPs India Shining campaign failed to resonate, Atals last contest saw a big dip in voter numbers compared to the 1999 polls. The trend of well less than 40% voter turnout witnessed in 2004 also continued in 2009, only to be lifted above 50% in 2014. The challenge, therefore, is whether Lucknow can breach the never-achieved mark of 60% voter turnout this time around. Amidst hopes, the fear is that the city of Nawab does not dive down again, as often witnessed in the past. The less-than-previous turnout in the first two phases, coupled with rising temperatures and heatwaves, and considering that the polling day of May 20th is a Monday, which might extend the weekend for some, has raised concerns. Senior BJP leader and union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman demanded on Saturday that Rahul Gandhi apologise to the nation for politicising Rohith Vemulas death by suicide. In her interaction with editors in Pune, Sitharaman accused the Congress leader of trying to draw political mileage out of the University of Hyderabad doctoral students death in 2016 by raising the issue in Parliament and in street protests. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman spoke at the Decan college in Pune on Saturday. According to the closure report submitted on Friday in the Telangana high court by the police of the Congress-ruled state, Vemula was not Dalit and died because he was feeling frustrated and on account of constant fears that his real caste identity would be discovered. Vemulas suicide had sparked a nationwide movement on caste discrimination in educational institutions. However, as the 60-page closure report triggered a political row amid the ongoing Lok Sabha election campaign, the state police subsequently announced that they would seek the courts permission to further investigate the case. Rahul Gandhi should apologise by standing before the entire scheduled caste community for misusing Vemulas death, said Sitharaman when her response was sought on the closure report, which gave a clean chitciting lack of evidenceto all the accused, including BJP leaders and the partys student wing, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. By making it the Dalit communitys issue, Rahul Gandhi propagated toxicity ki dukaan, the minister added, taking a dig at Gandhis usage of mohabbat ki dukaan (shop of love) during his Bharat Jodo Yatra last year. The Congress, which is ruling Telangana, had, along with Gandhi, publicly stood by the Vemula family as protests raged in 2016. Rahul Gandhi even walked with Vemulas mother, Radhika, during the first phase of his Bharat Jodo Yatra. ALSO READ | No case of suicide abetment: What BJP said on Rohith Vemula death case closure Intolerance, political interference and hate do not lie in the government but in the vested interest groups who dont lose an opportunity to bring this toxin into centres of higher education, said Sitharaman, adding that Rohith Vemula had his dignity which should have been respected. The minister also chose to interpret Rahul Gandhis promise of a caste census in the Congress manifesto as a redistribution of wealth, a bogey that is being raised by the BJP government. On Friday, Gandhi, while addressing a public meeting in Pune, had stressed that his party, if voted to power, would conduct a caste census to know each communitys share in jobs in various sectors, and also promised to increase the 50 per cent cap on reservation quotas to this end. When asked why PM Narendra Modi was constantly giving a religious spin to the issue of wealth redistribution, Sitharaman said the Congress had consistently been talking about carrying out an X-ray of wealth and a caste census. Therefore, the PM has been raising the issue because there is not just a trend but a written word and spoken word as well. He is asking questions, she said. Modi has been repeatedly asserting in his public rallies that the Congress, if voted to power, plans to redistribute peoples assets to Muslims. Sitharaman also claimed that the Congress government in Karnataka knew about the tapes of JD(S) leader Prajwal Revanna, accused of sexually abusing scores of women. But they chose to remain silent until the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections got over because they were afraid of losing Vokkaliga votes, she said. Now they are making a noise. Responding to a question on whether the Prajwal Revanna case would have an impact on her partys election performance in Karnataka, Sitharaman said that union home minister Amit Shah had already made it clear that the party would not tolerate matters that went against women. She said that though the JD(S) was the BJPs alliance partner, the BJP had clarified that the sexual abuse was not acceptable. Asked about BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singhs son Karan Singh getting a ticket from the party in UPs Kaiserganj constituency, Sitharaman said that the allegations against the MP had not been proved yet. Brij Bhushan is accused of sexually harassing women wrestlers. Nothing is proven against Brij Bhushan, said Sitharaman. Even if he is convicted, why do you want to carry the blame on to the son? Even convicted peoples children have been entertained by so many parties. Noida, The administration of a private college in Greater Noida and its canteen operator were served notice by the Food Safety Department for alleged poor food quality and unhygienic conditions on Saturday, officials said. HT Image Purported pictures also surfaced on social media, showing mosquitoes and insects in certain food items. The inspection was carried out over complaints by some students who expressed dissatisfaction about cleanliness and standards of the food quality served to them by the canteen, a senior official said. Assistant Food Commissioner Archana Dheeran said the inspection was carried out at the canteen of Aryan Residency of Lloyd College in the Knowledge Park area of Greater Noida. "The inspection was carried out under the leadership of Chief Food Safety Officer Akshay Goyal and items were inspected by Food Safety Officer RP Gupta. During the inspection, cleanliness arrangements and other standard compliances were not found satisfactory for which notice was given to the college administration and the canteen operator," Dheeran said. During the visit, the officials also had a discussion with the students living in the hostel about their concerns, in which most of the students expressed dissatisfaction regarding the cleanliness and quality of food, she said. "In this regard, a suggestion was made by the college administration after talking to the warden and canteen operator, that a committee of students would be formed for weekly feedback on the food quality," Dheeran said. The college administration also assured that very soon they will take necessary steps given this complaint, the assistant commissioner said. "Samples of the biryani being served to the students have been collected and sent to the government laboratory for testing of quality," Dheeran said. Further action will be taken upon receiving the investigation report, she added. On March 9, around 80 students living in the same hostel were hospitalised with food poisoning after they consumed 'puris' made of 'kuttu ka atta' on account of Mahashivratri, according to police. After lab tests, the quality of buckwheat flour was found not to be of standard quality, a food safety official said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused RJD president Lalu Prasad, the BJPs principal opponent in Bihar, of having tried to shield those guilty in two-decade-old Godhra train burning incident and put blame on kar sevaks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Darbhanga rally on Saturday. (Santosh Kumar/HT) Addressing an election rally at Darbhanga, Modi, who was then the chief minister of Gujarat where riots had erupted after the incident in 2002, also alleged that the RJD supremo had acted in connivance with the Congress, which headed the UPA, which was in power at the Centre. This is probably the first time Modi has raised the Godhra issue during the ongoing elections. Without mentioning Prasad by name, Modi described the RJD supremo, who was the Railway minister in the first UPA government, as one serving sentences, out on bail (in fodder scam cases). He had tried to shield those who were responsible for the Godhra train burning incident in which more than 60 kar sevaks were burnt alive. Was it not the reign of Sonia (Gandhi) madam, remarked the PM, referring to the former Congress president and UPA chairperson. Modi recalled that the Banerjee Commission, although headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court, was often called ben raazi (the sister is willing), and under pressure from Prasad, it submitted a bogus report that tried to exonerate those who were guilty and put the blame on kar sevaks themselves. But the court consigned the report to the dustbin. Those who were guilty got punished, some of them even getting death sentences, said the Prime Minister. Modi alleged that all constituents of the opposition bloc INDIA had a propensity towards appeasement and attacked the RJD for counting Muslims among armed forces.The remark seemed an oblique reference to Tejashwi Yadav, the RJD presidents son and heir apparent who has spoken of all the three armed forces being headed by Hindus while slamming the ruling BJP at the Centre for repeatedly claiming that the faith of the majority community was in danger. In his speech which lasted for more than 30 minutes, Modi also took potshots at Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, mentioning neither by name but observing there is a shehzada (crown prince) in Delhi. Likewise there is a shehzada in Patna. Both have had a dismal track record. The Prime Minister, without taking names, sought to remind the people of the RJD misrule. How the kidnapping industry was running in Bihar. How the treasury of Bihar was looted through big scams. How sisters and daughters were afraid to leave their homes in the evening. How the poor were forced to register their land in the name of getting jobs? Today, under the leadership of Nitish ji, the NDA government is working day and night for the development of Bihar, Modi said. The PM said the Congress intended to snatch reservations from SCs, STs, OBCs and backward classes and give it to Muslims, adding that he wont allow even a shred of reservation based on religion. They now want to snatch away the reservation of SC-ST-OBC. When our Constitution was being drafted, it was unanimously decided by the Constituent Assembly that reservations would never be granted in India based on religion. But now Congress and RJD collectively want to rob the reservation of backward classes, and Dalits and give it to Muslims based on religion, he said. Modi said the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya was a significant moment in Indian history. After 500 years, our wait has ended. We are witnessing this auspicious time in our lifetime. He attacked Congress over inheritance tax, claiming it would impose 55% inheritance tax if voted to power in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The PM said that the bottlenecks in the construction of proposed AIIMS at Darbhanga would be also resolved soon. Government was doing its work like Darbhanga airport became functional, Amrit Bharat train became operational and newly built IT Park would provided news avenue to the job seekers, he added. Modi appealed people to vote for NDA candidates Ramprit Mandal of JD-U from Jhanjharpur, Gopal Jee Thakur of BJP from Darbhanga, Shambhavi Choudhary of LJP (R) from Samastipur and Ashok Yadav of BJP from Madhubani. The exam season is here and students attempting competitive exams must be in their final rounds of preparation. Students who are worried about not being confident to attempt the verbal sections of these exams, fret not. The exam season is here and students attempting competitive exams must be in their final rounds of preparation(Unsplash) Here's a way to improve your vocabulary. Check out the words for the day and a small quiz to push yourself to improve your word power. Lasso (Noun) Meaning: a rope with a noose at one end, used especially in North America for catching cattle Example: These attempts are like trying to lasso a tiger with cotton Laud (Verb) Meaning: praise (a person or their achievements) highly Example: The obituary lauded him as a great statesman and soldier Labyrinth (Noun) Meaning: a complicated irregular network of passages or paths in which it is difficult to find one's way; a maze Example: The old building was a labyrinth of dark corridors Lethargy (Verb) Meaning: a lack of energy and enthusiasm Example: The first half was marked by total lethargy and an almost complete lack of chances Put your thinking cap on and try to answer the following questions to understand how much you have grasped. He needs some new hobby to shake him out of his ____________. Which of the following words fits best in the sentence? (Lethargy, Laud) Can you think of some antonyms for the word Lasso? Can you think of some synonyms for the word Labyrinth? Also Read: Vocabulary Made Easy series: Improve your word power to progress in your career Watch out for this space for your weekly update on improving word power. (Definitions and examples are from Oxford Languages) Mumbai, Pragya Jaiswal says it is a beautiful coincidence that in her first Hindi film "Khel Khel Mein", she is sharing the screen space with Akshay Kumar. HT Image The Jabalpur-born actor had auditioned for Kumar's 2014 movie "Gabbar Is Back", which was directed by Telugu director Krish Jagarlamudi. Though she didn't get the part, the filmmaker later roped her in for his 2015 movie "Kanche", opposite Varun Tej. It's a beautiful coincidence. I auditioned for a film which was to be with Akshay sir. But I ended up debuting in the south because of that. And after doing so many films in the south, I'm finally doing my first hindi film with him. I'm just grateful for the opportunity and journey, the 36-year-old actor told PTI in an interview. After "Kanche", Jaiswal starred in Telugu movies such as "Om Namo Venkatesaya", "Gunturodu", "Nakshatram", "Akhanda" and "Son of India". In "Khel Khel Mein", the actor features alongside an ensemble cast that also includes Taapsee Pannu, Vaani Kapoor, Fardeen Khan, Ammy Virk and Aditya Seal. The comedy-drama is written and directed by Mudassar Aziz of Happy Bhag Jayegi and Pati Patni Aur Woh fame. "For me, it is always about doing the right project. When this one came my way, I felt like it's a lovely role and I'd love to be a part of this film. Things happen when they are supposed to happen. You just have to be patient and work hard. It's an individual journey. I think this film happened at a time when I'm ready for it," she said. Jaiswal said she was initially intimidated by the presence of a star like Kumar but soon realised there is no scope for nervousness on the set. You don't have scope to be nervous because you're in your character and you have to justify every word, line and moment of being in front of the camera. So I went to sir and introduced myself. "I made the effort to go and chat with everyone because I wanted to get comfortable with them, it was important for all of us to have that camaraderie that reflects on screen," she added. Going forward, Jaiswal said she wants to work with "best directors and biggest superstars". "I want to get the best roles and scripts. That's the driving force of every actor. We are all hungry. We want to do the best of work... I think you just have to grab the opportunity, make the most of it, and hope that it will lead to your dreams one day. I'm hoping that all these opportunities will land me something greater," the actor said. "Khel Khel Mein" is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Vipul D Shah, Ashwin Varde, Rajesh Bahl, Shashikant Sinha and Ajay Rai. It is scheduled for release in theatres on September 6. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Uorfi wows internet with her latest creation The outfit had petals that fell off her dress when she clapped, giving the illusion that butterflies were flying away. Sharing a video of herself in the dress on Instagram, Uorfi wrote, "Magic (magic wand emoji)." Reacting to the video, Kusha Kapila wrote, "Queen behaviour always." Aly Goni said, "Too good, loved it." Sophie Choudry commented, This is gorgeous. Celebs, fans praise Uorfi A fan said, "You are at a loss, Met Gala." A comment read, "You know what I want to see, @urf7i on Met Gala red carpet. Manifesting this for you Urfiiiiii." "This dress is beautiful, has to be on the red carpet of Met Gala," wrote a person. "I loved her from the beginning .. she's so good & confident," commented another fan. "You're looking damn gorgeous in this attire. This deserves on MET GALA," said another person. "Indian Met Gala, loved her outfit and her obviously," wrote an Instagram user. Samantha reacts to Uorfi's outfit Samantha Ruth Prabhu shared the video on her Instagram Stories. She wrote, "Beautiful (sparkles emoji) @urfi." Re-posting it on her Instagram, Uorfi simply tagged Samantha and added red rose emojis. One of Uorfi's team members also posted a video on Instagram on how the dress was made. The caption read, "Flying butterflies dress." Re-posting it on her Instagram, Uorfi simply tagged Samantha and added red rose emojis. About Uorfi's projects Uorfi is all set to feature on her upcoming show titled Follow Kar Lo Yaar, which is slated to stream on Prime Video India. Directed by Sandeep Kukreja, the show promises an intimate glimpse into Uorfi's life, brimming with drama, humour, and unfiltered authenticity. Uorfi also recently made her Bollywood debut with Dibakar Banerjee's Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2. About Samantha's projects Fans will see Samantha in Bangaram. The film will be produced under Samantha's banner, Tralala Moving Pictures, as its maiden production venture. Apart from Bangaram, Samantha is gearing up for the release of Citadel: Honey Bunny, an Indian version of Russo Brothers' Citadel, which stars Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden. In the series, Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Varun Dhawan will portray the characters Honey and Bunny respectively. Asim Riaz has been tight lipped about his relationship status ever since he broke up with Himanshi Khurana. After announcing their breakup the duo did not give any further statements about their personal life. However, recently, Asim shared a picture with a mystery girl on his social media handle. (Also read: Himanshi shares her chat with Asim, it was his idea to talk about religion) Asim Riaz posted a picture with a mystery girl after announcing breakup with Himanshi Khurana. Asim Riaz hints at dating with mystery girl The former Bigg Boss 13 contestant took to his Instagram handle and dropped a photo with a girl. Both are seen in an embrace with their backs facing the camera. He captioned his post as, Life goes on. (heart emoji). A fan commented, Jo bhi ho ye I hope dono ek dusre k liye best ho and isbaar sidha shaadi ki news aaye (I hope you both are meant for each other and this time we get to hear your wedding announcement). Another fan wrote, Mubarak ho Asim (Cingratulations Asim)... Very happy for you. Asim Riaz-Himanshi Khurana's relationship and breakup For the unversed, Asim and Himanshi met on the reality show Bigg Boss 13, where she was a wild card contestant. They dated for four years, and decided to spilt last year in December. Himanshi took to her social media handles and wrote, YES, We are not together anymore, All the time we have spent together has been great but our togetherness comes to an end Now. The journey of our relationship was great and we are moving forward in our lives. With due respect to our respective religions we are sacrificing our love for our different religious beliefs. We have nothing against each other. We request you to respect our privacy. Himanshi. Asim is an actor and model who has featured in many music videos. Himanshi is also an actor and model who has worked in Punjabi films. She played crucial roles in Punjabi movies like Sadda Haq (2013), Afsar (2018) and Shava Ni Girdhari Lal (2021). The coming week's Vanderpump Rules Season 11 Episode 15 is inching closer to a new breed of drama and epic showdown as Ariana Madix's disgraced ex-boyfriend, Tom Sandoval, and her new loving beau, Daniel Wai, are about to cross paths. With tensions as high as the roof, everyone is breaking a sweat, dreading what awaits them in this fated encounter. Even before the group gets together, certain cast members have already begun picking sides, while others are more concerned with keeping the squad together, even if that requires them to own the bad cop persona. Ariana Madix, her new boyfriend Daniel Wai and Tom Sandoval in Vanderpump Rules Season 11.(Bravo) Here's what we know about the upcoming episode titled Plot Twist, from the recently revealed sneak peek. Vanderpump Rules Season 11 Episode 15 release date and time Episode 15 is set to air on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. The next VPR Rules Season 11 episode will centre around Ariana Madix's new boyfriend, Daniel Wai, mingling with her friend circle. However, not everyone eases up to his presence the same way especially with Lala Kent launching into interrogation mode. The new episode will premiere on Bravo at 8/7 c. Stream it on Peacock the next day. Also read | Kendrick Lamar's scathing allegations against Drake in latest diss track, Meet the Grahams, explored What to expect from Vanderpump Rules Season 11 Episode 15? The official description for the Plot Twist episode is listed as follows: Scheana performs live for the first time with her band; Katie clashes with Jo over a year's worth of grievances; Ariana takes Dan to lunch with her friends; the fourth wall is left shattered when Tom approaches Ariana for a conversation. With Ariana's boyfriend, Daniel Wai, finally coming into the picture and around to mingle with her squad, everybody's on edge. Wondering how the big meeting between Madix's new partner and her ex would go down, Lala Kent, Katie Maloney, Scheana Shay, James Kennedy, Brock Davies - all of the VPR cast - get down to speculating this and that. While on one side, Lala looks at Daniel's entry into the group with an eye for scrutiny, Katie perceives him as the sweetest guy. On the other hand, Brock Davies and Scheana Shay spread the cards around, discussing who's been a better friend - Tom Sandoval or Ariana Madix? Davies has his own view and sides with Sandoval, but Scheana once again feels stuck in the middle of her friendship with both sides of the story. Despite her recent heart-to-heart with Sandoval, she disagrees with Davies' POV and asserts that she will never turn (her) back on Ariana. Also read | Vanderpump Rules 12 is done for the summer, shuts down filming after cast suffers rough and intense.. Ultimately, the final day of the hangout arrives and the gang unites during the day, but without Sandoval for the time being. Lala is the first person to shoot the question to Ariana: Were you always going to come on the trolley? Even if the other person was here? Madix sways from the conversation with an I don't know, while Tom Schwartz reveals his buddy's whereabouts as Sandoval is away setting up for Kyle Chan's event later that night. The group finally hits Chinatown, and they all sit down for lunch. Before the food comes out, they dish out all kinds of gossip and teasing questions. Scheana then jumps the gun, asking Schwartz if he's ever had a threesome. While his current answer is negative, Tom claims not to have ruled it out of his bucket list yet. As drinks roll out, Lala gets back to playing detective and grills Ariana's new beau for all sorts of answers about his career, relationship history and more. If you're like one of the VPR cast members, wondering what he does for a living, you're in for luck because Daniel serves up the answer hard and fast. I train seven days a week and I bartend Friday and I do double shifts on Saturday, he explains. Like a champ, Wai hits back at all questions Kent asks: How old he is, if he's ever been married, all the deets on his last relationship and why it ended and so on. Schwartz takes the hint and interjects jokingly to lighten the mood, Are you about to hit him with the, 'Where do you see yourself in five years?' In her confessional, she admits to Daniel handling her interrogation like a pro, but she's not as open to the idea of him ultimately crossing paths with Tom Sandoval. Talking to Katie before their day out, Lala describes Daniel as a f*cking square. The VPR Season 11 Episode 15 sneak peek ends with Lala concluding in her solo moment, I will be damned if another person comes into this group dating someone and they end up being a**hole. This is also why she's resorted to asking all the questions now as a watchguard for the group's sake, especially since everyone's still reeling from the Scandoval scars. Sanjay Leela Bhansali is receiving acclaim for his latest offering, the new Netflix series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. In an interview with Indiewire, the director opened up about creating the show, set in pre-independence Punjab, which is in modern day Pakistan. He also said how he felt a lot of love coming from Pakistan, where audiences are really eager to see how Heeramandi has turned out. (Also read: In Heeramandi, Richa Chadha shines brightest as the doomed Lajjo) Sanjay Leela Bhansali talked about creating Heeramandi in a new interview. (File Photo/ AFP) What Sanjay Leela Bhansali said In the interview, when Bhansali was asked about the setting of the series, he said, "There was so much love that I received from Pakistan, people waiting for it anxiously, waiting for this to be told. Its a piece that somehow brings us all together, when all India was one, it was undivided. These people belong to us as much as they belong to them. I think they belong to both of us and both countries are showing a lot of love for finally the show being made. I still feel were all one, I still feel that were all connected in so many ways. Theres a lot of love for people on both sides, leave aside a few people would want to create issues but those are not relevant. 'I dont mind being criticised' The director further added how he is okay when his audience gives him critical feedback. "There are things in the characters that connect to people in my work. That is why they talk about it. A lot of people like it, a lot of people dont like it. Its a part of a give-and-take with an audience and filmmaker. I dont mind being loved when they give me love, and I dont mind quite being criticized when they dont connect to my work, he said. More about Heeramandi Set against the backdrop of the Indian freedom struggle of the 1940s, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar tells the story of courtesans and their patrons, and spins an epic saga of love, power, revenge, and freedom. It stars Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Aditi Rao Hydari and Fardeen Khan, among others. The show premiered on Netflix on May 1. Shekhar Suman has been praising Sanjay Leela Bhansali while promoting his recent release Heeramandi. The actor, who plays a crucial role in the OTT show, has worked with the filmmaker for the first time. In a recent interview with Zoom TV, Shekhar defended the director against complaints that he keeps actors waiting for long hours. (Also read: Heeramandi: Netizens point out these historical inaccuracies in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's series) Shekhar Suman defends Sanjay Leela Bhansali's prolonged wait time on sets. Shekhar says an actor should prep like a soldier Shekhar was asked about the filmmaker's meticulous process resulting in delayed shoot for actors. The Heeramandi actor opined, Its like a soldier waiting for the enemy to attack. He wouldnt say, Ive been waiting for 12 hours, now I want to go home. Does it happen? No, hes there! Whenever the enemy comes, he starts firing. It doesnt matter if its snowing or if its hot. An actor has to have the preparedness of a soldier. You cant complain about losing your concentration He further added, Even if Mr Bhansali says you keep doing it for two days, three days, you keep doing it if youre an actor. You cant complain about losing your concentration. Then get the hell out, you have no business being an actor. Whenever you look back, you will look back with so much glee and pride. And thats why one has so much respect for him. Everybody gets impatient, but thats not losing your temper. There is time and money involved, other actors are waiting because of your lack of understanding That becomes unfair to the director. They way he pampers his actors its no ones business. About Heeramandi Heeramandi is set in the backdrop of Indian Independence movement against the British Raj in the 1910s-1940s. The series depicts the lives of courtesans of the red-light district of Heera Mandi in Lahore. Shekhar portrays the character of Nawab Zulfikar in the show, while his son Adhyayan plays Nawab Zoravar Ali Khan. Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh and Sharmin Segal, Fardeen Khan and others play pivotal roles in the period drama series. Heeramandi is available for streaming on Netflix. Shekhar made his Bollywood debut with Girish Karnad's Utsav. The movie also featured Rekha, Shankar Nag, Shashi Kapoor and Amjad in crucial roles. The Broken News season 2 review: It wasn't too long ago that we, the journalists, found a dream editor in Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub's Imran Siddiqui in Hansal Mehta's crime drama Scoop last year. And now, we have Sonali Bendre's Amina Qureshi in Vinay Waikul's newsroom drama. She was a surprise in season 1, released a couple of years ago. But she's a revelation in the new season. She takes her role of an unbiased, idealistic journalist to a whole new level, and in the process, becomes the beating heart of this show. The Broken News season 2 review: Sonali Bendre plays an unbiased journalist in the ZEE5 show (Also Read Sonali Bendre recalls earlier linkups and gossips would be out there only to promote a film: Actors had no choice) Clash of voices Season 2 kicks off exactly where the first one ended Radha Bhargava (Shriya Pilgaonkar) of the news channel Awaz Bharti is in jail after a media campaign against her by her rival Deepankar Sanyal (Jaideep Ahlawat), the editor-in-chief of Josh 24*7, the leading right-wing news channel. Ameena, editor-in-chief of Awaz Bharti, is trying her best to get her colleague out of jail. As the plot progresses, there's a clash of not two, but three voices the left (or more like the anti-right in Radha), the right (Deepankar), and the ideal, the unbiased, the centre (Ameena). This three-way approach is a valid route to approach a newsroom drama set in the Indian mainstream media ecosystem. In the TRP and ego wars between the far right and the left, journalism loses its objectivity, the holy grail that the profession inherently swears upon. But Ameena, the last of that school of journalism, fights a losing battle against TRPs, against instant gratification, against the system, and against her own colleagues who've chosen their sides. Yet, Sonali instils so much integrity, simplicity, and resolve in her demeanour that you end up rooting for her all along. Sonali Bendre plays Ameena Qureshi in The Broken News There's a meta joke about her becoming a top heroine 20 years ago, which takes you back to some mediocre films she was a part of back in the 1990s. But watching her essay an author-backed role with a spine of steel makes you wonder if Bollywood never gave Sonali her due. Or maybe she's come into her own now, also having gone through a life-altering cancer bout. Nonetheless, we're glad that she's at the stage of life and career that she's in now and the courage, determination, and humility of Sonali Bendre infiltrate seamlessly into Ameena Qureshi. Shriya Pilgaonkar and Jaideep Ahlawat get steeper arcs. A traumatic incident in the prison leaves Radha broken and desperate for revenge. Her lens gets stained by retribution as she pursues her agenda in every story that comes across. It's a difficult role; Radha goes all OTT, her rival's pitch that she's despised all her career. She lies not only to her audience and colleagues, but also herself. She plays the victim card and becomes the aggressor, as and when convenient. Shriya could've easily gone overboard and she does, but rarely loses the grip on the audience. Instead of consistently justifying her actions, she enters that murky territory and comes across as despicable. But she gets a rousing redemption, that she ensures is served with the right effect and intent. Sonali Bendre and Shriya Pilgaonkar in The Broken News season 2 Jaideep Ahlawat is dependably reliable, and gets a few more shades to toss into his otherwise one-note character. Deepankar is happier and more clear-headed this season, and Jaideep ably throws light on that side with slightly wider grins, longer pauses, and more moisture in his eyes. We also see Deepankar's impact on the next crop of journalists Rihana (Aishwarya Chaudhary) inherits his exaggerated anchoring style and sensationalist news filter without paying any heed to ethics that he still guards with all his might. On the other hand, there's Anuj (Taaruk Raina), who keeps his conscience clean in the cesspool of a newsroom, and ends up reminding Deepankar of the young, idealistic journalist he once was. The Morning Show of India? In many ways, season 2 of The Broken News plays out like season 3 of Apple TV's Emmy Award-winning newsroom drama The Morning Show. There's competition within the industry between networks and even between colleagues in the same organisation which allows the politicians and the business elite to keep playing divide and rule. Like the American show, The Morning Show also incorporates the most recent bits from the discourse, like government surveillance, the nexus between Bollywood and drugs, and an alleged celebrity suicide being teased as an orchestrated murder. Jaideep Ahlawat plays Deepankar Sanyal in The Broken News But Vinay Vaikul and the writers competently adapt the show to the Indian media ecosystem. I laughed out loud when a character clarified a murder is, in fact, a suicide, to which his colleague responded, "Itne negative kyun ho rahe ho? Murder bhi toh ho sakta hai? (Why are you getting so negative? It can be a murder as well.) Or the glint in the eyes of the management and young blood of a primetime TV channel when they find out that a pregnant woman died because of an obstruction caused by the rally of the opposition leader. "That's bad, na?" they say, impatient to get their hands dirty with this scoop. Besides scouring for negative news to sell sensationalism on TV, The Broken News also gets the pitch (or the noise) of a contemporary news channel right. News anchors don't talk they shout. They don't address the audience their eyes are set on the competition when they dole out the news. That's relevant for the digital news age when publications scan their competition to replicate news instead of stepping into the field to gather first-hand scoops. Also, growing tech giants leverage this digital dissemination to lend credibility to the news they want to fan the flames of. There was Jon Hamm in The Morning Show; there's Akshay Oberoi (with an American accent and a boy band goatee) in The Broken News. Once the Ameena Qureshi modus operandi doesn't fetch the desired results, Radha and her associates resort to the growing appetite for fake news and sensationalism to arrive at the truth. The show is also guilty of that despite noble intent, it often capitalises on the very evils it aims to lambast in order to hammer home its point. There's emotional manipulation, hyperbole, self-contradiction, and misinformation everything that's wrong with news media today. At the end of the day, The Broken News is a fiction show, and not a news channel. So it can get away with all that, but still quite rich from a narrative that often invokes Mahatma Gandhi and Faiz Ahmed Faiz's Bol Ke Lab Azad Hain Tere. The Broken News season 2 is now streaming on ZEE5. One soldier was killed and five were injured in J&K's Poonch on Saturday after their security vehicles were fired upon by terrorists. The officials said the firing was reported from the Sanai village of Surankote and reinforcements from the Army and police have been rushed to the area. A gunfight ensued between the suspected terrorists and security forces near a government higher secondary school in Gursai Moori of Medhat sub-division in Poonch. The Indian Air Force vehicle which came under terrorist attack in Poonch on Saturday. The injured soldiers were taken to Udhampur Command Hospital where one succumbed to his injuries. An Indian Air Force vehicle convoy was attacked by militants in the Poonch district of J&K, near Shahsitar. Cordon and search operations are underway presently in the area by local military units. The convoy has been secured, and further investigation is under progress, IAF said in a statement. One of the trucks in the convoy bore the major brunt with several bullets piercing its front and side windscreen in the firing by the terrorists who were armed with AK assault rifles and are believed to have fled into the nearby forests, the officials said. The local Rashtriya Rifles unit has started cordon and search operations in the area. The vehicles have been secured inside the air base in the General area near Shahsitar. Poonch, part of the Anantnag-Rajouri-Poonch Lok Sabha constituency, where the polling has been rescheduled by the EC, will now go to the polls on May 25. Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a search operation after receiving information about the suspicious movement of two individuals on Friday. Earlier, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in the Samba sector were put on high alert after the security forces thwarted a potential infiltration attempt along the International Border in the Samba district. The intruder was gunned down by the forces while he tried to approach the BSF fences on the international border in the early hours of Wednesday. "In the intervening night of May 1 and 2, 2024, the vigilant BSF troops observed a suspicious movement across the IB in the Samba border area, & an intruder was observed approaching towards the BSF fence. The alert troops neutralised one intruder & thwarted the infiltration ttempt," the Border Security Forces said in an official release. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) caught the consul general of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Zakia Wardak, allegedly trying to smuggle 25 kg of gold worth 18.6 crore from Dubai to India. Consul general of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Zakia Wardak.(Twitter) According to a report by the Times of India, the incident took place on April 25 when Wardak was caught at the Mumbai airport. Reportedly, the DRI officials received specific information about Wardak, after which they deployed several personnel at the airport. The Afghan diplomat flew to Mumbai from Dubai on an Emirates flight along with her son around 5:45 pm. The mother-son duo used the green channel at the airport - indicating they were not carrying any luggage that needed to be declared to customs, said the report. The report said that the duo's luggage - five trolley bags, one handbag, one sling bag, and a neck pillow - were examined and cleared. However, shortly after, the DRI officials stopped them to ask if they were carrying any dutiable goods or gold with them, but the duo denied it. Following this, Wardak was taken to a separate room for a physical pat-down by a woman officer - during which the DRI officials found gold bars concealed in her jacket, leggings, knee caps, and waist belt. The officials also checked her son, but nothing was found on him, the report said. The Afghan diplomat was then reportedly asked to produce documents proving the legitimate possession of the gold, but she could not produce it. According to the report, the officials seized the gold under a panchnama and registered a case of gold smuggling under the Customs Act, 1962, against the Afghan diplomat. Despite this, Wardak was not arrested because she has diplomatic immunity from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Meanwhile, speaking to the Times of India, Wardak said that she was surprised and concerned by the gold smuggling accusations. The senior-most Afghan diplomat in India resigned from her position on Saturday following the emergence of reports that she was detained at Mumbai airport last month while allegedly attempting to smuggle 25 kg of gold worth almost $2.2 million from Dubai. Zakia Wardak. (File) Zakia Wardak, who was sent to India as the consul general in Mumbai three years ago and had been functioning as acting ambassador in New Delhi since late last year, said in a statement posted on X that she was stepping down because numerous personal attacks and defamation had severely impacted my ability to effectively operate in my role. The statement, posted in Dari, Pashto & English, made no mention of reports that she was stopped by officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Mumbai airport on April 25 while returning from Dubai and found to be allegedly carrying 25 one-kilogram gold bars worth more than 18 crore. Since Wardak was travelling on a diplomatic passport issued by the erstwhile Afghan government led by Ashraf Ghani, she wasnt arrested. People familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity that she was questioned for more than 12 hours after gold bars were found hidden in pockets sewn into her jacket and a waist belt. The DRI acted because there were suspicions that Wardak had allegedly smuggled gold into India on other occasions since late last year, the people said. They added that the physical search conducted by the DRI didnt violate provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. At the time she was stopped, Wardak was travelling with her son, who was not found to be carrying any contraband, the people said. Wardak has travelled often to Dubai in recent months, they said. Though Wardak was appointed by the Ashraf Ghani government, videos and images posted on social media by the current Taliban set-up in Kabul have shown her participating in virtual meetings chaired by the Talibans acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. There was no word on the development from Indian officials. Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen, when contacted by HT, said he would check and respond. Wardak and another Afghan consul general based in Hyderabad, Syed Mohammad Ibrahimkhail, took over the affairs of the Afghanistan embassy in New Delhi last November shortly after it was closed by former ambassador Farid Mamundzay, who moved to the UK. The Indian side has contended that Wardak and Ibrahimkhail didnt represent the Taliban as they were appointed by the previous regime, did not fly the Taliban flag at Afghan diplomatic facilities or use the term Islamic Emirate (the nomenclature of the Taliban) in their formal communications. Wardak contended she was functioning under the flag of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and she and Ibrahimkhail have participated in numerous meetings with Indian officials in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other cities. On March 23, Wardak had hosted the senior-most Indian diplomat handling Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran at the Afghan embassy in New Delhi. A former senior Afghan official, who didnt want to be named, described the developments involving Wardak as an embarrassment for Afghanistan and the Taliban set-up. Wardak said in her statement about her resignation that she was unprepared for the toll that attacks on her took on those close to me. She added, The persistent and coordinated nature of these attacks, aimed at defaming my character and undermining my efforts, have surpassed a tolerable threshold. She also thanked the Indian government for its unwavering support to her. Arvinder Singh Lovely who resigned from the post of Delhi Congress chief protesting over Congress's alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party joined the BJP on Saturday. The move came after Lovely emphasised that his resignation was only from the party post and not from the party. In his resignation letter that was tendered last week, Lovely was critical of the candidature of Kanhaiya Kumar from North East Delhi and Udit Raj from North West Delhi. He said they were total strangers to the Delhi Congress. He clarified that his resignation was not for ticket. Former Delhi Congress chief Arvinder Singh Lovely joined the BJP on Saturday. Photo: Arvind Yadav A week later as he joined the BJP, he said, We have got an opportunity to serve the country and Delhi at a time when we were lost. Today five of us joined the BJP. We will do whatever is needed to rescue Delhi from the situation that has been created in the last few years. Everyone knows about the conditions in which I had resigned from the post of Delhi Congress chief. Following that, I met my supporters and several Congress workers. They urged me not to sit at home, and join a strong party to fight for the people of Delhi, Arvinder said explaining his move. Arvinder Singh's resignation from the post last week came as a major blow to the party in the Capital. "Some people are spreading misinformation that I was upset over ticket (distribution). It is not like that. You all know that I introduced the candidates by holding a press conference three days ago," Lovely said after his resignation adding, ""I have only resigned as Delhi Congress chief and I am not joining any political party." "The Delhi Congress unit was against an alliance with a party which was formed on the sole basis of levelling false, fabricated and mala fide corruption charges against the Congress party ... half of the cabinet ministers (of the party) are presently in jail on corruption charges," Lovely said in his resignation letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. "Despite that, the party (Congress) made a decision to ally with the AAP in Delhi. We respected the party's final decision ... I even went to the extent of visiting Mr (Arvind) Kejriwal's residence on the night of his arrest along with Mr Subash Chopra and Mr Sandeep Dikshit, despite the same being against my position on the matter," he said. In Rae Bareli Lok Sabha constituency, which the locals prefer to describe as the VIP seat, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is facing an uphill task in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, especially after the Congress fielded its most popular face and former party chief Rahul Gandhi on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a roadshow with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. (BJP) Gandhi, who filed his nomination hours before the process was to end, is pitted against BJPs Dinesh Pratap Singh, a minister in the party-led Uttar Pradesh government, in the formers family borough. At the BJPs Atal Bhawan office, the plan to tackle Gandhi hinges on the performance of the Modi-Yogi double engine governments, a reference used by the ruling party to describe Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Centre and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath-led government in the countrys most populous state. Those who give votes in Rae Bareli needs Modis guarantees. Common people need house, free cooking gas (connection) under Ujjwala. Earlier, only those with (late Congress MP and Gandhi family aide) Satish Sharmas letter would get a gas connection, Rakesh Bahadur Singh, who fought against Sonia Gandhi in 2009 on a BJP ticket, alleged. Modi and Yogi have constructed toilets in every house. Before the BJP came to power, villagers had to sell their gold and land to deposit money in hospital if someone in their family needed a surgery. Now Modis Ayushman Bharat allows them to get free treatment in hospitals. Ajay Tripathi, former BJP chief of Rae Bareli unit, argued that 20% of the voters are beneficiaries of different welfare schemes of the BJP government. The Congress has not done anything for 60 years. How can they give 1 lakh to women heads of poor families (as mentioned in the Congress manifesto) when they have not been able to eradicate poverty from India? he said. Indira Gandhi was different. But Rahul is only talking about caste politics... At a BJP camp on the way to the collectors office, where Gandhi filed his nomination for the May 20 Lok Sabha polls, a group of BJP leaders and workers darted towards the former Congress chiefs black bullet-proof SUV as it was passing by, raising Jai Shri Ram and Rahul Gandhi Amethi jao slogans. Minutes later, a large crowd holding Congress and Samajwadi Party flags outnumbered them, raising counter slogans. Pushpen Singh, who contested the 2022 UP elections on a BJP ticket, pointed out that in 2014, the BJP got 173,000 votes in Rae Bareli, but increased its vote tally to 367,000 in 2019. The situation is changing. Between 2019 and 2024, Sonia Gandhi didnt even come here. Earlier, the Congress had MLCs, zila parishad members, but now they have lost everything, he said. But these electoral equations are met with strong emotional connect for the Gandhi family. People of Amethi want Gandhi family to fight from here. The attachment is deep and it is not just an emotional bond, said Congress district head Pankaj Tiwari. A case has been registered against union home minister Amit Shah and other BJP leaders, including Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency candidate K Madhavi Latha, G Kishan Reddy, T Yaman Singh and Raja Singh for allegedly violating the model code of conduct (MCC) by using children during their election campaign in Hyderabad. Amit Shah in Hyderabad(X/ @TheNaveena) Follow Elections LIVE Updates The Hyderabad police filed the case on a complaint by Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) vice- president Niranjan Reddy, in which the latter claimed that in the BJP rally from Laldawaza to Sudha Talkies on May 1 in which several BJP leaders, including Shah participated, a few children were seen on the dais with Shah. Reddy further claimed that one of the children was even seen with a BJP symbol, highlighting that it was a clear violation of the guidelines of the Election Commission, according to information available in the FIR accessed by HT Telugu. "This is a clear violation of guidelines of Election Commission. we are attaching here with a photo for your kind perusal," the complaint further said. Also Read: Amit Shah blames Sharad Pawar for closure of cooperative sugar mills in Maha Responding to the complaint, the Election Commission ordered Hyderabad Police Commissioner Srinivas Reddy (Hyderabad CP) to conduct an inquiry into the incident. On the orders of the CP, South Zone DCP Sneha Mehara took up the investigation and registered a case. Mughalpura police (moghalpura police station) is investigating the case. Police registered the case under IPC Section 188 (violation of an order issued by a public servant ) and are probing it further. The Election Commission of India (ECI) had earlier issued directions to political parties to refrain from using children in election campaigns, conveying that it would have a zero tolerance approach on the matter. The Election Commission of India has issued strict directives regarding use of children in any election-related activities. Political parties have been advised not to use children in election campaigns in any form whatsoever including distribution of posters/pamphlets or to participate in slogan shouting, campaign rallies, election meetings, etc, an ECI statement said. Also Read: Amit Shah takes Chandrayaan dig at Rahul Gandhi, Sonia over Raebareli candidature Elections 2024: The BJP has fielded Madhavi Latha from Hyderabad against sitting MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi. Hyderabad will go to polls in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections on May 13. (With inputs from agencies) ?Cumpliendo con su agenda descentralizada, la presidenta Dina Boluarte sostuvo una reunion de trabajo con el gobernador regional de Lambayeque, Jorge Perez, con quien se coordino acciones para destrabar importantes obras como la extension de la IIRSA Norte en el tramo #Olmos pic.twitter.com/g0oGADcccB A complaint has been filed against Rahul Gandhi for filing his nomination from the Raebareli seat in Uttar Pradesh. The complaint raises a question about Rahul Gandhi's nationality and his recent conviction in a defamation case, and how his nomination can be deemed valid by the Election Commission. Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from the Raebareli seat -HT photo The complaint was filed by advocate Ashok Pandey on behalf of Anirudh Pratap Singh. The complaint against Gandhi was registered by the advocate with the Returning Officer of Raebareli, demanding the cancellation of the Congress leader's nomination on the basis of two grounds - his nationality and his conviction. Pandey told ANI, First, Rahul Gandhi has been convicted for two years... He is ineligible to contest elections. Even though the Supreme Court has put a stay on Rahul Gandhi's conviction, it has not given any verdict like Afzal Ansari saying he can contest again... Since his stay on conviction does not involve permission to contest elections he should back off. Second, back in 2006, Rahul Gandhi once mentioned his Nationality as British. Being a British citizen, he cannot Constitutionally contest elections... After my complaint, Rahul Gandhi's representative was called in and my complaint has been accepted, the advocate further said. Congress leader Ajay Pal Singh issued a statement regarding the complaint against Rahul Gandhi, saying that his nomination was held valid before, and still hold valid now. The Congress leader said, "There's a candidate who registered a complaint against Rahul Gandhi after the period of complaining was over... The complainant said he has filed a writ challenging Rahul Gandhi's nationality... Rahul Gandhi's nomination was valid previously as well, and it is valid now also." Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from the Raebareli constituency on Friday, putting an end to the speculations of him contesting the elections from Amethi again. Congress loyalist Kishori Lal Sharma will contest the election from Amethi, against Union Minister and BJP candidate Smriti Irani. Attacking Rahul Gandhi for not contesting from Amethi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday, I had said that shehzade (Rahul Gandhi) is afraid of losing in Wayanad, and the moment voting ends, he will start looking for a third seat. Now even from Amethi, despite all his loyalists saying it, he panicked so much, he ran from there and is now looking towards Raebareli. These people keep going around telling people Daro Mat. Today I will also tell them... ji bhar ke kehta hoon. Arey daro mat, bhaago mat. Delhi Police on Thursday made its first arrest in a case in connection with a doctored video of Union home minister Amit Shah and apprehended a Congress worker for allegedly being involved in the editing and circulation of the clip in a bid to spread misinformation and create public disorder. Union home minister Amit Shah. (PTI) According to a senior police officer, the accused Arun Reddy, who runs an X account named Spirit of Congress and identifies himself as an AICC national coordinator on the microblogging site, was picked up for interrogation before being arrested. Reddy was picked up from Delhi on Friday for questioning and was later arrested. He was involved in the editing and circulation of the video with an intent to spread misinformation and create public disorder. We are questioning him and will make more arrests, the senior officer said, seeking anonymity. Acting on a complaint from the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), which comes under the ministry of home affairs, Delhi Police on Sunday lodged an FIR in connection with the doctored video of Shah, where his statement made during a Lok Sabha poll rally indicating a commitment to abolish quota for Muslims on religious grounds in Telangana was edited to make it appear he was advocating scrapping of all reservations. In a post on X, Congress leader Manickam Tagore said: Our Telangana colleague, Arun Reddy, has been detained by Delhi Police for 24 hrs with no information or FIR disclosed. We demand the immediate release of Arun. This authoritarian misuse of power by the regime is condemnable. On Monday, Delhi Police issued summons to Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy, asking him to appear before it in the national capital on May 1. One person, who is said to be the Assam Congresss war room coordinator, was also arrested by Assam Police in Guwahati for his alleged involvement in the matter. On May 1, Jharkhand Congress chief Rajesh Thakur was summoned on May 2 for questioning. Thakur did not appear for the probe. Earlier in the day, Hyderabad Police arrested five Telangana Congress workers, who were subsequently granted bail. The Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that unnatural sex with wife cannot be termed as rape, despite it being non-consensual. The Madhya Pradesh HC quashed an FIR registered against a man by his wife accusing him of having unnatural sex, observing that marital rape is not an offence under the IPC. Madhya Pradesh high court (File Photo) A single bench of the high court comprising Justice G S Ahluwalia made the observation while quashing the FIR made by the wife against her husband under IPC sections 377 (unnatural sex) and 506 (criminal intimidation). In the order issued on May 1, the high court judge referred to multiple judgments issued by the Supreme Court and high courts across the country, referring to the definition of rape according to IPC section 375. The judge ruled that a husband engaging with anal sex with his wife did not amount to rape, even if it was non-consensual, as long as the wife was over the age of 15. This court is of considered opinion that after having come to a conclusion that the act of unnatural sex by a husband with his legally wedded wife residing with him is not an offence under Section 377 of IPC, no further deliberations are required as to whether FIR was lodged on the basis of frivolous allegations or not, Justice Ahluwalia said on Wednesday. "Marital rape has not been recognized so far. Accordingly, an FIR in Crime No.377/2022 registered at Police Station Kotwali, Jabalpur and criminal prosecution of the applicant (husband) is hereby quashed," the order further stated. The man had filed a petition in court to quash the FIR lodged against him on the complaint of his wife. According to the petition, the couple got married in 2019, but the wife has been living in her parental home since February 2020. A case of dowry harassment was filed by the wife against her husband and in-laws in 2020. The wife then filed an FIR against the husband in 2022, accusing him of unnatural sex. (With inputs from PTI) A delegation of 75 officials from the election management bodies (EMBs) of 23 countries will visit India to observe the worlds largest election process during the ongoing Lok Sabha polls in the country, Election Commission of India officials said. An election official marks the finger of an elderly voter as he casts his vote from his home through postal ballot for the Lok Sabha elections at Gazole in West Bengals Malda district on Friday. (PTI) The event will be a first in terms of the scale and magnitude of the participation of the international delegates, they added. The visiting delegates represent countries namely Bhutan, Mongolia, Australia, Madagascar, Fiji, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Moldova, Tunisia, Seychelles, Cambodia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Chile, Uzbekistan, Maldives, Papua New Guinea and Namibia. Members from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), and media teams from Bhutan and Israel will also participate. According to ECI, the programme will begin on May 4 and will end on May 9. The event aims to familiarise the foreign election management bodies (EMBs) with the nuances of Indias electoral system as well as the best practices used by the largest democracy in the world. On May 5, the delegates will be addressed by chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar and election commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu. The delegates will visit six states Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh in small groups to observe polls and related preparedness in various constituencies. ECI said that it continues fostering international cooperation by organising the Election Visitors Programme (IEVP) during the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections 2024. A woman accused Prajwal Revanna of blackmailing and raping her on several occasions since 2021, according to a police FIR, and the family members of another woman seen in one of the thousands of videos of purported sexual assaults said on Friday that she has gone missing, in new allegations that appeared to tighten the noose around the Hassan member of Parliament and his MLA father HD Revanna. JDS MP Prajwal Revanna. (PTI) A special investigation team (SIT) is probing allegations of mass sexual abuse against Prajwal Revanna, who was suspended from the Janata Dal (Secular) but is the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate for the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency. He is the grandson of former prime minister HD Deve Gowda. The allegations of sexual abuse emerged in the hours following polling for the Hassan Lok Sabha seat, with close to 3,000 videos purportedly showing some of these incidents, leading the state government to put together an SIT. Revanna, who is ostensibly in Germany, was booked for rape after a second complaint came from a 44-year-old political worker of JD(S) on Thursday, accusing the 33-year-old of sexual assault. The complaint detailed for the first time the shocking extent of the allegations. The victim said the MP raped her first in 2021 at his official quarters after threatening to kill her and her husband. He allegedly recorded the first assault and used it to blackmail her on several occasions thereafter. He has sexually assaulted me multiple times in these years, blackmailing me that he would make the video public, she alleged in the FIR, which HT has seen. On Friday, the son of another woman, who was allegedly abused on camera, alleged that she was kidnapped on April 29. The KR Nagar police station in Mysuru filed an FIR based on the complaint against HD Revanna. The victims son alleged that she had gone missing after she was taken away by an individual close to the Revanna family, identified as Satish Babanna. The latest complaint alleged that Babanna had dropped his mother, who worked at HD Revannas residence in Holenarsipur for six years, at their home on the morning of April 26, warning them not to speak to police. Babbana returned on the instructions of HD Revanna, and forcibly took away the woman on his motorcycle, the complaint added. She has been missing since and at least five special teams of the SIT are now searching for her, an officer said, asking not to be named. Senior officers said that police have arrested Babanna under sections 364A (kidnap) and 365 (forceful restrain) of the Indian Penal Code and that he has been sent to judicial custody. HD Revanna has not given a statement on the allegations so far. HT tried to reach out to him but he was not available for a comment. The first complaint was filed on Saturday night, a day after voting, when a woman alleged she was abused at the Revannas residence between 2019 and 2022. The SIT sent notices to both men on April 28, to which Prajwal asked for a week to respond, since he was out of Bengaluru. The SIT, however, rejected the request, and issued a lookout notice against him on Tuesday. A political slugfest, meanwhile, continued with Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah continuing to reiterate that both the BJP and the JD(S), who are fighting the Lok Sabha polls in an alliance, knew about Prajwal Revannas videos. Prajwal Revannas case is not just sexual harassment. He has raped women. A rape case has been registered (against him), he said. Former chief minister and JD(S) state president Kumaraswamy dismissed attempts to drag former PM Deve Gowdas name into the issue. You might not know or have forgotten how he (Deve Gowda) has led his life. We have said several times now that whoever has done wrong things should face punishment, he said. New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said it has attached properties worth over 205 crore, including those of retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Anil Tuteja who was arrested last month, in connection with its money laundering probe into the alleged liquor scam case in Chhattisgarh. ED claimed in a statement issued last month that it has gathered evidence stating while Tuteja was not officially a part of the excise department, yet he was actively involved with operations. (Somanth Sen) The properties attached under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) include 14 assets of Tuteja worth 15.82 crore, 115 properties of Anwar Dhebar, elder brother of Raipur mayor and Congress leader Aijaz Dhebar, worth 116.16 crore, properties of one Vikash Agarwal alias Subbu worth 1.54 crore and 33 properties of another person, Arvind Singh, worth 12.99 crore, ED said in a statement. Besides, a property worth 1.35 crore of Arunpati Tripathi, an Indian Telecom Service officer and special secretary of the excise department, nine properties worth 28.13 crore of liquor businessman Trilok Singh Dhillon and jewellery worth 27.96 crore of Naveen Kedia linked to the Durg-based Chhattisgarh Distillery Limited were also attached, it added. The total value of these assets, 18 movable and 161 immovable, is worth 205.49 crore. A 2003-batch IAS officer, Tuteja was arrested on April 21 and the federal agency has described him as the kingpin of the liquor syndicate operating in Chhattisgarh. The Supreme Court on April 8 quashed the PMLA proceedings against Tuteja and others in connection with the alleged irregularities worth 2,161 crore, saying that predicate offence was not established. EDs previous probe, which started in 2022, was based on an income-tax complaint and did not form part of the scheduled offence, a requirement for the agency to go ahead with money laundering probes. On April 9, however, as reported by HT, the federal agency filed a fresh case in the matter based on a first information report (FIR) filed by the Chhattisgarh police on January 17 this year. The fresh ECIR (enforcement case information report) equivalent to an FIR allows ED to reinvestigate the charges. ED claimed in a statement issued last month that it has gathered evidence stating while Tuteja was not officially a part of the excise department, yet he was actively involved with operations of this department. The complicit actions of Tuteja resulted in a massive loss to the state exchequer and filled the pockets of the beneficiaries of the liquor syndicate with over 2,100 crore illegal proceeds of crime, the agency has alleged. Tuteja, who retired last year, was last designated as joint secretary in the industry and commerce department of Chhattisgarh. In its fresh ECIR, ED has named all 70 accused booked by the Chhattisgarh police, including Tuteja, several Congress leaders, bureaucrats and businessmen. The police FIR came roughly a month after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unseated the Congress in the Chhattisgarh assembly polls, results of which were announced on December 3 last year. To be sure, Chhattisgarh Police acted on the matter with the reference of ED, which sent a detailed probe report to local police after the elections. The controversy originally arose from allegations of corruption within Chhattisgarhs liquor industry, implicating officials and influential functionaries. ED alleged there were irregularities between 2019 and 2022, when officials of the state-run liquor retailer, the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Ltd (CSMCL), took bribes from distillers. The then Congress government in the state accused the BJP-led Centre of using ED to target its leaders. The Centre defended the EDs actions as upholding the law. Former Congress leader Pramod Krishnam on Saturday made a bold claim of the grand old party soon splitting into two factions - one headed by Rahul Gandhi and the other by his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Krishnam's prediction comes just a day after Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from the Raebareli constituency, from where Priyanka was speculated to contest the Lok Sabha election. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra addressing during a public meeting ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. (File photo) In a startling claim, Pramod Krishnam said that there is an ongoing conspiracy against Priyanka Gandhi inside the Congress party, and it could soon split into two factions. He also echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's jibe against Rahul Gandhi, saying that the Congress leader should contest the polls from Rawalpindi instead of Raebareli. Pramod Krishnam said, The way Rahul Gandhi has left Amethi, Congress party workers' morale is down. Priyanka Gandhi not contesting the election, this is now taking the shape of a volcano in the hearts of her supporters that will erupt after June 4. Congress will again be split into two factions, one of Rahul Gandhi and the other of Priyanka Gandhi... I think Rahul Gandhi should contest from Rawalpindi instead of Raebareli, as his popularity and demand are increasing in Pakistan. Putting all the speculations to rest, the Congress party decided to field Rahul Gandhi from Raebareli and party loyalist KL Sharma from Amethi, keeping Priyanka Gandhi off the electoral contest. Hinting that the party is working against Priyanka Gandhi, Krishnam further said, I had already said that Rahul Gandhi will not let Priyanka Gandhi Vadra contest elections... There is a huge conspiracy in the family and the party against Priyanka Gandhi. She is the victim of a conspiracy in the family and the party. Krishnam said that Rahul could have contested against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi if he did not want to contest from Amethi. On talks of whether Priyanka Gandhi is contesting the polls or not, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said previously that she is campaigning across the country vigorously and should be limited to just one seat. "Priyanka ji is campaigning vigorously and is single-handedly silencing Narendra Modi's lies. The way she responded to the canards that the PM was spreading on the abolition of estate duty in March 1985 was a stinging rebuke. That is why it was important that she should not be limited to just one constituency. She is campaigning across the country," Ramesh wrote in a post on X. (With inputs from PTI) Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on Saturday released photographs of all three persons arrested for their alleged connection with the killing of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. From left to right: Karanpreet Singh (28), Kamalpreet Singh (22) and Karan Brar (22). (IHIT) Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot dead in Canada's Surrey last year. Canada accuses the Indian government of involvement in the killing a charge denied and termed absurd by New Delhi. Those arrested by the Canadian police have been identified as Karanpreet Singh (28), Kamalpreet Singh (22) and Karan Brar (22). The trio were arrested in Edmonton city in Alberta province. Also Read | Why is Trudeau government silent on Punjab gangsters living in Canada They have been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in relation to the homicide. The police also released photographs of a Toyota Corolla car, which it claims was used by the suspects in the time leading up to the murder of Nijjar. Todays charges are the result of 10 months of dedication from the IHIT (Integrated Homicide Investigation Team) investigators and its many partners across Canada including both RCMP and municipal police services, Superintendent Mandeep Mooker, Officer in Charge of IHIT said. The investigation does not end here. We are aware that there are others out there that played a role in this homicide and we remain dedicated to identifying and arresting each one of them. Also Read | Hardeep Singh Nijjar murder: What Canada police said on 3 arrested suspects Assistant Commissioner David Teboul said that the case is still very much under active investigation. I will say this matter is still very much under active investigation. I will underscore that todays announcements are not a complete account of the investigative work currently underway, Teboul added. There are separate and distinct investigations ongoing into these matters, certainly not limited to the involvement of the people arrested today, and these efforts include investigating connections to the Government of India. Nijjar was designated as a terrorist in 2020 by India's National Investigation Agency. Following Trudeau's allegations last year, India temporarily suspended the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens. The visa services were resumed several weeks later. India has maintained that Canada has yet to provide any concrete evidence related to Nijjar's murder. A special investigation team (SIT) arrested Janata Dal (Secular) MLA HD Revanna in connection with a sexual assault and kidnapping case, officials said on Saturday, in a development that came soon after a special court rejected his anticipatory bail plea. JD(S) MLA HD Revanna being taken into custody by officials of a Special Investigation Team, on Saturday. (PTI) The SIT, constituted to probe the allegations of sexual abuse against the Holenarasipur MLA and his son Prajwal Revanna, on Saturday also rescued the abducted woman from the farmhouse of Revannas personal assistant in Mysuru, the officials said. Revanna, former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowdas son, was taken into custody at around 6.45pm from the JD(S) supremos Padmanabhanagar residence in Bengaluru, a senior SIT official said. Initially, he didnt respond to the calls, and when the team decided to enter the house to arrest him, he came out, surrendering to the police, the official said. ALSO READ | Sex videos scandal: Second lookout circular issued against Prajwal Revanna The arrest capped nearly a week of controversy that erupted after pen drives with purported videos of Prajwal Revanna sexually assaulting multiple women came to the fore days before the constituency of Hassan, a family borough of the JD(S), went to the polls in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections on April 26. Prajwal Revanna is the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate for the seat. SIT arrested Janata Dal (Secular) MLA HD Revanna in connection with a sexual assault and kidnapping case. Karnataka government officials said that a pen drive circulated in Hassan had 2,976 videos, some of a few seconds, and some that last a few minutes. Preliminary investigations suggested that most were shot from a mobile phone at Revannas residences in Bengaluru and Hassan after 2019. The arrest on Saturday came in a case registered against Revanna and his associate Sathish Babanna in Mysuru on Thursday night for allegedly abducting a woman, reportedly in her 60s. The FIR was filed on a complaint filed by the womans son after she went missing on April 28. The complainant alleged that Babanna, acting under directives from Revanna, abducted his mother. Babanna has already been arrested in connection with the case. ALSO READ | JD(S) leader Revanna files anticipatory bail plea in sexual harassment case According to the complaint, one of the thousands of videos shows the woman pleading with Prajwal to spare her. Prajwal is ostensibly in Germany on a diplomatic passport after allegations of sexual abuse came to light. Revanna was charged under sections 364(a) (kidnapping for ransom, etc), 365 (kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine person) and 34 (the acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. More than five days after her alleged kidnapping, the woman was found at a farmhouse in Kalenahalli village in Mysuru, a second SIT official said. The house belongs to Rajashekar, the personal assistant of Revanna. The woman will be brought to Bengaluru, where her statement will be recorded, the officer said. Seeking anticipatory bail in the case, Revanna approached the Special Court for Elected Representatives, which on Saturday dismissed his application. Revannas advocates promised the court that he would attend interrogation by the SIT if the bail plea was granted. However, objections were raised by the SIT public prosecutor to his bail application. Judge Santosh Gajanana Bhat of the Special Court of Inquiry of Criminal Cases against Legislators-Members of Parliament issued the order rejecting the bail application at 6.23pm, and posted the matter for May 6. The SIT is probing allegations of mass sexual abuse against HD and Prajwal Revanna. The state government, under chief minister Siddaramaiah, constituted the SIT on April 27 following a request from the Karnataka State Womens Commission. The first case was registered against Prajwal and his father for alleged sexual harassment at the Holenarsipura police station in Hassan district on April 28, based on a complaint by a 47-year-old woman who accused the father and son of harassing her and her daughter, who worked at Revannas house. On Saturday, Siddaramaiah held an important meeting with the SIT officials, during which he instructed that immediate action be taken to arrest Prajwal. We will proceed for arrest with appropriate measures. There is a possibility of CBI issuing a Blue Corner Notice, which will speed up the investigation, news agency PTI quoted a statement from the CMs office as saying. They (SIT officials) have assured that they will arrest and get the accused back, as soon as they get the information from the airports, it added. A Blue Notice is issued by the international police cooperation body to collect additional information from its member countries about a persons identity, location or activities in relation to a crime. The SIT is said to have sent a request to CBI, the nodal body for Interpol matters in India, seeking a Blue Notice against Prajwal, the officials said, adding that once CBI issues this notice, SIT hopes to get information about the whereabouts of the Hassan MP. According to PTI, Prajwal is said to have flown abroad on April 27, a day after the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka was held. The SIT has issued a lookout notice against him. A political slugfest over the case continued with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi writing a letter to CM Siddaramaiah, requesting him to extend all possible support to the victims in the case, even as he hit out at the BJP and the JD(S). In his letter to Siddaramaiah dated May 3, Gandhi alleged that Prajwal sexually assaulted and filmed hundreds of women over several years. Many who looked up to him as a brother and son were brutalised in the most violent manner and robbed of their dignity. The rape of our mothers and sisters warrants the strictest possible punishment. What is even more shocking is that despite these gruesome allegations being brought to the notice of the senior most BJP leadership, the prime minister campaigned and canvassed for a mass rapist. Furthermore, the Union Government wilfully allowed him to flee India to derail any meaningful investigation, Gandhi said in the letter. Responding to the letter, the chief minister assured Gandhi of an impartial investigation. BJP has rejected the charge and distanced itself from the case, stating that it concerned only the MP, and law will take its course. The second phase of polling in 14 constituencies in Karnataka will take place on May 7. Five personnel of the Indian Air Force were hurt, with one of them succumbing to his injuries at a hospital later, as armed terrorists ambushed an IAF convoy at Lassana Top in Surankote tehsil of Poonch district on Saturday, officials said. A damaged IAF truck in Poonch on Saturday. (ANI) The attack happened at around 6.15pm when two IAF vehicles were returning to their station Shahsitar from Jarawali and they came under attack. The armed terrorists opened indiscriminate fire before fleeing the spot, officials aware of the matter said. Reinforcements were rushed to the area where counter-terror operations were launched. The local Rashtriya Rifles unit started cordon and search operations in the area, the officials said. An Indian Air Force vehicle convoy was attacked by militants in the Poonch district of J&K, near Shahsitar. Cordon and search operations are underway presently in the area by local military units. The convoy has been secured, and further investigation is under progress, the IAF said in a post on X. IAF Officer Killed Inside Pathankot Air Force Base | Watch What Happened While the vehicles have been also secured inside the air base in the general area near Shahsitar, the injured personnel were rushed to the hospital, where one of them succumbed to his injuries. In the ensuing gunfight with terrorists, the Air Warriors fought back by returning fire. In the process, five IAF personnel received bullet injuries, and were evacuated to the nearest military hospital for immediate medical attention. One Air Warrior succumbed to his injuries later, the IAF post said. Further operations are on by the local security forces. One of the trucks in the IAF convoy bore the maximum brunt of the attack with several bullets piercing its windscreen and side. The terrorists, who were armed with AK assault rifles, are believed to have fled into the nearby forests, the officials said. Police assisted by paramilitary forces had been carrying out searches in Poonch town since Friday following inputs about the movement of suspected persons. However, no one was arrested during the operation, the officials said. Officials cited above said that the ambush bore similarities with the April 2023 ambush when terrorists shot dead five soldiers. ALSO READ | Two UP-born among 4 IAF officers selected for Gaganyaan Saturday evenings attack was a replica of Tota Gali ambush in Poonch district of April 20, 2023 when armed terrorists ambushed an army vehicle and shot dead five soldiers, the officials said. The area has dense forests and the road meanders along the serpentine hills. Besides, an IAF station, the army also has a camp there. The attackers, it seems, used dense forest and undulating terrain to their advantage to ambush the vehicles, the officials said. The attack has come days before Poonch goes to the polls on May 25 as part of the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency. The polling for the constituency was rescheduled by the Election Commission April 30 after leaders across the political divide sought rescheduling due to adverse weather conditions. The Election Commission had asked the Jammu and Kashmir administration to immediately submit a detailed report on road conditions, weather and accessibility to the region which covers parts of South Kashmir and areas in Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu region. The polling was initially scheduled to be held on May 7, in the third phase of the seven-phase elections. The Jammu and Kashmir Congress condemned Saturdays attack. In a statement, Pradesh Congress Committee president Vikar Rasool Wani said the repeated terror attacks on the forces need to be responded to strongly and underlined the need to check the rise in terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir. We condemn the terror attack on the IAF personnel... We express our grave concern over the escalated attacks by terrorists in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir, especially in Rajouri-Poonch belt, resulting in loss of several precious lives of our jawans and officers, Wani said. The border district of Poonch along with adjoining Rajouri has witnessed some major terrorist attacks over the past two. The latest incident in the Pir Panjal region follows the killing of government employee Mohd Razaq, brother of an Army personnel, by terrorists in Rajouris Kunda Top on April 22 and village defence guard Mohd Sharief in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur on April 28. Police have released pictures of two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, including suspected Pakistani national Abu Hamza, involved in the murder of Razaq and announced a cash reward of 10 lakh for information leading to his arrest. The Bufliaz ambush in December last year came weeks after a major gunfight in the Dharmsal belt of Bajimaal forest in Rajouri that left five Army personnel, including two captains, dead. Two terrorists, including top LeT commander Quari, were also killed in the two-day gunfight. Quari was said to be the mastermind behind several attacks, including the killing of 10 civilians and five Army personnel in the district. The stretch between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz on the boundary of Rajouri and Poonch is densely forested and leads to Chamrer forest and then Bhata Dhurian forest, where five soldiers were killed in an ambush attack on an Army vehicle on April 20 last year. In May last year, five more Army personnel were killed and a major-rank officer was injured in Chamrer forest during an anti-terrorist operation. A foreign terrorist was also killed in the operation. In 2022, five Army personnel were killed when terrorists carried out a suicide attack on their camp at Pargal in the Darhal area of Rajouri district. Both the terrorists involved in the attack were eliminated. In 2021, nine soldiers were killed in two attacks by terrorists in the forested region. While five Army personnel, including a junior commissioned officer (JCO), were killed on October 11 in Chamrer, a JCO and three soldiers were killed on October 14 in a nearby forest. With agency inputs A Sydney council has fixed an error on a sign in one of the city's most elite beach suburbs, only to embarrassingly introduce a new mistake, writes Adam Lucius. The local council has backfliped after mistakenly putting up a sign misnaming a Manly street, however, they inadvertently introduced a new error when they erected the new signage. Source: Supplied Nothing irritates ratepayers and residents more than local councils getting involved in areas of which they know little about and stuffing it right up. Anger levels rise even further when work no-one asked for ends up costing time and money that could have been better spent elsewhere. Sometimes it pays for councils to let sleeping dogs (as long as they are leashed and away from breeding plover birds) lie. Manly ratepayers were outraged by the change. Source: Supplied Sydney's Northern Beaches Council (NBC) couldnt help getting involved in solving a problem that didnt exist and fixed one mistake only to create another. And it all started with just two letters on a sign. Let me explain. The strip of road running along the Manly beachfront has been commonly known as South Steyne for well over 150 years. It took its name from the Steyne - or "Steine" - from Brighton, England, via the founder of Manly, Englishman Henry Gilbert Smith. Businesses along that stretch, including international brands Wahlburgers founded by Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg and Ben and Jerry's, carry "South Steyne" in their address. Many business were using South Steyne in their addresses. Source: Supplied For reasons that remain unexplained, NBC recently erected a new street sign along South Steyne and overlooked 100-plus years of history by renaming it. Overnight, South Steyne became South Steyne Rd. Locals with a keen eye for history not to mention a radar for tautology were flummoxed. One outraged resident wrote on a community Facebook page: "Appalling. What next NBC, The Corso Lane? Manly Wharf Wharf? If you must put up signs at least carry out due diligence." "If you are a Manlyite, you would know the roadway along the waterfront has always been known as North Steyne and South Steyne, intersected by the Corso." But he was countered by another member of the group, who insisted South Steyne Rd was right. "Fail to understand the issue. It's correct," the poster responded. Except it wasn't. Controversial street sign finally fixed After Yahoo News Australia sought clarification from NBC, the sign was quickly amended. We were told: "Council has reviewed the street name and (can) confirm the Rd in the street sign is not required". "A replacement sign has been installed this morning. It was a simple error." Now you see it, now you don't. But here comes the kicker. In fixing up one mess, council created another. With the "Rd" on the South Steyne sign now safely covered up, restoring the strip to its former glory, some genius at council okayed a "North Steyne"; sign on the same pole pointing north. The new sign points out where North an South Steyne are, but there's a catch. Source: Supplied Problem is, that's not where North Steyne starts. Never has. It begins 100 metres or so up the beachfront. Cue more outrage and incredulity. One frustrated ratepayer vented: "I would love to know how much of our money council has spent in the past two years correcting the absolute catalogue of mistakes they have allowed to happen. It's embarrassing!" It sure is. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Vidisha: Rahul Pal, 20, had come to watch a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) election rally in his home town Sanchi, known for its Buddha monastery. For him, the contest is between a known leader, BJPs Shivraj Singh Chouhan popularly known as Mamaji and a relatively unknown leader, Congresss Pratap Bhanu Sharma. This election is for the country not for local issues. We want a tough leader who can take our country forward, he said, highlighting unemployment as the biggest issue for him. Former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a rally in Vidisha ahead of May 7 polling (Twitter/@ChouhanShivraj) Chouhan is the longest-serving chief minister of Madhya Pradesh for 18 years between 2005 and 2023. Some distance away, Leena Bai, a beneficiary of the state governments monthly allowance of Rs.1,250 scheme under Ladli Behna, has more clarity on her voting choice. I dont know anything about what is happening in the country. I will go for voting on May 7 as I became financially independent because of Shivraj Bhaiya. A vegetable vendor, Narayani Kori, 24, however, said that the government has failed to address the basic issues of employment and water. I tried hard but didnt get a house under the PM Housing Scheme [Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana]. My husband is not getting work under MNREGA or any other scheme. In this election I will ask Shivraj Bhaiya what he will do for us? she said. Also Read: HT interview: No fight in MP; sure Modi will be PM again, says Chouhan Contesting from Vidisha, Chouhan seeks his return to Lok Sabha after 20 years even as some people have questioned the government over Vidisha being among the 100 most backward districts in the state. Since 1967, when the constituency came into existence, Congress won Vidisha only twice in 1980 and 1984 by present Congress candidate Pratap Bhanu Sharma. Chouhan has won the Vidisha seat five times in the past from 1991 to 2004. Leaders like Ramnath Goenka, former Prime Minister Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former external affairs minister Late Sushma Swaraj had also won from here. Chouhan won from Vidisha five times becoming chief minister in 2005. Meanwhile, in the assembly election held last year, out of the eight assembly seats, the BJP won seven, which indicates another indicator of its dominance. Unlike other constituencies, where the BJP is raising issue of bulldozer justice, Congress giving reservation to Muslims, and redistribution of wealth, Chouhan is raising local issues and contesting on sarvadharma sadbhav. Chouhan, 65, held a rally in the constituency on Friday, where he interacted with the people over local issues. He also hugged Muslim men, women, and children. For Chouhan, the main poll plank is the schemes launched by him for women and children in 18 years when he was the chief minister. Even in speeches from a chariot, he assures people that they will get everything as their brother is working for them. I have decided to save a girl child so I started the scheme, Ladli Laxmi. I wanted to make my sister self-reliant so I started the Ladli Behna scheme and now I want to see all my sisters Lakhpati and thats why I am here. Vote for your brother so that he can fulfil your dream, he said in Sanchi during a public gathering on April 29. Also Read: Morena: BJP relies heavily on defections to protect three-decade long stronghold The constituency spread over 300 square km is full of BJP posters and flags, and there is hardly a pictorial presence of Sharma, the Congress candidate fielded against Chouhan. Sharma, 77, who won his last election 33 years ago, speaking about Chouhans rally in Vidisha, said, Nothing will happen by hugging Muslims or displaying money power. I want to ask Chouhan what he did for Vidisha for 18 years when he was the CM. Vidisha being the most backward district shows that Shivraj has failed to perform. According to political analyst Girija Shankar, in Vidisha, Chouhan is contesting to increase the margin of win for the BJP whereas Sharma is not even trying to give a tough fight. Chouhan fights every election seriously so he is contesting this election too in a serious manner but in his own style. The government on Saturday lifted its ban on export of onions as officials cited normal availability, stable prices and robust output from the winter crop, a move that will benefit traders and farmers of Maharashtra, the countrys biggest producer of the vegetable. India imposed a minimum export price (MEP) of $550 per tonne plus 40% tariff on outbound onion shipments. (AFP) Simultaneously, India imposed a minimum export price (MEP) of $550 per tonne plus 40% tariff on outbound onion shipments. The floor price, below which traders cant export, is designed to discourage cheap exports. The export policy of onion is amended from prohibited to free subject to MEP of $550 per metric tonne with immediate effect and until further orders, the directorate general of foreign trade said in a notification on Saturday. India, the worlds biggest exporter of onion, banned overseas sales in December to boost local supplies after patchy rains in key states led to a 20% fall in output, worsening seasonal shortages and leading to a price spike. The countrys ban had driven up prices of the vegetable for global buyers, from the Middle East to Bangladesh, who were left scrambling for cheaper alternatives. Prior to the ban, the government had slapped a 40% duty on exports, a measure that failed to ease prices of the essential item, leading to a full prohibition on exports. ALSO READ | Onion farmers pick holes in govt statement allowing export The ban has been lifted basically taking into account reasonably comfortable rabi 2024 production of 19.1 million tonnes, good kharif prospects with above-normal monsoon forecast, international availability and current market situation, consumer affairs secretary Nidhi Khare said. The countrys monthly consumption requirement is around 1.7 million tonnes. We will continue to monitor prices as usual. Prices have been stable at mandis (wholesale markets) and also at the retail level since April, Khare said. The modal price (a type of average) of onions is 15 a kg (wholesale) at Lasalgoan in Maharashtra, Asias largest onion market, she added. India lifts export ban on onion. The government did not expect domestic prices to rebound as a result of the removal of the export restriction, she said. Domestic consumers are highly sensitive to prices of onion since it is the base ingredient of most Indian dishes. In 1998, the Bharatiya Janata Party is said to have lost the Delhi assembly elections due to an onion price spiral. ALSO READ | Cheap onion export causing losses, say farmers The decision to the lift the ban, which helped cool local prices, will benefit traders and farmers in key onion belts of Maharashtra, such as Dindori, Nashik, Dhule, Sirdi and south Ahmednagar, regions where Lok Sabha elections are due in subsequent phases. The five-month-long export ban had angered farmers and traders, who had been intermittently protesting since February, demanding that the trade restrictions be lifted. Asked about the timing of the decision to lift the ban, especially in view of the upcoming phases of Lok Sabha polls, Khare said: We are not concerned with all that in any way. The decision was taken based on ground reports that show a very comfortable situation. Before taking a decision, a high-level team was deputed to tour onion-growing regions to assess stocks and states were extensively consulted several times followed by interministerial consultations, she added. Thats why we got the confidence. Also, since harvest is good and onions have a shelf life of 4-6 months, not lifting the ban would have led to storage loss. Farmers would have hesitated to grow onion during the upcoming kharif season. A majority (about 80%) of the onion crop is grown in the winter season and sown during the two months of December and January. This crop is ready for harvest during April and May, which is the main harvest that meets most of Indias annual demand. A chunk of it is also exported. A 40% export duty, which works out to $220 per tonne, along with a floor price of $550 per tonne means that Indian onions will be available for foreign buyers only at a minimum price of $770 per tonne. Asked if the tariffs were too high and may result in too few exports, Indias director general of foreign trade Santosh Sarangi said: We have benchmarked the MEP and export duty on freight-on-board and global prices. If we feel its on the higher side, we can always review the MEP. Traders appeared sceptical about the 40% duty, which could make Indian onion expensive for importers, said Narayan Wadhwane, secretary of Lasalgaon agricultural produce market committee in Maharashtra. The ban should have been lifted earlier. Traders are still confused about why theres a duty over and above the MEP of $550 per tonne. We will get to know the export market demand only after about 15 days, Wadhwane said. A Janata Dal (Secular) worker from Karnataka's Hassan has accused MP Prajwal Revanna of raping her at gunpoint and recording videos of the act, PTI reported. Prajwal Revanna has been suspended from the JD(S) amid allegations over sexual abuse.(PTI) Based on the complaint of the JD(S) worker, a first information report (FIR) has been registered by the Criminal Investigation Department, which is investigating the sexual abuse allegations against Revanna. In her complaint, the woman said Prajwal had taken her to the MP quarters where he perpetrated the crime at gunpoint and threatened that he would kill her, as well as her husband if she revealed to anyone what he had done.. "He (Prajwal Revanna) asked me to remove my clothes. I refused and threatened to scream for help. But he threatened me saying he was carrying a gun and would not leave my husband and me, she alleged, according to The Indian Express. Also Read | Will bring back Prajwal from wherever he is: Siddaramaiah He threatened to leak the video to the public if I revealed it to anyone. Using those videos (as leverage), he used to video call me over the phone and ask me to strip. He also raped me several times, the complainant added. She alleged that she was raped and harassed on multiple occasions between January 1, 2021 and April 25, 2024. Kidnapping FIR against Prajwal Revanna Prajwal Revanna, the sitting MP from Hassan and the grandson of former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, has been accused of recording purported sex tapes. Thousands of pen drives allegedly containing his sexual assault videos were circulated in Hassan, the Lok Sabha constituency from where he is the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-JD (S)'s candidate. The Karnataka government has constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the allegations. Prajwal Revanna claims that the videos were doctored, and left for Frankfurt on the day the Karnataka Police constituted the SIT. He has also been suspended by his party. Earlier, Revanna was booked in an alleged sexual harassment case on April 28 based on a complaint lodged with Holenarasipura Town police. On Thursday, Prajwal Revanna, his father HD Revanna and his confidant Sathish Babanna, were also booked on charges of kidnapping for allegedly abducting a woman five days ago. The complainant said that on April 29, his mother was taken away by Babanna. "My mother's picture is also in the obscene video controversy. She suddenly disappeared after the videos were revealed," the son added. The incident has sparked a political controversy with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Congress blaming each other. Activists and opposition parties have called for his arrest. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has received the Lok Sabha election 2024 ticket from Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli, having already contested from Wayanad in Kerala in the second phase on April 26. Rahul's mother, Sonia Gandhi, who had won in Raebareli in the 2019 polls vacated the seat this year and moved to the Rajya Sabha as an MP. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (ANI) While Rahul is the sitting MP from Wayanad, his decision to contest from Raebareli has received a mixed response from the people in the constituency in Kerala. While some people in Wayanad are supporting Rahul's move, others are against it, reported news agency IANS. "He is leading the INDIA bloc and hence there is nothing wrong in it," said one person as quoted by IANS. Another person opined that Rahul will likely vacate Wayanad seat if he wins in Raebareli. The person said, "If he wins from both the seats, it's most likely that he will vacate the Wayanad seat." "If he does that, then it might not look good for us. Anyway let us wait," said another person. ALSO READ| 'Pakistan wants Congress shehzada becomes PM': Modi's salvo on Rahul; Priyanka counters Weighing in on the matter, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader PK Kunhalikutty has said that the decision will help the INDIA bloc of which the Congress party is a major ally. "The fact of the matter is we (IUML) requested the Congress party's national leadership that Rahul should contest from one more seat other than Wayanad. Did not PM Modi contest from two seats in the past? We feel that this decision will be a boost for the INDIA bloc," said Kunhalikutty. In the 2019 general elections, Rahul Gandhi contested from Wayanad and Uttar Pradesh's Amethi Lok Sabha constituency. While he won in Wayanad, he lost Amethi where BJP's Smriti Irani emerged victorious. Meanwhile, the BJP claimed Rahul ran away from Amethi fearing defeat against Irani again. Lok Sabha Election 2024 highlights: Campaigns of political parties are in full swing ahead of the voting for the third phase of the Lok Sabha polls on May 7. Calling previous Congress governments "weak" on dealing with Pakistan over the issue of terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday claimed that leaders in the neighbouring nation want Rahul Gandhi to become the next prime minister....Read More Meanwhile, a complaint has been filed to cancel Rahul Gandhi's nomination papers in Raebareli, reported news agency ANI. After filing the complaint on behalf of Anirudh Pratap Singh, Advocate Ashok Pandey says, On behalf of Anirudh Pratap Singh, we have registered a complaint with the Returning Officer of Raebareli demanding cancellation of Rahul Gandhi's nomination papers on two grounds. First, Rahul Gandhi has been convicted for two years... He is ineligible to contest elections. Even though the Supreme Court has put a stay on Rahul Gandhi's conviction, it has not given any verdict like Afzal Ansari saying he can contest again... Since his stay on conviction does not involve permission to contest elections he should back off. Second, back in 2006, Rahul Gandhi once mentioned his Nationality as British. Being a British citizen, he cannot Constitutionally contest elections... After my complaint, Rahul Gandhi's representative was called in and my complaint has been accepted. A total of 94 Lok Sabha seats across 12 states and Union Territories will go to polls on May 7. All 26 seats of Gujarat will vote in a single phase on this day. The votes will be counted on June 4. Also Read | Lok Sabha polls phase 3: Know about the voting day, total seats & constituencies More highlights of the Lok Sabha elections Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written a letter to Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah over JD(S) leader Prajwal Revanna's sex scandal, requesting him to extend all possible support to the victims and take strict action against those who committed such a heinous crime. Indian National Congress party leader and candidate for Raebareli constituency Rahul Gandhi(AFP) Also Read: Sex videos scandal: Second lookout circular issued against Prajwal Revanna "I request you to kindly extend all possible support to the victims. We have a collective duty to ensure that all parties responsible for these heinous crimes are brought to book," said Rahul Gandhi in the letter to Karnataka CM. "Prajwal Revanna sexually assaulted and filmed hundreds of women over several years. Many who looked up to him as a brother and son were brutalized in the most violent manner and robbed of their dignity. The rape of our mothers and sisters warrants the strictest possible punishment," he added. The Wayanad MP also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah. Also Read: Not a sex scandal but mass rape: Rahul Gandhi on charges against Prajwal Revanna "I am deeply shocked to learn that as far back as December 2023, our Home Minister Shri Amit Shah was informed by Shri G. Devaraje Gowda about Prajwal Revanna's antecedents, especially his history of sexual violence and the presence of videos filmed by the perpetrator. What is even more shocking is that despite these gruesome allegations being brought to the notice of the senior most BJP leadership, the Prime Minister campaigned and canvassed for a mass rapist," the letter read. Gandhi further emphasised that it was the duty of the grand old party to seek justice for the mothers and sisters of this country. "In this backdrop, the Congress party has a moral duty to fight for justice for our mothers and sisters. I understand that the Karnataka Government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the grave allegations, and a request has been made to the Prime Minister to cancel Prajwal Revanna's diplomatic passport and get him extradited to India at the earliest," he added. Prajwal Revanna case: JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, who is also the grandson of former prime minister and party president H D Deve Gowda, has been accused in a sex tape scandal. In the videos, Prajwal was purportedly seen going intimate with several women. He, however, has reportedly gone abroad after sexually explicit videos surfaced. Thousands of pen drives allegedly having his sexual assault videos were circulated in Hassan, the Lok Sabha constituency from where he was the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-JD (S) candidate. As many as 2,976 videos, with duration ranging from a few seconds to a few minutes, were circulated in Hassan. Also Read: Who is Prajwal Revanna and what is the sex tape controversy involving him? Revanna was booked in an alleged sexual harassment case on April 28 based on a complaint lodged with Holenarasipura Town police. The case was registered under sections 354A, 354D, 506, and 509 of the IPC on charges of sexual harassment, intimidation, and outraging the dignity of a woman. As per the complaint, the victim claimed that Prajwal Revanna and his father, HD Revanna, had sexually assaulted her. Meanwhile, the state government has issued a second lookout notice against the JD(S) leader. The first lookout circular was issued against him earlier this week. We have issued lookout notices against both HD Revanna and Prajwal Revanna. We had issued a lookout notice to HD Revanna as he may plan to go abroad. But the second notice was given yesterday. They have time until this evening to reply to the notices, G Parameshwara said, per ANI. Earlier this week, the Ministry of External Affairs said that Prajwal Revanna had travelled to Germany on a diplomatic passport and that no political clearance was either sought from or issued by the MEA regarding his travel. (With inputs from agencies) The Supreme Court on Friday said it may consider granting interim bail to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in view of the ongoing elections and asked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to take instructions by Tuesday on the conditions of bail to be imposed and suggest ways in which Kejriwal could continue to sign off on official files while in custody. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal (AFP) The suggestion by the court came while hearing a petition filed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor challenging his arrest on March 21 in connection with Delhis now scrapped excise policy. With the hearing on the petition remaining inconclusive and the matter getting adjourned to Tuesday, a bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta said, If this petition takes time, we are considering interim bail because of elections. Asking ED to consider this suggestion, the bench added, Please be considerate. Take instructions as we would like to hear you on this aspect and if any conditions you require (to be imposed). The courts suggestion has come following its remark on Tuesday asking ED on the timing of Kejriwals arrest close to the general elections. Additional solicitor general (ASG) SV Raju appearing for ED said that the statement of the court on bail could be blown out of proportion. The bench responded: That is the problem of open court hearing... We may or may not grant bail. Raju said that in any event, he should be heard fully before any interim relief is decided. ALSO READ | Delhi high court rejects fanciful bail plea for Kejriwal by law student To be sure, the court added that it was only indicating what was on its mind and did not want to take any side by surprise. It asked Raju and senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Kejriwal not to assume anything. We must be open to you as neither side should be taken by surprise. Do not read anything into what we are suggesting, the court said. At the same time, the court wished to know the stand of the agency on allowing Kejriwal to sign on official files. Because of the position he holds, whether he should be signing any files. Do not assume anything as we have been open about it. The court also wondered whether it was possible to prosecute Kejriwal for vicarious liability when the main accused is AAP against which no confiscation proceedings have been initiated for recovering proceeds of crime. If AAP is the main accused, till adjudication proceedings are not initiated against AAP, can you prosecute him (Kejriwal)?, the bench observed. Citing the July 2022 verdict in Vijay Madanlal Chaudhary which upheld the validity of contentious provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the bench told Raju, If you go through the Vijay Madanlal judgment, why ED officer cannot be treated as police officer is because they conduct investigation in relation to adjudicatory proceedings. Prosecution may or may not take place, but confiscation is primary. Raju told the court that for attaching proceeds of crime, charge sheet must be filed and confiscation depends on conviction following trial in the case. Singhvi who concluded arguments on behalf of Kejriwal on Friday told the court that on March 16, the day when the election schedule was announced, ED issued summons to him (the ninth since October last year) requiring him to remain present on March 21, the day he was arrested. He said there was no necessity to arrest him based on the material available and statements made by witnesses and approvers that were to his benefit were not considered. He further argued that AAP has been named an accused under Section 70 of PMLA which only contemplates business associations and corporate bodies, not a political party registered under the Representation of Peoples Act. He claimed that many of the witnesses were induced to give incriminating statements against Kejriwal and ED conveniently chose to take those statements without bringing the earlier statements on record. Raju told the court that the investigating officer (IO) is not bound to take all material. The material in this case is voluminous. The IO has to consider only the relevant material which affects his reason to believe that a person is guilty in order to arrest him under Section 19 of PMLA. Otherwise, the agency will be bogged down and cannot file the charge sheet or complaint within the stipulated time period. The court was not convinced and wished to know the parameters on the basis of which the investigating officer made the assessment of relevance. Kejriwal is the third AAP leader to be arrested in connection with the irregularities in the Delhi excise scam. The case was taken up for probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after Delhi LG V K Saxena recommended a probe into the alleged irregularities in the policy in July 2022. Morena: The 2024 general election has moved to the third phase with Madhya Pradeshs Morena going to polls on May 7 where more than two million voters will exercise their franchise to decide the fate of as many as 15 candidates. (Representative Photo) In Morena, the spotlight will be on the Gwalior-Chambal region. A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) bastion from where the party has won seven consecutive times, Morena is one of the seats where the ruling party will face a tough challenge from the opposition, including Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). In the assembly polls held last year, the BJP won 18 while Congress came in second with 16 seats. Also Read: Priyanka Gandhi accuses Modi of indulging in divisive politics for votes, power Given the importance of the seat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BSP chief Mayawati and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi have held election meetings in the constituency. Morena parliamentary constituency consists of eight assembly constituencies, including six in Morena district Sabalgarh, Joura, Sumaoli, Morena, Dimni and Ambah (SC) and two in Sheopur district-Sheopur and Vijaypur. BJP has only three of the eight seats in the state assembly- Sabalgarh, Sumaoli and Dimni. Dimni is represented in the state assembly by former Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar who resigned from the Morena Lok Sabha seat as a member of parliament upon getting elected to the state assembly. He is presently speaker in the Assembly. Interestingly, the changing caste equations have kindled the hope of the BSP, which has been trying to achieve its maiden victory in this constituency. It polled third in the 2019 and second in the 2014 general election. In the triangular contest, the BJP has fielded ex-MLA Shivmangal Singh Tomar against Congress Satyapal Singh Sikarwar (Neetu), both Rajputs, while the BSP has fielded local business magnate Ramesh Garg while banking upon scheduled castes and traders votes in particular. BSP is also trying to woo Gurjars and Brahmins to its side, sensing resentment among them against Rajputs. According to the locals, caste politics will be a dominating factor in the region which goes to polls in the third phase. The changed caste equations this time for the BJP have resulted in its heavily relying on defections from Congress. Also Read: Madhya Pradesh: Six-time Congress MLA Ramniwas Rawat joins BJP with Morena mayor More than eight Congress leaders, including six-time MLA and former minister Ramniwas Rawat and Morena mayor Sharda Solanki, defected to the BJP in the past few days. A BJP leader wanting anonymity said, The party (BJP) leadership looks worried given the fact there is huge resentment brewing among Brahmins and Gurjars in particular against a BJP leader. Their grouse stems from their belief that the BJP leader used government machinery during state assembly polls to ensure defeat of BSP candidate Balbir Singh Dandotia, a Brahmin leader, from Dimni constituency and Rakesh Rustam Singh, a Gurjar leader, from Morena seat. Resentment among the members of two castes also stems from the fact that Rajput officials dominate the district administration and also the police holding key posts, said the BJP leader quoted above, adding that in the administration and policing, a bias is often reflected in their approach. Another senior BJP leader said that this election is not only a prestige issue for the party but also for Tomar, who has been MP from the seat twice. The party leadership is aware of the ground situation. Thats why defections from Congress are what we are banking upon. The defections have helped us in two ways- first, Congress is demoralised and there is a message among voters that the party has lost its ground, and second, the leaders who have defected are assigned the task to go and convince the members of their respective caste about their support to the BJP, said the leader mentioned above. Ramnaresh Yadav, a trader, said, BSP is suddenly a force to reckon with. There are about two lakh traders in the constituency. If they go for BSP or Congress it would be a great damage to the BJPs prospects. For, traders have been the traditional vote bank of the BJP. Another trader, Malkhan Singh, said, We all want Modi ji. Ram Mandir has given us immense joy but we are against the local leadership. Corruption and want of development in Morena are major issues this time. The Agniveer scheme has disappointed the youths. A large number of youths from the region join the Army. It will also go against the ruling party. Will defections harm Congress prospects? On this, the Congress election office, Morena in charge Gaya Prasad Sharma said, It is nothing but a wrong notion that voters will shift with the leaders who have left. People know well that those who have left have done it to protect their business interests and properties. Priyanka Gandhi jis meeting held here was historical. It has boosted the morale of all of us in Congress and our victory is certain. However, BJP district unit media in charge Neeraj Bhadauria said, Those who are joining the BJP know well that BJP is a nationalist party and it is the only party which is working for development of the nation. Political observer Awadhesh Dandotia said, The battle is tough this time in Morena. None of the three major political parties can be sure that it will win. The last two days ahead of polls will be crucial for the parties to do whatever they can do to get the caste equations in their favour which will have a huge impact on the polls. Madhya Pradesh Police on Friday booked state Congress president Jitu Patwari over his alleged derogatory remarks against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Imarti Devi, with civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia saying that the statement reflected the mentality of the entire Congress party. Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. (ANI) A row erupted earlier in the day after a 16-second audio clip went viral on social media in which a woman, who local Congress leaders claimed was former minister Imarti Devi, was heard supporting Congress candidates in Bhind and Gwalior Lok Sabha seats. While Devi denied that it was her voice in the clip and termed it a conspiracy, Patwari allegedly made some offensive remark on her using wordplay with the term imarti, a popular sweet. The state Congress chief, however, issued an apology over the remark later, but the BJP leaders dismissed it and called for strong action against him. Scindia, the BJP candidate from Guna Lok Sabha seat, shared a clip of Patwaris remark and said Dalit brothers and sisters of Madhya Pradesh will take revenge for the cheap comment about Imarti Devi. These are not just his words, but the mentality of the entire Congress party. Insulting Dalits, especially women, has become the norm of this party. Babasaheb Ambedkar has inspired the women and Dalits of the country to fight for their respect, he posted on X late on Thursday. Around 3 am on Friday, Patwari took to X to express his regret over the comment. One of my statements is being distorted and presented in the wrong context. My intention was only to avoid answering the question. Imarti ji is like my elder sister. An elder sister is like a mother. I express my regret if anyone is still hurt, he said. Dismissing the apology, Imarti Devi told news agency PTI: I pray that Congress gets good sense. Kamal Nath, Digvijaya Singh keep on giving such statements. These people should not do this and respect women. I belong to the SC community. I want to request Sonia Gandhi to remove Jitu Patwari from his position of party state chief. Later in the day, the former MLA lodged an FIR against Patwari in Dabra town of Gwalior. An FIR has been registered against Jitu Patwari at Dabra police station under section 509 (word, gesture or act intend to insult modesty of a woman) of IPC and under relevant sections of Scheduled caste and tribe (Prevention of atrocities) Act, Gwalior superintendent of police Dharamveer Yadav said. No arrest will be made in this case as the punishment under these sections is less than seven years. Patwari will be served notice in the matter, he added. A special CBI court in Haryana's Panchkula awarded death sentences to all the four convicts in the 2016 Nuh gangrape and murder case on Saturday, confirmed officials. The four convicts in the case - Hemat Chouhan, Ayan Chauhan, Vinay and Jai Bhagwan - were found guilty by the court on April 10 on the counts of double murder, gangrape and dacoity, which took place in Haryana's Nuh on the night of August 24-25, 2016. A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Panchkula on awarded death sentences to the four accused in the 2016 Nuh gang rape case. (Representational Image) Apart from the death sentence, the CBI court slapped a fine of 8.20 lakh on the accused, the Central Bureau of Investigation said in a statement on May 4. The convicts in the case were found guilty of gang-raping two females, including a minor, at their home and thereafter looting ornaments and cash from their possession. Due to the attack, one of the victims died along with his wife and others were grievously injured. The incident occurred when a mob entered the house of the victims, accusing the family of selling beef. The accused first hacked the couple to death in the courtyard of their house, then proceeded to gang rape the two cousins, then aged 16 and 21. The incident sent shockwaves across the country and sparked a political storm in Haryana. Haryana Police had filed a charge sheet against a different set of accused persons. The CBI took over the probe on the reference from the state government. A CBI spokesperson said on Saturday, On 10.04.2024, Trial Court had convicted aforementioned four accused persons under Section 120B, 302, 307, 376-D, 323, 459, 460 IPC and under Section 6 of POSCO Act 2012 and had fixed later dates for pronouncement of sentence. Detailed arguments were put forth on behalf of CBI praying for maximum punishment for the convicts. The agency had filed two charge sheets against the convicted accused on January 24, 2018 and on January 29, 2019 after a detailed probe during which it collected and analysed scientific and forensic evidence. Former Pakistan minister Fawad Chaudhry on Saturday again showered his praise on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Praising the latter, Chaudhry said that Gandhi was following his great-grandfather and India's first PM, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who used to believe in socialistic reforms and the distribution of wealth. BJP said Congress's 'rishta' with Pakistan is clear now that a former Pakistani minister praised Rahul Gandhi's speech. Also Read: Why Pak leader praising Rahul Gandhi: BJP questions Fawad Chaudhry's X post Addressing the Wayanad MP as "Rahul sahib", the Pakistani leader emphasised the fair distribution of wealth, which, according to him, is the biggest challenge of capitalism in Pakistan and in India, according to Rahul Gandhi. "Rahul Gandhi like his great Grandfather Jawaharlal has a socialist in him, problems of India and Pak are so same even after 75 years of partition, Rahul sahib in his last night speech said 30 or 50 families owns 70% of India wealth so is in Pakistan where only a business club called Pak Buisness Council and few real estate Seths own 75% of Pak wealth.. fair distribution of wealth is biggest challenge of capitalism," he said in a post on X. Meanwhile, BJP slammed the grand old party over Chaudhary's praise, saying that Pakistani leaders want to make Shehzada of Congress India's prime minister. "...Former Pakistan Minister Fawad Chaudhry recently said what the Opposition (in India) says, i.e. BJP's govt should not come to power in India, PM Modi should lose...I request all to go and see Fawad Chaudhry's tweet and compare the language with what the Opposition (in India) says. Today, in a new tweet, he (Fawad Chaudhry) has expressed his love for the family (Gandhi family)...He has used the word 'Rahul Sahab'...BJP MP and party's spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said. Also Read: BJP pressured ex-Pakistan minister for praising Rahul Gandhi, claims Congress leader Earlier this week, a political slugfest was triggered after former Pakistan minister praised the Wayanad MP for targeting the saffron camp over the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony. In the video that the Pakistani leader shared, Gandhi was speaking about Ayodhya's Ram Mandir inauguration and asking whether there were any poor people invited to the occasion. Coming under fire for supporting Rahul Gandhi, the Pakistani leader added: 'Because I oppose extremists and hate mongers be it in Pak or India or elsewhere...." However, Congress has alleged that the Pak leader has made the remark under pressure so that the BJP can benefit from such statements in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Also Read: Rahul Gandhi renews Nehru-Gandhi familys over six-decade bond with Rae Bareli Party leader Rashid Alvi claimed that Chaudhry was pressured by the Shehbaz Sharif government, which has good ties with the prime minister. The statement praising the Congress leader was made so that PM Modi could exploit it and benefit in the ongoing polls, Alvi added. "...The statement by Fawad Chaudhry is done under pressure by Nawaz Sharif and his brother's government. PM Modi has very good relations with Nawaz Sharif. This statement has come so that our Prime Minister can exploit it. BJP has relations (with Pakistan). Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi, or Sonia Gandhi never went to Pakistan...The people who want to take benefit from his (Fawad Chaudhry) statement have pressurized him..." he said to news agency ANI. Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised previous Congress administrations for their approach to dealing with Pakistan's terrorism. He said that past governments sent "love letters" to Pakistan, hoping for peace, only to receive more terrorists in response. He also claimed that Pakistani leaders wants Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to become India's prime minister after the elections but strong India only wants a strong government now. Prime Minister Narendra Modi (PTI) ALSO READ- 'Does Amit Shah's son know how..': Sanjay Singh's dig over BJP's dynasty charge Earlier, terrorists used to freely kill innocents and government used to write love letters to Pakistan. But Pakistan sent more terrorists in response to letters. But with the power of your one vote, I said enough is enough; today's new India doesn't give the dossier. This is New India, Ghar mein ghus ke maarta hai, PM Modi said at an election rally in Palamu, Jharkhand. "There was a time when people from Jharkhand and Bihar, used to go to protect our nation were dying for the country on borders. It was a monthly occasion. Coward governments of Congress used to cry about it in the whole world," PM said. Also read- 'Mass rape warrants...': Rahul Gandhi writes letter to Karnataka CM over Prajwal Revanna case PM Modi said the surgical and Balakot strikes rattled Pakistan and is now seeking help worldwide and is shouting "Bachao, Bachao (help)". "Leaders in Pakistan are praying that Congress' Shehzada becomes the PM. But the strong India only wants a strong government now," he added. Former Pakistan minister Fawad Chaudhry again praised Rahul Gandhi on Saturday for his socialist ideology. ALSO READ- Pakistan leader praises 'Rahul Sahib' on wealth distribution, BJP reacts People around Narendra Modi are afraid of him: Priyanka Gandhi Earlier on Saturday, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi took on PM Modi and called him emperor who lives in palace. PM Modi calls my brother prince. I want to tell you that my brother walked 4,000 kms, met the people of the country and asked them what are the problems in their lives? On other hand, emperor Narendra Modi lives in palaces. How will he be able to understand the helplessness of farmers and women? she said in an election rally in Banaskatha, Gujarat. ALSO READ- S Jaishankar invokes CAA in reaction to Joe Biden's 'xenophobia' remark Narendra Modi is surrounded by power. People around him are afraid of him. No one says anything to him. Even if someone raises his voice, that voice is suppressed, she added. Prayer meetings, rallies and shutdowns were held in various parts of the Meitei-majority Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zo dominated hill districts of Manipur on Friday to mark one year of the start of ethnic clashes between the two communities. Ecumenical Commission of Archdiocese of Delhi during a light candle vigil for Manipur, at Sacred Heart cathedral, in New Delhi, on Friday. (PTI) Security measures were beefed up ahead of the first anniversary of the violence as the state, strife-torn and divided, continues to count the cost of its most violent year. In recent days, gunfights have resumed among armed village volunteers from both sides leading to injuries and deaths. Personnel from state police and central armed police forces (CAPF) have been posted in strategic locations and a check of vehicles is underway to ensure that there is no breach of peace, said a senior police officer asking not to be named. Since May 3 last year, the northeastern state has witnessed clashes that have claimed at least 225 lives and uprooted around 50,000 people from both sides, many of whom are still living in relief centres. There are clear divisions on the ground with members of one community not allowed to enter areas where the other is in majority; and gunfights, arson, and deaths have been reported between occasional breaks. An order by the Manipur high court passed on March 27, 2023, directing the state government to consider the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list is believed to be one of the main triggers for the conflict. In February this year, the HC deleted the offending paragraph of its original judgment, accepting that it was based on a wrong reading of the law. Protests in the valley On Friday, seven Meitei women shaved their heads at an open ground in Sekmai in Imphal West district and took out a cycle rally to the Kangla Fort nearly 20km away in Imphal West to mark the occasion. The event was organised by Koujengleima Youth Development Organisation (KYDO). The seven protesters sat on stools in a row in silence as their heads were shaved. They later put on black robes, prayed for those from the community who have lost their lives in the past year, and then began their cycle rally to Kangla Fort. In the Bishnupur district of Imphal Valley, a commemoration event was held at Moirang College, where hundreds gathered to pay homage to those who lost their lives, suffered injuries, or went missing over the past year. The Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS), an Imphal-based conglomeration of civil society groups, organised a state-level convention at Yangoi Nighthou community hall in Bishnupur district to deliberate on the ongoing conflict and ways to help those affected. The group asked residents to light a flamed torch in front of their homes in the evening. In Imphal, the coordinating committee on Manipur integrity (COCOMI), a Meitei organisation, held an event titled 365 days of Chin Kuki Nacro Terrorist Aggression in Manipur at the Palace Ground. Displaced Meiteis from Moreh and Churachandpur, who are living at a relief camp in Akampat area of Imphal East district took out a peaceful rally from the camp to Singjamei Bazar. They later staged a sit-in protest seeking abrogation of suspension of operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki terror groups and implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state. Stirs across the divide On the other side of the divide, in the Kuki-Zo dominated districts of the state, a complete shutdown was imposed on Friday in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) and Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) respectively. The organisations marked the day as one of remembrance for those killed. Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of all Kuki tribes in the state, observed the day as Kuki-Zo Awakening Day. In a statement issued on Wednesday, ITLF asked people to hoist a black flag in their homes directed to all businesses, institutions and markets to remain closed as a mark of respect and home to the fallen heroes. The organisation held an event at the Wall of Remembrance located near the Churachandpur district commissioners office, and a condolence service at the cemetery where the families of the deceased laid floral tributes. Mass prayers were held across the district, candles were lit in houses, and a candle-light vigil was organised. In Kangpokpi district, a remembrance ceremony was held at the cemetery for those killed in the past year at Phaijang. Speeches, prayers and floral tributes to those killed marked the event. KIM also submitted a four-point memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterating the demand for a permanent political solution by creating a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo people, measures to ensure safety of Kuki-Zo people, and recovery of bodies of those missing. The memorandum is submitted as an ultimate appeal to the Government of India urging a shift in focus and attention towards the plight of the Kuki-Zo people who have endured systemic oppression and persecution under the Manipur state government, a statement issued by KIM read. Since the ethnic violence started, arms and ammunition have been looted from government armories and police stations. With nearly 4,500 of the around 6,500 looted arms still in hands of civilians, and gunfights between both sides breaking out frequently, peace remains a distant dream despite the protests and prayers. The family of Rohith Vemula, who died by suicide in 2016, has announced they will challenge the Telangana police's closure report in the case on Friday. According to reports, Vermula's family will file a petition in court to seek further investigation. Telangana Police closed Rohith Vemula suicide case and said there was not abutment to his suicide. (HT File Photo) Rohith Vemula's brother Raja Vemula on Friday said that the Telangana high court gave them the option to file a protest petition in the lower court, adding that he and other members of the family are planning to meet Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy, reported PTI. Hitting out at the closure report, Raja said, Whether Rohith belonged to the Scheduled Caste community or not should come from the district collector of Guntur in Andhra PradeshHow can the police say he was not an SC? Rohith, a PhD scholar at Hyderabad Central University, died by suicide on January 17, 2016, sparking national outrage. The incident took place a year after Hyderabad University reportedly stopped paying his fellowship. He was later suspended after getting involved in a fight with some ABVP members. What did the Telangana police closure report say? The Telangana police on Friday closed the suicide case, giving a clean chit to then Secunderabad MP Bandaru Dattatreya, member of legislative council N Ramachander Rao, then vice-chancellor of Hyderabad Central University Appa Rao, ABVP leader and women and child development minister Smriti Irani. The report claimed that Vermula was not a Dalit, and he died by suicide as he feared that his "real caste" would be discovered. In addition to this, the deceased himself was aware that he did not belong to Scheduled Caste and that his mother got him a SC certificate. This could be one of the constant fears as the exposure of the same would result in a loss of his academic degrees that he earned over the years and be compelled to face prosecution, the report said. The deceased had multiple issues worrying him, which could have driven him to commit suicide," it added. (With inputs from PTI) Five Congress workers from partys Telangana unit were arrested in connection with the morphed video of Union home minister Amit Shahs speech at an election rally in Siddipet last month, said police on Friday, adding the workers were later released on bail. After Union minister Amit Shahs speech at Siddipet on April 23, Vamsi Krishna received a morphed video of the speech on WhatsApp and he uploaded the same on the Congress party handle on X @INCTelangana. (PTI) The Hyderabad Cyber Crime police on Friday announced the arrest of five people for allegedly circulating the morphed video of Shahs speech at an election rally. Deputy commissioner of police (DCP) (cyber crimes) Dara Kavitha said the five arrested Pendyala Vamsi Krishna, Manne Satish, Pettam Naveen, Asma Tasleem and Koya Geetha were produced before the 12th additional city metropolitan magistrate court at Nampally on Friday afternoon. The court released them on bail on payment of 10,000 each along with two sureties. The accused have been asked to appear before the investigating officer on every Monday and Friday until further orders, the DCP said. She said the cybercrime police had received a complaint from Bharatiya Janata Party state general secretary G Premender Reddy at 7.30 pm on April 27, in which he had stated that the Telangana Congress, on its X handle, posted a morphed/fabricated video of Amit Shahs speech delivered at Siddipet on April 23. The complaint said an act of the Telangana Congress and its social media team in morphing or fabricating the Union homes ministers speech was an offence under the Information Technology Act. The deliberate and mischievous act is aimed at misleading the people and voters creating fear amongst the OBC communities, Kavitha said quoting the complaint. Based on the complaint, the Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police registered a case under Sections 469 (forgery for the purpose of harming reputation), 505(1)C (circulation of any statement intending to incite people or a community), 171 G (publishing or posting a false statement related to the conduct of a candidate with an intent to affect the result of an election) and 502(2) (offering of information defamatory in nature) of the Indian Penal Code, besides under relevant provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 . The DCP said the accused were working in the social media unit of the Telangana Congress and their job was to monitor social media posts related to political parties and upload them on their official and personal social media handles. After Union minister Amit Shahs speech at Siddipet on April 23, Vamsi Krishna received a morphed video of the speech on WhatsApp and he uploaded the same on the Congress party handle on X @INCTelangana. It was shared in various WhatsApp groups. The remaining four accused saw the video and further shared it on their individual social media handles. When notified by X about the sensitive content, they deleted it. Thus, they violated the Model Code of Conduct, the DCP said. The cyber crime police seized five mobile phones, a tab, two Acer laptops and two CPUs from the accused, Kavitha said, adding the public are cautioned not to circulate any videos or photos related to the political parties, as it may account for breach of model code of conduct related to the ongoing elections. The Telangana Police have ordered further probe into the Rohith Vemula suicide case, saying that a petition would be filed in the court seeking a probe. The decision came a day after the deceaseds mother and brother expressed doubts about the closure report filed by the police earlier in the day, which said that Vemula was not a Dalit, and he died by suicide as he feared that his "real caste" would be discovered. The suicide of Rohith Vemula, a student at the University of Hyderabad, in 2016, triggered protests against caste bias across India. (Hindustan Times) Also Read: Rohith Vemula's family to challenge police's not Dalit closure report On doubts raised by Vemula's family, the Telangana Director General of Police released a statement saying they have decided to investigate the case further. "As some doubts have been expressed by the mother and others of the deceased Rohith Vemula on the investigation conducted, it has been decided to conduct further investigation into the case. A petition will be filed in the Court concerned requesting the Honble Magistrate to permit further investigation into the case," news agency ANI quoted DGP Telangana Ravi Gupta as saying. "The Investigation Officer in the case was Asst. Commissioner of Police, Madhapur and the final closure report in the case was prepared last year i.e. before November 2023 itself based on the investigation conducted. The final closure report was officially filed in the jurisdictional court on 21.03.2024 by the Investigation Officer," the top official added. Earlier on Friday, the family of Vemula announced that they would challenge the closure report filed by the police and would file a petition seeking further investigation in the suicide case. Also Read: Rohith Vemula was not Dalit, Telangana Police closes case; protest at HCU campus Rohith's brother Raja Vemula said that the Telangana high court gave them the option to file a protest petition in the lower court, adding that he and other members of the family are planning to meet chief minister Revanth Reddy, reported PTI. Rohith, a PhD scholar at Hyderabad Central University, died by suicide on January 17, 2016, sparking national outrage. The incident took place a year after Hyderabad University reportedly stopped paying his fellowship, and a few months later, he was suspended after getting involved in a fight with some ABVP members. What's in the closure report? The closure report in the Vemula suicide case filed by the Telangana Police claimed that Vermula was not a Dalit, and he died by suicide as he feared that his "real caste" would be discovered. In addition to this, the deceased himself was aware that he did not belong to Scheduled Caste and that his mother got him a SC certificate. This could be one of the constant fears as the exposure of the same would result in a loss of his academic degrees that he earned over the years and be compelled to face prosecution, the report said. Also Read: No case of suicide abetment: What BJP said on Rohith Vemula death case closure The report further gave a clean chit to Bandaru Dattatreya, member of legislative council N Ramachander Rao, then vice-chancellor of Hyderabad Central University Appa Rao, ABVP leader and women and child development minister Smriti Irani. How is Bandaru Dattatreya, HCU VC involved in the case? After a group of 'Dalit' students including Vemula got in a fight with ABVP students in 2015, Bandaru Dattatreya wrote to the HRD ministry saying that the university was a mute spectator of the incident. Days before his suicide, Vemula wrote a letter to Vice Chancellor Appa Rao claiming harassment for being a Dalit student. The then HRD minister Smriti Irani in her press conference after Rohith Vemula's suicide said he was not a Dalit. Agartala: Nearly a week after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Jadab Lal Nath was served show cause notice over flouting Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines, he has sought an apology from the election body, saying that the act would not be repeated. (Representative Photo) Nath was last week booked by the Tripura police for allegedly manhandling a presiding officer during the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls in Bagbassa Assembly constituency. North Tripura district election officer served the show cause notice to Nath for allegedly entering polling booth no. 22 under the Bagbassa Assembly constituency, violating the guidelines of the Election Commission and misbehaving with a BLO. Tripura East constituency ( ST-reserved), one of the two Lok Sabha seats, went to poll on April 26. Seeking an apology, Nath on Thursday said that it will not be repeated. Nath, legislator of Bagbassa assembly constituency in North Tripura, was caught on camera watching obsecene website on his mobile phone during an Assembly session last year. The Telangana high court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking cancellation of bail granted to YSR Congress Party lawmaker and party candidate for Kadapa Lok Sabha seat YS Avinash Reddy in a case pertaining to the murder of his uncle and former Andhra Pradesh minister YS Vivekananda Reddy in March 2019, people familiar with the matter said. YS Avinash Reddy is the Congress candidate from the Kodapa Lok Sabha seat in Telangana. (ANI) The verdict was delivered by a single-judge bench of justice K Laxman, which had reserved the judgment last month after a prolonged argument over a petition filed by one of the accused in the case, Shaik Dastagiri. Dastagiri, who worked as a driver with Vivekananda Reddy before the latters murder, turned an approver in the case, being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) since July 2020. In his petition filed on May 31 last year, Dastagiri alleged that he was facing a threat to his life from Avinash Reddys henchmen and he was being coerced to issue a statement in favour of the Kodapa MP. CBI also filed a counter in the case, stating that Avinash Reddy indeed wielded considerable influence and had managed to sway certain witnesses in the case. Citing several complaints of death threats from Dastagiri, the agency further said the YSRCP leader had breached the conditions of his bail. Vivekananda Reddys daughter N Sunitha Reddy, who also impleaded in the case, argued that the bail granted to Avinash Reddy be revoked. Avinash Reddys counsel T Niranjan Reddy, however, argued that Dastagiri was already under protection through the witness protection scheme and hence, the allegations of threat to his life had no merit. After hearing the arguments, justice Laxman dismissed Dastagiris petition on Friday and ordered that the bail granted to the Kadapa lawmaker would continue. The judge also granted full-fledged bail to Avinash Reddys father YS Bhaskar Reddy, who is also an accused in the same case. He was earlier granted interim bail on health grounds. The court, however, refused to grant bail to other accused G Uday Kumar Reddy and Sunil Yadav. Vivekananda Reddy, brother of former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy and uncle of YSRCP president and present chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, was murdered at his residence in Pulivendula on March 15, 2019, weeks before the elections. Last year, CBI had named Avinash Reddy and his father Bhaskar Reddy in the charge sheet as accused in the murder of Vivekananda Reddy. In April, 2023, CBI arrested Bhaskar Reddy. Avinash Reddy, however, was granted anticipatory bail on May 31, 2023. Avinash Reddy denied the allegations against him and his father and alleged that the federal agency ignored several key facts in the case. External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Saturday countered US President Joe Bidens description of India as xenophobic by saying the country is one of the most open, pluralistic and understanding nations of the world. External affairs minister S Jaishankar. (HT File Photo) Addressing an Asian-American audience at a campaign fundraiser on Wednesday, Biden had sought to link the economic issues of India and Japan to a xenophobic outlook that included not welcoming immigrants. He had also caused surprise by grouping India and Japan both key partners of the US with Russia and China. When Jaishankar was asked about Bidens remarks at an interaction in the Odisha capital of Bhubaneswar, he replied by characterising India as the most open society in the world. Jaishankar's History Lesson For Biden After US President's 'Xenophobic' Jibe At India: Watch Till today, I have never seen such an open, pluralistic, diverse society. So, I would say that we are actually not just not xenophobic, we are the most open, most pluralistic and in many ways, the most understanding society in the world, he said speaking in a mix of English and Hindi. Secondly, there was some talk about economic performance. You know our GDP (gross domestic product) is at 7%. You check other peoples GDP, check their growth rate and you will get the answer, he added. Biden had said that the next US presidential election in November was about freedom, America and democracy and that the US welcomes immigrants. He added: Think about it. Why is China stalling so badly economically? Why is Japan having trouble. Why is Russia? Why is India? Because theyre xenophobic. They dont want immigrants. Jaishankar also addressed questions about the Israel-Hamas war, tackling terrorism emanating from Pakistan and Indias strained relations with China because of a nearly four-year military stand-off on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Referring to West Asia, he said nearly nine million Indian citizens live in the region, which has currently been affected by war and tensions. It is our effort to look after them, to help them if anything happens to them, he said. In the diplomatic arena, when tensions increased and two sides attacked each other, on the instructions of Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi, I phoned the foreign ministers of the two countries and gave them the message that the world doesnt want you to take this any further, and that they should reduce the tensions in a responsible manner. And this is what happened after that, he said, referring to his phone conversations with his counterparts from Iran and Israel shortly after Tehran launched hundreds of drones and missiles in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria. We have taken an initiative for our people who work in shipping. Now, 21 ships of the Indian Navy have been deployed in the region and their job is to maintain peace and patrol the area to prevent attacks on merchant shipping, he added. Jaishankar noted that leaders of countries in West Asia value Modi so much that they gave preferential treatment to Indian citizens during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Modi government, he said, will make no compromises in terms of countering cross-border terrorism from Pakistan or the Chinese military build-up along LAC. When it comes to national security, the Modi government will never make a compromise. It can be cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, it can be pressure on the border from China, it can be terrorism we had in the past from [the] Myanmar border, [and] before we did the Land Boundary Agreement, even from Bangladesh. But we are very clear. For us Bharat first, security first. There is no compromise, he said. Pakistan has a history of fostering cross-border terrorism and India had been tolerating it till the Modi government came to power. We were turning the other cheek. We were not acting. After Modiji came, things have changed. You saw Uri [and] Balakot. So, we have made it very, very clear today that any threat of...cross-border terrorism which comes from Pakistan will get the appropriate response from India, he said. Jaishankar said China had attempted to put pressure on India by bringing a lot of troops to the Line of Actual Control in the past four years. We have very strongly countered it. Today...thousands of troops of the Indian Army are on deployment in the LAC alongside China. We are very clear we are there, we are strong, we are deployed. Any action we have to take as per circumstances, our armed forces will naturally be the best judge of it, he said. He was also asked about Nepal issuing new bank notes that depicted Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh, regions that are part of India, as Nepalese territory. Jaishankar responded by saying Indias position on this matter is very clear. With Nepal, we were having discussions about our boundary matters through an established platform. And then in the middle of that, they unilaterally took some measures on their side. But by doing something on their side, they are not going to change the situation between us or the reality on the ground, he said. In the sex scandal involving Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) may issue a blue corner notice, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said on Saturday attributing the information to the SIT team. The Special Investigation Team has sent a request to the CBI seeking a blue corner notice against Prajwal Revanna. Once it is issued, the SIT hopes to get information about Prajwal's whereabouts, news agency PTI reported. The Karnataka government SIT has requested the CBI to issue a blue-corner notice against Prajwal Revanna. Where is Prajwal Revanna? What does a blue corner notice mean? CBI is the nodal body for Interpol matters in India. There are seven types of notices used by Interpol: Red, yellow, blue, black, green, orange and purple. A blue corner notice is used to share information globally about wanted individuals or crimes. Red notices are issued for fugitives wanted either for prosecution or to serve a sentence. A yellow notice is a global police alert for a missing person. The Karnataka government so far issued two lookout notices against Prajwal Revanna accused of a major sex scandal which in the past week snowballed into a major political controversy. Several videos surfaced in which women have been assaulted, raped and filmed by Prajwal. A former househelp of the family filed an FIR against Prajwal and his father HD Revanna for sexually assaulting her. While the Karnataka government charged Prajwal with rape, his father has been accused of kidnapping after a 20-year-old man complained to the police that his mother -- who was there in one of the many videos -- was kidnapped by HD Revanna's aide. Prajwal left India before the government ordered an SIT probe and went to Germany after his constituency went to the polls on April 26. It was reported that from Germany, he went to Dubai. The ministry of external affairs said no political clearance was sought for Prajwal's Germany visit and he went there using his diplomatic passport requiring no visa. Siddaramaiah wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking cancellation of Prajwal's diplomatic visa. The state government will bring JD (S) MP Prajwal Revanna, accused in sexual harassment cases, back to Karnataka to face the police investigation, said chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday. Siddaramaiah accused the Centre of shielding Prajwal Revanna. (ANI) Whichever country he is staying in, we will get him from there. Thats why I have written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to cancel his diplomatic passport, the chief minister told reporters. Siddaramaiah accused the Centre of shielding Prajwal Revanna. He said that nobody can leave the country without the central governments awareness since all passports and visas are verified when travelling abroad. On Thursday, the ministry of external affairs, however, clarified that Revanna travelled to Germany using a diplomatic passport. Diplomatic passport holders dont need a visa for Germany. The MEA said no clearance was sought or granted to Revanna. The CM, meanwhile said, Will a woman lie that she has been raped? Wont her life get destroyed after the complaint? If a married woman says openly that she has been raped, then we have to accept it. He said there is a law of presumption. Women never lie (on these issues). Victims wont lie. Shouldnt this be accepted? Why did they give ticket (to Prajwal) despite knowing it? Why did they (BJP) forge an alliance (with the JD (S)? The CM took a dig at JD (S) leader HD Kumaraswamy saying that they have separated themselves from Revanna but during the election, he campaigned for him and said his son Nikhil and nephew Prajwal Revanna were not different. Whatever they do, they do it together be it politics or misdeeds, he said. He added if the JD(S) leadership said they will cooperate with the investigation, why did the party leader and former PM Deve Gowda and his son and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy called the lawyers on Thursday. Responding, Kumaraswamy said that his father HD Deve Gowda and mother Chennamma are distressed by the situation. He lashed out at the CM Siddaramaiahs lawyer remarks against the family, saying that he does not have humanity. I want to ask the chief minister whether he has any respect for parents... I dont know from what culture you come from. Today you posted a statement that on one hand, Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy say that the accused must be punished while on the other, they called the lawyer to Deve Gowdas house to discuss how to save the accused and set things right legally, he said. This chief minister doesnt have humanity, he told reporters. I dont want to speak about his family to take protection... My parents are in pain. To give them confidence so that things dont affect their life, to comfort them, I was with them in their house in Bengaluru both yesterday (Thursday) and the day before yesterday, he said. (With PTI inputs) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that those who talk about 'jihad' are tarnishing democracy and they should remember that India is the land of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath. (HT File) Adityanath was addressing a public meeting in Farrukhabad in support of sitting BJP MP Mukesh Rajput, who is seeking re-election from the Lok Sabha constituency. His remarks came days after Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Maria Alam, the niece of senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid, called for "vote jihad" in favour of Naval Kishore Shakya, the INDIA bloc candidate from Farrukhabad Lok Sabha seat of Uttar Pradesh. According to a statement issued by the BJP, Adityanath said the people of the SP and the Congress are trying to create divisions on religious lines. "This is a conspiracy to Islamise India. Under this, they talk about vote jihad. There is no jihad in voting, we have to vote for the strongest democracy in the world so that our rights are protected," he said. Addressing a public meeting in Kaimganj earlier this week, Alam said "vote jihad" was necessary in the current situation for the minority community to oust the BJP government. Alam's remarks drew strong criticism from the BJP. Later, Uttar Pradesh Police filed a case against Alam and Khurshid. Attacking opposition parties, Adityanath said, "Those who robbed the rights of the poor... have started remembering jihad. They should know that the land of India belongs to Ram and Krishna and not jihad." "You have seen India before and after 2014. India before 2014 had lost confidence in the world and was plagued by terrorism and Naxalism. The poor were not able to get benefits of government schemes," he said. After 2014, a new look of India can be seen, he added. Addressing a public meeting in Bidhuna in Auraiya to seek votes for sitting Kannauj MP and BJP candidate Subrat Pathak, Adityanath said Lord Ram played Holi in Ayodhya recently and "such a magnificent event would not have been possible under SP, BSP and Congress governments which questioned the existence of Lord Ram". Targeting the UPA government, he said terror attacks had become a "routine affair" in the country during its tenure. "The Samajwadi Party, which backed the UPA government, went to the extent of withdrawing cases against terrorists. In response, the court had rebuked the SP, saying that if they were discussing withdrawal of cases today, they might honour them with Padma Awards tomorrow," the chief minister said. "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is free from terrorism," Adityanath said. The Madhya Pradesh unit of the Congress has accused former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and a BJP MLA Surendra Patwa of threatening and abusing a police official. The officer was on poll duty. Former MP CM Shivraj Chouhan and BJP MLA Surendra Patwa(X/ @INCMP) Also Read: HT interview: No fight in MP; sure Modi will be PM again, says Chouhan The incident took place in the Bhojpur Assembly segment of the Vidisha parliamentary constituency when Chouhan was addressing the poll rally allegedly beyond 10 pm. The police official reportedly switched off the mic in line with the Model Code of Conduct. In the purported video shared by the MP Congess' official X handle, Chouhan can be heard saying, Why did you turn the mic off? Its not 10 pm yet, switch it on again. Just remove him (the officer) from here. Meanwhile, the former state minister and BJP MLA Surendra Patwa, seething in anger, not just questioned the cop's conduct, but also threatened him with dire consequences. Come here, you will be thrown to such a place that it wouldnt be possible to return. He (the officer) is creating a lot of trouble, Patwa was heard saying in the video. Also Read: Shivraj Singh Chouhan to contest Lok Sabha polls from Madhya Pradesh's Vidisha The mic was later turned on. The Congress hit out the BJP for their rude behaviour towards the police. "Look at the arrogance of BJP. Former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan raised questions from the BJP platform on the implementation of the election code of conduct and Surendra Patwa misbehaved and threatened the police station in-charge Mahendra Singh Thakur. Mr Shivraj, This is the level of a former Chief Minister? Extremely indecent and condemnable act," it said on X while sharing the video. Also Read: BJP fields Shivraj from Vidisha, Scindia from Guna for LS polls; 10 MPs dropped Vidisha will go to polls in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections on May 7. BJP stalwart Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Congress contender Pratap Bhanu Sharma are in the fray from the constituency. The 'hitherto unseen' portrait of Raja Ravi Varma featuring his eldest granddaughter as a three-year-old toddler, unveiled in Bengaluru on the occasion of his 176th birth anniversary on April 29, will continue to be open for public viewing till May 30. Ravi Varma's eldest granddaughter, Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi (1895-1985), was the last ruling queen of Travancore and was considered a living goddess by her subjects. She had ruled the Kingdom of Travancore for seven years from 1924 to 1931. Bengaluru: Paintings as part of 'Daughter of Providence', an exhibition showcasing Raja Ravi Varma's unseen paintings that celebrates the life and work of his eldest granddaughter Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi, at Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, in Bengaluru.(PTI Photo) The painting is also a never-seen-before portrait of the Maharani, whose life is well documented. Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation (RRVHF) had mounted a show on her titled, 'Daughter of Providence,' tracing the chronology of how the three-year-old toddler painted by Ravi Varma went on to become the queen, who is known even today for the social reforms she brought about. (Also read: Forbidden forest: Mridula Ramesh, on the alien invaders in our midst ) RRVHF had acquired the painting from the Travancore royal family. "While the focus of the foundation remains documentation and preservation of Raja Ravi Varma's work, we often come across paintings done by the artist that have never been seen, researched, documented or published before they reach our hands. This painting of Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi as a three-year-old girl is one such work that needs to be spoken about," said Gitanjali Maini, managing trustee and CEO of RRVHF. The exhibition was conceptualised by the foundation with research and documentation by historian Manu S Pillai, who wrote an award-winning book, The Ivory Throne: Chronicles of the House of Travancore, on the life ofMaharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi. Raja Ravi Varma revolutionised the way Indian gods, goddesses, and mythological figures were portrayed. Born in 1848 in Travancore (present-day Kerala), Varma's artistic genius blended traditional Indian art forms with European techniques, resulting in vivid and realistic depictions. In the 1850s, leeches were used to predict violent storms. They were kept in jars of rainwater, where they triggered literal alarm bells when they struggled to the surface in search of oxygen, as the atmospheric pressure around them dropped. The tempest prognosticator was an ornate brass-glass-and-mahogany device meant for use by the wealthy, in their drawing rooms. As it turned out, keeping the leeches healthy was a bigger challenge than it was worth. And soon the world had moved on, to more finely tuned instruments that began to unlock secrets behind some of Earths most powerful forces, from magnetism and earthquakes to storm systems and tides. Now, as we seek new kinds of information in a rapidly changing world, science is circling all the way back to bio-monitoring. Lets start really small. In 2021, clams in a Warsaw reservoir were fitted with tiny sensors that alerted officials when heavy metals or pesticides were leaching into the citys drinking-water supply. When exposed to such pollutants, the shellfish clam up, setting off the alarms. Mussels have been tasked with the same job in Minneapolis for more than a decade. Scaling up, in the cold depths of the Antarctic Ocean, trackers placed on elephant seals have helped oceanographers survey hard-to-access spaces such as coastal shelves. Tiger sharks, migrating storks and Weddell seals have similarly been deployed as unknowing data-gatherers. It helps that the tags have improved dramatically. They have morphed from clunky devices with relatively short battery lives of about six months, to solar-powered sensors that can weigh as little as 2 gm, and never exceed 3% of the total weight of the animal. Some can even draw from the kinetic energy of the animals movements, and are designed to transmit data through a creatures lifespan. Could such sensors, gathering readings in real time, read and reprogrammed remotely, be used to create an Internet of Animals, to help us assess real-time changes in our oceans, skies and biomes? Take a look at ongoing efforts and recent successes. New worlds Tiger sharks began behaving rather strangely in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the Bahamas, in 2016. These large predators tend to hunt close to the shoreline. So when they started moving away from it, marine biologists at the not-for-profit organisation Beneath the Waves (BTW) became curious enough to attach 360-degree cameras to the fish, to see what was drawing them away. What they discovered, and eventually mapped with the sharks help, was 66,000 to 92,000 sq km of seagrass ecosystems that satellite images of the subsea terrain had not revealed (and still cant see). This is the worlds largest known seagrass ecosystem, a 2022 paper published by BTW in the journal Nature Communications stated. Since seagrass beds are excellent sources of capturing, or sequestering, carbon (~17% of the oceans carbon annually), this discovery provides the world with a better idea of the oceans capacity to store carbon that would otherwise be held in the atmosphere, said a statement by BTW. Darker depths Deep-diving Weddell and elephant seals have been helping map the floor of the Antarctic shelf, with the result that oceanographers are now redrawing estimates of how deep the ocean is here, and are adding underwater features to existing maps, including a marine canyon near the Vanderford Glacier. In a study published in the Nature journal Communications Earth & Environment in August, researchers at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) of the University of Tasmania reported that the seals were diving to levels 1,000 metres deeper than where existing estimates placed the ocean floor. Even more revealing, there were channels of warm water here, the sensors reported; a finding with severe implications for ice shelves and ice-shelf cavities, amid rising ocean temperatures. If we can find out exactly where the water accesses the underside of the shelves, well also be much better placed to quantify melt rates, freshwater input into the ocean and other variables that affect our future oceans and climate, study co-author and IMAS ecology and biodiversity professor Mark Hindell said in a statement. Animals first? Researchers of ecology and evolutionary biology at Yale University believe that existing methods of collecting weather and climate data could become outdated as we learn to leverage sensors better, to draw data and insight from animals on the move. In a paper published in the journal Nature Climate Change in September, the researchers showed how active environmental sentinels could close critical data gaps by measuring air temperature, pollution, ocean salinity and a range of other metrics in real time, offering a crucial advantage over static traditional systems already struggling to do the job in a climate-change world. Monkeys bearing GPS sensors, for instance, can relay information about temperatures on the ground beneath a cloud-covered jungle canopy. Sensors on mountain goats could provide real-time data on temperature fluctuations in mountainous regions where weather stations cannot be built. Storks could offer in-depth readings of windspeed strength and air movements above oceans, with implications even for flight paths and turbulence. And domestic animals such as cows, sheep and dogs could warn against earthquakes, through changes in their behaviour, up to 20 hours before the tremors struck. In 2020, researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior and the Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour at the University of Konstanz, studied the unusually high activity levels in farm animals before earthquakes. It is possible that their fur helps them sense the ionisation of the air caused by changes in ambient pressure, or that they can smell certain gases released before an earthquake. Further studies could determine what conditions tell birds to lay fewer eggs in years before a complex weather phenomenon such as El Nino, or build their nests higher up before floods. (One explanation involves the theory that we live in a simulation, but that, of course, is an entirely different area of study.) The future Its a plan so audacious, its been named ICARUS (the International Cooperation for Animal Research Using Space). Researchers Martin Wikelski and Uschi Muller at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior are testing an experimental tracking system that will begin data collection in October, using sensors attached to animals and birds around the world and a receiver fitted onto a very small satellite, named CubeSat. Scientists will be able to download data and remotely reprogramme any or all of the sensors. CubeSat will rotate in low-earth orbit, allowing it to circumvent the planet multiple times a day. As a result, it can gather data from around the world, bringing scientists fresh updates from isolated deserts, polar ice fields, oceans and skies. In a first phase carried out in March 2021, the solar-powered sensors (which weigh less than 5 gm) were deployed across 15 species, including songbirds, rodents and fish. What the researchers aim to eventually create is an Internet of Animals that offers an overview of individual readings and movements, and uses such data to predict, track and mitigate aspects of climate change, biodiversity loss, disease and other threats to human and non-human populations. Ships could potentially be told when to reduce speed, for instance, to avoid collisions with colonies of whales. Zoonotic data could track the emergence and spread of new viruses. The real-time connection of disparate pieces of information would (allow) us to identify cause and effect, and to ultimately make predictions about natural phenomena that we previously didnt understand, Wikelski said in a statement. World Laughter Day is dedicated to celebrating the art of laughter and its remarkable ability to refresh and heal individuals. It's a moment to reflect on the importance of humour and laughter in our daily lives. This annual celebration occurs on the first Sunday of May, aiming to raise awareness about the countless advantages of laughter. It's a day to unwind, connect, and share laughter with others, often with groups engaging in laughter exercises. Promoting global unity and friendship through laughter is a key objective of this event. Individually, genuine laughter has been proven to reduce stress, relieve tension, and enhance overall mental and emotional well-being. (Also read: Happy World Laughter Day 2024: Wishes, images, quotes, jokes, SMS, WhatsApp and Facebook status to share with friends ) World Laughter Day, every first Sunday of May, celebrates laughter's universal ability to bring joy and healing.(Freepik) World Laughter Day 2024 date and history World Laughter Day is celebrated annually on May 5, and this year, it will be observed on Sunday. World Laughter Day originated in 1998 through the efforts of Dr. Madan Kataria, the visionary behind the global Laughter Yoga movement. A practising family doctor in India, Dr Kataria drew inspiration from the facial feedback hypothesis, which suggests that facial expressions can influence emotions, to initiate the Laughter Yoga movement. This annual celebration serves as a joyful manifestation for world peace, aiming to cultivate global unity and friendship through laughter. Typically observed with gatherings in public spaces solely dedicated to laughter, World Laughter Day has seen exponential growth alongside the expanding Laughter Yoga movement. With thousands of Laughter Clubs now spanning more than 115 countries, this day has evolved into a widely celebrated event, spreading joy and camaraderie worldwide. Significance of World Laughter Day Celebrated annually on the first Sunday in May, World Laughter Day is significant as a global event dedicated to promoting laughter as a tool for joy, healing and unity. The day serves as a reminder of the profound impact laughter can have on individual well-being and social harmony. Laughter transcends boundaries of culture, language and religion, fostering connections and uplifting spirits. It highlights the therapeutic benefits of laughter, such as reducing stress, boosting immune function and promoting a positive outlook. The day encourages people around the world to come together, share laughter and spread positivity, contributing to a happier and healthier world. Birdwatching could be an option for college students looking to enhance their mental health. According to a recent study, persons who have nature-based experiences report higher levels of well-being and lower levels of psychological discomfort than those who do not. Birdwatching, in particular, produced encouraging effects, with bigger gains in subjective well-being and more distress reduction than more general nature exposure, such as walks. Because birdwatching is a simple sport, the findings are positive for college students, who are among those most likely to have mental health issues. Birdwatching enhances well-being and reduces distress in college students(Unsplash) "There has been a lot of research about well-being coming out through the pandemic that suggests adolescents and college-aged kids are struggling the most," said Nils Peterson, corresponding author of the study and a professor of forestry and environmental resources at North Carolina State University. "Especially when you think about students and grad students, it seems like those are groups that are struggling in terms of access to nature and getting those benefits. "Bird watching is among the most ubiquitous ways that human beings interact with wildlife globally, and college campuses provide a pocket where there's access to that activity even in more urban settings." To quantitatively measure subjective well-being, researchers used a five-question survey known as the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5). This tool asks participants to assign a rating of zero through five to statements about well-being, depending on how often they have felt that way in the last two weeks. For example, given the prompt "I have felt calm and relaxed," a participant would mark a zero for "at no time" or a five for "all of the time." Researchers can calculate a raw well-being score by simply adding the five responses, with zero being the worst possible and 25 the best possible quality of life. Researchers split the participants into three groups: a control group, a group assigned five nature walks and a group assigned five 30-minute birdwatching sessions. While all three groups had improved WHO-5 scores, the birdwatching group started lower and ended higher than the other two. Using STOP-D, a similar questionnaire designed to measure psychological distress, researchers also found that nature engagement performed better than the control, with participants in both birdwatching and nature walks showing declines in distress. This study differed from some previous research, Peterson said, in that it compared the effects of birdwatching and nature engagement to a control group rather than a group experiencing more actively negative circumstances. "One of the studies that we reviewed in our paper compared people who listen to birds to people who listened to the sounds of traffic, and that's not really a neutral comparison," Peterson said. We had a neutral control where we just left people alone and compared that to something positive. The study supports the idea that birdwatching helps improve mental health and opens up many avenues for future research. For example, future study could examine why birdwatching helps people feel better or the moderating effects of race, gender and other factors. The paper, "Birdwatching linked to increased psychological well-being on college campuses: A pilot-scale experimental study," is published in Environmental Psychology. Co-authors include Lincoln Larson, Aaron Hipp, Justin M. Beall, Catherine Lerose, Hannah Desrochers, Summer Lauder, Sophia Torres, Nathan A. Tarr, Kayla Stukes, Kathryn Stevenson and Katherine L. Martin, all from NC State. (ANI) Jamshyd Godrej and his sister controlled Godrej & Boyce will control the group's vast land bank, including 3,000 acres of prime Mumbai property, while the other faction-led by Adi Godrej and Nadir Godrej will get to market the real estate projects for management fees. Jamshyd Godrej and his sister controlled Godrej & Boyce will control the group's vast land bank, including 3,000 acres of prime Mumbai property, while the other faction-led by Adi Godrej and Nadir Godrej will get to market the real estate projects for management fees..(Agency File Photo) On May 1, the owner-developer Godrej & Boyce and the development manager Godrej Properties had announced that the two companies would continue their Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) executed from time to time, for development of land in Vikhroli, Mumbai owned by Godrej & Boyce, as and when the owner intends to developing the said land. In an interview with PTI after the announcement of its financial results for 2023-24 fiscal, Godrej Properties Executive Chairperson Pirojsha Godrej said the company has been the development manager for the real estate projects and the same arrangement would continue. "Godrej Properties will be the development manager and Godrej & Boyce will be the owner and the developer. We will get a development management fees for our role in marketing the project and that is equal to 10 per cent of the revenue in the projects," Pirojsha said. Also Read: Godrej Properties posts highest-ever quarterly profit at 471 crore Under the Development Management (DM) model, he said two projects - Godrej Platinum and Godrej Vistas - have been launched in Mumbai. "There will be many more projects we expect under the DM partnerships," Pirojsha said, but declined to comment on the total land bank and development potential in terms of area as well as sales value. Under the DM model, the construction cost is borne by the developer. Also Read: Godrej Properties sells homes worth 2,690 crore in its new project in Mumbai In their joint statement dated May 1, Godrej Construction, part of Godrej & Boyce, designed and built four phases of Godrej Platinum, a residential development project with a total constructed area of 1 million (10 lakh) square feet, which has been marketed by Godrej Properties. In March 2024, a new project named Godrej Vistas was successfully launched under this arrangement. "The future development of Vikhroli presents a unique opportunity to create a holistic space in the metropolis of Mumbai where urban development and biodiversity co-exists harmoniously. Godrej Construction and Godrej Properties bring complementary strengths, and this has translated into the launch of successful real estate projects in Vikhroli," Godrej & Boyce Chairperson & Managing Director Jamshyd Godrej had said. Also Read: Godrej Properties highest bidder for land parcel in Noida with revenue potential of 3000 crore Pirojsha Godrej had said, "We look forward to continuing our association with Godrej & Boyce (G&B) with a view to making Vikhroli into a world-class neighbourhood that delivers its residents an outstanding quality of life while ensuring the highest standards of sustainable development." According to some estimates, the 3,000-acre parcel in Vikhroli owned by G&B has a development potential of over 1 lakh crore. It can develop 1,000 acres, while about 1,750 acres are covered with mangroves and is the destination of rare plants and birds. About 300 acres of land have already been encroached upon. The Vikhroli property was bought at a public auction from the Bombay High Court receiver in 1941-42 by Pirojsha Godrej, younger brother of group founder Ardeshir Godrej. It was previously owned by a Parsi merchant Framjee Banaji, who bought it from the East India Company in the 1830s. Under the family settlement announced late on Wednesday, the group has been split between two branches of the founding family, with Adi Godrej (82) and his brother Nadir (73) on one side and their cousins Jamshyd Godrej (75) and Smita Godrej Crishna (74) on the other. Godrej Enterprises Group, comprising Godrej & Boyce and its affiliates that have a presence across multiple industries spanning aerospace and aviation to defence, furniture and IT software, will be controlled by Jamshyd Godrej as chairperson and managing director. His sister Smita's daughter Nyrika Holkar, 42, will be the executive director. Their families will control this arm that also will hold the land bank, including 3,400 acres of prime land in Mumbai. Godrej Industries Group, which includes the listed companies - Godrej Industries, Godrej Consumer Products, Godrej Properties, Godrej Agrovet and Astec LifeSciences - will have Nadir Godrej as chairperson and will be controlled by Adi, Nadir and their immediate families. Ill float a question, for you to ponder why has no phone maker been able to piece together a semblance of a challenge to Samsungs runaway lead with AI phones? It was in January when Samsung gave us their first pitch at AI smartphones. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, the Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S25, a troika that is perhaps the most powerful Android smartphone portfolio (in more ways than one). Other phone makers have very capable flagships too, but Samsungs width of the portfolio remains unmatched. Samsungs AI pitch, called Galaxy AI, turns up with a broad spectrum of utility much beyond the camera and the photo gallery. My experience points to a simple fact the way Galaxy AI is envisioned, there is a daily utility aspect very much in place. FILE - Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Phones displayed in Seoul, South Korea, July 26, 2023. Global smartphone shipments rose nearly 8% in the first quarter, according to preliminary data from International Data Corp. It's the third straight quarter of shipment growth and marks the return of Samsung to No. 1. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, file)(AP) Circle to Search (it is convenient, and addictive to use), live translation of phone calls, a real-time interpreter, an AI ready Notes app and a recorder with AI generated transcription (for many of us, negates the need for another app and subscription; I did make a switch from Otter, for the duration), some of the still unique propositions that phones. Nothing we had seen baked properly into phones (functionality often available as separate apps) till the Galaxy S25 series came along. This underlined a definite intent. And if I may point out, not seen since either. That is, to say the least, a bit surprising. Back to the original point why has no phone maker caught up with similar AI pitch since? Quick access to our AI phones coverage I feel there are two reasons. One, Google and Samsung agreeing to a period of exclusivity for Gemini Pro and Gemini Nano for the Galaxy S25 phones. That advantage has worked well for the latest flagship portfolio (last years phones are getting updates too; scope broadens). Secondly, rival phone makers would need to find some level of uniqueness to go beyond the Galaxy AIs composition, lest they simply follow the same template. Which runs the risk of annoying potential buyers. Theres flexibility in Samsungs approach. Gemini Pro, a larger AI model, underlines Generative edit within the Gallery app, transcription and summaries in Voice Recorder and Samsung Notes. It sits alongside Gemini Nano, which is specific for on-device tasks such as assist in Messages. Samsungs updates for these apps since, individually and as part of larger monthly updates, has only improved reliability and ease of use. My observations draw from the significant time I spent with the Galaxy S25 phones, particularly the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Many phone makers are trying to compete with Samsungs really broad Galaxy AI pitch, but most of their efforts with AI integration tend to be limited in scope. Often, that hints at some level of comfort with familiarity, which gives them a certain cushioning with experimentation. OnePlus recently added an AI Eraser mode to the gallery app on some of its smartphones. I tested this, and the results are impressive erase and replace is much neater and smoother than I expected, and also experienced in some more illustrious implementations such as Google Photos. That bodes well for the broader AI features theyve rolled out for China-specific phones for now. Vivos upcoming X Fold 3 foldable smartphone is expected to integrate a 7-billion parameter AI model on-device, and a 70-billion parameter model working on the cloud, for generative AI functionality thatll make its way into the phone. Late last year, the smartphone maker had talked about an AI matrix system, for a wide range of functionality. Googles Pixel 8 Pro has added Gemini Nano as the foundation for summarise in Recorder, smart replies in Gboard, improving document scans and a range of photo and video editing features. Circle to Search is no longer exclusive to Samsung now, with the Pixel 8 phones now integrating that. More analysis about AI and phones Things may change at some point (there is a big if here), with availability of Microsofts Phi-Mini 3 AI model, the companys smallest model thus far. They claim its performance and capabilities are similar to OpenAIs GPT-3.5, complete with 3.5 billion parameters and can run on-device compute on lower power consuming hardware. But what we are talking about here is a perfect world scenario. Whether Microsoft chooses to focus on smartphones at all with its frugal AI model, is anyones guess. But a Gemini vs Phi-Mini 3 battle in the smartphone ecosystem, may be quite fun. In the meantime, Samsung will just have to confirm its plans for a paid subscription tier for Galaxy AI sometime in 2025 or later. Whether that plan is on. SAFE? File Photo(HT_PRINT) The good folks over at Google got my attention on a set of principles dubbed SAFE, which they say helped block as many as 2.28 million policy violating apps from being published on the Play Store, more than 333,000 bad actor accounts for policy violations and more than 200,000 app submissions rejected because these apps unnecessarily requested for permissions to user data such as background location access or reading SMSes on the phone. What really is this SAFE, you ask? It isnt a simple term, but a collective (S)afeguard our Users, (A)dvocate for Developer Protection, (F)oster Responsible Innovation and (E)volve Platform Defenses. Try remembering that. Nevertheless, the idea is clear make the Google Play platform more active and responsive to what exactly is happening with app updates, permissions and new applications. We have also strengthened our developer onboarding and review processes, requiring more identity information when developers first establish their Play accounts, the tech giant makes its attempts clear, in a statement. This builds on from Google, Meta and Microsofts App Defense Alliance (ADA; other members include McAfee, OnePlus, Trend Micro and Eset) that had, late last year, moved under the umbrella of Linux Foundation. An important development that Googles data points out and illustrates a risky (though often glossed over, for the sake of choice and countering monopoly) side of third-party app platforms that alternative app stores promise Play Protect real-time scanning on millions of Android devices globally, detected more than 5 million new, malicious off-Play apps installed from sources other than the Play Store. PAY Netflix File Photo(Bloomberg) In my column this week, I spoke about two issues that you may have come across, but perhaps not exactly registered as big enough problems. Or maybe you did. Weve collectively talked up and continue to every month (rightly so too), the volume of payments that have become digital. Along the way, two initiatives emerged to further push this momentum a second layer of authentication for subscription payments across platforms (be it Netflix, Apple App Store or Google Pay) that would be made using credit cards, and secondly, the RuPay credit cards plugging into the UPI (or unified payments interface; Im sure youve encountered this). Here is where we are at. It was a good move to bring a layer of security for subscriptions that can often be difficult to exit. But now, it has become a nightmare to use a credit card or debit card for subscriptions and recurring payments on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, be it for any app or service. Netflix struggles from time to time with credit cards. As does Spotify. As well as F1 TV Pro. Apps or platforms arent to be blamed. The move to get RuPay credit cards on to the UPI network was expected to enable bigger ticket purchases. The QR codes are already everywhere, and instead of the bank account, you would have another avenue. However, a UPI transaction made using a RuPay credit card attracts a charge called MDR, or merchant discount rate, which is essentially a processing fee that the card issuer levies on the merchant for that transaction. Currently, a charge of around 2%. For merchants who are used to UPI being free, this isnt palatable. RuPay cards on UPI, are stuck. Data tells me credit card transactions need to be smooth. In FY 2024, Indias credit card spends surfed around 27% year-on-year, to the tune of 18.26 trillion. In comparison, in FY24, there were 117.6 billion UPI transactions, totalling over 199.89 trillion, according to official numbers. Therefore, both issues need to be looked at, with regards to gaps in implementation. Is there something in the guidelines that online platforms have mis-read, and therefore the complication with subscription payments using credit cards? Can the MDR for card transactions on UPI be reworked, to balance the needs of funding for the system and what merchants are used to? Well just have to wait. Lest we lose the momentum. KNOW A few days ago, top AI companies (youd have heard most of these names) agreed to a new set of standards to counter the worsening issue of deepfakes, alongside child abuse, becoming quite rampant on social networks. The principles include a re-look at the training data used for AI models, as well as the need for watermarking AI generations and developing new detection solutions thatll prevent generative tools from creating AI-generated child sexual abuse material, or AIG-CSAM. On board are 11 companies, including Meta, Google, Anthropic, Microsoft, OpenAI, Stability.AI and Mistral AI. Apple is preparing for the big iPad refresh on May 7 (mark your calendars). I have a feeling that youre in for a more than cursory generational specs upgrade for the new iPads. Anyones guess whether Apple is ready to unleash the OLED screens on tablets just yet, but this could be the first time an iPad refresh leads the line for a new series of Apple Silicon. But what is more certain than anything else is, the next chapter for Apples AI strategy. My understanding is, iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 arriving this year, will reconfigure a lot of the functionality and apps to embed an intelligent assistant. They already have the hardware in place, particularly the Macs and iPads from the last few years (for clarity, since Apple Silicon). The next chips will simply take that game forward quite significantly. Also read: Apple MacBook Air 2024 ushers in a new era as a resounding response to AI PCs The following article was originally published in this week's HT Wired Wisdom. Subscribe here. A horrific video of an Autism centre employee repeatedly throwing a three-year-old to the ground has surfaced on social media. 25-year-old Arianna Williams has been charged with malicious punishment of a child after the incident came to light. The image shows a woman assaulting a three-year-old boy at an autism centre. (Screengrab) The footage, taken inside the Sunrise Autism Center in Burnsville, Minnesota, shows Williams grabbing the boy and throwing him to the ground. She keeps throwing the kid repeatedly. (WARNING: Some viewers may find the following video disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.) How did social media users react? The footage enraged social media users who condemned the woman. Geez. Dont these m***** realise there are cameras everywhere? Centres serving those helpless or unable to respond must be thorough when hiring and ensure background checks are complete. That poor child, posted an X user. Thank goodness for cameras. These people should never be alone or unsupervised if they're a new hire. You don't know them from Adam. I hope she is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Never allowed around children again, added another. Im so sick of seeing this sort of c***! Some people are just plain evil! joined a third. Life in prison for Arianna Williams. Whats scary is how often stuff like this goes on but isnt reported. Whats also scary is that teachers and faculty at schools do similar or worse to kids, which never gets punished. Be careful who you entrust your children to, wrote a fourth. Also Read: Baby dies after mother in US mistakenly puts her in oven instead of crib Farhiya, the Somali-American mom of the kid, told WCCO that she cried and screamed after she saw the video of her son. She enrolled her son in the centre after he was diagnosed with autism last year. As per the outlet, the now-former worker charged with the assault, reportedly sent a text to a coworker after getting fired. "I'd never purposely hurt anyone I was just having a really bad start to the week, she wrote. The centre said that Williams was immediately fired and they also called the police. In a statement, the centre added that they are cooperating with the investigation, and their priority remains the safety and wellbeing of their clients. A breakthrough in battery lifespan could help speed up the adoption of electric vehicles. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd., the Chinese battery behemoth, announced in April that it had developed a battery with a warranty of up to 932,000 miles (1.5 million kilometers) or 15 years, Electrek reported. CATL partnered with Yutung Bus Co. to manufacture the pack, which is for commercial buses and trucks. The battery does not degrade in its first 1,000 cycles, the latter company said, calling the technology "an industry first." While range anxiety is often top of mind for EV drivers and those looking to divest from gas-powered automobiles, battery life is also a concern. To produce EV batteries, lithium, cobalt, and other metals must be extracted from the earth. This adds to the planet-warming pollution in the atmosphere, which is the cause of spiking temperatures around the globe, an increase in extreme weather events, and more intense disasters such as droughts and floods. ADVERTISEMENT Some people argue that this means vehicles with internal combustion engines are better for the environment, wildlife, and our health, but EVs are still much cleaner options than their counterparts. They produce zero tailpipe pollution and come close to being squeaky clean if they're powered by renewable energy such as solar or wind. And now, those expensive batteries partly responsible for high EV prices may not need to be replaced. The development will likely only increase CATL's market share after its U.S. and European sales doubled last year. "China already dominates the EV battery market, with BYD and CATL accounting for over 50% alone," Electrek reported. Another recent announcement by CATL had some commenters even more stoked than the warranty news: It plans to reduce lithium ferrous phosphate battery prices by 50% by the middle of the year, per Electrek. Story continues "Who cares about 1m or 1.5m km when we can expect 500,000 km out of a battery TODAY," someone asked. "This is already way better than your diesel or should I say DIEsel engine needing $1500 parts replacing at 50,000km. "What matters is that people can produce enough batteries at a price that puts EVs at a price that is attractive for [greater than] 50% of car buyers." Another commenter agreed, writing: "Regardless of the minutia, we can see we are NOT at 5% per year improvements, the number used by analysts and big oil to defend [plug-in hybrid electric vehicles], endless oil sales, fossil fuels forever, etc. That argument just died here, today." Should American companies be doing more to compete with China on clean energy? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind Others noted low-mileage cars might now be able to last nearly as long as a human lifespan and that EV resale values could soar. As someone else pointed out, citing secondhand Teslas and other EVs that don't yet need replacement batteries, many EV batteries may already outlive their vehicles. "Making batteries last even longer is nice of course," they concluded. "But the cost of the battery is at this point far more relevant as it is a significant component of the vehicle cost. Lowering the cost by 50% is a lot. It further de-risks buying electrical vehicles. It was already cost effective but with a reduction like this, you see the benefits much sooner." Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet. Ecuadorian beauty queen Landy Parraga Goyburo was fatally shot in broad daylight in a restaurant shooting. As per reports, an Instagram post by her led her killers to the place where she was dining. The police are currently investigating the shooting of the 23-year-old amid the speculations that the hit on her was ordered by the window of a drug lord with whom Goyburo allegedly had an affair. The image shows Landy Parraga Goyburo, who was gunned down after her killer tracked her through her Instagram post. (Instagram/@landyparraga.ec) According to the New York Post, Goyburo was in a conversation with a man inside the restaurant. At one point, she noticed the masked assailants sneaking inside. Soon after, a gunman shot at Goyburo and also the man she was speaking with. After that, the gunman and the accomplice fled the scene. Goyburo represented Los Rios province in the 2022 Miss Ecuador contest, reported the outlet. She, with over a million followers on her social media pages, has her sportswear line. She was in the news last December after her name came up in a chat between dead drug trafficker Leandro Norero and his accountant, Helive Angulo. As per the outlet, the Attorney Generals Office was investigating her finances. She was never prosecuted for a crime. She never made any public comments about Norero. A Pennsylvania man who credits an alligator named Wally for helping relieve his depression for nearly a decade says he is searching for the reptile after it went missing during a vacation to the coast of Georgia. Joie Henney hugs his emotional support alligator named Wally. (AP) Joie Henney has thousands of social media users following his pages devoted to Wally, the cold-blooded companion that he calls his emotional support alligator. He has posted photos and videos online of people petting the 5 1/2-foot (1.7 meter) alligator like a dog or hugging it like a teddy bear. Wally's popularity soared to new heights last year when the gator was denied entry to a Philadelphia Phillies game. Now Henney said he is distraught after Wally vanished while accompanying him on an April vacation in Brunswick, Georgia, a port city 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of Savannah. He said he suspects someone stole Wally from the fenced, outdoor enclosure where Wally spent the night on April 21. In social media posts, Henney said pranksters left Wally outside the home of someone who called authorities, resulting in his alligator being trapped and released into the wild. We need all the help we can get to bring my baby back, Henney said in a tearful video posted on TikTok. Please, we need your help. Henney said he didn't have time to talk when The Associated Press reached him by phone Wednesday morning. He did not immediately return follow-up messages. The man from Jonestown, Pennsylvania, has previously said he obtained Wally in 2015 after the alligator was rescued in Florida at the age of 14 months. Henney told The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2019 that Wally helped alleviate depression following the deaths of several close friends. He said a doctor treating his depression had endorsed Wally's status as his emotional support animal. He has never tried to bite no one, Henney told the newspaper. No one has filed police reports about the missing alligator in Brunswick and surrounding Glynn County, according to spokespersons for the city and county police departments. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources confirmed that someone in the Brunswick area reported a nuisance alligator on April 21 the day Henney said Wally went missing and that a licensed trapper was dispatched to capture it. The agency said in a statement that the gator was released in a remote location, but stressed that it doesn't know if the reptile was Wally. It's illegal in Georgia for people to keep alligators without a special license or permit, and the state Department of Natural Resources says it doesn't grant permits for pet gators. Pennsylvania has no state law against owning alligators, though it is illegal for owners to release them into the wild, according to its Fish and Boat Commission. David Mixon, a wildlife biologist and coastal supervisor for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, has handled plenty of alligators reported in people's yards and swimming pools. He has also shown gators kept in captivity in presentations to school groups and Boy Scout troops. He said even alligators that seem docile can be dangerous, and he always makes sure to hold their mouths closed with a hand or, preferably, a band. Theyre unpredictable, and theyre often reactive to stimulus," Mixon said. Theres lots of videos and pictures where people handle gators, and they do it without getting hurt. But the more time you spend around them, the more likely you are to be injured. State wildlife officials in neighboring Florida, home to an estimated 1.3 million alligators, have recorded more than 450 cases of unprovoked alligators biting humans since 1948. That includes more than 90 gator bites since 2014, six of them fatal. In areas where people can legally own alligators, it is possible for them to be considered emotional support animals, said Lori Kogan, a psychologist and Colorado State University professor who studies interactions between humans and animals. Unlike service animals that help people with disabilities such as blindness or post-traumatic stress, emotional support animals have no special training, Kogan said. They also don't have any official registry, though health professionals often write letters of endorsement for owners with a diagnosed mental health condition. People can get very attached to a variety of animals," Kogan said. "Can you get attached to a reptile? Can it bring you comfort? I would say yes. Me personally? No. Toronto: Canadian authorities have formally identified and charged the three persons arrested in connection with the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18, 2023, in Surrey, British Columbia. Karan Brar, Kamalpreet Singh and Karanpreet Singh, the three individuals charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in relation to the murder in Canada of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023. (REUTERS) All three were arrested in and around Edmonton, the capital of the province of British Columbia, They were identified as Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22 and Karanpreet Singh, 28. They have been charged with first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, according to a release from the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) on Friday. However, investigations were continuing for additional persons who were involved in the killing and to establish an Indian link to it. There are separate and distinct investigations ongoing into these matters, certainly not limited to the involvement of the people arrested today, and these efforts include investigating connections to the Government of India, Commander of the Federal Policing Program in the Pacific Region, Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, said during a press conference in Surrey. He did not address the nature of the evidence collected or the motive behind the killing because they will come up in the judicial proceedings in the case, expected to begin on Monday after the accused reach Surrey. I will say this matter is still very much under active investigation. I will underscore that todays announcements are not a complete account of the investigative work currently underway, Teboul said. Teboul said investigators were coordinating and collaborating with Indian agencies but added that the relationship had become rather challenging and difficult for the last several years. The men were taken into custody in Edmonton with the assistance of the Surrey detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Edmonton Police Service. The investigation does not end here. We are aware that there could be others out there that played a role in this homicide and we remain dedicated to identifying and arresting each one of them, Superintendent Mandeep Mooker, Officer in Charge of IHIT, said. All three are believed to have entered Canada in the previous five years as international students and Canadian media reports, citing anonymous law enforcement sources, said they were linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Police released images of those arrested and of the Toyota Corolla, believed to have been used by the suspects in the time leading up to the homicide, in and around the Surrey area. Nijjars killing caused relations between India and Canada to crater after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated in the House of Commons on September 18 that there were credible allegations of a potential link between Indian agents and the murder. India described that statement as absurd and motivated. Later, Indian officials have reiterated that New Delhi is willing to cooperate with Ottawa if it were to be provided with specific and relevant information. Nijjar was the principal organiser in British Columbia of the so-called Khalistan Referendum being held by the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). Reacting to the arrests on Friday, SFJs general-counsel Gurpatwant Pannun while the action was a step forward it only scratches the surface, as he accused New Delhi and its representatives in Canada of providing logistical support and intelligence leading up to the killing. TEL AVIV, Israel A delegation of the Palestinian militant group Hamas was in Cairo on Saturday as Egyptian state media reported noticeable progress in ongoing cease-fire talks with Israel while an Israeli official downplayed the prospects for a full end to the war. Egypt media cite progress in truce talks as Israel downplays chances of end to war with Hamas Pressure has been mounting to reach a deal Gaza's humanitarian crisis is dramatically escalating while Israel insists it will launch an offensive into Rafah, the territory's southernmost city. The stakes are high to find a halt to the nearly seven-months-long war. More than 1 million Palestinians are sheltering in the city of Rafah, along the border with Egypt, many having fled northern Gaza where a top U.N. official says there is now a full-blown famine. Egyptian and American mediators have reported signs of compromise in recent days but chances for a cease-fire deal remain entangled with the key question of whether Israel will accept an end to the war without reaching its stated goal of destroying Hamas. Egyptian state Al-Qahera news said Saturday that a consensus has been reached over many of the disputed points but did not elaborate. Hamas has called for a complete end to the war and withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Gaza. The war has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas local health officials, caused widespread destruction and plunged the territory into an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The conflict erupted on Oct. 7, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, abducting about 250 people and killing around 1,200, mostly civilians. Israel says militants still hold around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others. A senior Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing negotiations, played down the prospects for a full end to the war. The official said Israel was committed to the Rafah invasion and told The Associated Press that it will not agree in any circumstance to end the war as part of a deal to release hostages. Israeli strikes early Saturday on Gaza killed at least six people. Three bodies were recovered from the rubble of a building in Rafah and taken to Yousef Al Najjar hospital. A strike in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza also killed three people, according to hospital officials. In the last 24 hours, the bodies of 32 people killed by Israeli strikes have been brought to local hospitals, Gazas Health Ministry said Saturday. The ministry does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its tallies, but says that women and children make up around two-thirds of those killed. The Israeli military says it has killed 13,000 militants, without providing evidence to back up the claim. In related developments this week, Israel briefed Biden administration officials on plans to evacuate civilians ahead of the Rafah operation, according to U.S. officials familiar with the talks. The United Nations has warned that hundreds of thousands would be at imminent risk of death if Israel moves forward into the densely packed city, which is also a critical entry point for humanitarian aid. The U.S. director of the U.N. World Food Program, Cindy McCain, said Friday that trapped civilians in the north, the most cut-off part of Gaza, have plunged into famine. McCain said a cease-fire and a greatly increased flow of aid through land and sea routes was essential. Israel recently opened new crossings for aid into northern Gaza, but on Wednesday, Israeli settlers blocked the first convoy before it crossed into the besieged enclave. Once inside Gaza, the convoy was commandeered by Hamas militants, before U.N. officials reclaimed it. The proposal that Egyptian mediators had put to Hamas sets out a three-stage process that would bring an immediate, six-week cease-fire and partial release of Israeli hostages, and would include some sort of Israeli pullout. The initial stage would last for 40 days. Hamas would start by releasing female civilian hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Gershon Baskin, director for the Middle East at the International Communities Organization, said it appears that Hamas has agreed to the framework that Egypt proposed and Israel has already accepted. He said the negotiators are now hammering out the details and if Israel sends its top negotiators to Cairo after the Sabbath ends on Saturday evening, that would signify it's very serious. Jeffery reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Bassem Mroue in Beirut contributed to this report. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has accused Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa of being "biased" against his party. He urged the courts to expedite hearings of his case, Pakistan-based The Express Tribune reported. Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan(REUTERS) In a message from Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, Khan said, "I urge all judges presiding over my cases to expedite the hearings and refrain from unjustified delays." Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan called the delays in court decisions "unjust" and added that all cases against him were false, baseless and concocted, according to The Express Tribune report. Khan referred to CJP Isa's statement by saying, "He stated that there is no pressure on him, but pressure comes to those who refuse to indulge in wrongdoing. You are behaving like [government's] B-team against PTI." PTI founder said, "You snatched electoral symbol from PTI, denied a level playing field, and violated our fundamental human rights in the guise of the May 9 incidents, on which our petition has been pending since May 25, 2023, without a hearing till today." Imran Khan said that PTI's petitions against rigging during the general elections have not been heard yet and added that PTI's women's reserved seats issue remains pending. He said, "The Supreme Court's decisions have revived the doctrine of necessity once again. This is a historic opportunity for great nations to capitalise on historic moments." PTI founder said that the decisions which were being coerced through threats were dismantling Pakistan's judicial system. He stated, "The remarks of high court judges have proved that jungle law prevails in the country. It's time for Supreme Court judges to stand up like high court judges and reject wrong decisions." He expressed willingness to hold talks and added that dialogue will happen only when stolen mandate is returned, according to The Express Tribune report. He said, "I am always ready for dialogue, but dialogue will only happen when our stolen mandate is returned, and our innocent workers imprisoned in jails are released." Imran Khan emphasised that talks take place with adversaries and PTI's most formidable adversaries are the ones with whom dialogue will be initiated. On May 2, former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry said that the party's founder would become Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif if he makes a deal with the establishment, Pakistan-based Geo News reported. Chaudhry's remarks came as purported "talks" between the PTI and the establishment in the headlines for the past few days after senior PTI leader Shehryar Afridi said that his party will hold "dialogue with the chief of army staff (COAS) and the director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (DG ISI) soon" instead of speaking to "rejected people" who reached parliament through Form 47. Speaking to reporters outside the Lahore High Court (LHC), Fawad Chaudhry, who denies parting ways with the PTI, predicted that the former Pakistan PM Imran Khan, who was ousted from power in April 2022, would not strike the deal with the establishment, Geo News reported. Pakistan's former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry said, "If he [Imran Khan] strikes a deal, he will become Shehbaz Sharif," adding that "Now, a threat to PM Shehbaz is not from his house but from those who brought him to power and outsiders." French President Emmanuel Macron is calling for an update of the countrys economic ties with China, just as the countrys leader Xi Jinping is expected to travel to France for a State visit. Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron (REUTERS) In a wide-ranging interview with La Tribune Dimanche, the French president says Europe wants more reciprocity in its economic ties with China, in order to better ensure its economic security. Im calling for an aggiornamento because China is now in excess capacity in many areas and exports massively to Europe, Macron said in the interview, using the Italian word for update. Xi is expected to land in France Sunday afternoon, the first stop of a five-day tour in Europe. The visit comes as ties reach their most fraught point in decades, amid a series of probes by the European Union into excessive subsidies and accusations of spying and state-sponsored cyberattacks from China. ALSO READ | China's 'break new ground' message to France after Macron visits India Though Macron is said to have backed a key EU investigation into Chinese EVs late last year, hes also on a charm offensive as he tries to entice investment from the worlds No. 2 economy. After hosting Xi at a dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris, he will take his Chinese guest to a part of the Pyrenees mountains where he spent time at his grandmothers house as a child. Xi last year invited Macron to share tea at the residence of the Guangdong governor, a post once held by his father. Depite Macrons tough stance on economic issues, the French president is defending Europes role as an balancing power that allows China to remain included in the global discussion. Lets be clear, Im not proposing to distance ourselves from China, he said in the interview. Whether its about climate or about safety, we need the Chinese. The Canadian police on Friday arrested three men for the murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, months after the crime triggered a diplomatic row between India and Canada. Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Canada's Surrey. Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot dead in Canada's Surrey. Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau had accused the Indian government of involvement in the killing. New Delhi had called the allegation absurd. What Canada police said on Nijjar murder suspects Those arrested have been identified as Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22 and Karan Brar, 22, the Canadian police said. Mandeep Mooker, an RCMP superintendent, told a televised news conference that they were invigating if the three alleged assailants had any ties to the "Indian government". Assistant RCMP commissioner David Teboul said the police would further investigate the murder. He claimed others may have played a role in the murder. This investigation does not end here. We are aware that others may have played a role in this homicide and we remain dedicated to finding and arresting each one of these individuals, he said. The trio were arrested in Edmonton in Alberta. They are allegedly Indian nationals, according to the Canadian police. The three suspects were living in Canada on non-permanent resident permits. The Canadian police said they were speaking with their Indian counterparts over this. Karanpreet Singh, Kamalpreet Singh and Karan Brar face charges including first-degree murder and conspiracy. "There are separate and distinct investigations ongoing into these matters, said Teboul. These efforts include investigating connections to the government of India," he added. Also read: India rejects Justin Trudeaus fresh statement on Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing The National Investigation Agency of India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020. India had called Canada's allegations baseless. Following the charge, New Delhi had asked Canada to remove 41 of its 62 diplomats in the country, accusing them of interference in India's internal matters and citing diplomatic parity. Tensions remain but have somewhat eased since. India maintains that Canada never provided any concrete evidence on Nijjar's murder. With inputs from Reuters, AP The Indian nationals killed in a multi-vehicle collision in Ontario on Monday have been identified as Manivannan and his spouse Mahalakshmi. They, along with their three-month-old grandchild were among the four fatalities in the tragedy. Ottawa Police Service officers surround a home after four children and two adults were found dead inside a neighbouring house in the Ottawa suburb of Barrhaven, Ontario, Canada March 7, 2024. REUTERS/Blair Gable (REUTERS) In a post on X, on Friday, Indias Consulate General in Toronto named the victims, saying, Heartfelt condolences on tragic loss of Indian nationals Mr. Manivannan, Mrs. Mahalakshmi & their grandchild in the Highway 401 collision. It added that Consul General Siddhartha Nath met the bereaved family at the hospital & assured all possible assistance. We are in touch with Canadian authorities, the post also stated. The tragedy occurred during a multi-vehicle collision in the town of Whitby, which resulted from a police car chase. At approximately 7.50 pm on April 29, Durham Regional Police Service became aware of a robbery at an alcohol outlet. Officers located a cargo van of interest and followed the van through numerous streets in Durham region. Thereafter, the van entered a highway but was going in the wrong direction. The fatal accident ensued, involving six vehicles. Among those injured were the 33-year-old father and 27-year-old mother of the deceased infant. The parents, residents of Ajax, were taken to hospital for treatment and the mother was treated for serious injuries that she suffered, SIU said. The 21-year-old driver of the van that was initially being investigated was also killed in the collision, while a 38-year-old male passenger was transported to hospital for treatment of serious injuries. SIU added that seven investigators, one forensic investigator and one collision reconstructionist continue to investigate this case. Given the involvement of police vehicles in the incident, the SIU stepped in. Its an official agency that probes the conduct of officials that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. As the chase entered the highway with Durham police vehicles also driving against the flow of traffic, a police radio recording had one officer saying, Someone is going to get hurt, according to local media reports. An Israeli military incursion into Gaza's southern city of Rafah could lead to a "bloodbath", the World Health Organization warned Friday, announcing contingency plans. Makeshift tents for displaced Palestinians at a temporary camp in Rafah, southern Gaza,(Bloomberg) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to crush Hamas's remaining fighters in Rafah, where much of Gaza's population has sought refuge from nearly seven months of war. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned of possible dire implications for the 1.2 million people sheltering in Rafah. "WHO is deeply concerned that a full-scale military operation in Rafah, Gaza, could lead to a bloodbath, and further weaken an already broken health system," Tedros said on X, formerly Twitter. In a statement, the WHO announced contingency efforts, but warned "the broken health system would not be able to cope with a surge in casualties and deaths that a Rafah incursion would cause". "This contingency plan is Band-Aids," Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO representative in the Palestinian territories, told reporters in Geneva. "It will absolutely not prevent the expected substantial additional mortality and morbidity caused by a military operation." According to the WHO, most of the besieged territory's health facilities have been damaged or destroyed amid heavy Israeli bombardment. Only 12 of Gaza's 36 hospitals and 22 of its 88 primary health facilities are "partially functional", the UN health agency said. "As part of contingency efforts, WHO and partners are urgently working to restore and resuscitate health services," the statement said. It added that Rafah's three currently operational hospitals would become unreachable "when hostilities intensify in their vicinity". Instead, the WHO is working to restore south Gaza's largest hospital, the Nasser Medical Complex in nearby Khan Yunis, and establish additional medical sites. "The ailing health system will not be able to withstand the potential scale of devastation that the incursion will cause," Peeperkorn said. A military operation in Rafah could spark a new wave of displacement, leading to more overcrowding, limited access to food, water and sanitation and more outbreaks of disease, he added. In its statement, the WHO called "for an immediate and lasting ceasefire and the removal of the obstacles to the delivery of urgent humanitarian assistance into and across Gaza, at the scale that is required." Jens Laerke, spokesman for the UN humanitarian agency OCHA, said that a military operation in Rafah "could lead to a slaughter". "For agencies already struggling to provide humanitarian aid in Gaza, a ground invasion would strike a disastrous blow," he told reporters. "Any ground operation would mean more suffering and death." The bloodiest-ever Gaza war started after an unprecedented attack on southern Israel by Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023. The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Militants also took about 250 hostages, of whom Israel estimates 128 remain in Gaza. The army says 35 of them are dead. Israel's relentless retaliatory military offensive has killed more than 34,000 people in Gaza -- most of them women and children -- according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. The chief of the United Nations' food program has warned of a "full-blown famine" in northern Gaza and reiterated calls for a ceasefire in Israel's war against Hamas. The chief of the United Nations' food program has warned of a "full-blown famine" in northern Gaza and reiterated calls for a ceasefire in Israel's war against Hamas.(AFP) "There is famine, full-blown famine in the north and it's moving its way south," Cindy McCain, executive director of the World Food Program, said in an interview excerpt published Friday. "What we are asking for and what we've continually asked for is a ceasefire and the ability to have unfettered access to get in safe... into Gaza -- various ports, various gate crossings," McCain continued. The World Food Program is one of the many humanitarian groups trying to get aid into Gaza. ALSO READ| Sen. Ron Johnson says US must let Israel destroy Hamas, keep Palestinian children 'bottled up' in Gaza The World Health Organization said Friday that the availability of food in the Gaza Strip has very slightly improved, though the risk of famine continues in the besieged Palestinian territory, which is home to 2.4 million people. Israel has repeatedly accused the United Nations and nongovernmental organizations of not distributing aid quickly enough. The aid agencies blame the trickle of essential food into the Palestinian enclave on restrictions and inspections imposed by Israel. The war in Gaza broke out after Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. The militants also took around 250 hostages, of whom Israel estimates 128 remain in Gaza, including 35 believed to be dead. Israel's devastating retaliatory campaign has killed at least 34,622 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev and First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Andrey Belousov have held discussions on the development prospects of Azerbaijan-Russia cooperation in the field of transport in Moscow, Azernews reports. The priority tasks related to the modernization of the railway infrastructure as part of the North-South International Transport Corridor were reviewed in accordance with the agreements reached by Presidents Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Vladimir Putin during their meeting on April 22 in Moscow. Ministers Mustafayev and Belousov reaffirmed their willingness to take the required steps to ensure smooth and reliable movement of goods across the Russian and Azerbaijani railway networks. Based on the outcomes of the discussions, the Joint Action Plan was approved, establishing the regulatory and legislative framework needed for the development of railway transportation and infrastructure within the North-South International Transport Corridor. SOPA Images/Getty Tesla is revoking summer internship offers as the automaker grapples with layoffs. One college senior said she was disappointed to lose her internship weeks before her start date. Brook Gura said she turned down offers at other companies in favor of working at Tesla. A college senior who scored a prestigious Tesla internship is scrambling to make new professional plans after the automaker revoked her offer less than three weeks before she was supposed to start. Brook Gura, 21, was looking forward to spending her summer as a recruiting intern in Tesla's human-resources department, she told Business Insider this week. The senior at the University of Texas at Austin said she spent about three weeks interviewing with the company earlier this year before signing a contract with Tesla on February 29. BI viewed part of Gura's offer letter from Tesla. ADVERTISEMENT "It was exciting. I was looking for a big corporate internship," Gura said. "And it was close by. I wouldn't have had to relocate." Gura, who said she turned down internship offers at other companies in favor of Tesla, was particularly stoked about the compensation $26 an hour, she said. The 12-week internship was scheduled to start on May 20. Gura said she was told she would get more information about picking up a company laptop the first week of May. When Tesla announced layoffs last month affecting 10% of the company's workforce, Gura wasn't initially worried, she said. "Interns are relatively cheap compared to full-time employees," she said. "I figured if they were trying to cut down, I might even be working more." But Gura said that as she was studying for finals on Tuesday, she got a call from an unknown phone number. A couple of hours later, she received an email from a Tesla recruiter asking her to call back. Gura said she immediately panicked and went online to see whether the company had done more layoffs, which was when she saw a LinkedIn post from another intern who'd lost their offer. Story continues By the time Gura called the recruiter back, she was fairly certain she knew what was coming, she said. But she added that the "pretty short" conversation still took her by surprise. "They just explained the company was making cuts that were going to start impacting interns, and that meant me," Gura said. "There wasn't any room for negotiating." Gura said she started panicking over how she'd spend her last summer before she graduates in December. "I was upset. This was not the only internship offer I had. I picked Tesla out of other organizations," she said. Tesla didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Gura made her own LinkedIn post on Wednesday, asking her professional network for support and opportunities. Other would-be interns have posted about losing their Tesla internships as well. Gura said several interns had connected in the aftermath of the cuts and were offering support to one another, and she felt lucky compared with other interns who'd already paid for flights and housing. Gura said she was trying to stay positive and look to the future. "Taking the time to think about this, I have learned that rejection is redirection," she wrote on LinkedIn. "While I am incredibly disappointed that I will not have the summer I intended to have, I know that this moment will only help me grow stronger as a professional." But she added that she couldn't help feeling disappointed by the whole experience. "What bummed me out the most," Gura said, "is I didn't even have the chance to showcase my skills." Read the original article on Business Insider Russia has added Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to its list of wanted criminals, a move Kyiv dismissed as a sign of Moscow's "desperation". Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (AFP) Zelensky's name appeared on Saturday on the Russian interior ministry's "wanted" list, an online database of alleged criminals sought by the Russian authorities. It said the Ukrainian leader was wanted "under an article of the criminal code", without providing further details. There was no immediate comment from Russian officials as to why Zelensky had been added to the list. Ukraine's foreign ministry said the decision demonstrated "the desperation of the Russian state machine and propaganda, which are at a loss for what else to invent to garner attention". ALSO READ| US claims China, Russia militaries working together to likely invade Taiwan Moscow has targeted Zelensky since the start of Russia's military offensive in Ukraine in February 2022. The Ukrainian president said last year he was aware of at least "five or six" assassination attempts against him that had been foiled. The day after sending troops into Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave an address to the nation in which he urged the Ukrainian army to overthrow Zelensky. Russia has placed several foreign politicians and public figures on its wanted list, which has tens of thousands of entries. The commander of Ukraine's Land Forces, Oleksandr Pavliuk, and former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko also appeared in the online database on Saturday. In February, Moscow said it was seeking Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas for what the Kremlin said was the "desecration of historical memory" over the Baltic country's move to destroy Soviet era monuments. Last year the International Criminal Court ordered the arrest of Putin on war crimes charges related to the abduction of Ukrainian children -- accusations rejected by Moscow. Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) has voiced his support for pro-Palestine protests looming in US campuses, and blasted President Joe Biden over his backing of Israel. Appearing in an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour on Friday, Sanders compared Biden's situation with former President Lyndon Johnson, who decided against seeking reelection in 1968 due to student protests against the Vietnam War.(AP ) Appearing in an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour on Friday, Sanders compared Biden's situation with former President Lyndon Johnson, who decided against seeking reelection in 1968 due to student protests against the Vietnam War. This may be Bidens Vietnam, the Vermont Independent warned. Lyndon Johnson in many respects was a very, very good president domestically he brought forth some major pieces of legislation. He chose not to run in 68 because of opposition to his views in Vietnam. He further expressed worry that Biden is at the risk of losing young people and a lot of Democratic support ahead of the November elections, in which the POTUS is most likely to rematch against ex-president Donald Trump. I worry very much that President Biden is putting himself in a position where he has alienated not just young people, but a lot of the Democratic base in terms of his views on Israel and this war. Bernie Sanders hails anti-Israel protestors Meanwhile, he took to X, formerly Twitter to says that without protests, we would still live in a segregated country. Without protests, women would still be second class citizens. Without protests, the LGBTQ+ community would still be hiding their identities, he added. Recalling a protest held at University of Chicago in 1962, Sanders wrote in another post, In 1962, we organized sit-ins to end racist policies at the University of Chicago. In '63, I was arrested protesting segregated schools. But we were right. Also Read: Video shows how Georgia State police brutally knocked down a professor and handcuffed amid pro-Palestine protest He went on to say that Im proud to see students protesting the war in Gaza. Stay peaceful and focused. Youre on the right side of history, he concluded. The senator's remarks coincide with growing pressure on Biden from the left wing of his party to stop providing military support to Israel and back an Israel-Hamas ceasefire. Israel declared war against Hamas following an unanticipated assault on Israel on October 7 that claimed the lives of 1,200 Israelis. While protests over the Israel-Hamas conflict have caused chaos on US college campuses, Biden upheld the right to peaceful protest, but insisted that "order must prevail." Addressing the protestors from the White House, Biden stated, "There is a right to protest, but not the right to cause chaos." The president declared that he has not changed his strategy for the war in response to the protests. Columbia University president Minouche Shafik has finally broken her silence after the NYPD raids on the campus amid anti-Israel protests. Shafik has called for more empathy from the student body. Several dramatic videos of police removing occupiers and the tent city surfaced on social media. The cops stormed an administration building illegally taken over by protesters. Columbia University President Minouche Shafik has broken her silence on the NYPD raids (Photo by Indy Scholtens / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP) In the last two weeks, an anti-Israel encampment overtook the universitys stately Morningside Heights campus. Shafik said that these events are among the most difficult in Columbias history. What did Minouche Shafik say? The turmoil and tension, division and disruption have impacted the entire community, she said in a video address on Friday evening, May 3. You are students who paid an exceptionally high price. You lost your final days in the classroom and residence halls. For those of you who are seniors, youre finishing the way you started: online, she told the students. Shafik added that the school administration tried very hard to solve the issue of encampment through dialogue, but the protesters refused to budge. The protesters demand was that Columbia divest its finances from companies associated with Israel. Academic leaders talked with students for eight days and nights, she said. The university made a sincere and good offer but it was not accepted. Shafik noted that when the demonstrators occupied Columbias iconic Hamilton Hall, they crossed a new line. It was a violent act that put our students at risk as well as putting the protesters at risk, she said. She added that she herself saw the distressing damages caused to the building. On a positive note, Shafik said she believed civil discourse can rebuild community on campus with both sides understanding and work. The issues that are challenging us the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, anti-Semitism, and anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bias have existed for a long time, she said. And Columbia, despite being a remarkable institution, cannot solve them singlehandedly. What we can do is be an exemplar of a better world, where people who disagree do so civilly, recognize each others humanity and show empathy and compassion for one another, Shafik concluded. Shafiks video address comes shortly after a Columbia faculty association called for a vote of no confidence for Shafik and other top administrators after NYPDs raids. Furious students appeared on the presidents doorstep, taking the traditional primal scream. The schools chapter of the American Association of University Professors condemned the NYPDs raids on Hamilton Hall, calling it a horrific police attack. They blasted the militarized lockdown of the Morningside Heights campus. Since mid-April, as many as 200 protesters have been arrested on the Columbia campus. Students with the Evergreen Gaza Solidarity Encampment and officials of the Evergreen State College in Olympia finally reached an agreement, and now the public college has decided to work toward divesting from companies that profit from gross human rights violations and/or the occupation of Palestinian territories. This makes the university the first in the US to completely divest from Israel. A sign listing protesters' demands is displayed at a protest encampment in support of Palestinians, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, U.S. April 28, 2024 (REUTERS/David Ryder) The student-led group took over the schools Red Square on April 26. Subsequently, the Memorandum of Understanding was struck. At the end everybody was really proud of how the negotiations went, Evergreen spokesperson Kelly Von Holtz said, according to The Olympian. The encampment has now been cleared. What does the Memorandum of Understanding say? As per the signed Memorandum of Understanding, the Investment Policy Disappearing Task Force will plan to divest from some companies. The Grant Acceptance Policy Disappearing Task Force will decide what criteria will be applied for accepting or refusing grants based on the purposes of the grant. This will be presented to the board of trustees by the task force in the fall. The MOU says, Criteria would include such considerations as whether grants facilitate illegal occupations abroad, limit free speech, or support oppression of minorities. A new structure for the Police Services Community Review Board will be proposed by a Civilian Oversight of the Police Department Disappearing Task Force. The Police Services Standard Operating Procedures will be updated too. Meanwhile, by 2025, an Alternative Models of Crisis Response Disappearing Task Force is set to propose an alternative non-law enforcement model for 24-hour crisis response. Evergreen would need to make a statement defending the rights and free speech of students. This has to include a paragraph from the president, which would say, Like many, I am horrified and grief-stricken by the violence and suffering being inflicted due to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I wish to see an end to the violence and restoration of international law, including respect for the March 25 United Nations resolution. Specifically, the resolution called for a lasting, sustainable ceasefire honored by all parties, immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, expanded humanitarian assistance, and the protection of civilians. Additionally, I mourn the destruction of universities and hospitals, the (killing) of journalists, and want to see the release of any prisoner being held without due process. Evergreen will now stop approving study abroad programs to Israel, and students will not be allowed to go to Gaza or the West Bank for study abroad programs. The MOU highlighted that the college is committed to diversity and the prohibition of discrimination based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, including Jews and Palestinians. Notably, Evergreen is where Rachel Corrie, an American non-violence activist and diarist, studied. She was a member of the pro-Palestinian International Solidarity Movement (ISM). While in Rafah in 2003, Corrie was protesting the Israeli military demolishing Palestinian houses at the height of the Second Intifada. She was consequently crushed to death by an Israeli armoured bulldozer. It seems Boeing's troubles are never-ending as the company has been dogged by Congressional probes and whistleblowers testimony. In a statement, Boeing spokesman said: We encourage all employees to speak up when issues arise. Retaliation is strictly prohibited at Boeing.(AP ) Joshua Dean and John Barnett, the two Boeing whistleblowers, were found dead under mysterious circumstances this year, raising speculations if there was any foul play in their deaths. Their lawyers are now concerned about the possibility that around ten more Boeing whistleblowers may get scared away due to their deaths or suffer the same fate. The sudden demise of 45-year-old Dean was announced on May 30, less than two months after Barnett's. While Dean worked for Spirit AeroSystems, a major sub contractor in the manufacturing of 737 Max airliners, Barnett was employed as production-quality manager of 787 Boeing. Dean's family announced that he passed away due to a fast-growing mystery infection, but Barnett, according to police, died from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on March 9. He was found dead in the South Carolina hotel's hotel parking lot after he failed to show up for the second part of his testimony for a bombshell lawsuit against the Boeing. Dean and Barnett were among many challengers who contested Boeing's assertion that it truly prioritises safety. Following the death of Barnett, Boeing staff members told The Post that he had several "powerful enemies" and added that workers are doubtful about the fact if his death was a suicide. Dean, while being employed at Spirit AeroSystems, sounded the alarm in 2022. He voiced concerns about 737 Max parts that had bulkhead holes drilled incorrectly. Also Read: John Barnett death: Family says Boeing's hostile work environment led to suicide Dean and Barnett's lawyers seek extensive investigation into their deaths Their attorneys, Robert Turkewitz and Brian Knowles, are requesting extensive probe into their deaths. Its an absolute tragedy when a whistleblower ends up dying under strange circumstances, said Turkewitz. On Friday, they held a meeting with officials in South Carolina, where they planned to request specifics regarding the inquiry into Barnett's demise. According to them, a similar kind of probe is required for Dean's death. Last month, Boeing reported that it lost $355 million due to declining revenue in the first quarter, indicating another sign of the crisis besetting the aircraft manufacturer as it deals with mounting concerns about the safety of its aircraft and charges of subpar work from an increasing number of whistleblowers who are still alive. Moreover, the sudden announcement of Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun's resignation by the end of 2024 was interpreted as a response to the company's persistent safety issues. These men were heroes: Knowles hail Dean and Barnett Speaking to NY POST, Knowles called Barnett and Dean "heroes", adding that they "loved the company" and wanted it to do better since they were concerned about other people's lives. He further ruled out that Barnett died by suicide, stating that "Ive never dealt with someone who did (commit suicide.)" While police are about to end their probe into Barnetts death, it is likely to take some weeks to reveal the exact reason for Dean's passing via few tests. Joe Buccino, a spokesman for Spirit AeroSystems, said that the company "encourages" workers to voice their concerns because they are thereafter "cloaked under protection." In a statement, Boeing spokesman said: We encourage all employees to speak up when issues arise. Retaliation is strictly prohibited at Boeing. Is Boeing adamant about not admitting truth? Ed Pierson, who worked as a senior manager at Boeings 737 factory in Renton, Washington, established the Foundation for Aviation Safety after leaving the company six years ago. Prior to the two Boeing 737 Max disasters in 2018 and 2019, which resulted in the planes being grounded and the deaths of 346 people, he persuaded the management at Boeing to cease manufacture of the aircraft. But all his efforts went in vain. Calling the company "unstable", he noted: Senior corporate leadership is so fixated on not admitting the truth that they cant admit anything. According to a House report released in September 2020, the two 737 Max mishaps were the "horrific culmination" of "repeated and serious failures" by Boeing and air safety regulators. Seattle-based British-American author Lesley Hazleton, who intensely wrote about the blurring boundaries between politics and religion in her renowned works, passed away on April 29. But, before moving on to the higher plane, she penned a goodbye letter," which she passed on to her friends via e-mail. Still from What's Wrong with Dying? | Lesley Hazleton | TEDxSeattle.(TEDx Talks) In her final written piece, Hazleton conveyed the bad news, good news, and even better news, detailing the cause of her demise as terminal cancer. Despite the startling subject of her letter, she addressed her journey leading up to her death as a good goodbye and asked her friends to be glad for her. The three-tier revelation entailed the bad news that cancer had gotten the better of her. I am officially six-months-terminal, she wrote in the e-mail. The second bit of good news was that she felt relatively fine. For the moment despite a couple of miserably bad episodes. The mentioned even better news, according to her, was that Washington state has a Death with Dignity Act, which meant that she had a choice over how she died. I've been a pro-choice feminist for over six decades, so it should come as no surprise that I'll be exercising choice in this too," her letter informed. Also read | Elon Musk comes to Trump's defence after Robert De Niro compares ex-President to Hitler, calls him monster Hazleton's goodbye letter, as shared by Chris Anderson, the curator of TED Conferences, on X/Twitter, is dated April 29, 2024 at 11:52:07 pm PDT. The First Muslim author clearly added therein, By the time you read this, I'll already have exercised it. I'll have chugged down the prescribed meds, standing tall, then laid me down to sleep. Bursting with her distinctive energy, her final letter even takes us back to the mentions of her latest book, Agnostic: A Spirited Manifesto (2016), and her 2017 TEDx Talk Whats Wrong With Dying, as she confirmed, I've lived far longer with the knowledge that this is the way I'd want to go. Her final words are not of sadness, but one of joy and amazement at how great her life has been. Expressing her immense gratitude for the time spent, she also addressed the sensation of wonderfully bearable lightness of being in her farewell message. Describing her life as one of deep love and deep friendship, she extended a message of being at peace. I truly had the time of my life, she continued. Concluding her heartfelt address, she signed off by highlighting that the letter was being sent on a time delay, so (she'd) be gone by the time you get it. Please know that I'm writing it with a huge smile of love and gratitude, and sadness only at knowing that it will bring you sadness, and that I won't see you again, ended Hazleton's letter. About Lesley Hazleton In 1945, the British-American author was born in England. Having spent a significant time of her life in Jerusalem, she eventually moved to Seattle in 1992. Her last work, Agnostic: A Spirited Manifesto, came out in 2016 and was then credited as the New York Times Editors' Choice. Also read | UCLA student newspaper editor speaks out after traumatising pro-Palestine encampment raid, attacks on reporters Lesley Hazleton wrote several other books on religion and politics, tracing roots of conflict, including her famed works The First Muslim: The Story of Muhammad (2013), After the Prophet: The Epic Story of the Hero Split (2009), Jezebel: The Untold Story of the Bible's Harlot Queen (2007) and more. As a frequent TED speaker, the Accidental Theologist (her blog: AccidentalTheologist.com) took the stage in 2017 to humorously probe into What's Wrong with Dying? TEDx Talks described her take on the matter as Hazleton uses wit and wisdom to challenge our ideas not only about death, but about what it is to live well. Honouring Lesley Hazleton's legacy Chris Anderson, the head of TED, took to X/Twitter on May 2 (IST), to share the author's goodbye letter to the world. Linking yet another on of her TED talks from 2013 titled, The doubt essential to faith, he wrote on social media: THIS is how you say goodbye. An astonishing woman. This talk of hers was so brave, so powerful. https://go.ted.com/6RaJ And this letter is simply stunning. Rest in peace, dear Lesley. Your words, your wisdom will be with us forever. In 2011, The Stranger honoured her with the Genius Awards in Literature. After her passing, the Seattle-based media outlet's Charles Mudede celebrated her esteemed presence, writing I Will Miss Her Terribly. Employees from Facebook's parent company, Meta, called out the tech giant's censorship of any signs of support for Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. In an open letter reportedly published earlier this week, a group of Meta employees addressed CEO Mark Zuckerberg, criticising the company's alleged active attempts at erasing any open support for Palestinian colleagues or the millions facing a humanitarian crisis in Palestine on professional platforms such as Workplace, according to Business Insider. FILE PHOTO: Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on online child sexual exploitation at the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, U.S., January 31, 2024. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo(REUTERS) Per the accusations made by Meta employees, their previously internally circulated letter, dated December 19, 2023, was deleted and dismissed due to our Community Engagement Expectations (CEE)," implying that all sorts of discussions on the matter had been prohibited even internally. As a result, these Meta employees addressed this follow-up to the Meta CEO and leadership externally. Seeking more inclusivity on the matter to discuss the humanitarian issue, the employees wrote in their public letter, Any open support for our Palestinian colleagues or the millions facing a humanitarian crisis in Palestine is met with internal censorship of employee concerns, biased leadership statements showing one-sided support, and external censorship that is raising public alarm and distrust of our platforms. Also read | Northern Gaza in full-blown famine, says UN food program chief Blowing the lid off the months of silencing that had been pushed internally within their workplace forums, these employees called out the outward Your voice is valued guise adopted by CEE. Meta employees also pointed out that CEE was merely being used as a sanctioning excuse to delete dissenting opinions and silence employees that may simply be seeking solace from their coworkers or raising awareness about building safer products. Furthermore, the employees emphasised how many of them felt disrupted, unheard and unsafe to the extent that they even resigned from their stations. They painstakingly noted how, according to a former employee, any mention of Palestine was eventually erased. What's Meta and Mark Zuckerberg's stand in the Israel-Hamas conflict? The employees clearly stated in their letter open letter that Meta leaders have positively demonstrated support for their Israeli colleagues and condemned the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel (leading to around 1200 killings in Southern Israel), on internal and external platforms. They even brought one of Zuckerberg's Facebook statements to the forefront. The terrorist attacks by Hamas are pure evil. There is never any justification for carrying out acts of terrorism against innocent people. The widespread suffering that has resulted is devastating. My focus remains on the safety of our employees and their families in Israel and the region," the Meta CEO wrote on Facebook. Also read | Rachel Campos-Duffy mocks Nancy Pelosi's husband after she gets Presidential Medal of Freedom: Maybe Paul needs hammer' Bringing this divide to the forefront, the employees criticised the company's bias and inequity, vis-a-vis the lack of condemnation of attacks on Palestine. Those who have previously attempted to articulate their thoughts on the supposed hostile and unsafe work environment for Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, anti-Zionist Jew, and anti-genocide colleagues at the company have witnessed an erasure on Workplace. In addition to the mentioned censorship, some employees have even been reportedly rebuffed and/or penalised, while their addressed feedback on the official forum's Chat was dismissed. According to a Thursday report by the United Nations Development Program and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, the productive basis of the economy has been destroyed in Palestine due to Israel's ongoing occupation of the Gaza Strip, which has also resulted in a concerning escalation of poverty among Palestinians. Columbia University president Minouche Shafik has broken her silence following the NYPD raids on the campus, telling students in a video message that the past two weeks events were among the most difficult in Columbias history. The turmoil and tension, division and disruption have impacted the entire community, she said. You are students who paid an exceptionally high price. Netizens ask Columbia University prez Minouche Shafik to resign (@Columbia/X) Shafik said although the authorities tried to solve the problem through dialogue, the students refused to comply, prompting them to seek NYPDs help. Noting that protesters crossed a new line by occupying Hamilton Hall, she said, It was a violent act that put our students at risk as well as putting the protesters at risk. The students of Columbia deserve better leadership Shafiks message has sparked outrage, with many X users flocking to the comment section of the video, asking her to resign. You have made campus considerably less safe for Palestinian and Jewish students who are anti-Zionist. Shame on you, one user wrote. One user said, Heres an even better message. Resign, while another wrote, Empty words for an institution that has fueled the fire of antisemitism for years. Shame on you for allowing this to happen. Columbia will never recover from this as long as you are the President. Resign and let people who are truly committed to doing the hard work clean up this mess you created. Too little too late. You let things on your campus become very unsafe and acted only when things got ridiculously out of hand. The students of Columbia deserve better leadership than what you have demonstrated, wrote one. Your term has been an abject failure. Want to see a university responding well right now? Look at UT Austin. Ole Miss. Not Columbia, which now stands as one of the flagships for academic failure in the nation. Way to go. Enough with the toxic empathy, expel them. Resign. Move on, one user said, while another wrote, Patronising, robotic and devoid of any understanding. This gives me anxiety. It feels disconnected from reality and the state of the situation, one said. Another wrote, You have presided over unprecedented chaos, unbridled anti-Semitism and unencumbered woke insanity. If you had any integrity you would resign. As anti-Israel protesters across US campuses promise to continue despite the crackdown, Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) has introduced a legislation to prohibit anyone convicted of a state or federal crime related to a school protest from receiving any federal student loan relief. Pro-Palestinian student protestors and activists clash with counter-protesters during a rally on the campus of University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, on May 3, 2024. Pro-Palestinian protests that have rocked US campuses for weeks were more muted Friday after a series of clashes with police, mass arrests and a stern White House directive to restore order. (Photo by Alex Wroblewski / AFP)(AFP) Cotton's No Bailouts for Campus is backed by eighteen other Republican senators. The legislation was proposed in the wake of pro-Palestine protests that have rocked college campuses across the United States. Police have arrested at least 200 demonstrators at the Manhattan campus of Columbia University since mid-April. The protestors initially erected a tent encampment at the Ivy League school, causing final exams to be rescheduled and classes to be held online. During his term, President Joe Biden authorised different executive acts totaling around $160 billion in student debt forgiveness for roughly 4.6 million borrowers. According to the Penn Wharton Budget Model at the University of Pennsylvania, Biden's promises to cancel student loans are expected to come at a staggering cost to taxpayers -- $559 billion over the course of 10 years. Also Read: Evergreen State College in Olympia becomes first US uni to completely divest from Israel No Bailouts for Campus supporters blast Hamas sympathisers In a statement, Arkansas Republican said: Americans who never went to college or responsibly paid off their debts shouldnt have to pay off other peoples student loans. They especially shouldnt have to pay off the loans of Hamas sympathisers shutting down and defacing campuses, he continued. Earlier in a post on X, Cotton shared a video of a girl who was taken into custody from the campus. The little Gazas on college campuses are cesspools of anti-Semitism and have no place in America. Their presence is solely due to the inaction of left wing administrators and politicians, he wrote, along with a clip of his interview with Fox News. One of the bill's co-sponsors, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), stated in a statement that those who sympathises with Hamas and indulges in criminal behavior on college campuses "should be ineligible for student loan bailouts." She stressed that there is a need to hold these criminals accountable and make sure taxpayers money isn't used to settle their debt. The legislation is being led in the House of Representatives by Representative Brandon Williams (R-NY), who said it is absurd that the violent protestors on campuses want respect, amnesty, and food. Our bicameral bill ensures that not one student protestor convicted of criminal offenses is bailed out by student loan forgiveness. Not one dime of taxpayer money will fund these criminals, he said in a statement. Amid the ongoing protests across the US campuses, the University of Mississippi on Thursday witnessed an unpleasant incident as pro-Israel and pro-Palestine students clashed with each other. In the video, one of the white men at Ole Miss campus can be seen mocking the black protestor by making monkey gestures and noises at her during the showdown.(X) A black female protestor, who was supporting Palestine, faced racist taunts by a group of white male pro-Israel demonstrators. While the woman was filming dozens of protestors at the campus, some men were heard constantly disparaging her weight. They even hurled slurs and shouted Lizzo to make their point. Republican Representative Mike Collins shared a video of the incident and seemed to approve of the crude behavior, captioning it, "Ole Miss taking care of business." In the video, one of the white men can be seen mocking the black protestor by making monkey gestures and noises at her during the showdown. Miffed by the screams and abuses hurled at her, the woman gave them the finger. As she continued to film at a closer range, a security guard once stepped in and asked her to return to her side. The woman was subsequently led away in front of the glowering audience, and cries of "lock her up" were reverberated across the courtyard. University of Mississippi calls out the incident In contrast to Collins' remarks, Ole Miss denounced the incident by calling it "inappropriate" and "offensive". Statements were made at the demonstration on our campus Thursday that were offensive and inappropriate. Any actions that violate university policy will be met with appropriate action, the University said in a statement. Police were present at Ole Miss during the protest. However, no arrests were made as the atmosphere of the demonstration was largely peaceful. Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump released an ad displaying the University of Mississippi incident. Internet blasts Mike Collins: 'You're racist' Several netizens on X reacted to the shameful incident, with many hitting out at Mike Collins for supporting the unruly behaviour of the white men. Thanks for confirming you're a massive racist piece of shit, one X user wrote. You are a racist embarrassment to the United States, commented another while demanding his resignation. You stand behind calling black people monkeys, a third user chimed in. The fourth user added, Mike Collins approving and promoting racism. You are as disgusting as they are! Also Read: Who is Andrew Dudum? HIMS CEO sparks anger by offering jobs to US campus anti-Israel protesters The altercation occurred as a large group of pro-Palestine demonstrators assembled to denounce Israel's shelling of Gaza following the October 7 attacks on its territory. The protestors were demanding that the university disassociate itself from businesses that benefit from the Israel-Hamas war and be open about its ties to Israel. Police have arrested over 2,000 demonstrators so far at campuses across the United States. Prince Harry's previous whirlwind trip to the UK made headlines when he dropped in to check on his father, King Charles, after his cancer diagnosis in February. Back then, the father-son duo barely spent an hour together before they went their separate ways. FILE - King Charles III, front right, Camilla, the Queen Consort, Prince Harry and Prince William watch as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is placed into the hearse following the state funeral service in Westminster Abbey in central London Monday Sept. 19, 2022. King Charles III has been diagnosed with a form of cancer and has begun treatment, Buckingham Palace says on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, Pool, File)(AP) In a Mirror report, it's been suggested that Charles' recovery is positively on the right track, so much so that the King can take back some reins of his royal duties. Earlier this week, his public-facing presence at University College Hospital Macmillan Centre confirmed the case. More about Prince Harry's UK trip The Duke of Sussex is making his UK comeback on the celebratory note of the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. He's reportedly set to attend the thanksgiving service at St Paul's Cathedral in London on Wednesday, May 8, making it his first appearance at a major UK event since his estrangement with royal duties. Once again, this is expected to be another of his solo UK outings without his wife, Meghan Markle. As reported by the Mirror, a royal expert has asserted that King Charles would like to see his son this time around when he is back in the UK. However, he's supposedly imposed a strict condition. Also read | Queen Camilla to snub Prince Harry during UK visit, unlikely she will be in the same room: report Ingrid Seward, Editor-in-Chief of Majesty Magazine, claimed that King Charles' decision to meet Prince Harry hinges on the latter's residential arrangements while in London. The royal insider explained that if Harry stays in a royal space, he will have the security protection he so desires. This arrangement would further allow him to meet his father privately. Moreover, Harry would be less likely to use it as a PR opportunity. Seward added that Charles had business at Buckingham Palace, including his weekly session with the Prime Minister, and he would like to see his son. Even during his previous stay in the UK, it was reported that Harry, with no homely station to fall back on, was temporarily lodging in hotels. Much like Harry's last trip to the UK, this one may also prove to be a short one, but possibly not as brief as the previous one since it's Prince Archie's 5th birthday on Monday. Per Seward, Harry would never before that as he has placed such importance on being there in the past. Once he wraps up the trip to his home country, Markle will join him for their next destination - Nigeria, where they've been invited by the country's Chief of Defence Staff. Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy took a brutal on-air dig at Nancy Pelosi's husband after US President Joe Biden honoured the former Speaker with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Appearing on Jesse Watters Primetime on Friday, Rachel Campos-Duffy joked about a violent attack on Paul Pelosi that not only led him to hospitalised but also fractured his skull.(X) Appearing on Jesse Watters Primetime on Friday, she joked about a violent attack on Paul Pelosi that not only led him to hospitalised but also fractured his skull. Campos-Duffy and guest host Pete Hegseth blasted Biden over his choices for the medal as the 19 recipients included Al Gore, the ex-Vice President, and John Kerry, the former Secretary of State. Offering a list of alternatives, Campos-Duffy suggested names of Tesla CEO Elon Musk and former US President Donald Trump. So, I thought, Americas frat boys, they could use the Medal of Freedom. Donald J. Trump, he never gives up on America. Elon Musk for absolutely caring about freedom of speech. She further said that the award should be given to Kid Rock and the US Border Patrol. Thats a great list," Hegseth responded, but stressed that her suggestions are "a little off-brand for Big Joe". He further said that the award would more likely go to Susan Rice, Paul Pelosi and Gavin Newsom. To this, Campos-Duffy quickly quipped, Well, maybe Paul Pelosi needs the hammer instead of the medal. Its metal, Hegseth said with a laugh. We wish him well. We wish him well. A hammer-wielding assailant struck Paul Pelosi at his San Francisco home in October 2022. He was targetted when hsi wife Nancy wasn't at home. Paul was admitted to the hospital with "serious injuries to his right arm and hands" in addition to a fractured head that required surgery to heal. He was discharged from the hospital after six days. Also Read: Watch Nancy Pelosi slam MSNBC anchor Katy Tur for being a Donald Trump apologist Rachel Campos-Duffy blasted for controversial remarks: Youre a racist bigot' The banter between Campos-Duffy-Pete Hegseth didn't sit well with the X users, with many condemning their remarks and calling the Fox New host "a racist bigot". "Rachel Campos-Duffy has been a racist bigot and general POS since her MTV Real World reality show days. The right are hate filled & rot from the inside out," one X user wrote. "I hope Paul Pelosi has fully recovered & is enjoying his life. The left are filled with compassion, empathy and heart," she added. Apparently when Paul Pelosi was attacked with a hammer it was a laugh riot. He had to have surgery for a skull fracture but that just adds to the fun for Ms. Campos-Duffy, another user commented. When Fox network host Rachel Campos Duffy joked about the brutal attack on Paul Pelosi with a hammer to his head as if it were a good thing she has crossed the line and should be fired, a third user said. Senator Ron Johnson blasted President Joe Biden's plan to accept Palestinian refugees amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Speaking with Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany on Friday, Senator Ron Johnson stressed Palestinian children should not be granted asylum in the United States,.(AP ) The Wisconsin Senator was among the 34 Senate Republicans who raised their voice against the Biden administration's potential strategy to allow Palestinians residing in the US bring their family members over as refugees. They called the plan a national security risk. Speaking with Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany on Friday, he stressed Palestinian children should not be granted asylum in the United States, adding that they are indoctrinated to hate and must be bottled up in Gaza. Reflecting on the pro-Palestine protests that have rocked US college campuses, Johnson said: Kayleigh, theres a reason that the Arab nations have not accepted Palestinian refugees for decades. Had they done that, we wouldnt have this problem today. But they dont do it because, its awful the way young children in Palestine are indoctrinated to hate not only Jews, but all infidels, he continued. The Senator further called them dangerous people and said this is the reason why they try and keep them bottled up in Gaza and the West Bank, and, so, this continues to spill over into these horrific incidences. Emphasising the need to keep Palestinians bottled up, he said: We need to let Israel destroy Hamas and then try and live in peace with Palestinians who are willing to do so. Also Read: Will Joe Biden block anti-Israel protesters from getting student loan forgiveness? They not only hate Jews, they hate us: Ron Johnson on Palestinians Earlier, Johnson had said that military-age men from the rival nations were already being allowed in the country via the southern border of the United States. Why would you add to that clear and present danger by bringing in Palestinians, who, lets face it, they view us as infidels. They not only hate Jews, they hate us, Johnson remarked. Earlier this week, 34 senators in a letter to White House demanded that the government stop making plans to accept refugees from Gaza unless they addressed their concerns and directed their attention on achieving the release of American hostages held by Hamas. We must ensure Gazans with terrorist ties or sympathies are denied admission into the United States no easy feat, given the fact that the Gazans were the ones who voted Hamas into power in 2006, the Senators wrote. Israel's war against Hamas has killed nearly 35,000 Palestinians, including women and children, as per the health ministry. Police on Thursday arrested over 200 protestors as they moved in to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Wearing helmets, body armor and face shields, the cops tore away the barricade as protesters attempted to keep together the plywood and metal fencing assembly. One of the officers even fired a rubber bullet into the crowd after demonstrators poured fire extinguishers at police. Isabelle Friedman highlighted how over 50 people contributed to the coverage of campus protests, attacks on encampment and police raid at UCLA.(Daily Bruin/AP ) Speaking to The Times, Los Angeles Police said 208 people were arrested for allegedly failing to disperse, which is a misdemeanor. Following the police raid, the Editor-in-Chief of Daily Bruin, UCLA's independent student-run newspaper since 1919, reflected on the mayhem that the university witnessed in the past week. UCLA professor Nick Shapiro addresses a press conference on the campus.(AP) Isabelle Friedman describes traumatising and distressing police raid, attacks on reporters Taking to X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday, Isabelle Friedman said she feels more proud to be a student journalist or a member of Daily Bruin. She highlighted how over 50 people contributed to the coverage of campus protests, attacks on encampment and police raid at the school. I've never been more proud to be a student journalist or a member of DB. 50+ staffers contributed to coverage, putting their lives on hold to cover the encampment, the attack on it and the ensuing police sweep. Staffers from across the newsroom stepped up in astonishing ways, Friedman wrote. She further claimed that "our reporters were gassed, assaulted and threatened with arrest" and she and others were forced to leave the building near the encampment despite an assurance from the vice chancellor to cover protests safely. The police used the same building during their raid, she added. Calling the incident "traumatising and distressing", Friedman asserted that it is "our responsibility to share campus voices and experiences has never felt more essential." The Daily Bruin editor concluded her post by thanking those who expressed their support to the campus newspaper this week. Internet reacts to Isabelle Friedman's post Meanwhile, some netizens on X expressed their support to Friedman and Daily Bruin, with one calling her the light, the hope and our future. Im sorry about the trauma from the attack. Hoping for some justice. Please take care of yourself. PTSD is real. Once the numbness wears off make sure you have a support team. You are not alone. You are very loved and appreciated, one X user wrote. We will keep fighting until Gaza is free and rebuilt. The entire UC Regents will divest. Palestine will be free. Another X user added, I hope you all have been able to decompress from what you experienced. Im incredibly proud of my fellow bruins. Thank you for sharing what you witnessed at UCLAs unfolding events, please keep writing the truth despite of the invested efforts to silence you & your team! The people deserve to know it! Best of luck, a third user chimed in. Also Read: Police push into UCLA campus, tear down barricades and detain dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters UCLA Chancellor issues statement On Thursday morning, workers gathered wreckage that had been left all over the campus lawn. Large trash bins were filled with tents, chairs, and food as bulldozers entered the campus to remove debris. In a statement, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said that the community is in "deep pain", adding that the authorities permitted the protest to stay in place as long as it did not endanger the safety of Bruins. "But while many of the protesters at the encampment remained peaceful, ultimately, the site became a focal point for serious violence as well as a huge disruption to our campus," Block wrote. Alabama has authorized the execution of a second inmate by nitrogen gas, months after the state became the first state to put a person to death with the previously untested method. The Alabama Supreme Court on Thursday granted the state attorney general's request for an execution date for Alan Eugene Miller, who survived a 2022 lethal injection attempt. (AP ) The Alabama Supreme Court on Thursday granted the state attorney general's request for an execution date for Alan Eugene Miller, who survived a 2022 lethal injection attempt. The state's governor will set the exact date of the execution for Miller, who was convicted of killing three men during a 1999 workplace shooting. The Alabama attorney general's office, in a February court filing seeking the execution date for Miller, said the execution would be carried out by nitrogen gas. Alabama executed Kenneth Smith Alabama in January used nitrogen gas to execute Kenneth Smith. Smith shook and convulsed in seizure-like movements for several minutes on the death chamber gurney as he was put to death on Jan. 25. Miller has an ongoing federal lawsuit challenging the execution method as a violation of the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment, citing witness descriptions of Smith's death. Rather than address these failures, the State of Alabama has attempted to maintain secrecy and avoid public scrutiny, in part by misrepresenting what happened in this botched execution, the lawyers wrote. It is expected that his attorneys will ask the federal judge to block the execution from going forward. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall maintained that the execution was textbook and said the state will seek to carry out more death sentences using nitrogen gas. The State of Alabama is prepared to carry out the execution of Millers sentence by means of nitrogen hypoxia, the attorney generals office wrote in the February motion seeking the execution authorization. State attorneys added that Miller has been on death row since 2000 and that it is time to carry out his sentence. An attorney listed for Miller did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the lawsuit. A spokesman for Marshall confirmed the court authorized the execution but did not immediately comment. Miller, a delivery truck driver, was convicted of killing Terry Jarvis, Lee Holdbrooks and Scott Yancy in the workplace shooting. Body camera footage recently released shows the moment NYPD officers shot dead a 19-year-old resident of Queens in March. Win Rozarios loved ones have said police killed him in cold blood. However, cops have claimed they had no choice. The footage was released by Attorney General Letitia James. Who was Win Rozario? Video of 19-year-old's 'murder' by NYPD officers shocks US (X) Officers Salvatore Alongi and Matthew Cianfrocco responded to a 911 call on the afternoon of March 27 at 103rd Street and 101st Avenue in Queens. They arrived to find Rozario allegedly holding a pair of scissors. The two officers have been accused of firing their service weapons at Rozario, who was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. A pair of scissors was recovered at the scene. What does the video show? The video shows Rozario's younger brother outside the familys Ozone Park home, talking to the two NYPD cops. This was after Rozario called 911. "Um, he's having an episode," Rozario's brother says. "What kind of episode?" one officer asks. "He a bipolar, schizo, like...?" the other officer asks. The officers then ask the brother who called 911, and the brother confirms that Rozario did. Rozario was found in the kitchen with his mother. He opens a drawer, takes out a pair of scissors and charges towards the cops. The officers then use a taser on him. Rozarios mother is seen taking the scissors away and putting them down as the brother urges the cops not to shoot her. "We're not, tell her to get the f*** out of the way," one officer says. The officers use a taser on Rozario again after his mom moves, but Rozario continues to move toward the cops. Previously in March, the NYPD said that Rozarios mother accidentally knocked the Taser prongs off him, but that is not clear in the video. Rozarios mother was also heard crying in the video, Don't shoot! Don't shoot! Rozario then moves from the kitchen into the front room. An officer fires a gun but it is unclear if it hit Rozario. One officer is heard saying, "Shoot him. After Rozario walks back into the kitchen, all three family members can be seen in a struggle. Rozario grabs the scissors and walks toward the officers, when one of them fires four more shots. Rozario is seen dropping. Rozarios brother said in March, talking to CBS New York Investigates Team, "If they really wanted to, they could have detained him and saved a life that day." Win Rozarios familys statement Rozarios family released a statement this week, saying, It's been over a month since we lost Win and our hearts are broken. We feel his absence every day. Reliving this is traumatic and painful. We wish it wasn't necessary for the video to be public. The video that was released makes it clear that Win should be alive but the police came and murdered him in our kitchen without any care for him or us. The police created a crisis and killed him in cold blood. The officers should be fired and prosecuted for murder as soon as possible." NYPDs statement The NYPD said in a statement, The NYPD is fully cooperating with the state attorney general's investigation into this tragic incident, and is committed to ensuring a full and thorough review. The NYPD Force Investigation Division is also conducting an investigation. The two police officers involved remain on modified assignment. An officer on modified assignment does not carry a shield or a firearm. It added, Each year, the NYPD receives more than nine million calls for service, approximately 155,000 of which are emergency calls involving people in the throes of an emotional or mental health crisis. Less than 1 percent of those calls result in police using any form of force; even fewer encounters result in the use of deadly physical force. We continually seek to improve how we respond to requests for assistance, and we acknowledge that there is much work to be done. New Yorkers expect and deserve nothing less." 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 An engaged teacher who allegedly told her Wisconsin elementary school student, an 11-year-old boy, she loves them "more than anyone in the world" has been accused of sexual assault after his parents found out about their relationship. Madison Bergmann, 24, of St. Paul, Minnesota, has been charged with first-degree sexual assault of a child, according to charging documents, KARE-TV reported. It's unclear if she entered a plea to the charge. Her defense attorney, Joseph Tamburino, did not immediately respond to HNGN's request for comment. Police launched an investigation into Bergmann a fifth grade teacher at River Crest Elementary School in Hudson, Wisconsin earlier this week, when the victim's parents allegedly discovered inappropriate text messages between the pair. Bergmann allegedly texted the victim about "making out" and how much she enjoyed him touching her, according to the documents. A search of Bergmann's bag allegedly revealed handwritten notes between her and the student. "One of my cousins is in the 5th grade and I can't imagine a man talking to her how we talk," she allegedly wrote. "I know we have a special relationship and I do love you more than anyone in the world but I have to be the adult here and stop." The Hudson School District placed Bergmann on administrative leave pending investigation. The district sent a letter to parents and staff, describing the accusations against the teacher as "deeply troubling," KSTP-TV reported. The allegations against Bergmann come months before she is set to wed her fiance at a July 27 ceremony in Dellwood, Minnesota, according to the couple's wedding invitation published on theknot.com. On Facebook in August 2022, Bergmann announced she would be teaching fifth grade at River Crest. "I am so excited and can't wait!" she wrote. Donald Trump's former communications director Hope Hicks testified Friday at his hush-money trial of the "crisis" his infamous "Access Hollywood" tape presented to his 2016 presidential campaign just weeks before the election. Trump boasted off camera on the 2005 tape about his celebrity in his "Apprentice" reality series, and what that meant he could do to women. "When you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. ... Grab 'em by the p---- [genitals]," he bragged. "You can do anything." Trump did not deny the tape after it was released, but merely dismissed his words as "locker room talk." But Hicks, who was the top press aide in the Trump's campaign at the time, testified that the tape was a "damaging development ... it was a crisis" for the campaign. She testified that she was a "little stunned" by it "This was pulling us backwards in a way that was going to be hard to overcome," she told jurors, the Wall Street Journal reported. Hicks, who broke down in tears at one point when asked about her role in the Trump administration, said that she first learned of the tapes in an email from a reporter from the Washington Post, which was the first to reveal them. She was provided with a transcript of what Trump said, but was not given a copy of the tape, she said. "I was concerned. I was concerned about the contents of the email," she said. "I was concerned about the lack of time to respond." She recommended at the time to Trump's team "deny, deny, deny" whenever asked about the tape. Her testimony underscored the pressure Trump was under because of the tape particularly concerning his relationship with women. A day after the tape was released Stormy Daniels' attorney contacted National Enquirer publisher David Pecker that Daniels was going to come forward with a story claiming she had sex with Trump in 2006, noted CBS News. Trump's attorney at the time, Michael Cohen, eventually paid Daniels $130,000 for her silence. The prosecution has raised the "Access Hollywood" tape as major factor behinds Trump's alleged decision to pay off Daniels and save his campaign from further damage. Trump is charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business record in the Daniels payoff in a bid to hide damaging information from voters. Hicks also praised Trump in her testimoney, describing him as a "very good multitasker" and "a very hard worker." A "little black book" of names, phone numbers and addresses that belonged to the deceased financier and sex offender Jefferey Epstein who hung himself in a Manhatttan jail cell while awaiting trial in 2019 is going up for auction, Alexander Historical Auctions announced Friday. The date book being sold by the auction house is not the same one discovered by the FBI and used in legal proceedings against Epstein. The book that is for sale dates back to the mid-1990s, when a musician found it lying on a sidewalk along Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. The musician kept the book in storage until 2020, when she realized who it had actually belonged to. She reached out to "several" media outlets, but none were interested. She ended up selling it on eBay to a graduate student in the northeast, who has owned it ever since. The book was examined by forensic investigators at Applied Forensics at the request of journalists at Business Insider, to determine its authenticity, and a copy of their report is available to potential bidders, Alexander Historical Auctions said. According to Business Insider, which contacted a number of people listed in the book, the 1990s book contains 221 names that did not appear in the book held by the FBI which dates to around 2004. The 64-page book contains 386 individual printed entries with two handwritten entries penned on the last page. Along with information like addresses and telephone numbers for those listed, the entries include numbers for "aides, employees, parents, and even girlfriends" of those listed. "Ninety-four of the names bear black, hand-applied checkmarks, and five have been highlighted in yellow," the auction house said. "These five names, including that of former president Donald Trump, are those of well-recognized financial and industrial figures." Other notable figures listed in the book include "current presidential candidate Robert Kennedy, Jr., attorney Alan Dershowitz, Frederic Fekkai, Christy Hefner, Sen. Edward Kennedy, and many dozens of other giants in the fields of finance, manufacturing, real estate, politics, film, television, law, fashion design, and so on." From the very first entry which includes the front desk and five apartment numbers for residence maintained by Epstein for girlfriends, models, and an attorney there are clues to Epstein's "sordid past." "An entry for 'Masseuse/Masseur' lists 24 women's names and numbers, some with pager numbers as well, with one bearing the descriptive: 'ugly back up,' along with eight women listed under 'Exercise people'," the auction house said. Alexander Historical Auctions stressed that an individual's appearance in the book is not an indication of connection to Epstein's criminal activities, except for those already tried and convicted. The "criminal relic" is being offered for sale by sealed bid. Alexander Historical Auctions will accept bids from May 15 until June 15. The top two bidders will be notified on June 16 and offered the opportunity to submit a final offer. If the book fails to attract a "satisfactory" bid, it will go up for public auction in mid-July. with reporting by TMX Battered northern Gaza is now in "full-blown famine" following a months-long bombardment in the Israel-Hamas war, said the American director of the United Nations World Food Program Cindy McCain. "It's a horror," McCain, widow of Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, told NBC's "Meet the Press" in an interview to air Sunday. "There is famine full-blown famine in the north, and it's moving its way south." She added: "What we are asking for, and what we continually ask for is a ceasefire, and safe, unfettered access to Gaza" to deliver life-saving food and supplies to its 2.3 million residents. "We can't let this happen," said McCain. There were warnings in March that northern Gaza was on the brink of famine. Since then Gaza hasn't received "anything like" the aid needed to stave off famine, a U.S. Agency for International Development humanitarian official for Gaza told the Associated Press. There has not yet been an official UN declaration of famine in Gaza. Preparations for an American-orchestrated sea route had been on track to bring in more food by early or mid-May when the U.S. was expecting to finish building a floating pier for shipments. But the operation is currently stalled by stormy seas. A delegation of Hamas officials arrived in Cairo Saturday for discussions on a ceasefire and a release of hostages as negotiators seek to broker an agreement between the militant group and Israel over the war that began Oct. 7, according to reports. Hamas had said its officials would travel to Cairo in a "positive spirit" after examining the latest proposals for a truce. "We are determined to secure an agreement in a way that fulfils Palestinians' demands," the Palestinian militant group said in a statement, Reuters reported. One Egyptian security source told the wire service: "The results today will be different. We have reached an agreement over many points, and a few points remain." The Hamas officials are meeting Saturday with Egyptian officials and representatives from the United States, including CIA Director William Burns. Following months of talks, an agreement to reach a ceasefire has reached a critical stage, the Associated Press reported, amid signs of compromise. One of the sticking points, the wire service reported, is whether Israel would be willing to end the war without accomplishing its stated goal of destroying Hamas. Hamas has demanded a permanent ceasefire and Israel's full withdrawal from Gaza, Reuters reported. The discussions will focus on a three-stage proposal that would establish a six-week ceasefire and partial release of hostages, along with guarantees from Israel to delay the military offensive in Rafah, and the release of the bodies of dead hostages still in Gaza, more prisoners held by Israel and the beginning of a five-year reconstruction plan, the Associated Press reported. A California man has been charged by federal authorities for threatening to kill District Attorney Fani Willis "like a dog" because of her prosecution of former President Donald Trump, the U.S. Attorney in Georgia announced. Marc Schultz, 66, of Chula Vista, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Atlanta on charges of transmitting interstate threats to injure Willis, the district attorney in Fulton., the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Northern District of Georgia said in a statement on Friday. Schultz on two occasions last October posted videos on YouTube threatening Willis "with violence and murder," including that she "will be killed like a dog," the statement said. "Sending death threats to a public official is a criminal offense that will not be tolerated," U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan said in the statement. "Our office will continue to diligently coordinate with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to help protect public officials while performing their duties and who deserve to do so free from threats of harm and intimidation," he added. Schultz is scheduled to be formally arraigned in Atlanta in June. Trump and his allies have been accused of attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. Trump is currently under a gag order regarding jurrors and witnesses in his ongoing hush-money trial in Manhattan to protect them from intidimidation and threats from his supporters. The assembly of a floating pier to bring relief supplies into Gaza has temporarily been suspended due to conditions in the Mediterranean Sea. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) paused the offshore work on Thursday due to forecasted high winds and high sea swells. It said the conditions were unsafe for soldiers working on the surface of the partially constructed pier. The pier and military vessels involved in its construction were moved to the Port of Ashdod, where assembly will continue, and will be completed before the pier is placed when the sea calms. During his State of the Union address, President Biden said that the U.S. would build the floating pier to facilitate the flow of food, water, medicine and other essentials to the war-torn strip. Biden has sought to balance U.S. support of Israel with increasingly pointed calls for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza and allow the reliable flow of essentials into the strip. More than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched attacks following a Hamas operation last October that killed more than 1,200 Israelis and seized hundreds of hostages. The temporary pier in Gaza will enable the delivery of large quantities of humanitarian aid from ship to shore by truck, with vehicles driving directly off ships and across the temporary pier. The aid will be shipped in from Cyprus. More than 1,000 soldiers started working on the pier last month. It is estimated to cost $320 million. The flow of supplies and people in and out of Gaza has been tightly restricted since the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas. Counterprotesters carried out violent acts against a pro-Palestinian camp set up on the UCLA campus for hours before police intervened, according to a New York Times analysis of several videos of the events. It began Tuesday night when the counterprotesters tried to break through barricades the pro-Palestinian protesters had set up to protect the temporary encampment. Battles erupted as protesters attempted to rebuild the barrier. Some of the counterprotesters beat pro-Paelstinian protesters with sticks and boards, deployed chemical sprays and launched fireworks at the encampment, which was captured on videos published by the Times. Counter protesters came to fight pro-Palestinian demonstrators at UCLA. No police in sight. pic.twitter.com/EFp45mHfYj Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) May 1, 2024 UCLA officials finally asked for the LAPD's help after some two hours of violence, according to the mayor's office. But the Times reported that the violence continued for a total of five hours before any action was taken. When the responded they held back some 100 yards from the encampment for about an hour before moving in, according to the newspaper. Shortly before 3 a.m. on Wednesday, officers started moving in toward the encampment and the counterprotesters dispersed, ending most of the violence. UCLA chancellor Gene Block has called the attack on the encampment by "instigators" unacceptable. It has "shaken our campus to its core," he said in a statement.. "I want to express my sincere sympathy to those who were injured last night, and to all those who have been harmed or have feared for their safety in recent days. No one at this university should have to encounter such violence," Block added. Last nights attack on our students, faculty and community members shook our campus to its core. Please read my message to the @UCLA community. https://t.co/jWfFWPFY3x Gene Block (@UCLAchancellor) May 1, 2024 The governor's office criticized campus law enforcement and is demanding answers about its response. It was the second time in a few days that clashes broke out on the campus. On Sunday, fights erupted between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel supporters at the school. Los Angeles police began dismantling plywood barriers around an encampment of pro-Palestinian protesters at UCLA early Thursday morning. Protests have spread across U.S. college campuses calling on universities to divest from companies that support the war in Gaza. During a discussion about who should be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy joked that Paul Pelosi may "need the hammer" instead of an honor. She was referring to Pelosi's 2022 brutal attack by a home invader in his San Francisco house who bizarrely demanded to know the whereabouts of his wife, former Democratic House Speaker. Nancy Pelosi, who was in Washington, D.C. at the time. Pelosi suffered a serious skull fracture, required surgery and was in the hospital for weeks. Fox host Pete Hegseth smiled at Campos-Duffy's comment and noted that a hammer is "metal," joking about the play on the word "medal." During a discussion about the Medal of Freedom award recipients Rachel Campos-Duffy laughs that Paul Pelosi should have gotten a hammer. Pelosi was viciously attacked in his home by a mentally unstable man with a hammer. He suffered a skull fracture and needed surgery. pic.twitter.com/bUGVNabSsv Decoding Fox News (@DecodingFoxNews) May 4, 2024 Social media critics were appalled at Campos-Duffy's glib comment about a vicious assault that could have killed Pelosi. "Maybe Paul Pelosi needs the hammer instead of the medal? Paul Pelosi was almost brutally MURDERED by an attacker's hammer, and this ghoul, Rachel Campos-Duffy, thinks that was hilarious? Seriously, Fox News? Telling your audience that attempted murder is laugh-worthy? pic.twitter.com/jzE7JUhl8g BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) May 4, 2024 Campos-Duffy, the co-host of FOX & Friends Weekend, has made controversial comments in the past. After Biden won the 2020 presidential election she said there had been "fraud and shenanigans" in the voting. In 2022, she claimed that the United States provoked Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The newscaster got her start on TV by starring in the MTV reality series "The Real World." On Friday, President Biden awarded Nancy Pelosi the Medal of Freedom. "On January 6, Nancy stood in the breach and defended democracy with her husband, Paul," the president said, according to CBS News. "They stood up to extremism with absolute courage, physical courage." The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the country's highest civilian honor. Biden presented the award to 19 people on Friday. Among the other recipients was former vice president Al Gore, and Michael Bloomberg. A former federal prosecutor said Hope Hicks' breaking down in tears on Friday as she testified at Donald Trump's criminal trial in New York City was "icing on the cake" for prosecutors in the former president's hush-money case. Hicks, who was the communications director in the Trump administration and his top press campaign aide in 2016, told the court about the mood in the White House in January 2018 when a Wall Street Journal report revealed that Michael Cohen had paid porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 to buy her silence weeks before the 2016 election about a sexual affair she claimed she had with Trump years before. Hicks said she talked to Cohen about the payments, who denied them, and later spoke to Trump about them. Hicks, under questioning by a prosecutor, said Trump told her he had spoken to Cohen "and Michael had paid this woman to protect him from a false allegation. Michael felt like it was his job to protect him and that's what he was doing. It was out of the kindness of his own heart." She said Trump "thought it was a generous thing to do." "He wanted to know how it was playing, and just my thoughts and opinion about this story versus having a different kind of story before the election had Mr. Cohen not made that payment," she recalled on the stand. "I think Mr. Trump's opinion was it was better to be dealing with it now, and it would have been bad to have that story come out before the election," HIcks said. Prosecutors with the Manhattan district attorney's office are trying to prove that Cohen and Trump paid Daniels before the election and later falsified business records to disguise the payments. As the prosecutor ended his questioning, allowing the defense to cross-examine her, Hicks began sobbing. Andrew Weissmann, an assistant U.S. Attorney, was asked about Hicks crying on MSNBC's "The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell" Friday night. "I didn't really care why she was crying. And I think it's too overplayed," Weissmann said. "I really cared about the substance of her testimony and I also thought about how her crying was kind of icing on the cake for the DA's office. I'm not in any way suggesting that they sought it, but her testimony was a body blow to the defense here because she put the guilty knowledge of the hush-money payments into Donald Trump's mouth and she recounted that testimony to the jurors," he continued. An Ohio father accused of killing his three young sons was allegedly mumbling and carrying a bible in the moments before the deaths. Chad Doerman is accused of shooting his sons, Chase,3, Hunter, 4, and Clayton, 7, at their family's home in Clermont County last June.. New court documents reviewed by WXIX-TV state state that the "defendant obtained a bible and was walking around the house with it. While walking with the bible, the defendant was mumbling, 'Chad knows what's right.'" He then "began to get into the gun safe, which was located in the master bedroom, WCPO-TV reported, citing the documents. His wife reported that "he was scaring her, that she did not like what he was doing, and that she would call his parents," apparently for help with him. Doerman allegedly took out a Marlin Model .22 rifle and then shot one of his sons twice. "Immediately, [the mother] called 911 and began to render aid. An open 911 call captured [the mother] screaming for her other children to run," the documents state. She reportedly struggled with him for the gun and was shot in the hand. "She also suffered other various injuries during the struggle with the defendant over the firearm," said an amended bill of particulars connected to the case. Doerman allegedly then chased and shot another son who had run from the home. His stepdaughter reportedly picked up the third child and was running toward a fire station but Doerman caught up with them, allegedly pointed a rifle at her and told her to put the boy down. After she complied, he attempted to shoot the boy but his gun misfired, according to investigators. The stepdaughter ran and Doerman then allegedly went back and shot the boy in the head, according to the court documents. Sheriff's Deputies took him into custody at the crime scene. At one point he complained that it was "hot as hell" in the back of the police car. In March this year Doerman pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to aggravated murder charges. His trial is scheduled to start in July. The insanity plea was filed after a court ruled that a police interview in which he allegedly admitted to the killings could not be used because Doerman's Miranda Rights had been violated. The new documents were filed in connection with the insanity defense. A GoFundMe for the boy's mother and stepsister raised more than $283,000. The Houston area is threatened with even more flooding as another round of storms target Texas this weekend. Hundreds of people have already been rescued from homes, rooftops and roads due to earlier flooding. The Harris County Joint Information Center told KPRC-TV that 196 people and 108 animals have been rescued by emergency response agencies in just that one county. In neighboring Montgomery County, Judge Mark Keough told the Associated Press there had been more high-water rescues than he was able to count. Evacuation orders were in effect for several areas. Houston Mayor John Whitmire told citizens that police will be actively protecting the evacuated areas from criminal activity. Mayor Whitmire reassures citizens that Houston Police Department will be actively protecting the evacuated areas from criminal activity. "Do not allow your property, possessions to keep you at home." pic.twitter.com/p0iS494efF Houston OEM (@HoustonOEM) May 4, 2024 "Do not allow your property, possessions to keep you at home," Whitmire said. The National Weather Service warns that the potential exists for heavy rainfall that could result in flash flooding. The storms could bring hail and strong gusts and an additional 1-3 inches of rain. Earlier this evening Judge Lina Hidalgo and Harris County department leaders joined first responders by rescue boat to assess current damage and plan for the upcoming recovery along the flooded East Fork of the San Jacinto River. If you are stranded, please call 9-1-1. pic.twitter.com/agZ9TRVBc0 Office of Judge Lina Hidalgo (@HarrisCoJudge) May 4, 2024 Parts of Texas have seen a large amount of rain in the past five days, with Cotton Bayou in Chambers County receiving more than 15 inches. Cedar Bayou in Harris County had more than 12 inches of rain. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo described the predicted surge of water as "catastrophic." Eighty-nine counties are under a disaster declaration because of flooding. "As flooding conditions and severe weather continue in multiple regions across Texas it is important to remain weather-aware, follow the guidance of state and local officials, and avoid traveling in dangerous flood conditions," said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. No deaths or injuries were initially reported. A Flood Watch remains in effect through Sunday afternoon. A Republican member of Congress is being condemned as a racist for publicly praising a group of white male apparent fraternity members caught on camera taunting a Black student during a face-off between pro-Palestinian protesters and counterprotesters at the University of Mississippi. In a 50-second recording posted on social media, one white student appeared to hoot like a monkey and jump from foot to foot in a racist taunt as his buddies hooted and hollered. A security worker and two police officers stepped between the young Black woman and the crowd of young men during the confrontation. The men could also be heard on the video chanting: "Lock her up." The confrontation occurred along Fraternity Row near the university and directly in front of a fraternity house. "Ole Miss taking care of business," Georgia U.S. Rep. Mike Collins hooted Friday in a caption to the video on X. Ole Miss taking care of business. pic.twitter.com/JiL9hs2pHz Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) May 3, 2024 Collins credited the video to another X user who said it came from "Ole Miss" and called it "beautiful." A spokesperson for Collins didn't immediately respond to a request for comment, the Hill reported on Saturday. A university representative told The Independent later that "statements were made at the demonstration on our campus that were offensive and inappropriate. We cannot comment specifically about that video, but the university is looking into reports about specific actions. Any actions that violate university policy will be met with appropriate action." The University of Mississippi's chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People also sharply criticized the counterprotesters' behavior. "The behavior ... was not only abhorrent but also entirely unacceptable," the statement reads. "It is deeply disheartening to witness such blatant disregard for the principles of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression." Collins' post was viewed more than 15 million times by early Saturday afternoon and drew about 11,000 comments, including one that called him a "racist embarrassment" and demanded that he resign from Congress. Political consultant Fred Wellman, national chairman of the Forgotten Democrats group, also wrote: "Which part is your favorite, Mike? Is it the white kid acting like a monkey at the black woman or the white security guy acting like she's a threat? I'm trying to figure out which flavor of racism has you all excited the most." Another commenter asked Collins: "Have you no shame?" On Thursday, a demonstration at the University of Mississippi by about 60 pro-Palestinian protesters was overwhelmed by 200 counterprotesters, including some from the school's Fraternity Row, according to Mississippi Today. Some counterprotesters reportedly shouted antisemitic remarks, including "Hit the showers!" in an apparent reference to the Nazi gas chambers used to kill Jews during the Holocaust. Police broke up the protest, the first of its kind at the Oxford campus, after less than an hour when both sides began throwing water bottles and other objects at each other, Mississippi Today said. The Arizona Supreme Court has reversed a lower court ruling that placed thousands of dollars in sanctions on the state Republican Party for unsuccessfully challenging the results of the 2020 election in Maricopa County. The court ruled unanimously on Thursday against the court's order holding the state GOP responsible for $27,000 in sanctions and Secretary of State office attorney fees. "Even if done inadvertently and with the best of intentions, such sanctions present a real and present danger to the rule of law," Justice John Lopez wrote in the court's decision. The Arizona Republican Party sued Maricopa County after the 2020 election, claiming the county improperly conducted a required hand count of the accuracy of the ballots from sample votes cast at centers open to all county voters, not from precincts. The county examination revealed that its machine counts were 100% accurate. The suit was among scores of legal actions that challenged President Joe Biden's win over former President Donald Trump. None were successful. The state Republican Party praised the ruling, saying it "reaffirms the fundamental legal principle that raising questions about the interpretation and application of election laws is a legitimate use of the judicial system, not a groundless or bad faith action," the Associated Press reported. The Arizona Supreme Court said it wasn't overturning the dismissal of the case by the lower court, but found it should not have said the case was groundless. "Petitioning our courts to clarify the meaning and application of our laws ... particularly in the context of our elections is never a threat to the rule of law, even if the claims are charitably characterized as 'long shots,'" the Supreme Court said. A judge reportedly suggested Google was "negligent" for not preserving internal online chats that the U.S. government alleges were deleted to help maintain the company's dominance over internet searches. Near the close of the high-stakes Google antitrust trial, the Department of Justice (DOJ) sought sanctions against the company for instructing its workers to turn off their chat history when discussing sensitive subjects, even after government filed suit, Ars Technica reported Friday. DOJ lawyer Kenneth Dintzer reportedly said the move should lead to a conclusion that Google had an "anti-competitive intent to hide information because they knew they were violating antitrust law." U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta said the company's "document retention policy leaves a lot to be desired" and asked a Google lawyer whether it was at least "negligent" to have left employees in charge of deciding what records should be saved, Ars Technica noted. Google lawyer Colette Connor disagreed, arguing that the DOJ should have known about the policy because the company told Texas' attorney general about it. Connor also said there's no proof any of the potentially hundreds of thousand of deleted chat sessions would have affected the case. "We just want to know what we don't know," Mehta said. "We don't know if there was a treasure trove of material that was destroyed." The 10-week, non-jury trial in Washington, D.C., pitted the DOJ and a coalition of states against Google over allegations the company maintains a illegal monopoly over the search-engine business. During closing arguments Friday, DOJ lawyers accused Google of spending more than $20 billion a year to lock out competition, while the company argued that it's "winning on the merits" of its product, the Associated Press reported. The case marks the biggest antitrust trial since federal regulators successfully challenged Microsoft's efforts to prevent computer makers from offering customers web browsers that competed with its own. Mehta has not said when he will rule and his decision is reportedly expected to take several months. Data Shows Tourism in the Americas is on the Rise Demand for travel to destinations across the Americas is on the rise, a new report released today by Amadeus in collaboration with UN Tourism shows. Travel Insights 2024: Focus on the Americas, May to August 2024, is the second in a series of reports providing insights into global tourism with a focus on the Americas and its subregions, North America, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. UN Tourism data shows that an estimated 1.3 billion international tourists were recorded around the world in 2023, an increase of 34% on 2022 volumes, and forward-looking data for 2024 suggests that demand will continue to stay strong. International tourist arrivals in the Americas in 2023 reached 90% of pre-pandemic levels. Looking ahead, Amadeus data shows that searches for travel between May and August 2024[1] have increased by 132% compared to the same search period in 2023. Air travel indicators for the same search period show that airlines are responding to this growing demand for travel given that air capacity has increased for the May August period to 111%, compared to 2023 capacity volumes. Continued Growth for the Americas Travel volumes remain strong, with the US, UK, and Brazil as top markets that are searching for travel to the Americas during the May to August 2024 period. North America has the greatest share of total searches among the Americas subregions for the search period, capturing the top three searched destinations by worldwide travelers: New York, Toronto and Los Angeles. Average hotel occupancy across the Americas is tracking at the same level as 2023 for the May to August time period. However, occupancy numbers are expected to grow as the peak travel seasons draw closer due to the increase in last-minute booking patterns. The report highlights several insights for the subregions for the May to August 2024 search period, including: North America for North America, the US, the UK, and Brazil are the top markets searching for travel. However, we are seeing growth in air searches from China and Japan for travel in North America. Central America the US is the top market searching for trips to Central America (followed by Canada and the UK). Costa Rica remains the most searched-for destination in the subregion. South America Argentina and Brazil are also rising in popularity as destinations compared to 2023, based on searches. Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo and Santiago are the top three searched for destinations by travelers in the Americas searching for travel. Caribbean The US, Argentina and France are the top markets searching for Caribbean travel, with Punta Cana the most-searched-for destination. Francisco Perez-Lozao Ruter, President, Hospitality, Amadeus, This second report from Amadeus partnership with UN Tourism continues to show the importance of data insights for the industry. Traveler interest and search patterns continue to change throughout the year, and it is vital that travel organizations are aware of the current trends and those that could continue to evolve. For example, when it comes to hotel occupancy, the data highlights the importance for travel companies to remain flexible so they can be responsive to the last-minute patterns of travelers today. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General, UN Tourism said, Market intelligence is vital for destinations everywhere, especially as demand for travel continues to rise strongly. We are happy to strengthen our partnership with Amadeus, with this newest joint report providing our Member States with valuable insights for the year ahead. The full report is now available to download. [1] The data included in the report is from Amadeus Search Analytics, Amadeus Booking Analytics, Amadeus' Demand360, and Amadeus Air Traffic Forecast as of February 29, 2024. Governor Nominates Two to District Court BOSTON Governor Maura T. Healey nominated Sarah Kennedy and Edward Krippendorf to the District Court. The nominees will now continue forward to the Governor's Council for confirmation. "Sarah and Edward are two distinguished attorneys who will make excellent additions to the District Court," said Governor Healey. "They have dedicated their careers to the law and I look forward to working with the Governor's Council to confirm their nominations." The District Court Department hears a wide range of criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health, and other types of cases. District Court criminal jurisdiction extends to all felonies punishable by a sentence up to five years, and many other specific felonies with greater potential penalties, all misdemeanors, and all violations of city and town ordinances and by-laws. In civil matters, the District Court hears cases in which the damages are not likely to be more than $50,000 and small claims cases up to $7,000. The District Court is located in 62 courts across the state. About Sarah Kennedy Sarah Kennedy currently serves as an Assistant Clerk Magistrate in the Dorchester Division of the Boston Municipal Court, a position she has held since 2021. Attorney Kennedy is responsible for conducting hearings for criminal complaints, assisting judges with courtroom sessions, and helping staff, litigants and members of the public with navigating the court system. Prior to that, she served as both a prosecutor for the Middlesex District Attorney's Office and a defense attorney for the Committee for Public Counsel Services. She has a bachelor's from Boston College and a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School and she lives in Waltham with her wife and children. About Edward (Ed) Krippendorf, Jr. Ed Krippendorf is an accomplished and well-respected trial attorney with broad civil and criminal experience. Attorney Krippendorf began his career as a criminal investigator in the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office before attending New England School of Law. After graduating cum laude, Attorney Krippendorf worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Suffolk County for eight years, prosecuting cases in District, Boston Municipal, and Superior Courts. For the last three years in the DA's Office, he tried complicated Superior Court cases while assigned to the Senior Trial and Homicide Units. Attorney Krippendorf now serves as a partner at Eisenstadt Krippendorf Group in Westwood, MA representing private and indigent criminal defendants as well as handling a broad array of civil and administrative matters in a variety of courts. He also volunteers as a Court Conciliator for the Norfolk County Probate and Family Court. He has a B.S. from Salem State College and a J.D. from New England School of Law. He lives in Braintree with his wife and children. Christine Hoyt of Adams is the April Community Hero of the Month. Hoyt presenting Robert Putnam with certificate from the Selectmen on his retirement from the Hoosac Valley Regional School District. Christine and Peter Hoyt are this year's campaign co-chairs. Their goal is to raise $480,000 over the next year. Hoyt, Richard Alcombright, and the late Al Nelson receive Northern Berkshire United Way's Spirit of Caring awards in 2018. PreviousNext Community Hero of the Month: Christine Hoyt Selectwoman Christine Hoyt, in green, came up with the idea of celebrating local business by having a ribbon cuttings with board members present. ADAMS, Mass. Selectmen Chair and 1Berkshire Director of Member Services and Christine Hoyt has been nominated for the April Community Hero of the Month. The Community Hero of the Month series, in partnership with Haddad Auto, recognizes individuals and organizations that have significantly impacted their community. Nominate a community hero here. Hoyt has been a valuable member of the Berkshire County community since moving to Adams in 2005 from central New York state. With no friends or family in the area, she became involved with her new community by working with numerous organizations and serving on multiple committees. She participated in the Berkshire Leadership Program through the then-Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. This started her on the path to working with nonprofit boards, so she started serving with Youth Center Inc. and then ran for election as a town meeting member. She has been on the Board of Selectmen since 2017 and is currently serving her second term as chair. "[Berkshire County is] a welcoming community. So, when I moved here, I didn't have any friends or family, and I still felt like I was able to connect with people. I was able to get involved in a number of different initiatives," Hoyt said. "So, I've always felt like this community just opens their arms and welcomes everybody into it. I try to do my part to extend those arms and welcome people into the conversation and into various groups and committees." Hoyt was an executive assistant to the president at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts for a little more than a year. After that, she joined the Berkshire Chamber as director of programs and events from 2007 to 2013, then was the assistant to the dean at Berkshire Community College from 2013 to 2019. In November 2019, she started working for 1Berkshire, the chamber's successor, as director of member services. In these roles, she has been, and still is, in a position to have a "regional and collaborative mindset," and that mindset is what separates Berkshire County from the rest of the commonwealth and from other places, she said. She represents District 1 on the Massachusetts Select Board Association at the Massachusetts Municipal Association and has been a member of the Local Government Advisory Committee. She also sits on the board of the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association, a nonprofit that provides casualty and health insurance to municipalities. More locally, she has served on the boards of Downtown Pittsfield Inc. and ProAdams, and currently is on the board of the nonprofit Adams Theater Presents. Hoyt is described by her co-workers at 1Berkshire as fierce, intelligent, amazing, inspirational, creative, optimistic, caring, resourceful, and courageous. She gives 112 percent to everything that she does and cares tremendously about the people, Kevin Michael Pink, 1Berkshire deputy director of economic development, said. "Christine is someone who cares immensely about everyone that she comes across. She is so thoughtful here in the office, and we know that that extends beyond the walls of 1Berkshire, whether it's community organizations, events, small businesses, or just people that she knows through her various volunteer efforts and service on the [Adams] Select Board," he said. Hoyt works with all 1Berkshire members to bring them on board and discuss the benefits of membership. She is also responsible for many 1Berkshire events and programs, including the annual celebration and meeting, networking events, Berkshire Leadership program, and special events. "What I like about [1Berkshire] is we are the voice for Berkshire County when we're advocating on a state level. We represent a little over 700 businesses here in Berkshire County. So, we speak with a loud voice at times, but I feel what we do best is collaboration," Hoyt said. There are a lot of discussions within the organization on how it can help regionally, whether it's bringing people together to work on some partnerships, marketing the Berkshires, bringing grant funding to the county from its state relationships, and distributing that money, she said. "I think it makes a community stronger when we work together. So, there are a lot of organizations, I think, that might do similar work or complementary work, and when they are brought to the table to do that work together, they can really strengthen what we do here in the Berkshires," Hoyt said. 1Berkshire is looking to bring visitors to the area and wants to encourage people to relocate here. "What's important to me is making space for people and I hope that I do that in my work at 1Berkshire, as well as with the town of Adams. I'm hoping that I show people that anyone can really get involved," Hoyt said "There's a lot to do in Berkshire County. There are a lot of different initiatives. If I can match somebody up with what they're passionate about, I am happy to do that." 1Berkshire's Benjamin Lamb, vice president of economic development, described Hoyt as the "weaver of the fabric" as she is the one who helps individuals on disparate ends of a situation come together and meet their goals. "She's just really become vital to the community, both small in Adams and large in the Berkshires," Lamb said. "She gives way more of herself than I think a lot of people that I know Hoyt is a force of nature. I think that that is an identity that I would give her and that she doesn't necessarily know that I recognize her for. So, I would say she is a force of nature here in the Berkshires." In order to have an active leadership role and be an effective leader, a person has to be organized, be a connector, engaging, and be an amazing listener. These are what bring a community together to achieve greatness, and these are all things Hoyt does very well, Lamb said. Hoyt said she hopes the community sees her as a "matchmaker" who sets them up with an organization they can be passionate about. "That's really what I hope people see when they see me as somebody who could maybe make a connection for them and get them involved because I ask everybody to get involved," she said. "If you're part of the community, you want to see that community thrive. When you're part of a community, your voice could be a different voice that we haven't heard from before, and that'll strengthen a community. The more people who are helping out, I think the better off all of us can be." In the Berkshires, people often have to work together to have "real meaningful progress," and "you don't get there without someone who is a dedicated member of a team, who cares tremendously about the people," Pink said. "One thing that makes Christine a great hero to the community is she doesn't need to do everything. Although, in many cases, she's capable, but she helps other people do the things that they do better than they would without her around. And that's community." Hannah Pimenta, 1Berkshire member engagement associate, has only known Hoyt for a short time, but has found her drive inspiring. "She has influenced me in really tackling things with kindness and a courageous mentality to take the bull by the horns and try my best, Pimenta said. In the future, Hoyt hopes to see the community's organizations and municipalities come together, saying collaboration would help strengthen municipalities and help with budgets. "Municipalities are doing some of that collaborative work, but I'd like to see more of it. I'd like to see more shared services among the municipalities," Hoyt said. In her work, she sees a lot of overlap in needs, and the area has many small communities that lack some services, such as a town manager or information technology services. Hoyt wonders if there are some ways municipalities can share services similar to what is being done in South County. "I think it's getting together and figuring out what this community does well and if there are ways for other communities to be part of that," she 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 Get our The Life Cinematic email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy John Carpenter has delivered his verdict on Christopher Nolans Oscar-winning blockbuster Oppenheimer, describing the epic biopic as OK. The director, 76, is often known as the Master of Horror for his work on films like Halloween and The Thing. While speaking to the Last Donut of the Night newsletter, Carpenter was asked which recent movies he had or hadnt enjoyed. Oppenheimer was OK, he responded. It was alright. Everyones praising it as the movie of the century I dont know about that. Asked whether he liked Nolans films in general, Carpenter replied: Yeah, I guess, sure. Oppenheimer tells the story of the mastermind behind the atomic bomb, J Robert Oppenheimer. It won seven categories at the 96th Academy Awards ceremony including Best Picture, Directing, Actor in a Leading Role (Cillian Murphy), Actor in a Supporting Role (Robert Downey Jr), Cinematography, Film Editing and Original Score. open image in gallery John Carpenter (left) and Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan ( Getty ) Carpenter reserved higher praise for Bradley Coopers Leonard Bernstein biopic Maestro, saying: I liked Maestro a great deal. I thought that was terrific. Last year Carpenter revealed that hed also been left cold by Greta Gerwigs Barbie, telling the Los Angeles Times: I cant believe I watched Barbie. He added: Its just not my generation. I had nothing to do with Barbie dolls. I didnt know who Allan was. I mean, I can sum it up. She says, I dont have a vagina, and then at the end, Im going to go to a gynecologist! Thats the movie to me. In 2021, Carpenter spoke to The Independent and reflected on whether he would ever direct another film after 2010s The Ward. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free I love directing and under the right circumstances I would do it again, said Carpenter. But it cant be an underfunded movie, you know, and it has to be something I love. A Dracula movie would be nice. He acted as an advisor and provided the score for 2021s Halloween sequel Halloween Kills, a series which he franchised after the success of the original and now has 13 titles to its name. I think it is the ultimate slasher film, said Carpenter. It is rough and tumble, and boy is it tough! Michael [Myers] is a force of nature again. Hes like the wind it just comes and you cant stop it. My new music had to match its intensity. I love the female solidarity [in the new films]. The girls really kick ass. Dont f*** with them! 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 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Madonna is set to close out her 'Celebration' Tour today (4 April) with an epic free concert at Rio's Copacabana Beach. During rehearsals, Madonna could be seen wearing a balaclava to keep details of the mega-show under wraps. It's her first return to Brazil to perform since 2012, and fittingly, is the biggest show of her career. Fans camped outside for over 24 hours before the day of the concert, and two million are expected to descend on the seafront for the performance. The Celebration Tour began at London's O2 arena back in October 2023, marking 40 years of her career. Her musical director has confirmed the final show will be a "documentary through her vast career". Other major names have performed at the same beach over the years including Lenny Kravitz, The Rolling Stones, and Rod Stewart, who brought out more than 4 million attendees to his show back in 1994. 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 Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy India has dismissed US president Joe Bidens assertion that xenophobia was causing the economies of certain South Asian nations to stall. Foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar told a roundtable hosted by The Economic Times newspaper that Indias economy is not faltering. India has historically been a society that is very open, he said. Thats why we have the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act), which is to open up doors for people who are in trouble ... I think we should be open to people who have the need to come to India, who have a claim to come to India, Mr Jaishankar said, referring to a recent law that allows immigrants who have fled persecution from neighbouring countries to become citizens. Earlier this week, Mr Biden said xenophobia in China, Japan and India was holding back growth in the respective economies as he argued migration has been good for the US economy. One of the reasons why our economys growing is because of you and many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants, Mr Biden said at a fundraising event for his 2024 re-election campaign and marking the start of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Why is China stalling so badly economically, why is Japan having trouble, why is Russia, why is India, because theyre xenophobic. They dont want immigrants. Immigrants are what makes us strong, he said, kickstarting the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast last month that growth in Asias three largest economies would slow in 2024 from the previous year. The IMF also forecast that the US economy would grow 2.7 per cent, slightly brisker than its 2.5 per cent rate last year. Many economists attribute the upbeat forecasts partly to migrants expanding the countrys labour force. India has always been a very unique country ... I would say actually, in the history of the world, that its been a society which has been very open ... different people from different societies come to India, Mr Jaishankar told the newspaper. The latest remarks from the US president against his key allies India and Japan in Asia come at a time when he is campaigning against Republican opponent Donald Trumps anti-immigrant stance. At the same time, Mr Biden is also working to court broad economic and political relations with both nations against rivals China and Russia globally. Immigration is swiftly becoming a central issue in the November 2024 presidential campaign, which is widely expected to be a Biden-Trump rematch, and each man is seeking to use the border problems to his own political advantage. Mr Biden is batting for legal immigration to aid the American economy. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Kendrick Lamar is fueling the fiery drama between him and Drake by accusing the artist of having a secret daughter. The two hip-hop stars have been locked in a back-and-forth rap battle for some weeks now, but the drama has become more personal and bitter in recent days. On 3 May, Lamar, 36, published a ruthless diss track called, Meet the Grahams, written as if it were a letter to Drakes family. In the song, the Money Trees creator labels Drake, 37, as the absent father in his hypothetical daughters life. Lamar writes: Dear baby girl, Im sorry that your father not active inside your world. The HUMBLE. stars allegation isnt the first of its kind the Canadian rapper has been hit with. About six years ago, Drake was accused of having a secret son by Pusha T in his song, Emotionless. In this case, Pusha Ts theory turned out to be true, forcing Drake to admit hes kept a son, Adonis Graham, out of the public eye. I wasnt hiding my kid from the world. I was hiding the world from my kid, Drake wrote in response. Drake denied Lamars claim in a post on his Instagram. can someone find my hidden daughter pls and send her to me ... these guys are in shambles, he wrote. The Independent has contacted Drakes representatives for comment. open image in gallery Drake responds to Kendrick Lamars new diss track that accuses him of having a secret daughter ( @champagnepapi ) A short while after the Pray for Me performer released the song, Drake took to his social media to convey his amusement. Underneath an image of himself looking bored, Drake wrote: Nahhhh hold on can someone find my hidden daughter pls and send her to me... these guys are in shambles. Then, the Passionfruit vocalist returned to Instagram, adding a screenshot of the song Family Matters, which he published just hours before Lamar came out with Meet the Grahams. open image in gallery Drake promotes his diss track about Kendrick Lamar on Instagram ( @champagnepapi ) Drakes track consisted of three parts. He accuses Lamar of being a hypocritical pro-Black activist, claims hes responsible for alleged domestic violence, and says Lamar begged Tupac estate to sue Drake for using AI versions of Tupacs voice in his first diss track. Drake and Lamars animosity goes way back to 2014 when they first started making public digs at one another. However, their beef only just amped back up in recent weeks after Drake dropped a song called, Taylor Made Freestyle, to make fun of Lamars height and claim the Compton-born rapper used Taylor Swifts Bad Blood to become a mainstream artist. 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A 70-year-old man has lost his hearing in one ear after he was violently robbed while withdrawing cash from an ATM. A man approached the victim from behind, assaulted him and knocked him to the ground in northwest London, the Metropolitan Police said. While the man lay unconscious a woman stole his money from the ATM in the premeditated attack. Officers were called to Ealing Road, Wembley, on Sunday 31 March and discovered the victim with a fractured skull. The Met Police have released CCTV of the two suspects after an elderly man was attacked ( Met Police ) He has since lost hearing in one ear and now has mobility issues, meaning he has had to stop work. The two suspects fled the scene and on Saturday the Met released CCTV footage that they say shows the pair having a discussion in the street. Do you know the victim? Email holly.evans@independent.co.uk The suspects were caught on CCTV having a discussion in the street ( Met Police ) Detective Sergeant Muhamed Ahmed, from the priority crime unit which covers Wembley, said: We have searched through many hours of CCTV and we believe we know who we are looking for a woman can be seen in a fur hoodie with camouflage trousers hovering around the area where the ATM machine is. The same woman can then be seen speaking with another suspect, a man with a dark beard wearing a jacket with the hood up. The CCTV then later shows them both running away after the robbery. I am appealing to the public for help if you know or recognise either of the suspects, then please come forward to police. This was a premeditated attack which left an elderly man injured. The force said anybody with information can call 101 quoting CAD5682/31MAR24 or speak to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Anti-abortion activists are ramping up protests outside clinics in the wake of the governments failure to introduce buffer zones outside medical centres, healthcare providers have warned. MPs voted in favour of nationwide buffer zones outside abortion clinics in England and Wales in October 2022 but the Home Office has failed to roll them out. MSI Reproductive Choices, the UKs leading abortion provider, called for the government to bring in the safe zones immediately. They are supposed to stop anti-abortion demonstrators standing outside or in close vicinity. MSI, which has more than 60 clinics across England, told The Independent the government rapidly rolled out all other elements of the Public Order Act last year but has failed to implement the part of the legislation which would introduce buffer zones. Have you been affected by this? Email maya.oppenheim@independent.co.uk It is a year since buffer zones formally became law in England and Wales. The Home Office has now said it plans to introduce the part of the Public Order Act which looks at the offence of interference with access to or provision of abortion services no later than spring but has failed to give a specific date. Olivia Home, who manages one of MSI Reproductive Choices abortion clinics in central London, said anti-abortion protesters are currently outside four to five times a week for a few hours per day. They have increased activity in the last year, she added. They were there two to three days a week before. Ms Home said the demonstrators harass women seeking abortions with some followed and pestered as they walk to the train station after treatment. She added: They shout insults at women and people, they either shout murderer, baby killer or anything along those lines. They hand out leaflets and rosary beads and the leaflets may contain graphic and quite offensive imagery. They also hand out baby toys whose limbs have been removed which are covered in fake blood. They sometimes spit from their mouths at clients or healthcare professionals or they splash holy water at them. Ms Home said that given the clinic sometimes sees 44 clients in a day most of whom are getting abortions the harassment has profound repercussions. Some women arrive at the clinic crying their eyes out, clearly distressed and overwhelmed from the interaction they had with a protester, she added. A sign outside MSIs Brixton clinic directing those who may have received treatment away from protesters ( Maya Oppenheim ) Anti-abortion protesters also shouted abuse at Ms Home and her colleagues during a practice fire drill, she said. They were saying we should be ashamed of ourselves and how disgusted we should be for working for MSI, she added. In some encounters with the anti-protesters, it seems like they are brainwashed. I look out of the office sometimes and they give you a sinister grin. Sometimes the leaflets protesters hand out falsely claim abortions can lead to breast cancer or suicide, she said, adding that she has called the phone numbers printed in the leaflets on several occasions but they dont connect. I feel utter frustration, anger and absolute devastation for our clients. Our clients and staff are dealing with this on a day-to-day basis, said Ms Home. It is vital to stress the importance of people having their own bodily autonomy and feeling safe and supported when accessing abortion clients arent able to do that in the current climate. Dr Pam Lowe, a sociologist who specialises in anti-abortion activism in the UK, added: Anti-abortion groups have been working tirelessly to prevent buffer zones from being put in place. This has included organising mass letter-writing campaigns. It is particularly concerning that Alliance Defending Freedom, a UK branch of a US organisation designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Centre, has a close relationship to a small number of anti-abortion MPs and has been actively lobbying against protecting women outside clinics. They shout insults at women and people, they either shout murderer, baby killer or anything along those lines. Olivia Home Lucy, who had an abortion with MSI and whose name we have changed, said the hardest part of her termination involved encountering anti-abortion protesters outside the clinic. When I found out I was pregnant it was a complete shock as I had only been with my partner a few months, the 33-year-old recalled. I had always wanted children but in my current circumstance I was not ready to support a child emotionally or financially and neither was my partner. She was in a minimum-wage job and her partner did not work, she added, explaining they were not living together and were perpetually arguing. The hardest part was walking past the protesters at my first appointment, she added. No one has the right to tell you what to do with your body, and it bothered me that without even knowing my situation or how horrible I felt, they were trying to. Eliza who we interviewed under a pseudonym also encountered protesters when accessing an abortion. She said the ordeal disturbed her. She added: Falling pregnant unintentionally with a new partner was a very scary time. I chose to have an abortion because I didnt know my partner long enough and I felt too young. I wanted to achieve so much more in my life so when I do have a child, I can provide the best life possible for them. There were elderly people holding religious pictures up and unborn babies. It was deeply unsettling because I wasnt having an abortion for fun. It was an immensely sad time and I knew it was for the right reason. So them standing outside made me feel worse and was so horrible. A spokesperson for the Home Office said it was completely unacceptable that anyone should feel harassed or intimidated whilst exercising their legal right to access abortion services, adding: We are currently considering all responses to the consultation and final guidance will be published in due course. 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Boris Johnson has said he tried to use a magazine about politics as voter ID when he turned up to the polls this week. Mr Johnson had been trying to cast his vote in the local elections in South Oxfordshire on Thursday but fell foul of legislation he introduced himself as prime minister. Staff initially turned the former Conservative Party leader away because he could not produce a proper voter ID. Writing for the Daily Mail after the incident, Mr Johnson claims he attempted to use a copy of Prospect magazine as a form of identification. Johnson had to make several trips to the polling station before he was allowed to cast his vote ( Getty ) I want to pay a particular tribute to the three villagers who on Thursday rightly turned me away when I appeared in the polling station with nothing to prove my identity except the sleeve of my copy of Prospect magazine, on which my name and address had been printed, he said. I showed it to them and they looked very dubious within minutes I was back with my driving licence and voted Tory. Voters have been required to bring photographic identification for certain elections in the UK since May 2023. Prospect editor Alan Rusbridger tweeted that he was delighted by Mr Johnsons support for the magazine but reminded readers of its limitations as proof of identity. Prospect editor Alan Rusbridger had a light hearted response to his readers plight ( Getty ) Warning to potential subscribers: the magazine is miraculous in many ways, but may not be used as photo ID, the former Guardian editor posted on Twitter/X. When introducing the legislation In 2021, then prime minister Mr Johnson said: What we want to do is protect democracy, the transparency and the integrity of the electoral process. And I dont think its unreasonable to ask first-time voters to produce some evidence of identity. Under Mr Johnsons legislation, ministers argued the change was required to reduce electoral fraud. Critics of the voter ID rules have pointed out that cases of electoral fraud are rare in the UK. The latest data from the Electoral Commission shows that, between 2018 and 2022, only 11 of the 1,386 alleged cases of electoral fraud resulted in convictions. There are also concerns that voter ID laws can disproportionately affect marginalised communities ability to vote. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Holocaust Education Trust chief executive Karen Pollock has unleashed a furious attack on the way some pro-Palestinian protesters are comparing the Nazis to modern-day Israel. Ahead of commemorations of the horrific crimes by the Nazis, which saw the mass murder of 6 million Jews, Ms Pollock has warned that modern-day protests on a range of issues, including Gaza, are trivialising the Holocaust. The Nazis, their leaders and their symbols have become almost synonymous for ultimate evil, she wrote in an article for the Jewish News. Online, we see this result in the phenomenon of Godwins law: the idea that the longer an online discussion continues, the more likely it is that someone stresses their point by using a comparison to the Nazis. However, what may have begun as an online phenomenon has now truly cemented itself into the real world. Whether individuals donning a yellow star to protest pandemic restrictions or environmental groups using Holocaust-related language to warn against inaction on climate change it seems that the only way you can make your point heard is by trivialising the murder of the 6 million. It is hurtful, it is wrong, and it is an insult to victims and to the survivors who see the Holocaust being deliberately used and misused. Students waving the Palestinian flag take part in a demonstration in support of Palestinian people at University College London ( AFP via Getty ) But the charity boss, whose work at Holocaust Education Trust since 1998 has focussed on ensuring the lessons of the past are not forgotten, made it clear she is particularly angry about the language and symbols on protests against Israel and the war in Gaza following Hamass attack on the state on 7 October last year. Even more shameful, is the practice of deliberately abusing the Holocaust to attack the state of Israel. Since 7 October, the streets of Britain have been flooded with protesters not calling for the release of the hostages and not condemning Hamas terrorists. While some might be calling for peace, we see others equating the Jewish star of David to the swastika, Israeli leaders to Hitler and Zionism to fascism. We even saw the Holocaust memorial in Hyde Park covered up apparently as a precautionary measure. Her intervention comes amid continuously growing tensions between those who want to clamp down on the freedom to protest with fears that weekly demonstrations are leading to extremism and those who are angry about Israels conduct in the war in Gaza. Hamas killed around 1,200 people in the deadly 7 October attacks, with more than 200 more taken hostage. The health ministry in Gaza says the Palestinian death toll from the war since then has topped 34,000. The issue has even had an impact in the local elections with Labours campaign chief Pat McFadden on Friday admitting Sir Keir Starmers support for Israel was a factor in Muslim voters staying at home and the party losing or failing to pick up some seats. There are even questions over its impact on the London Mayoral election. Karen Pollock meets Prince William ( Reuters ) Ms Pollock warned that the distortion of language about the Holocaust as a means to attack Israel is putting democratic values at risk. If a memorial to the 6 million Jewish men, women and children who were murdered during the Holocaust has to be hidden out of fear that it will be desecrated, this should serve as a warning, she said. Many survivors rebuilt their lives here cherishing shared values of freedom, democracy and respect. These values feel under threat. We have to be clear in saying there is no excuse, no additional context, for carrying a swastika on the streets of London. It is not a symbol of political protest. It is a symbol of genocide, racism and antisemitism. There can be no excuse for comparing Israeli leaders to Hitler. The Nazis tried to eradicate the Jewish people in their entirety, no matter where they were. Their mission was to exterminate all Jews, because they were Jews. These comparisons do not add weight to an argument, they make its proponents racist. It is an abuse of the memory of the victims and a distortion of the Holocaust, a pernicious form of antisemitism. Calling out this hate speech is not silencing criticism of Israel, it is demanding that antisemitism has no place on our streets or in our society. On Yom HaShoah, it is not too much to ask for. 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Sadiq Khan has been re-elected for a historic third term as the Mayor of London. Mr Khan secured his third term in office with just over 1,088,000 votes, a majority of some 275,000 over Conservative rival Susan Hall, who secured just under 813,000 votes. This means that the Labour politician received 43.8 per cent of the voter share to Ms Halls 32.7 per cent. Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer had signalled he was confident of Mr Khans victory before declarations commenced, as he counted mayoral victories for his party in Liverpool, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, and in Greater Manchester where Andy Burnham returned to power. Murmurs on Friday evening suggested the result may be closer than initially thought, as Mr Khans majority was expected to be hit by dissatisfaction with the Ulez low-pollution scheme and the Labour partys stance on Gaza. Yet Mr Khan has achieved a higher majority than in 2021, equating to a 3.2 per cent swing from Conservative to Labour. The Tory candidates campaign had also been mired by controversy amid allegations of islamophobia. Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting provoked ire when he said that a win for Ms Hall and the Conservatives is a win for racists, white supremacists and Islamophobes the world over. The result follows a difficult campaign for both Labour and the Conservatives ( Jeff Moore/PA Wire ) Mr Streeting was referring to Ms Hall joining a Facebook group that contained Islamophobic hate speech and abusive comments about her opponent. Mr Khan was met with some boos as he took to the stage after his re-election was announced. Speaking in his victory speech at City Hall, Mr Khan said: Thank you from the bottom of my heart, thank you London. At that point, the Britain First candidate interrupted and chanted Khan killed London. Mr Khans victory speech continued: We faced a campaign of non-stop negativity, but I couldnt be more proud that we answered the fearmongering with facts, hate with hope, and attempts to divide with efforts to unite. We ran a campaign that was in keeping with the spirit and values of this great city, a city that regards our diversity not as a weakness, but as an almighty strength and one that rejects right hard-wing populism and looks forward, not back. Its truly an honour to be re-elected for a third term, and do so with a record level of support from Londoners, with an increased margin of victory. Re-elected Mayor of London Sadiq Khan stands with other mayoral candidates ( AFP via Getty Images ) The Labour incumbent thanked his family for their support, but apologised for them facing protests by our home and threats after securing a third term as Mayor of London. Some of the stuff on social media, the protests by our home, the threats. Its upsetting, its frightening and its wrong. Im truly sorry for putting you through this, he added. But I also know, you share my belief as hard as it can be sometimes, this work is worth doing because it means being able to give to other families the same life-changing opportunities that this wonderful city has extended to ours. I love you all so much. He ended by asking prime minister Rishi Sunak to call a general election. For the last eight years, London has been swimming against the tide of a Tory government, and now, with a Labour Party thats ready to govern again under Keir Starmer, its time for Rishi Sunak to give the public a choice, he said. A general election will not just pave the path to a new direction for our country, but it will make bold action Londoners want to see a reality. ( Getty Images ) The Conservatives Susan Hall spoke after Mr Khan, saying he should stop patronising people who care about London. Id like to congratulate all my fellow mayoral candidates and congratulate Sadiq on his victory, she said. Spending a year campaigning for this election has been an honour and a privilege. I have loved speaking to Londoners about the things that matter to them. The thing that matters the most, and to me, is reforming the Met and making London safe again. I hope Sadiq makes this his top priority. He owes it to the families of those thousands of people who have lost lives to knife crime under his mayoralty. And I hope too that he stops patronising people, like me, who care. This isnt an episode of The Wire, this is real life on his watch. The Conservatives Susan Hall gives her speech at City Hall ( Jeff Moore/PA Wire ) It comes as Rishi Sunak suffered a terrible first day of council election results with the prime minister now nervously waiting on the result from the West Midlands mayoral contest. Yet despite the disappointing results, plans of a coup have failed to materialise with one senior MP telling the Independent: I think it is over. Rishi will lead us into the next election. Election expert Sir John Curtice suggested the final outcome could be the partys worst performance for 40 years. Lord Ben Houchens re-election on Teesside was a crumb of comfort for the Conservatives on a dreadful night, just months from a general election. Attention now turns to the mayoral contest in the West Midlands, where a win for Tory Andy Street could help stop leadership plot from rebel MPs. 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Andy Burnham has vowed to make big things happen after he won a third successive term as the mayor of Greater Manchester with more votes than all his opponents combined. The Labour candidate won by a landslide with 63.4 per cent of the vote - miles ahead of runner-up Conservative candidate Laura Evans with 10.39 per cent. Reform gained 7.46 per cent of the vote, ahead of the Greens with 6.92 per cent and Lib Dems with 4.25 per cent. Im overwhelmed and humbled that so many people have again given me their support, he said upon his victory. Im always conscious that people who perhaps will usually vote for other parties at a general election have lent me their support. Andy Burnham has been re-elected as Greater Manchester mayor (Peter Byrne/PA) ( PA Wire ) The result is the latest in a string of Labour mayoral and council wins nationwide as the Conservatives suffer historic blows. Labours Sadiq Khan has secured a third term as Mayor of London beating Conservative Susan Hall on Saturday. Mr Khan secured just over 1,088,000 votes to be re-elected London Mayor, a majority of some 275,000 over Conservative rival Susan Hall, who took just under 813,000 votes. Labour also claimed victory in the West Midlands mayoral election beating Conservative candidate Andy Street in a tight race. The newly elected mayor, Richard Parker, claimed a majority against his opponent who has served two terms and held office since 2017. Rishi Sunak suffered terrible losses in council elections as the Conservatives lost more than 400 councillors and control of ten councils The result is the latest in a string of Labour mayoral and council wins nationwide as the Conservatives suffer historic blows. ( Reuters ) Many victorious candidates - including Mr Burnham - took the opportunity to call for a general election as the government faced a drubbing. Asked what his election meant for the party, Mr Burnam said: That its on course for government but I dont think anyone is taking anything for granted. I feel the country needs a change of government. We need a fresh start as a country. I have kind of worked hard to keep Greater Manchester moving forward, even though its felt at times that the country has been going backwards the trains not working as they should, the NHS in a mess. Its been hard to keep that sense of forward momentum. I think we have managed it here but to have a government at our back, well God that would be a brilliant thing. But I think we are now set up for success. He added: The support of people here means everything to me. I have loved everything about this job. To have the chance now to make much bigger changes happen as part of a third term, I will forever be grateful to people for giving me that opportunity. Mr Burnham said he would continue to take a place-first approach as opposed to a party-first approach and that he would be turning his attention to housing and education after local bus services were brought under public control last year with the launch of the Bee Network. He wants to tackle the regions housing crisis and provide young people from the age of 14 with the opportunity to pursue a work-related route to achieve high-quality technical qualifications. We are going into a really exciting moment for Greater Manchester. We have got so many things happening in the city region and with this mandate now I can make big things happen, and I fully intend to, he said. 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A former top prosecutor has hit out after the Conservatives twice reported Labour candidates to police just days before the local elections. The double whammy came as Rishi Sunaks party faced predictions it would lose up to 500 councillors across England and struggle in two crunch mayoral votes. Nazir Afzal, a former chief crown prosecutor, warned police forces were being weaponised as part of the campaign by those who dont care about the problems facing policing particularly resourcing. He also called for complaints during elections to be taken away from local forces and for prosecutions of those with frivolous accusations for wasting police time. Nazir Afzal is a former chief crown prosecutor On Wednesday, West Midlands Police said it was assessing an allegation against Richard Parker, Labours candidate in the crunch election for the mayor of the West Midlands. That battle, alongside the vote for the mayor of the Tees Valley, was widely seen as crucial for Mr Sunaks future, with rebel Tories ready to move against him had the party lost them. On Wednesday, The Independent revealed that the Tories had reported a Labour council group in Milton Keynes, a hotly contested bellwether seat, to Thames Valley Police. Labour sources condemned the complaint against Mr Parker as shameful political game playing as the Conservatives faced a disastrous set of election results. Labour claimed the use of police complaints by the Conservatives ahead of the local elections was becoming more than a habit. The double reporting of Labour last week follows the Conservatives push for an investigation into allegations Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner broke electoral law over the sale of her former council house. The Tories also reported Angela Rayner to the police over the sale a former home ( AFP via Getty ) Mr Afzal told the Independent: On the complaints being lodged with police during the elections, I have long believed that we should treat elections as we treat big sporting events, where a special national police unit is set up just for the election period to quickly assess and investigate where appropriate. The current process where individual forces are used is being weaponised as part of the campaign by those who dont care about the problems facing policing particularly resourcing. Take it away from local police and prosecute those with frivolous accusations for wasting police time and it will stop. Mr Afzal has previously said that based on whats in the public domain, the Crown Prosecution Service would take no action against Ms Rayner. In the West Midlands, Gary Sambrook, the Tory MP for Birmingham Northfield, wrote to police over claims Labours candidate may have broken residency rules to get on the ballot paper, something the party emphatically denies. One of the complaints came from Gary Sambrook, the Tory MP for Birmingham Northfield ( Parliament UK ) In Milton Keynes, Tory MP Ben Everitt said he had made a police complaint over literature he alleged came from the local Labour council group and which he said was misleading and breaches election law. The row focuses on the failure to open a new GP surgery. In an email to Thames Valley Police, he wrote that Labour had told residents that proposals for the surgery were refused because the Conservative government failed to release the necessary funds. He said this was demonstrably false and emails show it was Milton Keynes Council which stopped the development, by advising against applying for planning permission. Labour dismissed the allegation. A spokesperson accused the Tories of having clearly misunderstood. She said: They are not being accused of blocking the new surgery. They are being rightly accused of, and held to account for, consistently failing to deliver the necessary funding for new infrastructure in Milton Keynes. Rather than wasting valuable police time and resources, the Conservatives should apologise to the people of Milton Keynes for letting them down for the last two decades. 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Tory mayor Andy Street has been defeated in the crucial battle for the West Midlands in a result that has left Rishi Sunaks premiership hanging by a thread. The shock defeat follows a difficult campaign for the Tories amid narrowing polls and party turmoil with increasing questions over the prime ministers leadership and Labour left to boast that the victory in the West Midlands will herald a wipeout of Tory MPs in the general election. Mr Street was defeated by a margin of just 1,508 votes to Labours Richard Parker 225,590 to 224,082 but his defeat by less than 2,000 votes has had repercussions for his party across the country. A Tory MP messaged The Independent with one word: Catastrophe! A Labour source admitted that their own early predictions that Mr Street had just held on to the key region had proven to be wrong. The source said: Even if we ran them very close its an almost certain wipeout for the Tories at the general election. The Tory West Midlands mayor has been defeated ( PA ) While victory by Tory Teesside mayor Ben Houchen on Friday had calmed calls by plotters for Mr Sunak to be replaced, the results on Saturday in London and the West Midlands have reopened the debate into whether he is the right man to lead the Conservatives into the election. Mr Sunaks survival had been tied to Mr Street surviving alongside Tees Valley mayor Lord Houchen. Rebel Tories have tonight reopened discussions about a leadership coup that could be launched if local elections ended up particularly bad for the party. Election expert Sir John Curtice suggested the final numbers could equate to the partys worst performance for 40 years, as the remaining results are expected to trickle in on Sunday afternoon. The Independent was told that Sunak loyalists on the MPs Whatsapp group had gone silent as the results stacked up. Another source confirmed that Tory campaign chiefs were calling MPs to calm nerves amid concerns there could be an attempted coup. However, Mr Sunaks former number two in the Treasury, Sir Simon Clarke, who has previously called for the prime minister to resign, messaged to warn colleagues that the results should be a wake-up call and without change, the party would head for a similar defeat As well as the mayoral elections, Tory MPs are shocked by the scale of council seats lost with 473 conceded and one more council yet to declare its results. Worse still, Tory wins fell behind those of the Lib Dems. By Saturday afternoon, Labour had taken 1,140 seats, the Lib Dems 521 and the Tories 513. Labours Richard Parker shocked the Tories with his victory in the West Midlands ( Getty ) One senior Tory said: I dont know how we can go on like this. We are heading for a defeat of historic proportions at the general election. Further questions were raised over Mr Sunaks leadership when it emerged that he had not voted for the Tories defeated London mayor candidate Susan Hall. Despite a belief that Mr Khan was beatable he easily trounced Susan Hall by 1,088,225 votes to 812,397 in another bruising result. The Independent asked Downing Street whether the prime minister had voted in London or the elections for the newly created mayor of York and North Yorkshire where his Richmond constituency is. A Downing Street spokesperson said: He postal voted in Yorkshire. The answer resulted in an explosion of fury from Tory MPs and activists because electoral law allows for people to vote in more than one area in local elections if they are registered there. In general elections for Parliament, people are only allowed to vote in one area. In a sign of growing fury in the parliamentary party, a Tory MP, who campaigned for Ms Hall in London, said: If it transpires that our party leader, who could easily have voted for Susan Hall against Sadiq Khan just couldnt be bothered, then Tory activists in London, who have been absolutely knocking themselves out for months on her behalf, will be rightfully absolutely furious. There is confusion over whether Rishi Sunak voted for the Tory mayoral candidate in London ( Molly Darlington ) Meanwhile, former minister for London Paul Scully, who was controversially blocked from running as the Conservative London mayoral candidate, warned that the party under Sunak is just constantly doing crisis management and had no vision for London or the country. Mr Scully opposed MPs replacing Mr Sunak as Tory leader and prime minister. However, he said he needed to own the mistakes which had allowed the much-derided Ms Hall to be the partys candidate in London with no support or resources to fight a serious campaign. Describing the results as abysmal, he added: I am not genuflecting in front of Rishi. It's just you can't keep doing this, constantly changing horses. At the end of the day, it's not just about the leader. It's about what we are as a party doing, and we've just gone around sort of jazz hands and lost our direction. He also warned that he feared the party is about to go full circle and return to the right-wing ideology of 1997 when he first got involved in politics. The sense of missed opportunity by the Tories was underlined when the reelected London mayor was booed as he gave his victory speech after the result was declared. Speaking at City Hall, Mr Khan said: Thank you from the bottom of my heart, thank you London. The far-right Britain First candidate interrupted and chanted Khan killed London. The crowd was warned that security would remove people who disrupted the speeches. The apparent voting snub from Mr Sunak follows claims that Ms Hall has received little party support or resources in her attempts to win back London for the Tories. There have also been claims that she is racist and Islamophobic which have been hotly denied by her campaign team. However, Mr Sunak has made it clear he has little patience for Tories who border on being racist with the suspension of former deputy chairman, now Reform UK MP, Lee Anderson. Sunak looks on as Ben Houchen celebrates victory as Tees Valley mayor ( Reuters ) Questions over Mr Sunaks leadership have come over his failure to intervene and install a strong candidate for London mayor and provide a serious vision. The Independent recently revealed that cabinet ministers had pleaded with Mr Sunak to install motorist campaigner Howard Cox as London mayoral candidate, but he ended up joining Reform. Mr Scully said: The problem was that we have a weak London party which was easily pushed around. But the failure in the West Midlands is potentially an even bigger blow for the Tories. Recent polling has seen them set to lose an estimated 29 seats out of the 44 they hold in the wider region. According to Labour, the damage to the parliamentary seats for the Tories could be even worse if the mayoral vote is replicated. Winning the West Midlands has also historically been the region which parties needed to win to form a government. A Savanta poll last night put Labours national lead at 18 points with a share of 44 per cent to 26 per cent for the Tories. The vote share in the local elections had Labour at 34 per cent to the Tories 25 per cent. The 25 per cent vote share was the joint-lowest recorded for the party in local elections. One Tory MP told The Independent they were feeling glum and had not decided what to do regarding Mr Sunak but described the West Midlands result as a calamity. Even if Mr Street had won comfortably his election campaign had been built on having no Conservative branding or mention of Mr Sunak. Of Labours victory in Birmingham, Sir Keir Starmer said: This phenomenal result was beyond our expectations. People across the country have had enough of Conservative chaos and decline and voted for change with Labour. Our fantastic new mayor Richard Parker stands ready to deliver a fresh start for the West Midlands. My changed Labour party is back in the service of working people, and stands ready to govern. Labour will turn the page after fourteen years of Tory decline and usher in a decade of national renewal. That change starts today. Labours Sadiq Khan alongside Susan Hall ( PA ) The one major success, Lord Houchens reelection in Tees Valley, had similarly seen him give no credit to Mr Sunak in his victory speech. He did not even don a blue rosette. Ahead of the election on Thursday, Lord Houchen had said that voters had said they would support him but not the Conservative Party, splitting between staying at home and supporting the right wing Reform UK, founded by Nigel Farage. Already campaign teams for cabinet ministers Penny Mordaunt and Kemi Badenoch are preparing for a leadership battle while supporters of former ministers Dame Priti Patel, Suella Braverman and Robert Jenrick are also getting ready. In an article for The Telegraph, the prime minister remained positive about the local council election results, despite a series of disastrous losses for the government. He wrote: Thursdays results showed that voters are frustrated and wondering why they should vote. The fact that Labour is not winning in places they admit they need for a majority shows that Keir Starmers lack of plan and vision is hurting them. We Conservatives have everything to fight for and we will, because we are fighting for our values and our countrys future. Writing for The Independent party grandee Sir Liam Fox called for MPs to get behind the prime minister. He said: Rallying behind the prime minister with ruthless message discipline and a narrative that where Labour describes the problems, Conservatives deliver solutions could yet be the prelude to the biggest political turnaround in decades. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Relatives of the second Boeing whistleblower to die in recent months have been paying tribute to him, saying his last few weeks were brutal. Joshua Dean, 45, died following the onset of a fast-moving infection around a month after another whistleblower was found dead. Mr Dean was a former quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, who went public with claims that the companys leadership ignored manufacturing defects in Boeings 737 MAX. My handsome brother Joshua passed away this morning and is with our baby brother, his sister, Taylor Rae Roberts, wrote in a heartbreaking Facebook post. I dont know how much more my family can take. I dont know how much more I can take honestly. Joshua Dean, 45, died following the onset of a fast-moving infection ( Supplied ) His mother and stepfather spoke to NPR, explaining that Mr Dean was a health nut. "He was just amazing," Winn Weir, Mr Deans stepfather, said. "He could read something and then he could just tell you word for word what he read" days later. Mr Deans aunt, Carol Parsons, told The Seattle Times that he had spent two weeks in a critical condition in hospital after developing pneumonia and MRSA. It was brutal what he went through, Parsons said, explaining that doctors considered amputating his hands and feet. Heartbreaking. Joshua Dean, 45, died following the onset of a fast-moving infection ( Supplied ) Ms Parsons also posted on Facebook, saying Mr Deans absence will be deeply felt. Another aunt, Jenny Dean, shared a tribute on Facebook. "My dear nephew Joshua passed away this morning, she said. Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts." Dean, from Wichita, is the second whistleblower to die this year after coming forward about safety issues in the aviation manufacturing industry. Boeing whistleblower John Barnett, 62, was found dead in his truck in a hotel parking lot in South Carolina in March. The whistleblowers death is the latest in a string of incidents related to embattled Boeing over the past year. In January, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9s door plug blew off in mid-air, leading to the grounding of all 171 MAX 9 jets by the FAA and instigating an investigation. Soon afterwards, at least four people came forward including both of the now-dead whistleblowers to allege that corner-cutting in the jets manufacturing process was causing safety risks. In the wake of the chaos, Dave Calhoun, Boeing CEO, announced in March that he would step down at the end of the year. Boeing reported a $355 million net loss for the first quarter of 2024. Joshua Dean came forward to raise issues of aircraft safety. He said that serious and gross misconduct by senior quality management of the 737 production line had taken place at Spirit, in a complaint to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). John Barnett was found dead in March, after also raising concerns about Boeings aircraft manufacturing processes ( @Megatron_ron/Twitter ) In January, Dean told the Wall Street Journal that he had been fired for pointing out that holes in jet fuselages had been drilled wrong. He was fired from Spirit Aerosystems in April 2023, and he complained later that his termination was in retaliation. Despite that, the company paid tribute following his death. Our thoughts are with Josh Deans family. This sudden loss is stunning news here and for his loved ones, Spirit spokesperson Joe Buccino said. Brian Knowles, one of the lawyers representing Mr Dean, told The Seattle Times that he would not comment on the circumstances around his clients death or that of Mr Barnett. Whistleblowers are needed. They bring to light wrongdoing and corruption in the interests of society. It takes a lot of courage to stand up, Mr Knowles told the outlet. Its a difficult set of circumstances. Our thoughts now are with Johns family and Joshs family. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A second Boeing whistleblower has died after a sudden illness. Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Spirit AeroSystems, went public with claims that the companys leadership ignored manufacturing defects in Boeings 737 MAX. Spirit AeroSystems is a Boeing supplier. Dean, 45, had an active lifestyle and was believed to be in good health prior to his sudden death on Tuesday, following the onset of a fast-moving infection. He was stricken with Influenza B and MRSA, and developed pneumonia, according to Fox59. He spent two weeks in critical condition before he died on Tuesday in Oklahoma, according to The Seattle Times. My handsome brother Joshua passed away this morning and is with our baby brother. I dont know how much more my family can take. I dont know how much more I can take honestly, his sister, Taylor Rae Roberts, wrote in a Facebook post. Joshua Dean, 45, was a whistleblower who raised concerns over a Boeing supplier, Spirit AeroSystems. He died of a sudden infection, making him the second aviation industry whistleblower to die in 2024 ( Supplied ) Our thoughts are with Josh Deans family. This sudden loss is stunning news here and for his loved ones, Spirit spokesperson Joe Buccino said. Dean, from Wichita, is the second whistleblower to die this year after coming forward about safety issues in the aviation manufacturing industry. Boeing whistleblower John Barnett, 62, was found dead in his truck in a hotel parking lot in South Carolina in March. The whistleblowers death is the latest in a string of incidents related to embattled Boeing over the past year. In January, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9s door plug blew off in mid-air, leading to the grounding of all 171 MAX 9 jets by the FAA and instigating an investigation. Soon afterwards, at least four people came forward including both of the now-dead whistleblowers to allege that corner cutting in the jets manufacturing process was causing safety risks. In the wake of the chaos, Dave Calhoun, Boeing CEO, announced in March that he would step down at the end of the year. Boeing reported a $355 million net loss for the first quarter of 2024. Joshua Dean came forward to raise issues of aircraft safety. He said that serious and gross misconduct by senior quality management of the 737 production line had taken place at Spirit, in a complaint to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He also testified in a shareholder lawsuit against Spirit AeroSystems, filed in December 2023. The shareholders alleged that Spirit concealed from investors that Spirit suffered from widespread and sustained quality failures, and that quality failures occurred because the company was chasing profits, Supply Chain Dive reports. Second Boeing Whistleblower Dies Following Sudden Illness Such constant quality failures resulted in part from Spirits culture which prioritized production numbers and short-term financial outcomes over product quality, and Spirits related failure to hire sufficient personnel to deliver quality products at the rates demanded by Spirit and its customers including Boeing, the plaintiffs argued. Those quality failures were so egregious that Boeing put Spirit AeroSystems on probation between 2018 until at least 2021, which prohibited the supplier from shipping parts to Boeing without managerial approval, the lawsuit claims. In January, Dean told the Wall Street Journal that he had been fired for pointing out that holes in jet fuselages had been drilled wrong. He was fired from Spirit Aerosystems in April 2023, and he complained later that his termination was in retaliation. It is known at Spirit that if you make too much noise and cause too much trouble, you will be moved, Dean said. It doesnt mean you completely disregard stuff, but they dont want you to find everything and write it up. Spirit AeroSystems told the WSJ that it disagreed with Deans characterisation and that the company would defend itself in court. Other members of Deans family shared their grief on social media. On 20 April, Deans aunt, Jenny Dean, shared a message from his mother, Ginger Green, saying that he had been diagnosed with Influenza B and MRSA, and was fighting for his life in the hospital. "My son is fighting for his life. He tested positive for influenza B and MRSA that went into pneumonia. His infection spread throughout his whole body and into his blood stream. His lungs are completely whited out and they had to intubate him," Dean's mother wrote. "His condition worsened and he needed to be transferred to a hospital in Oklahoma City ... he is on dialysis too because he has so much fluid throughout his body and they say that his kidneys and liver aren't doing well." His attorney, Brian Knowles, told The Seattle Times that he did not want to speculate on the nature of his clients death but stressed the importance of whistleblowers. Whistleblowers are needed. They bring to light wrongdoing and corruption in the interests of society. It takes a lot of courage to stand up, Mr Knowles said. Its a difficult set of circumstances. Our thoughts now are with Johns family and Joshs family. John Barnett was found dead in his truck in a hotel parking lot in South Carolina in March ( @Megatron_ron/Twitter ) The attorney also represented Barnett who had spoken out about alleged safety problems at Boeing and had been giving evidence in a lawsuit against the company prior to his death. Barnett alleged that Boeing intentionally used defective parts in its planes and warned that passengers on its 787 Dreamliner might face a lack of oxygen if a sudden decompression occurred. Barnett was a former quality control engineer, and spent 32 years at Boeing until his retirement for health reasons in March 2017. Barnett gave his initial testimony just days before he was found dead in March at a hotel in Charleston. His death appeared to be from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Charleston County coroner told BBC News. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Canadian businessman Greg Abel is the right man to take the Berkshire Hathaway reins from its legendary leader Warren Buffet, a board member told an event days before the companys annual shareholders meeting. Longtime Berkshire board member Ron Olson told investors gathered Thursday at the conference that Mr Abel understands all the fundamental principles that guided Mr Buffett, like letting Berkshire's companies largely run themselves. And Mr Abel will be committed to running Berkshire in a conservative way that will protect the company that's known for its financial strength, he said. Greg is not somebody who is going to be as likely to create the kind of following in the press that I think Warren has had, Mr Olson said. On the other hand. I have every reason to believe that he will run the companies that we have the responsibility for in the same way that Warren ran them. Mr Olson said he's confident business owners will still be willing to sell their companies to Berkshire once the Canadian utility executive takes over after the 93-year-old Mr Buffett is gone. He said he doesn't think last year's public legal fight with the billionaire Haslam family over how much Berkshire would ultimately pay for the last 20 per cent of the Pilot truck stop chain the family agreed to sell to Mr Buffett will be a deterrent to future deals either. Both the Haslams and Berkshire accused each other of trying to manipulate Pilot's earnings to affect the final $2.6 billion price. Business owners considering selling can see all the positive and respectful relationships Berkshire has with its dozens of other subsidiaries on display in the 200,000-square-foot exhibit hall adjoining the arena where Saturday's meeting will be held, Mr Olson said. Berkshire Hathaway Vice Chairman Greg Abel is seen at the CenturyLink Center, May 5, 2018, in Omaha, Neb ( AP ) In fact the legal battle gave Olson, who is a partner at Berkshire's primary law firm, the chance to work closely with Abel, giving him even more confidence in the board's chosen successor. I could tell you that his preparation and thinking was impressive. He is strategic in his thinking. And he is decisive in his judgement, Mr lson said. Plus, Berkshire is sitting on more than $167 billion cash, so it has ample resources to do deals and, Mr Olson said, People generally like to be paid in cash. Mr Abel, who keeps a low profile and doesn't typically grant interviews, will be answering questions alongside Mr Buffett for hours Saturday, trying to help fill the role Buffett's longtime partner Charlie Munger held for decades before he died last fall. Mr Abel has been overseeing all of Berkshire's varied non-insurance businesses for several years while another vice chairman, Ajit Jain, oversees the insurance businesses, including Geico and General Reinsurance. Mr Olson said Mr Abel is a numbers guy who can dissect a business' balance sheet as quickly and well as Buffett, and he's also a great listener that people like to work with. But, Mr Olson said, Greg is not going to be as entertaining as Warren and Charlie have been through the years. So Munger's absence will be felt acutely on Saturday by all the thousands of people attending the meeting. There simply is no way to replace the expertise, advice and friendship Munger offered to Buffett for more than six decades. Professor Lawrence Cunningham, who has written several books about Berkshire, said he thinks even with the profound loss of Munger the company he helped build will endure. The chair is empty. Theres no way to fill it. But Im also confident that Warren and especially Greg and Ajit will carry on the torch, Cunningham said. Berkshire has been grappling with succession questions for decades, but Cunningham said he thinks Buffett and Munger built an organization bigger than themselves that will endure. Olson said Berkshire's board knows there just isn't another Warren Buffett or Charlie Munger out there to replace those two men. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Investigators have charged three people in connection with the disappearance of two Australian and one American tourists in Mexico who officials now believe were likely killed in a robbery-turned-shooting. Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their friend Carter Rhoad, from the United States, were reported missing after failing to show up to their accommodation in Baja California on Saturday 27 April. Local authorities now believe that the three men were approached by a group who tried to carjack the tourists white pick-up truck. When they refused, the encounter turned deadly, officials said. When they tried to get the vehicles, the victims opposed the robbery. The robbers were armed with a firearm and then apparently shot the victims, said Baja California Attorney General Maria Elena Andrade Ramirez. The news comes after investigators said they had recovered three bodies who they believe to be the missing tourists, according to reports Friday afternoon. The bodies were found in an advanced state of decomposition at the bottom of a 50-foot-deep well, 7News reported. The three Mexican citizens were charged with a crime equivalent to kidnapping on Friday after being questioned and arrested by local authorities, the Associated Press reported. It not immediately clear whether the three could face additional charges. All three bodies meet the characteristics to assume with a high degree of probability that they are the American Carter Rhoad as well as the Robinson brothers from Australia, Baja Californias Attorney General Maria Elena Andrade said on Saturday. Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson disappeared in Baja California, Mexico and their American friend Carter Rhoad have been missing since 27 April, 2024 ( Supplied ) The grim discovery was made at La Bocana, a popular fishing and camping destination near Ensenada, CBS8reported. A fourth body was found in the well, who has since been identified as the property owner. Officials said this death is unrelated to the three tourists deaths. Carter Rhoad had travelled with Jake and Callum Robinson to Baja California, Mexico ( Supplied ) On Thursday, authorities said that three Mexican citizens, reported to be a woman and two men, had been arrested. The woman was carrying a mobile phone with a photo on it matching the description of one of the men, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. The brothers family said that Jake had gone to visit his brother, who has been living in the US, and the trio had headed south of the border to Ensenada an area popular with tourists but also known for cartel violence. They had not been heard from since last Saturday. Their car was later found burnt out, and three tents abandoned. The charges come after Maria Elena Andrade Ramirez, Baja California attorney general, said on Thursday that evidence found with the tents was linked to the three people being questioned about the missing foreigners. She added, There is a lot of important information that we cant make public. The top prosecutor told reporters that authorities had not been notified straight away, so very important time was lost in the search for the three men. Callum and Jake Robinson were reported missing after travelling from California to Mexico on 27 April ( 9News/Instagram ) The parents of the Australian brothers, Martin and Debra Robinson, told 9News in a statement that Callum has been living in the US to follow his dream of being a professional lacrosse player. He is widely known in the US as the Big Koala, they told the outlet. We think of him as our big soft friendly giant. The parents were reportedly heading to the area to be close to the search efforts. Callum and Jake are beautiful human beings. We love them so much and this breaks our heart, the couple said. Both US and Australian authorities told The Independent that they were ready to assist in the investigation in whatever way necessary. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The extremist views of the fifth Gods Misfits murder suspect have been revealed in unearthed court documents which show he believes he is a bloodline American who is not subject to the laws of the United States. Paul Grice, 31, was arrested 24 April, for the kidnapping and murders of two mothers in rural Oklahoma who police believe were lured to their deaths during a pre-arranged child custody visit. The bodies of Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, were found buried in a hole underneath a dam on 14 April, two weeks after they went missing after going to pick up Butlers children from a birthday party. The car theyd been driving in had been found abandoned, with signs of a struggle, including blood and bullets (but no weapon). Four people were arrested and charged with murder the day before the bodies were found: Tad Bert Cullum, 43; Tifany Machel Adams, 54; Cole Earl Twombly, 50, and Cora Twombly, 44. Cullum had done some concrete work on the dam around the time the women went missing. Adams, his partner, was the paternal grandmother of Butlers children and they, along with Grice, went to the Twomblys home regularly for God Misfits meetings. Although Grices name had been mentioned in arrest affidavits from the start, he was not arrested until weeks after his four friends. He made his first appearance in court this week alone, his wife and children reportedly having left town after news of his involvement in the murders. Sorry for their loss, he told reporters asking if he had a message for the victims families as he walked into the courtroom. Months before the murders, Mr Grice made several bizarre statements, including claiming his children as his property and that he is not a US citizen, according to court records from 2023, obtained by The Independent. I am not a sovereign citizen. I am not a resident, employee or citizen of the United States government, the court document read. My relationship to that Federal entity as far as jurisdiction is that of a non-resident alien to the Corporate United States government, also known as an American State National, or Lawful Bloodline American. Paul Grice is the fifth member of the self-proclaimed Gods Misfits group to be charged with murdering two women from Kansas ( OSBI/Texas County Sheriffs Department ) I am a free and natural man, described by the Lord God in Genesis 2:7 as a living soul, living under Gods law and his grace alone, the document continued. I claim my children, it reads, listing their names and birthdates, as he adds they are his God-given property and subject to none other. It continued with, there is a maximum law that says what one creates one controls: the government did not create my children and therefore does not control my children. God created my children in their mothers womb with my sperm and are my creation, my property, and I waive none of my God-given rights or duties in the upbringing of my offspring. All are believed to be part of an anti-government, religious group calling themselves Gods Misfits. Tad Bert Cullum, top left, Cora Twombly, top right, Tifany Machel Adams, bottom left, and Cole Earl Twombly, bottom right, were arrested and charged with the murder and kidnapping of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley ( AP ) Investigators said that Mr Grice had been arrested based on the evidence and information gathered from the case. Mr Grice then admitted to investigators that he was part of the planning, killing and the burial of both Butler and Kelley, according to his arrest affidavit. Mr Grice had been named in the first arrest affidavit released a week ago relating to the other suspects, obtained by The Independent, along with couple Barrett and Lacy Cook, a couple who also have ties to the Gods Misfits group. But at the time Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) spokesman Hunter McKee told The Independent that there are no other suspects at this time. Days before Mr Grices arrest, his landlord told NewsNation that hes a good man with a young family who works hard and is the kind of guy to just come up and shake your hand. Hes not in custody so I have no reason to believe that he had anything to do with it. Investigators interviewed Ms Twombleys 16-year-old daughter, identified as CW, who described her mother, and the other four suspects, including Mr Grice as being part of the group Gods Misfits. Investigators found that Gods Misfits held regular, weekly meetings at both the Twomblys and Cooks homes. Social media searches have revealed no online presence of the Oklahoma-based Gods Misfits group. There is another group called Gods Misfits on Facebook but they sought to distance themselves from the Oklahoma murder case this week, and said they had nothing to do with it. The group did not appear to be mentioned in 2023 court documents, but seemed to outline Mr Grices beliefs in which he slams the government and compares America to a frog being boiled to death. Our educational propaganda system is a joke, our children are taught only what the fraud of the government wants known and nothing more, according to the court documents. The awful knowledge and horror of betrayal by my own government of which I was once so proud, is now unbearable sorrow that I must now carry to my grave; but I shall do as a free man. He continued: Perhaps the American people are like the frog that is heated slowly to a boil in a pot of water. If we had detected the heat sooner, we could have jumped out, saving both the Republic and ourselves. Will the American people just sit back like the frog and let the water boil, letting the government sacrifice their childrens lives and futures to benefit some foreign slaves and aborigines? he asks per the documents. I dont think so, and i for one, in the capacity of a Citizen, want no part of this moronic agenda with that insane policy. One of his last statements claims that, above all, the vilest evil is the destruction of our unborn children a thing so horrible vile that even maggots in filth do not do. Investigators learned that Mr Grice, Ms Adams and Mr Cullum had phone conversations in the early morning hours of March 30 the day the women vanished. Mr Grice and Mr Cullum were together at Mr Grices home later that same day, according to the affidavit. Arguments over the custody of Veronica Butlers children appear to have been at the heart of the slayings, according to prosecutors, with one of the suspects Ms Adams being the grandmother of Ms Butlers children. Court filings revealed that a problematic custody battle had raged since 2019 between Ms Butler, Ms Adams, and her 26-year-old son, Wrangler Rickman, over two children aged six and eight. Ms Adams is the childrens paternal grandmother and they had been staying with her, investigators said, while her son Wrangler Rickman, 26, is in a rehab facility. Ms Butler was allowed supervised visits on Saturdays. The day before she disappeared, Ms Butler was told by Ms Adams that her usual, paid supervisor was not available, and she should bring her own chosen person. Ms Kelley, a preachers wife, was that chosen person. On 30 March, the pair were driving towards the agreed pick-up point for the children on Highway 95 when they were allegedly diverted from the road by two members of the Gods Misfits group, according to police. The Twomblys allegedly blocked the road so that the two victims would be directed to where Ms Adams and Mr Cullum were positioned at a desolate crossroads. This booking photo provided by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation shows Tifany Machel Adams. On Saturday, April 13, 2024, Oklahoma authorities said they arrested and charged four people, including Adams, with murder and kidnapping in connection with the disappearances of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley ( AP/Facebook ) Their car was later found by Ms Butlers relatives with signs of a severe injury. Police found blood on the ground, along with Ms Butlers glasses and a broken hammer. In Ms Kelleys purse, they found a pistol magazine but no firearm. When the other four suspects were arrested, investigators alleged that the group had plotted for weeks to kill Ms Butler, stating that they lured the two women to the point where they vanished. Ms Twombleys daughter CW, told investigators that her mother named five people the four arrested suspects, including herself, and then also Mr Grice as being involved in the deaths of Butler and Kelley. She alleged that the group, Gods Misfits had tried more than once to kill Ms Butler in February. One plan had been to throw an anvil through the womans windshield in order to make her death look like an accident. On 29 March, Mr and Ms Twombly told their daughter that they were going on a mission the next day, so likely would not be there when she woke up, according to the affidavits. The couple returned home at around noon and told the girl to clean the interior of their Chevrolet pickup. Ms Twombly told her daughter that things did not go as planned, but that they would not have to worry about her [Butler] again, the court documents said. CW alleged that she had asked why Ms Kelley had to die and her mother told her that she wasnt innocent because she had supported Butler, the documents said. Searches of Ms Adams phone showed that she had looked up taser pain level, gun shops, prepaid cellular phones and how to get someone out of their house. Three prepaid phones, purchased by Ms Adams, pinged at the location where the womens car was later found. Two of those phones were found in a pasture below a dam, around eight miles away, where a hole had recently been dug and then filled back in. Those devices had shown up close to the Twomblys residence and another home, a police affidavit said. Ms Adams had provided burner phones for the suspects to use so they could communicate without using their personal devices and CW saw two burner phones charging on her mothers bedroom nightstand. It is unclear what happened following the apparent abductions or how the victims died. The Medical Examiners Office is yet to release its report. Ms Adams, who served as a GOP chair in Cimarron County, Oklahoma, and her boyfriend Mr Cullum, and Mr and Ms Twombly, appeared at the Texas County Courthouse in Oklahoma, on 17 April, wearing bullet-proof vests, to hear the charges against them. Their next court date is set for May. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Police in Canada have arrested three Indian nationals over the killing of a Sikh separatist leader last year, which triggered a major diplomatic spat with India. Hardeep Singh Nijjar a designated terrorist in India was assassinated in Surrey on 18 June by two masked men. Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau sparked a diplomatic feud in September when he said there were credible allegations of Indian involvement in the slaying of Nijjar. India has denied the allegations. The three suspects have been identified as Karan Brar, 22, Kamal Preet Singh, 22, and Karan Preet Singh, 28, Royal Canadian Mounted Police superintendent Mandeep Mooker said on Friday. All three suspects were arrested from Alberta, where they lived as non-permanent residents for at least three to five years. Flags and signs are seen as demonstrators protest outside Indias consulate ( REUTERS ) They have been charged with first-degree murder as well as conspiracy to commit murder, according to court documents. We are investigating whether there are any ties to the government of India," Mr Mooker said, adding that it was an ongoing investigation. Assistant commissioner David Teboul said Canadian authorities were speaking to counterparts in India. I would characterise that collaboration as rather challenging," he said. Its been very difficult. The three men were expected to be transported to British Columbia by Monday to face charges. Nijjar, an Indian-born citizen of Canada, was a plumber and also a leader in what remains of a once-strong movement to create an independent Sikh homeland, known as Khalistan. The Sikh secessionist movement calls for a separate homeland for the Sikh religious community to be carved out of India's Punjab state. Nijjar was accused of leading a proscribed militant organisation called the Khalistan Tiger Force, but he had denied allegations of ties to terrorism. Three months after his death, Mr Trudeau claimed the Indian government could be behind the killing of Nijjar, which worsened already faltering bilateral ties. "Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty," Mr Trudeau said in parliament. India rejected Canada's "absurd and motivated" allegations while accusing the Trudeau government of allowing the Khalistan movement to thrive. In response to the allegations, India told Canada last year to remove 41 of its 62 diplomats in the country. Tensions remain but have somewhat eased since. Moninder Singh, a friend of Nijjar, said the arrests were "bittersweet". "It's a relief that the investigation is moving forward. At the same time, it's still raising a lot of questions," Mr Singh, a spokesperson for the BC Gurdwaras Council, told Reuters. Balpreet Singh, legal counsel for the World Sikh Organisation, said: "I think that Canada has been soft on Indian interference for the past four decades. The Canadian Sikh community has had to bear the brunt of it." But Nijjar's death represents "the undermining of (Canada's) sovereignty at a very, very different level", Moninder Singh said. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A New York City Council Member called to slay student demonstrators after hundreds were arrested in the city while protesting the ongoing war in Gaza. Vickie Paladino, an elected official representing part of Queens, wrote on X on Friday: The NYPD confirms that 99% of arrests at NYU were indeed students, not outside agitators. The sad reality is that our schools are producing monsters, and its now our job to slay them. Simple as that, she continued. And the schools and faculty who sit at the top of this chaos must be razed along with them. Ms Paladinos call for violence came after police broke up the largely peaceful student protests at numerous campuses across New York City this week. The spotlight has mostly focused on the protests at Columbia, where Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD police officials have pushed claims that outside agitators have radicalized students. Columbia faculty members have rejected these assertions from Mr Adams and the police, and many professors have recently expressed support for the student protestors. Ms Paladino continued, Theyre not interested in solutions, as their literature makes crystal clear. Its going to be messy, but its also going to be worth it. Theyre leaving us with no choice though. The city council member seemed to be referring to another dubious claim made by police. NYPDs Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry said on Newsmax that authorities recovered a book on terrorism at a Columbia academic building, which he showed the camera. In reality, he was displaying a textbook written by an esteemed British historian. (Mr Daughtrys claim has since sparked online outrage and ridicule.) Ms Paladinos disturbing post prompted some X users to call for her resignation. A New York City Council spokesperson condemned the council members remarks, telling The Independent in a statement: Council Member Paladinos comments are irresponsible and deplorable. They are her own, and not shared by the Council as a body. The city council member has made her views clear about the protesters. In a separate post, at 2am on Saturday, Ms Paladino responded to a video posted on X about delays on the subway due to pro-Palestinian protesters who were having a rally in the railcars. The city council member replied to the video: The worst people our society has ever produced. Her comments come as protests against the war have erupted at universities in New York and across the country. Most demonstrators are calling for their colleges to divest from Israel as the country continues to wage war in Gaza. Hundreds in New York City alone have been arrested as university presidents have asked the NYPD for help dismantling encampments. More than 34,000 Palestinians are estimated to have been killed by Israels offensive, which came after October 7, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking another 250 people hostage. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A top New York Police Department official was mocked online after pointing to a book on terrorism as evidence of outside agitators at Columbia Universitys protests against the war in Gaza. NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry told Newsmax on Friday that authorities recovered a book on terrorism from Columbias Hamilton Hall. Showing the book to the camera, he said, There is somebody whether they paid or not paid but they are radicalizing our students. Mr Daughtry was holding up a book titled, Terrorism: A Very Short Introduction, which is written by renowned British historian Charles Townshend. There is somebody behind this, Mr Daughtry said, before saying police were investigating the mastermind behind the scenes. This isnt the first time he has boasted such claims, suggesting an outside force was responsible for the radicalization of student protesters. Pencils, books, laptops, those are the tools of students and what you expect to find on a college campus, he wrote on his own X account. He noted that police also recovered helmets, hammers, goggles, ropes and gas masks from the scene. These are not the tools of students protesting, these are the tools of agitators, of people who were working on something nefarious, he wrote. Protesters walk out during University of Utah graduation ceremonies at the Huntsman Center Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Salt Lake City. Some of those students then joined a group gathered outside, voicing their support for Palestine. ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) The internet quickly took issue with the outside agitators explanation, mocking the NYPD official. Timothy Kaldes, the deputy director of the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, posted on X: If @NYPDDaughtry saw books assigned in IR & MidEast Studies his head would explode. Of course were assigned such books. How do you think we train professionals to work on these issues? No one at NYPD has books on terrorism? You all just study Die Hard? he added. One X user put it plainly: You found an academic book written by a noted historian on a university campus? Oh the horror. Try again. You found a textbook? on CAMPUS?! Why would students have a textbook?? another wrote sarcastically. Political commentator Keith Olbermann wondered aloud, Did you find Policing For Dummies too? An associate professor at Utrecht University remarked, So @NYPDDaughtry raided a [university] and came back with a book, then blew up the cover several times the original size, glued it to a bunch of blank pages & presents the well known introductory book by a respected scholar, published by Oxford University Press as a terrorism manual. He added a clown emoji to make his point. One user posted a photo of a full bookshelf, writing, Shout if you want to borrow one, @NYPDDaughtry! Another wrote, Sooo.. bike chains, some tools, helmets/goggles/protective gear, and a book? Oh my! Mr Daughtrys comments echo New York City Mayor Eric Adams remarks. At a Wednesday press conference, Mr Adams said, After speaking with [Columbia] throughout the week, at their request and their acknowledgement that outside agitators were on their grounds... we went in and conducted an operation. Although the mayor acknowledged that the outside agitator terminology was used during the 1960s Civil Rights movement to delegitimize protesters, he said, But this police department cannot be caught up on Western politically correct terminology, we have to be caught up on public safety. Hundreds of protesters have been arrested at Columbia alone. NYPD have cracked down at other schools across the city, arresting students at Parsons, NYU and City College of New York over the last few days. Beyond New York, protests have lit up college campuses across the US in recent weeks. Most of the student demonstrators are calling on universities to cut financial ties with Israel Israel as the countrys war in Gaza rages on for the eighth month. An estimated 34,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed since the start of the war. Israels ongoing offensive comes in the wake of October 7, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking another 250 people hostage. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Tesla is suing an Indian battery maker for copyright infringement over the use of the brand name Tesla Power to promote its products. Elon Musks electric vehicle company is seeking unspecified damages and a permanent injunction from the company from a judge in New Delhi. According to details of the proceedings posted on the court website on Friday, Tesla said the battery maker had continued to use the brand name despite a cease-and-desist notice sent in April 2022. It comes amid swathes of layoffs at the US-based car manufacturer, which have impacted at least 500 employees. As recently as Monday it was announced that the Tesla team responsible for constructing electric charging stations was to be axed. Teslas senior director of US HR, Allie Arebalo, reportedly also left her position recently, though it was unclear whether this was part of the cuts, or a decision by Ms Arebalo herself. The lawsuit in New Delhi comes after the Elon Musk-owned EV manufacturer continues to lay off hundreds of employees, following slumping sales ( AFP via Getty Images ) During this weeks hearing in New Delhi, the Indian company, Tesla Power India Pvt Ltd, argued its main business is to make "lead acid batteries" and has no intention of making electric vehicles, Reuters reported. The judge has allowed the Indian firm three weeks to submit written responses after it handed over a set of documents in support of its defence. Mr Musks Tesla is incorporated in Delaware, and it has accused the Indian company of using trade names "Tesla Power" and "Tesla Power USA". The case will next be heard on May 22. The court record included screenshots of a website that showed that Tesla Power USA LLC was also headquartered in Delaware and had been "acknowledged for being a pioneer and leader in introducing affordable batteries" with "a very strong presence in India". A Tesla Power representative told Reuters it had been present in India much before Mr Musks Tesla company and had all government approvals. We have never claimed to be related to Elon Musks Tesla, Tesla Powers Manoj Pahwa said, per Reuters. Tesla told the judge it discovered the Indian company was using its brand name in 2022 and had unsuccessfully tried to stop it from doing so, forcing it to file the lawsuit. Mr Musk also recently cancelled his planned visit to India on April 21 to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Instead, he made a surprise visit to China, seen by many as a snub to India. Tesla said the Indian battery-maker had continued to use the brand name Tesla Pwer to promote its products, despite a cease-and-desist notice sent in April 2022 ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) It comes after Tesla experienced a recent sales slump, with the company reporting a 55 per cent drop in profit in its first quarter. On Tuesday, Tesla stock dropped five per cent, following a previous decline of below $150 per share. Earlier this month the manufacturer was forced to discount five of their models by $5,000 earlier this month. In the same week, Tesla announced it would be eliminating 10 per cent of its workforce, which totalled about 14,000 jobs across the globe. Following the announcement about its electric vehicle charging station construction team, New York City rideshare and EV charging company Revel has expressed interest in the real estate. Frank Reig, the CEO and co-founder of Revel, told InsideEVs, that as the company expands its fast-charger network it is looking to potentially build at several of the sites that Tesla has stepped away from. "Tesla has left some really good sites on the table in New York," Mr Reig told the outlet. "Theyre power-ready, have good landlords and are in the right locations to get a lot of use, particularly from rideshare drivers. Those kinds of sites are super rare. Were definitely interested in filling that opening." The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A civil engineer has proposed that the fatal implosion of the Titan submersible last year may have been caused by "micro-buckling" in its carbon fibre hull. Deep-sea entrepreneur Stockton Rush and his four paying crew members all perished last June when their submarine collapsed under pressure while on its way to explore the wreck of the RMS Titanic. International group of agencies investigates loss of submersible carrying 5 people to the Titanic Show all 11 1 / 11 International group of agencies investigates loss of submersible carrying 5 people to the Titanic International group of agencies investigates loss of submersible carrying 5 people to the Titanic Titanic Tourist Sub Tick Tock Titanic Tourist Sub Tick Tock OceanGate Expeditions International group of agencies investigates loss of submersible carrying 5 people to the Titanic Titanic Tourist Sub Titanic Tourist Sub International group of agencies investigates loss of submersible carrying 5 people to the Titanic Titanic Tourist Sub Titanic Tourist Sub International group of agencies investigates loss of submersible carrying 5 people to the Titanic Titanic Tourist Sub Titanic Tourist Sub Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved International group of agencies investigates loss of submersible carrying 5 people to the Titanic Titanic Tourist Sub Titanic Tourist Sub Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved International group of agencies investigates loss of submersible carrying 5 people to the Titanic Titanic Tourist Sub Titanic Tourist Sub Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved International group of agencies investigates loss of submersible carrying 5 people to the Titanic Titanic Tourist Sub Titanic Tourist Sub Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved International group of agencies investigates loss of submersible carrying 5 people to the Titanic Titanic Tourist Sub Titanic Tourist Sub Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved International group of agencies investigates loss of submersible carrying 5 people to the Titanic Titanic Tourist Sub Titanic Tourist Sub Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved International group of agencies investigates loss of submersible carrying 5 people to the Titanic Titanic Tourist Sub Titanic Tourist Sub Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved International group of agencies investigates loss of submersible carrying 5 people to the Titanic Titanic Tourist Sub Titanic Tourist Sub Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved Experts had warned for years beforehand that the craft's novel and inexpensive composite hull design might be vulnerable to tiny imperfections building up through repeated use. Now researchers at the University of Houston and the University of Minnesota want to help prevent future disasters by statistically predicting the buckling strength of similar materials. Although their study did not mention the Titan, its lead author Roberto Ballarini cited its destruction as a vivid example of what can go wrong. "The material used for the Titans hull was a carbon fibre composite. It is well known that under compression loading the fibres in such composites are susceptible to micro-buckling," said Mr Ballarini, who is a professor of civil engineering at Houston. "If the Titans hull experienced such damage under the extreme compressive pressures during its dives, then its stiffness and strength would have significantly decreased. Together with the inevitable geometric imperfections introduced during its manufacturing, [that] may have contributed to its buckling-induced implosion." The study, which was published last month in the peer-reviewed academic journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), attempted to use computer simulations to create a mathematical model predicting how and when small defects might lead to catastrophic failure. Unlike most deep sea submarines, which are made of strong metal such as titanium, the Titan's hull comprised a weaker carbon fibre cylinder capped at each end by two titanium domes. Mr Rush, who founded and ran the submersible's maker OceanGate, admitted that he had "broken some rules" by using such material but insisted he would be vindicated by reality, arguing that carbon fibre's relative cheapness and inherent buoyancy would make deep sea exploration more commercially viable. But OceanGate's own former director of marine operations feared that small flaws in the hull could be widened into "large tears" by the repeated pressure changes, causing sudden failure. Indeed, submarine designer John Ramsay later told the New Yorker that carbon fibre is inherently difficult to pressure test in a way that will indicate how close it is to failing ahead of time, meaning that each voyage would carry an unknown level of risk. "Localised deformation and randomly shaped imperfections are salient features of buckling-type instabilities in thin-walled load-bearing structures," the PNAS study said. "However, it is generally agreed that their complex interactions in response to mechanical loading are not yet sufficiently understood, as evidenced by buckling-induced catastrophic failures which continue to today." OceanGate has ceased all operations and could not be reached for comment. 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A large group of Congress members is calling on the Biden administration to reconsider its aid to Israel, arguing theres a credible case that the US partner is deliberately blocking American aid to Palestinian civilians in violation of federal law. On Friday, a coalition of 88 Democratic members wrote to the White House, arguing that Israels restrictions on US-backed humanitarian aid efforts have contributed to an unprecedented humanitarian disaster for Palestinian civilians and to credible reports of famine in parts of Gaza. The letter argues that US support for Israel shouldnt be a blank check, and that federal law under Section 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act prohibits the US from giving security assistance to nations directly preventing the delivery of US humanitarian aid. Make clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that so long as Israel restricts, directly or indirectly, the facilitation of humanitarian aid delivery into Gaza, the Israeli government is risking its eligibility for further offensive security assistance from the US, the lawmakers wrote. The Independent has contacted the White House for comment. Humanitarian officials have been warning for months that restrictions on international aid to the besieged Gaza strip will result in devastating consequences. "Its horror," Cindy McCain, the director of the UN World Food Program, told Meet the Press in an interview airing on Sunday. "There is famine full-blown famine in the north, and its moving its way south." According to US humanitarian agency USAID, acute malnutrition among children under 5 has multiplied by nearly 30 times since the beginning of the war, and the few remaining medical facilities in Gaza that havent been bombed by Israel are filled with children seeking treatment for the condition. Israel has insisted it is not unduly restricting the flow of aid. It has also accused the UN of failing to distribute aid effectively and has alleged that Hamas and other militant groups have looted supplies bound for civilians. Israel is constantly making significant efforts to find additional solutions to facilitate the flow of aid to the Gaza Strip and in particular to the north, a government official said Saturday when questioned about Israels aid policies. In Gaza, the movement of people and goods are heavily restricted even outside of wartime, and the war has further disrupted the delivery of key supplies. For the first three weeks of the Israel-Hamas war, no aid trucks were allowed to enter Gaza, and deliveries still are not even at half of pre-war levels, even as Israel recently re-opened the Erez border crossing, and the US is at work on a new sea aid route slated to open in May. International observers argue Israel has unduly burdened the delivery of food and other supplies with excessive inspections of aid shipments. The main blockers remain arbitrary denials by the government of Israel and lengthy clearance procedures including multiple screenings and narrow opening windows in daylight hours, British foreign secretary David Cameron wrote in a March letter to UK parliament. Others have gone further than the US congressional delegation, suggesting Israeli practices constitute war crimes. The extent of Israels continued restrictions on the entry of aid into Gaza, together with the manner in which it continues to conduct hostilities, may amount to the use of starvation as a method of war, which is a war crime, UN human rights chief Volker Turk said in a statement in March. Humanitarian access has emerged as a key issue in the Biden administrations vital support for Israel. In April, a furious Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu that the fatal Israeli military strike on seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza was unacceptable. The White House warned future US policy was contingent on Israel announcing a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A conservative news site co-founded by Ben Shapiro secretly obtained a gag order against its former host Candace Owens even while publicly negotiating to debate her, according to a new report. The Daily Wire, which "ended its relationship" with Ms Owens in March after clashes over Israel and antisemitism, has repeatedly said it wants to organise a debate between her and Mr Shapiro. But on Thursday, the veteran journalist Glenn Greenwald reported that The Daily Wire had persuaded a private arbitrator to ban Ms Owens from publicly disparaging the company, citing her demand for debate as an example. The company reportedly told the arbitrator that while it did not object to "healthy debate" in principle, her method of requesting and negotiating it constituted a breach of her contract. "The Daily Wire has ensured that the debate with Owens that they publicly claimed to want could not, in fact, take place," wrote Mr Greenwald, who did not explain the source for his story. "Any such debate would be in conflict with the gag order they obtained on Owens from expressing any criticisms of the site or of Shapiro." In response, The Daily Wire's co-CEO Jeremy Boreing told Mr Greenwald that it was "inaccurate to the point of being false", without denying any specific facts. "Im sure you can appreciate how fraught a high profile break-up like this is. For that reason, we are trying to resolve our issues with Candace privately," he reportedly added. Ms Owens told Mr Greenwald: "I wish I could comment on this, but I can't". The Independent has asked both Ms Owens and The Daily Wire for comment. It marks the latest twist in a long dispute between Ms Owens and Mr Shapiro, which has seen both parties publicly insult and belittle each other since the start of the Hamas-Israel war last October. Mr Shapiro, who is Jewish and styles himself as a champion of free speech, strongly supports Israel's government and once claimed that Palestinians "like to bomb crap and live in open sewage" (though he later narrowed his remarks to only "Arabs who actively seek Israel's destruction"). Ms Owens, a Black woman who rose to fame by calling on African-Americans and other people of colour to abandon the Democratic Party, has criticised Israel's brutal treatment of Palestinian civilians and the USA's continued willingness to fund it. However, she has speculated about a "gang" of Jewish criminals manipulating Hollywood and the media, liked antisemitic tweets on X (formerly Twitter), defended antisemitic comments by Kanye West, and claimed that the problem with Hitler was merely that he "had dreams outside of Germany". Initially, Mr Boreing said that there was still a home for Ms Owens at The Daily Wire. "Even if we could, we would not fire Candace because of another thing we have in common a desire not to regulate the speech of our hosts, even when we disagree with them," he wrote last November. "Candace is paid to give her opinion, not mine or Bens. Unless those opinions run afoul of the law or she violates the terms of her contract in some way, her job is secure and she is welcome at Daily Wire." Mr Greenwald himself is no stranger to controversy. After receiving a Pulitzer Prize for his work with US intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden for The Guardian, he founded left-wing investigative news site The Intercept. In 2020 he resigned from the company after accusing it of politically motivated censorship, and has since become a darling of conservative media outlets for his strident criticism of left-leaning activists, journalists, and politicians. 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Former President Donald Trump was back in court this week for three days of testimony in his hush money trial in which he stands accused of election interference by paying adult film star Stormy Daniels to remain quiet about an alleged affair. Mr Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records, which becomes a felony when its done in furtherance of another crime that being the election interference, according to the prosecution. While Michael Cohen isnt on the witness stand yet, hes still the star of the show. The man who arranged the payment to Ms Daniels and negotiated a tentative deal for former Playboy model Karen McDougal is on the lips of nearly every witness, we see his texts and emails to multiple witnesses, and we even hear his voice on secretly recorded audio collected from his phones. He will soon be a central witness. Here are the key takeaways from the second week of testimony in Mr Trumps hush money trial: Day five Day five of testimony in the Trump trial began on Tuesday morning, with Mr Trump being hit with a $9,000 gag order fine and being granted his request to attend his son Barrons graduation all before a witness even took the stand. Jurors then heard from multiple witnesses with a brief stint from Michael Cohens banker Gary Farro and attorney Keith Davidson, who previously represented Ms Daniels and Ms McDougal the two women who allegedly had affairs with Mr Trump. Trump can attend Barrons graduation The first order of business was an announcement by Judge Juan Merchan that, given how jury selection was completed in a week and the trial is moving forward at a good pace, Mr Trump will be allowed to attend his son Barrons graduation from high school on 17 May. Gag order ruling and threat of jail Any good feeling was soon dispelled when Judge Merchan issued his ruling on Mr Trumps violation of the gag order imposed on him to protect witnesses, jurors, court staff, and their families. Last week, prosecutors cited 10 violations made by Mr Trump, with the judge agreeing with nine of the occurrences. As a result, the judge fined the former president $1,000 for each incident and ordered him to remove the offending Truth Social posts and campaign messages by the lunch break at trial. The posts were taken down with minutes to spare. In his written ruling, Judge Merchan recognised that for Mr Trump the $9,000 was a small punishment given his wealth and warned that Mr Trump could face an incarceratory punishment if he continues his wilful violations of the courts order, if necessary and appropriate under the circumstances. Donald Trump speaks to reporters at the end of the day of his criminal trial on 2 May ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) A blockbuster Trump story The days key witness was Mr Davidson, who previously represented both Ms McDougal and Ms Daniels during negotiations for payments to keep their respective stories about alleged affairs with Mr Trump quiet during the 2016 election. Mr Davidson first represented Ms McDougal and, in a series of text messages with then-National Enquirer editor Dylan Howard shown to the court, brokered a deal with publisher David Pecker to buy the rights to her story for $150,000 and a series of magazine columns. I have a blockbuster trump [sic] story, Mr Davidson wrote to Mr Howard on 7 June 2016, according to messages shown in court. It was sort of an entree or a teaser to Dylan to let him know perhaps I had an opportunity for him, Mr Davidson testified on Tuesday. Regarding the interaction between Karen McDougal and Donald Trump. Mr Howard promised to talk 1st thing. I will get you more than ANYONE for it, Mr Howard wrote, according to messages shown in court. You know why I dont know if I had a clear understanding at that time but I knew Dylans boss David Pecker and Mr Trump were longtime friends, Mr Davidson told the court about what he thought that meant. A contract was signed in August 2016 for the rights to Ms McDougals story. How the Access Hollywood tape fuelled Trumps campaign to bury Stormy Daniels allegations While Mr Trumps campaign was spiralling after a leaked tape caught him bragging about sexually assaulting women, an attorney and tabloid editor brokering deals to keep damaging stories about him out of the press thought his chances of winning the 2016 presidential election were over, his hush money trial heard on Tuesday. Mr Davidson testified that interest in his clients story reached a crescendo after the 2005 Access Hollywood tape leaked just weeks before Election Day in 2016. That deal is at the heart of the hush money case against the former president, who is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records in an alleged effort to cover up his reimbursements to Cohen as legal expenses. Mr Davidson spent the morning testifying about a separate scheme involving Ms McDougal, whose story of an alleged affair with Mr Trump was buried by the publisher of the National Enquirer for $150,000. Then the Access Hollywood tape happened. Manhattan prosecutors have built their case on the story of a candidate desperate to keep his election chances afloat while his campaign was in damage control mode after the tapes release. Mr Davidson discussed the tape with Mr Howard, who fed potentially damaging allegations about Mr Trump to Mr Pecker as part of a secret catch and kill scheme to purchase the rights to those stories without any intention of publishing them. Day six Bombshell audio captures Trump and Cohen discussing hush money catch and kill plot For the first time in Mr Trumps hush money trial, jurors heard the former presidents own voice discussing a deal with his former attorney to buy the silence of Ms McDougal. A portion of the recording secretly recorded by Cohen while Mr Trump was in the middle of his 2016 campaign for the presidency was played inside a Manhattan courtroom on Thursday, giving the jury a brief but crucial look into how his fixer kept his boss up to date with a scheme that is now central to the criminal case against him. I need to open up a company for the transfer of all that info regarding our friend, David, you know, so that Im going to do that right away, Cohen can be heard saying on the recording. And Ive spoken to Allen Weisselberg about how to set the whole thing up, Cohen says, referencing the now-convicted former chief financial officer for the Trump Organization. Trump and Cohen discuss hush money catch and kill plot So, what do we got to pay for this? Mr Trump can be heard saying. 150? That David appears to be Mr Pecker, the former National Enquirer publisher. In his trial testimony, Mr Pecker admitted to an agreement with Cohen and Mr Trump in August 2015 to buy the rights to politically compromising stories about Mr Trumps affairs. Two months before Election Day, under Cohens direction, Mr Pecker arranged the payment of $150,000 to Ms McDougal. Mr Pecker was never reimbursed, he told the court. In his testimony last week, he explained that he entered the contract to buy the rights to her allegations to boost Mr Trumps chances of winning the 2016 election. On the recording, Cohen can be heard saying: Well have to pay him something. Mr Trump suggests paying in cash. Cohen objects, repeatedly saying no, and then, I got it. Mr Trump then says check. In court, Mr Trump hunched over and squinted at the small screen in front of him on the defence table, whispering to his defence attorney Todd Blanche as he read a transcript of the recording. Trump fawns over his own beautiful blue eyes as he denies falling asleep at trial Mr Trump hit back at reports that he has dozed off during his high-profile criminal trial in New York, claiming that at times he simply closes his beautiful blue eyes. The former president insisted that, while his eyes may be closed on occasion, he is listening intensely and taking it ALL in! in a self-complimentary social media post on Truth Social on Wednesday. It comes following several reports from journalists inside the courtroom, including a reporter from The Independent, present throughout proceedings, that Mr Trump fell asleep during the first day of his historic trial in Manhattan. The alleged slumber was also captured in a court sketch of the weary former president, which showed him with his eyes closed and his head tilted to the side. Contrary to the FAKE NEWS MEDIA, I dont fall asleep during the Crooked DAs Witch Hunt, especially not today. I simply close my beautiful blue eyes, sometimes, listen intensely, and take it ALL in!!! Mr Trump wrote on 2 May. His furious denial echoes that of his campaign, who previously blasted the claims in a statement to The Independent as 100% Fake News coming from journalists who werent even in the courtroom. Stormy Daniels lawyer thought Michael Cohen was going to kill himself when Trump didnt give him White House role Keith Davidson thought Mr Trumps then-attorney was going to kill himself after learning he had been left out of a job in the White House after the 2016 presidential election. In his second day of testimony on Thursday, Mr Davidson told jurors that Cohen was distraught by mid-December 2016. I thought he was going to kill himself, Mr Davidson said. Earlier, Mr Davidson told the court that Cohen had voiced disbelief that Mr Trump was not offering him a role in his administration after he allegedly helped him win the election by suppressing negative stories about his alleged affairs with women. Jesus Christ, can you believe Im not going to Washington? Mr Davidson recalled Cohen saying. Ive saved that guys ass so many times you dont even know. That guys not even paying the $130,000 back. Mr Davidson testified that Cohen had believed he would be in the running to serve as Mr Trumps White House chief of staff or US attorney general. Trump blames Cohen for breaking gag order as judge fires back at jury comments The judge presiding over the trial fired back at his attorneys attempts to dodge punishment for his comments about the jury remarks that appear likely to violate a gag order that blocks him from public attacks on witnesses and jurors. In a contempt hearing on Thursday morning, the former presidents legal team tried to blame at least some of Mr Trumps potential violations on Cohen, arguing his former attorney and the potential star witness in the case has made multiple and repeated attacks on his credibility and campaign. Pulling up several social media posts from Cohen, Mr Trumps attorney argued that he is inviting and almost daring Trump to respond to everything hes saying. Trump backtracks on false claim about gag order Throughout the hearing, New York Justice Juan Merchan appeared unconvinced by the defences arguments and grew increasingly frustrated with Mr Trumps attorney Todd Blanche. At one point, when Mr Blanche claimed that the trial was political persecution and a political trial in a jurisdiction that is politically biased against the former president, Judge Merchan cut him off. Did he violate the gag order? Thats what I want to know, he said. He spoke about the jury, right? And he said the jury was 95 per cent Democrats and the jury had been rushed through, and the implication that this was not a fair jury? Stormy Daniels disgraced ex-attorney Michael Avenatti fires back at Trump trial testimony from prison cell Ms Daniels disgraced former attorney Michael Avenatti fired back at testimony from Mr Davidson in the hush money trial of former President Donald Trump. On Thursday, the Trump legal team brought up an April 2018 conversation between Mr Davidson and Cohen regarding a CNN interview in which he said that he didnt give any indication that the money was coming from Mr Trump. On a recording of the conversation, Mr Davidson says he was asked whether Cohen needed authority from Donald Trump to make that payment and I said no, it was never discussed. Mr Davidson said it was about completing a deal between two consenting adults, or that my client wanted and that his entity wanted [it]. Thats it. Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass noted that at the time of that April 2018 conversation with Cohen, Ms Daniels was being represented by Avenatti who was suing both of them. Mr Davidson said on Thursday that Avenatti was trying to drive a wedge between him and Ms Daniels. Keith Davidson is lying, Avenatti wrote on X on Thursday. After I confronted her [with] her own text [messages], Daniels admitted to me in early 2019 that she [and] Davidson had extorted Trump in [October] 2016 it was a shakedown. This was one of the many reasons I fired her as a client in [February] 2019. Avenatti has said he has been in contact with Mr Trumps legal team and is willing to testify. Hes currently serving a prison sentence for attempting to extort Nike and for embezzling settlement funds from several other clients. Mr Trump told Cohen: I hate that fact that we did it Manhattan prosecutors played a tape of a call between Mr Davidson and Cohen on Thursday. Cohen said, What would you do if you were me? Would you write a book? Would you break away from the entire Trump, you know, well call it, doctrine? Would you go completely rogue? Any thoughts? Because its not just me thats being affected. The former Trump lawyer continued, Its my entire family. Nobodys thinking about Michael. Know what Im saying? Im saying to myself, What about me? What about me? Then, in a shocking moment, Cohen said, I cant even tell you how many times he said to me, I hate that fact that we did it. In the tape, Cohen then said, And my comment to him was, But every person you spoke to said it was the right thing to do. Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass clarified who Cohen was referring to; Mr Davidson said he believed Cohen was referring to Mr Trump. Mr Davison also clarified that the right move meant the settlement with Daniels. Michael Cohen claims Trump told him 'I hate that we did that' about Stormy Daniels payment Day seven Hope Hicks cries recalling what Trump said about Michael Cohens payment to Stormy Daniels A former aide and press secretary to Mr Trump, Hope Hicks, testified on Friday. Ms Hicks was a crucial part of the 2016 Trump campaign and allegedly part of at least 10 telephone conversations with Mr Trump and Cohen regarding the hush money payments and alleged reimbursements. Her testimony covered the impact on the campaign of the Access Hollywood tape and news of the McDougal affair. She said Mr Trump told her that Cohen made the Daniels transaction because Michael felt like it was his job to protect him and that he did it in the kindness of his own heart and he didnt tell anyone about it. She was asked if the idea that Cohen wouldve made a $130,00 payment out of the kindness of his own heart was consistent with what she knew about him. Id say that would be out of character for Michael, she responded. I didnt know Michael to be an especially charitable person or a selfless person. The kind of person who seeks credit. Hicks reacts to Access Hollywood tape Ms Hicks says she found out about the Access Hollywood tape on the afternoon of 7 October 2016 after she received an email from The Washington Post asking for comment while she was in her office on the 14th floor of Trump Tower. I was concerned. Very concerned. Um yeah. I was concerned about the contents of the email, concerned about the lack of time to respond, concerned that we had a transcript and not a tape. There was a lot at play, she said. She went to a conference room where Trump and others were doing debate prep and motioned for other aides to come over. The sight of the five or six of us gathered out there was a sign that something was afoot. Trump called us in at some point and told us to share what was happening, she added. I shared the email with Mr Trump sort of verbally and we were at the time trying to get a copy of the audio of the tape, to assess the situation further, and we werent sure how to respond yet. Trump said, That didnt sound like something he would say. He saw the tape within a matter of minutes after it was live. Ms Hicks said she was Just a little stunned, by the tape. Just yeah, its hard to describe. It was definitely concerning. And I had a good sense that this was going to be a massive story and sort of dominate the news cycle for the next several days, at least, she added. Obviously it wasnt helpful ...There were a lot of layers to it, for where we were trying to go with the campaign and this was kind of pulling us backwards. And it was going to be difficult to overcome, she said. How was the discussion with Trump about how the campaign would respond? I dont really have a strong recollection of that conversation, but Trump said it was two guys, discussing privately, locker room talk. I think he felt like it was pretty standard stuff for two guys, you know, chatting with each other. They acknowledged that it was not good, she said. 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} President Biden on Friday hailed the accomplishments of what he described as an incredible group of people as he awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 recipients at a White House ceremony in the East Room, including former vice president Al Gore, ex-New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, and Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh. Mr Biden congratulated the recipients for their relentlessness and curiosity after describing each of them and their accomplishments. Nineteen incredible people whose relentless curiosity, inventiveness, ingenuity, and hope have kept faith in a better tomorrow, he said. The award is Americas highest civilian honour and is awarded solely at the discretion of the President of the United States. The White House says that the medal is presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors. US President Joe Biden presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former US Vice President Al Gore in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on 3 May 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images ) Mr Biden previously bestowed the medal on 17 others in a ceremony held in 2022, including gymnast Simone Biles, actor Denzel Washington, and former Arizona congresswoman turned gun safety advocate Gabrielle Giffords. This time around, Mr Gore, Mr Bloomberg and Ms Yeoh were joined by 17 other new recipients, including several current or former members of Congress. Mr Biden honoured his presidential climate envoy, former Secretary of State and ex-Massachusetts Senator John Kerry as well as House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, South Carolina Representative James Clyburn, former North Carolina senator and transportation secretary Elizabeth Dole, and the late New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg. President Joe Biden awards the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to former Secretary of State John Kerry during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Friday, May 3, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) ( AP ) Of Mr Clyburn, the president acknowledged the South Carolinians crucial role in catapulting him to the top of the Democratic field during the 2020 presidential primary. Joe Biden presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to US Representative James Clyburn in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 3, 2024. ( AFP via Getty Images ) I can say this without fear of contradiction. I would not be standing here as President making these awards, were it not for Jim, he said, adding that neither he nor Mr Clyburn would be there without Mr Clyburns late wife, Emily Clyburn. He also bestowed the medal on another US Olympian, decorated swimmer Katie Ledecky, as well as the late Olympic legend Jim Thorpe, the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal. Joe Biden awards the Medal of Freedom to Actress Michelle Yeoh during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on May 3, 2024 in Washington, DC ( Getty Images ) Mr Biden recalled how hed first met Ms Ledecky following her first Olympic wins in 2012, and noted that shed soon be competing in the 2024 Olympics at age 27, an age Mr Biden quipped might be considered old for swimming. Age is just a number, kid, he said, adding that he cant wait to welcome you back to the White House with more medals after this years games. Several civil rights advocates were honoured, including LGBT+ rights crusader Judy Shepard, Clarence Jones, the activist and lawyer who helped draft the late Rev Dr Martin Luther Kings I Have a Dream speech, and activist Opal Lee, the educator who successfully pushed for Juneteenth to be made a federal holiday. Joe Biden presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to US Representative Nancy Pelosi in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 3, 2024. ( AFP via Getty Images ) Medgar Evers, the late civil rights leader, also received the award posthumously, with his daughter Reena on hand to be presented the medal by Mr Biden. Mr Biden is himself a recipient of the medal in its highest degree, the Medal of Freedom With Distinction, a rarely-awarded version which is worn as a star on the left chest along with a sash, similar to a Grand Cross in an order of chivalry. The White House said the Americans being honoured on Friday were chosen because they built teams, coalitions, movements, organizations, and businesses that shaped America for the better. Joe Biden awards the Medal of Freedom to US Olympic gold medal swimmer Katie Ledecky during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on May 3, 2024 ( Getty Images ) They are the pinnacle of leadership in their fields. They consistently demonstrated over their careers the power of community, hard work, and service, the White House added. 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Prosecutors for the Manhattan District Attorneys office closed out the week at Donald Trumps criminal hush money trial with testimony from a major witness former Trump aide Hope Hicks. As one of the closest advisers to the former president, Ms Hicks was present at key moments during the 2016 campaign and for the first year of Mr Trumps administration. As press secretary to the king of self-promotion, she worked closely with him as election day neared in 2016 just as the Access Hollywood tape and Karen McDougal affair allegations rocked the campaign. In approximately three hours of testimony, she gave jurors firsthand insight into Trumpworld during a tumultuous few weeks on the campaign trail giving a strong suggestion that her former boss was involved in payment to Stormy Daniels. Here are the key takeaways from the day in court: Trump walks back Thursdays claim gag order stops him from testifying On Thursday as he left the courtroom and delivered his usual diatribe to the assembled media, Mr Trump claimed that because of the gag order imposed by Judge Juan Merchan, he was prohibited from testifying in his own defence. That was totally untrue. On Friday morning, on the way into court, he walked back that statement when asked whether the gag order would stop him from testifying. No. It wont stop me from testifying. The gag order is not for testifying. It stops me from talking about people and responding when they say things about me, the former president said, presumably having been corrected by his legal team overnight. Once in the courtroom, Judge Merchan began by clarifying the extent of the gag order for Mr Trump in person. Merchan, diplomatically, said there may be a misunderstanding regarding the order restriction extrajudicial statements. I want to stress Mr Trump that you have an absolute right to testify in trial, he said. That is a constitutional right that cannot be denied in any way. It is a fundamental right that cannot be infringed upon. The gag order restricting extrajudicial statements does not prevent you from testifying in any way or limit or minimise what you say from the witness stand, the judge added that it does not apply to statements made from the witness stand. Donald Trump in court for his criminal trial on 3 May 2024 ( Getty Images ) Hope Hicks takes the stand In a trial full of highly anticipated witnesses and with no published list of in what order they will appear to protect them from being attacked online by the defendant the appearance of Ms Hicks made narrative sense given the way the prosecution was laying out its case. Ms Hicks was allegedly part of at least 10 telephone conversations with Mr Trump and Cohen regarding the hush money payments and alleged reimbursements. Admitting with a laugh that she was really nervous, Ms Hicks began by explaining how she started working with the Trump family straight out of college and then the Trump Organization full-time in October 2014, transitioning over to the 2016 presidential campaign team. Everybody who works there in some sense reports to Mr Trump Its a big successful company but its really run like a small family business in some ways, she testified, explaining that by June 2015 she was speaking with the then-candidate every day and eventually became his press secretary reporting directly to him and travelling alongside him. Hope Hicks, a former top aide to ex-President Donald Trump, testifies during his criminal trial before Justice Juan Merchan on 3 May 2024 ( REUTERS ) Hicks recalls impact of Access Hollywood tape on campaign Ms Hicks testified that she found out about the infamous Access Hollywood tape of Mr Trump making remarks about allegedly sexually assaulting women on the afternoon of 7 October 2016 just a month before the election. She received an email from The Washington Post asking for comment while in her office on the 14th floor of Trump Tower and quickly forwarded the email to other campaign leadership, marking it urgent. I was concerned. Very concerned, she told the court. I was concerned about the contents of the email, concerned about the lack of time to respond, concerned that we had a transcript and not a tape. There was a lot at play. Ms Hicks recalled huddling with other campaign staff and Mr Trump while they worked out a response and that the then-candidate was upset. She recalled being a little stunned and realised that it was a damaging development that would dominate the news cycle for days. An apology video statement from Mr Trump did little to quell the storm. It was intense. Dominated coverage for I would say 36 hours leading up to the debate. At the time, I got the email we were anticipating a Category 4 hurricane making landfall somewhere on the east coast and I dont think anyone remembers where that hurricane made landfall. Hope Hicks walks from Marine One prior to boarding Air Force One as she departs Washington with then-President Donald Trump on 23 October 2020 ( REUTERS ) Hicks says Trump tried to hide news of Karen McDougal affair from Melania Even closer to the election, Ms Hicks was contacted by The Wall Street Journal regarding a report that a woman named Karen McDougal has a story about Mr Trump purchased by The National Enquirer, which then never published it. The reporter wanted to know if the campaign knew anything about it. Ms Hicks told the court she looped in Mr Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner to try and buy them some more time through his relationship with the WSJ owner Rupert Murdoch. David Pecker at the Enquirer claimed the payment to Ms McDougal was for fitness columns and magazine covers. Another denial was prepared and she and Cohen were in constant contact as the story was published. Relative to some of the other stories we dealt with it just didnt get a lot of traction, she recalled. Mr Trump was concerned about the story and Melania Trump finding out, Ms Hicks testified.He was concerned how it would be viewed by his wife, and he wanted me to make sure that the newspapers werent delivered to their residence that morning. After possibly denting Trumps defence, Hicks cries on stand Under questioning by prosecution attorney Matthew Colangelo, Ms Hicks testified that Mr Trump told her that Cohen made the Stormy Daniels hush money payment on his own. The former president told her: Michael felt like it was his job to protect him and that he did it in the kindness of his own heart and he didnt tell anyone about it. Mr Trump also said it was better to do it when he did rather than have it come out before the election. Ms Hicks was asked whether the idea that Cohen wouldve made a $130,00 payment out of the kindness of his own heart was consistent with what she knew about him. Id say that would be out of character for Michael, she replied. Judge Juan Merchan overruled objections from the defence team to the line of questioning. Asked to elaborate, Ms Hicks said: I didnt know Michael to be an especially charitable person or a selfless person. [He was] the kind of person who seeks credit. By implication, the former Trump aide appeared to make the prosecutions case against her former boss easier that Cohen would not have acted alone and instead worked on behalf of Mr Trump, and that action was purposefully taken before the election. As cross-examination by defence lawyer Emil Bove began Ms Hicks started to cry on the witness stand with a break being called so that she might compose herself. Hope Hicks cried during her testimony at Donald Trumps first criminal trial ( REUTERS ) Cohen was a fixer but only because he first broke it, says Hicks On her return to the stand, Ms Hicks was very critical of Cohen and characterised him as an outsider in Trumpworld often going rogue. She testified that he was not part of the campaign, but would try to insert himself in certain moments. He wasnt supposed to be in the campaign in any official capacity, she told the court. Further, she added: He liked to call himself a fixer or Mr Fix It. But it was only because he first broke it. Hicks paints favourable view of Trump and his family In addition to her damning assessment of Cohen a key witness for the prosecution Bove also pushed softball questions to build up a better image of the defendant Trump while treating her more like a witness for the defence. Ms Hicks spoke about her work and relationship with her then-boss and gave the impression that damage control over destructive stories was part of the job. Moreover, ultimately Mr Trump cared about his family an echo of lead defence attorney Todd Blanches portrait of him as a consummate family man in the opening statements. Ms Hicks also changed up how she spoke of him, referring to him as the president, as the defence team said they would at the start of the trial. President Trump really values Ms Trumps opinion, she said of her former boss and his wife. She doesnt weigh in all the time but when she does its really meaningful to him and he really respects what she has to say. She was concerned about what the perception of this would be, and Mr Trump didnt want anyone in his family to be hurt or embarrassed, she testified. He wanted them to be proud of him. Ms Hickss cross-examination concluded the week. The trial resumes on Monday 6 May at 9.30am. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} French President Emmanual Macron has claimed that Brexit has impoverished the UK and failed to solve its countrys immigration problems. Brexit has impoverished the United Kingdom, he told The Economist. Brexit has done nothing to solve immigration in the UK. Well, despite that, some people think it doesnt look so bad. But nobody dares to say that anything is wrong. And so nobody is taking responsibility for anything. Britain and France have been at pains to work together to curb the number of migrants crossing the English Channel from the northern French coast over the last few years. While Rishi Sunak hopes his Rwanda proposal will deter migrants from wanting to come to the UK, he also announced in March 2023 that Britain would give France 500m over three years to stop migrants from crossing the channel in the first place. The money would go to funding French border guards, as well as video surveillance cameras, drones and night-vision binoculars. But recent investigations by The Independent have found that French border guards have actually been contributing to the decisions of migrants to head on to the UK. I have to go to the UK because France is not accepting us, said one Afghan refugee on the French coast. The worst is that every few weeks the police are coming and destroying our tents and blankets everything, and then we just have nothing in the rain. I just want to work and have a safe life. We want a peaceful life, we hope we can have that in the UK because we do not have it here. Why this endless torture of ripping apart our tents every few weeks? A spokesperson for Mr Sunak hit back at Mr Macrons comments, saying that Britain was leading the pack against illegal immigration. The spokesperson said: Clearly, as a long-time Brexiteer, he [Mr Sunak] would not agree. We left the EU to get control of our borders and in doing so thats how were leading the pack with our partnership to break the model of the criminal gangs. He added: In terms of the economy, I point you to our track record. Britain is now the fourth largest exporter globally, overtaking France. Ukrainian forces face a desperate fight to keep hold of the vital eastern town of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region as Russia intensifies attempts to snatch a symbolic military victory in the coming two weeks. The prize it seeks is the fortress town, sitting on high ground. If captured by Russian forces, its elevation will allow Moscows artillery to freely target the last four important towns Kramatorsk, Sloviansk, Kostyantynivka and Druzhkivka still in Ukrainian hands in the region. Success there would bring the Kremlin closer to achieving its oft-stated goal to control the entire Donetsk region. And Moscow does not appear concerned about throwing waves of troops at the front line to make headway. These assaults by infantry have been accompanied by tanks, other armoured personnel carriers, soldiers on motorcycles and Mad Max-style quad-bike vehicles. A source close to the Ukrainian presidential administration told The Independent: Human life is the cheapest resource for the Russians and they have kept sending their men to their deaths for weeks. There are no political consequences for them, unlike in Ukraine where we dont use our people as cannon fodder. The Independents source said the Kremlin wants a win by 9 May, when Moscow commemorates the Soviet Unions victory over the Nazis in the Second World War. Other symbolic dates include 7 May, Vladimir Putins presidential inauguration following an election last month, and the days before his visit to Beijing later this month. Ukrainian servicemen ride on an armoured personnel carrier in a field near Chasiv Yar ( AFP/Getty ) The source said: The Russians are unlikely to capture Chasiv Yar next week but they might be able to enter part of the town, take a photograph with a Russian flag and the Kremlin propagandists will portray this as a great victory. Russia has taken advantage of a dramatic reduction in weapons supplies over the past six months to Ukraine by its foremost ally, America, to capture ground. The hold-up in military aid because of bitter political wrangling in the US Congress has now been resolved but it will likely take weeks for supplies critically, of ammunition for Ukraines artillery and ground attack rocket systems as well as for Patriot and other air defences to return to former levels. The shortages allowed Russia to capture the town of Avdiivka in February. Ukraine had successfully defended it since 2014 but its forces were overwhelmed because of the lack of ammunition which left the Russians able to fire five to 10 shells for every one fired by the Ukrainians. Since Avdiivka fell, the Russians have reinforced their positions with new troops. While Ukrainians have increasingly been forced to rely on drones as a substitute for artillery, Russian forces have been able to pummel Ukrainian positions with seemingly limitless supplies of artillery ammunition, missiles, rockets and conventional aerial bombs weighing up to a ton and a half adapted with wings and guidance systems into glide bombs. Although in the past fortnight, Ukrainian forces have been squeezed out of some positions near Avdiivka and further west, they have fallen back to prepared defensive lines and the Russians have been unable to make any game-changing breakthroughs. Ukrainians had hoped that the resumption of US weapons supplies would allow them to resist the massive onslaught on Chasiv Yar but the supply chain has not revived fast enough. Major General Vadym Skibitsky, the deputy head of Ukraines military intelligence agency, HUR, said in an interview that Russias forces have seemingly been ordered to take something in time for one of the symbolic May dates. Ukrainian servicemen recently returned from the trenches of Bakhmut walk down a Chasiv Yar street ( AP ) Our problem is very simple: we have no weapons, Maj Gen Skibitsky added. They always knew April and May would be a difficult time for us. Russia has recently deployed fresh troops, including elite airborne forces, to the battle for Chasiv Yar. Maj Gen Skibitsky said Russias superiority in manpower and huge reserves of weapons and ammunition means it is probably a matter of time before that city falls in a similar way to Avdiivka, bombed to oblivion by the Russians Taking Chasiv Yar will provide the Russians with a platform for what the officer says is their plan to take all of Ukraines eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions, a task unchanged since 2022. Ukraines most effective air defence weapons are Western-provided, notably, the Patriot systems which have suffered from a lack of ammunition. That has allowed the Russians to increase the number of drones and missiles including ballistic that have reached their targets. These strikes have caused extensive damage to Ukraines important infrastructure, chiefly electricity-generating facilities, and sought to terrorise the civilian population by targeting residential areas and city centres. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said Moscow had launched more than 300 Iranian-made Shahed drones, 300 other types of missiles and more than 3,200 glide bombs in April. While America and some others of Kyivs allies have stipulated that long-range weapons they provide should not be used to strike targets within Russia, Britains foreign secretary, David Cameron, has said the UK does not have such objections. Ukraine has sought to strike into Russia to hit parts of Moscows economy, including oil production and storage facilities and locations like airfields to try and reduce the ability to hit Ukraine. This has only ramped up as the frontline situation has become tougher. On a visit to Kyiv earlier this week, Lord Cameron said: In terms of what the Ukrainians do, in our view, it is their decision about how to use these weapons. Theyre defending their country, they were illegally invaded by Putin, and they must take those steps. We dont discuss any caveats that we put on those things. But lets be absolutely clear: Russia has launched an attack into Ukraine and Ukraine absolutely has the right to strike back at Russia. Asked if that included targets inside Russia, he said: Thats a decision for Ukraine and Ukraine has that right. Just as Russia is striking inside Ukraine, you can quite understand why Ukraine feels the need to make sure its defending itself, its getting the Russians out of its country and it has the ability to strike back. 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A senior Palestinian doctor has died inside an Israeli prison after being held in detention for more than four months, a Palestinian prisoners association said. Adnan Al-Bursh was the head of orthopedics at Al Shifa Hospital Gaza's largest medical facility. He was arrested along with 10 other medical workers by Israeli forces while treating patients at Al-Awada Hospital in north Gaza, the part of the Strip which Israel's incessant missile strikes have completely flattened. The Palestinian Prisoners Society called his death an "assassination", saying it was part of "a systematic targeting process against physicians and the health care system in Gaza". Al-Bursh's body has not yet been released by Israeli authorities. An Israeli military spokesperson said that the prison service had declared Al-Bursh dead on 19 April after being detained for national security reasons in Ofer prison. The spokesperson did not comment on the cause of death. The late surgeon's nephew Mohammad Al-Bursh said he found out about the death of his uncle at around 1pm (local time) on Thursday from the prisoners' association. I didnt know how to tell his wife and my father. News like this is hard to keep in We are shocked, more than anyone can imagine. We are in pain, he told CNN. The late surgeon's colleagues described him as "compassionate" and "heroic". Suhail Matar called his colleague the safety valve for every orthopaedic department in all of Gazas hospitals. "It is rare that you meet a person like him in your life, because this doctor worked all his life with dedication and used to make tremendous efforts at the expense of himself," Dr Matar told BBC Arabic. Director of Al-Shifa Hospital, Marwan Abu Saada, said the news of Al-Bursh's death was "difficult for the human soul to bear". Medical groups, including the World Health Organization, have called for a halt to attacks on Gaza healthcare workers, with more than 200 killed so far in the Gaza conflict, according to an estimate from Insecurity Insight, a research group that collects and analyses data on attacks on aid workers around the world. The Palestinian health ministry said Al-Bursh was among the 496 medical workers killed by Israel since 7 October. It added that 1,500 others had been wounded while 309 had been arrested. Israel has accused Hamas of using hospitals for military purposes and claimed its operations against them have been justified by the presence of fighters. Hamas and medical staff deny the allegations. More than 34,600 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's months-long assault on the Gaza Strip. The war began when Hamas militants in their October attack, killed 1,200 people and abducted 253 others, of whom 133 are believed to remain in captivity in Gaza. Keir Starmer praised a really important victory as he visited the East Midlands new Labour mayor. Locals clapped and got up from their seats upon Starmers arrival, as he shook hands with constituents. The Labour leader suggested that the victory of Claire Ward was a clear message to the government that people are over your division, with your chaos, with your failure. He also nodded to the London mayoral election, adding that he was confident Sadiq Khan would remain in office. As a teenager, I had a lot of love to give to those kids what its like to grow up with 50 foster siblings Mayo woman Fiona Neary became acutely aware of the failings in the Irish care system in her childhood. Here, she talks about her love for the many children who were placed with her family, the secrecy over mental health issues, and why opening a rape crisis centre in her native Castlebar was a no-brainer Fiona Neary. Photo: Anne Marie Bostock Tanya Sweeney Sat 4 May 2024 at 03:30 Eleven years ago, Fiona Neary was giving a presentation at the United Nations Headquarters in New York when she got a phone call shell never forget: her mother, Chriss, who was in palliative care after a bone cancer diagnosis, was nearing kidney failure and was on her deathbed. Neary got back home to Castlebar from the States just in time to join her father Seamus and siblings Aine and Sean for Chrisss final hours. Kevin Spacey has denied new allegations of inappropriate behaviour from men who feature in a Channel 4 documentary released next week. In a new interview with former GB News presenter Dan Wootton titled Kevin Spacey: Right Of Reply, the two-time Oscar winning actor said he will no longer be speechless. Last year, Spacey was acquitted of a number of sexual offences alleged by four men between 2001 and 2013 after a trial in London, and he also won a US civil lawsuit in October 2022, after being accused of an unwanted sexual advance at a party in 1986. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The Channel 4 documentary titled Spacey Unmasked is said to feature testimony from men regarding events they say took place between 1976 and 2013, and relate to what they describe as unwanted sexual behaviour from Spacey, according to an email from Roast Beef Productions to Spacey which the actor revealed during the interview. The two-part series is set to air on May 6 and May 7. I take full responsibility for my past behaviour and my actions, but I cannot and will not take responsibility or apologise to anyone whos made up stuff about me or exaggerated stories about me, 64-year-old Spacey told Wootton. Ive never told someone that if they give me sexual favours, then I will help them out with their career, never. Ive clearly hooked up with some men who thought they might get ahead in their careers by having a relationship with me. But there was no conversation with me, it was all part of their plan, a plan that was always destined to fail, because I wasnt in on the deal. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content During the interview, Spacey denied accusations of any illegal behaviour, and went on to reference progressing the careers of others through his charitable foundation. Were there times when I would flirt with some of the people who were involved in those programmes who were in their 20s? Yes, he said. Did I ever hook up with another actor? Yes. Did I make a clumsy pass at someone who wasnt interested as it turned out? Yes. But I was not employing them, I was not their boss, I was oftentimes just swimming in for an hour here or there as a well-known actor to lend support to answer questions. That may not have been the best decision and it is not one that I would do today, but it happened. It wasnt illegal, and nor has it ever been alleged to have been illegal. Actor Kevin Spacey described his experience as a life sentence (Yui Mok/PA) Spacey said he has struggled to get back to work after being acquitted of all criminal charges, describing his experience as a life sentence. Speaking about the US lawsuit, he said: Even if it wouldve happened, its the type of occurrence that when I was in my 20s, it would have been simply embarrassing but not criminal. Getting emotional, he continued: I cant go through this again, allowing myself to be baselessly attacked without defending myself. On Thursday, the US star claimed he had repeatedly requested that Channel 4 give him more than seven days to respond to the allegations made about him in their documentary and said the broadcaster refused. Spacey was one of the most recognised faces in Hollywood when allegations of sexual misconduct were made in 2017, leading streaming giant Netflix to cut ties with the actor. A representative for Channel 4 has been contacted for comment. New album That Golden Time is inspired by the perils of the internet age and how it has damaged our ability to communicate, says the singer-songwriter Opinion will be forever divided about when this always-on internet age began, but the launch of Google in 1998 certainly changed the world forever. In a little over quarter of a century, many aspects of our lives have become unrecognisable to our 1990s selves. The transformation is best captured by our reliance on the mobile phone the black mirror, to borrow the title of Charlie Brookers dystopian drama series. Conor OBrien, the one-man cottage industry behind Villagers, thinks about it a great deal. It is absolutely insane, what were living through, he says. The history books will show what [harm] the internet age did to our intellect and our ability to communicate, but also to our ability to dream and have imaginative worlds within ourselves. All of that, right now, is being assaulted to a certain degree. Its not all negative, but I do think its a fertile ground for me in terms of songwriting. Such thoughts fuel Villagers new album, That Golden Time, which will be released next week. In the absence of church-going and religious pursuits, OBrien argues, were worshipping the marketplace instead. Were worshipping ourselves, were worshipping our identities, were worshipping what it is that divides us from one another. Thats being monetised and sold back to us. Many of his thoughts centre on social media and theres an arresting line in the title track about algorithm blues and the dulling of the mind. I cant stop thinking about all that stuff, he says. And maybe it comes from getting older. But I feel like its sort of not allowing us to take things in context. Ive retreated from social media, personally I just use it to promote my Villagers work but during Covid, I was drinking lots of wine and posting all sorts of opinions and getting embroiled in arguments. And you know what? So much time is wasted. You could be reading a book. You could be going outside, touching grass, or just communicating in the old-fashioned way with people. He pauses for thought. For a while, we were all quite drunk on this thing. When you think about it, were only at the beginning of this internet age, but already were seeing extremely tribalistic, simplistic thinking from all sides of all arguments. What OBrien says next would likely inflame some when taken out of context, but in the course of a long conversation, he explains himself fully. I absolutely hate it when people still wear the Repeal badge, he says, referring to an item that seemed to be everywhere in the run-up to the abortion referendum. I hate it so much because its kind of saying, F**k you, you stupid religious people who disagree with me for your own personal reasons. I think you have to have some sort of respect for the opposing opinion. And Im not seeing a huge amount of that, especially in the arts world. Many people in that usually progressive world no doubt share OBriens view, although few would feel comfortable airing it publicly. For instance, a couple of hours after our interview, I bump into another Irish musician who says (off-record) that they were troubled by last weeks open letter signed by 400 artists urging Irelands contestant, Bambie Thug, to boycott Eurovision. Easy to be principled, this artist told me, when youre not the one affected. Theres real pressure to jump in line. OBrien came to public attention in the mid-2000s as a member of acclaimed Dublin band The Immediate. The quartets first and only album, In Towers and Clouds, enjoyed extremely positive reviews on its 2006 release, but the band split a year later, citing creative differences. Having served as guitarist for Cathy Davey, he went on to found his own band, Villagers. Its had a floating cast of members ever since, but everything centres on OBrien. After signing to the respected English label, Domino, the first Villagers album, Becoming A Jackal, was released in 2010. It was nominated for both the Mercury and Choice music prizes. Since then, Villagers output has been characterised by its quality. That Golden Time is studio album number six. Theres also a fine live recording, Where Have You Been All My Life?, which features a memorable cover of the evergreen Wichita Lineman and was recorded at Londons RAK Studios. OBrien has put his own stamp on several covers, including, memorably, a live rendition of Abbas Angeleyes with John Grant. One of his most treasured pinch-me moments was when he got to sing the great anti-war song Shipbuilding alongside its writer, Elvis Costello, at Londons Royal Albert Hall. I was really nervous. Donal Lunny was playing with us and he was just really comforting to me, he says. He was such a friendly face, saying, Relax, its going to be great. Lunny, a veteran of Planxty and Bothy Band, plays his trademark bouzouki on That Golden Time, while American songwriter Peter Broderick contributes violin. Lately, OBrien has been going down a Joni Mitchell rabbit hole. That album with Both Sides Now on it [Clouds]. Hejira, too. I cant stop listening to her stuff because its so free. I remember seeing an interview with Dylan where he talked about a stage of his career where the songs were just flowing out of him. It was the same with Joni Mitchell. Listen to those albums from the late 1960s and the 1970s and there was creativity flowing in her veins. She was struggling to get it out fast enough you can hear that in the way the words are put together. Its like something else was flowing through her and she was just the conduit. Villagers frontman Conor OBrien. Photo: Andrew Whitton Happy as OBrien is for the release of That Golden Time, he admits to being even more excited about the publication of his debut book later this year: I guess its because its a new thing. Passing A Message which takes its title from a song on Villagers second album, Awayland collects the lyrics of all his songs. It is being published by Faber & Faber, whose historic roster includes several of the greatest poets of the 20th and 21st centuries. OBrien is especially tickled by the fact that Faber published Seamus Heaneys extensive oeuvre. [New track] You Lucky One started with me watching a documentary about Heaney in my folks house at two in the morning. I never realised how prominent he was was in the British media during the Troubles. He was constantly on BBC. Here was this huge figure, an extremely articulate Catholic Irish writer being brought over to the UK to do BBC shows. OBriens songwriting spark was soon fired. There must have been such interesting board meetings about that while the violence was going on, he says. On the song, I was trying to imagine the strange, complicated conversations that were happening in the corridors of power. And then, it became this whole other story about a parasitic kind of person, whos trying to get someone to abandon their ethics in the pursuit of material wealth or whatever. From the off, OBrien has placed considerable emphasis on the quality of his lyrics. Ive been a little bit precious sometimes, but I try to make sure theyre good enough before anyone sees them. He is in a similarly perfectionist mode when recording. The entire album was recorded in a makeshift studio in his apartment near the centre of Dublin and yet theres nothing remotely lo-fi about the overall sound. Its a testament to remarkable advances in remote recording. Even the video for You Lucky One was recorded on my phone and I put it together on my laptop, he says. He says he can be obsessive about capturing the exact sound thats in his head. Often, of course, thats not possible and after tinkering with a song for months, he sometimes reverts to an earlier, freer version. I dont know if Ive got any better at time management when it comes to recording albums, he says, but I do like it when my manager cracks the whip, when deadlines are imposed. Theres always a point, maybe a year and a half in, where there are phone calls going, So, and that focuses my mind. That Golden Time is released on May 10. Villagers will play an outdoor show as part of Trinity Summer Series, Trinity College Dublin, on June 29 By Ulviyya Shahin Azerbaijan, situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, holds a pivotal geopolitical position, shaping its economic landscape and international relations. As the host of COP29, the country's history, geography, and mutual relations with both European institutions and neighboring nations underscore its significance in global affairs. Azernews delves into Azerbaijan's strategic advantages, its evolving relationships with European institutions, and the potential impact of its location on the proceedings of COP29. With its location at the confluence of East and West, Azerbaijan has historically served as a vital trade route, fostering cultural exchange and economic connectivity. Its strategic positioning along the Caspian Sea and its proximity to major energy corridors have endowed it with geopolitical importance. The country's rich oil and gas reserves further augment its significance in global energy markets, positioning it as a key player in shaping energy policies and security in the region. Azerbaijan's relations with European institutions have undergone dynamic shifts, marked by cooperation in various sectors including energy, trade, and security. The country's partnership with the European Union (EU) has deepened over the years, with initiatives such as the Eastern Partnership framework fostering dialogue and collaboration. Azerbaijan's participation in projects like the Southern Gas Corridor highlights its role in enhancing Europe's energy diversification and security. Azerbaijan's geographical location offers a strategic advantage, serving as a bridge between Europe and Asia. This positioning facilitates trade and transit routes, bolstering economic integration and investment opportunities. The country's participation in international forums like the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project underscores its commitment to enhancing regional connectivity and fostering economic cooperation across borders. COP29 and Azerbaijan's Role: As the host of COP29, Azerbaijan is poised to showcase its commitment to addressing global climate challenges while leveraging its geopolitical advantages. The country's diverse geography, from the Caspian coastline to the mountainous regions, underscores the urgency of climate action and adaptation measures. COP29 presents an opportunity for Azerbaijan to demonstrate leadership in sustainable development, highlighting the intersection of environmental stewardship and economic growth. As Azerbaijan prepares to host COP29, the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the spotlight turns to the nation's commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development. The decision to host COP29 in Azerbaijan underscores the country's growing stature in global affairs and its willingness to take on a leadership role in addressing pressing environmental issues. As the first Central Asian country to host a COP conference, Azerbaijan has a unique opportunity to showcase its efforts in mitigating climate change and promoting sustainable development practices. Azerbaijan, like many nations, faces significant challenges in tackling climate change, including the impact of fossil fuel dependency, environmental degradation, and vulnerability to climate-related disasters. However, these challenges also present opportunities for innovation, investment, and collaboration. COP29 provides a platform for Azerbaijan to engage with international partners, share best practices, and forge alliances in pursuit of common climate goals. At COP29, Azerbaijan aims to prioritize several key areas to address the climate crisis effectively. These include transitioning towards renewable energy sources, enhancing energy efficiency measures, promoting sustainable agriculture and land use practices, and implementing climate adaptation strategies. By focusing on these areas, Azerbaijan seeks to align its national priorities with the global agenda for climate action outlined in the Paris Agreement. The success of COP29 in Azerbaijan hinges on the active participation of various stakeholders, including government entities, civil society organizations, businesses, and the international community. Collaboration and dialogue among these stakeholders will be essential in crafting effective policies and strategies to mitigate climate change and build resilience to its impacts. Overall, Azerbaijan's strategic positioning, coupled with its historical and economic ties with European institutions, underscores its importance in global affairs. As it prepares to host COP29, the country stands at the nexus of environmental challenges and geopolitical opportunities. By leveraging its advantageous location and fostering cooperation with international partners, Azerbaijan aims to play a constructive role in shaping the outcomes of COP29 and advancing global efforts towards a sustainable future. Son of Blanchardstown shooting victim Jason Hennessy faces dangerous driving charge Devon Hennessy (28) remanded on bail to appear again It is alleged that Devon Hennessy drove a motorbike in a manner dangerous to the public Eimear Cotter Sat 4 May 2024 at 03:30 A SON of a Dublin man who was shot and fatally injured in a restaurant last Christmas Eve has appeared in court charged with dangerous driving. Details of the sites chosen for a cluster of powerful offshore wind farms off the south coast have been revealed in a move by the Government to dictate to energy companies where such developments may take place. Four sites, two off the Waterford coast and two off south Wexford, have been selected as part of the countrys first Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP). The nearest to shore is Tonn Nua (New Wave), an area of 312 square kilometres that is 12.2km from its closest point to land in Co Waterford. The others range from 27km at their closest point to 52km at the furthest. They have been given names from Irish mythology. Li Ban, named after the mermaid saint, is also off Waterford, while Manannan, a sea god, and Danu, goddess of nature, are both off south Wexford. A six-week public consultation on the plan began yesterday and barring significant changes, it will be brought before the Oireachtas for approval in July. All four sites are designated for fixed-bottom turbines that will be drilled into the seabed. Tonn Nua will be the first opened to development, with the Government seeking a wind farm capable of generating 900MW of electricity. That is about one-fifth of what the entire country uses in a day, and will need about 60 turbines. An auction to pick a successful developer is to be held in the autumn. The winning project will then have to go through planning, but Environment Minister Eamon Ryan said he was confident it could be built by 2030 or shortly after. Six other wind farms, five off the east coast and one off Galway, are due to be submitted for planning approval this summer. They are on sites chosen by developers before the DMAP system was devised and have been exempted from DMAP restrictions in a race to increase the supply of renewable electricity before legally binding climate action targets take effect in 2030. The four DMAP sites were chosen from a survey of 8,000 square kilometres of sea stretching from Rosslare, Co Wexford to Courtmacsherry, in West Cork. Several companies which had already begun preliminary investigations off Waterford and Wexford are expected to bid in the auction for Tonn Nua and subsequent auctions for the other sites. Several other companies had begun investigating the seas off Cork but will not be permitted to progress plans there. Mr Ryan said Cork would benefit from development associated with the projects as half the electricity generated would be brought ashore in Cork. Eire is described as being approximately 5 foot 4 inches in height with a slim build, light blonde/brown hair and blue eyes Gardai are seeking the public's assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 14-year-old Eire King who was last seen on the evening of Thursday, May 2 in the Blarney area of Co Cork. Eire is described as being approximately 5 foot 4 inches in height with a slim build, light blonde/brown hair and blue eyes. When last seen, Eire was wearing a royal blue jumper and grey pants. Anyone with any information on Eire's whereabouts is asked to contact Gurranabraher Garda Station at 021-4946200, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. An Irish-Palestinian man who was trapped in Gaza for the last seven months while his family returned to Ireland said he is happy to be home but has lost too many people. Zak Hania had been trapped in Gaza since November after he was blocked from leaving by the Israeli Defence Forces, while his wife Batoul and their four Irish-born sons arrived in Dublin last November. We have been in hell for the last seven months with bombs and missiles raining day and night. The people of Gaza are so exhausted. Fifteen thousand kids have been killed, some just babies. I carried them in my hands. They are shattered into pieces. How is this allowed to happen? My heart is full of pain and grief, he said. Mr Hania was speaking at the arrivals hall in Dublin Airport, after arriving on a flight from Cairo, Egypt, where he successfully crossed from Rafah early on Monday morning. I have lost too many people from my family, my cousins, my friends and my neighbours. The world is letting this continue and nobody is able to stop those gangsters, those criminals, he said. Israel denies it is committing war crimes in Gaza but is being investigated by the International Criminal Court. Tears of joy and relief flooded the faces of his wife and four sons, Nourmohammed, Ahmed, Mazen, and Ismael, who for the last seven months campaigned tirelessly in order to get their father to Egypt. The picture perfect moment would never have materialised if Batoul hadnt raised 5,000 and secured a deal with Egyptian travel agency Ya Hala that arranges for relatives to exit the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing. I was speaking so much to the Department of Foreign Affairs to help me, but it didnt work out unfortunately. I had to fly to Egypt and pay lots of money to the travel agency. It takes about a month until the waiting list goes through. The last three weeks were the most anxious, I couldnt stop thinking what if something happens to him after all this effort, she said. Ms Hania described her own evacuation along with her four sons last November as like going through hell, having to escape bombardments while running around soldiers. My son still has bad dreams from what we had to go through. It has been six months of sickness, anxiety and physical tiredness, making every effort to get Zak out, she said. Mr Hania said being away from his wife and children was indescribable but he is so happy to see them and his dear friends now and thanked the Irish people, who he said I love with all my heart. I am happy that I am alive. I have lost loved ones and that makes me sad and I dont know really exactly how to feel. I am not feeling in a normal state of emotion or mind. Israel has taken off their mask and are showing their real face. We are, as human beings, showing our true humanity and our determination to stop this crime. We need to stop this genocide, he added. Israel denies it is committing genocide but is being investigated for alleged war crimes. Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has strongly rejected discrimination claims made by Israels ambassador to Ireland after the party deselected a local election candidate. Ms Cairns said Orli Degani, who was due to run as a candidate in Dun Laoighaire, Dublin, was deselected after a number of failed attempts to resolve issues. Those efforts extended to hiring an external mediator as well as an internal review by our national executive. There was nothing discriminatory, or unfair, about the process, Ms Cairns added. Ms Degani, who is a German-born Jewish woman with Israeli citizenship, was selected last year to contest next months elections. She was deselected on April 26. This came after she raised concerns of the local Jewish community with the party, Ms Degani said. Israels Ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, later said Ms Degani appears to have been discriminated against because of her nationality. Ms Cairns rejected the ambassadors claim and said Ms Erlich should have contacted the party before making her comments. The Cork South-West TD also called for economic and diplomatic sanctions to be imposed on Israel. Its clear that the Israeli ambassador has made this scurrilous and false allegation to deflect from the bigger, and much more important, issue of the more than 34,000 people now killed in Gaza by the Israeli government. Included in this number are more than 14,000 dead children, Ms Cairns said. The Social Democrats remain absolutely committed to standing with the people of Gaza. We vehemently oppose the genocide, torture and famine being inflicted on them by an apartheid and ruthless occupying state. Ms Degani still intends to contest the election as an Independent candidate. Opinion poll show massive increase in concerns among voters of asylum Sinn Fein has seen their popularity rise as the party hardens its stance on immigration, according to the latest Ireland Thinks/Sunday Independent opinion poll. After a week of intense focus on the Governments asylum policy, public concern over immigration has skyrocketed. The poll reveals more that 41pc of those polled say immigration is a priority for them which is up 15 points on last months poll. Housing (54pc) remains the main issue for voters but is down five points. Almost two in five (39pc) blame the Government for the increased number of asylum seekers arriving in Ireland while just over a third (35pc) say international conflict and war is the reason for the record levels of people seeking international protection. A further 13pc blame the UK government and 11pc say it is the fault of the EU. Immigration was centre stage this week due to diplomatic row over asylum seekers with the UK government. A major operation to remove asylum seeker tents from Dublin City Centre also made headines. Meanwhile, Sinn Fein are up three points to 29pc while Fine Gael has seen their support drop two points to 19pc and Fianna Fail are unchanged 16pc. Ireland Thinks Poll for May sees huge rise in concern about immigration Sinn Fein has come out strongly against the EU Immigration and Asylum Pact which the Government has agreed to support. Sinn Fein has also been posting videos across the social media channels insisting the party is against open borders in an attempt to win back support from voters angered by rising levels of inward immigration. The state of the other parties are: Social Democrats (6pc), Green Party (4pc), the Labour Party (3pc) and Solidarity-People Before Profit (2pc) unchanged from Aprils poll. Aontu are down a point to 3pc while Independents/Others up two to 19pc. While Fine Gaels poll rating is down, Taoiseach Simon Harris (4.3) personal satisfaction rating out of ten has increased and he remains more popular than Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald (4.0) but less popular than Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin (4.6). Justice Minister Helen McEntees personal approval (3.3) rating has dropped significantly after another difficult week for the Fine Gael TD. The minister has struggled with the immigration issue and has been called to appear before a Fianna Fail parliamentary party meeting due to on-going concerns about her performance. A Sinn Fein led government excluding Fine Gael and Fianna Fail is voters most preferred choice at 30pc, followed by Fine Gael-Fianna Fail-Independents at 23pc, a Fine Gael-Fianna Fail-Green Party government at 19pc and Sinn Fein-Fianna Fail coalition at 11pc. The poll of 1,316 people was taken between Thursday May 2nd and Friday May 3rd and the margin of error is 2.8pc. Irish residents took 14.3 million domestic overnight trips last year, a new survey has found. It is one million more than during the previous year, with people spending 3.1 million in 2023 compared to 2.9 million in 2022. A new household travel survey conducted by the Central Statistics Office has shown that holiday was the most common reason for domestic trips last year, which was confirmed by 45pc of respondents. However, it was shortly followed by around 40pc of respondents who said the reason for their travel was visits to friends or relatives. From October to December last year, the most popular destination was the southern part of the country, including Clare, Tipperary, Limerick, Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford, Cork and Kerry. These counties accounted for 42pc of overnight trips. Southern regions remained the most popular for another year, as they also made up 42pc of trips during the same period in 2022. The next most popular regions were the eastern part and Midlands Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare, Meath, Louth, Longford, Westmeath, Offaly, and Laois which amounted to 36pc of domestic trips. The third favourite destination was the northern and western regions, including Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon, making up 22pc of trips. The survey shows an 11pc increase in domestic trips taken from October to December 2023 than during the same period in 2022. Meanwhile, Irish residents took 12.6 million outbound trips in 2023, on which they spent 12.9 billion. It is equivalent to nearly 80 million bed nights. It comes as more than one in three trips from October to December last year were taken to the UK, including Northern Ireland. The survey finds a 27pc increase in the total number of outbound trips from October to December 2023 in comparison to the same period in 2022. There was also a 28pc increase in spending for domestic trips and a 52pc rise for outbound trips. Statistician in the Tourism and Travel Division Aaron Costello has said: Irish residents took 14.3 million domestic overnight trips and 12.6 million outbound overnight trips in 2023. "Total domestic nights decreased slightly at 34 million in 2023, compared with 34.2 million in 2022. In 2023, Irish residents took 15.4 million domestic same-day visits and 2 million outbound same-day visits. "Expenditure amounted to 717 million on domestic same-day visits in 2023 which was down from the 2022 figure of 856 million, he added. The Taoiseach has defended the Governments handling of accommodation for asylum-seekers, after a number of homeless migrants pitched tents in a private park in south Dublin. Around a dozen asylum-seekers arrived at St Marys Church Park in Ballsbridge on Thursday night. The men had been told by the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) there was no longer accommodation available. The group of men left the Ballsbridge area at around 9am yesterday. The park is close to Mount Street, where hundreds of tents had been pitched until Wednesday morning when the makeshift campsite was cleared in a multi-agency operation. The Government has been struggling to accommodate the rising number of asylum-seekers arriving into the State. On Wednesday morning, more than 200 asylum-seekers who had been living in tents outside the International Protection Office (IPO) were moved from the area to facilities at Citywest and Crooksling in Co Dublin. However, a number of men who sought accommodation on Thursday were told none was available. Speaking yesterday, Taoiseach Simon Harris said makeshift encampments on public roads and footpaths are illegal and never the solution. Speaking in Belfast, Mr Harris said: Its also not in the interest of the people who are sleeping in those tents, people who dont have access to proper sanitation. We did provide 290 people from Mount Street and those who appeared in Mount Street that day with accommodation, with shelter, with access to sanitation, with food, with a much better scenario than had been allowed to develop on Mount Street. I am very comfortable with the position that we took and I believe it was necessary in relation to that. People did turn up at the International Protection Office yesterday and there wasnt accommodation for all people. IPAS does have contact details for all those people. It is working to try and provide accommodation solutions for all those people. I think what we saw in St Marys was a temporary thing being done by people who were being very humane in terms of trying to provide assistance on property that wasnt public. We work at this every single day, but I need to be clear and honest with people coming to our country, we are doing our very best in a very difficult and challenging circumstances to provide accommodation. But accommodation isnt always readily available, but we keeping working at it day by day. The conversation about migration cant just be one about accommodation, because no matter how much accommodation you have, if its just a conversation about accommodation, accommodation will fill. It also has to be a conversation about faster processing times, about efficient and effective systems. Mr Harris said it is never too late for any democracy to push back against misinformation, disinformation and indeed interference from abroad on occasion in relation to debate and discourse. Migration is a really good thing, immigration is a good thing, he added. Ireland is a better place for the many people who have come and made Ireland their home. They are working in hospitals, they are working in our hospitality sector and right across many sectors of the economy. So migration and immigration is a good thing and I think its really important that we say that and that we dont seed that ground or create a vacuum for others to exploit. Having said that, I think people in Ireland, and I would imagine people in most countries, want to know there are rules in place. They want to know the rules are enforced, they want to know that the system is fair, that its firm, that it helps those who are entitled to help. That if someone comes to our country and goes through a processing system and isnt entitled to be there, that that person is asked to leave in the first instance and made to leave if they dont. Separately, the Taoiseach has said the homes of politicians should be out of bounds after an anti-immigration demonstration was staged outside his home. Mr Harris said it was bedtime for his two young children when the protesters gathered outside his house in Co Wicklow on Thursday evening. It was the latest in a series of incidents involving protests outside the homes of political figures. It is understood the Taoiseach was not at home at the time as he had been attending a funeral. The Fine Gael leader was asked about the incident on a visit to Belfast yesterday. I dont want to say too much about this and I dont like describing those sorts of things as protest, he said. Ive a very clear view in relation to this. Whether its me, whether its an opposition politician, whether its anybody, I always think peoples families and peoples homes should be out of bounds. It was bedtime for my kids last night when this situation arose. I dont think its appropriate. My parents dont know I am protesting yetmaybe they yell at me, another student says The president of Trinity College Dublin Students Union Laszlo Molnarfi has said his parents are definitely proud he is risking his 20,000-a-year education to protest his colleges links to Israel. Mr Molnarfi also defended barricading The Book Of Kells indefinitely because its the only way to get a reaction from the college. Students at TCD kicked off a full-time occupation on the front lawn of the college, pitching over 40 tents overnight on Friday in a similar style to the demonstrations seen on college campuses in the United States in recent weeks. As darkness fell, dozens of students met at Fellows Square and dragged wooden benches to the entrance of Irelands best-known cultural artefact before barricading the doors. Park benches have blockaded the entrance to the Book of Kells. Photo: Laszlo Molnarfi/X Students at Trinity College Dublin have set up an encampment for Palestine, demanding that their university cut ties with Israel as per BDS [Boycott, Divest, Sanction] principles supported by the vast majority of students and staff, Mr Molnarfi said. Mr Molnarfi, who is originally from Hungary and studying in Trinity College Dublin, was speaking moments after security at the world-famous campus placed a heavy chain lock on the front gates on Saturday morning preventing all public access. News in 90 Seconds - Saturday, May 4 From 9.30am, tourists from all over the world who had turned up to see The Book of Kells were immediately turned away. Some vocally supported the students protest, others were disappointed and some were visibly annoyed. Members of the media who were present were also forced to leave the university. Mr Molnarfi said he was risking my 20,000-a-year education to protest Israels war in Gaza. He said this figure was the combined cost of tuition, housing and living expenses. The entrance to Trinity College and the Book of Kells closed due to the students' Gaza protest. Photo: Gerry Mooney "The cause of Palestine liberation is the greatest cause in the world. It is the cause of humanity and we cant stand [by] as students and staff [when] our universities are complicit, Mr Molnarfi said. Asked why he believed he had a right to stop the public accessing one of Irelands most unique cultural artefacts, he said the students has been politely asking university throughout the year to cut ties with Israel but their pleas have been ignored. We are stopping the flow of money indefinitely and this is the only way to pressure our university into taking the steps that they need to take, he said. Fellow Irish student Caoimhe McSharry said she is protesting because she doesnt want to remain passive while people die. When you learn about [World War Two] in history you ask these questions. Why didnt anybody do anything? Why didnt anyone stop it? It is happening today. And this is us stepping up and protesting. Students have always been on the right side of history, she said. Asked how her parents have reacted to the news she is risking her education, she said: My parents dont actually know I am doing this yet. They will either see this online or give me a call later or I will tell them once I set up my tent. Maybe they will yell at me a little bit. I will see how it goes. Trinity College Dublin (TCD) issued a statement in which it said that it supports students right to protest within the rules of the university but it said access to campus is restricted to students, staff & residents with college ID. The encampment set up by Trinity students. Photo: Laszlo Molnarfi/X That means all public access to Trinity College has now been restricted. In a statement released on Saturday evening, a Trinity College spokesperson said the restricted access will also result in events being cancelled or postponed. The spokesperson said: Regrettably, this will have a direct impact on our students and staff. Our libraries, Sports Centre, Book of Kells Experience, Old Library and the Pavilion Bar have been closed until further notice while sports fixtures, a concert and social events have been cancelled, postponed or moved to another venue. A large-scale protest marched towards Trinity College earlier on Saturday. A message on the colleges booking platform for the Book of Kells Experience said it would be closed due to circumstances beyond our control. In an online statement, TCD provost Linda Doyle said the colleges links to Israeli companies are not hand-picked by Trinity but generated by our investment managers. Trinity has an Endowment Fund which includes investment in a portfolio of companies. The individual companies in this portfolio are not hand-picked by Trinity but generated by our investment managers based on investment parameters we set. As we learn more, we [will] find better ways to refine our portfolio. Ms Doyle added: "Currently, our selection of companies is guided by the UN Global Compact Violators List, the UN Level 5 Controversy List, and the ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) performance of the company. Over the past few months, we have been doing further work and, as a result of this, the portfolio will be updated with reference to the UN blacklist. Students have also called for ties to Israeli academic universities be cut, but Ms Doyle said: Academic freedom is the cornerstone of our identity as a university. "It permits colleagues to collaborate with partners of their choosing, free from pressure from government, college authorities and other voices. "Our commitment to academic freedom underpins the claim to autonomy that we make to government and wider society. I do not want to see the erosion of academic freedom in Ireland, in a way we have seen in other countries. Ms Doyle added: Some in our community argue that Trinity should ensure all ties with Israeli institutions are cut. Such decisions rest with each individual academic. Some colleagues will see value in maintaining a free exchange of ideas; others will feel deeply uncomfortable having any relationship at all. Fundamentally, it is the right of the individual academic to make this decision, and no assumption about an academics political views should be inferred from those decisions. Marie Grenham will retire on December 31, writing the final chapter in a fascinating travel tale Some of the earliest customers of Grenham Travel were passengers on the Titanic. When John Grenham established his business 113 years ago in Athlone, Co Westmeath, he sold shipping tickets alongside groceries, hardware and drinks in his pub. Many journeys were one-way, and departures filled with sadness. Emigrants, in particular, were often seen off with wakes in the pub. The world is a smaller place now, says Marie Grenham, Johns granddaughter. Nowhere is too far to go. The third generation to run the family business, she is to retire next December 31, seeing Grenhams come to a close. John Grenham's original business combined a bar, grocer, hardware store and travel agency Maries earliest memories of the shop involve popping in after school, listening to customers and browsing brochures instead of schoolbooks. The pages were exotic, for faraway places youd only dream about. People were coming in and out, asking about different ways of travelling and different destinations, she says. As the years went on, they explored more and more. The family lived on the premises, and she came fully on board in the 1970s, taking over when her beloved father, Tommy, died in 1999. For many years, her main tools were the phone (landline, of course), and Telex. Lourdes was huge, she says, and most trips to the UK and near Europe. But radical changes came too. Ryanair, which launched in 1984 with just a single airplane, changed quite a bit, she says over time, blowing open the way people booked and airlines sold flights. Beforehand, a Saturday-night stay was often required to get the best airfares, for example. Ryanair came in with a bang and hadnt anything like that. A letter from the Cunard White Star Line in 1936 Shes worked through the arrival of the internet, from Telex to TikTok and the advent of AI a world that seems light years from travellers cheques and the JWT set. But still, generations of the same families come back to book. There remains a role for the travel agent, Marie says. They like the interaction across the counter. They trust you... if anything happens away, were always on the other end. Since Covid, when many people who booked travel independently had difficulty with refunds and cancellations, shes seen an increase in business especially for complex trips like honeymoons, cruises or family holidays. We see that down here in the country... people said, Well, for the security, I am going back into the travel agent... because we could be spending hours on the internet checking this, that and the other and getting confused. With you, well have the chat, and youll guide us and youll know what we like and with our budget. OK, the internet is there too. But thank God, its a good time to go out on a high, with health and the whole lot. Grenham Travel in Athlone. Photo: Grenham Travel Maries is just one story in the head-spinning world of travel. And before bringing it to a close, she has left several months to facilitate existing bookings and vouchers. When I put it to her that this is a thoughtful touch, she says, I was brought up that way with my dad. Since the announcement, its like living with a celeb, her sister Pauline says. One customer, local author JP Burke, even wrote a poem - hailing a leader and team that worked extra hard to make peoples dreams come true / And they brushed all thanks and praise aside saying, Thats what we do. More info: (090) 649 2028; grenhamtravel.ie 2024227 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gka71SKp5Ng&ab_channel= CBS, , CBS 20 40 50 60 70 80 U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns We don't want to live in a world where the Chinese are the dominant country. CBS, Lesley Stahl when the Cold War ended we all thought our system had won yeah you know their system failed our system rose up; now he's come back and said no no the Communist system is the right way; I guess we didn't bury that after all. Nicholas Burns you know it's it's interesting to compare the old cold war with this time, what distinguishes this time vers versus the old Cold War Soviet Union had a strong military and nuclear weapons, it had a very weak economy which in no way competed with ours China's economy is very strong we're dealing with an adversary a competitor in China stronger than the Soviet Union was in the 1940s,50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. China's slowing economy, Xi's government tactics leave American investors wary Lesley Stahl is one of America's most recognized and experienced broadcast journalists, Lesley Stahl has been a "60 Minutes" correspondent since 1991. American CEOs used to swoon over China. Its vast pool of consumers has been a magnetic draw for decades. But doing business there has become so fraught and risky with intellectual property theft and an expanded espionage law used to intimidate the business community that U.S. companies have pressed the pause button. On top of that, the U.S.-China relationship has become contentious due partly to Beijing's belligerent activity toward Taiwan and in the South China Sea, the balloon spy incident of last year, and the list goes on. Making matters worse, the Chinese economy has hit a wall: export growth is slowing, the country's drowning in debt, and youth unemployment has soared. Getting into China to tell that story is all but impossible for most Western journalists. But when the U.S. ambassador, Nicholas Burns, invited us to come for a visit and an interview, we were granted visas. We spoke with him at his residence in Beijing. Nicholas Burns: More money is leaving China for the first time in 40 years than is coming in from American, Japanese, European, Korean investors. U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns 60 Minutes Lesley Stahl: Now why is that? And how much of a problem is that for them? Nicholas Burns: That's a real problem for this economy. They have 1.4 billion people here. They've gotta keep it growing, and foreign capital is important. You ask why. I think there's been a contradiction in the messaging from the government here in China to the rest of the world. On the one hand, they say, "We're open for business. We want American, Chi-- Japanese businesses here." But on the other hand, they've raided six or seven American businesses since last March. Lesley Stahl: Raided? Nicholas Burns: Raided. They've gone into American companies and shut them down and made accusations we believe are very much unwarranted. The American companies include Bain & Company and the Mintz Group, a company that does due diligence for other companies that might want to invest here, was raided last year. Five of its Chinese employees were taken into custody, and they're still there. Another firm, Capvision, was raided. Lest the message wasn't loud and clear, a report about it was put on state-run television. It accused Western consulting firms of espionage and stealing national security and military secrets. Lesley Stahl: They want the investment to come back and they're raiding American companies? And they're-- Nicholas Burns: Yes. They've passed an amendment to their counter-espionage law and it's written in such a general way that it could be that American business people could be accused of espionage for engaging in practices that are perfectly legal and acceptable everywhere else in the world-- collecting data to do due diligence so that you can decide whether you want to invest in a company or form a joint venture, right? Lesley Stahl: What do you think the Chinese are afraid that these companies are gonna find out, these due diligence companies? What are they worrying about? Nicholas Burns: You know, I think they want to control data about the Chinese people, about Chinese companies. And so-- that I think is at the heart of the problem with those American companies operating in that sphere. Ambassador Burns told us that's just one of the concerns he hears about. Nicholas Burns: There is still intellectual property theft from American companies here. Lesley Stahl: Is every American company afraid of that? Nicholas Burns: Yes. All kinds of U.S. companies began flocking to China in the early 1980s after the country opened to the West under then-leader Deng Xiaoping. And now, U.S. banks operate here. Walmart has more than 300 stores across the country. Shoppers, here in Shanghai, can buy Levi's, browse in an Apple store, and get a caramel frappuccino. Lesley Stahl and U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns 60 Minutes Nicholas Burns: Starbucks has 6,000 stores in China, 1,000 stores in Shanghai, and they want to keep building because coffee--this was a tea culture Lesley Stahl: Right, yeah. Nicholas Burns: --for hundreds of years. It's now becoming, at least with the young Chinese, a coffee culture, and Lesley Stahl: And they love Starbucks? Nicholas Burns: They love Starbucks. And I'll buy you a cappuccino. Lesley Stahl: I'll take one, thank you. Boeing's here. So is Tesla, Pfizer, Chevron, Intel. But while some businesses are thriving, many of the foreign companies are worried about the business climate under President Xi Jinping. Nicholas Burns: If you track China from the death of Mao to the opening of China to the world, we've seen a closing of sorts. We've seen a centralization of power of the Party. We've seen increased repression of the people of China here. That's a very significant trend just over the last decade. Lesley Stahl: With Xi. Nicholas Burns: Under his leadership. Part of that trend includes President Xi's reversing many of the market reforms that unleashed China's economic miracle. Nicholas Burns: They've been growing over 40 years, the fastest growth rate in recorded economic history--8, 9, 10, 11% growth rates. They've lifted 800 million people out of poverty. But what's happening is that growth rate is slowing down. Most economists are now projecting [that] they'll be at 2, 3, 4% growth, maybe even lower in the next decade-- Lesley Stahl: Can they support their society if it's that low? Nicholas Burns: That's gonna be difficult for them. Lesley Stahl: If there was so much explosive growth-- if so many people were lifted out of poverty, why is he turning away from what worked? Nicholas Burns: Well, I think they've got maybe competing priorities. The government here in China certainly wants the economy to grow, but they also have a national security mindset. They want to control data. They want to-- Lesley Stahl: But that's more important, the control, right? Than economic growth. It seems that way. Nicholas Burns: I think it's open for debate. You're hearing, we are hearing both messages. Lesley Stahl: It sounds as if you yourself don't know the direction it's going. Nicholas Burns: What I perceive here is that the greater energy is with those on the national security side of the government of China. Nicholas Burns: Good morning, how are you? On a train trip from Beijing to Shanghai, the ambassador pointed out that in the decades before President Xi, China powered its economy by investing in these high-speed trains, roads, factories, and skyscrapers that light up Shanghai--the financial capital of China. But under President Xi, China lost more than $120 billion worth of long-term foreign investments last year because of the weakening economy and the harsh government tactics, which have left American companies uncertain of the future there. Lesley Stahl: There are a lot of American companies here. Have a lot of them just picked up and left because of this current business environment? Nicholas Burns: You know, that's interesting, not many. Lesley Stahl: Not many. Nicholas Burns: Not many. Lesley Stahl: Why not? Nicholas Burns: China is the second largest economy in the world. It's a big market. So, a few American companies have left, but most have stayed. Some American companies are moving at least some of their operations to Singapore, Vietnam, Mexico. Lesley Stahl: But they're not leaving China. The market's so-- Nicholas Burns: They don't want to leave. Lesley Stahl: --irresistible to American business people. It's gigantic. Nicholas Burns: Maybe they're not leaving, but they're not investing, they're not making major investments until they can see exactly where the government is headed. Yet, because of the 1.4 billion potential consumers, some companies, like Disney, are increasing their investment. Shanghai Disneyland loudspeaker: "Welcome to Shanghai Disney Resort." It recently expanded its Shanghai Disneyland that they told us is thriving. Aptar, a $9 billion company headquartered in Crystal Lake, Illinois, is another American firm bucking the trend of capital flight. President of Aptar Asia, Xiangwei Gong, a Chinese-born U.S. citizen, showed us around one of their five manufacturing sites in China. Xiangwei Gong speaks with Lesley Stahl 60 Minutes Xiangwei Gong: We are manufacturing for some of the largest U.S. brands-- actually, U.S. consumer brands. This factory makes the packaging and dispensing devices for food, pharmaceutical, and beauty products sold in Asia. Xiangwei Gong: All of our customers like P&G, L'Oreal, Estee Lauder, they're all here doing business. Aptar, in China for nearly 30 years, recently invested $60 million in a new factory. Xiangwei Gong says even in a slowing economy, the company is doing well. Lesley Stahl: American companies here, as the Ambassador well knows, are pausing or cutting back on investment, but not this firm. You're expanding. Xiangwei Gong: Well, because we are here for the long-term and we believe in the consumption power of the rising middle class. It's 1.4 billion people here. And, imagine, for-- for example, healthcare. And the same with cosmetics and beauty and beverage. All-- all those sectors--packaged foods--these are really the biggest markets. And so-- so we are very confident about the long-term. Lesley Stahl: What does it say about the confidence, really, in the U.S.-China relationship? It-- it seems to say you believe that-- that things will what? I'm asking, get better? Xiangwei Gong: That's a great question for the Ambassador. I believe so, I hope so. Nicholas Burns: You know, we'll see. Actually, Burns says he's wary of the future as the fundamental rivalry and mistrust between the U.S. and China is shaking the confidence of the business world and has pushed our relationship to its lowest point in half a century. Lesley Stahl: Is it our most competitive relationship in the world right now? Nicholas Burns: This is the most important, most competitive, and most dangerous relationship that the United States has in the world right now and will, I think, for the next decade or so. Lesley Stahl: I want to quote you back to you, and tell us what you meant. You have said, "Divorce is not an option." Nicholas Burns: Right. Our two countries have to live together. And this, I think, is the greatest tension in the U.S.-China relationship. China's our most significant competitor, and at the same time, China is our third largest trade partner--750,000 American jobs at stake. Agriculture- China's the largest market for U.S. agriculture. One fifth of all of our export ag-- products from agriculture are sent to China. That was $40.9 billion last year. Lesley Stahl: So we can't afford really to have a real break here. Nicholas Burns: Well, it's complicated. Lesley Stahl: All those jobs would-- Nicholas Burns: It's complicated. Some people are saying, "Well, we're so competitive with China, we should end the economic relationship." Well, the consequence of that would be 750,000 American families wouldn't be able to put dinner on the table. And so this makes for an extraordinarily difficult balancing act in my job. Lesley Stahl: You're a Wallenda brother. Nicholas Burns: I've never thought of myself that way, but high wire-- Lesley Stahl: But you're up on that tightrope. Nicholas Burns: Right. Well, we have-- we have competing interests here, and balancing those interests is the reality in the U.S.-China relationship. We're gonna compete. We have to compete responsibly and keep the peace between our countries. But we also have to engage. One in every five people in the world is Chinese; China's population is four times that of the U.S. and the country is vast: 3.7 million square miles. It overlooks the Taiwan Strait, where half the world's trade flows every day, and is located about 100 miles away from Taiwan. President Xi likes to say that the East is rising, the West is declining, but economically, the U.S. is thriving compared to China. In December, Moody's, the credit rating agency, cut its outlook for China to "negative." And it's facing a long-term demographic bind: a decline in the birth rate that experts say is irreversible, meaning the country is both aging and shrinking. Ambassador Nicholas Burns took us on a tour, starting in Beijing. The ambassador and his wife Libby like to take early morning walks through a park near their residence. Nicholas Burns: This is a 600-year-old Ming Dynasty park called Ritan Park. It's a place for a lotta retirees and a lot of young people, and it's tremendously active. U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns and his wife walk in a park with Lesley Stahl. 60 Minutes It's where the locals come for their early morning routines like Tai Chi, yo-yo-ing, and ping pong. Nicholas Burns: Oops! You couldn't tell from these scenes-- Nicholas Burns: Whoa! --that China, where the COVID pandemic began, is still emerging from the trauma of President Xi Jinping's oppressive zero-COVID policy. Burns, 68, a career diplomat who has served in both Republican and Democratic administrations, got to China at the height of the zero-COVID lockdowns and quarantines. Nicholas Burns: When my wife Libby and I arrived here in early March of 2022, we were quarantined in this house for 21 days, for three weeks. Shanghai, a city of 26 million people, was completely locked down for 63 days-- Lesley Stahl: What was-- what was that like, in the city-- Nicholas Burns: Well, we had women who needed to give birth and we had to find a way to get them to the hospital. We had Americans who wanted to get out but had to find a way out of their locked compounds to the airport. So, zero-COVID worked for a while. In '20 and '21, they had very low, or relatively lower, infection rates. But by 2022, it had really divided this society. It set off rare, widespread protests. Then in December of 2022, President Xi ended the policy abruptly. Joerg Wuttke: The last thing this government is gonna accept here is volatility. Volatility is something Joerg Wuttke, a German businessman, who's lived and worked in China for over 30 years, hadn't seen since the Tiananmen Square uprising in 1989. He represents BASF, the world's largest chemical producer. Lesley Stahl: You have said this is a PTSD country, post-traumatic stress disorder country. What-- what do you mean? Joerg Wuttke: Well, everybody has been traumatized by the lockdowns that took place in many cities across China. And the kind of messaging that came out of the leadership: "It's for your own safety." And then the lockdown was lifted-- actually it was more a capitulation from the government. The lockdown basically left. And-- and like a tsunami-- Lesley Stahl: They said, "We were wrong. We're gonna lift it?" Joerg Wuttke: They never said they were wrong. That's not the system to s-- admit that they did something wrong. And then you basically, like a tsunami, COVID was rolling across the country. Lesley Stahl: After they lifted it? Joerg Wuttke: December, January, I would say a billion people were infected. And certainly lots of people died. Independent analysts say that an estimated 1.4 million people died. Joerg Wuttke: This kind of environment really changes your attitude towards life. And then business, we thought we're gonna have a comeback story. And we had a good couple of weeks. And then the economy basically has been flat since. Lesley Stahl: You know, after COVID in the West, in the United States particularly, we did have a huge, quick rebound. Why didn't it happen here? Joerg Wuttke: Well, I think that COVID also has covered up a couple of long-term problems that China has been building up. For example, in the real estate sector. We reported on the real estate sector 10 years ago with astonishing sights like this--of empty buildings in city after city across the country. This is today. Similar hollowed-out wastelands of unoccupied and unfinished apartments known as ghost cities. Lesley Stahl: When I was here 10 years ago, I never expected to see these buildings still here. What was a housing bubble back then grew and finally exploded. This real estate crisis lies at the heart of China's economic decline. Lesley Stahl: Has anybody counted up the number of empty units, I mean, across the whole country? Joerg Wuttke: Well, the whole of Germany, we have 82 million people, could move in here right away, 80-- 80 to 90 million apartments are empty. Lesley Stahl: 80 to 90 million apartments-- Joerg Wuttke: Yes, at least. Lesley Stahl: --are empty? Joerg Wuttke: Right, unfinished. Over the years, Chinese banks readily loaned money to the developers as the building boom created millions of jobs and propelled China's growth. But in 2020 the government, under President Xi, clamped down on the rampant borrowing, causing the major developers to default on their loans and run out of money. Lesley Stahl: Look at that. The facade isn't even finished Joerg Wuttke: Yeah, yeah. He says they couldn't even afford to take down the cranes. In January, Evergrande, once China's largest developer, was ordered to liquidate its remaining assets. Left in the lurch are millions of Chinese citizens who bought these apartments before they were built. Joerg Wuttke: The developers owe their customers that paid up to the magnitude of $1 trillion. Lesley Stahl: So, if I did a down payment on one of these apartments, will I ever see that money? Joerg Wuttke: No, you will not see the money. Lesley Stahl: It's gone? It's vanished-- Joerg Wuttke: It's gone, it's finished. So, I mean, it's it's really dramatic. Lesley Stahl: Ten years ago, we were told that this was the way people put money down for their nest egg. Joerg Wuttke: Right. Lesley Stahl: For their retirement fund. Joerg Wuttke: Yes. Lesley Stahl: Is that still the case? Joerg Wuttke: 66%, two-third of a family household average wealth is in, in apartments. That loss of wealth has depressed consumer spending and dragged down the economy. We wondered if the people blame President Xi for that or for the COVID deaths. but it was impossible for us to gauge public opinion, or if it even matters. While no one from the government would give us an interview, we were able to learn, as Joerg Wuttke--who's lived here for 30 years--told us, it's not a good idea to bet against the Chinese people. Lesley Stahl: What are some of the positive aspects of the economy here? They do have a strong manufacturing base still. Joerg Wuttke: Well, the big part is really between ears of the people, the brains of the Chinese entrepreneurs that actually made this success story happen. China is not really good in basic research, but they are fantastic in development. They are world-champion in actually making products better, faster, and cheaper. Lesley Stahl: Are they better? Joerg Wuttke: Yes they are, in some areas. Our Chinese competitors are breathing down our neck and basically drive some of us out [of] the market. For instance, China now makes over 80% of all the solar panels in the world, dominates the wind turbine market, is poised to overtake Japan as the world's biggest exporter of cars, and more-- Nicholas Burns: They're the leading trade partner of twice as many countries in the world as the United States, so they have global reach- Lesley Stahl: They're the leading trade partner? Nicholas Burns: With over 60 countries in the world. And now, with heavy government subsidies, it is fast becoming the leader in electric vehicles. Last quarter, the carmaker, Byd, surpassed Tesla as the best-selling EV maker in the world. Shanghai-based NIO is trying to break through with high-tech innovations. In December, the company unveiled a new battery with a driving range of 620 miles, more than 200 miles further than Tesla's top-end model. Lesley Stahl: This is this is nice. William Li: This is our flagship. William Li, the CEO and founder of NIO, says its battery swap technology allows owners to swap out their depleted battery for a fully charged one in under three minutes. William Li: Exactly it's two-and-a-half minutes. Lesley Stahl: Two-and-a-half minutes? William Li: Two-and-a-half, yes. We already installed 2,200 swap stations all around China. China is also developing a humanoid robot industry. Lesley Stahl: Look at that. Alex Gu: After lots of years, it's coming true. Alex Gu is the founder and CEO of Fourier Intelligence. Lesley Stahl: Hi there. Last year he launched the GR-1, his first-generation humanoid. Alex Gu: We can do arm, he can swing the arm. Yeah, you see? Lesley Stahl: Oh, look at the fingers. Oh my word. Can he play the piano? Alex Gu: Yeah, future definitely it can. Lesley Stahl: In the future. Also in the future, he says, the robots could provide health care for China's rapidly aging population. Alex Gu: Maybe we can, for example, we can remote control such kind of robot to help my grandpa, for example. Yeah, I think. Lesley Stahl: Yeah. President Xi, who visited this company last year, has called for the mass production of humanoids by 2025. President Xi Jinping, speaking Mandarin during Dec 31, 2023 speech (English translation): Some peoplewith employment and life In his annual New Year's speech, he talked about the country's economic woes and, for the first time, acknowledged the high unemployment rate. Still, he has laid out a long-term goal of doubling China's economy by 2035 and surpassing the West in technology. Nicholas Burns: Our companies and tech experts are competing on AI and biotech and quantum mathematics. All those technological advances will lead to a new generation of military technology. Our two militaries are vying for military supremacywho's going to be the most powerful in the most important, strategic part of the world, which is the Indo-Pacific. Presidents Biden and Xi met in San Francisco in November in hopes of re-establishing military communications between our two countries, which China had cut off. Nicholas Burns: I think we're back to a more settled and stable relationship between the two countries, but it's been a rollercoaster. The low point, he says, was the spy balloon incident last year. But there's also been the build up of military bases in the South China Sea, the increase of air sorties near Taiwan, and the buzzing of U.S. military planes. Lesley Stahl: Do you see a lowering of the temperature in the South China Sea? Nicholas Burns: No, and that's a problem. Lesley Stahl: You don't? Nicholas Burns: And then on Taiwan, following Speaker Pelosi's visit, we've seen, now for 16 months, a much higher rate of Chinese both air activity and naval activity that's very intimidating, meant to intimidate Lesley Stahl: And that hasn't-- they haven't pulled back on that? Nicholas Burns: --the Taiwan authorities. They haven't pulled back on that. And I think ultimately, they want to become and overtake the United States as the dominant country globally. And we don't want that to happen. We don't want to live in a world where the Chinese are the dominant country. Lesley Stahl: When the Cold War ended, we all thought our system had won. Nicholas Burns: Yeah. Lesley Stahl: You know, their system failed, our system rose up. Now he's come back and said, "No, no, the Communist system's the right way." I guess we didn't bury that after all. Nicholas Burns: You know, it's interesting to compare the old Cold War with this time. What distinguishes this time versus the old Cold War: Soviet Union had a strong military and nuclear weapons. It had a very weak economy, which in no way competed with ours. China's economy is very strong. We're dealing with an adversary, a competitor in China stronger than the Soviet Union was in the 1940s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. Lesley Stahl: So, if that was a cold war, what are you calling this? Nicholas Burns: It's a competition of ideas, a battle of ideas. Our idea, America's big idea of a democratic society and human freedom, versus China's idea that a Communist state is stronger than a democracy. We don't believe that. So, there's a battle here as to whose ideas should lead the world. And we believe those are American ideas. Produced by Richard Bonin and Mirella Brussani. Broadcast associates, Wren Woodson and Aria Een. News associate, Jessica Langer. Edited by Peter M. Berman. Starting social media with a blank slate: The algorithm took me from Irish mammies to immigration in 10 minutes How much is real-life anger fuelled by what we see online? TikTok, X and YouTube are often blamed for pushing divisive content, so we began new accounts from scratch to see what they would serve us How long does it take for social media feeds to lead you down a political rabbit hole? Saoirse Hanley and John Meagher Sat 4 May 2024 at 02:30 House the Irish first, close the borders and Eire will no longer run by EU puppets read the placards at the protest outside Simon Harriss family home on Thursday. No decision is due on future funding until after next months elections Households face paying on the double towards the cost of RTE After waiting an excruciating amount of time for the damp squib special investigations into RTE to be completed, the Government is back at square one. How do you solve a problem like the licence fee? Taoiseach Simon Harris and Media Minister Catherine Martin met last week coincidentally, ahead of the arrival of the reports on the ministers desk. They discussed the two funding options available: scrapping the TV licence and dipping into the Exchequer or keeping the TV licence and finding a way to collect more of it. Now a third option is quietly emerging as the most likely outcome within the Coalition: reforming the TV licence and providing a top-up from the taxpayer for public service media. Several senior figures in the Government told the Irish Independent this hybrid model is shaping up to be the compromise solution. The finer details of how it would work still have to be worked out, and no decision will be taken until after the local and European elections, so it will not become an issue during an already overloaded campaign. Its one of the options and that would also help with the budget controls in RTE, a source said. The new arrangement will require legislation to be passed, and it is not even clear that will happen during the lifetime of the Government. The changes to the TV licence would be accompanied by reforms to RTE, particularly around the transparency of its finances, with a clear line between public and commercial revenues. The accounts would also be audited externally by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The collection of the TV licence fee by the Revenue Commissioners is still an option, albeit one that is not relished by any side. Revenue will take on the task reluctantly if called upon. Money from the TV licence and a taxpayer top-up would probably go in to a public media pot from which RTE would draw funding. But the same pot of money would be available to other independent media to apply for, and there is significant lobbying within the Coalition for support for local newspapers and radio stations. Between the jigs and the reels, the TV licence fee pot should hit about 250m if it is collected properly. The various scandals made last year an aberration due to a fall-off in payment, so going back to 2022 provides a better picture. The TV licence generated 156.6m in 2022 as 947,924 households paid it. RTE has long complained that the rate of licence-fee evasion costs it up to 65m a year. The stations cause has been weakened by the self-inflicted driving up of avoidance to even higher levels. On top of that, though, the State already contributes heavily to the licence-fee pot. Going back to 2022, 506,635 households had their TV licence covered by the Households Benefit Package from the Department of Social Protection, which cost just shy of 70m. And that take-up was even higher last year before the payments scandal kicked in to skew the figures. Ms Martin favours ditching the 160 TV licence. The proponents of this approach argue that the collection of the fee is a lot of hassle for little enough return and the State can now afford to replace it with funds taken directly from the central pot. The Ryan Tubridy payments scandal and subsequent slew of controversies in RTE over the past year show the current system is not fit for purpose, with widescale non-payment ensuing in the fallout. But Tanaiste Micheal Martin is leading the charge to retain the TV licence and is backed by Finance Minister Michael McGrath and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe. Mr Martin believes in the concept of independent media and argues it is all the more important in the era of fake news and the unregulated world of social media. Why not scrap everything else we collect? This is worth a considerable amount to the State. People value things they contribute to more, a source said. The idea of not rewarding RTE for past failings, by scrapping a funding model it complained about all the time, will also weigh heavily on the process. The reports into RTE have reiterated that it is important to place the national broadcaster on a firm financial footing, but the findings leaked so far have suggested the much-vaunted reports are a bit of a let-down. Finding out there were corporate governance failings in RTE and the board did not know what was going on is hardly revelatory. The Irish secretary of the National Union of Journalists said he hopes decisive action will come from the reports. However, Seamus Dooley added that the leaks were only revealing a statement of the blindingly obvious. He wants definitive conclusions allowing everyone to move forward, rather than some sort of an archaeological dig. Ms Martin will publish the three reports into governance, culture and human resources, along with a report into the barter accounts. I was at a fifth birthday party last weekend when the conversation turned to schools. Our offspring attend preschool together, and will all be starting primary school in September. Emotions are running high, ahead of the transition. Parents emotions, that is. Im fortunate, in that my son will be joining his brother in a local Educate Together school were really happy with. Many of the other parents were deep in the school selection process, quoting three-digit numbers from waiting lists, and agonising over which school was right for their little one. Billy Keane: The Leinster and Munster rivalry never gets old some of them are us and some of us are them Some of the tents that were put up for migrants in the Mount Street area of Dublin. Photo: Steve Humphreys People arriving in Ireland need services, just like those already living here. It comes down to planning and capacity issues. We have a homelessness crisis. People in most areas are struggling with accommodation, accessing GP services, hospitals, other health services and primary and secondary school places. More people, more pressure. Plan and make more housing, health, education and social services available and it can work. If there is no increase in these and more people are arriving, resentment and social problems will grow, as has been seen in other countries. Rachel Walsh, address with editor Labours O Riordain has no business making cheap jibes about Healy-Rae I have noted the concerns that the people of Ireland have for those living on the streets of Dublin. We are proving ourselves to be a very caring, compassionate people. I read Philip Ryans report (Healy-Raes complaint on immigration is hilarious, Irish Independent, May 2) on how Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae has been criticised for his condemnation of government spending on immigration policies while receiving 650,000 from the State to accommodate Ukrainian refugees. Labour TD Aodhan O Riordain finds it hilarious. He also cited another bonus Mr Healy-Rae got. The Kerry TD has said everything is above board. We will probably see in six weeks time the Healy-Rae party romping home in the local elections and being carried shoulder-high out of the counts from Tralee to Killarney. Meanwhile, we will probably see O Riordains Labour Party struggling to survive. Thomas Garvey, Claremorris, Co Mayo If we are serious about child welfare, we must jail those with abuse images Dr Elaine Byrnes writes that there is a need for enhanced law enforcement as part of a holistic approach to combating child sexual abuse online (Irish Independent, April 30). Every week in Ireland we see reports of men convicted of accessing and possession of hundreds or thousands of images of child sexual abuse walking free from court with suspended sentences, even after the judge has commented on the horrific nature of what the child has been subjected to. Might I suggest that the first step would be to indicate to the perpetrators that we actually take this crime and the welfare of the affected children seriously by imposing custodial sentences for this crime? E Bolger, Dublin 9 When will a change come to ease the plight of the Palestinians in Gaza? A change is gonna come, or so Sam Cooke sings. I opened Instagram. What has happened in Gaza today? A little girl with her head wrapped in a bandage. A doctor leans over her with his hand gently on her chest. Chaos in the hospital. He looks around helplessly, desperate. She struggles to take a shallow breath, her last. Ive just watched a child die. It feels like my chest has shattered into pieces. Months spent pleading with public representatives to do something about Gaza, yet nothing. A change is gonna come. Aine Mullins, Maynooth, Co Kildare As was the case over the years, students are right to protest over injustice There is something heartening in seeing US students engaged in protests, as is the case across many universities over the last few weeks due to the Israeli conflict in Gaza. Its a throwback to the Vietnam protests of the 1960s and 70s. Democracy in many ways is all the better for student voices protesting, even if its with, dare I say it, borderline violence and disruption. However, it is disquieting to see fellow students and academics pitted against one another, no matter the rights and wrongs. Tolerable levels of university disruption should and must be allowed, without resorting to racism of any kind or violence that endangers public safety. Sanctions against students should be a last resort by governing bodies, and law enforcement needs to be measured and proportionate. Some of us remember the students protest and massacre at Tiananmen Square in China in 1989. Theirs was a just cause, but it came at a devastating cost of hundreds, if not thousands, of young student lives. Aidan Roddy, Cabinteely, Dublin 18 When it comes to the issue of disinformation, we can hardly criticise Trump We hear a lot of claims about Donald Trump being prejudiced and spreading disinformation during his term as US president. Our referendums in March were an example of our own government engaging in disinformation by not publishing the advice of the Attorney General about the interpretation of the durable relationships clause. I would also question the narrative around Trump as he included people with different skin colours in his political administration and employed different nationalities in his varied business interests. We hear politicians preaching about how important it is to keep channels of communication open with other countries. However, Trump was ridiculed by many when he met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Some commentators have said the Trump presidency was chaotic, but to his credit, no major worldwide hostilities erupted during his term in office. Eamonn OHara, Manorcunningham, Co Donegal Usual voices are united in opposition to removing triple lock for our troops The deployment of our troops abroad should not be subject to the triple lock. To have consent from a discredited UN Security Council for the deployment of our troops must and should be set aside given the wider context of European and world security. Our troops have served gallantly as peacekeepers in many countries and are held in high esteem for their professionalism and dedication to duty. That there is opposition to removing the triple lock by the usual lefties who have never served their country in uniform is what we expect. Christy Galligan, Co Donegal Asylum-seekers are moved away from Mount Street in Dublin during a multi-agency operation. Photo: Collins Since the Famine, the Irish people have spread far and wide, fleeing from hunger, war, destitution and persecution. Many went to Australia or America. Others took the shorter journey across the Irish Sea in the hope of a better life. They would stand at corners in long lines to take the sub from Murphy, Kennedy or John Laing. A good pair of boots, strength and drive were all you needed to get yourself through the day. They would lay pipe or pull cable from London to Wolverhampton, build bridges and motorways from Devon to Luton. Put simply, the Irish always did what they could to survive. They made their mark wherever they went: building skyscrapers, tackling new trends and forging new lands. They married and prospered under unfamiliar skies, working hard and seeking opportunities of all kind. And what money they earned they sent back to their homeland. But were the Irish always welcomed? That would be a no. Its easy to forget we were hated and belittled too. The Irish were also immigrants, just like those who are now diminished and despised by some in society. They had little or nothing and sometimes an accent far too hard to interpret but they just kept going despite the negative attitudes. Not all who boarded the coffin ships flourished, and many perished on the journey. Many more witnessed more hardship in faraway cities and lay awake dreaming of lost and familiar places. Irish labourers worked hard and often and slept out under the starry night sky. But it seems some of the Irish have forgotten where we came from. How do we show respect to our past generations, the ones who sent money home and helped lay our very foundation? We burn houses, shout abuse and target the forces of law and order to scare immigrants away. But werent we too the same? Julie Bennett, Co Laois Our Government is just scutting along instead of actually steering things The cabinet sub-committee on migration met this week to discuss ways to speed up the asylum application process. Tanaiste Micheal Martin also told a meeting of the Fianna Fail parliamentary party that communication on the immigration issue must improve on all fronts. These are headlines that ought to have appeared a year maybe two or even three years ago. It reminds me of the time when, growing up in Dublin in the 1960s, we had a phenomenon called scutting. If you drove a car along any of the roads in our area, you could expect to attract the attention of a band of boys and youths who would hang on to the rear bumper of your vehicle. Thats what seems to be happening with the serious issues of the day now, in particular immigration, housing and health. The Government is scutting when those in charge should, at the very least, be steering the car. Peter Declan OHalloran, Belturbet, Co Cavan If Jesus were in Ireland today, I wonder exactly how he would be treated John Fitzgerald (Letters, May 2) asks whose side Jesus would be on with regard to asylum-seekers and immigration if he walked among us now. If he existed, Jesus was from the Middle East and undoubtedly dark-skinned, so its really not too difficult to imagine how he would be treated today by some of the Ireland for the Irish brigade or, indeed, by the State. If Jesus were here with us, I imagine he would be homeless and living in a tent somewhere on the streets of Dublin. As a young male asylum-seeker, he would most likely also be categorised by the far right as a single man of military age and there would be queries about whether he had been properly vetted. Some would suggest he constitutes a danger to local women. In short, he is immensely lucky not to be among us now. Fintan Lane, Lucan, Co Dublin For asylum-seekers, it seems the States motto is out of sight, out of mind Watching the numerous agencies of the State (efficiently mobilised by the Government) shifting asylum-seekers away from Mount Street in Dublin brought Einsteins observation into sharp focus: Problems cannot be solved by the same thinking that created them. It is obvious that members of the Government continue to see the homeless as the problem, and the solution is to keep them hidden from sight at any cost. Jim OSullivan, Rathedmond, Co Sligo Our inadequate health service cant be allowed to let people suffer and die No matter the number of inspections of hospitals by Hiqa or HSE teams, the problems facing staff and patients alike is capacity. The deaths of patients on trolleys should be a watershed moment, but, sadly, they could happen again unless we reverse disastrous decisions taken by the Department of Health and the HSE to reduce the number of emergency departments and downgrade essential hospitals. You would think in this present day that our health service would be fit for purpose, but its not. Systemic failures and lack of communication in overcrowded emergency departments led to the undignified and horrible death of 16-year-old Aoife Johnston from Shannon, Co Clare. Time and again, the same scenarios play out all over this country. Patients are left unattended and untreated for hours on end, with staff overworked and exhausted. Families of those who have died have been failed, and they have been failed miserably. Inadequate planning, oversight and governance must be addressed with the urgency they demand. Christy Galligan, Letterkenny, Co Donegal Forget about the idea of a single God, it has always been about the Trinity Declan Foley (Letters, May 2) writes about people fooling themselves about the Trinity. I presume the misunderstood philosopher he speaks about is Jesus Christ, who is no mere philosopher, but the Son of God in the flesh who has revealed that God is a Trinity of persons living together in love and harmony. The Trinity is not an abstract doctrine, but a way of living together. If God means three divine persons in eternal communion among themselves, then we must conclude that we also are called to communion. Our survival is intrinsically related to our belief and union with God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Dont be fooled, a single solitary God does not fit the bill. The reality of God has always been the reality of a Trinitarian God. Seamus Humphreys, Dungarvan, Co Waterford Ireland has moved on, but this country is still a very judgmental place to be in While I agree with Frank Coughlan (Old Ireland is gone, but you can catch a glimpse of it in our traditions Irish Independent, April 30) that Ireland has moved on from economic stagnation in a few short generations, I dont agree with him on the point about moral rigidity. Ireland is still a very judgmental place to live. Youre damned if you do or damned if you dont in this country. Thats a general comment. You are damned if you have a baby in modern Ireland and damned if you dont. You are damned if you buy a house or if you are forced to stay with parents. If you go to college you rack up debt and if you dont you will be poorly paid. We need to listen and understand each other more. Leave the judging up to the judges. Liam Doran, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 Rubens stands out among his peers, and exhibition at National Gallery is a joy An Irish portrait painter once passed on advice she heard in St Petersburg. Her bearded tutor paused at her easel and solemnly regarded her canvas. Before shuffling on, he mumbled: Study Rubens. This injunction impressed her, but it struck me as glib. Peter Paul Rubens is one of those great masters, like Raphael, more honoured in theory than practice. His religious allegories no longer astound or move. I got wise last week on a visit to the National Gallerys exhibition of Dutch and Flemish portraits. The format lets one compare intimate character studies by the greatest artists of the Golden Age. Even next to Rembrandt, Van Dyck and Vermeer, Rubens genius shines. Turning Heads ends on May 26. Aidan Harte, Naas, Co Kildare A Dublin-based woman has swapped life in the boardroom with The Apprentices Alan Sugar for the WellFest stage. WellFest is taking place at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham next Saturday and Sunday. The festival is Europes largest outdoor health, fitness, and wellness festival it will see over 150 health and wellness experts across 15 festival areas. Maura Rath, who has her Yoga with Maura studio based in Dun Laoghaire, will be on the WellFest Main Stage and Well Yoga stand over the weekend. Maura is known nationwide for her 'Sunrise Clubber' events and her online yoga classes. She has also been praised for creating an environment where everyone feels like part of the tribe, whether you're a seasoned yogi or a newbie. Earlier this year, Maura introduced Alan Sugar to positivity and well-being. She wanted to make her business boom with the help of his investment. Just two months later, shes back on home soil to share her knowledge of yoga with the people of Dublin. "My career really kicked off with yoga in 2017, I was living abroad for a long time and then I found yoga, she told the Irish Independent. I came from quite a corporate background. I went to India for a little bit of eat, pray, love and and found myself, found yoga. Then when I moved back to Ireland in 2017, I thought to myself that I'm not going back to an office. I'm going to find a way to make this work. Maura decided to leave the fast-paced business world for the calm world of yoga, and she hasnt looked back since. Personally, I feel that we are all in that fight or flight mode so much, she added. Its our stress response because the world moves so fast and when we're not in work, we're on our phones scrolling. Our attention spans are on 10-second videos. I think yoga is more important than ever because it really helps us rest and helps our parasympathetic nervous system. We need yoga to help us get rid of anxiety, that's the mental side of it. "It helps us just wind down. For me, it was a tool to be able to separate myself from work and home life. The more I got into it, I realised even how powerful it was. For me, yoga is a key part of the toolbox. Yoga means people coming together and it's a practice where I believe that there's a teacher for everyone. If people haven't enjoyed yoga, they possibly haven't found the right teacher for them. When I found the right teacher, it really shifted it for me. "I feel that there's a yoga practice for everyone. If some people are dabbling in yoga and life gets in the way, they get busy and then they come back in a year and yoga welcomes you back always. You can dabble in and out of just even try out and see how you go. Maura says it doesnt matter if its your first time doing yoga, anyone can do it and its not as hard as newcomers might think. The most common thing people say to me when they're starting yoga is that I can't even touch my toes. I say if you bend your knees then you'll be able to touch your toes. I'm not the most flexible person. The asanas, which are yoga postures, are only a very small part of yoga. Even just connect with your breath and be kind to yourself. I have an online studio so it can help you build a little bit of confidence at home before you do it in person. "Sometimes it's a confidence thing that can hold us back. I think a lot of us don't like to be beginners. The advice for people would be just start, just give it a go, and see how you feel. Overall, Maura claims that yoga has fantastic long-term effects, especially for those who live a fast-paced life. Long term physically, it helps with injury prevention. It helps with keeping your muscles long and strong. Posture is such a big thing, we're on our phones all the time hunched. We're driving, we're in seated positions and sedentary jobs and just stretching out your spine, stretching out your muscles can just be so powerful for your flexibility, your injury prevention and even just building strength as well. I went to my first WellFest back in 2018. You can try so many teachers. I'm all about yoga, but I'll definitely be doing fitness classes myself and going to the talks. If you're not even into yoga, come and test it out, just enjoy the atmosphere and like-minded people. James Casserly says automatic ramps on trains will give him full independence The new electric Dart carriages are being manufactured in Poland James Casserly, son of Lucan councillor Vicki Casserly, loves an adventure but its not always easy to plan a spontaneous trip as a wheelchair user. The 18-year-old Dubliner, also known as Jimbos Accessible Adventures on social media, says he will finally be able to travel spontaneously when new accessible carriages arrive next year. Currently, people who require a ramp to access a Dart must ring Irish Rail at least a day in advance to ask for assistance. But the new Dart+ trains will have new accessible ramps that can automatically lower each time the doors open. In total, there will be 37 new trains to serve the Maynooth, Hazelhatch and Drogheda lines which are set to become operational in late 2025, with plans to expand nationwide in the next decade. The wider trains will carry 550 passengers and include more space for wheelchairs, buggies, and bicycles. The spacious carriages have multiple wider seats which fold up and down, similar to the Luas, giving those with mobility issues, people with buggies and those with bikes more space to move around onboard. Lucan lad James is delighted with this as it will improve the quality of his life. The new electric Dart carriages are being manufactured in Poland Theyre so much better because obviously you dont need a ramp and Im able to use my full independence, he told the Irish Independent. You dont need to rely on a staff member to put the ramp down. Its a struggle now, theres no spontaneous travel. It gives equality on public transport as well. Its very hard because youve to ring a day or two in advance to book the train. It puts people off travelling, thats another part of it. This is an improvement on the quality of life. Ill finally be able to do spontaneous travel, if I was going to Bray I can just go to Bray, I dont need to rely on any people, I can just go. The same with Howth and other places. I cant do spontaneous trips now, thats the frustrating part. Theres a lot of planning now. Its really hard to organise, because theres no staff at the weekends and its really hard to organise assistance. Im a bit anxious sometimes, he added. Independent Living Movement Ireland have also applauded Irish Rail's commitment to accessibility as it welcomes this initiative wholeheartedly. The organisation described it as a tangible investment in real inclusion and a step in the right direction for public transportation in Ireland. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Chairperson Des Kenny said the accessibility features are a gamechanger for the disability community as the ramps that automatically deploy at every train station marks a significant step forward. For too long, disabled people have faced barriers when attempting to utilise public transportation, often having to navigate cumbersome processes or rely on assistance that is not readily available, Mr Kenny said. The announcement from Irish Rail represents a significant leap forward in our journey towards true accessibility and inclusivity in public transportation. By integrating automatic ramps into their new train fleet, Irish Rail is not just opening doors; theyre dismantling barriers and paving the way for a future where all disabled people can travel with dignity and independence. The ILMI believe that Irish Rail is setting a commendable example for other modes of public transport to follow by prioritising accessibility. Overall, they are hopeful that this commitment to accessibility will extend beyond Irish Rails new train fleet and become the standard for all future transportation initiatives. The staff, students and parents of St Kilians Community School, Bray, were delighted to welcome their German exchange partners recently, after almost five years. Some 24 pupils from Matthias Grunewald Gymnasium in Wurzburg, along with their teachers Sebastian Singer and Sigrid Koehn, arrived in Bray on Sunday, April 14, where they were met by their host families. It was an action-packed week, with both the German and Irish pupils walking the Spinc in Glendalough on Monday. On Tuesday, the German pupils and their teachers visited Wicklow Gaol and Beyond the Trees at Avondale. On Wednesday, the group, along with their Irish host students, were warmly welcomed by Cathaoirleach Melanie Corrigan at a civic reception in Bray Town Hall, while Thursday saw the group travel to Dublin. On Friday, pupils spent the morning visiting classes in school and preparing for the farewell concert, which took place on Friday evening. The group returned to Germany on Sunday afternoon, after spending Saturday with the host families. Their trip to Ireland was a wonderful success, and the pupils are already looking forward to the return trip to Wurzburg in June. Labour leader Keir Starmer hails it a historic victory for his party as PM clings to northern hope Labour leader Keir Starmer, left, with the new Labour mayor for York and North Yorkshire David Skaith after victory. Photo: Getty The Tories suffered a drubbing in the British local elections yesterday, losing around half of their councillors. However, with a general election just months away, UK prime minister Rishi Sunak has looked to the Tees Valley for consolation as Ben Houchens re-election on Teesside was one of the few bright spots for the Conservatives. Ministers, Commissioner Malmstrom, dear Cecilia, Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to thank the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and Business Europe for hosting us in these beautiful surroundings. Prime Minister, I never made a secret of my affection and my admiration for your great nation and for the Chinese people. Over the many years and visits first as the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, now as the current President of the European Commission my fascination with your rich history and culture has only grown stronger. Like all good friends, we may sometimes have our disagreements and we have disagreements but I believe that the frankness and honesty between us makes our relation stronger. Our partnership today is more important than ever before. The European Union is China's biggest trading partner. China is the EU's second largest. The trade in goods between us is worth over EUR 1.5 billion every single day. Access to the European internal market is amongst the main elements having contributed to China's economic miracle, helping millions of people out of poverty. Over 10 million Chinese people now visit Europe every year. And next year's EU-China Tourism Year will provide new opportunities for investment and more people from both sides to discover the beauty of each other's landscapes and ways of life. And I will make use of this Tourism Year to spend half of the year in China... But our relationship is not an insular one. It is one that looks out to the world and makes it more stable. Whether it be fighting climate change more important today than yesterday cyber-attacks and international terrorism, or whether it be promoting sustainable development, trade and global economic growth, China and the European Union are aligned on the need for international solutions. Nowhere is that more important than in leading the global clean energy transition and the implementation the full implementation without nuances of the Paris Climate Agreement. Our joint leadership provides businesses, investors and researchers in Europe, China and around the world with the certainty they need to build a global low-carbon economy. And it makes a statement to the world: there is no reverse gear to the energy transition. There is no backsliding on the Paris Agreement. Our relationship is founded on a shared commitment to openness and working together as part of a rules-based international system. I am glad that we can meet here today and say this, loud and clear. It is one that recognises that together we can promote prosperity and sustainability at home and abroad. This is the vision that President Xi so eloquently described in Davos earlier this year. I know that the Prime Minister is also fully signed up to that. The State Council Notice on Promoting Further Openness showed his commitment. And the Government Work Plan that explicitly stated China's ambition to be the most attractive destination for foreign investment backed that up. Over the years we have come a long way. Back when I first visited China as a Prime Minister in 1996, your country was not even a member of the WTO. On that trip I remember talking a lot about working together, but in reality we were closed off to each other. China accounted for only 5% of world exports. Tourism Chinese to Europe and European to China was really unusual at that period of time. Our businesses exchanged less and our economies were not as interlinked as they are today. Today, the EU is China's most important destination for outward investment. Chinese companies are attracted by the talent and innovation of our people, the stability of our investment environment and the strength of our economy. And we are just as attracted to China's economy. In 2014, the European Union accounted for nearly 16% of total Foreign Direct Investment into China. But there is scope for much more. China accounts for less than 5% of foreign investment in the EU. And last year, China's investors spent nearly five times as much on acquisitions in the European Union than European companies did in China. While Chinese investment into the European Union increased by 77% in 2016, the flow in the other direction declined by almost a quarter. To put that into context, EU investment into China last year was roughly 3% of what we invested into the United States. That reflects how difficult it can still be to do business in China. Roughly half of EU companies say that it actually got harder last year. One in two say they feel less welcome than when they entered the Chinese market. And more than half say that foreign companies are treated unfairly compared to their Chinese competitors. That feedback is reflected in the World Bank's rankings of the ease of doing business. China sits in 78th place out of 183 countries. A big economic powerhouse needs to be higher than mid-table. The Government's Work Plan shows China wants to move up the table. It calls for significant improvements in the investment environment and says foreign firms will be treated equally. The Comprehensive Agreement on Investment currently being negotiated will be a game changer. It will allow us to invest with confidence. It will help protect investments, ensure market access and level the playing field. This is the third summit I have had the pleasure of taking part in and the third time I have stressed the need for this Agreement to be put into place. We now need to get it done so that we can truly have reciprocal investment relationship in our mutual interest. We applaud the ambition of China's reform path. We recognise that reforms have been made and that plans have been established. But we would like to see implementation speed up so that your policies are in line with your world vision. The Prime Minister knows me well enough to know that I will always be frank and honest with him on all these matters. And I will take the same approach when it comes to the rule of law and fundamental human rights. These are universal questions of fairness and values that we hold dear but they are also pre-requisites for a stable and attractive investment and business environment. And we believe that real competition and real openness can only work with a level playing field. That is more important than ever as globalisation is increasingly called into question, with many around the world asking whether it really works for them. The Commission set out its views in a Reflection Paper on Harnessing Globalisation. I explained this vision at last week's G7 and will do so again alongside China at next month's G20. I understand that 45% of Europeans consider globalisation to be a threat rather than an opportunity. Here in the European Union we are focusing minds and efforts on making sure that no one is left behind and that we are all playing by the same rules. That is why we must address growing excess capacity in certain sectors that is leading to the dumping of below-cost products. This is hurting EU producers, costing jobs and having a damaging impact on some of our manufacturing and industrial heartlands. Chinese steel overcapacity is now more than double the EU's total capacity. Over the past decade, Chinese overcapacities have tripled for steel pipes and quadrupled for aluminium and silicon. When we have to, we will be sure to uphold fairness when it comes to trade. And we are backing that up by strengthening our trade defence instruments to make them fit-for-purpose. This is not about being protectionist or pointing fingers at others. Our actions are fully in line with our international obligations under the WTO and we will apply them in a fair, transparent and country-neutral way. Trade cannot simply be free. It must be fair. But as always, the European Union believes in dialogue and cooperation and we will continue to work closely with our Chinese friends on addressing excess capacity and other concerns, notably on data and technology. This dialogue is crucial at a time when the European Union and China now have a responsibility to fight for a fair and open global market place. Delivering on this dialogue is our deep, strategic interest. If we fail to make progress, the only winners will be the political forces that oppose the openness we seek. And together, we can make the most of the opportunities that can bring. For example, China is now building corridors that are connecting us by land and sea, as well as online. We welcome the opportunities created by the "Belt and Road" initiative it will bring people and businesses in Asia and Europe closer together. The new direct rail links between Beijing and European hubs are symbols of that. They will resurrect an old trade route and cover 12,000 kilometres, crossing Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, Belgium, and France. And we want to make sure that the "Belt and Road" complements existing projects, including those under the EU's long-established Trans-European Networks policy or the EU-China Connectivity Platform. Over time, improved connectivity will help manufacturers and businesses of all sizes to lower transport costs and open new markets. But much more is needed: Asia alone faces a EUR 23 trillion infrastructure gap by 2030. Both the EU and China have a key interest in making the "Belt and Road" Initiative. Our message is that we can help you build it but the rules must be the same for all. European companies must have a fair chance of being able to tender and compete on the same terms as Chinese counterparts. We must ensure, there too, a level playing field. I am very much encouraged by China's statements on making the "Belt and Road" an open, transparent, inclusive initiative. Let us work on these projects together. Let our companies build them together. Prime Minister, dear friends, Ladies and Gentlemen, That is just a glimpse of the potential that our partnership holds, not just for the European Union and for China but also for the rest of the world. Europe's future lies in our own hands this is what leaders stated in their recent Rome Declaration. So we should shape our own future and China will be a crucial partner in that. Together, we can increase the prosperity and well-being of our people. Our companies can thrive in open, fast-growing international markets. We can learn from each other and push each other on to innovate and compete. We can stand up for fairness across the world. With China, the EU will fight for its global vision, in which we work together to tackle the challenges we share. We will defend the level playing field and make sure that the international system is anchored in rules and institutions that we all agree on. We will accompany the green transition together, in the interests of our children and our grandchildren. And by doing so we can help to make the world a more stable place, at a time when it is full of uncertainty. Prime Minister Li, dear friend, Thank you and welcome once again. Berlin region is looking for someone to take Goebbels villa off its hands Nazi propaganda minister used the rural property as a love-nest for secret affairs The villa once owned by Nazi minister Joseph Goebbels, about 40km north of Berlin, has fallen into disrepair in recent years. Photo: AP Stephen Graham Sat 4 May 2024 at 03:30 Berlins government is offering to give away a villa once owned by Adolf Hitlers propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels, to end a decades-long debate on whether to repurpose or bulldoze a sprawling disused site in the countryside north of the German capital. Smoke and fire rise from the site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at a location given as Odesa, Ukraine, in this handout image released on May 2, 2024. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Handout via REUTERS Nicola Hanney on surviving ex-garda Paul Moodys four-year campaign of abuse: The way he saw it, I was pregnant with his child, so I was his property now Democratic representative Henry Cuellar and his wife were indicted on conspiracy and bribery charges yesterday in connection with a US Department of Justice probe into ties between American business leaders and the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan. From 2014 to 2021, Mr Cuellar and his wife accepted nearly $600,000 (557,000) in bribes from an Azerbaijan-controlled energy company and a bank in Mexico, and in exchange, Mr Cuellar agreed to advance the interests of the country and the bank in the US, according to the indictments. Photo courtesy: IHIT website Canadian Police on Friday said at least three people were arrested and charged in connection with the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia last year. The murder of the Khalistani leader had triggered a diplomatic row between India and Canada. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a statement: "Today the Integrated Homicide Investigative Team (IHIT) and the Federal Policing Program Pacific Region announced the arrests of three individuals for their alleged involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18, 2023." According to local media reports, the three arrested persons were identified as Kamalpreet Singh, Karanpreet Singh and Karan Brar. Although sources initially told CBC News that raids were expected in at least two provinces, RCMP confirmed Friday that all three men were arrested separately in Edmonton without incident two of them in their homes and another elsewhere. Sources told CBC News the men arrived in Canada on temporary visas after 2021, some of them student visas. None are believed to have pursued education while in Canada. None have obtained permanent residency. Police said others associated with the crime could be arrested in the upcoming days. "This investigation does not end here. We are aware that others may have played a role in this homicide and we remain dedicated to finding and arresting each one of these individuals," Supt. Mandeep Mooker, the officer in charge of the B.C. RCMP's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) told CBC News. India-Canada row In September last year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canadian authorities were pursuing allegations linking Indian government agents to the fatal shooting of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen. However, India rejected Trudeau's claim as "absurd." Canada had been pressing India to cooperate in its investigation. The US later revealed it had foiled an assassination attempt against a Sikh separatist on its soil. The presence of Khalistani terrorists in Canada has long frustrated New Delhi. Nijjar was labelled a "terrorist" by India. Photo Courtesy: S Jaishankar Instagram page video grab External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has reacted to US President Joe Biden's ' xenophobic ' remark and said India has always been open and welcoming to people from diverse societies. Speaking to Economic Times, S Jaishankar said: "First of all, our economy is not faltering." India is always India has been a very unique country I would say actually, in the history of the world, that it's been a society which has been very open different people from different societies come to India," he told the newspaper. What did Joe Biden say? Grouping together with countries like China and Russia, US President Joe Biden recently described Japan and India as 'xenophobic'. He made the comment just weeks after he called the US-Japan alliance "unbreakable". India is a key US partner. "Why? Because we welcome immigrants," he added. "Think about it. Why is China stalling so badly economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia? Why is India? Because they're xenophobic. They don't want immigrants," Biden was quoted as saying by BBC Asian-American audience while speaking at a campaign fundraising event on Wednesday (May 1, 2024). Criticising the comments, Elbridge Colby, a former US deputy assistant secretary of defense in the Trump administration, posted on X: "Japan and India are two of our very stoutest and important allies. We should speak of them with respect, which they command and deserve." "Applying parochial progressive views to our allies is patronizing and foolish," he said. The White House, meanwhile, denied that the President made the remarks in a derogatory sense. US national security spokesman John Kirby was quoted as saying by BBC: "Our allies and partners know well in tangible ways how President Biden values them, their friendship, their co-operation." Kirby said, "They understand how much he completely and utterly values the idea of alliances and partnerships." Support Our Journalism We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news. Support objective journalism for a small contribution. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash The World Uyghur Congress on Wednesday welcomed the communication sent by UN experts concerning the arbitrary detention of at least 43 Uyghur refugees held in Thailands Immigration Facilities. "On February 22, 2024, five UN Special Rapporteurs and two UN Working Groups sent a letter to the Thai Government expressing their concerns and calling on the Royal Thai Government to provide information on the decade-long arbitrary detention of the Uyghur men, their access to medical care and the detention conditions where they are being held," read a statement issued by the WUC. Additionally, the letter seeks information from the Thai authorities on their prolonged incommunicado detention and asks if measures are being taken to facilitate communication and visitation rights with families and legal representatives. The UN experts also expressed serious concern regarding the forcible return of 109 Uyghurs in 2015 without an assessment of their protection needs under international human rights and refugee laws. They also urged the Royal Thai government to safeguard the human rights of migrants, ensuring full adherence to the principle of non-refoulement. There needs to be an end to the indefinite and arbitrary detention of the Uyghur men in Thailand, said World Uyghur Congress President, Dolkun Isa. They should not be detained for fleeing from a repressive environment out of fear of the genocidal policies in East Turkistan. Uyghurs are increasingly recognized as a persecuted group in East Turkistan, who face arbitrary detention, mass surveillance, separation of families, torture, forced labour and other human rights atrocities. Those residing outside China continue to face state-led repression abroad. Uyghurs living in third countries without firm settlement status are particularly vulnerable to detention and forced return, with many experiencing harassment and intimidation from local authorities, often acting on behalf of Chinese authorities. Since March 2014, at least 43 Uyghur men have been held at the IDC Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Centre in Bangkok, Thailand under inhumane and overcrowded conditions. The men were part of a larger group of 350 Uyghur refugees who fled China in 2014, attempting to reach Turkey through Thailand to escape persecution in East Turkistan. In July 2015, 173 Uyghur women and children were transferred to Turkey, while 109 men, women, and children were forcibly returned to China, where their current whereabouts are unknown. Since 2014, a reported number of five Uyghurs, including two children, have died within the Thai Immigration Centres due to catastrophic conditions. Detainees are confined indoors 24 hours a day in overcrowded, unsanitary cells without access to adequate food, physical exercise, or appropriate medical treatment. The World Uyghur Congress said it is deeply concerned about their indefinite detention and potential deportation to China, where they face serious risk of persecution. The WUC furthermore reiterates its call to the Thai authorities and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to immediately release the detained Uyghurs and to resolutely avoid refoulement, while enabling resettlement options as soon as possible. Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense has detected nine Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. Friday (May 3) and the same time Saturday (May 4), media reports said. The ministry said it monitored the situation with its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems, and deployed land-based air defense missile systems. However, at the time of publication, it did not mention whether the Chinese planes had crossed the median line or entered the nations air defense identification zone (ADIZ), reported Taiwan News. In May, the Ministry has detected Chinese military aircraft 39 times and naval vessels 21 times. Since September 2020, Beijing has increased its use of "gray zone tactics" by operating more military aircraft and naval ships around Taiwan, reported Taiwan News. What is the basis of Chinas claim over Taiwan? The basis of Chinas claim over Taiwan dates back to 1945 when Japan lost its control over the island in 1945,post-World War Two. The 1949 Chinese civil war led to communists taking control and Chiang Kai-shek the one who lost fled to Taiwan. He ruled it for many decades. This is where Chinas claim to Taiwan emanates. The very fact that Chiang Kai-shek came to Taiwan and was not indigenous to the place is Taiwans argument against the claim. Why is Taiwan important to China? A lot of things actually, which of course are related to Taiwan but not necessarily direct to Taiwan. It's more about (China's) relationship changing with the United States or we should say Western Countries, mainly the United States and China. Taiwan then happens to become a key player and main actor in this dynamics, said Alice. 100 miles from the coast of China, Taiwan is an island, that is located in the first island chain, this positioning makes it crucial to the US foreign policy. US-Sino relations hinge on, One China Policy, it acknowledges that, there is only one Chinese Government." The US recognises its formal ties with China. With Taiwan the US shares independent strong unofficial relations. Photo Courtesy: BNM X page The South Korean chapter of the Baloch National Movement (BNM) recently staged a protest at Biff Square in South Koreas Busan when they demanded an end to the state-sponsored oppression against the Baloch people, media reports said. To raise awareness about the ongoing crisis in Balochistan, protesters distributed pamphlets to residents. During the demonstration, the protesters expressed their anger and denounced the Pakistani state for the widespread enforced disappearances and unresolved cases of thousands of missing Baloch individuals, reported ANI news agency. The protesters were seen distributing pamphlets to residents, raising awareness about the ongoing crisis in Balochistan during their demonstration. Shouting anti-Pakistan slogans, the demonstrators expressed their frustration and anger and criticized the Pakistani state for the widespread enforced disappearances and highlighted cases of thousands of missing Baloch individuals, reported the Indian news agency. Bakhtawar Baloch, one of the protesters, spoke of the Baloch peoples enduring fight against what she termed Pakistani occupation, which has lasted for 75 years, the news agency reported. She condemned the alleged genocide of the Baloch people by Pakistani forces over the forced disappearances of women, students, human rights activists, journalists, leaders, scholars, engineers, doctors, political and social workers and livestock herders. NOV 14, 2023, One in ten Torontonians now rely on food banks twice as many as the year prior. https://www.dailybread.ca/blog/one-in-ten-torontonians-now-rely-on-food-banks-twice-as-many-as-the-year-prior/ March 30, 2024, Daily Bread food banks see record 300k visits in February https://ca.news.yahoo.com/daily-bread-food-banks-see-221359971.html YouTube: Nobody Can Afford Food? Evidence of Economic Depression In Canada 2024416 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm2vZ_5TxKM&ab_channel= 646 Comments: @Dubsizzla 2 2 years ago my grocery bills were 4-500, now 800-1000. I am single father, work full time, used to have savings, now living paycheck to paycheck. Some months I don't even know how I make it work. @dinoa.17 2 Canadians bankrupted Govt bankrupted Criminal banking bankrupted Criminal central banking done @etienneprinsloo6799 2 Canadians voted for cold, hunger and poverty. Their wish is granted. @sharkarkheart9085 2 More immigrants from Africa will fix this. They are awesome at feeding themselves. @oaktree5488 2 A close person to me has just been made homeless. Their landlord sold and the new one doubled the rent. They work full-time and can not even afford a basement suite. They had to go to the food bank a month ago, but there was a 2 hour wait as the line was so long. They couldn't afford to wait as they would lose work hours. This is in Calgary. @InfinityIsland2203 2 Watching this from Australia. Eerily similar here. Getting worse by the day with every 125,000 migrants per month we all feel the difference @wilhelmbauermeister7092 23 Very sad. I'm Canadian and it's heartbreaking watching our country fall. Highest taxed in the world, highest immigration in the world, liberal woke identity politics taking control @maple913 2 This is going to be The Greatest Depression @oitzingerpeter 2 The depression has begun. Everyone must prepare for a very tough decade ahead. @dougiep2769 2 Canada borrowed 50 billion dollars for immigration last year. I could think of a few better investments. If immigration was a money maker Canada should be rich not bankrupt @mikehay9204 2 I'm shocked Truedeau hasn't made "depression" a censored term. Canadians cheered as he drove us off a cliff. We've cheered every damn last bit of the current situation. Omg I hope we at least learn from this. @Seven.Heavenly.Sins.666 2 Canada imported >300,000 Eastern European refugees since 2022. We have to support these excessive number of refugees by our tax money. That is why. @Rafael-tj8mf 2 I went out to the restaurant with friends this week, everybody took forever to order and were himing and haughing about ordering something in my gut was telling me they were experiencing sticker shock due to the cost of eating out. @deadhouse3889 2 I just went the corner store and was going to buy a bag of donuts. They were $5 about a mouth ago now they are $7.50. I put them back and said forget that. This coutry is so screwed. @r1ot1ng247 2 Rental slavery. Mortgage slavery, slavery slavery. I feel like a slave @marshferguson4737 2 It's not normal, and it's terrifying! It's a depressing because everyone is depressed big time! @JohnnyD69FG 2 All part of the plan for us. @tedebayer1 2 1982 two of us spent about $45 every two weeks... we dined out once every two weeks at most. Last month we spent close to $1200... hamburger and bacon topped the meat list but mostly pastas, potato etc...going broke trying to keep up with how we once ate so pretty soon its kraft dinner, beans and toast (all no name of course). Welcome to Canada Photo Courtesy: Unsplash The residents of Ghar Shamozi area in Barang tehsil region of Pakistan recently staged a demonstration against lack of teachers in the local government middle school for boys. They threatened to hold a massive demonstration outside the offices of education department if the issue was not addressed immediately, reported Dawn News. The protesters claimed the lone middle school in the area is working without a teacher for the past four months. They told Dawn News that the number of sanctioned posts of teachers in the school was 10 as par the policy of education department. The demonstrators alleged that they had never seen the sanctioned number of teachers in the school since its establishment a decade ago. They said there had been only two teachers in the school since it was built. They said the teachers have been absent from school since December 15. They criticised the local politicians for not taking interest in the issue. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash An Indian couple visiting Canada and their three-month-old grandchild died in a road mishap during a police chase in Canada's Toronto city, media reports said. The incident took place on Highway 401 east of Toronto. Two grandparents, a 60-year-old man and 55-year-old woman, were killed in the collision, Ontarios Special Investigations Unit (SIU) was quoted as saying by CBC News. Special Investigations Unit said in a statement: "An occupant of the cargo van was pronounced deceased at the scene. Three individuals a 60-year-old, a 55-year-old and an infant were also pronounced deceased at the scene. One other person was transported to hospital for treatment of serious injuries." The collision was reportedly the result of a police chase that began with an alleged liquor store robbery in Bowmanville, Ont., in the regional municipality of Clarington. The police began the chase after the suspect drove the wrong way on Highway 401 in Whitby. Seven investigators, one forensic investigator and one collision reconstructionist continue to investigate this case. SIU later said the suspect was a 21-year-old man. "The 38-year-old male passenger was transported to hospital for treatment of serious injuries," read the statement. Milica Maljkovic Birkett, who is a witness in the incident, told CBC News: "I was like, 'Oh my God, like what just happened? What's going on?'" "It's so scary," she said. "For whatever reason, somehow my life was spared. But [four] others were taken and that was just really heavy." Photo Courtesy: Unsplash A US nurse, who killed three patients and tried to kill more than a dozen more at nursing facilities across Pennsylvania, has been sent to life in prison, media reports said. Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that a western Pennsylvania nurse will spend the rest of her life in prison, without the possibility of parole, for intentionally administering lethal doses of insulin to patients at numerous skilled nursing facilities. Heather Pressdee, of Natrona Heights, pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder, and 19 counts of criminal attempt to commit murder, read a statement issued by the Pennsylvania attorney generals office. Pressdee, 41, pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty, her attorney Phillip DiLucente told CNN. The guilty pleas regard Pressdee administering lethal and potentially lethal doses of insulin to 22 patients at facilities in Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, and Westmoreland counties, beginning in 2020. "Most of the patients died very soon after the insulin dose, or some time later, read the statement issued by the Attorney's office. In accordance with a plea agreement, a Butler County Judge sentenced Pressdee to three consecutive life sentences regarding three counts of first degree murder, plus 380 to 760 years of consecutive incarceration for the 19 counts of criminal attempt to commit murder. The defendant used her position of trust as a means to poison patients who depended on her for care, Attorney General Henry said. This plea and life sentence will not bring back the lives lost, but it will ensure Heather Pressdee never has another opportunity to inflict further harm. I offer my sincere sympathy to all who have suffered at this defendants hands. I commend my agents and investigators, and assisting agencies, who meticulously worked this investigation to uncover the defendants terrible acts. Photo Courtesy: File image by Gregory Varnum via Wikimedia Commons Washington/IBNS: American multinational technology company Google and the United States Department of Justice on Friday (May 3) made the final arguments over claims that the Alphabet, Google's parent unit, has unlawfully dominated web search and related advertising, in a case the US government contends could shape the future of the internet", reports said. According to reports, the fate of Googles search business is now in the hands of US District Judge Amit Mehta, as he will now begin preparing to render a major decision on whether the tech giant's conduct broke civil antitrust law. However, the judge did not indicate when he would rule, but according to experts, he could potentially order changes to Google's business practices. The US Justice Department and plaintiff states wrapped up their closing arguments Thursday on Googles alleged anticompetitive conduct in the general search market, and on Friday, the arguments were focused on the company's allegedly illegal conduct in search advertising, reports The Verge. Meanwhile, Google was also under fire in a separate case for failing to retain chat messages that the Department of Justice (DoJ) believes could have been relevant to the case. On Friday, District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington quizzed both sides for hours, investigating whether competitive platforms such as Metas Facebook and Instagram and ByteDances TikTok are competitive substitutes for search advertising dollars. According to Reuters, District Judge Mehta said a central issue was platform substitute-ability for advertisers, which the court must resolve. The Judge also questioned whether Google assesses competitors pricing before making its own adjustments, as the multinational tech corporation's advertising business is responsible for about three quarters of its revenue. Meanwhile, the DoJ has hammered away at Google, contending the search engine giant is a monopolist that illegally abused its power to boost profits. The matter started in October, 2020 after the DoJ along with 11 state Attorneys General filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Google to stop it from unlawfully maintaining monopolies in the search and search advertising markets. Later in December, three more states joined the suit against the tech giant. The trial in the case began on Sept 12 last year. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a money laundering investigation against well-known YouTuber Siddharth Yadav, who goes by the alias Elvish Yadav. The probe comes in the wake of allegations that he hosted parties where snake venom was allegedly used as a recreational drug. The action by the ED follows the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) and a charge sheet filed by the Gautam Buddh Nagar district police in Uttar Pradesh last month. These documents outline serious allegations against Yadav and his associates, leading to charges under the stringent Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Elvish Yadav Faces ED Probe For Alleged Money Laundering Linked To Snake Venom Parties Picture Of Elvish Yadav With His Parents/X Arrests and Allegations Yadav, who gained national fame not only through his YouTube channel but also as a winner of the reality show Bigg Boss OTT 2, was taken into custody on March 17 by Noida Police. The polices investigation focused on suspected activities at parties hosted by Yadav, where snake venom was purportedly used as a recreational substance. This arrest marked a significant turn in the career of the 26-year-old social media star. Also Read: Elvish Yadav Lands In Trouble Again, Gets Booked For Using Prohibited Snakes In Video Elvish Faces Serious Charges Under PMLA Following Arrest By Noida Police Last March The investigation was spurred by a complaint from a representative of the animal rights NGO, People for Animals (PFA). This led to the arrest of five individuals, identified as snake charmers, at a banquet hall in Noida last November. Police raids at the event also led to the rescue of nine snakes, including five cobras, and the seizure of 20 ml of suspected snake venom. Although Yadav was not present at the location during the raid, his alleged connection to the venue and event brought him under intense scrutiny. Charges and Legal Proceedings In April, the police filed an extensive 1,200-page charge sheet against Yadav and others, implicating them in activities including snake trafficking, the use of psychotropic substances, and organising illicit rave parties. The charges span several serious laws, including the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the Wildlife Protection Act, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The ED's investigation aims to trace the financial transactions linked to these illegal activities. This scrutiny is part of the ED's broader mandate to investigate financial crimes and money laundering activities. Noida Police Unleash 1200-Page Chargesheet In Elvish Yadav's Snake Venom Saga/Indiatimes As part of the ongoing investigation, Yadav and his associates are expected to face intensive questioning by the ED. This not only puts Yadavs social media career at risk but could also lead to severe legal consequences if found guilty. Public and Media Response The case has attracted significant media attention, partly due to Yadav's celebrity status and the sensational nature of the allegations involving protected wildlife and controlled substances. Social media reactions have been mixed, with Yadav's fans rallying for his innocence, while critics express outrage over the alleged criminal activities. Also Read: From Munawar Faruqui To Elvish Yadav, 13 Bigg Boss Contestants Who Went To Jail The unfolding legal drama around Elvish Yadav represents a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the public eye. As the ED continues its probe into the financial aspects of these allegations, the outcome will not only determine Yadav's legal fate but also serve as a cautionary tale for celebrities and influencers about the potential pitfalls of fame. As the investigation progresses, further details are expected to emerge, which could decisively impact Yadavs public image and career trajectory. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Netflix series "Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazar," which made its debut this week, has not only attracted viewers for its storyline and star-studded cast but also sparked controversy over its portrayal of historical authenticity. The series, intended to explore the lives of courtesans in the famed red-light district of Lahore, stars renowned actors such as Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, and Sharmin Segal. However, shortly after its release, a viewer from Lahore took to social media to express dissatisfaction with the series inaccuracies, spanning geography, language, costumes, and more. Through an extensive thread on X (formerly Twitter), the viewer lamented, "I watched the show but could not find Heermandi in it. Either you dont set your story in 1940s Lahore, or if you do, you dont mix it with Agras landscape, Delhis Urdu, Lakhnavi dresses, and an 1840s vibe." Pakistani Viewers Criticise Bhansali's "Heeramandi" For Historical Inaccuracies: Just watched Heeramandi. Found everything but heermandi in it. I mean either you dont set your story in 1940s Lahore, or if you do- you dont set it in Agras landscape, Delhis Urdu, Lakhnavi dresses and 1840s vibe. My not-so-sorry Lahori self cant really let it go. pic.twitter.com/1O6Iq36SV9 Hamd Nawaz (@_SophieSchol) May 3, 2024 But how do we differentiate between the real Heeramandi and the one shown in Bhansalis series?Decide for yourself with these 5 more real Heeramandi pictures from Pakistan: Real-Life Pictures From Heeramandi Shared Onlinr/X The viewer further critiqued the series for its lack of authentic Lahore landmarks. "If you call it Lahore, show Lahore," the post read, pointing out the visible absence of the iconic Shahi Qilla-Grand Mosque skyline. The user also noted discrepancies in the depiction of local architecture and language, stating that the average Lahori of the 1940s predominantly spoke Punjabi, not Urdu, and lived in modestly sized homes, contrary to the grand courtyards shown in the series. Also Read: Heeramandi Ending Explained: What Happens To Fareedan In The End? The portrayal of music and costumes also came under fire. The viewer criticised the choice of music as "sufiana custard," which fails to reflect the musical landscape of 1940s Lahore, which was influenced by the likes of Noor Jahan. The costumes, often an area where Bhansali excels, were described as inaccurately lavish, not reflecting the harsh realities of life in Heeramandi during that era. Also Read: Heeramandi Casting: Not Lajjo But This Role Was offered To Richa Chadha In The Netflix Series The Lahore-based viewer suggested that Bhansali's creative liberties went too far, blending elements from his previous projects without adequate research or attention to the specific cultural context of Heeramandi. "Indian cinema has given us masterpieces. Imagine having all this budget and no research," the thread concluded, underscoring a mix of disappointment and a call for greater authenticity in portraying historical narratives. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Jyothika recently held a press conference in Chennai to talk about her new Hindi movie, "Srikanth." During the event, a reporter asked her why she hadn't voted in the recent elections, leading to some controversy over her answer. When asked why she doesnt vote to set a good example since she supports films with a message, Jyothika responded, I vote every year. After being corrected that voting isnt an annual event, she explained, Sometimes I'm travelling or sick. Its a private matter. Occasionally, we might vote online privately; not everything is shared with the public. Netizens Question Jyothika's Online Voting Claim: 'How Can She?' Picture Of Jyothika With The Flag Of India/ Instagram People online were surprised by her mention of online voting because everyone usually goes to polling stations to vote. They shared her comments on social media, questioning how she could vote online when that option isn't available to everyone. Here Is How People Online Reacted: One person said, "Respected Jyothika Mam, Can you please educate me on online voting! Mam, looks like you are the brand ambassador of a new policy decision taken by the government online voting! Could you kindly throw more light? It will help poor people like me who cannot afford to do international travels on taxpayers money like Udhayanidhi! BTW, Mam, better for you not to speak in English! Your English SUCKS!" Respected Jyothika Mam Can you please educate me on online voting! Mam, looks like you are the brand ambassador of a new policy decision taken by the government online voting! Could you kindly throw more light? It will help poor people like me who cannot afford to do pic.twitter.com/65EwEf8AAK Dr. Praveen Kumar (@Praveengiddy) May 3, 2024 Others mocked the idea, joking that Jyothika seemed to be promoting a new government policy on online voting. Another person wrote, "Youre a special breed to be educated, & remain hilariously dumb. #Jyotika - You cant sit at home privately & press a button on a keyboard to vote. This is not Big Boss. Its okay to abstain from voting, but what hilarious excuses!"Overall, Jyothika faced criticism and jokes from people online who were confused and amused by her comments about voting." Jyothika's Mumbai Move Raised Eyebrows: Was Education The Real Reason? Earlier, Jyothika and her family faced criticism after deciding to move to Mumbai. According to reports, the family's move was driven by the need to access better educational facilities for their children. These reports upset some people in Chennai, who felt they undermined the quality of education in their city. The situation stirred discussions about regional pride and the scrutiny public figures face over personal choices. Several videos also appeared online at that time showing actor Suriya, Jyothika's husband, in Mumbai. The couple has reportedly bought a property in Mumbai worth Rs. 70 crore. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Contesting a Lok Sabha Election is not a cheap exercise. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI) the election expenditure limit for Lok Sabha candidates is Rs 95 lakh in larger states and Rs 75 lakh in smaller states. However, realistically this still falls way short of what a candidate needs for the massive outreach and campaign programmes during the election cycle. ANI Candidate retunes ticket As the Lok Sabha Elections continued, the Congress candidate for the Puri Lok Sabha seat in Odisha had returned her ticket citing lack of funds. Also read: With Assets Worth Rs 716 Crore, Nakul Nath Is The Richest Candidate In First Phase Sucharita Mohanty has declined to contest the election saying that she was not getting financial support from Congress. It is clear that only a fund crunch is holding us back from a winning campaign in Puri. I regret that without party funding, it won't be possible to carry out the campaign in Puri. I, therefore, return the INC ticket for the Puri Parliamentary Constituency herewith," she said. FACEBOOK Who is Sucharita Mohanty Mohanty, who used to work as a journalist is also the daughter of former Congress MP Brajamohan Mohanty. In 2014 she had fought from the Puri Lok Sabha constituency, but lost to BJD candidate Pinaki Misra. She alleged that AICC Odisha in-charge Ajoy Kumar "categorically" asked her to fight from her own resources. "I was a salaried professional journalist who entered electoral politics 10 years ago. I have given all I have into my campaign in Puri. I tried a public donation drive to support my campaign for progressive politics without much success so far," she said. #WATCH | Congress candidate from Puri parliamentary constituency Sucharita Mohanty says, "I have returned the ticket because the party was not able to fund me. Another reason is that in some of the seats in 7 Assembly segments, winnable candidates have not been given the ticket. pic.twitter.com/xNpQslvDQy ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2024 Tried raising funds through donations Earlier, Mohanty had tried to arrange funds through crowd-funding. She shared a UPI QR code and other account details on her social media account seeking donations to contest the elections. TWITTER Also read: With Assets Worth Rs 320, This Is The Poorest Candidate In First Phase Other candidates in the fray in Puri include BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra and former Mumbai Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik from the BJD. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Nepal has stirred diplomatic tensions with India once again by announcing the introduction of a new Rs 100 currency note featuring a controversial map. The map includes disputed territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani, which India staunchly contests as its own. PTI Government spokesperson Rekha Sharma confirmed the decision, stating, "The meeting of the council of ministers chaired by Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal 'Prachanda' took a decision to print the new map of Nepal, which includes the Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani in the Rs 100 denomination bank notes." This move comes after the Nepali cabinet approved the redesigning of the banknote during meetings on April 25 and May 2, as Minister Sharma disclosed, "The cabinet approved to re-design the banknote of Rs 100 and replace the old map printed in the background of the banknote." CNN India swiftly responded to Nepal's decision, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressing India's clear stance. He emphasized that unilateral actions by Nepal will not alter the existing realities on the ground or affect the ongoing boundary discussions between the two nations. I saw that report. I have not looked at it in detail, but I think our position is very clear. With Nepal, we were having discussions about our boundary matters through an established platform. And then in the middle of that, they unilaterally took some measures on their side. But by doing something on their side, they are not going to change the situation between us or the reality on the ground, said Jaishankar. This development adds to the strain between the two countries since Nepal's constitutional amendment in June 2020, which officially integrated Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura into its political map. India vehemently rejected this move, denouncing it as a "unilateral act" and dismissing Nepal's territorial claims as "untenable." With a shared border spanning over 1,850 km across five Indian states, including Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the dispute over these territories remains a sensitive issue between Nepal and India. (With inputs from PTI & ANI) For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Unless you intentionally avoided social media, it would have been difficult to miss the viral "look between your keyboard" trend. Under this trend, people respond to inquiries with abbreviations that spell out specific words inserted between the letters on the keyboard. Typically, posts published under the trend make people laugh hard, and that is exactly what happened when one woman tweeted about her manager utilizing the trend to communicate news about her appraisal. What did the boss say about the appraisal? This is what the boss texted | Image: X "My boss needs to hesitate," X user @daalmakhniiii remarked. She also sent a screenshot of her interaction with her supervisor. (Also read: Bengaluru Woman Takes Leave Due To 'Family Emergency,' Boss Sees Her On Live TV At RCB's IPL Match) The first text message says, "Is baar sabko appraisal milega (Everyone will get an appraisal this time)". It is followed by the sentence "Look between H and L on your keyboard". If you are unaware, the letters between H and L spell JK - just kidding. The letters between H and L | Image: Canva The post was shared one day ago. Since then, the tweet has gone viral, with more than 3.5 million views - and the figure is rapidly climbing. The post has also received numerous likes and comments from users. How did people on the internet react? Teams ka interface Instagram jaise nahi ho gaya? asked an X user. The original replied, Mera wala insta pe baat karta hai (my boss speaks on Instagram). Is your boss being funny or serious? a user also wrote. (Also read: Boss Reprimands Employee For Not Being Present At Work Following Father's Passing) If your boss needs to hesitate, it means you should find one new job, suggested another user. Another user said, Boss also goes with the trend." Check the viral post here. My boss needs to hesitate pic.twitter.com/XBDesghpIT S. (@daalmakhniiii) May 2, 2024 What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. Speed house producer CHYL today joins forces with burgeoning duo Trip Trop and multi-faceted artist Britt Lari for the addictive record, Nite Mode, on Monstercat Uncaged. Opening with mysterious and adventurous beats, the energetic collaboration that makes up Nite Mode is the perfect fusion of all artists sounds, crafted with CHYL and Trip Trops unique [] Hit Channel A 35-year-old man was rushed to the hospital in Lefkada on the afternoon of Holy Thursday, suffering from severe leg pain after being bitten by a Black Widow spider, officials say. The man, whose details have not been made public, was bitten when he put on his work boots, left overnight, outside his home , near a mound of firewood. The man initially dismissed the bite as a pebble or thorn, and continued to proceed to his work. But about 30 minutes later, the pain intensified, prompting him to remove his shoe and discover a 2-3 centimeter Black Widow spider still on his leg, according to local news outlet ilefkada.gr. The pain quickly became unbearable, and despite not having any known allergies, the man rshed to a local hospital in Lefkada. This incident follows a similar case in July 2023 in the Trikala region, which prompted the Regional Unit of Trikala to issue a public warning about the Mediterranean Black Widow, or Latrodectus tredecimguttatus, one of the two dangerous spider species in Greece. Sotirios Nikolakakos, head of the Public Health and Social Welfare Directorate of P.E. Trikala and a public health doctor, highlighted the risks associated with the spiders poisonous bite, which is said to be 15 times stronger than that of a rattlesnake. The female spider, characterized by its black color and 13 red spots on its back, can grow up to 1.5cm, while the male is only about 0.7cm. The venom contains a potent neurotoxin, making it both painful and potentially dangerous. iefimerida.gr In a pivotal moment for Greek-Turkish relations, officials from both nations are finalizing preparations for the upcoming visit of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Ankara on May 13. The meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is poised to address a series of key issues, not least, economic cooperation, between Greece and Turkeyand the repatriation of looted antiquities. The bilateral talks are expected to delve into the progress of three main channels of discussion: political dialogue, confidence-building measures, and the positive agenda. A key point of negotiation will be the potential delimitation of maritime zones, a long-standing source of contention between the two countries. Amidst these diplomatic efforts, there is an undercurrent of caution due to diverging geopolitical alliances. Ankaras open support for Hamas contrasts with Athens more reserved backing of Israel, stemming from a burgeoning strategic partnership. This disconnect has raised concerns among Greek officials that Mr. Erdogan may broach the subject during the leaders joint statements, potentially complicating the dialogue. As the date of the summit nears, both Greece and Turkey are hopeful yet vigilant, understanding that the stakes extend far beyond their shared borders. iefimerida.gr In a remarkable rebound, Greeces tourism sector is witnessing a surge in travel activity, with early indicators pointing to a robust Easter holiday season. Airline bookings from AEGEANs hub in Athens are soaring, with flights until Holy Saturday boasting over 80% occupancy, and return journeys already exceeding 90%, according to industry officials. They say the uptick does not reflect a fleeting trend but a sign of Greeces enduring allure as a top holiday destination. The numbers are telling: from the bustling ports to the crowded toll stations, Greece is experiencing a wave of domestic and international visitors. The top domestic destinations from Athens include idyllic locales such as Corfu, Ikaria, and Zakynthos, while Thessalonikis flights to Kos, Samos, and Mytilene are at near capacity. This surge is part of a broader narrative of growth for the Greek tourism industry. Despite missing the ambitious target of 22 or 23 billion euros, the sector has seen a significant increase in travel receipts, totaling 19.746 billion euros in 2023. That marks a 14.4 percent rise from the previous year. Regions like Crete and Attica have led the charge, with increases of 41.9 percent and 32.9 percent, respectively. As Greece gears up for the summer season, the planning of airline seats has already shown an 8.6 percent increase over the previous year, setting a positive trajectory for 2024. iefimerida.gr The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has alleged that some security personnel and government officials are sponsoring banditry, adding that they have now turned it into lucrative business. Radda made the accusation while addresing questions on Fridays edition of Channels Televisions Politics Today. READ MORE: Katsina Police Nab 16 Suspects For Rape, Kidnapping (Pictures) Advertisement He said: Now it has turned out to be a business venture. A business venture for the criminals, some people who are in government; and some people who are in security outfits, and some people who are responsible for the day-to-day activities of their people. The issue of the hypothesis behind political motive as responsible for banditry is not true. Reacting to the recent security meeting which was held in United States of America, Radda said that they were only invited to the parley. He said: The meeting was not at the instance of the selected governors of northern states but it was at the instance of the United States Institute of Peace. They were the people who invited us; they hosted us for the meeting. We were invited to sit with them so that we could bring about lasting solutions to the problems that are affecting our people. Ten governors were in the United States, Washington D.C and we had a symposium with the United States Institute of Peace so that we can bring about ideas that will end insecurity that is worrying our people and is a major problem to the subnationals and they carefully chose the governors of the places affected by banditry and kidnapping. All of us sat for three days and we were able to cross-fertilise ideas and interact with all stakeholders that are involved in bringing about lasting peace and security globally. Nasboi, a popular content creator and musician, has revealed how valuable social media influence and skitmaking can be. He claimed that before joining the creative field, he assumed that popular skit creators such as Sydney Talker was involved in Internet fraud due to the industrys lucrative nature. He stated this on the Bahd And Boujee Podcast, co-hosted by reality star Tolanibaj and actress Moet Abebe. Advertisement He noted that many people continue to accuse skit creators and influencers of fraud because they are unaware of how profitable the creative sector is. READ MORE: Ruger Advocates For Collaborations Between Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido He said: Before I became a skit maker, I could beat my chest that Sydney was a Yahoo boy [internet fraudster]. Because I didnt know how lucrative the creative industry was until I joined. A lot of female influencers and skit makers are also being trolled. Social media users often accuse them of sleeping with men for money but they dont know these female influencers make a lot of money from endorsements and advertisements. Yahoo [internet scam] is stressful. Its not even as lucrative as skit making. There are some skit makers who are not popular but earn huge amounts of money. I know someone who made $33,000 off a video on Facebook. He is not even popular. SEE POST: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6hUBR6MC-U/?igsh=MXZnejZ3NDAweXM2aw== A Federal High Court in Kano has issued an order restraining the National Electricity Regulatory Commission from implementing the new electricity tariff for Band A consumers. It was gathered that the order also restrained Kano Electricity Distribution Company from hiking the tarrif for their customers. The suit marked FHC/KN/CS/144/2024 was filed by Super Sack Company Limited and BBY Sacks Limited. Advertisement READ MORE: Tariff Hike: Senate Summons Adelabu, NERC Others are Mama Sannu Industries Limited, Dala Foods Nigeria Limited, Tofa Textile Limited, and Manufacturers Association Of Nigeria Limited. Ruling on an ex-parte motion by Abubakar Mahmoud, counsel to the plaintiffs, the presiding judge, Abdullahi Liman, ordered NERC and KEDCO from going ahead with the impending tariff pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed before it. Recall that in April, NERC approved an increase in electricity tariff for customers under the Band A classification. With the new tariff, customers under the category, who receive 20 hours of electricity supply daily, would begin to pay N225 per kilowatt, starting from April 3 up from N66. Aderemi Adeoye, retired Anambra Commissioner of Police (CP), on Friday, dismissed claims that he described himself as a billionaire. Information Nigeria reports that during his retirement last Saturday, he disclosed he is now going fully into business and is ready to give Africas richest man, Aliko Dangote, a run for his money. Advertisement He had said that he founded Alpha Trust Investment Club (ATIC) Limited in 2018 with a modest sum of N54 million, but the investment is now worth over N20 billion. That will be my full time business from Wednesday, May 1 when I fully disengage. We have been investing and now we want to go into full time business and we will in the next 10 years give Dangote a run for his money, Adeoye had said. However, he denied saying he is competing with Forbes richest African on Arise Televisions The Morning Show, adding that he never amassed wealth or abused his office. According to him, the civil service rules and police code of conduct do not bar anyone from investing, neither is the law against buying shares. He also said his activities in an investment club he co-founded never conflicted with his job as a policeman. During the programme, Adeoye urged the hosts to provide the clip where he said he was now a billionaire as reported. His words: I have never said anything of such. I weigh my words before I utter them and every word say, I say in good faith. I never said I am now a billionaire and anyone who has proof to the contrary is challenged to produce it. Now, as to whether I have used my office (by running an investment club). Those who make their assertion should also prove that if they have evidence. Civil service rules and police code of conduct do not bar anyone from investing. There is no law against buying shares. There is no law against investing in land or property. The only thing is that you must be able to justify the means. Civil servants belong to cooperatives. I am a member of the police cooperative. There is no law against it. He said during his service period, he equipped himself through trainings in Nigeria and abroad and gained financial education, leading to the establishment of an investment club in 2018 by members of a from he had lectured. On the allegation that a search at Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and on Google failed to establish that the club was legally registered, he said he did the same search himself and found several entries that explained to the world what the investment club does and its mode of operation. READ ALSO: You Can Pay N615k Minimum Wage If You Get Priorities Right NLC To State Govs. It is an investment club that has a loan arm that is registered with the Lagos state government as a cooperative and we are registered with the CAC. I have our certificate of registration here, and I hereby display it for the world to see. Not only are we registered with the CAC, our annual filings are up to date with them, he said. Like I mentioned earlier, our known arm is also registered with the state government as a cooperative. Here is our SCUML certificate issued by the EFCC. So you can begin to see when someone says we dont exist, we are not registered, and Ive shown evidence that we are, including registration with the EFCC. The inspector general of police is a disciplinarian. He does not tolerate nonsense and the IG will not condone an officer going into anything that is against the ethics of the job, and will look on. The IG never does that. The IG forwarded the petition to me in the spirit of fairness, and I replied, addressing every issue that was raised in the petition. He was satisfied. He furthered that the club pays all the taxes related to its transactions and the accounts are available to its 1,400 members, some of whom are based in Europe. The club has communicated with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to find out if its activities are within their purviews, he disclosed. The retiree blamed the fraud allegations on some renegade members of the club who were expelled for criminal activities. He clarified that ATIC is an investment forum and not a limited liability company. Our purpose is to invest, not to do business. So we dont have an office. We dont have overhead costs, we have no employees, we dont pay salaries, we dont run generator, we have no official cars, we dont refund the expenses of any kind. We never campaigned publicly for membership. Our members inform their relations and friends who might be interested and for the five years of our existence, we have paid dividends every year without fail. We pay dividends once a year. Our membership due is N5,000 per member per annum. You must be a Nigerian, irrespective of where you are domiciled in the world. You must have a visible means of livelihood, which we verify. Usually we demand to see workplace identity card and we do further to verify. We do background check. We insist that any member we are to admit must not have a criminal record or a pending criminal matter at any police formation in Nigeria. Those who are pending matters with EFCC are excluded. Majority of our members are Nigerian professionals all over the world, he added. In January 2024, a group had petitioned Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), asking him to intervene in an alleged case of fraud and misappropriation of funds by Adeoye. The group accused him of operating a Ponzi scheme and misappropriating funds meant for investments in Alpha Trust Investment Club (ATIC), the cooperative co-founded by him. He denied the allegations at the time. Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos State have apprehended 40 suspected criminals in Yaba area of the State. The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), who raided the hoodlums hideouts. Advertisement The Lagos State Police Command confirmed the arrest on Friday. In a post via X, the Command disclosed that the operatives arrested the suspects at 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday. The raid, it said, followed numerous complaints of the suspects ambushing residents to rob them of their valuable possessions. RRS on Tuesday night arrested 40 suspected criminals at different black spots within Yaba. The 40 suspects were arrested when the operatives of RRS, working with members of Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency, swooped on the areas. READ ALSO: FCT Police Arrest Two Women For Allegedly Trafficking Five Children From Sokoto The raid was sequel to complaints from members of the public about the activities of criminals who waylay passersby and rob them of their belongings. The RRS Commander, Olayinka Egbeyemi, following the approval of the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, had directed the operatives to commence discreet surveillance of the area before the arrest, the post disclosed Nine, out of the 40 suspects, were however released after thorough screening at RRS Headquarters in Alausa. Nine were released to their family members after a thorough screening of all the suspects. Egbeyemi has ordered that the 31 suspects be charged to court in line with the directives of the commissioner of police, the Command disclosed. Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, on Friday, stated that no journalist has been incarcerated under the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration for practising responsible journalism. The Minister spoke in Abuja during a press briefing organised by his Ministry in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management, and the United Nations Educational and Scientific Organisation to commemorate this years World Press Freedom Day. Advertisement His words, I have not seen somebody in the life of this administration, for example, who has been put in jail, or who has gone into exile as a result of press freedom. READ ALSO: Economic Hardship: We Wont Blame Buhari For Our Failures Shettima We knew what has happened in this country in the past. Some decades ago, we know that you have to leave this country to be able to report. I can tell you that the press in Nigeria is largely free but that freedom will further be consolidated if honesty and transparency are upheld in the manner that we report. As a ministry and government, we provided the most unfettered access to journalists and provided the enabling environment that has continued to encourage the Nigerian media to grow in leaps and bounds. He furthered that while the media remained largely free in Nigeria, he described the spread of falsehood and misinformation as irresponsible journalism which he said cannot be equated with press freedom. Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Friday, expressed optimism that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will clinch the governorship seat come September 21. This is as he aims to secure 80% of the votes for the Partys candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo. Advertisement His declaration came during the inauguration of the PDPs campaign council in Benin, where he highlighted the campaign teams strategic preparation and robust structure. Addressing party members and supporters, Obaseki praised the qualifications of the PDP candidate, asserting that Ighodalo is well-suited to continue the developmental projects initiated during his tenure. We have the best candidate who will continue from where we stop, Obaseki stated, emphasizing the continuity of progress and governance that the candidate represents. READ ALSO: No Going Back On Bike Crushing In Abuja VIO Insists According to Obaseki, the campaign council has a deep-rooted structure spanning all 192 wards across the state, ensuring that every organ of the party is actively involved in the campaign process. Today, we are here to inaugurate the campaign council that will lead PDP to victory in the September 21 governorship election, he said. The Governor also outlined the campaigns focus, which will be based on his administrations achievements and the potential for future advancements rather than dwelling on the past. The campaign will be based on what we have achieved and the lives we have touched. It will also be based on the future, not the past, he explained. He also addressed internal party conflicts, accusing some dissenters within the PDP of being influenced by opposition parties. Those fighting PDP have collected money from the other political parties and I want you all present here to join me in flushing them out. Let them stay out since they have collected money, he remarked. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Friday, filed another proof of evidence against Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, are facing trial on a 26-count charge before a Lagos High Court of which they pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Advertisement The anti-graft agency had presented two witnesses to testify against Emefiele in the trial. At the resumed hearing, Olalekan Ojo, counsel to Emefiele, was expected to continue the cross-examination of John Ikechukwu Ayoh, the second prosecution witness. However Ojo told the court that he just received the additional proof of evidence from the EFCC which was filed on Thursday. The counsel said he needed to study the additional proof of evidence to be able to cross-examine the prosecution witness. He also accused EFCCs counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, of attempting to engage in trial by ambush at the expense of the defendants. My lord, there is a need to adjourn this case. We were just served these huge documents by the EFCC in court. The prosecution keeps dumping documents on us at every sitting. This is trial by ambush. On his part, Adeyinka Kotoye, counsel to the second defendant, said he was served the additional proof of evidence five minutes after arriving in court. READ ALSO: Emefiele Collects Bribes Before Awarding Contracts Ex-CBN Staff Tells Court Kotoye accused the EFCC of not being diligent in the prosecution of the case and attempting to ambush the defence team. Reacting, the EFCC counsel said it is unfair to describe the service of processes by the prosecution as ambush by trial. Oyedepo said the additional proof of evidence served by the commission was part of the documents retrieved from the phone of John Adetona, a former aide to Emefiele, who was listed as a witness. According to him, the documents were served in preparation for the testimony to be given by Adetona before the court. He added that Adetona was not meant to appear before the court today or on May 9. The witness (Adetona) whose device the documents were printed from has not given evidence before the Court. In preparation for his testimony which is not coming up today or May 9, the prosecution rather than waiting for the defense to formally place a demand for the hard copies, the prosecution team printed the documents out. How does that amount to prosecutorial unfairness ?Oyedepo queried. Oyedepo prayed that the court should order the defence team to complete the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness. He added that the new documents do not affect the continuation of cross-examination of the witness. Rahman Oshodi, the Presiding Judge, agreed with the defendants counsel and adjourned the matter to May 9. The Red Chamber has explained reason it often summons Ministers and Heads of different Departments and Agencies for meetings. The Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, gave the explanation in response to a recent comment by President Bola Tinubu, who urged the lawmakers should allow the Ministers to do their jobs without distractions. Advertisement Tinubu, addressing the leadership of the House of Representatives had said, even though oversight is essential for maintaining transparency and accountability in governance, excessive summoning of officials can disrupt operations and hinder service delivery to citizens. Reacting, Adaramodu noted that summoning officials for questioning is a standard practice to ensure effective governance. The summoning of ministers and agency heads by the National Assembly is not done frivolously. There are substantial and substantive reasons behind such summons, and they are always communicated in advance, outlining the specific policy or delivery matters to be addressed, he told Punch. READ ALSO: Your Frequent Summons Distracting My Appointees From Doing Their Job Tinubu Tells NASS The summons, according to him, are not issued for internal affairs of ministries or agencies but rather for matters of public concern or policy implementation. He said any grievances against officials are required to be submitted in the form of a public complaint or petition, which will then be deliberated upon in the open chamber before being referred to the relevant committee for further investigation. Adaramodu referenced a recent oversight visit by a committee tasked with inspecting road projects, emphasising that legislators are willing to carry out their duties despite potential risks. The committee works, headed by Senator Barinada Mpigi was with the federal Ministry of Works staff. They went around inspecting the various road projects that the federal government has contracted. They even came to Ekiti. We saw them and spoke with them. Im also in the Committee on Youth Development and we visited the orientation camps of corps members, all over Nigeria, we visited. We have been to the East; we have been to the West and the North. The committee on the petroleum matters, when they visited the Port Harcourt refinery. They gave us support that the refinery, that of Port Harcourt was 90 per cent complete and that within a few weeks or months, that when we start running petroleum products out of the refinery, he added Visual Studio Code 1.89, the April 2024 release of Microsofts popular code editor, has arrived with capabilities including enhanced branch switching and middle-click paste support. The update, downloadable from the project website, was announced May 2. Enhanced branch switching addressed a long-standing feature request to save and restore editors when switching between source control branches. Developers can use the scm.workingSets.enabled setting to enable this capability. The new VS Code release also lets developers get a quick preview of an image or video in Markdown by hovering over the image or video path. Developers do not have to open the full Markdown preview capability. Also in this release, Microsoft has improved how the code editor handles header renaming in cases where a Markdown file has duplicated headers. The zine library at the Soapbox, a West Philly community print shop. Studio coordinator Matao Dreskin (from left), board president Karen Lowry, and fellow Belle Handler sit among the zines. Read more The zine libraries of Philadelphia are overflowing and the zinemakers stay busy. In the stone basement of what used to be a church in West Philadelphia, the Soapbox has more than 3,000 zines stuffed into subject-area boxes: Ableism, Punk, Erotica, International society of copier artists. Temple University maintains thousands of zines in its Special Collections Research Center, with titles like Im a horse, B and Bad Highschool Poetry. The Free Library is currently starting their first ever zine collection. Advertisement Zines (pronounced like the last syllable of magazines) are handmade, self-published booklets, often xeroxed and stapled together for a small audience about a particular topic. Hallmarks of DIY culture, they have endured far longer than many of the forces that seemed sure to make them irrelevant. Tumblr is so over, and zines are still thriving, said Beth Heinly, 42, an artist and zine librarian based in Brewerytown. Heinlys first official zine was The 3:00 Book, a collection of comics and notes that she and her best friend drew in high school. She has become an unofficial recordkeeper of Philadelphia zine culture. In 2014, she donated part of the zine library from Little Berlin, an artist collective in Kensington, to Temple University, forming the basis of their contemporary zine collection. Little Berlin just donated the rest of their zine archives more than 850 books to the Free Library of Philadelphia, which is currently cataloging them at the Parkway Central Library for public use. Heinly and other Philly zinemakers said the craft endures specifically because zines are analog, objects that can be held and that cant go viral. Theres something about the experience of the endless scrolling that is fleeting, Heinly said, compared to the physical experience of reading a zine. Because zines dont have to be approved by a publisher, they often catalog life outside the mainstream, as seen by artists or queer people or punks or activists. In turn, meaningful communities have sprung up around zines. Katie Haegele, 47, learned how to make zines in 2004 by removing the staples from one she already owned to see how it was made. Soon after, she attended the Philly Zine Fest, an annual zine market that has expanded in recent years. She quickly fell in love with the scrappy, DIY community, appreciating the inexpensive, democratic art form at its center. It was a very solitary thing for me, but then just spending one day there I felt a part of something, Haegele said. She met her husband at a New Jersey zine fest in 2009 and has made a host of zine friends over the years. One of them, a long distance zine friend named Vanessa Berry, will be visiting Haegele from Australia this fall. Theyve never met in person, but have kept in touch by mailing zines back and forth. When digital becomes the default medium for all that we do, people treasure physical objects printed books, cassettes, records in a new way, Haegele said, citing the scholar N. Katherine Hayles. Zines never went away. But theyre rediscovered every so often by new generations, said Jill Luedke, the art and architecture librarian at Temple University Libraries. The Temple archives house science fiction fanzines from the 1930s, punk and Riot Grrl zines from the 80s and 90s, and a contemporary zine collection, seeded by Heinly, that continues to grow. There are many historical precursors to the modern zine, going back to the origins of the printing press in the 15th century, said Kimberly Tully, librarian and curator of rare books at Temple. People have published ephemeral, noncommercial content for centuries. The biggest noticeable difference between the early zines of the 1930s and those of today is the technology used to create them the ethos remains the same. At the Soapbox, the West Philly community print shop that organizes the yearly Philly Zine Fest, people make zines using Riso, a large gray machine that looks like a generic photocopier, but produces particularly vibrant colors. Theres a huge Riso culture, said Karen Lowry, a printmaker and public health graduate student who serves as Soapboxs board president. People geek out about Riso. Lowry grew up making zines in Lansdale, photocopying them with her friend at the local 7-Eleven. Many zines are silly, absurd, and meant to be enjoyed in a particular moment in time. But perhaps they are also how future generations will understand our own. Temple Libraries, for example, is showcasing a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet right now that documents wages being paid to sailors, said Tully. Just because we think its ephemeral doesnt mean it wont survive for 1,000 years, she said. There are a host of forthcoming zine events in Philly: A zine swap on May 3 at the Fabric Workshop and Museum; a zinemaking workshop on May 20 at the Bok building hosted by illustrator Emily Joynton; West Philly zine fest on June 22 at the Rotunda. People in graduation gowns walk by the Gaza Solidarity Encampment on Penns campus in Philadelphia on Saturday. Read more At a special meeting of the University of Pennsylvania faculty senate executive committee Monday, members expressed differing views about the pro-Palestinian encampment but concurred that the university should work to deescalate tensions and find a negotiated resolution. Thats according to a summary of the meeting published in the universitys almanac. No formal action was adopted, though proposals were discussed. Another meeting is scheduled for Thursday. Advertisement But separately, faculty senate chair Tulia Falleti, concerned about mounting tension and the universitys request to the city for police resources, if necessary, wrote an op-ed Saturday urging Penn to follow the example of other colleges that have negotiated agreements with protesters in recent days. Rutgers, Brown and Northwestern Universities are among those that have struck agreements, though in some cases they are already facing criticism from some Jewish groups and legislators for doing so. READ MORE: While a few other universities reach compromises with protesters, why cant Penn? Today, I am proud to be a professor at Penn and not a professor at Columbia University, at Emory University, or any of the other universities who have sent riot police to forcefully remove and arrest their students, staff and faculty from their encampments and lawns, Falleti wrote, emphasizing that she is not speaking for the faculty senate, but as an individual. More than 2,000 students have been arrested nationwide since the protests started last month, according to the New York Times. READ MORE: Is the call to divest feasible? Heres why there are hurdles to Penn protesters demands. Falletis comments come as the encampment continues for the 10th day, amid a swirl of speculation over whether Penn will pursue a negotiated agreement, move to end the encampment with force, or allow it to continue. No matter its course, the university likely will face criticism, with some urging that the school allow the encampment, with about 35 tents and 60 protesters, to stand and others calling for its removal. On Friday morning outside Falletis campus office at 36th and Walnut Streets, a billboard truck played a video loop of the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, she wrote in her piece. These were horrific and painful images and sounds, said Falleti, a political science professor and director of the Center for Latin American and Latinx Studies. READ MORE: Penns Hey Day, a decades-old student tradition, rerouted as pro-Palestinian encampment enters second week But she said that what also keeps her awake at night is that the same kind of billboards were on campus last semester, which ended with the resignation of former Penn president Liz Magill after a bipartisan uproar over her congressional testimony about the universitys handling of antisemitism on campus. It was never clear who was paying for the digital billboards calling for Magills resignation, which came amid one of the greatest crises in leadership that Penn has ever experienced and also coincided with former board chair Scott L. Boks resignation. READ MORE: The pro-Palestinian encampment at Penn has become a game of cat and mouse between protesters and administrators I fear that it forebodes another traumatic crisis on campus, Falleti wrote. The billboard trucks at Penn, just like the airplane that flew over the Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology campuses in early December, are part of a concerted external political campaign against higher education institutions, against academic freedom, against open expression, and in the case of our university against a peaceful protest of students, staff, faculty, and local community members. Falleti wrote that she has walked around the perimeter of the encampment several times a day, every day. I have witnessed with my own eyes that this is a peaceful protest of Penn students, staff, and faculty, she wrote. She acknowledged that she has heard from Jewish students and staff that they prefer not to walk by the encampment, which she said she understands. As an educational community, however, we cannot move forward by silencing or censoring debate and dissent, she wrote. We must make room (both physically and symbolically) to encourage these conversations with open minds and hearts. She praised police for de-escalating tensions on Thursday when larger crowds of protesters and counterprotesters were gathered around the College Green. The university in a statement on Thursday said that during the prior evening, more than 100 protesters were at the site and that a rally escalated into the early morning hours including defacement of Penn property, an unauthorized drone, and threatening rhetoric and chants. READ MORE: Student protests over Gaza war are forcing Penn and other U.S. universities to face impossible demands The faculty senate committee discussed that every effort should be made to hold commencement on May 20 and other year-end activities even if they must be relocated. On Thursday, the university diverted its traditional Hey Day procession for rising seniors so that it would not end on College Green. The university has not responded to a question on how it would handle commencement, which is scheduled to take place at Franklin Field. Falleti said she does not want the billboard trucks deciding what happens next. I look forward to tomorrow being another day of peaceful encampment protest at Penn, she wrote, and to our university administration negotiating in good faith with our students. Here is Falletis op-ed piece in its entirety: The beloved exhibit at the Franklin Institute is closing for six months. It will reopen in November as part of a new, permanent gallery on the human body. Read more The Franklin Institutes Giant Heart a beloved exhibit at the Philadelphia science museum for 70 years is closing to the public May 6. But dont worry, this sudden cardiac arrest is not in vein. The Giant Heart will reopen in November as the centerpiece of a new, permanent exhibit about the human body, the name of which is yet to be unveiled. Advertisement The Franklin is also closing its Electricity exhibit permanently on May 6 to make space for the human body exhibit. The Giant Heart, which debuted in 1954, was a labor of love for physician Mildred Pfeiffer, who worked with a medical illustrator and engineer to design the 28-foot-wide and 18-foot-high heart out of wood, papier-mache, and chicken wire. For generations, walking through this tremendous ticker has been a rite of passage for schoolchildren on trips to the museum. Some people never forget the thumping sound within, kissing their first crush inside of its walls, or the distinctive smell, descriptions of which have ranged from general funk to belly button. The Giant Heart is such a fixture in the city and in the real hearts of Philadelphians that it even made a cameo in Abbott Elementary last season when the school went on an overnight field trip to the Franklin Institute. The heart was refurbished and rebuilt with fiberglass in 1979 and has undergone several upgrades since, the most recent of which was in 2020. The previously computer-generated noise of a beating heart was replaced with the real sounds of a human heart, and the exhibit got new lighting and a new paint job. The flooring was also replaced, which removed the distinctive smell so many recalled. Conservation work will once again be done on the heart while its off view to the public, but it will remain in its current location during the exhibit transformation, said Franklin Institute spokesperson Stefanie Santo. The museums live dissections, which are held just outside of the heart, will resume at another location in the museum on May 11. The new exhibit on the human body that the Giant Heart will be the centerpiece of is one of six new, permanent exhibits that are planned to replace 12 existing ones. The first, Wondrous Space, debuted last year, and other forthcoming exhibits include those on computer science, the built environment, earth systems, and advanced machines and robotics. Another beloved treasure of the museum, its Baldwin 60,000 steam locomotive, will be the centerpiece of the new Hamilton Collections Gallery, which is also slated to open in November in the space that formerly housed the Train Factory. The gallery will feature a rotating display of artifacts from the museums collection. The new exhibits will serve as the capstone to the Franklins 200th anniversary this year, Santo said. Penn Medicine researchers will wear these gyroscope sensors as they run the Broad Street Run Sunday in an effort to learn more about how the Achilles tendon works. Read more Casey Humbyrd, an orthopedic surgeon at Penn Medicine, has never been particularly concerned about tracking stats when she goes for a run. When people ask her how long it took her to run 10 miles, I say it took me 10 miles, she said, laughing. Advertisement But when Humbyrd and about two dozen other colleagues from Penn take off on the Broad Street Run this weekend, theyll be collecting much more data than your typical runner: Theyll be racing with gyroscope sensors fitted to their ankles, for a wide-ranging research project on the Achilles tendon. Its a unique opportunity to study the Achilles to learn more about how this crucial tendon works. The sensors will collect data on the runners stride length, step count, impact on the ground, and other metrics that can help researchers understand more about how a healthy Achilles functions. The Broad Street Run is a particularly good spot to gather data: Since runners pass through a number of electronic gates that track their performance, the researchers will also be able to use data from the course to compare to the information they collect from the sensors. We can correlate the sensor data with their real-world running performance, said Josh Baxter, the director of Penns Human Motion Laboratory, who will analyze the data collected from Sundays run. Both Baxter and Humbyrd, the chief of Penns Foot and Ankle Division, have been studying the Achilles tendon as part of the Penn Achilles Tendinopathy Center of Research Translation, a research center launched with an $8 million federal grant last year. The Achilles tendon, the biggest in the body, connects calf muscles to heel muscles and is crucial for walking and running. Its part of what makes us human walking on two legs instead of four. Without the Achilles, that doesnt happen the same way, Humbyrd said. And its the only tendon named after a Greek demigod. They knew, even [thousands of years ago], that if you took out someones Achilles, they were done. Because of its importance in movement, the Achilles also undergoes a lot of wear and tear. When you take a step down the street, you might be loading the Achilles tendon with two to three times your body weight. On a run, it might be four to five times your body weight, Baxter said. Its a tissue thats exposed to lots of loads all the time, and when those loads become damaging and you become injured, it limits your ability to function and have a normal, healthy life. But doctors who treat Achilles injuries often see patients only after the injury has occurred. That makes it harder to determine how their tendon wore down, and what strategies might have prevented it. We want to catch people when they have pain, but not so debilitating that they need surgery right away, Baxter said. Our lab is really focused on trying to identify the early signs of tendon pain and dysfunction, and activities that individuals use that lead them to worse pain. In the last year, researchers at Penns Achilles Center have analyzed the Achilles on the cellular level using discarded tissue from tendon surgeries and studied how to improve physical therapy for people with tendon injuries. Theyve worked to better understand how a healthy Achilles affects movement and use that knowledge to treat and prevent tendon injuries. The Achilles is the most important part of how your foot communicates with the ground, and I suspect that there are things that people are doing when they move that make them more or less prone to injury [on the Achilles], Humbyrd said. But trying to figure out how to optimize those components is really challenging. Collecting data from the gyroscope sensors is one way to figure that out, Baxter said. Though many everyday technologies now include gyroscopes including your average smartphone theyre imprecise ways to collect the kind of data the Achilles Center is looking for. If youre holding your phone in your pocket, it tells you where your body is moving, but not really your foot or ankle. If you secure it close to the joint or tissue you care about tracking, it will give you a better predictable value, Baxter said. Next year, the center hopes to expand its efforts at the Broad Street Run, following more runners as they train for the course. Humbyrd said she and the other Penn employees nurses, doctors, researchers, and other staff running on Sunday were excited to collect data for their colleagues. Still, Humbyrd is keeping her personal race goals simple. I want to finish, she said, laughing, and not rupture my Achilles. Grady Carriker is said to be the father of Kimbrady Carriker, the 40-year-old accused of killing five people during the Kingsessing mass shooting in July. Read more A 64-year-old man faces multiple charges, including attempted murder and arson, after allegedly setting a relatives home on fire. Sources said he is the father of the suspect in the Kingsessing mass shootings in July, according to 6abc. On April 26, police responded to reports of people trapped inside a house that was ablaze in the 2500 block of South 71st Street. Advertisement Police said an 82-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man were found at the scene, with burns to their feet and legs and were taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. Police identified the man charged with setting the fire as Kimbrady Carriker, also known as Grady Carriker. According to the victims, Grady Carriker doused the inside of the home and the feet of the victims with gasoline, started the fire, and left the scene. The Philadelphia Fire Department was able to control the blaze, and Carriker was taken into custody shortly after on the 7100 block of Buist Avenue. According to 6abc, the woman is Carrikers mother, and he is the father of Kimbrady Carriker, who was charged with killing five people and wounding a 13-year-old and a 2-year-old, during the Kingsessing mass shootings. It was not known what relationship Grady Carriker might have had with the younger person in the house. Municipal Court Judge David C. Shuter has set bail at $250,000 and requested a mental health competency evaluation for Grady Carriker, according to court records. Tensions grew when a Palestinian flag flew in the face of a pro-Israel supporter, who then grabbed the flag and tried to pull it away at Penn's encampment Thursday. Penn police and Philadelphia civil affairs officers then stepped in to calm things down on College Green. Read more At Rutgers University-New Brunswick, a three-day-old pro-Palestinian encampment came down peacefully Thursday after successful negotiations between the administration and protesters. Brown University, an Ivy League institution like the University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University had similar success earlier this week. Advertisement But Penn remains at a stalemate with protesters occupying about 35 tents on College Green, with tensions mounting and protest activity escalating, prompting the university to ask Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers office for additional police resources if needed. READ MORE: Is the call to divest feasible? Heres why there are hurdles to Penn protesters demands. Negotiations between the university and protesters have gone nowhere, and its not clear if theres room for a compromise. Student protesters at Penn on Friday said the university hasnt really offered any reasonable compromises to their demands, which include disclosing university investments, agreeing to divest financial holdings that support Israels military effort and promising not to pursue discipline against encampment participants. The university is refusing to engage in a process of amnesty for student protesters, and they are still threatening disciplinary action and disbandment of the encampment, said Taja Mazaj, 22, a Penn senior political science and English major from Montgomery County. We would really like to move forward but we hope the university can move forward with good faith negotiations, which we feel has not happened yet. University leaders have met twice with student protesters over the last week, unable to move the needle, as the encampment nears the close of day nine and finals are slated to start Tuesday. We communicated that the encampment must disband and offered accommodation to continue their protest in ways that do not conflict with safety and policy, a university spokesperson said. We also stated our desire to move beyond a posture of demand vs. counterdemand and towards shared opportunities that help create a more inclusive, respectful campus environment. READ MORE: The pro-Palestinian encampment at Penn has become a game of cat and mouse between protesters and administrators Eliana Atienza, 19, a sophomore environmental studies major from the Philippines, said interim President J. Larry Jameson offered to start a committee to look into the feasibility of students demands, but she asserted thats not enough. A compromise could be reached if they went through with some of our demands and not involved us in endless meetings and task forces and discussions and committees, Atienza said. It would change things to see tangible action from the university, big emphasis on tangible action. But universities that have reached compromises already are facing significant pushback. Three Jewish organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League Midwest and the Louis D. Brandeis Center, have called for the Northwestern presidents resignation over the agreement there, while several Jewish students have filed a lawsuit, according to WBEZ Chicago. ADL Midwest called the deal reprehensible and dangerous. READ MORE: Student protests over Gaza war are forcing Penn and other U.S. universities to face impossible demands In New Jersey, State Sen. Owen Henry (R., Middlesex) called the agreement at Rutgers unacceptable. By prioritizing the demands of demonstrators that disrupted academic learning by spewing hateful rhetoric they have demonstrated a glaring weakness that hurts the integrity of their institution and the Jewish community, Henry said in a statement. Penn senior Eyal Yakoby, who was part of a group that delivered a petition with more than 3,000 signatures to Jameson this week calling on Penn to remove the encampment, said the university shouldnt negotiate with the encampment protesters. Its an embarrassment to any university which has quote unquote reached an agreement with these unlawful encampments, said Yakoby, 22, a political science and modern Middle East studies major. He pointed out that Jameson last week in his call for the encampment to disband mentioned harassing and intimidating comments and actions by some protesters. I just dont get how you negotiate with people who are ... harassing your own students, he said. An encampment comes down peacefully At New Jerseys flagship state university, about 75 tents were peacefully dismantled on Thursday afternoon, shortly after president Jonathan Holloway and chancellor Francine Conway warned that if students did not leave, the university would with the assistance of law enforcement, remove them. Earlier in the day, the university made what it called an unprecedented decision to postpone morning exams because of concerns about disruption. The university, which has an enrollment of 43,859 students in New Brunswick, also made multiple concessions in addressing the protesters demands. Rutgers agreed to review as part of the regular university process a demand that the university divest from any firm connected to Israel. Additionally, the university said the president and chair of the joint committee on investments would meet with up to five students to discuss their divestment request. Rutgers also agreed to help 10 displaced Palestinian students get their education at the university and to establish an Arab Cultural Center with a plan to hire administrators and staff for the fall semester. In addition, the university agreed to develop training on anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, and anti-Muslim racism for staff and hire a senior administrator with cultural competency in those areas. The chancellors office also agreed to study the possibility of creating a Department of Middle East Studies. Rutgers did not promise to drop conduct cases against students for participating in the encampment, but noted that a commitment to end the encampment through this agreement will be considered a favorable mitigating factor in the resolution of those matters. Earlier in the week, Northwestern as part of its agreement said it would form an advisory committee, made up of students, faculty and staff, that will serve as a liaison to the investment committee. The university said it would answer questions to the best of its knowledge and to the extent legally possible about its investments, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education. Brown University agreed to form a committee to develop a recommendation on divestment by September and vote on whether to divest financial holdings from Israel a month later, the Chronicle reported. As protests escalate, Penn asks city police for help At Penn, with an enrollment of more than 28,700 students, there have been growing clashes between protesters and counterprotesters, and some tense interactions between students and police. On Thursday, Penn Public Safety put out multiple alerts as crowds on the College Green grew. That evening, Penn, the citys largest private employer, said it had reached out to Parkers office to ask about additional police resources to maintain safety on campus if needed. The mayors office, a university spokesperson said, asked that Penn submit a letter with the request, which it did. The mayors office asked for additional information, and the university said it provided the information. Neither the mayors office nor the university would discuss what specifically was asked for or the citys response. Parker declined to comment through a spokesperson. Media requests to the city are being directed to the Police Department. Penn has not formally asked for the Philadelphia Police Department to clear the encampment, a source said, and unless things dramatically escalate, theres no imminent plan to clear the group over the weekend. There has been some tension between the city and university, though, over the question of who would be responsible for initiating a potential disbanding: police from the city or Penn? City police are reluctant to take the lead and then have to face the consequences of clearing a protest site when Penn has its own police force. Gov. Josh Shapiro on Friday deferred questions about whether the encampment should be disbanded to the university. I dont think its my judgment on that that matters, he said. I think its the universitys judgment that matters. Theyre closer to it, they see it. Penn has not requested assistance from the Pennsylvania State Police, he said. Meanwhile, some universities continued to call in police to remove protesters and dismantle encampments, most recently New York University. More than 2,000 arrests have been made on campuses since the protests started last month, according to the New York Times. Atienza, the Penn student, said protesters here are prepared to stay. Were doing this for Gaza, Atienza said. There is a lot of attention paid to the students in the encampment and on the university. But we are doing this for Gaza, to re-center the conversation on genocide and to re-center the conversation on Gaza and free Palestine. Staff writer Sean Collins Walsh contributed to this article. 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. 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Despite the ongoing rows over quotas and market accessibility and all that stuff, we have seen an increasing number of Chinese brands filtering into Ireland, from BYD, to MG, to Ora and we have tested many models from each of them in recent months. And now we have another one Smart. If you know the Smart brand, its because it has been around for quite some time and has had quite a chequered history. Originally conceived by the Swatch watch-making concern, the nameplate had its origins in the late 70s and early 80s as something of a Mercedes sub-brand. It then morphed into a concern which had Volkswagen backing, but the Wolfsburg giant went cold on the project and in 1994 it properly came into being as a joint venture between Swatch and Mercedes and the brand came about by mashing up the names and throwing in a touch of sophistication Swatch+Mercedes+Art = Smart. The first car from the concern was the Smart Fortwo two-seater city car, which had a petrol engine. The Smart Roadster coupe was next up and then came a Smart Forfour which, as you might have guessed, was a four-seater. The interior is also considerably more sophisticated than its main Chinese rivals although the 12.8in infotainment screen does take a little getting used to. By 1998 the Swatch/Mercedes connection had diluted, largely because the operation was haemorrhaging cash it lost somewhere between 3bn and 4bn o in the 2003-6 period and from then on it became a subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz. But then in 2019, the Chinese automaker Geely (which by now also owned Volvo) formed a joint-venture operation with Mercedes to start production of a new generation of Smart-branded cars and, as recently as 2022, this new entity started making the Smart#1, which is the car were testing this week. The idea was that the new Smart models would benefit from European design expertise and Chinese battery technology and that the products would all be EVs. Id have to say that the combination is an intriguing one and, in many ways, benefits greatly from the combination of the two motoring spheres. Essentially, the ethos of the Smart brand was one to make small, city cars which were easy to get around in and crucially for European customers easy to park. That credo still applies to the brand, but how they set themselves apart from the growing Chinese automotive presence in Europe is by matching European sophistication (everything from interior materials and finish to suspension and ride quality) with established Chinese EV expertise. It is, dare I say, a smart-looking car and one which would grace any driveway with aplomb and it is no exaggeration to say that the cars it has in its crosshairs and especially the Mini Countryman and the Volvo EX30 (with which it shares Geelys scalable architecture) will find a serious competitor on their hands. Rear-sited motor drives rear wheels All Smart#1 models are equipped with a 66kWh battery and the motor is sited at the rear, driving the rear wheels. There is a maximum of 272bhp on offer and the 0-100km/h dash is achieved in just 6.2 seconds, while the top speed is 180km/h. The battery has a claimed range of 440km and, like most EVs the claims and the reality are a little different, but you can reasonably expect to extract a bit more than 370km on one charge. On a rapid charger you will get a sub-30 minute 10% to 80% charging time, but on a regular 7.4kW wallbox a full charge will take some seven-and-a-half hours. All that means you will not be making a trip to Donegal from Cork without some necessary pre-planning for charging purposes, but it will take on mid-range journeys without frying your noodles. Like most small electrics the Smart#1 is at its best in an urban environment and the excellent single pedal mode of driving, once you get used to it, requires little brake usage. The motor is nearly silent and the steering is light but precise. Out in the country, things are a little less well-judged, but you see and feel the work the Mercedes people have done on the suspension and this car is clearly better than any of its small Chinese EV rivals in terms of handling and ride. The battery has a claimed range of 440km and, like most EVs the claims and the reality are a little different, but you can reasonably expect to extract a bit more than 370km on one charge. It copes with the vicissitudes of the Irish road network with ease and soaks up the worst of the bumps and potholes without transmitting them into the cabin and from a passenger point of view there is little unnecessary jolting around. On motorways it is decorum personified and helped greatly by stuff such as the standard adaptive cruise control. The interior is also considerably more sophisticated than its main Chinese rivals at least the ones weve tried thus far. There are plenty of soft-touch plastics and the solid built is well up to the standard of either the Countryman or the EX30, something which again leaves the other beasts from the east standing. On the downside the boot is very small and not everyone will love the perchy driving position, but then as a second car which this will almost certainly be for a lot of punters these are not killer faults. The 12.8in infotainment screen does take a little getting used to, what with typically Chinese graphics and it is recommended that you do your familiarisation while at a standstill because if you try and do it on the move, youre going to be severely distracted. Indeed, whatever spec you choose, the Smart#1 has bundles of kit with most getting electrically adjustable heated front seats, LED lights and a powered tailgate. The Premium specification we tried, wanted for little. On balance then, the Smart#1, while not an automotive high-water mark, is still streets ahead of what we have seen in the same small SUV segment than any of its Chinese rivals and will give many of its European competitors a decent run for their money. It is well equipped, drives really well, is relatively cheap for what youre getting and is roomy and spacious for passengers, even if the boot is not the most practical. Admittedly we did test the top-of-the-range model, the Premium and that might have coloured our positivity a little, but it seems this Sino-German effort has addressed most of the issues that have come with a majority of the Chinese-built cars we have thus far experienced build quality, range and driving dynamics. Four Irish citizens planning to board a flotilla in Turkey destined for the Gaza Strip have returned to Ireland. An international registry withdrew permission for two of the ships to sail. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition wants to highlight Israels longstanding naval blockade of the coastal enclave of Gaza and the lack of aid reaching Palestinians. The Guinea Bissau international registry asked to inspect two of the ships at a port in Istanbul last week, despite the ships having passed all required inspections. Registry officials then informed the Freedom Flotilla Coalition that they had withdrawn permission for two ships to fly under the Guinea Bissau flag. This included one cargo ship that was carrying 5,000 tonnes of aid, including food packages, water, ambulances, and medical supplies for Palestinians. Tyrone native John Hurson was in Istanbul, planning to board the flotilla, when he received the news that the flags had been withdrawn. Israeli and US pressure He blamed Israeli and US pressure on Guinea Bissau for the countrys decision to withdraw the flags from the ships. Needless to say, we are all disappointed and angry, but without flags we cannot set sail and it could take time for another country to flag the ships. An online petition is requesting that Transport Minister Eamon Ryan register the two flotilla ships as Irish and allow them to sail to Gaza under the Irish flag. A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said it strongly advises against all travel to the Gaza Strip. Despite not sailing, we raised awareness and put a spotlight on the fact aid is being denied, said Mr Hurson. Thankfully, we didnt get attacked or arrested, and there will be more eyes on us if we try to sail again. While the Irish contingent were in Istanbul, they had attended nightly meetings and non-violence training in preparation for the myriad ways the flotilla could be turned back by the Israeli authorities. Mr Hurson has taken part in three convoys of trucks that travelled to Gaza by land and provided support to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition mission of 2010, when Israeli forces shot dead 10 people during a raid of a Turkish ship. The incident sparked a major diplomatic incident between Turkey and Israel; a UN report later found that the manner in which Israeli forces boarded the vessels, with such substantial force, at a great distance from the blockade zone, was excessive and unreasonable. Mr Hurson said that significant diplomatic pressure had been placed on Turkey to ban the flotilla from leaving Istanbul. The US, UK, and Germany have sent delegates to Turkey to put pressure on them to stop us, he said. Irish activist Amanda Crawford, who said 'were getting more determined to get to Gaza than ever', with Palestinian photojournalist Abdelrahman AlKahout who was evacuated from Gaza to Turkey. Huwaida Arraf, a Palestinian-American human rights attorney and one of the organisers of the flotilla to Gaza, said: Governments must refuse to collaborate in maintaining Israels illegal siege on Gaza by obstructing the flotilla in any way. We call on the governments of the 40 countries represented on the Freedom Flotilla to uphold their obligations under international law and demand that Israel guarantee the flotilla safe passage to Gaza. After the ships flags were withdrawn last week, TD Paul Murphy, who took part in a flotilla to Gaza in 2011, said on X that he had seen for himself then that Israel would stop at nothing to prevent the flotilla from sailing. He told the Irish Examiner: I want to salute those Irish citizens who are joining the flotilla. Highlighting and attempting to break the blockade of Gaza is vital. We all have to do whatever we can do to stop the ongoing genocide. Originally from Dublin but now living in Donegal, Amanda Crawford previously worked as a human rights monitor with the International Solidarity Movement and for Operation Dove, an Italian NGO in the occupied West Bank. Were getting more determined to get to Gaza than ever, said Ms Crawford in Istanbul, before returning to Ireland. Mandla Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela, also came to the Turkish capital, hoping to join the flotilla. Mr Mandela spoke warmly of Irish activist Mary Manning and the Dunnes Stores campaign in the 1980s against South Africas apartheid regime, Ms Crawford said. A 'Tyrone to Gaza' convoy of trucks previously attempting to bring aid to Gaza, a campaign in which John Hurson was involved. Were waiting at home to rejoin as soon as the 'flag' issue is resolved. Were all determined to rejoin, said Ms Crawford, back in Ireland. After self-funding the initial trip, she has begun a GoFundMe page to get the money to return to Turkey when the ships secure new flags. Mr Hurson said: Hopefully, we can sail soon. The support that we have received has been overwhelming, and will motivate us even more when we come together very soon in order to deliver the aid to Gaza. A spokesperson for the Israel Defence Forces said that Israel permits all humanitarian aid, as it comes in every day from the air and crossings, as well as the port of Ashdod. Any other action will constitute a provocation that does not serve the entry of humanitarian aid, the spokesperson said. During an official visit to the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip in April, Tanaiste Micheal Martin said that he saw large volumes of aid, including water purifiers, electricity generators, and sleeping bags, which had all been refused by Israeli authorities. Mr Martin said that he could not rationally come to any other conclusion than that Palestinians in Gaza are being collectively punished by Israel. An Israel Defence Forces spokesperson refused to comment further on whether the freedom flotilla, if it sails, will be allowed to deliver the humanitarian aid it carries from Turkey to Gaza. Israeli channel N12 reported at the end of April that the Israeli military had begun security preparations, including plans to seize control of the flotilla. In the three months since veteran journalist Bryan Dobson announced he would be stepping down, he hasnt once had second thoughts and considered ringing up the bosses at RTE to say he had change his mind. Im absolutely happy with the decision, he said this week. I didnt make it quickly. But the time was coming. Bryan Dobson on the RTE News set in 2012. 'Ive done everything that I could reasonably have hoped to have done in broadcasting.' Photo: RTE Ive done everything that I could reasonably have hoped to have done in broadcasting and in broadcasting journalism, so theres no itch left to scratch. One of the most recognisable voices of Irish media hung up the headphones and the microphone for good on Friday, after hosting the News at One on Radio One for the last time. It brings an end to a career stretching back 37 years to when he first joined RTE. Since then, he has featured in so many notable RTE News and current affairs roles, with long stints anchoring the Six One News, Nine OClock News on television and on the flagship Radio One show Morning Ireland. Mr Dobson has also been a mainstay of RTEs coverage of major events such as general elections, the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 and the visit of Britain's Queen Elizabeth to Ireland in 2011. His presence on the screens and on the airwaves for so long means that generations of people in Ireland have grown up with Dobbo delivering the news. Bryan Dobson covering the 2020 Election. Ahead of his last show, he told the Irish Examiner that the general election coming in the next year was the only temptation when it came to staying on for another year but hes already covered plenty of those. Photo: RTE In January, the 64-year-old announced that he would be retiring from the broadcaster saying that the time has come to move on. And, ahead of his last show, he told the Irish Examiner that the general election coming in the next year was the only temptation when it came to staying on for another year but hes already covered plenty of those. In fact, it occurred to me that I probably started at RTE around the time the Taoiseach was born, Mr Dobson said. He had his first taste of journalism in an early pilot scheme for transition year at his secondary school in Blackrock. We were encouraged to take part in some of these activities, and one of them was making a radio programme, so I did that, he said. I thought 'this is fascinating and this really might be something Id like to do'. Describing it as an early ambition, he was always keen on broadcasting and got involved in pirate radio stations in the 1980s when he was a student. In fact the guy Andy Ruane - who used to run Radio Southside which was a very small pirate station emailed me just yesterday and said he had found a box in his archives with my first paycheck, he said. Which I obviously had to go in and cash and he got it back as it had been signed... for 25. I was in college so it was a summer job. Im not even sure it was a lot of money then. Bryan Dobson in Rome for Pope John Paul II's funeral in 2005. Over the years, hes had the privilege of covering so many significant events at home and abroad. Photo: RTE Over the years, he has had the privilege of covering so many significant events at home and abroad and interviewing so many famous faces. He cites both Bill and Hillary Clinton, the former whom he interviewed twice. But Mr Dobson also remembers interviewing a hero of his, TK Whitaker, a civil servant and politician who helped to shape Irelands industrial policy and really pulled the country back from the brink in the 1960s. He interviewed him when Mr Whitaker was aged 90, still very sharp and very impressive. One of the only mementos from his time covering all these events is a curious one that he got in The White House in Washington DC. When I was there, I got a little gift of a Christmas tree decoration. And its of a fire engine that apparently is there always on standby to put out a fire in The White House. "And every year, I hang it on the tree. Every year I remember it, it comes out of the box. Day-in, day-out, Mr Dobson has interviewed Government ministers and senior politicians. Even after all this time, he said he still relishes the challenge when he was given just a short timeframe to try and extricate information from a minister, who may have been prepared to within an inch of their life by their plethora of advisors. I never take it for granted, or assume I can wing it, he said. RTE newsreader Bryan Dobson in 1998. Photo: RTE But its the power of the question. And the key is just asking the right questions. We never have a lot of time, so you have to hone in. And its never easy. When he announced his retirement, a slew of current and former colleagues all paid tribute to Mr Dobson for how strongly he supported them as young journalists and offered his guidance. I think thats one of the strengths of RTE, he said. Theres that recognition that youve got to pass on the ethos of the organisation through each generation. Im not aware of it as being something Im conscious of doing. I do kind of feel like I was a custodian for a time because of the tradition that had been handed to me from people because there were people here when I started who were here from the very early days of RTE." He leaves at a time of crisis for the national broadcaster, which faces into a funding black hole and uncertainty about how it will be resourced into the future. Its absolutely vital, the broadcaster said. Public service broadcasting needs to be put on a certain financial footing. It has to be paid for. If the funding issue isnt resolved, it seems to me that it would be a sort of death by a thousand cuts. I dont think its going to disappear. But it will be further retrenchment, contraction, shrinkage and less money to spend on programme making. It would become a kind of spiral downwards. While he believes such journalism is also under threat from the likes of AI and misinformation online, it is the ebb and flow of good, reliable information, and debate and discussion that we will continue to need and a free media is at the heart of that. RTE newsreaders Bryan Dobson and Sharon Ni Bheolain in 2009. Photo: RTE In terms of whats next, Mr Dobson has said that publishers have been in contact to get him to write a book but hes not made any commitments in that regard. The next few months are about taking a step back after so long in front of the camera and the microphone. I made the decision to go early and I set the date myself, he said. Its very empowering. It literally gives you control over what is a pretty big moment in my life anyway. And what will he do for the next general election when hes been in the front and centre, staring down the camera to tell the nation the results for so long? Im not going to stop being interested in news or current affairs, he said. I dont think you just switch off your brain like that. Ill be watching. But itll be great. Ill be on the sofa, Ill have the TV on and Ill have a few cans and then Ill be watching every twist and turn of it. The Book of Kells will be closed to the public on Saturday as Trinity College Dublin (TCD) students vowed vowed to maintain an occupation of the college grounds "indefinitely" in protest over the war in Gaza. Members of Trinity College Dublin Students Union (TCDSU) and Trinity Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (TCD BDS) set up an encampment on campus at around 8.30pm on Friday evening. They are calling for TCD to cut ties with Israel and say they intend to remain on campus until their demands are met. Organisers say 70 students in 43 tents took part. ITCDSU president Laszlo Molnarfi said the students had set up an encampment for Palestine, demanding that their university cut ties with Israel as per BDS [Boycott, Divest, Sanction] principles supported by the vast majority of students and staff. He later shared an image of benches stacked up in front of the doorway to TCDs Old Library where the Book of Kells is located. We plan on staying here indefinitely, our message is there is no business as usual during a genocide, Mr Molnarfi told the PA news agency on Saturday. And when our academic institution, Trinity College Dublin, has ties to Israeli companies, entities and universities that are complicit in the war industry, we must speak up. And that is why we are doing this. And we must speak up in this disruptive, powerful way. Because when we tried to engage with the authorities, with petitions and letters and meetings, we were met with shameful silence. TCD has confirmed the building will be closed on Saturday, and said anyone with tickets will be refunded. Benches stacked outside the entrance to TCD's Old Library, where the Book of Kells is located. Picture: @TCDSU_President/Twitter The encampment at Trinity follows similar demonstrations seen on college campuses across the US in recent days. On Friday, the university fined the undergraduate student union 200,000 over financial costs incurred this year due to protests on campus about fees, rent, and pro-Palestinian solidarity. Mr Molnarfi accused senior management at the university of an ill-fated attempt to threaten and suppress its protest. In a statement on Saturday, a TCD spokesperson said an unauthorised BDS encampment is currently in place in Trinity. While Trinity supports students right to protest, protests must be conducted within the rules of the university. The university says access to its campus will be restricted to students, staff, residents and Department of Sports Members with college ID cards only on Saturday to ensure safety. TCD also says it has obligation to protect the Books of Kells and the Old Library and its Long Room and both would be shuttered on Saturday. The closure of the Old Library impacts on researchers, whether they are students, staff or visiting international researchers, the spokesperson added. It also impacts on the staff working there, many of whom are students themselves. In a further statement on Saturday evening, a spokesperson for the college added: "Trinity respects the strong stance expressed by the people participating in the encampment protest and blockade, and we support the right to peaceful protest. "There are also however many good reasons why the universitys policies, including health and safety, dignity and respect, must be followed when doing so. Our duty of care to students and staff is paramount. In order to ensure we can deliver on that duty of care for our students, we are ensuring that those protesting on campus are members of the college community, so access to campus has been restricted to students and staff with valid college ID cards only. "We have not made this decision lightly. "Regrettably, this will have a direct impact on our students and staff. Our libraries, Sports Centre, Book of Kells Experience, Old Library and the Pavilion Bar have been closed until further notice while sports fixtures, a concert and social events have been cancelled, postponed or moved to another venue." An Irish citizen who was trapped in Gaza for the past seven months has said he doesn't have enough words to thank the Irish people for helping him and his family. Zak Hania flew into Dublin this afternoon, from Cairo, after he was evacuated from Gaza on Monday. Overcome with emotion, he grabbed his four sons Mazen, 19; Ismael, 17; Ahmed, 14, and Nour-Mohamed, 11, who were all born here and sobbed into their arms, while his wife Batoul stood beside them wiping away her tears. Mazen then took off his coat and laid it out on the floor for his father who got down on his hands and knees and kissed the ground twice in the arrivals hall in Terminal 1 at Dublin airport. I have love and I have respect for this land, he said. Ireland is in my heart as is Palestine. I dont have enough words to thank you and thank all the people who are going to the street and being in the street and all the people who are making every effort to support people in Gaza and in Palestine to stop this brutal genocide. I think Israel has taken off their mask and they are showing their real face. He said: As human beings we are showing our true humanity. Our determination to stop this crime and to be united all together all humanity to stop this crime. Irish-Palestinian man Zak Hania kisses the ground in Dublin Airport as he returns from Palestine, Picture: Leah Farrell/ RollingNews.ie He said that his experience of the war, seeing bombs and missiles day and night is indescribable. I am coming from the dead, he said. The Hania family flew into Dublin airport last November after being evacuated from Gaza by the Irish government. The eldest child, Mazen, told the Irish Examiner at the time that he had to leave his father behind to die and that he was now the son and the father. However, today, he was reunited with his father, and they embraced for a lengthy period before addressing reporters. I am happy to see my kids and my dear friends, said Mr Hania. Overcome with emotion, he sobbed into a handkerchief as the crowd shouted, free Palestine and waved Irish and Palestinian flags. Its a very strange feeling to be honest, said Mr Hania. I feel my feelings are frozen and numbing. Weve been in a hell for the last seven months. Bombs, missiles, day and night, imagine if you can live for seven months under this, what will happen to the people, what will happen to you. We are so exhausted; the people of Gaza are very exhausted and tired. Its very very hard experience to live. Thank God that I am back and I am safe with my family and my great friends. We need to stop this genocide, thank God I survived this genocide, I thank everybody in Ireland, the media the government for making their efforts to get the people out, I want to thank the embassy in Cairo for their kindness. For me, I just want to kiss the land that I love, and I respect, and I want to thank God for coming home and seeing my family again. The Irish government have been unable to secure the release of several Irish citizens from Gaza but were continuing to liaise with their families here. Batoul Hania told the Irish Examiner she paid 4,600 to a travel agency in Egypt who secure the release of her husband through the Rafah Crossing. Family separated for seven months The Hania family were separated for seven months and were terrified at leaving their father behind. Images of the distressed teenager Mazen who described his journey through hell to get out of Gaza safely made international headlines. We had to leave our father behind, he said at the time. He is still trapped, and I have to be the father now. However, today he said: I stood in this very spot and cried for my father last November. Now I stand here waiting for him. We watched his plane flying overhead before we came into the arrivals. I cant believe hes coming home. While his mother Batoul said: We are married 19 years and I have to be strong for my family. I am so happy he is here, but I am also filled with grief for the family we have left behind. The mother of four has been caring for the children in an apartment in west Dublin, since November and has settled her children into school. She said her marriage is strong and that both she and Zak have supported each other during their separation. When I saw him, my heart was literally out of its place, it is an indescribable feeling, the dream is coming true, I have to ask myself, am I dreaming? We are full of emotion. I cant describe my feelings, because it is a combination of joy and happiness and at the same time, grief, for everyone that is left behind. My happiness is incomplete. We are still thinking about all those left there. My parents are now in Egypt, but everybody is still there, my sisters, my cousins, Zaks sisters, our cousins. Between Zak and me we have lost 40 people. Imagine they are still under the rubble and their bodies would be destroyed now.. Homeless asylum seekers have pitched more than 70 tents along Dublins Grand Canal to form the latest makeshift encampment of migrants in the city. The encampment is close to the International Protection Office (IPO) on Mount Street, from where more than 200 asylum seekers who had been living in tents on footpaths were moved on Wednesday. Those men were taken from the Mount Street camp to facilities at the Citywest hotel in Dublin and Crooksling in Co Dublin. The tents on Mount Street were dismantled and the area around the IPO was cordoned off. Around 70 tents have now been erected along the Grand Canal. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos More asylum seekers gathered at the office on Thursday but were told the authorities were at that point not able to provide them with accommodation. A number of homeless migrants subsequently pitched tents in a private park in south Dublin on Thursday. However, those men left the area on Friday. Tents have now been erected along the Grand Canal between Mount Street Bridge and Huband Bridge. On Saturday night, volunteers food and water to the asylum seekers sheltering in the tents along the canal. On Friday, Taoiseach Simon Harris defended the Governments handling of the asylum seeker accommodation issue. He said makeshift encampments on public roads and footpaths were illegal, and never the solution. Its also not in the interest of the people who are sleeping in those tents, people who dont have access to proper sanitation, he said. Mr Harris added: We work at this every single day but I need to be clear and honest with people coming to our country, we are doing our very best in very difficult and challenging circumstances to provide accommodation. But accommodation isnt always readily available but we are keeping working at it day by day. The conversation about migration cant just be one about accommodation, because no matter how much accommodation you have, if its just a conversation about accommodation, accommodation will fill. It also has to be a conversation about faster processing times, about efficient and effective systems. Tributes have been paid to a Cork woman who died suddenly after taking ill while canyoneering in the Philippines. Meg Haugh, a 26-year-old from Ballintemple, had been taking part in the adventure activity in the town of Badian when she collapsed having complained of chest pains on Thursday morning. A 55-year-old Dubliner who stepped off a train in Cork with a Tesco Bag for Life containing almost 60,000 worth of heroin was due to be paid about 200 for carrying the stash and planned to spend this on Benzos during his visit. It was the Dubliners first-ever visit to Cork and as the sentencing judge remarked: He didnt get very far. David Farrell was arrested at Kent railway station in May 2022 and now has been jailed for two years. Judge Jonathan Dunphy imposed a sentence of four years, with the final two suspended. Farrell, of Marks Alley, Dublin 8, pleaded guilty to possession of heroin, having the drug for sale or supply, and having the drug for sale or supply at a time when the street value exceeded 13,000, a threshold that allows for a minimum sentence of 10 years on conviction unless there are exceptional circumstances. The charges all refer to Kent station at Lower Glanmire Road, Cork, on May 27, 2022. Detective Garda Martina Drew testified that an operation was in place at the railway station that day and that the accused and another man were seen stepping off the train. The accused was carrying the shopping bag. As soon as the drugs were seized from him during a search he made admissions. Defence senior counsel Ray Boland said Farrell was paid a small amount of money to accompany the other man to Cork. And he was given the unenviable job of carrying the bags, Mr Boland said. Farrell has been on methadone for 24 years and he had hoped that he would obtain Benzodiazepine-type street drugs in Cork for the purpose of self-medicating. However, he did not get that far, effectively being arrested on arrival. Mr Boland said: It would appear from very fair evidence that Mr Farrell is a vulnerable man. A Syrian man arrested after arriving at Dublin Airport without a passport or any form of identification has been remanded in custody. Abdul Alkak, 39, who has no address in Ireland and allegedly has "no ties to this country", was charged with breaching the Immigration Act and appeared before Judge Conor Fottrell at Dublin District Court on Saturday. Detective John Henry of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) told the court the man was arrested on Friday at 3.50pm "having arrived at Dublin Airport". He was charged later that evening, and "the defendant made no reply after caution", the detective said. The accused listened to the proceedings with the aid of an interpreter, and the court heard that he also had one present when he was charged. The GNIB detective applied for a remand in custody, saying the accused "has no ties to this country". The man did not address the court and has not entered a plea. Defence solicitor Eddie O'Connor told Judge Fottrell that his client was not making a bail application. Judge Fottrell granted Mr Alkak legal aid and remanded him in custody to appear again on Tuesday. The offence carries a possible 12-month prison term. The legislation requires every non-national to produce on demand a valid passport or other equivalent document issued by or on behalf of an authority recognised by the Government, establishing their identity and nationality, unless they can satisfactorily explain the circumstances preventing them from doing so. A young Cork woman has been awarded a Global Citizen Prize for her pioneering work in the field of poverty and food security. Sophie Healy-Thow, a 26-year-old native of Kinsale, was one of five winners of the prestigious prize recognised at the Global Citizen awards ceremony in New York. Ms Healy-Thow, a one-time winner of the grand prize at Irelands Young Scientist competition, is the founder of Act4Food, a youth-led campaign which, in its own words, mobilises the power of young people to call for a global food system which provides everyone with access to safe, affordable and nutritious diets, while simultaneously protecting nature, tackling climate change and promoting human rights. The campaign has at its heart the expressed desire of Ms Healy-Thow for young people to be at the heart of societal decision-making which will eventually impact their own generation more than any other. The Global Citizen Prize honours people who have excelled in their own fields and who have made changes to combat poverty. I feel so excited, so overwhelmed and so grateful, Ms Healy-Thow, who attended the ceremony with her mother, said of her award. She said it had been her granny and her mum who had set her on a career path of food sustainability and innovation. I grew up in a household where my father really struggled with alcohol addiction, so that when we grew up the family income kind of went towards that unfortunately, she said. But when I moved to be closer to my grandmother in Cork, she had apple trees, she went periwinkle picking on the coast of Kinsale, she harvested seaweed and dried seaweed and she thought us about all of these old-Ireland practices. Ms Healy-Thow's victory at the 2014 Young Scientist involved a project investigating ways to increase crop growth for farmers in the era of climate change. She said that victory had led her on this trajectory of activism within the food space, and full circle here to Global Citizen. Her Global Citizen award is just the latest in a series of high-profile achievements. Previously, Ms Healy-Thow was named as one of the 10 women leaders featured in the Disney book Choose to Matter, and was recognised by Time magazine as one of the worlds most influential teens. She serves on the board of international charity ActionAid UK together with the Emergency Nutrition Network, and was previously appointed as a group leader within the UNs Scaling Up Nutrition Movement. Unpredictable times is how an elderly neighbour describes incidents of civil disturbance and violence that we have seen recently, as a result of the ongoing migrant issues that appear to be unresolvable. He was chatting to me the day after the shocking events that took place close to Newtownmountkennedy, in County Wicklow. My neighbour is a former college lecturer, his lifes career entirely devoted to Irish and European history, with a special interest in conflict and war. When I asked him if we are going to see a further escalation of civil disturbance, to the point where our army might be deployed to protect the democracy of the State, he shook his head. Its difficult to know whats going to happen, he replied. What were witnessing is much the same as what many countries have experienced for hundreds of years, especially in the run-up to elections. Were new to this type of unrest; but one things for sure its terrifying to watch. If he had been an oncologist, he could have been telling me that the cancer wasnt going to spread. There are very few cancer specialists who would be so confident. Truth is, no one knows whats coming down the line because a dangerous cancer of unrest is spreading. Almost 40% of Americans believe civil war is at least somewhat likely in the next 10 years, according to a survey conducted two years ago a figure that increases to more than half among self-identified strong Republicans, or Trump supporters. It might be interesting to see the outcome of that survey if it were repeated right now. Back in November 2020, 13% of Irish people said they would vote for Trump in the upcoming US presidential election if they were able to do so. That 13% could effectively put the newer right-of-centre candidates into the Dail following the next general election. Photo: Curtis Means/via AP There are five reasons why war occurs bumblers, hatreds, injustices, poverty and armaments. Its unlikely that we will witness the outbreak of civil war here in Ireland in our lifetime. However, weve always had a compulsive tendency to see events in America as a barometer of how we might react in the same circumstances. And that certainly seems to be relevant now. Our traditionally softer temperament is being challenged. Back in November 2020, 13% of Irish people said they would vote for Trump in the upcoming US presidential election if they were able to do so. It might not seem like a large number, until you equate it to Irish-election percentages, and the current mood. Fine Gaels support now averages about 20%, a small rise since Simon Harris took over the party leadership, while Fianna Fail runs about 17%. That 13% of Irish Trump supporters could effectively put the newer right-of-centre candidates into the Dail following the next general election. But would such a large percentage vote for these candidates? Its unlikely, if only because people in the middle-age bracket and upward are naturally averse to major change especially when they are uncertain about its effects. Virginia Satir, the world-famous family therapist, often said the greatest human instinct is not the will to survive, but an overwhelming resistance to change. Even though we might feel were not in control of our lives, we tend to hesitate when the opportunity arises to bring about change. Its a reason why people remain in bad relationships, because theyre more terrified of what theyre not familiar with. Ever since the outbreak of covid, social media has a lot to answer for. We started to believe outrageously false stories we scrolled through online; while others accused the more traditional, trusted mainstream journalism of lies and fake news. Yes, theres a hunger for change; but violence will not bring about anything that might remotely be considered as either restorative or positive. The internet is swirling with the relatively new appeal of citizen journalists individuals who have no journalism qualifications or experience, who have taken it upon themselves to break news stories, many of which are highly suspect or untrue. In her excellent book, How Civil Wars Start, Barbra F. Walters explains the rise of civil war and the conditions that create it. Democracy, as we know it, is under threat, one which has created a ripple effect across the globe; and what were once otherwise peaceful people are becoming brainwashed and polarised. Walters points out that even countries we thought could never experience another civil war she mentions Ireland are showing signs of unrest. She argues that if there were to be another war in the US, it would be a guerilla war fought on a more clandestine level, precipitated by the emergence of small citizen-style armies whose targets would be politicians who oppose their agendas, journalists, law enforcement, lawyers and court judges, civil rights activists, racial minorities and immigrants. Does this ring a bell? Even though these militia wont physically unite their efforts because of the narcissistic outlook of each of their members, their combined goal will be to subdue the strength of the traditional establishment and those who support it, threatening the lives of individuals, and forcing their political opponents to surrender. Weve witnessed such hostility in recent days, with bomb hoax phone calls made to the Samaritans, aimed at the home of Justice Minister, Helen McEntee. There were small children at home with their father at the time of the calls. The bomb hoaxers deserve to spend time behind bars. Rachel Kleinfeld, a specialist in civil conflict at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, stated in an interview two years ago: Countries with democracies and governments as strong as Americas do not fall into civil war. But if our institutions weaken, the story could be different. We are already witnessing our countrys disintegration into irreconcilable factions. I dont believe in doomsday prophecies, but I dont like what I see happening around me right now. Many Americans believe that the riot that took place on Capitol Hill in Washington over two years ago was a rehearsal for a civil war that is imminent. They also believe there is nothing united about the United States, with many claiming their own civil war achieved little, and theres still a lot of unfinished business that deserves another war a part two, if you like. The bomb hoaxers who showed hostility in recent days towards Minister for Justice Helen McEntee deserve to spend time behind bars. But here in Ireland, when you consider that small communities still remain divided over 100 years after the trauma and the bloodshed of the last civil war, we need to acknowledge one irrefutable fact thats staring us in the face, in the light of the divisive aims of many of these thugs, and thats that someone a garda, a journalist, a politican, maybe even an innocent child is going to be killed if the madness doesnt stop. While there are those mostly a tiny minority who might silently see such an atrocity as a wish fulfilled, the peaceful majority of Irish people dont. Lets hope that never changes. Unpredictable times, indeed. When people talk of the long, venerable tradition of Irish hospitality, the image that pops into my head is that of Gaelic noblewoman Margaret OCarroll, dressed in gold, welcoming thousands of guests to a feast so lavish it would be remembered for centuries. The annals tell us that she stood on the battlements of the great church at Killeigh, Co Offaly, on March 26, 1433 we have the precise date as her husband circled on horseback below, directing the crush of guests to the tables laid with food and drink. There was both meat... and all manner of gifts for the assembled chieftains, brehons (judges), bards, musicians, gamesters and the poor no one was left out. They were all put up in a temporary town made of wattle huts, laid out in streets with one for each profession. It must have had something of the atmosphere of a music festival about it. Or a literary festival, or a bit of both. There was music and feasting and the kind of special bonding that takes place when people break bread together. HISTORY HUB If you are interested in this article then no doubt you will enjoy exploring the various history collections and content in our history hub. Check it out HERE and happy reading There was another important element too. In bringing together the bards, the musicians and the poets, Margaret OCarroll and her husband An Calbach OConnor Faly were doing something else they were reasserting Gaelic culture at a time when the Irish were pushing back against the Anglo-Irish. Later that year, Margaret threw another big bash; this time at the other end of her kingdom in Rathangan in Co Kildare. It was a very welcome event in a year of food shortages and famine. Margaret OCarroll was a patron of the arts, a builder of roads and bridges and a woman who understood the importance of hospitality. The poets called her Margaret the Hospitable, an illustrious title that stuck thanks to the power of the pen. (Poets were so influential that a particularly potent verse could kill a person. The annals recorded three deaths caused by a poets miracle in the 15th century). Mobile hospitality service But back to the art of living and the magic that happens when you bring people together to share food. Mention the word hospitality now and you are most likely to hear the word industry follow it. It is utterly refreshing, then, to hear artist Jennie Moran talk about hospitality in terms of the gold dust of shared experience that takes place when people meet over food. In 2013, she bought the college canteen at the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) in Dublin as part of a project called Luncheonette. A luncheonette, she explains, is a light-on-its-feet food station. It acts as a mobile hospitality service, designed to travel to sites where it is most needed, like a strange ambulance. Jennie Moran hoped to establish a place of refuge at the heart of the college. She was setting up a business, but one firmly rooted in an art practice. It was, she says, a fully immersive, experiential installation designed to provide a cosy, warm, convivial space where students could create a shared heritage. The challenges were immense, not least because of the setting. This is her evocative description of the place she chose to set-down her strange ambulance of hospitality: An underground kitchen hidden deep in the bowels of a seventeenth-century whisky distillery. Thick walls, low ceilings, Newgrange quantities of natural light. Complex riddles of ancient pipes like a family tree of plumbers who knew better than the last. Glitter-bomb residue from a particularly flamboyant students union tenure lodged in a piece of flaking paint in the corner of the ceiling. Ten-centimetre terracotta tiles on the floor, all slightly different tones. The health inspector is not a fan of these. Food awards Yet, over the course of the next eight years beautiful, unexpected things, as Jennie puts it, happened in this space. In 2019, Luncheonette was awarded Best Cafe in Ireland at the Food and Wine Awards, a singular achievement for any establishment, not least for a college canteen in the basement of an art college. In a sense, that was the least of it. In an NCAD strategic review, staff said the ideas they felt most proud of had come to them in Luncheonette. It became a place where lecturers and students shared tables. Families and friends were invited to lunch. Precious family recipes were put on the menu. Jennie Moran and her team had created a space that softened the corners of the harsh, linear outside world. Little wonder her book about her experience is called How to Soften Corners (Dropout Press, available at www.thelibraryproject.ie). Artist Jennie Moran launching her book, How to Soften Corners, the story of Luncheonette, the unlikely (and award-winning) college canteen at the National College of Art and Design that showed how human connection through food can change a place. We humans endure lots of harsh landscapes in our daily lives boundaries, borders, barriers, lines not to be crossed. But we are a non-geometric shaped species. Our bodies do not contain straight lines or 90 angles We need breaks from straight lines. We need to touch things that are porous and might yield to us. We also need to feel minded and held by a space, adjacent to other humans. Between 2013 and 2021, Luncheonette fed some 600,000 people 600,000 volts of joy, to use Jennie Morans phrase because, she explains, both host and guest benefit from the power of hospitality. One of the most beautiful things about humans is the system we put in place for welcoming strangers. We have hospitality because we needed to understand how to welcome strangers into our villages and we needed to know that it was okay to let someone into your house. And even though its scary and you think they might hurt you, theres an agreement, and hospitality is the agreement not to harm someone that you dont know and it doesnt make sense, but you do it anyway, she says. Her book, beautifully produced and beautifully written, expands on the philosophy of hospitality. She wrote it, she says, to see if the experience at Luncheonette could be applied elsewhere to others in the hospitality industry, to those trying to make educational institutions feel a little softer or to readers simply interested in learning more about welcoming strangers. How to Soften Corners, though, has a much wider reach. Its principles and ideas (not to mention recipes) are applicable to many areas of modern life. It is described as a playful how-to guide to hospitality which it is certainly is but it is also a lyrical reminder of the importance of nurturing human connection. Another vital component of hospitality is that the guest must leave. After eight years, Jennie Morans mobile hospitality service moved on and now drops in to galleries, theatres, art studios to help soften the corners of those venues. Meanwhile, her former head chef and childhood friend Siobhan Byrne is keeping the doors open at NCAD where she runs The Goodies cafe, which has the same philosophy and the same food. Hospitality is best experienced in person, of course, but reading Jennie Morans book is a close-run second. How to Soften Corners is a lavish, thought-provoking and important book that will help us to reclaim the true meaning of hospitality. Margaret OCarroll would be very pleased. Something very ugly is going to happen if things keep going as they are now. Recent incidents include the gathering of men in balaclavas with offensive posters at the home of Minister Roderic OGorman. The family of Justice Minister Helen McEntee had to be evacuated from their home on foot of a bomb warning. Last weekend, a clip of a racist thug abusing former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar as he sat enjoying a coffee went across social media. A threat to the life of Paul Murphy, the People Before Profit TD, was daubed on a wall near his home. For the first time since he was elected Taoiseach, there was a gathering of people with placards outside the home of Simon Harris. Violent rhetoric on social media is one of the agents driving the heightened and unfocused anger that leads to this stuff. Currently, much of this anger is directed at challenges in accommodating asylum seekers. This has been manipulated by a small group intent on spreading hatred but a fair share of it has now entered mainstream society. To the greatest extent, this hatred is based on lies and distortions. So much for social media. But how many distortions and untruths are being disseminated in the national parliament? Last Wednesday there was a private members motion in the Dail on the subject of the EU pact on asylum and migration. The government is intent on opting into the pact, which most agree is designed to limit the number of asylum seekers entering the EU. Human rights groups are opposed on the basis that the provisions will impact basic rights for those applying for international protection, many of whom are fleeing war and persecution. Then, on the right, others suggest that the pact will impact this countrys sovereignty. As this state is a member of the EU, it is open to citizens of the other twenty-six countries in the union to come and go as they please. It is difficult to see how having another basic agreement with those countries about the movement of people within the union is diluting sovereignty. Still, these things should be up for debate as long as such debate can take place without it being used to harvest cheap votes by feeding into the rhetoric of hate. 'Open borders' To that extent, Wednesdays Dail debate was both interesting and worrying. Firstly, the position of Sinn Fein was noteworthy. For the last month or so, as tensions ramped up over the issue at hand, all Sinn Fein contributions on this subject began with the line: Sinn Fein is opposed to open borders. This was a dog whistle to those who spread the lie that we have open borders in this state and not a rules-based system. It represents a major shift for the party towards the intolerant right. On Wednesday, five Sinn Fein members contributed to the debate, and not one mentioned open borders. This is to be welcomed. It may be attributable to the recent revelations about asylum seekers free movement across the border in this country. Or it could be that the party wants to ramp down the rhetoric at a time when it could become dangerous. No such concerns were evident among some of the independents. Here, the rhetoric is designed to pander rather than address fears, with absolutely no thought about ripples that spread far and wide. In fact, some of the stuff being spouted is designed specially to be shared on social media. The government is imposing large-scale immigration on a local population, according to Offaly TD Carol Nolan. Carol Nolan TD. It has a steadfast adherence to an open-door asylum seeker policy, which is being enforced without taxpayer consultation or input, thereby raising serious democratic and financial concerns. There is no factual basis for any of this and the idea that government should consult with citizens or taxpayers as Ms Nolan terms them on every action is simply ludicrous. Heres Independent TD Michael Collins: When it comes to this issue of an asylum pact, it is a deal done by a dirty government and it will not be forgotten by the people Is the suggestion that those in cabinet, those dirty ministers, are beholden to external forces or groups rather than the electorate? Does Deputy Collins wish to propagate some conspiracy theory that ministers are deceiving the Irish people on this emotive topic for some nefarious reason? Michael Healy-Rae TD. Michael Healy-Rae spoke of a frightening statistic of the number of asylum seekers in the UK. The deputy said that billions is being spent on immigration. He didnt mention the frightening statistic that as a landlord he has received 650,000 from the billions to accommodate Ukrainian refugees. Limerick TD Richard ODonoghue began his contribution with this: People in this country are scared. They are scared about what the government has done and about the lack of information available to them. The government could certainly be accused of incompetence, but Deputy ODonoghue appears to be saying something has been done to the people, which is scaring everybody. Are you scared? Danny Healy-Rae said the people he represents are very worried about the (EU) pact. Why would they be really worried about it one way or the other unless they are encouraged to be so? He also believes that refugees are getting preferential treatment to local people. I have no problem in the world (with refugees) but we have to be fair to our own people and give the same benefits to our own people. And on it went in the same vein. Earlier, Mattie McGrath compared An Garda Siochana to the B-Specials and a gang after the clashes that occurred last week in Newtownmountkennedy. There is no doubt that these politicians are reflecting what they hear from voters, maybe a few, maybe more than a few, but every vote counts. They will deny that they are feeding into an atmosphere that has got noticeably uglier. All they are doing is representing the people. They have no interest in explaining to voters that some of the irrational fears and the whacky conspiracy theories are lies being disseminated by elements who want to fashion a society far removed from a liberal democracy. Instead, their various speeches give the impression that government, and possibly most political parties, are acting contrary to the wishes of the vast majority of citizens for some nefarious reason. Surely, right now, coming from the national parliament, that is highly irresponsible. Thirty years ago today, I presented the Eurovision with Gerry Ryan at what was then known as the Point Theatre in Dublin. Riverdance stole the show on that beautiful spring evening. Albert Reynolds whooped and danced next to President Mary Robinson as people cheered and celebrated in a way that we had not done since Italia '90. That is the power of art. The power to take us somewhere else. The power to make us feel excited, confident, and euphoric. It felt as if Ireland was waking up. The IRA had just announced a temporary ceasefire and Ireland was daring to dream of a future without violence, as part of a wider European family of countries. In the days before the show, Gerry and I met with the artists, their families, their friends, and began to understand how big an occasion this was for them and their careers. The biggest show in town. That is why I was so disappointed last week to hear that 400 Irish artists have signed a letter demanding Bambie Thug boycott Eurovision, saying that "by participating in Eurovision you will be standing with the oppressor. They formed an angry mob to bully a young contestant on the eve of one of the biggest shows of their life. The artists are rightly disgusted at what is happening in Gaza. We all are, but why lay the blame at the feet of a fellow artist on the eve of such an important show? Cultural boycotts do not work. They never have. They never will. All this call for a boycott will do is distract from the wonderful achievements of an artist, Bambie Thug, who is just trying to make music, art, and represent the country at an EU level. By attempting to silence Bambie Thug, those who signed this petition are taking a leaf from the oppressive tactics that Israel is employing in Gaza and I would call on them to just leave Bambie Thug to prepare in peace. Artists have soft power and influence but with that power comes responsibility. The power to stand up and speak out against oppression is something that every individual artist has. When you boycott, or arrange a mob to call for a boycott of a fellow artist, you silence the artist and try to take away their voice. That is oppressive. In my mind, you cannot overcome oppression with more oppression. Art must be above politics and we cannot allow an angry mob to decide what freedoms of expression we are allowed to have. If we tolerate this, where do we stop? What is next? Do we boycott art galleries where the owners are Israeli? Do we boycott a cafe because the owner has an Israeli cousin? When you accept mob rule, then you accept that mobs are uncontrollable. Legitimate criticism should be focused on the Israeli government and the army, not on individual Israelis because of their race, rather than what they have said or done. That is racism whatever way you cut it. Many artists that have been boycotted in the past were against the very government actions that led to the boycott in the first place. Promoting the idea that Jews everywhere, and all Israelis are responsible for the actions of the Israeli government undermines those who may be opposed to the actions of their respective governments. By silencing those artists, you are taking away that voice of opposition, both inside their own country and on the global stage. Let us be clear that what Israel is doing in Gaza is wrong. We are moving towards the recognition of a Palestinian state in Ireland, which is a positive step. The only thing that will bring about a ceasefire is political pressure, listening, and dialogue not cultural boycotts. The Irish people should know that more than most. Cynthia Ni Mhurchu is a former RTE presenter and a Fianna Fail European election candidate A well-known UK-Palestinian surgeon who volunteered in Gaza hospitals said he has been denied entry to France to speak at a senate meeting about the Israel-Hamas war. French authorities did not give a reason for the decision to bar Dr Ghassan Abu Sitta. The medic was placed in a holding zone in the Charles de Gaulle airport and will be expelled, according to French senator Raymonde Poncet Monge, who had invited him to speak at the senate. Its a disgrace, she posted on X. I am at Charles De Gaule airport. O was supposed to speak in tge French parliament. They are preventing me from entering France. They say the Germans put a 1 year ban on my entry to Europe Ghassan Abu Sitta (@GhassanAbuSitt1) May 4, 2024 A French official said Dr Abu Sitta was turned away because he is barred from entry to all Schengen zone countries based on a German request. Dr Abu Sitta posted on social networks that he was denied entry in France because of a one-year ban by Germany on his entry to Europe. Germany denied him entry last month, and France and Germany are part of Europes border-free Schengen zone. He posted on Saturday that he was being sent back to London. The French foreign ministry, interior ministry, local police and the Paris airport authority would not comment on what happened or give an explanation. Dr Abu Sitta had been invited by Frances left-wing Ecologists group in the senate to speak at a colloquium on Saturday about the situation in Gaza, according to the senate press service. The gathering included testimony from medics, journalists and international legal experts with Gaza-related experience. Ghassan Abu Sitta, chirurgien qui operait a l'hopital Al-Shifa a Gaza et qui devait intervenir lors du colloque que j'organise aujourd'hui au Senat, a ete place en zone d'attente a l'aeroport Charles de Gaulle et sera expulse. C'est une honte! @GDarmanin que comptez-vous faire? https://t.co/Pl0BNIeeAy Raymonde Poncet Monge (@PoncetRaymonde) May 4, 2024 Last month, Dr Abu Sitta was denied entry to Germany to take part in a pro-Palestinian conference. He said he was stopped at passport control, held for several hours and then told he had to return to the UK. He said airport police told him he was refused entry due to the safety of the people at the conference and public order. Dr Abu Sitta, who recently volunteered with Doctors Without Borders in Gaza, has worked during multiple conflicts in the Palestinian territories, beginning in the late 1980s during the first Palestinian uprising. He has also worked in other conflict zones, including in Iraq, Syria and Yemen. France has seen tensions related to the Middle East conflict almost daily since the deadly October 7 Hamas incursion into Israel. In recent days and weeks police have cleared out students at French campuses holding demonstrations and sit-ins similar to those in the United States. More than 20 dogs have been seized after police raided a suspected illegal XL bully breeding farm in Sheffield. Twenty-two animals were seized from an allotment on Thursday, including mothers and puppies, which were being kept in what officers described as appalling conditions. Six of the animals were so unwell they were euthanised, a South Yorkshire Police spokesman said. Most, but not all of the dogs, are thought to have been XL bully dogs with many requiring urgent treatment, police added. Chief Inspector Emma Cheney said: We do not know how long some of the dogs have been living in these conditions, with female dogs having litters of puppies, while in their own suffering state. Animal cruelty and suffering will not be tolerated within South Yorkshire, and we will continue to work with partners to ensure those responsible are put before the courts. Sadly, six dogs had to be put to sleep. The remaining 16 dogs remain in police kennels while our investigation continues. We are stronger working with our communities and urge anyone who witnesses suspicious behaviour or illegal breeding or housing of banned breeds to get in touch, online, via live chat or by calling 101. If you suspect someone of animal neglect or cruelty, please report to the RSPCA. A suspect has been identified and police inquiries continue. Ownership of American bully XL dogs is restricted under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Since December 31 2023, it has been against the law to sell, give away, abandon or breed bully XL dogs. 1371138342::cfb49c8e-2422-11e5-99a3-d7f5c6e8b241 A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. A local woman was severely injured last week at a concert in downtown Buffalo after a member of the band who was attempting to surf the crowd leaped from the stage and struck her. Bird Piche suffered a catastrophic spinal injury Tuesday at Buffalos Mohawk Place while she attended a concert by the Australian band Trophy Eyes, according to a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for her medical treatment. WKBW-TV was first to report on the incident. The fundraising page, set up by two family friends, said Piche has undergone surgery but its too soon for a long-term prognosis. She has a long recovery ahead and will need all the help she can get, according to her friends Stephanie Brown and Leo Wolters Tejera. Mohawk Place has a strict policy barring crowd-surfing and stage-diving, said Marty Boratin, a veteran of the Buffalo music scene who regularly books concerts at the venue. Boratin said another company, After Dark Presents, handled the Trophy Eyes booking but the band was aware of the venues prohibition on crowd-surfing, which involves band or audience members being held aloft and carried along the crowd in front of the stage. Venues like Mohawk Place have barred stage-diving and crowd-surfing because of the potential risk for the performers and for music fans, Boratin said. Its stupid and dangerous and people continue to do it, he said. Signs noting the prohibition are set up around the venue. Mohawk Place staffers will shut off the power to the stage if a band member breaks the rule, Boratin said. This happened a few weeks ago late during a set by the band Apes of the State, he said, though no one was injured in that earlier incident, partly because the musician who dove in was about 5 feet, 1 inch tall and petite. They finished up their last song completely unplugged, with the crowd singing along, and she was a little miffed until I explained the whole situation, Boratin said. And then she was quite understanding. About 13 years ago, however, a 19-year-old music fan named Mike Bird also suffered a serious spinal injury when a musician dove off the stage at Mohawk Place. The 2011 incident left Bird, at least initially, paralyzed from the waist down and facing a lengthy recovery, according to a web page set up to help raise funds for his medical costs. Video purportedly from the latest incident shows Trophy Eyes vocalist John Floreani abruptly jumping backward from the stage into the audience, whose members hold him aloft as he briefly rides the top of the crowd. This was when Piche was injured, according to online accounts, and the concert soon came to an end. My partner and I were directly beside her. As soon as we heard her say she was scared and couldnt move we knew it wasnt good. John was clearly devastated, one concert attendee posted on Reddit. Tejera, the family friend who helped set up the GoFundMe page, told WKBW that Piche, who is 24, was taken to Erie County Medical Center for immediate surgery and she can breathe on her own now. Her neck was definitely broken and as of today, she has feeling in her arms, Tejera told the station Friday. She can use her fingers and hands and stuff. Her fine motor skills are a little rough but the surgeon said thats kind of normal from the surgery and anesthesia. An ECMC spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for an update on Piches condition. Mike Thor, general manager of Buffalos Mohawk Place, did not respond to a message Saturday seeking comment. Trophy Eyes posted a message on the bands X account saying members were truly heartbroken by this tragic accident. The band said Floreani accompanied Piche in the ambulance to the hospital and band members have kept in close contact with her family. This situation has shaken us all to our core, and we ask for patience while we look to help Bird navigate this difficult time. Please, keep Bird in your thoughts, the statement reads in part. However, as local music publication 1120 Press pointed out, Trophy Eyes gained notoriety one year ago for its response to a music fan who complained about feeling unsafe because of crowd-surfing and moshing during one of the bands performances in Atlanta. After this attendee and the bands fans went back and forth online, Trophy Eyes chimed in with a dismissive, two-word vulgarity. The GoFundMe page for Piche has raised more than $36,000 as of Saturday afternoon, including $5,000 from Trophy Eyes. Boratin and others are working to pull together a benefit concert at Mohawk Place, with a tentative date of June 1, to raise more money for Piches care. The volume of industrial goods exports in Uzbekistan amounted to $1.02 billion from January through March 2024, Azernews reports. According to the data from Uzbekistans Statistics Agency, this indicator increased by 4 percent year-on-year ($979.9 million in January-March 2023). In general, the specific weight of industrial goods in the total volume of exports amounted to 16 percent during this period. Exports of manufactured products are mainly textile yarns, fabrics, finished goods, and similar products ($538 million), non-ferrous metals ($344.1 million), cast iron and steel ($51.3 million), and others. Meanwhile, the volume of industrial goods exports in Uzbekistan amounted to $610.7 million from January through February 2024. The specific weight of industrial goods in the total volume of exports reached 16.8 percent during this period. Chitkara University Honours HCL Co-founder Ajai Chowdhry with Honorary Doctorate for Technological Innovation and Philanthropy New Delhi [India], May 3, 2024 Chitkara University, bestowed the title of Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) upon Dr. Ajai Chowdhry in recognition of his outstanding contributions to technological innovation, academic institution building, and philanthropy. Dr. Chowdhry, a visionary pioneer and co-founder of HCL, has left an indelible mark on India's technological landscape, shaping the nation's future through his relentless pursuit of innovation and commitment to philanthropy. His visionary leadership and transformative initiatives have not only propelled HCL to unprecedented heights of success but have also had a profound impact on the broader ecosystem of technology and education in India. Speaking on the occasion Dr. Ashok K Chitkara, Chancellor, Chitkara University, said, "Dr. Ajai Chowdhry's remarkable journey and contributions epitomise the spirit of innovation and philanthropy that we deeply cherish at Chitkara University. His visionary leadership and transformative initiatives have not only propelled HCL to unprecedented heights of success but have also had a profound impact on the broader ecosystem of technology and education in India. We are immensely proud to honour Dr. Chowdhry with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa), recognising his enduring legacy and unwavering commitment to shaping a brighter future for India and beyond." Dr. Ashok K Chitkara added that Dr. Ajai Chowdhry's remarkable accomplishments continue to inspire generations and Chitkara University takes pride in honouring his legacy and contributions to technological innovation and philanthropy. Dr. Ajai Chowdhry co-founded HCL in 1976 with a vision to leverage microprocessors for global transformation. He later took charge of HCL Infosystems in 1995, turning it into a leader in hardware, systems integration, and mobile telephony, growing it into a Rs. 12,000 crore (US $1.6 billion) organization. Chowdhry's strategic leadership earned him accolades, including the Padma Bhushan in 2011 and the Lifetime Achievement Award by ESSCI in 2024. He's recognized as an institution builder and philanthropist, contributing to educational initiatives like IIT Hyderabad and IIIT-Naya Raipur, and establishing the Swayam charitable trust for education and women's empowerment. Chitkara University, situated near Chandigarh, has emerged as the most vibrant and high-ranking University in North India. It is ranked among the top 5% of higher education institutions in India. The University is awarded NAAC A+ accreditation and ranked by NIRF (National Institute Ranking Framework). The University offers courses in Engineering and Technology, Business Management, Planning, Architecture, Art & Design, Mass Communication, Sales and Marketing, Hospitality Management, Pharmacy, Health Sciences, Nursing, Law, Psychology, and Education. Students studying at Chitkara University get the best start-up support, world-class research excellence, and many internationally renowned opportunities. Visit:www.chitkara.edu.in. Find it Useful ? Help Others by Sharing Online Comments and Discussions Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) Catherine Russell, the head of UNICEF, said this week that of the 600,000 children in Rafah, southern Gaza, all of them are either injured, or sick, or malnourished. Much of the Gaza population has been forced south to Rafah by the Israeli military, which had promised them it was a safe zone. She added, Over 200 days of war have already killed and maimed tens of thousands of children in Gaza. 600,000 is only a little less than the population of Boston within city limits. Imagine Boston as populated only by children. Then imagine them all, every one, as injured by shrapnel, or suffering gastrointestinal and liver diseases, or as wasting away with hunger from lack of food. And imagine the monster that puts this many children in this box deliberately. Israeli airstrikes on Rafah have continued daily, often killing or wounding children. Since Israel has destroyed the hospital system, children have to have operations or limbs amputated without anesthesia or antibiotics. It should be underlined that these injuries, maladies and food deficits have been imposed on these children by Israeli military policy, which displays a reckless disregard for civilian welfare. Israeli rules of engagement, the most inhumane in the world, permit 15 to 20 civilian deaths per militant killed. Typically in warfare 3 persons are wounded for every one killed, so this ROE likely must be interpreted as allowing the wounding of 45 to 60 civilians in each strike on a member of the Hamas paramilitary. The UN reports from the Gaza Ministry of Health that since October 7, 34,622 Palestinians were killed in Gaza and 77,867 Palestinians were injured. Some 70% of the killed have been women and children. The UN adds, Between the afternoons of 1 and 3 May, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Gaza, 54 Palestinians were killed and 102 injured, including 26 killed and 51 injured in the last 24 hours. In addition, according to the UN, Palestinian civil defense estimates that a further 10,000 bodies lie under the rubble of the apartment buildings that Israeli airstrikes destroyed, knowing that families were inside them. The Israelis have destroyed all the equipment that could be used to retrieve the bodies, which are decomposing in the heat. Decomposing corpses leaking into ground water pose a dire threat of disease outbreaks. CBCs Matt Galloway interviewed Nyka Alexander, a communications officer with the UNs World Health Organization. Alexander explained what it meant for over a million people to be forced suddenly down to Rafah (which had a population of about 300,000 before the Israeli assault). He described people sleeping rough or in makeshift tents amidst mountains of garbage and open air toilets. Jaundice, an inflammation of the liver is spreading in the population, including among children. Flies land on feces and then on food, which cant be washed except in dirty water. Alexander said, Imagine all the sidewalks covered in tents and in these makeshift shelters. Imagine the streets flowing with greeny, bluey, black water that is feces mixed with garbage. Imagine theres no garbage cans, theres no garbage collection. Theres just piles of garbage . . . The flies are everywhere as well, and theyre very aggressive. They want to go in your eyes, they want to go in your mouth. From a public health point of view, its a really disastrous situation. Reuters Video: Waste is piling up in Gaza, bringing misery and hazards | REUTERS As for starvation and sickness, the UN says that between 27 April and 2 May the Israeli military impeded or denied 60% of attempted aid deliveries in the north of Gaza. In southern Gaza, of aid and food deliveries requiring coordination, a third were impeded or denied by the Israeli authorities. All this interference in deliveries of food and medicine by Israel comes at a time when US AID says that famine is already inevitable. This week Doctors without Borders underlined the ways in which the Israeli military has cruelly denied key medical equipment to the children and women they have wounded with their bombs: Delivering lifesaving supplies into Gaza is nearly impossible amidst Israeli authorities blockades, delays, and restrictions on humanitarian aid and essential medical supplies, explains Mari Carmen Vinoles, head of emergency programmes at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). An oxygen concentrator is a medical device that filters out the nitrogen in air, delivering purified oxygen to patients. For malnourished children with severe anaemia, injured people with severe blood loss and newborns with breathing difficulties, this device can be the difference between life and death. But despite being essential to our patients survival, we have no idea if or when an oxygen concentrator will reach a hospital in Gaza, Palestine. As Israeli authorities maintain full control over the entry and exit points into Gaza, they have repeatedly refused our requests to bring in biomedical equipment such as oxygen concentrators. Without this simple device, our medical teams in Gaza are forced to witness their patients die from entirely preventable causes. The petty and cruel denial of medical equipment to the civilian Gaza population has been a mark of the current extremist Israeli government. The Israelis have also just ignored requests to bring in solar-powered medical equipment. It cant be shipped without approval and lots of procedures cant be done without it. The Israeli authorities have told bald-faced lies about there being no limit to the entry of humanitarian goods into the Strip, a claim that Doctors without Borders called absurd. Friday, May 3, 2024 - A women's rights activist and fitness influencer from Saudi Arabia has been sentenced to 11 years in prison over her choice of clothes, human rights groups have claimed. Manahel al-Otaibi was sentenced in January but details of her case only recently emerged after Saudi Arabia gave a formal reply to a United Nations human rights request. In the letter, Saudi Arabia outlined their case for arresting and charging the 29-year-old. They claimed she was arrested over "terrorist offences" - a narrative challenged by Amnesty International and Al Qst, a Saudi human rights group based in London. The human rights groups warned that Ms Al-Otaibi was actually jailed over her choice of clothing and social media posts where she posted the hashtag "abolish male guardianship". Ms Al-Otaibi wore what were deemed to be "indecent clothes" in videos and went shopping without an abaya, a long robe, the groups said. Saudi Arabia claimed that Ms Al-Otaibi was "convicted of terrorist offences that have no bearing on her exercise of freedom of opinion and expression or her social media posts". Saudi Arabia's counter-terrorism law, under which Ms Al-Otaibi was convicted, has been criticised by the United Nations as an overly broad tool to stifle dissent. Bissan Fakih, Amnesty International's campaigner on Saudi Arabia, said: "Manahel's conviction and 11-year sentence is an appalling and cruel injustice. "With this sentence, the Saudi authorities have exposed the hollowness of their much-touted women's rights reforms in recent years and demonstrated their chilling commitment to silencing peaceful dissent." Lina Alhathloul, Al Qst's head of monitoring and advocacy, said: "Manahel's confidence that she could act with freedom could have been a positive advertisement for Mohammed bin Salman's much-touted narrative of leading women's rights reforms in the country. "Instead, by arresting her and now imposing this outrageous sentence on her, the Saudi authorities have once again laid bare the arbitrary and contradictory nature of their so-called reforms, and their continuing determination to control Saudi Arabia's women." Saudi Arabia denied allegations from the human rights groups in its letter to the UN. Ms Al-Otaibi was first arrested on 16 November 2022 and detained in a women's prison in Riyadh, according to Saudi Arabia. She was eventually found guilty of "having committed terrorist offences" and handed her sentence on 9 January 2024. However, the charity groups said that Ms Al-Otaibi "forcibly disappeared" from November 2023 until April 2024, when she was able to contact her family again. She told them she was being held in solitary confinement and had a broken leg following alleged physical abuse. Her sister, Fawzia al Otaibi, also faced similar charges but fled Saudi Arabia after being summoned for questioning in 2022, fearing arrest. Saturday, May 4, 2024 - Azimio Leader Raila Odinga has threatened to do the unthinkable if President William Ruto will not stop the demolitions in Mukuru Kwa Reuben. Addressing a rally in Embakasi South, Nairobi, Raila took a swipe at Ruto, following his directive on the demolition of structures at the Mukuru Kwa Ruben. He called on the head of state to revert his initial decision directing the Interior Ministry to lead demolitions in the riparian lands of the Mukuru kwa Ruben. The former prime minister termed Rutos orders as unethical and instead urged the government to first construct houses for the residents before evicting them. "And I want to say today, these people should not demolition the houses in the Mukuru kwa Njenga, let them not destroy any house," Raila said. The Azimio leader vowed to resist the governments decision to demolish houses in the Mukuru areas, noting it was against the will of the people. Raila, who accused the government of inhumane treatment for its decision to evict the residents, claimed the government could have put up adequate measures before embarking on the evictions. "First build good homes before coming to destroy the houses, Kenyans are not animals, you must possess humanity," the Azimio chief claimed. "If they come with force, we are the force and we know how to apply force and we will come together so we can die with you," Raila added. Odinga further urged the head of state to immediately declare the current flooding menace a national disaster since thousands of people had been directly impacted. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, May 4, 2024 - Azimio One Kenya supremo, Raila Odinga, has warned the government against demolishing houses built along the Nairobi River and riparian areas. During a food distribution exercise at Mukuru Kwa Reuben on Friday, Raila urged the government to build houses for the residents before making any move to demolish their houses. "Let them (the government) stop demolishing houses in Mukuru. If they try to demolish the houses, call us. "If you want to relocate the people build good houses and prioritise these people. "Do not demolish houses for the people when they do not have a place to go. Citizens are not animals. Have a human heart.," Raila said. "If you come by force... we are the force. We shall come together and die with you. Mukuru must stay." Raila spoke following a directive by Cabinet that ordered e the re-location notices issued to people living on riparian land in Nairobi, upon their expiry at 6:30 pm on Friday. President William Ruto, who chaired the cabinet, also directed the Ministry of Interior to coordinate the relocation and evacuation of people affected by floods, identify sites for temporary shelter for displaced persons, and supervise the overall support programs. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, May 4, 2024 - Detectives have launched investigations into the brutal murder of Evans Kideros former bodyguard, Evans Okoda. Okoda was found brutally murdered in his rented house in Oyugis town. Reports indicate that police who were called in to investigate the murder found his tongue and hand missing, an indication of a painful death. His assailants reportedly cornered him in his house on Friday, May 3. Former Governor Evans Kidero has urged police to speed up investigations and bring his killers to book. Following the brutal murder of Evans Okoda in the wee hours of this morning at his residence compound in Oyugis Town, Homa Bay County, I urge the authorities to investigate this crime and bring its perpetrators to justice, Kidero said. He said the deceased was part of his security detail during his unsuccessful Homa Bay County Gubernatorial bid in the 2022 elections. Evans Okoda was part of my security detail during the 2022 general election campaign period, and his brutal murder has created a cloud of fear that must be properly addressed. "This heinous act has sent a chill down the spine of many residents in Homa Bay County and raised the spectra of violence, he added. Prior to his death, Okoda was a familiar face at political rallies, providing security to prominent politicians including Evans Kidero. He also offered his services at clubs and private events. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Friday, May 3, 2024 - Tech giant, Google has reportedly laid off at least 200 employees from its 'Core' teams, and will be moving some roles to India and Mexico in a bid to cut costs. Asim Husain, vice president of Google Developer Ecosystem, informed employees about the layoffs in an email last week, saying that this was the biggest planned reduction for his team this year. We intend to maintain our current global footprint while also expanding in high-growth global workforce locations so that we can operate closer to our partners and developer communities, the email read, as per the report Google's Core unit is tasked with building the technical base for its flagship products and ensuring safety of its users online. It also maintains the company's global IT infrastructure and provides users with internal tools and developer solutions. At least 50 of the positions eliminated were in engineering at the company's offices in Sunnyvale, California, filings show. Many Core teams will hire corresponding roles in Mexico and India, according to internal documents viewed by CNBC. Friday, May 3, 2024 - A UN human rights official has accused Israel of committing a war crime following an investigation into the shooting of two Palestinian boys in the West Bank. The two children, eight-year-old Adam al-Ghul and 15-year-old Basel Abu el-Wafa were shot and killed by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in the city of Jenin in November. Shocking CCTV footage of the incident in the West Bank showed how the pair fled from a heavily armoured IDF convoy before being gunned down. One bullet hit Adam in the back of the head, while Basel was shot twice in the chest. The teenager was seen struggling on the ground in agony for at least half a minute before he died - but Adam was killed instantly when he was shot in the head. Days after the shooting last year, an official with the Palestinian Red Crescent said the children were standing on a side street of central Jenin's main thoroughfare off limits to the Israeli military as it is under the sole control of the Palestinian Authority. But the IDF convoy passed them after having been involved in an early morning raid in Jenin in which the Israeli military claimed it killed terrorists from Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The IDF claimed that Basel was holding an explosive device when he was shot, and officials at the time said the 'suspects hurled explosives toward IDF soldiers'. The teenager can be seen holding something in his hand at the time of the shooting, but it is not clear what the object was. The boys cannot be seen throwing anything at the IDF convoy in CCTV footage, and most of them appeared to be running away when the gunfire rang out. Ben Saul, a UN special rapporteur on human rights, said there was a possibility the IDF committed a war crime in killing the two boys upon reviewing materials provided by the BBC following an investigation into the incident. The rapporteur pointed out that there may have been legal grounds for the IDF to deploy lethal force on Basel if he was in fact holding an explosive. But he said there was no legal justification for the killing of eight-year-old Adam. Eight-year-old Adam al-Ghul 'This appears to be a violation of the International Humanitarian Law prohibitions on deliberately, indiscriminately or disproportionately attacking civilians, a war crime, and a violation of the human right to life,' Saul told the BBC. The IDF maintains that the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two boys are under review. Basel Suleiman Tawfiq Abu Al-Wafa But there is little hope the investigation will turn up findings that could see the soldiers in question punished or reprimanded. It comes as human rights group Amnesty International said in a recent report that there were several instances in which Israeli forces deployed disproportionate and unnecessary force against civilians in the West Bank, conducted unlawful killings, and denied medical assistance to those injured. Friday, May 3, 2024 - Police at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) on Wednesday afternoon, May 1, ordered people to clear out of the pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA after a night of violence and destruction in the university. Police issued an unlawful assembly order over loudspeakers at about 6 p.m. and ordered demonstrators to leave the area after pro-Israel demonstrators came to attack Pro-Gaza protesters who have been protesting at the UCLA for days now. "The established encampment is unlawful and violates university policy," the university wrote. "Law enforcement is prepared to arrest individuals in accordance with applicable law. Non-UCLA persons are notified to leave the encampment and depart the campus immediately." A mixture of the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, California Highway Patrol and UC Police Department established a heavy presence outside of the encampment all of Wednesday. Despite the order, thousands of people stayed at the encampment and along the steps leading up to it. Hundreds of officers with less-than-lethal weapons started to form skirmish lines throughout the night while more staged their cruisers and buses at a nearby parking lot at the West LA Federal Building. They did not immediately move into the encampment after the first declaration. The unabated clashes between pro-Palestinian protesters and counter-protesters lasted for approximately two hours between 11 p.m. Tuesday night and 1:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. In that two-hour span of mayhem, counter-protesters launched smoke bombs, fireworks and cones at the encampment as demonstrators tried to protect themselves with a makeshift wooden barricade and umbrellas. Counter-protesters also attacked people with sticks. At least one person was injured during the initial clashes. The LAPD said the entire agency will be under a citywide tactical alert because of the situation at UCLA. The bulletin places the department at a heightened level of alert to free up resources. The police stood in a buffer zone between the encampment and the other protesters in the five hours after the declaration. For the most part, the situation remained calmer than Tuesday night. "This is a dark chapter in our campus's history. We will restore a safe learning environment at UCLA," Chancellor Gene Block said in a statement Wednesday. The university also warned students to leave the school. "Those who choose to remain including both students and employees could face sanctions," the university wrote. "For students, those sanctions could include disciplinary measures such as interim suspension that, after proper due process through the student conduct process, could lead to dismissal." The protesters released a statement claiming they will not leave. "We will not leave. We will remain here until our demands are met. You justify the mistreatment of students in the encampment in the same way you justify your complicity in the Palestinian genocide," the protesters wrote in a statement. They also called on students and "other members" of the community to join their movement. "Administration wants you to believe that this movement is futile," they wrote. "While the administration publicly condemns us, they privately negotiate with us because the collective power of unified students threatens them." Watch videos below #BREAKING: UCLA PROTEST ESCALATION Citywide tactical alert as hundreds of LAPD riot officers deploy at protester encampment. Over 1,000 demonstrators gather, barricades breached. CNN reports imminent police action. What's at stake for free speech and public safety?#UCLA https://t.co/YTGZZOu2rH pic.twitter.com/wC6lDPTpxf Genius Bot X (@GeniusBotX) May 2, 2024 Over 140,000 Iranians live in #LosAngeles. Most of them fled from the Islamic regime of #Iran. It is hard for them to see #Hamas supporters freely protest #Israel in the #UCLA. Therefore, last night they together with American Jews countered these terrorist lovers in the UCLA. pic.twitter.com/iJAxZlWNli Babak Taghvaee - The Crisis Watch (@BabakTaghvaee1) May 1, 2024 Look at these Nazi symbols and ISIS-level hate and propaganda at UCLA tonight. This is disgusting. pic.twitter.com/ZKkmmpfFoI Sam Yebri (@samyebri) May 2, 2024 BREAKING: UCLA police just declared on a loudspeaker that the UCLA encampment is unlawful and that everyone must leave the area. They say that those who do not leave may be subject to arrest. Encampment cheered. We continue to see a large amount of law enforcement gathering. pic.twitter.com/ZufyCgr96D Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) May 2, 2024 Saturday, May 4, 2024 - President William Ruto has urged Kenyan voters not to re-elect a Member of Parliament who has misappropriated the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF). Speaking during the 20th anniversary of NG-CDF at a Nairobi hotel on Friday, Ruto said Members of Parliament who preside over its theft should never be elected. "I want to say this, without fear of any contradiction: any Member of Parliament who presides over the misappropriation of CDF or the theft of CDF should never be elected. "They should never be elected because it is the ultimate betrayal of the people who elected you," Ruto said. He also took a jibe at MPs who fail to secure re-election despite the fact that they preside over millions of shillings during their parliamentary tenure. "If you use CDF perfectly, you will be elected. Just that. Because CDF puts at your disposal close to Ksh600 million in your term of five years. "My friends, with Ksh600m, if you cannot win an election, then you have... I mean... wewe ni bure kabisa. "I mean surely, Eti mtu ametoka uko, amefanya ukarabati mpaka amekufukaza na umekuwa na Ksh600 million. "Unaenda hapa unatangaza shule, unaenda hapa unatangaza halafu unashindwa?" he quipped. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, May 4, 2024 - A woman was arrested and arraigned in court for conning job seekers looking for nursing jobs abroad. Christine Nyambura Muturi appeared before Kiambu Senior Principal Magistrate Meresia Opondo. According to the charge sheet, Nyambura was accused of obtaining Sh1,959,000 from seven individuals by inducing them to pay college fees for a certified nursing assistant course at Westwick Institute Limited. One of the charges read that between 24th March 2023 and 30th April 2023 in Gigiri area within Nairobi County jointly with others not before the court by means fraudulent tricks induced Gina Nuta to pay a sum of Sh250,000 to account domiciled at Kenya Commercial Bank pretending that you were in a position to train and issue her with a certificate in Certified Nurse Assistance from Westwick Institute Limited which is not accredited by Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority. She faced a total of seven charges of cheating and another one of offering training in an institution without accreditation and licensing. On diverse dates between 20th January 2023 and 27th February 2024 in Gigiri area within Nairobi County jointly with others not before the court, being the director of Westwick Institute Limited offered training in Certified Nurse Assistance without accreditation, licensing, and registration by Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority, read one of the charges. Chrstine is a director at WestWick College based along UN Avenue. Police said they had received complaints that she had been luring potential students to the college through social media platforms by offering nursing courses and promising the students jobs in European countries upon course completion. Since Westwick began its operations, there are no records of students' successful job placements in European countries and efforts by the students to get refunds are often futile, police said. Below is a photo of the suspect being interrogated by DCI. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Saturday, May 4, 2024 - Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has done it yet again as he continues to deny President William Ruto some sleep. This is after he sued the Communications Authority of Kenya over inflated call rates. In a statement yesterday, Omtatah noted that he had taken the authority to court over the new mobile termination rates (MTR). The lawmaker argued that the government has set the new termination rate at Ksh0.41 per minute which has made call rates costly. In his suit, Omtatah wants the court to quash the order and bring down the rates to Ksh0.06 per minute as recommended by the Cost Study Report. "It is a matter of public knowledge that the cost of making phone calls in Kenya is inflated by the high mobile termination rates (MTR) charged by telephony service providers for facilitating calls across rival networks," Omtatah stated. "Mobile termination rates (MTR) set by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) last November is arbitrary and the highest in the region," he added. The regulator set the MTR at Ksh0.41 per minute on November 17, 2023, but the legislator argues that the new rates, although a reduction from the previous Ksh0.58 per minute, is seven times more than the Ksh0.06 recommended by the consultants hired by CA, Omtatah explained in his suit. He now wants the court to quash the new inflated rates to allow Kenyans to make calls at low and affordable rates. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, May 3, 2024 - The National Coordinator and Secretary General of the United SMEs Association of Kenya, Jared Oundo, has got people talking after he advised women to save marriages by turning down advances by married men. Sister please save another womans marriage by saying no to that married man. Thank you in advance for being a good girl, the author wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday, April30, 2024. The post has since generated mixed reactions from Kenyans with many saying that it's not the responsibility of women to save other people's marriage. Dear married men, you owe your wife fidelity, stay loyal like a good, wonderful man does, one NyakwarAgoro wrote on Thursday. Saturday, May 4, 2024 - Polygamous families will have fewer deductions under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) if the new changes are approved. This was revealed during a Parliamentary meeting between the National Assembly Delegated Legislation Committee and Health Ministry officials. MPs raised concerns about the proposal requiring individuals with additional spouses to pay additional premiums under the medical scheme. This means if a man has two wives, he is required by law to pay 2.75 per cent for each wife since they are recognised as different households. This means that the man would remit 5.5 per cent under the SHIF scheme. The MPs argued that the proposal ought to be reviewed and the term 'additional spouse' replaced with 'households.' If the proposal is approved, a man with two wives would only be required to pay 2.75 per cent, as it would be recognised as one household. In response, Medical Services PS Harry Kimtai assured the lawmakers that the proposal would be considered and the language would be refined. Committee Chairperson, Samuel Chepkonga (Ainabkoi) directed the PS to provide a corrigendum within a week, having incorporated the necessary changes. A corrigendum in this case refers to a document that includes work that has been corrected in a publication. During the proceedings, the Committee also raised concerns over whether the regulations would fulfill Kenyans' expectations. The legislators noted that all considerations from Kenyans ought to be reviewed before rolling out the new medical scheme. The Health Ministry stipulated that all Kenyans should register to the SHIF by June 30, 2024, before the official rollout on July 1, 2024. In the meantime, Kenyans will still contribute to the initial National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) before the new scheme takes over. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, May 4, 2024 - Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has continued to criticise President William Rutos administration, accusing it of being incompetent and not having Kenyans' interests at heart. Speaking on Friday when he was distributing relief to flood victims in Embakasi East constituency, Raila, who is also the Orange Democratic Movement party leader, named some Cabinet Secretaries whom he claimed had performed dismally and failed Kenyans. The veteran politician argued that Azimio would have done better had Kenyans given them a chance to lead. He elicited laughter when he said there is no comparison between the current Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu and the late Prof. George Magoha. "We wouldn't have these problems if Azimio were in the government. "There are others like Linturi who are in the government. Another one is Kithure Kindiki, and another one is Machogu. Can you compare Machogu with Magoha?" he said. Raila further blamed President Ruto for allegedly appointing an incompetent cabinet and failing to provide leadership. "There's a problem because we have a driver who does not understand how to drive the country; this is why Kenya has so many problems, he said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, May 3, 2024 - Saudi Arabia has reportedly stepped up arrests of its citizens who comment against Israel over the war in Gaza, despite Riyadh having no relations with Israel. Recent detentions have included an executive for a company involved in Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans Vision 2030 economic plan who expressed views on the war deemed incendiary by local authorities, Bloomberg says. A media figure who said Israel should never be forgiven and another individual called for the boycott of American fast-food restaurants in the kingdom, unnamed sources tell Bloomberg. The arrests are aimed at deterring people from making online statements about the war that might harm national security, a source familiar with the Saudi governments thinking tells Bloomberg. Another Saudi source familiar with the matter says there has been a major increase in inmates over the last six months at one of the countrys maximum-security prisons. This was corroborated by several Saudi diplomats and rights groups who say theyve also noticed a spike in social media-related arrests since October 7. However, many of those detentions could well be for posts unrelated to the Israel-Hamas war, the sources say. Riyadh and its regional allies, including Egypt and Jordan, have clamped down on protests in their own countries with fears that pro-Palestine rallies could reignite uprisings against authorities in those countries. The report comes as Saudi Arabia and Israel take steps through an agreement brokered by Washington. The Biden administration has been talking with Saudi Arabia and Israel on a potential peace agreement since before 7 October and talks have continued during Israel's war on Gaza but there appear to be still stumbling blocks to an agreement. While negotiations with Riyadh were still underway, an agreement could potentially see the US supply technology to help develop nuclear power in Saudi Arabia in return for normalisation with Israel. Saturday, May 4, 2024 - The Government has deported a Nigerian national captured in a viral video physically assaulting a defenseless Kenyan lady confined in a wheelchair. The Nigerian man identified as John Noko was arrested and deported after Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba intervened. Senator Orwoba invited the woman who was assaulted to her office and promised to pursue the matter. The victim told the Senator that the Nigerian national had been threatening to kill her after she reported the assault incident to the police. He has also been threatening two domestic workers who witnessed the assault incident in Karen if they testify against him. The ruthless man had also attempted to bribe the police. See photo of the man packing his belongings after he was deported. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Saturday, May 4, 2024 - Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi presented himself at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters along Kiambu Road over the fake fertilizer worth Ksh209.5 million. Reports indicated that the CS arrived at DCI at 7:00 am for questioning and sought to record a statement concerning how the fake fertilizer got circulated in the market. According to sources, the CS took over seven hours at the Directorate before heading to State House for the National Address by President William Ruto. CS Linturi presented himself to the DCI, and we understand that if the detectives found a reason to detain the Ameru elder, they would have held him for the weekend. Three senior officials from the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) have in the past week been arrested over the charges of conspiracy to defraud Kenyans over the sale of fake fertiliser. In particular, the Managing Director was charged with abuse of office to acquire contracts for the sale. The MD and two other officials denied the charges and were ordered to pay Ksh3 million with one surety each or an alternative cash bail of Ksh1 million each. This comes hours after an 11-member committee was formed in Parliament to investigate the impeachment after 149 MPs voted for the motion. Among these members include TJ Kajwang', Yusuf Farah, Robert Mbui, Naomi Waqo, Rachel Nyamai, Samuel Chepkonga and George Gitonga. Others include Jane Njeri Maina, Kassim Sawa Tandaza, Moses Malulu and Catherine Omanyo. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, May 3, 2024 - President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has claimed that the West and various international monetary lenders keep Africa in continuous poverty. Speaking at the World Banks International Development Association summit for African Heads of state, held in Nairobi, Kenya, Museveni took a bold swipe at world leaders saying that most of Africas problems predicted over 60 years ago were a result of philosophical, ideological, and strategic economic mistakes. He claimed that a fundamental African problem is that aid from the World Bank and other Western bodies was majorly for profiteering. The crisis which is in Africa today is because of philosophical, ideological, and strategic economic mistakes which we have been talking about since the 1960s. It is not an accident when you see the crisis in many African countries, the collapse of States. We predicted this in the 1960s philosophical, ideological, and strategic mistakes. I dont have time to amplify each one but I was very happy to hear the president of the World Bank talking about prosperity instead of profiteering. Aid has been for profiteering, this has been the problem. Now, the World Bank people and other groups have been talking about sustainable development. Even in your documents, I have seen those words there, sustainable development, Museveni stated. He argued that what Africa needed to thrive as a continent was not a sustainable development as suggested by the World Bank, or other world lenders but social and economic transformation. He urged the World Bank and world leaders to quit pushing sustainable development as a key factor in achieving a developed African continent. I would ask you to change those words in your documents. Africa does not need what you could call sustainable development. Africa needs social and economic transformation. The main reason why theres no growth is because the growth factors are not funded, they are not even understood. What are the growth factors, we now talk of private sector growth. Yes, but for the private sector to grow what does it need? It needs a low cost of production, he said. According to him, adequate funding for the transportation, power and agricultural sectors will boost low production costs. Ministers of finance, what are the low costs of production? Number one is transport. You must have low transport costs. Where do low transport costs come from? The railway? If you dont fund the railway how will you get low transport costs? Wonderful people, IMF, where will low-cost operations come from if you dont have a railway? If you dont fund the railway, how would you get low transport costs? I have been here for the last 64 years, I have been watching as a student leader, as a freedom fighter and now as the leader of a country. How many railways have been constructed or funded in Africa? The few that have been was by China, the Tanzanian railway to Zambia, and recently, another one here in Kenya. Tanzania on their own is building a railway line. So if youre talking of developing Africa, fund the railway. If you fund the railway, you will have a low cost of transport and you can produce cheap products which can be bought all over the world. The second cost pusher is electricity. If you dont fund electricity and you talk about sustainable development, what are you then talking about? We must have low-cost electricity not exceeding 5 cents per kilowatts, per hour. That is what I insist on in Uganda. I am tired of all these stories, I have put my foot down saying I dont want to hear those stories. Uganda is a developing country and it will continue to develop because I dont entertain nonsense anymore. Speaking further, Museveni who has ruled Uganda for over 40 years accused the World Bank and Western leaders of refusing to lend him money for capital projects such as establishing the Uganda Development Bank. He lamented the rate at which loans are promptly approved for frivolities'' but not for serious projects that would yield economic gains. Borrowing, for what? Capacity building! Imagine! They call you to a hotel where you eat Chapati and mandazi, and they say that is capacity building. Capacity building should be on the ground and not just in seminars. So, the second point your Excellencies is electricity. The third one; is for those people who talk about private sector growth, I have been trying to borrow money for our Uganda Development Bank, a bank which funds manufacturers, but no, I dont get support for that.'' he said They say they want my people to go to commercial banks. Those commercial banks are to encourage import because the only person who can borrow money from a commercial bank and pay it back is a trader who goes to China, Dubai buys goods, sells them quickly and pays the loan back. So, if you are serious, I need it here, about the low-cost funding for manufacturing, not stories. How about funding for irrigation? Because if you want to stabilise agriculture, a country like Uganda is very rich, we have got everything. But sometimes, we have some erraticness because of the rains. So, to stabilise irrigation Ive been trying to look for a loan for irrigation but I cant easily get it, it is very difficult to get. But a loan for seminars is very quick. Watch the video below Saturday, May 4, 2024 - A boda boda rider escaped death by a whisker after he tried to cross a flooded river. In the trending video, members of the public are seen pleading with the rider to stop putting his life at risk by riding through the flooded river. Rudi huko they are heard saying in the background. However, the rider ignores the warning and continues riding through the raging floods. He is overwhelmed by floods and almost swept away mid-way. Some onlookers come to his rescue but they are also almost swept away. They were torn between saving their lives or the motorbike. Last week, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said that Kenyans who force their way through flooded bridges and rivers will be charged with attempted suicide. In a directive to County Security and Intelligence Committees, Kindiki called for the deployment of enforcement teams to all areas prone to flooding. The CS said the deployed officers must prevent motorists and pedestrians from making dangerous crossovers in these flooded places. He went on to say that should they defy the directive, the enforcement officer must arrest and charge such persons with attempted suicide or attempted murder. Watch video of the rider who was almost swept away. Honestly speaking Kenyans joke too much. Kenyans are ungovernable! pic.twitter.com/ONXg94pZI0 Omwamba (@omwambaKE) May 3, 2024 The Kenyan DAILY POST. Drama ensued at Karuma Bridge this afternoon when dozens of Christians stormed the heavily protected area, demanding for better services from the Ugandan government. Security personnel had allowed the prayer warriors, who included elderly women, men and young energetic citizens to camp at the bridge for some few minutes after members of Pentecostal Churches of Uganda, said they would only pray against road accidents. Holding the Uganda flag, Apostle Benson Erem, a prayer minister who led the team, said that they gained access to the bridge after making their mission known to the security personnel there. We are cancelling the evil spirits of accidentNo road accidents should continue in our country Uganda and even on Karuma Bridge. And we are declaring that a better bridge will be constructed in this area immediately this year, he said. Let Ugandan leaders rise up and take care of their people and cause sustainable development in Uganda. This is my prayer, Oh, God of mercy, and we are praying because Uganda is a nation of revival, and I am a vision bearer for revival and we are taking revival to other nations. Karuma Bridge, which connects northern Uganda to the rest of the country, will be closed to all lorries, trailers and buses effective Monday, May 6, 2024 to pave the way for the rebuilding of cracks, in an exercise that will last three months. In a statement issued yesterday the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) said during this period only passenger vehicles carrying up to 28 passengers will be allowed to use the busy bridge. UNRA wishes to inform road users that following the ongoing condition assessment of the Karuma Bridge, it has been established that some elements of the bridge structure (the concrete deck) have deteriorated particularly on the Kampala approach lane. The continued exposure of the bridge to the ever-increasing heavy traffic is likely to accelerate its deterioration and serviceability, if not addressed in time, the statement reads in part. Motorists from Kampala heading to Gulu and West Nile are advised to use Luwero Kafu Masindi Paraa (Murchison Falls National Park) to connect to Pakwach or Gulu via Olwiyo and vice versa for motorists from Gulu and West Nile. Meanwhile, those traveling to Lira City can also use Iganga Nakalama Tirinyi Pallisa Kumi Soroti Lira and vice versa. UNRA also announced that the government is currently fast-tracking the process to secure funding for the construction of a new bridge at Karuma as a long-term solution. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. David Cameron has pledged to appoint a new envoy to ramp up the UK's production of weapons and ammunition. In an interview with Sky News, the UK foreign secretary was asked how Britain could, without passing legislation, compel companies such as BAE Systems PLC and Thales SA to increase production at the required rate and scale. He said: "There is a specific munitions strategy of GBP10 billion which will do exactly what you are talking about the ramping up of production." "But crucially I think we can go further than that in terms of a specific defence envoy with the ability from the prime minister to go out and make sure we are doing those multi-year deals with the defence suppliers because we need to not only provide more weapons to Ukraine, we need to build up our own stocks. "So this is very important, it is a national priority. The prime minister is giving the lead and I think the industry will respond." Cameron is on a two-day trip to Ukraine and met President Volodymyr Zelensky to reiterate the UK's support for the country. The UK government recently announced a commitment to increase overall defence spending to at least 2.5% of GDP. It also committed to spending at least GBP3 billion a year in military support for Ukraine. Netizens are claiming that LE SSERAFIM's album cover for "ANTIFRAGILE" is inspired by Japanese craftsmanship. Read more about their discussion. K-Netz Claim LE SSERAFIM's 'ANTIFRAGILE' Cover Was Inspired By Japanese Craftmanship On May 3, netizens gathered in a thread titled, "LE SSERAFIM Also Incorporated Japanese Craftmanship Techniques on Their Album Cover." The author then relayed how the title "ANTIFRAGILE" also resonated with Kintsugi, the Japanese art of restoring shattered pottery with coating, alongside choices of gold, silver, or platinum powder. OP shared: "The album logo above visually expresses the message contained in 'ANTIFRAGILE' is impressive. The design with gold lines engraved on a black background was inspired by the art of Kintsugi, which accepts the imperfections of fragile ceramics and exposes the broken parts as they are. This also conveys the meaning that members (of LE SSERAFIM) hold onto each other even in situations where they may break and scatter because of external damage, and are eventually reborn as brighter, shining beings." The author continued: "Kintsugi, which means 'repair with gold,' is a form of Japanese Tohoku art that repairs broken pottery using rosin, gold, and more. It is based on the Japanese spirit of Wabi-sabi. Wabi-sabi also means to accept life's imperfections, view them as beauty, and express gratitude. Rather than hide the broken parts, accept them as part of history, and precious materials such as gold or silver are added to create a new vessel with a more beautiful appearance than the previous one." Here's how netizens reacted to the concept: "They're going crazy with this weabooness (t/n: in Korean (ilbbong) is the same as weeaboo, someone addicted to Japan)" "And they also include Japanese in every first song of their albums, this is the epitome of being weaboos." "Isn't this a group made because they're obsessed with Japan?" "Isn't this a forced hate?" "It's a fact that a lot of things they're doing are based on Japan." "I only pity LE SSERAFIM's members." "The weeaboo group." In a separate platform, FEARNOTs defended the quintet: "The fact they did this much research behind the meaning of their cover just to hate on them is so sad lmao. Just call yourselves fans at this point." This forced a** hate train. We're so tired wrap this s**t up already." "For real, they forget that LE SSERAFIM has two Japanese members. They also forget K-pop takes from a lot of different cultures to begin with as well." "I hope the girls are getting all the psychological help they need with this disgusting witch hunt." "People need to stick to the script on their criticism with HYBE because attacking the girls is not it." "How is this not a witch hunt at this point? It's ridiculous." "This is clearly a witch hunt and a smear campaign against them! I'm not even their fan but it's obvious that they're nitpicking every single thing to hate." What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below! Read KpopStarz for more K-pop news. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: LE SSERAFIM's 'EASY' Music Video Banned by KBS Ahead of Release for THIS Reason KpopStarz owns this article Written by Israel Monte BLACKPINK member Jennie's recent visuals have surprisingly drawn divided responses from Korean netizens. Ever since she debuted with BLACKPINK in 2016, Jennie has been praised for her gorgeous, cat-like visuals. With her thin, petite frame paired with her chic aura, Jennie is known as one of the it girls of K-pop. While she is still loved by fans worldwide, her latest visuals have caught some netizens off-guard. Keep on reading for all the details. BLACKPINK Jennie Seen Heading to New York On May 2, 2024, BLACKPINK member Jennie was seen leaving for New York to attend an overseas schedule through Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 in Unseo-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon. As expected, journalists were seen at the airport to snap photos of the beloved idol. Soon, photos of the idol made it to the internet. That same day, a post titled "No, but is this really Jennie?" was uploaded to the well-known South Korean online community forum. Blackpink Jennie appears with chubby cheeks at the airporthttps://t.co/gNXWDlBqub pic.twitter.com/1ywaJlzwFN pannchoa (@pannchoa) May 3, 2024 240502 #JENNIE at ICN Airport, to New York pic.twitter.com/sgzxqBdXuo (@NEWSJENNlE) May 2, 2024 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Jennie's 'Jentle Salon' Collection Accused of 'Stealing' THIS Jewelry Brand's Concept - Jensetters Defend Idol The original poster (OP) shared several photos of the female idol in their post. In their caption, they wrote how shocked they were seeing how she looked, and even questioned if that was really her. They also claimed that they didn't purposely try to find weird photos of the "SOLO" songstress, and just chose the ones that they saw. BLACKPINK Jennie Latest Visuals Draws Divided Responses In her photos, Jennie is seen with relatively chubbier cheeks. Her face appeared bloated, and she had a slight double chin when she tilted back her head. This is likely why the netizen commented on the idol's "changed" visuals. YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: Zico Shares Story Behind Working With BLACKPINK Jennie: 'We Have Known Each Other...' While some agreed with OP, many also defended Jennie. While they admit the photos are not flattering, they noted that in videos from that day, Jennie looks the same as she usually does. With that, it's likely due to the bad angle and flashing lights that caused her to look that way in journalist photos. Some comments read, "Just because there are a few bad pictures out there doesn't mean her face changed, so why are you triggered? Yeah, these don't look like Jennie, but you can just go to her Instagram instead." "Look at the videos of Jennie leaving the country. She looks the same." "What? Jennie is still pretty though. Why is she getting hate?" "Well, she looked the same in the videos." What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below! CHECK THIS OUT: BLACKPINK Jennie Wardrobe for 'SPOT!' Music Video Garners Hot Attention KpopStarz Owns This Written by Alexa Lopez For days, the liberated zone on University of Virginia Grounds was quiet. After the last day of spring semester classes on Tuesday until the end of the week Friday, students, faculty and community members peacefully demonstrated: painting signs, singing songs and breaking out into discussions of Israel's monthslong war with Palestinian terror group Hamas. Since that group's surprise attack on Oct. 7 of last year, Israel has laid siege to the Hamas-controlled territory of Gaza. While Hamas' initial assault killed 1,200, the ensuing war has claimed more than 34,000 lives to date, the majority of those Palestinian women and children. The conflict has sparked demonstrations at colleges across the U.S. While protests at other schools have attracted hundreds in the past week, UVa's demonstration actually dwindled in size, from as high as 80 Wednesday to as few as 20 Friday afternoon. But Friday night may have marked a turning point. After the university failed to meet all of the protesters' listed demands, what had been a quiet, almost picnic-like demonstration became an encampment. On Thursday evening, protest organizers sent a list of demands to university officials, requesting that UVa: Disclose all direct and indirect investments made by the University of Virginia Investment Management Company, or UVIMCO, the agency charged with regulating the schools endowment fund. Divest from all weapons manufacturers aiding the killing of Palestinians, specifically Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics and Raytheon. End all financial and academic ties with Israeli institutions, including study abroad programs, fellowships, internships, research and grants. And ensure that students will not face any disciplinary action for engaging in protest. The letter, which gave the school until noon Friday to respond, had the backing of student protesters as well as the roughly 50 faculty members who comprise the Faculty for Justice in Palestine group. That group issued its own statement Friday afternoon to endorse and amplify the protesters' demands. The University of Virginia invests in companies that profit from the ongoing occupation and genocide in Palestine and UVa has formal ties to Israeli institutions that manufacture and promulgate consent for that occupation and genocide, faculty wrote. These investments and relationships are fundamental contradictions of and barriers to our mission of being both great and good. UVa administrators responded to the protesters' demands Friday afternoon. In their correspondence, university officials offered to arrange a meeting between protesters and an advisory board that offers guidance to UVIMCO on how the organization can fulfill its responsibility to generate strong returns while incorporating important environmental, social and governance factors into its investment decisions. They noted that such meetings between students and the advisory board had already occurred after a nonbinding student referendum was passed in February that called for an audit of the school's investments to determine the extent to which University endowment funds are invested in companies engaging in or profiting from the State of Israels apartheid regime and acute violence against Palestinians. Officials wrote to protesters that the advisory board would welcome the opportunity to hear more about your questions and concerns. The letter did not indicate one way or another whether the advisory board would be open to disclosure of and divestment from the university's financial ties to Israel, which are the protesters' primary demands. UVa administration flatly denied protesters' request to cut academic ties with Israeli institutions, arguing that such a move would compromise our commitment to academic freedom and our obligation to enabling the free exchange of ideas on our Grounds. They did agree with protesters' final demand: that students, faculty and staff could demonstrate without risk of administrative discipline. But it added an important caveat: That activity must remain within the limits of the laws and policies we have in place. UVa wrote that the U.S. Constitution requires that it uphold the right to free speech and expression. We do, however, enforce reasonable restrictions on the time, place and manner of expressive activities, so as to assure the safety of our community and to avoid disruption to University life or the rights of others. Since the demonstration at UVa began Tuesday, organizers have worked with the university to follow school policies regarding assemblies on Grounds. This has included not using megaphones and not erecting tents. We appreciate your cooperation with our request to follow University policies, which has enabled us to ensure that your protest can proceed safely and that your voices are heard, administrators wrote. In the final paragraphs of their response to protesters, officials wrote that they share their concern for the suffering of Palestinians and mentioned that UVas newly formed task force on religious diversity is preparing to share an update. We hope that you will be willing to participate in further discussions on the issues youve highlighted so that we can better understand one another, the letter concluded. Organizers uploaded a photo of the letter on their @uvaencampmentforgaza social media accounts. Over the first page,they wrote in bold red ink, BULLS--T. Over the second page, FREE PALESTINE. In a caption, organizers called UVas response shameful and wrote that they would not debate nor negotiate genocide. We will not back down. We will stay until the University meets our demands!! they wrote. Hours later, as the sun began to set over Grounds, protesters pitched their tents. That move is a direct violation of university policy, policy which protesters had obeyed until Friday evening. For days, tents had laid flat on the ground, unassembled but ready to be pitched at a moments notice. The decision to erect the tents comes as rain is expected over the next week. For days, the demonstration at UVa looked less like a formal encampment and more like a picnic or barbecue, with blankets spread across the plot of land between the university's landmark Lawn and Chapel. But the tents have given the protest a different look, that of a formal encampment which intends to remain until protesters' demands are met. That means UVa must make a decision, a decision universities nationwide have had to make. While some administrations have allowed demonstrators to stay in place, even engaging with them day to day, others have chosen to send in the police to break up encampments, leading to disturbing images of armed officers storming camps, shooting tear gas and rubber bullets into crowds and physically dragging students off campus. There have been more than 2,400 arrests on 46 campuses since April 17. Since its formation, UVa's protesters have used Instagram to request various supplies from the community, such as food, water and blankets. Late Friday evening, they made another request: more tents. The woman who served as Donald Trump's campaign spokesperson and press secretary, Hope Hicks, has now testified in the New York hush money trial. Her testimony was quite an emotional one as she talked about what happened during the 2016 Trump Campaign when the "Grab her by the p*ssy" tape came out. Also known as the infamous "Access Hollywood Tape," it surfaced in 2016, just weeks before the general election. Hicks admitted that she was "a little stunned" to hear the tape, adding that she had "the sense that this was going to be a massive story." Hope Hicks was a witness to every single Trump scandal from his campaign to his presidency, and this was why she was chosen to testify. Now, she has told the jury new details about what happened behind the scenes whenever a big scandal broke. Hicks testified that she first knew about the tape when Washington Post reporter David Fahrenthold emailed her. This sent Trump campaign staffers into a frenzy as she forwarded the email to other important staffers like Jason Miller, Kellyanne Conway, and Steve Bannon. In her email to them, Hope Hicks admitted that she wrote, "1) Need to hear the tape to be sure. 2) deny, deny, deny" and told the jury that it was a "reflex" to write "deny, deny, deny.'' This led to the top aides having a meeting where they shared the email to Trump. "Everyone was just absorbing the shock of it... He [Trump] said that didn't sound like something he would say," Hicks added. "I was concerned, very concerned," and stated that, "It complicated where we were trying to go with the campaign. It was pulling us backwards in a way that was going to be hard to overcome." READ MORE: US Crime Drops Significantly Despite Donald Trump Claims Hope Hicks Testified That Donald Trump Praised David Pecker on Salacious Stories About Opponents Hicks also talked about Donald Trump's relationship with National Enquirer publisher David Pecker, who was the one who paid off the women Trump slept with and buried their stories so they would not go public. Pecker, under an immunity deal, admitted to the "catch and kill" scheme. In her testimony, the former Trump campaign spokesperson described how Trump "was congratulating" Pecker over his unflattering and mostly-false stories against his rivals, including Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, and Marco Rubio. Hicks noted that Trump told Pecker that "This is Pulitzer-worthy," according to Forbes. Hush Money Trial Judge Scolds Donald Trump Again, Reminds Him He Is Allowed to Testify Meanwhile, Donald Trump has been claiming that because of his gag order, he was not allowed to testify. This claim is false, and Judge Juan Merchan called Trump out, telling the former president that despite the gag order, he could still testify. "The order restricting extrajudicial statements does not prevent you from testifying in any way," Merchan said while scolding Trump for his usual false statements. "It does not prohibit you from taking the stand and it does not limit or minimize what you can say." READ MORE: Donald Trump Hush Money Trial Revealed That a Tiger Woods Sex Scandal Was Also Covered Up This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Inside Trump's Trial: Chaos, Consequences, & Contempt - LegalEagle In the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, heavy rains have led to catastrophic flooding, claiming the lives of 39 individuals, with 68 others reported missing, as confirmed by the state civil defense agency on Friday. This grim toll marks the fourth environmental disaster within a year, following devastating Brazil floods in July, September, and November 2023, which collectively resulted in the loss of 75 lives. The scale of flooding surpasses historical records, with water levels in some areas reaching their highest points in nearly 150 years, according to the Brazilian Geological Service, AP News reports. The situation escalated on Thursday when a dam at a hydroelectric plant between the cities of Bento Goncalves and Coti Pora partially collapsed. This event triggered a deluge that engulfed entire cities in the Taquari River valley, such as Lajeado and Estrela. Additionally, the town of Feliz witnessed a swollen river sweeping away a vital bridge connecting it to Linha Nova, its neighboring city. READ NEXT: Lula Tours Flood-Hit Brazilian State as Death Toll Hits 29 Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds With infrastructure severely compromised, operators reported widespread disruptions in electricity, communications, and water supply across the state. Over 24,000 residents were forced to evacuate their homes, leaving them stranded without essential services. The absence of internet, telephone connectivity, and electricity compounded the challenges, leaving residents unable to communicate with relatives in other regions. Helicopters scoured the inundated cities for stranded families, many of whom sought refuge on rooftops awaiting rescue, according to The Independent. State of Emergency Deepens Governor Eduardo Leite issued warnings to the state's population, known as gauchos, emphasizing the worsening weather conditions, Reuters noted. The downpour, which commenced on Monday, is anticipated to persist until at least Saturday, according to Marcelo Seluchi, chief meteorologist at the National Center for Monitoring and Alerts of Natural Disasters. The extreme weather patterns gripping South America are attributed to the El Nino climate phenomenon, which historically triggers intense rainfall in the southern region of Brazil. This year, the effects of El Nino have been exacerbated, with the Amazon experiencing a historic drought, highlighting the escalating impact of climate change. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited affected areas to assess the situation and pledge federal support for rescue and reconstruction efforts. However, challenges persist as another 60 individuals remain missing, and approximately 15,000 residents have evacuated their homes since Saturday. Essential services have been disrupted, leaving around 500,000 people without power and access to clean water. The rupture of the dam triggered a two-meter wave, exacerbating the ongoing flooding and causing panic among residents. Helicopters are in use for search and rescue missions, yet in some areas, the severity of Brazil's floods has rendered traditional rescue methods ineffective. Meteorologists forecast further rainfall as a cold front moves across the region, compounding the existing challenges. Officials stress the urgency for immediate action, linking the heightened rainfall frequency and intensity to the El Nino climate pattern, as per BBC. The convergence of hotter-than-average temperatures, high humidity, and strong winds has created a perfect storm, resulting in widespread devastation. In the face of this crisis, the Brazil government, alongside state and local authorities, efforts must focus on coordinating actions to guarantee the safety and welfare of impacted communities. As the region grapples with the aftermath of this disaster, the imperative for proactive measures to mitigate the impact of climate change becomes increasingly urgent. READ MORE: Bogota Implements New Water Measures Amid Drought This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Ross Key WATCH: Brazil floods: Dam collapses and death toll rises in Rio Grande do Sul - From BBC News The Arizona state government is now trying to address the state's legendary heat problem, with a new heat officer vowing to find ways to address the heat issue. This came at the heels of last year's record-breaking Arizona heat wave that killed approximately 900 people last year. "We don't want to see that happen again," said the new Arizona heat officer Dr. Eugene Livar. "We cannot control it, even though we can control our preparation in response. And that's what we've been focusing on." According to the Associated Press, Dr. Livar was appointed to handle the heat problem by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, and he has the credentials to back it up as a physician with the Arizona State Department of Health Services. He is now the very first heat officer of any US state. This signals that Arizona "recognizes the serious public health risks posed by climate-fueled extreme heat." Dr. Livar spoke at a press conference to kick off Arizona Heat Awareness Week and participated in a panel discussion with climate scientist David Hondul. The conference took place in Phoenix, considered America's hottest city, where 645 heat-related deaths were recorded last year. The Arizona government has also vowed to increase coordination among its agencies regarding the heat problem. This comes as federal agencies also seek better ways to protect people from the dangerous heat waves that have been growing increasingly hot due to climate change. Last month, the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have presented a new online heat-risk system. This new system combines meteorological and medical risk factors with a seven-day forecast that is simplified. It is also color-coded for a warming world of worsening heat waves. READ MORE: Kari Lake Loses Again as US Supreme Court Junks Her Lawsuit Over Electronic Voting Machines How Exactly Will Arizona Deal With the Extreme Heat Problem? Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has already outlined a response plan to address the extreme heat Arizona suffers as summer inevitably approaches. This includes increased heat preparedness and education campaigns to inform people more about what to do in the extreme heat. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, Governor Hobbs has been presented with several recommendations, such as investing more in heat mitigation, education and outreach, coordination of grassroots heat response with state agencies, policy changes, multilingual outreach, and more. Maricopa County Hit Hardest in Arizona Heat Wave Last Year Maricopa County, where the city of Phoenix is located, suffered the most from last year's extreme heat, especially in its suburbs, with heat playing a role in 645 deaths in the county last year, as NBC News pointed out. Arizona officials stated that these deaths represented a 52% increase over the numbers in 2022 and have shown that the deaths spiked at the height of the heat wave in July when temperatures reached 110 degrees Fahrenheit or above. This heat wave showed how much climate change is affecting daily life in the US. READ MORE: Arizona: Man Hired by Donald Trump and Kari Lake To Find Voter Fraud Admits He Found Nothing This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: TikToker Cooks Full Meals in His Car From Arizona Heat - NowThis Impact A campaign aimed at embedding Missouri abortion rights into the state's constitution has surged ahead, announcing the collection of over 380,000 signatures in just three months. This tally is more than twice the anticipated count required to qualify for this year's statewide ballot, Missouri Independent reports. The coalition spearheading this initiative, known as Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, aims to propose a law permitting abortion until the fetus can survive outside the womb. Since June 2022, nearly all Missouri abortion types have been prohibited except in cases of medical emergencies. To qualify for the ballot, the campaign had to collect signatures from 8% of voters in six out of Missouri's eight congressional districts, surpassing 171,000 signatures. On Friday, the coalition proudly declared the submission of 380,159 signatures to the Missouri Secretary of State's office. While a breakdown of signatures by district was not provided, the coalition assures signatures were collected across all counties and congressional districts in Missouri. READ NEXT: Arizona Overturns 1864 Abortion Ban Stepping Towards Ballot Inclusion Missourians for Constitutional Freedom deposited their trove of signatures at the Secretary of State's Office, well surpassing the necessary threshold. Pending verification by election officials, the proposed amendment could find its place on the ballot, likely in November. This significant milestone marks a day of jubilation for supporters of turning over the Missouri abortion ban, according to The Kansas City Star. The coalition's tireless efforts, spanning every county in the state, have been bolstered by substantial fundraising, totaling nearly $5 million since the campaign's inception. The proposed constitutional amendment seeks to codify the right to abortion while affording lawmakers the flexibility to regulate the procedure post-fetal viability. Fetal viability is defined as the stage in pregnancy when a healthcare professional determines, based on the circumstances, a significant likelihood of sustained fetal survival outside the uterus without extraordinary medical intervention. Missouri's journey towards securing abortion rights faces resistance from anti-abortion factions. Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, running for governor, previously proposed inflammatory language for the ballot question, intended to undermine public support. Legal challenges ensued, resulting in the dismissal of the partisan wording. The ACLU of Missouri, instrumental in the legal battle, welcomed Friday's signature submission, emphasizing the collective desire for bodily autonomy free from political interference. Statewide Implications Campaign against Missouri abortion ban unfolds against a backdrop of nationwide efforts to address reproductive rights post-Roe v. Wade. States like Missouri, which have enacted stringent abortion bans, witness a growing pushback through citizen-led initiatives. The fate of the Missouri abortion rights amendment now rests with Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, tasked with verifying the signatures, KY3 noted. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers engage in internal disputes over proposed constitutional amendments aimed at altering the process for enacting future amendments. With only two weeks remaining before the legislative deadline, tensions escalate as competing versions of the proposed amendment circulate between the House and Senate, raising uncertainty about its passage. In the face of mounting legal and political challenges, Missourians for Constitutional Freedom remain resolute in their pursuit of securing fundamental reproductive rights for all citizens. As the battle unfolds, the outcome holds profound implications for the future of abortion rights in Missouri and beyond. READ MORE: Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs Signs Bill to Repeal State's 1864 Abortion Ban This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Ross Key WATCH: KSHB 41 examines process of putting an initiative petition on Missouri's ballot - From KSHB 41 An estimated 250 people took part in a rally Friday afternoon on Lehigh Universitys campus, capping a week of calls for solidarity with Palestinian people. The crowd chanted demands for the Bethlehem school to make public how its finances are invested, and to divest from any recipients with ties to Israel. With echoes of the campus unrest that helped turn American opinion against the Vietnam War more than 50 years ago, the participants voiced outrage at Israels now-7-month-old campaign against Hamas in Gaza. The war began Oct. 7 when Hamas attacked southern Israel, abducting about 250 people and killing around 1,200, mostly civilians. Israel says militants still hold around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others. The Israeli response has driven around 80% of Gazas population of 2.3 million from their homes, caused vast destruction in several towns and cities, and pushed northern Gaza to the brink of famine. The death toll in Gaza has soared to more than 34,500 people, according to local health officials, and the territorys entire population has been driven into a humanitarian catastrophe. Were gathered here to stand in solidarity with people in Palestine, and as part of that were asking Lehighs administration to disclose their financial investments and to divest from Israel and private companies that benefit from the aggression happening, said organizer Lauren Gilmore, an English doctoral student from Washington State. About 500 students, faculty and alumni have signed a petition, according to Gilmore, that supports the demands on what the protesters refer to as Lehighs $2 billion endowment. The rally follows campus actions at Lafayette College in Easton that drew warnings from the administration there about potential violations of the schools code of conduct. Students from both Lafayette and Lehigh were vocal in speaking out at city council meetings last fall and again earlier this year, demanding support for a ceasefire in Gaza. At Columbia University in New York, a two-week standoff between pro-Palestinian protesters and college administrators came to a head on Tuesday, with officials anxiously monitoring whether the fallout would spark more protests on college campuses around the country or quell what has been a growing movement. There were no plans for an encampment at Lehigh, like those that have roiled universities across the United States, Gilmore said. Rather, the demonstration on the Lehigh lawn just downhill from the under-renovation University Center was the culmination of a week of peaceful activities that included art-making, film screenings, an interfaith vigil and a Palestinian cultural festival. We will continue to escalate here at Lehigh, we will continue to take prolonged actions like this week until our university listens to our demands, warned Ciaran Buitragio, a computer science junior from San Francisco who is active with the Student Political Action Coalition on campus. We are currently in negotiations with our administration, they are sitting there, they are seeing this, they are watching you right now. So I want them to hear you say: Divest, disclose, we will not stop, we will not rest, he led those gathered in a vigorous chant. Lehigh University police kept watch from all sides during the demonstration that lasted about 40 minutes, and which was followed by a march through the campus and brief occupation of Packer Avenue. A statement earlier in the week from Lehigh University read: We are in communication with student demonstrators to support a peaceful campus environment and their right to respectful free expression, while minimizing disruption to our educational mission. Our priority is the safety and well-being of our Lehigh community. We continue to encourage our community to express themselves in a way that is respectful to all; words and actions that contribute to a hostile environment or threaten to disrupt our mission are not acceptable. Aisha Memon, a junior studying mechanical engineering and third-generation Indian-American from Connecticut, called the Israeli response to the Hamas attack unconscionable by any metric. When I watch whats happening right now I feel the need to do something, and this is given my privilege at an institution like this and the ability to organize and use my voice as an American to influence either our representatives and our university to, honestly, to divest to make sure that our funds, my tuition money, isnt being used to fund genocide, she told lehighvalleylive.com. Under trees in full, new foliage, a breeze at one point blew over black cardboard caskets set up at the base of a flagpole commemorating industrialist Asa Packers founding of Lehigh in 1865. An overturned Lowes bucket became a drum to punctuate the chants echoing off the campuss stately buildings: Lehigh, Lehigh, you cant hide, you must condemn this genocide. ... Israel, Israel, stop the slaughter, Gaza must have food and water. ... Not another nickel, not another dime. No more money for Israels crimes. When is the last time you have seen 200 campuses around the country erupt in protest? asked Buitragio, who kicked off Fridays demonstration. I can only think of a handful of times. You have the Vietnam War movement, you have the anti-apartheid movement, perhaps Occupy Wall Street. Every single one of those times, the students were on the right side of history, and today we are all on the right side of history. Cory Fischer-Hoffman, identifying herself as a member of Jewish Voice for Peace and Jewish Mothers Against War Crimes as well as a proud anti-Zionist Jew, drew cheers in saying those assembled are united against Jewish hatred, Islamophobia, anti-Arab racism and all forms of oppression. Its impossible to comprehend this much death, this much rubble, this much hunger, she said, harkening back at one point to Thursdays interfaith meal on the campus lawn a feast denied to so many starving in Gaza, she said. We need an immediate and permanent ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza, and we need to put an end to these cycles of violence by ending Israeli apartheid and occupation. Lehigh English Professor Amardeep Singh spoke at the rally, seizing on the role institutions of higher education play independent from government, industry and the military. I would argue thats an important part of what universities are, in fact, for to be a place where you can say things that make people in positions of power uncomfortable, where you can challenge the status quo and put pressure on public opinion to change, he said, continuing later: Change happened in the 1960s as widespread campus protests eventually led to a shift in public opinion about the Vietnam War, it can happen again today. Indeed, I believe, it needs to happen. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. A developer had to charge an additional 15,000 per house in Stradbally because of the cost of getting connected by Irish Water/Uisce Eireann, a council meeting was told. The meeting was also told Irish Water had turned down water pressure in the town in order to prevent pipes bursting. Some people are unable to shower in Stradbally because the water pressure has been reduced to prevent pipes bursting, a councillor has claimed. Independent Cllr Aisling Moran made the claim at the latest meeting of the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District. She claimed the water pressure was lowered when issues were discovered with pipes bursting due to age. Instead of fixing the pipes they just turned down the pressure, Cllr Moran claimed. One bar of pressure doesnt and wont power a power shower, said Cllr Moran. She told the meeting that she knows a woman who is just out of hospital and cant have a shower due to the water pressure. She said the pressure is at two bars on the ground level but above that it is only one. Cllr Moran tabled a motion seeking that Laois County Council ask Uisce Eireann why they have turned the water pressure down in Stradbally and to please increase the pressure. In a written response, Laois Council Senior Engineer Adrian Barrett said The Council will contact Uisce Eireann regarding this notice of motion and revert to the members with an update when a response is received. Cllr Moran said there were also issues in the Killeen area where she claimed money was being spent repairing issues. She said there are issues elsewhere in Arles and she questioned how Irish Water/Uisce Eireann were operating. I would like to know how much money was spent repairing that, she said. Fianna Fail Cllr Paschal McEvoy said he agreed with Cllr Moran. He said he was aware that pipes had been changed in Stradbally. He said Irish Water, Uisce Eireann they are now called, they are a bit of a disaster to be honest with you. Cllr McEvoy said a developer who was building houses in Church Avenue had to charge an additional 15,000 per house due to work laying pipes on Main Street in Stradbally. I dont really understand how this happened. He had to pay for the new pipe coming down Main Street so the price of a house went up 15,000, he said. Cllr McEvoy said it was a mistake to move from Laois County Council to Irish Water and he claimed things are in turmoil now as regards water. Independent Cllr Ben Brennan said there was only one metre of water in Crettyard. He claimed a well was bored that drained his well leaving him with no water for cattle. He said the fire brigade and a private contractor are having to bring water to the reservoir. It is an absolute and utter disgrace, he said. I asked for a tanker to be put in Crettyard that farmers could go and get water for cattle, he said. He described the establishment of Irish Water as the biggest disaster ever and he told the councillors that they could thank Mr Hogan for introducing it. He said Laois County Council had been doing an excellent job. The Leinster Express contacted Irish Water/Uisce Eireann in relation to the claims about Stradbally. A spokesperson said Uisce Eireann engaged with this developer through our Pre-Connection Enquiry and Connection Application Process. As far back as 2018 Uisce Eireann outlined to the developer the need for upgrades to provide additional capacity in the existing water network to supply this new development; this message has been consistently communicated to the developer. Therefore, the developer was aware of additional scope of works outside of the standard charging parameters. Irish Water pointed out that it adheres to a Connection Charging Policy it said provides a single national, clear, transparent, and equitable connection charging framework by: Setting out Standard Connection Charges for the majority of connecting customers;Charging for connections based on service need and not the development floor area of the property; Providing an end-to-end connection service to customers in a consistent, safe, and comprehensive manner; and ensuring quotable charges are determined on a case-by-case basis and the additional scope of works required to deliver a customer connection is in line with Uisce Eireann Codes of Practice and Standard Details to meet the needs of current and future customers. Similar to other regulated utilities Uisce Eireann has no discretion when it comes to charging customers, this methodology has been applied nationally. Ensuring that there is adequate capacity on the network and or at the plant is critical in protecting supply to existing customers and to protect the environment. They denied they had been reducing the water pressure in Stradbally. From an operational perspective, there has been no recent deliberate pressure reducing works in the Stradbally area. We can confirm that Stradbally is gravity-fed from a reservoir and pressures are steady, only varying with incidents that reduce the head of water in the reservoir such as bursts. Should repairs to the pipe network be needed these are conducted as quickly and as efficiently as possible to minimise disruption and restore the water supply to homes and businesses. We understand the inconvenience an unplanned outage can have on our customers and appreciate their patience as we work to return normal water supply as quickly as possible, they stated. They said customers experience pressure issues can call the customer care helpline 24/7 on 1800 278 278 also contact them on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. Regular updates are also available on the Irish Water website. Four children were among six people rescued after being washed up on the rocks off the coast of Dublin. The rescue mission involved volunteer crew of the Howth RNLI as well as a Coast Guard helicopter. A family got into difficulty after their powerboat experienced engine failure and ended up on the rocks at Lambay island, off the north Dublin coast. The all-weather lifeboat was launched within 10 minutes of the 2.37pm alert with seven crew on board. Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 and Skerries RNLI were also tasked to the emergency. A spokesman for Howth RNLI said rescue crew discovered that the family had abandoned the boat and were on the rocks but were unable to safely make it ashore to the island. Our volunteer crew were involved in a multi-agency rescue of a family whose boat ended up on rocks at Lambay island today.@IrishCoastGuard helicopter Rescue 116 winched all six people to safety. Read more here: https://t.co/ZkzdJwBtCh pic.twitter.com/Wj2OUs3OFE Howth RNLI (@HowthRNLI) May 3, 2024 The lifeboat crew launched their daughter boat the XP boat which allowed crew members to get in close to rocks to assist. The Rescue 116 helicopter lowered a winchman to assess the family and observed that all were in good health and wearing lifejackets. In consultation with the crew on the XP boat and given the conditions on scene the decision was taken that the safest approach to the rescue was to winch the family on board the helicopter. The crew in the XP boat cleared the area to allow the helicopter to commence the winching operation. The family were winched one-by-one on board the helicopter and taken to Rescue 116s base at Dublin Airport. The volunteer lifeboat crew from Skerries RNLI, on board their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, attempted to recover the powerboat but given the conditions and the location of the boat on rocks, it was unable to safely recover the boat. Speaking following the rescue, the Coxswain of Howth RNLI Fred Connolly, who was in command of the lifeboat, said: Today we launched to an emergency involving a family including four children who were washed up on rocks and unable to make their way to safety. Once on scene, our crew quickly launched the XP boat so that we could get in close and assess the situation. Given the treacherous location, the decision was taken to recover all six casualties on board Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116. The family were all wearing lifejackets and although shaken, were in good health. They did the right thing in calling for help as soon as they got into difficulty. Our volunteer crew commit to dropping what they are doing and responding to the pager once it goes off, knowing that lives can be in danger. We train regularly for these situations and we are able to do this thanks to the generous donations of our supporters. The callout comes at the beginning of the May bank holiday weekend, which traditionally sees the start of the summer busy season and an expected increase in demand for lifesaving services. This May, the charity is putting out its own Mayday call, urging members of the local community to take part in the Mayday Mile taking on the challenge of covering a mile a day for the month of May. Funds raised will help support the charitys vital lifesaving work, including the provision of important training and kit for the volunteer lifeboat crews who readily risk their own lives to save others whenever the call for help comes in. Members of the public are encouraged to sign up for the Mayday Mile, with more information available at rnli.org/SupportMayday First time buyers on lower incomes have a chance to grab one of seven top spec new homes in a new Portlaoise housing estate at a reduced price, but it is still beyond the reach of many shopping for a home. Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien launched the sale of the homes, along with Laois County Council staff, management and councillors and Minister Sean Fleming. The A rated brand new three bedroom houses are in the 91 house An Lochan estate, Summerhill in Portlaoise. Five houses are three bedroomed terrace homes, and will cost from 257,500 to 264,500. Two further homes are three bedroomed semi-detached, costing from 267,500 upwards. Laois County Council in partnership with Woodfort Group and the Department of Housing and Local Government is opening applications to buy the homes on Wednesday, May 8. "We are delighted to welcome applications for 7 homes through the Affordable Purchase Scheme in An Lochan, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. "These beautiful A rated modern homes are located in the heart of Portlaoise, close to all local amenities," the council says. The Reed with five houses available are 3 Bedroom Terrace, sized 107-109 sq.m. / 1155-1171 sq.ft. Numbers 35, 43 and 45 have a minimum selling price of 264,500, and numbers 36 and 44 are priced from 257,500. The Lark with two houses available, numbers 40 and 47, are 3 Bedroom Semi-detached houses measuring 110 sq.m. / 1188 sq.ft. The Minimum selling price is 267,500. The auctioneers Knight Frank describe An Lochan as "a new development of A-Rated homes nestled among the existing mature landscape. These meticulously designed homes are within walking distance of Portlaoise town with plenty of local amenities, such as shopping, restaurants, theatre, cinema, health and fitness, swimming and sports, there are also 4 local primary schools situated within a few minutes walk of the site. "Summerhill is an ideal location; the development is located with fantastic transport links from Dublin city centre with the M7 Motorway a 5-minute drive of the site the town also has a train that goes to Heuston Station, Dublin in approximately 48 minutes and is also accessible by bus." Allocation of units will be subject to Laois County Council Assessment, and the final price will be determined by way of financial assessment inline with Affordable Housing Regulations. Applications for the houses can be made online to Laois County Council from 09 pm Wednesday, May 8 until 11am on Friday, June 7 2024. "Best of luck to all those applying, for any queries you can email our team on: affordablepurchase@laoiscoco.ie". What is the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme? The scheme helps people on moderate incomes to buy new homes at reduced prices. The local authority takes a percentage stake in your home that covers the reduction in price. For example, in a home with a 20% discount, the local authority owns a 20% stake. Homeowners must buy back the local authoritys stake after 40 years or if it is sold. They can repay it any time before that. This scheme is aimed at first-time buyers, and those qualifying under the Fresh Start Principal such as divorced people. Do you have a story or memory you would like to share about a Laois bog? If so an interesting project has started with Abbeyleix Library and Re-Peat as part of Irelands first entry into The Europe Challenge. Re-Peat is an international organisation, with members across Europe whose members peat students, activists and enthusiasts. Sophie and Izzy from Re-Peat are at the library from Friday, May 3 until Tuesday, May 7. Please get in contact either with Abbeyleix library or directly at sophie_ocallaghan@re-peat.earth to register your interest. Recordings can be made wherever is convenient as library will be closed over Bank Holiday weekend. The recordings may be used at a later date for an exhibition. The Europe Challenge is an annual programme that brings together teams from libraries and communities across Europe to address social isolation, inequality, disinformation, climate crises and other local challenges by developing, sharing and implementing creative solutions with support from the European Cultural Foundation and its partners. The initiative is a growing network of European libraries that work together to enhance democratic participation and social and environmental well-being through citizen-led local change. The Mayor of Freehold New Jersey and a delegation of visitors from the town will visit Kildare on May 17/18 to progress the twinning process between Freehold and Rathangan, the ancestral home of Bruce Springsteen. Last March, Freehold Borough formally passed a resolution to twin with Rathangan. This resolution was presented to the Rathangan Freehold Twinning Association who were invited by Mayor Kane to Freehold for St Patricks weekend. "Rathangan is the ancestral home to multiple Freehold residents, including Bruce Springsteen, whose great-great-grandmother, Ann Geraty (on his father's side) went to Freehold New Jersey from Rathangan in 1853," said the committee. The Rathangan Twinning Association have invited the Mayor of Freehold and their delegation to Rathangan. The Mayor of Freehold will meet with Kildare County Council officials to progress the formal twinning process and will also visit a number of sites in Kildare and Rathangan on their trip. "It is planned to have a tree planting ceremony on Saturday afternoon May 18 at 14.30 in Rathangan, where Mayor Kane and Bruce Springsteen's cousin Glenn Cashion will plant a copper beech tree on behalf of Bruce Springsteen to commemorate the occasion. This has significant importance for Bruce Springsteen, as in 1853 Ann Geraty brought a young copper beech tree from Rathangan and planted this tree beside Bruce Springsteen's ancestral home in Freehold, New Jersey. This tree grew to be enormous and featured prominently in the life of Bruce Springsteen," added the committee. Bruce Springsteen visited Rathangan on May 4 2023 and the CPA performing arts group briefly performed for Bruce in the Rathangan Community centre. Freehold will be the future home of the My Hometown: The Bruce Springsteen Story Centre, a multi-purpose museum and event space at the firehouse. The Bruce Springsteen Archives and Centre for American Music at Monmouth University and Freehold are collaborating on the effort. "The Rathangan Freehold Twinning Association are delighted to welcome Mayor Kane and his delegation to Kildare and Rathangan this month and to further progress the twinning process. We look forward to further strengthen our ancestral, and cultural ties with Freehold. The Rathangan Freehold Twinning Association would like to thank Kildare County Council and all of the local sponsors for their support for this event," concluded the committee. Northern Ireland woman, Rebecca Cooper, has issued a warning to Irish holiday makers following her car being "stolen" from Dublin Airport. The woman parked her car in Dublin Airport on Saturday, April 20, even going to the extent of taking photos of where she left her car to avoid confusion when she returned 10 days later. Following her return to Dublin Airport her car was nowhere to be seen, even after alerting members of staff working at the airport on the day who tried to help her find the vehicle, who also attempted to find the car with no luck. Rebecca spoke to Belfast Live about her story and had this to say: "We left the car and went on holiday, then got back on Wednesday. We got the shuttle bus and I had taken a few photographs of where the car was, because I ironically lose my car whenever it's parked in a car park. I took three photos from different angles. "So when we got there I looked at the photos, looked at the space, and saw the car wasn't there. My partner walked around to have a look in the car park, but I just stood and stared at the photos, I could see from the background and everything my car wasn't there." Rebecca has reported the incident to the gardai. Germany's army faced more questions over security lapses after the Zeit Online news website on Saturday, May 4, reported that thousands of its meetings were freely accessible online. Federal prosecutors are already investigating a secret army conversation on the Ukraine war that was wiretapped and ended up on Russian social media in March. Read more Germany to investigate a confidential army recording 'intercepted' by Russia The latest security flaw that Zeit Online reported on again concerned the online video-conference tool Webex, a popular public platform for audio and video meetings, with additional security buffers built in. Zeit Online said it had been able to access Germany army meetings by using simple search terms on the platform. "More than 6,000 meetings could be found online," some of which were meant to be classified, it wrote. Sensitive issue covered included the long-range Taurus missiles that Ukraine has been calling for, and the issue of online warfare. Read more Subscribers only Germany: Scholz called upon to keep his promises to increase army resources Weak online design Online meeting rooms attributed to 248,000 German soldiers were easy to detect thanks to a weak online design that lacked even password protection, Zeit Online added. That allowed its reporters to find the online meeting room of air force chief Ingo Gerhartz. His name came up during reports of the earlier leak in March, when a recording of the talks between four high-ranking air force officers was posted on Telegram by the head of Russia's state-backed RT channel. He was one of the four officers recorded. Zeit Online said that the army only became aware of the security flaws after they approached them for comment. The security issue was first identified by Netzbegruenung, a group of cyber-activists, it reported. An army spokesman confirmed to AFP that there was a flaw in the army's Webex sites but that once it had been drawn to their attention they had corrected it within 24 hours. "It was not possible to participate in the videoconferences without the knowledge of the participants or without authorisation," he added. "No confidential content could therefore leave the conferences." Zeit Online said the Webex sites of Chancellor Olaf Scholz as well as key government ministers had the same flaws and that they had been able to connect to Scholz's site on Saturday. Read more Subscribers only In Germany, the Social Democratic Party is under attack for its weakness towards Moscow THE Shannon Airport Group has completed the final phase of its multi-million euro airbridge enhancement programme, which saw the replacement of six airbridges at Shannon Airport. The new airbridges will allow passengers to board aircraft directly from the airport terminal building without exposing them and airline crews to the elements. One airbridge was replaced between July 2022 and early 2023, with phase two of the project completed in recent weeks as the handover of the final five new airbridges took place. Read More: Delta Air Lines announces resumption of flights between Shannon and New York Commenting on the completion of the airbridge enhancement programme, Niall Kearns, Airport Director, Shannon Airport said: Here at The Shannon Airport Group, we remain focused on future proofing our airport infrastructure in line with our commitment to ensuring the most efficient and seamless experience for our passengers." "We are delighted to be heading into the busy summer travel season with six new airbridges in operation," he continued. The airbridge upgrade project, which totalled a cost of over 3.1 million, saw the installation of six state-of-the-art airbridges, which are fully equipped with the latest passenger and aircraft safety technology, and capable of accommodating over 22 types of large aircraft, excluding some smaller regional jets. The new airbridges were manufactured by CIMC-Tianda Airport Support in China, one of the largest global suppliers of Passenger Boarding Bridges. With an impressive lifespan of at least 20 years, the bridges not only enhance passenger experience but also reflect The Shannon Airport Groups commitment to investing in durable and sustainable infrastructure solutions across its operations Each bridge weighs 30 tonnes, with the installation of individual bridges taking approximately two weeks to complete. The combined weight of the six airbridges (180 tonnes) is the equivalent to 180,000 1kg bags of sugar. The airbridge enhancement programme is part of a series of infrastructure upgrades completed by The Shannon Airport Group in recent years as the airport rebuilds its operations post-Covid. "We are very grateful for the funding support we have received from the Department of Transport, under the Regional Airports Programme, which made it possible for us to complete these significant upgrades,"added Mr Kearns. Projects completed with support from the Department of Transport under the Regional Airports Programme include Shannons 2.5 million hi-tech security screening system and a 5.3 million airfield rehabilitation project. FIANNA FAILs Ireland South MEP Billy Kelleher hit the campaign trail with some of his partys candidates in Co Limerick. Mr Kelleher, who was educated at Pallaskenry, was on the canvass with Adare councillor Bridie Collins, fellow election hopeful Trina ODea, and the partys candidate for the role of directly elected mayor, the former Limerick Chamber boss Dee Ryan. He visited Adare, Croom and Rathkeale. He joined Cllr Collins at the premises of Adare agricultural manufacturing firm Samco, headed by brothers Sam and Robert Shine. He also witnessed the villages recreation and community complex. The MEP, who is standing for re-election on June 7, then headed to Croom to meet with representatives of the towns civic centre and its family resource centre (FRC). READ MORE: Sinn Fein adds third candidate on Limerick's northside In the FRC, I had the chance to meet with a group of amazing local women who knit clothing for premature and neonatal babies, said Mr Kelleher. Then it was over to Rathkeale to visit The Butterfly Club in Rathkeale, a social club for children and teenagers with special educational needs. Visiting these areas is one of the most enjoyable parts of being a member of the European Union. In every town I visit, I can see how Europe matters to the businesses, the community organisations and the farming community, he said. TRACTORS have barely been able to get into fields this year with the wet weather so a road run was one way to keep the engines ticking over. The third annual charity tractor run by a group of vintage enthusiasts covered the Circuit of Clare. It all started in 2021 when a group of friends including Colette Acheson, Ballyneety, her husband Ian, and Kieran Lillis, Meanus got together to talk about setting up a tractor run with a difference. It would be Leyland, Nuffield, Marshall tractors only. They were built back in the day with neither speed or comfort in mind. The first Munster tractor run was organised in 2022 with eight tractors, a lead vehicle, recovery truck and supporters. They set off on a very 350km journey over two days touching on all six counties of Munster. Colette said: It was a huge task but with incredible teamwork , hard work and determination it was a massive success, raising 19,000. Clionas Foundation and the Children's Grief Centre received 8.500 each with 2,000 going to the Red Cross Ukraine appeal. Last year, Colette said they followed the route of Sarsfields Ride from Limerick city to Ballyneety near Pallasgreen where the train was attacked during the Jacobite War. They did it in one day with 12 tractors raising 14,400, giving 7,400 to Clionas Foundation and The Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. Earlier this year they completed the Circuit of Clare over two days. The 330km journey took them through the Burren and part of the Wild Atlantic Way with some breathtaking scenery from the tractor cabs. This was their biggest undertaking yet with 22 tractors and raising a huge 27,692 between two charities - Clionas Foundation and the Mid-Western Cancer Foundation. We are so happy and grateful to be able to help two charities each year and we are blown away at the generosity of everyone for their support, donations and encouragement, said Colette. RESIDENTS in Adare have launched an initiative aiming to keep the air in the village clean. They want "clean air for Adare", and are encouraging drivers who pass through the village to turn off their engines when they are stuck in traffic. The village is well-known for being a bottleneck at peak times, with a new road to bypass the village under construction. In the meantime though, around 17,000 vehicles pass through Adare daily. That figure rises to 25,000 each day across Bank Holiday weekends - which means around 100,000 vehicles will drive down its Main Street in the next few days. As a result of this, Adare Tidy Towns has launched its Yellow Bus - Clean Air for Adare Campaign. Signage is being erected to encourage drivers of petrol or diesel powered vehicles to use the stop-start function or idle-stop function when they are stuck in congestion in the village. READ MORE: Limerick bishop to return home following his retirement Local councillor Bridie Collins said: "We hope that this awareness campaign will lead to a change in driver behaviour not only in Adare but also in other towns and villages throughout Ireland. The 'No Idling' at school campaign is well established and we feel that our Yellow Bus-Clean Air For Adare campaign will have a big effect on reducing the carbon emissions in our community." The signs for the campaign were designed by Tidy Towns volunteers and constructed from upcycled materials. Paint from the recycle centre was used. The local Tidy Towns group have secured the support of their counterparts in Ennis. Mary Howard of Ennis Tidy Towns has donated their 'no idling' posters, which will be added to the Adare group's campaign. It's anticipated the campaign will be ramped up again in future Bank Holiday weekends, starting next month. Homeless asylum seekers have set up tents along Dublins Grand Canal to form the latest makeshift encampment of migrants in the city. The encampment is close to the International Protection Office (IPO) on Mount Street, from where more than 200 asylum seekers who had been living in tents on footpaths were moved on Wednesday. Those men were taken from the Mount Street camp to facilities at the Citywest hotel in Dublin and Crooksling in Co Dublin. The tents on Mount Street were dismantled and the area around the IPO was cordoned off. More asylum seekers gathered at the office on Thursday but were told the authorities were at that point not able to provide them with accommodation. A number of homeless migrants subsequently pitched tents in a private park in south Dublin on Thursday. However, those men left the area on Friday. Tents have now been erected along the Grand Canal close to Mount Street Bridge. On Friday, Taoiseach Simon Harris defended the Governments handling of the asylum seeker accommodation issue. He said makeshift encampments on public roads and footpaths were illegal, and never the solution. Its also not in the interest of the people who are sleeping in those tents, people who dont have access to proper sanitation, he said. Mr Harris added: We work at this every single day but I need to be clear and honest with people coming to our country, we are doing our very best in very difficult and challenging circumstances to provide accommodation. But accommodation isnt always readily available but we are keeping working at it day by day. The conversation about migration cant just be one about accommodation, because no matter how much accommodation you have, if its just a conversation about accommodation, accommodation will fill. It also has to be a conversation about faster processing times, about efficient and effective systems. Luminar Technologies, a maker of lidar sensors for self-driving cars, said on Friday that it would cut its workforce by about 20%, as part of a restructuring plan for the current year. As of December last year, the company had nearly 800 full-time employees in the U.S., Germany, Sweden, India and China. Luminar is also looking to sub-lease some of its facilities in portions or fully, reducing global footprint as part of the restructuring. The plan will be implemented immediately and lead to an annual reduction in operating costs by $50 million to $65 million post completion by this year's end, the company said. The company launched its latest lidar sensor, Halo, in April, partnering with auto-software maker Applied Intuition to aid car makers in testing their assisted-driving systems. BENGALURU : When the fundraising route for startups began drying up a couple of years ago, several emerging companies turned to venture debt. With the macroeconomic environment becoming tougher, a few of those startups, including the Good Glamm Group, are now negotiating extensions for repaying those loans. Venture debt backers, typically loath to accept such requests, are faced with a quandary: which one to honour, based on which startups are more likely to survive. The Good Glamm Group, backed by venture debt firms including Stride Ventures, Alteria Capital and Trifecta Capital, has aligned its equity fundraises in line with venture debt. Over the last three years, as the content-to-commerce platform repaid its existing debt, it also had been simultaneously raising fresh venture debt at better terms whenever it raised equity, said a person familiar with the developments. Supply chain startup Reshamandi and retail-tech startup Arzooo are also among startups that have sought concessions for their debt repayments, multiple people aware of the matter told Mint. Venture debt complements equity financing and may be used by early and growth stage companies to ease liquidity concerns and make significant progress until their next fundraising round. The debt is usually underwritten by the backer for a fixed period, and involves monthly repayment structures with a coupon rate. The requests for extended repayment timelines does Indias startup ecosystem no favour, especially given the persistence of the funding winter. Delayed payments and salaries Reshamandi, which raised about $6.2 million from Stride Ventures, has asked for a one-year extension as it struggles to pay vendors, one of those people said. Arzooo raised $2.4 million from Trifecta in September and also counts Alteria and Stride among its investors. In March, Mint wrote about delayed salaries at the startup. At the time, a spokesperson conceded a cash crunch but said recent infusions of capital from existing investors and upcoming investment" had helped the company deal with the situation. Last month, Mint reported that agri-tech startup Waycool Foods and Products Pvt. Ltd has also made similar requests for extended repayment timelines to its venture debt backers. The startups and the venture debt firms did not reply to Mints queries on any delays in debt repayments or the extension requests. A dilemma Lenders do not always accept requests for repayment extensions. A consumer-focused company that had no plans to raise equity from new or existing investors recently approached a prominent venture debt firm to restructure its debt, but the lender declined because of a lack of clarity on how the debt would be repaid, a person familiar with the matter told Mint, requesting anonymity and declining to name the company. Lenders realise that a good performing debtor is better than a bad performing one, said Sandeep Murthy, managing director at venture capital firm Lightbox India Advisors. Even if you change the terms, and you extend the period, if the company exists to be able to pay back and continues to pay back with that same interest, thats a good outcome," said Murthy. While such cases still make for a very small percentage of venture debt companies portfolio, debtors are willing to cut some slack for companies that have a great potential to bounce back and are just in need of some debt to navigate an interim liquidity situation. The prerequisite for making allowances also depends on how readily equity investors, existing or new, are willing to invest in a company. In general, our approach is that if there is any kind of flexibility sought by portfolio companies, it must come with concerted effort from all stakeholders," said Rahul Khanna, managing partner at Trifecta Capital. What venture lenders do in such cases depends largely on what additional support the equity investors are willing to provide, and what changes the management is making to conserve capital and reduce the operating burn," he added. Companies that are stretched for capital should first prioritise reducing fixed costs, among other things, Khanna said. There are many other things that they need to do before recalibrating their debt which should ideally be their last resort." Green shoots in sight Venture debt backers considering extension requests also assess if they will be compensated by way of additional warrants or coupons or any other form of security as there needs to be a greater incentive to take additional risks. There will always be a couple of companies in a year that may need some support so that they can cross that line of being able to clean up the debt," said Ankur Bansal, executive director at venture debt firm Blacksoil, but also, at the same time, come to a situation where the business starts thriving again." Founded in 2010, Blacksoil has deployed about $300 million over 120 transactions and backed startups including Oyo, Spinny, Udaan, Mobikwik, and Dunzo. Khanna of Trifecta Capital said that while the pace of investments has been slow, he sees green shoots in early-stage deals and expects growth-stage investments to also pick up later this year. Also read: Waycool seeks extension to repay debt as it looks to turn a profit Last year, India's venture-debt market surpassed the billion-dollar mark at $1.2 billion as rising confidence from founders, venture capitalists and investors fuelled deals in the sector, according to a report published by Stride Ventures in February. With a growing preference for one-stop debt solutions that simplify fundraising and financial packages for startups, the trend reflects the market's maturity and the increasing sophistication of venture-debt solutions tailored to the needs of companies, the report said. Amid ongoing elections in the country, the Centre on Saturday lifted the ban on onion exports but imposed a minimum export price (MEP) of $550 per tonne. Additionally, a 40% duty was imposed on onion exports. "The decision of lifting the export ban and imposing 40% duty on top of $550 MEP per tonne has been taken after consultation with stakeholders, and assessing the supply, crop and prices situation," consumer affairs secretary Nidhi Khare told reporters on Saturday. "There is stability in market prices both at mandi and retail levels and ample availability of supply amid better rabi crop to cater to domestic consumption. It will help both farmers as well as consumers." Khare explained that onion prices in the Lasalgaon market in Nashik have remained stable at 15 per kg since 22 April. Additionally, Rabi onion output is estimated at 19.1 million tonnes, sufficient to meet the monthly domestic demand of 1.7 million tonnes. Moreover, there is optimism regarding the upcoming Kharif crop due to forecasts of above-normal rainfall, she added. Also Read: Govt may provide DBT to onion farmers for procurement Onion farmers, mostly in Maharashtra, had been protesting against the export ban, citing loss of income. Tight global supplies and a dry spell induced by the El Nino weather phenomenon had prompted the government to restrict onion exports during the 2023-24 financial year. On 8 December 2023, the government had banned the export of onions till 31 March 2024. The export policy of Onions is amended from prohibited to free subject to MEP of USD 550 per metric tonne with immediate effect and until further orders, a notification from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said. Santosh Sarangi, director general of DGFT, who was also present at the press conference, said that with these changes, the effective price of exports will be $770 per tonne, which is viable and in line with global prices. New Delhi: The month of May is likely to see the manufacturing sector take a big hit from the ongoing heatwave in the country. Experts estimate production loss to the tune of 15% this month, primarily due to reduced workforce efficiency in heat-intensive industries such as engineering goods, steel products, and plastics. The projected loss could even affect the export of goods, with production delays and disruptions resulting in reduced inventory, the experts said. The increase in temperatures is likely to have an impact on manufacturing sectors, especially on units that rely on heat-intensive processes like furnaces and boilers," said Arun Kumar Garodia, chairman of Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC), a body under the ministry of commerce and industry. These sectors may experience challenges related to maintaining operational efficiency and worker safety." As of now, we have not yet projected the expected loss in value terms. However, given the size of the manufacturing industry, we expect about 15% loss," Garodia said, adding it usually takes some time for such losses to be recovered. According to the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) forecast, heavy heatwaves are expected over the next 4-5 days in Telangana, Karnataka, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam (Puducherry), Kerala, Konkan, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. In addition, Gangetic West Bengal, East Jharkhand, North Odisha, and Rayalaseema are expected to experience severe heatwaves, with the maximum temperature predicted to rise to 47 degrees Celsius. Impact on manufacturing Usually, major losses are experienced in products being manufactured through furnaces, boilers, and machine operations in uncontrolled environments, as the heat from the processes adds to the already severe warm conditions and reduces the efficiency of factory employees. For instance, steel manufacturing involves melting raw materials in furnaces at very high temperatures, often exceeding 1,500C. The molten metal is then refined and cast into various shapes such as ingots, billets, or slabs. Also read | Input costs, election, Chinese imports to weigh on steelmakers' Q4 Similarly, the manufacturing process of engineering goods involves heat-intensive processes. Casting, forging, and welding are common processes used to shape and assemble metal componentsall of which require high temperatures. Plastic materials, too, are melted at high temperatures and then moulded into desired shapes. Arun Shukla, managing partner of Vishwakarma Engineering & CMD of SterVac Technologies, pointed out that heat dissipation occurs during processes such as operating furnaces, which adds to the already warm environment. When there's a sudden change in the environment, such as increased heat, the first thing that often happens is that workers get sick," said Shukla. This leads to a decrease in the attendance of the workforce, resulting in a loss of work hours and disrupting production." Mitigation essential About 90% of production areas lack a protected environment, which affects the overall performance of the workforce. The heatwave will have a severe impact on production of goods," Shukla said, adding the loss is expected up to 15%. It is crucial for manufacturers to implement proactive measures to mitigate these effects and ensure the continuity of their export operations. Indias goods trade deficit narrowed by nearly 17% in March compared with the previous month, as imports fell steeply, while exports rose only marginally. Also read | Raw materials, minerals push Indias exports to China but trade deficit a worry The deficit fell to $15.6 billion in March, down from $18.71 billion in February, and $16.02 billion in January. This is the lowest it's been in 11 monthsthe last time the deficit was narrower was in April 2023 when it came in at $14.44 billion. Significant disruption Industries heavily reliant on manual labour, such as textiles and apparel, shoemaking, and food and beverage processing, are more vulnerable to the operational challenges posed by heatwaves," said Ajay Srivastava, founder of Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). "These sectors often face significant disruptions due to increased energy demands, leading to power outages that can hinder production processes." However, the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector is unlikely to be significantly impacted, as it typically maintains a controlled working environment. The heatwave is for a shorter span in the country and the strong demand trajectory will easily sustain its impact," Sanjeev Agrawal, the president of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Moreover, in the heatwave, demand for FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) products increases and compensates for some losses in the other manufacturing activities, Agrawal added. The IMD predicted that eastern India will experience a heatwave for the next three days and sounded a red alert in Gangetic West Bengal for three days and in Odisha for two days. The IMD attributed the severe heatwave conditions to less frequent thunderstorms in East and Northeast India. Also read | Heatwave alert in India till May 5! IMD predicts rainfall in THESE states. Check full weather forecast here Congress candidate for the Puri Lok Sabha constituency Sucharita Mohanty has declined to contest the elections and returned the party ticket alleging lack of funding from the party. Mohanty, daughter of former Congress MP Brajamohan Mohanty in a mail to AICC general secretary (organization) K C Venugopal on Friday claimed that her campaign in the Puri Lok Sabha constituency has been hit hard because the party has denied funding. She alleged that AICC Odisha in-charge Ajoy Kumar "categorically" asked her to fight from her own resources. Elections to the Puri Lok Sabha constituency will be held on May 25. "I was a salaried professional journalist who entered electoral politics 10 years ago. I have given all I have into my campaign in Puri. I tried a public donation drive to support my campaign for progressive politics without much success so far. I also tried to cut down the projected campaign spending to the minimum," she said. As she was not able to raise funds on her own, the Congress leader had approached all senior leaders including the party's central leadership for funds for an impactful campaign in the Puri Lok Sabha constituency. "It is clear that only fund crunch is holding us back from a winning campaign in Puri. I regret that without party funding, it won't be possible to carry out the campaign in Puri. I, therefore, return the party ticket for the Puri Lok Sabha constituency herewith," she said in her mail to the AICC. However, Mohanty said she will remain a loyal Congress worker and her leader is Rahul Gandhi. Speaking to media persons, Mohanty said "I was denied funds from the party. In Assembly segments under the Puri LS constituency, weak candidates were given tickets. BJP and BJD are sitting on mountains of money. Vulgar displays of wealth are everywhere. It was difficult for me to fight the election." The Congress leader said she wanted a people-oriented campaign but that was also not possible with the lack of funds. The party is also not responsible for that as the BJP government has crippled the party. There are a lot of curbs on expenditure and many bank accounts have been frozen, she added. AICC in-charge of Odisha, Ajoy Kumar said "Mohanty is saying that no fund provided and weak MLA candidates have been fielded. The party has nominated its best candidate for the MLA seats and funds will be provided to a candidate when the candidate launches the campaign and seriously fights at the ground." Before coming to the ground, she (Mohanty) has alleged that no funds were given. But, at the time when she was requesting a party ticket, Mohanty had said that she would seriously fight the election, Kumar said. The party has already decided to change the Puri LS candidate and a proposal was submitted to the Congress high command. The name of the new candidate will be announced very soon, he said. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for calling her brother and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi a shehzaada [prince]. Speaking at an election rally in Gujarat on Saturday, Priyanka Gandhi called PM Modi a shehanshah [king of king]. They call my brother Shehzada. I want to tell them how this shehzada walked 4,000 km from Kanyakumari to Kashmir to listen to your problemshe met my sisters, brothers, farmers and laborers and asked them what problems they have, Priyanka Gandhi said while speaking at a rally in Banaskantha in Gujarat. She added, On the other side is your shehanshah, Narendra Modi, who lives in a palace. Have you watched him on television?...Not a single speck of dust is visible on his face...How can he understand your problems?. Priyanka Gandhi's comments came after PM Modi repeatedly called Rahul Gandhi a shehzada [prince] of shahi parivar [royal]. Addressing a rally in Gujarat on Thursday, PM Modi had targeted Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, saying Pakistan was eager to make the shehzada of the grand old party Indias next PM as the countrys enemies want a weak government at the helm. She further launched an attack on Modi, saying, "Gujarat gave PM Modi respect and self-respect and gave him power, but he is seen only with big people." "Have you seen PM Modi meeting a farmer? Farmers protest against the black laws. Hundreds of farmers are martyred, but the Prime Minister does not even go to meet them. Then as soon as the elections come and they feel that they will not get votes, then PM Modi changes the law," Gandhi said. Priyanka Gandhi also said that the BJP wants to change the Constitution, and reduce and weaken the rights given to the people through the statute book. The Congress general secretary was addressing a public rally at Lakhani in Gujarats Banaskantha Lok Sabha constituency to canvass for her party candidate Geniben Thakor. In Banaskantha, which will go to polls in the third phase on May 7, the BJP has nominated Rekha Chaudhary, an engineering college professor and first-timer, against Congress Thakor. Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah took potshots at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the grand old party's decision to field Gandhi from Raebareli instead of Amethi. Shah said on Saturday, "Rahul Baba, take my advice. The problem is with you, not with the seats. You will lose from Raebareli also, by a huge margin. Even if you run away, people will find you." While speaking in the Bodeli town in the tribal-dominated Chhotaudepur district of Gujarat, the BJP leader said the Congress is fighting elections under their leader Rahul Gandhi. "When he [Rahul Gandhi] lost elections from Amethi, he went to Wayanad. As he has realised that he will lose from Wayanad this time, he is also contesting from Raebareli instead of Amethi," Shah was quoted by PTI as saying. In the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, Rahul Gandhi had contested from the Amethi and Wayanad seats. While he won from Wayanad, he lost the Amethi seat to Union minister Smriti Irani. "Rahul Baba, Modi had a full majority in 2014 and 2019. But, he never touched the reservation meant for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. This is Modi's guarantee that till the BJP is in power, no one can touch your reservation," Shah added. This year, Rahul Gandhi has been fielded from Raebareli and Wayanad. He is pitted against the BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh in Raebareli whereas, Congress party's KL Sharma is contesting against Union Minister Smriti Irani in Amethi Lok Sabha constituency. Rahul currently represents Wayanad in the Lok Sabha, while Smriti Irani is bidding for a fresh term from Amethi. Raebareli was held by Sonia Gandhi who became a member of Rajya Sabha. India's fintech sector has undergone a remarkable transformation in the last few decades, largely driven by the power of new-age technology, problem solving innovations and inflow of private investment that offers a plethora of financial products and services to the customers across all the categories. Some Indian fintech companies like Paytm, Upstox, Groww, Phonepe and others serve individual domestic customers, while others like Intellect Design Arena create advanced technology solutions for banking and insurance clients globally. The fintech landscape of India consists two main elements one, financial services meant for Indian users and second, fintech built products in India, which serve banks in other countries like Middle East, the United States, Europe, etc., said Arun Jain, Chairman and Managing Director of Intellect Design Arena in an interaction with the LiveMint. He highlighted the fintech opportunities in India, particularly focusing on last-mile distribution of services, while emphasizing the need for fintech solutions at the grassroot level, highlighting the importance of smaller, sustainable fintechs that cater to local needs. Cautioning against the short-term focus of some startups, Arun Jain advocated for purpose-led companies with longer life cycles. He critiques the investor-led ecosystem that promotes quick profits over sustainable growth. Intellect, has not taken external funding and is self-sufficient, prioritizing long-term alignment of interests over short-term gains. Jain-led Intellect Design distinguishes itself as a tech firm rather than just being a fintech. Their focus lies in developing banking products and technologies, which they have successfully sold to 250 customers across 57 countries. The company aims at exporting technology and generating licensing revenue similar to global giants like Microsoft and Oracle. Intellect Banking offers a range of financial products, including core banking, lending, wealth management, and insurance solutions, said Jain. Among their offerings, Global Transaction Banking stands out as a prominent product, particularly valued by banks for fee-based services. Their suite of products also includes cash management and payment solutions, he said. The main challenge we face is distribution. While we have top-notch technology, reaching markets like South America, Japan, and Korea poses logistical hurdles as we can't establish our presence everywhere. Therefore, we're focusing on building a distribution network. Overcoming this distribution challenge will be a key focus for the next two years, Jain added. Speaking about funding debacle, the Intellect Design MD said, The recent market bubble has led to unrealistic expectations. Sustainability is the key amid investment fluctuations. People are now concerned over long-term viability. "Building a successful enterprise takes time, yet many approach it with a short-term mindset. This rush to sell off companies undermines their potential. Industries and investors must evolve gradually," he said. Jain said that they don't need external funding as Intellect generates sufficient cash, with 700 crore in reserves. While adverse situations can arise, but it has ample assets to mitigate risks. "However, the decision to accept funding depends on alignment with long-term goals. Investors often prioritize short-term gains, whereas our focus is on building a sustainable institution over the next 20-25 years," he said. Hedge funds take great pains to hide their inner workings. So a recent court case in which Jane Street sued two former employees and Millennium Management, another fund to which they had jumped ship, was immensely pleasing to the firms rivals, since it offered a rare view into one of the industrys giants. Among the revelations: Jane Streets most profitable strategy" did not play out on Wall Street, but in the unglamorous Indian options business, where the firm last year earned $1bn. This news has drawn attention to Indias options market, which is staggeringly large. According to the Futures Industry Association (FIA), a trade body, the country accounted for 84% of all equity option contracts traded globally last year, up from 15% a decade ago. The volume of contracts last year touched 85bn and has more than doubled every year since 2020 (see chart). Most of the frenzy is focused on the National Stock Exchange (NSE), which handles more than 93% of the transactions. The options boom is propelled by the rapid growth of Indias stockmarket. In January it overtook Hong Kongs to become the fourth-largest in the world. The Nifty 50, NSEs benchmark index, is hovering near an all-time high. In 2019 the NSE had 30m registered retail investors. By March that number had trebled. View Full Image (The Economist) Most trades involve equity-index optionsa security that gives the holder the right to buy an index at a given price, called the strike price", when the contract expires at a future date. These are often used to place bets on the direction of an index for a small fee. If the strike price for a bullish option is far above the current index level, the cost of the option, called the premium", is a tiny fraction of the value of the index. If the index climbs above the strike by expiration, the bet pays off. Otherwise investors lose the premium. Most Indian equity-index options are risky short-dated contracts of a week. The swift rise of Indias options market has parallels with Americas meme-stock craze. Covid-19 spawned a generation of Indian investors who turned to day-trading in order to escape boredom. This coincided with the rising popularity of apps, such as Groww and Zerodha, which made trading cheap and easy for small investors. For those with an appetite for speculative trades, choices are limited. Short-selling stocksa way to bet on a falling share priceis not easy in Indian markets. High taxes and government scrutiny have deflated interest in cryptocurrency trading. That leaves equity options as the only outlet for those seeking quick profits. So-called finfluencers, social-media figures who promote options trading as an easy way to get rich, are pouring fuel on the fire. Many sell courses that teach trading strategies. They flaunt luxury cars and extravagant houses in order to demonstrate their success and attract customers. And the lure of an outsized pay-off can be hard to resist, especially for newbies. The Securities and Exchange Board of India, a regulator, estimates that nine in ten retail investors lose 125,000 rupees ($1,500) a year on averageequivalent to six months salary for a typical urban Indian. It has warned about the risks and is considering rules to clamp down on unregistered financial advisers. In October it barred Mohammad Nasiruddin Ansari, a popular influencer on social media, from securities trading and ordered him to refund $2.1m in customer fees. Although trading platforms have also tried to alert users to the risks by displaying warnings and offering tools that simulate market movements, Nithin Kamath, head of Zerodha, admits the message does not really stick" until a user loses money. More sophisticated institutions stand to benefit from the boom. Jane Streets profits suggest that hedge funds and high-speed trading firms are doing well in Indias low-value, high-volume market. Besides Jane Street, other trading houses, such as Citadel Securities, IMC and Tower Research, have been expanding in India. The frenzy has also enticed local funds that are competing with global firms. A veteran Indian broker points out that exchanges, trading firms and the government, which pockets taxes on option trades, benefit from the boom. The average retail investor, on the other hand, is gambling for a chance to become Ambani", he notes, referring to Indias richest man, Mukesh Ambani. The real Mr Ambani is eyeing a different route to stockmarket wealth. On April 15th Jio Financial Services, a spin-off from Reliance Industries, his conglomerate, announced a venture with BlackRock, an American private-equity giant. The pair will establish a wealth-management and brokerage outfit. At least one Ambani is set to profit from Indias thriving equity market. 2024, The Economist Newspaper Ltd. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com (Bloomberg) -- Institutional Shareholder Services urged Boeing Co. investors to vote against a $32.8 million pay package for its chief executive officer, citing concerns over a special equity award and a sizable increase in his long-term incentive grant. CEO David Calhouns 45% pay jump from the prior year should be rejected at the companys annual meeting on May 17, the shareholder advising firm said in a new report. Calhoun said in March that he would step down at the end of 2024. The company has faced heightened scrutiny since a series of high-profile quality control issues on Boeing aircraft, sparking concern from consumers, investors and lawmakers. A mid-air door plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines flight in January prompted a temporary grounding of Boeings 737 Max jets, a Federal Aviation Administration investigation and an order to halt planned production increases of the companys most important model. The near-catastrophe led US lawmakers to call Calhoun to testify before Congress, where senators said the companys safety culture was broken and demanded substantial change. In late April, proxy adviser Glass Lewis & Co. urged shareholders to vote against the reelection of Calhoun, who had already said he would step down, as well as two other directors because of concerns about oversight of the companys safety culture. The Glass Lewis report said it also opposed the reelection of David Joyce and Akhil Johri. Joyce leads the aerospace safety committee and joined the board in 2021. Johri is chair of Boeings audit committee and has been a director since 2020. ISS said it would support, with caution, the reelection of Joyce, citing quality control issues that will need to be fully resolved for the planemaker to regain public confidence. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Groww Mutual Fund announced the launch of the Groww Nifty Non-Cyclical Consumer Index Fund, an open-ended equity scheme tracking the Nifty Non-Cyclical Consumer Index TRI. The scheme opened for public subscription on May 02, 2024, and will close on May 16, 2024. The scheme re-opens for continuous sale and repurchase within five business days from the date of allotment. What kind of mutual fund scheme is this? This is an open-ended equity scheme following a non-cyclical consumer theme. What is the main objective of investing in this fund? The investment objective of the scheme is to generate long-term capital appreciation by investing predominantly in equity and equity-related securities of companies with a focus on non-cyclical consumer themes. Commenting on the launch, Harsh Jain, Co-founder and COO, Groww said, "The Groww Nifty Non-Cyclical Index fund is Indias first index fund, which enables people to invest in the top stocks from consumer industries such as FMCG, Textiles, etc., These companies manufacture items we need in our daily lives and tend to be slightly more insulated from economic cycles and therefore are seen as non-cyclical sectors. How may one invest in this scheme? Investors can invest under the scheme with a minimum investment of 500 per plan/ option and in multiples of Re 1. There is no upper limit for investment. Under normal circumstances, the asset allocation (% of net assets) of the schemes portfolio will be as follows: Debt and Money Market Instruments: The scheme will invest in debt and money market instruments. It retains the flexibility to invest across all the securities in the debt and money markets. Debt securities and money market instruments will include but will not be limited to: A. Securities created and issued by the central and state governments as may be permitted by RBI (including but not limited to coupon-bearing bonds, zero-coupon bonds, and treasury bills). B. Securities guaranteed by the central and state governments (including but not limited to coupon bearing bonds, zero coupon bonds, and treasury bills). C. Debt securities of domestic government agencies and statutory bodies, which may or may not carry a Central/State Government guarantee. D. Corporate debt (of both public and private sector undertakings). Money market instruments permitted by SEBI/RBI or in alternative investment for the call money market that may be provided by the RBI to meet the liquidity requirements. E. Certificate of Deposits (CDs). F. Commercial Paper (CPs). A part of the net assets may be invested in the Collateralized Borrowing & Lending Obligations (CBLO) or an alternative investment as may be provided by RBI to meet the liquidity requirements. G. The non-convertible part of convertible securities. H. Any other domestic fixed-income securities as permitted by SEBI / RBI from time to time subject to necessary approvals from SEBI, if any. I. Any other instruments/securities, which in the opinion of the fund manager would suit the investment objective of the scheme subject to compliance with extant regulations. Investment in Derivatives: The scheme may take derivatives positions based on the opportunities available subject to the guidelines provided by SEBI from time to time and in line with the overall investment objective of the Scheme. Derivatives can be traded over the exchange or can be structured between two counterparties. Those transacted over the exchange are called Exchange-Traded derivatives whereas the other category is referred to as Over the Counter (OTC) derivatives. Options: An option is a contract that provides the buyer of the option (also called the holder) the right, without the obligation, to buy or sell a specified asset at an agreed price on or up to a particular date. To acquire this right, the buyer has to pay a premium to the seller. The seller on the other hand will buy or sell that specified asset at the agreed price. The premium is determined by considering myriad factors such as the underlying asset's market price, the number of days to expiration, the strike price of the option, the volatility of the underlying asset, and the riskless rate of return. The strike price, the expiration date, and the market lots are specified by the exchanges. An option contract may be of two kinds, viz., a call option or a put option. An option that provides the buyer the right to buy is a call option. The buyer of the call option (known as the holder of the option) can call upon the seller of the option (known as the writer of the option) and buy from him the underlying asset at the agreed price at any time on or before the expiry date of the option. The seller of the option has to fulfill the obligation on the exercise of the option. The right to sell is called a put option. Here, the buyer of the option can exercise his right to sell the underlying asset to the seller of the option at the agreed price. Options are of two types: European and American. In a European option, the holder of the option can only exercise his right on the date of expiration. In an American option, he can exercise this right anytime between the purchase date and the expiration date. Index Future: The mutual funds position limit in all index futures contracts on a particular underlying index shall be as per the regulations. This limit would be applicable on open positions in all futures contracts on a particular underlying index. Are there similar mutual funds in the market? To date, no asset management company (AMC) has launched any such fund in the past. How will the scheme benchmark its performance? The performance of the scheme shall be benchmarked to Nifty Non-Cyclical Consumer Index Fund TRI. Since the scheme is an index fund, the compositions are such that it is most suited for comparing the performance of the scheme. Are there any entry or exit loads to this scheme? This scheme involves no Entry Load, which means that investors do not have to pay anything to park their earnings in this scheme. The Exit Load would be calculated as under: - In respect of each purchase/switch-in of units, an Exit load of 1% is payable if units are redeemed/switched out within 30 days from the date of allotment. - No Exit Load is payable if units are redeemed/ switched out after 30 days from the date of allotment. Who will manage this scheme? Abhishek Jain is the designated fund manager of this scheme. Warren Buffett assured shareholders on May 4 that the executives expected to succeed him at Berkshire Hathaway were ready for the job and heaped praise on Apple even though Berkshire recently trimmed its position in the iPhone maker, as Reuter* Speaking at Berkshire Hathaways annual meeting, the legendary investor also paid tribute to his late partner Charlie Munger and said he expected the conglomerates cash pile, which reached a record $189 billion last quarter, to continue growing the Reuters aded. The meeting was the 60th for Buffett, who took over Berkshire in 1965 and turned it into an expansive company valued at $862 billion and owning BNSF railroad, Geico car insurance, Dairy Queen and other businesses. It was also the first since Munger, Buffett's longtime friend, business partner and foil, died in November at age 99. In a downtown Omaha arena, Buffett was joined on stage by Vice Chairmen Greg Abel, who was designated Buffett's successor as chief executive in 2021, and Ajit Jain. Abel, 61, and Jain, 72 have had direct oversight of Berkshire's dozens of operating subsidiaries since 2018, freeing Buffett and, before his death, Munger to focus on capital allocation. Buffett said he was happy with that arrangement. "When you've got somebody like Greg and Ajit, why settle for me?" he said. "It has worked out extremely well." Buffett, 93, gave no sign he plans to step aside, telling shareholders, "I feel fine," while joking he shouldn't take on four-year employment contracts. Before the meeting, Berkshire announced first-quarter results, including a 39% jump in operating profit to a record $11.2 billion. DECREASING APPLE STAKE, GROWING CASH In a surprise move, the conglomerate also reported it had sold about 13% of its Apple shares, reducing the value of its stake to $135.4 billion from $174.3 billion. Apple's stock price fell 11% in the quarter. The sale was the main cause for Berkshire's cash hoard to soar. Buffett said cash might grow from $189 billion last quarter to $200 billion this quarter, reflecting the risks from high stock market valuations and geopolitical conflicts. Despite decreasing Berkshire's stake in Apple, Buffett praised the tech company, saying it was "an even better business" than two of Berkshire's oldest investments, American Express and Coca-Cola. The iPhone was "one of the greatest products, and it may be the greatest product, of all time," Buffett said with Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook in the audience. Berkshire invested in Apple in 2016, and the normally tech-phobic Buffett came to view it as a consumer goods company with strong pricing power and devoted customers. While some investors have expressed concern that Apple represented too much of Berkshire's now $335.9 billion equity portfolio, Buffett said Apple would remain the company's biggest investment, barring unforeseen events. Buffett added that he expects the U.S. government to increase taxes to tackle a widening fiscal deficit rather than reduce spending. Abel, meanwhile, pledged to fight lawsuits seeking tens of billions of dollars from Berkshire's PacifiCorp utility unit over Oregon wildfires in 2020, but called them a substantial challenge. At the start of the meeting, shareholders watched a video tribute to Munger, including photos of Omaha from 1924 when he was born and clips of Buffett and Munger through the years. Munger had been a fixture on stage with Buffett at the meetings, known for laconic and acerbic comebacks to Buffett's musings about Berkshire, the economy, Wall Street and life. He was the "architect of today's Berkshire," Buffett said. EARLY WAKE-UP Before the meeting, thousands lined up early outside the arena in raw, rainy weather. When the doors opened at 7 a.m., many ran for the best seats. Bill Gunther, 72, a retired state forester from Newfane, Vermont, said he arrived at 1:41 a.m. to get in line, with a lawn chair to sit and sleep on. "I feel very bullish about Berkshire," he said. "They're so diversified and have a good company culture." Berkshire's stock is up 23% over the last year. While that lags the Standard & Poor's 500's 25% gain, Berkshire has risen 218% over the last decade versus the S&P's 172% gain. The shareholder weekend, which Buffett calls "Woodstock for Capitalists," also featured an exhibit hall for shareholders to buy goodies such as Berkshire T-shirts and Squishmallows toys at exhibits by Berkshire-owned companies. "I was here since 2:30," said Serena Lam, 32, an investment manager who along with 40 others flew from Hong Kong. "I want to see Warren Buffett. I want to get his perspective. Elvish Yadav alias Siddharth Yadav is under scanner once again after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a money laundering case against the popular YouTuber and Bigg Boss 2 OTT winner. The ED pressed charges against some other individuals as well in connection with a case pertaining to the use of snake venom as a recreational drug in parties allegedly hosted by Elvish Yadav. This development comes after an FIR and 1200 page chargesheet was filed by Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida) district police last month. The case has been registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Also read: YouTuber Elvish Yadav supplied snake venom to boost fanbase, make money: Report Noida Police arrested the Bigg Boss winner on March 17 in connection with the snake venom case, who was later released on bail. According to media reports, the 26-year-old YouTuber was booked under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, Wildlife Protection Act, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Also read: Elvish Yadav arrested by Noida Police in snake venom case, to be presented in court today On November 3 last year, an FIR was lodged at Noida's Sector 49 Police Station after a complaint was raised by an animal rights activists who named 5 more people in (PFA) apart from Elvish Yadav. All of the other five accused in the case were snake charmers who were arrested in November and were later let out on bail by a local court. The police seized nine snakes, including five cobras from their possession along with 20 ml of suspected snake venom. Also read: Elvish Yadav talks about bad phase of life in first statement after bail in snake venom case: Na kuch galat kehte' The probe agency will soon investigate the alleged financial transactions associated with the supply of snake venom at various locations including big hotels, clubs, resorts, and farmhouses in Delhi-NCR. Elvish will be soon be questioned by the ED. Popular Youtuber and political commentator Savukku Shankar was on Saturday morning arrested by the Coimbatore Police from Theni for his alleged defamatory statement against women police personnel. Taking to microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter), the Coimbatore Police said, Savukku Shankar has been arrested today by Coimbatore city police cyber crime wing for the offences committed under the following sections. 294(b), 509 and 353 IPC r/w section 4 of Tamilnadu prohibition of harassment of Woman Act and section 67 of Information Technology Act,2000. The arrest was made based on a complaint by a woman sub-inspector for allegedly making derogatory remarks against women police personnel during an online interview. Also Read | Priyanka Gandhi calls PM Modi 'shehanshah': 'Not a single speck of dust is visible on his face...' Meanwhile, media reports said that the police vehicle in which Shankar was being taken to Coimbatore was hit by a minor accident near Dharapuram. The YouTuber and two police constables onboard the vehicle suffered minor injuries in the incident. Later, the Youtuber was remanded to Judicial Custody till May 17th by the Coimbatore Court. Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: 21% of candidates for 4th phase declare criminal cases Who is Savukku Shankar? Savukku Shankar, a popular YouTuber and political commentator, is a staunch critic of the MK Stalin-led DMK government in the state. According to a report by Business Today, Shankar is a suspended employee of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), and currently runs a web portal under the name 'Savakku' and is a regular on Tamil YouTube channels. Also Read | 'I don't own home or even bicycle': PM Modi attacks JMM, Congress in Jharkhand Earlier in 2022, Shankar spent over two months in jail after the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court sentenced him to six months in jail in a suo motu contempt proceedings for his statement against the judiciary, reported Deccan Herald. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested former minister and JDS leader HD Revanna in connection with a kidnapping case on Saturday. After the arrest, he was brought to a hospital for medical test. A case of kidnapping was registered against him at KR Nagar police station in Bengaluru. HD Revanna was booked on a charge of kidnapping in connection with the 'obscene video' case in which his son and JDS MP from Hassan Prajwal Revanna is also booked. Revanna was brought to CID office in Bengaluru, news agency PTI reported. Revanna was taken into the custody after a special court for People's Representative in Bengaluru rejected the interim bail application of HD Revanna and Prajwal Revanna in connection with the alleged "obscene videos" case. The action was taken based on a complaint lodged by the son of a woman who was allegedly abducted and sexually abused. According to news agency ANI, the man said in his complaint that his mother worked as a housemaid at HD Revanna's home for six years before returning to her village, where she worked as a daily wage labourer. The man later discovered a video, allegedly depicting the sexual abuse of his mother by incumbent MP and Hassan Lok Sabha candidate Prajwal Revanna. He was quoted as saying that soon after the video was revealed, his mother went missing. He then filed a kidnapping complaint against HD Revanna and Babanna (accused number two in FIR registered by KR Nagar police) on Thursday night. The two were booked under Sections 364A (kidnapping for ransom), 365 (kidnapping with intent to cause harm), and 34 (common intention) of the IPC. 'Obscene video' case D Revanna and his son, Prajwal Revanna, are under the scanner of an SIT constituted by the Karnataka government. The SIT team was formed following allegations of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation following a complaint by a woman who worked in their household. The case was registered under sections 354A, 354D, 506, and 509 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) on charges of sexual harassment, intimidation, and outraging the dignity of a woman. The sexual harassment case was filed on April 28 based on a complaint lodged with Holenarasipura Town police. As per the complaint, the victim claimed that Prajwal Revanna and his father HD Revanna had sexually assaulted her. Prajwal Revanna is the grandson of party supremo and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda. 'HD Revanna was a habitual offender' Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar alleged on Saturday that JD(S) MLA HD Revanna was a habitual offender. He said Revanna had been involved in a case like his son Prajwal Revanna 30 years ago when he visited England. He added HD Revanna was kicked out of the hotel room during an England visit. Civilian facilities in the Ukrainian cities of Kharkiv and Odesa came under Russian missile fire on Saturday afternoon, according to local officials. Four people were wounded in Kharkiv, near the Russian border in Ukraines far northeast, where the strike ignited a fire, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram. Civilian infrastructure was also damaged by a missile near Odesa on Ukraines Black Sea coast, injuring three people, regional governor Oleh Kiper said on Telegram. Separately, Ukrainian air defense downed a Russian missile near the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro, according to a statement by governor Serhiy Lysak. Russia continues to target civilian targets, including energy systems, across Ukraine, although daytime strikes are relatively rare. All 13 drones fired by Russia from its Belgorod region near the Ukrainian border were intercepted overnight, the national Air Force said on Telegram. Kharkiv, Ukraines second largest city with a pre-war population of about 1.5 million, has been a frequent target. Its less than an hours drive from the Russian border. Read more: Russia Tries to Force Ukraine to Abandon Second-Biggest City Ukrainian and Western officials told Bloomberg News in April that they see the bombardment of Kharkiv as part of an effort to force the evacuation of civilians. Russian forces tried and failed to capture the city during the first weeks of the war in 2022, a victory for the mostly Russian-speaking population. The port city of Odesa, the epicenter of Ukraines grain export program, has been another frequent target of missile and drone strikes, with shipping infrastructure regularly under attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday urging allies to provide more air defense and weapons supplies. Russia has shelled our cities and regions more than 380 times this week alone. And it happens every week of this war, Zelenskiy said. Donald Trumps campaign sought to stir enthusiasm among prospective donors to his White House bid, contending that the ex-president has a chance to go on offense and expand the electoral map. Trumps team said its polling shows he has a chance to win Minnesota and Virginia, according to two donors who heard the presentation at a retreat in Palm Beach, Florida. President Joe Biden, whos headed for a rematch for the presidency with Trump in November, carried both states decisively in 2020. Richard Nixon was the last Republican candidate to win Minnesota in 1972 and no Republican has carried Virginia since George W. Bush in 2004. Trump, who was in court four days this week in the first criminal trial against a former president, leads Biden in most national and swing-state polls, including six of seven states in the latest Bloomberg News/Morning Consult survey. But he trails his Democratic rival by almost $100 million in campaign cash as of April. Read more: Billionaires Lutnick, Paulson to Host Fundraiser for Trump in NY Casting his prospects as potentially expanding the electoral map for Republicans is part of a strategy to persuade donors that theyd be placing a winning bet on the former president. Trump eyed Minnesota as a potential flip in 2020 before losing the state to Biden, in part because his campaign hit a cash crunch during the crucial closing stretch of the cycle. In May, Trumps team has planned seven fundraisers in locations including New York, Cincinnati, Houston and Dallas as well as Wildwood, New Jersey, and Lexington, Kentucky. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was tagged a wanted criminal in Russia as war hit the 800 day mark on Saturday. Moscow indicated that the actor-turned-politician was being sought on unspecified criminal charges alongside his predecessor Petro Poroshenko. Zelensky joins several top European Union and NATO leaders including Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. The Russian interior ministry database provided limited information on the matter merely insisting that the Ukrainian leader was wanted under an article of the criminal code. Independent Russian news outlet Mediazona however claimed that Zelenskyy and Poroshenko had been named since at least late February. The updated list also includes General Oleksandr Pavlyuk the commander of Ukraine's ground forces. Meanwhile Ukraine's foreign ministry said the decision demonstrated "the desperation of the Russian state machine and propaganda, which are at a loss for what else to invent to garner attention". We would like to remind everyone that, unlike the worthless Russian announcements, the International Criminal Court's warrant for the arrest of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on war crimes charges is real and enforceable in 123 countries., added a statement from the Ukrainian MFA. ALSO READ: Russian troops enter Niger air base housing US military amid bitterness over Ukraine conflict. Details here Russia's wanted list includes scores of officials and lawmakers from Ukraine and NATO countries including Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. Cabinet ministers from Estonia and Lithuania, as well as the International Criminal Court prosecutor who last year prepared a warrant for President Vladimir Putin on war crimes charges also find mention. Kallas has fiercely advocated for increased military aid to Kyiv and stronger sanctions against Moscow since the war began. Earlier in February, Russian officials said that she was wanted because of Tallinns efforts to remove Soviet-era monuments to Red Army soldiers in the Baltic nation, in a belated purge of what many consider symbols of past oppression. There is class and elegance written all over the family settlement of the Godrej family, exemplifying the dignity with which its members have conducted themselves over the decades. Four years in the making, it seems thoughtful andmore importantlyrespectful in addressing mutual concerns and achieving sustainable outcomes. It also displays proper succession planning at the group level for its substantial assets, whilst balancing it with responsibility to its stakeholders and the larger social responsibility associated with such big businesses. When these crucial aspects go wrong, we have seen that massive value destruction can follow, as with the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, Thapar Group, etc. The Godrej agreement could therefore be a blueprint for Indian promoter-driven companies looking to make family rearrangements in the context of succession planning. Like it or not, many such companies will face similar situations with every generational change. And with more than 55% of Indias listed entities classified as promoter-held, it is a matter of significance for India Inc and its minority shareholders. However, in my view, creating large and globally competitive Indian MNCs should be the driving force behind asset carve-ups for succession planning, rather than effecting shifts in control through a redistribution mechanism. I borrow from global examples to make my point. In the US, celebrated examples of family created businesses among Fortune 500 companies include Walmart (Dalton family), Ford Motors (Ford family), Hearst (Hearst family), Cargill (Cargill Macmillan family) and Koch Industries (Koch family). These demonstrate that, whilst family control is retained through shareholding interests, the management of such mega corporations can be delegated to professional managers backed by large institutions. Similar is the story in Germany. Think of BMW (Quandt family), Henkel (Henkel family), Merck (Merck family) and Bosch (Bosch family). In Sweden, the Wallenbergs control significant shareholding in its mega corporations like ABB, Volvo, Erickson, Electrolux and others, with their management left in professional hands. It is similar with other European businesses like H&M (Persson family). They all illustrate how family ownership can work with professional management. The driving force for this governance mechanism has been the size and complexity of these corporations, as their ambitions were of global scale. Majority shareholder families have become incredibly wealthy in due course, while being relieved of management responsibilities. For these arrangements to work, families in many cases must acknowledge their lack of expertise in management. In Japan, the approach to family-owned businesses with professional management varies from Western models to some degree. While family-owned businesses are still common, they display unique characteristics in how they operate. Japan is known for its Keiretsu system of interlinked businesses, with companies within the same group holding cross-equity in each other. While these groups may have family ownership at their core, they often have professional management teams overseeing day-to-day operations. Hence, succession planning for family-owned Japanese businesses is crucial. It involves meticulous grooming of family members to be ready for the mantle of leadership. Mitsubishi, Matsushita and Sumitomo fall in this category. However, professional managers are sometimes brought in from outside the family to ensure continuity in case an heir apparent does not have the desired skill set. Nissan, Sony and Toyota are good examples of this. Generally, family-owned businesses in Japan blend traditional family values with modern professional management practices to foster loyalty and stability, and also to prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term profits, which have been cornerstones of Japanese family businesses. Professional managers are tasked with implementing strategies that align with these values. There is tight alignment in Japan and it is fair to say that some families seek to control the professional managers they hire quite tightly at times. However, the last two decades saw a move towards Western practices of favouring skills and merit, rather than lineageas is common in the East. It is worth noting that no major Japanese family-owned company has been split into smaller configurations. Most Indian companies are pretty small by global standards. Splitting assets into smaller configurations will compromise prospects of achieving global scale. As these businesses spread their wings internationally, this is a factor they will need to consider whilst demarcating assets for the next gen. Retaining management control within the family for such businesses as they expand in size and complexity may not necessarily be in line with either the expertise or competence of the next generation (or indeed even the latters interests). In due course, India will need to carve out its own path based on well established Eastern and Western models. The Reliance group of Mukesh Ambanis family will provide an important case study over the next two decades as the reins are passed on for one of our best managed companies. The family patriarch has demonstrated extreme care and caution in handling succession and how assets will be carved out. Of similar interest will be Wipro and HCL, among others. We have seen enough examples where the next generations desire to control management has resulted in significant value destruction of assets created by their forefathers. In the interest of India Inc and its minority shareholders, close attention must be paid to such family arrangements. DUBAINegotiators were converging on Cairo in a high-stakes effort to clinch a cease-fire deal in Gaza and head off an Israeli offensive into Hamass final stronghold of Rafah. Hamas and Qatari delegations arrived in Egypt on Saturday, joining Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns, who arrived a day earlier, Arab mediators said. Hamass military leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, weighed in on the proposed deal via Hamas representatives for the first time Friday, saying it was the closest one yet to the groups demands but raising a number of caveats, the Arab mediators said. Hamas is expected to present a counterproposal soon, the mediators said. The deal continues to be hung up on Hamass demand for a path to a permanent end to the fighting, while Israel insists on retaining the right to continue its campaign to destroy the group militarily. Senior Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad said the group is still considering the proposal and weighing its response. Hamad declined to comment on Sinwars response to the proposed deal. Hamas is looking for international guarantees that Israel will enter into negotiations over a path toward a sustainable period of calm, Arab mediators said. Israel hasnt said whether it would send a delegation to the talks. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined to comment. The U.S. is putting heavy pressure on Israel and Hamas to pause a conflict that Palestinian health officials say has killed more than 34,000 people in Gaza and has spilled over into Americas domestic politics, sparking a wave of protests on college campuses that are threatening President Bidens fragile bid for a second term. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken toured the region last week, meeting with Arab and Israeli officials to push forward a cease-fire and a framework for a broader resolution to the conflict set off when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 peoplemostly civiliansand taking around 240 hostage, according to Israeli officials. Israel has told mediators it will move ahead with a planned operation in Rafah if a deal isnt reached soon, Egyptian officials said. Blinken said Friday that the U.S. wouldnt support a full-scale military operation in Rafah and blamed Hamas for holding up a deal. The reality in this moment is the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a cease-fire is Hamas," Blinken said in Arizona on Friday. Taking the cease-fire should be a no-brainer." Blinken called the latest Egyptian proposal a generous deal for Hamas, a U.S.-designated terror group. Netanyahu also faces political pressures that narrow the path to a deal. The prime minister is facing low domestic approval ratings and relies upon hard-line coalition members who have threatened to pull his government apart if he stops the war before fully uprooting Hamas. Netanyahu has said Israel will send ground forces into Rafah regardless of whether a deal is signed, framing the operation as critical to destroying Hamass military capabilities. The latest proposal is for a staged reduction of tensions accompanied by swaps of hostages held in Gaza with Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The initial phase calls for up to 40 days of calm during which Hamas would release up to 33 Israeli hostages, and the parties have the possibility of negotiating a long-term cease-fire. The following phase would include at least a six-week cease-fire, during which Israel and Hamas would negotiate for the release of more hostages and an extended pause in fighting that could last up to a year. Israel and Hamas agreed to a brief pause in their fighting in November, during which they exchanged hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners. Several subsequent attempts to strike a new deal have faltered, as the parties have remained apart on key points, including enabling displaced civilians to return to Gazas north and committing to a path to end the war. Israel and Hamas have mostly agreed upon details of the hostage and prisoner swap envisioned under the proposal, Egyptian officials said. Israel says the groups last intact fighting formations are in Rafah, the one major city Israel has yet to invade in Gaza. Egyptian officials said, however, that Israeli officials are privately considering indefinitely postponing a Rafah invasion if a long-term cease-fire agreement is reached. The U.S. has pushed back against Israeli plans to invade Rafah, amid concerns that it would bring more civilian casualties and that an operation would exacerbate an already difficult humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The U.S. believes that Israel can achieve its objectives without a major operation in Rafah, and Blinken on Friday reiterated the U.S. view that Israeli plans to evacuate civilians ahead of the fighting are currently insufficient. Absent such a plan, we cant support a major military operation going into Rafah, because the damage it would do is beyond whats acceptable," Blinken said. Abeer Ayyoub contributed to this article. Write to Summer Said at summer.said@wsj.com Kangana Ranaut, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Himachal Pradesh Mandi Lok Sabha seat, mistook her own party leader Tejasvi Surya for opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav while delivering a speech at an election rally on Saturday. Tejasvi Surya is a BJP candidate from Bangalore South, while Tejashwi Yadav is a former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).) While attacking a few opposition leaders, Ranaut accused Tejasvi Surya a Karnataka BJP leader of hooliganism and eating fish. However, it was Tejashwi Yadav who drew criticism for eating fish on Navrati-eve. In the video posted by Tejashwi Yadav on April 9, he was seen eating fried fish after a "hectic" campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls. Now, while launching an attack on opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, Kangana Ranaut said, "There's a party of spoilt princes", whether it's Rahul Gandhi who wants to grow potatoes on the Moon, or it's Tejasvi Surya who does hooliganism and eats fish...or it's Akhilesh Yadav who does weird talks...." "Those who do not understand the language of this country and those who understand its culture, how can they run this country," Ranaut said while attacking the Congress and its leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. A video of her speech was posted by news agency IANS on Saturday. Watch video here: Kangana Ranaut Vs Vikramaditya Singh Kangana Ranaut is a BJP nominee from Mandi. She has been pitted against Himachal Pradesh minister and Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh. Singh recently challenged Kangana Ranaut for an open debate over their vision for the constituency. He claimed that Kangana has no knowledge about history and geography of the state, news agency PTI reported. The Rev. Norman Fowler retires this month as the longest-serving pastor in the 144-year history of Moscows First Presbyterian Church. He has accomplished much for the church and the community in his 18 years there, but if you want to see his eyes light up, dont ask him about leading church committees, a campus center board of directors or regional denomination task forces; ask him about tomatoes. After long days and weary weeks at the church, he has put in hundreds of hours planting and harvesting vegetables and fruit trees, helping build three greenhouses and manhandling pens for more than 300 chickens on the familys 5.5 acres north of Moscow. His son, Ames, and daughter-in-law, Delaney, developed Hands and Hearts Farm there. Fowler maintained their 120-year-old farmhouse, where he and his wife, Helen Brown, hosted dozens of meals and overnight visitors, demonstrating their commitment to community, which is central to his faith. Renters, who are committed farmers, will soon take over house and land, when the couple begins retirement travels May 31. The pastor, church members and the community were tested less than two years after he arrived. Late Saturday and early Sunday, May 19 and 20, 2007, a man killed his wife and, from the church, shot and killed a police officer, church sexton Paul Bauer and himself. He wounded a sheriffs deputy and a college student. First, my concern was for the community, Fowler said recently. I felt our church had been used to traumatize the community. Second, my concern was for the church itself, Paul living here (in an upstairs room) and what that meant. Unfortunately it meant he died, Fowler said, his voice breaking. That certainly punctuated the beginning of my ministry in a way that I never expected. That same weekend, two church mission groups were headed to Mississippi to help with recovery from Hurricane Katrina. Fowler stayed behind, but joined a third post-Katrina mission that fall. Mission trips were important to him as much for what church members learned as for what they accomplished. He encouraged missions to Puerto Rico and Nicaragua, never missed a springtime work session at the regional churchs summer camp for kids and led a pilgrimage to Christian communities in Europe. Perhaps one thing that helped the church recover from the shooting trauma was the establishment early in his tenure of a Stephen Ministry program, which trains church members to walk beside people who are grieving not to try to counsel them, but to support them with weekly visits on that painful journey. Fowler strongly encouraged a meditative worship service on Wednesdays followed by a supper fellowship. This weekend, thousands of investing aficionados will descend on Omaha to hear Warren Buffett hold forth on business and life. If they are lucky, they might catch a passionate shareholder proposal. In something of a closely held secret, the famed Berkshire Hathaway annual gathering has a romantic history. While getting engaged at a fancy restaurant or scenic overlook is nice, a select group of couples across the U.S. can trace their big moment back to the well-known weekend confab in Nebraska. Believe it or not, Omaha doesnt have too many claims to fame. Warren was one of them," says Nebraska native Michael Dentlinger, on why he asked Rachel Gogan to marry him at a past Berkshire weekend. Buffett has dubbed the gathering Woodstock for Capitalists," and it is more than a chance to hear from the legendary investor and attend to corporate formalities. Planning to propose at the Omaha event? It helps that Berkshire-owned Borsheims jewelry store is conveniently nearby. In fact, on Friday, attendees can sip cocktails at a shareholder-only shopping night at Borsheims, followed by a picnic dinner and more shopping Saturday evening at the companys Nebraska Furniture Mart. Some visitors will stick around to lace up their sneakers for Sundays Invest in Yourself" 5K. Buffett himself has been known to man the counter at Borsheims, inspiring ring purchases. It was sort of this magical, once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing," recalls Adam Wright, a financial adviser who bought an engagement ring and wedding band from Buffett during a past annual meeting weekend. He says Buffett calculated the final price in his head. The plot Buffett has been the wingman on proposals, including once for his grandnephew Alex Rozek, who wanted to propose to his girlfriend, Mimi Krueger, at the 2009 shareholder meeting. Just ask how were going to get the economy back on track," Rozek recalls Buffett advising him. When the day arrived, Rozek and Krueger were in the audience when Buffett said there was time for one more question. Rozek delivered his line. I was sitting there with my head in my hands trying to disappear," she recalls. I was like, oh my Godwhat is he doing?" Buffett replied that household formations" would helpand asked if that gave Rozek any ideas. I think so," Rozek said. Mimi, youre my best friend. Would you be my wife?" The crowd applauded as she took in what had happened, and gave a resounding, Yes. Eric LeFante and Carrie Fischer met at Rider University in New Yersey and bonded over their shared interest in business. Later, he encouraged her to read Buffetts shareholders letters. (She would eventually buy him a compilation of them as a birthday gift.) He hatched a plan: He had heard about Buffetts stints at the Borsheims jewelry counter. Your idol, how cool would it be to buy this ring from him?" LeFante recalls thinking. But I wanted Carrie to experience that with me." In a video of the proposal, Buffett shook the couples hands and examined a necklace LeFante was pretending to buy. Then Buffett reached into his pocket and pulled out a box. This might be something more interesting," he said. Lets take a look." Oh, my God," Fischer said, when she saw the ring. Wow." He knelt and asked her to marry him. She said yes, and Buffett poured the champagne. The couple wore lanyards with their credentials for the shareholder meeting. Now Carrie LeFante, she remembers something of a divide in reactions to their story. My financial friends knew exactly who Warren Buffett wasmy other friends who are not really in the financial world were just like, who is this old guy whos giving you this ring?" Nonetheless, she loved it: I couldnt have asked for a better engagement." Interoffice mail Omaha native Dentlinger had read about LeFantes engagement in the Omaha World-Herald, and enlisted Buffetts help for his own proposal. Dentlinger had an advantage: He worked for National Indemnity, a Berkshire insurance company. He composed a letter and sent it to headquarters. Buffett was willing. A day after the annual meeting, Dentlinger and Gogan arrived at Borsheims. They were ushered into a small room. Buffett greeted them and asked how long they had been together. Two years is about time something happens," Buffett said, and lifted a small box into view. Dentlinger, more nervous about Buffetts presence than her response, knelt and popped the question. I was just star-struck," he recalls. I did think, wow, Michael pulled this off," Rachel Dentlinger says. And it got all the way up to Warren Buffett." The Dentlingers plan to attend Fridays Borsheims event to reminisce and enjoy a parents night outthey now have two young children at home. Write to Karen Langley at karen.langley@wsj.com Get ready for the Amazon Great Summer Sale 2024, kicking off with hot deals to keep you cool! 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Havells Sameera 400mm Wall Mounted Fan Orient Electric Wall- 49 Wall Fan Crompton HighSpeed Torpedo 400 mm Wall Fan Also read: Best ceiling fans to buy in April 2024: Top 10 efficient and practical options to cool your spaces Disclaimer: At Livemint, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Mint has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act of 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority. The November ballot could be the next battleground in the fight over Washingtons march toward ending natural gas use in homes. Key players behind three Republican-backed initiatives state voters are already set to decide are close to launching an all-out effort for a fourth, aimed at blocking the states shift away from natural gas and toward technology like heat pumps. They are working to assemble the means and the money to gather hundreds of thousands of signatures in less than two months to qualify the measure for the ballot. But for now, they are hung up in court, unable to get started with the signature-gathering effort, as environmental groups that favor the states path on energy policy challenge their proposals. This issue is white hot, said state Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen. But time is tight. In addition to working through the court dispute, Walsh and others must decide which of four pending initiatives they want to proceed with. Walsh, chair of the state Republican Party, is the author of three proposed initiatives focused on repealing a new state law meant to hasten Puget Sound Energys transition away from natural gas. The Building Industry Association of Washington is sponsoring one too. It repeals provisions of the new law, then goes further to bar the state and local governments from banning, restricting or disincentivizing the use of natural gas in new or existing home or commercial buildings. BIAWs measure, Initiative 2066, states the Washington energy code adopted by the state Building Code Council may not in any way prohibit, penalize, or discourage the use of gas for any form of heating, or for uses related to any appliance or equipment, in any building. To get a measure on the ballot, supporters must submit signatures of at least 324,516 registered voters by 5 p.m. July 5. It is recommended that at least 405,000 signatures be turned in to allow for invalid signatures. But backers of the natural gas measures cannot circulate petitions due to legal challenges from environmental groups. Climate Solutions, Washington Conservation Action and NW Energy Coalition are contesting the wording of the ballot title and description for all of them. The three filed by Walsh cleared a final legal hurdle Thursday. But hes waiting to see what happens with the BIAW proposal. A Thurston County Superior Court judge could resolve the skirmish by May 15, giving sponsors roughly seven weeks before the July 5 deadline. A BIAW official said no decisions on next steps will be made until the ballot title is settled. Ever-confident, Walsh acknowledged hard decisions are coming. Well need to consolidate efforts around one [measure] because we must do in seven or eight weeks what we had months to do in 2023, Walsh said, referring to signature-gathering for the already-qualified initiatives concerning the state capital gains tax, long-term care benefit program, and climate law. In 2012, a coalition of Washington education groups filed its charter school initiative in late May. A ballot title challenge for Initiative 1240 took until mid-June to resolve. Organizers needed 241,000 signatures and turned in 357,352 by the July 6 deadline. Fifteen girls from the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley are figuring out which industry and trade they are going to run one day. The students from Lewiston and Clarkston high schools learned about career opportunities and trades at the Girls Represented in the Trades, or GRIT, event that took place Friday at the Clarkston branch of Walla Walla Community College in collaboration with the YWCA. Andrew Wade, the student success navigator at WWCC, said students were broken into two groups and went to five sessions that highlight WWCC programs. Industrial mechanics is the electricians program, where students can work toward an apprenticeship. Welding offers two programs: technology and specialized metals, which are used in the local boating industry. Business agriculture gives students marketing skills. The business accounting field helps startups get the accounting basics to run a business. Then theres the STEM portion, which showed options in science, technology, engineering and math. Women havent always been given recognition for their contributions to science, said Lori Loseth, biology instructor at WWCC. At the STEM session, Loseth and chemistry instructor Sarah Egbert taught DNA, genetics and blood samples. Students used their new knowledge to solve a crime by testing blood samples to determine a blood type and find a suspect. The discussion of genetics caused laughs when students began to stick out their tongues to see if they had the ability to roll them, which is a genetic trait. Egbert and Loseth highlighted areas in science, technology, engineering and math that offer numerous career opportunities. Dont think of it as a straightforward path, Egbert said. There are hundreds of things you can do in science. She said she knew someone who worked for Kraft as a chemist and developed Easy Mac macaroni and cheese cups. Cosmetologists also use chemistry to create make-up products. Other careers, like art, can use chemistry. Egbert said art restoration uses science to analyze pigments and paints. You should find what your passion is and we (at WWCC) can help you get started, Loseth said. Welding was the favorite stop for two CHS sophomores, Raeli Glass and Stacey Jandreau. Glass is already taking welding at CHS and the experience helped me learn a lot. Jandreau is also in the welding class and wants to go into underwater welding as a career. It would be pretty cool to witness all that and the sea life underwater, she said. Other students, like Myquela Bauer and Ava Duman, preferred the industrial mechanics session. Bauer, a CHS sophomore, enjoyed that the program lets us do things hands-on and she got to use electrical wiring. This editorial was published in the Yakima Herald-Republic. As the late former President Ronald Reagan once famously said: The nine most terrifying words in the English language are Im from the government, and Im here to help. That was nearly 40 years ago, but for some especially families trying to cut through the confusing tangle of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) it might still ring true. As stressful as applying for financial aid for college can be, its been even more frustrating this year, according to many local families and school counselors. Its the first year of a federal expansion and revamp of the program and well-intentioned as it is, its come with a few ... well, blips. Congress ordered the update under the perhaps unfortunately titled FAFSA Simplification Act of 2020, and the Department of Education rolled out the new process in December. The goal was to increase the availability of aid and streamline applications, particularly for students from mixed-status families such as students who are U.S. citizens but whose parents are undocumented or dont have Social Security numbers. In the long run, college counselors say, itll get better. Many, in fact, are praising the new FAFSAs benefits and say things should run much smoother next year. A poisonous cloud is hanging over Berlin after a chemical factory blaze, with firefighters warning deadly hydrogen cyanide could develop, Azernews reports, citing Daily Mail. Firefighters said sulphuric acid and copper cyanide were stored at the plant and the chemicals ignited, which could create hydrogen cyanide. People were warned to close all windows, stay inside and switch off ventilation units after the fire hit the firm. The state of Berlin has issued an official danger warning and urged people to stay away from the area as the cloud of smoke is already spanning over nearly all of the western area of the city. The blaze is at Diehl Metal Applications in Berlin's Lichterfelde district, which is a sister company to the Diehl Defence concern, manufacturer of the deadly IRIS-T missiles. Diehl Defence has its headquarters on the same street as the burning building. Diehl Metal Applications reportledy operates its own electroplating system for refining metal surfaces in the building that is on fire. 'The building is now completely burned through on four floors. Part of the building has already collapsed,' Adrian Wenzel, spokesman for the Berlin fire department and on site at the scene of the fire, told German tabloid Bild. He added: 'We are only trying to put out the fire from the outside. The fire can no longer be brought under control from the inside.' Local outlet Berliner Zeitung reported several detonations being heard on site. There are currently 190 firefighters at the site, wearing protective suits. Students and teachers from nearby schools have been sent home as a precaution and several shops in the area have also closed. There is no currently no information available on the cause of the fire, but the spokesman for the fire department said there have been no injuries reported. The operation to get the fire under control is expected to last into the night after firefighters have been struggling to bring it under control since it broke out around 10.30am local time. Parts of the building have reportedly collapsed. Aviva Abramovsky has been named the new dean of the University of Idaho College of Law, the university announced Friday. Abramovsky will take over for Johanna Kalb, who has served as dean since 2021. She will officially take over the role full-time June 10. Abramovsky previously served as dean of the University of Buffalo School of Law from 2017-23. The discovery this year of highly pathogenic avian influenza commonly called bird flu or HPAI in dairy cattle has animal scientists and livestock producers concerned, but the health threat to humans is small, they say. Idaho State Veterinarian Scott Leibsle said the virus has been circulating among waterfowl and domestic flocks for a few years. The virus also has been detected in mink, foxes, raccoons and bears, raising fears that it could mutate and start spreading more easily among people. It is rare for humans to become infected, but symptoms may include conjunctivitis, fever, lethargy, aches, coughing and diarrhea. Being in direct contact with domestic birds is the highest risk activity. When U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines for cooking are followed, HPAI is not a food-borne illness. But when some dairy cattle in Texas began showing symptoms of illness a month or two ago, producers were stumped. The milk was getting sicker and sicker and they couldnt figure out what it was, Leibsle said. Eventually it was determined that avian flu, which has been responsible for the destruction of millions of domestic chicken and duck flocks throughout the U.S. in the past few years, had jumped species and infected the cattle. This is the first time that weve seen any symptoms with cattle being infected, Leibsle said. The disease has not been fatal to cattle, and after a recovery period of about 10 to 15 days, Leibsle said the cows were back to regular milk production. Recently there have been two confirmed cases of avian flu in dairy herds in southern Idaho and one confirmed case of the virus in a domestic flock of birds, according to the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. Where this may be a significant fatal blow to a flock, this is primarily affecting the milk production of dairy cattle, Leibsle said. So this is more of a transient thing, not to be ignored. Our job is to try to limit the spread within the herd so few get sick. Avian flu is transmitted between birds through close mucous contact, fecal matter and sometimes as an aerosol. It is carried on objects such as tools, vehicles, clothes and boots, which can transfer the virus from one location to another. It is a highly contagious virus that can cause high death loss of domestic and wild birds. Signs of HPAI in domestic poultry frequently include sudden death, decreased appetite and activity, breathing difficulty and dark combs and wattles. An 84-year-old man accused of stabbing a woman with a disability in Boston on Friday was arrested, according to police. Police responded to a report of a stabbing on Brandywine Drive in East Boston around 3 p.m. Friday. When officers arrived, they found a 56-year-old woman who had been stabbed, Sgt. Detective John Boyle, a Boston Police Department spokesperson, told MassLive. The woman was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for the stab wound to her neck, which appeared to be life-threatening. It was later determined when she arrived at the hospital her wound was not life-threatening, the department said in a statement. An 84-year-old man, who is from East Boston, was placed under arrest in connection with the stabbing. He was later taken to a nearby hospital for an evaluation, according to the statement. The man is expected to be charged with: assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, a knife; assault and battery on an elderly or disabled person resulting in injury; armed assault in a dwelling; and assault with intent to murder. He will be arraigned in the East Boston Division of Boston Municipal Court, the statement said. Its still an active investigation right now, Boyle noted. No further information, including the name of the man, was immediately released to the public by police. MassLive recently asked readers to identify people who are leaders from the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community throughout the state, working to make a difference in politics, education, business, the arts or another area of interest. Profiles of these leaders will be published through AAPI Heritage Month in May. These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change. Jerren Chang, co-founder and CEO of GenUnityLeise Jones Jerren Chang Age: 31 Community: Boston His story: Jerren Chang is on a mission to heal civic culture. The New York native and alumnus of Duke University, Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School is the CEO and co-founder of GenUnity , a Boston-based community leadership nonprofit that brings people of different backgrounds together via locally-focused programs to drive systemic change. Since its founding in 2020, GenUnity has supported more than 150 everyday leaders who are now expanding access to culturally competent healthcare, promoting housing security through legislation to combat discrimination, and creating new programs to support people in low-income communities of color in becoming first-time homeowners. Chang says growing up as a first-generation Asian American in an affluent New York suburb made him keenly aware of how the lived experiences of people of color are often overlooked, even by people with good intentions. He brought that lens with him to social impact work at McKinsey & Company global consulting firm and later to an economic development position at the Chicago Mayors Office. When Chang arrived in Boston to attend school at Harvard, he started thinking about the need to build deep partnerships between residents closest to the issues and staff at institutions who want to create positive change. From there, GenUnity was born. In his words: A common entrepreneurial phrase is, Fall in love with the problem. Its a great reminder that too often we jump to a solution without understanding the root causes of an issue or the systems surrounding it. By focusing on the problem, we bring a humble inquiry and learning mindset that is essential, especially if we want to address our societys most entrenched inequities. A pro-Palestinian encampment at Tufts University in Medford, protesting the Israel-Hamas War and what organizers called a genocide in Gaza, has been voluntarily dismantled. Both protesters and representatives for the university and the protesters confirmed the move in written statements. Were pleased that the encampment has been taken down and that the protest on the academic quad has been resolved peacefully and voluntarily, said Patrick Collins, a spokesperson for Tufts. The protesters departure was not the result of an agreement with the university. The Tufts Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) group statement on Instagram struck a sour tone about the negotiations with the university in a post on Friday. SJP is deeply angered and disappointed to announce that negotiations with the Tufts administration have failed, the statement reads. The administration offered our Gaza Solidarity Encampment a bad-faith deal that fails to end the universitys complicity in the ongoing genocide in Palestine. The administration even refused to comply with our demand to extend amnesty to students involved in the Gaza Solidarity Encampment and recent protests for divestment. The Students for Justice in Palestine statement also said that taking down the encampment was not related to the negotiations, but did not specify a reason for doing so. While we did not achieve victory today, as SJP, we vow to continue organizing and disrupting business as usual until this university cuts its ties with and fully divests from the zionist entity, the statement concludes. The encampment at Tufts is one among many at colleges and universities across the country, some of which have led to clashes with police and dozens of arrests. At the University of California in Los Angeles, police arrested about 200 protesters, according to the New York Times. Nearly 50 protests have led to arrests since April 18, according to the Times, including at Emerson and Northeastern in Massachusetts. In contrast to many conflicts across the country, students organizing a pro-Palestinian encampment at Brown University were able to make a deal with university officials. The agreement, announced by the university Tuesday, includes a commitment by Brown to invite five students to meet with the Corporation of Brown University, the schools governing body, in May to make the case for divestment of the universitys endowment from companies enabling and profiting from the genocide in Gaza. Brown President Christina H. Paxson also committed to asking the schools Advisory Committee on University Resources Management to make a recommendation on divestment to be brought before the corporation at its October meeting. Activists at neighboring colleges hoped the deal could lead to more deals with other colleges and universities. To Amina Adeyola, an activist at Emerson College, it was exciting to see the power of protest and the resistance of students. Our demands across the country are clear: divestment and call for a ceasefire, she said in a text message to MassLive Thursday. Emersons troubles have only escalated over the past week, when nearly 150 parents sent a letter to senior leaders at the college Thursday calling for President Jay Bernhardts resignation after the arrest of more than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters at the colleges own encampment. A child was taken into custody following a stabbing on the Northbridge town common Friday night that left a man dead and a teenage boy in critical condition, according to authorities. Police received a 911 call around 9:25 p.m. Friday about multiple stabbings on the town common on Church Street in Northbridge. Officers responded to what can only be described as a chaotic scene at the time, Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. said at a press conference Saturday. A 17-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man were found suffering from stab wounds. They were taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, according to Early. The man died from his wounds and was pronounced dead. The teenager is currently in critical condition, Early said. Another 17-year-old boy is suspected of being involved in the stabbings and was taken into custody. Due to the Massachusetts General Laws, authorities cannot release the teens identity to the public, Early noted. The people involved in the stabbing knew each other, according to Early. The teen and man were stabbed during a fight on the town common, Massachusetts State Police spokesperson David Procopio told MassLive in a statement This was an isolated incident between individuals that know each other, Northbridge Police Chief Timothy Labrie said at the press conference. Northbridge police and Massachusetts State Police investigated throughout Friday night and continue to investigate, according to the district attorney. The investigation is active and ongoing, Early said. The teen who was taken into custody is expected to be arraigned in the Milford session of Worcester Juvenile Court on Monday, according to Earlys office. A school bus driver accused of sexually assaulting a boy in Marlborough was charged with rape this week, according to authorities. Derek Thistle, 32 of Marlborough, was arraigned Friday in Middlesex Superior Court on charges of forcible rape of a child, aggravated rape of a child, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and open and gross lewdness in connection with allegedly sexually the boy, who was known to him, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryans office said in a statement. Thistle is accused of exposing himself to the boy while communicating with him on FaceTime in July 2023. The childs aunt, who was also in the home, also allegedly observed the incident, according to the district attorneys offices statement. Following the incident, the boy disclosed Thistle had sexually assaulted him when he was visiting the mans home a few months earlier, the statement said. Thistle has reportedly been working as a school bus driver, the district attorneys office noted. Bail for Thistle was set at $10,000. The judge ordered he stay away from and have no contact with the boy or any witnesses, have no unsupervised contact with minors, remain in Massachusetts and report weekly to probation. His next court date is scheduled for May 17, according to the district attorneys office. A student accused of threatening to shoot up Fontbonne Academy in Milton earlier this week was suspended, according to officials. The Milton Police Department first became aware of the alleged threats Monday evening. Police interviewed students, faculty, staff and a person of interest in the case, Milton Police Deputy Chief James ONeil said in a statement. The person of interest, a student, is accused of making multiple verbal threats to shoot up the school, according to the statement. Fontbonne Academy is working with the Milton Police Department to investigate reports of threatening statements that were allegedly made by a student, the school said in a statement. Detective Louis Bullard filed paperwork Thursday charging the student with threats to commit a crime. There will be a two-party hearing in the Quincy Juvenile Court, where the clerk magistrate will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to issue the criminal complaint against the child, according to ONeil. The student was suspended from school pending law enforcements investigation into the alleged threats, the school noted. While we are troubled by the situation, we are thankful that members of our school community reported these allegations immediately, which allowed us to respond with an abundance of caution to ensure student and staff safety, the school said. Fontbonne Academy is a Catholic, all-girls, college preparatory high school that serves students in grades seven through 12 from Greater Boston and the South Shore. MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. Red Sox DH Masataka Yoshida will receive a second opinion on his injured thumb, manager Alex Cora said Friday at Target Field. The Red Sox placed Yoshida (left thumb strain) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday. He left Bostons game April 28 after jamming his hand during an at-bat. He underwent an MRI on Wednesday but the Red Sox have continued to say they are still gathering information. Yoshida himself didnt provide a diagnosis when he spoke with the media that night. We dont know yet, Yoshida said through translator Yutaro Yamaguchi on Wednesday. Weve been talking to the medical staff and just going through the medical process right now trying to figure out what the next steps will be. Asked if he had an concern about needing surgery, he replied, We dont have anything on that yet. Yoshida is batting .275 with a .348 on-base percentage, .388 slugging percentage, .736 OPS, two home runs, three doubles, 12 runs, 11 RBIs, six walks and 11 strikeouts in 24 games (89 plate appearances). HOLYOKE The community is invited to join The Greater Holyoke Chamber and the Colon family in a ceremonial ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the transformation of the Waterfront Event Venue. The grand opening celebration will be held Saturday, May 4, at 11 a.m. after two years of remodeling. Attendees will have the chance to discover an expo-style showcase with specialty vendors, enjoy complimentary raffles, a 360-degree photo booth, and music from a DJ. The event will also offer guided tours of the newly renovated facility. SOUTHWICK Only two days after the mother of a Black student who allegedly endured racist taunts at Southwick Regional School requested an investigation into how the district handled the allegations, a racial epithet was found scrawled on a wall in the schools bathroom. In an email sent from School Superintendent Jennifer Willard on May 2 to several students parents, she wrote there was an incident in a bathroom including discriminatory language. Riyadh hosted more than 1,000 global leaders for the two-day World Economic Forum (WEF) Special Meeting in Riyadh, where leading political, economics, energy and technology figures called for clear pathways to stability, prosperity and inclusive growth opportunities in the face of rising cross-border challenges. The more than 1,000 participants in for the WEF Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development made it the highest-ever number of registrations for a WEF event hosted outside of its Annual Meeting venue in Davos Klosters, Switzerland. The Special Meeting set the stage for the launch of several initiatives in the fields of healthcare, artificial intelligence, space and sustainability. On the final day of the meeting, chief executive officer of Moderna, Stephane Bancel, said the American pharmaceutical company is working to have the first product for cancer on the healthcare market, potentially as early as 2025. On the first day of the meeting, the Saudi Ministry of Health signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to ensure equitable access to healthcare services for all, and to deliver more vaccines against polio, measles, and other vital health services to millions of children worldwide. It was one of several agreements signed by the Foundation with the Kingdom to improve global health systems and access. During the final plenary session, Saudi Arabias Minister of Economy and Planning His Excellency Faisal Alibrahim announced that the Kingdom joined the AI Governance Alliance, and will co-launch the Inclusive AI Initiative for Growth and Development, to develop solutions for AI access and adoption. The Saudi Space Agency also announced that it will launch the Center for Space Futures in the Kingdom later this year, in collaboration with WEF. The Center will serve as a platform for public-private dialogues and foster the growth of the global space economy. A Saudi Arabia-led Sustainability Champions Network was also launched on the sidelines of the Special Meeting to accelerate Saudis private sector decarbonization efforts. Saudi Arabia also announced an extension to its collaboration with WEFs innovation platform UpLink, with two new initiatives that focus on developing solutions to reducing emissions through the circular carbon economy and regenerating the worlds oceans through blue economy innovations. WEF President Brge Brende hailed the Special Meeting in Riyadh a consequential gathering that drew the attendance of key global leaders including the President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, the United Kingdoms Foreign Secretary David Cameron. Leading philanthropist Bill Gates joined a session on Bridging the Health Gap, alongside Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO), and Fahad bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel, Minister of Health, Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia. Washington State University will begin constructing its Schweitzer Engineering Hall on Monday. The work is expected to be completed in early 2026, according to a news release by WSU. Traffic revisions and sidewalk closures near the site on Spokane and College streets are expected. Southeast Columbia Street will be closed to through-traffic for the duration of construction, according to the news release. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, May 3, 2024 Fortnite developer Epic Games recently asked a federal judge to issue an injunction that would force Google to make significant changes to the way it operates the Play store. Among other requests, Epic asked U.S. District Court Judge James Donato in San Francisco to order Google to allow Android users to sideload some apps -- meaning to download them from sources other than the Play store -- with a single tap and no additional warnings. Epic also wants Donato to order Google to refrain from prohibiting or even discouraging smartphone manufacturers from blocking other companies' pre-installed apps or app stores. Epic requested the injunction after prevailing against Google on antitrust claims relating to the Play store, including claims that Google monopolized the markets for Android app distribution and Android in-app billing. advertisement advertisement Google -- which has signaled it plans to appeal that verdict -- on Thursday urged Donato to reject Epic's proposed injunction for numerous reasons, including that its provisions would threaten users' privacy. The proposed remedy would harm Android users because it contains no exceptions to protect user privacy and security and overall user experience, Google writes. Under Epic's proposal, Google would be unable to adopt reasonable policies to protect users from harmful pre-installed apps or app installers -- apps that have the powerful permission to install other apps, the company says. The company adds that Epic's proposed injunction would prevent Google from asking a manufacturer to avoid pre-installing software that tracked a users location without consent, or that installed other software that users don't want. Google also noted that four years ago, Privacy International and other groups specifically asked CEO Sundar Pichai to crack down on pre-installed apps that could compromise Android users' privacy. The company also noted that it already agreed to streamline procedures for sideloading apps, but said the proposed injunction's terms regarding sideloading are so broad that they would prohibit Google from warning users about risks. Epic's proposed restrictions would require Google to allow non-Play store apps to be sideloaded by a single tap and no extra warnings, unless the app was known malware, or the app had failed to go through an as-yet uncreated notarization-like procedure. But Google says it often doesn't know that a non-Play store app is malware. Instead, Google provides a general warning regarding sideloading when the user enables sideloading, and it may provide additional warnings if it identifies additional risk signals for an app, the company writes. Epic's proposal will prevent Google from providing commonsense warnings in these scenarios. Google also says Epic's proposed notarization-like process is too vague and fails to address questions such as what the process would involve, which company would conduct it, and what standards Google should apply in reviewing apps. Google -- and its customers -- would bear the risks of Android being the first consumer operating system to ever implement decentralized notarization for app review, Google writes. If the notarization process fails to catch a malicious app or if an app cleared by Google later turns malicious, Google would face the reputational and brand risk, even though the app was not distributed by Google and was not available on the Google Play store. Donato will hold a hearing regarding the proposed injunction on May 23. by Teresa Buyikian , May 3, 2024 Fresh summer fruits and milestones mark this weeks round-up. Menu Cold Stone Creamery has introduced two new cakes to celebrate graduation season and Fathers Day. The Create Your Own Graduation Cake allows customers to mix and match ice cream flavors and mix-ins, paired with Yellow, Red Velvet or Devil's Food cake. Each cake is decorated with frosting rosettes in the graduate's school colors and topped with a Chocolate Graduation Cap. The cake is available from May 1 through June 25, 202. For Fathers Day, the ice cream chain has the Caramel & Chocolate in Cahoots cake, which contains devil's food cake, caramel and caramel truffle ice cream, decorated with chocolate shavings and caramel frosting. The Dad cake is available May 15 to June 16. Juice It Up has added three new blends for its seasonal line-up. Mango Lychee, Blueberry Pomegranate and Strawberry Guava will all join the menu, each made with a base of coconut water, dairy free and under 190 calories for a medium size. The limited-time beverages will be available through the summer. advertisement advertisement Perkins Restaurant and Bakerys Strawberry Fresh-tival includes the Fresh Strawberry Mega Pancake Platter, which features two buttermilk pancakes with sugar cookie crumbles topped with Bavarian cream and glazed strawberries. The Fresh Strawberry Cheesecake Pancake Flip Platter includes two slices of Brioche French Toast with cheesecake filling, topped with glazed strawberries and whipped topping. Also returning this year are the Fresh Strawberry Belgian Waffle Platter, Fresh Strawberry Croissant Platter, Fresh Strawberry Crepes Platter and Fresh Strawberry Pie. Locations Chicken Salad Chick has announced new locations in both Kernersville, North Carolina, and Little Rock, Arkansas, opening this month. Marco's Pizza has signed a 15-unit development agreement for 15 locations in northeast Indiana. Port of Subs has announced a new deal to bring ten units to Central Oregon. Randys Donuts has opened two new stores in the Fresno, California area. The chain, known for its iconic giant donut in Los Angeles, has 10 more locations slated for Central California within the next two years. Wing Snob has opened its first college campus location. The University of Michigan unit of the Detroit, Michigan-based chicken wing chain is slated to open to students and faculty in August 2024. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, May 3, 2024 A group of Google users who are suing the company over alleged privacy violations are now battling with it over a key issue in the case -- whether the company adequately disclosed how it collects analytics data. The legal fight, which dates to 2000, focuses on Google Analytics for Firebase -- a tool that can collect data about smartphone users' app usage. Anibal Rodriguez and other consumers alleged in a class-action complaint that Google intentionally created an illusion of user control through its Web & App Activity settings, which users must turn on if they want to save searches and activity in their Google account. The complaint alleged that even when users don't activate the setting, Google uses its Firebase code to collect users communications made via the apps on users devices. advertisement advertisement Shortly after the case was filed, Google asked U.S. District Court Judge Richard Seeborg to prevent the plaintiffs from moving forward, arguing that they consented to the alleged data transfers by accepting Google's privacy policies. Seeborg refused to dismiss the matter on those grounds in May 2021, and allowed Rodriguez and the others to proceed with several privacy-related claims. He wrote at the time that navigating Google's privacy statements is a singularly fragmented affair. The average internet user is not a full-stack engineer; he or she should not be treated as one when Google explains which digital data goes into which digital buckets, and where the corresponding spigots might be found, he added. Since then, Google and the plaintiffs exchanged evidence and questioned each others' witnesses. In April, Google argued to Seeborg that the evidence developed since his May 2021 ruling shows that it accurately described its practices in the Web and App Activity setting, and that no reasonable smartphone user would have expected that the setting could disable the entire data flow from the app to Google. Nobody who uses mobile apps reasonably believes that they can grind the mobile ads ecosystem to a halt by flipping a single button (or any other way), Google writes in a motion for summary judgment. Even when personalization of advertising is disabled, advertising can still be served in spaces where apps choose to sell advertising space. And the server of those apps will of course keep a log that the ad was served, the company adds. Google characterizes the data at issue as non-personal, and says the privacy policies disclosed that the company could use non-personal information for basic record-keeping. On Thursday, lawyers for Rodriguez and the others countered that a jury should decide whether Google's privacy policies adequately disclosed its practices. A reasonable juror could readily agree with plaintiffs that Google represented that it would not collect or save app activity when [Web & App Activity] was off, class counsel argued. Counsel also argued that even if users consented to the collection of analytics data, the consent wouldn't have been voluntary because Firebase (and other related code) is embedded in most popular apps. Seeborg is expected to hold a hearing in the case on July 25. Trusted Source How to Protect Yourself and Others Go to source Trusted Source Did You Know? FLiRT variant KP.2 is swiftly gaining ground, signifying a new phase in the pandemic.#covid #pandemic #medindia FLiRT variant KP.2 is swiftly gaining ground, signifying a new phase in the pandemic.#covid #pandemic #medindia Navigating the Pandemic Landscape: Strategies for Mitigation and Adaptation Advertisement How to Protect Yourself and Others - (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html) In the ongoing battle against COVID-19 , the emergence of new variants has kept the world on edge. Among the latest variants of concern is FLiRT, an offshoot of the JN.1 lineage of the Omicron variant . With cases surging in the United States, understanding FLiRT and its implications is crucial in navigating the pandemic landscape ().FLiRT variants, including KP.2, are characterized by specific mutations labeled F, L, R, and T within their genetic codes highlighting its rapid spread compared to other variants like KP.1.1.A preprint study posted on the bioRxiv server has shed light on the virological traits of FLiRT variant KP.2, revealing heightened transmissibility and resistance to immune responses . Dr. Atul Gogia, Senior Consultant and Head of Infectious Diseases at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, emphasizes the importance of vigilance in monitoring new variants potential impacts, especially among immunocompromised individuals.While JN.1 remains the predominant variant, accounting for 95 percent of COVID-19 cases in the US, projections suggest that KP.2 is swiftly gaining ground. CDC Nowcast estimates predict KP.2 to contribute to a quarter of new COVID-19 cases in the US, signifying its escalating prevalence. However, a study from Japanese researchers suggests that KP.2 might be less infectious than its predecessor, JN.1.In response to the evolving viral landscape, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently recommended future vaccine formulations to be based on the JN.1 lineage. This strategic shift acknowledges the viruss propensity to evolve from this variant, underscoring the importance of staying ahead in vaccine development.Despite the emergence of FLiRT and other variants, established preventive measures remain paramount in curbing transmission. Vaccination , timely testing, mask-wearing, and avoiding crowded indoor settings continue to be vital strategies endorsed by health experts.Dr. Nikhil Modi, Senior Consultant in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, emphasizes that while FLiRT presents as a new variant, its symptoms largely mirror those of its predecessors, primarily manifesting as flu-like symptoms. While the threat posed by FLiRT may not be immediate, cautious monitoring is warranted to assess its trajectory.As the virus evolves, adaptability and vigilance remain our best defense. By staying informed and adhering to recommended precautions, we can collectively navigate the challenges posed by FLiRT and emerging COVID-19 variants Source-Medindia Trusted Source Genome-matched treatments and patient outcomes in the Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI) Go to source Trusted Source Maine #cancer patients witnessed improved outcomes with #genomictumor testing guiding targeted therapy strategies. Yet, despite these advancements, a notable gap persists between testing and actual clinical delivery. Significant Benefits of Genome-Matched Treatments Among Cancer Patients Advertisement Advertisement Genome-matched treatments and patient outcomes in the Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI) - (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41698-024-00547-4) In 2016, The Jackson Laboratory (JAX), a leading cancer research center, initiated the Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI) to extend advanced cancer care to rural Maine patients. Through widespread access to genome tumor testing and targeted treatments, MCGI demonstrates a notable patient benefit, as indicated in a recentpublication. While onlyDespite being an observational study, these findings underscore the potential for substantial survival advantages from genomic tumor testing and tailored treatments ().In this observational study, there were many reasons why cancer patients didnt receive genome-matched treatments after the program sequenced the tumors DNA. A certain percentage of patients did not have an actionable tumor variant detected, so they received standard of care.For the rest, it was a matter of care delivery, said Jens Rueter, M.D., chief medical officer of JAX and medical director of MCGI. Patients may have had an actionable tumor variant but only through participation in a clinical trial that isnt available in rural Maine, or a patients community hospital may not have been able to deliver a treatment thats already on the market.Spearheaded by Rueter, who is also associate director for translational education at JAX Cancer Center and Edison Liu, M.D., former JAX President and CEO., the impetus for launching MCGI in 2016 was the lack of local access to recently developed genomic testing and targeted therapy strategies for cancer patients in Maine. In addition, most patients lacked the time and means to travel to Boston or New York for care. Therefore, JAX created MCGI to bring the latest technology in precision oncology and treatment to patients.In only four years, through 2020, MCGI had partnered with every oncology practice in Maine (there are 13 of them) and enrolled more than 1,600 of their patients. Leah Graham, program director of MCGI, described that early work focused on providing genomic education to oncologists and other healthcare professionals, free access to genomic tumor testing for their patients, and detailed consultation about test results with precision oncology experts through a genomic tumor board.Follow up with the MCGI patients revealed that of the 1,052 who did not receive genome-matched treatments, 399 (37.9%) died within 365 days of consent. This compares with 30.6% (63 of 206) in the genome-matched group. After adjusting for baseline characteristics, the analysis showed that the genome-matched group was 31% less likely to die within the first year than those who received standard care, even though only 9% were able to participate in a clinical trial, a smaller share than previously reported by other studies and might be explained by the rurality of Maine.The percentage of tested patients who received genome-matched treatments in the MCGI study17%--exactly matched the figure found in a larger 2019 Veteran Affairs study, suggesting that delivery of cancer care is not just limited to Maine. Moving forward, the MCGI program will focus more on enabling effective precision oncology care delivery, whether its through its Genomic Tumor Board program, providing access to more biomarker-driven clinical trials within Maine or using mobile outreach to bring treatments directly to patients who might not be able to access it otherwise.The study carries with it several limitations. Patients were primarily white and non-Hispanic, reflecting the population characteristics in Maine; the genomic tumor testing was provided free of charge, potentially expanding its use; the study population also had variable cancer sites and stages.Nonetheless, weve been offering this program for seven years now, and we can see some really positive impacts on patient outcomes, said Rueter. And in the future, we want to do on a population level what were now doing in Maine with MCGI, meaning that every patient receives genomic tumor testing and a thorough biomarker analysis. How we deliver care and how we expand access to clinical trials through MCGI can be a blueprint for other states across the country, especially those with significant rural areas.Source-Eurekalert Prapaporn Choeiwadkoh, a 45-year-old prominent Thai politician, was caught by her husband while naked in bed with her adopted monk son Phra Maha, 24. Back view of a man wearing red monk shawl. Illustration photo by Pexels As the Daily Mail reports, Choeiwadkohs husband, identified as Ti, 64, drove over five hours to their home in the city of Sukhothai because he suspected an affair between his wife and her adopted son. The South China Morning Post noted that although Ti then caught Choeiwadkoh and Phra Maha red-handed, both asserted that they were simply talking. Choeiwadkoh insisted that no sexual activities had taken place, and Phra Maha stated that he was merely seeking advice on personal issues from his adopted mother and they were going to shower. Ti articulated his sense of betrayal, highlighting his financial and emotional contributions to the marriage: "I was furious when I found them together." "I felt so betrayed," he continued. "I had bought her gold and given her many gifts." Accusing the monk of seducing his wife, Ti disclosed that Choeiwadkoh had adopted Phra Maha the previous year from a temple, motivated by her compassion for him. Since the incident, Phra Maha has reportedly abandoned the monkhood and been on the run. The incident has sparked a wave of reactions on Chinese online platforms, with many remarking on the bizarre nature of the situation. A user on Horizon News, where the scandal was first reported, commented: "This news is explosive, with too many elements." "It sounds like pure fiction," this person added. "The world of the wealthy is indeed fascinating and chaotic." Another online comment underscored the convoluted nature of the relationships involved: "A 64-year-old husband, a 45-year-old wife, and a 24-year-old adopted son who is a monk?" "Even dramas dont dare to script this." Known as "Madam Ple," Choeiwadkoh serves as the president of Sukhothais local chamber of commerce and is a member of the Democrat Party. She has been suspended by the party, pending further investigation, following the incident. In Thailand, Buddhist monks are prohibited from being alone in private with women and must also take a vow of celibacy to set an example for their followers. The Mets are bringing up top pitching prospect Christian Scott for his debut against the Rays on Saturday. At least temporarily, he steps into a rotation that includes Jose Quintana, Luis Severino, Jose Butto and Sean Manaea. If Scott sticks in the rotation, right-hander Adrian Houser could be the odd man out. Manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters that Houser will be available out of the bullpen for next weeks series against the Cardinals, which runs from Monday through Wednesday (video link via SNY). Its not clear whether thatll be a permanent move. The Mets are off next Thursday before playing on 13 straight days between May 10-22. Mendoza suggested the Mets havent determined how theyll proceed for that nearly two-week stretch. They could operate with a six-man rotation to give their starters an extra day of rest. If they want to go back to a five-man rotation, the decision would likely come down to optioning Scott back to Triple-A Syracuse or keeping Houser in relief. Joel Sherman of the New York Post wrote last night the Mets are committed to giving Scott at least two starts tomorrows outing in Tampa Bay and a home start next weekend against the Braves before determining whether he should stick in the rotation. Scott has had an excellent five-start run to begin his time in Triple-A. Over 25 1/3 innings, he owns a 3.20 ERA behind a massive 38.3% strikeout rate. Houser, on the other hand, has had a tough first month in Queens. Acquired alongside Tyrone Taylor in an offseason deal with Milwaukee, Houser held a rotation spot through April. He has allowed 8.14 earned runs per nine across six starts as hes struggled to find the strike zone. The 31-year-old righty has walked nearly 15% of opposing hitters. He has issued multiple free passes in all six appearances, including four walks over five innings in yesterdays outing against the Cubs. Housers strikeout rate has dropped to a career-low 11.7%, while his 44.4% ground-ball percentage is his lowest since 2018. Houser was a decent back-end starter for Milwaukee a year ago. In 111 1/3 innings, he turned in a 4.12 ERA with a personal-best 7.1% walk percentage. He has never gotten huge strikeout tallies, but last seasons 20% mark was far better than he has managed thus far. While Housers velocity hasnt significantly changed, he clearly has yet to find his command. That could push him into low-leverage relief if Scott hits the ground running and the Mets want to stick with a five-man starting staff. New York doesnt have the luxury of sending Houser to the minor leagues. He has over five years of service time, so hed have to agree to an optional assignment and would have the right to test free agency if he were outrighted off the 40-man roster. A Michigan man accused of creating online ads selling sex with a minor and setting up dates for her plead guilty to human trafficking. James Madison-Cranford, 30 of Warren, pled to nine counts Friday, May 3 in the 6th Circuit Court including human trafficking a minor for commercial sexual activity, accepting earnings from prostitution and three counts of third degree criminal sexual conduct, according to a news release from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. In 2017, investigators responded to an online ad after receiving a tip about a minor being sex trafficked. They rescued the victim who told officials that Madison-Cranford had her regularly performing commercial sex acts for several months. He had also taken the money that was paid to her. Madison-Cranford also forced the victim to perform sex acts on himself and threatened her with violence to get her to submit, according to the attorney generals office. The exploitation of a minor is an extremely abhorrent act, and I am relieved that traffickers are being held accountable, Nessel said. My office will continue to collaborate with our partners to combat human trafficking and support its victims. Madison-Cranford, who is currently serving a sentence for accepting earnings of prostitution, also pled guilty to transporting a person for the purpose of prostitution, conducting a criminal enterprise and two counts of assault. He will be required to register as a sex offender when he is released from prison. Sentencing is scheduled for June 25. ANN ARBOR, MI - One person was arrested Friday, May 3 after protesters clashed with police outside the University of Michigan Museum of Art. The person, who is not affiliated with university, is the first to be arrested since pro-Palestinian protesters set up an encampment nearly two weeks ago at the University of Michigan Diag to demand the school divest from Israel, according to University of Michigan Police Deputy Chief Melissa Overton About 200 protesters gathered outside the museum Friday night where a dinner was being held to recognize those receiving honorary degrees, Overton said. After the dinner ended, police started to remove barriers when the crowd pushed forward. Police responded by using bikes to push protesters back from the building, according to a video posted on social media from Tahrir Coalition, a student group that organized the encampment. RELATED: No arrests signal hands-off approach as tents for Gaza came to 3 Michigan universities In another post, Tahrir alleged police used pepper spray during the incident. The University of Michigan Police Department did not confirm if pepper spray was used. The incident is currently under investigation therefore no additional information can be released at this time, Overton said. The University of Michigan Police Department, UM Division of Public Safety and Security, Ann Arbor Police, Michigan State Police and the Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office all responded to the demonstration at the museum. Nat Leach, a University of Michigan junior who is part of the Tahrir Coalition, says it wasnt surprising to see police respond this way as tensions on campuses have been escalating across the country. Our main demand is divestment, they said. But one part of that that still has to be met is a face-to-face meeting between the representatives of the coalition and the regents and the president. Student protests over the Israel-Hamas war have popped up at universities nationwide after demonstrators were arrested at Columbia University in mid-April. Since then more than 2,400 people have been arrested at 46 college campuses, according to the Associated Press as students push for universities to cut ties with businesses that are backing Israels military efforts in Gaza. A demonstration UCLA turned violent this week as protesters clashed with counter protesters and police showed up in riot gear to clear an encampment. Police also raided Columbia University this week to arrest protesters who had occupied a building on campus. Forty pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested at the University of Michigan last November after they tried to gain access to a locked administration building. Leach says protesters plan to stick it out even though the semester has wrapped up. Were ready to be here for as long as it takes to win divestment, they said. Since Friday nights protest, Overton says the campus has remained peaceful. ANN ARBOR, MI - Its a classic story: Spend a life in a Midwestern city before embarking on a career in the big city. For Ayanna Aneesa-Rafia, she grew up in Ann Arbor and graduated from Skyline High School. She graduates from University of Michigan on Saturday and plans to move to New York City to pursue an art career. Before heading out, Aneesa-Rafia, 22, left behind her latest work on the walls of Cafe Zola. The exhibition of paintings, Bearing New Leaves, is meant as a sort of personal farewell, she said. This work is really about the transformation between childhood to adulthood, she said. I feel like coming into college, a lot of those questions were coming up and for me, it was the first time on my own. The work relates that to the cyclical nature of the seasons and compares it to the human experience. Aneesa-Rafia, who graduates this weekend with a bachelors degree in fine arts at the Penny Stamps School of Art and Design, actually first interacted with Cafe Zola as a potential employee. During interviews, she said co-owner Hediye Batu found her artwork interesting, leading to this most recent collaboration. She enjoyed my work, and she told me to just bring it over, Aneesa-Rafia said. Itll be like a celebration of you graduating from college and leaving Ann Arbor. It will be just like your farewell. Read more: 5 great Ann Arbor art galleries to check out on a stroll through downtown Artist Ayanna Aneesa-Rafia, a graduating University of Michigan student, decorating the walls of Cafe Zola with her work before embarking on a career in New York.Sam Dodge | MLive.com Aneesa-Rafias work is abstract and eccentric, she said, which she feels fits with the vibe at Cafe Zola. The colors inside also pop, from the exposed red brick to the other artwork inside, she added. Unlike museums where viewers look at a piece and then walk away, Aneesa-Rafia hopes customers will get to sit and enjoy her art for an entire meal. You get to sit here dining, hopefully around people that you love and see really dope art, she said, beaming a smile. Cafe Zola is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The next step for Aneesa-Rafia is working in a New York art gallery and developing connections in the art world. She also hopes to build on her four years of skill-building at Stamps, as well as a year abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. The curriculum at Stamps allowed me to really explore who I am as an artist, she said. We dont really do only one medium, were more multidisciplinary...Ive done textiles. Ive done ceramics. Ive been painting, photography. Leaving her longtime home of Ann Arbor and the university, Aneesa-Rafia cherishes the people that made her who she is before she jets out to New York. My family, my friends (and) my professors have really helped me to shape my path, she said. Ive met so many amazing people that I will keep near and dear to my heart for life. If you would like more reporting like this delivered free to your inbox, click here and signup for our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools. 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. ANN ARBOR About 8,000 students celebrated their graduation from the University of Michigan in a commencement ceremony at Michigan Stadium Saturday, May 4. The ceremony, which began at 10 a.m., was briefly disrupted early on when a group of about 100 students, many wearing keffiyeh scarves, began a protest as U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro addressed newly-commissioned military officers in the front row. *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 By laman Ismayilova Tourism sector serves as a powerful force for promoting intercultural dialogue by uniting people of different backgrounds. Known as a dynamic and evolving industry, the tourism sector provides an abundance of possibilities for cultural exchange. Azerbaijan's rich culture and history, diverse traditions offer travelers lots of opportunities to engage with local communities. The country has embarked upon lots of measures of recovery of the country's tourism sector after the pandemic. As a result, an significant increase in the number of tourists coming to the country has been recorded, which has a positive impact on the Azerbaijani economy. Major works have also been carried out in Azerbaijan's liberated territories to revive tourism. In the near future, Garabagh is expected to be a major tourism destination. Participants of the 6th edition of the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku exchange views on the role of tourism as a tool that connects people and promotes intercultural dialogue within the panel session. As reported by Azernews, the session was moderated by the founder and editor-in-chief of the magazine "Annals of Tourism Research" Jafar Jafari. Addressing the panel session, chairman of the Azerbaijan State Tourism Agency Fuad Nagiyev stated that Azerbaijan's tourism sector has been fully restored after COVID pandemic. A significant increase in the tourism flows has been recorded in this regard. "Azerbaijan's tourism potential is high. Also, tourism creates an opportunity to connect people. With the increasing number of tourists around the world, people of different cultures are constantly exchanging. Tourism plays a major role in fostering intercultural dialogue," Fuad Nagiyev said. UN Tourism Executive Director Zoritsa Urosevic hailed the organization level of the 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue. "Through the forum, we can influence the intercultural dialogue. The role of tourism in creating income is known. To be more clear, ten percent of jobs are related to tourism. More than 1 trillion tourists will be registered in the world in 2023. This is quite a large number. In this sense, we see how tourism creates conditions for domestic and international dialogue", said Zoritsa Urosevic. Chairperson of the Sarajevo City Council Jasmin Ademovic drew attention to the importance of providing more information about tourism to young people. Founder and Managing Director of Songa Africa and Amakoro Songa Lodge Rosette Chantal Rugamba said that Rwanda is a good example in terms of tourism recovery "This country is small and is currently recovering. Tourism has a big role in this regard. We have developed tourism to eliminate poverty and improve the status of our country. Reconstruction tourism is the main condition for this. This is not possible without peace," she said. Senior Expert on Youth and Talent Development Lucy Garner outlined that the collection between tourism and peacebuilding around the world needs to be better understood. Everyone should be able to live in peace. Emphasizing the importance of young people being active in new projects, the expert said: "There are about 1.8 billion young people in the world. They are facing serious challenges recently. Young people are trying to take control of their lives and this is a good sign. We should listen to their opinions and evaluate them. I think that intercultural dialogue will also have a great impact on this. Our goal should be to create conditions for communication between young people of different religions and cultures. Implementation of joint projects is the main condition for this." Member of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics (WCTE) Daniela Otero emphasized the importance of holding such forums for the development of the tourism field. Co-founder & General Director, Get up and Go Colombia Miguel Carvajal noted projects that support communities in the field of tourism. "More centers should be established in this regard, and people should be given information about tourism in those places. I think all countries should have such places. Because indeed, tourism is a very important field," Daniela Otero said. The panel session continued with discussions on other issues of tourism field. Update at 4:15 p.m.: The CHP reports that the wreckage has been cleared from the westbound lane of Highway 108/120 after a motorcycle crash west of Tulloch Dam Road in the Keystone and Knights Ferry Area this afternoon. The rider was flown from the scene to a Modesto hospital, suffering major injuries. Traffic is moving freely, and further details regarding the crash can be viewed below. Original post at 3:30 p.m.: Tuolumne County, CA First responders are on the scene of a motorcycle crash on Highway 108/120 in Tuolumne County. The collision happened around 2:30 p.m. west of Tulloch Dam Road when the bike went off the highway and onto the grassy center divider, came back, and crashed in the second lane of westbound traffic, blocking the lane. The CHP reports the rider was ejected from the motorcycle and lying in the traffic lane. An air ambulance has landed at the scene. The rider suffered major injuries and will be taken to a Valley hospital for treatment. Officers are directing traffic on the westbound lanes, which is slow going. There is no estimated time for when the roadway will completely reopen. Yves here. This post takes stock of how far BRICS have gotten, and seem likely to get over the near and intermediate terms, with their various new currency and new monetary organization initiatives. The short version is not very far. Even though it comes comparatively late in the post, author Eric Toussaint points out that two BRICS new programs, launched in the mid-teens, the Contingent Reserve Arrangement and New Development Bank, have not done much. One issue that Toissant does not spell out (no doubt due to space constraints) is both were very much oversold. Fans have called the Contingent Reserve Arrangement a BRICS Monetary Fund when it is no such think. Its a short term currency swaps facility. By contrast, the New Development Bank can in theory do more but it really cant because permitted loans are in proportion to each member states paid in capital. And on top of that, the New Development Bank has been criticized by former senior officers for being cautious and slow-moving By Eric Toussaint, a historian and political scientist who completed his Ph.D. at the universities of Paris VIII and Liege, is the spokesperson of the CADTM International, and sits on the Scientific Council of ATTAC France. Originally published by the Committee for the Abolition of Illegitimate Debt; cross posted from InfoBRICS In recent years, the rightful rejection of the policies promoted by the traditional imperialist powers (North America, Western Europe and Japan), followed by the announcements made by the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), have aroused great interest and expectations of major changes, including the creation of a common currency to challenge the US dollar as the dominant currency. But what has actually happened? What has been achieved by the New Development Bank and the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA)? How big are the BRICS in a few figures? The five founding member countries of the BRICS, created in 2011, are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. They account for 27% of global GDP, 20% of global exports, 20% of global oil production and 41% of the worlds population. Furthermore, at the summit in August 2023, it was announced that the BRICS group would be enlarged, and the acronym of the enlarged group changed to BRICS+. Six more countries were to join: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Iran and Argentina. Finally, following the election of Javier Milei in November 2023, Argentina withdrew. If we add the five new members to calculate the weight of the BRICS+, the big change compared with the previous situation concerns oil production. The BRICS+ accounts for 42% of world oil production and 51% of greenhouse gas emissions. A few more figures: the BRICS+ account for 29% of world GDP, 25% of world exports and 45% of the worlds population. There has been talk for years about the possibility of the BRICS launching a new currency. Whats the latest? Despite hopes that such a measure will be on the agenda of the next BRICS summit, to be held in 2024 in Kazan (capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, part of the Russian Federation) under the Russian presidency of Vladimir Putin, the creation of a common BRICS currency was not included in the final declaration adopted at the BRICS summit held in August 2023 in South Africa. It is true that in his closing speech at the summit, the Brazilian President announced that the BRICS had spoken in favour of a working group to study a reference currency for BRICS. He also declared, the creation of a currency for trade and investment transactions between BRICS members increases our payment options and reduces our vulnerabilities. The Brazilian economist Paulo Nogueira Batista, who represented Brazil at the IMF from 2007 to 2015 under President Lula, and who was then vice-president of the New Development Bank (created by the BRICS) from 2015 to 2017, is among those hoping that the creation of a BRICS currency will be on the agenda at the 16th BRICS summit. In a communication dated October 2023, Paulo Nogueira Batista said: President Putin himself, as well as President Lula, have often spoken of de-dollarization and the possible creation of a common or reference currency for the BRICS. Since at least 2022, Russian experts have been working on the topic. The reason Russia is the originator of the idea is quite clear. Of course, Nogueira alludes to the sanctions Russia has been under since the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and especially since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Paulo Nogueira Batista goes on to summarise some of the progress made and the many obstacles encountered and concludes: It is our good luck to have Russia presiding over the BRICS in 2024 and Brazil, in 2025 precisely the two countries that seem to be most interested in moving towards the creation of a common or reference currency. If everything runs smoothly, the BRICS may be able to decide to create a currency at the Summit in Russia next year. By the Summit in Brazil, in 2025, the BRICS will perhaps be able to announce the first steps towards its establishment. But there are other voices. Neoliberal economist, Lesetja Kganyago, Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, is far less optimistic than Paulo Nogueira. Here is what William Gumede wrote in Business Day newspaper on 21 August 2023, at the time of the BRICS summit: Kganyago has cautioned over the practicality of establishing a common currency in a trade bloc in which the members are spread over vastly different geographical locations. The success of the euro, the common currency of the EU, has been partially based on geographical proximity, similarity in economic and political institutions and regimes, and individual economies giving up their national currencies. A BRICS currency will also require a BRICS central bank, commonality in monetary policy, alignment of fiscal policies, and synergy between political regimes across the trade bloc. Yet as things stand the BRICS currencies have mismatched central banking regimes and are not easily convertible unlike the EU when the euro was established. China and Russias central banks are also state-controlled, whereas SA, India and Brazil have independent central banks. A big question is whether China or Russia would surrender sovereignty over their national currencies, which would be crucial to the success of a common currency. We might add that it is hard to imagine India under Narendra Modi, who is likely to win the elections in May 2024, coming into conflict with the United States by endorsing the roll-out of a common currency, especially since Sino-Indian economic and military confrontations continue. Confronted with China, India is strengthening its relations with Israel, Washington, Australia and Japan, while supporting Russia in selling its oil and remaining a member of the BRICS. As Kganyago pointed out, India is keen to retain sovereignty over its currency. The same is true of Brazil, as monetary sovereignty enables both countries to maintain or strengthen their influence in their traditional areas of economic influence Brazil with its neighbouring economies: Paraguay, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, etc. and India with Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, etc. I feel it is more crucial to assess what is currently in place than to speculate on the likelihood of a common BRICS currency materialising someday. What is certain is that, beyond the rhetoric of the Russian and Brazilian representatives, in practice, there has been no progress to date in setting up a common currency. In a nutshell, what is the New Development Bank? What is the share of each BRICS country in the New Development Bank and how does it work? The NDB was officially created on 15 July 2014 on the occasion of the 6th BRICS Summit held in Fortaleza, Brazil. The NDB granted its first loans at the end of 2016. The five founding countries each have an equal share of the Banks capital, and none has veto rights. In addition to the five founding countries, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt are also members of the NDB. Uruguay is in the process of making its membership effective. The NDB has a capital of 50 billion dollars, which should be increased to 100 billion dollars in the future. The position of Chairman of the NDB is rotated. Each country has the right to hold the presidency in turn for a 5-year term. Dilma Rousseff, the current president, is Brazilian, and the next president will be Russian and will be appointed in 2025 by Vladimir Putin, who has just been re-elected president of the Russian Federation until 2030. The New Development Bank has announced that it will focus primarily on financing infrastructure projects, including water distribution systems and renewable energy production systems. It insists on the green nature of the projects it finances, although this is highly debatable. What does Paulo Nogueira say about the New Development Bank? In view of his responsibilities as Brazils representative at the IMF and subsequently as vice-president of the New Development Bank (NDB), it is worth publishing a large extract from Paulo Nogueira Batistas comments on the new bank created by the BRICS: The Bank has yet to make a difference. One reason is, frankly, the type of people we have sent to Shanghai since 2015 as Presidents and Vice Presidents of the institution. Brazil, for instance, during the Bolsonaro administration, sent a weak person to become President from mid-2020 to early 2023 technically weak, Western-oriented, with no leadership, and without a clue as to how to conduct a geopolitical initiative. Russia is also no exception, unfortunately the Russian Vice President is remarkably unfit for the job. As the saying goes, rot begins at the top. Weak Management has often led to poor hiring of staff. These internal problems of the Bank were compounded by broader political hurdles, among which tense relations between China and India, the sanctions imposed on Russia since 2014 and, especially, since 2022, as well as the political crises in Brazil and South Africa. These macropolitical issues within and among the founding members have also hurt the NDB. Brazil has now sent Dilma Rousseff, a former President of Brazil, to become President of the institution. She has, however, less than two years to turn around the Bank. Not enough time. Thus, the future of the NDB lies largely in the hands of Russia. This is because Russia will have the opportunity to appoint a new president for 5 years, starting July 2025. I hope Russia will this time be able to send a strong person for the job, someone of high political standing, technically sound, and with a clear view of the geopolitical purposes that led the BRICS to create the NDB. Paulo Nogueiras hopes that Russia will give the NDB much greater strength from 2025 onwards need to be qualified by two major factors. Firstly, developments in the war in Ukraine and the international sanctions imposed on Russia by North America, Western Europe and Japan. Secondly, the NDBs decision on 4 March 2022 to stop granting loans to Russia. The NDB has chosen to respect the sanctions by Washingtons partners and has refrained from granting new loans to Russia due to fears of a credit rating downgrade, since nearly 7% of NDB liabilities are in Russia (the downgrade by New York rating agencies did indeed transpire in mid-2022). This can be verified on the NDB website under the section, All Projects and in particular under all projects in Russia where it can be seen that the last project financed by the NDB in Russia dates back to 2021. What is the status of the BRICS Monetary Fund, known by its acronym CRA? Lets return to the opinion expressed by Paulo Nogueira Batista about the BRICS and their Common Monetary Fund: The BRICS are undoubtedly a major force in the world and have been so since the beginning, in 2008. We can indeed be a crucial factor in the consolidation of a post- Western and multipolar planet. This is what is expected of our countries. One can ask, however, whether the BRICS have lived up to this kind of expectation. How have we fared since we first started working together in 2008, at the initiative of Russia? What can we achieve going forward? In trying to answer the first question I will be frank and sometimes even a bit harsh. Please do not see my words as arrogant or pretentious. They will be the expression of an expert opinion, fallible as all opinions. I hope my remarks will not be completely off the mark. Is it not true that self-criticism, although painful, may be beneficial in the end? I will speak not as an academic researcher but as a practitioner, having been involved in the BRICS process since the beginning in 2008, from Washington DC, and up to 2017, when I left the post of Vice President of the BRICS bank in Shanghai. Beyond speeches, declarations, and communiques, we have achieved so far two practical and potentially very important things: 1) a monetary fund of the BRICS, named the Contingent Reserve Arrangement the CRA; and, more significantly, 2) a multilateral development bank, called the New Development Bank (NDB), better known as the BRICS bank, headquartered in Shanghai. The two existing BRICS financing mechanisms were established in mid-2015, more than 8 years ago. Let me assure you that when we started out with the CRA and the NDB, there was considerable concern with what the BRICS were doing in this area in Washington, DC., in the IMF and the World Bank. I can testify to that because I lived there at the time, as Executive Director for Brazil and other countries in the Board of the IMF. As time went by, however, people in Washington relaxed, sensing perhaps that we were going nowhere with the CRA and the NDB. Paulo Nogueira Batista argues that the slow implementation of the CRA and NDB by the BRICS has meant that the leaders of the IMF and WB, who had previously expressed great concern about the potential for competition, have come to feel reassured. This is a long way from building the new international architecture that people need. The views in the article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of InfoBRICS. Dear patient readers, If you see this note, it means I did not get back in time to complete Links before launch. Please come back at 8:00 AM EDT for your full ration. If Corporations Are People, Then Animals Should Be Too New Republic (furzy). Simpler if animals incorporate, then they get the bennies of being people. No arguments about intelligence, self-awareness, feeling pain and all that. First post: A history of online public messaging ars technica (Dr. Kevin) Does the American Diabetes Association work for patients or companies? A lawsuit dared to ask Guardian (Dr. Kevin) Florida Bans Lab-Grown Meat NBC Politicians can use social media ads to buy votes for 4 per person New Scientist (Dr. Kevin) Jack London, Martin Eden and the liberal education in US life aeon (Anthony L). On its way to extinction. #COVID-19 A massive MASSIVE Norwegian longitudinal study on Long Covid *with* controls and multiple validation tests with over 100000 people followed since the start of the pandemic. It absolutely blows all the usual minimiser excuses out of the water. https://t.co/Hfs4fTH8c4 David Steadson #NAFO (@DavidSteadson) May 4, 2024 Lots of allergies going around. My husbands colleague was suffering from bad hayfever on a call yesterday, so he suggested she test for Covid. Two hours later, she messaged to say it was positive. People need to test. And public health needs to support that.#Covid19 Dame Sa 3.5% (@LongCovidHell) May 4, 2024 Climate/Environment China? This is actually quite funny. The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) probably the most warmongering Think Tank in the US, unintentionally screwed themselves with this because if their adjustments for China's defense spending are correct, then it necessarily means that similar https://t.co/tbumxY00n7 Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) May 1, 2024 India Old Blighty Gaza Gaza Protests New Not-So-Cold War Big Brother is Watching You Watch Senators Want Limits On TSA Use of Facial Recognition Technology For Airport Screening PBS Imperial Collapse Watch Opposing Every War But The Current One, Supporting Civil Rights But Never Right Now Caitlin Johnstone (Kevin W) New Not-So-Cold War Biden AI Judge mulls sanctions over Googles shocking destruction of internal chats ars technica Apple Announces Largest-Ever $110 Billion Share Buyback As iPhone Sales Drop CNBC The Bezzle Guillotine Watch Its Time to Tax the Billionaires Gabriel Zucman, New York Times Class Warfare Antidote du jour. Robert P: Fergus was adopted at ten and is now seventeen. Lives with me in Mesa, Arizona. This photo intends to honor the Arizona artist Ed Mell, who recently passed. See his work Storm and Desert Wash (2007). And a bonus (guurst): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signs legislation repealing abortion ban with help of 5 GOP state lawmakers Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has signed legislation repealing the state's abortion ban with the help of five Republican state legislators The 1864 law, a Civil War-era rule, outlaws abortion from the moment of conception, except when necessary to save the mother's life and without exceptions for cases of rape or incest. The law threatens abortion providers with prison sentences of between two to five years. The law was passed before Arizona was even a state by the territorial legislature. (Related: Federal appeals court temporarily limits Idahos near-total abortion ban due to ongoing legal proceedings.) On April 24, Arizona Democrats' third attempt to get the state House of Representatives to repeal the law succeeded by a narrow vote of 32 to 28, with three Republicans State Reps. Tim Dunn (R-Yuma), Matt Gress (R-Phoenix) and Justin Wilmeth (R-Phoenix) joining state House Democrats and bypassing Speaker Ben Toma (R-Glendale). A week later, the State Senate passed the repeal legislation by a razor-thin margin of 16 to 14 following the defection of two majority senators, Shawnna Bolick (R-Phoenix) and T.J. Shope (R-Coolidge). Bolick, a staunch anti-abortion advocate, tried to justify her decision during the May 1 hearing, delivering a speech about her own difficult pregnancies, including one that ended in a miscarriage that had to be aborted during the first trimester because the child was not viable. Bolick then explained that she is in favor of a 15-week abortion ban, and believes the 1864 law is too draconian and, if given a choice, she would vote for more permissive abortion legislation. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. "We should be pushing for the maximum protection for unborn children that can be sustained," Bolick said. On Thursday, May 2, Hobbs signed the repeal legislation into law. The repeal will go into effect 90 days after the current legislative session ends. Once the repeal is official, Arizona will revert to its previous 15-week ban on abortion, which also lacks exceptions for cases of rape or incest. "Today, we should not rest. We should recommit to protecting women's bodily autonomy, their ability to make their own health care decisions and the ability to control their lives," Hobbs said during the repeal's signing ceremony. Arizona GOP senators slam defectors Republicans criticized the defectors and voiced opposition to Democrats and a potential ballot initiative that would enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution. According to Sen. Anthony Kern (R-Glendale), it was "insanity" for Republicans like Bolick and Shope to claim to be pro-life while voting to repeal the ban. Kern even suggested that the vote could lead to acceptance of pedophilia. Similarly, Sen. Jake Hoffman (R-Queen Creek) praised the 1864 law as one of the best and strongest pro-life measures in the country. He expressed disgust at Republicans crossing party lines on the abortion issue. State Republicans are expected to introduce a ballot measure to limit abortions to either 15 weeks or a more restrictive six weeks. If both chambers of the Legislature agree to the proposal, it will automatically be on the ballot in November. Visit Abortions.news for more stories about abortion bans in the United States. Watch this clip from "Judging Freedom" as Judge Andrew Napolitano discusses how legalizing abortion changed America. This video is from the channel What Is Happening on Brighteon.com. More related stories: NO TO ABORTION TRAFFICKING: Lubbock County Commissioners Court approves anti-abortion transport ban. Newsom calls on Florida women to come to California for abortions after passage of six-week abortion ban in Sunshine State. Missouri AG sues Planned Parenthood for trafficking minors to get abortions in other states. Newsom refusing to renew $54 million Walgreens contract for California because pharmacy chain refuses to sell abortion pills in some states. Theyre coming for your CHILDREN: California Governor Gavin Newsom signs "anti-parent" law. Sources include: TheHill.com MSN.com CNN.com Brighteon.com Beijing warns Washington against crossing red lines to avoid CONFRONTATION Amid calls of cooperation with its rival superpower, China has warned the U.S. against crossing "red lines" under threat of confrontation. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi issued this warning during his April 25 meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Wang remarked that even though the "giant ship" of China-U.S. ties had stabilized, negative factors in the relationship are still increasing and building. According to Wang, the U.S. has been challenging China's core interests and suppressing the country's development. Despite this, Beijing is interested in "stable, healthy and sustainable" relations and "win-win cooperation" with Washington. But China's top diplomat also mentioned that bilateral ties face "all kinds of disruptions" leading to his warning that Beijing and Washington could either engage in cooperation or confrontation, the latter if anything goes wrong. While Wang did not mention it outright, his remarks ostensibly pertained to tensions around the self-governing Taiwan which the mainland considers as a province. Despite agreeing with the "One China" policy on paper, Washington maintains ties with Taipei and supplies it with weapons. "Washington should not interfere in Chinese internal affairs or cross Beijing's 'red lines' when it comes to the nation's sovereignty, security and development," the Chinese foreign minister stressed. Blinken arrived at the Chinese capital from the eastern city of Shanghai on April 25, urging the Chinese government to provide a level playing field for American firms in the country. We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. "There's no substitute, in our judgment, for face-to-face diplomacy" between the U.S. and China, he remarked. The secretary of state also told his Chinese counterpart that the Biden administration "wants to ensure that we're as clear as possible about the areas where we have differences, at the very least to avoid misunderstandings, to avoid miscalculations." Chinese support for Russia a major focus of Blinken's visit Officials from the U.S. Department of State indicated that China's alleged support for Russia amid the latter's conflict with Ukraine would top Blinken's agenda during his visit to Beijing. While China hasn't supplied any weapons to Russia, U.S. officials claim Chinese-made circuitry, aircraft parts and machine tools have been helping Moscow boost its military-industrial capacity. Citing alleged informed sources, the Wall Street Journal reported on April 26 that U.S. authorities are preparing sanctions that would target Chinese companies and cut off some of the country's banks from the global financial system. Blinken urged Chinese paramount leader Xi Jinping to cut back on his nation's support for Russia's defense industry during a separate meeting on April 26, noting that "Russia would struggle to sustain its assault on Ukraine without China's support." The secretary of state also warned that Washington is prepared to act if Beijing didn't heed its concerns. (Related: Blinken meets with Xi in Beijing as China puts onus on US to stabilize deteriorating relations.) Ties between the two nations have also been strained by China's claims over the South China Sea and U.S. export bans on advanced technology. They were further damaged by a row over a spy balloon last February. Then, just a few days ago, the U.S. passed a law that would force Chinese-owned TikTok to sell the hugely popular video app or be banned in America. Washington also approved its latest aid package early this week which included military assistance to Taiwan. This drew sharp criticism from Beijing. Visit CommunistChina.news for stories related to U.S.-China relations. Watch China expert Gordon Chang explaining why U.S. President Joe Biden forging relations with China is the "biggest diplomatic mistake" he has committed in the clip below. This video is from the NewsCips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Biden administration looks DESPERATE to reestablish normal communications with China. War between the U.S. and China over Taiwan could cost the global economy a staggering $10 TRILLION. Russia, China discussing plans to "double counteract" U.S.-led alliance of Western nations. Despite Biden claiming otherwise, majority of Americans still view China as the "GREATEST THREAT" to the U.S. Sources include: SHTFPlan.com RT.com WSJ.com Brighteon.com Canadian health authorities asked Pfizer to provide information about DNA fragments in COVID-19 vaccines The Canadian drug regulator pressed Pfizer for data about the size of the DNA fragments in its mRNA COVID-19 vaccine amid concerns about genomic integration after finding out the company withheld information about the jabs DNA sequences. This is according to information that was recently released as part of an access to information request. It shows that Health Canada sent a formal request for clarification to Pfizer on August 4, 2023, and that an official with the regulator was keeping their American and European counterparts updated on their interactions with the Big Pharma firm as they determined the best way to deal with the recently discovered impurities in DNA fragments. Health Canada Vaccine Quality Division Senior Scientific Evaluator Dr. Dean Smith wrote to officials at the FDA and the European Medicines Agency: As you are aware, the fragment size is related to the probability of integration, and the WHO guidance assumes a fragment size of generally less than 200 bp. However, the average fragment size in a study of Canadian mRNA vials carried out by virologist Dr. David Speicher was 214 base pairs (bp), and some were as big as 3.5 kilobase (kb). There are numerous potential problems associated with DNA fragments, including a greater risk of cancer. Depending on their size, they may produce aberrant proteins. Dr. Speicher said: These proteins can affect cellular metabolism, an immune response, as well as an increased risk for cancer. The risk of integration and associated health problems increases with the number of shots. We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. Scientists from Health Canada held private discussions about working with international partners to get Pfizer to remove the Simian Virus 40 (SV40) sequences and DNA fragments from the jabs and drafted a series of requests for clarification from the vaccine maker. Health Canada was reportedly caught off guard by the presence of genetic substances in the vaccines that Pfizer failed to disclose, sending a number of requests for additional information following their submission to get their updated Omicron shot authorized. When grilled by the health authority about the size distribution of the DNA fragments and the presence of residual intact circular plasmid, Pfizer brushed them off, claiming the data was unavailable and that they would need time to generate it. They also maintained that no other regulators in the world had asked them for such information. Although they promised to supply more information by December 1, the access to information response does not include any reply. However, Health Canada did submit another request for information reminding Pfizer to provide the data and added a request for them to explain whether the residual DNA plasmid is capable of replication in bacteria. Dr. Speicher said that only circular plasmids can replicate in a bacterial host, and they have the potential to create a bacterial spike factory. This would cause an increase in antibiotic resistance of the bacteria including pathogens and increase spike production, and we know that spike is toxic on so many levels, he added. Why is Pfizer being so evasive? Pfizer should have tested this prior to releasing the jabs, he said, and their claim that they did not have the data could be an indication that they never conducted these tests. University of South Carolina Cancer Genetics Lab Director Dr. Philip Buckhaults has launched a study exploring the issue, while Florida State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo has called for the use of the shots to be stopped while these effects are investigated. He also sent a letter to the FDA expressing his concerns about the safety of the vaccines. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com Fox35Orlando.com Colombia CUTS diplomatic ties with Israel over continued genocide of Palestinians in Gaza The South American nation of Colombia has severed ties with Israel over the latter's genocide of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced the move on May 1, with the end of diplomatic ties commencing the following day. The left-wing Colombian leader made this proclamation during a Labor Day speech in the capital Bogota. "Here, in front of you as the president of the Republic [of Colombia], I announce that on May 2, we will break off diplomatic relations with Israel for having a genocidal environment," Petro said. The president also expressed solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza whose "children have died, dismembered by bombs." He continued: "A time of genocide, of an extermination of an entire nation before our eyes, cannot return. If Palestine dies, humanity dies." According to Russia Today (RT), Petro's announcement was a fulfillment of his promise in March. Following a resolution by the United Nations Security Council seeking an immediate ceasefire and more humanitarian aid to Gaza, he vowed to sever Bogota's ties with the Jewish state should Tel Aviv fail to meet the demands. Colombia's decision did not sit well with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, who took to X to voice out his condemnation. The Israeli official accused Petro of abetting Hamas formally the Islamic Resistance Movement and "siding with the most despicable monsters known to mankind" in a May 1 post. In true Israeli fashion, Katz also branded Petro as a "hate-filled, anti-Semitic president" in the same post. We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. Several countries Brazil, Chile, Bolivia, Honduras, Belize, Chad, Jordan, Bahrain, Turkey and South Africa have recalled their ambassadors from Israel due to the hostilities in Gaza, with some breaking ties entirely. South Africa has also brought a case against Israel in the International Court of Justice at The Hague, accusing it of genocidal acts against civilians. But Pretoria also denounced Hamas for its Oct. 7 attack, which the group dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. Petro earlier threatened to sever ties with Israel This was not the first time Petro threatened to cut ties with Israel. Last October, he brought up the possibility of Bogota and Tel Aviv ending diplomatic relations after the Jewish nation suspended military exports to the South American country. According to Colombia Reports, "Israel has long sold un-assembled Galil rifles to Colombia's state-run military industry factory Indumil." The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced the suspension of "security" exports in response to Petro's opposition to crimes against humanity committed by Israel's security forces in illegally occupied territories. The suspension came weeks after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The Colombian president compared the Gaza Strip to concentration camps where Nazis killed millions of Jews during World War II. He also condemned the "genocide" of Palestinian civilians in a flurry of social media posts. (Related: Colombia threatening to cut diplomatic ties with Israel over "neo-Nazi" GENOCIDE in Gaza.) Lior Haiat, spokesman for the MFA, denounced Petro's remarks at the time. According to him, the Colombian leader's statements "reflect support for the atrocities committed by the Hamas terrorists, fuel anti-Semitism, affect Israel state representatives and threaten the peace of the Jewish community in Colombia." Haiat continued that "as an initial measure, Israel decided to suspend security exports to Colombia." "If we have to suspend foreign relations with Israel, we will suspend them," Petro responded, adding that Colombians "don't support genocides." He also asked other Latin American governments for solidarity and urged Israelis to support peace. Head over to IsraelCollapse.com for similar stories. Watch former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert explaining that "nothing can be solved overnight" on the issue of Israel versus Iran. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Turkish leader pushes to end conflict in Gaza Strip, calls Israel a WAR CRIMINAL. Global diplomats livid over EU president's support of Israel's repeated war crimes in Gaza. Turkey's Erdogan threatens WAR against Israel for their relentless BOMBING of Gaza Strip. Israel and South Africa face off at the International Court of Justice over Gaza genocide case. ALONE IN THE DESERT: South Africa, Chad join DIPLOMATIC BOYCOTT of Israel, adding to the growing list of countries protesting against Israel's genocide in Gaza. Sources include: RT.com ColombiaReports.com Brighteon.com Columbia crackdown led by university prof doubling as NYPD spook Rebecca Weiner is a Columbia U. professor who also serves as intelligence director of the NYPD. Mayor Eric Adams credits her with spying on anti-genocide student protesters and directing the militarized raid that dislodged them from campus. (Article by Wyatt Reed and Max Blumenthal republished from TheGrayZone.com) The violent crackdown carried out on Columbia University students protesting Israels genocidal assault on the Gaza Strip was led by a member of the schools own faculty, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has declared. During a May 1 press conference, just hours after the New York Police Department arrested nearly 300 people on university grounds, Adams praised adjunct Columbia professor Rebecca Weiner, who moonlights as the head of the NYPD counter-terrorism bureau, for giving police the green light to clear out anti-genocide students by force. She was the one that was monitoring the situation, Adams explained, adding that the crackdown was carried out after she was able to her team was able to conduct an investigation. Congratulations to SIPA Adjunct Professor Rebecca Weiner, who was recently appointed as Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence and Counterterrorism of the NYPD by @NYPDPC Edward Caban.https://t.co/DqvBZIaFTJpic.twitter.com/zMOFrOLnGY Columbia | SIPA (@ColumbiaSIPA) July 24, 2023 On April 30, dozens of police in riot gear descended on Columbias Hamilton Hall after students seized the building earlier in the day, citing a request from the administration. Several hours later, officers used a heavily armored NYPD BearCat vehicle to enter the building through the window on the second floor and arrested those inside, while another team swept up members of the encampment outside. Starting on April 17, students at Columbia escalated their ongoing protest against Israels genocidal assault on the besieged Gaza Strip. They encamped on school grounds, stating their refusal to leave until the university fully divested from its Israeli-related investments. That protest model has since spread to over 100 other universities in the US, and even been taken up abroad, with similar actions occurring at Leeds University in the UK and the Sorbonne in Paris. Just a few hundred meters from the Gaza protest encampment, Weiner maintained an office at Columbias School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). Her SIPA bio describes her as an Adjunct Associate Professor of International and Public Affairs who simultaneously serves as the civilian executive in charge of the New York City Police Departments Intelligence & Counterterrorism Bureau. In that role, according to SIPA, Weiner develops policy and strategic priorities for the Intelligence & Counterterrorism Bureau and publicly represents the NYPD in matters involving counterterrorism and intelligence. The NYPDs Counterterrorism Bureau currently maintains an office in Tel Aviv, Israel, where it coordinates with Israels security apparatus and maintains a department liaison. Weiner appears to serve as a bridge between the Bureaus offices in Israel and New York. The NYPD liaison in Israel has sent hourly updates to NYPD headquarters in lower Manhattan since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel, per NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism Rebecca Weiner Bahar Ostadan (@BaharOstadan) January 31, 2024 A 2011 AP investigation revealed that a so-called Demographics Unit operated secretly within the NYPDs Counterterrorism and Intelligence Bureau. This shadowy outfit spied on Muslims around the New York City area, and even on students at campuses outside the state who were involved in Palestine solidarity activism. The unit was developed in tandem with the CIA, which has refused to name the former Middle East station chief it posted in the senior ranks of the NYPDs intelligence division. Read more at: TheGrayZone.com Houthi blockades prompt Israeli port of Eilat to lay off half its workers Blockades by Houthi rebels have seriously compromised the Israeli port of Eilat on the northern tip of the Red Sea, and now half of its workers could lose their jobs due to the resulting financial hit. Last month, Israels main labor federation, Histadrut, said that Eilat port management declared its intention to fire half of its 120 employees. The port was one of the first to be impacted when shipping companies started rerouting their vessels to avoid the area as Iran-backed Houthi rebels started attacking ships in response to Israel's military campaign in Gaza. Eilat is not nearly as big as Israels major Mediterranean ports in Ashdod and Haifa, which handle most of the Jewish states trade. However, its position adjacent to the only coastal access point of Jordan at Aqaba gives Israel an entrance to the east without having to traverse the Suez Canal. It mainly handles car imports and potash exports from the Dead Sea. As of December, they had already noted a reduction in activity of 85 percent since Houthi attacks in the Red Sea began. They warned at the time that layoffs would be forthcoming should the attacks continue. Now, they are being accused of taking advantage of the war and compromising the livelihoods of their employees. The chairman of the transportation workers union said in a statement: It would have been right for the company at this time to have embraced the workers and their families, and not chosen the easy way of attempting mass layoffs. We wont be a part of this. A total of 149,000 vehicles entered the port of Eilat from the east in 2023; none have entered since the beginning of the year. We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. Houthi rebels are achieving their goals Houthi rebels started to attack ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in November in what they claim is a show of solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza who are being subjected to endless violence since the war between Israel and Hamas began as a result of the terror groups attack on Southern Israel on October 7. They have caused major disruptions to global shipping, with many shipping companies being forced to reroute and take longer and far more expensive journeys all the way around southern Africa. This has extended voyages to the Mediterranean by as long as three weeks and incurred additional fuel expenses for shippers. In addition, the costs for seven-day voyages via the Red Sea have grown by hundreds of thousands of dollars. The damage caused by the Houthi attacks is not just financial; the attacks are also prompting fears that the war between Israel and Hamas could spread and encompass other parts of the Middle East. Of particular concern is the fact that the group has claimed it will only be targeting vessels that are connected to Israel in some way, such as those owned by Israeli companies. However, they have attacked vessels on numerous occasions that do not have any clear links to Israel, including one that was carrying cargo for Iran, which backs the rebels. The Houthi rebels campaign appears to be picking up speed lately. Last week, they attacked a ship traveling in the Gulf of Aden the day after an allied war ship reportedly shot down a Houthi missile that was targeting a vessel in the same area. In separate incidents, European Union forces shot down a drone launched by Houthis, and the British war ship HMS Diamond destroyed a Houthi missile aimed at merchant ships. Since November, Houthi rebels have launched more than 50 attacks on shipping, including sinking and seizing vessels. They have also fired missiles at Israel, but most of them have either missed their target or have been intercepted. Nevertheless, Eilat's financial problems are a sign that the rebels appear to be achieving their aims with this campaign. Sources for this article include: TimesOfIsrael.com APNews.com Jews didnt kill Jesus US House of Representatives The US House of Representatives has passed a bill which its authors claim is aimed at combating anti-Semitism in American universities. If signed into law, it would mean suggesting that Jesus Christ was killed by Jews could be classed as anti-Semitism. (Article republished from RT.com) The Antisemitism Awareness Act contains a list of contemporary examples which have been shared online by social media users, including Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. Among the cases of hatred toward Jews mentioned in the document is using the symbols and images associated with classic anti-Semitism (e.g. claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis. Approved by 320 votes to 91 on Wednesday, with 21 Republicans and 70 Democrats opposing, the bill would require the US Department of Education to adopt a broad definition of anti-Semitism used by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), which describes the phenomenon as certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Taylor Greene was among the lawmakers who voted against the bill. Antisemitism is wrong, she wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, but added that she would not support legislation that could convict Christians of antisemitism for believing the Gospel that says Jesus was handed over to Herod to be crucified by the Jews. Other anti-Semitic acts mentioned in the bill include accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel than to the interests of their own nations, making allegations about a world Jewish conspiracy and or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government, as well as drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis. Since mid-April, students have set up protest camps at more than 40 colleges across the US, demanding a stop to the violence in Gaza and an end to Washingtons support of Israel. The demonstrations were initially peaceful, but clashes have erupted at Columbia University in New York, UCLA, and other colleges as police moved in to disperse the gatherings. Hundreds have been arrested amid the unrest. Israel is facing increasing international criticism over the rising death toll among Palestinians following its latest invasion of Gaza. According to the enclaves health ministry, more than 34,000 people have been killed in the ongoing airstrikes and ground offensive. The campaign was launched in response to the October 7 cross-border attack on Israel by Hamas, in which at least 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage. Read more at: RT.com Traitor House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, parrots Zionist propaganda lies about babies cooked in ovens In this week's installment of useless politicians spotted in the wild, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) appeared at Columbia University to reprimand pro-Palestine protesters for exercising their free speech rights, once again dredging up the "babies cooked in ovens" myth to try to justify Israel's genocide in Gaza. With microphones in front of him that could only be heard by the press there were no actual speakers set up for any of the students and faculty to hear what he was saying Johnson rattled off a slew of Israeli propaganda linking anti-genocide protesters to pro-Hamas terrorists. "Israeli women and children were savagely raped and murdered and infants were cooked in ovens," Johnson said while surrounded by his political entourage watch below: ???? U.S Speaker Mike Johnson says Israeli infants were "cooked in ovens" on October 7 ? pic.twitter.com/hE55ZWcZaw Keith Woods (@KeithWoodsYT) April 24, 2024 (Related: From day one, it was obvious that Johnson is an Israel-first neocon and did you also know that he heavily pushed Wuhan coronavirus [COVID-19] "vaccines," making "getting vaccines into arms" one of his top priorities during the "pandemic?") Remember when Mike Johnson celebrated the BLM riots for taking on "white privilege?" The babies cooked in ovens hoax originated from the lips of United Hatzalah President Eli Beer, the head of Israel's emergency medical services department, while speaking to the Republican Jewish Congress in the aftermath of October 7. This is where that claim originated. And yes, he just made it up https://t.co/rcSIkSqpfV Keith Woods (@KeithWoodsYT) April 24, 2024 Within two days of making these false claims, Beer was debunked as a misinformation spreader by Israeli journalists who set the record straight. Johnson apparently missed the memo, though, as he repeated the lie on the steps of a building at Columbia during a staged speech. Johnson also repeated another common October 7 lie about Hamas "mass rapes" of Israeli citizens. This, too, was made up in the aftermath of October 7 to rile up the country against Hamas in preparation for Israel's planned eventual war against Iran, which the Zionist state expects the United States to fund and execute. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) also told lies at Columbia about how Hamas "beheaded" babies. Once again, this never happened on October 7 and is merely a shock value ruse aimed at making the American people furious at Gaza to the point that they will justify in their own minds Israel committing genocide against innocent Palestinians. "What does it say about the ground these AIPAC-funded clowns are standing on that they have to spread atrocity propaganda lies to justify Israel's genocide?" asks Chris Menahan, writing for Information Liberation. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. "Where were these clowns when BLM were burning down our cities during the Summer of Floyd in the name of fighting 'white supremacy?' Did anyone in the GOP give a speech defending white people from that blood libel? Of course not. Mike Johnson responded to the BLM riots by crying about how 'white privilege' is real and lamenting how George Floyd was 'objectively' murdered." Mike Johnson believes that white privilege is real and systemic change is needed. How is this man the GOP Speaker? pic.twitter.com/DLHVxxcehm End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) April 19, 2024 "By supporting the genocide of Palestinians by the IDF, Johnson is a certified war criminal," one commenter wrote about America's right-wing House speaker. "He is sending money and lethal weapons supporting a gang of psychopathic murderers." "The Zionists never stray far from their script," wrote another. "They used this same tactic during WWI to turn Americans against Germany, claiming in all the major newspapers in America that up to that point had been pro-German that German soldiers were killing Red Cross nurses, cutting off babies' hands, etc. in order to manipulate the American public against the Germans." "This was part of their plan to drag America into WWI on the side of Britain in exchange for the Balfour Declaration and the land grab from Palestine." No, Hamas did not cook Israeli babies in ovens. Learn more at Propaganda.news. Sources for this article include: InformationLiberation.com NaturalNews.com UNMAS: There is more war debris in Gaza after seven months than in Ukraine after over two years The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has revealed that there is more war debris and rubble in the Gaza Strip after just seven months of conflict than in Ukraine after over two years. "Gaza has more rubble than Ukraine, and to put that in perspective, the Ukrainian front line is 600 miles long, and Gaza is 25 miles long," said Mungo Birch, chief of the Mine Action Program in the occupied Palestinian territories. According to Birch, the UN demining operations in the Gaza Strip estimated a staggering 37 million tons of debris in Gaza, equating to approximately 300 kilograms (661 pounds) per square meter. However, Birch added that the peril extends beyond the sheer quantity of rubble. UNMAS officials warned the public that the presence of unexploded ordnance and the potential exposure to toxic substances further complicates the clearance process. (Related: Ukraine proxy war & Gaza genocide fatally expose Western hypocrisy and moral bankruptcy.) "This rubble is likely heavily contaminated with unexploded ordnance, but its clearance will be further complicated by other hazards in the rubble. There's estimated to be over 800,000 tonnes of asbestos alone in the Gaza rubble," Birch said. Birch noted that the presence of asbestos, a cancer-causing mineral commonly used in construction materials, poses significant health risks and demands special precautions during clearance operations. The presence of this toxic substance requires urgent, meticulous planning and stringent safety protocols to safeguard both clearance teams and civilians residing in the area. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. It could take decades to make Gaza Strip a safe and habitable place again During a press briefing, Birch said UNMAS has already secured $5 million of funding to restore the Gaza Strip over the next 12 months. But the organization needs significantly more funding over the next few years just to make Gaza safe to live in again. Pehr Lodhammar, the former head of UNMAS operations in Iraq, echoed the sentiment. "All I can say is that at least 10 percent of the ammunition that is being fired potentially fails to function with 100 trucks we're talking about 14 years of work with 100 trucks, so that's 14 years to remove with about 750,000 workdays person workdays to remove the debris," Lodhammar said. Moreover, a UN report suggests that, with approximately 80,000 homes razed to the ground, the reconstruction of Gaza may stretch well into 2040. In a best-case scenario, where construction materials are delivered at an unprecedented rate, rebuilding the destroyed homes could be completed by 2040. However, the report also warns that under more realistic projections, Gaza may require up to 80 years to restore all housing units. The devastation extends beyond residential areas. Satellite images reveal that 85.8 percent of schools in Gaza have suffered some level of damage since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war. Meanwhile, over 70 percent of these educational institutions require major and full reconstruction. Meaning, the daunting Gaza Strip restoration would take decades to make it a safe and habitable place again. Follow WWIII.news for more stories about the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Watch this video about innocent children in Gaza getting bombed by Israeli forces. This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Gaza Strip could prove to be a DEATH TRAP for assaulting Israeli forces. Gaza-based journalists JOINED HAMAS during the Oct. 7 attacks and massacres in Israel. Gaza doctors send "SOS to whole world" as U.S. suggests evacuation corridor to Egypt. Gaza children now suffering from severe dehydration and malnutrition while Israel denies access for aid convoys. Gaza media office: Israel has dropped 40,000 tons of bombs since October 7, dwarfing the size of the Hiroshima explosion. Sources include: Barrons.com News.UN.org Reuters.com Brighteon.com Title changed Details added: first version posted on 13:58 TBILISI, Georgia, May 4. Asian Development Bank (ADB) proposes to establish multi-donor trust fund to reduce climate finance gaps in CAREC (Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation) countries, Head of ADB Regional Cooperation for Central and West Asia Lyaziza Sabyrova said during a briefing within the ADB annual meeting in Tbilisi today, Trend reports. The fund should address and reduce infrastructure and climate finance gaps in CAREC countries, as well as accelerate achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement, she explained. According to her, the South Korea and ADB have already signed a letter of intent to contribute $3 million in grant resources. The goal is to support the preparation of cost-effective regional projects related to climate and SDGs, by expanding capacity to include climate and other SDG-related aspects, to develop regional projects in traditional and emerging sectors, as well as cooperation in regional projects, including those related to trans-boundary climate impacts, and joint initiatives and programs to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and develop regional carbon trading," the bank official added. The meeting of the Board of Governors started today. The opening marks the official start of the annual meeting. It is attended by distinguished guest from the host country. To note, the theme of the 57th Annual Meeting, to be held May 2-5, is Bridge to the Future. The Annual Meeting is an opportunity for ADB Governors to address development issues and challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region. Several thousand participants regularly join the meeting, including finance ministers, central bank governors, senior government officials, representatives of the private sector, international and civil society organizations, youth, academia, and the media. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel U.S. police have been training with the Israeli military (IDF) for brutal crackdown on free speech in America If you thought the United States was a sovereign nation in charge of its own affairs, think again. In many ways, America is just the military arm of Israel where free speech is increasingly under assault by law enforcement, which for years has been training with Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to oppress We the People whenever we make our voices heard on things like Israel's genocide in Gaza and war in general. Chris "Adequate Citations" Martenson, PhD, (@chrismartenson) tweeted a screenshot see below showing how the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has been working in cahoots with U.S. police forces to embed Israeli military-style oppression tactics within police departments. In illustration of the U.S. police transformation from public servant to fascist oppressor, check out this creative video depicting the changing image of the Lego police officer over time. (Related: President Trump is just another politician who is selling America down the river for Israel.) Israel behind police abuse of minorities The first article featured in the above screenshot from Jewish Voice for Peace is a real eye-opener, explaining how Israel has been militarizing U.S. police for many years. Only after the George Floyd incident did the Israel-U.S. police partnership hit the "pause" button after it was revealed via leaked documents and whistleblower testimony that Israel is, in fact, responsible for the militarization of U.S. police and all the oppression that comes with it. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. As explained by Jewish Voice for Peace, senior ADL staff sent a draft memo entitled "Law Enforcement Trainings in Israel" to CEO Jonathan Greenblatt at the height of the Floyd saga in June 2020 fully explaining how Israel's impact on U.S. police has created a hostile relationship between police officers and citizens across the country. "... the document details how the ADL, one of the main facilitators of police exchanges between the U.S. and Israel, was forced to acknowledge that its exchange program helped militarize U.S. police and harm communities of color," Jewish Voice for Peace reported. "The leaked memo also reveals that the ADL decided to disrupt their police exchange program in large part due to sustained campaigning by the nation-wide Deadly Exchange campaign and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP). JVP, along with its coalition partners across the U.S., sees this as a key, vital step towards stopping the militarization of our communities, defunding and abolishing policing, and challenging the U.S. - Israel alliance that maintains Israeli apartheid." Israel trained U.S. police officers to use excessive force Blacks and others who say their communities are heavily abused by the police deserve to know that Israel is behind it all, having trained many U.S. police officers in the ways of using excessive force. The Guardian and Jewish Currents, which also reported on the memo to Greenblatt, published quotes from a county sheriff in California who says he was sent to Israel in 2017 for an ADL training session. In short, the sheriff left the training at its conclusion by saying that "we'd be in jail if we did something like that here." In other words, Israel is a fascist state whose government wants the United States to also be a fascist state. And Israel is transforming America into a police state by basically infiltrating police departments across the country and turning law enforcement officers into military troops rather than public servants whose job it is to keep the peace. Thanks to Israel, gone are the days of Andy Griffith and other such depictions of normally dressed, civil police officers who are friends and neighbors just like every other. Now, police officers are armed to the teeth dressed in garb that belongs on a battlefield, not on civilian streets. For now, the ADL's indoctrination campaign against U.S. police remains paused due to concerns about public perception in the aftermath of Floyd. Perhaps that tragic incident will lead to the type of change that restores U.S. law enforcement back to what it once was rather than what it has become and still is becoming. "We need to have a serious conversation about a foreign power influencing policy like this," tweeted someone on X about these revelations. "Are we a sovereign nation or not?" "The destabilization of America is going according to plan, it seems," wrote another. "Whitney Webb's book (massive tome) explores this connection," wrote someone else. "One Nation Under Blackmail is the title. There's an audio edition as well." "U.S. police have been training with the IDF for at least 10 years," added another to the conversation. "Some Americans care more about Israel than American college students," said another in absolute disgust. "Absolutely bonkers the power of propaganda." How much longer do you think Zionism will rule the day? Find out more at Prophecy.news. Sources for this article include: Twitter.com NaturalNews.com JewishVoiceForPeace.org Prather Point: Jeffrey Prather urges Americans to GATHER TOGETHER in preparation for the COLLAPSE Brighteon.TV Retired intelligence officer Jeffrey Prather discussed the importance of Americans gathering together and preparing for the coming collapse as a group during a recent episode of "The Prather Point" on Brighteon.TV He urged his viewers to join the Great American Meetup (GAM) on June 7 to 9 at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Prather clarified that this event won't be similar to the ReAwaken America Tour organized by Clay Clark, the host of "Thrive Time Show" on Brighteon.TV. Whereas Clark's event sees attendees of about 4,000 to 5,000 people, the GAM is expected to have fewer audience. The event seeks to gather "committed people" who want to train together, pray together and earn each other's trust. "That's what 'neighboring up' really means," said the "Prather Point" host. "Because with the coming collapse, you're not going to be able to make it on your own. That is a myth." The host continued that what the GAM is doing is preparing people to survive the coming collapse, something he described as an "unavoidable tribulation." He stressed that a grid down event looms, noting that the outage that affected 911 emergency services in four states was a false flag run given that the four states were constitutional, conservative and Christian. Aside from this, a civil war is being presented in the form of articles about it and the recent movie titled "Civil War," which stars actress Kirsten Dunst. "They want to con us with the cover of civil war and civil war is the worst kind of war. But we've already had a civil war. It's not really the case at all. It's us against them," the former Special Operations soldier explained. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. "It is the Deep State against the people, it is the resetters against the resistance. Most concisely, it is the parents against the pedos. But they'd like to bill it as a a civil war and they're trying hard to do that. So I think that this is very likely that this is what is going to be happening and they want to cover it with civil war because they are so corrupted." America soon to witness "scripted conflict" According to Prather, the conflict between Iran and Israel is "really scripted" and something similar will happen to America. This scripted violence, he added, culminates into a wider war that fits the One World Government (OWG) goal of the globalist elites. "It all fits very clearly to what [is happening] and why this is happening. This has been going on for so long. One reason why I say it is demonic is because if you look at the scope of the plan and the depth of the plan over multiple lifetimes, it's just beyond mortals to be able to do that." The "Prather Point" host noted that the failed race war didn't work in America. Thus, the globalists are now shifting tactics by trying to spark a religious war between Muslims, Christians and Jews. (Related: Aamar the Muslim: GLOBALISTS have driven a wedge between Christians and Muslims, encouraging them to hate each other.) Prather added that he thinks this religious war is coming and people won't be able to survive it on their own. Thus, neighboring up and developing good relations with people who can be trusted and know what they are going to do is important. "You've got to be prepared to survive this," the Brighteon.TV host concluded. "While we should try and stop it, we can't stop it. It's like a flood, but you can prepare for the flood." Watch the April 19 episode of "The Prather Point" below. "The Prather Point" with Jeffrey Prather airs every Friday at 10-11 a.m. and every Saturday at 7-8 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. More related stories: Prather Point: Resistance movement continues to grow in America Brighteon.TV. Muslims and Christians WILL UNITE to fight the Antichrist, Aamar the Muslim predicts in live interview with Mike Adams. Texas lieutenant governor discusses possibility of civil war breaking out over migration crisis. Sources include: Brighteon.com JeffreyPrather.com SELF-INFLICTED CELL DISORDER: The real reason 270 million Americans chose to make themselves SIC Have you heard of self-inflicted Sheeple disease? Most likely not, because the CDC, WHO and the medical industrial complex keeps it quiet, like when the Holocaust started. The main difference between the Hitler gas-chamber Holocaust and the Covid Jab Holocaust is that people are voluntarily lining up for the slow fix, rolling up their own sleeve for some self-inflicted cell disorder, and it has really only just begun. Just after WWII, many of the globalists and elitists who were not Hitler's cohorts, were impressed by the speed at which he was able to rise to power, use genocide to eliminate those who opposed him and propaganda to brainwash everyone else. Why do so many Americans voluntarily "walk into the gas chambers" of Big Pharma? Hitler's main goal was to wipe out anyone who wouldn't support his military takeover of the world, which included killing off anyone and everyone who was handicapped, autistic, mentally challenged, black, Jewish or of senior citizen age. He used very overt ways of murdering these masses, either by two bullets to the back of the head, or the forever "shower" that locked you in a room that filled with pesticide gas. Then he simply burned and buried the bodies, and moved from nation to nation destroying peoples, with his Big Pharma right arm known in short as I.G. Farben. Sound familiar? Today, the USA invades other countries (under the guise of maintaining peace and democracy), injects the masses with toxins and gives them pills, toxic food and adulterated water to help kill them slowly (while keeping them as taxpayer slaves as long as possible). Still, this is not happening quick enough for the communist insurgents, a.k.a. the Biden Regime, who now occupies Washington DC and controls the U.S. military. These communists and atheists needed a grim reaper to silently wipe out the middle class, the autistic kids, the senior citizens and anyone else that opposes the autocracy. We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. The "holy grail" of medicine was the perfect medium, as most of the sheeple of America whole-heartedly, with all of their might, believe that vaccines are for building immunity to diseases, and that we would all surely die before even growing out of childhood if it weren't for those lab-concocted injections. Vaccines are bioweapons that often destroy the central nervous system, the immune system, the cognitive system, the digestive system and of course, the reproductive system. This is the most viable means of depopulation, especially with the new technology of mRNA, which tricks human cells into producing billions of blood clogging prions, forever. This cell disorder is not unlike cancer, and is actually a catapult of cancer, also known as turbo cancer. Don't look any further than the Big Pharma cartel of Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstroZeneca and Merck. Plus, the U.S. regulatory agencies are "all in" for the vaccine holocaust. Imagine a vaccine that is "so safe" and "so effective" that you have to be threatened to take it, and for a disease "so deadly" that you have to be tested to know if you even have it. It's the ultimate con and coercion, and 270 million Americans agreed to take a death trip in the name of trusting the most corrupt cartel of eugenicists to ever walk the Earth. Big Pharma is a conglomerate of deadly vaccine manufacturers and venom-laced pharmaceutical prescriptions that cause side effects so extreme that you literally must be mentally challenged to agree to take them. Self-inflicted cell disorder (SIC) is also known as spike protein syndrome Self-inflicted cell disorder (SIC), also known as spike protein syndrome, is sweeping the nation and the world. Like no other time in history, chronic inflammation, vascular clots, heart attacks and spontaneous miscarriages are happening everywhere. Doctors do not DARE to point the finger at the deadly clot shots or the venomous pills. Five out of every six Americans has chosen to make themselves "SIC" to the point of no return. When will their body stop creating the spike prions that catapult deadly disorders and early death, especially if they keep getting more mRNA gene-mutating injections? The Holocaust is happening, and if you can't see it, it may be because you suffering yourself from self-inflicted cell disorder. This has been a public service announcement from Natural Health News. Bookmark Vaccines.news to your favorite independent websites for updates on experimental gene therapy injections that lead directly to vascular clots, hypertension, myocarditis and the dreaded, self-inflicted Sheeple disease known as Long-Vax-Syndrome. Sources for this article include: Pandemic.news NaturalNews.com VenomTech.co.uk A sea ice hole mystery has enveloped Antarctica for a long time, as multiple chamber-like structures, known as polynyas, are present in the icy continent. A discovery several decades ago even fueled this secret when scientists found a large sea ice hole, called Maud Rise polynya. The phenomenon occurred on the Maud Rise mount in the Weddell Sea, in the Southern Ocean side of Antarctica. The mysterious hole has baffled scientists for decades since it was discovered during the 1970s. While the Maude Rise polynya had occurred sporadically in the succeeding decades, its size became noticeable during the winter of 2017 when it became very large and persisted for several weeks, according to reports earlier this week. Now, scientists may have solved the long-held mystery. What are Sea Ice Holes? Sea ice holes in the Antarctic Sea had been a puzzle for the scientific community for years. However, a 2023 research paper led by the University of Washington (UW) used a combination of robotic data and satellite images to explain the mysterious holes. The study, published in the journal Nature in June 2023, allowed researchers to better understand the Antarctic polynyas. According to the paper's lead author Ethan Campbell, an oceanography doctoral student at UW, it was previously thought that the large hole in the sea ice was a rare phenomenon that became extinct. However, related events back in 2016 and 2017 forced the research team to re-evaluate the said notion, Campbell adds. They found polynyas are caused by multiple or a combination of factors. The team specified that one of the factors for the formation of polynyas is 'uncommon ocean conditions' and the second being a 'series of extreme storms,' with hurricane-force winds, that passes over the Weddell Sea, the lead author explains. Among these sea ice holes; the Maud Rise polynya is the largest ever recorded and the mystery has been unravelled in a separate study. Also Read: 13 Killer Whales Trapped By Sea Ice In Japan Escaped Safely, Authorities Says Maud Rise Polynya The term "polynya" is a Russian word that means "hole in the ice" that can form near the shore as the wind pushes the ice around. Yet, polynyas can also appear far from the coast and persist around for weeks to months, according to the UW. These holes also serve as an "oasis" for different Antarctic animals such as penguins, seals, and whales since they can pop up and breathe through this gap. When it comes to solving the sea ice hole mystery of the Maud Rise polynya, a more recent study published in the journal Science Advances on Wednesday, May 1, has found an answer. A research team from the University of Southampton and other institutions found that the Ekman-driven salt transport could be a significant mechanism behind the open-ocean polynya formation at Maud Rise. The University of Southampton explains the Ekman transport process involved the transfer of salt into the northern flank of the Maud Rise, where the said sea ice hole formed. The process also involved water moving at a 90-degree angle toward the direction of the blowing wind above, which influences ocean currents, according to the university's news release on Thursday, May 2. Related Article: A Huge Hole Seemingly Appeared Out of Nowhere in the Arctic's "Last Ice" Surface In the southeastern portion of Texas, roads have been flooded and houses were submerged in deep waters. Weather experts said that heavy rains have been experienced in College Station to Houston. Disaster Declaration So far, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo signed a disaster declaration due to the adverse effects brought by the bad weather. Hidalgo emphasized that residents in the affected areas should either prepare to stay where they are for the next two to three days or leave to ensure their safety. She added that families residing along the east fork of the San Jacinto River must evacuate to a safer place. The local government has been focusing on response, at present, and once the immediate threat passes, she said that officials would move to guarantee the recovery of the area. Further, the rain gauges in the northern portion of Harris County was reported to be between 10 and 12 inches of rain within the time frame of 24 hours. The Harris County Flood Control District also disclosed that several streams were out of their banks. Meanwhile, Governor Greg Abbott underscored that as flooding conditions and severe weather continue in multiple regions across Texas, he had directed the expansion of disaster declaration to 59 counties in order to ensure that residents and the entire communities will receive the assistance and support that they need. ''For Texans in at-risk areas, it is important to remain weather-aware, follow the guidance of state and local officials, and avoid traveling in dangerous flood conditions,'' Abbott said in an official statement. He stressed that the State of Texas would continue working with emergency management and local officials to deploy any additional resources, which are needed to provide ongoing support and protect Texans adversely affected by the severe downpours and floods. The counties which have been added to the disaster declaration include: Anderson, Angelina, Austin, Bandera, Bastrop, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Bosque, Brazos, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Cherokee, Colorado, Comal, Coryell, DeWitt, Falls, Fayette, Gillespie, Gonzales, Gregg, Guadalupe, Hamilton, Hardin, Hays, Henderson, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Lampasas, Lavaca, Lee, Llano, Mason, Medina, Milam, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Panola, Robertson, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Travis, Van Zandt, Waller, Washington, Williamson, and Wilson counties. Read Also: Stormy Weather Expected From Texas To Tennessee Bringing Floods, Thunderstorms Still At Flood Risk According to the National Weather Service (NWS), areas of North, West, Central, and East Texas have faced an increased risk of severe thunderstorms bringing excessive rainfall that later led to flash floods. Meteorologists also said that they have forecasted extreme river floods over Central and East Texas river basins. They said that river impacts across major river basins are expected to continue through next week. This means that river flooding threats will persist through that time. Texas residents are advised to monitor local forecasts, make an emergency plan, and follow instructions of emergency response officials for their safety. They are also urged to never drive or walk through flooded roads, and not drive around barricaded roadways. Related Article: Multiple River Flood Warnings Up for Parts of Texas as Rounds of Heavy Rain Persist Experts said that Antarctica's hole, which is a size of the country Switzerland, has been cracking open ever since. In a study, they found out that the open-ocean polynyas formed over the Maud Rise, which is situated in the Weddell Sea, during the winter period of 2016 to 2017. Open-Ocean Polynyas Researchers first spotted the hole in 1974 and 1976 in Antarctica's Weddell Sea, and since then it has reappeared fleetingly based on observations. Scientists suggested that such polynyas are considered to be rare events in the Southern Ocean and they are often associated with deep convection that may affect regional carbon and heat budgets. Through the use of an ocean state estimate, researchers have discovered that during 2017, the early sea ice melting had transpired in response to enhanced vertical mixing of heat. This phenomenon was accompanied by mixing of salt. Experts pointed out that the melting sea ice compensated for the vertically mixed salt and this resulted in a net buoyancy gain. Further, an additional salt input was then significant to destabilize the upper ocean. Studies said that this came from a hitherto unexplored polynya-formation mechanism or an Ekman transport of salt across a jet girdling the northern flank of the Maud Rise. Researchers explained that such transport was driven by intensified eastward surface stresses during 2015 to 2018. ''Our results illustrate how highly localized interactions between wind, ocean flow and topography can trigger polynya formation in the open Southern Ocean,'' experts said. Based on study, polynyas are openings in the sea ice during winter that usually expose relatively warm ocean waters to a much colder atmosphere. This will later result in large heat fluxes that cool the water column and can sustain deep vertical convection that ventilates the ocean interior. Read Also: Ozone Layer in Healing Trajectory, to Fully Mend Antarctica Hole by 2066, UN Report Says Regular Occurences It was explained that coastal polynyas along the Antarctic margins are regular occurrences and are formed by strong katabatic winds that push sea ice away from the coast. In contrast, open-ocean polynyas in the Southern Ocean are rare events and these are often associated with surface salinity anomalies that initiate deep convection. Experts noted that such convection connects the mixed layer with the warmer circumpolar deep water, which is found at relatively shallow depths of 200 to 500 m within the gyres of the subpolar Southern Ocean. Because of the stronger current, salt hovered around the seamount while the wind blew over the surface, which created a corkscrew effect. This motion then dragged the saltier water around the submerged mountain to the surface. The said salt then lowered the freezing point of the surface water, enabling the Maud Rise polynya to form and persist. Experts pointed out that the latest discovery is vital for understanding Antarctica and its broader impacts on the global ocean. They explained that climate change is already making winds from the southernmost continent more powerful, and this will likely create more polynyas in the future. Related Article: Greenland and Antarctica Show Opposite Trends in Ice Sheet Surface Melt Details added: first version posted on 13:47 TBILISI, Georgia, May 4. A total of $4.3 billion was allocated by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to Central and West Asian countries in 2023, ADB Director General for Central and Western Asia Eugenue Zhukov said during a briefing at the ADB annual meeting in Tbilisi on May 4, Trend reports. According to him, this amount included $1.3 billion for climate finance. "This implies public and private sector investments in clean and renewable energy development, sustainable transport networks and green urban development, as well as the integration of climate action in agriculture, public sector management, health and education projects, he explained. Besides, according to the official, more than $724 million was also allocated for adaptation, i.e. climate resilient agriculture, infrastructure and energy systems development, and more than $605 million in mitigation, i.e. measures to reduce carbon emissions and energy efficiency in all sectors. Zhukov added that new partnership strategies with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan were approved. The meeting of the Board of Governors started today. The opening marks the official start of the annual meeting. It is attended by distinguished guest from the host country. To note, the theme of the 57th Annual Meeting, to be held May 2-5, is Bridge to the Future. The Annual Meeting is an opportunity for ADB Governors to address development issues and challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region. Several thousand participants regularly join the meeting, including finance ministers, central bank governors, senior government officials, representatives of the private sector, international and civil society organizations, youth, academia, and the media. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Turkey halts trade with Israel to compel ceasefire: President Erdogan T urkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that Turkey's decision to suspend trade with Israel had one singular purpose, which is to compel the Israeli government into a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. He made the remarks on Friday during a meeting with the board of directors of the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association in Istanbul, according to the Presidency's website. The President also noted that the government will coordinate and consult with the business community to manage the consequences of halting trade with Israel, Xinhua news agency reported. Turkey on Thursday halted all trade activities with Israel due to the latter's "non-stop violence" against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to the Turkish Trade Ministry. Erdogan also said that this decision would set a precedent for other countries unsettled by the current situation. Turkey halts trade with Israel to compel ceasefire: President Erdogan Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Kristen Stewart to co-star with Oscar Isaac in new vampire thriller ' Twilight' sensation Kristen Stewart is set to make her mark in the vampire genre once again, this time in the upcoming thriller 'Flesh of the Gods.' After captivating audiences as Bella Swan in the iconic 'Twilight' Saga over a decade ago, Stewart is ready to sink her teeth into a new blood-curdling adventure alongside acclaimed actor Oscar Isaac, reported E! News. 'Flesh of the Gods,' directed by Panos Cosmatos, transports viewers to the neon-lit streets of 1980s Los Angeles, where married couple Raoul (played by Isaac) and Alex (portrayed by Stewart) encounter a mysterious woman, plunging them into a surreal and nightmarish journey. Director Cosmatos described the film as existing "between fantasy and nightmare," promising a captivating and hypnotic experience that will take audiences on a hot rod joy ride into the glittering heart of hell. The project is backed by a stellar team, with producers Betsy Koch and Adam McKay, the latter known for his work on Oscar-nominated films like 'The Big Short' and 'Vice.' The movie is penned by horror genre veteran Andrew Kevin Walker, whose credits include 'Se7en' and 'Sleepy Hollow.' Stewart, who has always defended her involvement in the 'Twilight' series, expressed her enduring pride in the franchise, acknowledging its flaws while championing its sincerity and impact, reported E! News. "Anybody who wants to talk s--t about Twilight, I completely get it, but there's something there that I'm endlessly, and to this day, f--king proud of," she said. Kristen Stewart to co-star with Oscar Isaac in new vampire thriller Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! TBILISI, Georgia, May 4. The plan is to secure funding for projects aimed at upgrading Azerbaijan's railway infrastructure, Azerbaijan's Finance Minister Samir Sharifov told journalists on the sidelines of the ADB Annual Meeting in Tbilisi on May 4, Trend reports. "Our projects with the Asian Development Bank span various sectors, including mobility and infrastructure, with a strong focus on transportation. We're looking to attract investment for specific initiatives targeting the enhancement of our railway infrastructure, digitization of our rail transport, and efficient management of these endeavors," he explained. Discussing fundraising for the expansion of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), Sharifov pointed out that Azerbaijan isn't actively involved as a state. "We believe the project has sufficiently wealthy stakeholders. It's operational and profitable, so they may well raise funds independently, without needing state support or involvement," he added. The demand for a 5-day work week by bank employees is likely to be fulfilled soon, as an agreement in this regard has already been signed between the Indian Banks Association (IBA) and employee unions. Now, just the governments approval is pending, which the bank employees expect to get through later in 2024. Also Read: Bank Holiday On May 7: Banks To Remain Closed In These States On Tuesday, Check List Here Bank employee unions, like the United Forum of Bank Unions, have been pushing for a 5-day workweek with Saturdays off for a while. They have assured that this would not lead to a reduction in customer service hours. Following this, in December 2023, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Indian Banks Association (IBA), which includes both government-run and private lenders, and bank unions. This agreement included a proposal for a 5-day workweek, subject to government approval. Subsequently, on March 8, 2024, the 9th Joint Note was signed by the IBA and bank unions. The Joint Note, signed by IBA and the All India Bank Officers Confederation, outlined the transition to a 5-day week with Saturdays and Sundays off. While the IBA and bank unions have agreed, the final decision lies with the government. The proposal will also be discussed with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as it regulates banking hours and interbank activities. Theres no official deadline announced by the government on that. However, few bank employees told news18.com that they expect the notification by the government by the end of this year or early 2025. Once approved, Saturdays will be officially recognised as holidays under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. According to reports, if the 5-day work week is approved by the government, the revised working hours will also by announced to extend the workday by 40 minutes, from 9:45 am to 5:30 pm. Currently, bank branches are closed on second and fourth Saturdays. Banks unions have been demanding since 2015 offs on all Saturdays and Sundays. Under the 10th Bipartite Settlement signed in 2015, RBI and the government agreed with the IBA and declared second and fourth Saturdays as holidays. Noida-Greater Noida has witnessed a strong real estate demand in the past few years and now, the market is seeing a rising trend that includes the surge in green homebuyers, where consumers prioritise environmentally conscious features, and those seeking professional space at home. In an interview with news18.com, Neeraj Sharma, MD of Escon Infra Realtor, discussed the Indian real estate market, especially Noida-Greater Noida, and shared his views on key factors driving the realty demand. What are some key factors driving the real estate market in Noida and Greater Noida currently? Noida and Greater Noida have radically transformed over the past year, emerging as a hotbed for real estate properties. Factors like their strategic location, robust infrastructure, and conducive business environment greatly contribute to the cities real estate landscape. The upcoming Jewar Airport is poised to further bolster Noida-Greater Noidas industrial and business landscape by enhancing connectivity, attracting investment, and driving economic growth. Furthermore, their strong road connectivity through the Noida Expressway, Yamuna Expressway, and metro connectivity has also driven the real estate market. This development, coupled with Noida-Greater Noidas existing strengths in real estate and industrial development, positions the city as a prime destination for businesses and investors looking to capitalize on emerging opportunities. How has the demand for luxury villas evolved in these areas over the past few years? With the growing popularity of luxury housing, Noida-Greater Noida has transformed the definition of luxury in the region. As the demand for larger, thoughtfully designed spaces accommodating remote work and enhanced family living experiences has surged, developers are introducing a wide range of high-end homes and palatial apartments to cater to diverse tastes. Features such as sustainability, IGBC Green Ratings, expansive terraces, airy interiors, open surroundings, and top-notch amenities within the project complex are sought after by discerning buyers. Contemporary grand luxury projects featuring lush green environments are also poised to thrive. We envision that luxury housing is positioned to become a top-selling real estate investment class, aligning with buyers sentiments toward premium and luxury projects. Can you discuss any recent trends or shifts in buyer preferences within the Noida and Greater Noida real estate market? Over the past few years, buyers have been seeking properties that redefine work-life balance, resulting in the demand for homes with an amalgamation of professional and personal spaces. Another rising trend includes the surge in green homebuyers, where consumers prioritise environmentally conscious features. Furthermore, the integration of smart home automation and security systems is redefining the concept of modern living. Homebuyers are increasingly drawn to properties equipped with intelligent features, enhancing convenience and safety. How does the regulatory environment in Uttar Pradesh influence real estate development and investment decisions in Noida and Greater Noida? The regulatory environment in Uttar Pradesh has contributed to shaping the real estate development and investment decisions in Noida-Greater Noida through stringent regulations, such as land acquisition laws, zoning ordinances, and environmental policies. The consistency of these compliances directly impacts investors confidence and long-term planning, encouraging developers to curate more projects. Hence, the regulatory environment in Uttar Pradesh has helped shape the regions market dynamics, risk perceptions, and growth trajectory. What are your projections for the future growth and stability of the real estate sector in Noida and Greater Noida? Over the next few years, Noida-Greater Noida will witness continued growth and development across various sectors, including real estate, infrastructure, and technology. Key trends such as urbanisation, digitalisation, and sustainable development will shape the cities evolution. Developers are aligning their projects with these anticipated market trends by focusing on innovative design, sustainable construction practices, and the integration of smart technologies. Furthermore, there is a growing emphasis on mixed-use developments that offer a seamless blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces to meet the evolving needs of residents and businesses alike. The Assam HS Result 2024 is anticipated to be released shortly by the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC). As per media reports, the Assam board class 12 results 2024 will be declared by May 10. However, AHSEC has not yet issued a formal notification of the results date or time. The Assam Board Class 12 exams were held from February 12 to March 13 at various exam venues throughout the state, with about 3 lakh students taking the exams. The results will be made available to candidates on the following official websites: resultsassam.nic.in, sebaonline.org, and ahsec.assam.gov.in. Several websites, such as results.assam.nic.in and indiaresults.com, will host the Assam Board Class 12 HS results 2024. The Upolobdha smartphone app and SMS service are additional ways that students can view their results. To pass the class 12th exam, students must achieve at least 30 per cent in each subject and overall, according to the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC). Assam HS 12th Result 2024: How to Download Step 1: Go to the Assam Boards official website, ahsec.assam.gov.in or results.nic.in. Step 2: Search the home page for the link labelled Assam HS 12th Result 2024. Step 3: Youll be required to input your roll number on the results page. Make sure youve entered it correctly. Step 4: After submitting your roll number, your Assam Board class 12 result 2024 will appear on the screen. Step 5: Download your Assam Board class 12 marksheet, save it, and print a copy for your records. In the meantime, the Assam Board of Secondary Education declared the class 10 Result for the year 2024 on April 20. This year, 75.70 per cent of the total students passed the class 10 results 2024. Assam Board Class 12 Exam Results 2024: Last Years Results The AHSEC class 12 exams in 2023 saw 84.96 per cent of students pass in the Science stream, 79.57 per cent in Commerce, and 70.12 per cent in the Arts stream. Last year, the Assam board Class 12 results were released on June 6. 2.61 lakh individuals applied in the Arts stream, exceeding the previous record. On the other hand, 46,384 candidates applied for the Science stream, and 20,417 candidates applied for the Commerce stream. Stay Informed With Live Updates On Gujarat HSC Science Result 2024 . Get Latest Updates On Date And Time Of CBSE Results 2024 & ICSE Result 2024 on our website. Stay ahead with all the exam results updates on News18 Website. Days after quitting the post of Delhi Congress chief, Arvinder Singh Lovely joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday. Four other former Congress leaders including Rajkumar Chauhan, Naseeb Singh, Neeraj Basoya and Amit Malik switched sides with Lovely, at the ceremony held at BJP headquarters in New Delhi today. Lovely thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving him and his colleagues the opportunity to join the party when they felt lost. He asserted that Modi is set to retain power with a big majority in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. We have been given an opportunity to fight for the people of Delhi under the banner of BJP and under the leadership of Prime Minister, he said. #WATCH | Congress leader Arvinder Singh Lovely joins BJP at the party headquarters in Delhi in the presence of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.Arvinder Singh Lovely resigned from the position of Delhi Congress president on April 28. pic.twitter.com/3OJXisQIEd ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2024 I have full hope and there is no doubt about it that the BJP government is being formed in the country with an overwhelming majority. In the coming days, the flag of the BJP will fly in Delhi too, the former Congress leader added. his will be the second innings of Lovely in the BJP after he left it to rejoin the Congress in 2018 following a brief stay in the saffron party. The Delhi Congress unit has been beset with intense turmoil and infighting, as the city leaders are miffed over the alliance with AAP and the high command giving preference to outsiders over local leadership, in ticket allotment for Lok Sabha polls and other partys affairs. It is believed that Lovely and some other leaders were also upset with their partys choice of candidates, including Kanhaiya Kumar and Udit Raj, in the national capital for the elections. Lovely, who was appointed as the chief of the Congress Delhi unit last year, resigned from the post on Sunday, setting off speculation about a crossover to the BJP. It also followed a series of exits including a couple of well-known names like Naseeb Singh and Neeraj Basoya, both former Delhi legislators. Rajkumar Chauhan, the former Delhi minister and the All India Congress Committee (AICC) member also resigned from the party last month after the Delhi Congress disciplinary committee objected to his dissent to the party line. Check Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website. The Banaskantha Lok Sabha constituency is one of 26 parliamentary constituencies in Gujarat. This is a General category seat and comprises part of the Banaskantha district. Seven Assembly segments fall under the Banaskantha Lok Sabha constituency, of which the BJP currently holds four (Tharad, Palanpur, Deesa, Deodar), the Congress holds two (Vav and Danta) and the Dhanera seat is held by an Independent. The constituency will vote in the third phase of general elections on May 7, 2024. Sitting MP Parbatbhai Savabhai Patel (BJP) Candidates Rekhaben Hiteshbhai Chaudhary (BJP) and Geniben Thakor (Congress) Political Dynamics Banaskantha is the only Lok Sabha constituency in Gujarat where both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the main opposition Congress have fielded women candidates. Two-term MLA Geniben Thakor of the Congress will take on BJPs Rekha Chaudhary, an engineering professor making her poll debut, in the upcoming parliamentary polls. BJP: BJP candidate Rekhaben Chaudhary may be contesting her maiden election but she is no stranger to social prominence. BJP candidate Rekhaben Chaudhary may be contesting her maiden election but she is no stranger to social prominence. She is the granddaughter of Banas Dairy founder Galbabhai Chaudhary which procures milk from 4.5 lakh farmers every day, an initiative which has opened doors of earning livelihood for lakhs of people in the district where many areas have been struggling with water scarcity. Her husband Hitesh Chaudhary is a BJP office-bearer. While her family, through the Banas Dairy, is synonymous with Banaskantha, local sources say she was majorly an unknown figure even among BJP workers and leaders until she was declared the Banaskantha candidate. Sources added that she had not attended any meeting of the BJP or the partys Mahila Morcha until her candidature. Sources on the ground say a section of the BJP leaders were unhappy with the ticket going to a political newbie but no one officially raised the banner of revolt. Modi Connect: Apart from her association with the Banas Dairy, the biggest employer of the district, the main plank of Rekha Chaudharys campaign is Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Apart from her association with the Banas Dairy, the biggest employer of the district, the main plank of Rekha Chaudharys campaign is Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gujarat is the home state of PM Modi who leads the BJPs fight for a third term at the Centre. The partys key strategist and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also hails from the western state. At her election meetings, Rekha Chaudhary has been telling voters that her candidature has the direct support of PM Modi. She has been highlighting the Ram Temple construction in Ayodhya and the Centres decision to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. She has also been banking on the popularity of the welfare schemes of the Modi government, especially those for women like the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) scheme. With women forming a big chunk of his electoral support, PM Modi also makes it a point to interact with the women dairy farmers of whenever he visits Banaskantha district. He also regularly visits and prays at the famous Ambaji temple in Banaskantha district. Congress pins hope on seasoned MLA: The Congress and AAP are fighting together as part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, which will prevent division of votes against the BJP. The Congress and AAP are fighting together as part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, which will prevent division of votes against the BJP. Congress candidate Geniben Thakor is the sitting MLA from Vav in Banaskantha district. The two-time MLA had defeated the then Gujarat minister and senior BJP leader Shankar Chaudhary in the 2017 Assembly elections and Swarupji Thakor of the saffron party in 2022. She was one of the 17 Congress candidates who had managed to bag seats in the 2022 Gujarat assembly polls, which were won by the BJP with a record mandate. Known for advocacy of womens rights, Thakor had in 2020 said rapists must be burnt alive rather than being handed over to police, after the alleged rape of a 14-month-old girl in Gujarat. In 2019, however, she landed herself in controversy when she supported a diktat issued by the elders of her community from 12 villages in Banaskantha district, banning inter-caste marriages and barring unmarried young women from carrying mobile phones. In the upcoming elections, Thakor says her fight is for the issues faced by the citizens of Banaskantha. Taking a jibe at the BJP for fielding political novice Rekha Chaudhary, Thakor recently said the saffron party talks about being a cadre-based party, but fields candidates who are not active workers. There was said to be mild discontent against Thakor in the Congress ranks when she started campaigning in the constituency even before her name was officially announced by the party, but the negative sentiment reportedly fizzled out after the candidate declaration. Crowdfunding by Thakor: In the 2024 elections, Thakor has taken a novel approach to the poll campaign, initiating a political crowdfunding drive that encourages voters to contribute to her nomination deposit with the starting figure of Rs 11. In the 2024 elections, Thakor has taken a novel approach to the poll campaign, initiating a political crowdfunding drive that encourages voters to contribute to her nomination deposit with the starting figure of Rs 11. She also actively promotes a QR code on social media for campaign donations. Thakor claims to have received overwhelming response to the crowdfunding campaign, reportedly covering her vehicle fuel expenses and arrangements for public meetings. She says the total funds collected could go up to Rs 50 lakh. Speaker Controversy: The Congress on April 12 approached the Election Commission seeking action against Gujarat Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary, accusing him of violating the model code of conduct by canvassing for the BJPs Banaskantha candidate. The Congress on April 12 approached the Election Commission seeking action against Gujarat Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary, accusing him of violating the model code of conduct by canvassing for the BJPs Banaskantha candidate. The grand old party claimed the Speaker organised a meeting in support of BJP candidate Rekha Chaudhary and submitted some purported video clips. Reacting to the Congresss allegations, Gujarat BJP said it is up to the Election Commission to take a call on the complaint. Voting Pattern: The BJP has won the Banaskantha seat for the last three consecutive terms, including a by-election held in 2013. Before that, the saffron party had won the seat in 1998 and 1999. The BJP has won the Banaskantha seat for the last three consecutive terms, including a by-election held in 2013. Before that, the saffron party had won the seat in 1998 and 1999. The Congress had emerged victorious in the seat in 1996, 2004 and 2009. BJPs Haribhai Chaudhary lost in 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha polls from Banaskantha, before winning a bypoll in 2013 and then retaining the seat in the 2014 parliamentary election. In 2019, the BJP fielded Parbat Patel, also from the Chaudhary community, who defeated Congress Parthi Bhatol by a margin of 3.68 lakh votes. Caste Factor: When it comes to the caste mathematic in Banaskantha, Congress candidate Geniben Thakor seems to have the upper hand since the OBC Thakor community, to which she belongs, has around 4 lakh voters in the constituency. When it comes to the caste mathematic in Banaskantha, Congress candidate Geniben Thakor seems to have the upper hand since the OBC Thakor community, to which she belongs, has around 4 lakh voters in the constituency. The Thakor community has traditionally supported the Congress and is likely to back the grand old party in this election too. Thakor has also made the upcoming poll an issue of prestige for members of the Thakor community. Besides, the Congress can also count on the backing of Muslim and SC/ST voters in the constituency. BJPs Rekha Chaudhary is also from the OBC category, but the Chaudhary communitys count (between 2.5 lakh and 3 lakh) is about half of that of Thakors in Banaskantha. The BJP has fielded candidates from the Chaudhary community since 2004, which reportedly has not gone down well with the dominant Thakors, local political observers claim. The Chaudhary community has always supported the BJP and is likely to do so in the 2024 elections as well. Key Constituency Issues Water Crisis: Banaskantha district, which borders Rajasthan and Pakistan, has been facing severe water woes. Banaskantha district, which borders Rajasthan and Pakistan, has been facing severe water woes. Water scarcity in a large part of the district is a harsh reality and even the cattle feed has to be bought from other places, which impacts the milk trade. Mavji Loh, taluka president of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh in Palanpur, claimed the Gujarat government has launched a scheme to fill lakes with the Narmada canal water to woo voters ahead of the election but the result of the effort will only be known after two years. Effort to bring in the Narmada canal water was much publicised by the BJP government, but its overall impact has not been significant and covers just 5-7% of the district, local sources say. However, Mevji Desai, the BJP legislator from Dhanera seat in Banaskantha district, said the government has been taking steps to address the problem and has given an in-principle approval for a Rs 411 crore project to fill village lakes in his assembly segment with the Narmada canal water through a pipeline. Cyclone Biparjoy Aftermath: In June last year, Cyclone Biparjoy had ripped through parts of Gujarat, leaving a trail of destruction and resulting in losses for farmers in Banaskantha and Kutch districts. In June last year, Cyclone Biparjoy had ripped through parts of Gujarat, leaving a trail of destruction and resulting in losses for farmers in Banaskantha and Kutch districts. The cyclone had damaged standing crops spread across 1.30 lakh hectares in Kutch and Banaskantha alone. A large number of fruit trees were either uprooted completely or partially damaged when the cyclone made landfall. On July 14, 2023, the Gujarat government announced a relief package of Rs 240 crore for farmers who suffered losses due to Cyclone Biparjoy in Kutch and Banaskantha. Deesa Airport: The Deesa airport is currently managed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). However, it has been non-operational for long and no passenger flight operator has come forward to start operations from Deesa under the Centres regional air connectivity scheme. Locals have been demanding that the airport be upgraded along the lines of those in Tier-1 cities. While Deesa gears up for a new airbase, the demand for civilian flight operations has remained largely neglected. Voter Demographics Social composition SC 10.5% ST 9.1% Religious composition Buddhist 0.01% Christian 0.05% Jain 0.42% Muslim 6.84% Sikh 0.02% Literacy rate 54.64% Major Infra Projects in Banaskantha Deesa Air Force Base: At the DefExpo2022 in Gujarat, PM Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone for a new airbase at Deesa in Banaskantha district near the India-Pakistan border and said it will emerge as an effective centre for the countrys security. At the DefExpo2022 in Gujarat, PM Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone for a new airbase at Deesa in Banaskantha district near the India-Pakistan border and said it will emerge as an effective centre for the countrys security. Defence experts believe that the new airbase will prove crucial in responding to any threat along the western border. Kasara-Dantiwada Pipeline: In 2022, the Gujarat government had approved several projects to provide water to 135 villages of Banaskantha and Patan districts. In 2022, the Gujarat government had approved several projects to provide water to 135 villages of Banaskantha and Patan districts. Major among the projects is the Kasara-Dantiwada pipeline. This is a 77km pipeline that will lift water from the Narmada main canal to fill 156 lakes in 73 villages of four talukas. The pipeline is estimated to cost over Rs 1560 crore and will benefit around 30,000 villagers. It will have a carrying capacity of 300 cusec and will connect lakes in the Deesa Kankrej, Dantiwada, and Palanpur talukas of Banaskantha district, as well as Harij and Saraswati talukas of Patan. Solar Power Project: On February 27 this year, state-owned SJVN announced the commissioning of 100 MW Raghanesda solar power project located in Banaskantha district. On February 27 this year, state-owned SJVN announced the commissioning of 100 MW Raghanesda solar power project located in Banaskantha district. The project, bagged at a tariff of Rs 2.64 per unit, has been commissioned through its subsidiary SJVN Green Energy Ltd (SGEL). The project is expected to generate 5,805 MU of solar power over a period of 25 years. Ambaji Rail Connectivity: In 2022, the Centre approved the Taranga Hill-Ambaji-Abu Road rail project that will traverse through parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan. In 2022, the Centre approved the Taranga Hill-Ambaji-Abu Road rail project that will traverse through parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The 116.65-km-long railway line will facilitate locals and devotees visiting pilgrimage sites, including the Ambaji Temple in Banaskantha. The Rs 2,798-crore Taranga Hill-Ambaji-Abu Road railway line will pass through Sirohi in Rajasthan and Banaskantha, Sabarkantha and Mehsana districts of Gujarat. It will benefit the people of both the states and ensure a speedy transportation of agricultural and other produce. The railway line is also expected to attract investment in the area and promote economic development. National Highway Project: On March 15 this year, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways sanctioned Rs 699.19 crore for upgradation of a section of National Highway 58 in Palanpur, the headquarters of Banaskantha district. On March 15 this year, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways sanctioned Rs 699.19 crore for upgradation of a section of National Highway 58 in Palanpur, the headquarters of Banaskantha district. The amount will be used to upgrade Khokhra Gujarat Border Vijayanagar Antarsuba Mathasur road section of NH-58, according to an official statement. NH-58 connects Gujarat and Rajasthan and also connects Ambaji Temple in Banaskantha, Udaipur, Polo Forest and other archaeological monuments and various tourist places. The road section is proposed to be upgraded from the existing single/two lane road to 2 lanes with paved shoulder and involves realignment in 14 stretches passing through hilly terrain. Banas Dairy Projects: In April 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a new dairy complex and potato processing plant, built with investment of over Rs 600 crore, besides a host of other projects of Banas Dairy. In April 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a new dairy complex and potato processing plant, built with investment of over Rs 600 crore, besides a host of other projects of Banas Dairy. The new complex makes it possible for Banas Dairy to process about 30 lakh litres of milk, produce about 80 tonnes of butter, one lakh litres of ice cream, 20 tonnes of condensed milk (khoya) and six tonnes of chocolate daily. Check Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website. In another setback to Congress, a party candidate from Odisha refused to contest the Lok Sabha Election due to inadequate funding and claimed she was not getting financial assistance from the party. Sucharita Mohanty, Congresss Lok Sabha candidate from Odishas Puri on Friday, wrote to AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal stating that she could not support her campaign as she lacks funding. In her letter, Mohanty wrote, Our campaign in Puri Parliamentary Constituency has been hit hard because the Party has denied me funding. AICC Odisha In-Charge Dr Ajoy Kumar Ji categorically asked me to fend for myself. Citing reasons behind the failure to fund her campaign, Mohanty said she had spent all her savings on the campaign and was unable to provide more. I was a salaried professional journalist who entered electoral politics 10 years ago. I have given all I have into my campaign in Puri. I tried a public donation drive to support my campaign for progressive politics without much success so far. I also tried to cut down the projected campaign spending to the minimum, she added. Notably, Mohanty has not filed her nomination for the Lok Sabha election yet and is refusing to do so. On the other hand, BJDs Arup Patnaik and BJPs Sambit Patra have already filed their nomination papers from the Odisha seat. Meanwhile, the Election Commission on Thursday ordered the immediate transfer of senior Odisha bureaucrat Sujata R Kartikeyan, wife of BJD leader V K Pandian, to a non-public dealing department, hours after BJPs complaint of alleged misuse of public office, sources said. Pandian is a close associate of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Kartikeyan was holding the post of commissioner-cum-secretary in the Department of Mission Shakti, Odisha. The sources said Kartikeyan was shunted out with immediate effect following complaints of alleged misuse of public office. BJPs Mandi Lok Sabha seat candidate Kangana Ranaut on Saturday attacked the Congress, saying former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehrus father Motilal Nehru was the Ambani of his time but no one knew from where his wealth came from. Reacting to her remarks, the Congress filed a complaint with the Election Commission (EC), alleging that she has used derogatory and insulting remarks against senior leaders of the party and tried to compare freedom fighter Motilal Nehru with one of the top businessmen of the country. Motilal Nehru, the father of former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, was Ambani of his time but no one knows from where his wealth and property came from. He was close to the British, and from where he got the wealth is still a secret, she said while addressing a gathering at Himachal Pradeshs Sarkaghat assembly segment. The segment falls under the Mandi parliamentary constituency and it goes to polls on June 1 along with the three other seats Kangra, Hamirpur and Shimla in the state. Ranaut, an actor, also said that nobody knows how Jawaharlal Nehru became the prime minister as voting was in favour of (former deputy prime minister) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Since then, this deemak (termite) of dynastic rule has infected the country, she said. On one hand we have a tapasvion ke sarkar (BJP government) and on the other we have bhoogion ke sarkar (Congress) made up of small gangs of shehzadas, one them is in Delhi and the other is here (in Himachal Pradesh), she said in an apparent reference to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Virkamaditya Singh. Virkamaditya Singh, who is the public works minister in Himachal Pradesh, is the scion of the erstwhile royal family of Rampur. The son of six-time chief minister, the late, Virbhadra Singh and state Congress chief Pratibha Singh has been pitted by the Congress against Ranaut in the Lok Sabha polls. In its complaint to the EC, the Congress has said, Kangana Ranaut, speaking at a public meeting at Sarkaghat in Mandi, has used derogatory and insulting remarks against senior leaders of the Congress party and crossed all lines by making comparisons of freedom fighters with businessmen. She has tried to draw comparisons between freedom fighter Motilal Nehru with one of the top businessmen of the country, it said. Ranaut, the Congress in its complaint said, has accused Sanjay Gandhi of indulging in forcible vasectomy in India. The complaint to the EC was issued by state conveners of the Himachal Pradesh Congress legal department, Dhanajay Sharma and Dhiraj Thakur. The party said that these are violation of the Model Code of Conduct and personal attack on persons who is no longer alive. She also used derogatory language against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and even called Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh a cartoon, the complaint said and sought restrain on Ranaut from taking part in any further campaigning. On Friday, Ranaut at a public gathering in Sundernagar assembly segment had termed the Congress a disease left by the British that was eating the country like deemak'. She had said that a historic change took place in 2014 and, Congress, which I call a deemak of the Britishers, which ate the country, was removed. Ranaut had termed former prime minister Indira Gandhi a dictator and accused her son Sanjay Gandhi of enforcing vasectomy in India. Check Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website. Indian politics is dynamic and when it comes to Lok Sabha elections , particularly in northern India, it is mostly all about the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress. Yet the Srinagar and Baramulla Lok Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir have not elected any of these parties for more than 25-30 years, making them similar to Uttar Pradeshs Mainpuri, which voted for the Congress last in the 1984 polls. While in Mainpuri, it is the Samajwadi Party that has been elected non-stop since 1996, the two Lok Sabha seats in J&K had elected either the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party or Jammu & Kashmir National Conference. The BJP has never been elected from these seats. On the other hand, the Congress was elected from Baramulla and Srinagar last in 1996. The Congress won from Srinagar only once while in Baramulla it managed to win three times since the formation of the Lok Sabha seat. Mainpuri In seven Lok Sabha elections and two bypolls held since 1996, the Samajwadi Party had been sweeping the seat. The then party head Mulayam Singh Yadav was elected first in 1996. He was re-elected in 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019. However, he vacated the seat in 2004 after he became chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, and in 2014, as he was also elected from Azamgarh. In the subsequent bypolls, his party retained the seat. In Mainpuri, the Congress has won five times only in 1952, 1962, 1967, 1971, and 1984. In the total 17 Lok Sabha polls held on the seat, members of the Praja Socialist Party (1952), Janata Party (1977, 1991), Janata Dal (1989), and Janata Party (Secular) (1980) were also elected. Srinagar For the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat, in the 13 elections the constituency has witnessed since 1967, late Sheikh Abdullahs founded party Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (NC) has been elected 10 times. His wife, Begum Akbar Jehan, their son Farooq, and later grandson, Omar, were elected from the seat seven times collectively. The party failed to win the seat only thrice in 1971, when an independent candidate was elected, in 1996, when the Congress won, and in 2014 when the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won. The BJP fought the 2014 elections in alliance with Mehbooba Muftis PDP. While the NC lost the 2014 polls, it managed to get re-elected in the 2017 bypolls after PDPs Tariq Hamid Karra resigned. Baramulla The seat has witnessed 14 Lok Sabha elections since 1957 and the NC has won nine times. The Congress has won from the seat four times in 1957, 1967, 1971, and 1996. The PDP has been elected from the seat just once. The three seats will see Lok Sabha elections in different phases. Mainpuri will go for polls on May 7 in the third phase, Srinagar on May 13, and Baramulla on May 20. The counting of the votes will be done on June 4. Check Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website. TBILISI, Georgia, May 4. Samir Sharifov, Azerbaijan's Finance Minister, talked about the possibility of adjusting the state budget for 2024 Responding to a question from Trend on the sidelines of the annual ADB meeting in Tbilisi about the possibility of adjusting the budget in light of the fact that the price of Azerbaijani oil was above $60 in the first quarter of this year, the minister noted that nothing can be ruled out. "As usual, around mid-year, we review the results of the past period, typically four months. The results are promising, with noticeable growth in the non-oil sector. Consequently, there are additional revenues from the oil sector, both from taxes and customs duties," he explained. Sharifov stressed that the current oil prices surpass the budgeted ones. "As a result, we'll also consider additional revenues from the oil sector. Besides oil, we also earn from gas. Gas prices in the global market fluctuate greatly, sometimes soaring and then sharply falling. Lately, we've seen certain gas prices decreasing. Considering this, we're currently running specific calculations. So, as our practice goes, when there are extra revenues, and if there's a chance to use them for necessary projects without harming the country's macroeconomic stability or medium-term fiscal resilience, decisions are made accordingly. I believe this time, such decisions will probably be made at the appropriate level," he concluded. A poll official, who was the sole earning member of his family, died a day after the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls held last month in Assam. Taking note of the incident, in an empathetic gesture, Chief Election Commissioner of India (CEC) Rajiv Kumar intervened personally to ensure swift disbursement of ex gratia payment of Rs 15.36 lakh to his family. Those aware of the details in the ECI shared that while performing duties at a polling station on April 19, Sukumal Jyoti Borah suddenly fell ill and was taken to Hojai District Civil Hospital. Being a case of emergency and serious condition, he was referred to Nagaon Medical College and Hospital and again to the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital on April 20, where he succumbed to the illness and was declared dead, sources said. The official was the sole earning member in the family and is survived by his wife and son. They were dependent on him. On April 30, Kumar received an email from his wife, Janata Chorong Borah. She requested that reimbursement of the expenses incurred on the ambulance and the disbursement of the ex gratia amount the polling official was entitled to be processed and provided to her. While taking note of the email, CEC Kumar, without any delay, directed the Chief Electoral Officer, Assam, to ensure that all necessary medical reimbursements and ex gratia payments be disbursed within two days on humanitarian grounds, as the polling officer was the sole earning member of their family. As per sources, on Thursday, the family was handed over Rs 15.36 lakh by the Office of Chief Electoral Officer, Assam, and the District Administration of Hojai. The official was an Agricultural Extension Assistant in the Office of the District Agriculture Officer, Hojai. He was appointed as the First Polling Officer at Jamuna Moudanga Krishipam Nigam 2 No Muktab (East Part) in the Binnakandi assembly constituency of the Kaziranga Lok Sabha seat. The first phase of Lok Sabha polls was held on April 19. Find Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website. Sagar is one of the 29 Lok Sabha constituencies in Madhya Pradesh. It is spread over the Sagar and Vidisha districts and has the eight assembly segments of Bina (Congress), Khurai (BJP), Surkhi (BJP), Naryoli (BJP), Sagar (BJP), Kurwai (BJP), Sironj (BJP), and Shamshabad (BJP). As is evident, the constituency is a Bharatiya Janata Party stronghold, which has MLAs for seven of its assembly segments. Rajbahadur Singh of the BJP is the incumbent MP here but the party has given the ticket this time to Lata Wankhede while Guddu Raja Bundela from the Congress is the other top contender. The seat will have polling on May 7 in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Political dynamics The result of the Lok Sabha election in Sagar appears to be a foregone conclusion, with observers on the ground giving the BJP a significant advantage over the Congress. Since seven assembly segments in Sagar, barring Bina which has a Congress MLA, are represented by the BJP, it has a strong organisation and support base across the parliamentary constituency. Lata Wankhede, one of the four women candidates fielded by the BJP from Madhya Pradesh is in pole position to win in Sagar. On the ground, the BJP is actively campaigning and taking the message of Vikas among voters. To its credit, the BJP is appreciated across the constituency for delivering solid development work over the past 10 years. Now, the saffron party is promising to double down on its development push here and is also committing to bringing more industries to the constituency to address unemployment-related concerns. The Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes here make up a bulk of the electorate. However, inputs from the ground suggest that this being a Lok Sabha election in which Narendra Modi is seeking the mandate once again, caste and community-based politics will not have much impact. The Hindu vote here is largely expected to go the BJPs way, and that is all the party needs for a victory. In 2019 too, the BJP had scored an impressive vote share of 62% from Sagar. That support base is largely intact. The BJP has been consciously working to make inroads among the SC voters in Sagar. Last year, PM Modi laid the foundation stone of a temple dedicated to Sant Ravidas, who has a significant following here. The BJP, since 2009 at least, seems to have settled on the strategy to field new candidates every election. This is in an attempt to offset the prospects of defeat even if the slightest anti-incumbency may have emerged against the present MP. With Lata Wankhede this time, the party is looking to expand its reach among women voters as well. Wankhede has made the safety and welfare of women one of her biggest poll planks. A former chairperson of the state womens commission, Wankhede intends to focus on raising awareness about womens issues and is advocating for policies aimed at improving access to education and healthcare in the constituency. She has also promised to crack down on violence against women, something Madhya Pradesh is infamous for. On the ground, almost every woman has a horrifying story to share. Domestic violence in particular is a big problem, but has never been able to become an election issue. However, Lata Wankhede is coming across as a ray of hope for several women with her vocal stand against violence. The Congress, in 2019, could muster a vote share of just about 33%. That dwarfs in comparison to the BJPs vote share, which was more than 62%. In the absence of a multi-cornered contest, the only way the Congress can win the Sagar constituency is if it dramatically increases its own vote share and also plays a singlehanded role in significantly denting the BJPs support base. However, none of that appears to be happening right now. Congress candidate Guddu Raja Bundela is largely seen as an outsider who has been airdropped onto the voters of Sagar from Uttar Pradesh. People here say he has no significant political record of working for the benefit of Sagar. While the Congress is giving its best on the ground, it appears the voters are not very impressed and are determined to stick with the BJP. The dismal performance of the Congress in the last assembly polls, where it won just one of the seven assembly segments from Sagar, has further exacerbated its organisational weakness. The BJP is the unrivalled dominant force here, and to wrest the seat the Congress would require nothing short of a miracle. The biggest issue the Congress is focussing on is unemployment. Owing to a lack of industries, there is a critical shortage of jobs in Sagar. In fact, this is the recurrent theme across several constituencies of Madhya Pradesh. While the Congresss focus on joblessness could dent the BJP marginally, it will still not be sufficient to unseat the saffron party. The general consensus among voters is issues that still require addressal, like unemployment, stand a real chance of getting resolved only with Narendra Modi and the BJP in power. Key issues Lack of industries and employment: The Congress has a good reason to be focussing on unemployment. Joblessness among the youth especially is forcing them to migrate to other states and cities in search of livelihood. While Sagar does have a small industrial area, there are no significant plants and factories that can contribute to lowering the unemployment rate of the constituency. There is talk of setting up an IT hub in Sagar, but it remains just that talk. Unemployment is one issue people are concerned about and want the government to address urgently. Development: The past 10 years have seen significant development in Sagar. The state of education and health has improved considerably, and so has road connectivity in the region. Prime Minister Modis flagship schemes to provide houses, tap water, electricity, and other amenities have reached the underprivileged, contributing to the perception among voters that development is finally taking place before their lives and is actually changing their lives for the better. Demand for an active and visible MP: Among the major complaints of voters in Sagar is that incumbent BJP MP Rajbahadur Singh was not active on the ground and did not engage with his constituents on a regular basis. This could be one of the reasons why the BJP dropped him for the ongoing polls. Voters now want to see the next MP working for their interests and representing them to the best of his or her ability. Moreover, there are also those who demand greater emphasis to be laid on the candidates contesting and voting on the basis of who can represent Sagar better. There are many voters who also believe that focussing only on the Modi factor is not a viable strategy. College and student conundrum: An issue that seems to have agitated many here, especially the youth, is that the central and state universities here are not providing admissions to students belonging to Sagar, and are instead taking in a large number of students from other areas and even states. The complaint is particularly pronounced when it comes to the admission trends of the medical college here. Hindutva & Modi: With the January consecration ceremony at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the BJP and Modi are being seen as those who can deliver on some core Hindu demands. Indias improved global standing and the influence it has come to command are being duly noted and appreciated by voters. The image of Modi as a Prime Minister who takes decisive decisions and who is unapologetic about being a Hindu is very much helping the BJP. Add to that, the improved law and order situation as well as the overall security situation in the country are working towards the BJPs favour here. Demographics Total voters: 15,73,504 SC: 350,891 (22.3%) ST: 86,543 (5.5%) Rural: 1,117,188 (71%) Urban: 456,316 (29%) Muslims: 113,905 (7.2%) Voter turnout in 2019: 65.4% Infrastructure development Education: The Dr Harisingh Gour University, spread over 1,000 acres of land has turned the face of education in Sagar around. Apart from this, the setting up of a state university is also being appreciated. A new educational opportunity is on the horizon for aspiring students in the districts of Sagar and Damoh with the establishment of Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi Government University. The university is expected to affiliate with 54 private and government colleges from Sagar and 18 institutions from Damoh, potentially benefiting a combined enrollment of 70,000 students. The move comes as a relief to many students who previously faced challenges due to the need to frequently travel to Chhatarpur for educational purposes. Health: The Bundelkhand Medical College, which was inaugurated by Shivraj Singh Chouhan in 2009, has improved the health infrastructure of the constituency, with people no longer having to travel long distances for small and easily diagnosable and treatable ailments. Now, the BJP government of Madhya Pradesh has also announced that 150 new MBBS seats will be added to the college. Besides, the state government also announced in January the setting up of an Ayurveda medical college in Sagar. Road infra: Similarly, road connectivity has seen a significant improvement compared to the UPA years. Almost every village, with the exception of a few in tribal areas, is now connected by roads. Sagar has also been included in the Smart City project of the Modi government. Other than these initiatives, the Sagar City Stadium is also a marker of development. Elevated corridor: Another important project that was completed last year was the 1.25-km-long elevated corridor, built at Lakha Banjara Lake from Chakraghat to the Deendayal intersection. It has been built under the Smart City project at a cost of Rs 89.94 crore to reduce traffic congestion in the city. Pathways and lighting facilities have been provided on the bridge. Honouring Sant Ravidas: In August 2023, PM Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation several development projects in Sagar, including the Sant Shiromani Gurudev Shri Ravidas ji Memorial to be constructed at a cost of more than Rs 100 crore, two road projects to be developed at a cost of more than Rs 1,580 crore and the doubling of Kota-Bina rail route developed at a cost of more than Rs 2,475 crore. Check Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website. Andhra Pradeshs ruling Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) has picked senior leader and Rajya Sabha member V Vijayasai Reddy as its candidate from Nellore for the upcoming Lok Sabha election. The candidate, who is said to be close to party president and chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, is extremely excited about his first election to the House of the People. I have worked for the party from 2011 ever since its inception and I have handled various elections, including 2014. I have always had the desire to contest elections, and I am excited that I got the opportunity this time. I consider anybody a leader only when he can make a space in the hearts of the people, Vijayasai Reddy told News18 in an exclusive chat. Andhra Pradesh will have simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections on May 13. A total of 25 seats in the Lok Sabha and 175 in the assembly will be up for grabs. The votes will be counted on June 4. Confident that the people will elect the YSR government again to the assembly, Reddy says that the partys government in the state from 2019 to 2024 has done a lot of work for the common man. 87% of the people of the state of Andhra Pradesh have been beneficiaries of Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government schemes or policies. We have had a focus on the empowerment of the poor and the downtrodden in society. People have to be happy with the governance from 2019 to 2024, the Nellore candidate said. Dismissing the allegation of the opposition parties that Jagan has encouraged a culture of free doles, Vijayasai Reddy argued that his has been a government of welfare as well as development. Over the last five years, we have had a very good blend of government that focused on welfare schemes and also development. We in particular have been focused on infrastructure for health and education, and thats the reason every district has a government hospital. Apart from this, we have built roads, a fishing harbour, etc. The work that we have done gives us enough confidence that we will better our record than last time, he said. Why is the Centre including Narendra Modi continuing to question the Congress and other parties who are proposing reservation for the Muslim community, Reddy said. He reiterated the stand of the YSRCP that it will neither deny nor cancel such reservation available to the Muslim community. Late YS Rajasekhara Reddy had announced reservation for the backward class in Muslims. This was challenged in both the High Court as well as the Supreme Court, and the full bench of the HC had supported it to be given. As of now, there is no question of any withdrawal of such reservation, which has been given. If at all there is any move whatsoever to remove such a reservation given to the Muslim community at large, the YSRCP will stand at the forefront, opposing it, Vijayasai Reddy said. While the BJP manifesto and senior leaders like PM Modi and union home minister Amit Shah have announced the partys intention to bring a uniform civil code (UCC) for the country, the YSRCP general secretary said that his party will oppose it. Our stand on the uniform civil code is very clear and defined both by the party as well as our party president. Any bill which has been brought for passage in Parliament must have the will of the community leaders. India has a multicultural and multi-ethnic society, and the desire of the people must feature in any changes. Political parties may try to use possible ways to pass the bill forcibly in Parliament. However, YSR Congress does not accept a bill that is not acceptable to the community leaders, including Muslims. We stand in opposition to UCC, Reddy said. In 2019, not only did the YSRCP sweep the assembly elections, leaving the N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) battered but also bagged 22 out of the 25 states Lok Sabha seats. We have done a lot of good work and that gives us confidence that we will win all 25 Lok Sabha seats and all 175 assembly seats. It is a lone war that the YSR Congress is fighting against three parties, namely BJP, Jana Sena, and TDP, who have come together. We will hit the bullseye and get a perfect score, and that is certainly not an exaggeration, Vijayasai Reddy said. Check Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website. A 19-year-old youth was beaten to death following an alleged sacrilege incident that took place at a gurdwara here on Saturday, police said. Bakshish Singh, a resident of Talli Gulam village, allegedly tore some pages of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs, after entering the premises of the gurdwara in Bandala village, they said. His father Lakhwinder Singh said that Bakshish was mentally challenged and was undergoing treatment for it. Police have filed an FIR against the youth for the alleged sacrilege. Bakshishs father, however, called on the police to register a case against those who killed his son. According to police, Bakshish allegedly tore some pages of the Guru Granth Sahib and then tried to flee. He was caught by some people and as the news of the alleged incident spread, villagers assembled at the gurdwara and thrashed the youth. He later succumbed to injuries, police said. Senior police officials, including Senior Superintendent of Police Saumya Mishra, reached the village after the incident. Police lodged an FIR against Bakshish under Section 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings or beliefs) of the Indian Penal Code at the Arif Ke Police Station on a complaint lodged by Lakhvir Singh, chairman, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Committee. Bakshishs father Lakhwinder said his son had been mentally disturbed for the last few years and has been undergoing treatment. The police should also register an FIR against those who killed his son, he said. Meanwhile, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh expressed grief over the incident of sacrilege in Ferozepur. He termed Bakshishs death as a reaction to the failure to punish the culprits and give exemplary punishments by law. Moreover, the Jathedar has also asked the Sikh Sangat to socially and religiously boycott the family of the accused of sacrilege and not to allow the last rites of the accused to be held in any gurdwara. In a statement, Singh said for a long time, incidents of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib have been taking place under a well-planned conspiracy. He said that the governments law is neither proving successful in stopping the incidents of sacrilege nor in punishing the culprits. He said the sacrilege in Ferozepur is a very unfortunate incident which has hurt the sentiments of Sikhs. For Sikhs, there is nothing above Sri Guru Granth Sahib and incidents of sacrilege badly harm the soul and mentality of Sikhs, he said. The Jathedar of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, said when the rule of law fails miserably in performing its duty, then people are forced to seek justice in their own way. Find Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website. Four to five personnel of the Indian Air Force were injured when two vehicles in their convoy were fired upon by terrorists in the Shastar area of Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district on Saturday, sources told CNN-News18. The incident occurred around 6.30pm. Sources said the Lashkar-e-Taiba was behind the attack. An Indian Air Force vehicle convoy was attacked by militants in the Poonch district of J&K, near Shahsitar. Cordon and search operations are underway presently in the area by local military units. The convoy has been secured, and further investigation is under progress. Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) May 4, 2024 This was an air force vehicle, and the movement was probably for radar operations, they added. Two of those injured are reportedly in a critical state. Sources said 17 Lashkar terrorists from the Sajid Jatt group have been hiding in this area. Find Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website. Amid the ongoing probe into the sex tape row, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday informed that a lookout notice has been issued by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) against Holenarasipur JD(S) MLA HD Revanna and his son Prajwal Revanna. HD Revannas name surfaced in the sex tape scandal after he was accused of sexual abuse along with his son and Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, with two FIRs registered against him. Parameshwara further said that Revanna, a former minister, who has been served a second notice (summons), has time till this evening to appear for questioning before the SIT probing the case. It (lookout notice) has been issued against him (Revanna) already. It was issued against both Revanna and Prajwal. Anticipating that Revanna may also plan to go abroad, it has been done, Parameshwara was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. Responding to a question on an arrest being made in the Mysuru kidnap case, the minister said, Such things keep happeningarrests will be happening, lookout notices have been issued, several other developments will be happening, many things may not come to the public domain. Abducted Victim Found Meanwhile, the kidnapped victim in KR Nagar has been rescued from Kalenahalli, Hunsur Taluk. The SIT conducted the rescue operation and rescued her away from Revannas close assistant Rajasekhars farmhouse. She was allegedly kidnapped from her home on April 29 by Satish Babanna a relative of Revanna, the victim had been held captive by Rajashekhar at the farmhouse in Kalenalli, Hunsur taluk, since then. On the other hand, Revanna has sought anticipatory bail in the abduction case. Two FIRs Registered Against HD Revanna & Son Prajwal A first case was registered against the father and son duo for alleged sexual harassment at the Holenarsipura police station in Hassan district on last Sunday, based on a complaint by a woman who worked in Revannas house. The second FIR was registered against Revanna and his confidant Sathish Babanna in Mysuru on Thursday night for allegedly abducting a woman, who is also reportedly a victim of sexual abuse. On asking while first accused Revanna has not been arrested yet, Asked, while Satish Babanna the second accused in the kidnap case has been arrested Parameshwara said, He (Revanna) has been given an opportunity, notice has been given to him under section 41 A of CrPC and he will have to appear (before SIT). To a question regarding arresting Prajwal Revanna, Parameshwara said, He will have to come back (from abroad). If not today, day-after-tomorrow or after that, but he will have to come. After that, procedurally, whatever has to be done, like arrest and other things will be done. The 33-year-old Prajwal Revanna, who is the grandson of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, was the BJP-JD(S) alliances candidate from Hassan, which went to the polls on April 26. Explicit video clips allegedly involving Prajwal Revanna had started making the rounds in Hassan in recent days, following which the state government constituted the SIT to probe the alleged sex scandal involving the MP. Prajwal Revanna is said to have flown abroad on April 27, a day after the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka held on April 26. His advocate had sought for seven days time for him to appear before SIT, to which the investigating team has replied it is not possible as there is no such provision. The second FIR was filed against Prajwal Revanna, this time by the CID in Bengaluru on Wednesday based on a complaint by a JD(S) party worker, who alleged she was raped by Prajwal at gunpoint. He later made a video of her and blackmailed the woman saying he would make it viral if she did not fulfill his lust whenever he demanded, the complaint said. Meanwhile, the SIT team did the spot mahazar at Revannas Holenarsipura residence in the presence of the victim on Saturday. (With inputs from PTI) Find Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website. A soldier was killed and four were injured when terrorists ambushed a convoy of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the Surankot area of Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district on Saturday. Inputs suggest that it was a group of four terrorists who carried out the attack, sources said. The attack on the convoy took place near Shahsitar in the Surankote area around 6.15 pm when the troops were returning to their base at Sanai Top. Officials said five soldiers were injured in the firing by the terrorists and were subsequently evacuated to a hospital, where one of the two critically injured personnel succumbed to injuries. An Indian Air Force vehicle convoy was attacked by militants in the Poonch district of J-K, near Shahsitar. Cordon and search operations are underway presently in the area by local military units. The convoy has been secured, and further investigation is under progress, the IAF said in a post on X. UpdateIn the ensuing gunfight with terrorists, the Air Warriors fought back by returning fire. In the process, five IAF personnel received bullet injuries, and were evacuated to the nearest military hospital for immediate medical attention. One Air Warrior succumbed to his Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) May 4, 2024 In the ensuing gunfight with terrorists, the Air Warriors fought back by returning fire. In the process, five IAF personnel received bullet injuries and were evacuated to the nearest military hospital for immediate medical attention. One Air Warrior succumbed to his injuries later, it added. The vehicles were moving towards nearby Sanai Top in the districts Surankote area, they said, suspecting the involvement of the same group of terrorists who carried out an ambush on the troops in adjoining Bufliaz on December 21 last year, that left four soldiers dead and three others injured. The Army truck bore the major brunt of the firing by the terrorists who were armed with AK assault rifles and are believed to have fled into the nearby forests, the officials said. Reinforcements from the Army and police have been rushed to the area and a massive search and cordon operation was launched to track down and neutralise the terrorists, they said. Police assisted by paramilitary forces carried out searches in Poonch town since Friday following inputs about the movement of suspected persons. However, no one was arrested during the operation, the officials said. Poonch is part of Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency which is going to polls in the sixth phase on May 25. The border district of Poonch along with adjoining Rajouri have witnessed some of the major terrorist attacks over the past two years, signalling return of terror activities to the region, which was once cleared of terrorism and remained peaceful between 2003 and 2021. The latest incident in the Pir Panjal region followed the killing of a government employee Mohd Razaq, brother of an Army personnel, by terrorists at village Kunda Top in Rajouris Shahdra area on April 22 and a village defence guard Mohd Sharief in Basantgarh area of Udhampur on April 28. Police have released pictures of two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, including suspected Pakistani national Abu Hamza, involved in the murder of Razaq and announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head. The Bufliaz ambush in December last year came weeks after a major gunfight in the Dharmsal belt of Bajimaal forest in Rajouri that left five Army personnel, including two captains, dead a month earlier. Two terrorists, including a top commander of LeT identified as Quari, were also killed in the two-day long gunfight. Quari was said to be the mastermind behind several attacks, including the killing of 10 civilians and five Army personnel in the district. The stretch between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz on the boundary of Rajouri and Poonch is densely forested and leads to Chamrer forest and then Bhata Dhurian forest, where five soldiers were killed in an ambush on an Army vehicle on April 20 last year. In May last year, five more Army personnel were killed and a major-rank officer was injured in Chamrer forest during an anti-terrorist operation. A foreign terrorist was also killed in the operation. In 2022, five Army personnel were killed when terrorists carried out a suicide attack on their camp at Pargal in Darhal area of Rajouri district. Both the terrorists involved in the attack were eliminated. In 2021, nine soldiers were killed in two separate attacks by terrorists in the forested region. While five Army personnel, including a junior commissioned officer (JCO), were killed on October 11 in Chamrer, a JCO and three soldiers were killed on October 14 in a nearby forest. (With PTI Inputs) Find Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website. Hello, readers! In todays noon digest, News18 brings to you the latest updates on Nijjars killing, Prajwal Revana sex scandal and other stories. Accused In Nijjars Killing Involved In Drug Trade, Have Connections With Pakistans ISI The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) released photos of three individuals, naming them as accused, in the case involving the murder of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. READ MORE First Win: Russian Grandmasters Comeback On Rahul Gandhis Chess Proficiency; Issues Clarification Later In a witty reaction to Congress claims that Rahul Gandhi is an experienced politician and chess player, Russian chess legend Garry Kasparov said tradition dictates that you should first win from Raebareli before challenging for the top. READ MORE No Political Agenda from Congress Side: Rohith Vemulas Brother Says Telangana CM Has Promised Fair Re-Investigation Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy did not believe the report prepared by the previous government in the death of research scholar Rohith Vemula and has promised that re-investigation into the case will be fair and transparent, the deceaseds brother Raja Vemula told CNN-News18. READ MORE Fresh Lookout Notice Issued Against HD Revanna, Son Prajwal As Sex Tape Row Deepens In Karnataka Amid the ongoing probe into the sex tape row, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday informed that a lookout notice has been issued by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) against Holenarasipur JD(S) MLA HD Revanna and his son Prajwal Revanna. READ MORE Aditya Roy Kapur Caught Leaving Shraddha Kapoors House Late Night; Fans Ask Are They Back | Watch Aditya Roy Kapur has taken the internet by storm after a photo of him leaving his rumoured ex-girlfriend, actress Shraddha Kapoors house surfaced on the internet late Friday night. The actor, who was said to be dating actress Ananya Panday until last month, has sparked patch-up rumours with his Ok Jaanu co-star, thanks to the viral photo of him paying a visit to Shraddha at her residence late night. READ MORE Lot of Questions, Will Take Some Time to Answer: Pandya After MIs 8th Loss in IPL 2024 It was a crushing defeat for the Mumbai Indians as they fell victim to the Kolkata Knight Riders by 24 runs at the Wankhede Stadium to break the 12-year-long streak where MI was undefeated at their home ground against the two-time champions. READ MORE Find Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website. In todays digest, News18 brings you the latest updates on Jaishankars response to the Xenophobic remark on India, former Congress leader Arvinder Singh Lovely joins BJP and other top stories. India Most Open Society: EAM Jaishankar Reacts To Bidens Xenophobic Remark External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has rejected US President Joe Bidens description of India as xenophobic and said that the country has been open and welcoming to people from diverse societies. He also dismissed Bidens remark on Indias placement among economically troubled countries and said, Our economy is not faltering. READ MORE Arvinder Singh Lovely, Four Others, Join BJP Days After Quitting Congress Days after quitting the post of Delhi Congress chief, Arvinder Singh Lovely joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday. Four other former Congress leaders including Rajkumar Chauhan, Naseeb Singh, Neeraj Basoya and Amit Malik switched sides with Lovely, at the ceremony held at BJP headquarters in New Delhi today. READ MORE Unnatural Sex With Wife Not Rape, Absence Of Womans Consent Immaterial: MP High Court The Madhya Pradesh High Court in a recent order noted that any sexual act, including unnatural sex, by a husband with his wife will not constitute rape as marital rape is not legally recognised in India adding that the consent of the wife in such cases is immaterial. READ MORE US Nurse Jailed For 380-760 Years For Giving Lethal Insulin Doses To Patients Pennsylvania nurse Heather Pressdee, 41, received three consecutive life sentences and another consecutive term of 380-760 years behind bars for administering lethal or potentially lethal doses of insulin to numerous patients. READ MORE The experienced Ravichandran Ashwin of the Rajasthan Royals shared a hilarious moment with the young duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill in the recently concluded Test series against England at home. READ MORE Find Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website. India has shared a list of A category gangsters in Canada with the Justin Trudeau government but there has been no response so far, top Intelligence sources told CNN-News18 amid the Canadian police arresting members of an alleged hit squad linked to the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in the province of British Columbia in June last year. The Canadian government is not keen to give any response on the Indian request of handing over these criminals. These gangsters are working against the interest of the Indian government and mostly for Pakistan ISI. Shelter to these gangsters is a serious issue and when they commit local crimes, the Canadian government puts the blame on India," the sources said. They added that the Canadian governments politics of supporting Khalistanis is also because of domestic politics. For local votes, they are harbouring these gangsters who are used by Pakistan from time to time. We expect the Canadian government to respond to these listed criminals and give their custody to India." The list includes names like Arsh Dalla, Rinku Bihla, Baba Dalla , Landa, Raman Judge, Sam Abohar and Snover Singh Dhillon. In a statement on Friday, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) named Kamalpreet Singh, Karanpreet Singh and Goldy Brar as accused in gunning down of the Khalistani leader Nijjar, who was also a Canadian citizen, at a parking lot of a gurdwara in Surrey, a city in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Indian officials familiar with the developments said that the three who were named as accused were living in Canada and were involved in the drug trade and were connected to Pakistan spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Gangsters are running operations in India sitting in Canada and many named accused by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) are living there. They were regularly getting money from ISI for anti-India and pro-Khalistani activities. From time to time we have given evidence but no support is given by Canadian government or their police," the aforementioned officials told CNN-News18. This is a case for the Canadian police and bringing the name of the Indian government is (making) allegations without proof," they further added. Nijjars death and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations that India played a role have soured relations between Ottawa and New Delhi. India has said that the claims are baseless and has sought proof from the Canadian authorities. Stay updated with live coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Voting In Karnataka And Gujarat on our website. Get the latest updates, polling trends, result dates and more. We learned a lot about the history of Azerbaijan during the trip, a traveler from Norway Thomas Kristoffersen told journalists in Azerbaijans Jabrayil, Azernews reports. According to him, the pace of restoration work in Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur made a great impression on him. "I'm amazed at how quickly you can mobilize and rebuild homes, villages, cities and infrastructure," he said. A delegation of the Norwegian National Club of International Travelers, consisting of 30 people, has also visited the Khudafarin Bridge in Jabrayil. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 4. A Turkish-Azerbaijani business forum will be held in Ankara on May 8, Trend reports. The forum will be held in connection with the XXI Urgent Session of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye with the cooperation of the Council for Foreign Economic Relations and the Association of Chambers of Commerce and Exchanges of Turkiye (TOBB). The forum will be attended by the Assistant to the Head of State of Turkiye Cevdet Yilmaz, and the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, Ali Asadov. To note, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Turkiye increased by 31 percent, or $1.8 billion, in 2023 compared to the previous year and amounted to $7.6 billion. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing into the sex scandal involving Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna and his father HD Revanna, accompanied by local police officials, arrived at Revannas place in Hassans Holenarasipura on Saturday to conduct a spot Mahazar. The victim had alleged that she was sexually harassed by HD Revanna and Prajwal Revanna at his house in Holenarasipura. Video clips allegedly showing JDS chief and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowdas grandson Prajwal Revanna indulging in sexual acts with several women including a few government employees circulated in the Hassan district, following which, the Karnataka government ordered a special investigation team to probe into the matter. Prajwal Revnna is the grandson of JD(S) chief and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda. JD(S) is a part of the NDA alliance in the state. Prajwal, 33, was also the NDA candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha constituency Following the sex tape scandal, Revanna was suspended from Janata Dal (Secular) on Tuesday. A lookout notice was also issued against the incumbent JD(S) MP by the SIT probing the case, sources said on Thursday. Rahul Gandhi Writes To Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wrote to Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on the Prajwal Revanna case urging him to extend support to all victims and ensure all parties responsible for this are brought to book. The Congress leader also took a jibe at Prime Minister, saying that the PM and HMs blessings were with Revanna. Find Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website. JD(S) MLA HD Revanna was arrested on Saturday in the alleged Karnataka sex scandal case by the Special Investigation Committee (SIT), which is probing the sexual assault allegations against Revanna and his son, Prajwal. The move comes shortly after a Bengaluru court rejected the anticipatory bail plea filed by HD Revanna in the Mysuru abduction case. The SIT first detained Revanna from his father and former Prime Minister Deve Gowdas residence and reached the CID office where the arrest was declared. Soon after his arrest, Revanna was taken to Bowring hospital for medical checkup. #HDRevanna: Ramesh Babu of Congress denies involvement, stating such incidents are unprecedented in IndiaBJP's @VivekSReddy9 accuses Congress of playing a big game by targeting the father in the name of the son#PrajwalRevanna #SexScandal | @Akankshaswarups pic.twitter.com/BPT9Gm6oXC News18 (@CNNnews18) May 4, 2024 Earlier, the kidnapped victim was rescued from Revannas close assistant Rajasekhars farmhouse in Kalenahalli, Hunsur Taluk after the SIT conducted the rescue operation to find her, the police said. The victim will speak to the probing panel soon. The abduction case was filed by the son of a woman who worked at the Revannas house for nearly five years. He alleged that his mother was kidnapped from her home on April 29 by Satish Babanna a relative of Revanna. The victim had been held captive by Rajashekhar at the farmhouse in Kalenalli, Hunsur taluk, since then. Siddaramaiah on HD Revannas Arrest Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said he wont interfere in the investigation against HD Revanna in the alleged sex scandal case. I wont interfere in this because action must be taken as per law. He had sought anticipatory in the Kidnap case, he didnt get it so he was arrested. I havent spoken to the police yet, he said. Prajwal Revannas Anticipatory Bail Rejected Meanwhile, the anticipatory bail application of his Prajwal Revanna, who is an accused in a sexual assault case, has also been denied by Justice Santosh Gajanana Bhats bench of Peoples Representative Court in Bengaluru on the same day. The SIT also reached Prajwals Hassan residence for scene mahazar Notably, both HD Revanna and his son Prajwal Revanna are facing grave allegations of sexual assault and filming the act. The first case against the father and son duo was registered for alleged sexual harassment at the Holenarsipura police station in Hassan district last Sunday, based on a complaint by a woman who worked in Revannas house. In another major update in the case, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiahs office said a special team probing the alleged sex scandal involving Prajwal Revanna has informed the CM that there is a possibility of the CBI issuing a Blue Corner Notice against the JD(S) Hassan MP, who is said to have left the country. A Blue Corner Notice is issued by the international police cooperation body to collect additional information from its member countries about a persons identity, location or activities about a crime. Find Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website. KBK Jayakumar Dhanasingh, the Tirunelveli East District Congress Committee President, who had been missing for the past two days, was found dead at his farm at Karaichithupudur village under Uvari police limits in this Southern district of Tamil Nadu on Saturday. Uvari police found Jayakumars fully burnt body in the garbage yard on the farm, located near his house. Police said Jayakumar went missing from his house on Thursday evening, and following a complaint from his son J Karuthaiah Jefrin, a search operation was launched. As per media reports, copper wires were found around Jayakumars limbs and police suspect that his hands and legs were tied with electric cables before he was set ablaze and insulation on the electric cables had melted in the fire. The police also recovered the Voter ID and Aadhar cards of the deceased from the farm. The police suspect that the victim was killed by assailants, who then tried to destroy the evidence by setting the body on fire. The police are also looking into other causes of the death, including suicide. According to Superintendent of Police (SP) N.Silambarasan, forensic experts visited the spot and held investigations. Jayakumars body was removed to the Government Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital for autopsy. Five special police teams have been formed to probe the murder. On April 30, Jayakumar approached police claiming a threat to his life over financial transactions and listed the names of eight persons, of them few Congress leaders including a sitting Congress MLA, a former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) President who issued death threats to him. He also stated suspicious movements of strangers around his house were seen by him during night times and appealed to the police to take suitable action. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) chief K Selvaperunthagai condoled the death of his party colleague and recalled his contributions to the party. The opposition lashed out at the ruling DMK and the state police over the matter. AIADMK general secretary and Leader of Opposition, Edappadi K Palaniswami, expressed shock over the matter and sympathised with the family of the deceased. The incident involving the leader of a national party was the peak of deterioration of law and order, in Tamil Nadu, he alleged in a post on X. Those behind the incident should be arrested and due legal action initiated against them, he demanded. BJP state president K Annamalai claimed Dhanasingh had written to the district police earlier, claiming threat to his life and had mentioned some individuals then. He alleged police did not act on the plaint. If this is the case of a complaint given by the district president of the Congress party in the DMK rule, there is a strong question about the law and order safety of the common people, he said on X. He urged that a proper probe should reveal the facts behind the incident. PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss also questioned the ruling DMK over the law and order situation, citing the Congress functionarys death. Find Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website. The Jharkhand High Court on Friday dismissed the plea of Hemant Soren, who was seeking judicial redressal against the Enforcement Directorate (ED)s decision to arrest him, calling the former chief minister a losing litigant and anxious petitioner who, as a last resort to wriggle out of the mess created by himself, used the bogey of political vendetta. News18 has accessed the order of the court. Soren was arrested by the directorate in connection with a land scam on January 31. The former chief minister skipped eight of 10 summonses issued to him by the ED. Stating that the evidences and documents which went against Soren were not false, the court in the judgement said: The recovery of huge cash from his Delhi residence is not denied by the petitioner and the excuse of the illness of his parents for keeping more than Rs 36 lakh in cash prima facie looks untenable. In this state of affairs, by raising a technical plea, the petitioner cannot wriggle out of the mess he created for himself. Like the last resort to a losing litigant, an anxious petitioner has raised the bogey of political vendetta. The court added: The case set up by the ED against the petitioner is not based only on the statements recorded under section 50 of the PMLA including of those who claimed themselves real owners of the properties in question. There is an abundance of documents that lay a foundation for the arrest and remand of the petitioner to police and judicial custody. At this stage, it is not possible to hold that the ED has proceeded against the petitioner for no reasons. It has further explained that the petition by Soren was not one which talks about the witnesses being coerced or forced to give the statements. The petitioner did not even accuse the ED of producing fake materials against him. The fabrication and falsification of the property deeds and revenue records are the matters of record, and there is prima facie evidence of the petitioners association with Bhanu Pratap Prasad (the prime accused), the court stated. At the relevant time, the petitioner was the chief minister and there was manipulation in registering the report in Sadar PS Case No. 272 of 2023, the court added. Find Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website. Every year on May 4, International Firefighters Day is observed to honour and pay tribute to the outstanding work that firefighters do in protecting peoples lives and property. Firefighters risk their lives, work relentlessly and volunteer at any moment to help avoid fire damage. The day is also marked to acknowledge the hard work of past and present firefighters for their selfless service to society. Its a day to remember those who have sacrificed their lives while performing their duties and honour the men and women who work to keep us safe and to safeguard our property, communities and wilderness. International Firefighters Day 2024: Quotes Firefighters are some of the most selfless and honest public servants you will ever encounter Denis Leary. A mans greatest act of bravery is accomplished the moment he joins the fire department Ed F. Croker. Firefighters dont go on strike Denis Leary. Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear Mark Twain. But shout out the praises and award the winners crown. To our brave firefighters who dont back down from danger Fredric G. W. Fenn. International Firefighters Day: History International Firefighters Day was first observed in 1999 to honour the efforts and bravery of firemen worldwide. The tragic deaths of five Australian firemen in a wildfire inspired this annual commemoration. Chris Evans, Gary Vredeveldt, Jason Thomas, Matthew Armstrong, and Stuart Davidson, all courageous firefighters, died in the line of duty. Despite being summoned for help, they died while fighting the flames. As a result of this sad event, International Firefighters Day was established. Since then, this day has expanded into a worldwide celebration and recognition of the bravery, tenacity, and selflessness of firefighters everywhere. It acts as a reminder of their priceless contributions to our communities and their steadfast dedication to preventing fire from endangering people or property. International Firefighters Day 2024: Significance International Firefighters Day is a significant day because it celebrates the extraordinary heroism and sacrifice of firefighters who risk their lives to protect the public from fires and other catastrophes. This occasion is a sombre reminder of their undying courage, selflessness, and dedication to their communities. The day also highlights the importance of raising fire safety awareness and giving proper support to firefighters by providing them with the resources and tools they require to carry out their critical jobs. Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya was born in Varanasi to a Telugu Brahmin family in 1479 AD. He was a renowned scholar and founder of the Pushti sect in India. His birth anniversary is observed across the nation on Krishna Paksha Ekadashi of the Vaishakha month of the Hindu calendar as Vallabhacharya Jayanti. Shripad Vallabhacharya was an ardent follower of Lord Krishna and is also considered one of the pioneers of the Bhakti Movement in India. This year, Vallabhacharya Jayanti will be marked on May 4. Lets have a look at this years date, time, significance, and rituals of the auspicious festival: Vallabhacharya Jayanti 2024: Date and Time As per the Purnimant lunar calendar followed in North India, it is said that Vallabhacharya was born on the Krishna Paksha Ekadashi in Vaishakha month. This year, Ekadashi Tithi falls on May 3, which marks the Vallabhacharya Jayanti. Ekadashi Tithi will begin at 11:24 PM on May 3 and will be in effect until 8:38 PM on May 4, according to Drik Panchang. Vallabhacharya Jayanti 2024: History & Significance Vallabhacharya, who was born in Varanasi in 1479, was an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna. Like many of the devotees of the Lord, he also believed Lord Krishna to be the supreme power. He used to worship him in the form of Shrinath Ji, and this day marks the greatest moment in the life of Vallabhacharya when he saw Lord Krishna. According to a popular belief, it is believed that Vallabhacharya was once heading towards the North West region of India, and during his walk, he noticed a strange phenomenon near Mount Govardhan, popularly associated with Lord Krishna. He saw a cow stopping at a particular place on the mountain and shredding milk daily. So, one day, he got curious and thought of digging that place, and, as a result, he found Lord Krishnas idol. After that, it is said that Lord Krishna appeared before the saint and hugged him for his supreme devotion. From that day onwards, the followers of the Pushti sect started worshipping the childlike image of Lord Krishna, or Bala Krishna, with great devotion. Vallabhacharya Jayanti 2024: Rituals Raj Nayani is a well-known actor in the world of television. He has acted in many hit television serials like Pushpa Impossible, Pandya Store and Rishton Ka Chakravyuh. The actor is currently in the news because a senior politician called him a porn star during a press conference. Politician Chitra Wagh questioned the actors alleged dirty role in an ad in which he is seen shooting for an adult video on the platform Ullu. She called him a porn star and took on him for trying to bring this seedy porn culture to India. Raj has now reacted to her calling him a porn star and said, I am a character actor and for insulting an artist, BJP leader Chitra Wagh should take back her words and apologise to me; otherwise I will file a defamation case against her even though I dont want to. He went on to say that Chitra Wagh is an educated woman. The actor added that when an artist works in a movie or show, they have to portray characters according to the needs of the role. She used pictures from a web series I had worked on and claimed that I was a porn star. This claim has offended me and she has defamed me by calling my acting porn, he added. Raj has acted in short films like Daru 2 Peg, Chhed Ka Chakkar and a serial and Palang Tod which was released in Ullu among others. Rajs other works include the serial Voot Select, Ilegal 2 and popular television serials like Star Plus Rishton Ka Chakravyuh, Pandya Store and Pushpa Impossible to name a few. He has also acted in Sunny Deols film Chup: Revenge of the Artist which also stars Dulquer Salmaan, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Pooja Bhatt and Saranya Ponvannan. He also acted in Vidyut Jammwals IB71. Two of Hindi cinemas most unconventional artists, acclaimed for their performances, will team up to solve a complex murder mystery. Veteran actors Ashutosh Rana and Vijay Raaz will headline the crime thriller Murder in Mahim, a new psychological crime thriller series. On Friday, the trailer of the series was dropped, and it has left fans impressed. Murder in Mahim is hailed as a social commentary diving into a chilling murder mystery and unveiling the gritty underbelly of Mumbai, while also spotlighting the reconnection of old friends Peter (portrayed by Ashutosh Rana) and Jende (played by Vijay Raaz). Based on a highly praised novel by Jerry Pinto, the series is directed by Raj Acharya and produced by Tipping Point Films and Jigsaw Pictures. Joining Ashutosh Rana and Vijay Raaz are talented actors Shivani Raghuvanshi and Shivaji Satam in key roles. Set against the backdrop of a grisly murder at Mahim station, the show follows Peter as he gets embroiled in the investigation of this dark crime. Matters intensify when his son, Sunil, becomes a suspect in the case. In the midst of this, Peter and Jende find themselves immersed in a realm of hidden longings, extortion and unvoiced love as they pursue the elusive killer. Talking about his role, Ashutosh Rana said in an interview, When it comes to difficult characters, I am most excited. Peter is one such character who connects with me deeply amid the murder investigation, with multiple storylines that show the social stigmas surrounding race, gender and sexuality. This is the beauty of this show. Vijay Raaz said, The most special aspect of Zendes character is his personal life. My effort is to bring life to this character, which is visible in the investigation scenes, but at the same time, he is also aggressive. So, it was exciting to portray the emotional parts of my character and bring a full range of emotions on screen. Murder in Mahim will start streaming on Jio Cinema from May 10 onwards. The internet is buzzing and leaving fans intrigued with the news of Bella Hadids newfound romance with cowboy Adan Banuelos. While the model initially kept their relationship private, it seems like shes not hiding it anymore after making it official earlier this year. Recently, Hadid stepped out in New York City for the launch of her fragrance Orebella, looking cheerful as she shared PDA moments with her partner. For the special night, the stunning supermodel showcased her figure in a stylish ensemble, as she wore a white crop top with ripped black leather jeans. The model added charm to her attire as she paired it with a black jacket. Paparazzi photos feature Hadid leaving the venue and holding hands of her cowboy partner. With a wide smile on her face, Hadid appeared cozy and comfortable alongside the renowned professional athlete. While Bella radiated her signature beauty, Adan rocked his traditional blue jeans, a cowboy hat and matching boots, along with an oversized belt. Bellas fragrance launch event was filled with A-list stars, like her mother Yolanda Hadid, Ashley Graham, Rosalia, Anok Yai and rapper ASAP Ferg, among others. At the event, Bella introduced three fragrances named Window2soul, Salted Muse and Blooming Fire. According to her website, the fragrances are available in different sizes, 10mL bottle is priced at $35 (approximately Rs 3,000), 50mL is worth $72 (approximately Rs 6,000) and 100mL costs $100 (approximately Rs 8,000). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Just Jared (@justjared) According to Allure, Bella Hadid took a major step in her life, by stepping away from modelling to focus on her mental and physical well being. Amidst her successful modelling career, she relocated to Texas to start a new journey with Adan Banuelos, whom she calls my partner and describes him as an incredible older businessman. Sharing the reason behind her decision, the supermodel said, After 10 years of modelling. I realised I was putting so much energy and love and effort into something that, in the long run, wasnt necessarily giving it back to me. For the first time now, Im not putting on a fake face. If I dont feel good, I wont go. If I dont feel good, I take time for myself. Just as I have styled myself for years now, I love being able to do my own hair and makeup, be happy with how I look, and get ready with my girlfriends here in Texas. We have the best time, and I never feel like I need to do too much, she added. As per a source close to Bella Hadids sister Gigi Hadid, she is supportive and proud of her sisters choice to take a break from modelling. The insider shared with US Weekly that Gigi believes Bellas decision was personal and that will bring her more happiness. Although Bellas hiatus is temporary, Gigi sees it as an opportunity for her sister to explore other aspects of her life. She also expects that her sister will return to the industry in the future. Popular 90s Bollywood actor Deepak Tijori made a shocking claim about Saif Ali Khans ex-wife, actress Amrita Singh. The actor, in a recent interview, was speaking about Bollywood stars not coming forward to show their support to their friends projects when he claimed that Saif wanted to come and extend his support to Deepak for his 1993 film, Pehla Nasha, but his then wife, Amrita stopped him from doing so. The film was directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and Saif was approached for a cameo. Speaking with Zoom TV, Deepak said that Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Saif Ali Khan were approached to make an appearance in the film. The trio was to be seen as actors who were attending a premiere in the film. When Saif allegedly informed Amrita about the part, she reportedly frowned upon the idea. Back in 1993, there was a film called Pehla Nasha that we were making, and surprisingly, in that film, there was a scene in which we all wanted celebrities to come for a premiere of my character in the film. Ashutosh Gowariker was the director and we had friends. There was one moment when I was really surprised by something that happened. Apparently, there were Shah Rukh, Saif, and Aamir who were coming," he recalled. Saif was getting ready, this was his version, he was getting ready at home. His then-wife, Amrita, asked him, What are you doing, where are you going? He said, I am going for a premiere, I am going for a shoot, so its Deepaks premiere and I going to be a part of it. So she was like, Really? How can you do this? We never did all these things, you know. Who does this? It was a moment that was a shock to me," Deepak added. Despite their conversation, Saif made it to the shoot and filmed his cameo with Saif and Aamir. Watch the scene below: Deepak added that the show of support move apparently wasnt there in the early 1990s. But he noted that Bollywood stars attended events to show their support to each other. However, it is no longer the case. Deepak will now be seen in Tipppsy. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 4. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on the establishment of the Khankendi City Prosecutor's Office, Trend reports. According to the decree, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in connection with the establishment of the Khankendi City Prosecutor's Office, should take the necessary measures to solve the issues of providing this structure with a building, equipment, communication, transportation means, and other material and technical means, as well as other issues arising from this decree. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Actor Makarand Deshpande recently shared that a crucial scene featuring him in the action film Monkey Man was cut. He was informed about the edit by Dev Patel, the films director and star, just before its US premiere. According to Makarand, this scene was the soul of the film and crucial to its underlying philosophy. Despite the films anticipation, it still awaits a theatrical release in India. In a conversation with Siddharth Kanan, Makarand recounted, For the premiere of Monkey Man, I went to California. Before that, Dev Patel said he wants to have a word with me. He said, Thats the scene I love the most, but we had to edit it for some reason for some political (reason) you understand and he just mumbled. I kept on looking at him and said, Dev, wasnt that scene the philosophy of your film? He was like, Oh yes, man, but you will still like your role, I am sorry, but you will like it. Makarand continued, When I saw the film, I said no problem. But I know that scene woh agar rehta toh kya maza aata. It had that punch, an edited scene wont matter to the audience, but it matters to the actor. In my understanding, it was the rooh (soul) of the film, it may not be for Dev. It is getting a lot of critical acclaim, might in the Oscar race later and is like their Satya. Monkey Man, starring Dev Patel as Kid who seeks revenge against corrupt leaders responsible for his mothers death, was initially scheduled for an April 19 release in India. However, the release is pending due to the need for clearance from the CBFC, reportedly due to its depiction of violence, sexual content, and references to Hindu religion and mythology. Following its release on VOD in the US, the film has been pirated, leading trade sources to speculate that a theatrical release in India is becoming increasingly unlikely. However, a peaking with Lallantop Cinema, Makarand assured that Monkey Man will be released in India and the producers are already in talks with the concerned teams about it. He added that Monkey Mans release in India was probably delayed due to the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. He assured that there was nothing objectionable in the film and added that the film will be released in India eventually. Kabhi bhi release ho sakti hai, film mein aise kuch hai nahi ke release rok dein (The movie doesnt have anything in it that could cancel its release, it can be released any time). I feel because of the elections everything is stopped. What Id heard from the producer is that they were in talks, and it was supposed to be released, but The film should be released. But according to me, this film is going to pass the test of time; there are some films like Satya, and this is one of them, he said. Previously, Deadline reported that the film was originally to stream on Netflix. The platform purchased the film, but they had doubts about releasing it in the Indian market. Later, as reported, Monkey Mans co-financier, Bron Studios, declared bankruptcy, proving to be a challenge for the film. Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor has been designated as Unicef Indias National Ambassador. She initially joined the organization as a Celebrity Advocate in 2014. During her recent appointment ceremony, Kareena was moved to tears while delivering her speech onstage. This new role adds another prestigious achievement to Kapoors illustrious career. In a post on Instagram on May 4, Kareena expressed her gratitude and excitement for becoming the National Ambassador for Unicef India. She emphasized her dedication to advocating for child rights and ensuring an equal future for all children. Kareena reflected on her decade-long collaboration with Unicef India, describing it as enriching and insightful. She penned, An emotional day for me. I am honoured to be appointed as UNICEF India National Ambassador. Working with @unicefindia over the past 10 years has been truly enriching and insightful. I am proud of the work that we have done and am reiterating my commitment to being a voice for promoting and protecting child rights and an equal future for all children. She concluded her post by acknowledging the dedicated team working towards womens and childrens rights in India. Kareena reaffirmed her commitment to this cause and looked forward to further collaborations with UNICEF, A special thank you to the entire team who have been tirelessly working for the rights of women and children across the country. I am inspired every day and am looking forward to our continued partnership, the actress concluded. Upon her appointment, Kareena highlighted the importance of protecting childrens rights, noting that they represent the future generation. She pledged to leverage her platform to advocate for vulnerable children, particularly focusing on issues like early childhood development, education, and gender equality. Kareena reiterated her belief that every child deserves a fair chance and a bright future. She addressed, There are few things as important as the rights of children, the future generation of this world. I am honoured to continue my association with UNICEF now as Indias National Ambassador. I will strive to use my voice and influence for vulnerable children and their rights, especially around early childhood, education and gender equality. For every child deserves a childhood, a fair chance, a future. On the work front, Kareena Kapoor had made headlines when it was rumoured that she was roped in to play a pivotal role in Yashs Toxic. However, it was reported recently that Kareena Kapoor Khan, who was supposed to be Yashs on-screen sister in Toxic, has walked out of the film due to date-related issues. Kareena Kapoors dates do not align with the dates of Yash for Toxic. After making efforts to set the calendar right, the makers have amicably parted ways, a source cited by Pinkvilla said and then added, Toxic has a strong sibling emotion, and the part of the sister is very crucial to the narrative, warranting the presence of a top star. The makers are looking to cast actresses with Pan India presence for the part. Actor Park Sung Hoon, known for his role as Yoon Eun Sung in the popular K-Drama Queen of Tears, recently opened up about the negative reactions he received from viewers due to his characters actions in the series. Despite the hate directed at his character, Park Sung-hoon himself is reportedly quite different from the role he played. In an interview with JoyNews24, Park Sung-hoon revealed that he saw many viewer reactions online, as he even received lots of direct messages via social media. He received so much hate that he had to take a break. I got so much hate for the role, enough to last me a lifetime. I couldnt even check my DMs for a while because of all the angry messages that came through. But Im not actually like that, he said. The actor further explained that many people loved the show and had so much affection for the Hae In and Hyun Woo couple. It had been a great deal of joy seeing the support. During a guest appearance on You Quiz on the Block, Park Sung-hoon shared an incident where a woman at a restaurant reprimanded him for his characters behaviour, mistaking it for his real persona. Despite the backlash, Park Sung-hoon chose to see the positive side of the situation. In an interview with The Korea Times, he stated that he did not let the hate messages affect him personally, as he understood that viewers were emotionally invested in the series. He even saw it as a compliment, believing that the audiences inability to separate him from his character indicated a job well done. Im actually not bothered or hurt by those direct messages (on social media) because they root for Hong and Baek, they have such feelings toward my character. Thats how much they love and put interest in our series so I enjoy reading the comments, the actor added. Looking ahead, Park Sung-hoon is gearing up for the second season of the popular Netflix series Squid Game. He expressed excitement about portraying a new character and hopes that viewers will come to know him by his characters name, much like they did with his previous roles. With Squid Game set to premiere later this year, Park Sung-hoon is ready to take on new challenges and continue to impress audiences with his versatile acting skills. Actor Shekhar Suman, presently appearing in Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Heeramandi, recently opened up about a deeply sorrowful period in his life where he faced the tragic loss of his elder son Aayush, who passed away at the age of 11 due to a rare illness. Shekhar shared the heartbreaking moment when, despite his sons critical condition, a director requested his presence for a shoot. He recounted how his son desperately clung to him, begging him not to leave. Following Aayushs passing, Shekhar spoke of losing his faith and choosing to remove all religious idols from his home. In an interview with Connect FM Canada, Shekhar recollected holding Aayush and hoping for a miracle, admitting that miracles didnt transpire. He recalled a distressing instance when a director asked him to shoot while Aayush was extremely unwell. Despite initially refusing due to his sons condition, he eventually agreed at the directors insistence. Shekhar recounted the poignant moment when Aayush implored him not to go, a memory etched in his mind forever. Shekhar Suman recalled, But miracles dont happen. One day it was raining heavily and Aayush was very ill. The director, knowing my childs serious condition, requested me to come for a shoot for two-three hours, and I said, I cant. He said, Please it will be a big loss for me, and I agreed. When I was about to leave, Aayush held my hand and said, Papa, dont go today, please. I let go of his hand and promised him Ill be back in a jiffy. That was that moment I can never forget. After Aayushs demise, Shekhars faith was shaken, leading him to close the temple in his house and discard all idols as a symbolic gesture of his pain and loss. He confessed that Aayushs suffering was so unbearable that his wife prayed for his release. Shekhar emphasized that he continues to grapple with the grief of losing Aayush, reminiscing about him each day, All the idols were taken away and thrown outside. The temple was closed. I said that I will never go to the God who gave me so much pain, hurt me so much, took the life of a beautiful, innocent child, he added. Shekhar had previously shared the challenging period following the 1989 diagnosis of his sons terminal illness. Despite the initial bleak prognosis of eight months, Aayush defied the odds and lived for four years. Shekhars efforts to seek treatment, including a trip to London and consultations with renowned doctors, proved futile as Aayushs health deteriorated. Currently featuring in the Netflix series Heeramandi alongside his other son, Adhyayan Suman, Shekhar Suman is known for his films like Utsav, Rehguzar, Anubhav, Tridev, Heartless, Bhoomi to name a few. Death of celebrities is always a huge loss to their fans and the public. Many lose their lives after facing an accident like a plane crash as well. Today, we will take a look at 6 Indian celebrities who died in a plane crash. Inder Thakur Actor Inder Thakur known for his role in Nadia Ke Paar also lost his family in a helicopter crash. He died in 1985 on Air India flight Kanishka-182. 329 people lost their lives in this crash. Taruni Sachdev Rasana Girl actress Taruni Sachdev also lost her life in a helicopter crash. She died at the age of 14. The coincidence is that her date of birth and death day was the same. She was born on 14 May 1998 and she died on May 14, 2012. Soundarya On April 17, 2004, actress Soundarya was on her way to Karimnagar to campaign for a BJP candidate. The helicopter crashed at a height of 100 feet after takeoff from Jakkur airfield in Bengaluru. Aaliyah Actress Aaliyah died on August 25, 2001, at age 22, in a plane crash in the Abaco Islands, Bahamas. The twin-engine Cessna was overloaded by 700 pounds and crashed almost immediately after takeoff, about 200 feet from the end of the runway; all eight passengers and the pilot died instantly. John Kennedy Jr He died on July 16, 1999, at age 39, in a plane crash. John was an attorney, magazine publisher and journalist. He was en route from Fairfield, New Jersey to Hyannisport, Massachusetts to attend his cousins wedding. His wife, Carolyn, and sister-in-law, Lauren Bessette, also died in the crash. YS Rajasekhar Reddy YS Rajasekhar Reddy was the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. He died in a 2009 plane crash involving a Bell 430 twin-engine helicopter in the Nallamala Hills of Andhra Pradesh. An investigation into the crash later determined that the helicopter was not airworthy. The helicopter was being flown due to the pilots poor decisions and crashed. Delhi Police has stepped up the investigation in the missing case of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actor Gurucharan Singh. Reportedly, a team of police officials has reached Mumbai where it will be questioning the TMKOC cast along with Singhs family members and friends. Gurucharan was supposed to take a flight from Delhi to Mumbai on April 22 when he went missing. There have been several reports suggesting different things about Gurucharans life, from him facing financial crunch to him getting married soon. Now, a team has reached Mumbai from Delhi to investigate the missing case, and put the missing pieces of the case together, a source cited by Hindustan Times claimed. The insider also revealed that the police officials will be questioning TMKOC actors to ascertain Gurucharans state of mind. People involved with the case since the initial stage, cast of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, his friends and family members are being questioned. This is to ascertain his state of mind, and see if they are missing something which can be important in the investigation. They are even making phone calls to check about the case, and their association with Gurucharan. Everyone so far has been really supportive, the source added. Gurucharan Singh, who used to play the role of Roshan Sodhi in TMKOC, was last seen on April 22. His father filed a missing complaint four days later which stated, My son Gurucharan Singh, Age: 50 years, had left at 8:30 am on 22nd April to go to Mumbai. He went to the airport to catch a flight. He didnt reach Mumbai, neither has he returned home and his phone is not reachable. He is mentally stable and we had been searching for him but now he has been missing. Earlier this week, News18 Showsha exclusively reported that the actor may have planned his own disappearance. He left his phone in the Palam area. We are trying to find but it only makes it more difficult for us to trace Gurucharan Singh, because this means that the phone is not with the actor. In the CCTV footage, we recovered that he was seen moving from one e-rickshaw to another. Looks like, he had planned everything and has moved out of Delhi, police sources told us. So far, several of Gurucharans TMKOC co-stars including Jennifer Mistry, Samay Shah and Mandar Chandwadkar have expressed concern over his disappearance, hoping him to return home soon. Recently, the shows producer Asit Kumarr Modi also reacted to the news and called it painful and shocking. Actor, producer and director Raj Kapoor, considered as the greatest showman of Indian cinema, would have celebrated his 100th birthday this December. The legendary actor, born in Peshawar had a remarkable career where he not only won peoples respect but also numerous prestigious awards. Recently, a throwback video from Kapoors 1987 birthday bash has surfaced online. Sadly, it was also his final celebration before his untimely demise in 1988 due to complications from asthma. The rare footage features a star-studded gathering of yesteryear superstars, including Rishi Kapoor, Rima Kapoor Jain, Dimple Kapadia, Shashi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, Raaj Kumar, Krishna Kapoor, Kabir Bedi, Saeed Jaffrey, Jeetendra, Mohsin Khan, Anil Kapoor, Meenakshi Seshadri, Jackie Shroff, Karan Kapoor, Shatrughan Sinha, Rekha, Rajendra Kumar, Ranbir Kapoor, Riddhima Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Vinod Mehra and Sunil Dutt. The resurfaced video shows the glimpse of the bond shared between Kapoor and his Bollywood colleagues like Shashi, Raaj, Saeed, Shatrughan, Sunil, while Rekha, paid homage the icon by touching his feet and giving him a warm birthday hug. Meanwhile, the camaraderie between Ranbir, Riddhima and Kareena caught everyones attention. The three siblings are seen playing and interacting with their grandfather. The footage also captures the iconic stars joking, socializing and enjoying each others company, during the bash. View this post on Instagram A post shared by bollylover (@_lover_of_bollywood_) Meanwhile, Rishi Kapoor, who died in 2020 due to cancer, once spoke with The Print about his father Raj Kapoor and said, People ask me where I learned acting if I went to a school or an institution. I tell them that there can never be a bigger institution than the Kapoors. Never did my father behave like he was my secretary or choose subjects for me. He said, I have given this boy a break, and now hes on his own; he will fall, he will get up, he will take care of himself. He said, Im your father, not your secretary. I have continued with that, with my son. At the age of 10 in 1935, Raj Kapoor made his debut in Hindi cinema with the film Inquilab. His breakthrough role came in the 1947 film Neel Kamal, where he starred opposite Madhubala. Throughout his career, Kapoor received numerous prestigious awards, including the Padma Bhushan in 1971, and in 1987, he was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Additionally, Kapoor even earned two nominations at the Cannes Film Festival for his films Awaara and Boot Polish. The largest democratic process in the world, the Indian Lok Sabha elections 2024, has attracted the attention of one and all across the globe. This general election is a watershed moment for Bharat which will initiate the country towards its new self of Viksit Bharat by 2047. Besides, it also holds the possibility of establishing Indias dynamic presence on the global stage. In academic discourses, it is often said that in the last ten years, under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India, today is in the final stage of decolonisation. Under the visionary captaincy of Modi, Bharat, which was called sone ki chidiya i.e. the golden bird, in ancient times, is re-emerging as an economic power, recovering from hundreds of years of slavery post-colonisation. Besides, it has also forged a new identity on the global stage with its scientific, strategic and soft power. However, the anti-India international forces are not able to digest Bharats new rise and are trying to hinder its advancement. The international media coverage, particularly news reports, articles, and editorials concerning Modi and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, serves as one of the most reliable indicators of this negative approach towards Bharat. In keeping with the idea that Bharat was called the golden bird once upon a time, the British economist Angus Maddison in his book The World Economy: A Millennial Perspective has shown that India was the richest country and the largest economy in the world till the 10th century, its GDP was more than one-third of the worlds economy, which remained very high till the 16th-17th century. But on account of the loot by external forces and inappropriate domestic policies post-independence, the GDP gradually slumped to 2.6 per cent in 2014. It is only with the efficient implementation framework created by the Narendra Modi government that India jumped from the 10th largest economy of the world in 2014 to the fifth largest economy today. By 2027, hopefully, we are going to be the third-largest economy. Along with this, Indias influence has also increased on global platforms, strategically and scientifically. With the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 to the Moon, the nation has registered its presence strongly in the field of science and technology. It has also emerged as a major exporter in space industry and defence equipment. Also, providing Covid vaccines to the entire world during the pandemic and showcasing its prowess in the G20 meeting and other international platforms has added to Indias prestige manifold in the world today. Unfortunately, Indias rise has not gone well with certain vested interests, inimical to Bharat, in Pakistan, China, the Arab world as well as Western countries. These forces feel envious of Indias remarkable progress under the leadership of Modi, marching towards Viksit Bharat @2047. That is why it can be seen that these anti-India forces are trying to influence the Lok Sabha elections in an effort to stop Modis visionary drive towards progress that he has envisaged for the country. There seems to be a sinister conspiracy to influence the Indian voters by running a well-planned campaign at the global level. Naseem Javed, a corporate political philosopher and currently the president of the Canadian think tank Expothon Worldwide, in his book titled Alpha Dreamers: The Five Billion Connected Alpha Dreamers Who Will Change the World in 2019 writes, the people in the world, today, are interconnected. Global public opinion is now an authentic voice. This global public opinion can be used by various forces to influence any country. It would be pertinent to note in this context the international medias attitude vis-a-vis current elections in India. Whether its The New York Times of the US, Englands The Guardian, Qatars (Arabias) Al Jazeera, Pakistans The Dawn or Chinas The Peoples Daily Online, there is a common thread seen in all the portrayal of Narendra Modi and the BJP as the villain, whereas no negative sentiment could be found against Rahul Gandhi and his Congress or other Opposition parties. However, a paradox can be seen in all these newspapers as, despite their strong criticism, all of them believe aaega toh Modi hi (only Modi will win again). The New York Times on April 20, 2024, wrote, In this years elections, the scion of Indias most storied political family (Rahul Gandhi) is still trying to unseat Modi and change the nations coursehes modelling himself after Mahatma Gandhi. He doesnt want to take any position of power. Whereas, the publication on April 23, 2024, portrayed Modi as a villain, and commented that he abolished the semi-autonomy of the Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir; enacted a citizenship law (CAA) widely viewed as prejudiced against Muslims; and helped construct a grand Ram Mandir. These comments come at a time when it has been understood both at the national and international level that all these measures were taken to correct long-standing historical mistakes. Its not without reason that the public opinion of the nation remained in favour of Modi all this time. Similarly, Al Jazeera on April 12, 2024, was critical of Modi being portrayed as Bhishma Pitamah, the famous character of the epic Mahabharata, using Artificial Intelligence (AI). It must be noted that the image of Bhishma Pitamah is that of a great selfless character who was detached from the throne and wanted to keep the state safe and secure from all sides. In another story, Al Jazeera on April 19, 2024, posed the question, Can Sunil Kanugolu (Congress poll strategist) bring Indias Modi down? On the other hand, The Guardian, on April 18, 2024, was seen as troubled by the fact that Modis Hindu nationalist agenda has won him support among swathes of Indias 80 per cent Hindu majority, often enabling him to transcend traditional caste and class barriers to win votes among poorer, rural, and lowest caste communities as well as affluent urban voters and the rising middle classes. He has also gained accolades for being seen to have elevated India into a world power being courted by the West, and many of his supporters say Modi has made them proud to be Indian. Despite the immense popularity of Modi, anti-India newspaper The Guardian malevolently wishes in its editorial of April 17, 2024, that Indian voters ought to think hard about giving Narendra Modi another popular mandate. Similarly, The Peoples Daily Online, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party on April 22, 2024 wrote, showing a fake concern, Despite Indias economic growth under Modis leadership in the past decade, the path driven by nationalism sentiment seems unsustainable. The Dawn on April 29, 2024, showed its disappointment saying that the BJPs popularity among Dalit voters has grown considerably and the fact that a party dominated by upper-caste Hindus is getting votes from lower-caste groups deserves more explanation. The same newspaper in its incisive analysis explains this as the outcome of the tactical use of caste-centric rhetoric completely ignoring how the Modi government, through dozens of schemes like Awas Yojana, Shauchalay Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, Har Ghar Jal, Ayushman Bharat etc. has transformed the lives of the people belonging to the lower strata of society irrespective of the caste barrier. One can conclude, through the aforementioned facts, that these international newspapers are not comfortable with Indias rise and are wary of it growing powerful. They seem to be making a well-planned attempt to influence the Indian elite class, and through them, ultimately the Indian public opinion against Narendra Modi. Many narratives are being floated against Modi. But these so-called champions of democracy turn a blind eye to the bhrashtachar (corruption), tushtikaran (appeasement), parivarvad (nepotism), jaatiwad (casteism) and kshetrawad (regionalism) of the Opposition parties. The striking similarity in the tone of the international press and the Indian Opposition raises the question: is this a mere coincidence, or a deliberate strategy? But the Indian public, determined to reach the goal of Viksit Bharat, understands its interests very well and is determined to give a befitting reply to the international media on June 4, 2024. Niranjan Kumar is a Senior Professor at the central Hindi Department, University of Delhi. He tweets @NiranjanKIndia. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. As our lives become increasingly reliant on technology, semiconductors have become the essential foundation of society. These tiny chips are the powerhouses behind our electronic devices, communication systems, and even the functioning of our agricultural implements medical equipment and vehicles. India has recognised the enormous socio-economic potential and strategic importance of this silent revolution of technology and is taking the lead in building a robust semiconductor ecosystem and developing a talented workforce. Indias goal of becoming self-sufficient and a global leader in semiconductors is supported by the fact that the semiconductor industry is expected to generate over one million job opportunities for semiconductor design engineers, manufacturing engineers, R&D scientists, operators, technicians, and skilled workers in chip design and semiconductor fabrication, packaging, and sales facilities over the next five years. According to the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) and Zinnovs latest report, Around 30 per cent of the new global capability centres established in India during the December quarter of last year were in the semiconductor space, indicating a growing interest in leveraging the local talent pool in areas such as front-end design, performance testing, and post-silicon validation. The worlds leading chip design companies, including Intel, Texas Instruments, AMD, Nvidia, and Qualcomm, have design and R&D centres in India. AMD recently inaugurated its largest global design centre in Bengaluru. In March, an event Indias Techade: Chips for Viksit Bharat, witnessed the foundation stone of three semiconductor projects worth Rs 1.25 lakh crore. Tata Electronics in partnership with Taiwans Power Chip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC), set up the countrys first semiconductor fab plant in Dholera (Gujarat) with an investment of Rs 91,000 crore and another plant in Morigaon (Assam) with an investment of Rs 27,000 crore, with the first chips to begin coming off the production line in 2026. US-based semiconductor manufacturer Micron India plant with an investment of Rs 22,500 crore in Sanand (Gujarat), is expected to roll out the first Made in India memory chips by December. It is contributing its bit to the Chandrayaan-3 mission Semiconductor Corporation of India (SCL) proposed to update and expand its chip facility in the Mohali plant with an investment of Rs 20,000 crore, to enhance its contribution to ISRO and to other space research organisations globally. 95 Percent Import Dependency Despite the upward trajectory of Indias current semiconductor chip ecosystem, the country remains dependent on the US, Taiwan, China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea, with over 95 per cent of semiconductors imported from these countries. To reduce this dependency on imports, India recognised the strategic importance of a robust domestic semiconductor industry. It unveiled the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) offering 50 per cent capital expenditure support to new entrants, production-linked incentive (PLI), and design-linked incentive (DLI) schemes with an outlay of Rs 76,000 crore, as well as state government incentive support, international partnerships, and a focus on talent development. The Electronic and IT Ministry plans to train over 85,000 engineers in chip design over the next five years to address the skill gap. Such focused efforts aim to guide the development of a self-sufficient ecosystem by fostering policies that nurture its growth. Moreover, the geopolitical uncertainties involving the China-US trade war have compelled companies to seek alternative production bases or sourcing locations outside China. Amid this relocation in the industry, India and Southeast Asian nations like Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia have been preferred for front-end manufacturing in the future. Indias entry into this ecosystem is timely and strategically important for diversifying the global supply chain and positioning India as a global hub for semiconductor design, manufacturing, and technology development, fostering the creation of employment opportunities for the nations youth. Present Landscape and Scope of Growth Bengaluru and Hyderabad together host about two-thirds of Indias semiconductor global capability centres (GCCs), which is over two-thirds of the total 55 semiconductor GCCs in the country. With more than 95 GCC units and a specialised workforce of 50,000, this demonstrates Indias strong commitment to the semiconductor industry. Presently, Indias semiconductor market is valued at an estimated $15 billion and is expected to reach $55 billion by 2026. Smartphones and wearables, automobile components, computers, and data storage account for more than 60 per cent of the market. Challenges Semiconductor manufacturing is an extremely complex process that requires precision at the smallest level. Since the global chip world is closely connected, Indian companies need to collaborate with countries like Taiwan and South Korea to gain access to advanced technology that will enable them to support emerging applications with more chip content, such as autonomous machines, smart medical devices, futuristic communications at 6G onward, and AI across electronics. Bridging the skill gap India needs to bridge the skill gap, especially for advanced chip design and fabrication. The global semiconductor manufacturing industry has a talent pool of 2.3 million, with nearly 25 per cent of senior talent being Indian. To attract and retain this talent, Indian companies are holding roadshows in Taiwans chip manufacturing centre of Hsinchu. Communications and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says, The engineers who have decided to return to India from the US are younger, while those from Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia are generally over 45 years and with more experience. We expect many of them to come back to participate in Indias high-tech manufacturing revolution. Road Ahead The future of the semiconductor industry in India holds immense promise. It will play a crucial role in shaping the countrys advanced technological landscape, driving economic growth, and positioning India as a global leader in innovation. The semiconductor industry will also generate opportunities for an entrant and Indian talent working in this sector globally, many of whom wish to return to their roots. Indias ambition to become a self-reliant and dominant player in the semiconductor industry is clear. With the talent, resources, and infrastructure in place, India is poised to make significant strides in the semiconductor sector and establish itself as a global leader in the years to come. The Author is Vice-Chairman of Sonalika ITL Group, Vice-Chairman (Cabinet Minister rank) of the Punjab Economic Policy and Planning Board, Chairman of ASSOCHAM Northern Region Development Council and President, Tractor and Mechanization Association (TMA). Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. In a witty reaction to Congress claims that Rahul Gandhi is an experienced politician and chess player, Russian chess legend Garry Kasparov said tradition dictates that you should first win from Raebareli before challenging for the top. Taking to social media platform X, Kasparov wrote, Traditional dictates that you should first win from Raebareli before challenging for the top! Traditional dictates that you should first win from Raebareli before challenging for the top! Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) May 3, 2024 The chess legends post was in response to a post on X that read, Feel so relieved that @Kasparov63 and @vishy64theking retired early and didnt have to face the greatest chess genius of our times. Earlier in the day, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh hailed Rahul Gandhi as an experienced player of politics and chess and said it was part of the larger strategy of Congress. His defence came amid criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the decision to field Rahul Gandhi from Raebareli Lok Sabha seat instead of Amethi. Before Kasparovs superannuation, 17-year-old D Gukesh from Chennai had scripted history by winning the 2024 Candidates Tournament in Canada, becoming the youngest-ever challenger to the world title, beating the record set by Russian chess legend Garry Kasparov at the age of 20 in 1984. Kasparov Clarifies His Post Later Soon after his cheeky post on Rahul Gandhis love for chess grabbed everyones attention, Russian chess great Garry Kasparov issued a clarification saying that he hopes that his little joke on Indian politics does not pass for advocacy or expertise. Within hours of asking Gandhi to first win Rae Bareli before challenging for the top, the 61-year-old said it was just a joke and should be seen as one. I very much hope my little joke does not pass for advocacy or expertise in Indian politics! But as an all-seeing monster with 1000 eyes, as I was once described, I cannot fail to see a politician dabbling in my beloved game! the former world champion, who retired in 2005, wrote in response to a post by actor Ranvir Shorey. I very much hope my little joke does not pass for advocacy or expertise in Indian politics! But as an "all-seeing monster with 1000 eyes," as I was once described, I cannot fail to see a politician dabbling in my beloved game! https://t.co/MlBnR4PeZ6 Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) May 3, 2024 Lok Sabha Raebareli Representatives Earlier this month, Sonia Gandhi took oath as a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) from Rajasthan, leaving the seat vacant after former Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs tenure ended on April 3. When Sonia Gandhi decided to leave Raebareli, she wrote an open letter to voters, saying, Due to health and increasing age, I will not contest the next Lok Sabha elections. After this decision, I will not get the opportunity to serve you directly, but certainly, my heart and soul will always be with you. She had held the seat since 2004. In 1952, Feroze Gandhi first contested from Raebareli. Indira Gandhi ensured that the legacy of the family was imprinted on this prestigious seat. When Sonia Gandhi decided to seek a recontest in 2006, after resigning over the possibility of the government bringing in an ordinance on the office of profit issue, she won with a larger margin than in 2004. Check Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 4. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed the law On Approval of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Turkiye on the Abolition of Double Taxation in Respect of Taxes on Income and Prevention of Tax Evasion, Trend reports. According to the document, the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Turkiye on the Abolition of Double Taxation in Respect of Taxes on Income and Prevention of Tax Evasion signed on February 19, 2024, in Ankara was approved. Besides, the head of state signed the law On Approval of Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Turkiye on cooperation in the field of veterinary medicine". The document approves the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Turkiye on cooperation in the field of veterinary medicine signed on February 19, 2024, in Ankara. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday said his party was keen on an alliance with the Congress, and because of that he went to meet Rahul Gandhi at his residence at 6 am. Abhishek, the nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and heir apparent, claimed that TMC candidates are the true representatives of the INDIA bloc in West Bengal. Had I not been serious, I would not have rushed to Rahul Gandhis residence in Delhi at 6 am. We were willing to have an alliance with the Congress in Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal, and despite state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Choudhurys barbs at our party for months we did not react for a long time, he said. We gave Congress time till December but we cannot wait indefinitely as we have to make preparations. Till December 31, 2023, not a single spokesperson of our party, including Mamata Banerjee, reacted to what Choudhury was saying, he added. Banerjee, the MP of Diamond Harbour, said the seat-sharing talks failed because of the state Congresss belligerence. Check Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website. A 16-year-old boy from Delhi recently shared a harrowing experience on Reddit and later X, recounting a disturbing encounter with a man on the metro who he says sexually assaulted him. Posting on the Delhi subreddit, the teenager described boarding the train at Rajiv Chowk and suddenly feeling something touching his backside. He realised a man was gently rubbing his fingers on his private parts. I grabbed his hand back and he started touching my hand, which shocked me but I couldnt react and moved ahead, the OP began as he recounted the ordeal on X. But it was far from over. In his words, He tried to touch me again and was successful. This time I pinched his hand hard, and it probably started bleeding so he stopped for a while. All of this happened while I couldnt see his face. Then I thought were probably done here and I desperately waited to deboard. I just got assaulted in delhi metro right now at Rajiv chowk metro station. I am a 16 year old boy and I was travelling alone in the metro.My orginal post was on reddit and people told me to post here and tag delhi police so Im doing this.@DelhiPolice @DCP_DelhiMetro Bhavya (@Bhavya78059793) May 3, 2024 Even then, the assailant didnt stop and touched him for the third time. Out of extreme anger, the OP pulled his hair and also managed to click a picture of him. Then, while desperately waiting for his destination to arrive, he hoped it would be over. Unfortunately, As soon as I reached my station (Kashmere gate) I got out and tried to go the opposite way trying to trick him and it worked for a while but eventually I had to go to the yellow line and he caught me on my way. I got on the escalator as fast as I could. Also Read: Woman in Delhi Metro Squeezes Between Men After Being Denied Seat, Criticised for Privilege At that moment, he ran for his life as fast as he could, eventually finding a security guard who ensured his safe escort. This terrifying experience prompted him to report it to the Delhi Police, who responded to his X post, requesting his contact details. Please DM your contact details so that we can reach out to you. Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) May 3, 2024 Also Read: Bengaluru Woman Left Traumatised After Man Groped Her in Metro, Reddit Post Recounts Horror In his latest update, the OP shared, Ive talked to a advocate and she told me about all the legal procedures thatll have to go through. I will keep updating you guys through this Twitter account, adding that he is still unable to sleep even after taking medication. Ever wondered what happened to all the properties of dictator Adolf Hitler in Germany? Well, it was said that he and his ministers owned various properties throughout the German nation, but they lost everything after the Battle of World War II. Recently, the German government has been offering to give away a villa once owned by Adolf Hitlers propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels. The current government aims to sort out the years-long debate over whether to reconstruct or bulldoze an unused site. The site is located in the northern countryside of Berlin and has been abandoned for many years. As reported by DPA, the government in Berlin has been constantly trying to give the property to the federal authorities or to the state of Brandenburg, where the villa actually lies. They are mainly trying to do this so that they do not have to continue to pay for the maintenance and security of the property, which has fallen into ruin and disrepair. According to a report by dpa, Stefan Evers, who is Berlins finance minister, said, I offer to anyone who would like to take over the site, to take it over as a gift from the state of Berlin. The Berlin government has recently renewed the offers to sell Joseph Goebbels villa and has called for proposals from people who are interested in understanding the sites history. But his proposal involved no invitations for private buyers. The Berlin government still aims to sell the villa to the federal authorities or the state of Brandenburg. Evers also said, If we fail again, as in the past decades, then Berlin has no other option but to carry out the demolition that we have already prepared for. Talking about the villa, Joseph Goebbels built the luxurious property in 1939 on a wooden site that gave views of Bogensee Lake near the town of Wandlitz. He used to live with his wife and six children. At times, the villa and an earlier house on the site were used to entertain Nazi leaders, artists, and actors. After the war, it was used as a hospital and later taken over by the youth wing of the East German communist party. In 1990, the Berlin government took over but found it of no use. Historians in Michigan have revealed the uncovering of a shipwreck that is over a hundred years old, at the depths of Lake Superior. Adella Shores, a steamship constructed from wood in 1894, vanished under mysterious circumstances on May 1, 1909, while en route to Duluth, Minnesota, loaded with salt. None of the vessels 14 crew members were ever reported again, as per the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS), situated in Paradise, Michigan. The ship derived its name from the Shores Lumber Company. Its builder and the daughter of the owner was named Adella. Researchers uncovered various remnants of the vessel, including its boiler, cargo hold, and port bow, at the bottom of Lake Superior. Despite discovering debris, there was no indication of the sailors remains. Bruce E Lynn, the executive director of GLSHS, informed Fox News Digital that shipwrecks in the Great Lakes were more frequent than commonly assumed. Lynn pointed out that weather forecasting back then lacked the precision we have today, leaving ships such as the Adella Shores vulnerable to rapidly escalating situations they couldnt navigate safely. Factors like poor visibility often led to complications, and collisions between vessels were relatively frequent due to the higher volume of ship traffic. Adella Shores had previously sunk twice, both instances attributed to ice at docks. It was likely a storm that ultimately resulted in its fatal shipwreck in 1909. The wreck was found in 2021, but the historical society takes its time to thoroughly research discovered vessels before making public announcements about its findings. The ships sinking twice and final shipwreck are considered by many as the result of a self imposed curse. At the time of the ships construction, it was customary to christen a new vessel by breaking a bottle of wine over its bow.Since the owner of the shipbuilding company and his family abstained from alcohol, they opted to break a water bottle instead. Adellas sister, Bessie, performed this ceremony. This is believed to have brought bad luck and hence the Adella Shores was considered cursed. Many creepy events have happened in the world which have almost no explanations. Thus, they continue to be a source of mystery for people globally. One such mystery revolves around a jinxed Bulgarian mobile phone number +359 888 888 888. As per a report published in the Daily Mail in 2010, three people used this number and they died after using it. Now, this number has been suspended. The first owner of this number was, Vladimir Grashnov, the former Chief Executive Officer of Bulgarian mobile phone company Mobitel. This company had issued the number +359 888 888 888. Vladimir died of cancer in 2001, aged 48. There were rumours that his cancer was caused by a trade competitor using radioactive poisoning, the Daily Mail reported. This number was then passed to Bulgarian mafia boss Konstantin Dimitrov. Dimitrov was gunned down in 2003 by an assassin in the Netherlands during a trip to inspect his drug-smuggling empire. As per the reports, the total worth of his empire was 500 million pounds. The 31-year-old mafia boss, had the mobile with him when he was shot while dining out with a model. As per reports, Russian mafia bosses, jealous of Dimitrovs drug-smuggling operation, were said to have been behind the killing. The phone number was then passed to crooked businessman and estate agent Konstantin Dishliev. As fate would have it, Dishilev was also shot dead outside an Indian restaurant in Bulgarias capital Sofia. His killing happened in 2005, while he was taking over the jinxed line, the report said. As per the reports, Dishliev had secretly been operating a massive cocaine trafficking operation before his murder. He died after 130 million pounds of the drug was intercepted by police on its way into the country from Colombia. Now, when callers call this number, they get a recorded message saying the phone is outside network coverage. A Mobitel spokesman said, We have no comment to make. We wont discuss individual numbers. Days after being caught by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for allegedly trying to smuggle gold worth Rs 18 crore into India from Dubai, Zakia Wardak, Afghanistans Consul General in Mumbai, stepped down from the post alleging personal attacks and defamation. Wardak, who was currently the Acting Ambassador of Afghanistan to India after the Taliban came to power there in August 2021, claimed the public narrative unfairly targeting the only female representative within this system. Over the past year, I have encountered numerous personal attacks and defamation not only directed towards me but also towards my close family and extended relatives, the Afghan diplomat said in a statement announcing her decision to step down from her post effective Sunday. She said that these attacks, which appear to be organised, have severely impacted her ability to effectively operate in her role and have demonstrated the challenges faced by women in Afghan society who strive to modernise and bring positive change amidst ongoing propaganda campaigns. Wardak further said that while she anticipated attacks since she is in public life, she was not prepared for the toll they took on people close to her. The persistent and coordinated nature of these attacks, aimed at defaming my character and undermining my efforts, have surpassed a tolerable threshold. It has become increasingly clear that the public narrative is unfairly targeting the only female representative within this system, rather than focusing on constructive assistance and support, the diplomat alleged. Thanking the Indian government for the warm welcome and unwavering support during her tenure, She said, It has been a great privilege working alongside the people of India for the past three years. I am grateful for the collaborative efforts and shared vision for progress between our nations. She further said that she hopes for a future where women in leadership roles are supported and respected, where opportunities for progress are embraced rather than met with hostility and defamation. My commitment to advocating for positive change remains unwavering despite this decision, Wardak added. Gold Smuggling Case Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials intercepted Wardak at the Mumbai airport on April 25 and recovered 25 kg of gold worth Rs 18.6 crore that she was allegedly trying to smuggle into India from Dubai. Following this, a case of gold smuggling under the Customs Act, 1962, has been registered against her. Wardak was appointed in India by the previous Ashraf Ghani government in Afghanistan, which was replaced by the Taliban in 2021. India still works with the appointees of the Ghani government. She was appointed acting Ambassador of Kabul, along with the Consul General of Hyderabad Sayed Mohammad Ibrahimkhil, in December last year after Farid Mamundzay, Afghanistans former Ambassador to announced the closure of the Embassy in New Delhi. Danielle Kaminsky, a teacher who teaches at a high school in New York Citys Brooklyn, allegedly received anti-semitic terror threats like swastikas, death threats, Nazi salutes and Hitler-loving comments and the school authorities did not take any concrete steps to prevent it. According to a report by the New York Post, said at Origins High School in Sheepshead Bay, the authorities there effectively promoted and encouraged bigotry and antisemitism. The 33-year-old who taught global history told the news outlet that since October 7, she has faced vicious antisemitism, including an email which said: All Jews need to be exterminated. The schools pro-Palestinian student protesters who called themselves the Pro-Palestinian Circle drew swastikas on Kaminskys blackboard during class, others left post-it notes on her door and bulletin board and around school saying death to Israel, the lawsuit alleges. I live in fear of going to work every day, the teacher was quoted as saying. Throughout history, the k**es are purveyors of mass death and suffering. They will never stop until they are stopped. Kaminsky, the foul whiny Jew, has no place in America let alone a school system. Heres hoping the Muslim students put an end to her, and that its both terrifying and very painful, the email continued. Kaminsky sued the US department of education and school authorities because of antisemitism. She noted in her lawsuit that students engaged in several displays of aggressive antisemitism at Origins including marching through campus chanting fk the Jews, and Death to Israel! as they waved Palestinian flags. They also drew swastikas on school grounds and glorified German dictator Adolf Hitler, the suit alleges. The students conducted their campaign of hate within a New York City public school, emblazoned it in graffiti on its furniture, scribbled it on blackboards, circulated it in emails and text messages, and repeated it on papers and notes foisted on, and taunts directed at, Jewish teachers and students, the suit charges. Campus manager Michael Beaudry supported the teacher but he also faced backlash from the authorities for speaking out, the suit further claims. Students and staff deserve to be safe and respected in their school and Origins High School is no different. We will review this lawsuit, Nathaniel Styler, Department of Education spokesman, was quoted as saying. The lawsuit said even when students chanted slogans like Death To Israel the authorities let them go scot-free. The lawsuit alleges that the school authorities attitude only emboldened the students to keep directing antisemitism at Jewish teachers and students. Terming the preliminary investigation findings in the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar as poll-bound Canadas internal matter, India on Saturday requested specific and relevant evidence regarding any alleged involvement of the Indian government. Canadian authorities have arrested three Indian nationals in connection with Nijjars killing. In a statement, the Indian High Commissioner in Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma said India hopes to get regular updates from the concerned Canadian authorities regarding the arrested Indian nationals in the case. We have been informed by Canadian officials about the arrest of three Indian nationals, residing in Canada, in connection with the shooting of a Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar. We hope to get regular updates from the concerned Canadian authorities regarding the arrested Indian nationals, he said. Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by Indias National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2020, was killed outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, in June last year. Stating that the arrests made in the case are the result of investigations conducted by the relevant Canadian law enforcement agencies, Verma said the issue is internal to Canada and therefore we have no comments to offer in this regard. As stated time and again, it is not the policy of the Government of India to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. We are always ready to work with partner countries in solving crimes, provided specific and relevant evidence is shared with us, he added. Canadas Internal Politics Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also said what is happening in Canada over Nijjars Killing is mostly due to their internal politics and nothing to do with India. Jaishankar said this while replying to a question on why Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is criticizing India. Indias image globally is now actually much much higher than it had been ever Canada is an exception. You see the different country heads are praising Bharat and its Prime Minister, the external affairs minister told the media in Bhubaneshwar. He said a section of pro-Khalistan people are using Canadas democracy, creating a lobby and have become a vote bank. Three Indians Arrested In Canada After the arrest of three Indian nationals, Canadian authorities have said that their investigation has not concluded and others who played a role in the homicide would also be arrested. Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karanpreet Singh, 28, all Indian nationals residing in Edmonton have been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on Friday said they are investigating if the Indian government was involved in the killing of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen. The three are believed to be members of an alleged hit squad tasked by the government of India with the killing of Nijjar, 45, outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023. The investigation does not end here. We are aware that there are others out there that played a role in this homicide and we remain dedicated to identifying and arresting each one of them, Superintendent Mandeep Mooker, Officer in Charge of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) said. The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations in September last year of the potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar. India has dismissed Trudeaus charges as absurd and motivated. Find Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website. Ecuadorian beauty queen, Landy Parraga Goyburo, who was shot and killed while dining in a restaurant in Quevedo, might have lost her life due to her social media post that indicated her location. According to the police investigation, the shooting incident occurred shortly after Parraga posted a photo of her meal, a plate of octopus ceviche, on her Instagram account, which gave killers information about her location, a Telegraph report suggested. Soon after that post became public, two armed men entered the restaurant and shot her multiple times leading to her immediate death. The report further stated that Parraga was gunned down soon after her name appeared in a corruption inquiry linking judicial officials to organised crime. Ecuadorian Beauty Queen Fatally Shot in Restaurant Ambush.The attack, captured by CCTV, occurred as Landy Parraga Goyburo and a companion were standing at a table. Two gunmen burst into the restaurant, with one opening fire on Parraga and her companion. After the assailants pic.twitter.com/7hUfCM4ci3 BoreCure (@CureBore) April 29, 2024 Speculations are rife that the killing was ordered by the widow of a drug lord with whom Parrage is believed to have had an affair. Parraga had just posted a photo of the ceviche she was about to eat for lunch to her 173,000 followers on Instagram when two armed men burst into the restaurant in Quevedo and fired several times at her. Surveillance footage captured the chilling moment when two gunmen stormed into the eatery where Goyburo and another individual were seated, the New York Post reported. Despite attempts to seek refuge, both victims, including Parrage, were mercilessly shot by one of the assailants. The video shows another gunman standing near the exit to keep a watch as the perpetrators swiftly fled the scene, leaving Goyburo lying motionless in a pool of blood. Goyburo, 23, gained significant attention as a former beauty queen and entrepreneur. With over a million followers on social media, she was a well-known figure in Ecuadorian society. The model also owned a goods importing business and ran her own sportswear line as well, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit and ambition. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has rejected US President Joe Bidens description of India as xenophobic and said that the country has been open and welcoming to people from diverse societies. He also dismissed Bidens remark on Indias placement among economically troubled countries and said, Our economy is not faltering. Jaishankars statement came a day after Biden claimed that several countries, including India, are xenophobic because they do not welcome immigrants. You know, one of the reasons why our economy is growing is because of you and many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants. We look to the reason (behind this)think about it. Why is China stalling so badly economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia? Why is India? Because theyre xenophobic. They dont want immigrants, the US President said while campaigning for his re-election to the US Presidency on Thursday. What Did EAM Jaishaker Say? We are the most open society. To date, I have never seen such an open society, such a pluralistic society, such a diverse society, so I would say that we are actually not just not xenophobic, we are the most open, most pluralistic and in many ways, the most understanding society in the world, Jaishankar said. #WATCH | On US President Joe Bidens Xenophobic remark for India, Japan, China, and Russia, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, We are the most open society, till date I have never seen such an open society, such a pluralistic society, such a diverse society, so I would say that we are pic.twitter.com/glYlzNUgud ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2024 Secondly, there was some talk about economic performance, you know our GDP is at 7 per cent. You check other peoples GDP, check the growth rate and you will get the answer, he added. White House Clarifies Bidens Xenophobic Remark Meanwhile, hours after Biden termed India, Japan and other nations, xenophobic, the White House clarified the Presidents intentions, emphasising his respect for allies and partners. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre asserted that the Presidents comments were part of a broader message emphasising the strength derived from Americas immigrant heritage. She stressed that Bidens focus remains on bolstering diplomatic relationships with nations such as India and Japan, evident in his actions over the past three years. Obviously, we have a strong relationship with, India with Japan, and the President if you just look at the last three years has certainly focused on those diplomatic relationships, she said. (With ANI Inputs) BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 4. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan as part of a working visit to Gambia, Trend reports citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. During the meeting, the satisfaction was expressed with the current high level of allied relations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye, it was emphasized that the Shusha Declaration played the role of a road map for the comprehensive development of cooperation between the two countries. Consensus was expressed that framework mechanisms such as the Azerbaijan-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, political consultations between ministries of foreign affairs and the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation play an important role in ensuring sustainable, stable and long-term cooperation. Against the backdrop of current geopolitical realities, the importance of the Middle Corridor in cargo transportation between East and West was discussed. It was emphasized that the allied relations of Azerbaijan and Turkiye are manifested at multilateral platforms, such as the UN, the Economic Cooperation Organization, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Organization of Turkic States, and the importance of continuing and strengthening coordinated activities and mutual support between our fraternal countries was noted. The Turkish side was informed about the current state of the Armenian-Azerbaijani peace process, the latest events, including the results achieved within the framework of the Azerbaijani-Armenian state commission on the delimitation of the state border. Other issues of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting. Pennsylvania nurse Heather Pressdee, 41, received three consecutive life sentences and another consecutive term of 380-760 years behind bars for administering lethal or potentially lethal doses of insulin to numerous patients. Pressdee pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and other charges this past week and was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday (local time). Her hearing was held in a court in the county of Butler, about 30 miles (48 kilometres) north of Pittsburgh. She played a role in the deaths of at least 17 patients who lived in five health facilities in four counties between 2020 and 2023, prosecutors said. Her victims ranged in age from 43 to 104. Coworkers often questioned Pressdees conduct and said she frequently showed disdain for her patients and made derogatory comments about them, authorities said. Prosecutors alleged that Pressdee, of Harrison, gave excessive amounts of insulin to 22 patients, including some who werent diabetic. The accused nurse, Pressdee, typically administered the insulin during overnight shifts, taking advantage of the low staff in the hospital and knew that the emergencies wouldnt prompt immediate hospitalisation. Most of the patients died soon after receiving the insulin dose, or some time later. Her nursing licence was suspended early last year, not long after the initial charges were filed. Pressdee could have faced a death sentence but she pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and 19 counts of attempted murder. She initially was charged in May 2023 with killing two nursing home patients and injuring a third. Further investigation led to dozens of more charges against her. During a February hearing in which she argued with her attorneys, she indicated that she wanted to plead guilty. When one of her lawyers asked her why she was pleading guilty, Pressdee replied, Because I am guilty. She gave single-worded responses to most questions and said little as she entered her pleas. The plea hearing was expected to last through Friday because several people wanted to give victim impact statements, officials said. Some who spoke in court Thursday told Pressdee that she had wrongly tried to play God, noting that although some of her victims were elderly or very ill, none were ready to die. Pressdee didnt look at the speakers or react to their comments, even when one shouted an expletive at her that led the courtroom gallery to break out in applause, according to news reports. Another speaker told the court: She is not sick. She is not insane. She is evil personified. I looked into the face of Satan myself the morning she killed my father. According to court documents, Pressdee sent her mother texts between April 2022 and May 2023 in which she discussed her unhappiness with various patients and colleagues, and spoke about potentially harming them. She also voiced similar complaints about people she encountered at restaurants and other places. Pressdee had a history of being disciplined for abusive behaviour towards patients and/or staff at each facility resulting in her resigning or being terminated, prosecutors said in court documents. Beginning in 2018, Pressdee held a number of jobs at western Pennsylvania nursing homes and facilities for short periods, according to the documents. Other health care workers have been convicted of killing patients. Among them is William Davis, a Texas nurse who was convicted of capital murder in 2021 for injecting air into the arteries of four patients after they underwent heart surgery. He was sentenced to death but is appealing his conviction. Another nurse, Charles Cullen, killed at least 29 nursing home patients in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, but some experts believe he may have killed many more. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close David Azadi Scott is a long-time storyteller and theater enthusiast. He was born right here in the beautiful Black Hills but has also spent time living in Utah and Missouri. In his spare time he enjoys writing, exploring the hills, and letting his nerd flag fly with a game of D&D. On a three-lane test track along the Monongahela River, an 18-wheeler rounded a curve. No one was on board. A quarter of a mile ahead, the truck's sensors spotted a trash can blocking one lane and a tire in another. In less than a second, it signaled, moved into the unobstructed lane, and rumbled past the obstacles. The self-driving semi, outfitted with 25 laser, radar, and camera sensors, is owned by Pittsburgh-based Aurora Innovation. Late this year, Aurora plans to start hauling freight on Interstate 45 between the Dallas and Houston areas with 20 driverless trucks, per the AP . Within three or four years, Aurora and its competitors expect to put thousands of such self-driving trucks on America's public freeways. The goal is for the trucks, which can run nearly around the clock without any breaks, to speed the flow of goods, accelerating delivery times and perhaps lowering costs. The companies say the autonomous trucks will save on fuel as well, because they don't have to stop, and will drive at more consistent speeds. The image of a fully loaded, 80,000-pound driverless truck weaving around cars on a highway at 65mph or more, however, may strike a note of terror. A poll conducted in January by AAA found that a decisive majority of Americans66%said they would fear riding in an autonomous vehicle. But in less than nine months, a seven-year experiment by Aurora will end, and driverless trucks will start carrying loads between terminals for FedEx, Uber Freight, Werner, and other partners. Aurora and most of its rivals plan to start running freight routes in Texas, where snow and ice are generally rare. The vehicles have drawn skepticism from safety advocates, who warn that with almost no federal regulation, it will be mainly up to the companies to determine when the semis are safe enough to operate without humans. Critics complain that federal agencies, including the NHTSA, take a generally passive approach to safety, typically acting only after crashes occurand most states provide scant regulation. But Aurora and other firms developing the systems argue that years of testing show their trucks will actually be safer than human-driven ones. Still, concerns linger. "Everything I see indicates they're trying to do the right thing," says Carnegie Mellon University professor Phil Koopman. "But the devil is in the details." More here. (More driverless cars stories.) Three men Canadian police say were part of a hit team have been charged in the assassination of a Sikh separatist last year in British Columbiaa killing that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has suggested India was behind . Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, was shot last June by masked attackers in the parking lot near a Sikh temple in the city of Surrey. Court documents show that Karanpreet Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karan Brar were charged with first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder, the Guardian reports. India has denied having direct involvement in the slaying. Police said the men charged on Friday, the first suspects arrested in the case, are Indian citizens who had lived in Canada for three to five years but don't have permanent residency. The filings say they conspired with unnamed others to commit the crime, per CNN, and their roles included spotting, driving, and shooting the victim, who was a Canadian citizen. One official said police worked with members of the Sikh community on the case. More arrests are possible, police said, with one official saying, "This investigation does not end here," per the CBC. Another official said police work is proceeding across Canada. "These efforts include investigating connections to the Government of India," David Teboul of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said at a press conference. (More Canada stories.) BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 4. On May 4, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov, within the framework of a working visit to the Gambia, has met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation with Africa and Moroccans Abroad of the Kingdom of Morocco Nasser Bourita, Trend reports citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. During the meeting, an exchange of views took place on various aspects of bilateral relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Kingdom of Morocco. Speaking about the current agenda of cooperation between the two countries, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted the wide potential for developing cooperation between Azerbaijan and Morocco in trade, energy, education, inter-parliamentary relations and other areas. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov also noted that contacts carried out at multilateral platforms, such as the UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and mutual support of countries at these platforms for each others positions play an important role in bilateral relations. During the meeting, the ministers signed an agreement between the two countries to abolish the visa regime for holders of general passports. The Ukrainian village of Ocheretyne has been battered by fighting, drone footage obtained by the AP shows. Russian troops have been advancing in the area, pounding Kyiv's depleted, ammunition-deprived forces with artillery, drones, and bombs. Ukraine's military has acknowledged the Russians have gained a "foothold" in Ocheretyne, which had a population of about 3,000 before the war, but says that fighting continues. Residents have scrambled to flee the village, among them a 98-year-old woman who walked almost 6 miles alone last week, wearing a pair of slippers and supported by a cane, until she reached Ukrainian front lines. Not a single person is seen in the footage, and no building in Ocheretyne appears to have been left untouched by the fighting. Most houses, apartment blocks, and other buildings look damaged beyond repair, and many houses have been pummeled into piles of wood and bricks. A factory on the outskirts has also been badly damaged. The footage also shows smoke billowing from several houses, as well as fires burning in at least two buildings. Elsewhere, Russia has in recent weeks stepped up attacks on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, in an attempt to pummel the region's energy infrastructure and terrorize its 1.3 million residents. Four people were wounded, and a two-story civilian building was damaged and set ablaze overnight after Russian forces struck Kharkiv, in northeastern Ukraine, with exploding drones, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said Saturday. The four, including a 13-year-old, were hurt by falling debris, he said on the Telegram messaging app. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed early on Saturday that its forces overnight shot down four US-provided long-range ATACMS missiles over the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014. The ministry didn't provide further details. Ukraine has recently begun using the missiles, provided secretly by the US, to hit Russian-held areas, including a military airfield in Crimea and in another area east of the occupied city of Berdyansk, US officials said last week. Long sought by Ukrainian leaders, the new missiles give Ukraine nearly double the striking distanceup to 190 milesthan it had with the midrange version of the weapons it received from the US last October. (More Russia-Ukraine war stories.) Israel-Hamas war demonstrations at the University of Mississippi turned ugly this week when one counterprotester appeared to make monkey noises and gestures at a Black student in a raucous gathering that was endorsed by a far-right congressman from Georgia. "Ole Miss taking care of business," Republican US Rep. Mike Collins wrote Friday on X , with a link to the video showing the racist jeers. The AP left voicemail messages for Collins on Friday at his offices in Georgia and Washington and sent an email to his spokesperson, asking for an explanation of what Collins meant. There was no immediate response. The taunting brought sharp criticism on and off campus. "Students were calling for an end to genocide. They were met with racism," James M. Thomas, a sociology professor at the University of Mississippi, wrote Friday on X . The Rev. Cornell William Brooks, a former president and CEO of the NAACP and professor at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, wrote on X that a white man mocking a Black woman as a monkey "isn't about 'Stand With Israel' or 'Free Palestine.' This is protest as performative racism." Collins was first elected to Congress in 2022 and has made several social media posts criticizing campus protests. Nobody was arrested during the demonstration Thursday at the University of Mississippi, where hecklers vastly outnumbered war protesters. According to a count by AP, more than 2,400 arrests have occurred on 46 US university or college campuses since April 17 during demonstrations against the war. The student newspaper, the Daily Mississippian, reported that about 30 protesters on the Oxford campus billed themselves as UMiss for Palestine. About 76% of the university's students were white and about 11% were Black in 2022-23, the most recent data available on the school's website. University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce said the school is committed to people expressing their views. He said some statements made on campus Thursday were "offensive and unacceptable." In another statement Friday, Boyce said one "student conduct investigation" had been opened, and that university leaders were "working to determine whether more cases are warranted." "To be clear, people who say horrible things to people because of who they are will not find shelter or comfort on this campus," he said. Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, meanwhile, reposted a video on X that showed counterprotesters on the campus singing "The Star-Spangled Banner." "Warms my heart," Reeves wrote. "I love Mississippi!" (More University of Mississippi stories.) Beginning next week, 23 million American households will see the federal subsidies that cut their internet bills reducedthen, over the next month, eliminated. The Affordable Connectivity Program, which was part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is expiring, NBC News reports. "The money has run out," FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said at an event to build support for funding the program. "Many households will have to face a tough choice: confront that rising internet bill or disconnect them and their household from the internet." An FCC survey showed 80% of US households in the program said they'd have to switch to lesser service or drop it altogether if the subsidies end, per the AP. Eligible households have received discounts on high-speed internet service of as much as $30 per month, plus a one-time break of $100 on a device such as a laptop. The discount was as high as $75 monthly for Indigenous people. Because they're often located in remote areas, where the cost of building infrastructure is high and population density is low, Native American communities will be hit especially hard by the program's demise, per CNN. Nearly 330,000 tribal households are enrolled, Starks said. Although lawmakers from both parties support renewed funding, congressional Republicans have blocked efforts to keep the program going. "High-speed internet isn't a luxury any longer, it's consequential," President Biden posted on X is lobbying for the legislation. "And the need for it will only continue to grow." Dan Drljaca, for example, needs internet service to keep telehealth appointments and renew his disability benefits. There's one provider in his Wisconsin town, per NBC, so he has no hope of finding a lower rate than $65, which he said is out of reach. The program was created to shrink the digital divide after COVID shutdowns made the gap among Americans starkly clear. In a commentary for the Brookings Institution, Blair Levin writes that the US is headed toward taking "the biggest step any country has ever taken to widen rather than close its digital divide." (More internet service providers stories.) UPDATE May 6, 2024 2:00 AM CDT As predicted, Madonna's final concert of her Celebration Tour set a record, with 1.6 million people attending the free show on Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach Saturday night. Though annual New Year's Eve concerts on the same beach have drawn larger crowds, per Live Nation, Madonna now holds the record for biggest-ever crowd for a "standalone" concert by any artist. That breaks a record previously held by the Rolling Stones, People reports. "Words cannot express my gratitude! To everyone involved!!" the Material Girl posted alongside a video of the massive crowd. May 4, 2024 3:13 PM CDT Madonna's Celebration Tour is not ending quietly. The finale Saturday night on Copacabana beach will be free, and Rio de Janeiro officials predict 1.5 million people will attend. The singer's website calls the show "a thank you to her fans for celebrating more than four decades of her music" during the tour, per the Hollywood Reporter. Madonna's biggest house so far was 130,000, for a 1987 show in Paris' Parc des Sceaux, per the AP. "It's a unique opportunity to see Madonna, who knows if she'll ever come back," said Alessandro Augusto, 53, who traveled about 1,500 miles for the concert. UPDATE May 30, 2024 6:35 PM CDT Boeing firefighters ratified a new contract that includes significant pay increases and expect to return to work this weekend, their union said Thursday. The lockout lasted more than three weeks, the AP reports. The deal guarantees four hours of overtime pay for each 24-hour shift, boosting pay an average of $21,000 per year. Employees also will receive annual raises of 2% to 3% through 2027 and hit the top pay scale in 10 years instead of the current 14, the union said. "This is a win for us," said Casey Yeager, president of the union local. Boeing did not immediately comment. May 4, 2024 2:05 PM CDT Boeing has locked out its private force of firefighters who protect its aircraft-manufacturing plants in the Seattle area and brought in replacements after the latest round of negotiations with the firefighters union failed to deliver an agreement on wages. The company said Saturday that it locked out about 125 firefighters, the AP reports. They serve as first responders to fires and medical emergencies and can call in help from local fire departments. It's the first time in more than four decades that a group of firefighters has been locked out in the US, per ABC News. New Zealand has a nuclear-free policy and would not join AUKUS at that level. But the Coalition Government is exploring joining a second pillar of AUKUS, that would focus on sharing advanced technologies. Before visiting New Zealand, the German Foreign Minister was in Australia, where she endorsed the AUKUS deal, decrying the "strong gusts of wind that China's increasingly assertive stance is sending around the world". She shared a similar perspective when speaking in Auckland, the second stop of her trip to the Pacific, before heading to Fiji where she will open a German Embassy. "We see that we are all facing the same threats," Baerbock told Newshub, when asked if New Zealand joining the second pillar of AUKUS would antagonise China or provide better protection. "We have been, as you know, in Australia as well, talking about their national security strategy as well, talking about AUKUS as well, how we can cooperate all together on different layers and levels. "I understand that it's similar with New Zealand, because if we want to join hands in securing our own security, obviously it's very important that we have intensive discussions about the different strategies." Peters did not address the question about AUKUS, but speaking at the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs in Wellington on Wednesday, he said the Government was "a long way" from being able to decide. AUKUS and the potential for New Zealand to join has been controversial, not least of all because of the nuclear-free policy, but also because it could provoke China, an important trading partner, as former Prime Minister Helen Clark has warned. But Baerbock suggested it might benefit New Zealand in helping to protect the rules-based international order. "It's our best protection, not only for democracies, but I would say for most countries in the world because most countries are countries which have only a few stronger, big military powers in their neighbourhood." She also pointed to the growing threat of cyber espionage. Prior to her trip to New Zealand, Baerbock blamed "state-sponsored" Russian hackers for an "intolerable" cyber-attack on members of Germany's politicians. "We are also facing in the cyber-space similar threats which are targeted at our democracies at heart, and this is why especially democracies have to join hands in this regard," she told Newshub. Cyber-attacks on New Zealand Two months ago, it was revealed Parliament was breached in 2021 by a Chinese state-backed cyber-hacking group called APT 40. China denied it was to blame. Judith Collins, the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) Minister, at the time, said it was "the first very serious attack that I'm aware of against one of our democratic institutions". But the Government is yet to address a separate cyber-attack by another Chinese state-backed group called APT 31. It targeted members of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), including former National MP Simon O'Connor. "We found that out through our own networks and we weren't informed unfortunately by the New Zealand Government or any of its agencies and so as you can imagine we're pretty upset and angry about that," O'Connor told Newshub. The cyber-attack has been confirmed by spy officials. "The GCSB can confirm that it was made aware of the potential targeting of email addresses relating to New Zealand representatives on the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China," a spokesperson told Newhsub. "The GCSB is aware of the reported concerns of the individuals involved and is looking at the notification steps that were taken in this case. "Once our initial assessment has been conducted, we expect to have more to say about the next steps." Labour MP Ingrid Leary, who co-chairs IPAC, is pleased the Inspector-General of Intelligence is looking into whether those who were targeted should have been informed sooner. "This is about New Zealand's sovereign security," Leary told Newshub. "The information gaps are unacceptable." TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Ensuring jobs for graduates is a priority for Labour Ministry, according to Jameel Humaidan, the Labour Minister. Not just any jobs. But that would meet their expertise and demand. For this, the minister said they are partnering closely with educational institutions. Their goal? To ensure that graduates step into the workforce fully equipped to tackle its demands head-on. This proactive approach was outlined by the minister as he addressed a parliamentary query. Regular updates flow from the ministrys databases and the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), offering insights into the most sought-after specialisations and occupations. Theyre not just identifying needs; theyre pinpointing areas where Bahraini talent is under-utilised. Shura Council member Hani Al Saati queried the ministry on their strategies for meeting job market demands. In response, Humaidan shed light on their extensive collaborations with key players like the Higher Education Council, Ministry of Education, University of Bahrain, and Bahrain Polytechnic. Its a comprehensive network ensuring that graduates are tailor-made for the workforces evolving needs. The ministry said they are actively bridging the gap between education and employment for new school graduates. By teaming up with the Ministry of Education, theyre integrating these graduates seamlessly into vocational education and training programmes. Its about presenting them with viable options, equipping them with essential skills, and opening doors to lucrative career paths. Steering students toward success doesnt end there. The ministry orchestrates career days at universities, guiding students toward the skills and occupations in high demand. The Labour Ministry is collaborating closely with educational institutions in the Kingdom to ensure that graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of the job market, said Jameel Humaidan, the Labour Minister. The ministry, in collaboration with its partners, is also putting the finishing touches on the Professional Levels and Standards Project. This ambitious endeavour aims to streamline professional licensing and regulate occupational practices, setting industry benchmarks and safeguarding standards. Yet, amidst these strides, Humaidan said he is acutely aware of the disconnect between academic expertise and industry needs. He highlighted that the ministry is actively seeking solutions for specialisations encountering challenges in their integration into the workforce. Its a challenge theyre tackling head-on, actively seeking solutions to ensure that no specialisation is left behind in the journey toward workforce integration. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com After selling veterinary medicines for a while, this man pondered why he shouldn't begin treating animals as well. Enough was enough in the store and he decided it was time to help save animals' lives. Consequently, he left from his job unnoticed and began practising as a veterinary doctor, albeit without the necessary license. This continued unchecked until a judicial officer from the Animal Health Department arrived at the mans pharmacy for an inspection. When the official, during the inspection, inquired about the pharmacist, who was absent from the shop, a staff told: He is no longer working with us. The staff disclosed that the suspect left them in 2021 but had never informed the Animal Health Department, presumably to evade legal repercussions. To the official's surprise, the staff also told him that he is now working as a veterinary doctor. He is treating animals and prescribing medications, the staff disclosed. Court records indicate that the suspect, a 43-year-old individual, lacked the qualifications to provide consultations and treatments, whether within or outside the confines of the pharmacy. His authorisation extended solely to the dispensing and sale of medications within the pharmacy premises. Following an investigation, the suspect was apprehended and brought to trial. The Court imposed a fine of BD1,000 and no jail term. However, the suspect challenged this fine at the appellate court, which upheld the fine, affirming the initial ruling. AFP | Washington The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com A senior Hamas official accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday of issuing statements intended to torpedo prospects for a truce in the nearly seven-month war in Gaza. Hossam Badran said that Hamas was in the process of conducting internal dialogues within its leadership and with allied groups before negotiators return to Cairo to continue negotiations towards a truce. But he warned that Netanyahus repeated statements insisting he will send troops into the territorys far southern city of Rafah were calculated to thwart any possibility of concluding an agreement. Netanyahu was the obstructionist in all previous rounds of dialogue and previous negotiations, and it is clear that he still is, he said in a telephone interview. He is not interested in reaching an agreement, and therefore he says words in the media to thwart these current efforts. Mediators from Egypt, Qatar and the United States have proposed a deal that would halt fighting for 40 days and exchange Israeli hostages for potentially thousands of Palestinian prisoners, according to details released earlier by Britain. The outcome of the indirect negotiations has remained highly uncertain, with back and forth over the number of hostages that could be released, and profound differences over the scope of any agreement. Badran reiterated that Hamass goal remains a lasting ceasefire and a complete and comprehensive withdrawal of the occupation forces from the Gaza Strip. That aim is at odds with the stated position of Netanyahu, who has vowed the army will keep fighting Hamas, including in Rafah, where some 1.5 million civilians are sheltering in cramped conditions. But after months of stop-start negotiations, the head of Hamass Qatar-based political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, said Thursday that the group would soon send a delegation back to Egypt aiming for a deal that realises the demands of our people. Haniyeh further said that Hamas was studying the latest proposal from Israel in a positive spirit. Any deal reached would be the first since a one-week truce in November that saw 80 Israeli hostages exchanged for 240 Palestinian prisoners. Israel estimates that 129 hostages remain in Gaza. The Israeli military says 35 of them are dead. The Hamas attack on southern Israel that started the war resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israels retaliatory campaign against Hamas has killed more than 34,600 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territorys health ministry. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 4. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, within the framework of a working visit to Gambia, has met on May 4 with Deputy Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia Salah Ahmed Jama, Trend reports citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. At the meeting, the parties expressed satisfaction with the current level of cooperation within the framework of international organizations, in particular the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The importance of continuing mutual support provided to candidates and initiatives within international organizations was emphasized. During the meeting, the minister brought to the attention of the opposite side that Azerbaijan, during its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, made every effort to develop ties with African countries and promote their interests on international platforms. The parties noted the broad potential for the development of bilateral trade and economic cooperation, as well as partnerships in the field of alternative energy and the humanitarian and educational sphere. Approval was expressed for the participation of Somali students in the scholarship program established by Azerbaijan for the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. In addition, it was emphasized that the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which our country will host this year, will create favorable opportunities for cooperation. The meeting also discussed other bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest. AFP | Seoul The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com South Koreas spy agency said yesterday that Pyongyang was plotting terrorist attacks targeting Seouls officials and citizens overseas, with the foreign ministry raising the alert level for diplomatic missions in five countries. The National Intelligence Service said it had recently detected numerous signs that North Korea is preparing for terrorist attacks against our embassy staff or citizens in various countries, (such as) China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. North Korea has dispatched agents to these countries to expand surveillance of the South Korean embassies and is also engaging in specific activities such as searching for South Korean citizens as potential terrorist targets, it said in a statement. The spy agency said it appeared linked to a wave of defections by elite North Koreans who were trapped overseas during the pandemic and are now seeking to avoid returning home after Pyongyang eased strict border controls. Pyongyang treats defections as a serious crime and is believed to hand harsh punishments to transgressors, their families, and even people tangentially linked to the incident. North Korean embassy officials may be submitting false reports blaming external factors for voluntary defections by their colleagues, in a bid to evade punishment, the NIS said. As a result, the North may be plotting retaliation against South Korean embassy staff on such pretenses, NIS added. On Thursday, South Koreas foreign ministry said it had raised its anti-terrorism alert status for five of its diplomatic missions -- embassies in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam as well as its consulates in Russian port city Vladivostok and the Chinese city of Shenyang. Both Seoul and Pyongyang have embassies or consulates in all five locations. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 4. On May 4, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov, as part of a working visit to Gambia, met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Trend reports citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. At the meeting, satisfaction was expressed with the dynamics of Azerbaijani-Pakistan partnerships, it was noted that visits and contacts of state and government representatives at a high level give a special impetus to the development of these ties. It was emphasized that there is great potential for the development of bilateral trade and economic relations within the framework of the Azerbaijan-Pakistan strategic partnership. It was said that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to mutually beneficial cooperation with Pakistan and mutual support on the platforms of international organizations, including multilateral structures such as the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. It was noted that the COP29 conference, which Azerbaijan will host this year, will create additional opportunities for the Azerbaijan-Pakistan partnership in the field of green energy. Other issues of mutual interest were also discussed during the meeting. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 5. On May 4, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov has met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Affairs of Gambians Abroad, Mamadou Tangara, as part of a working visit to Gambia, Trend reports citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. Ministers signed an agreement to abolish the visa regime between the two countries for holders of diplomatic passports. During the meeting, other bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual interest were discussed. A 73-year-old woman and a 90-year-old man were struck by a drunken driver in a three-vehicle crash on Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen and suffered serious injuries Thursday afternoon, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. Steve Reyes, 45, of Fairview, was charged with DWI after the 3:30 p.m. crash in the area of 85th Street. Tonnelle Avenue, which runs through North Bergen and a portion of Jersey City, is considered one of the most dangerous roadways in the state. The investigation is being handled by the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the North Bergen Police Department. A group of students began a hunger strike Friday at Princeton University following a week where 13 students where arrested while participating in a Gaza protest on campus. The hunger strike is being conducted by Princeton Israeli Apartheid Divest to call attention to citizens in Gaza who are suffering, the group said. Its also a continued call on the university to divest its investments from firms profiting from the Israel-Hamas war. The strike, which as of Friday morning was comprised of 14 students, will continue until school administrators agree to meet to discuss disclosure about their investments, and about divestment and cultural and academic boycott of Israel, organizers said. 14 Princeton students begin hunger strike in solidarity with Gaza: We are drawing from the tradition of Palestinian political prisoners going on saltwater-only hunger strikes in Israeli prisons since 1968. pic.twitter.com/lsBVutz9QL Princeton Israeli Apartheid Divest (@PtonDivestNow) May 3, 2024 The hunger strike comes after a separate group was arrested Monday night during a demonstration at the university graduate schools Clio Hall administrative building. A statement signed by all 13 protestors on Tuesday called the protest a staged peaceful sit-in at the administrative building. A contrasting statement from Rochelle Calhoun, vice president for campus life, said the protestors were abusive towards university staff. As protesters entered Clio Hall, our staff found themselves surrounded, yelled at, threatened, and ultimately ordered out of the building, Calhoun said. The 13 protesters in the building were all arrested, the groups statement said. Those who lived in campus housing were evicted, and all were banned from campus, the groups statement said. The hunger striking students expressed their support for those who were arrested on campus, including in their demands immunity for their protesting counterparts. Organizers of the hunger strike said they want, complete amnesty from all criminal charges and disciplinary charges for participants of the peaceful sit-in (on Monday). Finally, they asked for a reversal of all campus bans and evictions of students from housing. Participants will abstain from all food and drink (except water) until our demands are met, the group said. We commit our bodies to their liberation of Palestine. PRINCETON, hear us now! We will not be moved! The university did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday evening. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. The U.S. State Department has reissued a Level 2 travel advisory for Germany due to fears of terrorism. The State Department issued the advisory on Wednesday, ranking the travel advisory on a scale of two out of four. This means that those traveling to an area must exercise increased caution. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, the State Department noted. The agency added that terrorists could target tourism and transportation hubs, as well as shopping destinations, hotels, clubs, restaurants, local government facilities and major events. The State Department noted on its website that for those who do decide to travel to Germany, travelers should pay attention to their surroundings, follow the instructions of local authorities, be aware of the latest breaking news in the area and adjust your plans, if necessary. The organization also urges travelers to Germany to create a contingency plan for emergency situations as well as sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier for the State Department to locate you in case of an emergency. The U.S. Department of State has issued several travel warnings this year with those most recently centered around the Caribbean. One was a Level 4 do not travel warning against traveling to the country of Haiti due to kidnappings and gang violence. Another warning from the State Department cautioned travelers to reconsider travel to the country of Jamaica after 65 people were murdered in one month. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. A contractor who admitted to pocketing almost $600,000 meant for repairs on homes damaged by Superstorm Sandy has been sentenced to prison. Adam Nevius, 49, of Manahawkin, was sentenced to five years in state prison on Friday, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office said in a news release. He previously pleaded guilty to theft by failure to make required disposition. Nevius owned Coastal Restorations of New Jersey LLC with his wife, Kimberly Atkinson, from 2014 to 2017. During that time period, the company entered contracts with 17 homeowners and two sub-contractors for repairs on homes, most of which were damaged by Superstorm Sandy in 2012. An investigation by the county prosecutors office economic crimes squad later found that the couple received $700,000 in payments, but performed little to no work on the homes, officials said. Nevius also used a portion of the funds for personal expenses, prosecutors said. Nevius was arrested on April 2, 2019, along with wife. She was later exonerated as part of his guilty plea and the charges against her were dismissed. He was originally scheduled to be sentenced in Aug. 2023, but failed to appear in court. He was later taken into custody in Lafeyette, Indiana on March 14, 2024, and was extradited to New Jersey for a new sentencing. As part of the sentencing, he has also been ordered to pay $594,607.20 in restitution, authorities said. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com An Ocean County man was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to fleeing the scene of a crash that killed a passenger in the vehicle he was driving, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office announced Friday. Angel Garcia-Rodriguez, 26, of Lakewood, admitted leaving the scene of the July 2023 wreck. He pleaded guilty on Mar. 8, 2024 to the lone charge of leaving the scene of a crash. He was sentenced Friday to a five-year sentence in state prison, authorities said. Mr. Garcia-Rodriguez accepts responsibility for his conduct and is very remorseful for the loss of his friend, Garcia-Rodriguezs attorney Terrance Turnbach said Friday. He offered a very sincere and heartfelt apology today in Court, and received an extremely favorable resolution whereby he should be eligible for parole in the coming months. Lakewood Township police responded to a motor vehicle crash at 2:25 a.m. on the morning of Jul. 22, 2023 and found a car had struck a utility pole, authorities said. The driver of the vehicle had already fled the scene and officers found a critically injured man in the passenger seat, officials said. The passenger was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where he succumbed to his injuries, according to officials. He has not been identified in statements by the prosecutors office. Local and county investigators determined that Garcia-Rodriguez had been driving the car westbound on James Street when it hit the utility pole on the passenger side door and then fled the scene, a press release from the Ocean County Prosecutors office explained. Garcia-Rodriguez was located by authorities later on Jul. 22, 2023 at a residence and has been held at the Ocean County Jail since, officials said. Authorities also arrested and charged a second person, Emanual Rodriguez-Galindo, 36, of Lakewood for helping Garcia-Rodriguez flee the scene and hiding him, officials said. Rodriguez-Galindo was charged with hindering apprehension and obstruction of justice and was remanded to the Ocean County Jail prior to a detention hearing last July. The status of Rodriguez-Galindos case was unknown Friday. His attorney did not immediately return a request for comment. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X A New Jersey resident is facing charges in New York after he allegedly threatened a mass shooting at New York Citys largest airport as his estranged wife was returning from a flight. Darnell King, 39, of Paterson, was charged in a 12-count complaint on Thursday, which included terroristic threats, menacing and various offenses related to weapons and ammunition, the Queens County District Attorneys Office said in a news release. He had his initial court appearance on Friday and was released. King drove to John F. Kennedy International Airport on Tuesday in an effort to meet with his estranged wife, who was returning from an overseas flight. He texted her and sent her a video saying that he was meeting her at the airport and that this was his last will and testament, authorities said. In the video, King is seen in his car saying that he is going to start shooting up the airport and it will be a day in history that everyone will remember, according to prosecutors. A gun can also be seen on the passenger seat in the video, officials said. After arriving at the airport, King sent his wife another text message and video, saying I dont know what makes you think that I was lying, I am here. Kings first communication with his wife was at 8:27 a.m. At 11:50 a.m., he was apprehended by Port Authority and NYPD officers near Resorts World Casino, which is adjacent to the airport. Police also recovered two loaded handguns and ammunition during a search of his car, authorities said. There is no telling just how many lives were saved with the apprehension of this defendant who drove to JFK Airport with two loaded handguns and threatened a mass casualty event, Queens County District Attorney Melinda Katz said. Thanks to the swift actions of our partners at the Port Authority Police Department and the NYPD, this defendant was apprehended before he could harm anyone. King has been ordered to return to return to Queens County Criminal Court on May 28. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicolas Fernandes may be reached atnfernandes@njadvancemedia.com. The New Hampshire House passed a bill to ban child marriage in the state and raise the minimum age of marriage to 18. The measure passed the Senate unanimously in March. On Thursday, it passed the House, 192-174. The bill now goes to Gov. Chris Sununu for signing into law. One of those voting against was Representative Jess Edwards, whose comments sparked immediate gasps from colleagues. If we continually restrict the freedom of marriage as a legitimate social option, when we do this to people who are a ripe, fertile age and may have a pregnancy and a baby involved, are we not, in fact, making abortion a much more desirable alternative, when marriage might be the right solution for some freedom-loving couples? he said. In a state where 18 is not old enough to drink, Edwards believes girls at 16 are old enough to get married. Edwards daughter, Elizabeth, served as a state representative, and Edwards said her service was the inspiration for his run for office. He is in his third term. Child safety and gun control advocate Shannon Watts tweeted that Child marriage is currently legal in 38 states (only Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont have set the minimum age at 18 and eliminated all exceptions), and 20 states do not require any minimum age for marriage. It would be the second time the New Hampshire age of marriage has been raised in the past six years. In 2018, Sununu signed a bill to raise the minimum age of marriage to 16. For more than a hundred years, the law had allowed 13-year-old girls and 14-year-old boys to get married with parent and court approval. On Thursday, two amendments were proposed to allow some exceptions for those under 18 to get married if they have been legally emancipated. Rep. Cassandra Levesque, D-Barrington, was a senior at Dover High School and a Girl Scout when she pushed for the bill in 2018. Now, she is one of the seven co-sponsors of SB 359. For the past 10 years, I have researched child marriage, Levesque said. Ive learned about the devastating effects of child marriage. New Jersey will hold a special election this summer to fill the remainder of the late U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr.s unexpired term, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Friday. Payne, 65, a Newark native who represented New Jerseys 10th congressional district, died in office on April 24. His funeral was held Thursday. Murphy signed an order calling for a July 16 primary and a Sept. 18 general election. The special election will be to fill the final few months of Paynes sixth term. It is separate from the already scheduled November election for the seats next two-year term, which begins in January. The district includes all of Newark and half of Jersey City the states two largest cities as well as surrounding areas. It includes parts of Essex, Hudson, and Union counties. It will be up to Democratic committee members in the district to choose a new nominee to run in the regular November election. Leroy Jones, chairman of the State Democratic Committee, is also the Essex County Democratic chair. Jones spoke at Paynes funeral on Thursday. The committee has traditionally selected whomever has won past special elections by popular vote, but thats not guaranteed. The scenario is similar to 2012 when U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Sr. Paynes father died in office at age 77 of colon cancer. Payne Jr., then a president of Newarks council and an Essex County freeholder, won a special election for the remainder of his fathers term and a general election for the seats next two-year term. Hours before Murphys announcement, Rev. Charles Boyer of Salvation and Social Justice, a high-profile advocacy organization, called on Murphy to hold a special election to honor Paynes legacy in fighting for a district that is home to some of the largest concentrations of Black and Hispanic residents. It is the only way to prevent the seat from being decided by a few power brokers in back rooms, who may have their own agendas and interests, Boyer said in an opinion piece published by the New Jersey Globe. Potential candidates for the seat include, among others, state Assemblywoman Shanique Speight, state Sen. Britnee Timberlake, Newark City Council President LaMonica McIver, Newark Councilman Patrick Council, and Essex County Commissioner ADorian Murray-Thomas, sources have told NJ Advance Media. NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jelani Gibson is a cannabis and politics reporter for NJ.com. He can be reached at jgibson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @jelanigibson1 and on LinkedIn. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 4. Norwegian travelers' visit to Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur continues, Trend reports. An extended group of 30 people from Norway's National Club of International Travelers, Vagaclub, got acquainted with Khudafarin Bridge today. The travelers witnessed the devastation caused by the Armenian army during the occupation period. Additionally, it was noted that due to their connection with historical events of world significance, organic unity with beautiful landscapes, high architectural and engineering solutions, and other peculiarities, Khudafarin bridges are monuments of universal value in Azerbaijani architecture. Historically, one of the bridges on the Silk Road has 15 spans, and the other has 11 spans. The bridges, which are relics of the XIIXIII centuries, testify to the development of high craftsmanship in Azerbaijan in the Middle Ages. Moreover, it was brought to the attention of foreign travelers that during the years of occupation, these places, as well as other territories, were subjected to destruction, houses were looted, and nature was annihilated. Here, Armenians also desecrated many historical religious monuments; mosques were used as animal stalls; and graves were excavated and destroyed. Additionally, it was emphasized that after liberation from occupation, life in Eastern Zangezur started to revive, and important projects were being implemented by Azerbaijan. To note, on May 2, a delegation of foreign travelers started their visit to the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation. The delegation of 30 representatives of Norway's National Club of International Travelers, Vagaclub, is headed by Jorn Augestad. The delegation will visit Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur for 3 days, traveling along the route Fuzuli-Shusha-Aghdam-Lachin-Jabrayil. Meanwhile, nine visits to Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur have taken place over the past four years by representatives of major travel networks: ETIC, MTP, TCC, NomadMania, as well as Turkish Travel Club, British Piki Reels, and Swedish Club 100. Altogether, more than 360 international travelers from 46 countries had the opportunity to get acquainted with the situation in the liberated territories during the trips that took place. Through them, millions of people around the world received detailed information about the real situation in Karabakh. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Students from Delaware Valley Regional High School celebrated their prom Friday night at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStack in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Dressed to impress, the prom-goers enjoyed the evening as they socialized, posed for photos and danced the night away. SUBSCRIBER BENEFIT: Subscribers can get free unlimited high-resolution digital photo downloads of any of our photos in our galleries. Additionally, subscribers will get 50% off the prom-related keepsakes available for purchase. NJ.com is expanding its prom coverage this year with more photos from the celebrations. If you arent yet a subscriber, heres how you can become one. NJ Advance Media will be sending photographers to nearly 60 proms throughout the season, which continue through the middle of June. Our coverage can be found at nj.com/prom. Know of something unique happening at a prom, like a special king and queen crowning, unusual rides to the party, eccentric outfits or rare venues for the big night? Let us know about it by sending an email to tips@njadvancemedia.com. You can also share your pics or tips with us on Instagram @njdotcom. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Patti Sapone may be reached at psapone@njadvancemedia.com. If youre looking to smoke up a solid brisket or some meaty ribs, youre going to need a high-performing wood pellet blend to create a desirable smoke ring and plenty of flavor. Wood pellets for smokers come in an extensive range of varieties. You may be looking to try an apple or cherry blend for your chicken or a strong oak pellet for a more robust smokey taste. Each blend offers a unique flavor profile that gives a distinct taste to your barbecue with the type of wood pellet also determining the burn quality. Read More: 21 of the best grill accessories for the grill master in your life But with so many different wood pellet blends on the market today, it can be a challenge to decide which one to buy. To help you decide, here are some of the most recommended wood pellets available for smoking, including blends from Louisiana Grills and Traeger. Related: The best grills to buy in 2024 Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Dawn Magyar can be reached at dmagyar@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips/. 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. JABRAYIL, Azerbaijan, May 4. International travelers, after visiting the Khudafarin bridge, have visited the territory of Jojug Marjanly village, Jabrayil district, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports. There, travelers got acquainted with mine clearance operations by the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA). They were informed that during almost 30 years of occupation, Armenia had contaminated these territories with mines. To note, the visit of a delegation of foreign travelers to the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation started on May 2. The delegation of 30 representatives of the National Club of International Travelers of Norway, Vagaclub, is headed by Jorn Augestad. The delegation visited Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur for three days, traveling along the route Fuzuli-Shusha-Aghdam-Lachin-Jabrayil. Meanwhile, nine visits to Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur were made by representatives of major travel networks: ETIC, MTP, TCC, NomadMania, as well as Turkish Travel Club, British Piki Reels, and Swedish Club 100. Altogether, more than 360 international travelers from 46 countries had the opportunity to learn about the situation in the liberated territories during the trips that took place. Through them, millions of people around the world received detailed information about the real situation in Karabakh. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Azerbaijans Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev met with Executive Director of the Association of International Educators (NAFSA) Fanta Aw, Azernews reports. The discussions revolved around prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijans Ministry of Science and Education and NAFSA. JABRAYIL, Azerbaijan, May 4. An extended group of 30 people from the National Club of International Travelers of Norway, Vagaclub, has observed the mine clearance process in Jojug Marjanly village, Jabrayil district, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports. This concluded the visit of international travelers to Azerbaijan's Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur regions. The delegation visited Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur for three days, traveling along the route Fuzuli-Shusha-Aghdam-Lachin-Jabrayil. To note, the visit of a delegation of foreign travelers to the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation started on May 2. The delegation of 30 representatives of the National Club of International Travelers of Norway, Vagaclub, was headed by Jorn Augestad. Meanwhile, nine visits to Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur were made by representatives of major travel networks: ETIC, MTP, TCC, NomadMania, as well as Turkish Travel Club, British Piki Reels, and Swedish Club 100. Altogether, more than 360 international travelers from 46 countries had the opportunity to learn about the situation in the liberated territories during the trips that took place. Through them, millions of people around the world received detailed information about the real situation in Karabakh. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel There's little doubt the one subject I and my fellow councillors get the most complaints about and that's potholes. So I was delighted to be able to announce that the county council - due to prudent budget management - has been able to find at least an extra 10 million to put into road repairs over the coming months. There will be a full paper going to my Cabinet next week but I'm confident of it being approved - I don't think anybody would vote against more cash for potholes. This isn't a problem unique to Devon. Travel anywhere in the country and you will find people complaining about the state of the roads. It's a growing issue because our weather is changing. We're getting wetter and wetter winters and the rain is becoming much more intense. Couple that with occasional freezing conditions and an unprecedented number of violent storms and you have the worst possible combination for road surfaces. The numbers speak for themselves. In the year ending March 2023, we recorded 39,813 potholes. In the 11 months to February 2024, there were 44,260. No matter that in December and January alone we repaired more than 7,000 defects. So I am really pleased that we are now in a position to make extra money available for road repairs and drainage. I won't pretend that is going to fix everything but it will enable us to do much more. In my early days on the county council, when Plymouth and Torbay were still part of the authority, it used to be said that Devon had more miles of road than Belgium. Today the council is still responsible for around 8,000 miles of road and in lots of rural areas we have numerous roads that were originally just farm tracks and now have to cope with heavy tractors and farm equipment, delivery vans and modern cars - often four by fours. So we are planning to use at least 7.25 million on extensive repairs right across the county. We'll put an extra 2 million into drainage improvements and 750,000 into replacing faded road markings. The extra money will take our highway maintenance budget this year to over 72 million, and I hope you will really notice the difference. This potholes boost wasn't the only announcement Ive made over the past fortnight. I have decided to step down as leader of the county council next month at our annual meeting. I was elected leader of the opposition Conservative group at County Hall in 2007 and after the 2009 elections I was able to form my first administration after we won a landslide victory. So I've done 15 years as leader of the council and 17 years as leader of the party. In the last few months weve concluded an agreement with the Government for 95 million of national funding to support our special needs education and, within weeks, we will hopefully finalise our devolution deal. And despite the financial woes facing other local authorities, we set a balanced budget for this financial year and have now been able to find this extra cash for potholes. It's been a real privilege and pleasure to serve the people of Devon for so long. Devon is the county in which I grew up and have lived all my life, in which Ive run my family business, got married - to a Holsworthy girl - and raised my children and it is the county which I love. Im grateful for the opportunity Ive had to put something back. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 4. The award ceremony for the European Rhythmic Gymnastics Cup winners in group exercises has taken place at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Trend reports. Teams in group exercises that won medals in the all-around were awarded. The Israeli team rose to the highest step of the podium, the Italian team took second place, and the Azerbaijani team took third place. The medals were presented by the European Gymnastics Rhythmic Gymnastics Technical Committee President Evangelia Trikomiti, the committee's vice president Elena Aliprandi, and the committee's member, international category judge Yevgeniya Vilyayeva. Moreover, the winners of the all-around among teams in group exercises will receive a cash award of 5,000 euros, the silver medalists 3,500 euros, and the bronze medalists 2,500 euros. The total prize fund of the European Cup in Rhythmic Gymnastics is 40,000 euros. The National Gymnastics Arena in Baku is hosting the European Cup in Rhythmic Gymnastics from May 3 through May 5. Athletes from 37 countries are participating in the event, showcasing their talents across two age categories: seniors, which includes individual and group routines, and juniors, focusing on individual performances. In the seniors category, Azerbaijan is represented by Zohra Aghamirova and Kamilla Seyidzade in individual events, along with a team comprising Gullu Aghalarzade, Kamilla Aliyeva, Yelizaveta Luzan, Darya Sorokina, Laman Alimuradova, and Zeynab Hummatova in group performances. Additionally, Fidan Gurbanli, Ilaha Bahadirova, Govhar Ibrahimova, and Shams Aghahuseynova are among the junior category athletes competing in individual programs. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Sam Ash, the family-owned chain of music stores that supplied countless beginners and working musicians with guitars, drums and other instruments, is closing all of its locations after 100 years in business, it announced this week. Derek Ash, whose great-grandparents, Sam and Rose Ash, opened the first Sam Ash store in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn in 1924, said the companys 42 locations could not compete in the era of online shopping. In March, Sam Ash announced it was closing 18 locations, with the hope of buying the company time to survive, Mr. Ash said. But he said that closing all the stores ended up being a necessity. A lot of this has been the move to online shopping, Mr. Ash, the companys chief marketing officer, said in an interview. There are so many choices, and to maintain a store with that much selection is very difficult. One of Brown Universitys major donors, the billionaire real estate mogul Barry Sternlicht, on Friday sharply criticized the schools agreement to hold a board vote on cutting investments tied to Israel, calling it unconscionable and saying he had paused donations to the school. Brown is among a small number of universities that have agreed to discuss their investments in companies that do business in Israel, in order to persuade student protesters to dismantle encampments. Mr. Sternlicht, in a scathing email to The New York Times, which he copied to Browns president, Christina H. Paxson, said the arrangement amounted to sympathy for Hamas, which attacked Israel in October, and described students protesting Israels actions in Gaza as ignorant. There should never be a vote when people do not have the facts, he wrote. Its not education, its propaganda. Mr. Sternlicht, 63, said no deal with protesters could be fruitful because the two sides did not agree on facts and moral clarity, as well as the scale of Israels invasion of Gaza after Hamass Oct. 7 attack, in which about 1,200 were killed and another 250 were taken hostage. Israels subsequent intense bombardment of the tightly packed area has left more than 34,000 dead and drawn international condemnation. After weeks of top New York Police Department officials unleashing stinging attacks against their critics, the City Council speaker has asked a city watchdog agency to urgently conduct an official investigation into the departments use of social media. The request by the speaker, Adrienne Adams, cites a series of personal tirades on the platform X by John Chell, the chief of patrol, against Tiffany Caban, a democratic socialist councilwoman who represents Astoria in Queens. Mr. Chell has called for the public to be involved against Ms. Caban, and characterized her as a person who hates our city. Ms. Adams said the social media posts might lead to subsequent threats to those targeted by the police, contain inaccurate information and veer into political activity or conflict with city laws and policies. A deeply troubling pattern and practice has been established by the N.Y.P.D.s recent deployment of official social media accounts, Ms. Adams wrote in the letter to the Department of Investigation that was obtained by The New York Times. These social media activities have targeted public officials and members of the public with invective that can plainly be construed as intimidating and dangerous. Gasps were heard in the overflow courtroom when Hope Hicks was called as a witness on Friday in Donald J. Trumps criminal trial in Manhattan, an audible sign of the anticipation as Mr. Trumps former press secretary and White House communications director took the stand. Her testimony ended the trials third week in dramatic fashion. In nearly three hours on the stand, Ms. Hicks described the impact on Mr. Trumps campaign of the so-called Access Hollywood tape, in which Mr. Trump bragged about grabbing womens genitals. As soon as the tape was disclosed in October 2016, Ms. Hicks said, she knew it would be a massive story. Taking the stand under a subpoena, Ms. Hicks said she was nervous, and at one point, early in the cross-examination, she broke down in tears. The Manhattan district attorney has charged Mr. Trump, 77, with falsifying 34 business records to hide a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels, a porn star who says she and Mr. Trump had a tryst in 2006 while he was married. Mr. Trump, the first American president to face criminal prosecution, has denied the charges and says he did not have sex with Ms. Daniels. If convicted, he could face probation or prison time. "International Food Festival" was held at the Ashgabat International School on May 4. The Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Turkmenistan represented its country at the festival. It was reported by the diplomatic mission. Delicious food and sweets of Azerbaijani national cuisine were presented to attendees at the festival, which was set up in a corner reserved for the Azerbaijan Embassy in Turkmenistan. The participants were informed of the national food and sweets of the country. Furthermore, books and brochures related to the history, culture and tourism potential of Azerbaijan were displayed and distributed at the event. Banners related to azerbaijan.travel tourism website were displayed. National cuisine, photo postcards, souvenirs, and handcrafted items related to Azerbaijan were welcomed by festival guests. Body camera footage of the police fatally shooting a 19-year-old Queens man in his kitchen in March shows what the police had described as a chaotic situation. But the video, released Friday, also renewed criticism of the decision to open fire on the man, who was holding scissors and seemed to be in mental distress. The man, Win Rozario, was declared dead at a hospital after the shooting on March 27, the police said. The New York attorney generals office released the footage from body-worn cameras as part of its investigation into the shooting. The police arrived at Mr. Rozarios home in Ozone Park that day in response to a 911 call for someone in mental distress, which officials said they believed Mr. Rozario had placed himself while in mental crisis. John Chell, the Police Departments chief of patrol, said at the time that the officers had arrived within two minutes. The shooting occurred about three minutes after the officers, Matthew Cianfrocco and Salvatore Alongi, arrived at the scene, according to their videos. Chief Chell had said the shooting occurred after the situation had become quite hectic, chaotic and dangerous right away. He said the officers had no choice but to shoot Mr. Rozario after he moved toward the officers with the scissors. A landmark antitrust trial against Google concluded on Friday after a federal judge heard final arguments, setting the stage for a ruling that could fundamentally shift the tech industrys power. The importance and significance of this case is not lost on me, not only for Google but for the public, Judge Amit P. Mehta said in the final moments of the proceedings on Friday. He thanked the lawyers who argued the case, and then added, I guess youve passed the baton to us. Now, he must decide the case in which the Justice Department and state attorneys general say that Google has abused a monopoly over the search business, stifling competitors and limiting innovation, something the company denies. During two days of closing arguments, Judge Mehta of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia did not reveal how he planned to rule. He grilled both sides, frequently referencing testimony and evidence from the 10-week trial last year to poke holes in their arguments. He also demanded that they explain how their positions fit with major legal precedents. A dayslong search for three missing tourists who disappeared near a surfing town close to the U.S.-Mexico border ended tragically on Friday as the authorities said that they had located three bodies in a water hole. Two Australian brothers, Callum and Jake Robinson, and their friend, Jack Carter Rhoad, a U.S. citizen, had been on vacation surfing and camping along the coast near the Mexican city of Ensenada when they disappeared on Saturday. Debra Robinson, the mother of the brothers, said in a social media post on Wednesday that they had booked an Airbnb in another coastal town north of Ensenada but never showed up there. Reaching out to anyone who has seen my two sons. They have not contacted us, she pleaded to the more than 120,000 members of a community Facebook page created for people interested in touring Mexicos Baja California peninsula. It was after 10 p.m. on Tuesday, and the administration building of a college in Upper Manhattan had been ransacked. Protesters were wielding lit flares, the campus was descending into chaos, and the colleges security guards were outnumbered and exhausted. The college president faced a momentous decision: Watch the chaos grow, or ask the New York Police Department to restore order? And so Vincent Boudreau, president of the City College of New York, invited the police onto the campus. While most of the attention this week has focused on protests at elite universities like Columbia and Brown, the events at City College were no less disruptive, and resulted in more arrests. But City College, the Harvard of the proletariat, has a unique place in New York, with a mandate to educate the poorest residents, and a long history of radical politics and protest. To many in the City College community, welcoming a police presence onto the Harlem campus was unthinkable. One of the people arrested at Columbia University this week was a middle-aged saxophonist who headed up to the campus from his Hells Kitchen apartment after learning about the protests on social media. Another was tending his sidewalk pepper patch a few blocks from the student demonstrations when he learned the police were moving in and, grabbing a metal dog bowl and a spoon to bang against it, rushed to the students aid. A third had been active in other left-leaning protests across the city but also happened to work as a nanny nearby. She went to the university gates on Tuesday and linked arms with other protesters in an unsuccessful attempt to thwart the advancing officers, she said. After pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupied a building on Columbias campus this week, demanding that the university end all financial ties with Israel, the New York Police Department moved in and arrested more than 100 people there. Mayor Eric Adams and other city leaders have accused so-called outside agitators professional organizers with no ties to the university of hijacking a peaceful student protest and spurring its participants to adopt ever more aggressive tactics. Let me tell you a medical story; you decide what you make of it. A person has a routine medical experience, the kind that all the persons neighbors have had as well. But afterward the person has weird symptoms, odd forms of pain, fatigue that just goes on and on and on. The medical system cant help the person, so the person joins online communities that provide validation but not a cure. And the person develops a strong sense of betrayal, a belief that the system knew this was possible and just let it happen to them. Now, let me give you a few more details. The person Im describing is an overweight 50-something Indiana man who watches Fox News and refused to wear a mask in the fall of 2020. The routine medical experience that preceded his mystery illness was his taking because his employer required it the Covid vaccine. Are you suddenly forming a theory of whats wrong with him? Are you inclined toward psychosomatic explanations, thinking that hes taking the aches and pains of age and blaming them on the liberals and their vax? In a recent interview with Time, Donald Trump promised a second term of authoritarian power grabs, administrative cronyism, mass deportations of the undocumented, harassment of women over abortion, trade wars and vengeance brought upon his rivals and enemies, including President Biden. If they said that a president doesnt get immunity, Mr. Trump told Time, then Biden, I am sure, will be prosecuted for all of his crimes. Further evidence, it seems, of Mr. Trumps efforts to construct a political world like no other in American history. But how unprecedented is it, really? That Mr. Trump continues to lead in polls should make plain that he and his MAGA movement are more than noxious weeds in otherwise liberal democratic soil. Many of us have not wanted to see it that way. This is not who we are as a nation, one journalist exclaimed in what was a common response to the violence on Jan. 6, and we must not let ourselves or others believe otherwise. Mr. Biden has said much the same thing. While its true that Mr. Trump was the first president to lose an election and attempt to stay in power, observers have come to recognize the need for a lengthier view of Trumpism. Even so, they are prone to imagining that there was a time not all that long ago when political normalcy prevailed. What they have failed to grasp is that American illiberalism is deeply rooted in our past and fed by practices, relationships and sensibilities that have been close to the surface, even when they havent exploded into view. In 1836, Christian Jurgensen Thomsen, a Danish antiquarian, brought the first semblance of order to prehistory, suggesting that the early hominids of Europe had gone through three stages of technological development that were reflected in the production of tools. The basic chronology Stone Age to Bronze Age to Iron Age now underpins the archaeology of most of the Old World (and cartoons like The Flintstones and The Croods). Thomsen could well have substituted Wood Age for Stone Age, according to Thomas Terberger, an archaeologist and head of research at the Department of Cultural Heritage of Lower Saxony, in Germany. We can probably assume that wooden tools have been around just as long as stone ones, that is, two and a half or three million years, he said. But since wood deteriorates and rarely survives, preservation bias distorts our view of antiquity. Primitive stone implements have traditionally characterized the Lower Paleolithic period, which lasted from about 2.7 million years ago to 200,000 years ago. Of the thousands of archaeological sites that can be traced to the era, wood has been recovered from fewer than 10. Dr. Terberger was team leader of a study published last month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that provided the first comprehensive report on the wooden objects excavated from 1994 to 2008 in the peat of an open-pit coal mine near Schoningen, in northern Germany. The rich haul included two dozen complete or fragmented spears (each about as tall as an N.B.A. center) and double-pointed throwing sticks (half the length of a pool cue) but no hominid bones. The objects date from the end of a warm interglacial period 300,000 years ago, about when early Neanderthals were supplanting Homo heidelbergensis, their immediate predecessors in Europe. The projectiles unearthed at the Schoningen site, known as Spear Horizon, are considered the oldest preserved hunting weapons. At least 25 people were arrested on Saturday at the University of Virginia, as protests over the war in Gaza continued to disrupt university campuses and puncture the celebratory atmosphere around graduation ceremonies across the country. The arrests and aggressive efforts to clamp down on protests underscored just how tumultuous the end of the spring semester has been for universities, many of which are now holding commencements this weekend against the backdrop of tense protests on their campuses. The turmoil has added another complicated layer to graduation for students, many of whom had their high school senior-year celebrations abruptly cut short by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Pro-Palestinian students and their allies, for their part, have signaled that they will continue to challenge their universities over their financial ties to Israel and military companies, to express outrage over the violence in Gaza and to condemn aggressive treatment of protesters on campus. TBILISI, Georgia, May 4. COP29, to be held in Azerbaijan in November this year, is expected to bring lots of opportunities for good cooperation, ADB Executive Director for Australia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Cambodia, China, Georgia, Hong Kong, Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu Rachel Thompson told reporters on the sidelines of the ADB annual meetings in Tbilisi, Trend reports. In this part of the world, I represent Georgia and Azerbaijan, and they have been part of our constituency group since they joined ADB. I represent Azerbaijan as a shareholder of ADB. I think COP29 is one of the first occasions in many years where the UNFCCC COP is returning to an ADB developing member country, so it is as the climate bank for Asia and the Pacific, Thompson said. She believes that it is a very important meeting, and the government of Azerbaijan has clearly identified climate finance as a really important priority that is a cause that ADB is also very committed to. So I think there are going to be lots of opportunities for good cooperation, and certainly we at ADB are very much looking forward to cooperating with the government of Azerbaijan to ensure that COP29 is a success, she concluded. This November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 70,00080,000 foreign guests. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Swollen rivers continued rising in Southeast Texas on Saturday after a night of evacuations and rescues from floodwaters that swamped roads, stranded cars and inundated homes in the region. Emergency responders in airboats searched the flooded streets and subdivisions around Houston, rescuing 178 people and 122 pets from stranded cars and rooftops by Saturday afternoon, according to Judge Lina Hidalgo, Harris Countys top executive. Officials underscored the urgency of evacuation orders for residents in low-lying areas, warning that the worst was still to come. This threat is ongoing and its going to get worse, Ms. Hidalgo said. It is not your typical river flood. When Donald J. Trump held a rally in Rome, Ga., in March, his audience included a second-generation supporter and first-time rallygoer named Luke Harris. My parents were always supporters of him especially when he was going against Hillary, recalled Mr. Harris, who was in sixth grade in Cartersville, Ga., when Mr. Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in 2016 to win the presidency. Mr. Harris, now a 19-year-old student at Kennesaw State University, just grew up looking at him, listening, watching him, he said. I kind of grew into it. Mr. Trumps victory, to supporters and detractors alike, represented a profound break with politics as usual in the United States. People who voted against him feared he would turn the American presidency upside down. People who voted for him hoped he would. The last of four zebras that escaped from a trailer in North Bend, Wash., was safely corralled on Friday with the help of a former rodeo bullfighter, a lookout on a mountain bike and a package of white bread. The zebra, named Sugar, had been wandering the grounds of a 300-acre property in an unincorporated area of King County since it had broken free from a trailer on a highway exit off Interstate 90, about 30 miles east of Seattle, on April 28. The mare had been spotted on lawns throughout the week, but officials, residents and wranglers had been unable to capture Sugar, who is also known as Shug. Thats when her owner, Kristine Keltgen, called in reinforcements. Its very frustrating because Im here in Montana trying to organize this search, Ms. Keltgen, who runs a petting zoo in Anaconda, Mont., said in an interview on Saturday. Months after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada accused Indias government of plotting a murder on Canadian soil plunging diplomatic relations between the two countries to their lowest level ever the first arrests in the killing, which came on Friday, did little to demystify the basis of his claim. The police didnt offer clues or present any evidence that India had orchestrated the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh nationalist leader who was gunned down at the temple he led in Surrey, British Columbia, in June. What they did say was that three Indian men had committed the killing and that an investigation into Indias role was ongoing. Before the arrests, Indian officials had maintained that Canada was trying to drag New Delhi into what it described as essentially a rivalry between gangs whose members were long wanted for crimes back in India. After the arrests, a report from the CBC, Canadas public broadcasting corporation, based on anonymous sources, also said the suspects belonged to an Indian criminal gang. A machine used for chemical analysis, with a slight resemblance to a printer, thrummed repeatedly as technicians at a drug testing site in Victoria, British Columbia, prepared to open its doors to local drug users. Most of the samples handed to Substance Drug Checking, a lab led by researchers at the University of Victoria, were found to have contained fentanyl, the synthetic opioid driving fatal overdoses in the province to record levels. Alarm about the spread of fentanyl is entrenched in how Canada and the United States talk about the opioid crisis. But in Mexico, the government has repeatedly denied that fentanyl abuse is spilling over its border and has asserted that the problem is exclusive to its northern neighbors. Weak detection efforts, in public health settings or during drug death investigations, have meant that the extent of fentanyls reach in Mexico is largely an open question. The Russian Army is gradually expanding the role of women as it seeks to balance President Vladimir V. Putins promotion of traditional family roles with the need for new recruits for the war in Ukraine. The militarys stepped-up appeal to women includes efforts to recruit female inmates in prisons, replicating on a much smaller scale a strategy that has swelled its ranks with male convicts. Recruiters in military uniforms toured Russian jails for women in the fall of 2023, offering inmates a pardon and $2,000 a month 10 times the national minimum wage in return for serving in frontline roles for a year, according to six current and former inmates of three prisons in different regions of Russia. Dozens of inmates just from those prisons have signed military contracts or applied to enlist, the women said, a sampling that along with local media reports about recruitment in other regions suggests a broader effort to enlist female convicts. Police raided Columbia University this week after pro-Palestinian protesters occupied Hamilton Hall, a building that has been at the center of several protests over the years. What were students protesting during the first major occupation of the hall? How Counterprotesters at U.C.L.A. Provoked Violence, Unchecked for Hours The New York Times used videos filmed by journalists, witnesses and protesters to analyze hours of clashes and a delayed police response at a pro-Palestinian encampment on Tuesday. University of California, Los Angeles University of California, Los Angeles ROYCE HALL PRO-PALESTINIAN ENCAMPMENT HAINES HALL POWELL LIBRARY KAPLAN HALL ROYCE HALL POWELL LIBRARY PRO-PALESTINIAN ENCAMPMENT KAPLAN HALL HAINES HALL ROYCE HALL PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTERS HAINES HALL BARRICADE POWELL LIBRARY COUNTERPROTESTERS KAPLAN HALL ROYCE HALL PRO-PALESTINIAN ENCAMPMENT POWELL LIBRARY BARRICADE KAPLAN HALL HAINES HALL COUNTERPROTESTERS ROYCE HALL HAINES HALL POWELL LIBRARY POLICE ARRIVE KAPLAN HALL ROYCE HALL POWELL LIBRARY KAPLAN HALL HAINES HALL POLICE ARRIVE A satellite image of the UCLA campus. On Tuesday night, violence erupted at an encampment that pro-Palestinian protesters had set up on April 25. The image is annotated to show the extent of the pro-Palestinian encampment, which takes up the width of the plaza between Powell Library and Royce Hall. The clashes began after counterprotesters tried to dismantle the encampments barricade. Pro-Palestinian protesters rushed to rebuild it, and violence ensued. Arrows denote pro-Israeli counterprotesters moving towards the barricade at the edge of the encampment. Arrows show pro-Palestinian counterprotesters moving up against the same barricade. Police arrived hours later, but they did not intervene immediately. An arrow denotes police arriving from the same direction as the counterprotesters and moving towards the barricade. Aerial image by Nearmap A New York Times examination of more than 100 videos from clashes at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that violence ebbed and flowed for nearly five hours, mostly with little or no police intervention. The violence had been instigated by dozens of people who are seen in videos counterprotesting the encampment. The videos showed counterprotesters attacking students in the pro-Palestinian encampment for several hours, including beating them with sticks, using chemical sprays and launching fireworks as weapons. As of Friday, no arrests had been made in connection with the attack. To build a timeline of the events that night, The Times analyzed two livestreams, along with social media videos captured by journalists and witnesses. 10:50 p.m. Attacks begin 10:50 p.m. 3:30 a.m. The melee began when a group of counterprotesters started tearing away metal barriers that had been in place to cordon off pro-Palestinian protesters. Hours earlier, U.C.L.A. officials had declared the encampment illegal. Security personnel hired by the university are seen in yellow vests standing to the side throughout the incident. A university spokesperson declined to comment on the security staffs response. 10:53 p.m. Mel Buer/The Real News Network It is not clear how the counterprotest was organized or what allegiances people committing the violence had. The videos show many of the counterprotesters were wearing pro-Israel slogans on their clothing. Some counterprotesters blared music, including Israels national anthem, a Hebrew childrens song and Harbu Darbu, an Israeli song about the Israel Defense Forces campaign in Gaza. As counterprotesters tossed away metal barricades, one of them was seen trying to strike a person near the encampment, and another threw a piece of wood into it some of the first signs of violence. 11:00 p.m. - 1:45 a.m. Violence escalates 10:50 p.m. 3:30 a.m. Attacks on the encampment continued for nearly three hours before police arrived. Counterprotesters shot fireworks toward the encampment at least six times, according to videos analyzed by The Times. One of them went off inside, causing protesters to scream. Another exploded at the edge of the encampment. One was thrown in the direction of a group of protesters who were carrying an injured person out of the encampment. 11:03 p.m. to 11:39 p.m. Mel Buer/The Real News Network Some counterprotesters sprayed chemicals both into the encampment and directly at peoples faces. 12:26 a.m. Sean Beckner-Carmitchel via Reuters At times, counterprotesters swarmed individuals sometimes a group descended on a single person. They could be seen punching, kicking and attacking people with makeshift weapons, including sticks, traffic cones and wooden boards. 12:29 a.m. StringersHub via Associated Press, Sergio Olmos/Calmatters In one video, protesters sheltering inside the encampment can be heard yelling, Do not engage! Hold the line! In some instances, protesters in the encampment are seen fighting back, using chemical spray on counterprotesters trying to tear down barricades or swiping at them with sticks. 1:10 a.m. Sergio Olmos/Calmatters Except for a brief attempt to capture a loudspeaker used by counterprotesters, and water bottles being tossed out of the encampment, none of the videos analyzed by The Times show any clear instance of encampment protesters initiating confrontations with counterprotesters beyond defending the barricades. 1:45 a.m. - 2:50 a.m. Police on scene 10:50 p.m. 3:30 a.m. Shortly before 1 a.m. more than two hours after the violence erupted a spokesperson with the mayors office posted a statement that said U.C.L.A officials had called the Los Angeles Police Department for help and they were responding immediately. Officers from a separate law enforcement agency the California Highway Patrol began assembling nearby, at about 1:45 a.m. Riot police with the L.A.P.D. joined them a few minutes later. Counterprotesters applauded their arrival, chanting U.S.A., U.S.A., U.S.A.! 1:45 a.m. Sergio Olmos/Calmatters Just four minutes after the officers arrived, counterprotesters attacked a man standing dozens of feet from the officers. 01:49 a.m. Sergio Olmos/Calmatters Twenty minutes after police arrive, a video shows a counterprotester spraying a chemical toward the encampment during a scuffle over a metal barricade. Another counterprotester can be seen punching someone in the head near the encampment after swinging a plank at barricades. 2:06 a.m. Sergio Olmos/Calmatters Fifteen minutes later, while those in the encampment chanted Free, free Palestine, counterprotesters organized a rush toward the barricades. During the rush, a counterprotester pulls away a metal barricade from a woman, yelling You stand no chance, old lady. Throughout the intermittent violence, officers were captured on video standing about 300 feet away from the area for roughly an hour, without stepping in. It was not until 2:42 a.m. that officers began to move toward the encampment, after which counterprotesters dispersed and the nights violence between the two camps mostly subsided. The L.A.P.D. and the California Highway Patrol did not answer questions from The Times about their responses on Tuesday night, deferring to U.C.L.A. While declining to answer specific questions, a university spokesperson provided a statement to The Times from Mary Osako, U.C.L.A.s vice chancellor of strategic communications: We are carefully examining our security processes from that night and are grateful to U.C. President Michael Drake for also calling for an investigation. We are grateful that the fire department and medical personnel were on the scene that night. 2:50 a.m. - 3:30 a.m. Police step in 10:50 p.m. 3:30 a.m. L.A.P.D. officers were seen putting on protective gear and walking toward the barricade around 2:50 a.m. They stood in between the encampment and the counterprotest group, and the counterprotesters began dispersing. 3:24 a.m. Mark Abramson While police continued to stand outside the encampment, a video filmed at 3:32 a.m. shows a man who was walking away from the scene being attacked by a counterprotester, then dragged and pummeled by others. An editor at the U.C.L.A. student newspaper, the Daily Bruin, told The Times the man was a journalist at the paper, and that they were walking with other student journalists who had been covering the violence. The editor said she had also been punched and sprayed in the eyes with a chemical. On Wednesday, U.C.L.A.s chancellor, Gene Block, issued a statement calling the actions by instigators who attacked the encampment unacceptable. A spokesperson for California Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized campus law enforcements delayed response and said it demands answers. Los Angeles Jewish and Muslim organizations also condemned the attacks. Hussam Ayloush, the director of the Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, called on the California attorney general to investigate the lack of police response. The Jewish Federation Los Angeles blamed U.C.L.A. officials for creating an unsafe environment over months and said the officials had been systemically slow to respond when law enforcement is desperately needed. Fifteen people were reportedly injured in the attack, according to a letter sent by the president of the University of California system to the board of regents. The night after the attack began, law enforcement warned pro-Palestinian demonstrators to leave the encampment or be arrested. By early Thursday morning, police had dismantled the encampment and arrested more than 200 people from the encampment. When a three-year-old girl from Charlotte, North Carolina, started complaining to her parents about monsters in the walls of her room, they thought she was imagining things, but there really was something in the walls. Little Saylor Class had recently watched DreamWorks Monster Inc animated movie when she started talking to her parents about monsters in the walls, so they didnt really take her seriously. In fact, they even gave her a bottle of water and said it was monster spray so that she could spray away any of the monsters at night, but her complaints only got stronger over the following months. Saylors parents started taking her more seriously when her mother Massis noticed bees swarming near the attic and chimney of their old farmhouse. Massis Class thought the daughter could hear the bees buzzing through the ceiling, but things were even worse than that. Photo: Rowan Heuvel/Unsplash Saylors parents ended up calling a pest control expert who identified the insects as honeybees, a protected species in the United States. He noticed the insects were traveling towards the floorboards of the attic, right above the little girls room, but when he used a thermal camera to scan the walls, a part of the room lit up like a Christmas tree. Because honeybees cannot be harmed under US law, a beekeeper was called to have them and their hive removed. Only it wasnt a few bees and a bit of honeycomb, but a massive colony stretching from a tiny, coin-sized hole in the attic deep into the walls of the house. The beekeeper told the Class family that he had never seen a beehive go so far down into a wall. The beekeeper, whom Saylor began calling the monster hunter, removed the flying insects by making a hole in the wall and then vacuumed them into special boxes. Many of them simply poured into the room from the wall, so the Class family had to cover as much of the house in plastic film so the bees couldnt hide. By the end of the special operation, between 55,000 and 65,000 bees were removed, along with 100lb (45kg) of honeycomb. The bees are to be relocated to a bee sanctuary. Ms Massis Class told local journalists that the bees and their honey damaged the electric wiring of the house, and she estimated the total cost of repairing everything to be more than $20,000. Insurance will likely not pay any of these costs, as they dont cover anything pest-related because they deem it preventable. Such cases are rare, but definitely not unheard of. In 2019, we covered the story of a family in Granada, Spain, who discovered that they had been living with a colony of 80,000 bees in the wall of their bedroom. GREEN Party Local Election candidate, Ekaterina Koneva, met with Birr Ukrainian residents of Elm Grove House, who are currently fighting for the opportunity to stay in their home. Koneva had a meeting with the Manager of Elm Grove House, Maureen OMeara, to discuss the situation and possible resolutions to the issues. The residents received notice from the Ukrainian Temporary Accommodation Team of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, informing them that it is no longer possible to accommodate them at the Elm Grove House. 19 of the residents have been offered new accommodation for 19 at Banagher Convent on the Main Street of Banagher, but the remaining residents have not yet received any notice about where they are being relocated to or when. On Saturday, April 20th the Green Party held a Convention in Dublin and Ekaterina Koneva had a chance to discuss the Elm Grove Residents concerns with the Minister of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic OGorman. The letters from the Elm Grove Residents, the manager and several community organisations, including Offaly/Laois ETB and Birr Vintage Week, were handed to the Minister for consideration. Ekaterina Koneva said; We, community activists, community members, department officals and politicians should not have constant battles, we should work together to establish a strong and effective working system, where people's needs are prioritised before finances, and where the Government work quickly when facing challenges. The management and residents have sent a number of letters to several departments and politicians with the hope of overturning the decision to relocate Elm Grove residents. The manager of Elm Grove House stated; There are no reasonable grounds for the contract not being reviewed, as the owners of the Elm Grove House are more than happy to continue to accommodate the beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine, who are fleeing the war. There are 41 residents from Ukraine residing at Elm Grove House at the moment, eight children of different ages, eight disabled people with mobility issues, including five in wheelchairs and three with need of assistance. The Elm Grove House has all required facilities and equipment to provide necessary care of high standard to all residents. Residents are also provided with great support and help with integration, attendance of sport and other events, English classes and other training and workshops in Birr. Many have already secured school places for kids and jobs or volunteer opportunities for adults. Maureen OMeara added; The rent price is agreeable, and we invite the department representatives to visit Elm Grove House and meet the residents, to listen to their concerns and to see their needs, and not just make table decisions. There are no facilities better than Elm Grove House in Banagher or elsewhere around Birr for them. TBILISI, Georgia, May 4. The opening session of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors has kicked off in Tbilisi, Trend reports. The Opening Session marks the official start of the Annual Meeting. It is a high-profile event attended by the Guest of Honor from the host country. Remarks will be made by ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa and the Minister of Finance of Georgia and Chair of the ADB Board of Governors, Lasha Khutsishvili. The theme for the 57th Annual Meeting to be held from May 2 through May 5 is Bridge to the Future. The Annual Meeting is an opportunity for ADB governors to consider development issues and challenges facing Asia and the Pacific. Several thousand participants, including finance ministers, central bank governors, senior government officials, members of the private sector, representatives of international organizations and civil society organizations, youth, academia, and the media, regularly join the meeting. Community and a sense of place were the themes when cheques were presented to the local Tidy Towns Group and Boher / Liss Cemetery Maintenance Group. The cheques were the proceeds from the sale of Down the Decades, a book about the life of George Griffith from Clonshanny, that shone a light on life in rural Ireland since the formation of the Free State. The book was written by Tom Minnock in conversation with George and with contributions from his wife Daphne and the Griffith family as well as access to his diaries. Recalling that Tom himself and his wife Mary, arrived in Clonshanny in the early 2000s as neighbours of George on their own journey down the decades. This community that they joined has embraced and supported them since their arrival. It is a privilege to live here and to be blessed with such neighbours and an environment cared for by many volunteering groups. George was a great supporter of community and proud of his area. It is fitting that the two organisations here tonight reflect the community spirit he supported. He would be delighted with the reception that the book received and that the story of his life allows some practical support to be returned to the groups that care for the community he loved so much. Quoting Georges words from the book I know I am biased but I believe that Clonshanny is the best place to live and I could not ask for better neighbours and I had a great life. Tom concluded that these were lovely words to be able to say after almost one hundred years in the same townland and thanked George for the memories. Tom Griffith speaking on behalf of the family welcomed the groups and thanked them for their voluntary work in the community. He recalled the interaction that George had with his many friends especially those involved in farming. He recounted the work ethic that existed in the stories that George told, born out of necessity, but carried out with great humour. George was delighted to recount the village events down the ages especially the famed frog-eating contest that became not only a national sensation but also went worldwide in an era long before the arrival of social media. Tom (Griffith) also welcomed the return to the village concept in the present time where people are now appreciating the sense of place and community interaction as part of their lifestyle. This is being incorporated into policy and planning as a contribution to a less stressful lifestyle. George would have welcomed this and the family are delighted that they can make a contribution to the groups to show our support and give practical help to their work in improving our environment and remembering and respecting those who have gone before us. Angela Kelly who co - ordinates the Boher/Liss Graveyard Maintenance Group thanked the Griffith family for thinking of them and making the generous contribution to their work. She recalled setting up the group and as Liss Graveyard has plots on either side of the church for Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland burials, calling on George to talk about getting volunteers from the Church of Ireland community to take part in the work. Thanks to his influence there was a full complement of people within a week and the two communities have worked together year after year to maintain the plots that are a credit to everybody. George was ninety years of age at the time and was an enthusiastic worker down the years but also looked forward to the cup of tea and the chat at the end of the work. Tony Ennis on behalf of the Tidy Towns Committee thanked the Griffiths family for their generous contribution which was a welcome surprise and they would use the money to support their work in maintaining the village and surrounding area. They would strive to ensure that Georges grandchildren would have an area that they would look on with pride. Each group received a cheque for 850. The evening concluded with refreshments and a song from his good neighbour Sean Kennedy that we know George would have enjoyed but above all he would have loved the chat which lasted into the night. May his gentle soul rest in peace. Move follows refusal by Offaly County Council to give permission for a massive new commercial and residential project which developer said would bring life back to town centre THE high-rise building proposed for Tullamore could be lowered by two floors according to a new plan put forward by the developer. Cayenne Holdings, a company headed up by local businessman Seamus Kane, was refused permission to for a mixed commercial and residential scheme on the former Tesco site at the rear of Patrick Street. When they turned down the project last month, the Offaly County Council planners referred in particular to a 12-storey/13-floor building which would have dominated the site. In an appeal lodged with An Bord Pleanala, Cayenne Holdings defends its plan for a 13-floor tower but also floats an alternative. There are four new buildings in the Distillery Yard plan and the developer is suggesting that building three be reduced from 13 floors to 11. The developer says this building, by far the tallest proposed, would effectively be 10 storeys because the ground floor has a mezzanine level. An eight-floor building (see picture below) could be lowered to six, another will remain at six floors while another will be reduced from six to four. Two other buildings which reuse existing structures will remain at between two and three floors. The appeal to the boards states that the developer feels deeply that the right answer for Tullamore is for a high density tranformative development on this site to take place and wishes to provide the Bord with every opportunity to grant permission for same. The lowering of the buildings will cut the number of apartments from 204 to 158, reducing the density from about 240 units per hectare which the council said was far too high to 185 units per hectare. Cayenne Holdings argues that densities should be calculated across the whole site, including the portion nearer the canal where an Aldi supermarket will be built but where no apartments are proposed. That would result in an overall density of 103 units per hectare and the developer also stresses that the original proposal for 92 car parking spaces and 480 bike spaces remains in place. The developer also states that the reduction in apartment numbers is the maximum possible: Any further reduction would simply make the development unviable and our client would be forced to consider alternative solutions for the use of this site. The well received proposals for the ground floor area, including the mix of uses and the extensive areas of public realm simply cannot be delivered without a quantum of development above also being delivered. READ: PLAN TURNED DOWN BY COUNCIL - The appeal expresses the developer's disappointment that the original plan was refused despite assessments which indicated that the proposals could be positively assimilated in to Tullamore and would assist in transforming the otherwise rundown nature of the town centre. It is considered that the proposal is a significant urban regeneration scheme in the middle of Tullamore that will have an entirely positive transformative effect on the town and will assist in re-enlivening the centre of the town which has been suffering from decline for many years. The developer insists that buildings of at least six storeys are permitted on the site and adds: While the proposed development is taller than existing developments in the area, the careful and high quality design and positioning of the taller elements of the proposal reduces the overall perception of scale of these taller buildings within the town centre. The aim of the proposal is to provide a landmark structure within the centre of Tullamore, further strengthening the sense of place. In relation to concerns about fire safety, it is said that the design exceeds current practice in Ireland, a second staircase will be provided in the tallest building which will futureproof the development and take account of international best practice in fire engineering. The council also had concerns about traffic and the developer points out that it controls both buildings either side of the short portion of Offally Street which joins William (Colmcille) Street. The council planners also pointed to the lack of a linkage with a lane leading to Patrick Street, saying a fence had been erected there. The developer says linkages through and around the site will be increased and there will be a new east-west street connecting Offally Street to O'Connell Street (off Kilbride Street). TBILISI, Georgia, May 4. Coordination is needed to address challenges, ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa said during the opening ceremony of the ADB Board of Governors meeting held in Tbilisi on May 4, Trend reports. "We come together at a time when the people of our region face challenges that demand our close attention and coordination. The impacts of climate change are unrelenting, and the risks from conflict and crisis can quickly undermine their livelihoods, and even their survival. This is why development cannot stand still. It requires us to evolve to face the realities in front of us, and prepare for the challenges on the horizon. These meetings invite us to reflect deeply on this call to action," he said. The opening session of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors has kicked off in Tbilisi. The Opening Session marks the official start of the Annual Meeting. It is a high-profile event attended by the Guest of Honor from the host country. The theme for the 57th Annual Meeting to be held from May 2 through May 5 is Bridge to the Future. The Annual Meeting is an opportunity for ADB governors to consider development issues and challenges facing Asia and the Pacific. Several thousand participants, including finance ministers, central bank governors, senior government officials, members of the private sector, representatives of international organizations and civil society organizations, youth, academia, and the media, regularly join the meeting. TBILISI, Georgia, May 4. Ensuring equitable utilization of digital technology is crucial, ADB President, Masatsugu Asakawa said during the opening ceremony of the ADB Board of Governors meeting held in Tbilisi on May 4, Trend reports. "Artificial Intelligence offers tremendous potential to drive growth and help address development challenges in areas like healthcare, agriculture, and climate change. But, developing countries will miss out if they are not able to adopt this technology. There are also risks from AI, such as bias and lack of transparency," he said. According to the president, ADB is working hard to strengthen the capacity of our developing member countries to deploy responsible AI solutions that follow an ethical framework and drive inclusive growth. "We believe that bridging the digital divide, and opening opportunities from AI, are key to a more prosperous future," Asakawa added. The opening session of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors has kicked off in Tbilisi. The Opening Session marks the official start of the Annual Meeting. It is a high-profile event attended by the Guest of Honor from the host country. The theme for the 57th Annual Meeting to be held from May 2 through May 5 is Bridge to the Future. The Annual Meeting is an opportunity for ADB governors to consider development issues and challenges facing Asia and the Pacific. Several thousand participants, including finance ministers, central bank governors, senior government officials, members of the private sector, representatives of international organizations and civil society organizations, youth, academia, and the media, regularly join the meeting. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 4. The third meeting of the Organising Committee has been held in connection with the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Trend reports. The Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Chairman of the Organising Committee Samir Nuriyev, in accordance with the instructions of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, briefed the participants of the meeting about the work done as part of the preparation process for COP29 since the last meeting and about the implementation of the COP29 Action Plan. Nuriyev noted that the logo and slogan of COP29 have been determined. According to him, the slogan of COP29 is In Solidarity for a Green World! Stressing that COP29 and the Leaders' Summit will be held at the Baku Olympic Stadium, the presidential administration's head said that design and preparation work is currently underway in and around the stadium. He added that on behalf of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, invitations were sent to the heads of state and government of the countries participating in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to participate in the event. Moreover, Nuriyev reminded that the head of state at the COP29 and Green Vision for Azerbaijan international forum, the Petersberg Climate Dialogue and the 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue presented information on the main directions reflecting Azerbaijans position on COP29 and climate change. The Organising Committee's chairman noted that Azerbaijan actively participates in important international events in the fight against climate change, including the spring session of the World Bank in Washington and the Petersburg Climate Dialogue, and emphasized the importance of serious preparatory work for the Bonn Climate Change Conference, which will take place in June. Speaking about Azerbaijan's priorities during COP29, Nuriyev noted that the preparation of the agenda for the COP29 chairmanship is at the final stage. He emphasized that the official COP29 website has started operating, the process related to COP29 is widely covered in local media, active work is underway with foreign media, and interviews with the COP29 team are published in reputable international publications. Nuriyev also informed about the work done in Azerbaijan in connection with the Year of Solidarity for a Green World. Then the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, President of COP29 Mukhtar Babayev informed about the process of Azerbaijans preparation for the chairmanship of COP29, the visits of the COP29 team to foreign countries and the meetings held. Anar Alakbarov, assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, informed about the work being carried out in the organizational and logistics sphere in preparation for COP29. Azerbaijani Minister of Health Teymur Musayev said that a preliminary list of public and private medical institutions that will be involved as medical service providers during COP29 has been determined, and that health volunteers will be involved in the activities of medical institutions and the emergency medical service call center. Azerbaijani MP Sevinj Fataliyeva informed about the work carried out at the parliamentary level in connection with COP29, including active cooperation between the Milli Majlis and the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Deputy Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Administration of the President of Azerbaijan, Head of the Secretariat of the COP29 Organising Committee Habib Mikayilli spoke on the activities of the Secretariat, coordination of the work of government bodies, and provision of institutional support to the COP29 presidential team. Deputy Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan, Chief Executive Officer for COP29 Azerbaijan Elnur Soltanov spoke about Azerbaijans contribution determined at the national level, as well as the work carried out with the private sector and youth. The founder of the SmartNation platform, Shabnam Mammadova, spoke about the role of innovation and smart technologies in the fight against climate change. Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister, chief negotiator of COP29 Yalchin Rafiyev informed about the initiatives included in the agenda of the COP29 chairmanship, discussions with various countries and negotiating groups and preparations for the negotiation process. Ulvi Mehdiyev, chairman of the State Agency for Public Services and Social Innovation under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, informed about the simplification of visa procedures for persons who will participate in COP29. Additionally, Chairperson of the Board of the Ecosphere Socio-Ecological Center Firuza Sultanzade spoke about the role of civil society in COP29 and ensuring the participation of NGOs related to ecology in the event. The meeting concluded with instructions on the implementation of the Action Plan related to the organization and conduct of COP29, and other relevant issues. This November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 7080,000 foreign guests. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A pedestrian is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries, and a driver has been arrested after a crash in Northeast Portlands Madison South neighborhood early Saturday morning. Police responded shortly after 2 a.m. to reports of a crash at Northeast Halsey Street and 92nd Avenue. A man was seriously injured and transported to the hospital. Police determined that a driver of a 2007 Toyota Sequoia SUV struck the pedestrian. The driver, Nicole M. Land, remained at the scene. Land, a 23-year-old from Milwaukie, was arrested on allegations of second-degree assault, reckless driving and driving under the influence of intoxicants. Police ask anyone with information about the incident to contact crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov, attention Traffic Investigations Unit, and reference case number 24-109751. The Oregonian/OregonLive A 3-year-old child in Vancouver was taken to the hospital after overdosing on methamphetamine Thursday, police said. The childs mother, Summer Justice Ward, 27, is accused of endangerment with a controlled substance, second-degree criminal mistreatment, obstructing a law enforcement officer and possession of a controlled substance for her alleged role in her childs overdose, according to the Vancouver Police Department. TBILISI, Georgia, May 4. Preparations for COP29 are well underway as an inclusive process, Samir Sharifov, Azerbaijan's Minister of Finance, said as his addressed a panel discussion themed "Achieving Climate Change Results for Transformation" at the ADB Annual Meeting in Tbilisi, Trend reports. "We're making strides in our preparations, and it's an inclusive effort. We're eager to engage all parties in climate financing. Banks hold significant sway in this arena. Azerbaijan is confident that funding is within reach, and ADB can play a pivotal role. Adaptation simply can't happen without active involvement from the private sector," he emphasized. According to the minister, the ambition within the COP29 is to try to bring the line of the parties involved to reach the agreement on this goal and to unlock the funding for the climate agenda. "I would like also to mention in this regard that MDBs, Asian Development Bank, they are important players in this process. During the spring meetings, we discussed these issues with the IMF and with the World Bank. I mentioned the Coalition of Finance Ministers, which unites more than 93 countries, as far as I remember, and 27 institutions, so they also addressed these issues and there was a call for action. So I think, we believe, that Azerbaijan very much counts and relies on the support of the Coalition in order to achieve these shared goals," he added. This November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. The COP28 plenary meeting in Dubai on December 11 last year made this decision. Baku will become the world's center, receiving about 7080,000 foreign guests. At the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992, the United Nations signed the Framework Convention on Climate Change as an agreement to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. 198 countries sign the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Governor Tina Kotek, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler on Friday described the next steps they plan to take to address the fentanyl crisis now that their 90-day state of emergency for downtown Portland has officially expired. The post-emergency response to the fentanyl crisis in the Portland metro area will include a designated intake facility to manage referrals for addiction treatment, a shelter-bed tracking system and the addition of mobile clinics to help people in the throes of fentanyl addiction, according to a press release that accompanied a press conference by the three leaders. Gov. Kotek also announced that the state government would partner with private-sector organizations, starting with preliminary conversations with the nonprofit United Way of the Columbia to serve as a conduit between the state and various private groups. We all have a role in addressing the crisis, Kotek said of the planned collaborations. Im grateful that business leaders in the nonprofit sector are stepping up in a big way. Kotek added that she asked Oregon State Police to continue working with Portland police for the next six months. The state police will continue to work with the police bureau on anti-fentanyl missions and on the bureaus work with a newly-funded peer-outreach program that partners police officers with people in recovery. Vega Pederson said the fentanyl task force established by the state-of-emergency declaration allowed the three governments to develop best practices for handling the drug crisis going forward. She said that the governments will continue to collaborate on a sustainable, scalable and wide model. Vega Pederson added that part of the model will be a fentanyl-awareness public-health campaign. The campaign will target people aged 13-20 in an attempt to curb fentanyl use and overdoses, she said. Details about funding and actions were sparse in the press conference, but Mayor Wheeler pointed out that the City of Portland allocated $17 million towards Portland Solutions a suite of programs that include resources that address addiction and homelessness in a budget proposal Wheeler released on Friday. The programs funded in the proposed budget include a one-time $300,000 allocation to the Portland Street Services Coordination Center, which provides services to people experiencing homelessness. The mayors budget also includes $500,000 in one-time funding for the citys Temporary Alternative Shelter Sites program, which provides transitional housing. We must redouble our efforts throughout the city and maintain the sense of urgency necessary to meet the fentanyl crisis head on, Wheeler said. Theres still a lot of work to do. Tanner Todd covers crime and public safety. Reach them at ttodd@oregonian.com, or 503-221-4313. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, May 4. Turkmenistan discussed sustainable energy development strategies and the exchange of best practices in this area with foreign partners, Trend reports. According to the official source, these issues were discussed at the 'Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions for Sustainable Energy' International Conference held in the city of Turkmenbashi with the participation of about 70 delegates from Turkmenistan, representatives of UNDP, the EU, and other Central Asian countries. During the event, delegates from different countries and organizations presented their experience in implementing sustainable energy policies. UNDP experts shared their knowledge on the use of solid waste for the production of electrical and thermal energy and discussed waste-free production initiatives. Meanwhile, the conference was one of the events held within the framework of the joint initiative 'Sustainable Energy Days in Turkmenistan', organized by the UNDP project 'Sustainable Cities in Turkmenistan: Integrated Green Urban Development in Ashgabat and Avaza' and the project funded by the EU 'Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA)', by the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan and the Municipality of Turkmenbashi city, with the assistance of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libya is ranked 143rd out of 180 countries in the 2024 press freedom index, according to the annual report drawn up by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) After installing Windows 11, you should check some settings and adapt them to your needs and streamline its use. Here, well show you the 13 most important Windows 11 settings to adjust that maximize security and improve the operating system with just a few clicks. get windows 11 pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro Price When Reviewed: 69,99 Euro Best Prices Today: This article is based on Windows 11 version 23H2, the most recent major version of the operating system. Most of the settings can also be implemented in Windows 10 and older Windows 11 versions and work in the same way in Windows 11 version 24H2, this years upcoming update. Customize Explorer show file extensions and drives Windows has been hiding known file extensions for years by default. This is initially annoying because it means that the correct file name is not displayed in full. There is also the security risk. For example, the file important-document.doc.exe is displayed as important-document.doc, in this case because Windows simply hides the file extension exe. This turns an executable file, such as malware/ransomware, into an unsuspicious Word document at first glance. You can quickly work around the problem by activating View > Show > File name extensions in Explorer. Foundry Foundry Foundry You can also find the setting in other Windows versions in the Folder Options > View under Hide extensions for known file types. In this case, you must deactivate the option. In the folder options, you can also select the option This PC within the General tab under Open File Explorer for. In this case, Explorer starts with the view of the drives, not with the rarely desired Start view. You can also open the Start view with a single click on Start in the top left-hand corner. After updating to Windows 11 or installing the operating system, you should first go to Windows Update in the settings. You should first make sure that the message You are up to date appears in the upper area. Click on Check for updates and make sure that all updates are installed. Windows also updates the malware protection definition files in this way. Foundry Foundry Foundry It can also be useful to activate the option Get the latest updates as soon as they are available. This ensures that your Windows system receives updates faster than other users. Microsoft distributes many updates in waves. If you activate this option, you can get ahead of the waves, but be warned that riding the bleeding-edge of updates leaves you more open to potential bugs. In addition, click on Advanced options and activate Receive updates for other Microsoft products. This will ensure that the other Microsoft software on your PC (like Office, Edge, and the Xbox app) are always up to date. Foundry Foundry Foundry At this point, it may also be useful to specify when you work on the PC under Active hours. This ensures that Windows does not start within this time after installing updates. Important: Optimize malware protection settings for drivers After installing Windows 11, open the Windows Security app from the Start menu. You should see a green icon with a tick next to all settings. If this is not the case, check the area by clicking on the relevant icon. Foundry Foundry Foundry For Device security, you should ensure that the Memory integrity option is activated in Core isolation > Core isolation details. This prevents successful attacks by malware. If this option cannot be deactivated, this is due to an outdated and therefore insecure driver. Foundry Foundry Foundry You should also ensure that Microsoft blacklist of vulnerable drivers is activated. This allows you to block insecure drivers that attackers can use to introduce malware onto the system. Important: Adjust virus and threat protection In the Windows Security app, you should switch to Virus and threat protection after installation. Click on Manage settings under Virus and threat protection settings and make sure that all options are switched on here, primarily Real-time protection, Cloud-based protection, and Automatic transmission of samples. Foundry Foundry Foundry It is also important that you ensure that the security information for Virus and threat protection updates is up-to-date. Use Protection updates and then Check for updates to update them directly. If you are using external virus protection, these adjustments are not necessary as this deactivates the internal virus protection in Windows. Check Windows activation In the settings, you will find the option to check whether Windows is activated via System > Activation. Without activation, the operating system will stop working after a while and many settings will not be available. Here you can see whether the activation is working and, if necessary, you can use Change to re-enter your product key for Windows 10 or Windows 11. Foundry Foundry Foundry Are all drivers installed? Use the command devmgmt.msc, which you enter in the search field of the taskbar, to see whether all drivers are installed for all existing devices on the PC. If unknown or other devices are still displayed here, you should obtain the latest driver from the manufacturer and install it. Professionals still activate drive encryption On notebooks in particular, you should ensure that you use Bitlocker for drive encryption. To do this, enter bitlocker in the search field of the taskbar and activate the protection. Bitlocker is available in Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise. Bitlocker isnt available in Windows 11 Home, alas, but you can use device encryption instead. This can be found in the Windows 11 settings. get windows 11 pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro Price When Reviewed: 69,99 Euro Best Prices Today: This article was translated from German to English and originally appeared on pcwelt.de. In a glamorous evening at the Accra Conference Centre, the dedicated trustees of The Childrens Heart Foundation Ghana were honoured with the prestigious 2024 International Africa Healthcare Award by the Zenith Global Health Network. Recognised as the Outstanding Team of the Year during the Awards Ceremony, part of a larger summit focused on 'Advances in Population Health - Tackling Inequalities and Access: A One Health Approach', the foundation has played a pivotal role in raising substantial funds, enabling over 220 children to receive fully funded lifesaving open-heart surgeries. The ceremony, held on April 23, 2024, during a Gala Dinner, celebrated the successes of healthcare professionals from across the continent. With over 10 categories across health and social care, the event underscored the significant achievements within the healthcare sector, highlighting the critical work of teams like those at The Childrens Heart Foundation Ghana. The trustees, Mrs. Jacqui Ahomka Lindsey, Mrs. Surama King, Miss Folake Ojo, Ms. Dzigbordi Dosoo, Mrs. Grace Krobo-Edusei, and Mrs. Karen Hendrickson, have been at the forefront of these efforts. Over the past 13 years, their unwavering dedication has raised over $2 million, directly funding the medical needs of 220 children. This has not only saved lives but also alleviated the financial burdens of their families, giving them a renewed sense of hope and a brighter future. Mission and Vision of the Foundation: Our primary mission is to provide essential financial support to families facing the daunting challenge of affording critical yet costly, life-saving surgeries for their children. The vision of the Childrens Heart Foundation Ghana is to ensure that no child in Ghana should suffer or die from a treatable or manageable heart condition due to lack of financial resources. Mrs Jacqui Ahomka Lindsey, the foundation's president, expressed profound gratitude during the ceremony: "We are profoundly grateful to Zenith Global Health Network for this esteemed recognition, which fills our hearts with immense joy and pride. It reaffirms our unwavering commitment to our cause and honours the collective compassion of our supporters and donors, whose generosity has been vital in our success." The foundation also extended a heartfelt thanks to its sponsors, donors, and everyone who has supported its mission. Through these contributions, the foundation has changed the lives of over 220 children, igniting hope and providing a new lease on life for the families affected. During the awards ceremony, Mrs Jacqui Ahomka Lindsey, alongside her fellow trustees, reaffirmed their dedication to their mission. With renewed commitment, they pledged to persist in their noble efforts with the same fervour and dedication that have characterised their notable journey. This accolade honours their historical achievements and strengthens their ongoing commitment to fostering health and hope for the future. For more detailed information about The Childrens Heart Foundation Ghana, visit their website https://www.thechildrensheartfoundationghana.org/ 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 The Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan discussed the routethe Middle Corridorduring a meeting with the delegation of the European Commission (EC) on EU Neighborhood and Enlargement in Baku on May 4, the Azerbaijani Minister of Digital Development and Transport, Rashad Nabiyev wrote on X, Azernews reports. We met with EC Director General for Neighborhood and Enlargement of the European Union, Gert Jan Koopman. We discussed cooperation in the field of transportation, especially the development of the Middle Corridor, Nabiyev said. To note, the Middle Corridor has been developing for 10 years, but it has received special attention in recent years due to geopolitical realities (problems in the Red Sea, as well as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and complications of logistics). A total of 2.76 million tons of cargo passed through the Middle Corridor in 2023, with a target of 4.2 million tons in 2024. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, May 4. Turkmenistan will host the International Scientific Conference 'Energy perspectives, new technologies and environmental aspects in the development of hydrocarbon resources' (TESC 2024), which will be held on June 5-6 in Arkadag city, Trend reports. According to the official source, the purpose of the conference is to strengthen international cooperation between Turkmen government organizations, major energy companies, academic communities and financial institutions, with an emphasis on environmental protection and the development of green energy. The conference participants will have a unique opportunity to get acquainted with potential investment projects in the field of renewable energy sources and diversification of the energy sector of Turkmenistan towards more environmentally friendly technologies. During presentations and panel sessions, delegates will learn about the latest initiatives to reduce emissions and utilize associated gas while developing the country's vast energy resources. The TESC 2024 agenda includes sessions on the following topics: Energy prospects, new technologies and environmental aspects of hydrocarbon field development; New technologies and energy transition: a look into the future; Reduction of methane and carbon dioxide emissions from hydrocarbon production and monetization; New opportunities for environmental financing and initiatives to promote clean energy. Meanwhile, Turkmenistan is rapidly developing green energy, investing significant efforts in diversifying its energy sector, actively investing in renewable energy sources, especially solar and wind, in order to reduce dependence on traditional sources such as natural gas. The country is also actively attracting international investment and technology to modernize its infrastructure and improve energy efficiency, striving for sustainable development and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Security analyst, Adam Bona says state security agencies must beef up protection across the country ahead of the December election. According to him, the recent gun attacks in both Kasoa and Trassacco should be a wake-up call for the police to crack down on hooligans and the use of guns. Adam Bona described the situation as worrying and a security threat to citizens. Things are already hard in Ghana and if we are not safe as well, then it's a worry to all." He said in an interview with NEAT FM's morning show, Ghana Montie. Adam Bona was discussing the killing of two policemen shot to death at Trassacco. According to a report, a bodyguard of the Member of Parliament for Saboba was fatally shot by gunmen, who are currently on the run, on Thursday evening, May 2, 2024. The Ghana Police Service, in a statement on Thursday, confirmed the fatal shooting of two of its officers. The police statement read in part: The Ghana Police Service is on a manhunt for two gunmen who fatally shot two off-duty police officers sitting in front of their private residence at Block Factory, East Trassacco, Accra, today, Thursday, May 2nd, 2024, at about 6:00 pm. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/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 Western Regional House of Chiefs has commended Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for his respect for traditional authorities. As an integral part of his Regional campaign tour, Dr. Bawumia meets traditional authorities among other stakeholders. On Thursday, he met the Western Regional House of Chiefs in Takoradi and shared his vision with them as well as listened to their concerns as he intensifies his campaign towards the December elections. During the meeting, the acting President of the Western Regional House Chiefs, on behalf of the House, praised Dr. Bawumia's humility and honor for traditional authority. "Your humility and respect for traditional authorities in the country is overwhelming, the acting President said. He added; "We are also reciprocating this gesture to you, hence our presence here to receive you. Dr. Bawumia promised the traditional leaders that he will amend the Chieftaincy Act to restore their power. Dr. Bawumia explained that traditional rulers appear to be left off the governance system and restoring their power, especially to deal with local judicial matters, will not only accord Chieftaincy institution more respect but also it will free up the piling of local disputes at the law courts. The Vice President also stressed his government will establish a fund to develop the chieftaincy institution. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Godfred Yeboah Dame, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice has described as "cheap politics" the decision by former President John Dramani Mahama to reopen the Cecelia Dapaahs case when he is voted as President in the upcoming December 2024 elections. Taking to his official X page, the leader and flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), wrote, "my government will reopen investigations into alleged acts of corruption and graft in the Cecelia Dapaah case. This statement made by the former President, according to the A-G and minister of Justice, stems out of desperation for power, accusing the former President of seizing every opportunity in the public discourse to score political points. Godfred Dame in an interview with Accra based Joy FM on May 2, said, He is only playing cheap politics. He hears something, then he says I will fix it. The Attorney General further indicated that since investigations are still ongoing by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, the former president will be engaging in a needless exercise should he (Mahama) decide to reopen the case. A-G To EOCO Former President John Mahamas statement comes on the heels of the Attorney-Generals recent advice to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to suspend investigations into the alleged money laundering case leveled against the former Sanitation minister by the Special Prosecutor. The Attorney Generals letter to EOCO was as a result of EOCOs decision to seek futrjher advice on the said matter for which the Attorney general in a letter dated April 25, 2024, and copied to EOCO, said it found out that the OSP did not submit the report on its collaborative investigation to EOCO. In addition to the above, the Attorney Generals office said it also realized that the OSP had not responded to EOCOs request for its findings. According to the A-G's office, the docket presented to EOCO only contains the OSPs letter transmitting the docket, the diary of action, statements taken during the investigation, and letters written by the OSP to other institutions like the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and banks for inquiries. OSP: No Evidence Of Corruption Found? Further analysis of the docket by the Attorney-Generals office revealed that the OSP did not find any evidence of corruption or corruption-related offenses against Cecilia Dapaah. The Attorney-Generals office emphasised that the key to pursuing money laundering investigations is the capacity to prove that financial gains were obtained from criminal proceeds arising from unlawful activity. In the absence of the identification of any criminality associated with the properties retrieved from the suspects, the OSPs referral to EOCO for investigations to be conducted into money laundering is without basis. The Attorney-General also advised against EOCO investigating the source of Cecilia Dapaahs funds on the basis that the CID had been tasked with taking charge of that aspect of the case. Source: Kobina Darlington/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 Dimension X Comics, Toys, and Collectibles has finally reopened. The store has relocated to 203 Second St. in Highspire last month. It relocated from the Colonial Park Mall in Lower Paxton Township. During the last week of 2022, owner Jason Williams said he had to close his store at the Colonial Park Mall after he said it was flooded on Christmas Day of that year. He never did reopen the location right outside the mall entrance to the former Sears store. He first opened in that location in 2018. Dimension X Comics, Toys, and Collectibles has been in business for more than 15 years. Dimension X Comics, Toys, and Collectibles has relocated its store to Highspire.Photo provided Williams was able to maintain the stores subscription service over the last year. He used a different retail space at the mall for some time to operate the subscription service before cutting ties with the shopping center in August. Dimension X Comics, Toys, and Collectibles sells a range of products including new and vintage comic books, action figures, statues, collectible gaming cards, Anime, posters, and apparel. Williams says notable brands that the store carries include Marvel Legends, Hasbro, Transformers, Star Wars Black Series, Demon Slayer, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Funko Pops among others. The new shop will continue to offer subscription pull lists for those who would like to subscribe to their favorite comic characters that are currently being published monthly. The store will also offer comic art classes. Anyone that would like more information about the subscription service or the comic art classes, can send an e-mail to dimensionx717@gmail.com. The store is open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday. Free Comic Book Day Williams is gearing up for what is typically the biggest day of the year. The store will be participating in the nationwide event Free Comic Book Day from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 4. Its always been our biggest day of the year with attendance typically anywhere between three to five hundred fans that day, Williams said. The store will also be holding a store-wide sale. The day will also include a raffle and prizes. Other stores in the region participating in Free Comic Book Day include: Cinco de Mayo is Sunday, May 5. To celebrate, many restaurants in the U.S. are offering freebies and deals on food and drinks. It is always best to check with your local chain restaurant to see if it is offering these deals. You might want to check out social media for deals that local restaurants are offering. Cinco de Mayo Deals & Freebies for 2024 Here is a roundup of the best freebies and deals for Cinco de Mayo 2024: 7-Eleven: Get 10 mini tacos for $2 now through May 5, if you are a 7Rewards or Speedy Rewards member. Bubbakoos Burritos: Loyalty members can get a BOGO entree deal at all locations nationwide on May 5. After purchasing a regular entree at full price, a coupon will automatically be delivered on May 6th to loyalty members accounts to redeem for a free entree from May 6 through May 12. To be eligible to receive the deal, fans must be loyalty members of Bubbakoos Burritos and can sign up here. In addition to the Loyalty offering, all guests can use code CINCO10 to receive 10% off all catering through May 5. California Pizza Kitchen: Get $5 starters, including the White Corn Guacamole with Chips or savory Mexican Street Corn, and a refreshing cocktail for $7, including the Casa Paloma, Endless Sunshine, and Fresh Agave Lime Margarita. Guests can also order a 7 pizza, Green Chili Enchilada Pizza or Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pizza, paired with a draft beer for $9. Note: this offer is dine-in only and cannot be combined with other offers. Chevys Fresh Mex: Chevys will have an All-Day Happy Hour ($4, $6, $8 & $10 specials) Friday, May 3 - Saturday, May 5. On Cinco de Mayo, the Mexican chain will have a Boozy Brunch with $12 Bottomless Mimosas & Bloody Marys (from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.) and $4 tacos, as well as margarita, beer and shot specials from 3 p.m. to close. Chilis: Get a Titos Watermelon Spritz margarita for $6. The chain is also offering other margaritas, including the Casamigos Marg and the Tequila Trifecta. Chipotle: Chipotle is offering free delivery on all orders for this week through May 5 with the code CINCO24. The offer is valid online and through the app. Note: This offer cannot be combined with other offers. Cold Stone Creamery: Now through May 5, Cold Stone Creamery is selling a limited edition Waffle Ice Cream Taco to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Hooters: On Cinco de Mayo, get $5 Dos Equis Big Daddy beers and Legendary Ritas, as well as shots of Patron from May 3-5. HootClub Rewards members get an exclusive $5 Cinco de Mayo appetizer special in the Hooters app. Millers Ale House: Get free Tex-Mex Chicken Nachos with any online order $49 or more through Cinco de Mayo with promo code FREENACHOS at checkout. Moes Southwest Grill: Get a burrito or bowl for $5.55 on Cinco de Mayo (Sunday, May 5) if you are a Moes Rewards member. The first 30 guests to visit Moes on Cinco de Mayo get a free t-shirt. On The Border: From May 1-5, you can get $5 Cinco Ritas, beers, and $5 queso. TGI Fridays: Get classic margaritas during TGI Fridays $5 Happy Hour all week through Cinco de Mayo; Superfresh Margarita for $7 (through June) and $5 chips and queso. Taco Bell: Spend $20 or more through Grubhub to get a free order of Nacho Fries. Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. A 57-year-old Lancaster County man who used to work for the U.S. Postal Service was sentenced to 4 1/2-to-10 years in prison on Friday morning after he agreed to help deliver over 2,000 grams of cocaine while on duty, the county district attorneys office said. Carlos Medina, of Lititz, was convicted of possession with intent to deliver cocaine, criminal use of a communication facility and criminal conspiracy on March 4. The Department of Homeland Security was contacted by Customs and Border Protection in Puerto Rico on March 8, 2022, after they seized a package shipped from Puerto Rico to a Lancaster County home. The next day Homeland Security was notified of a similar package being sent to a second location in Lancaster County, according to a press release. After running tests on the packages contents, a total of 2,010 grams, or 4.43 pounds, of cocaine was recovered. Both packages were sent to real addresses in Lancaster County under fake names, the DAs office said. On March 17, 2022, Pennsylvania State Police, the Department of Homeland Security and members of the USPS organized a sham delivery of cocaine on the same route both packages were scheduled to make. During the sham delivery, Medina was seen handing the fake package to his co-defendant Estanislao Sanchez-Diaz and another individual in a blue Honda Accord, according to the release. Medina later admitted in a police interview that he was approached by an unknown Hispanic man who asked him to deliver the packages on his mail route, knowing the contents of the packages were illegal, in exchange for $1,000 per delivery. Sanchez-Diaz is awaiting sentencing after he pleaded guilty in February. Police in Hanover, York County are looking for a 16-year-old girl they said ran away earlier this week. Hailey Chavez was last seen on the 300 block of Fox Knoll Court on Wednesday, May 1, according to a police report. She was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, blue sweatpants and white Nike shoes. Police also said she may have a white backpack and believe she is in the Hanover or New Oxford area. Anyone with information about Haileys whereabouts is asked to call the Hanover Borough Police Department at 717-637-5575 or submit a tip through Crimewatch. Britain's Princess Anne, looks on, during a visit to Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre, to mark the 35th anniversary of the centre, in London, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. Canada's first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel will officially be brought into the Pacific fleet Friday in a commissioning ceremony attended by Princess Anne. THE CANADIAN PRESS/James Manning/Pool Photo via AP TBILISI, Georgia, May 4. The first meeting of the CAREC working group on climate change will be held in Astana on May 29, head of ADB's regional cooperation department for Central and West Asia Lyaziza Sabyrova, said, during the briefing at ADB's annual meeting in Tbilisi on May 4, Trend reports. The CAREC Climate Change Working Group was formed in April 2024, comprising members from countries and development partners, she said. Sabyrova recalled that the establishment of the working group was endorsed by CAREC countries at the 22nd Ministerial Conference in November 2023 in Tbilisi, Georgia. The vision of the working group urges sharing best practices identification of priority sectors for adaptation and mitigation mobilization of climate finance promotion of a unified CAREC voice on the global climate agenda, the ADB representative added. Viral Sensation Tim Naki Lands Million Dollar Blackjack Streak Eliot Thomas Casino Content Executive Copy link Viral sensation Tim Myres has achieved one of the most legendary feats in gambling history by hitting $1 million in profit on his daily blackjack hands. Myres, who goes by the handle @tim.naki on Instagram, accomplished the seven-figure target on Day 83 of his daily blackjack challenge, which involves betting 10 cents for every Instagram follower. Naki, who started the challenge in February of this year with a $1500 dollar bet, has achieved cult status with his gambling content and now regularly punts hands of over $100,000, having grown his Instagram following to over 1.1 million. The winning hand, a Q & 10, returned a total of $230,000.00 and saw the blackjack phenom's total soar to $1,088,971.00, comfortably over the scarcely believable million-dollar sum. Check out the winning moment on Naki's Instagram here: (Warning: contains explicit language) Naki's Million Dollar Blackjack Run Not your average blackjack story, the rules for Naki's daily challenge were simple: playing a single hand of blackjack every day, with the bet size tied directly to his Instagram following. Starting Day 1 with a $1,500 bet, Naki got off to a strong start. He won an impressive 7 out of his first 10 hands at online live dealer tables. This early success, combined with his engaging social media presence, quickly built him a loyal following who enjoyed watching his daily blackjack games. As Naki's online community surged, so did the potential returns. By Day 50, with over 320,000 followers, he was placing bets exceeding a staggering $32,000 per hand - scoring a win of $128,000. Crossing from online live dealer lobbies to the world's casino capital, Naki took his blackjack adventure to the glittering lights of Las Vegas on Day 74. Upping the ante even further, he tackled three hands simultaneously at the Red Rock Casino (with varying degrees of success), with close to a million followers watching on. Day 80 saw Naki turn a blackjack (KA), returning a $270,000 windfall and setting up the possibility of achieving the near-mythical 'milli' in profit. On May 3rd, 2024 (Day 83 of the challenge), Naki reached the milestone on his second attempt, landing a winning hand of Q & 10 vs. the dealer's K & 8, bringing his total profit to $1,088,971. It is thought Naki may now retire from the challenge. At PokerNews, we're committed to promoting responsible gaming. We encourage all our readers to gamble responsibly and within their means. Gambling should always be a fun and enjoyable activity. It's important to set limits on time and money spent gambling. Visit our dedicated safer gaming hub for more information about safe and responsible gaming. Who is Tim Naki? Tim Naki is the social media alias of New Zealander Tim Myres, whose online name derives from the place of his birth (South Taranaki in New Zealand). An online digital creator who specializes in gambling content, Myres has previously streamed slots, roulette, and horse racing content across his YouTube and social channels before achieving unprecedented success with his recent blackjack challenge. Dubbed Mr. Tintin ("ten, ten") by viewers because of his distinctive Kiwi accent; the social media star is based in Canada, where he plays the majority of his hands online. During his legendary run, Naki has appeared on the What A Lad Podcast, downplaying the role of secret blackjack strategies and emphasizing luck: "People ask me what's the secret? I can't tell you the secret. The cards come out as the cards come out. You can know how to play blackjack, like what's the best way to play statistically, but it's just dumb luck." When host Tim Marshall asked Naki his top tip for playing blackjack, he replied, ''Don't play side bets.'' Adding, "Blackjack is a game of statistics, a game of math...the strategy should remain the same always." Blackjack is a game of statistics, a game of math...the strategy should remain the same always. - Tim Naki Finally, in summarising the incredible fortune he has experienced during his streak, Naki emphasized the need for safer gambling, stating, "What people are seeing is a very small snippet of a man's gambling, I still have plenty of losses... for some reason doing one hand of blackjack [a day] has worked." Disclaimer: any promotions presented on this page were correct and available at the time of writing. Promotions can change regularly. We encourage all users to check the promotion displayed matches the most current promotion available by clicking through to the operator welcome page. Please read the terms and conditions carefully before you accept any promotional welcome offer. Share this article The 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Monte Carlo at Sporting Monte-Carlo continued today with an action-filled Day 2 of the 25,000 High Roller. Over the Day 1 flight yesterday, up until the conclusion of late registration this morning, a massive 247 entrants made up this prestigious high roller. After ten levels of play, only 24 found a bag for the Day 3 restart tomorrow morning. A prize pool of 5,930,470 was generated ensuring the 24 finalists a payday of 58,700, but all eyes remain focused on the gold PokerStars shard and the first-place prize of 1,253,070. As the dust settled, Masashi Oya bagged the overall chip lead, taking through an impressive total of 1,290,000 for tomorrow's finale. Oya is the first and only player to have eclipsed the one million chip mark. Oya put on a clinical performance from start to finish, showing the poker world exactly why he deserves to play at the highest of stakes. Not afraid to collide in big pots with fellow chip leader Daniel Rezaei time and time again, Oya quickly solidified himself as one of the biggest stacks in the room, right from the word "go". End of Day 2 Top 10 Chip Counts Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Masashi Oya Japan 1,290,000 86 2 Sergey Lebedev United Kingdom 965,000 64 3 Andras Nemeth Hungary 955,000 64 4 Mauricio Sanchez Colombia 955,000 64 5 Daniel Rezaei Austria 875,000 58 6 Felipe Boianovsky Brazil 805,000 54 7 Lander Lijo Spain 805,000 54 8 Kayhan Mokri Norway 705,000 47 9 Arsenii Karmatckii Russia 605,000 40 10 Elias Gutierrez Spain 540,000 36 Team PokerStars: The PokerStars team were out in force with a total of six ambassadors and Team Pro members alike taking to the felt this morning. Unfortunately, it wasnt to be for either Andre Akkari, Alejandro Lococo and Sam Grafton, who were all eliminated before the money. Grafton was eliminated in a particularly brutal fashion as his two pair fell short to the straight of Leon Sturm. Though the campaign for PokerStars Team Pro to lift the trophy is far from over with Rafael Moraes (420,000), Ramon Colillas (315,000), and streamer Elias Gutierrez (540,000) all making the money and progressing to Day 3. Ramon Colillas Bubble Time: With a minimum cash of 51,000 on the line, a lengthy bubble was to be anticipated. However, no one could have predicted that the stone bubble would go on to last two and a half hours. Eventual bubble boy Aliaksandr Shylko, who was left short after paying off Oyas straight, was virtually forced all in blind for his remaining 3,000, ultimately falling short to the second pair of Shyngis Satubayev. Aliaksandr Shylko The remaining 24 players will return tomorrow, on Saturday May 4th, at 12:00 p.m. local time. Action will resume at Level 21 with blinds of 10,000/15,000 with a 15,000 big blind ante. Stay tuned to PokerNews for the coverage of this event from the moment cards are in the air until a winner is crowned tomorrow. The Final Day of the 25,000 High Roller, running at the Sporting Monte-Carlo as part of the 2024 European Poker Tour, has now concluded. Luca Marki has emerged as the winner after a heads-up deal was made. A total of 247 entries were made to the event, making this the largest-field high roller tournament in EPT Monte Carlo history. The total prize pool reached 5,930,470. Only 24 players returned for the Final Day of action and the bustouts came fast during the first couple of levels of play. In the end, Luca Marki and Mauricio Sanchez made a heads-up deal. Marki claimed first place for 1,085,970, along with the PokerStars trophy. Sanchez took 950,000 for second place. Marki came in second in the EPT Paris 10k High Roller earlier in the year for 606,750 and now has one-upped that accomplishment. He's been crowned the 2024 EPT Monte Carlo High Roller champion and has earned his biggest ever cash, according to TheHendonMob. Mauricio Sanchez Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize (EUR) 1 Luca Marki Switzerland 1,085,970* 2 Mauricio Sanchez Columbia 950,000* 3 Kayhan Mokri Norway 559,200 4 Masashi Oya Norway 430,200 5 Sergey Lebedev UK 330,900 6 Pedro Gois Neves Portugal 258,400 7 Lander Lijo Spain 215,400 8 Arsenii Karmatckii Russia 179,500 9 Felipe Boianovsky Brazil 156,100 * Denotes heads-up deal PokerStars Ambassadors Make Final Day There were three PokerStars ambassadors who made the final day of the tournament, although none of the three made the final table. Following early bustouts from Roberto Romanello and Rehman Kassam, Rafael Moraes was eliminated in 22nd place when he got his ace-queen in against Lander Lijo holding pocket queens. Lijo held to send the first of the ambassadors to the rail. Ramon Colillas was also in the mix and was on the receiving end of a bad runout when he got his chips in the middle with top pair against Bogdan Capitan with second pair. Capitan hit trips on the turn to bust Colillas in 19th place. Elias Gutierrez, who up until this point had held his own with double ups and steals, moved all in preflop with ace-six suited. He even paired his ace on the turn against Arsenii Karmatckii with king-queen, but Karmatckii rivered a straight to win the pot and send Gutierrez to the rail in 12th place. The final table was drawing closer. The last to bust before the redraw was Christopher Puetz, who called off his stack in the big blind facing a small blind shove from Mauricio Sanchez. Sanchez hit two pair and Puetz was out in tenth place, earning a consolation prize of 135,700 for his efforts. Ramon Colillas Final Table Action As the final table was formed, Sergey Lebedev had the chip lead with a touch over 3,000,000 chips, followed by Masashi Oya in second with 2,300,000 and Pedro Gois Neves in third with 1,800,000. On the very first hand of the final table, Felipe Boianovsky stacked off preflop with pocket sixes and ran into Oya's pocket kings. Oya held and Boianovsky was out in ninth. Kayhan Mokri then began his hot run. He doubled up through Lebedev, then won a pot with queen-ten against Karmatckii's pocket queens, turning trips to send Karmatckii to the rail in eighth place. Lander Lijo was next to go, despite a valiant survival effort that included a double up through Oya. Lijo moved all in with ace-queen only to find himself up against Neves' pocket kings. Lijo was out in seventh place. Neves' run wouldn't last much longer, however. He got his chips in the middle with a flush draw, overcards, and straight outs on the turn. It was too many outs. Sanchez held with his top pair, sending Neves out sixth. Moments before, Oya went on a bit of a journey, losing a huge pot to Sanchez, then doubling up through Neves, then turning a flush against Mokri, to bring his stack back up to chip leader. Oya didn't hold the lead for long, however, as moments after the break Mokri took a big pot from Lebedev to retake the lead. The confrontation also left Lebedev short-stacked and soon after, he got his chips in the middle preflop with ace-jack. Luca Marki made the call with ace-king and held to eliminated Lebedev in fifth place. Deal Rejected, Huge Hand Changes Dynamics The final four players discussed a deal, but Mokri, who had a slight chip lead over the other three, wanted more than ICM out of it and a conclusion couldn't be reached. It wasn't long before another player busted. Oya, who came into the day as chip leader, played a pot postflop against Mokri in which Oya had a pair of queens, only for Mokri to river a flush. Oya was eliminated in fourth place. That gave Mokri a huge chip lead, but then in the next significant hand, Luca Marki made a three-bet jam against Mokri holding ace-five. Mokri had him dominated with ace-king, but Marki hit a pair of fives to take the huge pot. Kayhan Mokri One Pot Changes Everything The next pot was the biggest of the tournament. Sanchez raised from the button and Mokri three-bet to 1,000,000 from the small blind. Marki moved all in from the big blind, cold four-betting to 4,545,000. Sanchez, the covering stack, snap-called. Mokri decided to lay down his hand, leaving himself with only seven big blinds. Sanchez had ace-king and Marki had ace-eight. Once again Big Slick failed to hold and an eight on the river gave Marki the pot, a pot that left Mokri desperately short and Sanchez devastated from the bad beat. The next hand, Mokri raised from the button for most of his stack and Sanchez obliged from the big blind, reshoving to play for Mokri's full stack. Sanchez won the flip with pocket fours and Mokri was eliminated in third place, giving Marki a 5:1 chip lead going into heads-up play. Heads-Up Deal Reached The final two players then took a short break and upon returning, Marki was apologizing to Sanchez for the brutal hand that took place. The two decided to make a deal and it was a very generous deal indeed. After a wild hour on the final table, Mauricio Sanchez took 950,000 for second place, while Luca Marki took 1,085,970 for first place and gets to take home the coveted PokerStars trophy. That concludes the PokerNews coverage of the 25,000 High Roller event. In 2015, a fresh-faced Adrian Mateos proved he was more than a one-trick pony by winning the 2015 EPT Monte Carlo Main Event for his second major live title. What followed over the ensuing nine years was nothing short of remarkable. Wherever Mateos went, success followed, cementing his status as one of the most formidable competitors to ever grace the felt. As 16 players reconvened for Day 5 of the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Monte Carlo 5,300 Main Event, anticipation was high. Mateos, positioned among the chip leaders, seemed poised to recreate his previous triumph at the iconic Sporting Monte-Carlo. Undoubtedly the most decorated player remaining in the record-breaking field of 1,208 entrants, Mateos appeared destined for yet another shot at the final table. However, in the unpredictable realm of poker, certainty is elusive. A showdown with amateur player Philipp Wenzelburger shattered Mateos' aspirations of joining the elite ranks of two-time EPT Main Event champions, a feat achieved by Mike Watson just the year prior at the same venue. Wenzelburger, with just second pair, fearlessly called down Mateos' jack-high triple-barrel bluff. In a swift turn of events, Mateos bowed out in eleventh place for 70,300, clearing the path for the remaining seven contenders vying for one of poker's ultimate prizes in the series' climactic finale. Boris Angelov Leads the Final Seven Players Boris Angelov Boris Angelov (11,500,000) sits with the chip lead after a flourishing day where he scored two of the nine knockouts. Much of Angelov's success has come on the virtual felt, where he's cashed for more than a million dollars. His live earnings stand at $162,793, with his best score being $34,869. "I started playing when I turned 19. I got into poker, and the first things I watched on YouTube were replays of EPT final tables and everything," Angelov told PokerNews. "Coming back tomorrow with the chip lead and a chance to take the trophy home, it's all I've dreamed of." Sitting in second place is Rania Nasreddine with 7,900,000, the only other player with more than 50 big blinds. Competing at only her second EPT, she has every chance in the world to make history and become the circuit's only fourth-ever female winner. Rania Nasreddine Now, with a busy law career, real estate dealings, and a young child at home, Nasreddine only gets to play poker every four to six weeks. So its really a treat when I get to play, she said. Serbia's Jovan Kenjic rounds out the top three with 4,750,000. Kenjic has been making the rounds since 2021, cashing for more than $300,000 since 2021. A familiar face will return to the bright lights of the feature table, as streamer Niclas flushiisback Thumm (3,650,000) has put in another deep run at a PokerStars major event. The popular member of the Twitch poker community turned a platinum pass into $1 million thanks to his sixth-place finish at last year's PSPC. On his strategy ahead of tomorrow, Thumm said "The plan is I'm going to try to get another milly. That's obviously the dream, but yeah, I won't be disappointed; I'm just realistic and try my best." Jonathan Pastore Originally from Le Mans, Jonathan Pastore (3,350,000) has steadily ascended the poker ranks, beginning his journey in small poker clubs before advancing to the professional circuit. His career reached a pinnacle in 2022 in Las Vegas, where he secured a WSOP bracelet in a $5,000 buy-in 6-max event. Just a few months later, he clinched the runner-up spot in the WSOP Europe Main Event in Rozvadov. These two paydays netted him over $1.6 million in earnings within just five months. Dutchman Derk van Luijk couldn't believe his luck when he went runner-runner to crack aces to stay in the mix. His ace-jack flopped a flush draw, but he got there the hard way as the turn and river both delivered jacks. The 43-year-old investor had already come close to an EPT Main Event final table when he made it to 28th place in Paris earlier this year. PokerStars qualifier Jonathan Guedes (1,900,000) got his seat at the tables from a 250 satellite. He'll see some significant return on that investment, as the finalists have all locked up at least 154,900. EPT Monte Carlo Main Event Seating Chart Seat Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Rania Nasreddine United States 7,900,000 53 2 Derk van Luijk Netherlands 3,200,000 21 3 Jovan Kenjic Serbia 4,750,000 32 4 Jonathan Pastore France 3,350,000 22 5 Jonathan Guedes Brazil 1,900,000 13 6 Niclas Thumm Germany 3,650,000 24 7 Boris Angelov Bulgaria 11,500,000 77 Final Table Payouts Place Name Country Prize 1 1,000,000 2 620,500 3 442,900 4 340,500 5 261,700 6 201,000 7 154,900 8 Jozef Cibicek Slovakia 119,000 9 Philipp Wenzelburger Germany 91,500 Day 5 Action David Docherty Despite hopes of orchestrating a miraculous chip-and-a-chair comeback, David Docherty's (16th-40,600) journey came to an end as he became the first casualty when play resumed. Following closely behind was fellow short stack Nathan Tetart (15th, 48,800), who joined Docherty on the wrong side of the rail. Mateos flipped out online phenom Francisco Benitez (14th-48,800) ahead of the departures of Jamil Wakil (13th-58,500) and Javier Caballo (12th-58,500). Mateos' shocking exit set up the final table bubble, which burst when Natan Chauskin (10th-70,300) couldn't pair up in a preflop race. EPT Monte Carlo Main Event Final Table Over four hours passed until the first elimination took place at the final table. After having aces cracked, Wenzelburger put in his last eight big blinds with ten-eight, which couldn't leapfrog Nasreddine's queens, ending his deep run in ninth place for 91,500. Late on in the session, Jozef Cibicek (8th-119,000) committed somewhat of an ICM faux pas, jamming 25 big blinds with queen-jack over Angelov's open. Unfortunately for Cibicek, Angelov had Big Slick, which remained best following the runout. Angelov skyrocketed to the top of the counts and the bustout allowed two shorter stacks to ladder up. EPT Monte Carlo Trophy When play kicks off at 12:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, May 4, the players will start on Level 31: 100,000/150,000 with a 150,000 big blind ante. All remaining levels will last 90 minutes until three players are left, at which point they will be reduced to 45 minutes in length. The PokerNews coverage will commence at 1 p.m. local time, on a 30-minute delay so as to not spoil the cards-up stream on Pokerstars' Twitch and Youtube channels. So stay tuned to find out who will be victorious in Monaco and will be crowned the second EPT champion of the 2024 season during the thrilling conclusion of the EPT Monte Carlo Main Event. 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. After 16 levels of play, the field of 150 hopefuls was whittled down to just 18 in Day 1b of The $800 RunGood Poker Series Main Event at Hollywood Casino in St. Louis, Missouri. These players will join those from yesterdays flight, as well as the two groups of players from flights 1c and 1d, to play Day 2 on Sunday for their chance at the biggest piece of the $200,000 guaranteed prize pool. Leading the way is Michael Chilton, who put 567,000 in the bag to end the day. The Mississippi native started building a stack early on when he became the first player to cross the 300k mark in chips. This is Chilton's first RGPS cash and he'll look to make a deep run come Sunday. Day 1b Top Ten Chip Counts Place Player Hometown Chip Count 1 Michael Chilton Paducah, MS 567,000 2 Brian Jones Louisville, KY 550,000 3 Mike Hurley St. Louis, MO 494,000 4 Tanner Pray Lake St. Louis, MO 380,000 5 Jeff Levinson St. Louis, MO 378,000 6 Britt Williams St. Charles, MO 336,000 7 Tyler Buhlig St. Louis, MO 295,000 8 Paul Fehlig St. Louis, MO 248,000 9 Justin Coliny Wentzville, MO 238,000 10 Ryan Rogers St. Louis, MO 226,000 Brian Jones Followed closely behind is Brian Jones, who bagged up just about a big blind less than Chilton. Jones, a long-time tournament veteran with more than $350k in cashes according to The Hendon Mob, will be looking to top his prior best RGPS finish of 31st at RGPS Bossier City, and become a part of RGPS history. A few players who may be looking to give it one more go tomorrow in hopes of finding a bag are RGPS regs Craig Welko and Jerod Smith, as well as Jason Mendoza, who went out on the Day 1a bubble. Play ended with 32:00 minutes left in Level 16, with blinds at 5,000/10,000 and a 10,000 big blind ante. These 18 players will return on Sunday, May 5 at noon local time to join the players from the other flights and play down to a winner. Anyone who didn't find a bag, and even those who did, are welcome to play the remaining flights in their quest to make Day 2. Players that bag multiple Day 2 stacks will receive a min-cash for each stack and will play the larger of the two stacks on Sunday. Stay tuned to PokerNews for all updates regarding The RunGood Poker Series. During her testimony, Trumps defense appeared to take a hit when Hope Hicks testified that the Trump hush money payments were looked at through the prism of the campaign. Hicks testified: Hick discussed the story w/ Trump. He was concerned by it, she says. Concerned by how it was viewed by his wife. Did he talk about how it would impact campaign? Everything was about the campaign. Hows it playing was something he asked all the time. Anna Bower (@AnnaBower) May 3, 2024 Trumps defense is based on the idea that he paid the hush money to protect his family from finding out about his affairs, but Hicks is another witness who has testified that Donald Trump was always concerned with the campaign. In fairness, Trump did not want his wife to find out about the affairs, but there has not been any testimony stating that Trump made the hush money payments for any reason other than the campaign. However, during cross examination, Trumps legal team tried to make Hicks seem irrelevant to the case: Bove ends by asking whether she, working from the White House, had anything to do with business records at a building 200 miles away up in New York City. Of course her answer is no. The defense wants to make her seem irrelevant to the nuts and bolts of this case. Jose Pagliery (@Jose_Pagliery) May 3, 2024 It can never be known how a jury will interpret a witness, or what jurors are thinking, but Hicks is another of the witnesses who speaks fondly of Trump and doesnt sound hostile toward him, which undercuts the ex-presidents claims that the trial is full of a bunch of people who are out to get him. The Manhattan trial does not appear to be one of those cases that will have an a-ha moment like in courtroom dramas that will determine the outcome. The possibility of Trumps conviction rests on how well and understandably, prosecutors are able to argue that Donald Trump committed crimes. So far, there has been no slam dunk evidence offered to suggest Trumps innocence, and Hope Hicks didnt change that with her testimony. A Special Message From PoliticusUSA If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here. We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value. [wpedon id=344887 align=center] Donald Trumps position on testifying shifted after the judge told him he could testify at his criminal trial. Trump was asked if he planned on testifying by reporters outside the courtroom. He responded by ignoring the question and walking away. Video: Reporter: Do you plan on testifying? Trump: *walks away* pic.twitter.com/3TWqOnMXmS Acyn (@Acyn) May 3, 2024 On Thursday afternoon, Trump made it sound like he wanted to testify at his criminal trial, but the gag order prohibited him from testifying. On Friday morning, Judge Merchan opened court by telling Trump that the gag order does not prohibit him from testifying. By Friday afternoon, Trump is fleeing questions about testifying. It is not a complex puzzle to put together. Donald Trump is afraid to testify, and he was using the gag order as an excuse not to testify. When the judge took his excuse away, the ex-president dodged the question like somebody put a fresh vegetable on his dinner plate. Reporters can stop asking the question. Donald Trump is not going to testify. He never intended to testify, but he thought it would be good for his reelection campaign if he said he wasnt allowed to testify. A Special Message From PoliticusUSA If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here. We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value. [wpedon id=344887 align=center] Local media, which was a source that Trump used to be able to count on for good coverage had fact checks and damaging headlines after the ex-president tried to campaign in Michigan and Wisconsin. The Biden campaign circulated this newspapers front page in Wisconsin after Trumps visit: In Michigan, Trump got fact-checked for falsely claiming that the state has lost manufacturing jobs under Biden, Just a little bit of some information, some fact checking. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, our state, Michigan, actually gained 24,000 manufacturing jobs between January of 2021 and May of last year. Thats actually tied for seventh in the country. And so this notion that the auto industry in Detroit is falling apart may not be as on point as [Trump] would like. Video: Detroit local news live fact checks Trumps lies during their interview with him: Our state of Michigan actually recently gained 24,000 manufacturing jobs, so this notion that the auto industry in Detroit is falling apart and that we need Trump's help may not be as on point as he pic.twitter.com/gttf7ddfAU Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) May 3, 2024 When Trump tries to campaign, it is a disaster. He has reverted back to complaining that the 2020 election was stolen from him, while ranting and raving about his current legal troubles, and making things up about the state of the nation under President Biden. Trump has nothing to run on and no reason to be running, except for a desire to avoid prosecution and potential incarceration. On the rare occasions when Trump does venture out to campaign, it is a reminder of why voters rejected him in 2020. Trumps presidential hopes might be better off if he spent the rest of the campaign asleep in court. A Special Message From PoliticusUSA If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here. We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value. [wpedon id=344887 align=center] Hazel was born September 20, 1932 in Hatch Bend, Florida, a town that was founded by her grandfather. She was the youngest of six. She grew up on a farm, which had no electricity until she was in grade school. Her chores included plucking chickens and helping her brothers skin squirrels. As Read moreObituary Hazel Lee Carlton Theyre playing games at the Statehouse again. We are, after all, in the final days of the annual legislative session; it ends at 5 p.m. Thursday unless someone resets the big clock in the Senate chamber, which hasnt happened in nearly half a century. Well, there was that one time back in 1990 when the Senate lost its game of chicken and stayed in session illegally well past 5, when senators finally acknowledged reality and started drifting out, with all the major bills of the year either still in conference committee or else passed but unratified, and no way to salvage anything unless Gov. Carroll Campbell agreed to bail out lawmakers. (He eventually did.) A bewildered President Pro Tem Marshall Williams sat in one of those leather chairs in the antechamber, his head in his hands, muttering: I cant believe it. Were through for the year, everything down the drain. This year, the unambiguous gaming is in the House (the Senate is always playing games, but often its with itself), where the leaders are employing a two-tiered effort to ram their anti-ratepayer utility bill down the Senates throat. On Wednesday, as The Post and Courier's Nick Reynolds notes, representatives voted to attach the entire 34,000 words of H.5118 to four totally unrelated Senate bills involving suicide prevention and money laundering, among other matters as critics declared themselves shocked, shocked by this obscure parliamentary tactic that the House drags back out at least every other year. Some of the most shocked House members had led the applause when the same rule was employed two years ago to break a House-Senate impasse over a smart bill authorizing early voting and cleaning up actual problems in our election law. The idea is to hold hostage a bill the Senate wants, in order to make the Senate swallow the House priority. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, May 4. The trade turnover between Germany and Tajikistan increased by 60 percent in 2023, Trend reports. The figure was announced during a meeting between the Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan, Ahliddin Nuriddinzoda, and representatives of the German-Central Asian parliamentary group of the Bundestag. The meeting addressed priorities for bilateral trade and economic cooperation, including securing grant funding for implementing Tajikistan's green economy development strategy for 2023-2037 and projects in the digital economy sector. Discussions also touched on establishing new manufacturing capacities for electronic equipment production in Tajikistan and implementing projects to mitigate the negative consequences of natural disasters. Additionally, education and healthcare issues were discussed, along with the implementation of projects by the KfW Development Bank and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). According to the national statistical agency, Tajikistan's foreign trade turnover in 2023 exceeded $8.3 billion, which is a 13.9 percent rise compared to 2022. The country traded with 111 states. PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-04 18:03:17 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 345 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 4, 2024 / Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft ("Deutsche Bank" or the "Company") (NYSE:DB). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.The investigation concerns whether Deutsche Bank and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.[Click here for information about joining the class action]On April 26, 2024, Deutsche Bank issued a press release announcing that "[i]n a hearing on April 26, 2024, the Higher Regional Court of Cologne assessed the claims of certain former Postbank shareholders that a higher offer price in connection with Deutsche Bank's voluntary takeover offer of October 7, 2010, should have been paid. During the hearing, the Court indicated that it may find elements of these claims valid in a later ruling." Accordingly, Deutsche Bank advised that "the court's statements will impact Deutsche Bank's estimation of the probability of a future outflow, resulting in a legal provision in the second quarter of 2024. This provision will impact Deutsche Bank's second quarter and full-year profitability and capital ratios. The estimate of the full amount of all claims, including cumulative interest, is approximately 1.3 billion euros." On this news, Deutsche Bank's stock price fell $1.53 per share, or 8.61%, to close at $16.24 per share on April 29, 2024.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 4. From April 29 to May 4, 2024, the next meeting of the working groups of the Joint Tajik-Uzbek Demarcation Commission was held in Dushanbe, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan says, Trend reports. It is reported that the meeting reviewed the progress of demarcation works, and agreed proposals were prepared regarding the project demarcation line between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The ministry reported that the meeting was held in a spirit of partnership and a constructive atmosphere, which is a tradition for these meetings. Upon completion, the corresponding protocol was signed. The next meeting will take place on the territory of Tajikistan. Ahn, Ahn! I had raised the dead before, Doyin, a Christ Embassy member, said flippantly, gesturing her hands towards me as though I was being ridiculous by being sceptical that a dead person could be resurrected. Really? My eyes widened, and a smile parted my lips as I adjusted my seat toward her. However, before I could settle in, Doyin added, Through faith, hurrying away without sharing more information. Before my encounter with Doyin, a video of the General Overseer of Christ Embassy Church, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, where he stated that he had resurrected 50 people, had gone viral in Nigeria. More than 50 people raised from the dead within the last year, Mr Oyakhilome said cockily. Maybe we bribed them in hell or heaven to come back, he added as he paced the stage during his churchs live-streamed healing programme. In the video, which went viral in late March, the cleric had nine people on a mobile bed wheeled on stage. There was no mention of their ailments, but one of the sick was shaking as though battling a cold. Like a magician on a stage, Mr Oyakhilome said a short prayer, pointing towards the people on the bed. In the name of Jesus Christ, every sickness leaves you, every demon goes away from you, every pain ceases now, and you are healed. Get up from your bed! the pastor said in a final command. Instantly, the nine people jumped up, with some rolling on the floor and others in jubilant mood, in what appeared to be an outstanding performance. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The incident, which happened during the Healing Streams Festival of Miracles Season 9 of Mr Oyakilomes church on 21 March, generated an online controversy. Many Nigerians expressed disbelief as they watched clips of the footage, while others said, Nothing is impossible. Following the speculations, I decided to visit the church and see how miracles were performed. Testimonies with a twist of marketing At about 8:50 a.m. on Sunday, 24 March, I joined a crowd on Billingsway Road, with many heading to the Christ Embassy Church Headquarters at Oregun, Ikeja. I was on time for the churchs second service, which started at 9:00 a.m. Shortly into the service, Pastor Yemisi, a dark-skinned woman, encouraged the congregation to buy and read the churchs book, Rhapsody of Realities, authored by Mr Oyakhilome. The 75-page book is sold for N600 and produced monthly. Following her encouragement, a lady who identified herself as Susan from Sierra Leone shared a testimony. On Nov 21, 2021, I began to poo and urinate on my body uncontrollably, Susan started her narration, instantly commanding the congregations attention. The churchs auditorium went silent as Susans voice echoed through. Susan claimed that during the predicament, she went to the hospital, where a series of tests was conducted, but the doctors could not find the source of her ailment. She said that she eventually realised she had hyperthyroidism, which she described as having two noodles on her thyroid. However, she followed a holy spirit instruction since her condition was not getting better. The holy spirit ministered to me to start preaching with the Rhapsody of Realities. After I started doing that, he told me to start preaching with a megaphone, and after a while, I became healed, Susan added, I am a result of Rhapsody of Realities. I am a testimony! According to the Mayo Clinic, hyperthyroidism happens when the thyroid gland puts too much thyroid hormone into the bloodstream. The condition is also called overactive thyroid. The American Thyroid Association (ATA) states that patients with the ailment can be treated with radioactive iodine therapy, antithyroid drugs, or thyroidectomy. A medical practitioner I consulted, Akpuka Samson, explained that hyperthyroidism can only be managed, not cured. You take tests to know what is causing it, then you take drugs to suppress the antigene, Mr Akpuka said. After Susans testimony, the church erupted with claps and a chorus of Hallelujah! Pastor Yemisi then encouraged her Sierra Leonean parish to partner with the church for the Rhapsody of Realities and become a distributor. Denial is construed as faith You must not admit to being sick. During the service, I spoke with an usher who asserted Pastor Oyakhilome could indeed raise the dead. However, when I asked if she knew anyone who had been raised from death, she said she didnt. As the service continued, a series of ministers mounted the pulpit to preach. One of the ministers prayed, stretching his hands towards the congregation. A few people moved towards him, positioned their heads below his hands, and instantly fell to the ground as though acting on cue. I quickly stood up to take a video. If you try it! If you try it! I will have your phone seized, a threatening voice roared behind me. The person later introduced herself as Faith, a protocol officer in the church. When I inquired why I couldnt use my phone, she responded: Using your phone during service is against the church rules. She added, It is pasted at the front of the church by the entrance to switch off your phones before entering. Five minutes later, I looked back at Faith, and her head was buried in her phone as she typed profusely. A part of me was scared, though. Maybe she was texting people to send me out of the church, I thought. After the church service, I joined some first-timers in a separate hall for new church members orientation. I met several church workers from whom I inquired about the churchs healing and resurrection power. I informed them that I wanted to resurrect my dead father and that I was also battling fibroid and needed healing. One of the churchs workers, Tochi, assured me that healing was available. Sharing his testimony, Tochi recalled that he once had a pain in his leg, which intensified after he prayed on it but eventually disappeared a few days later. He said the trick is to never admit to being sick. Use words like They said I am sick instead of I am sick. Tochi said, It is a sign of faith. Another worker, James, emphasised that a healing process starts with obedience. He also asked who I wanted to resurrect. When I responded, My dead father, he asked how long he had been dead, and I said, Five years. James then responded smirkingly, Forget it! He cannot be resurrected. How could you expect someone dead for so long and buried to be resurrected? Then, a member who said he was like a bishop and identified himself as Payne said they can only raise someone who has died within a few seconds. He gave an example: Gesturing towards the floor like an imaginary person was lying there and positioning his right arm like an earth-bender about to lift a rock, he shouted, Come back to life! He then locked eyes with me, That is how it is done. The person would resurrect after the command. When asked if the only time they could resurrect a person was if the person just died, he said they could raise someone who had been killed between a day and seven days. My healing time! I told Payne that I had fibroid and asked if he could heal me. He said he could and instructed me to wrap my hands around my stomach. He shut his eyes, pointed towards my tummy, and prayed with utmost seriousness. I command the demon inside this stomach to disappear in Jesus name! Payne repeated this instruction a couple of times. After the prayer session, I asked him if I was cured. If you believe you are healed, you are, Payne said with a facial expression like that of Bovi in the Visa on Arrival series when he wants to woo an applicant. I have given you the power through the word of Jesus Christ; receiving the healing is up to you, he added. I asked why I had to receive the healing since he was the one with the healing power and all he had to do was heal, but he insisted it was all about my belief. If I believe that I am healed, then I am. Various media reports have unveiled what healing by belief is in Africa. One of such is a BBC three-part documentary on the late Nigerian televangelist TB Joshua, released on 8 January. The documentary revealed how the late Nigerian televangelist faked miracles and brainwashed sick people into believing they were healed, which ultimately led to the death of some of them. Fisayo Soyombos investigation titled PROPHETS OF THEIR POCKETS (I): At Celestial Church of Christ Headquarters, There Are Over 100 Prophet-Scammers also revealed how spiritual leaders make false predictions and perform fake healings. Training on being a healing recipient You must learn how to receive and respond to it. It was 3:05 p.m., and after spending hours in the church, I was ready to leave. However, there was a snag! A marshal told me that I could not leave while a programme was going on. He said if people were allowed to leave, those waiting at the gate would rush in, and they didnt want that just yet. I decided to use the opportunity to talk to the marshal, who had now introduced himself as Davies, about the churchs healing power. Davies told me his personal experience with healing. But his testimony was similar to Tochis, signalling that the church perhaps trains their workers on what to tell people. Like Tochi, Davies said he had pains in his leg; he prayed on it, and the pains intensified before disappearing days later. Davies also claimed to know a lady who had breast cancer and was healed. Her right breast had been cut off, he said. The cancer has also affected her left breast, and when I registered her for our healing streams programme, she attended and was eventually healed, Davies said. He also encouraged me to read more testimonials from their healing streams for inspiration. The platform was filled with people claiming various illnesses that were healed through the power of Pastor Oyakilohme. I participated onsite for the October Live Healing Stream with Pastor Chris. On 29th October, Pastor Chris ministered to me, and immediately, the tension in my neck and head resulting from Bells palsy ceased completely. I felt power in my hands and feet throughout the night, a testimonial attributed to one Rosemary Aboh on the website reads. When I asked Davies how I could experience such healing, he explained that the next healing programme would be in three months, in June 2024. However, there is a caveat: The healing is not instant. Davies said, First, you must increase your faith. You must also learn how to receive healing, respond to it, and retain it. This seemed familiar with Pastor TB Joshuas strategies as unmasked in the BBC documentary, where people were first brainwashed over some time to accept whatever theatrics the televangelists perform as healing. I reached out to Christ Embassy for comments on this report but its officials declined to speak on findings. A male voice answered the call to the official number available online for Christ Embassy but he declined to comment. I am just a pastor in one of the church branches, he said. I am not sure there is an official person that makes comments on behalf of the church to the media, but if you want to get the information, you may have to go to the headquarters for your findings. Following the pastors advice, I once again visited the Christ Embassy at Billings Way, Oregun, Ikeja, where I was referred to a church official named Patricia. I called her, but she asked me to call back after hearing my inquiry. Patricia, who identified as a deaconess, has failed to answer calls and messages since then. Nonetheless, I spoke to a medical health professional to inquire if diseases like breast cancer can be cured by prayer or preaching. The medical doctor, Francis Agbaraolorunpo, seemed puzzled by the question. Preaching alone cannot cure any problem. Preaching may solve spiritual problems, but ailments like cancer and the like are not spiritual problems; they are biological problems. He added, Prayer can support healing because it can work as a psychotherapy, enhancing healing, but that doesnt mean you shouldnt see the doctor because you are praying. Another medical professional, O.M. Inyamg, said patients must seek medical assistance even if they pray. Yes, people can attend churches for prayers, but it must not be substituted with healing, Mr Inyamg said. Based on these findings, I contacted Christ Embassy Healing School for their comments, but none were received at the time of publication. After waiting about 30 minutes at the Christ Embassys Headquarters, I was finally let out of the churchs door. Still, I had to squeeze through hundreds of people waiting eagerly at the passage to get into the auditorium for the days third service. They had been promised a special Sunday service. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print On Friday, Oba Saheed Elegushi, the 21st Elegushi of the Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, showed off his romantic side by celebrating his second wife, Hadiza Yakasai, on his official social media handles. The 48-year-old monarch married Olori Hadiza, a Kano indigene, at the Jumaat Mosque in Yankaba, Kano State, in May 2019. She is the daughter of Kano political figure Tanko Yakasai and a business development manager at an oil and gas industry firm. Five years later, Oba Elegushi, with unwavering commitment, has reflected on their love story while pledging his steadfast commitment to their union. His anniversary post read: Reaching a five-year anniversary signifies more than just half a decade together; its a testament to strong commitment and enduring love. Our fifth anniversary is a milestone of over 1,800 days of friendship and nonstop love. Thank you for choosing to share this amazing journey with me. Happy five-year anniversary, my Queen. Olori Hadiza, who leads a private life, is inactive on social media. Bitter pill to swallow He married his first wife, Olori Sekinat, in 2003. Seven years later, he ascended the throne after his father, Oba Yekini Adeniyi Elegushi, passed on. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later They have three daughters. Two years after Oba Elegushi took Hadiza as his second wife, his first wife, Olori Sekinat, shared her feelings about the situation. PREMIUM TIMES reported how she described the decision as a bitter pill to swallow. She expressed her disbelief and initial resistance to sharing her husband with another woman. However, she eventually accepted it as part of the sacrifices and demands that come with the throne. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The intersection of methane emission, climate change and its impact on lives and the environment is highlighted in this analysis by Juliet Ukanwosu. The report emphasizes why the focus should be on methane emissions reduction more than other greenhouse gasses, as Nigeria and the world at large battle the climate crisis. The report further calls attention to operational and regulatory issues within the Nigerian oil and gas sector that serve to fuel methane emissions The race against climate crisis That the earth and its inhabitants are in a crisis state posed by climate change is no longer news. The focus now is on the differentiated impact of climate change across continents and regions and how world governments are planning to combat the crisis. In plain terms, climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. While these shifts may be natural, since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas, which produces heat-trapping gases. According to scientists, as emissions from fossil fuels blanket the earth, they trap the suns heat, leading to global warming and climate change. The world is now warming faster than at any point in recorded history. Consequently, extreme weather conditions such as rising temperatures, droughts, rising sea levels, storms and economic losses are being reported globally. This disruption to the usual balance of nature poses many risks to humans and all other forms of life on Earth. How is Nigeria affected? The impact of climate change differs from one region to another; neither Nigeria nor any other country on earth is free of this impact. The degree of a countrys contributions to climate warming is inconsequential, the effect is universal. In Nigeria, hotter temperatures, drought, flooding, and rising sea levels are among the biggest impacts. In the northern part of Nigeria, drought and desertification threaten human and wildlife existence, while flooding and rising sea levels remain a constant threat to the existence of communities in the southern part. According to World Bank estimates, about 41 million Nigerians live in high climate exposure areas. For example, TheCable in a 2023 report detailed communities in coastal Patani and Burutu LGA of Delta State, south-south Nigeria, that have been swept under water by the rising level of the River Niger. A similar fate has been the lot of other Nigerian coastal communities. Reports by the World Bank indicate that an estimated 53 million people in Nigeria may need to be relocated due to an increase in sea level, by the end of the century. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Still on water troubles, data by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency 2024 Annual Flood Outlook shows that parts of 148 local government areas in 31 states of the federation fall within the high flood-risk areas, while parts of 249 LGAs in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) fall within the moderate flood-risk areas, from April to November, with potential impacts on population, agriculture and the economy. Everyone is bracing for the impact, these are not pretty times! The situation in the North is not any better. A November 2023 fact sheet by USAID profiling Nigerias climate reality highlighted drought and reduced rainfall in the North as a major challenge to existence. According to the fact sheet, reduced rainfall inhibits the countrys hydropower systems (mostly located in the northern parts) and hinders agricultural production and fishing, reducing food security and negatively impacting health and nutrition. A glaring example of climate change impact in Northern Nigeria is the near disappearance of Lake Chad, once a freshwater source for communities. A 2018 UN Environment Programme article suggests that over the last 60 years, the lake has decreased by 90 per cent mostly as a result of extended drought and climate change. Ethnic and communal clashes are now common over control of available land and water sources. Out of desperation for fresh water for fishing, green pastures for livestock or arable land for farming, hundreds of lives have been lost to these frequent clashes. Diverse opinions suggest that the deadly herdsmen/farmers clashes owe their roots to the impact of climate change. In a recent survey commissioned by the Global Methane Hub (GMH) conducted in 17 countries including Nigeria, 40 per cent of Nigerian respondents said that the changing climate has an extreme or strong impact on their lives, with eight in 10 Nigerians supporting actions to minimise the impact of climate change. The survey further reported that 45 per cent of Nigerians are very concerned about water quality, 54 per cent are concerned about crop yields, 44 per cent are concerned about water levels, and 44 per cent about droughts. All gloom and doom? To address the situation, world governments are embracing an energy transition a shift in production and use of energy from fossil fuels to renewables and other forms of cleaner energy. While there have been several global efforts to reduce climate change, the December 2015 Paris Agreement at COP 21 became the driving legally binding international treaty on climate change, with an overarching goal to limit the temperature increase to 1.5oC above pre-industrial levels. On the back of the Paris Agreement, there have been several Partnerships, Pledges and Commitments towards embracing energy transition. As energy transition is being embraced globally, reducing GHG emissions such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and various synthetic chemicals, jumps to top conversations. Of these, however, abating methane, considered the most potent GHG, becomes pivotal. Why Methane? Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential up to 80 times greater than carbon dioxide. It is an important short-term climate action as it only remains in the atmosphere for a decade, but is considered the most lethal greenhouse gas. Methane is emitted from a variety of anthropogenic (human-influenced) and natural sources. Anthropogenic emission sources include landfills, oil and natural gas systems, agricultural activities, coal mining, stationary and mobile combustion, wastewater treatment, and certain industrial processes. The largest source of anthropogenic methane emissions is agriculture which is responsible for around a quarter of the total. This is closely followed by the energy sector, which includes emissions from coal, oil, natural gas and biofuels. Experts say that eliminating methane emissions could avoid as much as 0.1 degrees C of warming by mid-century equivalent to zeroing out the emissions of every car and truck in the world. The United Nations designates methane as the most lethal GHG due to its structure. It traps more heat in the atmosphere per molecule than carbon dioxide (CO2), making it 80 times more harmful than CO2 for 20 years after it is released. The UN estimates that reducing methane emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 could help world governments meet the Paris Agreements goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C. Similarly, the US Environmental Protection Agency agrees that because methane is both a powerful greenhouse gas and short-lived compared to carbon dioxide, achieving significant reductions would have a rapid and significant effect on atmospheric warming potential. Methane is reported to be responsible for around 30 per cent of the rise in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution, and rapid and sustained reductions in methane emissions are key to limiting near-term warming and improving air quality. Even though CO2 has a longer-lasting effect, methane sets the pace for warming in the near term. Oil and gas sector contributions to methane emissions The energy sector accounts for 40 per cent of global methane emissions and the oil and gas sector accounts for 70 per cent of the energy sectors emissions mostly through fugitive emissions, venting and flaring. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that around 40 per cent of methane emissions from fossil fuel extraction in 2023 could have been avoided without additional costs. Recently, the organisation called for a quick reduction in methane emissions in the oil and gas sector to achieve climate protection targets, stating that almost 120 million tonnes of methane were released in 2023 from oil and gas production. According to the IEA Director, Fatuh Birol, A reduction in methane emissions of 75 per cent by 2030 is necessary to limit global warming. It is now important to translate commitments made by almost 200 countries at the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai last December into action. This alone would halve methane emissions by 2030. Reducing methane emissions within Nigerias oil and gas industry is crucial because according to the World Resources Institute, Nigeria leads as the top methane emitter in Sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 18 per cent of total emissions, followed distantly by South Africa, with eight per cent. Data from the IEA show that in 2022, offshore oil production accounted for 48 per cent of total methane emissions in Nigeria, onshore oil operations 30 per cent, onshore gas 10 per cent, and gas and LNG facilities were responsible for six per cent of methane emissions. Why methane emission persists in Nigerias oil sector There are several reasons why methane emissions have continued unabated in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. These include: Gas Flaring: Gas flaring continues to be prevalent in Nigerias oil industry, significantly contributing to methane emissions. Addressing certain operational and regulatory weaknesses can help the country reduce gas flares by 50 per cent relative to 2020 values. Gas flare data: The lack of a comprehensive data system on gas flaring hampers effective compliance. Gas flare penalty: There is a weak penalty system for gas flaring in Nigeria. Currently, companies producing more than 10,000 barrels per day (bpd) pay a fine of $2 per 1,000 scf of gas flared, while companies producing less than 10,000bpd pay a fine of $0.5. Venting & leaks: Venting, the process of releasing unignited gas, and leaks from gas infrastructure are common within the industry despite their contributions to methane emissions. Reporting Framework: Another major factor is the countrys dependence on largely voluntary Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) disclosure frameworks. Gas flare commercialisation programme: The Nigerian gas flare commercialisation programme has not been efficiently managed. Delays in bid evaluations prolong the emissions window. Poor regulatory functions: Weaknesses in monitoring, and enforcement of penalties on defaulters encourage emissions. The weak coordination among government agencies undermines effective regulatory oversight. Speaking during a methane emissions reduction workshop organised in Abuja by the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) in collaboration with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Charles Ofori, policy lead at Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), said Nigeria could do better with its emission statistics if some major weaknesses in the oil and gas sector were addressed. Other factors encouraging methane emissions according to Mr Ofori include limited political will on methane management, consensus on who is responsible for emissions, reduction investments, and inadequate awareness among civil society and think tanks. Nigerias methane emission abatement plan Speaking to this, Senior Officer, NRGI, Nigeria Program, Tengi George-Ikoli, who referenced the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan, said the broad plan targets reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas, power, cooking, industry and transport sectors. With regards to cooking, she explained that Nigeria is targeting the replacement of firewood, kerosene and charcoal by LPG until 2030 and 75 per cent of firewood stoves are to be replaced by 2030 with 50 per cent LPG stoves. In the transportation sector, the plan is to reduce passenger vehicle emissions accounting for 72 per cent of transport emissions and reduce passenger vehicles using gas/diesel by three per cent in 2030, while a shift to blue/green hydrogen is planned for the industrial sector. On oil and gas, the plan involves a 100 per cent reduction in flaring by 2030 and 95 per cent fugitive emissions by 2050, including exporting/repurposing gas, while the plan for the power sector is an initial expansion of gas generation capacity and establishment of a baseload for integrating renewables. To support the above plan, the country put some enabling laws and policies in place. These include; Petroleum Industry Act 2021: The law establishes the governance, fiscal and regulatory framework for the petroleum industry. Among others, it prohibits gas flaring and venting in oil and gas production. Flare Gas (Prevention of Waste and Pollution) Regulations, 2018: This regulation aims to reduce environmental and social impacts caused by gas flaring. It provides for environmental protection, and creates social and economic benefits from gas flare capture, vesting ownership of flared gas to the state at no cost. Guidelines for the management of fugitive methane and GHG emissions in the upstream oil and gas operations in Nigeria: The guidelines establish the actions and mechanisms that operators will adopt for the prevention and control of GHG/methane emissions. The provisions apply to new and existing facilities. Standards for Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR): This work practice is designed to identify and repair leaking equipment so that emissions can be reduced. From the foregoing, Nigeria does not lack laws or policies aimed at reducing methane emissions, but effective implementation of these laws and commitments remains a challenge. Way forward When contacted, Nigerias National Oil Company (NOC) told Extractive360 that the company has implemented initiatives focused on mitigating methane emissions within its operations as part of its Goal Zero pledge. The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Olufemi Soneye, said the NNPC Ltd upholds a robust Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) policy, reflecting its commitment to the Goal Zero objectives. He explained that Goal Zero signifies the NOCs pledge to achieve zero harm to individuals, (including its staff and the residents of its host communities), zero harm to equipment and facilities, and zero harm to the environment. To demonstrate industry leadership towards methane abatement, Mr Soneye said, the NNPCL is establishing partnerships with other IOCs and JV partners across its operations to deploy technologies to reduce methane emissions. Notably, we have established a partnership with TotalEnergies to utilise the Airborne Ultralight Spectrometer for Environmental Application (AUSEA) technology, aimed at detecting and reducing methane emissions across our upstream operations, he said. He also disclosed that NNPC Ltd is collaborating with the US Department of State and Deloitte on a project centred on reducing methane emissions, with OML 34 serving as a pilot. These efforts, he said, supplement other measures undertaken by NNPC Ltd in conjunction with its Joint Venture partners to minimise gas flaring, aligning with Nigerias commitment to global climate change mitigation efforts, as reaffirmed at COP28 in the UAE last year. Similarly, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, warned that Nigeria faces the risk of falling behind in the transition to net-zero carbon emissions if it does not devise strategies to confront emissions challenges. Mr Ahmed, who noted that the vision of the NMDPRA is to promote economic and social development through sustainable energy, said: From our perspective as the regulator of this sector, this transition is not just about changing the name or logo. It is about changing our mindset, our operations, and our impact on Nigeria and the world. It is about reducing our carbon footprint and promoting energy efficiency. It is about ensuring that businesses not only power Nigeria today, but also preserve Nigeria for tomorrow, Mr Ahmed said. Furthermore, the Nigeria Upstream Regulatory Petroleum Commission (NURPC) is coordinating the methane mitigation guidelines process. It requires developing a baseline for fugitive methane using the Country Methane Abatement Tool (CoMAT) and developing a methodology and framework for data reporting for methane management. According to the Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), as of mid-2023, over 70 per cent of oil and gas operators had complied with the new regulations, by submitting a greenhouse gas emissions management plan within six months of the regulations start date. This is required to detail at a minimum, the scope of their operations and emission sources, methodologies of emissions quantification, yearly and long-term percentage reductions on emissions; and set a timeline to replace single-cycle steam turbines with combined cycle by 2030. Operators are also required to submit quarterly reports covering fugitive emissions and GHG monitoring reports to NUPRC quarterly. These requirements apply to oil and gas production facilities, export terminals and gas processing, gathering and boosting stations. Overall, the methane abatement guidelines have an objective to reduce methane emissions from flaring by 100 per cent by 2030, and fugitive methane from leaks by 95 per cent by 2050. If achieved, these reductions will comprise a major component of Nigerias Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets which are an unconditional reduction of 20 per cent and a conditional reduction of an additional 47 per cent with international support, the CCAC said. Further recommendations In addition to ongoing efforts, there is a need for the Nigerian government to take responsibility for their emissions and set realistic plans to eliminate methane emissions. The development and clarity of institutional roles for methane management in the short term is vital, and the NOC must continue to lead by example and demonstrate leadership in implementing methane management strategies. The government and companies should jointly invest in methane abatement technologies, while a unified method for methane emission estimation across sectors should be established. Furthermore, there is a need to design a specific framework to strengthen methane emissions reduction, restructure incentives for methane capture and utilisation, and set robust penalty mechanisms for non-compliance. Conclusively, enhanced collaborations and coordinated public, private, civil society and other relevant stakeholder efforts to ensure coherence in the actualisation of national targets towards methane emissions reduction in Nigeria must be prioritised. This report was sponsored by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, with funding support from Natural Resource Governance Institute Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print To improve Nigerias fight against malaria morbidity and mortality, Nigerias Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Friday hosted key health players and experts to reevaluate its approach and strategies. The event themed: Ministerial Roundtable Meeting: Rethinking Malaria Elimination in Nigeria, featured representatives from national and international health organisations, who analysed the countrys anti-malaria strategies over the past years. Over the years, Nigeria has made continuous attempts to reduce its malaria burden to zero, however, the country still has the highest burden of malaria globally. According to the 2022 World Malaria Report, Nigeria contributes about 27 per cent of the global burden of the disease, and about 31.3 per cent of deaths, the largest globally. Experts speak Recommending new approaches to fighting the epidemic, stakeholders and experts present at the event urged the government to reduce its dependence on external funding and improve government financing. According to them, Nigeria needs to accelerate its effort to eliminate malaria by increasing the funds allocated to the malaria elimination programme annually. A Senior Associate at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Soji Adeyi, said Nigeria should begin to increase internal funding for malaria elimination. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Each year, reliance on external funding needs to be reduced. I looked at the summary of malaria reports from 2008 till now and what has been common is the complaint about the lack of funding. If this is a recurring problem what should be done is to find a new approach, he said. Similarly, Abdu Muktar, the National Coordinator of the Presidential Healthcare Initiative, called for the local production and manufacturing of medical supplies and for reducing the countrys dependence on drug imports. According to him, the local production of anti-malaria and related medication will consider the peculiarity of the countrys terrain, population, and burden and will improve access to effective treatment. Data relevance The Regional Director of the WHO African Region, Matshidiso Moeti, advised the country to accelerate its efforts to end malaria by relying on adequate data for the implementation of health policies. She urged the Nigerian authorities to increase data availability and access for the government agencies at national and subnational levels, and also for the use of the public. Ms Moeti maintained that Nigeria must invest in data to get a clear understanding of the health issues in its rural communities She said: For Nigeria to accelerate its efforts, it needs to invest more in data from local communities across the country to know exactly what is going on there. We need to be sure that the data we have is viable, so we need to invest, starting from the local level. This will improve efficiency and reduce fragmentation. We have technology today that can help us improve some of the ways we are dealing with data in the health sector. We can use data to identify the location that needs intervention. This calls for collective intervention. Some of the stakeholders suggested that the country should improve its leadership and coordination to efficiently capture every corner of the country burdened by mosquito-borne disease. According to the Director of Public Health, Chukwuma Ayandike, Nigeria, with proper coordination and leadership, will be able to achieve its target of zero malaria. What we are doing- Minister The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Pate, said more needs to be done to fight malaria in the country. He said the country is deploying tools that are available, safe, and effective for the population to improve their health. Mr Pate said: This is in line with the presidents agenda. We intend to deploy all tools that can control the spread of malaria; we intend to deploy nets, testing, and treatments of malaria. We also intend to provide affordable antimalarial drugs. Mr Pate further disclosed that the government also intends to use political and traditional leaders and private sector leaders in the fight against malaria in remote parts of the country. The country also needs to prioritise the use of a driven approach to accelerate progress, as well as better financing and better partnership to eliminate malaria with private organisations, the minister added. Malaria in Nigeria Malaria transmission within the country is high and even higher in rural communities situated by the banks of major rivers and water bodies. The disease is caused by tiny parasites called Plasmodium, often found in mosquitoes. When an infected mosquito bites a person, it transfers these parasites into the bloodstream. The parasites then travel to the liver and multiply. After a few days, they reenter the bloodstream and infect red blood cells, causing the symptoms of malaria, such as fever, chills, and flu-like illness. The National Malaria Elimination Programme(NMEP) reported that Malaria accounts for 60 per cent of outpatient visits to health facilities across the country and 30 per cent of childhood deaths. Globally, there are an estimated 249 million malaria cases and 608,000 malaria deaths among 85 countries. The African region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The authorities at the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) have reacted to the declaration of an indefinite strike by the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on the campus. The universitys Vice-Chancellor, Abdul-Rasheed NaAllah, a professor, said academic and administrative activities will continue undeterred on its campuses despite the position taken by the union. Mr NaAllah stated this at a meeting with members of the management of the institution including the provost, deans, directors, and heads of academic departments. According to a statement by the university spokesperson, Habib Yakoob, Mr NaAllah described the strike as divisive and unnecessary, even as he vowed that the management of the institution would never allow the strike to cripple activities on the campus. As far as the management of the university is concerned, this institution is not on strike, he was quoted as saying. Some people said they have declared a strike but all of us with the management have decided that our normal activities in the university must go on. Our examination is going on, senate meetings will continue, everything we do as a university will continue, and our calendar will not be disrupted by the grace of God, any longer. Strike PREMIUM TIMES reported that the ASUU chairperson on the campus, Sylvanus Ugoh, declared an indefinite strike on Thursday after accusing the university management of violating its establishment laws, including appointments and promotions without a governing council. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The strike has however divided the union as some members led by Umar Kari and Mohammed Yisa, opposed the unions decision, accusing Mr Ugoh of acting in bad faith. In justifying the strike action, Mr Ugoh accused the university management of taking decisions specifically reserved for the governing council even when there is none. He said the advertisement for the position of vice-chancellor to succeed the incumbent, Mr NaAllah, is illegal, insisting that it negates the Establishment Act of the university. He also accused the university management of recruiting and promoting staff without following due process. ASUU-UniAbuja also accused the current management of the university of shortchanging ASUU in the establishment of the UniAbuja Microfinance Bank. Vice-Chancellor speaks Mr NaAllah denied all the allegations labelled against the school management by the lecturers union. He insisted that the issues listed by the union are merely sentimental, adding that some of them have been resolved during dialogues. For the advertorial for the position of a vice-chancellor, he said it was placed by the Minister of Education. All I did as vice-chancellor was to request for what is next and they decided this is what we must do. And if you look at the advertisement from the beginning, this fact is very clear. It is only that they had to send it to us for execution, thats all, he said. He also described the unions allegations of illegal recruitment, promotion, delay in the election of deanship, and microfinance bank establishment as unfounded, saying that the university had followed due process in all of these matters, and ensured that relevant institutions concerned with oversights were contacted. Speaking to the election of deans and establishment of microfinance bank, he noted that the elections timetable had long been publicised and that four elections of deans had been conducted so far. He noted that the university management had invested over N200 million in the proposed microfinance bank as against ASUUs N4 million, before the union wrote directly to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) asking the bank not to grant the licence for operation. The bank is purely a business outfit and a service to our local and indigenous community, including market men and women, farmers, small and middle scale business people, he said. The vice-chancellor added that his administration had been working hard to develop the university and would not fold its arms and allow a group of people to destabilise its calendar. For over four years, our goal has been to lift this university much higher than it was, and this we have succeeded in doing by taking our academic and infrastructural developments to a world-class level, developing an integrated portal that ensured transparency and ease of accessing results, branding of the university, introduction of foreign languages, introduction of new faculties and several departments, among numerous achievements, the VC said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Justice S. N. Odili of the Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha, Anambra State, has convicted and sentenced a former manager with First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Onitsha branch, Nwachukwu Placidus, to a cumulative 121 years imprisonment for diverting fixed deposit funds of a customer, N112,100,000 (One Hundred and Twelve Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira only), for his personal use. He was arraigned on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 on 16-count charge of forgery, stealing, obtaining by false pretence and uttering, by the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). One of the counts reads: Nwachukwu Placidus between February 2009 and November 2014 in Onitsha, Anambra State within the jurisdiction of the Anambra State High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud obtained the sum of (N112,100,000) One Hundred and Twelve Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira only, from Idemili Microfinance Bank under the false pretence that you have placed the said money in a fixed deposit account with First City Monument Bank PLC for it, which pretence you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence. He pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him, thus setting the stage for his trial. In the course of trial, the EFCC, through its counsel, Mainforce Adaka Ekwu, presented four witnesses and tendered several relevant documents which were admitted in evidence. In his judgment, Justice Odili held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced the convict to nine years imprisonment on count 3, 4 years on count 4 and 9 years on counts 5 to 16 respectively. He was discharged on counts one and two. The sentences shall run concurrently. The court further ordered the convict to restitute the said sum to his victim, Idemili Microfinance Bank. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Placidus journey to prison began when a petitioner, Idemili Microfinance Bank Ltd, alleged that the sum of N112, 100, 000 was handed over to him as the branch manager of FCMB in Onitsha, for fixed deposit. However, when the petitioner approached the bank to terminate and withdraw the deposit, the bank denied receiving the said funds. Upon receipt of the petition, the EFCC swung into action and investigations revealed that the convict diverted the money for his own use and issued a fake fixed Deposit Certificate to the petitioner. Dele Oyewale Head, Media & Publicity May 4, 2024 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) on Friday matriculated a total of 28,514 new intakes for various courses and programmes. The 26th matriculation ceremony which was held at the universitys headquarters in Abuja, had students enrolled across the universitys eight faculties for various programmes including doctoral studies. In a press release issued on Thursday by the university and signed by the Director of Media and Publicity, Ibrahim Sheme, the university said 21,026 of the new intakes are for undergraduates programmes; 7,460 for postgraduates studies while the remaining 28 are for doctorate degrees VC speaks The universitys Vice-Chancellor, Olufemi Peters, a professor, said the institution is committed to providing accessible education through its open distance learning model. By this, you have today become members of our Open and Distance Learning (ODL) community of about 150,000 students in 120 study centres across the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. He encouraged the new students to be of good character and worthy ambassadors of the university. The VC added: I look forward to congratulating you at the completion of your studies when you will join other successful colleagues at convocation for the award of certificates and prizes, which is your reward and evidence of preparedness to surmount challenges of life beyond our walls, virtual and physical. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later This is also what our country, Nigeria, needs to rise and attain its place of greatness in the global and competitive world of today and the future. Relevance of ODL Speaking on the relevance of Open and Distance Learning (ODL), Mr Peters said the life of learning will allow the students to learn at their choice of place and pace irrespective of their social or religious status and other engagements, such as a vocation or employment. He added that the mode will require them to create the time and discipline for a copious amount of self-study. It is quite different from a conventional university system where you must always attend lectures in a classroom or auditorium, he added. He assured the new intakes that they would have access to a number of facilities necessary for their study, including physical and e-library facilities which he noted provide over 40,000 titles of books and journals, facilitation rooms, science laboratories, halls for in-person and e-exams, and in some special centres, incubation facilities for entrepreneurship-minded students for their training and development at the study centres. The vice chancellor said the university is Nigerias premier ODL university, established in 1983 and resuscitated in 2003 for full operations. It is an open university because, irrespective of race, gender, distance or creed, it gives you the flexibility of choice over what, when, where and at the pace you wish to study, among an array of available programmes, he said. READ ALSO: Needless NOUN law graduate controversy, By Zainab Suleiman Okino He added that for the university to facilitate and simplify the students learning experience, the institution must have a team of professional ODL administrators, facilitators, IT experts and especially counselors at the study centres for their consultation. He therefore encouraged the students to find the time to consult these professionals for free advice on all matters relating to their studies, especially if they encounter challenges. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Daniel Ojukwu, has been abducted by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector General of Police, the platform reported on Friday. He is currently being held incommunicado at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti in Lagos on the orders of the Inspector General of Police. Our lawyers havent been able to speak with him, FIJ founder, Fisayo Soyombo, told PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday. Were hopeful it will happen today. Another journalist with WikkiTimes, Yawale Adamu, is being threatened by a political aide to the member of the House of Representatives representing the Jamaare Itas Federal Constituency in the National Assembly over a story he did accusing the lawmaker of a politicised distribution of aid from the North East Development Commission (NEDC). The aide, Mustapha Abdurrahman, accused the platform of tarnishing the image of his principal, Rabilu Kashuri. He threatened the reporter, in a telephone conversation, stating that the State Security Service (SSS) had been contacted as he vowed to take action against the reporter. Mr Ojukwus abduction and Mr Adamus threat became public on Friday as the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) was being celebrated across the globe. The day is set aside to remind governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and emphasise the importance of a free press. The police are yet to respond to PREMIUM TIMES questions as to why Mr Ojukwu is being detained. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Ojukwus abduction Mr Ojukwu went missing on Wednesday with his phone numbers switched off and whereabouts unknown to colleagues, family and friends. On Thursday, FIJ made a missing person report at police stations in the area where he was headed. However, on Friday, a private detective hired by FIJ tracked the last active location of his phones to an address in Isheri Olofin, a location FIJ now believes was where the police originally picked him up, the platform reported. The police are accusing him of violating the Cybercrime Act 2015, relatives who got wind of his abduction and visited the Panti police station were told. The Cybercrime Act is a law used by the Nigerian government to persecute journalists and media houses. In March, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) invited and grilled the chairperson of FIJs Board of Trustees, Bukky Shonibare, in Abuja during which they mentioned a story authored by Mr Ojukwu. The story revealed that the senior special assistant to former President Muhammad Buhari on sustainable development goals (SSAP-SDGs), Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, paid N147 million to a restaurant for the construction of classrooms in Lagos. Except for Ms Shonibare, the police never invited Mr Ojukwu or any other FIJ staff member, Mr Soyombo said. Meanwhile, Ms Shonibare honoured the police invitation when she was invited. PREMIUM TIMES, on Saturday, contacted both the Police Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, and the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, for their comments. Responding in a text message, Mr Adejobi said he would find out from the Commander IRT. But in his reply, Mr Hundeyin said Mr Ojukwu was arrested by the NPF National Cybercrime Centre (NCC) and not the Lagos State Police Command. Adamus ordeal On Tuesday, WikkiTimes published an investigation accusing Mr Kashuri, the lawmaker representing Jamaare Itas Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, of distributing aid from the NEDC to his political party loyalists. Days after the report was published, the reporter received phone calls from one of Mr Kashuris aides, accusing the reporter of being used by political rivals to undermine his principal and tarnish his reputation. In one of the phone conversations, the aide boasted that they had information on everyone who works for WikkiTimes and that the SSS had been contacted to take action against the reporter. I have provided the SSS with the contact details of the individual who assisted your reporting in the constituency; they intend to track him down. The person who guided you and facilitated interviews throughout the constituency, I assure you, will face consequences; no one will shield him. We cannot stand by while our reputation is damaged; I swear by Allah, you will face repercussions for your actions, WikkiTimes quoted the political aide as saying in one of the phone conversations. When PREMIUM TIMES contacted the lawmakers aide, Mr Abdulrahman, he declined to comment on the issue over the phone and requested our reporter to meet him at the National Assembly on Monday. State of press freedom in Nigeria Nigeria remains one of West Africas most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists, according to the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) who ranked Nigeria 123 of 180 countries in its global press freedom report for 2023. The report noted that Nigerian journalists are regularly monitored, attacked and arbitrarily arrested, and crimes committed against journalists continue to go unpunished, even when the perpetrators are known or apprehended. Earlier on Friday, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors, in commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day, asked Nigerian authorities to stop using repressive and anti-media law such as the Cybercrime Act and some code of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to target, intimidate and harass journalists and media houses. Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi, has reiterated the role of the press to hold the government accountable. He said the constitutional role of the press is not to be seen as a mouthpiece or a public relations agent of the government but to ensure that the government is accountable to the people. Mr Rotimi stated this during his opening remarks at an event organised by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Foundation to commemorate the 2024 World Press Day in Abuja on Friday. The World Press Day is marked on 3 May of every year. The role of the press is not to be seen as a mouthpiece or a PR agent of the government. It is to hold the government to account. Dont forget it emphasised that at all times it is important that the press plays this constitutional role of holding the government accountable. he said The House spokesperson emphasised the impact of quality journalism and dissemination of accurate information, saying they present a chance to honour the foundational values of press freedom, evaluate the status of press freedom globally, protect media from assaults, and commemorate journalists who have sacrificed their lives in service. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Rotimi, a former media aide to former Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, described the Nigerian media as one of the most vibrant institutions in the country. He, however, lamented the environment of Nigerian journalists work. According to him, though there is widespread insecurity in the country, media practitioners face a disproportionate amount of attacks. This is a different dream about Nigerias state of press freedom, especially issues around harassment, and even killings. And all journalists and I particularly sympathise with you because of the sort of environment within which you currently work. We know that we face widespread insecurity around the country, but the press particularly faces a disproportionate amount of attacks, he said. The lawmaker said it is the constitutional right of journalists to safeguard democracy, but sadly they are faced with widespread security challenges in the country. Mr Rotimi also raised concerns about funding and professionalism in the media industry. He expressed dissatisfaction with how social media is used by influencers, celebrities and bloggers to disseminate fake information. He said it is the responsibility of the media to ensure that information is properly disseminated. According to him, because anyone can act as a publisher, editor, or in any related capacity, this raises concerns about the lack of professionalism and adherence to ethical standards in the field. Additionally, he said there is a significant issue with the dissemination of information through platforms that may promote various agendas. While noting that press freedom is important, Mr Rotimi however, said the challenges in the industry must also be acknowledged as anyone, including celebrities, spreads false information through various media platforms and tarnishes reputations without consequences. He said even as the freedom of press is advocated for, internal issues within the journalism profession must also be addressed. According to him, some journalists contribute to the problem by legitimising false narratives and compromising journalistic standards. So, as we are talking about press freedoms, let us also look inwards, because the bad eggs amongst us as journalists sometimes legitimise that stroke, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Senator for Kano Central District, Rufai Hanga, has donated 500,000 clay pots and 500,000 plain white cloths to help his constituents in burying their dead. Mr Hanga, whose district covers 15 local government areas, said the donation was in response to frequent demands for assistance for burial materials from his constituents. One of Mr Hangas social media aides, Dawuud Auwal, announced the donations. The district head of Tarauni and head of the committee overseeing the graveyard in Kano, Ado Kurawa, has supervised the 500,000 clay pots and N500,000 white plain cloths (likkafani) donated by Senator Rufai Hanga for distribution to the graveyard in Kano Central District. After the supervision he directed for the distribution, Mr Auwal said. Clay pots and white cloths are used by Muslims for enshrouding corpses. A male corpse requires three wraps, while a female corpse requires five wraps to be covered properly. We are used to this frequent requests from people soliciting money to buy white cloths and clay pots. Some have requested vehicles for transporting the dead, Mr Auwal said. The Senator has also paid scholarships for 200 students of Bayero University and registered over 1000 students for JAMB. He assisted 200 Kano Polytechnic among others, Mr Auwal added in response to some Facebook users accusing the lawmaker of underrepresentation. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, May 4. Turkmenistan discussed the development of customs cooperation with European countries within the framework of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Trend reports. According to the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan, these issues were discussed at the Conference of Heads of Customs Services of the European Region of the World Customs Organization, which was held at the WCO headquarters in Brussels. The event brought together representatives of customs services from 53 member states of the WCO European region. The participants discussed issues related to the modernization of the WCO and strengthening customs cooperation at the level of the European region, made reports to the WCO Finance and Control Committees, and also planned a budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Furthermore, the participants also considered the agenda of the next conference, which includes e-commerce, vulnerabilities at customs borders affecting customs cooperation in the European region, events for the 2024-2025 financial year, and the selection of candidates for positions at the WCO. Meanwhile, during their visit to Brussels, the Turkmen delegation had the opportunity to discuss the issue of awarding the Training Center at the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan the status of a Regional Training Center of the WCO. The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, has said the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) will defund any non-performing Centre of Excellence the agency established eight years ago. Mr Mamman said the government will not continue to reward indolence by giving free money to institutions that are not doing what they are supposed to do. The minister spoke in Abuja while receiving two out of three reports of TETFunds ad-hoc committees on Assessment/Review of TETFund Centres of Excellence and Operationalisation of Skills Development Special Intervention. He said: The government is encouraging our scholars to simply rise to the occasion and deliver on their scholarship, as world-class scholars do; and we are not going to reward indolence. We cant be giving free money to institutions that are not doing what they are supposed to do. Speaking on skills acquisition, Mr Mamman noted that the government wants to raise the equipment level of TETFund beneficiary institutions so that they can provide all the skill sets needed in Nigeria in the highest quality that can service the country and internationally. Committees reports In its report, the Committee on the Assessment/Review of TETFund Centres of Excellence, led by Oyewale Tomori, a professor, declines to recommend any centre for upgrade. Mr Tomori disclosed that most centres did not utilise their first seed grant of N150 million for the initial infrastructure required in the centres. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He, therefore, advised TETFund to provide some bailout funds to the centres to enable the proper take-off of the intervention. The committee also called on the agency to ensure that all funds for the Centre of Excellence are disbursed directly to the Centre of Excellence account. If the centres are to achieve the set objectives, TETFund in collaboration with institutions hosting the centres should ensure that centre directors are on full-time assignment at the centre, he said. He added that all centres that are not performing well should be given a six-month moratorium to persuade them to refocus and achieve their true mandate, after which a revisit will be conducted to determine their status. Also presenting the report of the Advisory Committee on Operationalisation of TETFund Skills Development Special Intervention, the Chairman of the Committee, Nuru Yakubu, said the committee recommended polytechnics for TETFund Special Intervention according to their geo-political zones. South-west: The five schools visited have shown preparedness except for the Polytechnic, Ibadan, because of the school leadership transition. It therefore recommended that in 2024 the following two polytechnics should benefit; Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, and Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State. For 2025, the committee recommends Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, and the Polytechnic Ibadan, if they can sort out their preparations, Mr Yakubu said. In the South-south, Rivers State Polytechnic, Port Harcourt, and Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic are recommended for 2024, while Delta State Polytechnic is suggested for 2025 intervention. The committee noted that the Institute of Management and Technology, South-East, is recommended for 2024, with Abia State Polytechnic and Federal Polytechnic, Anambra, suggested for 2025. While for North-East, Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, and Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri, are recommended for 2024, and Adamawa State Polytechnic, and Tatari Ali Polytechnic, for 2025. For the North-west, Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, is suggested for 2024, while Kano State Polytechnic and Sokoto State Polytechnic are recommended for 2025. In the North-Central, Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, is recommended for 2024, and Federal Polytechnic, Lokoja, for 2025, the chairman added. TETFund boss speaks The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, said the agency will not continue to throw money away to centres that are not living up to expectations. He disclosed that some centres have funds with the agency that they have not accessed since inception. The funds are with us because we have not released them until they reach a milestone, but while they have delayed in reaching those milestones, they are causing concerns. The TETFund boss further stated that the strategy for establishing centres of excellence was a very good one because TETFund realised that it didnt have enough resources to improve all the facilities of all public institutions at the same time. He added that the idea was to incubate, have one centre, the right equipment, the right tools, and the right faculty and experts that would lead their efforts in research, and in promoting scholarship at the highest level so that they could also inspire other centres. We are pooling resources from other institutions within the area who want to do further research or who want to carry out any other exploratory study in those particular fields in those areas, he said. Speaking on the non-performing institutions, he said the Fund has decided to look at some institutions, find out their relative positions in terms of the quality of their faculty, their reputation in certain courses and in certain areas, and design them as centres of excellence for those particular courses. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has again raised the alarm over the safety of journalists in the country. This follows the report of the abduction of Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ). According to reports, Ojukwu was abducted by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector General of Police and is currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti in Lagos. IPI NIGERIA strongly condemns the abduction and calls on the Inspector General of Police to, with immediate effect, order the release of Mr Ojukwu. Coming at about the period the world is celebrating the freedom of the press, the action of the Nigeria Police Force speaks volumes of the attitude and commitment of law enforcement agencies in Nigeria to the freedom of the press. Some weeks ago, the Nigerian military abducted a journalist, Mr Segun Olatunji, in a Gestapo manner in Lagos and flew him to Abuja under humiliating conditions in apparent violation of his rights to dignity and expression. With the two incidents cited above, a pattern has ermeged that points to the fact that the administration of President Bola Tinubu does not only condone repression of freedom of the press but also encourage it, in contradiction of promises made during the presidents inaugural speech that his administration would uphold fundamental human rights. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later We have always stated, and it bears repeating that in a democratic setting, the proper step to take is to follow due process in seeking remedies against journalists. It amounts to an abuse of his powers and office for the Inspector General of Police to order the abduction of a journalist just because he is the overall head of the Nigeria Police Force. IPI Nigeria calls on President Tinubu to sanction the Inspector General of the Police, having failed to lead by example. Nobody is above the law. Human rights violations have continued unabated because perpetrators are hardly held to account. It is time to begin holding those suppressing freedom of expression to account. Daniel Ojukwu should be released immediately, or else the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, will be included in IPI Nigerias book of infamy and branded an enemy of the media and journalists. His inclusion on the list carries serious consequences beyond the shores of Nigeria. *Musikilu Mojeed President, IPI Nigeria* *Tobi Soniyi, Legal Adviser/Chair, Advocacy Committee, IPI Nigeria* Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), on Saturday in Benin said that there would be power outage in its Amukpe substation for two weeks. This is according to a statement signed by the General Manager, Public Affairs TCN Ndidi Mbah. Mrs Mbah said the disruption would begin on 4 May and last till 17 May. The outage according to TCN, is to enable contractors have safe environment to erect two 132KV transmission towers at the substation. The company also said d that as a result of the intending power outage, there would be no bulk power supply to Benin DisCo through the Adeje industrial, woodland, Mosogar, Sapele and Abraka feeders for the period. The transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) hereby states that it will commence the erection of two (2) number 132kV transmission towers at its Amukpe Transmission Substation. And will equally restring a portion of the Benin-Delta and Delta-Oghara 132kV double circuit transmission lines from Saturday, May 4 to May 17, 2024. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Consequently, Amukpe Substation will be out of power for the duration of the work. Also, there will be no bulk power supply to Benin DisCo through the following feeders: the Adeje, industrial Woodland, Mosogar, Sapele and Abraka feeders. The outage is necessary to create a safe working environment for the contractor. Completion of the projects will put in place N-1 redundancy that would enable TCN supply bulk electricity to the substation from either the Benin or Ughelli transmission line. This means that when one transmission line is faulty, bulk electricity can still be received in the substation from the second line., Mbah said. According to her, TCN apologises for the inconvenience electricity consumers in the substation will experience within the period. She said that the projects would help ensure a more flexible and consistent bulk power supply through the Amukpe transmission substation when completed (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The convergence of digital innovation and agriculture in Nigeria represents not just a technological revolution, but a societal transformation towards sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems that nourish communities, empower farmers as stewards of the land, and safeguard the planet for future generations. Food is one of the basic necessities of life that every living being needs, in order to remain alive and become relevant in contributing towards societal productivity. However, a lot of problems and challenges have been hindering the full realisation of the potential attributed to the agricultural sector in Nigeria and other developing countries, thereby making the project of food security unattainable. In a positive light, a quiet revolution is underway, powered not by traditional tools alone, but by the digital innovations of the 21st century. At the heart of this transformation lies a strategic partnership between Nigerias National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), aimed at catalysing progress in digital agriculture and ensuring food security across the nation. This partnership represents a pivotal shift in agricultural practices, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to address age-old challenges and usher in a new era of sustainability and productivity. Nigeria, with its vast agricultural potential and growing population, faces a pressing need to modernise its farming practices to meet the demands of the food market. The integration of digital technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and blockchain, into agriculture holds the promise of unlocking unprecedented efficiencies and insights. Through the collaborative efforts of NITDA and USAID, these technologies can be harnessed to empower farmers, improve crop yield, optimise resource utilisation, and enhance overall agricultural resilience. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later By leveraging the expertise and resources of NITDA and USAID, Nigeria is poised to tap into the transformative potentials of digital solutions tailored specifically for the agricultural domain. These solutions are designed to empower farmers, increase efficiency along the value chain, promote inclusive growth, and foster resilience in the face of evolving environmental and economic challenges. One of the key pillars of this digital revolution in agriculture is the deployment of IoT solutions across farming landscapes. IoT-enabled sensors embedded in soil and crops will offer real-time data on moisture levels, nutrient content, and disease prevalence. This data, transmitted and analysed through interconnected systems, enables farmers to make informed decisions regarding irrigation schedules, fertiliser application, and disease management. At the core of AI-driven agriculture lies the ability to process vast amounts of data collected from diverse sources, such as satellites, drones, IoT sensors, and farm machinery. These data streams encompass a range of variables, including weather patterns, soil characteristics, crop health indicators, and pest infestations. The advent of IoT-enabled precision agriculture extends beyond basic monitoring to encompass predictive analytics and automated control systems. By analysing data on environmental factors, crop health indicators, pest infestations, and equipment performance, farmers can proactively address challenges and optimise interventions. For example, predictive models can forecast disease outbreaks based on weather patterns, enabling measures such as targeted pest control or disease-resistant crop varieties. In addition, one of its significant advantages in agriculture is its ability to enhance resource efficiency and sustainability. By precisely monitoring soil conditions, water usage, and nutrient levels, farmers can optimise inputs such as fertilisers and irrigation, reducing waste and environmental impact. This not only conserves resources but also contributes to cost savings and long-term soil health, crucial factors for sustainable farming practices. Moreover, the scalability of IoT solutions further enhances their impact across different scales of agricultural operations. From smallholder farms to large agribusiness enterprises, IoT technologies can be tailored to meet specific needs and challenges. Complementing IoT advancements is the transformative potential of AI in agriculture, a domain where data-driven insights can unlock significant value. AI algorithms analyse vast datasets collected from farms, weather stations, and satellite imagery to generate actionable recommendations for farmers. From predicting optimal planting times and identifying crop diseases early to optimising supply chain logistics and predicting market trends, AI empowers farmers with precision tools for decision-making, mitigating risks, and maximising returns on investments. At the core of AI-driven agriculture lies the ability to process vast amounts of data collected from diverse sources, such as satellites, drones, IoT sensors, and farm machinery. These data streams encompass a range of variables, including weather patterns, soil characteristics, crop health indicators, and pest infestations. By ingesting, processing, and analysing this data in real time, AI systems can generate valuable recommendations and alerts to farmers, enabling them to make informed decisions promptly. Also, AI in agriculture can be in terms of predictive modelling, whereby algorithms forecast outcomes on the basis of historical data and current environmental conditions. For example, AI models can predict optimal planting times, recommend crop varieties suited to specific soil types, and forecast yield expectations based on weather forecasts and agronomic factors. By integrating these predictions into farm management practices, farmers can optimise input use, minimise risks, and maximise productivity across their operations. AI-powered image recognition and analysis techniques can also play a crucial role in monitoring crop health and detecting pest or disease outbreaks early. By analysing aerial or ground-based imagery captured by drones or satellites, AI algorithms can identify subtle changes in plant foliage, detect anomalies indicative of pest infestations or nutrient deficiencies, and alert farmers to take targeted corrective actions. This proactive approach not only minimises yield losses but also reduces the reliance on chemical inputs, promoting sustainable farming practices. The integration of AI extends beyond on-farm operations to encompass supply chain optimisation and market intelligence. AI-driven logistics and inventory management systems can optimise storage conditions, transportation routes, and distribution networks for agricultural products, reducing waste and ensuring timely delivery to markets. Moreover, AI-powered market analysis tools provide farmers with insights into price trends, demand fluctuations, consumer preferences, and market opportunities, empowering them to make strategic marketing and pricing decisions. As NITDA continues to collaborate, innovate, and co-create solutions, the vision of a thriving, digitally empowered agricultural sector in Nigeria becomes not just an aspiration but a tangible reality poised to shape the future of food and prosperity in Nigeria and beyond. Also, on the other hand, blockchain technology can revolutionise transparency, traceability, and trust within agricultural value chains as it is one of the primary challenges in traditional supply chains. This opacity not only hampers consumer confidence but also creates inefficiencies and vulnerabilities such as counterfeiting and supply chain disruptions. Blockchain technology addresses these challenges by creating a tamper-proof and verifiable record of every transaction and process involved in the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural goods. By recording transactions, contracts, and product provenance on tamper-proof distributed ledgers, blockchain ensures authenticity and accountability from farm to fork. Farmers, consumers, retailers, and regulators can verify the quality, origin, and ethical standards of agricultural products, thereby enhancing market access, reducing food fraud, and fostering fair trade practices. In addition, farmers can digitally register their produce at the point of harvest, while capturing essential data points such as location, time, crop variety, farming practices, and quality parameters. This data, once recorded on the blockchain, becomes immutable, ensuring that subsequent transactions and transformations along the supply chain are traceable back to their origin. This level of transparency instils trust among consumers who can access detailed information about the journey of their food, from farm to table, including certifications, sustainability practices, and ethical standards. Moreover, blockchain facilitates seamless and secure transactions throughout the supply chain, delays, and costs associated with traditional paper-based processes and intermediaries. Smart contracts, programmable agreements executed automatically, when predefined conditions are met, streamline payment processes, facilitate real-time settlements, and ensure fair compensation for farmers based on agreed-upon terms, such as quality standards, delivery timelines, and pricing mechanisms. Also, it should be noted that the success of any agricultural innovation hinges not only on its technological prowess but also on its ability to scale impact and reach diverse stakeholders across the agricultural value chain. Scaling the impact of digital innovations in agriculture requires a multifaceted approach that addresses infrastructural challenges, fosters collaboration among stakeholders, promotes policy coherence, and ensures inclusive access to technology and knowledge. At the core of scaling impact is the need for robust infrastructure, particularly in rural areas where agriculture thrives. Access to reliable electricity, internet connectivity, and digital infrastructure forms the backbone of digital agriculture initiatives. Collaborative efforts between government agencies, private sector partners, and development organisations are essential to bridging the digital divide and ensuring that farmers in remote areas can harness the full potential of digital tools and platforms. The convergence of digital innovation and agriculture in Nigeria represents not just a technological revolution, but a societal transformation towards sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems that nourish communities, empower farmers as stewards of the land, and safeguard the planet for future generations. As NITDA continues to collaborate, innovate, and co-create solutions, the vision of a thriving, digitally empowered agricultural sector in Nigeria becomes not just an aspiration but a tangible reality poised to shape the future of food and prosperity in the country and beyond. Shuaib S. Agaka, a tech journalist, writes from Kano. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print As guardians of health and advocates for humanity, we must challenge the status quo, confront our biases, and strive for equitable care for all. For in the silence of indifference lies the perpetuation of suffering and evil. Its only by actively acknowledging and addressing these injustices that we can truly fulfil our duty to heal and uphold the dignity of every individual under our care, irrespective of skin colour or socio-economic status. This piece is inspired by my recent encounter with a patient here in the United States. Within the past week, I received a call from the Emergency Room to admit a 29-year-old African-American female whom, for the sake of this article, I will call Keisha. She presented with severe lower abdominal pain and was found to have a ridiculously high blood pressure, the type that will cause you to end up in the stroke unit. Her systolic blood pressure consistently was in the upper 200s. It turned out that the young lady suffered from a terrible medical condition called Polycystic Kidney Disease, notorious for causing high blood pressure, and since she didnt respond to oral treatment, she was started on intravenous medication, requiring her admission in our Intensive Care Unit (ICU). As I approached her bedside and introduced myself as an ICU doc, Keishers countenance swiftly shifted to one of distress, her eyes brimming with tears. Upon inquiry, she relayed a harrowing ordeal from her prior hospitalisation, wherein she was denied a more potent analgesic for her pain under the presumption of her exhibiting a drug-seeking behaviour. Despite her evident need for stronger medication, she was administered a less efficacious agent than what she was accustomed to at home. Fearing reprisal from her medical insurer, she reluctantly remained hospitalised against her own inclinations. Throughout her stay, she endured persistent and agonising abdominal discomfort, her distress palpable as she contemplated the prospect of encountering the same healthcare provider that had previously disregarded her plight. The thought of going to the ICU, now gives her post-traumatic stress. Offering some background, its noteworthy that Keisha was no dope head, she boasts a college-level education and maintains two stable jobs. Nevertheless, despite her impressive credentials and the clear medical indicators of her condition, she encountered considerable difficulty in persuading healthcare providers that her intentions were not centred around obtaining narcotics, just for pleasure. This skepticism persisted despite the well-documented association between her symptoms abdominal pain and severely elevated blood pressure and her diagnosed medical ailment. Connecting these dots is imperative, as effective pain management plays a pivotal role in addressing her hypertensive crisis. Should one regard Keishas experience as an isolated anomaly, it suggests a lack of attentiveness to prevailing issues and perhaps even complicity in perpetuating systemic challenges. It is widely recognised that minority patients, particularly those of the Black ethnicity in the US and I dare say other Western nations, often receive inadequate pain management compared to their white counterparts. Despite the robust statistical evidence supporting this assertion, many healthcare providers remain oblivious to these glaring disparities. These disparities in pain treatment are not always deliberate acts of bias; rather, they often stem from intricate influences, including implicit biases that healthcare providers may not even recognise within themselves. Providers, like all individuals, are susceptible to the pervasive stereotypes perpetuated by media portrayals, particularly those associating African Americans with substance abuse. As outlined in a study featured in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Science, a concerning 40 per cent of first- and second-year medical students surveyed subscribed to the erroneous belief that black peoples skin is thicker than white peoples. Furthermore, those who held such misconceptions were less inclined to administer appropriate pain management to Black individuals. Moreover, a comprehensive meta-analysis spanning two decades revealed a disturbing trend: Black/African-American patients were 22 per cent less likely than their white counterparts to receive any form of pain medication. These disparities in pain treatment are not always deliberate acts of bias; rather, they often stem from intricate influences, including implicit biases that healthcare providers may not even recognise within themselves. Providers, like all individuals, are susceptible to the pervasive stereotypes perpetuated by media portrayals, particularly those associating African Americans with substance abuse. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later When we contemplate evil, our minds often conjure up images of heinous acts like Boko Haram insurgents abducting, maiming and killing the innocent or some form of ritualistic violence. However, there exist everyday manifestations of evil that are subtle and commonplace, yet deeply impactful. These evils can manifest through acts of omission or commission. If, as a medical provider, you withhold pain medication from a suffering patient simply because you believe certain demographics are inclined to drug-seeking behaviour without conducting a thorough assessment, that constitutes evil. Similarly, if you, as a patient care associate, allow a patient to endure suffering in their own waste and only attend to them when family is present, that is an act of pure evil. But evil doesnt just happen only in hospitals across America, its perpetuated everywhere in our world. In plain sight. One glaring example is the prevalence of bystander apathy, where individuals witness acts of violence, abuse, or injustice but choose to remain passive observers, rather than intervene or seek help. Whether it is recording a violent altercation, instead of stepping in to stop it, turning a blind eye to discrimination or harassment in the workplace, or ignoring the suffering of those in need, our failure to take action enables harm to persist. One glaring example is the prevalence of bystander apathy, where individuals witness acts of violence, abuse, or injustice but choose to remain passive observers, rather than intervene or seek help. Whether it is recording a violent altercation, instead of stepping in to stop it, turning a blind eye to discrimination or harassment in the workplace, or ignoring the suffering of those in need, our failure to take action enables harm to persist. These everyday actions, driven by indifference, selfishness, or complacency, highlight the insidious nature of evil in our society. In the renowned work Eichmann in Jerusalem, author Hannah Arendt delves into the concept of the banality of evil. Through the lens of Adolf Eichmanns trial for his role in the horror of Holocaust, she illuminates how individuals can become complicit in perpetuating evil acts without fully comprehending their moral implications. As Eichmann orchestrated plans for the extermination of Jews, he justified his actions by claiming to be merely following orders as part of his duty. Arendt emphasises that the term banality in this context does not imply that Eichmanns actions were ordinary or mundane, but rather that they were driven by a disturbing sense of complacency and an absence of moral reflection. Eichmanns compliance with orders highlights how individuals can become agents of evil through passive acquiescence to actions or the directions of others, without critically questioning the ethical implications of their actions. In confronting the insidious nature of systemic biases and the resulting injustices, its imperative that we recognise the profound impact of our actions, both overt and subtle. As guardians of health and advocates for humanity, we must challenge the status quo, confront our biases, and strive for equitable care for all. For in the silence of indifference lies the perpetuation of suffering and evil. Its only by actively acknowledging and addressing these injustices that we can truly fulfil our duty to heal and uphold the dignity of every individual under our care, irrespective of skin colour or socio-economic status. As I had once written, It takes extraordinary courage to stand up for the sake of all in a world where most choose to play it safe, while the rest hope to be rewarded for their silence. Osmund Agbo is the author of Black Grit, White Knuckles: The Philosophy of Black Renaissance and a fiction work titled The Velvet Court: Courtesan Chronicles. His latest works titled Pray, Let The Shaman Die and Mam, I Do Not Come to You for Love are due for release soon. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Kano State government has said an object that hit a journalist at the Government House premises Friday evening was not a stray bullet. The governors spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, in a statement to reporters, described the report of a gunshot as one-sided and false. Naziru Yau, attached to the governors press crew, was hit in the arm by an object which a news platform reported to be a stray bullet. In the incident, which occurred at about 6 p.m. On Friday, Mr Yau, a staffer of the state-owned Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV), said he felt a sharp pain in his arm. It was later discovered at the Government House Clinic that he had been hit by a stray bullet, according to Solace Base, a Kano-based online newspaper. A medical personnel at the clinic said the reporter was lucky because the bullet was shot not at close range. Following the incident, police officers stationed at the Government House have initiated a thorough investigation to uncover the circumstances leading to this alarming event, the newspaper reported. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Denial However, Mr Bature said Mr Yaus injury was not from a bullet but from metal debris emanating from an ongoing construction at the Kano State Government House. He assured journalists covering events at the Government House that they are safe and are not under any threat. The attention of the Kano State government has been drawn to a one-sided media report on social media revealing that a journalist, with the state television station attached to the Government House was hit by a stray bullet. The incident, which occurred amidst a flurry of misinformation, sparked widespread concern and speculation regarding the safety of journalists covering events at the Government House. However, the government would like to emphatically say that journalists are not under threat in the Kano Government House, Mr Bature said. It is however worthy of note to caution journalists to ensure credible sources while reporting any development and avoid unnecessary sensational angles that can mislead the public. For clarity purposes, Naziru Yau, the reporter of the state television station was not hit by any stray bullet. Instead, he sustained injuries from the metal debris emanating from an ongoing construction at the Kano State Government House, an area that has been barricaded for caution. The truth of the incident emerged when medical professionals at the Government House Clinic disclosed the true nature of Mr Nazirus injuries, the statement said. We thereby dispel any rumour that had sparked outrage and call for increased safety measures for journalists covering sensitive events. We also need to underscore the importance of accurate reporting and thorough investigation in mitigating misinformation and maintaining public trust. In response to the incident, Sanusi Bature, the Director-General Press at the Kano State Government House has assured the public of their commitment to ensuring the safety of all individuals within the premises and the state in general. Additionally, I:have pledged to review and enhance existing safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. As investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident, we urge the public to refrain from spreading unsubstantiated claims and to rely on verified information from credible sources, Mr Bature stated. PREMIUM TIMES tried unsuccessfully to speak with Mr Naziru, but his known phone number was switched off Saturday afternoon. Some of his colleagues at the Government House also declined to comment on the incident. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Partners of the Ford Foundation have begun efforts to address issues around Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) implementation in Nigeria. The HCDTs was created by the Nigerias Petroleum Industry Act 2021. It is aimed at ensuring development of oil producing communities devastated by exploration of crude oil. Ford partners The partners, with support from the Ford Foundation, convened a meeting between 3 March and 9 March in Lagos to discuss HCDTs implementation in the country, according to a statement by the group which was forwarded to PREMIUM TIMES on Friday. The meeting was organised by Spaces for Change, a non-profit human rights organisation in Nigeria. In attendance at the meeting were legislators, representatives from civil society organisations, traditional councils, oil producing communities, regulatory bodies, and oil & gas companies. According to the statement, the meeting provided a platform for robust dialogue and collaborative problem-solving. Some participants hailed the introduction of the HCDTs, saying it will serve as channels for directing benefits to communities where oil and gas extraction occurs. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later They argued that HCDTs offer greater advantages to host communities compared to earlier models such as the Global Memoranda of Understanding. However, some participants expressed concerns about various aspects of the implementation process of the HCDTs. Some of the concerns include flawed selection processes for boards of trustees, ambiguity surrounding the allocation of the 3 percent of operating expenses, power imbalances between corporations and host communities, lack of environmental accountability during divestment, and the absence of independent monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. On his part, a traditional ruler from Ogoni Traditional Council, Baridam Suani, stressed that there was urgent need for environmental accountability in the implementation of the HCDTs. Diversification without environmental accountability is a dangerous activity. Operators should think of the environment first, and take care of liabilities before leaving the host community permanently, Mr Suani said. Other participants emphasised the important role of various actors in ensuring the successful implementation of the HCDTs. Participants hail groups for support The participants commended the Ford Foundation for providing resources, supporting capacity building, and connecting local conversations to global discussions on natural resource governance. They also praised civil society groups for providing capacity building, raising awareness, and advocating for community rights. They further commended the traditional councils for representing community interests and ensuring transparency while urging the host communities to engage actively in the HCDT process and hold oil companies accountable. According to the statement, the meeting ended with a renewed commitment from all participants to work collaboratively towards the effective implementation of the HCDTs in Nigeria. Meanwhile, the Ford Foundation hinted that it would continue to support local efforts with global conversations on resource governance and climate change. Officials speak Speaking at the meeting, Chichi Aniagolu-Okoye, Regional Director of Ford Foundation West Africa, assured grantees of the foundations commitment to natural resource and climate change initiatives through the provision of funding for the next five years for civil society actors in the focus areas. On his part, Martin Abregu, Vice President of International Programs at the Ford Foundation, commended grantees for their key interventions aimed at improving democracy and the extractive sector. It is encouraging to see different players sitting around the table to have conversations about interventions in areas of climate change, community rights, community engagement, and community participation to ensure that we build long-term consensus on the kind of development we need for the future, Mr Abregu stated. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, May 4. Turkmenistan and the UN have signed a number of documents related to such areas as environmental protection, health, agriculture, Trend reports. According to official data, these documents were signed at the first meeting of the Turkmenistan-UN Strategic Advisory Council, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The signed documents included a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Turkmenistan and the UN Human Settlements Programme and a draft document between the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) titled 'Capacity building for climate-resilient water resources management'. The parties also signed a draft document between the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan and the FAO 'Development of digital solutions for sustainable pasture management'; a draft document between the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan and the FAO 'Development of the value chain of feed for aquaculture and the effectiveness of management of the protection of the health of aquatic animals'. The signed documents also included an agreement on the purchase of medical products for the control of infectious diseases in 20242025 for the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan between the Government of Turkmenistan and the UNDP and a draft document between the Civil Service Academy under the President of Turkmenistan and the UNDP, 'Enhancing the potential of the Civil Service Academy under the President of Turkmenistan'. Meanwhile, the meeting approved a roadmap for the development of a new framework program for cooperation in the field of sustainable development between Turkmenistan and the UN for the period 20262030 and reviewed eight projects in the fields of youth policy, digitalization, demography, 'green' energy, and climate change. AUSTIN, Texas, May 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SecureIQLab LLC, a leading provider of cloud security validation solutions, proudly unveils SocX, a groundbreaking AI-powered cloud validation platform. SocX introduces adaptive learning models for cyberattacks backed by powerful analytics designed to accelerate cyberattack prediction and prevention, complementing existing cybersecurity solutions. "SocX addresses the challenge of predicting and investigating cyber-attacks by leveraging AI-powered machine learning models. It extracts crucial artifacts specific to every stage of an ongoing cyber-attack, empowering practitioners to implement pro-active pattern-based protection," stated Jay Pathak, Chief Scientist at SecureIQLab LLC. Accelerating Innovation: Introducing SocX, SecureIQLab's AI-Powered Cloud Security Validation Platform Post this "SocX is the next-generation AI-powered platform Cloud Security Validation Suite tailored for modern needs that not only empowers security technology providers to innovate rapidly but also enables managed service providers (MSPs) to achieve operational efficiency", according to Phuong Nguyen, VP of Product Security. Key features of SocX include: Streamlined Product Lifecycles: SocX significantly shortens pre- and post-release product lifecycles for security providers. Enhanced Operational Efficiency: SocX continuously learns and validates, reducing risk exposure and enhancing overall operational efficiency. In essence, SocX simplifies deployment and validation processes, minimizing resource drain. It equips security professionals with the ability to derive valuable insights from validation results in near real-time or within minutes, aiding in product enhancement and informed decision-making. Security professionals can seamlessly connect to SocX via its portal, selecting and deploying specific test use cases or importing their unique methodologies for continuous validation of their offerings. Leveraging SocX, security technology providers can innovate with confidence, while MSPs can achieve optimal operations tailored to their unique requirements. Visit us at RSA in San Francisco on May 8, Moscone South, 2nd Floor, Terrace, to learn more about SecureIQLab, SocX, and its transformative capabilities in the realm of cloud security validation. Media Contact: David Ellis [email protected] SOURCE SecureIQlab CHICO, Calif., May 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mooney Farms proudly unveils the latest additions to its esteemed Bella Sun Luci Italian Kitchen Line: Meyer Lemon and Champagne Vinaigrette. Crafted with 100% olive oil and the finest quality ingredients, these new vinaigrettes exemplify the commitment to premium taste and health-conscious choices. Bella Sun Luci Introduces Two New Exquisite 100% Olive Oil Salad Vinaigrette Flavors! Post this Bella Sun Luci Italian Kitchen Vinaigrette Line Meyer Lemon and Champagne Vinaigrette Unlike many vinaigrettes on the market, Bella Sun Luci's Meyer Lemon and Champagne Vinaigrettes are completely seed oil free, offering a healthier alternative for discerning palates. By exclusively using olive oil as the base, they ensure not only exceptional flavor but also a healthier option for our customers. "These new vinaigrette flavors are a natural extension of our commitment to delivering superior taste and quality," says Mary Mooney, CEO of Mooney Farms. "We're thrilled to offer the Meyer Lemon and Champagne Vinaigrettes to complement our existing line of California Orange, Sonoma with Sun Dried Tomatoes, and Aged Balsamic Vinaigrette." True to the tradition of excellence, Bella Sun Luci's entire vinaigrette product line is meticulously crafted with premium ingredients, ensuring a delightful experience with every drizzle. The Italian Kitchen line of vinaigrettes offers a harmonious blend of extra virgin olive oil sourced from the Mooney Family's cherished olive groves and delicately sweetened with pure, raw honey from California hives. Bursting with the vibrant essence of sun-kissed lemons harvested from the picturesque coasts of California, the Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette is crafted with lemons and aromatic basil, this vinaigrette offers a delicious flavor that elevates any dish. Champagne Vinaigrette offers a complex flavor profile of rich mustard and champagne vinegar made from grapes harvested from the Napa Valley. At Mooney Farms, we understand the importance of using only the best ingredients to create exceptional flavors that everyone can enjoy. With our Meyer Lemon and Champagne Vinaigrettes, we invite salad lovers everywhere to elevate their culinary experience with the essence of California-inspired taste. For more information and to explore our full range of products, visit BellaSunLuci.com. About Mooney Farms and Bella Sun Luci: Founded in 1987, Mooney Farms is a certified women-owned and family operated company based in Chico, California. Dedicated to producing high-quality Mediterranean-inspired products, Mooney Farms offers a diverse range of gourmet items under its Bella Sun Luci brand, including sun dried tomatoes in premium oil, sauces, spreads, and salad dressings. With a commitment to excellence and tradition, Mooney Farms continues to delight customers with authentic flavors and premium ingredients. Press Contact: Emily Murdock Mooney Farms 530-899-2661 [email protected] SOURCE Mooney Farms LOS ANGELES, May 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Scientology Network's DESTINATION: SCIENTOLOGY, the weekly travelogue series that takes viewers inside Scientology Churches all around the world and discovers what makes each one unique, presents an episode featuring San Diego, California. DESTINATION: SCIENTOLOGY airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Scientology Network. The Church of Scientology works with the community of San Diego for a brighter future. About Destination: Scientology, San Diego San Diego, the sun-kissed city known as "the birthplace of California," captures the world's imagination as America's mythic Surf City. Blessed with perfect weather, sparkling beaches and world-class cultural attractions, the city draws millions of tourists annually. In the heart of San Diego, just blocks away from city hall and the historic Gaslamp Quarter, prominently stands the Church of Scientology San Diego. Viewers will see why San Diego is known as America's Finest City, and tour its legendary naval port, home to America's Pacific Fleet Surface Navy. This episode also shares San Diego's historical significance for Scientologists as the city where Founder L. Ron Hubbard not only lived during his youth, but later launched a legendary writing career that spanned half a century and made him one of the most enduring and widely read authors of all time. Spotlighting the Church's valued role in the community, from providing much-needed disaster relief to championing the Drug-Free World campaign, Destination: Scientology, San Diego presents just some of the ways the Church brings hope to city residents and helps them turn their dreams into reality. _____________ The Scientology Network debuted on March 12, 2018. Since launching, the Scientology Network has been viewed in over 240 countries and territories in 17 languages. Satisfying the curiosity of people about Scientology, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists, showing the Church as a global organization, and presenting its social betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide. The network also showcases documentaries by independent filmmakers who represent a cross section of cultures and faiths, but share a common purpose of uplifting communities. Scientology Network's innovative content has been recognized with more than 125 industry awards, including Tellys, Communitas and Hermes Creative Awards. Broadcast from Scientology Media Productions, the Church's global media center in Los Angeles, the Scientology Network is available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and can be streamed at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms. SOURCE Church of Scientology International JERSEY CITY, N.J., May 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. (MTPA) today announced the presentation of an abstract in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) 2024 Annual Meeting, being held in Atlanta, Ga., May 5-8, 2024. The presentation will include updated results from an ongoing analysis of real-world data from RADICAVA ORS (edaravone)-treated people living with ALS. "As MTPA continues to build upon our real-world data, we look forward to sharing results from an ongoing analysis of RADICAVA ORS at the ISPOR 2024 Annual Meeting," said Gustavo A. Suarez Zambrano, M.D., Vice President of Medical Affairs at MTPA. "We hope these findings provide helpful insights for healthcare providers to support clinical decisions in an effort to improve care for people living with ALS." The preliminary analysis included people living with ALS who were continuously enrolled in Optum's de-identified Clinformatics Data Mart (CDM) from June 15, 2022, through March 31, 2023. Individuals were divided into two groups: Group 1 initially received intravenous (IV) RADICAVA (edaravone) and switched to RADICAVA ORS, and Group 2 was RADICAVA-naive and received RADICAVA ORS. The ongoing analysis evaluates patient demographics, treatment duration, and progression milestones up to RADICAVA ORS first dosing date. A Preliminary Analysis of Oral Edaravone-Treated Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Enrolled in a US-Based Administrative Claims Database ( Polina Da Silva , MTPA) Poster Session #4 (CO151): 3:30 6:30 p.m. EST , May 7 About RADICAVA (edaravone) and RADICAVA ORS (edaravone) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved RADICAVA (edaravone) on May 5, 2017, and the oral formulation RADICAVA ORS (edaravone) on May 12, 2022, for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In 2024, the FDA recognized RADICAVA ORS with Orphan Drug Exclusivity based on the major contribution to patient care of the innovative oral formulation. RADICAVA is administered in 28-day cycles by intravenous (IV) infusion. It takes 60 minutes to receive each 60 mg dose. For the initial cycle, the treatment is infused daily for 14 consecutive days, followed by a two-week drug-free period. All cycles thereafter are infused daily for 10 days within a 14-day period, followed by a two-week drug-free period. RADICAVA ORS is taken daily for 14 consecutive days followed by a 14-day drug-free period for the initial treatment cycle. For subsequent treatment cycles, RADICAVA ORS is taken for 10 days within a 14-day period followed by a 14-day drug-free period. RADICAVA ORS should be taken in the morning after overnight fasting. Patients should not eat or drink (except water) within one hour after taking RADICAVA ORS.1 Edaravone was discovered and developed for ALS by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (MTPC) and commercialized in the U.S. by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. (MTPA). The MTPC group companies began researching ALS in 2001 through an iterative clinical platform over a 13-year period. In 2015, edaravone was approved as RADICUT for the treatment of ALS in Japan and South Korea. Marketing authorizations were subsequently granted in Canada (October 2018), Switzerland (January 2019), Indonesia (July 2020), Thailand (April 2021), Malaysia (December 2021) and Brazil (February 2024). Marketing authorization for RADICAVA Oral Suspension was granted in Canada (November 2022) and Switzerland (May 2023), and RADICUT Oral Suspension 2.1% was granted regulatory approval in Japan in December 2022. To date, in the U.S., RADICAVA and RADICAVA ORS have been used to treat over 14,600 people with ALS, with over 1.8-million days of therapy, and have been prescribed by over 2,300 HCPs.2-4 IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Hypersensitivity Reactions RADICAVA (edaravone) and RADICAVA ORS (edaravone) are contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to edaravone or any of the inactive ingredients of this product. Hypersensitivity reactions (redness, wheals, and erythema multiforme) and cases of anaphylaxis (urticaria, decreased blood pressure, and dyspnea) have occurred with RADICAVA. Patients should be monitored carefully for hypersensitivity reactions. If hypersensitivity reactions occur, discontinue RADICAVA or RADICAVA ORS, treat per standard of care, and monitor until the condition resolves. Sulfite Allergic Reactions RADICAVA and RADICAVA ORS contain sodium bisulfite, a sulfite that may cause allergic-type reactions, including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in susceptible people. The overall prevalence of sulfite sensitivity in the general population is unknown but occurs more frequently in asthmatic people. Adverse Reactions The most common adverse reactions (10%) reported in RADICAVA-treated patients were contusion (15%), gait disturbance (13%), and headache (10%). In an open label study, fatigue was also observed in 7.6% of patients receiving RADICAVA ORS. Pregnancy Based on animal data, RADICAVA and RADICAVA ORS may cause fetal harm. To report suspected adverse reactions or product complaints, contact Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc., at 1-888-292-0058. You may also report suspected adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. INDICATION RADICAVA and RADICAVA ORS are indicated for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). For more information, including full Prescribing Information, please visit www.RADICAVA.com. About Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. Based in Jersey City, N.J., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. (MTPA) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (MTPC). It was established by MTPC to develop and advance our pipeline as well as commercialize approved pharmaceutical products in North America. For more information, please visit www.mt-pharma-america.com or follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and LinkedIn. About Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (MTPC), the pharma arm of Mitsubishi Chemical Group (MCG), is one of the oldest pharmaceutical companies in the world, founded in 1678. MTPC is headquartered in Doshomachi, Osaka, the birthplace of Japan's pharmaceutical industry. MCG has positioned health care as its strategic focus in its management policy, "Forging the future". MTPC sets the MISSION of "Creating hope for all facing illness". To that end, MTPC is working on the disease areas of central nervous system, immuno-inflammation, diabetes and kidney, and cancer. MTPC is focusing on "precision medicine" to provide drugs with high treatment satisfaction and additionally working to develop "around the pill solutions" to address specific patient concerns based on therapeutic medicine, including prevention of diseases, pre-symptomatic disease care, prevention of aggravation and prognosis. For more information, go to https://www.mt-pharma.co.jp/e/. Media inquiries: [email protected] 1 RADICAVA and RADICAVA ORS Prescribing Information. Jersey City, NJ: Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc.; 2022. 2 Data on file. Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. 3 Data on file. Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. 4 Data on file. Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. SOURCE Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America STOCKHOLM, May 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- RaySearch Laboratories AB (publ) and C-RAD are pleased to announce a collaboration agreement, aiming at jointly developing innovative solutions and products to enhance the quality of radiation therapy. The focus of the collaboration is to investigate how the C-RAD surface scanning technologies can be utilized during treatment planning in RaySearch's treatment planning system RayStation*. Today, the surfaces from the C-RAD surface guided radiation therapy system, Catalyst+, are used during imaging and treatment. Making the Catalyst+ surfaces available in RayStation has many potential applications. One such application is to extend a cone beam CT image that has a limited field-of-view by using information from the surface scanning. This will lead to more complete representation of the patient's anatomy, which in turn results in a more dependable basis for clinical decisions. As a first outcome of the announced collaboration, the above-described application will be demonstrated at the ongoing trade show ESTRO, with a continuation to explore other applications of the companies' respective products. Cecilia de Leeuw, CEO and President, C-RAD, says: "We are thrilled about the collaboration with RaySearch, where we will enhance and find new innovative solutions in our common fight against cancer. Johan Lof, founder and CEO, RaySearch, says: "I look forward to collaborating with C-RAD, which is also located close to us in Sweden. The additional information about the patient's anatomy provided by surface scanning from Catalyst+ has the potential to greatly improve different steps in the radiation therapy treatment planning process in RayStation." CONTACT: For more information, please contact: Johan Lof, founder and CEO, RaySearch Laboratories AB (publ) Telephone: +46 (0) 8 510 530 00 [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/raysearch-laboratories/r/raysearch-and-c-rad-sign-collaboration-agreement,c3973231 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/1102/3973231/2778007.pdf RaySearch Press Release May 4, 2024 https://news.cision.com/raysearch-laboratories/i/press-release-1200x620-c-rad,c3296639 Press-release 1200x620 C RAD SOURCE RaySearch Laboratories 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 Gaza, May 4 : The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has said that Israel continues to target women in strikes in the Gaza Strip. "The war in Gaza continues to be a war on women," UNRWA said on Friday in a press statement posted on its social media platform X, adding that more than 10,000 women have been killed and 19,000 others injured in the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza, Xinhua news agency reported. On average, 37 children in Gaza lose their mothers every day, it added. Living conditions are particularly "appalling" for more than 155,000 pregnant or lactating women in the enclave, who face extreme difficulty in accessing water and health facilities, the agency said. Gaza health authorities said on Friday that the death toll from the "Israeli incursion" on Gaza has risen to 34,622 and more than 77,867 others injured since its outbreak on October 7, 2023. They added that Israeli forces committed three deadly attacks against families in the Gaza Strip during the past 24 hours, resulting in 26 killed and 51 injured admitted to hospitals. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, May 4. The volume of industrial goods exports in Uzbekistan amounted to $1.02 billion from January through March 2024, Trend reports. According to the data from Uzbekistans Statistics Agency, this indicator increased by 4 percent year-on-year ($979.9 million in January-March 2023). In general, the specific weight of industrial goods in the total volume of exports amounted to 16 percent during this period. Exports of manufactured products are mainly textile yarns, fabrics, finished goods, and similar products ($538 million), non-ferrous metals ($344.1 million), cast iron and steel ($51.3 million), and others. Meanwhile, the volume of industrial goods exports in Uzbekistan amounted to $610.7 million from January through February 2024. The specific weight of industrial goods in the total volume of exports reached 16.8 percent during this period. Baghdad, May 4 : A Shia militia in Iraq has claimed responsibility for an attack on a vital site in Israel. The militia, known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, said in an online statement that its fighters conducted a strike "with appropriate weapons on a vital target within the Dead Sea (area) on Friday morning," without providing additional details about the specific location targeted or any resulting casualties. The strike came hours after the militia claimed responsibility for missile attacks with long-range al-Arqab upgraded cruise missiles on two vital sites in Tel Aviv and one in Be'er Sheva in southern Israel, Xinhua news agency reported. The statements stressed that the attacks were carried out "in solidarity with the people of Gaza" and the militia pledged to persist in targeting "the enemy's strongholds". Since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict on October 7, 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has launched multiple attacks on Israeli and US bases in the region. Kiev, May 4 : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with visiting British Foreign Secretary David Cameron to discuss military aid to Ukraine, the Presidential press service said. At the meeting, which took place in Kiev on Thursday, Zelensky thanked the British government for recently approving the largest-ever military aid package for Ukraine, worth 500 million pounds ($630 million), Xinhua news agency reported. "The provision of this package, along with the crucial decision of the US to provide assistance, is of great importance to us at this key moment," the Ukrainian President added on Friday. He briefed Cameron on the situation on the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine war and urged Britain to promptly deliver the weapons as part of the aid package. Zelensky specifically outlined the types of weapons Ukraine requires, including armoured vehicles, ammunition, and various missiles. According to the British Parliament, Britain has pledged 12.5 billion pounds ($15.8 billion) in support to Ukraine since the outbreak of the war in February 2022, of which 7.6 billion pounds ($9.6 billion) was for military assistance. This includes 3 billion pounds ($3.8 billion) for military assistance in 2024/25. Moscow, May 4 : Western countries are waging a war against Russia in Ukraine with the use of foreign weapons, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said. The statement comes following British Foreign Secretary David Cameron's recent visit to Kiev, where the official said on Friday that Ukraine had the right to use British weapons to strike targets within Russian territory. Zakharova said that the Western politician had publicly admitted that "the West is waging an open war against Russia at the hands of Ukrainians". Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said on Friday that Cameron's words are "another very dangerous statement". "These (statements) are examples of a direct escalation of tensions around the Ukrainian war, which can potentially pose a threat to European security," he said, adding that Moscow is deeply concerned about such escalating rhetoric coming from official representatives. Sao Paulo, May 4 : The death toll from heavy rains in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul has risen to 39 with nearly 70 people still missing, the Civil Defence agency said. The heavy rain was one of the worst climate tragedies that has so far affected 235 municipalities, including the state capital of Porto Alegre, according to the agency on Friday. The state has seen persisting rainfall since Monday, causing rivers to swell, destroying bridges, and putting the city of Porto Alegre, with a population of more than 1.4 million, on alert, Xinhua news agency reported. Heavy rains also spread to the neighbouring state of Santa Catarina, where a person was killed in the flooding and landslides. Recognising the calamity, the Brazilian government has sent equipment and financial aid to Rio Grande do Sul. More than 24,000 people were displaced by the disaster, according to the agency. "These will be difficult days. We ask people to leave their homes. Our goal is to save lives. Things will be lost, but we must preserve lives. Our priority is to rescue people. As for the rest, we'll find the way ahead," Governor Eduardo Leite said. Leite confirmed that this is "the biggest disaster in the state" and that Rio Grande do Sul is in a "state of war". Sanaa, May 4 : Yemen's Houthi group has announced the expansion of its ballistic missile attacks to include all Israeli-linked commercial vessels transiting the Mediterranean. "We will attack all ships heading to or having links with Israel in the Mediterranean Sea as well as in any area within our reach," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said on Friday in a televised statement while elaborating on the group's fourth phase of military escalation in the region, Xinhua news agency reported. "The implementation of this decision begins now," he noted. Moreover, the spokesman warned that if Israel intends to launch an aggressive military operation against Rafah in southern Gaza, the Houthis will target all ships and companies that deal with Israeli ports and prevent "all ships of these companies" from passing through the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, "regardless of their destinations". "We will not hesitate to persist in military escalation until Israel stops its war and lifts the blockade on the Gaza Strip," Sarea added. Yemen's protracted civil war erupted in 2014 when the Houthi group seized control over much of the country's north, including the capital Sanaa, and the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah. Since last November, the Houthis began to launch anti-ship ballistic missiles and drones targeting what they said were Israeli-linked ships transiting the Red Sea to show solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, which has been under relentless Israeli attacks for nearly seven months. In January, the US and Britain launched a military operation by carrying out airstrikes on Houthi military sites to deter the group. However, the Houthis, in retaliation, have subsequently expanded their attacks to include US and British ships. On Thursday, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi said in a televised speech that the US-Britain coalition's strikes have not undermined his group's military capabilities and warned of further escalation. Bengaluru, May 4 : Amid the heightened political activities in Karnataka ahead of the third phase of Lok Sabha elections, in which the 14 remaining Parliamentary seats in the state will go to the polls on May 7, senior BJP leader R. Ashoka claimed that the BJP is set for a big win in the southern state. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Ashoka, the leader of the opposition in the state Assembly, lashed out at the Congress, saying that it will neither perform well in Karnataka, nor will it come to power at the Centre. "If the Assembly elections are held today, Congress will not even cross the 50-seat mark," he said. Excerpts from the interview: IANS: As a senior politician, how do you read the minds of the voters ahead of the final phase of Lok Sabha elections in the state? R. Ashoka: The voters in Karnataka have made up their minds to elect Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a third term. I have been travelling across the state for the past two months, and the Modi wave is more intense than what we saw in 2014 and 2019. IANS: Will the sex video scandal involving JD-S leader Prajwal Revanna damage the party's prospects in the Lok Sabha polls? R. Ashoka: Law and order is a state subject. It is the duty of the Congress government to ensure justice for the victims. This case has nothing to do with the BJP. JD-S is our alliance partner and we have given three seats to them as part of the seat-sharing formula. We didn't have any say as to who the JD-S fields in these seats. In fact, it is the Congress which is playing politics in this issue. IANS: What's your take on Congress' claim that it will win 20 seats in Karnataka this time? R. Ashoka: First of all, the Congress didn't have any candidates to contest the Lok Sabha elections. Initially, when the Congress high command wanted its ministers to contest the polls, nobody came forward. So they gave tickets to the kin of ministers and MLAs. In about 18 out of the 28 seats in the state, the Congress has given tickets to those who are either children or family members of the sitting ministers. Why did the ministers not contest the elections themselves if they were confident of victory? The Congress knows that it will neither perform well in Karnataka, nor will it come to power at the Centre. Forget 20 seats, if Assembly elections are held today, Congress will not even cross the 50-seat mark. IANS: The BJP is targeting Congress for its 'appeasement politics'. How serious is the issue according to you? R. Ashoka: It is already affecting the state. The fundamentalist groups have been emboldened in the state due to the appeasement politics of the Congress government. There is no fear of law among the anti-social and anti-national elements. The bomb blast at the Bengaluru cafe, the raising of pro-Pakistan slogans in the Vidhana Soudha, the attack on people for playing Hanuman Chalisa, the daylight murder of a Hindu girl in Hubballi -- all these incidents are not mere coincidence. These are direct fallout and consequences of appeasement politics. IANS: Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar is claiming that the move of the BJP to give tickets to 15 new faces shows fear of defeat, Your take.... R. Ashoka: For the first time in the history of India, a government is going to the elections with a pro-incumbency wave even after 10 years in office. PM Modi's popularity and approval ratings continue to remain high. So where is the question of fear of defeat? Our PM candidate is Narendra Modi. IANS: Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are raking up the issue of Prajwal Revanna,,,Your reactions? R. Ashoka: The Congress is simply trying to drag PM Modi and HM Amit Shah in this case and politicise the whole issue. Law and order is a state subject. Why did they allow the accused to fly out the country? Why did they delay the investigation? IANS Tel Aviv, May 4 : Hamas has agreed to release 20 Israeli hostages in its custody instead of the 33 proposed by Israel. A delegation of Hamas leaders led by Khalil al-Hayva has reached the Egyptian capital of Cairo for a fresh round of indirect mediatory talks regarding a ceasefire in the war with Israel as well as the release of Israeli hostages. Other Hamas leaders in the three-member delegation include Zaher Jabarin and Ghazi Hamad. According to sources in the Israel Defense Ministry, Hamas has informed the Qatar and Egyptian mediators that it can release 20 Israeli hostages, including women, the elderly, and the sick. Israel had earlier proposed the release of 33 of its hostages held in Hamas custody in exchange for around 600 Palestinian prisoners languishing in Israeli jails. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director, William Burns, has reached Cairo and will supervise the indirect mediatory talks. The Israeli delegation is already in Cairo led by Mossad Chief David Barnea. Hamas, according to sources, has also demanded a ceasefire for 40 days and later a permanent retreat of the Israel army from the Gaza Strip. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already informed the mediators that the Israeli army would invade the Rafah region of the Gaza Strip by next Friday if the mediatory talks are not moving forward. Sources in the Israel Prime Minister's office told IANS that Netanyahu had told the US that Israel had no option other than a military operation in Rafah to free its hostages as well as to defeat Hamas. The elite Nahal Brigade of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has already been stationed at Rafah in Gaza and is waiting for a political clearance for a ground invasion. Pune : , May 4 (IANS) NCP(SP) President Sharad Pawar on Saturday expressed the hope that his ally and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, Uddhav Thackeray never requires any help from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Pawar said this while answering a mediaperson's question on the PM's remarks in a television interview that he is always there to help former Maharashtra Chief Minister Thackeray if the need arises, while referring to the latter's past health issues. "Whatever the PM may say, I hope and pray that Uddhav Thackeray never is in a situation where he would be compelled to seek assistance from Modi," said Pawar with a smile. Concurring with the NCP(SP) supremo on the issue, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said, "Pawar has said the right thing." To a question, "if Pawar cannot handle his family, then how can he look after Maharashtra", the senior Pawar hit back saying, "When did (Modi) manage his own family The situation of his family members is a matter of concern But I don't want to stoop to make any such personal comments." The senior Pawar accused PM Modi of making many casual statements which never materialised, and which raised doubts in the minds of the public whether the government would be able to deliver or not. "That's why faith in the PM is waning," he said. Sharad Pawar said that earlier too, PM Modi used to attack former PM, Dr. Manmohan Singh's policies, "but today, Modi is implementing the same policies." "The people have understood these contradictions The masses compared the 10 years of Dr. Singh with Modi's 10 years. They have realised that Dr. Singh used to work quietly and deliver results, but the outcome of Modi's work is not known though he spends a lot of time in commenting and criticising," Sharad Pawar pointed out. Patna, May 4 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a rally in Bihar's Darbhanga Lok Sabha constituency on Saturday. Patna, May 4 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a rally in Biharas Darbhanga Lok Sabha constituency on Saturday. The elections in the Darbhanga Lok Sabha constituency will be held in the fourth phase on May 13. Sitting BJP MP Gopal Jee Thakur is in the fray here against RJD candidate Lalit Kumar Yadav. Apart from Darbhanga, the Prime Minister will also aim for the Jhanjharpur Lok Sabha seat of Mithilanchal region. The voting here is scheduled to be held in the third phase on May 7. After landing at Darbhanga airport on Saturday afternoon, PM Modi will be heading straight to Raj Ground where he will address the rally at 2 p.m. On the occasion, top leaders of the Bihar BJP will be present. In view of the Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi is frequently visiting Bihar to campaign for the party candidates. Earlier, the PM had addressed rallies in Jamui, Nawada, Gaya, Purnea, Munger and Araria Lok Sabha constituencies. The voting for nine of the 40 Lok Sabha constituencies was completed in the first two phases. New Delhi, May 4 : The BJP has called for an apology from Rahul Gandhi following the closure report filed by Telangana Police in the Rohith Vemula suicide case. Along with this, BJP also accused Congress and its allies of exploiting Dalits for political gains. Pointing out that the Congress government is in power in Telangana, BJP asked: "Now that Telangana Police has filed a closure report in court, stating that Rohith Vemula was not a Dalit and his death was a suicide, will Rahul Gandhi apologise to the Dalits?" Accusing Rahul Gandhi of politicising the issue, BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya took to his official social media handle on X, and shared a video of his speech in Lok Sabha. Malviya captioned the video: "Rahul Gandhi used the floor of the House to politicise Rohit Vemulaas death for his ugly politics. Now that Telangana Police, under a Congress government, has filed a closure report, stating that Vemula did not belong to the SC community and died by suicide, will Rahul Gandhi apologise to the Dalits?" Further criticising the Congress and other Opposition parties, Malviya wrote: "The Congress and so-called aseculara parties have often used Dalits for their politics but always failed to provide them justice. This is yet another instance." TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, May 4. Uzbekneftegaz (Uzbekistan's state oil and gas company) and Japan's MUFG Bank Ltd. signed a preliminary agreement on financing investment projects and purchases, Trend reports. According to Uzbekneftegaz, the document provides for financing by MUFG Bank Ltd for purchases under insurance coverage. During the meeting, the sides discussed the issues of further expansion and bringing the existing cooperation to a new level. Meanwhile, natural gas accounts for the majority of the company's production output. Uzbekneftegaz generated 6.9 billion cubic meters of natural gas during the first quarter of 2024. Exports were worth $158.5 million, while imports totaled $189.4 million during the same time period. Uzbekneftegaz's net profit was 8.1 billion soums ($640,101) in the first quarter of 2024. During this era, revenues totaled 3.4 trillion soums ($268.6 million). Between January and March 2024, expenditures were 3.39 trillion soums ($267.8 million). Dharwad, May 4 : An accused in a "love jihad" case was shot in the leg during a police encounter and arrested in Karnataka's Dharwad city on Saturday. The accused, identified as 19-year-old Saddam Hussain Limbuwale, a resident of Eshwarnagar in Hubballi city, was on the run after a case was lodged against him on the charges of raping a 17-year-old minor girl in Navanagar police station in Hubballi city. Hussain attempted to assault Inspector Sangamesh and Constable Arun, who had arrested him, with a knife and tried to escape, after which the police opened fire. During the firing, the accused was shot in the leg. The parents of the girl said that Hussain befriended the minor girl, forced her into a relationship first and then started assaulting her sexually. When the girl resisted, the accused threatened her of dire consequences. After coming to know that their daughter has been impregnated by the accused, the victim's parents lodged a case under the IPC Section 376 (rape), 506 (criminal intimidation). The case has also been lodged under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (Pocso) and the SC, ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The parents of the girl and Hindu organisations alleged that it was a case of love jihad and demanded strict action against the accused. They also staged a protest before the police station. Kyiv, May 4 : Russian air defence systems destroyed four US-supplied long-range ATACMS missiles fired at the Crimean Peninsula by Ukrainian forces, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Saturday morning. The scope and impact of the attack on Crimea, which was illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014, was initially unclear. Kyiv has yet to comment publicly on the claim. Russia, which has been waging an all-out war against Ukraine for more than two years, often only reports alleged successions of its own air defences in the case of Ukrainian drone or missile attacks. Last Tuesday, Ukraine attacked the Russian military in Crimea with missiles recently supplied by the United States. Independent media reported strikes on three military bases in Crimea, resulting in several casualties. Washington had announced in recent weeks that it would also be delivering even longer-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine as part of a new weapons package. In previous deliveries, the range of missiles of this type was limited to 165 kilometres. Crimea is a key staging ground for Russian forces, with supplies of soldiers, weapons and ammunition channelled through the peninsula that juts into the Black Sea. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to recover all territory seized by Russia, including Crimea. --IANS/DPA sd/svn Mumbai, May 4 : Child artist Darsh Agarwal, who has been roped in by the makers of 'Karmadhikari Shanidev' to portray the role of Bal Hanuman, shared that the mischiefs of the deity always fascinated him. With the introduction of Darsh Agarwal as Bal Hanuman, the show is set to explore a new dimension, delving into the relationship between Shanidev and Hanuman. Talking about the same, Darsh shared: "My grandparents have always narrated the tales of Bal Hanuman, Shri Krishna, and Bal Ganesh to me. Lord Hanumanas mischief always fascinated me, and now I get to be mischievous too. I can't wait for my friends and family to see me playing this character." The narrative explores Shanidev's perspective on Hanuman, showcasing the bond between them and how Hanumanas presence impacts Shanidev's life. It airs on Shemaroo TV at 8:30 p.m. Kolkata, May 4 : With the Trinamool Congress highlighting the sexual harassment complaint against West Bengal Governor, CV Ananda Bose, by a temporary staff member of Raj Bhavan in Kolkata, the Opposition parties including the BJP and CPI(M) have started questioning the links of the woman to the ruling party. The Opposition is pointing to an event where the mother of the accuser had contested as a Trinamool Congress candidate in a local election in East Midnapore District of West Bengal in 2002. East Midnapore is the native district of the woman who filed the police complaint of sexual harassment against Governor Bose on Thursday evening. Governor Bose has described the allegation as an "engineered narrative" coined to gain electoral benefits. The fact of the accuser's mother contesting as a Trinamool Congress candidate in 2002 was revealed to the media by veteran CPI(M) District Secretary in East Midnapore, Niranjan Sihi. "I remember everything. To me this is a ploy to divert attention from other burning issues in the state like the Sandeshkhali development and the loss of school jobs," he said. The BJP's former National Vice President, Dilip Ghosh, had described the entire development as a "scripted" strategy on part of the ruling party. "This kind of dirty politics will result in the downfall of the ruling party. But one thing is clear. When the ruling party can target someone in this position and that too in such a manner, the condition of the ordinary public is well-imaginable," Ghosh said. On Friday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a public meeting questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "silence" in the matter. New Delhi, May 4 : After it arose from a late lamented cinema that used to screen the newest Hollywood releases at a time when they would land in the country after much of the world had seen them, The Chanakya in Delhi's Diplomatic Enclave has transformed into an upscale mall headlined by a parade of luxury brands. In this gentrified location, flanked, ironically, by a popular destination for momos of all kinds, MKT has become one of the city's busiest restaurants, even as its neighbour, Foodhall, the go-to place for people looking for artisanal food ingredients and products, shut down and made way for another popular gourmet food store, Le Marche. MKT is back in the news because its new head chef, Rinki Saha, an alumna of the Wendell College, Chicago, and formerly with Bastian, Mumbai, has tweaked the restaurant's already food-forward menu for the better. And the menu change is the first in six years. The vibe, too, has changed because of the jaunty music of the 1980s and 90s that the DJ plays with cheerful abandon, making a generation that grew up listening to Boney M and BeeGees feel very nostalgic, and chuckle at the senseless lyrics of 'Ra Ra Rasputin'. What MKT's new menu does is that it builds upon its strengths rather than just tinker around with the original favourites. The maki rolls are still there for sushi lovers, and so are the dim sum, including the long bao (or soup dumplings), but what has been added are dumplings encased in taro dough, my favourites being the ones stuffed with prawns marinated in chilli bean sauce. And the portable robata grills on which the yakitori (chicken and leeks) arrives adds a touch of drama and a whiff of charcoal smoke to your dinner. The small plates on offer offer quite an international variety, from labneh, baked burrata and asparagus tartare to salmon carpaccio dipped in a pool of the sweet, sour and tangy Nahm Jim dressing, jicama (also known as the Mexican turnip), Japanese seasoned rice pearls known as bubu arare, cucumber, red jalapeno, herb oil and cilantro. The Indian small plates are ambitious in their scope, from the memorable guchchi galouti kebabs sandwiched between savoury biscuits, served with mascarpone sauce, to the lip-smackingly good Black Pepper Masala Crab, cheese gratinated in shell -- it's also a soul-satisfying alternative way of having crab if you find handling them a bit too messy. After you have negotiated the small plates -- you could either order only them, or stick to the main course items, for the menu offers you incredible variety -- you have an array of options to dig. These include my favourites -- Quattro Formaggio Tortellini, the four cheeses being ricotta, Parmesan, goat cheese and hazelnut mascarpone, drizzled with dill lemon brown butter, and Prawn Gigli quilted in saffron garlic cream. Then come the burgers, pizzas and all-time favourites -- mine being the evergreen Chicken A La King -- followed by the mains, from eggplant parmigiana (the vegetarians don't have many options) to the pricey but incredibly tasty Grilled Australian Mulwarra Lamb Chops and Miso-Glazed Sea Bass. The stir-fries and curries sections offers a decent selection of hardy perennials, Kung Pao Chicken to Singaporean Chilli Prawns with Mantou Buns, but the Indian mains are likely to disappoint you because of their boring predictability, from Narangi Kofta to Champaran Gosht. The small plates are definitely more exciting. If the mains leave you asking for more, the desserts certainly won't, especially if you order a Loaded Chocolate Treat, which packs in flavourless brownies, whipped chocolate ganache and chocolate ice-cream drizzled with raspberry coulis. It is not something you can have by yourself, so share it with those for whom you care, and spread the joy! Hyderabad/Vijayawada, May 4 : With just a week left for campaigning to end, the searing heat wave gripping both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh is impacting the canvassing by the political parties. Leaders of the main parties and the candidates are having a tough time running the campaign with maximum temperature at few places in Andhra Pradesh crossing 47 degree Celsius. The heat wave has already claimed a few lives in both the Telugu states. The forecast by the Meteorological office shows that there will be no relief from the intense heatwave conditions in the next one week. Health authorities in both states have already issued an advisory to people to avoid exposure to sun, especially between 12 noon and 3 p.m. However, the impact of the heat is seen from as early as 10 a.m. with the blazing sun forcing many to remain indoors and these conditions are continuing till 5 p.m. The maximum temperature is breaking a new record every day in Andhra Pradesh. It reached 47.7 degrees Celsius in a couple of places in Nandyal district on Friday. A few places in Prakasam and YSR Kadapa districts also recorded a maximum temperature of more than 47 degrees. The scorching heat has left the contestants hardly few hours to conduct their campaign. They are seen touring their constituencies in the morning to reach out to voters. They undertake padayatras during the morning hours or in the evening. The parties are also facing a huge challenge in mobilising people for the public meetings of their top leaders. This is also forcing parties to cut down on the number of meetings, rallies and roadshows. Simultaneous elections to the 175-member Andhra Pradesh Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats are scheduled on May 13. The same day polling will be held in all 19 Lok Sabha constituencies in Telangana. It's a race against time for national leaders and star campaigners of Congress and BJP. They are seen rushing from one public meeting to the other. The parties are arranging large tents at the public meetings to protect the audience from the scorching sun. In Telangana, the maximum temperature at a few places has crossed 46 degrees Celsius. The scorching heat has forced the parties to alter their campaign plans. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is addressing 3-4 public meetings in a day. He is flying by helicopter to crisscross the constituencies. Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K. Chandrasekhar Rao confines his campaign to evening hours. Currently, on bus yatra, the former chief minister addresses one or two public meetings daily. Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, the BJP candidate from Chevella constituency who has been campaigning in the constituency for nearly two months, told IANS that in view of the heatwave conditions, he is starting early for campaigning. Covering villages in the constituency spread over rural segments in Ranga Reddy district abutting Hyderabad is a daunting task for the contestants. Vishweshar Reddy suffered dehydration during the campaigning in Tandur segment a few days ago. "I had taken plenty of water but still had this problem. Drinking a lot of water also results in dehydration as it flushes out salt from the body," said the BJP leader. He now carries water mixed with Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) as a precautionary measure. Some leaders are carrying out their campaigns with hardly any break. In Hyderabad, AIMIM president and sitting MP Asaduddin Owaisi begins his "paidal daura" at 8 a.m. and this continues till 2 p.m. After a one-hour break, he resumes his visit at 3 p.m. covering lanes and by-lanes in the old city. His brother and AIMIM leader in Telangana Assembly Akbaruddin Owaisi also walks through various areas in the constituency during the day. The Owaisi brothers then address two public meetings each between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. BJP candidate from Hyderabad K. Madhavi Latha is undertaking padyatras in the morning and evening to avoid the heat during day time. The blazing sun has dampened the enthusiasm among party cadres as they are finding it difficult to mobilise people for public meetings. However, the paucity of time has left key campaigners with no option but to carry on the campaign. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who is leading the YSR Congress Party campaign, is covering 2-3 districts every day as part of his bus yatra. His campaign includes both road shows and 2-3 public meetings. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and former chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is flying by helicopter to address public meetings and hold road shows in 2-3 districts every day. However, it is only the public meetings or road shows in the evening and the night that are drawing crowds. As the campaigning can't exceed beyond 10 p.m., the leaders are taking care not to violate the model code of conduct. Bhubaneswar, May 4 : In a development that has left the cash-strapped Congress red-faced, the party's candidate for Puri Lok Sabha constituency Sucharita Mohanty, has declined to contest the election, citing lack of funding from the party. "It is clear that only a fund crunch is holding us back from a winning campaign in Puri. I regret that without party funding, it won't be possible to carry out the campaign in Puri. I, therefore, return the INC ticket for the Puri Parliamentary Constituency herewith. "I am a Congresswoman with core Congress values in my DNA. I shall remain a loyal soldier of the Congress and my leader Jananayak Rahul Gandhi," wrote the journalist-turned-politician in her resignation letter. Following her nomination for the Puri Lok Sabha seat, Mohanty had also tried to arrange funds through crowd-funding. She shared a UPI QR code and other account details on her social media account seeking donations to contest the elections. She was also unhappy with the Congress over the selection of candidates for seven Assembly segments under the Puri Lok Sabha constituency and had reportedly requested party seniors to change the candidates in some of the seats. However, the party didn't pay heed to her. Mohanty had fought from the Puri Lok Sabha constituency in the 2014 General Elections but lost to BJD candidate Pinaki Misra. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra has been contesting from the Puri Lok Sabha constituency while the ruling BJD has fielded former Mumbai Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik from the high-profile constituency. New Delhi, May 4 : The Delhi High Court has ruled in favour of a three-year renewal of the passport of former Rajya Sabha MP, Vijay Darda, who was convicted in the Chhattisgarh coal block allocation irregularities case. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharmaas order was based on Darda's history of compliance with prior travel permissions, despite opposition from the CBI which cited government rules generally restricting such renewals to one year or the duration ordered by the court in cases involving pending criminal matters. With the condition that he should not leave the country without court approval, the Delhi High Court had in September 2023, suspended the four-year sentence of Darda, who was handed a four-year jail term on July 26, 2023, with others in the case. Moreover, Darda sought a ten-year renewal, citing his frequent international engagements. Earlier, a special court had allowed his son, Devender, to travel to the UAE and Sweden last year. The Delhi High Court had suspended the four-year sentence of Devender, his father and JLD Yavatmal Energy Pvt Ltd's Director Manoj Kumar Jayaswal. Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma had granted Dardas and Jayaswal interim bail on July 28, 2023, till September 26, 2023, and had issued notice on the pleas moved by Dardas and Jayaswal against the trial court order convicting and sentencing them in the case. On September 26 last year, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma had allowed the pleas and suspended the sentence till the pendency of their appeals challenging their conviction and jail term in the case. The court had also directed them not to leave the country without its prior permission. They were also ordered not to directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to witnesses in the case. "It is directed that the sentence imposed on the appellant shall remain suspended during the pendency of the present appeal, subject to his furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs 1 lakh with two sureties of the like amounta," the High Court had said. The accused were held guilty under Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, and sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. On November 20, 2014, the court had rejected the closure report submitted by the CBI in this case and had directed the probe agency to initiate a fresh investigation, citing that the former MP had "misrepresented" facts in letters addressed to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who also held the Coal portfolio. According to the court, Vijay Darda, who is the Chairperson of the Lokmat Group, resorted to such misrepresentations in order to obtain the Fatehpur (East) coal block in Chhattisgarh for JLD Yavatmal Energy. The court had ruled that the act of cheating was carried out by private entities as part of a conspiracy involving both private parties and public servants. JLD Yavatmal Energy was granted the Fatehpur (East) coal block by the 35th Screening Committee. Initially, the CBI alleged in its FIR that JLD Yavatmal had unlawfully concealed the previous allocation of four coal blocks to its group companies between 1999 and 2005. However, the agency later filed a closure report, stating that no undue benefit had been granted to JLD Yavatmal by the Coal Ministry during the coal block allocation. Mumbai, May 4 : Dia Mirza, who actively participates for social and environmental issues, on Saturday, opened up on the destruction of biodiversity in the urban spaces and trimming of trees for monsoon, urging the officials to ensure implementation of better practices. Taking to Instagram, Dia, who was last seen in 'Made in Heaven', shared a beautiful picture of herself sitting under a tree. She is seen wearing a blue suit paired with a white shawl. She also shared a series of pictures, featuring exotic birds and wildlife species. The long post started with a shayari of Kaifi Azmi: "Each year, the months of April and May are particularly heartbreaking when one witnesses the destruction of biodiversity in our urban spaces. Trees are being 'trimmed' in preparation for the monsoon...The 'trimming' is unscientific, and horrific, because the entire canopy/shade is axed away by unfeeling, unthinking individuals. The country is reeling in an acute heatwave. The trees that offer us some respite with their shade in our cities are being cruelly cut," read the note. Dia added: "Year on year, we reach out to authorities begging, pleading for a more refined process. But to no avail. In the comments list out the benefits of tree cover in urban centres and tag @my_bmc so we can urge them to ensure that better practices are implemented. The images are not a representation of the reality we are dealing with. But are a representation of what one feels and what one can experience when we allow nature to do her magic." A fan commented: "Little mindfulness is what we expect from every individual and concerned authority". Another user wrote: "It is together that we will be able to save our biodiversity." On the activism front, the actress has adopted two cheetah cubs in Lucknow. In 2017, she was appointed the brand ambassador for the Wildlife Trust of India and supported campaigns to raise awareness about the shrinking space for wild elephants in the country. Meanwhile, on the movie front, Dia is featured in 'Dhak Dhak', 'Bheed', and 'Thappad'. Karnal, May 4 : BJP veteran Manohar Lal Khattar, who as the Haryana Chief Minister advocated simultaneous Assembly and general elections in the state, is facing a litmus test in his main support base Karnal, where Assembly bypoll and Lok Sabha elections will be held simultaneously on May 25. Party insiders say that Khattar not only has to ensure the victory of his 'protege' and successor CM Nayab Saini in the bypoll, but also win his maiden Lok Sabha battle to script BJP's hat-trick in Karnal, which is spread over nine Assembly segments. The by-election was necessitated after the resignation of Khattar as the Chief Minister on March 13. An RSS man with a clean image, Khattar, who believes in the principles of 'Ram Rajya' to run affairs, has been a popular Chief Minister for two terms and belongs to the Punjabi community in a state whose politics is dominated by Jats. A day after resigning as the Chief Minister on March 13, he was nominated by the BJP as its Lok Sabha candidate from Karnal. His Assembly seat fell vacant with his resignation. Now CM Saini is contesting the seat in the bypoll to remain a member of the Assembly for a period of around four months before Haryana goes to the polls. Khattar, a two-time legislator from Karnal, replaced sitting BJP MP Sanjay Bhatia, who defeated Congress' Kuldeep Sharma by 656,142 votes in 2019. Bhatia, who secured 70 per cent votes, was the second among the MPs with highest winning margins. The Congress has pitted its youngest candidate Divyanshu Budhiraja (31), a Punjabi-Khatri and former head of the party's youth wing in Haryana, to take on Khattar (70). As a student leader, Budhiraja, a close aide of two-time Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda and his MP son, Deepender Hooda, was known for taking on the Khattar government on unemployment and paper leak scams in the Haryana Public Service Commission and the Staff Selection Commission. Challenging Khattar for a debate, Budhiraja, who this week got bail in a 2018 property defacement case in which he was declared a proclaimed offender, said, "I have got bail. Khattar-ji 'Ab aap janta ki adalat mein aaye, log faisla karenge' (Now you come to the people's court, let them decide your future)." "Together we will fight for the honour of Karnal and defeat the anti-Karnal forces," added Budhiraja, who was the Haryana NSUI President from 2017 to 2021. The other candidates in the fray from Karnal are NCP (Sharad Pawar) state unit chief Virender Verma; Jannayak Janta Party's (JJP) Devender Kadyan, son of former Assembly Speaker and three-time legislator Satbir Kadian; and BSP's Inderjeet Jalmana. Verma's party is part of the INDIA bloc at the national level and has been extended support by the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD). He fought his first Lok Sabha elections on a BSP ticket in 2009. The JJP was formed in December 2018 after a vertical split in the INLD following a feud in the Chautala family. In 2019, JJP extended support to the BJP after the latter fell short of the majority mark in the Assembly elections. The alliance ended in March after which the JJP leadership said it would field its candidates on all the 10 Lok Sabha seats in the state. As per INDIA bloc's seat-sharing pact, the Congress is contesting nine seats in the state, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is in the fray from Kurukshetra. The Karnal parliamentary seat comprises nine Assembly segments -- Karnal, Nilokheri, Indri, Assandh and Gharaunda in Karnal district, and Panipat City, Panipat Rural, Israna, and Samalkha in Panipat district. As per the election office, there are 20,81,560 voters in the Lok Sabha constituency, including 11,86,071 in Karnal and 8,95,489 in Panipat district. "I attended the meeting of Shakti Kendra heads in Karnal and interacted with the BJP workers. Important issues like maximum voting, speeding up work at the booth level. etc., were discussed with the workersWe will take the BJP to a historic majority," Khattar was quoted as saying on Friday. Insisting that the state should go for both Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha polls together in the future to save election expenses, a top state BJP leader told IANS, "The Karnal seat, which incidentally fell vacant with the resignation of Manohar Lal Khattar, can be a trendsetter for future simultaneous elections." "Right now, our priority is the formation of a government at the Centre," said the leader, requesting anonymity, adding, "The lone Vidhan Sabha seat is almost a cakewalk for our Chief Minister as his predecessor (Khattar) has created a people-centric work culture during his two terms." Polling in Haryana will be held in the sixth phase on May 25, while the results will be out on June 4. (Vishal Gulati can be contacted at gulatiians@gmail.com) Amid rising geopolitical tensions and a deepening North-South divide, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has assembled 1,000 global leaders and experts to chart a collective course towards a more stable, sustainable and inclusive future. The Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development 2024 - held under the patronage of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - brought together key leaders to exchange perspectives, consider new data, and advance high-impact partnerships. We may end up with this decade being remembered as the Turbulent Twenties or the Tepid Twenties, and what we actually want is Transformational Twenties, said Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund. Over the next 100 years leaders must aim for the same degree of wealth as that created over the past 100 years, but with much better distribution of the benefits of growth. Need for dialogue In a world fraught with uncertainty, the need for dialogue, understanding and cooperation has never been more important," said Brge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum. The Special Meeting in Saudi Arabia has served as a crucial platform for leaders to come together, confront our shared challenges, and map a path toward a more stable and prosperous future." The meeting focused on three thematic pillars: inclusive growth, global collaboration and energy for development. A compact for inclusive growth Participants agreed that efforts to counter global fragmentation must include new ways to measure and kick-start economic growth. The Future of Growth Initiative advanced its two-year campaign to drive higher-quality economic growth, balancing innovation, inclusion, sustainability and resilience, with a meeting of the Future of Growth Consortium on country-level growth pathways as well as global collaboration. The Saudi Arabia Markets of Tomorrow Accelerator announced the completion of its first phase, identifying priority markets, and started its second phase of action plans to be co-designed with the private sector. Technologys role in advancing growth and development was central to the meeting. The importance of intelligent economies where multiple intelligence systems such as AI, 5G and the Internet of Things work together rather than in isolation was presented as a potential solution to driving greater innovation and prosperity in both the region and beyond. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of Nigeria, said the world is poised for profound technological change: From the exponential advances of AI to the rapid development and deployment of vaccines, we could find ourselves at the cusp of a new age an age that one might call the age of intelligent economies, where diffusion and interaction of different technologies underpinned by artificial intelligence could propel productivity to new heights and can engender a society of shared abundance. Centre for Space Futures During the meeting, the Forum signed a collaboration agreement with the Space Agency of Saudi Arabia to establish a new Centre for Space Futures in Riyadh, the first of its kind. The Forum also launched a Strategic Cybersecurity Talent Framework, which outlines four priority areas where organisations can build sustainable talent pipelines and strengthen their cyber resilience in the face of increasingly complex and numerous global cyberthreats. In parallel, a report was published with guiding principles to enhance cyber resilience in manufacturing. Participants agreed that efforts to revive growth and economic cooperation cannot succeed without equivalent investment in jobs, people and equity. A new Forum report from the Education 4.0 Initiative explored how AI could revolutionise education systems and how its responsible application could improve learning outcomes, personalise learning and streamline administrative tasks. The Forum also released a framework for governments or employers to expand a global digital workforce, as a key tool for advancing talent mobility. Participants also discussed how to accelerate economic gender parity and the integration of youth. Noor Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development of Bahrain, said: What we're seeing is amazing in terms of recognition by the private sector of the importance of women. You cannot isolate half of society. It's almost easy maths - you add more inputs, you get more output. Mae Al Mozaini, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Arab Institute for Womens Empowerment highlighted the potential of youth to create change: Young people are the future leaders already creating social innovation in our region and what's needed is partnerships with the public and private sector to make greater impact happen, she said. Eradication of polio On health and healthcare, the meeting advanced dialogues and efforts on the eradication of polio. Saudi Arabia and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledged to work together to help protect 370 million children annually from polio and lift millions out of poverty across 33 countries. Separately, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, said that the world was very close to achieving the goal of fully eradicating polio: We're very close. We are in the last lap. Of course, the last mile is the hardest, but that's when we need to put in all our energy to cross the finish line. Revitalising global collaboration The complex geopolitical backdrop was central to the dialogue at the Special Meeting. We're at an inflection point. There are fundamental changes taking place in terms of geopolitical competition, but also global challenges that no country can effectively address alone, said Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State. He stressed that revitalising, reimagining, and reinvigorating alliances and partnerships around the world would be the only way out of this period of polycrisis. Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, agreed: Climate, demography, technology everything requires more cooperation, and yet today we have less cooperation and trust. He added that innovative and collaborative efforts would be the only way to effectively navigate the challenges facing the world. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian National Authority, delivered special remarks: The first thing we ask for is a ceasefire. And secondly, we want the humanitarian aid to be able to reach the Palestinian people who are in dire need of it in all of Gaza. And third, we will not accept in any case, the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza or from the West Bank outside their country. "The world should unite in bringing about a sustained cease fire and ensures the continuous and sustained flow of humanitarian assistance and goods into Gaza," said Bisher Hani Al Khasawneh, Prime Minister of Jordan. Meanwhile, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli also called for the immediate creation of a Palestinian state. Now, not tomorrow, the whole world should gather to recognise the right of Palestinians to have their own state, he said. International trade and globalisation are the main driver for economic growth, and the main driver for inclusive growth. What developing and middle-income countries need is more transfer of technology, more foreign direct investment and more capacity building for their people in order to become more resilient and to become more agile to any external shocks." Hala H El Said Younes Minister of Planning and Economic Development of Egypt. In response to increasing fragmentation, leaders reaffirmed the critical importance of international investment collaboration and public-private collaboration. The key thing for investors, in my opinion, is transparency, rule of law and the rules applied to everyone equally, said Lubna Olayan, Chair of the Executive Committee, Olayan Financial Company, Olayan Group. Lawrence Fink, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, BlackRock added that while there are many trends causing concern, there is also a great deal of optimism. We're at a period of time [of] just incredible innovation and creativity. With the geopolitical and socio-technological churn, companies are being asked to fill the void on social and other issues that policy has not dealt with, said Peter Orszag, Chief Executive Officer of Lazard. He called for better policy-making that would account for the social challenges and the economic twists in the energy transition. It is going to be expensive and it is going to be hard. The Forum welcomed two new countries, Oman and Cyprus, to the Digital FDI Initiative, which brings together government and business to create digital-friendly investment climates across various countries. And, in response to the Forums call for inclusive access to AI at the Annual Meeting 2024, Saudi Arabia will work with the Forums AI Governance Alliance on Inclusive AI for Growth and Development. The collaboration will identify challenges and solutions pertaining to global AI access. Catalysing action on energy for development The Special Meeting convened leaders and energy experts to strengthen the business and economic case for the energy transition by addressing financial viability, accelerating investment in clean energy especially in emerging markets, and ensuring the strength of energy transition supply chains. Many participants warned about the gravity of the climate crisis and stressed the importance of an equitable energy transition that underpins sustainable development. Climate change and sustainability is a global issue. It cannot be attended to in regional scopes. It has to be a global response, stressed Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia. The Forum is supporting the global community to reach Paris Agreement targets, while encouraging more investment in solutions that create systemic value including economic development, job creation, reduced emissions, cleaner air, and affordable energy. Global Future Council For example, new insight from the Forums Global Future Council on the Future of Energy Transition published a report on the geopolitical, environmental and economic consequences of big shifts in dependencies away from oil and other fossil fuels and towards a raft of critical minerals such as lithium and copper. In addition, a collection of good practice examples was launched from both the public and private sectors aimed at integrating economic equity into the green transition. The importance is to do it in a way that's responsible for this generation and the next generation, and make sure that people that want to grow and countries that want to grow their economy have the same rights that the richer countries have all along, said Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs of the State of Qatar. "We must continue to increase our international co-operation on energy. We are advocating to set up a high-level platform around the globe in order to co-ordinate global policy and to encourage global technology [and] innovation, said Li Zhenguo President, LONGi Green Energy Technology Co, Ltd. Last but not least, we need the developed countries to deliver their commitments from the Paris Agreement to support the developing countries." Numerous initiatives and reports were launched during the meeting to support and scale climate and sustainability solutions. UpLink, the Forums open innovation platform, launched a new Circular Carbon Economy Initiative, to source cutting-edge carbon-capture innovations globally. In parallel, UpLink launched the Sustainable Mining and Ocean Economy Challenges to identify and scale innovations to advance sustainable global mining industry and combat ocean degradation.--TradeArabia News Service BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 4. The sustainability link, or green financial product, has become a hot commodity in Uzbekistan, Regional Head of Asian Development Bank (ADB) Enrico Pinali said during the III Tashkent International Investment Forum, Trend reports. A lot of state-owned enterprises are looking for it, whether to direct funding from ADB and others or to access the capital market. I think one of the challenges in the work so far has been to help develop the green pipeline, the taxonomy, or the green project. That can take different faces. You can work on developing a product that is targeted to specific categories like renewable energy or energy efficiency, he said. Enrico Pinali noted that banks have to create a dedicated product line, and thats something that ADB is trying to do and has done with some state-owned enterprises. Other areas of engagement have been the construction mortgage industry. The challenge in this area is how to design a construction industry-related product and how to renovate toward green principle houses. You have to be able to monitor to justify that it is green, the regional head of the bank added. Meanwhile, the III Tashkent International Investment Forum was held in Tashkent on May 23. Almost 2,500 people from 84 countries were expected to participate in the forum. Among them were government representatives, heads of major companies, as well as high-ranking guests from international organizations such as the UN, EBRD, OPEC, and SCO. The forum program included more than 40 events, including breakout sessions, round tables, presentations, and meetings of intergovernmental commissions. A launching ceremony for a number of projects in Uzbekistan was also envisaged. Gyanendra Tripathi-starrer Barah by Barah looks at life through the lens of a 'death photographer'. Image Source: IANS News Mumbai, May 4 : The upcoming film 'Barah by Barah', which has been shot on 16mm film, offers a unique perspective on life and death through the lens of a death photographer. The film is set in Varanasi, and stars Gyanendra Tripathi of 'Half CA' fame and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan of 'Thappad' fame. The film has been directed by Gaurav Madan who met a photographer during a trip to Varanasi and found "immense cinematic potential" in the subject. Talking about the film, Gaurav Madan said: "I hail from a small town called Jagadhri in Haryana. My parents had to let go of our ancestral home because the government decided to widen the adjacent highway. The house was razed in front of my eyes and we had to migrate to a drab housing colony." He continued: "Now, the entire town looks listless, like a big city clone. Progress is vital, of course, but there's a part of me that misses the old town charm and sense of nostalgia. This film is a personal story, one I believe will resonate with anyone grappling with change, told through the lens of a novel protagonist." The film had its India premiere at IFFK, Kerala and International premiere at the Shanghai International Film Festival. It also stars Harish Khanna, Bhumika Dube and Akash Sinha. Writer-producer Sunny Lahiri said that the film's journey from shooting, its festival premiere to now its theatrical release has been "challenging yet magical." He said: "Balancing credibility and passion for storytelling, be it shooting on celluloid and on location amongst the rising tensions of cremation fires, smoke, mourners, all while navigating a resourceful production was a herculean task. The dedication of the cast and crew, who poured their heart and might into this film, was truly inspiring. I am incredibly proud of the film and am thrilled to finally bring it to the theatres." Produced and presented by Jignesh Patel's Amdavaad Pictures, and distributed by Shiladitya Bora's Platoon Distribution, the film is set to release in theatres on May 24. Ahmedabad, May 4 : As polling day is nearing, the Gujarat health department is stepping up preparations to tackle potential heatwave conditions, ensuring the well-being of citizens during the voting process. The department's proactive measures aim to address the challenges posed by rising temperatures, particularly crucial in safeguarding the health of voters and election staff amidst the heatwave, officials shared. The temperatures in Gujarat are 44 degrees Celisus and rising. In Ahmedabad summers, the temperatures rise as high as 49 degrees. To facilitate voters, coolers, water and medical aid will be provided. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Gujarat on May 3, he requested the voters to exercise the franchise. He advised to vote during the morning hours to face less heat. With the safety and comfort of individuals at the forefront, the Ahmedabad Health Department is coordinating efforts to provide necessary support and resources to mitigate heat-related risks. The India Meteorological Department's latest forecast rings alarm bells for Gujarat as it predicts an intense heatwave hitting certain parts of the state from May 5 to May 7. This forecast carries significant implications for voters participating in the third phase of the general Lok Sabha elections scheduled for May 7, urging them to brace themselves for blistering temperatures. The IMD bulletin indicates a steady temperature pattern for the next three days, followed by a projected rise of 2-3 degrees Celsius thereafter. Particularly, coastal areas of South Gujarat and the Saurashtra-Kutch region are expected to experience discomfort due to hot and humid conditions during the crucial voting period from May 3 to May 7. Citizens are advised to take necessary precautions and stay updated on weather advisories to navigate through this challenging climatic phase effectively. This phase will encompass constituencies spanning across Kutch, Banaskantha, Patan, Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad East, Ahmedabad West, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Anand, Kheda, Panchmahal, Dahod, Vadodara, Chhota Udaipur, Bharuch, Bardoli, Surat, Navsari, and Valsad. In Gujarat, the voting process for its 26 parliamentary seats will be streamlined into a single phase, on May 7. Hubballi, May 4 : BJP's State President Vijayendra Yediyurappa has alleged that the law and order situation in Karnataka has gone for a toss due to Congress' appeasement politics. Addressing a press conference in Hubballi, Vijayendra said that the level of appeasement has gone to another level in Karnataka, with the current government snatching the reservation meant for the OBCs and handing it over to the minorities. "The cases of 'love jihad' are on the rise in Karnataka and the state government is not jailing the accused as it would hurt their vote bank. The anti-national elements believe that nobody can touch them," said Vijayendra. He added that the "anti-Hindu Congress government" will be given a befitting reply by people in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. "Everyone is supporting the BJP keeping in view the security and future of the country. I have full confidence that voters will give overwhelming support to BJP and JD-S candidates in all 28 Lok Sabha seats to make Narendra Modi Prime Minister for the third time," he said. Vijayendra mentioned that he has been travelling across the Kalyan Karnataka region and will soon tour the coastal district of Uttara Kannada. "The response is overwhelming and the support for PM Modi is seen everywhere," he stated. Kochi, May 4 : In response to the impact of climate change on fishing communities, the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) launched an initiative to create awareness among the fisher folk in Kerala's Ernakulam district. As part of the awareness campaign under the National Innovation in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project, scientists of the institute explained the science behind climate change, its effects on fishery and the adaptation strategies to reduce its impacts on the livelihood of the fisher community of two major fishing villages in the district. According to scientists, increasing sea surface temperature results in the migration of many economically harvestable fish stocks to relatively cooler waters, leading to a shift in fish distribution, thus affecting the fish catch. Additionally, rising temperatures are leading to decreased oxygen levels in inland water bodies, posing risks to aquatic species and making them more susceptible to diseases. During the interactive session, the fisher community of both villages flagged their issues, including lack of marketing facilities and poor catch. To address the issue of reducing the shelf life of locally harvested fish due to rising temperature, the CMFRI distributed ice boxes to the fisherwomen, besides providing gillnets, cast nets, pots and sea bass fish seeds during the programme. Ottawa, May 4 : The Chinese embassy in Canada expressed "strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition" to the "baseless accusation of China's interference in Canada's internal affairs," according to its spokesperson. The initial report released by Canada's Foreign Interference Commission on Friday launched a scathing attack on countries including China, Russia and India, accusing them of interfering in Canada's 2019 and 2021 general elections, Xinhua news agency reported. "We have never meddled in Canada's internal affairs, nor do we have any intention to do so. The attempts by certain Canadian politicians to shift blame onto China for their own electoral failures are unfair and unethical, revealing their self-serving and shameless nature," the spokesperson said, adding that China has consistently upheld the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs. The Chinese embassy claimed that the report is riddled with contradictions and ideological bias and lacks credibility. It uses terms like "may," "might," "potential" and other misleading words. It claims to derive conclusions from "intelligence" yet also states that the intelligence has not been proven. "Not all of the information provided below necessarily has been corroborated or fully assessed." The spokesperson said that such contradictory statements undermine the report's validity and suggest a "deliberate attempt to mislead the public." "Canada has a record of grossly interfering in China's domestic affairs on issues concerning China's core interests, including Taiwan, Xinjiang, Xizang and Hong Kong." "It seeks to undermine China's security and stability by overtly and covertly condoning and supporting separatist activities. These are clear and well-grounded facts." According to the spokesperson, Canada's actions are akin to a thief calling on others to catch a thief. "We urge the Canadian side to respect the facts, abandon ideological bias, and stop groundlessly attacking China," the spokesperson said. Hyderabad, May 4 : Former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday urged the civil service rankers to uphold Constitutional values in service to the nation. Underscoring the unique privilege that civil service rankers hold to serve 'Mother India', he urged them to make the most of this opportunity. He was addressing a programme organised to felicitate 35 civil rank holders by Krishna Pradeep's 20th Century IAS Academy. He commenced his remarks by extending heartfelt congratulations to all the rankers, emphasising the transformative power their journey holds for both themselves and the nation. He invoked the words of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Union Home Minister, who famously referred to civil service officials as the "steel frame" of India, underscoring their pivotal role in nation-building. Addressing the rankers directly, the former Vice-President stressed the importance of upholding the highest moral and ethical standards in their service to society, regardless of caste, creed, or gender. He reminded them that their allegiance lies not with political bosses, but with the people of the country, and urged them to adhere unwaveringly to the principles enshrined in the Constitution of India. Reflecting on the challenges that lie ahead, Naidu encouraged the rankers to remain steadfast in their commitment to public service and the development of the nation. Drawing from his own journey, he shared anecdotes of perseverance and dedication, highlighting the transformative power of service to society. R.A. Padmanabha Rao, former Additional DG of Doordarshan, commended the rankers for their dedication and perseverance in overcoming the rigorous selection process of the Civil Services Examination. He praised the efforts of Krishna Pradeep's 20th Century IAS Academy in nurturing the aspirations of thousands of aspirants over the years. P. Krishna Pradeep and Bhavani Shankar, the chairman and chief mentor of the KP's 21st Century IAS academy respectively, reiterated their commitment to providing top-notch guidance and preparation to aspiring civil servants. They emphasized the importance of proper planning, hard work, and guidance in achieving success in competitive exams. With branches in Hyderabad, Rajahmundry, and New Delhi, the academy offers a range of comprehensive training programmes tailored to the diverse needs of aspirants. Agartala, May 4 : North Tripura District Election Officer cautioned ruling BJP's sitting MLA Jadab Lal Nath after he apologised for misbehaving with a poll officer, officials said here on Saturday. Agartala, May 4 (IANS) North Tripura District Election Officer cautioned ruling BJPas sitting MLA Jadab Lal Nath after he apologised for misbehaving with a poll officer, officials said here on Saturday. Officials said that North Tripura District Election Officer (DEO) earlier served a show-cause notice to BJP MLA Nath for misbehaving with a Booth Level Officer (BLO) in the Bagbassa assembly constituency during the second phase of polling in Tripura East Lok Sabha seat on April 26. Responding to the show-cause notice, the 56-year-old legislator apologised for his wrongdoing and then the DEO, who is also the District Magistrate and Collector of North Tripura district, on Friday cautioned Nath, who was elected to the state assembly for the first time in the last yearas assembly polls. Kolkata, May 4 : Days after his removal as the state General Secretary of the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, Kunal Ghosh on Saturday met the party's national spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien. Ghosh was accompanied by the state Education Minister Bratya Basu. However, what was discussed during the meeting is not known yet as Ghosh remained vague on whether he settled his differences with the Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP who on May 1 issued a statement announcing the removal of Ghosh as the party's state General Secretary. "Some discussions took place, the details of which I will not disclose to the media. Just wait and watch the next developments," Ghosh told mediapersons after the meeting. On May 1, Ghosh had described O'Brien as a "quiz master" after the latter announced the decision to strip Ghosh of the key post. "I have one question for the quiz mister. What is the justification of such a statement when it was me who wanted to be relieved from the two posts of general secretary and spokesperson much earlier," he had said, adding that no communication regarding his removal was made to him by the party leadership. Asked specifically if he has settled his differences with the party leadership, Ghosh said on Saturday, "It is not possible to say yes or no. The healing of the wound has just started. It is difficult to say right now if it will be completely healed." When asked if he will be reinstated in his post as Trinamool state General Secretary, Ghosh said, "Portfolio is not important. What is important is love." He also sang two lines of a song from Satyajit Ray's cult film 'Heerak Rajar Deshe', which translates to "The air is filled with joy". Bratya Basu also remained vague on the outcome of the meeting. "I am with the Trinamool Congress. Another person connected to Trinamool came along with me to meet someone who is also associated with Trinamool. There is no reason to create any hype on this. Discussions were held on election tactics, which I cannot disclose now," Basu said. Kolkata, May 4 : The Congress-Left Front bonhomie in West Bengal has raised a couple of questions in the corridors of power and among political pundits in the state. The first question is, how credible is this election-oriented show of unity that has been evident in West Bengal since the 2016 Assembly elections, when for the first time these two forces entered into a seat sharing arrangement. Political observers are wondering if this show of camaraderie is only specific to the personal equations between state Congress President Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and CPI(M)as state Secretary Mohd Salim (both are contesting from Murshidabad District) or if this percolates to the grassroots workers in the grand old party and the Left Front. According to political pundits, since 2016 the show of unity between the two parties is only visible after the seat sharing agreements have been finalised and fizzles out completely after the elections are over. The same thing was witnessed during the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections which reduced both the Congress and Left Front to zero in the state Assembly. After the Assembly elections in 2016 and 2021 there were many opportunities for both the parties to continue their bonhomie and take on the ruling Trinamool Congress jointly, but they refrained from building on their partnership. After the 2016 Assembly elections there were burning issues like the arrests of several Trinamool Congress leaders in connection with Ponzi scams and the controversies over the Narada video scam where several senior ruling party leaders and an IPS officer were seen accepting cash on camera in lieu of favours. However, instead of organising joint movements on these issues, the CPI(M) and Congress leaderships preferred to go their own ways, diluting the impact. The BJP took advantage of this void and started emerging as the principal Opposition force in the state by organising structured movements. The BJP reaped the benefit of that and emerged as the main Opposition force after the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and the 2021 Assembly elections. Consequently, in both these elections the Left Front and the Congress were reduced to marginal forces in terms of parliamentary and legislative presence. In the 2021 Assembly elections the Congress and Left Front had partnered again and this time they were joined by the All India Secular Front (AISF) as the third partner. The results were zero for the Congress and the Left Front and just one for AISF. Predictably, the election-oriented bonhomie fizzled out again. Since 2021, West Bengal has been on the boil on multiple issues of corruption charges against the ruling party and the three forces launched protests separately and not jointly. The BJP again took advantage of that void and the Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari travelled from one corner of the state to the other, spreading the counter-ruler narrative and this consolidated his partyas position in the Opposition space further. Bengaluru, May 4 : The Karnataka Police have launched a probe in connection with the bomb threat received at the Mangaluru International Airport a few days ago, an official said on Saturday. Similar threats were received at over 30 airports in the country. According to an official, an FIR regarding the matter has been filed at a Mangaluru police station. The development follows an investigation initiated over a complaint by Monesh K.G., the chief security officer at the Mangaluru International Airport, about the threat mail. The police said that on April 29 at 9.37 a.m., an unidentified person sent a threatening message to the official email address of the Mangaluru airport. The sender of the email claimed that explosives planted on the airport's premises and in aircraft would be blown up to cause loss of life. A subsequent probe revealed that the suspect had sent similar threat emails to more than 30 airports in the country. According to sources, the email was sent to more than 90 email IDs of airports and security agencies, including the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The police have initiated a hunt for the accused. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 4. There is no optimism about the renewal of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran's nuclear program, Iranian expert on international issues Rahman Kahramanpour said, Trend reports. According to him, because many opportunities arose before in connection with the restoration of the Comprehensive Plan of Joint Action, the opportunities were wasted. It is not clear if new opportunities will arise in the future. Kahramanpour stated that, from the current perspective, there is no positive process for reaching an agreement between Iran and the US. The Iranian issue has been virtually excluded from the US foreign policy agenda. The US foreign policy priorities are mainly the Gaza issue, the war in Ukraine, and the Taiwan issue. In my opinion, in the next two years, we will probably not witness the start of negotiations between Iran and the US over the Iranian nuclear program, he said. To note, the Comprehensive Plan of Joint Action on Iran's nuclear program was implemented between Iran and the P5+1 group (the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany) in January 2016. The US announced in May 2018 that it was withdrawing from the plan and imposed sanctions on Iran in November of the same year. Iran has announced that there will be no restrictions on the Iran nuclear deal in 2020. In late 2020, the Iranian parliament adopted a strategic plan to counter the sanctions, citing the non-fulfillment of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed between Iran and six countries and the imposition of sanctions on Iran. Based on the decision of the Iranian parliament, as of February 23, Iran stopped the implementation of additional measures and an additional protocol included in the nuclear deal. As a consequence, the monitoring mechanism of the IAEA was reduced by 2030 percent. Besides, Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, recently told the media that, after the failure of nuclear negotiations, Iran has come remarkably close to developing an atomic bomb. No country without an atomic bomb has enriched uranium at 60 percent. Iran has enriched more uranium than is needed to create an atomic bomb. 90 percent enriched uranium is needed to build an atomic bomb. But technically, uranium enriched at 60 percent is roughly the same as uranium enriched at 90 percent. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Srinagar, May 4 : Former J&K chief minister and National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah alleged on Saturday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is creating fear among the Hindus to remain in power. Addressing an election rally in the old city Khaniyar area of Srinagar in support of his party candidate, Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Abdullah asked people to stay away from the politics of divide and rule. He said, "Modi is telling Hindus your mangalsutra will be taken away and sold to give money to Muslims. Are we such bad people that we will snatch mangalsutra from our mothers and sisters" "He tells them that if the INDIA bloc comes to power after the ongoing polls, their savings will be taxed and if they have two houses one would be taken away and given to Muslims. He does not talk about the issues of the common people who made him the Prime Minister in 2014," Abdullah said. The NC President blamed the government for being in power and doing nothing for the common voter. He said the prices of cooking gas, diesel, edible oil and vegetables have skyrocketed during Modi's 10 years in power. He said all senior officers of police, civil administration and higher bureaucracy in J&K are from outside. He said the voter has to prove through the vote that he does not accept the decision taken on August 5, 2019. He even asked the voters to check whether the EVMs were properly working or not when they go to cast their votes. Mumbai, May 4 : Actor Ishwak Singh, who is known for his work 'Rocket Boys', 'Paatal Lok', and 'Aligarh', has shared that his upcoming film 'Berlin' pays homage to the Delhi of the early 1990s. Mumbai, May 4 (IANS) Actor Ishwak Singh, who is known for his work aRocket Boysa, aPaatal Loka, and aAligarha, has shared that his upcoming film aBerlina pays homage to the Delhi of the early 1990s. aBerlina, directed by Atul Sabharwal, follows the story of a deaf-mute man who becomes embroiled in espionage accusations. As the authorities intensify their pursuit, a proficient sign language interpreter emerges, entrusted with untangling the truth on behalf of a government operative. The film, which delves into the themes of deception, betrayal, and redemption, received huge acclaim at the Habitat International Film Festival in Delhi. Talking about the film, Ishwak said, aBerlin is a deeply rooted and authentic film. Aside from the plot and the character arcs, the film's strength lies in its strong cultural, political, and social references beautifully ingrained in the narrative. Itas an ode to Delhi of the '90s, the time when I grew up in the city, making it a very special film for me." He added, aI can only describe it as a piece of art, and Atul Sabharwal, the writer-director, is a master craftsman who has inspired me to go down the rabbit hole and find my character, Ashok. "The overwhelmingly positive response at the 16th Habitat Film Festival was a huge plus, as the film was able to take the audience down memory lane and experience the good old city they lived in.| Produced by Zee Studios and Yippie Ki Yay Motion Pictures, 'Berlin' also stars Aparshakti Khurana, Rahul Bose, Kabir Bedi, and Anupriya Goenka in key roles. Hyderabad, May 4 : The closure report by the Telangana Police, concluding that Rohith Vemula, the research scholar from the University of Hyderabad, was not a Dalit, has sparked significant controversy and embarrassment for the Congress party. The development is particularly noteworthy as the Congress had vehemently targeted the Modi government, alleging discrimination against Dalits in educational institutions, using Vemula's tragic suicide as a focal point for its narrative. The closure report dealt a blow to the Congress party's narrative and political agenda, as it had utilised Vemula's case to criticise the BJP-led government at the Centre. The revelation that Vemula was not a Dalit, has challenged the foundation of the Congress' accusations of discrimination, leading to a loss of credibility for the party. The Congress government's swift response in Telangana to order a re-investigation into the case reflects its efforts to mitigate the political fallout from the closure report. However, the damage may already be done, as the initial findings have provided ammunition to the BJP and its leaders, who are now demanding an apology from the Congress for their allegations. The closure report has created a shift in the political dynamics surrounding the issue of discrimination against Dalits. It raises questions about the accuracy of the narrative propagated by certain political parties and the media, highlighting the need for a thorough investigation and fact-checking before making sweeping allegations. The closure report's exoneration of BJP leaders named in the case has bolstered their position and credibility. They are now leveraging the findings to demand accountability from Congress and counter-accusations of discrimination levelled against them. Rohith Vemula had hanged himself in a hostel room on January 17, 2016. The Congress party had demanded the sacking of then HRD Minister Smriti Irani and then Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya and also removal of the Vice Chancellor Appa Rao. What added to the Congress party's woes is the fact that the closure report was filed when it was in power in Telangana while the party in its manifesto for ongoing Lok Sabha elections promised a special legislation called the Rohith Vemula Act. "We will enact the Rohith Vemula Act to address discrimination faced by students belonging to the backward and oppressed communities in educational institutions," reads the Congress manifesto. Rahul Gandhi had visited the University of Hyderabad twice to show solidarity with other Dalit students who were on fast demanding justice for Rohith Vemula. In a damage control exercise, Director General of Police Ravi Gupta clarified on Friday night that the final closure report in the case was prepared before November 2023 based on the investigation conducted. He said the final closure report was officially filed in the jurisdictional court on March 21, 2024, by the investigation officer. He said as Rohith Vemula's family members expressed doubts over the closure report, it has been decided to conduct further investigation into the case. The police chief said a petition will be filed in the court concerned requesting the magistrate to permit further investigation into the case. The Cyberabad police in its closure report concluded that Rohith Vemula was not a Dalit and absolved university authorities and leaders of BJP and ABVP. Stating that multiple issues would have driven him to end his life, the police said it found no evidence to establish that the actions of the accused persons drove him to the extreme step. The closure report suggests that Vemula's suicide was driven by the fear of his true caste being disclosed, as he did not identify himself as belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category. It also mentioned Rohith Vemula was aware that he did not belong to the SC category and that his mother got him an SC certificate. This could be one of the constant fears, as the exposure of the same would cause him to lose the academic degrees that he earned over the years and be compelled to face prosecution, the report said. The police noted that Vemula had multiple issues plaguing him which could have led him to kill himself. Mumbai, May 4 : Following intervention by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and AICC General Secretary Ramesh Chennithala, Maharashtra unit Congress Working President Arif Naseem Khan on Saturday agreed to be a 'Star Campaigner' for the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections. Last month (on April 26), Khan had abruptly quit the Congress Campaign Committee as well as the post of Star Campaigner to protest against the lack of any Muslim candidate from the party as well as the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance for the Lok Sabha polls. Amid huge speculation over his future moves, Khan was summoned to Pune on Friday to meet Chennithala and Rahul Gandhi to resolve his grievances, and discussed all aspects with him for nearly two hours. "We had very cordial discussions on various matters concerning the LS elections. I shall abide by the party decision and more shall be revealed on Monday," Khan told IANS on Saturday, without revealing any details. Indicating everything is hunky-dory for now, the Congress late Friday night released its new list of Star Campaigners in which Khan is named prominently and will campaign for the Congress-MVA-INDIA bloc candidates in the state for the May 20 elections. Earlier, the sudden move by the senior leader of the Muslim community, who is a former state minister, had rattled the state Congress and also party units in other states across the country, with possible implications on the Muslim vote in nearly 20 seats in Maharashtra and many more in other states. Khan was a contender for the prestigious Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha constituency, where the party has fielded city Congress President and ex-minister Prof. Varsha Gaikwad. Her chief rivals include Bharatiya Janata Party's Ujjwal Nikam, besides the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen's Ramzan Chaudhary and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi's Santosh Ambulge. The tricky situation arising out of Khan's move got compounded after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge appeared to indicate that there could be opposition to a Muslim candidate from the MVA partner Shiv Sena (UBT), led by ex-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, in his home seat. Earlier, VBA President Prakash Ambedkar had slammed the Congress and MVA allies -- SS (UBT) and Nationalist Congress (SP) -- for denying a ticket to any Muslim candidate for the 48 LS seats in the state. Ambedkar had pointed out that the VBA had lived up to its promises and fielded several Muslims candidates in the state, while the AIMIM asked Khan to 'kick the Congress' and made an open offer to Khan to contest any LS seat in Mumbai on its party ticket. In a succour to the Congress and the minority community, SS (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut promptly cleared the air by declaring that his party had absolutely "no reservations" to Khan's candidature, or any other candidate of the Congress. "We have excellent relations with Khan. He is a senior Muslim leader and respected in political circles. If the Congress wants to field him from any seat, we shall wholeheartedly support him and ensure his victory," said Raut, and other SS (UBT) leaders also expressed similar sentiments. With Khan's return to the campaign fold, the MVA has heaved a sigh of relief that the minorities may not desert their LS candidates and would help defeat the MahaYuti-BJP nominees in the state. (Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in) Washington, May 4 : Indian Americans are calling upon a US university not to implement a portion of one of the demands it conceded to protesting students to display on campus the flags of "occupied people", which listed Kashmiris along with Palestinians and the Kurds. "This is a dangerous territory for Rutgers to get involved (sic)," Thomas Abraham, chairman of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), wrote in a letter to Jonathan Holloway President, Rutgers University-New Brunswick in New Jersey state. "By even considering this demand, you are questioning the integrity of India. Kashmir is very much part of India. There is no separate flag for Kashmir. Kashmir residents are not displaced people. In fact, the displaced people are the Hindu minorities who had to leave Kashmir because of violence against them. If Rutgers displays such a flag of Kashmir, that will be the beginning of more sit-ins by students who are opposed to such flags," Abraham wrote. The university has not implemented this demand. "The Office of the Chancellor will take stock of flags that are displayed across Rutgers- New Brunswick campus, and ensure appropriate representation of students enrolled in academic and other spaces," Chancellor Francine Conway wrote in a three-page letter responding to the protesting students on Thursday. The students had demanded, as specified in her letter, "display the flags of occupied peoples -- including but not limited to Palestinians, Kurds, and Kashmiris - in all areas displaying international flags across the Rutgers campuses". Students were protesting the Israeli war in Gaza as students of many universities across the country and had put forth 10 demands. The top demand, which has been common to protesters in all other universities, was divestment from companies doing business with Israel or supporting its war effort and cutting links with Israel. The chancellor said the university is reviewing these links and will discuss the findings with the students. Indian Americans are focussed on the one allowing the display of the flag of the "occupied people" of Kashmir. "So @RutgersU has caved," Suhag Shukla of the Hindu American Foundation wrote in a post on X. Mumbai, May 4 : Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra, who is winning accolades for her work in the recently-released streaming movie 'Amar Singh Chamkila', has shared rare footage of her singing debut. On Saturday, the actress took to her X handle and shared an old clip from her school days, in which she could be seen singing with a group of kids. "My real debut," she wrote. However, the Twitterati in the comments section seemed more concerned about the whereabouts of her husband and Aam Aadmi Party leader Raghav Chadha, who has gone 'underground' for some time now. One user wrote, "Where is Raghav these days?" "When is he coming back? We are concerned," wrote another. A third user wrote, "How is @raghav_chadha ? When is he back?" Earlier, the actress was trolled for her stage singing debut. A clip of her singing 'Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo' went viral with people on social media urging her not to sing. She was again trolled after a clip of her singing a Punjabi song from 'Amar Singh Chamkila' during the film's trailer launch went viral. Mumba, May 4 : Union Minister and BJP nominee Narayan Rane and Shiv Sena (UBT) sitting MP Vinayak Raut are locked in a prestige battle in the Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Lok Sabha constituency in Maharashtra. Rane (72) is banking on PM Modias guarantees to script a maiden victory for the BJP in Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, which was created in 2008. The Congress won the seat in 2009, before the Shiv Sena (undivided) scripted back-to-back victories in 2014 and 2019. On the other hand, Raut, who is contesting as a Sena (UBT) nominee from the Uddhav Thackeray camp after the split in the Shiv Sena in June 2022, hopes to retain the seat by cashing in on the undercurrent against the 10-year rule of the BJP, and also by playing the sympathy card over the division in the party. Polling in Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg is slated for May 7, while the results will be declared on June 4. Former Chief Minister Rane, a seasoned politician, faces a tough challenge to regain his grip over the constituency, especially in his home district Sindhudurg, and checkmate his former boss Uddhav Thackeray, and his nominee Vinayak Raut. By fielding Rane, the BJP wants to further weaken the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and spread its wings in the region. Rane, who was first elected to the state Assembly in 1990 from Sindhudurg after his stint as a corporator in the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), was expelled from the Shiv Sena in 2005 due to his differences with Uddhav Thackeray. Later, he continued his political journey in the Congress, floated his own political outfit, before joining the BJP. After two defeats in the Assembly elections, Rane did not contest any elections after 2015. He was sent to the Rajya Sabha on a BJP ticket in 2018 from Maharashtra before becoming the Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. He has already announced that this will be his last election, making a strong appeal to the voters to elect him for the transformation of the constituency and the Konkan region in general. Raut (70), on the other hand, is riding on Shiv Sena founder late Balasaheb Thackerayas legacy, encashing the reported 'rift' between the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the BJP after the latter succeeded in getting the seat in its quota. The Shinde faction had made a strong pitch for the seat where Industry Minister Uday Samantas brother Kishor Samant started campaigning about six months ago. But Rane and the BJP outsmarted the Shinde camp, causing the Samant brothers and the party to fall in line and extend their support to their alliance partner. Raut got an opportunity to extensively travel across the constituency from March onwards as the BJP and the Shinde faction were unable to reach an understanding. On April 18, the BJP announced Raneas nomination by which time Raut had already reached out to the voters. Raut is hopeful of galvanising support from the traditional 'Sainiks' who are yet to digest the split in the party allegedly engineered by the BJP. Despite starting his campaign a bit late, Rane is confident of winning the seat by 2.5 lakh votes, based on the Modi governmentas slew of works and the BJPas Viksit Bharat 2047 mission. He has revived the slogan of converting Konkan into California by giving a push to the development of horticulture, fishing, tourism, and related enterprises, promising to generate more jobs. The contentious 10,000 MW Jaitapur nuclear power project and the Rs 3 lakh crore mega refinery in the region have been raised by both sides. Rane and the BJP have been strong proponents of these two projects, while Thackeray and Raut have stepped up their opposition declaring that Shiv Sena (UBT) will not allow them at the cost of the interest of the local villagers, and also by causing damage to the flora and fauna in the region. On their part, the BJP and Rane argue that these projects will push the development of Konkan region with the growth of ancillary units and generate jobs without causing any harm to the environment. They have also branded the Thackeray-led party as 'anti-development'. However, Thackeray and Raut have claimed that the BJP and Rane want to push these industries for the benefit of a few mighty people. This apart, both Rane and Raut face votersa fury over the inordinate delays in the completion of the Mumbai-Goa highway, lack of due impetus for exploring tourism development, absence of necessary amenities for tourists, lack of major irrigation project to divert rainwater going to the Arabian Sea, and above all, lack of development of major manufacturing and engineering industries that can create jobs. In 2019, Raut polled 4,58,022 votes against Congress nominee Nilesh Rane, Narayan Raneas son, who managed 2,79,700 votes. The Shiv Sena (undivided) and BJP had contested the last general elections in an alliance. In 2014, Shiv Sena (undivided) and the BJP were allies and Raut won the elections by defeating Nilesh Rane of the Congress. (Sanjay Jog can be contacted on sanjay.j@ians.in) Bengaluru, May 4 : In a major development, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the sex video scandal involving JD-S MP Prajwal Revann on Saturday arrested his father and JD-S MLA H.D. Revanna following the rejection of his anticipatory bail plea in a victim kidnapping case by the People's Representative Court in Bengaluru. H.D. Revanna was taken into custody from the residence of his father and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda in Bengaluru's Padmanabhanagar locality. First, he was taken to the SIT office on the premises of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). After preliminary questioning, the former JD-S minister was taken to the Bowring Hospital for a medical check-up. Sources said he will be produced before the magistrate at the latter's residence later. Commenting on the development, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told mediapersons that he won't interfere in the matter. "Action should be initiated as per the law," he said. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said, "We will not interfere in anything related to this matter. Let them get protection from the court under the law." Shivakumar also said that let the proceedings follow the manner suggested by former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy. Quoting a Kannada proverb, Kumaraswamy had said that those who commit crime must be punished. The SIT officers reached the former PM's residence soon after the court turned down his anticipatory bail plea in a case related to the kidnapping of a woman who was allegedly sexually assaulted by his son Prajwal Revanna, the sources said. Earlier on Saturday, the SIT traced the kidnapped woman to the farmhouse of Rajashekar, the personal assistant (PA) to H.D. Revanna, at Kalenahalli village in Mysuru district. In the court, Special Public Prosecutor B.N. Jagadish submitted that the case is about saving the life of a poor woman. Jagadish argued that H.D. Revanna did not turn up before the authorities even after being served three notices. Senior counsel Muthy D. Naik, appearing for H.D. Revanna, argued that the only allegation against his client is a statement that he had called the victim to his residence. Barring this, there is nothing to prove the role of H.D. Revanna in this case, he argued, adding that the statement was made by an accused in the case, with whom his client has no connections. He also claimed that the SIT has deliberately added IPC Section 364A, which attracts life imprisonment and capital punishment, to ensure that his client's bail plea is rejected. The other IPC Sections invoked in the case 363 and 365 attract imprisonment of less than seven years. Therefore, to prove the innocence of H.D. Revanna, he should be granted bail, Naik submitted. Meanwhile, the woman, who had gone missing on April 29, was found locked up in the farmhouse when the SIT officers reached there following a tip-off. Sources said Rajashekar is absconding ever since the SIT traced the missing woman to his farmhouse. The woman is being brought to Bengaluru where her statement will be recorded. On Friday, Karnataka Police registered an FIR against H.D. Revanna in connection with the kidnapping of the woman, believed to be one of the victims of the sex video scandal involving his son Prajwal Revanna. The woman's son had registered a kidnap case naming H.D. Revanna as the prime accused in the case. His relative Satish Babu was named as the second accused in the FIR, whom the police arrested from Mysuru district on Friday. The woman's son alleged that his mother went missing after the surfacing of a purported sex video in which Prajwal Revanna could be seen sexually assaulting her. He also alleged that his mother was locked up in an undisclosed location, as he pleaded with the police to initiate legal action against H.D. Revanna and Satish Babu. Prajwal Revanna, the sitting JD-S MP from Hassan, has reportedly fled from the country. Amaravati, May 4 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said on Saturday that the four per cent reservation for Muslims must continue and dared TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu to spell out his stand on the issue in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that on one hand, Chandrababu Naidu joined hands with the BJP, which promises to end reservations for Muslims while on the other, he resorts to a deceitful act of false affection towards Muslims to secure their votes. The YSR Congress Party chief alleged that the former chief minister was betraying Muslims. "I boldly assert this today. The 4 per cent reservation for Muslims must remain intact. This is my firm stance. Will Chandrababu dare to voice this in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi? Will he disassociate himself from the NDA?" he asked while addressing an election rally in Nellore. "What is the purpose of this alliance, Chandrababu? Why the pretence of affection? Why align with the NDA, which opposes Muslim reservations, while perpetuating such deceit in your gatherings?" Jagan questioned. The Chief Minister made it clear that 4 per cent reservation given to minorities is not given based on religion. "These reservations are not applied to upper castes among Muslims. This 4 per cent reservation is on backward classes basis only," he said. "I'm questioning the BJP, and other opposing parties. All religions have BCs and OCs. These reservations are given to the backward class, subject to the Constitution. Is it moral to play politics on such reservations and mess with their lives?" the Andhra Pradesh chief minister questioned. Jagan Mohan Reddy assured that the YSR Congress will support minorities on issues like 4 per cent reservation, NRC and CAA. --IANS ms/ Kolkata, May 4 : A political slugfest erupted in West Bengal on Saturday after a video went viral showing a BJP leader claiming that the protests staged by the women at Sandeshkhali against alleged sexual harassment by local Trinamool Congress leaders were orchestrated by the BJP. The man seen in the purported video has been identified as local BJP leader Gangadhar Kayal. The BJP is claiming that the video has been doctored by the Trinamool out of the fear of defeat in the Lok Sabha polls. Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee played the entire video at a press conference on Saturday, claiming that the 'sting operation' shows to what level the BJP can stoop. "They have crossed all limits. In the video, BJP's local Mandal chief is heard claiming that the entire Sandeshkhali movement was orchestrated by the BJP with sinister motives. The person who was allegedly harassed is now claiming that nothing happened to her," Banerjee said. He also claimed that the BJP leader seen in the video said that opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari was the main brain behind the conspiracy. In the purported video, Kayal could be heard claiming that he was assigned to persuade some local women to orchestrate the movement by Adhikari. Banerjee also claimed that it was a clear attempt to malign the image of West Bengal, as there was no case of sexual harassment in Sandeshkhali. "The use of robots to detect explosives in Sandeshkhali was another doctored show. All these were pre-planned," Banerjee claimed. Soon after the video was released, Kayal said that although the person shown in the video was him, he never made any such claims. "My voice in the video was doctored using technology. This is a conspiracy against me and my party," he said. Suvendu Adhikari, meanwhile, claimed that the release of the 'doctored' video is yet another example of Trinamool's desperation stemming from the realisation that the Sandeshkhali episode has weakened its position in West Bengal. "This is a joint conspiracy by a top Trinamool leader, his consulting agency, and a former journalist, who runs his own news portal now. Kayal will file a complaint with the CBI in this regard. This doctored video has been released by Trinamool out of the fear of defeat," Adhikari said. State BJP spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Samik Bhattacharya said that soon after the Trinamool released the video, the BJP leadership talked to the local people who confirmed that the video was doctored and the voice in it was not that of Kayal. TBILISI, Georgia, May 4. Cooperation with ADB has ensured great progress in overcoming challenges in member countries, Georgian Finance Minister and Chairman of the ADB Board of Governors, Lasha Khutsishvilii, said during the opening ceremony of the ADB Board of Governors meeting held in Tbilisi on May 4, Trend reports. "This meeting frames the spirit of the global path to be taken by the governments and multilateral development banks (MDBs) to address the unprecedented challenges of the modern world related to geopolitics, climate change, equality and other sustainable development goals, as well as Georgia's aspiration to position itself as a meeting point to Europe and Asia. We are hosting this event cherishing and valuing highly our role in the Middle Corridor," he said. The minister pointed out that the cooperation with ADB and its support has made significant change in the countries of cooperation. "But the challenges remain and are among the most complex and diverse ones, and the bank's role is even more important to help the countries of cooperation to address them. The ADB is a reliable partner for Georgia and each and every one of you. Since joining the bank in 2007, Georgia has made significant progress. We have just joined the ADF in an effort to repay back with gratefulness for the support that we received in our early days of cooperation," Khutsishvilii said. "Our policy priorities in this challenging environment continue to be ensuring market stability and to mitigate negative impacts of low-term sustainability. While being prudent and committed to fiscal consolidation, we are oriented to increase the capital investment for the low potential, introduce structural reforms and ensure a trans-regional connectivity," he concluded. The opening session of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors has kicked off in Tbilisi. The Opening Session marks the official start of the Annual Meeting. It is a high-profile event attended by the Guest of Honor from the host country. The theme for the 57th Annual Meeting to be held from May 2 through May 5 is Bridge to the Future. The Annual Meeting is an opportunity for ADB governors to consider development issues and challenges facing Asia and the Pacific. Several thousand participants, including finance ministers, central bank governors, senior government officials, members of the private sector, representatives of international organizations and civil society organizations, youth, academia, and the media, regularly join the meeting. Mumbai, May 5 : Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) President Prakash Ambedkar on Saturday hit out at the Congress over the closure report in the Rohith Vemula suicide case, questioning where is 'Nyay' (justice) by the Congress government in Telangana. Embarrassing the Congress at the height of the Lok Sabha elections, Ambedkar alleged that "the Congress has nothing to do with 'nyay' after the Telangana Police submitted its closure report on the death of Rohith Vemula, a research scholar with the University of Telangana, in 2016". "The Telangana Police say that Vemula was not a Dalit in the closure reportAnd that he died by suicide apprehending that his 'real caste identity' would be discovered. However, it did not take into account any facts or circumstantial evidence on the record which dragged him to take the extreme step. So nobody is responsible for his death," said Ambedkar. He also claimed that the investigating officer had asked Radhika Vemula, mother of Rohith, if she was willing to undergo a DNA test to determine her caste location, and asked, "Is this Congress' 'Nyay' for the Vemula family members." "Is this your idea of justice for the Dalits and SC-ST students who are discriminated against and harassed every minute in educational institutions? The Congress should stop using the word 'Nyay' so casually as they don't know what it means and stands for," Ambedkar said. The VBA chief was taking potshots at the Congress manifesto and election promises of 'Nyay' for all sections of the society. Imphal, May 5 : Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Saturday said that 877 square km of forest cover in the northeastern state were destroyed in 34 years (1987-2021), primarily for the illegal cultivation of poppy, which has been used to manufacture various drugs. Singh, who also holds the Home portfolio, said that forest cover in Manipur was 17,475 sq km in 1987 and in 2021, it was destroyed to 16,598 sq km, primarily for the cultivation of poppy. The eviction of unauthorised encroachers carried out ever since the BJP government led by him came to power in Manipur in 2017 and 291 encroachers were evicted from the Reserve Forest and Protected Forest throughout the state, the Chief Minister said in a post on X. It was never targeted towards any particular community, the Chief Minister pointed out. Singh earlier said that the influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar led to the emergence of 996 new villages in the state in the past 18 years. He had said that between 2006 and 2024, massive deforestation occurred to establish settlements and carry out poppy plantations while these illegal immigrants started encroaching on the resources, job opportunities, land, and rights of the indigenous people. Chennai, May 5 : Tamil Nadu School Education Department has warned schools against conducting special classes during summer vacation due to the prevailing heat wave conditions in the state, an official said on Saturday. In a statement, the School Education department said: "The peak of summer Agni Nakshatram begins today and, according to weather reports, the scorching heat will continue upto May 28." The department also said with the rise in mercury, people have been advised to exercise caution and the Department has prohibited schools from conducting special classes during summer holidays due to this. The Tamil Nadu school education department also warned that if any school was found violating the order and conducting special classes during the summer vacation, action would be taken. The Department has also issued a circular to all the district education officers to conduct an investigation to find out whether any schools were conducting special classes during the summer vacation. Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi told IANS: "The School Education Department has issued a circular against the conduct of special classes during the summer vacation and if any school is found violating this, stringent action will be taken." Chennai, May 5 : Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai on Saturday expressed shock over the recovery of the charred remains of the body of Tirunelveli East district Congress President K.P.K. Jeyakumar Dhanasingh. The body of the 60-year-old Congress leader was found in his farmland at Karaichuthupudur near Thisayvanvilai in Tirunelveli district. The deceased's son, Karuthiah Jefin, had filed a missing complaint with the Uvari police station on May 3 after Jeyakumar went missing on the evening of May 2. Annamalai said in a statement that Jeyakumar was missing for the last two days, adding that the deceased Congress leader had lodged a complaint with the police alleging threat to his life from some Congress leaders. Annamalai said, aIt appears that Jeyakumar lodged a complaint with the district superintendent of police expressing concern over his safety. Notably, he mentioned the names of Nanguneri MLA and Congress leader Ruby Manoharan and former state Congress President K.V. Thangabalu, but the police do not seem to have taken any action." The IPS officer-turned-BJP leader also said that if this was the situation faced by a senior Congress leader, the law and order in Tamil Nadu under the DMK regime has become 'horrendous'. The BJP leader also called upon the DMK regime to initiate an inquiry against all the individuals mentioned in the complaint filed by Jeyakumar. In Tamil Nadu, the Congress is an ally of the DMK. Kolkata, May 5 : Tapas Roy, the BJP candidate for West Bengal's Kolkata-Uttar Lok Sabha seat, has filed a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) against Trinamool Congress candidate Sudip Bandopadhyay accusing the latter of running his party office occupying space within a renowned school in the constituency. Roy on Saturday submitted the complaint at the office of West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) urging the EC to take steps in the matter. In his complaint, Roy alleged that Bandopadhyay has occupied a room in the school using his political clouts and even carrying out his election-related activities from there. Roy further mentioned that since there will be polling booths in the same school on the election day (June 1), the office of a political party cannot be operated from there. Sources in the CEO office said that Roy has requested the EC to ensure that the party office of Trinamool Congress in that school premises should be shifted elsewhere till the time the election process is over. The BJP candidate has also urged the EC to order the demolition of illegal construction, done under the influence of Bandopadhyay, within the school premises. New Delhi, May 5 : India has discussed the issues of pharmaceutical pricing control in generic drugs and the need for closer cooperation in critical minerals with Australia, the Union Commerce Ministry said on Saturday. The need for closer collaboration for establishing disease-free zones for shrimps and prawns in India also came up for discussion at the first Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) in Canberra under the India-Australia Economic Co-operation and Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA), the ministry said. Besides, the JCM meeting also addressed certain critical services issues, including the consideration of India's request for facilitation of cross-border e-payments and mutual recognition of qualifications in professions like nursing and dentistry. India and Australia are looking at joint investments to build new supply chains underpinned by critical minerals processed in Australia that will help India's plans to lower emissions from its electricity network and become a global manufacturing hub, for electric vehicles and smartphones. Critical minerals are a key raw material in these hi-tech products. Currently, China has a near-monopoly on critical minerals. India and Australia are both keen to set up a strong alternative supply chain to break China's dominance of the market. "The two sides have decided to work closely on timely resolution of market access issues, deepen people-to-people contacts, and create an institutional mechanism for sharing of preferential import data," according to the ministry statement. India and Australia have already signed an Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) that came into effect on December 29, 2022. "Both sides while acknowledging the smooth implementation of the ECTA, briefly elaborated on ECTA implementation issues including MRAs (mutual recognition agreements) on organic products, market access issues related to products like okra, pomegranate, grapes, cottage cheese, .pharmaceutical pricing control in Australia particularly on generics, progress made by the working group on whisky and wine," the ministry said. The meeting also touched upon the WTO issues wherein both sides appreciated the Commerce Secretary's stand on the importance of the support of Australia for early resolution of the long pending issue of a permanent solution to public stock holding (PSH). Australia sought the support of India for the plurilateral arrangement for domestic support for services. Both sides agreed to discuss these matters intersessionally if required. It should come as no surprise that Aysegul Savass new novel The Anthropologists (Bloomsbury, July) is about a couple searching for home and community, hoping to belong somewhere and put down roots. The 38-year-old author was born in Istanbul; grew up in Turkey, England, and Denmark; and went to college in Vermont, where she met her future husband, who is from Latvia. After graduation, they moved to San Francisco; they currently live in Paris. This is probably the most autobiographical book Ive written, Savas says over Zoom from a book-lined room in her home. Theres that sense of trying to make a life together when you have nothing that grounds you. The Anthropologists follows married scholarship students living in an unnamed city in a foreign country, each from a different culture. Asya is an anthropologist and documentarian who is filming in the local park; her plan is to portray the slow and leisurely rot of a day. Manu works for a nonprofit. Along with their friend Ravi, the expats eat too much, drink too much, and talk and talk and talk. Im interested in the very, very brief time when one is young but also an adult: no responsibilities, no childrena sort of professional life, Savas says. You pay your own rent but youre still curious. Youve achieved enough of an adulthood to be able to indulge in life. You have time for long meaningless philosophical conversations that go on late into the night. I wanted to portray not the experience of a particular expat or immigrant but the universal sense of growing up and trying to root yourself and also having aging parents and family far away. Asya and Manu have an elderly neighbor with whom they read poetry. In Terezas presence, Asya narrates, the world seemed less urgent.... Sitting around the table, I felt that we should try and live like this, reassembling the world in poetry, where things were a little lopsided. I wanted the book to not feel locked into its own age, Savas says, but to have intergenerational relationships. These friends become substitutes for brothers, sisters, grandparents. In reviews, Savass writing has been called sensual, cool, spare, and elegant. Cool and elegant describes the author herself. Lovely, with long brown hair, Savas is erudite and self-possessed. She writes in English, is fluent in Turkish, and, she says, is very good in French. Theres a particular kind of reader who gets pissed off by my writing, she says. They want to know, wheres the plot? I even had an agent early on send me a description of how plot structure works and telling me it would be useful for me to keep in mind while I revised. Clearly, critics and readers dont agree. Savass first two novels were well receivedand are steeped in storytelling and memory. In her 2019 debut, Walking on the Ceiling, a young Turkish writer reminisces about her relationship with an older British author who writes about Istanbul. They wander the streets of Paris as she tells him about her life, her complicated relationship with her mother, and the political situation in Turkey. White on White (2022) is the story of a young woman in Paris whose upstairs neighbor, an older painter named Agnes, shares stories as she unravels emotionally. The Anthropologists, the plot of which hangs on Asya and Manus hunt for an apartment, has its roots in a short story titled Future Selves that Savas published in the New Yorker in 2021. It was also about a couple looking for an apartment. It was very solemn, she says. A serious short story, tonally different from this novel, but it was a satisfying framework to work in, the project of looking for a place to live. I thought I could expand it into a novel. Savass nomadic life took her to Middlebury, Vt., in 2003, to attend Middlebury College. The school has a respected writing program, but Savas never took a literature class. (A shame, she says.) Though she loved writing, she felt college was serious and studied anthropology and sociology. For her senior thesis, she spent a summer doing field work in Istanbul interviewing Kurdish women. After graduation, she got a terrible job in San Francisco at a tech startup in 2007. On her lunch hour, she would write stories based on her field work. I was trying out my voice with short stories, she says, writing traditionally, experimentallywriting so many things. She and her husband moved to Paris in 2012, because it was closer to Turkey and Latvia. But it wasnt until 2018, when she attended a writing conference in Mexico, that she started working on a novel. While at the conference, she went for walks with poet Paul Muldoon; these, she thought, would make a good framework for a novel. Her instincts were correct. She set to work on a draft that would eventually become Walking on the Ceiling. When I was ready to send it out, she says, my husband, who is a computer scientist, made an algorithm using keywords like experimental and international to help find agents who might be a good fit. He came up with a list of 100 and suggested she send it to all of them. At that point, I knew no one and had no idea of the literary world, Savas says. I was just looking for someone who would read my work. I decided that if I didnt find an agent, I would stop writing fiction and get a PhD in comparative literature. I couldnt spend years telling people, Im writing my novel. These fears were unwarranted. There were agents who understood what I was trying to do, she says. In the end, she signed on with Sarah Bowlin of Aevitas Creative Management. Sara was so attuned to my voice. That was all I cared about. Bowlin sold Walking on the Ceiling to Laura Perciasepe at Riverhead, who later took White on White. A few years after that, when Savas was about to give birth to her daughter, Bowlin sold The Anthropologists to Callie Garnett at Bloomsbury. She was so enthusiastic and it was so great to hear that it was good, Savas says. Callie didnt ask for big structural changes, and it was perfect timing. One of the most exciting things about the novel, Garnett says, is that it lives within the reality of secure rather than neurotic love. This strikes me as such a rare quality in the fiction of early adulthood; I didnt realize how much I hungered for an alternative until Sarah sent this submission. The Anthropologists finds drama in daily observation. But for Bowlin, the novels themesabout home and belongingare what make the book special. She is asking a question here that is so universal, Bowlin says. How does one build a good life? And its a true pleasure to be with these characters as they both flail and ponder what that might mean. Its a question with which Savasin both her work and her lifewill likely continue to wrestle. I dont have a family home, she says. We moved throughout my childhood, and teenage years. The longest I have ever lived anywhere is Paris, which is ironic because I certainly feel like a foreigner in this city, and a newcomer. At the same time, I feel very attached to it, as Ive felt attached to most places Ive lived in, perhaps because I am looking for a home wherever I go, and I am rootless enough that I can set the foundations anywhere that I land. Hachette Nabs New Priscilla Presley Memoir Lauren Marino at Hachette Books has acquired world rights to a memoir by Priscilla Presley (with Headline to publish for Hachette UK). Alan Nevins at Renaissance Literary & Talent brokered the deal. Nevins said Presleywhose previous memoir Elvis and Me was a bestsellerwill open up about life after Elvis; the passing of her daughter, Lisa Marie; Lisa Maries marriage to Michael Jackson; and forging her own identity as an actress and businesswoman, as well as offering never-before-shared intimate stories about her romantic life with Elvis. The book is tentatively set for a fall 2025 publication. Doubleday to Feature Wangs Bugs In a preempt, Edward Kastenmeier at Doubleday has acquired North American rights to conservation biologist Yang Wangs Little Things That Run the World. Ian Bonaparte at Janklow & Nesbit Associates handled the deal. Doubleday said the book explores humanitys braided history with insects, from our neolithic past to the present day, spotlighting the diverse, underrepresented, and often misunderstood people who make their livelihood from catching, cooking, or rearing bugs. The book is set for an October 2026 publication. Sheinmel Brings Adult Debut to Bestler In her first acquisition for Emily Bestler Books, Sarah Grill has bought North American rights to Such Sheltered Lives, the first adult novel by YA author Alyssa Sheinmel (A Danger to Herself and Others). Peter Knapp and Stuti Telidevara at Park & Fine Literary and Media negotiated the deal. The agents said the book is an upmarket suspense novel that follows three self-destructive young celebrities who check themselves into an exclusive rehabilitation facility in the Hamptons but soon suspect that the ultra-private, ever-vigilant staff are protecting the centers dark secrets more than their own. The book is set for a summer 2025 release. MFA Grad Gets Famous at Bloomsbury In a preempt, Bloomsburys Jillian Ramirez has acquired North American and open market rights to the debut story collection by Syracuse University MFA graduate Sydney Rende. Madeline Wallace at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates negotiated the deal. Bloomsbury said I Could Be Famous features 10 ambitious womenand one male superstar who has fallen from graceas they stumble through the sometimes delusional pursuit of adoration. The book is due out in winter 2026. Ballantine, Chase Strike Midnight Deal In a preempt, Susanna Porter at Ballantine has acquired North American rights to The Midnight Hour by bestselling British author Eve Chase (Black Rabbit Hall). The two-book deal was brokered by Stacy Testa at Writers House on behalf of Lizzy Kremer at David Higham Associates. Ballantine said the book is a dual-timeline novel set between London in 1998 and Paris in 2019, in which a womans life is upended when the basement of her familys home is excavated, dredging up the dark secret of her mothers disappearance. The book is slated to be published in summer 2025. Keenan, Wands Put Their Trust in Dutton John Parsley at Dutton has acquired North American rights to Trust Issues by Elizabeth McCul- lough Keenan and Greg Wandsthe authors first book to be published under their own names (they previously worked together under the pseudonym E.G. Scott). The deal was negotiated by Christopher Schelling at Selectric Artists, with Lashanda Anakwah to edit. Dutton called the book a gripping suspense novel where dysfunctional siblings team up to take down their stepfather, who they believe murdered their mother and absconded with their inheritance. A January 2025 pub date is planned. Workbooks and guided journals are self-help staples. This season, a pair of bestselling authors are extending their brands with new books and products that encourage readers to fill in the blanks. Gretchen Rubins mini empire includes The Happiness Project and other self-help titles, as well as calendars, a podcast, an app, and a newsletter. Shes also published guided journals, first with Potter Style and, since 2021, under her Gretchen Rubin Media brand. A 2024 distribution deal with Cardinal Publishers Group is making her homegrown products more widely available. The May release of Five-Senses Journal, illustrated by Gretchen Rubin Media creative director Emmanuelle Joyeux and previously available only via Rubins website, coincides with the paperback reissue of 2023s Life in Five Senses (Crown). October sees the release of Dont Break the Chain, illustrated by Ana Miminoshvili, which works in tandem with the 21 strategies for habit change Rubin introduced in 2015s Better Than Before (Crown); gold star stickers reward progress while pass stickers allow the user to take a day off. Other forthcoming merch includes a 150-prompt creativity card deck and a tin with five productivity-minded sticky notepads. Cultural critic Roxane Gay is known for myriad projectsthe essay collection Bad Feminist, the memoir Hunger, her eponymous imprint at Grove Atlantic, her Work Friend advice column at the New York Times. She dipped a toe into the creativity corner of self-help through a collaboration with stationery company Baronfig, which released the Gay-branded Draft Writing Journal in 2022 and a companion pen the following year. With the forthcoming Do the Work (Leaping Hare, June), she extends her foray into the self-help genre. Coauthored by Megan Pillow, who coedits Gays newsletter The Audacity, and illustrated by Aurelia Durand (This Book Is Anti-Racist), the workbook assembles the ideas of thinkers including Aristotle, Hannah Arendt, and Kimberle Crenshaw, and draws on illustrative examplesredlining, the Stonewall Uprisingto illuminate concepts of power and privilege. The authors examine the intersections of power, race, gender identity, sexuality, and more, posing various promptssuch as What is your working definition of power? and What are your personal sources of power?to encourage reflection and action. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 5. Turkiye plans to increase exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe, and is also ready to offer excess gas reserves from Russia and Azerbaijan to the European market, President of the Turkish Association of Natural Gas Distributors (GAZBIR) Yashar Arslan says, Trend reports. Arslan noted that amendments to the mining law and other energy laws adopted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly on May 2, 2024 have opened up new opportunities for LNG trade with European countries, especially with neighboring countries. According to him, these legislative changes are aimed at developing the liquefied natural gas sector in Turkiye and its export. He also noted the growing importance of LNG trade on world markets, especially in the European Union, due to the current situation in Ukraine. Arslan said that 40% of European countries' annual demand for natural gas, which amounts to 450 billion cubic meters, is covered by LNG. Turkiye imported 50.5 billion cubic meters of gas in 2024, 30% of which was LNG, according to the Energy Market Regulatory Authority. Arslan noted that over the past 10 years, the share of LNG in gas imports to Turkiye has increased from 15% to 30%. In his opinion, this share could reach 40% thanks to investments in the global LNG sector in the coming years. Kylee Russell / Instagram By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 05/04/2024 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. alum Kylee Russell has revealed where she and Aven Jones stand now after their cheating scandal and late 2023 breakup."The door is somewhat open," Kylee teased during a recent appearance on the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast, which is co-hosted by spouses Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt Kylee and Aven left 's ninth season dating in June 2023 because he had refused to propose marriage on the show, and one day after the finale aired on ABC, the pair confirmed they were still together with a joint Instagram post on December 8.But on December 9, Kylee took to Instagram Stories to announce that her relationship with Aven was already over due to "multiple infidelities." She thanked God for not allowing her to "live another day in the dark."Aven then broke his silence on December 10 via Instagram Stories, confirming that he had made "major mistakes" and was the one to blame for the demise of his post- relationship with Kylee."Unfortunately, I did find out the [cheating] news and it felt like everything was stripped away from me and I was having to start from scratch," Kylee explained on the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast."I am not really seasoned when it comes to being in relationships. Aside from Aven, I only had one other boyfriend -- and that was six years ago. I've talked to guys and dated around but had never really been serious other than those two men."Kylee continued, "I had never been cheated on before and this was the first time. Having that happen was already a gut punch, but then having to deal with it on such a public platform, I can't even put into words how devastating that was."Kylee admitted that Aven's infidelity made her feel "insecure" about herself and it was difficult "having to answer to so many people" after the show.Kylee shared, "I felt like if he chose to do this to me, then I'm not enough or there is obviously something wrong with me. And I know that's not the case whatsoever, but it was that human emotion of like, 'Okay, is there something I need to do better?'"Kylee said she has since realized that's not necessarily the case, and she added, "It was just a character flaw on his end. I have just been putting the pieces back together because we were in such a strong place at the end of [the show] where I thought he was my future and my forever."Kylee, originally from Charlotte, NC, planned to move to San Diego, CA, to be with Aven.After they split up, Kylee decided to move to San Diego anyway in February for a fresh start, and she currently lives with a roommate, The Bachelor alum Jess Girod "My life was a whirlwind in December and January, and then I decided to move [to California] solely for myself. I wanted to prove to myself that I can be independent and cut the umbilical cord from my family," Kylee explained.Kylee, however, admitted she felt a little "anxious" about possibly bumping into Aven or seeing him around in her new city."He's been very mature in all this. He's been wanting to heal and become a better person for himself before he even jumps back into anything. I think we were both scared because we wanted to allow each other space to grow separately," Kylee said.When speaking on her dating life, Kylee confessed, "I am not in a position to be dating anyone. I think that circumstance really just took everything out of me, and I can't find it in me right now -- although I know it will eventually come -- to give myself back to someone else again."Kylee added how she and Aven didn't want to rush a reconciliation just because they felt "comfortable" with one another."It wasn't something I was considering at that point, but it was a possibility because it would be easy," Kylee clarified. "We had phone conversations where we were like, 'We just need to take this time apart and give each other space."Kylee explained how she also needs to allow herself to "fully heal" before allowing Aven or any man to enter her life.Kylee and Aven, however, have remained in touch since their breakup, and Kylee revealed how Aven has been wanting to give their romance another shot.The postpartum nurse, "Aven and I are really good friends at this point. I have just been trying to navigate... my new job... and building a life out here separately.""So we're very good friends," she reiterated."We still catch up. I'm still kind of encouraging him on his journey to healing, just as I did. I know he brought it upon himself and he did receive a lot of hate... That took a big toll on his mental health and so he's been healing from that."But Kylee said she's not ready for a commitment of any kind, aside from her career."I think we're both just working on ourselves before we decide how to move forward, if that would even be a thing, or how we would grow in our separate ways," Kylee said."And we have seen each other in person. The first interaction -- it was a shock just because I hadn't seen him in so long. Everything is very cordial... It's such a tricky space to navigate because I know my worth, I know what I deserve, and I'm trying not to sacrifice any of that for anyone."Kylee said if there's "any chance" of them getting back together, Aven "would really have to work on himself" and she'd have to be convinced that "he is a changed person."Kylee noted "it's a lot to process" and she's been trying to give herself "grace;" however, she confirmed that the door is still open and it's not "100 percent closed."Kylee pointed out how dating is not her focus right now, adding, "I don't think it would be responsible for me to [go on a date with a man other than Aven] right now just because it wouldn't be fair to the other person.""In that moment, lust or desire may make me feel ready," she continued, "but I know in my heart that a part of it still belongs to my relationship with Aven, and I'm trying to recover from that."Kylee acknowledged how that could change in the near future but she wouldn't feel right getting to know a man if Aven was still technically in the picture."I don't want to speak for him, but in order for Aven to become a changed man and the man that he deserves to be for someone -- even if that's not me -- I think this needed to happen," Kylee told Joe and Serena."I think unfortunately it happened to me, but he needed a wakeup call... and it has forced him to become a completely different person. It sucks that he did it to me, but I think for him and his personal growth journey, I think it needed to happen."Kylee told Joe and Serena that she's currently in a place where she at least moved past the cheating."I don't harbor any resentment towards Aven. I was very angry with him... but I can't move forward if I don't find it in me to hopefully one day fully forgive him," Kylee said.Kylee explained that, for the time being, she's going to therapy for the sake of her mental health and she's putting herself first and looking out for herself.Kylee previously revealed on "The Viall Files" in February that Aven had allegedly cheated on her three times -- once during a guys' night out in Santa Monica, CA, with Eric Bigger and James "Meatball" Clarke as well as twice in Boston, MA, with a childhood friend whom he had lingering feelings for.Kylee said a woman had DMed her on Instagram about Aven's cheating in Santa Monica, and then when Kylee confronted Aven about the allegation -- with photo evidence -- he "immediately" admitted his betrayal and later owned up to having cheated on Kylee two more times in Boston.Kylee said Aven had written her a "book-long" apology via text and was very hard on himself for hurting her."Gun to my head right now, I don't think he would ever [cheat] again," Kylee concluded, adding how Aven is trying to give her all the reassurance she needs to take him back and trust him again.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group Disgraced actor Kevin Spacey is shooting back at new allegations of inappropriate behavior detailed in an upcoming British television documentary. ADVERTISEMENT In an interview with former GB News presenter Dan Wootton that streamed Friday on X, Spacey was forthcoming about his past behavior but denied any of his actions were criminal. "I take full responsibility for my past behavior and my actions. But I cannot and will not take responsibility or apologize to anyone who's made up stuff about me or exaggerated stories about me," he said in the interview. Spacey admitted to flirting and hooking up with fellow actors in the past, but denied ever assaulting someone or offering a career boost in exchange for sexual favors. "That may not have been the best decision and it's not one that I would do today. But it happened," he said. "It wasn't illegal, and nor has it ever been alleged to have been illegal." The allegations will be detailed in the Channel 4 documentary, Spacey Unmasked, due to air next week in Britain. Actors Ruari Cannon and Danny De Lillo will be featured in the documentary. Both men have accused Spacey of inappropriate behavior. Cannon alleged that in 2013, Spacey touched him in a highly intimate way at a press night for an Old Vic Theatre production in London. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! De Lillo accused Spacey of thrusting his groin in his face while at a production at the same theater. Spacey has denied both accusations. The former House of Cards actor then fired back at Channel 4, saying the station gave him only a week to respond to the accusations in the documentary, which was reminiscent of the 2017 BuzzFeed News story that derailed his acting career. In that story, Anthony Rapp accused Spacey of touching him inappropriately at a party when he was 14. A New York court in 2022 dismissed Rapp's sexual assault lawsuit against Spacey. A London court last year cleared Spacey of nine charges relating to four men between 2001 and 2013. The Old Vic Theatre said it conducted an investigation in 2017 into alleged conduct by Spacey during his tenure as artistic director. In a statement, the theater said, "There were no findings of fact regarding the alleged misconduct and there is no evidence of any formal complaints being made against Kevin Spacey during his tenure." Despite facing no criminal punishment, the Oscar-winning actor's Hollywood career came to a halt. In the Wootton interview, he said he has worked on a trio of indie projects in the past year but has lost his house and was nearing bankruptcy. "It does feel very special, a very, very valuable time because, you know, acting is really lying for a profession," he said. "You're trying to convince an audience that you're somebody else, which is probably why it's easy for me and why many think I'm good at it." Wootton himself faced accusations of offering payments to media colleagues in exchange for explicit materials. The former British tabloid columnist admitted to making "errors of judgement" but denied any criminal accusations. Popular Ukrainian actress Daria Legeida believes that it is incorrect to ask the military about the timing of the end of the war. The actress' father and husband, famous Ukrainian actor Dmytro Sova, are currently serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT In an interview with OBOZ.UA, Daria Legeida admitted that she stopped thinking about a quick victory over the enemy a week after the start of the full-scale war. "It seems to me that it is intolerable to ask people who are fighting so hard to win: when will the war end?" the actress says. "By the way, this is also said by specialists who deal with the socialization of soldiers returning from the front to civilian life. There is no need to ask: "When is it?" "Can it be sooner?" Life is happening here and now. And if you give all your energy to waiting, will you have enough left to just live? And you have to live - in spite of everything. And victory will come. And perhaps it will not even come in the way we imagine. It may come quietly, like a miracle, which we are waiting for. In the meantime, we just need to bring this victory closer every day with our actions - to do what depends on each of us." ADVERTISIMENT "As for wondering when, what, how... To be honest, I stopped thinking about it probably a week after the start of the full-scale war. I felt that it was not for two or three weeks, as one famous "pilot" predicted. I just fought for every day with all the fibers of my soul to be able to live and fight," the artist added. Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that the popular actor Dmytro Sova ("Cherkasy", "One Million Dollar Village", "Souvenir from Odesa") received a call from the military commissariat and stood up to defend Ukraine last fall. The actor is currently serving in Khmelnytsky region. ADVERTISIMENT "I got into the unit where my wife's father serves," Dmytro Sova told OBOZ.UA in an interview. I am in the security battalion. How is the service going? It can be different. I am very inspired by the pilots I see when I have a chance to visit my dad. He is a squad leader, a fighter pilot by profession, and he is still flying." Read the full interview with Daria Leheida on OBOZ.UA on Sunday, May 5. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes. More than 200 University of Georgia students, faculty, staff and alumni, and Athens community members rallied at the Arch downtown on Friday night in solidarity with pro-Palestine protesters on college campuses across the nation. The protest followed a solidarity Shabbat. While a small group of demonstrators in support of Israel gathered nearby, the evening remained peaceful. Jose Ibarra, the man charged with the Feb. 22 murder of Laken Riley on the University of Georgias campus, was indicted on 10 charges by an Athens jury on May 7. Ibarra was indicted on nine felony counts and one misdemeanor, according to the Athens-Clarke County Clerk of the Court. Politics is not on the radar of 18 to 21-year-old Indians, reveals Rama Bijapurkar. IMAGE: Young voters show their fingers marked with indelible ink after casting their vote in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh. Photograph: ANI Photo The low registration of first-time voters has justifiably caused a lot of concern and comment. 'Apathy', 'Cynicism' and logistical difficulties are some explanations given. This column shares some findings of a recent ethnographic study on young India that may shed more light on this phenomenon. Called Drivers of Destiny, the study was done with 18 to 21 year olds, who have just entered or will soon enter the workforce, and 22 to 30 year olds, who will soon become the ruling age cohort. Drawn from large and small towns of Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Guwahati, Jamshedpur, Lucknow and Delhi, the respondents had some years of college education (dropouts, and all grades of colleges were included). Many were first-time collegegoers in their family -- not surprising, given India's education demographics. A good way to think about them (which was the basis for the sample design) is that they represent the 'leading edge' of the 'mass' or 'middle' young India, and form the core of tomorrow's India. The study was not about voting behaviour but getting a holistic and 'people-level' understanding of the young men and women who would power India through the next half century at least -- understanding their inside world and how they make sense of the complex outside world, seen through their prism. Quantitative surveys have produced limited insight on a subject so complex and deeply layered, hence the ethnographic approach was deployed to hear and understand from inside the group rather than impose frameworks for understanding from outside of it. The study, commissioned by this columnist, was led by Dr Mathangi Krishnamurthy, associate professor of anthropology at IIT-Madras, with a team of young researchers that she assembled. First a quick demographic reality-check on this group. The majority are from modest-income homes and have had 'modest' quality of education, as expected but often not acknowledged. Seventy per cent urban and 58 per cent rural respondents are still students, and only 5 to 8 per cent urban/rural say they are unemployed (2023, TGI data from Kantar). The hardest hit by lack of jobs are 22 to 30 year olds: 53 per cent urban and 73 per cent rural are married, and only 8 to 13 per cent are still students. The ethnographic study findings suggest that politics is not on the radar of 18 to 21 year old Indians. The majority do not read about politics or see themselves as a political voice. They also do not make the connection between 'My vote' and 'the government', which they see clearly as an entity that does things, a sort of a utility. Many want a predictable government job. They do not see themselves as having high stakes in political movements and are not interested in voting. Clearly, colleges today are not the hotbed and cradle of politics they once used to be, where future political leaders would cut their teeth. They are, however, very aware of social issues and know about Chandrayaan and its quest, Swachh Bharat, Make in India, social and communal clashes, conflicts between countries of the world, and so on, mostly through social media and the Internet. They see politics as being about social issues and a means of social change, but their high engagement with social issues is through their very personal lens and their own immediate context: 'I want to change the world/I want the world to change to be a better place for me'. IMAGE: Students of the Gurukul School of Arts in Mumbai through their painting urge voters to vote in the general election. Photograph: Sahil Salvi Their idea of the 'nation' is only vaguely an ideological and institutional one needing work to strengthen. More prominently, it is a social, personal, cultural entity that is their home -- 'not perfect, I want to go outside and see the world, but this is home, and it will get better slowly'. They are aware of India's growing importance in the world and see it as a big positive. Their dreams are plenty and very specific about all material things they would like for themselves, as also for their immediate community and those they consider their own. But they also want happiness, joy, community, calm, and family support. Parents are supportive, they feel, but limited in their ability to give the support that a trusted peer community can, though they struggle to get it, as it is not easily available. They want the freedom to aspire but also the stability and rootedness of life, the liberalism and anonymity of a metro but also the sense of community of the small town. On the flip side, 'entropy' and 'overwhelmed and anxious' probably describe this group best, and they live in the short term. Overstimulated with information, social media, and a whirring hyperactive world, overwhelmed by the constant change around them, and anxious trying to cope, they are short on attention span and constantly in a state of mental movement. Perhaps the lack of large institutions and predictable lives they can lean on is the cause of it -- this generation in India has a lot less of it than any generation before. Social scientists think in terms of agency and structure -- respectively defined as the 'ability to affect their environment or make truly free choices' and 'conditions in the environment that limit choices and opportunities or define the range of actions available'. Young India is hearteningly strong on agency, constantly buzzing with plans of what to do now and next, but sadly coming up against the harshness of structure. Some survive and are resilient, others give up and are dispirited, and a few decide to work at making the structure better. Rama Bijapurkar is a business advisor in the area of customer-based business strategy. Her forthcoming book is titled Lilliput Land: How Small Is Driving India's Mega Consumption Story. Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com '2019 was fought on delivery. But in 2024, you can see the before and after effects.' Photograph: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com IMAGE: Hardeep Singh Puri along with former JNU students activist Shehla Rashid and other delegates at the Viksit Bharat Ambassador Meet Up in Srinagar, May 3, 2024. As India's Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri is responsible for ensuring a steady flow of oil imports -- 88 per cent of India's requirement. In an interview, Puri, who is also the Housing and Urban Affairs minister, tells Aditi Phadnis/Business Standard how he plans to manage the country's oil economy if the conflict in West Asia escalates and why the BJP should stay out of an alliance in Punjab. Two wars are currently on, one for the hearts and minds of India and another between Iran and Israel that could impact oil trade, cripple supplies if the Strait of Hormuz is blocked, and possibly lead to a rise in oil prices that will inevitably affect political sentiment in India in the ongoing election. What do you think? Two seemingly unrelated questions -- 'seemingly', I choose my words carefully. But conceptually, there is an umbilical cord that binds the two... This election captures best, the evolution of India from 2014 to 2024. The prime minister put it very well the other day when he said 2014 was fought on hope. 2019 was fought on delivery. But in 2024, you can see the before and after effects. Today, you're talking not just about what is going to happen in 2029 but what India will be like in 2047. The sheer delivery of goods and services is the defining characteristic. You've gone from being the 10th largest economy in the world to now the fifth largest, and you will become the third largest in two years. The list goes on. This is not to say that in a robust democracy, some local issues will not come up. But we're talking about the overall battle for the hearts and minds of the people. Coming to the energy front, if the economy is doing well, it is axiomatic that you need much higher levels of energy consumption. Conversely, if energy purchase is going down, as in the case of the world's second-largest economy, that also tells you something. Of course, buying energy is not the only indicator (they might have domestic production). But if energy consumption is going down, refining is going down, you know they're in trouble. Here, it is a phenomenal story. Take three fronts: Availability of energy, affordability of energy and sustainability of energy. On all three fronts, India has a good story to tell. India's energy consumption is three times the global average. In the next twenty years, 25 per cent of the increase in demand for energy around the world is going to come from India. So, it stands to reason conflict between Russia and Ukraine, in Gaza, or between Israel and Iran, all have an impact on the geopolitical situation and if it affects supply lines, the Strait of Hormuz, for instance. If you have to buy oil through more circuitous routes, your freight charges go up, insurance charges go up. But if you ask me, the oil prices in the global market that you see today have already factored that in. Really? The shortage could upset political plans... There is no shortage of oil in the world. It is only attempts by some parties who are producers to limit the amount of oil they will make available. If you limit the amount of energy produced, obviously that affects the price. Today the price of Brent is $87 a barrel. Tomorrow, if there is an exacerbation of tension, it will go up. But will it go to 90? 100? I'm not a soothsayer. I have spoken to the secretary general of OPEC today. I am concerned. But my concern is enveloped by a reassurance that we will manage. So, you're not spending sleepless nights over oil prices? Do I look as if I am spending sleepless nights? All parties to the conflict don't want it to go out of hand. Second, if tensions increase, we will be able to navigate them. We have diversified sources of supply over the years. Earlier, we used to import from 27 countries, now, we're importing from 39. If supplies from one source are affected, we will bring them via the Cape of Good Hope. Freight charges will go up a little, at worst. And then, we also have the buyer's card. We consume 5 million barrels a day. If we are absent from the market, they won't be able to sell those 5 million barrels to anyone else. So, we're not helpless bystanders in this game. IMAGE: Hardeep Singh Puri, second from right, standing, at a roadshow before Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Kamaljeet Sehrawat filed her nomination for the West Delhi Lok Sabha seat. Photograph: ANI Photo You are an MP from the Rajya Sabha, but you've contested the Lok Sabha election from Punjab. You have also asserted publicly several times that the BJP must break its alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal, which the BJP has done in this election. Is that a sensible course to follow? I am a long-distance runner. I had problems with the alliance with the Akali Dal on several fronts. One: Of the 117 seats in the Punjab assembly, we only contested 22 or 23. We are now a pan-India party that has grown from two seats in the Lok Sabha. The public perception that we are a Bania or a Brahmin party no longer applies. We have strong front organisations. Yet, of the 13 seats in the Lok Sabha from Punjab, we only fought three. My point is, going alone in Punjab will provide an opportunity for the BJP with its programme, and its 'Nation First' commitment in a strategic state that has had a terrorist problem in the past... You will find that a party that is entering into alliances easily, unless it is a dominant partner in the alliance, will have a problem... especially if you're a junior partner, a problem the Congress will have to face. Parties that are junior partners tend to disappear. Second, in the case of the Akali Dal, it has had a very poor public perception that was rubbing on us. Whenever they ruled Punjab, they produced a reaction that resulted in the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party. Third, we have to restore Punjab's self-respect. Everywhere you go, you see boards announcing courses to teach English. Young people want to leave Punjab and become truck drivers in Europe and America and Canada. Is this self-respect? You're just exporting human capital. My objection to the alliance is based on that. In your ministries -- Urban development and Oil and gas -- what is the plan for the first 100 days of the government? Every ministry has given its plan. Of course, you've got to get elected. But for what will follow, take a look at the party manifesto. When we form the government, we will have to do provisioning for some of those things. For instance, we have said we've built four crore (40 million) houses. We're going to build another 3 crore (30 million). Isn't that something we will have to initiate in the first 100 days by providing for this? The prime minister has said the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat scheme will be given to all citizens above 70, regardless of their income status. In my ministry, Svanidhi -- the scheme tailored for street vendors -- will go to Tier-II and Tier-III cities, even rural areas. So if you've got street vendors in a village, they will get covered by Svanidhi. This is a major step. Read the manifesto carefully. It has the blueprint. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Two persons were lynched in Meghalaya's Eastern West Khasi Hills district for allegedly trying to rape an 18-year-old woman, police said on Saturday. The incident happened on Friday afternoon at Nongthliew village near district headquarters Mairang, they said. The woman alleged that she was in her home when the duo attacked her with a knife and tried to rape her. On hearing her screams, neighbours gathered at the spot and caught hold of the two, police said. The mob then took them to a nearby community hall and assaulted them there. The police tried to rescue them but could not. "The duo could only be brought out of the hall after the mob was done with them," a police officer said. While one of the two died at the Tirot Sing Memorial Civil Hospital, the other succumbed to his injuries at the Shillong Civil Hospital, he said. A case was registered and an investigation was underway, he added. The two deceased, who belonged to other parts of the state, were working as labourers in Nongthliew, police said. The city police have registered a case against Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Bharatiya Janata Party Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency candidate K Madhavi Latha and other BJP leaders for allegedly using minors in a poll campaign in Hyderabad recently. IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a public rally for Lok Sabha polls, in Chikkodi, Karnataka, May 3, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo In a complaint to the Telangana chief electoral officer, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committeevice-president Niranjan Reddy alleged that on May 1 during a BJP rally from Laldawaza to Sudha Talkies, a few minor children were on the dais with Shah. Niranjan Reddy alleged that a child was seen with a BJP symbol, highlighting that it was a clear violation of the guidelines of the Election Commission, according to information available on the FIR copy. Following his complaint to the poll panel, the CEO forwarded it to the city police for a factual report, resulting in the registration of an FIR against Shah by the Moghalpura police station at 7 pm on Thursday. Other accused persons in the case include T Yaman Singh and senior BJP leader G Kishan Reddy and legislator T Raja Singh. The police registered the case under IPC Section 188 (violation of an order issued by a public servant ) and are probing it further. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging him to extend all possible help to the victims of Janata Dal-Secular leader Prajwal Revanna's exploits. IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addresses a public meeting for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections, in Pune on April 3, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo In a letter to Siddaramaiah, Gandhi condemned the actions of Revanna, an MP from the southern state, and accused him of enjoying immunity with the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. In a veiled attack on Modi, the Congress leader said he has never come across a senior public representative who has constantly chosen silence in the face of untold violence against women. "I request you to kindly extend all possible support to the victims," Gandhi said in his letter to the Karnataka chief minister. "They deserve our compassion and solidarity as they fight their battle for justice. We have a collective duty to ensure that all parties responsible for these heinous crimes are brought to book," he added. Describing the incidents as "horrific sexual violence" unleashed by the incumbent member of Parliament from Hassan, Gandhi alleged that Revanna sexually assaulted and filmed hundreds of women over several years. "Many who looked up to him as a brother and son were brutalised in the most violent manner and robbed of their dignity. The rape of our mothers and sisters warrants the strictest possible punishment. "I am deeply shocked to learn that as far back as December 2023, our Home Minister Shri Amit Shah was informed by Shri G Devaraje Gowda about Prajwal Revanna's antecedents, especially his history of sexual violence and the presence of videos filmed by the perpetrator," the former Congress chief said. He said what is even more shocking is that despite these gruesome allegations being brought to the notice of the seniormost leadership of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre, Modi campaigned and canvassed for a "mass rapist". "Furthermore, the Union government wilfully allowed him to flee India to derail any meaningful investigation. The deeply perverse nature of these crimes and the absolute immunity enjoyed by Prajwal Revanna with the blessings of the Prime Minister and Home Minister deserves the strongest condemnation," Gandhi said. "In my two decades in public life, I have never come across a senior public representative who has constantly chosen silence in the face of untold violence against women. From our wrestlers in Haryana to our sisters in Manipur, Indian women are bearing the brunt of the Prime Minister's tacit support for such criminals," he alleged. In this backdrop, Gandhi said the Congress has a moral duty to fight for justice for "our mothers and sisters". "I understand that the Karnataka government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the grave allegations, and a request has been made to the Prime Minister to cancel Prajwal Revanna's diplomatic passport and get him extradited to India at the earliest," he said. Siddaramaiah posted Gandhi's letter on X. "The recent case involving Prajwal Revanna has deeply disturbed the nation. Upholding justice for the victims is crucial for maintaining faith in our legal system. Shri @RahulGandhi has written a letter, emphasising support for the victims. We are committed to providing all necessary assistance to ensure a fair process," the veteran Congress leader wrote on the microblogging platform. Revanna, the Janata Dal (Secular) MLA from Holenarasipura in Karnataka's Hassan district, is the son of former prime minister and JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda and elder brother of former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy. He is facing allegations of sexually abusing women. A man was arrested in Surat in Gujarat on Saturday for allegedly planning to murder the leader of a Hindu organisation and threatening the chief editor of Sudarshan television channel as well BJP's Telangana MLA Raja Singh and the party's former spokesperson Nupur Sharma in connivance with his handlers from Pakistan and Nepal, a senior police official said. Surat police commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot identified the arrested accused as Maulvi Sohel Abubakr Timol (27), who worked at a thread factory as a manager and offered private tuition on Islam to Muslim children. He was found to be conspiring with people from Pakistan and Nepal to offer Rs 1 crore 'supari' (contract for killing) and procure weapons from Pakistan to kill the national president of Hindu Sanatan Sangh Upadesh Rana, said Gehlot. "After his detention, we found several objectionable contents in his mobile phones, including the one regarding offering Rs 1 crore for the murder of Updesh Rana. For this, he was in continuous touch with persons/numbers from Pakistan and Nepal," Gehlot told PTI. "Timol was also found to be involved in issuing threats to Rana in March this year. The accused used a virtual number from Laos to issue threats to the target by connecting numbers from Pakistan and Nepal in his group call," he said. "Photos and other details found on his phone number show they (accused and associates) were discussing on a secure app about targeting and threatening editor-in-chief of Sudarshan TV Suresh Chavhanke, political leader Nupur Sharma, and Hyderabad MLA Raja Singh. For this purpose, they were planning to collect funds and procure weapons," Gehlot said. These persons are highly radicalised and talked about murdering Hindutva leaders, and discussed the murder of Kamlesh Tiwari (Uttar Pradesh based president of Hindu Samaj Party who was killed on October 18, 2019 in Lucknow), Gehlot said. Chat records showed Timol wanted to kill Rana soon in order to disturb communal harmony during the ongoing general elections, the official said, adding that Surat police was taking the help of other agencies to find out if they had more targets in mind. Preliminary interrogation of the accused has revealed he was approached by two persons identified as Dogar and Shehnaz having phone numbers belonging to Pakistan and Nepal, respectively, a crime branch release stated. "Around a year and half ago, the two persons contacted the accused through social media on phone numbers belonging to Pakistan and Nepal. They instigated the accused by claiming the Nabi had been mocked by Hindu organisations in India and these need to be straightened out," the release said. As per police, Timol received an international SIM number from Laos in order to keep his identity a secret and he got a business number on social media activated, which he used to issue threats to Rana. On the chat app, he wrote speeches against Hinduism and threatened Rana that he would be murdered like Kamlesh Tiwari, police said, adding that a member of his chat group had sent Rana's photo with a Rs 1 crore offer to murder him. "The accused used social media to spread communal animosity, to upload photos of the national flag of India and make lewd comments in posts or videos about Hinduism. He created a false electronic record and ordered arms from foreign handlers," the release said. The arrested accused was in contact with holders of Whatsapp numbers with codes of different countries like Pakistan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, the release added. He was booked under Indian Penal Code sections 153 (A) (indulge in wanton vilification or attacks upon the religion, race), 467, 468 and 471 (related to forging of documents or electronic record) and section 120 (B) for criminal conspiracy, as well as the Information Technology Act, the official said. Russia plans to send more than a thousand so-called "priests" of the Russian Orthodox Church to the combat zone. According to the plan of the leadership of this structure, they will provide "spiritual assistance" to the Russian occupiers who are killing people in a foreign country. ADVERTISIMENT The ROC expects the issue to be resolved "in the near future" because the so-called church "has close ties with the Ministry of Defense" OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION. This is stated in the report of the Center for National Resistance The Russian Orthodox Church is going to send about 1300 "priests" to the front line in Ukraine to provide "spiritual assistance to Russian soldiers." At least this was stated by the so-called Metropolitan Kirill of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssk on one of the Russian propaganda TV channels. "The Moscow priest assures us that today the Russian Ministry of Attack has very close ties with the Russian Church and this issue will be resolved in the near future. And so it really is. After all, there are known facts that the head of the Kremlin church, Patriarch Kirill, is a KGB agent nicknamed "Mikhailov" and holds the rank of general in the Russian FSB. His predecessor Alexy II (Alexei Ridiger) was also a KGB agent under the pseudonym "Drozdov," the Center noted. ADVERTISIMENT The CNS also added that the Kremlin relies heavily on controlled religious structures in its aggression against Ukraine. A prominent place in these plans, of course, is occupied by the Russian Orthodox Church, which, according to the Center, "during its existence, has created a powerful network in Ukraine and has become an ideal tool for brainwashing its parishioners." In particular, the CNS reminded how at the beginning of the Russian invasion in 2014, it was by using the "religious processions" of the Moscow-controlled UOC-MP that Russia tried to prevent Ukrainian defenders from restraining the enemy's advance on Ukrainian soil. "The National Resistance Center informs that all criminal actions of the occupiers, collaborators, and the enemy will be revealed and punished in accordance with the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Anyone can bring this time closer by reporting information about the enemy to the chatbot via this anonymous link," the CNS summarized. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, the CNS told how the occupiers from the ranks of the Russian Armed Forces conduct lessons in schools in the occupied territories of Ukraine , telling children "about the war". In parallel with this propaganda, the invaders have sharply increased the number of hours of Russian language and the Kremlin's version of history in schools in the TOT. In some places, this is at the expense of teaching the exact sciences, because there is a significant shortage of teaching staff in schools under occupation: the vast majority of Ukrainian teachers refuse to cooperate with the occupiers. Therefore, such sciences as mathematics, physics, and chemistry are not currently taught in all schools in the TOT. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! ADVERTISIMENT The family of University of Hyderabad student Rohith Vemula on Friday said it will legally contest the Telangana police's closure report in his 2016 suicide case. IMAGE: The Hyderabad Central Univerity Student Union holds a protest against Telangana police's reports on the Rohith Vemula death case, in Hyderabad, May 3, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo His brother Raja Vemula claimed the district collector has to decide on the family's SC status, prompting the police to say that they will conduct a further investigation. In its closure report on Rohith Vemula's death, the Telangana police claimed he was not a Dalit and died by suicide in 2016 as he feared that his "real caste" would be discovered. Citing the doubts expressed by Rohith Vemula's family, Telangana director general of police Ravi Gupta said in a statement late on Friday that a petition will be filed in the court concerned, requesting the magistrate to permit further investigations. Raja Vemula told news channels that Telangana high court gave an option to file a 'protest petition' in the lower court. Whether Rohith Vemula belonged to the Scheduled Caste (community or not should come from the district collector of Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, he said and asked how the police can say he was not an SC. Raja Vemula also said that they plan to meet Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on the matter. Police chief Gupta said the investigation officer in the case was the assistant commissioner of police, Madhapur, and that the final closure report was prepared before November, based on the investigation conducted. The final closure report was officially filed in the jurisdictional court on March 21 by the investigation officer, he said in the statement. In its closure report, the police also gave a clean chit to the accused, citing a lack of evidence. The university's then vice-chancellor Appa Rao Podile, former Bharatiya Janata Party MP Bandaru Dattatreya, BJP ex-MLC N Ramachander Rao, and some ABVP leaders were among the accused. Meanwhile, the BJP on Friday alleged that the Congress and the Left tried to gain political mileage by linking Vemula's suicide. Former BJP MLC N Ramchander Rao, an accused in the 2016 Vemula suicide case, alleged that Congress and Left parties had tried to gain political mileage by linking the death of the University of Hyderabad student to the BJP. Vemula's suicide was painful but the attitude of the Congress and Left parties was deplorable, Ramchander Rao said. Rao's remarks came after Telangana Police filed a closure report in the case before a local court and gave a clean chit to the accused, including Rao. A group of students protested at the University of Hyderabad and raised slogans against the BJP, Union minister Smriti Irani and former university vice-chancellor Appa Rao Podile, who was also among the accused persons. In a social media post, the Students' Federation of India said the closure report filed by police "on Rohith Vemula's institutional murder is an exercise in irony". "The Congress government and its police are supporting the false narrative of the BJP by tagging Rohith not to be a Dalit despite lack of proof of the same," it said. Rohith Vemula's mother Radhika Vemula met Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy in Hyderabad on Saturday and urged him to see that "justice" is done to the family. IMAGE: Rohith Vemula's mother Radhika Vemula meets Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy in Hyderabad. Photograph: @revanth_anumula/X Reddy assured her that an investigation would be conducted again into the University of Hyderabad student's suicide in 2016 and that justice would be done, an official release said. The chief minister assured that a fair and transparent investigation would be conducted further, Rohith Vemula's brother Raja Vemula told PTI Videos. He expressed confidence that justice would be done to them under the present Congress government. "We have opposed the closure report submitted by the police. We also raised concerns regarding the issues they have mentioned in the report," he said, adding that the competent authority to clarify on the caste status is the district Collector of Guntur in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and not the police," he said. Raja Vemula also said they sought cases filed against some other students to be cancelled. Police have filed a closure report before a local court in its probe into the death of Rohith Vemula, a student of the University of Hyderabad, claiming he was not a Dalit and died by suicide in 2016 as he feared that his "real caste" would be discovered. Telangana DGP Ravi Gupta has already announced to conduct further investigation into the case in view of the doubts expressed by Rohith Vemula's mother and others on the closure report. A petition will be filed in the court concerned requesting the Magistrate to permit further investigation into the case, he said in a statement on Friday night. The police gave a clean chit to the accused, including incumbent Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, former BJP MLC N Ramchander Rao, and cited lack of evidence in the case. Though the contest is tough in Baramati, Sule has an edge over her rival as the locals may not break the pattern that she is meant for the Lok Sabha and Ajit Pawar for the state assembly, the political analyst felt. IMAGE: While Supriya Sule, a Sansad Ratna awardee, is seeking a fourth term to the Lower House of Parliament, Sunetra Pawar, who is an office-bearer of various educational and industry bodies and has been active in the social sphere of Baramati, is contesting her maiden Lok Sabha election. Photograph: Supriya Sule, Sunetra Pawar on X Baramati in Maharashtra's Pune district is one of the most keenly watched seats in the state in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls as it is for the first time that two members of the influential Pawar family are contesting against each other. Sharad Pawar's daughter and sitting MP Supriya Sule and nephew Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra Pawar have been pitted against each other by the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) from the constituency that goes to polls on May 7. This is also the first major electoral battle between the factions after the party split in July last year. In February, the Election Commission recognised the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the NCP as the official party and granted it the party's "clock" symbol while allotting "Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar" as the party name for the group led by Sharad Pawar. With the constituency gearing up for polling in the third round of the seven-phase general elections, campaigning by the candidates has intensified as winning at the hustings has become a matter of prestige for them in the home turf of the Pawars. While Sule, a Sansad Ratna awardee, is seeking a fourth term to the Lower House of Parliament, Sunetra Pawar, who is an office-bearer of various educational and industry bodies and has been active in the social sphere of Baramati, is contesting her maiden Lok Sabha election. The core part of the constituency comprises the rural region where voters hail mainly from an agricultural background. The fringe assembly segments under it, including Khadakwasla and areas like Hinjawadi, which houses the IT hub, Balewadi, Dhankwadi, Chandani Chowk, form its urban pockets. Political experts feel that so far, there was a set pattern of senior Pawar or Sule contesting the Lok Sabha elections and Ajit Pawar fighting the assembly polls from Baramati. "Now, it will be interesting to see whether the voters of Baramati will move away from this pattern. It will also be interesting to see whether Ajit Pawar is able to nullify the effect of the BJP's politics of splitting parties and the victim card played by Sharad Pawar after losing his party's name and poll symbol to the Ajit Pawar group," political analyst Abhay Deshpande said. Pawar has been vocal against the EC's decision to give the NCP symbol and name to the Ajit Pawar group, and is reminding voters of who founded the party. Ajit Pawar, on the other hand, has been telling the electorate about the development works he carried out in the constituency and is sending a message that the politics of senior Pawar is a thing of the past and that he is the future. Deshpande also said a narrative is being set by the BJP that the election in Baramati is not between Sunetra Pawar and Sule, but between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. "It will be interesting to see whether the people of Baramati, who have traditionally stood by Sharad Pawar in Lok Sabha elections, would accept that argument," he said. Asked whether Prime Minister Modi's "bhatakti atma" (wandering soul) remark targeting Sharad Pawar would go against the prospects of the Mahayuti alliance in Baramati, he said the senior Pawar, who is already playing the victim card, would definitely get advantage of that comment. The Mahayuti alliance comprises the BJP, Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena and the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar. It is the ruling coalition in Maharashtra with Shinde as chief minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar as deputy chief ministers. "Targeting Pawar is not a new thing for the BJP. They did it in the 2019 (general) elections also. But now the situation is different as he (Pawar) is already playing the victim card and such remarks will only increase the sympathy towards him and the anger towards the BJP," Deshpande said. Though the contest is tough in Baramati, Sule has an edge over her rival as the locals may not break the pattern that she is meant for the Lok Sabha and Ajit Pawar for the state assembly, the political analyst felt. In the 2019 assembly polls, Ajit Pawar had won the Baramati seat by a record margin. Both the NCP factions are not sparing any efforts to woo voters. Sule is reaching out to them by conducting door-to-door padyatras and corner meetings while her father is holding rallies across the Baramati region. Sunetra Pawar and Ajit Pawar are also organising rallies and meetings with the message of "bringing a change in Baramati". NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar election in-charge in Baramati, Sadashiv Bapu Satav, said Sule is receiving a good response in the constituency due to her track record and her efforts to bring development in the region. "Now, voters, who were a little perplexed due to the split in the party, have also settled and know whom to side with," he said. Expressing confidence of her win, Sule said voters will choose her based on her merit, parliamentary performance and the development she has brought in the constituency. She said she is urging people to press the button for the "new party symbol", which is a "man blowing tutari", to take forward development and for a fair and equal India. Pradip Garatkar, a senior leader of the Ajit-Pawar-led NCP, said though there is a "good fight" in Baramati, it is Sunetra Pawar who will have the last laugh. "The party cadre which is on the ground is of Ajit dada and, based on his work in the region, our candidate will win by at least more than a lakh votes. There is a favourable atmosphere for Sunetra vahini..." he said. Sunetra Pawar in her campaigns has asserted that her husband Ajit Pawar's promise and Prime Minister Modi's 'guarantee' will work in the future. She is also telling people that social work is not new for her as she has been working in this sphere for the last 25 years, carrying out various works in villages and for conserving the environment. On Friday, May 3, 2024, the National Security Guard and the Delhi police conducted a security mock drill at the Parliament building. The primary objective of the drill was to assess and synchronise the readiness of the security forces to counter potential future threats effectively. IMAGE: A Border Security Force Air Wing helicopter and NSG commandos during the security drill at Parliament, here and below. All Photographs: Sanjay Sharma/ANI Photo IMAGE: Delhi police personnel during the mock drill. IMAGE: NSG commandos arrive at Parliament for the drill, here and below. IMAGE: Army personnel stand guard outside Parliament during the drill. IMAGE: Delhi police personnel and a forensic team during the drill. IMAGE: Delhi police personnel during the drill. IMAGE: The Delhi police's SWAT team at Parliament for the drill. Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 33F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 33F. Winds light and variable. WILMINGTON A new superintendent is slated to start in July at the Windham Southwest Supervisory Union. In an email to staff, WSWSU Board Chairperson Erika Bailey said the board interviewed finalist Bill Bazyk for the position Tuesday. "After the interview discussion of the board, along with feedback from stakeholders involved and the endorsement from the Agency of Education, the board voted unanimously to offer the position to Mr. Bazyk," the email states. "We are in the contract negotiation phase of the process and look forward to welcoming Mr. Bazyk to our district on July 1." Bazyk lives in Manchester and served as director of student services at Great Rutland County Supervisory Union since 2022, superintendent/director of student services at Battenkill Valley Supervisory Union from 2015 to 2022, director of pupil services in the Greenfield, Mass., School District from 2013 to 2015, and director of special education at Bennington Rutland Supervisory from 2006 to 2013. He also worked as a special education teacher in East Longmeadow, Mass., from 1996 to 2006. On Friday, Bazyk said he's had "success in similar school districts where administrators have left and new people needed to be hired." "From a leadership perspective, I would rather recruit good people than to replace current people," he said in an email response to the Reformer. "It is a real advantage." Bazyk said he wasn't actively seeking employment; the superintendent spot at WSWSU was the only position he applied for. He described spending two long days touring schools in the supervisory union with Halifax School Board Chairperson Paul Blais and being "impressed by the schools and how openly people spoke." "What stood out was how much passion there is for the schools from board members, staff, and students," Bazyk said. "After meeting with them, I knew I wanted the position." WSWSU is made up of districts with schools in Halifax, Readsboro, Stamford, the Twin Valley schools in Whitingham and Wilmington, and the non-operating district of Searsburg. Bazyk said he wants to work for the supervisory union for "a long time, and bring stability for the SU and myself." He'll miss the people he worked with at GRCSU. "There was so much mutual respect and we had fun," he said. Bailey did not immediately respond to a request for information from the Reformer. Last month, outgoing Superintendent Barbara Anne Komons-Montroll was placed on paid administrative leave and employees learned retirement plans had not been funded as expected. In an email to faculty, Bailey said the board voted unanimously to retain Kevin Dirth to help with "current staffing issues in the Central Office." "Dr. Dirth is a recently retired superintendent licensed as a superintendent and principal in Vermont who has already been assisting the WSWSU with its superintendent search," Bailey wrote. "Dr. Dirth will serve as acting superintendent while Superintendent Barbara Anne Komons-Montroll is on leave." At the same meeting Dirth was appointed, the board voted to start an investigation into calculating the investment opportunity loss in employees' retirement plans and making the necessary employer contributions. The board also unanimously voted to rescind a previous motion made April 3 asking Komons-Montroll "to work remotely and to now direct her to be in person four days a week during normal business hours." An employee who asked not to be identified previously said the missing retirement funds came to light April 10 when some teachers looked at their accounts and noticed contributions taken out of their paychecks hadn't been sent for the first quarter of the year. "It read zero, so that was a shocker," the employee said in an earlier interview. "And then the matching contributions that the district is supposed to match up to 1 percent read zero as well." Where the money has gone, the employee said, "is anybody's guess. It's been pretty quiet. Nobody has said anything, which is pretty frustrating." On Thursday, employees still had not been updated on the issue. Bazyk said he has no direct knowledge of the missing retirement funds. "I can say that unfortunate employee accounting situations occurred when the BVSU was joining the SVSU," he said, referring to the Battenkill Valley Supervisory Union and Southwest Verrmot Supervisory Union. "Mistakes were made, but nothing intentional. In the end everything was rectified to everyone's satisfaction." In January, Komons-Montroll announced she would leaving her post as superintendent. "It is with mixed emotions that I inform you that I will be resigning my position as Superintendent of Schools effective the end of this school year," she wrote in a letter to faculty, staff and colleagues "While I love being at WSWSU, and enjoy working with you a great deal, it is time for me to move on so I can live closer to my family." Komons-Montroll started the position in 2018 and the supervisory union board accepted her resignation at its Jan. 10 meeting. While superintendent at the local supervisory union, she served as president of the Southeast Regional Superintendents Association for three years. Previously, she worked in the Champlain Valley School District, first as lead principal of Charlotte Central School and then as a central office administrator as the director of communications and public relations. She started her career in education as a first and second-grade teacher in Underhill then served as principal of Doty Memorial in Worcester. This is the third Easter that Ukrainians will celebrate in the midst of a full-scale war that the aggressor country Russia has unleashed against our country. Therefore, not all believers have the opportunity to attend the service. Instead, you can take part in it online. ADVERTISIMENT This year, the bright holiday of the Resurrection fell on May 5. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) have already decided on the time of the Easter liturgies. Their online broadcasts will also be available. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine holds services at St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv throughout Holy Week. Metropolitan Epiphanius will begin the Easter service at 23:00 on May 4, which will last until about 4:00 on Sunday, May 5. The following services will also be held on Sunday: 09:00 - Late Liturgy; 17:00 - Easter Vespers. Easter cakes will be blessed at St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery: ADVERTISIMENT May 4 - from 16:00 to 23:00; May 5 - from 6:00 to 15:00. Everyone can watch the online broadcast of the services. This can be done on the Youtube channel and Facebook page of the OCU, as well as on the personal page of Metropolitan Epiphanius. The broadcast will also take place on television and radio: May 4, 23:00 - Suspilne Culture TV channel; May 5, after midnight - Ukrainian Radio and Radio Culture. Bishop Avrahamiy of Boryspil will conduct the service at the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The service will begin on May 5 at 6:00. The blessing of Easter cakes in the monastery will take place on May 4 from 17:00 to 21:00 and on May 5 from 6:00 to 12:00. Greek Catholic Church The Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ of the UGCC in Kyiv will also hold morning and evening services throughout Holy Week. ADVERTISIMENT Easter cakes will be blessed here on Saturday from 15:00 to 21:00. The Easter service will begin on Sunday at 7:00. After the liturgy, Easter cakes will be blessed. The broadcast of the service will be available on the Youtube channel of the UGCC Live TV. You can also watch the online broadcast of the service: May 5, 7:00 - Suspilne Culture TV channel; After 8:30 - Ukrainian Radio and Radio Culture. As reported, a curfew will be imposed in Ukraine on Easter in 2024 due to martial law. Regional military administrations do not plan to change the schedule of restrictions, so the curfew will last from 00:00 to 5:00. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! ADVERTISIMENT TBILISI -- Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has urged a group of EU ambassadors to support the country on its "European path" at a time of high tensions, as protesters gathered at an Orthodox Easter vigil in central Tbilisi, site of mass anti-government rallies in recent days. Zurabishvili -- who sides with the protesters against government plans to introduce a "provocative" Russian-style "foreign agents" law -- told the EU diplomats they can help show Georgians that the country "is not alone in aspirations to move closer to the West and away from any Kremlin influence. Western leaders have blasted the ruling Georgian Dream party's plans to introduce the legislation, and the EU has said implementation will derail the country's hopes of joining the bloc. Polls have suggested overwhelming support for EU membership among Georgians, with figures last year indicating nearly 90 percent backing. "I would like to thank your governments and officials for their support for Georgia and Georgia's European path," Zurabishvili told the EU ambassadors meeting at the Orbeliani Palace in Tbilisi. "I adhere to the constitution and also represent and protect the voice of the public, the voice of young people who stand peacefully and very responsibly on the streets," she said. "But [I also represent] the voices of the rest of the people who may not come out on the streets but who have shared a European perspective and plan for many years and who have expressed their will to join the European Union," she added. Zurabishvili said that "we are following" the rallies but that "I am not the leader of any of these movements." "I would like to say that the responsibility of what is happening today, what will happen tomorrow...lies with the government of the country, because the chain of these events has been triggered by them," she added. She said that "the government from nowhere...reintroduced this very provocative 'foreign agents' law and other laws when the whole country was united around the European path." Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in the capital, Tbilisi, over the past week to protest Georgian Dream's plan to introduce the "foreign agent" law that Western leaders say mirrors legislation used in Russia to silence opposition voices. Zurabishvili, in a split with the government, has come out vocally against the proposed law, saying she will veto it should it pass its final reading, likely on May 17. However, she acknowledges that Georgian Dream has enough votes to override any veto. She has described the bill as "a Russian law by essence," and said the government was "prone to making concessions to Russia" and was attempting to replicate "the way Russia has managed to really repress the civil society." The draft law would, among other things, require civil-society organizations and media outlets to report foreign funding and subject them to government oversight. The streets on the evening of May 4 appeared calmer amid rainy conditions. However, protesters and others began gathering around 10 p.m. on central Rustaveli Avenue in front of the parliament building and near the Kashveti Church for the Easter vigil. The official liturgy was to take place at another cathedral, but those who have participated in protest rallies have said they will return to Rustaveli Avenue. Despite the rain, many people on social networks say they will spend the night there. Many Georgians will also be closely watching the official ceremony, in which government officials usually attend, to hear what the leader of the Orthodox Church, the patriarch, will say in his Easter address, while the authorities will be bracing for signs of further protest. Protesters have claimed that, in addition to water cannons and tear gas, police also used rubber bullets. RFE/RL gathered eyewitness accounts, photographic evidence of injuries, interviewed three of the injured, and filmed the rubber bullets at the scene where they were reportedly fired. The government has denied that rubber bullets have been used. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has continued to defend the legislation, saying it is necessary to achieve "depolarization," in keeping with recommendations by the EU. Kobakhidze said that in a May 3 a conversation with European Council President Charles Michel, he relayed his disappointment that Georgia's partners were "reluctant to engage in substantive discussions" on the bill and that "we have not yet heard any counterarguments against this proposed legislation." Kobakhidze wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that the proposed legislation "is solely aimed at promoting transparency and accountability of relevant organizations vis-a-vis Georgian society." Kobakhidze also repeated allegations of "the active involvement of foreign-funded organizations in two attempted revolutions in Georgia between 2020 and 2023." In an earlier tweet on May 3, Kobakhidze criticized the United States, one of Georgia's biggest backers, of making "false" statements about the legislation. Kobakhidze also accused former U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan, who was serving in that position from 2020 to 2023, as well as foreign-funded nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) of allegedly supporting two attempted revolutions, without providing evidence. The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Michel, in his own X post on May 3, said that in his telephone call with Kobakhidze he had reiterated the European Union's "full support to all Georgians who put [a] European future of their country first." Georgia is a candidate to join the European Union and has also sought membership in the NATO defense alliance. "Vibrant debate is a cornerstone, and genuine dialogue is now needed," Michel said. "Georgia's future belongs with the EU. Don't miss this historic chance." U.S. State Department policy adviser Derek Chollet, who has urged Khobakhidze to withdraw the "foreign agent" bill, said on May 3 that Georgia was at an inflection point, with its Euro-Atlantic aspirations now hanging in the balance. "There is still room to return to the path the Georgian people want and deserve," Chollet wrote on X. A wave of anger has washed across Georgia since the ruling Georgian Dream party said it was reintroducing a slightly modified version of the "foreign agent" legislation, which protests forced it to back away from last year. Since the second reading of the revised legislation was passed on May 1, tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Tbilisi, leading to dozens of detentions and injuries among demonstrators. Georgia submitted its application to join the European Union in March 2022, shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which like Georgia is a former Soviet republic. The European Union in December officially granted Georgia candidate status to join the bloc. Polls have suggested that support for EU membership among Georgians last year stood at nearly 90 percent. Russia invaded Georgia in 2008 in support of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, two breakaway Georgian regions that Moscow subsequently recognized as independent states. One year ago, Hamas -- the U.S.- and EU-designated Palestinian terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip -- carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel, the deadliest in the countrys history. In response, Israel launched an aerial bombardment and ground invasion of the Palestinian enclave to destroy Hamas and rescue the 251 hostages taken by the group. Israel has expanded its war in recent weeks by invading Lebanon and launching air strikes targeting Hezbollah, the armed group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon. RFE/RL spoke to Lior Yohanani, manager of quantitative research at the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem-based independent research center, which on October 7 released a wide-ranging survey of Israeli public opinion after one year of war. RFE/RL: Can you explain what your study found as to how Israelis view the past year since Hamas's October 7 attack? Lior Yohanani: Well, I think Israelis still don't see October 7 as an event that's over. Sure, the actual horrific events of that day ended, but Israelis are still living with the consequences. There are two main aspects to this. First, since October 7, Israel has been in this multifront war that doesn't seem to have an end in sight. And then, of course, there is the issue of the hostages still being held in Gaza. So, we're seeing a sharp drop in people's sense of personal security. Almost three quarters of the public feel less safe compared to before October 7, and that's despite a year of war and some significant military achievements. On the flip side, we're also seeing that most people say their lives have returned to normal when it comes to things like work, media consumption, and family and social gatherings. Another thing we're noticing is that the Israeli public is giving pretty low marks to all the political and military leaders for the performance since October 7. For example, almost two-thirds of Israelis are rating Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu's performance since then as poor or not good. RFE/RL: How has Israel's involvement in a two-front conflict, in both Gaza and Lebanon, as well as a confrontation with Iran affected public opinion among Israelis? Yohanani: It's tough to answer that question, because we're at the point where things could go in a few different directions. In the last few weeks, we've seen a major escalation in the conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and just last week, Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, which Israel is expected to respond to. In a survey we just did recently, we asked whether Israeli society and the military could handle fighting on two or more fronts for an extended period of time, and the results were pretty striking. Over 70 percent believe that yes, both Israeli society and the military can handle that kind of prolonged fighting. So, while the situation is complex and evolving, there seems to be a strong sense of resilience and capability among Israelis, even in the face of these multiple threats. But of course, public opinion could shift depending on how events unfold in the coming weeks or months. RFE/RL: Is there support for Netanyahus response to October 7? Is there debate in Israeli society, as well as political circles, over Netanyahus strategic choices? Yohanani: First of all, it's important to say that the Israeli public has largely supported significant military operation against Hamas in Gaza. That said, the Israeli discourse around the October 7 events, the ongoing war, and especially toward Prime Minister Netanyahu, is very polarized between right-wing supporters on the one hand and left and center supporters on the other. People are hoping for a future where Israel can exist without constant threats, rather than expecting a harmonious relationship with its neighbors in the near-term." So, on the left and the center, there is a high level of distrust and suspicion toward Netanyahu and his government. For instance, Netanyahu's apparent reluctance to pursue a deal for returning the hostages in exchange for ending the fighting in Gaza is seen by large parts of the public, even on the right, as resulting from Netanyahu's dependence on far-right, ultranationalist members of his government who refuse any compromise or ceasefire. Now for a long time, Netanyahu and his ministers argued that only significant military force would lead Hamas to compromise and release the hostages. Now, with military attention and resources shifting to the north, people are asking, where is this massive military force that was supposed to bring the hostages home? One question we have asked several times since October 7 in our polls is what should be the main goal in Gaza: Dismantling Hamas or bringing back the hostages? And as time goes on, public opinion is increasingly supporting the return of hostages. In our current survey, 62 percent saw bringing the bringing back the hostages as Israel's main goal, while only 29 percent pointed to dismantling Hamas as the primary objective. RFE/RL: How do ordinary Israelis see the question of the remaining hostages amid the continued protests by the hostages' families? Yohanani: As I mentioned before, most of the public supports a deal to release the hostages, even if it means ending the war and withdrawing the military forces from Gaza. There's this widespread feeling that we've left the hostages behind, and that's really hitting at our sense of solidarity, which is a deep and fundamental value, I think, in Jewish history in general and in Israel society in particular. At the same time, the campaign run by the Hostages And Missing Families Forum has become very politicized. Many right-wing supporters see it as weakening Israel. As time goes on, we're seeing more and more harassment of protesters who support bringing the hostages back. There are cases of passersby cursing, even hitting and throwing eggs, at hostages' families. In our latest survey, we asked about the effectiveness of the protests and actions taken by the hostages' families. Despite most of the public feeling empathetic toward the hostage issue, only less than a third think these actions are actually helping to advance a deal for the hostages' release, while almost 40 percent think they're actually hurting the cause. So, you've got this complex situation where people want the hostages back, but there is disagreement and some backlash about how to make that happen. RFE/RL: Can you explain the reasons behind the apparent contradiction in views regarding prioritizing a negotiated return of the hostages, or destroying Hamas? Yohanani: You're right to point out that apparent contradiction. Let me break it down a bit. As I mentioned earlier, a clear majority of the public sees a deal to release the hostages as the main goal. But there is a big gap between political camps on this issue. In the center and left, about 80 percent support the deal for the hostages' release, while the opinions on the right are evenly split. So, for most of the left and center, the fighting in Gaza has run its course. They feel most military objectives have been achieved, and Hamas's military power has been significantly weakened. From their perspective, continuing the fight now only puts the hostages at greater risk. It's important to know that about half of the right-wing also shares this view of prioritizing the hostages' release, but the other half of those on the far-right thinks dismantling Hamas is more important. Why? For a couple of reasons. First, there's a security stance that Hamas must be wiped out and not allowed to recover. There is also a very strong sentiment of revenge, with minimal consideration for the cost, whether it's the lives of the hostages, soldiers, let alone innocent civilians in Gaza. Another significant component openly discussed in religious nationalist circles is the return of Jewish settlement to the Gaza Strip after Israel evacuated Jewish settlements from there in 2005. RFE/RL: Is there public confidence that Israel will ultimately be able to remove the threat of Hamas and Hezbollah and come out of this conflict with greater prospects for a peaceful and stable near-term future? Yohanani: Right now, the Israeli public isn't showing a lot of optimism. In our current survey, when we asked people if they're optimistic or pessimistic about Israel's future, we found more pessimists, 48 percent, than optimists, 45 percent. I also think it's important to note that a peaceful future, as you put it, or peace in general, isn't really a common concept in the current Israeli discourse. I would say the hope of Israelis is that the military actions against Hezbollah and Iran will lead to a situation where Israel's existence isn't in question, and that Israeli military superiority will prevent events like October 7 from happening again. So, it's less about peace in the traditional sense, and more about security and deterrence. People are hoping for a future where Israel can exist without constant threats, rather than expecting a harmonious relationship with its neighbors in the near-term. OSH, Kyrgyzstan -- At a spotless and modern-looking madrasah in Kyrgyzstan's southern Osh Province, two teenage girls studying the Koran admit that they know little about the Arabic text they have just recited. "I dont know its meaning," replied one student when asked to explain the message of the 30th Surah, known in Arabic as Ar-Rum. "I just read An-Naba," said another student, referring to the 78th of 114 surahs in the Islamic holy book. "But I don't yet understand its meaning." Ibadat Mozhueva, a teacher at the all-girls Islamic school in the village of Myrza-Ake in Osh's Uzgen district, says that this is to be expected. "In general, three years of madrasah [Islamic schooling] is not enough to study 'tafsir,'" Mozhueva explained, using the Arabic word for Koranic commentaries, or interpretations of the holy book. "You need to learn grammar, read a lot, and only then progress to the interpretation of the Koran," she said. "We do not study 'tafsir' here." Schools like this one, called the Abdiraim Kari madrasah and situated in the village of Myrza-Ake, are at the center of a heated debate around Islamic education in Kyrgyzstan. On the one hand there is growing demand for religious schooling, including by families interested in preparing girls to serve as brides steeped in Islamic mores and traditions. On the other hand, there are concerns about government regulation of the often closed-off institutions, including over funding sources, the quality of education, and their potential to decouple students from secular society -- a trend that many argue could empower extremist ideologues. 'Too Many' Madrasahs? According to Kyrgyzstan's state-endorsed Muftiate, there are presently 130 registered institutions providing Islamic religious education in the country, including 34 madrasahs for girls who have finished the ninth grade. Altogether more than 6,000 female students, typically aged 15 and above, are presently enrolled in religious education in the country of around 7 million people. By comparison, neighboring Kazakhstan -- a country with nearly three times the population of Kyrgyzstan -- has only 12 state madrasahs, including three for girls and women. In Uzbekistan, with nearly 35 million people, there are just 15 madrasahs in total, overwhelmingly catering to university-age students. The numbers reflect the comparatively relaxed stance toward religious freedom in Kyrgyzstan. But Orozbek Moldaliev, a former chairman of the State Commission on Religious Affairs, said that there were probably "too many" madrasahs in the country. "Moreover, the level of teaching is low," Moldaliev complained. "Among those who teach, there are some literate people, but there are also those who do not understand [Islam], who are poorly educated." The Abdiraim Kari madrasah, where 200 girls are taught and housed free of charge, is proud of its curriculum. Other than religious instruction, girls learn basic computing, including graphic design, sewing, handicrafts, and cooking, all over a three-year-period. RFE/RL correspondents who recently gained access to the madrasah watched students fully attired in white hijabs and flowing black dresses smile and laugh as they competed in a game of volleyball refereed by a male cleric. Mobile phones are prohibited except at weekends, both in the classroom and in the dormitory, with lights off at around 11. "Before going to bed we read a prayer. And we teach the girls to sleep with their hands on their chest [after] saying the name of Allah," said Nazgul Ryskulova, who oversees the dormitory. The diploma offered by madrasahs like Abdiraim Kari -- which qualifies graduates to teach "the fundamentals of Shari'a sciences" -- offers few prospects for employment aside from in religious schools. It also has no value to secular universities, although the madrasah's founder, Abdirakhman Atabaev, says that some of his students do reach university after supplementing their religious training with classes at a nearby secular school. 'Signals' Received When asked about financing, Atabaev offers few specifics, saying only that his institution is locally funded and has "no major sponsor." Local "aksakals" (elder males) and "zhigits" (young men) provided the most important contributions, he says. A number of religious buildings in Kyrgyzstan have been built with funding from Persian Gulf states looking to expand their influence in the country, raising fears of brands of Islam other than the moderate Hanafi strain presaged by the Kyrgyzstan's Muftiate being imported into Kyrgyz society. Others have been built by local politicians seeking to court influence among an Islam-hungry population. Every so often, Kyrgyz security services report on raids targeting both licensed and "underground" madrasahs as well as closures and suspensions of licensed madrasahs. In March, the State Committee for National Security (UKMK) reported on the bust of a boys madrasah where 12 children aged between 6 and 9 were taught according to religious literature not verified by the [Muftiate]. The man detained for organizing the classes did not have any religious education, the UKMK said, while many of the children did not attend regular school in parallel with the classes. The organizer was fined the equivalent of $85 but faced no jail time. In 2023, the UKMK said it had shut down 21 Islamic schools in Osh Province over "violations of construction, sanitary and fire regulations, as well as [deviation from] uniform educational standards in religious schools." Zamir Kozhomberdiev, a top official in the State Commission on Religious Affairs, says that those institutions have now reopened, having corrected their failings, and argues that the government does not need to change its approach to regulating the madrasahs. "If...there are destructive calls or ideologies [in madrasahs], we will definitely receive such signals. Because the people working there are citizens of Kyrgyzstan, they are patriots and immediately speak openly if something is done differently. They themselves are against it," Kozhomberdiev said. 'Upbringing Hours' This has not convinced critics of religious education, who see the madrasahs as operating with a relatively free hand. Jamilya Kaparova, whose nonprofit Ensan-Diamond group attempts to monitor the activities of madrasahs, says that some madrashas are registered as private foreign-language-teaching institutions, with no reference to religion in their documents. While teachers at some madrasahs claim that their courses are free as part of charitable work, students often say that they pay fixed fees every month, Kaparova says. Kaparova echoes concerns about the content of courses. At one girls' madrasah that she visited, students participated in "upbringing hours." Mentors basically explained to the girls what kind of wives, daughters-in-law they should be, how to serve their husband's family," she said. "It seems to me that basically their upbringing comes down to this." Concerns about Kyrgyzstan's national madrasah system were aired in a comprehensive 2019 report by the Geneva-based Bulan Institute, headed by the Kyrgyzstan-born expert Cholpon Orozbekova, which called for the systems "urgent reformation." But the Bulan Institute's main recommendations, which included the introduction of secular subjects into madrasahs, as well as teachers that have achieved both secular and theological degrees, have not been implemented to date. Worries about the work of madrashas come from within the Islamic community, too. Jamal Frontbek-kyzy, whose nonprofit Mutakallim group works regularly with communities of Islamic women, has called on madrasahs to include subjects like math, physics, and civics into their curricula, in order to better prepare their graduates for the outside world and make them less vulnerable to ultraconservative or extremist ideology. "As part of one project, we introduced civics lessons in 12 madrasahs," said Frontbek-kyzy, whose organization regularly engages the government and has in the past received financing from Western donor organizations. "But when the project stopped, some madrasahs continued to teach it, while others did not," she said. One indicator that suggests girls' madrasahs may be failing in their collective missions at present is the high dropout rate. According to the director of another madrasah in Osh, this one in the city itself, many students leave madrasahs before graduation, either to get married, or because they need to find work, or cannot make progress in classes. "Our main goal was to raise girls who respect their parents. To raise pious souls, as well as mothers who will give this society good people who love their homeland," said Zhanara Maksutova, whose Sayida Khadijah school costs parents the equivalent of $350 per year in food, board, and classes. But those students at Maksutova's madrasah who spoke to RFE/RL showed ambition to complete their studies. "In the future, I would like to become an Arabic teacher," said one of her pupils, Makhbuba Abazova. "Then, God willing, in two years, I will be a 'hafiz' [guardian of the Koran]." With reporting by Nargiza Asekova of RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said during a visit to Berlin on October 11 that it was important that Ukraine's allies do not decrease their assistance next year as he met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Zelenskiy has been on a whirlwind tour of major European capitals meant to win backing for his "victory plan" aimed at ending the war with Russia. His main goal in his visits to London, Paris, Rome, and Berlin, his final stop, was to press for additional military and financial aid as Kyiv faces difficult months ahead in its fight to stop a slow but continuous Russian advance in the east. In Berlin, Zelenskiy thanked Germany for its backing and said that "it is very important for us that this assistance does not decrease next year." He said he would present Scholz with his plan for winning the war, repeating his hope that the conflict would end no later than next year. "Ukraine more than anyone else in the world wants a fair and speedy end to this war," Zelenskiy said. After his stops in London, Paris, and Rome on October 10, Zelenskiy said on X that he had "outlined the details" of his proposed "victory plan" to defeat Russian forces during his meetings with the leaders of Britain, France, and Italy. He added that he and the other leaders agreed to work on the plan together but gave no details on what it says. Scholz said he and the Ukrainian leader agreed on the need for a peace conference that includes Russia, but that peace "can only be brought about on the basis of international law." "We will not accept a peace dictated by Russia," Scholz said. Scholz also announced a 1.4 billion-euro ($1.53 billion) military aid package for Ukraine from Germany with partner countries Belgium, Denmark, and Norway, saying it includes more air defense, tanks, combat drones, and artillery and sends a clear message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that "playing for time will not work" and vowing "not let up in our support for Ukraine." During a 35-minute meeting with Pope Francis on October 11, Zelenskiy sought the Vatican's help in securing the return of adults and children taken prisoner by Russia, he said on X, formerly Twitter. "The issue of bringing our people home from captivity was the main focus of my meeting with Pope Francis," he said. Zelenskiy gave Francis an oil painting called the Bucha Massacre, depicting the mass killings of civilians by Russian troops in the Ukrainian city in 2022. 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. Zelenskiy's arrival in Berlin comes after an October 12 summit of the Ramstein group of Ukraine's main backers was canceled at short notice when U.S. officials, including President Joe Biden, abandoned their travel plans as the southern U.S. states braced for Hurricane Milton. The White House said in a statement that Biden spoke to Scholz on October 10 and noted "his intention to continue our strong collaboration on geopolitical priorities, including supporting Ukraines defense against Russian aggression." The United States has been Ukraine's main backer and by far the main contributor in terms of financial and military aid, but a victory by Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump in the election could cast doubt about Washington's continued support for Kyiv. Zelenskiy's diplomatic efforts are taking place as Russia continues to keep up the pressure on Ukraine's cities. As Zelenskiy arrived in Berlin, the number of civilians killed in a Russian missile strike on Odesa on October 11 rose to nine, including a teenage girl, and Russian troops struck the city of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine. "A two-story building where civilians lived and worked was destroyed," Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper said on Telegram. Odesa, Ukraine's main hub for grain exports, has been repeatedly struck by Russian forces since the start of the war. Kharkiv regional Governor Oleh Synyehubov said there were no injuries in one strike but an inspection following another missile strike on the Derhachiv community of Kharkiv was ongoing. Outside Kharkiv, a 38-year-old man was killed by a Russian drone strike on the village of Kozacha Lopan, the region's military administration reported. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the capital was targeted by Russian drones early on October 11. The military administration of the Ukrainian capital later reported on Telegram that all the attacking drones had been shot down, without specifying a number. On the battlefield, outmanned and outgunned Ukrainian forces were fighting Russian troops inside the strategic city of Toretsk in the eastern region of Donetsk after abandoning Vuhledar, another strategic hub in the region, last week. Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces carried out fresh attacks near Vremivka, Kharkiv, Kupyansk, and Siversk, the General Staff of Ukraine's military reported on October 11. Separately, the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said at least 208 civilians were killed and 1,220 injured in Ukraine in September. That made it the month with the highest number of civilian casualties in 2024, the mission said. The organization said that 46 percent of the dead were over the age of 60. In addition, nine children were killed and 76 were injured in September. With reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP About 70 Ukrainian servicemen have traveled to Germany to undergo a one-and-a-half-month training course on Patriot air defense systems. These systems are expected to arrive in Ukraine at the end of June. ADVERTISIMENT The West predicts that they may arrive in Ukraine simultaneously with the delivery of F-16 fighter jets. This was reported by The New York Times. According to Col. Jan-Henrik Suchordt, the branch head of surface-based air and missile defenses at Germanys Air Force headquarters, the process of training the Ukrainian military on the systems is accelerating compared to the six- to nine-month course that the German Air Force usually takes. After the training, it usually takes about two days for German troops to deliver the missile launchers, radars, and other parts to a logistics center in Poland and hand them over to the Ukrainian military for transportation across the border. According to preliminary data, more Patriot systems will arrive in Ukraine no earlier than the end of June. It may coincide with the delivery of another major weapon that Ukraine has long requested, namely F-16 fighter jets. However, this is a small number of combat aircraft. ADVERTISIMENT It is also known that a new batch of interceptor missiles for Patriot arrived in Poland from Spain the day before. According to a senior Spanish official, they will soon be deployed to the Ukrainian front. As a reminder, the United States continues to encourage countries to provide some of Patriot systems to Ukraine to strengthen its air defense capabilities. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin appealed to European allies with this request. Earlier, it was reported that the Israeli Air Force plans to get rid of its outdated Patriot systems in the coming months. These batteries will be replaced with "more advanced systems." ADVERTISIMENT As reported, Ukraine may produce American Patriot systems and missiles for them. Relevant negotiations between the Ukrainian side and partners are actively underway. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! On the night of Saturday, May 4, explosions were heard in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian Crimea. The Russian aggressor country's Ministry of Defense claims that their air defense shot down four ATACMS missiles. ADVERTISIMENT The press service of the enemy's Defense Ministry reported this on Saturday morning. They say that during the night, Russian servicemen "foiled the Kyiv regime's attempt" to attack the peninsula "with American ATACMS tactical missiles." "Four operational-tactical missiles were destroyed by regular air defense systems over the territory of the Crimean peninsula," the Russian Federation claims. The aggressor state, which launched an unprovoked full-scale war against Ukraine, cynically called it a "terrorist attack." According to Telegram monitoring channels, the occupiers turned on air raid alarms in a number of settlements. Explosions were heard in Dzhankoi, Yevpatoriia, Pervomaiske, and Krasnoperkopsk. Details are being clarified. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, former Lithuanian Foreign Minister and Ambassador to Sweden Linas Linkevicius subtly hinted at the short-lived nature of the Crimean (Kerch) Bridge. Russia responded that the politician would allegedly regret his statements on the "day of judgment". Earlier, military expert and reserve colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Petro Chernyk said that the illegal Crimean bridge connecting the occupied Ukrainian peninsula with Russia will sooner or later come under attack by the Defense Forces. However, this attack must be well prepared: the volley must be massive because it is necessary to destroy not one or two sections of the crossing at once but more. Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Various other carmakers including Maruti, Volkswagen, Tata Motors and Hyundai have announced discount offers in recent months With eyes on sales targets and to clear old inventory, carmakers announce discount offers from time to time. In the month of May, Honda Cars has announced attractive discounts and benefits across the range. The offer covers Honda City, City e:HEV, Amaze and Elevate. Honda City Savings of Up To Rs 1.15 lakh In case of Honda City, the top-spec ZX variant is available with benefits worth up to Rs 88,000. Lower variants are available with total benefits of up to Rs 78,000. In April, Honda updated the safety kit for all its cars including the City sedan. Standard safety features now include six airbags and 3-point seat belt and reminder for all passengers. With the updates, prices were increased. The impact of the price hike will be minimized now with the availability of discounts and benefits in May. Among the updated models, offers are available only for the V (MT and CVT) and VX (MT only). Users choosing these models can access benefits worth Rs 58,000. Max discount on Honda City is available with the City Elegant Edition. Users are eligible for a discount of Rs 1.15 lakh. The City Elegant edition was launched last year in October. It has some exclusive features such as LED high-mount stop lamp and an additional rear spoiler mounted on the boot. Powering the City sedan is a 1.5-litre petrol engine that churns out 121 hp and 145 Nm. Transmission choices include 6-speed manual and a CVT gearbox. City sedan rivals the likes of Hyundai Verna, Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus. In FY24 sales, Honda City sedan was ranked 4th in midsize sedan segment. It had a market share of 17.36%. Honda Amaze Savings of up to Rs 96,000 Users buying the base-spec E variant of Honda Amaze can access benefits of up to Rs 56,000. In the case of S and VX variants, the benefits are worth up to Rs 66,000. Highest discount of Rs 96,000 is applicable on the unsold stock of Amaze Elite Edition. This variant was launched last year in October. It gets special features such as decals, trunk spoiler and a tyre pressure monitoring system. Amaze was recently tested by Global NCAP, where the sedan received a 2-star rating. Things could improve with the new Amaze that is expected to be launched later this year. It will be based on the same platform as that of City and Elevate. Powering Honda Amaze is a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder, petrol engine that delivers 90 hp and 110 Nm. Transmission choices include a 5-speed manual and a CVT gearbox. Honda City hybrid Savings of up to Rs 65,000 Offers for Honda City hybrid are available only for the V variant. Users can unlock benefits worth up to Rs 65,000. City e:HEVs powertrain comprises a 1.5-litre petrol engine and two electric motors. Combined power output is 126 hp. City e:HEV has an e-CVT gearbox. Honda Elevate Savings of up to Rs 55,000 Benefits worth up to Rs 55,000 are available with the V variant of Honda Elevate. The offer reduces to Rs 45,000 for other variants. For the top-spec ZX variant, users stand to save up to Rs 25,000. Powertrain options for Honda Elevate SUV are the same as that of City sedan. Hero MotoCorp and Honda together commanded a near 60% market share in domestic markets showing off both YoY and MoM growth in sales The two wheeler segment in India continues to grow by leaps and bounds. April 2024 sales results are out and each of the major OEMs show off outstanding results with double digit growth. Talking specifically about the 6 leading two wheeler makers, the list was headed by Hero MotoCorp and Honda while sales of TVS Motor, Bajaj Auto, Suzuki and Royal Enfield also ended positively both in terms of YoY and MoM sales. Two Wheeler Domestic Sales April 2024 In domestic markets, total 2 wheeler sales of these 6 leading OEMs shot up 31.40% YoY and 18.59% MoM to 16,75,846 units. There had been 12,75,397 units sold in April 2023 and 14,13,152 units sold in March 2024. Taking into account YoY sales, this was a volume growth of an astronomical 4,00,449 units. Hero MotoCorp once again topped the domestic sales list with 5,13,296 units sold last month, a 31.91% YoY and 11.77% MoM growth to command a 30.63% share. Honda two wheeler sales in April 2024 went up 42.20% YoY and 34.31% on a MoM basis to 4,81,046 units. There had been 3,38,289 units and 3,58,151 units sold in April 2023 and March 2024 respectively. Honda Activa scooter is among the lead sellers in the company portfolio along with the CB Shine and Dio. TVS Motor also reported increased sales in April 2024 by 29.40% YoY to 3,01,449 units while its MoM sales were up 15.71% over 2,60,532 units sold in March 2024. The company currently commands a 17.99% share on this list. Bajaj Auto (2,16,950 units) Suzuki (88,067 units) and Royal Enfield (75,038 units) have each posted outstanding YoY and MoM growth in sales in April 2024. It was once again the RE 350cc range that saw its sales in stark contrast to its more powerful models. Two Wheeler Exports April 2024 Exports also improved by 23.83% on a YoY basis while it suffered a MoM set back by 1.31% in April 2024. Exports grew from 2,40,095 units shipped in April 2023 to 2,97,313 units in the past month while there had been 3,01,269 units exported in March 2024. Most two wheeler makers with the exception of Honda have seen a MoM decline in exports while all but Suzuki saw their YoY exports improve by great numbers. It was Bajaj Auto that amassed the highest exports at 1,24,839 units in April 2024, up 17.60% over 1,06,157 units shipped in April 2024 to command a 41.99% share on this list. The company however suffered a MoM decline of 4.62%. TVS exports were up to 73,143 units in the past month followed by Honda with 60,900 units shipped. Hero MotoCorp reported a 104.46% YoY growth to 20,289 units in April 2024 from just 9,923 units exported in April 2024, though the company suffered a 34.88% MoM decline. Suzuki (11,310 units) and Enfield (6,832 units) ended up lower down on this list. Cumulative Sales April 2024 Honda beats Hero MotoCorp Honda led over Hero MotoCorp in terms of total sales last month to 5,41,946 units as against Heros 5,33,585 units. TVS also saw 3,74,592 unit total sales posting YoY and MoM growth while Bajaj Auto sales stood at 3,41,789 units. It was followed by Suzuki with 99,377 unit sales and Royal Enfield at 81,870 units. Total sales of these 6 two wheeler makers thus stood at 19,73,159 units in the past month, up 30.20% YoY over 15,15,492 units sold in April 2023. Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas said that NATO had underestimated the ability of the terrorist country Russia to adapt to the situation on the battlefield. According to him, despite the sanctions, the Kremlin has managed to put the country's economy on a military footing. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, Kasciunas emphasized that the North Atlantic Alliance should finally resolve the issue of Ukraine's membership in NATO. This was reported by LRT. The head of the defense ministry believes that at the upcoming summit in Washington, NATO countries should primarily focus on the Russian military threat, as the Alliance has underestimated the Kremlin's capabilities. Kasciunas is confident that this is why Russia has managed to put its economy on a military track even under sanctions. According to him, this mistake and underestimation arose because when trying to "understand" Russia, the United States and Europe proceeded from the fact that they used the Western approach and criteria to assess its strategy. Kasciunas explained that Russia's lack of responsibility for its society and its brutal management of its own mobilization potential makes it one of the most dangerous enemies that NATO must confront in the near future. ADVERTISIMENT The minister is also convinced that in response to this and other threats, the Allies will have to change a lot in NATO's work. According to him, first of all, on the "eastern flank", the stage of building a more flexible system of response and deterrence has come, which requires the allocation of more powers to the Alliance's regional forces. In addition, the head of the Lithuanian defense ministry believes that the increase in defense spending to 2% is only the lower limit, which will undoubtedly be raised. Kasciunas also said that NATO countries will have to seriously modernize and strengthen their military-industrial complexes. At the same time, the Lithuanian minister said that NATO should "consider Ukraine as an instrument of deterring aggression directed against Europe and the West." To this end, the West should consider Ukraine as "an element of Euro-Atlantic security and unity" and, ultimately, resolve the issue of Ukraine's membership in NATO. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, the Commander of the Finnish Armed Forces, General Janne Jaakkola, said that the Russian Federation is unlikely to directly attack a NATO country. But it may well continue hybrid attacks, including signal jamming and election interference, to test the unity of the Alliance. Earlier it was reported that among all the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Hungary and Slovakia have the least supporters of Ukraine's integration into the European Union and NATO. At the same time, the number of Slovaks who would like to see our country in Western institutions has decreased in recent years, while the number of Hungarians has increased. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! San Marcos Every year on Christmas Eve, Santa Claus sets out in his sleigh to make overnight toy deliveries with the promise hell be back again next Christmas day. But at San Marcos Mobile Estates, a real-life Santa and Mrs. Claus arent making any such promises. For 16 years, Henry and Glenna Parker have been dressing up as the North Pole couple and making merry with thousands of visitors. But this Christmas Eve will be their last. Because of Glennas health problems, the Parkers have decided to hang up their red velvet coats and say goodbye to their popular North County tradition. Monday night will be the last time theyll sit outside in side-by-side lawn chairs to greet the nightly crowds, which range in size from a few dozen on weeknights to more than 300 on weekends. Families come by the carload each night to pose for photos in Henrys lap, sample candy canes, enjoy Henrys outdoor G scale train set and admire the couples light display, which can be seen by passing eastbound motorists on State Route 78. Weve had so many wonderful memories over the years, said Henry, 62. My favorite part is the camaraderie I have with all the people. Every one is always so nice and they enjoy everything so much. Glenna, 74, said shell miss catching up with children who come back every year and shell also miss the kindness of their parents who always take the time to stop, chat and occasionally bring the Parkers a cup of hot cocoa. But most of all shell miss watching her husbands interactions with the public. I love watching him, she said. He had such a hard childhood and never had a Christmas when he was a boy, so its fun to watch how much joy he gets out of Christmas every year. As a boy growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Henry never had a visit with Santa or Christmas presents. At the age of 2, he and his year-old brother, Johnny, were abandoned in an alley. A Washington police officer followed reports of crying to a Dumpster, where they found the crying Henry inside and Johnny nearby, wrapped in a heap of old clothes. The mischievous boys bounced from one foster home to another until they were separated for good when Henry was 12. They never saw each other again. After leaving his 23rd foster home as a teen, Henry lived in poverty, struggled to find work and had scrapes with the law. In his mid-20s, he hitchhiked to Louisiana and after a rough patch living in his car, he eventually found work. After an unsuccessful first marriage, he met Glenna at a Louisiana nightclub in 1987. Instantly smitten, he asked her to marry him that night. Six months later, they made it official. They left the South for Escondido in 1996 to move closer to Glennas daughter. Glenna said that from the time she met Henry, she knew Christmas was very special to him. Every year, he would decorate not only their apartment for the holidays, but also the homes of every relative she had. When they moved from an Escondido apartment to their San Marcos mobile home 16 years ago, she said, he could finally fulfill his decorating dreams and let his imagination run wild. Henry starts setting up his holiday decorations right after Halloween each year and they open their San Marcos Winter Wonderland on Thanksgiving night. He works full time as a facilities maintenance technician for Genentech Inc. in Oceanside. Every day after work, he rushes home for a quick dinner, then he and Glenna put on their costumes and head outside to await visitors from 6:15 p.m. sharp to around 9:30 p.m., weather permitting. As Santas chief elf, Henry takes childrens toy requests. Each year, he studies the advertising circulars for the years hottest toys so he knows exactly what children will be asking for. The Parkers keep track of nightly attendance with a spiral notebook that has recorded visitors from all over the county as well as vacationers from Israel, Japan, China and many other countries. Every visitor gets a candy cane, even seniors who roll up in cars to simply view the scene from their car windows. On Thursday night, Keith and Melinda Elliott of San Marcos stopped by with their 8-year-old daughter, Kaylee. She posed on Santas lap and enjoyed watching the train circle its track in the Parkers front yard. Her favorite feature was a pair of illuminated reindeer sculptures whose heads turn and move up and down. Escondido resident Jennifer Garcia has been coming to visit the Parkers with her now-12-year-old son, Trevor, for the past five years. She was heartbroken when she visited on Wednesday and saw a sign out front that told visitors the Parkers are retiring. We look forward to visiting every year and my son loves to talk trains with Santa, Garcia said. The Parkers have touched our hearts. The past two years have been difficult for the couple as Glenna has battled lymphedema, a painful and incurable condition that causes fluid to build up in the arms and legs. She spent much of last years holiday season in the hospital and now she can barely walk. Her doctor ordered her to give up the hobby after this season. Because the Parkers are inseparable, Henry said it wouldnt be any fun playing Santa without his Mrs. Claus by his side so they agreed to call it quits together. He did say, however, that he will put up his lights and decor again next year. Everyone has said such kind things when I tell them that this is our last year, he said. Its nice to know that weve helped make memories for people. Well miss it a lot. San Marcos Winter Wonderland Hours: 6:15 to 9:30 p.m. nightly through Monday (Dec. 24), weather permitting Where: San Marcos Mobile Estates, 1145 Barham Drive, Space 20 (near the community entrance), San Marcos Admission: Free (donations accepted to help pay the electricity bill) pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com Alstom, a global leader in sustainable and green mobility solutions, has announced that it has secured a major contract to boost the capacity of the Innovia automated people mover (APM) system at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Under this, Alstoms responsibility includes the design, engineering, supply, integration, testing and commissioning of a full system upgrade of Jeddahs International Airport Terminal 1 People Mover, including four additional state-of-the-art Innovia APM cars, to be added into the current fleet of 10. The project will also feature an upgrade to the signalling and communication systems, the implementation of platform screen doors, cybersecurity enhancements, and the establishment of a new Operation Control Room, it stated. The move is seen as a significant step in the kingdom's preparations to accommodate the airport's projected passenger growth, which is expected to surpass 100 million by 2030. "The enhancement of the Innovia APM system is a crucial element in enriching the transit experience at King Abdulaziz International Airport, a bustling gateway influenced by the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030," remarked Mohamed Khalil, the Managing Director of Alstom in Saudi Arabia. This significant upgrade will be instrumental in accommodating the increased passenger volumes resulting from the nation's active promotion of tourism and the modernisation of visa protocols," noted Khalil. "Alstom's mission to bolster the Jeddah Airport Company's (Jedco) operational efficiency shines through this project, reinforcing our pledge to be a resilient, long-term partner in the region's remarkable evolution," he added. According to Khalil, the project will draw on Alstoms global in-house expertise in integrated railway systems. The APM cars are equipped with Cityflo 650 CBTC solution, which has been designed to meet the most stringent safety, reliability, maintainability and availability requirements. The existing fleet will be retrofitted with the latest Motion Recording Video systems, he stated. Since 2020, King Abdulaziz International Airport has utilised the Innovia APM system, under a full operation and maintenance contract with Alstom. This marked the introduction of Alstoms over 50 years of expertise in automated people mover design, construction, operations, and maintenance to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In 2022, Alstom and Jeddah Airports Company (Jedco) entered into a new five-year contract for the operation and maintenance of Jeddah Airports APM system.-TradeArabia News Service Ukraine's defense forces have already received a portion of the 1 billion package of military aid from the United States, which Washington announced after Congress unblocked the funding. However, the main part of it from large aid packages, including those from Germany and Britain, will arrive in Ukraine within a few months. ADVERTISIMENT This is stated in an article by The New York Times. Journalists cite American and European officials. According to the newspaper, on April 28, Kyiv received a batch of anti-tank weapons, missiles and 155-caliber artillery shells, which are in dire need of the Ukrainian military on the battlefield. The second batch of weapons arrived in Ukraine on April 29. On April 30, according to sources, missiles for Patriot air defense systems arrived in Poland from Spain. They will soon be in Ukraine. At the same time, the NYT writes that the "substantial" part of the weapons from the large aid packages announced by the United States, Britain, and Germany will arrive in Ukraine in a few months. Some of the aid from the British package, announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on April 23, began arriving a few weeks ago. ADVERTISIMENT According to the journalists' interlocutors, the main reason for such delays is logistical. Due to their size, combat vehicles, boats, guns, launchers, and air defense systems often have to be transported by sea and by heavily guarded trains. At the same time, ammunition, which is an urgent need for the Ukrainian Armed Forces at the front, is among the weapons that can be delivered most quickly. One U.S. official said that most of the weapons funded by the new U.S. aid, and even some ammunition, are likely to be delivered by the end of the summer or even later. As reported, the Patriot air defense system, which Germany promised to transfer to Ukraine, will be delivered to Ukraine no earlier than summer. According to preliminary data, the Armed Forces will receive the system at the end of June 2024. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! 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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. 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 During April, the Russian occupation forces lost about 900 Russian invaders every day, approximately the same average daily losses that have been recorded almost since the beginning of this year. However, in May and June, the invaders' losses in manpower are likely to increase. ADVERTISIMENT This will be an inevitable consequence of the resumption of offensive operations by the Russians after a certain decline in activity after the capture of Avdiivka. This forecast was made by the UK Ministry of Defense, citing the findings of British intelligence. Thus, in April, Russia lost an average of 899 occupants killed and wounded daily. These figures have been relatively stable in recent months. However, the situation may soon change in an unfavorable direction for the invaders. "It is likely that Russia's casualties will increase over the next two months again as they resume special offensive operations in eastern Ukraine. This follows a slight decline in the pace of operations over the past two months following the fall of Avdiivka," the British Defense Ministry said in a statement. In total, since the beginning of the full-scale aggression against Ukraine, Russia has lost more than 465,000 of its military killed and wounded on the battlefield. And, as the British Ministry of Defense has to admit, the value of human life in Russia is perceived in a completely different way than in the civilized world. Therefore, in more than two years of full-scale war, the aggressor state has adapted to a grueling war and achieved success on the battlefield not by the quality of the troops but by the human mass, which is usually preferred over quality. ADVERTISIMENT "This dependence on mass will almost certainly continue throughout the war in Ukraine and will have long-term consequences for the future of the Russian army," the British Ministry of Defense summarized. Earlier, British intelligence said that the FSB had interrogated another Shoigu deputy as part of a high-profile corruption case. It is about Ruslan Tsalikov, the First Deputy Minister of Defense, who has been a close associate of Sergei Shoigu for several decades. Russian opposition media have conducted numerous investigations into the mysterious origins of Tsalikov's and his family's extraordinary wealth, but unlike the inferior Timur Ivanov, who has already been imprisoned, Russian investigators have no claims against Shoigu's "right hand man" so far at least publicly. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! ADVERTISIMENT (Photo : Wikimedia Commons/ Vikarna) In January 2019, China made history as its Chang'e 4 probe touched down on the moon's far side, making it the first spacecraft to have a soft landing on the uncharted region. This year, China returned to the moon's mysterious far side to bring back some souvenirs. Historical Liftoff On May 3, the China National Space Administration lifted off the robotic Chang'e 6 lunar exploration mission. It was launched at 5:27 a.m. EDT in Hainan province off a pad at the Wenchang Space Launch Site while riding the massive Long March 5 rocket. The spacecraft comprises a lunar orbiter, a lander, an ascender, and an Earth-reentry module. If everything goes according to plan, the lander will land inside the Apollo crater, one of the largest impact craters in the Solar System. The crater is also part of the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin, which contains ancient rocks that hold clues about the moon's early history and evolution. While exploring the moon's surface, the Chang'e 6 lander will gather 4.4 pounds (2 kilograms) of lunar dirt and rock. Some of the samples will be scraped from the surface, while others will be drilled from up to 6.5 feet (2 meters) underground. The collected materials will launch aboard the ascender, which will connect with the lunar orbiter. After that, the samples will be taken to the reentry module, which rides aboard the orbiter. The orbiter will return to Earth while releasing the reentry module for a journey through the Earth's atmosphere. The journey, from the recent launch to the arrival of the samples on Earth, is expected to last 53 days. The mission architecture of Chang'e 6 is similar to that of Chang'e 5, China's first-ever lunar sample-return mission, which sent material from the near side of the moon in December 2020. This is unsurprising since Chang'6 was designed as a backup to Chang'e 5. The success of Chang'e 5 made China the third nation to achieve a lunar sample-return mission after the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Apollo astronauts gathered most of the lunar material sent to Earth, bringing 842 pounds (382 kilograms) of the samples between 1969 and 1972. READ ALSO: China's Chang'e 6 Lunar Probe on 2024 to Showcase Equipment from European Countries The Hidden Face of the Moon The Moon rotates in precisely the same time as it takes to orbit our planet, a phenomenon known as tidal locking. As a result, observers on Earth see only one face of our celestial neighbor, called the near side. Aside from being more familiar than the far side, the near side is also easier for humanity to explore. This explains why every surface mission, such as NASA's crewed Apollo expedition, targeted that region. However, sending a rover or lander mission to the far side of the Moon could involve challenges in communication since a lunar orbiter might be required to send messages to and from mission control here on Earth. According to astronomers, there are compelling reasons to explore the far side of the moon up close. It is believed that the materials from early Earth that formed the moon remain unchanged on its far side. This makes the uncharted region an untapped repository of Earth's history inaccessible anywhere else. RELATED ARTICLE: China's Chang'e 5 Moon Probe Makes Orbital Correction As It Returns Back to Earth Check out more news and information on Lunar Probe in Science Times. The Ministry of Defense said that the cost of maintaining one soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is 1.2 million hryvnias (30 thousand dollars). The weapons used by our defenders are not included in this amount. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by Deputy Defense Minister Yuriy Dzhyhyr in a commentary to Bloomberg. This is how much it costs the Ukrainian budget to maintain one soldier, he said. The official noted that the cost of Ukraine's mobilization campaign, which is aimed at strengthening depleted units, will depend on a number of factors. These include the level of monthly conscription, aid, and the decision to rotate the military. Dzhyhyr also told reporters that Ukraine's Defense Ministry is working with its American counterparts to address their concerns about how the Ukrainian Defense Forces store and deploy Western munitions. Six inspections have been conducted at military facilities to check how certain types of weapons are stored. Earlier, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that for every soldier who defends Ukraine, there should be eight people who can economically support him or her. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA, one person mobilized for military service costs the state at least UAH 1.3 million annually, with a large share of these funds going to salaries and benefits for soldiers. Based on these calculations, the mobilization of an additional 100,000 people will cost Ukraine an additional 130 billion UAH per year. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! In the temporarily occupied Donetsk, Ukrainian patriots drew blue and yellow flags right under the invaders' noses. Thus, Ukrainian symbols appeared near the main street of the city, Artem Street . ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by activists of the Yellow Ribbon movement. They emphasized that the flag of Ukraine is returning to Donetsk, and Ukrainian resistance in the occupied territories will only get stronger. "Activists of the Yellow Ribbon movement drew flags of Ukraine near Artem Street at night. The place of the flag of Ukraine is in Donetsk. Collaborators and Russian troops know about it and cannot overcome the Ukrainian resistance that has been, is and will be even stronger in 10 years," the statement reads. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, it was reported that Ukrainian guerrillas in the temporarily occupied Makiivka in Donetsk region raised the flag of Ukraine. The occupiers noticed it and replaced it with a tricolor rag, but activists burned it. As previously reported, activists of the Yellow Ribbon resistance movement staged a bold action in occupied Donetsk. The patriots tied yellow ribbons near the Aquasferra and distributed patriotic posters in the city's private sector. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has shown the terrible consequences of Russian terrorist attacks that have occurred in Ukraine over the past week alone. He emphasized that the daily terror of the Russian Federation can be stopped and that our partners have all the necessary systems and weapons to ensure that Ukraine can protect the lives of its citizens. ADVERTISIMENT The President posted the video on his social media. Thus, this week alone, the occupiers have fired more than 380 times at Ukrainian cities and regions. "Timely and sufficient decisions on air defense for Ukraine, and timely supply of weapons for our soldiers is what is needed right now to protect lives. Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Kherson and Odesa regions. Terrorists have fired over 380 times at our cities and regions this week alone," the President wrote. Unfortunately, every week of the war that Russia has started against Ukraine and the delay in the supply of weapons to Ukraine leads to civilian casualties. However, according to Zelenskyy, the partner states have all the necessary resources and they can stop this. ADVERTISIMENT "The daily conscious Russian terror against people, our cities, and villages can be stopped. The partners have all the necessary systems and all the necessary weapons for Ukraine to be able to protect lives. I am grateful to all leaders and states who understand that prompt delivery and full implementation of the agreements is what protects not only Ukrainians, but every nation against which Russian terror may be directed," the Head of State added. Earlier it was reported that on the night of May 4, the Russian terrorist army massively attacked Kharkiv with missiles and kamikaze drones. As a result of the shelling, several fires broke out in the regional center. The largest fire broke out in warehouses on an area of about 3,000 square meters. As reported by OBOZ.UA, five of the 13 kamikaze drones launched by the occupiers on the night of May 4 were shot down by the defenders over Pavlohrad district of Dnipro region. However, despite the destruction of all the enemy "Shaheds", it was not possible to avoid destruction: a critical infrastructure facility and private houses were damaged. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar convened with ASEAN Senior Officials in the capital, affirming his belief in the enduring growth of the ASEAN-India comprehensive strategic partnership. Emphasizing the significance of ASEAN-India gatherings in India's diplomatic agenda, EAM Jaishankar expressed his pleasure in welcoming ASEAN Senior Officials to New Delhi. "Glad to be apprised of the progress in our cooperation The ASEAN-India meetings are a significant feature of India's diplomatic calendar. Confident that our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will grow from strength to strength", Jaishankar stated on X (formerly Twitter). The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) constitutes an inter-governmental international organization, comprising Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Brunei, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Cambodia, Singapore, and Malaysia. "The delegation of Senior Officials' from ASEAN, Timor-Leste and the ASEAN Secretariat jointly called on S Jaishankar. While underlining that ASEAN is a crucial pillar of India's Act East Policy and its vision for the wider Indo-Pacific, EAM encouraged the delegation to focus on subjects of critical importance and specific outcomes, including early completion of review of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) and regional issues of mutual interest", the MEA said in a statement. In the previous month, advocating for increased collaboration between India and ASEAN nations, Jaishankar underscored the potential for the two sides to significantly contribute to the evolving regional framework of the Indo-Pacific through enhanced cooperation. "We support ASEAN unity, ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN outlook on Indo-Pacific. India truly believes that a strong and unified ASEAN can play a constructive role in the emerging regional architecture of the Indo-Pacific", EAM Jaishankar said in a virtual address at the first ASEAN Future Forum. "The synergy between India's Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the ASEAN outlook on Indo Pacific (AOIP) that is reflected in our ASEAN India leaders joint statement provides a strong framework for cooperation, including and addressing challenges to comprehensive security", he added. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Over the next few weeks, students across New York state will go to school and take standardized exams, but some parents will choose to opt out of testing for their child. According to a study by non-profit North Arrow, many parents began to opt their child out of state exams in 2013, when New York implemented the standards called Common Core. At the time, parents criticized the exams for being too long and difficult, and that teachers were teaching for the test. The opt-out movement took hold across the state, specifically in Long Island and suburban areas north of New York City. While New York City typically had the lowest test opt-out rate, there was significant growth in refusals. Before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there was an average refusal rate of 4% which doubled to 8% during 2023s reading exams, data shows. According to North Arrows study, the opt-out rate in 2023 was an average of 13.4% across New York state. It also produced an interactive map to view test refusals by school district in the state. Staten Islands District 31, which encompasses the entire borough, had a low test refusal at 9.3% in 2023, compared to the rest of the state. That number rose slightly from 8.2% in the 2021-2022 school year. However, the interactive map by North Arrow shows that test refusals on Staten Island soared 6% higher than in 2019, when opt-out percentages were at 3.1%. This increase could be contributed to the impact of the pandemic as exams were canceled in 2020, and most students chose to not take exams in 2021. At this time, schools needed to conjure different ways to assess student progress that werent state tests. North Arrow said its unclear why certain parts of the state, including New York City, have experienced this increase in test refusals since schools reopened in 2022. It could be attributed to parents and students deciding to not take exams any longer. Additionally, there have been no punitive actions taken against those who boycott state exams, which has led to less fears of repercussions against students who opt out of testing. The reading state exam was held in mid-April, while testing for math begins on May 7. You can view the study and interactive map at https://www.north-arrow.org/post/10-years-opt-out. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Marc and Matty Hansen, nephews of former Staten Islander and professional model Patti Hansen, will be opening for The Rolling Stones with their band, Electric Mud on May 7 in Glendale, Arizona. Patti Hansen is the wife of Keith Richards, guitarist and vocalist of The Rolling Stones, and almost married him in the now-demolished Eltingville Lutheran Church in 1982. Hansen was originally from Staten Island and was scouted as a model selling hot dogs from her fathers cart. She met Richards in 1979 after being set up on a blind date by model Jerry Hall, who was dating Mick Jagger at the time. Three years later, it was rumored that they were to marry at Eltingville Lutheran on Dec. 19, 1982. Keith Richards and Patti Hansen at Rock and Roll Songwriters Hall of Fame induction on May 2, 1993. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)Ron Galella Collection via Getty A year after the rumors, they married on Dec. 18, 1983, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Marc Hansen is a former Navy Seal who changed paths to pursue music. His first song was written during a jam session with his uncle, Keith Richards. It was at Richards house that Marc first played around with songwriting, and hes been a songwriter ever since. The military gave me a lot, and I accomplished a lot, said Marc. So it helped shape me in a unique way and maybe gave me some good perspective which I can use for songwriting. Ronnie Wood, Keith Richards, and Mick Jagger perform on stage during The Rolling Stones' 'STONES TOUR '24 HACKNEY DIAMONDS' at NRG Stadium on April 28, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for RS)Getty Images for RS Marc grew up around music. Being in a big family, a lot of his older siblings exposed him to a variety of music. At 11 years old, you could find him listening to Beatles music chronologically, back-to-back, at his sisters house. Being in a band wasnt first on Hansens list of life experiences to pursue. It was his little brother, Matty, that pushed him towards music. His brother, the cofounder of Electric Mud, was often playing in bands with his friends during his high school years. Electric Mud formed in 2008 as a four member group consisting of Marc, Matty, and childhood friends David Stagno, and AJ Parascandola. Shortly after, both brothers joined the Navy in 2010 putting a pause on Electric Mud. They moved to San Diego for Navy training, where they met Colton Cori. Colton would join Matty and Marc in jam sessions during their time together in the Navy, and eventually pushed all three of them to pursue music together. After recruiting their cousin, Matt Sorena as their bassist, Electric Mud was brought back to life. David Stagno, who moved to Los Angeles, California, rejoined the group later as a guitarist and keyboardist, making Electric Mud a five-member group. Electric Mud comprises five band members, two of whom are originally from Tottenville.Courtesy of Electric Mud It was about two years ago that Patti Hansen asked Electric Mud to send songs and more information about them to show promoters for the Rolling Stones. Electric Mud finally got the news that they were going to be opening for the Rolling Stones. Hes our Uncle Keith. So, I mean. we worked hard to get here, but, yeah, its not lost on me that Im a lucky guy, said Marc Hansen. Were hoping this leads to more great gigs. But if this is it, its pretty cool. Were gonna play the best damn show weve ever played. Electric Mud will be opening for the Rolling Stones on May 7, in Glendale, Arizona at the State Farm Stadium. Lithuanian authorities are planning to deploy a fleet of engineering equipment on part of the state border with Russia. According to the Lithuanian broadcaster, the facilities are needed "to stop the possible movement of the enemy." ADVERTISIMENT Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte visited Klaipeda to discuss strengthening border security with Russia. The official held meetings at the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service and the Coast Guard unit that was reconstituted this year. It is reported that Lithuania will continue repairing and installing patrol routes on the border with Russia. It will also update its border surveillance systems, drone systems and anti-drone capabilities, strengthen cooperation between border guards and the Lithuanian army, and organize joint exercises. The Baltic states, in view of a possible Russian invasion, have begun to strengthen a thousand-kilometer stretch of their eastern borders. They are building the so-called Baltic Defense Line, which consists of barriers and bunkers. Each bunker will have an area of about 37 square meters, will be able to accommodate about 10 soldiers, and will be protected from artillery strikes. ADVERTISIMENT According to the Lithuanian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the state border with Russia is controlled by surveillance systems, including places where there is no physical barrier. This part of the border is guarded by the Pagegiai Frontier District and the Coast Guard Detachment. The length of the border between Lithuania and the Russian Federation is 30 km of land, 206 km of river and 30 km of lake territory, and there is also a 22 km section of the interstate maritime border. Since September 2022, the Lithuanian authorities have officially banned Russians from entering their country on any Schengen visa. As reported, Lithuania will help Ukraine build a number of new schools underground. The projects will be implemented in Odesa, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Sumy and Chernihiv regions. Another bomb shelter school may be built in Kharkiv region. All facilities will be built from scratch. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Rock legend Duane Eddy, who was the first rock and roll guitar god, died earlier this week. The 86-year-old died of cancer at the Williamson Health hospital in Franklin, Tenn., according to his wife, Deed Eddy, the Los Angeles Times reported. Eddy sold more than 100 million records worldwide, and influenced the likes of George Harrison, Bruce Springsteen and a generation of other guitarists, according to the Associated Press. Duane inspired a generation of guitarists the world over with his unmistakable signature Twang sound, a rep for the guitarist said. He was the first rock and roll guitar god, a truly humble and incredible human being. He will be sorely missed. Throughout his career, Eddy had 16 top-40 singles and was credited with the TV themes for Peter Gunn and Rebel Rouser. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Born in Corning, N.Y., on April 26, 1938, he died four days after his 86th birthday on April 30. He began his career in 1954 and became the first stand-alone rock n roll guitar star with a string of instrumental hits in the late 50s and early 60s, according to Variety. In 2011, Eddy told the BBC: When people come right out, like Bruce Springsteen or John Fogerty, and say: Duane was a big influence, thats just one of the perks and rewards of what I did. Thats worth more to me than money and the fame. That goes right to the heart. Sad to see the passing of my old friend, Duane Eddy, Fogerty posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Duane was a hero and HUGE inspiration to me and his music is still lighting the way! What tone! What a sound! An instinctive genius and an amazingly humble cat considering the fact that if you went below D string he owned it! Stevie Van Zandt wrote on X. His influence reached everybody including Italian legend Ennio Morricone. Theres no Good Bad OR Ugly without Duane Eddy. The Jersey Shore town that hosts the four-day summer Barefoot Country Music Festival on its expansive beaches will now be home to year-round country music venue with the opening next week of Wildwoods Honky Tonk Saloon. The bar takes the place of a former storage area for aging arcade equipment at the Boardwalk Mall on a busy strip near major amusement piers and shops. The opening planned for May 10 has generated plenty of buzz on its social media sites, owner Sean Doughtery said. Its tremendous, Dougherty said of the interest. We like it, we love it, we want some more of it Just a little walk through before our BIG announcement on Monday!... Posted by Wildwoods HonkyTonk on Saturday, April 27, 2024 The opening comes just ahead what should be a busy weekend in the Wildwoods with former Republican President Donald Trump hosting a rally on the beach on May 11 and Mothers Day the following day. Doors open at 5 p.m. on May 10 and the first live performance will kick off at 7 p.m. with additional live music start at 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday. Honky Tonk adds to Doughterys inventory of investments in the local hospitality scene, including Captn Jacks Island Grill, which is also located in the Boardwalk Mall space. Dougherty and his investors recently purchased the 32,000-square-foot Boardwalk Mall building, which also includes retail shops The building sold in August for $2.8 million, real estate records show. Honky Tonk includes a stage for live music, emulating those common to Nashvilles bar scene. Photos have emerged online showing lights hanging from beams above the bar and blinking arcade games. Nashville, when you go down there, it just opens your eyes up to what a bar-restaurant with music can really do to a space, Doughtery said. The latest music venue shows the continued investment in the Wildwoods, according to the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Authority. The Wildwoods offer excellent opportunities for business success, and an unmet demand for business growth, with attractive commercial and residential real estate corridors that are perfectly located in a Jersey Shore seaside setting, Louis Belasco, the authoritys executive director, said in a recent statement on the development. If privileged college kids want to root for terrorists, thats their right, as wrong-headed as it is. But they shouldnt keep other kids from getting an education while theyre doing it. But thats what weve seen across the country as college campuses have been shut down and classes disrupted because of pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Two of the biggest national flashpoints have been here in New York City, at Columbia University and at CUNYs City College. Protestors erected encampments and in some cases invaded school buildings. The colleges were shut down for a time and classes canceled. Wonderful. Some got to indulge their right to free speech while others got denied the education that theyve paid for. It wasnt that long ago that some of these very same students had their lives upended by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ridiculous and unnecessary cancellation of in-person learning. We all know how well that worked out. Kids lost years of their school lives, including extracurricular activities, proms and graduations. The mental toll continues. Now theyve had to suffer disruptions again and have had their safety jeopardized because of protestors, many of whom were not affiliated with Columbia or CCNY and some of whom were outside agitators. There have certainly been good-intentioned people taking part in these demonstrations. There are students who object to Israels ongoing military actions in Gaza, who object to how Israel has acted in Gaza over the years. Object all you want, even if comparing Israel to apartheid era South Africa is ridiculous on its face. Thats my opinion. Yours may differ and God bless. Its free speech in a free country. As a New Yorker who vividly remember 9/11, I cant see how anybody anywhere can demonstrate in favor of a terror group like Hamas. Hamas, which controls Gaza and whose leader actually lives in luxury in Qatar, hasnt exactly done great things for the people of Gaza, by the way. And you cant forget that it was Hamas that launched the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people, and that it is Hamas that continues to hold hostages taken during that attack. Thats why Israel is at war in Gaza right now. Maybe youre one of those folks who thinks that Oct. 7 is a just payback for how the Israelis have acted in Gaza. Maybe you applaud Hamas, even if that means you applaud a group that wants to wipe Israel off the face of the map. Youre rooting for genocide. Thats not how you address political grievances. Id sooner root for Al-Qaida. The anti-Israel vitriol were seeing, the antisemitism, is shocking to me. And frightening. But I come from a world where the U.S. supported Israel without question as our only reliable ally in the fractious Middle East. It was a world where you basically couldnt be a Democratic elected official and not support Israel. That world is gone. Now Israel is accused of genocide. Now Israel, a country that has been a safe harbor for survivors of the Holocaust, is called a Nazi state. Its something I never thought Id see. And its frightening because we all know what happened to the world the last time antisemitism was allowed to run amok. Well, at least some of us know. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. It was recently announced that four Catholic schools in New York City will close their doors at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year. In a pair of releases by Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Brooklyn, it was revealed that the following educational institutions would cease operations: - St. Catherine of Genoa - St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Academy in Brooklyn - Salve Regina Catholic Academy in Brooklyn - St. Matthias Catholic Academy in Queens - St. Simon Stock School in the Bronx It also was announced that Transfiguration School in Westchester County would close its doors at the end of the academic year. We understand this is indeed a sad day for our Catholic schools community, said Sister Mary Grace Walsh, superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of New York. However, as we process this news, we must resolve that the great tradition of Catholic education in New York will continue, and we will assist all families to find a seat at another excellent school in the Archdiocese. The closures of St. Simon Stock School and Transfiguration School are primarily being attributed to shifting demographics and lower enrollment. Affected families will be welcomed in neighboring Catholic schools, with applications for financial aid and scholarships available for the upcoming academic year where applicable, the Archdiocese of New York stated. The decision to close the schools in Queens and Brooklyn were based on unsustainable trends in enrollment and finances over the last five years, according to the Diocese of Brooklyn. The difficult decisions to close these schools were reached after a thorough review of the pattern of student enrollment and the financial condition of each academy, said Deacon Kevin McCormack, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Brooklyn. These three schools, in the midst of this most difficult time, will focus on celebrating their students and preparing them for the next chapter of their education. The Diocese of Brooklyn noted that all activities and events will proceed as normal; the schools in Brooklyn and Queens officially closing on Aug. 31. 2023 CATHOLIC SCHOOL CLOSURES Last year, 12 Catholic schools across the city closed, including St. Christopher School in Grant City. The Archdiocese similarly attributed those closures to shifting demographics and lower enrollment worsened by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, leading to a detrimental impact on the financial stability of the schools. I have nothing but greatness in this school, said St. Christopher School Principal Catherine Farabella during a visit by the Advance/SILive.com on the first day of the 2022-2023 school year. Its a beautiful little school. Were one of every grade except for pre-K 3 has two classrooms and pre-K. So this is a family. The parents really know one another. The kids know one another across the grades. The teachers work together for the kids. Its an unusual school, because its more like a family ... Its a special school, were a mighty little building. The announcement shocked the community with many parents sharing fond memories of the school. This school has a huge piece of my heart. Ive been a part of this building for so long. I graduated in 92 and to have my daughter here has been such an honor, Parent Teacher Association President Angela Genuso said at the time. The feeling in our school is incredible. We are a family, we really are. Were beyond devastated, said Danielle Coluccio, the mother of three St. Christopher students. Im an alumni. I started here in second grade and Mrs. Falabella was my first teacher. I was her first class. So this is beyond personal. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. All three of Staten Islands Community Boards have meetings planned this week. The New York City City of Yes,' zoning reform initiative will be explained at two separate meetings, while road issues and liquor applications will also be considered at others. Below are the meetings planned by all three of the Islands Community Boards. All meetings are open to the public. Community Board 1 Community Board 1 will host a Land Use Public Hearing on May 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the board office, 1 Edgewater Plaza, Suite 217. On the agenda is a presentation about the New York City Department of City Planning City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, zoning reform initiative designed to address the housing crisis in the city. The zoning changes are designed to enable more housing and a wider variety of housing types in every neighborhood, from the lowest-density districts to the highest, to address the housing shortage and high cost of housing in New York City. Presenters include Rasika Deosthali, borough planner and Community Board 1 liaison; Winnie Shen, housing planner, and Catie Ferrara Iannitto, Staten Island office director. Community Board 2 Community Board 2s Land Use Committee will hold a public hearing on May 7 at 7 p.m. in the conference room on the first floor at 1110 South Avenue, Bloomfield. At the meeting, representatives of the New York City Department of City Planning will introduce the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, a zoning reform initiative designed to address the housing crisis in the city by facilitating the construction of more housing units in every neighborhood. On May 9, there will be a Health Services Committee meeting at 7 p.m. at 900 South Ave., Bloomfield, in the third floor conference room. During the meeting, Eric Hausman, a representative from the New York City Department for the Aging, will provide a presentation on conventional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans. On May 14, there will be a joint meeting of the Environmental Protection and Parks, Traffic, Transportation & Public Service committees. At the meeting, to be held at 7 p.m. in the third floor conference room at 900 South Ave., representatives from the city Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Transportation will be addressing long-term road condition issues within Community Board 2. Community Board 3 Community Board 3 will host a virtual meeting of its Community Alliance Committee on May 9, at 7 p.m. During the meeting, members will consider New York State Liquor Authority applications and retail permit applications for several businesses, including: Guyon Bagel Deli & Grocery Inc., ZaRaMediterranean Cuisine, Premiere Pickleball of Staten Island, and Killmeyers Old Bavaria Inn. Applications for corporate change will be considered for The South Shore Swimming Club, Inc., and amendments will be discussed for Hy Star Deli. An application for an adult use retail dispensary license for Clouditude Dispensary, 4034 Hylan Blvd., Great Kills, will also be considered. Those interested in attending must register by 9 a.m. on the day of the meeting by visiting the board website: https://www.nyc.gov/site/statenislandcb3, or using the online Google form. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC All Community Board meetings and meetings of their committees are open to the public. They provide an excellent opportunity for residents to learn about happenings in their neighborhood and surrounding areas. Below is more information about the Islands three Community Boards: COMMUNITY BOARD 1 Arlington Castleton Corners Clifton Concord Elm Park Fort Wadsworth Graniteville Grymes Hill Livingston Mariners Harbor New Brighton Port Richmond Randall Manor Rosebank St. George Shore Acres Silver Lake Stapleton Sunnyside Tompkinsville West Brighton Westerleigh. The board chairman is Nicholas Siclari. The district manager is Joan Cusack. The telephone number is 718-981-6900. COMMUNITY BOARD 2 Arrochar Bloomfield Bulls Head Chelsea Dongan Hills Egbertville Emerson Hill Grant City Grasmere High Rock Lighthouse Hill Midland Beach New Dorp New Springville Oakwood Ocean Breeze Old Town Richmond South Beach Todt Hill Travis. The phone number is 718-568-3581. The fax number is 718-568-3595. The chairman is Fred Guinta. The district manager is Debra A. Derrico. COMMUNITY BOARD 3 Annadale Arden Heights Bay Terrace Charleston Eltingville Great Kills Greenridge Huguenot New Dorp Oakwood Pleasant Plains Princes Bay Richmond Valley Richmond Rossville Tottenville Woodrow. The office phone number is 718-356-7900. The board chairman is Frank Morano; the district manager is Charlene Wagner. Wayfairs biggest sales of the year are on tap for this weekend. Way Day 2024 is happening from Saturday, May 4 to Monday, May 6, and for the new Mommas-to-be (and Daddys-to-be!) facing the steep costs of setting up the house for baby, there could be a great deal on a nursery furniture set for you. The site will have discounts that top out at an amazing 80% off. Based on reviews from Wayfair purchasers, there are several nursery sets that rise to the top as the sites most recommended; we highlight some below. Several already had deals running before Way Day started. Note that not all items will see discounts during Way Day, and some flash sales are short-lived, but this is the best time of year to get the websites best prices. There are also lots of other great items on sale, including outdoor hot tubs (and the cheaper alternative, inflatable outdoor hot tubs), outdoor furniture and appliances. NURSERY SETS ON WAYFAIR Sorelle Palisades Room in a Box Wayfair rating: 4.6 stars Price as of Friday $457 (marked down from $574) Sorelle Palisades Room in a Box (Courtesy/Wayfair)Staten Island Advance Includes a crib that converts into a toddler bed and then later into a full-size bed. Mattress not included. Furniture comes in white. Atwood 3 Piece Nursery Furniture Set Wayfair rating: 4.6 stars Price as of Friday: $720.00 (marked down from $889) Atwood: Three piece nursery furniture set (Courtesy/Wayfair)Staten Island Advance The angled geometry of chevron adorning the Atwood 3 piece nursery set will bring a fresh and modern look to your babys nursery. The beveled edges and rich finishes tie the unique and intricate details together to create the stunning appearance. This 3 piece collection includes the Atwood 4-in-1 Convertible Crib, 3-drawer dresser, and coordinating dressing kit. Denman 3 Piece Nursery Furniture Set Wayfair rating: 4.7 stars Price as of Friday: $880 (marked down from $1,359) Denman 3 Piece Nursery Furniture SetScreenshot Using exclusively 90-degree design details, the adorning Denman 3-piece nursery set will bring a fresh, transitional feel to your babys nursery. This nursery set includes the Denman 4-in-1 Convertible Crib, Denman Double Dresser, and a removable changing table topper so that the dresser unit can be easily converted into a changing surface. Berkley Convertible 3 -Piece Nursery Furniture Set Wayfair rating: 4.7 stars Price as of Friday: $659 (marked down from $962) Berkley Convertible 3 -Piece Nursery Furniture SetScreenshot Give your nursery a relaxed look with the cottage-inspired styling of the Berkley Nursery Furniture Collection by Sorelle. The 4-in-1 Convertible Crib boasts a solid panel arched headboard with open slats for a timeless appeal. MORE NURSERY FURNITURE FOR SALE ON WAYFAIR >> Kim Thuy appears in a colorful flowered dress and her smile lights up the room. She says she was wrong to eat churros at midnight: she didnt sleep well after that. Born in Saigon 55 years ago, the writer was one of the boat people, the Vietnamese from the losing side of the war who left the country by sea to escape the Communist victors. She survived the crossing, arrived in a refugee camp in Malaysia and then Canada opened its doors to her; she settled in Quebec. Her novelistic work is based on short poetic vignettes and deals with the memory of the war as well as the process of integration as a migrant in a distant new country. She is in Madrid to present the film based on her successful novel Ru, directed by Charles-Olivier Michaud; it was screened this Thursday at the IX Muestra de Cine Francofono [the IX Francophone Film Festival]. Question. In your books, you say that Vietnamese people are very reserved, but you seem very expressive. Answer. But I am Canadian, and not only that but from QuebecThe rest of Canada, English Canada, is more influenced by the Anglo-Saxon culture, so theyre more reserved. But Quebecers are from the French part, and they are more expressive. But it is true that they are not as expressive as I am. I think I have become a caricature. Its a learned culture. I wanted to be a Quebecer. I tried so hard, and I went too far. Now, I am more than a Quebecer. And also, I think [its from] when we got off the boat. Q. What happened on the boat? A. We got off the boat [from Malaysia] and 15 minutes later, a rain came down and the boat broke in front of our eyes, just like that. 15 minutes more, and I wouldnt be here. So, after that everything is joyful, its a bonus. Every day is a bonus day, its a gift. And I think thats why happiness has become a responsibility for me. Q. Why did you flee Vietnam? A. We were from the south, and in 1975, the north won. Theres persecution because you have to take away all the power from those who were there before you. Its not like an election [where] you just change people. Here, you change ideologyand we were from the losing sideAll the boys who were not admitted to university were sent [to] the battlefield. There were two battlefields one in Cambodia and one at the border with China. My uncle was 17, and I have two brothers. We knew all the boys would dieWe were from the losing side, so for sure we were going to die. And we were also sure that we were going to die at sea. Q. There wasnt much choice. A. At least at sea it was your final attempt. You havemaybea chance. But we already accepted that we were going to die. And so thats why my father brought with him cyanide pills. We die because of the sea, or because of pirates, or sometimes there were boats that went right back to Vietnam, because of the currents, because of the wind, and we didnt know where we were going. So, yeah, there were no choices for us. Q. So, the worst thing for you was not the war, but the end of the war. A. Absolutely. We tend to forget to explain that peace doesnt come. Peace is something that you need to build and you need to work on. Even when the war ends, if we dont build peace we will never have it Peace is something that we need to wish for and to work for. Im very proud of Canada. I think for 200 years no blood has been spilled in this country because of conflict. This is something that Canada has chosen. Its a conscious choice, a societal choice to not have war. Canadian-Vietnamese writer Kim Thuy pictured in Madrid, Spain, on March 14, 2024. INMA FLORES Q. In Spain, we had the Civil War 80 years ago. But it still influences the present. It is hard to forget. You are still writing about the Vietnam War. A. Inside Vietnam, we talk about the war, but from only one side of the story, from the winning side, not from the losing side. Thats why the boat peoples story is not found anywhere in Vietnam in any history books. And the boat peoples story will die as soon as my parents die or as soon as I die. You need a historian, you need someone with dates [to write about it]. I am just a witness. In Vietnam, it is not called the Vietnam War, it is called the American war. And everybody is right. We need someone to gather all the voices, to bring out not the truth, because there is no one truth, but many truths. Q. When we think of the Vietnam War we usually think of Vietnamese versus Americans, but there were also Vietnamese on the losing side. A. Thats a problem. We were just [in the wrong place] at the wrong time as a country. Because the North was supported by the Chinese, or, at different times, by the Soviets.Vietnam was basically supported by these big countriesAnd in the South, [it was] the same thing with the Americans. [Neither side had] the means to fight for 20 years. And maybe they [had] the means to fight, but not the extraordinary means that killed so many people in such a fatal way. Maybe we would fight with only knives and fists. Q. We have terrible conflicts now, Ukraine, Gaza... Why are we still fighting like this? A. We repeat history. I never thought that the word boat people would be used again. And today we are. I think its because of human nature. We have this darker side to us, not because we want to fight, but because some people want to fight and they take us, the population, as hostages. Q. What can we do? A. I think we have to teach children from a very early age that we have a dark side, not kindness and empathy but teaching that you can feel that you want to be cruel, that you can feel anger, that you can feel jealous, and that can push us to do terrible thingsThen you can learn new tools for how to stop. But now we dont say that. We never say that. A mother who has lost a son or a daughter to war feels the same pain. It doesnt matter if the soldier was from the north or south, east or west. When you lose a loved one, you lose a loved one. Theres no more politics. Q. In some of your books you tell the small stories about war that affect people; perhaps the horror of war is better understood that way. A. You realize that a mother is just a mother. A mother who has lost a son or a daughter to war feels the same pain. It doesnt matter if the soldier was from the north or south, east or west. When you lose a loved one, you lose a loved one. Theres no more politics. We forget to talk about them as only humans. But we will use them as [political] instruments. Q. What is politics for? A. In my mind, it should be guidance, a vision for a country. What do we want as a society? Do we want a society that wishes to have peace, to be generous, to take care of each other? What kind of policies do we want, and from there we make decisions. And, you know, when we talk about communism, I think Canada is more communist than Vietnam. Because communism is about taking care of everyone, and everybody should be equal. We pay so much in taxes that everyone, poor or rich, has to go through the same health system, you dont have a choice. In Vietnam, if you have money, you have access. If you know the right people, you have access. Q. Some people say that the welfare state is the best form of communism. Others hate it precisely for that reason. A. Completely. In Canada, anyone can go to university if you really want to. In Canada, you want to try? Try, well help youWe have a very sophisticated law on bankruptcy. What does that mean? The government is telling you try, try, and if you fall the law is here to help you fall, to attenuate your fall, so you dont hurt yourself too much. And the law is also there to [help you] stand back up to try againIts a country that supports their people to be daring, to try, to dream. You read this [law] and you understand what this country stands for. I bet you [that] any person who hates immigrants, if they have a chance to just sit down and hear one story, then it is just one human to another human. Q. Far-right nationalist sentiment is growing against migration. A. Immigration has become a political instrument to divide the population. To talk about the economy to divide the population is too long, too hard to explain. So you just say be aware of strangers. Weve learned from a young age dont talk to strangers. Beware of strangers. So when you use strangers, foreigners, youre mind goes to, oh, thats dangerous. So, politics, again. Before it was communism [being used] to scare people. Today, nobody cares about communism. It doesnt work anymore. So, now, something that would scare someone right away? Immigration. But thats what makes me so mad. In real life, in everyday life, it doesnt work like that. Q. What is it like in real life? A. In real life, people still love each other. Thats why it is so important to tell the little stories. In our mind, we cannot connect with a convoy of immigrants, we cannot connect with a camp of refugees, we can connect with one person at a time, one story at a time. And I bet you [that] any person who hates immigrants, if they have a chance to just sit down and hear one story, then it is just one human to another human. And they will change [their mind] completely because you cannot label. Immigration should be connected with the word investment. [It is] investment in a person and the return on the investment is usually great. Its there in one generation. And in Canada, we dont have enough people. How many Canadians have never met an immigrant? I would bet you zero. Because Canadians are immigrants themselves, you know, its a very young country. Most Quebecers know the city of their great, great-grandparents. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size On the tiny island of Olkiluoto on Finlands Baltic Sea coast, just over three hours drive north-west from Helsinki, a minor miracle of engineering and science, planning and governance is unfolding. On the far western edge of the little island just 5 kilometres across Finland has switched on the first new nuclear reactor in Europe in the past 15 years; it is the tiny nations fifth reactor. The reactor now generates 1.6 gigawatts, enough to supply more than 750,000 modern Australian households. The newest nuclear reactor on Olkiluoto, Finland, took more than 17 years to build. Drive back towards the mainland a kilometre or two and you will come to the gates of Onkalo, a Finnish word meaning something like cavity in English, which will soon open to become the worlds first deep geological repository for the permanent storage of high-level nuclear waste. Soon robot tractors will begin the work of transferring Finlands spent fuel rods 450 metres down into the bedrock along the 50 kilometres of Onkalos tunnels to be sealed in gigantic copper cylinders, packed in bentonite an absorbent clay that swells when exposed to water and is the main ingredient in kitty litter and finally entombed behind vast concrete plugs to rest in safety for 100,000 years. Or that is the plan arrived at in Finlands parliament in 1994, when the nations leaders decreed that the generation that benefited from nuclear power was responsible for safely disposing of it and set a timeline to get it done. A site would be selected by 2000, operations would begin by the mid-2020s. And so it was that a site was chosen by that date and Posiva, the company that won the contract to bury the waste, has just won a licence to start operations later this year. Advertisement This is also important for Finnish culture that we stick to the schedule, says Mika Pohjonen, managing director of Posiva Solutions, a subsidiary that sells the companys expertise internationally, as he talks through the extraordinary considerations of such a project. The timelines, he says, as we speak in his Helsinki office on an unseasonably snowy spring afternoon, are impossible for human minds to properly grapple with. The plant will operate for 100 years before it is sealed and returned to the state. In 100,000 years the radioactivity of the waste will have reduced to background levels, but the facility is intended to last 1 million years. The underground nuclear waste storage facility in Olkiluoto will store spent fuel rods 450 metres beneath the surface. Credit: Posiva Any human being cannot really understand what this means, says Pohjonen. You understand 10 years, 100 years, maybe. The Roman Empire was 2000 years ago, OK. But then 10,000 years? 100,000 years? That is beyond comprehension. Advertisement I ask him how long the facility would remain safe if due to some unforeseen future calamity there was no one left to maintain it. If there is no nobody in Scandinavia or Finland? Then in fact who would care? Besides, he notes, the next ice age will cover the entire area with a few kilometres of ice in less than 150,000 years. The bedrock into which Onkalo is built is 1900 million years old. So it is relatively stable, says Pohjonen, who is possessed of a manner of speech so dry it is impossible to know whether he is always or never joking. The underground facility has 50 kilometres of tunnels. Credit: Posiva The site was selected not just for its stability but for its utterly unremarkable geological make-up. The designers wanted to be sure that no future civilisation would seek to disturb it, so they selected an area that not only had no known useful minerals, but one whose geological make-up was so common that there would be no reason to mine it for materials that might one day become valuable. Posivas view is that it should be left utterly unmarked, says Pohjonen. There should be no reason for anyone to disturb it. (Just as no other deep permanent facility has yet been completed, there is no international consensus on this. A report by a major US nuclear research lab went as far as proposing wording to be inscribed upon such facilities. This place is not a place of honour, reads the proposed text. No highly esteemed deed is commemorated here ... nothing valued is here. What is here was dangerous and repulsive to us. ) Advertisement However unthinkable the timelines that Onkalos keepers are grappling with, Climate and Environment Minister Kai Mykkanen has no doubt about nuclears role in Finlands economy. Inside the new reactor. Credit: Getty Mykkanen represents a centre-right government installed in June 2023, more than a year after Russias invasion of Ukraine. It is more conservative and more West-facing than its predecessors and determined that not only should clean electricity help Finland meet climate targets, cheap and abundant energy should also bolster its economy. Loading Finlands climate targets are among the most ambitious on earth. It aims to have a net-zero economy by 2035 and after that to go negative. That is, it aims to have its forests absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than its economy pumps into it. So far it is having success in reducing its emissions but struggling to improve its forest emissions sink. By comparison, Australias targets are to reduce emissions by 43 per cent compared with 2005 levels by 2030, and reach zero in 2050. To reach Finlands ambitious goals, nuclear is crucial says Mykkanen. Nuclear power, along with the mass deployment of wind and solar, will allow it to double its electricity production so it can power electrified green export industries. It plans to ramp up the production of green steel, synthetic fuels and hydrogen. Advertisement It has also allowed Finland to sever its energy lifelines with Russia, which until the invasion of Ukraine was a source of gas, wood and biomass for Finland. So convinced of the efficacy of nuclear power is Finland that when it adopted its ambitious targets it lobbied for the European Union to recognise nuclear as a form of green energy. Support for nuclear comes from across the political spectrum, too. While opposition to nuclear power is woven into the creation of the early Green political movements, particularly in Germany and Australia, MPs for the Green League in Finland now support it. Partly this has to do with Finlands typically pragmatic approach to policymaking, says Veikko Sajaniemi, a lead consultant with the Finnish sustainability advisers Third Rock. Finland has a population of just over 5.5 million people, which is well-educated and well governed. In one annual global report, Finland was famously named the happiest country on earth seven times running, in part because it is among the least corrupt. Advertisement Responses to the spate of knife crime in NSW should heed community needs and successful policies overseas, youth justice experts say. They caution against reactionary policies following attacks at Bondi Junction and Wakeley and, in the past week, the stabbing deaths of a 10-year-old at her Lake Macquarie home and 22-year-old man at Coffs Harbour. In NSW, knife crime is declining Assault and robbery offences involving a knife are dominating headlines, but data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research show such incidents are at a 20-year low: about 1500 were recorded in 2023, compared to more than 4200 in 2004. Among under-18s, the number of recorded offences has been more stable, although there was a spike in minors charged with robbery with a knife during 2020 and 2021. However, the rate of offending has declined relative to the states increased population. Queensland Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon has called a fellow state MPs allegations of being drugged and sexually assaulted last weekend shocking and horrifying. Brittany Lauga, the Assistant Minister for Health, posted a statement on social media on Saturday morning describing the alleged attack that she reported to Yeppoon Police in the early hours of April 28. Labor's Keppel MP Brittany Lauga. Credit: Brittany Lauga - Facebook. I went to the Yeppoon Police Station and Yeppoon Hospital, after being drugged and sexually assaulted, she wrote on social media. Tests at the hospital confirmed the presence of drugs in my body which I did not take. This substance impacted me significantly. As the head of a frontline domestic violence response centre, the thing that keeps me awake at night is all the people who dont call. Those people who think there is no one who can or will help them. Too many dont call us because they dont call anyone. With good reason. Experience has taught them that there are no services for them, or the person abusing them has convinced them that no one can or would help. How can they better help more victim survivors? The answer is simple for me. Do more of the things that we see work every day. Credit: Illustration: Matt Davidson A few months ago, we had a woman brought into crisis accommodation after police found her locked in a bathroom with her baby. Shed been there for weeks. She was starving and so badly beaten the officers couldnt tell what nationality she was; they couldnt see the colour of her skin or the shape of her face. The woman was brought to us because the only crisis accommodation available to her and her baby on their first night out of hospital was a motel room. Can you imagine it? Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Wholeheartedly agree: there is an urgent need for males in our society, particularly fathers, to step up and be positive role models when it comes to gender violence (Time to tackle this crisis in our community, April 28). Furthermore, meaningful, targeted and timely action by governments, community leaders, plus the media, is crucial to cleanse Australia of this scourge. Indeed, it behoves all of us to respect others at all times, for the sake of our collective futures. Mervyn Cross, Mosman How? Credit: Cathy Wilcox I agree that parents and peers are the strongest influence on misogynistic behaviours of teenage boys and its important to identify this (Cycle of violence needs to stop at home first, April 28). And I agree that consent classes and other boys to men programs in schools, while helpful, only go so far in changing attitudes. However, from my experience as a teacher in boys schools, I believe there is much more these schools can do to model respectful relationships towards women. This starts with supporting female teachers when they experience disrespectful behaviour from students not by taking control, but by giving female staff members agency to handle situations and be involved in decisions on appropriate consequences. It is also about developing a culture in which teachers can speak up about mistreatment without fear of detrimental action being taken against them. And its about ensuring that schools do not simply bow to the pressure of influential parents or dinosaur dads, but back their teachers first and foremost. It might also be time to see more female principals of boys only schools now theres a radical idea. Fiona Richards, Mosman Ban surcharges The article ignores the fact that payments by cash also cost retailers and service providers time and money to collect, sort, count, balance, and bank (Plastic not so fantastic as card charges jump, April 28). The fact that we are charged surcharges for digital payments is ridiculous as the administration involved in these compared to cash payments must be considerably less. The logic of the ACCC in approving these surcharges in the first place was fatally flawed. Dont ask me about the 5 per cent taxi surcharge! When will they all be banned? Piers Brogan, North Curl Curl In some instances, the extra charged is not a small amount. I recently confirmed a holiday booking over the telephone and paid the deposit using a debit card. There was a $22 additional charge for doing this. Needless to say the balance was paid using BPAY. While on holiday my wife and I had lunch with the family at a local club and ordered the meal using the QR code on the table. There was a $6 charge for using this service, even though it failed to work and our order had to be made again at the counter. Extra charges on card transactions need to be better regulated. They are too easily added and not always recognised or understood. Philip Scott, Thornleigh Bellevue Hills median weekly asking unit rent is now $895, having risen 19.3 per cent over the past year, Domains latest Rent Report for the March quarter found. Loading Poche said the apartments tidy interior and stunning outlook attracted a strong cluster of buyers, with bidding kicking off at $1.2 million. Bids rose in $50,000 and then $25,000 increments until the $1.5 million mark, when the investor continued to battle it out with an owner-occupier. They were trying to knock each other out with $1000 and then $500 bids, and sometimes the investor was showing weakness, and it ended up being quite drawn out. Poche said the vendors who relocated to the South Coast were gobsmacked by the result, having held the unit for two decades. Elsewhere in Hurstville, a father forked out a reserve-beating $2.76 million to help his daughter get her foot on the property ladder claiming the keys to a five-bedroom, three-bathroom brick home at 166 Carrington Avenue. Ahead of the competitive auction, agent Haydon Sacilotto of Ray White Georges River feared theyd be forced to lower the $2.3 million reserve, given the complicated nature of the sale which was through a director of GDK Group. The original vendors of the home were declared bankrupt and had become the homes tenants instead. It was a really good result, but we had a spanner thrown in the mix the day before, said Sacliotto. We had to change the auction location because the tenants refused us access, so we ended up having it our office. Loading He said of the 11 bidders eight were active, including a buyer relocating from Dubbo and a bidder from Western Australia. Bidding kicked off at $1.8 million with $50,000 bids thrown down until the $2.2 million mark when it dropped to $10,000 and $20,000 increments. The price guide had been early $2 millions. Sacilotto said the determined dad then managed to secure the winning bid, buying the Hurstville home largely because it was close to his daughters work. The contract ended up having three people on it, including the mum, dad and daughter. Were seeing a lot of buyers leaning on the bank of mum and dad now and especially in this price bracket because the mortgage on a $2 million home is ridiculous, he said. They had to bring cash in from overseas to secure it. Sacliotto said the market was extremely buoyant with the small agency clocking 40 sales this year alone. Theres not much stock out there though so everyone is pre-approved to buy, he said. At Miranda, a four-bedroom home that was nothing special on a 575-square-metre block sold for the first time since it was built in the 1960s, fetching $1,836,000. A Chinese expat family beat out 16 registered bidders to secure the title and claim their first abode on Australian soil at 31 Goodacre Avenue. With a reserve of $1.6 million, selling agent Luke Lombardi, of McGrath Sutherland Shire, said the result was an outstanding one with 80 per cent of interest coming from families. Loading It blew me out of the water how many bidders this home attracted. We thought wed get around seven to 10 bidders but this home was in that sweet price spot and while there was nothing special about it, it was perfect for entry level buyers, he said. I was quite surprised with the level of competitiveness I really thought bidding would die off towards the end, but I was surprised with how aggressive it was. Theres still a big shortage of properties which is fuelling these results. The price guide was originally $1.4 million, then revised up to $1.45 million then up again to $1.55 million. Bidding for the home started at $1.6 million and rose in $20,000 and then $10,000 increments, Lombardi said, with the emotional vendors rapt to see their beloved family home secure a top figure. He said the vendors bought the original lot in 1962 for 8000. At 14 Hills Avenue, Epping, another single-level brick home featuring four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a 765 square metre parcel sold for $2.765 million just over the $2.7 million reserve. The home, marketed through Ray White Carlingfords Nathan Circosta, attracted 100 groups throughout the campaign with 10 registered bidders, of which six were active, duelling it out. Mexico City: Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutors office said overnight. The missing men brothers Jake and Callum Robinson from Australia and American Jack Carter Rhoad went missing last week. They did not show up at their planned accommodations last weekend. A missing persons poster for Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and American Jack Carter Rhoad. While there has not yet been forensic confirmation, physical characteristics including hair and clothing point to a high likelihood the bodies are those of the three tourists, local TV network Milenio reported, citing chief state prosecutor Maria Elena Andrade Ramirez. It is presumed that [the bodies] are the ones being investigated, an employee of the state prosecutors office who was not authorised to be quoted by name. Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexicos victory over the French Empire in the Battle of Puebla, on May 5 1862, but interestingly enough, outside of Puebla, the date is not widely celebrated in Mexico. It is, however, rather a bigger deal north of the border, with the vast Mexican-American communities celebrating across the USA. In fact, in the US, many see it as a celebration of Mexican heritage within American culture, one that is only celebrated at this time of year. The transition from Asian to Western content is becoming more and more common on streaming platforms forever seeking to conquer global audiences. After Money Heists worldwide success, Netflix produced a Korean version of the series. The South Korean Squid Game morphed into the tale of a U.S. contest that recreated the original series challenges. The cultural industry is starting to bet more and more on hybrid content, occasionally based on books, with the goal of seducing both markets. Such has been the case of series like Shogun (now available on Disney+ ), The Sympathizer, Tokyo Vice (both available on HBO Max) and Pachinko (Apple TV+). A good culture clash is always juicy for scriptwriters, because it generates conflict and enriches plots, Lorenzo Mejino, an expert in international series and co-author along with Paula Hergar of the book La vuelta al mundo en 80 series (Around the world in 80 series), tells EL PAIS by telephone. Cosmo Jarvis as John Blackthorne and Anna Sawai as Toda Mariko, two of the three protagonists from the series Shogun. Katie Yu/FX Japanese publicity agency Dentsu carried out a survey in July 2022 that analyzed the popularity of anime and the characteristics associated with its consumption in the United States, focusing on 18 to 54-year-olds, advertisers most-valued age group. The result showed that the genre has particularly enamored Generation Z (those under the age of 25), 44% of whom, equal to 19 million viewers, watch the most viral anime programs. The number of U.S. residents who watch Korean dramas, called k-dramas, is similar: 18 million, the majority of them young people, according to Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA). Thats why, in addition to creating live-action versions of shows like One Piece and Cowboy Bebop, practically every on-demand content service out there has its own original series that combines the two cultures. Theyre especially intent on attracting young people, who arent as hemmed in by cultural barriers as pre-internet generations. Younger people have no problem in leaping over the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, as Bong Joon-ho, the director of Parasite, put it upon receiving his unprecedented Golden Globe and Oscar for Korean cinema in 2020. In many cases, original Asian material is adapted for a Western audience. Star Chinese science-fiction author Liu Cixin sold the rights to her novel The Three-Body Problem twice, says Mejino. The first time, producers created a Chinese version that was as extensive and baroque as her original text, with more than 30 episodes with durations of more than 40 minutes. Netflix then paid her to make their English-language adaption, enlisting the efforts of the creators of Game of Thrones. Currently, the production consists of an eight-episode season that condenses characters and shifts the action from Asia to a very British Oxford. Even U.K. television, specifically ITV, has turned to bestselling Japanese author Hideo Yokoyama to turn one his mystery novels, Six Four, which follows the kidnapping of a little girl in northern Tokyo, into a series that moves the location to the United Kingdom. Tokyo Vice adapts Jake Adelsteins book for HBO Max. eros hoagland Several other projects have arrived on screens more organically, through a simple demographic shift: there are more and more U.S. residents with Asian heritage in leadership positions in Hollywood and other cultural industries. Such is the case of Soo Hugh, the showrunner of Pachinko, which is waiting to begin its second season. The series hails from South Korean and Canadian television, and focuses on four generations of a Korean family in Japan and the United States, adapted from the 2017 novel of the same name written by Korean-American author Min Jin Lee. Despite a vast increase in U.S. content focusing on characters and stories connected to Asia and the Pacific islands in the last 15 years, theyve gone from 3% of characters to 16%, according to the University of Southern California more than 70% of viewers with heritage from those countries are unsatisfied with the authenticity of their representation in television and film, according to figures from the non-profit organization Gold House and McKinsey & Co. consultants. Still from Pachinko, the popular South Korean Apple TV+ series. Park Chan-wook is part of the team behind The Sympathizer, based on the Nobel Prize-winning novel by Vietnamese-American writer Viet Thanh Nguyen. The thrillers main character is a communist French-Vietnamese spy during the last days of the Vietnam War and his subsequent exile in the United States, with Hoa Xuande playing the lead role and Sandra Oh and Robert Downey Jr. as supporting characters. Warners streaming platform has already launched the second season of Tokyo Vice. Its story of a U.S. man persecuted by the yakuza in the Japanese capital is based on the book of the same name by Jake Adelstein, the first Western journalist to work at Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun. The series depicts the various challenges of a Japanese society intent on ignoring its organized crime problem. In the world of academic research, the term Westernize has a derogatory component that designates the countries of the West as first world, as compared to those of the East, which are nearly considered the third world, says Sonia Duenas, a researcher at Madrids Universidad Carlos III. Belgian history professor Frederick Cryns is well aware of this legacy. He has lived in Japan for decades, works at Kyotos International Research Center for Japanese Studies, and consulted for Disney+ on Shogun, which was executive-produced by Rachel Kondo, a Japanese-American. The James Clavell novel, set during the arrival of the first Europeans to feudal Japan, was adapted in the 1980s for a version starring Richard Chamberlain. For us it was important, in contrast to the first series, that this time, the Japanese point of view carry the same weight as the Western one, Cryns explained to this publication at the beginning of March, when the remake premiered. 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SIGN IN By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. In his victory speech at London City Hall, he said: For the last eight years, London has been swimming against the tide of a Tory government, and now, with a Labour Party thats ready to govern again under Keir Starmer, its time for Rishi Sunak to give the public a choice. Sporting a black trench coat and a fuchsia scarf, Jack Lang, 84, slowly crosses one of the old bridges over the Seine. He is on his way to his office on the top floor of the Arab World Institute (IMA), an institution he himself inaugurated in 1987 as Minister of Culture with his then boss, the President of the French Republic, socialist Francois Mitterrand. No one, perhaps with the exception of Louis XIV and Andre Malraux, has ever wielded more influence over cultural policy in France or probably any other state. With a doctorate in International Law and a degree in Political Science, Lang has been a city councilor, mayor, government spokesman, Minister of Culture and Education, socialist militant, theater champion and baroque character extraordinaire, lover of the TV cameras, expensive suits and privileged agendas. He is an old media star of the gauche caviar Caviar left a real Sun King 350 years after the absolutist monarchs reign. Driven by Mitterrands controversial vision, he racked up decisive achievements in cultural policy: a single price for books, the allocation of 1% of the state budget to culture, quotas for European audiovisual production on small and large screens in the fight against the more commercial and liberal productions, the creation of an ambitious national network of art centers, and, above all, the setting up of iconic cultural infrastructures in Paris, such as the Grand Louvre and its famous pyramid, the Bastille Opera House, the National Library of France, the City of Sciences, the Grande Arche de la Defense, and the Arab World Institute itself, where he recently embarked on his fourth term as president. We chatted with Jack Lang in the office where, on April 15, 2019, he watched the Notre Dame Cathedral burn. Jack Lang in one of his famous scarves at the IMA in Paris. With a salary of 10,000 a month, his third term was not without controversy. Julie Glassberg (Contacto) Youre now starting a fourth term at the head of an institution that you yourself created with Francois Mitterrand. Will this be your last? It is curious. Some might even say: From the beginning, Jack Lang has only been thinking about his own future and he invented a house of Arab culture so he could preside over it, so he could again be a kind of Minister of Culture. [laughs]. Well, no, thats not the truth. What is the truth? Well, when Francois Mitterrand became President of the Republic and appointed me Culture Minister, he asked me to think about a thousand and one projects, some of which I had already suggested to him. Among them was a headquarters for the Arab World Institute, which already existed as such but was housed in offices. He said go ahead, and very quickly we found the ideal place and launched a competition for young architects. And Jean Nouvel won. Yes, when we saw his project, it was love at first sight. At that time, Nouvel was practically an unknown. Now hes a star. The strange thing is that, years later, I see myself here again, at the helm of a place that I helped get built, and that has been a little bit like my home. I have welcomed some very important people here. I welcomed Yasser Arafat here in 1989 at Mitterrands request. At that time, Arafat was considered a terrorist, and nobody wanted to receive him not even the vast majority of the government to which I belonged. What exactly was Mitterrands idea regarding Arafat? He said to me: Since you have declared yourself in favor of the existence of two states, Israel and Palestine, could you please organize a meeting with Arafat and political and intellectual personalities? And we held the meeting on the terrace, with the then French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Roland Dumas. Then I took Arafat to visit the Louvre. And he ended by participating in a television program in which, at our request, he announced that the non-recognition of Israel clause was going to disappear from the Founding Charter of the PLO [Palestinian Liberation Organization]. As we suggested, he said that it was an outdated clause. So, it was a historic moment. Beyond the cultural, is the IMA a sort of small Foreign Ministry? Well, yes, technically we work under the auspices of the Quai dOrsay [the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs]. But we are by no means a miniature ministry. This is not the government, and Im not a minister. But culture is valued here, not only in the artistic field, but also in the realms of science, diplomacy, and economy and others that are part of the life of Arab countries. It is true, this may sometimes have a strong political influence. Some of the countries that sit on the IMA board, such as Saudi Arabia, do not have a very positive record in terms of human rights and respect for women. Sometimes its hard not to think they are buying respectability with money and influence. What do you think? Let me see, buy is not the right word, but look, even before I was president of the IMA, I followed the political, social, and cultural evolution of these countries very closely. Regarding Saudi Arabia, many have traditionally believed that it was a rigid regime that could never evolve. But I have been traveling there twice a year over the past 12 years, and it is spectacular to see how it has evolved. Of course, it is a strategy, but... Do you really believe it has evolved? Human rights problems remain. Of course. But I am not talking about the political regime, which is not a democratic regime. They dont have the same values as we do. But their strategy is intelligent. It is based on the development of young people, of women, of entrepreneurship, in order to free them from the tutelage of the religious extremists who were blocking the evolution of the country. Another member of the IMA board is Palestine, which is not actually a state. What is Palestines relationship with the IMA within the context of conflict such as the current Gaza situation? Our relationship is one of reciprocal freedom. I myself decided about two years ago to organize a big event on Palestinian culture. I was determined to make it clear that Palestine is not only a land of guerrillas and Hamas terrorists, but also a land of creative and inventive people that has many exceptional artists and writers. That exhibition opened in May last year and was an astonishing success with the public, especially with young people. When the terrible events that continue in the Middle East were triggered, the exhibition was even more successful, and the queues were enormous. People were eager to understand. But that image of peace and creativity in Palestine that you tried to promote has been destroyed by the war, hasnt it? What is happening is terrible. The situation is catastrophic. Catastrophic for Palestine and for Palestinian citizens. Several of the artists who were present at the exhibition have died in the war. But Israel is also going through very hard times now. The situation in the region is extremely serious. Lang on the banks of the Seine in 2015 during a tribute to Brahim Bouaram, a young Moroccan killed by a right-wing extremist in 1995. Jean-Francois DEROUBAIX (Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images) Do you believe, as many do, that Israel is committing genocide in response to the October 7 terrorist acts? I am a lawyer and I have been a professor of international law for many years. And you have to be careful when you use concepts like that. The International Court of Justice has been consulted and I think it has said that there could be provisional measures regarding genocidal actions. But it has not called the Israeli attacks as a whole genocide. What the Israeli army has done and is doing is serious. It could amount to war crimes. The reality is that the Palestinian people today are experiencing death, destruction, hunger, and suffering. The war has to stop, and other countries have to participate in the reconstruction of Palestine. Can we be optimistic about that? I am, by temperament, an optimist, but it is true that the hatred between these two peoples is extremely strong. Hamas is fighting against the existence of Israel and has committed monstrous acts while a proportion of Israelis along with the Israeli authorities do not accept the creation of a Palestinian state. And that seems irreconcilable right now. Lets hope there will emerge people on both sides capable of rising above that hatred, like Nelson Mandela and Frederik de Klerk did in South Africa. By the way, South Africa has been the only country to appeal to the International Court of Justice regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict. Yes, thats right. It gives the impression the Palestinians have been abandoned by the rest of the Arab world. Youre right. The Arab world has abandoned Palestine. Even some of the countries that had shown signs of enthusiastic support for years. All this from... a Jew presiding over the Arab World Institute. My father was Jewish. A secular Jewish family? Absolutely. Do you consider being secular an essential requirement for presiding over such an institution? Mmmmm... Just to be clear, this is the Institute of the Arab World, not the Muslim World or the Islamic World? Listen, I dont pretend to be a model or an example of anything. Indeed, I am deeply secular, and unfortunately not a believer. Would you like to be one? Well, I mean, people who profess a faith have arguments to justify hope, and thats enviable. But Im not a believer, although I am deeply respectful of all religious beliefs, as long as they dont shift into fanaticism, as is happening all over the world today. The Institute of the Arab World must remain faithful to its history. And, lets be clear, the history of the Arab world includes Muslims, Jews, Christians and people of other religions. We have organized exhibitions here on pilgrimages to Mecca, on the treasures of Islam in Africa, on the Christians of the East and on the millennial history of the Jews in the East. During your years as Minister of Culture under Mitterrand, it seems you focused your work on taking advantage of the economic strength of culture. Does the expression work for you? Of course. Not all governments can, or want to, take advantage of that strength. No, most of them do not. It is sad and ill-conceived. What did you say to President Mitterrand to convince him this was the right approach? I didnt have to convince the President of anything! He was a man of culture himself. He had an extensive literary, historical, artistic, and cinematographic knowledge. And it was clear to him from the beginning that culture had to be at the center of his governments policies. And he did well. What did the Great Works symbolize, as in the Louvre pyramid, the Bastille Opera House, the National Library of France, and the Institute of the Arab World? In what sense? French president, Francois Mitterrand (center), accompanied by Jack Lang (right), inaugurates the Great Pyramid of the Louvre on March 29, 1989. William Stevens (Gamma-Rapho / G (Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images) Outside of France, at least, they were associated in a way with French grandeur, a little bit Louis XIV-like, dont you think? Yes. And why not? Theres no reason why the leaders of a country shouldnt have lofty and noble ambitions for their country. And for their continent, which in this case is Europe. I fought very hard for the idea of a Europe of culture. One of the people with whom I collaborated in this respect was my friend Jorge Semprun. Together with others, we fought against the supporters of a strictly commercial vision of culture and were very powerful within the European Commission. Another accomplice in that fight was the Greek Minister of Culture Melina Mercouri. Critics say that you bombarded Mitterrand with a thousand and one messages a day, and that, when you left the Ministry of Culture, the President told you: I wont miss your messages. Well, that is true... but you are referring to the book published by the journalist Frederic Martel [Jack Lang. Une revolution culturelle, 2021]. I opened my archives to him and he made a selection... which is not what I would have done. He specifically chose some of the letters I wrote to Francois Mitterrand. That was a unique episode between a president and his Minister of Culture. It was a time when the left was fighting with real passion for culture, scientific research and education, which is no longer the case today. People come to Paris and still enjoy its cafes, its restaurants, its bookstores, its cinemas, its theaters, its museums basically, its intense cultural life. But at the same time, there are the street riots involving the farmers, the yellow vests, then the constant strikes, the unstoppable rise of the ultra-right, the growing insecurity in some neighborhoods a feeling of generalized discontent. They are two opposing images. What you say is true. It is so true that many French people think like you. The French are a bit lost. And that, of course, is part of what plays into the hands of the extremists. When people dont understand things, the populists win. Its a pity because Emmanuel Macron is a political figure with great human and intellectual qualities. He is head and shoulders above the vast majority of French politicians. But the National Front [actually, the party of Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella is called National Rally] has won not only seats in Parliament, but also quite a lot of sympathy in the collective imagination. The former Minister of Culture and current president of the IMA, at work in his office. Julie Glassberg (Contacto) Do you think the far right will one day be in power in France? Personally, I will do everything I can to prevent it, but this threat must be taken very seriously. They have no scruples. They are fascists, but they manage to disguise themselves very cleverly. They pretend to be normal politicians when they are not. And that is precisely Marine Le Pens strength. But theres worse. France is a presidential regime, and presidentialism is a nefarious system. In the end, it does not really allow for the political game of parties, tendencies and ideas. It does not work, unless there is a total harmony between the National Assembly and the Presidency of the Republic, but today that does not exist in France. Everything is a permanent conflict. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Spain is the country in the European Union (EU) with the highest life expectancy, at 84 years, and is above the Community average, which is 81.5 years, while Romania has the third lowest life expectancy from the EU, for 76.6 years, according to the latest data updated on Friday by the Community statistics agency Eurostat, quoted by EFE. Romania is followed in this ranking only by Latvia, with 75.9 years and Bulgaria, with 75.8 years. However, the largest increase in life expectancy from 2019 to 2023 was registered in Romania, the increase in life expectancy being one year, followed by Lithuania (+0.8 years) and Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg and Malta (all with an increase of +0.7 years). At the opposite pole are Austria and Finland, which recorded the biggest decreases in life expectancy (minus 0.4 years each), followed by Estonia and the Netherlands (minus 0.2 years). These are preliminary data collected at the end of 2023, according to which Spain has the highest life expectancy at birth in the entire European Union (84 years), followed closely by Italy (83.8 years) and Malta (83.6 years ). In total, 15 of the 27 EU member states exceed the EU average for life expectancy (81.5 years) In general, the countries with the lowest life expectancy are those in Eastern Europe and the Baltic countries, while the countries in the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and Central Europe have the highest life expectancy. This is the life expectancy of all EU countries, ordered from highest to lowest: Spain (84 years), Italy (83.8 years), Malta (83.6), Sweden (83.4), Luxembourg (83.4), France (83.1), Belgium (82.5), Cyprus (82.5), Portugal (82.4), Netherlands (82), Slovenia (82), Denmark (81.9) , Finland (81.7), Greece (81.6), Austria (81.6), Germany (81.2), Czech Republic (80); Estonia (78.8), Croatia (78.8), Poland (78.6), Slovakia (78.1), Lithuania (77.3), Hungary (76.9), Romania (76.6), Latvia (75.9) and Bulgaria (75.8). Comparing these data from 2023 with those from 2019, the reference year for establishing comparisons, being the last before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, it follows that up to 18 EU countries increased their life expectancy, while Spain remained stable, at 84 years old. This weekend, the St. Louis and New Orleans jazz connection by way of Jazz St. Louis continues in a major way. The JazzU All-Stars comprising the top middle and high school players from Jazz St. Louis acclaimed JazzU program, will perform at the historic New Orleans Jazz & Hertiage Festival in the WWOZ Jazz Tent on Saturday, May 4. Their presentation marks the first time a Jazz St. Louis student ensemble will perform at the festival. They are ambassadors of Jazz St. Louis and the St. Louis region, said Jazz St. Louis President and CEO Victor Goines. Their set is a significant milestone for Jazz St. Louis and its young musicians, offering them an opportunity to showcase their talents on one of the most celebrated jazz festivals in the world. Participating in a major jazz festival is an unparalleled opportunity for our students, said Adaron Jackson, Director of Education and Community Engagement for Jazz St. Louis. Performing in New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, will be a profound and unforgettable experience, connecting them with the rich history and cultural heritage of this music, fueling a lifelong passion and opening doors to future opportunities in the jazz world and beyond. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2024 performers include The Rolling Stones, Irma Thomas, Kenny Barron, Rebirth Brass Band, Charles Lloyd, Nicholas Payton, Neil Young, Danilo Perez, Stefon Harris & Blackout, Bonnie Raitt, and Jon Batiste, among many other notable and celebrated artists. In addition to their festival performance, the group will embark on a culturally enriching tour of New Orleans, visiting and performing in locations pivotal to the history of jazz. The trip will not only provide them with the opportunity to perform but also to immerse themselves in the rich musical heritage of the city. On their agenda is a trip to the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, an incubator for many of jazz musics most celebrated artists including notable alumni Jon Batiste, Nicholas Payton, Terence Blanchard, and Troy Trombone Shorty Andrews among others. Adding to the excitement, Jazz St. Louis President and CEO Victor Goines will perform at New Orleans premier jazz venue, Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro, with his quartet on Friday, May 3, and at the festival on Sunday, May 5. One of my primary motivations for joining Jazz St. Louis was to help increase the visibility of our organization locally, nationally, and internationally, said Goines. Having the JazzU All-Stars travel to my hometown of New Orleans to perform at one of the largest jazz festivals in the world will provide them with real-world experiences of what it means to be a jazz musician. This trip provides a unique educational opportunity for students to experience firsthand the music and culture of a city which bears the name, The Birthplace of Jazz. The JazzU All-Stars which includes Miles Cole on Trombone, Ryan Cooper on Trumpet, Issac Dessau on Bass, Clio Grant on Piano, Tonnie Kamkwalala Jr. on Drums, and Jason Scholte on Alto Saxophone will have the opportunity to interact with industry professionals, venue owners, and renowned performers, gaining valuable insights and firsthand experience in the world of professional music. When I learned that Jazz St. Louis was bringing students to New Orleans for Jazz Fest, I knew that I wanted to assist, said renowned jazz vocalist and trumpeter, Jeremy Davenport. I grew up in St. Louis, but New Orleans has been my home since 1990. Victor Goines hired me to perform my first Jazz Fest gig that year. New Orleans has long served as one of the meccas for aspiring musicians and enthusiasts alike. For the JazzU All-Stars, a visit to this cultural hotspot isnt merely a field trip; its an immersive educational journey into the heart of the music industry. The St. Louis/New Orleans connection is special to me, Davenport said. And the educational component of Jazz St. Louis is impressive and important. Authorities in Mexico have found three bodies near the area in Baja California where three foreign surfers disappeared last week, sources in the investigation told Reuters. So far, there are no further details on where and how the lifeless bodies were found. Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson and American Jack Carter Road were lost last September 27 at Punta San Jose, near Ensenada. The state prosecutors office reported on Thursday that it had arrested three people linked to the disappearance. Baja California Attorney General Maria Elena Andrade announced Thursday afternoon that in the search operation, blood and teeth were found near the tent where the three surfers were sleeping. The car in which they were traveling was burned. The detainees linked to the disappearance, two men and a woman, were discovered with the cell phone of one of the three foreigners. I cannot mention at this moment what quality they [the detainees] have because they have relations, some in a direct way and some in an indirect way. We already have [made] great progress. At the moment, a work team is where they were last seen, said Andrade. The brothers mother, Debra Robinson, asked for help last Wednesday on social networks to try to locate her sons, who had started a trip to surf the waves of Baja California on Thursday last week with their friend Jack Carter. I am reaching out to anyone who has seen my two sons. They have not contacted us since Saturday, April 27, she wrote on the Talk Baja Facebook page, where 120,000 members gave travel recommendations in the U.S. border state. The womans biggest concern was that her son Callum, 33, is diabetic, so he needs medication. He works in San Francisco as a lacrosse player. His brother Jake, 30, had visited him from Perth, the Australian city where they were both originally from. Together with Jack Carter, they had made the two-hour drive from the United States to Ensenada in their Chevrolet Colorado with California plates, with the number 70189W1, according to the information provided by their mother. Last Saturday, when they disappeared, they had a reservation at a vacation home in Rosarito. The news was widely reported in Australia. A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that consular assistance is being provided to the family. Of particular concern to the friend of one of the young men who spoke to ABC Radio Perth was that the Robinson brothers did not post on social media after their disappearance: Part of the concern is that they have been traveling around the United States and had been posting quite regularly about their trip up until the weekend. The Delta Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority recently contributed diapers, training pants and diaper wipes to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) program. The chapter members are alums of East St. Louis. The sorority sisters gave 13 cases of diapers, eight cases of training pants and two cases of diaper wipes. The HS/EHS program utilizes grant funds to purchase diapers, training pants and diaper wipes to care for children while they are in our care at the centers, said Denise Brown, RDN, LDN, health services program coordinator. This donation will allow the program to distribute diapers to our families for use in the home. The diapers and other donations will be distributed from each SIUE HS/EHS center to families with children enrolled who may need the additional support, according to Brown. The SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Program serves more than 860 families and children birth through age five, including children with special needs, throughout St. Clair County. The program also provides services to expectant mothers. The program is housed in nine early childhood centers, seven managed directly by SIUE staff and two collaborations. The program includes a rigorous school readiness program and provides comprehensive services, such as health/ dental screenings and family engagement and support activities. Brookfield Asset Management today (May 2) announced that it has reached an agreement with Gulf Islamic Investments (GII), a leading Shariah-compliant global alternative investment company, to acquire a controlling stake in its logistics real estate platform. The transaction is being completed through one of Brookfield's private real estate funds, said the New York-based company in a statement. The portfolio, comprising 1.5 million sq ft of warehouses in the UAE, marks Brookfields foray into the logistics sector in the region. The firm plans to invest and scale the platform overtime through the acquisition and development of high-quality logistics real estate assets, it stated. Established in 2014 with over $4.5 billion of assets under its management, GII has been actively investing in logistics real estate assets since 2018. More recently, it has focused on acquiring, aggregating, repurposing, and developing facilities for leading transport and e-commerce companies in the GCC states. Jad Ellawn, Managing Partner, Head of Middle East, Brookfield said: "Our on-the-ground approach to investment and our global relationships have helped us build a portfolio of marquee assets across real estate, infrastructure, and financial services in the region." "Given the continued e-commerce and consumption-led growth in the region, we believe there will be exciting opportunities, to leverage our global expertise and provide solutions to our partners in the Middle East," he stated. Mohammed Alhassan and Pankaj Gupta, GIIs co-founders and co-CEOs, said: "Our partnership with Brookfield enables us to expand our operations further through investments and acquisitions in the GCC." "Due to increasing interconnectivity, the region is witnessing enhanced integration of the Gulf economies, leading to a surge in demand for logistics assets," they stated. Brookfield, along with its partners, owns and operates 3 million sq ft of commercial real estate in the region, including ICD Brookfield Place, the region's premier lifestyle and business address. The US groups logistics fully integrated portfolio spans over 80 million sq ft across five continents.-TradeArabia News Service Ana Piquer, a Chilean human rights activist, is the new regional director for Amnesty International in the Americas. She takes over during a turbulent time. Her organization is facing difficult challenges when it comes to defending human rights, as governments are increasingly using militaries and heavy-handed policies to guarantee public safety. Dissident voices are persecuted and violence is hitting activists, journalists, women and political candidates especially hard, particularly in Mexico as the bloody 2024 election cycle unfolds. Piquer, 49, criticizes the use of the Armed Forces in ensuring public safety, along with the measures implemented by the president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele. However, this direction has aroused much enthusiasm among many Latin American politicians. If Bukeles is the model to follow, were all in serious trouble, she warns. In her interview with EL PAIS, the Chilean activist who took over the regional directorship in April analyzes the challenges that the continent faces when it comes to the defense of human rights. Question. Youve taken over the leadership of Amnesty International in the Americas amidst a very complicated scenario. Do you see a setback for human rights in the region? Answer. Unfortunately, yes. Were in a very delicate moment, because certain narratives have been gaining strength [particularly] in areas such as security which attempt to justify the violations of human rights. We face governments that increasingly take measures to [silence] voices that they perceive as being dissident and that dont agree with the measures theyre adopting. [Individuals and groups] have been silenced in different ways. This involves stigmatization, criminalization, persecution and surveillance. Q. Is there a particular situation that concerns you right now? A. In almost all countries in the region, were on high alert. All civil society organizations face very big challenges. In the case of the United States, with the upcoming electoral context; in El Salvador, with all the measures that President Bukeles regime has adopted, such as security controls and repressive measures, which have caused so many human rights violations. In the case of Ecuador, we see the progressive militarization of society, while in Venezuela, weve been denouncing for years the constant repression against any dissident voice, which has worsened in recent months in view of future elections. We also have countries that come from longer histories of repression, such as Nicaragua or Cuba. And then, theres Argentina, where the election of President Javier Milei has raised several alarms in terms of what the protection of human rights entails. Q. Milei came to power with a political discourse that denies the gross human rights violations committed by the countrys most recent military dictatorship (1976-1983). Are you concerned about the presidents position on the matter? A. Without a doubt. The denial of human rights violations leads us to the risk of not learning from those lessons. It paves the way for a return to a similar story. Argentina is a country thats had a very interesting process in terms of combating impunity its been able to put high-ranking officers of the Armed Forces on trial for human rights violations. In that sense, the promotion of a negationist discourse is very harmful its an attempt to reverse an entire history spent fighting against impunity. Q. When we talk about human rights, are the advances that Argentina has made now at risk? A. This discourse allows certain narratives to permeate, which downplay the seriousness of what happened, deny it, make it disappear. This makes it easier for similar acts to be committed later, or for measures to be adopted that may be contradictory to human rights. Historical memory the memory of human rights violations will always be fundamental to provide guarantees of non-repetition. Trying to erase that memory is a recipe for similar events to be repeated. This can, of course, be a very serious setback. Q. Mexico is a country thats going through a violent situation. Theres an election underway more than 30 candidates have been murdered. How does Amnesty International analyze this electoral process? A. Its not the first time that this has happened in an electoral context. There are concerns related to what measures are being adopted to provide solutions to situations of violence [and to contain] organized crime. [These measures] must be long-lasting and must center human rights. They cannot involve violating rights to guarantee security, because without human rights, there can be no security. Q. Has the Mexican state failed to guarantee the security of those who aspire to seek elected office? A. Given the insecurity of this process, its clear that there havent been sufficient measures taken, especially at the local level. The government has heavily pushed militarization as a solution to security problems but events prove that these militarization processes arent offering the response that was expected. This concurs with many Mexican civil society organizations that have questioned militarization as a solution. These groups have warned that [this policy] can lead to more human rights violations, instead of solving the problem of violence. Theres still a very large gap in terms of impunity, protective measures, crime prevention and addressing the root of violence. Q. What are the risks of giving so much power to the military in a country like Mexico? A. Its a concern that doesnt apply only to Mexico. The Armed Forces arent trained or designed to ensure the security of citizens: theyre prepared for war and have other types of training. Governments must ensure that the people who are carrying out these functions have the necessary training and are subject to the same standards surrounding the use of force to which the police or any law enforcement official would be subject to. But normally, this doesnt tend to happen. Theres always a greater risk of human rights violations when its the military forces that are taking on public safety roles. Q. Is Mexico a stunted democracy due to the level of violence thats been experienced during this electoral process? A. We dont make an evaluation of democratic quality its not part of our role. But I can say that, in the context of elections and in Mexico overall the challenges in terms of human rights are enormous. People who are raising voices that are critical of the government [and] defending human rights have been under attack. Theyve also been stigmatized. This has contributed to reducing the space for debate and increasing the risks for those who speak up. Q. Violence also affects Colombia. The peace process generated a lot of hope among the population, but threats against activists continue. A. For many years, Colombia has been the country in the world with the most murders of [activists]. The administration of President Gustavo Petro at least in its rhetoric is moving in the right direction. But across the territory, what we see is that the situation hasnt improved in some cases, it has even worsened. Unfortunately, when it comes to defenders of the land, the environment and Indigenous communities, the protective measures that are required arent being provided. Q. What measures should the government of President Petro take to improve the conditions of those who defend human rights in Colombia? A. Firstly, [policy must] improve peoples protection mechanisms. These mechanisms exist in Colombia and we know of cases of [human rights] defenders whose lives have been saved, but they still have many shortcomings in terms of implementation. Then, theres an issue that has to do with the role of prosecutors and guaranteeing that attacks on [activists] dont go unpunished, because impunity is brutal. Q. Does the Colombian justice system not fulfill its role in preventing these crimes from going unpunished? A. Weve had a very critical position towards the Office of the Attorney General. Most attacks on activists go uninvestigated, or the processes are fruitless. Theres a significant shortcoming in guaranteeing the resources and capabilities so that investigations can be carried out effectively, that the first procedures on the ground are carried out quickly, that a more consistent effort is made to catch the people responsible. This impunity is part of the reasons why the attacks continue to be repeated. Q. Youve mentioned the controversial policies that President Nayib Bukele has implemented in El Salvador. How do you assess the situation in that country today? A. El Salvador is currently going through a very serious human rights crisis. Under the premise of addressing the serious security problems that the country had and which needed to be addressed human rights are being ignored. The population cannot be forced to choose between security and rights. Today, in El Salvador, there are almost 80,000 people detained. Theres prison overcrowding by almost 150% [and] we have serious complaints of torture and ill-treatment inside the prisons. There have already been deaths of those in custody and weve collected testimonies from families of people whove been unjustly detained, simply because of their appearance, because of where they live, or because they have tattoos. Violating human rights isnt a solution to the security situation, because what youre doing is replacing gang violence with state violence. Q. The population of El Salvador, however, supports the presidents hardline policies. He has a very high approval rating when it comes to his management of the security situation. A. The population of El Salvador has experienced a situation of very serious violence. To some extent, they see this approach as a way out that until now hadnt been presented to them. The problem is that this is a short-term solution, which, ultimately, is leading to people being imprisoned without fair trials. Many of them are innocent [there are] tortured people, overcrowded prisons, entire populations in fear of being arrested just for living where they live. Q. That model seems attractive to other Latin American politicians. Similar measures have been taken by the president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa. A. This narrative of a successful Bukele model has been created. Weve seen similar images of the treatment of prisoners in Honduras and Ecuador. Voices in different countries affirm that this is the way forward. The problem is that part of this model has to do not only with this supposed firm hand against crime, but also with co-opting the powers of the state, eliminating all checks and balances typical of the rule of law and concentrating power in a government that doesnt accept criticism. Thats what undermines human rights at their deepest foundation. If thats the model to follow, we the entire population are in serious trouble, because dissident voices are beginning to be silenced, human rights defenders are beginning to be attacked. Things can only get worse if we continue down this path. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Members of the traditional dance troupe from Burkina Fasos Sahel region perform at a national competition in Bobo-Dioulasso on April 30, 2024. (Carmen Yasmine Abd Ali for The Washington Post) BOBO-DIOULASSO, Burkina Faso - The musicians and dancers traveled in a military convoy to reach the competition, moving in armored cars with soldiers at the ready through parts of the country where Islamist extremists have banned their violins, drums and dance moves. There was a dancer whose close friend had been killed for listening to a radio while he farmed. A violinist who no longer dared to play at the marriages and baptisms in the villages where he used to make his living. A young dancer who could no longer go to concerts with her friends in neighboring villages. The traditional dance troupe members had journeyed from Burkina Fasos Sahel province, one of the most dangerous areas in a country racked in recent years by violence committed by Islamist extremists. At this national festival, the troupe would face off against teams from across Burkina Faso. At stake was pride and money. For the Sahel team, it was also about resistance. In the villages now, you cannot play music on your phones or have even a little instrument, said Amadou Ag Anasbagort, 36, whose friend was killed by the militants a few years ago after he was caught listening to his radio. So when we are here dancing, we are happy. It is like we have a bit of power. Backstage this past Tuesday, just ahead of their big performance, Ag Anasbagort helped his fellow dancer tie an ill-fitting traditional dress. Team leader Altine Hassane sweated as he covered the base of a goumbe drum in traditional fabric, hoping for style points to boost their score. They discovered that the flute player had left his instrument behind but agreed that the show must go on. As the dancers and musicians filed into a narrow hallway, listening to the beat of drums from the group before them, a handful of leaders from their region arrived, giving fist bumps and last-minute pep talks. Today is the day, said Ibrahim Maiga, a local official who moved from his hometown in the Sahel region to the capital years ago, concerned about being kidnapped by Islamist militants. Explode, explode, explode! Maiga said, his voice rising in excitement as the artists smiled and nodded, their eyes fixed on the entryway to the stage. Have no fear. By helicopter and convoy Before Islamist extremists began seizing vast swaths of territory, this nation of 23 million, which was called the Republic of Upper Volta until 1984, was known for its international film festival and its former president, Thomas Sankara, who was a well-known advocate of pan-Africanism before his assassination. Burkinas Sahel region, adjacent to the border with Mali and Niger, was a destination for tourists traveling to northern Mali, said Bamogo Amidou Paul, the regions director for culture and tourism. But that tourism dried up, he said, as soon as violence began spilling over the border with Mali around 2015. Culture has also suffered with the terrorism, he said. But culture evolves with men, since even when men are displaced, their culture comes with them. The week-long festival in Bobo-Dioulasso, typically held every two years, is intended to promote the diversity of cultures across Burkina Fasos 13 regions, celebrating everything from traditional dance to wrestling to cooking, with competitions, fairs and exhibitions. Members of the Sahel team backstage. The week-long festival, typically held every two years, is intended to promote the diversity of cultures across Burkina Fasos 13 regions, celebrating everything from traditional dance to wrestling to cooking. (Carmen Yasmine Abd Ali for The Washington Post) For years, the team from the Sahel region did not have the funding to compete, said Hassane, the dance team leader, because the local economy had been battered by the violence. But last year, the government brought the troupe in by helicopter. This year, they used a convoy. On the eve of their departure for the festival, parents of five dancers learned they would be traveling by road and pulled their children out, Hassane said. The parents were afraid of explosives and attacks. Joy for the community Hours before showtime, sweat was starting to glisten on the dancers faces as the sun set on a humid evening at the stadium where they were practicing. They made sure the tension of the drum was just right and reminded each other not to look at their feet as they danced, but to smile. Inamoud Cisse, a violin player, said he hoped that their performance would be a symbol of unity. The song and dance included music and moves from three main ethnicities in the region, Songhai, Fulani and Tuareg, which had seen their divisions deepen because of the violence. Playing music does not just give me joy but gives hope to the whole community, said Cisse, who fled his village five years ago, after militants stole his cows and sheep and killed eight members of his extended family. We want to show that we can be together - that despite our problems, we can keep living together. He can play his violin in Dori, the town where he now lives, but does not dare go outside with his instrument, which radical Islamists consider haram, or forbidden. And in Dori, he said, he carries the violin above his head, worried that if it is in a bag, soldiers and militia members will mistake it for a gun. Ag Anasbagort, who sells grilled chicken at the markets that remain open, said that the violence has waned in towns since the arrival of volunteer militiamen in recent years but that the countryside remains dangerous. But still, Ag Anasbagort, who said his motorcycle was once blown up by Islamist militants, lives in fear. When he arrived in Bobo-Dioulasso, he headed straight to the hair dresser for extensions, wanting to sport orange dreads that he would be too scared to wear at home and now represented a bit of freedom. Aissatou Maiga, 24, whose cousin was last year killed by militants when he refused to join them, said she never hesitated when thinking about the nearly 400-mile journey from the Sahel region to the festival. Because when I am dancing, she said, it is the only time I am at ease. Dancers dropped it low The auditorium was packed for their performance. Hassane and Cisse kicked things off, the sounds of their drum and violin filling the room. Then the dancers filed onto the stage, led by Ag Anasbagort and Maiga. Their traditional outfits and the composition of the song were meant to honor different ethnic groups. The first part of the song was a celebration of a Fulani dance. The audience clapped as the dancers dropped it low into a squat, the women holding calabashes used for serving bowls. Maiga, the local official, was on his knees in front of the stage, head nodding to the beat as he watched the clock, willing the dancers not to stumble and the team not to go over the 15-minute limit, as it had done the year before, leading to its disqualification. The men lifted the women above their heads, then somersaulted forward on the stage, beginning a shoulder-shimmying routine to honor Songhai, then Tuareg dance. As the beat picked up, the audiences claps turned to increasingly raucous cheers. They must win, said one audience member, turning to a journalist. Despite all our problems, said Maiga, this is what social cohesion looks like. The team would not find out if it won for days - sadly, it didnt - but its members said they werent nervous that night. Instead they said they were proud to be there, thinking only of the music as they sashayed to its rhythm and trying to remember the instructions to look up and smile. Chads military ruler Mahamat Deby delivers a speech during the launch of his presidential campaign in NDjamena, Chad, on April 14, 2024. (Denis Sassou Gueipeur/AFP/Getty Images/TNS) Chads military ruler Mahamat Deby is almost certain to win the countrys May 6 presidential election, cementing the ruling juntas power in a move that could jeopardize the future of U.S. military engagement in the region. The election comes as Chad has become the last remaining military ally of the U.S., France and its European partners in the fight against Islamist insurgents and Russian influence in West Africas Sahel region. But that alliance may be fraying, highlighting how politically salient anti-Western sentiment has become in the Sahel. Chads decision last month to ask the U.S. to withdraw its troops from an army base in the capital, Ndjamena, shows how even a stalwart Western ally like Deby, running in an election he is guaranteed to win, was compelled to push back on Western presence, said Remadji Hoinathy, Central Africa analyst at the Dakar-based Institute for Security Studies. With anti-French sentiment on the rise, Deby wants to be seen as less dependent on the West by asking some U.S. troops to leave, Hoinathy said. Chad is in the middle of a belt of countries that have suffered coups since 2020 that stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea. French troops have been forced to leave neighboring Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso after their ruling juntas forged closer ties to Moscow. This week the U.S. said it would temporarily withdraw its roughly 100 troops from Chad and hundreds from neighboring Niger after the military rulers there cut security agreements with the U.S. and invited Russian forces to deploy. Lloyd Austin, U.S. defense secretary, on Friday confirmed reports that Russian soldiers were now stationed at an airbase used by U.S. troops in Nigers capital, Niamey. They are in a separate compound and dont have access to U.S. forces or access to our equipment, he told reporters in Honolulu. Debys taken advantage of the emerging multipolar world order, reinforcing ties with Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Russia while maintaining relations with France and the U.S., at least for now, said Yamingue Betinbaye, a political analyst and research director at the Anthropology and Human Sciences Research Center in Ndjamena. France is too strategic at the moment for Deby to cut ties, but he can at least show that Chad is a sovereign country that wont accept to be bullied into choosing sides or only working with some partners, Betinbaye said. Ex-colonial power France has roughly 1,000 soldiers stationed in the country. The continued U.S. presence in Chad is still in limbo after it failed to reach an agreement for its troops to remain at a French army base. The Stuttgart-based U.S. Africa Command didnt respond to an emailed request for comment. In recent weeks, Deby has like many of his fellow military leaders in the region highlighted his belief in sovereignty. Chads a free and sovereign country, Deby told Paris-based Radio France International in a April 24 interview. Were not going to act like a slave who wants to change his master. Fathers son The 40-year-old general took power in 2021, following the death of his father, Idriss Deby, a dictator who led the country for three decades. He has continued his fathers tradition of crushing opposition, said Rakhis Ahmat Saleh of the Parti pour le renouveau democratique au Tchad, whose candidacy was rejected on the basis he couldnt prove his parents were Chadian. The government doesnt want to face credible opposition at the polls, he said. Ten other candidates remain in the race, including current Prime Minister Succes Masra, widely seen as Debys main challenger. The previously exiled opposition leader took up the position in government this year after reaching an agreement with the military. Analysts say its unclear whether Masras presidential bid is orchestrated by the junta to present the vote as credible or a genuine attempt to challenge Deby at the polls. The large support from Chadians shows they believe in me as their candidate, Masra said via Zoom from NDjamena. Once elected president, Im ready to sit down with the U.S. to find a win-win solution for both our countries. Deby first vowed to oversee a transition to democratic rule in the landlocked oil producer within 18 months before extending that period and finally announcing he was running for president. The killing in February of prominent opposition leader Yaya Dillo followed by the electoral bodys barring of other major opponents and Masras return have given the sense that the vote is rigged and designed to legitimize Debys rule. To legitimize his power, Deby needs to beat a credible opponent, Betinbaye said. Despite the criticism, Masras campaign has seen a significant following, particularly in his southern opposition stronghold. A former African Development Bank economist, Masra highlights his economic expertise to win support in Chad, one of the worlds poorest countries, heavily indebted and facing food and power shortages, and a humanitarian crisis made worse by the influx of over half a million refugees from the war in Sudan. Out of Chads 16 million population, 8 million voters have registered for Mondays election. Results are expected within two weeks. If theres no clear winner in the first round, a second round will be held on June 22. With assistance from Gina Turner. 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, where Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed last year. (Alana Paterson for The Washington Post) TORONTO - Canadian police made the first arrests Friday in the shooting death of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year outside a gurdwara in British Columbia, according to a Canadian official familiar with the matter. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive law enforcement matter, said the three men who were arrested are Indian Canadians who are believed to be part of an organized crime network that is acting on behalf of the Indian government and its intelligence apparatus. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told lawmakers in September that authorities were pursuing credible allegations that agents of the Indian government were behind the killing of Nijjar last June in Surrey, British Columbia. Nijjar advocated for an autonomous Sikh state in India. Indian officials called Trudeaus comments in the House of Commons absurd. The incident sent relations between Ottawa and New Delhi tumbling to a new low. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said they planned to provide a significant update in the Nijjar case Friday afternoon. Rescue workers, forensics, and prosecutors work in a waterhole where human remains were found near La Bocana Beach, Santo Tomas delegation, in Ensenada, Mexico, on May 3, 2024. (Guillermo Arias/AFP/Getty Images/TNS) MEXICO CITY Mexican officials said three bodies have been found in the same remote stretch of Baja California where two Australian brothers and their American friend went missing last week while on a surf trip. The bodies were recovered south of the city of Ensenada, according to a statement from the state prosecutors office. The statement did not confirm the identity of the dead, but said authorities discovered the bodies while searching for the missing men. Three people who were being questioned in the case have been arrested and charged with kidnapping, the statement said. The disappearance of Callum Robinson, 33, his brother Jake, 30, and friend Carter Rhoad, 30, triggered a massive search involving local authorities, the FBI and the Mexican marines. The men were outdoor enthusiasts who crossed from the United States into Mexico last month to explore Baja Californias renowned surf breaks. Callum Robinson, a high-level lacrosse player, documented the trip on social media, showing himself, and his brother, a doctor, and their friend sipping coffee on the beach, befriending street dogs and relaxing in a hot tub. Rhoad, from Atlanta, founded an online apparel company in San Diego, according to his Facebook profile. According to a social media post made by the Robinsons mother, Debra Robinson, the group was supposed to check into an Airbnb in Rosarito Beach last weekend after camping for several days on a remote stretch of beach south of Ensenada. But they never checked in. The last time their relatives heard from the men was on April 27. Authorities searched near the town of Santo Tomas, where the men had been camping. They first located their tents and the burned-out remains of the white Chevrolet pickup the men were traveling in. Authorities did not provide information about where exactly they located the bodies. Baja Californias rugged coastline has long drawn surfers and other tourists from north of the border. But in recent years, the state has contended with some of the highest rates of violence in Mexico. In 2023, authorities recorded 2,116 homicides in the state, many of them connected to the drug trade. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador vowed to reduce violence in Mexico. But while homicides have fallen slightly during his six-year term, they continue to hover near record highs. 2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, delivers a speech during the change of command ceremony on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, May 3, 2024. During the ceremony, Paparo assumed command from Adm. John Aquilino, who retired with 40 years of service in the Navy. (John Bellino/U.S. Navy) JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii Flanked by the nations top defense officials, Adm. Samuel Paparo took the reins of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command during a ceremony Friday in Hawaii. Paparo relieved Adm. John Aquilino, who is retiring after 40 years in the Navy. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Charles Brown Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, took turns at the dais praising Aquilinos tenure and welcoming Paparo, who most recently commanded U.S. Pacific Fleet. You know, we ask a lot of INDOPACOM these days, but every day over the past three years, this command has stepped up under the extraordinary leadership of Adm. Aquilino, Austin told the audience at the joint base. Aquilino had helped transform our posture, strengthened our readiness and deepened our alliances and partnerships and all of that bolstered our deterrence, he said. Austin lauded Aquilinos oversight in moving toward greater cooperation with allies and partners in the region, his prioritization of an integrated missile-defense system for Guam and helping to distribute 130 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in the region. He also credited the admiral for his role in stationing the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment on Okinawa, Japan, and expanding U.S. access to four new sites in the Philippines under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. Austin arrived in Hawaii on Wednesday for meetings with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines. Adm. John Aquilino, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, delivers welcoming remarks during the change of command ceremony on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, May 3. During the ceremony, Adm. Samuel Paparo assumed command from Aquilino, who retired with 40 years of service in the Navy. (John Bellino/U.S. Navy) Paparo now heads a combatant command that covers a vast area that includes 36 nations and just over half the worlds population. Among INDOPACOMs subordinate commands are U.S. Pacific Fleet, Marine Corps Forces Pacific, U.S. Army Pacific, Pacific Air Forces and Special Operations Command Pacific. Paparo, a naval aviator, formerly commanded U.S. 5th Fleet and Naval Forces Central Command in Bahrain. He is a graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School and has flown the F-14 Tomcat, F-15 Eagle and F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets, among others, according to his official Navy biography. Among his operational command tours at sea were Strike Fighter Squadron 195 at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan; command of Carrier Air Wing 7, which was embarked in the Dwight D. Eisenhower Strike Group; and command of Carrier Strike Group 10. Adm. John Aquilino, right, outgoing commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and Adm. Samuel Paparo, incoming commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, exchange salutes during the change of command ceremony on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, May 3, 2024. (John Bellino/U.S. Navy) Our world faces a complex problem set in the troubling actions of [China] and its rapid buildup of forces, Paparo told the audience. We must be ready to answer [Chinas] increasingly intrusive and expansionist claims in the Indo-Pacific region. INDOPACOM, together with our partners, is positioned to deny and defend against attempts to break the peace accorded by the international rules-based order, he continued. The United States and our allies and our partners will uphold a stable and open international system that has been a pillar of global security and well-being for nearly a century. Paparos tenure as head of U.S. Pacific Fleet, which began in May 2021, coincided with the Red Hill fuel facility disaster that resulted in the contamination of the Navys drinking water system that served almost 100,000 people on and near the joint base. An investigation ordered by Paparo concluded that a host of Navy deficiencies had led to the spill, including poor training and ineffective command and control. In March 2022, Austin ordered the World War II-era fuel facility closed. At Fridays ceremony, Austin credited INDOPACOM for helping assure Red Hill was safely defueled and transferred to the Navy for final closure. (X/Intl Criminal Court) The International Criminal Court ordered an end to attempts to threaten its officials, days after the US and allies raised concerns that the court may issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials. The office of the prosecutor insists that all attempts to impede, intimidate or improperly influence its officers must cease immediately, the ICC said via a post on X on Friday. The court didnt specify who is trying to interfere in its investigations and declined to comment further. Yet the statement came after Bloomberg reported fears in Washington that the ICC is weighing arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials and the leadership of Hamas over the two sides conduct of the war in Gaza. Weve been really clear about the ICC investigation, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Monday in response to a question on the potential arrest warrants for Israelis. We do not support it. We dont believe that they have the jurisdiction. The worry in the US is that Israel would back out of cease-fire negotiations if the ICC proceeds with the warrants, according to people familiar with that matter. Talks about a pause in hostilities have been deadlocked for several weeks, but signs have recently emerged a deal may not be too far away. A group of US senators held a virtual meeting with officials from the ICC on Wednesday to raise concerns about the possible arrest warrants, Axios reported late Thursday. The ICC investigates and tries individuals charged with genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. Israel hasnt ratified the ICCs statute and doesnt recognize its jurisdiction but the State of Palestine has been a member of the court since 2015. The ICC began an investigation into alleged crimes in the Palestinian territories of Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 2021. The office of Karim Khan, chief prosecutor of the ICC, said in November that the investigation extends to the escalation of hostilities and violence since Hamas invaded Israel on Oct. 7, triggering the ongoing conflict in Gaza in which tens of thousands have died. Khan said in February he is deeply concerned about the conduct of Israeli forces, as well as of Hamas fighters holding Israeli hostages. Last year, the court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes related to the alleged abduction of children from Ukraine, a move which was dismissed by the Kremlin. Palestinians walk amid the destruction after the Israeli military operation in Nur Shams, near Tulkarm in the West Bank, on April 23, 2024. (Heidi Levine for The Washington Post) NUR SHAMS, West Bank - When Israeli soldiers arrived at Mohamad Abu Sweilems door and summoned his son during a raid on this Palestinian refugee camp, he pleaded with the soldiers to take him instead. He could not fathom why the Israelis wanted Rajai, a 39-year-old father of four who worked at the family hardware store and was not a militant, he said. The soldiers, who had been in the camp for days, did not seem to know who his son was, or care much: They never asked for identification, his family said. Still, they led him away. Less than a minute later, Mohamed heard gunshots, and his sons voice crying out in pain, he said. The family found Rajais body hours later, after the soldiers had withdrawn. They suspect soldiers used him as a human shield to confront militants in a downstairs apartment and then shot him, a claim the Israeli military denies. Residents across Nur Shams accused the Israeli army of using brutal tactics during its raid on militants last month. For more than 50 hours, starting April 18, people were trapped in their homes as electricity, water and internet to the area were cut off. When they emerged, they found roads torn up, houses wrecked and bodies in alleyways. The incursion was the latest in a series of Israeli raids in West Bank cities that have made the past few years the deadliest in decades for Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied territory, with 2024 on pace to be even more lethal than 2023 was. Israel says the raids are part of a campaign to weaken militant groups, like the Tulkarm Brigade, that operate in Nur Shams: local groups that have gained strength in recent years as prospects for the end of Israels occupation have dimmed and that have found recruits among mostly young, politically disaffected men. This article is based on more than a dozen interviews over two days inside Nur Shams and by phone, as well as on photos and videos provided by eyewitnesses and reviewed by Washington Post reporters. This camp had already weathered two large-scale incursions since October, and many smaller raids, but this was the most violent, brutal, longest one yet, Rajais father said. As he spoke on the street outside his house, sirens sounded - a test of alarms meant to warn of the next raid. Zeinab, Rajais 6-year-old daughter, ran into the house, screaming in fear. Fourteen Palestinians were killed during the raid on Nur Shams, including at least two children, residents said. Family members said at least three of the victims were summarily executed or used as human shields by Israeli soldiers. The dead included Rajai; Jihad Zandiq, a 14-year-old boy whose family said he was surrendering to troops when he was shot in the head; and Ahmed Arref, a wounded 20-year-old militant who hid in a familys home and was found dead after soldiers expelled the family and took over the house. Ravina Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, said at an April 23 news conference that the office had received reports that several Palestinians were unlawfully killed and that soldiers used unarmed Palestinians to shield their forces from attack and killed others in apparent extrajudicial executions. The Israel Defense Forces denied allegations of extrajudicial killings and using civilians as human shields. It said that Palestinian militants, not Israeli soldiers, had killed Rajai and that Jihad, the 14-year-old, had attacked Israeli forces. They said they were not aware of the incident involving the wounded militant. Fourteen terrorists were killed by Israeli forces in close-quarters fighting and 10 Israeli soldiers were wounded, the IDF said, though it did not provide evidence that all those killed were militants. The operation appeared to target the head of the Tulkarm Brigade, Mohammed Jaber, better known as Abu Shujaa, who survived. More than 450 West Bank Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military since Oct. 7, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Nearly 40 percent of the fatalities were recorded in camps such as Nur Shams, established decades ago for Palestinians who were forced from their homes or fled after Israels founding in 1948. Nine Israelis, including five members of the security forces, have been killed in the West Bank over the same period, according to OCHA. In the attack on Nur Shams, Israeli forces used ground troops, bulldozers and drones to inflict unprecedented and apparently wanton destruction on the camp and its infrastructure, according to the U.N. human rights office. As the militants fought the army, they fled over rooftops and fought from homes, residents said. The Israelis have been invading the camps regularly. They want to suppress any form of resistance, Palestinian opposition politician Mustafa Barghouti said during a visit to Nur Shams a few days after the raid. Over the last six months, he said, Israeli forces became totally liberal in doing anything, without any consideration of any right, or any restraint, or any regulation. It is lawlessness, he said. Total lawlessness. I lost my life Rajai Abu Sweilem lived on the second floor of a large building owned by his family, across the patio from his father and mother. During the raid on Nur Shams, soldiers took over Rajais apartment, his relatives said - a pattern repeated throughout the camp, as soldiers occupied homes, residents said. When the soldiers came for him, Rajai was staying in his parents apartment with his 8-year-old son, his father said. A group of militants was holed up downstairs in a ground-floor apartment that belonged to Rajais aunt. Roughly 30 seconds after Rajai was taken away, Mohamad, his father, heard the first gunshots and his sons cries; then there was more gunfire, he said - a lot, a lot, and explosions. The father and other relatives allege that soldiers took Rajai as a human shield to confront the militants, then shot him before the decisive gun battle. The IDF called him a suspect who claimed to have hidden armed terrorists in a storage room located in his home. After he directed the soldiers to the room, the suspect distanced himself to avoid harm, but the terrorists inside the storage room fired at the forces and hit him, Israels military said. The forces did not instruct him to lead the way, and he was not standing in front of them, the IDF said. Look, my son was in their custody, Mohamad said. From the minute they took him to the minute he died, they are responsible. The family said Rajais body was found in a debris-filled alleyway behind the house, near the corpses of three militants who had been in the downstairs apartment. His body was brought to the emergency room April 21, according to the hospital report. Rajai had suffered a brain hemorrhage and skull fracture caused by bullets, as well as internal bleeding and shots to his chest and abdomen. Mohamed, who has heart problems, said he and his wife had leaned heavily on their eldest child, including at the family store. Anything I needed to do, he would do it for me, he said. I lost my life. Dont shoot The family of Jihad Zandiq, 14, said they had arrived at Nur Shams around the same time that the Israelis did on April 18. Palestinian citizens of Israel, they live in Tayibe, south of Tulkarm, and were visiting Jihads grandfathers house, as they did most every weekend. Jihad had arrived at the camp a day earlier, his father said. On April 18, Jihad told his parents he was going to a nearby store but did not return until the next day, his father said. He left again April 19, the day he was killed, ignoring his parents pleas not to go out, and went to his great-uncles house. His family said he was not armed when he left. Israeli soldiers near the great-uncles house called on fighters to come out and surrender, according to residents and Jihads family. When Jihad did try to surrender, he was shot in the head, said his aunt, Haneen Zandiq, who was in a nearby building and filmed the body, which she said lay in the street for 16 hours. A picture she had on her phone appeared to show Jihad with a large bullet wound in his right eye. I heard him, she said. He was telling them he wanted to surrender. Other people who lived in the area where Jihad was shot said they heard him surrendering. Dont shoot, dont shoot, 33-year-old Nihaya, who spoke on the condition that she be identified only by her first name for fear of reprisal, quoted him as saying. But the soldiers were on high alert and were firing randomly, she said. Mohammed Jaber, 30, Jihads distant cousin, said he heard the army shouting Hand yourselves over and instructing those surrendering to lift their shirts. He said he heard Jihad say Dont shoot, we are surrendering, followed by the sound of heavy gunfire. The killing of someone who has surrendered, even a combatant, is considered a war crime under the Rome statute of the International Criminal Court. Jihads father, Niyaz Nasr Zandiq, said his son was a ninth-grader in Tayibe who played Xbox and hoped to become an electrical engineer. He did not belong to the Tulkarm Brigade, which is led by Jihads cousin, the father said. But it seemed clear the boy wanted to be among the fighters, or at least to watch the battle. Father, forgive me, he said as he ran away from the house April 19. And he left behind a will, which his family discovered after he was killed. Calling himself a mujahid, a term used for people who fight in the name of Islam, he wrote that he was on the path of liberating Palestine from the filth of this occupier, who only knows the language of murder and destruction. Most of the children of the camp write wills, his father said. They see death from the army every day. Jaber, the distant cousin, said Jihad thought it was a game, and he could follow the young men from place to place, referring to the militants. He also said Jihad did not carry a weapon. While Jihad was gone, his father, Niyaz, was interrogated by Israeli officers and beaten, he recounted, showing bruises he said he received from being struck by a gun. The IDF said Jihad was a terrorist in the terror infrastructure of Nur Shams and during the activity, he threw grenades and fired at IDF forces. The IDF is not aware of live fire towards unarmed individuals. The IDF did not respond to a question about whether soldiers had beaten his father. Days after the raid, blood still pooled in the cramped alleyways of Nur Shams, near the flower pots residents use to brighten the cracked concrete. Some apartments were torn apart by gunfire, with bullet holes on every surface. In one apartment, on a wooden wardrobe, someone had written, in Hebrew, the word revenge. The U.N. humanitarian affairs office said an initial assessment after the raid found that 11 households with a total of 55 people were displaced when their homes were rendered uninhabitable by bulldozers or explosives. The operation entailed massive bulldozing of several vital road sections inside the camp and those leading to Tulkarm city, causing severe damage to water, sewage, electricity, and telecommunication networks. One family was sheltering from the raid when a 20-year-old fighter, Ahmed Arref, entered the house from the roof, trailing blood. Save me, he said, according to Khawla Jaber, 63, who lived in the house. Cover me. Forgive me, Jaber recalled him saying. She read him verses from the Quran as he sat in an armchair, bleeding like a fountain from bullet wounds in his legs that the family tried to treat. Israeli soldiers arrived and asked the family if Arref had a weapon. The family said he did not. You are responsible. If he has anything on him, you will be dead, she quoted one of the soldiers, an Arabic speaker, as saying. The family went upstairs to the roof. A video they recorded showed the scene they returned to, about 10 to 20 minutes later: Arref, dead on the floor of a bedroom, lying on a bloodied carpet with what the family said were several fresh bullet wounds, including two to the head. When reporters visited, the carpet had been removed. The tile beneath it was chipped by what the family said were the shots fired by the Israeli soldiers into the wounded man. Arrefs father, Ghaleb Mahmoud Arref, 54, said he was away from the neighborhood when his son was shot. Ahmed, who had been wanted by the IDF for about two years, did not spend much time at home - just stopping by to eat from time to time. They had quarreled over his decision to fight. I told him to forget about this path you are taking, he said. His wife was so worried about her son that she became ill. Among those wounded in the raid was a nurse, Hamza Jitawi, 21, who said he was shot in the leg by an Israeli sniper as he responded to a call to help an injured man. Jitawi said he had been wearing the red and white vest of the Palestine Red Crescent Society. The IDF declined to comment on the shooting. The bullet went through his left shin and shattered his tibia. His recovery will take a year, he said, grimacing in pain. During previous raids, he said, Israeli soldiers would fire warning shots at paramedics if they wanted them to stay away from an area. This time, he said, the shooting was direct. The upheaval took Nora by surprise. Many years after the Israeli occupation forced her family to leave Gaza and move to California where she was born, grew up, studied economics, married Omar Israel began to bomb her parents homeland, which she only knew from vacations, and where she hasnt set foot for 20 of her 25 years. Many of her family members died in an offensive campaign that has cost the life of 35,000 people. The world witnessed, sadly, angrily, indifferently. In the United States, a fistful of students became fed up and occupied their universities, organized protest camps and demonstrations reminiscent of the ones that their grandparents carried out to denounce the war in Vietnam. They were repressed by the police, expelled from their universities. But the largest U.S. student uprising in years, the one that most resonates with her familys experience as Palestinian refugees, ignited while Nora was visiting a friend in Mexico. And then the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) heard the call. Students at the storied Latin American academic institution, a symbol of excellence in both education and political protest, held an assembly and, just like their peers north of the border, organized a protest camp that demands a stop to imperialist genocide in Gaza and an end to the diplomatic relationship between Mexico and Israel. The camp began on May 2, with more than 40 tents and around a hundred people, including both Arabs and Jews, situated along the esplanade between the rectors office and the main library. Nora was one of the first to arrive. Norma sets up a tent at the pro-Palestine protest camp in front of the UNAM rectors office. Nayeli Cruz The university protests in solidarity with Palestine have become the central focus of U.S. media outlets. From California to New York, police repression has rained down on the students, who are protesting on dozens of campuses in more than 20 states. Images of the demonstrations have been seen around the world. More than 2,000 young people have been arrested since April 18, according to a tally by the Associated Press. Reactions have been varied: Minouche Shafik, president of Columbia University, called in police intervention; the Pulitzer Prize (the most prestigious honor in the world of journalism, which is administered by Columbia), has released a statement in solidarity with the tireless efforts of student journalists across our nations college campuses, who are covering protests and unrest in the face of great personal and academic risk. And now, the protests have spread to Mexico. On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people. The Israeli response, driven by its far superior arsenal, has destroyed Gaza, ending the lives of 35,000 people, unleashing famine and doubling the poverty rate. Since then, says Nora, theyve been very frustrating months, because my family is in Gaza, theyve been displaced so many times, we have lost many family members from the unending airstrikes and bombings. Every day we hope that the bombs stop, but people protest and even so, it seems like there is no end to this. We hope that with global solidarity and social pressure, economic pressure, cutting ties with Israels colonial occupation, the bombing of our people will end, she says quickly, in English. Noras tent was among the first three that had gone up when, at noon, there were still more journalists than protestors at UNAM. She doesnt offer her hand in salutation, but her husband, Omar, does so on her behalf. She is wearing a long pink dress, head covering, and the traditional white keffiyeh around her shoulders. Nora learned about UNAM and its importance as a symbol of the independent Latin American student movement thanks to a friend. She told Nora about the student protests of 1968 and the violence of the Tlatelolco massacre, of UNAMs 1999 strike, of its history of autonomy, protest, how respected it is as an institution, what it means for the Mexican people. Historically, theyve been able to change the political atmosphere and I think its quite plausible that peoples actions create their surroundings, like here at their own school, influencing the people who make decisions. Im very hopeful about the actions of the university, she says. A young person asks students to register for the camps organization and safety. Nayeli Cruz No alcohol, no joints, no drugs, no sex The protest camp comes to life over the course of the day. An assembly is held to establish ground rules a few of them being, no alcohol, no joints, no drugs, no sex, in order to maintain a politically alert atmosphere. They divide work into brigades: one to manage security, one for supplies, another for outreach and media, one that offers first aid and psychological support. Their primary demands are, in their words: to stop the genocide and put an end to Zionist occupation; to end relations between UNAM and Israel (course sharing agreements and exchange programs); to end diplomatic relations between Mexico and Israel (reminiscent of the Columbia protestors demands); the end to worldwide repression of the pro-Palestine student movement; the liberation of protestors who have been incarcerated. These goals are massive, nearly impossible to achieve and practically identical to those of the U.S. students. Sometimes were labelled as delusional, but even though political movements must be concrete, they are also movements of the imagination, of putting ones body towards something that seems nonexistent, but that can reverberate. Here and now, we are creating a precedent and a memory. It may seem like Im speaking with air of grandeur, but history is not made from the grandiloquent narrative taught in classrooms. Rather, it is when someone decides to imagine that things can be otherwise. Mexican students are not going to put an end to the government of [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu, but we are going to take a stand with our voices and bodies in an aesthetic, narrative, discursive act of saying: Here we are, says Karime Rajme, with all the erudition of a philosophy student. Rajme forms part of the assembly that has been organized by the protest camp. She is 29 years old, studied at UNAM and is now a film critic who teaches classes. Her last name is Lebanese, but Mexico has been the birthplace of her familys last three generations. She has never gone to the land of her great-grandparents. Rajme quickly synthesizes the meaning behind the protest: We are urgently calling for an end to genocide. The influence of the U.S. demonstrations has been key, but the UNAM protest camp is not just a replica, she says, but rather, an attempt at creating a space within Mexican society to discuss and upturn these social actions, to conglomerate them. Even if in the United States we see a more direct relationship with financing, military support, intelligence and arms sent to Israel, I think that its a global movement. [Colombian President Gustavo] Petro said it this morning: when a people die, humanity as a whole is condemned, she says. Protestors build a tent on May 2 at UNAM. Nayeli Cruz Its not clear how long the protest camp will last. Its call to action is indefinite, and its not likely that the police will repress protestors here as they have in the United States as an autonomous institution, security forces may only enter the campus in the company of university authorities and Mexicos relationship with Israel, despite the existence of economic and diplomatic agreements, is a world away from the intimacy of Washington D.C. and Jerusalem. The protests duration will depend on the efforts of the students and the noise they are able to generate. The idea, in principle, is to last until next Wednesday and to reassess at that point. Beyond their major original political goals, the students are clear that what they ask for is one thing, and what they will receive is another. Making their voices heard, spreading the protest movement, are real and accessible objectives. UNAM carries a lot of weight, politically, both inside and outside the country, we hope that other schools will be inspired. I think that this could grow into other people following the same path, says Renata Aguilar, a 22-year-old history student, as she erects her tent. This should have started on day one, not today after nearly seven months of Israels genocide against the Palestinian people. I hope it lasts, that it gets bigger, and that many more people come, agrees 24-year-old Alan, whose last name is literally Palestina, though he has no Middle Eastern heritage. He brushes off the coincidence: Regardless of it being my name, this should concern anyone who is human. Translated by Caitlin Donohue. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition An Israeli F-15 fighter jet. Boeing manufactures the F-15, which was developed by McDonnell Douglas before that company's acquisition by Boeing. (Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images/TNS) (Tribune News Service) As opposition to Israels Gaza war intensifies, so too has the attention on Boeings longstanding connection with Israel and the Israeli armed services use of Boeing weapons. On campuses across the U.S., including this weeks encampment at the University of Washington, and outside Boeings Virginia headquarters, protesters have assailed Boeing for its involvement in the Israel-Hamas war. Students have called for their universities to cut ties with the aviation giant, demands that last week saw Portland State University administrators agree to temporarily stop accepting Boeing money, one of 13 demands made by students there. Following an Oct. 7 attack on Israel during which Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and took scores of hostages, Israel launched an extensive air and ground war on Gaza that so far has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, including militants and civilians, according to Gazan health officials. Women and children account for around two thirds of those killed in Gaza. President Joe Biden signed a$95 billion war aid measure in late April that included assistance for Israel, Ukraine and other conflict areas. The legislation included $26 billion in aid for Israel and about $1 billion for humanitarian relief for Palestinians in Gaza. In a statement, U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Washington Democrat who voted against the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, said she believed there was a moral imperative to find another path. Most Americans do not want our government to write a blank check to further Prime Minister Netanyahus war in Gaza, the Seattle Democrat said in a joint statement with 18 other lawmakers. The United States needs to help Israel find a path to win the peace. While the exact extent to which Boeing has armed Israel remains murky, Boeing remains a major supplier to the Israel Defense Forces. The Boeing-Israel relationship goes back decades, since the founding of Israel, and the connection is worth billions of dollars in commercial aviation and defense. Israel has received more military aid from the U.S. than any other country since World War II, and Boeing has had a role since 1948, when, according to the company, the Israeli Air Force flew Boeings B-17 Flying Fortress. Israels national airline, El Al, operates an all-Boeing fleet, and the company has an office in Tel Aviv. Over the past decade, thousands of weapons systems and munitions manufactured by Boeing, including aircraft and bombs, have been transferred from the U.S. to Israel, according to an analysis of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institutes Arms Transfers Database. Boeing is among the top defense contractors in the U.S., along with companies like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. Boeings Defense, Space and Security unit is based in Arlington, Va., and had a revenue of $24.9 billion, accounting for about a third of Boeings total revenues in 2023, according to a company earnings report. Boeing declined to respond to inquiries on its business with Israel and referred questions to the U.S. Department of Defense. Boeing Defense CEO Ted Colbert in February 2023 visited Israel and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. At a meeting with reporters at Boeings Tel Aviv office, Colbert said the company remained committed to serving Israel, the Times of Israel reported at the time. CNN reported last month that the Biden administration was close to approving the $18 billion-plus sale of F-15 fighter jets to Israel, a move that requires congressional notification. With Israel Aerospace Industries, Boeing codeveloped the Arrow 3, part of Israels missile defense system used recently to intercept Iranian missiles and drones fired at Israel during a retaliatory strike. In 2022, Boeing was awarded a $927 million contract to deliver to Israel four KC-46A Pegasus aircraft, according to the Department of Defense. The planes, primarily used for aerial refueling and airlift, are expected to be delivered in the next few years. Soon after the Hamas attacks, Boeing committed $2 million to support medical, psychological and emotional trauma relief efforts in Israel. Around the same time, the company accelerated delivery of 1,000 small diameter bombs to Israel that had been part of a 2021 contract, Bloomberg reported. Reports by Amnesty International have detailed attacks from Israel that killed Palestinian civilians using Boeing-made bombs. Defense manufacturers generally dont want to speak on political issues and instead are focused on running a business, said Dan Grazier of the Stimson Center, a Washington D.C.-based think tank focused on foreign policy. But manufacturers making these products understand they are intended for war, with the general attitude that once the products are delivered, they are the responsibility of someone else, Grazier said. That is an ongoing challenge that all U.S. defense manufacturers have, and those all over the world have: paying attention to where those products end up, Grazier said. William Hartung of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft said by email that that doesnt absolve companies of the results of the weapons they produce. Saying they are just following government policy doesnt excuse supplying weapons that are used to commit war crimes, said Hartung, who focuses on the arms industry and U.S. military budget. 2024 The Seattle Times. Visit seattletimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A jig and receiver for a rifle ghost gun seized in federal law enforcement action is displayed at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives field office in Glendale, California on April 18, 2022. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images/TNS) When San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer first saw the Coast Runner milling machine being marketed as some state-of-the-art product for creative people in California, she was livid. Despite its chill name and the retro colors splashed on its side, Lawson-Remer said the Coast Runner was clearly just a rebranded Ghost Gunner a desktop machine the state outlawed in 2022 for its ability to turn simple slabs of metal into homemade components for untraceable ghost guns, including assault rifles resembling AR-15s and AK-47s, and semiautomatic pistols. The idea that you could take the same exact product that is designed to kill people, put a different packaging on it, and suddenly its not lethal and not illegal? That is just offensive, Lawson-Remer said. On Thursday, San Diego County sued the manufacturer of both devices, Texas-based Defense Distributed, asking a state court to declare the Coast Runner illegal under California law and to order the company to stop selling and marketing it in the state. The Coast Runner is in fact the Ghost Gunner with a new coat of paint, the lawsuit argues. It has the same internal designs, the same features, and is being marketed for the same purpose: the illegal production of untraceable ghost guns. Defense Distributed which was co-founded by the controversial and outspoken gun rights activist Cody Wilson, an early player in the world of 3-D-printed firearms dismissed the lawsuit as unfounded in a statement to The Times. Defense Distributed observes California law to the very letter, the company said. Even when its obviously illegal and doomed to fail Constitutional review. The countys lawsuit, which it filed with the support of the gun control advocacy organization Giffords Law Center, is the latest salvo in a pitched battle between California authorities, who have identified ghost guns as a major threat to public safety, and Defense Distributed, which has said its milling technology is as easy as 3-D printing and brings milling to the masses. Defense Distributed previously argued in its own lawsuit that Californias law blocking gun-making milling machines is unconstitutional, but a judge rejected that argument and the company withdrew its claim. Computer numerical control, or CNC, milling machines which usually cost a few thousand dollars are devices that guide drills to produce intricate and precise mechanical parts from slabs of metal. Such machines have turned otherwise complex manufacturing into a household hobby. While the tools can be used to make parts for cars or bicycles and a range of other items, they have also made it easier to create high-quality frames and receivers for ghost guns. Such firearms lack serial numbers, which are attached to commercially produced weapons and can help authorities investigate crimes. It is unclear how many homemade or ghost guns exist in the state, or the country, but experts believe the number is huge. A 2023 report by the states Office of Gun Violence Prevention found the number of ghost guns recovered by law enforcement in connection to a crime in California jumped from 26 in 2015 to more than 12,000 in 2022. State legislatures and courts across the country have been wrestling with how and whether such firearms can be regulated. A Biden administration rule changing the federal definition of a firearm to include unfinished parts such as frames and receivers like those made by milling machines is currently under review by the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2022, Defense Distributed sued California over a law that made it illegal for anyone without a federal license to manufacture guns to sell, offer to sell, or transfer a CNC milling machine that has the sole or primary function of manufacturing firearms to anyone in the state. The law also requires people in California to have a federal license to purchase or possess such a machine or to use one to make gun parts. The company acknowledged in previous court filings that its Ghost Gunner machine was used to produce unserialized parts for ghost guns. But it argued it also was the modern-day manifestation of age-old firearm milling techniques that had never before been regulated in American history, and that enforcement of Californias law should be blocked as unconstitutional under the history and tradition test that the Supreme Court set for assessing modern gun laws in a landmark 2022 decision. Near the end of 2022, after a federal judge broadly rejected that argument on the grounds that the 2nd Amendment did not extend to the manufacturing of firearms without a license, the company agreed to drop its lawsuit. San Diego County argues in its claim that the company set about building the Coast Runner as an end run around the same state law it failed to overturn in court ostensibly on the grounds that the machine is not primarily for the production of guns. Online advertising for the Ghost Gunner is heavily focused on firearms on the machines ability to make them cheaply, quickly and at home with parts that have no identifiable markings. In one video, men make guns as women dance to electronic dance music. Ads for the Coast Runner is far more circumspect. A video talks about its design features and its ability to make perfect metal parts, but largely avoids specifics. The county argues the Coast Runner is still primarily geared toward the production of firearm parts, and that Defense Distributed has been on an aggressive marketing campaign for the device including with its own booth at the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in Las Vegas, an industry event where the Coast Runner was flagged as one of the hottest new products on the gun market. The county accuses Defense Distributed of bad-faith business practices aimed at obscuring the fact that the Ghost Gunner and the Coast Runner are nearly identical, which it said the company has acknowledged elsewhere. It pointed to language originally on the official Ghost Gunner website and later on multiple other sales websites including one operated by Defense Distributed informing people purchasing the Ghost Gunner in California that they would be receiving the Coast Runner instead. Billy Clark, a senior litigation attorney with Giffords, called Defense Distributed major bad actors in the gun industry, and said the companys products are arming people who would otherwise be prohibited from having guns. He said the company has adopted a too-cute-by-half marketing and sales approach that invokes a retro cool vibe, when what they are doing is selling a product that is specifically designed to make guns in the home. Lawson-Remer, the county supervisor, said companies that profit off of death and destruction are going to continue making money unless we stand up and fight back. Thats what the lawsuit is about, she said. These kinds of tactics, these aggressive marketing tactics around ghost gun manufacturing, [are] what we are seeing more and more of and what we really need to be on guard against, she said. Times criminal justice editor Keegan Hamilton contributed reporting. 2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. (Facebook) (Tribune News Service) When Ben Millers wooden, flimsy paraglider landed in Normandy on June 6, 1944, his nerves were on edge. It was D-Day, and Miller, a 19-year-old WWII medic with the 82nd Airborne Division, was part of the invasion of German-controlled France. I was scared, Miller admitted, when he spoke with the News Press. The Germans had planted telephone poles every 10 feet because they expected the paragliders, so when Millers paraglider landed, the pilot had to carefully maneuver the glider between poles making for a harrowing landing experience. Although they lost the wings, the body of the glider remained intact to serve another day. After the landing, Millers nerves dissipated. After we were able to get out of the plane in one piece, I lost my fear after that because we had too many things to do, Miller said. Being scared wouldnt have helped the situation. Miller, 99, was inducted into the Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation on April 24 at the Stillwater History Museum at the Sheerar, where he was presented with a Hall of Honor citation and a medal with a maroon ribbon lanyard. Guests in the auditorium listened carefully as Miller recalled his time in France and scenes from the battlefield. After enlisting, Miller was sent immediately to England for paraglider training, but his job as a medic proved challenging. He was assigned to a division that drove around in a jeep, searching for injured soldiers and helping to move them away from the battlefield to staging areas. There wasnt too much training, Miller said. We just had to learn by experience. His first day in the field, he helped patch up soldiers who had parachuted in and landed in trees, breaking legs and arms. His division remained about two and a half weeks in the area until a temporary hospital could be set up. Then they were sent to Nazi-occupied Holland. During WWII, medics couldnt carry a weapon, and several times Miller had a few narrow escapes. There were times I wish I had one, Miller said. During the Battle of the Bulge, his jeep topped a hill right in front of a German tanker. The German commander came up out of the tank and yelled at the men to get out of the way, giving Millers group a chance to escape. I dont know who that commander was, but I thank him to this day, Miller said. Miller shared memories of the winter during the Battle of the Bulge, of delivering concentration camp prisoners and of the time during the liberation of one German town when the U.S. Army came upon a barn filled with bodies some still alive, some dead. Miller joined the others in burying 169 people in the town square. He recalled bridges they blew up to stop the Germans advance, but he also recalled the small moments that made him chuckle such as the chocolate bars the soldiers traded with the French in exchange for wine. Millers granddaughter, Kara Ritchie, said her grandfather moved to Stillwater from upstate New York, which was a big change for him. She recorded the ceremony, something she does each time her grandfather shares his memories, in case he says something shes not heard yet. He didnt talk about things like this for the longest time, Ritchie said. ... Its really opened my eyes and ... hearing it and knowing he experienced that is incredible, and it means a lot more. Miller will join 50 other WW II veterans in June with the Best Defense Foundation to visit Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. It will be the first time hes crossed the Atlantic Ocean in an airplane. The Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation is committed to recognizing as many military members as possible. Stillwaters OMHF chapter was named the Lt. Gen. Price Hays Chapter of Payne County. Lt. Hays was commissioned from Oklahoma A&M College in 1960. He was an artillery officer in WW I and received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service. In WW II, he served with the 10th Mountain Division, training soldiers to ski mountain passes the first division of its kind and served in Italy. The foundations Stillwater ambassador, retired Maj. Gen. Douglas Dollar, recognized the museum as an official location for future ceremonies celebrating and honoring Stillwaters veterans. The museum officially partnered with OMHF to present the Hall of Honor awards. The Military Hall of Fame honors 12 new members per year, with the goal to honor more Oklahomans who served. The foundation is celebrating its 25th year, but the Hall of Honor was established in 2023 to expand the impact of the Foundation and to honor veterans. Once a military member is inducted into the Hall of Honor, they have a chance to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Community chapters are developed to administer the programs locally. The chapters identify and nominate honorees who will receive the Hall of Honor recognition, select honorees annually and coordinate presentations. (c)2024 the Stillwater NewsPress (Stillwater, Okla.) Visit the Stillwater NewsPress Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Father-of-two Mehmet Umit Pala (62) also told our reporter that he has warned a 13-year-old relative of the dangers of predatory men posing as younger people on Snapchat A restaurateur convicted of attempting to sexually exploit a child who told the Sunday World he would chat to children on Snapchat and claimed they were always asking him to see his penis has been jailed. Father-of-two Mehmet Umit Pala (62) of Maiville Terrace, Turners Cross, posed as a teenager on social media to talk to numerous children online in a sexualised manner including a primary school student which alerted Canadian authorities to his activities. An undercover Canadian officer then posed as a 13-year-old girl and spoke to Pala on Snapchat. The girl repeated three times that she was 13 but Pala replied: I dont mind age and offered to send a picture of his penis before asking to see a picture of her. Gardai raided his home and also found child sex abuse imagery on his phone. He was handed down a three year sentence with two years suspended at Cork Circuit Court this week. Pala spoke to the Sunday World last month ahead of his sentencing and made a series of bizarre statements including that when he got out of prison he would travel to Canada to track down the undercover officer to confront them and then sue them. He claimed he wasnt a paedophile but then went on to disturbingly say that when girls wear tight clothing in public, you can see the p***y in the street. He also told our reporter that he has warned a 13-year-old relative of the dangers of predatory men posing as younger people on Snapchat. Pala admitted to gardai that he had been chatting to around 50 or 60 children online. He also told the Sunday World that he would chat to children on Snapchat and claimed they were always asking him to see his penis but admitted he deleted the messages before gardai seized his phone. I tell you something, I have too many messages [saying] can I see your d**k? What can I say, how old are you? He admitted his conversations with the undercover officer, who said they were 13 three times, were sexual. Ok, I was talking sexual things. I said maybe she can open the camera. He claimed if he saw she was 13, he would stop the conversation but when our reporter asked him why he would be having a sexual conversation in the first place with someone who said they were that age or why he had child abuse imagery on his phone he had no explanation. Pala owned two restaurants in Cork an Italian and a Turkish restaurant on North Main Street but said he closed them down six weeks ago due to his court case. He said his family were shocked when his home was raided but they are sticking by him. He claimed he customers stood by him even after his activities were exposed and said he plans to open a new restaurant when he gets out. He said he knew he was going to jail but blamed the police for ruining his life and said he wants to track down the undercover cop who exposed him in Canada. I go to jail now, what can I do. They destroyed my life. If I go to jail now what can I do? When I come out Ill go to Canada. I go myself, I go to Canada and I can find the police [undercover] and say what is going on? Asked what he planned to do if he found the undercover officer, he bizarrely said: I can report him in Canada. I can find a good solicitor in Turkey and I want to sue him of course. Doolan of St Finians Green, Lucan, Co. Dublin pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to aggravated sexual assault of the woman on November 16, 2022. Joshua Doolan, 19yrs, of St Finians Green, Lucan, Dublin pictured at the Criminal courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin Joshua Doolan, 19yrs, of St Finians Green, Lucan, Dublin pictured at the Criminal courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin This is the man who carried out a horrific sexual assault on a woman while she was out walking in her neighbourhood. Joshua Doolan (19) bundled the woman off the public pathway into bushes during the senseless attack in November 2022. He was jailed yesterday for the aggravated sexual assault. The brave victim had told the court of the damaging effect the crime has had on her. Sentencing Doolan on Friday, Mr Justice Tony Hunt described this as a very disturbing crime which has had profound and protracted effects on the victim. He had previously commented that the 43-year-old woman had been bundled off the public pathway into bushes while she was out walking, adding, But for the ferocity of the struggle, who knows where we would be. Mr Justice Hunt said today that it was " particularly disturbing that the victim was going about her business at a time and in place that was familiar to her where she had a right to feel secure and not engage in hypervigilant activity. He expressed the view that cases of this kind suggest there is no place where a female can necessarily feel safe. He continued that one can think of other cases that demonstrate this with worse consequences before noting the appalling damage caused to the victim. Doolan of St Finians Green, Lucan, Co. Dublin pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to aggravated sexual assault of the woman on November 16, 2022. The judge noted Doolan was a young man who was facing custody for the first time. However, he said Doolan had wrecked his own life by his actions and will have to deal with the consequences even after his release from custody as the stench of this will linger over him for the rest of his life. He noted the mitigating features including Doolan's plea, his age, personal and medical circumstances and willingness to engage with relevant services. Joshua Doolan, 19yrs, of St Finians Green, Lucan, Dublin pictured at the Criminal courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin The judge said the offence was intentionally committed but not in the sense of involving a long period of premeditation. He noted that Doolan and the victim were complete strangers, which he described as an aggravating factor. Mr Justice Hunt handed Doolan a sentence of seven years with the final 18 months suspended on strict conditions. He directed Doolan to have no direct or indirect contact with the victim and placed him under the supervision of the Probation Services for three years post-release. In her victim impact statement, the woman said the attack irreversibly altered the course of my life and spoke of how she is terrified to be in a courtroom in such close proximity to her perpetrator. My sense of safety, freedom, my joy, my happiness are all gone now.all because of one persons desire for power, control and for sex. Mr Justice Hunt noted the victim's impressive and eloquent testimony and commended her evidence to anyone who wants to gain insight into how offending of this kind affects the injured party. At an earlier hearing, a local detective told Shane Costelloe SC, prosecuting, that the woman and Doolan were complete strangers. She was out walking in a Dublin suburb at 9.30 pm one November evening and had specifically stuck to the main road because of the darkness of the evening. During the walk, she noticed Doolan walking behind her and felt uncomfortable. She had been speaking to her mother on the phone and she called her back for some reassurance. Doolan then walked up beside her, and she believed he was going to pass her, but instead, he grabbed her and pushed her toward some bushes and onto the ground. The woman immediately began to scream very loudly but Doolan put his fingers in her mouth and told her to shut the fuck up. He was fully on top of her and kept trying to hold on the ground while trying to pull her leggings down. He then sexually assaulted her. The detective told Mr Costelloe that the woman later told gardai at this point she said to herself that she was not going to let this happen and she put up a struggle. Doolan was unable to restrain her because of the force of her resistance. She continued to kick out and managed to get him off her while continually shouting, No, No, No. She managed to get Doolan off her completely and get to her knees. He then ran off. The detective said Doolan lost his glasses during the struggle and the woman immediately retrieved them. She also had a detailed description of his appearance, including his height, hair style and the clothing he was wearing. A member of the public had been driving by and noticed Doolan walking suspiciously as if he was trying to conceal his face. He then noticed the woman and came to her assistance. The incident was immediately reported to the gardai. The detective said door-to-door enquiries were conducted, and gardai retrieved CCTV footage from a Dublin Bus that had been in the area at the time after other cameras picked up a person, matching the womans description, getting off a bus in the minutes before the attack. Doolans glasses also led to his identification, and gardai discovered that they had a particular prescription attached to them, and they managed to track down the optician who had prescribed them. Doolan was arrested and interviewed but nothing of evidential value came out of the interviews. His home was searched, and the clothing he had been wearing on the night was retrieved, including a distinctive leather jacket. Fiona Murphy SC, defending, said her client expressed genuine remorse, shame and disgust for his appalling and criminal actions on the night. She accepted it was a serious offence and asked the court to take into account her clients guilty plea as a mitigating factor as it prevented the woman having to give evidence at trial. Ms Murphy said Doolan was diagnosed as having Asperger's Syndrome when he was 11 years old and said that has had an impact on how he fits in this world. Counsel handed in a number of reports to the court, including letters from his parents and aunt. She said Doolan has been engaging in counselling since his arrest in an effort to deal with why he committed the offence. Ms Murphy said Doolan has engaged in an honest and open way with probation officers in order to carry out a risk assessment and has demonstrated an understanding of the hurt he has caused the victim. Tuzuka has 11 previous convictions, including for theft, threatening and abusive behaviour, failure to comply and making a gain for himself Judge Nolan noted that Tuzuka had been apprehended while driving a Jaguar to another bank A man who lodged ten counterfeit cheques worth nearly 100,000 was caught by gardai driving a Jaguar and carrying another fake cheque. Michael Tuzuka (46) of Orchard Drive, Stamullen, Co Meath, pleaded guilty to eleven counts of using false instruments, to wit counterfeit cheques, on dates between March and April 2018. At a sitting of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Wednesday, the court heard that Tuzuka lodged the false AIB cheques at branches of Permanent TSB in Drumcondra, Swords, and Malahide in Co Dublin, and in Ashbourne, Co Meath and Drogheda, Co Louth. The court heard that Tuzuka lodged the cheques at bank facilities without interacting with bank staff and that software on the machines identified the dodgy cheques and froze them. Judge Nolan noted that Tuzuka had been apprehended while driving a Jaguar to another bank Judge Martin Nolan handed Tuzuka a three-year sentence, describing him as a clever man, who sometimes applies his cleverness and intelligence to criminal enterprise. But like us all, this defendant was defeated by the software, quipped Judge Nolan, noting that Tuzuka had been apprehended while driving a Jaguar to another bank. Garda Gerard Carmody told Breffni Gordon BL, prosecuting, that gardai were contacted by officials from Permanent TSB on April 12, 2018. Gardai identified Tuzuka on bank CCTV making the various lodgements and discovered the general area where he was living, although they didnt have an exact address. Gda Carmody said himself and a colleague drove around the area for a number of days and identified Tuzuka driving a Jaguar at about 1am. He cooperated with gardai but nothing of evidential value arose in interview. The court heard that the cheques were worth a combined total of 98,250 but that as they were immediately identified as counterfeit, no loss was incurred. Tuzuka has 11 previous convictions, including for theft, threatening and abusive behaviour, failure to comply and making a gain for himself. The court heard he previously served a three-year sentence, during which he contracted TB in prison. Padraig Dwyer SC, defending, said Tuzuka arrived in Ireland from Zimbabwe in 2002 and is married to an Irish nurse, with two children. Mr Dwyer pointed out that Tuzuka was an enhanced prisoner when he served his sentence and that he has not come before the courts since 2010. Counsel said Tuzuka struggled to find work on his release from prison and got tempted to get involved in this string of transactions with the intention of supporting his family. He is extremely embarrassed and ashamed to have put his family in the position where he is facing custody, the court heard. Counsel asked the court to place the offence at the lower end of the scale, given that nobody was swindled and no money was lost. Judge Nolan said Tuzuka was a perfectly sociable man, with a family and a work history, who had engaged in a classic white-collar crime. His partner in crime and co-defendant Joseph Coleman (24) was handed the same sentence for the same offences earlier this year A man has been jailed after breaking into a Belfast bar armed with a knife and stealing 10,000 worth of iPads, mobile phones and booze. Alex Jessie Orr (27) admitted burglary, criminal damage and possession of a bladed article in a public place. His partner in crime and co-defendant Joseph Coleman (24) was handed the same sentence for the same offences earlier this year. Laganside Crown Court was told how the duo targeted two businesses in the south of the city on the night of November 14, 2022. In the first burglary, they stole a meat cleaver, another large knife and a phone from Tzatziki, a Greek restaurant on Botanic Avenue. In the second, they broke into Laverys bar on Bradbury Place, damaged goods belonging to owner Bernard Lavery and stole a quantity of alcohol and a number of iPads. The burglars were arrested by the police a short time later, with officers recovering a phone and discarded bottles from Orrs address. A previous court was told the criminal damage Orr pleaded guilty to was in relation to the iPads being dropped on the ground as he fled the scene of the burglary. Prosecutors said 10,000 worth of items had been stolen and 5,000 worth of damage caused during the raids on the businesses. The court was told that Orr, from Beechfield Drive, Donaghadee, had a history of homelessness and long-term health problems and had recently lost his girlfriend to an overdose. He was sentenced to 17 months in prison. Coleman, from Woodvale Road in west Belfast, was given the same sentence for the same charges in February. Orr was handed another 12 months in prison for assault and resisting arrest in relation to a separate incident earlier this year in which a man was subjected to a prolonged and sustained attack in a park. He was ordered to serve the term consecutively with his sentence for the double burglary. Around a dozen asylum-seekers arrived at St Marys Church Park in Ballsbridge on Thursday night. The Taoiseach has defended the Governments handling of accommodation for asylum-seekers, after a number of homeless migrants pitched tents in a private park in south Dublin. Around a dozen asylum-seekers arrived at St Marys Church Park in Ballsbridge on Thursday night. The men had been told by the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) there was no longer accommodation available. The group of men left the Ballsbridge area at around 9am yesterday. The park is close to Mount Street, where hundreds of tents had been pitched until Wednesday morning when the makeshift campsite was cleared in a multi-agency operation. The Government has been struggling to accommodate the rising number of asylum-seekers arriving into the State. On Wednesday morning, more than 200 asylum-seekers who had been living in tents outside the International Protection Office (IPO) were moved from the area to facilities at Citywest and Crooksling in Co Dublin. However, a number of men who sought accommodation on Thursday were told none was available. Speaking yesterday, Taoiseach Simon Harris said makeshift encampments on public roads and footpaths are illegal and never the solution. Speaking in Belfast, Mr Harris said: Its also not in the interest of the people who are sleeping in those tents, people who dont have access to proper sanitation. We did provide 290 people from Mount Street and those who appeared in Mount Street that day with accommodation, with shelter, with access to sanitation, with food, with a much better scenario than had been allowed to develop on Mount Street. I am very comfortable with the position that we took and I believe it was necessary in relation to that. People did turn up at the International Protection Office yesterday and there wasnt accommodation for all people. IPAS does have contact details for all those people. It is working to try and provide accommodation solutions for all those people. I think what we saw in St Marys was a temporary thing being done by people who were being very humane in terms of trying to provide assistance on property that wasnt public. We work at this every single day, but I need to be clear and honest with people coming to our country, we are doing our very best in a very difficult and challenging circumstances to provide accommodation. But accommodation isnt always readily available, but we keeping working at it day by day. The conversation about migration cant just be one about accommodation, because no matter how much accommodation you have, if its just a conversation about accommodation, accommodation will fill. It also has to be a conversation about faster processing times, about efficient and effective systems. Mr Harris said it is never too late for any democracy to push back against misinformation, disinformation and indeed interference from abroad on occasion in relation to debate and discourse. Migration is a really good thing, immigration is a good thing, he added. Ireland is a better place for the many people who have come and made Ireland their home. They are working in hospitals, they are working in our hospitality sector and right across many sectors of the economy. So migration and immigration is a good thing and I think its really important that we say that and that we dont seed that ground or create a vacuum for others to exploit. Having said that, I think people in Ireland, and I would imagine people in most countries, want to know there are rules in place. They want to know the rules are enforced, they want to know that the system is fair, that its firm, that it helps those who are entitled to help. That if someone comes to our country and goes through a processing system and isnt entitled to be there, that that person is asked to leave in the first instance and made to leave if they dont. Separately, the Taoiseach has said the homes of politicians should be out of bounds after an anti-immigration demonstration was staged outside his home. Mr Harris said it was bedtime for his two young children when the protesters gathered outside his house in Co Wicklow on Thursday evening. It was the latest in a series of incidents involving protests outside the homes of political figures. It is understood the Taoiseach was not at home at the time as he had been attending a funeral. The Fine Gael leader was asked about the incident on a visit to Belfast yesterday. I dont want to say too much about this and I dont like describing those sorts of things as protest, he said. Ive a very clear view in relation to this. Whether its me, whether its an opposition politician, whether its anybody, I always think peoples families and peoples homes should be out of bounds. It was bedtime for my kids last night when this situation arose. I dont think its appropriate. KYODO NEWS - May 4, 2024 - 16:01 | All, Japan Japan has told the United States that President Joe Biden's recent remarks describing the Asian nation as "xenophobic" were disappointing, a source close to the matter said Friday. The Japanese government told the U.S. side that Biden's comments, made at a fundraising event on Wednesday ahead of the 2024 presidential election, were not based on an accurate understanding of Japan's policy, according to the source. At the event attended by many Asian American voters, Biden said, "You know, one of the reasons why our economy is growing is because of you and many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants," according to the White House. While lauding immigration and diversity as key strengths of the United States, Biden was quoted as saying at a Washington hotel, "Look, think about it. Why is China stalling so badly economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia? Why is India? Because they're xenophobic. They don't want immigrants." On Thursday, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre sought to play down Biden's remarks, saying his aim was to highlight how important it is for the United States to be a country of immigrants. "Our allies and partners know very well how much this president respects them," Jean-Pierre told reporters. Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed or filmed the assault at Bayfair Shopping Centre, Arataki at 4.40pm on Friday, May 3. A 16-year-old female has been arrested and charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and is due to reappear in Tauranga District Court next week. The victim remains in hospital in a stable condition. "Police acknowledge that this incident will have been unsettling and traumatic for staff and shoppers," says a police spokesperson. "They are being offered support and we appreciate the assistance they have provided. "This was a busy time of day at the shopping complex and we know that many people may have video recordings showing the assault and / or the offender." Police ask if anyone has a recording or any other information which has not yet been shared with Police, please get in touch via 105 or online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking Update Report and referencing file number 240503/3012. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Settled conditions are forecast for most of the country this weekend, despite winter inching noticeably closer, with temperatures for many parts dropping below 10 degrees Celsius at night. Much of New Zealand has fine weather today with a warm unclouded sun and a slight nip in the air, with more expected tomorrow. MetService is forecasting temperatures on the cooler side for the first two weeks of May due to winds generally approaching from the southwest. On Monday, May 6, a weakening front, embedded in a strong west to southwest flow, is set to bring showers to southern New Zealand. A trough over the North Island will be producing showers in some areas but the risk of severe weather is very low. On Tuesday, a ridge will be building over central and southern New Zealand. Southwesterlies over the far south will ease and the flow will turn east to southeast over the North Island, with a trough continuing to bring showers to some areas. The risk of severe weather is again very low. A ridge remains over central New Zealand on Wednesday, while a weak front affects the south of the South Island. The trough affecting the north of the North Island will move away to the north. The By Thursday, May 9, a weakening front will be moving through central New Zealand, followed by another ridge, and again the risk of severe weather is very low. It was a lucky night for one Lotto player from Queenstown-Lakes after winning $1 million with Lotto First Division in Saturday nights live Lotto draw. The winning ticket was sold on MyLotto to a player from Queenstown-Lakes. Powerball was not struck on Saturday evening and has rolled over to Wednesday night, where the jackpot will be $15 million. Strike Four has also rolled over on Saturday night and will be $400,000 on Wednesday night. 14 Lotto players win Second Division Fourteen lucky Lotto players will be jumping for joy after each winning $23,443 with Lotto Second Division in Saturday nights live Lotto draw. One lucky player also won Powerball Second Division, taking their total winnings to $45,595. The winning Powerball Second Division ticket was sold at Shree Superette in Auckland. The winning Second Division tickets were sold at the following stores: Store Location MyLotto Northland Tony's Stationery & Lotto Northland MyLotto (x2) Auckland Countdown Metro Auckland Shree Superette (+PB) Auckland Massey Unichem Pharmacy Auckland Roselands Lotto Auckland MyLotto Opotiki Pak n Save New Plymouth New Plymouth Caltex Westlow Dannevirke Paper Plus Kilbirnie Wellington MyLotto West Coast Fresh Choice Oxford Canterbury Anyone who bought their ticket from any of the above stores should check their ticket as soon as possible in-store, on MyLotto, or through the MyLotto App. There are 75 extra prizes of $10,000 cash up for grabs with Lotto NZ's Mother's Day promotion. All Triple Dip tickets bought between Sunday April 28 and 7.30pm on Saturday May 18 will be in the draw to win. Lotto NZ exists to return 100 per cent of its profits to Kiwi communities through lottery grants programmes run by Te Puna Tahua NZ Lottery Grants Board. The New Zealand Nurses Organisation Toputanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) is calling for increased funding for Aged Residential Care in Budget 2024. NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku fears that funds allocated to the Aged Residential Care sector in the Budget will remain inadequate, as has happened repeatedly in the past. "Our health system is still in a stage of severe crisis. It makes no sense to prioritise tax cuts over funding increases to health," says Kerri. "Aged residential care is funded at a rate that is set annually by the Government but ongoing underfunding in this area has become unsustainable. "Funding should be set aside for culturally appropriate staff-to-resident ratios based on the necessary skills to meet the needs of residents." NZNO receives regular feedback from members working in Aged Care who say that staff-to-resident ratios are being stretched to breaking point due to staff reductions following facility restructures. One care worker who wishes to remain anonymous says the strain is tangible, with a noticeable increase in staff turnover. "Staff-to-resident ratios can be seven to one in a dementia unit. Night staff are stretched thin and are only managing minimal care leading to residents often remaining in soiled beds for hours." Kerri says minimum staff-to-resident ratios for Aged Care have now been mandated in Australia and the USA and the Government should do the same in New Zealand. "Getting legally required nurse-to-patient ratios across all nursing sectors is a top priority for NZNO. We are also bringing culturally appropriate nurse-to-patient ratios based on skill mix to the bargaining table," says Kerri. "We want our elderly to receive good care. This cannot be managed with ongoing underfunding in this sector and the resulting staff reductions that compromise the quality of patient care. "NZNO is calling on the Government to include increased funding in the Budget for this sector and to bring a halt to declining levels of patient care and aged care worker wellbeing." 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. KYODO NEWS - May 4, 2024 - 17:17 | All, Japan Japan's estimated child population shrank for the 43rd consecutive year to renew its record low, government data showed Saturday, while Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government scrambles to address the issue through "unprecedented" measures. The number of children aged 14 or younger, including foreigners, was 14.01 million as of April 1, down 330,000 from a year ago, according to data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications before the national Children's Day holiday on Sunday. The ratio of children to the overall population fell 0.2 percentage point to 11.3 percent, also the lowest since comparable data became available in 1950. According to U.N. data, Japan has the second lowest ratio of children among 37 nations with a population of at least 40 million, only behind South Korea with 11.2 percent. Kishida's government seeks to pass into law a bill for tackling the country's rapidly declining birth rate by providing more financial assistance to child-rearing households and expanding daycare services, although critics doubt whether such initiatives can reverse the decades-long trend. By gender, there were 7.18 million boys and 6.83 million girls. By age, 3.17 million children were in the 12 to 14 age group compared with 2.35 million in the 0 to 2 age group, indicating a continuing trend of fewer children being born. Japan's child population has fallen since 1982, having peaked in 1954 at 29.89 million, with a second baby boom observed between 1971 and 1974. Government data also showed that as of Oct. 1 last year, the child population exceeded 1 million only in Tokyo and neighboring Kanagawa Prefecture, while the figure sank below 1 million in Osaka Prefecture for the first time since the breakdown by prefecture began in 1970. Related coverage: Number of young women to halve in 40% of Japan localities by 2050 Japan's population falls for 13th straight year, pinned below 125 million Syracuse, N.Y. Travelers on roads across New York state may have noticed some unusual advice from Department of Transportation message signs. Leave light speed to Han Solo, get there safely you will, are just two signs seen around Central New York on Saturday. Syracuse, N.Y. Emotions spilled over outside the Onondaga County Criminal Courthouse Friday at the end of the fifth day of a trial for a Syracuse man accused of fatally shooting 11-month-old Dior Harris. An argument started around 3:15 p.m. outside Judge Gordon Cuffys courtroom, where Jesse D. Outley, 27, is on trial for murder. The argument was between family of Baby Dior and a woman who was there for Outley. Court officers quickly broke up the argument and had both families leave the courthouse at different times. But the two families met outside and continued to argue. The big picture: Hubble Network has set itself the ambitious goal of creating a global satellite network capable of connecting with any Bluetooth device. It has recently demonstrated that this goal is achievable, despite initial skepticism from many. Moving forward, the company intends to expand its network to enhance both capacity and the frequency of satellite flybys. Hubble Network recently announced that it has achieved something many believed to be impossible: it established a Bluetooth connection directly to space, making it the first company in history to accomplish this feat. The achievement marks an important step towards realizing the company's ambitious goal of creating a global satellite network accessible to any Bluetooth-enabled device. Earlier this year, the Seattle-based startup launched its first two satellites into orbit on SpaceX's Transporter-10 rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base on the central coast of California. Since then, they have successfully received signals from a simple 3.5mm Bluetooth chip over a distance of 600 km. Despite encountering skepticism, especially considering the challenges Bluetooth devices often face in connecting to nearby devices, Hubble Network has proven its critics wrong. "By demonstrating that we can send signals directly from Bluetooth chips and receive them in space from a distance of 600 km, we've opened up a new realm of possibilities," said Alex Haro, co-founder and CEO of Hubble Network. According to the company, connecting any off-the-shelf Bluetooth device to Hubble's satellite network via a software update - even without cellular reception - could potentially offer global coverage with 20 times less battery drain and 50 times lower operating costs. Countless applications utilizing existing low-power, low-cost sensors could be developed without the need for additional expensive space-enabled hardware. Hubble Network reports that it is already collaborating with pilot customers in various sectors, including consumer devices, construction, infrastructure, supply chain, logistics, oil and gas, and defense. Hubble was founded in 2021 by Haro, co-founder of Life360, along with Ben Wild, founder of Iotera, and aerospace engineer John Kim. When the idea of connecting a Bluetooth chip to a satellite was initially presented to Haro, he dismissed it as crazy, especially considering his previous experience grappling with this very problem while attempting to build a GPS watch for kids. However, cracking this particular challenge eventually became irresistible, particularly as existing terrestrial and satellite networks often fall short, struggling with coverage in remote areas and consuming too much power, not to mention their high operational costs on a global scale. Almost a year ago, the company closed a $20 million Series A round led by Transpose Platform, providing the necessary capital to launch its first series of satellites and onboard its initial pilot customers. Why it matters: NASA is funding projects that seem to come straight out of science fiction literature. Even John Nelson, a representative of the space agency, acknowledges this, referring to them as "science fiction-like concepts." While there is no guarantee that they will materialize, it is possible that some may one day become part of an aerospace mission. A lunar railway system. A fluid-based telescope. A transit system to move humans and cargo to Mars. These are among the projects that NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program is setting aside funding for to continue researching. There are six projects in total, each having completed the initial NIAC phase. Now advancing into Phase II, these conceptual studies will receive up to $600,000 to continue their work over the next two years. Don't expect to see them materialize anytime soon, however. They are still in the exploratory stage, and there is no guarantee they will come to fruition. Nonetheless, they are progressing along the necessary path to be considered for a future aerospace mission if they advance to the final NIAC phase. "Our NIAC fellows never cease to amaze and inspire, and this class definitely gives NASA a lot to think about in terms of what's possible in the future," said John Nelson, NIAC program executive at NASA headquarters in Washington. A fundamental requirement for advancing space research is the development of ever-larger telescopes. Unfortunately, scaling current space telescope technologies to aperture sizes beyond 10 meters does not appear economically viable, according to Edward Balaban at NASA. "Thus, there is a need for cost-effective solutions to scale space telescopes to larger sizes." The FLUTE project presents a potential solution, aiming to create space observatories with large aperture, or unsegmented liquid primary mirrors. Such mirrors would be formed in space using fluidic shaping in microgravity, Balaban explains. This concept has already been demonstrated in laboratory neutral buoyancy environments, during parabolic microgravity flights, and aboard the International Space Station. Another of NASA's projects is the pulsed plasma rocket. Simply put, there is currently no technology capable of efficiently and rapidly moving humans and cargo through the vast distances of space. A propulsion system that can generate high thrust with a high specific impulse could fulfill this task, but as just mentioned, no such technology exists. Howe Industries is presently developing a propulsion system that may generate up to 100,000 N of thrust with a specific impulse (Isp) of 5,000 seconds, according to Howe's Brianna Clements. "The exceptional performance of the PPR, combining high Isp and high thrust, holds the potential to revolutionize space exploration," she writes, noting that the system allows for manned missions to Mars to be completed within a mere two months. NASA also aims to construct the first lunar railway system to facilitate payload transport on the Moon, as outlined by Ethan Schaler of the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Dubbed FLOAT for short, the system would utilize unpowered magnetic robots that levitate over a three-layer flexible film track using diamagnetic levitation. This includes a flex-circuit layer that generates electromagnetic thrust to propel robots along tracks, along with an optional thin-film solar panel layer that generates power for the base when exposed to sunlight. NASA holds high hopes for this project, considering such a transport system critical to the daily operations of a sustainable lunar base envisioned for the 2030s, as outlined in NASA's Moon to Mars plan and mission concepts such as the Robotic Lunar Surface Operations 2, notes Schaler. KYODO NEWS - May 4, 2024 - 10:02 | All, Japan While cashiers standing at their registers may be the norm in Japan, a campaign launched by a staffing agency is encouraging Japanese companies to reconsider the practice to ease employees' fatigue and improve their motivation. Mynavi Corp. is offering specially designed stools to spur companies to rethink the requirement for retail employees to stand for hours during their shifts. To challenge the stereotype that cashiers are meant to stand, Belc Co., a supermarket chain operator, has introduced chairs for cashiers at a few of its stores near Tokyo since March. "It is normal to have seated cashiers in foreign countries such as the Netherlands, Britain, South Korea, and their customers also approve of it," Belc said in a press release, expressing hope that allowing cashiers to sit will lead to better customer service. An online survey of 300 employers conducted by Mynavi showed 20 percent barred their part-time workers from sitting when attending to customers, while 24.3 percent said they did not set a clear rule but workers still stood. Only 23.3 percent allowed their workers to sit. A survey of 300 part-time workers, meanwhile, showed that standing negatively affects the quality of work, impacting concentration and motivation. As for why employers did not allow workers to sit, 33.8 percent said it was to prevent giving customers a bad impression, while 25.6 percent answered "just because" without stating a reason. The requirement to stand during shifts also affected hiring, according to the poll, with 19.7 percent of employers saying they had seen part-time workers quit due to physical factors stemming from standing during work. Over half of part-time workers also said they would be more motivated to work if they were allowed to sit. Nearly 80 percent of the employers and part-time workers said they would not mind being served by seated shop attendants. Mynavi said it hopes to "create comfortable working environments for employees, while offering employers opportunities to secure workers and keep them in their jobs for longer," the company said in a press release. The initiative unveiled in March, called Suwatte Iissu Project from a combination of the casual Japanese phrase "suwatte iissu" (it's OK to sit) and "isu" (chair), provides stools developed with furniture maker Sankei Corp. The adjustable height stools are slightly inclined to allow workers to remain attentive to customers and stand quickly. Researchers discovered leprosy-causing germs in people's DNA, as well as a red squirrel found in medieval UK locations, shedding light on the disease's spread. Scientists found leprosy-causing Mycobacterium leprae in UK red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in 2016. Some strains matched those discovered in humans living in England 700 years ago, per Gizmodo. Based on this discovery, Sarah Inskip and her University of Leicester team investigated 25 skeletons from a medieval leprosy hospital site in Winchester and 12 red squirrels from a local fur business from the 11th to 13th centuries. Here's What Experts Discovered Most human bones had leprosy-like lesions, whereas squirrel bones showed inflammation, suggesting the condition. After a genetic examination of the bones, M. leprae DNA was found in three humans and one red squirrel, making it the first non-human carrier of leprosy. The three medieval humans and the medieval red squirrel's M. leprae strain were more closely related than they are to modern red squirrels, suggesting a transfer between squirrels and humans in medieval England. Medieval Winchester's leprosy hospital, fur trade, and squirrel pets allowed transmission, according to Verena Schunemann of the University of Basel, Switzerland. Modern squirrel leprosy strains and medieval specimens may be unrelated, suggesting multiple transmission episodes between humans and squirrels. According to former US Public Health Service official Richard Truman, certain present red squirrel populations contain leprosy, although the danger of transmission to people is low, underscoring the need to understand M. leprae's ecological history. Today, few people are vulnerable to leprosy, and prolonged contact with an infected animal is needed to get infected, according to Dr. Sarah Inskip. Britain's natural red squirrel population is just 160,000, limiting the risk of illness. (Photo: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) A red squirrel feeds in the Trosssachs on September 28, 2018 in Aberfoyle, Scotland. The crew investigated Winchester's St. Mary Magdalen's leprosarium, a medieval leprosy hospital. Their investigation established a link between red squirrels and human strains. Modern Red Squirrels Are Safe Senior author Verena Schuenemann, an archaeologist at the University of Basel in Switzerland, told Cell, "With our genetic analysis, we were able to identify red squirrels as the first ancient animal host of leprosy." As per a New Scientist report, she said that medieval red squirrel disease is genetically closer to Winchester's medieval population than current red squirrels. Schuenemann and her team, who investigate ancient pathogen genomes, found that medieval England kept squirrels as pets and used their fur in European clothes. The fur frequently arrived via trade channels. In 1384, squirrel skins outnumbered other animal skin imports to England. English norms did little to reduce the flood of squirrel goods, which may have spread leprosy in the region. According to the World Health Organization, leprosy appears in over 120 countries annually, with over 200,000 new cases. Less than 1 case per 10,000 people are targeted to eliminate leprosy as a public health hazard worldwide. Per World Health Assembly decision 44.9, this milestone was accomplished internationally in 2000 and in most countries by 2010. Lowering new instances has been gradual worldwide and in WHO areas. Brazil, India, and Indonesia reported over 10,000 new cases in 2019. Additionally, 13 nations, including Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Nigeria, reported 1,000-10,000 additional cases. However, 45 nations had no instances, and 99 had fewer than 1,000. This is a heads-up: It was revealed that OpenAI is planning a massive product based on its ChatGPT chatbot. In this take, it will deliver a new search engine that would help users surf the web easily. This will be an AI-powered search engine that runs on ChatGPT, which is considered one of the best AI chatbots in the world. Through this discovery, ChatGPT's search engine would compete with Google and its renowned search engine, which has been in the industry for decades. OpenAI is Making a ChatGPT-Based Search Engine New information came to light as analysts discovered OpenAI's SSL certificate logs, revealing that the company is working on creating a ChatGPT-based search engine in the future. Ashutosh Shrivastava shared the logs that contain clues behind OpenAI's new search engine, which is based on its renowned AI chatbot. The logs also show that a new domain dedicated to this experience was already listed under "search.chatgpt.com," which points to a yet-to-exist company website. It takes form now as it is similar to ChatGPT's chatbot domain, chat.openai.com, which leads to the chatbot's dedicated website. ChatGPT's AI-Powered Search vs. Google There is still no word on when ChatGPT's AI-powered search will be available, but OpenAI CEO Sam Altman previously discussed how AI and search come together. With this, it will take on the top search engine in the world, Google, known for its massive internet developments and AI-powered search introduced earlier. Over the past months, it has been evident that Google is developing its AI and its integration into Search that expands more of the renowned experience. AI-Powered Search is Available AI-powered search is no longer new, and OpenAI may be coming later than other competitors, especially with various takes on this integration of artificial intelligence for the web. Its partner company, Microsoft, is known for launching AI-powered search during the early days of AI adoption. Bing's new search engine harnesses the GPT power. That being said, Google is not one to back off from this as apart from its earlier Bard, the company also launched its take on AI-powered search, which was initially tested in the US, India, and Japan. After doing so, Google's AI-powered search was made available to over 120 countries and territories, offering improved internet browsing experiences. It is known that AI models and apps have learned from various resources, including the internet. Hence, its familiarity with it is no longer new and would greatly help in searching for information online. That being said, new evidence shows that OpenAI is looking to catch up on this with ChatGPT, powering its dedicated search engine apart from its chatbot. AI deepfake porn generators are widely discouraged, and now, Google is taking it a step further by banning the ads that promote these services to users under its renowned Google Ads program. This follows up on its existing and long-observed sexually explicit ads policies, which prohibit inappropriate images from appearing on the internet, as powered by Google Ads. Deepfake porn creators are still rampant in Google's search engine when looking for it, but the internet company is not taking part in promoting these platforms for users to find easily. Google Bans AI Deepfake Porn Creator Ads with New Policy A new update from Google revealed its new policies that now ban the promotion of AI deepfake porn creators or generators under the Google Ads service. Google claims that "synthetic content" that has been altered or edited by an AI system to transform into sexually explicit content or nudity will be removed by the company, with its owner being prohibited. This latest update will start on its restrictions on May 30, 2024, when the policy will take effect. Google said it will suspend its Google Ads account when it catches users still engaging in these types of lewd ads without any warning. Moreover, Google said that users who were caught doing so could no longer advertise with the company, meaning it would have a blacklist for these types of offenses. Read Also : Teacher Arrested After Making AI-Generated Child Porn Using Student Yearbook Photos Google Ads: Long and Old Policy Against Explicit Ads The Mountain View tech giant regarded this as an update to its Inappropriate Content policy on Google Ads, which it has long observed under the service. This policy goes against the depiction of sexually explicit content containing nudity in advertisements, with Google also taking down these accounts when caught red-handed. The AI Deepfake Porn Generator Problem The rise of generative AI has also prompted the further development of deepfakes, but bad actors did not stop there, as they also developed a way to create deepfake porn that incriminates and victimizes targets. First, it was Taylor Swift who was victimized by this technology, a deepfake that saw a massive trend on X, particularly with the disturbing content done against the artist. Later, AI deepfake generations became top search results from platforms like Google and Microsoft's Bing as many people looked for it, created content, and shared it online. While deepfake porn has been a problem since last year, the recent incidents involving celebrities and schools made it the center of attention early into 2024, with many subjected to being exposed using the tech. The good thing is some countries already consider creating AI deepfake porn a crime, with a conviction already done against a criminal who was found to be behind one of the thousands who made this. That being said, Google draws the line against AI deepfake porn ads from appearing on its platform, updating its policies that long went against sexually explicit ads. Find your friends with Precision Finding on iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. (Photo: Apple) May the 4th Be With You! Today marks Star Wars Day, and Apple and Lucasfilm have collaborated on a new commercial showcasing the iPhone 15's Precision Finding feature with the 'Find Your Friends' function. Joining Forces for Star Wars Day Unlocking the galaxy of friendship, Apple and Lucasfilm mark Star Wars Day with a captivating new ad featuring iPhone 15's Precision Finding and the 'Find Your Friends' feature. This collaboration resulted in a visually stunning commercial, weaving the iconic Star Wars universe with innovative technology. Geek Culture reported that over 300 submissions poured in for the ad, with 172 dedicated fans contributing to its production, embodying the spirit of May the 4th. In this commercial, viewers follow the journey of Owen, a devoted Mandalorian enthusiast, as he embarks on a mission to rendezvous with fellow Star Wars lovers at a local convention. The narrative unfolds with Owen tending to his feline companion, Leia, and ensuring he's equipped for the day ahead. As he ventures out, he indulges in a quintessential boba tea fix, boards public transportation, and utilizes the advanced features of his iPhone 15 to coordinate with his Mandalorian comrades. The heartwarming climax of the ad sees Owen and his friends reunite, synchronized to the beats of Channel Tres' "All My Friends." Notably, the song's lyrics are subtly modified to pay homage to the 501st Legion, a renowned Star Wars fan community. Moreover, attentive viewers will spot many Easter eggs scattered throughout the commercial, from clever nods to iconic Star Wars phrases and symbols to playful references embedded within the scenery. Kathleen Kennedy, the head of Lucasfilm, has characterized The Mandalorian and Grogu as a "fresh narrative" ideally suited for cinematic adaptation. John Favreau, co-creator of The Mandalorian, expressed his enthusiasm, stating that he has thoroughly enjoyed exploring the vast universe established by George Lucas. He finds the idea of transitioning the Mandalorian and his protege Grogu to the silver screen highly thrilling. Uniting Star Wars Fans Star Wars fans are renowned for their exceptional sense of community, which sets them apart as one of the most vibrant and supportive groups in the galaxy. Their unwavering dedication to the franchise fostered a strong bond among members, creating a sense of belonging and shared enthusiasm. This unity is often referred to as "the way," reflecting the collective journey and values embraced by Star Wars aficionados worldwide. On May 4th, Star Wars fans celebrate a playful pun derived from the iconic movie quote, "May the Force be with you." This pun dates back to 1978, just a year after the release of the original Star Wars film, "A New Hope." While the unofficial holiday initially had a modest start, it gained widespread popularity in recent years through social media hashtags. To mark the 25th anniversary of "The Phantom Menace," Disney is treating fans to a special cinematic experience by re-releasing all nine films from the Skywalker Saga in select theaters this weekend. Additionally, enthusiasts can indulge in the animated series "Tales of the Empire," which makes its debut on Disney+ this Saturday. KYODO NEWS - May 4, 2024 - 12:05 | All, Japan, World Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva agreed Friday to strengthen efforts to combat climate change, including enhancing the protection of the Amazon rainforest. During their talks in Brasilia, Kishida and Lula signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement on decarbonization and other environmental issues. The Green Partnership Initiative agreement features financial contributions and assistance for regenerating degraded farmland to prevent deforestation and promote sustainable agriculture. After the meeting, Kishida told a joint press briefing with Lula that Japan will "make a contribution to realizing carbon neutrality in the world." Lula called for more investment in clean energy businesses, saying climate change is a serious problem. Japan is seeking to deepen relations with emerging and developing countries, collectively dubbed the Global South, and Brazil is seen as a key player among them, along with India and Indonesia. The prime minister has said Japan is ready to work with Brazil, this year's chair of the Group of 20 major economies, to address global issues. Brazil is slated to host the 30th session of the Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, known as COP30, in 2025. Lula is eager to take steps to save the Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth." Kishida on Friday offered Japan's cooperation in efforts to protect the rainforest in the northern Amazon region, including a contribution to a fund for that end. The leaders agreed to make efforts to spur measures for decarbonization such as joint projects using Brazil's biofuel technology and Japan's hybrid engines, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry. Kishida and Lula also agreed to cooperate more closely in the defense and cybersecurity fields as well as on reform of the U.N. Security Council, according to a separate statement. They shared concerns about the situations surrounding the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the conflict between Israel and the militant group Hamas. The two leaders underscored the importance of people-to-people exchanges between their countries in propelling bilateral relations, as last year marked the 115th anniversary of the start of Japanese immigration to Brazil. About 2.7 million people of Japanese descent live in Brazil, the largest community outside Japan, while Japan is home to the fifth largest Brazilian community numbering over 210,000, according to their statement. Later Friday, Kishida and Paraguayan President Santiago Pena met in Asuncion and affirmed their understanding that unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force are unacceptable at a time when China is increasing its military pressure on Taiwan. In a joint press conference after the meeting, Kishida called Paraguay an important partner that shares fundamental values such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law, and vowed to bring friendship and cooperation with the Latin American country to "new heights." Pena said he hopes to further advance broad cooperation with Japan and referred to his country's diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Paraguay is the only South American nation that maintains diplomatic ties with Taiwan rather than China. Taiwan and China split in 1949 due to a civil war and have been separately governed since. Flood-hit Kenya and Tanzania on alert as cyclone nears Nairobi, May 4 (AFP) May 04, 2024 Kenya and Tanzania were on alert on Saturday for a cyclone heading towards their Indian Ocean coastlines, threatening to pile on more misery after deadly floods that have ravaged the region. About 400 people have lost their lives in East Africa and tens of thousands have been uprooted from their homes in recent weeks as torrential rains triggered flooding and landslides engulfed houses, roads and bridges. Kenyan President William Ruto on Friday described the weather outlook as "dire" and postponed the reopening of schools indefinitely as the nation braced for its first-ever cyclone. Tropical Cyclone Hidaya is projected to make landfall at the weekend on the Kenyan and Tanzanian coasts. Ruto said the storm "is predicted to cause torrential rain, strong winds and powerful and dangerous waves". Around 210 people have died in Kenya from flood-related incidents and nearly 100 are missing while 165,000 have been forced to flee their homes, according to government data. "No corner of our country has been spared from this havoc," Ruto said. "Sadly, we have not seen the last of this perilous period." The Kenya Met Department said Cyclone Hidaya was expected to hit coastal areas with powerful winds surpassing 40 knots and ocean waves over two metres (more than six feet) high. On Thursday, the interior ministry had ordered anyone living close to major rivers or dams to leave the area within 24 hours or face "mandatory evacuation for their safety". It warned that 178 dams and water reservoirs were full or almost full and may spill over, posing a risk to people in their vicinity. Opposition politicians and lobby groups have accused the government of being unprepared and slow to respond despite weather warnings. - 'Maximum precautions' - Cyclone Hidaya will peak at gusts of 165 kilometres (100 miles) per hour when it makes landfall in Tanzania on Saturday, according to the Climate Prediction and Applications Centre for East African trade bloc IGAD. Cyclone season in the southwest Indian Ocean normally lasts from November to April, and there are around a dozen storms each year. The Tanzanian Meteorological Authority said in a statement posted on X on Saturday that the cyclone was about 125 kilometres from the main city of Dar es Salaam late Friday, causing strong winds and heavy rains in several coastal areas. It has advised people living in the risk-prone areas and those involved in marine activities to take "maximum precautions". At least 155 people have already been killed in Tanzania by floods and landslides that have destroyed crops and swallowed homes. East Africa is highly vulnerable to climate change and the rains this year have been amplified by the El Nino weather pattern -- a naturally occurring climate phenomenon typically associated with increased heat worldwide that leads to drought in some parts of the world and heavy downpours elsewhere. The heavier than usual rains have also claimed at least 29 lives in Burundi and displaced tens of thousands since September, the United Nations said. UN refugee agency UNCHR said it was "particularly concerned" about thousands of refugees who had been displaced in Burundi, Kenya, Somalia and Tanzania. "(They are) being forced to escape once again for their lives after their homes were washed away," UNHCR spokesperson Olga Sarrado Mur said on Friday. Late last year, more than 300 people died in rains and floods in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, just as the region was trying to recover from its worst drought in four decades. burs-txw/ach NEW DELHI, May 4 (Xinhua) -- At least five university students including a female, aged between 20 and 22, died in a road accident in north India on Saturday, a local police officer told Xinhua over phone. The accident occurred in the northern hilly state of Uttarakhand at around 05:00 local time, when a car carrying the students skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge. One injured female student was admitted to a local hospital. Her condition is said to be serious. Local villagers rushed to their help. Later, local police and personnel of the local fire department reached the spot. France probes TotalEnergies over 2021 Mozambique attack Paris, May 4 (AFP) May 04, 2024 French prosecutors said Saturday they were investigating oil giant TotalEnergies for possible involuntary manslaughter in connection with a 2021 jihadist attack in Mozambique that killed hundreds. The probe follows a legal complaint brought by victims' families and attack survivors, accusing the French energy company, which was developing a major liquefied gas project in the region, of failing to protect its subcontractors, the prosecutors' office told AFP. The survivors and families say TotalEnergies also failed to provide fuel so that helicopters could evacuate civilians after Islamic State-linked militants killed dozens of people in the Mozambican port town of Palma on March 24, 2021. The entire attack in Cabo Delgado province lasted several days, claiming several hundred lives. Some of the victims were beheaded and thousands fled their homes. Contacted by AFP Saturday, a TotalEnergies spokesman reiterated a previous statement saying it "firmly rejects the accusations". He said the company's Mozambique teams had supplied emergency aid and made the evacuation of 2,500 people from the plant possible, including civilians, staff, contractors and sub-contractors. The French investigation also seeks to establish whether TotalEnergies is guilty of non-assistance to people in danger, prosecutors said. Seven British and South African complainants --- three survivors and four relatives of victims -- accuse TotalEnergies of failing to take steps to ensure the safety of subcontractors even before the assault. The Al-Shabab group -- unrelated to the Somali group of the same name -- which carried out the attack had been active in Cabo Delgado province since 2017 and drawing ever closer to Palma. "The danger was known," said the complainants lawyer Henri Thulliez in 2023 at the time of the lawsuit. Depending on the outcome of the preliminary probe, the case would either be dropped, or the investigation intensified with a view to bringing possible charges, they said. - 'Positive step' - Families and survivors welcomed the French decision, with Nicholas Alexander, a South African attack survivor, calling it "a positive step". TotalEnergies, he said, bore "a share of responsibility" in the tragedy, he told AFP. Anabela Lemos, an activist at Friends of the Earth Mozambique -- known locally as Justica Ambiental -- said the "negative effects" of the French oil major's Mozambique operations went beyond the 2021 attack because of environmental "destruction" and "deaths" as a result of its presence there. TotalEnergies's $20-billion project to develop a large gas field on the Afungi peninsula was halted following the 2021 attack, but chairman Patrick Pouyanne has since said he hoped to revive it. In November 2023, a group of 124 NGOs posted an open letter to dozens of financial institutions, including European, Japanese and South African banks, urging them to withdraw from the project. The NGOs -- which included the Human Rights League, Oil Change International and Greenpeace France -- told the 28 financial institutions that they would otherwise bear "direct and significant responsibility" for its impact. "The humanitarian and security risks, as well as the complexity of operations in a conflict zone" were underestimated, the NGOs said in the letter, calling any continuation "reckless". The project threatened local ecosystems and the global climate, while failing to benefit local communities, they said. Mozambique has set high hopes on vast natural gas deposits -- the largest found south of the Sahara -- that were discovered in the Muslim-majority northern province in 2010. The former Portuguese colony of 30 million people in southeast Africa is one of the world's poorest countries despite having large natural resources, especially gas. It has faced insurgencies from Islamist groups for much of the past decade. js/jh/ach Flood-hit Kenya and Tanzania buffeted by tropical cyclone Nairobi, May 4 (AFP) May 04, 2024 Coastal regions of Kenya and Tanzania were buffeted by heavy rains and high winds from a tropical cyclone on Saturday, adding to the chaos caused by deadly floods that have ravaged the region. More than 400 people have lost their lives across East Africa and tens of thousands have been uprooted from their homes in recent weeks as torrential rains triggered flooding and landslides that engulfed houses, roads and bridges. The Kenya Met Department said in a bulletin on Saturday that the effects of Tropical Cyclone Hidaya were already being felt offshore, with strong winds exceeding 40 knots and waves over two metres (over six feet). It said heavy rainfall along the Indian Ocean coastal strip was expected from Sunday, intensifying over the following two days. "Current observations indicate that Tropical Cyclone Hidaya has made landfall on the coast of Tanzania. However, there is another depression developing behind it," it said. There was no immediate confirmation from the Tanzanian authorities. In its latest update earlier Saturday, the Tanzanian Meteorological Authority said there had been strong winds and heavy rain along the coast overnight. In the Mtwara area, it said 75.5 millimetres (three inches) of rain had been reported in 12 hours, compared to the average May rainfall of 54 millimetres. The Tanzanian agency has advised people living in risk-prone areas and those involved in marine activities to take "maximum precautions". The Climate Prediction and Applications Centre for East African trade bloc IGAD had said Friday that Cyclone Hidaya will peak at gusts of 165 kilometres (100 miles) per hour when it makes landfall. Cyclone season in the southwest Indian Ocean normally lasts from November to April, and there are around a dozen storms each year. - 'No corner spared' - Kenyan President William Ruto on Friday described the weather picture as "dire" and postponed the reopening of schools indefinitely with the approach of the nation's first-ever cyclone. Around 210 people have died in Kenya from flood-related incidents and nearly 100 are missing while 165,000 have been forced to flee their homes, according to government data. "No corner of our country has been spared from this havoc," Ruto said in a televised address to the nation. "Sadly, we have not seen the last of this perilous period." On Thursday, the interior ministry ordered anyone living near major rivers or dams to leave the area within 24 hours or face "mandatory evacuation for their safety". It warned that 178 dams and water reservoirs were full or almost full and may spill over, posing a risk to people in their vicinity. Opposition politicians and lobby groups have accused the government of being unprepared and slow to respond despite weather warnings. - 'Forced to flee again' - At least 155 people have also been killed in Tanzania by floods and landslides that have swallowed homes and destroyed crops. East Africa is highly vulnerable to climate change and this year's rains have been amplified by the El Nino weather pattern -- a naturally occurring climate phenomenon typically associated with increased heat globally that leads to drought in some parts of the world and heavy downpours elsewhere. The heavier than usual rains have also claimed at least 29 lives in Burundi and displaced tens of thousands since September, the United Nations said. Weather-related deaths have also been reported in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda. UN refugee agency UNCHR said it was "particularly concerned" about thousands of refugees displaced in Burundi, Kenya, Somalia and Tanzania. "(They are) being forced to escape once again for their lives after their homes were washed away," UNHCR spokesperson Olga Sarrado Mur said Friday. Late last year, more than 300 people died in rains and floods in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, just as the region was trying to recover from its worst drought in four decades. burs-txw/ach BEIJING, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a congratulatory message to the opening of the 15th session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)'s Islamic Summit Conference in Banjul, capital of The Gambia. Xi pointed out that the OIC is a symbol of the unity and independence of Islamic countries, and has made important contributions to strengthening cooperation among Islamic countries as well as safeguarding international fairness and justice. China and Islamic countries are good friends and partners with a long history of friendship, he said, noting that in recent years, China and Islamic countries have supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, achieved fruitful results in practical cooperation, and continuously upgraded their friendly relations, setting a good example of the South-South cooperation. China stands ready to keep on working with Islamic countries to continue traditional friendship, enhance political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, expand exchanges among civilizations, jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative, and make greater contribution to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, he said. Xavier University President Reynold Verret is a part of all conversations and planning for major events on campus, especially when they involve prominent, high-profile people. He thought it was important for Xavier students to hear from one of the nation's most prominent leaders -- even if they disagree with her and her boss. What exactly is a Future Made in Australia? You can read the long speech Anthony Albanese made about it and still not be sure. My guess is its a slogan designed by spin doctors to mean whatever youd like it to mean. As I wrote on Monday, what I hope it means is that the government intends to secure our economic future by ensuring all the income were going to lose from the worlds decision to stop buying our exports of fossil fuels is replaced by us using our new-found comparative advantage of being able to produce renewable energy more cheaply than most other countries. Credit: Matt Davidson We can produce masses of the stuff but, because its expensive to export, we can set up new industries which use the renewable energy to produce green iron, green aluminium and various other green minerals and then sell them to the world. Because such industries dont yet exist, the businesses that start them will inevitably make mistakes from which later businesses will learn. So it makes hard-headed economic sense for the government to cover much of the cost of this learning-by-doing positive externality this spillover benefit to the wider economy for which the original businesses will go unrewarded. Authorities are intercepting an increasing number of shipments of a synthetic drug that is potentially deadlier than fentanyl, sparking concerns among Australian medical professionals that it could trigger a wave of overdoses. Australian Border Force officers detected nitazene, a potent lab-manufactured opioid, in 22 packages shipped into the country by cargo mail from the UK last October. Officers had previously detected the drug on only two other occasions. Metonitazene intercepted by law enforcement officers in a parcel bound for the Northern Territory. Credit: AFP Nitezines have been connected to the deaths of more than 100 people in the UK since June last year, according to its National Crime Agency. The British government has banned the narcotic and introduced tougher prison sentences for those caught supplying it. In April, the opioid was linked to a cluster of about 20 severe overdoses in Penrith in western Sydney, prompting NSW health authorities to issue a warning about the dangers of synthetic opioids. The Coles store () was pretty well laid out but it could have been cheaper. Staff at the JB Hi-Fi outlet () were friendly and the wait was short. The potato and gravy at the KFC () was a bit watery and had to be replaced. In Melbourne, everything is reviewable a car park, a statue, the local supermarket, a famous museum. On Google Maps, there are about 25,000 places in the city that have been rated by an amateur critic who has made a visit. Max Gross has written hundreds of reviews for Google Maps. Credit: Wayne Taylor All up, there are hundreds of thousands of these reviews across Melbourne. Many are contributed by people who might only ever write about one or two places, typically after either a really good experience or a very bad one. But there are also some super reviewers who give their opinions far more often than that. In Google parlance, they are known as local guides and some of them have submitted hundreds or even thousands of reviews. Homeowners should be allowed to rent out their spare rooms or granny flats without facing a tax penalty, independent MP Allegra Spender says, as a new report shows Australias housing crisis will worsen in coming years. The National Housing Supply and Affordability Councils State of the Housing System 2024 report found the federal governments ambitious target of getting 1.2 million homes built in five years will fall short by more than 250,000 homes due to building industry constraints, complex planning processes and a lack of land to build on. Allegra Spender says home owners should be able to rent out granny flats and spare bedrooms without capital gains tax implications. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen, Supplied The report found housing affordability worsened in 2023 from already bad levels. Minimum repayments on mortgages had risen by as much as 60 per cent since the Reserve Bank started lifting interest rates in 2022. Renters also faced enormous pressures from skyrocketing rents which rose by 8 per cent last year and a near record lack of availability. The national rental vacancy rate was 1.6 per cent. Jerusalem: The Israeli military and a support group for the families of Israeli hostages has confirmed that Elyakim Libman, a 23-year-old Israeli who had been believed abducted by Hamas, was killed during the militants October 7 attack. His body was found in Israel. The Hostages Families Forum Headquarters said Libman was working as a security guard at a music festival that was attacked by the militants after they stormed out of Gaza. It said he helped evacuate the wounded during the mayhem before being killed. Elyakim Libmans body has been found in Israeli territory. The military said it, the police and forensic officials had identified the body after it was found in Israeli territory. At least 260 people were killed at the Nova music festival, taking place in an open space near Gaza when Hamas militants rampaged through communities in southern Israel. Some 1200 people were killed in the attack, and militants took around 250 hostage. Because of the chaos of the day, a few believed taken captive were later determined to be among the dead. Ottawa: Canadian police have arrested and charged three Indian men with the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year and said they were probing whether the men had ties to the Indian government. Nijjar, 45, was shot dead in June outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, a Vancouver suburb with a large Sikh population. A few months later, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cited evidence of Indian government involvement, prompting a diplomatic crisis with New Delhi. A photo of Hardeep Singh Nijjar is seen during a news conference providing an update from the Sikh community about Nijjars homicide. Credit: AP The Royal Canadian Mounted Police named the three men as Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22 and Karan Brar, 22. Were investigating their ties, if any, to the Indian government, mounted police Superintendent Mandeep Mooker told a televised news conference. YANGON, May 4 (Xinhua) -- A white-bellied heron, a critically endangered bird, was recently spotted in Kachin State of northern Myanmar, the official Global New Light of Myanmar reported on Saturday. Phong San Dakaw, a member of the Native Species Conservation and Identification (NSCI) in Myanmar, recently recorded the critically endangered species in Kachin State, according to the report. The species is mainly found in Bhutan, Myanmar and India, the report cited an NSCI official U Thet Zaw Naing as saying. U Thet Zaw Naing said local poachers hunt this bird and sell it for meat, resulting in only about 40 remaining in the Southeast Asian country, adding that they are only found in Kachin State and Sagaing Region in Myanmar. The bird is currently rarer than the Irrawaddy dolphin, leopard and red panda in the country and could become extinct in five years if without protection, the report said. The white-bellied heron, mostly dark grey with a white throat and underparts, lives in undisturbed rivers and wetlands and has been listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2007. SYDNEY, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Some local residents rallied in a town on Australia's eastern coast on Saturday to protest against possible plans to establish a local base for nuclear submarines as part of the AUKUS agreement. Members and supporters of the local activist group Wollongong Against War and Nukes (WAWAN) joined the annual May Day March in Wollongong, some 85 km south of Sydney, to voice their concerns. "We absolutely oppose the AUKUS plan full stop," Alexander Brown, a founding member of WAWAN, told Xinhua as he held a triangle sign that read "No place for a nuclear base." "We certainly oppose any nuclear submarine base here in Port Kembla, anywhere on the east coast of Australia, or anywhere else in Australia for that matter," he said. Port Kembla, some 10 km south of Wollongong, along with Newcastle and Brisbane, were named by former prime minister Scott Morrison's government as potential sites for a nuclear submarine base on Australia's east coast. After the plans met fierce resistance from Australian unions and environmental groups, the current Labor government has said it had not decided on the location and a decision would be made "late in this decade." Arthur Rorris, head of the South Coast Labor Council, which represents 50,000 workers through its affiliated trade unions and organizes the annual May Day March, said a nuclear submarine base "is a very strong moral issue for this region and a very strong community concern." "Our port has a long history of being a civil port," Rorris said. "The population has a long history of fighting for peace, fighting against fascism, and fighting for the best interests of global harmony." "We don't think that having a nuclear base is consistent with that. We think it poses a threat. We think that it is something that the community does not support," he said. This year's May Day March in Wollongong, which attracted about 500 people on a rainy Saturday, was more of a general focus and dealt with issues such as local health and education services and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The May Day March last year was held especially in Port Kembla and about 4,000 people marched down the streets to say there is no place for a nuclear base, Rorris said. "Australia has had a long position against not just nuclear proliferation and nuclear weapons, but also the nuclear industry," Rorris said. "We do not want to be part of a military machine and basing nuclear assets in our port." Plans for a base are part of the tripartite AUKUS pact that centers around Australia's acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines from the United States and Britain, costing up to 368 billion Australian dollars (243 billion U.S. dollars). Brown said AUKUS is "some kind of war-mongering agreement" that threatens regional stability and it will also mean Australia increasingly comes under U.S. military control. The AUKUS pact is diverting resources away from addressing the causes of the climate crisis as well as education and health services, the local activist said. "I have young children and they're going to grow up in a world of increasing climate chaos. But instead of that, we're wasting 368 billion dollars on obsolete military technology for no obvious reason," Brown said. "Australia is also facing a big crisis in education (and) health. Our education system is underfunded. Today, the teachers are speaking about New South Wales public schools don't have the resources that the kids need," he said. "They're fighting to try and get those resources while we're spending money on American armed manufacturers," Brown said. "So it doesn't make sense." The annual Discover Europe Travel Summit returns to Dubai next week, offering an immersive experience into the enchanting landscapes and diverse cultures of Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Taking place on May 4 and 5 at Palazzo Versace Dubai, this two-day event represents a pivotal opportunity for the European nations to showcase their unique attractions, forge strategic partnerships, and strengthen ties with GCC travel professionals. More than 100 partners from the three countries representing states, cities, hotels, and tourist attractions will be present, fostering connections and collaboration. The Discover Europe Travel Summit serves as a vital prelude to Arabian Travel Market, the region's largest travel exhibition, offering a dynamic platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange on key industry trends and emerging technologies. With an impressive agenda comprising more than 4,000 curated meetings and an attendance of at least 120 buyers in the culture and luxury travel sectors of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, the summit is poised to facilitate fruitful discussions and unveil exciting opportunities for growth and collaboration within the tourism sector. Reflecting on the significance of the event, Yamina Sofo, Director of the Marketing & Sales Office at the German National Tourist Office (GNTO) GCC, commented: "We're excited to showcase the innovative experiences Germany offers travellers from the GCC. From breathtaking mountain adventures to cutting-edge wellness retreats, Germany caters to the most discerning traveller." "Germany is committed to sustainable travel practices, offering travellers from the GCC eco-friendly experiences while minimizing environmental impact. The Discover Europe Travel Summit allows us to showcase these initiatives and collaborate with partners to create extended itineraries that encourage travellers to stay longer and explore the rich diversity of our regions, she added. Michael Tauschmann, Head of Markets Middle East & India at Austria Tourism, emphasised Austria's commitment to providing unparalleled travel experiences by saying: "Austria boasts a rich tapestry of experiences, from majestic mountains and charming villages to vibrant cities and world-class cultural events. We're eager to share this diversity with travel professionals from the GCC." This year, we're delighted to introduce Carinthia, a stunning state famous for its spectacular scenery that combines crystal-clear lakes and majestic mountains, as our new partner for the Middle East market. The Discover Europe Travel Summit allows us to showcase the unique offerings of different regions within Austria. Whether it's the scenery of Tyrol or the historical charm of Vienna, Austria caters to every travel dream," he added. Livio Goetz, Director GCC of Switzerland Tourism, highlighted Switzerland's legendary natural beauty and renowned hospitality, stating: "Switzerland's pristine mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and picturesque landscapes have captivated travellers for generations. Our diverse range of accommodation options caters to every traveller's preference. From luxurious city hotels boasting elegant architecture and state-of-the-art facilities in prime locations to tranquil mountain retreats overflowing with traditional charm, guests can find the perfect place to unwind and experience the highest level of service. He further emphasised the unique appeal of exploring Switzerland by train, citing it as an enchanting way to uncover the country's hidden treasures and magnificent landscapes. "Switzerland's extensive rail network, coupled with the convenience of the Swiss Travel Pass, offers travellers a seamless and immersive way to discover the country's iconic landmarks and scenic beauty," added Goetz. Beyond their individual strengths, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland combine to offer a captivating trifecta for GCC travellers seeking a truly unforgettable European experience. Seamless travel connections weave these destinations together, allowing visitors to embark on a journey that encompasses the dramatic peaks of the Alps, the rich cultural heritage of charming towns, and the cosmopolitan buzz of vibrant cities. This geographical diversity is reflected in the impressive number of overnight stays GCC travellers enjoyed across the three countries, with over 3.6 million overnight stays recorded in 2023. As the Discover Europe Travel Summit convenes, travel professionals will gain in-depth knowledge of Austria, Germany and Switzerland, by uncovering hidden gems and seasonal highlights, ensuring their clients experience the very best these captivating destinations have to offer year-round, a statement said. TradeArabia News Service NAIROBI, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Kenya will next week host the United Nations Civil Society Conference in the capital, Nairobi, to be attended by over 2,000 participants drawn from governments, multilateral institutions, industry, academia and thinks tanks. The May 9-10 event will be the first UN Civil Society Conference to be held in the Global South, which also serves as a lead-up to the Sept. 22-23 Summit of the Future at the UN headquarters in New York. Kenyan President William Ruto and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are among the dignitaries expected at the meeting, with the theme of "Shaping a Future of Global and Sustainable Progress," according to a statement from the United Nations Office in Nairobi released on Saturday. "The Nairobi conference aims to promote civil society's insights and initiatives to bolster the Member State-led Summit of the Future process and its outcome document, the Pact for the Future, alongside a Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations," the UN office said. The conference in Nairobi is expected to generate momentum and influence discussions about the Pact for the Future, which will be endorsed at the September Summit of the Future, it said. Delegates are expected to rally behind the objectives of the September summit, which aim to unite a diverse range of stakeholders toward restoring trust and fostering multilateralism. Other themes expected at the Nairobi conference will include accelerating progress toward attaining sustainable development goals, financing for development, fostering global peace and security, science, technology, innovation, digital cooperation and transforming global governance, the statement said. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a congratulatory message to the opening of the 15th session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's Islamic Summit Conference in Banjul, capital of The Gambia. #XinhuaNews Bhopal to be developed on lines of twin city model Exclusive interview of BJP candidate of Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency Alok Sharma by Bhavana Aparajita Shukla, Bureau Chief, Bhopal. Voting for States prestigious seat Bhopal will be held on May 7. Candidates have the opportunity to make a final impression on the electorate before the period of election silence. Taking time out of his hectic public campaigning in Bhopal North on Friday, former Mayor and BJP candidate Alok Sharma spoke about his plans for the State capital if he is elected. Here are the excerpts: Q. What are your priorities for Bhopal? A. My first priority will be the development of Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency on the lines of twin city model like Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar and Hyderabad-Secunderabad of urban development. Here this concept would be replicated keeping in mind proximity of Berasia and Sehore to Bhopal. I will work for the development of Sehore and Berasia as well. I have studied the major capitals of the country as well as across the globe to develop Bhopal. I wanted to see Bhopal as Smart, Clean and Digital City. Now, we are already a Smart City, we are gifted with heritage and digitally we are making a mark. We will be a Metro city soon, and we will be a global city soon. It will be city as per the dream of our Prime Minister, according to the dream of people of Bhopal, it is my dream to make this historic city a global city. I will work hard to fulfill these dreams. Q. How about your second priority for gas victims. A. The worlds worst industrial disaster had happened here on the night of December 2-3, 1984. Me and my family are also sufferers of Bhopal gas tragedy. This tragedy of leakage of toxic gas not only killed thousands of people in Bhopal but continues to give nightmares to the survivors. It is very unfortunate, even after passing 40 years, no clean-up operation of the chemical waste. Waste stored on the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) premises the site of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy is yet to be disposed off. My second priority will be proper disposal of this waste. Hundreds of tonnes of toxic waste on the premises of Bhopal gas tragedy site will be disposed. On this site, a park will be developed. Q. It is being said that basic facilities are availability of tap water at every household of the city has yet to be achieved what you have to say about this? A Our Government has done a lot in past few years. But it is true that as far as bulk connection are concern it is seen that in some of the areas, private colonies have taken bulk connection and so the residents here end up paying higher water charges. Residents of these colonies have to shell out more money. This practice will be curbed. Bhopal will take shape as per the aspiration of Bhopals people. Q. Only three days are left for voting, first two phases had shown lower voter turnout. It has caused a concern among both the parties, especially in BJP. What you have to say on this and why people should elect you. A Bhopal ka beta hoon (Im a son of Bhopal). People have seen what I have done and what I am capable of. If I am voted to power, then we will have a triple-engine Government here, with the BJP ruling the Centre as well as the State. Under the leadership of PM Modi, the country is becoming more glorious, prosperous and strong. Q. Bhopal is lagging behind in cleanliness drive from other cities like Indore. A In this country Congress ruled for several decades none of their leaders pay attention towards cleanness. After Mahatma Gandhi, it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who drew us towards this crucial issue. I assure you that Bhopal will be number one in the country in cleanness. Stains of Paan spitting could be seen anywhere in the city, during my tenure in corporation, I myself cleaned that spot from the face of the city and I will bring Bhopal number one in the cleanness survey of the country with the support of people of Bhopal. Q. Congress has fielded new face this time. It is being said that BJP has fielded a candidate who had lost the recent Assembly election. How do you see this fight going to pan out in this elections? A The Lok Sabha elections victory will break all records. Bhopal is a stronghold of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), having never lost an election since 1989. Bhopalites will create history this time. Modi Magic is every where. As far as defeat in Assembly election is concerned, in elections it is obvious. But people have seen Congress regime. Now, under the PM Modi, the country will see Apki Baar 400 Par. Q. On Master Plan. When the city will have its Master Plan? A Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, we are working for 360-degree development of our respective areas. Very soon, we will bring a concrete Master Plan for the State capital. 202 cos of security forces for 7 Lok Sabha constituencies Staff Reporter RAIPUR, A total of 202 companies of security forces have been deployed in seven Lok Sabha constituencies under the third phase Lok Sabha elections in State. Under the third phase, polling will be held for seven Lok Sabha seats - Surguja, Korba, Raigarh, Bilaspur, Janjgir-Champa, Raipur and Durg on May 7. Campaigning will end at 5 pm on May 7. Assistant Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Rupesh Verma said that a total of 202 companies have been deployed under the third phase to ensure free and fair elections in State. Under the third phase, there are 324 runners in 283 polling stations marked as Shadow Area in 18 districts. Under the third phase, polling teams will leave for concerned polling stations of these seven Lok Sabha constituencies on May 6. Authentication of political advertisements to be published in newspapers dated on May 6 and 7 will be necessary, he added. The Assistant CEO said that 28,396 postal ballots have been received for first, second and third phase Lok Sabha elections in the state by May 2. Commissioning of all the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) was completed in all the seven parliamentary constituencies of the state. A total of 1,416 complaints have been received through cVigil, in which actions were taken on 1,021 complaints, 387 complaints were dropped and remaining eight complaints are under process. Total 3,136 applications for permission of publicity have been received, in which 2,855 applications have been approved and 251 applications were rejected and remaining 30 applications are under process. 73,985 banners, 1,18,430 posters, 1,41,970 wall writings and 1,00,195 other materials have been seized. Total 646 election related complaints were received, in which 357 complaints were disposed of and remaining complaints are under process. Rs 7.17 crore cash, 51,804.51 kilogramme liquor worth Rs 2.23 crore, 12,934.51 kilogramme drugs worth Rs 25.71 crore, 161.27 kilogramme precious metals worth Rs 15.98 crore and freebies worth Rs 14.93 crore were seized. CANBERRA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Genetic defects are most likely responsible for 24.5 percent of the cerebral palsy (CP) cases involved in a new study, Chinese and Australian researchers have found. In the study researchers from China's Fudan University and Zhengzhou University and from Australia's University of Adelaide conducted the world's largest study of CP genetics, involving more than 1,500 Chinese children with CP. The study with Chinese researchers as first authors was published in the prestigious scientific journal, Nature Medicine, on May 1. It used modern genomic sequencing and found mutations were significantly higher in CP cases with birth asphyxia, indicating a lack of oxygen could be secondary to the underlying genetic defect, said a media release by the University of Adelaide on Friday, adding the results are consistent with smaller studies globally. Chinese and Australian researchers in the study found that 24.5 percent of the children in the study had rare genetic variations linked to CP. The researchers identified 81 genes with causation mutations in the children with CP. "This revelation mirrors our earlier findings in our Australian cerebral palsy cohort, where up to one third of cases have genetic causes," Jozef Gecz, a human geneticist who co-led the Australian research team, said in the media release. CP refers to a group of conditions affecting movement and posture that are caused by abnormal development of the brain. It is the most common motor disability in children, affecting up to two out of every 1,000 children globally. It was previously thought that a lack of oxygen at birth was the biggest risk factor leading to the development of CP. "A lack of oxygen at birth is often claimed to be the cause of CP in medical litigation following a diagnosis and this has led to the presumption that the condition is preventable with better obstetrics or midwifery," said Alastair MacLennan, co-leader of the Australian research group, who is head of the Australian Collaborative Cerebral Palsy Research Group at the University of Adelaide. MacLennan said all children with CP should undergo modern genetic screening to identify possible clinical treatments that could improve their long-term outcomes. All 25 crew of seized vessel MSC Aries released: Iran NEW DELHI, IRAN has said, it released all the crew members of Portuguese-flagged cargo vessel MSC Aries that had 17 Indians among its 25 crews. Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian mentioned the release of the crew of the ship during a phone conversation with his Estonian counterpart Margus Tsahkna on Friday, according to an Iranian readout. Ann Tessa Joseph, the sole woman cadet among the 17 Indian crew members of the Israeli-linked container vessel was released days after the tanker was seized by Irans military on April 13. In response to the request of the Estonian side regarding the Portuguese ship seized in the territorial waters of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the release of the Estonian crew, Amirabdollahian said the ship, which turned off its radar in the territorial waters of Iran and endangered the security of navigation, is detained under judicial rules, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said. He however noted that Iran has already released all the ships crew members on humanitarian grounds, and if the ships captain accompanies them, the crew including the Estonians can return to their country, it said. Hours after the Iranian military seized the vessel, White House National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson had said the ships crew comprised Indian, Filipino, Pakistani, Russian and Estonian nationals. Excise scam: SC to consider bail plea of Kejriwal NEW DELHI, IN A ray of hope to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after 43 days of his arrest in the Excise Policy-linked money laundering case, the Supreme Court on Friday told the Enforcement Directorate to be ready with the case as it may consider hearing arguments on his interim bail on May 7 on account of Lok Sabha polls in Delhi. Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 and is currently lodged in Tihar jail under judicial custody. A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta told Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate (ED), that the hearing on Kejriwals plea against arrest is likely to take time and therefore, the court was considering hearing the probe agency on interim bail to him. It appears we cant complete today. We will post it on Tuesday morning itself. Mr Raju, one more thing. If it is going to take time and it does appear to us that it may take some time, we will then consider the question of interim bail because of the elections, the bench told Raju, who was wrapping up his argument for the day. Raju submitted that he will oppose the bail to Kejriwal and pointed out that to the statements made by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh after getting bail last month in the case. Just, look at the kind of statements he is making, he said. The bench said it is putting the agency on notice about the courts intention, so that it is not taken by surprise on May 7, when the interim bail issue will be dealt. We are not commenting on it either way. We are just saying we will hear on interim bail and not saying we will grant interim bail. We may or may not grant interim bail, the bench said. It also told senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Kejriwal, Just one thing more. Please also take instructions. Because of the position he holds, whether he should be signing official files? During the hearing, Singhvi informed the bench that on March 16 the elections were announced and on March 21, Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on the basis of statements and materials which were available with the agency since last July. Fake Bill Scam: High-level committee to investigate scam at Indore Municipal Corporation By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla State Government has started tightening the noose around those involved in the alleged Fake Bill Scam worth Rs 125 crore in the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), the financial capital of Madhya Pradesh. On Friday, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav gave orders to set up the inquiry committee and blacklisted the five firms allegedly involved in the scam. The General Administration Department has constituted a high-level committee to investigate the scam. Principal Secretary Commercial Tax Amit Rathore will be the Chairman of the committee and Secretary Finance Department Ajit Kumar and Chief Engineer of Public Works Department have been included as members. It is found that around 20 fake bills pertaining to the work of water engineering and drainage department were presented to the finance branch of Indore Municipal Corporation. These bills were of 5 firms-M/s Jahanvi Enterprises, M/s Kshitij Enterprises, M/s King Construction, M/s Neev Construction and M/s Green Construction. It was revealed that there were no tender, contract and work order. On the basis of these bills, a payment of Rs 3.20 crore was made to the said firms. IMC had lodged an FIR against five firms after an investigation revealed their producing fake pay orders and forged documents to cause a potential loss of crores of rupees to the civic body as a part of the scam. During CMs visit to Indore on Monday evening (on the occasion of membership for Akshay Kanti Bam Congress Candidate), Indore Mayor personally informed him about the scam and demanded strict action against those involved in it. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Urban Development and Housing minister Kailash Vijayvargiya had assured Mayor Pushya Mitra Bhargava to form a high level committee to investigate the scam. On receiving information about the incident, Municipal Commissioner of Indore constituted an investigation committee. The committee is investigating 188 cases found in these 5 firms in the last 10 years. Two employees, Bhupendra Purohit and Sunil Bhanwar, who were found guilty in the preliminary investigation of the committee were issued show cause notices. Rahul Vadera of Jahanvi Enterprises, Renu Vadera of M/s Kshitij Enterprise, Mohammed of M/s King Construction were arrested by the police. Zakir and Mohammed of New Construction, Sajid, former regulated clerk of Accounts Department Municipal Corporation Rajkumar Salvi, Deputy Engineer Uday Bhadauria and computer operator Chetan Bhadauria have been detained. Out of these, the services of the employees working in the said municipal corporation have been terminated. Assistant Engineer Abhay Rathore has been suspended. Disciplinary Proceedings: On the basis of the letter from the Commissioner Urban Administration and Development, the Finance Department is taking disciplinary action against Samar Singh Parmar, Deputy Director Jagdish Ohria and Rameshwar Parmar , posted in the Finance Department of the Municipal Corporation, for negligence in official work. General Administration Department constituted high level committee. Flag march taken out in Durg Staff Reporter BHILAI, FLAG march was carried out by district administration and police officials with senior officials from the paramilitary forces as part of area domination exercise and for effectively checking possibility of any adverse development during the forthcoming election. It was led by District Collector Richa Prakash Choudhary, Superintendent of Police (SP), Jitendra Kumar Shukla and senior officials from paramilitary forces. With three days to go for polling in the district for general election, the officials from district administration and police are taking out flag march to maintain law and order across the district. The district administration and police officials accompanied by the specially trained companies of paramilitary forces including Central Reserve Paramilitary Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) and Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on Friday took out flag march from Police Line, Durg and it traversed through Patel Chowk, Gavlipara, Chandi Mandir area, Takiyapara, Station Road, Rajendra Park Chowk and culminated at police line ground. The flag march was taken out as the token of appeal to the populace for maintaining law and order. Several police officials and personnel along paramilitary companies actively participated in the flag-march. Rapid Action Force (RAF), the specially trained company in the paramilitary forces also accompanied the police. The RAF Company of the paramilitary force is specially trained for effectively checking riots and to deal with mob or disorderly crowd. When contacted, ASP (City) Abhishek Jha informed that in course of taking out flag march, the police also interacted with the residents specially those with party flags atop their houses to ensure whether their consent was obtained for the same. During the flag march the police also ensured whereabouts of the criminal elements from the areas, took to task the commuters for triple riding and other acts of flouting norms. In accordance of directives in the police are taking out flag march through the areas marked as highly sensitive and sensitive for ensuring law and order during polling for the election. Indias reservoirs report water shortage Southern belt worst hit as levels dip to 16 pc: CWC NEW DELHI, THE Central Water Commission has underscored a notable deficit in reservoir storage nationwide, which has dipped to 28 per cent from 35 per cent of the capacity during the corresponding period last year. The CWC, which monitors live water storage in 150 water reservoirs and releases a weekly status bulletin, found the southern region to be the most hit. A total of 42 reservoirs are monitored by the commission in southern region, which includes Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. As per the CWCs latest Reservoir Storage bulletin, the total live storage available in these reservoirs is 8.353 BCM or 16 per cent of total capacity of 53.334 billion cubic metres (BCM). The storage during the corresponding period of 2023 in the southern region was 28 per cent of the total capacity of these reservoirs, while the average storage of last ten years during the corresponding period was 22 per cent. The bulletin also revealed concerning data on reservoir storage across India for the week ending May 2, 2024. According to the report, the total live storage in 150 monitored reservoirs stood at 50.432 billion cubic meters (BCM), which is a mere 28 per cent of their combined live storage capacity. This figure represents a substantial decline compared to the storage levels recorded during the same period last year, amounting to only 81 per cent of last years storage -- 62.212 BCM -- and significantly lower than the ten-year average, which was 96 per cent of the average storage capacity. The bulletin underscored a notable deficit in reservoir storage nationwide, highlighting potential implications for agriculture, hydroelectric power generation, and overall water resource management. Breaking down the data regionally, disparities in reservoir storage become apparent across different parts of the country. In the northern region, which includes states like Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan, the live storage available in monitored reservoirs was noted at 6.051 BCM, only 31 per cent of the total capacity. This figure is below both last years storage levels (37 per cent) and the ten-year average (34 per cent). Conversely, in the eastern region comprising states like Assam, Jharkhand, and Odisha, the live storage of 7.45 BCM translates to 36 per cent of the total capacity, surpassing last years levels (33 per cent) and the ten-year average (32 per cent). Moreover, the bulletin highlighted specific reservoirs and river systems exhibiting varying storage conditions. Inter-state gang of thieves busted Staff Reporter Durg, Police have busted an inter-state gang of thieves while arresting four persons involved in burglary at a jewellery shop in Patan. The accused used to conduct recce of the targeted area on pretext of selling mixer grinders. With the help of CCTV camera footage, the police initially traced the bike owner from Raipur and during interrogation he revealed involvement of seven other accused in the burglary. Four accused connected to the case are absconding. The police on Friday held a press conference at Police Control Room, Bhilai and disclosed about the burglary. The victim Manharan Lal Devangan owns Moti Jeweler shop at Bazaar Chowk, Patan and he had lodged a complaint regarding theft of 1.50 kilogram of silver from his shop on the intervening nights of January 21 and 22. Meanwhile, the police after registering the complaint had launched investigations into the matter. The police verified footage of CCTV cameras installed near the shop and identified a bike which was later seen in Labhandi at Raipur. The police then detained its owner and on being interrogated strictly, he revealed conducting recce of the area to find out the timing of opening and closure of the shop. He said that on pretext of selling mixer grinders they obtained details about the shop and committed the burglary with the help of seven other accused hailing from Uttar Pradesh. The accused arrested by the police have been identified as Sakib Qureshi (22), Jasant Yadav alias Kalwa, Pappu Prajapati (54), all residents of Aligarh in UP and Mowa, Raipur resident Khilendra Verma (37). BAGALKOTE, KARNATAKA Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said a rape case has been booked against JD(S) leader and NDAs Hassan candidate Prajwal Revanna. He said he has directed police to identify, trace and secure the victims in view of the alleged kidnapping of a victim at Krishnaraja Nagar town in Mysuru district. The mother of three children was allegedly abducted by Holenarasipura MLA and Prajwals father H D Revanna and his confidant Sathish Babanna from her home after her 20-year-old son complained to the police. He said videos showed that his mother was allegedly tied and raped by Prajwal Revanna. Police have arrested Sathish Babanna and are interrogating him in connection with the case, a police source said. H D Revanna is the son of former Prime Minister and JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda. The Chief Minister said BJP committed a wrong in Prajwal Revanna case. Both the BJP and the JD(S) knew about Prajwal Revannas videos. Prajwal Revannas case is not just sexual harassment. He has raped women. A rape case has been registered (against him), Siddaramaiah said. Supporting the complainants, he said, Will a woman lie that she has been raped? Wont her life get destroyed after the complaint? If a married woman says openly that she has been raped then we have to accept it. He said there is a law of presumption. Women never lie (on these issues). Victims wont lie. Shouldnt this be accepted? Why did they give ticket (to Prajwal) despite knowing it? Why did they (BJP) forge an alliance (with the JD-S)? To a question, he wondered that if the JD(S) leadership said they will cooperate with the investigation, why did Deve Gowda and his son and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy call lawyers and discuss with them on Thursday. The Chief Minister took a dig at Kumaraswamy saying that they have separated themselves from Revanna but during the election, he campaigned for him and said his son Nikhil and nephew Prajwal Revanna were not different. Whatever they do, they do it together be it politics or misdeeds, he said. On Prajwal staying in Germany, Siddaramaiah said wherever he has escaped, the Government will ensure that he is caught and brought back. Whichever country he is staying in, we will get him from there. Thats why I have written a letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to cancel his diplomatic passport, the Chief Minister said. Second notice served to Revanna: KARNATAKA Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara on Friday said a second notice has been served to JD(S) MLA and former minister H D Revanna in connection with the cases of molestation and abduction registered against him. H D Revanna Speaking to reporters, Parameshwara said earlier a notice was served under section 41 A of CrPC to which Prajwal Revannas advocate had sought seven days time. The Special Investigation Team, which was set up to investigate the sexual abuse allegations against Prajwal Revanna, has replied that it would not be possible to give them the time sought as there is no such provision, the Minister said. Sensex tumbles over 700 points MUMBAI, EQUITY benchmark Sensex plummeted over 700 points to sink below the 74,000 level and Nifty retreated from a record high on Friday as investors pared exposure to telecom, capital goods and tech stocks. Heavy selling pressure in Reliance Industries, L&T and HDFC Bank counters also pulled indices down, traders said. The 30-share BSE Sensex dropped 732.96 points or 0.98 per cent to settle at 73,878.15 after soaring 484.07 points earlier in the day. From its intra-day high of 75,095.18, the benchmark tanked 1,627.45 points to the days low of 73,467.73. The NSE Nifty also declined 172.35 points or 0.76 per cent to 22,475.85. The benchmark hit a record 22,794.70 in early trade, up 146.5 points or 0.64 per cent. On the weekly front, the BSE benchmark climbed 147.99 points and Nifty advanced 55.9 points. Surprise inspection of spices industries, samples collected Staff Reporter A Team of Food Security Department conducted surprise inspection of spices industries and collected samples of spices for laboratory tests, on Friday. Compliance with the order of Indian Food Security and Standards Authority, New Delhi, Commissioner Food Security Madhya Pradesh has directed all the district offices for ensuring checking of spices production and packaging units for its examination. District Food Security Officer, Pankaj Shrivastava informed that following the orders of higher authorities, they have started a special campaign for sampling of spices at different industrial and packaging units in the district. Continuing the campaign, team of food security officers inspected Gurukripa Industry Adhartal, Shobha Grah Udyog Karmeta and Smita Grah Udyog Garha Fatak and collected samples of spices. Unauthorised construction of Swami Vivekananda Memorial Staff Reporter The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has taken serious note of the construction of Swami Vivekananda Memorial near Ambazari Lake, despite the absence of a development zone in the vicinity. The court also directed the Divisional Commissioner and Advocate General to remain present during the next hearing scheduled on May 8. The court is seeking accountability from the responsible officials in this case. Expressing dismay over the matter, the High Court took a stern stance against the officials of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). The division bench of Justice Nitin Sambre and Justice Abhay Mantri conducted the hearing on Friday. Earlier in the day, NMC officials were absent during the proceedings, which led the High Court to order their presence at 4 pm. Additional Commissioner of NMC Anchal Goyal and other officials appeared in compliance with the courts directive. During the hearing, the High Court inquired whether the entire area surrounding Ambazari Lake falls within a development zone. Dissatisfied with the response from NMC lawyers, the court strongly advised them that such expectations couldnt be placed upon them. Furthermore, the court directed the NMC counsel to summon all senior officers and questioned why they werent in attendance. Expressing dissatisfaction with the response, the court warned of issuing contempt notices against absent officials. The court stressed upon the violation of rules in erecting the monument and ordered concerned departments and NMC to submit an affidavit by May 7. The next hearing is scheduled for May 8. The matter was brought to court through a public interest petition filed by Satyanarayan Badrinarayan Jaju, Sumeet Satish Thakur, and Sanjay Pandharinath Dhoble, represented by Adv Prashant Sathianathan. The petition highlighted the unauthorised felling of trees near Ambazari Dam by the NMC, which began without waiting for citizens objections or obtaining proper permissions. CAIRO, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian mediators and Hamas have reached a consensus on several issues regarding a potential ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Egyptian media reported on Saturday. Egypt's Al-Qahera News TV channel quoted an unnamed senior official as saying that a Hamas delegation had arrived in Cairo to discuss the terms of an Egypt-proposed initiative for a ceasefire with Israel. Earlier in the day, two Egyptian sources told Xinhua on condition of anonymity the Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Saturday "with the intention of concluding and implementing a truce agreement with Israel." The Hamas delegation's visit came after the Gaza-ruling movement got Egypt's guarantees that the deal could lead to a ceasefire in the besieged enclave, the sources said. Egypt has warned Hamas of the potential escalation of tensions in Gaza should they fail to reach an agreement, according to the sources. It has been reported that William Burns, director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, is scheduled to visit Egypt. The visit is part of the efforts by the tripartite guarantors of the ceasefire deal, which include Egypt, the United States, and Qatar. Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, following Hamas's surprise attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people. The ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip have killed more than 34,600 Palestinians, and wounded over 77,800 others, according to Gaza health authorities. The attacks also led to massive destruction of homes and infrastructure in Gaza. Where Is The Need? By Vijay phanshikar When the new building of Parliament was inaugurated, we reprinted the original copy of the Constitution of India which contained not just the articles of the constitutional thought of new India, but also pictures depicting sequences and scenes from epics of India like Ramayana, Mahabharata. For we realise that those picture communicated the cultural ethos of India. When I was Chief Minister of Gujarat, we took a big copy of the Constitution of India mounted on a decorated elephant in a procession. I walked on the street ahead of the elephant, even though I was Chief Minister and did not sit next to the sacred document. I also recall how the Opposition tried to reject the idea of celebrating the Constitution Day, insisting that there was no such need since the nation had the Republic Day. ... How can then they accuse us of wanting to change the Constitution? ... - Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi in a television interview THIS subject was bound to come up again in consideration of this column (which handled the issue just a couple of weeks ago). For, the Opposition has persisted with the accusation that Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is hell bent upon changing the Constitution drastically, in an attempt to change its core values and structure. So, when the issue was raised during the interview, the Prime Minister was at his patient best, and explained in most controlled tone how he worshiped the Constitution of India beyond any politics or ideology. Without losing his cool, without sounding irritated, without sounding traumatised by the question, Mr. Narendra Modi offered the details of his devotion and dedication to the Constitution. The power of his patient words could be sensed easily as the Prime Minister listed the points of contrast between the conduct of his Government and party vis-a-vis Constitution. He talked of the Constitution not just as a legal frame and moral base of the countrys system of governance, but also as a spiritual core of a democratic India. How can anybody then think that we are out to change the Constitution? -- the Prime Minister asked. The Prime Minister also listed instances of how persons of the eminence of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Mrs. Indira Gandhi and Mr. Rajiv Gandhi toyed with the Constitution and played foul with the sacred document from time to time. Yet, it is must be said in all sincerity that Mr. Narendra Modis tone and tenor did not betray his frustration or anger at being accused wrongly. He seemed to consider such accusations as an unavoidable evil of democratic discourse -- particularly in election time. No matter the ideological differences, nobody would disagree with the Prime Ministers assertions about his dedication to the Constitution. Yet, time and again, the Opposition raises the issue of the Prime Ministers agenda to alter the Constitution once he gets elected for the third term in office. And, time and again, without losing patience, the Prime Minister responds to the baseless criticism, possibly inwardly thanking the Opposition for giving him the opportunity to clear his side of the debate once again, with an amazing sense of self-control. The nation will never forget the moment when Mr. Narendra Modi entered the Parliament building for the first time. He stopped at the steps, knelt down, placed his hands on the steps and placed his head on the threshold of the historic building. Later, he also bowed in almost a similar fashion to the document of the Constitution placed in Parliament building. The nation can never forget those moments. Let alone all that, the Prime Minister said something else that should make everybody think twice before levelling any charges. Mr. Narendra Modi said, in effect, Have you considered another reality of our present numbers in Parliament? Dont you realise that we are already close to 400 combined. If we wanted to alter the Constitution, we could have as well done that with our present numbers. Did we do that? This poser has its own importance. It shows that the accusation of the Opposition that the Prime Minister wants to tamper with the Constitution has no meaning and substance. There also is another angle: If Mr. Modi can get things done the way he wishes with the current form and content of the Constitution, then why should he go to the extent of altering the Constitution? Every indications points to the fact that Mr. Modi is all set to win a third term for himself with a greater margin of seats -- which demonstrates his popularity as a person and as a Prime Minister. With this kind of authentic control over public opinion, he need not do anything as drastic as altering the Constitution of India. The Opposition may, still, not be convinced about the right intentions of the Prime Minister. -- However, common people of India trust him! Womans casual dinner turns into nightmare Pakistani migrant among three arrested Staff Reporter After arresting three residents of Amravati for stalking a woman from Hotel Ashok to her residence, the police uncovered shocking details in the case. One of the accused is a Pakistani migrant who was at the forefront of stalking and harassing the woman.The Pakistani migrant accused has been identified as Rajesh Kumar Talreja (43), a resident of Navjeevan Colony, Amravati. The other accused include Manoj Kumar Chhabra (53), a resident of Shankar Nagar Road, Amravati, and Suraj Narayan Kurhadkar (25), a resident of Ganpati Nagar, Amravati. The accused Talreja, who migrated from Sindh area of Pakistan nearly 25 years ago, had been living in Arwi town, Wardha district, before settling in Amravati. After shifting to Amravati, he engaged in the construction business. Police suspect Talrejas involvement in other serious crimes and are scrutinising his connections, including examining his call records for any links to Pakistan. It has come to light that Kurhadkar served as Talrejas driver. According to police statements, Chhabra and Talreja made a bet of Rs 50,000 to acquire the womans mobile phone which led to the pursuit and they reached upto her home. The police are investigating the possibility of the accused being under the influence of alcohol during the incident. What began as a casual dinner at a hotel turned into a nightmare for the wife of a senior official serving with a Central Agency, as she was pursued by the accused up to her residence on April 22 late at night. The Sadar Police registered a case of molestation and launched a hunt for the accused. The woman, along with her friends, went to Hotel Ashoka in Sadar for dinner, while the three men were sitting at another table. The trio started staring at the women. When the women left the hotel, the three followed them to the parking area. One of the women got into her car and started heading towards her home. Smoke rises during a military operation conducted by Israeli forces in Deir Al-Ghusoun, a town in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm on May 4, 2024. At least six Palestinians were killed on Saturday in a military operation conducted by Israeli forces in Deir Al-Ghusoun, a town in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm, according to Palestinian medical and security sources. Security sources in Palestine said Israeli troops had encircled a residence in the town for more than 15 hours, during which multiple shells were launched at the house. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) RAMALLAH, May 4 (Xinhua) -- At least six Palestinians were killed on Saturday in a military operation conducted by Israeli forces in Deir Al-Ghusoun, a town in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm, according to Palestinian medical and security sources. The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported transporting the body of an unidentified Palestinian to the hospital, while Palestinian medical sources said the bodies of the other five victims had been taken by the Israeli army. Security sources in Palestine said Israeli troops had encircled a residence in the town for more than 15 hours, during which multiple shells were launched at the house. Following the demolition of the residence by an Israeli military bulldozer, the homeowner was detained. The incident sparked confrontations in Deir Al-Ghusoun between local Palestinians and Israeli forces. The Palestinian Ministry of Health has recorded more than 480 Palestinian fatalities caused by Israeli bombings and gunfire across the West Bank and East Jerusalem since the start of the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict on Oct. 7, 2023. Palestinians go through the rubble after a military operation conducted by Israeli forces in Deir Al-Ghusoun, a town in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm on May 4, 2024. At least six Palestinians were killed on Saturday in a military operation conducted by Israeli forces in Deir Al-Ghusoun, a town in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm, according to Palestinian medical and security sources. Security sources in Palestine said Israeli troops had encircled a residence in the town for more than 15 hours, during which multiple shells were launched at the house. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) Smoke rises during a military operation conducted by Israeli forces in Deir Al-Ghusoun, a town in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm on May 4, 2024. At least six Palestinians were killed on Saturday in a military operation conducted by Israeli forces in Deir Al-Ghusoun, a town in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm, according to Palestinian medical and security sources. Security sources in Palestine said Israeli troops had encircled a residence in the town for more than 15 hours, during which multiple shells were launched at the house. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) Palestinians go through the rubble after a military operation conducted by Israeli forces in Deir Al-Ghusoun, a town in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm on May 4, 2024. At least six Palestinians were killed on Saturday in a military operation conducted by Israeli forces in Deir Al-Ghusoun, a town in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm, according to Palestinian medical and security sources. Security sources in Palestine said Israeli troops had encircled a residence in the town for more than 15 hours, during which multiple shells were launched at the house. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) Palestinians go through the rubble after a military operation conducted by Israeli forces in Deir Al-Ghusoun, a town in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm on May 4, 2024. At least six Palestinians were killed on Saturday in a military operation conducted by Israeli forces in Deir Al-Ghusoun, a town in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm, according to Palestinian medical and security sources. Security sources in Palestine said Israeli troops had encircled a residence in the town for more than 15 hours, during which multiple shells were launched at the house. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) A victim is transferred as Palestinians go through the rubble after a military operation conducted by Israeli forces in Deir Al-Ghusoun, a town in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm on May 4, 2024. At least six Palestinians were killed on Saturday in a military operation conducted by Israeli forces in Deir Al-Ghusoun, a town in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm, according to Palestinian medical and security sources. Security sources in Palestine said Israeli troops had encircled a residence in the town for more than 15 hours, during which multiple shells were launched at the house. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) JUBA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan has announced that United Nations agencies and diplomatic missions will be exempted from paying taxes on imported goods, but contracted companies remain obligated to do so. In an order issued Friday in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, Minister of Finance and Planning Awow Daniel Chuang said that UN-contracted companies are profit-making entities and should be subjected to applicable taxes related to services provided as per the provisions of the Status of Forces Agreement signed with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) after the country gained independence in 2011. "All UNMISS-contracted companies to render services internally shall not be part of this exemption of taxes, charges and fees levied on goods," Chuang said. "Notwithstanding the provisions of section 2 of this order, exempted entities shall comply with policies and procedures related to e-cargo tracking note, e-petroleum accreditation and dipping, marking and testing of fuels entering the country aimed at monitoring and regulating goods entering the country free of charge," the minister said. The UN system in South Sudan recently protested the tax measures imposed on UN-contracted trucks carrying fuel and other valuable deliveries, saying the measures would hamper critical humanitarian deliveries to millions of internally displaced people and more than 650,000 returnees and refugees fleeing conflict in Sudan. UN Humanitarian Coordinator and Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General in South Sudan Anita Kiki Gbeho said that the new tax measures contradict section 7 of the Status of Forces Agreement, which was signed by individual UN agencies with the government. UN agencies are exempt from taxes and duties on imports of supplies for their use under section 7 of the Status of Forces Agreement, which is part of the UN convention on privileges and immunities. According to the UN official, food assistance costs would rise if the new measures are kept in place. TUNIS, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani urged Tunisian and foreign economic operators to invest in economic zones to boost the country's economic growth and sustainable development, the Tunis Afrique Presse reported on Friday. He made the appeal at a small cabinet meeting, during which the issue of royalties for the use of the Zarzis economic zone and the Bizerte economic zone was discussed, said the report. Hachani called upon all stakeholders to collaborate in improving the business environment by promoting investment across all sectors. The Zarzis economic zone is located in Tunisia's southeast coast city Zarzis, while the Bizerte economic zone in the north coast city Bizerte, about 75 km from Tunis. COLOMBO, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry told journalists in Colombo on Saturday that the country hopes to conclude debt restructuring in time for the third tranche of the International Monetary Fund financial aid program. Speaking at a joint media briefing with his Japanese counterpart Yoko Kamikawa, Sabry said Sri Lanka is still working on stabilizing the economy, enhancing debt sustainability, and implementing growth-oriented structural reform. Sabry also invited Japan to provide fresh investments in sectors such as power, infrastructure including port and highways sectors, dedicated investment zones, as well as green and digital economy. This photo taken on May 3, 2024 shows a view of flooded urban area in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The death toll from heavy rains in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul has risen to 39 with some 70 people still missing, the Civil Defense agency said Friday. The heavy rain was one of the worst climate tragedies that has so far affected 235 municipalities, including the state capital of Porto Alegre, according to the agency. The state has seen persisting rainfall since Monday, causing rivers to swell, destroying bridges, and putting the city of Porto Alegre, with a population of more than 1.4 million, on alert. (Gilvan Rocha/Agencia Brasil via Xinhua) SAO PAULO, May 3 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from heavy rains in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul has risen to 39 with some 70 people still missing, the Civil Defense agency said Friday. The heavy rain was one of the worst climate tragedies that has so far affected 235 municipalities, including the state capital of Porto Alegre, according to the agency. The state has seen persisting rainfall since Monday, causing rivers to swell, destroying bridges, and putting the city of Porto Alegre, with a population of more than 1.4 million, on alert. Heavy rains also spread to the neighboring state of Santa Catarina, where a person was killed in the flooding and landslides. Recognizing the calamity, the Brazilian government has sent equipment and financial aid to Rio Grande do Sul. More than 24,000 people were displaced by the disaster, according to the agency. "These will be difficult days. We ask people to leave their homes. Our goal is to save lives. Things will be lost, but we must preserve lives. Our priority is to rescue people. As for the rest, we'll find the way ahead," Governor Eduardo Leite said. Leite confirmed that this is "the biggest disaster in the state" and that Rio Grande do Sul is in a "state of war." This photo taken on May 3, 2024 shows a view of flooded urban area in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The death toll from heavy rains in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul has risen to 39 with some 70 people still missing, the Civil Defense agency said Friday. The heavy rain was one of the worst climate tragedies that has so far affected 235 municipalities, including the state capital of Porto Alegre, according to the agency. The state has seen persisting rainfall since Monday, causing rivers to swell, destroying bridges, and putting the city of Porto Alegre, with a population of more than 1.4 million, on alert. (Gilvan Rocha/Agencia Brasil via Xinhua) This photo shows a view of destroyed buildings at the Maghazi refugee camp after Israeli strikes in central Gaza Strip, May 4, 2024. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 34,654, health authorities in the enclave said in a press statement on Saturday. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli army killed 32 Palestinians and wounded 41 others, bringing the total death toll to 34,654 and injuries to 77,908, since the outbreak of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, adding to the statement. (Xinhua) GAZA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 34,654, health authorities in the enclave said in a press statement on Saturday. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli army killed 32 Palestinians and wounded 41 others, bringing the total death toll to 34,654 and injuries to 77,908, since the outbreak of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, adding to the statement. The statement noted that some victims remained under the rubble amid heavy bombardment and a lack of civil defense and ambulance crews. Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas attack in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. Two caged birds are pictured in the rubble at the Maghazi refugee camp after Israeli strikes in central Gaza Strip, May 4, 2024. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 34,654, health authorities in the enclave said in a press statement on Saturday. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli army killed 32 Palestinians and wounded 41 others, bringing the total death toll to 34,654 and injuries to 77,908, since the outbreak of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, adding to the statement. (Xinhua) People stand in the rubble at the Maghazi refugee camp after Israeli strikes in central Gaza Strip, May 4, 2024. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 34,654, health authorities in the enclave said in a press statement on Saturday. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli army killed 32 Palestinians and wounded 41 others, bringing the total death toll to 34,654 and injuries to 77,908, since the outbreak of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, adding to the statement. (Xinhua) A boy is pictured in the rubble at the Maghazi refugee camp after Israeli strikes in central Gaza Strip, May 4, 2024. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 34,654, health authorities in the enclave said in a press statement on Saturday. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli army killed 32 Palestinians and wounded 41 others, bringing the total death toll to 34,654 and injuries to 77,908, since the outbreak of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, adding to the statement. (Xinhua) People sit on the rubble at the Maghazi refugee camp after Israeli strikes in central Gaza Strip, May 4, 2024. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 34,654, health authorities in the enclave said in a press statement on Saturday. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli army killed 32 Palestinians and wounded 41 others, bringing the total death toll to 34,654 and injuries to 77,908, since the outbreak of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, adding to the statement. (Xinhua) A man looks at the rubble at the Maghazi refugee camp after Israeli strikes in central Gaza Strip, May 4, 2024. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 34,654, health authorities in the enclave said in a press statement on Saturday. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli army killed 32 Palestinians and wounded 41 others, bringing the total death toll to 34,654 and injuries to 77,908, since the outbreak of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, adding to the statement. (Xinhua) Hungarian Minister for National Economy Marton Nagy addresses a conference focused on cooperation between China and Hungary under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework in Budapest, Hungary, on May 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) Hungary is the first European country to sign a Belt and Road cooperation document with China. In recent years, the BRI has synergized more closely with Hungary's Opening to the East policy, enhancing bilateral practical cooperation in trade, investment, finance, and other areas. BUDAPEST, May 4 (Xinhua) -- As the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) gained fresh momentum last year on the occasion of its 10th anniversary, Hungary is looking forward to furthering its cooperation with China, a Hungarian official has said. During a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua, Hungarian Minister for National Economy Marton Nagy said that the Hungarian side is looking forward to further cooperating with China in terms of foreign trade, capital investment, infrastructure, logistics, artificial intelligence, and new energy, among others. The two countries have enjoyed a stable relationship, which is based on mutual trust and respect, Nagy noted. He said that in 2023, Hungary was able to attract a total of 13 billion euros (about 13.86 billion U.S. dollars) in foreign direct investment, of which about 8 billion euros (about 8.53 billion dollars) were from Chinese investments. Cooperation between Hungary and China in the financial field has also made great progress, he added. He cited the example of the Bank of China, which has been present in Hungary since the mid-1980s and has chosen Budapest as its Central and Eastern European headquarters. In addition, many Chinese financial institutions have established or are about to establish branches or representative offices in Hungary. Hungary is the first European country to sign a Belt and Road cooperation document with China. In recent years, the BRI has synergized more closely with Hungary's Opening to the East policy, enhancing bilateral practical cooperation in trade, investment, finance, and other areas. Stressing the global significance of the initiative, Nagy said the BRI energizes global trade and economic cooperation among partner countries. Hungary actively participates in the BRI, he said, noting that the Budapest-Belgrade railway, a flagship BRI project, not only benefits the two countries but facilitates the economic development of the entire region. An aerial drone photo shows the Novi Sad railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, April 29, 2024. The Budapest-Belgrade railway is one of the flagship projects of Belt and Road cooperation. (Photo by Liu Yuxin/Xinhua) Citing China's robust economic performance, he said China's economic success is good news considering the Chinese economy's influence on the global economy. China is on the right track based on its strategic thinking, he said, noting China's successful development of the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem as an example. By developing solar panels, charging stations, electric cars, and batteries simultaneously, China's strategic thinking is the reason for its success, he said. Talking about China's EV industry, Nagy expressed concern over the ongoing anti-subsidy probe launched by the European Union. "Now we fear that some countries might come up with the foolish idea to impose tariffs on Chinese electric cars," he said, noting that protectionism has always been a dead end. "Protectionism is a bad path, especially in terms of electric cars," he said. China's battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) and EVE Energy, as well as EV maker BYD, have been working on production facility plans in Hungary. The investment that came along with the rise of China's EV industry has been an opportunity, Nagy noted, adding that by giving space to Chinese companies, Hungary has become a hub for electric car and battery manufacturing. Kolkata Police (KP) is exploring legal opinion from prominent lawyers and constitutional experts seeking to know about what steps should be taken against the governor C V Ananda Bose. A temporary woman employee at Raj Bhavan on Thursday, lodged a molestation complaint against Mr Bose, the constitutional head in the state, with Hare Street police station alleging he sexually assaulted her twice. The incident has rocked the state prompting the ruling Trinamul Congress to come down heavily on Mr Bose amidst the ongoing seven-phase Lok Sabha elections in the state. Mr Bose dismissed the allegation and said that he would not be cowed down by the engineered narratives. Advertisement On Thursday evening, soon after the complaint was lodged with police station, Indira Mukhopadhyay, deputy commissioner (DC) of police (central division), told media that they are in touch with lawyers and constitutional experts in the city seeking to know their opinions about the investigation process, particularly what should be legal steps when a constitutional head faces allegations of molestation. Senior police officials held a meeting today at Lalbazar to discuss the issue, it has been learnt. No criminal cases can be framed against the President and Governors of states in our country. The complainant will land in deep trouble if the allegations brought against the Governor are not proved true, said Tathagata Roy, former Governor of Tripura and Meghalaya. Prominent lawyers in the city felt that no criminal procedures can be initiated against the President of India and Governors of states as per the Section 361 of the Constitution. But civil cases can be filed against Governors in connection property related disputes, they said. The Supreme Court in its verdict has clearly stated that any organized crime against women must be investigated with extreme importance. But in the case of the President of India and Governors, only complaints can be lodged against them. They cant be arrested till they belong to the coveted posts, one prominent lawyer said. On Thursday night, Mr Bose through a statement banned the entry of the minister Chandrima Bhattacharya into the Raj Bhavan premises in Kolkata, Darjeeling and Barrackpore for making defamation and anti-constitutional media statements and also barred the police from conducting any investigation against him in the alleged molestation case. In the statement, the Governor said, Truth shall triumph. I refuse to be cowed down by engineered narratives. If anybody wants some election benefits by maligning me, God bless them. But they cannot stop my fight against corruption and violence in Bengal. Mr Bose left for Kochi to attend a pre-scheduled programme there after the Prime Minister left Raj Bhavan today. With an aim to give students a holistic knowledge and develop them into good human beings, a school in Nadia has decided to start scouting activities in school. Bishnupur High School in Nadia district has tied up with Bharat Scouts and Guides (BSG). The school started giving training to the children from last year. There are presently 24 students, who have enrolled for the voluntary service. The school is the first in the district to start such activity, said people with the knowledge on the developments. Advertisement Talking about the schools tie-up with BSG, Sushitava Bhattacharjee, headmaster Bishnupur High School, said, We sent give of our teachers to train with Bharat Scouts and Guides at Kurseong in 2022. They are now training our students. The headmaster says he wants to inculcate human values in the students from a very young age. Mr Bhattacharjee believes in the motto, once a scout, always a scout, and wants should students serve mankind through selfless service. The school, which completed 75 years, this year, held a series of meetings with the parents to convince them to send their children for the training. The numbers of new joinings are increasing fast, said the headmaster. The headmaster thinks this training is also an opportunity for the teachers to upgrade their skill sets. Rover scout leader Rupendra Mohan Sarkar, said, The teachers from Bishnupur High School underwent a week-long residential training. These teachers in effect are now teaching their students, who are in Pravesh, a 3-month introductory programme. Once the students successfully complete this period they are given a badge through an investiture ceremony. As a practice, the scouts qualify for the next stage and become a member of BSG. In West Bengal, scouting was very prevalent in the 70s as it was was under the education department, which put emphasis on such activities. Later, it was transferred to the youth service department, said the scout leader. Schools from Howrah, Hooghly, Kolkata, Burdwan districts have more participation in scouting programme, whereas schools from Birbhum, Bankura, Nadia, Murshidabad, Cooch Behar etc are lagging somewhat. But we are also pushing from more schools to join us, said the Rover scout leader, adding that there are around 40,000 students under BSG in the state. Milton Gharami, Sanskrit teacher at the Bishnupur school, who underwent training and is now training the students, said, Scouting is a movement. Scouts are supposed to serve the society selflessly. The Bishnupur High School Scout Group has 24 members from classes V, VI, VII. We started with just seven students in 2023. There is something unique of scouts. They greet (handshake) each other with their left hand and salute with their right hand. The school plans to hold a camp with the scouts after the summers for the in the hills. Hyundai Motor Group said on Friday that it will raise its stake in Motional, the groups autonomous driving joint venture in the United States, through a paid-in capital increase, as well as invest in the local venture partner Aptiv. Hyundai Motor Group said the decision for the paid-in capital increase and the acquisition of an 11 per cent stake in the U.S. mobility startup Aptiv was reached to secure stable management authority in Motional to actively develop autonomous driving technology and internalise core technologies. The South Korean automaker groups capital increase in Motional will be worth 663 billion won, reports Yonhap news agency. Advertisement Together with the acquisition of the 11 per cent stake in Aptiv, Hyundai Motor Groups stake in the joint venture will increase from the existing 50 per cent to 55.8 per cent. Hyundai Motor Group said it aims to accelerate autonomous driving technology development through its participation in the capital increase while also pursuing stable revenue generation strategies. By establishing the direction of Motionals technology development, we expect to enhance our technological competitiveness and lay the groundwork for expanding synergies between autonomous driving divisions within the group, a group official said. The South Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, which will go to polls on May 25 along with six other constituencies, will witness a straight contest between BJPs Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and AAPs Sahi Ram Pehalwan who is the INDIA bloc candidate. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BJPs Ramesh Bidhuri won the South Delhi Lok Sabha seat bagging 56.68 per cent of the votes polled. The BJP won all seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi in 2019. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the AAP and Congress have forged an alliance in Delhi which has seven Lok Sabha seats. Advertisement The seven Lok Sabha constituencies in the national capital are New Delhi, South Delhi, East Delhi, West Delhi, Chandni Chowk, North West and North East Delhi. The South Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, one of the seven parliamentary constituency in NCT of Delhi, constituted in 1966, comprises Bijwasan, Palam, Mehrauli, Chhattarpur, Deoli (SC), Ambedkar Nagar (SC), Sangam Vihar, Kalkaji, Tughlakabad and Badarpur assembly segments. Ramvir Singh Bidhuri is currently an MLA from the Badarpur Assembly segment and the Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Legislative Assembly. He started his political journey in 1970 as an ABVP member. He was associated with Jana Sangh till 1974 as an active member. He was the Chairman of the Haryana State Warehousing Corporation with the rank of Cabinet Minister from 1981-85. He was elected to the first Legislative Assembly of Delhi in 1993 and since then has been elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly four times. After being elected MLA for the fourth time in 2020, he was elected the Leader of the BJP Legislature Party and became the Leader of the Opposition with the rank of a cabinet minister. Bidhuri was nominated as a member of the National Executive of the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2013. Sahi Ram Pehalwan is a two-time MLA from Tughlakabad and a Gujjar leader. Earlier, he was with the BSP and was a two-time councillor. Pehalwan was also the Deputy Mayor of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation. The AAP candidate filed his nomination papers from the South Delhi Lok Sabha constituency on May 1. In an interaction with The Statesman, Bidhuri while talking about the key issues which would be focused in the South Delhi parliamentary constituency, said, A total 69 affluent colonies will be regularised. The areas of South Delhi which are not connected with the metro, will be connected with it. Focus will be to build schools, parks, stadiums and hospitals on the government lands which are vacant in villages and colonies of Delhi. On BJPs prospects in Delhi for the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP leader asserted that the party will win all seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi. In the year 2019, 57 per cent-60 per cent votes were cast. This time, on all seven Lok Sabha seats, more than 70 per cent vote will be cast for the BJPs candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, he said. On May 3, Bidhuri filed his nomination papers with thousands of supporters present on the occasion. Bidhuri listed the development work for Delhi done by the Modi government, including peripheral roads, Eco Park, six-lane National Highway, India Gate Tunnel, National War Memorial, Kartavya Marg, new Parliament building, and the statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at India Gate. Launching a scathing attack on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the BJP leader said, Arvind Kejriwal destroyed Delhi. People are not getting drinking water and good transportation facilities. He has made Delhi worlds most polluted cityThe Delhi government has not opened hospitals, schools and colleges. CM Kejriwal keeps on talking about purchasing 15,000 buses for DTC The Yamuna River has become more poisonous than before. All seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi are going to polls in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls on May 25. The nominations will be scrutinized on May 7 and nominations can be withdrawn till May 9. Votes will be counted on June 4. Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor Khan was appointed on Saturday as the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) Indias national ambassador. Since 2014, the actor has been involved with this humanitarian initiative, serving as a celebrity advocate. Kareena will assist UNICEF India in advancing every childs right to gender equality, health, education, and early childhood development in her capacity as an employee. Advertisement On her confirmation as the UNICEF ambassador, Kareen posted a picture on Instagram captioning, An emotional day for me I am honored to be appointed as UNICEF India National Ambassador. Working with @unicefindia over the past 10 years has been truly enriching and insightful. I am proud of the work that we have done and am reiterating my commitment to being a voice for promoting and protecting child rights and an equal future for all children. The 43-year-old actress further thanked UNICEFs entire team, which has been tirelessly working for the rights of women and children across the country. The Singham Returns actress also welcomed Gauranshi, Kartik, Vinisha and Nahid as UNICEFs newest Youth Advocate. She also made a pledge to continue to be a voice #ForEveryChild. UNICEF India Representative Cynthia McCaffrey said, UNICEF is delighted to welcome Kareena Kapoor Khan as our National Ambassador, building on her years of commitment to advance childrens rights. She has brought energy and impact through her support for several national and global campaigns. Fardeen Khan, who makes his comeback after a gap of 14 years with Sanjay Leela Bhansalis debut OTT series Heeramandi, said that he and the filmmaker chatted a lot about quitting smoking. Fardeen Khan was interacting with the media at a panel discussion on the period drama centered around the lives of Lahores courtesans against the backdrop of the Quit India Movement. When asked about his experiences with the prolific filmmaker on and off the camera, Fardeen said, He is passionate and he knows what he wants. If he strikes a chord with you, he will invite you into his process of working and he listens to you. This is how things should be. Advertisement He went on to add: I never got a chance to work with such an engrossed and passionate filmmaker, I did not get a chance to have many conversations with him on anything other than movies. But still, we talked about pets, giving up smoking, and mothers. On giving up smoking, Fardeen recalled the conversation he had with SLB: I gave up smoking, he wanted to give up smoking, so we had a chat about it. Praising SLB for being a true master of filmmaking, Fardeen said, I just cant imagine him doing anything else besides making movies. In your life, once in a while you meet people who are masters in what they do. He is one such person. It is not often that you meet true masters. He is truly a master. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written a letter to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on the massive sex scandal involving JD(S) leader and NDA Lok Sabha candidate Prajwal Revanna. In his letter, Rahul Gandhi has asked the Karnataka CM to extend all the possible help to the victims, saying it is the moral duty of the Congress party to fight for justice for our mothers and sisters. Prajwal Revanna sexually assaulted and filmed hundreds of women over several years. Many who looked up to him as a brother and son were brutalized in the most violent manner and robbed of their dignity. The rape of our mothers and sisters warrants the strictest possible punishment, he wrote. Advertisement Rahul further wrote that he was shocked to know that BJP leader G. Devaraje Gowda had informed Union Home Minister Amit Shah about Prajwals antecedents. I am deeply shocked to learn that as far back as December 2023, our Home Minister Shri Amit Shah was informed by Shri G. Devaraje Gowda about Prajwal Revannas antecedents, especially his history of sexual violence and the presence of videos filmed by the perpetrator, he said. The Gandhi scion further added, What is even more shocking is that despite these gruesome allegations being brought to the notice of the senior most BJP leadership, the Prime Minister campaigned and canvassed for a mass rapist. The Congress leader reiterated his charge that the Union government wilfully allowed Prajwal to flee India to derail any meaningful investigation. The deeply perverse nature of these crimes and the absolute impunity enjoyed by Prajwal Revanna with the blessings of the Prime Minister and Home Minister deserves the strongest condemnation, he added. He also questioned the silence of PM Modi over the issue of violence against women. From our wrestlers in Haryana to our sisters in Manipur, Indian women are bearing the brunt of the Prime Ministers tacit support for such criminals, he said. In this backdrop, the Congress party has a moral duty to fight for justice for our mothers and sisters. I understand that the Karnataka Government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the grave allegations, and a request has been made to the Prime Minister to cancel Prajwal Revannas diplomatic passport and get him extradited to India at the earliest, the Gandhi scion stated. In a blow to the Congress, its Lok Sabha candidate from Odishas Puri parliamentary constituency Sucharita Mohanty has returned the partys ticket, citing denial of election funds by AICC Odisha in-charge Dr Ajoy Kumar. I have returned the ticket because the party was not able to fund me, Ms Mohanty told ANI. Another reason she cited was that the party has fielded weak candidates on some of the seven Assembly segments under the Puri Lok Sabha constituency. Another reason is that in some of the seats in seven Assembly segments, winnable candidates have not been given the ticket. Instead, some weak candidates got the tickets. I could not contest like this., she said. The Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in Odisha will be held simultaneously. The last date for filing nominations for Lok Sabha polls in Odisha is May 6. Puri is among Odishas high profile seats, with the BJP fielding its firebrand national spokesperson Sambit Patra against former Mumbai Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik, who is contesting on BJDs ticket. The development comes less than a week after Congress partys Indore Lok Sabha candidate Akshay Kanti Bam withdrew his nomination from the polls, practically serving the seat on a plate to the BJP candidate and sitting MP Shankar Lalwani. Bam (45) reached the Indore Collector Office along with BJP MLA Ramesh Mendola, a close confidant of minister Kailash Vijaywargiya, and withdrew his papers. Indore, the largest constituency in the state in terms of number of voters, has 25.13 lakh electorate where the BJP has given a slogan of winning by a margin of 8 lakh votes this time. TEHRAN, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has detained several individuals suspected of involvement in deadly "terrorist attacks" on military and police facilities in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Saturday. The arrests took place early Saturday at a religious school in Pashamagh village of Rask County, which served as a hideout for the suspects, Tasnim reported, without revealing the specific number of the arrestees. These individuals are accused of providing critical support to the Jaish al-Zulm group, which is responsible for the attacks. The IRGC, in collaboration with provincial intelligence, conducted the operation with assistance from local residents. The detainees are allegedly connected to an assault on a police station in Rask County on Dec. 15, 2023, that resulted in the deaths of 11 policemen and injuries to seven others. They are also linked to the April 4 attacks on public venues and military sites in Chabahar and Rask counties, which left 16 security personnel dead. Jaish al-Zulm, designated as a terrorist organization by Iran, has been implicated in several attacks on Iranian security forces and civilians. Hours after Sucharita Mohanty returned her Lok Sabha ticket, the Congress on Saturday named Jay Narayan Patnaik as its new candidate from Puri parliamentary constituency in Odisha. In a press statement released late on Saturday night, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said that Patnaiks candidature has been approved by party president Mallikarjun Kharge. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge approved the candidature of Jay Narayan Patnaik (in place of Sucharita Mohanty) as party candidate from the Puri parliamentary constituency for the Lok Sabha elections, the statement read. Advertisement The development came hours after Mohanty announced that she has returned the Congress ticket due to denial of funding by the party. I have returned the ticket because the party was not able to fund me, Ms Mohanty told ANI. Another reason she cited was that the party has fielded weak candidates on some of the seven Assembly segments under the Puri Lok Sabha constituency. Another reason is that in some of the seats in seven Assembly segments, winnable candidates have not been given the ticket. Instead, some weak candidates got the tickets. I could not contest like this., she said. The Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in Odisha will be held simultaneously. The last date for filing nominations for Lok Sabha polls in Odisha is May 6. Puri is among Odishas high profile seats, with the BJP fielding its firebrand national spokesperson Sambit Patra against former Mumbai Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik, who is contesting on BJDs ticket. One Indian Airforce (IAF) soldier was killed and five personnel were injured when two vehicles of their convoy were on Saturday ambushed by terrorists in the border district of Poonch. The IAF in a statement said: An Indian Air Force vehicle convoy was attacked by militants in the Poonch district of J&K, near Shahsitar. Cordon and search operations are underway presently in the area by local military units. The convoy has been secured, and further investigation is under progress. In the ensuing gunfight with terrorists, the Air Warriors fought back by returning fire. In the process, five IAF personnel received bullet injuries, and were evacuated to the nearest military hospital for immediate medical attention. One Air Warrior succumbed to his injuries later. Further operations are on by the local security forces, the IAF added. Advertisement Reports said that the vehicles came under heavy terrorist fire while they were passing through Mendhar near the Line of Control (LOC) in the Surankote Sector area of the Jammu division. The injured soldiers have been shifted to the Northern Command military hospital at Udhampur. Pictures of the attacked IAF truck show the windshield bearing multiple bullet marks and the windows on the driver side were broken. It indicates that the terrorists had taken positions on three sides of the road. Reinforcements of the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) of the Indian Army, special operations group (SOG) of J&K Police and central para-military forces have cordoned the area. This is the first major attack on the armed forces this year in the border region that witnessed several casualties of soldiers in terror attacks last year. Security forces have cordoned the area and a search operation has been launched. The Kerala Police has summoned TG Nandakumar, also known as Dallal Nandakumar, whose recent allegations have rocked the state political landscape, for interrogation. The Punnapra Police has issued a notice to Dallal Nandakumar, asking him to appear at the police station for interrogation on May 9 in connection with a complaint filed by BJP leader Sobha Surendran. Sobha has filed a complaint with the state police chief, stating that Nandakumar through his allegations against her had insulted her womanhood and tarnished her image among the public. Advertisement Earlier, Sobha threatened that she would stage a protest in front of the DGPs residence if the police did not take action on the complaint. I would not hesitate even to block the DGP on the way, Sobha said. At a press conference held on April 23, Nandakumar alleged that Sobha Surendran received a sum of Rs 10 lakh from him and she is not returning that amount. To substantiate this claim, Nandakumar produced a bank receipt. Responding to this, Sobha said that this amount was received by her as an advance for selling her 8-cent land in Thrissur to Nandakumar and she is ready to register it in his name on getting the balance amount in the deal. The amount will not be returned to Nandakumar as it was received as advance, she said. On April 29, Nandakumar alleged that Sobha had planned to quit the BJP and held talks with the CPI-M leadership for Wadakkanchery seat during the 2016 Assembly polls. Responding to this, Sobha said that only Nandakumar can dream of her entry into the CPI-M. I was a prospective candidate in Palakkad during the 2016 election. I was a member of the BJPs national committee and the state General Secretary. So, Im sure that the people of Kerala will dismiss Nandnakumars allegations, said Sobha. The Supreme Court has issued notice to Uttar Pradesh government on a plea filed by Pappu Lal, challenging the Allahabad High Court order acquitting a death row convict Surendra Koli in 12 cases of rape and murder that took place in Nithari village, NOIDA bordering with Delhi in 2005/2006. A bench of Justice BR Gavai, Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sandeep Mehta issued notice to Uttar Pradesh government on Friday May 3, 2024, and called for the records from the trial court and the High Court as well. The High Court, while reversing the death penalty imposed on Mohinder Singh Pandher and Surendra Koli, had acquitted both of them. Koli was acquitted in 12 cases and Pandher was acquitted in 2 cases. Advertisement The Nithari killings pertain to the horrific discovery in December 2009 of body parts in a drain behind Pandhers bungalow. The remains, were of the 16 young women and children from Nithari village, allegedly raped, killed and dismemberment of their bodies by Koli in the Pandher bungalow. Koli was in the service of Pandher. The appeal by Pappu Lal says that the High Court has wrongly discarded medical evidence as well as the judicial confession of the accused as recorded by a Magistrate. The petition says that though the prosecution case was based on circumstantial evidence, yet, it had proved the guilt of the two Koli and Pandher beyond reasonable doubt. Earlier on July 13, 2015, the Supreme Court had issued notice to Koli on the Uttar Pradesh governments plea seeking the restoration of death sentence in Rimpa Haldar case one of the 14 cases of rape and killings in Nithari village in NOIDA. The Uttar Pradesh government had challenged the Allahabad High Court verdict commuting his death sentence to life imprisonment in Rimpa Haldar case on the grounds of delay in deciding his mercy petition by the President.p court had on October 28, 2014, while rejecting the Kolis plea seeking recall of its verdict upholding his death sentence in Rimpa Haldar case had said that we are fully satisfied that this court has not committed any error that may persuade us to review the order upholding his death sentence. The execution of Kolis death sentence that was to take place on September 8, 2014, was stayed at a post mid-night hearing on intervening night of September 7 and September 8. Subsequently it was further stayed till October 29 by the court on September 12 as it decided to hold the open court hearing on October 28. Late President Pranab Mukherjee had in July 2014 also rejected Kolis mercy plea. Taking strong exception to Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling her brother Rahul Gandhi Shehzada (prince), Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Saturday called the PM Shahenshah (emperor) who lives in palaces. Addressing an election rally in Gujarats Banaskantha, Priyanka said that Modi calls his brother shehzada who has walked 4,000 kms and met people of the country to know about their problems, while he himself is a shahenshah and lives in palaces. I want to tell you that my brother walked 4,000 kms., met the people of the country and asked them what are the problems in their lives On the other hand, Shahenshah Narendra Modi lives in palaces. How will he be able to understand the helplessness of farmers and women? she asked. Advertisement Narendra Modi is surrounded by power. People around him are afraid of him. No one says anything to him, she added. Referring to Modis decision to contest elections from Uttar Pradesh instead of his home state Gujarat, Priyanka said that the PM doesnt recognise the people of Gujarat anymore. If he was not disconnected from the people of Gujarat then why is he not contesting elections from here, she asked. Because whatever benefit Modiji had to get from you, he has has already taken that. After becoming the Prime Minister, Modi ji has forgotten the people of Gujarat, Priyanka claimed. Reacting to the Congress partys decision to field Rahul Gandhi from Raebareli instead of Amethi, Modi on Friday said that he already knew Shehzada is looking for another seat for himself due to fears of defeat from Wayanad. I had already told you that the Shehzada is looking for another seat for himself due to fear of defeat in Wayanad. Now he had to run away from Amethi and choose Rae Bareli seat. These people go around and tell everyone Dont be afraid! I would tell them the same thing dont be afraid! Dont run away!, Modi said. Rohith Vemulas mother Radhika Vemula on Saturday met Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to demand a fair investigation into the death of her son, a day after the state police filed a closure report in the case to the high court. Talking to news agency ANI, she said the chief minister has assured that a fair enquiry would be conducted again, and that this government will deliver us justice. The closure report was given based on the incidents that happened in 2018. There was no enquiry after that. We came to meet the chief minister today as the report has been given now. The CM assured that a fair enquiry will be conducted again, she said. Advertisement The Telangana police on Friday filed the closure report in the 2016 case of the death of University of Hyderabad PhD scholar Rohith Vemula and gave a clean chit to former vice chancellor Appa Rao, ABVP leaders, Union Minister Smriti Irani and others. According to the police, Vemula committed suicide in January 2016 in fear of his real caste being revealed as he did not belong to the Scheduled Caste category. It further said his mother had arranged for him a Scheduled Caste certificate. Sources said Radhika Vemula was born into Mala caste, a Dalit sub-group, but got married to a man of a different caste. Her husband had later abandoned her and her children. In a statement late Friday night, the office of the Telangana DGP said, It is to state that the Investigation Officer in the case was Assistant Commissioner of Police, Madhapur and the final closure report in the case was prepared last year i.e. before November 2023 itself based on the investigation conducted. The final closure report was officially filed in the jurisdictional court on March 21 this year by the Investigation Officer. As some doubts have been expressed by the mother and others of the deceased Rohit Vemula on the investigation conducted, it has been decided to conduct further investigation into the case. A petition will be filed in the court concerned requesting the Honble Magistrate to permit further investigation into the case, it said. Commenting on the development, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, I will use Rohith Vemula as an example to tell you how an unfortunate incident, without allowing the university to handle it with the utmost sensitivity, was dragged across the streets all over the country and a narrative was built against the government. Today those people who made a joke out of this unfortunate incident and dragged the family to the streets should apologise to the entire country for politicising this matter Today when the facts have come out, we know the pressure and the toxic involvement in the narrative that was set up, did not come from the government, but from vested interest groups The perpetrator of Mohabbat ki dukaan took this issue to the Parliament This is what I meant when I said rigorous research should not be infused with political narrative, she told ANI. A problem which could have been well handled and resolved amicably in the university was dragged to the streets of the country and allegations were levied against the Education Minister and the Government at that point because it happened to be a Central University Intolerance, political interference and hate do not lie in the government but in the vested interest groups who dont lose an opportunity to bring this toxin into centres of higher education Rohith Vemula had his dignity to be respected she added. The ruling Congress in Telangana had supported the nationwide Justice for Vemula campaign. The Congress leadership is yet to respond to the closure report. The closure report submitted to the High Court absolved the then Secunderabad MP Bandaru Dattatreya, Member of Legislative Council N Ramachander Rao, and then Vice Chancellor Appa Rao, ABVP leaders and Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani. The police, in its report submitted to the court, mentioned that Rohith Vemula was aware that he did not belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community and that his mother got him an SC certificate. This could be one of the constant fears, as the exposure of the same would put him to the loss of his academic degrees that he earned over the years and be compelled to face prosecution, the report said. It added that Vemula had multiple issues plaguing him which could have driven him to die by suicide. Police said that no evidence could be found to establish that the actions of the accused had driven Vemula to kill himself. West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has denied the sexual harassment allegations levelled against him. Speaking to media persons at Nedumbassery in Kochi after arriving from Kolkata, Ananda Bose denied the allegations levelled against him and said that he would have the last laugh when the allegation unravels. As a Governor, there is no need to respond to this. On the day the Prime Minister stayed at the Raj Bhavan, it was alleged that I had touched an employee of the Raj Bhavan without permission. Everyone knows the truth behind this. There is no issue between me and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Governor said on Friday. Advertisement The Kolkata police on Friday set up a team to probe the allegations of sexual harassment against Bose by a contractual employee of Raj Bhavan. In her written complaint to the Hare Street police station, the woman alleged that the Governor sexually harassed her, first on March 24, and later on May 2, after summoning her to his chamber on the pretext of offering her a permanent job. No criminal procedures can be initiated against the President of India and Governors of States as per Article 361 of the Constitution. Article 361 (1) says: The President, or the Governor or Rajpramukh of a state, shall not be answerable to any court for the exercise and performance of the powers and duties of his office or for any act done or purporting to be done by hi m in the exercise and performance of those powers and duties. Article 361 (2) further says: No criminal proceedings whatsoever shall be instituted or continued against the President, or the Governor of a state, in any court during his term of office. The recent developments in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas have sparked both hope and scepticism. As the conflict in Gaza nears its seventh month, the urgency to reach a resolution has intensified, fuelled by mounting international pressure and the looming spectre of further violence. At the heart of the negotiations lies a fundamental disparity in objectives. While Israel seeks the return of hostages and aims to quell the threat posed by Hamas in Gaza, the Palestinian faction demands a permanent cessation of Israeli military operations in the region. This fundamental dissonance underscores the deep-seated complexities of the conflict, where each partys demands are rooted in historical grievances and existential concerns. For Israel, the prospect of securing the release of hostages held by Hamas is a paramount concern. The emotional toll of having citizens held captive weighs heavily on the Israeli government, prompting calls from within the cabinet to prioritise their safe return. However, the insistence on launching a military operation in Rafah, regardless of a ceasefire agreement, reflects a more hardline approach that seeks to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas entirely. On the other hand, Hamass steadfast demand for a permanent end to Israeli operations in Gaza speaks to the enduring resilience of Palestinian resistance. Propelled by a desire for autonomy and freedom from occupation, Hamas refuses to accept anything short of a guarantee that Israeli incursions into Gaza will cease permanently. This demand encapsulates the broader aspirations of the Palestinian people for self-determination and sovereignty over their land. Amid these negotiations, the role of external actors, particularly the United States and the looming spectre of the International Criminal Court (ICC), adds another layer of complexity to the situation. The arrival of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Tel Aviv underscores the international communitys interest in brokering a resolution to the conflict. However, the potential threat of ICC arrest warrants against Israeli leaders injects a sense of urgency and apprehension into the negotiations, highlighting the potential consequences of prolonged military action. As the negotiations continue, it is imperative for both sides to prioritise the humanitarian cost of the conflict. The staggering toll of casualties and destruction in Gaza underscores the urgent need for a ceasefire that can alleviate the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire. Advertisement Moreover, a lasting resolution must address the root causes of the conflict, including the underlying grievances and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians. Ultimately, the path to peace in the region is fraught with challenges and uncertainties. But by engaging in genuine dialogue and demonstrating a commitment to mutual understanding and compromise, there remains hope for a future where Israelis and Palestinians can exist in peace and security. As the world watches, the stakes could not be higher, and the imperative for a resolution could not be more pressing India stands at a critical juncture in its quest for energy security and sustainable development. The countrys growing energy demands, coupled with concerns over environmental degradation and climate change, necessitate a transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. 2G ethanol, derived primarily from agricultural feedstock such as sugarcane, corn, and dented corn, offers a viable solution to these pressing challenges. This paper aims to explore the potential of 2G ethanol to transform Indias energy landscape, mitigate environmental degradation, and stimulate socio-economic growth. 2G Ethanol is hailed as a renewable, clean, and cost-effective alternative to traditional fuels like gasoline and cooking LPG. It holds immense potential for India. Its utilization not only bolsters energy security but also aligns with decarbonisation efforts, crucial in combating the looming spectre of climate change. The strategic blending of 2G ethanol with petrol not only enhances combustion efficiency but also curtails harmful emissions, thereby mitigating the adverse impacts of vehicular pollution ~ a pressing concern in Indias urban centres. Moreover, the substitution of ethanol for LPG presents a revolutionary shift, mitigating risks associated with single-fuel dependency. Ethanol offers advantages over using heavy LPG cylinders with substantial reduction in the costs associated with maintaining infrastructure for LPG. Ethanol thus emerges as a competing alternative to other fossil fuels with the least pollution. Indias strides in 2G ethanol blending initiatives over the past decade bear testament to its efficacy. Significant savings in foreign exchange, totaling to Rs. 78,118 crore, alongside a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions, amounting to 426 lakh MT, underscore the tangible benefits of embracing 2G ethanol as a viable energy solution. Moreover, these efforts have successfully substituted 142 lakh MT of crude oil during the same period, marking a significant contribution to energy security and sustainability. Equally noteworthy is the substantial support extended to farmers, underscoring the socio-economic dividends of 2G ethanol production. Advertisement Looking ahead, the trajectory for 2G ethanols growth appears promising. Projections globally indicate a substantial increase in biofuel demand, with renewable diesel and 2G ethanol expected to drive a near 30 per cent growth, reaching 38 billion litres over 2023-2028. India, positioned as a key player in this global transition, has the potential to make significant strides in 2G ethanol production, thereby bolstering its energy resilience while mitigating the environmental impacts. Global trends indicate a surge in biofuel demand, with 2G ethanol emerging as a key player in the transition towards renewable energy sources. Projections suggest a substantial increase in biofuel consumption, driven primarily by renewable diesel and 2G ethanol. According to industry forecasts, global biofuel demand is expected to expand by 30 per cent over the next decade, reaching 38 billion liters by 2028. India, with its vast agricultural resources and growing energy needs, is poised to capitalize on this trend and emerge as a major player in the global 2G ethanol market. The production of 2G ethanol offers significant economic benefits for India, particularly in rural areas. 2G ethanol production creates employment opportunities across the value chain, from crop cultivation to processing and distribution. Moreover, the establishment of 2G ethanol biorefineries can stimulate rural industrialisation and infrastructure development, contributing to overall economic growth and poverty alleviation. Additionally, 2G ethanol production generates valuable by-products such as distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), which can be used as high-protein animal feed, further enhancing the economic viability of 2G ethanol production. To fully unlock the potential of 2G ethanol and realize its socio-economic and environmental benefits, concerted efforts are required across multiple fronts. The following policy recommendations are proposed: The government should provide financial incentives and subsidies to promote 2G ethanol production, including tax breaks, grants for infrastructure development, and price support mechanisms for 2G ethanol producers. Increase the mandatory blending percentage of 2G ethanol in petrol to incentivize demand for 2G ethanol and stimulate investment in 2G ethanol production capacity. Invest in research and development initiatives to improve 2G ethanol production technologies, enhance crop yields, and develop sustainable feedstock supply chains. Facilitate market access for 2G ethanol producers by streamlining regulatory processes, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and promoting public-private partnerships for 2G ethanol distribution and marketing. Provide technical assistance, training, and financial support to farmers to encourage the cultivation of 2G ethanol feedstock and ensure fair and remunerative prices for their produce. Develop and implement certification standards for sustainable 2G ethanol production to ensure environmental integrity and social responsibility across the 2G ethanol value chain. Invest in infrastructure development, including 2G ethanol biorefineries, storage facilities, and transportation networks, to support the expansion of 2G ethanol production and distribution capacity. The global precedence set by leading 2G ethanol producers such as the United States and Brazil serves as a beacon of inspiration for India. By leveraging advanced technologies and fostering conductive policy environments, India can emulate their success, ushering in a new era of energy self-sufficiency and sustainability. To realize this vision, concerted efforts are imperative. Government intervention, in the form of incentivizing megabiorefineries and ensuring dutyfree import of dented corn, will be instrumental in catalyzing the 2G ethanol revolution. Moreover, empowering Indian farmers through lucrative incentives and technological support is of paramount importance in order to foster a conducive ecosystem for sustainable 2G ethanol production. In conclusion, the journey towards harnessing 2G ethanols potential is fraught with challenges, yet brimming with opportunities. By embracing this renewable resource that is dented inedible corn with zeal and determination, India can chart a course towards a greener, more prosperous future ~ one powered by the transformative potential of 2G ethanol. The writer is Chair, Environment & Green Hydrogen Committee, PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry and former Chairman, EAC (Industry 2), Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change. He can be reached at jpglobalconsultinggroup@gmail.com In the scorching heat of Maharashtras political arena, the western region of the state emerges as the battleground where alliances are forged, loyalties tested, and strategies deployed with surgical precision. The recent developments in western Maharashtra underscore a political chess game where every move counts, and every players role is crucial. At the heart of this political theatre is the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), a coalition of the Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and the Shiv Sena. Facing them is the formidable Mahayuti alliance led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with its allies. The stakes are high, especially in western Maharashtra, a bastion traditionally held by the Congress-NCP combine. The dynamics of this electoral battlefield are intricate, to say the least. The NCPs internal strife, exemplified by Ajit Pawars factional split, adds another layer of complexity. While NCP leader Sharad Pawar consolidates his partys stronghold, the younger Pawars alignment with the BJP raises eyebrows and shifts equations. The return of political stalwarts like Mr Sushilkumar Shinde and the reunification of key leaders under the MVA banner signal a concerted effort to fortify the oppositions position. Mr Sharad Pawars strategic manoeuvring, bringing together Mr Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil and Mr Shinde, underscores his astute political acumen. However, the BJP is not sitting idle. Its efforts to woo influential figures like Mr Uttam Jankar and Mr Udayanraje Bhosale reflect a calculated strategy to penetrate the Congress-NCP bastion. The BJPs emphasis on cooperative movements and its attempts to leverage local dynamics demonstrate a keen understanding of the regions political landscape. Western Maharashtras significance cannot be overstated. Beyond its agricultural richness lies a political tapestry woven with historical legacies and regional identities. The cooperative sector, pivotal to the regions economy, also serves as a breeding ground for political affiliations and allegiances. The upcoming elections in Pune, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Solapur districts epitomise the high-stakes nature of Maharashtra politics. The presence of influential Maratha leaders and the regions historical contributions to the states political landscape further amplify its importance. Advertisement As the electoral drama unfolds, one thing remains clear: Western Maharashtra is not just a geographical entity; it is a crucible where political fortunes are forged, and destinies intertwined. The alliances, rivalries, and power struggles reflect the essence of Indian democracy ~ dynamic, vibrant, and unpredictable. The narratives of development, identity, and governance will converge in the ballot box, determining the fate of western Maharashtra and beyond. Amid the fervour of political rallies and strategic calculations, it is imperative to remember the pulse of the electorate ~ the aspirations, hopes, and concerns of the people. Beyond the political machinations and power play, it is their voices that will resonate loudest on election day. As the region braces for a close contest, it is the electorates verdict that will shape destinies, reaffirming the essence of democracy and the power of the people. Chinese Ambassador to Hungary Gong Tao speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Budapest, Hungary, April 17, 2024. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua) BUDAPEST, May 4 (Xinhua) -- For the second golden decade of cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China and Hungary will continue to enhance high-quality cooperation and synergy between the BRI and Hungary's Opening to the East policy, Chinese Ambassador to Hungary Gong Tao has said. In a recent interview with Xinhua, Gong noted bilateral cooperation has shown strong vigor and vitality, adding that China once again became Hungary's largest source of foreign investment and largest trading partner outside the European Union last year. As the first European country to sign a BRI cooperation agreement with China, Hungary has been a distribution center for China-Europe freight trains and a crucial link in the logistics transport corridor between China and Europe over the past decade. Moreover, several high-quality cooperation projects have revitalized bilateral relations and brought tangible benefits to both peoples, said Gong, citing the Hungary-Serbia railway project and the manufacturing facilities of Chinese battery producer CATL and electric vehicle maker BYD as examples. During the next phase of ties, China and Hungary will continue to promote high-quality BRI cooperation in key areas such as the digital economy, the green economy, information technology and cross-border e-commerce, according to the ambassador. Gong said that the two sides have "unlimited opportunities and broad prospects" for cooperation across the economy and trade, finance, innovation and people-to-people exchanges. At the invitation of President Tamas Sulyok and Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary, Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Hungary. This visit will surely become a milestone of great historical significance in China-Hungary relations, leading bilateral ties to new heights, opening up new prospects for practical cooperation and writing a new chapter in traditional friendship, Gong said. He said that China and Hungary support connectivity, multipolarity, and inclusive globalization and oppose decoupling, supply chain severance and confrontation. Gong expressed his hopes for expanding the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Hungary through deepening political mutual trust, reciprocal cooperation and international coordination. Gong said China looks forward to working with Hungary to advance cooperation between China and Central and Eastern Europe while developing stable ties with the EU. Canadian police have arrested three Indian nationals in connection with the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the arrested members were part of the alleged hit squad that was tasked to assassinate Nijjar in June last year. Today (Friday, May 3) the Integrated Homicide Investigative Team (IHIT) and the Federal Policing Program Pacific Region announced the arrests of three individuals for their alleged involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18, 2023, the RCMP said in a statement. Advertisement The arrested Indian nationals have allegedly played different roles as shooters, drivers and spotters on the day Nijjar was killed at the parking lot of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia. The Canadian media identified the arrested persons as Kamalpreet Singh, Karanpreet Singh and Karan Brar. The police have charged them with first-degree murder and conspiracy in the Nijjar case but the charges have not been tested in the court. The three arrested Indians were reportedly living as non-permanent residents in Alberta for three to five years and the police have also released their photographs. The murder of the the Khalistani terrorist had become a major flashpoint in the diplomatic relations between India and Canada last year after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian governments hand in it. Trudeau told the countrys Parliament that Ottawa has credible allegations of the involvement of Indian government agents in Nijjars killing. New Delhi vehemently rejected his allegations, terming them absurd and politically motivated. India also demanded evidence from Canada to back Trudeaus claim, but they failed to provide none. India also raised the issue of disparity in the Canadian diplomats strength in India and the alleged violence against Hindus in Canada. India also accused Canada of being a safe haven for Khalistani extremists and demanded action against them. Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, hailed from Indian state of Punjab. He was declared a terrorist by New Delhi and was wanted in the country on various terror charges. Canada, however, considered him a Sikh activist. 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. QALAT, Afghanistan, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The counter-narcotics police have demolished 200 acres of poppy cultivation in south Afghanistan's Zabul province over the past month, the provincial police said in a statement on Saturday. Police have taken into custody several suspects on the charge of involvement in drug business during this period, the statement said. Poppy cultivation in the war-ravaged country had reduced by 95 percent, according to figures released by the United Nations last year. Cossouq.com is not just a usual e-commerce platform but a place for all where the unheard voice is heard. This marketplace is revolutionizing the beauty, skincare, wellness, and personal care industry with its commitment to offering a wide pool of quality products for EVERY audience since its establishment in 2021. The commitment to inclusivity shines through in Cossouq's product offerings. With a curated selection of responsible organic, homegrown, national, and internationally recognized brands, customers have access to a diverse range of products. Cossouq's platform provides an equal opportunity for all brands to be heard, irrespective of their awareness or identity. With the strong message of "Celebrating You" for who you indeed are and taking a step forward for normalizing old-school beauty standards. Started with 50 brands and now have reached the milestone of 350+ brands and 10000+ products. The Cossouq empowers all individuals to embrace themselves and find beauty in themselves. The impactful #Samjhakar campaign, honoured among Social Samosa's Top 50 Indian ad campaigns, applauds individuals challenging norms and stereotypes. Additionally, the Cossouq marketplace has been in dialogues with beauty entrepreneurs such as Sunny Leone (Star Struck Cosmetic Line), Sonal Jain (Boondh Sustainable Menstruation), and Sheil Jain (India's First Stackable Makeup Brand), spanning from homegrown to globally recognized brands. According to a study by the Indian Brand Equity Foundation , the Indian cosmetics market is expected to reach US$ 20 billion by 2025, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 25%. In comparison, the global cosmetics industry is projected to reach US$ 450 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of 4.3%. Cossouq aims to be a significant player in this evolving landscape. At Cossouq.com , we believe that beauty should not be limited by conventional standards. Our vision is to create a community where everyone has the right to look and feel beautiful," says Parth Patel, Founder of Cossouq.com. With a goal of achieving 3X growth, Cossouq caters to individuals throughout India with brands from around the world and aspires to establish itself as a one-stop solution for beauty and personal care essentials. The company strives to evolve into a forward-thinking marketplace that helps shape a world that looks beyond the lens of conventional norms. In recent discourse surrounding the notion of inheritance tax, sparked by Congress leader Sam Pitroda's proposition, India finds itself at a crossroads where economic principles intersect with political ideologies. The subsequent fervent response from Prime Minister Modi, labelling the idea as akin to "Maoist ideology", underscores the deep-seated divisions on matters of wealth distribution and economic equality in the country. However, amidst the political rhetoric, it's imperative to analyze the concept of wealth distribution through a lens that integrates theoretical perspectives, economic realities, constitutional principles, and historical context. The discourse surrounding the inheritance tax fundamentally addresses the pervasive issue of wealth inequality in India. Despite significant economic growth, the nation continues to grapple with alarming levels of poverty and income disparity. According to the Credit Suisse Research Institute, indicators of wealth inequality have remained persistently high over the years. From 2000 to 2022, the Gini coefficient hovered around 82.5, with the top one per cent consistently holding a substantial share, reaching 40.4 per cent in 2022. This trend is corroborated by a comprehensive study conducted by Thomas Piketty, Lucas Chancel, and Nitin Kumar Bharti, revealing an alarming rise in the income and wealth share of the top one per cent of the population. What exacerbates Indias situation is the intersectionality of economic inequality with existing fault lines of caste, religion, region, and gender. Oxfam reports that the top 10 per cent of the population controls a staggering 77 per cent of the national wealth, while the poorest half, comprising 670 million individuals, witnesses minimal wealth growth. The emergence of billionaires has surged, increasing from a mere 09 in 2000 to 101 in 2017, with projections anticipating a substantial rise in millionaire numbers by 2027. Shockingly, amidst this wealth accumulation, millions of Indians struggle to access basic healthcare, with a significant portion being pushed into poverty due to exorbitant medical expenses annually. The disparity in wealth accumulation is starkly illustrated by the vast disparity in earnings. A minimum wage worker in rural India would need almost a millennium to match the annual income of a top-paid executive in a leading garment company. Despite the overall increase in wealth per adult, which stood at USD 16,500 in 2022, the persistent inequality undermines not only social cohesion but also stifles sustainable economic development. Furthermore, projections of a continued increase in this trend underscore the urgency of addressing systemic issues of wealth distribution in India. In essence, the perpetuation of wealth inequality poses a significant threat to India's social fabric and economic progress. Addressing this multifaceted challenge requires concerted efforts aimed at implementing equitable policies, fostering inclusive growth, and dismantling structural barriers that perpetuate economic disparity. Only through proactive measures can India realize its aspirations of becoming a truly equitable and prosperous society for all its citizens. In examining wealth distribution, one must first consider the theoretical underpinnings. Economists have long debated the merits of various approaches, ranging from laissez-faire capitalism to socialist redistribution. However, pragmatic perspectives often advocate for a balance between market efficiency and social justice. Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen's capability approach emphasizes enhancing individuals' freedom to pursue their goals, which necessitates addressing fundamental inequalities in wealth and opportunity. From a constitutional standpoint, India's founding principles enshrine the ideals of justice, equality, and fraternity. Article 39 of the Indian Constitution mandates that the state shall strive to ensure that the ownership and control of material resources are distributed to serve the common good. This constitutional directive underscores the state's responsibility to foster equitable wealth distribution to uplift the marginalized and ensure inclusive growth. Historically, India has witnessed sporadic attempts at wealth redistribution through policy interventions. Land reforms aimed at abolishing intermediaries and redistributing land to tillers were initiated post-independence to address agrarian inequality. However, the efficacy of such measures has been marred by implementation challenges and political resistance. Similarly, the introduction of wealth taxes in the past faced criticism for being cumbersome to administer and prone to evasion. The proposal for an inheritance tax, while contentious, merits serious consideration in the Indian context. Such a tax could serve as a tool for curbing intergenerational wealth concentration and funding social welfare programs. Moreover, it aligns with global trends where several countries, including developed economies like the United States and European nations, have robust estate taxation systems in place. Critics often argue against inheritance taxes, citing concerns about stifling entrepreneurship and disincentivizing wealth creation. However, empirical evidence suggests that moderate inheritance taxes have minimal adverse effects on economic growth while promoting greater social mobility and reducing inequality. Additionally, provisions can be made to exempt small inheritances or family-owned enterprises to mitigate unintended consequences. In forging ahead, India must embrace a nuanced strategy that recognizes the intricacies of wealth distribution. Priority should be given to initiatives aimed at improving access to education, healthcare, and financial services, particularly for marginalized communities. Previous interventions such as subsidized grain distribution, increased investment in education and healthcare, and direct cash transfers through rural employment schemes have played a crucial role in fostering equitable income distribution. Simultaneously, progressive taxation policies, coupled with effective enforcement mechanisms, can ensure that the burden of wealth redistribution is borne equitably. Policymakers must engage in evidence-based deliberations, drawing insights from both domestic and international experiences. Learning from successful models of wealth redistribution in countries like Sweden and Norway, where high levels of taxation coexist with robust social welfare systems, can offer valuable lessons for India's journey towards economic equity. The discourse surrounding inheritance tax catalyzes broader conversations on wealth distribution in India. By embracing principles of justice, equality, and pragmatism, the nation can forge a path towards inclusive growth and social cohesion. As the world's largest democracy, India has the opportunity to lead by example in demonstrating that equitable wealth distribution is not just a moral imperative but also a prerequisite for inclusive and sustainable development. However, in navigating the complex terrain of wealth distribution, India must remain cognizant of its diverse socio-economic landscape and regional disparities. Policies tailored to address the specific needs of different regions and communities are essential to ensure that no segment of society is left behind in the pursuit of economic prosperity. Furthermore, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability in governance is indispensable for the effective implementation of wealth redistribution measures. Strengthening institutions, enhancing tax compliance, and combating illicit financial flows are indispensable steps towards building a more equitable society. Ultimately, by embracing a holistic approach that integrates theoretical insights with practical considerations, the nation can chart a course towards a future where prosperity is shared by all, as per the principles enshrined in its Constitution. In this endeavour, the collaboration between government, civil society, and the private sector is paramount to ensure that wealth distribution reforms are comprehensive, sustainable, and conducive to the common good. Only through concerted efforts and collective action can India realize its potential as a beacon of economic equity and social justice on the global stage. Amal Chandra is an author, political analyst and columnist. Views are personal. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging him to extend all possible help to the victims of JD(S) leader Prajwal Revanna's exploits. In a letter to Siddaramaiah, Gandhi condemned the actions of Revanna, an MP from the southern state, and accused him of enjoying immunity with the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. In a veiled attack on Modi, the Congress leader said he has never come across a senior public representative who has constantly chosen silence in the face of untold violence against women. "I request you to kindly extend all possible support to the victims," Gandhi said in his letter to the Karnataka chief minister. "They deserve our compassion and solidarity as they fight their battle for justice. We have a collective duty to ensure that all parties responsible for these heinous crimes are brought to book," he added. Describing the incidents as "horrific sexual violence" unleashed by the incumbent member of Parliament from Hassan, Gandhi alleged that Revanna sexually assaulted and filmed hundreds of women over several years. "Many who looked up to him as a brother and son were brutalised in the most violent manner and robbed of their dignity. The rape of our mothers and sisters warrants the strictest possible punishment, he said. "I am deeply shocked to learn that as far back as December 2023, our Home Minister Amit Shah was informed by G. Devaraje Gowda about Prajwal Revanna's antecedents, especially his history of sexual violence and the presence of videos filmed by the perpetrator," the former Congress chief said. He said what is even more shocking is that despite these gruesome allegations being brought to the notice of the senior most leadership of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre, Modi campaigned and canvassed for a "mass rapist". "Furthermore, the Union government wilfully allowed him to flee India to derail any meaningful investigation. The deeply perverse nature of these crimes and the absolute immunity enjoyed by Prajwal Revanna with the blessings of the Prime Minister and Home Minister deserves the strongest condemnation," Gandhi said. "In my two decades in public life, I have never come across a senior public representative who has constantly chosen silence in the face of untold violence against women. From our wrestlers in Haryana to our sisters in Manipur, Indian women are bearing the brunt of the Prime Minister's tacit support for such criminals," he alleged. "I understand that the Karnataka government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the grave allegations, and a request has been made to the Prime Minister to cancel Prajwal Revanna's diplomatic passport and get him extradited to India at the earliest," he said. Revanna, the Janata Dal (Secular) MLA from Holenarasipura in Karnataka's Hassan district, is the son of former prime minister and JD(S) patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda and elder brother of former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. He is facing allegations of sexually abusing women. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said there is no blot of corruption on him in past 25 years either as Gujarat chief minister or in current role. He added he hasnt amassed any wealth to be inheritors. Addressing an election campaign in Jharkhand, the prime minister said, There is no blot of corruption on me in past 25 years as chief minister and prime minister. I don't own a home or even a bicycle, but, corrupt Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Congress leaders have amassed huge wealth for their children. The prime minister charged Opposition party leaders are gathering everything for their children inherit. The prime minister said the public should realise the power of their vote and it has enabled him to scrap Article 370 and wipe out terror. Modi charged Pakistan are praying for Congress's Shehzada to becomes the prime minister. In the Congress government, there used to be bomb blasts, terrorists used to fire bullets and the government used to send them love letters. Pakistan used to send more terrorists than love letters. One vote of yours gave me so much power that I said, 'Enough is enough' as soon as I came (to power). Modi added, This is new India. 'Ghar mein ghus ke maarta hai'...The surgical strike and the Balakote strike shook Pakistan. There was a time when after a terror attack, the weak Congress government used to cry all over the world, now Pakistan is crying all over the world and is shouting 'Bachao, Bachao'. Leaders in Pakistan are praying that Congress' Shehzada becomes the prime minister. But, the strong India only wants a strong government now. Modi said his life experiences inspired the welfare schemes during the past 10 years. When I meet the beneficiaries, I get tears of joy, he said. -with inputs from agencies. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar dismissed US President Joe Biden's comment that "xenophobia" was hobbling the Indian economic growth, according to a report. The Indian society has been historically very open and its economy is not faltering, Jaishankar said while speaking at a round table hosted by The Economic Times. First of all, our economy is not faltering India is always India has been a very unique country I would say actually, in the history of the world, that it's been a society which has been very open different people from different societies come to India." "That's why we have the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act), which is to open up doors for people who are in trouble... I think we should be open to people who have the need to come to India, who have a claim to come to India," the minister added. This comes days after Biden claimed "xenophobia" was holding back growth in Indian, Chinese and Japanese economies, while arguing that migration has benefited the US economy. "Why is China stalling so badly economically, why is Japan having trouble, why is Russia, why is India, because they're xenophobic. They don't want immigrants. Immigrants are what makes us strong," the US President said. Japan has also responded to Biden's comment, saying it was "unfortunate that comments not based on an accurate understanding of Japan's policy were made." People buy snacks at a cultural compound in Yinchuan City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, May 3, 2024. Traffics have surged at tourist attractions throughout the country during the 5-day May Day holiday beginning on May 1. (Xinhua/Mao Zhu) An aerial drone photo taken on May 3, 2024 shows people visiting a scenic spot in Zunhua City, north China's Hebei Province. Traffics have surged at tourist attractions throughout the country during the 5-day May Day holiday beginning on May 1. (Photo by Liu Mancang/Xinhua) Tourists take boats in a river in Shaoxing, east China's Zhejiang Province, May 4, 2024. Traffics have surged at tourist attractions throughout the country during the 5-day May Day holiday beginning on May 1. (Photo by Zhang Hui/Xinhua) This aerial drone photo taken on May 4, 2024 shows a view of Mount Fanjing in Tongren City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Traffics have surged at tourist attractions throughout the country during the 5-day May Day holiday beginning on May 1. (Photo by Li He/Xinhua) People visit a geological park in Xuanen County of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hubei Province, May 4, 2024. Traffics have surged at tourist attractions throughout the country during the 5-day May Day holiday beginning on May 1. (Photo by Song Wen/Xinhua) Tourists visit the ancient city of Tianshui in Qinzhou District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, May 1, 2024. Traffics have surged at tourist attractions throughout the country during the 5-day May Day holiday beginning on May 1. (Xinhua/Wang Zixuan) Young tourists learn to plant paddy rice at a field in Jinci Township in Taiyuan, capital of north China's Shanxi Province, May 4, 2024. Traffics have surged at tourist attractions throughout the country during the 5-day May Day holiday beginning on May 1. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan) Drum dancers perform for visitors at the Leitai Han Culture Museum in Wuwei City, northwest China's Gansu Province, May 3, 2024. Traffics have surged at tourist attractions throughout the country during the 5-day May Day holiday beginning on May 1. (Photo by Jiang Aiping/Xinhua) A child tries to plant paddy rice as her guardian helps at a field in Jinci Township in Taiyuan, capital of north China's Shanxi Province, May 4, 2024. Traffics have surged at tourist attractions throughout the country during the 5-day May Day holiday beginning on May 1. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan) People visit a shopping mall in southwest China's Chongqing, May 4, 2024. Traffics have surged at tourist attractions throughout the country during the 5-day May Day holiday beginning on May 1. (Xinhua/Huang Wei) Tourists and locals attend a Guozhuang dance at a square in Shangri-la of the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, May 3, 2024. Guozhuang is a traditional Tibetan dance meaning singing and dancing in a circle. Traffics have surged at tourist attractions throughout the country during the 5-day May Day holiday beginning on May 1. (Photo by Ma Hongbo/Xinhua) This areial drone photo taken on May 3, 2024 shows people visiting the Fenghuang ancient town in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province. Traffics have surged at tourist attractions throughout the country during the 5-day May Day holiday beginning on May 1. (Photo by Peng Biao/Xinhua) Tourists have fun planting paddy rice at a field in Jinci Township in Taiyuan, capital of north China's Shanxi Province, May 4, 2024. Traffics have surged at tourist attractions throughout the country during the 5-day May Day holiday beginning on May 1. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan) This aerial drone photo taken on May 4, 2024 shows people visiting an ancient village in Yixian County in Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province. Traffics have surged at tourist attractions throughout the country during the 5-day May Day holiday beginning on May 1. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua) This aerial drone photo taken on May 4, 2024 show people visiting a historical and cultural block in Rugao, east China's Jiangsu Province. Traffics have surged at tourist attractions throughout the country during the 5-day May Day holiday beginning on May 1. (Photo by Wu Shujian/Xinhua) People watch a flash mob performance at the Liaoning Museum in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 4, 2024. Traffics have surged at tourist attractions throughout the country during the 5-day May Day holiday beginning on May 1. (Xinhua/Li Gang) Visitors view exhibits at Guizhou Provincial Museum in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 4, 2024. Traffics have surged at tourist attractions throughout the country during the 5-day May Day holiday beginning on May 1. (Xinhua/Liu Xu) People watch a flash mob performance at the Liaoning Museum in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 4, 2024. Traffics have surged at tourist attractions throughout the country during the 5-day May Day holiday beginning on May 1. (Xinhua/Li Gang) Children try to make copies of ancient seal patterns by rubbing at a museum featuring murals dating back some 1,500 years to the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-557) in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, May 4, 2024. Traffics have surged at tourist attractions throughout the country during the 5-day May Day holiday beginning on May 1. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang) This aerial drone photo taken on May 4, 2024 shows people visiting the Huaxi Park in Guiyang, capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province. Traffics have surged at tourist attractions throughout the country during the 5-day May Day holiday beginning on May 1. (Photo by Lu Zhongnan/Xinhua) Protests were launched against the BJP by members of the Kshatriya community in Gujarat ahead of the third phase of the Lok Sabha polls. At the centre of the storm is the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala, who made a controversial remark on the Kshatriya community. At an event held in March, a member of the Rajya Sabha Rupala stated that the kings had bowed in front of the British and married off their daughters to the British while they were trying to oppress India. Enraged by this comment, the Kshatriyas started a protest against Parshottam Rupala's candidature in the Lok Sabha elections from Gujarat's Amreli constituency. The comment has been an insult not only to the community but also to women who felt that their pride and integrity were being questioned, the agitators claimed. Despite Rupalas apology and the BJP's efforts to ease the scenario, the community was not willing to back down from the protests. The Kshatriyas have demanded the withdrawal of Rupalas candidature and have declared not to vote for the BJP if done otherwise. The protest that initially broke out in the Rajkot region soon spanned across the whole state. Mainly led by the Kshatriya women, against whom this remark was made, the protest is seeking the aid of social media platforms to garner support. This protest can be a setback for the BJP amidst the third phase of Lok Sabha elections around the corner. However, the party hasnt altered its stance on Rupala's candidature from Amreli. Kshatriyas constitute around 1015% of Gujarats population. As they are scattered across constituencies, it is not considered to be a significant loss of votes for the ruling party. This might be one of the reasons why the BJP did not withdraw Rupalas nomination, as the majority of voters in Gujarat have nothing to do with the protest. The communitys efforts to unify other sub-castes have also gone in vain. These protests highlighted the socioeconomic issues in the state between the Patidar and Kshatriya communities, who were previously the landowners. The BJP's political strategy was also criticised for emphasising Hindutva, while ignoring other pertinent issues in the state. The saffron party has not been complying with the community's demands with the surety that many Kshatriyas will stand by them. The community has planned to boycott BJP in the state as the party stood in support of the Union Minister and the protesters have been disrupting BJP campaigns and have decided to gather their supporters on May 7, the day of the election. Over 100s of protesters have been arrested by the police in the last few days. However, the Kshatriya community has also clarified that in deference to the dignity and respect of the prime ministers office, they would not protest against Narendra Modi when he arrives for campaigns. The Delhi CEO's office has approved AAP's Lok Sabha elections campaign song after the party made modifications to it, officials have said. Aam Aadmi Party MLA Dilip Pandey, who penned and voiced the song, confirmed that the song was approved on Friday. The party had on April 28 claimed that the Election Commission "banned" its campaign song "Jail ka Jawab Vote se Denge". Delhi poll body officials, however, said AAP was asked to modify the contents of the song since it violated the Election Commission's guidelines and advertising codes. An official said the party resubmitted its proposal to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) after making the modifications, following which the song was approved. The song was released last month. In a post in Hindi on X, Pandey said, "Truth can be troubled, not defeated! 'Jail ka Jawab Vote se' is not just a campaign song of AAP but it is the essence of the sentiment going on in the minds of the common people of the country. That is why, in the end, truth prevailed and the Election Commission approved the use of the campaign song in the elections. Satyamev Jayate!" Sources in the Delhi CEO's office had said the song was not banned but AAP was asked to resubmit its proposal with certain modifications, in accordance with advertising codes prescribed under the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994, and Election Commission guidelines/norms circulated through a letter dated August 24, 2023, for certification. The Delhi poll body had said certain phrases in the original song were "slanderous" and contained "criticism of the ruling party on the basis of unverified facts" while also casting aspersions on the judiciary and police. Meanwhile, AAP's New Delhi candidate Somnath Bharti has resigned from several prominent positions, including membership of the Delhi Development Authority, vice-chairmanship of the Delhi Jal Board, and a non-official membership of the Board of Visitors to Delhi Prisons, the party said in a statement. "Though, as per the laws, these posts don't fall in the category of offices of profit, but, Somnath Bharti has opted to resign from these posts," the party said. Bharti will file his nomination on Saturday. The Tamil Nadu police arrested popular Tamil YouTuber Savukku Shankar on Saturday for making defamatory comments against women police personnel. The Cyber Crime Wing of Coimbatore police arrested Shankar from Theni during the early hours of Saturday and he is being brought to Coimbatore for further probe. Shankar allegedly made derogatory comments during a recent online interview. According to sources, Shankar has been booked by police under sections 294(b), 509 and 353 of IPC, section 4 of Tamilnadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act and section 67 of IT Act, 2000. A staunch critic of the DMK government in the state, Shankar was earlier sentenced to six months by the Madras High Court for contempt. Chilling details of a brutal murder have emerged during the trial of former Kazakhstan minister Kuandyk Bishimbayev for the killing of his wife Saltanat Nukenova. Parts of the torture 31-year-old Saltanat Nukenova underwent on November 9, 2023, were caught on CCTV camera of a restaurant, owned by Bishimbayev's family. During the murder trial, which was live-streamed on social media, the court was shown an eight-hour-long footage of the torture that she underwent before the murder, including kicking and punching. She was then dragged to a room where there was no camera surveillance. The prosecutor claimed that when she tried to escape the assault by hiding in the bathroom, he "broke down the door, pulled her out, and continued beating her." He grabbed her by the throat after dragging her out of the toilet. This is when she lost consciousness." Bishimbayev did not bother to call an ambulance despite realizing that she was grievously injured, instead opted to call a fortune-teller who told him that she would be fine. The medical staff declared her dead at the scene after the ambulance arrived at the scene 12 hours later. She had multiple bruises on her face, head, arms, and hands and died due to brain trauma, according to the coroner's report. During his trial, Bishimbayev admitted to killing her, but claimed that he did not act with exceptional cruelty with which he had been charged. He faces up to 20 years in prison. The three Indian men arrested in connection with the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar is believed to be linked to gangster Lawrence Bishoi. "The arrested men could be part of an alleged hit squad tasked by the government of India," reported Canadian news site CBC News. The arrested men-Karanpreet Singh, Kamalpreet Singh and Karan Brar- had entered Canada on student visas. The alleged hit squad played various roles as shooters, drivers and spotters on the day Nijjar was killed at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey of British Columbia, according to sources. Earlier, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in India established links between Lawrence Bishnoi's gang and pro-Khalistani groups that operate abroad. Each arrested faces one count of first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to murder in Nijjar's death. Reportedly, the three youths, all in their 20s, were arrested during police operations in at least two provinces, say media reports. The investigators identified the alleged hit squad members in Canada a few months ago and have been keeping them under surveillance. According to court records, Brar has been charged with a murder that occurred in Surrey on June 18, 2023. He also faces a charge of conspiracy to murder on May 1, 2023, in Edmonton and Surrey, the report said. The Nijjar killing has sparked diplomatic tensions between Canada and India. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that the Indian government had told Canada that India had nothing to do with the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, who was a Canadian citizen, was gunned down outside his gurdwara in Surrey on June 18, 2023. He was designated a terrorist by the NIA in 2020. The Canadian Police, on Friday, arrested three Indian nationals who they believe were part of an alleged hit squad linked to the murder of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey of British Columbia last year. The three youths, all in their 20s, were reportedly arrested during police operations in at least two provinces, say media reports. The investigators identified the alleged hit squad members in Canada a few months ago and have been keeping them under surveillance. According to media reports, the threeKaranpreet Singh, Kamalpreet Singh and Karan Brarhave been arrested and charged in the killing of Nijjar. Each faces one count of first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder in Nijjar's death. Nijjar, who was a Canadian citizen, was gunned down outside his gurdwara in Surrey on June 18, 2023. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Assistant Commissioner David Teboul said three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of Nijjar. According to The Toronto Star newspaper, Teboul said in addition to the murder case, separate investigations are looking into possible connections to the Government of India. "There are separate and distinct investigations ongoing into these matters, certainly not limited to the involvement of the people arrested today, and these efforts include investigating connections to the government of India." A media report said the suspects had entered Canada on student visas but may have been working at the direction of Indian intelligence when they shot Nijjar. The three are alleged to have played different roles as shooters, drivers and spotters on the day Nijjar was killed at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey in British Columbia, according to sources. According to court records, Brar has been charged with a murder that occurred in Surrey on June 18, 2023. He also faces a charge of conspiracy to commit murder on May 1, 2023 in Edmonton and Surrey, the report said. Quoting sources close to the investigation, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported that the police are actively investigating possible links to three additional murders in Canada, including the death of an 11-year-old boy in Edmonton. The relationship between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in September last year of the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar. India denied Trudeau's charges as "absurd" and "motivated." On Thursday, India rejected fresh comments by Trudeau on the killing of Nijjar and said the remarks once again illustrated the political space given in Canada to separatism, extremism, and violence. Trudeau addressed a Khalsa Day event in Toronto on Sunday that was attended by some pro-Khalistan supporters. On the sidelines of the event, he told the media that the killing of Nijjar created a "problem" and that he cannot ignore it. "PM Trudeau has made such remarks earlier as well. His remarks illustrate once again the political space that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism, and violence," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said in New Delhi at his weekly media briefing. "This not only impacts India-Canada relations but also encourages a climate of violence and criminality in Canada to the detriment of its own citizens," he said when asked about Trudeau's remarks. With agency inputs Bhubaneswar, May 3 (PTI) Tata Steel Special Economic Zone Limited (TSSEZL) and HHP Five Private Limited (Hygenco) on Friday inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a green hydrogen and green ammonia project at TSSEZLs Gopalpur Industrial Park (GIP) in Odishas Ganjam district. Under the agreement, Hygenco will acquire land in Ganjam district to establish its green hydrogen, green ammonia, and derivatives unit, according to the agreement. Hygenco, known for producing low-cost green hydrogen, aims to produce 1 million tonnes per annum (1 MnTPA) from this plant in phases, with the initial phase scheduled for commissioning by December 2026, it said. Manikanta Naik, managing director of TSSEZL, expressed satisfaction for having Hygenco onboard, noting that the total committed capacity of green hydrogen and green ammonia manufacturing at the industrial park now stands at around 2.6 MnTPA, solidifying it as a green hydrogen and ammonia hub in India. Amit Bansal, founder and CEO of Hygenco, highlighted their aim to produce the lowest-cost green ammonia for clients and their strategic vision of being a dominant player in the sector worldwide. The green ammonia produced will be exported through the existing Gopalpur port facility, with the utility corridor, currently under development, expected to enhance logistics and pipeline connectivity for the project. Hygenco has already secured several long-term off-take agreements for green hydrogen in India, including the countrys first megawatt scale plant in Hisar, Haryana. TSSEZL had previously signed similar agreements with other manufacturers for setting up green hydrogen and ammonia projects of 1.6 MnTPA at Gopalpur Industrial Park. New Delhi, May 3 (PTI) Air India on Friday said it will resume flight services between Delhi and Tel Aviv on May 16. The airline has temporarily suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv amid tensions in the Middle East. In a post on X, Air India said it will resume "services between Delhi and Tel Aviv with five weekly flights from 16 May, 2024". On April 19, the airline said Tel Aviv flights will remain suspended till April 30. The suspension was later extended till May 15. After nearly five months, the Tata group-owned carrier had recommenced services to the Israeli city on March 3. Tensions remain high in the Middle East due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Chandigarh University's students to be graded with Harvard University students, get placements at top global firms Chandigarh University students will have same learning experience as Harvard University campus students, says Managing Director of Business Operations and Strategic Alliances, HBS Online, Kristen Maynard BOSTON and CHANDIGARH, India, May 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chandigarh University has become the first Indian university to start a Harvard University collaborative business management program by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States based prestigious university to provide aspiring business students international exposure and perspective. Chandigarh University Chancellor, Satnam Singh Sandhu signed the MoU with Kristen Maynard, Managing Director of Business Operations and Strategic Alliances, Harvard Business School (HBS) Online at Harvard University in the presence of Chandigarh University Pro Chancellor Prof Himani Sood and others to foster academic collaboration between the two top universities for online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. Under the collaboration, Chandigarh University students will be taught by the faculty of Harvard University's Business School for a semester under this online MBA programme. Harvard University faculty will also provide their course material and other educational materials during the semester to the Chandigarh University students. Chandigarh University's business management students are set to benefit from the MoU as they will be graded with Harvard University students and get placements at top global firms as a result of this collaboration. Chandigarh University students to also get global exposure with Harvard University's real business case studies which will help them understand the intricacies of international business management. This collaborative program will provide Chandigarh University students same learning experience as Harvard University campus students. The Chandigarh University signed this MoU with Harvard University in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to transform the education landscape in India through collaborations with foreign universities under New Education Policy which aims to facilitate knowledge exchange, promote academic innovation, and elevate the standard of education across diverse fields. MoU between Harvard University and Chandigarh University will provide opportunity for the two institutions to provide high quality business education together, says Patrick Mullane, Executive Director Harvard Business School (HBS) Online. Patrick Mullane, Executive Director Harvard Business School (HBS) Online and Executive Education, said collaborative Online MBA between Harvard University and Chandigarh University will provide students valuable opportunity to acquire skills for lead their businesses in India and world. "The MoU between Harvard Business School (HBS) Online and Chandigarh University is significant for many reasons as it enables to fulfil the goal of expanding our network of Business School collaborations globally through online education, enabling the dissemination of best practices in business management. It is an opportunity for the two institutions to together provide high quality business education, which helps develop great leaders in the world. And if there is shortage of anything in the world today, it is the great leaders. Congratulations to students partaking in online business school content and those in regular universities because it offers a valuable opportunity to acquire skills such as case learning and storytelling, empowering them to effectively lead their businesses, organizations, profits, and institutions in India and other parts of the world," he said. Chandigarh University students will benefit from the global perspective of business topics, and will be helped to the same standards as Harvard University students across the world, says Managing Director of Business Operations and Strategic Alliances, HBS Online, Kristen Maynard "Students of Chandigarh University will be taking the same course which all of the Harvard University students take. Before they (Chandigarh University students) start their course of study here, we will be providing them with foundations of business that their further study at Chandigarh University can build on and help them further their business career. As part of the course, we try to bring a global prospective to the topics that they are looking at. So as they are thinking about financial accounting or business analytics, they are not only thinking about the concepts but how they apply to situations across the world in real businesses with real executives who are making decisions. So I think that global perspective is something that your (Chandigarh University) students will very much enjoy and benefit from it," she said speaking on the advantage of online MBA program for Chandigarh University students. Asked if credit transfer between Chandigarh University and Harvard University will help CU in better placements worldwide and if their business sense will be at par with students studying at Harvard University, Maynard said, "Students studying at Chandigarh University will absolutely benefit from this course of study that they will be able to talk about their credentials which they have received from Harvard Business School in their job applications and in their understanding of business and applications of business concepts. As we have seen our own students benefit in the US from the credentials and the skills they have learned. So anticipate that students of Chandigarh University will have same benefit." On advantage of studying from best faculty at Harvard University which will put Chandigarh University students at par with students all over the world, Maynard said, "Chandigarh University will have the same learning experience that students of Harvard University get when they get on campus." Asked if this collaborative online MBA program will give Chandigarh University students credibility in terms of their business sense, job applications, future opportunities as they will be graded with Harvard University students, Maynard said "Absolutely we grade all of our students who take courses across the globe. So they will be helped to same standards as Harvard University students across the world," MoU with Harvard University shows Chandigarh University's commitment for world-class educational experience to students, says Chandigarh University Chancellor, Satnam Singh Sandhu. Chandigarh University Chancellor and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Satnam Singh Sandhu said, "We are delighted to unveil an innovative collaboration between our esteemed institutions, Chandigarh University and Harvard University, aimed at revolutionizing the MBA landscape. Internationalization of education and providing global exposure to Indian students is an important feature of New Education Policy. So this collaboration with Harvard University is a step in that direction." "This unique partnership, between Chandigarh University and Harvard University brings together the expertise, resources, and perspectives of two renowned institutions to offer a transformative online MBA program. Through a blend of cutting-edge curriculum, renowned faculty, and global networking opportunities, this collaboration will empower aspiring business leaders with the skills and insights needed to thrive in today's dynamic world. Together, we are committed to delivering a world-class educational experience that prepares our graduates to lead with integrity, innovation, and impact in the ever-evolving business landscape," Sandhu said. HBS Online education is globally recognized, students will not only succeed but stand apart from others, says Managing Director of Content Production HBS Online, Marie Clark. Expressing excitement about the partnership between Chandigarh University and HSB Online, Managing Director of Content Production HBS Online, Marie Clark said, "This unique collaboration will offer world-class online courses curated by HBS faculty and providing top-tier learning experiences to students, leading to their career acceleration. The data of the past participants has shown that students accelerated in their promotional trajectory and pay increases, compared to those who have taken courses from other online platforms or institutions. Students will take courses from HBS faculty and connect to a global community of online participants and exclusive networking opportunities worldwide that other platforms and institutes do not have access to. HBS Online education is recognized across the globe, and students having taken these courses will not only succeed in their careers but also stand apart from other candidates." "HBS Online is globally recognized for its academic excellence by top global firms such as Starbucks, PwC, and innovative startups worldwide, and has strong connections with industry giants like Google, Microsoft, and Uber. The students can immediately apply their learning and skills to various industries. The most unique feature of these courses lies in our collaboration not only with faculty but also with cases across the world featuring real-world protagonists including those from India highlights cutting-edge technology and industry leadership, guiding global progress in 10 years ahead," Clark added. This collaboration between Chandigarh University and Harvard University marks a significant milestone in the academic world as both the universities are among the top ranked educational institutions in the world. While Harvard University is ranked No.4 in QS World University Rankings 2024, Chandigarh University secured the No. 1 position among all the private universities in India at the QS Asia University Rankings 2024. Chandigarh University (CU), Gharuan, also shined in QS World University Rankings by Subjects-2024 by securing top spots in as many as eight subjects, reaffirming its global reputation for excellence. Among the private universities, Chandigarh University secured top rank in India in three subjects - Hospitality Management, Petroleum Engineering, Social Sciences and Management. Chandigarh University also figured among world's top 100 universities in two subjects -- Hospitality Management and Petroleum Engineering -- in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024. The eight disciplines in which Chandigarh University secured top rankings in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 include Business and Management Studies, Engineering and Technology, Computer Science and Information Systems, Hospitality and Leisure Management, Mechanical Engineering, Social Sciences and Management, Petroleum Engineering, and Electrical & Electronics Engineering. Chandigarh University secured 1st rank in India in Hospitality Management, 10th in India Computer Science & Information Systems, 11th in Engineering & Technology, 14th in Mechanical Engineering, 18th in Business & Management Studies. Chandigarh University makes debut in three new subjects by securing 3rd rank in Petroleum Engineering, 5th in Electrical & Electronics Engineering, and 9th in Social Sciences and Management. About Chandigarh University Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade University and QS World Ranked University. This autonomous educational institution is approved by UGC and is located near Chandigarh in the state of Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to be honoured with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). CU offers more than 109 UG and PG programs in the field of engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and others. It has been awarded as The University with Best Placements by WCRC. Website address: https://www.cuchd.in/ Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2404323/ChandigarhUniversityMoU.jpg (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR Washington, May 4 (PTI) Prominent Indian-American community organisations have urged the Chancellor of Rutgers University in New Jersey not to allow the display of a separatist Kashmiri flag on its campus, asserting it would send a wrong message amidst the current chaos at leading US educational institutions against Israel's war in Gaza. Leading universities across the US are witnessing protests against Israeli military action in Gaza. The conflict was triggered by unprecedented attacks against Israel by Hamas militants on October 7, killing more than 1,400 people. Israel has launched a massive counter-offensive against the Islamic militant group that has ruled Gaza since 2007. On Friday, a group representing protesting students said that eight of its 10 demands were met by the Rutgers University administration. Point nine of the demands said: Display of the flags of occupied peoples including but limited to Palestine, Kurds, and Kashmiris in all areas displaying international flags across the Rutgers campuses." However, informed sources said that the university has not conceded to the demands of the protesting group. Office of the Chancellor will take stock of the flags displayed across Rutgerss New Brunswick Campus and ensure appropriate representation of students enrolled in academics at the university, they said. The group's claims infuriated several Indian American groups, which urged the university which advised it against allowing the display of a separatist Kashmiri flag on its campus. Rutgers University has caved, Suhag Shukla from the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) said in a post on social media platform X. Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) echoed the HAF's sentiments. Rutgers University caved in to hate and approved the display of a flag that brought terror to the small surviving indigenous minority in Kashmir, CoHNA said in a post on X. Under this flag, Kashmiri Hindus were systematically cleansed out of their homeland Kashmir - a place named for the ancient Hindu Sage Kashyap, it said. One Dharma Viveka wrote that Rutgers University set a terrible example for all public institutions, especially universities around the US. Negotiated with anarchist bullies and miserably caved in granting a laundry list of concessions. Betrayed public trust by failing at equitable allocation of resources, Viveka wrote on X. Notably, the university has a large number of Indian students. New Jersey has one of the largest concentrations of Indian Americans in the US. Thomas Abraham, Chairman of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), wrote a letter to Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway protesting students demand to display flags of displaced people on its campus. We are very surprised to read that you are considering the demand of protesting students to display the flags of occupied peoples - including but not limited to Palestinians, Kurds, and Kashmiris - in all areas displaying international flags across the Rutgers campuses, he said. This is a dangerous territory for Rutgers to get involved. By even considering this demand, you are questioning the integrity of India. Kashmir is very much (a) part of India. There is no separate flag for Kashmir. Kashmir residents are not displaced people, Abraham asserted. In fact, the displaced people are the Hindu minorities who had to leave Kashmir because of violence against them. If Rutgers displays such a flag of Kashmir, that will be the beginning of more sit-ins by students who are opposed to such flags, he warned. As a public educational institution, which belongs to everyone, Rutgers University has no business to get into the internal conflicts of countries around the world, the letter said. "It's a very beautiful relationship that has existed for 60 years with France and China, and we hope that it can last very, very long." French performers of musical "Don Juan" expressed hope for more exchanges with China. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Ottawa, May 4 (PTI) Canadian police have arrested three Indian nationals believed by investigators to be members of an alleged hit squad tasked by the government of India with the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey last year, police said. The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in September last year of the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar. India has dismissed Trudeau's charges as "absurd" and "motivated." Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Assistant Commissioner David Teboul said that three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of Sikh activist Nijjar. Addressing a press conference on Friday, he said that in addition to the murder case, separate investigations are looking into possible connections to the Government of India, The Toronto Star newspaper reported. Teboul stressed that the murder remains "very much under active investigation," CTV News reported. "There are separate and distinct investigations ongoing into these matters, certainly not limited to the involvement of the people arrested today, and these efforts include investigating connections to the government of India," he was quoted as saying by the news channel. During the press conference, Superintendent Mandeep Mooker, who leads the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, said that the suspects "were not known to the police" before the investigation into Nijjar's death. Mooker identified the suspects as Karan Brar, Karanpreet Singh and Kamalpreet Singh, all men in their 20s, who were arrested on Friday in Edmonton. Mooker said all three are Indian nationals and have been living as non-permanent residents in Canada for the last three to five years. He said coordination with India has been "challenging and rather difficult for the last several years". Mooker said that his investigation has relied on the Sikh community's support. "We would not be at this point without the bravery and courage of the Sikh community coming forward with information for this investigation," he said, adding that he believes they will continue to come forward for any future investigations, according to the report. Court documents show Karanpreet Singh, Kamalpreet Singh and Karan Brar are each facing one count of first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to murder in Nijjar's death. Nijjar, 45, was gunned down outside his gurdwara in Surrey, B.C., on June 18, 2023. He was a Canadian citizen. Citing sources, a report in Global News said that the suspects had entered Canada on student visas but may have been working at the direction of Indian intelligence when they shot Nijjar. According to court records, Brar has been charged with a murder that occurred in Surrey on June 18, 2023. He also faces a charge of conspiracy to murder on May 1, 2023, in Edmonton and Surrey, the report said. Talking to reporters, Canada's Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc declined to confirm the Indian government connection, saying such questions are best addressed by the RCMP. "I have full confidence in the security apparatus of the government of Canada and the work of the RCMP, and the work that the (Canadian) Security Intelligence Service does," Leblanc said. "I think the police operation that you see ongoing today confirms that the RCMP take these matters extremely seriously. But questions with respect to particular links or non-links are properly put to the RCMP," he added. The indictments Friday allege the conspiracy unfolded in both Surrey and Edmonton between May 1, 2023, and the date of Nijjar's killing. Quoting sources close to the investigation, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported that the police are actively investigating possible links to three additional murders in Canada, including the shooting death of an 11-year-old boy in Edmonton. Members of the hit squad are alleged to have played different roles as shooters, drivers and spotters on the day Nijjar was killed at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey in British Columbia, according to the sources. Sources said investigators identified the alleged hit squad members in Canada some months ago and have been keeping them under tight surveillance. India had on Thursday rejected fresh comments by Prime Minister Trudeau on the killing of Nijjar and said the remarks once again illustrated the political space given in Canada to separatism, extremism, and violence. Trudeau addressed a Khalsa Day event in Toronto on Sunday that was attended by some pro-Khalistan supporters. On the sidelines of the event, he told the media that the killing of Nijjar in British Columbia in June last year created a "problem" and that he cannot ignore it, in an apparent reference to his earlier allegations of involvement of Indian agents in the assassination. "PM Trudeau has made such remarks earlier as well. His remarks illustrate once again the political space that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism, and violence," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in New Delhi at his weekly media briefing. "This not only impacts India-Canada relations but also encourages a climate of violence and criminality in Canada to the detriment of its own citizens," he said when asked about Trudeau's remarks. India on Monday also summoned the Canadian deputy high commissioner and lodged a strong protest with him over the raising of pro-Khalistan slogans at the event in the presence of Trudeau and several other leaders. Nijjar was a Khalistani separatist and he was wanted in India on various terror charges. "It is a problem in our relations with India because we cannot ignore that," Trudeau said on the killing of Nijjar. Days after Trudeau's allegations, India asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country to ensure parity. Subsequently, Canada withdrew 41 diplomats and their family members from India. India has been asserting that its "core issue" with Canada remained that of the space given to separatists, terrorists and anti-India elements in that country. Following Trudeau's allegations last year, India temporarily suspended the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens. The visa services were resumed several weeks later. Fitzgerald (Georgia), May 4 (AP) On-the-ground preparations are on track in Gaza for humanitarian workers to be ready to deliver food, treatment for starving children and other urgent assistance by early or mid-May when the American military expects to finish building a floating pier to receive the shipments, a US Agency for International Development official said Friday. Ramping up the delivery of aid on a planned US-backed sea route will be gradual as aid groups test the distribution and security arrangements for relief workers, the USAID official told The Associated Press. The official spoke on condition of anonymity over security concerns for work done in a conflict zone. They were some of the agency's first comments on the status of preparations for the Biden administration's USD 320 million Gaza pier project, for which USAID is helping coordinate on-the-ground security and distribution. Meanwhile, at a factory in rural Georgia on Friday, USAID Administrator Samantha Power pointed to the food crises in Gaza and other parts of the world as she announced a USD 200 million investment aimed at increasing production of emergency nutritional paste for starving children under 5. Power spoke to factory workers, peanut farmers and local dignitaries sitting among pallets of the paste at the Mana nonprofit in Fitzgerald. It is one of two factories in the US that produces the nutritional food, which is used in clinical settings and made from ground peanuts, powdered milk, sugar and oil, ready to eat in plastic pouches resembling large ketchup packets. This effort, this vision meets the moment, Power said. "And it could not be more timely, more necessary or more important. With the Israel-Hamas war stretching close to seven months and Israel restricting humanitarian aid, half of Gaza's 2.3 million people are at imminent risk of famine, international health officials say. Under pressure from the US and others, Israeli officials in recent weeks have begun slowly reopening some border crossings for relief shipments. But aid coming through the sea route, once it's operational, still will serve only a fraction half a million people of those who need help in Gaza. Aid organisations including USAID stress that getting more aid through border crossings is essential to staving off famine in the territory. Children under 5 are among the first to die when wars, droughts or other disasters curtail food. Hospital officials in northern Gaza reported the first deaths from hunger in early March and said most of the dead were children. The panel that serves as the internationally recognized monitor for food crises said earlier this year that northern Gaza was on the brink of famine and likely to experience it by this month. While the next update will not come before this summer, it's clear that so far there has not been enough food getting to north Gaza to avert famine, the USAID official said. Power said the UN has called for 400 metric tons of the nutritional paste in the Palestinian territory in light of the severe hunger that is pervading across Gaza right now, and the severe, acute humanitarian crisis. USAID expects to provide a quarter of that, she said. Globally, she said at the Georgia factory, the treatment made there will save untold lives, millions of lives. USAID is coordinating with the UN World Food Programme and other humanitarian partners and governments on security and distribution for the pier project, while US military forces finish building it. President Joe Biden, under pressure to do more to ease the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza as the US provides military support for Israel, announced the project in early March. US Central Command said in a statement Friday that offshore assembly of the floating pier has been temporarily paused due to high winds and sea swells, which caused unsafe conditions for soldiers. The partially built pier and the military vessels involved have gone to Israel's Port of Ashdod, where the work will continue. A US official said the high seas will delay the installation for several days, possibly until later next week. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss operation details, said the pause could last longer if the bad weather continues because military personnel and divers have to get into the water for the final installation. The United Nations has been muted about its role in the aid deliveries. We want to see more land operations. This is a sea operation," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Wednesday. "We are working with them, but obviously we have certain parameters that need to be respected, notably the basic humanitarian principles that we have of independence and being free from all sorts of military. The struggles this week with the first aid delivery through a newly reopened land corridor into north Gaza underscored the uncertainty about security and the danger still facing relief workers. Israeli settlers blocked the convoy before it crossed Wednesday. Once inside Gaza, the convoy was commandeered by Hamas militants, before UN officials reclaimed it. In Gaza, the nutritional treatment for starving children is most urgently needed in the northern part of the Palestinian territory. Civilians have been cut off from most aid supplies, bombarded by Israeli airstrikes and driven into hiding by fighting. Acute malnutrition rates among children under 5 have surged from 1 per cent before the war to 30 per cent five months later, the USAID official said. The official called it the fastest such climb in hunger in recent history, more than in grave conflicts and food shortages in Somalia or South Sudan. One of the few medical facilities still operating in northern Gaza, Kamal Adwan hospital, is besieged by parents bringing in thousands of children with malnutrition for treatment, the official said. Aid officials believe many more starving children remain unseen and in need, with families unable to bring them through fighting and checkpoints for care. Saving the gravely malnourished children in particular requires both greatly increased deliveries of aid and sustained calm in fighting, the official said, so that aid workers can set up treatment facilities around the territory and families can safely bring children in for the sustained treatment needed. (AP) GRS GRS Washington, May 4 (AP) Israel this week briefed Biden administration officials on a plan to evacuate Palestinian civilians ahead of a potential operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah aimed at rooting out Hamas militants, according to US officials familiar with the talks. The officials, who were not authorised to comment publicly and requested anonymity to speak about the sensitive exchange, said that the plan detailed by the Israelis did not change the US administration's view that moving forward with an operation in Rafah would put too many innocent Palestinian civilians at risk. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to carry out a military operation in Rafah despite warnings from President Joe Biden and other western officials that doing so would result in more civilian deaths and worsen an already dire humanitarian crisis. The Biden administration has said that there could be consequences for Israel should it move forward with the operation without a credible plan to safeguard civilians. Some 1.5 million Palestinians have sheltered in the southern Gaza city as the territory has been ravaged by the war that began on October 7 after Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages. The United Nations humanitarian aid agency on Friday said that hundreds of thousands of people would be at imminent risk of death if Israel moves forward with the Rafah assault. The border city is a critical entry point for humanitarian aid and is filled with displaced Palestinians, many in densely packed tent camps. The officials added that the evacuation plan that the Israelis briefed was not finalized and both sides agreed to keep discussing the matter. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Friday that no comprehensive plan for a potential Rafah operation has been revealed by the Israelis to the White House. The operation, however, has been discussed during recent calls between Biden and Netanyahu as well as during recent virtual talks with top Israeli and US national security officials. We want to make sure that those conversations continue because it is important to protect those Palestinian lives those innocent lives, Jean-Pierre said. The revelation of Israel's continued push to carry out a Rafah operation came as CIA director William Burns arrived Friday in Egypt, where negotiators are trying to seal a cease-fire accord between Israel and Hamas. Hamas is considering the latest proposal for a cease-fire and hostage release put forward by US, Egyptian and Qatari mediators, who are looking to avert the Rafah operation. They have publicly pressed Hamas to accept the terms of the deal that would lead to an extended cease-fire and an exchange of Israeli hostages taken captive on October 7 and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Hamas has said it will send a delegation to Cairo in the coming days for further discussions on the offer, though it has not specified when. Israel, and its allies, have sought to increase pressure on Hamas on the hostage negotiation. Signaling that Israel continues to move forward with its planning for a Rafah operation could be a tactic to nudge the militants to finalise the deal. Netanyahu said earlier this week that Israeli forces would enter Rafah, which Israel says is Hamas' last stronghold, regardless of whether a truce-for-hostages deal is struck. His comments appeared to be meant to appease his nationalist governing partners, and it was not clear whether they would have any bearing on any emerging deal with Hamas. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the region, including Israel, this week and called the latest proposal extraordinarily generous and said the time to act is now. (AP) GRS GRS * Canadian authorities arrest three Indian nationals in connection with Nijjar's murder, say more involved in case. Stories on Mideast tensions. Stories on Russia Ukraine war. Stories on political developments in Pakistan. * Hyderabad, May 3 (PTI) The family of University of Hyderabad student Rohith Vemula on Friday said it will legally contest the Telangana Police's closure report in his 2016 suicide case. His brother Raja Vemula claimed the district collector has to decide on the family's SC status, prompting the police to say that they will conduct a further investigation. In its closure report on Rohith Vemula's death, the Telangana Police claimed he was not a Dalit and died by suicide in 2016 as he feared that his "real caste" would be discovered. Citing the doubts expressed by Rohith Vemula's family, Telangana Director General of Police Ravi Gupta said in a statement late on Friday that a petition will be filed in the court concerned, requesting the magistrate to permit further investigations. Raja Vemula told news channels that Telangana High Court gave an option to file a 'protest petition' in the lower court. Whether Rohith Vemula belonged to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community or not should come from the district collector of Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, he said and asked how the police can say he was not an SC. Raja Vemula also said that they plan to meet Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on the matter. Meanwhile, police chief Gupta said the investigation officer in the case was the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Madhapur, and that the final closure report was prepared before November, based on the investigation conducted. The final closure report was officially filed in the jurisdictional court on March 21 by the investigation officer, he said in the statement. In its closure report, the police also gave a clean chit to the accused, citing a lack of evidence. The university's then vice-chancellor Appa Rao Podile, former BJP MP Bandaru Dattatreya, BJP ex-MLC N Ramachander Rao, and some ABVP leaders were among the accused. Balrampur (UP), May 4 (PTI) A 13-year-old Dalit girl who was out to defecate was burned to death in a village here under the Haraiya Police Station jurisdiction, an officer said on Saturday. Police are still to figure out how and why she was set on fire. Additional Superintendent of Police Yogesh Kumar said the girl had gone to a field near her village Friday evening to defecate. When she did not return for an hour, her family started searching for her. Meanwhile, some villagers told them that a nearby field had caught fire. When they reached the field they found the girl there, dead, the ASP said. Her charred body was sent for post mortem, the officer said, adding, police are probing the matter. Hubballi (Karnataka), May 4 (PTI) A youth was arrested for allegedly impregnating a minor girl and also threatening her mother of dire consequences, police said on Saturday. As the matter came to light on Friday, the hospital authorities informed the police following which the victim's mother, lodged a complaint, they said. The locals also staged a protest demanding stringent action against the accused. The victim in the case is a Dalit, police said. According to the police, in her complaint, the victims mother alleged that the accused was known to her daughter and that she had fallen in love with him. The accused forced her daughter to have a physical relationship and impregnated her, the victim's mother said. Renuka Sukumar, Police Commissioner of Hubballi-Dharwad said that they received an MLC (Medico Legal Case) from the hospital about a minor girl being pregnant. So, immediately, a case was registered under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the accused was immediately arrested. Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu), May 4 (PTI) A district Congress leader was found dead here on Saturday, police said. The half burnt body of KPK Jayakumar Dhanasingh was found at his farm, police said. The incident comes in the wake of the victim claiming threat to his life recently. Dhanasingh was the head of Congress' Tirunelveli (East) unit. Police said three special teams have been formed to crack the case. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) chief K Selvaperunthagai condoled the death of his party colleague and recalled his contributions to the party. HSBC's chairman was yesterday jeered with cries of 'shame' by furious former staff who say the bank is unfairly clawing back a chunk of their pensions. Mark Tucker faced boos and repeated interruptions from campaigners at the bank's annual general meeting in London. The long-running battle by thousands of former employees, most of whom joined the Midland Bank before it was taken over by HSBC, was compared by one of them to the Post Office scandal. The campaigners point out that even as the bank refuses to budge over pensioners' hardship, it is rewarding bosses with huge pay rises and preparing to lift a cap on bonuses for leading employees. The furore comes as Tucker faced a series of major challenges including the search for a third chief executive in less than eight years after Noel Quinn announced his retirement. Jeers: The battle by thousands of former employees, most of whom joined the Midland Bank before it was taken over by HSBC, was compared by one of them to the Post Office scandal The AGM descended into acrimony as members of the Midland Clawback Campaign, many wearing red T-shirts with the slogan 'HSBC hands off our pensions', made their voices heard. They are calling for an end to the practice by which some members of the bank's final salary scheme have money cut from their private pension pay-outs when they start receiving the state pension. At the same time, they point out that Quinn's pay has nearly doubled to 10.6m. A portion of that is a 134,000 cash payment in lieu of pension. The 'clawback' affects 52,000 people who joined the Midland scheme between 1975 and 1996 when it closed. Nancy Ball, who leads the Midland Clawback Campaign said some former employees were seeing their pensions fall by around a quarter as a result of the clawback. She told the board: 'I was one of the top performers I thought you had my back but oh no you didn't. Shame on you all.' Tucker said it was an 'important and emotional subject' but that the issue had been reviewed many times and the deduction found to have been 'lawful and properly communicated to members' before he was roundly heckled and jeered. The campaigners lost an AGM vote aiming to change the practice. Val Twigg, 62, who worked at the bank for more than 46 years, drew a parallel with postmasters who were wrongly hounded by the Post Office to recover money it claimed they misappropriated. GAZA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- An official source from the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) told Xinhua on Saturday that the movement will agree to a complete ceasefire deal with Israel "in stages". The source said there should be clear international guarantees that Israel would adhere to the ceasefire and completely end the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The source refused to talk about more details about the terms of the agreement, pointing out that certain points need to be clearly defined and discussed by the Hamas delegation, who arrived in Cairo Saturday to meet the Egyptian mediators. Israel has yet to respond to the Hamas proposal. As this year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and France, Xinhua Correspondent Sylvia explored Paris and got a chance to walk down by the riverside. Please follow the camera as She took on her adventure. President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua attends a forum on the development of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and France and delivers a speech, in Paris, France, May 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo) The forum, held on the eve of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to France, is of great significance in boosting cooperation between media, think tanks and enterprises from the two countries and in facilitating cultural exchange and mutual learning. PARIS, May 4 (Xinhua) -- A forum on the development of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and France was held here on Saturday, in a bid to boost cooperation and mutual learning. The participants agreed that strengthening cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and France will not only help broaden consensus and deepen mutual trust, but also promote the two great civilizations and other civilizations worldwide to achieve each other and to rejuvenate with fresh vitality in the new era. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and is also the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism. In his opening speech, President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua said the forum, held on the eve of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to France, is of great significance in boosting cooperation between media, think tanks and enterprises from the two countries and in facilitating cultural exchange and mutual learning. Fu said that Xinhua has been dedicated to telling stories about the friendship between the two countries and promoting Chinese and French cultures. "We are willing to work with Chinese and French media outlets, think tanks and other organizations to uphold the principle of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness among civilizations, and promote the common values of all humanity," he said. A forum on the development of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and France is held in Paris, France, May 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei) Xinhua is ready to jointly showcase the fruits of China-France cooperation, demonstrate the charms of the two countries' traditional cultures and the unique highlights of their modern civilizations, and broaden the bridge of people-to-people exchange and cultural cooperation, Fu noted. Xinhua also stands ready to seize such opportunities as the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism and the Paris Olympic Games to try to hold more cultural exchange activities to push bilateral relations to a new high. China's Ambassador to France Lu Shaye said people-to-people and cultural exchanges are an important foundation and inexhaustible driving force for China-France relations. The two countries are set to launch dozens of cultural and tourism events this year that marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism, and will see the Paris Olympic Games, bringing important opportunities for people-to-people and cultural exchanges, the ambassador said. Lu also expressed his belief that under the strategic guidance of President Xi and President Macron, bilateral ties are bound to show vigor and vitality in the future, and the booming cultural exchanges and cooperation will also lay a more solid public opinion foundation for the sound and stable development of bilateral ties. Eric Alauzet, president of the France-China Friendship Group of the French National Assembly, speaks at a forum on the development of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and France, in Paris, France, May 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei) "Culture constitutes the strongest cement between our civilizations," Eric Alauzet, president of the France-China Friendship Group of the French National Assembly, said at the forum. The common history of the two countries after the establishment of diplomatic ties has nourished fruitful cultural and people-to-people exchanges, which has in turn driven cooperation and development in other areas, he said. Bilateral cooperation has achieved many outcomes in economy and trade, and in their joint efforts against climate change, Alauzet added, noting that the two countries have held various cultural exchange activities this year, which will further push forward bilateral relations. A forum on the development of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and France is held in Paris, France, May 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei) Saturday's forum is co-sponsored by Xinhua News Agency, the Chinese Embassy in France, and Publicis Groupe, a French multinational advertising and public relations company. Themed "Reinforcing People-to-people and Cultural Exchanges, Promoting the China-France Spirit," the forum drew around 250 representatives from the Chinese and French governments, the United Nations and other international organizations, mainstream global media outlets, think tanks as well as cultural and business circles of the two countries. President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua and Global Chief Financial Officer of Publicis Groupe Loris Nold sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Paris, France, May 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo) Prior to the opening of the forum, Xinhua News Agency signed a memorandum of understanding with Publicis Groupe. JERUSALEM, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Saturday that Aiman Zaarab, a senior commander of the Islamic Jihad Rafah Brigade, was killed in an airstrike on the southernmost Gazan city of Rafah. Zaarab directed the Islamic Jihad's elite forces during the Oct. 7 onslaught on Kibbutz Sufa and the Sufa military post bordering the Gaza Strip, said the IDF in a statement. Zaarab had "commanded and directed" several attacks, and over the past few days, he led the Islamic Jihads' preparations for a combat in the southern Gaza Strip against the Israeli military, according to the statement. Along with Zaarab, two other Islamic Jihad operatives were killed during the strike, the IDF added. GAZA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- No positive progress has been made in the Gaza truce talks on Saturday, a source from the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) told Xinhua. KINSHASA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- At least 14 people were killed and 35 others injured, mainly women and children, after rebels of the March 23 Movement (M23) dropped "around 10" bombs on Friday on three sites for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a local official said Saturday. The toll could still go up in the attack, on the IDP sites in the Lac Vert, Lushagala, and Mugunga neighbourhoods of Goma, capital of the eastern province of North Kivu, said Peter Chirimwami, the military governor of North Kivu. Angele Dikongue-Atangana, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) representative to the DRC, said late Friday that 12 people were killed in the bombing. The DRC government blamed the attacks on rebels of the March 23 Movement (M23), who have engaged in fighting with the DRC military and gained control of territories in North Kivu. DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, who was visiting Europe, cut short his trip following the bombing. "I guarantee we will win this fight whatever it takes," Tshisekedi told Congolese expatriates in Belgium on Friday. The UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, known as MONUSCO, called on all sides to take appropriate measures to reduce risks to civilians and maintain humanitarian access. MONUSCO is expected to leave the DRC no later than the end of 2024, by handing over UN bases and equipment to DRC security forces under a three-phase departure plan. "I reiterate the call of the United Nations secretary-general to all armed groups in eastern DRC to cease all hostilities immediately, to lay down their arms unconditionally, and to join the Disarmament, Demobilisation, Community Rehabilitation and Stabilisation Program," Bintou Keita, the head of MONUSCO, said in a statement released late Friday. A judge has called the assault of a man who fell 20 feet from a window and broke both his ankles callous and chilling at Nenagh Circuit Court. Wayne Mitchell was assaulted as he lay on the ground waiting for help by one of two men who broke into a flat where he was staying. Judge Catherine Staines made her comments in relation to the CCTV evidence played in court. Damien Doran (38) of Silver Street, Nenagh, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Wayne Mitchell, contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Acts Against the Person Act, 1997. Graham Clifford (32) of Ormond Drive, Nenagh pleaded guilty to entering a building with the intention of committing an offence, contrary to Section 11 of the Public Order Act 1994. Garda Keith Fitzgerald of Nenagh Garda Station told the court that on June 17, 2022, they received a report of a male on the ground with injuries to both his ankles beside Mulrooneys Gala Service Station in Nenagh. The male, Wayne Mitchell, was taken to University Hospital Limerick and later contacted gardai to make a statement. Mr Mitchell told gardai that the defendants forced their way into a flat where he was staying with a friend and demanded his medication. Mr Mitchell attempted to get away and fell out a window, breaking both his ankles. A butcher saw Mr Mitchell on the ground and contacted the gardai, the court was told. The court saw on the CCTV footage the defendants pass the camera and go toward the stairs that led to the flat. Twenty minutes later Mr Mitchell fell from the window and dragged himself toward the side of the butchers shop. The butcher came out of the shop and checked on the injured party. He returned to the shop, coming back outside a couple of times holding a phone. Five minutes after the fall, the defendants came back down and approached Mr Mitchell. They lean over him, and Mr Doran can be seen standing on one of Mr Mitchells ankles. Mr Clifford leans down to Mr Mitchell. Judge Staines asked Garda Fitzgerald if the man had removed something from the victims pocket. Garda Fitzgerald said the CCTV was not good enough to confirm that. The injured part was not in court during the hearing, did not provide a victim impact statement, and the garda said he could not be located. However, Garda Fitzgerald told the court that it is his understanding that Mr Mitchell is still receiving treatment for his injuries and has been advised to have one foot amputated. That the guard said is the result of the victims non-compliance with his medical treatment. STRONGLY CONTESTED Mr Doran was arrested on June 27, 2022, when he made some admissions about what happened. The court was told that Mr Doran has 55 previous convictions. Acting for Mr Doran William OBrien, BL said his client strongly contested what happened inside the flat and said he did not cause Mr Mitchell to leave via the window. He admitted entering the flat with Mr Clifford, who he said was seeking repayment for a debt. He also denies standing on Mr Mitchell saying that he only tapped his ankle to see if he was injured. Mr OBrien said his client has written a letter to Mr Mitchell and his family apologising for the pain and discomfort his actions caused. He said his client has not come to garda attention since. He also said the early guilty plea was of significant value to the prosecution and asked the court to consider this in mitigation. Mr OBrien also asked the court to consider his clients probation report, which he said starkly details a quite horrific and troubled upbringing. He said his client has a history of drug and alcohol abuse, and while his probation report does say he is at high risk of reoffending, it also shows his commitment to engage with the services. The court heard Mr Clifford made no admissions on his arrest but has since pleaded guilty to the charge. Mr Clifford has 43 previous convictions and is currently serving a three-year sentence for criminal damage. Acting for Mr Clifford, Suzanne Gorey BL told the court that her client has two children whom he currently only has contact with through letter or by phone. She said her client is a man of two extremes with issues with alcohol and drugs but periods of sobriety. Ms Gorey told the court that when her client is sober, he works and has a long-term partner. In prison, he goes to school and the gym and has requested anger management classes. She said he has led a chaotic life which stems from problems at home when he was a child. He has been supported by Novas, who provided him with a reference letter. CHILLING In the case of Mr Doran, Judge Staines said she believed the headline sentence should be three years in prison. She said his aggravating factors of previous convictions, which included assault, would bring the sentence to three and a half years. But, in mitigation, the judge noted Mr Dorans guilty plea, his difficult upbringing and that he has not come to the attention of gardai since this incident. She also noted his engagement with services and efforts in education. However, she said: It is very chilling to watch the CCTV and the callousness of stepping on someone who is in pain. Judge Staines sentenced Mr Doran to two and half years in prison with the last six months suspended for one year on the condition he engage in victim-focused work and with the probation services. In the case of Mr Clifford, Judge Staines said the headline sentence should be six months imprisonment. She said the defendant clearly broke in but noted in mitigation, his guilty plea and the reference letter from Novas. The judge imposed a three-month sentence to run concurrently with the one he is serving. She also granted Mr Clifford legal aid. A protest match has been organised for Clonmels town centre this Saturday to highlight what the organisers claim is the governments failure to provide adequate services for children with disabilities and additional needs. The protest is being organised by Sabrina Kelly and Stephanie McAndrew, who are both mothers of two children with special needs. Were just tired of this. Nobody seems to be listening to us and we need to get our voices heard, says Sabrina Kelly. Enough is enough. Why should our children be treated differently? Its soul-destroying and it amounts to discrimination, she said. Sabrinas younger son, 5-year-old Josh, who suffers from ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) is due to start school in a special needs school next September but there is no place available for him, although she stresses that this isnt the fault of the schools. When he turned 16 in March, her older son Ryan, who is also on the autism spectrum, lost his Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA), while Sabrina had to surrender her carers benefit. She says that because he has the mental capacity of a 10-year-old, it doesnt make sense that Ryan now has to apply for an adult disability allowance. He doesnt have the mental capacity of an adult and were being neglected, she says. I had to give up my job as a nurse to become a full-time carer for my two children. I loved my job but I feel I cannot even care for my own two boys now, and thats not a nice feeling. I feel Im letting my two boys down. She says that the CDNT (Childrens Disability Network Team), set up by the HSE to look after children with special needs, is struggling to provide services in the areas of psychology, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy. The schools for children with special needs are also struggling because of a lack of resources. Their hands are also tied because of a lack of support from the government. She says that spokespeople for the government appear on television and say theyre doing this and theyre doing that but nothing is happening. Sabrina Kelly says that school staffing levels are based on a government policy from 1993, when the same level of needs in the area of disability didnt exist. The government claims that schools are adequately staffed according to that policy, but they fail to point out that the policy is now over 30 years old and needs to be changed, she added. She says that the Special Education Needs Officers, whose task is to support parents, are also overwhelmed and cant function properly because of a lack of government investment. The government can spend 1 million a month on transport and accommodation for pets belonging to Ukrainian refugees, and now theyre planning to build 82 modular homes in Clonmel for Ukrainian refugees. But they need to provide services for children with disabilities, she says. Theres only a certain amount that parents can do and the TDs and the government needs to help, she says. Sabrina Kelly and Stephanie McAndrew have sought a meeting with Taoiseach Simon Harris but have yet to receive a reply to their request, and feel theyre being ignored. Sabrina says that in south Tipperary there are 630 families whose children with special needs are in need of the necessary services. Were staging the protest to raise awareness, she says. Saturdays protest will gather at the Main Guard at 12pm and march down Sarsfield Street and along the Quay and Joyces Lane before turning onto OConnell Street and returning to the Main Guard. All are welcome to attend and show their support. The Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) will honour soldiers of the Defence Forces who served with the United Nations in the Republic of Congo, 1960 to 1964. This is the 50th anniversary of the end of the mission. A large number of personnel stationed in Kickham Barracks Clonmel served on this mission. IUNVA will present Certificates of Appreciation to surviving Congo veterans at a ceremony to be held in Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick at 2pm on Thursday, May 23 to mark the occasion. For further information for personnel from the Tipperary area, contact Tony Marshall, tel. 087-6795774 or e mail iunvapost24@gmail.com If a surviving veteran is unable to attend for any reason, they or a family member can request IUNVA for the certificate to be presented at a later date. Veterans attending the ceremony will be allowed to bring two guests. This number will be strictly applied, as there is a limit in the numbers that can attend. It is not possible at this time to invite family members of deceased veterans. However, IUNVA will process requests from families for certificates for deceased family members in due course. May is upon us. The Tipperary Branch of Birdwatch Ireland will celebrate this lovely month of growth, birdsong and flowers with a dawn chorus at Lough Derryvella, Littleton on Sunday, May 5 at 5 am. This fine amenity provides a great biodiversity of birds, plants, insects and mammals. If the birds oblige us with their songs we hope to hear the cuckoo, willow warbler, sedge warbler, white throat and linnet. When they are quiet well look at the variety of plants that grow on this bog verge. Itll be a gentle amble along the loop path while breathing the fresh bog air. Non-members are especially welcome. There is no charge. The leaders are Aine Lynch, Tom Gallagher and Kevin Collins. They will identify the birds, add in bits of folklore and point out other bits of natural heritage in the lovely setting. Come along and find out why, how and when birds sing. Be awed by the nature on your doorstep. Meet at the car park at Lough Derryvella at 5am. From Littleton, its signposted right after about 4km from the Protestant Church on the New Bermingham Road. If coming from New Bermingham, the signpost is on the left just less than 3km from the village. Wear suitable weather gear and footwear. Binoculars would be a bonus. Date: Sunday, May 5. Time: 5am. Location: Lough Derryvella, Littleton. Children with adults, please! ISTANBUL, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye celebrated the inauguration of a new high-speed train line on Saturday, linking Istanbul to the central Anatolian city of Sivas, according to the state-run Anadolu agency. The Istanbul-Sivas line will take seven hours and 18 minutes, serviced by trains accommodating up to 483 passengers, added the report. Speaking at the ceremony in Istanbul, Osman Boyraz, deputy minister of transport and infrastructure, emphasized Turkiye's strategic importance in international freight and passenger transportation. According to Boyraz, Turkiye invested 57 billion U.S. dollars in building and renewing its railways over the last 22 years, increased the line length from 10,948 km to 13,919 km, and built 2,251 km of high-speed train lines. The line between the capital city of Ankara and Eskisehir was the country's first high-speed rail that went into operation in 2009, and the line was successfully extended to Istanbul in 2014 with a total length of 533 kilometers. China Railway Construction Corporation and China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation, in partnership with two Turkish companies, built parts of the Ankara-Istanbul line. According to Boyraz, high-speed trains have facilitated the transportation of 85 million passengers since 2009. The Missouri Congressman is emerging as one of the strongest foreign policy leaders from the Midwest. Here's a glimpse at his latest travels and perspective that takes the US role on the global stage seriously: U.S. Rep. Mark Alford, R-Cass County, recently traveled to Taiwan as part of a bipartisan delegation. In an interview earlier this week on The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, Alford stressed that both Congress and the executive branch need to remain focused on stemming Chinas growing influence. I know we don't officially recognize them as a nation, but they are very independent-minded people, a beautiful island that needs our help, Alford said. They need our help in deterring the Communist Chinese from further aggression. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Alternate post title . . . CHIEFS & ROYALS MOVE TO TORNADO ALLEY MIGHT BE MORE COMPLICATED THAN POLITICOS THINK!!! Sure, sketchy financing might be an obstacle that Kansas can overcome . . . But for the most part . . . Kansas biz people eager to steal the teams don't like talking about a laundry list of Sunflower State projects that didn't live up tot expectations. Remember that The Legends DEFAULTED on $137-MILLION worth of loans back in 2011. And not even super-rich JoCo could make the economics of money losing Prairie Fire succeed. And so . . . Our www.TonysKansasCity.com blog community appreciates this inconvenient quote on economic reality that might be part of the reason why Kansas GOP leaders seemed slow to dig yet another money pit for themselves. Thus spoke Dave Helling . . . "If the stadiums for the Chiefs or Royals or both are built in Kansas, they would most likely be privately owned by private developers, not publically owned, because STAR bonds are typically issued for private operation. "If that turns out to the case, the stadiums would be subject to property tax. "Can you imagine the battle in Wyandotte County over abating the property tax on a ONE AND A HALF BILLION DOLLAR STADIUM?!? "Don't forget that would be an issue too: Abating the taxes on new stadiums if they move to Kansas." UPDATE . . . Just after we posted this we noticed they shared the clip via Youtube and it's worth a peek: Developing . . . When we visit Greece, all we think about is the sun, sea, and those perfect scenes that seem straight out of a movie. But what really anchors those memories are the places you stay-the beautiful hotels in Greece that turn a good getaway into an unforgettable escape. Whether it is a hotel built into ancient caves or those set on secluded beaches, these spots offer more than just a place to sleep-they provide a gateway to the heart of Greek hospitality. (Take note, these hotels are luxury so you better prepare some huge amounts of money!) If you want to experience one-of-a-kind and luxurious staycation in Greece, then read on! Find our top picks of beautiful hotels across the Greek landscape that promise to make your stay as epic as the mythology. Villa Bordeux You'll find Villa Bordeux smack in the middle of Santorini's iconic landscape. This spot is all about those killer Caldera views that you've probably liked a million times on Instagram. Each suite here comes with its own private balcony, so you can enjoy the endless blue of the Aegean from your room. The staff at Villa Bordeux can't do enough for you, making sure your stay is smooth from start to finish. It's one of those beautiful hotels in Greece that turns a holiday into a series of wow moments. Grab a cocktail, kick back, and soak up the luxurious vibes that just don't stop. Agalia Luxury Suites Over on the island of Ios, Agalia Luxury Suites mixes modern chic with beachside bliss. This place has 14 suites, each decked out in eye-catching art and colors, and all have big terraces with views that'll make you want to stay forever. Eating here is a treat too, with local ingredients whipped up into dishes that are as pretty as they are tasty. If you're after a laid-back vibe with first-class service, this is your go-to among the beautiful hotels in Greece. Plus, the vibe is so chill, you'll feel like you're at a buddy's upscale beach house. Calilo Luxury Hotel Head to Calilo Luxury Hotel to really switch off. Tucked away on Ios, this hotel sprawls over 1,000 acres of untouched landscape. Think marble interiors and private pools, all eco-friendly so you can luxuriate without the guilt. They're big on preserving the natural beauty here, so you'll feel good inside and out. With its unique approach to luxury, Calilo stands out as a must-visit among the beautiful hotels in Greece. When you stay in this hotel, you're immersing yourself in a luxury eco-retreat. Astra Suites Last up, Astra Suites in Santorini offers a quiet spot away from the buzz, in the village of Imerovigli. Famous for its sunsets, the views here are epic, and each suite is set up for total relaxation with jacuzzis or plunge pools. The team here is all about making you feel at home, always on hand to help. It's the kind of place that captures the spirit of Greek hospitality, making it a standout choice for anyone looking to experience the best of beautiful hotels in Greece. Everything here screams premium, from the personalized service to the breathtaking surroundings. Canada has updated its travel warnings for the Philippines, easing restrictions for Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental as of May 1. These areas are now considered safer than before, though Canadians are advised to avoid non-essential travel there. Still, Canada warns against visiting many other regions in the Philippines due to ongoing security threats. Canada Adjusts Travel Advice for Philippine Safety On May 1, Canada revised its travel advice for the Philippines, changing its warnings for two regions. Previously, Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental were places that Canadians were told to avoid completely. Now, these provinces have been moved to a less severe category, where people are advised to avoid non-essential travel. This means that while it's not completely safe to go there, the danger has decreased. Despite these changes, Canada still advises against going to several other areas in the Philippines. According to Travel and Tour World, places like Basilan, Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Maguindanao, Misamis Occidental, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and the three Zamboanga provinces are still very risky. The main concerns in these areas are terrorism, kidnappings, high crime rates, and clashes between government forces and insurgent groups. Moreover, Canadians are urged to rethink travel to other regions including Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and various parts of Davao and Surigao. These places also face threats of kidnappings and crime. However, Davao City, Siargao Island, and Surigao del Sur are not on the list of places to avoid. This update follows a previous alert from January after a bombing at Mindanao State University on Dec. 3 last year, which killed four people. Canada continues to monitor the situation closely and updates its travel warnings to ensure the safety of its citizens traveling abroad. Related Article : American Travelers Advised to Exercise Caution in the Bahamas Following Spate of Murders Travel Advisory for Mindanao Challenged by Local Authorities Recently, Canada warned its citizens against traveling to several areas in Mindanao, including Northern Mindanao, the Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The warning also advised against non-essential travel to the Caraga and Davao regions, citing a bombing at Mindanao State University in Marawi City on Dec. 3, 2023. However, the Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) argues that this incident was an isolated case and does not reflect the overall safety of the region. As per GMA News Regional TV, Minda highlighted that Mindanao has a strong growth rate of 7.2 percent and a low average crime rate of 14 percent. They also noted high trust and safety ratings among residents, with 88 percent and 86 percent, respectively. Dr. Adrian Tamayo, the Public Relations Chief of Minda, explained that according to science, Mindanao is a safe and secure place. The National Security Council, led by Secretary Ano, has stated that the situation described in the travel advisory does not accurately reflect the current conditions in Mindanao. The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines' Southern Mindanao Business Council, led by Chairman Antonio Peralta, also questioned the travel advisory. They expressed concerns that outdated data might have been used, potentially harming Mindanao's investment sector. President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua and Agence France-Presse (AFP) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Fabrice Fries jointly inaugurate a photo exhibition marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations, in Paris, France, May 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo) PARIS, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The chiefs of Xinhua News Agency and Agence France-Presse (AFP) jointly inaugurated a photo exhibition in Paris on Saturday, marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations. The exhibition, co-sponsored by the two news agencies, consists of four parts: the preface, an increasingly mature paradigm of state relations, a bright future for China-France relations in the new era, and the conclusion. It showcases 60 photos representing the precious moments and stories of the political exchanges, economic cooperation, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries over the past six decades. Xinhua's President Fu Hua said the exhibition showcased the timeline of the friendly exchanges between the two countries over the past 60 years and memorable moments alongside. It also fully demonstrated the "China-France spirit" featuring independence, mutual understanding, foresight, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, Fu added. He expressed hope that the two agencies can take advantage of this opportunity to enhance pragmatic cooperation and continue to contribute proactively to the development of China-France relations. AFP Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Fabrice Fries said he was honored to co-sponsor the photo exhibition with Xinhua, and AFP stands ready to explore further potential areas of cooperation with Xinhua and increase its coverage of China in various fields. People visit a photo exhibition marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations, in Paris, France, May 4, 2024. The photo exhibition was inaugurated here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) A visitor takes pictures at a photo exhibition marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations, in Paris, France, May 4, 2024. The photo exhibition was inaugurated here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) GAZA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- An official source from the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) told Xinhua on Saturday that the movement will agree to a complete ceasefire deal with Israel "in stages". The source said there should be clear international guarantees that Israel would adhere to the ceasefire and completely end the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The source refused to talk about more details about the terms of the agreement, pointing out that certain points need to be clearly defined and discussed by the Hamas delegation, who arrived in Cairo Saturday to meet the Egyptian mediators. Israel has yet to respond to the Hamas proposal. Taher Al-Nono, an advisor to Hamas' leader Ismail Haniyeh, told Xinhua that the movement's delegation had already begun discussions with Egyptian mediators in Cairo on Saturday to finalize the ceasefire agreement, noting that Hamas is dealing with the ceasefire proposals "seriously, responsibly and positively." "Any ceasefire agreement must meet our national demands, which are a complete and sustainable cessation of aggression, a comprehensive and complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip, the return of the displaced to their homes without restrictions, and a real prisoner exchange deal," he said. Palestinians in the war-torn Gaza Strip are looking forward to a ceasefire in the territory as negotiations in Cairo continue. Hisham Rudwan, a Palestinian man who now lives in a tent in the southernmost Gazan city of Rafah near the Egyptian border, has been following updates on the ceasefire talks in Cairo. "We hope that ceasefire negotiations under Egyptian auspices will go well and a solution will be reached soon," he said. "The ceasefire is long overdue. A ceasefire will allow us to catch our breath and return to our homes from which we were displaced under the bombing and destruction," said Rudwan, who left his home in the Shejaiya neighborhood in eastern Gaza soon after the outbreak of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in October last year. Maha Nimer, 52, who lives with her eight-member family in a tent in the city of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, also hoped that a ceasefire agreement would be reached to extinguish the flames of war. "The situation in the Strip is unbearable," said Nimer. "We want a real ceasefire that ends the catastrophic and tragic reality in the Gaza Strip and facilitates people's return to their homes, even if they were destroyed. Life in tents is difficult in both summer and winter," she added. Akram Atallah, a Palestinian political analyst based in Gaza, said the residents of the Strip were "clinging to a straw of hope, even if it's just temporary, to stop the nightmare that has destroyed their lives for the past seven months." At the airport of Chisinau, the Moldovan law enforcers detained an aide of Ukrainian People's Deputy, Crimean Tatars leader Mustafa Dzhemilev. This was announced on Facebook by Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, Refat Chubarov, reports Ukrinform. "About an hour ago, after arriving at Chisinau airport, during passport control routine, Moldovan special services detained a citizen of Ukraine, Erol Veliev, who was returning home to Kyiv. Our particular concern is related to the fact that Erol Veliev is an aide of People's Deputy of Ukraine Mustafa Dzhemilev and one of the many Crimean Tatars included by Russia in the list of terrorists who are subject to arrest, Chubarov wrote. According to the MP, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Embassy of Ukraine in Moldova were informed of the incident. The Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people is taking other measures aimed at protecting the rights of Ukrainian citizen Erol Veliev. As Ukrinform reported earlier, in Crimea, a resident of temporarily occupied Sevastopol was sentenced by the Russian court to a year and a half in prison for "anti-Russian slogans" that he allegedly shouted from the balcony of his apartment. Diplomats from the Permanent Representation of Ukraine to international organizations in Vienna and their spouses on Saturday commemorated the fallen Ukrainians and other prisoners of the Ebensee concentration camp. They came to the site that now hosts a memorial, Ukrinform's own correspondent in Austria reports. "The anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camp is a tragic reminder of a terrible price the world can pay if totalitarian regimes are not stopped in time. No matter what the ideology is called, be it Nazism, Stalinism or racism, at its core is always contempt for human dignity and life," said Viktoria Kuvshynnikova, temporary Charge d'affaires of Ukraine at international organizations in Vienna, who spoke in a comment to the agency. She emphasized the importance of "the memory of historical tragedies serving us today as a guide for our joint actions to prevent the repetition of past crimes in the name of new anti-human ideologies." Ukrainian diplomats laid a wreath at the monument to the Ukrainian victims of the Nazi death camp, as well as flowers at the national monuments of other countries, as a sign of honoring the memory of representatives of all nationalities who died there. A Ukrainian monument in the shape of a granite cross was opened in 1995, with an inscription in Ukrainian and German: "To the sons of Ukraine victims of the Ebensee concentration camp." According to various estimates, several thousand Ukrainians died in the Ebensee camp. As is known, more than 20,000 prisoners worked in the tunnel complexes of the Ebensee concentration camp, located in the mountains near Lake Traunsee, a quarter of which were prisoners from the USSR. Ebensee was one of the largest branches of Mauthausen, the only concentration camp on the territory of the Reich, which according to the Nazi classification belonged to "Category III". This category meant "elimination through labor." The conditions were the most severe in the system of Nazi death camps. About 200,000 prisoners of 40 nationalities passed through the camp and its more than 50 branches. In total, about 120,000 people died in Mauthausen concentration camp and its branches from 1938 to May 5, 1945. This photo shows copies of the report entitled "Chinese Modernization: the Way Forward." (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai) The report, entitled "Chinese Modernization: the Way Forward," was co-authored by researchers from the Institute of Party History and Literature of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and Xinhua Institute, which is a high-end think tank of Xinhua News Agency. PARIS, May 4 (Xinhua) -- A report released by Chinese think tanks here on Saturday introduced the process of Chinese modernization and highlighted its global significance. The report, entitled "Chinese Modernization: the Way Forward," was co-authored by researchers from the Institute of Party History and Literature of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and Xinhua Institute, which is a high-end think tank of Xinhua News Agency. The Chinese people, under the CPC's leadership, have blazed a trail of Chinese modernization, said Fu Hua, president of Xinhua News Agency and also chairman of the academic committee of Xinhua Institute. Chinese President Xi Jinping, by elaborating on the connotation and essence of Chinese modernization, has contributed major innovations to global modernization theories, Fu said. President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua attends a forum on the development of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and France and delivers a speech, in Paris, France, May 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo) Upholding the spirit of "establishing oneself and helping others to establish" and the idea that "the world is one family," China has been sharing development opportunities and building a better future with other countries, a move that benefits the Chinese people and promotes global development as well, which will have a positive and far-reaching impact on the world, Fu said. Ji Zhengju, vice-director of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, made a speech on the relationship between modernization and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Cultural cooperation should adhere to the spirit of independence, which is not only the primary connotation of the "China-France spirit" summarized by President Xi, but also an important spiritual connotation of Chinese modernization, Ji said. A visitor takes pictures at a photo exhibition marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations, in Paris, France, May 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) Cultural exchanges should prioritize mutual learning, which is the main theme of the China-France cultural exchanges as well as an inevitable choice for Chinese modernization to achieve the coordinated development between material and spiritual civilizations, Ji added. Noting that global development is facing new challenges, Marc Uzan, founder and executive director of the Reinventing Bretton Woods Committee, called for closer cooperation between France and China to make the international financial system more resilient, equitable and inclusive. "By aligning efforts with China and with other international partners, we will be able to contribute to shaping a more stable global governance," Uzan concluded. Guests attend a forum on the development of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and France, in Paris, France, May 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei) Remi Mathieu, French sinologist and research director emeritus of the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), said the Chinese practice can help the French take a step back from their customary ways of thinking. President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua attends a forum on the development of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and France and delivers a speech, in Paris, France, May 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo) PARIS, May 4 (Xinhua) -- A forum on the development of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and France was held here on Saturday, in a bid to boost cooperation and mutual learning. The participants agreed that strengthening cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and France will not only help broaden consensus and deepen mutual trust, but also promote the two great civilizations and other civilizations worldwide to achieve each other and to rejuvenate with fresh vitality in the new era. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and is also the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism. In his opening speech, President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua said the forum, held on the eve of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to France, is of great significance in boosting cooperation between media, think tanks and enterprises from the two countries and in facilitating cultural exchange and mutual learning. Fu said that Xinhua has been dedicated to telling stories about the friendship between the two countries and promoting Chinese and French cultures. "We are willing to work with Chinese and French media outlets, think tanks and other organizations to uphold the principle of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness among civilizations, and promote the common values of all humanity," he said. Xinhua is ready to jointly showcase the fruits of China-France cooperation, demonstrate the charms of the two countries' traditional cultures and the unique highlights of their modern civilizations, and broaden the bridge of people-to-people exchange and cultural cooperation, Fu noted. Xinhua also stands ready to seize such opportunities as the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism and the Paris Olympic Games to try to hold more cultural exchange activities to push bilateral relations to a new high. China's Ambassador to France Lu Shaye said people-to-people and cultural exchanges are an important foundation and inexhaustible driving force for China-France relations. The two countries are set to launch dozens of cultural and tourism events this year that marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism, and will see the Paris Olympic Games, bringing important opportunities for people-to-people and cultural exchanges, the ambassador said. Lu also expressed his belief that under the strategic guidance of President Xi and President Macron, bilateral ties are bound to show vigor and vitality in the future, and the booming cultural exchanges and cooperation will also lay a more solid public opinion foundation for the sound and stable development of bilateral ties. "Culture constitutes the strongest cement between our civilizations," Eric Alauzet, president of the France-China Friendship Group of the French National Assembly, said at the forum. The common history of the two countries after the establishment of diplomatic ties has nourished fruitful cultural and people-to-people exchanges, which has in turn driven cooperation and development in other areas, he said. Bilateral cooperation has achieved many outcomes in economy and trade, and in their joint efforts against climate change, Alauzet added, noting that the two countries have held various cultural exchange activities this year, which will further push forward bilateral relations. Saturday's forum is co-sponsored by Xinhua News Agency, the Chinese Embassy in France, and Publicis Groupe, a French multinational advertising and public relations company. Themed "Reinforcing People-to-people and Cultural Exchanges, Promoting the China-France Spirit," the forum drew around 250 representatives from the Chinese and French governments, the United Nations and other international organizations, mainstream global media outlets, think tanks as well as cultural and business circles of the two countries. Prior to the opening of the forum, Xinhua News Agency signed a memorandum of understanding with Publicis Groupe. President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua attends a forum on the development of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and France and delivers a speech, in Paris, France, May 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo) Eric Alauzet, president of the France-China Friendship Group of the French National Assembly, speaks at a forum on the development of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and France, in Paris, France, May 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei) A forum on the development of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and France is held in Paris, France, May 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei) Guests attend a forum on the development of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and France, in Paris, France, May 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei) A forum on the development of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and France is held in Paris, France, May 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei) President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua and Global Chief Financial Officer of Publicis Groupe Loris Nold sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Paris, France, May 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo) BANJUL, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The 15th session of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Summit Conference opened on Saturday in Banjul, The Gambia's capital, under the theme "Enhancing Unity and Solidarity Through Dialogue for Sustainable Development." The two-day summit is taking place at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center. Gambian President Adama Barrow told the opening that the summit is held in a difficult context marked by the situation in the Gaza Strip. The crisis poses a serious challenge to stability and peace in the world, he said, stressing that "the affected Palestinian communities must regain their dignity." Barrow urged the OIC "to chart a new path toward peace and reconciliation." OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha condemned Israeli attacks on Gaza and reaffirmed the OIC's support for, and its commitment to, the Palestinian people. Founded in 1969, the OIC has 57 member states. As the 2024 graduation season unfolds, a wave of student activism is sweeping across university campuses, transforming commencement ceremonies into platforms for protest and critique. From coast to coast, students and commencement speakers are leveraging these traditionally celebratory events to voice their discontent with university policies, particularly those related to Israel's actions in Gaza. This burgeoning movement underscores a broader trend of increasing political engagement among students and highlights the evolving role of commencement speakers in shaping the discourse on campus. One of the most striking aspects of this trend is the active involvement of commencement speakers in student activism. Speakers, typically invited to inspire and congratulate graduates, are now using their platform to challenge university administrations and express solidarity with various causes. Jodi-Ann Burey, a cancer survivor, prominent speaker, writer, and host of the podcast "Black Cancer," exemplified this shift in her recent address to graduating students at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health. In her speech, Burey criticized university administrators for refusing to divest from companies that support Israel's war in Gaza, contrasting this with their actions in solidarity with Ukraine. Her words resonated deeply with the audience, sparking cheers and applause. Burey's message was clear: public health outcomes are intertwined with politics, and public health professionals need to advocate for justice and equity on a global scale. Students Rally Behind Speakers Burey's address at the University of Michigan is just one example of students rallying behind commencement speakers who speak out against injustice. Mohammed Abdi, president of the Muslim Students in Public Health student organization, praised Burey's speech as a necessary response to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. He emphasized the significance of Burey's message in reminding students of their duty to protect all human lives, especially in public health. This sentiment of support for commencement speakers extends beyond Michigan's campus. At the University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education, writers C Pam Zhang and Safiya U. Noble withdrew from their speaking engagements in protest of the university's treatment of pro-Palestinian student demonstrators. In an open letter, Zhang and Noble cited the university's decision to deploy police officers to arrest protesters as a betrayal of their values. Their withdrawal, they hoped, would pressure USC administrators to address student concerns and engage in meaningful dialogue. Impact and Implications The growing trend of student activism at graduation ceremonies raises essential questions about the role of universities in fostering free speech and political engagement. While some may view these protests and cancellations as disruptive, others see them as a vital expression of democratic values. Erin A. Hennessy, executive vice president of TVP Communications, noted that while speakers have the right to criticize the universities that invite them, institutions would prefer such comments be made on their platforms. However, Angus Johnston, a history professor who studies student activism, argues that speakers who withdraw from commencement ceremonies are making a meaningful sacrifice to support the causes they believe in. He suggests that their actions should be taken seriously and not dismissed as capricious. As universities grapple with these challenges, students and speakers alike are redefining the boundaries of political engagement on campus. The traditional role of commencement speakers as mere figureheads of celebration is evolving into one of advocacy and activism. This shift reflects a broader cultural moment in which young people are increasingly vocal about their beliefs and demanding accountability from institutions. The 2024 graduation season is witnessing a transformation of commencement ceremonies into arenas of political discourse and activism. Students and commencement speakers are using these platforms to challenge university policies and express solidarity with various causes, particularly regarding Israel's actions in Gaza. While some may view these developments as disruptive, others see them as a vital expression of democratic values. As universities navigate these challenges, they must consider balancing free speech and political engagement while ensuring that graduation ceremonies remain meaningful and inclusive for all. Commencement Speakers Join the Activism One of the most striking aspects of this trend is the active involvement of commencement speakers in student activism. Speakers, typically invited to inspire and congratulate graduates, are now using their platform to challenge university administrations and express solidarity with various causes. Jodi-Ann Burey, a cancer survivor and prominent speaker, writer, and host of the podcast "Black Cancer," exemplified this shift in her recent address to graduating students at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health. In her speech, Burey criticized university administrators for their refusal to divest from companies that support Israel's war in Gaza, contrasting it with their actions in solidarity with Ukraine. Her words resonated deeply with the audience, sparking cheers and applause. Burey's message was clear: public health outcomes are intertwined with politics, and it is essential for public health professionals to advocate for justice and equity on a global scale. Students Rally Behind Speakers Burey's address at the University of Michigan is just one example of students rallying behind commencement speakers who speak out against injustice. Mohammed Abdi, president of the Muslim Students in Public Health student organization, praised Burey's speech as a necessary response to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. He emphasized the significance of Burey's message in reminding students of their duty to protect all human lives, especially in the field of public health. This sentiment of support for commencement speakers extends beyond Michigan's campus. At the University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education, writers C Pam Zhang and Safiya U. Noble withdrew from their speaking engagements in protest of the university's treatment of pro-Palestinian student demonstrators. In an open letter, Zhang and Noble cited the university's decision to deploy police officers to arrest protesters as a betrayal of their values. Their withdrawal, they hoped, would pressure USC administrators to address student concerns and engage in meaningful dialogue. Impact and Implications The growing trend of student activism at graduation ceremonies raises important questions about the role of universities in fostering free speech and political engagement. While some may view these protests and cancellations as disruptive, others see them as a vital expression of democratic values. Erin A. Hennessy, executive vice president of TVP Communications, noted that while speakers have the right to criticize the universities that invite them, institutions would prefer such comments be made on their own platforms. However, Angus Johnston, a history professor who studies student activism, argues that speakers who withdraw from commencement ceremonies are making a meaningful sacrifice to support causes they believe in. He suggests that their actions should be taken seriously and not dismissed as capricious. As universities grapple with these challenges, students and speakers alike are redefining the boundaries of political engagement on campus. The traditional role of commencement speakers as mere figureheads of celebration is evolving into one of advocacy and activism. This shift reflects a broader cultural moment where young people are increasingly vocal about their beliefs and are demanding accountability from institutions. The 2024 graduation season is witnessing a transformation of commencement ceremonies into arenas of political discourse and activism. Students and commencement speakers are using these platforms to challenge university policies and express solidarity with various causes, particularly regarding Israel's actions in Gaza. While some may view these developments as disruptive, others see them as a vital expression of democratic values. As universities navigate these challenges, they must consider how to balance free speech and political engagement while ensuring that graduation ceremonies remain meaningful and inclusive for all. As the 2024 graduation season unfolds, a wave of student activism is sweeping across university campuses, transforming commencement ceremonies into platforms for protest and critique. From coast to coast, students and commencement speakers are leveraging these traditionally celebratory events to voice their discontent with university policies, particularly those related to Israel's actions in Gaza. This burgeoning movement underscores a broader trend of increasing political engagement among students and highlights the evolving role of commencement speakers in shaping the discourse on campus. Film Sparks Debate on College Campuses The Louisa County Board of Supervisors in Virginia has stirred controversy by voting to withhold its share of funding from Piedmont, Virginia Community College (PVCC). The decision came after the college's Students for Justice in Palestine chapter screened the documentary film "Israelism" on campus. The board's unanimous vote, which took place on Monday, cited concerns over antisemitism following the film's showing. Film Sparks Debate on College Campuses "Israelism," produced by Jewish filmmakers, follows two young Jewish Americans who question and ultimately abandon their support for Israel after traveling in the region and engaging with Palestinians. The film has sparked controversy on some college campuses, particularly in the wake of the Israel-Gaza conflict. Despite its Jewish creators, some critics argue that the film presents a biased view against Israel. READ MORE : UT Dallas Removes Campus Tradition Spirit Rocks Amid Israel-Hamas Debate Board's Resolution Raises Questions The resolution passed by the Louisa County Board of Supervisors expressed concern over antisemitism and discrimination, stating that "public funds should not support platforms for antisemitism or discrimination." It resolved to suspend funding for PVCC in fiscal year 2025, pending an in-person explanation by PVCC of its stance on discrimination and antisemitism. However, the resolution did not specify what aspects of the film or the SJP chapter's actions raised concerns about antisemitism. PVCC and Community Response PVCC responded to the board's decision with dismay, emphasizing its commitment to fostering a safe environment for freedom of expression. The college's statement noted that it serves the community and benefits thousands of students who rely on its affordable, accessible programs for their career development. PVCC asked the board to reconsider its decision, highlighting the college's crucial role in supporting the community. Symbolic Impact of the Decision While the amount denied to PVCC was relatively small-$5,859 out of a proposed $500,600 operating budget for the 2024-25 academic year, the move carries symbolic weight. In the spring, PVCC had nearly 4,600 students and got financial support from six neighboring counties and the city of Charlottesville, where its main campus is situated. Louisa County's decision is significant when community colleges have not experienced the same level of campus turmoil seen at four-year institutions. Board Chairman's Statement Duane Adams, chairman of the Louisa County Board of Supervisors, posted on Facebook expressing his disappointment with the screening of "Israelism." He stated that he could not "in good conscience support funding for an organization that allows a blatantly antisemitic organization [to use] their facilities." Adams emphasized the board's commitment to fostering a community that values diversity, inclusivity, and respect for all. Legal and Ethical Questions The decision to withhold funding raises legal and ethical questions. Haley Gluhanich, a senior program officer for campus rights advocacy, emphasized that hate speech is legally protected under the First Amendment unless it constitutes discriminatory harassment. Gluhanich highlighted that government entities must abide by the First Amendment and cannot engage in viewpoint discrimination, regardless of the viewpoint expressed. Community Response and Criticism Some Louisa County residents have criticized the board's decision not to fund PVCC. Mary Kranz, a longtime county resident who has taken classes at PVCC, started a GoFundMe page to raise the nearly $6,000 denied to the college. Kranz expressed concern over the lack of transparency in the board's decision-making process and emphasized the importance of open discussion and debate in education. The Louisa County Board of Supervisors' decision to withhold funding from PVCC has sparked debate and raised questions about freedom of expression, antisemitism, and discrimination. While the board cited concerns over antisemitism following the screening of "Israelism," critics argue that the decision stifles academic freedom and open dialogue on college campuses. PVCC's response emphasizes its commitment to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all students, highlighting the complex challenges faced by educational institutions in balancing competing interests and viewpoints. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday taking notice of the issues faced by the farmers in selling their wheat and obtaining wheat bags, formed a committee under Ministry of National Food Security and Research to address their grievances LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th May, 2024) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday taking notice of the issues faced by the farmers in selling their wheat and obtaining wheat bags, formed a committee under Ministry of National food Security and Research to address their grievances. Under the direction of the prime minister, the committee would take measures to address the farmers concerns within four days. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high level emergency meeting here to review the matters of wheat procurement through PASSCO. The meeting was attended by Federal ministers Rana Tanveer Hussain, Attaullah Tarar, and other relevant officials. In the meeting, the prime minister expressed his concern over the difficulties faced by farmers in obtaining fair prices for their wheat crop and directed the authorities to take immediate action to resolve the issue. The federal government, through PASSCO, is procuring 1.8 million metric tons of wheat to ensure maximum benefit to farmers, he said. The prime minister directed the concerned officials to personally monitor the wheat procurement process and ensure that farmers receive their due payments on time. The prime minister emphasized that the government will not compromise on the economic protection of farmers and will take all necessary steps to ensure their well-being. He also praised the bumper wheat crop this year. by Dames Alexander Sinaga JAKARTA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of people have been evacuated after Mount Ruang on the northern side of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi erupted intensely since last month. The multiple eruptions of Ruang have forced the country's disaster mitigation agency BNPB to urge more than 12,000 people to evacuate. BNPB chief Suharyanto told state news agency Antara on Friday that more than 3,000 people on neighboring Tagulandang Island, east of the Ruang volcano, have been evacuated to safer places. The evacuation involved navy vessels, civilian ships and one helicopter unit. He expected all people on Tagulandang Island to be evacuated within three days as authorities have issued tsunami alerts in response to eruptions. The dangerous level for Ruang, 725 meters above sea level, was raised again to the country's highest Level IV on Tuesday following increasing volcanic activities, with people on Tagulandang Island having been advised to evacuate to safe areas. A series of eruptions of Mount Ruang, about 100 km from the provincial capital Manado, began on April 16 after increasing volcanic activities. After a few days' pause, an eruption occurred again on April 30. Public facilities, including schools and the provincial airport, were forced to close in affected areas. Although no casualties have been reported, properties as well as woodland and pasture have been destroyed by lava flows and hot clouds. President Joko Widodo has ordered the relocation of all residents living on Ruang Island following the eruptions. "Relocation for residential areas is needed and must be accelerated," said the president during a meeting on Friday on the evacuation of residents following Mount Ruang eruptions. He added that evacuees that will be relocated were not allowed to return to their homes. According to the regional administration, around 21,000 people were affected in the natural disaster with at least 4,500 houses damaged. Denny Kondoj, secretary of Sitaro Islands Regency's administration, told local media on Friday that more than 9,000 people were already being accommodated in temporary shelters. They were evacuated to cities, including Manado, Bitung and North Minahasa. Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia is one of the countries with the most volcanoes in the world. (@FahadShabbir) TUNIS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th May, 2024) Tunisian Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani urged Tunisian and foreign economic operators to invest in economic zones to boost the country's economic growth and sustainable development, the Tunis Afrique Presse reported on Friday. He made the appeal at a small cabinet meeting, during which the issue of royalties for the use of the Zarzis economic zone and the Bizerte economic zone was discussed, said the report. Hachani called upon all stakeholders to collaborate in improving the business environment by promoting investment across all sectors. The Zarzis economic zone is located in Tunisia's southeast coast city Zarzis, while the Bizerte economic zone in the north coast city Bizerte, about 75 km from Tunis. Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Prime Minister Mark Rutte joined around 4,000 people Saturday for the country's annual World War II remembrance ceremony amid restricted public access and heightened security due to the war in Gaza. The ceremony on Amsterdam's central Dam square, with the traditional two minutes of silence at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT) to commemorate the victims of World War II, passed smoothly despite fears that there might be protests. Normally some 20,000 people attend the Dam commemoration without having to register. But earlier this week, municipal authorities announced unprecedented security measures to keep the ceremony safe and avoid possible disruptions linked to the Israel-Hamas war. At the opening of a Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam in March, pro-Palestinian protesters opposed to Israel's military campaign in Gaza set off fireworks and booed Israeli President Isaac Herzog as he arrived on a visit. Every town and city in the Netherlands holds its own remembrance ceremony on May 4 and tens of thousands of people attend the events. Then on May 5, the Netherlands marks the anniversary of its liberation from Nazi occupation in 1945. Eighteen-year-old Jaya comes from the Munda tribe in Indias eastern state of Jharkhand. She has not seen her father in more than a decade. In 2013, Jayas mother who works as a daily wage laborer in agricultural fields took her two daughters and fled her marital home in Ranchi, the capital of the state, to settle down instead on land owned by her parents in their village, located in the interiors of Jharkhand. My father is an extreme alcoholic and used to get drunk and badly beat up my mother, my sister and me every single day when we lived with him, Jaya, who asked that her real name not be used to protect her security, told VOA in a phone interview. According to the fifth National Family Health Survey of India, more than 30% of Indian women belonging to scheduled tribes tribal and indigenous communities recognized by the government reportedly have faced physical domestic abuse. Experts say the problem of domestic violence physical, emotional, verbal and sexual is exacerbated in tribal communities because of the deep-rooted culture of alcoholism in certain areas. Most cases go unreported. Violence in every home Rashmi Tiwary, founder of Aahan Foundation, a nongovernmental organization that works to prevent gender-based violence in Jharkhands tribes, told VOA that 100% of the girls she has worked with have faced or witnessed domestic violence of some kind. Domestic abuse has become a part of the tribal social fabric in Jharkhand, and a lot of it is connected to intergenerational alcohol addiction and inherited trauma. Despite being very strong physically, tribal women will often take extreme beatings simply because they think it is the mens right to abuse them, said Tiwary. Hadiya, an indigenous alcoholic drink prepared with fermented rice, was traditionally used as a coolant in Indian tribal communities. However, now it is produced in every other rural tribal home, using chemicals for quick fermentation and mass selling. For several such socioeconomically underprivileged families, selling Hadiya may be the only source of livelihood and often seeps into their familys culture as well, she said. Jaya, who resides with her grandparents, maternal uncles and their families, said that she is not doing very well here, either. My grandfather, who is an agricultural laborer, drinks often to blow off steam after work. But when he gets drunk, he beats up my mother and me very badly. Sometimes he even withholds food from us. No other family member tries to stop him, because this behavior is considered normal, she told VOA. Witch hunting Rishi Kant, co-founder of Shakti Vahini, a New Delhi-based nongovernmental organization that works closely with several tribal communities, told VOA that domestic violence is ingrained in the culture of many tribes, and may not always look like what is conventionally understood as such. Superstitions prevail in Jharkhands tribes, and women and girls often face the brunt of it. A harrowing but common way in which domestic violence manifests in such cases is through witch hunting, he said. If there is a problem in the family, like an illness or unemployment, a woman of the house is blamed a daughter-in-law, a young girl, an elderly grandmother and so on. She is deemed as possessed, beaten up, hung by the limbs from a tree with her body being mutilated, Kant said. In 2022, Jharkhand recorded 11 cases of witch hunting that ended in murder, according to the National Crime Records Bureau, or NCRB. Estimates suggest that between 60 to 70 women are killed for practicing witchcraft in Jharkhand every year, many of them belonging to indigenous tribes. With both their parents often under the influence of alcohol, tribal children especially girls often become vulnerable to abuse, trauma and, in many cases, human trafficking. Tiwary told VOA: When tribal men become alcoholics, they get violent. But for women, Hadiya often leads them to withdraw from their family and neglect their children. There have been cases of young girls burning their hands while cooking because no adult in the house would prepare food. We have also encountered children who are beaten up by their mothers when drunk. Simultaneously, tribal girls take active part in preparing Hadiya and serving to customers it is all a family business. In rare cases, the children partake in drinking, too, she said. Generational trauma Clinical psychologist and trauma therapist Prachi Saxena Vaish said that witnessing regular domestic violence between parents can make a child especially vulnerable to abuse in future relationships. An experience of witnessing abusive relationships in early childhood can create a new normal for a child where they learn to associate love with abuse. Even if they feel anger and rebellion toward what they are witnessing, they are unable to break away from this normalized abuse to create a healthy prototype of love in their minds, she told VOA. Later, they may become easy victims of abuse in their own future relationships or adopt abusive behaviors themselves toward their partners because they believe that to be an expression of love, she said. Aahan Foundation founder Tiwary said that despite the high rates of violence in their families, tribal communities have little to no access to mental health resources. At Aahan, we offer free counselling, trauma therapy and dance therapy all by licensed professionals for tribal girls and boys. We also provide peer counseling, and with our main goal being to make the child feel loved, valued and protected through education, arts training and sports, Tiwary said. However, Aahan has only reached the tip of the iceberg. We need support from the government and the global community rehabilitation centers for tribal men and women struggling with alcohol addiction, improved mental health resources and awareness initiatives. Heavy rains in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul killed 39 people, with 68 more missing, the state civil defense agency said Friday, as record floods devastated cities and forced thousands to leave their homes. It was the fourth such environmental disaster in a year, following floods in July, September and November 2023 that killed 75 people in total. The flooding statewide has surpassed that seen during a historic 1941 deluge, according to the Brazilian Geological Service. In some cities, water levels were at their highest since records began nearly 150 years ago, the agency said. On Thursday, a dam at a hydroelectric plant between the cities of Bento Goncalves and Cotipora partially collapsed and entire cities in the Taquari River valley, like Lajeado and Estrela, were completely overtaken by water. In the town of Feliz, 80 kilometers from the state capital, Porto Alegre, a massively swollen river swept away a bridge that connected it with the neighboring city of Linha Nova. Operators reported electricity, communications and water cuts across the state. More than 24,000 people had to leave their homes, according to the civil defense agency. Without internet, telephone service or electricity, residents struggled to provide updates or information to their relatives living in other states. Helicopters flew continually over the cities while stranded families with children awaited rescue on the rooftops. Isolete Neumann, 58, lives in the city of Lajeado in the Taquari River valley and told The Associated Press she has never before seen what she is seeing now. "People were making barricades in front of hospitals with sand and gravel. It felt like a horror movie," she said by phone. Some people in her region were so desperate, she added, that they threw themselves into the water currents. Neumann's neighborhood wasn't inundated but has no running water and she hasn't showered since Tuesday. She said she's collecting rainwater in a basin so she can cook. A clothing store she owns in the city's central area is flooded, she added. The downpour started Monday and is expected to last at least through Saturday, Marcelo Seluchi, chief meteorologist at the National Center for Monitoring and Alerts of Natural Disasters, told Brazil's public television network Friday. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva acknowledged the flood victims at a press conference on Friday alongside Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Brasilia. "The first words from Minister Fumio Kishida in the meeting we held were of solidarity with the people of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, who are victims by one of the largest floods we have ever known. Never before in the history of Brazil had there been such a quantity of rain in one single location," Lula said. Weather across South America is affected by the climate phenomenon El Nino, a periodic, naturally occurring event that warms surface waters in the Equatorial Pacific region. In Brazil, El Nino has historically caused droughts in the north and intense rainfall in the south. This year, the impacts of El Nino have been particularly dramatic, with a historic drought in the Amazon. Scientists say extreme weather is happening more frequently because of human-caused climate change. The United States, boosted by allies and the private sector, is delivering for Pacific islands even if Washington alone cannot match China's growing footprint, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said late Friday. Blinken spoke after lawmakers in the Solomon Islands, whose warming security relationship with China has sparked alarm in the United States and Australia, choose another Beijing-friendly prime minister. "China covers a lot of ground in the Pacific Islands, maybe more ground than we can cover ourselves," Blinken told the McCain Institute's Sedona Forum in Arizona. But he said that by partnering with like-minded Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan and India, "we cover a lot of ground." "You're seeing that play out in our ability to help deliver some of the things that people in those countries want," Blinken said. "It is often more effective to say to a country we're not asking you to choose, we want to give you a better choice." He pointed to an initiative announced at a summit last year between U.S. President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in which Google is building trans-Pacific cables to improve internet connectivity in South Pacific countries. The high-speed cables are an alternative to those on offer from China, whose tech companies have been increasingly active in the South Pacific. Tensions have eased between the United States and China, with Blinken last month visiting Beijing for the second time in less than a year, but the Biden administration has declared China to be the top long-term rival to U.S. global leadership. Mexican officials said Friday that they had found bodies in a location where three tourists - two Australian brothers and an American - were reported missing. The bodies were found in a fishing and camping cove in Ensenada, Baja California, a state plagued by crime and violence. Officials said Thursday that they were questioning three people in connection with the case. It was not immediately clear if the people were suspects in the tourists deaths. An Australian news outlet reported that the parents of brothers Jake and Callum Robinson were on their way to Mexico to be as close as possible to the area where their sons were last seen. The outlet reported all three people being questioned were in possession of drugs and that a woman in the group had the cellphone of one of the Australians. Maria Elena Andrade Ramirez, the states chief prosecutor, said Thursday that evidence, including tents, linked to the missing men had been found and that investigators had uncovered a lot of important information that we cant make public. The prosecutor said her office was not immediately notified about the mens disappearance, which meant that important hours or time was lost. The Callums and and Jack Carter Rhoad, who were on a surfing vacation, were last seen April 27, according to authorities. Baja California authorities officially announced the mens disappearance Thursday. The Associated Press said Debra Robinson, the Australians' mother, had posted a notice on Facebook asking for help in finding her sons who were traveling with an American. Reaching out to anyone who has seen my two sons, Robinson posted on Facebook. They have not contacted us since Saturday 27th April. ... traveling with another friend an American citizen. ... They were due to book into an Airbnb in Rosarito after their camping weekend, but they did not show up. The San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper reported Callum Johnson had not reported for work at his job in San Diego. A spokesperson for Australia's Foreign Ministry said the Australian Embassy in Mexico was working closely with Mexican authorities and the Australian Federal Police and was in regular contact with the family to provide support. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters. Accepting a cease-fire deal with Israel should be a "no-brainer" for Hamas, but the motivations of the militants' elusive Gaza-based leadership remain unclear, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said late Friday. Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, has announced that its delegation will return to Cairo Saturday to resume long-running talks brokered by Egypt and Qatar that would temporarily halt Israel's offensive in return for freeing hostages. "We wait to see whether, in effect, they can take yes for an answer on the cease-fire and release of hostages," Blinken said. "The reality in this moment is the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a cease-fire is Hamas." Noting that the militants "purport to represent" the Palestinian people, Blinken said: "If it is true, then taking the cease-fire should be a no-brainer. "But maybe something else is going on, and we'll have a better picture of that in the coming days," he said. Blinken pointed to difficulties negotiating with Hamas, which the United States considers a terrorist group and does not engage with directly and which Israel has vowed to eliminate. "The leaders of Hamas that we're indirectly engaged with through the Qataris, through the Egyptians are, of course, living outside of Gaza," Blinken said. "The ultimate decision-makers are the folks who are actually in Gaza itself with whom none of us have direct contact." Blinken was addressing the McCain Institute's Sedona Forum in Arizona days after he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top leaders on his latest visit to the Middle East. Rafah assault still threatened Ahead of his talks with Blinken, Netanyahu vowed to push ahead with an assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah regardless of the outcome of truce negotiations. U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has repeatedly warned Israel against moving on Rafah, where an estimated 1.2 million Palestinians have taken shelter. Blinken said that Israel, which counts on the United States for military and diplomatic support, has yet to present "a credible plan to genuinely protect the civilians who are in harm's way." "Absent such a plan, we can't support a major military operation going into Rafah because the damage it would do is beyond what's acceptable," Blinken said. Global criticism of the war's toll on civilians has mounted, as has pressure on the Biden administration. The war broke out after Hamas's October 7 attack that killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians. The militants also took some 250 hostages, of whom Israel estimates 130 remain in Gaza, including 30 believed to be dead. Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed at least 34,622 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's Health Ministry. Saudis want progress as soon as possible Blinken on Monday held his latest meeting with Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to discuss potential normalization with Israel. "He's made it clear that he wants to do something on normalization, and he'd like to do it as soon as possible," but only if conditions are met, Blinken said. Before Hamas's October 7 attacks, Netanyahu had seen growing Arab recognition of Israel as a key legacy, and Saudi Arabia, the guardian of Islam's two holiest sites, would be the most coveted prize. But Saudi Arabia has made clear it wants a pathway to a Palestinian state, a prospect long resisted by Netanyahu and adamantly opposed by his far-right allies. "I believe that there can be a Palestinian state with necessary security guarantees for Israel," Blinken said. "And to some extent, I think you'd have Israelis who would like to get to real separation. Well, that is one way to do it." While in Saudi Arabia, Blinken said that the United States was nearly ready with a set of security promises sought by the kingdom in return for normalization with Israel. Pakistan on Friday witnessed the launch of its first lunar satellite aboard Chinas historic mission to retrieve samples from the little explored far side of the moon in a technologically collaborative mission that signals deepening ties between the countries. Chinas largest rocket, a Long March-5, blasted off from the Wencheng Space Launch Center on Hainan Island at 09:27 UTC, ferrying Chinas 8-metric-ton Change-6 probe. If successful, the uncrewed mission will make China the first country to retrieve samples from the moons largely unexplored South Pole, also known as the far side of the moon that is not visible from Earth. Change-6 will spend 48 hours digging up 2 kilograms of surface samples before returning to a landing spot in Inner Mongolia. In 2018, China achieved its first unmanned moon landing on the far side with the Chang'e-4 probe, which did not retrieve samples. India became the first country to land near the moons South Pole in August with its Chandrayaan-3. Change-6 is carrying cargo from Pakistan, Italy, France and the European Space Agency. According to the Institute of Space Technology (IST) in Islamabad, Pakistans lunar cube satellite named ICUBE-Qamar (or ICUBE-Q for short) will be placed into lunar orbit within five days, circling the moon for three to six months, photographing the surface for research purposes. IST engineers say ICUBE-Q is also designed to "obtain lunar magnetic field data; establish a lunar magnetic field model and lay the foundation for subsequent international cooperation on the moon. IST developed the iCUBE-Qamar satellite in collaboration with the countrys space agency SUPARCO and Chinas Shanghai University. Qamar, which means moon in Urdu, is the nuclear-armed South Asian nations first mission in space. The iCUBE-Q orbiter has two optical cameras that will gather images of the lunar surface. 'Milestone' The missions launch from China was carried live on Pakistan state television. Calling it a "milestone, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said it would help the country build capacity in satellite communications and open new avenues for scientific research, economic development and national security, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Information. The Pakistan-China friendship, Sharif said, has gone beyond borders to reach space, according to the official statement. Beijing is one of Islamabads closest allies. Pakistan is home to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a multibillion-dollar development project that is part of Beijings Belt and Road global infrastructure initiative. Pakistans navy in late April launched its first Hangor-class submarine, built jointly with China, with a ceremony in Chinas Wuhan province. According to the Washington-based U.S. Institute of Peace, Beijing is Islamabads leading supplier of conventional and strategic weapons platforms. China is also the dominant supplier of Pakistans higher-end offensive strike capabilities, the report found. Some information for this report came from Reuters. Democratic U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas and his wife were indicted on conspiracy and bribery charges and taken into custody Friday in connection with a U.S. Department of Justice probe into the couple's ties to the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan. From 2014 to 2021, Cuellar, 68, and his wife allegedly accepted nearly $600,000 in bribes from an Azerbaijan-controlled energy company and a bank in Mexico, according to the indictment. In exchange, Cuellar is accused of agreeing to advance the interests of the country and the bank in the U.S., also according to the indictment. Among other things, Cuellar agreed to influence legislation favorable to Azerbaijan and deliver a pro-Azerbaijan speech on the floor of the U.S. House, the indictment states. The Department of Justice said the couple surrendered to authorities on Friday and were taken into custody. They made an initial appearance before a federal judge in Houston and were each released on $100,000 bond, the DOJ said. The longtime congressman released a statement Friday saying he and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, 67, "are innocent of these allegations." Neither Cuellar nor his attorney immediately responded to calls seeking comment on the matter. In addition to bribery and conspiracy, the couple face charges including wire fraud conspiracy, acting as agents of foreign principals and money laundering. If convicted, they face up to decades in prison and forfeiture of any property linked to proceeds from the alleged scheme. The payments to the couple initially went through a Texas-based shell company owned by Imelda Cuellar and two of the couple's children, according to the indictment. That company received payments from the Azerbaijan energy company of $25,000 per month under a contract, purportedly in exchange for unspecified strategic consulting and advising services. "In reality, the contract was a sham used to disguise and legitimate the corrupt agreement between Henry Cuellar and the government of Azerbaijan," the indictment states. The indictment also alleges an Azerbaijani diplomat referred to Henry Cuellar in text messages as "boss" and also that a member of Cuellar's staff sent multiple emails to officials at the Department of State pressuring them to renew a U.S. passport for an Azerbaijani diplomat's daughter. Cuellar was at one time the co-chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus. The FBI searched the congressman's house in the border city of Laredo in 2022, and Cuellar's attorney at that time said Cuellar was not the target of that investigation. That search was part of a broader investigation related to Azerbaijan that saw FBI agents serve a raft of subpoenas and conduct interviews in Washington and Texas, a person with direct knowledge of the probe previously told The Associated Press. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Marking World Press Freedom Day, a media watchdog report on global press freedom paints a discouraging picture of lack of political will to defend a free press. The number of writers jailed reached a five-year high as governments looked to silence critics. Massive protests on college campuses across the U.S. are giving journalism students on-the-job-training. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday rejected criticism from the United States and European Union of a draft "foreign agents" bill, saying opponents of it were unwilling to engage in a meaningful discussion. The draft legislation, which is winding its way through the Georgian Parliament, would require organizations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as agents of foreign influence, a requirement opponents attack as authoritarian and Kremlin-inspired. Several thousand protesters took to the streets again Friday to voice their opposition, moving toward the headquarters of the ruling Georgian Dream party and then attending a Holy Friday service ahead of Orthodox Easter Sunday. The European Union and the United States have urged Tbilisi to drop the legislation or risk harming its chances of European Union membership and a broader Euro-Atlantic future. The standoff is seen as part of a wider struggle that could determine whether Georgia, a country of 3.7 million people that has experienced war and revolution since the fall of the Soviet Union, moves closer to Europe or back under Moscow's influence. Kobakhidze said the legislation was necessary for transparency and accountability in the South Caucasus nation. "I explained to [senior U.S. diplomat Derek] Chollet that false statements made by the officials of the U.S. State Department about the transparency bill and street rallies remind us of similar false statements made by the former U.S. ambassador in 2020-2023," Kobakhidze said on X. He said the previous U.S. statements had encouraged violence from what he called foreign-funded actors and had supported "revolutionary processes" that he said had been unsuccessful. "I clarified to Mr. Chollet that it requires a special effort to restart the relations [between Georgia and the United States] against this background, which is impossible without a fair and honest approach." The White House has expressed concern that the legislation could stifle dissent and free speech. Kobakhidze also expressed disappointment about a conversation with European Council President Charles Michel, saying the EU had "been reluctant to engage in substantive discussions." "Furthermore, I highlighted that we have not yet heard any counterarguments against this proposed legislation," he said. Michel said on X that "Georgian citizens' call for an open democratic and pluralistic society must be heeded. ... Georgia's future belongs with the EU. Don't miss this historic chance." Bidzina Ivanishvili, the billionaire founder of the Georgian Dream party and a former prime minister, has said he will fight for what he called "the full restoration of the sovereignty of Georgia." Anti-war demonstrations ceased this week at a small number of U.S. universities after school leaders struck deals with pro-Palestinian protesters, fending off possible disruptions of final exams and graduation ceremonies. The agreements at schools including Brown, Northwestern and Rutgers universities stand out amid the chaotic scenes and 2,400-plus arrests on 46 campuses nationwide since April 17. Tent encampments and building takeovers have disrupted classes at some schools, including Columbia University and the University of California-Los Angeles. Deals included commitments by universities to review their investments in Israel or hear calls to stop doing business with the longtime U.S. ally. Many protester demands have zeroed in on links to the Israeli military as the war grinds on in Gaza. The agreements to even discuss divestment mark a major shift on an issue that has been controversial for years, with opponents of a long-running campaign to boycott Israel saying it veers into antisemitism. But while the colleges have made concessions around amnesty for protesters and funding for Middle Eastern studies, they have made no promises about changing their investments. "I think for some universities, it might be just a delaying tactic" to calm the protests, said Ralph Young, a history professor who studies American dissent at Temple University in Philadelphia. "The end of the semester is happening now. And maybe by the time the next semester begins, there is a cease-fire in Gaza." Some university boards may never vote on divesting from Israel, which can be a complicated process, Young said. And some state schools have said they lack the authority to do so. But Young said dialogue is a better tactic than arrests. Talking "at least gives the protesters the feeling that they're getting somewhere," he said. "Whether they are getting somewhere or not is another question." Israel has called the protests antisemitic; its critics say the country uses such allegations to silence opposition. Although some protesters were caught on camera making antisemitic remarks or violent threats, protest organizers some of whom are Jewish have called it a peaceful movement to defend Palestinian rights and protest the war. Administrators at the University of California at Riverside announced an agreement Friday with protesters to close their campus encampment. The deal included the formation of a task force to explore removing Riverside's endowment from the broader UC system's management and investing those funds "in a manner that will be financially and ethically sound for the university with consideration to the companies involved in arms manufacturing and delivery." The announcement marked an apparent split with the policy of the 10-campus UC system, which last week said it opposes "calls for boycott against and divestment from Israel." Demonstrators at Rutgers where finals were paused because of the protests on its New Brunswick, New Jersey, campus similarly packed up their tents Thursday afternoon. The state university agreed to establish an Arab Cultural Center and to not retaliate against any students involved in the camp. Protesters at Brown in Rhode Island agreed to dismantle their encampment on Tuesday. School officials said students could present arguments for divesting Brown's endowment from companies contributing to and profiting from the war in Gaza. In addition, Brown President Christina Paxson will ask an advisory committee to make a recommendation on divestment by September 30, which will be put before the school's governing corporation for a vote in October. Northwestern's Deering Meadow in suburban Chicago also fell silent after an agreement Monday. The deal curbed protest activity in return for reestablishing an advisory committee on university investments and other commitments. The arrangement drew dissent from both sides. Some pro-Palestinian protesters condemned it as a failure to stick to their original demands, while some supporters of Israel said it represented cowardly capitulation. Seven of 18 members subsequently resigned from a university committee that advises the administration on addressing antisemitism, Islamophobia and expressions of hatred on campus, saying they couldn't continue to serve "with antisemitism so present at Northwestern in public view for the past week." Michael Simon, the executive director of an organization for Jewish students, Northwestern Hillel, said he resigned after concluding that the committee could not achieve its goals. Faculty at Pomona College in California voted in favor of divesting from companies they said are funding Israel's war in Gaza, a group of faculty and students said Friday. The vote Thursday is not binding on the liberal arts school of nearly 1,800 students east of Los Angeles. But supporters said they hoped it would encourage the board to stop investing in these companies and start disclosing where it makes its investments. Meanwhile, arrests of demonstrators continued elsewhere. About a dozen protesters who refused police orders to leave an encampment at New York University were arrested early Friday, and about 30 more left voluntarily, NYU spokesperson John Beckman said. The school asked city police to intervene, he added. NYPD officers also cleared an encampment at The New School in Greenwich Village at the request of school administrators. No arrests were announced. Another 132 protesters were arrested when police broke up an encampment at the State University of New York at New Paltz starting late Thursday, authorities said. And nine were arrested at the University of Tennessee, including seven students who Chancellor Donde Plowman said would also be sanctioned under the school's code of conduct. The movement began April 17 at Columbia, where student protesters built an encampment to call for an end to the Israel-Hamas war. Over 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict in the Gaza Strip, according to the Health Ministry there. Israel launched its offensive after October 7, when Hamas militants entered Israel and killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took roughly 250 hostages. Iran has released the crew of a seized Portuguese-flagged ship linked to Israel but remains in control of the vessel itself, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said. Iran's Revolutionary Guards seized the container ship MSC Aries, with a crew of 25, in the Strait of Hormuz on April 13, days after Tehran vowed to retaliate for a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus. Iran had said it could close the crucial shipping route. The seized ship, which turned off its radar in Iran's territorial waters and jeopardized the security of navigation, is under judicial detention, Amirabdollahian said, according to a foreign ministry post on X late Thursday night. He said that the release of the crew was a humanitarian act and that they could return to their countries along with the ships captain. Irans foreign ministry had earlier said that the Aries was seized for "violating maritime laws" and that there was no doubt it was linked to Israel. MSC leases the Aries from Gortal Shipping, an affiliate of Zodiac Maritime, which is partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer. Recent attacks on merchant shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden by Yemens Iran-allied Houthis, claiming solidarity with Palestinians during Israel's war on Gaza, have affected global shipping. "Is it good for the Jews?" That has been a question long asked by Jewish Americans, especially immigrants and those of the second generation, scarred by memories of the Holocaust, when assessing the policies of the U.S. government and the pledges of political candidates. Most of them, most of the time since Franklin Roosevelt first ran for president in 1932, have voted for the Democrat at the top of the ticket. Fast forward 92 years. More Jews have been voting Republican in recent elections, while many younger and left-leaning Jewish voters no longer see unequivocal support for Israel as a litmus test. Instead, rising antisemitism is reforging a sense of Jewish self-identity especially among those who consider themselves fully assimilated and accepted in the American mainstream culture. Antisemitism comes from all sides," said Rachel Sass, antisemitic incident specialist at the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism. "There are right-wing extremists, left-wing extremists, anti-Israel protesters. There isn't necessarily a clear political or ideological bent, just antisemitism. There has been a 900% increase in the number of antisemitic incidents in the past decade, with a spike since the Israel-Hamas conflict blew up last year, according to the ADL. Jewish Americans are further alarmed by chants on college campuses in reaction to Israel's retaliatory strikes on Gaza following the October 7 Hamas terror attack of "from the river to sea" and "go back to Poland, along with some physical assaults on Jewish students. "I've seen people respond with a level of fear, being afraid to reveal their Jewish identity. I've seen other people who have even leaned more into pride in their Jewish identity, wanting to be even more open because they feel that it's very important," said Sass. Bestselling novelist Allison Winn Scotch said on the social media platform Threads, "Every day, as a Jewish American, I get increasingly nervous that we can't come back from the brink of this. I don't know where my family could go though, and I don't know how we would stay safe when we got there anyway." She continued, "Your Jewish friends are living with a blooming seed of dread in the pits of our stomachs." America provided a refuge for Eastern European Jews escaping 19th-century pogroms, who followed the emigration from the more established and prosperous German Jewish community. Many Jews in the United States, however, did not feel totally accepted into broader American culture until the civil rights movement. Changes not only benefited Blacks but also removed remaining barriers to Jews such as housing covenants and restricted country club memberships, as well as hiring discrimination at prestigious law firms and entry quotas at the Ivy League universities that such attorneys were drawn from. The contemporary surge in antisemitism is not institutional. "It's children being targeted at school with antisemitic bullying, synagogues being targeted with threats of bombs or shootings, people even being assaulted on the street because they are visibly Jewish or Orthodox," according to Sass at the ADL. American Jews, as is the case with other ethnic or minority groups, do not wholly cast votes based on a single issue. "We swing with the rest of the country around economic issues, war and peace and all kinds of issues," Mark Mellman, president of the Democratic Majority for Israel, told VOA. The Republican Jewish Coalition's political and communications director, Sam Markstein, said, "I think this will be the first time for a lot of Jewish voters who've never even considered voting Republican in their lives seriously making that consideration this year because of the dereliction of leadership by the Biden administration on these issues." Donald Trump, hoping for a second term as president but defeated by Joe Biden four years ago, received somewhere between one-fourth and one-third of the Jewish vote in 2020, according to several polls and Jewish organizations. "Anybody who knows anything about Donald Trump knows that his alliances are based on people's commitment to him personally, not to a set of values, not to a set of strategic interests," said Mellman. Republicans have done a better job than Democrats in condemning politicians in their respective parties who make antisemitic remarks, Markstein contended, pointing out the RJC supports primary challengers to Republicans in Congress who make such discriminatory comments. "Unfortunately, there are too many on the Democratic side that don't seem to want to follow that path and want to either run and hide or issue mealy-mouthed responses that piss everybody off," Markstein told VOA. Although Jews constitute only 2.4% of the U.S. adult population, they are more likely to vote than the general registered voting population and to make political donations. "The Jewish vote in those [swing] states is going to be the decisive [factor]," Markstein predicted. The Republicans tend to draw most of their Jewish strength from the religious Orthodox, the fastest-growing but still smallest Jewish community among the three largest denominations. Most Orthodox Jews strongly support Israel. "Day after day, the administration's response gets less and less supportive of Israel," Markstein contended. A majority of Conservative and Reform Jews tend to vote for Democrats and are more open-minded about a two-state solution in the Middle East that would create a sovereign Palestine. "To retain Jewish support, Biden's campaign needs to keep doing exactly what they're doing standing strong with Israel, against antisemitism and behind the American Jewish community," Mellman said. "That's exactly what I think American Jews are looking for at this very difficult time. It's exactly what the president is doing." VOA White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara contributed to this report. BUDAPEST, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Hungarian Minister for National Economy Marton Nagy shared his vision of partnering with China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework in the upcoming decade. "Let's carry on our cooperation, and more importantly, our friendship," he said. Hungary is the first European country to sign a BRI cooperation agreement with China. Several high-quality projects have brought strong vitality to the bilateral relationship, Nagy said Thursday at a conference focused on high-quality cooperation between China and Hungary under the BRI framework. The cooperation between China and Hungary covers a broad range of areas, including infrastructure, new energy, trade, logistics and the digital sphere. It has bolstered Hungary's development and benefited both peoples, said the minister at the conference co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency and Hungary's ATV Media Group in Budapest. Liu Hongcai, deputy head of the Chinese Association for International Understanding, said that by respecting each other's development paths, promoting practical cooperation in various fields, and enhancing mutual learning, China and Hungary have contributed to the exchanges between Eastern and Western civilizations. As China and Hungary prepare to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year, experts at the conference said both sides also anticipate the start of another "golden decade" of jointly expanding the Belt and Road cooperation. Erno Peto, president of the Chinese Hungarian Chamber of Economy, said Hungary's role in the economic relations between Central and Eastern Europe and China will be more important than ever. Under the framework of the BRI, Hungary could act as a platform for European Union market access, a logistic hub and a financial center for Chinese businesses, Peto said. According to guests at the conference, the successful integration between the BRI and Hungary's "Opening to the East" policy has created a strong dynamic for strengthening both countries' economic ties. "Communication and understanding form the basis of all successful relationships," said ATV's CEO Tamas Kovacs. Underscoring the importance of the media's role in promoting cultural exchanges and enhancing mutual understanding, Kovacs said media cooperation could lay a solid foundation for strengthening bilateral economic relations. "By better knowing and understanding each other, we could build lasting common values," he said. The joint building of the Belt and Road is "a great cause," said Liang Linchong, deputy head of the Department of Regional Opening-up with China's National Development and Reform Commission. "We hope that the two sides will carry out more practical cooperation for more fruitful results that can stand the test of history and create a brighter future for their Belt and Road cooperation," Liang said. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has a lot of cleaning up to do. Khan, who made history Saturday by becoming the city's first mayor elected to a third term, has pledged to make the River Thames swimmable. It wasn't a top campaign issue, but it's an audacious goal considering the waterway was declared biologically dead not long before his birth in the city in 1970 and flows as an open sewer of sorts when heavy rains overwhelm London's ancient plumbing system. Taming the Thames would not be Khans first swim upstream. His narrative is built around overcoming the odds. As he frequently points out, he is the son of a bus driver and a seamstress from Pakistan. He grew up in a three-bedroom public housing apartment with seven siblings in South London. He attended a rough school and went on to study law. He was a human rights lawyer before he was elected to Parliament in 2005 as a member of the center-left Labor Party, representing the area where he grew up. In 2016, he became the first Muslim leader of a major Western capital, overcoming an opponent whose mayoral campaign was at least somewhat Islamophobic, said Patrick Diamond, a public policy professor at Queen Mary University of London. It was seen as an affirmation of him in terms of his status as a leading Muslim politician, but also as an affirmation of London in terms of its diversity, its liberalism, its cosmopolitanism, Diamond said. That was significant in a country which doesnt historically have a very strong track record for having diversity in its senior politicians. Khan has faced subtle and overt discrimination throughout his career due to his ethnicity and religion. Some of the sharpest barbs have come from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has feuded with him since Khan assailed Trump's campaign pledge in 2015 to ban Muslims from entering the United States. During a campaign rally Wednesday in Wisconsin, Trump said London and Paris were no longer recognizable after they opened their doors to jihad. Khan, who has referred to Trump as the poster boy for racists, responded by saying Thursday's election was a chance to "choose hope over fear and unity over division. One of the things that he does incredibly well, and I would defy anyone to disagree with this, is representing Londons different and diverse communities, said Jack Brown, a lecturer in London studies at King's College London. He hasnt got absolutely everything right, but he is kind of a bringer together of different communities. Khan, who was ahead of the national Labor Party in calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, has taken a lot of flak for large pro-Palestinian marches in the city since the Israel-Hamas war. But he's also known for speaking out against antisemitism and for building bridges with Jewish leaders, Brown said. Despite his success at the polls, Khan is not an incredibly popular mayor. Hes been blamed for a lot of problems, many of which are beyond his control. The mayor of London doesnt have the authority of mayors in Paris or New York because power is shared with the citys 32 boroughs and the financial district. Khan has a 20-billion-pound ($25 billion) budget that primarily goes toward transport, policing and working with councils and developers to achieve his affordable housing targets that he has fallen far short of meeting. Borough councils are responsible for schools, rubbish collection, social services and public housing. His time in office has been overshadowed by crises: first the U.K.'s break from the European Union, which weakened London's thriving financial services industry, and then the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a cost-of-living crisis. He has touted measures he put in place such as freezing rail and bus fares and providing free meals for all primary school pupils among his biggest achievements. Khan has deflected much criticism by blaming his difficulties on a Conservative government that has impeded his plans. He said a projected win by Labor in a national election later this year would change his fortunes. For too long weve had a government that appears to be anti-London, that thinks the way to level up our country, to make it more equal, is make London poorer, Khan told The Associated Press. But Diamond said a Labor government will face the same fiscal problems as the current administration and is unlikely to suddenly make Khan's life easier. You cant always play the party politics card, Diamond said. The general sense in London is that Sadiq Khan does that too often. Or you can blame the Conservative government once or twice, but if its your only message, I think people maybe get a little bit tired and switch off to some extent. Khan has been criticized by opponents for a rise in crime particularly incidents involving knives. He has responded by pledging more support for programs that work with youths to prevent crime while blaming government funding cuts. In the outer suburbs, Khan has come under fire for expanding the citys Ultra Low Emission Zone that fines drivers of more-polluting older cars 12.50 pounds (about $16) a day. Although the policy was introduced in central London in 2015 by his predecessor, Boris Johnson, it has widely been attributed to Khan because of its unpopular expansion, although it only applies to a small fraction of vehicles. His main opponent, Susan Hall, a London Assembly member, vowed to stop the war on motorists and scrap the program on her first day in office if elected. Khan, who has made cleaning up London's air pollution a personal mission since he developed asthma as an adult, considers those efforts among his biggest wins. Making the Thames swimmable in the next decade would expand his mission from clean air to clean water. Brown said that might be a more tangible achievement given that air pollution is often invisible but it's probably not something that won over a lot of voters. Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor's office said Saturday. While there has not yet been confirmation based on forensic examination, physical characteristics including hair means there is a high likelihood that the bodies are those of the three tourists, local TV network Milenio reported, citing chief state prosecutor Maria Elena Andrade Ramirez. "It is presumed that (the bodies) are the ones being investigated," an employee of the state prosecutors' office who was not authorized to be quoted by name told The Associated Press. "A fourth body was located. It is not related to the three foreigners. The fourth body had been there for a long time," the official added. The site where the bodies were discovered near the township of Santo Tomas was near the remote seaside area where the missing men's tents and truck were found Thursday on a remote stretch of coast. The men identified by family members as brothers Jake and Callum Robinson from Australia and American Jack Carter Rhoad went missing Saturday. They did not show up at their planned accommodations over the weekend. The U.S. State Department said, "we are aware of those reports (of bodies) and are closely monitoring the situation. At this time, we have no further comment." Baja California prosecutors had said Thursday that they were questioning three people in the case. On Friday, the office said the three had been arrested and charged with a crime equivalent to kidnapping. It was unclear if they might face more charges. Maria Elena Andrade Ramirez, the chief state prosecutor, said evidence found along with the abandoned tents was linked to the three people being questioned about the missing foreigners. Supporters of two U.S. nationals seen as unjustly imprisoned overseas are raising concerns about what they see as a murky process by which the U.S. government decides whether to designate such individuals as wrongfully detained. Granting a wrongful detention designation to a U.S. national means the U.S. special envoy for hostage affairs is authorized to work with a coalition of government and private sector organizations to secure the detainee's freedom. Hostage rights advocates and relatives of the two U.S. nationals jailed in Iran and Russia tell VOA they want answers as to why the pair have been waiting months or years for a wrongful detention designation, while other Americans jailed in the same two countries have received the designation much more quickly. Designations are granted if a review by the secretary of state concludes that the U.S. national's case meets criteria defined in the Levinson Act of 2020. One U.S. national whose case has been under review for years is 62-year-old retired Iranian ship captain Shahab Dalili. After immigrating to the U.S. with his family in 2014 upon being granted permanent residency, he returned to Iran in 2016 to attend his father's funeral and was arrested. Iranian authorities sentenced Dalili to 10 years in prison for allegedly cooperating with a hostile government, a reference to the U.S. His family denies the charge. While not a U.S. citizen, Dalili is considered a "U.S. national" under the Levinson Act, by virtue of his lawful permanent resident status. The other U.S. national, whose case has been under review for months, is Alsu Kurmasheva, a 47-year-old U.S.-Russian dual citizen and Prague-based journalist with VOA sister network RFE/RL. Kurmasheva had traveled to Russia last year to visit her elderly mother, but authorities blocked her from departing in June and confiscated her U.S. and Russian passports. They jailed her in October and charged her with failing to register as a foreign agent and with spreading falsehoods about the Russian military, offenses punishable by up to 10 years in prison. RFE/RL and the U.S. Agency for Global Media say the charges were filed in reprisal for Kurmasheva's work as a journalist. Asked about Kurmasheva at a Tuesday news briefing, U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said the Biden administration remains "deeply concerned" about her detention and believes she should be released. He said a "deliberative and fact-driven process" is underway regarding a wrongful detention designation in her case, but he declined to elaborate. Speaking with reporters last August, Patel said Dalili's case "has not yet been determined wrongfully detained" and declined to say more. There has been no update since then, Dalili's son Darian told VOA. In contrast to the unresolved status of Dalili's eight-year detention, two Iranian Americans whom Iran freed from detention last September in a prisoner exchange with the U.S., and whom U.S. officials declined to name, received wrongful detention designations in what appears to be a relatively quick time. The two individuals, whose backgrounds are revealed for the first time in this report as a result of a VOA open-source investigation, are San Diego-based international aid worker Fary Moini and Boston-based biologist Reza Behrouzi of Generate:Biomedicines. Moini and Behrouzi were among five Americans released by Iran in the September exchange. The first indications that the two had been detained in Iran came from images of them published by news outlets and by White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan as the group traveled to the U.S. via Qatar. A day later, Iran's NourNews site named the two previously unidentified Americans as "Reza Behrouzi" and "Fakhr al-Sadat Moini," but gave no detail of their backgrounds. NourNews spelled Moini's first name differently than "Fary," the name she uses publicly in the U.S. U.S. officials said all five of the Americans had been designated as wrongfully detained, including three previously known detainees who had been jailed for years: Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz and Emad Sharghi. VOA contacted the State Department to ask when, where and why Moini and Behrouzi were detained in Iran, but it declined to provide an on-the-record response. Neither of the two responded to VOA requests for comment sent by email and through their social media profiles. But Behrouzi and Moini were active on their Facebook and X accounts until three months and 11 months respectively before their release, indicating both were detained for less than a year. An online newsletter published on May 10 by San Diegos Rotary Club of La Jolla Golden Triangle, of which Moini is a member, revealed some details of her ordeal. It said she visited Iran in the spring of 2023 to see family members residing there, but the visit resulted in a surprising turn of events. The magazine said Moini returned to the U.S. a bit later than planned and many people and countries were involved. It said she and fellow Rotary Club member Steve Brown would share their respective stories about what transpired in a closed-door meeting with other club members on May 10. Upon hearing from VOA about the State Department's silence on Moini's and Behrouzi's detentions in Iran, Darian Dalili said he believes "something is not right" about how they got their designations. "I think a lot of it has to do with the prominent status of these two people, whereas my father [Shahab Dalili] is a regular father of two," the younger Dalili said. Nizar Zakka a Lebanese American who spent almost four years in what the U.S. said was unjust detention in Iran until being freed in 2019 has urged the Biden administration to seek Shahab Dalili's release as a wrongfully detained U.S. national. Zakka told VOA he was happy that Moini and Behrouzi were released. But he said their attainment of wrongful detention designations in what appears to be a matter of months, while Dalili has waited years without securing that status, shows the designation process is not transparent. "The public has a right to know how two people freed by Iran in return for the U.S. unfreezing a huge sum of Iranian funds got their designations, whereas Dalili has not," Zakka said. "U.S. nationals like Dalili also should not be left behind," he added. Russian American journalist Kurmasheva's wait for a U.S. decision on whether she is wrongfully detained after more than six months of Russian imprisonment also contrasts with the case of American reporter Evan Gershkovich of The Wall Street Journal. Gershkovich was arrested in Russia on March 29, 2023, on spying charges while working in the country as an accredited journalist. Twelve days later, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced his determination that Gershkovich was wrongfully detained. Kurmasheva's husband, Pavel Butorin, told VOA he does not know why Gershkovich got his designation so quickly while his wife continues to wait. "The designation of Evan's detention as wrongful was the right thing to do," Butorin said. "But the designation process is opaque, and I don't know where we are in it. I do know the State Department will prioritize those individuals formally designated as wrongfully detained in a prisoner exchange, so the designation is important for Alsu." Hostage rights advocate Diane Foley, president of U.S. nonprofit group Foley Foundation, told VOA she believes a big factor in Kurmasheva's wait for a designation is her dual citizenship. Foley said Gershkovich's case for a designation was clearer because he is solely a U.S. citizen. She said Kurmasheva's Russian citizenship means she is subject to Russian media regulations that the U.S. must examine to determine if she is jailed in violation of the detaining country's own law, one of the criteria of the Levinson Act. "That is what slows everything down," Foley said. "But we are pushing for Alsu to get the designation because she is a press freedom advocate and there is no excuse for Russia to retaliate by detaining her on a technicality." The largest dam removal project in U.S. history was completed Wednesday, marking a major victory for tribes in the region who fought for decades to free hundreds of miles of the Klamath River near the California-Oregon border. Through protests, testimony and lawsuits, local tribes showcased the environmental devastation due to the four towering hydroelectric dams, especially to salmon, which are culturally and spiritually significant to tribes in the region. The dams cut salmon off from their historic habitat and caused them to die in alarming numbers because of bad water-quality conditions. Without the tribes' work "to point out the damage that these dams were doing, not only to the environment, but to the social and cultural fabric of these tribal nations, there would be no dam removal," said Mark Bransom, chief executive of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, the nonprofit entity created to oversee the project. Power company PacifiCorp built the dams to generate electricity between 1918 and 1962. But the structures halted the natural flow of the waterway that was once known as the third-largest salmon-producing river on the West Coast. They disrupted the life cycle of the region's salmon, which spend most of their life in the Pacific Ocean but return to the chilly mountain streams to lay eggs. At the same time, the dams produced only a small fraction of PacifiCorp's energy at full capacity enough to power about 70,000 homes. They also didn't provide irrigation, drinking water or flood control, according to Klamath River Renewal Corporation. Since breaching the dams, salmon regained access to their habitat, water temperature decreased and its quality improved, said Michael Belchik, senior water policy analyst for the Yurok Tribe. But tribal advocates and activists see their work as far from finished, with some already refocusing their efforts on revegetation and other restoration work on the Klamath River and the surrounding land. Here's a look at just a few of the many tribal members at the center of this struggle for dam removal: 'I really felt an urgency' When Karuk tribal member Molli Myers took her first major step into the fight for Klamath dam removal, she was six months pregnant, had a toddler in tow and was in a foreign country for the first time. It was 2004 and she had organized a group of about 25 tribal members to fly to Scotland for the annual general stockholders meeting for Scottish Power, PacifiCorp's parent company at the time. For hours, they protested outside with signs, sang and played drums. They cooked fish on Calton Hill over a fire of scotch barrels and gave it out to locals as they explained why they were there. "I really felt an urgency because I was having babies," said Myers, who was born and raised in the middle Klamath in a traditional fishing family. "And so for me I was internalizing the responsibility to take care of their future." The initial trigger for her to act came two years before that when she saw some of the tens of thousands of salmon die in the river from a bacterial outbreak caused by low water and warm temperatures. "Looking back on it now I wonder where would we be if that hadn't happened," said Myers, 41. "Looking back on it now I can say, 'Was this our creator's call to action?' " She spent the next two decades protesting and flooding state and federal meetings with tribal testimony, including waiting with other tribal members at the doors of a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting at 4 a.m. in 2007 to ask Warren Buffett what he was going to do about the dams. PacifiCorp was at that point part of Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. conglomerate. Today, those same children with her in Scotland are 21 and 19, and with the dams gone Myers said she sees the hope they and her other three children have about the future. "They can do whatever needs to get done because they saw it happen, they lived it, so now there's no impossible for them," she said. 'His vision became reality' For Yurok elder Jacqueline Winter, her feelings on the newly free-flowing river are more complicated. The 89-year-old's son, Troy Fletcher, was the tribe's point person for dam removal for two decades, testifying in front of the U.S. Congress and presenting to state and federal regulatory committees. But his true power came through his ability to bring people with radically conflicting viewpoints from farmers to commercial fishers to tribal members together. Winter said that came from his belief that everyone living along the river are relatives and deserve to be heard. "We're all family. None of us can be left hurting and all of us have to give a little," she said was his message. But at 53, the former executive director for the Yurok Tribe died unexpectedly from a heart attack, nearly a decade before that vision of a free-flowing river would finally be realized. Winter said when she saw the dams breached last month, it felt like his spirit was there through those he touched and she could finally let him go. "His vision became reality and I think he never doubted it," she said. "He never doubted it. And those who worked closely with him never doubted it." 'Protect those fish' Former Klamath Tribes Chairman Jeff Mitchell's work since the 1970s for dam removal came out of the belief that the salmon are their relatives. "They were gifted to us by our creator and given to us to preserve and to protect and also to help give us life," said Mitchell, chair of the tribe's Culture and Heritage Committee. "As such, the creator also instructed us to make sure that we do everything in our power to protect those fish." The Klamath River's headwaters lie on the tribe's homelands in Oregon, and members once depended on salmon for 25% of their food. But for more than a century their waters have not held any salmon, he said. Mitchell and other tribal members' fight to bring them back has cycled through several forms. There were the years of protesting, even gathering carcasses of fish after the 2002 fish kill and leaving them on the doorsteps of federal office buildings. There were his days of walking the halls of the state Legislature in Salem, Oregon, meeting with lawmakers about the millions in funding needed to make dam removal happen. Today, he said he feels like they achieved the impossible, but there's still more work to do. "I'm happy that the dams are gone and we have passage," he said. "But now I'm thinking about what are those fish coming home to. And that's really the focus now, is how do we get the parties to start taking restoration actions and making that the top priority in all of this?" Gunmen from criminal gangs killed 25 people when they raided four villages in northwestern Nigeria in reprisals over military offensives on their hideouts, a local security official said Friday. The attacks on Thursday took place in Katsina State, one of the regions in northwest Nigeria hit by armed gangs known locally as bandits who carry out mass kidnappings for ransom and looting raids on villages. Bandit militias stormed the villages of Unguwar Sarki, Gangara, Tafi and Kore in Sabuwa district late on Thursday, opening fire on residents, said Nasiru Babangida, Katsina state internal security commissioner. "Twenty-five people were killed in the attacks on the four communities, 19 of them in Unguwar Sarki village alone," Babangida told local radio. Several residents were injured while others were kidnapped by the criminals, he said. "Most of those killed were vigilantes who came out to confront the bandits." Many communities in northwest Nigeria have formed self-defense vigilante forces to fight off bandits in remote areas with little state presence, and the two sides are locked in a spiral of tit-for-tat killings and reprisals. The bandits raided the villages in response to ongoing military offensives against their camps in the area and in neighboring Kaduna state where they have suffered a large number of casualties, Babangida said. "The attacks were in retaliation for the aerial bombings of their camps in Katsina and Kaduna states that have killed more than 200 of them," he said. The gangs who maintain camps in vast forests straddling Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Niger states have made headlines for mass kidnappings of students from schools in recent years. Bandits have no ideological leaning and are motivated by financial gains but there has been concern from analysts and officials over their increasing alliance with jihadists waging a 15-year armed rebellion in the northeast of Nigeria. The World Food Program warned Friday that time is running out to prevent starvation in Sudan's Darfur region, as intensifying clashes in North Darfur's capital are preventing aid deliveries to the wider Darfur region. "The situation is dire," WFP Sudan spokesperson Leni Kinzli told reporters in a briefing from Nairobi, Kenya. "People are resorting to consuming grass and peanut shells, and if assistance doesn't reach them soon, we risk witnessing widespread starvation and death in Darfur and across other conflict areas in Sudan." The WFP estimates that more than 1.7 million people across Darfur are experiencing the highest levels of hunger and food insecurity. The United Nations has been among the voices warning that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have encircled and are poised to attack North Darfur's capital, El Fasher. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have positions inside the city but are besieged by the RSF. So are about 1.5 million residents, including about 800,000 internally displaced persons. Airstrikes and shelling are exacerbating El Fasher's hunger emergency. The United Nations estimates 330,000 people are facing crisis levels of food insecurity in the city due to a shortage of food items and soaring prices. Inside North Darfur's Zamzam camp, one of the largest displacement camps in Sudan, Doctors Without Borders said this week that the situation is catastrophic, especially for children. Of more than 46,000 children screened, the charity found 30% suffering from acute malnutrition and 8% suffering from life-threatening severe acute malnutrition. The two border crossings that humanitarians used to reach Darfur from neighboring Chad have been closed. Aid convoys using the Tine crossing have been suspended because of the fighting in El Fasher, while Sudan's government has stopped aid trucks going through the Adre crossing because it fears the RSF will use the crossing to smuggle weapons into Darfur. Kinzli said that before the recent fighting, WFP had planned several convoys from Chad with assistance for 700,000 people across Darfur. The delivery would have lasted many of them for two to three months, through the approaching rainy season, she said. "Beyond that, we were hoping to scale up and ramp up even more, but now with these access constraints, with the security concerns as well as these bureaucratic restrictions, it makes it difficult for us at the moment," she said. Fears of atrocities El Fasher is the only city in Darfur that the RSF has not captured. An impending battle could unleash atrocities similar to those of the genocide carried out by Arab Janjaweed fighters against African Zaghawa, Masalit, Fur and other non-Arab ethnic groups in Darfur in the early 2000s. Janjaweed fighters make up today's RSF. Analysts at the Yale University Humanitarian Research Lab are tracking the situation using satellites and other resources. They said in a report Thursday that 23 communities north and west of El Fasher have been intentionally burned to the ground in the past five weeks. The fate of the residents is not known. The researchers say the location of the communities is consistent with satellite imagery they have analyzed showing that the RSF has advanced in those directions. "We additionally have evidence they are also in the eastern side of El Fasher, and we are currently monitoring RSF forces moving from the south, from Nyala," Nathaniel Raymond, executive director of the lab, told VOA. Nyala is the capital of South Darfur state. "At present we are seeing snapshots of their force strength," he said. "In certain cases, we have seen battalion- to regiment-size force massings. In some cases, including over a hundred vehicles." The fact that the RSF has not yet attacked El Fasher demonstrates that international pressure can be an effective tool, Raymond said. "RSF could have moved earlier; they have not yet," he said. "We have to use this moment to pull RSF forces back and to create a humanitarian envelope in which aid can be delivered first in El Fasher and then into the interior of Darfur." He said time is running out, as the rainy season is about to start. On Saturday, March 2, at 2:20 a.m., Serhii Gadarzhi woke up to a drone approaching his apartment building in Odesa, Ukraine. He heard an explosion just outside his windows and rushed to his 2-year-old daughter's bedroom. She was there. He grabbed the child, wrapped her in a blanket and went to check on his wife and their 4-month-old son. "The door was open. There was nothing behind it just emptiness. My Anichka is gone. My boy Timosha is gone," Gadarzhi relates on the Odesa Baptist YouTube channel. Their bodies were found in the rubble after almost 24 hours of searching. All seven floors had collapsed on top of his wife and the baby sleeping on her chest, Gadarzhi said. That Russian attack with Iranian-made drones killed 12 people, including five children and seven adults. "I want to say to Mr. James Michael Johnson: Dear brother, we have a war going on. A terrible war. And so many believers, brothers and sisters, are being killed. Little children are being killed. Help is very important to us. Especially military help because if there were a missile to shoot down that drone, the drone wouldn't have flown in our house," he says on the video. Johnson, speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, had for months delayed bringing to the floor of the House a bill providing $61 billion in aid for Ukraine, including ammunition for its air defense systems. The bill was finally approved on April 20 despite resistance from some members of Johnson's own Republican Party. Just three days before the vote, Gadarzhi, a Ukrainian Baptist and son-in-law of a local Baptist pastor, told his story to Johnson in person. Gadarzhi told VOA that the speaker already knew about his family's tragedy. "One can see in his eyes that he was compassionate, that he wanted to support us and his response was very sincere," he said. That meeting followed eight months of behind-the-scenes efforts by Ukrainian Protestants and their allies in the United States to tell Republican members of Congress about the suffering of the faithful at the hands of the Russian forces in the occupied portions of Ukraine. Steven Moore, an Oklahoma native, was behind some of these efforts. He worked as a chief of staff in the House of Representatives to a leading Republican member for seven years, after which he lived in Ukraine for a year. When Russia invaded Ukraine, he was visiting his mother in Tulsa but was back in Ukraine on day five of the full-scale invasion. Moore founded the Ukraine Freedom Project NGO (UFP), which began delivering food and supplies to the front for the residents and Ukraine's armed forces. Through his work, he learned about abuses inflicted on Ukrainian civilians by the Russian occupying forces, but one story struck him. Victor, an Evangelical pastor from Lugansk, was evacuating a group of civilians, including a pregnant woman and a baby, when Russians stopped his car and took him to a basement. "They tortured him for 25 days, including one day when they were torturing him with an electrical Taser. And a Russian Orthodox priest was standing over him, trying to cast demons out of him because he was an Evangelical Christian. It blew my mind," Moore told VOA. He shared this story with a friend, Karl Ahlgren, a fellow Oklahoman and former chief of staff of a Republican congressman. "When the full-scale invasion started, Republicans in particular were pretty supportive of Ukraine, and then their support waned. We had to regroup and figure out what we could do to get the right message out to Republicans," said Ahlgren, who joined UFP as a vice president for public policy. Beginning in September 2023, Moore, Ahlgren and their Chief Operating Officer Anna Shvetsova met with about 100 members of Congress and their staff, telling them about the persecution of Ukrainian Protestants by Russians. UFP conducted a survey that showed 70% of Evangelical Christians who vote Republican are more likely to support Ukraine if they learn about Russia torturing and murdering people of their faith, Moore said. They were surprised to discover that most members of Congress knew nothing about it. "Of the people we met with, there were probably three or four who knew some of the things we were talking about," Ahlgren said. Moore said the group "had video of people talking about being tortured, and we would show these videos to members of Congress, to their staff, and they would tear up." Other organizations, including the advocacy group Razom for Ukraine, joined the effort. "I'm an American Baptist. I was shocked, in particular, that so many Baptist churches in occupied Ukraine have been harassed," said Melinda Haring, a senior adviser for Razom for Ukraine. "More than 26 pastors have been killed since the full-scale war, and 400 Baptist congregations have lost their premises or some of their property." She said that at the meetings with the members of Congress and their staffers, she and her colleagues provided statistics of damage caused by Russia to the Ukrainian Christians, told personal stories and prayed together. Some efforts specifically targeted Johnson, a Southern Baptist from Louisiana. "We sponsored a billboard with Mike Johnson's favorite Bible verse," Haring said. "It's a passage from the Book of Esther. Esther is before her uncle Mordecai, and she's afraid to see the king; if she goes and sees the king without his permission, she can be killed, and Mordecai says, 'You were chosen for a time like this.' "We learned that Mike Johnson believed he was chosen to be the speaker of the House for an important time. So, our billboard had a picture of a destroyed Baptist church in Berdiansk with that Bible quote." Razom placed six of the billboards in Louisiana, including one in front of Johnson's Cypress Baptist Church in Shreveport. Razom, UFP and other organizations cosponsored multiple trips by Ukrainian religious leaders to the United States and helped them to organize meetings with members of Congress. In November, 18 religious leaders and members of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations visited the United States. In early February, dozens of representatives of Ukrainian churches attended Ukrainian Week in Washington, organized around the National Prayer Breakfast. Then, four of them met with Johnson. "The meeting with the speaker was very warm, and the conversation was constructive," said Anatoliy Kozachok, the senior bishop of the Ukrainian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith. He said they handed Johnson two letters urging him to support Ukraine, one from all Ukrainian Christians and one from the Protestants. The speaker told them he and his colleagues were working hard to resolve the issue. "We felt united as people with the same values. There was a desire to help and to find a solution to the issue of aid for Ukraine," Kozachok told VOA. Another meeting participant, Valeriy Antonyuk, head of the All-Ukrainian Union of Evangelical Christian Baptists, said the group discussed shared values with Johnson. "We Baptists have always defended everyone's right to practice their faith freely," he told VOA. The Ukrainian church leaders were far from the only ones bringing intense pressure on Johnson to defy much of his own party and allow the aid bill to come to a vote, and only Johnson knows how decisive their efforts were in his final decision. But with Ukrainian forces losing ground and desperately short of ammunition, the bill sailed through Congress on a vote of 311 to 112 and was signed into law by President Joe Biden on April 24, clearing the way for the military assistance to begin flowing again. The World Meteorological Organization warns that Tropical Cyclone Hidaya, which is projected to make landfall in Tanzania and Kenya this weekend, threatens to worsen the humanitarian crisis triggered by torrential rains in these and other heavily flooded countries in East Africa. Hidaya is the first documented system to have reached tropical cyclone status in this part of the world. We are not talking about Sudan. We are talking about lower and East Africa, WMO spokesperson Clare Nullis told journalists in Geneva on Friday. It is historically significant. It is also going to have a very big impact, and specifically on Tanzania, where the ground is already absolutely soddened. Tanzania, which has suffered flooding, is about to get hit with more heavy rains falling ... from this system. And the moisture in this tropical cyclone will also impact Kenya, where there is also very, very bad flooding, she said, noting that climate change was supercharging extreme weather. El Nino, which sparked heavy rains and severe flooding sweeping East Africa, is waning. Despite this, the WMO says this weather event still carries a big punch and is leading to more heavy rainfall, devastating floods and landslides in the East African region. While casualty figures continue to rise, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports this disaster so far has killed more than 400 people. This includes at least 210 in Kenya, more than 150 in Tanzania and others in Burundi, Rwanda and Somalia. OCHA reports heavy rains and floods in these five countries have affected more than 637,000 people, including 234,000 who are displaced. It says governments and humanitarian agencies are still assessing the damage and destruction of infrastructure, which is extensive. In terms of economic losses, it is still too early to say. When you look at the images of bridges and roads being swept away, it is going to be immense, said Nullis. The loss of livestock, the disruption of agriculture. It is a huge, huge investment. In an address to his nation Friday, Kenyan President William Ruto outlined a series of measures to deal with this emergency, noting that no corner of the country has been spared from this havoc. Sadly, we have not seen the last of this perilous period, as this situation is expected to escalate, he said. Meteorological reports paint a dire picture. The rains will persist, increasing both in duration and intensity for the rest of this month and possibly after. While all those caught in this disastrous event are suffering immense hardships, the U.N. refugee agency expresses particular concern about the welfare of thousands of refugees and other displaced people being forced to escape once again for their lives after their homes were washed away. In Kenya, nearly 20,000 people in the Dadaab refugee camps, which host over 380,000 refugees, have been displaced due to the rising water levels, said Olga Sarrado Mur, UNHCR spokesperson. Many of them are among those who arrived in the past couple of years after severe drought in neighboring Somalia. Some 4,000 people are currently sheltering in six schools with facilities that have been extensively damaged, she said. She noted that many of the tens of thousands of refugees in Tanzania, Burundi, and other hard-hit countries in the region have had to relocate multiple times as water levels continue to rise. She said many people are struggling to find shelter, to pay the rent, to earn enough money to feed themselves and their families. Climate change is making many parts of the world, especially in fragile regions like East Africa and the Horn of Africa, increasingly uninhabitable, said Sarrado Mur. Storms are more devastating. Wildfires have become commonplace. Floods and droughts are intensifying. Some of these impacts are irreversible and threaten to continue worsening, and displaced people are bearing the brunt of the impact, she said. The WMO reports early warning systems are critical in saving lives before natural disasters strike. It says these systems are more crucial than ever to protect people from the extreme weather conditions stemming from human-induced climate change. So, on tropical cyclones, we do have very, very good warnings these days in most parts of the world that enable evacuations to take place, said Nullis, underscoring that early warning systems enable what we call anticipatory action, which is sort of prepositioning by humanitarian agencies of relief supplies. Thanks to such actions, we have prevented a great loss of life in many regions of the world, she said. However, UNHCRs Sarrado Mur observed that many of the preparations resulting from early warnings often do not reach the most vulnerable communities, including refugees or other displaced communities, which often are in areas that are more exposed to these climate hazards. She emphasized the importance of providing funding to vulnerable peoples and the communities hosting them, so they can be equipped and be prepared, and so they can adapt to this new situation which is unfortunately the new reality. If a woman wins Mexico's presidency on June 2, would she rule with gender in mind? The question has been raised by academics, humans rights organizations and activists ahead of the voting that will likely elect Mexico's first female president for the term 2024-30. Out of three candidates, the frontrunner is Claudia Sheinbaum, who has promised to keep President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's legacy on track. Next comes Xochitl Galvez, representing several opposition parties, one of which is historically conservative. The triumph of Sheinbaum or Galvez, however, would not guarantee their support for certain gender-related policies. In a country of more than 98 million Catholics, neither of the two leading candidates has shared specific proposals on abortion. Both have suggested equality and protection measures for women amid a wave of violence and femicide. Here's a look at some of the challenges that Mexico's next president would face regarding abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. What's the current abortion landscape? Twelve of Mexico's 32 states have decriminalized abortion, most of them in the past five years. One more will join them after its legislature complies with a recent court's ruling, demanding a reform in its penal code. A few more states allow abortion if the mother's life is in danger, and it is legal nationwide if the pregnancy is the result of rape. Mexico's Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that national laws prohibiting abortions are unconstitutional and violate women's rights. The ruling, which extended Latin America's trend of widening abortion access, happened a year after the U.S. Supreme Court went in the opposite direction, overturning the 1973 ruling that established a nationwide right to abortion. Although the Mexican ruling orders the removal of abortion from the federal penal code and requires federal health institutions to offer the procedure to anyone who requests it, further state-by-state legal work is pending to remove all penalties. In most of the states where it has been decriminalized, abortion-rights activists say they face persistent challenges in trying to make abortion safe, accessible and government-funded. To address restrictions and bans, dozens of volunteers known as "acompanantes" have developed a nationwide network to share information on self-managed medication abortions following guidelines established by the World Health Organization. Could a new government strike down the constitutional right to abortion in Mexico? Whoever wins, the next president would not directly affect abortion legislation, since each state has autonomy over its penal code. However, the president could indeed have an impact as a moral authority among the members of his or her party, said Ninde Molina, lawyer at Abortistas MX, an organization specializing in abortion litigation strategies. "Much of the governors' behavior emulates what the president does," Molina said. She's among the activists who worry that neither Sheinbaum nor Galvez have shared specific proposals addressing abortion, LGBTQ+ rights and the protection of migrants. "Such lukewarm proposals send the message that these are not fundamental rights," Molina said. And though she wouldn't immediately worry about a setback on abortion policy, the scenario would change if Lopez Obrador or Sheinbaum manage to get the approval of a judiciary reform aiming to replace the current judges with new ones elected by popular vote. "The court is also in danger," Molina said. "People may find this (electing the judges) attractive, but they don't realize what it entails." If, for example, an abortion case reaches the Supreme Court and its current composition has changed, then a setback could indeed happen, Molina said. What do the conservatives think? Isaac Alonso, from Viva Mexico Movement, which supported right-wing activist Eduardo Verastegui' s presidential aspirations, thinks that neither Sheinbaum nor Galvez represent Mexico's conservative interests. In his ranks, he said, no one is in favor of criminalizing women who have abortions. But since they firmly believe that abortion is unjustifiable, they would hope for government policies that encourage births through improvements in the adoption system. Rodrigo Ivan Cortes, director of the National Family Front, an anti-abortion group, said the current administration could not be considered an ally. "Before 2018, abortion had only been approved in Mexico City," he said. "It is very relevant to say how the Supreme Court, under the leadership of Arturo Saldivar, had an ideological bias," said Cortes about a judge who currently advises Sheinbaum. Still, he said, despite who wins the elections, his organization will continue "to take care of the first and fundamental of rights: life." What's needed to rule with a feminist perspective? "Just because a woman wins does not guarantee a gender perspective at all," said Pauline Capdevielle, an academic from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. "In fact, what we are seeing are strategies by conservative sectors to create a facade of feminism that opposes the feminist tradition." A true change, Capdevielle said, would start by integrating feminists into the government. "It is not about putting women where there were none, but about politicizing these issues and really promoting a transformation." Some feminists have shown support for Sheinbaum, but both she and Lopez Obrador have also received criticism for their lack of empathy towards women who protest against gender violence. Amnesty International and other organizations have denounced excessive use of force against women during International Women's Day protests and say that Mexican women's right to protest has been stigmatized. According to Capdevielle, some of the issues that need to be addressed in Mexico's gender agenda are reproductive justice and women's participation in political processes. "The right to get an abortion must be consolidated," she said. "It is far from being a reality for all women." Comprehensive sexual education, access to contraceptives and the rights of the LGBTQ+ community should be prioritized as well, Capdevielle said. What about LGBTQ+ rights? "The needs of this community are not likely to figure prominently in Mexico's presidential elections," said Cristian Gonzalez Cabrera, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch. Gay and transgender populations are regularly attacked and killed in Mexico, a nation marked by its "macho" culture and highly religious population. Human rights organization Letra S documented more than 500 homicides of LGBTQ+ people in the last six years, 58 of them in 2023. The latest deaths came in 2024, with the murder of three members of the transgender community. This group, along with migrants, are particularly vulnerable to attacks, Gonzalez Cabrera said. "LGBT migrants continue to suffer abuse from criminal groups and Mexican officials," he said. "Too often, these human rights violations are not effectively investigated or punished." Sheinbaum said in 2023 that, as Mexico City's mayor, she created a special unit for trans people and said that her dream would be to continue fighting on behalf of sexual diversity, but did not go into specifics. As for Galvez, she showed support for women "from the sexual diversity," but also did not delve into specifics. Gonzalez Cabrera highlights that since 2022 all Mexican states recognize same-sex marriage, but some LGBTQ+ rights are not yet guaranteed nationwide. "There are 11 states where the legal recognition of gender identity for trans people is not possible through administrative means, despite a Supreme Court's ruling recognizing this right," he said. For there to be an agenda in favor of the LGBTQ+ population, Gonzalez Cabrera said, a government should approach the communities' organizations to learn about their needs, allocate resources to address violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity, support LGBTQ+ migrants and encourage local governments to align their legislation with the court's rulings on their rights. The torrential rains and deadly floods that have hit Kenya since March have been some of the most catastrophic in the country in recent years. At least 169 people have died due to the heavy rains, with at least 91 missing, according to the latest government figures. In the most tragic single event, at least 48 people were killed on Monday after water blew through a blocked river tunnel under a railway line in southwestern Kenya, causing a flash flood. The rain has displaced more than 190,000 people and damaged roads and other infrastructure. The devastating rains are a result of a mix of factors, including the country's seasonal weather patterns, human-caused climate change as well as natural weather phenomena. Here's how they combined to create the deadly deluge. What is Kenya's 'long rains' season? Kenya and some other parts of eastern Africa have two main rainfall periods: the "long rains" season of March to May, and the "short rains" season of October to December. The "long rains" season is when most of the country's average annual rainfall occurs. It's often characterized by torrential rains, and sometimes goes up to June. In its forecast for this year's "long rains" season, the Kenya Meteorological Department predicted above-average rainfall in many parts of the country, with occasional storms in some. It also warned of flash floods, landslides, mudslides and other impacts. Last year's "short rains" season was characterized by severe storms in many parts of the country, particularly in November. Lamu, Mombasa and Garissa counties received nearly three times their long-term average rainfall, according to the meteorological department. Why is the rain so intense this time? The frequency, patterns and intensity of rainfall in Kenya are influenced by naturally occurring climate systems like the Indian Ocean Dipole. The Indian Ocean Dipole is a swinging of sea surface temperatures that makes the western Indian Ocean warmer than average then colder than average than those of the eastern Indian Ocean. It has positive, neutral and negative phases. The positive phase causes heavy rainfall in areas west of the Indian Ocean, such as Kenya, and droughts in Indonesia and Australia. While many people have linked the current floods to the naturally occurring El Nino weather phenomenon, research shows that the climate event has little influence on rainfall over East Africa during the "long rains" season, said Joyce Kimutai, research associate at Imperial College London. El Nino is the warming of the ocean over the Pacific Ocean, which changes the routes for storms and it can cause heavy rainfall in some parts of the world and droughts in others. But in Kenya's case, it's highly likely that the positive Indian Ocean Dipole and climate change explain the ongoing flood-inducing rainfall, she said. Warmer oceans caused by the hotter atmosphere increase evaporation, and air holding more moisture can produce more intense rainfall. In an analysis in December last year, Kimutai and colleagues from World Weather Attribution, a group of scientists that analyze whether climate change played a role in extreme weather, found that human-caused climate change had made last year's "short rains" season in Kenya and other parts of eastern Africa up to two times more intense. When will the 'long rains' end? It's become difficult to predict long-term weather in Kenya in recent years, as the onset and duration of dry and wet seasons increasingly change. The Kenya Meteorological Department expects the "long rains" season to continue into June. In its latest seven-day weather forecast, which it released Monday, the department said it expects rainfall to continue in several parts of the country, with heavy downpour likely to occur in six regions, as well as flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in steep slopes. OTTAWA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese embassy in Canada expressed "strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition" to the baseless accusation of "China's interference in Canada's internal affairs," according to its spokesperson on Friday. The initial report released by Canada's Foreign Interference Commission on Friday launched a scathing attack on countries including China, Russia and India, accusing them of interfering in Canada's 2019 and 2021 general elections. "We have never meddled in Canada's internal affairs, nor do we have any intention to do so. The attempts by certain Canadian politicians to shift blame onto China for their own electoral failures are unfair and unethical, revealing their self-serving and shameless nature," the spokesperson said, adding that China has consistently upheld the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs. The report is riddled with contradictions and ideological bias and lacks credibility. It uses terms like "may," "might," "potential" and other misleading words. It claims to derive conclusions from "intelligence" yet also states that the intelligence has not been proven. "Not all of the information provided below necessarily has been corroborated or fully assessed." The spokesperson said that such contradictory statements undermine the Report's validity and suggest a deliberate attempt to mislead the public. Canada has a record of grossly interfering in China's domestic affairs on issues concerning China's core interests, including Taiwan, Xinjiang, Xizang and Hong Kong, the spokesperson added. It seeks to undermine China's security and stability by overtly and covertly condoning and supporting separatist activities. These are clear and well-grounded facts. According to the spokesperson, Canada's actions are akin to a thief calling on others to catch a thief. "We urge the Canadian side to respect the facts, abandon ideological bias, and stop groundlessly attacking China," the spokesperson said. Look, you cant be doing a sexy gay history show and suddenly drop us into a random room with a man weve never seen before who talks with some other new guy about the Spanish and a battle we also have no idea about. These men dont even make out. Would I want them to? Probably not, but it would be better than their inscrutable conversation, which is followed by one of them stabbing the other in a particularly violent way. We eventually discover that Man No. 1 is Sir Walter Raleigh (the stabber, not the stabbee). Thats right, the Sir Walter Raleigh from Elizabethan times! Here, he is 66 and just back from Guyana, where he was searching for El Dorado. Okay! On the way to do that, he attacked the Spanish when he specifically promised not to (there is a peace treaty). Now the Spanish ambassador, Count Gondomar, is mad and demands the banishment or execution of Raleigh. The show is pretty explicit about Raleigh and his men attacking first, although apparently its more complicated than that (Raleigh appears not to have been there?), and Raleigh comes off like a real asshole here. His real purpose in the episode, though, is for George to come into his own and start wielding real political power through James. Even though I found the Raleigh plot boring, Im mainly mad that I was expected to be able to tell Gondomar and Raleigh apart. Theyre both new characters! They both have beards! When Gondomar came in, I was like, Ah, I see the stabby man from the boat has cleaned himself up. Then they bring in Raleigh, and I had to back up all the way to the beginning of the episode to verify that he, in fact, was stabby boatman. It doesnt help that this episode felt particularly dimly lit. So its just bearded men in shadows. But onto the characters we know and love: Mary is moving up in the world. James buys her a house in London and dubs her Countess of Buckingham, telling the court to smash your fat little palms for the great star of our firmament. Overall, this weeks episode was a bit of a letdown since the rest of the show has been so solid, but smash your fat little palms was a highlight. Mary has plans, which I probably shouldnt even need to say at this point. Of course she has plans. What else would she be doing? Sitting somewhere, enjoying life? Mary wants George to marry Katherine Manners, the daughter of the Earl of Rutland, mainly (only) because she is Extremely Rich. This works out great for Katherine, a.k.a. Katie, because she thinks George is supercute. Her father is not into the idea, and neither is George, so both of these obstacles must be overcome. Mary also remains determined that Johns marriage to Frances will work, even though Frances is banging randos at court and John has proven himself to be capable of extreme violence and in need of help. Im not on board with this one, Mary. Neither is Sandie, who, after helping Frances through an abortion, demands that Mary set Frances free, or Sandie will leave. Lesbian love wins again, and Frances is able to leave. Meanwhile, George is getting all full of himself despite his frequently proven incompetence. Mary encourages him to put himself forward, and while that does get him a seat on the Privy Council (NICE), he immediately ruins it by acting like an idiot. Literally, the first thing he adjudicates is Raleigh and how he has pushed them to the brink of war with Spain. Raleigh goes up to George because he can tell hes a soft target, and hes all, I was so close to finding El Dorado, but here I am, back in England. My son died in this fight against the Spanish, and his dying wish was definitely that I go back and look for more cities of gold that I made up in my mind. George says SOLD, and everyone on the council is super embarrassed for him. James is furious, and it takes some time for George to get back into his good graces. Now the U.K. is even closer to war with Spain, damnit, George. Speaking of James, we see his son Charles some more! Hello, Charles! Charles will eventually become a failed king, but for now, he is a sulky youth who hates George. To be fair, he thinks Queen Anne is dying and that James doesnt care but instead only cares for George. Not great of James, if true. Anne has been coughing ominously, so that doesnt bode well for her. When Mary speaks with her, though, we get some good intel about her husband. Mary wants to know how she can get closer to James, and Anne intimates that James was brought up by men in a world of men, and women do not really matter to him. Interesting. Mary isnt sure how to move this George marrying the Earl of Rutlands daughter idea along, but her daughter Susan, it turns out, also has plans. Susans plans involve marrying a barons son, which cant happen until they have Katie Mannerss money for a dowry, so Susan fakes a letter from John asking George to visit, then the servants lock George in a bedroom with Katie. This is dastardly behavior, but again, George is very annoying. I also like Katie, so I approve. Katie says if they stay together overnight, her father will have to support a marriage. She tells George that she knows who he is and shes fine with it, which he cant guarantee from someone else. Otherwise, shell have to marry a rando that her father chooses, which does not sound fun. Katie also tells him that everyone is making fun of how quickly he caved to Raleigh at the Privy Council. Four for you, Katie! I hope we have more of her in the final episodes and that she gets to keep being funny and having a personality. Not that this show is afraid of women with personalities. George returns to court after agreeing to marry Katie, and he goes to see if James has forgiven him yet. He encourages James to think for himself. Georges later conversation with Bacon suggests that this was a manipulation tactic, but it does really seem like George is genuinely telling James to finally lean on his own counsel and not do what everyone else demands of him. James wants peace with Spain, so what does he do? Well, Raleigh is getting executed. This makes the people really mad, but the Spanish happy, so here we are. Raleigh tells a nervous executioner to strike, which apparently is real. Theres an apocryphal story that his wife, Elizabeth Throckmorton, carried his embalmed head around with her for the rest of her life, but its like 99.5 percent not true. Still a fun story! Bacon tells George that Mary and Sandie murdered a man, and George is then very rude to both of them. After he leaves, Mary says that if George doesnt bend, it means war. Exciting! Does Mary have any actual power over George anymore? How can they go to war when he has the backing of the king? I guess she has schemes and plots on her side and he only has sulking and dumb decisions, but still! Very excited for our final few episodes. Photo: A24 Jane Schoenbruns I Saw the TV Glow is a coming-of-age horror flick that follows Owen (Justice Smith) and Maddy (Brigette Lundy-Paine) as they escape into the world of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer-esque series called The Pink Opaque. The show is centered on a pair of teen girls, Isabel (Helena Howard) and Tara (Lindsey Jordan), who use their psychic connection to battle supernatural monsters and a Big Bad named Mr. Melancholy, who regularly tries to trap the pair in the ominous-sounding Midnight Realm. As the movie unfurls, Owen and Maddy communicate through shared VHS tapes of The Pink Opaque, which technically airs on a young-adult channel but is described as way too scary and lore heavy for most kids. While the shy, hesitant Isabel is a parallel to Owen, Maddy sees herself as the confident Tara, however wishfully. Shes superhot and she doesnt take shit from anybody, Maddy tells Owen. Plus, shes an expert on demonology. I Saw the TV Glow is Jordans acting debut perhaps youre familiar with the emotionally acute indie rock she makes as Snail Mail. An art-house horror buff, Jordan was a big fan of Schoenbruns 2021 breakthrough, Were All Going to the Worlds Fair, and told Vulture that learning about I Saw the TV Glow felt like a dream. I had casually said to my manager that it would be cool to start acting. Im a huge movie nerd; I could see that being really fun, she explained. He didnt do anything, but the next week, I got two emails about auditioning for things. The rest is history. The other film that you auditioned for was the doomed Madonna biopic. What was that process like? I dont know shit, but it was the audition Olympics. I had to watch her tour doc, which was dope, and there were specific interviews that I had to emulate. I guess I was being considered for the Like a Virgin part of her career, so they gave me a music video from that time and asked me to make my own four-minute dance sequence. That was what really kicked my ass; I dont dance. There were like 400 takes in my Dropbox. Youve been in front of a camera many times, but this is your acting debut. What were you nervous about? I was nervous during the entire process. The first day on set was chill because it was just costuming, and then it got scary the next day when I had to read. They showed me the blocking and said they would call me down in a few hours. I was just pacing in a classroom inside the high school where we were shooting, psyching myself out. There were a lot of street casters involved with the project anyway, so they werent like, Why do you not know exactly what to do? They were super-gentle with me; it was a kind environment and everybody was really patient. You get to deliver one of the films silliest lines, Hey, Bozo, Estee Lauder called, before presumably slaughtering a clown offscreen. How many takes did that take? Three? That was the first scene I shot! There was all this axe choreography that didnt make the final cut, probably because I couldnt do it. It was a lot to think about in one moment and its a good line; I want to do justice to it. Taras style is pretty cool; what were the conversations about that like? There was talk of cutting my hair to look like Brigette Lundy-Paine, but I had been growing out a haircut that I really didnt like for a year, so I was kind of hoping that we wouldnt. Luckily, the hairstylist decided to slick it back. A good amount of the costume options looked like what I wear anyway. Theres an implication that Taras probably a lesbian I got typecast for sure. I have a tattoo of A Trip to the Moon, which the villain in the movie is drawn after, and a Smashing Pumpkins tattoo Snail Mail also ended up doing a Smashing Pumpkins cover of Tonight, Tonight for the soundtrack, which was something we had coincidentally already been working on for the tour. It was very serendipitous. Photo: Spencer Pazer/A24 Did Jane give you any homework in preparation for the role? There were a lot of direct pointers about personalizing and adding weight to the lines. I bugged Jane a lot about the script; I read it, like, four times before I really understood what it was about. I spent a lot of time trying to dissect it, and Jane was not trying to give me answers; they were like, Figure it out and then I will confirm or deny. Once you get to the crux of what the movie is about, it all makes a lot of sense. Its just heavy as hell and you could kind of feel it on the set; it was a heavy operation. Your character is named Tara in tribute to Buffys tragic lesbian witch. Have you watched Buffy? My girlfriend is obsessed with Buffy and they suggested that we watch it after seeing the script. We watched around five episodes and planned to finish it together, so I havent watched any without them. I thought it was cool; I was pretty wrapped up in that season-one thing about the Hellmouth opening. I never got to see what happened when it opened, so I should probably get back in there and watch some Buffy. Theres a scene that teases some of the The Pink Opaque plotlines, like Episode 209: Physical Fitness Test of Death. Were you and Helena Howard involved at all in exploring a backstory for your characters? Whats Taras life like when shes not on the psychic plane? We didnt really get into the episode guide, although we shot stills for a bunch of the episodes. Im hoping that A24 sells that Pink Opaque book. I dont know if there would be enough photos of us to actually fill it up, but Helena and I did take a lot of buddy photos; they had us posed everywhere for the episode guide. You see the cover when you watch the movie. That A24 web store is pretty popping What does luna juice taste like? It was really nasty; the consistency was thicklike papier-mache. Maybe they colored it with blue Gatorade? That was the last thing I shot, and I was in the ground during that scene, so there were bugs crawling all over me. The outcasts in I Saw the TV Glow find refuge in The Pink Opaque. Was there any media that you watched in your youth that helped you discover your own identity? I found the DIY and punk world on the internet when I was a teenager. Tumblr was a huge part of me understanding my sexuality. I was 14 years old and massively obsessed with Grimess Tumblr where she talked about identity politics and stuff. Im grateful that I had Tumblr during that time, because I didnt know any gay people. I was raised religious enough that I was extremely self-hating, so seeing other people connecting online and making jokes about being gay helped me be like, Oh, were proud?! Can you relate to the idea of fandom that spills over into obsession? Totally. I was the biggest fangirl in high school and middle school. Being a stan was my shit, and pretty much all my friends were like that too. Ive noticed that a lot of people who work in the music industry, like new A&R people, are fangirls who I used to see on Tumblr. I have to set boundaries with Snail Mail stuff. Theres that whole thing where fans make fun of the person they look up to sometimes they lovingly point out horrible things about me that Ive never thought about and it scars me for real. I dont make jokes like that with my friends, but maybe its appropriate if youve known the person for ten years. It just looks like bullying. Whats next for Snail Mail? Were touring with Waxahatchee and Tim Heidecker in September. Ive been working on a record by myself, although I know who I want to make it with. I have the shells of most of the songs. Im taking my time in classic Snail Mail style. For me, songwriting requires rest and time to reflect, and Im only just starting to have off time. The ideas are blooming so much better now, and I feel like Im really diving in. I think the songs are bangers. The FX darling is poised to repeat its Emmys reign this year and potentially shatter records in the process. Photo: FX on Hulu / Courtesy Everett Collection This article originally appeared in Gold Rush, a subscriber-only newsletter about the perpetual Hollywood awards race. Sign up here. The Emmys scope is getting narrower and narrower. In 2019, Game of Thrones nabbed 7 out of 13 nominations in the Supporting Actor/Actress categories alone. In 2021, first-time comedy honoree Ted Lasso earned seven acting nods across Lead and Supporting (winning three), while over in drama, Netflix stalwart The Crown got seven (winning four) and the long-in-the-tooth The Handmaids Tale got eight (plus two nominations in the guest-acting categories). Last year, Succession got nine acting nominations in drama, and The Bear got 13 in comedy (both walked away with three wins each). FXs new darling is primed to repeat its domination in 2024, racking up nomination tallies as fewer and fewer shows in general stand a chance of recognition. This is great news for Matty Matheson and Abby Elliott, but the trend itself is an irksome one. Uh, Why Does This Keep Happening? The problem is certainly not that there arent enough shows to award. The expanse of the Peak TV era has led the Emmys to increase the number of nomination slots in certain categories to accommodate all the TV thats being made today. For example, in 2018, the Best Drama and Comedy series categories grew to eight nominees apiece (up from six), as did all the Supporting Actor and Actress categories. And yet last year, only 10 drama series and 11 comedies were represented in the Lead and Supporting acting categories; compare that to 15 years ago, when there were 15 dramas and 16 comedies represented at the 2009 Emmys. There are a few reasons why this might be. The least charitable of them is that Emmy voters, faced with an ever-increasing amount of television shows, have simply given up and are only watching the most heavily campaigned shows mostly returning series with a few flagship newcomers sprinkled in. The more charitable theory is that with so many new shows to consider, the votes end up spread far too thin in a winner-takes-all, academywide voting system the result of changes made in 2015 and 2016 to help shake Emmy voters out of some Modern Familysize ruts (the show had just won Outstanding Comedy Series for the fifth straight year, while Jon Hamm was still trophy-less for Mad Men). And the old system certainly had its drawbacks. It employed blue-ribbon panel voting that, by virtue of its small-group-mindedness, persistently excluded entire genres like sci-fi or entire shows like The Wire. But that same system also tended to honor standout performances in shows that didnt dominate the Emmys otherwise, resulting in some surprising but really satisfying wins like Michael Chiklis for The Shield, Zeljko Ivanek for Damages, and Archie Panjabi for The Good Wife. Today, a purely popular vote, in which all Academy members vote on everything, sounds more equitable but ends up weighting the awards even more heavily toward the most widely viewed, buzziest titles. This leaves shows that might have stood a chance at sneaking into a single category with the more bespoke voting patterns of the panel system shows like Reservation Dogs or The Good Fight on the outside looking in. Okay, how do we fix it? No matter how much you love Succession or Ted Lasso or The White Lotus or The Crown youll take Kieran Culkin and Sarah Snooks trophies out of my cold, dead hands sweeps get boring. The same theme music played for the same cast of characters, all thanking the same network execs. Its making the Emmys less fun, and the Emmys really cant afford to get less fun. When only two shows are represented in a category of eight nominated actors as was the case with Supporting Actor in a Drama only recognizing cast members from Succession and The White Lotus last year thats an audience-experience problem, one that can be solved by some changes in voting policy. One popular suggestion is to simply limit the number of nominees that can go to a single show in a given category. If you capped shows to two nominees per category, youd have four free slots in that aforementioned Supporting Actor category. The downside is that you lose the opportunity to nominate a performer who did phenomenal work near the bottom of their shows cast list: Alan Ruck on Succession or Simona Tabasco on The White Lotus, say. Just because its annoying when one show gobbles up all the nominations in a category doesnt mean those nominated actors arent very worthy of recognition. But a cap on nominations from a single show could force voters to be more discerning in deciding which cast members truly stood out, rather than just blithely passing the whole cast through. Theres also the notion that winning an Emmy ought to make you ineligible for nomination the next year. It would certainly free up some space in a category if Jennifer Coolidge and Matthew Macfadyen had to take a year off after their victories. Then after that year off, the former winner could be back in the pool. A variant to this rule is that an actor can only win for a role a certain number of times, say twice. This would end anyones hopes of matching Julia Louis-Dreyfuss gaudy win total, but it would free up nomination space for someone new and it would keep the Emmys from settling into repeat-winner ruts. My personal favorite suggestion is to simply go back to the panel system, which required those small groups of voters to watch every episode of TV submitted to their category before they made their decisions. The pre-2015 system asked acting nominees to send in one or two episodes of their best work, and there was a soft science to episode submission do you pick an episode where your character is isolated (and thus in the spotlight) or one that highlights your ability to bounce off of your co-stars? Submit an episode where your character is particularly likable or where youre performing darker, more challenging notes? Today, nominees still technically submit episodes, but they tend to make little impact in a popular-vote system that requires everyone to watch everything. Fine, But What Does This All Mean for The Bear? If recent tradition holds, The Bear looks to be in line for a ton of nominations in the Comedy acting categories. Expect current awards magnets Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri to get nominated in Lead Actor and Lead Actress, respectively (Edebiri is leveling up after winning Supporting last year). Ebon Moss-Bachrach will be back to defend his win in the Supporting Actor category. Then it gets interesting. The Honeydew episode (the one where Marcus goes to train in Copenhagen with Will Poulters arms) ought to be enough to get Lionel Boyce nominated. Matty Mathesons bump to main cast gave him plenty of chances to get laughs as Fak; that combined with his status in the culinary world should make him a fun choice for a nominee. Oliver Platt, having appeared in the requisite 50 percent of season twos episodes, will be eligible for Supporting Actor, so definitely expect a nod for him as well. In Supporting Actress, Liza Colon-Zayas had a tremendous season as Tina made her way through culinary school; Abby Elliott stepped up in a big way as Natalie became an integral part of the restaurants redesign, not to mention the angst she played so well opposite her domineering mother in Fishes. Molly Gordon, as Carms love interest Claire, cleared the 50 percent threshold, so expect her to reap the benefits of a Bear windfall as well. Who not to expect in the Supporting Actress category is Jamie Lee Curtis, who only appeared in two episodes, but whose outsize performance ought to be catnip to voters in the Guest Actress category. (The Bear may set a record for Guest nominations this time around, with Curtis, Poulter, Olivia Colman, John Mulaney, Bob Odenkirk, Sarah Paulson, Gillian Jacobs, Robert Townsend, and Jon Bernthal all big, shiny options.) Do Any Other Shows Stand a Chance? The two comedies that managed to remain relevant while Ted Lasso was busy hogging all the nominations for three years were Abbott Elementary and Hacks. Its unlikely either of them fades this year. Abbott returned after the strikes and delivered a third season that should be plenty sufficient to get Quinta Brunson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Tyler James Williams back on the Emmy ballot. (Whether theres still space for Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, and Chris Perfetti in Supporting might be a trickier question.) Meanwhile, Hacks is barreling its way into Emmys eligibility, having premiered its third season on Thursday and launching two episodes per week so it can be done by May 30, just as the eligibility window closes. The show was a back-to-back nominee in Outstanding Comedy Series in 202122, and Jean Smart won Lead Actress in a Comedy for each of those years. Hannah Einbinder was a back-to-back nominee as well, and she might benefit from Edebiri moving up to Lead. Jean Smart versus Ayo Edebiri might be the hottest battle on the Emmys ballot this year. Old faves like Only Murders in the Building (with a Meryl Streep nod in Supporting Actress a near certainty) and Curb Your Enthusiasm (Larry Davids show never misses with Emmy voters and certainly wont in its final season) should also expect nominations. What room does this leave for shows looking to crack the comedy races for the first time? Not much. But its worth putting up a fight for the right snow, like Hulus Reservation Dogs, which has been a critical darling for its three seasons despite getting increasingly conspicuous cold shoulders from the Emmys votership. The Emmys have been known to finally jump in on a show in its final seasons Friday Night Lights and The Americans finally got their flowers from the Academy late in their respective runs. There is a glimmer of hope and a sliver of space on the ballot this year. Maybe we can all make a ResDogs nomination happen. Discovering the vibrant streets of Seoul and the serene beauty of Jeju Island has become a dream for many travelers, especially Indian fans of K-pop and K-dramas. Understanding the visa process is the first step towards making this dream a reality, according to Travel + Leisure Travel magazine. Visa Requirements for Indian Citizens If you're an Indian citizen planning to visit South Korea, you'll need a visa. Unlike citizens of over 116 countries who can enter South Korea without a visa, India isn't on that list. Therefore, Indian tourists must obtain a valid Korean visa before embarking on their adventure. Types of Tourist Visas According to reports from Travel + Leisure, Indian travelers seeking leisure and sightseeing opportunities in South Korea should apply for a Short-Term (C-3-9) Tourist Visa through VFS Global in India. Here's what you need to know: Select the "Short-Term (Non-profit & Stay Visa)" option. Choose the "Temporary Visit" category. Opt for the "Tourist Visa (sightseeing on tour)" for general tourism purposes. This single-entry visa remains valid for 90 days from the date of issuance, allowing a maximum stay of 90 days in South Korea. Navigating the visa application process may seem daunting, but with the right information, it can be a smooth experience. Ensure you have all the necessary documents, including a valid passport, completed application form, passport-sized photographs, and proof of sufficient funds for your trip. Additionally, be prepared to provide details of your itinerary and accommodation arrangements in South Korea. By following these steps and understanding the visa requirements, you'll be well on your way to exploring the wonders of South Korea and immersing yourself in its vibrant culture. Make a plan to visit these places of Himachal Pradesh in summer, you will find peace Planning for Amarnath Yatra, know what things to keep in mind Leave Shimla-Manali! Everyone has failed in front of this hidden place of Himachal! Fake websites that look and function just like the official stores of popular fashion brands are scamming consumers out of potentially millions of dollars and leaving them exposed to identity theft. So-called shadow websites have become more prevalent in the past few years, and have targeted brands including Mimco, Country Road, Decjuba, Peter Alexander, Bared Footwear and others, an investigation by this masthead has found. Real or fake? The genuine Oroton website, and a shadow one claiming to sell the same item. Credit: Stephen Kiprillis Often, the shadow websites claim to stock the brands items at heavily reduced prices. However, in most cases, they are just glorified scam or phishing sites that trick consumers into parting with their credit card details, and can end up costing much more than the initial purchase. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission estimates there were more than 2700 reports of fake websites last year, resulting in losses of more than $500,000. Online shopping scams generally cost Australians more than $7 million in 2023. India and Maldives engaged in their fourth round of bilateral High-Level Core Group meetings on Friday, focusing on the replacement of Indian military personnel from the island nation by May 10. The Maldives government, led by Mohamed Muizzu, had set May 10 as the deadline for this withdrawal. According to reports from the Maldives foreign ministry, both parties expressed satisfaction with the progress, affirming that the Government of India will complete the replacement of military personnel at the last of the three aviation platforms by the specified date. Logistics for this transition are proceeding according to plan. Furthermore, they agreed to convene the fifth meeting of the high-level core group in Male during either June or July, at a date suitable for both parties. In recent developments, India's Ministry of External Affairs expressed vigilance regarding the presence of a Chinese vessel in Maldivian waters, asserting measures to protect national and economic interests. The return of the Chinese marine research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3 to Maldives waters marked its second visit within two months. The vessel was spotted at the Thilafushi industrial island's harbor, although the reason for its return remains undisclosed by the government. Tensions between India and the Maldives escalated since President Mohamed Muizzu took office in November. President Muizzu, perceived as pro-China, reiterated his election promise to remove Indian military personnel from the country. His People's National Congress (PNC) secured a supermajority in the recent parliamentary election. Despite these tensions, India has maintained a diplomatic approach towards the Maldives, continuing development projects and bilateral relations. India's investment in various initiatives in the Maldives amounts to nearly Rs. 771 crore, nearly double the budgeted amount. The Maldives holds strategic importance for India in the Indian Ocean Region. Despite recent strains, the overall bilateral ties, especially in defense and security, saw positive momentum under the previous government in Male. Presently, approximately 70 Indian troops, along with Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters, are stationed in the Maldives. Read More: India-Maldives Ties: Maldives Foreign Minister's Visit Precedes President Muizzu's Potential Pro-China Trip Ruling PNC Secures Super-Majority in Maldivian Parliament Maldivians Cast Votes in Parliamentary Elections Amid Growing Influence Struggle Key Insights 1&1's estimated fair value is 23.84 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity 1&1's 16.18 share price signals that it might be 32% undervalued Our fair value estimate is 17% higher than 1&1's analyst price target of 20.45 Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of 1&1 AG (ETR:1U1) as an investment opportunity by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward. We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model. Check out our latest analysis for 1&1 The Method We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) 82.5m 169.6m 213.1m 192.1m 179.7m 171.9m 167.1m 164.1m 162.4m 161.6m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x3 Analyst x3 Analyst x2 Est @ -6.47% Est @ -4.32% Est @ -2.82% Est @ -1.77% Est @ -1.04% Est @ -0.52% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 4.4% 79.1 156 187 162 145 133 124 117 111 105 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 1.3b After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (0.7%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 4.4%. Story continues Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = 162m (1 + 0.7%) (4.4% 0.7%) = 4.4b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 4.4b ( 1 + 4.4%)10= 2.9b The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is 4.2b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of 16.2, the company appears quite good value at a 32% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out. dcf The Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at 1&1 as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 4.4%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for 1&1 Strength Currently debt free. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Wireless Telecom market. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years. Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value. Threat Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the German market. Looking Ahead: Although the valuation of a company is important, it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For 1&1, we've compiled three further items you should further research: Risks: For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for 1&1 that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does 1U1's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every German stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Tomas Doherty Migration has become one of the most important issues in Ireland. A diplomatic spat with the UK this week over asylum seekers has brought the topic to the centre of political debate. So how many people have come to Ireland recently, and what happens when they arrive here? In line with trends across Europe, the number of people arriving in the State to claim asylum has soared in recent years to reach record levels. There was a 415 per cent increase in the number of applications in 2022 compared to 2021, and a 186 per cent increase from 2019. In 2022, there were 13,651 applications for international protection, while 2023 saw 13,277 applications. There has been a further increase in asylum applications and arrivals in recent months. Minister for Justice Helen McEntee claimed some of this upsurge was due to people avoiding the UK over the Rwanda deportation policy. In March this year 1,821 asylum applications were made, up from 858 in March 2023. Between January and the end of April this year, almost 6,500 people arrived in the Republic, compared to about 3,100 during the same period in 2023. About 35 per cent of these arrivals are men who travelled alone, but the figures also include children, couples, women and single parents. More than 460 children arrived in April, according to weekly updates from the International Protection Office. All of this has put pressure on the already strained accommodation system for international protection applicants. The system is run by the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS), part of the Department of Integration. IPAS manages reception centres, emergency accommodation, the Citywest Transit Hub and tented accommodation. The number of people living in the IPAS system has more than tripled since 2021, when about 7,000 people were being accommodated. Now almost 30,000 people are in State-provided shelter. This sharp rise amid the ongoing housing crisis led the Government to say last year it could no longer provide accommodation to all asylum seekers. In practice, this means men without children are not prioritised for accommodation. Some of these men have ended up living on the streets. This week more than 200 asylum seekers who had been living in tents outside the International Protection Office in Dublin were moved from the area to facilities at Citywest and Crooksling in Co Dublin. The country has also seen a spike in the number of arson attacks on buildings rumoured or earmarked to provide accommodation for people seeking international protection. Reception centres and emergency accommodation are located in all parts of the State, with asylum seekers living in every county. Galway City is the local authority with the most asylum seekers relative to its population, at about 1.5 per cent, followed by Donegal (1.2 per cent). Kilkenny has the fewest housed asylum seekers as a percentage of its population (0.1 per cent). In contrast, the number of weekly arrivals from Ukraine has fallen significantly since the beginning of this year. It comes after the Government slashed the allowances for newly arrived Ukrainian refugees, dropping from 220 to 38.80 per week, the same rate that asylum applicants receive. New arrivals from Ukraine now also have a 90-day limit on the time they can remain housed by the State. More than 100,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Ireland since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022. Many of them have settled in rural and western areas of the country. Kerry, Leitrim, Donegal and Clare are the counties with the highest share of Ukrainian refugees relative to the population. According to Central Statistics Office data based on PPSN registrations, there are 12 Ukrainian refugees per 100 residents in Ennistymon, Co Clare. Despite the recent tension over migration, Taoiseach Simon Harris said on Friday that immigration is a good thing but Irish people want to know the rules are enforced. Ireland is a better place for the many people who have come and made Ireland their home, Mr Harris said. They are working in hospitals, they are working in our hospitality sector, and right across many sectors of the economy. So migration and immigration is a good thing and I think its really important that we say that and that we dont seed that ground or create a vacuum for others to exploit. Having said that, I think people in Ireland, and I would imagine people in most countries, want to know there are rules in place, they want to know the rules are enforced, they want to know that the system is fair, that its firm, that it helps those who are entitled to help. That if someone comes to our country and goes through a processing system and isnt entitled to be there, that that person is asked to leave in the first instance and made to leave if they dont. Ballina Chamber of Commerce has unveiled manifestos for the upcoming Local and European Elections, urging candidates to adopt bold visions for Irelands long-term growth and prosperity. The manifestos highlight the slow pace of infrastructural development in recent years, citing housing shortages, energy costs, skills gaps, and planning system failures as pressing issues. Ballina Chamber is calling for "proactive and visionary representatives" at both local and EU levels to drive accountability and ensure the delivery of essential infrastructure. Mary Moyles, President of Ballina Chamber, said that through the Chambers recent business survey, members have raised many issues affecting their businesses, as well as concerns about the long-term development of the town. Many have asked these questions, specifically for local election candidates, during the survey feedback: What will you do to support business grow and prosper? How do you see our area developing over the next five years? What are the key opportunities and threats for Ballina and the wider municipal district? This is a very challenging time for businesses to operate and we must ensure every opportunity is afforded to businesses in Ballina to remain open for business. Mags Downey-Martin, CEO of Ballina Chamber, said: At a local authority level, we call on candidates to foster safe, thriving and inclusive towns and cities that are attractive places for our growing population to live, work, visit and invest, to build more homes and ensure essential infrastructure developments can progress." Meanwhile, MEP candidates are urged to prioritise a robust EU industrial strategy for renewable energy, global competitiveness, reducing regulatory burdens, and promoting regional development. Ballina Chamber encourages voter registration and active participation in the elections, urging businesses to support employees in exercising their right to vote. In this article, we look at the 15 biggest aircraft carriers in the world. You can skip our detailed analysis on trends in the naval industry and head over directly to the 5 Biggest Aircraft Carriers in the World, which includes a $13.3 billion warship! Conflicts in different parts of the world have created a surge in the demand for aircraft carriers. The global industry for these giant war machines is projected to grow 2% between 2023 and 2028, with Asia-Pacific being the fastest growing market for aircraft carriers. These are among the most vital strategic military assets deployed by countries, that allow planes to land on and take off from the sea, that can prove critical during any armed conflict. The history of aircraft carriers date back to 1910 when an American pilot, Eugene Ely, flew an aircraft from the deck of a cruiser in Virginia, and then in 1911 made a landing on a battleship in San Francisco Bay. These battleships attained great prominence with the British Navys HMS Argus, developed during World War I, and later the USS Langley becoming the first carrier to join the fleet of the US Navy in 1922. However, it was not until the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941 that marked the arrival of aircraft carriers in military conflicts. Since then, several naval powers have focused on developing aircraft carriers, which are now considered as the most potent platform for naval warfare. Todays aircraft carriers are not only larger in size, but also come equipped with angled, armored fighting decks, latest electromagnetic and gear technology, steam-powered catapults, and landing signal systems to address complexities faced by older versions due to heavy weights and high landing speeds of aircraft. Moreover, there are also different variants of aircraft carriers in the market, such as nuclear-powered carriers, helicopter carriers, multipurpose carriers, and amphibious assault ships. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HII) is among the major players in the industry, and has provided the US Navy with several notable aircraft carriers over the years, including the next-generation Gerald R. Ford class of aircraft carriers, which would equip the American Navy to meet the operational needs of naval combat in the 21st century. These nuclear-powered carriers are being developed to replace the Nimitz class, and would be an improved version of the latter with features allowing greater aircraft deployments, fewer sailors, higher electrical power for ship systems, and a reduction in operating costs per ship by $4 billion. Story continues Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HII) has been a significant contributor to the strength of the US Navy. Besides building critical warships, the company also provides service facilities for these aircraft carriers while they remain in operation. 2023 was a record-breaking year for Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HII), with the company generating $11.5 billion in revenues its highest in history, and 7.3% higher compared to 2022. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) has also played its role in enhancing the naval strength of the United States by taking an active part in sea-based tests involving aircraft carriers. According to reports, the CVN-79 Gerald R. Ford class carrier, which is scheduled to enter service in July 2025, will be capable of deploying Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT)s F-35 fighter jets by its next maintenance period. General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD)s expertise in building warships for the US military, especially submarines, has also been widely acclaimed by defense experts for contributing towards Americas naval strength. The company has been lending support for the aircraft carrier programs as well. In April 2023, General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) was awarded a $847 million contract to repair, maintain, and modernize carriers operated by the US Navy. 15 Biggest Aircraft Carriers in the World Pixabay/Public Domain Methodology The 15 biggest aircraft carriers in the world are ranked in ascending order of their displacement in tonnes. Data has been sourced from Insider Monkey and Yahoo Finances article on the 12 Countries With Most Aircraft Carriers. In cases where two or more carriers had the same level of displacement, we outranked one over the other based on the technological capabilities of the warships. If interested, you can also take a look at the 16 Strongest Navies in the World in 2024. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. Lets now head over to the list of the biggest aircraft carriers in the world by displacement. 15 Biggest Aircraft Carriers in the World: 15. Atlantico Country: Brazil Displacement: 21,500 tonnes Atlantico is the only aircraft carrier in South America. The warship was originally built as HMS Ocean and was in use by the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom, before being acquired by Brazil recently in 2018. The country plans on using the aircraft carrier to operate military drones. Atlantico has a displacement of 21,500 tonnes. 14. Juan Carlos I Country: Spain Displacement: 26,000 tonnes Juan Carlos I is the only aircraft carrier operated by the Spanish Navy, and is named after the countrys former king. It is the largest warship ever built in Spain's history. The aircraft carrier is powered by a diesel-electric propulsion system, is approximately 231 meters long, with a 32 meters beam, and has the capacity to travel at 21 knots. 13. Izumo Country: Japan Displacement: 27,000 Japans government in 2018 announced that it would convert Kaga and Izumo, its two helicopter carriers, into full-fledged aircraft carriers equipped to allow jets like Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT)s F-35s to land on and take off from. In 2021, US Marine fighters landed on Izumo, signaling the carriers transformed capabilities. It has a displacement of an estimated 27,000 tonnes. 12. TCG Anadolu Country: Turkiye Displacement: 27,000 tonnes Next on our list of the biggest aircraft carriers in the world is Turkiyes TCG Anadolu, the countrys only carrier that is equipped with aviation capabilities. The warship was commissioned in April 2023 and is designed on the model of Spains Juan Carlos I. The carrier has a maximum speed of 21 knots and a range of 9,000 nautical miles. 11. Cavour Country: Italy Displacement: 28,100 tonnes Italy is among the rare few countries to operate two aircraft carriers. One of them is Cavour, which has an estimated displacement of over 28,000 tonnes, and is equipped with guns, decoy launchers, and several short-range defense systems. The carrier is the only Italian warship that is capable of launching and recovering the F-35 fighter jets. 10. INS Vikrant Country: India Displacement: 43,000 tonnes The INS Vikrant is the first aircraft carrier to be ever built in India. The warship was constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited for approximately $3.1 billion. It has an estimated displacement of 43,000 tonnes and is capable of carrying up to 40 military aircraft, including helicopters. According to defense experts, INS Vikrant is more technologically advanced than Indias other carrier, INS Vikramaditya. 9. INS Vikramaditya Country: India Displacement: 44,500 tonnes Indias INS Vikramaditya is one of the biggest aircraft carriers in the world, with a tonnage of 44,500. The warship served both the Soviet and later Russian navies, before being decommissioned in 1996 and then entering the service of the Indian Navy in 2013. According to Marine Insight, the INS Vikramaditya is equipped to carry about 36 aircraft, and has a beam of 61 meters. 8. FS Charles de Gaulle Country: France Displacement: 45,000 tonnes Next up is Frances only aircraft carrier, the nuclear-powered FS Charles de Gaulle, which is considered to be one of the most potent warships in modern naval warfare. The giant war machine deploys a mix of military purpose aircraft, ranging from Rafale fighter jets to E-2 Hawkeye aircrafts and assault helicopters. The carrier has a displacement of 45,000 tonnes. The government in Paris plans on replacing the FS Charles de Gaulle at some point in the 2030s with Porte-Avions Nouvelle Generation which is likely to have a tonnage of 70,000. 7. Admiral Kuznetsov Country: Russia Displacement: 58,000 tonnes Russias Admiral Kuznetsov is one of the biggest aircraft carriers in the world with a displacement of 58,000 tonnes. However, the warship which was commissioned way back in 1991, has suffered numerous breakdowns in the sea in the last few years, and has been undergoing maintenance and repair for quite some time now. The carrier has a range of 8,500 nautical miles and can travel at a speed of 29 knots. 6. Liaoning Country: China Displacement: 60,000 tonnes Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning is in the sixth spot in the list, with a displacement of 60,000 tonnes. The warship was initially planned to become the second Admiral Kuznetsov class of carrier for the Soviet Navy, but the warship was later acquired by China after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Liaoning is capable of carrying around 50 military aircraft at a time. It has a length of 304.5 meters and a beam of 75 meters. Click to continue reading and see the 5 Biggest Aircraft Carriers in the World. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. 15 Biggest Aircraft Carriers in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey. In this article, we will discuss the 20 Best Korean Skincare Products of 2024. You can skip our detailed analysis of the global K-beauty products market, the Korean skincare industry's approach to sustainability, and recent developments in the beauty industry by going directly to the 5 Best Korean Skincare Products of 2024. The Global K-beauty Products Market: The market for K-beauty products was estimated by Grand View Research to be worth $91.99 billion in 2022, and it is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 9.3% between 2023 and 2030. This research states that top-notch ingredients are a hallmark of K-beauty products. It has been pointed out that K-beauty businesses focus on utilizing safe, efficient, and natural ingredients. Consequently, this has contributed to consumer awareness of these products. As per the aforementioned research, the Korean cosmetics sector expanded gradually during the COVID-19 epidemic as more people became familiar with the products' multiple benefits. Furthermore, this study has found that, due to K-Beautys rise in recognition among consumers, significant companies are engaging in projects such as R&D, new product developments, and mergers and acquisitions to maintain their market position and adapt to market shifts by releasing an array of products. For example, L'Oreal debuted Shihyo, a new Korean brand, in November 2022 and catered to K-Beauty, C-Beauty, and J-Beauty consumers. This brand's product line consists of 24 herbal components soaked in fermented rice, along with other creative Asian procedures. In 2022, the skin care K-beauty product sector held a dominant market share of almost 65.8% of total revenues and as per the above-mentioned Grand View Research study, all skin types may use K-beauty products without experiencing any aggravation. Both sensitive skin and a range of different skin types can benefit from using these products. In addition, customers' desire for K-beauty skin care products continues to increase as an outcome of increased knowledge and appeal. For example, a report on the UMMA website predicted that 44.6% of Americans and 38.4% of Europeans are expected to have sensitive skin in 2023. Hence, an array of skin-friendly products is available in the K-Beauty market for individuals with sensitive or complex skin types. Thus, it is anticipated that this situation will eventually strengthen the skin care sector of the K-beauty products industry. According to the same Grand View Research report we've discussed earlier, male end-users are predicted to grow at the quickest CAGR rate of 10.2% throughout the forecast period, while women end-users led the market in 2022 with a share of more than 62.7%. Story continues Meanwhile, this research has also revealed that in 2022 the supermarket and hypermarket distribution channels took over the market, accounting for more than 45%. Throughout the anticipated period of 2023 to 2030, the online distribution channel is expected to increase at the fastest CAGR of 11.2%. It has been reported by this research that by holding a market share of almost 35%, North America was the dominant region in 2022. In North America, the primary factors propelling the cosmetics industry are growing skincare, innovative product branding, regular awareness, and marketing strategies. Well-known K-beauty companies like AmorePacific are diversifying their product lines in Japan and the United States. Moreover, Asia Pacific is predicted to develop at the quickest rate, with a CAGR of 10.6% from 2023 to 2030. With that said, apart from the global K-beauty products industry, you can also find out about the global skincare industry in our article, "Highest Quality Skincare Brands in 2024." The Korean Skincare Industry's Approach To Sustainability: Companies are specifically focusing on sustainability, innovation, and transparency to cater to the shifting needs and preferences of their customers. Thus, this growing demand from consumers for environmentally friendly products is swiftly evolving the perfume industry. To read about sustainability in the perfume industry, check out our latest article, 15 Best Perfumes For Teenage Girls. The second-biggest oil refiner in South Korea, GS Caltex Corp., is growing its footprint in the cosmetics sector as part of its efforts to become more environmentally friendly. By signing an agreement with L'Oreal Group in 2023, the corporation made its strategic decision public. Together, they will develop biomaterial-based cosmetic components and supply these innovative ingredients to the well-known French cosmetics company. Hur Sae-hong, GS Caltex's chief executive officer stated, GS Caltex hopes to reinforce its leadership in environment production moves with its R&D and production capabilities through its partnership with LOreal, which has been taking various actions to mitigate climate change. Recent Developments in the Beauty Industry: The beauty industry has been significantly influenced by Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) recent purchases in the skincare sector. Farmacy Beauty, a 'farm-to-face' company acclaimed for its cruelty-free and sustainable procedures, was purchased by Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) in 2021 for an undisclosed amount. Furthermore, Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) acquired Tula Skincare in 2022, a company that makes probiotic skincare products. Tula Skincare was co-founded by Dr. Roshini Raj, Ken Landis, and Dan Reich, and its revenues surpassed $150 million in the United States in 2021. In 2023, Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) had a whopping annual revenue of $82 billion and it is one of the Dividend Stock Portfolio For Income: Top 15 Stocks. A well-known American multinational cosmetics company Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL), has recently introduced the Skin Longevity platform with an emphasis on skincare technology and age reversal. As part of this initiative, Re-Nutriv Ultimate Diamond Transformative Brilliance Soft Creme, a new product with SIRTIVITY-LPTM technology that effectively reverses indications of aging in just 14 days, is being developed. Moreover, Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) has worked with the Stanford Center on skin longevity to enhance aging research and public education. Another recent development was the successful acquisition of the Tom Ford brand by Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) in 2023. This is the largest transaction for Estee Lauder and its first acquisition in the fashion industry according to the company. It is pertinent to note that the entire value of the transaction is $2.8 billion. ELC will shell out roughly $2.3 billion for the transaction, net of a $250 million payment from Marcolin S.p.A. ("Marcolin"). ELC intends to fund this deal with a mix of cash, debt, and $300 million in deferred payments to the sellers, which will become payable in July 2025. To maintain continuity and further develop the Tom Ford label as a premium worldwide brand, Estee Lauder Companies Inc. licenses the Tom Ford trademark to Zegna Group for fashion and accessories and Marcolin Group for eyewear as part of the acquisition. With regards to this latest acquisition, Fabrizio Freda, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Estee Lauder Companies stated: We are incredibly proud of the success TOM FORD BEAUTY has achieved in luxury fragrance and makeup and its dedication to creating desirable, high-quality products for discerning consumers around the world, As an owned brand, this strategic acquisition will unlock new opportunities and fortify our growth plans for TOM FORD BEAUTY. It will also further help to propel our momentum in the promising category of luxury beauty for the long-term while reaffirming our commitment to being the leading pure player in global prestige beauty. Additionally, Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) is among the 15 Beauty Stocks To Invest In and it had an astonishing annual revenue of $15.91 billion in 2023. With that said, here are the 20 Best Korean Skincare Products of 2024. 20 Best Korean Skincare Products of 2024 Copyright: mykeyruna / 123RF Stock Photo Methodology: To pick out the 20 Best Korean Skincare Products of 2024, we searched the internet for the best Korean skincare products and ranked them based on their number of appearances in our sources, so each appearance got one score. Then we ranked the list based on the aggregated scores. In the list, we have also included each products price and quantity. We've used the price as a tie-breaker and then curated the products for our list. Weve mostly relied on Amazon and Ulta for this. Please note, however, that we cant guarantee the accuracy of prices, in case prices vary from region to region. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. 20. SKIN 1004 - Madagascar Centella Asiatica 100 Ampoule Insider Monkey Points: 3 Price: $19.99 for 3.38 fl.oz The SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule is one of the best Korean skincare for combination skin, acne-prone, dry, and oily skin according to Amazon reviews. This brand claims that it's lightweight formula deeply penetrates into the skin. 19. SOME BY MI - AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner 150ml Insider Monkey Points: 3 Price: $14.50 for 5.07 fl.oz SOME BY MI AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner consists of Natural Tea Tree Extract to remove dead cells and promote better skin. This Tea Tree toner claims to transform your skin in 30 days! Most importantly, it helps in reducing pore size and removes tenacious dead skin cells. 18. Anua - Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner Insider Monkey Points: 5 Price: $19.69 for 8.45 fl.oz This hydrating tonic contains 77% Houttuynia Cordata Extract to effectively reduce irritation and inflammation while hydrating and restoring the skin's pH balance. Its innovative formulation includes betaine and panthenol which is intended to renew the epidermis and strengthen the hydrolipidic barrier. 17. Beauty of Joseon - Revive Eye Serum Insider Monkey Points: 5 Price: $18 for 1 fl.oz The key ingredient of this Beauty of Joseon Revive eye serum is 10% ginseng root extract. Beauty of Joseon mixes ginseng with 2% retinal, a vitamin A derivative that works well to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. Moreover, this eye serum is one of the best-selling Korean skin care products as per Amazon reviews. 16. Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum Insider Monkey Points: 6 Price: $39 for 1.35 oz This serum is one of the best Korean glass skin products as Amazon reviews because it includes peach extract, niacinamide, madecassoside, East Asian mountain yam peptides, and hyaluronic acid. It claims to hydrate, calm, and brighten as well as firm skin. Apply it before moisturizing and after cleansing and toning. 15. Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotic SPF 50 Insider Monkey Points: 6 Price: $21 for 1 fl.oz Every product in the Beauty of Joseon line is hypoallergenic and made with Hanbang ingredients. This Korean sunscreen has 30% rice extract and grain-fermented ingredients which make the skin hydrated. It is a non-greasy formula that mimics a light moisturizing cream. Once absorbed, this sunscreen shields the skin from UV radiation and gives a natural glow without a white cast. 14. INNISFREE Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask Insider Monkey Points: 6 Price: $16 for 1.76 o.z Amore Pacific is the owner of the South Korean cosmetics company Innisfree, which was founded in 2000. Innisfrees creamy clay mask acts as a multifunctional product that exfoliates, improves texture, and immediately clears pores without drying out the skin. 13. Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum Insider Monkey Points: 7 Price: $89 for 2.02 fl.oz Sulwhasoo was founded in 1932 and today it is a luxury Korean skincare brand because of its unique Korean ingredients. Its serum is meant to be used as your first step after washing the face. It helps restore the skin barrier that has been compromised after cleansing as well as facilitating the absorption of the products that come next. 12. COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream Insider Monkey Points: 7 Price: $15.99 for 3.52 fl.oz This cream is packed with 92% snail mucin also known as snail secretion filtrate and it creates a moisture barrier to moisturize, and calm skin. Moreover, this daily multi-purpose cream smoothes the skin to restore its brightness. 11. Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil Insider Monkey Points: 8 Price: $17.69 for 6.67 fl.oz This gentle makeup remover is among Amazons best Korean skincare products for acne-prone skin since it gets rid of sebum and blackheads without blocking pores. The skin feels and looks fresh, nourished, and regenerated after using this lightweight oil. 10. AXIS - Y - Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum Insider Monkey Points: 8 Price: $15 for 1.69 fl.oz Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum incorporates 5% niacinamide and papaya extract, which efficiently brightens the skin complexion and reduces the visibility of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It is claimed to be suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin. 9. Haruharu WONDER - Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner Fragrance-Free Insider Monkey Points: 8 Price: $13.35 for 5.1 fl.oz It contains 100% Korean-produced fermented black rice extracts, that give the skin intense hydration and nourishment. This product claims to be perfect for sensitive skin and fragrance-free. 8. COSRX - AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner Insider Monkey Points: 9 Price: $17 for 5.07 fl.oz This toner being one of the best skincare products of 2024 is made with AHA, BHA, and purifying botanical ingredients that promote the texture and elasticity of the skin while minimizing pores. 0.1% AHA Glycolic Acid and BHA Betaine Salicylate in this toner assist in rejuvenating skin by eliminating dullness and dead skin cells. 7. ETUDE - Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream Insider Monkey Points: 9 Price: $16.87 for 2.02 fl.oz Etude House was founded in 1985. This brands Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream has organically derived components that help keep the skin balanced and hydrated. It is a great combination of moisturizing ingredients comprising shea butter, panthenol, and sunflower seed oil for supple and healthier skin. 6. I'm from - Rice Toner Insider Monkey Points: 11 Price: $22 for 5.07 fl.oz I'm From Rice Toner is among the best Korean skincare products of 2024 according to our list. It removes dead skin cells, restores the healthy balance of dry, exhausted barriers, and creates a protective layer over the skin to stop water loss. This toner has a high water retention capacity and a collagen-producing capacity, with 77.78% of rice extract. Thus, resulting in efficiently plumping the skin. Click to continue reading and see the 5 Best Korean Skincare Products of 2024. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. 20 Best Korean Skincare Products of 2024 is originally published on Insider Monkey. David Kirsch, 64, (not pictured) is worried his Social Security and 401(k) won't be enough to live off of in retirement. Westend61 / Getty Images David Kirsch, 64, worries he won't have enough money to retire comfortably in a few years. He's one of 30 million Americans known as "peak boomers," a group born between 1959 and 1964. Many of these boomers are worried about having enough to stop working and cover their expenses. David Kirsch is hoping he can retire at 70. He's 64 years old, and his dream is to buy a gently used sailboat, sell most of his belongings, and spend his golden years traveling around the Caribbean and South America. But Kirsch a resident of Hill, New Hampshire feels like his sailboat is drifting further and further away. He has an IT job and earns $64,805 a year, according to documents viewed by Business Insider. He said he maintains IRA accounts and puts money into his 401(k), but he still isn't confident he's saved enough to retire. Kirsch is hoping to start collecting Social Security checks in a couple of years, just before his 67th birthday. That additional money would allow him to put more of his professional income into his retirement accounts during the last years of his career, he said. "My biggest fear is finding myself at 75 standing at the door at Walmart greeting people as they come in," he told BI. Kirsch isn't alone. He's one of 30 million Americans known as "peak boomers," a group of baby boomers born between 1959 and 1964 who will start turning 65 this year and are heading toward retirement. However, many of these boomers are worried about having enough money to fully stop working and cover their living expenses. The Census Bureau's Current Population Survey found that more than half of Americans over 65 have an annual income of $30,000 or less . And, per an April report from the retirement research firm Alliance Lifetime Income's Retirement Income Institute, 52.5% of boomers have $250,000 or less in assets. For many, Social Security won't be enough to fill the gaps. As of March 2024, the Social Security Administration said that its average monthly check sent to recipients is $1,774.83. And, if lawmakers don't intervene, the US Social Security fund is set to dry out by the late 2030s. This group of boomers is feeling the consequences of the US' switch from an employer-funded pension to the employee-funded 401(k) system in the 1980s. Even with aggressive saving, he's not sure about the future Kirsch's anxiety about retirement has fluctuated throughout his career. He has experienced a few periods of unemployment that made saving money difficult, and his past employers didn't always offer retirement benefits. He has been in his current job for the past 12 years and is now using "highly aggressive" retirement contributions to reach his goals, he said. Story continues He said his top expenses right now are his car payment, gas money, and the cost of housing and utilities. Kirsch is in good health, but worries about affording medical care if that changes. He also said he isn't sure he would be able to return to work after retirement because of hiring discrimination for older adults. "If I'm by myself, out-competed, in need for money, in my seventies, and having health problems life's going suck, that's my fear," Kirsch said. Kirsch wishes more people understood that some older adults aren't able to adequately prepare for retirement because of life circumstances. He also wishes government safety net programs for affordable housing and healthcare didn't wait for people to reach "critical status" and be "destitute" before they provide assistance. Although he hasn't given up on his sailboat dream, Kirsch said he's anxious about having enough to live comfortably a decade from now. He often tells his young adult son to think about retirement early. "Start saving and do it as aggressively as you can," he said. "And, when you can't be aggressive, still save something." Are you worried about being financially ready for retirement? How are you preparing? Share your story with this reporter at allisonkelly@insider.com. Read the original article on Business Insider kate_sept2004 / iStock.com If youre in the market for a financial advisor, choosing one can be an intimidating prospect. After all, how will you know when youve found the right match? The answer comes when youve properly vetted them. Taking actions like researching their background and qualifications and asking the right questions will lead you in the right direction. Try This: Passive Income Expert: I Make $27,000 Every Week Heres How Learn More: Owe Money to the IRS? Most People Dont Realize They Should Do This One Thing Heres the expert advice you need to hire the perfect financial advisor for you. Sponsored: Protect Your Wealth With A Gold IRA. Take advantage of the timeless appeal of gold in a Gold IRA recommended by Sean Hannity. Youre Aware of Their Qualifications James Enriquez, CFP, a managing partner and financial advisor with Strategic Insights Financial Planning Group, said that while surprising, the barrier to entry is relatively low. There are no career specific college education requirements, he said. In fact, not all financial advisors have the same licenses. For example, some life insurance agents who are only insurance-licensed might call themselves a retirement income planner. Lastly, not all designations are created equally. Some only require a fee, while others have an education component, exam and experience requirements. Potential investors should ask about the advisors qualifications. Youve Researched Their Background People can go to FINRA BrokerCheck to check the advisors history, said Enriquez. If an advisor has a designation, clients can go to the awarding organizations website to see if the advisor has any disciplinary history. Potential clients should interview advisors and ask questions. Asking friends and families for referrals can help vet a financial advisor, too. Read Next: Mark Cuban Reveals Why He Keeps a Strict Budget Everyday They Match With Your Financial Goals Diane Bourdo, CFP, president of The Humphreys Group, a women-owned and operated wealth management firm, said you need to consider your goals when looking for the right advisor. Assess your personal and financial goals, your assets and your liabilities, she said. Why do you want to work with a financial advisor and what do you hope to gain from it? Are you looking for help investing? Are you trying to set up an educational fund or a trust for future generations? Do you need help planning for retirement? Different financial advisors specialize in different areas. Its important to figure out precisely what you require a financial advisor for in order to sort out which advisors may be a better fit than others. Story continues You Like Their Communication Style Stephen Roth, CFP, principal and founder of Limestone Financial Group said that good communication is the key to any good relationship including the one you have with your financial advisor. He suggested that you should evaluate whether they can effectively communicate with you by asking yourself the following questions: Do they speak my language? Is it engageful communication? Do I understand and feel emotionally safe to express myself or challenge a recommendation? Am I being heard? You Know They Will Personally Be Managing Your Money This is an often overlooked one, and I am seldom asked this question, Enriquez said. Along those lines, clients should ask their advisor who is managing their money. Third-party money manager adoption is increasing, and clients might be surprised that their advisor is not the one actually managing their money. You Are Comfortable With How They Get Paid Enriquez said you need to consider the following questions: How does the advisor get paid? If the advisor is only paid by commission, how is objectivity ensured? Does an advisor only charge an asset under management fee? If so, will the advisor be able to recommend paying off their mortgage early, for example, even though theyll be reducing their income? Does the advisor offer financial planning for a fee? Will they charge you a flat fee without having any assets to manage? If youre an early career investor and you choose an advisor who doesnt offer financial planning for a fee, you could get left behind, Enriquez said. Since they might not have a lot of assets to manage due to the majority of their assets being tied up in their 401(k), they might not be able to get comprehensive financial planning if their advisor cannot collect a fee, he explained. You Know Their Plans for Remaining in the Industry Jason DallAcqua, CFP, financial advisor and founder of Crest Wealth Advisors, said its important to know how long the advisor plans to remain in the industry. If you are looking for a long-term, ongoing relationship, then you want your advisor to be able to guide you over the years, he said. The average age of a financial advisor is 55, meaning they may be starting to think about their own retirement. Know what the advisors long-term plans are and what may happen if they do transition out of the industry. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 Ways To Know Youve Found the Right Financial Advisor for You AMD. AMD this week increased its datacenter GPU sales guidance by $500 million to $4 billion as the number of customers interested in its latest Instinct MI300-series processors is increasing. $4 billion sales of GPUs for AI and HPC applications is a lot of money in general, but it is a tiny fraction of what Nvidia will earn on its H100, H200, and B200 products. "[Instinct] MI300 demand continues to strengthen," said Lisa Su, chief executive of AMD, at the company's earnings call with financial analysts and investors (via SeekingAlpha). "Based on our expanding customer engagements, we netback data center GPU revenue to exceed $4 billion in 2024, up from the $3.5 billion we guided in January." AMD began to ship its Instinct MI300-series products in Q4 2023 (the first customers reported that they had received the compute GPUs in mid-January 2024). Its sales have surpassed $1 billion, according to AMD, which is in line with the company's expectations that the Instinct MI300-series would be its fastest product to $1 billion revenue. It is highly likely that AMD begain to ship its Instinct MI300 products in very late Q4 2023, so the majority of shipments were made in the first quarter of this year. Such a high adoption rate points to significant interest in the new series and AMD's conservative guidance about Instinct MI300's sales in 2024. Meanwhile, it should be noted that AMD is not supply constrained with the Instinct MI300 and demand for the product is relatively modest at this point. "Our $4 billion number is not supply capped, [] we do have supply capability above that," said Su. "It is more back half weighted. So, if you are looking at sort of the near-term, I would say, for example, in the second quarter, we do have more demand than we have supply right now, and we are continuing to work on pulling in some of that supply." Last week Intel guided that sales of its Gaudi 3 products will achieve $500 million this year, which is not much compared to how much its Xeon processors for datacenters earn. Gaudi 3 has yet to ramp, so it is possible that the processor will not have enough time to sell in huge quantities in 2024. Expectations for sales of AI processors by AMD and Intel pale when compared to what Nvidia is expected to make in 2024. Analysts believe that the company could sell $40 billion worth of datacenter GPUs. It is noteworthy that while AMD's datacenter GPU sales look impressive, they are still considerably lower compared to sales of AMD's gaming solutions, comprising of AMD's system-on-chips for Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's PlayStation consoles, the company's discrete Radeon GPUs for desktops and laptops, and not including built-in Radeon graphics. Sales of AMD's gaming products exceeded a billion dollars per quarter for years and only dropped to $922 million this quarter. Amgen stock soared as much as 16% on Friday after it reported first-quarter earnings. The company talked up its experimental GLP-1 weight-loss drug, MariTide. The new weight loss drug could be injected monthly instead of weekly. A new experimental weight-loss drug helped spark a 16% rally in Amgen stock on Friday. The pharmaceutical giant reported first-quarter earnings that beat analyst estimates. It also tweaked its 2024 revenue and profit guidance slightly higher, but investors were more focused on an update about the company's pipeline development of a GLP-1 weight loss drug called MariTide. The drug just wrapped up its phase two trial and Amgen said it is in the beginning stages of moving the drug into a phase three trial. "We are very encouraged with the results that we've seen thus far and with the conduct of the trial," Amgen CEO Robert Bradway said on the company's earnings call. The competition is fierce in the GLP-1 weight loss market, with Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Mounjary and Zepbound dominating sales. But demand is so strong that supply has been constrained, and Wall Street analysts believe the total addressable market for treating obesity in America is so massive that more than two companies will likely succeed. That's where Amgen could come in, as Bradway said its experimental weight-loss drug is "differentiated" and "will address important unmet medical needs." Perhaps the biggest difference between Amgen's MariTide and the current weight loss drugs on the market is that MariTide could be injected monthly due to its long-acting nature, rather than having to be injected weekly like Ozempic and Mounjaro. "We expect to deliver MariTide in a convenient handheld, patient-friendly auto-injector device with a monthly or even less frequent single-injection administration, assuming eventual approval," Amgen chief scientific officer James Bradner said on the earnings call. Amgen said it is on track to release top-line data from MariTide's phase 2 trial in late 2024. Goldman Sachs said in a note on Friday that the market is estimating Amgen's MariTide will have peak sales of $5 billion, or about 5% of the $100 billion obesity market, if it's eventually approved. A monthly or less frequent injection would improve the convenience factor for patients, but it would also help ease the supply constraints of GLP-1 weight loss drugs. That's because much of the shortage of the drugs hasn't been caused not by manufacturing the active ingredient of the drug, but rather manufacturing and filling the technically complex auto-injectors. Fewer injections each year for patients means fewer auto-injectors, which should help more people secure access to the popular drugs. Story continues While a monthly weight-loss injected drug may sound appealing to patients, it is likely still far from hitting the market, assuming it passes all of its clinical trials. And even more convenient than a monthly injection of GLP-1 would be a weight loss pill, though Amgen said it ditched development of its oral weight loss drug candidate to instead focus on the development of MariTide. Read the original article on Business Insider By Jonathan Stempel OMAHA, Neb. (Reuters) - Berkshire Hathaway significantly reduced its enormous stake in Apple in the first quarter, as Warren Buffett's conglomerate let its cash hoard swell to a record $189 billion. Buffett's company also posted a record operating profit exceeding $11 billion, as its insurance operations benefited from improved underwriting and higher income from investments as interest rates rose. The value of Berkshire's stake in Apple fell 22% to $135.4 billion as of March 31 from $174.3 billion at the end of 2023, even though the iPhone maker's share price fell just 11% in the quarter. Based on changes in Apple's stock price, Berkshire appears to have sold about 115 million shares, or 13% of its holdings, in the quarter, ending with about 790 million. A large sale is an about-face for Buffett, who is normally tech-phobic but came to view Apple as a consumer goods company with strong pricing power and devoted customers. Some investors, however, have expressed concern that Apple consumed too much of Berkshire's investment portfolio. But the sales leave Buffett with more than six times the minimum $30 billion cash cushion he has pledged to keep. At Berkshire's annual meeting on Saturday, Buffett assured shareholders that "unless something dramatic happens that really changes capital allocation, we will have Apple as our largest investment." He also said "I don't mind" expanding the cash stake, in light of alternatives in the equity markets and conflicts around the world, and said cash could top $200 billion by the end of June. The Apple sales resulted in Berkshire's realizing $11.2 billion of after-tax gains in the quarter from selling investments. Buffett maintained that he doesn't mind paying taxes. PROFIT SWELLS First-quarter operating profit rose 39% to $11.22 billion, or about $7,807 per Class A share, from $8.07 billion a year earlier. "Berkshire continues to benefit from attractive yields on short-term investments and large cash balances," Edward Jones analyst James Shanahan said in a research note. Net income fell 64% to $12.7 billion, or $8,838 per share, from $35.5 billion a year earlier, when Berkshire had large unrealized gains from its stocks. An accounting rule requires Berkshire to report those gains with its financial results. Buffett urges investors to ignore the resulting volatility. Berkshire also repurchased $2.6 billion of its own stock in the first quarter, and a small amount in the first three weeks of April. The results were released ahead of Berkshire's annual shareholder meeting in Omaha, part of a weekend that draws tens of thousands of people to the city. Story continues Buffett, 93, has led Berkshire since 1965, transforming it from a struggling textile company into a conglomerate whose dozens of businesses including Geico, the BNSF railroad, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, and Dairy Queen and See's Candies. The diversification has led many investors, not just Buffett fans, to view Berkshire as a stable long-term investment even amid recession fears and concerns about the banking industry. GEICO HELPS POWER EARNINGS Insurance profit soared 80% to $5.2 billion. This included a more than doubling of underwriting profit at Geico, which benefited from rate increases and a large decline in the percentage of premiums it used to pay for accident losses. Profit fell 8% at the BNSF railroad, in part because of lower fuel surcharges and an "unfavorable business mix." Berkshire Hathaway Energy saw profit rise 72%, as improved operating performance from utilities helped offset rising legal costs at the HomeServices of America real estate brokerage related to legal settlements over brokerage commissions. The energy business still faces billions of dollars in claims against its PacifiCorp unit over Oregon wildfires in 2020. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in Omaha, Nebraska; editing by Jason Neely and Diane Craft) New Police and Crime Commissioner would not abolish Police and Crime Commissioner role This article is old - Published: Saturday, May 4th, 2024 Your Police and Crime Commissioner has asked those who feel disengaged, or has suggestions, to come meet him as he looks to boost engagement following a lacklustre turnout in his reelection. Labours Andy Dunbobbin was re-elected as the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for North Wales in a vote on Thursday, and declared at the count yesterday. The former Flintshire councillor won with 31,950 overall votes defeating Conservative Brian Jones by 5,309 votes. Former Plaid Cymru Deputy PCC Ann Griffith finished in third place with 23,466 votes, while Liberal Democrat Richard Marbrowpolled in fourth with 7,129. There was a low overall turnout in North Wales for the latest PCC election of 17.19 per cent, with the total number of votes cast amounting to 89,599. The turnout figure was down by just under 29 per cent compared to the last poll in 2021, although the previous vote was held on the same day as the Senedd election. Speaking to Wrexham.co a few minutes after the result was announced we asked the new PCC for their initial reaction. Dunbobbin said, Im really pleased with the results of the elections. I was the only candidate who had a local manifesto, resonated with people, and its about building on the successes achieved during the last few years as well. So Im really pleased about that. Im really grateful to the public. The turnout was not fantastic, and vote per candidate was down on a personal level. We asked what he would do in the future to boost the profile of PCCs and what work would he do to reengage with the population. He replied, I hear what people are saying, and it has become really prominent on the election campaign. What I would say is that I have been out canvassing the last quite a number of weeks really, with the parliamentary candidates as well, because at some point, we know that a general election is going to be called. There are a number of things that have taken place in my term, introduction of surgeries, the fortnightly newsletter, our social media presence has increased, looking at other avenues as well regarding the business community and using the LinkedIn account as well that has been created. Theres always room for improvement and thats what Ill be wanting to do, build upon those things that we introduced. Maybe people didnt know those things were around, now is an opportunity to shine a light on that and get people really engaged further. We noted the pretty dire local turnout and asked for his thoughts. Mr Dunbobbin said, It is low. But, I think we were always sort of half expecting that with it being a standalone election. With it being a change in the electoral system thats used to determine the outcome, with first past the post. Ive campaigned strong, Ive got a really good record of delivery for the people in North Wales and thats why the people in North Wales reelected me. We asked him about being back at the desk Monday morning and what his priority would be. He replied, I think the first thing I will be kicking on with is spending some quality time with my wife and children, because theyve not seen much of me over the last couple of months. But, I will be looking at implementing whats in my manifesto, bringing that forward and put it into the Police and Crime Plan that will be presented to panel members. Then hopefully, I am hoping I will be one of the first to have the Police and Crime Plan approved by the Police and Crime Panel. So Ive got a plan. Weve got clear direction in which way we want to be going, and looking forward to the start again on Tuesday. We asked what the challenges and priorities were specifically in the local area, with us told serious organised crime and the intrinsic links there that links into child sexual exploitation, modern slavery, cybercrime were the focus. We asked if he felt the PCC election should be reattached to Senedd, Westminster or Council elections to boost turnouts. He said, I think thats a really good question. Theres been a PCC review, the (change to) first past the post system was part of that review. So theres a second part of the PCC review as well. So maybe it will tie in with that. I think it would be, more beneficial to increase that turnout, to get people engaged. Thats what its about, isnt it? With the PCC election taking place amid a range of elections across the UK we asked for his view on how it reflects on a forthcoming General election, or if it wasnt possible to link the two. What it clearly says to me is that in North Wales, and across England and Wales, that theres a strong message to the Conservative governments, that people want change. Please call that General Election because, to be quite brutal, people have had enough and they just want to see that shift and change. Sunak has bottled it, he could have had it the same time as this that would have saved the public a lot of money as well. Lots of feedback in the run up to, and on polling day itself, was around the role of the PCC and if the position should exist at all. We asked the new PCC if he would be looking to abolish himself, or if he thought it was a valuable position. The new PCC said, I think its a valuable position because I am accountable to the public. I think, as weve been talking about, along that theme of engagement and understanding and improving things like that, thats what Im keen to do. Anybody whos feeling disengaged, or got any suggestions or really wanting to know more, please come and see me and make an appointment. I think with what Ive done, the newsletters, the surgeries, all the positive steps that Ive taken to improve that engagement its really about building upon that, and I really would wish that people take the opportunity to come and see me. Im listening to you, and Im here to represent you. (Top pic: The Dunbobbin family celebrate his win) By Jonathan Stempel and Koh Gui Qing OMAHA, Nebraska (Reuters) -Warren Buffett assured Berkshire Hathaway shareholders on Saturday that the executives expected to succeed him were ready for the job, and he heaped praise on Apple although Berkshire trimmed its position in the iPhone maker. Speaking at Berkshires annual meeting, the legendary investor paid tribute to his late business partner Charlie Munger and said he expected the conglomerates cash pile, now a record $189 billion, to keep growing. The meeting was the 60th for Buffett, who since 1965 transformed Berkshire from a failing textile company into an $862 billion colossus owning the BNSF railroad, Geico car insurance, Dairy Queen and dozens of other businesses. Buffett, 93, told shareholders that Vice Chairmen Greg Abel and Ajit Jain have proven themselves the right people to lead Berkshire after he departs. Abel, who was designated Buffett's successor as chief executive in 2021, and Jain have directly overseen Berkshire's operating subsidiaries since 2018. "When you've got somebody like Greg and Ajit, why settle for me?" Buffett said. "It has worked out extremely well." "I don't know quite how (Abel) does it, but we've got the right person, I can tell you that," he added. Buffett said he would want Abel, 61, upon becoming chief executive, to have final say on capital allocation decisions regarding Berkshire's portfolio of public stocks. Investors had long considered Todd Combs and Ted Weschler, who manage part of Berkshire's $335.9 billion equity portfolio, leading candidates to manage more or all of it. The meeting, part of a weekend Buffett calls "Woodstock for Capitalists," was the first since Munger died in November at age 99. Buffett described Munger, his longtime his friend and foil, as the "architect of today's Berkshire." Buffett gave no sign he plans to step aside, telling shareholders, "I feel fine," while joking he shouldn't take on four-year employment contracts. DECREASING APPLE STAKE, GROWING CASH Before the meeting, Berkshire announced first-quarter results, including a 39% jump in operating profit to a record $11.2 billion. In a surprise, Berkshire reported it had sold about 13% of its Apple shares, reducing the value of its stake to $135.4 billion from $174.3 billion. Apple's stock price fell 11% in the quarter. The sale was the main reason Berkshire's cash hoard soared. Buffett said cash might grow to $200 billion this quarter, reflecting the risks he sees from high stock market valuations and geopolitical conflicts. Story continues Despite reducing the Apple stake, Buffett praised the company, saying it was "an even better business" than two of Berkshire's oldest and largest investments, American Express and Coca-Cola. The iPhone was "one of the greatest products, and it may be the greatest product, of all time," Buffett said with Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook in the audience. Berkshire invested in Apple in 2016, and the normally tech-phobic Buffett came to view it as a consumer goods company with strong pricing power and devoted customers. While some investors have expressed concern that Apple comprised too much of Berkshire's equity portfolio, Buffett said Apple would remain his company's biggest stock investment, barring unforeseen events. Abel, meanwhile, pledged to fight lawsuits seeking tens of billions of dollars from Berkshire's PacifiCorp utility unit over Oregon wildfires in 2020. He described it as a substantial challenge, and said many claims were unfounded. Shareholders reelected all 14 Berkshire directors, and rejected six shareholder proposals, all of which Buffett opposed. At the start of the meeting, shareholders watched a video tribute to Munger, including scenes of Omaha from 1924 when he was born and clips of Buffett and Munger through the years. Munger had been a fixture on stage with Buffett at the meetings, known for laconic and acerbic comebacks to Buffett's musings about Berkshire, the economy, Wall Street and life. Berkshire's stock is up 23% over the last year. While that lags the Standard & Poor's 500's 25% gain, Berkshire has risen 218% over the last decade versus the S&P's 172% gain. LINES FORMED HOURS BEFORE MEETING Before the meeting, thousands lined up in raw, rainy weather to enter the arena, sometimes several hours in advance. When the doors opened at 7 a.m., many ran for the best seats. The weekend also featured an exhibit hall for shareholders to buy goodies such as Berkshire T-shirts and Squishmallows toys at exhibits by Berkshire-owned companies. Serena Lam, 32, an investment manager who traveled with 40 others from Hong Kong, said she arrived at 2:30 a.m. "I want to see Warren Buffett," she said. "I want to get his perspective about Japanese stocks. I flew over 25 hours for this." As usual, Buffett interspersed comments on Berkshire's portfolio with musings about wealth and life, including his own. I enjoy managing money for the people who trust me. I like the feeling of being trusted," he said. "If I'm lucky, I can go on for six or seven years, or it might end tomorrow." (Reporting by Gui Qing Koh and Jonathan Stempel in Omaha; additional reporting by Scott Morgan in Omaha and Davide Barbuscia in New York; editing by Ira Iosebashvili, Megan Davies, Cynthia Osterman, Jason Neely and Diane Craft) Colombias Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday the severing of diplomatic relations with Israel over the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Bogota plans to remove all its diplomatic personnel from Israel, according to an official statement that cites the indescribable human suffering inflicted upon Palestinians since last October. The communique stresses that the measure is aimed not at Israeli citizens or the Jewish population, but strictly at the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Gustavo Petro delivers May Day speech in Plaza Bolivar, Bogota, Colombia [Photo: Juan Diego Cano/Presidencia] The decision was first announced by President Gustavo Petro during a May Day speech on Wednesday, in front of tens of thousands of supporters in Bogota. He said that one word summarizes the necessity of life, rebellion, the raised flag and resistance. That word is called Gaza. It is called Palestine, the girls, the boys, the babies who have died dismembered by bombs... If Palestine dies, humanity dies, and we will not let it die. The breaking of relations with Tel Aviv, which predictably responded by calling Petro an antisemite full of hatred, takes place in the context of the massive crackdown against peaceful anti-genocide protests at universities across US and indications that Israel will proceed with a devastating invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza, which harbors over 1 million refugees. Hundreds of millions around the world have watched for seven months images of the mass killings in Gaza and are now being further enraged by the brutal violence against students and faculty on US campuses. The danger of a regional or even global conflict has also become increasingly apparent, with Petro himself responding to the exchange of air strikes between Israel and Iran by warning of an imminent World War III. At the time, he tweeted: US support, in practice, for a genocide, has set the world ablaze. With a few exceptionsmost notably the fascist Argentine President Javier Mileithe biggest diplomatic backlash against Israel and the US for the slaughter in Palestine has taken place in Latin America, even more than among Muslim-majority countries. Petro had recalled his ambassador from Israel hours after an Israeli airstrike flattened much of the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza and killed dozens on October 31. On the same day, Bolivian President Luis Arce cut all diplomatic ties with Israel, while President Gabriel Boric recalled Chiles ambassador from Tel Aviv. Days later, Honduras recalled its ambassador, and Belize suspended diplomatic relations with Israel. The Cuban and Venezuelan governments already had no diplomatic ties with Israel and have condemned the genocide in Gaza. Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua has not broken relations with Israel but did launch a case in the International Court of Justice against Germanys complicity in the genocide in Gaza as one of Israels largest military suppliers. The ICJ responded in record time by rejecting emergency measures to block arms sales to Tel Aviv. In February, Brazilian President Lula da Silva denounced Israel for carrying out a genocide in Gaza akin to when Hitler decided to kill the Jews. The Netanyahu administration responded by declaring Lula a persona non grata, meaning he is not welcome in Israel. Finally, while Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has remained largely muted about the Israeli genocide, he denounced US hypocrisy for repressing pro-Palestinian students and providing weapons to kill innocent people across the world. How are they going to pretend theyre world judges on the defense of human rights? he said. Such positions reflect an enormous fear of the explosive popular opposition to the genocide. In Latin America, it is a distorted expression of the instinctive hatred among the masses for the type of neo-colonial slaughter and oppression in Palestine, which closely resembles what Latin America has itself faced at the hands of US imperialism and its oligarchic partners. Millions in the region see clearly that Israel is acting as a bludgeon for the US efforts to secure its hegemony in the Middle East. For decades, Washington has sought to cultivate the Colombian ruling class as its closest military partner and bastion for political reaction in Latin America. Since the 1960s, the US has spent billions and sent countless military advisors to help crush left-wing guerrilla movements, working hand-in-hand with the landed oligarchy, their multinational partners, and fascist paramilitary gangs to continue robbing millions of hectares from peasantsterritory several times the size of Israel and occupied Palestine. The war in Colombia has resulted in between 450,000 and 800,000 deaths and 8 million displaced since 1985. Israel and Colombia long maintained a strategic triangle with the US, with Israel providing much of the weapons to Colombia until Petro suspended military purchases in February. Both maintain special relations with NATO, and Colombia remains the Atlantic Alliances only global partner in Latin America. Petro and the other left bourgeois nationalist leaders in the region represent sections of the ruling class that are particularly sensitive to the deep anti-imperialist sentiments among workers and other oppressed layers. Since Hugo Chavez was elected at the turn of the century in Venezuela, his co-thinkers have sought to channel this opposition behind efforts to negotiate better terms for the national ruling elites in how profits are distributed with US imperialism. This has been combined with closer commercial and political relations with US geopolitical rivals like China and Russia, as well as promises of greater social spending and reforms that have largely dried up with the drop in commodity prices in 2014. In the rest of his speech on May Day, Petro portrayed himself and his government as working class, and defended a healthcare bill that expands local clinics and reduces the role of private insurers. I do not belong to that ignorant pseudo-aristocracy, dressed as slavers who today do not know the reality of the world, he said demagogically. Besides Congress rejecting his limited social programs, Petro has faced very real and escalating threats from far-right and military circles to overthrow his elected government. On Wednesday, he explicitly warned that a coup against him would provoke a mass social eruption. Described in the corporate media as Colombias first left-wing President, Petro was installed to channel the mass protests and general strikes against social inequality that erupted between 2019 and 2021 behind illusions in reforms within the capitalist set up. His power depends on his ability to suppress the class struggle, which has become increasingly limited. Despite a recent uptick, his popularity hovers around 35 percent. His positions on Israel and recent promises of a constituent assembly are undoubtedly aimed at bolstering his base of support, which now largely rests on the discredited trade union bureaucracy and other sections of the middle class. Independently of his personal revulsion toward the slaughter of Palestinians, which there is no reason to doubt, Petro and his government represent a section of the capitalist ruling class that depends on US imperialism for access to markets, capital, and above all, protection against any challenge from below. Any serious struggle against imperialism and war requires a mass working class movement internationally to end capitalism. This threat will push all sections of the local ruling elites toward open dictatorship and back into the embrace of imperialism. As the great Marxist revolutionary Leon Trotsky wrote as early as 1928: A democratic or national liberation movement may offer the bourgeoisie an opportunity to deepen and broaden its possibilities for exploitation. Independent intervention of the proletariat on the revolutionary arena threatens to deprive the bourgeoisie of the possibility to exploit altogether. Around 330,000 people took part in over 450 May Day demonstrations and rallies across Germany on Wednesday. A woman waves a Palestinian flag during a May Day demonstration in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, May 1, 2024 [AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi] At the demonstrations, members of the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party, SGP) condemned the massacre in Gaza and NATOs proxy war in Ukraine. They advocated uniting the working class worldwide against imperialist war. They promoted the online May Day rally of the International Committee of the Fourth International and called for the freedom of Ukrainian socialist Bogdan Syrotiuk, who was arrested and imprisoned for his defence of the unity of the Russian and Ukrainian working class. In Stuttgart, SGP European election candidate S. Ratnamaheson declared: The official slogan of the DGB (German Trade Union Confederation)more pay, free time, justiceis a lie. The trade unions are systematically organising cuts in real wages and are responsible for social inequality. They are deeply involved in the German governments preparations for war. While many demonstrators wanted to fight against capitalism and war, the trade union bureaucracy reaffirmed its support for the governments pro-war policy and joined forces with the police to crack down on opponents of war. In Berlin, for example, opponents of the genocide in Gaza were excluded from DGB rallies and persecuted by the police, while in Stuttgart the police violently attacked demonstrators and arrested 167 people. Berlin In Berlin, according to Tagesspiegel, around 30,000 people took part in over 20 peaceful demonstrations. A demonstration in the Kreuzberg and Neukolln districts with more than 10,000 participants was marked by vocal opposition to the genocide in Gaza. Four thousand people took part in a protest march through the residential neighbourhood of Grunewald in the west of Berlin. On the initiative of DGB officials, around 100 opponents of the genocide in Gaza were excluded from the union demonstration, which had about around 14,000 participants, and were separated from the protest by the police. Although the majority of those excluded were trade union members, their shouts of Free Palestine and the description of the Israeli actions in Gaza as genocide were deemed not welcome, according to a DGB spokesperson, and would be excluded from the demonstration. When one person resisted, police took their personal details. DGB officials then filed criminal charges for incitement of the people, whereupon the police began an investigation into two people. Members of the DGB youth organisation had previously tried to remove Palestinian flags from participants. The DGB and its member unions are notorious for their open support of Germanys pro-war policy. In February, for example, Europes largest industrial union, IG Metall, published a joint paper with the Social Democrats (SPD) Economic Forum and the arms lobby calling for a further strengthening of the arms industry. Although the policewho deployed 6,200 officers in Berlinadmitted that all the protests were peaceful, 30 people were arrested. Reports circulated by the police about caches of stones allegedly found on rooftops turned out to be construction sites. DGB rally on Frankfurts Romerberg under flags of Israel, Ukraine, Germany, the EU and the DGB Frankfurt am Main In Frankfurt am Main, the DGB celebrated May Day in front of the Romer, Frankfurt City Hall, which was decorated with Ukrainian and Israeli flags. The previous evening, regional DGB leader Philipp Jacks together with Frankfurts Mayor Mike Josef (SPD) had hoisted the DGB flag there. Mike Josef was also invited to speak at the May Day rally. The officials tried to surround themselves with striking Lieferando drivers, who are confronted with inhumane working conditions at the billion-dollar delivery service. The DGB trade union NGG (Food, Beverages and Catering Union) is seeking a collective agreement and 1 more in hourly wages. However, by holding the rally under Israeli and Ukrainian flags, the DGB also made it clear how firmly it stands on the side of the state and the capitalists, and that it particularly supports the German government providing arms and financial aid for Ukraine in the war against Russia and for the Israeli genocide in Gaza. Stuttgart In Stuttgart, there was a violent confrontation with police, during which 167 demonstrators were arrested and their march broken up. Several hundred participants carried banners against the Gaza war and Palestinian flags, as well as placards with slogans against social inequality and war. A very large police contingent, including mounted officers and police dogs, accompanied the march. After a short time, the police command apparently used the pretext of several unauthorised banners as the reason to intervene violently. Around 150 participants at the front were separated from the rest of the demonstration and kettled. Because the remaining 400 or so participants did not allow themselves to be pushed away, but remained where they were and expressed their solidarity with those being kettled, the police declared the previously authorised demonstration over and broke it up. The police claimed they had been suddenly attacked with pepper spray, as well as roofing batons with screws and other forms of striking tools. A police report, which was immediately disseminated uncritically in the media, spoke of 25 injured police officers and three injured police horses. However, according to Der Spiegel, a spokeswoman for the protest organisers rejected this and explained late on Wednesday evening that if police officers had been injured by pepper spray, then this was due to the massive use of irritant gas from their own ranks. In addition, the police had categorised confiscated materialssuch as the supports for large banners and signs on wooden slatsused as tools for attacks. The videos circulating of the confrontation show pepper spray being used exclusively by police officers, along with several mounted police officers driving their horses into the front of the demonstration. The demonstrators have so far reported 95 injuries as a result of police attacks, and of injuries caused by the use of police batons as well as eye and skin irritation from pepper spray. Although these clarifications paint a completely different picture of the events, Stuttgart Mayor Frank Nopper (Christian Democratic Union, CDU) spoke of rioters and violent criminals who had abused the right to demonstrate and attacked all of us. A DGB event with bratwurst and music that had previously taken place on the market square only drew 2,000 participants, including many trade union officials as well as activists from the SPD, Left Party and the Maoist MLPD. Leipzig In Leipzig, the DGB leadership itself took over the policing function, with DGB regional leader Manuela Grimm personally lending a hand to tear down Palestinian flags. When this failed, other trade union officials intervened and simply banned the carrying of Palestinian flags, announcing: You have one minute to leave the demonstration. There will be no discussion: The minute is running. This article was originally published on Twitter/X. The Osnabruck decree, which Defense Minister Boris Pistorius signed on Tuesday, and which came into force on May 1, has one central goal: making Germany fit for war again, despite its crimes in two world wars, by preparing for war against Russia. Already at the beginning of the year, Pistorius stated in several interviews that Germany must be prepared to wage a direct war against the nuclear-armed power Russia in the next three to five years. The decree is intended to lay the foundations for this. With this decree, we are further aligning the top-level structure and the leadership organisation of the Federal Ministry of Defence and the Bundeswehr (Armed Forces) with a war-ready Bundeswehr for the new era, says the decree signed by Pistorius. One of the most important elements of the decree is the creation of a central management structure (planning and operational management from a single source) and the establishment of processes that are largely based on the factors of speed, information superiority and resilience. Among other things, the inspector general will convene a Military Leadership Council (MFR) to discuss common matters of fundamental importance for the armed forces and to ensure joint military decision-making by the armed forces. This signifies nothing less than the return of the General Staff, which was banned after the criminal role of the German military leadership in the two world wars. Now it is being reestablished and civilian control of the army is being removed. The decree leaves no doubt that the ruling class has decided to wage full-scale war again, using masses of young people as cannon fodder for its imperialist interests. In this way, the ability of the armed forces to grow up must be ensured. This also includes establishing readiness in the event of an activation of compulsory military service, whether by declaring a state of defence or as part of a political decision in basic operations. The entire decree underlines that military prowess externally, as in the past, goes hand in hand with the militarisation of society internally. Among other things, the decree provides for the creation of a Civil Leadership Council (ZFR), which is closely coordinated with the MFR. What the ruling class is working on is currently evident on the war fronts in the Middle East and in Ukraine. In Gaza, Berlin supports Israels genocide of the Palestinians, which is an integral component of the imperialist subjugation of the entire region. In Ukraine, the NATO-armed Zelensky regime has already sacrificed hundreds of thousands of people at the front. Socialist opponents of war such as Bogdan Syrotiuk are being brutally persecuted and imprisoned as their opposition to war meets with growing support. The SGP (Socialist Equality Party, Germany) and the ICFI rely on the enormous opposition of the international working class and declare war on the warmongers in Berlin, Brussels, Kiev and Washington. Imperialism cannot be reformed; it must be overthrown. This requires the building of a socialist movement of the international working class against war and capitalism. This perspective is at the heart of the International May Day Online Rally on May 4. Make plans to participate! Five weeks before the European elections from June 6 to 9, leading representatives of the European Union (EU) are preparing for close cooperation with far-right parties. Until now, the parliamentary groups of the Conservatives, Liberals and Social Democratsand partly also the Greenshave taken important decisions and distributed key posts among themselves. But the right-wing extremists are set to play an important role after the election, both in the European Parliament and in the EU Commission. The much-touted firewall against or cordon sanitaire around the extreme right, which has always been a fiction, will definitively fall. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Tuesday, April 23, 2024. [AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias] Two events in recent days have made this clear. Last weekend, a whos who of the international extreme right met in Budapest under the patronage of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Then on Monday, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen brought into play a possible cooperation with the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group of parties, which includes Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Melonis Fratelli dItalia, the Spanish Vox, the Polish Law and Justice Party (PiS) and the Sweden Democrats, among others. Three thousand participants from five continents travelled to Budapest for the conference of the Hungarian branch of the Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC). The head of the Spanish Vox, Santiago Abascal, was there, as were Geert Wilders from the Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV) and Tom van Grieken from the Belgian Vlaams Belang. For the French National Rally (RN), the former head of the EU border agency Frontex and European election candidate for Marine le Pens party, Fabrice Leggeri, was in attendance. The Italian Lega and the Fratelli dItalia also sent representatives. Germany was represented by the former head of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the countrys top domestic spy agency, Hans-Georg Maassen, who founded his own far-right party, the Union of Values. Andre Ventura of Portugals Chega and ex-US President Donald Trump sent video messages. Brazilian ex-president Jair Bolsonaro sent his son Eduardo. In addition to two current heads of government, Orban and the Georgian Irakli Kobakhidze, three former prime ministers took part: Mateusz Morawiecky from Poland, Janez Jansa from Slovenia and Tony Abbott from Australia. Two ministers came from Israel: Amichai Chikli, responsible for diaspora affairs, and Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel. In its genocide of the Palestinians, Benjamin Netanyahus regime can count on the unconditional support of the European right-wing extremists, who are riddled with antisemites. Embedded in a reactionary mishmash of praise for God, family, fatherland and incitement against science, abortion, LGBTQ, liberalism and communism, the CPAC conference presented itself as the voice of order in times of chaos. Liberal hegemony has made the world a worse place. It has instigated war, where there was peace, brought chaos, where there was order, it wanted to wipe out countries and families, and it wanted to wipe our nations from the face of the earth, Orban explained in his opening speech. He blustered about the dawn of a sovereignist world order in which national interests determine the movement of states and each independent nation acts on the basis of its own national interests. Not all possible NGOs, large companies, media centres, suspicious experts and dodgy academics will then say what is right and what needs to be done, but popularly elected representatives and politicians, he added. The word fuhrer would have been more appropriate. The day after this repulsive conference, Ursula von der Leyen, who is seeking another term as Commission president, agreed to cooperate with the far right. During a debate in Maastricht, she did not answer yes to the question of whether she would exclude cooperation with the ECR group as usual, but replied: It depends greatly on the composition of Parliament and who is in which group. Von der Leyen, the lead candidate of the conservative European Peoples Party (EPP), would therefore be willing to be re-elected as head of the Commission with the votes of the right-wing extremists. It goes without saying that they will demand a price in the form of political concessions and important posts in the EU. Polls project a significant strengthening of the extreme right in the European elections. The two far-right groups, European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and Identity and Democracy (ID), expect to win a quarter of the seats. Instead of 126 in the current parliament, they could win 165 of the 710 seats. In addition, there are 12 deputies from the Hungarian ruling party Fidesz, who are currently non-attached but may join the ECR. Especially in Italy, where the right-wing extremists under Giorgia Meloni form the government, in the Netherlands, where Geert Wilders won the last parliamentary election, in Germany, where the Alternative for Germany (AfD) is in second place in the polls, and in France, a significant increase is expected for the right-wing extremists. In France, the National Rally is around 14 percent ahead of the Renaissance party of President Emmanuel Macron, whom Marine Le Pen wants to replace as head of state in the next presidential election. The National Rally, which expects 27 deputies, is IDs strongest party. The group also includes the German AfD, the Austrian FPO, the Italian Lega and other parties. Since some of them are more Russia-friendly and reject the EU, cooperation between them and the Conservatives is less likely. However, the factions could also regroup or re-form. There is speculation that National Rally will switch to ECR or set up its own faction. How can the far right be stopped? The responsibility for the growth of the extreme right lies entirely with the parties that currently determine EU policy. The idea that the rise of the extreme right can be stopped by voting for these partiesleft, green, social democratic, liberal and conservativeis a dangerous illusion. The reality is the opposite. The fight against the far right is not a question of electoral arithmetic, but of class dynamics. The danger of a third, nuclear world war has never been as great as it is today. To satisfy its hunger for profits, raw materials and markets, the EU and its member states are once again prepared to commit the worst crimes. With 172 billion, they have invested more money than the US to fuel the Ukraine war against Russia. They support the terrible genocide in Gaza and are surrounding China militarily together with the US. They pass on the costs of war and militarism to the working class and the youth. As the billionaires wealth explodes, real wages and benefits fall. Hundreds of thousands are losing their jobs. Education and healthcare are being cut to the bone, every protection against COVID-19 and other pandemics has been sacrificed to profit. The destruction of the environment is progressing at a rapid pace. Millions of workers, farmers and young people have gone on strike or taken to the streets to protest against the genocide in Gaza, rising gasoline costs, falling incomes and speed-up. But workers struggles and protests are regularly stifled by the trade unions or restricted by pseudo-left groups to impotent appeals to the rulers. In order to suppress the growing resistance, the ruling elite needs the right-wing extremists and fascists. Their parties create the reactionary political climate in which the seeds of fascism can flourish, adopt the program of the right-wing extremists, put it into practice and work closely with them in the process. Nowhere is this more evident than in the brutal repression of Gaza protests and the persecution of refugees. This creates the conditions for the establishment of a police state directed against the entire working class. Commission President Von der Leyen has been working closely with Giorgia Meloni, who is also chairwoman of the ECR, for a long time. Together with Meloni, she visited Tunisia to bribe the authoritarian ruler Kais Saied to forcibly prevent refugees from leaving. She enforced the recent tightening of the European asylum law, against which there were a few dozen dissenting votes from her own camp, with the help of Meloni. The leader of the European Peoples Party and its parliamentary group, Manfred Weber, a member of the Bavarian Christian Social Union, already backed the election campaign of his party ally Silvio Berlusconi in Italy in 2022and thus Melonis election. Meanwhile, he maintains close contact with the Italian head of government and has tried to secure her agreement for cooperation between the ECR and the EPP. The only conditions he places on the far right are: for the EU, for Ukraine and for the rule of law, by which he means the establishment of a police state. The trade unions and the pseudo-left parties of the wealthy middle class play a particularly despicable role in the growth of the right. The trade unions fully support the EUs war policy. In the face of growing class conflicts, their main task is to preserve social peacei.e., to suppress the class struggle. In this way, they paralyse the only social force that can confront the fascists. The pseudo-left parties have proven to be staunch opponents of the working class wherever they have been swept into government positions by a wave of opposition. This applies to Greeces Syriza as well as to Spains Podemos and the German Left Party. When Syriza won the election in 2015 on the basis of its rejection of the EUs austerity dictates and headed the government with Alexis Tsipras, the party was forced to choose between the will of the voters and the dictates of the EU. Syriza chose the EU and implemented a draconian austerity program that drove millions into abject poverty and paved the way for the right to return to power. Yanis Varoufakis, who was Greek Finance Minister at the time, is now competing in the European elections with the party DiEM25 (or MERA25). He uttered some radical phrases and promised the democratisation of Europe. What nonsense! The EU cannot be democratised. The interests of the majority are no longer compatible with the greed for profit and imperialist strivings of the ruling class. The masses must intervene independently into political affairs, break the power of the banks and corporations and place them under democratic control. The EU must be abolished and replaced by the United Socialist States of Europe. No great social problem can be solved without eliminating the capitalist system and replacing it with a socialist one in which the needs of society take precedence over the profit interests of the super-rich. The Socialist Equality Party (SGP) advances this programme in the European elections. It fights for the development of a class-conscious, socialist movement of the working class. As the German section of the International Committee of the Fourth International, it works closely with its sister organisations in Europe and around the world. As it prepares for a new round of mass mobilization, the Ukrainian government has recently updated its ongoing exemptions from the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, according to the Kyiv Independent. As a member of the Council of Europe, Ukraine is theoretically required to follow the articles of the Human Rights convention. However, it has been given the green light by its imperialist backers in the EU to suspend certain articles due to the war. Ukraine submitted the most recent appeal on April 4, but it was not made public until the end of the month. Ukrainian President Zelensky with his military staff, February 10, 2024 [Photo: Ukraine Presidential Office] According to media reports, the exemptions include human rights articles on limitations on the political activities of foreigners, freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, and the right to an effective legal remedy, as well as a number of articles related to the military. A number of the most recent human rights conventions Ukraine is seeking permission to suspend involve the powers of the military to behave with dictatorial powers as it seeks to replenish some of the hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers who have already been killed. According to the Kyiv Independent, These measures would include seizing property for the needs of the state, following the curfew, prohibiting peaceful mass events, and prohibiting residence changes for those who registered with the military or special registry, among other limitations. The military command is also allowed to inspect the belongings, vehicles, baggage, cargo, office premises, and citizens homes by the established procedure and implement the special regime for citizens, foreigners, and stateless persons, as well as vehicles movement. These measures are predictably defended by the representatives of Western imperialism. Peter Stano, an EU spokesperson, responded to questions by journalists on Ukraines deviations from the human rights conventions by essentially saying they were a non-issue for the EU. If we have a problem or potential problem with our Ukrainian partners, we discuss it. We do not assume that Ukrainian partners will act in bad faith. We fully understand the challenging circumstances they are facing. We have no reason to believe that they will take steps to violate their international obligations, values, and principles that are very important to the EU and the relations between Ukraine and the EU, Stano said. While the official NATO propaganda justifies this war as a fight to defend democracy against the dictatorship of Putins Russia, the exemptions granted by the EU to Ukraine on basic human and democratic rights are further proof that Ukraine is de facto a police state whose government resorts to dictatorial measures to suppress dissent. The country of some 40 million originally imposed martial law on February 24, 2022 following the NATO-provoked invasion by Russia. The Ukrainian parliament has subsequently extended the measure several times at the request of President Voldymyr Zelensky. Currently, Ukrainian men aged between 18 and 60 are not permitted to leave the country, as they are subject to being forced into military service. Last week the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry announced it was suspending all consular services to military aged men in an attempt to bring some hundreds of thousands of men fleeing the war back to the country. While the full-scale war and martial law has lasted over two years, Ukraines exemptions from European human rights conventions actually began in 2015 following the far-right coup of February 2014 which ousted the elected President Viktor Yanukovych and the outbreak of civil war in the countrys eastern Donbass region. The newest update of exemptions comes as the country prepares to carry out a new round of mobilizations following the passage of a widely opposed new mobilization bill that seeks to conscript hundreds of thousands of new soldiers into the severely undermanned Ukrainian Armed Forces. Moreover, with the recent passage of a $61 billion military assistance aid package from the United States, there is an urgent need to conscript more soldiers so that the expected influx of weapons can actually be used. The 2024 mobilization drive was first proposed in Zelenskys end-of-the-year address in December, when he announced that the Ukrainian Armed Forces were hoping to mobilize 500,000 new soldiers at a cost of $13.3 billion. Following widespread opposition, an initial mobilization bill was withdrawn and then reintroduced in February, ultimately leading to the bills passage. With the bills passage, all men aged 18 to 60 will be required to update their personal information within the next 60 days with the authorities responsible for conscription. This also goes for Ukrainian citizens living abroad, which now number in the millions, given the refugees from the war. As Maxim Goldarb reported to the WSWS: People who fail to comply with the requirements of the new law can be deprived of the right to drive a car, forcibly detained by the police and taken to the TCR, and fined. At the same time, the filing of an appeal by a citizen against a court decision on his punishment does not suspend the effect of the appealed decision! This is an obvious legal absurdity, the consequence of which will be the shattered fates of people due to what are often unlawful and, moreover, unenforceable judicial decisions: In essence, this law has abrogated the right to a fair trial and the right to file an appeal! Moreover, without a military ID card, military conscripts will not be issued a passport abroad. This also applies to young men who are 18 or older and who had been able to leave Ukraine even before coming of age. That is, in order to be able to receive Ukrainian documents abroad, they will have to go back to Ukraine for a military registration document. But since they wont be allowed to leave Ukraine again after that, this makes no sense. Moreover, in the new law it is stipulated that not only passports, but also all consular services abroad for all men from 18 to 60 years of age will be provided only upon presentation of a military ID card. Thus, for tens of thousands of Ukrainians who do not have military IDs, obtaining consular services has become impossible without returning to Ukraine. The final version of the bill passed also does not include a provision for the demobilization of men after three years of service, which was removed at the last minute by request of newly appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrsky. This means that even those men who have fought at the front for two years will be forced to remain in service indefinitely. Since the fall, the wives and families of soldiers, who in many cases have been fighting on the front for over two years, have been protesting in major Ukrainian cities to demand that their husbands, fathers, sons and brothers be allowed to return home. It is under conditions of these growing anti-war sentiments and an intense military crisis that the Ukrainian ruling class moves to abolish whatever has remained of democratic rights in Ukraine. All men and youth are to be forced into the meat grinder of the war, while any expression of anti-war and socialist sentiments is to be brutally repressed. This dynamic is demonstrated most starkly by the recent arrest of Bogdan Syrotiuk, a socialist internationalist opponent of the war. The updated exemptions of Ukraine from the European human rights convention with the full agreement of the EU underscore two fundamental points that the World Socialist Web Site raised in calling for Bogdan Syrotiuk release: First, that his life is in danger, given the horrendous conditions prevailing in Ukrainian prisons and the lack of basic human and democratic rights. And, second, that The Biden administration and its counterparts in London, Paris, Berlin, Rome and the other capitals involved in the direction of the proxy war are no less responsible for the fate of Bogdan Syrotiuk than their agents in Kiev. The imperialist powers are not only funding and escalating the war, but are also de facto endorsing and overseeing the implementation of ever more openly dictatorial measures by Kiev in order to enforce its continuation. This lends the campaign for Bogdan Syrotiuks release the greatest urgency. All readers of the WSWS who have not yet signed the petition should do so today. A convenience store chain known for its giant gas stations and giant fan base is eyeing a spot near the Kansas Speedway for its next travel center. Bucces, based in Texas, recently submitted early site plans for review by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, according to online records. A spokesperson for the company declined to comment on Friday. The vacant land listed in the application borders the Speedway and is owned by Kansas International Speedway Corporation, according to Wyandotte County property records. It is about 57 acres and had an appraised value this year of $1.9 million. Known for building sprawling travel centers, Bucces is a pit stop that becomes a destination for some. The chain opened its first Missouri store last year to a warm fan reception. The 53,000-square-foot center in Springfield boasts 120 fuel pumps, a barbecue station, a jerky bar and a fudge shop, among other things. Buc-ees is not the only big gas station to make a splash in the Kansas City metro. St.-Louis based Wallys, which also has a reputation for massive convenience stores, broke ground on its first local destination last year. Its Independence store is the rival companys fourth. The Stars David Hudnall, Ilana Arougheti and Nathan Pilling contributed to this report. Following national elections held April 15, a new Solomon Islands prime minister, Jeremiah Manele, was sworn in Thursday. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele (left) [Photo: Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation/Screen shot ] Former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare had reoriented the small Pacific countrys foreign relations, recognising Beijing over Taiwan in 2019 and in 2022 negotiating a security pact with the Chinese government. These moves infuriated the US and Australian governments. In blatant disregard of international law, Washington and Canberra denounced Chinas alleged encroachment into its claimed sphere of influence. Sogavare announced last Monday that he would not renominate as prime minister. He backed Manele, who is a member of Sogavares Ownership, Unity, Responsibility (OUR) Party and who served as foreign minister in the previous government. In resigning, Sogavare again denounced Washington, saying his government had been under pressure from the United States and western alliesgeopolitics is at play, after we made a very important decision in 2019. He added: Prior to the elections, there were indications of extensive efforts by the United States to influence the outcome in East Choiseul [Sogavares electorate] This could have been a victory for the US allies. Thankfully, it turned in our favour. Sogavares announcement he would not renominate as prime minister was met with unconcealed glee by sections of the US and Australian foreign policy establishment. The Australians foreign editor Greg Sheridan told Sky News that, this is a good outcome from Australias point of view. The Sydney-based Lowy Institute more than a week ago declared the election result an unexpected defeat for Sogavare. Such commentary proved premature. The incumbent OUR Party suffered multiple constituency losses18 ministers lost their seats, leaving OUR representatives with just 15 of the total 50 seats in the national parliament. At the same time, however, the opposition parties failed to capitalise on widespread social and economic unrest that has been fuelled by three consecutive years of negative economic growth. Matthew Wales Solomon Islands Development Party and Peter Kenilorea Jr.s United Party lost 40 percent of their sitting parliamentarians. The main opposition parties are closely aligned with Australian imperialism and suggested that the China alliance would be reviewed if not immediately terminated in the event that they formed government. However, multiple parliamentarians from new and smaller parties won office, as well as 10 new so-called independent parliamentarians. Several of these backed Jeremiah Maneles nomination. He secured 31 votes in the ballot for prime minister, ahead of 18 for Matthew Wale. Manele is expected to form a cabinet over the weekend, with Sogavare likely to receive a senior post. In a speech delivered Thursday, the new prime minister suggested that a new free market economic agenda would be adopted, aimed at attracting corporate investors. Announced measures include the introduction of a new, regressive value added tax (VAT), which will increase costs of living for already impoverished workers and farmers in the country. Manele has also suggested he will prepare a Special Economic Zone Bill, likely involving massive tax breaks for corporate investors, and has said his government may revise the 2024 budget, potentially involving additional spending cuts. On foreign policy, Manele has confirmed that he will maintain existing diplomatic, economic, and security ties with China. The prime minister told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) News that he regarded China and Australia as equally important partners. A comment published by the Lowy Institute, by former Australian diplomat and intelligence analyst Mihai Sora, responded: Thats a far cry from saying that Australia is Solomon Islands partner of choice, something Australian ministers seem desperate to hear. And its evidence of the rapid elevation in ChinaSolomon Islands ties, considering they only officially started in 2019. Manele is an ex-public servant and diplomat, who worked at the United Nations and in several western countries before entering the Solomons parliament in 2014. Multiple Australian foreign policy commentators anticipate that he will maintain the former governments orientation to Beijing, while eschewing Sogavares public denunciations of the US and Australian governments. Mihai Sora told the Washington Post: In Manele, you have a far less strident and polarising political figure. This may actually have dividends for China in the sense that they might continue to enjoy the privileged political access that they had with Sogavare, but there might be less international scrutiny on their activities. The threat of a US- and Australian-instigated destabilisation campaign in Solomon Islands remains a very real one. In 20062007, Australian police and intelligence operatives deployed to the country with the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) orchestrated the illegal arrest and prosecution of Attorney General Julian Moti, and successfully triggered Sogavares removal from office in December 2007. In 2021, US-financed separatist forces in the Solomons province of Malaita attempted to storm the parliament and then razed much of the capital. The following year, after the China security pact was announced, American and Australian officials suggested they would invade Solomon Islands in the event that the Chinese military established a base there. This long track record of imperialist thuggery makes a mockery of efforts to portray discussion of a possible US-orchestrated regime change operation as nothing but Chinese- and Russian-concocted disinformation. The Australian Strategic Policy Institutea think tank funded by the government and weapons manufacturersissued a paper the same day that Manele was elected prime minister, titled, Russia and China co-ordinate on disinformation in Solomon Islands elections. Both countries propaganda systems accused the United States, without evidence, of using its foreign aid and networks across the country to interfere in voting and of preparing to foment riots and orchestrate regime change in response to an unsatisfactory election result, it asserted. The paper effectively called for better resourced US and Australian propaganda efforts, and censorship, with better support [for] governments to take further steps to identify and combat false information online. The province of Malaita remains a potential flashpoint. In provincial elections that were held at the same time as the national ballot, Daniel Suidani won his ward election and has stated he will attempt to lead the next provincial government. When Suidani last held this position, he refused to recognise the countrys ties with China, blocked Chinese investment on the island, and maintained his own foreign policy connection with Taiwan. Suidanis separatist allies on Malaita spearheaded the 2021 coup attempt in Honiara. After being removed from office for illegal activities related to his Taiwan dealings, Suidani last year spent six months on an expenses-paid trip to the US, Canada, and Australia. His potential return to power in Malaita threatens further instability. One of Suidanis prominent supporters in the US is Cleo Paskal of the right-wing think tank, Foundation for Defense of Democracies. In 2021 she openly backed efforts to forcibly remove the Sogavare government. This week, following Maneles election she told the Washington Post: If you end up with basically Sogavare-lite, a kinder, gentler-looking but pro-[China] party, the people of the Solomons, who didnt vote for that, will not be delighted. Theres concern about potential unrest. The Sri Lankan government of President Ranil Wickremesinghe is desperately seeking further talks with private bondholders in order to finalise its debt restructuring program. Previous discussions with these bondholders, which hold $US12 billion of the countrys foreign debt, have failed because they want higher repayments. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe [AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena] The restructuring of Sri Lankas foreign debt is a key condition of the International Monetary Funds $3 billion bailout loan in March 2023. Amid an acute economic crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic and the US-NATO war against Russia, Sri Lankas foreign reserves dropped to $1.6 billion by early 2022. This drastic decline saw Colombo unable to import basic essentials, creating massive shortages and skyrocketing prices. The Rajapakse government announced in early April that it could not maintain instalments on its $6 billion debt and interest. Confronted with mass nationwide protests, Rajapakse fled the country and resigned. Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was elevated into the executive presidency by the discredited parliament, continued talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), eventually securing a $3 billion bailout loan, after agreeing to its harsh conditions. Discussions between Sri Lankan government officials and the bondholders have dragged on since October 2023. The first face-to-face talks took place in March 27 and 28 in London. The bondholders insisted that restructuring of the bond debt be tied to the Macro Linked Bond (MLB) system where payments are linked to changes in Sri Lankas GDP denominated in US dollars. Under the MLB, the IMFs assessment of Sri Lankas GDP for 2023 is taken as the baseline and a percentage of interest payments decided accordingly. If the GDP increases in subsequent years the repayments will go up. However, if the countrys GDP falls, the repayments are not reduced. This is massively advantageous for the sovereign bondholders, who want to maximise the payouts on their investments. As Citibank analysts told Bloomberg, this arrangement looks extremely generous to investors. Following the failure of the recent London discussions, Sri Lankan delegates to the annual IMF-World Bank meetings in Washington held another round of discussions on April 15. No agreement was reached at this meeting. The bondholders are clearly trying to bully the Sri Lankan government into submission. The lack of agreement jeopardises a scheduled IMF review in June and the release of the next $337 million loan instalment. If the government fails to meet the deadline, it will immediately lose the planned instalment and access to other foreign assistance. Sri Lanka currently owes $37 billion in outstanding external debts. This includes $10 billion to multilateral financial institutions, including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, and $11.33 billion to bilateral creditors, including the US, European countries, China, Japan and India. Commercial loans include $12 billion in sovereign bonds and $2.75 billion in other debts. Addressing parliament on March 6, President Wickremesinghe, who is also the finance minister, said: Our goal is to obtain temporary relief from debt defaults from 2023 to 2027 and subsequently, repaying the loans in the period from 2027 to 2042. Wickremesinghe has previously stated that he wanted to reduce $17 billion of debt through restructuring. Discussions with other lenders, such as China, India, some European countries, and the US, have also dragged on because, notwithstanding their previous sympathy for Sri Lanka, they are reluctant to agree to any reduction on repayments. Several groups protested outside last months IMF-World Bank meetings in Washington, demanding debt cancellation for the global south and more action on climate change. These included the Asian Peoples Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD), and the Committee for the Abolition of Illegitimate Debt, Debt Justice. Coordinator Lidy Nacpil told the media that the IMF-World Bank meeting was happening as a worsening debt crisis was crushing developing countries across the world. Nacpil blamed the flawed and futile debt relief schemes of the G20, and the IMF and World Bank, adding: They [the IMF and the World Bank] have not lifted a finger to compel the participation of commercial and private lenders in public debt reduction, knowing the heavy burden that this represents for developing countries. She issued the futile demand for deeper, wider and immediate loan abolition for the countries in the global south. Neither the IMF or World Bank, nor the US and other major powers that stand behind them, has the slightest concern for the plight of the masses in poorer countries. Rather they are instruments for enforcing the profit interests of international finance capital. The Wickremesinghe regime will undoubtedly bow to the demands of the IMF and its creditors. It has demonstrated time and time again that it will ruthlessly suppress the resistance of workers and the poor, doing everything it can to implement the IMF austerity agenda. Foreign loans obtained by Colombo governments have never been to improve life for Sri Lankan workers. Massive loans were obtained to fund the brutal 26-year war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in order to suppress the Tamil minority and divide the working class along communal lines. Sri Lankan governments have, over the decades, obtained bailout loans 16 times and imposed their harsh austerity measures. In fact, the 17th of these bailout loans, negotiated by Wickremesinghe, and agreed by the entire political establishment, depends on complete compliance with its punitive terms. But why should workers, youth, and the poormany of them facing malnutritionsacrifice their jobs, wages and social conditions so finance capital can keep plundering the country. The working class must mobilise independently and fight for the repudiation of all foreign loan repayments, a long-held perspective of the international socialist movement. The formation of the Petersburg Soviet of Workers' Deputies in 1905, whose chairman was Leon Trotsky, arose out of a revolutionary movement across Russia. The Soviets manifesto, which was written by Trotsky and published in eight socialist and liberal newspapers, rejected the repayment of all foreign debts. It declared: The autocracy never enjoyed the confidence of the people, and was never granted any authority by the people. We have therefore decided not to allow the repayment of such loans as have been made by the Czarist government when openly engaged in a war with the entire people. While the resolution could not to be implemented because the Czarist regime crushed the revolution, the repudiation of foreign debt was implemented in 1918, after the Russian working class took power in the 1917 October Revolution and established the dictatorship of the proletariat. Based on these historical lessons, the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) has consistently agitated for the complete repudiation of foreign loans. As the SEP declared on April 7, 2022 statement on the eve of the mass uprising in Sri Lanka: Repudiate all foreign debts! No to the austerity demands of the IMF and World Bank that represent the international banks and financial institutes! The Rajapakse government blames its harsh austerity measures on the need to repay billions of dollars to the global bankers. The opposition parties agree. Instead of the $US7 billion due this year flowing into the coffers of the international banks, it should be used to pay for the food, fuel, medicines, and other essential goods needed by the working people. Like Russian revolutionary workers in 1905, the working class and rural and urban masses in Sri Lanka and all countries facing massive international debts must reject the repayment of foreign loans. The fight for this demand must be an integral part of the socialist program that includes nationalisation of the major companies, plantations and the banks under the democratic control of the working class. This socialist perspective can be only realised by mobilising the working class, independent of all capitalist parties and trade unions and rallying rural poor in unity with their international class brothers and sisters to fight for a workers and peasants government. Over the past week, police forces throughout the United States, working in coordination with the Biden administration, have beaten and arrested hundreds of students and faculty on university campuses for opposing the deliberate and systematic genocide of the Palestinian people by Israel. The ruins of Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Monday, April 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Mohammed Hajjar) [AP Photo/Mohammed Hajjar] In his remarks at the Oval Office on Thursday, US President Joe Biden backed the police onslaught on peaceful protests, making clear that this attack on fundamental democratic rights aims to prevent the population from influencing US policy in the Middle East. Asked, Have the protests forced you to reconsider any of the policies with regard to the region? Biden declared categorically: No. The message was clear: In the face of protests throughout the country, the Biden administration will continue its policy of arming, funding and politically supporting the Gaza genocide and shielding its perpetrators. Against this backdrop, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his plans to carry out a ground assault on Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza where over a million displaced people are sheltering. Netanyahu stated that the attack on the city would take place with or without any negotiated ceasefire. The Israeli government has briefed the United States on its plans to expel the civilian population of Rafah ahead of the planned military operation, forcing them into tent cities it has constructed in central Gaza, Politico reported. Soldiers are on call waiting, said Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Israels special envoy for foreign affairs. We will go into Rafah. The same day, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Israeli government has set a one-week deadline for Hamas officials to accept its demands or face the destruction of Rafah. Over 1.2 million displaced people are currently sheltering in the city, fleeing nonstop Israeli bombardment and military raids. According to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, those sheltering in Rafah have very little to eat, hardly any access to medical care, little shelter, and nowhere safe to go. In a statement on Friday, Guterres warned that a military assault on Rafah would be an unbearable escalation, killing thousands more civilians and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee. World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned of a bloodbath if the planned invasion takes place, while UNICEF stated that the invasion of Rafah would bring catastrophe on top of catastrophe. But even before the onslaught against Rafah begins, the situation in Gaza is catastrophic: At least 34,622 Palestinians have been killed over the past seven months, with thousands more buried under the rubble of buildings, meaning that the real death toll is greater than 40,000. At least 254 aid workers, 492 health workers, and 141 journalists have been killed by Israeli bombs or bullets. 1.7 million people have been turned into refugees, or 75 percent of the population of the narrow enclave. Among those displaced in refugee camps, there is an average of 1 square meter of space per person. According to the United Nations, 1.1 million people face catastrophic levels of food insecurity. More than 30 percent of children under the age of two in northern Gaza suffer from acute malnutrition. Only one third of Gazas hospitals are partially functioning. The remaining facilities are operating with limited capacities, overwhelmed with patients and coping with critical shortages of fuel, medicines, supplies, and staff, the UN reports. Mass graves have been discovered at hospitals throughout Gaza, including Al Shifa Medical Complex and Nasser Medical Complex. In Nasser alone, over 390 bodies have reportedly been exhumed, with many bearing signs of summary execution. Every institution of higher education has been destroyed. Sixty percent of residential buildings and 80 percent of commercial facilities have been damaged or destroyed. The United Nations has warned that the Gaza genocide has already set back human development in Gaza by more than 20 years. This has all been funded, armed, and justified by the Biden administration and its imperialist allies. To date, the United States has provided over 100 separate arms shipments to Israel, the contents of which, amounting to billions of dollars, have not been publicly disclosed. Last month, Congress authorized tens of billions of dollars in additional weapons and funding to kill, starve, and displace the population of Gaza. Further, the United States is actively shielding Israel from prosecution by the International Criminal Court. Israeli media sources reported in recent days that ICC arrest warrants could be imminently issued against Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The United States condemned the court, with White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre declaring, Weve been really clear about the ICC investigation. We do not support it. We dont believe that they have the jurisdiction. Ahead of the planned offensive on Rafah, US officials are intensely coordinating on the ground in the Middle East. On Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Israel for discussions with the Israeli government, followed by a trip by CIA Director William Burns to Egypt. During his trip, Blinken promoted a hostage transfer agreement, which he absurdly called a ceasefire. Blinken called the proposal extraordinarily generous, declaring Hamas to be the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire. This extraordinarily generous proposal would see the continued military occupation of Gaza, accompanied by the continuation of Israels deliberate starvation of the population of Gaza. In fact, the aim of Blinkens statements was to place the blame for Israels planned onslaught on Rafah on the Palestinians themselves. US imperialism sees the final solution of the Palestinian question as an integral element of its efforts to reorganize the Middle East under imperialist domination as part of the escalating US war against Russia and China. All over the world, millions of people have taken part in mass protests against the Gaza genocide. It is urgently necessary to fuse these mass protests with the broader struggle against war and the fight by workers in every country to defend their jobs and living standards. A critical milestone in this struggle will be the May 4, 2024 online May Day rally. We urge all workers and youth to attend and build this event as a critical step in the struggle against the Gaza genocide and the global eruption of imperialist war. The Michigan Educators Rank-and-File Committee and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality at the University of Michigan call on members of the Lecturers Employee Organization to vote No on the sellout contract announced by the LEO leadership and organize a strike to halt the repression of peaceful student protests at U-M and nationwide against US/Israeli genocide in Gaza. In refusing to call a walkout despite an overwhelming strike authorization vote by the rank-and-file of the 1,800-strong LEO, the officials of both the local union and the parent American Federation of Teachers are deliberately isolating the student protesters, even as President Biden endorses police raids and arrests to tear down encampments and crush protest actions at campuses far and wide. UM lecturers rally on March 16, 2024. As this is being written, Michigan state police are pepper spraying U-M students who took their protest against the genocide in Gaza and their demand that the university divest from Israel to an official event at the University of Michigan Museum of Art. The leadership of the LEO is acutely aware of the tinder-box political situation at U-M and nationwide. Kirsten Herold, president of the LEO on the Ann Arbor campus and the secretary-treasurer of the AFT in Michigan, tried to put the responsibility for not calling a strike on LEO members. She told Michigan Public: A lot of our members were reluctant to strike precisely because theres so much else going on that adding our piece would be throwing fuel on the fire. This was two days after a 90 percent vote in Flint and Dearborn in favor of a strike and a 75 percent vote in Ann Arbor. Knowing full well that the rank-and-file overwhelmingly support the student protesters and oppose Bidens complicity with the war criminals who head the Israeli government, she cynically added that a strike now would be extremely stressful for our students. These are the statements of not only a coward, but an accomplice in genocide abroad and mass repression at home. Her boss, AFT President Randi Weingarten, was more open when she parroted the lying propaganda of the big business parties and the media, denouncing the pro-Palestinian protesters as antisemites. The leadership of both the LEO and the AFT are acting as labor police for Biden, the Democratic Party and the U-M administration, in the service of the global war being carried out by the US ruling class. The implications of this war program have to date been expressed most starkly in the US-backed murder of over 34,000 defenseless civilians, mainly women and children, in Gaza. Bidens call for more police repression against courageous students and young people, based on a fraudulent definition of violent and unlawful protest modeled on the anti-disruption policy announced in March by U-M President Santa Ono, amounts to a formula for abolishing free speech and imposing dictatorship. It is no accident that it comes on the eve of an Israeli invasion of Rafah, a refuge for over one million Gazans driven from the rest of the pulverized enclave. This drive to abolish basic rights equates opposition to genocide against the Palestinian peoplea war crime without precedent since the Nazi Holocaust against the Jewswith antisemitism. It underscores the fascistic character of both the Gaza war and the crackdown on its opponentsalready involving the arrest of over 2,200 students, and counting. Rank-and-file lecturers must stop this betrayal and come to the aid of the students! This is your fight! The attack on the student protests is an attack on the working class. It is workers and their children who will pay for the escalating war against Russia over Ukraine, the planned war against Iran and the war preparations against China, all fronts in an emerging Third World War. Workers and working class youth are to serve as cannon fodder, while their wages, social benefits, schools and jobs are to be gutted to pay for record military budgets. In line with this government policy, the wage packages in the tentative LEO contract condemn lecturers to four more years of financial insecurity. In April, Herold told the Michigan Daily that the workers on all three campuses do not make enough money to support themselves, and many have to work additional jobs to boost their income. LEO needs robust raises to make up for the erosion in salaries over the last three years, Herold said. But the tentative agreement stipulates base salary increases of 8 percent, 6 percent, 6 percent and 5 percent, respectively, over the next four years for lecturers on the Ann Arbor campus, while those at the UM-Flint and UM-Dearborn campuses would receive 3 percent base salary increases in each of the contracts four years. Nothing can be won for lecturers on the basis of this crass capitulation to the university, the Democratic Party and the US war machine! Lecturers must win not only full pay parity across the three campuses, but double-digit wage increases to make up for and surpass the losses in real wages as a result of previous contract betrayals. In addition, the new contract must guarantee job security for every lecturer, along with decreased workloads. The ratification vote must take place under the following conditions: Each member must receive the full text of the contract, with adequate time to study the details, and trusted representatives of the rank-and-file must be allowed to oversee the vote count. Lecturers should link up with students at U-M and across the region. They should coordinate with educators, students and parents fighting school cuts and layoffs in Ann Arbor, Flint and other towns in Michigan. A strike by U-M lecturers will be a beacon to students, faculty and staff across the country and around the world. Already there have been solidarity actions with students by faculty at other campuses, including at City University of New York and in California. All of these struggles can and must be unified. What is key is the formation of an independent rank-and-file organization, not to pressure the union bureaucracy, but to overthrow it. Put the power into the hands of the workers themselves! Auto workers also are looking for ways to fight mass layoffs and oppose the treachery of UAW President Shawn Fain and his fake-left apologists and accomplices. They are natural allies in the fight to defend basic rights and stop war and genocide. Lecturers should join and build the Michigan Educators Rank-and-File Committee, part of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC). As the IWA-RFC wrote in a May 1 statement published by the World Socialist Web Site: The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) calls on workers to take action to force an end to the police state crackdown on college campuses. The courageous stand taken by students against the genocide in Gaza requires the widest support in the working class. Demonstrations, mass meetings and delegations of workers to campus protests must be organized, culminating in a nationwide and international strike to force an end to the assault on the basic right to free speech The struggle against war must be waged as a common international fight by workers in every country. The IWA-RFC calls on workers and young people around the world to attend the 2024 International Online May Day Rally on [Saturday] May 4 [3 PM EDT] as a critical step in building a mass socialist movement against war and dictatorship. Over the past two weeks, student encampments protesting against Israels imperialist-backed genocide in Gaza have been established at a number of Australian universities. Anti-Gaza genocide protest camp at the University of Melbourne The encampments emerged ten days ago at the University of Melbourne and University of Sydney. Since then, similar protests have been set-up at Monash University in Melbourne, Western Australias Curtin University, the University of Queensland and the Australian National University in Canberra. Each is demanding that their university cut ties with Israel. The protests are part of an international movement of students centred in the United States. There the peaceful student protests have been met with brutal state repression. More than 1,700 students have been violently arrested by police ordered by the administration of Genocide Joe Biden. Encampments have also come under attack by vigilante groups of far-right, pro-Zionist thugs in cities like Los Angeles. Despite the small size of the Australian encampments, they have been met by hysterical denunciations from the corporate press, based on similar lies that have been used in the US. Despite the involvement of numbers of Jewish students and the explicitly anti-racist character of the encampments, assertions have been made, without a shred of evidence, that they are a threat to the safety of Jewish pupils. Politically, the encampments are dominated by pseudo-left and other protest groups. For the past seven months, fake-left organisations like Socialist Alternative and Solidarity have sought to restrict opposition to the genocide to impotent appeals to the Labor government to end its support for Israel. Now, these tendencies are seeking to limit the opposition even more, by confining it to campus-based actions aimed at pressuring individual university administrations. The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) has intervened at the encampments, insisting that students must turn to the working class, as the only force that can end the genocide. This must be connected to a socialist perspective directed against the eruption of imperialist militarism, of which the genocide is a part, and its source the capitalist system. IYSSE members have spoken to some of those in attendance. Molly, a University of Melbourne student, said: I am here because Im against Israels genocide in Gaza and Im also against Australian universities complicity in that genocide. Albaneses government is abhorrent. Not only is it not supporting Palestinians, its actively supporting Israel by providing military means, as is Melbourne University. She also denounced the mainstream media smearing students as antisemitic. That rhetoric is being peddled by the media en masse. Weve seen a lot of misinformation by the media and also by our government. We have Jewish students here who are in support of Gaza. Were not anti-Jewish, were anti-terrorism. Molly also spoke against the police crackdowns on the encampments in the US. Its disgusting. This is a peaceful protest and we dont want the cops here. Theyre not welcome. IYSSE members also highlighted the broader imperialist agenda.Theres no doubt about the state of the world right now. Its so terrifying, Molly said. Thats why were all here, to show that were anti-war. Second-year University of Melbourne media student Sarah also denounced the police attacks on protests in the US. These have been peaceful protests. Its not fair for them to be met with violence. Simply putting up a tent in a university location shouldnt warrant police brutality in any way. Going against what Israel is doing is not going against Jewish people. Its just standing against the genocide. Theyre two separate things. You can be Jewish and support the pro-Palestine movement, she said. Its not self-defence on Israels part. Its the murder of civilians and children, the student added. Such violence shouldnt be labelled as self-defence when it gets to the point of deliberately inflicting violence. Theyre the ones perpetrating crimes. A University of Melbourne law student Mark told the IYSSE: Whats happening in Gaza is atrocious. For some students here, maybe its easy to feel distant from it. But this encampment has made it visible to every student. The students camping here have made it clear why they are doing what theyre doing. I honestly dont understand how that can be interpreted as antisemitic. Its very disappointing to see the Labor government supporting Israels actions against Gaza, Mark added. Aleyna At the University of Sydney, Aleyna, a part-time student who also works full-time in sales, said: The Labor government is supporting Israel and the genocide because of economic interest and for natural resources, the global powers have a vested interest. Weve seen it with the war in Iraq and after 9/11 they labelled it a war on terror. To me the reasons for those wars was to infiltrate and take over those areas of the Middle East. Its colonialism, its imperialism, they want control, and it is brutal. Israel has long since lost public opinion. To be honest with you, all this mobilisation and support from the public is amazing, but I dont know how much of an impact it will have. We want to be on the right side of history. We dont want to support a genocide. But in terms of the right way forward, I think the entire political system, the media, all of that, its all corrupt. I dont know a specific way to dismantle it, but it needs to be dismantled entirely. We can scream at politicians as much as we want, and the people in power, but its very easy for them to turn a blind eye and just disregard it. Whereas I think if we increase the masses and just get the vast majority involved, that might be a better starting point or a better approach. Asked what she thought about socialism, Aleyna said, Ive only recently studied Marx and his critique of capitalism. I fully agree. I think the capitalist system is where a lot of our problems stem from and the entire system needs to be dismantled. I think we need more socialists. At the University of Queensland, the IYSSE spoke to physiotherapy student James who was not part of the encampment on campus, but spoke with IYSSE campaigners at the camp. I really feel for the people in Gaza. All war is wrong, but this seems especially terrible when its innocent people. I think it should stop immediately, James said. I guess all these western countries have a common strategy, but whatever their reasons theres no acceptable reason to support the bombing of civilians, of children, he added. He agreed with the IYSSEs warnings that protest alone will not change the minds of capitalist governments. While its important to protest, I dont think its going to do all that much by itself. I mean you come and protest here, but who is going to listen to you? James responded strongly to the IYSSEs call to turn students to the working class. I agree with you when you say that students have to talk to the workers. I mean if everyone is involved, not just students, then I think these protests can go somewhere, have a real effect. I also think that its wrong that students are getting attacked. They have a right to do what they are doing. James added: I also agree with your point that if everyone went on strike, they couldnt get weapons to Israel. Im not sure how you would achieve that, its so many people, but its certainly the direction things need to go. I dont know much about capitalism and socialism. I agree though that things have got to change, and that bombing of Gaza has got to stop, the student added. I would say that what you are doing is right. I agree that everyone [students and workers] have got to come together to stop whats happening in Gaza. I think theres so many people who know its wrong, but arent sure what to do about it. This is the third and last in a series of articles on films from the San Francisco International Film Festival (April 24-28) that were made available to the WSWS online. The first was posted April 30 and the second May 2. Agent of Happiness is a documentary directed by Arun Bhattarai and Dorottya Zurbo about the Gross National Happiness survey conducted in the small kingdom of Bhutan (population 700,000), situated between India and China. Dozens of agents fan out across the landlocked country (at 14,824 square miles, it would rank as the 42nd US state in area, between West Virginia and Maryland), with numerous Himalayan mountains rising in the north of the country to more than 23,000 feet, to ask detailed questions (148 of them) about the state of mind of those surveyed. A Happiness Index, the first produced in 2008, is the result. Agent of Happiness (2024) Critics have long heaped scorn on this government operation. It has been legitimately characterized in part as a propaganda scheme to distract attention from the brutal ethnic cleansing policies of the Bhutanese regime, which has expelled or otherwise oppressed more than 100,000 people of Nepalese origin and Hindu faith (Buddhism is Bhutans state religion). It is also an effort to divert public focus from immense social inequality. Most of the population, as the Economist observed in a 2004 article, live in grinding poverty. The documentary is interesting for what it shows about the people of Bhutan, including the agent of happiness of the title, Amber Kumar Gurung, who himself has no Bhutanese citizenship because of his Nepali ethnicity. Objectively speaking, the people in Bhutan are no happier than people anywhere else living in an economically unequal, unjust and oppressive society. In fact, changing what must be changed, the popular responses to the conditions are not so different than one would expect to find in any part of the world. They inevitably follow along the general fault-lines of social class, i.e., the rich are satisfied with life, the aspiring petty bourgeois worries about his or her property and status, the workers and rural poor are overworked and angry. Presiding above all this, an absurd, would-be godlike monarch prattles on hypocritically about how the country is guided by spiritual values. One woman is pleased because her cow gave birth to a calfhappiness in this case is two cows. A group of road workers, of whom one would have liked to have seen more, have to work hard. Do I have to say Im happy? one asks. They too are deprived of citizenship. A stupid, wealthy man has three wives. He is obviously a minor tyrant and bully, full of himself and his religious talk. The wives get along like sisters. They all came from poverty-stricken families, so he knew he could do what he wanted. I never loved him, one wife says. One has a tear in her eye. A small farmer explains bluntly, Im as happy as the number of grains in my rice storage. In fact, he is sad at present because his wife has died. He erects 108 prayer flags to ease her journey to the next world. Agent of Happiness We meet a lovely, innocent young couple. He says, and she shyly agrees, that the happiest moment was the birth of their first child. A trans woman, with a mother ill with cancer, is understandably worried, scared. In a ramshackle house, a divorced woman lives with her two daughters. The 17-year-old explains frankly that life is difficult because her mother drinks too much. The family has no car, no refrigerator, no radio, no washing machine, although all three have cellphones. The daughter cant find a boyfriend because her family is poor. When her parents were together, they drank and fought all the time. Dad beat mum. The agent of happiness of the title, Amber Gurung, is unhappy because he is deprived of basic democratic rights, including the right to have a passport and travel. He writes a letter to his majesty, the King of Bhutan, applying for citizenship. Ive been working all my life. I dont feel like an equal, he tells the king. The citizenship issue is a never-ending problem. The outcome is uncertain. This is the second film co-directed by Bhutanese Arun Bhattarai and Hungarian Dorottya Zurbo devoted to Bhutan, following The Next Guardian (2017), about a teenager unhappy with the prospect of becoming the next guardian of a Buddhist temple. The filmmakers told Documentary magazine that they had accidentally encountered two happiness surveyors while making their earlier film. They had been immediately drawn in. The pair were very thoroughly asking hundreds of questions from the head of the family and then converting the replies into numerical numbers. Everything from feelings, dreams, and subjective state of mind to household items. However, what really struck us was the genuineness with which Amber was actually listening to his respondents. His warm personality quickly made people forget the official nature of the interview. He turned the situation into a conversation beyond the survey. In a final title, the film explains that according to the Gross National Happiness Survey this year, 93.6 percent of Bhutanese are happy, an increase of 3.3 percent from the previous year. The filmmakers do not add a comment, nor do they need to. Sidonie in Japan and Woodland By contrast, the middle class characters at the center of Sidonie in Japan and Woodland are less interesting. As a performer, veteran French actress Isabelle Huppert, who features in Sidonie in Japan (directed by Elise Girard), is always interesting. But the film is rather weak, unfocused, even trite. Huppert plays French author Sidonie Perceval, unable to write for years because of the death of her beloved husband, but invited to Japan by her publisher there for a belated publicity tour. She clearly has doubts about making the trip, reflected in an apparently deliberate effort to miss her plane (unfortunately for her, the flight to Kyoto has been delayed). Upon arrival in Japan, Sidonie meets the publisher, Kenzo Mizoguchi (Tsuyoshi Ihara). She asks if he has any relation to the famed Japanese director, Kenji Mizoguchi (1898-1956). This Mizoguchi somewhat grumpily replies that Mizoguchi is a common name in Japan. This becomes something of a running gag in the film. (The lead characters name is a further indicator of the filmmakers propensity for private jokes. Sidonie is the real first name of the writer Colette, a favorite of Girards, and Perceval is the title of a 1978 film by French director Eric Rohmer). Isabelle Huppert and Tsuyoshi Ihara in Sidonie in Japan Sidonies trip and her various interactions with the Japanese press are not that intriguing. She comes closer to Mizoguchi, unsurprisingly, and, in the process, emotionally comes to life once again. A concern or theme here, according to Girard, is love coming back when its no longer expected. What makes Sidonies visit to Japan somewhat unusual is the sudden, although rather casual appearance of the ghost of her dead husband Antoine (August Diehl), who is concerned about her endless heartache. For his part, however, Mizoguchi is not at all surprised. In Japan, he says, ghosts are all around us. (Of course, Kenji Mizoguchi is perhaps most famous for directing Ugetsu [1953], a magnificent anti-war ghost story, in which a relationship between a living person and the shade of one becomes part of the drama. So this is all part of the films little joke). Girard, whose deeply moving, unsettling 2013 journey to Japan inspired this film, suggests in an interview that its script has to do with this very feeling of being displaced, or even perhaps misplaced, and not being able to understand what goes on around you. She adds cheerfully that I am not very good at understanding whats going on in my life! I dont consider it to be a problem. On the contrary, the difficulty or even the incapacity of understanding is something that I enjoy a lot! Incomprehension is a good thing. Its difficult to imagine an artist in any earlier period praising incomprehension as a good thing. Aside from a passing reference to the family of Sidonies Japanese publisher having died in Hiroshima, there is not much of substance here. In Woodland from Austria, another woman is dealing with trauma and grief. An eyewitness to the November 2020 terrorist attack in Vienna (the actual experience of the films director, Elisabeth Scharang), journalist Marian (Brigitte Hobmeier) retreats to the countryside, to her grandparents farmhouse. It has no electricity, no central heating and a hole in the roof. She has no car, so even getting groceries from miles away is a chore. She is clearly recuperating. One has seen some of this before, more than once or twice: old hometown friends, including an old boyfriend, are angry at her for leaving them behind and heading to the city. Will she reconcile with them? One suspects she will. She meets up as well with backward rural types, one of whom calls her dead mother a whore. This leads to a barroom brawl. Marians distraught husband shows up, but she doesnt leave with him. The futures overwhelming, the past is sad I only want to be here, she tells him. She learns how to physically make do, in this miserable house, in the miserable winter weather. The emotional pieces also fall into place, more or less. Woodland Scharang told an interviewer from Austrian Films that the character is thinking to herself: What happens if my system collapses? She went on, Its difficult to write about a person who doesnt know how to proceed. Scharang decided to describe what you dont usually describe: how everyday actions are performed. In the setting of the film, things that are otherwise taken for granted attain meaning. I knew it would be incredibly exciting to watch this woman master daily tasks. Actually, its not. Its rather mundane and a little dull. Woodlands chief failing is that it imagines it can deal in a genuinely meaningful manner with the consequences of a terrorist attack as a purely personal psychological event, without ever exploring either the nature and source of the attack or the character of the society in which it took place. For the most part, as far as we are concerned, Marian could be recovering from a mugging, an automobile crash or the death of a favorite aunt. The writer-director also asserted, There are always events in life that tear you apart inside. But that also gives you the opportunity to put yourself back togetherand not necessarily in the original composition. What kind of person do I want to be? Yes, but there is no indication here that Marian puts herself back together in a different configuration. Learning how to chop wood and so on does not make one a better, more highly developed human being. Marian seems at the end very similar to what she was at the beginning, a somewhat self-involved middle class professional, only rested and ready to go back to work. The important internal revolution, which would have made this film unusual and perhaps insightful, is missing. Concluded President Joe Biden stands with Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers, at the United Auto Workers' political convention, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Washington. [AP Photo/Alex Brandon] As the nationwide crackdown directed by President Joe Biden on students protesting Israels genocide in Gaza accelerated this week, United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla gave an interview with Jacobin magazine titled, Why the UAW Should Stand in Solidarity With Palestine. The article is an exercise in doubletalk aimed at obscuring the fact that the UAW bureaucracy supports war. Indeed, the headline was changed after publication from Why the UAW Stands with Palestine to why it should. Most significant is the fact that Biden is never mentioned. The UAW has endorsed Genocide Joe for president, and UAW President Shawn Fain is a close ally of the warmonger-in-chief. Jacobin, the house organ of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), also supports Biden, with editorial director Bhaskar Sunkara tweeting out his support for a tactical vote for him. Meanwhile, enormous anger is building in the UAW rank and file, who are calling for strike action to stop the crackdown. A recent Twitter/X statement by Fain claiming to oppose the mass arrests was filled with replies demanding the union rescind its endorsement of Biden. Graduate students at The New School, who are UAW members, issued a statement denouncing Biden and criticizing Fains ties with him. Local 4811, which covers tens of thousands of graduate students in California, was recently forced to announce a vote on a strike against the police crackdown. But the union is stalling for time and has yet to even announce a date for the vote. The World Socialist Web Site supports the growing demand for strike action, publishing a statement this week by the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), which calls for a nationwide and international strike to force an end to the assault on the basic right to free speech. It encourages UAW members, in particular, to demand that the unions entire 400,000 members, both on the campuses and in the factories, be called out. Mancilla, a former official from the Harvard grad student union, is attempting to get out in front of the anti-war sentiment. He played a leading role in passing a UAW ceasefire resolution in December. But that resolution was a fraud, with the UAW endorsing Biden only weeks later, in a conference that Mancilla attended. A complicated history of support for war In the interview, Mancilla claims that the union bureaucracy can become a vehicle for organizing working class opposition to war. But even in making this argument, he is compelled to admit that the UAW has a complicated history on imperialist warin other words, that it has long supported it. Not just the UAW but the entire union leadership was complicit in US Cold War foreign policy, he notes. Its called the AFL-CIA for a reason: theres a history of the US labor movement, and of the AFL-CIO and its affiliates specifically, taking stances that solidified US hegemony at the expense of solidarity with oppressed people, fighting against war and imperialism and oppression. Mancilla treats this as though it were all some sort of mistake. At any rate, according to him, sometimes the bureaucrats got it wrong, and other times they got it right, such as when former UAW President Walter Reuther eventually came out against the Vietnam War. In reality, the support for imperialism flows from the bureaucracys support for capitalism, American nationalism and anticommunism both at home and abroad. It finds one of its most explicit forms in its century-long support for the Democratic Party. Trotsky once observed that their organic striving towards compromise meant that in time of war or revolution, when the bourgeoisie is plunged into exceptional difficulties, trade union leaders usually become bourgeois ministers. This is even more true than when he wrote these lines more than 80 years ago, when the bureaucrats still had some connection to strikes and social struggles. The union bureaucrats today have spent decades imposing sellouts. They are creatures of the state and management. Mancilla even claims that the UAWs support for the fight against fascism in World War II was a bold, solidaristic, internationalist stance. In reality, the UAW bureaucracy tied workers behind US imperialism, which was fighting Germany and Japan for world supremacy, not for democracy. A key element in the wartime regime in the US, known by the propaganda name Arsenal of Democracy, was a no-strike pledge imposed on workers by union officials, as well as the jailing of anti-war socialists. The war effort also involved the mass internment of Japanese Americans, the firebombing of German and Japanese cities and ended with the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. What Mancilla calls a bold, solidaristic, internationalist policy is being used as the model for World War III. Biden repeatedly invokes the Arsenal of Democracy in his speechesdeclaring in his speech accepting the UAW endorsement that Americans have to be building aircraft carriers and tanks. Fain has taken it up himself by wearing a shirt with a B-24 bomber on the front and Arsenal of Democracy on the back. Dead-end calls to pressure Democrats After implicitly endorsing the drive to World War III, Mancilla declares that the UAWs ceasefire resolution is a seismic shift in the unions. He adds, The UAW right now is leading the fight for social and economic justice and needs to become increasingly inclusive. In reality, the ceasefire resolution is designed to provide the bureaucracy with cover as its support for war becomes even more open and crude. He adds, The next step is now pressuring our government to actually end our complicity in the genocide thats unfolding. We have a lot of responsibility there, from the fact that we are usually [!] just hand in hand with the Democratic Party. We need to actually pressure the Democratic Party, over the fact that we also build the weapons of war. But the Democrats policy is not determined by pressure, but by the needs of US imperialism. Biden himself made this crystal clear in comments to the press Thursday, where he slandered protesters as violent antisemites. When a reporter asked if the protests had forced him to reconsider his support for the genocide, he declared simply: No. The Democratic Party has long served as the graveyard of social movements, capturing them by using illusions of pressure in order to render them harmless. This is what makes it the premier party of war for US capitalismhaving been in power during both World War I and II, Korea and Vietnambecause such huge endeavors require the home front be secured against domestic opposition. Not empty, toothless pressure, but a break by workers and youth from the Democratic Party is what is needed. Mancilla and the UAW bureaucracy oppose this because they support capitalist imperialism. Blaming workers for the bureaucracys support for genocide Mancilla spends much of the remainder of the interview making excuses for why the UAW has refused to call strike action against the genocide. The union movement actually does not have high density within the defense industry, he claims. In fact, the UAW recently blocked a strike at Allison Transmission, which produces parts for Israeli armored vehicles. The second reason the UAW has not called strikes, Mancilla claims, is these demands [for strikes] are [not] coming from the labor movement, theyre coming from other sectors that have been advancing the call for a cease-fire and Palestinian solidarity. He continues: We have yet to see a movement from within arms-manufacturing plants calling out their companies complicity Demands have to come from within, not just from the top, or from members in other sectors. According to Mancilla, while the bureaucracy is leading the fight for social and economic justice, the membership is simply too indifferent and backward to do anything. This is a cynical attempt to falsely palm off the reactionary policies of the apparatus onto workers. Mancilla also divides workers arbitrarily across sectional and national lines, claiming calls for strikes are somehow less important because they come from graduate students or from Palestinian workers. But even if workers voted unanimously to strike, the UAW bureaucracy would still move to block it or at least try to limit it as much as possible. The union bureaucracy regularly defies workers demands from within whenever it suits their purposes. It routinely ignores strike votes, as it did at Allison Transmission and most recently at Daimler Truck. Even taking Mancilla at his word, this is a devastating self-indictment. If action can only legitimately come from the bottom up and not just from the top, then why take office as the Region 9A director, from which he draws a salary of more than $200,000 a year? Mancilla is a member of the ruling Unite All Workers for Democracy (UAWD) faction, which presents the UAW as the leading force of a democratic reform movement in the unions. It also has close ties to Labor Notes, which virtually crowned Fain as the greatest working class leader in decades at its conference last month (which nearly broke up due to anti-genocide protests). Within this movement, according to the UAWD, the role of workers is relegated to supporting one or another bureaucrat. The UAWD explicitly opposed the campaign of Will Lehman, a socialist autoworker who ran for union president against Fain. Lehman connected his call for the bureaucracy to be abolished, not reformed, with the fight against war and capitalism. Mancilla, Fain and UAWD claimed that this showed he was unfit for office, even anti-union. By this they identified the union as a whole with the interests of the bureaucracy. Now Mancilla suddenly reverses himself and rediscovers the distinction between the membership and the tops, only so that he can transfer blame from the bureaucracy onto the workers. At the end of the interview, Mancilla even admits that the UAW has a financial stake in the genocide through between $400,000 and $700,000 in investments in Israel. Again, he attempts to deflect responsibility onto others, this time the unions money managers. In my opinion, we should stop investing in those kinds of things [genocide], Mancilla lamely adds. This is a minority opinion in the bureaucracy. The week, UAW officials voted against divesting itself from these investments, which account for one one-thousandth of its total assets, according to UAW Labor for Palestine. But even if the UAW did divest this money, it would not change the character of the bureaucracy. It is hostile and fearful of a mass movement, especially a political movement against imperialism, because it relies on labor peace and its ties with the government and management to secure its privileges. In its statement Thursday, the IWA-RFC declared, If the bureaucrats refuse to call a strike to force an end to the police crackdown and the genocide or try to stall for time, workers should throw them out and replace themnot with career officials, but with leaders drawn from the shop floor who are prepared to enforce the democratic will of the working class. Mancillas interview shows that this is exactly what the bureaucracy is doing. Therefore, a fight against the war also requires a rank-and-file rebellion against the apparatus. The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature. Asia India: Tamil Nadu tea plantation workers protest for on-time wage payments and improved social conditions Around 1,000 tea plantation workers from the privately-owned Karumalai Estate in Valparai, near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, protested on April 28. The large estate, which has plantations at five different locations, employs over 5,000 workers. Workers were demanding on-time payment of wages, improved working conditions, maintenance and repairs to the estates accommodation, and the establishment of nearby hospitals with trained doctors, and good schools for their children. The plantation workers, who said that they are not paid until halfway through each month, have numerous complaints about how they treated by the current estate director and want these issues raised with the estates owner. State authorities mobilised about 100 police to intimidate the protesting workers. Pudukkottai municipal cleaning workers in Tamil Nadu strike against harsh workloads Around 30 striking contract cleaning workers protested near the Ponamaravathy bus stand in Pudukkottai district on May 1 over harsh workloads and poor pay. The highly-exploited workers are required to collect, and manually sort, at least 100 kg of bio-degradable waste every day. If they dont complete this schedule, they are not paid. The protesters, many of whom have been contract workers since 2014, denounced the municipalitys back-breaking daily schedule and demanded permanent employment. Sangrur brick kiln workers in Punjab protest for better wages and conditions Brick kiln workers protested outside the Deputy Collectors office in Sangrur on April 29. The Lal Jhanda Punjab Bhatha Mazdoor Union members have not had a pay rise since 2012 or even the new minimum wage instituted by the Aam Admi state government in March 2024. The workers said that if they were not granted a wage increase by May 1, they would step up their protests. Patiala college staff protest in Punjab over non-payment of wages Workers from the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College, an engineering institution in Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, demonstrated on April 27 to demand the immediate payment of six months outstanding wages. College staff told the media that they had been protesting for the last two months and presented a charter of demands to the college trust. They decided to take to the streets because college authorities had ignored their demands. Australia and the Pacific Australia Federal Court intervenes against striking Queensland Cross River Rail construction workers On Wednesday, the Federal Court, acting on behalf of CPB Constructions, the lead contractor on the Queensland Labor governments $6.3 billion Cross River Rail project in Brisbane, banned industrial action by the Construction, Forestry, and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU). It accused striking union members of engaging in unlawful behaviour, including locking project gates, imposing blockades, and intimidating workers. Queensland CFMEU members have been on strike since Tuesday morning in an enterprise agreement dispute with CPB Contractors. Work on the Cross River Rail Project began in 2016. The CFMEUs industrial campaign began at 3.15 a.m. last Tuesday with protest pickets by over 150 CFMEU members and their supporters outside the Brisbane Cross River Rail, Albert Street, Exhibition Station, Yeerongpilly, Dutton Park and Rocklea worksites. The strike follows six months of deadlocked enterprise negotiations with CPB Contractors and a near unanimous vote for industrial action by Queensland CFMEU members. The union wants the new agreement to include a heat-stress policy, a contractors clause to improve job security, the inclusion of traffic controllers and cleaners in the agreement, a wage rise of at least 5 percent, a travel allowance, and a substantial increase in rostered days off. The demand for a heat-stress policy follows the admission of more than 30 workers to hospital and one workers death from heat stress between 2023 and 2024. Last July CPB workers went on strike after a man working at the Boggo Road Station site fell more than 12 metres at the project. According to the CFMEU, the now expired 20192023 greenfields agreement was endorsed by another union, the Australian Workers Union (AWU), in a deal with the Queensland Labor government. Taxi drivers strike in Hobart over safety, abuse and racism On Monday, 250 taxi drivers in Hobart, the Tasmanian capital, went on strike from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and rallied in the city centre, calling on the state Liberal government to increase the safety of taxi drivers who are daily being assaulted and racially abused by youth. An anti-violence vigil by Hobart, Tasmania taxi drivers. [Photo: @mike_dutta] An official speaking on behalf of the Hobart Taxi Drivers Association said that the strike followed an April 24 attack on taxi drivers and their vehicles by a gang of youth. The drivers, who say that they live in daily fear of being assaulted, insist that they are being targeted because of their South Asian origin. Hobarts Metro Transport bus drivers have also revealed that they too are being assaulted and abused on a daily basis. A recent poll of Tas Rail and Bus Union members revealed 98 percent of respondents reported having been spat on, threatened, assaulted or abused during work. Child safety support workers strike in Tasmania Tasmanian child safety support workers walked off the job on Wednesday and protested in Hobart and Launceston against the Liberal governments failure to address chronic underfunding, understaffing, poor working conditions, reclassification and low pay. The workers assist vulnerable children and families in schools with complex health problems and disabilities. Members of the Health & Community Services Union Tasmanian branch (HACSU) are in dispute with the government over their wages, staffing, increasing exploitation and their conditions for a new enterprise agreement. The HACSU says Tasmanias child support workers wages are lower than those paid in other Australian states by NGOs and by private-sector employers. The union wants wage parity for Tasmanian workers with those on the Australian mainland. The low wages paid to Tasmanian child safety sector workers are contributing to the chronic understaffing and inadequate service delivery because workers seek employment in higher-paid jobs. Industrial court shuts down planned work bans by Queensland teachers Last Tuesday, the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) ruled that planned work bans imposed the previous day by the Queensland Teachers Union (QTU) were unprotected and therefore unlawful. The QTU had previously told its members there would be bans on planning and the implementation of the Education Queenslands new ninth Australian curriculum. The union leadership has said the state education department had not given Queensland teachers adequate time or funding to plan for the new curriculum or allowed for teacher shortages, the lack of teacher support and already high workloads in central and northern regional areas of the state. The courts ruling provided the union with a legalistic mechanism to shut down its advertised bans and instead channel teacher opposition into useless appeals to the state Labor government to keep its 2020 election promises for increased recruitment and higher wages for teachers. Unhappy with the union leaderships maneouvres, more than 30 QTU members protested outside the state parliament on Wednesday, denouncing the QTU bureaucracys capitulation to the QIRC ruling. One teacher told the media that their working conditions were so bad that could not wait until their actions were palatable to the QIRC. Federation University educators in Victoria oppose the axing of 200 jobs Hundreds of staff, students, and community supporters rallied at Federation University campuses at Churchill, Berwick and Mt Helen in Victoria this week to protest the proposed slashing of 200 full-time-equivalent jobs by the vice chancellor under its Future Fed program. At least 12 percent of Federation University staff will be made redundant as the semi-privatised institution struggles to return to an operating surplus, following a $79.1 million fall in its revenue since 2019. Federation University is Australias smallest tertiary institute with about 13,500 students in 2022. Education economists are predicting that the possible closure of Federation University will be the first of a slew of other Australian universities and colleges heading to meet the same fate. As Canadas longest-running anti-genocide protest encampment at Montreals McGill University approaches the end of its first week, protest camps against Israels onslaught on Gaza are springing up on campuses across the country. Students, supported by many faculty and other working people, are demanding that universities divest from companies, especially arms manufacturers, with ties to Israel and calling for an immediate end to the Israeli regimes slaughter and starving of the Palestinians. The McGill encampment has grown from around 20 tents last Saturday to cover thousands of square meters on the universitys front lawn. A steady stream of passers-by and participants in other downtown protest marches have joined the camp or provided donations. A section of the McGill anti-genocide encampment From the beginning, the McGill administration and Quebecs Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) government have been baying for police action to shut down the protest, as has been done with great violence at Columbia, UCLA and other US universities. An attempt to criminalize the encampment through a lawsuit filed by two Jewish students, who claimed the protest made them feel unsafe, failed Wednesday, when a Quebec Superior Court judge refused to issue an injunction against the protest. Judge Chantal Masse ruled there was no evidence the anti-genocide protesters threatened to cause harm or block access to the university. She added that freedom of expression and to gather peacefully would be affected significantly by an injunction. In countering the slanderous claims that protesters have voiced antisemitic chants, their legal counsel noted that Jewish students make up a sizeable part of those participating in the protest camp. University management, fresh from bullying faculty members into scabbing on their colleagues during a recent strike by teaching assistants, have repeatedly smeared the protesters as antisemitic, and claim to have evidence of this, although they have conspicuously failed to make any of this evidence public. Even the Montreal police have felt compelled to note that no crime is being committed at the protest camp. A police spokesman cited by CBC described the protest as a civil matter. The university has also attempted to turn the broad support the protesters enjoy from Montreal residents against them, by denouncing the protest for including people, such as students from other Montreal universities, who do not attend McGill. As Rahul, an informatics student, told a World Socialist Web Site reporting team who visited the encampment Friday, The arguments about the outsiders dont hold up. First of all, the cops are the outsiders. And even if there are people from outside, they are justly protesting genocide. What do you expect from normal human beings? Its a very absurd argument to make against the camps. The legal setback for the authorities and the polices admission that no crimes have been committed did not stop right-wing chauvinist Quebec Premier Francois Legault from denouncing the protest Thursday as illegal and demanding that the camp be dismantled forthwith. Granting the police a free hand to do as they please, he added, We trust the police, let them do their job. If anything, Legaults CAQ government has been even more unstinting in extending unconditional support to Israels genocide in Gaza than the Justin Trudeau-led federal Liberal government. Rahul criticized the threat of police intervention, pointing out, That was one of the demands of the Zionist counter-protest yesterday, for the police to take action. Thursdays counter-protest was a deliberate provocation, with Zionists waving Israeli flags at the university gates and using a giant screen to broadcast unsubstantiated allegations that Hamas members carried out mass rapes during their Oct. 7, 2023 incursion into Israel. Nelly Nelly, a local resident who attended the protest Friday to show her solidarity, condemned the threat of a police crackdown in comments to the WSWS. I think its illogical and I hope people will oppose it, she said. Anti-genocide protest camps have also been established at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and at the University of Victoria in the provincial capital. In Ontario, a camp consisting of two dozen tents was established at the University of Ottawa Tuesday. On Thursday morning, University of Toronto students and supporters broke through recently erected fencing to set up a protest camp outside Kings College. After the authorities demanded the site be cleared by a 10 p.m. deadline, a crowd of over 1,000 people gathered to support the protesting students and ward off a potential police attack. The university subsequently announced that it would not order the removal of the camp if it remains peaceful. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose trade union-backed minority government has sent tens of millions of dollars of military equipment to Israel since October 7, has already given his stamp of approval for a violent crackdown against pro-Palestinian protests on Canadian campuses akin to that seen across the United States. In a Tuesday statement, he cynically declared, Universities are places of learning, theyre places for freedom of expression but that only works if people feel safe on campus. Right now Jewish students do not feel safe. Thats not right. Trudeaus line on the protests is virtually indistinguishable from his and Canadian imperialisms closest ally, Genocide Joe Biden and American imperialism. Biden spoke at the White House Thursday in defence of the sweeping nationwide police crackdown on the protests, which have seen more than 1,700 students and faculty arrested over the course of the past two weeks. An appropriate answer to Trudeau and the ruling elites slanderous assertion that the protesters are antisemitic was provided by Nahman, a member of Independent Jewish Voices and a participant at the McGill encampment. He told CBC, We will consistently see the claims of antisemitism being used against our movement. The whole point is we have been anti-Zionist Jews since before October. Zionism and Judaism need to be de-conflated. Trudeaus Liberals rely on the support of the trade union-sponsored New Democratic Party (NDP) for their majority in parliament. In March, the two parties combined to transform what was ostensibly a motion in support of Palestinian self-determination into a declaration endorsing Israels imperialist-backed genocide. Underscoring the union/NDP/Liberal alliances pro-war, pro-genocide character, NDP politicians collaborated in making over a dozen revisions to the motion they had originally presented so as to bring it into conformity with the war propaganda spewed out by the White House and the far-right Netanyahu government. In October, the NDP helped initiate the witch-hunting of opponents of genocide when the Ontario party leadership kicked Sarah Jama out of its legislative caucus at Queens Park. Jamas crime was that she described Israel as an apartheid state, a designation supported by the United Nations and countless aid organizations, and declared her solidarity with the Palestinians. The NDPs action cleared the way for hard-right Premier Doug Fords Progressive Conservatives to censure Jama, preventing her from speaking on any issue in the legislature until she apologizes. This record underlines the absurdity of NDP leader Jagmeet Singhs attempt to posture as an ally of the student protesters. I stand in solidarity with students and anti-war advocates, he wrote Thursday on X. What is happening in the US right now is very dangerous and alarming. In Canada, I want students to know this: It is your right to peacefully protestand I will defend that. New Democrats will continue to stand for peace and justice, for protection of your Charter-rights and for ensuring every student feels safe and welcome on campus. The truth is that the NDP will continue to stand for the ongoing genocide, Canadian imperialisms participation in the US-NATO war on Russia, and massive military spending to prepare for imperialist war around the world. Canadas social democrats, who have backed every war of aggression involving Canadian imperialism since NATOs 1999 bombardment of Yugoslavia, will also continue to prop up the Liberal government. They will continue to prevent pro-Palestine candidates from running on their ticket in elections and block the discussion of motions at their conventions that condemn Israel. The reluctance of the Quebec Superior Court and the University of Toronto to authorize a violent crackdown on the protest campsfor nowshould in no way be interpreted as a principled defence of democratic rights. Those, beginning with the Trudeau government, ready to countenance genocide abroad will show no reluctance in trampling on the rights of students and working people at home. Such an attack has already been politically prepared through the incessant smearing of the protests as antisemitic and through the growing clamour from the likes of Legault, Pierre Poilievre and his Conservative official opposition and the National Post and the various Canwest tabloids, for a police crackdown on pro-terrorist demonstrators. The restraint, at least for the time being, arises from fears within the ruling class that an attempt to crush the protests could backfire, further fueling the already widespread opposition to the Israeli genocide and Canadas complicity in it. Hundreds of thousands of people have participated in weekly protests across the country under conditions in which major strikes and contract struggles, including those involving Quebec public sector workers, railway workers, Alberta healthcare workers and Canada Post letter carriers, are underway. The demands advanced by students for universities to divest their investments in companies with ties to Israel and businesses profiting from the genocide are legitimate. But they cannot be achieved with appeals to university administrations that enjoy intimate ties with the corporate elite and political establishment. Stopping the Gaza genocide requires the independent political mobilization of the working class in opposition to the entire political establishmentfederalist and pro-Quebec independence, avowedly right-wing and ostensibly leftwhich has universally supported the far-right Natenyahu regime in its onslaught on the Palestinians. Students must turn to the working class, appealing for their solidarity in beating back state repression from the same institutions and parties that have enforced dangerous working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic and used strikebreaking legislation to all but abolish workers right to strike. Workers must recognize the importance of coming to the defence of the students by taking up the struggle to build an international movement led by the working class in opposition to war and genocide, and the capitalist system that gives rise to them. Key Insights The projected fair value for Bike24 Holding is 1.39 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Current share price of 1.42 suggests Bike24 Holding is potentially trading close to its fair value Peers of Bike24 Holding are currently trading on average at a 51% discount Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Bike24 Holding AG (ETR:BIKE) as an investment opportunity by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example! We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model. View our latest analysis for Bike24 Holding What's The Estimated Valuation? We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) 550.0k 900.0k 2.80m 3.23m 3.59m 3.87m 4.09m 4.26m 4.40m 4.50m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ 15.41% Est @ 10.99% Est @ 7.90% Est @ 5.73% Est @ 4.22% Est @ 3.16% Est @ 2.41% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 6.6% 0.5 0.8 2.3 2.5 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.4 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 21m After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 0.7%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 6.6%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = 4.5m (1 + 0.7%) (6.6% 0.7%) = 76m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 76m ( 1 + 6.6%)10= 40m The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is 61m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of 1.4, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. dcf Important Assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Bike24 Holding as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.6%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.297. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for Bike24 Holding Strength Debt is not viewed as a risk. Weakness Expensive based on P/S ratio and estimated fair value. Opportunity Forecast to reduce losses next year. Has sufficient cash runway for more than 3 years based on current free cash flows. Threat No apparent threats visible for BIKE. Moving On: Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Bike24 Holding, we've put together three essential items you should consider: Risks: Take risks, for example - Bike24 Holding has 2 warning signs we think you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does BIKE's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every German stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. In the south of Texas, a new housing development in a major boomtown stood frozen in time for a little over two years. The project by developer StoryBuilt, consisting of nearly 100 new homes off North Bluff Drive in Austin, was constructed in three phases. The first two saw about 68 units completed between 2017 and 2018. The third phase broke ground around 2019. But right before the pandemic, the third phase suddenly came to a halt, and homeowners in the surrounding community had no idea why. They basically stopped all construction, said Steven Apodaca, who had moved to one of the earlier phases of the development. Im sure part of it was related to the pandemic, being able to get the manpower to continue construction. But then, even several years after that, everything was just on pause, he said. While at least 10 of the units were completed in phase three, according to Apodaca, the rest of the community was littered with debris, exposed wires, and half-built homes, which sat seemingly abandoned from late 2019 until the end of 2023. For the buyers, the worst-case scenario had occurred. Their builder was entrenched in financial turmoil: layoffs, a restructuring of its top leadership, followed by entering a voluntary receivership, according to public records and news accounts. Now, the struggling Austin developer is facing accusations of having misused funds. Its just one example of what can go wrong when building a house. You might have to contend with construction defects or an unresponsive builder. While these issues can feel out of your hands, there are steps you can take to ensure your purchasing experience goes as smoothly as possible. Read more: Buying a new construction home: Pros, cons, and how to finance it Punta Gorda, Florida, Coldwell Banker, real estate office, man looking at property listings and homes for sale . (Credit: Jeffrey Greenberg, Universal Images Group via Getty Images) (Jeff Greenberg via Getty Images) 'There's always been a quality issue' As a new homeowner, your main concern should be what color paint you want in your dining room. But even new homes can come with their quirks and frustrations, Deb Burger, founder of Burger Homes & Development and owner of Modern Era Realty, told Yahoo Finance. Construction is not perfect. Theres always been a quality issue. Its always been there, said Burger, who has worked in new construction for 30 years and built over 400 homes in Iowa. I think you can have quality whether youre a small builder or a large builder, she added. Its having the right system in place, a quality supervisor on site and making sure that theyre there every day. Many people buying newly built homes fail to do their due diligence, like examining the builders reputation and checking for complaints made by existing residents. Once a contract is signed, they may think their role is finished, but its important to stay involved and vigilant in the building process. Story continues Taking the time to ask questions can save you from being in a pinch later on, Burger said. Its about relationships and having a connection with the builder and being involved in the process, she said. Its really important. Home inspector discusses issues with homeowners. (Credit: Getty Creative) (SasinT Gallery via Getty Images) Another crucial mistake is not getting a proper home inspection, one step that many homeowners who purchased during the early aughts of the pandemic may have skipped as they rushed to close deals. According to WIN Home Inspection, some 36% of homebuyers nationwide reported issues with their new construction within the first year. That often includes COVID-related quality control issues with products. Were seeing more broken glass or damaged glass. Not from faults of installation or anything, just the quality of glass in the last few years has gone downhill while they were trying to match the construction boom, WIN home inspector Michael Palmer told Yahoo Finance. Weve also seen what weve come to call the 1,000 hands issues. Palmer, who is based in central Oregon, said about 500 people touch a house from start to finish during construction. That leaves a lot of room for human error. You have all 500 people working there, but theyre not working at the same time, said Palmer. So you end up with someone that will pull insulation down to do electrical work, but they dont have a chance to inform the insulation contractor to go back and make repairs. An issue of communication between trades become major problems. Dont be afraid to make demands When purchasing a new home, you want to make sure your investment is in good shape. While a home inspection is a crucial step prior to occupancy, you should also make several walkthroughs with your builder after you move in. We usually have a 30-day walkthrough, then a 60-day walkthrough, followed by a 90-day walkthrough, Burger said. Those are really important because if there are any issues or problems, you need to take care of them right away. In one instance, she noted that there was a bad rainstorm and went to the new home site at 3 in the morning to make sure the drainage systems were working properly. Its a relationship that goes beyond just purchasing, said Burger. Its proactive problem-solving. A "for sale" sign is displayed in front of a new home in a housing development as a maintenance worker sweeps the street in Fairfax, Va. (Getty Images) (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS via Getty Images) Another measure buyers should take is having their home inspected during the first year. Palmer recommends having your first inspection within the first 11 months of moving in, which should give you time before your first year is up and many home warranties expire to notice any issues with the roof, plumbing, or foundation. We started to do quite a few more new construction inspections just in our local central Oregon area, but were also seeing a lot more pre-one-year warranty inspections, said Palmer. Most new construction in our area has a one-year builders warranty that essentially covers the whole house. Typically, inspections made prior to purchase show unfinished items, so having that second inspection within the first year is crucial. A home inspection can set you back about $450 to $650, but its usually worth it. We almost always find notable issues in the range above $600. Its almost always worth their salt, said Palmer. 'Insult to injury when it's new construction' Last year, the situation grew a bit worse for the residents off North Bluff Drive. It got to the point where unhoused individuals were sleeping in the units because they were partially constructed. Who knows what safety issues there were, said Apodaca, who is also part of the neighborhood HOA. Instead of settling into their new homes, the buyers were left wondering when construction would pick up again. The only marker of progress for some time was on StoryBuilts website, which showed monthly updates to phase three until October 2022. According to StoryBuilt, the third phase was sold out in December 2020, but now, some of those sales appear to have fallen through. A recent walk-through of the third phase of development showed freshly placed for sale signs in some of the lots. Apodaca said he has noticed construction activity within the last six months, with some of the homes that were left unfinished for years now being completed. Still, some debris remains. It looks like there has been significant progress in that third phase, Apodaca told Yahoo Finance. Im pleased but we [the HOA] still havent received a formal response from StoryBuilt. "For sale" signs pop up in the third phase of North Bluff. (Credit: Steven Apodaca, homeowner and member of North Bluff HOA.) Yahoo Finance contacted MODUS Real Estate, which confirmed they are handling the sales for Stapleton Group, a firm managing the receivership for the third phase of North Bluff Drive. The real estate agency currently has two active listings for sale in that community. One of the listings was posted on Feb. 27, and the second was posted on April 11. The 2-bedroom, 2 bathroom detached condos are each priced at $425,000, and are around 1,294 square feet. MODUS Real Estate expects to list a third unit in the upcoming weeks. Already, the homes have garnered interest from several would-be buyers, said one listing agent. With phase three, Stapleton Group was court-appointed to take over and facilitate sales on behalf of the banks that had loaned to StoryBuilt to get all these homes completed," Madison Morris, a listing agent at MODUS Real Estate, told Yahoo Finance. Stapleton Group hired us several months ago to start listing several of their communities, including North Bluff. According to Morris, most of the homes in the third phase of North Bluff have been under contract since 2020. A majority of these people have stayed under contract since 2020, and will close on these homes in the next couple of months," she said. "Stapleton Group and MODUS have already closed on a couple of units so far in this community. They are hoping to complete that community by the end of summer. Homes in phase three of North Bluff appear to have active construction in April. (Credit: Steven Apodaca, homeowner and member of North Bluff HOA.) Yahoo Finance reached out to StoryBuilt for comment and received no response. Requests with the city for building records and other documents related to the project have so far yielded no results. Its always an insult to injury when its new construction because it's the last thing a family wants to be dealing with after theyve made a major purchase, Jennifer Horn, founding partner and attorney at law firm Horn Williamson, LLC which specializes in construction, commercial and real estate litigation, told Yahoo Finance. They want to think about how to decorate the home and enjoy the community in their neighborhood, not whats bringing down the value of their home. But people should remember, theres power in numbers. You should talk to your neighbors, but always be cautious to get legal advice before you sign anything in order to get relief or repairs done, said Horn. Jeremy Knight, a real estate agent and founder of The Knight Group, has followed the companys travails and visited other unfinished projects in the Austin area. Though North Bluff is on track to wrap up this summer, he has seen other sites still littered with broken glass, vandalized by graffiti, and exposed to the elements. Those homes are just deteriorating, said Knight. I mean, theyre going to have to sell off some of these developments. Gabriella Cruz-Martinez is a personal finance and housing reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X @__gabriellacruz. Click here for real estate and housing market news, reports, and analysis to inform your investing decisions. Shell plc (LON:SHEL) came out with its first-quarter results last week, and we wanted to see how the business is performing and what industry forecasters think of the company following this report. It looks to have been a bit of a mixed result. While revenues of US$72b fell 18% short of what the analysts had predicted, statutory earnings per share (EPS) of US$1.13 exceeded expectations by 3.9%. Earnings are an important time for investors, as they can track a company's performance, look at what the analysts are forecasting for next year, and see if there's been a change in sentiment towards the company. With this in mind, we've gathered the latest statutory forecasts to see what the analysts are expecting for next year. View our latest analysis for Shell Taking into account the latest results, Shell's 18 analysts currently expect revenues in 2024 to be US$301.1b, approximately in line with the last 12 months. Per-share earnings are expected to leap 48% to US$4.16. Yet prior to the latest earnings, the analysts had been anticipated revenues of US$325.8b and earnings per share (EPS) of US$4.08 in 2024. The consensus seems maybe a little more pessimistic, trimming their revenue forecasts after the latest results even though there was no change to its EPS estimates. The consensus has reconfirmed its price target of UK31.53, showing that the analysts don't expect weaker revenue expectations next year to have a material impact on Shell's market value. Fixating on a single price target can be unwise though, since the consensus target is effectively the average of analyst price targets. As a result, some investors like to look at the range of estimates to see if there are any diverging opinions on the company's valuation. The most optimistic Shell analyst has a price target of UK37.84 per share, while the most pessimistic values it at UK28.86. With such a narrow range of valuations, the analysts apparently share similar views on what they think the business is worth. Another way we can view these estimates is in the context of the bigger picture, such as how the forecasts stack up against past performance, and whether forecasts are more or less bullish relative to other companies in the industry. These estimates imply that revenue is expected to slow, with a forecast annualised decline of 0.5% by the end of 2024. This indicates a significant reduction from annual growth of 1.4% over the last five years. Yet aggregate analyst estimates for other companies in the industry suggest that industry revenues are forecast to decline 0.3% per year. So it's pretty clear that Shell's revenues are expected to shrink faster than the wider industry. Story continues The Bottom Line The most obvious conclusion is that there's been no major change in the business' prospects in recent times, with the analysts holding their earnings forecasts steady, in line with previous estimates. Unfortunately they also cut their revenue estimates for next year. Forecasts imply the business' revenue is expected to perform worse than the wider industry. That said, earnings per share are more important for creating value for shareholders. Even so, long term profitability is more important for the value creation process. There was no real change to the consensus price target, suggesting that the intrinsic value of the business has not undergone any major changes with the latest estimates. With that in mind, we wouldn't be too quick to come to a conclusion on Shell. Long-term earnings power is much more important than next year's profits. We have forecasts for Shell going out to 2026, and you can see them free on our platform here. Even so, be aware that Shell is showing 2 warning signs in our investment analysis , 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. Queen Mary sparkles in an emerald tiara that is part of the Danish crown jewels Steen Evald, Kongehuset Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark pose for a portrait by Steen Evald at Christiansborg Palace released on April 25, 2024. King Frederik and Queen Mary have revealed a never-before-seen portrait as their new social media picture The Danish Royal House recently released the couple's gala photos following King Frederik's accession in February The new image comes as King Frederik and Queen Mary gave their first interview since the accession King Frederik and Queen Mary have given their social media presence a royal refresh. A few days after the Danish Royal House revealed the new gala portraits of the King and Queen of Denmark, courtiers revealed a brand new photo from what appears to be the same shoot for the royal couples new profile picture. As of May 3, the Danish Royal Houses Instagram and Facebook page avatars have been updated with a previously unseen portrait of the couple in their gala finery, including the emerald tiara, necklace, earrings and a large brooch that are part of the Danish crown jewels for Queen Mary. The new photo was taken at a side angle and showed the couple smiling side by side. It is credited to Steen Evald on Facebook, the same photographer who took the other three gala portraits in the Green Room at Christiansborg Palace. The never-before-seen portrait of Queen Mary, 52, and King Frederik, 55, captured a candid moment for the royal couple, who have had a life-changing year. Related: Prince Joachim of Denmark Says 'We've Moved On' from Queen Margrethe's Decision to Strip His Kids' Titles On Jan. 14, Queen Margrethe abdicated on the 52nd anniversary of her accession two weeks after announcing the unexpected move on New Years Eve, making her the first Danish monarch to voluntarily step down from the throne in nearly 900 years. Her eldest son became King Frederik X, his wife Queen Mary and their 18-year-old son Crown Prince Christian, taking the Kings former styling as heir. Frederik and Marys three younger children Princess Isabella, 17, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, 13 each moved up a spot in the line of succession following the change of reign. King Frederik and Queen Mary have been busy with royal duties in the weeks since and opened up in their first interview since King Frederiks accession about the big day and their vision for the modern monarchy on May 2. The couple spoke to Danish broadcaster TV 2 aboard the Royal Yacht Dannebrog as they continued a tradition of embarking on the sovereigns official residence for summer cruises and overseas visits to kick off the summer sailing season. Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty King Frederik and Queen Mary on the Royal Ship Dannebrog on May 2, 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Related: Queen Mary of Denmark Takes Official Portrait Celebrating Daughter Princess Isabellas 17th Birthday According to Hello! magazine, the King said the balcony appearance to mark the change of reign was "overwhelming," but he felt welcomed by the Danish people as he stepped up into his new royal role. "It was very overwhelming and moving. I felt extremely well received. The highlight was when Mary and the children came out and stood right behind me, and I had the Danes standing in front of me and waving. It was one of the most amazing things to experience in my life," King Frederik said. Queen Mary also spoke about the emotional moment: "I stood with the children, and when you stepped out onto the balcony towards your fate, it was a moment that moved me incredibly much. We could hear and feel it, even if we couldn't see it. It was a beautiful moment. I was both very happy and very proud." 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! Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty King Frederik and Queen Mary at Fredensborg Castle on May 2, 2024 in Fredensborg, Denmark. In the wide-ranging conversation with the national outlet, the royals said they would uphold previous protocol while thinking of the "present and future" of the monarchy. "We have not set a fixed route, but a good direction. We are going to continue the tracks we have laid. Our interest in nature and communities and business. We also want to be a royal couple who are visible and present throughout Denmark," Queen Mary added about their approach. Next week, the King and Queen will make their first official state visit to Sweden from May 6 to May 7 and start a major tour of the Northern region. From there, they will pay a state visit to Norway, with further plans for official visits to the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which are part of the kingdom of Denmark, in June. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Marillion have announced dates and destinations for their award-winning Weekends, which will once again take place in 2025. The dates include the band's final appearance in Port Zelande, which will last for five days (the site will be refurbished following the band's appearance), and Weekend debuts in France, Spain and Norway The eight events will take place at Port Zelande (March 12-16), Montreal (March 28-30), Paris (April 11-12), Girona (April 25-26), Padua (May 9-10), Leicester (May 24-25), Oslo (June 13-14) and Berlin (June 20-21). There are no further details available at the moment, but information will be revealed on the band's special Weekends website in the near future. At the same time the band have shared a brand new live clip of The Crow And The Nightingale, which you can watch below. The clip is taken from their upcoming live release, An Hour Before Its Dark: Live In Port Zelande 2023, which will be released through earMusic on June 21. The new release was recorded during Marilion's award-winning Weekend at Port Zelande Center Parcs in The Netherlands, which ran from from March 17 -19 in 2023. An Hour Before Its Dark: Live in Port Zelande 2023 will be physically available as a triple heavyweight vinyl, as a 2CD digipak, a Blu-ray digipak and as a DVD digipak. You can see the artwork and tracklisting below. Pre-order An Hour Before Its Dark: Live in Port Zelande 2023. Marillion: An Hour Before It's Dark: Live in Port Zelande 2023 tracklist CD Disc 1 1: Be Hard On Yourself 2: Reprogram the Gene 3: Only a Kiss (Instrumental) 4: Murder Machines 5: The Crow and the Nightingale 6: Sierra Leone 7: Care CD Disc 2 1: Estonia 2: Afraid of Sunlight 3: Go! 4: The Space 5: Zeperated Out Blu-Ray/DVD An Hour Before It's Dark Be Hard On Yourself Reprogram The Gene Only A Kiss Murder Machines The Crow And The Nightingale Sierra Leone Care Encores Estonia Afraid of Sunlight Go! The Space Zeparated Out Extras - Sunday 19Th March 2023 (Part One) River Bridge Living with the Big Lie Runaway The Hollow Man Born to Run White Paper Sugar Mice Genie An Hour Before It's Dark: Live in Port Zelande 2023 cover art Mariska Hargitay believes she and the lost little girl she helped last month during filming of an episode of "Law & Order: SVU" in New York were "meant" to cross paths. The 60-year-old actor opened up to "Entertainment Tonight" about the incident, which reportedly happened when the girl was separated from her mom and saw Hargitay, who was wearing her character Olivia Benson's police badge. The girl and her mother were reunited not long after. Hargitay doesn't know if her character's outfit made the girl think she was a real police officer, but the actor believed she and the little girl were meant to connect in the moment we did," she told ET at Varietys Power of Women event in New York. This little angel girl was in need and we connected and I could see that. So I did what any mother on this planet would do, she said. The Emmy winner added that she was grateful that the girl and her mother found each other. "I got to hug her mom and her, and it was beautiful," she shared, while noting she hasn't been in touch with them since. Variety's 2024 Power Of Women: New York (Marleen Moise / Getty Images) During a visit to TODAY with Hoda & Jenna in January, Hargitay discussed how much she enjoys meeting "SVU" fans while filming on the streets of New York. "You know, it's so beautiful because I have such an intimate relationship with New Yorkers. I remember when we started shooting, Dick always said, he described the backdrop of New York City as like a sixth character," she recalled, referring to series creator Dick Wolf. Though she didn't absorb what Wolf meant at first, Hargitay later "truly understood" that the city and its residents have their own special vibe. "New Yorkers are so open and you rub up against them and they tell you what they think and they tell you their opinions and so I was like, yeah, I'm into it," she said. "They've been so incredibly supportive and love-filled," she added of the fans she's encountered. The actor, who's been a mainstay on "SVU" since it debuted in 1999, said one of the greatest things about being a longtime cast member is the friendships she's made. "Some of the most important people and the closest people in my life are from the show, from different times," she said. Hargitay's 25 years on "SVU" have felt like being on "seven different shows," she said, noting that the NBC series, with its evolving actors, writers and crew members, has had several rewarding incarnations. "I cannot count my blessings," Hargitay said of working on the show. "There are too many to count." This article was originally published on TODAY.com Texas Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar and his wife were indicted Friday on charges of conspiracy and accepting nearly $600,000 in bribes from foreign entities, the Justice Department announced. Prosecutors allege Cuellar and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, began accepting the roughly $600,000 in bribes beginning as early as December of 2014 from an oil and gas company owned by Azerbaijan's government as well as a bank headquartered in Mexico City. While Cuellar's wife allegedly propped up sham front companies on the promise of providing consulting services to the two companies in order to launder the payments, she "performed little to no legitimate work under the contracts" all while Rep. Cuellar was promising to use his office for the benefit of Azerbaijan's foreign policy as well as influencing "high-ranking" officials in the executive branch to benefit the Mexico City bank, according to the indictment. MORE: FBI raid on House Democrat's home related to Azerbaijan probe, source says According to the indictment, Cuellar influenced a series of legislative measures regarding Azerbaijan's conflict with neighboring Armenia, inserted language favored by Azerbaijan into legislation and committee reports governing certain security and economic aid programs and consulted with representatives of Azerbaijan regarding their efforts to lobby to the U.S. government. Cuellar once served as a co-chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, and repeatedly met with Azerbaijan officials, including the ambassador of Azerbaijan, Elin Suleymanov in that role. PHOTO: In this Nov. 17, 2022, file photo, Rep. Henry Cuellar is seen outside a meeting of the House Democratic Caucus in the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, D.C. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images, FILE) As for the Mexico City bank, Cuellar is alleged to have accepted bribes in exchange for influencing federal regulation of the financial industry to benefit the bank and its affiliates, according to the indictment. Also, the indictment said Cuellar allegedly "advised and pressured" executive branch officials regarding anti-money laundering enforcement practices that threatened the bank's business interests, supported legislation that would have blocked federal regulation of the payday lending industry and supported revisions to money-laundering statutes favored by the Mexican corporate conglomerate to which the bank was a member. The Justice Department said Cuellar and his wife made their initial appearance Friday before a magistrate judge in Houston. MORE: Feds issue subpoenas seeking records related to Rep. Cuellar and his wife, associates Cuellar his wife are each charged with the following offenses and if convicted, face maximum penalties as indicated: two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery of a federal official and to have a public official act as an agent of a foreign principal (five years in prison on each count); two counts of bribery of a federal official (15 years in prison on each count); two counts of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud (20 years in prison on each count); two counts of violating the ban on public officials acting as agents of a foreign principal (two years in prison on each count); one count of conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering (20 years in prison); and five counts of money laundering (20 years in prison on each count). Earlier Friday, Cuellar claimed innocence. "I want to be clear that both my wife and I are innocent of these allegations," Cuellar said in a statement. "Everything I have done in Congress has been to serve the people of South Texas." Rep. Cuellar will take a leave as ranking member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee while "this matter is ongoing," said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' spokesperson Christie Stephenson. Rep. Cuellar is entitled to his day in court and "the presumption of innocence throughout the legal process," Stephenson added. Cuellar, who represents Texas' 28th Congressional District along the U.S.-Mexico border, has been in Congress since 2005. NBC News was first to report the Justice Department would charge Cuellar. ABC News' Lauren Peller contributed to this report. Texas Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar, wife indicted on charges of bribes tied to Azerbaijan originally appeared on abcnews.go.com 3 Delaware towns featured in list of 'America's 100 Most Charming Main Streets' Three Delaware towns are featured in a list of 100 most charming main streets in America according to an online survey of seasoned travelers. The list was built by Mixbook, an online photo business that sells user-customized calendars, cards and other photo products. The list was derived from an online survey of 3,000 adults chosen based on age, gender and geography, the website states. Main streets in towns and cities across America are lined with unique shops, cafes, and restaurants, forming the center of local culture and community, the Mixbook website states. From family-owned bakeries to trendy boutiques, each place adds to the town's unique character. Below are Delaware's entries into the list. Second Street in Lewes is shown in 2018. Second Street in Lewes Second Street in Lewes is No. 75 on the list. This historic main street in one of Delaware's oldest towns features 18th and 19th-century buildings housing boutiques, antique shops, and restaurants, Mixbook said in a press release advertising the list. Its proximity to the beach, nearby Cape May-Lewes Ferry, and charming bed and breakfasts add to its coastal Delaware charm. The postcard-style mural on Loockerman Street welcomes people to downtown Dover. Loockerman Street in Dover Loockerman Street in Dover was selected No. 86 on the list. This bustling main street is the lifeline of Dover, offering an eclectic mix of local boutiques, eateries, and cultural landmarks that mirror the city's rich heritage and contemporary spirit, the Mixbook press release states. Here, the past meets the present in a lively showcase of community events, art scenes, and architectural gems, making Loockerman Street a cornerstone of Dover's charm and a welcoming gateway to exploring Delaware's capital. SAFEST CITIES: What are Delaware's top 5? COMING TO FOMER DELAWARE DRIVE-IN SITE: 6 buildings in business park Main Street, with Deer Park Tavern, is shown in Newark on Jan. 19, 2024. Main Street in Newark Newarks Main Street is ranked No. 99 on the list. Home to the University of Delaware, Newark's main street offers a vibrant mix of historic buildings, student hangouts, and local shops. Its annual community events and nearby state parks contribute to its college town charm, the press release states. Top 10 most charming main streets These are the top 10 main streets, according to the Mixbook survey: King Street, Charleston, South Carolina Main Street, Lake Placid, New York Main Street, Beacon, New York Main Street, Montpelier, Vermont E Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida Broughton Street, Savannah, Georgia King Street, Alexandria, Virginia Broadway Street/Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, North Carolina Washington Avenue, Ocean Springs, Mississippi Main Street, Eureka Springs, Arkansas The full list can be found at mixbook.com/inspiration/americas-100-most-charming-main-streets. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: These Delaware main streets were picked for 100 most charming Wine tasting is a year-round pleasure in Greece. Annie B. Shapero/Travel + Leisure Island-hopping season has its charms, but wine tasting is a year-round pleasure in Greece. From vibrant wine bars to rustic and revolutionary family wineries, women are emerging at the forefront of Greeces wine scene. Check out these four itineraries for a taste of local flavor with female flourish. Athens and Attica Annie B. Shapero/Travel + Leisure All too often a stopover en route elsewhere, Athens exuberant wine bar scene warrants a week-long stay. Kick off your tour at the beloved institution Cinque Wine Bar, where co-owner and tireless advocate for Greek grapes, Evangelia Tseliou-Prassa welcomes guests with equal parts warmth and wine knowledge. Head uphill toward the Thissio area for stunning acropolis views and cozy Caravin Wine and Wanderlust. Word of mouth keeps owners Anna Chriskioti and Leoni Panagopoulou busy serving locals and visitors exclusively Greek wines and a lighter take on traditional fare. Just beyond the city limits, Attica is Greeces largest wine-producing region with a smattering of historic and enterprising wineries, among them Roxane Matsa Estate. Roxane passionately carries on her familys 150-year-old legacy, farming organically and producing stellar bottles of indigenous Savatiano and Malagousia, among other varieties. Book a picnic in the vineyards or even a light wine and food experience during your layover. Just 15 minutes from Athens airport, the estate offers transport as part of the package. North and Central Peloponnese Annie B. Shapero/Travel + Leisure Take the road west of Athens, up the Saronic Gulf coastline for about an hour to reach the Peloponnese. Stay seaside along the Gulf of Corinth toward Patras to reach Aigialeia, where mountains surge inland from the sea, creating optimal conditions for wine production. Here, Oenologist Sossana Katsikosta manages multi-generational Acheon Winery along with her sister Katerina. Arrange a visit to try her award-winning white wines Roditis, Sideritis, and Mavrodaphnea dark-skinned grape named for its herbaceous bay leaf (daphne) aromas and deep, dried fruit notes. Mere minutes away, Theodora Rouvalis and her partner, ntonio Ruiz Panego bring years of winemaking experience in Chile, New Zealand, and Burgundy to both Greek and international varieties. Get in touch directly for a tour and unforgettable tasting. Head back toward Corinth and veer south to reach Nemea, Greeces most notable red-wine-producing region, famed since antiquity for the indigenous variety Agiorgitiko. Vineyards coat steep slopes and the views are as gorgeous as the wines, which range from bright and fruity to rich, smoky, and complex. Sisters Evangelia and Vassiliki have taken the reigns at their family winery, Palivou Estate, a thoroughly modern facility dedicated to preserving traditional flavors. Book a tasting to learn more from these ladies. If Agiorgitiko reigns as the red king of Nemea, Moschofilero flourishes to the southwest, in Mantineia. This semi-aromatic grape exudes sumptuous aromas of just-picked summer peaches and rose petals but finishes with a sleek mouthwatering mineral finish. Katerina Bosinakis, of a small yet mighty Bosinakis family winery, believes in the potential of this indigenous stunner. With a team comprising her two brothers Sotiris and Konstantinos and a collection of trusted local growers, Bosinakis has elevated a grape once considered destined for mass production and is actively experimenting with white, rose, and even red versions made from extended skin contact. Visits to their facility are available on request, but as space is limited due to day-to-day operations, Katarina recommends contacting the winery to organize lunch at a local taverna where youll sample their wines and meet members of the family for a dose of true local flavor. Thessaloniki and Macedonia As an alternative to Athens, touch down in Thessaloniki. The city exudes youthful energy and boasts an explosive culinary scene. Before you hit the road, pop into the cool and cozy Souel Wine Concept Bar at 16 Pavlou Mela Street (no reservations) and try something from sisters Eleni and Tanias 250-bottle collection, 30 of which they offer by the glass! West of Thessaloniki in Central Macedonia, Naoussa is known for Xinomavro, a red wine grape that seems to be on everyones lips lately. Connoisseurs liken it to Italys famed Nebbiolo variety for its potential to age and expansive aromaseverything from ripe raspberries and tobacco to vine tomatoes, olives, and dried fruit. Veteran agronomist, oenologist, and author, Haroula Spinthiropoulou makes magic with Xinomavro at her winery, Argatia. Contact the winery to meet her and learn more. A bit further west, Afrodite Stergious boutique family winery lies nestled in the hillsides overlooking Lake Orestiada, in Kastoria, a city of Como-like splendor and deserving of a day trip. When not on the winery, youll find seasoned sommelier Afrodite ninety minutes southeast of Thessaloniki on the Sithonia Peninsula, at award-winning Danai Beach Resort where she guides guests through a 1,700-bottle wine list. Thirty minutes down the western coastline of Sithonia, Eyfrossyni Drossou oversees production at landmark Domaine Porto Carras, a model of regenerative agriculture and organic farming. Vineyards blanket the hillsides of Mount Meliton in amphitheater formation to maximize the cooling effect of the lagoon. Together with viticulturalist Haroula Spinthiropoulou, Drossou balances nature and nurture to create wines full of local and varietal character. Peruse their extensive options for tasting with a view. Crete Annie B. Shapero/Travel + Leisure Crete is synonymous with Greek wine. In recent years, the island has seen a female revolution daughters taking over for fathers and grandfathers in what was predominately a mans world. These enterprising lady leaders bring fresh perspectives, transforming their facilities to work in harmony with nature and exult indigenous flavors. From Heraklion, hit the road to Peza, the heart of Cretan wine making and home to Emmanuela and Niko, whose winery, Domaine Paterianakis put Crete on the map as pioneers of organic and natural winemaking. Visit during the week to meet the family and try their flagship red blend of Kotsifali and Mandilari. Up the coast in Chania, book a table at Oinoa, where sommelier Theodosia serves exclusively Greek wines with an emphasis on indigenous varieties, and her best friend Maria designs expert food pairings. Annie B. Shapero/Travel + Leisure A 30-minute drive from the city, meet Alexandra Manousakis, who left New York City when she fell in love with her family's winery and the surrounding natural wonders of the rippling Lefka Ori Mountain range. Wine and dine one site and you may find yourself rethinking your flight home. For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. Louis Gossett Jr. fought a years-long battle with the disease but died on March 29, according to a family member. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. Louis Gossett Jr. died on March 29 of COPD. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Getty Images) Louis Gossett Jr.'s cause of death has been revealed to be a chronic inflammatory lung condition, according to newly-released records. A death certificate obtained by USA Today on Wednesday confirmed the 87-year-old actor died in March of a years-long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It also showed heart failure and atrial fibrillation contributed to the "An Officer and a Gentleman" star's death. The Emmy-award winning actor, who was the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar award, died on March 29 in Santa Monica, Calif., according to the Associated Press. "Never mind the awards, never mind the glitz and glamour, the Rolls-Royces and the big houses in Malibu. It's about the humanity of the people that he stood for," the "Roots" actor's first cousin, Neal L. Gossett, told the outlet. But what exactly is this disease the Hollywood legend died from, and is it something you should worry about when it comes to your own health? Read on to learn more about COPD. What is COPD? COPD is a progressive lung disease that causes airways to become swollen and blocked. It's an umbrella term used to describe various lung conditions including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, according to COPD Canada. In chronic bronchitis, the airways in your lungs become inflamed and narrowed. This means eventually you will develop more mucus, leading to a persistent cough and difficulty breathing. For enphysema, the disease develops over time and involves the gradual damage of tiny air sacs in your lungs called alveoli. The damage eventually causes these air sacs to rupture, reducing the surface area that lets oxygen move through the bloodstream. COPD manifests itself in two forms: Emphysema and bronchitis. (Photo via Getty Images) What are the symptoms of COPD? The most common symptoms of COPD are difficulty breathing, chronic cough (sometimes with mucus) and feeling tired, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The Canadian Lung Association added a person with COPD might also present some of the following symptoms: Feeling short of breath Lung infections (like the flu or pneumonia) that may last longer than it would in others Wheezing Losing weight without trying These symptoms can get worse quickly and may be called flare-ups. "These usually last for a few days and often require additional medicine," WHO stated. What are the causes of COPD? COPD develops over time, often as a result of a combination of risk factors, according to the WHO. These may include: Smoking, or being exposed to second-hand smoke Exposure to dusts, fumes or chemicals in the workplace Indoor air pollution, from sources like burning fuel for heat or coal to cook Asthma in childhood Early life events including poor growth in utero, prematurity or frequent respiratory infections A rare genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency Smoking is the main cause of COPD in many developed countries. (Photo via Getty Images) Who is at risk of developing COPD? The Canadian Lung Association indicated adults over age 40 who smoke or previously smoked may be at risk of COPD. "It is important to speak to a health-care provider if you are at risk of COPD, even if you don't have symptoms or have only mild symptoms," the organization stated. "COPD is a progressive disease, meaning it gets worse over time." COPD is severely underdiagnosed, according to the health charity. That's because people living with the disease may not show any symptoms, or they link their symptoms to factors like age, a common respiratory infection or a "smoker's cough." Moreover, some people who have stopped smoking may believe they can no longer develop COPD. Are men at higher risk of COPD than women? Historically, COPD was associated with older men who had a history of smoking. While the number of men and women who die of COPD in Canada each year is roughly equal, recent research has indicated COPD is likely underdiagnosed in women. The Canadian Lung Association shared women might also experience more severe symptoms and have earlier disease onset. Finally, over the past two decades, there has been a rising number of COPD hospitalizations for both women in the 40 to 64 age group, as well as those older than 65. That's in addition to a decreasing number of hospitalizations in men. How common is COPD? In Canada, one in four people will be diagnosed with COPD. There are more than two million Canadians impacted by the disease, and a further one million likely living with the condition unknowingly. COPD is also the second-leading cause of hospitalization in Canada, behind only childbirth. Globally, the WHO has indicated COPD is the third-leading cause of death, causing more than three million deaths in 2019 alone. That year, there were more than 212 million prevalent cases of COPD reported worldwide. Is there a cure for COPD? There is no cure for COPD. Still, there are ways to improve the condition and possibly slow its progression. Since the majority of COPD cases are related to using cigarettes, it's best to never smoke or stop smoking now. Moreover, you should speak to your supervisor about protection if you work around occupational exposure to chemical fumes, dusts or anything other elements that may increase your risk for COPD. Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Volunteer fixer Chuck Reavis, right, who ran a transmission shop for over 10 years and taught automotive technology, talks to the Pyles family, of Saline, as they brought in remote vehicles and holiday lights to repair during Fix-It Friday at Maker Works in Ann Arbor on Friday, April 19, 2024. For more than 10 years, on the third Friday of every month, Maker Works in Ann Arbor has hosted Fix-It Friday, a free membership-based workshop space just south of downtown Ann Arbor, to help people with items like broken furniture, upholstery, toys, lights and more. Members with various backgrounds, from 3D printing to electrician to automotive engineer to construction contractors, volunteer their time to help guests. Josh Williams started at Maker Works as front desk staff in 2014. He's now the workshop's executive director. Its really cool to hear the stories in all the things people bring in," he said. "It is really cool we can help them to keep that piece of history. Gary Segadi, of New Hudson, center, brought in a Halloween decoration for repair, talks to Paul Higgins, of Ann Arbor, during Fix-It Friday at Maker Works in Ann Arbor on Friday, April 19, 2024. Maker Works' Randy Williams takes a close look at an alarm clock with a broken hinge during Fix-It Friday at Maker Works in Ann Arbor on Friday, April 19, 2024. Volunteer fixer Bob LaJeunesse, right, helps Diane Carlisle to carry a cabinet for repair during Fix-It Friday at Maker Works in Ann Arbor on Friday, April 19, 2024. Williams said Maker Works' founders envisioned tools should be accessible to people and there are a lot of people with skills and knowledge that could be useful to help the community repair stuff. A lot of the volunteers are retired professionals, and they want to help people. When guests bring items in for repair, Williams said, he hopes they can stay to watch and learn and maybe find out that a lot of those things arent that hard to repair. Sometimes, all you need are screwdrivers and a soldering iron. Maker Works staff member Randy Williams gives a tour to the Pyles family, of Saline, during Fix-It Friday at Maker Works in Ann Arbor on Friday, April 19, 2024. LEFT: Makers Works staff member Randy Williams, right, helps a guest repair an alarm clock with a broken hinge as staff member Ella Bourland, center, watches during Fix It Friday at Maker Works in Ann Arbor on Friday, April 19, 2024. RIGHT: Makers Works staff member Randy Williams, right, helps repair an alarm clock with a broken hinge. Mona Peacewalker, of Romulus, came to Fix It Friday for the first time on April 19. She brought in a few electronic items, including an LED infrared panel and an infrared knee healing sleeve that was partially working. She did a quick research online to find places that could help her and decided to come to Fix It Friday. She met with volunteer fixer Jeff Campau, and spent a little more than an hour diagnosing and soldering the wires. And just like that, her items were fixed. Mona Peacewalker, of Romulus, left, uses the tools provided to try to repair a light panel as Makers Works staff member Randy Williams, right, helps repair an alarm clock with a broken hinge during Fix-It Friday at Maker Works in Ann Arbor on Friday, April 19, 2024. Volunteer fixer Al McWaters repairs a stool that was wobbling during Fix It Friday at Maker Works in Ann Arbor on Friday, April 19, 2024. I feel like I accomplished something," Peacewalker said. "I created something, with help. It was awesome to have that help there. Im so much happier! Mona Peacewalker, of Romulus, celebrates after volunteer fixer Jeff Campau successfully repaired a piece of infrared knee sleeve that was partially working during Fix-It Friday at Maker Works in Ann Arbor on Friday, April 19, 2024. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Maker Works workshop in Ann Arbor offers Fix-It Friday to repair items So much more than just a day of drinking and partying, Cinco de Mayo is a day rich in history and culture for Mexico. Celebrated annually on May 5, Cinco de Mayo recognizes Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire led by Napoleon III at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. The holiday has since become perhaps more popular in the U.S. than in Mexico and is often celebrated by people of Mexican American heritage. The holiday's name, Cinco de Mayo, translates to the fifth of May. This year, it is on Sunday, May 5. Cities around the U.S. celebrate every year with parades, festivals, music and more, from Los Angeles to Chicago and everywhere in between. Restaurants and brands have gotten in on the action as well, offering food and drink deals throughout the weekend. Here's what to know about the origins of Cinco de Mayo, and why it's celebrated in the U.S. today. What does Cinco de Mayo celebrate? Origins tied to 1862 battle Mexican Independence Day, or Dia de la Independencia, came on Sept. 16, 1810, when the country broke free of Spanish rule. Cinco de Mayo came more than 50 years later when French Emperor Napoleon III wanted to claim Mexico for himself. The French sent troops to force Mexico's President Benito Juarez and the government out of Veracruz. On May 5, 1862, in a small town in east-central Mexico called Puebla, 2,000 Mexican soldiers faced 6,000 French troops at daybreak. Incredibly, Mexico claimed victory by the evening, and Juarez declared May 5 a national holiday. The battle also played a role in the American Civil War. With the French defeated and leaving North America, the Confederacy wasn't able to use them as an ally to win the war. Zonia Rosales, 3, left, and Osmany Lemus, 2, right, play with Mexican flags during the 2022 Cinco de Mayo Parade along West Vernor Highway in Detroit. So, why are so many Americans still confused? "Everyone thinks that it's just party time, it's Corona time," Mario Garcia, a Chicanx historian from the University of California at Santa Barbara, previously told USA TODAY. "It's OK for people to go out and have a good time on a holiday like Cinco de Mayo at least they have some sense that it's some kind of a Mexican holiday," Garcia said. "But we should go beyond that. We should have Cinco de Mayo events that go beyond partying and drinking, where we call attention to what the history is." Part of the confusion among many Americans about what Cinco de Mayo celebrates is likely because it's much catchier-sounding and easier for English speakers to say than the day of Mexico's independence (Diez y seis de Septiembre), Garcia said last year. The holiday serves as a reminder of the importance of Chicanx history and its people's contributions to the U.S. "When you study the history of Chicanos and Latinos, of course, they've been history makers," Garcia said previously. "They've been involved in all aspects of American history, not to mention the wars ... In World War II alone, almost half a million Latinos mostly Mexican Americans fought in the war. And they won a disproportionate number of congressional Medals of Honor." Why is Cinco de Mayo more popular in the U.S. than Mexico? While there are Cinco De Mayo celebrations throughout Mexico, notably in the city of Puebla, the event doesn't compare to the celebrations of Dia de la Independencia, Garcia said. Meanwhile in the U.S., Cinco de Mayo has become an annual celebration of Mexican American culture. The celebration of Cinco de Mayo began as a form of resistance to the effects of the Mexican-American War in the late 19th century. The holiday gained popularity during the Chicano Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. "It becomes a Chicano holiday, in many ways, linked to the Chicano movement, because we discover Mexicans resisting a foreign invader," Garcia said. "They link the struggle of the Chicano movement to Cinco de Mayo." By the 1980s, companies began commercializing the holiday, especially beer companies and restaurants offering Cinco de Mayo specials and cocktails. Garcia jokingly refers to the day as "Corona Day." This Cinco de Mayo, Garcia hopes everyone enjoys their Coronas, but perhaps with a little history lesson to wash it down. Cinco de Mayo events around the U.S. San Diego: San Diego's Cinco de Mayo celebrations will be held May 4 and 5 in Old Town San Diego. Activities include live music, folklorico, dining and drink specials. Denver: The Mile High city has a whole host of holiday-related activities over the weekend of May 4 for Cinco de Mayo Denver, from a community parade to a taco eating contest. Events will be held May 4-5 at Denver Civic Center Park from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. St. Paul, Minnesota: St. Paul's annual Cinco de Mayo celebration is in the city's West Side neighborhood and is one of Minnesota's largest Latino events. This year, festivities will be held May 4 starting at 10 a.m. and will include a parade, car and bike show and a dog show. San Antonio, Texas: The city is sponsoring Cinco de Mayo celebrations through the holiday weekend in the Historic Market Square including live bands, Folklorico dance performances, Mariachi, food booths and more, running May 4-5. Chicago: Chicago will celebrate Cinco de Mayo on May 5 with an annual parade that begins noon at the intersection of Cermak Road and Wood Street and heads west through Cermak Road to Marshall Boulevard. A festival at Douglas Park follows the parade, featuring live music, food, vendors and a carnival. Los Angeles: Fiesta Broadway, one of the largest Latino and Cinco de Mayo festivals in the world runs down four blocks in Downtown Los Angeles. The annual festival happened this year on April 28, according to event organizers. Cinco de Mayo deals Of course, many restaurants will be offering discounts and promotions on May 5. Here are a few. Abuelo's : Visit May 5 for $5 specials all day on Mexican Grande Draft Beer, Mexican Flag Margarita, La Grandeza Margarita and Chile con Queso. In store only. Chevy's Fresh Mex: All day happy hour Friday, May 3-Saturday 4. Enjoy $4, $6, $8 and $10 specials in the cantina. On Sunday, May 5, enjoy a boozy brunch from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with $12 bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys. From 3 p.m. to close, enjoy margarita, beer and shot specials and $4 tacos. Chipotle : From May 1-5, use code "CINCO24" at checkout for a $0 delivery fee. Higher menu prices and additional services fees apply. Chuy's : Order a regular House 'Rita for $6 or a Grande House 'Rite for $10 and keep the giveaway cup, while supplies last. Enjoy $1 tequila floaters all day and Chips 'N' Dips for $5 all day Sunday. El Torito: All day happy hour May 3-4. Enjoy $4, $6, $8 and $10 specials in the cantina. Sunday May 5, enjoy all-you-can-eat-brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with bottomless mimosas, $5 Bloody Marys, Micheladas and margaritas. From 2 p.m. to close, enjoy margaritas, beer, shot specials and $4 tacos. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is Cinco de Mayo? Know the meaning, origins of May 5 holiday SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) People looking for a European vacation can be transported to Austria without having to leave San Diego by staying at the citys oldest hotel, the Horton Grand. Built in 1886, the elegant structure that stands in the Gaslamp Quarter was modeled after the Innsbruck Hotel and still has many of the features that made its original source of inspiration unique. Del Mar Racetrack to be featured on Selling the OC Season 3 On the outside, the Horton Grand shows off ornate balconies and bay windows that are typical of Italianate Victorian architecture, while the interior greets guests with a grand staircase, chandeliers and walls adorned with classical art. Beneath all of the fancy trimmings, the building also comes with a rich history. Its actually an amalgamation of two separate hotels: the Grand Horton and the Brooklyn-Kahle Saddlery, both built in the mid-1880s. According to its website, the Brooklyn Hotel opened in 1887 and was a less formal building with a Cowboy-Victorian design. It was later renamed the Brooklyn-Khale Saddlery after a shop that made hand-carved saddles and tack opened on the ground floor of the hotel in 1912. You can sleep over the ocean at this San Diego hotel Prominent figures including President Benjamin Harrison and King Kalakaua of Hawaii visited the Grand Horton in 1891. Colonel Ed Fletcher, a San Diego politician who helped develop areas of East County and designed the layout of the city of Del Mar, lived in a room at the hotel during the 1890s, according to the Horton Grands website. In the late 1970s, the site was chosen for the Horton Plaza mall development project, and the Grand Horton and the Brooklyn-Kahle Saddlery hotels were scheduled for demolition. Remnants of both hotels were salvaged, including the original bay windows, banisters, and exterior Victorian ornamentation of the Horton Grand as well as the grand oak staircase which cost $200,000 to restore, according to the hotels website. The two buildings were connected by a courtyard and atrium and, in 1986, the establishment reopened as the Horton Grand Hotel. It currently stands two blocks away from Horton Plaza in the Gaslamp Quarter. The hotel has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. The 57-year-old actress previously said her doctor mistook her menopause symptoms as herpes. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. Halle Berry spoke during news a conference to raise federal research on menopause and women's midlife health. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) Halle Berry is standing up to end the stigma around menopause. On Thursday, the 57-year-old actress joined a group of bipartisan senators outside the U.S. Capitol, sharing her experience with menopause. "I'm in menopause, OK?" Berry yelled to the crowd. "The shame has to be taken out of menopause. We have to talk about this very normal part of our life that happens. Our doctors can't even say the word to us, let alone walk us through the journey." The shame has to be taken out of menopause.Halle Berry Berry's appearance was part of a push for U.S. legislators to put $275 million towards research and education on the hormonal changes that impact women as they age. Earlier this year, Berry said her OBGYN initially mistook her perimenopause symptoms for herpes. At the "A Day of Unreasonable Conversation" event with U.S. first lady Jill Biden in March, Berry admitted she thought she would "skip menopause." The Oscar-winning actress said she started having symptoms after sex. "I have this great sex," Berry said, "I wake up in the morning, I go to the bathroom, and guess what? I feel like I have razor blades in my vagina." The actress said she immediately went to her gynecologist, who then told her she has "the worst case of herpes" they have ever seen. She and her partner both got tested, and didn't have herpes. "I realized, after the fact, that [the sensation] is a symptom of perimenopause." Couple Van Hunt and Halle Berry recently had a herpes scare, but it turned out to be a misdiagnosis as Berry was actually experiencing symptoms of perimenopause. (Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images) This incident shed a light on a common issue many women face: confusing perimenopause symptoms with other health conditions like urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). By understanding the common symptoms and how they differ from other conditions, women can seek appropriate care and avoid the pitfalls of misdiagnosis. Yahoo Canada previously spoke with Dr. Michelle Jacobson, a menopause specialist in Toronto, on how women can distinguish between these overlapping symptoms and when to see a doctor. Here's what you need to know. Perimenopause vs. UTIs and STIs: How symptoms overlap Women can still have regular periods when entering perimenopause, which makes it harder to link their symptoms to hormonal changes, the expert says. (Getty Images) Perimenopause is a phase that often goes unrecognized because its symptoms can mimic those of other conditions. Jacobson pointed out, "It's usually not very obvious that a patient's symptoms might be because of perimenopause." Women might still have regular periods, which makes it harder to link their symptoms to hormonal changes. One key aspect of perimenopause is the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), which brings a range of symptoms like dryness, abnormal discharge and urinary discomfort. This happens because sex steroid deficiencies, like estrogen and testosterone, impact the tissue of the vulva, the vagina and the lower urinary tract. "It could be dryness, it could be abnormal discharge, it could be burning, itchiness," Jacobson said. These signs are easily confused with infections, because they can mimic the sensation of a UTI, including bleeding during or after sex, or feeling like you can't empty your bladder. "All of these things happen when you get sex steroid deficiencies, but it's important to be able to recognize it for what it is." Risks of misdiagnosis: What women should know Misdiagnosing perimenopause symptoms as UTIs or STIs is a significant issue. Women may end up receiving unnecessary antibiotics or other treatments that don't address the real problem hormonal imbalance. Jacobson emphasized the importance of recognizing GSM symptoms, as they can worsen without proper treatment. "The symptoms of GSM... get worse without [hormone] replacement," she notes, stressing the need for correct diagnosis and management. Any symptom in the vulva or the vagina... can masquerade as either infectious or inflammatory. Jacobson said we don't know how many women go misdiagnosed and mistreated in Canada, but it's estimated up to 80 per cent of women will experience some GSM symptoms over time. When should you see a doctor for your symptoms? If you're unsure whether your symptoms are due to perimenopause or another condition, it's crucial to consult a healthcare provider. Jacobson mentioned the MQ6 assessment tool, a set of questions recommended by the Society of OBGYNs of Canada (SOGC), to help identify menopausal signs. These key questions include: Any changes in your period? Are you having hot flashes? Any vaginal dryness or pain during intercourse? Any bladder issues or incontinence? How is your sleep? How is your mood? The expert advised women to seek medical advice rather than self-treating, especially if symptoms persist or worsen. "I think anybody who's got a persistent and worsening problem should be seen by their primary care practitioner," she recommended. Questions about menopause? Interested to share your experience? Contact us at yahoo.canada.lifestyle.editors@yahooinc.com and you could be featured in an upcoming Yahoo Canada article. How to advocate for yourself If you suspect your symptoms are not being taken seriously or are being misdiagnosed, Jacobson encouraged self-advocacy. "For a long time, menopause has been not well treated, and physicians have not felt confident in treating menopause. I think, if you feel that you are not being listened to or that your symptoms are being diminished, it's important to advocate for yourself," she assured. For a long time, menopause has been not well treated. Jacobson suggested that women request referrals to menopause specialists or seek expertise through relevant organizations, such as the SOGC. Ensuring that your healthcare provider considers perimenopause as a potential diagnosis is essential for receiving the right treatment. Want to share your story? Since menopause is top-of-mind for many Yahoo Canada readers, we'd like to hear your story. Do you have unanswered questions about menopause that keep you up at night? Or perhaps you have an experience getting through the life stage you think the world should know? Reach out to yahoo.canada.lifestyle.editors@yahooinc.com to have your story featured in a Yahoo Canada piece. Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Lookout Mountain Preserve in Phoenix is renowned for its scenic vistas, abundant wildlife, and numerous hiking and biking trails, often serving as a playground for outdoor enthusiasts across the Valley. However, on April 24, two Emergency Animal Medical Technicians from the Arizona Humane Society were alerted to a dog in distress. The dog was spotted in a small cutout on the side of the mountain by a good Samaritan during his hike along the preserve. After a quick medical assessment by technicians, the 2-year-old female shar-pei mix, now affectionately known as "Bright Eyes," was found to be "dangerously dehydrated," along with wounds on her paws and hind end, according to the humane society. On April 24, field operators from the Arizona Humane Society rescued a 2-year-old female Sharpei Mix, now known as "Bright Eyes," who was found injured and "dangerously dehydrated" by a Good Samaritan hiking along the Lookout Mountain Preserve in Phoenix. While dispatchers do not know where the dog came from or how long she had been in the cutout, they believe she would not have survived much longer had she not been found by the hiker. "It was a very dire situation," said Joe Casados, a spokesperson for the organization. "It very possibly could've been her last day if she wasn't found." The good Samaritan, who discovered the dog around half a mile up the side of the mountain due to her amber eyes reflecting from her hiding spot, stayed with her the entire time before rescue teams were able to arrive on the scene, which took approximately two hours, according to Casados. Had the hiker not stayed with the dog, the humane society's field operations team likely wouldn't have been able to locate Bright Eyes due to her pelt blending in with the natural environment and "how well tucked away she was," Casados said. Bright Eyes Scared but willing to receive assistance, Bright Eyes was carried down the mountain's slick and narrow trail by humane society responders Tracey Miiller and Ruthie Jesus. This was due to her injured and weak condition, as well as the dog not initially wanting to leave the cutout, according to the organization. "Walking on rocks alone was difficult (for her)," said Casados, citing the cuts that were found on the dog's paws when rescuers arrived on the scene. According to Casados, it was "very probable" that the cutout was the "only safe spot for her to be." Along with her severe dehydration, Casados believes Bright Eyes had also been without food for a significant amount of time due to the poor condition she was found in. He estimated that she had been stranded in the preserve for at least several days. Upon arrival to the Arizona Humane Society Lazin Animal Foundation Trauma Hospital, the dog underwent various treatments, including fluid intake, antibiotics and pain medication, the organization said. With call volume "through the roof," the humane society field team receives thousands of calls a year regarding various animal and pet cases, according to Casados. He noted that the organization considers Bright Eye's situation "unique." This is due to Miiller and Jesus managing to take the "last remaining vehicle" to Lookout Mountain, which made a huge difference in saving the dog's life, said Casados. "She's an absolute angel," said Jesus, believing that the good Samaritan who found Bright Eyes saved her life. "She knew we were getting her to safety." Now recognized for her friendly behavior amidst her recovery, the humane society hopes to put Bright Eyes up for adoption within the next couple of days, Casados said. "She's incredibly sweet," Casados said. "She's just a joy for everybody that gets to spend time with her." To create lifesaving space for more sick, injured, and abused pets like Bright Eyes, AHS is waiving adoption fees for adoptable dogs 6 months and older, as well as critters of all ages, now through Sunday, May 5, the organization announced. Those looking to adopt or foster animals in the Valley can visit the Arizona Humane Society website for more information. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2-year-old dog rescued from lookout mountain by Arizona humane society Say what you will about the invasion of cicadas, but SC children appear to love them. Take a look Say what you will about the ongoing cicada invasion but for kids, its been one big science lesson in real life. Take 12-year-old Lily Hurley for example. She wants to be outside as much as she can to hold them. They are a fascination. She researched Brood XIX, which has been developing in the ground longer than shes been alive. Lily Hurley, 12, wants to be outside as much as she can to hold the cicadas appearing in her yard. She is happy to share all about the cicadas with anyone who will listen, her mother Amy Hurley said. The brood found in 14 Southern states emerges every 13 years. The State asked readers to send their photos and stories of the great cicada invasion and the large majority came from parents and one school administrator writing about the reaction of children. Cicada sheds its skin in Misty Zbans Fort Mill yard. Retired Clemson professor and cicada expert Eric Benson said the invasion will probably last another two weeks in the areas where the bugs first emerged about a month ago and up to six in others. The cycle is: emerge, molt, mate and then the females lay their eggs. The babies go underground for 13 years and the parents die. An exterminator of 24 years who declined to give his name said hes never seen anything like it. He has to scrape his house and patio every morning, he said. Hannah Harmon, a student at Academy Christian School in Rock Hill, was on a field trip earlier this week to Kings Mountain when a cicada joined the group. Most of the others in her class passed on their chance for an up-close-and-personal meeting, but not 10-year-old Hannah. She went right up to it and she and school administrator Wendy Lipe took a good hard look. We love to explore the outdoors with our students. We try to get them acclimated to all of Gods creations even these pesky cicadas! Lipe said. Ginny Wright, 5, of Lesslie says cicadas have cute wings, squishy bodies and dont sting. Then theres 5-year-old Ginny Wright of Lesslie in York County. She loves to hold them. She told her mother Alyssa Jannetta, They are so cute with their red eyes. And their cute wings and squishy bodies. And they dont bite or sting. Another perk their little feets are ticklish, she said. Aniston Rawdon, 9, got to see a cicada come out of its shell at 4H Science Club in York. Aniston Rawdon, 9, got to see a cicada come out of its shell at 4H Science Club in York. They were finished with class and enjoying a chat with a friend when they both noticed it, her mother Brittaney Rawdon said. Needless to say, the class time was extended by 30 minutes. Tina Finders was fishing in Leesville last Saturday and cicadas were everywhere. Tina Finders took this cicada photo while fishing in Leesville on April 27, 2024. So many that they were falling out of the trees and when they landed in the water, the fish would come up and eat them, she said. DeAn Blanton of Lancaster said she has never seen so many cicadas in one place. The emergence reminded her of when she was a child in the 1970s. It was a treasure to find the shells on the trees, she said. We would remove them from the trees and attach them to our shirts. Misty Zban said her porch, house and yard in Fort Mill are covered. Our backyard sounds like the Twilight Zone, she said. I am shocked how many there are! Shells, alive, dead, everywhere. Hopefully they dont do too much damage to our plants and flowers, she said. Carlee Carter of Rock Hill said she has seen the shells attached to everything, houses, buildings, Carlee Carter of Rock Hill said she has seen the shells attached to everything, houses, buildings. And the noise. So loud. Malasia Cousar, a home health aide, said she was alarmed when a red-eyed creature flew over to her and her client as they were enjoying the spring weather. It was staring them down, she said. Once I realized it wasnt a threat we made good friends. HaHaHa, she said. Later, she learned it was a cicada. Im happy I finally got to meet the buzz bug, she said. Susan Doyle is loving watching the emergence of Brood XIX. While some consider the male cicada song, which attracts mates, frightening to the point of calling 911, Susan Doyle finds the insects song delightful. Are we having fun, she said. I am! Living the Italian dream just got easier, thanks to a new visa In travel news this week: submersible superyachts for billionaires, the megahub airport that could be the worlds busiest, plus new digital nomad visas in Turkey and Italy. New digital nomad visas Packing up your life and making a fresh start abroad is a dream for many, and new visa programs and tax incentives are making it a bit more achievable. Portugal, Spain and Costa Rica are some of the countries with popular digital nomad visas, and now there are two new options for remote workers. Turkeys vibrant cities and glorious coastline can be enjoyed with its new digital nomad visa which is open to citizens of 36 countries, including the United States, Canada, France and the United Kingdom, ages 21 to 55. You need to be earning a minimum of $3,000 a month or $36,000 a year. Italys long-anticipated digital nomad visa is also now accepting applications. Highly skilled non-European Union/European Economic Area citizens can get the opportunity to live there for a year, provided they have their own health insurance, proof of a place to stay and are earning upward of $30,000 per annum. If youre interested, you need to book an in-person appointment at an Italian consulate in your country of residence. The Consulate General of Italy London has the steps to help you make your way through the bureaucracy. Making the leap The Hopper family from Texas left the States behind and moved to Costa Ricas blue zone, one of the regions of the world where people live longest and are the healthiest. Seven years later, they tell CNN theyre feeling more energized and love the family-friendly sense of community. In another adventure abroad, a TV editor from Los Angeles visited Italy for the first time in his 50s. Within 24 hours, hed bought himself a house. Its just such a slower lifestyle here, he says of Latronico, a town in the southern region of Basilicata. The town will definitely help me relax. One of the first steps for preparing for a new life abroad is to pick up the local lingo. Our partners at CNN Underscored, a product reviews and recommendations guide owned by CNN, have this guide to the best language learning apps. Grand ambitions For more than a decade, an Australian billionaire has been driving plans to build Titanic II: a more seaworthy replica of the ill-fated ship that sank in 1912 but still captures imaginations around the world. Heres why hes doing it. An Austrian company, meanwhile, is hoping to build submersible superyachts for billionaires. At 166 meters (545 feet) long, these Bond villain-style playthings could stay underwater for up to four weeks at a time. Why? Well, thats rich-folk business. Another way to blow through money quickly is to launch it directly into space. That is to say, you can spend it on taking a balloon ride 40 kilometers (25 miles) up in order to view the Earths curvature from above: a snip at $164,000 a go. Mistakes, misbehavior and misadventure An overrun Japanese town has put up an eight-foot (2.5-meter) barrier to stop tourists from taking snaps of Mount Fuji at a popular photo spot. An official told CNN that thered been ongoing problems with visitors leaving trash and not following traffic rules. Over in the US, a man accused of kicking a bison at Yellowstone National Park was injured by the animal and later arrested. And a Utah couple accidentally shipped their pet cat with an Amazon return. Thankfully, three weeks later they had a miracle reunion. And in transportation news, Australian travelers were stranded after a budget airline went bust, flights were canceled in Indonesia because of volcano eruptions, and two cruise passengers, ages 81 and 84, had to race to catch up with their ship after being left behind in Spain. And finally, there was trouble in paradise when four Americans in different incidents were accused of bringing live ammo to Turks and Caicos. The offense can carry a 12-year prison term, although judges are allowed to use discretion. In case you missed it Countless corpses are left behind on Mount Everest. So why are hundreds of climbers heading into the death zone this spring? An island near Mull of Kintyre is on sale for $3.1 million. It comes with a flock of sheep and a pub. A new airport for the world. Plans have been revealed for the busiest ever megahub. A nude cruise is due to set sail from Miami in 2025. Pack light. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com One SLO County city is leading the way with its cabin villages. It just added another Just a couple years ago, Freedom, a resident of San Luis Obispo County, was living between couches and on the streets of Grover Beach, unsure of whether she could keep going amid the depression and hopelessness of homelessness. But a little over a year ago, she was able to get a spot in the 5Cities Homeless Coalitions Cabins for Change project in Grover Beach, and just six months later, she can call a place in Shell Beach her own. Now, a second cabin project will give the same opportunity to additional South County residents later this month and Freedom said she hopes to be an example of what the program can accomplish for other unhoused residents. Going from feeling like nothing has made me see that I am a success story, and all I can do is just be making (my case managers) proud, Freedom said at a grand opening event for the new project. Folks are going to be able to see that hope does work. The 5Cities Homeless Coalition hosted its grand opening for the Balay Ko on Barca cabin housing project Thursday afternoon, adding 30 units of transitional housing for south San Luis Obispo Countys homeless residents. Whether youre (a police officer), youre a caseworker, whatever it is, it takes a village, no doubt about it, and we seem to have one here that is very compassionate and successful, Grover Beach Mayor Karen Bright said at the opening. The 5Cities Homeless Coalition celebrated the opening of the Balay Ko on Barca interim cabin housing project on Thursday, May 2, 2024. The project consists of 30 beds that can be used to give people a first step out of homelessness. John Lynch/jlynch@thetribunenews.com How does Balay Ko on Barca stack up to other cabin projects? The second of two Grover Beach 5CHC cabin projects built by San Francisco developer Dignity Moves, the project will look to more than double 5CHCs interim bed capacity. The Balay Ko on Barca project follows many of the goals and design strategies used in the Cabins for Change project, which was introduced in late 2022. Like the first project, the newer cabins will provide locking doors to individual units that residents can call their own, with amenities such as laundry, daily meals, showers and restrooms. Clients accepted into 5CHCs first Cabins for Change project were unhoused for an average of 2.85 years and ranged in age between 21 and 72 years old, according to the 5CHCs data on the project. The 5Cities Homeless Coalition celebrated the opening of the Balay Ko on Barca interim cabin housing project on Thursday, May 2, 2024. The project consists of 30 beds that can be used to give people a first step out of homelessness. John Lynch/jlynch@thetribunenews.com According to 5CHC data, the first program has graduated 46 people into some form of permanent housing. They spent an average of 106 days in the 90-day program before exiting at a success rate of around 70%. By comparison, Balay Ko on Barca will be a larger version of the 20-unit Cabins for Change project, but offers longer stays between 90 and 180 days, according to the projects website. The projects are a first step at shortening 5CHCs waitlist for transitional and permanent housing; as it stands, more than 200 participants are already on the new projects waitlist, according to the project website. Both Grover Beach cabin projects have the same developer, Dignity Moves, as the countys 80-unit Welcome Home Village planned for a lot on the corner of Bishop Street and Johnson Avenue in San Luis Obispo. Supervisor Jimmy Paulding said projects such as Cabins for Change and Balay Ko on Barca are a testament to the effectiveness of the model that Welcome Home Village will look to emulate in San Luis Obispo. We know that one of the first objectives is building housing projects like this so we can house and serve the homeless individuals in our community, Paulding said. Were bringing quite a lot of new housing online, and that was our goal, but it would wouldnt be possible without the support of everybody here who cares. The 5Cities Homeless Coalition celebrated the opening of the Balay Ko on Barca interim cabin housing project on Thursday, May 2, 2024. The project consists of 30 beds that can be used to give people a first step out of homelessness. John Lynch/jlynch@thetribunenews.com Project fully funded by Balay Ko Foundation Grover Beach city manager Matt Bronson said new cabin project nearly didnt happen without the intervention of the Balay Ko Foundation, from which the project takes its name. The Balay Ko Foundation supports Southern California nonprofits that work to solve housing, food insecurity and homelessness issues. The land the project sits on was purchased by the city using American Rescue Plan Act money and leased to the 5CHC for just $1 per year, Bronson said, but after a failure to secure grant funding put the projects future in jeopardy, the Balay Ko Foundation stepped in and covered 100% of all permitting, development and construction costs to the tune of $2.6 million along with paying for the first year of site operations, Bronson said. Bronson and other elected officials said the project represents a commitment to filling in crucial gaps in housing in the area. Were a city of compassion and a city of action, and these two facilities of now 50 units in one small city of 13,000 shows how our city has leaned in to be a model for every other city and community in our county, Bronson said. The 5Cities Homeless Coalition celebrated the opening of the Balay Ko on Barca interim cabin housing project on Thursday, May 2, 2024. The project consists of 30 beds that can be used to give people a first step out of homelessness. John Lynch/jlynch@thetribunenews.com Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis may have just crossed a formidable new constituent. The former presidential hopeful this week signed legislation banning the sale of lab-grown meat in the state of Florida, saying the Sunshine State wants to stop the World Economic Forums goal of forcing the world to eat lab-grown meat and insects. The WEF in 2021 said bugs might be a way to help the global population feed itself more sustainably and that insect breeding could be helped by AI, which fueled online conspiracy theories. The move is unusual, given that lab-grown meat isnt available for sale in the U.S. However, Florida ranks 13th in the U.S. in overall cattle numbers with a total herd size of 886,000 among 15,000 beef producers with total sales of $546 million, according to the Florida Beef Council. Yet the move could be a shot across the bow, as Florida has become a haven for billionaires who often fund and launch food innovations meant to remediate the effects of climate change. One of those is new snowbird Jeff Bezos. Bezos Earth Fund vice chair Lauren Sanchez, Bezoss fiancee, in March announced a $60 million initial investment into sustainable protein including plant-based, fermented, and cultivated meats. The investment is part of a $1 billion commitment to expanding food production. We need to feed 10 billion people with healthy, sustainable food throughout this century while protecting our planet. We can do it, and it will require a ton of innovation, said Sanchez in a statement. Lab-grown or cultivated meat is different from an Impossible burger and others of its ilk. Its made by taking meat from animals and replicating the cell structures scientifically, eradicating the need to farm animals. The nonprofit Good Food Institute reports that the cultivated meat industry has grown to include more than 150 companies backed by $2.6 billion in investments with Bezos among those funding the sector. The Amazon founder announced in November 2023 that he would leave Seattle for Miami, a move that likely saved him more than $140 million thanks to the states tax code. He purchased a third mansion in the state this month, a $90 million property on Indian Creek Island, an area of South Florida known as the Billionaire Bunker. He joins Ken Griffin of Citadel and tech giants Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft, which have all taken on more office space in Florida. Miami Dolphins owner and real estate developer Stephen Ross, another billionaire, is deeply involved in making South Florida more like Manhattan. Ross hosted an event last month, which DeSantis attended, to fundraise for a Florida-based campus of Nashvilles Vanderbilt University. Story continues Yet, this week DeSantis declared that Florida was fighting back against the global elites plan to force the world to eat meat grown in a petri dish or bugs to achieve their authoritarian goals. Why is this viral when lab-grown meat isnt for sale? News of the ban spread like wildfire after an X user posted a photo of DeSantis last year during a campaign visit to a meat facility in southern Iowa. The facility is owned and operated by farmer, rancher, and reality star Steven McBee of The McBee Dynasty. McBees partner, Calah Jackson, stands in the back of the photo, and drew rapt attention online. Its the worst picture of me, Jackson told Fortune, clarifying that she was ill that day and not bored or disgusted. I think I was just waiting for Steven to get done talking so I could go home. After being alerted about the photo, she reposted it and received some 40 million views across her social media platforms. McBee suggested that the photo appeared alongside the news because it was the only photo of DeSantis and meat of any form. DeSantis appears in the picture in front of a table with the ranchs raw beef. It also sells shelf-stable air-dried beef for fitness freaks like McBee and Jackson, he said. DeSantis visited the facility after his team contacted the farm to ask if he could stop in to visit the small business. Ironically, McBee is supportive of innovations in lab-grown meat, adding that while hes a farmer and rancher, hes also focused on regenerative agriculture. Obviously, Im in the agriculture industry, and I love small farms and ranches, he told Fortune. But if lab-grown meat gets rid of factory farms where animals are born and raised under a roof and never see sunshine and never see grassthats not a bad thing, in my opinion. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Q&A: What goes on behind the bar? Bartenders from two popular Naples bars tell all Note to readers: The News-Press and Naples Daily News are providing special coverage of food and dining this week. We will have interesting and unique Southwest Florida food and dining stories published on our websites from Sunday, April 28 to Sunday, May 5. Bon Appetit and Bottoms Up! With new bars and restaurants popping up all over Naples, we were curious about what it takes to work behind a bar. It turns out, bartending takes much more than just knowing how to pour drinks Michael Slabach and Monika Czechowska know this better than anyone. These two bartenders from two popular local bars spoke to us about what it's like to work behind and manage a bar. We even found out what drinks they hate making and an unexpected use for a walk-in freezer. Photo of LoLa41's Michael Slabach Here's some secrets from behind the bar: More: 'Weird' pizza toppings: We found grasshoppers, Peeps, waffle fries and more on SWFL menus Q: How long have you been bartending? Monika Czechowska: I work at Fuse Gastrobar which I co-own. Ive been in the business for 25 years. Michael Slabach: I currently work at LoLa41 in Naples, where we've been open for just over a month now. Additionally, I manage a prominent Instagram account, @michaelmatthew_, where I feature coffee and cocktail recipes and videos. Q: What's your favorite drink to make? Monika: Anything with whiskey. Im a fan of classic cocktails like Old Fashioned or Boulevardier. Michael: My favorite drink to make at the moment is the ever-popular Espresso Martini. I take great pride in creating all cocktails that not only taste exceptional but also provide an amazing experience for my clientele. The satisfaction I get from crafting the perfect drink is unparalleled, and the Espresso Martini, in particular, allows me to blend my passion for both coffee and cocktails seamlessly. Photo of a LoLa41 bartender making a Spicy Flamingo, which Slabach says is one of the most popular at the bar. Q: What's one of the favorite drinks amongst your regulars? Monika: I definitely make a lot of classic cocktails with whiskey, but then I also make a lot of dessert martinis like chocolate and smores, or espresso, just to name a couple. Honestly, it depends on a day. Michael: At LoLa41, the most popular drink is the Spicy Flamingo. It's our unique take on a spicy margarita with a refreshing twist of watermelon. The cocktail combines spicy tequila, cold-pressed watermelon, fresh lime, and agave, all served with a Tajin salted rim. People have really enjoyed it. Photo of Monika Czechowska making a drink behind the bar at Fuse. Q: What's the most challenging drink to mix and why? Monika: Ramos Gin Fizz. Simple list of ingredients and simple instructions to make it. The hardest part of making this drink is how hard and how long you have to shake it, to achieve the right consistency. When you are exhausted from shaking, thats usually a sign that you are halfway to be finished. Michael: While I enjoy the challenge of creating all cocktails, none stand out as particularly difficult for me. I approach each recipe with enthusiasm and confidence, embracing the complexities and nuances they offer. This perspective allows me to tackle even the most intricate cocktails with ease and creativity. If there is a challenge in mixing cocktails, it lies in meeting the varied preferences of customers. Not everyone will enjoy a drink the same way, and that's perfectly fine. The key is to make adjustments and tailor the cocktails to suit their tastes. Q: What's a drink that people order that you just don't understand why? Monika: I might get heat for it, but I still will say it: Mint Juleps during Kentucky Derby. Those are just so bad. Bourbon, sugar, and mint? No thank you. Super unbalanced cocktail that would benefit a whole lot from a splash of fresh lime juice. Michael: At Lola, I've seen some guests order Clase Azul Reposado, which is priced at $45 for a 1.5 oz serving, and then mix it into a cocktail with several other ingredients. This approach confuses me a bit because our cocktails are crafted to be balanced, ensuring the spirit doesn't dominate the drink. The cost of a cocktail with such a high-quality tequila adds up, and it seems a shame not to enjoy the tequila on its own. But, of course, to each their owneveryone has their preferences, even if I wouldn't personally make that choice. Photo of the "Pretty in Blue" gin cocktail at Fuse Gastrobar. Q: What's the most difficult part about working behind the bar? Monika: I truly love what I do. I really cant think of anything besides very long hours. Michael: The most challenging aspect of working behind the bar is the need to multi-task efficiently. You must be able to take orders for multiple drinks, remember them, and prepare them, all while engaging with your guests and anticipating your next move. This skill is crucial for maintaining a smooth flow and ensuring guests have a great experience. Q: What are the best qualities for a bartender to have? Monika: Customer service and communication skills, multitasking, organization skills, and solid mixology knowledge. Michael: CARE! The best qualities for a bartender to have are care and passion for the job. Simply going through the motions for the sake of making money can lead to burnout, as this industry requires a genuine love for what you do and who you do it for. Another essential quality is treating every customer equally. Each guest is here to enjoy an experience they've paid for, and taking pride in providing that experience is crucial for success in this industry. Photo of Fuse Gatsrobar Q: What are the top three things a bar needs to have to be successful? Monika: The right bartenders Exciting cocktail menu A well-stocked bar Michael: 1. Quality Management: Effective management is crucial, as it sets the tone for the rest of the team. Trust and respect between management and staff are key, along with encouraging employees when things go well and providing support when things go wrong. 2. Team-Oriented Bartenders: Bartenders should care about their work and work well together as a team. Having each other's backs and being able to enjoy their work, even during busy nights, creates a positive and productive atmosphere. 3. Skilled Bar Backs: Bar backs are vital to a successful bar, as they provide the necessary support for bartenders by ensuring supplies are stocked and ready for use. Their work allows bartenders to focus on crafting quality drinks and providing excellent service. Photo of the LoLa41 Naples staff in front of the bar and restaurant on opening day. Q: How do you measure the success of a bar? Monika: Pushing revenue to the side, a successful bar is full of happy repeat guests. Michael: Im going to use Lola for this question because that is the bar that I work behind. At Lola, we measure the success of a bar by the overall atmosphere and the positive feedback we receive from our community. When the vibe is rightmeaning the bar is busy, the music and lighting are perfectly balanced, and the team feels the energy behind the barwe know we're doing well. True success for us is about creating an environment where everyone is happy and eager to return for the same experience. Consistently replicating this atmosphere night after night is challenging, but achieving it is our main goal and the key to success. Q: What's a bartending secret most people wouldn't know? Monika: What happens behind the bar, stays behind the bar. It no longer would be a secret if I shared it Michael: A seasoned bartender once advised me to make use of the walk-in cooler in a unique way. In high-volume bars, when things get hectic and your mind is racing, it can be hard to maintain that pace for long shifts. Taking brief breaks in the walk-in cooler can be a game-changerit provides a calming environment to help you catch your breath, lower your heart rate, and reset your focus. These moments allow you to sustain peak performance throughout your shift and avoid burnout by the end of the night. Photo of a dessert martini at Fuse Gastrobar. Q: What's the most rewarding part of working a bar? Monika: Repeat customers that turn into friends. I was asked by several different guests to create signature cocktail for their wedding. Michael: The most rewarding part of working a bar for me is the connections I make with people. I've formed lifelong friendships and established valuable business opportunities through interactions with patrons. Q: If you could change one thing about bar or drinking culture, what would it be? Monika: I wish alcohol was super healthy. Everything in moderation! Michael: It would be to raise awareness about how patrons treat bartenders. While most customers are amazing and respectful, there are instances where bartenders bear the brunt of frustrations over prices, food quality, or other issues beyond our control just because we are the closest person in reach of the complaint. It's important for people to understand that bartenders are doing their job just like everyone else and should be treated with the same respect and consideration as anyone else. Q: What's going on with you and your bar right now? Monika: Whiskey dinner is in planning, so please stay tuned. I'll be posting updates on my Instagram: @monika_at_the_bar. Michael: Being a new bar in town, every day feels like an event at Lola41. If you haven't had the chance to visit yet or are waiting for the crowds to die down, we encourage you to come check us out. We have a fantastic bar staff, and we have a lot of fun behind the bar. For updates on what's happening at Lola41, feel free to follow my social media page @michaelmatthew_ and/or @lola41restaurants. I regularly post news and updates there. Looking forward to seeing you at the bar! This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples bartenders share what it takes to run a successful bar Rough Edge EDC: Adding a couple of new knives from an old favorite company EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) If you read this space regularly, you wont be shocked or surprised by this latest bit of news at all: I got a couple of new knives to add to my collection and everyday carry rotation. What is new: I am rediscovering a brand that was near and dear to my heart when I was a kid and on into my years as a young adult Buck, the legendary American knife-making company. Photos by Dave Burge/KTSM I carried a Buck 110, the companys signature folding hunting knife, for years, before losing mine during a camping trip a number of years ago. As Ive gone down this EDC rabbit hole, I had previously purchased a Buck 102 Woodsman, a small fixed-blade, but had hesitated to replace my long-gone 110. I love the look and feel of the classic 110 but with its wood handles and brass bolsters, it just seemed too heavy for everyday carry. Anyway, I recently discovered YouTube channel Knife Delights. Tom, who is the creative force behind the channel, is known for his Buck collection and for refurbishing old knives. After watching some of his content, I got excited about Buck again and decided to make an order and hopefully rediscover that old magic. Based on his recommendation, I got a Buck 112 Slim Select. The regular 112 is the little brother to the 110 but was still probably going to be too heavy for my needs. The 112 Slim Select, however, is made of molded nylon handles instead of the traditional wood and metal. Also based on his recommendation, I shopped around a bit and instead of ordering it directly from Bucks website, I purchased it from Chicago Knife Works. In the process, I saved quite a bit enough, in fact, to order a second Buck knife (more on that later). When I got my new 112 Slim Select with black handles, I was impressed. It was a lot lighter than what I was accustomed to from Buck. It also had a more modern look and feel with a pocket clip and thumb studs on the blade. It hasnt left my right side since I got it last week. The Buck website has the 112 Slim Select listed at $39.99. I was able to get it for about $25 from Chicago Knife Works, which I hadnt ordered from before. It was enough of a savings that I ordered a second Buck knife from them a 373 Trio, which is a small stockman with a wood finish. The 373 Trio is listed at $30.99 on the Buck website. I got it for less than $20 at Chicago Knife Works and the two knives together came to $50 and change, including shipping. I will certainly be visiting Chicago Knife Works again before making new purchases. Back to the Trio. It is small 3 inches closed. It comes with the three blades that all stockman knives come with clip point, sheepsfoot and spey. But Buck came up with a huge innovation on its stockman knives it places its sheepsfoot (which is a great utility blade) on the opposite side of the knife from the main clip point. And more importantly, the sheepsfoot or utility blade is placed between the back springs for the other two blades, giving it that much more strength and stability. Needless to say, I am thrilled with these latest additions to my collection and will be contemplating buying another Buck or two or three in the near future. Here are some helpful links if you are interested in Buck or want to learn more about Chicago Knife Works. Buck Knives Chicago Knife Works Here are some helpful and informative YouTube channels dealing with knives and EDC. If you havent checked out Knife Delights and you love traditional pocket knives, check it out. Knife Delights JO Ventures Outdoors Big Red EDC Zachs Stuff Baxters Blades Jesse McJames (Alien Outlaw) Bryans Knives Surviving the Daily Uncommon EDC Note: Dave Burge is a web producer and digital reporter for KTSM.com. All gear mentioned or reviewed was purchased out of his own pocket, unless otherwise noted. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. This southern Maine beach town was named one of the best in the U.S. by Thrillist Ogunquit proved that its name meaning "beautiful place by the sea" in the native Abenaki language still holds up after centuries. One of the Pine Tree state's most popular vacation spots was named one of the top 20 best beach towns in the country by Thrillist. In preparation for summer, or more importantly, beach season, the travel site released the list in April to give readers a head start in planning their seaside getaways. Everyone has a slightly different idea of the perfect beach, they commented about the list, so each destination highlighted was described in terms of what makes it unique, what food it's known for and what you can't leave without doing and seeing. Why Thrillist named Ogunquit a best beach town Visitors enjoy the views of the Atlantic Ocean along Marginal Way in Ogunquit. The scenic path reopened to the public after being closed for more than a month due to storm damage that eroded parts of the pavement and displaced rocks. Ogunquit was described a Maine's summer sweet point and the best place to experience the state's brief warm season, boasting one of the country's best beaches along with a quaint town to explore. Here's what they said: "Ogunquit, located right off Route 1 on the southern tip of Vacationland, is the state's summer sweet spot, swelling from a usual population of 1,200 residents to more than 80,000 between May to September. The three-mile sandy beach is consistently ranked one of the countrys best, thanks to warm tides from the Ogunquit River emptying right behind the sand dunes. Pepper in a strong LGBTQ+ community, a walkable main drag of superb eateries and artsy boutiques, and its very own Museum of American Art, and you'll see why 'a beautiful place by the sea' is still a fitting translation for Ogunquit from the native Abenaki language." More reasons to go to Ogunquit: Ogunquit, Maine named one of the top 2024 vacation spots in the world Where Thrillist said to eat in Ogunquit The town does not lack for dining options. Thrillist specifically point out: The Crooked Pine for "French-fied Maine fare." Operating out of a converted 150-year-old Victorian mansion make it ideal for visitors who enjoy their meal with a side of characterful ambience. Barnacle Billy's is the place to go, as the name suggests, for traditional seafood, located in Perkins Cove harbor. The best way to get there is one of Ogunquit's other can't miss attractions, the Marginal Way. This cliffside walk offers fantastic ocean views - and a way to work up an appetite on the way (and work off your meal on the way back). This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Ogunquit named a best beach town in the US. Here's why. Summer is among one of the most popular times to travel. The warm sun, vibrant nature and thriving people are hallmark features of this favored season. But not every part of summer is considered equal. There are more favorable months of the summer season. Like June, which is a peak time to travel during summer due to many factors. For example, the weather is ideal and nature is thriving. June is the first big vacation month of the summer season so the overwhelming summer crowds may not be present. But some travelers may be rightfully concerned about the price of travel during the summer and where to go. So we have compiled a list of some of the cheapest places to visit in June. Budget-Friendly Destinations photo credit: Christine Roy For budget travelers, selecting an affordable place to visit is of the utmost importance. Avoiding the most expensive places to travel to will help travelers not break the bank as they explore the world. Places like North America are typically crowded and quite expensive in June. But there are still great options that offer fun and affordable experiences. Punta Cana Photo credit: Rachid Oucharia Reasons to Visit Punta Cana Punta Cana is a town located in the Dominican Republic. The resort area is a paradise for beach lovers and is popular with east coast travelers. It is a popular place for couples, but groups, solo travelers and families enjoy the destination just as much. In June, Punta Cana has great weather conditions. The temperature is around 75 to 90 degrees so it is nice and sunny. The Atlantic hurricane season technically starts in June and lasts until November, but severe tropical storms are not popular. June is not one of the rainiest months so it is still a pretty good time to visit. Also, summer crowds come to Punta Cana around July and August. This area commonly has crowds, but there may be slightly less during June. An Affordable Destination Punta Cana is not an exceedingly expensive place to visit. The town even has modest prices for all inclusive resorts. Travelers will notice discounts on vacation packages. Accommodations will likely cost between $50 to $150 a night during the month of June, so there are varying prices that fit an array of budgets. It is important to note that inclusive resorts are a bit cheaper than resorts. Plus, flights to the Punta Cana International Airport (PJJ) are well priced during this month. This destination is great for families and groups due to its affordability. Costa Rica Photo credit: Juliana Barquero Reasons to Visit Costa Rica Costa Rica is known for its calming ambiance, impeccable views and wellness experiences. The weather during June is usually pleasant. Temperatures are usually between 70 and 90 degrees during the month with some light showers. These weather conditions make an ideal environment as nature gets greener and more full. Because June is technically not in the dry season, there is likely to be less crowds too. So tourist spots will be more quiet and enjoyable. An Affordable Destination During this month travelers will be able to enjoy some cheaper seasonal prices. Accommodations, tours and even flights are less expensive in June. Kids are still in school in Costa Rica (and the United States) during June, so the area is less crowded during the day. This generally means that there is more flexibility and freedom for travelers. Another thing to note is that meals typically cost around $10 to $20, depending on where travelers go. Also, reservations are not necessarily needed in Costa Rica. Cancun Photo credit: David Emrich Reasons to Visit Cancun CancAn, Mexico is a great place to visit for stunning beaches and exciting nightlife. And travelers will not lack options for things to do. There is plenty to do in Cancun including nature exploration and enjoying local cuisine. Travelers can even take part in cenote exploration. One of the most popular cenotes near Cancun is the cenote Verde Lucero. An important thing for travelers to note is that there are sporadic showers in June. But the showers are short, so if travelers are not opposed to dealing with them every now and then they may be able to avoid the crowds of other summer months. An Affordable Destination Cancun is a well known resort town. So there are great all-inclusive resort options and deals that fit many budgets. The tourists that come during the high travel season have likely not come yet, there may be great deals as a result. Also, the food in Cancun and flights to the destination are not generally expensive. With these things considered, Cancun is one of the cheapest places to visit in June, especially if tourists visit early in the month. Fort Lauderdale Photo credit: Daniel Halseth Reasons to Visit Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale has some of the best beaches on the East Coast. It is known for its beaches but there are other features that keep travelers coming back. There is a thriving art culture and local events are readily available to travelers in Fort Lauderdale. During June the city has idyllic weather. Temperatures usually are around 75 to 90 degrees during this month. The year round average in Fort Lauderdale is 77 degrees, so travelers are sure to experience warm temperatures. There are about 13 hours of sunshine during the day in June and the sea is mild. An Affordable Destination If travelers can beat the heat and dont mind the presence of children on summer break, they will reap some monetary benefits. There are significant hotel deals during June. Plus, in comparison to March and July, the most expensive times to fly to Fort Lauderdale, June has relatively cheap flight prices too. Travel website's top 20 list includes 2 beach towns in or near Delaware. What earned nods? Delaware is known for its beach towns, and one of them was selected as one of the top 20 in the country by a popular travel website. Thrillist writers and editors named Rehoboth Beach as one of the top 20 in a list released in April. Down the road, Ocean City, Maryland, also made the list. "Our group of travel writers have pulled the best of the best, places where those sands give way to dreamy towns, where the locals vibe with the visitors, and the food and drink become the stuff of endless summer memories," the site wrote of the list. Thrillist has named Rehoboth Beach, shown in April, as one of country's best beach towns. 'Fun for all' Alongside a bizarre reference to buff dudes in supernaturally small speedos, Thrillist hyped Rehoboths LGBTQ community, its boardwalk, amusement parks, free summer concerts and its proximity away from the more youthful good times in Dewey Beach. Its also a haven for craft beer nerds: Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione can often be seen skateboarding around town, and his flagship brewpub and restaurant, Chesapeake & Maine, is one of the first signs youve made it to the beach, the website states. BEST BEACHES: This Jersey Shore beach ranks among top 25 in the U.S. Among the top attractions, Thrillist listed sushi at The Cultured Pearl, Henlopen City Oyster Houses raw bar, partying at Blue Moon and taking a bike ride to see homes youll never be able to afford around Silver Lake. More fireworks will light up the sky in Ocean City on Tuesday, July 4. Forever trapped in the '80s Thrillist says everybody loves Ocean City because it's forever trapped in the 80s, citing the vast majority of hotels and rental properties built around that decade. Nothing from the outdoor cover band at Seacrets to the French fries at Thrashers seems to have changed, the website states. The website hypes eating food with Old Bay seasoning and fries with vinegar along with drinking an orange crush at Harborside Bar and Grill. Travel+Leisure, another popular travel website, also named Ocean City among its 25 best beaches in the country. PRESIDENTIAL VISIT: Biden will have ice cream with a supporter in Rehoboth Beach. We have guesses where The top 20 beach towns selected by Thrillist Asbury Park, New Jersey Nags Head, North Carolina Saugatuck/Douglas, Michigan Cannon Beach, Oregon Ocean City, Maryland Anna Maria Island, Florida Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii Rehoboth, Delaware Rincon, Puerto Rico Tybee Island, Georgia Santa Barbara, California Ogunquit, Maine Folly Beach, South Carolina Paia, Maui, Hawaii Gulf Shores, Alabama Wellfleet and Provincetown, Massachusetts Narragansett, Rhode Island Carmel-by-the-Sea, California Virginia Beach, Virginia Ocean Springs, Mississippi This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Rehoboth and Ocean City, Maryland, hyped by popular travel website EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 23-year-old man is dead and another was seriously injured following a two-vehicle crash early Sunday morning, April 28 in West El Paso, according to the El Paso Police. 2 people seriously hurt in West El Paso crash The preliminary investigation revealed that a truck was traveling northbound on North Mesa when at the same time, a car was traveling westbound on Castellano. EPPD said one of the vehicles ran the red light, making both vehicles crash. The driver of the truck fled the scene, according to EPPD. EPPD said the driver and passenger of the car were taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. The driver, identified as 23-year-old Eric Leal, died from his injuries. The passenger who was injured was identified as 26-year-old Devan Michael Lovelace. The investigation is ongoing and EPPD asks anyone with information on this crash to call the non-emergency number at (915) 832-4400 or Crime Stoppers of El Paso at (915) 566-8477 (TIPS) to remain anonymous. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Three people have been arrested in connection with a post-prom shooting that killed one person and injured several more, the Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office announced. Deputies were called to a home at 824 Antioch Road in Santee for a report of a shooting on April 27 around 1 a.m., where high school students, some from Lake Marion High School, had gathered for a prom after party. As the party was breaking up, a shooting killed 19-year-old Harrison Rollins and injured several others. One victim was taken to a local hospital, Sheriff Leroy Ravenell said at a press conference on Friday, but others had already left the scene when deputies arrived. The sheriffs office charged 19-year-old Deon Gaddist, 17-year-old Montrell White and a 16-year-old juvenile with murder. The juvenile was not publicly named because they are a minor. The three were also charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime and breach of peace, aggravated in nature. Theres a miracle and a blessing that so many others didnt get shot, Ravenell said. It could have easily been 20 or 30 kids. The sheriffs office is continuing to investigate the shooting. Ravenell said he had no doubt that there would be more arrests. This is time right now for justice and for getting these thugs off the street, Ravenell said. Thats what we intend to do. 1 wounded in road rage shooting on I-95 in Miami-Dade, troopers say One person was wounded in a road rage-fueled shooting on Saturday on Interstate 95 in Miami-Dade County, troopers say. The shooting happened on the southbound lanes of I-95 in the area of State Road 836, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The gunman shot at a driver twice after a road rage incident on the highway, according to FHP Lieutenant Alejandro Camacho. One of the bullets struck the driver-side window and grazed their left arm, he said. The wounded person was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in stable condition. No other information was immediately available. Anyone with information about the shooting should call police. This bulletin will be updated. Lansing police officers were at the scene of a shooting at the corner of Oakland and Westmoreland avenues Saturday, May 4, 2024. LANSING A 14-year-old Lansing boy was fatally shot Saturday afternoon in the 1400 block of West Oakland Avenue, near University of Michigan Health-Sparrow's St. Lawrence campus, Lansing police confirmed. Lansing police were dispatched to an Oakland Avenue location around 3 p.m. because of reports of a shooting, they said in a release. They found the 14-year-old boy with a gunshot wound. Lansing firefighters provided medical assistance before transporting him to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Lansing police termed the shooting a homicide. It is the city's fifth violent death this year. Lansing police officers were at the scene of a shooting at the corner of Oakland and Westmoreland avenues Saturday, May 4, 2024. No arrests have been made, and an "active investigation" continues. "We do not believe this was a random act," police said in their release. "Police are working todetermine the sequence of events and the details of the incident." No other information was available. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Lansing Police Department at 517-483-4600, Lead Detective Martha McGonegal at 517-483-4823, or Crime Stoppers at 517-483-7867. Those with information also can send a private message through the Lansing Police Department Facebook page. Contact editor Susan Vela at svela@lsj.com or 248-873-7044. Follow her on Twitter @susanvela This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: 14-year-old boy dies in shooting on Lansing's west side France estimates 150,000 Russian troops have been killed since the launch of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said on May 3. Speaking to Novaya Gazeta Europe, Sejourne said the total losses including injured were 500,000. "Europe and its partners will remain united and determined, for as long as necessary. Russia's military failure is already apparent," he said, adding: "We estimate Russian military losses at 500,000, including 150,000 deaths. "All of this for what? This can be summed up in two words: for nothing." If confirmed, the 150,000 figure is around ten times higher than that suffered by the Soviet army during the decade-long war it fought in Afghanistan from 1979-89. For comparison, the U.S. military lost around 102,000 soldiers killed in all the wars it fought since the end of World War 2, including 58,220 during the Vietnam War. Estimates of the number of Russian casualties vary. Russia itself has not publicly released figures since September 2022, when the official Kremlin death toll stood at just 5,937. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg estimated on March 14 that Russia had suffered over 350,000 casualties in Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. According to Kyiv which releases daily figures, as of May 4 Russia has suffered 473,400 casualties in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion, including 1,260 over the last day. These daily numbers include both dead and injured but in late February, President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed the number of those killed was 180,000. He also said 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have lost their lives in the war. Zelensky added that the exact amount is unknown, and it would only be possible to find out once occupied territories were liberated. Mediazona, a Russian independent media outlet, together with BBC Russia, has confirmed through open-source research the names of 49,281 Russian soldiers who have been killed fighting in Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. Since Mediazona's last update in mid-March, the names of 1,580 Russian soldiers have been added to the list of casualties. The journalists specify that the actual figures are likely considerably higher since the information they have verified so far comes from public sources, including obituaries, posts by relatives, regional media news, and local authorities' reports. Since Russia began its all-out war against Ukraine, over 3,300 officers, with 386 holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or higher, have been killed in combat in Ukraine. Read also: Battle of Chasiv Yar begins: On the ground with Ukrainian forces defending city key to Russias plans Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. 18-year-old killed after crashing into guardrail in Slidell SLIDELL, La. (WGNO) An 18-year-old was killed after crashing into a guardrail in Slidell on Saturday, May 4. The Louisiana State Police reported the crash happened just after 3 a.m. on U.S. Highway 190 near Cross Creek Drive. Man hit, killed by car while sleeping on sidewalk in French Quarter According to the LSP, Helgin Tian, of Slidell, was driving north on the highway in a 2004 Chevrolet Express when the vehicle crashed into the guardrail and flipped. Tian wasnt wearing a seatbelt and was pronounced dead at the scene. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO. 2 arrested in shooting at South Carolina animal hospital that injured one, police say Two men have been arrested in connection with a shooting at a South Carolina animal hospital last month, according to the Aiken Department of Public Safety. On April 23 at about 3:30 p.m., officers responded to a report of a shooting that left one person with a gunshot wound in the parking lot of Hitchcock Animal Hospital on Trail Ridge Road and Hitchcock Parkway. The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The Aiken Department of Public Safety on Friday arrested Rashod Boyd, 19, and Jaylon Sims, 18, of North Augusta, according to a news release. Both were charged with possession of a weapon during a violent crime, assault and battery in a high and aggravated nature, breach of peace aggravated in nature and discharging a weapon into a dwelling. Information from the community was essential to the investigation that led to the arrests, officials said. Police did not identify the person who was shot or say what they believe may have led to the shooting. The department of public safety was assisted by the Aiken County Sheriffs Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, a federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives task force and the North Augusta Department of Public Safety, the news release said. 2 Ukrainians may have been killed in car accident in Poland Three people were killed in a car accident in Warsaw on May 3, presumably including two Ukrainian citizens, spokesperson for the District Prosecutor's Office Szymon Banna said, according to RMF 24. The accident reportedly occurred in the city's Wilanow district. A BMW car drove off the road, hit a tree and caught fire, RMF 24 wrote. The third person killed in the accident was presumably Belarusian. "Speeding, which led to loss of control of the BMW, caused the accident, according to the preliminary findings," Banna said. The car crash will be investigated as negligent homicide which caused a fatal road accident, he added. Poland hosts around 1 million Ukrainians who fled from Russia's all-out war, the highest number of all countries. The U.N. recorded approximately 6 million Ukrainian refugees residing abroad as a result of Russian aggression. Read also: Polish government backs law amendments on Ukrainian refugees, extending protection status Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The annual Humans to Mars Summit is underway now, bringing together members of the international space community to discuss a common goal of establishing a sustainable and permanent human presence on the Red Planet, and you can watch it live online. Attendees are gathering in Washington, D.C. for the 2024 Humans to Mars Summit (H2M), hosted by the nonprofit organization Explore Mars. The conference, which people can attend both in-person and online, begins on Tuesday (May 7), kicking off with a panel on the innovation that will make it possible to get people to the moon and Mars. Panel discussions will run through 5 p.m. ET each day. "Over the past decade, H2M has been and remains the most successful conference focused on a sustainable human presence on Mars," Chris Carberry, Explore Mars' CEO, said in a statement for this year's registration, which can be found online here . "This year we are restructuring the event to maximize the in-person as well as the online experience of the week's events." Related: How long does it take to get to Mars? The H2M summit , taking place at the Jack Morton Auditorium at George Washington University, features a list of speakers talking about accomplishments in space exploration, plans to launch astronauts to the Red Planet by the mid-2030s, and the challenges that may be faced in achieving that goal. "As we stand on the brink of a new era of interplanetary exploration, the 2024 Humans to Mars Summit is not merely an event," J.R. Edwards, Explore Mars' president, said in the statement. "We know that exploration and our instinctive curiosity for what lies beyond drives discovery, innovation [and] new technologies and improves life on Earth ." The summit agenda features speakers from various space industries, including NASA, the European Space Agency , the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency , Lockheed Martin, Collins Aerospace, the Planetary Society, Virgin Galactic and Raytheon Technologies. The summit will be attended by students, innovators, authors and other STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) professionals. RELATED STORIES: Mars: Everything you need to know about the Red Planet Mars missions: A brief history Private Odysseus moon lander broke a leg during historic touchdown (new photos) Registration for both days costs $495 plus a $30.09 booking fee, while registration for a single day costs $300 plus a $19.27 fee. Students can attend the two-day summit for $125.00 plus a $9.55 fee. There are additional events available for pre-registration at varying costs, including the Great Scotch Whisky Taste-Off, a coffee networking session, book signings, a visit to Capitol Hill and the closing ceremony. And those who are unable to attend can watch a recap of the events on ExploreMars' YouTube channel . "It is imperative that we achieve a shared vision and consensus among all stakeholders, ensuring that our journey to Mars embodies the very tenets of equality, diversity, and sustainability that ExploreMars.Org holds dear," Edwards said. "This summit represents a commitment, a promise that, as we take these monumental steps, we do so responsibly, ensuring a brighter and more inclusive future for all of humanity." 22-year-old man arrested on suspicion of sexual assault of elderly woman with Alzheimers 22-year-old man arrested on suspicion of sexual assault of elderly woman with Alzheimers A 22-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting an elderly woman in her home has been arrested, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed. Police said that the man, identified as Walker Gabriel Munoz, knocked on the door of the womans home on the 12600 block of Pierce Street around 6:50 p.m. on April 29. The woman, 81 and suffering from Alzheimers, let him in her home. Once inside, Munoz initiated physical contact and attempted to assault the victim sexually, police said. Parts of the encounter were captured on a home security camera. Walker Gabriel Munoz The woman was later transported to a local hospital where a sexual assault exam was conducted, police said. Munoz was arrested by officers with the LAPDs Foothill Division on Friday on suspicion of kidnapping with intent to commit rape. Hes being held at Metropolitan Detention Center on $2,125,000 bail. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. 3 months on, family of missing teen holds onto hope. Did KC police alert public in time? Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com. Three months have passed since she made the missing person report, and each passing day she is caught between moments of grief and hope. Tecona Sullivan is clinging tightly to the latter. Her hope has been fueled by support from groups with feet on the ground looking for her grandson TMontez Hurt. But her grief has been compounded by a slow response by police in publicizing his case. We see all these pictures of missing people, but its just pictures, you know, until it actually happens in your life, Sullivan said in a phone interview with the Star. Hurt, 19, was last seen in the area of 77th and Troost Avenue in Kansas City wearing a blue polo shirt and green sweatpants, according to the Kansas City Police Department. His family in St. Louis has not heard from him since what Sullivan described as a troubling phone conversation with him the morning of Feb. 1. The phone call Sullivan said Hurt did not sound like himself. She said he was talking like a baby in their video call and addressing off-screen a younger woman he had been visiting and another man in Kansas City. She heard her grandson say he had been laced and she took that to mean Hurt had been drugged. Sullivan thought her grandson may have been having some sort of mental breakdown. So she convinced a receptionist at the first hospital she found in a Google search to send police and an ambulance to the 3900 block of Baltimore Avenue to pick Hurt up that morning. It was the only thing she could think to do from her home in St. Louis. Hurt was taken to St. Lukes on the Plaza for a medical evaluation. But a few hours later, he was discharged. Sullivan said she believes they did so despite evidence of a mental health issue. Family of 19-year-old TMontez Hurt have been searching for him since he was last seen at the Greyhound bus station, 1101 S. Troost Ave., on Feb. 1. As of Feb. 23, roughly three weeks later, Hurt had yet to be found, according to family. He was not in the right frame of mind, which is why I was so adamant about the police and the hospital not letting him go, she said. Sullivan, arguing her case over the phone, urged a nurse at the hospital to examine him further. Instead, the hospital paid for a zTrip taxi to take Hurt to a Greyhound bus station. But the station, at 1101 S. Troost Avenue, was closed through the afternoon. From the hospital to the bus station, Sullivan said she lost contact. However, video surveillance footage obtained by Sullivan showed her grandson get dropped off by the zTrip and realize the doors were locked. He tried to go back to get his phone, Sullivan said, but the driver left him there. Without his phone, Hurt walked at least eight miles down Troost Avenue, according to KCPD. I did everything I could When Sullivan talked to hospital personnel and police, she said she felt like nobody wanted to listen to her concerns. She felt like she took all the right steps to get him to a safe place, but said things quickly spiraled out of control. When she first tried to make a missing persons report, the day she lost contact with her grandson, she said she was told Hurt did not meet the criteria. Loved ones, local activists and police are searching for TMontez Hurt, 19, who was last seen three weeks ago at a Greyhound bus station in Kansas City. When there is a loved one talking to you that knows the mental status of a person, they should listen, Sullivan said. We pay tax dollars and we put these people in leadership positions to protect and serve, so when you call them, you want them to believe you, you want them to help, she said. And when I wasnt getting that, I felt so alone. A missing person report was taken by Kansas City police Feb. 2, the same day they were notified of Hurts disappearance, according to Officer Alayna Gonzalez, a spokeswoman with KCPD. But a flyer wasnt distributed to local media and posted on KCPDs social media until March 27, almost two months later. Hurts case quickly caught the eye of community groups in Kansas City, which have led search events and criticized the media and police response to Hurts disappearance. Sullivan said she didnt understand what took police so long to distribute flyers to the public. I spent money having them made, just to learn the police should have been giving me flyers, she said. Steven Wright and Denisha Jones hang fliers along Troost Avenue with information about missing person TMontez Hurt. He has been missing since Easter. The only media coverage Hurts case generated in the first month he was missing, in fact, was due to flyers that Sullivan herself made and distributed, not information from police. While coverage of missing person cases is largely driven by media outlets, Sullivan said she began to question the process by which reports are taken and the timeline of when information is given to the public. Prefacing her comments with sincere condolences to the family, she discussed the mass media attention when Riley Strain, a white University of Missouri student, went missing a month later. Hurt attended Missouri Western State University in the fall 2023 semester, but he did not return for the spring 2024 semester. I hate to speak on it, but I have to, she said. My Tez was missing Feb. 1 and I didnt get nearly the attention he had. It shouldnt matter whether I had money, whatever race or gender he was, none of that he was missing, she said. I should have gotten the help I needed in the beginning, just like he did. Capt. Jacob Becchina, a spokesman with KCPD, said each missing person case is different, and the investigative process is determined by detectives on the case. KCPD shares information that investigators request be shared with the public, at the time they ask for it to be shared, he said. A media flyer will be generated by the case detectives when they feel it is in the best interest of the case to reach out and ask for the publics help, Gonzalez said in an email to The Star. We understand how that may portray to families (that) we are not working proactively to find their loved one, Gonzalez said. We never want a family member to feel our department and investigators have a lack of interest in their case or dont care, because we most certainly do. In the months after her initial frustrations of filing a missing persons report, however, Sullivan said she has appreciated consistent contact from both police and community groups. She turned to Kansas Citys Ad Hoc Group Against Crime and KC Discover, who have canvassed much of the city in an effort to find him. Volunteers are walking with her knocking on doors, searching vacant buildings, posting flyers in businesses and on street poles, and engaging with people in neighborhoods across the city to spread awareness of Hurts disappearance. Eraina Buie and her daughter Denisha Jones hand a flyer to a man walking on Troost Avenue. The mother-daughter team have helped in the effort to find TMontez Hurt, who went missing in Kansas City Feb. 1. Search continues for TMontez Its hard because you dont even know where to start, said Timesha Allen, who had canvassed along Troost with KC Discover in April. There are no leads. Eraina Buie and her daughter Denisha Jones have attended two searches with the group. They plan to do more. This is personal for me, Buie said. When I saw it on the news in March, my heart sank. My son, who is schizophrenic, was missing for a month and was without meds. We live in Raytown and we found him at a QuickTrip on 119th and Metcalf. I feel (Sullivans) pain, and hers is worse because shes four hours away, Buie said. Thats when I said, Ive got to do something. In the police investigation, several hours of video footage have been collected and reviewed. Detectives spoke with businesses in areas where TMontez had been seen in the footage and initiated several searches of their own. Gonzalez said investigators walked on foot speaking to anyone in the area along Troost to learn if TMontez had been seen. Flyers were made for local patrol divisions and given to patrol officers to be on the lookout for Hurt. Those fliers were also provided to police departments in other cities where KCPD received tips Hurt may have been staying or sighted. KCPD did not say what those other locations were. A group of around a dozen people showed up to the area on Troost Avenue where missing person TMontez Hurt was last seen to search for him and spread awareness April 13, 2024. A request for extra patrol was also submitted at division stations near Hurts last known sighting, Gonzalez said. Residence checks at several different homes have been conducted. But leads have been hard to come by. We cant find those we cant see, Sullivan said, quoting a leader with Looking for an Angel, a nonprofit group that helps families of missing persons. She attended a support group hosted by the organization in St. Louis two months after Hurt went missing. The event stressed the importance of having photos in missing person flyers with identifying information. It was a breath of fresh air after constant stress, Sullivan said. In an interview with The Star, Sullivan said she wanted to share a specific message to the general public and anyone who may know about Hurts situation. If you have Tez, we thank you, she said. If you felt like he was in some type of harm and just wanted to shelter him and keep him from danger, the family appreciates it. We dont want to ask questions, we dont care where hes been. Just can you please release him, let him go, call somebody and we will pick him up. Sullivan is still stuck between grief and hope. But the hope has to be stronger, she said. I still have hope. I really believe that Tez is alive and out there. The Stars Bill Lukitsch contributed to this report. (KRON) Three Vallejo residents are facing gun charges after a traffic stop, according to the American Canyon Police Department. American Canyon police officers conducted a traffic stop on a red Honda Civic in the 3600 block of Broadway shortly after midnight on Thursday. According to police, the Honda did not have a license plate. American Canyon Police Department The sedan was occupied by three Vallejo residents: a 19-year-old, an 18-year-old, and a 17-year-old who was on felony probation out of Solano County for a prior illegal firearms charge. Officers located a non-serialized .40 caliber illegal ghost gun with a 22-round magazine. The individuals were arrested for felony gun charges. The minor was arrested for additional warrant charges, violation of his probation and for providing a false name to officers. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. It was hard to get past the width of the roadway. Nine lanes of traffic. Thats how wide parts of a reimagined Interstate 375 appeared in numerous presentations, only not as an interstate in a trench splitting downtown Detroit from Lafayette Park and other east-side areas but as a street-level boulevard. It gave critics ample room to question the Reconnecting portion of the I-375 Reconnecting Communities Project name or how it could ever address the elimination of areas like Black Bottom and Paradise Valley decades ago. One neighborhood group, the ReThink I-375 Community Coalition, even launched a letter campaign to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Mayor Mike Duggan in April seeking to have the Michigan Department of Transportation removed from its role leading project design, saying in a sample letter that the effort as envisioned would actively disconnect the community and threaten decades of stability. But MDOT is now offering a revised vision for the project, one with fewer lanes following an analysis in recent months showing less traffic during the morning and evening rush hours than before the pandemic. A screenshot of a Michigan Department of Transportation presentation shows a revised proposal of six lanes for the boulevard that would replace Interstate 375 in Detroit. A screenshot of a Michigan Department of Transportation presentation shows a prior proposal for nine lanes for the boulevard that would replace Interstate 375 in Detroit. The department has presented a revised proposal with fewer lanes. Instead of nine lanes, the boulevard would be six, according to an MDOT presentation slide showing a possible view of the area north of Lafayette. Instead of three through lanes in each direction, there would be two. Instead of two left turn lanes in one direction, there would be one turn lane. MDOT in an April webinar called it a 33% reduction in the travel lane width, and Project Manager Jon Loree said in an email that the department's traffic analysis forecast "a 20% to 40% reduction in the new boulevard based on time of day and location. This allows us to reduce the boulevard cross section, maintain mobility, and will result in a more comfortable pedestrian experience." While the revisions appear to address some concerns from mobility advocates, who have been vocal that crossing so many travel lanes on foot or a bicycle or a wheelchair would be dangerous, not everyone is convinced the project has the right focus in mind, even with the changes. J. Gregory Love, a former Detroit executive deputy fire commissioner, said he is concerned about the lives that are going to be lost when an interstate connection between east-side neighborhoods and the Detroit Medical Center is transformed into a signalized surface street. He predicted that ambulances serving the thousands of residents, many of them senior citizens, living in high-rise buildings along the East Jefferson corridor, would see additional minutes added to hospital trips. He said those trips happen every day, and the issue highlights how the project will affect residents and neighborhoods beyond Lafayette Park. When they raise the freeway, theyre going to have an extension of that ride, probably eight to nine minutes longer, said Love, who is president of the Indian Village Manor Condominium Association. Love said hes focused on being a voice for the seniors on the east side of Detroit, many of them at a deficit in terms of internet connections whose concerns arent as visible as others. He emphasized that hes staying in the lane of public safety, something he knows best, in his comments about I-375. A view of Interstate 375 through downtown Detroit in April 2021. In response to the emergency response concerns, MDOT's Loree provided documents from the preliminary designs shared with various groups last year showing travel times between Lafayette Park and the DMC. The estimated travel times range from five to six or seven minutes using the existing route and from seven to eight to as much as 13 to 14 minutes, depending on the time of day, using four alternative design route options. Loree noted that "in response to the feedback we received, we have developed a number of design refinements made possible by a reduction in recent traffic volumes. This includes adding new local connections in the interchange that will enable emergency vehicles to take the 375 boulevard north into Brush Park and a direct connection from the 375 boulevard to the northbound I-75 service drive that connects to Mack. Travel times for these new connections are under development." 'Severing an artery' The stakes are high for this project, which has been discussed at least since 2013, and residents and public officials know it. Federal money is involved, including a $105 million grant that U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg came to Detroit to announce in 2022. The project, including the reconfiguration of the I-75 interchange, has been estimated to cost $425 million. It would see major construction in 2026-28 and completion in 2029, according to the latest plans. I-375 and the effort to reimagine its next phase have been tied to the understanding that such highway projects and the urban renewal efforts they were connected with displaced many minority and immigrant communities across the country at a time in the last century when those communities concerns did not receive due consideration. MDOT says the purpose of the project is to create a safer road that can meet current design standards and improve connectivity in place of an aging highway that's six decades old. Reimagining the roadway, which could free up substantial land for reuse or redevelopment in some fashion, carries the weight of trying to address the history of the area in a way that serves the community for years to come. A busy Hastings Avenue in Paradise Valley, near Black Bottom in 1942. Hastings was once filled with Black-owned businesses until Interstate 375 was built in the late 1950s and 1960s. But Love, whose aunt had lived in Black Bottom and was pushed out, echoed what some critics contend, that history could be repeating itself in a sense, in the way the project is playing out. He dismissed the notion that the project would reconnect a community. What community are you reconnecting? Youre severing an artery, he said. More: I-75 in Detroit could look much different in the coming years. Here's how The need for a vision Olga Stella, who has lived in Lafayette Park for 25 years and is part of the group leading the letter-writing campaign, said she cant comment yet on whether the revisions are adequate because she hasnt had an opportunity to dig in. The idea behind the letter, which Stella said Friday is being finalized, was to let public officials know how concerned residents are with this project. She declined to specify how many people had signed the letter, but allowed that the group had exceeded its goal of 100 signatures. Theres a characterization that theres a very small group of people who have concerns. Thats not the case, she said. MDOT's Loree, however, defended the process. "The public engagement process is working. Through our Local Advisory Committee and our neighborhood meetings, we heard concerns and have addressed them through the design refinements. We are still early in the design process and look forward to continuous engagement that will help move the project forward," he said in a response sent to the Free Press. Determining the land use for the area that is freed up from the project is another key part of what's ahead, a process that has yet to play out and will be led by the city. Numerous critics have said that process should have happened before design began. This is a project that will shape our city for the next 50 years in the same way that the original I-375 shaped the city up to this point. Its very important that we get this right, Stella said. What should be driving this project is a vision. That vision, she said, has been lacking up to this point. Its also not clear to Stella or others how much of the project can be changed going forward despite what they've heard from MDOT. Loree said in April that most of the design work remains ahead and that the department is still in that mode where we can consider design changes. Were certainly open to looking at opportunities to add connections to add mobility, he said during the April public session. MDOT will be looking at how the framework planning can feed the future design as well as how we honor Black Bottom, Paradise Valley and the history of those neighborhoods, he said. The photograph on the left shows an aerial view of Hastings, near Mack Avenue in 1959. Hastings was once the center of commercial activity for Black Detroit. The photograph on the right, while not the exact vantage point, shows the construction of Interstate 75 just north of the interchange with Interstate 375 in 1961. Some changes, however, cant be made, he said, pointing to those that would negatively affect safety and those that would affect adjacent properties. More: Ford Road project would mean no left turns 'Cautiously happy, optimistic' The changes to the roadway design are a welcome adjustment to some. Todd Scott, executive director of the Detroit Greenways Coalition and a member of a local advisory committee for the project, said he was excited to see what MDOT had come up with, and his sense from a recent meeting was that some people believe MDOT is beginning to build trust and listen. I think its a big, big change. Id say some people are cautiously happy, optimistic (but) everyones not, were done, high-fives, Scott said, noting that while there appears to be good biking connections downtown and to Eastern Market, he remains unclear on connections to Brush Park, for instance. But the revisions would make a real difference to the impact of the roadway, he indicated. They were originally planning to build a Telegraph Road through downtown, and now theyre planning to build a Mack Avenue, he said, highlighting the shift in view to a local road that is less challenging for vulnerable road users. Eric Larson, CEO of the Downtown Detroit Partnership, said that most everyone feels that the reduction to six lanes is an improvement. Have we gone far enough? Thats the continuing consideration, he said. We are encouraged by the progress and the changes that were presented we are continuing to work very closely with the community, MDOT and the city to look at further changes, further opportunities and additional ways to incorporate the communitys input and concerns. Larson said hes encouraged that the right conversations are taking place now. All of us want to make the most of a transformative project, he said, noting that it goes beyond the number of lanes to what the broader vision is for transportation and mobility. DDP is getting support from The Kresge Foundation through a $1.85 million grant to maximize the potential of the I-375 project and to ensure that residents and businesses are fully engaged in the process to bring the interstate to grade, according to a statement from Jennifer Kulczycki, a spokeswoman for the foundation. She noted that we are also convening a reparative roundtable made up of community members from across the city to ensure that the project is responsive to (the) community and is as creative, restorative, aspirational and equitable as it can be. Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: I-375 to boulevard revisions would shrink road footprint in Detroit Flash Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with visiting British Foreign Secretary David Cameron to discuss military aid to Ukraine, the presidential press service said on Friday. At the meeting, which took place in Kiev on Thursday, Zelensky thanked the British government for recently approving the largest-ever military aid package for Ukraine, worth 500 million pounds (630 million U.S. dollars). "The provision of this package, along with the crucial decision of the United States to provide assistance, is of great importance to us at this key moment," Zelensky stressed. He briefed Cameron on the situation on the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and urged the British side to promptly deliver the weapons as part of the aid package. Zelensky specifically outlined the types of weapons Ukraine requires, including armored vehicles, ammunition and various missiles. According to the British parliament, Britain has pledged 12.5 billion pounds (15.8 billion dollars) in support to Ukraine since the outbreak of the conflict in February 2022, of which 7.6 billion pounds (9.6 billion dollars) was for military assistance. This includes 3 billion pounds (3.8 billion dollars) for military assistance in 2024/25. (Bloomberg) -- Judge Amit Mehta presided over two days of closing arguments, concluding on Friday, in the US antitrust challenge to Alphabet Inc. Now hell head off for weeks or months to consider a ruling that could have significant consequences across the tech industry. Most Read from Bloomberg Yet despite frequent pointed questions to both sides, the Obama-appointed federal judge gave few hints about what he plans to decide. Antitrust enforcers allege that Alphabets Google has illegally maintained a monopoly over online search and related advertising. On Thursday and Friday, Mehta went over the exclusive multibillion-dollar deals Google has struck with Apple Inc. and others to be the default search engine on mobile phones and browsers. Then the judge turned to the lucrative advertising business Google runs by placing ads in search queries and the governments view that the companys dominance has allowed it to raise prices on advertisers without consequences. The closing arguments come six months after testimony ended last November, in order to give the judge time to review the evidence. The case is the first antitrust trial pitting the federal government against a US technology company in more than two decades. Mehta is expected to issue a decision later this year on whether Google broke the law and his ruling could force the tech giant to change the way it does business, by demanding the separation of Alphabets search business from other products, like Android and Chrome. In its defense, Google argued that search ads are just one avenue for advertisers to reach consumers and that its losing business to Amazon.com Inc. and ByteDance Ltd.s TikTok. Mehta appeared skeptical. Advertisers came in and consistently said, we cant move away from search ads. They are unique, Mehta said. No Other Choices Justice Department lawyer David Dahlquist said advertisers have no choice to reach the most consumers other than through Googles search ads product the text and shopping promotions that appear at the top of a results page in response to user queries. Google sells search ads through automated auctions that take place in less than a second after a person initiates a search. The Justice Department alleges that Google has made changes to its auction rules to increase prices by as much as 15%, while limiting the information marketers have about where their spending is going and making it harder for them to opt-out of specific advertising auctions. Story continues Google kept advertisers in the dark as to how search advertising works and how their advertising dollars were spent, Dahlquist said. Only a monopolist can make a product worse, and still make money, he said. In response, Googles lead litigator John Schmidtlein argued that Google raised the prices of search ads in conjunction with improving the quality of its ads. Mehta asked why Google wasnt more transparent about some of the changes it has made to its advertising auctions. Isnt that proof that Google is able to change prices in the background and advertisers are none the wiser? he asked. Trade Secrets Schmidtlein said Google is not in a position to go out and advertise its trade secrets, all the things its doing to improve. Were not running around advertising all the improvements we are making so Bing can go out and copy them. The DOJs Dahlquist said that Google, even as a monopolist, still has some incentive to invest in improving its ad technology. But its a mistake to assume that improvements would necessarily lead to higher prices, he said, using the television market as an analogy: a TV bought today is less expensive than one from five years ago, in spite of the quality of the display having been improved, he asserted. Dahlquist said such a scenario was an example of pricing having been bound by healthy competition in the market something that isnt happening in search advertising. Just to be clear, your contention is that in a more competitive environment, advertisers would be paying less? Mehta asked. Yes, said Dahlquist. Chat Destruction Near the end of the hearing, Mehta chastised Google for failing to preserve documents that should have been turned over to the Justice Department during its antitrust investigation, suggesting he may find the company was negligent. Googles document retention policy leaves a lot to be desired, he said, adding that it was shocking to me that a company would leave it to their employees to decide what would be retained. We wont know if there was a treasure trove of material not saved, he added. The Justice Department alleged that Google intentionally withheld key evidence through its Communicate with Care program, in which employees were instructed to have sensitive conversations over chats that would be automatically deleted after 24 hours, as well as to copy company lawyers when they didnt need to. Colette Connor, a lawyer for Google, said the company was clear with investigators from the Texas attorney generals office and the Justice Department that the chats were deleted as part of the companys regular practices. When the company first created its internal chat product, conversations were automatically archived. But in 2008, top executives announced a change so that conversations would disappear after 24 hours unless a person changed the archive settings. Google changed the policy last year after the Justice Department and other antitrust plaintiffs complained that the company was violating its legal obligations to retain all records for use in litigation. The Justice Departments Kenneth Dintzer said Google engaged in a breathtaking policy of systemic document destruction to avoid giving antitrust enforcers evidence of illegal behavior. It involved communications that were not like, Lets have lunch, Dintzer said. This was an intent to hide documents, he said, showing a slide that read simply: This is wrong. The evidence is unequivocal. The Justice Department asked that Mehta assume the destroyed evidence would have supported their case and sanction Google, which could take the form of a fine. In subsequent comments, Mehta said Googles policy was unrealistic to expect employees to know in advance that they should turn on a chats history. Given other evidence that Google was sensitive about words that could raise antitrust concerns, the failure to preserve chat could be interpreted as intentional, he said. Shouldnt there be some consequence? Mehta said. At a minimum this was not best practices. (Updates with details on sanctions beginning in the 19th paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) A person has been arrested and charged in connection to the shooting death of 24-year-old Gregory Campbell, of Grovetown. According to the Richmond County Sheriffs Office, officers responded to the 300 block of Williamsburg Drive near the 6000 building in Hephzibah in reference to shots fired on April 21st at 10:47 P.M. Authorities state that officers arrived and located Campbell, who had been shot at least once, and Campbell was transported to Wellstar/MCG where was pronounced dead at 11:34 P.M. According to RCSO, Bennelle Evans, 38, of Augusta, was located in McDuffie County and arrested on Friday, May 3rd on the charges of Murder, Aggravated Assault, Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon, and Possession of Firearm During the Commission of a Crime. ALSO ON WJBF: Bamberg Co. man charged with murder in connection to human remains found in burned vehicle RCSO credits the US Marshals Southeastern Task Force and the Georgia State Patrol for their assistance in apprehending Evans. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. 5 injured in Outagamie County crash after car fails to yield to SUV, under investigation CENTER, Wis. (WFRV) Five people, including an infant, were taken to local hospitals after sustaining injuries in a two-vehicle crash on Friday afternoon on STH 47 and CTH S in Outagamie County. According to the Outagamie County Sheriffs Office, deputies were sent to the intersection just before 4:40 p.m. on May 3. A preliminary investigation reportedly revealed that an SUV, driven by a 31-year-old Appleton man with a woman and infant passenger, was southbound on STH 47 when a westbound car on CTH S allegedly failed to yield the right of way at the intersection, leading to the collision. Authorities recover body from Fox River near Peabody Park in Appleton This embedded content is not available in your region. Inside the car was a 32-year-old male driver from Waupaca and a 32-year-old passenger from New London. Deputies reported that the passenger in the car was taken by a helicopter to a local hospital for critical injuries, the three occupants of the SUV were taken by an ambulance to a local hospital for injuries, and the driver of the car was taken to a local hospital for minor injuries. This is the second crash at that intersection that has sent multiple people to the hospital since Wednesday, May 1. Efforts to find Elijah Vue continue: FBI concludes aerial search, manholes searched throughout Manitowoc County The intersection was closed for roughly four hours on Friday. Assisting the Outagamie County Sheriffs Office were the Town of Center Fire and First Responders, Wisconsin State Patrol, Gold Cross Ambulance, and Eagle 3 Helicopter Rescue. The incident remains under investigation. Local 5 will provide an update on this story when additional details are released. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Federal prosecutors charged five men this week accused of impersonating Philadelphia police officers in the 2006 kidnapping and killing of a 38-year-old man. The indictment filed in the U.S. District Court in Eastern Pennsylvania alleges the men while posing as police officers using fake badges, police lights, and firearms kidnapped Shamari Taylor and his then-21-year-old girlfriend from West Philadelphia to rob him of cocaine and drug money. Photo of Shamari Taylor. / Credit: CBS Philadelphia Kevin Holloway, 45; Mark Scott, 48; Linton Mathis, 50; Atiba Wicker, 47; and Kenneth Tuck, 51, were charged in federal court with conspiracy to commit kidnapping resulting in death, kidnapping resulting in death, and aiding and abetting. The couple was sitting in a car in the Philadelphia neighborhood of Overbrook on Aug. 26, 2006, when they were abducted and taken to a warehouse, CBS News Philadelphia reported. The kidnappers released the girlfriend several hours later, but Taylor, the son of a former state representative, remained missing. A day after Taylor disappeared, someone broke into his family's home in West Philadelphia and shot his sister and mother in their heads. They both survived. Authorities located Taylor's remains almost 12 years later, on Aug. 21, 2018, in a shallow grave in North Philadelphia, a Department of Justice news release said. Federal prosecutors said his abductors suffocated him. Taylor was identified through dental records, CBS News Philadelphia reported. Philadelphia County arrested and charged Kenneth Tuck in connection to Taylor's kidnapping in September 2006, but after two trials he was acquitted of all charges. Law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Philadelphia Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Pennsylvania State Parole, continued the investigation until charges were filed this week. "Anyone who commits a heinous crime and is still walking free years later might just assume they've gotten away with it," said U.S. Attorney Romero. "Well, they should think again. We and our law enforcement partners will doggedly pursue justice for victims of violence and accountability for the perpetrators no matter how long it may take." Longtime Trump aide Hope Hicks takes the stand in New York trial Louisiana boy receives surprising reward after generously giving away his only dollar Prosecutors play Michael Cohen's secret recording of Trump 5 takeaways from the second week of Trumps hush money trial testimony NEW YORK Salacious celebrity scandal peppered with foundation-building evidence defined the second week of testimony in former President Trumps New York criminal trial. Witnesses this week began digging into the minutiae of the Manhattan district attorneys case, from bank records and non-disclosure agreements to text messages suggesting efforts to keep quiet negative stories about Trump to help his 2016 campaign. But key witnesses credibility has also been sharply drawn into question, setting the stage for defense attorneys to take aim at critical future testimony. Here are five takeaways from the second week of testimony in the hush money trial. Celebrity scandals make a cameo Keith Davidson, a lawyer for two women paid to keep their alleged affairs with Trump secret, gave a behind-the-scenes account of efforts to execute the agreements with the National Enquirer and ex-Trump fixer Michael Cohen. But Davidsons testimony during cross-examination by Trumps attorneys also dredged up a graveyard of celebrity scandals he also appeared to be linked to. The likes of Lindsay Lohan, Charlie Sheen, Hulk Hogan and Tila Tequila were name-dropped as clients or casualties of Davidsons work, which defense attorneys used to suggest the lawyer has a habit of extorting famous figures. At one point, Trumps attorneys attempted to paint Davidson as an extortionist for stories involving everything from sex tapes to rehab stints. Davidsons testimony to start exposed his relationship with National Enquirer editor Dylan Howard as he worked to keep affairs alleged by porn actress Stormy Daniels and ex-Playboy model Karen McDougal, who Davidson represented, from going public as Trump mounted his first presidential campaign. But by the time election night 2016 came around, Davidson expressed remorse in a text message to Howard as Trump stunned the nation by inching toward becoming president-elect. What have we done? Davidson wrote. Hope Hicks: 2016 damage control Trump may be running for president in 2024, but it was the chaos of his 2016 campaign that became central to the case Friday, when his ex-political adviser Hope Hicks took the stand. Hicks testified for hours about how she was central to mitigating damage caused by a series of scandals just before Election Day. The first crisis came when a Washington Post reporter reached out to the campaign about the Access Hollywood tape, a 2005 recording of Trump bragging about grabbing women inappropriately and seemingly without their consent. I was concerned, Hicks said of her initial reaction to learning of the tape and the news organizations intent to publish it along with a story. I was very concerned. When confronted with the Posts comment request, Trump told Hicks that it didnt sound like something he would say, she testified. But he later told her he believed the remarks were pretty standard stuff for two guys chatting. The first time Trump saw the tape he was upset, she said, describing her own reaction as just a little stunned. Hicks also testified that, just four days before Election Day 2016, Cohen blew off a Wall Street Journal story that revealed McDougals hush money deal. Cohen, she said, didnt believe the story would get much traction. Just a little irony there, she noted on the witness stand, discussing the story in detail nearly eight years later. Cohen credibility war underway Cohen was already in the hot seat this week before he takes the stand himself as witnesses took turns taking shots at the former presidents ex-fixer, making clear the challenges of the controversial characters impending testimony. Davidson testified that he and others in his orbit at the time took measures to actively avoid Cohen because they disliked him so much. Texts between a top editor at the National Enquirer and Danielss manager revealed descriptions of Cohen as some jerk and that asshole. In his testimony, Davidson described Cohen as a highly excitable, sort of a pants-on-fire kind of guy. He had a lot of things going on, the lawyer said. Even Cohens old banker, Gary Farro, revealed that the onetime fixer became his client because he maintained a reputation as someone who can handle clients who may be a little challenging. Having coordinated the payments to a Trump Tower doorman and McDougal in addition to paying off Daniels himself Cohens testimony is expected to provide prosecutors with a key link to Trump. Cohen has said that his actions were done at the behest of his then-boss. But testimony this week gave defense attorneys significant fodder to undercut the credibility of the soon-to-be star witness, whose own testimony is expected to mark the climax of the trial. Trumps courtroom entourage grows Early in the trial, some observers noted that the former presidents family was not in court with him. But Trumps entourage grew this week to include a wider set of aides and family. The former presidents son, Eric Trump, attended on Tuesday, sitting in the courtroom gallery alongside Trump campaign adviser Susie Wiles. They were joined by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) and Club For Growth President David McIntosh. Trump himself has turned his body to face a witness testify at times, while at other moments, the former president faced straight ahead to read texts, emails and other exhibits displayed on the monitor in front of him. Throughout the week, Trump often whispered to his lawyers sometimes appearing frustrated or looked through written press clippings provided to him by an aide. The former president has also closed his eyes for multiple minutes on multiple occasions, though he has denied sleeping in court. Contrary to the FAKE NEWS MEDIA, I dont fall asleep during the Crooked D.A.s Witch Hunt, especially not today. I simply close my beautiful blue eyes, sometimes, listen intensely, and take it ALL in!!! Trump posted on Truth Social on Thursday. Trial schedule comes into view The trial schedule is constantly being tweaked, and the latest changes make one thing clear: Many partial weeks lay ahead. The trial as of now will meet next week on its normal schedule of all weekdays except Wednesday, when the judge attends to his other active cases. But after that, the schedule is regularly interrupted. Judge Juan Merchan agreed to skip trial on Friday, May 17 so Trump can attend his son Barrons high school graduation. The following Friday, the court will not meet because a juror has plans to leave town that day for Memorial Day weekend. And, the court wont meet on the holiday itself that Monday. The week after that? Another skipped day. If the jury hasnt started deliberating yet, the judge signaled hell skip trial on June 3 so one of Trumps lawyers can attend a graduation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) One man is in critical condition after a crash that left six people injured in southwest Las Vegas, police said. The collision occurred on Friday at the intersection of South Rainbow Boulevard and West Spring Valley Parkway South in southwest Las Vegas just before 8:00 p.m. There Police said that two vehicles collided, and the impact sent one of the vehicles into another that was sitting at a red light. A 78-year-old man was critically injured in the crash and taken to an area hospital. Two other individuals, a man and a woman, both 77 years old, were taken to an area hospital with injuries. Three others suffered minor injuries. One other person was involved but uninjured. Impairment was not suspected to be a factor in the crash, and all drivers cooperated with law enforcement following the crash, which remains under investigation by police. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. 9 of Ukraine's deadliest strikes that killed scores of Russians with a single blow US HIMARS and ATACMS take a toll Russia is believed to have lost more than 450,000 soldiers during the war in Ukraine. Some Ukrainian strikes have killed scores of Russian troops with a single blow. Russia and Ukraine are both secretive about death tolls and their estimates usually widely differ. More than two years on, the war in Ukraine has been brutal and costly for both sides, particularly for invading Russian forces. The UK Defense Ministry said on April 27, 2024, that it estimated 450,000 Russian troops had been killed or wounded since the start of the conflict. Neither Russia nor Ukraine have ever confirmed the numbers of their losses. Reports claimed Russia was hemorrhaging men and weapons in its attempts to capture Avdiivka, a strategic town in eastern Ukraine and a gateway to Russia-occupied Ukraine. The town fell to Russian occupation in February. Now fighting wages on in the surrounding areas such as Chasiv Yar. Russia continues to have the upper hand, but Ukraine is holding out hope that newly approved US aid will reach its front lines sooner rather than later. Despite high Russian losses, the country's population is about three times the size of Ukraine's a large pool from which Russia could keep replenishing its ranks. In April, Zelenskyy claimed Russia was preparing to mobilize a further 300,000 troops by June, though the Kremlin denied this. Russians typically outnumber Ukrainians on the battlefield by a ratio of almost three to one, The New York Times reported, but Ukraine has used weapons such as the US-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, and Western cruise missiles to inflict high casualties on Russian troops. These are believed to be some of the deadliest single moments for Russia in the conflict so far. Ukraine wiped out 100 Russian troops at once with US ATACMS An Army Tactical Missile System during live-fire testing at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico on December 14, 2021 White Sands Missile Range/John Hamilton Ukrainian forces launched an ATACMS long-range missile strike on a Russian military training area some 50 miles behind the front line in occupied Luhansk. The attack killed more than 100 Russian soldiers in one fell swoop, according to OSINT and military analysts. According to a post on May 1, 2024, by Osinttechnical, associated with the US-based Centre for Naval Analyses, Ukraine appeared to strike the training area with three US-supplied M39 ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles. Aerial geolocated videos indicated that one of the missiles struck a gathering of more than 100 Russian soldiers, with hundreds of M74 APAM bomblets falling on them, Osinttechnical wrote. GeoConfirmed, a project specializing in open-source geolocation, reported that four ATACMS missiles were employed in the attack, though the first was a "dud." The strike targeted the village of Rohove in Luhansk. Footage shared by one of its volunteers suggested that the strikes occurred within a minute. Ukraine hit a company of Russian troops with HIMARS while they waited around for a visiting general Ukrainian soldiers watch a rocket fire from a HIMARS launcher on May 18, 2023 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. Photo by Serhii Mykhalchuk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images In February 2024, a Ukrainian HIMARS strike wiped out at least 60 Russian troops who were gathered en masse in an open field this week as they flouted a key wartime rule that Russia has repeatedly ignored throughout the war, according to reports and video footage. The Russian battalion congregated at a training area near the village of Trudovske in occupied eastern Ukraine when the two missiles struck, The BBC reported . Sources familiar with the incident told the outlet that the soldiers were gathered to await the arrival of a senior commander. Ukraine was criticized in November following a similar scenario in which 19 soldiers were killed by Russian missiles at an open-air awards ceremony near the frontline. A strike on Kherson 14 miles behind the front line Ukrainian soldiers fire at Russian positions from a US-supplied M777 howitzer in the Kherson oblast, Ukraine, in January. AP Photo/Libkos Ukrainian forces likely took out more than 70 Russian soldiers in a strike on the village of Hladkivka in the Kherson oblast on November 10, 2023, the UK Ministry of Defence said. The attack, which targeted a convoy of trucks, likely took place 14 miles behind the front lines, highlighting Ukraine's long-range precision-strike capabilities. Russia's warship Novocherkassk part of its Black Sea Fleet was hit in a Ukrainian attack The Russian landing ship Novocherkassk, seen here in 2015, was damaged in a Ukrainian airstrike, Russian officials confirmed. Reuters On December 26, 2023, images of a massive explosion went viral on social media of the Russian navy's stricken landing ship Novocherkassk. A Telegram channel, the independent Russian media outlet Astra, reported there were 77 sailors aboard the Novocherkassk at the time of the Ukrainian strike on a dock in Feodosia in annexed Crimea, and 33 were reported missing and 19 injured. Reporters and open-source intelligence channels posted photos showing the burning wreckage of the docked ship, supporting Ukraine's claim that long-range missiles probably the highly-rated British Storm Shadow cruise missiles attacked the ship. Some reports said the vessel may have been loaded with Iranian-made Shahed attack drones when it was hit. Russians killed while training on Dzharylhach island Footage uploaded by Ukraine of a HIMARS strike on a sandbar. Screenshot/National Resistance Center Ukraine released a video that claimed to show Russian soldiers being struck by HIMARS as they trained at Dzharylhach island, a 26-mile-long sandbank in the Black Sea that's part of the Russian-occupied Kherson oblast. Ukraine said that the attack caused 200 casualties. The number could not be independently verified. The drone footage from August 2023 shows soldiers appearing to stretch and exercise on the Ukrainian island's sandy shores before being hit from above. Strike during a commanders speech in Kreminna A M142 HIMARS launches a rocket in the direction of Bakhmut on May 18 in Donetsk oblast, Ukraine. Photo by Serhii Mykhalchuk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images Ukraine's HIMARS reportedly struck a large gathering of Russian soldiers in the city of Kreminna as they stood for two hours to watch a commander's speech in July 2023. Some reports put the number of dead as high as 100 and total casualties as high as 200. The numbers could not be independently verified. An unnamed Ukrainian official told the Kyiv Post that it was a "funny situation" because the Russian soldiers had made themselves sitting ducks. The claim, which a Russian milbogger initially reported, led to Russian nationalists calling for military leaders to be punished. New Years strike on Makiivka The aftermath of the strike in Makiivka on January 3. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko While Russian officials have largely not acknowledged losses, Russia's defense ministry made a rare announcement confirming the deaths of 89 troops in a strike in Makiivka, a small city in Ukraine's Donetsk oblast. Ukrainian officials claimed that the casualties were much higher, with around 400 soldiers killed and 300 injured. The figures could not be independently verified. Ukraine said it used HIMARS for the attack, and the Russian ministry said Ukraine fired six rockets, four of which struck their troops, the ISW reported. The attack sparked widespread criticism of Russian military leadership, ISW reported. A senior Russian military official, Sergei Sevryukov, blamed the high number of casualties on soldiers' use of cell phones without providing evidence, The Guardian reported. A Russian battalions failed crossing of the Siverskyi Donets River A bridge across the Siverskyi Donets River lies broken, blown up by Ukrainian forces in spring 2022 to slow a Russian advance, on April 23. Scott Peterson/Getty Images Ukrainian forces decimated a Russian battalion as it tried to cross the Siverskyi Donets River in northeastern Ukraine in May 2022. Ukrainian artillery destroyed several Russian pontoon bridges, and estimates put the toll of dead or wounded Russians at around 485, according to the Institute for the Study of War, or ISW, based on analyses of publicly available imagery. They estimated that over 80 pieces of equipment could have been destroyed. Media reports said that Ukraine used M777 howitzers to strike the battalion. Russian milbloggers responded to the incident with shock and began commenting on the incompetence of the Russian military, the ISW reported. The sinking of the missile cruiser Moskva The Russian missile cruiser Moskva in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Syria in 2015. MAX DELANY/AFP via Getty Images Just two months into Russia's unprovoked invasion, Ukraine scored an early success by sinking the Russian warship Moskva, the flagship of the Russian Navy's Black Sea Fleet. On April 14, 2022, Ukrainian officials said their forces had struck the ship with at least one Neptune missile, which the Pentagon confirmed. Ukraine claimed that almost all 500 sailors on board had perished, while Russia said that nearly all had evacuated before the ship sank. Later, Russia admitted under pressure that one sailor had died and that 27 were missing, but said the rest had been evacuated. But several family members of Moskva sailors told the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta that at least 40 on board had died. The true death toll is still unknown. Read the original article on Business Insider Floridas six-week abortion ban officially went into effect this week. But another bill also intended to lower the number of abortions could soon quietly become law as well. An expansion of Floridas Safe Haven policy which decriminalizes surrendering unwanted infants, as long as they are given up to specific agencies like hospitals, fire stations and EMS services faces just one more hurdle to becoming law. It has long been a piece of legislation in the toolbox of anti-abortion supporters who view legal infant surrenders as a way to encourage more women to carry their pregnancies to term. The bills fate still hangs in the balance, because it has yet to be sent to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis desk by legislative leaders. The governors office did not respond to a request for comment on the bill, but a sponsor of the bill, state Rep. Mike Beltran, said he doesnt anticipate a veto. But unlike many proposals considered alongside outright abortion bans like fetal personhood or funding decisions the Safe Haven bill in Florida attracted bipartisan support during the legislative session earlier this year. Its found success with anti-abortion lawmakers supporting it in hopes of further reducing abortions, and with frustrated pro-abortion rights lawmakers who view it as a triage to help a desperate person with no other options. This was a way of doing something that was pro-life without making the left agitated, Beltran, a Republican from Apollo Beach, said in an interview. It was a good way to find common ground on the life issue when options were more limited. State law currently allows for a surrender up to 7 days after the child was born. This bill would more than quadruple the amount of time to 30 days and also authorize 911 responders to arrange an infant drop-off location in case the childs guardian has no transportation to an agencys site. Safe haven laws exist in all 50 states, with the legal timeframe often varying from 3 days to a month, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Floridas first Safe Haven law was passed 20 years ago. These laws are typically preventative measures, Beltran said. In dire circumstances, people who cant care for a child will abandon them, and these laws are in place to prevent those children from dying, he said. (For example, a dead infant was found in a University of Tampa bathroom earlier this week.) Anti-abortion lawmakers have long tried to pass an expansion, even while pursuing more strict abortion bans. Before Dobbs vs. Jackson Womens Health the Supreme Court decision that overturned the national protections from Roe Beltran and several others were working to pass this expansion in 2020. Back then, the main focus was on baby boxes" authorizing the use of containers at fire stations or hospitals with silent alarms that would trigger when an infant was laid inside, alerting staff of the surrender and therefore allowing the exchange to be anonymous. It met pushback from some lawmakers claiming it was a gimmick primarily intended to enrich one organization, since the organization, Safe Haven Baby Boxes, specializes in the product, Beltran said. (A Safe Haven Baby Boxes spokesperson declined to comment.) After a few years, Beltran and state GOP Rep. Jennifer Canady eliminated the text about baby boxes and decided to co-sponsor a bill focusing on just expanding the timing during the 2024 legislative session. The bill passed both legislative chambers with unanimous approval. As the six-week ban loomed over the state during the session, the bill also found bipartisan support. Democratic state Rep. Robin Bartleman said that while she still opposed the states new abortion ban, this bill will create an alternative for a considerable amount of women now forced to go through with unwanted pregnancies. Once the infant is born, once a child is there, we want to save that child, Bartleman said. And not have stories where theyre dumped in a garbage bag. Its really terrible this year. But support from pro-abortion-rights groups for this law only comes begrudgingly, if at all. Laura Goodhue, executive director of the Planned Parenthood Florida chapters, said the need to expand the Safe Haven law doesnt address the root problem and implies a lack of infrastructure for pregnant women in the first place. Goodhue said its a cruel world if legislators have to turn to last-minute solutions like this one to help women in need and continue to add to Floridas foster care population, which was over 24,000 in 2022. Instead, she said it was vital that voters pass the referendum on the Florida ballot in November that would restore the right to an abortion before viability, which is generally around 24 weeks. Women who find themselves in need of a Safe Haven law, that means they have no one, Goodhue said. Who else are they turning to? They havent received counseling about adoption or abortion, or another way. PONCHATOULA, La. (WGNO) A 67-year-old Ponchatoula man was killed while riding his bicycle across a highway on Friday, May 3. The Louisiana State Police reported William Edwards Sr. was trying to cross Louisiana Highway 445 when a 2003 Toyota Camry crashed into him. Man hit, killed by car while sleeping on sidewalk in French Quarter It happened around 9:30 p.m. near Stepp Road. According to the LSP, Edwards had traveled directly into the path of the car when he was hit. Edwards was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Toyota was uninjured. \ The crash will be investigated. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO. An 84-year-old was arrested after a woman was stabbed at an East Boston apartment complex. Officers responding to the area of 88 Brandywine Drive around 3 p.m. found an adult female suffering from a stab wound to the neck, according to authorities. The victim was transported to a local hospital with what appeared to be life-threatening injuries. It was later determined the victims injuries were non-life threatening when she arrived at the hospital. Neighbors told Boston 25 reporter Daniel Coates that the victim, who lived at the complex, was possibly targeted because she is deaf. Boston police say an 84-year-old male, from East Boston was arrested and is being charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (Knife), assault and battery on a +60/Disabled Person with injury, armed assault in a dwelling, and assault to murder. The man was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and will be arraigned in East Boston District Court. 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 Ukrainian air defense units destroyed all 13 Shahed-type drones that Russia launched overnight, the Air Force reported on May 4. The Russian drones were launched from the neighbouring Belgorod Oblast of Russia. Russia also attacked Ukraine with four surface-to-air guided missiles. No information was provided by the Air Force as to the outcome of those missile launch. All of the drones Russia launched were intercepted over Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts. Mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Air Force were involved in repelling the air attacks. Earlier in the night, Russia launched drone attacks on Kharkiv, damaging civilian infrastructure, and injuring at least four people including a 13-year-old girl. A large-scale fire broke out as a result of falling debris of a downed Shahed-type drone. Drone attacks are a daily occurrence in Ukraine, affecting various regions across the country. Overnight on May 3, Ukrainian air defense destroyed four Shahed-type drones and one reconnaissance drones launched by Russia. In recent months, Russian attacks on critical infrastructure have increasingly targeted Ukrainian energy facilities. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Kyiv may use British weapons to strike targets inside Russia, Cameron says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. BENGALURU (Reuters) - India will buy back 400 billion rupees ($4.80 billion) worth of securities, the country's central bank said on Friday. The securities offered for buyback are 6.18% GS 2024, 9.15% GS 2024 and 6.89% GS 2025, the Reserve Bank of India said in a statement. "The choice of securities suggests this buyback is a liquidity redistribution exercise by the government as they have clear visibility on their shorter-term funds," said Vivek Kumar, economist at QuantEco Research. "One could construe this as a yield management exercise, too. However, the RBI has alternate options with direct and indirect signaling potential," Kumar said. There is no notified amount for the individual securities and the auction will be conducted using the multiple price method, the RBI further said. "There is liquidity tightness and government expenditure is unlikely to pick up before the new government takes charge. This should also help bring down yields at the shorter end," said Alok Singh, group head of treasury at CSB Bank. The central bank is also due to pay the government the annual dividend in May, which will further improve the government's cash position. The auction and its results will be announced on May 9 and settlement will take place on May 10, the RBI said. ($1 = 83.4156 Indian rupees) (This story has been refiled to add 'rupee' in the headline) (Reporting by Hritam Mukherjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli) The Alaska House of Representatives is seen in action on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) The Alaska House of Representatives is seen in action on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) Alaska schools may soon be required to stock drugs that reverse opioid overdoses. On a 37-2 vote, the Alaska House of Representatives approved House Bill 202, sending it to the state Senate for further consideration. Rep. DeLena Johnson, R-Palmer and the bills sponsor, said its important that the Legislature address a growing problem. Alaska had 342 fatal drug overdoses in 2023, she said, and while those werent necessarily people in schools or under 18, but its a trend that goes throughout all ages. Rep. Alyse Galvin, I-Anchorage, said overdoses are absolutely a problem in schools within the states largest city. In Anchorage just last month, we had 10 incidents of fentanyl in five different high schools. This is real, this is here, this is hot, this is a problem, she said. Speaking to fellow lawmakers on Friday, Johnson said that while large school districts, such as Anchorage, already mandate antiopioid drugs, many smaller districts do not. In addition, while those drugs have become common at fire stations and other public facilities including the state Capitol that isnt true in rural Alaska. There are small schools sprinkled throughout Alaska, and oftentimes they are the center of the village, the community and all number of activities can take place there, she said. This may be the only place that you can find an opioid reversal kit in some of those small towns. Reps. Mike Prax, R-North Pole, and David Eastman, R-Wasilla, cast the lone votes against the bill and questioned whether a mandate would cause more trouble than good. Prax said he believes the bill could raise liability questions for schools, and Eastman questioned whether the cost in time and money would be worth it. Other members of the House said that the answer is an unequivocal yes. If we can save one life, the effort is worth it, said Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau. Johnson noted that if drug dealers can get drugs into communities, the state can certainly get antioverdose drugs into those same communities. Drug dealers, theyre pretty good at distribution. We should probably learn something from them, she said. House votes to clamp down on pharmacy benefit managers In a separate vote on Friday, the House approved legislation to limit the powers of health care managers that negotiate the prices of prescription drugs. In recent years, many firms that conduct those negotiations have been bought by chain pharmacies, and legislators at the state and federal levels believe those acquisitions are driving up the cost of prescription drugs and forcing independent pharmacies out of business. House Bill 226, from Rep. Jesse Sumner, R-Wasilla, passed the House on a 30-7 vote and advances to the Senate for further work. The bill is lighter than what its supporters wanted; to cut costs, it excludes state employees and union benefit plans, affecting only private health plans. Rep. Will Stapp, R-Fairbanks, was among the lawmakers who criticized those exclusions and voted against the bill. Sumner responded to Stapps criticism by saying he looks forward to cosponsoring Stapps bill to add those plans next year. Shellfish farm bill passes House Also Friday, the House voted to ease the approval process for aquatic farms that grow shellfish and seaweed, among other products. Mariculture, as it is known, is Alaskas fastest-growing agricultural sector, with dozens of new farms authorized in the past few years. Lawmakers approved House Bill 329, from Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, on a 38-1 vote, sending it to the Senate for further review. Also Friday, the state Senate voted: to require public schools to hold classes on the history and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the United States. Senate Bill 131, from Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson, D-Anchorage, was approved on a 19-0 vote and advances to the House for further consideration. to adopt the Honor and Remember and Honor and Sacrifice flags as official symbols of the state to recognize soldiers, police and firefighters killed in the line of duty. Senate Bill 174, from Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, advanced to the House on a 19-0 vote. in favor of a resolution declaring May 2024 as Mental Health Awareness Month and May 5-11 as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness week. Tardive Dyskinesia is a disorder that involves involuntary repetitive movements, experienced by some people taking antipsychotic medications. House Concurrent Resolution 15 passed the House on April 3 by a 38-1 vote and passed the Senate on Friday by a 19-0 margin. to not advance a bill allowing qualified persons to carry concealed handguns on school grounds under certain circumstances, effectively killing the bill for the year. Senate Bill 173 was written by Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, and Hughes sought to release the bill from the Senate Judiciary Committee without a hearing. Hughes motion failed on a 7-12 vote. to approve a resolution asking the federal government to boost the marketing of Alaska seafood. The Senate passed Senate Joint Resolution 14 in February, and the House passed it Wednesday, but some House changes had to be confirmed by the Senate. The post Alaska House votes to require that schools stock overdose-reversal drugs appeared first on Alaska Beacon. "I voted" stickers are seen on display at a polling station in Juneau's Mendenhall Valley on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) "I voted" stickers are seen on display at a polling station in Juneau's Mendenhall Valley on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) A state Senate committee on Thursday voted to advance a bill that would allow same-day voter registration in the state, despite the objections of the bills original author, who opposes the idea. House Bill 129 was originally written by Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, to allow the state to trim its voter rolls more quickly. The state has 108% of its 20-and-older population registered to vote, and House lawmakers supported the bill on a bipartisan vote in February. On Thursday, the Senate State Affairs Committee turned the bill into a comprehensive elections overhaul with a major amendment that incorporates elements of other bills: Voters would be allowed to register for an election within 30 days of Election Day, something currently allowed only for presidential votes. The Division of Elections would have to create a method for voters to fix errors on absentee ballots that have already been mailed. Absentee ballots would no longer require the signature of someone who witnesses the voter fill out the ballot. Ballots filled out by voters with special needs couldnt be rejected because of errors by poll workers or the person delivering the ballot to the polls. If someone uses AI computer software to fake a candidates appearance in an election ad, the fake would have to include a legal disclaimer. A candidate would be able to transfer leftover campaign donations to a legal fund for election-related lawsuits. The Division of Elections would have to develop a cybersecurity program and develop procedures for audits intended to reduce risks. Sen. Scott Kawasaki, D-Fairbanks and the chair of the State Affairs Committee, had planned a separate, multipart elections bill, but that bill hasnt advanced in the Senate. Vance said she would have preferred Kawasaki put his ideas into his own bill, rather than trying to hitch a ride on hers. After the new version was unveiled Thursday, Vance told the State Affairs Committee, What I am seeing here in front of me is same-day registration amidst a whole variety of other measures that I do not support. Kawasaki replied that all of the elements added to the bill are things that have been considered, at least once before, by a legislative committee, the state House, or the state Senate. In 2022, a comprehensive elections bill died on the last day of the legislative session despite extensive bipartisan negotiations. Several of the items in this years bill are carryovers from that bill, Kawasaki said. Others didnt make the cut, he said, because he wanted to lower the cost of the bill. For example, he dropped a program to verify voters signatures on absentee ballots because it would have required the state to buy new equipment and software. Also absent is a plan to offer prepaid envelopes for absentee voters, allowing them to send their ballots to the state without buying a stamp. I just want to say that this is still a work in progress, Kawasaki said. We have a dozen days left; this bill will be on to the (Senate) Finance Committee. Speaking the day after her initial comments, Vance said she still opposes the changes. HB 129 passed with bipartisan support, she said, and she doesnt believe the ideas added to the bill have bipartisan support. Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, participated in the failed 2022 effort and several failed attempts to change elections laws before that. He said he opposes the changes, and he will urge the House to reject them if the Senate passes the revised bill. If the House passes it anyway, he said, he intends to ask Gov. Mike Dunleavy to veto it. The post Alaska Senate committee proposes same-day voter registration, but key Republicans oppose the idea appeared first on Alaska Beacon. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) The Metropolitan Detention Center says 23-year-old Marcella Montelongo died at the facility on Thursday. Officials say MDC and University of New Mexico Hospital medical teams responded but were unable to save her life. Co-owner of Las Cruces daycare accused of sexually abusing young child Montelongo was facing charges related to the death of her special-needs son in July of last year. According to Montelongo, her son had cerebral palsy, vision issues, and was non-verbal. An autopsy showed he died from starvation and dehydration due to medical neglect. The boy weighed only 13 pounds. Montelongos death is being investigated by the New Mexico Office of the Medical Examiner. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. He was always loved: Former foster parent seeks answers following death of 10-year-old Indiana boy PORTER COUNTY, Ind. Dakota Levi Stevens was like most kids. The 10-year-old enjoyed playing with blocks to fuel his imagination and busting dance moves to burn some energy off. But he mostly loved being outdoors, says Hayden Hetzel, the boys foster dad from 2019-2021. Dakota was very adventurous, he said. He always loved being outside, looking for bugs in the backyard. Hetzel told WGN News that he was lucky to have shared great years with Dakota. He never didnt call me dad, he said. He was always like, Dad this, Dad that. Lets go on a walk.' Questions arise following death of 10-year-old Northwest Indiana boy in foster care A week has passed since Dakotas death. Hetzel said he still has no answers on how the boy died. According to the Porter County Sheriffs Office, deputies were called to the 200 block of Falcon Way in Valparaiso for a medical emergency involving Dakota. He was rushed to the hospital for treatment but was later pronounced dead. Indianas Department of Child Services said it will help investigate and take action if abuse or neglect is found. But Hetzel says he believes the system that now wants to defend Dakota failed him. Changes be implemented, he added. In Dakotas short life, the boy moved from one foster home to another. Hetzel said he went as far as tattooing Dakotas initials on his ankle, but attempts to adopt him were unsuccessful. WGN INVESTIGATES | DCFS still failing to find appropriate care for kids, leaving them locked-up, report shows He was always loved, and not for a second did we not want him, Hetzel said. We wanted him to be safe, healthy, and loved. Despite not being able to adopt Dakota, Hetzel said he still sees the boy as one of his own. Now, he is striving to make sure Dakotas death isnt in vain. Autopsy results are still pending. Funeral services are set for Monday. A vigil is also planned later that day at 8 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. (NEXSTAR) Retail giants Amazon and Walmart, among others, have stopped selling weighted infant sleep products over safety fears. Weighted sleep sacks and swaddles purportedly help the child sleep more soundly and the parents too but experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and various government bodies warn against using them. These products are associated with concerning reductions in oxygen saturation levels in infants, Richard L. Trumka Jr., commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), said in a statement. This means there is evidence that the use of weighted sleep products on infants can lead to lower oxygen levels, which if sustained, may be harmful to the developing infants brain. Ive sat with the parents of a child who died in one of these products, and I carry their grief with me. I share their desire to make sure no one else suffers the fate that their family did. Bodies of missing American and Australian surfers found The AAP said there is currently no evidence showing that the sleepwear is effective, and expressed concern that such products could instead contributed to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) but preventing infants to move freely during sleep. The CSPC said in an April release that there are multiple infant deaths in these products. Amazon pulled the products on April 9, 2024, telling Nexstar, We work hard to ensure the products offered in our store are safe, and we have teams dedicated to developing and updating our policies, evaluating listings, and continuously monitoring our store to prevent unsafe and noncompliant products from being listed. A Walmart spokesperson told Nexstar that the company hadnt carried weighted infant sleepwear items for almost a year. Some baby clothing retailers like Dreamland Baby and Nested Bean maintain that the sleep products are safe. Were a small business, and at this point its the United States government against Dreamland Baby and Nested Bean, Tara Williams, CEO of Dreamland Baby told NPR. This is not a new product category. Its been out for over 10 years. Theres over 3.5 million [products] sold with no pattern of hazard. In late April, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) called for a federal investigation into Dreamland Baby and Nested Bean, accusing the manufacturers of deceptive advertising practices. The stakes are simply too high to allow weighted infant sleep products to be advertised as safe, especially without a clear disclaimer explaining the lack of an agreed-upon standard for determining safety, Blumenthal wrote in a letter to Federal Trade Commission. Experts recommend parents who are currently using a weighted sleep sack swap it out immediately. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. UPDATE: SATURDAY 5/4/2024 11:54 a.m. (COLORADO) The Brighton Police Department has deactivated the Amber Alert. Zarayah, Aundrea, and Noah Arguello have been safely located. BPD said thanks for the publics assistance in locating these children. ORIGINAL STORY: Amber Alert: police concerned for the safety of 3 kids taken SATURDAY 5/4/2024 10:33 a.m. An Amber Alert was issued on Saturday, May 4th, at 10:09 a.m. for three local children: 12-year-old Zarayah Arguello, a white female, 49/100lbs, with black hair and brown eyes, 10-year-old Aundrea Arguello, a white female, 44/80lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes, and 6-year-old Noah Arguello, a white male, 36/55lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. The kids were last seen on May 4, 2024, at approximately 1:30 a.m. near the 1600 block of Jennifer Street in Brighton, CO. Police believe them to be with their non-custodial parent, in a 2017 Dark Blue Audi A4 bearing Colorado License Plate DDYF35. They may be in the Colorado Springs area and may be traveling eastbound. Law Enforcement is concerned for the safety of the children. If seen, please call 911 or the Brighton Police Department at 303-655-2300. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. Analysis-Trump vows to fight 'anti-white feeling' in US. His allies have a plan Former U.S. President Trump's criminal trial on charges of falsifying business records continues in New York By Gram Slattery and Nathan Layne WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Donald Trump's pledge to fight what he calls "anti-white feeling" in the U.S. will likely embolden allies who seek to dismantle government and corporate programs created to battle racism and boost diversity in American life. Some high-profile supporters of the former president, now the 2024 Republican presidential candidate, say policies for safeguarding people of color in classrooms, workplaces and charities should be repurposed to protect the rights of white people as well. "I think there is a definite anti-white feeling in this country," Trump told Time in an interview published on Tuesday. "I don't think it would be a very tough thing to address, frankly. But I think the laws are very unfair right now." Trump did not specify examples of anti-white bias nor policy prescriptions in the interview. But Trump's campaign website lays out several plans, and some of his allies are making detailed recommendations should Trump win back the White House from Democrat Joe Biden in a Nov. 5 election. One Trump proposal would reverse Biden's executive order requiring federal agencies to assess whether underserved communities - including people of color, LGBTQ Americans and rural Americans - can adequately access their programs. At campaign rallies, Trump pledges to strip funds from schools teaching critical race theory, an academic concept - rarely taught in public schools - that rests on the premise that racial bias is baked into U.S. institutions. One campaign adviser, Lynne Patton, told conservative activist and journalist Laura Loomer in an interview posted on Friday that she expected a second Trump White House would refuse federal money to any schools, companies or charities that enacted hiring practices under Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs, widely known as DEI. Rights advocates assail what they view as any efforts to deny communities of color equal footing. They say the programs Trump wants to dismantle exist to reverse centuries of documented inequities. "There's always been an ability to foment this kind of anxiety and frustration among many whites whenever an effort to level the playing field for non-whites has been successful in any way," said Tricia Rose, director of the Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in America at Brown University. One Trump ally, Gene Hamilton, told Reuters the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division must ensure that corporate programs meant to boost diversity in the workplace are not themselves discriminatory. The department could derive its authority, he said, in part from Section VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Passed during a time when Black Americans campaigned aggressively for civil rights, the act prohibits hiring or compensation decisions based on "race, color, religion, sex, or national origin." Hamilton, who served in the Justice Department under Trump, says the act should protect white people as well. For instance, a hiring program meant to boost the number of people of color in the workplace should not exclude other applicants. Such a focus would depart dramatically from the Civil Rights Division's historic role of protecting marginalized groups. In recent years, it has led investigations into police departments for alleged racism against Black Americans and sued companies for discriminating against immigrants. "Programs and policies ... that deny benefits or employment to Americans solely because of their race or their sex or anything of the sort is violative of that central tenet that has held the country together," said Hamilton, who laid out his views in a policy book published by a consortium of Trump-friendly think tanks known as Project 2025. A POLICY BLUEPRINT FOR A SECOND TRUMP TERM While the Trump campaign has distanced itself from the project, the consortium has drafted a policy blueprint for a potential Trump administration. Many of the former president's allies are involved. In practice, official race-based complaints of anti-white workplace discrimination appear to be rare. For instance, only a fraction of race-based claims before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, an independent government agency, are filed by white people, who make up the majority of the American workforce. Still, a majority of self-identified Trump voters believe that white Americans face discrimination. Some 53% of self-identified Trump voters responding to a March Reuters/Ipsos poll said they believed that white people in the U.S. are discriminated against because of the color of their skin, compared with 14% of self-identified Biden voters. One Project 2025 chapter, co-written by conservative economist and Trump adviser Stephen Moore, argues the Treasury Department should seek to fire employees who willingly take part in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs. The chapter does not specify the programs it considers to be a form of DEI, but the term often suggests a desire to increase diversity and make people of color more comfortable in the workplace. Asked about the Time magazine comments and the measures Trump would take to address anti-white bias, his campaign said in a statement that Black and Hispanic Americans were more interested in immigration, crime and pocketbook issues than matters of race. About 85% of Black Americans said in a 2021 Gallup poll they were dissatisfied with how Black people are treated in America. "In his second term, President Trump will uplift all Americans regardless of race or religion," said Patton, the campaign adviser. Asked about the Time interview, Biden's campaign said Trump's policies would make life harder for communities of color. "Trump is making clear that if he wins in November, he'll turn his racist record into official government policy, gutting programs that give communities of color economic opportunities," said Kevin Munoz, a campaign spokesperson. In practice, some of the more radical proposals may be tricky - though not impossible - to implement, according to legal scholars. For instance, while Civil Rights Act protections apply to white people, the Justice Department often lacks the authority to sue private employers under Title VII. There are, however, several situations in which the Justice Department could get involved, said Susan Carle, a professor at American University. One example could include situations where a company holds contracts with the government, she said. Patrice Willoughby, senior vice president at the NAACP, said the civil rights organization would be prepared to organize boycotts of certain companies that acquiesced to attacks on equity programs. "When necessary we will not hesitate to use our economic power," she said. (Reporting by Gram Slattery in Washington and Nathan Layne in Waukesha, Wisconsin; Additional reporting by Sarah N. Lynch in Washington; Editing by Ross Colvin, Kat Stafford and Howard Goller) Another meeting between Czech and Ukrainian governments may take place before end of 2024 Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala has said that another joint meeting of the Czech and Ukrainian governments could take place by the end of this year. Source: Fiala in an interview with Czech news agency CTK, as reported by European Pravda Details: Czechia is in continuous negotiations with Ukraine at all levels, and the country attacked by Russia needs weapons and ammunition, he said. "The Russians' advantage is huge, and Ukraine can only succeed if it has enough [weapons and ammunition] and [gets them] fast," Fiala said. "First of all, we are discussing with our counterparts from Denmark and the Netherlands what can be done for Ukraine and how to further promote assistance, including Czechia's initiative to find artillery ammunition," he added. Czech ministers led by Fiala held talks with the Ukrainian government and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on 31 October last year. The trip was intended to express clear support for Ukraine in countering the Russian invasion and to support Ukraine's aspirations to join the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance. Members of both cabinets also discussed the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. Fiala also visited Kyiv in March 2022, shortly after the Russian full-scale invasion began. In an interview with CTK, he said that the intergovernmental talks could happen again this year. "It's in play, and I can imagine that we will have such a meeting this year," Fiala said. He added that Czechia is currently dealing with Ukraine at many levels, from the plenipotentiary level for Ukraine to the highest political level. Czechia wants to continue its initiative to find artillery ammunition, and cooperation with Denmark and the Netherlands is key. "The coalition of these three countries has really done a lot, and without them, the initiative would not have been so successful. I am grateful to everyone involved," he added. Background: In mid-April, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said that Czechia had already signed contracts for the supply of 180,000 artillery rounds for Ukraine and was currently working on contracting another 300,000. He later said that potentially 1.5 million artillery shells could be purchased for Ukraine in this way in a year. Support UP or become our patron! BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) Anti-crime cameras are up and running in The Throggs Neck Business Improvement District. Community leaders and the NYPD say this will keep all eyes on any illegal activity going on in the neighborhood. He is family: Manhattan residents set up GoFundMe for beloved worker with cancer Anybody thats doing anything illegal in the Throggs Neck bid, we are going to be looking at you, said Bob Jaen, Throggs Neck Business Improvement District Executive Director The message is loud and clear. With about a dozen of anti-crime cameras installed, eyes are on everybody, and crime is not welcomed in this neighborhood. You will have every single inch from Bruckner and Tremont to Miles and Tremont. Every single inch, I can turn around and see hair growing on your face, added Jean. For Joe Demarco, owner of an Italian deli on Tremont Avenue, reckless and speeding drivers are what concerns him the most. He says for him and his business. It is personal. Speeding actually killed my employees mom. That is how she lost her mom. About Six years ago, he said. The cameras are monitored in real-time by the 45th precinct and police headquarters. So if something happens we can actually go live or reviewed. We use that as a tool to aid on an investigation and also serves as additional tool for prosecution services, stated Johnny Orellana, NYPD Deputy Inspector and head of the 45th precinct. There are 321 businesses in the district; Jaen says this extra layer of security is already yielding results. Three days after the cameras were installed a lady was attacked and mugged at 10 o clock when she was walking to the bank. Came up behind. Body slammed her and ran. Guess what we got him on camera. He is hopeful the cameras will also help crack down on illegal marijuana shops. Right now, I believe there are 9 in the bit. These cannabis stores, when they get robbed, they are not calling the police. We are not going to allow this cancer to come into this neighborhood. The cameras were made possible with funding from NY State Assembly Member Michael Benedetto. PIX11 News has learned that 400-thousand dollars were allocated for this project For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Hannah Arendt was a titan of political theory, an original thinker who put modern politics in dialogue with the Western philosophical tradition and helped the 20th century understand itself. She was also, as University of Birmingham professor Lyndsey Stonebridge insists repeatedly throughout We Are Free to Change the World, a woman, a refugee, and someone who liked long walks, talking to her friends, and vibing out while thinking about the craziness of life. You dont need a Ph.D. in political theory to see the dissonance between these two characterizations of Arendtnor to surmise that the former is more accurate. Stonebridges book fails by attempting to reduce the author of Der Liebesbegriff bei Augustin into a lifestyle blogger, inferring too much about her life and flattening most of her work in the process. Its an unfortunate approach, but its hardly a novel one. For as long as people have been reading Hannah Arendt, they have been misreading her. For years, those misreadings tended to revolve around her book Eichmann In Jerusalem, in which Arendt coined the phrase the banality of evil. But in the 21st century, Arendt has had a curious second sailing as a pop philosopher for the NPR crowd, her thought boiled down to quotes that can fit on a tea bag, her politics reduced to prescient warnings about Donald Trump. Like most books of this sort, Stonebridge focuses mainly on Arendts most famous worksEichmann, The Origins of Totalitarianism, and the essay We Refugeesearly writings that, while important, offer a skewed and incomplete picture of Arendts work when taken alone. Stonebridge quotes Arendt selectively and sparingly, in italicized interjections that comprise what Stonebridge calls, in the books subtitle, Hannah Arendts lessons in love and disobedience. Its hard to offer a capsule review of the book, which is organized thematically rather than chronologically, but Stonebridge does hit all the standard biographical notes. She writes about Arendts youth in Germany and her studies with the Nazi philosopher Martin Heidegger, who would become her lover; her flight from the Nazis, internment in France, and escape to America; and finally, her ascent to the top of New Yorks intellectual elite, rise to fame with Origins and Eichmann, and her later, politically incorrect essays on race, war, and other hot-button issues. Had Stonebridge stopped there, the book would have been fine. But she also attempts to condense Arendts thought into breezy, digestible chapters with vague, twee titles like How to Think Like A Refugee, How to Love, and Who Am I to Judge? Each chapter follows roughly the same format: Stonebridge opens with an anecdote about some current eventlike the war in Ukraine or the coronavirus pandemicwhich she links tangentially to an oversimplified reading of something Arendt wrote. These readings are largely crowded out by descriptions of what Arendt was up to around the time she wrote a given text, and quickly jettisoned in favor of Stonebridges riffs on otherwise irrelevant subjects, like the Arab Spring or the Little Rock Nine. Stonebridge buries her readings of Arendts work in so much pablum that its easy to miss how offensively simplistic they are. Consider how she recounts Arendts falling out with Kurt Blumenfeld, a leading German Zionist who objected to Eichmann. Stonebridge writes: He had heard that her book misrepresented the work of the Jewish councils in the Holocaust. She was devastated, furious at the idea that the man who first taught her how misinformation worked had been misinformed on his deathbed. Its been 61 years since the publication of Eichmann In Jerusalem, in which Arendt argued that the Holocaust architect Adolf Eichmann was not a Jew-hating monster but a thoughtless functionary. To this day scholars debate the merits of this argument, as well as Arendts discussion of the Nazi-appointed Jewish councils who worked with Eichmann to organize the deportations from ghettos to death camps. But in Stonebridges hands, its all quite simple, really: Arendt is right, Blumenfeld is wrong. Hes been misinformed by those pesky Zionistscolonists, as Stonebridge calls them elsewhereand she has every right to be irked by his stubbornness. Thus is a major philosophical fight with devastating personal ramifications dispatched like something churned out by Russian Facebook trolls. Stonebridge isnt always this condescending or anachronistic, but shes always this superficial, picking poetic sentences out of context and claiming they encapsulate ideas she doesnt really seem to understand. For instance, Arendts On Revolution is a close reading of the American and French Revolutions, in which she convincingly argues that their respective successes and bloody failures were the result of their competing conceptions of freedom. But to Stonebridge, Arendts point is that there is no one form or name for freedom that can easily be passed down through the generations. In her telling, what American patriots called the pursuit of happiness is synonymous with what French revolutionaries called public freedom. To Stonebridge, both are merely forebears of the rallying cries of modern-day Lebanese and Ukrainian protesters. That is, in fact, quite the opposite of Arendts point. In On Revolution, she argues that the American Revolution succeeded because the Founding Fathers were statesmen working to secure political freedom for all citizens, a goal that united the country and still guides it to this day. By contrast, the French Revolution was led by classist demagogues whose chief concern was the abolition of material need, a goal that led the revolutionaries and their followers to constantly turn on each other. The fact that Stonebridge elides this fundamental distinction is emblematic of the problem not just with We Are Free to Change the World, but with the strange and insufferable genre it reflects. Lets call itwith due respect to the considerably less-terrible genre whose name Im cribbingArendt Chic. Other examples of Arendt Chic include the countless think pieces on Arendt and Trump, Marie Luise Knotts 2015 book, Unlearning With Hannah Arendt, and Maria Popovas Gawker-era blog Brain Pickings, which was largely comprised of Popovas riffs on decontextualized Arendt quotes. (Brain Pickings has since been reborn as The Marginialian, which, incidentally, gave a glowing review to We Are Free to Change the World). In his 1995 book Arendt and Heidegger: The Fate of the Political, political scientist Dana Villa notes that writers who have tried to rethink Arendt in order to make her more available to current political movements wound up either domesticating her thought or rejecting its central thematic concerns. These writers, Villa notes, make Arendt guilty of holding our prejudices and then to chastise her for our projection. (Emphasis in the original). What explains this obsession with transforming Arendt? It would be one thing if there were a rash of writers simply interested in repackaging her work to a wider audience, a fate that has befallen thinkers from Marcus Aurelius to Michel de Montaigne. But why go through the effort of completely misrepresenting her thought? Its partially because Arendt is so cool. The photos of her languidly smoking cigarettes, tales of boozy parties in her Manhattan apartment, her dazzling prosewho wouldnt want to lay claim to the alluring, cosmopolitan thinker who wrote such quotable lines as we are free to change the world and to start something new in it? But the context of that quote illustrates why Arendts admirers cant simply take her as she is. It comes from the introduction of a lengthy 1971 essay Lying In Politics: Reflections on The Pentagon Papers. Arendt is not simply waxing poetic on the beautiful boundlessness of human possibility. Rather, she is establishing that freedom makes lying possible. Shes urging us to see lying in politics as an act of deliberate deception, not some accident of human sinfulness. Because political lies are freely chosen acts by free men, Arendt thinks that moral outrage is not likely to make [lying] disappear. Add a bit of context and Arendt the radical dreamer becomes Arendt the rational political theorist. And rational political theory is hardly coolits why a vanguardist philosophy undergrad can quote Marxs Communist Manifesto but not his Theses On Feuerbach. Stonebridge and other practitioners of Arendt Chic arent just trying to make their subject accessible. Theyre trying to refashion her into some kind of 21st-century, middle-class liberalwhich she clearly wasnt. She may have written beautifully about friendship and being a refugee. But she was, as her friends remembered her, the embodiment of a deep German conservatism whose embrace of America decisively shaped her political thinking. In her masterwork of political theory, The Human Condition, Arendt notes that we are never able to foretell with certainty the outcome and end of any action because the process of a single deeda category in which Arendt counts written workscan quite literally endure throughout time until mankind itself has come to an end. Perhaps, then, were doomed to an eternal return of Arendt Chic, books and essays that turn one of historys most brilliant thinkers into some combination of Hillary Clinton and Rupi Kaur. Its an unfortunate state of affairs, but I cant help but feel like Arendt would get a kick out of it. After all, she wrote the book on banality. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. The Arizona Supreme Court reversed a lower court ruling that put sanctions on the Arizona Republican Party, after the state spent time and money defending its 2020 election procedures. The court ruled unanimously Thursday to overrule the trial courts $27,000 in sanctions and Secretary of State office attorney fees. During times of social and political contention and strife, we must be mindful that our courts provide a means of resolving such conflicts when issues are legitimately presented, Justice John Lopex wrote in the decision. Even if done inadvertently and with the best of intentions, such sanctions present a real and present danger to the rule of law. The Arizona Republican Party said it is pleased with the courts decision to reverse the sanctions. The group said in a statement that the ruling reaffirms the fundamental legal principle that raising questions about the interpretation and application of election laws is a legitimate use of the judicial system, not a groundless or bad faith action. The state Republican Party filed a lawsuit alleging that Maricopa County, home to Phoenix and more than 4.5 million people, conducted a required hand-count of the accuracy of ballots in the 2020 election when it wasnt necessary. The hand-count counted ballots cast at centers open to all county voters, not precincts. The examination and post-election tests found that the voting machines were 100 percent accurate, The Associated Press reported. No evidence of fraud or hacking of voting machines in the states election was found. In 2021, a judge in Maricopa County ruled that the partys lawsuit was groundless and ordered the GOP to pay more than $18,000 in legal fees. An appeals court rejected the partys attempt to undo the judges ruling in 2023. The state Supreme Court wrote in its decision that it was not overturning the dismissal of the case, but instead found that the lower courts should not have said the case was groundless. The Arizona GOPs claim was not groundless and arguably was made in good faith, the ruling said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Education matters in the Natural State and Friday the state capitol recognized aspiring teachers from across the state in a signing commitment to education. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, along with other officials, were on hand to encourage teachers to sign the pledge which demonstrates a commitment to the students of Arkansas, the teaching profession and the future of education in the state. Arkansas educator program awards more than $500,000 to 36 partner schools Madison Jackson, a student teacher at Arkansas State said that teachers have a major influence on their students moving forward. They make the biggest impact on everyones future. I remember when I was in elementary and I had some of the best teachers that made me who I am today. So, I cannot wait to be that for someone in the future. The governor will host a Scholastic Honors Day at the governors mansion Saturday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. Arkansas State Police seize almost 900 pounds of illegal marijuana from I-40 traffic stops in the last 10 days LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Recent traffic stops on Interstate 40 in Arkansas led to major hauls of illegal narcotics by state police. Arkansas State Police officials said their Interstate Criminal Patrol (ICP) has seized 886 pounds of illegal marijuana as well as one handgun in the past 10 days from I-40 traffic stops. Arkansas State Police seizes more than 3,400 pounds of marijuana contraband, several weapons in recent traffic stops On April 25, ASP officials said troopers stopped a tractor-trailer hauling cars on I-40 in Lonoke County and, during a subsequent search, located 143 pounds of marijuana in one of the cars being transported. Four days later, authorities said 120 pounds of illegal marijuana and a handgun were found during a traffic stop around 3 p.m. on eastbound I-40 in Lonoke County at the 175-mile marker. On April 30, police said a third traffic stop around 7 a.m. on I-40 in Lonoke County led to the confiscation of 31 pounds of illegal marijuana. Troopers said they seized 70 pounds of illegal marijuana during a Wednesday traffic stop at around 7:15 a.m. in Conway County. Arkansas State Police take 11,000 pounds of illegal drugs, $1.4 million off Arkansas highways in 2023 On Thursday, troopers said they began a traffic stop on a van in Lonoke County around 1:15 a.m. They said a search of the van led to the discovery of several boxes and suitcases containing a total of 222 pounds of marijuana. Authorities said an overnight traffic stop of a van on Friday at the 171-mile marker in Lonoke County led to the confiscation of 11 vacuum-sealed bags of marijuana weighing a total of 300 pounds. 143 pounds of illegal marijuana seized in Lonoke County. Courtesy of ASP 120 pounds of illegal marijuana and weapon seized in Lonoke County. Courtesy of ASP 31 pounds of illegal marijuana seized in Lonoke County. Courtesy of ASP 70 pounds of illegal marijuana seized in Conway County. Courtesy of ASP 222 pounds of illegal marijuana seized in Lonoke County. Courtesy of ASP 300 pounds of illegal marijuana seized in Lonoke County. Courtesy of ASP ASPs ICP team is strongly committed to ensuring the safety and security of the states highways, and their success in intercepting massive amounts of illegal drugs in less than two weeks is a testament to their dedication, ASP Colonel Mike Hagar said. Efforts like these are crucial in maintaining public safety and preventing destructive illegal activity in our communities. Arkansas State Police seizes more than 3,400 pounds of marijuana contraband, several weapons in recent traffic stops State police officials said ICP has confiscated more than 4,000 pounds of illegal marijuana so far this year. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. Armed man killed by LAPD while mental health officials tried to detain him, police say A man being detained by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) was shot and killed by assisting Los Angeles Police Department officers after a harrowing ordeal in Koreatown on Thursday morning. According to an LAPD media release, the parents of the man identified as 40-year-old Yong Yang called the mental health department after Yang exhibited erratic and threatening behavior just before 11 a.m. in the 400 block of South Gramercy Place. The DMH had already conducted a previous investigation and told responding officers that Yang, who was bipolar with schizoaffective disorder and did not live at the location, was determined to be a danger to others. 22-year-old man arrested on suspicion of sexual assault of elderly woman with Alzheimers In addition, mental health officials confirmed to officers that they had completed the necessary paperwork to place him on a 72-hour mental evaluation hold, LAPD said. A DMH rescue ambulance was also en route to the location to transport Yang to a nearby hospital. In their efforts to assist DMH personnel, the officers requested additional units, a supervisor and notified the departments Mental Evaluation Unit, law enforcement officials said. Several attempts were made to communicate with Yang and encourage him to exit the residence, but he refused. Officers later obtained a key to the residence and ascended a narrow staircase which led to the front door. They announced their presence, and upon entering, they observed Yang standing several feet away armed with a large kitchen knife. Refusing commands to drop the weapon, Yang ran towards officers, who opened fire. 4th body found where 3 missing surfers were located in Baja California Yang was struck by gunfire, dropped the knife and was taken into custody without further incident, LAPD said. Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded to the scene and pronounced Yang deceased. An 11-inch kitchen knife with a six-inch blade was recovered from the scene, police added. Force Investigation Division investigators are looking into the incident. No community members or officers were injured. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Xavier holds open auditions for Christmas Stars show Xavier Theatres annual holiday musical revue, Christmas Stars, is looking for actors. Open auditions, by appointment, will be held May 11 and 16 at the theater, 1600 W. Prospect Ave., Appleton. From students entering kindergarten to adults, who enjoy singing and dancing, are invited to audition. To apply and schedule an appointment, visit christmasstars.org. Music and accompaniment are provided. Rehearsals will be Sunday evenings from the end of August through early December. Performances are scheduled for Dec. 5 to 8 and Dec. 12 to 15. Open auditions for Xavier Theatre's annual Christmas Stars show will be held May 11 and 16. Get to know candidates at voter engagement event Candidate Conversations: Speed Dating Style is scheduled for May 7 at the Appleton Beer Factory, 603 W. College Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m. with conversations beginning at 6:30 p.m. A collaboration between Women Win Wisconsin, NEW Blue, and the Lawrence University Student Democrats, the event is aimed at voters under 30, though all ages are welcome. There are 11 candidates who will attend the event. Each participant will rotate through small group discussions, allowing candidates to hear directly from young voters about the issues most important to them. Engagement from young voters is crucial as we approach the 2024 elections. This event provides a unique opportunity for candidates to connect with the concerns and aspirations of younger constituents personally and directly, Julie Hancock, organizer of Women Win Wisconsin said in a press release. We are excited to see how this innovative format will foster meaningful conversations and help shape the political landscape in Northeast Wisconsin. Confirmed candidates include Dr. Kristin Lyerly, WI-08 U.S. House; Renee Paplham, Assembly District 1; Kelly Peterson, WI Senate District 1; Andi Rich, WI Senate District 12; Alicia Saunders, Assembly District 2; Jane Benson, Assembly District 4; Greg Sampson, Assembly District 5; Kyle Kehoe, Assembly District 55; Emily Tseffos, Assembly District 56; Christy Welch, Assembly District 88; and Ryan Spaude, Assembly District 89. All Democratic candidates running across the 8th Congressional District were invited. Several had scheduling conflicts. For more information or to register, visit newbluepac.org. This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Appleton events: Xavier Theatre auditions, voter engagement event set Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced multiple changes to key administration positions on Friday afternoon. The announcement said that as part of his efforts to enact the Move Atlanta Forward plans, leadership positions in multiple city departments and management positions would be filled by new leaders. My vision for an Atlanta that has safe, healthy and connected neighborhoods and access and opportunity for all residents is not a 10, 20 or 30-year goal, Dickens said in a statement. We are building for the future, but we also know we can make a difference in peoples lives right now. My Moving Atlanta Forward agenda has achievable action items and weve seen that by bringing people together from the business, government, and nonprofit sectors, we can get more done, faster. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The mayors office announced that there would be new people filling the shoes of Chief Operating Officer Lisa Y. Benjamin, Watershed Management Commissioner Mikita K. Browning and Balram B Bheodari, General Manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Additionally, some members of staff will be moving to new roles rather than departing the administration. TRENDING STORIES: Current Department of Public Works commissioner Al Wiggins Jr. will step into the role of Commissioner of the Department of Watershed Management, while Atlanta Police Department Chief Administrative Officer Peter Aman will shift to his new position of Atlantas Chief Strategy Officer. The full set of appointments announced by the mayor are: LaChandra Butler Burks, Interim Chief Operating Officer, City of Atlanta Jan Lennon , Interim General Manager, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Al Wiggins Jr. , Commissioner, Department of Watershed Management, City of Atlanta Kentorri Garmon , Interim Commissioner, Department of Public Works, City of Atlanta Peter Aman, Chief Strategy Officer, City of Atlanta In the announcement, the mayor thanked the departing staff members for their efforts in service to the city. No one can run a city alone, and I appreciate the commitment and accomplishments of these fine public servants, Dickens said in a statement. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: ATMORE, Ala. (WKRG) A Fountain Correctional Facility security staff member was arrested Wednesday for allegedly promoting prison contraband, according to a news release from the Alabama Department of Corrections. Shemira Jackson was arrested for an incident that happened on April 29, according to the release. A mugshot of Shemira Jackson (Escambia County Sheriffs Office). Mobile man arrested after making threats and exposing himself, police say Jackson was taken to the Escambia County Jail on Wednesday and charged with promoting prison contraband III. The ADOC Law Enforcement Services Division is continuing to investigate. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Kern County launched its Asian Chamber of Commerce Friday morning at the Liberty Bell. Each May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander or AAPI Heritage Month, designated by President George H.W. Bush in 1990. The Biden administration has made it even more inclusive, calling it Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Throughout the country, the month calls for a celebration of that community. Kern County celebrated by launching the Kern Asian Chamber of Commerce and recognizing the groups more than 150 years here. This is a very historical day, how are we feeling this morning? Yeah! said an energetic Raji Brar, businesswoman and board member of the California Chamber of Commerce. That enthusiasm was very well maintained by other speakers, including president of the Asian Chamber of Commerse, Vivian Cao. BPD searching for suspects who allegedly stole dog food from Oswell St store The Asian community has been here for 150 years, more than that, actually, and its just now launching, and so its time, Cao said of the launch. Cao said as someone from Orange County, an area with heavy Asian presence and representation, launching the chamber in Kern was a bit of a challenge accepted. The president said she hopes the chamber can be a platform for congregation, raising awareness for those who have yet to see the impact of the Asian community, especially in the economic landscape. The groups debut, which organizers say took decades, also was celebrated by county supervisors, city councilmembers and Mayor Karen Goh, many who are also Asian American and Pacific Islanders themselves. The first Sikh American at state office, the first south Asian woman in the Legislature in the state was elected from Delano as well, Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains, explaining the firsts shes contributed to Kerns Asian community. This community cares about ethnicities and minorities and making sure theres representation, Bains emphasized, adding that her biggest hope from the chamber is outreach, specifically upping voter registration and education. There is such a blessing in having an Asian Chamber of Commerce, and a Black Chamber of Commerce and a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, stated Raji Brar. Cao agreed: Now, theres a whole group of people who speak your language, who understand the cultural struggles and kind of the assimilations we havent really had here. But also the resources that are dedicated to the AAPI community. Wasco man pleads no contest to sex with underage girls Story continues She explained the chamber already has partnerships with the Bakersfield Sikh Womens Association, Bakersfield Chinese Womens Club, Chinese Historical Association as well as other cultural, ethnic groups in town. Kerns Asian Chamber of Commerce joins the Hispanic and Black chambers of commerce. Representatives from both were also present Friday. On behalf of the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Im just so excited and honored to partner and lock arms with this wonderful organization thats about to begin their journey, said Jay Tamsi, president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. We are forging a new chapter in the annals of commerce, one that celebrates the diversity of Asian American entrepreneurship, said Quon Louey, Vice President of the Kern Asian Chamber of Commerce. The Kern County Asian Chamber of Commerce is not merely an organization. It is a rallying call for solidarity, collaboration and mutual empowerment. On that note, Cao noted the diversity within the Board itself. There are a lot of resources coming through the pipelines, from the state level, from the federal level, the president said. We are at this moment in time we can certainly advocate for ourselves and really bring these resources in collaboration with other chambers, other community partners. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. Australian police have launched an investigation after Queensland MP Brittany Lauga said she was drugged and sexually assaulted. Ms Lauga, the assistant minister for health, said she was attacked on an evening out in her constituency Yeppoon. She said: This could have happened to anyone and tragically, it does happen to many of us. The 37-year-old went to the police and then to hospital on April 28. Tests at the hospital confirmed the presence of drugs in my body which I did not take, she said in a statement posted on social media. She also said that the substance had impacted her significantly and that other women had contacted her who also may have been drugged. Ms Lauga said: Its not OK. We should be able to enjoy socialising in our town without the risk of being drugged or assaulted. The Queensland Police Service confirmed it is investigating a sexual assault complaint relating to an incident in Yeppoon. It said no other reports in the same area have been made, but is asking anyone with information to contact them. Crackdown pledge Australia has experienced a spate of gender-based violence recently. A woman has been killed on average every four days in the country so far this year. In April, Joel Cuachi stabbed six people to death in a Sydney shopping centre, five of whom were women. The New South Wales police commissioner said that it was obvious he focused on attacking women. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has branded domestic violence a national crisis and pledged to crackdown on misogynistic online content. We need to change the culture. We need to change attitudes. We need to change the legal system, Mr Albanese told crowds at a rally against gender violence last week. Ms Lauga has been in parliament for nearly a decade and was first elected to the seat of Keppel in 2015. Queenslands premier, Steven Miles, said the government was supporting Ms Lauga. No one should have to go through what Brittany is going through, he said. Ms Lauga has said she would take time to physically and emotionally heal and asked for privacy. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Authorities arrest man for having more than 60 unregistered firearms A San Gabriel Valley man was arrested after federal officers found more than 60 firearms in his home. Authorities searched the home of 34-year-old Gabriel Baez Jr. after someone made a complaint that he was in possession of illegal weapons. Homeland Security Investigators arrested Baez Friday. When officers searched his home, they seized more than 60 firearms, including 10 short-barreled rifles; suspected firearm silencers; suspected auto sears and Glock switches; over 110 high-capacity rifle and pistol magazines; and evidence of firearms manufacturing, such as lower and upper receivers for AR-style firearms and jigs for finishing firearms receivers. He has been charged with possession of unregistered firearms. Baez made his first appearance in court Friday. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison. Multiple agencies were involved in the case including Homeland Security Investigations, Los Angeles International Airport, the Los Angeles Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Masked Palestine protesters at left; top right, ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt speaking at mics; bottom right, Staten Island Assemblyman Michael Reilly Its time to bring back a pre-COVID law forbidding groups of masked people from gathering together in public, activists and officials insist. A nearly 200-year-old law that made it illegal to be disguised in public was repealed in 2020, to allow mask-wearing to prevent the spread of the virus. But face coverings have recently made a comeback as part of the de-facto uniform of pro-Palestine protesters on college campuses. A bill introduced in New York is aiming to bring back a law that would ban people from masking in groups in public, as has become common at pro-Palestine rallies. REUTERS/David Dee Delgado If youre truly out there for peaceful assembly, then theres no reason to cover your face, Staten Island Assemblyman Michael Reilly said. Paul Martinka While the right to peaceful assembly and free speech are core to our national values, the deceptive use of masks and other facial covering pose a significant risk to public safety, said Staten Island Assemblyman Michael Reilly. This is now being used as a tool that those who are looking to wreak havoc are utilizing, Reilly told The Post. If youre truly out there for peaceful assembly, then theres no reason to cover your face. For those that cover their face, their intentions are to do something that is not peaceful. Reilly, a former NYPD lieutenant, introduced legislation to amend the law, making it a misdemeanor punishable by 90 days in jail or up to one year if there is injury to another person or theft or damage of property. It wouldnt apply to religious coverings, he noted. State Sen. Steven Rhoades is co-sponsoring the bill in the Senate. Louis Turco, president of the NYPD Lieutenants Benevolent Association, said it would prevent criminals from hiding their appearance while committing crimes. Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt recently took to X to call for a ban of full face masks on campus. Some protesters say they wear face masks and coverings to prevent harassment and retaliation. REUTERS Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt recently called for some coverings to be banned entirely. Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/S Masks that cover the entire face have no bearing on COVID or free speech and should be banned, he said. Violent protesters last week occupied Columbia Universitys Hamilton Hall, many clad in ski masks, full-face keffiyehs, N-95s and hoods. Pro-terror demonstrators have admitted the practice is to prevent doxxing, or having their identities revealed, over their activism. (KRON) Bay Area Rapid Transit announced a major delay on the San Francisco Line in all directions due to a disabled train between Glen Park and Balboa Park stations. Service on the Green and Red Lines was restored by 11:48 a.m., according to BART. Stay tuned with KRON4 for updates. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. BBC Arabic forced to correct its output 80 times in five months of war BBC Arabic removed a video from its website which questioned whether the massacre at Kfar Aza had actually taken place The BBC was forced to correct its Arabic channels coverage of the Gaza conflict every other day on average during the first five months of the war. BBC Arabic, whose output Tim Davie, the corporations director general, has described as something we should be very proud of, made 80 corrections in the five months after the Oct 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. The corrections followed a string of complaints about the channels news coverage of the conflict by the Campaign for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (Camera), which lobbies for accurate and balanced coverage of Israel. Of the 80 corrections made, 34 concerned BBC Arabic referring to Jewish communities inside Israels internationally recognized territory as settlements, which happened 30 times, and to their residents as settlers four times. Camera said it flagged this issue as early as the afternoon of Oct 7, but that BBC Arabic continued using the term settlers and settlements widely for the following five months, including in reference to Metula, which was established in 1896, with some of its first Jewish families having lived in the area for centuries. BBC Arabic also corrected its description of Hamas and Hezbollah both of which are proscribed terrorist groups under UK law as the Resistance on three occasions, and corrected references to attacks which targeted and killed civilians as resistance operations on two more occasions. The broadcaster also corrected one reference to the deaths of members of another UK-proscribed terrorist organisation as martyrdom. Tel Aviv described as Israels capital Complaints by Camera also forced BBC Arabic to correct its reference to a convicted child murderer as a detainee/captive rather than prisoner twice and to other convicted individuals in Israeli prison as detainees/captives on two more occasions. It also incorrectly described Tel Aviv as Israels capital or seat of government eight times. A number of BBC Arabic journalists have been criticised for social media posts which appeared to justify or praise the killing of Israeli civilians by Hamas. After complaints, the BBC launched an investigation into the use of social media by some BBC Arabic staff, with no further disciplinary action taken against them. Following the investigation Mr Davie told MPs a month ago: The Arabic service, in terms of its output, we should be very proud of [] the individuals themselves are under enormous pressure [] some of the tweets we have seen are unacceptable [] I think were doing the fair thing, were acting fairly and judiciously []. We do not want to see that, and when we see it, we will take action, and look at the appropriate sanction. That will not always be leaving the BBC, it might be the various ways in which you could take action. Divorced from reality A spokesman for Camera said: Just over a month ago, director-general Tim Davie said in Parliament that we should be very proud of the BBC Arabics output, offering enormous pressures as relevant context for its staffs various shortcomings. According to the BBC spokespeoples usual mantra, meanwhile, the services journalistic work adheres to the same Editorial Guidelines and standards as the rest of the BBC. But the sheer amount of corrections to Israel-related reports, with over 30 per cent of post-Oct 7 complaints still pending to this day, although long overdue, shows just how divorced from reality these statements are. In fact, the biased output of the Arabic service does not follow the same rulebook as the English one, nor can it be explained away just by pressures in the field. Clearly, it is not even remotely something to be proud of. This level of detachment on the BBC managements part, alongside the complaints systems failure to provide a timely and diligent remedy for the situation, is what brought us months ago to call for a parliamentary inquiry with real investigative powers in an attempt to finally hold BBC Arabic responsible for basic standards of accuracy and impartiality. Video removed completely Following complaints by Camera, the BBC removed a number of items completely from its BBC Arabic online output. These included a video which questioned whether the Kfar Aza kibbutz massacre on Oct 7, during which at least 52 kibbutzim were killed and more went missing, had actually happened. It also removed a video report which appeared to uncritically platform the false claim that the killer of a Palestinian-American child was Jewish. BBC sources defended its Arabic channel as a vital source of impartial news in a region which is dominated by partisan media. It also denied that all the corrections were significant errors, saying that corrections can vary in substance. A BBC spokesman said: BBC News Arabic provides independent news 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to audiences across the Middle East and around the world. The service is covering the war accurately, impartially and diligently but when mistakes are made, we rightly acknowledge and correct them, reminding our staff of the high standards audiences know and expect from the BBC. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. People protest against the war in the Gaza Strip on the grounds of Humboldt University Berlin. Paul Zinken/dpa Police in Berlin have launched numerous criminal cases after cracking down on a pro-Palestinian protest at Humboldt University on Friday. Protesters at the rally on Friday chanted the slogan "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," a controversial phrase that Berlin police have sought to classify as anti-Semitic. Police on Saturday said they opened 37 investigations on potential charges including incitement and resisting law enforcement officers. A total of 38 protesters were detained by police at Friday's rally, police said. Around 150 protesters gathered at the university on Saturday, and demanded the use of a lecture hall for talks, which university management had refused. Protesters sought to formally register the rally with authorities on Friday but their request was denied. Police ordered the protesters to refrain from anti-Semitic exclamations and began their crack down after the slogan "from the river to the sea" was chanted. Protests against the Israeli's ongoing war in the Gaza Strip and in support of solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza have been taking place at numerous universities in the United States for more than two weeks. Students have also recently occupied university campuses across Britain in protest against the war in Gaza. People protest against the war in the Gaza Strip on the grounds of Humboldt University Berlin. Paul Zinken/dpa WELEETKA, Okla. (KFOR)- A man who is blind went missing for more than 24 hours, but thankfully the Oklahoma Drone Recovery Company was able to track him down and reunite him with his family. Steve Burden was in a firework accident in 2020 which resulted in the partial loss of his right arm. He also lost an eye and became fully blind in the other. Steves sister, Katie Burden-Greer told KFOR he lives every day like its normal though, including going on daily walks. He cant sit still. He goes somewhere. Id say most days hes walking to a friends house or walking in at the hardware store or the gas station, said Burden-Greer. He doesnt sit still. The Burdens are from the Weleetka area, so Burden-Greer said Steve is pretty familiar with the town. However, April 26 took a turn as Steve went for a walk to see a friend and never came home. I guess he got turned around. He started calling his friends, telling them he was lost. He needed someone to get him and his phone was about to die. He said he was thirsty and dizzy. And then his phone died. Everybody was out looking for him, said Burden-Greer. She said she was feeling optimistic her brother would be found, but as the next morning rolled around, the nerves started to set in. We were just having no luck, said Burden-Greer. Eventually, the Muscogee Creek Nation Lighthorse Police were called to help. Burden-Greer said the department flew drones through an area where Steves phone last registered, but he was nowhere to be found. She added the drones were not equipped to detect body heat. A friend of Burden-Greer suggested she reach out to a McAlester-based drone company called the Oklahoma Drone Recovery Company. We received a message over Facebook that a man had gone missing, said Owner of the Oklahoma Drone Recovery Company, Rhett Acker. We went north and showed up on the site. It seemed like hope was sort of low at the time, which is understandable. The Oklahoma Drone Recovery Company utilizes thermal drones to recover pets, cattle, and deer. When it comes to human search and rescue, yeah, this is our first time, said Acker. Within an hour of assisting with the search for Steve, his body temperature was detected by the drone. Oklahoma Drone Recovery Company footage provided to News 4 initially shows Steve crawling on his hands and knees. He was found without a shirt, phone, walking stick, and only one shoe nearly 30 hours after disappearing. Oh my God. Are you serious? You found him? Is he okay? Katie Burden-Greer recalls saying to Rhett Acker over the phone as he found her brother, Steve Burden-Greer said her other brother and brother-in-law rushed into the woods where Ackers thermal drone hovered over and managed to pull him out alive. It gives me chills. Thats why I started the company. I wanted to help folks. This is the most extreme case. This job is 100% the most rewarding thing that I could have ever come up with, said Acker. Burden-Greer said Steve suffered several scratches from the brush and was dehydrated. Overall though, she said hes okay. He was like, Oh yeah, Im a survivor. I always turn up. When I saw him and he said he was okay, I actually smacked him on the back of the head, added Burden-Greer. I have said thank you five million ways, and I dont know how to say thank you anymore. Im just so grateful [the Oklahoma Drone Recovery Company] came up. They didnt even charge me because they just felt like God called them to come help. The best ending possible to the story for sure. Acker describes the miraculous save as a calling from God as well. Im a brother. Ive got a brother and sister. I put myself in Katies shoes. I would hate to be in that situation and then have to worry about how I am going to afford this financially. Our company has a policy that search and rescue is free simply because we want to help the people of Oklahoma. Thats our goal at the end of the day is just helping the folks of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Standard, explained Acker. Gods got a plan for their life. He ultimately put everyone in the right place at the right time. Hes not done. God gets the glory for all of this. Lean in to him and trust him in your ways. The Oklahoma Drone Recovery Company is currently looking to hire more pilots. If youre interested, contact okdronerc@gmail.com. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Biden administration introduces new regulations targeting toxic chemicals found in everyday products: 'It's long past time for the polluters who poisoned all of us to be held responsible' In April, the Biden administration announced sweeping reforms to the Superfund law, designating two commonly used "forever chemicals" as hazardous substances and holding polluters accountable for cleaning up their contamination in communities. According to the New York Times, the rule will authorize the government to require companies that produce or use two synthetic compounds perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) to report any releases into the environment and take responsibility for remediation. PFOA and PFOS are part of a lab-made chemical group called perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), per the American Cancer Society. They have been linked to serious health problems, including cancers, liver and heart problems, and immune and developmental damage to infants and children, according to a news release by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Times explained that they're called forever chemicals because they can take hundreds of years to break down in nature and "four to 15 years for levels of PFAS to reduce by half in the human body." Concerningly, a 2023 government study found PFAS in nearly half of the nation's tap water, and the EPA introduced a requirement for city water systems to reduce the chemicals to "near-zero" levels. "President Biden understands the threat that forever chemicals pose to the health of families across the country," EPA administrator Michael S. Regan said in the press release. "... Designating these chemicals under our Superfund authority will allow EPA to address more contaminated sites, take earlier action, and expedite cleanups, all while ensuring polluters pay for the costs to clean up pollution threatening the health of communities." While the new Superfund PFAS rule doesn't ban the substances, manufacturers in the United States have phased them out. However, imported items, such as carpets, textiles, rubber, and plastics, can still contain them, per the Times. The EPA stated that it will focus enforcement on major polluters of PFAS chemicals, such as businesses that have used them in manufacturing, federal agencies, and other industrial companies. "It's long past time for the polluters who poisoned all of us to be held responsible," Ken Cook, president of the Environmental Working Group, said in the press release. "This comes too late for all the people who were poisoned without their knowledge or consent and have paid the price for one of the greatest environmental crimes in history. But today's designation of PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances is the first step to bring justice to those who have been harmed." Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra testifies at his 2021 confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee. HHS published a final rule Friday to expand health care access to DACA recipients. (Michael Reynolds-Pool/Getty Images) Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra testifies at his 2021 confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee. HHS published a final rule Friday to expand health care access to DACA recipients. (Michael Reynolds-Pool/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The Biden administration has published a final rule allowing about 100,000 uninsured people in DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, to enroll in state-run or private health insurance plans provided under the Affordable Care Act, administration officials said. The new rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services could provide an opportunity for those uninsured DACA recipients to enroll in health coverage through a Health Insurance Marketplace plan or a state-run Basic Health Program, also called BHP, in the few states where those plans are available. By providing new opportunities for quality, affordable health care, this rule will give DACA recipients the peace of mind and opportunity that every American deserves, White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden said on a Thursday call with reporters previewing the final rule. Only two states, Minnesota and New York, operate Basic Health Programs. Oregon is set to become the third in July. The program, created in the Affordable Care Act, allows states to provide affordable health care coverage to low-income people who make too much to qualify for Medicaid. The programs are almost entirely federally funded. In a statement, President Joe Biden said DACA recipients, often called Dreamers, deserve access to health coverage. Dreamers are our loved ones, our nurses, teachers, and small business owners, Biden said. And they deserve the promise of health care just like all of us. There are about 600,000 DACA recipients who were brought into the country without authorization when they were children. The Obama-era program protects them from removal. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said about one-third of DACA recipients are uninsured. DACA recipients are currently three times more likely to be uninsured than the general U.S. population and individuals without health insurance are less likely to receive preventative or routine health screenings, Becerra said on the Thursday call. November start date The rule will go into effect Nov. 1, in order to align with the individual market Open Enrollment Period in most states and allow time for required operational updates, according to a fact sheet provided by the White House. The move could affect as many as 100,000 DACA recipients, the White House said. DACA recipients are no longer excluded from receiving coverage from a quality health plan, Becerra said. DACA recipients who qualify to enroll in a Marketplace plan could also qualify for advance payments of the premium tax credit (APTC) and cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) to reduce the cost of their Marketplace coverage, depending on their income, according to the fact sheet. The rule will update the definition of qualified noncitizen to receive Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program benefits to clarify the categories of noncitizens who qualify for coverage. The rule will not otherwise change eligibility for those programs for noncitizens. A senior administration official also noted that most DACA recipients have health care coverage through their employment, but that this rule will catch any recipients who are uninsured. The administration official spoke to reporters on the condition they not be named. DACA recipients are currently awaiting a court case that is likely to head to the Supreme Court to determine the legality of the program after the Trump administration tried to end it. If the Supreme Court deems the program unlawful, its unclear what happens to those in the program. The post Biden administration to issue rule expanding DACA health care access appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle. WASHINGTON At a campaign fundraiser organized and attended largely by Asian American donors and lawmakers on Wednesday, President Joe Biden described three Asian countries, including U.S. ally Japan and an emerging partner, India, as xenophobic. Biden, who was crediting immigrants with fueling the American economy, went on to attribute xenophobia as a reason the economies of Russia, China, Japan and India were struggling. Except: India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, whose gross domestic product grew at 8.4% in the final three months of 2023. President Biden welcomes Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Mrs. Kishida Yuko of Japan to the White House in Washington on Apr 10, 2024. Biden, who has called himself a "gaffe-machine," was making a point about freedom, America and democracy. You know, one of the reasons why our economy is growing is because of you and many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants, he said. We look to the reason look, think about it. Why is China stalling so badly economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia? Why is India? Because they're xenophobic. He added: They don't want immigrants. Immigrants are what makes us strong." Biden is hardly the first politician to make a gaffe. During a summitt in Washington, D.C., last year, former President Donald Trump claimed Biden would plunge the world into World War II and confused Biden with Barack Obama, bragging to the audience that he was leading Obama in 2024 election polls. Trump has called Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban the leader of Turkey and confused his United Nations ambassador, Nikki Haley, a GOP rival, with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Donald Trump attends a "Get Out The Vote" rally at Withrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., on Feb. 23, 2024. You know, by the way, they never report the crowd on Jan. 6, Trump said, veering into the 2021 Capitol riot at a rally before this year's New Hampshire primary. You know, Nikki Haley, Nikki Haley, Nikki Haley...Nikki Haley was in charge of security. We offered her 10,000 people, soldiers, National Guards, whatever they want. They turned it down. Trump still romped to victory over Haley in the primaries. While the press and social media pounce on candidate gaffes, do they influence the course of a campaign? Do candidate gaffes even matter? In the age of Trump, voters have become inured to heated rhetoric and rhetorical fumbles that would have been considered remarkable a generation ago, said William F. B. O Reilly, a Republican strategist. More: 'Permanently barred?' Not! Donald Trump reaches out to wealthy Nikki Haley donors Voters are much more inclined to see the bigger picture now, and to dismiss day-to-day mistakes, he said. Besides, the overwhelming majority of voters already know who they're voting for, and almost nothing will change their minds. Think Trump postulating about shooting someone on Fifth Avenue: Turned out he was right." Trump famously told an Iowa audience in January 2016: "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose any voters, OK?" Wild, or wildly wrong, statements aren't exclusive to Biden and his billionaire nemesis. Former President George W. Bush once condemned the unjustified and brutal invasion of Iraq when he meant Ukraine. (Bush is the one who invaded Iraq, in 2003.) In fact, theres a Wikipedia page dedicated to Bushisms a repository of his linguistic stumbles. Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, left, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, center, and U.S. President Joe Biden attend Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment event on the day of the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, Sept. 9, 2023. The age factor Gaffes matter to the extent that they reinforce a candidates' weakness, said Melissa DeRosa, a Democratic strategist. "Trump misspeaks just as much as Biden does but, because of the vulnerabilities around the perception of Biden's age, it hurts him more when he misspeaks because it fairly or unfairly re-enforces a negative that resonates with the public." According to an ABC News/Ipsos poll conducted in February, 86% of Americans think Biden, 81, is too old to serve another term as president, while 62% think Trump, 77, is too old. The poll was conducted after allegations in Special Counsel Robert Hur called Biden "an elderly man with a poor memory," and suggests that age will continue to be a factor in the 2024 election. More: How old is Trump? Here's how old the former president will be on Election Day 2024. More: How old will Joe Biden be if re-elected as president in 2024? This one chart breaks it down. Voters forgive, forget, ignore While Biden might have been off to a rocky start to mark Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage month, which is observed in May, for most attendees at the event this week the comment barely registered, said Shekar Narasimhan, an organizer of the private fundraiser. The way I heard him was contextually. He was drawing a contrast to Donald Trump, who wants to deport many millions including AAPIs, to say, 'look what happens when you're xenophobic,' said Narasimhan, an Indian immigrant and founder of AAPI Victory Fund, a political action committee. Biden was drawing a contrast with other countries who have more closed immigration systems, he said. "We didn't hear from any Japanese Americans, or for that matter, Indian Americans who were like, 'Oh, what the hell did he say there?'" On lumping India with other economies, he said he didnt understand the comment. More: Why does Donald Trump keep calling President Biden 'Obama' on the campaign trail? White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the broader point Biden was trying to make was that the U.S. is a nation of immigrants that is in our DNA. Where a high-profile gaffe might have damaged a candidate in past decades, they don't have the same lasting impact, said O Reilly. The news cycle moves so quickly now that some other intriguing news nugget invariably comes along to save them, he said. If President Biden had called Americans xenophobic the damage might linger, but it shouldn't in this case. There are plenty of more interesting things going on." The Excerpt podcast: Biden's gaffes, Trump's flubs: are they a sign of cognitive decline? Bidens remarks came just three weeks after the White House hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida with Biden extolling the unbreakable alliance between the U.S. and Japan. The White House hosted Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi for a state visit last summer as it seeks to foster deeper ties with the country as a counterweight to China. Our allies and partners know very well just how much this president respects them, said Jean-Pierre. Obviously we have a strong relationship with India, with Japan." Lis Smith, a Democratic strategist, said gaffes matter when they reinforce a candidates existing vulnerabilities. When Mitt Romney dismissed 47% of the country as moochers, it reinforced the image of him as completely out of touch, she said. Contributing: Joey Garrison Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X, formerly Twitter, @SwapnaVenugopal This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Gaffe machine' Biden makes a new one. Do candidate gaffes matter? President Joe Biden speaks on pro-Palestinian protests unfolding at dozens of college campuses, in the White House in Washington, DC, on May 2, 2024. Credit - Drew AngererAFP via Getty Images Amid a surge in hostile clashes on college campuses across the country over the war in Gaza, President Biden on Thursday gathered reporters in the cramped Roosevelt Room across the hall from the Oval Office. In televised remarks, he said peaceful protests are an American tradition but violent protest is not protected. As he walked out, a reporter asked if the protests had forced him to reconsider his policies in the Middle East. Biden was unequivocal. No, he said. Biden has stuck with Israel despite his own mounting frustrations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, widespread criticism of Israels indiscriminate bombing campaign in Gaza as well as its blocking of humanitarian aid to Palestinians, and increasing protests against his policy. Hes done so because Biden sees threats to Israel coming from beyond Hamas, says a White House official, and believes bolstering Israels security as pivotal to preventing current conflicts from mushrooming into a wider war across the Middle East. Im never going to leave Israel. The defense of Israel is still critical, Biden said during a March 9 interview with MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart. In the seven months since Hamas Oct. 7 assault on Israel, in which they killed more than 1,200 people and took more than 200 hostages back into Gaza, Israel has been attacked by Iranian-backed Houthi militias in Yemen to the south, by militants in Iraq in the east and by Hezbollah in Lebanon along its northern border. And on April 14, Iran launched more than 300 rockets and drones at Israel, the first ever direct attack on Israel by Tehran. The missile and drone barrage was a reminder of just how dangerous a neighborhood Israel lives in and the threats they are facing from Irans proxies, says a White House official. The backlash has grown against U.S. support for Israel in recent months as Israeli bombardments killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza during Israels effort to destroy Hamas. Police have arrested more than 2,100 people during pro-Palestinian protests across dozens of college campuses in recent weeks, according to the Associated Press. While many of the protesters are pushing for colleges to unwind investments in Israel, their efforts have also been aimed at Bidens handling of the conflict. Biden faces increasing dissent over his Israel policy from within his own party, and concern is growing that the issue is sapping his support from Democratic Party activists, and young voters more broadly, at a time when Biden needs them to help mobilize for the election in November. Read more: Exclusive: Trump Says Netanyahu Deserves Some Blame for Oct. 7 Senator Bernie Sanders, one of the most outspoken critics in Congress of Bidens Israel support, said on CNN on Thursday that he worried Bidens Israel policy has alienated young people and a lot of the Democratic base, describing Gaza as Bidens Vietnam. President Lyndon Johnson, who had scored major policy wins in expanding health care and anti-poverty programs, decided not to run for reelection in 1968 because the protest movement against his escalation in Vietnam had scuttled his support within the Democratic Party. In recent weeks, Biden has increased his criticism of Netanyahu. He said on MSNBC in March that the Israeli leader must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions hes taken. In a tense phone call last month, he told Netanyahu to take immediate actions to protect civilian lives and allow food aid into Gaza, threatening to change his administrations support for the countrys military campaign against Hamas otherwise. But Biden has shown little sign of being swayed away from what he has described as his ironclad support for Israel. Despite political pushback from the left, Biden lobbied hard to get the House and Senate to pass a $95 billion foreign aid package in April that included $26.4 billion for Israel. The need for such long-term funding for Israels military defense was made more clear after Irans military strike on April 14, supporters say. The bill will also help replenish Israels air defenses, which is even more important following Irans brazen and unprecedented attack, said Bidens National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on April 24. It will help ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against the very real threats it faces from Iran as well as Irans proxy groups. Biden has struggled to find ways to simultaneously show U.S. support for Israels defense and pressure Netanyahu to alleviate the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. Since Bidens threat to Netanyahu, the U.S. says it has seen some increase in aid getting into Gaza. But now Israeli military planners are readying forces to invade the city of Rafah in southern Gaza where more than 1 million people have sought shelter. U.S. officials are raising alarms about the possible civilian death toll, and have implored Israel to target Hamas leaders with tactics that avoid civilian deaths. Bradley Bowman, the senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, says that when Iranian leaders call for death to Israel, American policy makers should take that threat seriously. The Islamic Republic of Iran is clearly implementing a ring of fire strategy that seeks to surround Israel for the purpose of ultimately exterminating the Jewish state, says Bowman. Its that broader threat to Israel that makes Biden unlikely to reduce military support, even in the face of protests. Contact us at letters@time.com. How bird flu could threaten cow cuddling. Yes, it is a thing. By P.J. Huffstutter MONEE, Illinois (Reuters) - Farmer Luz Klotz straightened the brightly striped hair bow on Reba, a 1,600-pound heifer lounging on the ground under twinkling fairy lights. Teenager Joey Pachl, hoping to impress his girlfriend with an invitation to the high school prom, had paid $75 for an hour-long cow cuddling session at the farm. Pachl successfully wowed animal loving girlfriend Emma. For Luz and husband Dan Klotz, such visitors have become key to covering the feed bills and keeping their small farm running. Paying farmers to snuggle up with half-ton heifers is all the rage in the United States thanks to social media. For visitors, cuddling dairy or beef cattle can be therapeutic, or simply an adventure for city dwellers looking for good old country fun. But this practice of opening the barn door to the public is facing a new risk, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed bird flu in dairy herds in nine states. Scientists have said the outbreak is likely more widespread across the nation's more than 26,000 licensed dairy farms based on findings of H5N1 particles in about 20% of milk samples. One Texas dairy worker tested positive for the virus, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have monitored more than 100 people who have been exposed. Government officials say the risk of human infection is low. But state and federal government officials are urging cattle and dairy farmers to limit outside visitors as much as possible. In Michigan, where one dairy herd has tested positive, the head of the state's agriculture department this week signed an emergency response order with new sanitation measures and access limitations to dairy and commercial poultry farms starting May 8. The order does not expressly prohibit cow cuddling. But Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development director Tim Boring told Reuters, "From a human to animal health standpoint, now is not a good time to cuddle cows. This is to protect the cows and people." Any restrictions could pose economic trouble for small family farms that rely on cow-cuddling and other agritourism practices to provide a financial lifeline. Cow cuddling sessions at the De Vor Dairy Farm and Creamery in northern Michigan book up weeks in advance and cover the farm's insurance bill. "I'm not worried about bird flu, because the farm is already open to the public and we already have safety measures in place," said farmer Henk De Vor. Luz and Dan Klotz in Illinois, who own Luz Farms, also have protective measures in place to ensure the safety of their visitors and to keep their farm operating. One hour of cow cuddling pays for one bale of hay - enough to keep their small herd fed for a week. "It helps a lot," Dan Klotz said. Weekend sessions at Clarksville Cow Cuddling, at Mary's Land Farm in Maryland, are booked for the next two months. Demand also is high at The Cuddle Corral in Arizona, the Texas Gaushala farm in Texas and the Sunset View Creamery in New York, farmers said. From yoga classes with baby goats and feeding baby piglets, to corn mazes and you-pick sunflower fields, more than 28,600 U.S. farms offered agritourism or recreational services of some sort on their land in 2022 generating $1.26 billion in income, 32% more than 5 years earlier, USDA data shows. Such revenue streams are key right now: U.S. farm incomes are expected to take the biggest plunge in 18 years as crop prices slump, USDA data shows, and small farms are especially hurting. "Agritourism is a real economic driver for small farmers who have found a niche," said Curt Covington, senior director of institution credit at AgAmerica Lending. SHE MEANT YES Bird flu has spread from migratory birds to dozens of species globally, concerning public health experts. USDA believes the virus is spreading among cattle primarily through contact with raw milk, Rosemary Sifford, the agency's chief veterinary officer said on a media call. While USDA has not publicly named the dairies where cows tested positive, the agency told Reuters the size of affected dairy farms ranges from 300 to 23,000 head. "Regardless of the size of operation, all dairy producers should re-double biosecurity efforts and be vigilant about monitoring for and controlling disease in their herds," a spokesperson for USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said in a statement. Cow-cuddling hosts say they take steps to ensure the safety of visitors and their animals. It was Linda Pachl, Joey's mom, who first saw a post about Luz Farms' cow snuggle sessions on Facebook and suggested the idea to her son. Joey asked the farmers if they could make up a banner in Emma's school colors that said, "Prom?" A week later, as country music crooned over the barn's battered radio, the banner was slung over the body of Yogi, a calf on the farm. Pachl nudged girlfriend Emma Maiers' shoulder. "Well?" he asked. "I love cows!" squealed Maiers, 16. Pachl grinned. Not exactly the answer he was expecting, but he figured she meant yes. (Additional reporting by Tom Polansek in Chicago and Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by Caroline Stauffer and Diane Craft) New bird flu variant in American cows unlikely to impact Britain, says chief vet SCHEDULE FOR 5PM The new hybrid variant of bird flu spreading in American cows is no more dangerous to human health and the public should be reassured it is unlikely to impact Britain, the chief vet said. Some experts have called for screening of cattle and milk in the UK for signs of any avian influenza in domestic herds amid the US outbreak, but the Government has not done so, instead relying on import regulations and information being shared by US scientists. Bird flu has now affected 39 herds of dairy cattle across nine US states and viral avian influenza particles have been found in the milk of sick cows. Some farm cats that have drunk raw and infected milk have died. Dr Christine Middlemiss, the UKs chief veterinary officer, told The Telegraph the genetics of the flu strain in cattle in the US have changed a bit but not to the point of concern. It doesnt seem to have become greatly more infectious for people and transmissible to people, she said. I think thats supported by the fact that only one person has been confirmed with the disease. The public should also hopefully be reassured that [the US] is testing and this is what theyre seeing, and its being shared. The Governments Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance group (HAIRS), which brings together public health and veterinary disease experts to assess the threat to both animals and people, has been convened to discuss the evolving situation, The Telegraph can reveal. Low risk for people The most recent HAIRS report for avian influenza was published in July 2023 and came in the wake of clade 2.3.4.4b of the H5N1 virus running rampant in wild bird populations and poultry farms. It found the risk to the UK general population was very low, low for people who work with healthy birds, and there is also a low risk of the virus to non-bird animals. A new report has now been drafted and is understood to be published in a matter of weeks. It will include a new genetic analysis of the bovine-borne virus, the risk of spillover to people and the threat to health. Prof James Wood, head of the department of veterinary medicine at the University of Cambridge, told The Telegraph the type of bird flu in the US cattle ranches is a combination of the potent H5N1 strain that recently spread globally and a different bird flu strain circulating in North America. This virus appears to have emerged (reassorted) several months ago, he said. Because this effectively is a new virus, there is a lot of uncertainty around what its characteristics are. Dr Middlemiss said these developments have been considered by HAIRS in the last few weeks as this new information has emerged. They have looked specifically at the risk of what this means, including the risk of transmission from animals to people, she told the Telegraph in an exclusive interview at the Animal and Plant Health Agency headquarters and laboratories in Weybridge. Their report is in draft but it will be coming out soon. They have specifically looked at this issue. HAIRS is our animal and public health experts and they have looked very closely at it. She added that the UK imports a tiny amount of milk products from the US, and none of it is raw. Dr Middlemiss said colleagues in the US are sending over real-time information on the genetic changes of the virus and there is ongoing monitoring. Threats appear to be contained The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has reportedly set up an emergency response team in Whitehall to monitor the situation and has not committed to testing domestic cattle. Some scientists have criticised the governments reluctance to test milk or cows in the UK, but Prof Wood said the fact there is no importation of high-risk products protects Britain from the new form of bird flu in the US. The immediate public and animal health threats to us in the UK appear to be contained, but very close attention to the situation is warranted, he said. He added that the genome of the new hybrid virus does have some adaptations that make it better at infecting mammals, but nothing startling has been observed. Prof Wood also called the approach of the UK Government, which has pushed back on calls for ramped-up testing in Britain, proportionate and sensible. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. AUSTIN (KXAN) Its Election Day in Central Texas. Several local cities, counties and school districts are holding elections on Saturday. Eight cities will elect a mayor, while seven Central Texas school districts have bond propositions. RELATED: Thorndale ISD voters to consider first school bond in 25 years In Austin, six territories could disannex from the city as part of state legislation passed during the previous session. The legislation specifically targeted areas annexed into cities that have a population of 500,000 people or more between March 3, 2015, and December 1, 2017. Maps of each of the six areas that could vote to remove themselves from Austin city limits are available here. Election day resources As for what it means for the rest of Austin, the City said property taxes will be collected from the areas should they vote to disannex until the areas share of City debt has been paid off. In sum, disannexation will not have an impact on City revenue, a City spokesperson previously told KXANs Grace Reader. Follow along below for more Election Day updates. Election Day live blog Sunday, 9:10 a.m. KXAN projects Linda Richter, Annisha Williams and John Anderle win Cameron ISDs Board at-large election with 348 votes (24.08%), 306 votes (21.18%) and 292 votes (20.21%), respectively. In Rockdale, KXAN projects Brad Caffey wins his race for Rockdale council member west, with 225 votes (82.12%). For Rockdale ISDs Board, KXAN projects Jason Barcak and Karen Kirk Laughlin win Place 1 and Place 2, with 283 votes (60.47%) and 261 (56.13%), respectively. In Thorndale, KXAN projects Taylor Rowe wins Thorndale ISDs Board seat, with 361 votes (65.64%). For Thorndale ISDs Prop A, the majority of voters passed the proposition for $34.5 million for school buildings, with 467 votes (78.09%) in favor of the measure. On the city end of things, Shanta Kuhl, Steven Zuehlke and Wayne Green win seats on Thorndale City Council, with 176 votes (33.08%), 153 votes (28.76%) and 124 votes (23.31%), respectively. The City of Thorndales Prop A proposing the legal sale of mixed beverages passed with 209 voters in favor (87.82%). 11:03 p.m. KXAN projects incumbent Beth Walterscheidt wins Elgin ISD Board District 3 seat with 123 votes (69.89%). Christina Manzano defeats incumbent Jake Bass for Flatonia ISD board Place 6 with 115 votes (52.04%). Incumbent Calvin Mersiovsky wins La Grange ISD Board Place 6 with 433 votes (65.81%). Incumbents Michael Hess and Travis Weiser win Lexington ISD Board seats with 149 votes (36.34%) each. KXAN projects Bryan Jones wins Smithville ISD Board Place 3 with 585 votes (51.54%). 10:46 p.m. KXAN projects incumbents Dana Jackson Matson and David Mason win Lexington Council seats with 41 (30.15%) and 34 votes (25%), respectively. In Llano, incumbents Rob Wilson (1,081 votes, 58.97%) and Dean Campbell (853 votes, 47.21%) win Llano ISD Place 1 and 5. And the Llano Council will have incumbent Laura Almond (316 votes, 28.57%), Kelli Tudyk (235 votes, 21.25%) and Les McDaniel (224 votes, 20.25%). KXAN projects Rob Hardy will be Sunrise Beach Village Mayor with 211 votes (57.03%) and Jeffrey Cook (234 votes, 39.07%) and Daniel Gower (214 votes, 35.73%) will be on the council. Incumbent Brad Caffey wins Rockdale Council West with 225 votes (82.12%). Meanwhile, incumbent Jason Barcak (60.47%, 283 votes) wins Rockdale ISD Board Place 1 and Karen Kirk Laughlin (261 votes, 56.13%) defeats incumbent Troy Zinn for Place 2. KXAN projects Fayetteville Prop. 1 (Local Sales and Use Tax) passes with 82.76% of the vote (24 votes). In Flatonia, incumbent Joanye Eversole is defeated as Josh Homan (111 votes, 43.36%) and incumbent Allen Kocian (78 votes, 30.47%) win council seats. KXAN projects incumbents Lynn Conine and Owen Massey win Round Top Council with 27 (45.76%) and 25 votes (42.37%), respectively. 10:37 p.m. KXAN projects incumbent Phillip Davis wins Lake Travis ISD Board Place 1 with 4,325 votes (51.48%) and incumbent Lauren White wins Place 2 with 4,389 votes (51.84%). Charlie Torres wins Pflugerville ISD Board Place 2 with 1,915 votes (56.52%). Johnson City Council will see Kemp Elliot (28.22%, 81 votes), incumbent Teresa Taylor-Babb (28.22%, 81 votes) and Samuel Richardson (24.74%, 71 votes) on the council. KXAN projects defeat for Blanco Council incumbents Mike Smith and Rodney Thrailkill. Bobby Mack-McClung (165 votes, 24.48%), Candy Cargill (159 votes, 23.59%) and Dennis Moore (142 votes, 21.07%) will be on the council. In Luling, KXAN projects incumbent CJ Watts will remain mayor with 453 votes (77.17%), Wesley Wells wins Council Ward 4 with 94 votes (75.81%) and incumbent John Wells wins Council Ward 5 with 136 votes (64.45%). In Martindale, Terri Werner wins Council Place 1 with 80 votes (65.57%) and Laura Sanchez Flowler defeats incumbent Nicholas Stiler for Council Place 3 with 81 votes (66.39%). KXAN projects incumbents Mark Muniz and Linda Pruitt win Giddings council with 167 votes (41.03%) and 123 votes (30.22%), respectively. 10:26 p.m. KXAN projects Pete Bega wins Elgin ISD Board District 6. Meanwhile, Elgin ISD propositions A ($366 million for school facilities) and B ($9 million for programs and stadium improvements) pass. McDade ISD Proposition A ($4 million for school buildings) passes with 51.05% of the vote (97 votes). KXAN Projects Austin Proposition C (Disannex Blue Goose Road) with all 3 votes in favor and F (Disannex River Place Outparcels) with one vote in favor pass. There are no projections for Austin Proposition B (Disannex Mooreland Addition) or E (Disannex Wildhorse/Webb Tract) as no votes were reported with 100% in. Incumbent Eric Boyce wins Cedar Park Council Place 4 with 1,330 votes (56.33%). Incumbent Al Rodriguez wins Elgin Council Ward 3 with 121 votes (52.38%). Christine Delisle wins Leander mayor with 2,248 votes (51.48%). Meanwhile, Incumbent NaCole Thompson wins Leander Council Place 4 with 2,255 votes (52.56%). Incumbent Becki Ross and Pulla Reddy Yeduru advance to a runoff for Leander Council Place 6, KXAN projects. Leander Council Place 2 has no projected winner as Michael Herrera leads incumbent Esmeralda Mattke Longoria by 4 votes with 100% of election day votes in. That could change with mail-in or provisional ballots. KXAN projects Melissa Fleming wins Round Rock City Council Place 3 with 1,992 votes (65.68%). Meanwhile, Round Rock Propositions A (Municipal court amendment) and B (City staff plat approvals) pass. Webberville mayor will remain the same as incumbent Hector Gonzales wins with 43 votes (58.11%). KXAN cannot project a winner in Webberville Council Place 2 as incumbent Thomas Trantham leading Heath Stewart by 1 vote with 100% of election day votes in. KXAN projects Kelly Marwill wins Eanes ISD Board Place 5 with 2,019 votes (35.45%). 10:06 p.m. Austin Proposition D (Disannex Lennar at Malone) failed with 98.21% (110 votes) and 100% reporting. Incumbents Kelly Brynteson (30.78%, 2,705 votes) and Jennifer Szimanski (30.24%, 2,657 votes) as well as Matt Sherman (24.56%, 2,158 votes) win Lakeway Council seats. And, Lakeway Proposition A (Park improvements) passes with 67.82% of the vote (2,569 votes). KXAN projects Travis County ESD Propistions A (Adding Lost Creek to ESD) and B (Lost Creek share of debts and taxes) pass with 55.22% (582 votes) and 90.57% (3,005 votes), respectively, and 71% reporting. Bastrop CAD Place 1 will be filled by Paul Johnson with 50.70% (2,284 votes) and Place 2 will be John Sabol with 50.20% (2,145 votes) and 100% reporting. Meanwhile, Carol Armstrong (1,438 votes, 61.37%) defeats incumbent Rick Rivera in Bastrop ISD Board Place 1. Kerry Fossler (53.20%, 507 votes) also defeated an incumbent, Jimmy Crouch, for Bastrop Council Place 4. In Smithville, the incumbent Sharon Seidel Foerster will be the mayor again (53.19%, 392 votes). Incumbent Mitchell Jameson (366 votes, 51.48%) won Council Place 4 and Cathy Meek (60.82%, 413 votes) won Place 5 with 100% reporting. Sue Prinz Brashar wins Elgin Council Ward 4 with 56.81% of the vote (146 votes) and 100% reporting. 9:56 p.m. KXAN projects Incumbent Crystal Mancilla will remain Liberty Hill mayor (56.76%, 84 votes). Shelli Cobb (260 votes, 64.98%) defeats incumbent Mitch Drummond for Taylor Council District 2 with 100% reporting. Meanwhile kelly Cmerek wins District 3 with 90.76% (501 votes). And Taylor Propositions A-F pass. KXAN projects incumbent Charles Giddens wins Florence ISD Board Place 5 with 54.70% (99 votes) and 100% reporting. Georgetown ISD Propositions A-D pass, KXAN projects. Meanwhile, Incumbent Jen Mauldin wins Georgetown ISD Place 6 (70.03%, 4,885 votes) with 100% of the vote. Incumbents James Matlock and Amy English win Hutto ISD board seats with 34.50% (671 votes) and 21.93% (621 votes), respectively, and 100% reporting. Incumbent Kathy Major (75.15%, 499 votes) wins Liberty Hill ISD Board Place 4 with 100% reporting. Incumbent Marilyn Tennill wins Taylor ISD Board at-large seat with 80.17% (1,330 votes) and 100% reporting. Incumbents Rodrigo Reyes (148 votes, 31.62%) and Stephanie Ochoa (133 votes, 28.42%) along with Domingo Valdez (116 votes, 24.79%) win Thrall ISD board seats with 100% reporting. 9:51 p.m. KXAN projects incumbent Mary Condon and Forrest Hyde win Florence Alderpersons with 42.25% (30) and 35.21% (25) of the vote, respectively, with 100% reporting. Incumbent Dan Thornton wins Hutto Council Place 2 (51.69%, 473 votes), while incumbent Dana Wilcott (32.86%, 304 votes) and Evan Porterfield (18.81%, 174 votes) advance to a runoff in Council Place 5 with 100% reporting. KXAN projects Hutto Propositions A-C and E-P pass, but Proposition D (which would reduce the city council quorum) failed. KXAN also projects Leander Propositions A (Civil Service Law for Fire Department) and B (Fire and Police Employee Relations Act) pass with 99% reporting. 9:41 p.m. KXAN projects Robert Clark wins Wimberely Council Place 4 with 51.03% (223 votes) and 100% reporting. Incumbents Mary Jane Hetrick (22.50%, 3,216 votes) and Stefani Reinold (20.86%, 2,981 votes) are joined by Shanda DeLeon (20.63%, 2,948 votes) in winning Dripping Springs ISD board seats, with 100% reporting. KXAN projects incumbent Courtnery Runkle (219 votes, 61%) wins Hays CISD Board District 3 seat with 99% reporting while Geoff Seibel (54.66%, 1,191 votes) wins Hays CISD board at large with 100% reporting. Hays County ESD 9 Proposition A (Increase ad valorem tax rate) passes with 55.22% for (582 votes) with 100% reporting. Hope Hisle-Piper (60.37%, 11,184 votes), Mike Sanders (54.34% 9,956 votes) and Mason Moses (53.62%, 9,693 votes) win places on the Williamson CAD, with 100% reporting. 9:15 p.m. KXAN projects incumbent James Spradley (86.66%, 2,859 votes) will remain on the Eanes ISD board of trustees with 65% reporting. 9:09 p.m. KXAN projects Shanta Kuhl, incumbent Steven Zuehlke and Wayne Green win Thorndale Council seats. Thorndales Proposition A also passed with 87.82% of the vote (209 votes). Taylor Rowe (65.64%, 361 votes) defeated incumbent Chad Martinka (34.36%, 189 votes) in the Thorndale ISD board seat with 100% reporting. Jett Hanna (67.80%, 22,452 votes), Shenghao Wang (67.67%, 26,733 votes) and Dick Lavine (28,330 votes, 73.29%) all won seats on the Travis Central Appraisal District board of directors, KXAN projects with 78% reporting. 9:01 p.m. KXAN projects Catherine Bell (82.69%, 234 votes) defeats Phil Ort (17.31%, 49 votes) in the Granite Shoals Council Place 6 with 100% reporting. KXAN also projects Granite Shoals Prop 1 and Propositions A-P pass. Richard Westerman (181 votes, 49.18%) defeated incumbent William Haddock (161 votes, 43.75%) for Marble Falls Council Place 5 with 100% reporting, KXAN projects. Incumbent Mark Bentley will remain Meadowlakes mayor with 85.95% (312) of the votes and 100% reporting. Don Wheeler will be Meadowlakes Council Place 1 with 256 (70.33%) of the vote and 100% reporting. Meanwhile, Carolyn Richmond defeated incumbent Jerry Drummond for Meadowlakes Council Place 3 with 76.58% of the vote (278 votes) and 100% reporting. KXAN projects Michelle Gaertner wins Bastrop CAD Place 3 with 63.34% of the vote (2,625 votes) and 85% reporting. 8:45 p.m. KXAN projects Florence ISD Proposition A ($4.5 million for school facilities) passes with 138 votes (67.98%) and 92% reporting. Burnet CISD Board Place 5 will be filled by Katy Duke, according to a KXAN projection with 100% reporting. Duke received 55.73% (486) votes. KXAN also projects Burnet Propositions A (Mayor authority to delay votes), B (Two-thirds vote to declare council vacancies), C (Authorize adoption of ordinances), D (Mayor is member of city council), E (Municipal Court judge removal), F (Elections held consistent with state law), G (Delete charter inconsistent with state law), H (Council goals included in budget) and I (Delete obsolete charter provisions) pass, but J (City Secretary hired by city manager) is split 50/50 with 100% reporting. In Bertram, KXAN projects incumbent Mike Dickinson wins mayor with 7 votes and 66% reporting (63.64%) and Randal Fisher (37.38%, 40 votes) and James Predmore (25.23%, 27 votes) win Bertram Aldermen with 100% reporting. KXAN projects incumbent Philip Thurman (109 votes, 18.89%), Tommy Gaut (153 votes, 26.52%) and Cindia Talamantez (126 votes, 16.09%) win Burnet City Council seats. Incumbent Dennis Langley was defeated. 8:26 p.m. KXAN projects incumbents Kristen Nelson (195 votes, 26.97%), Stuart Isham (164 votes, 22.68%) and Tim Sebastain (160 votes, 22.13%) win San Saba ISD board seats with 100% reporting. 8:10 p.m. Lometa City Council member Crystal Knoy will not be returning to the seat after voters instead selected Derek Talley and Larry Koch, according to a KXAN projection. Talley received 36% of the vote and Koch had 26% with 50% reporting. The top two candidates will become the new council members. KXAN also projects Mickey Edwards won Lampasas ISD Board Place 1 with 84.66% (447 votes) and 50% reporting. Incumbent Cristopher Brister and Dusty Duncan won places on the Lometa ISD board with 147 (40.72%) and 86 (23.82%) votes, respectively, according to a KXAN projection with 100% of the vote in. 7:32 p.m. KXAN projects Austin Proposition A Lost Creek Disannexation will pass with 93.08% of the vote (1,035 votes) and 65% reporting. BACKGROUND: 6 areas in Austin, including Lost Creek, could vote to ditch the city 7 p.m. Polls are closed, but those still in line at 7 p.m. may still vote 2 p.m. Many cities have propositions up for a vote. They range from disannexations in Austin to city charter amendments to a mixed drink election in Thorndale. These Central Texas cities have propositions on the ballot: Austin (there are six propositions in which voters will decide whether to disannex from city limits. Only voters in the affected precincts will be able to vote on these propositions) Burnet Fayetteville Granite Shoals Hutto Lakeway Leander Round Rock Taylor Thorndale 1 p.m. With six hours left to vote, there are no long lines reported at any Travis County or Williamson County polling site, according to their wait time trackers. 11 a.m. No long waits were reported in Travis County or Williamson County as of 11 a.m. Voters in eight Central Texas cities will pick their next mayor in this election. These cities have mayoral elections: Bertram Leander Liberty Hill Luling Meadowlakes Smithville Sunrise Beach Village Webberville 9:30 a.m. Voters in Travis, Bastrop and Williamson counties will elect members to appraisal district boards. This is because of a homestead tax exemption proposition Texas voters approved in 2023. READ MORE: Why are you voting on appraisal district board members in May? The proposition changed who sits on county appraisal district boards, increasing the number of members in larger counties. In Travis County, voters will pick three board members in the May election. According to the Travis Central Appraisal District, the board of directors picks the chief appraiser, approves the districts budget, approves contracts and sets policies. The board members do not appraise property or review property values. 9 a.m. Several local school districts have bond propositions on the ballot. Georgetown ISD is asking voters to approve a $649 million bond to address district growth and aging facilities. Thorndale ISD is asking voters to approve $34.5 million for projects like a new high school and school improvements. These Central Texas districts have bond propositions: Buckholts ISD Elgin ISD Florence ISD Gause ISD Georgetown ISD McDade ISD Thorndale ISD 8 a.m. Looking for a voting location? Some counties have wait time trackers for voters to check before heading to the polls. As of 8 a.m., no Travis County polling locations or Williamson County polling locations had a long wait time. Find more county-by-county election information online: 7 a.m. KXANs Christopher Adams kept track of early voting for the May 4 election. Click here to see how turnout is shaping up in our four largest counties. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Visitors on Sept. 4, 2021, stroll by the historic chapel and buildings used for classrooms and dormitories that remain standing at Pilgrim Hot Springs, a site used as an orphanage for Bering Strait-area children who lost their parents to the 1918 influenza epidemic. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) Visitors on Sept. 4, 2021, stroll by the historic chapel and buildings used for classrooms and dormitories that remain standing at Pilgrim Hot Springs. The site was used as an orphanage for Bering Strait-area children who lost their parents to the 1918-19 influenza epidemic. Pilgrim Hot Springs is among the state's 11 most endangered historic properties, according to an annual list released by Preservation Alaska. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) Eleven sites from Southeast Alaska to the Bering Strait region were named Friday as the states most endangered historic properties. The annual list was released by Preservation Alaska, the nonprofit formally called Alaska Association for Historic Preservation. The organization has been publishing lists of top endangered properties since 1991; usually there are 10 on each years list, but this years list was expanded. This annual list is intended to bring public awareness to Alaskas threatened historic properties. Heightened awareness often leads to increased support for the conservation of endangered historic properties, which are assets important to tourism, economic development, and the cultural heritage of Alaska, Preservation Alaska said in its announcement. Threats to the listed properties include pending development, extreme weather events and the simple ravages of time. Three boys soak in a pool at Pilgrim Hot Springs on Sept. 4, 2021. The historic area is a popular recreation destination for Nome residents. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) Three boys soak in a pool at Pilgrim Hot Springs on Sept. 4, 2021. The historic area is a popular recreation destination for Nome residents. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) Topping this years list is the Wolf Creek Boatworks near Hollis on Southeast Alaskas Prince of Wales Island. The facility dates to 1939, when it began producing boats made from local Alaska timber. At present, it is threatened by logging planned by the Alaska Mental Health Trust, which gained ownership of the surrounding land in a 2019 trade with the U.S. Forest Service. The historic boatworks would be demolished if the logging plan is carried out, Preservation Alaska said. Second on the list is Pilgrim Hot Springs, a popular recreation destination about 60 miles northeast of Nome. Originally used by the regions Indigenous people and later used by Gold Rush miners, the hot springs became the site of a Catholic orphanage that housed children who lost their parents to the 1918-19 influenza pandemic. The site is now owned and operated by Unaatuq LLC, a consortium of seven Bering Strait region organizations. Repairs to time-worn buildings have been underway, and Unaatuq has had to contend with a new threat: flooding caused by beavers that are spreading north and building dams in new places as the climate warms and woody plants proliferate in new areas. Some of the remaining clan houses in the Sitka Indian Village are seen in this undated photo. There were originally more than 40 houses, and they served as more than dwellings. The clan houses were cited by both historic preservation organizations as being among the most at-risk historic properties in Alaska and the nation. Preservation efforts are focusing on restoring and rebuilding structures, sorting out land ownership and strengthening Tlingit tradition. (Photo by James Poulson/provided by National Trust for Historic Preservation) Some of the remaining clan houses in the Sitka Indian Village are seen in this undated photo. There were originally more than 40 houses, and they served as more than dwellings. The clan houses were cited by both historic preservation organizations as being among the most at-risk historic properties in Alaska and the nation. Preservation efforts are focusing on restoring and rebuilding structures, sorting out land ownership and strengthening Tlingit tradition. (Photo by James Poulson/provided by National Trust for Historic Preservation) Also on the list is the Sitka Indian Village, a community established about 200 years ago that once comprised of more than 40 Tlingit clan houses. Those clan houses were also cited as a top national preservation priority in a list of the 11 most endangered U.S. historic properties that was released earlier in the week by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. There are now only eight houses standing, and only some of them are still functioning in the traditional way, according to the national organization. In Tlingit tradition, clan houses are not just dwellings but also cultural gathering sites organized in a matriarchal structure. The Sitka houses have suffered from more than physical deterioration, said Jerrick Hope-Lang, a Kiks.adi clan member working on restoring the site and its traditions. Church leaders of the past promoted the idea of the nuclear family over the Tlingit matrilineal system, and that influence, along with U.S. inheritance laws and practices created complex ownership with multiple heirs, a situation that needs to be worked out, Hope-Lang said. The 2024 Preservation Alaska list includes two churches. One, the Ascension Church of Our Lord Chapel at Karluk on Kodiak Island, is threatened by continued coastal erosion, the organization said. The other, the Bishop Rowe Chapel in Arctic Village, has fallen victim to a harsh and rapidly changing Arctic climate. The SS Nenana, with summer visitors, is seen in Fairbanks in 2008. The historic steamship is housed at Pioneer Park in Fairbanks. (Photo provided by National Park Service) The SS Nenana, with summer visitors, is seen in Fairbanks in 2008. The historic steamship is housed at Pioneer Park in Fairbanks. (Photo provided by National Park Service) The list also includes boats. One of those properties is a collection of 14 wooden boats in Naknek that date back to the 19th century; the crafts were used in the early days of the Bristol Bay salmon fishery, before motorized boats were allowed. The Bristol Bay Historical Society is trying to develop an old mercantile building into a museum to house the boats. Another boat on the list is the SS Nenana, a steamship currently housed at Pioneer Park in Fairbanks. The ship fell into such disrepair that it was deemed unsafe and closed to visitors, but restoration work led by the nonprofit Friends of SS Nenana has made enough progress that the ship will be reopened to visitors this summer, Preservation Alaska said. Elsewhere in the Fairbanks region is another site on Preservation Alaskas list: the Hi-Yu Stamp Mill, which supported a gold mining operation in the early 20th century and is, despite disrepair and vandalism, still one of the best and only surviving examples of early underground mining and milling in interior Alaska, according to Preservation Alaska. The Hi-Yu Stamp Mill is now threatened by planned expansions of the Kinross Fort Knox mining projects, according to the organization. Other sites on the list are the Chitina Emporium, a now-uninhabitable building that was once a community anchor with a hotel, bar, store and power source; the Eldred Rock Lighthouse near Haines, which was built in 1905 and is the oldest original lighthouse in Alaska; and the Pioneer Hall in Ketchikan, a community landmark that needs significant upgrades to meet safety codes, the organization said. The post Boats, a lighthouse, churches among sites named as Alaskas most at-risk historic properties appeared first on Alaska Beacon. SAN DIEGO (KSWB/KUSI) The bodies of three missing surfers, including one American and two brothers from Australia, have been found, according to Mexican authorities. The Baja California Attorney Generals Office confirmed Friday morning that the bodies were located in La Bocana, about 130 miles south of San Diego. Mexican officials said Thursday they had found evidence related to the case, including a white pickup truck, and that three Mexican nationals were under investigation. The three surfers were reported missing through social media posts earlier this week. Baja California authorities officially announced their disappearance in a press release Thursday. Woman allegedly hired children to smuggle drugs in body The surfers were a San Diego man named Jack Carter Rhoad and Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. The newspaper reported the three men didnt check into their Airbnb in Rosarito following a surfing trip south of Ensenada. The attorney generals office has not confirmed the mens identities to Nexstar. No further details about the circumstances leading up to the mens disappearance have been released. The attorney generals office said it is too early in the investigation for an official cause of death. Baja California Attorney General Maria Elena Andrade Ramirez said they lost valuable time in the search for the men because their families did not immediately report them missing. The last time the mens families heard from them was Saturday, April 27, but they didnt notify police until a few days ago, when the men didnt show up at an Airbnb near K38 another popular Baja surfing spot much closer to the border. A woman and two men were taken into custody and considered persons of interest. The woman was found with a phone belonging to one of the Australian surfers, and also had a bag of drugs, the attorney general said Thursday. The attorney generals office, the FBI and U.S. and Australian consulate officials were all working in coordination with the case, according to Mexican officials. Domenick Candelieri and Elizabeth Alvarez contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Mr Arnault is the world's richest man with a net worth of around $214bn (171bn) - Stephanie Lecocq/Reuters Bernard Arnaults sprawling business empire has launched a raft of legal claims against Visa and Mastercard amid an ongoing row over credit card fees. More than a dozen luxury brands that form part of the French billionaires LVMH conglomerate have issued lawsuits against the US payment giants in the High Court. The claimants include high-profile names such as Tiffany & Co, Christian Dior and Bulgari, as well as hotel business Belmond, which operates the Venice-Simplon Orient Express. All the brands are owned by Paris-listed LVMH, which is ultimately controlled by Mr Arnault, the worlds richest man with a net worth of around $214bn (171bn). Details of the case are yet to be made public although the claims are understood to be linked to the long-running battle over so-called interchange fees. These fees are paid by retailers to banks when they accept card payments via Visa or Mastercard. However, companies have long argued that the fees charged by the two payment providers are anti-competitive, costing them billions of pounds and driving up prices for consumers. This has led to separate claims from businesses such as Vodafone, Ocado and Fortnum and Mason, all of which are locked in various High Court proceedings against Visa and Mastercard. A trial to hear their claims will be heard at the Competition Appeal Tribunal in November. Visa and Mastercard have persistently defended claims across different courts and countries, as they argue that the fees are regulated and designed to recognise the value provided by electronic payment networks. The issue has also sparked a consumer class action claim against the businesses estimated to be worth around 10bn. Mastercard has described the claims as fundamentally flawed and argued that they should be thrown out. Since 2015, interchange fees have been capped at 0.2pc for debit cards and 0.3pc for credit cards. LVMH, Mastercard and Visa declined to comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. We may receive an affiliate commission from anything you buy from this article. New York Times bestselling author and humorist A.J. Jacobs previously wrote about his experiment in living life as interpreted by the Old and New Testaments in "The Year of Living Biblically." Now, in an effort to fully understand our nation's founding document, Jacobs embarked on a year-long quest to be the original originalist, in "The Year of Living Constitutionally" (to be published by Crown May 7). Yes, muskets were involved. Read the book's "preamble" below, and don't miss John Dickerson's interview with A.J. Jacobs on "CBS News Sunday Morning" May 5! "The Year of Living Constitutionally" by A.J. Jacobs Prefer to listen? Audible has a 30-day free trial available right now. The Preamble I recently discovered that if you walk around New York City while carrying an eighteenth-century musket, you get a lot of questions. "You gonna shoot some redcoats?" "Can you please leave?" "What the hell, man?" Questions aside, a musket can come in handy. When I arrived at my local coffee shop at the same time as another customer, he told me, "You go first. I'm not arguing with someone holding that thing." Why was I carrying around a ten-pound firearm from the 1790s? Well, it's because I'm deep into my year of living constitutionally. For reasons I'll explain shortly, I've pledged to try to express my constitutional rights using the tools and mindset of when they were written in 1787. My plan is to be the original originalist. I will bear arms, but only those arms available when the Second Amendment was written. Hence the musket and its accompanying bayonet. I will exercise my First Amendment right to free speechbut I'll do it the old-fashioned way: by scratching out pamphlets with a quill pen and handing them out on the street. My right to assemble? I will assemble at coffeehouses and taverns, not over Zoom or Discord. If I'm to be punished, I will insist my punishment not be cruel and unusual, at least not cruel and unusual by eighteenth-century standards (when, unfortunately, Americans considered it acceptable to have your head stuck in a pillory and get pelted by mud and rotten vegetables). Thanks to the Third Amendment, I may choose to quarter soldiers in my apartmentbut I will kick them onto the street if they misbehave. My goal is to understand the Constitution by expressing my rights as they were interpreted back in the era of Washington and Madison (or, in the case of the later amendments, how those amendments were interpreted when they were ratified). I want, as much as possible, to get inside the minds of the Founding Fathers. And by doing so, I want to figure out how we should live today. What do we need to update? What should we ignore? Is there wisdom from the eighteenth century that is worth reviving? And how should we view this most influential and perplexing of American texts? I undertook this quest because reading the news over this past year led me to three important revelations. The first revelation was just how much our lives are affected by this 4,543-word document inscribed on calfskin during that long-ago Philadelphia summer. The Supreme Court's recent controversial decisions on a multitude of issuesincluding women's rights, gun rights, environmental regulations, and religionall claim to stem from the Constitution. The second revelation was just how shockingly little I knew about the Constitution. I'd never even read itnot the whole thing, anyway. Thanks to Schoolhouse Rock!, I was familiar with the "We the People" preamble. And I could recall a handful of other famous passages, most notably the First Amendment, which is beloved by me and my fellow writers (as well as by my kids, who cite it whenever I ask them not to curse at me). But as for the entire document, from start to finish? Never read it. And third, I realized just how much the Constitution is a national Rorschach test. Everyone, including me, sees what they want. Does the Constitution support laissez-faire gun rights, or does it support strict gun regulation? Does it prohibit school prayer or not? Depends on whom you ask. And it's not just the issues we're divided onit's the Constitution itself. Is the Constitution a document of liberation, as I was taught in high school? Or is it, as some critics argue, a document of oppression? Should we venerate this brilliant road map that has arguably guided American prosperity and expanded freedom for 230-plus years? Or should we be skeptical of this set of rules written by wealthy racists who thought tobacco-smoke enemas were cutting-edge medicine?* [* Tobacco-smoke enemas were a mainstream medical treatment for all sorts of ills. They involved hoses, smoke, and hand-powered bellows. It is quite possibly the origin of the phrase "blowing smoke up your ass."] It reminds me of a William Blake quote I once read about the Bible: [We] both read the Bible day and night But thou read'st black where I read white. And, as with the Bible, whether you see black or white in the Constitution depends largely on one crucial question: What is your method for interpreting this text? Should we try to discover the original meaning from when the text was written? Or does the meaning of the text evolve with the times? In fact, the Bible-Constitution parallels helped give birth to this book. I decided to steal an idea from myself. Several years ago, I wrote a book called The Year of Living Biblically, in which I explored the ways we interpret the Bible. I did this by following the rules in the Good Book as literally as possible. I followed the Ten Commandments, but I also followed the hundreds of more obscure rules. I grew some alarmingly sprawling facial hair (Leviticus says you should not shave the corners of your beard) and tossed out my poly-cotton sweaters (Leviticus says you cannot wear clothes made of two kinds of fabric). I became the ultimate fundamentalist. The project was absurd at times but also enlightening and inspiring. I found that some aspects of living biblically changed my life for the better (the emphasis on gratitude, for instance). I also learned the dangers of taking the Bible too literally (I don't recommend stoning an adulterer in Central Park, even if those stones are pebble-sized, as mine were). And I learned how challenging it is to figure out what we should replace literalism with. I'm not the first to notice that we treat the Constitution and the Bible in similar ways. Scholars have long described the Constitution as the sacred text of our civic religion. Jefferson called the delegates "demigods." And as with the Bible, there is an ongoing debate between those who say we should hew to the original meaning and those who say the meaning evolves. It's the originalists versus the living constitutionalists. The two camps have been around for decades, but in the past five years, the originalists have gained surprising power. Five of the six conservative justices on the Supreme Court are originalists of some sort (John Roberts is the exception), a position that has affected their rulings on abortion, gun rights, and many other topics. I felt it was time. I began prepping for a year of living constitutionally. Excerpted from "The Year of Living Constitutionally: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Constitution's Original Meaning" by A.J. Jacobs. Published by Crown, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York. Copyright 2024 by A.J. Jacobs. Get the book here: "The Year of Living Constitutionally" by A.J. Jacobs Buy locally from Bookshop.org For more info: "The Year of Living Constitutionally: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Constitution's Original Meaning" by A.J. Jacobs (Crown), in Hardcover, eBook and Audio formats, available May 7 Longtime Trump aide Hope Hicks takes the stand in New York trial Louisiana boy receives surprising reward after generously giving away his only dollar Texas family describes harrowing escape from devastating tornado Columnist Jay Bookman writes that GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is uniquely suited to unite Democrats and Republicans, even in these divided times. Win McNamee/Getty Images Quality Journalism for Critical Times We are a divided country these days, so much so that certain people have taken to mad mutterings about a national divorce, secession or even civil war. But fear not, fellow Americans, for a time of healing and reunion may be upon us. If you have doubts, I get it, because what could inspire renewed unity in this overheated political environment? What could possibly bring together Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and liberals, at a time when we appear to agree on so little? Well, history tells us that nothing brings people together faster than having a common enemy, and Americans of both parties now seem to have found one in Georgias own Marge in Charge, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Of course, Democrats have openly despised Greene since she entered public life a few years ago, in large part because shes as mean as a water moccasin and nutty as a south Georgia pecan orchard. But times being what they are, that disdain has become the foundation of her political career. Conservatives love what liberals hate, so the more anger that Greene could trigger from the left, the more adoration and power she got on the right. It has worked very, very well for her until now, but her limitations are about to come into play. Thanks to her time in the spotlight, Greene now sees herself as a foreign policy expert, as the arbiter and enforcer of what Republicans are allowed to believe, and even as vice presidential material. She has also recently decided, pretty much all on her own, that House Speaker Mike Johnson, her fellow Republican, must be removed from that high office because he dared to allow votes on foreign-aid packages to Ukraine, Taiwan and Israel that Greene personally opposed. (All three passed by large margins.) Mike Johnsons speakership is over, she proclaimed last week, as if she held his fate in her hands, saying that he has betrayed America, he has betrayed Republican voters. Instead, and for the first time in her short career, there has been significant blowback from her own party. Her insistence that all aid to Ukraine be ended has earned her the title of Moscow Marjorie from the Murdoch-owned New York Post. The far-right editorial board of The Wall Street Journal, also Murdoch-owned, called her Rep. Mayhem Taylor Greene for her ongoing string of tantrums. She not the Democrats are the biggest risk to us getting back to a majority, said Sen. Thom Tillis, Republican of North Carolina, accusing her of being a terrible leader and dragging our brand down. Even Democrats are now saying that if necessary, they will join with Republicans in voting to spite Greene and keep Johnson as speaker, a step of bipartisan cooperation that would be extraordinary even in less heated times. Greene is clearly a clown, but clowns can be popular. However, the traits that make a good clown arent transferable to other lines of work. A funny face and big feet dont qualify you to dictate American foreign policy on Ukraine. A lapel flower that shoots water doesnt make you vice presidential material, and a big red nose doesnt give you the power to unilaterally remove a House speaker. The most famous clown in America, Ronald McDonald, has been the popular mascot for McDonalds for more than 60 years, but nobody, including Ronald, thinks Ronald should be CEO of McDonalds Corp. (The actual CEO of McDonalds went to Harvard Business School, not to clown college.) But you see, thats where Ronald McDonald and Marjorie Greene part company. Ronald is self-aware enough to know hes a clown. Marjorie doesnt. She thinks she gets all this TV time and attention because of her wisdom and leadership qualities, when in fact she has just happened to come along at a time when her partys base cares more about performance art and political theater which shes good at than they do about actual governing. But like Greene herself, that approach has severe limitations. The GOP has forfeited so much power to the clowns among them including at the very top that on its own it is incapable of performing the basic functions of self-government. Thanks to the leeway theyve given to Greene and others, the party that famously rejects compromise as betrayal now needs Democratic help just to keep its own speaker in place. Its a kumbaya moment. This column was published earlier by the Georgia Recorder, an affiliate of the nonprofit States Newsroom network, which includes the Florida Phoenix. The post Bookman: Marjorie Taylor Greene clown show just the thing to unite a divided America appeared first on Florida Phoenix. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who passed a controversial law requiring a photo ID to vote, was turned away from a South Oxfordshire polling place Thursday for leaving his at home. The former Conservative Prime Minister couldnt cast a ballot for the districts police and crime commissioner as polling place staff were legally mandated to deny him, AP News reports. Johnson, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2022, pushed the 2022 Elections Act through the Conservative-led parliament. Thursday was the first election in which the bill governed vote-casting, two years after fielding criticism from the U.K.s Electoral Commission and advocates for the potentially discriminatory effects of such a scheme. Also included in the bill were provisions to change elections for mayoral and police commissioner positions to a first-past-the-post system, where the candidate with the most votes takes the seat, much like in the United States. Moving from the previous supplementaryor ranked choicesystem, Johnsons government was accused of changing the rules to benefit Tory candidates. Johnson, unlike the up to two million British voters without a photo ID who were effectively disenfranchised by the law, was able to vote later in the day once he retrieved his ID. Johnson resigned from the Prime Minister role in 2022 plagued by scandal, and ultimately left Parliament in 2023 during an investigation into ethics violations as Prime Minister. Boston police are asking for the publics help in locating a missing 12-year-old boy. Nehemiah Horton, of Dorchester, was last seen around 5 p.m. on Friday, May 3 in the area of 20 Outlook Road, The Young Achievers Pilot School. Horton is described as a black male, 411, stocky build, brown hair, and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a yellow Young Achievers shirt, black sweatpants, and possibly a long sleeve black and white dry-fit shirt. Horton is known to frequent the areas of Harambee and Mildred Park. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is advised to contact 911 or B-3 Detectives at 617-343-4712. 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 Boy, 14, found shot to death to be laid to rest; grandfather says he wants to help killer find new path Boy, 14, found shot to death to be laid to rest; grandfather says he wants to help killer find new path TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) The family of Jevario Buie is preparing to lay him to rest on Saturday. The 14-year-old was found shot to death in Tampa on April 17. His body was found near the railroad tracks between Busch Boulevard and Rome Avenue. He was shot multiple times, he was mutilated, he was beat, he was done really, really bad, Michael Baldwin, Jevarios grandfather. Baldwin said he wants to meet his grandsons killer to find out what was motivating their anger. Baldwin was incarcerated when Jevario, his first grandchild was born. When I came home about a little bit more than five years ago, I couldnt wait to see him, Baldwin recalled. We built this really strong and communicative relationship, he added. I would talk to him about man stuff, about growing up and the things he should avoid, the things that were dangerous for him, and I gave him the real talk, the straight talk. At the age of 14, Baldwin said he became a drug addict and his life spiraled downhill. Eventually, I got caught up in a crime that involved some kidnapping and moving people from one place to another and some assaults that took place, and I would eventually spend 26 years in prison26 years, 7 months, and 17 days to be exact, he said. Baldwin, 52, was paroled from a California prison in October 2018. Hes been on a road to redemption ever since. He began working as a paralegal and opened a consulting business to advocate for others. The perpetrators of this crime against me and my family and against Jevario, I want to meet them, Baldwin said. I want to help them discover some of the things that I discovered. I want to help them find a new way, a new path. What I intend on doing is not allowing Jevario to die in vain. If somebody shot me that many times, you probably could look at my past and see the dirt that Ive done and make some people justify doing something like that to me, but not him, he did not have that coming, he added. Baldwin believes in second chances. I believe that we are redeemable as human beings that we do deserve second chances, but we first have to take care of ourselves, he said. Baldwin said his first focus is supporting his family through the tremendous grief. Then he plans to bring his youth program to Tampa. We could predict and help shape it to where our kids dont have to use this as a rite of passage, shooting a gun or drinking alcohol or joining a gang, said Baldwin. Buies funeral is on Saturday. Baldwin said he personally invited Chief Lee Bercaw and State Attorney Suzy Lopez to attend the service. With the shooter still out there, Crime Stoppers of Tampa is offering a $5,000 reward for a tip that leads to an arrest. In addition, Buies family is offering a $2,000 reward. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. A British Palestinian doctor was denied entry to France for a Senate meeting about the war in Gaza FILE - Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta, a Palestinian-British surgeon specializing in conflict medicine, speaks during an interview at the Institute for Palestine Studies in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. Abu Sitta, who volunteered in Gaza hospitals, said he was denied entry to France on Saturday, May 4, 2024, to speak at a French Senate meeting about the Israel-Hamas war. Authorities wouldn't give a reason for the decision. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File) PARIS (AP) A well-known British Palestinian surgeon who volunteered in Gaza hospitals said he was denied entry to France on Saturday to speak at a French Senate meeting about the Israel-Hamas war. Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta was placed in a holding zone in the Charles de Gaulle airport and will be expelled, according to French Sen. Raymonde Poncet-Monge, who had invited him to speak at the Senate. Its a disgrace, Poncet-Monge posted on X. A French official said that Abu Sitta was turned away because he is barred from entry to all Schengen zone countries based on a German request. The official, who was not authorized to be publicly named according to government policy, wouldnt provide details or further information. Abu Sitta posted on social networks that he was denied entry in France because of a one-year ban by Germany on his entry to Europe. Germany denied him entry last month, and France and Germany are part of Europes border-free Schengen zone. Abu Sitta posted Saturday that he was being sent back to London. The French Foreign Ministry, Interior Ministry, local police and the Paris airport authority would not comment on what happened or give an explanation. Abu Sitta had been invited by Frances left-wing Ecologists group in the Senate to speak at a colloquium Saturday about the situation in Gaza, according to the Senate press service. The gathering included testimony from medics, journalists and international legal experts with Gaza-related experience. Last month Abu Sitta was denied entry to Germany to take part in a pro-Palestinian conference. He said he was stopped at passport control, held for several hours and then told he had to return to the U.K. He said airport police told him he was refused entry due to the safety of the people at the conference and public order. Abu Sitta, who recently volunteered with Doctors Without Borders in Gaza, has worked during multiple conflicts in the Palestinian territories, beginning in the late 1980s during the first Palestinian uprising. He has also worked in other conflict zones, including in Iraq, Syria and Yemen. France has seen tensions related to the Mideast conflict almost daily since the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas incursion into Israel. In recent days and weeks police have cleared out students at French campuses holding demonstrations and sit-ins similar to those in the United States. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Progressive Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Cori Bush (D-Minn.) compared police responses to ongoing pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses across the country to the Kent State Massacre on its 54th anniversary Saturday. 54 years ago, the Ohio National Guard opened fire on unarmed students at Kent State. Students have a right to speak out, organize, and protest systemic wrongs, Omar said in a post on the social platform X Saturday. We cant silence those expressing dissent, no matter how uncomfortable their protests may be to those in power. Four students were killed and nine were injured at Kent State University in Ohio on May 4, 1970, after the Ohio National Guard opened fire on an anti-Vietnam War protest crowd. Two notable recent instances of violence erupting as police and protestors clash came this week at Columbia University and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), when both the New York Police Department (NYPD) and Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) cracked down on pro-Palestinian protesters at the two schools. On the 54th anniversary of the Kent State Massacre, students across our country are being brutalized for standing up to endless war, Bush said in her own post on X. Our country must learn to actually uphold the rights of free speech & assembly upon which it was founded. Solidarity with our students[.] The comparisons followed reports that an NYPD officer with the Emergency Service Unit (ESU) accidentally fired a round while clearing a Columbia University building taken over by protesters earlier this week. The officer was searching the first floor, and only law enforcement was nearby during the incident, according to the NYPD. At approximately 2138 hours, an Emergency Service Unit officer was conducting an extensive and methodical search of an area on the first floor, a spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill. During this time, he was attempting to access a barricaded area. The ESU officer has a firearm that is equipped with a flashlight, and he was illuminating the area to find the best way to navigate through the barricaded area. The officer accidentally discharged his firearm causing a single round to be discharged. The round struck a frame in the wall a few feet away. The round did not strike any persons and did not cause any injuries. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A Charlotte Mecklenburg police officer carries a gun as he walks in the neighborhood where an officer-involved shooting took place in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, April 29, 2024. Police in North Carolina say numerous law enforcement officers conducting a task force operation have been struck by gunfire in Charlotte. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond) CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Saing Chhoeun was locked out of his Charlotte, North Carolina, home on Monday as law enforcement with high-powered rifles descended into his yard and garage, using a car as a shield as they were met with a shower of gunfire from the direction of his neighbor's house. As bullets flew just feet away, Chhoeun took out his phone and started live-streaming the standoff between officials and a man wanted for possession of a firearm by an ex-felon and fleeing to elude. By the end of the ordeal, five people including four officers and the shooter were dead and more injured in the deadliest single-day incident for U.S. law enforcement since 2016. The deadly shootout also illustrated how smartphone-wielding bystanders don't always run for cover when bullets start to fly. Increasingly, they look to livestream their perspective of the attack. Experts say the reaction reflects the new role that bystanders play in the age of smartphones. Its become sort of a social norm," said Karen North, a digital social media professor at the University of Southern California Annenberg. Humans always have had trouble defining the responsibilities of a bystander in a crisis situation, North said. Its not always safe to intervene, as with the situation in Charlotte, and people can feel helpless when theyre doing nothing. Social media has provided a third option. The "new responsibility of the bystander in the digital era is to take a record of what happened on their phones, she said. It used to be, If you see something, say something,'" North said. "Now, its, If you see something, start recording. Chhoeun had been about to leave for work when U.S. marshals blocked his driveway and he was forced to huddle for safety in his garage, his keys in the ignition of his truck. He crouched by the door knocking for his son to let him in with one hand and recording with the other. Chhoeun said he never would have risked his life to shoot a video if he hadn't been locked outside. But since he was, he thought: I might just live it, you know, get everybody the world to see also that Ive witnessed that. I didnt see that coming. Rissa Reign, a youth coordinator who lives in the neighborhood, said she was cleaning her house when she heard gunfire and walked out to find out what was happening. She began recording when she heard sirens, thinking she would share the video to Charlit, a Facebook group with 62,000 members where residents post about news and events. She had no idea how serious the situation had become until a SWAT vehicle pulled up behind her. Once we were out there, it was, Oh, no. This is an active situation,' she said. And the next thing you know, youre in the middle of something way bigger than what you thought. Reign saw livestreaming as a way to keep the community informed, she said. Seeing that really puts things in perspective and lets you know that is really real, not just reading it or hearing about it in the news," she said of the live stream video. "When you really see it, you can, you know, you know that its real. Mary Angela Bock, a media professor at the University of Texas at Austin, said there are many reasons why someone might pull out their phone in a situation like the one in Charlotte. There are always going to be people who try to shoot videos because of a human attraction to violence or to catch someone in an embarrassing situation. There are also good reasons for good people to respectfully, from a safe distance, record police activity, or any kind of government activity for the sake of citizenship: to bear witness on behalf of other citizens, to bear witness on behalf of the community, she said. Were all in this together. Bock, who studies people who film law enforcement, said police leaders often will say to her that they support the idea of respectfully distanced citizen video because it creates more evidence. But that is sometimes easier said than done on the ground during a crisis situation. Police officers will often talk about how, and this is true, video doesnt always show the whole story. Video has to start and stop. Somebody might not have been there in the beginning, somebody might not see the whole thing. One perspective is not the whole perspective, she said. Which is why I advocate to people to respectfully record from a distance because the more perspectives, the better when we triangulate. When we have more than one view of a scene, we have a better idea of what happened," Bock said. Numerous federal appeals courts have affirmed the right to record police work in public. Stephen Dubovsky, professor emeritus of psychiatry at the State University of New York at Buffalo, said for someone in that situation, connecting with others through livestreaming might give them a sense of safety. You go out there and you might be at risk, but youre looking at it through your phone," he said. "You're looking at it through the video, youre one step detached from it. In Chhoeuns video, two agents can be seen sheltering behind a vehicle. Another agent is shown by a fence in his yard, dropping to the ground as what appear to be bullets spray the area around him. "It was so, so sad for law enforcement," he said. "I know they are not choosing to die on my backyard, but just do their job. And thats what happened to them, left their family behind." ___ Willingham reported from Charleston, West Virginia. A southern California man was charged with sending death threats to Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis over her prosecution of Donald Trump, the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Northern District of Georgia announced Friday. Marc Shultz, 66, of Chula Vista, made his first federal court appearance in San Diego on Thursday, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a statement. He had been indicted by a federal grand jury on April 24 and will be formally arraigned in Atlanta in June. Shultz allegedly threatened Willis life in several comments posted to YouTube livestream videos on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5, vowing to violently murder her. In the comments, he lobbed racial slurs at the D.A. and said she will be killed like a dog, according to the indictment and the U.S. Attorneys release. Willis, who is prosecuting Trump for alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia, has been the target of racist threats since Trumps indictment in August. Trump himself has been relentless in his criticism of her, launching both personal attacks and plain falsehoods. Threats of violence against government officials, specifically, threaten the very fabric of our democracy, Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, said. We want everyone to know that if you engage in such behavior, you will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. In a statement, Willis thanked the U.S. Attorney in Northern Georgia for bringing the indictment and made a dig at Republican state Senator Bill Cowsert, who is investigating Willis for misconduct. On the same day Senator Bill Cowsert had the audacity to question whether an elected African American female District Attorney deserves protection from death threats, the United States Attorney and the FBI announced another indictment of someone who threatened my life, Willis said. I thank US Attorney Ryan Buchanan, his staff and the FBI for believing the life of an African American elected official has value and for their diligent efforts in ensuring the safety of myself, my staff, and our families. Willis has faced the Trump teams sustained attempts to oust her over an affair she had with a former special prosecutor, Nathan Wade, who she hired to lead the case. Judge Scott McAfee ultimately ruled that Willis could stay, on the condition that Wade would leave the case. Wade resigned shortly afterward. Shultzs threats were made months before Willis affair was uncovered. 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. Marshalls (LON:MSLH) has had a great run on the share market with its stock up by a significant 7.0% over the last week. We, however wanted to have a closer look at its key financial indicators as the markets usually pay for long-term fundamentals, and in this case, they don't look very promising. Particularly, we will be paying attention to Marshalls' ROE today. Return on Equity or ROE is a test of how effectively a company is growing its value and managing investors money. Simply put, it is used to assess the profitability of a company in relation to its equity capital. View our latest analysis for Marshalls How Is ROE Calculated? ROE can be calculated by using the formula: Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) Shareholders' Equity So, based on the above formula, the ROE for Marshalls is: 2.9% = UK18m UK641m (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2023). The 'return' is the amount earned after tax over the last twelve months. So, this means that for every 1 of its shareholder's investments, the company generates a profit of 0.03. Why Is ROE Important For Earnings Growth? So far, we've learned that ROE is a measure of a company's profitability. Depending on how much of these profits the company reinvests or "retains", and how effectively it does so, we are then able to assess a companys earnings growth potential. Generally speaking, other things being equal, firms with a high return on equity and profit retention, have a higher growth rate than firms that dont share these attributes. A Side By Side comparison of Marshalls' Earnings Growth And 2.9% ROE It is quite clear that Marshalls' ROE is rather low. Even when compared to the industry average of 9.5%, the ROE figure is pretty disappointing. Given the circumstances, the significant decline in net income by 14% seen by Marshalls over the last five years is not surprising. We believe that there also might be other aspects that are negatively influencing the company's earnings prospects. For example, the business has allocated capital poorly, or that the company has a very high payout ratio. That being said, we compared Marshalls' performance with the industry and were concerned when we found that while the company has shrunk its earnings, the industry has grown its earnings at a rate of 9.0% in the same 5-year period. Earnings growth is a huge factor in stock valuation. The investor should try to establish if the expected growth or decline in earnings, whichever the case may be, is priced in. By doing so, they will have an idea if the stock is headed into clear blue waters or if swampy waters await. Is MSLH fairly valued? This infographic on the company's intrinsic value has everything you need to know. Story continues Is Marshalls Using Its Retained Earnings Effectively? With a high three-year median payout ratio of 100% (implying that -0.3% of the profits are retained), most of Marshalls' profits are being paid to shareholders, which explains the company's shrinking earnings. The business is only left with a small pool of capital to reinvest - A vicious cycle that doesn't benefit the company in the long-run. You can see the 2 risks we have identified for Marshalls by visiting our risks dashboard for free on our platform here. Additionally, Marshalls has paid dividends over a period of at least ten years, which means that the company's management is determined to pay dividends even if it means little to no earnings growth. Our latest analyst data shows that the future payout ratio of the company is expected to drop to 50% over the next three years. The fact that the company's ROE is expected to rise to 8.7% over the same period is explained by the drop in the payout ratio. Summary Overall, we would be extremely cautious before making any decision on Marshalls. Particularly, its ROE is a huge disappointment, not to mention its lack of proper reinvestment into the business. As a result its earnings growth has also been quite disappointing. With that said, we studied the latest analyst forecasts and found that while the company has shrunk its earnings in the past, analysts expect its earnings to grow in the future. To know more about the company's future earnings growth forecasts take a look at this free report on analyst forecasts for the company to find out more. 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. A California man has been indicted by an Atlanta grand jury on charges of threatening Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D), according to a Friday press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia. Marc Shultz, 66, of Chula Vista, Calif., reportedly made the threats due to Wills prosecution of former President Trump. In October of last year, Shultz allegedly posted multiple comments to two separate YouTube live stream videos that threatened District Attorney Willis with violence and murder including a statement that she will be killed like a dog, per Buchanan, Shultz indictment and other information presented in court, the press release said. Threats against any individual, credible or not, is a very serious crime that the FBI will not tolerate, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta Keri Farley said in the release. Threats of violence against government officials, specifically, threaten the very fabric of our democracy. We want everyone to know that if you engage in such behavior, you will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Willis thanked U.S. Attorney Ryan Buchanan, his staff and the FBI for believing the life of an African American elected official has value and for their diligent efforts in ensuring the safety of myself, my staff, and our families in a statement, according to Fox5 Atlanta. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Canadian police on Friday arrested three men over the killing of a Sikh separatist, whose death in Vancouver last year has been linked to the Indian government. The murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar plunged Canada and India into a serious diplomatic crisis after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested Indian government involvement in the homicide. India dismissed the allegations as absurd and responded furiously, briefly curbing visas for Canadians and forcing Ottawa to withdraw diplomats. Three Indian nationals, two aged 22 and one aged 28, were arrested on Friday and charged with first degree murder and conspiracy charges. They are accused of being the shooter, driver and lookout on the day Nijjar was killed. They were arrested by police in Edmonton, in the neighboring province of Alberta, where they reside, and are being held pending further proceedings. All had been in Canada for between three and five years, police said at a news conference. This investigation does not end here. We are aware that others may have played a role in this homicide, said Mandeep Mooker of the Royal Canadian Mounted Polices homicide investigations team. Mr Mooker said 'we are aware others may have played a role in this homicide' - Getty Nijjar - who immigrated to Canada in 1997 and became a citizen in 2015 - advocated for a separate Sikh state, known as Khalistan, carved out of India. He was wanted by Indian authorities for alleged terrorism and conspiracy to commit murder. On June 18, 2023, he was shot dead by masked assailants in the carpark of the Sikh temple he led in Surrey, a city in Vancouver. Mr Trudeau announced several months later that Canada had credible allegations linking Indian intelligence to the killing and expelled an Indian official, spurring the diplomatic tit-for-tat with New Delhi. Mr Mooker said Canadian police are still investigating the ties of the suspects, if any, to the Indian government. Moninder Singh, a close friend of Nijjar, told AFP it was a relief that the investigation was moving forward. It is ultimately India who is responsible and hiring individuals to assassinate Sikh leaders in foreign countries, said Mr Singh, who is also spokesperson for the British Columbia Council of Gurdwaras. Mr Singh said many questions remained - Getty In November, the US Justice Department charged an Indian citizen living in the Czech Republic with allegedly plotting a similar assassination attempt on American soil. Prosecutors said in unsealed court documents that an Indian government official was also involved in the planning. The shock allegations came after US President Joe Biden hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a rare state visit, as Washington seeks closer ties with India against Chinas growing influence. US intelligence agencies have assessed that the plot on American soil was approved by Indias top spy official at the time, Samant Goel, The Washington Post reported this week. India has denied that allegation. Canada is home to some 770,000 Sikhs, who make up about two percent of the countrys population, with a vocal minority calling for an independent state of Khalistan. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Canada's arrests of three Indian men in Sikh leader's death 'bittersweet,' friend says Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, site of the 2023 murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Surrey By Anna Mehler Paperny TORONTO (Reuters) - If Hardeep Singh Nijjar were alive, he and his friend Moninder Singh would probably be chatting in a backyard over milkshakes. But he is not. The Canadian Sikh leader was gunned down almost a year ago in British Columbia. Moninder Singh lost his friend of 15 years last June outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, a Vancouver suburb with a large Sikh population. The 45-year-old's death rocked Canada's Sikh community. A few months later, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau triggered a diplomatic crisis with New Delhi when he cited evidence of Indian government involvement in Nijjar's death. On Friday, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police laid murder charges against three Indian men in connection with Nijjar's death and said they were probing possible ties to the Indian government. The Indian mission in Ottawa did not respond to requests for comment. The arrests are "bittersweet," Moninder Singh told Reuters Friday afternoon. "Its a relief that the investigation is moving forward. At the same time, its still raising a lot of questions," said Singh, a spokesperson for the B.C. Gurdwaras Council. Nijjar was a Canadian citizen campaigning for the creation of Khalistan, an independent Sikh homeland carved out of India. The presence of Sikh separatist groups in Canada has long frustrated New Delhi, which had labeled Nijjar a "terrorist" in 2020. As Canada scrutinizes foreign interference in its elections, Singh called for a separate inquiry focusing solely on Indian interference in Canadian affairs. He and other Sikh Canadian leaders told Reuters Canada has taken Indian interference more seriously since Nijjar's death. "I think that Canada has been soft on Indian interference for the past four decades. The Canadian Sikh community has had to bear the brunt of it," said Balpreet Singh, legal counsel for the World Sikh Organization. But Nijjar's death represents "the undermining of (Canada's) sovereignty at a very, very different level," Moninder Singh said. Nijjar is missed on a community, a family and a personal level, his friend said. "He was such a strong leader, and a strong voice ... I've mistakenly called him since he passed away and sent him messages and it takes me a second to realize what I've done." But Nijjar would not want his community to live in fear, Singh said. "His death has brought about such huge momentum to galvanize the community," he said. "I think his expectation is, don't let them strike fear into you." (Reporting by Anna Mehler Paperny; Editing by Kim Coghill) Car thefts decriminalised as three in four go unsolved and police taking up to 24 hours to respond Car theft has been effectively decriminalised as three in four cases go unsolved, according to an analysis of official data. and police took up to 24 hours to respond to calls from victims. Nearly 109,000 car theft offences went unsolved equivalent to 298 cases a day in 2023, according to Home Office figures. This accounted for 77 per cent of all car thefts recorded. Just three per cent of all cases resulted in a suspect being charged or summonsed. The Met was the worst performing police force, with 85 per cent of car thefts, or 33,237 cases, going unsolved, followed by British Transport Police with 85 per cent of cases and South Yorkshire with 83 per cent. This compared with 38 per cent in the best-performing force, Dyfed-Powys in Wales, and Norfolk, where just 39 per cent went unsolved. The data, compiled by the Liberal Democrats, also showed that police took up to 24 hours to respond to calls from victims as car theft was deprioritised in favour of higher harm offences. Average wait times Freedom of Information requests revealed that in Durham victims were left waiting an average of 23 hours and 54 minutes for an officer to arrive at the scene in 2023, while wait times in Cleveland were nearly 13 hours on average. By contrast, it was seven minutes 38 seconds in Avon and Somerset followed by 15 minutes 25 seconds in Humberside, 17 minutes 23 seconds in south Yorkshire and 21 minutes three seconds in Warwickshire. Alistair Carmichael, the Lib Dem home affairs spokesman, said car theft had been effectively legalised. Thousands of criminals are getting away with it, and the buck stops with the Government, he said. Victims of car theft are left feeling hopeless that they will never see justice. The vast majority of cases go unsolved and people are left waiting hours for the police to show up. The FOI data also showed Police failed to attend more than 70 per cent of car thefts last year despite an increase in incidents. Some 30,900 car thefts had no police officer attending the scene of the crime in 2023, accounting for 72 per cent of all cases. Unattended thefts The number of unattended thefts had also risen dramatically compared with previous years up 32 per cent on 2021 which saw 22,979 unattended car theft incidents. It comes as car hacking technology bought online by organised crime gangs has been blamed for fuelling an almost 20 per cent rise in vehicle thefts. The National Crime Agency (NCA) says criminals are increasingly turning to devices which enable them to hack into and drive off with high-end cars without having to steal the keys. The so-called electronic compromise thefts also bypass keyless fobs, which have been the subject of increased security by car manufacturers after being targeted by thieves in recent years. Broad daylight There is also growing evidence that increasing numbers of thieves are towing cars from driveways or the side of the road in broad daylight. Car security companies said they had seen an alarming rise in thefts in which criminals using tow trucks often wear high-visibility clothing in an attempt to appear legitimate. Bryn Brooker, the head of road safety at Nextbase, a dash cam company, said thieves were stepping up their game and using increasingly brazen tactics. These are sophisticated professionals who know what they are doing, he said. Their latest tactic is to use trucks to move a vehicle. It reduces the chance of them being caught and makes the whole operation faster, he said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Brezinski was arrested on Friday at his practice. A Carolina Beach doctor has been charged with indecent liberties with a child and sexual offense in the first degree. Damian Alexander Brezinski, 61, was arrested on Friday, according to the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office inmate search. Brezinski was employed as a cardiologist at Island Cardiology in Carolina Beach. Officers brought Brezinski into custody at 4:49 p.m. at Island Cardiology, located at 1328 N. Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, according to a news release from the Kure Beach Police Department. Search warrants were also served at the medical practice and at Brezinski's home at 286 Seawatch Way, Kure Beach. In 2019, Brezinski settled a civil case for "allegedly performing unnecessary procedures on patients at New Hanover Regional Medical Center," according to previous StarNews reporting. Brezinski and Wilmington Health settled the case for more than $244,000. Brezinski was in the New Hanover County Jail under a $1.5 million bond as of Saturday. His next court date is scheduled for Monday. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Carolina Beach doctor charged with indecent liberties with a child In case we forgot, a harsh reminder this week of how cruel communist Cuba can be| Opinion We spoke too soon. We recently wrote an editorial observing that the Cuban government seemed unusually zen-like with demonstrators. The evidence: A protest last month in Santiago de Cuba, in which people were heard chanting about the shortage of food, electricity and liberty, appeared to dissipate peacefully and organically, and not with a bashing by state police. Was Cuba growing more lenient about protesters, we wondered? Even island leader Miguel Diaz-Canel admitted he understood the protesters pain. Of course, he blamed the U.S. embargo but seemed to indicating the protesters were being heard. He even announced he would hold fireside chats to better communicate with the people. Well, forget all that nonsense. This week, a new case of Cuban-style punishment, glaring in its severity, has dashed all that leniency talk. Enter the crackdown, as is always the case in Cuba, a leading human rights abuser. A 23-year-old Cuban mother, Mayelin Rodriguez Prado, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for participating in protests that occurred in the summer of 2022, Miami Heralds Cuba reporter Nora Gamez Torres reported. Prados crime? She uploaded a video of the protest on Facebook to the rest of the island and for the outside world to see. The Cuban government hates to be exposed. Prado is said to have recorded the moment in which Cuban police beat three girls during the demonstration, as well as other repressive actions against protesters, according to el Pais newspaper. It was Mayelin who gave visibility to the protests and to the repression of the authorities. That is why this sentence [has been imposed], as a way to punish her, said Cuban lawyer Raudiel Pena Barrios, a member of the legal advisory group Cubalex, which monitors human rights abuses on the island. The sentence shows that Cuba never changes. It could have been handed down in 1959. In Cuba, 15 years in prison is 15 years with no parole. Prado broke a cardinal rule: the ideals of Fidel Castros revolution are not to be criticized, and those who do, like this young mother, are jailed or sent into exile. According to reports, Prado was sentenced by a court in Havana for the crimes of public disorder, contempt, attack and theft or criminal damage, She had admitted that during the protests, she also yelled slogans like freedom and down with the dictatorship. She had been charged with sedition and disseminating enemy propaganda for the August 2022 posts of the protest in the city of Nuevitas, in the central province of Camaguey. Heres how this woman came into the spotlight. A year after anti-government protests spread throughout the island on July 11, 2021, dubbed the Patria y Vida movement, the residents of Nuevitas took to the streets during an electricity blackout. They chanted, Turn on the lights! Freedom! and The people are tired! according to independent news outlet 14ymedio. Prado received a 15-year sentence; another 12 demonstrators received sentences between four and 14 years for similar charges. This week, even U.S. officials were shocked by the severity of the sentences. The harsh sentencing this week of up to 15 years in prison for Cubans who peacefully assembled... is outrageous, Brian Nichols, assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs at the U.S. State Department, said on X. The Cuban governments continued repression of Cubans striving to fulfill their basic rights and needs is unconscionable. The previous severe crackdown came during those Patria y Vida demonstrations. The Cuban government prosecuted hundreds of people who participated, meting out sentences of up to 30 years in prison. Despite an international outcry and diplomatic efforts, Cuban authorities have declined to release them, claiming they are not political prisoners. The harsh sentences for the Nuevitas demonstrators suggest Cuban authorities are at it again and remain steadfast in their determination to crack down on opposition. In recent years, the Cuban government had approved legislation, in effect, criminalizing freedom of expression. Now, thats the despicable, old guard Cuba we know. Click here to send the letter. The implementation of AI technology, climate change, and international cuisine were a few topics touched upon by the CGTN America networks on-air hosts during a panel discussion at Thursdays The Business of TV News conference. The network, the U.S. arm of the Beijing-based China Global Television Network, is looking to reach American viewers with news and public affairs originating from China. Network personality Sean Callebs acknowledged the challenge of getting American viewers to watch and trust content from the country. We have challenges getting people to watch us I think thats kind of obvious, he said. Everything weve ever done is out there in public. Along with distribution issues, panelists said the network also faces challenges similar to U.S.-based news networks, including the emergence of artificial intelligence to enhance the creation and distribution of content. The panelists admitted to finding AI technology useful, but it is not rushing into everyday implementation of the technology. Panel moderator and on-air contributor Elaine Reyes said she uses AI to help clean up various elements of a show. If Im outside doing a standup and we have to clean some of the audio out and take some of the honks out of the honking in the background for some of our feature shows, we can use that, she said. AI is also helpful in creating translations for the networks shows. Callebs compared CGTN to a dragon with seven heads, with the news sitting in the belly that gets distributed via multiple languages, including English, Mandarin, Arabic and Spanish. We use AI for translation quite a bit; to get it done quickly for transcripts, he said. Yet, with the potential benefits of AI, Callebs said China is moving ahead very carefully and very slowly. Panelist Gerald Tan added that China has laid a lot of the early framework for the regulations governing AI in terms of the creation of images, chatbots and other uses. As that becomes more integrated in the technology that is being created, AI is going out around the world, he said. It is affecting all of us in that sense. On the programming side, the network has created what it calls the Global Action Initiative, which examines the impact of climate change of society. The way we devise these shows is to not just talk about policy which is important but we want to focus on the nuts and bolts. Lets say collective versus individual responsibility, said on-air host Atirath Aich. The network also delves into the lifestyles genre through such series as Tso'l Food, which looks at the various incarnations of Chinese food dishes that have been adapted to cater to the palettes of local communities around the world. Tan, the host, said it was inspired by General Tso's Chicken, a dish he had never known about until he came to the States. Its actually been really fascinating just traveling around the country and learning about interesting dishes that only exist here in America, Tan said. Were really basically using food as a lens to get into the deepest stories of migration and resilience and innovation. The Mississippi Legislature has passed a budget to fund the state for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 with nearly $7.9 billion for state agencies, departments and projects. The final funding approval represents a more than $200 million increase in state financial support from FY 2023-2024, which was $7.615 billion. Among the top issues this session were a massive increase K-12 education spending and an influx of money in state support for the Mississippi Department of Transportation. Here are some of the big numbers from the $7,866,399,797 total budget and who got shorted as compared to last year. What agencies received less funding? MDOT received $1.438 billion in direct appropriations this year, which represents a $100 million decrease from last year. However, the agency received more than $400 million in other state and American Rescue Plan Act funds. Most of those funds will go directly toward funding some of the department's most important projects. Most notably, some of that money will right into MDOT's project to modernize I-55, which runs down the middle of the state and right through Jackson. The Mississippi Department of Revenue, received about $57 million in funding, showing an about $3 million reduction from the $60 million it received last year. MDR is responsible for enforcing, regulating and documenting taxes issued to state residents, businesses and organizations. The Institutions of Higher Learning did not receive a boost in funding to lead the state's eight public universities. The IHL will get about $874 million this coming fiscal year, showing a significant drop from the $934 million it received last year. Several other state agencies also received less money this year from Mississippi lawmakers. The Attorney General's Office, which serves as the primary legal counsel for the state, will receive about $21 million to fund it's operations, showing about a $9 million decrease from last year. The Secretary of State's Office also experiences a drop in funding, receiving $14 million in state appropriations, compared to $16 million during the 2023 session. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks received $27.7 million, showing about $4 million in decreased funding Mississippi House Speaker Jason White, R-West, talks to representatives while gathering his things to leave the chamber on the second to last day at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson on Friday. On Friday, state lawmakers approved a record $7.86 billion budget. What agencies received more funding? The Mississippi Department of Education will receive $3.312 billion, a more than $300 million increase from FY 2023-2024. Most of those additional funds come from the Mississippi Student Funding Formula, which replaced the state's previous funding model for K-12 Education, the Mississippi Adequate Education Formula. Story continues The Mississippi Department of Corrections will receive $431 million this upcoming fiscal year, showing a stark increase from last year when it was given only $407 million to operate state prisons and jails. The Mississippi Division of Medicaid also saw a slight bump in funding this year, receiving $911 million, compared to $909 million in 2023. The Mississippi Department of Health received an increase of about $10 million this year, rising to $92 million. With the state budget out of the way, Mississippi lawmakers have nothing left to do but gavel out for the year. The session is slated to end Saturday morning. Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi Legislature approves $7.86 billion budget for state agencies A charity which runs a Leeds mosque is being looked at by the Charity Commission after its imam compared the Oct 7 attack to Jews breaking out of Nazi concentration camps and criticised Jordan for intercepting Iranian missiles bound for Israel. Sheikh Jaffer Ladak, the imam of the Baab-Ul-Ilm Centre, appeared to welcome Iran launching its attack and chided Gulf states for providing an Arab Dome for Israel. The Baab-Ul-Ilm Centre is understood to be run by the trustees of Khoja Shia Ithnaasheri Muslim Community of Metro Leeds, which is a registered charity. Its imam, Mr Ladak, has caused controversy with a number of his statements following the Oct 7 attack by Hamas and Israels subsequent military action in Gaza. In a video posted on Instagram in January, he complained about the media asking Muslims if they condemn Hamas for the attack on Oct 7. He said: The answer is actually no, why should we condemn? If this was 1945 and the Jews were in a concentration camp and broke out of that concentration camp and then attacked the Nazi military bases around that concentration camp, would anyone in history condemn the Jews for breaking out of their concentration camp? No. Fill their hearts with terror On the night of April 13, when news broke of Irans attack on Israel, Mr Ladak posted two comments in Arabic on X, formerly known as Twitter, appearing to welcome the assault. Fill their hearts with terror, and restrain their hands from extending, one post said. The other said: O Allah, empty their hearts of security, their bodies of strength, and bewilder their minds from deceit. Weaken their pillars from confronting men and make them cowardly from confronting heroes. Send upon them an army of Your angels. The two sentences appear in a part of a Shia prayer for the protection and victory of those who defend the Muslim community from its enemies. In a sermon from the mosque streamed live on April 18, Mr Ladak criticised Jordan for intercepting the drones. Referring to Western influence in the Middle East dating back to the First World War, he said: With the [1916] Sykes-Picot agreement and the carving up of the Muslim world into nation-states, each of them waving their little flag, each of them having a king and a leadership that is put in place by the West, for the sake of the West, where are we 100 years later?... Shall I tell you where we are 100 years later? The Israelis, they dont have an Iron Dome, they have an Arab Dome. It is Jordan and Saudi Arabia and the UAE that directly defend the Zionist regime, such that if Iran sends over its weaponry, it is the Jordanian king that makes sure that they are shot down When he goes I wouldnt want these drones, no nation would want drones to be able to enter into its air space, well how come Iraq allowed it, and how come Syria allowed it?... This is what Jordan is until today. The only good thing that Jordan has is Petra. A Charity Commission spokeswoman said: We became aware of concerns about earlier statements made at the Baab-Ul-Ilm Centre Leeds in March 2024 and are engaged with relevant trustees on this matter. We will assess this new information, to decide if there is a role for the Commission. In a statement, the Khoja Shia Ithnaasheri Muslim Community of Metro Leeds said: The charity would be failing in its duty if it neglected to educate and inform its congregation. Sheikh Jaffer Ladak expressed indignation at the Arab states aiding and abetting the plausible genocide in Gaza as determined by the International Court of Justice. The charity and Sheikh Jaffer Ladak feel they have been gratuitously subjected to a sustained campaign of Islamophobia, harassment, intimidation and denied their right to freedom of speech. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Charlotte has a housing crisis, as does the nation. Charlottes faith community has a new answer. Our city is at the forefront of an emerging national movement of faith-based institutions building housing on their properties. Its a great idea for all involved. Faith-based institutions occupy hundreds of acres in choice locations. But most are built for a different time in American Christianity, when our pews and parking lots were far more full. Many congregations strain under the weight of high property maintenance and repair costs. Rev. John Cleghorn Their heart for ministry hasnt changed, but membership rolls and budgets are smaller and congregations are navigating new waters in the nations shifting practices of faith and spirituality. As Charlottes population growth and apartment construction rage on, affordable housing developers and our neighbors of all incomes need more options for housing near transportation, jobs, parks and other amenities. The good news is that a handful of Charlotte churches have already partnered with local government, developers and philanthropists to prove that putting housing on church land not only alleviates the affordable housing crunch, it enriches their ministry. In just the last year, Hidden Valleys Mayfield Memorial Missionary Baptist Church and DreamKey Partners opened 51 apartments with added space for community services. Uptowns Little Rock AME Zion Church and Laurel Street Residential opened a 105-apartment property with half of the units affordable and half at market rate. Mayfield Memorial Missionary Baptist Church, Mayfield Memorial Community Development Corporation and DreamKey Partners collaborated to create Sugaree Place, a 51-unit affordable housing complex in northeast Charlotte that is now open. My congregation, Caldwell Presbyterian in Elizabeth, and DreamKey are transforming a campus building into 21 studio apartments. Were grateful for the financial support from Myers Park United Methodist, the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency and the Merancas Foundation who added to our contributions of money and property. Roof Above will provide supportive services that give our neighbors the attention and stability they need after experiencing homelessness. In an effort to help alleviate Charlottes housing crisis, Caldwell Presbyterian Church on Fifth Street in Elizabeth is transforming an unused church building (right) into 21 affordable studio apartments. These and other recent examples follow the lead of local Black congregations that led the way over the last three decades. That includes St. Paul Baptist and Grace Emmanuel Baptist. Each initiative serves a different slice of the population. Each helps close the citys 35,000-unit shortage of affordable living places. Each helps make Charlotte more hospitable to those with various income levels and life circumstances. Each offers options in a city where those who do the hard and often low-paying work of our economy are pushed out to surrounding counties and towns to find housing they can afford. As with other things our faith asks, its not easy work. Faith-based communities arent real estate developers, financiers or social workers. They need technical assistance and financial partners along with neighborhood support to overcome NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard) with YIGBYism (Yes In Gods Back Yard). For all these reasons, I welcome the Faith-Based Development Initiative established in January by Mayor Vi Lyles and led by City Council member LaWana Mayfield. It pledges to equip congregations with the resources, partnerships and expertise needed to navigate the complexities of affordable housing development. A May 30 Faith and Housing Summit for congregations will kick start this effort. With a history of displacing Black, brown and lower-income residents, Charlotte has a moral call to remain livable for a diverse population. We are years and billions of dollars away from providing the housing solutions needed to be the inclusive city we all want to see. We can close the gap, but it will take everyone. With open minds, faithful hearts, innovative spirits and the right support and partnerships, Charlottes congregations can create community, build belonging and find their own transformation and renewal along the way. Lets get to work. Rev. John Cleghorn is pastor of Caldwell Presbyterian Church. He is author of Building Belonging: The Churchs Call to Create Community and House Our Neighbors, to be published this fall by Westminster John Knox Press. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) One of the most emotional moments of Fridays funeral service for fallen Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Joshua Eyer came when his wife addressed mourners. Steeled by the love for her husband, Ashley Eyer found strength to get up in front of hundreds of people to eulogize him. I may not be able to get through this, but I want to try, said Eyer to the audience at First Baptist Church Charlotte. She spoke about the man most knew as a CMPD officer and former national guardsman, but she knew as her husband. MORE FROM QUEEN CITY NEWS SHANNON PARK SHOOTING For 10 years Josh and I built a beautiful life, she said. He is and always will be my very, my very best friend. The love of her life was taken after he gave his life keeping the community safe. Eyer was one of four law enforcement officers shot and killed in a shooting in east Charlotte Monday. He was so, so good to me, I never have, and I never will question how much he loved me, and I will carry his love with me for the rest of my life, said Ashley. Bagpipes led the processional for Officer Eyer Friday from CMPD headquarters to First Baptist Church Charlotte. She says her husbands legacy isnt just as a police officer. Its through their little boy, Andrew, who was playing in the aisle during the service. If you really want to honor him, please help me by maintaining his legacy through Andrew, Eyer said. Help me teach him who his daddy was and what he meant to each of you. One day Andrew will understand that his father was a hero and died while serving others. To Joshua, thank you for giving me a beautiful life and for a beautiful son, Eyer said. We wont let you down, ok, I love you so much, sunshine. Ill see you soon. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. A Cherokee County man is currently serving a sentence for his fifth conviction of stalking the same woman, but when he gets out this time, hell be banned from the State of Georgia. Last month, 39-year-old Christopher Mackey Kaufman was sentenced to 35 years with 15 to serve in prison after pleading guilty to six counts of aggravated stalking and five counts of violating a family protective order. Cherokee County District Attorney Susan K. Treadaways Office says Kaufman and the victim previously dated and had a child together. While they were in a relationship, she said he physically assaulted and threatened her, but she never called law enforcement. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] In 2016, Cherokee deputies say they learned that Kaufman was watching her home, calling her repeatedly and even sleeping in a trailer on her property. He was arrested. But while he was in jail, investigators say kept calling her. He was convicted of 22 misdemeanors, including stalking, trespassing, harassing communications and more. He was sentenced to jail time, ordered not to contact his ex-girlfriend and was given a permanent protective order. Prosecutors say he did not follow these guidelines and was convicted four more times of the same crimes. While he was incarcerated each time, he got contraband cellphones from the state prison and used them to reach out to his ex-girlfriend on social media. TRENDING STORIES: Modern culture often depicts stalking as either non-threatening, romantic gestures or as direct, violent threats. In reality, aggravated stalking is typically a more subtle contact that inflicts fear and terror in its intended target. This defendant was violent with the victim when they dated, to the point that he threatened to kill her if he couldnt have her, said Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Rachel Ashe. With this history, his relentless contact with the victim was perceived as sinister and dangerous. Superior Court Judge Tony Baker added onto Kaufmans sentence that he is to never contact the victim again and will be banned from the State of Georgia. According to Georgia Department of Corrections records, Kaufman began his sentence on April 30 and is currently being held at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification State Prison in Butts County. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: DENVER (KDVR) An Aurora elementary school is changing leadership after an attempted kidnapping last month on the schools playground. The April 19 incident at Black Forest Hills Elementary School was caught on camera, showing a man run after and grab at a student as the group of children ran away. The man was a sex offender and has since been arrested. Son, accused in death of mother found covered in maggots, speaks out from jail Cherry Creek Schools has been investigating the incident since. The information obtained through this investigation has led us to decide that we need to make an administrative change at Black Forest Hills, a Friday statement from the district reads. We are making that change now so that we can move forward with the final weeks of the school year in a positive and productive way. Surveillance image of a man on a playground Principal Amanda Replogle will be replaced with an acting principal through the end of the school year until a permanent replacement is announced, according to the district. In a letter to the school community on April 24, Replogle admitted a clear misstep in that the school was not placed on secure status after the incident. I, along with district leadership, own that mistake. There was confusion at the time and we did not know all the details of what occurred as we do now, Replogle said in the letter. Since the incident, parents had been demanding action including Replogles removal and met with district leaders for the first time on Monday. They did admit fault, Dante White told FOX31s Alliyah Sims after the meeting. Whites child encountered the suspect. They called it a mistake. Mistakes are for burning pizzas these are peoples children, right? These are lives. Leadership changes at Black Forest Hills Elementary School Chuck Puga, former principal at Smoky Hill High School, was named acting principal through the end of the school year. Midge Eidson, a longtime elementary principal in the district, will serve as assistant principal. Cyndi Burdick, who has been assistant principal since January, will stay on through the end of the year, according to the district. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Cherry Creek Schools said the following actions have been taken since the kidnapping attempt: District security has worked with Black Forest Hills staff to review all security protocols, including the districts Standard Response Protocol and criteria for when to call a SECURE status. District security worked with paraprofessionals (teaching assistants) to reconfigure supervision at recess to improve line of sight. Students will be kept closer to school and not allowed to be on the field near the fence and public sidewalk. There will be additional security and police patrols in the area through the end of this school year and an increased presence of district security coordinators at the school. We have added administrative support for the school and are working collaboratively to define the safety needs of the community. We have prioritized the needs of students through mental health resources and alternative options for indoor recess. There will be additional security at all outdoor end-of-year events at the school. The school has reinstated the Watchdog Dads/Moms group to provide additional support to the school community. The district said a new principal for the 2024-25 school year will be announced in the coming weeks. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Chicago homicides at lowest level in at least six years, police say Chicago homicides at lowest level in at least six years, police say CHICAGO The number of homicides in the city are at their lowest levels in at least six years, according to data released Friday by the Chicago Police Department. The city recorded 37 homicides in April, a 30 percent drop from April of last year. Overall, police say homicides are down 12 percent so far this year. Additionally, more of the homicides that are occurring are resulting in charges. Through April, police reported a clearance rate of more than 76 percent, the departments highest since 2015. Other progress reported by police: Shootings are down 8 percent year-over-year, and theres been a nearly 5 percent drop in the number of shooting victims Robberies declined 4.5 percent from April 2023 and are down 1.4 percent so far in 2024 Thefts of vehicles are down 32 percent from April 2023 and down 27 percent so far this year The 313 carjackings recorded so far this year is a 22 percent decline from last year Crime on the Chicago Transit Authoritys buses are trains are down 6 percent The number of illegal firearms taken off the street is pacing nearly 12 percent higher from this time last year. Authorities noted that they ended the month saying goodbye to officer Luis Huesca, who was killed in the line of duty on April 21. Police said he is among the 29 officers either shot or shot at so far this year. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. CHICAGO The City of Chicago and major airlines have agreed on terms to begin a new addition at OHare International Airport. On Friday, the airlines and the city agreed on plans to build a new international terminal that will sit between existing terminals that belong to United Airlines and American Airlines. The addition would eliminate the need for travelers to take the airport train when connecting. 3 new businesses open at Chicagos OHare International Airport The City of Chicago is thrilled to announce the acceptance of its proposal by airline partners to proceed with the Terminal Area Program (TAP) to modernize Chicago OHare International Airport. We look forward to prioritizing the OHare Global Terminal to bring benefits to the traveling public sooner, while providing thousands of jobs and contracting opportunities to Chicago, a spokesperson for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said. According to the agreement, construction on the new global terminal would not begin until after construction of the new satellite terminal begins, that would create additional space for domestic flights. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines United and America now have to approve any changes to the budget or scope of the expansion project. We are excited to move forward on this project so our customers traveling to and from Chicago can enjoy the benefits. We look forward to collaborating with the Mayor and his aviation department on the budget, scope and design of the project so that together, we can not only deliver the modernized airport envisioned in the 2018 lease contract but also ensure OHares future financial stability and competitiveness for years to come, a spokesperson for Chicago-based United Airlines said. Chicago OHare International Airport gets $40 million in funding for Terminal 3 improvements The agreement comes after years of delays and concerns over climbing costs for the project. The airlines have been skeptical about if the project can be completed within the initially estimated budget of $6 billion. In a statement on Friday, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth applauded the agreement. After months of volleying counter-offers and facing deadlock, we are relieved that the City of Chicago and the airlines have finally come to an agreement about the future of the Chicago OHare International Airport Terminal Project. With both parties now in agreement, we can begin to take a major step forward on the project with a shared vision one that allows OHare to not only maintain its world-class status, but to also modernize its terminals while leaving room to expand to meet the demands of travelers well into the future, Durbin, and Duckworth said. There is currently no word on when construction could begin. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. CHICAGO An arrest has been made in connection with a fatal shooting that unfolded on the citys West Side in early December. Chicago police say 29-year-old Kameron Freeman, a Humboldt Park resident, was taken into custody on Thursday in the 1300 block of North Pulaski Road. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Authorities say he has since been charged with two felonies, including armed robbery and murder or other forcible felony. The charges stem from Freemans alleged role in a deadly shooting that left a 39-year-old man dead on Dec. 3, 2023. Police say it all happened just after 5:30 p.m. in the 1700 block of North Lotus Avenue, in Austin. According to police, multiple people took part in the deadly shooting, and Freeman is just one of the alleged participants. Police have not provided details on how many people were involved or if any other arrests have been made. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Freeman appeared in court on Saturday for a detention hearing. Authorities have not yet identified the victim killed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. CHICKASAW, Ala. (WKRG) A man wanted by the Chickasaw Police Department on a domestic violence charge turned himself in to authorities Friday, according to officials with the Chickasaw Police Department. Mobile Police Command Staff releases statement on Kenyen Browns use-of-force report; Stimpson responds 43-year-old Robert Lee Pettaway was wanted after he allegedly ran from officers following a domestic violence call. Police said Pettaway got away after they responded to a call on the 500 block of 4th Avenue on April 15. Officers arrived at the scene around 8:35 p.m. and reportedly separated Pettaway from an alleged victim in an attempt to speak with both parties, the release said. Allegedly, when Pettaway was walking with officers, he dropped a handgun and ran. Pettaway is charged with first-degree domestic violence, violation of a domestic violence protection order and attempt to elude. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. After being brought back, children who do not have parents or whose parents have been deprived of parental rights are placed in family-based forms of upbringing. Photo: Ombudsman's Office of Ukraine/Facebook After being brought back from the territory of Russia or European countries, Ukrainian children exclusively enter family-based forms of upbringing. This concerns children who do not have parents or whose parents have been deprived of parental rights. Source: Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) Commissioner for Human Rights, as reported by Ukrinform Quote: "All the children we bring back are placed exclusively in Ukrainian families. That is, all the children we are bringing back from the territory of the Russian Federation, as well as those who will be brought back to Ukraine from the territory of European countries, will be placed exclusively in family-based care. And it is already working," the official said. Lubinets said there are enough willing families to take in children, so there are no problems with their placement. However, Ukrainian children cannot currently be placed in European families. This is because the provisions of international humanitarian law prohibit foreigners from adopting children from a country in a state of international armed conflict. "The adoption of Ukrainian children and temporary guardianship over Ukrainian children must take place exclusively based on Ukrainian national legislation and exclusively by citizens of Ukraine," the ombudsman says. Ukraine is currently undergoing deinstitutionalisation reform, so the residence of children in specialised institutions should become a thing of the past, he added. "Every Ukrainian child deserves to live in a Ukrainian family," says Lubinets. Lubinets also stated that Russia does not provide official lists of deported Ukrainian children. Information about their further plans for relocation is obtained by the authorities through intelligence agencies and concerned Ukrainians from temporarily occupied territories. Background: On 1 February, Daria Herasymchuk, Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights and Child Rehabilitation, stated that Russia employs a minimum of six scenarios to relocate Ukrainian children to its territory, one of which involves fabricating a medical diagnosis. Support UP or become our patron! Time is money, or so the saying goes, and the CEO of the worlds largest sovereign wealth fund is making sure every day countshes even got a calendar countdown in his office to prove it. Nicolai Tangen leads Nordic behemoth Norges Bank Investment Management, which governs the revenue earned by Norways oil and gas resources, with the aim of ensuring its benefits are distributed fairly between current and future Norwegian generations. Akin to a presidential cycle, the CEO role of the $1.6 trillion fund runs on a five-year contract, which can be renewed. As a result Tangen knows down to the day when his tenure will end, and added a large countdown in his office which ticks down every day. Ive got 580 days left, Tangen told the 20VC podcast earlier this year. Now why do I have that? Is it because I dont like my job? No. I love my job. But the thing is that when I get somebody in my office who says, Yeah, we can do this over the next three months, I say: Hey, look at this. I got 580 days left, we need to hurry up. Tangen said this tool completely changes the mindset of his colleagues, adding: They say: Oh yeah, oh gosh, you only have 580 days leftwe need to do it straight away. You get this urgency into thinking. The civil servant, who took over the top job in 2020, has indicated in the past he wants more out of his European colleagues. Tangen told the Financial Times in April: We are not very ambitious. I should be careful about talking about work-life balance, but the Americans just work harder. Tangen, Norways so-called trillion-dollar man, added on 20VC that having a dynamic workforce is the difference between success and failure. Organizations which make fast decisions are generally better, he added. Work-life balance Norges Bank Investment Management is one of the most powerful financial vehicles on the planet: It is the worlds largest single owner of global stock markets, controlling 1.5% of shares in the worlds listed companies. As a result, its leader has access to some of the biggest names in business, including Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang. The boss of the AI-chip maker and Tangen discussed work-life balance, with the formerwho is a notoriously hard worker and perfectionistsaying he virtually never stops working. Tangen explained: [Huang] said: Nicolai, there is hard work, and there is insane hard work I do insane hard work. I asked, But when do you relax? [Huang] said: I relax all the time, because I love what I do. I think, if you really love what you do, its not going to feel like work. I set aside time for [my wife and kids], Tangen added. But I work because I love what I do. Story continues Move fast but think long term Despite Tangens clear work drive and push for operational speed, as the guardian of Norges Bank Investment Management, the CEO has to think in the long term about the performance of the vehicle for generations to come. Time is really interesting, and I think its really funny, Tangen said. Lets say you are 20 years old, you are in such a hurry. Three months is an eternity. You get older Suddenly, I am so patient. Why? I havent got that many years left compared to a 20-year-old, yet Im much more patient than these young people. It makes no sense. Tangen continued: Why are you more impatient when youre 20? Three months is a higher percentage of your life than when youre 50. By 50, youve seen it pays off to be long term, Tangen explained. If I could tell my 20-year-old self something it would be: Youve got so much time. Think more long term. Norges Bank Investment Management has indeed been rolling out a longer-term move over the past 10 years: leaning more into the U.S. After all, America is home of the Magnificent Seven stocks that have provided a backbone to the stock market boom and, according to analysts, will continue to do so. Investments in the U.S. now represent 46.9% of Norges Banks portfolio, whereas a decade ago the U.S. represented just under 30%. Going back a further 10 years, in 2003, the organizations investment in America made up just 26.3%. Conversely, in 2003, 59.5% of Norges Banks portfolio was invested in European countries, a figure that, by 2023, had fallen to 28.7%. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com China has a lot more missiles with US warships and bases in its sights American warships and bases in the Pacific are within reach of an increasingly worrying threat, a daunting missile force unlike any the US has faced in combat before. China's ever-expanding Rocket Force is armed with thousands of missiles with ominous nicknames such as "carrier killers" and the "Guam Express." US military leaders and officials say these weapons could make a war in the Indo-Pacific devastating for American forces. And that's exactly the message they say Beijing wants to send, that messing with China would be catastrophic. The dangers are startling. An American air base such as Andersen on Guam that routinely hosts US bombers or a carrier strike group sailing in the South China Sea could face dozens, even hundreds, of ballistic missiles in salvos intended to overwhelm their defenses, shatter critical capabilities, and send US warships sinking into the depths. China's missiles haven't been tested in combat, but the threat is real. In interviews with Business Insider, current and former military officials and defense analysts described the meteoric rise of China's People's Liberation Army Rocket Force as a chief concern. One senior defense official said it's changing America's appetite for war in the region, "creating a conventional deterrence capability that threatens our posture, our presence, and our activities in ways that would potentially cause decision-makers in Washington to consider the risks to be too high." From 2021 to 2022, the Chinese military effectively doubled its stock of some missiles, including the medium-range ballistic missiles it might use to target American military bases in Japan and intermediate-range missiles that are able to reach Guam, the Pentagon said in its most recent report on the military threat from China. 2021 estimates on China's Rocket Force. Department of Defense 2022 estimates on China's Rocket Force. Department of Defense The "dramatic expansion" of the Chinese missile arsenal, especially MRBMs and IRBMs, is designed to threaten US forces and allies across the Indo-Pacific region, Thomas Shugart, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security and a retired US Navy submarine officer, said. What these key developments show "is that the PLA leadership has decided that the long-range missiles are a winning capability for them," Bryan Clark, a retired US Navy officer and defense expert at the Hudson Institute, said. The current commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. John Aquilino, said in his final public interview before he retired that during his tenure as commander, "the security environment has changed drastically and not in a good way," calling China "the most concerning security threat that exists." China's growing, far-reaching arsenal Chinese soldiers sit atop mobile rocket launchers as they drive in a parade to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, at Tiananmen Square on October 1, 2019 in Beijing, China. Kevin Frayer/Getty Images China's military doctrine focuses heavily on maintaining the ability to deter threats and, failing that, striking fast and hard. It also encourages maintaining an element of surprise before dealing significant damage to its foes. The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force gives it such an option. It "is designed as a mechanism to deliver an anti-access, area-denial (A2AD) strategy to push the US and allies and partners from the region," retired Adm. Harry Harris, a former commander of Pacific Command and former ambassador to South Korea, told BI. He said that the force's "objective is to be able to enforce the illegal and illegitimate claim of everything inside the nine-dash line as sovereign Chinese sea and airspace, as well as forcibly bring Taiwan under Beijing's control." The nine-dash line refers to China's vast claims in the South China Sea, including its human-made islands and others it has disputes with neighbors over. Harris said China's advancing missile capabilities concerned him more than any other Chinese military developments during his time as the 24th commander of what was then Pacific Command. Video screenshot shows a missile launched by the rocket force of the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army PLA, targeting designated maritime areas to the east of the Taiwan Island, Aug. 4, 2022. Xinhua via Getty Images The Taiwan Strait is one area where the Pentagon has said China is strategically expanding its Rocket Force with "new missile brigades, potentially indicating an increasing number of deployed missiles." Experts said this was part of a larger strategy to prevent the US and its allies from gaining unrestricted access to the Pacific region whether in a war or in a scenario where US forces attempt to come to Taiwan's aid during a Chinese blockade or invasion . With these missiles, China is signaling that it could attack US bases and ships in the region with little to no warning, Clark said. One such missile, the DF-26, has been commonly referred to as the "Guam Express" or the "Guam Killer" because it can reach US forces on the island, which is roughly 3,000 miles from Beijing. The weapon, capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional payloads, also has an anti-ship role and another nickname: "carrier killer." The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force's DF-21D is another such missile that China could use to target US ships. Estimated maximum ranges of China's missiles. Department of Defense There's a lot more to the Chinese Rocket Force than these weapons, though. Other elements of the PLARF arsenal are its DF-17 hypersonic missile, short-range ballistic missiles such as the DF-15 that give it the ability to strike Taiwan with relative ease, and intercontinental ballistic missiles like the DF-5s, DF-31s, and newer DF-41s. Newer developments, the Pentagon said last fall, "will significantly improve its nuclear-capable missile forces and will require increased nuclear-warhead production." The US Defense Department estimates China has more than 500 operational nuclear warheads, the third most in the world, and that number is expected to increase. While some are based in silos, many of China's missiles are road-mobile assets or hidden in caves and mountains, making them harder to kill. And outside the Rocket Force, Chinese submarines carry long-range missiles. Its H-6 bombers can do the same. Any confrontation with China must account for the likelihood that many of its nuclear forces would survive direct strikes. Beijing has put its nuclear-powered submarine fleet on public display, with state media on October 29, 2013 touting the move as unprecedented and necessary to show other countries China's strike capabilities as territorial tensions mount. AFP/AFP via Getty Images In regard to the Chinese "carrier killer" missiles, satellite-imagery analysts have for years been finding mock-ups of US aircraft carriers and other warships out in Chinese deserts. The suspected targets suggest that China may be relying on these mock-ups to improve its missiles or to practice locking on to and hitting American warships. China has also conducted tests at sea, at least one against a moving target. After the Pentagon's latest report on China's military power came out, Shugart suggested the sheer number of DF-26s and launchers could turn the missile into a generic "ship killer," available for strikes on not just high-value carriers but also destroyers, cruisers, amphibious assault ships, fleet oilers, and more. And China doesn't have to sink a ship to score a combat kill. Damaged vessels would have to limp back home, where US repair and maintenance woes could mean a slow recovery. Planes and helicopters are seen on the flight deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford CVN-78 in the Atlantic Ocean on Oct. 7, 2022. Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot/Tribune News Service via Getty Images That changes considerations for US Navy vessels when operating in the Indo-Pacific and raises questions about the role of aircraft carriers in a conflict with China, as they may not be able to get within the strike range for F/A-18s or F-35s. At a certain range, Clark said, "you're going to have to expend so much effort trying to conceal your presence and prevent targeting by Chinese forces, it's going to constrain your ability to do air operations" from a carrier. And the jets might not even be able to reach their targets. China's missiles could also influence how the Navy arms its warships, forcing them to carry more air-defense missiles at the expense of other weapons that may be useful in land-attack missions or a confrontation with China's larger navy. Better defenses, but more work to do U.S. and Japan Air Self-Defense Force aircraft taxi in an 'Elephant Walk' formation at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 13, 2022. Navy Seaman Unique Byrd In the vast Indo-Pacific region, the Rocket Force is one of the US military's top concerns "because of its unique capabilities to execute long-range precision fires while not exposing large numbers of personnel to danger," a senior defense official told BI, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence observations of threats in the Indo-Pacific. Facing this threat and others from China, the US has expanded its training exercises and strengthened connections with its Pacific allies and partners to counter not only PLARF but also the broader Chinese military, the official added. Experts and analysts have long called for the US to respond to the challenges from China in a way that recognizes the scale of the threats at hand, which goes far beyond the Rocket Force, as frequent risky and unsafe intercepts of US and allied aircraft by China have shown. A Chinese fighter jet conducting "a coercive and risky" intercept of a US aircraft over the South China Sea on June 23, 2022. US Defense Department Harris said one of the best ways to counter PLARF would be to make "robust" air and missile defenses a reality this decade in the region, with the US positioning land-based, medium-range ballistic-missile systems there, working closer with allies, and not letting China determine US foreign policy in the area, especially with Taiwan. The US has beefed up its air defenses in the region, employing Terminal High Altitude Area Defense batteries in South Korea and working with Japan's navy on ballistic-missile interceptors such as the SM-3 Block IIA as part of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. And in Guam, the Army has fast-tracked a new project and office for the island's defenses. But experts argue that more is needed. Robert Peters, a research fellow on nuclear deterrence and missile defense for the Heritage Foundation, wrote in January that the US should station Aegis Afloat cruisers near Guam that are equipped to defeat ballistic missiles. Peters said the US couldn't afford to lose Guam, and the land-based Aegis defense option is likely years from deployment. A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptor missile launches during a flight test at the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site in the Marshall Islands, Aug., 30, 2019. Courtesy of Department of Defense "Should a war with China break out, conventional thinking is that China would launch a large salvo of cruise and ballistic missiles at Guam to destroy military bases there that are key to US military operations throughout the Pacific," he wrote, adding that an attack would be a "modern Pearl Harbor" that could hinder power projection and logistics. Beyond strengthening air defenses, the US can also harden bases in the Pacific so that infrastructure, such as critical runways, could survive a barrage and still launch aircraft. But the disaggregation and dispersal of forces is also important. Fixed bases are targets that can only brace for an attack, not avoid them. The US Air Force turned to a new doctrine in August 2022 that assessed : "New weapons systems now place bases at risk that were previously considered sanctuaries." That shift led to the creation of Agile Combat Employment, which looks to atypical approaches to keep key assets from being destroyed. Marine Corps Sgt. Andrea Rosembert posts security during a halt on a training patrol at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, March 15, 2024. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ryan Little Agile Combat Employment considers highways, fields, beaches, and more as nontraditional runways to create "a network of smaller, dispersed locations that can complicate adversary planning and provide more options for joint-force commanders." China can target runways at air bases, but it can't hit every piece of concrete in the Pacific. US ground forces in the region are also keeping an eye on the Chinese Rocket Force, but they're less concerned than the other service branches that China more clearly has in its crosshairs. The US Army Pacific commander, Gen. Charles Flynn, told BI that while the growth of the Chinese Rocket Force had been "meteoric," PLARF's missiles were "primarily designed to defeat naval and air power." "I'm always worried about rockets," Flynn said, but they're "not there primarily to defeat distributed, dispersed, mobile, some fixed and some unfixed, reloadable, and meshed land-forces network," which his command and its allies in the Pacific have been developing and prioritizing. Multiple B-2 Spirits land for aircraft recovery as storm clouds gather Aug. 24, 2016, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images That said, he added, there are many ways for ground forces to create a "dilemma" for Chinese missile forces, such as masking signatures, hiding in different environments, and undermining PLARF's ability to find, locate, and target them. Beyond defensive measures, the US has various offensive options for combating the Rocket Force. Difficult-to-detect American submarines can, for instance, fire cruise and ballistic missiles. Stealth bombers, like the B-2 Spirit, can also avoid being spotted while on missions to knock out China's weapons. The US doesn't have the missiles to counter China in this theater of operations, though these systems are in development. Weak points in the missile game Chinese soldiers practice marching in formation ahead of military parade to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China ON September 25, 2019 in Beijing, China. Pool PLARF may be, as Shugart has said, the "crown jewel" of the Chinese military, but it's not without its limitations. Recent high-profile cases of corruption across the army, in particular in PLARF, have raised questions about how widespread graft may be and whether that's affecting readiness in the short term. US intelligence has documented several cases of supposed corruption, including missiles filled with water rather than rocket fuel and problematic silos. Military leadership shake-ups, too, have sparked concerns, as many senior officers and bigwig defense leaders were replaced with little to no explanation. That said, the US and its allies can't afford to assume the Rocket Force won't be ready should conflict come. Military vehicles carrying DF-26 ballistic missiles, drive past the Tiananmen Gate during a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two on September 3, 2015, in Beijing, China. Andy Wong - Pool /Getty Images "They now have the world's largest navy, the largest air force in the region," Clark said, "but they invest substantially in these long-range missiles because it's clear that they see that as a more reliable capability." But clarity on the threat gives the US options. Knowing that China could lean on its missiles in a Pacific showdown allows American forces to train and adapt to work around such a threat. "Deterrence is a combination of a country's capability and willingness to use that capability," Harris said, "and an adversary's perception of both." In other words, how the US prepares itself and adapts to the Chinese Rocket Force gives it the best shot at avoiding a fight altogether. But there's no guarantee deterrence holds. Read the original article on Business Insider The California Highway Patrol issued a Feather Alert Friday as they searched for a man who went missing in Victorville more than a week ago. True Clark, 29, was last seen about noon on April 22 in the area of George Boulevard and Air Base Expressway, the CHP said in a written statement. He had not been seen or heard from since. "If located, use caution and contact law enforcement," according to the CHP statement. No further details regarding the circumstances of Clark's disappearance were released. True Clark, 29, went missing on April 22, 2024. He was last seen in Victorville. Clark, a member of the Cheyanne River Sioux Tribe, was described as 6 feet 1 inch tall, about 165 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a white T-shirt and khaki shorts. He was believed to be on foot. Anyone who sees Clark is urged to call 911. This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: CHP issues Feather Alert after man goes missing in Victorville World Food Programme Director Cindy McCain sat down for an interview with NBCs Meet the Press host Kristen Welker to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, saying theres full-blown famine in northern Gaza. Whenever you have conflicts like this, and emotions rage high, and things happen in a war, famine happens. And so, what I can explain to you is [that] there is full-blown famine in the north, and its moving its way south, McCain told Welker during the interview, which is set to air in its entirety Sunday. McCain expressed severe concern amid the ongoing humanitarian crises, asking for a cease-fire for unfettered access to deliver food into Gaza safely. Welker followed up with McCain in the interview, asking, [what] youre saying [is] theres full-blown famine in northern Gaza, and the World Food Programme director responded, saying, Yes, I am. The United Nations food agency in March issued a statement, warning that famine was imminent in Gaza as the war between Israel and Hamas rages on. McCain previously stated, following a report from the World Food Programme (WFP), that People in Gaza are starving to death right now. The speed at which this man-made hunger and malnutrition crisis has ripped through Gaza is terrifying. During the interview, Welker ensured that there was no official declaration on famine in Gaza, but McCain expressed that its what she has seen, saying, Its horror. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. City of Jacksonville celebrating Emancipation Day with family event in James Weldon Johnson Park Councilwoman JuCoby Pittman, the Ritz Theater & Museum and the City of Jacksonville will host the Bold Citys 4th annual Jacksonville Emancipation Celebration on May 19 at James Weldon Johnson Park. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< The city said the event is meant to educate the community about the historical significance of Floridas observed Emancipation Day. Headlining this years festival will be Katz Downstairs, a Soul & R&B Vibe from Jacksonville and other local performers include Mr. Al Pete, Taryn Love Reigns Warwood and Mal Jones. Read: JSO: Woman dead after shooting at gas station in Fairfax area In addition, Jacksonvilles Emancipation Celebration will feature local African American food trucks and vendors and fun activities for the kids. The festival will begin at 4 p.m. and close out at 8 p.m. at James Weldon Johnson Park. Councilman Rahman Johnson will host the event. The city asks that participants RSVP ahead of time to stay updated on event details. Read: Lewiston shootings: Bowling alley where deadly shooting happened reopens after 6 months [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. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Investigator Sam Poloches body sits at Forest Lawn West funeral home in west Charlotte. Support from his family, friends, and law enforcement community followed the fallen US Marshals Task Force member to the home in a miles-long procession. Poloches processional took place just hours after other agencies from across the state gathered to honor Officer Joshua Eyers life at his funeral service. Like for the others killed in Mondays shooting, Eyer, Alden Elliott and Thomas Weeks, traffic respectfully stopped for a short time to allow the long line of emergency vehicles to get through the city streets. Memorial service dates announced for all fallen officers killed in Charlotte Cars on the other side of the road were stopped, with some people getting out of their vehicles to look at the procession. Some exited their cars to salute. Poloche joined the N.C. Department of Adult Corrections Special Operations and Intelligence Unit in 2013. He and Elliott were full-time members of the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force. Poloche leaves behind his wife and two children. His funeral service is scheduled for May 13, at a location to be determined. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Civilian killed in Russian attack on Kharkiv Oblast A civilian man was killed in a Russian strike on the village of Slobozhanske, Kharkiv district, on the afternoon of 4 May. Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast State Administration, on Telegram Quote: "The invaders attacked the village of Slobozhanske, Kharkiv district, around 15:30. A house and outbuildings caught fire due to the bombardment. A civilian man, 49, who was on the street next to the house has been killed." Background: At around 16:20, Russian troops struck civilian infrastructure in the city of Kharkiv, leaving five people injured. Support UP or become our patron! LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Clark County commissioners and interest groups unveiled their Spring Mountain Corridor Redevelopment Plan on Friday morning at Chinatown Plaza, but theyre still looking for public input. The area of Spring Mountain Road between Las Vegas Boulevard and Rainbow Boulevard is home to numerous Asian restaurants and events. Officials want community input on whats needed. The redevelopment plan focuses on preserving culture, supporting small businesses and bringing more people to the Spring Mountain Corridor. Drivers navigate the parking lot at Shanghai Plaza in Chinatown, an example of needed parking improvements to be addressed in Clark Countys Spring Mountain Corridor Redevelopment Plan. (KLAS) Commissioner Justin Jones said another goal is more parking. Shanghai Plaza is a parking mess, Jones explained. We want to make sure we are addressing those traffic concerns and making this a much more walkable space. Owner of Xiao Long Dumplings, Maya Kwong, is taking part in the development plan. More traffic to my business, more brand awareness and easier parking, easier entrance and exit for our customers, Kwong said. The plan is to revitalize the area with new development. Parking at Shanghai Plaza in Chinatown, an example of needed improvements to be addressed in Clark Countys Spring Moutain Corridor Redevelopment Plan. (KLAS) Asian Community Development Council Vice President Duy Nguyen said it will bring more investment into the valley. This plan is going to bring us to the front and create innovation and small business development and just overall, celebrate diversity, he said. The community can fill out an online survey at inspiringspringmountain.com. You can also sign up for project updates. Overall, the redevelopment plan ensures the Spring Mountain Corridor has a diverse economy, and is a cultural, community gathering space. There are three phases to all of this. Phase 1 involves setting a vision and goal planning to run through the summer. Phase 2 involves alternative design discussions. Phase 3 includes final recommendations, which would begin in November. Community engagement is expected during all three phases. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Reinsurance Group of America (NYSE:RGA) First Quarter 2024 Results Key Financial Results Revenue: US$6.34b (up 49% from 1Q 2023). Net income: US$210.0m (down 17% from 1Q 2023). Profit margin: 3.3% (down from 5.9% in 1Q 2023). The decrease in margin was driven by higher expenses. EPS: US$3.20 (down from US$3.76 in 1Q 2023). All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period Reinsurance Group of America Revenues Beat Expectations, EPS Falls Short Revenue exceeded analyst estimates by 39%. Earnings per share (EPS) missed analyst estimates by 28%. Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 3.2% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 6.0% growth forecast for the Insurance industry in the US. Performance of the American Insurance industry. The company's shares are up 6.8% from a week ago. Risk Analysis What about risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Reinsurance Group of America 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. In 2001, a Vietnam-era student radical named David Horowitz decided to once again start causing trouble on campus. A few years earlier, several scholars and activists had begun to argue that the U.S. should pay reparations to descendants of slaves. Horowitz, whose politics had taken a sharp right turn since the 1960s, thought that this was a very bad idea. So he contacted several college newspapers, seeking to place a full-page ad, during Black History Month, titled, Ten Reasons Why Reparations for Slavery Is a Bad Ideaand Racist Too. The ad, which had been adapted from a Salon column he had published the previous year, seemed designed to stir passions on the campuses where it ran. In it, Horowitz deemed reparations an extravagant new handout that is only necessary because some blacks cant seem to locate the ladder of opportunity within reach of others; argued that the reparations claim is one more assault on America, conducted by racial separatists and the political left; and asked the question: What about the debt blacks owe to America? Horowitzs inflammatory arguments were not very well received. Many of the newspapers to which Horowitz submitted the ad rejected it entirely. At Brown University, angry students stole thousands of newspapers in which the ad had been printed. At the University of California, Berkeley, students marched on the offices of the student newspaper, prompting its editor in chief to publicly apologize for running the ad in the first place. The mainstream media soon picked up on the furor, and the ensuing press attention ended up making all of the students involved look like twits, while giving Horowitz exponentially more attention than the ads alone would have in the first place. Perceptive observers surmised that this had been his goal all along. In addition to his position on reparations, Horowitz also harbored a grudge against American academia, which he had reportedly called a dictatorship of the left. (He has since written several books expounding on that tendentious thesis.) The polemical advertisement was clearly designed not to engage in good faith with the notion of reparations, but to elicit isolated intemperate reactions among campus activists. Then, Horowitz could use those reactions to advance the notion that all of academia was biased and intolerant, while he, the author of books such as Hating Whitey and Other Progressive Causes and The Politics of Bad Faith: The Radical Assault on Americas Future, came across as the righteous party. Hell of a trick! I thought about the Horowitz reparations hubbub this week, as I watched cops march on college campuses all across the country, charged with clearing encampments of students and others who were protesting the grim excesses of Israels war in the Gaza Strip. Lots of people have written lots of things about the Gaza campus protests, the various official responses to them, the validity of the arguments being advanced, and the relative merits of the tactics being used to advance and/or squelch those arguments. But no matter your opinion on any of these topics, no matter what you might think about the protests and how theyve played out, I suspect that everyone can probably agree on at least one thing: No one in the history of the universe is more easily rolled by bad-faith right-wing agitators than college students, professors, and administrators. Whenever conservative demagogues are looking for patsies and suckers to help them make the left look like fools while advancing some stupid reactionary talking point, they know exactly where to turn: the sun-dappled quads of American academia. Students, professors, and administrators consistently fall into traps set by right-wing political actors, traps that are generally designed to use isolated incidents of alleged identitarian excess on campus in order to disparage liberalism more generally, thus sending swing voters into the all-American arms of whichever sturdy Republican candidates are up for election that year. Colleges and universities are the American rights absolute favorite punching bag, because their denizens never see the uppercut coming, and they never, ever learn to sidestep the blow. Theyre like the Washington Generals: They lose, lose, lose, lose, lose. Spinning alleged campus excesses into a broader political narrative of liberal chaos and disorder has been a favorite conservative tactic since at least the late 1960s, when Main Street disapproval of the youth-driven protests over the Vietnam War helped to narrowly deliver the 1968 presidential election to an anthropomorphic sheet of sandpaper named Richard Nixon. Modern-day right-wing media have basically built their brand on the backs of left-wing students and professors, whose minor protests and marginal curricula have been consistently inflated into Major Issues by commentators eager to disparage academia and liberalism more generally. The contemporary Republican notion that America is on the brink of collapse is in large part a culture-war trope propagated by activists such as Christopher Rufo, who have spun their own willful misinterpretations of obscure academic disciplines such as critical race theory into boogeymen with which to terrify viewers and voters into thinking that their heritage is under direct attack. Its not hard to understand why the reactionary right bears such a grudge against academia. For one thing, the collegiate spirit of free inquiry and rational debate flies directly in the face of Trumpian because-we-said-so authoritarianism, not to mention the begged questions and other logical fallacies that animate modern Republican discourse. The identity-based disciplines found at many schools threaten a reactionary worldview rooted in the purported superiority of some monochromatic past; many on the religious right, meanwhile, seem to see heresy in the ways that liberal arts educations try to teach students to think for themselves. And I have long suspected that some of todays most stridently disingenuous Republican pundits and politicians are motivated in part by bad memories of their own college years, in which they felt isolated within their own conservative worldviews and subsequently transmuted those feelings into seething lifelong resentments. Or, hey, maybe theyre just political opportunists who know that collegiate actors will consistently make the sorts of moves that allow the right to portray them as fools. There was probably a bit of all of this working on New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik when, a few months ago, she hauled various university presidents into Congress, insisted that certain student protesters use of the word intifada and phrase from the river to the sea directly equated to calls for genocide, and then watched them fumble their responses in truly embarrassing fashion. The subsequent resignations of the presidents of Penn and Harvard, respectively, were unforced errors on the parts of highly educated people who, first, should have more directly challenged Stefaniks partisan premises, and, second, should have probably realized that the en vogue campus notion that speech sometimes equates to violence would eventually be co-opted by right-wingers eager to exploit campus unrest for their own political gain. (Im often reminded of how, back when the rise of the social web was leading a lot of otherwise-smart people to profess that the internet would soon bring about a state of digital utopia, the writer Evgeny Morozov kept making a very trenchant point that almost nobody wanted to hear: Bad people know how to use the internet, too.) The scalps of Liz Magill and Claudine Gay were nice trophies for the ambitious Stefanik, who is rumored to be in contention for Donald Trumps vice presidential slot. But the hearings and subsequent leadership turnover also helped to promote the narrative of widespread chaos on campusa narrative thats a boon to Republicans in an election year. So it wasnt much of a surprise when Congress held a second round of hearings about alleged campus antisemitism. And it wasnt much of a surprise when, eager to avoid the fate of her former peers, Columbia University president Nemat Shafik seemed directly receptive to her inquisitors premises and took a harder-line stance against alleged campus antisemitism than did her predecessors. And it also wasnt surprising, when, in direct response to Shafiks testimony, Columbia students set up a protest encampment on the lawn outside Butler Library, which was followed by multiple police actions, complementary protests at other schools nationwide, and the flood of media attention that has turned this manufactured campus crisis into front-page national news for weeks on end. For the purposes of this column, lets set aside questions of the merits of the protests and the various police and administration responses to them. Its incredibly obviousto me, at leastthat pretty much all of the relevant parties here got rolled by the American right. On the hunt for footage and storylines that they can then inflate into broader narratives of chaos, intolerance, and disorder in a critical election year, the right spun campus protests over Gaza into congressional hearings on campus antisemitism, and trusted that everyone involved would respond so ineptly that theyd be able to exploit the whole thing for months. And, mark my words, that is exactly what right-wing politicians and media outlets will do. Even though the campus protests may die down once the semester ends, the footage and discussion of them will live on throughout the spring and summer. The right will draw false equivalencies between the brief occupation of Hamilton Hall and the events of Jan. 6; theyll disparage President Joe Biden and liberal politicians for allowing the protests to happen; theyll fold it into deathless narratives of decaying liberal cities and elitist intolerance; and theyll make everyone involved look like idiots while portraying themselves as the righteous partiesthe heroes of this whole stupid situation. David Horowitz is probably very proud. Artists' rendering of the new $230 million Veterinary Health and Education Center being built at Colorado State University. A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday for the facility, which is scheduled to be completed by fall of 2026. Two days after signing the bill allocating $50 million to the project, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis was at Colorado State University on Thursday for a groundbreaking ceremony for the universitys new Veterinary Health and Education Complex. You havent wasted any time; youre breaking ground two days later, Polis said. Thats what I like about CSU. The CSU Board of Governors, who were on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony, approved $230 million for the state-of-the-art facility. In addition to the states contribution, funding is also coming from private donations, revenue bonds issued by the university and other sources. Lead donor Allen Hanano, a Denver businessman who was on hand for Thursdays ceremony, pledged $2.5 million. The 213,000-square-foot facility on the South Campus that houses its current veterinary medicine facilities is expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2026-27 school year. It will allow CSU to increase the number of incoming students in its veterinary medicine program by 30 each year, from 138 to 168, growing the total capacity from 600 students to 720, a school spokesperson confirmed Friday. The new facility will also open up space on CSUs main campus for more than 275 students in undergraduate biomedical sciences and other programs. More: Pro-Palestinian protests at CSU remain peaceful; no overnight encampments planned Polis and other speakers noted that research in CSUs veterinary medicine program has led to breakthroughs in human health care and treatment as well. So, its not just animals that will benefit from the states investment into the new Veterinary Health and Education Complex. The states contribution is coming from $247 million in state-authorized certificates of participation, which is also providing $128 million for a new medical school at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley and new facilities at Metropolitan State University of Denver and Trinidad State College for training and certification programs for nurses and nursing and dental assistants. Sue VanderWoude, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, left, Colorado State University President Amy Parsons, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and CSU System Chancellor Tony Frank chat during a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for a new $230 million Veterinary Health and Education Complex at CSU's South Campus in Fort Collins, Colo. Sue VanderWoude, dean of CSUs College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, praised not only the increased capacity the new facility will bring but also the new technology that will be incorporated into its research, education and treatment programs. Third-year veterinary student Eddie Valdez, president of the schools 2025 graduating class, said the new facility will make an already exceptional program even better." CSUs veterinary medicine program is ranked No. 2 nationally by U.S. News & World Report, behind the University of California-Davis. CSU President Amy Parsons praised the work of CSU System Chancellor Tony Frank, a former veterinarian, and others for their continued advocacy for the project and thanked those involved in bringing it to fruition. CSUs current veterinary hospital, named in honor of former professor and dean James Voss, opened in 1978. Im 48, but veterinary schools dont age as well as people, and thats why we need a new veterinary school for the new century, Polis said. "This is truly a transformative investment in veterinary medicine. Reporter Kelly Lyell covers education, breaking news, some sports and other topics of interest for the Coloradoan. Contact him at kellylyell@coloradoan.com, x.com/KellyLyell and facebook.com/KellyLyell.news. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: CSU celebrates groundbreaking of new $230M veterinary hospital Prof Davidai outside Columbia University's gates on April 22 after his access to the campus was revoked allegedly for his own safety - ZUMAPRESS/Avalon The president of Columbia University must admit her mistakes or step down, a Jewish professor who has led criticism of the tumultuous Gaza war protests at the school has said. Shai Davidai accused Baroness Shafik, a British peer, of failing to prevent anti-Semitism at the New York university following the Oct 7 attack on Israel by terror group Hamas. He claimed that a vacuum of moral leadership had forced Jewish students to abandon their lessons while openly pro-Hamas academics radicalised their peers. I think Columbia needs an airing out of the stable. Its very tempting to say just change the president but its not just the president, he said. It doesnt feel like they are willing to enact change and do better. And if things stay that way then... I think the entire governing body needs to be changed. He called on Lady Shafik and the board of trustees to change course, saying they needed to admit: Weve gotten a lot wrong. We want to do better. Baroness Shafik surveys the damage to Hamilton Hall at Columbia University on Wednesday - Indy Scholtens/Getty Columbia has been riven by tensions and protests for months, with a pro-Palestine encampment set up outside its main library on April 17. Prof Davidai, who has become one of Columbias most prominent Jewish voices, made headlines when he was shut out of the campus in April apparently because the university could not guarantee his safety. There are parts of the administration, who support the movement and support Hamas, that are hateful of Israel, that are anti-Semitic, he said. Other parts of the administration are just afraid of conflict. They really did think that if they dont do anything, this will disappear. You have partly callousness and partly cowardice there has been just a vacuum of moral leadership. I think in the end thats the story of what happened. Before Israel launched its military action in Gaza, Columbia student groups signed a letter hailing the Oct 7 massacre as an unprecedented historic moment and declaring their full solidarity. Prof Davidai, a self-confessed Lefty liberal who favours a two-state solution in the Middle East, said he did not have a personal grievance with Lady Shafik. However, he said she should have immediately condemned the statement. At least at Columbia, Hamas won, he said. Hamas won because no one at Columbia had stood up and said no Hamas on campus. In a video statement issued on Friday, Lady Shafik explained her decisions but did not apologise for the way the university had handled the protests. She said Columbia had engaged in good faith with demonstrators, but they crossed a line when they occupied a hall on the campus on Tuesday. Police were called in to clear it out. It was a violent act that put our students at risk, as well as putting the protesters at risk, she said. I walked through the building and saw the damage, which was distressing. Students indoctrinated by pro-Hamas academics Prof Davidai argued that students had been indoctrinated by pro-Hamas academics, who sent them out to protest like generals directing footsoldiers. He said: One thing that is really angering to me is to see these professors for six months telling students to become more and more violent and telling them you should take over a building. But when the time came to get arrested the professors were not there they were very happy to be in their four or five-bedroom apartments. Two Columbia professors are under investigation for alleged discriminatory remarks. Another has been sacked for writing on social media: Im with Hamas & Hezbollah & Islamic Jihad. Prof Davidai went on to accuse Columbia of appeasing terrorism by negotiating with students who demanded it sell its stake in businesses that allegedly fund or profit from Israels military action. Analysis by the New York Times notes that this accounts for less than 0.1 per cent of Columbias $13.6bn endowment. Columbia University has been approached for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Gregory Pflugfelder had just finished the final class of his career at Columbia. In 28 years at the university, he achieved many accolades as a professor of history who taught a popular course on Japanese monsters mostly focused on Godzilla and "the role of the monstrous in the cultural imagination." He didn't know it, but a cultural monster of sorts would soon be at his door. The next night, on Tuesday, the 64-year-old silver-haired scholar stepped outside his apartment building, located off campus across the street from Columbia. He wanted to record iPhone video of hundreds of police responding to historic student protests against Israels war in Gaza. Fifteen minutes later, the NYPD arrested him. The New York Police Department listed Pflugfelder among 112 arrests made at Columbia on Tuesday night, according to police records obtained by USA TODAY. But Pflugfelder was never on campus. I certainly posed no danger to anybody, he told USA TODAY. I was literally standing in the street and not blocking anybody. As protests and opposition to the war in Gaza has swept across U.S. campuses, universities and police have increasingly pointed to "outside agitators" and off-campus disruptors as the insurgents behind the campus unrest. Pflugfelder's arrest on a charge of obstructing government administration is among the first of 282 people put in custody at or near Columbia and City College of New York during police raids. The arrests have raised claims of heavy-handed police tactics to suppress largely peaceful demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas war. Columbia University referred questions about the professors arrest to NYPD. Neither NYPD nor New York Mayor Eric Adams office responded to email requests from USA TODAY. Live updates: NYPD says officer fired gun on Columbia campus; NYU, New School protests cleared Columbia University Professor Gregory Pflugfelder is among 112 people arrested during a police response to the Ivy League school. But he was never on campus. 'Historic mistake' Pflugfelder's last class, Introduction to Japanese Civilization, is a course he taught since he started teaching at Columbia in 1996. He's only taught at the Ivy League school. His plan Tuesday was to do absolutely nothing, he recalled. This included reading and watching the Hulu show, "Shogun." In the afternoon, he heard protests nearby, around the corner from his apartment on West 114th Street. His apartment building is located across the street from campus, where demonstrators gathered for weeks and formed an encampment calling on the university to divest from Israel. He knew about the heightened police response because of a prior protest at Columbia, on April 18, at which police arrested over 100 people at the encampment in the center of campus. Police buses blocked Pflugfelder's street to take protesters to NYPD headquarters. He supported students right to demonstrate. He wrote a letter to Columbia President Minouche Shafik, who requested NYPD respond to the encampment on campus. It was his first time writing to the presidents office. I urge you not to compound the historic mistake you've made by repeating it, he wrote on April 23. April, 30, 2024, New York, NY, USA; Hundreds of police officers stand outside Columbia University April 30, 2024 as they get ready to rid the campus of protesters. Mandatory Credit: Seth Harrison-USA TODAY NETWORK A week later, on Tuesday, he felt history would be made again, and he wanted to document it. He stepped out of his apartment building to record video on his iPhone. By about 9 p.m., he estimated hundreds of police, donning helmets and batons, had formed lines on the street. He recorded students forced inside fraternity houses and dorm buildings, with video of them knocking on the windows. Then, he turned to look at the street, where officers formed lines ahead of their siege on campus. At most, he said, he stood 7 feet onto the street from the curb. Police ordered him inside, but he told them his address was about 300 feet down the block. They told him to go home, but he said he wanted to continue recording. An officer said, OK, put him down, Pflugfelder recalled, though he was not forced to the ground. Nonetheless, he ended up cuffed in zip ties. I just stayed on my block, relatively well behaved, he said. Poorly located, unfortunately. He said he told the female police officer arresting him: Youve just arrested your first faculty member. He said she responded, This is for your protection. Police response to NYC schools showed 'precision policing,' Adams says Mayor Adams has said police acted with professionalism in mass arrests on college campuses, which included police using a SWAT vehicle to enter Hamilton Hall, the occupied Columbia building. "The NYPD's precision policing ensured that the operation was organized, calm, and that there were no injuries or violent clashes, Adams told reporters on Wednesday, the day after the arrests. But Jennvine Wong, supervising attorney at the nonprofit Legal Aid Societys cop accountability project, said Pflugfelder's arrest raises questions about whether NYPD escalated rather than deescalated situations. It also may have violated laws protecting citizens right to record police interactions. Generally speaking, there is still a First Amendment right to record in public as long as theyre not interfering with police, Wong told USA TODAY. To me, this sounds like a devious arrest. War in Gaza: Biden to meet with King of Jordan as US, Israel go 'back and forth' over Rafah invasion By Pflugfelders account, he was the third arrested person to enter an NYPD van. Ten people would fill the van that took him downtown. At 6-foot-5-inches, Pflugfelder said he felt cramped. He also has claustrophobic tendencies, and during the ride, he asked others to help him take his mind off his feelings, so they asked about his classes. He gathered during the ride that most people inside were Columbia students, based on the questions they asked. At NYPD headquarters, he was in a holding cell with about 60 other men. He stayed there for about five hours. One person next to him on the bench said he was from Columbia and had been at Hamilton Hall, the occupied school building police raided using flash-bang grenades, and where police errantly fired a gunshot indoors. The man Pflugfelder saw was visibly bruised, including a black eye. The violence against protesters was extreme, said Corinna Mullin, an adjunct assistant professor of political science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, part of CUNY, at a recent news conference. Mullin was among those arrested Tuesday night at City College. Police in riot gear enter Hamilton Hall on Columbia University in New York on April 30, 2024.Students at Columbia were among the first to embrace the pro-Palestinian campus encampment movement, which has spread to a number of universities across the United States. Conclusions drawn, then data collected Police released Pflugfelder from custody at about 5 a.m. with a ticket to appear in Manhattan Criminal Court on May 20. He called an Uber and went home, though since has found it hard to rest. Hes hasn't yet communicated with university administration. Hes not looking forward to it. I would not put myself in a vulnerable situation vis-a-vis an institution that has assaulted me, he said. Irene Mulvey, the president of the American Association of University Professors, said the group has several firsthand, eyewitness accounts of what she called unnecessarily violent and disproportionate responses to what started as peaceful protests. Information released by police, including on the number of outside agitators, has not answered important questions about the rationale to send police to college campuses, including at Columbia, said Mulvey, a mathematician and professor emeritus at Fairfield University, in Connecticut. A central reason police responded to Columbia was people from outside who indoctrinated students with training and ideology, though officials have disclosed little evidence to date. Scientists, we would collect data and draw conclusions, she told USA TODAY. In this case, it seems a conclusion was drawn, and then data was collected, which may or may not justify it. Pflugfelder has yet to have the relaxing day hes sought after nearly three decades of teaching. In jail, police made him remove the shoelaces of his black and white Vessi sneakers. Hes kept them unlaced since then, as a reminder. Contributing: Mike James, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Columbia professor arrested outside his home in NYPD campus raid Interns Lucas Uhm, left, and Andrea Madrid help register Orange County Democratic voters at the Democratic Party of Orange County in Orange, Calif., in 2019. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) In 2016, my beloved homeland of Orange County shocked political observers by favoring Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump, the first time we went with a Democrat for president since FDR. In 2018, O.C. voters made history yet again when we sent an all-Democratic congressional delegation to Capitol Hill. The following year, more people in O.C. were registered Democrats than Republicans another first. Local and national media outlets tripped over themselves to report on this political earthquake. Orange County land of Richard Nixon and kooky conservatism, crucible of evangelical Christianity and culture war politics, the place Ronald Reagan repeatedly said was where the good Republicans go before they die now sported a political color never before associated with our suburban sprawl of 3.2 million people: Purple. In an era where Trump was ascendant, seeing O.C. turn more liberal offered hope to Democrats nationwide. Because if Orange County Orange County! could reject the GOP, it could happen anywhere. Read more: In Orange County, land of reinvention, even its conservative politics is changing That narrative continued in 2020 as O.C. voters once again rejected Trump, even as Republicans Young Kim and Michelle Steel won congressional seats, and again two years later, even though Republicans won the county in all statewide elections. This year, political pundits are doubling down on the idea that Orange County's mauve march continues. Publications from the Guardian to this one now regularly use the color to describe O.C.s political hue. Longtime political consultant Mike Madrid will host a podcast this summer called Red County, Blue County, Orange County (I sat down for an episode), where hell argue that the future of American politics is here. The podcast is produced by UC Irvine's School of Social Ecology, which recently released a poll including the cheeky assertion that Orange is the New Purple." In the poll of 804 Orange County adults, President Biden holds a healthy lead among likely voters, most of whom are also going with the Democratic candidate in their congressional districts. The respondents were almost evenly split in their party identifications, with about a third Republican, a third Democrat and a third choosing another option. UC Irvine's findings are already getting attention and exciting Democrats. Money will probably flow toward congressional races, because taking out Steel and Kim and keeping the seat currently occupied by Rep. Katie Porter can help flip the House. But Orange Countys purple revolution reminds me of Jesus bitter comment in the Gospels that a prophet is honored everywhere except in his hometown, and among his own family. While the rise of Democrats in O.C. has made all the headlines, the facts on the ground tell a different story. In terms of local political power, Republicans still rule and its not even close. Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman Donald P. Wagner, seen in 2020, recently won reelection with a resounding 63% of the vote. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) They hold every countywide elected position and all the seats on the Orange County Board of Education. While reform-minded sheriffs and district attorneys have won in major metro areas in recent years, O.C.s top lawmen are proudly regressive Republicans and voters love it. Dist. Atty. Todd Spitzer won his 2022 reelection bid outright in the primary. Sheriff Don Barnes did even better that spring: there was no election because no one bothered to run against him. There are more Republican Assembly members from O.C. than Democratic ones, and a majority of city councils in the county lean GOP. Democrats do hold all but one state Senate seat, but on the Board of Supervisors, their majority is only putative because Doug Chaffee, who represents northern Orange County, has the pesky habit of siding with his GOP colleagues a bit too much. Political change is happening here, but to act as if a purple Orange County exists is dangerous for Democrats. It lulls them into believing their own hype and local history offers a cautionary tale. Read more: Op-Ed: Look to Orange County for how to turn California politics purple In 1990, Republicans held a 22% voter registration advantage over Democrats, and the idea that Democrats could matter outside of Santa Ana and a handful of other cities was never considered, because it was so outlandish. What did the GOP do with that advantage? They let it erode like the shoreline in San Clemente. Pundits attribute this development to the exodus of white Republicans to other states, the emergence of the Latino vote and an increase in college-educated voters, who overwhelmingly sided with Biden over Trump in the UC Irvine poll. No, it was hubris that grand leveler of the mighty that did the GOP in. The party alienated Latino voters for a generation by backing the anti-immigrant Prop. 187, and it let a once-vaunted farm system of candidates dry up. Leaders decided to stand athwart a liberalizing Orange County instead of adapt. Democrats, on the other hand, capitalized on openings the GOP war on LGBTQ+ and abortion rights, court-mandated district elections, ever-increasing cost-of-living with two successive party chairs, Fran Sdao and Ada Briceno, who played to win instead of settling for perpetual second-banana status. The historic developments of 2016, 2018 and 2019 all came because of an underdog mentality that assumed nothing. Nick Hernandez, left, and Mary Carter, center, volunteers with the Laguna Beach Democratic Party, help Sydney Magno, of Riverside, register to vote as a Democrat at the Democratic Party of Orange County booth during the OC Fair in Costa Mesa in 2019. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) I hope Orange County Democrats remember this. Their victories have worked like chlorine in the whiny conservative swamp that was Orange County. But thinking we now wade in a purple wonderland proved disastrous in 2022. Besides the reelections of Spitzer and Barnes, the party endorsed a more progressive Democrat to take on Chaffee, only to see Chaffee win decisively. Even worse was what happened in Huntington Beach. Leading up to the general election, four of the city's seven council members were Democrats a once-unthinkable development in MAGA-by-the-Sea. All local liberals had to do was win one of those seats, and they could have created a blue beachside haven akin to HBs rival for the Surf City nickname, Santa Cruz. Instead, a bunch of Democrats ran and canceled each other out. Republicans, meanwhile, formed a slate and took over the City Council. This new majority has turned Huntington Beach into a poster child for Trumpism, and theyre not done: another slate of hard-right candidates is taking on the three remaining Democratic council members in November. Democrats have already staged key victories this year, hinting that they've learned their lessons. They beat back a recall of Santa Ana councilmember Jessie Lopez and helped recall two conservative members of the Orange Unified school board. In both cases, they were going up against better-funded opposition and fought as if they lived in the ruby red O.C. of not that long ago. Leave the thoughts of a purple reign to Prince, O.C. Dems there's still a lot of work to do. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Community gathers to say goodbye to Our Lady of Fatima School ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) On Friday, students and faculty representing over 74 years of education at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School visited the campus to pay their respects, see old faces, and talk about old times. Late last year, the decision was made that the 23-24 school year would be Fatimas last. Photo of a student from the 1900s | Photo by Scott Brown Fatima-Gallagher Hall which holds the schools gymnasium, lunchroom, and kindergarten held a reception following the morning mass services that featured a slideshow of photos from over the years and a collection of the schools yearbooks. Kim Welch is a parent of two students currently enrolled at Our Lady of Fatima and says the announcement of the closure was very emotional. This is a very huge family here. Its a small community, and we all care for each other a lot and have very deep connections with the teachers and the staff and the pastor, Welch said. Welch added she appreciated the schools communication to the parents in order to make preparations for the next school year. In December, Principal Melinda Mader expressed the importance of giving the families and faculty ample time to make decisions. For our families, we are going to be inviting the different parochial school principals to come down at the start of the new year as we begin enrollment season, so they can meet the different principals, and find out more about parochial schools and make choices that are going to be best for their families, said Mader. Fatima-Gallagher Hall | Photo by Scott Brown Our Lady of Fatima enrolled its first students under the name Heights Catholic School in the fall of 1949. It would be formally dedicated on January 29 of the next year with 157 students in four grades taught by three nuns. A new Convent for the Dominican Sisters of the Grand Rapids was blessed and dedicated in December 1951 and in 1954, four more classrooms were added to the school, allowing it to offer instruction for all eight grades. Welch said on Friday that the majority of the families are continuing their childrens education in other Catholic schools in the area. We all appreciate and respect the education our kids get here, and we will continue that, said Welch. The alumni in attendance felt the schools closure was unfortunate but grateful for the memories their time at the school gave them. Our Lady of Fatima School | Photo by Scott Brown Our Lady of Fatima School | Photo by Scott Brown Our Lady of Fatima School | Photo by Scott Brown Our Lady of Fatima School | Photo by Scott Brown Our Lady of Fatima School | Photo by Scott Brown Our Lady of Fatima School | Photo by Scott Brown Our Lady of Fatima School | Photo by Scott Brown Our Lady of Fatima School | Photo by Scott Brown Even though a lot of my classmates, were not super close, theres still some bond I think we all share, said Raul Garcia, Our Lady of Fatima, class of 1996. We grew up together; thats the truth of it. Fatimas total enrollment for the 23-24 school year was 53 students. Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Schools last day will be Friday, May 24. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Do you drink decaffeinated coffee? Are you aware that its often made by applying a chemical so dangerous it was banned for use in paint stripper five years ago? And are you aware that companies think banning this chemical is really, really unfair? This week the Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule prohibiting all but critical uses of methylene chloride, a highly toxic liquid that is believed to have killed at least 88 people since 1980mostly workers refinishing bathtubs or doing other home renovations. Methylene chloride can cause liver damage and is linked to multiple cancers, among other health effects. Amazingly, while the EPA banned its sale for paint stripping in 2019 for this reason, it continues to be used for a lot of other purposes. And one of those is decaffeinating coffee, because the Food and Drug Administration decided in the 1980s that the risk to coffee drinkers was low given how the coffee was processed. The EPAs ban on noncritical use of methylene chloride is one of many rules the Biden administration has announced or finalized ahead of the Congressional Review Act deadline. (The CRA, essentially, makes it easier for an unfriendly Congress to nix any administrative regulations finalized in the last 60 days of a legislative session.) A lot of the recently announced rules ban or curtail toxic substances that have made their way into everyday life and are poisoning people. The EPA has limited long-lasting chemicals called PFAS in drinking water, requiring water utilities within five years to build treatment systems that remove it. The agency has categorized two types of PFAS as hazardous substances under the Superfund law, requiring manufacturers to monitor whether theyve been released into the environment and, if so, clean them up. It has alsofinallyfully banned asbestos. Its finalized a rule to further restrict fine particulate pollution in the air, which has been linked to heart disease, heart attacks, asthma, low birth weight, Alzheimers, and other forms of dementia. Its in the process of finalizing a rule reducing lead in drinking water, which would require the replacement of lead pipes throughout the nation. Banning poison is good politics. As mentioned in last weeks newsletter, while only 47 percent of respondents in a recent CBS News poll supported reentering the Paris climate agreement, 70 percent said they supported reducing toxic chemicals in drinking water. Thats consistent with other polls showing that a majority of people think the federal government is doing too little to protect lakes, rivers and streams, and that an overwhelming majority of peopleeven 68 percent of Republicansbelieve the federal government should play some role in addressing differences across communities in their health risks from pollution and other environmental problems. But every single time one of these rules is announced, companies and industry groups respond with the most ridiculous statements. Lets look at just a few recent examples. A group of coffee makers against banning methylene chloride, Boston radio station WBUR reported in early April, recently wrote the FDA saying, True coffee aficionados in blind tastings prefer coffee decaffeinated with the chemical. Who knows how this study was doneTrue coffee aficionados are not known for preferring decaf, period, hence a recent P.R. push to improve decafs image. Nick Florko, a reporter for health news website Stat, told WBUR that the coffee makers letter to the FDA was a pretty funny claim if you consider the fact that were talking about coffee here thats essentially rinsed in paint thinner. And this says nothing at all about what happens to workers involved in the decaffeination process. (Methylene chloride has previously been shown to poison even trained workers wearing protective gear.) National Coffee Association president William Murray said something even weirder, telling CNN via email that banning methylene chloride would defy science and harm American[s] health. His logic appeared to be that since all coffee consumption, including decaf, shows signs of reducing cancer risk overall, its not really a problem to decaffeinate coffee using a known carcinogen. Thats loopy even for industry pushback. For one thing, its easy to imagine that coffee could be good in general, and less good if you add poison to it. For another, coffee can also be decaffeinated without methylene chloride, using only water. Now lets look at PFAS pushback. Knowing the EPA rules were in progress, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in March launched the Essential Chemistry for America initiative, with the goal of protecting forever chemicals it deems critical, according to E&E News. Were increasingly concerned that overly broad regulatory approaches threaten access to modern fluorochemistries, so were taking action to ensure their availability, chamber vice president Marty Durbin said. Given that access language is typically used in a social and environmental justice context, restyling the regulation of poisons as threatening access to modern fluorochemistries is gutsy, to say the least. The private water industry is meanwhile throwing a fit about being asked to filter out PFAS. The rule will throw public confidence in drinking water into chaos, Mike McGill, president of water industry communications firm WaterPIO, told the AP. (Youd think the existence of PFAS in the water is what would tank public confidence, not the requirement that it be removed.) Then theres the common threat from private water utilitieswhich, remember, turn a profit off providing a substance people cant live withoutthat removing PFAS will increase peoples water bills. Robert Powelson, the head of the National Association of Water Companies, said that the costs of the federal regulation will disproportionately fall on water and wastewater customers, according to The Washington Post. Water utilities do not create or produce PFAS chemicals, Powelson added. Yet water systems and their customers are on the front lines of paying for the cleanup of this contamination. Its true enough that water utilities are not the ones creating PFAS chemicals. On the other hand, there are lots of water contaminants that water utilities are responsible for filtering out if they want to keep making money from providing people with drinking water. Is there really any reason PFAS shouldnt be among them? Saying that the cost of this regulation will disproportionately fall on water and wastewater customers shouldnt be read as an expression of sympathy for disadvantaged households. The burden will fall on customers because the utilities will make sure of it. Its a threat, and one that doesnt mention the federal money from the Inflation Reduction Act that is being made available to help shoulder that burden. Those funds may well fall short, but that doesnt change the fact that theyre paying for-profit entities to transition to removing something they ought to have been filtering out long ago. And even if this federal rule hadnt been made, companies would probably have to start removing PFAS anyway, because they are facing increasingly expensive lawsuits over not doing so. (The water utilities, in turn, are suing polluters to cover remediation costsanother source of funding.) Its worth emphasizing what PFAS chemicals actually do to people, particularly in light of the American Water Works Associations assertion to the AP that the cost of removing the chemicals cant be justified for communities with low levels of PFAS. Researchers are now pretty sure that PFAS exposure increases the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Studying people in northern Italy who drank PFAS-contaminated water, researchers also saw increased rates of kidney and testicular cancer. The Guardian report on this contained this disturbing finding too: Women with multiple children had lower levels of PFAS only because pregnancy transferred PFAS into their childrens bodies instead. Dont let that get in the way of a good comms statement from industry groups, though. Remember: Forcing companies even to report their PFAS pollution, or remove PFAS from the water, is unfair. Good News/Bad News Twenty-nine-year-old Andrea Vidaurre has won the Goldman Environmental Prize for her work in environmental justice, pushing California to adopt new standards for truck and rail emissions that will curtail the air pollution harming working-class Latino communities in Californias Inland Empire. The United States has sided with petrostates in opposing production controls on plastic at the negotiations in Ottawa for a U.N. treaty to reduce plastic pollution. (Two weeks ago, I wrote about these negotiations, noting that the number of plastics industry lobbyists attending this session was not yet known. Now it is: 196 lobbyists from the fossil fuel and chemical industries registered for this round, according to the Center for International Environmental Lawa 37 percent increase from the number at the last session.) Stat of the Week 9.6% Thats the percentage of the 250 most popular fictional films released between 2013 and 2022 in which climate change exists and a character depicted on screen knows it, according to a new Climate Reality Check analysis from Colby University and Good Energy. Read Sammy Roths newsletter about why climate change in movies is so important here. What Im Reading Big Oil privately acknowledged efforts to downplay climate crisis, joint committee investigation finds Congressional Democrats this week released a report confirming what news outlets have previously reported: Companies like Exxon knew about climate change very early on and covered it up. They also found in subpoenaed emails that Exxon tried to discredit reporting of its duplicity, while privately acknowledging that it was true: The new revelations build on 2015 reporting from Inside Climate News and the Los Angeles Times, which found that Exxon was for decades aware of the dangers of the climate crisis, yet hid that from the public. At the time, Exxon publicly rejected the journalists findings outright, calling them inaccurate and deliberately misleading. But in internal communications, Exxon confirmed the validity of the reporting. In a December 2015 email about a potential public response to the investigative reporting, Exxon communications advisor Pamela Kevelson admitted the company did not dispute much of what these stories report. Its true that Inside Climate News originally accused us of working against science but ultimately modified their accusation to working against policies meant to stop climate change, Alan Jeffers, then a spokesperson for Exxon, wrote in a 2016 email to Kevelson. Im OK either way, since they were both true at one time or another. Read Dharna Noors report in The Guardian. This article first appeared in Life in a Warming World, a weekly TNR newsletter authored by deputy editor Heather Souvaine Horn. Sign up here. Company releases first-ever fully compostable product that can be used with popular coffee machines: 'This is a proud milestone' A female-led coffee producer based in Toronto is making environmental headway and revolutionizing the coffee industry. According to a press release from FoodBev Media, Neighbourhood Coffee Company announced its new fully compostable, single-serving coffee pods late last year, becoming the first roaster in Canada to offer biodegradable coffee pods. The eco-friendly pods are compatible with all single-serving Keurig machines and come in two flavors: Medium-Dark Roast Signature Blend and Annex Artisanal Espresso Roast. "Like different coffee blends have their own flavor, every neighborhood in Toronto has its own character, vibe, and sense of community," said Karen Hales, co-founder and CEO of Neighbourhood Coffee. "Our little coffee company is about honoring just that it's about celebrating Toronto's vibrant diversity and distinct communities with every cup of our artisanal coffee." After five years of scientific testing, the pods are made entirely of plant-based materials and are Biodegradable Products Institute-certified. Since the pods are quick-composting, they take 17 to 25 days to fully break down. Aluminum and plastic coffee pods have a significant carbon footprint. According to a peer-reviewed paper published in 2021, coffee pods generate more emissions than other ways of making coffee because of the production process and eventual waste. Plastic coffee pods end up rotting in landfills, where they take hundreds of years to break down and emit harmful gases that contribute to the planet's rising temperatures. Neighbourhood Coffee Company's biodegradable pods prevent unnecessary waste in landfills while also reducing carbon emissions. Companies across the U.S. are making eco-friendly changes with the goal of reducing their environmental impact. In a similar initiative to reduce single-use plastics, Yoplait launched reusable, glass yogurt containers to replace their original plastic ones. The leaders of Neighbourhood Coffee were excited to take this step toward a greener future. "This is a proud milestone for our small, local business," said Hales. "By making our small-batch, premium coffee available in compostable K-Cups, we are marrying innovation with sustainability while still delivering the vibrant microroasted flavors Neighbourhood Coffee is known for." Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. In this photo taken from video provided by Stacey J. Spiehler, hecklers shout at a pro-Palestinian protester at the University of Mississippi, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Oxford, Miss. The hecklers vastly outnumbered pro-Palestine demonstrators and video shot by a student journalist showed one white heckler making monkey gestures and noises at a Black woman who was supporting pro-Palestinian protesters. (Stacey J. Spiehler via AP) JACKSON, Miss. (AP) Israel-Hamas war demonstrations at the University of Mississippi turned ugly this week when one counter-protester appeared to make monkey noises and gestures at a Black student in a raucous gathering that was endorsed by a far-right congressman from Georgia. Ole Miss taking care of business, Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins wrote Friday on the social platform X with a with a link to the video showing the racist jeers. The Associated Press left voicemail messages for Collins on Friday at his offices in Georgia and Washington and sent an email to his spokesperson, asking for an explanation of what Collins meant. There was no immediate response. The taunting brought sharp criticism on and off campus. Students were calling for an end to genocide. They were met with racism, James M. Thomas, a sociology professor at the University of Mississippi, wrote Friday on X. The Rev. Cornell William Brooks, a former president and CEO of the NAACP and professor at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, wrote on X that a white man mocking a Black woman as a monkey isnt about Stand With Israel or Free Palestine. This is protest as performative racism. Collins was first elected to Congress in 2022 and made several social media posts criticizing campus protests. Nobody was arrested during the demonstration Thursday at the University of Mississippi, where hecklers vastly outnumbered war protesters. According to a count by AP, more than 2,400 arrests have occurred on 46 U.S. university or college campuses since April 17 during demonstrations against the war. The student newspaper, The Daily Mississippian, reported about 30 protesters on the Oxford campus billed themselves as UMiss for Palestine. Videos and photos from the event showed the protesters were in a grassy area near the main library, blocked off by barriers erected by campus security. They chanted Free, free Palestine," and carried Palestinian flags and signs with slogans including, Stop the Genocide" and U.S. bombs take Palestine lives. Student journalist Stacey J. Spiehler shot video that showed campus police officers and the dean of students standing between anti-war protesters and hecklers. After the Black woman protesting the war had what appeared to be a heated exchange of words with several white hecklers, one of the men made the monkey gestures and noises at her. About 76% of the university's students were white and about 11% were Black in 2022-23, the most recent data available on the school's website. University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce said the school is committed to people expressing their views. He said some statements made on campus Thursday were offensive and unacceptable." In another statement Friday, Boyce said one student conduct investigation had been opened and university leaders were working to determine whether more cases are warranted. To be clear, people who say horrible things to people because of who they are will not find shelter or comfort on this campus, he said. Republican Gov. Tate Reeves reposted a video on X that showed counter-protesters on the campus singing The Star-Spangled Banner. Warms my heart, Reeves wrote. I love Mississippi! On Friday morning, police answered a call of an assault with a gun in the 10600 block of Northeast 29th Street in Bellevue. When Bellevue Police officers located the suspect, he failed to stop and led leading police on a high-speed pursuit. The chase continued across the State Route 520 floating bridge and ended in the Greenlake neighborhood in Seattle when the suspect crashed into two vehicles. The car came to a stop on a residents lawn on Greenlake Way North and Ashworth Avenue North and then the suspect ran away. Seattle police found a gun at the scene that was reported stolen. The suspect was identified as a 36-year-old man with a felony conviction. He was booked into the King County Jail under suspicion of first-degree assault, fourth-degree assault, eluding police, hit-and-run, and possession of a gun. There were no injuries reported by the two vehicles that were struck. Flash Hamas has sent a delegation to Cairo in response to an Egypt-proposed initiative for a truce with Israel in the besieged Gaza Strip, two Egyptian sources told Xinhua Saturday on condition of anonymity. "Egypt was informed by Hamas that a delegation from the movement was heading to Cairo on Saturday with the intention of concluding and implementing a truce agreement with Israel," they said. Hamas responded to the initiative proposed by Egypt after getting Egyptian guarantees that it could lead to stopping the conflict in Gaza, they added. Cairo, they said, warned Hamas of the escalation of the situation in Gaza if an agreement was not reached. CIA Director William Burns will go to Egypt as part of the tripartite guarantors of the deal, namely Egypt, the United States and Qatar, they noted. A Hamas delegation visited Cairo on Monday and then left to prepare a written response to the truce proposal for the ensuing meeting, Egypt's state-affiliated Al-Qahera News TV channel quoted an unnamed official as saying on Monday. The Egyptian initiative includes three stages, aimed at exchanging Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, taking necessary measures to reach a ceasefire, and restoring sustainable calm. The first phase is 40 days, and it stipulates a temporary halt of military operations between the two sides, an exchange of detainees and prisoners, and the return of internally displaced civilians to their areas of residence in Gaza. It intends to facilitate the entry of intensive and sufficient quantities of humanitarian aid, relief materials and fuel into Gaza, as well as the equipment needed to remove rubble and rehabilitate and operate hospitals, health centers and bakeries in the enclave. The proposed deal also aims to facilitate the entry of the supplies necessary to establish shelter camps to accommodate displaced Palestinians who lost their homes during the conflict. Cairo, Doha and Washington mediated a week-long truce between Israel and Hamas that ended in late November 2023, which included a swap between Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages as well as more humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza. Israel estimates that there are about 134 Israeli hostages in Gaza, 70 of whom Hamas said were killed in random Israeli raids. Israel holds more than 9,000 Palestinians in its prisons, whose conditions have worsened and some of whom have died since Israel began its attacks on Gaza, according to Palestinian organizations. Israel has launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, following Hamas's surprise attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people. The ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has killed more than 34,600 Palestinians, besides many unreported under the rubble, and wounded over 77,800 others, according to Gaza health authorities. It also led to massive destruction of homes and infrastructure in Gaza. As you might know, MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM) just kicked off its latest first-quarter results with some very strong numbers. It was overall a positive result, with revenues beating expectations by 3.7% to hit US$4.4b. MGM Resorts International also reported a statutory profit of US$0.67, which was an impressive 29% above what the analysts had forecast. Earnings are an important time for investors, as they can track a company's performance, look at what the analysts are forecasting for next year, and see if there's been a change in sentiment towards the company. With this in mind, we've gathered the latest statutory forecasts to see what the analysts are expecting for next year. Check out our latest analysis for MGM Resorts International Taking into account the latest results, the current consensus from MGM Resorts International's 19 analysts is for revenues of US$17.1b in 2024. This would reflect a credible 2.8% increase on its revenue over the past 12 months. Statutory earnings per share are forecast to fall 11% to US$2.53 in the same period. In the lead-up to this report, the analysts had been modelling revenues of US$16.8b and earnings per share (EPS) of US$2.26 in 2024. There was no real change to the revenue estimates, but the analysts do seem more bullish on earnings, given the nice gain to earnings per share expectations following these results. The consensus price target was unchanged at US$56.25, implying that the improved earnings outlook is not expected to have a long term impact on value creation for shareholders. It could also be instructive to look at the range of analyst estimates, to evaluate how different the outlier opinions are from the mean. There are some variant perceptions on MGM Resorts International, with the most bullish analyst valuing it at US$66.00 and the most bearish at US$46.00 per share. This shows there is still a bit of diversity in estimates, but analysts don't appear to be totally split on the stock as though it might be a success or failure situation. Another way we can view these estimates is in the context of the bigger picture, such as how the forecasts stack up against past performance, and whether forecasts are more or less bullish relative to other companies in the industry. It's pretty clear that there is an expectation that MGM Resorts International's revenue growth will slow down substantially, with revenues to the end of 2024 expected to display 3.7% growth on an annualised basis. This is compared to a historical growth rate of 10% over the past five years. By way of comparison, the other companies in this industry with analyst coverage are forecast to grow their revenue at 9.7% per year. So it's pretty clear that, while revenue growth is expected to slow down, the wider industry is also expected to grow faster than MGM Resorts International. Story continues The Bottom Line The most important thing here is that the analysts upgraded their earnings per share estimates, suggesting that there has been a clear increase in optimism towards MGM Resorts International following these results. Fortunately, the analysts also reconfirmed their revenue estimates, suggesting that it's tracking in line with expectations. Although our data does suggest that MGM Resorts International's revenue is expected to perform worse than the wider industry. There was no real change to the consensus price target, suggesting that the intrinsic value of the business has not undergone any major changes with the latest estimates. With that in mind, we wouldn't be too quick to come to a conclusion on MGM Resorts International. Long-term earnings power is much more important than next year's profits. We have forecasts for MGM Resorts International going out to 2026, and you can see them free on our platform here. That said, it's still necessary to consider the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 4 warning signs with MGM Resorts International (at least 1 which is potentially serious) , and understanding these should be part of your investment process. 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. Couple identified, arrested for stealing from monastery, police say Couple identified, arrested for stealing from monastery, police say The two people wanted for stealing from monks at Belmont Abbey have been arrested, Belmont Abbey police tells Channel 9. Natasha Lewis and Jeremy Hamilton were identified as the couple caught on video stealing from monks at Belmont Abbey College. BAP Chief said people who saw Channel 9s reporting were able to identify the suspects. PREVIOUS: Couple accused of stealing from monks at Belmont Abbey College Two days after they are accused of breaking into the monastery at Belmont Abbey College, they ran from Winthrop police and crashed a car in attempt to get away. Hamilton kept running after the crash. Lewis was arrested and eventually released. The two were then taken into custody in Chadbourn. Police arent sure how they ended up in that area, but Channel 9 contacted Chadbourn Police to learn what led to their arrest and if theyll be extradited to Gaston County. (WATCH: Couple accused of stealing from monks at Belmont Abbey College) CLOVIS, NM The Clovis Police Department is seeking a killer who also possibly abducted a child after two women were found dead and another child injured at a city park on Friday afternoon. Clovis police officials said the department's dispatch center received a 911 call about 4:26 p.m. Friday, May 3, from a person who believed they found two dead women at Ned Houk Park, a city park five miles north of Clovis. Officers arrived at the scene and found the two female victims with apparent gunshot wounds laying on the ground near a silver Dodge minivan. A young girl was also found on the ground, suffering from an injury to her head. Officers began giving life-saving measures to the child. Police said Clovis EMS arrived at the scene and took the child to Plains Regional Medical Center, and she was later transferred to a Lubbock area hospital. The women were identified as Samantha Cisneros, 23, and Taryn Allen, 23, both from Texico, N.M. Officers at the scene discovered there was an infant car seat, an infant stroller and a small baby bottle left at the scene. They were concerned there was an infant child with the women when the shooting happened and immediately began searching the area for the infant, according to a news release. Investigators believe a 10-month-old child, Eleia Maria Torres, is in immediate danger and was abducted by a suspect in a shooting, where the child's mother and another woman were killed. An Amber Alert was issued for the infant. The 9th Judicial Major Crime Unit was activated and took over the investigation. "Through interviews with family members, investigators learned Samantha Cisneros was the mother to the young female child found at the scene and was also the mother to a 10-month-old child, Eleia Maria Torres," the release states. "Investigators believe Eleia Maria Torres has been abducted by the perpetrator of this crime and is in immediate danger." An Amber Alert was issued for Torres, and the investigation is ongoing. She is about 28 inches tall, weighs 23 pounds and has brown eyes and brown hair. There is currently no suspect in this incident; however, the perpetrator may have been in a maroon Honda car of an unknown model, the New Mexico State Police said in a separate update shared on social media. Anyone who may have information on these women or who were in the vicinity of the park when the incident occurred are asked to contact the Clovis Police Department at 575-769-1921. Information can also be provided anonymously by using the Clovis Police Departments tip411 program, accessed by going to www.police.cityofclovis.org. Anonymous tips can also be provided to the Curry County Crime Stoppers at 575-763-7000. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Clovis police seek shooter after 2 killed, child missing They criminalize homeless people where Im from. California shouldnt do the same | Opinion On a Sunday afternoon, I went for a stroll down Frazier Avenue in the heart of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Making my way up the sidewalk, I noticed three police cars in front of the Walnut Street pedestrian bridge entrance. I guessed that there mustve been a huge car accident or that someone was in danger. Instead, I saw four police officers towering over a man sitting on the bridge with a blanket covering him. They talked to the man for several minutes and then escorted him off the bridge. The man was not given food or another form of support. He was seen as a blight on this pedestrian bridge, a stain on the community and therefore he had to go. This is unfortunately the reality of people experiencing homelessness where I am from. The Supreme Court recently heard arguments about whether a city in Oregon can enforce a ban on camping and sleeping in public places. If the Supreme Court ultimately votes in favor of the ban, it could set a dangerous precedent for how city and local governments in California can address homelessness. This state soon may be able to criminalize homelessness in ways that Tennessee can do today. Homeless management in California and eight other states is now restricted by an appellate court ruling that limits what local governments can do if they have inadequate shelter space. If the high court lifts that restriction, watch out. In California, it seems that lawmakers are becoming more open with the idea to criminalize homelessness. Recently a bipartisan bill was introduced that would ban a person from the ability to stay or camp on a street or sidewalk within 500 feet of a school, park or transit stop. On April 16, it was voted down in the Senate Public Safety Committee. The homeless issue is a major cause for concern and must be met with action, but not a sweeping law that takes humanity out of the problem. In Tennessee thats the case and its an unfortunate one. A draconian law In 2022, Tennessee became the first state in the nation to criminalize homelessness by passing a law that bans camping on the shoulder, right-of-way, bridge, overpass or underpass of a state or interstate highway. Perpetrators could also face a misdemeanor offense and a $50 fine or mandated community service. The bill also makes it a felony to camp on all public property. Just to get a sense of the leadership behind this harsh law, during debate about the then-bill, Tennessee senator Frank Nicely, thought that it was wise to use Adolf Hitler as an example of someone who has succeeded after experiencing homelessness. In 1910, Hitler decided to live on the streets for a while, Nicely, who voted for was said. So for two years, Hitler lived on the streets and practiced his oratory and his body language and how to connect with the masses, and then went on to lead a life thats got him into history books. In the two years since it became law, homelessness is still prevalent in Tennessee. In my time in Chattanooga, I lived close to a homeless support organization, the Chatt Foundation. It was the base for the homeless outreach in the city. People experiencing homelessness would camp right next to the foundation, a clear signal that the law passed in 2022 was not as effective as lawmakers hoped. With that realization, a bill was introduced last year that would let local governments set up homeless camps and order mental health treatment. It unfortunately failed in the Property and Planning Subcommittee of the Local Government Committee. In California, it appears that the problem with solving homelessness is more about monitoring where the money is going and how its helping people. While California lawmakers are looking for answers to solve homelessness, they should steer clear of making laws that send a message of division but instead seek to be solution-focused. Dealing in absolutes Tennessee chose to go the route that lets the law decide whether or not someone should have shelter, making it black and white, right or wrong. Thats a poor approach. Homelessness is a nuanced issue. Some teens are currently experiencing homelessness, entire families, and people whove been homeless for the majority of their lives. The issue at hand is delicate so therefore so should the response. Creating laws against whether a person can survive only makes the answers to this issue harder to reach. Shelter is a basic need, a human right. Encampments give people experiencing homelessness a sense of security, stability and most importantly home. If we take someones only home away, what would that say about our humanity? Kelly Flynn, President of A Womans Choice in Jacksonville, Florida, poses for a portrait in her office. (Agnes Lopez for The 19th) This story was originally published by The 19th. JACKSONVILLE, Florida Annas period was only three days late when she took a pregnancy test just over a week ago. When she saw the positive result, she knew she wanted an abortion. A hospitality worker in north Florida, Anna earns barely $2,000 a month. She had only recently returned to work after the birth of her son. She was so sure they could not afford another child that shed begged her partner to get a vasectomy. He declined, so they relied on condoms. After my last baby, I knew I didnt want to have any more kids, said Anna, who The 19th is referring to by her middle name because of her concerns about abortion stigma. Theres no way absolutely no way we can afford it. Were finally getting on our feet to get him into day care, for me to actually have a job and start my career again. She texted a coworker, who told her about A Womans Choice in Jacksonville. Anna would have to make two visits to the clinic, separated by 24 hours, thanks to a law that took effect in the spring of 2022. The first is a state-required consultation in which physicians must tell patients about options other than abortion, and the second is the actual procedure. She waited an hour on the phone to hear that the first available appointment wasnt until April 30. Anna was originally scheduled to have her abortion Thursday, May 2, the next day the clinic was supposed to be open. Then during her ultrasound, the technician told her she was five weeks and six days pregnant and that meant she was running out of time. Starting today, Florida is enforcing a strict ban on abortions after six weeks. If she waited until Thursday, it would be too late to get an abortion in Florida; the staff would have to send her to North Carolina. Anna started praying, whispering please to herself. The staff told her theyd see what they could do theyd talk to the doctor and see if he might be able to come in and care for her on Wednesday, typically his day off. He agreed, and Anna came in for her second visit on May 1, just as the ban went into effect. She was exactly six weeks pregnant. She was the only patient to receive an abortion in a clinic that, the day before, had been standing room only. Empty chairs at a clinic Empty chairs are seen in the waiting room hours before the Florida ban went into effect at A Womans Choice, in Jacksonville, Fla., on April 30, 2024. (Agnes Lopez for The 19th) It was a dramatic shift from the start of the week, when the state still allowed abortions up to the 15th week of pregnancy. On Monday, almost 60 people came to the clinic; about half for their abortions, and half for the preliminary consults. A third were from somewhere other than Florida, and the vast majority were past six weeks of pregnancy. Staff fretted about whether theyd have enough parking spaces for everyone, and patients filling out paperwork sat on the tiny waiting room floor. When told that day just how many patients hed be seeing all of them Dr. Herman Miller, the clinics primary OB-GYN, almost laughed: Thats ridiculous. But by Wednesday morning, it was all over. Outside, half a dozen abortion opponents chanted prayers. Inside the clinic was quieter. When patients started to trickle in around 8:45 a.m., there was easily room for all of them: Anna, for her surgical abortion, and nine patients who showed up for state-mandated consults. The contrast and cause were obvious. In a matter of days, the nation had lost one of the Souths last meaningful options for legal abortion. After Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022, Florida the third largest state in the country became one of the only realistic options for Southerners seeking abortions. In the next 18 months, Florida recorded the nations second-largest increase in abortions, even as the state enforced what was then a 15-week limit, substantially earlier in pregnancy than what was guaranteed under Roe. In 2023, about 84,000 abortions took place in Floridas 60-some clinics, according to state health department data. At A Womans Choice, clinicians said they have treated close to 400 abortion patients per month since the end of Roe. Between a third and half came from somewhere else in the South: mostly Georgia, but also Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Texas. Most patients arrived when they were somewhere between eight and 12 weeks pregnant. With the six-week ban in effect, Kelly Flynn, the president of the clinic, estimates the number of patients they see virtually all of them people seeking abortions will fall by more than half. Her clinic is scheduling only a handful of abortions per day; staff think that maybe theyll see 20 to 30 patients in a single week, instead of a single day. A woman organizing papers Staffer Mikenzie Buchanan organizes charts at A Womens Choice, on April 30, 2024. (Agnes Lopez for The 19th) On Wednesday morning, all but one patient seeking a consultation came from Florida. Three of the nine who showed up were already past six weeks, one only by days. Clinic staff offered to help them make appointments in North Carolina, the closest option. One of the physicians on staff is licensed in both North Carolina and Florida, and could do North Carolinas first mandated visit from Jacksonville. Of the three states whose strictest limit is a six-week cutoff South Carolina and Georgia also outlaw abortion after that point Florida is the only one to require patients make two separate in-person visits for an abortion. It makes a tight timeline even tighter: Patients need to discover their pregnancies early enough for both appointments and make sure they have time off from work two days in a row. Even by Tuesday, the day before the law took effect, its effect was visible; the 24-hour rule meant that in preparing patients for Wednesday, clinicians could only see people who were at or earlier than 5 weeks and 6 days. With such a short timeline, the patients seeking their preliminary abortion consults hailed exclusively from Florida. It was the first time in months that had been the case, Miller said. You ladies are lucky you got in here this week, he sighed that morning. Something happens tomorrow, youre going to be traveling. Miller has been providing abortions since he became a physician in the 1970s. He is almost ready to retire he hopes to make it one more year at the clinic. His arthritis means he can only do so many abortions in a day, especially surgical ones. Standing for too long is painful. But he worries about what will happen when he leaves the clinic, and who will be left in Jacksonville to care for a dwindling number of patients. An alumnus of the Civil Rights Movement, Miller has started telling patients not only about the new six-week law, but also encouraging them to vote in November for a ballot measure that would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution. Getting that passed is an uphill battle: Florida requires 60 percent of voters to approve ballot-initiated constitutional amendments, the highest threshold in the country. Since June 2022, abortion rights measures have consistently won at the ballot box, but only two Californias and Vermonts got support from more than 60 percent of state voters. Miller, clad in a green scrubs shirt and blue jeans, handed out pills for patients so they could start their medication abortions. Make sure that you vote, he told them. If the six-week ban if its not voted out in November, they also plan to go after IUDs or implants. Most patients said they hadnt heard about the ballot measure. Anna, for one, said she would start telling everyone she could, posting about it on social media, encouraging them to vote in favor. Women should be voting for these things. Its not about your views on whether youre against abortion or not, she said. Its just about, it is your body. You get to choose whatever you want. Nobodys telling men, You need to have a vasectomy after four kids. Staff saw patients rushing to the clinic as soon as they learned they were pregnant: One woman who showed up Monday had tested positive the night before. The staff couldnt schedule her that day; instead, they said, shed have better luck phoning the clinics call center across the street, trying to get on the books for Tuesday, and hoping she would still be within the limit by Wednesday. Those who already had appointments said they felt lucky to be there. One woman came Tuesday from Louisiana. She is almost 40 years old, with a teenager at home. Another, who had come from Alabama, was 14 weeks pregnant. When she got her abortion Tuesday, she only just made the deadline. The clinic doesnt track patient demographics, but employees said that anecdotally, most of the people they see arent White. Its unsurprising: Research suggests that 60 percent of Black women now live in states with abortion bans. Black women and Latinas have historically been more likely to get abortions than White women, a trend reflective of the fact that they are more likely to have lower-paying jobs and face more barriers in getting contraception. A Womans Choice has started directing patients to leave Florida for care. Now, the closest option for an abortion after six weeks is North Carolina, which allows it until the end of the first trimester 12 weeks. But that state requires patients to make two in-person visits to the clinic 72 hours apart, which can make the trip prohibitively expensive. After North Carolina is Virginia, where the procedure is legal until 27 weeks of pregnancy. Danville, home to the closest Virginia clinic, is about 500 miles away from Jacksonville. Jacksonville is only about an hours drive from the state border. The journey out of state will be even more burdensome to people coming from further south in Florida. By Tuesday, Dr. Chelsea Daniels, an OB-GYN who practices primarily at a Planned Parenthood outside of Miami 850 miles south of Danville, or 12 hours driving said she already had to tell scores of patients that they were too far along to qualify for an abortion. She worries the journey north will be too cumbersome and expensive for most patients. Abortion funds in Florida, nonprofits that help patients cover the cost of leaving the state for a procedure, say they do not have enough money to help support every Floridian who will need out-of-state care. We are going to have these difficult conversations with just about every single patient coming in for their first day physicians consult, Daniels said Wednesday morning. Were going to be having dozens of those conversations today, just like we did yesterday. Pregnant Floridians could also have the option to order pills online through services like Aid Access, in which physicians practicing in other states mail abortion medication to patients in states that have outlawed the procedure. Its a process thats medically safe but legally tenuous Anna, for one, said she wouldnt feel comfortable getting pills from a physician potentially hundreds of miles away. An empty examination room An empty examination room is seen at A Womans Choice, on April 30, 2024. (Agnes Lopez for The 19th) Even though she was able to secure her appointment, the process felt almost unbearably isolating. Her husband is the only person she has told about her decision. She is Latina, and most of her family isnt in the United States. She isnt sure many of her older relatives would have supported her in getting an abortion maybe just her mom and her sister. Holding back tears, she tried to imagine what she would have had to do if she hadnt been able to get in on Wednesday. Still, she said, she would have done whatever it took, even if that meant driving eight hours out of state and charging the trip over multiple credit cards, hoping someday shed be able to pay it back. Already, she had prepared for this trip to cost her what felt like a small fortune: $375, because she qualified for financial support from the clinic. It was close to a fifth of her monthly pay. The night before her abortion, she lay awake in bed until 4 a.m. thinking through what might happen when she came into the clinic. But for all her anxiety, she was certain about her decision. I cannot have a baby. I just know that, she said. I know what I want. What I want is I just want this to be over. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post From crowded to quiet: Inside a clinic as Florida bans abortions after six weeks appeared first on Alabama Reflector. A Marlboro man who had been working as a school bus driver is being accused of raping a child, the Middlesex District Attorneys office said Friday. Derek Thistle, 32, is facing charges after allegedly exposing himself to an underage boy while on Facetime in July 2023, the DAs office says. The victims aunt also allegedly observed the call. After the incident, the victim said that Thistle had sexually assaulted him while the boy was at this home a few months earlier. Thistle was employed by NRT, the districts transportation provider and was not an employee of the public schools, Marlboro school superintendent Mary Murphy told Boston 25 News. Murphy says Thistle drove routes in Marlboro from 2018 through 2022 and passed all state and background checks. There is no indication the charges involved a child attending Marlboro Public Schools or any school worker. The safety of those in our case is our main focus at all times, so we will be reviewing our transportation safety protocols and meeting with NRT to make sure all students have the highest level of protection possible, Murphy said. Thistle was arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court Friday and bail was set at $10,000 under the conditions that he stay away from and have no contact with the victim and no unsupervised contact with minors. Thistle is charged with forcible rape of a child, aggravated rape of a child, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and open and gross lewdness in connection with allegedly sexually assaulting a male child who was known to him. He is next scheduled to appear in court on May 17. 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 Dad spots monkey roaming around school while picking up daughter in Florida Dad spots monkey roaming around school while picking up daughter in Florida LAKE COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) Florida residents see lots of animals in the wild, including manatees, panthers, and alligators. But one father spotted an unusual animal while picking up his daughter from high school last week. Applications open for new Alligator Super Hunt, harvest permits I saw like this animal, I thought like a cat or a dog or something like that and when I get closer, I realize it was a monkey, Naxel Miranda, the owner of Mariands Kitchen said. The monkey, likely a rhesus macaque, was spotted near the Lake County school. Although the animal is adorable, it worried Miranda with so many kids around. I was worried like the kids get hurt from the monkey because I know the monkeys carry a lot of disease, Miranda said. The animal was spotted last Friday but Miranda said it hasnt been seen since. Woman takes home $2M top prize from Florida gas station scratch-off ticket Im not going to lie, Miranda said. Sometimes I look and tell my daughter or my wife, maybe we see it again or maybe we see more of them. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, monkeys fall under class II wildlife, meaning they are considered a potential threat to human safety. Ownership of these species requires a permit. NBC affiliate WESH reported that monkeys were brought into the Silver Springs area years ago to boost attraction. But now, some of them just wander around. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Daniel left for school then he was gone, says family of 14-year-old sword attack victim A wreath with a photograph of Daniel Anjorin was among the floral tributes left at the scene of his death - LUCY NORTH/PA WIRE The family of teenager Daniel Anjorin have spoken of their devastation at his death in a sword attack in north-east London. Daniel, 14, was attacked as he walked to school on Tuesday morning in Hainault. Marcos Aurelio Arduini Monzo, 36, appeared at Westminster magistrates court on Thursday charged with his murder. Yesterday, Daniels family spoke of their loss in a statement issued through the Metropolitan Police, saying: We as a family are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Daniel. It is difficult for us at this time to process what has happened to him and that he will never come home. Daniel had left the house for school and then he was gone. Our children have lost their loving and precious brother and we have lost the most loved and amazing son. We would like to send our best wishes to the other victims of this unthinkable incident. We would also like to thank the local community for all of their support during this most difficult time. We ask that the media please respect our privacy and refrain from contacting us or our family. Young people add their flowers to the many tributes left for Daniel - LUCY NORTH/PA WIRE Mr Monzo is accused of attacking Daniel, a pupil at Bancrofts independent school, from behind, cutting his neck, before stabbing him in the chest as he lay on the ground. Police officers tried to help the teenager. The leader of a church group attended by Daniel posted a tribute to the teenager on X, formerly Twitter. Femi Koleoso said: Words dont even begin to describe the pain we have all felt over the last few days. Daniel was one of the children in the youth group I lead, Jubilee Youth, part of Jubilee Church London. Theres no way to articulate the pain we are all feeling losing one of our own. Daniel is a boy we all love and will deeply miss. Our prayers and support are with the family at this time. In times like this, we lean on God and our family and be there for each other. Friends of Daniels family have set up a gofundme page on their behalf. The fund on Saturday had received over 7,200 donations and raised 124,960 to help with the costs of everything. The page read: He meant so much to a lot of people and will be dearly missed. Arsenal paid tribute to Daniel, an avid fan of the club, during their Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Saturday. Daniel, an Arsenal fan, was remembered at his team's home match against Bournemouth yesterday - ADAM DAVY/PA WIRE A photo of the Year 9 student lit up the screens of the Emirates Stadium before a scheduled moment of applause in the 14th minute of the match. Fans held a banner that read RIP Daniel. Daniels family told Sky News on Wednesday that he was a wonderful child who was well-loved and hard working, adding that his death leaves a gaping wound in the family. No family should have to go through what we are experiencing today, they told the broadcaster. Any family will understand its an absolute tragedy. Mr Monzo, a Spanish-Brazilian dual national, from Newham, east London, has also been charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary and possession of a bladed article. Paul Goldspring, the chief magistrate, remanded Mr Monzo in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on Tuesday. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Data was missing from a US News and World report on Oklahoma schools. Lawmakers want to know what happened Leaders of the Oklahoma Legislature and Gov. Kevin Stitt expressed concern this week about media reports that U.S. News and World Reports annual rankings of Oklahoma high schools were skewed because the Oklahoma State Department of Education failed to provide key data used by the publication to rate schools. Oklahoma City television station KFOR and the Tulsa World first reported about the issue, quoting various school district superintendents about their concerns about the dramatic change in the 2024 rankings, which often are used by families in determining where to live within a state. The state Education Department also failed to send data to U.S. News and World Report in 2023, a spokesperson for the publication said. Asked Friday about the situation, Gov. Kevin Stitt said its important to get all the information out there concerning Oklahoma schools. If they missed something I dont know if they did but if they missed something for a ranking, then we need to do a better job, Stitt said. Dont give them a gun to shoot us with, right? We want to make sure were promoting Oklahoma, so if theres something that we didnt do correctly, lets fix it. More: US News names top 10 best high schools in Oklahoma, though chunk of test scores missing But its a big organization. Sometimes things slip through or somebody messes up on something. If we need to obviously hold those folks accountable, then lets get every piece of good information up we can to promote Oklahoma. He said he hadnt met with state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, the elected official who leads the agency, concerning the issue. Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, said Thursday he wondered if the state Education Departments loss of more than 130 employees since Walters took office might be impeding their ability to get these simple things done. House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, in response to a question about the situation, said, There are conversations that we have when we hear from school districts on problems. We try to be the catalyst to make sure those things get done. But were always going to have a concern about what goes on. As part of his answer, McCall noted the Legislature is working in earnest this month on the state budget for the next fiscal year, but he also said, In terms of remedies, were certainly not going to withhold money from the state Department of Education in terms of funding for schools as some type of punishment for disagreements over how things are being run. Why were Oklahoma's rankings skewed? U.S. News and World Report said Oklahoma and Maine were the only states that did not give the publication permission to use their schools Advanced Placement data in the rankings. As a result, U.S. News and World Report said, less than 5% of the high schools in those two states finished in the top 25% of the national rankings. For example, Classen School of Advanced Studies in Oklahoma City, which ranked No. 1 on this years state list, ranked only 926th in the national rankings. Oklahoma and Maine were 50th and 51st, respectively, in the publications overall state ranking. A spokesperson for U.S. News and World Report said, The Oklahoma State Department of Education did not return the signed permission letter with their assent in time for the 2023 and 2024 publication of Best High Schools. KFOR reported that of the top 20 schools on this years list, 13 have fewer than 400 students. Thats unusual, as larger schools typically have more AP (Advanced Placement) course offerings than smaller schools. The number of students taking AP courses are a key factor the publication uses for determining College Readiness, which accounts for 30% of a schools rating. Oklahoma schools have a N/A not available listed under College Readiness on the U.S. News and World Report ranking. More: Oklahoma missed deadline to include test scores in US News Best High Schools in Oklahoma list In Oklahoma, the 32 schools with the highest enrollment compete in Class 6A in Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association events. Only three 6A schools Edmond Memorial High School, Edmond North High School and Norman North High School were listed among the states top 20. There were 10 such schools in the top 20 in 2022. Also, the lack of AP data led to many large school districts to take major dives in the state rankings. The World reported Bixby, which was 16th in 2022, now is 65th, while Jenks dropped from 19th to 64th during the same time frame. Broken Arrow, which has the states largest high school, is 186th this year. Among larger schools in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, Edmond Santa Fe High School (7th to 22nd), Piedmont High School (22nd to 40th), Putnam City North High School (20th to 85th), Westmoore High School (17th to 90th) and Deer Creek High School in Edmond (12th to 134th) also suffered big drops in the ranking from 2022, KFOR reported. Education Department spokesman blames the mail State Department of Education spokesman Dan Isett told both KFOR and the Tulsa World that SDE physically sent the information to the College Board, and cannot account for their lack of receipt likely a post office issue. Isett said the agency gave them permission and access to the data through a board vote, which was taken this past November. The Oklahoman asked the magazine for the date of its deadline, but the publication declined to respond. Asked subsequently about the situation by The Oklahoman, Isetts response criticized the reporting of both KFOR and The Oklahoman and called the story a convoluted effort to smear Walters. Isett blamed any issue concerning the 2023 rankings on the administration of previous state Superintendent Joy Hofmeister, who left office in early January 2023. No votes were taken by the state Board of Education in 2022 concerning the release of data to U.S. News and World Report, but its unclear if a vote was actually necessary for the data to be released. The U.S. News and World Report spokesperson said the OSDE has sent U.S. News and College Board signed permission for release of this data in 2025, which authorizes its use for the next edition of Best High Schools rankings. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma lawmakers want answers on skewed US World News school ranks Unions representing workers at steel giant Tata say talks with the company over its plans to shut down blast furnaces at its biggest plant have broken down. Community, the GMB and Unite said in a joint statement that the company was completely disregarding the impact of its plans on the workers and local communities. Tata is planning to switch to a more environmentally-friendly method of producing steel at the Port Talbot plant in South Wales, which will result in the loss of thousands of jobs. The company says 5,000 jobs will be secured. Members of Unite have voted to strike, while Community and the GMB is currently balloting their members for industrial action. The unions said any industrial action will be taken together, in a strategic way. Community General Secretary Roy Rickhuss said: Its disappointing that talks with Tata broke down without an agreed position, but the companys proposals are completely unacceptable. Tata talks the talk and wants to be seen as a caring responsible employer, but the reality is they are determined to cut jobs and punish their most vulnerable employees who want job security. We have told the company, in the strongest terms, that their actions and failure to engage in meaningful negotiations is not good enough, and we will now consult our members on our next steps. A Tata Steel spokesperson said: Following seven months of information sharing and consultation, last week we confirmed that we will be proceeding with our restructuring plans and a 1.25billion investment in green steelmaking to secure over 5,000 jobs in Tata Steel UK. This week we have continued our open and constructive discussions with trades union partners through the UK Steel Committee. We have this week put forward an extensive offer that includes the enhanced employee support package we announced on 22 March as well as a generous proposal for a skills and retraining scheme for employees who are made redundant involuntarily, which would have allowed people to elect to remain employed by the company on revised terms for up to a further year whilst they retrain and secure employment with another employer. Today, we have paused those discussions without coming to an agreement. Our focus remains on creating a sustainable steel industry in the UK that supports manufacturing supply chains and steel communities through a just transition to low CO2 steelmaking. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: Unite does not accept the logic of making any redundancies when steel demand is set to rocket. We have shown that another future is possible and it is already happening in other countries. Story continues The derogatory offers that Tata has been putting forward have just been adding insult to injury. Frankly, right now it looks like their sole interest is to pocket whatever they can get in the short term while throwing steel workers, their communities, and the national interest on the scrapheap. Tailgating, excessive honking, and brake checking are just some of the examples of road rage seen on Florida roads daily. Now, data shows drivers are getting even more aggressive. Every 18 hours, someone is injured or killed in an act of road rage in the United States. Florida has been ranked one of the most dangerous states for road rage, according to gun violence tracking group Everytown Research and Policy. Read: Judge sets bond for Orlando road rage murder suspect It was just this January that an Orlando driver was arrested after he confessed to fatally shooting 30-year-old Alex Sligh, a young father on the way to the first day of a new job. He was creating a legacy that he would have been proud of, and that and that Seeley would be proud of, said David Bouton, Alexs uncle. David and Debbie Bouton say their nephew Alex was turning his life around. His motivation was his 1-year-old son. Read: He lost his life: Documents reveal what led up to a road-rage shooting in Orlando He actually had a list of his goals that he had taped to his mirror. And it was simple things he wanted to get done like tinting for his windows on his car. He wanted to save $1,000. He wanted to spend more time with his son, Debbie Bouton said, speaking of a list of goals Alex left in his bedroom. And then in 52 seconds, it was taken away. 52 seconds, David Bouton said. The encounter between Alex Sligh and suspect Nicholas Carrasquillo lasted less than a minute. Read: Brevard County man involved in earlier road rage case charged for trying to run vehicle off road Carrasquillo, who has pled not guilty to second degree murder, told investigators Alex cut him off at a red light so he reacted by honking his horn and flashing his lights. But Alex didnt move when the light turned green. Carrasquillo claims Alex didnt move his car when he demanded so Carrasquillo pulled out a gun and fired six times. I have run over 52 seconds in my head. I have timed it on my watch. My smoke detector blinks every 52 seconds, David Bouton said. It is not a lot of time for him to make that decision for him to decide that Im going to end a life that Im going to take it all away. Alexs is one of twelve people killed or injured in Florida from January to February this year. Its already half of what the state saw all of last year. And, the violence hasnt stopped. In March, a truck driver was arrested for shooting at another truck driver near Ocala. In Tampa, a driver followed a car into a gas station, shooting into the backseat, injuring a four-year-old. Florida is now tied for third for the most road rage shootings in the country. Everytown Research and Policy points to gun access. We found that states that didnt require a permit had nearly triple the rate of road rage shooting victimizations than those states that had the most protective standards. Florida repealed its permitting law and went permit less in 2023, said Sarah Burd-Sharps, senior director of research at Everytown. Researchers have connected road rage to factors like displaced anger and high stress. Floridas 100 page driving manual dedicates just half a page to educating new drivers about road rage. It advises against making eye contact with an aggressive driver and to create as much distance as possible. Alexs family wants more education on how to avoid and de-escalate road rage. They also are encouraging Florida drivers to have more empathy towards everyone-- including aggressive drivers. They may have a valid reason for trying to get by. Just change the way you view other people. Dont get angry, its just not gonna be worth it, David Bouton said. As for the murder charge against Carrasquillo, hes claiming self-defense. He did, however, say to investigators that had he not honked his horn or flashed his lights, Alex Sligh would have most likely driven off. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A Dayton man is dead after being shot by officers in Tuscarawas County on Friday. The shooting happened Friday morning on Interstate 77 in Dover. >> Man arrested for animal cruelty after puppy was found inside closed drawstring bag Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) troopers tried to assist with a disabled pickup truck that was partially in the roadway around 1:42 a.m. After speaking with the driver, 34-year-old Kendell Woodard, of Dayton, troopers observed concerning behaviors and requested EMS officials and the Tuscarawas County Crisis Intervention Team, according to a release from OSHP. For more than two hours, they tried to get Woodard from the truck and into an ambulance to receive medical attention. >> Man learns sentence for targeted shooting on I-75 in Montgomery County During their attempt, troopers noticed he had a weapon behind his back. Woodard then allegedly pointed the gun at law enforcement, leading troopers and Tuscarawas County Sheriffs deputies to open fire. Woodard was hit by the gunfire and died at the scene. The weapon was still in Woodards hand when it was recovered, the release stated. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has been requested to investigate the shooting. DC man sentenced to 18 years in prison for 2020 murder of ex-girlfriend WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Officials announced that a man was sentenced to 18 years in prison for killing his ex-girlfriend outside of an apartment building in Northwest D.C. in 2020. 24-year-old Carson Posey had pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder while armed for shooting and killing his ex-girlfriend on April 15, 2020, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office (USAO) for the District of Columbia. Accused DUI driver charged in crash that killed passenger, dog in Manassas Court documents said that Posey had left the Tyler House Apartments on North Capitol Street, NW, with his ex-girlfriend, 28-year-old Shantal Hill after what appeared to be a heated argument involving a third person. Posey shot Hill nine times outside of the building, according to court documents. Hill told responding officers that Posey had attacked her, also telling them, I [am] a single mother and I cant die. She died a bit after midnight the next day. USAO said that the judge also ordered Posey to serve five years of supervised release following his sentence. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. When Sonia Garcia and Stas Sokolin decided to launch Amae Health to solve the broken care system for people with severe mental illness, they were already intimately familiar with the industry's issues. "I started thinking about this problem a very long time ago," said Sokolin, Amae's CEO. "I grew up with a sister who had bipolar disorder for many, many years, and as a family we always struggled to find her care. It seemed like everything was so piecemeal, and it broke our family apart." Garcia had her own experiences with the mental healthcare system, too. She lost her father to suicide when she was 16 years old, and then she and her family spent years as caregivers for her brother with schizoaffective and bipolar disorder. Sokolin and Garcia were introduced by mutual friends at Stanford because they were both passionate about this area. The pair knew the system could be better. They launched Amae Health in 2022 to be a new approach to helping patients with severe mental illness. Amae brings resources including family and individual therapy, social workers, psychiatric care and medicine management all under one roof. One physical roof, that is, as Amae is focused on an in-person approach. The startup hired Dr. Scott Fears, who had experience with this all-encompassing care approach through his work with the Los Angeles Veterans Affair Hospital, so they could iterate on and improve an existing model as opposed to starting a new one from scratch. Amae Health just raised a $15 million Series A round led by Quiet Capital with participation from Healthier Capital, former One Medical CEO Amir Dan Rubin's firm; Baszucki Group and Index Ventures partner Mike Volpi, in addition to all of the company's seed investors. The startup currently has one clinic in Los Angeles and plans to use the capital to expand. Its next center will be in Raleigh, North Carolina, with locations in Houston, Ohio and New York to follow shortly after. The funds will also be used to continue building out the company's data platform. Sokolin said the company is using AI to go through the troves of data it collects at its clinic to find ways they can continue to improve care. Over the past few years, many startups have launched to improve the mental healthcare system, but Amae Health's focus area and approach stand out. Most of the mental health startups that launched in the pandemic are digital first and focused on anxiety and depression. Amae looks very different. There's nothing wrong, of course, with having a slate of companies focused on anxiety and depression, and it's good to see founders focused on helping people with severe mental illness, too. Severe mental health problems affect 14.1 million people in the U.S., according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. But there's a lot less innovation in the sector. That's not too surprising: Solutions for people with severe mental illness don't perfectly fit a traditional venture model in the way many telemedicine and digital solutions do. People with severe mental illness need care that is in person, making solutions more costly and slower to scale. "When we first went out to raise money, a lot of venture investors were asking, why are you doing this in person? Why is this not virtual?" Sokolin said. "The fact of the matter is you can't treat someone who is having delusions or auditory hallucinations virtually. The same way you can't treat cancer virtually, you can't treat this virtually." The nature of the business also means that they aren't expanding to all 50 states right away as some digital health startups have been able to. Garcia said the company is fine with that because it's more focused on the outcomes than the scaling. "That is about intentional growth and scale, not the winner-take-all market, but really being considerate and conscious about how we do grow and ensuring we are generating lasting change and recovery in these individuals' lives," Garcia said. Trying to scale too fast has hurt some mental health startups. Therapy telemedicine platform Cerebral has come under fire for how it advertises to potential customers and how it handles patient data in its pursuit of scale. This slower growth approach can and has worked in venture before, said Sokolin, a former VC at both the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and Health2047. One Medical, a full-service healthcare system, including in-person care, is a prime example. The company raised more than $500 million before getting scooped up by Amazon for $3.9 billion. It's not surprising the former CEO is a current investor in Amae. Sokolin and Garcia are fine with the fact that their approach has turned off some potential investors. They are focused more on building a system for quality care, not just how many patients they can see. "There are way more individuals than anyone could ever treat," Sokolin said about the scope of individuals with severe mental illness. "We are never going to treat anything more than a small fraction, but we want to be the best-in-class provider for those members." Dean Phillips becomes first Democrat to call for Cuellar to resign Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) became the first Democrat to call for Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) to resign in light of the Justice Department (DOJ) indictment he and his wife were hit with on Friday. While the bar for Federal indictment is high, trust in our government is low, Phillips said in a post on the social media platform X. Thats why office holders and candidates under indictment should resign or end their campaigns, including Sen. Bob Menendez, Donald Trump, & Rep. Henry Cuellar. Cuellar and his wife were indicted with charges for allegedly getting almost $600,000 in bribes and laundering funds. In the 14-count indictment, the DOJ outlined Cuellar allegedly receiving payments from an Azerbaijani government-owned oil company and a Mexican bank. Both Cuellar and his wife Imelda pleaded not guilty and were released on a $100,000 bond. In exchange for the bribes paid by the Azerbaijani oil and gas company, Congressman Cuellar allegedly agreed to use his office to influence U.S. foreign policy in favor of Azerbaijan, the DOJ said in a press release. In exchange for the bribes paid by the Mexican bank, Congressman Cuellar allegedly agreed to influence legislative activity and to advise and pressure high-ranking U.S. Executive Branch officials regarding measures beneficial to the bank. Cuellar is the second member of Congress to be under indictment, next to Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.). The New Jersey senators indictment from the DOJ on bribery charges came last year. The New Jersey senator has been called to resign by more than a dozen Democrats in the upper chamber. Cuellar argued he and his wife did nothing wrong. Before I took any action, I proactively sought legal advice from the House Ethics Committee, who gave me more than one written opinion, along with an additional opinion from a national law firm, Cuellar said in a statement issued before the charges were unsealed. The actions I took in Congress were consistent with the actions of many of my colleagues and in the interest of the American people. The Texas lawmaker said he will run for reelection in November. The Hill has reached out to Cuellars office for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Dem-NPL leader calls on Bismarck lawmaker to resign after guilty verdict Rep. Jason Dockter, R-Bismarck, listens during his misdemeanor criminal trial at the Burleigh County Courthouse on May 3, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) North Dakota House Minority Leader Zac Ista called on a state lawmaker convicted of a conflict-of-interest misdemeanor to resign. A 12-person jury found Rep. Jason Dockter, R-Bismarck, guilty of voting on legislation he had a financial interest in following a 10-hour trial Friday in South Central Judicial District Court. In a statement from the Democratic-NPL Party Friday night, the Grand Forks Democrat said it would be in the publics best interest for Dockter to step down. Representative Dockter must resign after a jury convicted him of using his public office for personal gain, Ista said. He has the right to appeal his conviction, but he should step aside from the privilege of serving in the Legislature. Dockter on Friday declined to comment after the trial. His attorney, Lloyd Suhr, did not return an emailed request for comment Saturday. The case surrounded Dockters involvement in the lease of a Bismarck building to the Attorney Generals Office and the North Dakota Department of Health and the representatives subsequent votes on agency budgets. House Majority Leader Mike Lefor didnt respond to a request for comment on Saturday. Lefor, R-Dickinson, who attended the trial, has publicly defended Dockter, characterizing North Dakotas ethics standards as too confusing and impractical for a citizen legislature. You cant have sitting legislators looking over their shoulder every time we vote on something, Lefor said during a March Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee meeting. Senate Majority Leader David Hogue declined to comment Saturday, saying he hadnt followed the trial closely. Rep. Emily OBrien, R-Grand Forks, said after the trial that she disagreed with the verdict. OBrien appeared as a witness for the defense because she is chair of the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee, which investigated the building deal. On the witness stand, OBrien said she found no evidence of wrongdoing by Dockter. South Central Judicial District Judge Bobbi Weiler decided to wait to sentence Dockter on Friday, telling the courtroom that it had been a long day and she wanted more time. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Dem-NPL leader calls on Bismarck lawmaker to resign after guilty verdict appeared first on North Dakota Monitor. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian King has released a statement reacting to a Utah judges ruling that Layne Bangerter Rep. Phil Lymans gubernatorial running mate is ineligible to run for office. The decision was made citing the state constitutions language, which mandates that in order to be eligible to run for lieutenant governor, one must be a resident of Utah for the five years preceding the election. Layne Bangerter, Republican gubernatorial candidate Phil Lymans choice for running mate, ruled ineligible for candidacy King points the finger at Gov. Cox, claiming the Republican Utah governor is complicit in allowing Lymans choice of Bangerter as a running mate. Representative Phil Lyman, along with the most extreme elements of the Utah Legislature, have been validated, enabled, and empowered by Governor Cox for far too long. Governor Cox signs bills with short-sighted policies that hurt the most vulnerable and cheerleads culture war lawsuits, all to score political points and appease his base, King said. King continues to use Fridays ruling as an example of Coxs inadequacy and as a source of embarrassment for Utah. Today, we got our most recent example: a Republican convention nominee having his running mate removed from the ballot because of a failure to follow the basic standards of the Utah Constitution. Governor Cox is complicit in empowering this chaos, and he will continue to be as long as it is politically convenient. Utah deserves so much better. As always, for every voter who feels left behind by their party, we invite you to join us for the better, King said. Brian King represents District 23 in the Utah State House of Representatives. Elected in 2008, he also served as the House Minority Leader from 2015 to 2023. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Democratic US Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas and his wife are indicted over ties to Azerbaijan WASHINGTON (AP) Democratic U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas and his wife were indicted on conspiracy and bribery charges and taken into custody Friday in connection with a U.S. Department of Justice probe into the couples ties to the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan. From 2014 to 2021, Cuellar, 68, and his wife accepted nearly $600,000 in bribes from an Azerbaijan-controlled energy company and a bank in Mexico, and in exchange, Cuellar agreed to advance the interests of the country and the bank in the U.S., according to the indictment. Northeast Ohio newborns get college savings surprises on Fifth Third Day Among other things, Cuellar agreed to influence legislation favorable to Azerbaijan and deliver a pro-Azerbaijan speech on the floor of the U.S. House, the indictment states. The Department of Justice said the couple surrendered to authorities on Friday and were taken into custody. They made an initial appearance before a federal judge in Houston and were each released on $100,000 bond, the DOJ said. The longtime congressman released a statement Friday saying he and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, 67, are innocent of these allegations. Everything I have done in Congress has been to serve the people of South Texas, Cuellar said. Before I took action, I proactively sought legal advice from the House Ethics Committee, who gave me more than one written opinion, along with an additional opinion from a national law firm. Furthermore, we requested a meeting with the Washington D.C. prosecutors to explain the facts and they refused to discuss the case with us or hear our side. Neither Cuellar nor his attorney immediately responded to calls seeking comment on the matter. In addition to bribery and conspiracy, the couple face charges including wire fraud conspiracy, acting as agents of foreign principals and money laundering. If convicted, they face up to decades in prison and forfeiture of any property linked to proceeds from the alleged scheme. The payments to the couple initially went through a Texas-based shell company owned by Imelda Cuellar and two of the couples children, according to the indictment. That company received payments from the Azerbaijan energy company of $25,000 per month under a sham contract, purportedly in exchange for unspecified strategic consulting and advising services. In reality, the contract was a sham used to disguise and legitimate the corrupt agreement between Henry Cuellar and the government of Azerbaijan, the indictment states. I-Team: New safety adviser wrote his job description Imelda Cuellar sent a falsified invoice to the Azerbaijan energy companys Washington, D.C., office under the agreement, stating her work was complete. In fact, Imelda Cuellar had performed little or no legitimate work under the contract, the indictment says. The indictment also alleges an Azerbaijani diplomat referred to Henry Cuellar in text messages as el Jefe or boss, and also that a member of Cuellars staff sent multiple emails to officials at the Department of State pressuring them to renew a U.S. passport for an Azerbaijani diplomats daughter. Cuellar was at one time the co-chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus. The FBI searched the congressmans house in the border city of Laredo in 2022, and Cuellars attorney at that time said Cuellar was not the target of that investigation. That search was part of a broader investigation related to Azerbaijan that saw FBI agents serve a raft of subpoenas and conduct interviews in Washington, D.C., and Texas, a person with direct knowledge of the probe previously told The Associated Press. The person was not authorized to discuss it publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Cuellar, one of the last anti-abortion Democrats in Congress, narrowly defeated progressive challenger Jessica Cisneros by fewer than 300 votes in a primary race in 2022. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. (WSPA) Imagine getting a notice in the mail that a $7,000 loan had been taken out in your name, a binding contract that you never knowingly signed. When a viewer reached out to 7NEWS Here to Help wondering how she got stuck with this loan, we worked for five months to unravel the mystery and got, not one, but several accounts canceled, which the viewer says all tie back to a door-to-door sales visit. Last summer Pamela Meadows, in Spartanburg, had something most of us dream of a credit score of 824. Who would have thought one phone call from a salesman could be the start of a downward spiral? She said the caller claimed to be with her alarm system company Safe Home Security and he set up an appointment to check her house. Meadows told 7NEWS he said, We are just going to upgrade your system for a few pennies of what youre already paying. She said two salesmen arrived and told her their company had purchased Safe Home and to get the low-cost upgrade, she had to verify her information, bank account and all. That was the hook right there. I should have been wiser, but I wasnt, Meadows said. Her first red flag was a past-due bill from a different security company, ADT. Then she received an equipment charge from Impulse Alarm. The most concerning was a notice from Aqua Finance for a nearly $7,000 loan in her name. She suspected the accounts were tied to the door-to-door sales visits and tried for months to get the accounts canceled with no luck. Thats when she picked up the phone. And I called 7NEWS and someone said, Oh you need to speak to Diane Lee, Meadows said. However, the story gets worse before it gets better. A few weeks later, Meadows got another loan notice from a financing company called GoodLeap, this one for more than $58,000 for solar panels she said she never ordered. Confused? So were we, I until we pulled Meadows credit report and discovered the first loan had a dealer listed on it: Primitive Success Group out of Charleston. It is a company name Meadows said she had never seen before. 7NEWS then pulled licensing documents from the South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing and Regulations (LLR) to track down the owner. That man was Everrick Magwood, who sometimes goes by Shuan, and is a face Meadows says shes seen before. She said he had come to her house to sell solar panels and the first salesman came with him. Then Meadows said she realized what she thought was an approval for an upgrade, was actually a voice signature for the loans. He put it up to my face and he held the phone and he said, Just say yes. I guess thats the docu-sign, I wasnt aware of that, Meadows said. Story continues The signatures are not her handwriting. The loans appeared to have been validated through e-signing whether digital or a voice recording. Either way, its a binding contract. They were weaving a web all along. And I felt sickened, I felt like Ive been so betrayed. Concerns about door-to-door sales have led to additional protections under state law including the right to cancel a contract within three days. Plus, Carri Grube Lybarker, the head of the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs, said the fact is that no written documents were given to Meadows violates laws governing the marketing of solar panels. She called the lack of a written contract in this situation a red flag and a violation. Most consumer credit contracts need to be in writing, and so a lot of times if there is a recision if there is a right to cancel you certainly have a written contract associated with that, Lybarker said. And really quite frankly most consumer contracts do require a written agreement. 7NEWS checked with LLR and found Primitive Success Group does not have a license to sell or market solar. We tried several times to interview the owner but after an initial conversation, they did not pick up or return our multiple calls. During that initial conversation, Magwood told 7NEWS Meadows knew exactly what she was signing. I never signed anything, and he stood there in my kitchen and he was gloating about wow when we get the solar panels up on this house, Meadows explained. And Im like, Im not getting it. Im not interested in getting the solar panels. Yet she ended up with a $58,000 loan. After 7NEWS reached out to Aqua Finance and Goodleap, the loan companies investigated the complaints and canceled the debt, acknowledging the loans were fraudulent. ADT and Impulse Alarm also canceled the accounts. I want to say that God sent me an angel. And her name was Diane Lee, Meadows said. Despite the loan, Meadows was never contacted by any company to actually begin installing solar panels. As for those sales reps, 7NEWS confirmed they can no longer do business with the loan and security companies involved. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. DENVER (KDVR) Psychedelic medicine is an emerging health field, with many clinicians eyeing the use of psychedelic compounds to treat psychiatric illnesses. To that end, Denver Health has developed a novel framework for monitoring the health impact of psychedelic medication use. The framework concept, developed by Denver Healths Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety office, was also published in Nature Mental Health, a monthly, online journal that publishes peer-reviewed research. Colorado company developing potential prescription psilocybin product We believe that by adopting the framework and collecting essential information about the use of approved medications, regulators, policymakers and industry sponsors will make well-reasoned decisions that ensure safe, effective and equitable access to psychedelic medications, said Joshua C. Black, Ph.D., lead author and senior research scientist at RMPDS. The framework was developed because of a recent new drug application filed with the Food and Drug Administration for approval of MDMA to treat PTSD. Additionally, Colorado has decriminalized psychedelics like psilocybin mushrooms and has released details on how healing centers would be operated, allowing people to use, learn about and distribute natural medicine like mushrooms. The safety offices scientists say that use and access are likely to expand because of the FDA request. However, traditional medication monitoring frameworks dont account for psychedelics unique traits. Because of this, the system was designed to monitor appropriate, equitable access for patients and inform reasonable limitations to improve patient safety. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The framework specifically stresses a comprehensive approach to evaluating the context of psychedelic use, with consideration of the many factors that could affect patient outcomes. The framework presents a way for providers to monitor real-world effectiveness and safety factors to ensure the medications reach the people who would benefit from using them. According to Denver Health, the framework relies on monitoring tools like targeted surveys, medical information from treatment facilities and direct patient feedback. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. DENVER (KDVR) Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas was grilled by members of the Citizen Oversight Board on Friday morning, resulting in the chief telling the board he refused to sweep the pro-Palestine protest encampment from the Auraria Campus a second time. The first sweep was on Friday, April 26, and resulted in 45 arrests. Of those, 40 were Auraria Campus Police arresting protesters on trespassing, whereas five were by the Denver Police Department on alleged assaults on officers. Thomas said Auraria Campus asked for aid in removing the students, saying they were trespassing, and Denver police offered support to the campus police. Pro-Palestine protesters reject $15K offer to end Auraria Campus encampment However, he said there was a plan heading into the dispersal of the protest that was not followed perfectly. The objective was to remove the tents, which were in violation of the campus policy, and thats why (Auraria) had declared that they were trespassing, Thomas told the oversight board. When the tents were taken down, it was part of the plan that just wasnt appropriately executed, for Auraria Campus to take possession of those tents so that the students who owned them could recover them. But they, for whatever reason, chose to just leave them laying along the side and as you might imagine, (the protesters) just came and re-erected the tents and we were back at square one, Thomas continued. At which point in time, they asked us to come back and engage in the operation again, and thats when I shut it down and said Im not doing that again. Denver police chief: No sweep if protest is peaceful, lawful One of the board members asked Thomas to explain how the department has ensured it is not infringing on any First Amendment rights. He said the area is a public space, and while Tivoli Quad may be a location for job fairs and other permitted events, theres no legal way to remove the student protesters. I think the school would prefer that the group leave the area. I just dont think that there is any legal way to do that well, I know that theres no legal way to do that unless they truly do something that creates an unlawful assembly, Thomas said. Theres no intelligence at this point to suggest that thats imminent. Suspect wanted in alleged attack at Lakewood RTD station The police chief also said he had not anticipated such a high number of arrests. My thought in mind was that it would result in a small number of arrests, and that wasnt the case, Thomas said. He also said that he chose not to send Denver officers back to the encampment later on April 26 because the crowd had grown significantly larger and he did not believe it was safe or appropriate to go back in. There have since been a number of negotiations with the group to remove the tents weve been involved in those negotiations and Ive been explaining to the leadership at (Auraria) that we absolutely arent going to just go in and sweep out this peaceful protest just because theyre occupying a space on your campus that youd like to use for something else right now, Thomas told the Citizen Oversight Board. Thomas said the department continues to monitor the situation and is in a position to escalate the police response if there is a possible clash between opposing protests or if the pro-Palestine protest grows violent. If it remains a peaceful demonstration, all we will do is just monitor the situation, Thomas said. He also noted that the department has been aware of pro-Israel protest, and will move in to keep the opposing groups separate if there are possible clashes. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Deputies investigating homicide after man dies from gunshot wound to head in Carmichael Sacramento County deputies are investigating a homicide after a man was found Friday night with a gunshot wound at a Carmichael home. Sgt. Amar Gandhi, a Sacramento County Sheriffs Office spokesman, said deputies responded just before 11 p.m. to a residence on the 4900 block of Hillridge Way at the corner of Will Rogers Drive. When they arrived, two blocks east of Del Campo High School, deputies found the man unresponsive with a severe head injury. Deputies confirmed the mans injury was from a gunshot wound. Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District personnel pronounced the man dead at the scene. The man is expected to be identified by the Sacramento County Coroners Office after relatives are notified of his death. No suspect information has been released as detectives continue their investigation, deputies said. Deputies urge anyone with information about this homicide to call the Sheriffs Office at 916-874-5115 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-4357 (HELP). Derby man gets over 27 years for south Wichita murder WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A Derby man has been sentenced for his role in the murder of Daniel McPherson in south Wichita. Phillip Walls, 18, was sentenced to 330 months in prison, which equals out to 27 years and six months. Walls pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery, and aggravated kidnapping on March 11. The judge sentenced Walls to 165 months each on the murder and kidnapping counts and 34 months on the attempted aggravated robbery charge. Kansas corrections supervisor arrested on felony charges The shooting happened on Dec. 6, 2023. The department says on Dec. 6, around 2 a.m., the Blackwell Police Department in Oklahoma contacted Sedgwick County Dispatch, reporting a shooting investigation involving two people who went to a local hospital. One of them sustained a gunshot wound. Wichita police arrived in south Wichita, near the intersection of MacArthur and Hydraulic, and found McPherson with a gunshot wound to his head. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Walls and co-defendant James Sawyer, 20, were extradited back to Wichita from Oklahoma. Sawyer is set for a jury trial on Aug. 26. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. (The Hill) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a bill banning lab-grown meat in his state Wednesday, in what he described as an effort to save our beef. Today, Florida is fighting back against the global elites plan to force the world to eat meat grown in a petri dish or bugs to achieve their authoritarian goals, DeSantis said in a press release Wednesday. Our administration will continue to focus on investing in our local farmers and ranchers, and we will save our beef. The bill, S.B. 1084, makes it unlawful for people to manufacture for sale, sell, hold or offer for sale, or distribute lab-grown meat in Florida. Florida is taking a tremendous step in the right direction by signing first-in-the-nation legislation banning lab-grown meat, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson (R) said in the press release. We must protect our incredible farmers and the integrity of American agriculture. Lab-grown meat is a disgraceful attempt to undermine our proud traditions and prosperity, and is in direct opposition to authentic agriculture, Simpson continued. Good Meat, which describes itself on its website as the first company in the world to sell cultivated meat, said it was disappointed that DeSantis signed into law the criminalization of cultivated meat in the Sunshine State. In a state that purportedly prides itself on being a land of freedom and individual liberty, its government is now telling consumers what meat they can or cannot purchase, Good Meat said in a post on the social platform X. The law is a setback for everyone: Floridians who deserve the right to eat whatever safe and approved meat they want; Floridas technology sector, innovators and entrepreneurs; and all those working to stop the worst impacts of climate change, the post continues. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed a controversial measure that will bar selling or manufacturing lab-grown meat in Florida and prevent local regulation of electric-vehicle charging stations. DeSantis said the bill (SB 1084), which includes a series of changes related to the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, will protect the states cattle industry against an ideological agenda that wants to finger agriculture as the problem. One of the things that these folks want to eliminate is meat production in the United States, DeSantis said while behind a podium stating Save Our Beef at the Hardee County Cattlemens Arena in Wauchula. Opponents have contended that preventing sales or manufacturing of lab-grown, or cultivated, meat will halt innovation and create barriers for the free market. Read: Gov. DeSantis takes aim at fake meat The bill, in part, will make it a second-degree misdemeanor to sell or manufacture cultivated meat. The manufacturing process includes taking a small number of cultured cells from animals and growing them in controlled settings to make food. The measure doesnt prohibit cultivated-meat research because of concerns that such a ban could affect the space industry, which is looking at cultivated meats for long-term space journeys. The bill passed during the legislative session that ended March 8. Backers of cultivated meat argued during the session that the bill could increase concerns by venture capitalists about investing in Florida. Read: DeSantis signed 28 bills on Friday, including AI and vape products A ban like this threatens a free market and sets a dangerous precedent for government interference, Emily Bogan, of New Jersey-based Fork & Good, Inc. told a House panel in February. We want to ensure that affordable meat is available for generations to come. Justin Kolbeck, co-founder of San Francisco-based seafood company Wildtype, said during the same House meeting that the measure will likely announce Florida as closed. Far from protecting American jobs, banning cultivated seafood in the United States will deepen our countrys dependence on imports from countries like China, Kolbeck said. This ban will create Chinese jobs at the expense of small businesses like mine. And this ban will also stifle innovation in Florida as investment dollars are redirected towards more business-friendly states. Read: DeSantis says Florida schools will not comply with Bidens Title IX expansion The bill also drew debate because it will prevent local governments from regulating electric-vehicle charging stations. It will place oversight of electric-vehicle charging stations under the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which already regulates pumps at gas stations. Supporters argued the change will eliminate a patchwork of requirements that businesses face across the state. But Kim Ross, of ReThink Energy Florida, called the proposed preemption overreaching and warned it could stifle growth in the industry. A Senate staff analysis during the session said Florida had 3,230 public charging stations in 44 of the 67 counties. A 2021 state law prohibited local governments from mandating such things as electric-vehicle charging stations on gas retailers. That law was in reaction to a move by Petaluma, Calif., to ban new gas stations with the intention of accelerating the shift to electric vehicles. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. New details emerge about NYPD cops purely unintentional gun discharge during Columbia raid on anti-Israel protesters inside Hamilton Hall The NYPD sergeant who accidentally fired his gun during Tuesday nights operation to oust anti-Israel protesters from Columbia University mistakenly let the slug fly as he shifted the weapon from one hand to another so he could unlock an office door, officials said. The experienced cop who had served as a sergeant for eight years in the departments Emergency Service Unit was holding a 9mm handgun with an attached flashlight as he helped other officers access a locked office on the first floor of the Ivy League universitys Hamilton Hall, ESU Commanding Officer Chief Carlos Valdez told reporters Friday. His team had already broken a window allowing the sergeant to reach through the hole in the glass to unlock an office door from the inside, Valdez said. He realized he needed his dominant right hand to do that, so he switched the gun over to his left, the police official said. [Thats] when the unintentional discharge occurred, Valdez said. The bullet traveled to the office glass and into the office they were attempting to gain access to. After the firearm discharged, the sergeant immediately assessed his team and ensured that nobody was injured, the chief added. The team gained access to the office and found that there was nobody inside. In this case, the bullet landed on the floor of the office and didnt travel anywhere else. So it was apparent that it had struck no one. The sergeant continued his assignment making sure the building was cleared and sounded the alarm to his own supervisor at the first opportunity, Valdez said. At no time were any police officers, members of the public or any protesters in danger, Valdez said. This was purely unintentional. The NYPD sergeant who mistakenly fired his gun during the raid to oust anti-Israel protesters from Columbias Hamilton Hall let the slug fly as he shifted the weapon so he could unlock an office door. New York City Police Department The sergeant involved will be counseled and sent to retraining, he added. Columbia students and other protesters had already been moved to a different part of the building the lobby and main entrance area by the time the sergeant had let off the stray round, according to Carlos Nieves, the NYPDs assistant commissioner for public information. A total of 109 people were arrested during Tuesday nights operation, which also included the final clearing of the encampment on the campus lawn which started a nationwide trend at other elite universities since its mid-April erection. The morning after the operation and a similar takedown at CUNYs City College Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD officials briefed the media, but made no mention of the accidental discharge. I think we could have talked about it, but I dont recall it coming up organically at that press conference, Deputy Commissioner of Public Information Tarik Sheppard said Friday. His team had already broken a window allowing the sergeant to reach through the hole in the glass to unlock an office door from the inside, ESU Commanding Officer Chief Carlos Valdez said. Getty Images And first off, we normally dont do any kind of release on an accidental discharge. I knew it would come up eventually, because it always does, he added. Douglas Cohen, a spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office, said Thursday night that his offices Police Accountability Unit is investigating the shooting, as it is our policy to review such incidents. Fox News Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy made a bizarre quip Friday about Paul Pelosi after a colleague hypothesized about Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients awarded by a Democratic administration, saying that Pelosiwho was struck in the head with a hammer during a home invasion in 2022perhaps needs the hammer instead of the medal. The comment came during a Jesse Watters Primetime segment about how President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 people on Friday, including Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), the former Speaker of the House. After guest host Pete Hegseth made a point to tell viewers that Biden flubbed the name of the award as the presidential freedom of medal, he and Campos-Duffy complained about Bidens choices, which featured the late civil rights leader Medgar Evers, John Kerry, and Simone Biles. After wistfully remembering how Donald Trump presented Rush Limbaugh with the honor, they thought of recipients they felt would have been more deserving. Their list couldve been mistaken for satire, as Campos-Duffy led off with, Americas frat boys. From there, it was Trump, followed by Elon Musk for absolutely caring about freedom of speech, then the truly peaceful protesters of the pro-life movementthe ones that are in jail right now. (Campos-Duffy didnt specify who.) Musician and occasional Fox News guest Kid Rock should also be recognized, she said, along with John Rich and Riley Gaines, the collegiate swimmer-turned-Fox Nation podcast host who has spoken out against transgender women participating in womens sports. Rounding out Campos-Duffys list was the classical school movement and members of the U.S. Border Patrol. Hegseth, in firm agreement, had his own suggestion: the NYPD officers who cleared out Columbia. It wasnt clear if Hegseth was including the officer who, during that period, accidentally fired his gun in a campus building. Hegseth then seemed resigned that Campos-Duffys selections would never be Bidens choices. Its probably more likely to go to Paul Pelosi, Susan Rice and Gavin Newsom, he griped, referring to the United Nations ambassador during the Obama administration and the current governor of California. So I think your list is correct but a little off-brand for Big Joe. It was at this point that Campos-Duffy seemed to make a casual reference to the brutal attack on Paul Pelosi by a far-right Holocaust denier, which caused a skull fracture requiring surgery as well as other serious injuries to Pelosis hands and right arm. Well maybe Paul Pelosi needs thethe hammer instead of the medal, Campos-Duffy said while holding up her right hand as if gripping that tool. Hegseth replied, Its metal. Its metal, Campos-Duffy agreed, laughing. Hegseth, perhaps wanting to cover himself and his colleague, then tried to smooth things over. We wish him well. We wish him well, he said, before turning to his Fox & Friends Weekend co-host, as we wish you well. 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. RICH TOWNSHIP, Ill. A man accused of burglarizing a home in Rich Township has been taken into custody thanks to DNA evidence that was allegedly recovered from a bottle of wine at the home. According to officials from the Cook County Sheriffs Office, 35-year-old Jeremiah Phillips has been charged with residential burglary, burglary, and criminal damage to property. The charges stem from an alleged break-in at a home in the 4000 block of Blackstone Avenue, in unincorporated Rich Township, on Sept. 6, 2023. Tinley Park man accused of child porn possession Authorities say Phillips allegedly entered the home and ransacked it. He then allegedly returned a few days later through a sliding door and damaged security system equipment. Deputies later recovered the homes security camera footage, which allegedly caught Phillips entering a detached garage and drinking from a bottle of wine that was in the garage fridge. Authorities say he then put the bottle back but spotted the cameras and used spray paint in the garage to paint over the cameras. 35-year-old Jeremiah Phillips has been charged with residential burglary, burglary, and criminal property damage, in connection with a break-in at a home in unincorporated Rich Township in early September. The bottle was later recovered and the Sheriffs Police Criminalistics Unit then submitted DNA samples from it to the Northeastern Illinois Regional Crime Laboratory for analysis. Chicago man charged in connection with deadly shooting on Far North Side Detectives finally got an update on the case in February when a Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) report showed an association between the DNA on the bottle and Jeremiah Phillips. Authorities then took Phillips into custody on Wednesday and charges against him were approved on Thursday. On Friday, Phillips appeared in court where a judge ordered him to be released from custody, pending trial. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. As wealthy people spend untold amounts of money in an attempt to stave off aging, what if the secret to a longer life is actually hidden away in the genetic makeup of people who have a rare form of dwarfism? This particular cohort of little people have a rare genetic disorder called Laron syndrome, which is caused by a mutation that bestows them with deficient receptors for a growth hormone hence their short stature. But it also gives them intriguing health advantages. A new paper published in the journal Med found that people with Laron syndrome are at decreased risk of developing heart issues due to lower blood pressure, and less artery plaque buildup, among other benefits. "We have shown in studies people with Laron have a very low incidence of cancer, diabetes and cognitive decline," University of Southern California professor of gerontology and biological sciences and the study's principal author Valter Longo told CNN. "It doesnt mean that they are immune to these diseases, but people with Laron syndrome certainly seem to be very protected," he added. "This is how powerful this mutation seems to be." People with Laron syndrome have a genetic mutation that disrupts the body's ability to use an "insulin-like growth factor" called IGF-1. People with this mutation tend to have lower levels of the protein in their bloodstream, which might be a great health benefit. Studies have shown that IGFs play a major role in the control of aging. For their study, Longo and his colleagues examined the cardiovascular risk factors in two cohorts of people. One group resided in California and was made up of 16 people with Laron syndrome and 14 family members without the mutation. The second cohort lived in Ecuador and was composed of 21 people with Laron syndrome and 23 without the condition. The researchers found that people with Laron had better sensitivity to insulin, lower blood pressure, and no heart rhythm disturbances. Their findings also challenged some preconceived notions about people living with the syndrome. "We found people with Laron certainly do not have an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease despite the fact that they are often obese and live in poor environments, and some markers of cardiovascular disease were even improved," Longo told CNN. Nathaly Paola Castro Torres, a Los Angeles resident who has Laron syndrome, told CNN she gets stared at for her diminutive height of four feet and two inches. But even though she is technically overweight, her doctor told her that she is in perfect health. "I am also quite lucky because in reality my body protects me a lot from diseases that other people have every day," she said. "This height, at the same time as being a limitation, is also a blessing." Studying people like Torres, Longo explained to Nature, can also perhaps help regular people be healthier in the future, such as in the form of a medication that reduces IGF-1 levels in their bodies. Such drugs could even provide antiaging benefits, according to the researcher. The idea would be for people who have high circulating IGF-1 levels to get drugs that lower the IGF-1 back to the range that seems to be associated with the lowest mortality rate, much like people take a drug for high cholesterol," Longo told CNN. More on aging: Harvard/MIT Scientists Claim New "Chemical Cocktails" Can Reverse Aging The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW) stock is about to trade ex-dividend in four days. The ex-dividend date is one business day before the record date, which is the cut-off date for shareholders to be present on the company's books to be eligible for a dividend payment. The ex-dividend date is of consequence because whenever a stock is bought or sold, the trade takes at least two business day to settle. Thus, you can purchase Charles Schwab's shares before the 9th of May in order to receive the dividend, which the company will pay on the 24th of May. The company's next dividend payment will be US$0.25 per share, and in the last 12 months, the company paid a total of US$1.00 per share. Last year's total dividend payments show that Charles Schwab has a trailing yield of 1.3% on the current share price of US$76.04. Dividends are an important source of income to many shareholders, but the health of the business is crucial to maintaining those dividends. As a result, readers should always check whether Charles Schwab has been able to grow its dividends, or if the dividend might be cut. View our latest analysis for Charles Schwab If a company pays out more in dividends than it earned, then the dividend might become unsustainable - hardly an ideal situation. That's why it's good to see Charles Schwab paying out a modest 42% of its earnings. Generally speaking, the lower a company's payout ratios, the more resilient its dividend usually is. Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends. Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? Stocks with flat earnings can still be attractive dividend payers, but it is important to be more conservative with your approach and demand a greater margin for safety when it comes to dividend sustainability. If earnings decline and the company is forced to cut its dividend, investors could watch the value of their investment go up in smoke. It's not encouraging to see that Charles Schwab's earnings are effectively flat over the past five years. Better than seeing them fall off a cliff, for sure, but the best dividend stocks grow their earnings meaningfully over the long run. Many investors will assess a company's dividend performance by evaluating how much the dividend payments have changed over time. Charles Schwab has delivered an average of 15% per year annual increase in its dividend, based on the past 10 years of dividend payments. The Bottom Line From a dividend perspective, should investors buy or avoid Charles Schwab? Charles Schwab's earnings per share have not grown at all in recent years, although we like that it is paying out a low percentage of its earnings. At best we would put it on a watch-list to see if business conditions improve, as it doesn't look like a clear opportunity right now. Story continues With that being said, if dividends aren't your biggest concern with Charles Schwab, you should know about the other risks facing this business. For example, we've found 1 warning sign for Charles Schwab that we recommend you consider before investing in the business. Generally, we wouldn't recommend just buying the first dividend stock you see. Here's a curated list of interesting stocks that are strong dividend payers. 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. BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) A Baton Rouge woman was sentenced to three years in federal prison after defrauding COVID-19 pandemic relief programs. According to U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Gathe Jr., Linda Gurvin, 56, of Baton Rouge, was sentenced to 36 months after being convicted of wire fraud and unlawful monetary transactions. According to a U.S. Department of Justice news release, Gurvin admitted to submitting six fraudulent applications seeking more than $1 million in federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). These funds were intended to offer emergency financial help to millions of Americans who were hurting from the economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the DOJ, Gurvin tried to get more than $1 million in COVID-19 relief funds, but she actually got more than $440,000. Deputies arrest man accused of Baton Rouge bank robbery after police chase Gurvin filed several applications in the names of businesses that she had formed prior to the pandemic but which had closed years earlier, per the DOJ release. Gurvin reportedly filed two counterfeit applications in the names of Gurvins Marine & Air Force Guardian Angels Foundation and Heavens Paradise Church of All Nations. She made incorrect representations about the businesses and their operations, according to the DOJ. As Gurvin received proceeds from the applications, she made frequent transactions to move the funds among numerous bank accounts that she controlled at the time, before spending the funds on personal expenses and purchases, such as by making large down payments on a 2020 Land Rover Range Rover and a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, said the DOJ in a news release. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now BRProud Daily News Along with Gurvins sentencing, the court ordered her to pay $496,673.78 in restitution and forfeit $447,600. After being released, Gurvin is expected to serve three years of supervised release. The court also ordered her interest in the vehicle forfeited after the United States seized a 2020 Range Rover she had purchased with counterfeit proceeds, according to the DOJ. Latest News For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com. Former President Donald Trump's $9,000 fines for repeatedly violating the gag order in his hush money case have been paid, a court spokesperson confirmed Friday. Judge Juan Merchan held Trump in criminal contempt on Tuesday, determining various statements by Trump were gag order violations. Merchan fined Trump the maximum $1,000 fine per violation. The $9,000 fines were paid Thursday with two cashiers checks, one for $7,000 and one for $2,000, Al Baker, the communications director for the New York State Office of Court Administration, told USA TODAY on Friday. Merchan is currently also considering whether Trump violated the gag order an additional four times. Merchan's gag order bars Trump from publicly commenting on the participation of potential witnesses in his hush money case. Trump was fined for comments about former porn star Stormy Daniels, and Michael Cohen, his former lawyer who allegedly paid Daniels hush money allegedly on Trump's behalf. Trump has continued to rail against Merchan's gag order in press conferences. Merchan warned the former president in the Tuesday gag order decision that he could be jailed for future violations. Former President Donald Trump talks to reporters as he leaves the courtroom at the end of the day in his criminal trial at New York State Supreme Court in New York on April 30. Trump's gag order violations Despite the judge's gag order, Trump targeted Cohen and Daniels in a series of statements and re-postings on his Truth Social media platform and his campaign website, including describing the two as "sleazebags." Another post described Cohen as a "serial perjurer" who will embarrass the New York legal system by trying to prove Trump committed "an old misdemeanor." Trump is charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The charges are felonies, not misdemeanors, because prosecutors allege not just that Trump falsified records, but also that he did so in order to commit or conceal another crime. Although Trump previously paid $15,000 in fines for violating a gag order in his New York civil fraud case, a 2016 USA TODAY NETWORK investigation found hundreds of people including dishwashers, painters, and his own lawyers who said he didn't pay them for their work. Who are Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels? Cohen, Trump's former lawyer, could provide key testimony about checks that prosecutors say were falsified in order to cover up unlawful interference in the 2016 presidential election. Trump labeled the purpose of the checks to Cohen as "legal expenses," but prosecutors say they were really reimbursement payments to Cohen, who handed over $130,000 to Daniels. Daniels is a porn star who alleges Trump and she had a sexual encounter. Trump denies her claim. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump's $9,000 gag order fines paid in NY hush money case Dozens of Democrats call on Biden to reconsider Israel support, accusing it of blocking of humanitarian aid to Gaza A large group of Congress members is calling on the Biden administration to reconsider its aid to Israel, arguing theres a credible case that the US partner is deliberately blocking American aid to Palestinian civilians in violation of federal law. On Friday, a coalition of 88 Democratic members wrote to the White House, arguing that Israels restrictions on US-backed humanitarian aid efforts have contributed to an unprecedented humanitarian disaster for Palestinian civilians and to credible reports of famine in parts of Gaza. The letter argues that US support for Israel shouldnt be a blank check, and that federal law under Section 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act prohibits the US from giving security assistance to nations directly preventing the delivery of US humanitarian aid. Make clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that so long as Israel restricts, directly or indirectly, the facilitation of humanitarian aid delivery into Gaza, the Israeli government is risking its eligibility for further offensive security assistance from the US, the lawmakers wrote. The Independent has contacted the White House for comment. Humanitarian officials have been warning for months that restrictions on international aid to the besieged Gaza strip will result in devastating consequences. "Its horror," Cindy McCain, the director of the UN World Food Program, told Meet the Press in an interview airing on Sunday. "There is famine full-blown famine in the north, and its moving its way south." According to US humanitarian agency USAID, acute malnutrition among children under 5 has multiplied by nearly 30 times since the beginning of the war, and the few remaining medical facilities in Gaza that havent been bombed by Israel are filled with children seeking treatment for the condition. Israel has insisted it is not unduly restricting the flow of aid. It has also accused the UN of failing to distribute aid effectively and has alleged that Hamas and other militant groups have looted supplies bound for civilians. Israel is constantly making significant efforts to find additional solutions to facilitate the flow of aid to the Gaza Strip and in particular to the north, a government official said Saturday when questioned about Israels aid policies. In Gaza, the movement of people and goods are heavily restricted even outside of wartime, and the war has further disrupted the delivery of key supplies. For the first three weeks of the Israel-Hamas war, no aid trucks were allowed to enter Gaza, and deliveries still are not even at half of pre-war levels, even as Israel recently re-opened the Erez border crossing, and the US is at work on a new sea aid route slated to open in May. International observers argue Israel has unduly burdened the delivery of food and other supplies with excessive inspections of aid shipments. The main blockers remain arbitrary denials by the government of Israel and lengthy clearance procedures including multiple screenings and narrow opening windows in daylight hours, British foreign secretary David Cameron wrote in a March letter to UK parliament. Others have gone further than the US congressional delegation, suggesting Israeli practices constitute war crimes. The extent of Israels continued restrictions on the entry of aid into Gaza, together with the manner in which it continues to conduct hostilities, may amount to the use of starvation as a method of war, which is a war crime, UN human rights chief Volker Turk said in a statement in March. Humanitarian access has emerged as a key issue in the Biden administrations vital support for Israel. In April, a furious Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu that the fatal Israeli military strike on seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza was unacceptable. The White House warned future US policy was contingent on Israel announcing a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers By Jonathan Allen NEW YORK (Reuters) - The occupation of a building at Columbia University by pro-Palestinian student protesters was in its 18th hour when photos and videos dinged across students' phones: police had parked at least seven jail buses south of the campus. The backs of New York police officers standing guard outside the gates of the Manhattan campus could be seen through the railings. Police surveillance drones appeared in the dusk sky. Even as one drone hovered over a two-week-old tent encampment set up on a lawn by students protesting Columbia's financial ties to Israel's war in Gaza, Columbia administrators summoned student leaders to a Zoom meeting on Tuesday. That last discussion was unsuccessful. Within hours, police had arrested dozens of people on burglary and trespassing charges, including at least 30 students, six alumni and two Columbia employees, and cleared out protest encampments that had spawned dozens of similar demonstrations at colleges around the world. This account of the night police swarmed the Ivy League university campus is based on interviews with student protesters, professors, bystanders and the eyewitness accounts of Reuters journalists. Hours before police moved in, protesters occupying Hamilton Hall appeared on its second-floor balcony above the barricaded front doors. Most wore Columbia-logo sweatshirts and black balaclavas. One reclined on the balcony's outer wall, dangling a leg over, offering peace signs to a crowd of supporters below and a middle finger to student journalists raising a microphone as high as they could for comment. Students used a pulley to raise pizza, water, first-aid supplies and a large plank of wood up to the balcony. Each successful ascension drew cheers. Shouts of "We love you!" were swapped between the balcony and the plaza below. TEN MINUTES TO DECIDE Since the morning, Columbia had locked down the main campus, restricting it to undergraduates living on campus, security and dining-hall staff and other essential workers. Sueda Polat, a graduate student getting a degree in human rights and one of the lead negotiators with school administration on behalf of the protesters, got onto campus by sneaking through a basement and pleading with a security guard. She sang along with a choir of protesters assembled before the barricades, a soft unison of mostly female voices: "We shall not be moved." Robbie Fox, a fourth-year undergraduate biology major leaning against a nearby pillar, was unmoved. He disagreed with the protesters' demands and had lost patience with their escalating tactics. "When you refuse to compromise, you can't control what happens after that," he said. Around 7 p.m. Polat and her co-negotiator, Palestinian graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, sat at a laptop on the ground outside the lawn encampment to speak with Columbia administrators, who the day before had declared an impasse and suspensions for protesting students. The students' primary demand was that Columbia divest from companies that support Israel's government and military. Columbia's president said the university would not "divest from Israel" but would ensure their proposals received expedited review by the school's divestment advisory committee. The counteroffer was still on the table, the administrators told the pair, if the remaining students in the lawn encampment agreed to leave immediately. Columbia administration, which declined interview requests, refused to discuss the fate of the students occupying Hamilton, Polat and Khalil said. They had 10 minutes to decide. They again refused the deal. "It was a non-starter," Polat said. She and Khalil believed Columbia would let in the police however they responded. 'INVADING ARMY' At 8:18 p.m. crowds of students drifting about the campus were galvanized by their phones: "Shelter in place for your safety," said an email from Columbia Emergency Management. "Non-compliance may result in disciplinary action." At 9:07 p.m. Columbia's southern gates opened and scores of police with helmets and armor marched in. Sheila Coronel, a professor at Columbia's journalism school who had covered protests in her native Philippines, said it resembled an "invading army." Coronel was there to oversee and feed the dozens of student journalists trying to cover the extraordinary scene. "Shame on you!" chanted students, a mix of protesters and undergraduate bystanders, yelling anti-police insults as they scattered. Advancing officers, wielding batons, shouted at everyone to move back from the Hamilton doors. With police circling, Polat told a few journalists that in five years Columbia would say it was proud of the protesters. Then she disappeared in the commotion. Within minutes, police had cleared everyone from outside Hamilton, ordering most students into a dormitory before barring the doors with batons through the handles. Security staff said anyone who did not live in the dorm must stay in the lobby. Dozens did. Some continued yelling at police, others were in tears. Students across campus were threatened with arrest if they sought to step outside. A few remaining journalists, student and otherwise, were ordered out of a southern gate. Police threw the upturned furniture blocking the Hamilton entrance down the steps and severed the bike chains locking the doors. Through the trees, students at upper-floor windows could see and hear flash-bangs going off inside Hamilton. One officer inside, trying to aim a flashlight on his gun, accidentally fired a bullet, hitting a wall, police said. Some politicians had demanded that Columbia have police quash anti-Israel protests for the safety of Jewish students like Jacob Gold, an undergraduate who for hours watched the events through a sixth-floor dormitory window. He was not part of the protests, though he had been curious about the encampment, walking by it frequently, and had friends inside. He said Tuesday night was the first time he had felt in danger, "and it was because of the police." Deputy Police Commissioner Tarik Sheppard stood among the tents to film for a short video police would release the next day: "This is not a tent city, this is New York City," he said into the camera. "And if you're thinking about doing something like this, take a look around, see how fast we clear it out." Not far from the encampment, a silent Polat hid from police behind a gate column with a friend for over an hour. She recorded video of dozens of handcuffed protesters from Hamilton, including friends, being marched past her by police onto the jail vans. To her, they appeared "still unbeaten, still joyous, still disciplined, still principled." (Reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York; Additional reporting by Caitlin Ochs; Editing by William Mallard) He drove his family off a cliff in a Tesla. Now his wife wants him freed Emergency personnel respond in January 2023 after Dharmesh Patel drove his Tesla, with his wife and two children inside, off a cliff along the Northern California coast. (Sgt. Brian Moore / San Mateo County Sheriff's Office via AP) The wife of a Pasadena man who drove her and their two young children off a Northern California cliff asked a judge to release her husband from jail, saying the family needs him. Neha Patel testified for the first time Thursday during a hearing over whether her husband, Dharmesh, should have his case removed from criminal court, in a scenario that would see him released from jail and put into a mental health diversion program. We need him in our life, said Patel, who appeared via video call, according to the Mercury News. Were not a family without him. She and her two children were passengers when Dharmesh Patel drove his Tesla off a cliff Jan. 2, 2023, at Devil's Slide on Highway 1. He was charged with a count of attempted murder for each passenger and has been jailed since. Doctors testifying in Dharmesh Patel's defense have argued that he is fit for mental health diversion and that the crash was probably a result of his major depressive disorder and a psychotic episode. Read more: Man who drove Tesla off cliff with family in car was 'psychotic,' doctors say Mental health diversion would mean that he would be released from jail and be placed under a treatment plan by a supervising doctor for two years. If he were to violate the treatment plan or other conditions of release, his case would be returned to court. If he followed the plan, his case would be dropped. Patel testified at length about the effect her husband's absence has had on the family, calling him a kind and altruistic man who has been my best friend for more than 25 years, according to the Mercury News. Her testimony was surprising as she told paramedics after the crash that her husband purposefully drove off the cliff. Read more: Tesla Cybertruck offroading on California beach ends with a glitch He intentionally tried to kill us, Patel told paramedics, according to the San Mateo County district attorney. Despite her testimony, Dist. Atty. Stephen Wagstaffe opposes the diversion of the case. A doctor for the prosecution testified Thursday that Dharmesh Patel suffers from schizoaffective disorder and that his case should not be diverted. A judge has not yet ruled on the motion. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Dystopian in the catchiest way how Kim Jong-uns propaganda song conquered TikTok North Koreans of all ages are seen in the video singing lyrics praising Kim Jong-un as their 'Friendly Father' - KCTV North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has found fame on TikTok, with international viewers celebrating his regimes recent propaganda song as dystopian in the catchiest way. Friendly Father a synthy electropop tune is the latest in a string of pop songs the authoritarian states leaders have released over the past 50 years. It praises Kim, who succeeded his father in power has ruled with an iron fist for the past 12 years, for the brighter future he offers North Koreans, and shows citizens fervently waving flags and cheering for the dictator. Its so dystopian in the catchiest way, said one TikTok user. This song is like the end of a movie where the whole town gathers together and sings in unity while spinning in a circle, says another of the upbeat video. Some users have even recorded their own versions of the song, with one pianist adding a note to his cover reading: In no way do I support Kim Jong-un and his dictatorship. Peter Moody, a North Korea analyst at Sungkyunkwan University, described the popularity of the song as significant. North Korean songs have gone viral before, but usually its been to mock them, he told The Telegraph. But this is one of the first if not only times Ive heard about a North Korean song going viral with people in different parts of the world expressing appreciation for it, musically. Citizens bombarded with patriotic songs Music is one of North Koreas most powerful tools despite the country severely limiting creative and artistic freedom. Citizens wake up each morning to propaganda songs booming out from town squares, while lyrics to new songs are printed in newspapers across the country. Often, North Koreans must learn dances too. Scholars say that the melodies are written to be simple and accessible, while tunes are pitched at a vocal range that most people can sing. North Koreans give the thumbs-up in the video designed to bolster their dictator's image - KCTV Dr Moody said Friendly Father is being played on North Korean television between programmes, and also probably on loudspeakers both in urban and rural areas as a motivation tool. Analysts have described an increasing effort to build a cult of personality around Kim, and the lyrics of the song reflect this. Kim is referred to as father and the Great terms previously reserved for North Koreas first leader, his grandfather Kim Il-sung which could indicate a move to taking Kim on the role of Supreme Leader. The goal of this particular song that is going viral is to bolster Kim Jong-uns image as a fatherly figure in order to elevate his status and stature to the level of his father and grandfather, both of whose reputation he previously relied on to indicate his legitimacy to be the successor, said Dr Moody. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and other officials talk about new task force to investigate, apprehend and prosecute suspects who have committed retail thefts at a press conference in August. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) Eight people were arrested on suspicion of organized retail theft after authorities discovered several million dollars' worth of stolen medicines, cosmetics and other merchandise at multiple Los Angeles locations, sheriff officials said. The retail goods were stolen by crews of organized shoplifters at stores in California, Arizona and Nevada, according to detectives. The stolen items were then taken to various locations in L.A. County where they were sold to various fence operations, officials said. Authorities investigating retail theft refer to people who buy stolen goods and then resell them for a profit as fences. The Sheriffs Department said they had also recovered a stolen firearm and a large sum of cash, according to a release sent late Friday. The suspects, who were not named, are being held on $60,000 bail each. Early Thursday morning, sheriff's detectives performed raids at a dozen locations in Los Angeles thought to be involved in the crime ring, according to KCAL CBS . At a small South L.A. market, they found boxes of stolen Motrin, Theraflu and other goods stacked floor to ceiling, the report said. Store tags were still affixed to much of the merchandise. The location appeared to be where the goods were relabeled for sale, officials said. Detectives said they worked with the help of stores, including CVS and Walmart, to track the illegal operation. The stolen merchandise is often sold online, officials said, including on Amazon. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should contact the Organized Retail Crimes Task Force at (562) 946-7270. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. About 36,000 feet in the air en route from Doha, Qatar, to Madrid, Victor Alegre, a commercial pilot, heard his GPS alert him that he was 1,800 feet from the ground. He knew this was an error, but one he had never experienced before in his 33 years of flying as a commercial pilot. This interruption is an example of GPS spoofing, a technology that has started to be used more commonly in modern warfare. GPS spoofing occurs when the GPS signal is intercepted by a third party and incorrect information is relayed back to the device. The GPS spoofing incident Alegre experienced on March 27 aligns with data collected by SkAI Data Services, showing numerous flights that had spoofed locations to Cairo and Beirut. PHOTO: Internal control part of the aircraft cockpit (STOCK IMAGE/Getty Images) MORE: Americans' views divided on US policy toward Israel-Hamas war: POLL Alegre shared footage with ABC News showing two separate sets of coordinates. The first one from the plane's internal Inertial Reference System (IRS) -- which can track the aircraft's location using the aircraft's internal systems -- and the second, the spoofed GPS. The GPS was showing the plane above Cairo, while the IRS was 200 miles away, toward Doha. Alegre explained the situation was quickly noticed in the cockpit as the altimeter was giving an incorrect reading of 570 meters (1,870 feet). "It was unbelievable, you know that you are cruising at 36,000 feet, and the highest mountain is 20,000 feet, so you realize that this was a spoof," Alegre told ABC News. Alegre said they reported the issue to traffic control and disconnected the warnings after it had been ongoing for an hour. PHOTO: This interruption is an example of GPS spoofing, a technology that has started to be used more commonly in modern warfare. (Victor Alegre) In Alegre's video, the audio of the Ground Proximity Warning can be heard -- "Terrain ahead, pull up" -- which incorrectly indicated a detected collision with the terrain. "It is not a big issue, as long as the system disregards the [spoofed] GPS position," but he added that this situation may be more dangerous when the spoofing occurs on planes that rely on GPS systems to navigate. "The Israel region is by far the most impacted by GPS spoofing," said Benoit Figuet, co-founder of SkAI Data Services, which uses open-source data and machine learning to help the aviation industry with risk analyses. While the primary use of the technology is for warfare, it impacts commercial and civilian pilots also transiting through the airspace, like Alegre, and can have significant security ramifications. Figuet said that for pilots, "the inaccuracy introduced by spoofing into the GPS also affects altitude estimates," adding, "It can trigger false Ground Proximity Warnings, which are critical safety alerts that warn pilots when their aircraft is too close to the ground or an obstacle." MORE: Young people disapprove of Bidens Israel policy. It may not mean much for November. After Israel's strike on the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, on April 1, Israel took precautionary measures against a possible retaliation from Iran, one of which was activating GPS jamming. "Jamming is really blocking those signals so that you can receive GPS," Clayton Swope, deputy director of the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told ABC News, while spoofing is "trying to confuse your receiver to think you're somewhere else." Both technologies have been extensively used in the war in Israel and Gaza as well as the ongoing war in Ukraine. On April 4, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari released a statement saying that the IDF had "proactively activated GPS jamming" to "neutralize threats" in the area. The IDF did not comment further on the precautions. PHOTO: Blue lines show the origin of the flight, spoofed to Cairo, while the red lines show the spoofed flights to Beirut, in this data is from April 4, 2024. (SkAI Data Services and the Zurich University of Applied Sciences) On the same day, local media in Israel reported that GPS signals in the northern and southern regions of Israel were disrupted, causing cell phones and GPS devices to show false GPS readings. Swope added that GPS spoofing and jamming are widely seen in various parts of the world at any moment, and it may be unclear why these incidents occur. Electronic warfare is not new to battlefields around the world and has been used in wars dating back to before World War I, Benjamin Jensen, a senior fellow at the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told ABC News. But the increase in wars and technological advancements leads to more use of positioning systems, both defensively and offensively, Jensen added. "[There has been] an increased trend towards more war, and it's become cheaper to conduct precision strikes in those wars," increasing the use of electronic warfare, Jensen said. How electronic warfare is affecting civilians and aviation originally appeared on abcnews.go.com ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) Two parents are suing Ascension Health, a doctor and several then-agents of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) after their childs misdiagnosed health condition led to a 2015 custody battle. Attorneys Stephanie Proffitt and Aaron W. Rapier represent the family in the case. Most of the time, if a parent questions their authority, if a parent questions the diagnosis, if a parent has the data to ask for a second opinion, the parent becomes targeted, Proffitt said. It appears that thats exactly what happened in this case. Instead of really doing their job, they instead retaliated against the Troys and took their children. A spokesperson for Ascension Health said that they had not yet been served with the lawsuit and thus could not speak about it directly. At Dell Childrens Medical Center, our highest priority is the safety and health of children in our community, the spokesperson said. As a healthcare provider in Texas, our doctors, nurses and care teams who have reasonable cause to believe that a child has been affected by abuse or neglect by any person must immediately report this to the appropriate authorities as required by law. We have a duty to work with authorities during their investigation as they make their decision on what is in the best interest of the child. The Case The child, named JT in the lawsuit, was diagnosed with benign external hydrocephalus (a condition where fluid collects in between the brain and inner skull) in May 2014. This was around five months after JT was born to parents Lorina Bourne and Jason Troy, their second child. JT, the child of Lorina Bourne and Jason Troy, was born with a condition that causes fluid to collect in his head. (Courtesy Lorina Bourne) According to the lawsuit, the defendants concluded the swelling was indicative of shaken baby syndrome, then required the family to sign a one-month safety plan. After the plan ended, the family visited relatives in Oklahoma, which they told DFPS about prior to going. While the family was in Oklahoma, two of the defendants contacted that states authorities and attempted to have the kids taken into protective custody. Oklahoma CPS concluded there was no abuse or neglect, according to the lawsuit. [Defendants] obtained an ex parte order for the removal of the children based on misrepresentations made to the court and omissions of material fact, the lawsuit reads. [Defendants] crossed state lines into Oklahoma. They showed up where Lorina was visiting with family in Oklahoma, and [Defendants] took the children from their parents and loving family. 2019: Elgin parents accused of abuse lose custody of children after doctors misdiagnose infant The Texas DFPS took protective custody of JT and sibling KT in July 2015. Travis County Court ruled in the familys favor and returned custody of the children to their parents in December 2015. The Lawsuit It has taken years to heal from the emotional trauma of my children being wrongfully removed from me, Bourne said. Were doing better now. Ive had to take years to try to heal from what happened. The worst day of my life was when my children were illegally taken from me. The lawsuit asks for a jury trial to decide on awarding damages to the family. I want justice for my sons because my son has a life-threatening neurological condition called benign external hydrocephalus, Bourne said. Thousands of families are going through similar situations, so many families have contacted me over the years. Its just so sad that the same system thats meant to protect children is hurting children. Lorina Bourne and Jason Troy with their children. (Courtesy Lorina Bourne) For Proffitt and Bourne, they want the lawsuit to lead to change and more accountability. CPS has too much power, and theyre often never held accountable for what they do wrong, Bourne said. Theres no due process. Parents arent dont have any rights, children dont have any rightsWe dont want any other families or children to have to endure this horrible emotional trauma. This is time for us to get back to a generation thats going to follow rules, Proffitt said. That doesnt just mean citizens having to follow the law or or get arrested, but also the people with power, unbelievable power to destroy families, they need to follow the rules too. If they dont, they need to be accountable. Proffitt, who said she typically represents families in cases with CPS, said that the issue is systemic, with CPS targeting low income families. This is complete mass destruction of peoples lives, Bourne said. Not only do you lose your children, but you lose your careers, your house, your finances, everything. We had to sell our house to pay for the mounting attorney fees. We had to hire three attorneys to defend us in court to fight for our children and for our innocence. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. A frustrating 4-year search for a missing woman in New Hampshire: No one has seen or heard from Amanda Grazewski since Saint Patricks Day 2020. She was last seen in Derry, NH. But the search for Amanda has taken police to several local cities. In the spring of 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic entered our world, 23-year-old Amanda Grazewski completely vanished. Joan OConnor, Amandas aunt, said she never expected her niece would be missing for years when she first heard of her disappearance, and she has never stopped looking. When asked if Amanda is still with us, OConnor told Boston 25s Bob Ward, You just hope that shes out there somewhere and hopefully shell come back. Amanda Grazewski led a chaotic life. She was a single mother of one, she battled addiction, suffered homelessness, and had a police record. Just before she vanished, Amanda was living in nearby Nashua, a hotel, but her money ran out. A friend drove her to her brothers apartment in Derry to spend the night. Three to four people were already here, partying. When the sun came up, Amanda was gone, only her purse, some clothes, and her cell phone were left behind. In four years, the publicly known facts about this case have really not changed. We wont close the case, said Derry Police Captain Vernon Thomas. We are going to pursue this as long as we need to. Capt. Thomas says there are questions about nearly every aspect of Amandas disappearance, starting with what the people inside the apartment told police about Amanda. Were not really sure what took place or even the validity of the stories, Capt. Thomas said. Amandas aunt says shes heard plenty of stories too, and after 4 years, shes not sure what to believe. So the information thats out there, we really dont know what the truth is or what the actual information is. Its just all speculation, OConnor said. The search does have community support. Rob Russell with 2A Tactical is using his drones to help find the truth about Amanda. His company volunteers its drones for searches just like the one for Amanda. Were here because we believe in this. Were here because we care about this mission, and we care about these families, Russel said. Derry police say they welcome the help. Theyve already invested 1,000 investigative hours on Amandas case, and say theyll keep at it. Amandas family is not giving up the search either. They believe, that after four years, the answers are still out there. Its just challenging to know what did happen. Why? Why cant we find out anything, said OConnor. If you have any information that could help locate Amanda Grazewski, contact Derry New Hampshire police at (603) 432-6111. 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 Minnesota's Boundary Waters wilderness was recently saved from mining by President Joe Biden but that could change; (photo/Shutterstock) In just the first few months of 2024, President Joe Bidens administration has been responsible for several conservation wins. Biden saved Minnesotas Boundary Waters wilderness from planned mining operations in January. In April, the presidents Department of the Interior protected millions of acres of the Alaskan arctic from oil drilling. About the same time, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced a new rule elevating the political power of conservation on all public land. This week, many House Republicans made it clear they want to throw out those changes. They filed several bills aimed at reversing these federal decisions, including The WEST Act, which would overturn the BLM Public Land Rule. It passed on Tuesday with a House vote of 212 to 202. As a result, environmental groups are calling on Americans who support wilderness conservation to contact their representatives. Its highly unlikely that the Senate much less Biden himself will allow the House bills to become law. But that could change in just a few months. The conservation victories arent likely to survive a second term of Donald Trump, environmental groups said. There should be no doubt that a future Trump administration would try and undo these conservation wins that we have applauded so loudly as hunters and anglers, said Kaden McArthur, government relations manager for Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. They can be taken away just as easily. cowboy cattle Utah State Lawmakers Push Back McArthur called the BLM Public Land Rule approved in April a critical step forward for land management. Basically, the policy change means that federal officials can now treat conservation as equally valuable as other land uses, like drilling or ranching. Many state lawmakers, however, want to preserve local control and business interests. Thats why Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah) introduced the WEST Act to reverse the rule change. The BLM rule only favors wealthy individuals and environmental groups, he said in a press release. Instead, Utah land must remain open to ranching, resource development, mining, and timber harvesting, according to Curtis and his supporters. Similar accusations of federal overreach came from Alaska officials furious over the Biden administrations added protections for 13 million acres of arctic wilderness. The White House announced the land would remain available for subsistence uses and the needs for Alaska Native communities, in addition to a moratorium on new oil and gas leases in the U.S. Arctic Ocean. That led Rep. Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) to introduce the Alaskas Right to Produce Act. The bill also passed by the House this week would reinstate oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Stauber not only attacked Biden for limits on Alaska drilling, but also for preventing a proposed mining operation in Minnesotas Boundary Waters. From Minnesota to Alaska, President Biden has repeatedly prevented the responsible production of Americas abundance of natural resources, Stauber said in a statement. Environmental Groups Fear Impact of Trump Win Its not surprising that environmental groups are worried that Donald Trump retaking the White House would undo all their recent victories. During his first term, Trump approved drilling and mining in both the Alaskan arctic and Minnesotas Boundary Waters. Bidens actions in those states were reinstating goals set by President Barack Obama that were later undone by Trump. The Trump 2024 campaign did not respond to requests for comment. But environmental leaders feel confident they know what will happen to their conservation wins if he wins the presidential election in November. While we hope we can continue to forge common sense approaches to managing public lands, were also clear-eyed that these rules which challenge the status quo of how weve traditionally managed public lands for resource extraction will likely face increased opposition if the administration changes hands, Felice Stadler, National Audubon Societys vice president of government affairs, said in a news release. Especially if Trump term one is a premonition of things to come. The uncertainty about the new rules lifespan is exactly why Americans need to start speaking up, said Christina Hazard, legislative director for the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). Just because these House bills wont pass this year doesnt mean they wont come back next year, she said. But if federal officials implement the conservation rules quickly, that could change hearts and minds of the American public, making it harder to reverse course, Hazard said. She also asked Americans to do more than support recent victories for public land: Tell Congress to boost funding for the National Park Service. Between 2012 and 2022, the Park Service lost 13% of its staff, but saw a 10% increase in visitation. Whether its saving the distant Alaskan wilderness or simply keeping your nearest National Park free of trash America needs to do more for its public lands, Hazard said. If we dont speak up, its easier for anyone in the future to walk these changes back, she said. The post Environmental Groups: No Doubt a Trump Win Would Undo Conservation Victories appeared first on GearJunkie. This clipping is from the Omaha World Herald, Sunday, March 21, 1974. The original caption was "Mrs. Callie Hester (R) shows Gwyn Gilliam (L) where the freeway will go. The freeway that bifurcated North Omaha was marketed as an infrastructure development that would benefit all of Omaha. However, it solidified segregation, dramatically decreased Black homeownership and led to the amplification of environmental injustice. For the last two years, I have been working as a research assistant for the Omaha Spatial Justice Project. As part of that project, I helped develop the projects 1920 Black homeownership map, which shows a high concentration of homeownership along the North Freeway. Black homeownership reached a peak in 1950, when for the first time, there were more Black homeowners than renters. Many homes were demolishedfor the freeway construction, stripping Black homeowners of their already limited access to generational wealth. The areas with rentals were left mostly untouched, whereas the neighborhoods that consisted primarily of homeowners were the ones replaced by the North Freeway. This demolished housing was not replaced, and due to persistent racism, Black homeowners received little to no compensation and found it difficult to purchase homes in other neighborhoods. North Omaha was cut off from the rest of the city, resulting in limited access to public transportation and basic needs and services. Because of this, as Omaha developed further, food deserts, or areas with a decreased or complete lack of access to affordable healthy foods, manifested as a concern. This was exacerbated by the national trend of grocery stores shifting to suburban areas which began in the 1960s. While grocery stores still existed in North Omaha, new stores with healthier inventory were not accessible to neighborhood residents, resulting in disproportionate access to good quality food increasing health risks. The North Freeway displaced thousands of Omahas Black residents, restricted access to homeownership, and led to an increased prevalence of environmental injustice issues that can be linked to present-day inequities. Because of this, there is a need for restorative justice. In 2016, Catherine Millas Kaiman , a civil rights and environmental activist attorney, presented a national model for community-based reparations to achieve justice, by addressing issues of environmental injustice through funding awareness campaigns and education. Another path to justice is to provide reparation payments to relatives of individuals whose homes were destroyed. Affected individuals could make a claim examining how far below market rate compensation payments were to then make up the difference with interest. Omahas construction of the North Freeway caused displacement, along with accompanying housing discrimination, amplifying environmental injustice. There is a critical need in North Omaha to address the problem of food deserts, including a lack of food availability as well as better access to affordable healthy food. Omaha must come to terms with the damage done through a community-based reparations solution. Washington, D.C., provides a national example of how one city chose to confront the issue of food deserts. After identifying the locations of food deserts, the city offered financial incentives for businesses that opened grocery stores in those areas. The City of Omaha needs to implement a comprehensive policy solution to address this pressing need for the long-term health and stability of the community. Any policy solution must address the historic wide-scale dismantling of Black homeownership through a housing reparations program. A national example of this is Evanston, Illinois, where the city clerk in 2019 made a case for housing reparations, and the first program in the country was implemented by the city council in 2021 to compensate the Black community for historical policies of segregation. Its important to know whether the families that were affected by the destruction of their homes via the North Freeway believe that an injustice took place and reparations are needed. Recently, there have been increasing plans and funding for development in North Omaha. Before the city implements redevelopment, we need to right the wrongs of history. As Omaha moves forward with new plans for development, there is a need to address the task of increasing Black residents access to homeownership. For Omaha to move on, we must address this difficult past. The Omaha Spatial Justice Project is providing documentation of historic discrimination in Omaha by mapping racially restrictive covenants. Residents affected by housing segregation, the lack of access to homeownership and environmental injustice need a space to propose their solutions for reparations. The City Council and Mayors Office need to seriously consider and creatively implement these community policy solutions. The post The need for environmental justice reparations in Omaha appeared first on Nebraska Examiner. JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) Text messages to voters criticizing Republican Tennessee Senator Jon Lundbergs voting record as too liberal, which come from a political action committee (PAC), have drawn an ethics complaint from the Tennessee Senate Republican Caucuss chairman. Concerns about potential collusion between the PAC and Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger and her campaign as well as Bobby Harshbargers campaign are at the root of the complaint. Bobby Harshbarger, son of Rep. Diana Harshbarger, to challenge state Sen. Jon Lundberg Lundberg faces a primary challenge from Bobby Harshbarger, Diana Harshbargers son, as he seeks a third state senate term. For the past few weeks, some voters in District 4, comprised of Sullivan and Hawkins counties, have received texts from the East Tennessee Conservatives PAC. The top section of a text ad from the East Tennessee Conservatives PAC. (Photo: WJHL) Those messages take Lundberg to task for among other things allegedly voting to authorize in-state tuition to illegal immigrants and killing a bathroom bill that would have allowed people to sue someone for entering a bathroom that doesnt match their biological sex. Sen. Jon Lundberg refused to protect our daughters from men using girls bathrooms, the headline of one such ad reads before going on to claim Lundberg made a motion that killed one such bill in committee. Lundberg told News Channel 11 that the ads make false or misleading claims. Ive done this for a long time, said Lundberg, who served as a state representative from 2006-2016. I have a record. I think its a very solid, strong record. Weve made it more difficult for illegal aliens in Tennessee, Lundberg said of the state legislature. Weve protected womens bathrooms. Weve done that not just in the last few weeks, weve done that over the past years. Court rules former Greene Co. school board member made offensive remarks to exchange students So when people receive a text to go, let me let me pause, number one, and question it. Whos it coming from? Is it a legitimate source? Content isnt what prompted an ethics complaint that came after Lundberg told Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Ken Yager about the texts. Rather, Lundberg and Yager say theyre questioning the possibility of collusion and violation of campaign finance limits. A representative for the PAC suggested those claims were far-fetched and a sign of desperation in the Lundberg camp as he faces his first primary challenge since 2016, when he easily won a bid for his first senate term. The PAC, created in April 2023 and funded with $95,000 from the Alexandria, Va.-based American Policy Coalition, lists Thomas Datwyler as treasurer. Datwyler is also Diana Harshbargers campaign treasurer. Tennessee Sen. Ken Yager (R-Kingston) filed a complaint on April 25 with the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance requesting an investigation to determine if any ethical and/or registry violations have occurred or are occurring. Im concerned there is collusion between the Harshbarger campaign (both) and the PAC, Yager wrote. In addition to collusion between the campaigns, I believe there may also be an effort to skirt campaign finance limits. Bobby Harshbarger told News Channel 11 that any allegations about collusion or skirting campaign finances laws were completely false and that he absolutely doesnt know any of the people affiliated with the PAC. I think its just political theater, in all honesty, because what this is doing is just deflecting from his voting record, Harshbarger said. Bobby Harshbarger said he has no relationship with the PAC that produced the ad campaign that drew the ethics complaint. (Photo: WJHL) Im scratching my head, he added later. I dont understand why he had a colleague of his file this. I dont know if this is trying to keep his reputation in line. William Young, director of the Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance, said the Registry Board would determine next steps on how to proceed at its next regular meeting May 28. Lundberg told News Channel 11 he alerted Yager to the text campaign after several constituents sent him some of the ads. He noticed the PAC listed at the bottom, and he decided to quickly check it out because he hadnt heard of East Tennessee Conservatives. He said a quick check turned up Datwylers name and people mentioned his work for Diana Harshbarger. Lundberg said colleagues raised a couple potentially really bad issues here before naming the same concerns Yager wrote of. It just happens that in this triangle he is the treasurer, runs this PAC, runs Congresswoman Harshbargers congressional campaign, runs her leadership PAC theres enough questions that I think it merits some further investigation in Tennessee, Lundberg said. Liberal Lundberg? Representatives tied to the PAC told News Channel 11 the call for an ethics probe essentially amounted to a fishing expedition, and that it was common for people to represent numerous political organizations and campaigns as treasurer. They sent links to Lundberg votes in Nashville they say back up the ads claims. Tennessee Sen. Jon Lundberg discusses the ad campaign thats had an ethics complaint filed against it. (Photo: WJHL) Its not surprising that Liberal Lundberg is resorting to lies, Matt Wolking, a spokesman for the PAC, wrote in response to an email inquiry. He must be very worried about people finding out the truth about what he has been up to in Nashville. Liberal Lundberg has spent his career putting illegal immigrant and LGBTQ communities first, while putting Tennessee families last. We will continue to share Liberal Lundbergs (sic) record and hold him accountable. The ads strike similar themes to Harshbargers campaign messaging. In his April 3 announcement that he was running to unseat the two-term senator, who also served 10 years in the state house, Harshbarger referenced the same three issues illegal immigration, pride flags and bathroom bills claiming Lundberg had cast liberal votes on all three. Former Johnson County judge sentenced to jail, probation Harshbarger said he first began digging into Lundbergs voting record after learning about what he said was a non-conservative vote over a bid to keep the LGBTQ pride flag from being displayed in school classrooms. It all originated from a teacher displaying the gay pride flag in their classroom and then that here comes the list of different flags that would be appropriate to fly in the classrooms and he voted against it, Harshbarger said. Facts, lies, or something in between? Determining the ads accuracy is difficult. Wolkings links to full chamber or committee votes show theres at least some room for nuance in interpreting. On one immigration-related ad, Lundberg and Yager pointed to a 2015 vote, while Wolking sent a link to a 2014 vote. That ad is titled Giving In-State Tuition To Illegal Immigrants? Sen. Jon Lunderberg Says Yes! After misspelling Lundbergs name, it correctly spells it in the main text and claims Lundberg voted to authorize in-state tuition to illegal immigrants. Lundberg responded by showing a vote from a 2015 bill that exempts certain students from payment of out-of-state tuition at state institutions of higher education. Then a House member, Lundberg voted no on that bill, which needed 50 votes to pass and got 49. I was the deciding vote against providing illegal immigrants in-state tuition, Lundberg said. So its not only factually wrong, but it is the exact opposite of what that ad claims that I did. The top section of a text ad alleging Jon Lundberg voted in favor of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. (Photo: WJHL) Wolking sent a link to a vote a year earlier, also for an in-state tuition bill. That time Lundberg voted yes, along with enough Republicans to give the bill a 63-vote total and pass it into law. But its caption text clearly shows the law specifies that a student who qualifies is a citizen of the United States, among other requirements. Erik Schelzig edits the Tennessee Journal, a weekly political newsletter covering state politics. Hes covered the Capitol for almost 20 years and said negative attacks are hard to defend. They dont necessarily have to get into specifics or be overly accurate, and it can put incumbents on the defensive, Schelzig told News Channel 11. Incumbents always have a long record that has a lot of votes in it that can be spun and twisted and made to look worse than they are. He called text message ads, particularly with graphics that make them look a lot like direct mail pieces, a relatively new phenomenon in campaigning. How voters respond to these things popping up on their phones remains to be seen. Sometimes it works and other times people get angry and react in a way that isnt beneficial to the people who are sending it, he said. State of Franklin Healthcare agrees to pay $200K for alleged controlled substance records violations The ad claiming Lundberg killed a bathroom bill also draws disputed interpretations. The PAC offered a link to a committee meeting to support the ads contention that the bill giving victims the right to sue those entering spaces that do not match their biological gender was killed by Sen. Jon Lundbergs motion in committee. That vote took place in the Judiciary Committee March 27. A bill that would have further enhanced potential penalties for people entering bathrooms that dont match their sex at birth was sent to summer study on a motion from Lundberg. A man who knowingly entered and remained in a womens restroom would be committing an offense, the committees attorney Elizabeth Insogna, is heard saying in the hearing. Republican Sen. Kerry Roberts asked what that meant, and Isogna said remain wasnt clearly defined, and Roberts said I think we need to tighten that up. Lundberg can be seen saying Roberts questions are valid and adding that hes heard from the business community about some concerns theyve got. Lundberg said, I dont want to rush something of this magnitude that could have an impact, a negative impact and I think this needs further work. Id like to move this to summer study. Sen. Janice Bowling, a Tullahoma Republican who sponsored the bill, didnt seem to interpret Lundbergs motion as killing the bill. She said if there needs to be clarification on that, Im glad for that to go to a summer study, because I think this is a very timely bill. And Ive heard from many parents in schools in particular where the boys go in and theres a girl sitting on a urinal, where the boys go into the girls bathroom and its getting out of hand and we do need to stop whats happening for the sake of privacy and health. Lundberg said his motion and the move to summer study was for a legitimate summer study and not because we just dont want to deal with this bill. Weve got some of the strongest bathroom laws in the country in Tennessee, Lundberg added. Election registry not known for quick action The Tennessee Journals Schelzig said Yagers involvement isnt out of the ordinary. The caucus is chiefly tasked with what we call incumbent protection and helping out Republicans who are already in the Senate, he said. It makes sense he would be the one to come out and raise the questions and try to get the registry involved and basically undercut the challenger at every step he can. The beginning of Ken Yagers ethics complaint. (Courtesy Tennessee Bureau of Ethics) He said the questions seem worth scrutiny by the registry, but hes not sure how deeply theyll look. This question of coordination has vexed the registry for decades and mostly theyve kept a hands-off approach to it, Schelzig said, adding that the combination of state-level rules with federal ones further complicates this case. The general feeling that Ive observed at the registry is they dont necessarily want to wade into the ins and outs of campaigns, which is a little bit ironic because of course thats the whole reason they exist, he said, adding their process usually stretches over several meetings. Id imagine the registry wont do too much decisively before we actually have voters go to the polls. The pressures on and the registrys not known for acting quickly. From the perspective of the Lundberg campaign or the Republican caucus, theyre probably more interested in getting publicity out of it to the general public to the fact theyre raising these questions than any real hope that itll be adjudicated by the registry before voting begins. Early voting for the Aug. 1 primary election begins July 12 and ends July 27. Lundberg said dirty politics happens and accused the PAC of coming out of the bottom of the barrel. He said he supports a look into the PAC but on the basis of campaign connections, not the disputed content of the ads. Police: Woman arrested after I-81 pursuit in Smyth County The caucus chair, I think he has a good point of, you know, theres enough smoke here to see if theres fire. You can claim coincidence, but its like, boy, theres a lot lining up in one spot and I agree with him there, Lundberg said. When asked if Lundberg was a liberal, Harshbarger said, based on his voting habits, I think he leans more that way. He said he believes Lundberg has become a career politician whos begun voting in ways designed to ascend to leadership. Thats the nature of the beast. You slowly climb up that ladder, he said. Harshbarger said the content in the ads and emails his campaign has sent out to the media is based in Lundberg casting votes that arent aligned with East Tennessee values. Whats going to put me over in this election is everyday voters, Harshbarger said. Its not going to be the establishment in Nashville. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. A former government employee was charged this week with submitting false tips about ex-colleagues to the FBI's tip line investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, according to court documents unsealed Friday. Miguel Zapata was arrested Thursday in Chantilly, Virginia, in connection with providing materially false statements to law enforcement, according to an arrest warrant. Zapata submitted at least seven anonymous tips via the FBI's tip portal from February to April of 2021 that accused former government co-workers of playing a role in the attack on the Capitol, according to an FBI affidavit. The affidavit doesnt identify Zapatas government employment history. The affidavit says that Zapata had used a web anonymizer service and notes that the tips were worded in a similar fashion. FBI records also indicated the tips were traced back to four IP addresses, and subscriber information for those IP addresses was assigned to a service provider account under the billing name of Mike Zapata, according to the affidavit. The logs cited in the affidavit indicate his account used the unidentified service to visit the FBI tip line, to conduct research on some of the people he submitted tips on, and for a Google search of the term fbi mole. Zapata's false tips alleged that his colleagues, who were government employees and contractors, were involved in the Capitol riot and in some cases shared classified information to assist the efforts of people and groups aiming to overthrow the government, the document says. "None of the seven government employees and contractors were in Washington, D.C., on January 6 or attacked the Capitol," the affidavit states, noting that each of the accused people was working in Virginia on Jan. 6, 2021. In one tip on Feb. 16, 2021, Zapata alleged a colleague had attended the Capitol riot and played an active role in leading the riot "to hunt for politicians and execute them." Zapata worked with that person from roughly 2017 to 2019, the affidavit says. In another tip on April 11, 2021, Zapata alleged that a former colleague "provided support to domestic terrorist groups like the OathKeepers, Proud Boys and Boogaloos" and shared classified information with these groups to aid their efforts in overthrowing the government, according to the document. An attorney listed for Zapata and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Friday evening. More than 1,387 defendants have been charged in connection with the Capitol attack. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The staff of the Wisconsin Examiner. From left, Erik Gunn, Baylor Spears, Ruth Conniff, Henry Redman and Isiah Holmes. (Wisconsin Examiner photo) The Wisconsin Examiner won top honors for online investigative reporting, editorial writing and long feature writing at the annual Milwaukee Press Club Excellence in Journalism awards recognition dinner Friday evening. This years edition of the Press Clubs annual contest recognizes work published during the 2023 calendar year. One of 50 state outlets launched by or partnered with the nonprofit States Newsroom, the Examiner competed in the Milwaukee Press Club contests category reserved for digital news organizations. Reporter Baylor Spears took the Gold award for investigative reporting for her examination of a Milwaukee private school participating in the taxpayer-funded voucher system. Former employees reported that understaffing, too many students and inadequate support created an unsafe, unstable educational environment for students and staff at the school. Editor Ruth Conniffs column headlined Wisconsin is a major front in the war on U.S. Democracy was named Gold winner for the best single editorial, statement of editorial position or opinion. Conniffs story about a police chase that took officers from the Dane County village of Maple Bluff far outside of their own community and totaled the vehicle of an uninvolved motorist garnered the Silver award for public service. Police chases have come under scrutiny among policing experts, who say they should be restricted to serious threats involving people who have committed or are about to commit a violent felony. Conniff also was recognized for her regular column in the Examiner, winning the Bronze award for best column. Her entry consisted of a selection of six columns on subjects that ranged from child labor and the domestic politics of the conflict in Israel and Gaza to the threat political extremists pose to public education. Deputy Editor Erik Gunn received three feature writing awards: Gold for long soft feature for his Thanksgiving Day story on Diana Butler Bass and her research on the subject of gratitude; Gold for personal profile for his story about an anthropologist whose experience as a father of a Down syndrome child led him to interrogate his professions attitudes toward disability and to write a memoir about what he learned in the process; Silver for short soft feature for his interview with a Wisconsin chef who organizes a year-round free meal program in addition to operating two restaurants. The Examiners recognition in this years Milwaukee Press Club contest continues the news organizations five-year record of award-winning journalism, which has included multiple awards for reporters Isiah Holmes and Henry Redman as well as Conniff and Gunn. The post Examiner garners seven Milwaukee Press Club honors for journalism excellence appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner. The City of Edmonds has launched an investigation into its police chief, Michelle Bennett, after she allegedly discharged her service weapon in her car at a city fleet refueling facility. According to Josh McClure, commander of professional standards and media relations for the Edmonds Police Department (EPD), the incident was deemed as an accident. Chief (Bennett) was not handling her holstered weapon then, but was retrieving an item from the bag it was stored in during her commute, McClure told MyNorthwest in a statement. While maneuvering items in the bag, a key had become wedged between the trigger guard and space in the holster. When force was applied, the weapon discharged. The EPD stated Bennett promptly informed the on-duty commander, who subsequently initiated an investigation. The assistant chief was notified about the incident, who then relayed the incident to Mayor Mike Rosen. Chief Bennett also completed a city damage report, which was forwarded to the EPDs safety committee, according to McClure. Only the inside of the city vehicle sustained property damage and no injuries were reported. The city fleet later inspected the vehicle to ensure its safety. The chief also sent a message to the entire staff, advising them of the incident and encouraging firearms awareness, care and caution, McClure added. What happens next is important An accidental discharge is not that uncommon. I can remember probably five or six when I was working for the sheriffs office, so it does happen, former King County Sheriff John Urquhart said. Its a big deal from their standpoint. Its certainly dangerous and careless at times. I think the bigger issue is how someone reacts to it. Do they try to cover it up? Do they tell the truth? Do they lie about it? Thats really the issue. A full investigation is conducted anytime an officer fires or discharges a gun even if its an accident to check if the gun malfunctioned or if its unsafe, how this can be avoided in the future and if any conduct needs to be addressed or changed to avoid a future incident. There is going to be a full investigation, which is why its so important to report it immediately, Urquhart said. Remember, youre talking about a firearm here, which is a deadly weapon, and people can easily die from even an accidental discharge. It needs to be documented. There needs to be a full investigation of how that happened and why that happened in every single case. Washington State Legislature dictates that an officer of the law engaging in unsafe practices involving firearms, weapons or vehicles can lead to denial, suspension or revocation, pending on the severity of the incident. More on Chief Michelle Bennett Former Edmonds Mayor Mike Nelson appointed Bennett as chief of the police department in 2021. Working in local law enforcement since 1990, she served as Chief of Police for Maple Valley from 2004 to 2014 and Sammamish from 2016 to 2019 before becoming the Edmonds chief. Additionally, Bennett has received a bachelors degree in law and justice, a Master of Science in psychology/organizational development and behavior and a doctorate in education That degree includes an emphasis in curriculum and instruction. She has taught criminal justice classes throughout local colleges for decades. The investigation is currently still open, according to the EPD. The incident was forwarded to Mike Rosen, the current mayor, for his review. The biggest job we have as police officers is upholding and reassuring the public that we are trustful. That they can trust us and trust what we do and what we say, Urquhart said. Its incredibly important that this occurs each and every time. Thats one of the reasons why its absolutely so important to be honest about when situations like this, or any other situation, arise. Contributing: Kate Stone, KIRO Newsradio Frank Sumrall is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read his stories here and you can email him here. By Andrea Shalal and Bianca Flowers WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A deep generational divide, anti-war protests on college campuses and a looming Chicago Democratic convention invite comparisons between today's protests against Israels attacks in Gaza and the movement against the Vietnam War. The 54th anniversary of the Kent State University shooting on Saturday, marks the day when the Ohio National Guard troops sent to quell campus protests shot 13 students, killing four and unleashing a surge of unrest across the country. The campus protests over the past two weeks differ in both scale and motivation. Student bodies have changed, as has the Democratic Party. But given the tight rematch incumbent President Joe Biden, a Democrat, faces with Republican Donald Trump, they could hold political sway. DEATH TOLLS By 1970, the Vietnam War had been raging for five years, and Republican President Richard Nixon had announced an expansion of the war into Cambodia. By the end of 1970, nearly 1.8 million young American men had been enlisted and nearly 30,000 had died. There are no U.S. troops fighting in Israel's war in Gaza, but many U.S. citizens have lost family members there. Israel's assault on Gaza was triggered by the Oct. 7 attack by Islamist Hamas militants, which by its tallies killed 1,200 with 253 taken hostage. The subsequent Israeli bombardment has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians according to Palestinian medics, and displaced the majority of Gaza's 2.3 million people. Students at dozens of schools across the U.S. have rallied or camped out to oppose Israel's war in Gaza, demanding institutions stop doing business with companies that support the war. Police have arrested over 2,000 protesters. SUPPORT FOR THE WAR SHIFTS The growing death toll in Gaza and images of the widespread destruction there have swayed public opinion, with support for Israel's military assault dropping from 50% in a November Gallup poll to 36% in late March. Biden, who last month signed legislation to provide $14 billion more aid to Israel, has faced growing criticism over his handling of the crisis, with hundreds of thousands of voters casting "uncommitted ballots" in Democratic primaries in recent months to express their frustration and anger. Senator Bernie Sanders also drew comparisons with Vietnam, noting former President Lyndon Johnson's decision not to run in 1968 amid growing anger over the war in Vietnam. "I worry very much that President Biden is putting himself in a position where he has alienated, not just young people, but a lot of the Democratic base, in terms of his views on Israel and this war, Sanders told CNN. SIZE, SCOPE AND INTENSITY By 1970, the protests had grown in size and intensity, with some rallies attracting tens and even hundreds of thousands of people, said Kevin Kruse, a professor at Princeton University. Many students were personally affected given the draft. Some of those protests were also violent, unlike the largely peaceful demonstrations seen thus far in response to Israel's war in Gaza, he said. "The night before the shooting, they burned down the ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) building. This wasnt a bunch of students sitting in tents on the lawn, he said. The shooting sparked fresh anti-war protests across the United States and as far away as Melbourne, Australia, where 100,000 gathered to protest. Nearly 100,000 people converged on Washington, DC a few days after the shooting. On a much smaller scale, Columbia University's initial response in April also triggered solidarity protests, Kruse said, adding that the Columbia protest might have petered out if administrators had opted to quietly ride it out until summer. TONE-DEAFNESS AND HARD HATS Biden's first comments on the escalating protests have sparked fresh allegations that he's tone deaf to the issues, just as Arab American and Muslim activists say the White House hasn't listened to their concerns about support for Israel. "There is a right to protest, but not a right to cause chaos," Biden said. Shortly after the Kent State shootings, Nixon invited to the White House a group of construction workers after the so-called Hard Hat Riot, when 400 construction workers and 800 office workers attacked some 1,000 demonstrators in New York City. MORE RACIAL, GENDER DIVERSITY In 1970, there were some 7.2 million students enrolled in college in the U.S. and women accounted for 41% of students, while Black students were just 7% of the total. Now, the U.S. has over 15 million undergraduate students, with white students accounting for about 41%, Latino students 18%, Black students 11% and Asian students 6%, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Women outnumber men on college campuses. While the womens movement and the civil rights movements were also boiling over in the late 1960s, the groups were less integrated and more at odds than today, said Jim Zogby, a Vietnam era protester and founder of the Arab American Institute. This is an intersectional generation. Its the same kids who were leading the Black Lives Matter movement or the women's march or the protests against the Muslim ban or the gun safety rally," he said. DEMOCRAT DIVISIONS Then, as now, there are sharp divides between generations, including in the Democratic Party. Democratic strategist James Carville, 79, on Sunday warned protesters in a viral and profanity-laden video on X that they could help Trump win a second term by dividing the party. A YouGov poll released Thursday showed that 53% of adults felt that college administrators' decision to suspend and expel some pro-Palestinian protesters was "about right" or "not harsh enough." That number jumps to 68% for those aged 65 and over. Dilara Sayeed, president of the Muslim Civic Coalition, a Chicago-based non-profit, said the party is still out of touch with its electorate of young voters and people of color. "The government had a policy that young people and Americans of color disagreed with using our tax dollars and sending troops to go fight in a war we didn't agree with," Sayeed said. That's where we are now." Abbas Alawieh, a former senior congressional aide and community organizer who helped lead Michigan's "Uncommitted" campaign, said the party's leadership was at grave risk of repeating the mistakes of the Vietnam era. "In 1968, one of the great failures of the party establishment was that they ignored anti-war youth and continued the horrific war in Vietnam and alienated young voters, and I feel like they're at risk of doing the same thing," he said. The Biden campaign is engaging actively with young voters, spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg said, noting that those efforts were launched months earlier than in the previous election cycle. Biden has also been endorsed by 15 youth vote groups, who will hire hundreds of organizers and mobilize hundreds of thousands of volunteers, the campaign said. Matt Hill, spokesperson for the Democratic National Convention, underscored the importance of peaceful protest to American democracy, arguing that the convention would highlight what he called "the unity and excitement of Democrats ... in stark contrast to the chaos and extremism stewing in the GOP." OFFLINE, ONLINE Media coverage of the war in Vietnam, known as America's first "television war" with daily images of dead soldiers returned to the United States (images now banned by the U.S. military) provided momentum for the anti-war movement. Although students today aren't facing the draft, they are watching the war unfolding in real-time on their phones, said Christianna Leahy, a former Amnesty International board member and professor at McDaniel College in Maryland. "It is through Instagram, Tik Tok, social media that they're just getting images every day," she said. "This is on everyone's phone 24 hours a day." ANOTHER RAUCOUS CONVENTION The divisions may boil over during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August. But there will be fewer chances to challenge Biden inside the event than in 1968, Zogby said. The party no longer exists, as it did in 68 when there was internal dissent in the party," he said, noting that Biden had locked down the nomination and no other candidates had a chance to emerge during a fight on the convention floor. Another key difference this year: the '68 convention took place just months after the assassinations of civil rights leader Martin Luther King and leading Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, which roiled a nation already divided by the Vietnam War and social revolution. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and local law enforcement agencies are girding for protests. "There's no place in these United States where the DNC was going to have a convention where they were not going to be met by their base and the frustration from their base and wanting to see their priorities reflected in the Democrats platform," said Nse Ufot, founder of the New South Super PAC. "You cant hide, baby. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal and Bianca Flowers, additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Jarrett Renshaw; editing by Heather Timmons and Diane Craft) Explosions rock Kharkiv: Russians launch attack drones at the city Explosions were heard during a Russian drone attack in Kharkiv on the night of 3-4 May. Source: Suspilne, a Ukrainian public broadcaster; Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov on Telegram; Ukraines Air Force Quote from Terekhov: "The city is under enemy attack. Be careful, everyone." Details: Ukraines Air Force reported that another group of Russian drones was flying towards Kharkiv. Background: At midnight, the Russians launched a group of attack UAVs from Russias Belgorod Oblast. The drones were flying southwest. Support UP or become our patron! This story contains explicit written descriptions of self-immolation. If you are in crisis, please call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. Increasingly, we are being confronted with the image of a body on fire. A human torch burning up in real-time in a public space. Such images arrive at a time when Americans are grappling with a particularly dystopian image cast, from police marching into student protests on university campuses to the hellscape of images and videos coming out of the war in Gaza. On April 19, Max Azzarello, a 37-year-old man and self-identified investigative researcher died after setting himself on fire outside Donald J. Trumps trial in Manhattan. He is the third individual to publicly self-immolate in the United States in five months. In February, Aaron Bushnell, a 25-year-old active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force, self-immolated in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C. In December, a person who has not been publicly identified was hospitalized in critical condition after setting themselves on fire near the Israeli consulate in Atlanta. In a Substack post titled, I have set myself on fire outside the Trump Trial, Azzarello described his act as an extreme act of protest. These are the same words Bushnell used to characterize his own death in a livestream posted first on Twitch before circulating widely on social media. This is likely not a coincidence but a citation. In the wake of Bushnells death, an Instagram account reportedly belonging to Azzarello posted a story of an image of Bushnells body being consumed with flames, along with the caption: Heroes and martyrs, folksGod fg bless you, Aaron Bushnell. After Azzarellos death, and amidst nationwide debates about the meanings and modalities of political protest, I find myself returning to Bushnells video. [Note: A graphic description of the video follows.] That two-and-a-half-minute-long video Bushnells digital suicide note is horrifying, phantasmagoric, and familiar in equal measure. In it, Bushnell films himself walking toward the embassy gates. His voice is measured, lucid, and implacable. I will no longer be complicit in genocide, he states clearly. He continues: I am about to engage in an extreme act of protest but compared to what people in Palestine have been experiencing at the hands of their colonizers, its not extreme at all. These do not appear to be the ravings of a lunatic. In the video, Bushnell props up his phone before stepping into the frame again and dousing himself in what appears to be gasoline or lighter fluid. He puts his patrol cap back on, then flicks a lighter around his ankles. Free Palestine, he says. Orange flames lick up the backs of his legs, the fire catching quickly on the fabric of his green military fatigues. He remains remarkably still, erect, almost at attention. When the flames reach about waist-high, he begins to scream. Free Palestine! Free Palestine! Over and over. He screams the two words: Free Palestine! Are they a demand or a divination? He screams them exactly five more times, until his voice becomes coarse, almost inhuman with pain. He eventually collapses to the sidewalk. Off camera, police and security officers are yelling at him to get on the ground. One points a gun at Bushnell while he burns and continues pointing it at the fiery body crumpled on the pavement. Another officer yells, I dont need guns, I need fire extinguishers. The audio cuts. Bushnells screams echo. Aaron Bushnell did not have to scream while he burned for the world to hear him. When he set himself on fire, he was drawing on a very old and immediately recognizable (if not immediately intelligible) ritual of public self-burning as protest a political language legible enough for Azzarello to recognize and reproduce less than two months later. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. After Bushnells death, comparisons were drawn quickly across social media to other self-burning protests. In 1963, the Buddhist Monk Thich Quang uc set himself on fire at a busy intersection in Saigon. His death, captured in an iconic photo by American photographer Malcolm Browne, drew global attention to Vietnam and to political self-immolation. In its coverage of Bushnells death, New York Magazine noted that since the Vietnam War, self-immolation has been a dramatic but rare act of protest while The Daily Beast has called Azzarellos death part of a startling trend of such deaths in the United States. Above all, commentators from the wider Arab world were quick to connect Bushnells death to the highly mediatized public self-burning of Mohamed Bouazizi. The Tunisian street vendor was just a year older than Bushnell when he set himself on fire in front of a municipal building in Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia, on December 17, 2010. Bouazizis self-immolation catalyzed the Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia as well as a series of antigovernment uprisings across North Africa and the Middle East, often called the Arab Spring. Whats more, Bouazizis suicide in 2010 quickly spread well beyond Tunisia, producing a copycat effect and a dramatic uptick in suicides by public self-burning across the globe, spreading throughout North and West Africa and the Middle East. A longitudinal study published in the medical journal Burns showed that global rates of self-immolation had tripled in the five years following the self-burning of Bouazizi and that this was a stable trend. Just a month after Bouazizi had died in the hospital from burn wounds, a Senegalese man set himself on fire on a sidewalk outside the Presidential Palace in Dakar while holding up a scrap of paper. Bystanders could not make out what was written on it, but the message of his suicide seemed clear: Bouazizis suicide had begun to travel. In the years that followed, self-immolations became more widespread in Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania. Although written in fire and effaced in ash, these deaths all become recognizable as messages of protest, refusal and resistance in reference to Bouazizis act. There are many other relevant examples, of course. Wynn Alan Bruce, who self-immolated in front of the Supreme Court in Washington D.C. in 2022, and David Buckel, who set himself on fire in Brooklyns Prospect Park in 2018 both climate activists. Homa Darabi, the Iranian political activist who self-immolated in 1993 in protest of the compulsory hijab. Sahar Khodayari, an Iranian woman who set herself on fire in front of a courthouse in Tehran to protest the laws banning women from attending sporting events. Jan Palach, the 20-year-old Czech student who set himself on fire in Wenceslas Square in 1969 in protest against the end of the Prague Spring. Scholars of the history of self-immolation typically date the phenomenon to antiquity, to early Christian martyrdoms, and particularly to the Hindu practice of sati. While social media and streaming technologies make such deaths more visible, and knowledge about them more readily available, these examples chart a truncated history. Contemporary public self-burnings draw their rhetorical and political force from their legibility in relation to an established practice of suicidal resistance. This is an ancient and nearly universal idiom that resurfaces, in different forms, in different places, and at different times, in the direst of circumstances. Historically, this has been the case especially in contexts of colonialism, imperialism and state violence. Suicide, in other words, has always been a mode of political resistance a language of protest and revolution. Self-killing has always been what anthropologist James C. Scott called a weapon of the weak. In a Facebook post penned shortly before his death, Bushnell wrote: Many of us like to ask ourselves, What would I do if I was alive during slavery? Or the Jim Crow South? Or apartheid? What would I do if my country was committing genocide? The answer is, youre doing it. Right now. Bushnells invocation of the specter of slavery, colonization and apartheid in his post and again in the livestream is haunting, given the long history of public suicide (both individual and collective) as a strategy of protest and resistance in contexts of oppression and unfreedom and under regimes of racial violence. Throughout the Atlantic world, enslaved Africans regularly used suicide and suicide-like behaviors as modes of resistance, fugitivity and protest in ways that directly undermined the slave economy so much so that some of the earliest innovations with suicide prevention came not from the world of medical care but from the dehumanizing self-interestedness of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. As a scholar of suicide under colonization, I have spent perhaps an unusual amount of time thinking, talking and writing about acts of self-destruction this most difficult of subjects and especially their representations across a vast array of discourses and media, from scientific treatises and colonial archives to oral histories and literary texts to police files and news reports. Bushnells and Azzarellos deaths both resonate with and differ from these instances of self-killing which are in large part responses to colonial and state violence, contestations of unlivable structural inequalities in significant ways. It is always risky, but also necessary, to draw connections between different kinds of deaths, and attempt to see how contemporary modes of protest and refusal through self-destruction are shadowed and informed by older ones. This is part of the impasse and provocation of public suicide: the paradoxical sense that we have seen something like this before and, at the same time, that what we are seeing is unlike anything else. Bushnell was not Bouazizi. This is important. The latter was repeatedly harassed by police and had his complaints ignored by government officials. Shortly before his death, his only means of earning a living wage, his fruit cart, had been confiscated. His public self-burning emerged out of a context of extreme socioeconomic disparity, rampant governmental corruption, colonial and neocolonial asymmetries, and political unrest. As far as we can know, he did not intend to be hailed as a martyr. He did not plan to become the symbol of a movement. His suicide was conscripted to ends and meanings he could not predict or answer for. Bouazizi did not leave a suicide note. Bushnell, like Azzarello, was white. He was an American, originally from Massachusetts an active-duty member of the most powerful military in the world. Before he died, he outlined what he planned to do and why. He made a will, specifying that his savings should be donated to the Palestine Childrens Relief Fund and that he hoped for his ashes one day to be scattered in a free Palestine. Bouazizis final words, supposedly, were directed to municipal government officials: If you do not see me, I will burn. They were an appeal to be seen in the immediate sense of "to have an audience with," but took on far-ranging resonance. Perhaps because of their semantic ambiguity, they became an injunction for the world to turn its eyes to Tunisia and the Maghreb and a metaphor for the invisibilization of the daily struggles of all downtrodden and oppressed peoples. Bushnells and Azzarellos last words unlike Bouazizi's tell us how they want their deaths to be understood: as an extreme act of protest. Despite these differences, recent acts of self-immolation remain legible as protest precisely because of Bouazizi, and Quang uc, and so many resistant others most from the Global South who have protested myriad forms of displacement and dispossession. In the weeks following Bushnells self-immolation, there were and will likely continue to be interviews, statements, speculations and theories about Bushnells frame of mind, about troubling behavior, about his upbringing, about early signs of distress or mental illness. For his part, Azzarello has largely been dismissed as a troubled conspiracy theorist who suffered from paranoia. The discursive frames we bring to bear on voluntary death are powerful. Frequently, they radically overdetermine what and how a suicide means. In the wake of suicide, there is often perhaps always a desire to understand, a need to explain. Suicide scrambles our critical radars. It unsettles our usual frames of reference. It confronts us with an opaque message voiced in fatal and unverifiable idiom. It is a text whose author has already disappeared. Any response to such an act, including my own, is also a kind of trespass and failure. This does not mean that nothing can be gained from such an endeavor, that nothing can be learned from trying to understand the messages a suicide might contain. I am not a psychiatrist. But I find the efforts to recuperate Bushnells death, in particular, as an instance of psychological rupture rather than a political statement troubling. To call Bushnells and Azzarellos deaths suicides already begs the question (they used only the term protest). Indeed, in their coverage of Bushnells death, a number of prominent news outlets immediately provided links to support for those in mental-health crisis or numbers for suicide hotlines. (Salon has included such wording in this story, too.) In this sense, the wheels of the powerfully racialized discursive apparatus that gathers around public acts of violence, including acts of self-destruction, are turning. When a white man shoots up a church or a school, he is sick but never a terrorist. When he lights himself on fire in a public space, he must be unwell or otherwise a fanatic (it has been reported that Bushnell was an anarchist who grew up in a religious sect). What if he is neither? What if, instead, he is a fully rational member of the American military determined to make a political and deeply human point when no other means will get through? In that case, rather than dismissing or downplaying his death as incomprehensible, we would need to at least attempt to take that point seriously and consider its implications. To move toward a possible understanding. To resist the idea that such an act lies beyond the pale of comprehension. To understand is not to glorify, to respond is not to sanction. Bushnells self-burning presents us with a unique set of paradoxes. He is, to the best of my knowledge, one of the first active-duty American servicemen to publicly self-immolate. If his death was provoked by a mental health crisis, it raises the question of how he remained on active duty without adequate psychiatric support. In that case, his suicide a public cry for help is the indictment of an entire system. But I think we should not be so quick to write off Bushnells self-burning as purely psychological, even if discussions of his death seem to have fallen easily into the ready-at-hand language that so often polarizes discussions of public suicide: Was his death a heroic martyrdom (as Azzarello seemed to view it) or the act of a madman? Should it be lauded or condemned? Such questions bracket a long history of suicide as a tool of political protest in extremis. They risk depoliticizing what is potentially a profoundly political death. They are beside the point. Or, rather, they profoundly miss the point the man on fire was so desperate to make he managed to scream it six times before he died. If you are in crisis, please call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. Fact Check: A George Washington Statue at GWU Was Allegedly Defaced by Pro-Palestinian Protesters. Here's the Evidence Claim: Photos authentically show a statue of George Washington that was defaced during a pro-Palestinian protest at George Washington University. Rating: Rating: True In late April and early May 2024, several right-wing pundits opposed to campus protests against U.S. support for Israel's war in Gaza shared images and video, on X, of a statue of George Washington allegedly defaced by protesters at George Washington University (GWU) in Washington, D.C.: This is an authentic photograph of the statue. On April 25, 2024, students at GWU took over University Yard, which is at the center of the campus and has as its centerpiece a statue of George Washington erected in 1932. At the time of this reporting, that encampment is still controlled by protesters. Another video widely shared on X shows that same statue earlier on in the protest, on April 30, 2024: The statue of George Washington at George Washington University has been Palestinianized and defaced. pic.twitter.com/asuJ6OUCSr Alex Kennedy (@therealmindman) April 30, 2024 The spray paint, stickers, kaffiyeh, and Palestinian flag added to the statue generally match what is seen in this May 1, 2024, Getty Images photo: A kaffiyeh is a traditional Arab headscarf that has become a symbol of Palestinian resistance. The alteration of the statue with these objects has been well-documented. On May 1, 2024, U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., traveled to the GWU campus with other Republicans in a failed effort to remove the Palestinian flag from the statue. Because these images authentically depict the statue's appearance during the time of this encampment, the claim is True. Sources: "A Look at the Protests of the War in Gaza That Have Emerged at US Colleges." AP News, 24 Apr. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/gaza-war-campus-protests-966eb531279f8e4381883fc5d79d5466. "GW Collection | Luther W. Brady Art Gallery | The George Washington University." Luther W. Brady Art Gallery, https://bradygallery.gwu.edu/gw-collection. Accessed 3 May 2024. Haile, Nardos. "How the Keffiyeh Became a Palestinian Symbol of Resistance." Salon, 1 May 2024, https://www.salon.com/2024/05/01/keffiyeh-palestine-resistance/. Slisco, Aila. "Lauren Boebert Tries to Remove Palestinian Flag from Statue at Protest." Newsweek, 1 May 2024, https://www.newsweek.com/lauren-boebert-tries-remove-palestinian-flag-statue-protest-1896342. "Students Put Keffiyeh on the George Washington Monument in The..." Getty Images, 3 May 2024, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/students-put-keffiyeh-on-the-george-washington-monument-in-news-photo/2150655442. Turco, Rebecca, and Ida Domingo. "'Cops off This Campus Now' | Pro-Palestinian Protest Marches into 8th Day at GW University." WSET, 2 May 2024, https://wset.com/news/local/campus-protest-george-washington-university-palestine-encampment-tents-mpd-police-arrests-dc-students-gaza-israel-hamas-columbia-virginia-demonstrations-demands-activists-dmv-college-antisemitic-latest-gw. Factor VIII was a wonder drug - but little did we know it was also lethal For an engaged couple, there is the promise of a honeymoon and a lifetime of happiness to follow the big day. But for Jane and her husband Graham Armstrong Ingleson, there was a cloud hanging over them when they said their vows. As a bespectacled Graham, a burly and kind man in his 20s, lifted Jane out of their car in her bridal gown, the couple were still reeling from a medical appointment two months prior. Graham, a haemophiliac who had been diagnosed with HIV two years before, had been told by a doctor at Londons St Thomas Hospital that he would develop AIDS and that he would likely die within five years. But Graham, a heating engineer from Bedale in the Yorkshire Dales, had not caught the deadly virus by taking drugs or through any action of his own. He caught it after taking a medicine prescribed to him by the NHS, a miracle drug called Factor VIII. The white powder contained proteins from tens of thousands of donors and provided Graham with a blood-clotting molecule that his genetic condition prevented him from making himself. Without it, he would suffer agonising internal bleeds and any minor injury could be life-threatening. For centuries beforehand, sufferers would live sheltered lives and be prone to injury and sickness. Few lived beyond the age of 40. But with it, Graham was transformed into a fully able-bodied man, determined to live his life to the fullest. He was disabled, but nobody knew it because of his medication, Baroness Campbell of Surbiton, as Jane is now formally known, told The Telegraph in an exclusive interview. Factor VIII was instrumental, it was a wonder drug and a haemophiliacs passport to a normal life. But little did we know it was also lethal. Graham, like 1,250 others, contracted HIV from Factor VIII imported from the US where blood donors were paid to give plasma. Many donors were sex workers, gay men, prisoners and the homeless. Screening for diseases was poor, the product was not cleaned and one vial of Factor VIII contained proteins from tens of thousands of high-risk donors. Romance blossomed at reunion party Baroness Campbell, in her first newspaper interview about her personal involvement in the infected blood scandal, told The Telegraph that she believes her husband contracted hepatitis C and HIV after crashing his new car in the countryside and being treated by notorious haematologist Dr Peter Jones of Newcastle Infirmary. Graham was normally treated by Dr Geoffrey Savidge at St Thomas, who was known to favour using imported Factor VIII from the US. Speaking in her south-west London bungalow, Baroness Campbell said: Graham was very full of life, he loved life. He loved going to the pub. He never said a bad word about anyone. Everyone loved him. The pair had met at Herewood college for disabled people in Coventry and struck up a budding romance. Graham went there for his haemophilia, while Janes progressive spinal muscular atrophy meant she was wheelchair bound all her life. Baroness Campbell in her study - JEFF GILBERT PHOTOGRAPHY After going their separate ways Jane to Hertfordshire University where she would find a passion for feminism and equal rights campaigning; Graham to college in Scarborough to become an engineer they reunited as adults at a party in Croydon. We had both grown up. He was a man now and he was even more gorgeous. Everyone liked him, and we were a very good complement. He was very practical, and I was the one who wanted to change the world, Baroness Campbell said. At college, Graham and his clique of friends, all haemophiliacs, would take Factor VIII before heading out for a night at the pub to protect against the inevitable bumps, scrapes and bruises that go hand-in-hand with the rambunctious escapades of inebriated young men. The couple were told in 1985 that Graham had HIV, at the height of the worry about the emerging public health concern, but they were not told about the implications of such a diagnosis. We were told its not the same HIV that is infecting the gay community. We just went home. We were going to get married and were just like any other mid-20s couple, Baroness Campbell said. My father died in a car crash It was not until summer 1987 that the couple learnt of Grahams true fate, on the eve of their wedding. An unfamiliar doctor broke the news, and Baroness Campbell said it felt like you slipped off the edge of the world. She said: He was put on a new trial of AZT, and that was the beginning, she recalled, speaking in her study. This was less than two months before our wedding and my father died in a car crash around that time. I think that was one of the worst times of my life. Baroness Campbell, a crossbench peer, has been in the Lords for 15 years after a lifetime of campaigning for the rights of disabled people and equality. Ive always been political and Id always wanted to be an MP, but knew I would never be able to withstand the practicalities, the doorstepping and all the meetings. Baroness Campbells career was flourishing after a string of promotions at the Greater London Council (GLC) under Ken Livingstone. But with Grahams worsening condition, money was tight and the couple had to turn to the McFarlane Trust for blood money ex gratia payments to get by. We got handouts, literally, to keep us surviving through it, but we never lived again. There is a difference between living and surviving. We were so poor that we had to go cap in hand to get some money to pay someone to take Graham up north to see his parents for the last time. Graham deteriorated, and was unable to work from about 1991. He saw his younger brother, Anthony, also die from AIDS after catching HIV from Factor VIII. For his final two years he couldnt work because he was so ill, in monstrous ways, unimaginable ways. Book of remembrance He was disabled once, became able-bodied, and then became disabled all over again but worse. I think it compounded the horror. If youre given something and its taken away from you, its a worse thing. Who wants to give away their toys? Nobody. It was like being at war in your own house. Graham died on December 19, 1993. Baroness Campbell returns every year, on the anniversary, to St Botolphs church where there is a book of remembrance for haemophiliacs who were killed by the scandal. The book continues to get new entrants. The baroness has been reluctant to get involved with the campaign, not wishing to be viewed as a victim of the scandal. She is defined and heralded for her indefatigable work for equality for all disabled people, but she was also widowed by a drug the NHS gave her husband. She wants Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, a long-time advocate of speedy compensation and justice for what is known as the biggest treatment disaster in NHS history, to emerge from his black hole in the Treasury and make good on pledges to finally deliver justice. Swift compensation and a full, earnest apology are her two wishes. Revenge is not on the agenda of the baroness. Recognition, however, is. She speculates towards the end of our conversation that what happened to haemophiliacs, specifically the boys at the Treloars School and College for disabled children where dozens of boys were experimented on with Factor VIII against their will, would not have happened to able-bodied people. We are seen as people who are in need of care, who are tragic, who are victims, who are struggling, who are suffering from our disabilities. We are not seen as people who are important human beings. Anger is still there at your core This disdain was compounded by decades of denial, delay and cover-up. Still, the Government has yet to pay compensation to victims. The baroness wants the Government to not only apologise for its part in the deaths of thousands of innocent people, but to acknowledge the harm this did to families, spouses and children. We didnt have Elton John. We didnt have anybody as our cheerleader. And more than that, people tried to cover it up, that it was someone elses fault, she said. Women were also giving up a lot. Many people forget what it did to marriages. We just got married, but we didnt have a marriage because we were too scared to enjoy the honeymoon years. A lot of us became nuns, not that we wanted to, but we thought it was the only way to keep safe. Women gave up their childbearing years and those that didnt, were in danger of giving birth to infected children. Women were also giving up their careers, for example. I was shooting up in my career and then came to a stop. I lost five or six years of that time of your life where you are at the peak of your career. You had to give up a lot. The apology has never really come She is speaking now, ahead of the Infected Blood Inquirys final report on May 20, to try to push the Government to finally, after four decades, deliver justice. I want everybody to be treated with financial respect and also given an apology. It has never really come. For me it is all about the apology and the financial settlement which will show they were wrong. For me, the most important thing is to give the bloody money to the living first and foremost. Dont worry about me or anyone else, give them the money, give mine as well if it helps. After 15 years in the Lords, Baroness Campbell took a year out and is now back, hungry to bring about change once more. She never expected to be wading into the infected blood inquiry, which she says is really difficult for me to do, but is giving her voice to the campaign now. This is not what I wanted to do after a year out, she said as we flicked through her wedding photo album. But I think of Graham, and he would say: Do this for the boys. I am doing it for the boys, but I am also doing it for the girls. Listen to Bed of Lies, a six-part Telegraph podcast laying bare one of the biggest medical disasters in history, the Infected Blood scandal, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred podcast app. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Fallen heroes timeline: Remembering Charlotte police officers killed in the line of duty The fatal shooting of four law enforcement officers, including a U.S. Marshal, during a standoff in an east Charlotte neighborhood on Monday marked the first time in 17 years that an officer had been killed in the line of duty in Mecklenburg County. Through Charlotte Observer archives and records compiled by the Officer Down Memorial Page, nearly 30 law enforcement officers have died while on the job in Mecklenburg County over the last century. Here are their names. Feb. 16, 1924: John Fesperman Charlotte Rural Police Officer John Fesperman, 21, was shot and killed at a liquor raid. Fesperman was shot and killed by a suspect he was placing into custody at the scene. Fesperman had been appointed to the police force on the day he was killed. He was working in place of an officer who previously died in the line of duty. Sept. 30, 1927: Joseph Orr and John Byers Charlotte Police Chief of Detectives Joseph Orr, 48, and Det. John Byers, 32, died from injuries sustained in a car accident in China Grove, North Carolina. The detectives were driving from Charlotte to High Point, responding to a mock riot during a statewide police training exercise when the accident occurred. Byers passed away two days after the crash, and Orr succumbed to his injuries the day after the crash. Byers had served with the agency for two and a half years. He was survived by his wife and five children. Orr had served with the department for 15 years. He was survived by his wife and six children. Jan. 1, 1927: Robert Reid Charlotte Police Officer Robert Reid, 49, succumbed to injuries a day after being struck by a vehicle while directing traffic at the intersection of College Street and Trade Street. Jan. 22, 1929: Harvey Edgar Correll Charlotte Police Det. Harvey Correll, 40, was killed while he and another officer searched a home for stolen goods. Correll had been with the agency for just under five years. He was survived by his wife and five children. Aug. 30, 1929: William Rogers Mecklenburg County Police Officer William Rogers, 33, was killed during a shootout while investigating a vehicle linked to a series of robberies. Rogers had been with the department for six years. Oct. 21, 1929: Thomas Jenkins Charlotte Police Det. Thomas Jenkins, 48, was shot while making an arrest during a disturbance at the intersection of First and Davidson streets. During the arrest, one of the suspects grabbed an officers gun. The gun discharged during the struggle between the officer and the suspect, hitting Jenkins in the abdomen. The suspect was never caught. Jenkins had been with the agency for five years and previously served as a deputy sheriff with the York County Sheriffs Department for 15 years. He was survived by his wife, three sons, and a daughter. June 9, 1930: Benjamin Frye Charlotte Police Patrolman Benjamin Frye, 44, was shot and killed when he caught a burglar suspected of stealing chickens. The suspect opened fire on Frye, hitting him several times. A man arrested in 1933 for an unrelated charge later confessed to the murder but was later acquitted. April 17, 1936: Charles Nichols Charlotte Police Officer Charles Nichols, 60, was killed by a driver while on patrol at the intersection of Tryon Street and Third Street. He had been with the department for 10 years. Feb. 12, 1937: Rufus Biggers Mecklenburg County Police Officer Rufus Biggers, 47, was killed by a hit-and-run driver while escorting a school bus. The driver was never found. Jan. 1, 1938: John Rape Huntersville Police Chief John Rape, 34, was shot and killed during an encounter with a man who was standing in front of a bank. The suspect was never found. Rape was survived by his wife. April 12, 1941: Charlie Baker Charlie Baker, 36, suffered a fractured skull in an auto collision while on duty and died from his injuries five days later. He served as an officer for 10 years. Dec. 31, 1942: Ralph White Cornelius Police Patrolman Ralph White, 40, was killed after being electrocuted when he came into contact with a downed power line near the intersection of Catawba Avenue and Statesville Avenue At the time, the duties of Cornelius police officers included restoring power to the town following storms. White was survived by his wife and three children. May 21, 1960: Johnny Annas Charlotte Officer Johnny Annas was shot while breaking up street fight at South Church Street and West Summit Avenue. Charlotte Police Officer Johnny Annas, 25, was shot and killed while breaking up a street fight at South Church Street and West Summit Avenue. He was on the force for 18 months. Mellot Faust was convicted in Annas death and sentenced to death in July 1960. Then-Gov. Terry Sanford commuted his sentence, and he was paroled on Oct. 16, 1981. May 4, 1970: Lewis Robinson Mecklenburg County Police Sgt. Lewis Robinson, 44, was fatally shot while attempting to serve a warrant with eight other officers. The suspect had been hiding under a tree when he fired at the officers. Robinson was a U.S. Navy veteran and was survived by his wife and daughter. Oct. 18, 1970: Ronnie McGraw Mecklenburg County Police Officer Ronnie McGraw was shot in the back and chest while he and other officers raided a gambling house on East Fourth Street. McGraw was a U.S. Air Force veteran who served with the Mecklenburg County Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife and daughter. Nov. 23, 1981: Edmond Cannon Charlotte Police Officer Edmund Cannon, 26, was shot during a robbery at a convenience store in east Charlotte. He was on the force for four years. Ameen Kareem Abdullah, John Martin and Charles Brown were convicted in Cannons death and sentenced to life in prison. Cannon was the first Black police officer in Charlotte killed in the line of duty. He was survived by his son. July 1, 1982: Ernest Coleman Officer Ernest Coleman served in Charlotte for two and half years. Charlotte Police Officer Ernest Coleman, 31, was shot on Oaklawn Avenue while working as an off-duty security guard. He served as an officer in Charlotte for two and a half years. Richard Watson was convicted in his death and sentenced to life in prison in March 1983. Coleman was survived by his three children. May 21, 1985: Edmund Thomas Jr. Mecklenburg County Sherriffs Deputy Edmund Thomas suffered a fatal heart attack during a foot pursuit of a suspect. He had gone to a trailer park to arrest the suspect on a probation violation. He was transported to Charlotte Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Thomas was a U.S. Navy veteran. He was survived by his son and daughter. July 16, 1985: Timothy Whittington Charlotte Police Officer Timothy Whittington, 26, was shot while searching for a break-in suspect after a stabbing. Charlotte Police Officer Timothy Whittington, 26, was shot while searching for a break-in suspect after a stabbing on Tennyson Drive. He was a police officer for three years. The suspect, William Camp, was sentenced to 150 years in prison for killing Whittington and stabbing an 82-year-old man during a robbery. January 15, 1987: Robert Smith Charlotte Police Officer Robert Smith was on the force for seven years. Charlotte Police Officer Robert Smith, 27, was shot as he investigated reports of someone shooting into the Pawtuckett Condominiums near Little Rock Road. He was on the force for seven years at the time. Lawrence Graham LeRoux was convicted in the killing and sentenced to life in prison plus 60 years in December 1987. August 6, 1990: Terry Lyles Charlotte Police Officer Terry Lyles, 32, was shot while taking a prisoner to jail after a family disturbance at a residence in north Charlotte. He served in law enforcement for two and a half years. Police charged Calvin Christmas Cunningham, 43, of Charlotte, with murder. He was initially sentenced to death, then granted a new trial where he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Lyles was survived by his wife, parents, two brothers, two sisters, and a stepdaughter. Nov. 22, 1991: Eugene Griffin Lila Griffin, mother of slain Charlotte Police officer Eugene Griffin gets a hug from Officer D. J. Offnick at the Police Memorial near the Law Enforcement Center. BOB PADGETT Charlotte Police Officer Euguene Griffin, 42, was struck in the chest at close range by a shotgun blast at a motel where he moonlighted as a security guard. He died shortly afterward on the operating table at Carolinas Medical Center. Three 17-year-olds, Allen Lorenzo Gaines, Mustafa Coleman, and Brian Cornelius Harris, were charged with first-degree murder in his death. Two of the suspects were convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole, while the third pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Griffin had served with the Charlotte Police Department for 21 years. He was survived by his wife, two children, parents and brother. Oct. 6, 1993: Anthony Nobles and John Burnette Stan Norket, the stepfather of slain police Officer John Burnette, reads the inscription below the photographs of Burnette (left) and his partner Anthony Nobles, at a Peace Officers memorial service for fallen officers Friday at First Baptist Church in Charlotte. T. ORTEGA GAINES Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers Anthony Nobles, 26, and John Burnette, 27, were shot in the head as they chased two suspects through the woods behind a public housing complex in west Charlotte. The incident marked the first time a pair of CMPD officers were killed at the same time. Nobles had been employed with CMPD for four years and was survived by his parents and two brothers. Burnette served in the department for two and a half years and was survived by his mother, stepfather, and sister. The wounded pair were rushed to Carolinas Medical Center by backup officers who found them in the woods. They were pronounced dead. The city of Charlotte named a park and two streets in honor of the two officers. Sept. 29, 1998: Anthony Stancil Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Deputy Anthony Stancil was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and served with the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office for eight years. MECK SHERIFFS DEPT Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Deputy Anthony Stancil, 35, was killed working as an off-duty security guard when he tried to stop a suspected shoplifter in a grocery store parking lot in northeast Charlotte. The suspect, Samuel Emmanuel Mahatha, 23, was charged with murder. Stancil was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and served with the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office for eight years. He was survived at the time by his expecting wife and two children. July 17, 2002: Anthony Futrell Sgt. Anthony Scott Futrell was killed in a Civil Air patrol plane crash July 17, 2002. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Sgt. Anthony Futrell and two other officers were killed in a plane crash while searching for marijuana crops in eastern North Carolina. Approximately 90 minutes into the second flight of the day, the plane experienced problems and crashed. Witnesses saw the plane nose dive into the ground. Futrell was with CMPD for 15 years and was survived by his wife and two children. April 1, 2007: Sean Clark and Jeff Shelton CMPD Sean Clark and Jeff Shelton were killed in 2007 while responding to a call in northeast Charlotte. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officers Sean Clark, 34, and Jeff Shelton, 35, were shot and killed after responding to a disturbance call at Timber Ridge apartments in northeast Charlotte. The shooter, Demeatrius Antonio Montgomery, 25, of Charlotte, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Clark was a U.S. Air Force veteran who served with CMPD for a year. He was survived by his pregnant wife and 2-year-old son. Shelton served in the department for six years and was survived by his wife. Feb. 25, 2011: Fred Thornton CMPD Officer Fred Thornton was the longest tenured officer on the departments SWAT team with 23 years of service. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Fred Thornton, 50, was only a few months from retirement when a flash-bang device went off as he was securing his SWAT gear at his Mint Hill home. He underwent emergency surgery but later died as a result of his injuries. Thornton was the longest-tenured officer on the departments SWAT team, with 23 years of service. He left behind his wife, two daughters and two sons. Dec. 22, 2021: Mia Goodwin A portrait of Officer Mia Goodwin is displayed during the Mia Goodwin Memorial Service in Charlotte, NC on November 17, 2023. Isaiah Vazquez/ THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Mia Goodwin was killed when a tractor-trailer struck her patrol car on I-85 near W.T. Harris Boulevard. She was the first woman on the force killed in the line of duty. The driver of the tractor-trailer, Daniel Morgan, 52, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 16 to 29 months in prison. Goodwin was a member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for more than six years. She is survived by her husband and three children. In 2023, the W.T. Harris Boulevard Bridge, where she was killed, was renamed the Officer Mia Goodwin Bridge in her honor. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) The families of the two men killed in the SouthPark fire last May filed a lawsuit against the development and construction companies involved in the project. The wrongful death lawsuit was filed Thursday through the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, seeking $50,000 for each family. In it, the estates of construction workers Demonte Sherrill and Reuben Holmes claim willful and wanton disregard and violations of the laws and requirements regarding fire prevention and fire safety on construction sites. The May 18, 2023, 5-Alarm fire took place at the site of Modera South Park on Liberty Row Drive. The bodies of Sherrill and Holmes were found the next day. The suit states the alleged violations impeded firefighter rescue efforts and thwarted fire suppression efforts, thus allowing the fire to spread, until it killed the two workers. MORE FROM QUEEN CITY NEWS SOUTHPARK FIRE The defendants include Mill Creek Residential, SouthPark Charlotte Apartments, MCRT Carolinas Construction LLC (Modera South Park), MCRT Carolinas LLC, Mill Creek Residential Services LLC and Kentucky Overhead Door Inc. (Baker Insulation). Two of the companies already have been involved in litigation related to the blaze. Modera South Park ($46,875) and Baker Insulation ($6,250), reached settlements in January with the N.C. Department of Labor for reportedly violating several fire codes. Baker is the contractor that provided the spray foam for the apartment construction. Developer Mill Creek is accused of understanding that building podium-style apartments using primarily wood construction over a concrete podium were vulnerable to fire during construction, yet still proceeded using that approach on the Modera South Park project. The company wouldve known that such a fire could spread more rapidly than apartments comprised of other, less flammable materials, the suit states. The developers also are accused of not establishing a warning system to alert workers of a fire or another emergency. Nor was there an approved emergency telephone facility. There were reportedly fire sprinklers installed at the site, but the plaintiff says they were not approval by the Charlotte Fire Department. However, the system in either of the two buildings was not operational at the time of the fire. The developers were required to comply with the 2018 North Carolina Building Code in connection with the construction of the project, and before construction. Of the $50,000 sought for each family, $25,000 are for punitive damages and the rest for compensatory. Potential beneficiaries from the suit are Sherrills three children, ages 10, 13 and 15; and Holmes mother. The Charlotte Fire Department determined the blaze began in a trailer on the first floor of the building. Investigators determined multiple accidental heat sources were inside the trailer. As the fire was being doused, firefighters were able to rescue 15 people who were trapped inside the apartment building, including one worker who was stuck 210 feet above ground in a crane. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. He is family: Manhattan residents set up GoFundMe for beloved worker with cancer He is family: Manhattan residents set up GoFundMe for beloved worker with cancer MANHATTAN (PIX11) How do you say thank you to a man whos been part of the fabric of Upper East Side life for three decades? You throw a party for him at the restaurant where hes worked since the 1990s. Hes part of my family, Philip Philips, the former owner of The Mansion Restaurant, told PIX11 News. Bus tours NYC to support the Knicks and provide neighborhood basketball Hes as important as my own kids, he added. Earl Wilcox,73, has been a cherished figure in Yorkville, an Upper East Side neighborhood, for thirty years. And how he got his job helping out at the mansion restaurant is quite unusual. Earl was living in Carl Schurz Park. He was down there having some problems, John Philips, the present owner of The Mansion Restaurant, told PIX11 News. One of our tenants suggested we meet him, and we slowly developed a relationship with him, he added. Earl would do odd jobs around the restaurant and pick up the owners children at school. He eventually moved into the restaurants lower level and became a part of the family and neighborhood. Earl has been battling cancer for seven years and is now moving to Florida to spend his remaining time with his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. More than a hundred Upper East Siders joined in a farewell celebration at the mansion restaurant to say thank you for 30 years of friendship. I dont think there are words to say what they mean to him, Latoya Lawrence, Earls daughter, told PIX11 News. They took him in when he was sleeping on the street. They are his family, she added. To Earl Wilcoxs family in Florida, this outpouring of love from the Upper East Side means the world to them, and especially to Earl. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with medical expenses. Hes a phenomenal man, Tom Delehanty, a neighbor, told PIX11 News. Weve known him 20 years. Hes watched kids grow up. Hes going to be sorely missed, he added. And 11-year-old Max Philips added I just want to say thank you for all hes done in my life. Just getting to spend these final moments with him means a lot to me and my family, he added. As Earl was being hugged by well-wishers, fighting back tears, he said, Im thankful to be in New York. Its hurtful to leave. If youd like to make a donation, you can do so here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Phoenix Police told local media that the two girls died at the hospital Hussein Kassir/ Getty Photo illustration of swimming pool in a backyard during summer Two toddlers died this week in Phoenix, Arizona, after drowning in their at-home pool. In a May 2 statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Phoenix Fire Department (PFD) announced the tragic incident alongside an image of PFD's Capt. Rob McDade addressing local media near the scene. "Two three-year olds passed away in #PHX after they were pulled from a backyard pool near 67th avenue and Lower Buckeye Road on Thursday afternoon," the PFD's statement read, in part. Phoenix Police Department said in a statement on May 3, "On May 2, 2024, around 3:30 p.m., officers responded to a home in the area of 2800 South 65th Lane regarding a drowning call." At the scene, police and PFD discovered two children being given CPR by a family member before "Phoenix Fire took over life saving measures of the children." The twins, identified as Valentina Ruiz and Penelope Ruiz, were transported to a local hospital, however, "Tragically, they did not survive their injuries and were pronounced deceased," police said. Fox 10 reported that Capt. McDade said the twins' father had dialed 911 and was attempting to perform CPR on his daughters when firefighters arrived at the scene. Related: Ala. Mom Allegedly Tried to Drown Son, 10, in Bathtub. To Survive, He 'Played Dead': Docs "We had a father on scene attempting to do CPR on both children. You can imagine what that would look like and how taxing that would be," he also said, per Fox 10. Capt. McDade continued, "Remember a drowning is silent. Everybody thinks that you're going to hear your child asking for help. It's absolutely silent. So remember that. Again, it's a tragic day. It is a tremendous loss for this family and for this community," McDade added, per AZFamily, that the girls were in the water for an "undetermined amount of time." He said that their deaths marked the 6th and 7th child-drowning deaths in Phoenix in 2024. Footage of the scene showed police tape blocking off the area of the girls' neighborhood. AZFamily said that there was no fence around the pool itself. "Preliminary information suggests that this incident is consistent with an accidental drowning. At this time, there is nothing that investigators have found that appears suspicious," police said in their statement, adding that the investigation is "ongoing." Related: 2 Drowned After Man Tried to Save Woman Who Fell into Creek While Hiking in Tennessee On Facebook, Phoenix PD marked National Water Safety Month on May 3 by encouraging locals to "never leave children unattended near water and always stay vigilant." In a video shared on the platform, officials encouraged viewers to have "constant eyesight" while monitoring their swimming children and to avoid distractions. Sgt. Brian Bower said in the clip that those who discover a drowning child should be detailed in the information they share with officers, and that community members should consider "basic CPR classes." "Two seconds is too long to take your eyes off children near water," the fire department also wrote on Facebook. "Learn more about swimming lessons, CPR classes, and other resources by visiting Phoenix.gov/fire." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) Fayetteville police have arrested a man in connection with a deadly fentanyl overdose, according to a police report. Charles McGibbony, 47 (Courtesy: Washington County Jail) Charles McGibbony, 47, was arrested on May 1 on aggravated death by delivery charge and violation of probation charges. A preliminary report said on Jan. 17, Fayetteville police officers responded to East Zion Road for an unattended death. Linzie Baker was found dead from a drug overdose and drug paraphernalia was found nearby, according to the report. Autopsy results showed Baker died from fentanyl and methamphetamine toxicity. Six positive cases of xylazine mixed with other drugs found in NWA Police said text messages revealed that Baker was in a relationship with McGibbony, who made regular trips from Tulsa to buy fentanyl. The report said McGibbony was bringing her $70 worth of fentanyl he picked up in the Tulsa area. A witness told police they also were given fentanyl. McGibbony messaged another person, telling them he only gave Baker the tiniest amount all wrapped up. The last message Baker sent to McGibbony showed she received the fentanyl and was upset she didnt receive more for what she paid. She told him to bring her more or send money back, according to the report. On May 1, McGibbony spoke with police and he confirmed he met with Baker. He said he gave her some fentanyl but believed she gave it to someone else. He told police that she wanted more but he did not give her any more. River Valley law enforcement agencies take down drug operation McGibbony previously was sentenced to 72 months of probation in April 2023 after he pled guilty to terroristic threatening, possession of controlled substances, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Aggravated death by delivery is a new charge that was created by the passage of Act 584 in April 2023, also known as the Fentanyl Enforcement and Accountability Act, by the Arkansas House of Representatives. The charge is applied when a person gives fentanyl or another controlled substance to someone who dies from it, according to the law. McGibbony is being held in the Washington County Jail on a $25,000 bond and has a court date set for June 3. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. A federal judge has ruled that some of North Carolinas abortion pill restrictions are unlawful. MORE: SCOTUS hears arguments over access to abortion pill mifepristone Its over the drug Mifepristone. The recent ruling is a victory for a physician who is suing state and local prosecutors, along with state health and medical officials. Down in Florida, the six-week abortion ban has been passed, making North Carolina the last state in the southeast without a near-total ban. But physician Dr. Erica Pettigrew says the states current 12-week abortion ban is still creating hoops for women to jump through. The medical community was begging politicians in Raleigh not to pass any more restrictions on abortion, Pettigrew said, but they did anyway, and that was directly because Trumps policies led to them being allowed to do that. Pettigrew is nervous that doctors will begin leaving the Tarheel state if lawmakers pass stricter laws. Abortion impact Cabarrus County State Representative Diamond Staton-Williams says the move is a step toward restoring womens health in the state. Having access to medical abortions, pills, and abortions, period, is in the best benefit for women, Staton-Williams told Channel 9s Eli Brand. Proponents of restrictions, like Dr. William Pincus with North Carolina Right to Life, say theyre happy the judge upheld laws requiring an ultrasound and blood test before the pills are given. Pincus says he does worry where courts could be heading with their decision making. Most pro-life laws are challenged by the abortion industry; part of that is because abortion is very lucrative, Pincus said. Both Staton-Williams and Pincus say the fight over abortion is far from over in North Carolina. It does give me hope. It does give me the ability to continue to fight. I think most women want to be in this fight to help other women, Staton-Williams said. Pincus says the growing number of women coming to North Carolina to seek an abortion affects his stance. We have concern that there is going to be a flood of women from the Southeast that is seeking abortions, that come to North Carolina, so we would like to strengthen our abortion laws, Pincus said. (WATCH BELOW: After having illegal abortion 50 years ago, NC woman fears impact of 12-week ban) DENVER (KDVR) A federal judge on Thursday denied an effort to block Colorados ban on ghost guns, finding that the law does not infringe on the Second Amendment right to bear arms. National Association for Gun Rights and its Colorado affiliate, Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, along with three of the groups members, filed the lawsuit in January to challenge the prohibition on unserialized 3D-printed firearms. They argued the law was unconstitutional and sought an injunction. Polis signs bill to assign firearm code to gun, ammo purchases Judge Gordon P. Gallagher found that Colorados law does not prevent an individual from buying an unfinished frame or receiver or firearms part kit and in no way infringes on the right to acquire arms. It instead imposes a condition on the commercial sale of a firearm, which the U.S. Supreme Court has recently found constitutional, the judge wrote. Under the law, buyers must have the frame or receiver serialized by a federal firearms licensee, including for past purchases, and get a background check. State Sen. Rhonda Fields was a prime sponsor of the legislation. No one should be able to produce an unregulated, unserialized gun in their home and basement, Fields, D-Aurora, wrote in a statement. Ghost guns are far too prevalent and extremely dangerous, which is why we passed commonsense legislation to crack down on the possession, sale, and transfer of these unserialized firearms. FOX31 reached out to Rocky Mountain Gun Owners on Friday, but no one with the group was available for an interview. Denver police chief: No legal way to sweep Auraria Campus protesters Meanwhile, the regulation of ghost guns is set to go before the U.S. Supreme Court. The justices have agreed to take up a Biden administration rule that changes the federal definition of a firearm to include unfinished parts. The move requires the parts to be licensed and include serial numbers, and sales would require background checks. A U.S. District judge in Texas struck down the rule last year, and a federal appellate panel largely upheld the judges ruling. Now it will go before the nations high court in the fall or later. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. The Department of Justice sued the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on Friday accusing the prison system of discriminating against its employee based on their religion. Credit: Martin do Nascimento for The Texas Tribune The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Friday accusing the Texas Department of Criminal Justice of discriminating against one of its former employees based on her religious beliefs. The federal lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of Texas, alleges that the state agency denied Franches Spears religious accommodations by refusing to allow the non-uniformed employee to wear a head covering, according to court documents. Employers cannot require employees to forfeit their religious beliefs or improperly question the sincerity of those beliefs, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division, said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. This lawsuit is a reminder to all employers of their clear legal obligation to offer reasonable religious accommodations. In our country, employers cannot force an employee to choose between their faith and their job. The lawsuit alleges the Texas prison agencys refusal to accommodate Spears religious practice violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964. TDCJ does not comment on pending litigation, but the agency respects the religious rights of all employees and inmates, Hannah Haney, the agencys deputy director of communications, told The Texas Tribune in a statement. In July 2019, Spears was hired to work as a clerk at the Pam Lychner State Jail, a TDCJ facility in Humble, northeast of Houston. In line with her Ifa beliefs, Spears began wearing a headscarf to work in September 2019. Ifa, a West African religion, dictates that some of its practitioners cover their head with a head dressing during periods of religious ceremony, mourning, or to protect her spiritual power, the complaint read. Shortly after Spears began wearing the covering, she met with Human Resources Specialist Elizabeth Fisk to explain the religious significance behind the head dressing. According to the complaint, Fisk responded to Spears by saying, Basically you just pray to a rock. Fisk told Spears that she could either remove her headscarf and continue working or go home until the agency decided on her religious accommodation request. TDCJ placed Spears on unpaid leave, according to court filings. TDCJ further questioned the sincerity of Spearss faith when Bailey mailed a letter demanding documentation or a statement from a religious institution pointing to the specific Ifa belief or doctrine that supported the necessity of Spearss head covering, the complaint read, referring to testimony from TDCJs Religious Accommodation Coordinator Terry Bailey. While TDCJ was considering Spears request for religious accommodation she received a salary warrant letter from the agency in November 2019. She understood the letter as a termination notice demanding the return of TDCJ property, like identification cards and keys, in order to receive her final paycheck. In February 2020, Spears filed a complaint against TDCJ with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The federal agency found reasonable cause that TDCJ discriminated against Spears and attempted to resolve the issue through mediation. When that failed, the EEOC referred the case to the DOJ. The complaint asks TDCJ to compensate Spears for lost wages and other damages related to the incident. Additionally, the Justice Department wants the Texas agency to institute religious accommodation policies. Weve got big things in store for you at The Texas Tribune Festival, happening Sept. 57 in downtown Austin. Join us for three days of big, bold conversations about politics, public policy and the days news. The man who was shot last month during a standoff with police in the parking lot of a Target in Woodbury now faces multiple felony charges. Donald Eugene Roche, 61, of Rockford, Minn., was charged Friday in Washington County District Court with two counts of second-degree assault, one count of financial transaction card fraud and one count of third-degree burglary in connection with the events that occurred on the morning of April 22. Roche is accused of stealing a wallet from a lunch box in a break room at a construction site in Oakdale around 8:30 a.m. April 22, which he then allegedly used to make fraudulent purchases of more than $3,000 at the Home Depot and at the Target store in Valley Creek Plaza in Woodbury, according to the criminal complaint. The purchases included four impact wrenches, an iPad, a package of socks, a $200 Visa gift card and two Tracfone minute cards, the complaint states. Roche also allegedly attempted additional transactions totaling more than $7,000 that were declined, according to the complaint. The owner of the wallet began receiving text alerts that his credit cards and debit card had been used to make unauthorized purchases, the complaint states. Police were able to locate the Honda Odyssey van with Illinois plates that Roche was driving through a license-plate reader near the construction site, according to the complaint. Police used license-plate readers and surveillance cameras to track Roche to Woodbury, the complaint states. The readers alerted police that the Honda Odyssey had been reported as stolen near St. Louis on March 22, according to the complaint. Around 9:15 a.m. April 22, officers located the Honda Odyssey in the Target parking lot and discovered that the steering column appeared damaged, the complaint states. As officers waited for Roche to return, they received a photo of the suspect from officers in Missouri. He appeared to be a 50-60 year old white man, thin build, wearing a black Carhartt long sleeve shirt, the complaint states. Roche barricaded himself in the stolen van in the parking lot when officers tried to arrest him. Law enforcement attempted to negotiate with Roche for more than an hour, according to the complaint. Eventually, Roche exited the van with a black revolver in his hand, at which point law enforcement attempted to subdue him with less-than-lethal and nonlethal force, the complaint states. Officers shot him when he continued to ignore commands to drop the gun and pointed a 4.5-mm BB CO2-powered Crossman revolver that had the appearance of a firearm at police. Related Articles The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension determined the pistol-style BB gun used by Roche fires projectiles capable of death or great bodily harm including permanent scarring, punctured skin, and permanent eye damage, prosecutors said in a statement. Roche is charged with two counts of second-degree assault and one count each of credit card fraud and third-degree burglary. These charges are limited to Roches actions, and the use of force by law enforcement remains under investigation, according to the statement. Roche was listed in stable condition at Regions Hospital in St. Paul on Friday. He will be transferred to police custody when he is released. The officers who fired at Roche were Washington County sheriffs deputy Brian Krook and Woodbury police officer James Stoffel. Both are on standard administrative leave, the BCA said. The BCA continues to investigate law enforcements use of force and will present findings without a charging recommendation once the investigation is complete, according to the statement. The Washington County Attorneys Office will then review the findings and determine whether the use of force was justified. A heated Democratic primary contest for U.S. Senate is raising concerns about the potential for a fractured party heading into the general elections in November, when the winner is almost certain to face popular former Gov. Larry Hogan (R). U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-6th) and Prince Georges Couty Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) are locked in a pitched battle atop a field of eight other candidates for the Democratic nomination to succeed retiring Sen. Ben Cardin (D). Both sides are pointing at their opponent, blaming the other for what they said is bitter campaign rhetoric. But as the campaigns head into the final week of early voting before the May 14 election day, state Treasurer Dereck Davis (D) says Trones words threaten to divide the party headed into November. State Treasurer Dereck Davis (D). File photo by Bryan P. Sears. I think folks will unify to the degree that we can but words do matter, said Davis, who has endorsed Alsobrooks. The more divisive the rhetoric, the more personal it gets, the longer it takes for that healing process to occur. And Larry Hogan is no joke. He is going to be one heck of a candidate. As soon as the party is able to unify behind the winner and run united, I think the greater our chances are. But this tone thats taking place, this level of discourse is taking place, its going to require more healing. Of particular concern to Davis was a recent television news report featuring both candidates. Trone, in that interview on NBC 4 in Washington, made a comment Davis said was dismissive of the lengthy list of officials from Prince Georges County who endorsed Alsobrooks. People that know the county best, ironically, all came to us, Trone said in the interview that aired Wednesday. The people in Prince Georges County that stuck with [Alsobrooks] are the low-level folks. Top-level folks: thats called the attorney general, I think. I think thats called the states attorney. I think thats called the senior senator. I think theyre the top-level folks. Trone was referring to three of his backers: Attorney General Anthony Brown (D), Prince Georges States Attorney Aisha Braveboy (D), and state Sen. Joanne C. Benson (D-Prince Georges). Davis said Trones rhetoric in that interview and in other instances really wreaked havoc in our county. Its fine for elected officials to support whomever they deem is the best choice, Davis said. I dont have any problem with that and if its not Angela, you know, so be it. Theyre entitled to their opinion. But when we start demeaning, or belittling the accomplishments of others, I think that crosses the line and thats where you start getting elected official against the executive official, the community against each other. That thats just not warranted. A Trone spokesperson, Joe Bowen, said Trone grew frustrated during the TV interview because Prince Georges County officials who have endorsed him have been diminished by Alsobrooks allies because theyve taken campaign contributions from Trone. And these are those Top Level people he talked about . I wonder when hes going to pay off more of their campaign debts. Last report shows at least one has huge one. pic.twitter.com/WvPSMBHRYF Susie Turnbull (@SusanWTurnbull) May 2, 2024 He made that point very badly, Bowen conceded. Hes apologetic about that but the facts are the facts, Bowen continued. Angela has been in elected office in Prince Georges County since 2015. She was endorsed by the vast majority of the legislators, but the folks who have served Prince Georges the longest, who served our state the longest, who know her the best have endorsed David Trone. I think that the things that those elected officials have to say deserve to be heard. And I think the voters also deserve to understand why they chose to make those decisions. And in that interview, David was frustrated that that part of the question never seems to come up. Trone supporters including, House Health and Government Operations Chair Joseline A. Pena-Melnyk (D-Prince Georges and Anne Arundel), dismissed concerns that the Democratic primary will divide the party in November. Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk (D-Prince Georges and Anne Arundel). Photo by Bryan P. Sears. Lets focus on the issues, said Pena-Melnyk. Theres too much at stake: womens [reproductive] choice health care, the economy, immigration. Lets focus on the issues. And I hope that after we are done, whoever wins, that we can all come together, and we can work hard to fight to make sure that Hogan does not get elected. Pena-Melnyk said Democrats need to avoid what she called the mistakes of the recent past when Brown, who was then the lieutenant governor, lost the 2014 race for governor to Hogan, the Republican. Thats what matters, she said. We cannot make the mistake again because weve been here before with Anthony Brown, where some people were never truly on board afterwards. We cannot make that mistake. We cant afford to do that again. This is the second time in a week that allies of Alsobrooks have publicly criticized Trone over commercials or interviews. Earlier this week, Alsobrooks supporters took umbrage with Trone over an ad they said portrayed Alsobrooks was unqualified for the Senate. The TV spot features a lineup of current and former elected officials from Prince Georges County. All those featured had already endorsed Trone. The otherwise innocuous campaign ad got spicy when County Councilmember Edward Burroughs III (D) says: The U.S. Senate is not a place for training wheels. Nearly two-dozen Alsobrooks supporters, in a news conference organized by Prince Georges County Council President Jolene Ivey (D), blasted Trone for the swipe. Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D). Photo by Danielle E. Gaines. It is frustrating that Congressman Trone is using his millions to attack Angela and continues to make remarks that alienate core constituencies of our Democratic base, said Gina Ford, a spokesperson for the Alsobrooks campaign. Angela continues to prove with every passing day that she is the only candidate who can defeat Larry Hogan in November she has the broad coalition, the uplifting message, and the disciplined focus on the issues that matter most to Marylanders. Elections are about the future, and Angela is the only candidate speaking to that. The ad has since been re-cut, eliminating the training wheels comment and replacing it with additional footage of Benson and correcting an error in the ad pertaining to Trones work in Congress. Our team noticed a typographical error in the number of bills that David has passed through Congress, according to a statement released by the Trone campaign. While fixing that error, our editors found additional footage of our endorsers that they found compelling and chose to make a number of additional edits. All of the changes were made Friday evening, prior to the original ad being released. Despite the edit, Trone used a similar phrase during the May 1 NBC 4 television interview. This job is not for someone on training wheels, Trone said in the interview. This job is really for someone thats really been doing the work and understands the relationships. To Davis, Trones words ring of self-criticism. The irony is he and some of his advocates mentioned training wheels, Davis said. The congressman has only been there five years. I mean, hes not a grizzled veteran. And if you look at the irony of the statement, the House of Representatives is a co-equal branch to the Senate. And yet when he ran six years ago, for Congress, he had zero experience. Now after six years or coming up on six years, youre in a position to talk about someone else needing training wheels? Davis said it is another example of Trone putting his foot in his mouth and noted Trones inadvertent use of a racial slur during a House budget hearing. In March, Trone issued an apology after using the derogatory term, saying he mistakenly used the word having meant to say bugaboo. Only afterwards did he learn the verbal miscue was offensive to Blacks, he said in his apology. I think his own experience is showing in his own sort of lack of deft political touch, Davis said. In a statement, Bowen, the Trone spokesperson, said the criticisms are a diversion. The elected leaders featured in this ad endorsed David Trone because they know that he is the only candidate focused on putting people over politics and delivering real results for their communities, he said. While David has focused on the ways that Washington is broken and proposed bold ideas that can fix Washington, our opponents and their supporters have fixated on which politicians have what status. Elected leaders like Attorney General Anthony Brown, State Senator Joanne Benson, Chairwoman Joseline Pena-Melnyk and States Attorney Aisha Braveboy have worked closely with David for years, and they endorsed David for the United States Senate because they know he will beat Larry Hogan because David Trone is the most effective legislator in Marylands federal delegation, and Marylanders want a Senator who can get the job done in a divided Senate. Disclosure: The David and June Trone Family Foundation was a financial supporter of Maryland Matters in 2017 and 2018. The post Final days of heated Senate campaign have some worried about healing party divisions appeared first on Maryland Matters. Though this is the second New York trial Trump is attending it appears the former president has not learned many lessons about appeasing judges. Though this is the second New York trial Trump is attending it appears the former president has not learned many lessons about appeasing judges. Photograph: Mark Peterson/EPA It was deja vu for Donald Trump at his Manhattan criminal trial this week in more ways than one. Six months ago a New York judge threatened to throw a former US president in prison for violating a gag order. Remarkably, in a courthouse up the street just six months later, Trump was again threatened with jail time. Related: Trump trial judge dismisses ex-presidents claim he cannot testify The defendant is hereby warned that the court will not tolerate continued willful violations of its lawful orders and that if necessary and appropriate under the circumstances, it will impose an incarceratory punishment, Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing Trumps criminal hush-money trial, wrote when ruling Trump had violated his latest gag order. On Tuesday, the former president was hit with a $9,000 fine and held in contempt of court, a crime that appears on a criminal record, for violating Merchans gag order. Under the gag order, Trump cannot publicly speak about prosecutors, witnesses, jurors, court staff and their relatives. Prosecutors argued that Trump had violated the order 10 times. Merchan ruled that he had nine violations. Though this is the second New York trial Trump is attending and this time, it is criminal not civil and his attendance is not optional it appears the former president has not learned many lessons from his fraud trial about appeasing judges. Trump faces 34 felony counts for falsifying business records, allegedly marking a hush-money payment as legal service fees on business records. The $130,000 payment was made to the adult film actror Stormy Daniels to cover up her story of an alleged 2006 affair with Trump during the 2016 election. While his criminal case is being heard by a jury, if he is found guilty, Merchan will decide his sentence, which could include prison time. The trial wrapped up its third week, its second week of testimony. Seven witnesses have testified so far. It is unclear whether Trump will testify. But it is clear that he will test Merchans tattered patience to its limits. Prosecutors on Thursday said Trump had already violated the gag order another four times, twice for comments about Michael Cohen, Trumps former consigliere turned bete noir and an upcoming witness in the case, along with one comment about the jury and another on David Pecker, the former CEO of American Media Inc (AMI) and publisher of the National Enquirer, who testified in the trial last week. Prosecutors said they were not seeking imprisonment, which would delay proceedings, but were seeking further fines. Merchan has not ruled on these additional gag order violations. Trumps lawyer Todd Blanche reiterated that Trump was responding to attacks levied against him. Everybody can say whatever they want, except President Trump, Blanche said. As if these shades of trials past were not enough, Trump on Thursday found himself yet again in a courtroom, listening to the voice of Michael Cohen. Its been over six months since he sat a few feet away from Cohen when his former fixer, once his most loyal follower, testified against him during his fraud trial. And on Thursday, Cohens voice once again echoed in a courtroom. I need to open up a company for the transfer of all that info regarding our friend, David, Cohen said in an audio recording from 2016, presumably referring to Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer who helped him facilitate hush-money payments during the 2016 election. Though Cohen himself was not in the courtroom, his presence loomed large during the testimony of witnesses. Cohen served as an intermediary between Pecker and Trump, and Cohen was the one who ultimately paid Daniels off to kill her story. So far, the trials two biggest witnesses, Pecker and Keith Davidson, a former lawyer for Daniels and Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model who Pecker paid $150,000 to keep quiet about her alleged 2006 affair with Trump, both emphasized the key role Cohen played in quashing the stories. It is unclear when prosecutors will call on Cohen to testify, but they are already gearing up for attacks on his reliability as a witness. Cohen in 2018 was sentenced to three years in prison for crimes related to Trump, including violating campaign finance laws and lying to Congress. In March, a federal judge denied Cohens request for early release from court supervision, calling into question Cohens honesty in court. When testifying at Trumps fraud trial in the fall, Cohen said that he did not commit tax evasion, even though he pleaded guilty to the crime in 2018. Related: Theyre back: Cohen and Avenatti return to spotlight at Trump trial Trumps lawyers have already suggested they are ready to attack the star witnesss credibility, attempting to paint Cohen as a disgruntled former employee out for revenge. But prosecutors on Tuesday seemed to want to get ahead of their attacks. When Davidson was on the witness stand on Thursday, prosecutors had him tell the jury about a 2016 phone call he had with Cohen after the election. Jesus Christ, can you believe Im not going to Washington? Davidson recalled Cohen telling him. After everything Ive done for that fucking guy, I cant believe Im not going to Washington. Though prosecutors had Davidson confirm that Cohen was, in fact, a disgruntled employee, he and other witnesses have also corroborated that Cohen played a key role in quashing the negative stories about Trump and managing the hush-money payment at the center of the case. And even if Trumps lawyers are aggressive with Cohen on the stand, as they were during his testimony last fall, prosecutors this past week made clear they have additional evidence to help make their case. Would you break away from the entire, well call it, Trump doctrine? Would you go completely rogue? Cohen lamented to Davidson in a 2016 audio recording. Nobodys thinking about Michael. As we head into week four of Trumps criminal trial, Cohen can rest assured that plenty of people are thinking about Michael. Especially Donald Trump. Fires still being extinguished in Kharkiv after Shahed drone attack photo Firefighters are still dealing with the aftermath of Russia's large-scale drone attacks on the city of Kharkiv as of the morning of 4 May. Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Details: The State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported that three fires at different addresses were recorded as a result of the nighttime large-scale drone attack on Kharkiv. A fire. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine The largest fire broke out in warehouses, with a total area of approximately 3,000 square metres. A fire. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Background: Two strikes by the Russian Shahed attack drones were recorded in the city of Kharkiv on the night of 3-4 May. A total of four people were injured, including a child. Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of Ukraine's Air Force, reported that the Russians launched 13 Shahed attack drones on the night of 3-4 May and Ukraines air defence destroyed all of them. Support UP or become our patron! First responders flood to Charlotte from across country for CMPD services First responders flood to Charlotte from across country for CMPD services CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) The deaths of four law enforcement officers have placed Charlotte in the national spotlight this week. First responders from across the country poured into uptown this morning to pay their final respects to fallen Charlotte Mecklenburg Police officer Joshua Eyer. Agencies from all across the Carolinas and entire county were represented for the processional and services. Those included first responders past and present from Texas, New York City and New Jersey. It left many who attended speechless. I mean it is profound. I cant believe the outpouring of support for this officer, said former New Jersey firefighter Charles Keith. MORE FROM QUEEN CITY NEWS SHANNON PARK SHOOTING There were law enforcement officers, military personnel, and other first responders who became one unit at the end of a tragic week in the Queen City. Many of them did not know Eyer personally, but felt drawn to honor his life. Having been a former firefighter up in New Jersey, I felt the need to come out here and honor this guy for his service to the community, Keith said. However, retired National Guard Staff Sgt. Leah Beesmer-Gutierrez did know Eyer. They met more than a decade ago as soldiers and have stayed in touch ever since. Because it doesnt matter if you knew him or not, she said in near First Baptist Church. It is still that massive brotherhood and sisterhood. It is just a way to honor and give respect to those that have fallen. Bagpipes led the processional from CMPD headquarters to First Baptist Church Charlotte. Whether theyve served alongside him or learned Eyers name after his death, each man and women in uniform stood in solidarity to pay their respects. This man gave the ultimate sacrifice for the city, Keith said. Its one of the saddest days Ive ever seen in Charlotte. Agencies that werent present at Fridays events helped the community in other ways. Other Mecklenburg County departments stepped in to help answer calls for service in Charlotte during the funeral: Matthews, Huntersville and Pineville police departments. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Five Catholic schools forced to close their doors by end of school year Five Catholic schools forced to close their doors by end of school year NEW YORK (PIX11) Five Catholic schools in NYC are slated for closure at the end of the current academic year, citing declining enrollment and financial strain. Deacon Kevin McCormack, Superintendent of Schools for the Brooklyn Diocese, made the announcement on Friday. NYU calls in NYPD to clear out pro-Palestinian protest encampment The situation really comes down to two things, Deacon McCormack said. First is the declining enrollment, and with declining enrollment comes a crippling debt and deficit that goes through that. The schools slated for closure are: St. Matthias in Ridgewood, Queens St. Catherine St. Theresa in East Flatbush Salve Regina in East New York (Brooklyn Diocese) St. Simon Stock in the Bronx Transfiguration School in Westchester (Archdiocese of New York) Despite the closures, Deacon McCormack emphasized the vital role Catholic schools play in shaping well-rounded individuals. What the Catholic School does is it gives us, uh a cutting edge academics. It gives a dignified discipline, and it also gives a, rooted in a Catholic imagination. It allows people to see the grace of God in the midst that they do, he said. Cop rescues small black and white kitten in Brooklyn: video Deacon McCormack also pointed out the financial challenges faced by Catholic schools compared to charter schools. We also have a big competition with charter schools, which are funded by state and city coffers, and Catholic schools, which have a proven record for almost two centuries. Um, were out of the loop on that, he said. The Diocese has launched a website to assist students and parents in finding alternative schools within the area. All payments made towards the 2024/25 school year will be refunded, and new registration fees will be waived. Deacon McCormack concluded by making a plea for support. We need people who are graduates of Catholic schools to support the system We also can encourage people to be part of our schools he said. According to Deacon McCormack, each of the schools will complete the current academic year before closing their doors. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Flags at half-staff this weekend in honor of fallen firefighters On May 5, flags will be lowered to half-staff as fallen firefighters around the country are remembered during the 43rd National Fallen Firefighter Memorial weekend. Governor Jay Inslee has directed all state agency facilities to lower the United States and Washington State flags to half-staff on Sunday, May 5, and as early as the close of business on Friday, May 3. Fire departments around the state will honor and remember the fallen at events and on social media. This weekend May 4th and 5th marks the 43rd National Fallen Firefighter Memorial Weekend. Please take a moment and think of those brave firefighter who have died in the line of duty. We thank you for your sacrifice. #FallenFirefighterMemorial pic.twitter.com/LTwc3hOxbI WA Fire Marshal (@wafiremarshal) May 4, 2024 Firefighters have always had our backs; as a Nation, we have to have theirs, President Biden proclaimed. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will hold a candlelight vigil on May 4 at 4:30 p.m. PST followed by the memorial service on May 5 at 7 a.m. PST on their website, YouTube, and Facebook page. In 2023, 89 firefighters lost their lives around the nation, NFFF said. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Former San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher is asking the court in new filings to order the disclosure of communications about him between the ex-MTS employee who accused him of sexual misconduct and her best friend. Fletcher began fighting to access these messages between Grecia Figueroa and the friend, identified as Danielle Radin, last year after she was named as one of three witnesses that were made aware of the alleged instances of sexual assault and harassment detailed in her lawsuit. Radin, who is a Los Angeles-based journalist, previously worked at FOX 5 San Diego before the events at the center of the case transpired. In a motion to compel filed on Monday, Fletchers attorneys said they believe these messages would affirm his recounting of their interactions as consensual. Timeline: Unfolding of the Nathan Fletcher scandal Some of these texts have been released to the former supervisor by Figueroa, although his attorneys contend that the entire trove of messages has yet to be produced. The existing messages, Fletcher says, were incomplete, curated, and annotated. Fletcher specifically points to disclosed texts dated Nov. 4, 2021 and Aug. 31, 2022, saying that no communications were produced prior to the first message on Nov. 4 or during the 10-month period in between those days. This is despite the claim in Figueroas lawsuit that communication with Fletcher began in early 2021 before escalating to the first instances of alleged sexual assault in the summer of 2022, according to the new filings. The contents of the messages that have been disclosed were redacted from the new court documents due to an existing protective order in the case. However, his attorneys claim that it was clear that other, prior communications concerning Mr. Fletcher existed. On Feb. 9, a subpoena was issued to Radin to obtain the remainder of these messages, although an attorney for the journalist said that she would not be disclosing the texts due to patient-counselor privileges. Radin is a purportedly a certified domestic violence counselor. During a March hearing, Figueroa also mentioned this concern about releasing possibly privileged communications, saying she was under the impression that these texts were with the then-unnamed friend in her capacity as a counselor. Radin has since parted ways with two attorneys, including her father who served as retained counsel. Figueroa similarly has cycled through two sets of attorneys before securing her current counsel last month several weeks after she filed to represent herself, on March 22. FOX 5/KUSI reached out to Figueroas new counsel and Radin for statement on the new filings and is awaiting response. However, Figueroa has previously refuted the suggestion by Fletcher the two parties squabbles over what evidence should be included in the scope of the case were attempts to willfully withhold documents. In an email sent to Fletchers attorneys the day before parting ways, one of Figueroas attorneys with The Pride Firm, Zachary Freire-Avina, said: At all relevant times, we have reminded you that discovery is ongoing, and Ms. Figueroa may amend her responses/production at any time as documents/things become known to her. He added that some delays had come in the course of seeking assurances that those materials would be protected by the court. Top officer sues MTS for retaliation over fallout of Nathan Fletcher scandal Ms. Figueroa has exercised good faith and diligence in the face of your offices staggering 208 document requests many of which refer to other documents/exhibits in contravention of discovery practices, he continued. A hearing in the case was previously scheduled for Friday, but it was continued to May 17 to provide time for Figueroas new counsel to meet with Fletchers. The civil trial in the case is scheduled to begin in early February 2025. Fletcher also has an ongoing countersuit against Figueroa for defamation, alleging that she knowingly and intentionally made false statements while pursuing her lawsuit. The timeline for that case has not been laid out by the court. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. 3 dead, including 5-year-old boy, as Texas flooding eases: 'We are out of the woods now' After days of severe flooding throughout the South, Harris County, Texas Judge Lina Hidalgo said that Harris County is "out of the woods now." The flooding easing up comes after three people, two adults and one child, died in Texas as a result of the storm, Texas Governor Greg Abbott confirmed in a press conference Monday. Abbott said that a total of 91 counties in Texas have been impacted by the storm, which is more than a third of all Texas counties. PHOTO: In this screen grab from a video, first responders conduct a river rescue during a flood in Splendora, Texas, on May 3, 2024. (KTRK) Although the bulk of the storm has subsided, Abbott cautioned residents that river levels will rise in the coming days. On Sunday, a 5-year-old boy was found dead in Johnson County, Texas, according to officials. Emergency management officials said they got a call for a vehicle stuck in swift-moving water at 1:53 a.m. local time on Sunday. MORE: Brazil flooding: At least 75 people have died and 103 are missing, authorities say The vehicle was occupied by two adults, one male and one female, and a 5-year-old male who attempted to leave the vehicle to get to dry ground on foot when they were swept into the flood waters, officials said. PHOTO: In this screen grab from a video, floodwaters are shown in a residential neighborhood in Conroe, Texas, on May 3, 2024. (KTRK) The two adults were both rescued around 5:00 a.m. Sunday and transported to a local hospital, while the 5-year-old was found dead in the water around 7:20 a.m., officials said. In Conroe, Texas, a police officer from the Conroe Police Department, Lt. James "Jimmy" Waller, died on Friday from injuries from a tornado that formed from the storm. MORE: Earth Day 2024 report card: Experts address America's climate change action Abbott said Waller was caught in a confirmed EF-1 tornado which the National Weather Service said had 100 mph winds. The third death in Texas was in Bosque County. Abbott confirmed an adult man was swept away due to rushing waters in the flood. In Harris County, Hidalgo said Monday that, in total, 233 people and 186 pets were rescued by Harris County authorities during the rainstorm. Hidalgo said residents can expect to "see the light at the end of the tunnel," as looking forward, there are no major threats from the rain. Hidalgo lifted the mandatory evacuation order Monday, saying that it is now OK for people to go home. Across parts of the country, the first scorching heat wave of the year could happen by the middle of the week as temperatures across much of the south are expected to jump into the 90s and 100s. 3 dead, including 5-year-old boy, as Texas flooding eases: 'We are out of the woods now' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Flood watch extended for Houston as more heavy rain is expected throughout weekend A flood watch has been extended into Sunday for Houston following catastrophic flooding that turned backyards and streets into rivers and prompted water rescues in nearby communities. Parts of South Texas, including Harris County, home to Houston, have been hit with heavy rain. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the county governments top executive, declared a disaster Thursday as mandatory evacuations were ordered along the East Fork of the San Jacinto River. Photos posted on social media by Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez showed streets completely covered as first responders brought residents to safety. A firefighter carries a resident evacuated in a boat. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle via Getty Images) "Heroes," Gonzalez captioned a series of photos of rescuers carrying small children and dogs. Hidalgo said in a video posted Friday night that the water along the East Fork of the San Jacinto River almost completely covered mailboxes in some areas and had reached up to the roofs of homes in others. The Harris County Sheriffs Office said it rescued 73 people and 42 animals between Tuesday and Saturday morning. At a news conference on Saturday, Hidalgo said the numbers had increased to 178 people and 122 pets rescued across the county. In Montgomery County, Texas, 52 people were rescued from "life-threatening situations" and 338 needed to be evacuated from their homes, said Trey Baxter with the Montgomery County's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. More than 90 animals were also evacuated, he said. The American Red Cross was providing aid to residents in Texas and had nine shelters open. "Since sheltering operations began we, along with help from our local, county, and state partners, have provided more than 370 overnight stays for nearly 230 residents," the organization said in a statement Saturday. "As of last night, we had more than 200 people in our care. Our teams are ready to respond should the demand increase." Four million people across the Southern High Plains are at risk for strong to severe thunderstorms Saturday night, including the Texas cities of Austin, Odessa, Lubbock, and Abilene. Hail, a few tornadoes, and damaging wind gusts are all possible. In West Texas, multiple tornadoes were reported, but it wasnt immediately clear if casualties or serious damage resulted. The National Weather Service office in Midland said trained spotters reported two, including one near Kermit, and one along Highway 285 south of Fort Stockton. A third was described as a possible tornado in Midland, according the the offices social media account on X. Just before 10 p.m., the office said tornado and severe thunderstorm watches for its coverage area in West Texas had been canceled for the night. A flood watch had been in effect for Houston until 7 p.m. Friday but was extended into Sunday afternoon, the National Weather Service in Houston said in a post on X. An additional 1 to 3 inches of rain is possible Saturday night into Sunday. Cars and the tops of mailboxes submerged in water. (Kirk Sides / Houston Chronicle via Getty Images) The agency said isolated thunderstorms should be expected but the main focus will be another round of heavy rainfall. "Stay weather aware!" the agency wrote. "River flooding continues; stay away from floodwaters!" Other parts of the country have also been hit with dangerous weather. Rainfall will extend over parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and east Texas by Sunday with a lower risk for severe weather. About 18 million in this region are under flood alerts. In Las Vegas, the National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning and said possible gusts between 40 to 60 mph are expected. The weather led to the cancellation of Usher's Lovers & Friends Festival on Saturday. The festival said in a post on X that ticketholders who used Front Gate Tickets will receive a refund within 30 days. Usher said he was "disappointed" about the cancellation and "was working on something special to express my heartfelt for each and every one of you who continue to support me." On the West Coast, a low-pressure system continues to push onshore, bringing rain, mountain snow, and gusty winds to the region. Wind alerts are in place for 9 million people in the region, including Las Vegas, Reno, Nevada and Santa Barbara, California. Northern California to Washington will see heavy rain Saturday. Showers will gradually dip south and east towards the Rockies Saturday night and into Sunday. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com MIAMI, Okla. The City of Miami is trying to stay afloat after Thursdays storms. A portion of the Neosho River that runs through the south side of Miami has completely flooded Riverview Park and a portion of Highway 125. The park, as well as the Technical Sergeant Jason Norton Memorial Bridge has been closed since Thursday (5/2). Miami Police Chief, Thomas Anderson along with the towns fire department and emergency management team had to conduct an emergency rescue late Thursday night. Thankfully, no one was injured. Miami Mayor, Bless Parker, is looking for accountability from a notable state agency. He says flooding in the city after storms is an ongoing, reoccurring problem, and its time to do something about it. The reason why GRDA is a very profitable state agency, thats what our local senator told us. When I asked him, why are you allowing a state agency to continue to flood your constituents? His response was, they are a very profitable state agency, and to me, that is a sickening answer, says Mayor Parker. It is a continuing problem, you know, its a nuisance flood. It just cuts off half of our town. People have to drive out in the county, out and around town to get anywhere. Its just something I think we need to fix, need to mitigate, need to find a way to keep our town from being underwater so much, said Police Chief Anderson. Parker and Anderson are hoping water levels return to normal by Saturday afternoon (5/4). Weve reached out to GRDA for comment but have yet to hear back. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. Natasha Porter, the chief executive of Unlocked Graduates, outside Wormwood Scrubs - PAUL GROVER FOR THE TELEGRAPH When a Cambridge graduate reported for duty at Brixton Prison, officers were very suspicious of their floppy-haired colleague, says Natasha Porter, the head of the charity behind his appointment. Then, in his first week, the young man attracted the attention of the toughest prisoner on the landing, Ms Porter recalls. The prisoner was screaming about the ways he was going to harm him when he came out of prison, she says. And this [graduate] participant opened the flap, and he said, Firstly, brilliantly creative ideas. Secondly, lots of people would pay for that. And the whole landing started laughing. The graduate, who has a First in English literature, won over inmates by starting poetry workshops and was given the nickname Cambridge by the other officers because they couldnt believe he was working in a prison. Other initiatives launched by Unlocked Graduates, the charity founded by Ms Porter in 2016, include fundraising to set up a sensory room in Pentonville Prison, which has helped some of the most violent neurodivergent prisoners have a space to calm down. Masters degree is part of programme Another graduate on the scheme organised packs for new prisoners at Belmarsh so they could write birthday cards to loved ones. The leadership programme hires top graduates to work as prison officers for two years. Participants help to come up with ideas to improve the prisons system and break the cycle of reoffending. They are paid 40,000 a year and the programme starts with six weeks of prison officer training before participants start work in prison. Over the two years, participants complete a fully funded Masters degree and carry out a research project based on their professional interests. They also have the chance to spend a two-week placement in organisations including KPMG, PA Consulting and the Ministry of Justice. Some people have gone on to work for those companies after completing the programme. About half stay on to work long term in the prison service. This year, the scheme has seen record demand, with around 40 applicants per place, making it as competitive as some corporate graduate schemes. Of the nearly 6,000 applicants, 27 per cent were graduates from Russell Group universities. Theres a pressure when you come to the end of university to do these tried and tested corporate graduate schemes, Ms Porter says. Top graduates see valuable opportunity However, she believes top graduates can see that Unlocked offers them the chance to have incredible amounts of responsibility and the chance to learn how to be the kind of leader who can inspire others, who can solve difficult problems, who can lead groups of really diverse people who can lead the most interesting, impactful, extraordinary organisations. You go to some corporate law firm, see what youre doing for the first two years. Youre going to be best mates with the photocopier and a highlighter, she says. While Unlocked accepts a lot of Oxbridge graduates, it also rejects a large number, Ms Porter adds. We look for something called sense of possibility, which is really being able to go in to something thats very broken and see solutions. Skills tested for during the interview process include the ability to fit into a team, think independently, show empathy, and be adaptable, rather than rigidly stick to the same ways of doing things. Some applicants are high-achieving but too arrogant, she says. Theyre like, Im gonna go in and be the boss. You know, wheres my corner office? She says those people would get eaten on a prison landing. Earlier this week, Nick Hardwick, the former chief inspector of prisons, warned of the dangerous conditions in Britains overcrowded prisons. In an interview with The Times, he said: Youve got prisoners spending most of their time locked in their cells, 20 hours-plus a day, and youve got great levels of violence. Responding to his comments, Ms Porter said: I think that we desperately need brilliant, innovative problem solvers on the frontline of our prisons. Hugely engaged, difficult work Participants are trained by specialists to deal with the threat of violence from prisoners, and wear body cameras which act as a deterrent. Ms Porter is optimistic about the Gen Z workforce, which has been accused of being a work-shy generation. I hear this a lot, Gen Z are work-shy or, they are focused on the wrong things at work or theyre just a pain in the a generally. However, she says they get huge numbers applying for one of the toughest grad schemes in the UK, where young people will be forced to give up their smartphone for the working day, with no home-working option and regular night shifts. This is hugely engaged, difficult work, and yet we are inundated with applications, she says. The participants were recruiting are really socially minded, she adds, adding that while they want to make the world a better place, they are also attracted to a graduate scheme that pays relatively well and will set them up for a good life. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. More than 50 years ago, Congress enacted Title IX to prohibit the use of federal funds to support discriminatory practices in education programs and to provide students and school personnel effective protection against discriminatory practices Last month, the Biden administration promulgated a rule clarifying that Title IXs prohibition on discrimination based on sex in federally funded educational programs includes discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The U.S. Department of Education explained the rule will fully effectuate Title IXs promise that no person experiences sex discrimination in federally funded education, adding the rule build on the legacy of Title IX by clarifying that all our nations students can access schools that are safe, welcoming and respect their rights. 'Parental rights' or just more bigotry? Why is Attorney General Ashley Moody suing to block anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ students? Governor Ron DeSantis immediately denounced the clarification and Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz warned school districts to ignore it. And although the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled the word sex includes both sexual orientation and gender identity, Attorney General Ashley Moody filed suit in federal court to block the anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ students from taking effect. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody speaks in front of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during a press conference at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach in 2023. Hoch: Moody's 'anti-woke' arguments lack actual or even anecdotal evidence. Why? Just like being cisgender, being trans is natural. It is not a choice. Nationwide, only 150,000 students identify as trans. Out of more than 3.25 million PK-12 students in Florida, fewer than 9,000 are trans. While that is not a large number, each and every student is entitled to equal protection at school. In the lawsuit, Moody argues, without using appropriate terminology, the new regulation applies only to cisgender men and women and therefore does not provide equal protections for trans, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary students. More on 'anti-woke': Is the anti-'woke' fever breaking? Don't count on it | Editorial Moody stated the new law will increase the vulnerability of women and girls to violence. She poses the specter of ciswomen being forced to share locker rooms, bathrooms and dorm rooms with trans women as if that would be the end of civilization as we know it. 'Florida will aggressively fight Biden' To ensure safety and fairness, Florida will aggressively fight Biden who refuses to think through the real-world consequences before overhauling regulations, she stated. However, Moody does not let us know just what those real world consequences are. She is unable to provide actual or even anecdotal support for her baseless argument. So, we must ask, is this taxpayer-funded lawsuit really about protecting girls? Or is the lawsuit about finding yet another wedge issue to turn out the evangelical voter in November? Moodys lawsuit is yet another attention-grabbing gimmick: another right wing, anti-woke solution in search of a problem. Clearly, she hopes her pandering will assist in her campaign to succeed DeSantis as governor. Rand Hoch Title IXs promise that no person experiences sex discrimination in federally funded education must be applied to all students. That is what Floridas LGBTQ+ students deserve. It is what all Floridians deserve. Rand Hoch, a retired judge, serves as President of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, Floridas oldest, independent, non-partisan, political organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida wrong to sue against President Biden LGBTQ+ protection laws NEW MEXICO (KRQE) The former head of maintenance for the Dora Consolidated Schools is facing ten years in prison on corruption charges. A jury convicted 56-year-old Steven Butler for unfair bidding practices during his time with the schools. Mother talks about South Valley school director holding box cutter blade to sons neck Prosecutors say he used his position within the district to gain favorable bids on cleaning supplies and services for his own company. He will be sentenced later this year. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Former Illinois trooper who caused crash that killed sisters gives up on drivers license The former Illinois State Trooper who pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter of two sisters in 2007 has abandoned his efforts to have a hearing into the restoration of his driving privileges for now. Matt Mitchell, 45, requested at least two delays in the hearing after he failed to complete a legally required medical evaluation documenting his alcohol use and a mental health evaluation. At the April hearing, Mitchells attorney acknowledged that his client still had not completed the required evaluations. When the secretary of states office indicated it would dismiss the case, Mitchells attorney withdrew the formal hearing request, according to a spokesperson for Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. Mitchell was behind the wheel of his Illinois State Police squad car, traveling in heavy Black Friday traffic on Interstate 64 near St. Clair Square Mall in St. Clair County while responding to a call in 2007. Mitchell told investigators that a white car cut him off and he lost control, sending his car across the median and airborne into oncoming traffic. He slammed into a car driven by Jessica Uhl, causing the vehicle to catch fire. Uhl, 18, and her sister Kelli Uhl, 13, who was a passenger in the car, were pronounced dead at the scene. Further investigation revealed Mitchell was traveling at 126 mph while talking on the phone with his girlfriend and using his in-dash computer. The investigation further found that emergency personnel were already on the scene of the call where Mitchell was responding. Witnesses denied seeing any car cut Michell off. Although Mitchell withdrew his request for a hearing, he can file another request within 90 days. Im happy that the constant continuations are over for now. But the chance is still there for him to start the process again. So, as usual, its not really over, said Kim Schlau, mother of Kelli and Jessica Uhl. From left, sisters Jessica Uhl, 18, and Kelli Uhl, 13, of Collinsville. They were killed on Nov. 23, 2007, in a crash when Illinois State Police trooper Matt Mitchell lost control of his patrol car while driving 126 mph in heavy after-Thanksgiving Day traffic. He had also been on his cell phone and using his laptop computer in the moments before the crash. Provided/BND J. Israel Slone, Mitchells attorney, did not respond to a reporters requests for comment. Tom Daley, a retired Belleville criminal defense attorney who for 25 years specialized in handling DUIs and drivers license reinstatements, said hes never seen an instance where a client had to submit to a mental evaluation for reinstatement purposes. But a Giannoulias spokesperson said that in cases where a crash caused by the driver has resulted in a death, it is common to require the petitioner to provide a mental evaluation and prove that they can safely operate a vehicle. Former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White had previously blocked Mitchells attempts to have his license reinstated, overturning recommendations by his own hearing officer. White left office in January, and Mitchell renewed his efforts at reinstatement toward Giannoulias. Though Mitchell could not be reached for comment, in September 2023, a petition drive was launched on change.org asking people to support Mitchells request to Giannoulias to have his license restored. In support of that petition, there is a statement attributed to Mitchell. I ask that we keep these families in our prayers, and I ask that you pray that these families find it in their hearts to one day forgive me for the mistakes I made on (that) date, Mitchell wrote in the petition. I take full responsibility for my actions. I am not perfect, nor have I ever claimed to be. I am simply asking for a chance to prove that I can and will be a responsible driver. Please support me in this journey for reinstatement of my driving privileges. Nearly 450 people have signed the petition. Last year, the secretary of state scheduled 11,574 license reinstatement hearings. The secretarys office reached a decision in 9,060 cases, the spokesperson said. Of those, about 85 percent were cases driving under the influence related. The resulting decisions reinstated 2,972 licenses, granted 3,670 permits, and denied 2,418 of those requests. The remaining cases were withdrawn or pending. In all these cases, the secretary has the ultimate authority in determining if driving privileges are restored. Mitchell, who was seriously injured in the crash, underwent three surgeries on his legs, according to his testimony at the time. Despite his injuries and the fact that he received them during his employment, the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission denied his attempts to receive benefits. During his workers compensation hearing, he said he was driving 25 to 35 mph slower than the investigation detailed. He further stated that he pleaded guilty to reckless homicide and reckless driving charges because he couldnt get a fair trial in St. Clair County. Mitchell resigned from the Illinois State Police in 2010. Former Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Michael Steele sharply criticized former President Trumps inability to admit he lost the last presidential election and said hes afraid of losing the upcoming one in November because it will hit the most important thing to him: his ego. Donald Trump is afraid of losing, because it strikes at the core of the thing thats most important to him, and thats his ego, and he doesnt want to do the work to actually win, Steele said on MSNBCs The Weekend. He wants to goad and cajole and bully people into believing something about our [electoral] system because he is too weak of a man to actually go out and campaign like any other normal candidate who would go out and campaign. Steeles comments follow an interview with the former president, who declined to commit to accepting Wisconsins November election results. Trump said he would gladly accept the results of the election if everythings honest. Steele countered, saying that U.S. elections are secure. Looking historically, Steele said, if Trump thinks out of all of the past elections, the only one that is the least honest and the most corrupt is the one he lost, it just shows the fallacy of what the man is laying out there. Trump falsely claimed to The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in the interview that he won Wisconsin in 2020, doubling down on the incorrect claims that there was widespread voter fraud in the state and others. Hes repeatedly declined to commit to accepting the election results, dating back to the end of the 2020 race. Even after the violence that occurred on Jan. 6, 2021, Trump has wavered about whether he will accept the results this fall, when he will go head-to-head with President Biden for the second time. Steele said that if Trump loses again, it will not be because the system is rigged, but because more people voted against you than for you and our electoral system confirms that. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Doyle L. Niemann, who served for a dozen years in the House of Delegates and had an even longer record of public service in Prince Georges County, died Wednesday at the age of 77 at the Washington Hospital Center, his family announced on the website everloved.com. A former colleague said Niemann died of complications from surgery to remove a tumor. Niemann was the classic case of a 1960s student radical who turned to community service, and eventually electoral politics, to achieve his ideals. Former Del. Doyle Niemann (D-Prince Georges). Prince Georges County States Attorneys office photo. He leaves behind a legacy of compassion, unity, and unwavering dedication to truth, justice, and social change, the family said in a statement. Niemann was an anti-war activist as a student at the University of Nebraska and later at the University of Texas, and was an active member in groups such as the Young Democrats and Students for a Democratic Society. He later traveled to Cuba as a member of the Venceremos Brigade to cut sugar cane and help support the revolution. After college, Niemann helped launch several alternative newspapers around the country, including In These Times, a Chicago-based investigative publication that exists to this day. He was the papers founding managing editor. Niemann and his wife, Karen Morrill, were married in Chicago in 1977 in the back room of a tavern with a bowling lane. Eventually, the coupled landed in Mt. Rainier in Prince Georges County, where Niemann continued his career as a writer and researcher for progressive organizations, eventually running his own communications consulting firm. Niemann served on the Mt. Rainier City Council from 1983 to 1987, and on the Prince Georges County Board of Education from 1996 to 2002. In 1997, at the age of 50, he graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law and went to work for the Prince Georges County states attorneys office, where he stayed until shortly before his death. In 2002, Niemann was elected to a House seat in the newly-created 47th legislative district in northern Prince Georges County and held the seat for a dozen years. In each of these roles, he demonstrated an unparalleled ability to foster unity and build bridges across diverse communities, the family said in its tribute. His inclusive approach and genuine compassion touched the lives of countless individuals, leaving a mark on Marylands social and political landscape. In Annapolis, Niemann served on the Appropriations and Environmental Matters committees and passed measures to protect Marylanders from predatory fraud schemes. He was also instrumental in passing same-sex marriage legislation. In 2014, Niemann sought an open seat on the Prince Georges County Council and lost the Democratic primary to Deni Taveras who now represents part of his old legislative district in Annapolis by just six votes. At the states attorneys office, Niemann specialized in prosecuting financial crimes and later became chief of operations. He worked for justice reform and advocated for juvenile justice reform legislation in Annapolis that passed in 2021. In a Facebook post, Prince Georges County Councilmember Wanika Fisher (D), who represents the same territory Niemann did and worked with him at the states attorneys office, said she was heartbroken by news of his death. He was a leader, great prosecutor, a former State Delegate and PGCPS school board member, she wrote. But most of all he was my friend and mentor. He will always be remembered and missed. Jimmy Tarlau, a former state lawmaker who also served on the Mt. Rainier City Council, called Niemann a neighbor, good friend and a mentor in local politics. Hell be missed by all of us. In addition to his wife of 47 years, Niemann is survived by three children, Cassi Niemann, Shea Niemann, and Travis Niemann, four grandchildren, and a brother. The family said details of a memorial service would be announced soon. The post Former state Delegate Doyle Niemann dies appeared first on Maryland Matters. Was Foul Play Involved in the Boeing Whistleblowers Deaths? People Are Definitely Worried About It. Social media has been abuzz with opinions along with raised-eyebrow and WTF emoji, following the unexpected death of a second person who had been publicly critical of the safety of Boeing airliners. Cyber satirists are asking what is more dangerous: being a Boeing whistleblower or flying on the 737 Max? Joshua Dean, 45, had worked for Spirit AeroSystems, a key subcontractor in the production of 737 Max airliners. He died Tuesday after suddenly becoming ill. His death came less than two months after John Barnett, a 787 Boeing production-quality managerturnedwhistleblower, was found dead in his truck with a gunshot wound. No official cause of Barnetts death has been determined, but suicide is suspected. If the news led you to consider, even for a moment, that foul play was involved, you are not alone. Dean and Barnett were two of many who challenged Boeings claim that the company really does put safety first. The fact that theres speculation and worry brewing around their deaths, among people online and those closer to Boeing alike, is in and of itself a concern. If other safety whistleblowers and their lawyers get spooked by the buzz, if they stop talking, and if they are worriedyou should be too. Two decades ago, Taylor Smith, 63, was one of three Boeing workers who sued the company. The trio had documents showing a key supplier was using defective parts to build the 737 Maxs predecessor, the 737 Next Generation. This was happening at the same factory in Wichita, Kansas, where Joshua Dean would make similar allegations about substandard parts going onto the Max years later. On Wednesday, Smith got a text message from her ex-husband about Deans death, suggesting foul play: This could have been you. She agreed: I think God every day that we didnt have something like that happen to us. William Skepnek, who represented Smith, along with co-workers Jeannine Prewitt and James Ailes, is not surprised that his former clients would link Dean and Barnetts deaths to whistleblowing activities. I cannot help but believe that everybody who is with Boeing or has ever been with Boeing and knows things has reached that conclusion, said Skepnek, who spent more than a decade on the shoddy parts case, which was dismissed in 2014. What rang familiar about Deans death was the sudden onset of illness in an otherwise healthy and relatively young man. During their ordeal at Boeing, Smith and Prewitt complained of mysterious ailments including, they claimed, exposure to toxic mold. The company that supplied the faulty parts was audited by a team from Boeingand the president of that company threatened violence against that team, Prewitt has previously claimed. It says something about Boeings culture: Thats a huge red flag that a supplier feels so confident that he could tell a team of 14 people from Boeing that they were going to be shot, she told the documentarian Tim Tate in 2010. Years later, other whistleblowers are reporting the same kind of language around violence. At a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing in mid-April, Sam Salehpour, who worked in Boeings South Carolina Dreamliner factory, testified he raised a safety issue in a meeting at the Dreamliner factory. He recalled his boss saying, I would have killed anyone who said what you said if it was from some other group. These kinds of statements in public hearings or around the watercooler ratchet up a sense that Boeing cannot be trusted that Smiths lawyer says is warranted. Theres nothing that Boeing says that I can believe. Ive seen them lie. They lied with the NG and now apparently, theyre lying with the Max, Skepnek told me. I think they are a murdering company. Theyve murdered hundreds of people at least. When I asked Boeing about the public speculation that the whistleblower deaths are linked and a result of their criticism of Boeing, spokeswoman Jessica Kowal declined to comment, as did Spirit AeroSystems, where Dean worked. The two lawyers who represented Dean and Barnett are calling for thorough investigations. Its an absolute tragedy when a whistleblower ends up dying under strange circumstances, said Robert Turkewitz, who along with attorney Brian Knowles has been an advocate for both men. It should be of concern to everybody. The lawyers had a meeting Friday with officials in Charleston, South Carolina, where they planned to ask for details of the investigation into Barnetts death. Were asking them to produce everything for us. Video and test results, autopsy, forensic testing. Were asking for them to show the video at the hotel and the video of the police body cams, Turkewitz said. We want to make sure they did an honest investigation. The same kind of investigation is needed for Deans death, he added, because any lingering uncertainty could muzzle people who have important information. What we dont want to happen is the deterrence of whistleblowers, Knowles told me after Deans death. Whistleblowers play an important role in the safety of society. Since I started writing about air safety in 1996 and met my first Boeing whistleblowers, stories about threats, firings, intimidation, and gaslighting have been common. So when I visited Wichita last month to see for myself the massive Spirit AeroSystems factory complex where the 737 Max fuselage is assembledand where, Dean alleged in 2022, holes were incorrectly drilled into plane partsI was careful. Dean was still alive, but I knew about Barnetts recent death. All the accumulated nervousness passed on from Boeing whistleblowers was firmly in mind. I parked some distance away from the property and was sure to lock my vehicle. Then I sent an email to Skepnek, the lawyer who handled the defective parts case against Boeing. You are the person who knows my whereabouts, I wrote. I added, I have no plans to kill myself. Did I feel a little foolish? Sure. Id succumbed to Stockholm syndrome, a captive identifying with the many whistleblowers Ive come to know in a career writing about air disasters. Whether the deaths of Dean and Barnett are sinister or benign, the swirl of speculation adds another complication to an already difficult decision for would-be whistleblowers. In light of these deaths, an uneasy path just got more so. Being a whistleblower is like walking on broken glass because if you make one wrong move youre injured, Prewitt told me of her two decades speaking out about the hazards on the 737 NG. Youre going to get cut and youre trying to figure your path through it so that you survive. Four people arrested on suspicion of selling drugs in Ramona RAMONA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) Four people have been arrested after being suspected of selling drugs in northeast San Diego County, according to the San Diego Sheriffs Department. Around 7:00 a.m. on Friday, authorities from the Ramona Sheriffs substation searched a home in the 1300 block of Hanson Lane, across the street from Ramona High School. Woman attempts to smuggle birds through U.S.-Mexico Border: CBP After investigating, detectives determined that drug activity may have taken place at the home. They also said they found evidence that there were people with outstanding warrants staying at the home, according to a release from the department late Friday afternoon. During their search, authorities found approximately 100 M30 fentanyl pills, nearly four grams of methamphetamine and other paraphernalia leading detectives to believe drug sales were taking place. Officers arrested 62-year-old Larry Miller, 28-year-old William Clayton, 23-year-old Sierra Miller and 25-year-old Bradley Bell for drug sales and possession-related charges. The four individuals were booked into the San Diego Central Jail, according to the release. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The Baja California Attorney Generals Office on Friday confirmed a fourth body was found after authorities located the bodies of three missing surfers, including one U.S. citizen San Diego resident, who went missing during a surfing trip south of Ensenada, Mexico. All four bodies were found in a well near a surfing spot known as La Bocana, about 130 miles south of San Diego, according to the attorney generals office. The fourth body was identified as a ranch owner who was reported missing two weeks ago, per officials. He owned the property where the bodies were found, the attorney general said. Rescuers say it took them around 20 hours to pull the bodies out of the well measuring almost 50 feet. The cause of death for all four victims has not been determined at this time, the attorney generals office said. Earlier this week, the three surfers were reported missing through social media posts. Baja California authorities officially announced their disappearance in a press release Thursday. UCSD cancels Sun God Festival as Gaza Solidarity camp enters third day The surfers were a San Diego man named Jack Carter Rhoad and Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson, FOX 5/KUSIs reporting partners at The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. The attorney generals office has not confirmed the identities of the three surfers. Baja California Attorney General Maria Elena Andrade Ramirez said the families of the three men last heard from the men on Saturday, but did not notify police until a few days ago when the men didnt show up at an Airbnb near K38, a popular Baja surfing spot much closer to the border. This caused valuable to time be lost in the search for the men, she added. A woman, who was found with drugs and a phone belonging to one of the Australian surfers, and two men were taken into custody and considered persons of interest, according to the attorney generals office. Also, a white pickup that belonged to the San Diego man was located Wednesday. The vehicle had been set on fire. The FBI says they are in contact with the U.S. citizens family. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto pushed back on a claim by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) that progressive billionaire George Soros has funded groups involved in pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses. Theres a push right now on the part of some of these institutions to negotiate with the protesters, and to go ahead and put up for a vote any measure that would sort of call for divesting of funds or investments in Israel, Cavuto told Mace on his show Your World with Neil Cavuto. What do you think of that? Well, they want disclosure and divestment, Mace responded. I want firings. I want people to be expelled. I want those who are here illegally or here on a student visa and participating in these things deported. Its a very different, I think, scenario, if these were peaceful protests, if this were about the First Amendment, I think itd be something very different, but its not. Mace then claimed several pro-Palestine groups involved in the student protests are being backed financially by Soros, Jewish Holocaust survivor. Youve got groups that are funded by George Soros. There are Palestinian rights groups that I believe are involved, funded by George Soros, and they need to be off of our college campuses if theyre committing violence, full stop, Mace continued. Alright, Cavuto said before pushing back on her claim. Theres no proof that these are funded by George Soros, by the way their folks have denied that. But, well see exactly where all of this money is coming from. Well agree to disagree, I guess, Mace said in response. Jewish Democrats have criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for suggesting, similarly to Mace, that Soros is somehow behind the pro-Palestinian protests at college campuses. Johnson, in an interview with NewsNations The Hill, put forth the notion that the recent university protests against Israels ongoing conflict with Palestinian militant group Hamas are not grassroots operations. I think [FBI officials] need to look at the root causes and find out if some of this was funded by, I dont know, George Soros or overseas entities, Johnson said. Theres a sort of a common theme and a common strategy that seems to be pursued on many of these campuses. Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) said in a post on the social platform X that not even 24 hours after passing a do-nothing bill under the guise of fighting antisemitism, @SpeakerJohnson drags out one of the oldest antisemitic tropes in world. The Hill has reached out to Soros. NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Fox News When Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) added to an emerging GOP trend Friday by accusing billionaire philanthropist George Soros of funding pro-Palestine protests on college campuses, Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto shot back that there is no proof for her claim, adding wryly: I just looked for the checks and I havent seen them yet. On Your World, Mace followed the likes of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake, each of whom have either suggested or declared outright that Soros is providing financial support for protesters at universities like Columbia, UCLA, and Rutgers. When asked if she believed school administrations should negotiate with protesters and put up for a vote regarding divesting from Israel, Mace dismissed that idea, instead calling for some of the students to be deported. While they want disclosure and divestment, I want firings. I want people to be expelled. I want those who are here illegally or here on a student visa and participating in these things deported, she said. Its a very different scenario if these were peaceful protests, if this were about the First Amendment, I think it would be something very different, but its not. Maces implication that student protesters have been violent seems to be in reference not to any fistfights, but to the occupation of campus buildings, with some Columbia students, for instance, having broken windows to gain entry. (When the NYPD went in later to clear that building and make arrests, one officer fired his gun accidentally, which didnt happen to injure anyone.) Mace then tried to depict student activity as being financed by a well-endowed source, who also happens to be a subject of many a conspiracy theory, often with antisemitic undertones. Youve got groups that are funded by George Soros. There are Palestinian rights groups that I believe are involved, funded by George Soros, she argued. And they need to be off of our college campuses if theyre committing violence. Full stop. Cavuto replied with a clarification. Alright, theres no proof that these are funded by George Soros, by the way, he said. Their folks have denied that. But well see exactly where all this money is coming from. Mace opted to not push the issue. Well agree to disagree, I guess, she said, smiling. Cavuto ended the discussion with a quip. I just looked for the checks and I havent seen them yet, he remarked, shuffling through papers on his desk. 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. Ghassan Abu-Sitta attended a demonstration in support of the Palestinian people at University College London on Friday - BENJAMIN CREMEL/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES The rector of Glasgow University has been blocked from entering France after claims he had repeatedly shown support for Palestinian gunmen. Ghassan Abu-Sittah, a British Palestinian plastic surgeon, said he was prevented by the French authorities from entering the country and sent back to London from Charles de Gaulle airport. Mr Abu-Sittah, who is based in London, and had joined pro-Palestinian student protests at UCL on Friday, had been due to address the French Senate on Saturday, but found himself forced to return to the UK instead. The move followed a decision by the German authorities last month to ban him from entering the Federal Republic, which prevents him from obtaining a visa for one year throughout the entirety of the Schengen area. Europe is complicit, says surgeon Mr Abu-Sittah hit out at the French decision, writing on X (formerly Twitter): Fortress Europe silencing the witnesses to the genocide while Israel kills them in prison. Colonial genocide is a formative component of European identity. Hence their eagerness to become complicit in silencing the witnesses and arming the war criminals. The surgeon has previously been accused of tweeting praise for a 1987 attack by two militants from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine that saw Israeli soldiers killed. In a 2019 post on Twitter, he wrote: They landed in gliders into our occupied territories and killed 30 Zionist soldiers in an hour. Glory to the martyrs. In December 2022, he posted on Twitter: We congratulate the brothers in Hamas and the comrades in the Popular Front on the anniversary of the launch. May you always be truthful, loyal and committed, may you always be proud and may your enemy be humiliated. I vehemently oppose terrorism Mr Abu-Sittah has expressed regret for his choice of words in the past, telling the Jewish Chronicle: While I may in the past have used emotive language at the funeral of a friend or following an extra-judicial killing, I vehemently oppose terrorism, and civilian casualties on all sides. As a surgeon, my vocation is preserving life and I repeat my calls for a sustainable ceasefire and lasting peace. The organiser of the Europe Ecologie Les Verts symposium which Mr Abu-Sittah had been due to address condemned the decision to bar him from entering France. Senator Raymonde Poncet Monge told Le Monde that she had total political disapproval for the incident. Mr Abu-Sittah was due to speak about the impact of Israels attacks on Gazas health care system. In October and November last year, he spent seven weeks working at Gazas Al-Shifa and Al-Ahli Baptist hospitals. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. For more than three decades the annual Gazette Charities Foundation Best and Brightest Scholarship Program has recognized 20 local high school students for their outstanding academic achievements, leadership and contributions to their community. The Fresno Unified board voted unanimously during a special board meeting Friday to appoint Deputy Superintendent Misty Her as interim superintendent. The appointment is effective May 8, following the adoption of her contract at the upcoming board meeting. Outgoing Superintendent Bob Nelson will transition into an advisory role for the remainder of his FSUD tenure at the end of July. I want to thank and congratulate our board on their actions to ensure a smooth transition of leadership as they endeavor into a solid nationwide superintendent search, Her said following the board meeting. Her took no questions following the announcement. The district also said it has launched a nationwide search to hire a superintendent in a permanent role. The process will consider internal candidates, according to a news release from the district. No further details or timelines were shared. Trustee Keshia Thomas told The Fresno Bee earlier this week that the board decided to move forward with appointing an interim superintendent to ensure the district is in the safest space possible. Her has worked for Fresno Unified for over 30 years, starting as a bilingual instructional aide, an elementary school teacher, vice principal, principal, assistant superintendent and instructional superintendent. She was named a deputy superintendent in March 2021. She is the first woman to lead the district since its inception in 1873 and she is the nations highest-ranking Hmong K-12 educational professional, according to the district. This experience and dedication have prepared me to lead the district from a holistic view with an unapologetic full focus on student growth and achievement, Her said. We are not going to waver from this. Her will share more about her priorities during her agenda as interim superintendent Wednesday. School board president Susan Wittrup said Hers appointment will help in the transition. Fresno Unified School Board President Susan Wittrup, center, with members Viva Islas, left, and Valerie Davis, right, during a meeting Wednesday, May 1, 2024 in Fresno. We need an interim superintendent who will continue to implement the important initiatives that the district is pursuing and who will ensure that we are fully prepared for the first day of school in the fall, Wittrup said. Hers appointment as interim superintendent was not unexpected. When the district announced Nelsons departure in January, it also said then that Her was anticipated to be named the interim superintendent if the board had not hired one by his last day. Said trustee Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas: I stand here excited for the future of Fresno Unified as I reflect on the past few weeks and the journey since January 22. I am glad we are back to where we were in order to be united as a board with a focus on finding the best superintendent for Fresno Unified with the singular goal of advancing student achievement. When the board announced in March that they were interviewing internal candidates, Her was reported as a top candidate by a local media outlet owned by developer Darius Assemi. Assemi has been actively calling for the district to conduct an external search, and urged the public to speak to the board before the internal interviews began. The board eventually canceled the scheduled interviews amid public outcry in early April, and sought to redo an external search. At last weeks board meeting, Wittrup said trustees are discussing available options. She told The Bee that the board is making progress and that board members arent worrying because the district has good leadership in place. Full-blown famine is present in the northern part of Gaza and is spreading south, said Cindy McCain, the executive director of the World Food Programme. What I can explain to you is that there is famine full-blown famine in the north, and its moving its way south, McCain told NBCs Kristen Welker in an interview to air on Sunday. McCains comments are not an official declaration of famine, which must meet certain criteria, but she said its based on what WFP employees have seen and experienced in Gaza. Its horror, she added. Although it is the first time that the head of the WFP has labeled the situation in Gaza a famine, international organizations have danced around the label for months as the starvation in Gaza has grown more acute. But as historian Yan Slobodkin wrote for Slate, whether or not the severe starvation thats happening in Gaza is officially declared a famine is, from a humanitarian perspective, irrelevant: Israel has inflicted staggering levels of destruction and suffering on Gaza in its retaliatory assault after Hamas Oct. 7 attack, which killed 1,200 people. The IDFs relentless bombing campaign has destroyed Gazas agricultural lands, critical infrastructure and large swaths of housing. More than 34,000 people in Gaza have been killed, the majority of them women and children, and over 10,000 more are believed to be buried under the rubble. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement this week that it could take up to three years to retrieve the bodies with the tools on hand. As people in Gaza starve, Israeli officials have continued to restrict humanitarian aid shipments and to subject deliveries to excessive waits at checkpoints. Omar Shakir, Israel and Palestine director at Human Rights Watch, has accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war. The humanitarian crisis is especially dire in north Gaza, where people have resorted to eating grass and animal feed, NPR reported. At least 32 people have died of malnutrition and dehydration in the north, 28 of whom were children, the Gaza Health Ministry said. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Miriam Gameros observes a memorial for Palestinians killed during the Israel-Hamas war outside the Salt Lake City and County Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 26, 2024. | Marielle Scott, Deseret News The dozens of waving red, green, white and black Palestinian flags on the west side of Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City are visible from every corner of the block. Theyre attached to the recently erected Gaza Memorial. Apart from the 50 flags, the installation features posters highlighting the lives of Palestinians killed in the conflict in Gaza, and include criticism of Israel, which responded to Hamas brutal attack on Oct. 7 by launching a war against the terrorist group. Now, in addition to rows of flowers, painted rocks, mementos and messages, there are signs clarifying the origin of the display. Staff members in Mayor Erin Mendenhalls office confirmed the city put up signs next to the installation in response to complaints and inquiries about whether the installation was sponsored by the city. The sign states, This display is exhibited on behalf of an individual or group with an event permit for expression of First Amendment Rights. Displays and their messages are the responsibility of permit holders and are not connected with nor endorsed by Salt Lake City corporation. Utah For a Ceasefire, the group behind the memorial, released a statement saying the signs were an attempt by (the Salt Lake City mayor) to influence the message and purpose of our memorial she has no rights to impede or distort. These signs were placed directly in our memorial and are not part of the installation. Michael Valentine, who ran in the mayoral race last year as an independent, claimed in an online video he tried to reach the mayors office but did not receive a response, so he took the city-owned signs with him and asked the mayors office to get in touch with him if they wanted their property back. Valentine said he was arrested over the theft of the signs, according to another video he posted Thursday. Earlier in March, Valentine faced controversy for putting up a sign saying he refused to serve Zionists at his Salt Lake City bar called Weathered Waves. The Utah Attorney Generals Office didnt find any evidence of discrimination, as KSL News reported. One of the organizers of the display, Aziz Abuzayed, wearing a Keffiyeh scarf, a Free Palestine wristband and a black shirt that also said Palestine, stood beside the installation while Palestinian Arabic music played on the speakers on Friday morning. He is the central activist behind the memorial, and he spoke to the Deseret News about the signs. And while Abuzayed was talking to the Deseret News on Friday, two police officers returned with the signs retrieved from Valentine and set them up on the two sides of the installation. A memorial for Palestinians killed during the Israel-Hamas war is seen outside the Salt Lake City and County Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 26, 2024. | Marielle Scott, Deseret News It was Valentine and Abuzayeds idea to create a memorial commemorating the Palestinians who have been killed in Gaza. Thousands of Palestinians have reportedly been killed, including Hamas combatants, since Oct. 7, when Hamas militants killed 1,200 Israelis and took around 250 hostages. More than 100 hostages reportedly remain in Hamas custody. The permit for the installation says it will stay open from April 25 through May 12. The organizers have since applied for a renewal and are awaiting a response. Salt Lake City Rabbi Avremi Zippel said he values freedom of speech and understands the right people have to express themselves. Even though he supports building a memorial, the installation is far from noble to him, and its more about the big splashy headlines in the blood-soaked text at the top of the page, murdered by Israel. He said the student protests on college campuses and the installation promote and incite violence against the Jewish community. The Anti-Defamation League recorded a 140% increase in incidents last year compared to previous years, totaling 3,698 in 2023, the highest since they began tracking instances of antisemitic harassment or assault in 1979, according to an April report. Zippel said he was grateful to the mayor for paying heed to the complaints and putting up the signs. How can we come together to acknowledge the humanitarian disaster that is unfolding? I think there are so many productive ways for us to do that as a society (and) as a community that does not need to involve incitement of violence, he told the Desert News. If folks are serious about having conversations that will bring communities together. I think youll find that the Jewish community is all ears. When the memorial first opened, Zippel on X, formerly known as Twitter, said he found the timing of this permitted behavior bizarre. Im not sure if the powers that be are aware of the countless encampments springing up around the country. On Friday afternoon, Valentine was arrested again at City Hall. He and Abuzayed claim it was for trying to request a meeting with the mayor. Andrew Wittenberg, Mendenhalls director of communications told the Deseret News they cant comment on the police activity and consider this an evolving situation. People are seen at a memorial for Palestinians killed during the Israel-Hamas war outside the Salt Lake City and County Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 26, 2024. | Marielle Scott, Deseret News Conservative lawyer George Conway said former Trump aide Hope Hicks testimony at former President Trumps hush money trial absolutely corroborates his ex-lawyer Michael Cohens story about Trump in the case. She put in Donald Trumps mouth, the fact that he understood that those payments were made on his behalf before the election by Michael Cohen, Conway said on CNNs The Situation Room with host Wolf Blitzer, while speaking about Trump. And thats just thats devastating testimony. It absolutely corroborates Michael Cohens story, which has been corroborated in numerous respects, and it shows that he knew that when he was signing those checks with the backup that said he was doing this at the Resolute Desk for goodness sake, that he, when he saw the backup, and the backup said legal retainers, he knew that wasnt true. Trumps hush money trial began last Monday, marking the first criminal trial of a former American president. He has been charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records in relation to reimbursements to Cohen, who paid an adult film actor $130,000 prior to the 2016 election to keep quiet about an alleged affair with Trump, which he denies. Cohen has claimed that the former president directed him to make hush-money payments to women who have said they had previous affairs with Trump. First of all, nothing at the Trump Organization was ever done unless it was run through Mr. Trump, Cohen said back in 2018. He directed me to make the payments, he directed me to become involved in these matters. Hicks fell apart on the stand Friday when talking about a call she had with her former boss in which he said that Cohen had made a payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels out of the goodness of his heart. She seemed to have doubts that Cohen did it for that reason, and called it out of character. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. After spending his days making wine in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains, Tsotne Jafaridze returns home to Tbilisi, Georgias capital, and begins his new routine. He packs goggles, a gas mask and enough water and snacks to last several hours. He has another long night ahead. Jafaridze is among thousands of Georgians who have for the past month gathered each night outside the countrys parliament, facing down tear gas and water cannons fired by increasingly brutal police, to protest a bill they fear will torpedo its bid to join the European Union and push it further into the Kremlins orbit. This has become my routine, he told CNN. If we dont protect our freedom right now our European and Western future tomorrow were going to wake up in Russia. And that will be it. The ruling Georgian Dream party is trying to force through a foreign agent law, likened by critics to a measure introduced by Russian President Vladimir Putin to quash dissent. The draft law, which has passed the second of three votes, would require organizations in the former Soviet country that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as foreign agents or face crippling fines. Jafaridze, who also owns a travel business and says he receives 95% of his income from foreign sources, says he would immediately be listed as a foreign agent under the broadly-written law. But critics say the intended target of the legislation is not business owners like him, but Georgias independent media and civil society organizations, ahead of elections in October in which Georgian Dream, whose popularity is waning, is desperate to keep power. A woman stares down a wall of riot police in Tbilisi, April 30, 2024. - Giorgi Arjevanidze/AFP/Getty Images Georgias government tried to pass the same law last year, but was forced into an embarrassing climbdown after a week of intense protests, which saw citizens waving EU flags buffeted back by water cannons. In a move widely seen as an effort to reward Georgias citizens of whom about 80% support joining the bloc and reverse the countrys drift towards Russia, the EU granted it candidate status in December. The pictures almost created a moral pressure on Brussels to reward these people, even though their government isnt doing great, Natalie Sabanadze, Georgias former ambassador to the EU at a time when candidacy was almost unimaginable told CNN. But the government reintroduced the same bill in March and appears determined to force it through, despite protests that grow fiercer every week. With fiercer protests has come a fiercer police response. Levan Khabeishvili, chairman of the opposition United National Movement party, shared a photo of his swollen and blackened face after he said he was brutally beaten on Tuesday night. Khabeishvili told CNN he was giving an interview outside parliament when he saw a young man being detained by police, and tried to intervene. At that moment they grabbed me, dragged me in and assaulted me, he said, in an ordeal that lasted around 15 minutes. They were telling me that I talk too much and theyd make sure I would not be able to any more. Khabeishvili was seen speaking in Parliament the next day with his face wrapped in bandages. Eto Buziashvili, a former adviser to Georgias National Security Council who has attended most of the protests, said police on Tuesday night became exceptionally brutal. She told CNN she saw many law enforcement officers who were not wearing identification marks. They were beating people, but we didnt know they were with the police. This is very dangerous. Several protesters told CNN that the tear gas used was noticeably more potent than before, making it harder to breathe and forcing protesters briefly to disperse and regroup. Many fled to the April 9 Park, named after a night in 1989 where the Soviet Army tried to crush a pro-independence protest, killing 21 people and injuring hundreds. Georgia declared independence from the Soviet Union exactly two years later. People try to wash away tear gas from the eyes of a protester, May 1, 2024. - Giorgi Arjevanidze/AFP/Getty Images This is not Belarus Many Georgians feel deep hostility toward Russia, which invaded Georgia in 2008 and occupies about 20% of its internationally recognized territory about the same proportion it occupies in Ukraine. Despite recent Russian aggression against Georgia, Georgian Dream has long been accused of harboring pro-Russian sympathies and its billionaire founder, Bidzina Ivanishvili, made his fortune in the Soviet Union. Not many people believe that a person who makes billions in Russia is just let out of Russia without any commitments, Buziashvili said. Many Georgians describe Ivanishvili as a puppet master and believe elected officials mostly dance to his tune. Ivanishvili, once a frontline politician but now a reclusive figure, made a rare appearance Monday night, addressing a crowd of counter-protesters after thousands of people were bussed to Tbilisi from Georgias rural regions, where Georgian Dream enjoys more support. His speech showed deep paranoia, conspiracism and had an autocratic streak. Ivanishvili claimed Georgia was being controlled by a pseudo-elite nurtured by a foreign country. He claimed the world was run by a Global War Party, which he suggested was responsible for Russias 2008 invasion. And he pledged to persecute his political opponents after Octobers elections. Bidzina Ivanishvili addresses a rally in support of the "foreign agent" law in Tbilisi, April 29, 2024. - Shakh Aivazov/AP The Georgian government is clearly siding with the Putinist, anti-liberal forces of the world, Sabanandze, the former EU ambassador, said. Its turning into an instrument in the hands of Russia. I cannot speculate. I have no idea whether theyre working on Russias instructions, but they certainly are fulfilling their interests. As protests swelled in Tbilisi, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze also appeared at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) annual gathering in Hungary. In his speech, Kobakhidze denounced the so-called liberals protesting outside parliament and said they were attacking homeland, language, and faith. Sabanadze noted the appeal that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Europes longest-serving leader, has to governments seeking to hold onto power. The United States has criticized Georgias recent shift. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the foreign agent legislation and Georgian Dreams anti-Western rhetoric put Georgia on a precarious trajectory. Kobakhidze has hit back at the US criticism and on Friday accused Washington of attempting to stoke a revolution in Georgia carried out through NGOs financed from external sources. Some have questioned why Georgian Dream reintroduced the foreign agent bill at this moment, almost exactly a year after it was first defeated. Ivanishvili explained in his speech that he had calculated the moment perfectly: by introducing the bill now, he hoped the energy of the protesters would be prematurely wasted and that their power would be drained before October. Protesters barricade an entrance to Parliament during a rally, May 2, 2024. - Irakli Gedenidze/Reuters In an interesting parallel, Ivanishvili said he was not like Viktor Yanukovych, the former president of Ukraine toppled by the Maidan protests in 2014, when thousands of Ukrainians demanded a European future in scenes similar to those in Tbilisi today. He thinks that this situation here is different, that hes more in control, and that he will not allow the kind of Maidan to take place in Georgia, said Sabanadze. But he might be underestimating the popular outrage. As the protests show no sign of slowing, some have questioned whether they could swell into something resembling a revolution. If this government doesnt withdraw this bill now, when they still have the chance, it will be hard for them to get to the elections. Its a spiral at the moment, said Sabanadze. Jafaridze, the winemaker, says he has never seen the country so united. I dont think its possible to defeat these people. This is not Belarus. This is not Russia. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Georgian president accuses government of being 'prone to making concessions to Russia' Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili escalated her criticism of the ruling Georgian Dream party in an interview with Deutsche Welle on May 3, directly accusing the government of being "prone to making concessions to Russia." "It is increasingly clear that it is not just the 'Russian law' that is the problem, the problem is the Russian government," said Zourabichvili. Zourabichvili was referring to the controversial foreign agents law, known popularly among its opponents in Georgia as the "Russian law," which Georgian Dream is attempting to pass in parliament. The legislation, scheduled for its third and final reading on May 17, would require organizations that receive foreign funding to be labeled as "foreign agents." It mirrors repressive Russian laws used to crack down on Kremlin regime critics. The attempts to pass the law have sparked mass demonstrations in the country, with the police reportedly stepping up attacks against the protesters with tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons. Several media outlets also reported on May 3 that unidentified, masked men began beating protesters at random. Read also: Georgian government holds massive anti-West rally as it aims to pass Russian-style law Zourabichvili's comments echoed a growing sentiment that the protests are not just aimed at the unpopular law, but have shifted into a wider anti-government position. Western leaders have denounced the law and Georgian Dream's attempt to pass it against the clear will of the people. In the latest diplomatic effort, European Council President Charles Michel had a phone call with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, where he stressed that "Georgia's future belongs with the EU" and urged the prime minister not to "miss this historic chance." In turn, Kobakhidze also commented on the phone call, saying that he expressed his "disappointment" over EU officials' supposed unwillingness to discuss the law. The prime minister also repeated unsubstantiated conspiracy theories about the purported role that NGOs had in attempting revolutions in Georgia in 2020 and 2023. Kobakhidze concluded by saying that the foreign agents law is a "crucial prerequisite for achieving depolarization, which is the main recommendation of the EU." EU officials have repeatedly underscored that the law's passage will hurt Georgia's chances of joining the bloc. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The police lettering is seen on an emergency vehicle. Daniel Vogl/dpa German police were searching on Saturday for a pair of suspects involved in the assault of two Green Party politicians in the city of Essen on Thursday evening. The State Protection Office had taken over the investigation due the possibility that the assault could have been politically motivated. Kai Gehring, who serves in the German parliament in Berlin, was with Rolf Fliss, a local Essen politician, when they were approached on a major city street at around 10:30 pm on Thursday. After an initially friendly conversation, an argument and insults ensued. Fliss was punched in the face and slightly injured. The two suspects then fled in a taxi towards the city centre. It was not known what the attackers said to the two Green politicians during the argument. The WAZ newspaper reported, citing Fliss, that he and Gehring were known to the perpetrators as elected officials. Fliss serves as Essen's third mayor, a largely honorary role. He has been active in local politics in the western industrial city for decades - with a particular focus on climate, environment, construction and transport. In a joint statement, the two Green politicians said: "We are concerned that hostility towards politicians is on the rise. We will not be intimidated, because we need people who are committed to our community." The local Green party in Essen called the attack "unbelievable." "We stand together and continue to fight for a world in which politicians can work without fear," it said. A general view of Ruettenscheider street after the Green Party member of parliament Kai Gehring and his party colleague Rolf Fliss were attacked during a party event in Essen. Roland Weihrauch/dpa German police were searching on Saturday for a pair of suspects involved in the assault of two Green Party politicians in the city of Essen on Thursday evening. The State Protection Office had taken over the investigation due to the possibility that the assault could have been politically motivated. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser on Saturday wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that "this act is another attack against our democracy." Kai Gehring, who serves in the German parliament in Berlin, was with Rolf Fliss, a local Essen politician, when they were approached on a major city street at around 10:30 pm on Thursday. After an initially friendly conversation, an argument and insults ensued. Fliss was punched in the face and slightly injured. The two suspects then fled in a taxi towards the city centre. It was not known what the attackers said to the two Green politicians during the argument. The WAZ newspaper reported, citing Fliss, that he and Gehring were known to the perpetrators as elected officials. Fliss serves as Essen's third mayor, a largely honourary role. He has been active in local politics in the western industrial city for decades - with a particular focus on climate, environment, construction and transport. In a joint statement, the two Green politicians said: "We are concerned that hostility towards politicians is on the rise. We will not be intimidated, because we need people who are committed to our community." The local Green party in Essen called the attack "unbelievable." "We stand together and continue to fight for a world in which politicians can work without fear," it said. On Friday evening there was an attack on another politician in the eastern German city of Dresden. Police said four unknown persons attacked Matthias Ecke while he was putting up election posters late on Friday evening. Ecke was seriously injured and required treatment in hospital. Ecke, who is a member of the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), is also the SPD's top candidate for the upcoming European Parliament elections in the eastern German state of Saxony. News of the attack prompted outraged reactions from politicians from several of Germany's political parties, who decried the violence. A general view of Ruettenscheider street after the Green Party member of parliament Kai Gehring and his party colleague Rolf Fliss were attacked during a party event in Essen. Roland Weihrauch/dpa German politician in hospital after being attacked during campaign Election posters from various parties are hanging on the lamp posts along Schandauer Strasse in Dreden Striesen. The leading Saxon SPD candidate for the European elections, Matthias Ecke, has been attacked and seriously injured while putting up posters in the Dresden district of Striesen. Lucas Friedenhain/xcitepress/dpa A German politician was attacked and seriously injured by four assailants while putting up campaign posters in the eastern German city of Dresden late on Friday evening, according to police. Matthias Ecke, 41, is a member of the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and a current lawmaker in the European Parliament. Ecke was taken to hospital for treatment following the attack and will require surgery. Ecke is the SPD's top candidate for the upcoming European Parliament elections in the eastern German state of Saxony. Police said they have not identified the attackers. A special state violent crime task force has taken over the investigation into the attack, according to Saxony's Interior Ministry. News of the attack prompted outraged reactions from politicians from several of Germany's political parties, who decried the violence. Minutes before Ecke was attacked on Friday, according to the police, a group of four unidentified assailants had attacked a 28-year-old Green Party campaign worker while he was putting up posters in the same part of Dresden. The perpetrators punched and kicked him, and the 28-year-old was also injured. Due to similar descriptions of the attackers and the proximity of the attacks in both time and location, investigators believe that the same group carried out both assaults. The SPD party organization in Saxony said that other campaign teams placing posters had faced insults and attempts at intimidation and that posters had been destroyed. The attack is an "unmistakable alarm signal to all people in this country," the co-chairs of the SPD in Saxony, Henning Homann and Kathrin Michel, said in a statement. "The series of attacks by thugs on poster teams of democratic parties is an attack on the foundations of our democracy. The violent action and intimidation of democrats is the tool of fascists." The SPD's leaders in Saxony blamed the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and other right-wing extremist groups for sowing hatred against democratic politicians and warned that right-wing supporters "are now completely uninhibited" and see democratic politicians as "fair game." German democracy "must not tolerate this," the SPD leaders said. "And it is also clear that we will not be silenced!" Saxony's state premier, Michael Kretschmer of the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), warned that political street violence was a reminder of the darkest periods in German history. "It is shocking and an attack on our democratic values, the attack on SPD top candidate Matthias Ecke appals me deeply and cannot be justified by anything," Kretschmer said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The party's national co-chairs, Saskia Esken and Lars Klingbeil, described Ecke's beating as an "insidious attack" on the entire party and all campaign workers "who passionately stand up for our democracy and the rule of law." "The perpetrators want to intimidate us as representatives of a democratic society. But they will never succeed," Esken and Klingbein said in a statement on Saturday. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, also a member of the SPD, said that if authorities confirm that the attack on Ecke was politically motivated, "then this serious act of violence is also a serious attack on democracy." There have also been several violent incidents during election campaigns across Germany, most recently on Thursday evening in the western German city of Essen, where the Green Party member of parliament Kai Gehring and his party colleague Rolf Fliss were attacked after a party event. Avelo Airlines returns next month to the Colorado Springs Airport. The Houston-based, low-fare carrier will resume its twice-weekly, nonstop service May 23 from the Springs to the Hollywood-Burbank Airport, outside Los Angeles, Avelo said this week. Flights will take place on Sundays and Thursdays via Boeing 737 aircraft, the carrier said. Introductory one-way fares will start at $90 and can be purchased at aveloair.com; flights can be booked through Sept. 1. Sign up for free: Gazette Business Receive a weekly roundup of business news around El Paso County. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Featured Local Savings Avelo, which launched its nonstop service in May 2023 at the Colorado Springs Airport, took a seasonal break starting Jan. 7; a spokeswoman said at the time that the pause reflected a not-surprising slowdown in demand during the winter, but that the carrier fully planned to resume service in the spring. We are excited to kick off the summer travel season with the return of Avelo Airlines nonstop seasonal service to Los Angeles/Hollywood-Burbank, Greg Phillips, the Colorado Springs Airports aviation director, said in a news release. This route will provide Colorado Springs travelers easy and convenient access to sunny beaches and the greater Los Angeles area from COS. Rich Laden, The Gazette Germany denounces spate of attacks on politicians recalling 'darkest era' of its history By Sarah Marsh and Andreas Rinke BERLIN (Reuters) -German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Union leaders denounced on Saturday a recent spate of attacks on politicians in Germany, including one that sent a member of the European Parliament to hospital with serious injuries. Matthias Ecke, 41, a member of Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD), was hit and kicked on Friday by a group of four people while putting up posters in Dresden, capital of the eastern state of Saxony, police said. An SPD source said his injuries would require an operation. Shortly before, what appeared to be the same group attacked a 28-year-old campaigner for the Greens, who was also putting up posters, police said, although his injuries were not as severe. "Democracy is threatened by this kind of thing," Scholz told a convention of European socialists in Berlin. The attacks exemplify increased violence in Germany in recent years, often from the far-right, targeting especially leftist politicians. The BfV domestic intelligence agency says far-right extremism is the biggest threat to German democracy. Saxony premier Michael Kretschmer, a conservative, said such aggression and attempts at intimidation recalled the darkest era of German history, a reference to Nazi rule. The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, a former German conservative minister, and the Italian head of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, both condemned the attack on Ecke. "The culprits must be brought to account," von der Leyen said on X. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser vowed "tough action and further protective measures" in response to the attacks. FAR-RIGHT SUPPORT The heads of the SPD in Saxony, Henning Homann and Kathrin Michel, issued a statement in which they blamed the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) for the rise in violence. "These people and their supporters bear responsibility for what is happening in this country," they said. The AfD did not immediately reply to a request for comment. The party says it is the victim of a campaign by the media and political establishment. The AfD has seen a surge in support in the past year take it to second place in opinion polls nationwide. It is particularly strong in the eastern states of Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg, where surveys suggest it could come first in regional elections in September. Nationwide, the number of attacks on politicians of parties represented in parliament has doubled since 2019, according to government figures published in January. Greens party politicians face the most aggression, according to the data, with attacks on them rising sevenfold since 2019 to 1,219 last year. AfD politicians suffered 478 attacks and the SPD was third with 420. Theresa Ertel, a Greens candidate in municipal elections in Thuringia this month, said she knew of party members who no longer wanted to stand because of the aggressive political atmosphere. The Greens in her region had agreed that information stands should always have at least three staff for extra safety. (Reporting by Sarah Marsh, Andreas Rinke and Christian Ruettger in Berlin, Additional Reporting by Kate Abnett in Brussels; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Gareth Jones) Germany is facing almost daily spying plots sparked by the far-Right AfD partys ties with authoritarian regimes, the head of the Bundestags intelligence committee has warned. Speaking to The Telegraph, Konstantin von Notz claimed that Alternative for Germany, the far-Right populist party, can always be found where the worlds despots are looking for compliant helpers to betray German interests and harm our democracy. The stark warning came as Germany reels from a series of espionage plots, including one involving a research assistant to an AfD MEP who is accused of passing state secrets to China. Mr von Notz said: We are currently discussing new forms of influence and destabilisation attempts by authoritarian states against our country almost every day. It is becoming increasingly clear: [AfD co-leaders] Alice Weidel, Tino Chrupalla and company are far closer to the autocratic regimes of the world whether they be Russia, China or North Korea than to the democracies in Germany and Europe. Anti-AfD proteters in Munster - LEON KUEGELER/AFP Mr Notz, the chair of the Bundestags powerful PKGr committee, which scrutinises the German intelligence services, also predicted that further spying plots involving AfD staffers are likely to follow. He expressed regret that Germans in key sectors vulnerable to espionage attempts have been too lax about the dangers they face and acknowledged that Britain is having similar issues, as reflected in its own recent arrests of Russian and Chinese spying suspects. Unfortunately, many people in politics, business and science still lack the necessary awareness of the dangers posed by China and other authoritarian states for our democracy, the economy and the freedom of science, he said. It has also emerged in recent weeks that a top AfD member accepted 20,000 euros (17,000) in cash from a Russian propaganda network, and that parts of the AfDs internal affairs manifesto was allegedly drafted by Russian officials. Co-leaders of the AfD Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel - JOHN MacDOUGALL/AFP In a separate case in April, not involving the AfD, two German-Russians were arrested for allegedly plotting to blow up US military sites in Bavaria And in March, Berlin was left red-faced after Russia leaked a sensitive phone call between German air force officers discussing details of a potential delivery of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine. The arrest last week of Jian Guo, a parliamentary researcher for AfD MEP Maximilian Krah, shocked Germany, with its interior minister calling the case an extremely serious attack from within on European democracy. Mr Guo is suspected of passing sensitive information about the European parliament to Chinas Ministry of State Security, or MSS, and of spying on Chinese opposition figures. Mr Krah has said he was unaware that his assistant was an alleged spy. He added in a statement issued shortly after the arrest: Spying for a foreign state is a serious accusation. If the allegations prove true, it will result in the immediate termination of Mr. Guos employment with me. Demonstrator in mask depicting Maximilian Krah while holding Chinese and Russian flags with sign saying Alternative for Dictators - SILAS STEIN/AFP The AfD has said the case is very disturbing and has also vehemently denied a recent report in Der Spiegel magazine which alleged that one of the partys manifestos was drawn up by Russian officials. According to Der Spiegel, the Kremlin wrote the manifesto, which the magazine says it has seen, for the AfD. The report also alleged that central content of the manifesto can be found in speeches by key AfD officials, including top member Bjorn Hocke. However, the AfD strongly denies this, dismissing Der Spiegels report as a Rauberpistol [literally robbers gun, or cock and bull story]. The AfD, which is surging in the Germans polls and remains at second place nationwide, has repeatedly complained that it is being targeted by mainstream parties who are concerned by its popularity. The Right-wing, anti-immigration movement is particularly popular in eastern Germany, the territory of the Communist DDR after the Second World War. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. DANVILLE, Va. (WFXR) Gods Pit Crew is working with ministry partners to help respond to the devastating floods currently impacting southeast Texas. On Thursday, May 2, Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration as severe weather continues to impact the Lone Star state. Multiple communities and roadways in the Houston area are not impassable, and it is reported that 700 homes are already flooded near Conroe. Gods Pit Crew, in partnership with Houston-based Christian broadcast group, KSBJ, hosted are distributing Pallets of Blessing Buckets, which include non-perishable food, water, hygiene items, first-aid kits, Bibles, and handwritten notes of encouragement to members of the Houston community. Potter Strong in full effect in Salem As the area continues to survey the situation and implement steps moving forward in the recovery process, well be in constant communication with partners in that area and ready to provide assistance where needed, stated Chris Chiles, Gods Pit Crew Immediate Disaster Response Coordinator. The situation is terrible and seems it will get worse as more water is released from the reservoirs. Along with helping communities in southeast Texas, the non-profit recently sent Blessing Buckets to communities in Oklahoma, to aid victims impacted by the ongoing tornado outbreak in the Midwest. Our committed volunteers, donors, and partners make it possible for us to respond with urgency, said Gods Pit Crew Chief Operating Officer Brandon Nuckles. All donations received for disaster relief efforts allow our ministry to aid disaster victims with life-sustaining supplies that are prepared and ready to go when needed and we are so thankful for that support. For more information about Gods Pit Crew and their mission, visit their website. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. Welcome, folks, to Week in Review (WiR), TechCrunch's regular newsletter that recaps the week that was in tech. This edition's a tad bittersweet for me it'll be my last (for a while, anyway). Soon, I'll be shifting my attention to a new AI-focused newsletter, which I'm super thrilled about. Stay tuned! Now, on with the news: This week Google laid off staff from its Flutter, Dart and Python teams weeks before its annual I/O developer conference. A total of 200 people were let go across Googles Core teams, which included those working on app platforms and other engineering roles. Elsewhere, Tesla CEO Elon Musk gutted the company's team responsible for overseeing its Supercharger network in a new round of layoffs -- despite recently winning over major automakers like Ford and General Motors. The cuts are so complete that Musk suggested in an email that they'll force Tesla to slow the Supercharger network's expansion. And UnitedHealthcare's CEO, Andrew Witty, told a House subcommittee that the ransomware gang that hacked U.S. health tech giant Change Healthcare UnitedHealthcare's subsidiary used a set of stolen credentials to access Change Healthcare systems that werent protected by multifactor authentication. Last week, UnitedHealthcare said that the hackers stole health data on a "substantial proportion of people in America." News Hallucinations, hallucinations: OpenAI is facing another privacy complaint in the EU. This one filed by privacy rights nonprofit noyb on behalf of an individual complainant targets the inability of its AI chatbot ChatGPT to correct misinformation it generates about individuals. Just walk out of Sam's Club: Sams Club customers who pay either at a register or through the Scan & Go mobile app can now walk out of the store without having their purchases double-checked. The technology, unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, has now been deployed at 20% of Sams Club locations. TikTok circumvents Apple rules: TikTok is presenting some users with a link to a website for purchasing the coins used to tip digital creators on the platform. Typically, these coins must be bought via in-app purchase which requires a 30% commission paid to Apple suggesting TikTok might be attempting to skirt Apple's App Store rules. NIST's GenAI platform: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the U.S. Commerce Department agency that develops and tests tech for the U.S. government, companies and the broader public, has launched NIST GenAI, a new program to assess generative AI technologies, including text- and image-generating AI. Getir pulls out: Getir, the quick commerce behemoth, has pulled out of the U.S., U.K. and Europe to focus on Turkey, its home country. The company once valued close to $12 billion said that the move would impact thousands of gig and full-time workers. Analysis Inside the Techstars "cold war": Brilliant reporting by Dom peels back the curtains on a year of financial losses and employee cuts at startup accelerator Techstars, whose CEO, Maelle Gavet, has been a controversial force for change. AI-powered coding: Yours truly takes a look at Copilot Workspace, somewhat of an evolution of GitHubs AI-powered coding assistant Copilot into a more general tool building on recently introduced capabilities like Copilot Chat, which lets developers ask questions about code in natural language. Pro-Palestine demonstrations at the University of Mississippi were overtaken with counter protesters Thursday, resulting in a viral clip of white students taunting a Black student. The video was shared online and applauded by a Republican lawmaker. Ole Miss taking care of business, Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) posted on social media platform X. The video has received sharp criticism for the students racist actions. Collins has also been criticized for endorsing the racist actions in the video. The Hill has reached out to Collins team, asking for an explanation of what he meant when he posted the video. In the clip, a white student appears to make monkey noises and gestures at a Black female graduate student. The woman, standing alone and filming, was being escorted backwards by police while a crowd of white students cheered, clapped, yelled and flipped her off. The camera pans to the man who imitated a monkey howl and jumping up and down. Students were calling for an end to genocide. They were met with racism, James M. Thomas, a sociology professor at the university posted on X. Other videos posted online show the larger crowd, about 200 people, surrounding the protesters and shouting. Counter protesters sung The Star-Spangled Banner to drown out pro-Palestinian protesters chants, who were calling on Israel to Stop the Genocide and for the U.S. to stop supplying weapons in the war. About 76 percent of the universitys students were white and about 11 percent Black, during the 2022-23 school year, according to The Associated Press. University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce said the school was aware that some statements made were offensive, hurtful, and unacceptable, including actions that conveyed hostility and racist overtones. Boyce said the school has opened a student conduct investigation into one student, but couldnt name who under privacy laws. He said some individuals acted in ways that conflict with university values. While we are a modern university with a vibrant community of more than 25,000 people, it is important to acknowledge our challenging history, and incidents like this can set us back, he wrote in an email to the campus community. It is one reason why we do not take this lightly and cannot let the unacceptable behavior of a few speak for our institution or define us. Republican Gov. Tate Reeves also posted a video from the protest, saying it warms his heart and he loves Mississippi. The counter protesters, seen holding a Trump 2024 flag, were also praised by former President Trump, who released a campaign ad that highlighted a clip from the Mississippi protest. The ad included clips from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, where students have also gone viral for holding up the American flag after protesters tried to take it down. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A six-week abortion ban signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis went into effect on Wednesday, kicking off the next act of DeSantis larger culture war in the Sunshine State. The law is expected to have devastating impacts on Black pregnant people in Florida, who already suffer from disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality.The Root spoke to Black Floridians about the ban last year, and they did not mince words. This legislation is playing with peoples lives. People are going to die for the sake of an agenda, an agenda that doesnt benefit people that look like me, a black woman, Metayer Bowen, the first Black and Haitian woman Commissioner of Coral Springs, FL, told The Root last April. Experts have been ringing the alarm about the impact of abortion bans on Black Americans long before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. And the data is concerning. Researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder found that if abortion was completely banned nationwide, Black maternal mortality rates would increase by roughly 39 percent. For context, Black women are already three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. However, the six-week abortion ban is hardly the only issue DeSantis pushed thats had a negative impact on Black Floridians. Last year, the NAACP issued a travel advisory for the state of Florida arguing that DeSantis Florida had engaged in an all-out attack on Black Americans, Black history, voting rights, members of the LGBTQ+community, immigrants, womens reproductive rights, and free speech. Things havent slowed down in the year since the group issued the advisory. Earlier this year, DeSantis signed a law banning the use of state funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The ban led to the University of Florida eliminating all DEI positions at the school. Now, Black Floridians will have to adjust to the reality of this new ban on top of the ongoing assault on voting rights, DEI, and LGBTQ+ rights. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Government officials announce regional water restrictions that will affect millions of people amid drought: 'Reservoirs are still at very low levels' Dwindling water levels in Catalonia in northeast Spain have created a crisis that government officials are addressing with water rationing. What happened? As explained in Catalan News, the Catalan government announced in April that water restrictions will remain in place during the summer months amid an ongoing drought emergency. This decision was made despite a recent batch of rainfall in March that helped Catalonia avoid progressing to a Level 2 drought emergency that was planned for Spain's Ter-Llobregat water system, which serves Barcelona and its metropolitan area. Recent data released from the Catalan Water Agency reportedly revealed that reservoirs in the Ter-Llobregat system are now at 17.8% of their capacity, up from 16% in March. The rain was enough to allow water restrictions to remain as they are, as Patricia Plaja, a government spokesperson, said after a meeting on the ongoing drought, "There will not be more, but neither less." However, the government warned that this doesn't mean the "extreme drought" situation is nearing its end. "We will continue with Level 1 of the emergency plan in the vast majority of the territory, and it will not be required to implement new restrictions, but we must continue to be aware of the situation and that reservoirs are still at very low levels," Plaja added. Why is this concerning? The Catalonia region is an attractive tourist destination because of its popular beach areas of Costa Brava, and it is also home to a reported population of 7.7 million people. The region includes Barcelona, which is the second-largest city in Spain. The difficulty of predicting when rain is coming to the region has made it hard to determine when the water restrictions will be lifted. "It is complicated to foresee when the drought emergency will be lifted," said Josep Vidal, the Climate Action secretary general. Spain isn't alone in resorting to water rationing, as it was also reported last month that Colombia has employed the practice after the three reservoirs that supply the capital of Bogota with 70% of its water were discovered to be at 16.9% capacity after the El Nino weather phenomenon at the end of 2023. Extreme weather events like these have long existed, but the ongoing issue of climate change has led to a significant increase in such occurrences. Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and other environment-damaging gases would go a long way toward helping decrease the chances of these dangerous climate changes. What can be done about this? For now, the Catalan government is moving forward with the water restrictions that are already in place. This includes ruling out sailing tank boats with water and keeping swimming pools closed under these current conditions. "We are studying it as towns have asked for permission, and we understand that climate refugees, such as swimming pools, have to be planned due to a climate emergency situation," Vidal said. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Governor: Russian missile attack on Odesa Oblast injures at least 3 Russian forces struck the Odesa district on May 4, injuring at least three people, Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper said. A Russian missile attack damaged civilian infrastructure, according to the governor. Two women and a man suffered injuries, he said. "The man received medical aid on the spot, the women were hospitalized," Kiper wrote on Telegram. Emergency services are working at the attack site. Odesa Oblast and other southern regions of Ukraine are regular targets of Russian missile and drone attacks. Russian forces attacked with ballistic missiles a postal depot of Ukraine's largest privately-owned postal service, Nova Poshta, in Odesa on May 1. A total of 14 people were reportedly injured, but none of the 18 employees working in the depot were among them as they managed to reach the bomb shelter in time. Russia carried out another attack against Odesa on April 29, using a cluster munition-armed Iskander missile. A total of six people were killed, and around 30 injured, according to local authorities. Read also: Russian attack on Odesa postal depot destroys 15.5 tons of shipments Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The jamming of GPS signals over the Baltic Sea has been "most likely" a side effect of Russia's efforts against attack drones. Source: Traficom, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency, as reported by European Pravda with reference to Politico Quote: "The interference intensified when Ukraine's drone attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure began in January 2024." Details: Estonia also accuses Russia of jamming the signal, but the Finnish agency disagrees with the Tallinn government's definition of the interference as a hybrid attack. "It is possible that the interference observed in aviation currently are most likely a side effect of Russia's self-protection that is used to prevent the navigation and control of drones controlled by GNSS [Global Navigation Satellite System] or mobile frequencies," Traficom noted. Anyway, the Finnish agency stated that flying to and from Finland is safe due to inertial navigation and ground-based navigation alternatives. Although GPS is still "the main source of navigation information in aviation". Earlier this week, Finnair airline suspended flights to the Estonian city of Tartu for a month. The Estonian government announced its intention to discuss this issue with its EU and NATO partners. "[The] North Atlantic Council addressed the recent malign activities on Allied territory yesterday [2 May] and stated that Russias hybrid operations such as cyber and electronic interference but also sabotage, acts of violence and disinformation campaigns have affected several NATO member states," a representative of the Estonian Foreign Ministry pointed out, referring to a NATO statement published on Thursday. Background: The Baltic countries noted that the GPS jamming that Russia is accused of may cause an air catastrophe. Support UP or become our patron! A group of Republicans has united to defend the legitimacy of US elections and those who run them FILE - Rusty Bowers, Arizona state House Speaker, from left, Brad Raffensperger, Georgia Secretary of State, and Gabe Sterling, COO for the Georgia Secretary of States Office, attend a hearing investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol at the Capitol in Washington, June 21, 2022. With six months to go before the presidential election, concerns are running high among election officials that public distrust of voting and ballot counting persists. Sterling is part of an effort that seeks to bring together Republican officials who are willing to defend the country's election systems. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) ATLANTA (AP) It was Election Day last November, and one of Georgias top election officials saw that reports of a voting machine problem in an eastern Pennsylvania county were gaining traction online. So Gabriel Sterling, a Republican who had defended the 2020 election in Georgia amid an onslaught of threats, posted a message to his nearly 71,000 followers on the social platform X explaining what had happened and saying that all votes would be counted correctly. He faced immediate criticism from one commenter about why he was weighing in on another states election while other responses reiterated false claims about widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Its still the right thing to do, Sterling told a gathering the following day, stressing the importance of Republican officials speaking up to defend elections. We have to be prepared to say over and over again -- other states are doing it different than us, but they are not cheating. Sterling, the chief operating officer for the Georgia Secretary of States Office, is part of an effort begun after the last presidential election that seeks to bring together Republican officials who are willing to defend the country's election systems and the people who run them. They want officials to reinforce the message that elections are secure and accurate, an approach they say is especially important as the country heads toward another divisive presidential contest. The group has held meetings in several states, with more planned before the Nov. 5 election. With six months to go before the likely rematch between Democratic President Joe Biden and former Republican President Donald Trump, concerns are running high among election officials that public distrust of voting and ballot counting persists, particularly among Republicans. Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee, continues to sow doubts about the last presidential election and is warning his followers without citing any evidence that Democrats will try to cheat in the upcoming one. This past week, during a campaign rally in Michigan, Trump repeated his false claim that Democrats rigged the 2020 election. But were not going to allow them to rig the presidential election, he said. Just 22% of Republicans expressed high confidence that votes will be counted accurately in November, according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll last year. Its an obligation on Republicans' part to stand up for the defense of our system because our party -- theres some blame for where we stand right now, said Kentucky's secretary of state, Michael Adams, who is part of the group and won reelection last year. But its also strategically wise for Republicans to say, Hey Republicans, you can trust this. Dont stay at home." The effort, which began about 18 months ago, is coordinated by the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University and the center-right think tank R Street Institute. The goal has been to start conversations about trust in elections, primarily among conservative officials, and to develop a set of principles to accomplish that. This has never been and will never be about Trump specifically, said Matt Germer, director of governance for the R Street Institute and a lead organizer of the effort. Its about democratic principles at a higher level - what does it mean to be a conservative who believes in democracy, the rule of law?" He said an aim is to have a structure in place to support election officials who might find themselves in situations like that of Georgia' secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger in 2020, when he supported Trump but rejected false claims that the election was stolen. Prosecutors in Georgia have since charged Trump and others, alleging a plot to overturn the results. Trump has pleaded not guilty. You can be a Republican and you can believe in all the Republican ideas without having to say the election was stolen, Germer said. A guiding principle for the group is that Republican officials should publicly affirm the security and integrity of elections across the U.S. and avoid actively fueling doubt about elections in other jurisdictions. Kim Wyman, a Republican who previously served as Washington states top election official, said its imperative when officials are confronted with questions about an election somewhere else that they dont avoid the question by promoting election procedures in their own state. It's OK to say you dont know the various laws and procedures in another state, Wyman said, but she urged fellow Republicans to emphasize what states do have in common -- "the security measures, the control measures to make sure the election is being conducted with integrity. Kansas' secretary of state, Scott Schwab, a Republican who has participated in meetings organized by the group, said he believes there are certain aspects of elections that officials should feel comfortable talking about. But he said he would remain cautious of speaking directly about something specific happening in another state. If I start going beyond my realm and my role, then they dont trust me. And if they dont trust me, then they dont trust the elections in Kansas, and thats pretty important, Schwab said in an interview. Some election officials who have questioned election procedures outside their state have a different perspective. Secretary of State Mac Warner of West Virginia, a Republican who has questioned the legitimacy of the 2020 election, said the focus should be on improving policies, such as putting in place voter ID requirements across the country, not silencing those who have questions. Our primary job as election officials is to build confidence, and that comes from strengthening protocols and not weakening them, he said. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican who has raised questions about the way elections are run in other states, criticized what he called activist lawsuits and state officials who seek to change voting rules previously set by legislators. The things that happen in other states that go wrong are not the result of some cloak and dagger, secretive cabal conspiracy, he said in an interview. Thats the far-fetched stuff that makes for great YouTube videos and what have you. But the real things that go wrong in other states, are out in the open, are in full public view. Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, a Republican who is the states top election official and has been participating in the group's discussions, said avoiding criticism of other states and vouching for the legitimacy of election procedures is important for another reason: It can help reduce the threats and harassment directed toward election workers. A recent survey by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University's Law School found that nearly 40% of local election officials had experienced such abuse. It's caused many to leave their jobs. Of 29 clerks in Utah, Henderson said 20 are new since 2020 and nine have never overseen an election. Its one thing to suggest that someone could do something better. Its another thing to impugn their integrity, their character, accuse them of cheating, accuse them of nefarious things that dont happen, Henderson said. Its exhausting. ___ Associated Press writer Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Workers at a gas station in Columbus Lincoln Village neighborhood narrowly escaped Friday when a suspect tried to rob and shoot them. The Franklin County Sheriffs Office said around 11 a.m. that a man wearing a red and black covering over his face walked into the Speedway store at 4555 W. Broad St. It also shared photos of the suspect captured on the gas stations security camera. Inside, he pointed a gun at an employee and demanded money. The sheriffs office didnt share other details on the employees exchange with the suspect after he made it clear that he was robbing them. This embedded content is not available in your region. The suspect then tried to fire his gun, but it didnt go off, according to the sheriffs office. When the workers heard the click of the suspects gun dry firing, they ran out of the store. The sheriffs office did not specify the number of workers that ran away, but said they fled in different directions. The robbery suspect followed them outside, and when he tried to shoot one of them, he successfully fired his gun twice but missed. (Courtesy Photo/Franklin County Sheriffs Office) (Courtesy Photo/Franklin County Sheriffs Office) (Courtesy Photo/Franklin County Sheriffs Office) The suspect then left the scene, heading toward Hilton Avenue. When deputies arrived, they found two 9mm bullet casings at the Speedway. The sheriffs office asked anyone with information on the robbery or suspect to call its detective bureau at 614-525-3351. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Palestinians react next to the bodies of their relatives who were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza Stirp, at the Al Aqsa hospital in Deir al Balah, Gaza, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana) TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) A Hamas delegation was in Cairo on Saturday as Egyptian state media reported noticeable progress in cease-fire talks for Gaza. But Israel hasnt sent a delegation and a senior Israeli official downplayed prospects for a full end to the war while emphasizing the commitment to invading Rafah. Pressure has mounted to reach a deal halting the nearly 7-month-long war. A top U.N. official says there is now a full-blown famine in northern Gaza, while the United States has repeatedly warned close ally Israel about its planned offensive into Rafah, the southernmost city on the border with Egypt, where more than 1 million Palestinians are sheltering. Egyptian and U.S. mediators have reported signs of compromise in recent days, but chances for a cease-fire deal remain entangled with the key question of whether Israel will accept an end to the war without reaching its stated goal of destroying the militant group Hamas. Egypts state-owned Al-Qahera News TV channel said that a consensus had been reached over many disputed points but did not elaborate. Hamas has called for a complete end to the war and withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Gaza. A senior Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing negotiations, played down the prospects for a full end to the war. The official said Israel was committed to the Rafah invasion and that it will not agree in any circumstance to end the war as part of a deal to release hostages. Israeli media said that statement had been dictated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose government could be threatened if he agrees to a deal because hard-line Cabinet members demand an attack on Rafah. The proposal that Egyptian mediators had put to Hamas sets out a three-stage process that would bring an immediate, six-week cease-fire and partial release of Israeli hostages, and would include some sort of Israeli pullout. The initial stage would last for 40 days. Hamas would start by releasing female civilian hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Some families of hostages accused Netanyahu of prolonging the war for his political interests. Daniel Elgert, whose brother Itzhak is held by Hamas, addressed Netanyahu at the latest rally in Tel Aviv: Bibi, we call on you from here to announce the end of the war in exchange for the return of all the hostages. The war is effectively over, we know its over, you cant fool us." The war has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas local health officials, caused widespread destruction and plunged the territory into an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The conflict erupted on Oct. 7, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, abducting about 250 people and killing around 1,200, mostly civilians. Israel says militants still hold around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others. Israeli strikes Saturday on Gaza killed at least six people. Three bodies were recovered from the rubble of a building in Rafah and taken to Yousef Al Najjar hospital. A strike in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza killed three people, according to hospital officials. In the last 24 hours, the bodies of 32 people killed by Israeli strikes have been brought to local hospitals, Gazas Health Ministry said Saturday. The ministry does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its tallies but says that women and children make up around two-thirds of those killed. The Israeli military says it has killed 13,000 militants, without providing evidence to back up the claim. It has also conducted mass arrests during its raids inside Gaza. The territory's Health Ministry urged the International Criminal Court to investigate the death in Israeli custody of a Gaza surgeon. Adnan al-Borsh, 50, was working at al-Awda Hospital when Israeli troops stormed it in December, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Club. The United Nations has warned that hundreds of thousands would be at imminent risk of death if Israel's military moves forward into densely packed Rafah, which is also a critical entry point for humanitarian aid. Israel has briefed U.S. officials on its plan to evacuate civilians. The director of the U.N. World Food Program, Cindy McCain, said Friday that trapped civilians in the north, the most cut-off part of Gaza, have plunged into famine. McCain said a cease-fire and a greatly increased flow of aid through land and sea routes was essential. A Israeli humanitarian official on Saturday called McCain's assertion incorrect and said Israel has been facilitating the delivery of more aid. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. Israel recently opened new crossings for aid into northern Gaza, but on Wednesday, Israeli settlers blocked the first convoy before it crossed into the besieged enclave. Once inside Gaza, the convoy was commandeered by Hamas militants, before U.N. officials reclaimed it. Some displaced residents of northern Gaza said they had been skipping meals and hadn't seen vegetables for weeks. You know now everything is scarce in Gaza. There are no vegetables and there is no aid or food packages. It is about once a month that we get food parcels, Marwan Al-Zaid said. In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where tensions have been high since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, the Israeli military said it and Shin Bet had killed five fighters in Tulkarem, asserting the fighters had opened fire. Palestinian authorities said five people were killed by Israeli fire in the town of Deir al-Ghusun, roughly 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) northeast of Tulkarem. ___ Jeffery reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Bassem Mroue in Beirut contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Ahmed Mohamed Hassan CAIRO (Reuters) - Hamas negotiators began intensified talks on Saturday on a possible Gaza truce that would see the return to Israel of some hostages, a Hamas official told Reuters, with the CIA director present in Cairo. The Hamas delegation arrived from the Palestinian Islamist movement's political office in Qatar, which, along with Egypt, has tried to mediate a follow-up to a brief November ceasefire amid international dismay over the soaring death toll in Gaza and the plight of its 2.3 million inhabitants. Taher Al-Nono, a Hamas official and advisor to Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, said meetings with Egyptian and Qatari mediators had begun and Hamas was addressing their proposals "with full seriousness and responsibility". However, he reiterated a demand that any deal should include an Israeli pullout from Gaza and an end to the war, conditions that Israel has previously rejected. "Any agreement to be reached must include our national demands; the complete and permanent ending of the aggression, the full and complete withdrawal of the occupation from Gaza Strip, the return of the displaced to their homes without restriction and a real prisoner swap deal, in addition to the reconstruction and ending the blockade," Nono told Reuters. An Israeli official signalled Israel's core position was unchanged, saying it would "under no circumstances" agree to end the war in a deal to free hostages. The war began after Hamas stunned Israel with a cross-border raid on Oct. 7 in which 1,200 people were killed and 252 hostages taken, according to Israeli tallies. More than 34,600 Palestinians have been killed - 32 of them in the most recent 24-hour period - and more than 77,000 have been wounded in Israel's assault, according to Gaza's health ministry. The bombardment has devastated much of the enclave. While the meetings in Cairo were under way, Israeli forces said they had killed Aiman Zaarab, who they said had been a leader of Islamic Jihad forces in southern Gaza and taken part in the Oct. 7 attack. HOPE GROWS FOR TRUCE DEAL Before the talks began there had been some optimism. "Things look better this time but whether an agreement is on hand would depend on whether Israel has offered what it takes for that to happen," a Palestinian official with knowledge of the mediation efforts, who asked not to be named, told Reuters. Washington - which, like other Western powers and Israel, brands Hamas a terrorist group - has urged it to enter a deal. Progress has stumbled, however, over Hamas' long-standing demand for a commitment to end the offensive. Israel insists that after any truce it would resume operations designed to disarm and dismantle the faction. Hamas said on Friday it would come to Cairo in a "positive spirit" after studying the latest proposal, little of which has been made public. Israel has given a preliminary nod to terms that one source said included the return of between 20 and 33 hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and a truce of several weeks. That would leave around 100 hostages in Gaza, some of whom Israel says have died in captivity. The source, who asked not to be identified by name or nationality, told Reuters their return may require an additional deal. "That could entail a de facto, if not formal, end to the war - unless Israel somehow recovers them through force or generates enough military pressure to make Hamas relent," the source said. Egyptian sources said CIA Director William Burns arrived in Cairo on Friday. He has been involved in previous truce talks and Washington has signalled there may be progress this time. The CIA declined to comment on Burns' itinerary. Cairo made a new push to revive talks late last month, alarmed by the prospect of an Israeli assault against Hamas in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians have taken shelter near the border with Egypt. Such an Israeli operation could derail fragile humanitarian operations in Gaza and endanger many more lives, according to U.N. officials. Israel says it will not be deterred from taking Rafah eventually, and is working on a plan to evacuate civilians. Saturday's Cairo talks come as Qatar reviews its role as mediator, according to an official familiar with Doha's thinking. Qatar may cease hosting the Hamas political office, said the official, who did not know if, in such a scenario, the Palestinian group's delegates might also be asked to leave. (Additional reporting by Dan Williams, James Mackenzie and Andrew Mills; Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Giles Elgood, Frances Kerry and Kevin Liffey) Whats happening Disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein will face a new trial on sex crimes charges, prosecutors in New York City revealed on Wednesday, one week after the state's highest court overturned his previous rape conviction. In 2017, accusations of sexual abuse against Weinstein, once one of the most powerful people in Hollywood, helped turn the #MeToo movement into a massive cultural force that inspired women across the country to speak out against abuse and harassment they routinely face along with the systems that allowed that mistreatment to go unchecked. Roughly 100 women have accused Weinstein of some form of sexual misconduct, including using his powerful position in the film industry to coerce them into sex, unsolicited sexual advances and rape. Weinstein denies all of these allegations. In 2020, he was found guilty on two counts of sexual assault in New York and sentenced to 23 years in prison. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement But last week, the New York Court of Appeals ruled that those convictions must be thrown out on the grounds that he had not had a fair trial. In a narrow 4-3 decision, the court found that the judge had allowed impermissible testimony from women who had accused Weinstein of assault, but werent in any way connected to the incidents at the center of the trial. In the view of the appeals court judges, that testimony violated a well-established legal principle that essentially states that defendants must only be judged on the specific acts theyve been charged with, not their general behavior. The courts decision does not mean Weinstein, who is facing serious health issues, will walk free. Hes expected to remain in custody ahead of the new trial. Weinstein also faces a 16-year sentence for rape in California, which was not affected by the ruling in New York. Why theres debate While many legal analysts believe the courts reasoning for throwing out Weinsteins conviction was correct on the merits, the decision still came as a stunning blow to his accusers and supporters of the #MeToo movement more broadly. This is an act of institutional betrayal, said actor Ashley Judd, who was among the first women to publicly accuse Weinstein of sexual misconduct. In the eyes of many commentators, the overturned conviction shows that, despite the massive reckoning that consumed the country several years ago, the structures that allow powerful men to victimize women are still very much in place. Some also expressed concern that the ruling will make it harder to hold abusers accountable by limiting prosecutors ability to establish a pattern of behavior that is often needed to overcome the credibility gap that individual accusers often face. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement But others are more hopeful. They argue that one case, tossed out on what many see as justifiable procedural grounds, in no way invalidates the transformative influence the #MeToo movement has had on our culture. When survivors everywhere broke their silence in 2017, the world changed, the Silence Breakers, a group of Weinstein survivors, wrote in a statement. Some add that the ultimate purpose of #MeToo was never to put one man behind bars, but to shed light on the pervasive treatment of women across our society and push our culture toward a consensus that sexual victimization should not be tolerated goals they argue the movement has unequivocally accomplished. Whats next Weinsteins next hearing in New York is scheduled for the end of this month and prosecutors say the retrial could begin as soon as September. Weinsteins lawyers are also appealing his California conviction. But California law expressly allows the exact kind of testimony that was ruled inadmissible in New York, making their odds of success much slimmer, legal experts say. Perspectives This case makes clear that the power structures #MeToo aimed to dismantle are still standing For a moment, it seemed like there was a possibility for real change that survivors were going to be listened to, whether in the courtroom or in our daily lives. Instead, our reality is that these wins will be short-lived. All that this proves is that with enough money and the drive to keep going, justice will bend in your favor. Sara Pequeno, USA Today ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Nothing about this case changes what the movement has accomplished Because the brave women in this case broke their silence, millions and millions and millions of others found the strength to come forward and do the same. That will always be the victory. This doesn't change that. And the people who abuse their power and privilege to violate and harm others will always be the villain. This doesnt change that. Tarana Burke, founder of the #MeToo movement This ruling makes it harder for women to come forward and expect justice The overturning of Weinsteins conviction sends a disheartening message that even when survivors find the courage to speak out and a jury finds their abuser guilty, their voices can still be silenced, and their experiences called into question. Even years later, even after it seemed like the hard part was over. In other words, its never over. Laura Sinko, Philadelphia Inquirer Weinsteins legal victory is a major win for the anti-#MeToo backlash His overturned conviction is a symbolic milestone, a marker of the dramatic re-entrenchment of legal and institutional misogyny in our own era, and a reminder of how horribly the feminist ambitions of the late-2010s have been betrayed. Moira Donegan, Guardian ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Nothing can derail the progress that the movement is still working toward Every time theres a setback, we hear the same thing: that people will not come forward now. And every time they do. This effort to end sexual violence is something that is ongoing, [and] we cant unsee the things that weve seen. Anita Hill, professor of social policy and law at Brandeis University, to Vanity Fair It may not feel like it right now, but things really have gotten better For survivors who continue to confront high barriers to belief, it might well feel like the system is destined not to deliver justice. Yet there is reason to believe in the promise of accountability. As collective understandings of sexual misconduct evolve, so too does our ability to fairly judge the credibility of accusers. Although progress is halting and maddeningly slow, trials such as Weinsteins help bust the myth of the perfect victim. Deborah Tuerkheimer, CNN Abusers deserve to be punished, but warping the justice system is not the way to get there Even bad men deserve justice, even creeps like Harvey Weinstein. The justice system cannot be a casualty of womens just wrath at the past sins of powerful men. Melanie McDonagh, Evening Standard ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement This case highlights how the law is lagging behind our culture when it comes to sexual abuse Put bluntly: Our court system has not fully caught up to culture when it comes to understanding sexual violence. Jessica Bennett, New York Times Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Chelsea Guglielmino/FilmMagic, John Lamparski/Getty Images, Spencer Platt/Getty Images, GHI/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Haven on Vine in affordable housing brings hope to people in Kissimmee Affordable housing at the Haven on Vine is nearing completion of the phase of its two-bedroom portion of the complex. Since June 2023, the city has been working to renovate and revitalize the former Super8 Motel on West Vine Street in Kissimmee into the Haven on Vine, an affordable housing complex. I really think America needs to step up to the plate and help their people out. I really think affordable housing. Dont talk about it. Do it, said Marcellus White, a current resident. White said before the Haven on Vine that he experienced homelessness after his former homes rent became too high to pay. Read: Sanford Housing Authority celebrates opening of new affordable housing complex He said he checked all the boxes on the criteria list, and the rent is affordable with his current employment income. The complex is slated to be completed at the end of the year and has already started to get tons of applications from people looking to move in. The Haven on Vine marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing efforts to address homelessness and housing insecurity in the City of Kissimmee. We are working towards creating a more equitable and supportive community for all residents through strategic partnerships and targeted funding, said Deputy City Manager Desiree Matthews. Read: Our biggest need: New affordable housing complex in the works for Orlando; see who qualifies Theyre giving the people a chance for affordable housing, said White. The rents range from $788 to $1,500 based on income. The complex will be divided into three sectors. The main motel will have a community room and pool, and rooms will be made into studio apartments, which the city said are in the design and planning stages. Read: Orange County commissioners move forward with Disney affordable housing project Two-bedroom units are nearing completion of remodeling, and 40 bedrooms will be for emergency/bridge housing, a total of 123 units expected to be finalized by the end of 2024. The renovations were made possible by local and federal funding, the latest $1.8 million coming from the Community Project Funding process sponsored by Congressman Darren Soto and funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The city said tenants must meet specific eligibility criteria, including a one-year residency requirement in Osceola County and income qualifications based on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Priority placements go to people experiencing homelessness, victims of domestic violence, families with children, displaced or homeless seniors, and veterans. The location is at 1815 West Vine Street in Kissimmee. City officials said that for information on the criteria to move in or general information, they should call the city at 407-518-2553, visit in person, or email. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. BOSTON With construction season already in full swing, Gov. Maura Healey Friday signed the $375 million municipal transportation infrastructure bond bill that the states 351 municipalities will share for local road, bridge and sidewalk projects. McCracken Road in Millbury, frequently closed for construction, may be one of the roadways that will benefit from the $375 million infrastructure bond bill for fiscal 2025 signed by Gov. Maura Healey Friday. The bill was passed quickly by both branches of government last month and placed on Healeys desk. The governor signed the bill in a public ceremony in Melrose, where she was greeted by local officials. The total package includes $200 million in Chapter 90 funding dispersed among the communities along traditional lines that are determined by road mileage, population and employment figures. The bond includes a special carve-out of $175 million destined for distribution to address specific infrastructure issues. Six programs that are designed to improve accessibility to local public transportation as well as support regional transit authorities and improve safety for pedestrians and users of alternative transportation, including bicycles, scooters and even motorized skateboards, will each receive $25 million. The states Rural Roads program, which allocates additional funding to the less developed areas of Massachusetts will be allocated $25 million from the special funding carve-out. Municipalities can apply for grant funding in all six programs through one portal. The six programs are: Municipal Pavement Program : Allocates grant money to municipalities for repairs, improvements and extension of pavement along state numbered routes. Municipal Small Bridge Program : Focuses on preservation, reinforcement and replacement of a municipalitys smaller bridges and culverts. Complete Streets Funding Program : Allows municipalities to select streets or neighborhoods for projects that increase safety for pedestrians and those using alternative transportation such as bicycles and scooters. Municipal Bus Enhancement : Addresses infrastructure related to local bus routes, building bus shelters and designating bus lanes. Mass Transit Access : Addresses access to transit hubs, including commuter rail stations and bus depots. Grant funding is available for communities to improve parking areas, passenger loading zones, bike storage and electric vehicle charging stations. Municipal RTA/EV Grant: Available for regional transit authorities to purchase electric vehicles and the infrastructure needed to support them. A review of the Chapter 90 allocations indicates Worcester will receive $4,151,464 for its transportation infrastructure. In Worcester County, Fitchburg will receive $1,106,434; Gardner, $595,266; Leominster, $1,125,568, and Southbridge, $490,528 for a total of $3,317,796. In the Worcester & Middlesex District, represented by Sen. John Cronin, D-Lunenburg, municipalities will share a total of $5,576,543, with Fitchburg and Leominster each receiving more than $1 million. Ashby: $223,281.53 Clinton: $326,365.93 Fitchburg: $1,106,434.96 Groton: $511,162.10 Lancaster: $323,172.81 Leominster: $1,125,568.84 Lunenburg: $418,227.26 Shirley: $247,769.61 Townsend: $409,427.12 Westford: $885,138.81 In Hampshire, Franklin & Worcester, the following communities in Worcester County, represented by Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, are slated to share $2,079,745: Athol, $503,210; Ashburnham, $336,127; Petersham, $247,663; Royalston, $277,963, and Winchendon, $467,119. In the Worcester & Hampshire District, represented by Sen. Peter Durant, R-Spencer, the communities will share $7,020,934 with Worcester receiving $4,151,465. Barre: $426,910 Brookfield: $167,473 East Brookfield: $93,423 Gardner: $595,266 Hardwick: $353,856 Holden: $632,306 Hubbardston: $357,072 Leicester: $422,454 North Brookfield: $306,023 New Braintree: $203,707 Oakham: $181,160 Paxton: $190,353 Phillipston: $186,179 Princeton: $336,691 Rutland: $383,782 Spencer: $489,629 Sterling: $440,954 Templeton: $359,925 Ware: $424,825 West Brookfield: $229,488Westminster: $422,637 In the district represented by Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlborough, Southborough will receive $430,388 and Harvard, $354,084. In the Worcester & Hampden District, Sen. Ryan Fattman, R-Webster, said his communities will share $6,832,103. Blackstone: $229,253 Brimfield: $276,893 Charlton: $620,275 Douglas: $362,456 Dudley: $426,585 Holland: $151,532 Hopedale: $172,319 Mendon: $274,704 Millville: $109,084 Monson, $454,957 Northbridge: $465,747 Oxford: $503,846 Sturbridge: $426,931 Sutton, $465,973 Upton: $315,656 Uxbridge: $507,363 Wales: $111,571 Webster: $466,430 In First Worcester, the communities will share $5,653,640, with the lion's share allocated to Worcester, $4,164,226, according to Sen. Robyn Kennedy, D-Worcester. Boylston will receive $203,864; West Boylston, $288,038; Berlin, $192,924; Bolton, $289,625, and Northborough, $514,963. In Second Worcester, communities represented by Sen. Michael Moore, D-Millbury, will share $3,300,779: Auburn, $605,025; Grafton, $502,553, Millbury, $419,798; Shrewsbury, $986,757 and Westborough, $786,646. In Warren, represented by Sen. Jake Oliveira, D-Ludlow, the municipality will be allocated $282,941, and Milford, represented by Sen. Becca Rausch, D-Needham, will receive $815,521. For my district, the Chapter 90 program is one of the most important state funding mechanisms as it provides a constant source of state support for transportation infrastructure, Fattman said. I am always a proponent for this funding and glad to see that its been expedited; unlike the experience we had in the last legislative session where leaders delayed its passage. I am thankful Governor Healey signed it into law, he said. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Healey signs $375M bill for transportation infrastructure projects The history of Memorial Day and when the holiday is observed in 2024 As spring continues, it brings us closer to Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer. If youre already sorting out your holiday plans or brainstorming how to spend your three-day weekend, heres what you should know about Memorial Days origin and meaning. What is Memorial Day? Memorial Day is one of 11 permanent federal holidays observed in the U.S Memorial Day began under the name Decoration Day in 1868 three years after the Civil War ended and was declared a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers and otherwise honor those who died while serving in the United States military, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It is one of 11 permanent federal holidays observed in the U.S. The 10 other federal holidays observed annually are: New Years Day on January 1 Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the third Monday in January Washingtons Birthday, or Presidents Day, on the third Monday in February Juneteenth on June 19 Independence Day, or the Fourth of July, on July 4 Labor Day on the first Monday in September Columbus Day, or Indigenous Peoples Day, on the second Monday in October Veterans Day on Nov. 11 Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday in November Christmas on Dec. 25 When is Memorial Day? Memorial Day is observed annually on the last Monday in May. This year, the holiday falls on Monday, May 27. Looking ahead at graduation season: When is graduation? Here's the latest 2024 commencement breakdown across Delaware colleges History of Memorial Day Memorial Day is on Monday, May 27, 2024. On May 5, 1868, Gen. John Logan officially ordered that May 30 be designated as a day of remembrance for those who died serving in the Civil War. It is believed this date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. By 1890, all Northern states recognized the holiday, but Southern states chose to honor those who died in the Civil War on separate days. This divide continued until the holiday changed after World War I to honor Americans who died fighting any war, not just the Civil War. In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, New York, as the birthplace of Memorial Day after Gov. Nelson Rockefeller made a similar declaration that same year. A view of a jam-packed Rehoboth Beach on Memorial Day weekend as seen in this aerial photo taken on Sunday, May 26, 1991. By the end of the century, Memorial Day ceremonies were held on May 30 throughout the country, the Army and Navy adopted regulations for proper observances at their facilities and state legislatures passed proclamations designating the day. In 1972, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, and placed on the last Monday in May, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The act also established other federal holidays like Presidents Day and Columbus Day on Mondays. In 2000, the National Moment of Remembrance Act was signed into law by Congress and the president, creating the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance. It encourages all citizens to pause at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence, according to Congress. Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: When is Memorial Day 2024? Here is the date, history and meaning Homicide investigation underway after man found shot to death in shed in Taunton A homicide investigation is underway after a man was found shot to death inside a shed in Taunton on Saturday morning. Taunton police responded to Highland Street for a report of a deceased man inside a furnished shed around 9:45 a.m. Saturday. Responding investigators determined the 32-year-old Taunton man had been shot to death. Later Saturday night the Bristol County District Attorneys office identified the victim as Jhonny Lajoie. Taunton Police, Massachusetts State Police and Homicide Unit prosecutors are actively investigating the case. 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 Donald Trumps former top aide Hope Hicks broke down on the witness stand Friday at his hush money trial, during testimony where she also defended the former presidents relationship with wife Melania. Hicks, 35 former press secretary then top White House spokesperson to the ex-president began crying after the first few questions by Emil Bove, a lawyer for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. During the emotional moment Hicks dabbed her eyes with a tissue as Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan offered her a short break, which she accepted. Hope Hicks defended Donald Trumps relationship with wife Melania while on the stand. William Farrington for NY Post Althought it is not clear why she started to cry, Hicks had first become visibly flustered at the end of questioning by the prosecution, while answering questions about the $130,000 payment to porn star Stromy Daniels which is at the center of the trial. She had testified she thought Trump thought felt it was better to be dealing with the situation in 2018 than before the 2016 presidential election. Hicks also choked up when she got back on the witness stand while recalling her time working for the Trump Organization. Hicks had been on the stand for roughly four hours displaying composure while prosecutors grilled her on her time working for the ex-president beginning in 2015 and ending in 2022 which she said is the last time she saw him. Earlier, Hicks told jurors how Trump tried to ensure a Wall Street Journal article from Nov. 4, 2016 detailing allegations of an affair with Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal wouldnt be seen by Melania. He was concerned about the story. He was concerned how it would be viewed by his wife, Hicks said. And he wanted to make sure the newspapers werent delivered to his residence that morning. Hope Hicks broke down crying on the witness stand at Donald Trumps hush money trial. REUTERS Hicks said she hadnt seen Trump since 2022. REUTERS Later, during follow-up by Bove, Hicks explained the reason Trump didnt want Melania to see the McDougal article was because of how much he cares and respects her. President Trump really values Mrs. Trumps opinion and she doesnt weigh in all the time but when she does its really meaningful to him, Hicks said. He really, really respects what she has to say. I think he was really concerned about what the perception of this would be and, yeah, I know that was weighing on him. Hicks added Trump didnt want anyone from his family to be hurt by stories that were going on in his campaign. Hicks said that Trump was concerned that Melania would see an article detailing allegations of his affair with Karen McDougal. Meghan McCarthy / USA TODAY NETWORK Trump wished Melania a happy birthday from the courthouse last week while she was in Florida. She has not attended the first two weeks of trial. Hicks a former teen model, who admitted to having no experience before coming onto Trumps team also took a jab at Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen, who is expected to be the star prosecution witness against his longtime boss. He liked to call himself a fixer, or Mr. Fix It, Hicks said. Hicks also took a jab at Michael Cohen from the witness stand saying he called himself Trumps fixer but he fixed what hed broken himself. REUTERS Its only because he first broke it so he could fix it, she added, to chuckles from the courtroom. Earlier, Hicks laid out how Cohen was very involved in Trumps media response denying the allegations of his affair with McDougal. She explained that Cohen wasnt supposed to be on the campaign in any official capacity, but he tried to insert himself anyway. Cohen wasnt looped in on the day-to-day of campaign strategy Hicks said of Cohen, adding he would go rogue and would do things that frustrated the campaign. Hicks testimony wrapped later Friday afternoon. Trump is on trial for allegedly falsifying business records to try to hide that he had Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 in the run-up to the 2016 election to keep her quiet about claims she had slept with Trump while he was married. He has pleaded not guilty to 43 charges of falsigying business records realted to the payment. Hes repeatedly attacked the trial as political motivated meant to interfere with his election bid. Leaving the court he railed against Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg and the Department of Justice. Theyve been after us for years Democrats, the radical left theyve destroyed peoples lives. Its a shame what theyve done to this country. These are vicious, vicious radical left lunatics, he added. The trial is set to resume with a new witness Monday morning. Hope Hicks broke down in tears on the witness stand during Trump-damaging testimony at hush-money trial Hope Hicks, a former longtime advisor to Donald Trump, took the witness stand in his hush-money trial Friday. Just after Trump's lawyer began cross-examining her, she broke down in tears. Hicks was Trump's 2016 campaign press secretary and later his White House communications director. Hope Hicks, an ex-White House aide and longtime advisor to Donald Trump, broke down in tears while on the witness stand Friday in the former president's hush-money criminal trial. Her voice cracked as she began answering questions in the afternoon from defense lawyer Emil Bove, who had asked her whether the Trump Organization created the position of communications director to persuade her to join the company in October 2014. After answering "yes," Hicks grabbed a tissue and turned to her left while sitting on the witness stand. She turned her face and body away from the courtroom audience. "Ms. Hicks, do you need a break?" the trial judge, Juan Merchan, asked. "Yes, please," she responded in a cracked voice, while facing away from the judge. After the judge announced a break just before 3 p.m., Hicks walked across the courtroom, passing by Trump without looking at him. Hicks is a key witness in the trial, potentially linking Trump directly to what prosecutors call an election-influencing scheme to purchase a porn star's silence in the days before the 2016 presidential election. On the stand in the chilly 15th-floor downtown Manhattan courtroom, she said she was testifying pursuant to a subpoena in the historic case. Prosecutors in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office allege Trump falsified 34 business records in order to cover up an illegal $130,000 hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. The payment, delivered by Trump's ex-personal attorney and former fixer Michael Cohen, was wired to Daniels 11 days before the 2016 presidential election to buy her silence over a 2006 sexual encounter with Trump, according to records shown as evidence in the trial. Trump's lawyers have claimed the payment was not an illegal campaign contribution, and that it was made to avoid personal embarrassment. But Hicks Trump's 2016 campaign press secretary testified about working with Trump and Cohen as the campaign responded to media inquiries about the scandal. In their opening statements last week, prosecutors said the campaign was particularly vulnerable to the perceptions of female voters following the publication of the "Access Hollywood" tape. And so Trump sprung into action to block Daniels from going public about an affair she says she had with him, they said. "I was definitely concerned this was going to be a massive story and make the news cycle for the next couple of days at least," Hicks said on the witness stand earlier Friday, describing her reaction to learning of the tape. In her testimony, Hicks hurt Trump by showing how deeply he and the campaign worried about infidelity stories going public in the weeks before the election. Hicks became emotional as prosecutors wrapped up their direct examination of her. Her final answer helped bolster the district attorney's case. She said Trump was happy that news of the hush-money arrangement with Daniels had become public in 2018. "I think it was Mr. Trump's feeling that it was better to be dealing with it now," she said, "rather than just before the election." Hicks took the witness stand again after a five-minute break, looking flushed but calmer. On cross-examination, she helped the defense by distancing the campaign from Cohen and his hush-money machinations. "He was not looped in on the day-to-day" of the campaign, though he appeared to want to be, Hicks told jurors. "He went rogue at times, it was fair to say?" Bove asked her. "Yes," Hicks answered, smiling. "I used to say that he likes to call himself a fixer or Mr. Fixit. But it was only because he first broke it that he was Mr. Fixit." Also during cross-examination, Hicks described Trump as a loving husband who genuinely cared about protecting his family from stories of infidelity. "I don't think he wanted anyone in his family to be hurt or embarrassed by anything that happened on the campaign," she said. "He wanted them to be proud of him," she added of "Mrs. Trump" and the rest of Trump's family. Speaking to reporters in the hallway after the court day, Trump declined to answer Business Insider's question about his reaction to Hicks's testimony, saying he was bound by the gag order that New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan imposed, preventing him from talking about witnesses. He pivoted to attacking the Manhattan district attorney's office, which he said has "absolutely ruined and destroyed" the lives of "a lot of great people." "They've destroyed people's lives. They've gone out, hired lawyers, they've been with lawyers for years. They suck dry," he said. "And it's a shame. It's a shame what they've done. Hicks described the Trump campaign's frenzied reactions to the 'Access Hollywood' tape Hicks was one of Trump's most trusted advisors in his 2016 climb to the presidency. Federal prosecutors have previously said in court papers from the 2019 prosecution of Michael Cohen that she could directly tie Trump to the so-called "catch-and-kill" scheme. She formally joined the Trump Organization in October 2014 after working with the public relations firm Hiltzik Strategies. As Trump began running for president, in 2015, she switched to a campaign role and traveled with him across the country, she testified. On October 7, 2016 less than a month before the election Hicks received an email from Washington Post reporter David Fareholdt, informing her he had obtained the video, sending a transcript of Trump's remarks about grabbing women "by the pussy," and requesting a response from Trump. She forwarded it to other campaign leaders: Jason Miller, David Bossie, Kellyanne Conway, and Steve Bannon. "Deny, deny, deny," Hicks wrote in an email, suggesting one possible response. Hicks then went to the 25th floor of Trump Tower, she testified, where she said Trump was preparing for a presidential debate with Miller, Conway, Bannon, Jared Kushner, and Chris Christie. "We weren't sure how to respond yet," she testified Friday. "We were trying to obtain the information and were processing the shock internally." Trump responded "that that didn't sound like something he would say," Hicks said. Hicks said she was "a little stunned" at the time and struggled to get her bearings. "I was definitely concerned this was going to be a massive story and make the news cycle for the next couple of days, at least," she said. "There was consensus amongst us all that the tape was damaging," she added. "This was a crisis." Donald Trump poses for members of the media with then-White House Communications Director Hope Hicks on her last day in the role. AP Photo/Andrew Harnik After a while, Trump presented a more dismissive attitude, Hicks said. "It was just two guys talking, locker room talk. It was something that we shouldn't get too concerned over," Hicks said, relaying Trump's attitude. "He didn't want to offend anybody but he felt it was pretty standard for two guys talking about somebody." Hicks said media coverage of the "Access Hollywood" tape was so all-consuming that no one had paid attention to the Category 4 hurricane that was expected to hit the East Coast at the time. "It dominated media coverage," she said. "I would say the 36 hours leading up to the debate." Then came the Stormy The Trump campaign realized it had a potential problem with female voters in the wake of the tape's release, Hicks said. Prosecutors suggested that dynamic colored the reaction to another inquiry from a journalist Michael Rothfeld at The Wall Street Journal on November 4, just four days before the 2016 election. The email came when Trump's private jet had landed in Ohio for a "hanger rally" with the plane in the background. Rothfeld had asked about a secret $150,000 arrangement between American Media Inc., the publisher of the National Enquirer, and Karen McDougal. In the agreement, AMI bought the exclusive rights to McDougal's story about an affair the former Playboy bunny said she had with Trump in 2006, when he was married to Melania Trump but never published any articles about it. Hicks had a phone call with Rothfeld, where he also mentioned Stormy Daniels, she testified. Hicks tried to control the story, reaching out to Jared Kushner, who she said was friendly with the Journal's owner Rupert Murdoch. "He had a very good relationship with Rupert Murdoch and I wanted to see if we could buy a little extra time to deal with this," she testified. Kushner said he "wasn't going to be able to reach Rupert," she said. Hicks also said she reached out to Michael Cohen, knowing he had a relationship with American Media Inc. owner David Pecker. And she reached out to Pecker's office as well. Pecker "explained that Karen McDougal was paid for magazine covers and fitness columns, and it was all very legitimate," Hicks said. "And that was what the contract was for." After relaying that to Trump, Hicks said that Trump wanted to speak to Pecker himself and "have an understanding of what was going on." On another phone call, with Trump, Pecker assured him the payment to McDougal was for fitness columns, Hicks testified. Trump then personally crafted a campaign statement denying the accusations from McDougal, and any knowledge of the deal. The published Journal article made mention of a possible affair and similar deal with Stormy Daniels, but focused on McDougal. When the Journal published another article, in 2018, focused on the $130,000 Daniels, Hicks was at that point the White House communications director. Trump told her Cohen had paid the $130,000 in hush-money "out of the kindness of his own heart" to protect him. Hicks testified she found Trump's explanation hard to believe. "I'd say that would be out of character for Michael," she said, to laughter in the court's overflow room. "I didn't know Michael to be an especially charitable person. Or selfless person. He's the kind of person who seeks credit." This story has been updated with additional details. Read the original article on Business Insider Former White House aide Hope Hicks ended up in an unenviable position on Friday: testifying against her ex-boss in the hush-money trial of Donald Trump. Heres how the former teen model turned MAGA maven wound up as a star witness in the historic case, year by year: 2014 Ivanka Trump poaches Hicks from the PR firm Hiltzik Strategies for her expanding and lifestyle brand. She did everything from publicity to modeling and quickly became a trusted aide to the future first daughter. She also impressed Donald Trump, who would later tell GQ: I thought Hope was outstanding. Hicks began her career with the Trumps working for Ivanka and ended it working for Jared Kushner. Alex Wong/Getty 2015 Donald Trump decides to jump into the presidential race and taps Hicks as campaign press secretary, even though she had no political experience. I would take capable over experienced all day long, Trump told New York magazine of the choice. Experience is good, but capable is much more important. She acts as gatekeeper and also takes dictation on his many tweets. Hicks, then Trump's campaign press secretary, with head of security Keith Schiller, at a campaign event on August 19, 2015, in Derry, New Hampshire. Brooks Kraft/Getty 2016 Hicks becomes press secretary for the national transition team after Trumps victory ahead of becoming White House director of strategic communications, a newly created position, as Trump fills out his administration. Stephen Miller and Hicks at Trump Tower on Dec. 1, 2016, during the transition. Drew Angerer/Getty 2017 In her strategic role, Hicks stays out of the spotlight, but has the most sway over who in the news media gets interviews with the president, The New York Times reported. After Anthony Scaramucci is bounced as White House communications director after just 10 days for trashing his colleagues, Hicks is given his job and oversees a staff of dozens from an office right outside the Oval Office. This ratchets up her profile and drags her further into internal White House drama. Hicks arrives to be sworn in as White House director of strategic communications on January 22, 2017. Getty 2018 Hicks is grilled behind closed doors for nine hours by the House Intelligence Committee, which is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. She reportedly admits to stretching the truth for Trump but insists she did not lie about anything related to the investigation. A day later, she suddenly resigns, citing the need to spend more time with family. In a statement, Trump gushes about her: She is as smart and thoughtful as they come, a truly great person... I am sure we will work together again in the future. Hicks waves to reporters as she arrives at the U.S. Capitol to testify behind closed doors to the House Intelligence Committee. Chip Somodevilla/Getty 2019 Hicks begins a big new job as executive vice president and chief communications officer of Fox, based in Los Angeles and reporting to Lachlan Murdoch. Later in the year, she appears before the House Judiciary Committee and refuses to answer questions about her tenure in the White House. Hicks leaves the hearing room during a break in a closed-door interview with the House Judiciary Committee on June 19, 2019. Alex Wong/Getty 2020 After barely a year at Fox, Hicks leaves the media job to return to the White House as a senior counselor to Trump, working with his son-in-law Jared Kushner. She didnt find it exciting. She was bored, a former West Wing official told Vanity Fair. Hicks, with Dan Scavino and Stephen Miller, walks to Marine One on Sept. 21, 2020. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty 2021 Hicks exits the White House, with Bloomberg reporting that her departure was said to be pre-planned and did not have anything to do with the Capitol riots a few weeks earlier. (It later emerges that after the insurrection she sent a text saying Trump made the White House staff look like domestic terrorists and ended every future opportunity that doesn't include speaking engagement at the local proud boys chapter.) 2022 Hicks is interviewed by the Jan. 6 committee and tells them that she told Trump there was no evidence the 2020 election was stolen from him. I wasnt seeing evidence of fraud on a scale that would have impacted the outcome of the election. And I was becoming increasingly concerned that we were damaging his legacy, she testified. He said something along the lines of, you know, nobody will care about my legacy if I lose. So that won't matter. The only thing that matters is winning. Hicks is seen on a screen during the last House Jan. 6 committee hearing. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty 2023 Hicks meets with Manhattan prosecutors investigating hush-money payments Trump made to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election, and she later reportedly testifies before the grand jury that ultimately indicts him. 2024 As the hush-money trial ends its third week, Hicks takes the stand as a prosecution witness to testify against Trump. Her testimony centers on the campaigns reaction to the release of the 2005 Access Hollywood tape in which Trump boasts about grabbing women by their genitalswhich unleashed a scandal that allegedly led him to approve the payments to Stormy Daniels. Hicks, 35, breaks down in tears under cross-examination. A courtroom sketch of Hicks on the witness stand. Jane Rosenberg/Reuters 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 Trumps trial closed out the week in dramatic style as former aide Hope Hicks took the stand. Hicks, who served as press secretary in the early, ramshackle days of Trumps first campaign for the presidency, went on to become his White House communications director. It appears the two have been estranged since it emerged as part of the investigation into Jan. 6, 2021, by a House select committee that Hicks was critical of Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Her Friday testimony in New York, where Trump is the first former president to face a criminal trial, was followed with rapt attention by jurors. Trump is charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The charges relate to a $130,000 hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in the final stages of the 2016 campaign. The money was paid to Daniels to stop her from going public with the allegation that she had sex with Trump roughly a decade earlier. The former presidents then-attorney and fixer Michael Cohen made the payment but was later reimbursed through Trumps businesses. Prosecutors contend the reimbursements were falsely listed as legal expenses to disguise their true purpose and to conceal their motivation: protecting Trumps White House hopes. Trump denies he ever had sex with Daniels and also denies he did anything illegal. Here are the main takeaways from Fridays proceedings Hicks relives the chaos of the Access Hollywood tape The shadow of what is known as the Access Hollywood tape, on which Trump was heard boasting about being able to grab women by the genitals, is hanging over the trial. The tape emerged roughly one month before Election Day, in a blockbuster story from The Washington Post. The crudeness of Trumps remarks was, at the time, widely expected to sink his chances of defeating Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Clearly, those predictions were wrong. But prosecutors here are making the argument that the tape was so damaging for Trump that he could not countenance the risk of further lurid revelations, especially from an adult film actress. On the stand, Hicks recounted receiving a prepublication email from the reporter who had the Access Hollywood story, David Fahrenthold. The email included a transcript of what Trump could be heard saying to TV host Billy Bush, but not the tape itself. Hicks almost immediately emailed senior colleagues on the Trump campaign, noting that her instinct was to Deny, deny deny. Hicks, not having heard the tape, was not sure the transcript was genuine. She went on to tell the court about Trumps contention that the words did not sound like something that he would say, but also that they were not that unusual by the standards of two men talking lasciviously about women. The media coverage once the story broke told a different story, with Hicks recalling how it was all Trump all the time for the next 36 hours. The tape is not the be-all and end-all of this case. But Hickss testimony on the matter was compelling because of its vivid description of the human drama and huge political stakes involved. Hicks provides some hope for her old boss Hicks acknowledged from the start that she was very nervous to be testifying and, according to reporters in the courtroom, seemed ill at ease at times. She was obligated to testify in the case, pursuant to a subpoena. Despite apparently no longer being in contact with Trump, one part of her testimony was helpful to her former boss. This time the topic was a Wall Street Journal story, mere days before the election, delving into payments made to Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model who says she too had an affair with Trump. (Trump denies this.) Hicks, while being questioned by prosecutors, said that Trump was worried how the story would be viewed by his wife, Melania. Later, when the defense questioned Hicks, she expanded on the point, saying that Trump really, really respects what Melania has to say; I think he was just concerned of what her perception of this would be. This is a very significant issue in the case. The offense with which Trump is charged is usually a misdemeanor but it can be a felony, as alleged here, if it is committed in furtherance of another crime. Prosecutors say that the payment to Daniels was made for campaign purposes, so it amounts to election interference. But if jurors are persuaded that the money was actually paid to spare Trump personal embarrassment, the election interference element of the case falls apart. A dozen years ago, former Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards walked away scot-free after a jury basically accepted his argument that payments made to a woman with whom he had an affair and had fathered a child were made for personal rather than electoral reasons. Donald Trump, Pulitzer Prize-worthy One of the lighter moments on Friday came when Hicks recalled conversations she overheard Trump have with former magazine magnate David Pecker. Pecker, who has already testified in this case, is the former CEO of American Media Inc., the parent company of the tabloid National Enquirer among other titles. Pecker noted in his testimony that during the 2016 campaign the National Enquirer had not just run stories favorable to Trump. It had also published negative pieces about his GOP rivals, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ben Carson. According to Hicks, Trump would call to congratulate Pecker on some of these stories, which were in effect hit pieces. Hicks said that Trump was congratulating him on the great reporting and would proclaim some of the stories Pulitzer worthy. Sadly for Trump and Pecker, the chances of Pulitzers being awarded for stories such as the fanciful suggestion that Cruzs father was somehow linked to the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy were always scant. Trump pays up for gag order violations It wasnt all Hicks on Friday. Proceedings began, as they have on several other days, on the topic of the gag order imposed upon Trump by Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over the case. A court official confirmed to the media that Trump has paid a $9,000 fine that was levied by Merchan, representing nine breaches at $1,000 each. At the time he imposed the fine, Merchan lamented that he could not order a more meaningful financial penalty on Trump, who claims to be a billionaire. Merchan on Friday also corrected an assertion Trump made to the assembled media the previous day, suggesting that the gag order prevented him from testifying. The order has no bearing on whether Trump testifies or not, which is a decision that lies in the former presidents hands. Trial becomes the hottest media ticket in town The public interest in the case is intense. Among the media, the fascination may be even sharper. Friday saw two prominent cable news anchors, Lawrence ODonnell of MSNBC and Anderson Cooper of CNN, in the courtroom. The New York Times reported that ODonnell, a vigorous Trump critic, had also been present on Thursday and that Trump had scowled at him at the end of the day. On Friday, the Times added, Trump said a brisk hello to Cooper in the morning. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. When Robert Mueller was appointed as special counsel in 2017, many saw it as a healthy sign of adherence to the rule of law in this country a sign that Donald Trump was not above the law. Fast-forward seven long years, and we now await a Supreme Court decision on the question of whether Trump, as president of the United States, could order the murder of a political adversary and get away with it. That and so much more suggest that that day in 2017 is long gone. We appear increasingly untethered from our first principles as a nation, and one can rightly wonder what has happened to the rule of law. But this week, I have hope. The first Trump criminal case is taking place. Thanks to District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his crackerjack team of experienced attorneys, we have witnessed a criminal case unfold like clockwork, building a case based on Trump-world insiders, corroborated by hundreds of tapes, emails, texts, phone records, documents, tweets and financial records. And this past week, we had Hope Hicks, a Trump loyalist who owes her career to Trump, take her obligation to the law seriously and testify to the damning admissions she said Trump made to her about the Stormy Daniels hush money payments. Hicks recounted for the jury how, after the Daniels story became public, Trump told her he was indeed aware of the payments by Michael Cohen to the porn star to keep her quiet. Trump told Hicks that Cohen had made the payments out of loyalty but without his knowledge a story Hicks did not credit, given what she viewed as Cohens desire for credit and his general lack of charitableness (I had analogized him earlier in the week to a dog with a pheasant in his mouth, who would want to display his offering proudly to his master, with no incentive to keep his good deed to himself). Hicks testimony thus confirmed that Trump did in fact know of the hush money payments. That Hicks broke down in tears after her testimony was icing on the cake for the DA it made clear she took no joy in recounting this incriminating conversation. Here was Hicks, taking her oath with solemnity, filling an apparent hole in the DAs case: that Trump knew about this payoff (as David Pecker made clear, Trump knew about the payoff to Karen McDougal). That is key, because Trump thereafter reimbursed Cohen for the hush money payments, personally signing the reimbursement checks. Hicks testimony makes plain Trump did so knowing that they were not payments for legal fees. And for that reason, the jury need not decide whether Trump knew of the scheme at the time (as Hicks strongly intimated) or only learned of it later (as he claimed to Hicks), since in either scenario, Trump knew of the scheme prior to making the reimbursements. Not that corroboration of Hicks testimony is needed, but it exists in a particularly damning form: Trumps own admission in a civil case in California brought by Stormy Daniels. In that lawsuit, Trump admitted he reimbursed Michael Cohen for the $130,000 payment to Daniels. Trumps admission made with his co-defendant, Cohen is here, and the California court recognized these statements as admissions. (Trump of course has pleaded not guilty and denied the affairs with McDougal and Daniels.) One final but important observation of what we are witnessing in this New York courtroom: We are seeing a defendant ably represented. Whatever criticisms there have been of the caliber of Trumps legal team in other matters, in this case the most important Trump case to date there is no question that the defense team is collectively experienced, smart and tenacious. That is as it should be in our system of laws, but all too often is not for defendants without the power and financial resources of this defendant. These defense counsel are representing a defendant who is deeply unpopular with a vast percentage of the American public. Able representation in such circumstances is as important now as it was when John Adams represented British redcoats charged with murder in our countrys formative years. How this trial will end what the jury will find of course remains to be determined. But what is occurring here in my hometown is something for which we should be grateful. I certainly am. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Horses must be healthy to race. This clinic makes sure their caretakers are, too. Seventeen years ago, Odilia Castillo, now 37, traveled from her home in Chiapas, Mexico, north to work as a "hot walker" on Kentucky's race tracks. Every morning she wakes up at 3 a.m. and heads to the track by 4 a.m. to walk the horses, who need at least 30 to 45 minutes to cool down after training. Castillo said she has a "connection with the horses," and that's what kept her caring for the animals until, in 2021, she couldn't work because of a pain in her stomach. She said she didn't know what the pain was, so she went to the Kentucky Racing Health Services Center. The Louisville clinic was founded in 2005 to meet the needs of those known in the racing world as the "backside," mostly migrant workers who care for the horses who race at tracks such as Churchill Downs. The mother of two, who is married to another racetrack worker, needed to take days off from work a dire challenge for these laborers many of them migrants from Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela or other Latin American countries who head to the tracks six days a week to help keep Kentucky's estimated $2.7 billion annual racing economy galloping. They are the hot walkers, exercise riders, grooms and farriers necessary to maintain racing form for the 238,027 horses in the state. Many backside workers are undocumented and don't have job protections but are essential to care for the million-dollar horses running Saturday in the 2024 Kentucky Derby, known for its fashionable hats, mint juleps and billionaire owners. That's where the clinic steps in. "A transient workforce that needs to stay healthy" Some backside workers are hired by the trainers through the H-2B temporary worker visa program, but many are undocumented because the demand for people to care for and feed the horses far outpaces the visas issued. An average stable hires one person for every two horses, trainer William Jordan Blair told CBS News and backside workers are an "integral part of every single operation." Backside workers care for about five to six horses during their day. He said it was a challenge to find steady workers for his 30-horse stable, Jordan Blair Racing, and for many others in the racing circuit, partly due to the transient nature of the business. "It's a transient job, not by choice, but that's the way the business is not easy to find workers," Jordan said. Workers, who usually are hired by the trainers and stables, typically move with the horses three to four times a year to different racing tracks in Florida, Kentucky, New York and other states, and each track is different. Many provide dormitory housing in various conditions, said Jordan and some of the bigger ones provide childcare and sometimes healthcare. "It's easier to keep help when the workers are younger," said Jordan, who said when workers are younger, they don't mind moving as much. "But when they have families, it's difficult to uproot." He said losing experienced workers made it challenging for the horses and the stables. Workers are paid on average in Kentucky $13 an hour, he said, but can make more or sometimes less in other states. Backside workers caring for horses at Churchill Downs / Credit: courtesy Krista Roach But for many workers, it is a crapshoot, said nurse practitioner Krista Roach, who started working at the clinic in 2019. "It's rough when they leave for a few months," Roach said. "It's like starting from scratch all over again when they return." She said she's seen workers not get medication or help for various ailments including diseases such as diabetes, and occasionally STIs. A common refrain from workers is the fear of missing work for even a day. Worry pervades the backside that if they miss work, other migrants will come to replace them or they will be fired. "If you want a job the next day, you won't take a day off. Unless you have an understanding boss, you are here every day," one worker told a researcher in a study on how these workers treat their health. Unclaimed racing tickets fund a clinic These are the challenges the clinic tries to address for the backside workers who seek help. Most workers come via word of mouth, as "word travels fast on the backside," an often close-knit community, said Roach. Unclaimed racing tickets collected by the state of Kentucky support the clinic to the tune of $700,000 annually and dedicated nurses, bilingual doctors, physician assistants and administrators ensure workers get the services they need. Nurse Dedra Hayden, director of the center and an associate professor at the University of Louisville's nursing school, which hosts the clinic, has a policy when it comes to caring for the mostly Latino workers on the state's racing circuit. "I just don't ask," Hayden said, referring to patients' immigration status. Nurses and medical professionals at Kentucky Racing Health Services Center. / Credit: Kentucky Racing Health Services Center "We try to provide them a safe environment," Roach said. She recalled seeing one worker who asked nurses to cut his toenails. He didn't wear shoes on the tracks and his feet were in such bad shape that he was fearful to touch them. Nurses cut his toenails and bandaged his feet so he could return to work. "He was so grateful," Roach said. Since Roach joined the clinic in 2019, she has worked to expand health care for female backside workers who tend to use the clinic for services. They've seen 1,010 female patients and expanded their services to include OB-GYN examinations for women, cancer check-ups and help for families and children. Castillo said she had gone to so many doctors to find out what was wrong. "For those years I had fear because I didn't know what was wrong with me," Castillo said until she got to the clinic. She had surgery, and after a month-and-a-half, was able to return to work to care for the horses that she "feels in her soul." Longtime Trump aide Hope Hicks takes the stand in New York trial Louisiana boy receives surprising reward after generously giving away his only dollar Prosecutors play Michael Cohen's secret recording of Trump Houthis team up with feared Al-Qaeda branch in new threat to Yemen Protesters in Sana'a, Yemen, rallied on Friday in support of Palestinians in Gaza - KHALED ABDULLAH/REUTERS The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen are working with a feared local branch of Al-Qaeda in a partnership that risks further destabilising the impoverished and conflict-torn country. The Houthi are reported to be helping Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) by giving them drones and releasing key figures from jail. Although the two terror groups come from very different branches of Islam the Houthis are Shia and AQAP are Sunni they appear to be coordinating to wrest back control of southern Yemen from the UAE-backed secessionist Southern Transitional Council (STC). Washington once considered AQAP to be among the most dangerous branches of the global jihadist network after it carried out deadly attacks in the US, France, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia. New danger amid Gaza tensions Its activity appeared to have waned in recent years, but, experts say its apparent deepening cooperation with a terror group backed by Tehran risks creating new dangers at a time when the Middle East is already seeing soaring tensions over the war in Gaza. Just this week, AQAP were blamed for a bomb that killed six troops loyal to the STC in southern Yemen, a sign of their growing activity in the country. Although the exact nature of the unlikely partnership between AQAP and the Houthis remains unclear including just how high up the ladder the cooperation goes there has been clear evidence of collaboration. The most significant came last May, when AQAP carried out seven drone attacks on a pro-STC group in the Shabwa governorate of southern Yemen. Given that AQAP has limited technical capability in developing their own drones, especially after the recent deaths of their explosives experts, external support for sourcing these weapons was probably crucial, wrote Rueben Dass of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research in Singapore in a post for Lawfare at the time. Drone attack showed cooperation The drones were reportedly obtained by Abu Osama al-Diyani, a Yemeni jihadi leader close to [late AQAP leader Khalid] Batarfi who maintains a close relationship with the Houthis. Batarfi died earlier this year of unknown causes. A spokesman for a coalition of forces fighting on behalf of the STC said the provision of drones was just the tip of the iceberg. The Houthis provided Al-Qaeda with logistics support, including thermal rockets, drones, reconnaissance equipment, said Lt Col Mohammed Al-Naqib. Just a few months earlier, the two groups traded prisoners, with the Houthis releasing jihadists Al-Qaqa al-Bihani and Muwahhid al-Baydhnani in exchange for two of their fighters. On the ground, local residents say the two groups no longer engage in skirmishes with each other. Al-Qaeda militants run checkpoints in the road which links Shabwa with Al-Baydha province [in south-eastern Yemen] marked with their flag; a few kilometres down on the same road, the Houthis run checkpoints holding their flag, said Mohammed, who declined to give his full name because of security concerns. They live in harmony, he added. They never clash and each group raises its banner, which clearly indicates a growing cooperation between the two groups. Terror groups go into battle together Even more worryingly, the two groups appear to be going into battle together. Abu Qusai Assanaani, believed to be a high-ranking Houthi leader, was killed while fighting alongside Al-Qaeda militants in September 2022, according to Colonel Ali Al-Badah, chief of operations command in a pro-STC region. Many Houthi fighters escorting him were injured in the battle, he said. We received prior information from our sources in Mukairas [that] confirmed Assanaani was providing Al-Qaeda militants in Mudiyah district with food supplies, weapons and ammunition when our troops raided Wadi Omaran, he said, referring to an Al-Qaeda stronghold in Yemen. The aim appears to be to join forces to pressure the STC. Houthis raise their rifles during a tribal rally against air attacks carried out by the US on sites in Yemen - MOHAMMED HAMOUD/GETTY IMAGES It is clear there are shared interests between both groups amid the protracted civil war, mainly the elimination of southern secessionist ambitions, said Fernand Carvajal, who previously served on the UN Security Council panel of experts of Yemen. Houthis aim to control all physical territory of the republic of Yemen, while AQAP continues to aim at establishing a safe haven in Yemen. Southern provinces offer the best terrain due to the unobstructed access to a large coastline and land corridors to north Yemen and Gulf states. The cooperation of the two groups also exposes international players, including the UK, which are protecting shipping interests in the Red Sea to fresh attacks, experts say. The involvement of the US, Britain, and European countries in the maritime conflict near Yemens shores presents a golden opportunity for AQAP, said Ayad Qassem, a Yemen analyst and chairman of the South24 Centre for News and Studies. It may start to broaden its armed operations and capitalise on the Houthis need to counter Western pressures under the banner of confronting Israel, he added. If the pressure on the Houthis continues, [AQAP] may resort to carrying out operations in international waters or using the same tactics as its previous cross-border attacks. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Demonstrators with signs reading "Freedom" and "Stop Caliphate" protest on Steindamm against Islamism and anti-Semitism and for liberal values and the Basic Law The demonstration in St. Georg is planned as a counter-rally to a gathering organized by Islamists who caused outrage nationwide last Saturday at the same location with calls for a caliphate. Jonas Walzberg/dpa Hundreds of people took to the streets in Hamburg on Saturday to protest against Islamism and anti-Semitism and in support of the liberal values of Germany's democratic constitutional order. The demonstration in Hamburg was planned as a counter-rally to a march organized by Islamists last week which caused nationwide outrage. Participants in the Islamist march had made calls for a caliphate. The caliphate as a form of rule originated after the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 AD and refers to a system based on Islamic law. As the representative of Muhammad, the caliph acts as both a religious and secular ruler. According to the police, around 800 people took part in the counter-rally. The organizers had expected up to 1,000. "No one harms the Islamic religion and Muslims more than the Islamists themselves," said Ali Ertan Toprak, the national chairman of the Kurdish Community advocacy group, which represents Kurds in Germany and which helped organize the rally. At the same time, Toprak accused politicians of neglecting the problem of political Islam for too long for fear of anti-Muslim sentiment and leaving it to right-wing populists. Toprak dismissed the extremists who had called for a caliphate at last week's demonstration as "little wannabe trainee caliphs" and called on them to take down the preachers' raised index finger. A man wearing a headscarf caused a commotion at Saturday's protest when he demonstratively raised his index finger after Toprak's words in apparent sympathy with the Islamist demonstrators. The man was led away by the police to the applause of the crowd. Demonstrators protest on the Steindamm against Islamism and anti-Semitism and for liberal values and the Basic Law The demonstration in St. Georg is planned as a counter-rally to a gathering organized by Islamists who caused outrage nationwide last Saturday at the same location with calls for a caliphate. Jonas Walzberg/dpa Hundreds gather to march in Grand Rapids for missing and murdered Indigenous people March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) Violence faced by Indigenous people is not simply a decades-long problem; it is a 500-year problem that continues to pervade every Indigenous family, said Melissa Pope, chief judge of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribal Court. She spoke Friday during a Grand Rapids event to create awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous people. Native populations are vulnerable to heightened victimization of violent crimes such as rape and murder compared to national averages. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that homicide rates among American Indian and Alaska Native people are nearly four times higher than homicide rates for white populations. About half of American Indian and Alaska Native individuals experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime. But the reason individuals gathered in Grand Rapids is because there is hope for solutions, Pope said, adding that it will take work and communication with Native populations that have long been left out of conversations and resources. Melissa Pope, Chief Judge of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribal Court at the March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) It takes every person to be involved to be involved with that change. So I am standing here and saying we have this horrendous problem against Native people against Indigenous people. And these right here are the people that can stop it, Pope said. So go back to whatever it is you do, and become involved with the struggle. Talk to your friends; talk to their parents; talk to their grandmas; their aunties; their uncles; attend the rallies; participate in projects. Support in any way you can. Every person here has the chance to be a part of the solution. Indigenous voices need to be heard in rooms where decisions are made, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Chairman Jamie Stuck told attendees. But non-Indigenous communities need to uplift the issue of violence against indigenous people too. State and federal governments need to take these issues seriously to make sure the epidemic is taken care of. And Stuck heralded that Kwe [Woman] from Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who attended the event, as an ally in the fight against violence. No other governor has appointed Anishinaabe people to more committees or commissions than this Kwe from Michigan. And I also want to point out because of her leadership, its had an impact on bills and legislation, Stuck said. This legislative session, Michigan became the first state to name an official state native grain: manoomin. Whitmer also signed legislation into law that expands the states ability to fund tribal domestic and sexual violence shelters and care providers. Lawmakers have also heard testimony bills to protect Indigenous students ability to wear traditional indigenous attire to school and also at graduation. One bill that Stuck mentioned, HB 5600, which hasnt seen movement, would create an office of the tribal legislative liaison to connect members of tribal communities to state lawmakers. Governor Gretchen Whitmer at a March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) During her tenure, Whitmer has called on state departments to consult with Indian tribes for insight and prioritize policies that include the needs of the states tribal communities. Stuck said he and Whitmer were having breakfast when the first two cases of COVID-19 were found in Michigan in 2020 and they discussed the problems facing the state. Her and I have done so much growing as leaders together as we try to strengthen that government to government relationship, and to make sure that we have great representation and we have that good consultation going on, Stuck said. A person needs only look at the numbers to know violence against Michigans Indigenous residents is a huge problem, Whitmer told attendees. But uplifting the stories of pain and inequality are key in pushing for solutions. These numbers show us the scale of the problem. We also know that it has been worsened by a complex maze of jurisdiction which impedes investigations, enforcement, deterrence and recovery, Whitmer said. Tackling these systemic challenges will require every one of us to do our part. So much of this starts with events like this one, where we speak truth and bring light to an issue that is too often swept aside. As governor, Ive been a staunch defender of women, children and families and today, Im here because I see you. I understand the scale of the problem, and I will stand with you to solve it. Whitmer called attention to the severe lack of native-centered domestic violence shelters nationwide, with only about 60 such shelters, despite the fact that there are 574 federally recognized tribes in the U.S. Whitmer ended her time at the event by presenting a proclamation declaring May 5 as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Awareness Day in Michigan for 2024. We must continue having frank, honest conversations about difficult topics, Whitmer said. We cannot build a brighter future without reckoning with our darker realities. Together we will increase access to justice and protect public safety. March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) Governor Gretchen Whitmer at a March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) Governor Gretchen Whitmer at a March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) Governor Gretchen Whitmer at a March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) Governor Gretchen Whitmer at a March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten at a March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Chairman Jamie Stuck at a March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) Governor Gretchen Whitmer (right) embraces Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Chairman Jamie Stuck (left) at a March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) Melissa Pope, Chief Judge of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribal Court at the March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten at a March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) Governor Gretchen Whitmer at a March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) The post Hundreds gather to march in Grand Rapids for missing and murdered Indigenous people appeared first on Michigan Advance. LANCASTER The Hunters Run Conservancy District will be holding public open house meetings related to a readjustment of appraisal benefits notification sent to property owners in the district on April 19. The meetings are from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 6, and Thursday, May 16, at the Fairfield County Liberty Center, 952 Liberty Drive. Gypsy Joe's Ice Cream replaced by Whit's Frozen Custard's truck for Lancaster Festival Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the District and the proposed assessment, and speak with representatives from the District, dam safety experts and engineers who helped compile the final Reappraisal of Benefits report. Ohio Revised Code 6101.33 allows property owners or public corporations to file exceptions to the readjusted appraisal of benefits. Property owners subject to the assessment must file in writing with the Fairfield County Clerk of Courts, located at 224 E. Main St. A plaque describes Dam No. 1 on Mt. Zion Road in Hocking Township. The dam is a part of the Hunter's Run Conservancy District, an organization that maintains a network of more than 20 dams in the Hocking River watershed. Exception forms, which can be found at www.huntersruncd.org, must be postmarked or submitted in person, in writing on or before 4 p.m. May 20. A hearing on the appraisal report, and any exceptions thereto, will be held between May 29, and June 7. Those filing timely exceptions will be notified of the time and place where their exceptions will be heard. Hunters Run Conservancy District, a political subdivision created under Ohio Revised Code 6101, oversees a system of 28 dams that control 50 percent of the runoff that flows through Lancaster within the Upper Hocking Watershed. This system provides direct and indirect benefits to more than 40,000 residents, farms, homes and businesses, along with bridges and roadways. This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Hunters Run Conservancy District to hold meetings on appraisal benefits Mr Reddy is the head of social media for the opposition Congress Party - X The social media chief of Indias main opposition party has been arrested over accusations he doctored a widely shared video during the ongoing national election, according to police. Arun Reddy of the Congress Party was detained late on Friday in connection with the misleadingly edited footage which falsely shows Amit Shah, Indias powerful interior minister, vowing to end affirmative action policies for millions of poor and low-caste Indians. Mr Shah is often referred to as the second-most powerful man in India after Narendra Modi, the Hindu-nationalist prime minister, and the pair have been close political allies for decades. Hemant Tiwari, the deputy commissioner of Delhi police, told AFP: [Mr Reddy] was arrested yesterday on investigation about ... a doctored video of the home minister. We produced him in the court and he is in police custody. Shama Mohamed, spokesperson for the Congress Party, confirmed Reddys arrest to AFP but denied he was responsible for creating or publishing the clip. She said: He is not involved in any doctored video. We are supporting him. Mr Shah speaking at a political rally last month - Niharika Kulkarni/AFP Authorities seized Mr Reddys electronic devices for forensic verification, the Indian Express newspaper reported on Saturday, quoting an unnamed police officer who accused Reddy of having cropped and edited the video. Mr Shah has been campaigning on behalf of Mr Modis ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is widely expected to win a third term when Indias six-week election concludes next month. Analysts have long expected Mr Modi to triumph against a fractious alliance of the Congress Party and more than two dozen other parties, which has yet to name a candidate for prime minister. His prospects have been further bolstered by several criminal investigations into his opponents and a tax investigation this year that froze the Congress Partys bank accounts. Opposition figures and human rights organisations have accused Modis government of orchestrating these probes, to weaken its rivals. Rising Hindu-nationalist fervour Mr Modis government remains widely popular a decade after coming to power, in large part due to its positioning of the nations majority Hindu faith at the centre of its politics, despite Indias officially secular constitution. That in turn has left Indias 220 million-strong Muslim community feeling threatened by the rise of Hindu-nationalist fervour. Since voting began last month, both Mr Modi and Mr Shah have stepped up campaign rhetoric on Indias principal religious divide in an effort to rally voters. In the original campaign speech at the centre of the police investigation against Reddy, Shah vows to end affirmative action measures for Muslims established in the southern state of Telangana. Mr Modi last month used a campaign rally to refer to Muslims as infiltrators and those who have more children, prompting condemnation and an official complaint to election authorities by Congress. But the prime minister has not been sanctioned for his remarks despite election rules which prohibit campaigning on communal feelings such as religion, prompting frustration from the opposition camp. Where is the election commission when the Prime Minister is spewing hate every day? Ms Mohamed asked. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Indiana filed a lawsuit Friday against Indiana University, alleging that the school violated the First Amendment rights of people who are banned from campus after participating in pro-Palestine protests. According to the ACLU, the three individuals arrested have been banned by Indiana University police and are prohibited from setting foot on campus for one year. Todays filing contends that these bans are an unlawful prior restraint on the free speech rights of the plaintiffs, each of whom wants to rejoin the ongoing protests on campus, the ACLU wrote. The lawsuit is requesting that the one-year bans be dismissed to allow the plaintiffs to rejoin current and future protests on the campus. The arrestees are Jasper Wirtshafter, a Bloomington resident, Dr. Benjamin Robinson, a tenured professor, and Madeleine Meldrum, a current graduate student. There have been more than 50 arrests on the universitys campus since pro-Palestinian protests began. More than 2,000 protests have happened nationwide since community members began asking universities to divest from Israeli companies and companies that supply weapons to Israel. The Indiana University arrests happened in Dunn Meadow, the campus designated free speech area. Since 1969, Dunn Meadow has been a public forum, a place for persons to engage in First Amendment expression. Indiana University cannot preemptively ban persons from engaging in this protected expression by prohibiting them from entering Dunn Meadow for a year or more, ACLU of Indiana Legal Director Ken Falk said in a statement. In remarks this week, President Biden emphasized that peaceful protest is protected under the First Amendment in the United States but violent protest is not protected. The protests on college campuses have largely been peaceful but came to a head this week after police moved onto many campuses to disperse demonstrators. Pro-Palestine protesters have also been met with a growing number of counter protesters. The Hill has reached out to Indiana University for comment on the lawsuit. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. With indictment, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellars deep South Texas ties will again be tested U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, speaks at a GOTV rally with former President Bill Clinton for Democratic congressional candidate Michelle Vallejo in Edinburg on Nov. 7, 2022. Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune McALLEN When federal agents raided the home and offices of U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, just weeks before a competitive primary election in 2022, Democrats rallied behind him and he went on to secure another term in office. Now facing charges of bribery and money laundering, he might need them to do the same. Fridays indictment threw a wrench in Cuellar and his partys South Texas plans for 2024, a year in which he had been expected to cruise to reelection. He immediately declared hes still running for reelection. But now there are calls from Republicans for him to resign and expressions of frustration from progressives who felt Democratic Party leaders shouldnt have stuck with him when the first hints of legal trouble emerged two years ago. Meanwhile, allies in his South Texas district, including some top local leaders, remain stalwart in their support of Cuellar. Some are referring to a familiar refrain: "Innocent until proven guilty." "Anyone can charge you with anything, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's a fact," said Starr County Judge Eloy Vera, who added that he didn't think the allegations would hurt Cuellar's chances at reelection in November. Veras response highlights Cuellars deep roots in the district. In Laredo, his hometown, Cuellar's brother and sister have both held local elected office. When federal investigators searched his home in 2022, it was only a few weeks before a hard-fought primary against progressive candidate Jessica Cisneros, a Laredo-based immigration attorney who lambasted Cuellar as Donald Trumps favorite Democrat. Cisneros targeted Cuellar, known as one of the most moderate Democrats in Congress, for his opposition to abortion rights and fundraising he did for colleagues on the other side of the aisle. But then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rallied to his side, and Cuellar ended up winning in the primary runoff by 0.6 percentage points. Months later, he won the general election by a surprisingly large 13-percentage-point margin. On Friday, many of Cuellars progressive critics decried that establishment support, saying it put a Democratic seat and the partys hopes of a House majority at risk two years later. And they argued it would make it harder to use Donald Trumps criminal indictments against him if the party is maintaining its support of Cuellar. Cuellar is accused of accepting almost $600,000 in bribes from the country of Azerbaijan and a Mexican bank in exchange for political favors in Congress. [Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar indicted on charges of bribery, money laundering] He maintained his innocence Friday, and Democratic leadership appeared to stick with him at least for now. Because of party rules, Cuellar was temporarily stripped of his leadership role on the powerful Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee in the House. But Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stressed in a statement on Friday that Cuellar has admirably devoted his career to public service and is a valued Member of the House Democratic Caucus. Like any American, Congressman Cuellar is entitled to his day in court and the presumption of innocence throughout the legal process, Jeffries said. The National Republican Congressional Committee, meanwhile, immediately called for Cuellar to resign. If his colleagues truly believe in putting people over politics, they will call on him to resign. If not they are hypocrites whose statements about public service arent worth the paper theyre written on, NRCC spokesperson Delanie Bomar said in a statement. Two Republican challengers will face off in a May 28 runoff for the chance to challenge Cuellar in the general election: Jay Furman and Lazaro Garza. Furman issued a video statement shortly after the news of a potential indictment, blasting Cuellar as being part of an establishment that is "selling us to other nations." "They're trading us for their deep pockets and their forever policies that are against the values of South Texas," Furman said. "Exciting that maybe one of them will get their due." In a Facebook post on Friday, Garza said: "There is no place for corruption in Congress!" But unseating Cuellar remains a big challenge. In nearly 20 years representing District 28 a district that stretches from the Texas-Mexico border from Webb County to Starr County, and then runs north to southeast San Antonio Cuellar has sowed deep ties. More often than most of the congressmen and women who serve the region, Cuellar has held press conferences with local officials to celebrate funding he helped secure for local projects. Vera, the county judge, said Cuellar is conscientious about their needs and is available to them any time they call. "He's delivered. I've got nothing but praise for that man," Vera said. Webb County Democratic Party Chair Sylvia Bruni says there is no denying Cuellar has been influential and brought millions of dollars into the district. "I think the record is going to show that he's historically been very, very valuable," Bruni said. "He's managed to work on both sides of the aisle which is something he takes great pride in." Bruni said the party would continue advocating for every Democrat on the ballot, including Cuellar, though she acknowledged the indictment complicated their efforts. "What is surfacing regarding Congressman Cuellar is certainly distressing, casting a dark cloud over all our sincerest efforts on behalf of our community," she said in a statement to Webb County Democrats. Still, she wrote, our WCDP will remain quiet regarding the allegations, presuming innocence, and trusting the Justice System to work fairly." In an interview, Bruni added that Webb County remained a Democratic stronghold and she would count on voters to vote Democrat during a time she described as "being on the brink of losing our democracy." Heading into November, Cuellar appeared to be on secure footing before Friday, with Republicans focusing their efforts in South Texas on two other congressional seats: Flipping District 15, currently held by first-term U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Edinburg, and holding onto District 34 held by U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen. However, Jack Byham, a political scientist at Texas A&M International University in Laredo, is not convinced Cuellar will weather the political storm. "With something like this, it's the swing voters that are going to play a major role," he said. "His loyal supporters are going to vote for him anyway and his loyal critics are going to vote against him anyway." His ability and willingness to reach across the aisle to work with Republicans could help explain why he's been in office for so long, said Byham. "He's a good politician in terms of reading his constituency," Byham said, noting the constituency in South Texas is predominantly Hispanic and tends to hold socially conservative views. Though she ultimately failed in her bids, Byham said his opponent Cisneros surprising performance in 2022 indicated Cuellar isn't as beloved as his supporters would like to believe. "We were surprised at how well she did given her inexperience so I think that is a sign that he's acquiring a few more loyal critics," Byham said. Reporting in the Rio Grande Valley is supported in part by the Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. Disclosure: Facebook and Texas A&M International University have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. Weve got big things in store for you at The Texas Tribune Festival, happening Sept. 57 in downtown Austin. Join us for three days of big, bold conversations about politics, public policy and the days news. Correction, May 4, 2024 at 9:44 a.m. : An earlier version of this article misspelled Jack Byham's last name. Five Shahed drones have been downed in the Pavlohrad district of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, but a critical infrastructure facility and three houses have been damaged. Source: Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration Details: One of the houses caught fire. A man and a woman were injured. Both have been taken to hospital in a moderate condition. In the evening and at night, the Russians attacked the Nikopol district with heavy artillery, Grad rockets and a kamikaze drone. A municipal utility company, a lyceum (specialised secondary school), two high-rise buildings, a bank and a power transmission line were damaged. Critical infrastructure facilities have also been affected. No people were injured. Saturday morning started with attacks. The Russians targeted Myrove hromada [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories ed.]. Background: Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of Ukraine's Air Force, reported that the Russians launched 13 Shahed attack drones on the night of 3-4 May and Ukraines air defence destroyed all of them. Support UP or become our patron! Injuries were avoided after a car drove through the side of a business in Orleans Saturday. Orleans Fire Chief Geof Deering said that the Staples Superstore Copy Center on Route 6A was filled with customers and staff when a car crashed into the store around 11:30 a.m. Saturday. The car burst into the printing area, which was luckily empty at the time. The driver was removed from the vehicle by Orleans firefighters and refused to be transported to the hospital. Although injuries were luckily avoided, Deering said there were concerns for the buildings stability and the Brunswick County Technical Rescue Team would help shore up the building. Were worried about structural concerns, with the building, when the vehicle, crashed into it, and when the vehicle is removed, what damage or, potential collapse could occur, Deering said. Theyre building some shores or shutting the power off and other utilities. Boston 25 News has reached out to Orleans police for more info. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Sierra Leones capital city, Freetown, is widely known as the home of formerly enslaved people hence its name. Founded in 1787, thousands of enslaved people were either returned to or liberated in Freetown when the United Kingdoms Parliament passed the Trade Act of 1807. The legislation came alongside other Western countries that passed similar anti-trafficking laws, including the United States, Portugal, Spain, and the Netherlands. However, just 25 miles from Freetown is York Village. Its another community that many people dont know about that also served as a home for liberated people formally enslaved. York Village has a more than 200-year history that deserves a visit when you visit Sierra Leone. According to Visit Sierra Leone, York is a Krio village comprised of various tribes. Krio is the most widely spoken language in Sierra Leone and is native to the Creoles, who were formerly enslaved, freed people from Britain, The United States, and the West Indies. Before those who were enslaved and then liberated arrived, the Sherbro Tribe lived in the village of Momimi. The History of York Village How the village was eventually named York depends on who you ask. Some say the village was named after York in the United Kingdom or the Duchess of York, who was rumored to stay in the community. Other historians say York comes from a Sherbro word that means to carry people. Those who were enslaved were kept in York during the slave trade. Theres also some evidence that York is derived from another Sherbro word that translates to strangers. Its believed the Sherbro used York to describe the Portuguese and other Europeans visiting their town as York. When the Portuguese heard this, they decided to keep the towns name when it was named in 1819. According to Visit Sierra Leone, more than 200 ex-Royal African Corpsor liberated people who served Britain in the Napoleonic Warsalso settled in York. A Direct Connection To Homes in the United States One characteristic that historians note is how the layout and architecture of homes in York resemble those found in the south of the United States, serving as more evidence of the early settlers and re-captives who were starting a new life during the 19th century. What To See During Your Visit Foriwater Cave entrance. Photo credit: Visit Sierra Leone Bobor Kombo It is said that this point was once used by enslaved men to take baths. Women were not allowed to take baths here or fetch water from this point of the sea. Bobor Kombo also has a cotton tree thats more than 200 years old. Foriwater Cave The Foriwater Cave is one of the oldest and most widely used caves in Sierra Leone during and after the slave trade. It is also one of the most significant caves in the region. While the cave lies closer to the Atlantic Ocean, its known for its fresh, cold water. During the slave trade, historians say European traders used the cave to access fresh water for their journey across the Atlantic. Only Colonial masters were allowed access to this caves fresh water. Today, the villagers in York still use the water from the Foriwater cave both for drinking and cooking purposes. The Wesleyan Church The Wesleyan Church, standing for over 150 years, is among the oldest churches in Sierra Leone. It was built by slave traders belonging to the Wesley Family. After the colonial period, the church was later named the Brunswick Methodist Church. The Town Bell This bell was and is still used as a means of communication or calling people to attention during important meetings and festivals, to announce someones death, and more. Its history dates back to the slave trade when it served as a means of communication and alerted those far away in case of emergencies. The bell is still used for similar purposes in the village today. Colorado Court of Appeals Judge Ted C. Tow III asks a question to Assistant Attorney General Jaycey DeHoyos, not pictured, during oral arguments in the second of two Colorado Court of Appeals cases being held in the library of Conifer Senior High School as part of the Courts in the Community educational outreach program on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Conifer, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/Denver Gazette) FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) Fresno Unified welcomed the first female interim superintendent in the districts history on Friday. Officials with Fresno Unified say Misty Her is the new interim superintendent appointed in the district. She is the first woman to lead Fresno Unified since its inception in 1873. Her has dedicated her entire career to the district. According to Fresno Unified officials, she began as a student. She spent 30 years in the district, progressing through roles from a bilingual instructional aide to a teacher, a site leader, an instructional lead, and eventually to Deputy Superintendent in 2021. The district says her extensive experience and commitment to the district have impacted its success and the lives of its students. Having her serve as a deputy has been one of the biggest factors in my extended term and success in this role. She simply makes things happen and is a relentless champion for kids, said outgoing Superintendent Bob Nelson. Hers leadership, according to Fresno Unified officials, has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2022 Marjaree Mason Top Ten Professional Women Award and the California Woman of the Year for Outstanding Service in Education 2019. Fresno Unified is my life. From elementary school through more than three decades as an employee and a current Fresno Unified parent, my commitment runs deep. I am proud to serve our students and their families as one of their own. Our Fresno Unified family deserves a leader who is a successful Fresno Unified graduate, is committed to this community, and truly believes in our students and staff, Her said. Upon Hers assumption of the Interim Superintendent role following the adoption of her contract at the upcoming Board of Education meeting on May 8, Superintendent Nelson will transition into an advisory role for the remainder of his time at Fresno Unified. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. The International Criminal Court (ICC) pushed back against threats Friday as it faces intense pressure following reports of possible arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas officials over their conduct in the Oct. 7 attack and war in Gaza that has followed. A number of pro-Israel U.S. lawmakers and the Biden administration have urged the ICC to refrain from such action, arguing it doesnt have jurisdiction over Israel. Axios reported Thursday that senators from both parties met with ICC officials over their anxieties about the potential arrest warrants. The Office seeks to engage constructively with all stakeholders whenever such dialogue is consistent with its mandate under the Rome Statute to act independently and impartially, the ICCs Office of the Prosecutor said in a Friday statement posted on the social platform X. That independence and impartiality are undermined, however, when individuals threaten to retaliate against the Court or against Court personnel should the Office, in fulfillment of its mandate, make decisions about investigations or cases falling within its jurisdiction, the statement continues. Such threats, even when not acted upon, may also constitute an offence against the administration of justice under Art. 70 of the Rome Statute. The statement does not name the source of the threats. The ICC came into force in 2002 under an international statute giving the court jurisdiction over crimes, including genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression. Neither the U.S. nor Israel are among the 123 state members of the court. Israels allies in Washington have pushed back against the possible arrest warrants, which The New York Times reported could relate to Israeli officials preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and for pursuing an excessively harsh response following Hamass attack on Oct. 7. Weve been really clear about the ICC investigation. We do not support it. We dont believe that they have the jurisdiction. And Im just going to leave it there for now, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), who chairs of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, added that Israel should not be investigated because it has a comparable system of its own. And Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) argued that prosecutions of Israeli officials could set a precedent for the prosecution of American officials because neither country is a signatory to the court. Such a lawless action by the ICC would directly undermine U.S. national security interests, he said in a statement. If unchallenged by the Biden administration, the ICC could create and assume unprecedented power to issue arrest warrants against American political leaders, American diplomats, and American military personnel, thereby endangering our countrys sovereign authority. The White House referred The Hill to comments made by press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in a press briefing Friday when asked about the ICCs statement on threats. So, we obviously oppose any threats or intimidation to public officials that including ICC officials, Jean-Pierre said. So, obviously, were going to be always mindful and be very clear about opposing any type of threats or attempts to intimidate. That is something that youll hear from us pretty consistently. But weve been clear, she continued. I was asked about this this particular investigation by ICC a couple of days ago. We do not support it. We do not support this investigative probe. We do not believe its within their jurisdiction. Weve been very clear about that. And that obviously still remains. Updated 11:57 a.m. ET May 4. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. People's University of Palestine," an organized demonstration organized by Iowa City Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) as a way for the University of Iowa community to stand in solidarity with student encampments. Despite an early morning rain, protesters continued their demonstration Saturday on the Pentacrest of the University of Iowa campus in an event that has remained free of the violence plaguing other campuses across the country. The "People's University of Palestine" demonstration is being organized by Iowa City Students for Justice in Palestine to stand in solidarity with student encampments that have stretched from Los Angeles to New York City. Hundreds of protesters have been arrested at college campuses across the country during a wave of recent demonstrations. Police in riot gear arrested 132 people at UCLA in Los Angeles Wednesday night, a day after New York police arrested more than 300 individuals at Columbia University and City College. About 20 people gathered Saturday on the U of I campus, with events scheduled through the afternoon and early evening and again Sunday. They snacked on food while Palestinian music soundtracked the afternoon. More: Live updates: Students in Iowa City, University of Iowa lead protests supporting Palestinians By 1:30 p.m., the group grew to about 50 people who engaged in different activities, from button making to working on projects to reading and conducting individual discussions. Members have been calling on the University of Iowa to dissolve its partnership with Collis Aerospace and Lockheed Martin, among a list of demands the group has made in protest of the Israel-Hamas war. On Saturday, group organizers led discussions on divestment as members shared why they don't "believe their tuition money should be used to fund genocide" or wanted to "learn more about the conflict." More: Iowa City student group prepares for weekend Israel-Hamas war rally on Pentacrest The large group broke off to talk about boycotts, divestment and sanctions before coming back together to talk about the University of Iowa's ties to Collins Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Bar-Ilan University, and how these resources contribute to university programming They talked about boycotts, divestment and sanctions, delving more into the University of Iowa's ties to military and defense companies Collins Aerospace and Lockheed Martin, as well as Bar-Ilan University (one of the largest public research universities in Israel) and how these resources contribute to U of I programming, including the Operator Performance Laboratory and study abroad. More: The U.S. Career Institute ranks the University of Iowa College of Dentistry as one of the best in the nation The talk concluded with organizers encouraging people to continue to conversation and send emails to University of Iowa Department heads to call for divestment. The events are planned to continue until 7 p.m. and then resume Sunday. Iowa laws block state funds from being directly invested in companies that boycott Israel. USA TODAY reporters Joey Garrison and Francesca Chambers contributed to this report. Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_ This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: University of Iowa protests continue against Israel-Hamas war Gov. Kim Reynolds spoke at the 2024 Iowa GOP state convention in Clive May 4, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Gov. Kim Reynolds, Attorney General Brenna Bird and others at the state Republican convention on Saturday emphasized the need to defeat President Joe Biden in November and put former President Donald Trump back in the White House. Republicans from across the state gathered at the Horizon Event Center in Clive for the state convention, where they chose delegates to send to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee July 15-18. Its the final step in the presidential nominating process that began with the 2024 Iowa Republican caucuses. Trump, the only major GOP presidential candidate remaining, secured an early and decisive win in the January Iowa Republican caucuses the first-in-the-nation contest where he beat his closest competitors Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley by a nearly 30-point margin. While all the Republican elected and party officials at the state convention spoke in support of Trump, not all were supporters during the caucuses. Trump heavily criticized Reynolds for staying neutral during most of the 2024 caucus campaign season, and escalated his criticism when the Iowa governor endorsed DeSantis in November 2023. In endorsing DeSantis, Reynolds said she believed the Florida governor had a better shot at winning against Biden in the general election than Trump but she also repeatedly stated her plans to support whoever became the Republican nominee. At the convention, Reynolds said that she knows Republicans, if united, can restore the greatness to this country. We showed up, we listened and while we may have been on different sides (during the caucuses), I can tell you without a doubt, without hesitation, that we share a common goal, Reynolds said. And that is ending Joe Bidens political career. I am proud to endorse President Donald Trump He is a fighter, he is a leader. Reynolds first announced her endorsement of Trump in March, following Haleys exit from the race. Bird, who endorsed Trump in October 2023, shared a message for Trump at the convention: Iowa has your back. President Trump is depending on you to win Iowa big so he can focus on other states, Bird said. And you know what I told him? Dont worry, were working hard here in Iowa, we have election integrity. Well take care of you. Both of the Republican statewide officials also criticized the Biden administration and the recent threatened lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice over a law Reynolds signed making illegal immigration a state crime in Iowa. Bird characterized this law as a way for Iowa to do the job the federal government wont do on enforcement of immigration laws. And now the Biden administration, they say theyre going to sue us, Bird said. Well Ive got something to tell the Biden administration in response. Go pound sand. In a letter to Reynolds and Bird this week, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton wrote that the Iowa law violates the U.S. Constitution and conflicts with federal authority in enforcement of immigration laws. Boynton gave the Iowa officials until May 7 to respond to the request to prevent the law from going into effect before the federal department plans to take court action, but both Bird and Reynolds have indicated they do not plan to stop the law from moving forward. Multiple Republican speakers praised Trumps border policies at the convention, contrasting them with immigration law enforcement under Bidens time in office. Iowa GOP Chair Jeff Kaufmann called for Republicans to rally behind Trump, even if they have some differences of opinion. If the possibility of four more years of Biden as president is not enough to unify everyone in this room, theres not much else I can say, Kaufmann said. Every action I take from now until November, Im going to ask myself one question: How does this help to put Donald Trump back in the White House? Kaufmann said. Thats all that matters. The post Iowa Republican officials rally behind Trump at state GOP convention appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch. Irelands blind hatred of Brexit has destroyed its borders. Starmer may do the same to ours In 2017, when Britain began its disengagement talks with the EU, Ireland laid down two inviolable principles. First, no border: not so much as a matchstick to mark where the EUs customs territory began. Second, no direct talks between the London and Dublin. If the Brits had anything to say, they should talk to Michel Barnier. Funny how things work out. Over the past week, as asylum claims have surged, Irish politicians have begun to clamour for a bilateral returns arrangement with Britain. They say that 80 per cent of claimants are crossing from Northern Ireland to escape the threat of deportation to Rwanda. And they want those migrants turned back at the well, the border. Theyre leaving the UK and they are taking opportunities to come to Ireland, crossing the border to get sanctuary here and within the European Union, as opposed to the potential of being deported to Rwanda, says Micheal Martin, now the deputy prime minister. Hang on. Until practically last week, Martin, along with other TDs, was insisting that the border be invisible. Even a traffic camera, of the kind found on every major road in Britain and Ireland, would supposedly risk a return to violence. Yet in reality, there was never the slightest prospect of Britain raising border infrastructure. It was the EU that claimed checks were needed to preserve its single market. But, for whatever reason, the rest of the world, along with a chunk of Remainer opinion here, stubbornly refused to grasp this point, and it somehow became Britains responsibility to prevent the EU from raising customs posts. We bent over backwards to do it, accepting what amounted to an internal border on our own territory in order to accommodate a neighbouring country (and getting no thanks for it). Yet, after all that effort, all the hassle of red lanes and the not for sale in the EU stickers, Ireland suggested that it was planning to deploy a hundred police officers at the border, before apparently backing down. Ulster Unionists point out wryly that those officers were needed half a century ago. A hundred peelers along the border would have been useful when IRA units were in the habit of withdrawing into the Republic to regroup. But, as Unionists learned long ago, international pressure is never applied to Dublin. Irelands own politicians are aware of the irony. This is the challenge, that we have advocated for an open border on this island, says Helen McEntee, the justice minister. Still, we may be sure that Joe Biden wont breathe a word of criticism. These border rows only ever work one way around. Britain is always in the wrong. Funnily enough, the UK never wanted border checks in the first place. When Irish self-government was being negotiated in 1920, David Lloyd George held out until the last minute for a common customs territory, arguing as a Gladstonian Home Ruler that it was impractical to have tariffs within the British Isles. But Irelands Provisional Government insisted on installing customs posts. Since the Belfast Agreement was negotiated in 1998, there have been two attempts to impose a hard border. Neither came from UK. The first was during the foot-and-mouth epidemic in 2001 when Ireland (not unreasonably, given the importance of its beef industry) sent hundreds of security officers to the border. The other was in 2021 when the EU, piqued because Britains vaccine rollout was faster than its own, ordered the border to be shut a decision it had to reverse hours later. Even bigger than the volte-face over the border is Irelands abandonment of the idea that policies within EU competence must not be discussed bilaterally. Again, this principle was laid down very clearly during the Brexit talks. Negotiations can only happen between the UK and EU, said the then Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar. We are not going to allow negotiations to move to an intergovernmental level in any way. Britain reluctantly accepted that principle. I say reluctantly because Varadkars predecessor, Enda Kenny, had been willing to have technical discussions on how to keep the border open. Those talks were starting to yield results. But Varadkar was not interested in pragmatic solutions. He seemingly wanted Brexit to be reversed or, if that proved impossible, at least punished. He aimed to do so by flipping what he saw as the historical imbalance in power. Instead of being the stronger party in talks with Ireland, Britain would be the weaker party in talks with the EU. Yet Ireland is now demanding an intergovernmental deal with the UK on the return of immigrants. In other words, Britain would be obliged to take illegals back from Ireland, but unable to return them to France. Plainly no British government should agree to that. Any returns agreement would have to be between the UK and the EU as a whole. I have no doubt that Rishi Sunak would be happy to take back illegal entrants from the EU who had first come to the UK, but only if it worked both ways. The trouble is that Brussels has little interest in such a deal because more sans-papiers pass through EU territory on the way to Britain than the reverse. Instead, it wants Britain to join its burden-sharing scheme, whereby asylum seekers are spread around the member states. We would be crazy to participate, given our geography. Although you might not think so from our headlines, we have fewer asylum per capita than most EU states. In the last year that we were covered by the EUs returns scheme, 2020, it worked heavily against us. We tried to return 8,502 failed claimants to EU states, but they accepted only 105 (1.2 per cent). They, by contrast, sought to send 2,331 failed claimants here, and we accepted 882 (37.8 per cent). Incredibly, Starmers policy is to go back in to such an arrangement. Indeed, he sees it as a goal rather than as a concession. Unsurprisingly, the EU has no interest in a returns deal with Sunak while it has the prospect of getting what it wants from Starmer. I have a lot of sympathy with Ireland both in general (I am, as you might infer from my name, one of six million Brits of Irish descent) and on the issue of illegal immigration. The same pull factors that draw people to Britain, above all low unemployment and the English language, make Ireland the obvious destination as Britain finally gets serious about deportations. I dont want to go back to Africa, said a Somali interviewed in Dublin this week. Rwanda is no good for me. I am here to build a new life in Europe. He had travelled from Calais via London and Belfast one of the first of what may turn into a wave of people once the flights start leaving for Kigali. That population movement is no fairer from an Irish than a British point of view. We both have relatively generous immigration regimes, but those regimes are undermined by illicit entrants. If Britain really were the villain that Irish politicians pretend, it would detain boat people on their arrival in Kent, house them in an asylum centre in Newry and point them to the border. But that is not the country we are. We want Ireland to solve this problem alongside us which would also, incidentally, help France, by reducing the flow of people to Calais. The best course for Ireland would be to pursue the Rwanda scheme jointly with the UK. Sadly, Irelands leaders seem to have determined that collaboration with the EU, whatever its cost, is always preferable to working with the UK. Meanwhile, other European countries are moving towards their own versions of Rwanda-style scheme, considering third-country destinations for deportations, and the federalist European Peoples Party has endorsed the idea. How bizarre it would be if, just as the rest of Europe is coming around to Britains way of thinking, Starmer were to follow through on his commitment and scrap the scheme. Where do you suppose that would incentivise illegal immigrants in Europe to move? No wonder Brussels wants a Labour victory. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. By Ali Sawafta TULKARM, West Bank (Reuters) -Israeli forces killed five Palestinians, including four fighters from the militant group Hamas, in an overnight raid near the city of Tulkarm in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian and Israeli officials said on Saturday. Hamas confirmed that four of the men killed during the raid in Deir al-Ghusun village were from its al-Qassam armed wing. The Palestinian health ministry said their bodies had been taken by the Israeli military. There was no information about the fifth man, whose body was too disfigured for immediate identification, the Palestinian health ministry in the West Bank said. The Israeli military confirmed the deaths and said an Israeli officer from a special police unit was wounded in the operation it said targeted a Hamas cell responsible for numerous shooting and car bombing attacks. It said the group was responsible for killing a reservist soldier and wounding a police officer in an attack last November and also carried out a car bombing attack in April which wounded two Israelis including a soldier. Saturday's operation near the flashpoint city of Tulkarm was the latest in a series of clashes in the West Bank between Israeli forces and Palestinians which had escalated for more than two years but has picked up in intensity since the Hamas-led attack on Israel last October. Hamas, the Islamist group which Israel has been fighting in Gaza, had also been building its fighting network in the West Bank before the start of the war. During the raid, the Israeli army levelled a two-storey house with a bulldozer in an operation that lasted more than 12 hours. According to Palestinian Health Ministry records, nearly 500 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or Jewish settlers in the West Bank or East Jerusalem since Oct. 7. Many have been armed fighters but stone-throwing youths and uninvolved civilians have also been killed. Palestinians want the West Bank and Gaza, which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war, as the core of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital. U.S.-backed talks to reach an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians have been stalled for the past decade but the Gaza war has raised pressure for a revival of efforts to reach a two-state solution. More than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's seven-month-old assault on the Gaza Strip, say health officials in the Hamas-ruled enclave. The war began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and abducting 252 others, of whom more than 130 are believed to remain in captivity in Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. (Additional reporting by Maytaal AngelEditing by Gareth Jones, Ros Russell and Nick Zieminski) Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto ruled out sending troops to Ukraine in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, published on May 4. French President Emmanuel Macron said in late February that sending Western troops to Ukraine cannot be "ruled out" in the future. The U.S. and many European allies have distanced themselves from his statement. Macron reiterated this idea in May, saying that he would consider sending troops in the case of a Russian breakthrough at the front or if Ukraine requested it. Crosetto said that he does not understand the purpose of Macron's statements, adding that the discussion around the possible deployment of Western troops in Ukraine "increases tensions." "Our position does not change: we have always said that Ukraine needs help in every possible way, and we are doing it, but we have also always ruled out direct intervention of our military in the conflict," the minister said. Italy's law prohibits direct military intervention, according to Crosetto. Rome can only consider armed intervention under an international mandate, such as the UN, the minister said. "The scenario envisioned in Ukraine not only does not fit this case, but it would also ignite a further escalation of the conflict, particularly to the detriment of the Ukrainians themselves. In essence, there are no conditions for our direct involvement," Crosetto said. Macron's remarks sparked a lively discussion among allies, with many NATO members, including Germany and the U.S., rejecting the possibility of sending Western troops to fight against Russia in Ukraine. Other countries, such as Estonia and the Czech Republic, said that the deployment of troops, for example for non-combat tasks, should not be completely ruled out. Kyiv has not appealed to the West to send troops to Ukraine, instead asking for increased arms supplies to help Ukrainian soldiers fend off Russian aggression. Read also: Opinion: Troops in Ukraine? France-Germany spat plays into Putins hands Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Jamaal Bowman hosted fundraiser with extremist Muslim leader who praised Oct. 7 attacks on Israel Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., arriving at the U.S. Capitol for a vote to send an impeachment resolution against President Joe Biden to committees, June 22, 2023 Rep. Jamaal Bowman hosted a fundraiser with an extremist Muslim leader who praised Hamas Oct. 7 massacre in Israel and has been personally condemned by the White House. The event took place this week at a private residence in Fairfax, Virginia which promised Bowman and alongside Nihad Awad, the executive director of the Council on AmericanIslamic Relations, according to a flier viewed by The Post. News of the event was first posted to X by Jewish Insider. Rep. Jamaal Bowman has become known as an Israel alarmist in Congress. CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images During his time in Congress, Bowman has become one the top Israel-haters in Washington, accusing the Jewish state of crimes in Gaza. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has said it plans to spend millions in an effort to unseat him, with the first ads expected to roll out in the coming weeks. Bowman is using opposition from the pro-Israel lobby as an opportunity to fund-raise. As a direct result of his call for a Gaza ceasefire, AIPAC has vowed to spend $100 million against progressive members of Congressand Jamaal is their top target, the flyer for the Bowman event reads. AIPAC, and other more moderate Democrats are backing George Latimer, the popular Westchester County Executive. One alarming poll for Bownan showed Latimer dominating the race but insiders expect it to be close. Back in December, Awad publicly said he was happy to see the Hamas slaughter in Israel which left some 1,200 dead and hundreds taken hostage. He added that The people of Gaza have the right to self-defense. Bowman held a fundraiser with Nihad Award who was condemned by the White House for his remarks about Hamas. X/matthewkassel The remark prompted the White House to sever ties with the organization which has long been accused as being an incubator for domestic terrorism. We condemn these shocking, antisemitic statements in the strongest terms, White House spokesman Andrew Bates said at the time. The horrific, brutal terrorist attacks committed by Hamas on Oct. 7 were, as President Biden said, abhorrent and represent unadulterated evil. The Council on American-Islam has long faced scrutiny for its ties to terrorism. Getty Images The White House swiftly moved to scrub CAIR from its National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. In a Facebook post, Awad lauded Bowman as a staunch defender of Palestinian rights and urged anyone who wanted to attend to send him a private message. Reps for Bowman did not respond to request for comment. Out astrophysicist Jane Rigby, chief scientist at the worlds most powerful telescope, has received a Presidential Medal of Freedom. The acclaimed scientist, who is an out lesbian, was one of 19 people to receive the nations highest civilian honor Friday. The medal is presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors, according to the White House. Rigby is a civil servant astrophysicist at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center as well as the senior project scientist at the James Webb Space Telescope, the most powerful telescope in the world. She has also done extensive data research for the Keck and Magellan Observatories and the Hubble Space Telescope. Rigby has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including being named the LGBTQ+ Scientist of the Year in 2022 by Out to Innovate, which recognizes outstanding LGBTQ+ professionals in science, technology, engineering, and math. She was also a founding member of the American Astronomical Society's LGBTQ+ Equality Working Group, the Committee for Sexual-Orientation & Gender Minorities in Astronomy. Rigby has a bachelor's degree in physics, astronomy, and astrophysics from Penn State, and earned both her master's and doctorate in astronomy at the University of Arizona. She said in an SGMA interview that she first came out as a lesbian in 2000, and it was still illegal to be gay in Arizona when she moved there a few years later for graduate school. Rigby now resides in Maryland with her wife, Dr. Andrea Leistra, and their young child. Rigby said in her SGMA interview that while "it has been much harder to be a queer person in science than a woman in science," her "experience is that absolutely I am a better astronomer because Im queer," as it broadens her perspective particularly when it comes to community impact research. For LGBTQ+ people pursuing astronomy or STEM broadly, Rigby's advice was: "Do fabulous science, be fabulous, and be proud." Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised. Bich Ha Pan and her husband, Huei Hann Pan, were attacked inside their home in Markham, Ontario, on November 8, 2010. The former died in the attack, while Huei Hann Pan went into a coma. Jennifer Pan was the couples daughter who seemed to have survived the attack and was the only witness, causing authorities to sit in extensive interviews with her. However, Time Magazine reported that investigators were suspicious of the couples daughter from the beginning. Further investigation revealed that Jennifer Pan had hired three hitmen to kill her parents Lenford Crawford, David Mylvaganam, and Jennifers then-boyfriend, Daniel Wong. Her father, who was in a coma, unexpectedly survived the attack and recounted the events to authorities. After she was charged, the court found her guilty of first-degree murder and attempted murder and sentenced her to life without parole for 25 years, per CBC. The other three men were also convicted of the same charges. According to People Magazine, Jennifer Pans parents had pressured her to excel in academics and extracurricular activities since childhood. When she got average grades, Jennifer lied about her school activities and grades from her parents. She was also told not to date anyone until after high school, which made her keep her relationship with Daniel Wong, a marijuana dealer, a secret from her parents. Moreover, Jennifer Pan told her parents that she graduated from the Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) with a degree in pharmacology. The daughter said she had been working at the blood-testing lab at SickKids Hospital. However, the authorities found out that all of these were elaborate lies that Jennifer had told her parents. The Washington Post reported that she failed to graduate high school. Where is Jennifer Pan now? TODAY.com reported that Jennifer Pan is currently incarcerated at the Correctional Service Canada. She and the other three convicts in the case will be getting a new trial after the Canadian Supreme Court reviewed the case. The court reportedly found that the judge in the previous trial had not considered the possibility of ruling the death as second-degree murder or manslaughter. An administrative appearance, which is her next official hearing at the Ontario court, had been scheduled for June 14, 2024. Per People Magazine, Daniel Wong, Jennifer Pans ex-boyfriend, is currently housed at a correctional facility in Lindsay, Ontario. He reportedly began dating Pan in 2003, but they dated in secrecy. Soon, Jennifer began doctoring report cards to lie to her parents about her grades. She also stayed at Wongs house for a few days every week. However, she told her parents she was staying at a friends place to avoid commuting from university. When her parents thought she was attending classes, Jennifer Pan reportedly used to work at a restaurant, which Wong managed, and gave piano classes. Meanwhile, Wong, aside from being a kitchen manager, also sold marijuana in the area. However, Fox News stated that the truth surfaced when Jennifers mother decided to follow her daughter to work one day. After Jennifer was grounded, she was only allowed to go to teach her piano classes. She was also preparing to graduate high school. This was when she hired the hitmen to kill her parents. What Jennifer Did is a recent Netflix documentary that is currently streaming on the platform. It follows the life and crimes of Jennifer Pan. The post Who Is Jennifer Pan and What Was She Convicted Of? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Gregory Livingston, the guard who allegedly shot and killed 48-year-old Alvin Motley at an East Memphis Kroger Fuel Center on August 7, appeared at Shelby County Criminal Court on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021. Editor's note: This story has been corrected to accurately reflect the charge Gregory Livingston was convicted of. After days of witness testimony and reviewing the exact moment of Alvin Motley Jr.'s death, a Shelby County jury returned a guilty verdict in the first-degree murder trial of Gregory Livingston. Livingston, a 57-year-old former contract security guard for Kroger, was arrested in September 2021 following the gas station shooting that killed Motley. Motley was in town with his girlfriend, Pia Foster, from Chicago. The two were to visit Motley's family members and enjoy a weekend about town. Motley suffered from Marfan syndrome, a disorder that limits the body's ability to build connective tissue. In Motley's case, his eyesight was affected by the disease to the point of being legally blind. The case was turned over to Nashville prosecutors after former Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich recused herself from the case, citing a conflict of interest with the security company Livingston was contracted with at the time of the shooting. Alvin Motley Sr., the father of 48-year-old Alvin Motley who was allegedly shot and killed by Gregory Livingston, the guard at an East Memphis Kroger Fuel Center on August 7, is seen at Shelby County Criminal Court on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021. Motley was at the gas station with Foster. The two were listening to R&B music at a level loud enough to draw Livingston's attention. Livingston began to yell at Motley and Foster to turn their music down, and a back-and-forth argument quickly ensued between the three. Foster, who had been pumping gas, had corralled an upset Motley back into her car and started to drive out of the gas station. Motley, according to Foster, then began to exit the vehicle again, telling Foster he wanted to go talk to Livingston "like men." Motley, holding a cigarette in one hand and a beer in another, casually walked towards Livingston. The security guard can be heard saying, "Back up, back up." "Let's talk about this like men," was the last thing an unarmed Motley said before Livingston took a shooting stance and fired one round point-blank into Motley's chest. He died on the scene. Organizers block gas pumps in protest of deadly shooting of Alvin Motley at the Kroger Fuel Center during the "Music for Motley" rally on Aug. 26, 2021, in East Memphis. A white security guard, is accused of shooting and killing Motley Jr., a 48-year-old Black man from Chicago, on August 7, at this Kroger Fuel Center. During the trial, there was no question about if Livingston had fired the fatal shot it was caught on video, from multiple angles. Instead, Livingston's defense sought to persuade the jury that he had no way of knowing what Motley intended to do as he walked toward him. Witnesses from the gas station at the time of the shooting were called to the stand to recall the details of how the argument escalated into a fatal shooting. Statements made by Foster or Motley during the argument like "You don't know what kind of day we're having," or "I'll kick your ass," defense attorneys said, could have been reasonably interpreted as an intent to commit bodily harm against Livingston. Prosecutors, in turn, pointed to evidence of a gunshot wound through Motley's right wrist. Motley, they said, was likely raising his right hand to his mouth to take a drag off of a cigarette when Livingston fired a shot at him. Gregory Livingston, the guard who allegedly shot and killed 48-year-old Alvin Motley at an East Memphis Kroger Fuel Center on August 7, appeared at Shelby County Criminal Court on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021. Other indicators, like Livingston's calm demeanor when talking to a 911 operator or the fact that he circled Motley's body after the shooting "like a predator examining its kill" instead of rendering aid painted a portrait of a man largely indifferent to the fact that he had just shot and killed someone, prosecutors said. "Everything about Livingston's behavior and demeanor suggests he wasn't at all alarmed," said Nashville Assistant District Attorney Ronald Dowdy. Micaela Watts is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at micaela.watts@commercialappeal.com. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Jury finds man guilty of killing Alvin Motley at Memphis Kroger gas station Tara Wallace Grey Endres Theres a knock at the door for change, but is Kansas child welfare ready to answer it? We had the pleasure of attending the Kansas Child Welfare Summit last month. The tagline for the summit was working together to create lasting improvement in child welfare. Sadly, this summit kicked off on the second anniversary of the death of Anika ACE Scott, who died in state custody after 1,754 days and 113 placements. It was clear that much work went into designing and developing the summit. Despite this work, the summit missed the mark on several fronts. As the chair asked summit planners to stand, a Division of the Child Advocate representative was notably absent. Later, a panel focused on "Effective Collaboration Between Child Welfare Partners" lacked a noticeable representation of Black and Brown professionals. These details are important because the Division of the Child Advocate represents the most neutral intersection of the issues plaguing the child welfare system and the policies and laws governing it. The DCAs 2023 Annual Report details the primary issues experienced by families and stakeholders alike. The data is not surprising for anyone familiar with child welfare in Kansas. Additionally, the likelihood that Black or Brown children are identified as a CINC (child in need of care) following contact with the Kansas child welfare system is 79%. Therefore, including experts resembling these populations to provide insight into the continued disparities and biases plaguing the system is a reasonable expectation. The stars of the summit were the parents and former foster alumni who shared their lived experiences of the Kansas child welfare system. Parents shared deeply moving testimonies about the difficulties they faced navigating the system and the unnecessary barriers created by poor communication and unfulfilled promises. The youth panel was equally powerful. They challenged the audience to stay with a stranger for six months, then let me know how that feels to you. And stated, Intentional representation, diversity, equity, and inclusion is critical in child welfare. Urging that we need to stop being afraid of innovating. It is too convenient to try to throw DCF under the bus, but they are not the enemy. The enemies are the norms that hold child welfare failures in place. Those include systemic racism, unconscious biases and adultcentrism. They are unchallenged, deeply held beliefs that create blind spots. The Kansas child welfare system has again failed over 50% of the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) standards, including engagement, stability, and timeliness of permanency. Can you imagine visiting your favorite restaurant and finding it open despite failing 50% of food handling guidelines? Would you demand change? Or would you continue as usual? The Kansas child welfare system has chosen the latter. Children and families are suffering the consequences. The call for change is no longer nameless or faceless. We are responsible for changing the narrative for thousands of children and families. Kansas child welfare, please answer the door. Tara Wallace is a clinical social worker with 10 years of experience, CEO of Lighthouse Therapeutic Community Outreach Foundation and member of the Strengthen Families, Rebuild Hope Coalition, through which she co-authors this piece. Grey Endres has 30 years of social work experience, directs the MSW program at Missouri Western State University, chief clinical officer at Newhouse KC and member of SFRH. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas child welfare summit was lifted by foster alumni and parents Context: The above video shows the extent of the tornado damage inflicted on the Westmoreland area. Originally published May 2, 2024. WESTMORELAND (KSNT) Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt personally traveled to the town of Westmoreland to offer help to those who are putting their lives back together after a tornado ripped through the area on April 30. The Kansas Insurance Department (KID) announced in a press release that Schmidt and other staffers visited Westmoreland on May 3 to answer questions on insurance claims. Many residents in the town are recovering from an EF3 tornado that damaged homes, injured three people and killed local resident Ann Miller. (Photo Courtesy/KID) (Photo Courtesy/KID) As residents and communities focus on the long-term recovery, the Kansas Department of Insurance stands ready to assist wherever possible, Schmidt said. I encourage all Kansans who have experienced property damage from recent storms to call the Department if you have questions about your insurance claim or if you encounter insurance-related problems along the way. Becky Taylor gives emotional farewell to the KSNT family Schmidt spent time with residents in Westmoreland explaining the different resources available to help them recover from the tornado. She encourages those who need to make a storm-related insurance claim to contact the KIDs Consumer Assistance Division by dialing 1-800-432-2484 or by emailing KDOI.Complaints@ks.gov. You can also visit the KIDs website by clicking here. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Kellyanne Conway, ex-senior adviser to former President Trump and Fox News contributor, said although she doesnt like early voting, if its the new normal, Republicans must adapt or they will die politically. Conway joined talk show Real Time with Bill Maher Friday, where she was asked about Trumps recent rhetoric switch. After years of inaccurately claiming mail-in voting was corrupt, Trump recently told his supporters that early voting systems are all good options to use this fall. I hope President Trump and Mrs. Trump will go and vote early in Florida, on the first day theyre eligible, to vote early because when the lion roars, the others will follow, Conway said. His voters will say, oh, well, now President Trump went early, I can too. Conway said she believes that early voting is taking a chance, but if an elderly voter who cant get out of the bathroom, let alone out of the house wont vote without mail-in systems, she wants that suckers vote in October. So, I dont like early voting, but if this is the new normal, you adapt or you die politically, she said. Conway argued that she wants early voting ballot counting to be changed. She said states that conduct early voting should begin counting ballots before election night and then add the results with ballots cast on election day to get the final results that night. The Republican Party has begun a new messaging campaign to its voters about early voting. Shortly after being elected Republican National Committee chair, Michael Whatley said the party needs to communicate and plan with the more than 50 percent of Americans who will cast their ballots before election day. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Civilian contractors have started to arrive in Haiti to help prepare for the arrival of Kenyan forces, whose deployment is currently in the works, a top Biden official confirmed to the Miami Herald on Friday. Todd D. Robinson, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, said an initial deployment of Kenyan police officers is being planned to coincide with the arrival of President William Ruto in Washington later this month. The White House has confirmed that President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Ruto and his wife, First Lady Racheo Ruto, for a state visit on May 23 to mark the 60th anniversary of U.S.-Kenya diplomatic relations. The initial deployment will happen sometime around his State visit, said Robinson, declining to give an exact date or the number of officers who will be deployed as part of the long-awaited Multinational Security Support mission. On Friday, a day after U.S. helicopters were seen flying through Port-au-Princes dark skies, the U.S. Southern Command landed another aircraft at Toussaint Louverture International Airport. The plane transported civilian contractors who will be providing support to the Pentagon to build out the area where the Kenyan support mission is supposed to be staying while in Haiti. The Pentagon, which has pledged $200 million to assist in the mission, is responsible for making a base ready for the forces. Congressional aides have said that requires 45 days. Officials with the Department of Defense declined to provide details on their housing plans. The bases construction, however, is crucial. We dont want to send them into a situation where theyre not securely housed and have a place to sleep, plan and do all of that, said Robinson. Ruto first pledged 1,000 of his police officers in July 2023 to lead an international force to assist Haitis national police, pending his governments security assessment and a mandate from the U.N. Security Council, which was given in October. Since then, however, the initiative has faced one obstacle after another, from court challenges and judicial blocks in Nairobi to funding holds in Congress to the March 11 forced resignation of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry amid a gang insurgency. Though the court challenges appear to have been cleared, the initiative still lacks the proper funding. Republican lawmakers in Congress have ignored a request by the State Department to release $40 million of the $100 million it has pledged to support the mission. Aides to Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas and Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho have criticized the plan, while accusing the administration of not providing clear details about the force. Administration officials, meanwhile, have said they have provided more than 60 briefings and answered dozens of questions from GOP offices. Amid the delay, thousands of Haitians have either lost their lives or been injured, and Haiti teeters on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe as millions of people are unable to find enough food to eat. The U.N., which has joined the U.S. in calling for assistance for the multinational force and humanitarian response, has said that Kenyan-led mission need to be deployed quickly to assist the Haiti National Police take on ruthless gangs that continue to force people out of their homes and hold millions of people in Port-au-Prince hostage. Robinson declined to go into details about the operations. But he conceded that the goal with the initial deployment is to begin to bring relief to Haitians who this week endured a fresh round of attacks by armed gangs and to convince U.S. lawmakers and donors to provide the necessary funding. Were doing the best we can within our constraints and our authorities, he said. Robinson said while there is currently enough money to pay for Kenyas personnel expenses and the initial deployment, more money is needed. The goal is to deploy the forces in phases. I dont think personnel is going to be our problem. I think resources, financial resources are going to be our problem, he conceded. And we are on a daily basis, on an hourly basis, going out to our friends in the international community, asking them to step up. The U.S., he said, has seen a number of countries volunteer personnel. But the challenge is funding. Earlier this week, the U.N. said a trust fund for the mission currently has only $18 million. The funds were provided by Canada, by France and the United States, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Dujarric said that The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Chad, Jamaica and Kenya have officially notified Guterres in writing, as requested by the U.N. Security Council, of their intent to contribute personnel to the mission. In late February, while Henry was in Nairobi to sign the the necessary accords for the deployment of the Kenya forces, armed gangs in Port-au-Prince united and launched a broad assault on key government institutions while demanding his ouster. Police stations, the airport and seaport were all targeted. Gangs also orchestrated the release of more than 4,000 inmates from the countrys two largest prisons. The attacks deepened concerns that the mission would be too dangerous for international forces and, with Henry forced to resign, Rutos government put the mission on hold. He has since said his police are ready to deploy, welcoming the installment of a new transitional presidential council in Haiti, which will be tasked with readying the country for the mission. Our intention is to have the international community support the Haitian national police in doing their job, and also to allow them to get a rest, he said. These guys have been going for a long time at 110% and theyve been getting the job done. Outgunned and outnumbered, Haiti police have struggled to push gangs back. In some cases, theyve been unable to stop invasions of neighborhoods and the takeover of police stations as the gangs tightened their grip on Port-au-Prince and parts of the Artibonite Valley. In others, theyve succeeded in fighting back attempts to take over the National Palace, the Central Bank and the international airport, which theyve protected with help from members of the small Haitian Army. Frantz Elbe, the director general of the Haiti National Police, said since the attacks began on Feb. 29, his officers have not only fought back the gangs, theyve also created a buffer zone around the airport. Elbes own home was set ablaze by gangs during the mayhem. Weve reinforced the security perimeter inside and outside of the airport, he said. The police have carried out a lot of operations that have allowed for improvements in the security at the airport. Weve also demolished a lot of houses. The destruction of about 200 houses around the airport by the Haitian government, which has spent thousands of dolalrs compensating residents, has not only led to better visibility of the runway but also blocked gangs from being able to perch themselves on structures and shoot at the runways. The government has constructed security towers around the perimeter. This has already allowed for the landing of five U.S. flights that have transported cargo and personnel , Elbe said about the flights coordinated by U.S. Southern Command. And there are other security measures being taken. Currently, he said, members of the army and the police are providing security for the airport. While police officers are outside, both soldiers and cops are inside. Ultimately, Elbe said, the goal is to build the confidence needed for U.S. airlines to resume their commercial flights to Haiti, which have been suspended since March 4. The second phase of our strategy is to dismantle the gangs and create a space where the government can provide services to neighborhoods once occupied by gangs, he said. That is where the foreign forces, led by Kenya, will help, Elbe said. They can help us in the operations that we are going to do to dismantle the gangs. The motivation of Haitis police officers isnt lost on U.S. officials, who say they have shown that they can carry out complex and dangerous operations over the last two months. This is what the training that weve been doing has gotten us, Robinson said. There has not been a total collapse. They have been able to clear the airport and maintain the airport and no one thought they would be able to do this.... And we know how hard this has been. Robinson declined to go into details on how many Kenya officers would be initially deployed, and how they would carry out operations, saying only that the plan is to get Haitians to a place where the country, which last held general elections in 2016, can head to the ballot box. The idea for this is to get them to elections. The [police] and their collaboration with the Haitian army has shown that when push comes to shove, when they have to get something done, they can get it done, Robinson said. We think with the introduction of this international force, we will be able to get them to elections. Thats what success looks like. Are there other things we have to do after that? Yes. But if we can get them to elections, thats a strong start. King Charles III is the new patron of The Royal British Legion charity, a role his late mother Queen Elizabeth II (seen here in 2022) previously held. The King has welcomed over 200 new charity patronages. Credit - Hannah McKayGetty Images Ahead of the one-year anniversary of King Charles IIIs coronation on May 6, the royal family has announced which causes will still receive royal patronages from the King, his wife, Queen Camilla, and other royals, who are taking on some of the late Queen Elizabeth IIs causes. The tradition of patronages, where a royal supports charities, military associations, professional bodies, or public service organizations, dates back to the reign of George II in the 1700s, according to the royal familys social media. Royal patronage highlights the vital work of these organizations and allows their many achievements and valuable contributions to society to be more widely recognised and promoted, the royal family said in its May 4 announcement. Some of the patronages are in the U.K. and others in the Commonwealth, an association of 56 independent countries, almost all which were formerly under British colonial rule. Causes run the gamut from military to education, the arts, and wildlifesupporting dogs, horse racing, heritage crafts, the Welsh National Opera, Scottish Highland Games, and more. When Charles became King in September 2022 after his mother died, the Palace reviewed more than 1,000 royal patronages. After that review, the King and Queen will support more than 800 charities and organizations, the royal family announced. The late Queen was patron of 492 charities when she died, and her family will retain 376 of those. That includes the King as patron of the Royal British Legion, a charity supporting the military, which his mother supported from 1952 to 2022. Before ascending the throne, Charles, as Prince of Wales, supported 441 organizations, and has kept or passed along 367 to family members. The King and Queen will also keep supporting causes they did before they assumed their current titles. That includes the Kings interest in environmentalism, with continued patronages for The Wildlife Trusts, a grassroots nature organization, and the Commonwealth Forestry Association, which promotes conservation and sustainable management of the world's forests. The King will also stay president of clean water NGO WaterAid, a position hes held since 1991. In a statement, WaterAid U.K.s chief executive Tim Wainwright said the charity was extremely grateful and honoured that Charles would continue his relationship, which has played a hugely significant role over the past three decades in supporting WaterAids vision. His Majesty The King is a driving force for good on critical global issues such as climate change and sustainability, Wainwright said. The climate crisis is a water crisis, with droughts drying up springs and wells, and storms and floods damaging infrastructure and contaminating fragile water sources. We work tirelessly with communities to help provide weather-proof water systems and toilets. We know with the enduring dedication and ambition of His Majesty to connect the world to act, we will end the water, sanitation and hygiene crisis together. TIME reached out to Buckingham Palace for more information about the patronages. King Charles, 75, returned to public-facing duties on April 30 after taking a step back to receive treatment following the announcement of his cancer diagnosis in February. Contact us at letters@time.com. Kristi Noem's book claims she met with Kim Jong Un, but that's not really checking out South Dakota Governor Kristi Noems forthcoming book, which previously made headlines for an excerpt outlining her shooting a puppy, is steeped in controversy once again. In "No Going Back," Noem describes a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, recalling that she was sure he underestimated me. But, as it turns out, the two have actually never met. Weve been made aware that the publisher will be addressing conflated world leaders names in the book before it is released, spokesperson Ian Fury said in a statement. The book contains at least one more possibly inaccurate account of a conversation, one which Noem alleges took place between her and Nikki Haley. According to the book, the then-Ambassador to the United Nations called the Governor to introduce herself and offer advice on leading a state, which Noem somehow took as a threat. Ive heard a lot of really good things about you. But I also want you to know that if I hear something bad I will be sure to let you know, Noem recounts Haley saying. Im pretty sure I was just threatened by Nikki Haley. It was clear that she wanted me to know that there was only room for one Republican woman in the spotlight. It was weird." A spokesperson for Haley, Chaney Denton, noted that the conversation occurred a year before Noem said it did, and that she unfairly twisted what was merely a show of support. Few intersections in Colorado Springs are as notorious as the one that is home to the big, bronze statue of the city's founder, Gen. William Jackson Palmer. The iconic statue, which depicts Palmer perched atop his horse, Diablo, sits smack-dab in the middle of the intersection of Platte and Nevada avenues, and it has long been a source of local controversy, with some residents describing it as a traffic hazard and calling for its removal. The intersection has been the site of numerous injury crashes, some deadly. And it's been a pain point for drivers for decades. Despite the controversy, city officials have made it pretty clear: Moving the statue, which has sat in that spot for nearly a century, is not an option. Last September, in an effort to make the intersection safer, traffic engineers decided to prohibit left-hand turns onto Nevada for cars traveling either direction on Platte, citing a higher-than-expected crash rate for drivers making a left turn at the intersection. This week, the city said it was studying a different option: a roundabout. City traffic engineer Todd Frisbie confirmed in an emailed statement Friday that the city had "launched a feasibility study to explore if a roundabout could and should be installed." The announcement comes months after a local group, Beautiful Colorado Springs, launched a petition calling for a roundabout at the intersection. Last year, a separate petition on change.org called for the statue's removal. That petition was started by a family member of Isadore Romero, a 67-year-old Colorado Springs man who was hit and killed while riding his motorcycle in the intersection last April. Police said a vehicle collided with the motorcycle while making a left turn at the intersection. Featured Local Savings The Palmer statue garnered more attention last week, after a short video about the intersection was posted to TikTok and Instagram by Streetcraft, a content creator that publishes videos about urban planning and traffic engineering. The video amassed millions of views on both platforms and depicted what a roundabout could look like at the intersection. "The fact that this intersection isnt already a roundabout is crazy," one person commented on TikTok. "Well do ANYTHING but build a roundabout here," wrote another. Cully Radvillas, who started the Beautiful Colorado Springs group, reached out to Streetcraft about creating the rendering. His group meets monthly and focuses on land use, transportation and walkability issues. It's about "making the city more walkable and people friendly, so people dont need a car to make every trip, to run every errand, said Radvillas. A place cant be walkable if people dont feel safe walking on the street. Radvillas co-founded the group with Zuri Horowitz, who started the COS Cars Kill Instagram account. The group advocates for safer streets and tracks crashes throughout the city. According to its website, their goal is to "highlight the negatives of car-centered planning in Colorado Springs/El Paso County." Their petition calling for a roundabout at Nevada and Platte had 435 signatures as of Saturday, with 330 of those being from local residents. Frisbie, the traffic engineer, said in the statement that a "roundabout could increase safety while also allowing the historic statue to remain in place." "Studies show that roundabouts help reduce fatal crashes by 90% and pedestrian crashes 30%-40%. This feasibility study, which will take up to a year to finish, will help the city understand if it is possible to build a roundabout, what the impact to the community would be, and how much it would cost. Ukraine is increasingly interested in obtaining the MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance drone from the United States, having moved it to the top of its wish list in recent months. Source: Politico, as reported by European Pravda Details: It is noted that interest in these drones has increased as Ukraine plans operations for the summer and looks for new ways to help identify Russian targets deep in the rear. Since the early days of the full-scale war, the MQ-9 Reaper has been a priority for Kyiv as it sought to use them for strikes and surveillance. But recently, Ukraine has abandoned some of its intentions and is mainly interested in using the Reapers for reconnaissance only. This was stressed by four people familiar with the matter. Three industry representatives and a person familiar with the Ukrainian requests said that the desire for drones is not new, but that the request has become more important to Kyiv as it seeks any battlefield advantage it can get. Politico stated that the United States is still hesitant to provide the MQ-9 Reaper because of fears that Russia could shoot them down. Background: Back in 2022, a group of members of Congress, including representatives of both parties, called on the US Department of Defense to provide Ukraine with modern drones, which have not yet been provided. The letter from 17 members of Congress is addressed to Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin and is dated 21 August 2022. It states that Ukraine could better counter Russian threats with advanced drones such as the MQ-1C Gray Eagle or MQ-9A Reaper. However, at the same time, it became known that the Biden administration would not provide Ukraine with advanced drones due to fears of escalation, despite requests from Kyiv and a bipartisan group of members of Congress. Support UP or become our patron! These L.A. foster kids defied the odds when they aged out: 'This isn't the end of my story' Pasadena City College student Alex Ballantyne, left, and director Shaun Kadlec of "Possible Selves." The PBS documentary follows Ballantyne and another teen in foster care through their tumultuous high school years. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Alex Ballantyne thought he'd finally found some stability after spending much of his adolescence searching for a home where he felt safe and accepted. Then, shortly after he collected his high school diploma, his longtime foster family in the Santa Clarita Valley kicked him out. He found himself homeless, aging out of the Los Angeles County foster care system which cuts off many services at 18 and unsure where to turn. It was rough, and I guess it still is," Ballantyne says in an intimate new documentary that follows two Los Angeles teens in foster care from age 14 to 20. "Possible Selves," directed by Shaun Kadlec, will make its streaming debut this month on PBS SoCal Plus. Ballantyne's struggle to get back on his feet after high school is one of the most heartbreaking moments in a film that provides a rare, insider's perspective on the challenges facing foster youth including childhood trauma, looming insecurity, parents struggling with addiction and the stigma attached to the foster system, all of which are addressed with an unfiltered openness that only teens could achieve. But even at the point when his future seemed unsure, Ballantyne was insistent: "This isnt the end of my story. And it wasn't. Now, almost four years after the cameras stopped rolling, Ballantyne is promoting the film and sparking discussions about foster care, all while pursuing his associate's degree from Pasadena City College. His goals have changed a bit from his teen years when he wanted to be a professional musician and become more ambitious: The 24-year-old plans to get his bachelor's degree in business, hopefully at UC Berkeley, then get a law degree to work in public policy. Read more: Couch surfing, living in cars. Housing insecurity derails foster kids' college dreams Achieving this would defy the odds for former foster youth, who statistically have some of the lowest outcomes when it comes to finishing high school, pursuing a degree and graduating college. Ballantyne's aspiration for "Possible Selves" is more modest: He hopes people come away with a better understanding of foster care and the wraparound services these youth need. "What I really want people to take out from it ... we're not all super-troubled kids," Ballantyne said. "We're just normal people that just so happen to be in [foster] care." "Young people in foster care, they have a lot of services, there a lot of wonderful programs that provide all this support," said Kadlec. "But for all of them to work, you really need people to bring their hearts and show up and connect with young people. Because otherwise you get lost." (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) He hopes that other children in the foster system or those who face other challenges realize they aren't the only ones going through tough times. "I don't want people to feel as alone and isolated as I did when I was," he said. Kadlec said he wants viewers to consider getting involved in the life of a vulnerable teen. Read more: A school bus, donated dresses, Alicia Keys' hairstylist: Two LAUSD students go to Oscars "Young people in foster care, they have a lot of services, there a lot of wonderful programs that provide all this support," said Kadlec, who produced and filmed as well as directed the documentary. "But for all of them to work, you really need people to bring their hearts and show up and connect with young people. Because otherwise you get lost. "So many people could become a mentor to a foster youth, and it could absolutely change their life," he added. The hourlong documentary follows Ballantyne and Mia Derisso, both part of the First Star UCLA Bruin Guardian Scholars Academy, a college prep program for foster youth that provides support, mentorship and access to one of the state's premier universities. For one month every summer, the teens live on the UCLA campus, building a community, studying and envisioning what life could be like as a college student. Derisso, 24, said that without the First Star program, she would likely never have considered college. "I genuinely believe it was the starting point of my educational career, seeing that I could do more," said Derisso, who is now studying Italian in Milan. She hopes to finish her computer science degree at an Italian university, having completed the first two years at San Francisco State University. "Every summer I was able to explore who I was as an individual." Those summer academies were a time when she didn't have to worry about fitting into a new foster family's expectations or rules and were a break from stressing over what home or challenge might come next. I genuinely think it helped me to continue to live life," Derisso said. "I was so depressed, I was so down but I looked forward to every summer." California's foster care system serves about 42,000 children, most of whom were removed from their parents' home after abuse or neglect. Many end up returning to their families; others are adopted or, like Ballantyne and Derisso, age out of the system. Foster children in the state are disproportionately Black and Native American and come from low-income families, and those who age out without a secure family structure face a unique set of hurdles with a limited safety net. "Possible Selves" debuts May 11 on PBS SoCal Plus. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) About 60% of California foster youth graduate high school, compared with 86% of non-foster youth, according to the California Department of Education. They are also more likely to drop out, be chronically absent and switch schools frequently. These statistics drove the development of First Star, which began at UCLA in 2011 and has since expanded to universities across the country. "These kids are the responsibility of the state," said First Star Chief Executive Lyndsey Wilson. "Our state should want every one of the foster kids to graduate ... but thats not happening." More important than the academic support, Wilson said, the First Star program provides constant check-ins with teens, social-emotional support and a community that understands and values them. While foster teens often switch schools, homes and social workers, our organizations are the one constant," she said. California doesn't keep statistics on college graduation rates for former foster kids, though the state has provided increasing support for this population, including free tuition at some state schools and dedicated on-campus resources. However, the state's data show that foster youth enrolled at college within a year of high school graduation 20% less often than non-foster youth. Read more: Editorial: Juvenile probation failures have left L.A.'s troubled kids nowhere to go A recent study of former California foster youth found that by age 23, about 10% had completed a college degree despite more than 60% attending college. Less than 4% completed a four-year degree, according to the California Youth Transitions to Adulthood Study. Consistent adults matter when people have had adverse childhood experiences and trauma after trauma," Wilson says in the film. First Star doesn't have data on its students' college graduation rates but said their high school graduation rate was almost 100% last year. Even though the documentary dives into some of the teens' worst moments and greatest insecurities, Derisso and Ballantyne are both overwhelmingly proud of the film. I got to see how much Ive grown and my progress," Derisso said. "I hope that this motivates other foster kids to make their dreams come true." A free screening of the documentary, followed by a panel discussion that will include Kadlec and Ballantyne, will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Los Angeles Central Library. On PBS SoCal Plus, the film premieres May 11 at 9 p.m. in the L.A. area and can be streamed nationwide on the PBS app. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A large crowd of state and local police flocked to the town common in Northbridge Friday night, investigating a large scene. As of 11 p.m., Police would only say the large police scene on Church Street was part of an active investigation and they were not prepared to release more information. At least one ambulance could also be seen parked on the street adjacent to Linwood Avenue. Residents milled around the grassy town common asking questions and looking for answers. Boston 25 News has reached out to Northbridge police and fire and Massachusetts State Police for more info. 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 This article was originally published in Ohio Capital Journal. Ohio senators have passed a bill to limit cell phone use in schools, but it allows local districts to decide on the best practices for their students. Being a parent in the age of smartphones is my mom would say is harder than she had it, Natalie Hastings, mom-of-two, said. Hastings believes boundaries with technology are important, but there are struggles when it comes to school. Help fund stories like this. Donate now! There was some bullying in the restrooms and people were taking videos, she said. There is now a policy in place at the building level where kids can bring their phones to school and power them off, put them in their backpacks. Starting in the fall of 2023, a new policy at Akron Public Schools requires all secondary students to keep their cell phones in magnetically locking Yondr bags. Students are allowed to use their phones in the lunchroom and between classes but must silence and stow them away. Schools around the state have started cracking down on phone usage, and state lawmakers are joining in. I thought the idea of eliminating use of smartphones during the school day is a great idea, Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) said. Huffman and his members just passed House Bill 250, legislation that added a provision to require each public school district to create a cell phone policy, emphasizing that phone use should be as limited as possible during the school day. The legislation would also require the Department of Education and Workforce to adopt a model policy on student phone use that public schools could utilize. These policies come at a request of Gov. Mike DeWine, who said in his State of the State Address that phones are detrimental to our kids mental health and they need to be removed from the classroom. Hastings is mainly supportive of the Senates bill. I would advocate that every building principal is the one who can make the best decision for their specific kids, Hastings said. She is worried about a competing version of policy H.B. 485, which would ban personal devices like cell phones, computers, headphones and smartwatches unless a teacher specifically allows it, there is an emergency, it is needed for healthcare or if a student has a learning disability and it is part of their accommodations. The bill would require public schools to create an internet safety policy. The legislation also mandates grades 6-12 to have courses on the negative side of social media. But it isnt clear if House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) is on board with the Senate. There were some questions in our caucus on what the details were on the cell phone language and we had several members who wanted to read those languages, Stephens said. State Rep. Tom Young (R-Washington Township), the sponsor of H.B. 485, wasnt thrilled with the Senates actions. They have every right to do that, of course, however, we will have hearings on my bill because its important that we get feedback from the districts and those interested parties so that we can have best practices and thats really important. Young said. Citizens should have a right to speak about a piece of legislation period especially one thats important. If were going to do this then were going to do it right. Hastings said Ohio should start small before major mandates. Its a level of distraction that we are still figuring out in real time, she said. The Senates version goes back to the House for a concurrence vote. This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland. Ohio Capital Journal is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Ohio Capital Journal maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor David Dewitt for questions: info@ohiocapitaljournal.com. Follow Ohio Capital Journal on Facebook and Twitter. Vermont legislators passed a bill to streamline insurance requirements for health care and are urging Gov. Phil Scott to sign the bill into law. The bill, H.766, will reduce administrative delays and remove barriers to care for Vermont patients, according to proponents. The University of Vermont Health Care Network, the state's largest health care provider, has been pushing for the bill's passage. "We have reached a point where insurance companies can tell us what we can and can't do, even in life-threatening emergencies, and the victims are always patients," Dr. Katie Marvin, a family physician at Lamoille Health Partners, said in a statement. Health care practitioners in Vermont have been pushing for the passage of a bill to curtail the influence of health insurance companies over the care they're able to provide to patients. Marvin took particular aim at the insurance company practice of requiring prior authorization for drugs and procedures, putting clinicians in the position of having to ask permission from insurance companies before a patient can receive services. "(Prior authorizations) lead to delays in care, lapses in medications and apathy in providers," Marvin said. "This bill may change this, which is why I have supported H.766 through the legislative process and spoke to the Governor about it last week." Pediatrician: Insurance practices leading to a crisis for kids with asthma The House passed the bill unanimously on March 13, while the Senate voted 25-2 in favor of the bill on April 26. The Senate added an amendment, approved by the House, which requires insurance companies to give patients access to at least one type of available asthma inhaler without prior authorization. "Insurance practices are leading to a crisis in caring for kids with asthma right now," Dr. Kristen Connolly, a pediatrician, said in a statement. "We have had to order multiple types of inhalers to supplement for the one type of inhaler patients actually need. We have heard of rationing and increases in ER visits. This is our health system now here in Vermont. We can do better." More: Vermont health care providers blame prior authorization for compromising patient care The bill also ends a process where insurance companies could request patient records before paying for health care services that had been delivered. "The increase in administrative burden required increasing our staffing to process the claims," Dr. Julie Lin, an independent dermatologist in St. Albans, said in a statement. "There were also times that this policy meant we asked patients if they were willing to come back on two different days for certain services we could have delivered in one appointment so we could get timely payment by the insurance company. This added delays in care and inconvenience for patients. We know how long patients are waiting for dermatology services and this only made it worse." Legislators don't buy insurance companies' argument that costs will increase due to the bill Rep. Alyssa Black, D-Essex, rejected the argument insurance companies have been making against the bill that it will drive up costs. The entrance to the Emergency Department at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Proponents of H.766 say insurance companies' interference in health care drives more patients to the ER, increasing costs for the entire health care system. "Payers claim H.766 will lead to increased costs, but prior authorizations are almost always approved, serving only to delay care, and can drive up costs through incentivizing people to go to emergency departments when care is not approved, which is the most expensive location," Black said in a statement. "Primary care spends less, orders fewer tests, fewer unnecessary labs, and provides the most economic, best bang for your buck." Sen. Ginny Lyons, D-Chittenden Southeast, said the bill is a first step in decreasing the administrative burdens on practitioners. "We all benefit when health care providers can get back to caring for patients, not paperwork," Lyons said in a statement. Contact Dan DAmbrosio at 660-1841 or ddambrosi@gannett.com. Follow him on X @DanDambrosioVT. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont Legislature passes bill to reduce health insurance paperwork LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Lawmakers are at odds over the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission budget for the next fiscal year, leaving their appropriations up in the air as this fiscal session wraps up. Thursday on the House floor, House members were faced with the AGFC budget for the next year after the Senate had already passed it. Arkansas lawmakers approve $6.3 billion budget bill as session wraps up State Rep. Jeremy Wooldridge (R-Marmaduke), who was one of the ones voting against it, told KARK 4 News they discovered it included a $40,000 raise for the AGFC director and took a step back. Ultimately, members of the House did not pass the budget which Wooldridge said, for him, is a result of his concern over the process and salary increase the budget included that he said seemed to fly under the radar until now. With the raise, the AGFC director would be making 190,000 a year, more than other state officials of the same authority and even some department secretaries appointed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. This is the legislatures way of showing Game and Fish or any state agency that they are accountable to the people, Wooldridge said. So, while they get their funding outside of general revenue through a special sales tax, we have to appropriate that funding so this to me creates an avenue or pathway to where we can have conversations. Crypto mining bills advance through Arkansas legislature, awaiting governors signature to become law KARK 4 News reached out to AGFC for an interview and received a statement in response. AGFC is committed to working with the General Assembly to pass the spending authority needed to continue to conserve Arkansass rich natural resources and provide the outdoor recreation opportunities Arkansans deserve and expect, the statement read. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission discovers invasive snails in live crawfish shipments Lawmakers are expected to wrap up the fiscal session officially within the next week and said its unlikely theyll be able to pass a budget for the AGFC by then, something theyd likely need to pick up in a special session before July 1 as AGFCs current budget goes to then. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. TechCrunch Starship is ready to fly again and for the first time, SpaceX is going to try to bring the booster back to the launch site to catch it with a pair of oversized "chopsticks." SpaceX will launch the mammoth Starship on Sunday in a launch window that opens at 5 AM PST (7 AM local time) from the companys Starbase site in southeast Texas. This flight, which will be the fifth in the Starship development program, is coming a little sooner than expected: the Federal Aviation Administration had previously said that it did not anticipate issuing a modified launch license for this test before late November. A school bus aide shown on surveillance video hitting a nonverbal autistic boy has been charged with 10 more counts of abuse involving two children, prosecutors said Friday. Kiarra Jones, 29, was arrested last month and initially charged with one felony count of third-degree assault on an at risk person. Eight additional charges of third-degree assault on an at-risk person and two misdemeanor counts of child abuse have been filed against her, Eric Ross, a spokesperson for 18th Judicial District Attorney John Kellner said. The new charges involve alleged abuse of the child originally named as a victim and a second child, he said. Jones is represented by lawyers from the public defenders office, which does not comment to the media on its cases. The names of the victims were redacted in court documents but Qusair Mohamedbhai, a lawyer who represents the families of students who took the bus Jones worked on in suburban Denver, said they are both nonverbal autistic boys including a 10-year-old shown being hit in a video released by his mother last month. At the time, Jessica Vestal said her son came home from school with unexplained bruises all over his body in January. Later, he got a black eye, which Vestal said Jones blamed on him hitting himself with a toy, and later he suffered a bruised foot. Unable to explain the source of the injuries, Vestal asked the school district to review the bus surveillance video. Each of the new assault charges, which are felonies, represents a day in which there are multiple separate incidents of abuse against the children, Mohamedbhai said. Legislature splinters into smithereens by veto sessions end, with more sausage making on the way The spot where the 14-story Docking State Office Building stood for 68 years is now a muddy construction site on the west side of the Kansas Statehouse. The Kansas Statehouse, as seen through the wreckage that surrounds it. (Max McCoy/Kansas Reflector) Statehouse scraps Opinion editor Clay Wirestones weekly roundup of legislative flotsam and jetsam. Read the archive. Welcome back to the final Statehouse scraps column of 2024! Or is it? Yes, the Kansas Legislatures veto session drew to a close early Wednesday, but from all indications, Gov. Laura Kelly soon will order lawmakers back to work, ordering them to fashion yet another tax plan. Despite passing a handful of worthwhile bills, members just couldnt help blowing themselves up at the last minute. This leaves your scrappy scraps scribe in a slight quandary. Were the session to have actually ended, I could use this space for valedictory remarks and a promise to see you early next year. Instead, Im hovering (along with the rest of the Kansas press corps) in limbo. Lets make the best of these unsettled times and forge ahead anyway. Gov. Laura Kelly chats with local business owner Calebh Shedd on April 25, 2024, in Emporia (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Whens the special session? Most legislators assumed their latest attempt at a sweeping tax cut bill would be vetoed and that Kelly would keep her word on calling a special session. All of which raises the question of when. The working assumption in Topeka was that she would bring them back sometime this month. But the governor can order a special session at any time and for any reason. She could order one in July, just as candidates are digging in for the August primary election. She could order one in the October, just before the general election. Heck, she could order multiple special sessions to tackle marijuana legalization and Medicaid expansion if she wanted. I suspect that our rock star governor will pick this month. Folks across the state appreciate her plainspoken, technocratic and drama-free approach. But imagine the possibilities if she had a Machiavellian streak. House Speaker Dan Hawkins chats with attendees of a town hall meeting April 11, 2024, in Plainville. Hawkins outlined his opposition to Medicaid expansion during the gathering organized by Rooks County Republicans House Speaker Dan Hawkins chats with attendees of a town hall meeting April 11, 2024, in Plainville. Hawkins outlined his opposition to Medicaid expansion during the gathering organized by Rooks County Republicans. (Dale Hogg for Kansas Reflector) Keep an eye on Dan House Speaker Dan Hawkins wanted Americans to know he supported a ban on gender-affirming care for those younger than 18. So he placed an op-ed in the august conservative journal National Review making the case. Kansas Will Protect Children with No Help from a Hapless Governor appeared April 25. In case you dont follow such things, the National Review was founded by walking caricature William F. Buckley Jr. and once published fishy essays such as Why The South Must Prevail. But no, Hawkins wasnt making a regrettable argument in favor of racial segregation. He was making a regrettable argument in favor of inserting the state between families and medical professionals. The gender-affirming care ban he touted wouldnt simply ban surgery or hormone treatments. It would also bar state employees from supporting teens transitioning by using preferred pronouns, and it tries to ban LGBTQ+ events at the Statehouse. Perhaps because of this remarkable over breadth, the Legislature sustained Kellys veto Monday. In his op-ed, Hawkins concludes: In the coming days, the state legislature will vote to override her veto to enshrine these protections for the children of our state into law. Perhaps the speaker might want to wait before submitting columns in the future. An immigrant family wades through the Rio Grande while crossing from Mexico into the United States on Sept. 30, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. An immigrant family wades through the Rio Grande while crossing from Mexico into the United States on Sept. 30, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. (John Moore/Getty Images) Border time waste Thanks to a reprint in the Kansas City Star, I heard from more angsty folk than usual about my Thursday column. I pointed out (reasonably, I thought) that Kansas didnt share a border with Mexico and that allocating $15.7 million to support Kansas Guard members on a fictitious mission to Texas wasted everyones time. Kelly commands the Guard, you see, and has offered no plans for such a deployment. You can read intelligent takes about the situation at our nations southern border from Vox and the Pew Research Center. They offer facts and figures about the challenging situation for readers who may be curious. But unless Kelly sends out our troops, none of those facts and figures matter. Nor does the overblown political rhetoric. Legislators allocated money for a mission they have no power to launch. Sen. Mike Thompson, right, helped announce a new attempt to ban foreign ownership of Kansas farmland during a Feb. 6, 2024 news conference. Sen. Mike Thompson, right, helped announce a new attempt to ban foreign ownership of Kansas farmland during a Feb. 6, 2024 news conference. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector) Red scare No one expects the Spanish Inquisition or the Chinese Communist Party! That was the takeaway from debate over a likely unconstitutional bill requiring divestment of companies or property owned by those connected to China, Iran, North Korea and other adversarial countries. Kansas lawmakers proved themselves wholly unsuited for the challenge. Understand that China is a communist country, announced Sen. Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee. There may be some people here in the United States from China that do not have any nefarious intent. Its very difficult to identify the ones that are. Theyre not going to hold up a sign and say, Hey, by the way, Im here to spy on you. Did I fall into a time machine and travel back to the McCarthy hearings? Just joking. Of course I didnt folks back then at least put some effort into their red baiting. Recent debate over social media app TikTok in Washington, D.C., featured the same rhetoric, this time from the Kansas delegation. Outgoing Rep. Jake LaTurner took the hard line: The Chinese Communist Party will stop at nothing to gain influence in the United States including using TikTok to steal keystrokes and data from over 170 million Americans. Even Rep. Sharice Davids spokesman Zac Donley said Davids recognizes the potential negative impact the Chinese Communist Party could have on our youth and Kansans data security. Never mind that the current Chinese ruling party has about as much to do with communism as modern-day Republicans do with Republicanism. Reproductive rights advocates hold up signs during a Monday, April 29, 2024 rally in the Statehouse. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector) Reproductive rights advocates hold up signs during a Monday, April 29, 2024, rally in the Statehouse. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector) Fresh abortion limits One big culture war winner from this years session: anti-abortion forces. They notched successful override votes for abortion questionnaires and the new crime of abortion coercion. They also overrode Kellys line-item veto of funding for crisis pregnancy centers. Yes, Kansans voted by a nearly 20 percentage point margin to preserve abortion rights in 2022. But lawmakers didnt appear to care. One particularly ominous take, from Rep. Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita, was highlighted on Twitter. Okay, the (Value Them Both) vote happened, she told fellow representatives April 29. It went down. And until that can be changed sometime in the future, we accept it. The best response to such disregard came from Lawrence resident Annie Stevens, who showed up for a reproductive rights rally at the Statehouse last week. There was a bipartisan vote in 2022, and the fact that these legislators are d***ing around with this, they all need to go get vasectomies, ejaculate responsibly, she said. Keep your hands out of our business, this is absurd. Were not putting up with it in Kansas. With that, were done for the week. Statehouse scraps will return whenever our legislators do. Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here. The post Legislature splinters into smithereens by veto sessions end, with more sausage making on the way appeared first on Kansas Reflector. Miami-Dade County has come a long way in terms of recognizing the importance of reforestation and growing our tree canopy. What once was considered a beautification effort is now widely understood as an essential part of building a more resilient, safe and thriving community for all. Trees help keep us cool, prevent flooding, purify our air and stormwater, and improve our quality of life. In the face of a changing climate, strategically planting them and ensuring they thrive is more urgent than ever. Thats why my administration has taken unprecedented steps to increase funding, align resources, and more accurately map the countys tree canopy to better meet our ambitious, community-wide goal of creating robust, resilient and equitable tree cover across Miami-Dade. In the last two years we increased our annual budget for reforestation efforts by over 70% compared to 2021. This has helped us maximize opportunities and double the number of trees planted at parks and green areas, as well as in roadways, at county buildings and in environmentally endangered areas. But tree cover is not just an environmental priority its an equity issue, too. The communities most vulnerable to climate change are those that have fewer trees around homes and neighborhoods. I am very proud of the ways in which my administration is focusing county resources on expanding tree planting and tree giveaways in targeted areas that have less than 20% tree canopy and greater than 20% poverty rate. Ninety-five percent of our tree planting investments in parks and around county buildings have focused in low canopy areas. We have also focused our tree giveaway programming to reach residents within our targeted areas resulting in an additional 10,000 trees provided to residents to plant each year. And we are close to finalizing our contract with the USDA to implement a $10 million grant to plant trees primarily on streets in our targeted areas over the next five years. This will be a real game-changer to address tree-canopy inequities. Im proud of the progress we have made to tackle this enormous challenge. But its clear this is a life-long commitment and that government cannot do this alone especially when the majority of the land where we need to plant trees is not publicly owned. In urban forests, 80-85% of trees are found on private property. This means were not only looking at how to more meaningfully address canopy obligations on private sites through land development and permitting, but we are also working beyond our jurisdiction and partnering with those who share our mission. In the last year, we provided matching grants to 16 municipalities and established a partnership to plant more trees at public schools, churches and congregations, thanks in large part to the work of faith coalition People Acting for Community Together (PACT). The School Board and the faith community collectively own more land than the county in the areas of most need. While we have made progress, we have also suffered losses due to major storms, rapid development, weakening of local tree protection ordinances by the state, pests like pine bark beetles and disease. These factors negatively impact our tree canopy and mean that we have to work even harder just to maintain the 20% of tree cover that has taken years to grow. This challenge is not unique to Miami-Dade; last month, a new report from Harris County, Texas, highlighted that their community appears to be losing more trees than they are planting. The good news is that public interest and support to invest in growing our tree canopy has grown significantly in the last two decades, just like our tree canopy. Back in 2007 when the Board of County Commissioners set a goal of reaching a 30% tree canopy goal, many people did not yet understand the importance of a healthy tree canopy to our neighborhoods, our climate and our workers. At that time, Miami-Dade stood at only 12% tree canopy. We now have an average canopy coverage of about 20% and a growing community that truly cares and holds us accountable. Miami-Dade County is committed to doing everything we can to reverse the loss of trees through smart policy, targeted planting and perhaps most importantly robust community-wide collaboration. We cant meet our tree cover goals without the commitment and support of our residents. Daniella Levine Cava is mayor of Miami-Dade County. Liberal Islamic leader says MPs should be called out for having Jewish family A self-styled tolerant Islamic leader has come under fire for claiming that politicians should be called out for having Jewish family members. Taj Hargey, a historian and imam who leads the Oxford Institute for British Islam (OIBI), said it is important that prominent British politicians who blindly support Israel should be identified if they have family links to the Jewish state. How can they be non-partisan and unbiased if they do not declare their personal connections to Zionism and Israel? he told The Sunday Telegraph. Is this not the case when the public are frequently reminded directly or indirectly about the faith of Muslim leaders? The OIBI is a registered charity that aims to advance the scholarly study of Islam in the UK. Last year, Dr Hargey claimed that his organisation is seen as a fringe group because of its focus on inclusivity and tolerance. At a speech in December, he said a group of Muslim bodies, scholars and activists should be set up to further co-existence and harmony. Dr Hargey initially made the remarks while taking part in The Yorkshire Posts Battleground Yorkshire election series. During the interview Dr Hargey said that there had been an awakening among British Muslims who now understand this distinction between Germans and Nazis, adding: Not all Germans were Nazis. And similarly, not all Jews are Zionists. Rhetoric is hugely divisive A spokesperson for the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAAS) said that they would be contacting the charity watchdog about his comments. These statements would be laughable from a think tank supposedly focused on inclusivity and tolerance were they not so atrocious, they said. The analogy of Zionists to Nazis is particularly vile, given that our polling shows that eight in 10 British Jews consider themselves to be Zionists. This rhetoric is hugely divisive, and has no place in the charitable sector. Dr Hargey later said that his remarks were made in a personal capacity rather than on behalf of the OIBI. Dr Hargey cited Humza Yousaf, who stood down as the Scottish first minister earlier this week, the Scottish Labour Party leader Anas Sarwar and London mayor Sadiq Khan as examples of prominent Muslim politicians. He dismissed the CAAS concerns as risible comments made by Zionists and their camp followers and do not have any substantive merit adding: The remarks made were factual and based on historical reality, but Israeli apologists and their British surrogates tend to label any justified critique of the Zionist dream and reality as simply anti-Semitic when they are nothing of the sort. A Charity Commission spokesperson said: We are currently assessing the information available to us to determine if there is a role for the Commission, and any next steps. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said he is sending Chick-fil-A to counter protesters against pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) Saturday. Im so proud of the courageous young men at @UNC that protected our flag and stood up for America against the pro-Hamas protesters on their campus, Graham said in a post on the social platform X Saturday. The actions of these young men make me hopeful for the next generations love for our country, Grahams post continued. Fellas, as a thank you for protecting Old Glory, @ChickfilA is on the way this morning, compliments of Team Graham! Members of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity stopped an American flag from touching the ground at a Tuesday protest on campus at UNC. The members could be seen in viral videos holding up the flag as activists threw things at them, resulting in a GoFundMe for the fraternity brothers called UNC Frat Bros Defended their Flag. Throw em a Rager, which now has raised more than $500,000. Country music artist John Rich said Thursday he is willing to play at the rager for the fraternity members. I reached out and I said, Boys, I sure am proud of you. When you have that big rager you guys are talking about on GoFundMe, Id like to show up and play you a free concert, Rich said on NewsNations On Balance with host Leland Vittert. And they hit back, and I think were gonna try to make that happen. Billionaire investor Bill Ackman, who has expressed his distaste for recent pro-Palestinian protests, donated $10,000 to the GoFundMe. In recent weeks, protests have broken out on college campuses across the nation focused on Palestinian human rights and the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war. The protests have also faced accusations of antisemitism, which protesters have pushed back against. We are frustrated by media distractions focusing on inflammatory individuals who do not represent us, Columbia University protest leaders said in a statement last month. Our members have been misidentified by a politically motivated mob. We firmly reject any form of hate or bigotry and stand vigilant against non-students attempting to disrupt the solidarity being forged among students, they continued. Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, Jewish, Black and pro-Palestinian classmates and colleagues who represent the full diversity of our country. NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Fifty years ago this week, Lord Hailsham laid the foundation stone for the University of Buckingham. Even back in the 1970s, eminent scholars feared the increasing encroachment of the state on higher education, with deleterious consequences for academic freedom if it was allowed to continue. If a university could be created that did not receive government funding, they argued, then it could escape the need for state regulations. Buckingham was born as a beacon for independence, a bastion of free speech and freedom of thought. Fast forward 50 years. Our founders would be shocked to see the all-encompassing regulations emerging from the Office for Students (OfS), the higher education regulator in England which took over university regulation in 2018. There are 25 sets of regulations covering an enormous range of topics, including its current major foci, equality of opportunity and quality. A private university like Buckingham, which doesnt receive any direct government funding, has to satisfy all but three of these 25 sets of regulations known as Conditions of Registration even though ostensibly the regulations are to ensure taxpayer value for money. If a university is found to be in breach of any of these conditions, then the OfS has a variety of sanctions at its disposal, including removal of a universitys title and status, even if these were awarded through a venerable Royal Charter. Take one of the quality conditions: The OfS will not be satisfied if a university is providing courses whose content or teaching methods are not representative of current thinking and practices. Isnt that what universities are here to interrogate, discuss, and, where necessary, challenge? The OfS, would expect to draw on expert academic judgement, including from subject experts, before reaching a view that the condition was not satisfied. This is hardly consoling. In case after case, whether it be that of the University of Sussexs Kathleen Stock or the Open Universitys Jo Phoenix, independently minded professors have gone against the prevailing expert academic judgement to question accepted wisdom, which is surely justifiable whether one agrees with the conclusions or not. The regulators approach is a profound attack on the very nature of the growth of knowledge. How has science itself developed, if not through cussed individuals putting forward theories that completely went against the taken-for-granted status quo? Or what about ensuring a high quality academic experience? The OfS seems clear that a faculty with only a few members having teaching qualifications, is not likely to be appropriately qualified. Yet until very recently, our greatest universities managed perfectly well recruiting academics without any teaching qualifications. Its odd to think of the OfS unfavourably comparing Oxbridge or Imperial with a handful of post-1992 universities which, nationally, have the highest proportion of qualified staff. What business of the regulator is it to get involved in these areas? Private universities like Buckingham are exempt from one major area of regulation: other universities have to submit and implement an Access and Participation Plan which effectively sets out how they will increase the proportions of underrepresented groups. The OfS points out that social inequalities start well before university but instead of drawing the conclusion that therefore universities are limited in what they can do about it, the regulator doubles down on its insistence that universities should intervene in schools. Of course, universities can and should perform a whole range of outreach functions across local and global communities. This is part of their mission. But it is nonsensical and misguided for government to encourage its regulator to dictate the form that mission should take, and set about penalising them for failing to solve inequalities its own policies have failed to solve for generations. The University of Cambridge, for instance, following the regulators demands, succeeded in reducing the proportion of privately educated undergraduates in favour of those who went to state schools. Some readers may consider this a good outcome. But wouldnt it be better if a university of Cambridges global standing could decide something like that for itself? But it is even worse than this. As the Higher Education and Research Bill passed through the House of Lords in 2016/17, members from across the political spectrum argued that the greatness of our universities in large part is because of their institutional autonomy. Unlike our European counterparts, where faculty are civil servants and government calls the tune, all universities in England, not just those like Buckingham, are legally autonomous. The Lords amendments sought to protect that autonomy. The resulting Higher Education and Research Act (2017), even as it set up the new regulator, compelled the OfS in general to protect the institutional autonomy of universities. Specifically, the Secretary of State is forbidden to give guidance to the OfS on matters such as course content, teaching methods and selecting teaching staff, while Access plans must not override universities freedom to determine the criteria for the admission of students. Incredibly, the regulator appears to have simply ignored those injunctions. It is time that universities stood up and defended our freedoms. If we dont do it now, then we will have only ourselves to blame as the excellence of our universities is undermined. James Tooley is vice-chancellor of the University of Buckingham. He is the author of Cry Freedom: The regulatory assault on institutional autonomy in Englands universities, published May 10, written in a personal capacity Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. London, meet the new boss, same as the old boss. Mayor Sadiq Khan wins historic third term Sadiq Khan makes a speech after he is re-elected for a record third time as Mayor of London, following the counting of votes, at City Hall in London, Saturday, May 4, 2024. Khan, the Labour Party's Mayor of London, has romped to victory, securing a record third straight term at City Hall, on another hugely disappointing day for the U.K.'s governing Conservatives ahead of a looming general election. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) LONDON (AP) London Mayor Sadiq Khan has a lot of cleaning up to do. Khan, who made history Saturday by becoming the city's first mayor elected to a third term, has pledged to make the River Thames swimmable. It wasn't a top campaign issue but it's an audacious goal considering the waterway was declared biologically dead not long before his birth in the city in 1970 and flows as an open sewer of sorts when heavy rains overwhelm London's ancient plumbing system. Taming the Thames would not be Khans first swim upstream. His narrative is built around overcoming the odds. As he frequently points out, he is the son of a bus driver and a seamstress from Pakistan. He grew up in a three-bedroom public housing apartment with seven siblings in South London. He attended a rough school and went on to study law. He was a human rights attorney before he was elected to Parliament in 2005 as a member of the center-left Labour Party, representing the area where he grew up. In 2016, he became the first Muslim leader of a major Western capital city, overcoming an opponent whose mayoral campaign was at least somewhat Islamophobic, said Patrick Diamond, a public policy professor at Queen Mary University of London. It was seen as an affirmation of him in terms of his status as a leading Muslim politician, but also as an affirmation of London in terms of its diversity, its liberalism, its cosmopolitanism, Diamond said. That was significant in a country which doesnt historically have a very strong track record for having diversity in its senior politicians. Khan has faced subtle and overt discrimination throughout his career due to his ethnicity and religion. Some of the sharpest barbs have come from former President Donald Trump, who has feuded with him since Khan assailed Trump's campaign pledge in 2015 to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. During a campaign rally Wednesday in Wisconsin, Trump said London and Paris were no longer recognizable after they opened their doors to jihad. Khan, who has referred to Trump as the poster boy for racists, responded by saying Thursday's election was a chance to "choose hope over fear and unity over division. One of the things that he does incredibly well, and I would defy anyone to disagree with this, is representing Londons different and diverse communities, said Jack Brown, a lecturer in London studies at King's College London. He hasnt got absolutely everything right, but he is kind of a bringer together of different communities. Khan, who was ahead of the national Labour Party in calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, has taken a lot of flak for large pro-Palestinian marches in the city since the Israel-Hamas war. But he's also known for speaking out against antisemitism and for building bridges with Jewish leaders, Brown said. Despite his success at the polls, Khan is not an incredibly popular mayor. Hes been blamed for a lot of problems, many of which are beyond his control. The mayor of London doesnt have the authority of mayors in Paris or New York because power is shared with the citys 32 boroughs and the financial district. Khan has a 20-billion-pound ($25 billion) budget that primarily goes on transport, policing and working with councils and developers to achieve his affordable housing targets that he has fallen far short of meeting. Borough councils are responsible for schools, rubbish collection, social services and public housing. His time in office has been overshadowed by crises: first the U.K.'s break from the European Union that weakened London's thriving financial services industry, and then the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a cost-of-living crisis. He has touted measures he put in place such as freezing rail and bus fares and providing free meals for all primary school pupils among his biggest achievements. Khan has deflected a lot of criticism by blaming his difficulties on a Conservative government that has impeded his plans. He said a projected win by Labour in a national election later this year would change his fortunes. For too long weve had a government that appears to be anti-London, that thinks the way to level up our country, to make it more equal, is make London poorer, Khan told The Associated Press. "And thats cutting off its nose to spite its face. But Diamond said a Labour government will face the same fiscal problems as the current administration and is unlikely to suddenly make Khan's life easier. You cant always play the party politics card, Diamond said. The general sense in London is that Sadiq Khan does that too often. Or you can blame the Conservative government once or twice, but if its your only message, I think people maybe get a little bit tired and switch off to some extent. Khan has been criticized by opponents for a rise in crime particularly incidents involving knives. He has responded by pledging more support for programs that work with youths to prevent crime while blaming government funding cuts. In the outer suburbs, Khan has come under fire for expanding the citys Ultra Low Emission Zone that fines drivers of more-polluting older cars 12.50 pounds (about $16) a day. Although the policy was introduced in central London by his predecessor, Boris Johnson in 2015, it has widely been attributed to Khan because of its unpopular expansion, though it only applies to a small fraction of vehicles. His main opponent, Susan Hall, a London Assembly member, had vowed to stop the war on motorists and scrap the program on her first day in office if elected. Khan, who has made cleaning up London's air pollution a personal mission since he developed asthma as an adult, considers those efforts among his biggest wins. Making the Thames swimmable in the next decade would expand his mission from clean air to clean water. Brown said that might be a more tangible achievement given that air pollution is often invisible but it's probably not something that won over a lot of voters. I dont think many Londoners are calling out for a dip in the Thames, but why not?" Brown said. "You know, green policys all good." ___ Associated Press writer Jill Lawless contributed. Colorado taxpayers are in line for almost $67 million in Taxpayer's Bill of Rights refunds that should have been paid years ago due, the result of an error by the state controller in determining what should or shouldn't be counted as TABOR revenue in the state's reinsurance program. That money would have to be refunded to taxpayers next April with their tax filings, but how that money gets paid could change in the next week. Where did this come from? The state's annual financial audit dated June 30, 2023, and published in February discussed the problem, which started with legislation passed in 2020. Senate Bill 215 created the Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise, which pays for the state's reinsurance program. That's the kind of insurance for insurance companies to cover those extraordinarily large health insurance claims consider $1 million or more using fees paid to the state and placed into an "enterprise." An "enterprise" is a type of state-run business, and the revenue generated by it, which insurance companies pay for, is outside of TABOR revenue calculations. Since 1913, the state has collected a premium tax from insurance companies, calculated on the gross amount of all premiums collected. In 2023, that was $533 million, the audit said. SB 215 directed a portion of those premium taxes into the enterprise fund for the reinsurance program between $9 million and $17 million per year for the past five years, a total of $66.9 million. According to an April 26 memo from Joint Budget Committee analyst Eric Kurtz, the state controller treated the premium taxes transferred to the fund as exempt from TABOR. However, the state auditor and the Attorney General recently agreed that the money should have been counted as TABOR revenue and would have been counted toward TABOR surplus calculations. That means taxpayers are, in fact, in line for about $66.9 million in TABOR refunds. How will these refunds be paid? The legislation that seeks to fix the error and which govern at least some of the refund monies about $33.9 million doesn't change how the refund would be paid. This means the refund would be done the same way the money has been paid to taxpayers for the past decade, not counting the "equalized" refunds in 2022 and 2023. That also means the $66.9 million will just be added to the TABOR surplus, which is certified every September and paid through a series of TABOR refund mechanisms. Featured Local Savings Two are in play, with a third proposed in legislation currently working through the General Assembly. The first refund goes to seniors and disabled veterans who have owned their homes for at least 10 years, known as the homestead exemption. That's roughly around $150 million to $160 million per year. The second refund mechanism is a six-tiered sales tax refund that is tiered based on income and refunded when Coloradans file their annual tax returns. However, those refund mechanisms could change in the next week due to other legislation moving through the General Assembly. What about Senate Bill 228? This bill, introduced this week, will impact how TABOR refunds are paid if it passes and is signed by the governor. The bill says that when there's a TABOR surplus when revenue exceeds the amount the state is allowed to spend the state will reactivate the income tax rate reduction mechanism in TABOR between 2025 and 2035, decreasing the rate to 4.25%. That's projected to happen for the 2025 tax filing. After the 2025 tax year, if the remaining amount of the TABOR surplus is more than what's paid out for the homestead exemptions, another income tax rate reduction would be applied, tied to the amount of revenue available, ranging from 0.04% to 0.15%. The measure repeals July 1, 2035. Meanwhile, a wholly new refund mechanism will be applied to the sales tax refund and would be in effect from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2034. If the state holds at least $1.5 billion in its TABOR surplus, as certified each September, and the surplus exceeds both the amount paid out in the homestead exemption and the temporary income tax rate reduction, the state sales tax would be reduced, beginning with the following January, from 2.9% to 2.77% and for the entire year. When dermatologist Dr. Adewole Ade Adamson sees people spritzing sunscreen as if its cologne at the pool where he lives in Austin, Texas, he wants to intervene. My wife says I shouldnt, he said, even though most people rarely use enough sunscreen. At issue is not just whether people are using enough sunscreen, but what ingredients are in it. The Food and Drug Administrations ability to approve the chemical filters in sunscreens that are sold in countries such as Japan, South Korea, and France is hamstrung by a 1938 U.S. law that requires sunscreens to be tested on animals and classified as drugs, rather than as cosmetics as they are in much of the world. So Americans are not likely to get those better sunscreens which block the ultraviolet rays that can cause skin cancer and lead to wrinkles in time for this summer, or even the next. A bottle of sunscreen and its box lay in grass in the sun. (Chelsea Stahl and Elise Wrabetz / NBC News) Sunscreen makers say that requirement is unfair because companies including BASF Corp. and LOreal, which make the newer sunscreen chemicals, submitted safety data on sunscreen chemicals to the European Union authorities some 20 years ago. Steven Goldberg, a retired vice president of BASF, said companies are wary of the FDA process because of the cost and their fear that additional animal testing could ignite a consumer backlash in the European Union, which bans animal testing of cosmetics, including sunscreen. The companies are asking Congress to change the testing requirements before they take steps to enter the U.S. marketplace. In a rare example of bipartisanship last summer, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) thanked Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) for urging the FDA to speed up approvals of new, more effective sunscreen ingredients. Now a bipartisan bill is pending in the House that would require the FDA to allow non-animal testing. It goes back to sunscreens being classified as over-the-counter drugs, said Carl DRuiz, a senior manager at DSM-Firmenich, a Switzerland-based maker of sunscreen chemicals. Its really about giving the U.S. consumer something that the rest of the world has. People arent dying from using sunscreen. Theyre dying from melanoma. Every hour, at least two people die of skin cancer in the United States. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in America, and 6.1 million adults are treated each year for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The nations second-most-common cancer, breast cancer, is diagnosed about 300,000 times annually, though it is far more deadly. Though skin cancer treatment success rates are excellent, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70. The disease has cost the health care system $8.9 billion a year, according to CDC researchers. One study found that the annual cost of treating skin cancer in the United States more than doubled from 2002 to 2011, while the average annual cost for all other cancers increased by just 25%. And unlike many other cancers, most forms of skin cancer can largely be prevented by using sunscreens and taking other precautions. But a heavy dose of misinformation has permeated the sunscreen debate, and some people question the safety of sunscreens sold in the United States, which they deride as chemical sunscreens. These sunscreen opponents prefer physical or mineral sunscreens, such as zinc oxide, even though all sunscreen ingredients are chemicals. Its an artificial categorization, said E. Dennis Bashaw, a retired FDA official who ran the agencys clinical pharmacology division that studies sunscreens. A box containing a bottle of sunscreen amidst purple flowers and leaves. (Chelsea Stahl and Elise Wrabetz / NBC News) Still, such concerns were partly fed by the FDA itself after it published a study that said some sunscreen ingredients had been found in trace amounts in human bloodstreams. When the FDA said in 2019, and then again two years later, that older sunscreen ingredients needed to be studied more to see if they were safe, sunscreen opponents saw an opening, said Nadim Shaath, president of Alpha Research & Development, which imports chemicals used in cosmetics. Thats why we have extreme groups and people who arent well informed thinking that something penetrating the skin is the end of the world, Shaath said. Anything you put on your skin or eat is absorbed. Adamson, the Austin dermatologist, said some sunscreen ingredients have been used for 30 years without any population-level evidence that they have harmed anyone. The issue for me isnt the safety of the sunscreens we have, he said. Its that some of the chemical sunscreens arent as broad spectrum as they could be, meaning they do not block UVA as well. This could be alleviated by the FDA allowing new ingredients. Ultraviolet radiation falls between X-rays and visible light on the electromagnetic spectrum. Most of the UV rays that people come in contact with are UVA rays that can penetrate the middle layer of the skin and that cause up to 90% of skin aging, along with a smaller amount of UVB rays that are responsible for sunburns. The sun protection factor, or SPF, rating on American sunscreen bottles denotes only a sunscreens ability to block UVB rays. Although American sunscreens labeled broad spectrum should, in theory, block UVA light, some studies have shown that they fail to meet the European Unions higher UVA-blocking standards. It looks like a number of these newer chemicals have a better safety profile in addition to better UVA protection, said David Andrews, deputy director of Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit that researches the ingredients in consumer products. We have asked the FDA to consider allowing market access. The FDA defends its review process and its call for tests of the sunscreens sold in American stores as a way to ensure the safety of products that many people use daily, rather than just a few times a year at the beach. Many Americans today rely on sunscreens as a key part of their skin cancer prevention strategy, which makes satisfactory evidence of both safety and effectiveness of these products critical for public health, Cherie Duvall-Jones, an FDA spokesperson, wrote in an email. DRuizs company, DSM-Firmenich, is the only one currently seeking to have a new over-the-counter sunscreen ingredient approved in the United States. The company has spent the past 20 years trying to gain approval for bemotrizinol, a process DRuiz said has cost $18 million and has advanced fitfully, despite attempts by Congress in 2014 and 2020 to speed along applications for new UV filters. Bemotrizinol is the bedrock ingredient in nearly all European and Asian sunscreens, including those by the South Korean brand Beauty of Joseon and Biore, a Japanese brand. The back of an Innisfree brand bottle of sunscreen. (Chelsea Stahl and Elise Wrabetz / NBC News) DRuiz said bemotrizinol could secure FDA approval by the end of 2025. If it does, he said, bemotrizinol would be the most vetted and safest sunscreen ingredient on the market, outperforming even the safety profiles of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. As Congress and the FDA debate, many Americans have taken to importing their own sunscreens from Asia or Europe, despite the risk of fake products. The sunscreen issue has gotten people to see that you can be unsafe if youre too slow, said Alex Tabarrok, a professor of economics at George Mason University. The FDA is just incredibly slow. Theyve been looking at this now literally for 40 years. Congress has ordered them to do it, and they still havent done it. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Dave Downey, the owner of a longtime Sacramento comic book and toy shop, said he tried to focus on patching up his store after a burglar smashed glass and stole collectibles earlier this week. But the owner of Worlds Best Comics & Toys in Arden Arcade is grappling with a second burglary after he said the same suspect broke into his shop again on Thursday and stole the same items taken during the first incident: Yu-Gi-Oh! trading cards and Transformers toys. I felt pretty numb that it could happen so quickly, Downey said in a phone interview about Thursdays incident. The first burglary at his store at 2608 Watt Ave. happened Sunday, he said. The Sacramento County Sheriffs Office is investigating the burglaries, said Sgt. Amar Gandhi, a Sheriffs Office spokesman. Downey said the suspect appeared to have targeted Transformers toys and Yu-Gi-Oh! cards, leaving behind other valuable items. Both are coveted items highly sought by collectors and some of them may not be possible to restock after they are gone, Downey said. He added preliminary estimates suggest the store has suffered losses of about $6,000 through both incidents. Then theres the losses felt in addition to the lost items: cleaning up broken glass, filing insurance claims, fixing doors and heightening security measures, he said. Drilling holes into 65 year old concrete is NOT fun and I dont recommend it, Downey wrote on social media of creating a metal gate around his shop. The suspect, caught on camera, appears to have left his fingerprint and palm prints behind on the glass, Downey said. Crime scene technicians recovered blood on the glass after the suspect cut himself breaking into the store, he said. The owner of the shop since 1999 said hes taking it all in stride. I probably have the best customers in the world, Downey said. Its really been impactful and emotional to hear everyones support. The chief of the University of California, Los Angeles Police Department is facing criticism for a string of serious security lapses before the pro-Palestinian encampment on the schools campus was attacked by a mob last Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Times reported. According to the Times, campus leadership had directed UCLA Police Department Chief John Thomas to provide a safety plan for the campus community days before the attack, but he did not do so. UCLAs night of violence in photos The chief was told to spare no expense to bring in other UC police officers, offer overtime and hire as many private security officers needed to keep the peace, three unidentified sources told the L.A. Times. But Thomas did not provide a plan to senior UCLA leadership even after he was again asked to provide one after skirmishes broke out between Israel supporters and pro-Palestinian advocates at dueling rallies. Israeli Protesters Laid Siege On The UCLA Gaza Support Camp For Over 4 Hours. The Israeli Protesters Used Make Shift Weapons, Chemical Weapons And Fireworks To Assault The Camp All Night Long, in Los Angeles, on May 1, 2024.(Photo by Shay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Israeli Protesters Laid Siege On The UCLA Gaza Support Camp For Over 4 Hours. The Israeli Protesters Used Make Shift Weapons, Chemical Weapons And Fireworks To Assault The Camp All Night Long, in Los Angeles, on May 1, 2024.(Photo by Shay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Counter protesters attack a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) as clashes erupt, in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. Clashes broke out on May 1, 2024 around pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of California, Los Angeles, as universities around the United States struggle to contain similar protests on dozens of campuses. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images) Counter protesters attack a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) as clashes erupt, in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. Clashes broke out on May 1, 2024 around pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of California, Los Angeles, as universities around the United States struggle to contain similar protests on dozens of campuses. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images) Israeli Protesters Laid Siege On The UCLA Gaza Support Camp For Over 4 Hours. The Israeli Protesters Used Make Shift Weapons, Chemical Weapons And Fireworks To Assault The Camp All Night Long, in Los Angeles, on May 1, 2024.(Photo by Shay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Israeli Protesters Laid Siege On The UCLA Gaza Support Camp For Over 4 Hours. The Israeli Protesters Used Make Shift Weapons, Chemical Weapons And Fireworks To Assault The Camp All Night Long, in Los Angeles, on May 1, 2024.(Photo by Shay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Israeli Protesters Laid Siege On The UCLA Gaza Support Camp For Over 4 Hours. The Israeli Protesters Used Make Shift Weapons, Chemical Weapons And Fireworks To Assault The Camp All Night Long, in Los Angeles, on May 1, 2024.(Photo by Shay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Chief Thomas had previously told UCLA officials that he could mobilize law enforcement in minutes, however it took three hours to actually bring in enough officers to get the situation under control, the sources added. University of California systemwide President Michael Drake has opened an investigation into how UCLA handled the violence that unfolded at the encampment on Tuesday night. UCLA campus trashed after police dismantle encampment Drakes letter to UCs board of regents requested a detailed accountingabout what transpired and ordered an independent review of UCLAs planning, actions and response by law enforcement, the L.A. Times reported. Classes were canceled on Wednesday due to the clashes, which prompted California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, among others, to publicly condemn the violence. The encampment, which was on campus for a week, was raided by police and dismantled on Thursday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) A longtime member of the Louisiana State Civil Service Commission has announced his plans to retire. John McLure has served on the commission since 2001. According to a news release, McLure was appointed to the State Civil Service Commission after he was nominated by Louisiana College and appointed by Gov. Mike Foster. McLure was later nominated and reappointed by former Govs. Kathleen Blanco, Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards, according to a news release. It has been a pleasure to work with all the directors, and other members of the Commission over the years, said McLure in his remarks at the May Commission meeting. It has meant a lot to me to be able to move Louisiana state government in the right direction. Baton Rouge business owners have chance to win $100K in pitch competition McLure has also practiced law in Woodworth, Louisiana, in addition to working on the State Civil Service Commission, according to a news release. On behalf of the Commission and our Department, we would like to express our profound gratitude, admiration and appreciation for Mr. John McLure, who has devoted over 23 years of his life to this state with unwavering support, said State Civil Service Director Byron P. Decoteau Jr. McLure will leave his current role effective June 6. Latest News For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com. CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Lowes around Charlotte are giving away free blue LED lightbulbs for the community to show their support for law enforcement officers. 30 stores in the Charlotte region are participating in the giveaway. The goal is for people to put them on their front porch to show their support. Memorial service dates announced for all fallen officers killed in Charlotte On Monday, April 29, three US Marshals and one CMPD officer died in the line of duty while serving a warrant. Five other law enforcement officers were injured, four of which were shot. During Officer Eyers funeral on Friday, agencies from all across the Carolinas, and the entire country, were represented for the processional and services. Those included first responders past and present from Texas, New York City and New Jersey. Now, for those community members who want to show their support, Lowes is giving away free blue lightbulbs in the Charlotte area. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Maine Bowling Alley Reopens 6 Months After Mass Shooting: 'The Community Has Been Phenomenal' "This is us, standing back up again, said Lewiston, Maine, Mayor Carl Sheline AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty Lewiston bowling alley on May 1, 2024, in Lewiston, Maine. The Lewiston, Maine, bowling alley where a mass shooting occurred in October has reopened, reports the Associated Press, The Washington Post and New York Daily News. Justin and Samantha Juray, owners of Just-In-Time Recreation, opened the doors of the venue on Friday, May 3, six months after the states deadliest shooting that killed 18 people and injured 13. Gunman Robert Card killed eight people at the Jurays' bowling alley and then drove to a nearby bar, Schemengees Bar and Grille, and killed 10 more people. He later died by suicide. Related: 'My Heart Is Crushed' Says Owner of Restaurant Targeted by Maine Mass Shooter Who Killed at Least 16 Its never going to leave my head, Samantha, 34, said, per AP. I think if we dont move forward not that there was a point to this whole thing anyway but were just going to allow the people that have taken so much from us win. Still, Justin, 43, said he was hesitant about reopening the bowling alley that was until the Lewiston community supported the pair. Kathy Lebel, owner of Schemengees Bar & Grille, also hopes to reopen her establishment but at a different location. AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty Lewiston bowling alley on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Lewiston, Maine. ( Several patrons attended the reopening, including people like Colin, who was at the bowling alley the night of the mass shooting. Colin went to Friday's event with his mother and father, John Robinson. I cant say how great this day is, Robinson said, per AP. An opportunity to celebrate their lives. To celebrate the rebirth of Just-In-Time. Employee Tom Giberti also told the outlet that people are so excited to get us back. The community has been phenomenal, he said. Theyve been right here for us, theyve been supporting us. Related: A Bar Manager, Best Friends and Sister: Remembering the Victims of the Maine Mass Shootings Giberti, 70, is one of the heroic community members who saved the lives of at least four children that day. Before he could get himself to safety, he took the children between the lanes to an area behind the bowling pins. He was shot in both legs a total of five times and hit with shrapnel. He underwent surgery and now shows very few signs of his injuries, according to AP. JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images Police presence at Schemengees Bar where a mass shooting occurred in Lewiston, Maine on October 26, 2023 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Among the eight people who were killed were two Just-In-Time staff members. A majority of the staff have returned to work. The bowling alley honored those who died by displaying photos of the eight people who lost their lives at Just-In-Time, and bowling pins with the names of the 18 shooting victims behind the front desk. Additionally, the Bowling Proprietors Association of America gave the venue a new scoring system, new automatic bumpers, and gutters. It also provided a seasoned expert who fixes bowling machines to spend a week at the site, per The Washington Post. Related: Sheriff Had Cause to Take Mass Shooter Into Custody Before Rampage That Left 18 Dead, Report Says There was also a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday afternoon, with Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline celebrating the reopening. This is us, standing back up again, said Sheline. With all of you here, its very clear. Lewiston can never be kept down. Youre the reason, Justin added. This is why. This is why we decided to reopen. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A man has been arrested for animal abuse of around 300 animals and the death of hundreds of them, and the neglect of four children due to hazardous conditions in his home in Fresno County, the Fresno County Sheriffs Office said on Friday. Deputies say they responded to a home on the corner of Mt. Whitney and Chestnut Avenues near Laton for conditions that looked deplorable. Upon arrival, deputies say they found the property in complete disarray, with about 300 animals ranging from ducks, chickens, pigs, turkeys, dogs, goats, and more -hundreds of them dead, and the others malnourished and mistreated. Sheriffs officials say they walked around the property. At one point, they noticed they were stepping on the bones of dead animals. Deputies report they found a pig who was suffering too much and had to put it down. Nobody should live in these conditions, humans or animals, and in this case, you have both, said Tony Botti, with the Fresno County Sheriffs Office. Deputies report they found feces in the property, and looked like a landfill because of all the trash. They also found that the man living in the property had four teenagers living in those conditions. According to the Fresno County Sheriffs Office, the man living on the property was identified as 41-year-old Carl Mendes. He was arrested under suspicion of child neglect and animal cruelty. Deputies say Fresno Humane will take the animals with the most urgent need for medical care. All animals are seized but they are not going to be able to take them all. The Fresno County Sheriffs Office reports they have had previous calls at this property before, but nothing like this. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. SANGER, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A man was arrested in a burglary and arson investigation in Sanger, the Fresno County Sheriffs Office said. MAGEC Detectives say they assisted investigators with the Fresno Fire Department by serving a search warrant for a wanted person at 181 Academy Ave., in Sanger. The location serves as the clubhouse for the Screamin Demons Motorcycle Club. According to deputies, 39-year-old Thomas Qualls, the chapter president of this club, was the wanted person who had an active arrest warrant. Fire investigators determined Qualls was responsible for recently burglarizing and setting a structure on fire in Fresno. Detectives say they contacted Qualls and took him into custody. A search warrant authored for the clubhouse revealed firearms, ammunition and gang material. A total of five guns were seized, two of which were reported stolen, and another that was crafted with a 3D printer. Sheriffs officials say there were over 2,300 rounds of ammunition, numerous large-capacity magazines, materials related to Nazis and white supremacy, and methamphetamine paraphernalia. According to deputies, Qualls was arrested under suspicion of possession of firearms and ammunition by a felon as well as charges of arson. This is an ongoing investigation. Deputies encourage anyone with information regarding Qualls or his associates to contact them at 559-600-3111. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. A Habersham County man was charged with assaulting a hospital security guard and obstructing medical staff at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center Habersham on Tuesday, deputies say. According to warrants from the Habersham County Sheriffs Office, Christopher Jarred Martin, of Alto, attacked a security guard at the hospital by kicking and biting them. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The sheriffs office said arrest warrants state Martin kicked the victim in the face causing abrasions and swelling to the bridge of his nose and biting the victims left hand, causing broken skin, swelling, and bruising while within the emergency room of Northeast Georgia Medical Center Habersham while being restrained, a lawful duty of the victim in the safety and security operations of the emergency medical facility. TRENDING STORIES: A statement from the sheriffs office said the injuries left the guards skin broken, swelling and bruising while in the emergency room at the hospital. Martin was being restrained when he attacked the guard, the sheriffs office said. Other warrants related to the incident also allege Martin obstructed emergency medical technicians working for the Northeast Georgia Health System, specifically saying that Martin prevented a registered nurse and medical technician from doing their jobs. As of Friday, Martin was still in custody, according to the sheriffs office. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Flying with a pet can be a hassle, but flying with other exotic animals can be an even bigger headache. One Florida man tried to get around the problem by transporting some snakesjust without doing it in the safest way. According to Transportation Security Administration officials, a traveler was stopped while going through security at Miami International Airport on April 26 after they made a strange discovery. Officials found a small bag containing three Palmetto corn snakes hidden in the passenger's pants. The TSA posted photos of the small camo bag and packing materials on social media and reassured followers that the slithery animals were given to the proper authorities. "Officers at [Miami International Airport] detected this bag of snakes hidden in a passengers pants at a checkpoint," the post read. "TSA called our [Customs and Border Protection] and Miami-Dade Police partners to assist, and the snakes were turned over to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission." Officers at @iflymia detected this bag of snakes hidden in a passengers pants at a checkpoint on Fri, April 26. @TSA called our @CBPSoutheast and Miami-Dade Police partners in to assist, and the snakes were turned over to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. pic.twitter.com/CggJob8IT8 TSA_Gulf (@TSA_Gulf) April 30, 2024 Palmetto corn snakes are a unique variation of corn snake, which are often kept as pets. Their white color is a result of a leucistic genetic mutation that makes for a stunning pattern. Because of their rarity in nature, they make for quite a prized pet among snake enthusiasts. According to WFTV, the passenger was attempting to board an international flight. The U.S. Department of Transportation warns travelers that "federal and state governments impose restrictions on transporting live animals" and that "each airline establishes its own company policy for the proper handling of the animals they transport." As such, it's up to the flyer to "take the necessary precautions to ensure the well being of the animal you ship." It's probably safe to say someone's nether regions isn't the best place to transport multiple snakes. Man charged in hit-and-run that killed 4-year-old Zekani Hymes-Wilson in Milwaukee was girl's mother's boyfriend A driver who authorities say struck his girlfriend and killed her 4-year-old daughter on Milwaukee's north side on Tuesday was charged with five felonies Friday. Donald Crayton, 30, of Milwaukee, is accused of hit-and-run resulting in death and hit-and-run resulting in great bodily harm, according to a criminal complaint. It said Crayton lived with the daughters mother, Gloria Hymes, and the child, Zekani Hymes-Wilson. The collision prompted fury from Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson on Tuesday. Witnesses described an emotional scene, including Hymes crying out, "What did I do wrong?," and asking where her daughter was after they were struck. Crayton also faces charges of causing death and causing great bodily harm while operating a vehicle with a suspended license, obstructing an officer and asking another driver to flee a police officer. Zekani Hymes, 4, was killed in a hit-and-run on Tuesday near the intersection of North Teutonia Avenue and West Vera Avenue on Milwaukee's north side. According to the criminal complaint: When police arrived at the scene Tuesday, they found Zekani unconscious and attempts at CPR were unsuccessful, while her mother suffered injuries and shock. Hymes was found injured with a broken right tibia, fibula and femur and having abrasions and contusions. Security footage showed a car which police later determined was driven by Crayton striking Zekani and Hymes. Footage showed a driver, Crayton, and a passenger stop and run out toward the victims before Crayton ran back to the car and drove away. The passenger was Craytons sister, Destiny Crayton, who also lived with them, the complaint said. Destiny Crayton, who traveled to the hospital with Hymes in the ambulance, did not immediately tell investigators that she was in the vehicle that struck Hymes and Zekani, but subsequently told police she was in the car and Donald Crayton attempted to swerve away from the two before he hit them. Donald Crayton was arrested later that day following a police chase, which led to felony charges against Adriana Merkel, 21, of Milwaukee, of fleeing an officer and second-degree recklessly endangering safety. Merkel drove Crayton while police pursued them on a 5.1-mile chase, with speeds reaching up to 90 miles per hour, the complaint said. The crash ended after Merkel crashed into a Wauwatosa parking lot. Merkel stayed in the car, while Crayton fled until he was taken into custody a short distance away. Merkel described Crayton to police as her boyfriend. The complaint said Donald Crayton never was issued a drivers license and that his license status was suspended. He has also been convicted on driving while suspended three other times. He was previously convicted of hitting and killing another person in 2018. Once in custody, a detective said Donald Crayton began crying uncontrollably and said he felt f---ing horrible when police attempted to interview him. He referred to Zekani by her nickname. "Im so sorry, Kani, he yelled while in custody, the complaint said. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee man charged in hit-run death of girl, Zekani Hymes-Wilson NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A 32-year-old man accused of shooting his nieces ex-boyfriend earlier this year is now facing a felony charge, officials said. The incident occurred Jan. 31 just before 12:30 a.m. in the 5000 block of Nolensville Pike. According to court documents, officers were sent to the scene after receiving a 911 call about someone who had been shot. Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Authorities reported officers learned the victim was taken to TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center by a private vehicle upon arriving to the scene. Due to the extent of his injuries, the victim was later transported TriStar Skyline Medical Center. According to an arrest report, detectives spoke with the victim on Feb. 1 at TriStar Skyline Medical Center. Thats when the victim allegedly told detectives he was expecting his ex-girlfriend to show up at his apartment to gather some of her belongings. PREVIOUS | 1 critically injured in shooting along Nolensville Pike Detectives said the victim reported the ex-girlfriend brought her uncle with her to the apartment, which is when the uncle identified as 32-year-old Melvin Varela-Alvarado confronted the victim about the breakup. At some point during the confrontation, officials said Varela-Alvarado shot the victim in the abdomen and leg. The victim was able to flee to a vehicle and was taken to the hospital by his cousin who witnessed the entire incident, authorities said. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Amid the investigation, detectives said they were able to identify Varela-Alvarado as the suspect and as the person responsible for shooting the victim. Varela-Alvarado was taken into custody on Friday, May 3 and charged with felony aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury. He remains jailed on a $100,000 bond. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A man died after being struck by a vehicle in northeast Las Vegas, police said. The crash occurred Friday night around 8:49 a.m. at East Cheyenne Avenue, east of Las Vegas Boulevard, where police say an unidentified 59-year-old man was crossing Cheyenne Avenue outside of a marked crosswalk and was struck by an oncoming sedan. The man was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The driver was also injured, but those injuries were minor, and the driver declined medical attention at the scene. Police said the driver remained on the scene, was cooperative with police, and did not show any signs of impairment. The mans death represents the 59th traffic-related death in Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department jurisdiction for 2024, and the crash remains under investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Suspect sought in shooting that injured man in South Nashville NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A man was injured in a shooting Friday evening in the Napier area of South Nashville. According to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), the shooting happened at around 6 p.m. Friday, May 3 in the 100 block of Charles E. Davis Boulevard near the Sudekum Public Housing complex. Williamson County deputies investigating crash possibly caused by gunfire A 29-year-old man was shot and taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, according to investigators. (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Police described the suspect as a male wearing a white shirt, a multi-colored hat, a black mask, a light colored vest, and dark colored pants. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee On Saturday, May 4, MNPD released a photo of the suspect stating that anyone who recognizes him should call 615-742-7463. No other information was released. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. CHICAGO A man is dead and an investigation is underway after an overnight shooting on the citys West Side. Chicago police say the gunfire erupted around midnight on Friday in the 3000 block of West Warren Boulevard, in East Garfield Park. According to police, the victim, a 49-year-old man, was standing on the street in the area when someone exited a white sedan and opened fire. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines The victim suffered a gunshot wound to his head and was pronounced dead on the scene. Currently, it is unclear what led to the gunfire and authorities say an investigation into the deadly shooting is now underway. Authorities have not yet identified the victim and no arrests have been made. Police were not able to provide a description of the individual or the vehicle involved. It is the second deadly shooting that unfolded in the area overnight. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Anyone with information on the deadly shooting is asked to contact CPD Area Three Detectives at 312-744-8263 or dial 911. Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Enrique Tapia-Chavez was sentenced to life in prison Thursday for murdering 40-year-old Juan Javier Moncivais in a Hillsboro parking lot back in July 2022. According to the Washington County District Attorneys Office, the incident unfolded when Tapia-Chavez drove his girlfriends car into a parking lot near Southeast 10th Avenue and Southeast Walnut Street. As Tapia-Chavez arrived, he saw Moncivais walking along Walnut Street and into the same lot. Officials say surveillance cameras then captured Tapia-Chavez getting out of his vehicle and firing a 9mm handgun. Grand jury clears 3 Portland police officers of charges in fatal Mall 205 shooting Moncivais was then shot in the back multiple times and, even after falling to the ground, was shot in the head at close range. Tapia-Chavez then fled the scene, but was arrested by Hillsboro police a few days later on charges of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon. On April 26, a Washington County jury found Tapia-Chavez guilty on all charges. The judge also found him guilty of felon in possession of a firearm. His Thursday sentence came with consecutive sentences of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years for the second-degree murder conviction. Tapia-Chavez will be transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to serve his sentence. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) The Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) said a man was shot Friday evening. The shooting happened in the 2400 block of Darel Dr. at around 6 p.m. Hagerstowns Flying Boxcars ready to take the field in its new stadium The man who was shot was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The motive for the shooting or who may have been involved was not yet known, PGPD said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A man who threatened to mess up the plane was ordered by a judge to pay United Airlines more than $20,000, according to federal court documents. Alexander Michael Dominic MacDonald, of England, was ordered on April 25 to pay the airline restitution totaling $20,738 after he pleaded guilty to one count of interfering with flight crew members and attendants. In addition to the payment, he was also ordered to be deported back to England by immigration officials. Delta to bring back Tampa-to-Amsterdam flight this fall MacDonald was arrested after he got into an argument on a flight from London to Newark in March, according to court documents. The flight was forced to land in Bangor, Maine, due to his disruptions. There were about 160 passengers and 10 crew members on board. While the plane was in Canadian airspace, a flight attendant notified the pilot that MacDonald was being physically combative and could not be kept restrained, according to the documents. The disruption began after MacDonald was yelling at his girlfriend near the back of the plane when a flight attendant asked him to lower his voice. He complied, but a few minutes later, he began yelling again this time at a flight attendant. United flight diverted after toilet reportedly overflows into cabin When confronted, the passenger would not listen and continued to be verbally and physically aggressive, asking a crew member if he wanted to have a problem and threatened to mess up the plane, according to the complaint. Another passenger helped a crew member get MacDonald restrained in flex cuffs, but after determining they couldnt calm him down, they decided they had to land the plane for the safety of the crew. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Inmate who escaped from metro Atlanta hospital caught in North Carolina An inmate who escaped from a hospital nearly a week ago has been caught. Police, deputies and Georgia State Patrol Troopers were searching for Kendrick Hurst, 34, who escaped from Piedmont Newton Hospital in Covington on Sunday. He was found in Wake County, North Carolina on Friday. He now faces additional escape charges on top of his initial charges. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Hurst was arrested on April 28 on charges of terroristic threats, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, obstruction, and several traffic violations. Newton County Sheriffs Office officials say they are investigating to determine who helped him escape and if proper policies were followed while taking him to the hospital. TRENDING STORIES: When he escaped, he was wearing a bright lime green jumpsuit. Police are still investigating how he managed to escape and if anyone helped him. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Many immigrants to the US are fleeing violence and persecution heres how the federal government can help cities absorb them Immigration has become a defining issue in the 2024 elections and a major challenge in many U.S. cities. Over the past several years, wars and armed conflict, violent persecution and desperate poverty have displaced millions of people worldwide and propelled the arrival in the U.S. of thousands seeking protection, mainly at the U.S.-Mexico border. Large cities such as New York, Miami, Denver and Boston are struggling to house new arrivals and meet their basic needs. Cities are looking for ways to support these new arrivals some for a short time, others for months, years or permanently. I study forced migration, government responses to it, and how refugees and asylum-seekers integrate into new settings. My focus is on humanitarian arrivals people who enter the U.S. legally as asylum-seekers, resettled refugees or under various temporary protection programs, also known as parole. In total, the Biden administration has admitted or authorized admitting roughly 1.5 million people under these programs since 2021. Cities need help to cope with these waves of new arrivals. The good news is that with support, refugees and people receiving asylum successfully integrate into life in the U.S. and contribute more to the national economy than they cost. Meals for refugees at La Colaborativa day shelter in Chelsea, Mass., in February 2024. The new shelter is helping about 200 migrants mainly refugees from Haiti build resumes, get work and receive health care. Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images Entering on humanitarian grounds People immigrate to the United States for many reasons and receive different types of visas and treatment when they arrive. Here are the main types of humanitarian admissions: Humanitarian parole: The federal government can give certain groups permission to enter or remain in the U.S. if it finds urgent humanitarian or significant public benefit reasons for doing so. People who enter through parole programs must have an approved financial supporter in the U.S. They typically can stay for one to two years and may apply for authorization to work. Currently, the federal government is admitting a maximum of 30,000 people per month under a parole program for immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. The Biden administration has also admitted people from Afghanistan and Ukraine through other parole programs. In total, the Biden administration has admitted more than 1 million people through these programs. Refugees and asylees: People who can show that they have experienced persecution, or have a well-founded fear of being persecuted based on their race, religion, nationality, social affiliations or political opinion, can apply for refugee status or asylum. Asylum is granted to people who are already in the U.S. Refugee status is provided to people who are vetted abroad and approved for resettlement. Resettled refugees and people granted asylum can apply for authorization to work in the U.S. After one year in the U.S., they are eligible to apply for legal permanent residence, also known as a green card. For fiscal year 2024, Biden has approved a maximum of 125,000 refugee admissions. There is no limit on the number of people who may be granted asylum each year. Applicants for asylum, however, must go before an immigration judge in the U.S., who will decide whether their fears qualify them to be allowed to remain. U.S. immigration courts are heavily backed up, with more than 2 million asylum applications pending. Asylum applicants can remain in the U.S. while their case is pending, but they cannot receive work permits for six months after they apply for asylum. Where new immigrants settle As has been the case since at least 2010, Texas and Florida are top U.S. destinations for migrants, along with cities in New York, Illinois and Colorado. Counties where new migrants make up more than 2% of the population include Queens, New York; Miami-Dade, Florida; and Denver, Colorado. In cities, many humanitarian immigrants find work in the hospitality and health care industries. Others move to small towns in rural areas, where they work in long-standing migrant sectors such as meatpacking, health services and agriculture. People who come with an intent to stay are motivated to put down roots and become part of their new communities. But becoming established can take time, and newcomers needs can stress city neighborhoods that are already struggling with housing and employment problems. The months immediately following their arrival is the time when refugee newcomers need support of all kinds. Venezuelan migrants wait at a processing center to get paperwork for admission to shelters in May 2023 in Denver, Colo. Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images Working with diaspora communities New arrivals often move to particular towns or city neighborhoods because they know that people from their country are well established there. These residents are familiar with the new arrivals home language and cultures and understand their needs. For example, there are over 40,000 Ukrainians in Rochester, New York, and about 134,000 in New York City. The U.S. also has large communities of parolees, including Haitians, Venezuelans and Cubans, and long-standing diasporas of resettled refugees and asylum recipients from many parts of the world. I see established diasporas as a critical resource for supporting new immigrants and maximizing benefits for host communities. By working with diaspora individuals and families to support new arrivals, federal and state governments could redirect funds that are now going to hotels and shelters. For example, Boston has struggled in recent months to house large numbers of Haitian immigrants, placing several thousand families at hotel and motel sites an unusual and expensive practice born of necessity. An alternative might be to offer cash payments or tax breaks to some of the states 81,050 Haitian residents in return for housing new Haitian arrivals for a few months. Diaspora households can offer information about navigating city bureaucracies, finding jobs and accessing banking services, in addition to the comfort of familiar food and company. These communities can be an enormous help to new immigrants as they become established and begin to contribute to the city. Such incentives could also be aimed at non-diaspora communities and people who are willing to help newcomers. A direct community support system, with safeguards built in to protect both the refugees and their hosts, would cost a city or state much less than paying for hotel rooms. Faster work permits Speeding up work authorizations for new arrivals can shorten the time they need support from the government. Under federal law, most nonresident foreign nationals must obtain an employment authorization document in order to apply for jobs in the U.S. Currently, although the Biden administration is trying to move more quickly, these applications are taking more than six months to process. Once immigrants have work permits in hand, diasporas and host neighborhoods could receive tax breaks or other economic benefits in return for helping them find work. There are other things cities and the federal government can do to support new humanitarian arrivals. Banks could be encouraged to support refugee business, as some are already doing. For example, Re:start Financial is a neobank a tech company that provides online banking services based in Austin, Texas, and founded in 2021 by a group of immigrants. It allows immigrants who do not yet have permanent addresses or Social Security numbers to open free online banking accounts with nontraditional documentation from their home countries. With adequate support, new arrivals usually find their feet and become self-reliant within a few months. Using federal and state resources to enlist host neighborhoods and diaspora communities in this process would help ensure that everyone benefits. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Karen Jacobsen, Tufts University Read more: Karen Jacobsen 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. Many states are eager to extend Medicaid to people soon to be released from prison Community health worker Ron Sanders, right, helps a patient at San Franciscos Southeast Family Health Center, part of the Transitions Clinic Network that assists former inmates navigate health care after release. (Courtesy of Transitions Clinic Network) Community health worker Ron Sanders, right, helps a patient at San Franciscos Southeast Family Health Center, part of the Transitions Clinic Network that assists former inmates navigate health care after release. (Courtesy of Transitions Clinic Network) A new policy that allows states to provide Medicaid health care coverage to incarcerated people at least a month prior to their release has drawn bipartisan interest and a slew of state applications. Federal policy has long prohibited Medicaid spending on people who are incarcerated in jails or prisons, except for hospitalization. As a result, when people are released, they typically dont have health insurance and many struggle to find health care providers and get needed treatment. In a population that is disproportionately likely to have chronic conditions such as heart disease and substance use disorders, that can be deadly. Some states terminate residents Medicaid coverage when theyre incarcerated, while others just suspend it. Either approach can cause delays in seeking health care for people recently released from incarceration, with sometimes disastrous outcomes: A seminal 2007 study found that former prisoners in Washington state were 12 times more likely to die from all causes within two weeks of release, compared with the general population. The leading causes were drug overdoses, cardiovascular disease, homicide and suicide. Because a disproportionate number of Black, Native and Hispanic people are incarcerated, lowering their death risk after release might reduce racial health disparities in the overall population. In 2022, about 448,400 people were released from prison, according to the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics. Under federal guidance released a year ago, states can connect prisoners with case managers 30-90 days before they are released to develop plans based on their health needs. The case manager can help the person make post-release appointments with primary care doctors, mental health counselors, substance use programs, and housing and food assistance. States that want to extend Medicaid coverage to people in prison or jail must request a federal waiver to do so. At a minimum, participating states must provide case management, medication-assisted treatment for people with substance use disorders and a months supply of medication upon release, though states are free to do more. The Health and Reentry Project, a policy analysis organization focused on health care for former prisoners, called the new policy groundbreaking. What these waivers enable states to do is build a bridge to access to health care a bridge that starts before someones released and continues after their release, said Vikki Wachino, executive director of the Health and Reentry Project and a former deputy director of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Its about starting the process before they leave prisons and jails, so that they can have stronger connections to health care providers and treatment providers after they leave prison and jail. As of last month, federal officials had approved waiver applications from four states California, Massachusetts, Montana and Washington. Nearly 20 other states are waiting for approval, according to health research organization KFF. Jack Rollins, director of federal policy at the National Association of Medicaid Directors, said states that want to participate are focusing on different incarcerated populations and medical conditions. Some would start with jails, others with state prisons or youth detention facilities. Some states would provide coverage to all inmates, others just to those with a substance use disorder. Washington, for example, will cover people incarcerated in jails, prisons and youth correctional facilities beginning three months before they are released, an estimated 4,000 people each year. It will connect them to community health workers, bring in doctors and counselors for consultations, and provide lab services and X-rays. Montana will limit its program to people in state prisons who have a substance use disorder or mental illness and will provide services beginning a month before release. It did not give an estimate of how many people would receive help each year. California, where an estimated 200,000 people will be covered each year, also included community health workers in its plan. Dr. Shira Shavit, executive director of the Transitions Clinic Network, a California-based national network of clinics focused on formerly incarcerated people, said ex-prisoners are especially well suited for that role. Shavit said her group consults them on where to locate new clinics and on strategies to reach recently released inmates, because the workers are adept at knowing where people are when they come out into the community and finding them there. Research suggests that connecting recently released people with others who know what its like to be incarcerated makes it less likely that they will end up in the emergency room. They know how to connect with people, and people trust them, and will follow them to come to clinic and feel comfortable coming, Shavit said. Alfonso Apu, director of behavioral health services at Community Medical Centers Inc., a California network of neighborhood health centers that serves patients in San Joaquin, Solano and Yolo counties, said its easy to lose people once they are released. The complexity of these patients is so intense that they are going to need three, four, five hours of encounters with primary care every month, at least, Apu said. Imagine if we had three months to prepare, he said. Having a plan of action and even having appointments already scheduled for their needs its going to be game changing. Dr. Evan Ashkin is a physician who founded the Formerly Incarcerated Transition Program at the University of North Carolina, a network of community health centers that works with local health departments, clinics and community health workers to connect former inmates with health care. He agreed that employing community health workers who share the experience of previous incarceration is essential. Im hoping well be able to expand this workforce, Ashkin said. In our state, North Carolina, theres not a lot of folks focusing on access to health care for people post-release. North Carolina is awaiting word on its application. Ashkin added that racial equity issues are really important. We have to have our eyes wide open on the type of services we provide, that they are set up to bring in the communities most impacted, he said. Stateline, like Oregon Capital Chronicle, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and Twitter. The post Many states are eager to extend Medicaid to people soon to be released from prison appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle. Many states are eager to extend Medicaid to people soon to be released from prison Community health worker Ron Sanders helps a patient at San Franciscos Southeast Family Health Center, part of the Transitions Clinic Network that assists former inmates navigate health care after release. Community health worker Ron Sanders, right, helps a patient at San Franciscos Southeast Family Health Center, part of the Transitions Clinic Network that assists former inmates navigate health care after release. A new policy allows states to provide Medicaid health care coverage to inmates for specific services 30-90 days before their release. (Courtesy of Transitions Clinic Network) A new policy that allows states to provide Medicaid health care coverage to incarcerated people at least a month prior to their release has drawn bipartisan interest and a slew of state applications. Federal policy has long prohibited Medicaid spending on people who are incarcerated in jails or prisons, except for hospitalization. As a result, when people are released, they typically dont have health insurance and many struggle to find health care providers and get needed treatment. In a population that is disproportionately likely to have chronic conditions such as heart disease and substance use disorders, that can be deadly. Some states terminate residents Medicaid coverage when theyre incarcerated, while others just suspend it. Either approach can cause delays in seeking health care for people recently released from incarceration, with sometimes disastrous outcomes: A seminal 2007 study found that former prisoners in Washington state were 12 times more likely to die from all causes within two weeks of release, compared with the general population. The leading causes were drug overdoses, cardiovascular disease, homicide and suicide. Because a disproportionate number of Black, Native and Hispanic people are incarcerated, lowering their death risk after release might reduce racial health disparities in the overall population. In 2022, about 448,400 people were released from prison, according to the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics. Under federal guidance released a year ago, states can connect prisoners with case managers 30-90 days before they are released to develop plans based on their health needs. The case manager can help the person make post-release appointments with primary care doctors, mental health counselors, substance use programs, and housing and food assistance. States that want to extend Medicaid coverage to people in prison or jail must request a federal waiver to do so. At a minimum, participating states must provide case management, medication-assisted treatment for people with substance use disorders and a months supply of medication upon release, though states are free to do more. Imagine if we had three months to prepare. Having a plan of action and even having appointments already scheduled for their needs its going to be game changing. Alfonso Apu, Community Medical Centers Inc. The Health and Reentry Project, a policy analysis organization focused on health care for former prisoners, called the new policy groundbreaking. What these waivers enable states to do is build a bridge to access to health care a bridge that starts before someones released and continues after their release, said Vikki Wachino, executive director of the Health and Reentry Project and a former deputy director of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Its about starting the process before they leave prisons and jails, so that they can have stronger connections to health care providers and treatment providers after they leave prison and jail. As of last month, federal officials had approved waiver applications from four states California, Massachusetts, Montana and Washington. Nearly 20 other states are waiting for approval, according to health research organization KFF. Jack Rollins, director of federal policy at the National Association of Medicaid Directors, said states that want to participate are focusing on different incarcerated populations and medical conditions. Some would start with jails, others with state prisons or youth detention facilities. Some states would provide coverage to all inmates, others just to those with a substance use disorder. Washington, for example, will cover people incarcerated in jails, prisons and youth correctional facilities beginning three months before they are released, an estimated 4,000 people each year. It will connect them to community health workers, bring in doctors and counselors for consultations, and provide lab services and X-rays. Montana will limit its program to people in state prisons who have a substance use disorder or mental illness and will provide services beginning a month before release. It did not give an estimate of how many people would receive help each year. California, where an estimated 200,000 people will be covered each year, also included community health workers in its plan. Dr. Shira Shavit, executive director of the Transitions Clinic Network, a California-based national network of clinics focused on formerly incarcerated people, said ex-prisoners are especially well suited for that role. Shavit said her group consults them on where to locate new clinics and on strategies to reach recently released inmates, because the workers are adept at knowing where people are when they come out into the community and finding them there. Research suggests that connecting recently released people with others who know what its like to be incarcerated makes it less likely that they will end up in the emergency room. They know how to connect with people, and people trust them, and will follow them to come to clinic and feel comfortable coming, Shavit said. Alfonso Apu, director of behavioral health services at Community Medical Centers Inc., a California network of neighborhood health centers that serves patients in San Joaquin, Solano and Yolo counties, said its easy to lose people once they are released. The complexity of these patients is so intense that they are going to need three, four, five hours of encounters with primary care every month, at least, Apu said. Imagine if we had three months to prepare, he said. Having a plan of action and even having appointments already scheduled for their needs its going to be game changing. Dr. Evan Ashkin is a physician who founded the Formerly Incarcerated Transition Program at the University of North Carolina, a network of community health centers that works with local health departments, clinics and community health workers to connect former inmates with health care. He agreed that employing community health workers who share the experience of previous incarceration is essential. Im hoping well be able to expand this workforce, Ashkin said. In our state, North Carolina, theres not a lot of folks focusing on access to health care for people post-release. North Carolina is awaiting word on its application. Ashkin added that racial equity issues are really important. We have to have our eyes wide open on the type of services we provide, that they are set up to bring in the communities most impacted, he said. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE This report was first published by Stateline, part of the States Newsroom nonprofit news network. Its supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X. The post Many states are eager to extend Medicaid to people soon to be released from prison appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. Marijuana backers eye proposed federal regulatory change as an aid to legalizing pot in more states FILE - Young marijuana plants have state mandated identification tags in the indoor growing facility of Mockingbird Cannabis in Raymond, Miss., Friday, Jan. 20, 2023. A federal proposal to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug has raised the hopes of some pot backers that more states will embrace cannabis. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File) As the U.S. government moves toward reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug, there may be little immediate impact in the dozen states that have not already legalized cannabis for widespread medical or recreational use by adults. But advocates for marijuana legalization hope a federal regulatory shift could eventually change the minds and votes of some state policymakers who have been reluctant to embrace weed. It is very common for a state legislator to tell me, Well, I might be able to support this, but ... Im not going to vote for something thats illegal under federal law, said Matthew Schweich, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, which advocates for cannabis legalization. Although a proposal to reclassify marijuana would not make it legal, it is a historic and meaningful change at the federal level that I think is going to give many state lawmakers a little less hesitation to support a bill, Schweich added. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has proposed to shift marijuana from a Schedule I drug, which includes heroin and LSD, to a less tightly regulated Schedule III drug, which includes ketamine and some anabolic steroids. Federal rules allow for some medical uses of Schedule III drugs. But the proposed change faces a lengthy regulatory process, which may not be complete until after the presidential election. In the meantime, the proposed federal change could add fresh arguments for supporters of ballot measures seeking to legalize marijuana. Florida voters will decide on a constitutional amendment allowing recreational cannabis this November. Public votes could also be held in several other states, including South Dakota, where supporters plan to submit signatures Tuesday for a third attempt at legalizing recreational marijuana. Following two previous failed attempts, a Nebraska group is gathering signatures to get two measures onto this years ballot: one to legalize medical marijuana and another to allow private companies to grow and sell it. In North Dakota, criminal defense attorney Mark Friese is a former police officer who is backing a marijuana legalization ballot initiative. He said the proposed federal reclassification could immensely help this year's initiative campaign. North Dakota voters rejected legalization measures in 2018 and 2022 but approved medical marijuana in 2016. The bottom line is the move is going to allow intelligent, informed discussion about cannabis legislation instead of succumbing to the historical objection that marijuana is a dangerous drug like LSD or black tar heroin, Friese said. Others aren't so sure the reclassification will make a difference. Jackee Winters, chairperson of an Idaho group backing a ballot initiative to legalize medical marijuana, said it's tough to get would-be supporters to sign their petition. People are literally afraid to sign anything in Idaho that has to do with marijuana, she said. Theyre afraid the cops will be coming to their house." The proposed federal change may have little affect in 24 states that already legalized recreational marijuana for adults, or in an additional 14 states that allow medical marijuana. But advocates hope it could sway opinions in a dozen other states that either outlaw cannabis entirely or have limited access to products with low levels of THC, the chemical that makes people high. Georgia has allowed patients with certain illnesses and physician approval to consume low-THC cannabis products since 2015. But until last year, there was no legal way to buy them. Eight dispensaries are now selling the products. The Georgia Board of Pharmacy last year also issued licenses for low-THC products to 23 independent pharmacies, but the federal DEA in November warned pharmacies that dispensing medical marijuana violated federal law. Dawn Randolph, executive director of the Georgia Pharmacy Association, said a federal reclassification of marijuana could open the way for pharmacists to treat marijuana products like every other prescription medication. In other states, such as Tennessee, elected leaders remain hesitant to back either medical or recreational marijuana. Tennessee Senate Speaker Randy McNally, a Republican, previously said he wouldnt support changing state law until the federal government reclassifies marijuana. But after reports about the DEAs recommended reclassification, McNally still held off on supporting any push to legalize medical marijuana. Removing marijuana as a Schedule I drug would only start the conversation in my mind. It would not end it. There would still be many issues to resolve if the downgrade to Schedule III happens as proposed, he said Thursday. A proposal to legalize medical marijuana died in a Kansas Senate committee without a vote this year, and an attempt to force debate in the full Senate failed by a wide margin. The strongest and most influential opposition came from law enforcement officials, who raised concerns that any legalization could invite organized crime and make it difficult to assess whether people are driving under the influence. Kansas Bureau of Investigation Director Tony Mattivi considers the DEA effort to reschedule marijuana misguided and politicized, KBI spokesperson Melissa Underwood said. The head of the South Carolina state police force also has opposed efforts to legalize medical marijuana, saying it opens the door to other drug use. A legalization bill backed by Republican state Sen. Tom Davis passed the Senate this year but has stalled in a House committee. Its difficult to rewire a lot of people who have been conditioned to think of marijuana in a certain way, said Davis, who vowed to push a medical marijuana bill again next year if reelected. Although not fully embracing medical marijuana, Iowa and Texas both have laws allowing limited access to some cannabis products with low levels of THC. Some Texas cities have passed ordinances allowing small amounts of marijuana. But a similar effort in Lubbock, home to Texas Tech University, was derided in a Facebook post by Republican state Rep. Dustin Burrows as part of nationwide effort by the left to undermine public safety. In Wyoming, a decade of pro-marijuana efforts through ballot initiatives and legislation has gotten nowhere. Gov. Mark Gordon, a Republican, has been ambivalent about legalizing medical marijuana and opposes legal recreational pot. The GOP-led Legislature didnt even debate the latest bill to decriminalize marijuana and legalize medical marijuana. Yet one organizer, who helped unsuccessful petition efforts in 2022 and 2023, hopes federal reclassification of marijuana nudges more lawmakers to support legalization. Resistance will be a lot less palpable, legalization advocate Apollo Pazell said. ___ Associated Press writers Jeff Amy in Atlanta, Margery Beck in Omaha, Nebraska, Rebecca Boone in Boise, Idaho; Acacia Coronado in Austin, Texas; Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, Jack Dura in Bismarck, North Dakota, Hannah Fingerhut in Des Moines, Iowa, Mead Gruver in Cheyenne, Wyoming, John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, and Kimberlee Kruesi in Nashville, Tennessee, contributed to this report. MARION, Ohio (WCMH) A Marion County man faces up to life in prison after pleading guilty this week to raping a child in 2023. John L. Sands III, 39, of Marion, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of first-degree felony rape. In exchange for the guilty plea, a second rape charge and two unlawful sexual conduct with a minor charges were dropped. Man sentenced to prison in relation to Tanger Outlets lockdown According to the office of Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan, the abuse took place between May 1, 2023, and July 19, 2023. Sands was arrested in November after the victim told their mother what had happened, and the mother contacted the police. Grogans office said Sands gave the 12-year-old victim marijuana and methamphetamine, putting the drugs in the childs food. Sands also tried to groom the victim by buying them gifts, including shoes, clothes, a television, and a gaming system, as part of his strategy to win the victims trust and conceal his abusive actions, Grogan wrote in a press release. The details of this rapists actions are too disturbing to list here but we can say he exploited and manipulated his young victim in a premeditated and reprehensible manner, Grogan wrote in the press release. Ohio child life-flighted after being struck by car while getting off school bus Sands and the victims family had a longstanding relationship dating to before the victim was born, Grogan said. Sands could be sentenced to life in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced in Marion County Common Pleas Court on May 22. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Marion Police: Suspect in custody after second shooting MARION, Va. (WJHL) The Marion Police Department responded to a second shooting Friday evening. The department said the shooting happened near 100 South Park Street. 1 shot at Marion farmers market, subject in custody The suspect is in custody following a pursuit. The Marion Police Department said there is no further threat to the community. Police are also investigating an earlier shooting at the Marion Farmers Market that sent one person to a hospital. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Rep. David Trone (D-Md.) is seen speaking at a news conference in this Jan. 17, 2019, on Capitol Hill in Washington. via Associated Press A slew of Maryland officials plan to go on the offensive against Rep. David Trone, a contender for the states open Senate seat, after he referred to supporters of his Democratic primary opponent as low-level. Trone made the comments during an NBC segment on Wednesday comparing Trone and his chief rival, Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. The people that know [Prince Georges County] the best, ironically, all came to us, Trone told an NBC reporter of his primary endorsers. But not a majority, the reporter countered. The people in Prince Georges County who stuck with her are the low-level folks, Trone said. The top-level folks thats called the attorney general, I think. I think thats called the states attorney I think. I think thats called the senior [state] senator I think. I think theyre the top-level folks. The tit-for-tat over endorsements comes after former Maryland Sen. Barbara Mikulski this week endorsed Alsobrooks, adding to her roster of top Democratic backers that also includes Gov. Wes Moore and Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland. Trones campaign in a statement reiterated his support among some Prince Georges County officials, and noted: While David has focused on the ways that Washington is broken and proposed bold ideas that can fix Washington, our opponents and their supporters have fixated on which politicians have what status. Nearly two dozen local elected leaders plan to release statements Saturday calling out Trone for the low-level remark, including county council members, Maryland delegates and state senators from Alsobrooks home county and surrounding areas, HuffPost has learned. By calling a majority of the county council, seven of our eight state senators, our state treasurer and a sitting member of the U.S. Congress low-level people, David Trone has insulted every man, woman and child that calls Prince Georges County home, reads the text that a number of Prince Georges officials plan to blast out in press releases and social media posts. David Trone, we arent a low-level county. We may not be a billionaire liquor store owner like you, but youre going to find out the nearly one million residents that call Prince Georges County home will play a decisive role in electing our next U.S. senator. Her name will be Angela Alsobrooks. Joseline Pena-Melnyk, a Maryland state delegate backing Trone whom the campaign suggested HuffPost reach out to said she doesnt believe that Trone meant anything by the low-level remark. Were at a point in this race where tempers are running high ... people are tired, Pena-Melnyk said, suggesting Alsobrooks is the more divisive candidate in the primary. But its the latest example of Trones words getting him in trouble. Last month, Trone apologized for accidentally using a racial slur in a congressional hearing. He also referred to several Black House colleagues as great diversity candidates during a debate. Marylands Senate race is on track to become one of the most expensive races in Senate history, with Trone the wealthy founder of liquor store chain Total Wine & More spending $57 million in the primary alone. Hes used some of that money to launch an attack ad against Alsobrooks, featuring Black officials from Prince Georges questioning her qualifications for Senate. Alsobrooks would, if victorious, become the first Black woman elected to the Senate from Maryland. The Democratic nominee will likely go on to face GOP primary frontrunner and former Gov. Larry Hogan in November, in a must-win race for Democrats if they want to keep control of the Senate. Related... On May 4, 1919, 3,000 university students in Beijing emerged from their dormitories and lecture halls, gathered in front of Tiananmen Gate and set off the most famous protest movement in Chinese history. Angered by the weakness of the Chinese government in the face of colonial encroachment by Japan and the Western great powers, students, workers, and other opponents of imperialism had taken hold of most of Chinas major cities by the next day in a defiant show of patriotic resistance and mass consciousness. The galvanizing issue was the future of a 213 sq mi territory in the Shandong Peninsula and the surrounding sphere of influence, which Germany had seized from China in 1898. China had agreed to support the Allies in World War I on the condition that the territory be returned to its rightful owner, but a series of concessions forced on its leaders by Japan fated it to instead fall into the latters hands. The shotgun agreement, accepted by the western Allies, burdened China with yet another national humiliation after eighty years of coercion, extortion, and military defeat at the hands of foreign powers, and people blamed the impotent Beiyang government and the squabbling warlord cliques that ran much of the country for letting it happen. With negotiations over the Treaty of Versailles threatening to ratify Japanese control of Shandong, students distributed copies of a Manifesto of All Students in Peking that exhorted the nation to secure our secure our sovereignty in foreign affairs and to get rid of the traitors at home. The Chinese people may be massacred but they will not surrender, the manifesto declared. Our country is about to be annihilated. Up, brethren! As 3,000 students marched through Beijing, spectators were recorded to have wept or cheered them on. They first attempted to petition foreign representatives in the Legation Quarter, but police blocked their way. The demonstration soon turned violent. Protesters broke into the house of a pro-Japanese official and gave him a beating, while police attacked the protesters on the streets, injuring several and causing one to later die in a hospital. Another 32 protesters were arrested. If the Beiyang government hoped to contain the unrest within Beijing, they had, true to form, failed miserably. Inspired with national fervor, provoked by harsh repression, and furious at political elites that many perceived as more concerned with retaining power than acting for the good for the country, a broad protest movement swept across China, demanding opposition to Japanese imperialism, a boycott of Japanese goods, and modernizing domestic reform. The crackdown also escalated, with the government characterizing the studentswho defined themselves as "citizens" first and foremostas reckless and immature youths who needed to be put back in their place. Police arrested them by the thousands, such that that they had to turn university buildings into makeshift prisons when the usual facilities became overfilled. Many students, expecting arrest, carried on their backs food and bedding to be used under detention. While students spearheaded the uprising, the multitudes of urban workers who joined them swung the hammer-blow against the government's will to resist. The workers were already resentful of their exploitation by foreign companies and their collaborators; now was an opportunity to make common cause against a hated oppressor. On June 5, a strike by 90,000 workers from the textile, printing, metals, and other industries paralyzed Shanghai, the countrys main economic center, in full view of the European, Japanese, and American residents living in the foreign concession. More strikes soon followed in other cities as well as along strategic railway lines. Merchants, industrialists, and shopkeepers, perhaps hoping to stave off Japanese competition, also supported the protests, ceasing trade and threatening to withhold their taxes until their demands were met. Confronted with a population united in outrage and a potential economic crisis, the government released some of the arrested students, dismissed three pro-Japanese cabinet members, and offered to negotiate terms. The demonstrations continued until, on June 28, Beijing instructed its representatives not to sign the Treaty of Versailles unless Shandong was restored to China. The other powers shrugged off Chinese objections and signed the treaty anyway, and so the territory remained in Japanese hands until the end of World War II. But the so-called May Fourth Movement represented a stunning victory for the people who had, through mass mobilization, forced their government to its knees, and also unleashed forces that far exceeded the boundaries of 1919 politics. Many historians characterize the May Fourth Movement (MFM) as the cumulative expression of the so-called New Culture Movement (NCM), an older, intellectual campaign that sought to supplant traditional Confucian culture with Western, "modernizing" ideas like democratic politics, vernacular literature, and the scientific method. In doing so, proponents of the NCM argued, China could awaken to its full potential, free itself from foreign subjugation, and emerge from the deplorable social, economic, and political conditions of the past and present. The NCM's rejection of Confucian hierarchy, which demanded strict obedience from the subaltern to the authority, resonated strongly with the May Fourth protesters and in particular the ascendant Marxist voices within the MFM who viewed the struggles against foreign oppression by the Japanese and domestic oppression by feudal and capitalist elites as one and the same. "We must break down the old prejudices, the old way of believing in things as they are, before we can begin to hope for social progress," wrote Chen Duxiu, the chief editor of the New Youth literary magazine and a future co-founder of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 1921. "We must discard our old ways. We must merge the ideas of the great thinkers of history, old and new, with our own experience, build up new ideas in politics, morality, and economic life." Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. If the NCM was primarily a thought-oriented movement that created intellectual ferment among China's youth, the MFM put such thoughts of national revival into action by harnessing the power of the organized mass. This in turn expanded political thought to include consciousness of the decrepit working and living conditions suffered by the Chinese proletariat, who after marching alongside the students on May 4 were increasingly seen as revolutionary partners rather than people who needed to be led. The workers, emboldened by their recent show of strength, set up organizations and unions across China as the basis for organizing more strikes. There were 25 strikes in China in 1918. By 1922, there were more than 100. China's educated elite and the general populace, formerly detached from one another, now realized that by joining forces in a time of crisis they could effect transformative change. As ill-will from the Allies' betrayal at Versailles festered, activists turned away from Western liberal democracies and looked instead to the Bolshevik revolution in Russia as a source of inspiration for the future. Reflecting on the events of 1919, Mao Zedong posited that the MFM marked a key step in the transition from a largely bourgeois movement to one led by the proletariat, the beginning of a revolution that would bring the Communists to power in 1949. "Before the MFM, the struggle on China's cultural front was a struggle between the new culture of the bourgeoisie and the old culture of the feudal class," he wrote. "After the MFM, there was born in China an entirely new cultural force: the cultural thought of Communism under the leadership of the Chinese Communists. The new Western knowledge from the natural and social sciences, useful only to the bourgeois class, thus came to be replaced by the Communist world view and the Communist theory of social revolution." The Chinese government continues to commemorate May 4, 1919, as the moment of China's awakening and an important link to the current ruling party. But as the modern CCP has chosen to focus on its role in leading China's rapid economic growth and restoration as a first-rank global power, their lip service to the events of 1919 has largely extolled nationalistic fervor rather than defiance against authority. The pro-democracy student protesters of 1989 also drew inspiration from May Fourth, using its memory to legitimize their cause. Tanks and gunfire cleared them from Tiananmen Square. More than one hundred years later, May Fourth's legacy is still fought over. On the latest episode of Drink Champs, N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN were joined by the 110th mayor of New York City, Eric Adams. Trending Growing up, Adams was raised between the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens. At one point during his adolescent journey, he unfortunately became a victim of police brutality, which led to him pursuing a path in law enforcement. After college, he worked as a member of the New York Police Department, where he rose in the ranks as a captain until his retirement from the force in 2006. Afterward, Adams served in the New York Senate, where he zeroed in on proper policing, marriage equality and more. The politicians work led to him becoming Brooklyn borough president from 2013 to 2021, at which point he announced his candidacy for mayor of NYC. Different from his peers, Adams built a reputation as the Hip Hop Mayor. During this special conversation, co-hosted by rapper and activist Mysonne, Adams spoke about his professional journey, love for music, solving some of New York Citys ongoing issues and much more. Below are nine takeaways from the conversation. The full episode can be watched here. 1. On being the Hip Hop Mayor Early in the discussion, Adams gave insight into his connection to Hip Hop and how the genre fits his ethos as a government official. It inspired me; when I was going through some hard times, I was able to throw on Hip Hop, he began. Four of the Black mayors thats running the major cities in America Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, New York [are] all Hip Hop. Speaking to N.O.R.E., Adams continued, All of this leadership we see right now is what you guys made. I keep telling folks when we came together and celebrated the 50 years of Hip Hop, it was... all of that power finally getting together. But now the question is: With all of this chocolate, what are we gonna do with it? We gotta do something with it. 2. On New York Citys rat problem Since Adams election, hes done his due diligence by trying to correct New York Citys rat problem. How? He said, What we did... We zeroed in on it. What New Orleans didnt do; we hired a rat czar. And what we found the No. 1 reason why there were so many rodents on the streets [is because of] plastic bags. He added, Now, rat complaints across the city, they have gone down. And what we call rat mitigation zones, which is like a high level, theyve also gone down. As far as future plans go, he revealed, Were going to move to take all of our trash off the streets, out of plastic bags and we're going to containerize it. Everybody told us its gonna take five years. We said, No, thats too long. We're gonna do it in 2 1/2 years. 3. On Black mayors being used as decoys On the note of migrants being sent to New York City, Adams discussed how he and other Black mayors are being used as decoys in a battle thats bigger than them by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. DJ EFN asked if that was more racially or partisan motivated and Adams replied, I think its a combination. I think that he wanted to send a signal to the national government because they need to fix the problem. He continued, But there were a hell of a lot of other cities he could have sent them to. They didnt even send them to Los Angeles until Mayor Bass became mayor. They didnt even send them to Philadelphia until the sister became mayor. The day she swore in, a plane landed with migrants and asylum seekers. So, he wanted to send a message, but the message he wanted to send was on the backs of Black and brown mayors. 4. On the impact hes had as mayor so far Though its only been a few years, Adams firmly believes hes made a difference. When speaking about his run as the mayor of New York City and how he approached the job, he said, Im the first mayor in the history that you see authentic, on the ground, Black and brown folks running my administration. And we turned this city around in two years. Adams admitted that there is still plenty of room to grow, but hes proud of what his camp has accomplished so far. When you do an analysis of what I have been doing for Black and brown people in this city, from procurement, billions of dollars in my nonprofits, investing in our children, managing the financial crisis that we have, no one thought we could do this, he insisted. 5. On reversing his diabetes Several years ago, Adams felt a sharp pain in his stomach, along with tingling sensations in his fingers and toes, that wouldnt go away. He finally decided to go to the doctor, who revealed he had a stomach ulcer and advanced-stage diabetes. Your A1C should be 5.6. Eight is coma level. I was [at] 13. I went home... They gave me these pamphlets that said, Living with diabetes. And I changed one word reversing diabetes and thats how I got on this journey of [being] plant-based. He went on, You dont inherit these diseases because your parents had it. You inherit these diseases because were eating the same s**t. I went plant-based [and] three weeks later, my vision came back. Six, seven months later, all the nerve damage went away. I dont even feel the ulcer anymore. No medicine, Mayor Adams told the hosts. 6. On gentrification in New York City While N.O.R.E. praised the positive landscape changes that are taking place in New York City, Adams addressed the ongoing gentrification. We gotta be careful that it doesnt come up and we lose the people who are there, he said. Diversity is good; displacement is not... We gotta get it right in The Bronx, in other parts of the city... [In] South Jamaica, Queens, its a lot of building going on there. Using a specific example of Willets Point, he added, Were building 2,500 units of 100 percent affordable housing, [creating] union jobs, new schools, [and providing] open space So, as we're building now, were saying, Listen, we gotta make sure the people who are building can afford to stay in the city. 7. On Columbia Universitys pro-Palestinian protests A number of students who attend Columbia University have reportedly been arrested for protesting in solidarity with Gaza. Mysonne asked Adams if he thinks thats OK, to which the mayor responded, No. He provided more context and said, No child should be dying because of the action of [a] man. But lets be consistent about this. Right now, in Yemen, Muslims are killing babies [while fighting against each other]. And Ive been calling for years [to] stop this war in Yemen. In Lebanon, Hezbollah is bombing and killing innocent people... In Nigeria, a group of Muslim terrorists kidnapped over 100 Black girls. Took them from their families. And I stood up at Borough Hall and [said,] Listen, we shouldnt be doing this to these girls. So, we cant all of a sudden find this energy to talk about one act. Im saying: Globally, we should not be doing this. 8. On artists who have his stamp of approval Mayor Adams affinity for music isnt news to anyone, but he did break down why a couple of standout acts have resonated with him over time. When tasked with choosing between DMX and Tupac Shakur, he explained, Im a Tupac guy I was a part of an organization called the National Black United Front [with] Reverend Herbert Daughtry and others, and Tupacs mom was affiliated with it. And his music is just real. Adams also chose Michael Jackson over Prince and explained why. When you think about it, Michael really started the whole video stuff I remember reading the first story, and he was talking about hes gonna do his music and turn it into this visual. And now look at it. 9. On Africa regaining power N.O.R.E. mentioned that Afrobeats is one of the biggest music genres in the world, which led to Adams explaining how the continent is thriving. He stated, We need to really make that connection back to the continent. Because our brothers and sisters on the continent, theyre really doing some things. Theyre regaining control. Theyre looking at their natural resources. Theyre not allowing themselves to be exploited. Giving a quick example, the famed politician added, When I was in the synagogue, this brother whos taking over [said] all that cocoa that is shipped to Switzerland and other places to make chocolate... he says, Nah, we need to do this right here. All of those natural resources, we need to make that bridge again. You Might Also Like Once again, our city is heartbroken as we mourn the senseless loss of four law enforcement officers. Our immediate duty is to stand with the families of those lost, through prayer, through personal support for their families, and any other means we can. We also must stand with the four other injured officers and their families as they heal from this horrific attack. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Foundation has received numerous donations to help support the families of those who have bravely risked or given their all to protect us. I want to express my profound gratitude to all of the heroes who ran bravely toward danger instead of away from it the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers, firefighters, medics as well as the hospital staff who acted swiftly and courageously to save lives amid the chaos. Our citys first responders and medical personnel define what it means to be a public servant working for the greater good. You make all of us proud to be Charlotteans. Mayor Vi Lyles Today I grieve with our great city and the families impacted by the murder and wounding of our finest protectors. Yes, Charlotte is strong. So, lets use that strength to take action for change, to find the courage to reduce gun violence in our community. Our law enforcement officers and their families are counting on it. Our children and our future are counting on it. We cannot only be strong; we must resolve to remove the barriers we have faced and create the change that brings us a safer Charlotte. Five years ago this week, we lost students in another senseless act of violence on the campus of our beloved UNC Charlotte. We must ask ourselves, are we resolved to change or are we just moving from mourning to mourning? We cannot only be strong; we must be resolved. We must change. As your mayor, a mother and a grandmother, let me say that lighting our buildings to honor the fallen is a symbolic and important step. Rallying to support the families must be done. Supporting the healthcare workers who responded to our heroes is essential. However, the only true and lasting memorial to the fallen and wounded will be policy change that prevents these kinds of tragedies from happening to our law enforcement officers in the future. They deserve more from us and we all deserve to live our lives in safety and peace in our country. We must allow our law enforcement officers time and space to process the extreme trauma they experienced. The violence they witnessed, the lives lost, can leave deep emotional scars. We will make every counseling and mental health resource available to them to cope with this tragedy. Their well-being is of paramount importance. I know, in the days ahead, as the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department continues its investigations, there will be questions that demand answers. That process must be respected and allowed to unfold fully and transparently. Our city is known for our resolve to do what we set our minds to. Thats how we have met the challenges of the past and how we build for our future. Countless people I speak to are sickened and exhausted by the culture of gun violence that exists in our city and that played out on our streets, in a local neighborhood, last Monday. As we mourn those whom we have lost, we must find our collective resolve to do more to prevent gun violence. Our streets, our communities must be safe for all of us. It is not enough to claim our strengths and persevere through this. Being strong does not solve the problem. Being strong enables us to take the necessary steps to get through this as a nation and as a country. Rather than just being strong, we must resolve to act so that this never happens again. And yet, we know it will happen again until we do something about it. Vi Lyles is serving her fourth term as Charlottes mayor. She was first elected to the Charlotte City Council in 2013 as a council member. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that tobacco use is decreasing, but e-cigarette use is increasing. Many companies market e-cigarette use as a safer alternative to smoking, but it comes with significant health risks and can damage more than just the lungs. Nasser Lakkis, M.SC.-M.D., FACC, a cardiologist at USA Health, joined WKRG to discuss a recent study on the health risks of vaping. Dr. Lakkis answers the following questions in the video above: What does the study say about the dangers of vaping? Is the heart damage from vaping the same as smoking? Is it safer to vape than it is to smoke? What do we know about people who vape then stop? What are the health benefits from stopping? For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. Former Fox News and NBC television host Megyn Kelly recently claimed that students in Utah , identifying as furries, were permitted to engage in disruptive behaviors at Mount Nebo Middle School in Payson. According to Kelly, these students were involved in biting and scratching, which she reported on her SiriusXM podcast and reiterated in an April 18 Facebook post. However, a comprehensive investigation by fact-checker PolitiFact has found these allegations to be unfounded. Nebo School District spokesperson Seth Sorensen explicitly refuted these claims. There have been absolutely no incidents of biting, licking, costumes, or animal behavior at Mt. Nebo Middle School., he said, according to PolitiFact. The district maintains strict anti-bullying policies and ensures a safe, respectful environment for all students. On April 17, tensions escalated at Mount Nebo Middle School due to a disagreement over student attire and behavior. According to Sorenson, Students were not treating each other respectfully, and things were occurring that they just did not feel were appropriate and conducive to education. Salt Lake City radio station KSL reports. The unrest was triggered by a small group of students wearing headbands with animal ears, leading to incidents where other students threw food at them. The school responded by sending out a reminder of the districts dress code, which prohibits any student appearance that could unduly draw attention or disrupt the educational environment. Despite the administration addressing these concerns by discussing the disruption caused by the headbands with the students, who subsequently ceased wearing them, the issue was blown out of proportion on social media. The misinterpretation of the schools message fueled widespread rumors and outrage, particularly among conservative circles on social media platforms like X, (formerly Twitter). Posts from figures such as Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Lee of Utah and the states GOP gubernatorial candidate Phil Lyman, amplified by accounts like Libs of TikTok which is known for its anti-LGBTQ+ extremism and significant following mischaracterized the situation, suggesting that the school tolerated students who behave like animals. Why is this even a close call? Students who behave like animals and bite classmates should be expelled. Administrators who defend such behavior should be fired. (@) These exaggerated claims led to a peaceful protest by a group of students and parents, advocating for respectful treatment and equal rights. This incident is reminiscent of similar false claims that circulated in 2023, suggesting that schools were providing litter boxes for students who identified as cats. Multiple media investigations thoroughly debunked these tales. Despite the lack of evidence, the rumors had real-world consequences, influencing legislation in North Dakota. Lawmakers there introduced a bill aimed at preventing schools from accommodating students who allegedly perceived themselves as non-human animals. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Some Tennessee students grades and attendance have improved after receiving services through a statewide program designed to address mental health issues in schools, according to officials connected with the program. The School-Based Behavioral Health Liaison program has been established in Tennessee for years, but it only recently expanded to every county in the state. In addition, the program received an extra $8 million in Tennessees budget this year to create another 114 behavioral health liaison positions. We have seen an increase, not due to anything anybodys done or not done, but an increase in actual kids struggling with anxiety, depression, substance use, which is why we need more funds to serve that number thats grown, said Marie Williams, Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts An additional 24,000 students have had access to the behavioral health liaisons this year thanks to the new funding from the state. Ahmaani Pittman, a school-based behavioral health liaison coordinator with the Mental Health Cooperative, told News 2 the program is key to ensuring children grow up to have a good quality of life as adults. I think its easier to build up a strong child than to repair a broken man, so I think it just makes sense to start as early as you can with those interventions, Pittman said. The more adverse childhood experiences a child has, the more likely they will have health issues in the future, the more likely that theyll have a mental health issue in the future, the less likely that they will have a better quality of life, so one way we combat the effects of ACEs (adverse childhood experiences) is by providing that mental health support. Behavior health liaisons said the main mental health issues in schools this year have been anxiety, suicidal ideations, and self-harm. However, with the right treatment, many students have been discharged from the program after accomplishing their therapy goals. Pittman also noted an improvement in students performance. Weve seen kids grades improve, their attendance improve, their relationships with adults improve. Its very fulfilling and rewarding, Pittman said. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The ultimate goal is to expand the behavioral health liaison program to every school in Tennessee, which would cost around $120 million. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. TOPEKA (KSNT) A meteor shower caused by a passing comet in our solar system is set to peak above Kansas this month. 27 News spoke with Brenda Culbertson, a Solar System Ambassador with NASA, about the upcoming annual shower. She says Kansans wont need any specialized equipment, such as telescopes, to view the event as it occurs. They just need to go out, lean back, and look up, Culbertson said. The shower is active from April 15 through to May 27 but will reach its peak in the coming days when as many as 60 meteors per hour might be glimpsed by viewers on the ground. The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is due to reach its peak in Kansas skies on the night of Sunday, May 5 and leading into the early morning hours of Monday, May 6. Biologists studying elusive Kansas flying squirrels make surprising discovery Culbertson says people should find a safe place outside away from other sources of light to get the best chances of watching the shower and catching sight of a passing meteor. The Eta Aquarids are known for being fast and produce few fireballs. The shower originates from Halleys Comet which also produces the Orionid meteor shower in October, according to NASA. The comet is named after English astronomer Edmond Halley who made accurate predictions about its path through the solar system in the 1700s. You can learn more about the upcoming shower on NASAs website by clicking here. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Authorities work at the site where human remains were found near La Bocana Beach in Ensenada, Mexico, on Friday. Mexican officials said three bodies were found in the remote stretch of Baja California where two Australians brothers and their American friend went missing. (Guillermo Arias / Getty Images) Mexican officials said three bodies have been found in the same remote stretch of Baja California where two Australian brothers and their American friend went missing last week while on a surf trip. The bodies were recovered south of the city of Ensenada, according to a statement from the state prosecutors office. The statement did not confirm the identity of the dead, but it said authorities discovered the bodies while searching for the missing men. Three people who were being questioned in the case have been arrested and charged with kidnapping, the statement said. The disappearance of Callum Robinson, 33, his brother Jake, 30, and friend Carter Rhoad, 30, triggered a massive search involving local authorities, the FBI and the Mexican marines. It's highly likely that the bodies are those of the three foreigners, the news outlet Milenio reported Saturday afternoon, citing Baja California state's chief prosecutor, Maria Elena Andrade Ramirez. She told Milenio that there is evidence that the killings were part of a robbery of truck parts, the outlet reported. The men were outdoor enthusiasts who crossed from the United States into Mexico last month to explore Baja Californias renowned surf breaks. Callum Robinson, a high-level lacrosse player, documented the trip on social media, showing himself and his brother, a doctor, and their friend sipping coffee on the beach, befriending street dogs and relaxing in a hot tub. Rhoad, from Atlanta, founded an online apparel company in San Diego, according to his Facebook profile. Read more: Three friends drove from California to Mexico for a surfing trip. Then they disappeared According to a social media post made by the Robinsons' mother, Debra Robinson, the group was supposed to check into an Airbnb in Rosarito Beach last weekend after camping for several days on a remote stretch of beach south of Ensenada. But they never checked in. The last time their relatives heard from the men was on April 27. Authorities searched near the town of Santo Tomas, where the men had been camping. They first located their tents and the burned-out remains of the white Chevrolet pickup the men were traveling in. Authorities did not provide information about where exactly they found the bodies. Baja Californias rugged coastline has long drawn surfers and other tourists from north of the border. But in recent years, the state has contended with some of the highest rates of violence in Mexico. In 2023, authorities recorded 2,116 homicides in the state, many of them connected to the drug trade. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador vowed to reduce violence in Mexico. But while homicides have fallen slightly during his six-year term, they continue to hover near record highs. Read more: Soldiers and civilians are dying as Mexican cartels embrace a terrifying new weapon: Land mines Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. This week, Mike Johnson floated a wild-eyed theory about the pro-Palestinian protests that have been rocking college campuses. The House speaker called on the FBI to get involved, adding: I think they need to look at the root causes and find out if some of this was funded by, I dont know, George Soros or overseas entities. Because such talk has become routine, Johnsons claim didnt garner much media attention. But Democrats can and should act to compel media attention to it. And they have a big opportunity to do so: Johnson is planning high-profile hearings about the protests in coming weeks, which will include grilling university officials about whether administrators are doing enough to combat antisemitism on campuses. Republicans are being open about their aim here, which is to divide Democrats between those who will defend nonviolent protest and those who fear association with campus unrest. And many Democrats are feeling deeply skittish about all this. Thats in some ways understandable. But Democrats should view upcoming hearings as an opportunity to reset the argument. Johnsons Soros quoteand others from Republicans just like itgive Democrats a way to go big. They should hold the GOP and the MAGA media complex accountable for the ugly reality that a whole range of white nationalism-adjacent ideasespecially ones with antisemitic overtoneshave been festering inside the House GOP for years and have even been mainstreamed at the highest levels of Republican power. They dont actually care about Jewish people or antisemitism, Democratic Representative Daniel Goldman of New York told me, speaking of Republicans. When they start using antisemitic tropes, such as globalist and elite in this context, Goldman continued, it shows their true colors. Many Republicans, including Johnson, have also trafficked in the great replacement theory. The most important Republican of all, Donald Trump, recently hosted antisemite and white supremacist Nick Fuentes at his Mar-a-Lago resort. As Goldman told me: These are House Republicans who did not condemn Donald Trump for having dinner with a neo-Nazi. Johnson isnt even the only GOP leader to push the Soros libel. Representative James Comer, chair of the Oversight Committee, says that global elites are funding these hateful protests. The language of GOP leaders has merged with that of the fringe: Marjorie Taylor Greene tweeted that Soros funds the pro-Hamas protests. Several Jewish Democrats have already called this out, with one lawmaker labeling it one of the oldest antisemitic tropes in the world. But Democrats can do more. At the hearings, which the political press will cover intensely, they can put those Soros quotes up on big screens and make Republicans defend them. True, this is tricky political territory for Democrats right now. The party is divided over President Bidens handling of Israels attack on Gaza, with some Democrats demanding that Biden withhold weaponry from Israel that could be used for its expected offensive in Rafah, arguing that the law requires this given Israels killing of civilians and blocking of humanitarian assistance to desperate victims. Meanwhile, Democrats are divided over the protests themselves. When President Biden spoke out about them this week, he rightly distinguished between peaceful protest and unacceptable violence, casting the latter as a threat to civil society, but he conspicuously said little about how appallingly disproportionate the police response has been. Some Democrats seem reluctant to seriously defend peaceful dissent, which is what many of the protests have offered. But surely Democrats can navigate their differences and get the balance on all this right. They can use the hearings to voice support for core, clarifying principles: Its possible to condemn the horrifying outbreaks of antisemitism on campuses, some of them violent, while also insisting it isnt inherently antisemitic to criticize Israels treatment of Palestinian civilians. Its possible to draw a line between civil disobedience with a long tradition in American life and wanton, destructive violenceeven if the exact location of that line is hard to pin down and will be deeply contested. And it should be possible to call out the towering absurdity of the Republican effort to cast the Democratic Party as an aider and abettor of antisemitic violence. Its entirely navigable, Goldman told me. You can oppose U.S. policy toward Israel and also oppose antisemitism on campus, he said, while also challenging those who are exploiting antisemitism for purely partisan gain. Others might object that indicting Republicans over all this is a tough sell. After all, Johnson is himself denouncing antisemitism. How can he simultaneously be pushing an antisemitic trope? Did he really intend the Soros smear that way? The truth is we dont know, and it doesnt really matter what he intended. What does matter is that this kind of talk has become tantamount to the air Republicans and many of their voters breathe. As the Anti-Defamation League explains, Soross identity is well known. Hes been elevated for decades by malignant nationalists across the world into a symbol of nefarious globalist forces seeking to manipulate fifth-column agitators to destabilize nations from within. People steeped in these ideas will receive such remarks in exactly that way. Some Republicans have ventured another version of these claims, insisting Soros funds organizations behind the protests. But Politifact looked exhaustively at this and found that it relies on a comically tortured chain of logic. As The Washington Posts Philip Bump noted, the connections are so tenuous as to be obviously contrived. The crucial point here is that such conspiracy theories often map onto a kind of a spectrum, where softer versions are available that allow proponents to invoke the most pernicious versions while retaining plausible deniability. That doesnt make it any more defensible. Indeed, this is exactly how great replacement theory, also works: Many Republicans, including Johnson, push a soft version that doesnt accuse Jewish elites of promulgating the conspiracy. But thats what untold numbers of people will hear, and its proponents know it. On top of all this, Democrats should challenge the GOP push aggressively because Donald Trump is advancing a vile line of propaganda, in which violent protesters are getting lenient treatment while the insurrectionists of January 6, 2021, are victims of overzealous law enforcement. More broadly, as Substacker Jamison Foser notes, Trump is openly campaigning on the language of authoritarians and dictators, and talk of an axis of globalists and domestic leftist agitators is a central pretext for threatening an authoritarian crackdown as president. The valorization of Trumps paramilitary mobs as patriots and heroes alongside the demagoguing of protesters as the real enemy within, the vow to persecute vermin and prosecute treasonous political foes, the threat of mass removals of alien invaderstheyre all part of the same ugly story, and all should be contested vigorously. So come on, Democrats: Use the hearings to remind everyone that Trump and the complicit GOP are the party that brought us the most serious outbreak of U.S. political violence in recent memory. Who do Republicans think theyre kidding, using campus protests to push their contemptible historical mythmaking designed to transparently sanitize that all away? Treat GOP demagoguery about the protests with the unbridled contempt it deserves. A teacher accused of sexual abuse of a child was found dead this week at Point Reyes National Seashore. (Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images) A Mill Valley music teacher who was arrested this week on suspicion of sexual abuse was found dead the next day off the Point Reyes National Seashore, according to officials. Darren Smith, 55, who was a Mill Valley School District employee for more than 10 years, was booked Tuesday on suspicion of lewd acts with a child and continuous sexual abuse of a child, the Marin County Sheriffs Office told the San Francisco Chronicle . It was unclear Friday when Smith was released from the Marin County jail. Read more: San Bernardino County teacher arrested after allegations of inappropriate conduct with 16-year-old girl On Wednesday, Smiths body was found in the ocean after bystanders reported that a surfer had been washed out. Bystanders called 911 at 2:36 p.m. upon finding a surfboard on the beach and being unable to locate its owner, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Rescuers found the body around 5:30 p.m. about 2.5 miles northwest of the Drakes Beach parking area. Smith was pronounced dead and taken to the Marin County coroners office for a postmortem examination, officials said. Smith had been placed on administrative leave from the Mill Valley School District after the allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A Millersville University student faces charges after police say he had sexual contact and sent inappropriate images to a minor. Benjamin Wallace, 22, of Denver, is accused of sending inappropriate images and messages over social media to a 13-year-old, according to the charges filed by Millersville Borough Police. According to the charges, police were able to confirm Wallace is a Millersville University student and through school records, they learned he drove a Ford Fusion. Police said there was a report in February about a girl from Penn Manor High School who met Wallace at his job and the two hooked up in his vehicle. The Ford was seen on high school surveillance video, by the School Resource Office, picking the girl up before leaving and then returning sometime later, the criminal complaint reads. When the girl was interviewed, she told police she and Wallace started messaging over social media after they met and when she was in his car he kissed her multiple times on her face, according to the criminal complaint. Swastika, racist language found spray painted on Harrisburg City-owned building Wallace, police say, knew the girls age because she clearly indicated how old she was to him. While going through the girls phone, police say they saw messages between Wallaces account and the minors that was about inappropriate sexual content. The complaint states there were messages about sending disappearing images and there was one attachment along with messages Wallace sent that police said depicted sexual content which the girl later confirmed to them. Police did note in the complaint that Wallace did say he could go to jail if he was caught. Wallace faces multiple charges that include felony counts of criminal solicitation involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a person less than 16 years of age, dissemination of explicit sexual material to a minor, unlawful contact with a minor, and corruption of minors. He also faces a misdemeanor count of indecent assault of a person less than 16 years of age. Wallace is currently out on unsecured bail that is set at $75,000 and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 14. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Hundreds of marchers participated at the 2024 March for MMIP in downtown Grand Rapids on Friday, May 3, 2024. (Photo/Levi Rickert for Native News Online) Opinion. Native News Onlines most read article this past week was not about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) epidemic that has gripped Indian Country. Instead it was about South Dakotas Governor Kristi Noem, who killed a dog because she deemed the pup untrainable to become a hunting dog. Yes, she is the same Gov. Noem who has been banished from the tribal lands of several South Dakota tribes because she doesnt give them respect and treats them with a paternalistic fashion. On Friday, I thought about Noem as I listened to my governor, Gretchen Whitmer, address a crowd at the 2024 March for MMIP rally in Ah-Nab-Awen Park on the banks of the Owashtinong (Grand River) in Grand Rapids, Mich. Whitmer, who maintains a solid working relationship with the 12 federally recognized tribes in Michigan, was well received as the traditionalists say in a good way. Let me paint you a picture: It was raining, but here was Whitmer, wearing a red blazer and standing under an umbrella as she addressed the crowd of several hundred people who were mostly wearing red shirts or black tops with red hands printed on them. Three leaders from the states Potawatomi tribes Chairman Jaime Stuck of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi; Chairman Bob Peters of the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan (Gun Lake Tribe); and Chairwoman Rebecca Richards of Pokagon Band of Potawatomi welcomed Whitmer, who presented each of them with a proclamation declaring May 5 as Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Day. As I watched Whitmer talk with tribal leaders and tribal citizens, I thought the contrast between her and South Dakotas Noem could not have been more stark. The difference goes far beyond the fact Noem is a Republican and Whitmer is a Democrat. Whitmer showed up for her states tribes and its citizens. The gathering of hundreds of Anishinaabe and supporters at the MMIP march on Friday was one of dozens held around the country this weekend to commemorate May 5 as Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. May 5 was not randomly chosen to bring awareness to the epidemic violence against Indigenous people. The date was selected because the Montana congressional delegation persuaded the U.S. Senate to pass a resolution declaring the national day of awareness because May 5 was the birthday of Hanna Harris, a 21-year-old member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe who went missing on July 4, 2013. Had she lived, Hannah would have turned 32 this May 5. On Friday, the White House released a presidential proclamation for Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day 2024. In the proclamation President Joe Biden wrote: "Across Indian Country, justice for the missing has been elusive for too long." Sometimes I worry the repetitiveness of events such as MMIP gatherings with tribal citizens adorning red shirts or t-shirts with red hands on them could become almost cliche. Yet, I realize just how real the problem is among Indigenous people across Indian Country. According to a July 2023 report by the Congressional Research Service, 82% of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) men reported experiencing violent victimizations in their lifetime. As of June 2023, 3.5% of the missing persons included in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System were identified as AI/AN, which was more than three times their percentage in the U.S. population (1.1%). After the rally on Friday, I spoke with Linda Sacks, a tribal citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. Sacks is the principal consultant for the California Native American Legislative Caucus, working in the office of California Assemblyman James C. Ramos, a lifelong resident of the San Manuel Indian Reservation and member of the Serrano/Cahuilla tribe who became the first California Native American state lawmaker in 2018. Sacks shared with me how busy she had been, working to bring together MMIP events in Sacramento on May 1st that included a morning press conference, a MMIP hearing at the state capitol, and an evening candlelight vigil. She also shared a tragic story of how her cousin was murdered back home in Tulsa two weeks ago. He was shot in the head by a non-Native man who is now behind bars. While she had mourned her cousins death, the enormity of what had happened within her own family really hit her hard on May 1. These events affect us, Sacks told me. Here I was working to bring together the events here in California and then it hit me a murder happened in my own family. Sadly, Sacks is not alone. Most Native Americans know someone who has either gone missing or has been murdered. So, MMIP observations should never be considered simply cliche. The missing and murdered Indigenous people epidemic is real. We need to come together with solutions and prayers As tribal communities continue to gather and observe, our prayers about the severitythe stingof the epidemic will someday go away so Native people can heal. On Friday, the rain moved east and the sun came out as hundreds of marchers walked through the streets of downtown Grand Rapids. I hope the sunshine was an omen for better days ahead for Indian Country. Thayek gde nwendemen - We are all related. About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net." Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net The Missouri State Highway Patrol and Springfield Police raided a business on West Battlefield Road called "The Club House" on suspicion of illegal gambling on Thursday, July 11, 2019. Nearly $7.1 million in money and property was seized by Missouri law enforcement agencies in 2023, according to an annual report released Wednesday by the Missouri State Auditor's Office. The report noted 124 different agencies including the Springfield Police Department, Greene County Sheriff's Office, and several other departments in southwest Missouri seized money from individuals and organizations that engaged in illegal activity in their fiscal year. They collectively spent $8.7 million in federal forfeited funds, according to the report. Last year, 646 law enforcement agencies in Missouri were reportedly eligible for the federal asset forfeiture system, though most did not participate. State and local law enforcement agencies that participate in federal investigations resulting in forfeitures can request a portion of the funds recovered through the system. Each participating agency in must be submit an "ACA Form Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification" submitted to the state auditor's office. Here are many of the southwest Missouri law enforcement agencies that participated, many which received and spent justice funds, according to the auditor's report. Their final balances also reflect funds they had to start their fiscal year. Agency Received Spent Balance Bolivar Police Department $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Branson Police Department $103.69 $0.00 $217,822.82 Cabool Police Department $804, 228.48 $6,102.00 $798,126.48 Christian County Sheriff's Office $8,216.23 $21,495.31 $64,513.59 Greene County Sheriff's Office $24,633.39 $7,098.32 $21,198.33 Nixa Police Department $20.65 $0.00 $1,400.99 Ozark Police Department $16,090.11 $4,181.25 $46,145.86 Springfield Police Department $69,268.82 $16,615.65 $53, 312.16 Strafford Police Department $ 9,123.78 $0.00 $9,123.78 Taney County Sheriff's Office $4.00 $0.00 $94.10 Texas County Sheriff's Office $0.00 $0.00 $12.00 Missouri State Highway Patrol (All) $317,541.53 $85,245.18 $1,159,449.90 This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri law enforcement agencies seized $7.1M in assets in 2023 The UCLA police chief is facing growing scrutiny for what three sources told The Times was a string of serious security lapses before a mob attacked a pro-Palestinian student encampment this week. But the chief, John Thomas, late Friday rejected those allegations and said he did everything I could to provide security and keep students safe during a week of strife that left UCLA reeling. On the morning before Tuesday night's attack on the encampment, Thomas assured university leadership that he could mobilize law enforcement in minutes, acccording to the sources. It took three hours to actually bring in enough officers to quell the violence. Days earlier, campus leadership had directed Thomas to create a safety plan that would protect the UCLA community after the encampment was put up last week and began drawing agitators, the sources said. The chief was told to spare no expense to bring in other UC police officers, offer overtime and hire as many private security officers needed to keep the peace. But Thomas did not provide a plan to senior UCLA leadership even after he was again asked to provide one after skirmishes broke out between Israel supporters and pro-Palestinian advocates at dueling rallies Sunday. Read more: Timeline: UCLA's night of violence before police moved in The account of Thomas actions leading up to the attack was provided by three sources who were not authorized to speak publicly. Internal calls are growing for the police chief to step aside as University of California President Michael V. Drake initiates an independent review of UCLAs response, the sources said. Thomas, in an interview with The Times late Friday night, disputed the account as "just not true." He said he advised leadership from the beginning not to allow an encampment, since it violated campus rules against overnight camping and he feared it could lead to problems as he assessed other protests sweeping the country. But university leadership, he said, decided to allow the tents "as an expression of students' 1st Amendment rights" and directed that police not be included in any security plan. Under UC's systemwide community safety plan, police are deployed as a last resort guidance developed after UC Davis police pepper-sprayed peaceful protesters in 2011, setting off a firestorm of controversy and an internal review that changed campus practices. As a result, Thomas said he developed a plan that relied on private security and made sure to alert the Los Angeles Police Department of the need to respond immediately should problems arise. The private security guards, who were not authorized to make arrests, were instructed to contact UCLA police if needed. Thomas said he provided daily briefings to campus leadership on the latest situation, the number of resources, the response protocol and assigned roles for those deployed. However, sources said he was directed to provide a written safety strategy outlining the response and preparation for various scenarios, such as a rally, skirmishes or violence with the direction to do what was needed to keep the community safe and he failed to deliver. He acknowledged that he did tell leadership that it would take just minutes to deploy police forces, but he was referring to a general response not a force large enough to handle the size of the crowds that clashed that night. But three sources confirmed he was directly asked how long it would take for outside law enforcement to quell any violence. The campus police chief reports to Administrative Vice Chancellor Michael Beck, who oversees the UCLA Police Department, the Office of Emergency Management and other campus operations. Beck did not immediately respond to a request for comment. As altercations at the encampment began to increase, Thomas acknowledged that campus leadership changed direction and authorized him to supplement UCLA police and private security with increased external law enforcement, saying overtime would be paid. He could not recall exactly when that occurred, but he said he immediately contacted the LAPD and L.A. County Sheriff's Department to secure their assistance. But he said the LAPD told him there was a problem with the payment system between the city and state, so the arrangements "couldn't be done by the time of the attack." On the Tuesday night of the attack, Thomas said he was home watching the Dodgers game when he was alerted to the problems by Beck. He said he immediately called the LAPD's West L.A. station and asked the watch commander to deploy resources. Then he called UCLA's watch commander and instructed him to call in mutual aid assistance from law enforcement with the cities of Beverly Hills, Culver City and Santa Monica and sheriff's deputies. Thomas said he arrived on campus shortly before midnight and found that 19 officers from UCLA, the LAPD and three of the mutual aid agencies had arrived but had not moved in to quell the violence. When he asked why, he said an LAPD lieutenant told him the force was too small. Thomas said he asked why they couldn't go in with the forces they had, and the lieutenant told him he was directed to wait. It took more than 90 minutes for sufficient forces to arrive and intervene. Thomas said it usually takes an hour or even two to amass "mobile field forces" large enough 50 officers or more from all over the city to handle situations like the melee at UCLA. "I did everything I could to increase the police presence that we couldn't provide because of our small department," he said, adding that he was not ready to step aside or resign. Read more: UCLA struggles to recover after 200 arrested, pro-Palestinian camp torn down UCLA declined to comment about Thomas' account. The police chief's remarks offered the first responses to key questions, including when officials decided to bring in help from other agencies and whether help could have arrived sooner. Outside police forces generally do not enter the campus without the universitys approval, since it functions as an independent municipal entity although it is on state land. Chancellor Gene Block has described the attack in a statement as a dark chapter in our campuss history and said the university was carefully examining our own security processes in light of recent events. A spokesperson for Gov. Gavin Newsom has also called for answers to explain the limited and delayed campus law enforcement response at UCLA. The Times reported Thursday that the UCLA Police Department had asked other campuses for additional police officers five days before the attack. The reporting was based on documents the paper reviewed and information from the head of the UC police officers union. Only a few on-duty UCLA police officers were on hand to protect the encampment Tuesday night. Questions are being raised as to why he did not increase the number of UC police that night after being directed to use whatever resources were needed to keep the community safe. Read more: UCLA sought extra police but canceled requests in days before protest camp was attacked The mutual aid requests made Thursday and Friday, April 25-26 which would have provided UCLA with more officers as they dealt with the camp and a dueling area erected by pro-Israel activists were both canceled. Thomas said he made the requests because the university was tentatively planning to take down the encampment then, but he canceled them when that plan was delayed. The responsibility to call for mutual aid through the UC Systemwide Response Team a group of about 80 officers across the 10 campuses has to be made by the host universitys chief of police, according to the UC police procedures manual. He said he did not make any additional request after that because there was no specific reason for it at the time, but he directed his watch commander to do so immediately after learning about the attack, which he said was a "spontaneous" event. Critics are asking why he did not make another request sooner than that, after specific instances of physical altercations on Sunday and Monday. Read more: Police report no serious injuries. But scenes from inside UCLA camp, protesters tell a different story The union issued a statement this week placing the responsibility for the UC police response in the hands of campus leadership, saying the strategic direction was controlled by administrators. The three sources said, however, that such direction to prepare a plan, with enough officers to ensure safety, was given to Thomas multiple times. The attack began Tuesday about 10:30 p.m., when a large group of agitators some wearing black outfits and white masks arrived on campus and assaulted campers, ripped down barricades, hurled objects at the encampment and those inside and threw fireworks into the area. Read more: UCLA sought extra police but canceled requests in days before protest camp was attacked Campers, some holding lumber and wearing goggles and helmets, rallied to defend the sites perimeter. Some used pepper spray to defend themselves. Several were injured, including four Daily Bruin student journalists. Thomas told the Daily Bruin his officers came under attack while helping an injured woman and had to leave. Read more: 'Unacceptable': Why it took hours for police to quell attack at UCLA pro-Palestinian camp Law enforcement sources said it took time for the LAPD, California Highway Patrol and other agencies to mobilize the large number of officers needed. A larger force began moving into the area after 1:30 a.m. Wednesday and fully contained the situation after 3 a.m. UCLA declared the encampment unlawful Tuesday and asked participants to leave or face possible discipline. The next day, the campus called in police, who dismantled tents and arrested more than 200 protesters in clashes early Thursday that lasted for hours. Several protesters were injured. The UC Board of Regents held a closed-door meeting Friday to discuss the campus protests. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Modesto police search for child who has been missing nearly a week (FOX40.COM) The Modesto Police Department is asking the community for help to find a 14-year-old boy who was last seen near a gas station almost a week ago. Angel Moreno-Camacho was last seen at 3:30 p.m. on April 27 in the 2900 block of W Orangeburg Avenue near the Arco gas station, according to MPD. He is described as being 5 feet 1 inches tall, 120 pounds, and with brown eyes and short brown hair. Police said Moreno-Camacho was last seen wearing a black hoodie with a picture of a car on the back, blue jeans, and black Nike shoes. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is advised to call Modesto PD at 209-552-2470. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. A version of this story appeared in CNNs What Matters newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. Being elected president shortly after surviving the publication of the leaked Access Hollywood tape in 2016 is the moment in which Donald Trump defied political gravity. A politician was heard on tape saying truly disgusting things about women and yet was still elevated by voters to the highest office. Trumps ability to survive that embarrassing episode echoes in his reascendance to the Republican presidential nomination for a third time, despite losing the 2020 election and then trying to overturn the results. Its easy to forget how dumbfounding it was to hear Trump on that tape for the first time and how many Republicans who called on him to drop out of the presidential race back then now support him. If the embarrassing tape somehow represents Trumps greatest triumph, it is also something that continues to haunt him, as it became the focus of his hush money criminal trial in New York on Friday. RELATED: Read more about the testimony of former Trump aide Hope Hicks. The Access Hollywood tape reexamined Trumps 2016 victory in the Electoral College seems only more improbable in the retelling. Hicks, his former close aide, told jurors about what must have been the unbelievably awkward moment she read a transcript of the Access Hollywood tape in which he brags about being able to grope women to her boss. This was a crisis, she said of its releases impact on the campaign. Its sordid stuff, and the outlines were generally known even without Hicks testimony on Friday. The judge in the case ruled at the start of the trial that the tape itself cant be played in court, but it has been described. It is worth revisiting the earthquake the Access Hollywood tape set off in the 2016 campaign. When the video came out, it left many people speechless. The tape was recorded in 2005, and it was leaked to The Washington Post, which published the video on October 7, 2016, a little more than a month before Election Day. Trump is heard talking about trying, unsuccessfully, to move on an unnamed, married woman, and then crassly talks about his uncontrollable desire to kiss an actress he is about to meet with then-Access Hollywood host Billy Bush. When youre a star, they let you do it, he told Bush. You can do anything. Grab em by the p****. Heres a video CNN published at the time: The fallout was immediate Multiple Republicans who today are completely behind Trump, like Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, called on him in 2016 to immediately step down. The perception inside Trumps inner circle was that most Republican lawmakers wanted him off the ticket, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie later wrote in a memoir. Then-House Speaker Paul Ryan said he was sickened. And then-Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus thought Trump should either resign or would lose in a landslide, according to Christie and then-Trump aide Steve Bannon. Even Trumps wife, Melania, who rarely issues public statements, expressed her disgust with the words on the tape, although she would later write it off as boy talk. Trump actually apologized Things were so grim back then that Trump issued what is probably the only apology of his political career in a straight-to-camera video posted on Twitter, now X, in which he admits the tape is real and takes responsibility. I said it. I was wrong. And I apologize, Trump said, although he made it clear he would not leave the race. Being exposed to people on the campaign trail had changed him, Trump said, before trying to draw an equivalence between his words and allegations against former President Bill Clinton. Ive written before about how rare it is to hear such a thing from Trump. It was not the only surprise in 2016 Trumps Democratic rival in 2016, Hillary Clinton, faced her own unwanted surprises, the most important of which was former FBI Director James Comeys announcement that July that she was careless in handling classified data on email. Worse for Clinton, on October 28 of that year, a little more than a week before Election Day, Comey told Congress the FBI was reviewing emails related to Clintons personal server found on the laptop of Anthony Weiner, a disgraced former congressman married to her top aide. Clinton would go on to get the vote of a larger number of people, but Trump, surprising even himself, would get the White House. Return of the tape Now, the Access Hollywood tape is back. A key to prosecutors case against Trump is their allegation that he and his former fixer Michael Cohen agreed to pay off adult-film star Stormy Daniels to influence the 2016 presidential election. Trump had to tamp down on any allegations of impropriety, such as having an alleged affair with a porn star not long after his wife gave birth. That led to the hush money Cohen paid to Daniels. Cohen served time in federal prison for violating campaign finance law with the payments. The crime Trump is accused of is falsifying business records related to his reimbursement of Cohen after the election. How the tape has aged Trump has since questioned whether it was his voice on the tape, Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Martin reported for The New York Times in 2017. More recently, Trump was asked in May 2023 about the tape by CNNs Kaitlan Collins. He tried to parse the words in the tape. I said, women let you, he told Collins. I didnt say grab, he said, misquoting the tape. A moment that tested loyalty Bannon would later tell former CBS journalist Charlie Rose that the Access Hollywood moment was important because it separated Republicans into those who would be loyal to Trump versus those who were part of the mainstream. Christie lost out on a Cabinet position in Trumps administration due to his revulsion of the tape, Bannon told Rose. In the years since, loyalty to Trump has become an increasingly important marker among Republicans as Trump beat back a deep field of presidential primary challengers. Perceived loyalty to Trump could become a de facto requirement for many federal workers if he wins in 2024 and carries through with a plan to reclassify a large portion of the federal bureaucracy as political appointees, according a recent report by CNNs investigative team. Still haunting Trump If the tape is evidence of Trumps ability to defy political gravity, it has also contributed to his humbling in other areas. A deposition in which he was asked about the tape was played for jurors who later found him liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll, a former magazine columnist, in a New York department store in the 1990s. Juries ordered Trump to pay more than $80 million for defaming her, although he has appealed those decisions. CORRECTION: This storys reference to the timing for the alleged affair between Stormy Daniels and Donald Trump has been updated to reflect it was after Melania Trump gave birth. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com MOORE There was much on people's minds on Friday it was the 25th anniversary of the deadly tornado that left dozens dead and survivors scarred, but also the day a funeral was held for beloved, long-time Mayor Glenn Lewis who shepherded the community through the 1999 storm and another, even deadlier tornado that struck the suburb nearly 11 years ago. All that, however, couldn't stop community organizers from gathering supplies to help some of Oklahoma's latest storm survivors affected by 27 tornadoes that took four lives across the state and heavily damaged homes and businesses in the heart of Sulphur. Volunteers joined teachers at Moore's Bryant Elementary School on Friday afternoon to load up collected totes and other needed supplies, including bottled water, sanitary products for women and other toiletries, clothes and various types of additional items for victims who are still cleaning up from the most recent storms at Sulphur. Sixth-grade social studies teacher Blake Mackey, a junior at Moore High School in 1999 who worried about the safety of his mother, sister and father during that deadly storm, remembers its dramatic impact on his community, families and friends. "It was so hard to not see things you were used to seeing as you drove across town" in the weeks and months following that storm, Mackey recalled. More: Tornadoes likely to change state budget priorities, Senate leader says "Even though I and my family weren't directly affected, having to watch everybody else go through everything" was hard, he said. "We didn't know what to expect." At the same time, though, he remembers how people from across Oklahoma and the nation responded after that storm, sending all of those types of things and more to his hometown as it began to clear its debris and rebuild. "My big goal with this was just to take an opportunity to help. Whenever everything was needed here, we didn't really have to ask for water, supplies or food.," he said. "I remember the Tide truck coming in to help wash clothing. All of those things nobody asked for them, they just started appearing," said Mackey, who said he graduated from Sulphur High School the following year. "I wanted to be part of that help for someone else," Mackey said. The EF5 tornado that struck Moore in 1999 is pictured. 1999 tornado still ranks as one of Oklahoma's deadliest According to the National Weather Service, May 3, 1999, is still the date of the largest tornado outbreak ever recorded in Oklahoma. The most infamous tornado in modern memory is the EF5 monster that roared through southwest Oklahoma City and Moore, which left behind a 37-mile-long trail of destruction that stretched from Amber to Midwest City during the 1 hour 22 minutes it stayed on the ground. The tornado produced recorded wind speeds of 302 mph. It killed 40 (five in Moore), hurt 675 more, destroyed 1,800 homes and damaged 2,500 others. Total damages were estimated at $1.2 billion. An aerial view of Moore looking northeast from near NE 12. First Baptist Church is at top right. Gayland Kitch, Moore's director of emergency management, said the storm crossed into the community about 7 p.m. that night. During the 10 minutes or so it was in Moore, it destroyed nearly 700 homes, 200 apartment units, 25 businesses and destroyed Kelley Elementary School, part of Moore Public Schools, leaving behind five fatalities, he said. A flag in Moore flies at half-staff Friday in honor of longtime Moore Mayor, Glenn Lewis, whose funeral was on the 25th anniversary of the May 3, 1999, tornado that hit Moore. That storm and others like it since left an indelible impact on many Oklahomans who still flinch when forecasters predict tornadic storms. Before 1999, a typical Oklahoman's vision of a tornado might have been a rope-size twister skipping across a farmer's field, a perception forever changed by the 1999 storm. And while the 25th anniversary of it is tough enough, the added weight of laying former Mayor Lewis to rest the same day makes it harder, Kitch said. Still, Lewis and the city's management team are credited by Kitch for their Herculean responses to the storm 25 years ago, both during immediate search and rescue, sheltering and relief operations and later to clear the community of storm debris in less than four months as they continued to heavily recruit new businesses and families to the community. Their efforts allowed Moore to show its residents and the world recovery is possible, he said. "May 3 happened right as (economic development) was getting ready to explode," Kitch said. "When prospective business interests and interested home buyers later visited Moore looking for opportunities, they found a clean city with well-functioning leadership." Many people and businesses decided to make the community their homes as Moore's population grew from 41,000 to 55,000 in just 10 years after the 1999 storm. Tragedy struck in the form of tornadoes in Moore again in May 2003 and then May 2013, when another EF5 tornado ripped through the city to leave behind $2 billion in damage as it destroyed schools and large swaths of homes, injuring hundreds and killing at least 25 people, including seven children at Moore's Plaza Towers Elementary. Moore's leadership team drew from their earlier experiences dealing with the 1999 storm to keep improving their community. "We learned a lot of lessons," Kitch said. "One thing we teach today is how for people to take care of themselves after these kinds of storms." After emergency responders finish their work, "there are still people trying to figure out where they are going to live, where and how they are going to work, and how they are going to financially survive," said Kitch, adding that doesn't even begin to cover the nightmares the storms leave behind for those who lost loved ones during those events. "It is all about recovery. We won't ever fully recover, but we try to get by," he said. Assistance being offered to victims of last weekend's storms For residents inside of Hughes, Love and Murray counties, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is offering the following assistance: People seeking more information can call the FHA Resource Center at 800-304-9320 or go to the FHA Disaster Relief website . Bryant Elementary School teachers and students load a box truck Friday with totes, toiletries and other supplies they have been collecting to send to Sulphur. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also is offering residents inside those counties rental assistance and funds that could address basic home repairs, personal property losses and other eligible expenses. FEMA also is considering reimbursement requests for: Lodging expenses for residents that had to obtain temporary lodging because their homes were damaged. Costs for lifesaving and life-sustaining items, including water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation. Medical and dental expenses, funeral and burial costs, the replacement of household furniture and appliances, the replacement of specialized tools a person needs for his or her job, computers, educational materials and moving, storage and other necessary expenses related to the severe storms. Expenses to repair or replace disaster-damaged cars and trucks. Costs to buy or rent generators used at primary residences to power medically required equipment necessary for existing medical conditions. People can apply for those types of assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, FEMA has announced. Caitlyn Stanford, a Sulphur resident who teaches at Bryant Elementary in Moore. Beyond governmental assistance, the relief items collected by Moore Public Schools through Mackey's efforts definitely will be welcomed in Sulphur, said Caitlyn Stanford, a Sulphur native who teaches at Bryant Elementary School with Mackey. While Stanford said several of her relatives lost properties or were forced to evacuate because of last weekend's storms, no one was seriously hurt. She enthusiastically embraced Mackey's efforts to organize a relief effort, she said. "I was grateful that we together as a district could come together to help those who were impacted by the storm," said Stanford, who said they began collecting supplies on Wednesday and nearly filled the school's gymnasium. "Oftentimes, people think something like that won't happen to them. When it does, the support they receive from people they don't even know" matters a great deal, she said. "I have talked with my family and friends, and they are just very appreciative of all the support they have gotten so far," Stanford said. Blake Mackey directs students Friday as they load the truck with supplies. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Moore tornado anniversary: Survivors remember, turn support to Sulphur By Zainab Elhaj and Will Russell STRAIT OF DOVER (Reuters) - Dozens of people in two rubber dinghies reached the southern coast of England on Saturday, the latest among thousands of asylum-seeking migrants to make the risky sea crossing from France this year. Bobbing on the waves of the English Channel on a clear morning, the boats sailed across the narrow strip of sea separating France and Britain, with a French naval vessel following them until they reached English waters. Their largely male passengers, some of whom were in orange life jackets and waving, were taken aboard a British Border Force vessel off Dover. The arrivals illustrate the difficulties British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces on his pledge to tackle illegal migration and "stop the boats", ahead of a national election expected later this year. More than 8,000 people have arrived so far this year on small boats, with many fleeing war or famine and travelling through Europe to Britain, making the start of this year a record for such arrivals. Sunak hopes his flagship Rwanda policy to deport those arriving in Britain without permission to the African nation will deter people from making the Channel crossing. Five people died in the attempt last month. The government hopes to operate the first flights to Rwanda in 9-11 weeks. "The unacceptable number of people who continue to cross the Channel demonstrates exactly why we must get flights to Rwanda off the ground as soon as possible," a spokesperson for Britain's Home Office said. "We continue to work closely with French police who are facing increasing violence and disruption on their beaches as they work tirelessly to prevent these dangerous, illegal and unnecessary journeys." (Writing by Sachin Ravikumar; editing by Giles Elgood) MEMPHIS, Tenn. This week, U.S. Marshals arrested a woman accused in a brutal 2019 crime. But another suspect charged in that crime, Jalen Braden, is out on bond, and his mother is maintaining her son was manipulated and is innocent. Police say in 2019, Breanna Williams, who was then 15, lured Baba Said to a house on Amarillo Street, where he was murdered. Woman arrested by marshals in 2019 murder case Prosecutors claim Williams and her friend Braden disposed of the body, with help from Albert Johnson. While Williams and Johnson are in jail, for the last three years Braden has been out on a $125,000 bond. Braden is facing multiple charges including first-degree murder, aggravated robbery, and abuse of a corpse. His mother Trina Hines emphasizes their family is dedicated to caring for Jalens newborn baby at Le Bonheur Childrens Hospital, where WREG spoke with her on the phone. Hearing all this and seeing all, this is nerve-racking being with a sick baby is just a lot. This is the last thing he needed, Hines said. Police: Suspect murders man inside Cherokee home, dumps body in ditch Bradens mother defended her son, stating an intellectual disability that makes him vulnerable to manipulation by individuals connected to the case, and law enforcement. Thats how that got started. He didnt know Albert Johnson or Breanna Williams, Hines said. I asked, Why dont you speak up? Tell these people to get out your house. Nobodys paying rent. But hes just too nice, free-hearted, and people take advantage of that. Braden declined to comment, following the advice of his attorney. In the original affidavit, police say Braden admitted to the crimes. His mother thinks he was manipulated by police. I know how they do He probably did admit it, after several threats, she said. Hes like. OK, you think Im lying and youre telling me, just tell us you did it and well let you go. So he confessed. Some are expressing concern about his release given the serious nature of the charges. His mother says hes not a threat. The judge finally saw that he wasnt a risk, never had any priors. Why it took so long to get a bond I dont know, she said. The states attorneys office released a statement saying in part: Mr. Bradens bond was set by a judge in 2020. The prosecutor who was assigned to the case at that time is no longer with our office. The case has now been reassigned to a new prosecutor, who is dedicated to pursuing justice and ready to proceed. Braden is due back in court on May 16. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Mount Horeb student fatally shot by police after pointing pellet rifle at officers, DOJ says A 14-year-old Mount Horeb student killed by police Wednesday had pointed a Ruger .177 caliber pellet rifle at officers before they shot him, the state Department of Justice said in a statement Saturday. According to the department, the boy did not comply with officers' commands to drop the weapon, and police shot him after he pointed the weapon at them. "Lifesaving measures were deployed but the subject died on scene," according to the statement. No one else was injured. The Mount Horeb police officers who were involved remain on administrative leave in accordance with agency policy. Law enforcement officers stand outside the Mount Horeb Intermediate Center in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Police called to Mount Horeb Middle School at 11:11 a.m. Wednesday The call to police reporting someone moving toward Mount Horeb Middle School with a backpack and what looked like a long gun came in at 11:11 a.m. Wednesday. Police found the teen matching the description east of the school's main entrance at 900 E. Garfield St., according to the department. Sources identified the student to the Journal Sentinel Friday as Damian Haglund, an eighth grader at Mount Horeb Middle School. He was killed before he could get inside the school, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said at a news conference the day of the shooting. Anxious hours during school lockdown The middle school and four other Mount Horeb Area School District schools were locked down late Wednesday morning. Some remained locked down into that evening. The district serves about 2,500 children across five schools. More: What to know about Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, where police responded to an active shooter An emergency alert was also sent to residents' phones warning of an active shooter at the middle school. Parents waiting to reunify with their children expressed fear at hearing of an active shooter at the school in addition to the loss of a sense of security. Many children were in tears as they rejoined their parents. Residents of the small village about 20 miles southwest of Madison also expressed shock. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporters Sophie Carson, Jessica Van Egeren, Claire Reid, Elliot Hughes, Mary Spicuzza, and Laura Schulte contributed to this story. Alison Dirr can be reached at adirr@jrn.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mount Horeb student killed by police pointed pellet rifle at officers MPD: Man holds girlfriend against her will for two days MEMPHIS, Tenn. A man has been charged with kidnapping and aggravated assault after police say he held his girlfriend in his house against her will for two days. Tyron Brunson, 50, has been charged with aggravated assault, kidnapping and three counts of domestic assault following an incident that took place in late April. AR bank robbery suspect captured after chase into downtown Memphis On April 23, Memphis Police Officers spoke with a female victim who claimed she was held against her will and physically assaulted by her boyfriend, Tyron Brunson, in a home on Amselle Circle. The victim told officers that on April 21, Brunson took her cell phone and car keys and refused to let her leave his home or call anyone. She said anytime she made an effort to leave, Brunson would punch her in her broken nose, which she said had previously been injured by him. The victim claims that Brunson continuously assaulted and punched her in the chest, bruising her body and both eyes severely. She said she was forced by Brunson to stay at his home against her will and physically assaulted for over two days until she was able to leave on April 23 and drive herself to the hospital. Man accused of shooting at victim the day he testified against him Reporting officers saw that the victim had severe bruising and abrasions to her face, chest and arms. The police report states that considering the history between the two parties where Brunson has been the primary aggressor, statements provided by the victim to officers, injuries inflicted on the victim and the likelihood the abuse would continue, sufficient probable cause was developed to support the arrest and charging of Brunson. He is being held on a $28,000 bond. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. The 124-day 2024 Mississippi legislative session is finally over. The last thing lawmakers did before gaveling out before 9:30 Saturday morning was to pass a nearly $7.9 billion budget Friday, outlining funds for state agencies, departments and also providing many local projects throughout the state, as well as returning voting rights to someone previously convicted of a felony. As lawmakers were preparing to pack their bags, brief cases and even a few tokens from this year's session, Sen. Joey Fillingane, R-Sumrall, presented one final bill on the floor to restore voting rights to an individual, closing the session by giving a person who was previously convicted of a felony back their suffrage. The man, from Fillingane's district in Walthall County, had been convicted of grand larceny in 1977. In the House, Rep. Charles Young, D-Meridian, gave an unexpected speech to his fellow lawmakers. In his own words, he said that while the day was one filled with joy, it was also a sad occasion for lawmakers as they went their separate ways. "Today is the day that all of us always look forward to, but today is the day that all of us dread because the person sitting next to you, and the people sitting around you have become your family. And today is the day that we part," Young said. More on FY24-25 budget MS Legislature approves nearly $7.9 billion budget. How does that compare to last year? Here is a look back at the 2024 legislative session: Mississippi House Speaker Jason White, R-West, calls the meeting to order on the last day at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson on Saturday morning. "Let the house come to order, one last time," White said. Few priorities make the cut in 2024 session Of the many mainline priorities legislative leadership had hoped to pass this year, only a handful made it through both chambers and on to Republican Gov. Tate Reeves's desk. Those items included presumptive Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women, changes to the state retirement system and a complete rewrite of the state's funding formula for K-12 schools. Presumptive eligibility passed in February with few lawmakers voting against the move to allow pregnant women access to Medicaid. Specifics on presumptive eligibility Mississippi Legislature sends presumptive Medicaid eligibility bill to governor desk One priority for legislative leadership was passing reforms onto the Public Employment Retirement System of Mississippi. That change originally took the shape of stripping the PERS board elected members with political appointments and removing the board's ability to raise public employer contribution rates to address $25 billion debt. After the legislature killed that bill, lawmakers reintroduced legislation to remove a rate increase on employers set to take effect in July, and it also made sure any rate change in the future would need to be approved by lawmakers. That bill passed in April. More on PERS situation MS Senate revives effort to exert control over PERS board Toward the end of the session, lawmakers also passed the Mississippi Student Funding Formula, which will funnel $2.95 billion toward K-12 education in the state. The new funding formula replaces the Mississippi Adequate Education Program. Read about MSFF MS Legislature passes historic education funding model, sends to governor's desk Items left on the table this year included Medicaid expansion, which could have given state-funded health insurance to potentially 200,000 people, restoration of voting rights for people who lost them after being convicted of non-violent felonies and returning ballot initiatives to Mississippi. Medicaid expansion made for some of the hottest debates this year, but after House Democrats vowed not to vote for Medicaid expansion plan with a work requirement, Senate leadership said it lost momentum to whip votes. Read about the death of Medicaid Medicaid expansion dies in Mississippi Legislature Lawmakers in the Senate also failed to pass through several House initiatives when they let the restoration of ballot initiatives die on a motion to reconsider and when Constitution Chairwoman Sen. Angela Hill, R-Picayune, decided not to bring up a bill to restore voting rights to those who had lost them because of felony convictions. More on ballot initiatives Ballot initiative reform dies in Mississippi Senate Monday More on voter suffrage Voting bill, which would have helped non-violent felons, dies in MS Senate Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi Legislature completes 2024 session after passing budget Mud-covered bodies retrieved from shaft near where surfers went missing in Mexico Three unidentified mud-covered bodies have been recovered from a shaft in Mexico near where three surfers two Australian brothers and an American went missing in one of the countrys most violent states several days ago. The parents of Jake, 30, a doctor, and Callum Robinson, 33, a member of Australias national lacrosse team, are reported to have arrived in Mexico, after mother Debra launched an appeal to find them on Facebook. The Robinson brothers and their American friend Jack Carter, 30, were on vacation near the coastal city of Ensenada in the state of Baja California but have not been seen since April 27. We confirm there were three individuals found deceased in Santo Tomas, Baja California, a statement from the FBIs office in San Diego, California, said without providing the identities of the victims. Authorities used a pulley system to hoist what appeared to be lifeless bodies covered in mud from a shaft on a cliff high above the Pacific, according to AFP journalists on the scene. The bodies were discovered near the remote seaside area where the missing mens tents and truck were found. A white pickup vehicle was located, the state prosecutors office said in a statement. Debra Robinson launched an appeal for her sons on a Facebook community page for foreigners visiting the area last Wednesday. Reaching out to anyone who has seen my two sons. They have not contacted us, she wrote. Three Mexicans being questioned She said they had not arrived at their planned accommodation and that they were driving a white Chevrolet Colorado utility with Californian number plates. Santo Tomas, where the FBI reported the discovery of the three bodies, is about 30 miles south-east of Ensenada. More than a dozen responders, including federal agents, state police, forensic experts and military personnel, were working Friday on the difficult-to-access cliff area. Navy personnel and officials from the state prosecutors office searched a cliff area in Ensenada earlier on Friday, according to city hall. Baja California state authorities said Thursday that three Mexican nationals were being questioned in connection with the disappearances. Baja California is a popular tourist destination but also one of Mexicos most violent states because of organised crime groups. Two other Australian surfers, Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman, were murdered and their bodies burned while travelling in the north-western Mexican state of Sinaloa in November 2015. In March 2023, alleged members of the Gulf Cartel kidnapped four Americans in the north-eastern city of Matamoros, across the border from Brownsville, Texas. Two of them were killed. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. AUSTIN (KXAN) An arrest affidavit provided more details about two people considered persons of interest in the overdose surge that happened this week in downtown Austin. The Austin Police Department and Austin-Travis County EMS continue to investigate the sudden rise in overdoses. Overdose surge: 2 detained after 70+ overdoses, multiple deaths in Austin APD officers and ATCEMS began responding to the suspected overdose calls around 9 a.m., April 29 in downtown Austin. Throughout the day, officials responded to other calls within a few blocks of each other, according to the affidavit. APD said it detained two persons of interest in connection with the series of overdoses on Wednesday. One of the people was identified Thursday as Johnny Lee Wright, 55, according to police. Wright was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, a third-degree felony. Wright has a court-appointed attorney. KXAN is working to find contact information and will update this story if we receive a statement on behalf of Wright. On Friday, ATCEMS declared the end of the overdose surge, according to a news release. From Monday to Friday, the agency said there were a total of 79 suspected overdose incidents, nine deaths and 438 doses of Narcan distributed. How the persons of interest were identified As a way to detect/report crimes in progress and suspicious or illegal activity to officers in the downtown area, the APD Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) operates the High Activity Location Observation (H.A.L.O.) cameras in more than 40 locations downtown, according to the affidavit. The HALO cameras produce a high resolution picture and possess powerful zoom capabilities, court records said. These cameras allowed HALO operators to see multiple hand-to-hand transactions between the first person of interest and Wright. The person would hand Wright the suspected narcotics, and then he would deliver them to the customer, according to the affidavit. Video shows private security guards administering Narcan in downtown Austin This is a common practice in open-air drug markets, as the dealer attempts to distance themselves from the narcotics transaction, the affidavit said. Based off the HALO footage, investigators believe Wright and the other person were possible suspects distributing the narcotics to people who overdosed, court records said. Both Wright and the other person were known by officers who regularly worked the downtown area as narcotics dealers, according to police. Wright has several previous felony convictions, with the most recent one listed as unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, according to the affidavit. The other person, who has not been identified by police, was arrested on a charge of possession of a controlled substance, court records said. Wright remained in the Travis County Jail on Friday on a $10,000 bond, according to online court records. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. HUTCHINSON, Kan. (KSNW) A structure fire in the town of Medora prompted a response from multiple fire departments and agencies on Saturday morning. A news release from the Hutchinson Fire Department said it was alerted at 4:40 a.m. of a structure fire. Crews first arriving on the scene found a fully engulfed building with multiple outside storage units involved. The closest fire hydrant was five miles away, so rural water operations were used. Crews attempted to complete a Vent Enter Search of the only survivable space, but it was unsuccessful. Why flags will be flown half-staff in Kansas on Sunday It is unknown if the structure was occupied, HFD said. Multiple Reno County Fire Districts assisted with water tender operations. Medora Township provided a loader and backhoe to assist in moving debris and excessive storage around the structure. Reno County Emergency Communications, Reno County Emergency Management, Reno County Fire District 3, Fire District 8, Buhler Fire Department, Reno County EMS, Reno County Sheriffs Department, Medora Township, Kansas Gas and Evergy all assisted in the fire. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Members of the 1430th Engineer Vertical Construction Company, 107th Engineer Battalion will help repair infrastructure at Wilderness State Park May 3-13. CARP LAKE A partnership between the Michigan Army National Guard and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will result in a series of construction projects at Wilderness State Park from May 3-13. Over 100 members of the 1430th Engineer Vertical Construction Company, 107th Engineer Battalion are set to arrive at the state park next week to repair park infrastructure, reroof cabins, resurface pathways, pave parking areas and replace bridges. The Michigan Army National Guard (MIARNG) and DNR have previously worked together to upgrade facilities at four state parks and nine recreational areas. The partnership also provides a training opportunity for National Guard members in skilled-trades projects and is estimated to have saved taxpayers over $1.8 million. The Michigan Army National Guard and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources have partnered together on Innovative Readiness Training construction projects. The continued collaboration between the MIARNG and the DNR is a significant step towards enhancing our state parks and facilities so that all Michiganders are able to enjoy the beauty of our great state, said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, in a press release. Our partnership with the DNR has existed for many years, it exemplifies the National Guards commitment to serving our communities. The use of our skilled engineering soldiers from the Michigan-based 107th Engineer Battalion simultaneously contribute to the vital state park improvements, while allowing our soldiers to enhance and maintain their skills and abilities, enhancing readiness for future missions. Subscribe: Check out our offers and read the local news that matters to you Wilderness State Park is home to 26 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, more than 20 miles of trails and is a designated dark sky preserve. In total, over seven separate projects are expected to be completed by the 1430th Engineer Company at Wilderness State Park. The work will include the construction of the DNR Gaylord Districts first Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant playground. We cherish our partnership with the Michigan National Guard and look forward to continuing our joint efforts to improve state parks, trails and boating access sites, said Ron Olson, chief of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division, in a statement. This relationship has allowed us to enhance facilities and infrastructure for visitors while providing valuable training for the National Guard. According to the DNR, the Pines campground, trailhead and connecting trails will not open until May 22 as the work takes place. All other campsites at the park open on May 15. Wilderness State Park, located 11 miles west of Mackinaw City, is home to 26 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, more than 20 miles of trails and is also a designated dark sky preserve. Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com. This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: National Guard and DNR partner on Wilderness State Park upgrades NATO drills show it is preparing for potential conflict with Russia, Moscow says MOSCOW (Reuters) - NATO's four-month long military exercises near Russia's borders, known as Steadfast Defender, are proof the alliance is preparing for a potential conflict with Russia, a spokeswoman for Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. The spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, dismissed accusations by NATO this week that Russia is engaged in hybrid attacks on its member states, saying this was misleading "misinformation" aimed at distracting people from the alliance's activities. It was NATO that had waged a hybrid war with Russia by supporting Ukraine with arms, intelligence and finances, she said in a statement. "Right now, NATO's largest exercise since the Cold War, Steadfast Defender, is taking place near Russia's borders. According to their scenario, coalition's actions against Russia are being practiced using all the instruments, including hybrid and conventional weapons," she said in a statement. "We have to admit that NATO is seriously preparing for a 'potential conflict' with us." Relations between Russia and the West have been at their most hostile in decades following the start of Russia's military conflict in Ukraine in 2022. Announcing the start of the drills in January, NATO said 90,000 troops would take part, rehearsing how U.S. troops could reinforce European allies in countries bordering Russia and on the alliance's eastern flank if a conflict were to flare up. The drills, NATO's largest exercise since the Cold War, are set to run through May. Russia said at the time the drills marked an "irrevocable return" of the alliance to Cold War schemes. (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Frances Kerry) Firefighters who died in the line of duty are being memorialized this weekend in a national event. Five of the 229 firefighters being honored are from North Carolina, and two are local to the Greater Charlotte area. Held by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, the 43rd Memorial Weekend in Maryland features a candlelight service and memorial service. READ MORE: Procession held for fallen deputy US Marshal Thomas Weeks National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to pause and reflect on the heroic efforts and selfless service of the fallen firefighters we are paying tribute to this year, said NFFF CEO Victor Stagnaro. We will always remember the bravery, commitment, and sacrifices of each of these 226 heroesand their families. Ricky D. Allen was 36 when he died in the line of duty, working as an engineer for the Conover Fire Department. He started as a junior firefighter at 17 and served for 19 years before dying in March 2023 from bile duct cancer resulting from his work. James William Goudelock, 39, joined the Fire Explorers program when he was 15. He served for 24 years in the Town of Dallas Fire Department, racking up multiple Firefighter of the Year awards before becoming captain. He died in 2022 from cancer complications related to his work as a firefighter. Jeremy Klemm dedicated 15 years to the Durham Fire Department before dying at age 45 in 2021. He died from COVID complications. During his service, he was a driver and engineer. Eddie Dewayne Fender held many positions in the Asheville Fire Department before becoming a fire investigator. He died in 2022 at age 57 from pancreatic cancer stemming from the line of duty. Larry J. Kye was 22 when he died during a winter storm in 1989. He worked for the North Carolina Forest Service. He was returning to County Headquarters after performing fire control equipment maintenance when his car slid and was struck head-on. (WATCH: CMPD provides support for officers, employees after traumatic events) Three families whose homes were damaged in December in an overnight propane explosion in West Park have filed lawsuits in Broward County against the owners of the home that was the source of explosion and the company that owned the propane tank on the property. After the Dec. 19 explosion, there was nothing left standing of the home at 5206 SW 20th St., owned by Redes Ledix and Pierre Mertus. Four of Ledixs family members were inside at the time and miraculously survived. The blast was heard from miles away, and about 40 homes in the area were damaged in some way, according to city records of the damage, including shattered windows, cracked walls and damaged property. Among those to file lawsuits against AmeriGas Propane Inc., Ledix and Mertus are Geneva Allen and Tangela and Tommie Jordan, who are neighbors across the street from the home that exploded, and two families who lived in homes on either side of the one that exploded Timothee Sonel and Michelet Joseph and Anette and Devonaire Brown. Sonel and Joseph are also suing property insurance agents. The lawsuits were filed in March and April. A state investigation concluded that the explosion was accidental and was likely caused by propane gas that leaked into the home from a compromised area on a gas line, according to the report from the Department of Financial Services. There was evidence of an active construction site at the property, including a freshly dug trench about 10 feet south of where the home previously stood. A few neighbors said they smelled gas in the days before the explosion and on the day of. Investigators found a 200-pound propane tank in the area that had a cap on it with a visible leak at the cap, according to the report. AmeriGas, the company that owned the gas tank, said there was still a large amount of gas inside. The verified presence of a propane tank confirms the witnesss testimony of smelling fugitive gas days prior, the reports conclusion said. It is my hypothesis that propane gas entered the structure via an area compromised on the gas line. Attorney Cam Justice is representing the families suing AmeriGas, Ledix and Mertus. Justice told the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Friday that AmeriGas basically abandoned this tank. AmeriGas leased the 200-pound tank to the prior owner of 5206 SW 20th St., Justice said, and the lease expired about April or May 2022, before the property was sold to the current homeowners. County property appraiser records show Ledix and Mertus purchased the home in October 2022. Justice said the last service record on the tank was from about April or May 2020 and that AmeriGas was obligated to regularly inspect and maintain the tank. From what we can tell based on the documents, that just never happened, Justice said of the inspections and maintenance. West Park home explosion likely caused by propane leak into home, report says The complaint alleges that Ledix and Mertus failed to ensure the propane wasnt leaking, ignored signs of the leak, like the smell of gas before the explosion, or did not contact authorities to ensure there was no explosion. The complaint alleges that AmeriGas failed to, in part, inspect or maintain the gas tank on the property. The explosion caused the Jordans home across the street over $50,000 in damage, possibly more if the home is considered a total loss after structural engineers inspect, according to their lawsuit complaint. The explosion caused over $250,000 in damage to the Browns home and over $200,000 to Sonels home, their respective complaints said. Justice said the Browns home and Sonels home are total losses. Tangela and Tommie Jordan have remained living in their home across the street, though it is in terrible, terrible shape with the windows still boarded and pieces of drywall continuing to fall, he said. Imagine, theyre asleep in their beds in the sanctity of their homes and all of a sudden this huge explosion goes off, Justice said. And I know a lot of our clients have had flashbacks and nightmares and they live with this all the time Ledix and Mertuss attorney J. Wil Morris told the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Friday that the explosion was a total accident. His clients purchased the home in West Park as is, did not inspect the property or install the propane tank, did not know there was a propane tank on the property and did not have insurance, he said. Four people, including two children, hurt in overnight home explosion in West Park My clients family themselves got hurt in the explosion, he said. Some of them have permanent injury, Morris said. The explosion happened the very night that construction began at the house, Morris said. Justice said, As discovery goes on, I think well learn more about what construction was going on and whether that compromised the line. An attorney representing AmeriGas in the lawsuits did not return a voicemail or email seeking comment Friday. The year is 1937 and the Vauxhall Ten has just rolled off production lines. The four-door saloon will revolutionise transport as one of the first affordable family cars. Britains roads, largely free from potholes, are as smooth as billiard tables. But a decision that year by Neville Chamberlains government to abolish a ring fence on vehicle excise duty (VED) that dedicated its revenues to road maintenance would preface decades of decay and underfunding. Today there are said to be more potholes on British roads than craters on the surface of the Moon. Last year, drivers reported a record 1 million potholes across the country, according to comparison site Confused.com. The AA estimates the cost of fixing the damage can easily amount to 5,000. While Neville Chamberlain is more often remembered for his failure to prevent the outbreak of the Second World War, his impact on British transport is far from insignificant. Since the former prime minister left Number 10, the money generated from car tax no longer goes solely towards road improvements. Linking the proceeds of VED to a protected fund to rejuvenate our roads and highways has been suggested as one way to solve the UKs pothole epidemic. Edmund King, of the AA, believes VED should be used to create a national protected fund that can be used to pay for future road improvements. You need all the money to be ring fenced so it is spent on maintenance, he said. If you had a fund from VED that could only be spent on maintenance it would give you the long term funding and also allow you to invest more in the technology that is needed to repair the roads. Its a widely held view across the motoring industry that taxes on drivers which are set to become more profitable for the Treasury than those on smokers should be used to improve and maintain the roads. Hypothecated tax VED was formerly hypothecated, meaning all the proceeds of a tax are spent on one particular purpose. The money now goes straight into general taxation instead, with the biggest expense being the NHS. There are few governments in the Western world which still hypothecate their taxes. A common misconception is that the UKs National Insurance tax is ring fenced to fund the NHS and social care, with shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves recently appearing to make this error in a post on X. Martin Daunton, emeritus professor of Economic History at the University of Cambridge, said there are good reasons why the Government chooses to put all tax revenues in the same pot. He said: It goes back to Gladstone. One of the principles that he laid down, which the Treasury supported right through to today, was dont hypothecate. Their view was if you hypothecate there would be more money coming in than you could possibly spend and then you would spend it in wasteful ways. There might be other ways of doing it and having a proper capital budget. Rather than having a concern over debt to GDP ratio, say we ought to have a budget sheet for the Government which is assets against liabilities just like a private company would. I dont know if Rachel Reeves has gone down that road. That would be a better way of looking at it than hypothecation. Because of limited budgets of [local] authorities of all persuasion most of the money is going on social care so they cant repair the roads. The potholes result from a lack of past maintenance repairing the roads. The issue is more to do with the problem of running down capital spending. Its the same with your house, if you dont paint your windows every five years they are going to rot and therefore you end up with more expenditure, he added. Britains roads are just 15 years away from failure The bill for fixing the UKs potholes is estimated to be in excess of 16bn, according to a study by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), the industry body for highway maintenance. Just two years worth of VED revenues, currently forecast to net the Treasury 8.8bn between 2025 and 2026, would be more than enough to meet the cost. But the Government has continued to fund roads on an ad hoc basis. Rishi Sunak recently used the surplus budget from the scrapped northern leg of HS2 to direct 8bn into repairs to be delivered over the next decade. The money was hailed as a game changer by the AIA in October. Local authorities, which are responsible for maintaining almost all of the UKs roads, receive lump sums year-to-year from the Government to invest in local highways. Councils have been accused of failing to spend the cash wisely and instead favouring quick fixes for potholes that do not stand the test of time. Despite road repairs recently hitting an eight-year high, 17pc of roads were classed as poor in a survey last month by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA). The same research warned that the majority of roads were just 15 years away from failure. Most sealed-surface asphalt roads must be completely rebuilt every 30 to 35 years. Michael Enoch, professor of Transport Strategy at Loughborough University, said that dedicating tax to pay for road improvements was retrograde. He said: Potholes are the problem we have now but two years down the track we wont have this problem and maybe want more spending on buses. I think dedicating taxes to pay for pothole improvements is retrograde, I dont think it is the way forward. He added that implementing a national road pricing scheme for heavier bigger vehicles was one alternative. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The parents of a New Jersey girl allegedly molested by her female teacher and mentor are now suing - and released disturbing new details about the groping and grooming that allegedly occurred, including the teacher feeling her up in a school hallway The parents of a 14-year-old New Jersey girl reportedly molested by her female teacher and mentor are suing and have released disturbing new details on how the educator allegedly groomed their daughter with sex talk, then groped her breasts in a school hallway. The accusations have ripped the Marlboro, NJ, community apart, enraging some parents who claim the district and police mishandled the case and were slow to act. Jenna Sciabica, a special education language arts teacher, fondled the girl on March 13 in Marlboro Memorial Middle School, the family alleged in court papers filed May 1 in Monmouth County Superior Court. Jenna Sciabica, a special education language arts teacher at the center of the firestorm, fondled the girls breasts in a school hallway March 13, the family alleged in court papers. Linkedin Jenna Sciabica The accusations have ripped the Marlboro community apart, enraging parents who claim the district kept mum about the allegations while police mishandled the case. The pupil was walking to class when Sciabica just happened to be standing in the doorway of her own classroom and called the student over, the family claimed. The teen walked over to Sciabica, who then began fondling and rubbing the girls breast with one hand. She was poking, touching, massaging, and rubbing the breast, according to the court papers. The teacher then took the back of her hand and placed it on the girls forehead to imply [the girl] was getting hot. Sciabica then used both of her hands, and began rubbing poking, and inappropriately touching both of [the teens] breasts, the family alleged. As this was occurring, Jenna Sciabica had a gratifying smile on her face while [the teen] was frozen still, with her hands at her side completely frozen in shock, according to court papers. The girl then blocked Sciabicas hands, pulling them off her breasts, and ran down the hallway, where another teacher who witnessed the incident heard Sciabica yell for the girl to come back here I want to feel and touch them again. Sciabica is a predator, the alleged victims mother told the Marlboro Board of Education at its April 16 meeting, according to video seen by The Post. instagram @jenna0685 The assault was caught entirely on camera, according to the filing. Sciabica was already familiar with the girl because she had been tutoring her younger siblings, who have special needs, for more than a year, the family said in the complaint. The teacher also would routinely and openly engage in sexually explicit and flirtatious conversations with female students at the school in her classroom and in front of other teachers, the family contended. The 14-year-old Marlboro Memorial Middle School student was walking to her class when Sciabica just happened to be standing in the doorway of her own classroom and called the student over, the family contends. Another girl, who has not joined the lawsuit, claimed Sciabica repeatedly tried to get her phone number, the filing claims. That student alleged Sciabica would discuss other teachers and mens penis sizes and would openly talk about her own sex life to her 10-14 year old students, the complaint says. The second girl reported Sciabicas inappropriate conversations to the school guidance counselor, but nothing was done, the family charged. The suspended teacher was charged with one count of harassment on April 17, Marlboro police said. GOOGLE Sciabica is a predator, the alleged victims mother told the Marlboro Board of Education at its April 16 public meeting. The board, the mom alleged, failed to prevent the atrocity that happened down that hallway. A day after the meeting, and more than a month after the incident, Marlboro police charged the suspended teacher with one count of harassment a misdemeanor. In addition to Sciabica, the lawsuit filed this week names the school district, the school board and the Marlboro superintendent. It seeks unspecified damages. Additional defendants are accused of lying about the incident and the probe or making defamatory or libelous statements. We believe this lawsuit clearly is a baseless defamatory accusation which is nothing more than a money grab, Sciabicas attorney, Mitchell Ansell, told The Post. The woman who filed this frivolous lawsuit welcomed my client into her home and treated her like family for the past three years. She wanted my client to be actively involved in helping to raise her daughter. They treated my client as if they were her aunt. The attorney called the parents claims that Sciabica was sexually grooming their daughter absolutely outrageous. He added: My client has faithfully and professionally taught students for the better part of 15 years. She has an unblemished record and has received countless messages of support since these charges have been brought. We are confident that when all of the facts and relevant evidence are heard in a court of law, and not on social media, the truth will come out and my client will be completely exonerated. The attorney for the plaintiffs did not return messages. NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) With an active hurricane season looming, NOLA Ready volunteer coordinator Ariane Newman is hitting the streets of New Orleans seeking volunteers. With Hurricane Katrina etched in her memory, making sure people are there to help is a must. I wanted to do a day that was dedicated to preparations for hurricanes and different weather events catered to New Orleans. My whole life goal is dedicated to making sure Katrina doesnt happen again, said Newman. Man hit, killed by car while sleeping on sidewalk in French Quarter For her, more volunteers mean more voices, highlighting how preparation is key. She says a big part of preparation is the volunteers who spread the word to their community ahead of severe weather. Power outages, hurricanes, extreme weather. Which is to bring water, and make sure your phone is charged. Making sure you can survive off of food and have your medicine. Your community can just be the people on your block but just ask them what is your evacuation plan, said Newman. With volunteers being the heartbeat of the organization, the hope is to reach even more. We are so much more than just evacuations. If you care about the city of New Orleans and the people of New Orleans and you want to make sure we are doing our best at all times. NNOLA Ready is what you should do, said Newman. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO. Five years after it was filed, a federal lawsuit challenging North Carolinas voter identification law will begin on Monday. The NC The State of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NC NAACP), voting rights advocates, and their attorneys will head to the courthouse for what may be the final challenge of the states discriminatory voter ID law. READ PREVIOUS STORIES: Members of the NAACP argue the law was passed with discriminatory intent and was made to decrease the voting power of Black and brown voters. Attorneys for the group claim the law violates Section Two of the Voting Rights Act and both the 14th and 15th amendments. Our elected officials are using redistricting, gerrymandering, felony disenfranchisement, discriminatory photo voter ID, and other predatory election laws to restrict access to our democracy and try to cement their power, NC NAACP President Deborah Dicks Maxwell said. This case is one of our last remaining defenses against the onslaught of voter suppression tactics being levied against North Carolinians by extremist legislators. Civil rights and social justice organizations are providing witnesses to testify about the impact of this law on the communities they serve. The trial will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the US District Court Hiram H. Ward Federal Building in Winston-Salem. (WATCH BELOW: Families of SouthPark construction fire victims file wrongful death lawsuit) Children in Rafah city queue to receive a bowl of food for their families from charity organizations, in Rafah, southern Gaza on May 03 2024. - Doaa Albaz/Anadolu via Getty Images A top UN official has said that the north of Gaza has now tipped into full blown famine that is heading toward the south, as the war nears the seven month mark, Cindy McCain, the American director of the UN World Food Program, became the most prominent international official to say that famine has already hit the war-devastated Gaza strip. Since March the UN and aid organisations have been saying that famine is imminent in pockets of Gaza but have not yet formally made a declaration. Its horror, McCain told NBCs Meet the Press in an interview to air Sunday. There is famine full-blown famine in the north, and its moving its way south. McCain said that a ceasefire, as well as a greater flow of aid across land and sea routes, are desperately needed. In the north of the besieged strip civilians have been cut off from most aid supplies and driven into hiding by the intensity of the fighting. Acute malnutrition rates among children under five have surged from 1% before the war to 30% by March. Samantha Power, the director of the US Agency for International Development is the only other American official to have made the assessment that famine is already gripping Gaza. 04:59 PM BST Todays live blog is now closed Thats all for today, thanks for following along. As we close the blog here we are still waiting for word on whether Hamas has agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire deal. While all sides have briefed the press on seemingly positive developments backed by the CIA chief heading to Cairo today both Hamas and Israel have also signalled that they are unwilling to deviate from their core demands. Hamas wants an end to the war and a full Israreli withdrawal from Gaza, while Israel does not, determined to enter Rafah to dismantle the remaining Hamas battalions after any agreed truce. Israeli media is, however, reporting that senior officials are optimistic that the first phase may be agreed to (believed to be a limited ceasefire and hostage release for prisoner exchange). When the Mossad chief is sent to Cairo, we will know things are moving, one said. Here is a summary of the day: The Pentagon is reportedly shifting fighter jets and armed drones to Qatar as it shifts its Middle East assets after being told by the UAE in February that it can no longer use the Al Dhafra airbase in Abu Dhabi to launch airstrikes in the region. According to the Wall Street Journal, US commanders are now sending additional aircraft to the Al Udeid air base in Qatar. The director of the World Food Programme, Cindy McCain, warned yesterday that northern Gaza is now in full-blown famine after almost seven months of war. Its horror, McCain told NBCs Meet the Press in an interview to air Sunday. There is famine full-blown famine in the north, and its moving its way south. Armed groups in Gaza, including one with presumed Hamas links, last month robbed the Bank of Palestine of some $70 million, French newspaper Le Monde reported today. The funds were taken from the vaults of several branches of the bank, it said, citing a Bank of Palestine document sent to certain international partners detailing the robberies. A top Israeli official said Israel will send a delegation to Cairo for talks on a Gaza truce only if it sees a positive movement on a framework for a hostage deal. What we are looking at is an agreement over a framework for a possible hostage deal, the official told AFP on condition of anonymity. Tough and long negotiations are expected for an actual deal... The indication for positive movement over a framework would be if we send a delegation led by Mossad chief to Cairo, said the official. The United States has reportedly asked Qatar to expel the Hamas leadership from its soil if the group continues to reject a ceasefire deal. According to the Washington Post, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered the message to Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in April. Officials from Hamas and the CIA landed in Cairo today to resume ceasefire talks. Well-known British Palestinian surgeon, Dr Ghassan Abu Sittah, said he was denied entry to France on Saturday to speak at a French Senate meeting about the Israel-Hamas war. Authorities wouldnt give a reason for the decision. Dr. Sittah, who volunteered in Gaza hospitals, was placed in a holding zone in the Charles de Gaulle airport and will be expelled, according to French Sen. Raymonde Poncet Monge, who had invited him to speak at the Senate. 04:50 PM BST Pictured: A man carries belongings through the destruction of Beit Lahya, northern Gaza A Palestinian man carries belongings in Beit Lahya in the northern Gaza Strip on May 4, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the militant group Hamas. - AFP 04:46 PM BST Sweden boosts security for Eurovision ahead of major anti-Israel protests Sweden is tightening security ahead of hosting the Eurovision Song Contest, with police handed larger weapons and reinforcement officers brought in from Denmark and Norway. It comes amid warnings of large demonstrations planned in host-city Malmo to coincide with the event. Protestors say they will challenge Israels participation in the song contest amid its military offence in the Gaza Strip, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. Eden Golan, the Israeli contestant, has been told by Israels Shin Bet security service not to leave her hotel room due to security concerns. Read more from Harriet Barber here. 04:30 PM BST Five killed in the West Bank in latest raid on Tulkarem Israeli forces killed five Palestinians in an overnight raid in a village near the city of Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank, according to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa, which cited Palestinian security sources. The security sources and a Reuters reporter at the scene said that Israeli forces had taken some of the bodies following the raid in the village of Deir al-Ghusun. The Israeli military said it was conducting counterterrorism activities in the area. Saturdays operation near Tulkarm, a flashpoint city, was the latest in a series of clashes in the occupied West Bank between Israeli forces and Palestinians that has been escalating for more than two years but which has picked up in intensity since the Hamas-led attack on Israel last October. At least 460 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or Jewish settlers in the West Bank or East Jerusalem since Oct. 7, according to Palestinian Health Ministry records. Most have been armed fighters but stone-throwing youths and uninvolved civilians have also been killed. Israeli soldiers take cover behind a military bulldozer during an Israeli raid in Deir al-Ghusun, in the Israeli occupied West Bank, May 4, 2024. - REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta Israeli soldiers detain a man near a military vehicle during an Israeli raid in Deir al-Ghusun, in the Israeli occupied West Bank, May 4, 2024. - REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta 04:22 PM BST Despite positive moments on ceasefire deal, both sides are unchanged on how the war should - or shouldnt - end Taher Al-Nono, a Hamas official and advisor to Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, told Reuters that meetings with Egyptian and Qatari mediators had begun and Hamas was dealing with their proposals with full seriousness and responsibility. However, he reiterated the groups demand that any deal should include an Israeli pullout from Gaza and an end to the war, conditions that Israel has previously rejected. Any agreement to be reached must include our national demands; the complete and permanent ending of the aggression, the full and complete withdrawal of the occupation from Gaza Strip, the return of the displaced to their homes without restriction and a real prisoner swap deal, in addition to the reconstruction and ending the blockade, the Hamas official told Reuters. An Israeli official signalled its core position on this was also unchanged, saying Israel will under no circumstances agree to ending the war as part of a deal to free our hostages. 03:57 PM BST Demonstrations calling for hostage deal and elections begin across Israel pic.twitter.com/xpCzwdq8z9 (@lirishavit) May 4, 2024 03:51 PM BST Israeli shelling reported to hit mosque in Khan Younis Israeli forces have shelled a mosque in the town of Al-Fukhari, east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, according to Al Jazeera Arabic. Israeli shelling also hit the towns of al-Mughraqa and az-Zahra in central Gaza, according to the report. It is not immediately clear if there are any casualties. 03:50 PM BST US asks Qatar to kick out Hamas if ceasefire proposals continue to be rejected The United States has reportedly asked Qatar to expel the Hamas leadership from its soil if the group continues to reject a ceasefire deal. According to the Washington Post, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered the message to Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in April. Officials from Hamas and the CIA landed in Cairo today to resume ceasefire talks. One diplomat told the Post that Qatari officials have already warned Hamas officials, including its political chief Ismail Haniyeh, that they should have a backup plan for residency in case they need to leave. Other diplomats said that the Qatari officials had been expecting the US request to come for some time, but mounting frustrations over the stalled ceasefire negotiations have sharpened the expectations of the US. 02:55 PM BST In Rafah, children queue for hours to get water Palestinian children queue for water to help their family as Palestinians have to wait for hours in the water queues in front of the water dispensers in the city to meet their daily water needs in Rafah, Gaza on MAY 04, 2024. - Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images 02:51 PM BST UK sanctions Israeli extremist groups for violence against Palestinians Britain has sanctioned a loosely defined group of violent Right-wing extremists in a crackdown on settler violence in the West Bank. On Friday, the Foreign Office rolled out a second round of sanctions to address an unprecedented rise in Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank, where at least 800 incidents of violence have been reported since last October, obscured by the war in Gaza. The Israeli authorities must clamp down on those responsible. The UK will not hesitate to take further action if needed, including through further sanctions, Lord Cameron said in a statement, criticising extremist settlers for undermining security and threatening prospects for peace. Fridays sanctions targeted individuals responsible for perpetrating human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank and groups known to have supported, indicted and promoted violence against them. Read more from Nataliya Vasilyeva here. 02:39 PM BST Israeli journalists report early indications that first stage of a deal will go ahead Senior Israeli officials say there are early indications that Hamas will agree to carry out the first phase of the deal the humanitarian release of hostages without an official commitment from Israel to end the war https://t.co/PKxnzCgjeZ Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) May 4, 2024 02:36 PM BST Hamas response not yet received, Gantz says Israeli minister Benny Gantz said that Hamas has not yet given an official answer to the Egyptian proposal for a hostage deal, and if Hamas accepts it, the war cabinet will meet to discuss the matter. An answer to the outline of the deal has not yet been received. When it is received, the war cabinet will convene and discuss it. Until then, I suggest to all political elements and all decision-makers to wait for official updates, behave calmly, and not go into hysteria for political reasons, he said in a statement. 01:57 PM BST Israel official says delegation not yet in Cairo for Gaza talks A top Israeli official said Israel will send a delegation to Cairo for talks on a Gaza truce only if it sees a positive movement on a framework for a hostage deal. What we are looking at is an agreement over a framework for a possible hostage deal, the official told AFP on condition of anonymity. Tough and long negotiations are expected for an actual deal. The indication for positive movement over a framework would be if we send a delegation led by Mossad chief to Cairo, said the official. Mediators from Qatar, Egypt and the United States have been waiting for Hamas to respond to a proposal that, according to details released by the UK, would halt fighting for 40 days and exchange hostages for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. 01:24 PM BST A very cautious optimism hangs over Gaza ceasefire deal as all sides signal progress With Hamas negotiators back in Cairo, as well as the return of the CIA chief, a cautious optimism is hanging over the ceasefire talks for the first time in months. The results today will be different. We have reached an agreement over many points, and a few point remain, one Egyptian security source told Reuters. A Palestinian official with knowledge of the mediation efforts sounded cautious optimism. Things look better this time but whether an agreement is on hand would depend on whether Israel has offered what it takes for that to happen, the official, who asked not to be named, told Reuters. The main stumbling block that has persisted so far has been Hamas demand for a complete end to the war and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops, while Israel insists it will return to its offensive to dismantle Hamas after any truce. Israel will under no circumstances agree to ending the war as part of a deal to free our hostages, an Israeli official said on Saturday, signalling this core position was unchanged. Israel has given a preliminary nod to terms which one source told Reuters included the return of between 20 and 33 hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and a weeks-long suspension of fighting. Various Arab newspapers this morning signalled that Hamas would agree to the first phase of the agreement, but it is not clear if only agreeing to one part is on the table. 12:34 PM BST If the US tells Israel enough is enough the war will end: Hamas Continuing on Al Jazeera, senior Hamas spokesperson Osama Hamdan has said that there have been some forward steps during the past three months of negotiations. I think the mediators, our brothers in Egypt and Qatar, they are doing a good job. This is why we are still hoping to achieve the main goal, a complete ceasefire and withdrawal from Gaza, he said. Hamdan stressed though that they believe the war could end immediately if the US decides. We have to talk about the real position of the United States because that is the main issue which will affect the position of the Israelis, and mainly Netanyahu, Hamdan told Al Jazeera. If the United States administration has said clearly to Netanyahu, enough is enough I assure you that will happen. 12:27 PM BST Dublins Trinity College campus barricaded in pro-Palestinian student protest Student activists described the protest, which began Friday, as a solidarity encampment with Palestine, echoing similar protests on US campuses. Laszlo Molnarfi, president of the institutions student union, told Irish public broadcaster RTE that the students demand the university sever any relationships it has with Israel. No business as usual during a genocide, he posted on X, demanding Trinity cut ties with Israel. The camp was set up late on Friday after Trinity College's students' union said it had been fined 214,000 euros (183,000) by the university for financial losses incurred due to protests in recent months not exclusively regarding the war in Gaza. - X Students at Trinity College Dublin protesting Israel's war in Gaza have built an encampment that forced the university to restrict campus access on Saturday and close the Book of Kells exhibition, one of Ireland's top tourist attractions. - X Students at Trinity College Dublin protesting Israel's war in Gaza have built an encampment that forced the university to restrict campus access on Saturday and close the Book of Kells exhibition, one of Ireland's top tourist attractions. - X 12:14 PM BST Rafah is a key element of ceasefire talks, Hamas says Speaking on Al Jazeera, senior Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan has said that one of the key elements being discussed today will be Netanyahus declaration that he will start an offensive on Rafah with or without a deal. Unfortunately, there was a clear statement from Netanyahu saying that regardless to what may happen, if there was a ceasefire or not, he will continue the attack, he said. That means there will be no ceasefire, and that means that the attack will be continued, which is against what we are discussing. At least we want to know exactly what does it mean, his statement, and the reaction from the mediators. Our understanding that any achievement for a ceasefire means that there will be no more attacks against Gaza and Rafah, he added. The main issue, Hamdan said, is an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Its clear that we are moving forward. There are some good points, he told Al Jazeera. But until now, we are still talking about the main issue, which is the complete ceasefire and complete withdrawal from Gaza. We hope to find some good and positive answers today. 11:54 AM BST Pictured: An overnight raid in the West Bank continues into today The Israeli army has been operating in the Tulkarem area of the West Bank overnight and into today and seem to be surrounding one particular house. According to Al Jazeera reporters on the ground, there was a build-up of Israeli military vehicles and soldiers around Tulkarem around midnight and the village of Deir al Ghusun has been under siege since. Women and children were reported to be inside the two-storey building as well as Hamas fighters. Wafa, a Palestinian news agency, said that an IDF bulldozer recovered a dead body from the house. The Times of Israel reported that the IDF is using the pressure cooker tactic, which involves escalating the volume of fire to try and force the suspects out of the house. The raid is targeting wanted gunmen, according to the report. Several gunmen have been killed it added, as well as part of the building demolished by armoured bulldozers, shoulder-launched missiles fired at the house and a warning strike carried out by a Hermes 450 drone. An Israeli army bulldozer operates amid the rubble of a demolished building during a raid in the occupied West Bank town of Deir al-Ghusun near Tulkarem on May 4, 2024. - JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images Smoke rises following an explosion during an Israeli military raid in the town of Deir al-Ghusun, near the West Bank town of Tulkarem, Saturday, May 4, 2024. - AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed 11:37 AM BST Armed groups in Gaza rob Bank of Palestine branches: report Armed groups in Gaza, including one with presumed Hamas links, last month robbed the Bank of Palestine of some $70 million, French newspaper Le Monde reported today. The funds were taken from the vaults of several branches of the bank, it said, citing a Bank of Palestine document sent to certain international partners detailing the robberies. On April 16, staff discovered a hole in the ceiling of the safe deposit room at one of the banks Gaza branches and found that some $3 million worth of Israeli shekels destined for cash dispensers were missing, Le Monde reported. The next day, armed groups equipped with explosives returned to the site, blew up a cement protection chamber, and took more than $30 million in various currencies from three safes. Two days later, the biggest Gaza branch was attacked by commandos who said they answered to Gazas highest authorities, which the paper said is understood to mean Hamas. They took more than $36 million worth of shekels. The Bank of Palestine, founded in 1960, is Gazas leading financial institution. The Palestinian Monetary Authority, an independent body that oversees the financial system in Palestinian territories, said when contacted by AFP that it was planning to issue a statement about the issue later Saturday. 11:34 AM BST Gaza death toll rises with 32 more deaths in last 24 hours reported The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Saturday that at least 34,654 people have been killed in the Palestinian territory during almost seven months of war between Israel and Hamas. The tally includes at least 32 deaths in the past 24 hours, a ministry statement said, adding that 77,908 people have been wounded in the Gaza Strip since the war broke out. The figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants. The numbers are believed to be an undercount with thousands still buried under the rubble. 10:41 AM BST Israel reported to have not seen agreements over US guarantees of IDF withdrawal from Gaza Israels Kan broadcaster has quoted an unnamed Israeli source who they say is close to the talks as saying that Israel has yet to see the agreement mentioned in media reports this morning suggesting the US has guaranteed Hamas an Israeli withdrawal. Israels Channel 12 cited an unnamed Hamas source as saying that the group will shortly announce an acceptance of the first stage of the deal following US guarantees that Israel will withdraw from Gaza after 124 days, when all three phases of the agreement have been completed. The US guarantee was reportedly passed along via Egyptian and Qatari mediators at an eleventh hour meeting last night, which was also reported by Saudi newspaper Al Sharq. 10:33 AM BST Pictured: Medics evacuate wounded children to Rafah Palestinian medics evacuate wounded children in Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip by ambulance to the Hospital in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, early Saturday, May 4, 2024. - AP Photo/Ismael Abu Dayyah 10:27 AM BST Top UN official warns northern Gaza now in full-blown famine The director of the World Food Programme, Cindy McCain, warned yesterday that northern Gaza is now in full-blown famine after almost seven months of war. Its horror, McCain told NBCs Meet the Press in an interview to air Sunday. There is famine full-blown famine in the north, and its moving its way south. She said a ceasefire and a greatly increased flow of aid through land and sea routes was essential to confronting the growing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. McCain is now the most prominent international official to declare that civilians trapped in the most cut-off part of Gaza have been pushed over the brink into famine. 10:21 AM BST Israel has not presented a plan to avoid mass civilian casualties in Rafah offensive, US says Israel has still not presented a plan to protect civilians in the face of a Rafah invasion, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. Absent such a plan, we cant support a major military operation going into Rafah because the damage it would do is beyond whats acceptable. The White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre also yesterday said that the US has not seen a comprehensive plan on Israels thinking for a potential military operation in Rafah. The World Health Organisation warned that if Israel does launch an offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, it would be a bloodbath. WHO is deeply concerned that a full-scale military operation in Rafah, Gaza, could lead to a bloodbath, and further weaken an already broken health system, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus posted on X. In a statement, the WHO said a Rafah incursion would substantially increase mortality and morbidity. A new wave of displacement would exacerbate overcrowding, further limiting access to food, water, health and sanitation services, leading to increased disease outbreaks, worsening levels of hunger, and additional loss of lives. The broken health system would not be able to cope with a surge in casualties and deaths that a Rafah incursion would cause. 10:14 AM BST British-Palestinian surgeon who spent 43 days in Gaza hospitals denied entry to Europe I am at Charles De Gaule airport. O was supposed to speak in tge French parliament. They are preventing me from entering France. They say the Germans put a 1 year ban on my entry to Europe Ghassan Abu Sitta (@GhassanAbuSitt1) May 4, 2024 Dr Ghassan Abu Sittah was also barred from entering Germany three weeks ago, where he was due to speak at a conference about the challenges faced by medics in Gaza. 10:10 AM BST Hamas arrives in Cairo A Hamas delegation arrived Saturday in Egypt for the latest round of talks on a proposed truce and hostage release in Gaza, Egyptian state-linked media Al-Qahera News reported. Al-Qahera News, linked to Egyptian intelligence services, quoted an unnamed high-ranking source as saying that there is significant progress in the negotiations between the Palestinian militant group and Israel, and that the Egyptian mediators have reached an agreed-upon formula on most points of contention. 10:09 AM BST US reportedly shifts assets in the Middle East as the Gulf fears entanglement in regional conflict The Pentagon is reportedly shifting fighter jets and armed drones to Qatar as it shifts its Middle East assets after being told by the UAE in February that it can no longer use the Al Dhafra airbase in Abu Dhabi to launch airstrikes in the region. According to the Wall Street Journal, US commanders are now sending additional aircraft to the Al Udeid air base in Qatar. The US has bases across the Middle East that it uses to carry out strikes on Iraq, Syria and Yemen but over recent months relations have frayed as regional powers fear being dragged into the regional conflict. US officials told WSJ that the UAE has grown increasingly concerned that it could be targeted by Iranian proxy forces in the region if it is seen to be militarily supporting the US. 09:55 AM BST Good morning Hello and welcome to The Telegraphs live blog of the war in the Middle East. Follow along as we bring you all of the latest updates as Hamas and CIA officials ready to meet Egyptian mediators in Cairo today as ceasefire talks resume. First up this morning: Hamas only thing standing in way of ceasefire deal Hamas is the only thing standing in the way of a ceasefire, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said overnight as a delegation of the Palestinian militants this morning were due to arrive in Cairo to resume talks. Reports suggest that a deal could be agreed in the coming hours amid a flurry of diplomatic activity. We wait to see whether, in effect, they can take yes for an answer on the ceasefire and release of hostages, Blinken said late Friday at the McCain Institutes Sedona Forum in Arizona. The reality in this moment is the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire is Hamas. Taking the ceasefire should be a no-brainer, he added, but said the ultimate decision-makers are members of the group in Gaza, with whom mediators have no direct contact. Hamas and CIA officials will meet Egyptian mediators on Saturday, as foreign negotiators await a response from Hamas on the latest proposal to halt fighting for 40 days and exchange hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Israels Channel 12 cited an unnamed Hamas source as saying that the group will shortly announce an acceptance of the first stage of the deal following US guarantees that Israel will withdraw from Gaza after 124 days, when all three phases of the agreement have been completed. The supposed US guarantee was reportedly passed along via Egyptian and Qatari mediators at an eleventh hour meeting last night, which was also reported by Saudi newspaper Al Sharq. The negotiations are reported to have been stalled recently over Hamas demand that the Israeli army withdraw completely from Gaza at the end of what Israel wants to be only a temporary pause in fighting, so that it can battle the remaining Hamas battalions in Rafah. The World Health Organisation warned last night that if Israel does launch an offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which has been widely feared by the US and other allies, it would be a bloodbath. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Northwest Florida first responders recognized for their efforts in combatting forest wildfire ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) The first responders who helped extinguish the Sommerville Court forest wildfire that destroyed one home and damaged 15 others in April were recognized for their efforts. 2 women accused of stealing over $5,000 in products from Fairhope Publix stores Escambia County Fire Rescue, NAS Pensacola, the City of Pensacola, the Florida Forest Service, the Summerdale Fire Department, and the Perdido Beach Volunteer Fire Department responded to the April 4 fire, according to a release. According to previous reporting, the firefighters worked to save about 200 homes as the fire spread and threatened several neighborhoods. Aside from firefighters, the release notes that other organizations including Escambia County Sheriffs Office, Escambia County Animal Control, Escambia County Area Transit, Liberty Church on Blue Angel Parkway, and the American Red Cross helped in various aspects. Escambia County Sheriffs Department provided traffic control and assisted with the evacuation order due to the closure of several nearby roads. Escambia County Animal Control responded to assist homeowners and firefighters with the removal of pets from the evacuation area. Escambia County Area Transit responded with two buses to transport evacuees to Liberty Church on Blue Angel Parkway which opened as a temporary shelter. The American Red Cross was deployed to Liberty Church with six volunteers to help console the evacuees and assisted one family that was displaced by the fire. UPDATE: Person dies after missing turn, driving into water, says Orange Beach Police The first responders involved were recognized by the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners on Thursday, May 2. First responders were recognized for their efforts in combatting the Sommerville Court Fire. (Escambia County) The Somerville Court wildfire was a shining example of our dedicated first responders from various departments coming together for one mission: to protect the citizens of Escambia County, District 2 Commissioner Mike Kohler said. As the fire grew rapidly, our first responders worked tirelessly to evacuate the affected neighborhoods while extinguishing the fire. Mobile man arrested after making threats and exposing himself, police say He added, I commend our firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency management personnel, and our volunteers for their efforts during that day, and Im so thankful no one was harmed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The Nevada Supreme Court ordered Clark County District Court Judge Jerry Wiese to remove Judge Erika Ballou from a criminal case on Friday. Ballou did not follow two previous orders from Nevadas high court regarding the same case. The May 3rd order pointed to the district courts failure to comply. The controversy involves a criminal case against Mia Christman who was part of a violent crime spree at the age of 18. She pleaded guilty to two felony charges and was sentenced to a minimum of ten years in prison. In an appeal, Christmans attorney, Betsy Allen argued that Christman was the victim of sex trafficking and childhood trauma. Ballou vacated the sentence in 2021 resulting in Christmans release from prison before she finished serving the original term. It felt like somebody took a chance on me, Christman told the 8 News Now Investigators. The Clark County District Attorneys office continued to fight for Christman to serve the remainder of her sentence and argued that Christman was manipulating the system again. Christman failed to cooperate and disappeared twice before her guilty plea, according to prosecutors. The Nevada Supreme Court reversed Ballous order in 2022. Ballou did not send Christman back to prison. The Nevada Supreme Court issued an order again in 2023. Ballou still did not send Christman back to prison. Allen and Christman went to the pardons board in March which denied their request. Nevada Supreme Court Justice Douglas Herndon expressed frustration. This is kind of turning our pardons process on its head, Herndon said. The walls are closing in on the District Court that is shockingly refusing to do its job. The Clark County District Attorneys office filed a motion for recusal. A judge should not take action on a case after that filing, according to Nevada state law. Ballou still took action on the case, court records show. The May 3rd order marks the third order for Ballou in Christmans case. District Attorney Steve Wolfson filed a complaint with the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline on April 30 accusing Ballou of five violations. Judge Ballou failed to perform all duties of judicial office fairly and impartially when she repeatedly acted in favor of Christman and against the state, Wolfson wrote. Judge Ballous bias has caused her to ignore the Nevada Supreme Court for nearly two years and impaired the fairness of these proceedings. While out of custody, Christman said she has stayed out of trouble and also had a baby which may go into the child welfare system if she has to go back to prison. As of Friday afternoon, there was no surrender date for Christman on record. The 8 News Now Investigators reached out to Wiese regarding the order. He was unavailable for comment, according to his judicial executive assistant. The 8 News Now Investigators also reached out to Ballou for comment and did not receive a response. Allen sent the following statement: Ms. Christman regrets the Supreme Courts removal of Judge Ballou after granting the motion to modify her sentence, but she trusts the new judge assigned will do the right thing and credit her for the six years in prison she already served. Ballou already faces ethics charges for several separate incidents including a photo of Ballou in a hot tub with two public defenders. Ballou served as a public defender for over 15 years before being sworn into the bench in 2021. Her current term ends in 2027. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. NY teacher charged with sex abuse of mentally ill student jailed: Danger to the community composite image of Sandy Carazas-Pinez, on the left carazas-pinez in a black sleeveless top, on the right carazas-pinez in a light blue dress A federal judge threw a teacher accused of sexually abusing a mentally ill student behind bars after finding she violated strict bail conditions and poses a real danger to the community. Sandy Carazas-Pinez, 34, a former NYC public school teacher, is charged with engaging in multiple sexual acts in her car with a 16-year-old boy one of her students at a city-funded Yonkers school for kids with special needs and producing child porn. It is one of the most horrific cases of sexual abuse by a New York educator in recent history. Brooklyn federal judge John Cronan revoked Carazas-Pinez bail after finding she repeatedly breached conditions of her home confinement. Her own lawyer called Carazas-Pinez contact with a former student troubling. FaceBook Sandy Carazas-Pinez She was arrested in July and released on bail, but forbidden to have unsupervised contact with any child under the age of 18. The married mother of three later emailed another former student a day after he turned 18 to wish him happy birthday. While technically not a violation, it seems to fly in the face of the spirit of the conditions, Cronan said in a hearing, a transcript shows. Prosecutors said it fit the teachers pattern of grooming a student for sex. Her own lawyer called the behavior troubling. Calling her a real danger to the community, the judge warned Carazas-Pinez to comply with the rules or hed lock her up. Last month, he learned of multiple violations cited by pre-trial supervisors, including stops at a mall and Applebees restaurant while on strictly limited outings. She obtained permission to pick up a paycheck and cash it. Instead, she went to a restaurant and bar on Staten Island, then to a wooded area, GPS tracking showed. She admitted using the check-cashing request as a pretense after a dispute in her parents home, where she was staying after her husband kicked her out. In other words, she lied, the judge concluded. The married mother of three later emailed another former student a day after he turned 18 to wish him happy birthday. FaceBook Sandy Carazas-Pinez Carazas-Pinez was sent to the federal Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on April 15. The victims mother, whose name is being withheld by The Post to protect his privacy, is relieved. Shes a very disturbed individual, and Im glad she no longer has access to children especially mine, she said. Carazas-Pinez taught at the Biondi School, which the mentally disabled 16-year-old attended at the city DOEs expense. It is run by the nonprofit Rising Ground, which fired her in March 2023 after seeing the teacher with the student in her car. Previously, Carazas-Pinez taught at PS/MS 007 in Harlem, and PS/IS 218 in The Bronx. A New York City Council Member called to slay student demonstrators after hundreds were arrested in the city while protesting the ongoing war in Gaza. Vickie Paladino, an elected official representing part of Queens, wrote on X on Friday: The NYPD confirms that 99% of arrests at NYU were indeed students, not outside agitators. The sad reality is that our schools are producing monsters, and its now our job to slay them. Simple as that, she continued. And the schools and faculty who sit at the top of this chaos must be razed along with them. The NYPD confirms that 99% of arrests at NYU were indeed students, not outside agitators. The sad reality is that our schools are producing monsters, and its now our job to slay them. Simple as that. And the schools and faculty who sit at the top of this chaos must be razed pic.twitter.com/iIYNzOlAB9 Councilwoman Vickie Paladino (@VickieforNYC) May 3, 2024 Ms Paladinos call for violence came after police broke up the largely peaceful student protests at numerous campuses across New York City this week. The spotlight has mostly focused on the protests at Columbia, where Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD police officials have pushed claims that outside agitators have radicalized students. Columbia faculty members have rejected these assertions from Mr Adams and the police, and many professors have recently expressed support for the student protestors. Ms Paladino continued, Theyre not interested in solutions, as their literature makes crystal clear. Its going to be messy, but its also going to be worth it. Theyre leaving us with no choice though. The city council member seemed to be referring to another dubious claim made by police. NYPDs Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry said on Newsmax that authorities recovered a book on terrorism at a Columbia academic building, which he showed the camera. In reality, he was displaying a textbook written by an esteemed British historian. (Mr Daughtrys claim has since sparked online outrage and ridicule.) Ms Paladinos disturbing post prompted some X users to call for her resignation. The Independent has reached out to the New York City Council for comment on Ms Paladinos remarks. The city council member has made her views clear about the protesters. In a separate post, at 2am on Saturday, Ms Paladino responded to a video posted on X about delays on the subway due to pro-Palestinian protesters who were having a rally in the railcars. The city council member replied to the video: The worst people our society has ever produced. Her comments come as protests against the war have erupted at universities in New York and across the country. Most demonstrators are calling for their colleges to divest from Israel as the country continues to wage war in Gaza. Hundreds in New York City alone have been arrested as university presidents have asked the NYPD for help dismantling encampments. More than 34,000 Palestinians are estimated to have been killed by Israels offensive, which came after October 7, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking another 250 people hostage. A Brooklyn woman suffered a broken jaw when a stranger randomly punched her while she was walking down the street Good riddance. The turn-em-loose judge who released an alleged predator who randomly sucker-punches people left the bench Friday just days after the bizarre ruling and is moving to Florida. Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew Sciarrino retired with more than a year-and-a-half left on his mayoral appointment, two days after setting free the deranged suspect accused of socking Dulche Pichardo of Crown Heights in the face and breaking the 57-year-old mother-of-threes jaw. Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew Sciarrino retired with more than a year-and-a-half left on his mayoral appointment. J.C. Rice Prosecutors on Wednesday upgraded the charges against Franz Jeudy, 33, in the unprovoked March attack to bail-eligible second-degree assault and requested $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond. However, the veteran Republican judge rejected the request. Sciarrino also faced heat last year after he ignored a prosecutors request to keep a career criminal in jail and, instead, granted bail in an attempted murder case. The suspect, Ousmane Diallo, then allegedly wounded two people in a shooting after being freed on $500,000 bond, according to authorities. Pichardos son Raul Gomez told The Post Sciarrino cant flee to Florida fast enough. Good riddance, honestly, he said. Hopefully the next judge will be wiser and less ridiculous in his decisions. . . . Hopefully they appoint better judges, although Im skeptical that will happen. The turn-em-loose judge who released an alleged predator who randomly punches people left the bench Friday just days after the bizarre ruling and is headed for Florida. I think [Sciarrino] made a great decision to retire, Gomez added. He should be out of law. People like him have no business being in Brooklyn court its absurd he got into such a high position. The 24-year-old bartender also ripped the states soft-on-crime bail laws, adding his mom is in shock that Jeudy is free. Shes very upset because she thinks that theres a possibility that he could do it again, especially given that hes been doing it so many times, said Gomez. Prosecutors on Wednesday upgraded the charges against Franz Jeudy, 33, in the unprovoked March attack to bail-eligible, second-degree assault and requested $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond. Jeudy was arrested for two other random punches one on a law enforcement officer in 2018 and the other on a security guard in 2019, sources said. He was charged with misdemeanor assault in both cases. The charges were later dismissed because Jeudy, who has an apparent history of schizophrenia, was found unfit to stand trial, prosecutors said. Sciarrinos retirement and exodus south had been planned for months, according to friends and neighbors. A For Sale sign hangs on the front lawn of the jurists high-ranch home in the Rossville section of Staten Island. A court spokesperson said he filed his retirement papers in January and insisted has nothing to do with the bail decision in this case. Sciarrino on Friday said he followed state law when releasing Jeudy, telling The Post, you cant set bail on someone who is a not flight risk. He also described his nearly two-decade career behind the bench as wonderful and insisted the retirement decision had nothing do with past controversial rulings. Councilman Robert Holden, a moderate Queens Democrat who backs tougher bail laws, said hes happy Sciarrino is leaving New York. Good riddance to this soft-on-crime judge! he said. We need judges with the backbone to put bad guys behind bars, not ones that let out the entire world and then flee to Florida, where the laws are tougher. Oak Lawn man accused of attempting to meet minor for sex Oak Lawn man accused of attempting to meet minor for sex OAK LAWN, Ill. A 59-year-old Oak Lawn man is accused of attempting to meet a minor for sex, the Cook County Sheriffs Office announced Friday. Francisco Nanez faces multiple felonies after authorities allege he intended to meet an undercover investigator he believed was a minor for sex. Nanez allegedly sent sexually explicit messages and requested nude photos from the child, deputies said. SEE ALSO: Tinley Park man accused of child porn possession The investigation stemmed from operatives assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit learning that an underage victim was allegedly receiving explicit messages from Nanez. According to authorities, Nanez implied he wanted to meet the investigator posing as a minor for sex. He allegedly arranged a meeting for Wednesday morning outside a convenience store in Berwyn. Nanex was taken into custody, however, without incident. One day later, Nanez was officially charged with child pornography and the solicitation of a child under the age of 13, attempted criminal sexual assault of a child under the age of 12, indecent solicitation of a minor, traveling to meet a child, grooming and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Nanez will remain in Cook County Jail until his court appearance on May 30. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. The Odd, Self-Aggrandizing Sizzle Reel the NYPD Made This Week Kind of Says It All Police swarmed university campuses this week, arresting more than 2,300 students who were involved in protests over U.S. involvement in Israels war in Gaza. But as far as we can tell, only one police unit released a 4-minute-and-30-second cinematic ode to their own heroic efforts. That would be the New York Police Department, which capitalized on its messy interventions at Columbia University and City College to capture source material for a weird video gamelooking sizzle reel that they posted on May 1, one day after the raids. the NYPD just posted a highly edited propaganda video, complete with an over-the-top dramatic cinematic score, about their raid on Columbia last night it has to be seen to be believed pic.twitter.com/n1emegDvVY Matt Binder (@MattBinder) May 1, 2024 Billed as an inside look into how the force restored order at the two educational institutions, the video opens with a montage of officers gathered in a conference room, watching a video monitor of a protester standing on the rooftop of Columbia Universitys Hamilton Hall. This on-campus building is where student protestors barricaded themselves last week in an echo of the Columbia students who occupied the same space in protest in 1968. (Those strikes were about racism and the Vietnam War; a later 1985 strike that included an occupation of Hamilton Hall was about getting the school to divest from South Africa over apartheid.) A dramatic musical scorelike something out of a Marvel movieplays loudly over clips of officers entering the windows of the garrisoned building, climbing on their laddered megatruck, and breaking the locks to the doors. One officer finds himself standingdramatically!in a room with a bunch of sleeping bags on the floor. Other shots show piles of snack wrappers from where protestors were stationed, and piles of chairs that had been used to obstruct doors. Toward the end of the video, Chief of Patrol John Chell praises the police force as they stand by rows of empty tents on the quad, saying the sweep was just a remarkable plan and execution by the NYPD. Deputy Commissioner Tarik Sheppard, who is standing beside Chell, delivers an emphatic message to the camera: This is not a tent city. This is New York City. He gestures to the former encampment, and adds: If youre thinking of doing something like this, take a look around. See how fast we cleared it out. Another official says the tent area is smelly. No student should have to endure this, he says, incredibly seriously. Politically, one can understand why this is an attractive narrative. It obscures the far bleaker reality: President of Columbia University Minouche Shafik called NYPD officials to clear out the protesters from her own (private) campus, maintaining that the intervention of law enforcement at the school was necessary to counter outside agitatorsalleged bad actors hijacking the movement from the poor students. That students were under some sort of sinister outside influence remains completely unproven. What has become clear is that the police accidentally discharged a firearm in Hamilton Halland they definitely left that out of the video! At City College, the same night, police roughed up peaceful protestersshoved, kettled, chased, and pepper-sprayed themand then proceeded to pursue stiffer legal penalties for those public-school protesters than their private-school counterparts. Between the raids of Columbia and City College of New York, there were approximately 300 arrests, including of professors, community members, and unaffiliated protesters. That there were other people besides students protesting is real. Its not unusual for nationalized coverage of a protest to attract more protesters. But police officials and campus leadership have dug in on blaming anonymous third-party actors because it offers them a clear deflection from the material demands of the students. The morning after the raids, for example, Sheppard went on MSNBCs Morning Joe to make that argument and brought a propa bike lock, multiple of which were reportedly used by protestors to seal Hamilton Hall. Sheppard claimed the lock was a much more serious tool than students could use, one that had been clearly brought in by outside professionals. This is not what students bring to school, Sheppard said. These are heavy industrial chains. The nefarious lock, common among New York City cyclists, is so ubiquitous that it has even been offered at the Columbia University store. Deputy Commissioner Tarik Sheppard shows the chains used to secure Hamilton Hall at Columbia University. "This is not what students bring to school. This is what professionals bring to campuses and universities." pic.twitter.com/fwFUPZlIj7 Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) May 1, 2024 New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a former police officer, went a step further in a recent press conference, telling reporters that the demonstrations were a global problem while warning of some mind-altering conspiracy: Young people are being influenced by those who are professional at radicalizing our children. The release of the NYPD video montage was the cherry on top in terms of PR moves. Because the tragedies of Kent State and Jackson State are not so distant in American history, the police sort of have to make the enemy look far more dangerous than angry crowds of students. To that point, Adams lamented that a Palestinian flag had been raised by some of the protesters at City College, saying, Its despicable that schools would allow another countrys flag to fly in our country. After protestors were evacuated, NYPD officials filmed themselves raising an American one in some bizarre WWIIstyle cosplay. Strangely, that one didnt make the video-montage cut. They must be saving that energy for their sequels, which include a recent spinoff where the NYPD looks for the mastermind behind stacks of water at the NYU encampment. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) The Pasco Sheriffs Office has located a missing man last seen on May 2. The sheriffs office said Cody Gray, 33, was last seen around 7 a.m. on Thursday near Forest Hills Dr. in Holiday. He was reported safe by PCSO on Sunday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Ohio child life-flighted after being struck by car while getting off school bus Ohio child life-flighted after being struck by car while getting off school bus MADISON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WCMH) A child was hit by a car shortly after exiting a school bus then was life-flighted to Nationwide Childrens Hospital on Friday afternoon. A child was getting off a school bus on U.S. Route 62 North between Harrison Road and Post Road when a 2020 Dodge Ram driving southbound struck two stationary cars from behind, according to the Fayette County Sheriffs Office. Multi-million dollar bond for Ohio man charged in lethal Benadryl murder of 3-year-old The middle car hit by the truck, a 2010 Ford Fusion, then hit a 2013 Honda Civic. After bouncing off the Civic, the Fusion continued traveling across the yellow line into the northbound lane, off the east side of the road, then hitting the 12-year-old child. The child was thrown through the air and landed in a yard while the Fusion continued along a ditch on the side of the road, stopping at the back of the school bus. The child was flown to Nationwide Childrens Hospital in an unknown condition. Their condition has not been released by the sheriffs office as of Saturday evening. The driver of the Fusion, a 21-year-old man, was taken to Adena Fayette Emergency Room. The driver of the Civic, a 43-year-old man, and the driver of the pickup, a 28-year-old man, were treated at the scene. The driver of the pickup was issued a summons for failing to maintain an assured clear distance ahead, with an initial court appearance set for Washington Municipal Court. Police do not believe that alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash. The school bus itself was not hit in the crash. An investigation into the incident continues. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Harold Dean Lilly was booked into Butler County Jail, and the puppy now named Ryder is in the care of a local humane society Animal Friends Humane Society/Facebook; Butler County Sheriff's Office Ryder the puppy, Harold Dean Lilly An Ohio man has been arrested on animal cruelty charges after a puppy was found "tied up" in a drawstring bag at a local park in April. Harold Dean Lilly of Middletown was charged with second-degree misdemeanors cruelty to a companion animal and abandoning animals on Friday, May 3, per a Facebook post from the Butler County Sheriffs Office. His arrest comes more than a week after a puppy was found "tied up in a bag and abandoned" on April 24 at 700 Joe Nuxhall Boulevard in Hamilton, the office said in the post. The Butler County dog wardens then took the dog to the local Animal Friends Humane Society, which updated its Facebook followers about the pup's plight soon after he was discovered. As the organization shared, the 2- to 3-month-old dog was located in a "closed drawstring bag" in a Hamilton park, and they have since begun referring to the animal as Ryder. credit: Animal Friends Humane Society/Facebook Ryder, the puppy who was found abandoned in an Ohio park "Yesterday on intake, he was not acting like a normal puppy. He was lethargic and weak. While we accounted for his traumatic experience, we also had to rule out sicknesses. He tested negative for parvo and was vaccinated and dewormed. We then let him rest and regain his strength and stability, under the watchful eye of our medical team," Animal Friends wrote of Ryder on Facebook. "Today, Ryder was alert, curious and ready to eat! We appreciate everyones support for the little guy already and we hope to update with every step of Ryders journey," the organization continued. After the puppy was discovered in L.J. Smith Park last month, Sheriff Richard K. Jones went live on Facebook with dog warden Elizabeth Burkett and they revealed that the bag Ryder was found in was "drawn tight" so that the puppy would "not get out of the sack." "I assume somebody put it out there to die and be done with the dog," Jones said. Burkett added that she was dispatched to the park after an employee there said she "had a very hard time" untying the dog. "When I arrived on scene the dog looked very defeated, overall seems healthy by appearance, just seems very defeated right now," she recalled. Butler County Sheriff's Office Harold Dean Lilly On April 27, Animal Friends noted that Ryder was "improving every day" and had been "up moving around his cage, wiggling his little butt and crying for attention" since being found days earlier. "We have received A LOT of interest in lil Ryder. While we know he is adorable, he is still a part of an ongoing cruelty investigation," the shelter said at the time, prior to Lilly's arrest. "The sheriff's office has received many tips and are following up on them all. We are uncertain when or if he will become available. Ryder's well being and the investigation come first." Per the Butler County Sheriff's Office, Lilly is awaiting his appearance in Hamilton Municipal Court. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. One hospitalized after motorcycle crash in Roxbury A person was taken to the hospital after a motorcycle crash in Roxbury Friday night. Boston Police told Boston 25 News they responded to Washington Street near Circuit Street for a report of a collision between a car and motorcycle. A scooter could be seen lying on its side next to the dented side of an SUV at the intersection around 10:30 p.m. Boston 25 News has reached out to Boston police for more info. 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 In a troubling move that overturns criminal justice reforms passed in 2018, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law Wednesday a Republican-backed bill expanding the use of cash bail. Starting July 1, judges will be required to set bail in cases where previously they could have decided to release people without financial conditions. People who are legally presumed innocent but cant afford to pay bail will be stranded in jail on charges for minor, nonviolent misdemeanor offenses that wouldnt require incarceration if they were convicted. Even worse, the law simultaneously attacks charitable bail funds, one of the only lifelines that low-income residents have in these situations. The law will restrict charitable bail funds, and even individuals, from helping more than three people in need of bail assistance per year and subject them to criminal charges if they dont comply. None of these restrictions will apply to for-profit bail bond agents, who charge a 10% premium for their services, and who rarely face the same levels of scrutiny that bail funds do. Without charitable bail funds, more poor Georgians will be forced into often-predatory contracts with bail bond agents to get their loved ones out of jail. Charitable bail funds across the country have found themselves caught in conservatives crosshairs. Last year, after people protested for months against the construction of a $109 million police training facility in Atlanta, law enforcement agents arrested nonprofit workers with the Atlanta Solidarity Fund. That charitable bail fund had been providing bail assistance to those whod been arrested while protesting. The arrests were deemed by some as an excessive display of force. Charitable bail funds are being increasingly targeted, despite their humanitarian missions and despite the historic role such organizations have had in human and civil rights movements since the 1920s. Georgias new law will have disastrous consequences for some of the most vulnerable people in the state, protesters or otherwise. Parents will lose custody of their children. People will be evicted from their homes and fired from their jobs. Those struggling with their health physical and mental will decline. People of color and individuals living in poverty will be most affected. The effects of pretrial incarceration will destabilize individuals and families for years to come. The Bail Project launched in 2018, and since then weve provided free bail assistance and voluntary supportive services to more than 30,000 low-income Americans. Our clients have returned to 91% of their court dates, a statistic that lays waste to the argument that cash bail is necessary to incentivize a persons return to court. Take our client, Sherry Baird, an Atlanta-based 61-year-old. She was arrested and incarcerated pretrial for nearly a month because she couldnt afford $11,200 in bail. Its been two years, and she has not been indicted for a crime. Had The Bail Project not intervened, she would likely still be behind bars today, having not been convicted of anything. Bairds situation is not a one-off. Georgia jails are in crisis buckling under long case-processing delays, overcrowding and inhumane conditions. Amid this crisis, weve supported nearly 1,500 legally innocent Georgians, the majority of whose cases have still not reached trial, been dismissed, or had a plea deal accepted after two years. Some have cases that have gone on for more than 900 days without resolution which is two to four times longer than cases in other states where we operate. Without our help, many of our clients would have been exposed to the incredible harms of unnecessary incarceration because of these case delays; others would have succumbed to the tremendous pressure to accept plea deals even when theyre innocent, forfeiting their right to a trial just to get out of jail. Bail is an important, yet highly misunderstood, aspect of our pretrial system. One common misconception is that bail is designed to keep people locked up before trial, but thats wrong. Bail was designed as a mechanism of release. When cash bail is misused to detain people, it distorts the judicial process by letting people with money out of jail and keeping in jail people who dont have money. Public safety, not wealth, should determine who is detained pretrial. In recent years, at least a dozen jurisdictions have minimized or eliminated the use of bail in some capacity. Illinois has totally eliminated it. Across these jurisdictions, there has been no statistically significant increase in rates of pretrial rearrest or nonappearance. In fact, in some counties, reducing bail actually improves community safety. In Harris County, Texas home to Houston for instance, the volume of people being arrested and rearrested declined over time and the misdemeanor system as a whole has shrunk. The overall effect is likely because needlessly incarcerating people pretrial only destabilizes them. In other words, the supposed treatment incarceration is actually harmful. Research shows that a stay in jail as short as 48 hours increases the likelihood of a person being incarcerated again in the future because of the attendant job loss, residential instability, financial insecurity and exacerbation of physical and mental health that results from incarceration. In the field of medicine, this type of result would cause doctors to immediately reverse course. This is strong evidence that our courts and communities can safely function without the harmful practice of setting cash bail. But even against this backdrop of successful reform, efforts to usher in a fairer and more equitable pretrial system still face considerable pushback. Lawmakers in at least 14 states including Indiana, Missouri and Wisconsin introduced about 20 bills in 2023 to increase the use of cash bail. Just last month, Kentucky lawmakers voted to override Gov. Andy Beshears veto of HB 5, a law criminalizing poverty and homelessness by increasing penalties for sleeping on the street if youre homeless and for possessing certain narcotics. Decisions by these legislatures serve to only prop up the two-tiered system of justice created by cash bail, where if youre rich youre released pretrial, but if youre poor, its a different story. Charitable bail funds, much like food pantries, pool resources to support the most vulnerable, thereby closing the gap between insufficient service provision by government and the unmet needs of our friends and neighbors. In many ways, charitable bail funds help show what our pretrial system should and could be. However, The Bail Project is one of several charitable bail organizations that will be prevented from supporting vulnerable Georgians because of this new law. Given how case delays plague the states criminal justice system, this law will only further congest Georgias overcrowded and deadly jails, subjecting countless numbers to needless suffering. Instead of advancing smart policies that reduce the grip of wealth in our pretrial system, lawmakers in Georgia have chosen to turn their backs to evidence, opting to politicize the issue of cash bail and strike a blow against protests for shortsighted political gain. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Few Americans will ever be named ambassador to a foreign country. Even fewer will be tasked with leading negotiations to escape the threat of war, negotiate multilateral trade agreements or establish coalitions to eliminate landmines. Regardless of background, knowledge, experience and upbringing, every American, every Utahn, has an opportunity to represent our state and country in meaningful ways across the globe as a citizen diplomat. For the first time in Utah history, the state Legislature recognized Utah Citizen Diplomacy Day. In fact, Utah is the first state in the nation to recognize such a day, highlighting the power of citizen diplomacy as a way to strengthen relations between Utah and countries across the globe. Citizen diplomacy is much larger than a day of recognition; its a lifelong practice where we seek mutual understanding and build bridges with individuals throughout the world. It has the power to shape perceptions of Utah in countries and among people across the globe, effectively shattering stereotypes, illuminating commonalities, underscoring common human aspirations and developing the web of human connections needed to achieve more peaceful relations. In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower convened the White House Conference on Citizen Diplomacy. In his remarks, he stated: There is no more important work than that in which we are asking you to participate. There is no problem before the American people indeed, before the world that so colors everything we do, so colors our thinking, our actions as does the problem of preserving the peace and providing for our own security. The need to promote and cultivate peace is as important today as it was in 1956. Time and time again, we have seen how citizen diplomacy has cultivated peace, generated economic opportunity, increased cultural understanding and increased prosperity. Utah has benefited from the power of citizen diplomacy, as have the individuals and countries that we have been able to interact with. In 2002, Utah welcomed the world to our state. An army of citizen volunteers set the stage for one of the most successful, if not the most successful, Olympic Winter Games in history. These volunteers served as citizen diplomats and showcased the generosity, kindness and grit unique to Utah. Each interaction changed perceptions, cultivated lasting relationships and opened international doors for Utah that would be closed otherwise. We have a unique opportunity to once again demonstrate Utahs citizen diplomacy prowess as we prepare to welcome the world again as the preferred host of the 2034 Olympics. In addition to hosting the world in our great state, Utahns can also be effective citizen diplomats as tourists in foreign lands, as musicians performing through a global tour, through study abroad and teacher exchange programs, trade missions and much more. All of these encounters produce moments of diplomacy an exchange of experiences, talents and knowledge through individual contact. And while Utahns can be effective citizen diplomats in far-off lands, they can also practice the same principles here at home. In an increasingly contentious political environment, citizen diplomacy can pave the way for common ground and mutual respect. While we should passionately disagree on issues of importance, we should also seek for understanding, compassion and reason. Indeed, these attributes should prevail in our interactions with anyone, be it a neighbor down the street or a family in Mongolia. Each Utahn has the right, even the responsibility, to serve as a citizen diplomat. By bringing people together to shake hands, sit down, and share our life stories, knowledge and values with each other, we can make the world a better place for everyone. Its that simple. Felecia Maxfield-Barrett is CEO of Utah Global Diplomacy As residents of Centre County, we are shocked by the Dec. 6 incident between Dereck Raimey and the state police in Centre County. Despite the past five-year investment in training and public advocacy, these officers resorted to excessive force. This incident warrants further investigation and calls for the examination of policy and practice from our Attorney General and Governor Shapiro. The violence demonstrated in the bodycam footage clearly calls for disciplinary measures of the abusive and unrestrained officer and training for the several officers on the scene that failed to intervene. Last December in Boggs Township, in Centre County, a 46-year-old Black man from Tennessee named Derek L. Raimey was driving a vehicle with disabled symbol on the license plate. He was stopped by the state police after what the troopers claimed was a high-speed chase. Mr. Raimey had both of his hands out of his vehicle when it was stopped. The police officers shouted contradictory obscenity-laced commands at him. At least two troopers approached Mr. Raimey with handguns drawn. The trooper tried to pull Mr. Raimey out of the car while his seat belt was still fastened; one trooper punched him in the face, pulled him to the pavement and punched him several more times while on the ground. Mr. Raimeys mugshot shows his left eye swollen shut. His public defender, Patrick Klena, confirms this. In the video, Mr. Raimey does not appear to be resisting, nor defending himself. Have the state police restricted duty of this aggressive officer, or interviewed the other officers on scene that failed to intervene? An unarmed man was assaulted during a traffic stop. Residents of Centre County must demand that the use-of-force policy be reviewed, applied and investigated especially when unbecoming behavior is caught on the officers body cam prior to its deletion. The Pennsylvania State Law Enforcement Citizen Advisory Commission (PSLECAC) makes recommendations along those lines: that the Pennsylvania State Police require all criminal investigations of use of force incidents resulting in death or serious bodily injury, member-involved shootings resulting in death or serious bodily injury, and in-custody deaths involving its members be referred for investigation to an external agency that meets minimum accreditation standards for handling such investigations as recognized and recommended by the United States Department of Justice as best practices and as similarly mandated in other jurisdictions. Since the CLEAR Commission has no investigatory power, what such agency is appointed to carry out this directive other than the office of Attorney General? We the citizens of Centre County implore the Attorney General Michelle Henry to hold the state police accountable and to hold the officer accountable for the unnecessary use of force against Derek Raimey. Jesse Barlow is a former member of State College Borough Council. Terry Watson is the founder of Strategies in Justice. Both are members of Community & Campus in Unity, which was launched in the fall of 2014 as a way to bring together State Colleges diverse population of people from our town and the campus of Penn State University. The House voted Wednesday on a bill to change how antisemitism is investigated in schools. The final tally 320-91 masks how controversial the legislation is or that some Democratic lawmakers voted for it while effectively under duress. Seizing on the pervasive chaos on campus narrative, lawmakers passed a bill that doesnt work to protect Jews on college campuses as its supporters claim, but to stifle dissent around the United States Israel policies and criticism of the Israeli government. The bill, known as the Antisemitism Awareness Act, was first introduced by a group of Republicans and a few moderate Democrats in the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in Israel, when Hamas fighters launched an assault that killed over 1,100 Israelis. Since then, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, the Israeli invasion and bombardment of Gaza have killed an estimated 34,000 Palestinians. The massive number of civilian casualties has sparked protests across the U.S., leading to the recent pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses and the bills sudden reappearance on the House calendar. At first glance, the bill doesnt do much that would seem objectionable. Its main function is to alter how the Department of Education assesses whether an incident violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. That section mandates that if an institution receives federal funding, it cant exclude or discriminate against people based on, among other things, race, national origin and religion. Should the Antisemitism Awareness Act become law, the department would be required to take into consideration a working definition of antisemitism that the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, an intergovernmental group that includes the United States, drafted in 2016. The working definition itself is expressed in two legally nonbinding sentences: Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities. Taken alone, thats a relatively anodyne definition, one that the U.S. State Department has adopted and was cited positively in the National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, which the Biden administration issued last year. But the IHRA also included illustrative examples along with the definition when distributing it, and thats where things get dicey. Manifestations might include the targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity, the IHRAs press release read. However, criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic. It then went on to list a set of contemporary examples of antisemitism, which include several other Israel-specific examples, including denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor, applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation, drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis. Theres been some debate over whether those examples should be considered part of the working definition. Al Jazeera reported in 2021 that the IRHA plenary that adopted it apparently only approved the two-sentence version due to concerns from some attending governments about the broad sweep of the examples. But the bill the House approved on Wednesday circumvented that issue by specifically including the contemporary examples as part of the definition the Education Department would need to reference. Its telling the GOP leadership brought this bill up for a vote when another, more comprehensive bipartisan bill was waiting in the wings. The Countering Antisemitism Act, which was introduced earlier this month, would among other things establish a national coordinator to counter antisemitism in the White House to implement the strategy released last year. It would also require federal agencies to report to Congress annually on the steps theyve taken to put the strategy into practice. Its not a perfect bill, but unlike the bill voted on Friday it recognizes that a definition of antisemitism is already in place in federal law and only cites the IHRA definition as a valuable tool to raise awareness and increase understanding of antisemitism. Contrary to some of the concerns Ive seen circulating out there, the Antisemitism Awareness Act wouldnt make the kinds of critical statements listed in the IHRAs examples outright illegal for the vast majority of Americans. But it would likely have a chilling effect in classrooms and on college campuses. There likely would be an even higher surge in conflation between antisemitism, which targets Jews for who they are, and criticism of Israeli politics and policies than weve already seen. That was the main point the American Civil Liberties Union made in a letter to lawmakers last week encouraging them to vote against the bill. Their pleas clearly went unheeded given the wide margin by which the bill passed, though with some grumbling behind the scenes even from Democrats who wound up voting for it. Its so dumb. ... I think we want to send a message about antisemitism, but we should do it in a way thats more united, Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif., told Axios. But there were still dissenting voices some with better points than others. Speech that is critical of Israel alone does not constitute unlawful discrimination, Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., a prominent Jewish member of the House, said in a floor speech ahead of the vote. By encompassing purely political speech about Israel into Title VIs ambit, the bill sweeps too broadly. In contrast, GOP Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Matt Gaetz of Florida voted against it because they worried that it would do too good a job of preventing people from pushing the antisemitic claim that the Jews, and not the Romans, killed Jesus. It seems unlikely that this bill will become law because its unlikely the Senate will pass it. That raises the question of why even go through with this pantomime in the first place for a bill that Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., said is vague enough to be either pointless or an unconstitutional infringement on the First Amendment. Its an accurate assessment of the bills flaws which makes it all the more concerning that he and 132 of his Democratic colleagues still voted for a measure that is still, in fact, harmful in its construction. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com AUSTIN (KXAN) More than 600 University of Texas at Austin faculty signed a letter saying they no longer have confidence in President Jay Hartzell, following pro-Palestinian protests on campus. The letter states, President Hartzell has shown himself to be unresponsive to urgent faculty, staff, and student concerns. He has violated our trust. On Friday, a group of people gathered to pray on the South Mall on campus. KXAN spoke with some of the people in attendance. In light of recent events, we want to keep showing our solidarity and showing our peaceful intent obviously in our Friday prayer, said Mohammed, a student at UT. Over the last week or so, the South Mall near UTs tower has become an area where pro-Palestine protesters and law enforcement have clashed leading to dozens of arrests. Students like Mohammed said they are concerned with how the UT administration has handled the protests. We were just confused and didnt understand why we had this kind of response to us, even though we had peaceful intent and there wasnt really anything going on, Mohammed said. Over 600 UT Austin faculty sign letter of no-confidence in President Hartzell UT student Matthew said he also disagrees with the response from law enforcement. I feel like over the past few months, even since October, he has not responded in a manner that makes his students feel like their voices are being heard. So, I truly dont believe he can represent us at this moment. While some have disagreed with how Hartzell handled the protests, there are many who have praised him and are confident with his leadership. I know that he believes very, very strongly in free speech, but also know that he believes that everyone on campus has the right to complete their education, be safe and get through graduation, said UT alum Sam Susser. Alums for Campus Fairness (ACF) announced that it has placed a full-page ad in the Austin American-Statesman and Dallas Morning News of distinguished Texans commending University of Texas Austin President Jay Hartzell, Susser was one of the alumni on the list (see below). One portion of the open letter reads: UT leadership has provided stable guidance amid the disruptive demonstrations, which have largely been instigated by individuals outside our campuses. Nearly 2,200 people have been arrested during college campus protests We appreciate their strong actions and there is strong support, said Susser. While some faculty and staff have expressed concerns about how protests were handled, there are others who appreciate the Presidents response. We want free speech and we want students to learn and be in quiet and safe environments to study for their exams, said Lillian Mills, Dean of McCombs business school at UT. I believe leaders have difficult decisions in turbulent times and what I believe is, President Hartzell is using all the information he has to promote as much free speech as we can do within our policies. He wants to keep the community safe and I respect the difficult balance. President Hartzell released the following post on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday: There is a long, proud history of protest at The University of Texas at Austin. I am grateful to work at a university where students, faculty and staff care deeply enough about community, national and world events to rally around those causes. Demonstrations play a role on campuses such as ours. A university, after all, encourages students to discover and develop points of view, and to express them. These activities challenge the ways we think and feed a campus dynamic atmosphere. UT students have held dozens of peaceful protests, largely without incident, throughout this academic year. We also have a responsibility to keep the campus and its people safe, and to allow our teaching and research to continue. Our rules provide structure for this responsibility and set up conditions for the co-existence of protests, safety and education. We are constantly reviewing those rules, improving on them, and making sure they protect everyone those who are protesting and those who are learning, working or visiting campus. These rules also protect free speech, and enforcing them uniformly and consistently keeps us from discriminating against any particular point of view UT President, Jay Hartzell For the full post from UT President Jay Hartzell click here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. A recent email from the state Department of Education took Union City Schools Superintendent Silvia Abbato by surprise. The district, which serves some of New Jerseys poorest students, had achieved a distinction. Its 11 schools were all meeting academic goals without state assistance setting it apart from the 44 largest districts, even though Union City ranks third for students with high needs. New immigrants keep arriving in this Spanish-speaking conclave of Hudson County, once a magnet for Cuban exiles 54.6% of its population is foreign born, according to the 2020 census. Story continues below photo gallery. We have noticed that year-in and year-out, Union City School District has been experiencing exceptionally strong outcomes for some of our states most challenging students, the state email said. What was it doing differently? The state wanted to learn. New Jerseys Education Department wasnt the only one taking notice. Harvard economist Thomas Kane called Union City an outlier in New Jersey. According to the Education Recovery Scorecard a Harvard and Stanford University collaboration examining academic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic in 30 states Union Citys students improved in reading between 2019 and 2022, while many other districts flailed. The district also had the least learning loss because of the COVID-19 pandemic and a significant recovery, even compared with such wealthier, higher-performing districts as Edison in Middlesex County and the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District in Mercer County. That's why Union City's success in spite of its student population challenges and the pandemic make it stand out as a possible case study to replicate for other New Jersey urban districts that serve large minority and low-income student populations, including Paterson and Passaic. Briana Suazo and Darla Murillo work together in their advanced placement biology class, at the Jose Marti STEM Academy, Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Union City. Union City's success through the pandemic occurred because of some very specific, quick-thinking decisions by administrators there such as getting laptops to nearly all students soon after schools shut down during the pandemic, raising staff morale by using relief dollars to save jobs, and distributing food to families once a week to limit COVID exposure. But its success in limiting learning loss and recovering so quickly after the pandemic was also based on a strong foundation of key decisions carried out over several decades by a district once so troubled it was threatened with a state takeover. Because of the pandemic's disruption, most schools nationwide are still far behind their own 2019 levels of math achievement, Kanes study showed. Between 2019 and 2022, American eighth graders lost 40% of pre-pandemic progress in math. One of the pandemic's worst impacts in K-12 education is that it has widened achievement gaps for minority students. New Jerseys Black and Hispanic students lost nearly a third of a years learning in math compared with white students. Pandemic learning loss still high in many districts Kane's study showed that in 2022, Newark, Perth Amboy, Paterson and New Brunswick were still more than one grade behind their own 2019 learning levels. But Union City, a similarly high-poverty district, lost very little and has almost fully recovered, Kane said. What makes that all the more impressive is that in Union City, 35% of students are non-English native speakers and 84% are low income. Edison and West Windsor-Plainsboro lost 1.23 and 1.18 points each in math more than one years worth of learning between 2019 and 2022. Union City, at 0.26 points, lost only a quarter of a years worth of learning. Those two districts do outperform Union City in overall math and English proficiency. But Union City schools made gains in reading during and after the pandemics shutdowns, while Edison lost three-quarters of a years worth of learning and West Windsor lost a third of a year. Both districts had not returned to their pre-pandemic reading levels in 2023. At the Jose Marti STEM Academy in Union City, established in 2019 for the district's gifted high-schoolers, soaring English and math proficiency rates at 91% and 61% in 2022-23 showed barely a dent from the pandemic, which hit while the school was in its infancy. Zoe Joss (center, background) and her honors calculus classmates are shown at the Jose Marti STEM Academy, Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Union City. The Passaic city school district, like Union City, has many low-income and Hispanic students. By 2022, its students had lost three-quarters of a years progress in math, worse than Union City but far better than Paterson and even Edison. When asked why, suburban, higher-income Edison, with 23% low-income students, declined to comment. In the city of Passaic, 97% of students are low-income. Its administrators were aware of Union Citys success. They said they strive to emulate it, recognizing the immense value of a high-performing urban educational system. Quick thinking when COVID hit Union City already had strong foundations from the 1990s, when it rebooted after the state nearly took over its schools. Those decades of work provided a strong underpinning during the pandemic there were no quick-fix silver bullets. Still, Abbato, the superintendent, needed to think quickly when the virus hit. AP Biology Teacher, Amanda Smith, speaks to students at the Jose Marti STEM Academy, Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Union City. When schools closed due to COVID in early 2020, 90% of her students did not have laptops. The district had only 5,600 district laptops to distribute; Abbato sent kids home with whatever technology was available, bypassing some supply chain delays. We emptied our classrooms and labs, Abbato said. Despite progress during the coronavirus lockdown, about 89,000 students across the state were still home without learning devices or internet access in June 2020. When Union City schools reopened in September 2020, every student from grades one through 12 had a laptop and Wi-Fi access, Abbato said. Chromebooks were also purchased for children enrolled in the district's early childhood programs. Abbato also decided that easy and safe food delivery was essential to building confidence within the community. Most urban districts had families visit schools to pick up food on multiple days of the week. Abbato made an executive decision: Union City families would receive an entire weeks supply of food in one school visit. When the food suppliers told her this was impossible due to supply problems, she told them to find a way even if it meant including more dry, non-perishable foods in the weekly packets. This would give families flexibility in a community already reeling from the virus and leery of further exposure. COVID-19 was the leading cause of death in New Jersey among Black, Hispanic, Asian and foreign-born residents in 2020, according to the state Health Department. Hudson County was among the worst hit. In-person tutoring over remote Last year, when the state awarded thousands of dollars in high-impact tutoring grants to help kids catch up from COVID learning loss, Abbato decided to stick with the district's own teachers, while most districts, struggling from the ongoing teacher shortage, purchased virtual tutoring platforms. In-person tutoring matters, she said. The teachers know the students theyre with them every day, she said. District teachers tutored small groups with a $614,000 grant. Studies have linked longer remote schooling to increased learning loss. Union City also was remote through most of the 2020-21 school year but reopened for in-person learning in May 2021. As in many suburban schools, remote students alternated with in-class cohorts. Victoria Vasquez, practices her letters and numbers, at the Eugenio Maria De Hostos Center for Early Childhood Education, Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Union City. In comparison, Passaic citys students were all remote from mid-March 2020 until summer school began in July 2021, two months after Union City. It, too, offered summer and after-school programming for all students. But its Chromebook distribution went on throughout 2020, the district said. Threatened with state takeover A failing district in 1989, Union City was threatened with a state takeover, said David Kirp, a professor at the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley, whose book Improbable Scholars profiles the district's later success. The district replaced top administrators during a one-year reprieve from Trenton. Veteran bilingual teacher Fred Carrig was put in charge of fixing the schools. His core team included Abbato, then an elementary school math and science supervisor. Combining innovation and research with standard reform, the district began to change within the year. The team visited each school and sold teachers on new approaches. The curriculum had no continuity before, Abbato told NorthJersey.com. That had to change. Oscar Munguia is shown in his honors calculus class, at the Jose Marti STEM Academy, Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Union City. Munguia and his classmates were working on a New York Times style puzzle where they find math related connections between four groups of words, during a Pi Day exercise. The same lessons were now taught in the same sequence districtwide, so as not to affect kids who moved within the city during the school year, Kirp said. Carrig devised learning centers by assigning kids who were similar academically into groups in the same classroom to help homeroom teachers keep tabs on them. And students were exposed to lots of language in what Kirp calls a word-soaked curriculum. Boosted early childhood education The district boosted its early childhood education. In an unusual feat, it continues to provide private centers with its own curriculum, which the centers then implement, Abbato said. The first cohort of fourth graders who went through the revamped preschool program improved "dramatically" on the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge, a state test, she said. Fourth graders meeting or exceeding state standards in English almost doubled from 45% to 86% between 1998 and 1999, when the district revamped its preschool program, and between 2002 and 2003, according to a study by the Education Law Center. The study also showed that Union City students spent more time on instruction than did students throughout New Jersey, even in the wealthiest districts. But at the heart of Union Citys continued success is a bedrock: its sense of community. Abbatos twin sister, Adriana Birne, runs the districts much-lauded early childhood center U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona visited in February. Abbato and her twin are nearly lifelong residents, having arrived in Union City as children when their parents immigrated from Cuba. Teachers stay on, and many are former students. A retired teacher returns to paint elaborate jungle murals on the walls of Colin Powell Elementary, said a beaming Teresita Diaz, its principal. During a recent school visit to Colin Powell, Abbato greeted every employee many by name. She remembered if they had been out sick. A class of fourth graders, undaunted by visitors, was ready to answer questions and walk up to the front of the class. A sense of pride pervaded. Senior administrators also credited Union City Mayor Brian Stack, a Democratic state senator, who pays close attention to the schools while bringing along a Trenton connection. Stack also appoints Union City's school board members; they are not elected. "It's another reason we're successful. BOE members have remained for many years and are aware of long-term initiatives," Abbato said. Zain Moharam, Enzo Rodriguez and Rayan Shehadeh play with legos at the Eugenio Maria De Hostos Center for Early Childhood Education, Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Union City. Problems are more scalable in Union City than in larger districts such as Paterson, Abbato acknowledged. Central office personnel are assigned to specific schools, sometimes targeting specific grades. Were not a large district," she said. "We use our data to drive decisions, and we have a stable leadership. That plays a great role. Theres not that many transfers and changes within schools. You want stability. The district spent 80% of its $50 million federal COVID relief grant through the American Rescue Plan on salaries and benefits for staff. Job security even for non-instructional staff during the pandemic has paid off. Challenges remain for Union City Still, the district has its share of challenges. Federal law requires states to identify low-income schools that are struggling. In 2021-22, the Murphy administration flagged Union City's 300-student PK-3 Hudson Elementary School as needing targeted support. We immediately went as a team to that school, Abbato said. Her team of supervisors made scheduled and unannounced visits, bringing new hires up to speed with district practices and creating a blueprint. We monitored to make sure everything was being followed at the the classroom level, Abbato said. A year later, in 2022-23, Hudson Elementary was off the state list. Another problem area is math, where proficiency is only 33%, well below state targets. Abbato said she is working on it, especially high school algebra. Both nationally and in the district, Algebra scores arent where we want them to be, she said. We have a large immigrant population, and the English is a little easier for them to capture than math, which needs problem solving, using both formulas and language. Unique bilingual program Reading is Union Citys big success. Nearly three-quarters of its students speak Spanish at home, yet the district surpassed state averages for English proficiency. Its advanced bilingual program is unique. Students who exit ESL services continue to receive additional, in-class support from appointed staff. Teachers are ESL/bilingual-certified, and on the districts tab. "Almost no one else does that," Abbato said. "Here its part of the contract. We used to do it for all teachers, but now it's too costly, so we offer it to selected teachers. Then theres the port of entry program, with an extra ESL class period and native language instruction for over-age immigrant students who may have recently crossed the border. Abbato navigates the statewide teacher shortage with professional development and word-of-mouth hiring from within the town. The districts approach to children with learning disabilities is also unique, at a time when out-of-district special education costs are skyrocketing. It retains around 91% of special needs kids including the autistic population in district, through special resource programming. The city of Passaic sends 15% of its special needs students outside the district. If theyre going to outside providers, theyre on a bus at least an hour each way, Abbato said. Theyre getting home late. Theyre not in the community. I think its best when we have our students with us. From being part of the team that first put in improvements in the district, said Abbato, now in her 10th year as superintendent, its just overwhelming to see the progress. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: How one NJ school district upped reading scores and beat COVID Over 100 arrested in Southern California drug bust operation (KTLA) Over 100 people were arrested during a massive drug bust operation in Southern California. The multi-day effort, called Operation Street Sweeper, stemmed from increased criminal activity and complaints from community members and businesses, police said. Over a three-week period, 46 people were seen buying a variety of illegal narcotics including methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, PCP and Psilocybin mushrooms. In a three-day operation, 44 drug dealers were identified and 33 of them were arrested for narcotics sales violations. With help from nearby agencies, 71 additional suspects were also arrested for multiple charges including: 32 misdemeanor arrests were made for trespassing, public intoxication, possession of drug paraphernalia, and illegal possession of controlled substances 21 outstanding misdemeanor arrest warrants for shoplifting, petty theft, trespassing, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal possession of controlled substances, and being under the influence of a controlled substance 15 arrests for violation of parole, probation, and post-release community supervision 3 outstanding felony arrest warrants 3 probation searches were conducted at local motel rooms 2 search warrants were served at local residences Police arrested 104 people during an undercover multi-day drug bust operation in Riverside County. (Riverside Police Department) Police arrested 104 people during an undercover multi-day drug bust operation in Riverside County. (Riverside Police Department) Police arrested 104 people during an undercover multi-day drug bust operation in Riverside County. (Riverside Police Department) Police arrested 104 people during an undercover multi-day drug bust operation in Riverside County. (Riverside Police Department) Police arrested 104 people during an undercover multi-day drug bust operation in Riverside County. (Riverside Police Department) Police arrested 104 people during an undercover multi-day drug bust operation in Riverside County. (Riverside Police Department) Police arrested 104 people during an undercover multi-day drug bust operation in Riverside County. (Riverside Police Department) Police arrested 104 people during an undercover multi-day drug bust operation in Riverside County. (Riverside Police Department) Police arrested 104 people during an undercover multi-day drug bust operation in Riverside County. (Riverside Police Department) Police arrested 104 people during an undercover multi-day drug bust operation in Riverside County. (Riverside Police Department) Police arrested 104 people during an undercover multi-day drug bust operation in Riverside County. (Riverside Police Department) Police arrested 104 people during an undercover multi-day drug bust operation in Riverside County. (Riverside Police Department) A total of 104 people were arrested during the large-scale bust. Most of the people arrested claimed to be homeless or living in various motels in the area, officers said. During a probation search of a motel room, police discovered a woman who was wanted for a 2022 felony drunk-driving crash that critically injured two women and a 4-year-old boy. Inside her motel room was also a man with an outstanding warrant for burglary. Police discovered the man possessed several thousand dollars worth of stolen merchandise as well. Since the arrests, medical aid and police calls for incidents along the Magnolia Avenue corridor area immediately and significantly decreased as a result, authorities said. This wasnt a one-and-done operation, and our enforcement efforts will continue until our community members, businesses, and visitors feel a constant sense of safety in Riverside, said Larry V. Gonzalez, Riverside Police Chief. The Riverside Police Department will continue its directed enforcement and efforts to investigate those engaged in the trafficking and sale of illicit drugs within our neighborhoods, amongst other crimes affecting the safety of community members, the police department said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Karin Kelly had hoped her daughter's arrests could be turning points. But Briana, who everyone called Cookie, cycled in and out of jails for years as she struggled with heroin addiction. She survived multiple overdoses. "You hope your family member is going to get some help, and things are going to change," said Kelly, of East Bethel, whose daughter died after contracting endocarditis in 2022. "Instead ... they turn them out. They go back to using." Minnesota's jails are filled with people who have substance use disorder, but a state survey found less than half of county jails provide medication for opioid addiction. People go through painful and sometimes dangerous withdrawal symptoms, vomiting and shivering in jail cells. When they leave, their tolerance is low. One in five Minnesota who died of an overdose had been incarcerated in the past year. The first two weeks after release are particularly deadly. Corrections officials, people in recovery and state researchers say there would be fewer overdoses and less recidivism if facilities provided the medications and ensured people leaving lockup had health insurance and access to treatment. But they say the cost and staffing shortages prevent many jails from providing the help. Medicaid funds generally can't be used to pay for someone's health care while they are in jail or prison, so the cost falls on counties and the state. Gov. Tim Walz's administration and others are pressing lawmakers to join other states applying for a federal waiver to allow Medicaid coverage of health care services, including substance abuse treatment, prior to someone's release. Expanded access to addiction medication and mental health services could save lives, Kelly said. "It still boggles my mind," she said of how the system treated her daughter. "It hurts me so bad that every single day I think about it, like: Why? Why? Why didn't they help her?" Push to change 'ridiculous' system At the Hennepin County jail, a health care worker handed out cups of medication Wednesday from a little yellow cart. Dylan, 35, of Minneapolis, was among those who received buprenorphine, which treats opioid use disorder. "Any time that I've ever been incarcerated here, with Hennepin County jail, they've gotten me on it and it's definitely gotten me back on the right track," said Dylan, who violated his probation on a past drug possession and DWI conviction. He said he would be going to addiction treatment within a few days. The Sheriff's Office asked that he not be identified by his last name out of concern for his privacy. "I have had friends that have died just recently, just last week, who just got out of jail," Dylan said, noting that fentanyl is easily accessible. "They think they can use the same amount again, and it's all over." Dr. Tyler Winkelman, Hennepin Healthcare's division director of general internal medicine, helped set up the jail's opioid use disorder treatment program in 2019 with grant dollars. He said about 6,000 people received treatment there last year. Hennepin Healthcare also has the state's only outpost of the national Transitions Clinic Network, where community health workers meet with people who are incarcerated. Workers provide information about the clinic and a business card, then follow up with phone calls after someone is released to try to prevent gaps in medication. They can admit a couple of people a week into that program, Winkelman said. "There are a hundred people or more leaving the jail every week with opioid use disorder," he added. Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt said providing opioid medication in jail was a no-brainer but comes at a great expense. She is pushing lawmakers to seek the Medicaid waiver to cover treatment and re-entry services. "The current system is ridiculous," Witt said in statement. "We take people in our custody at some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, and they are dropped from their insurance. It makes no sense." The measure is in a House human services bill but not the Senate version. If legislators and the federal government approve the proposal, Minnesota could launch a program in 2026 at 10 corrections facilities. Inmates who qualify could start Medicaid coverage up to 90 days before release and continue it as they re-enter the community. They would get case management and could receive substance use disorder medications, counseling and peer recovery support services. The bill is a starting point for a fundamental shift in jail and prison treatment and transition services, said Jeremy Drucker, Minnesota's first addiction and recovery director, who made the issue his top priority. He said it will take years to get services in every Minnesota corrections facility. Inconsistent health care coverage can have grave impacts for people with mental health conditions and substance use disorders, Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell told lawmakers as he pushed for the proposal. He said 90% or more of the people at corrections sites would be eligible for Medicaid. While addiction medication access is spotty across county-run jails, it generally is available in state-run prisons. Corrections Department staff said they have been part of a national effort to expand opioid use disorder treatment since 2016. The department has spent about $583,500 since July 2023 on opioid use medications like methadone and Suboxone and staff to provide the service, including nurses and workers who do release planning to connect people leaving prison with treatment and other services. Different counties, different outcomes Deyonta Green, of Champlin, had a Suboxone prescription but repeatedly was denied the medication as he vomited and struggled to sleep amid heroin withdrawals in the Anoka County jail, according to a recent lawsuit. He later fell and suffered a brain bleed and skull fractures, the suit says. It condemns the county's decision to contract with Sartell-based MEnD Correctional Care. Inmate care is "of paramount importance," said a spokeswoman for the Anoka County Sheriff's Office when asked about addiction treatment in the jail. Inmates are screened and assessed for withdrawals and contracted provider determines what treatment should be, she said, noting the county is looking at medication-assisted treatment program options and looks forward to implementing one soon. Less than a third of the sheriffs, human services staff and others who responded to a 2021 statewide survey said they were aware of a process to screen people entering their correctional facilities for substance use disorder. And 42% of those surveyed said their local facilities offered medication for opioid addiction, with rural communities less likely to offer the service. The lack of qualified staff and funding were the biggest roadblocks, but there also were concerns about liability and security with potential drug misuse. About 18% said government officials' opposition to the use of medications was an important barrier. Although there's still a stigma around drug addiction, Association of Minnesota Counties Executive Director Julie Ring said she hopes elected officials, including sheriffs and county board members, are "beginning to view substance use as the medical condition that is." Anne Emerson's fiance died in 2017, about one month after he was released from jail. Ryan Anderson had struggled with addiction for years, and been off and on Suboxone. Emerson wishes Sherburne County Jail had offered him medication and set him up with health insurance and a peer recovery specialist. "Just because someone is coming out of jail doesn't mean they deserve less care," Emerson said. "Everybody deserves to have insurance and resources and support." Sabrina Donnellan of Girdwood, Alaska, sits with her 13-month-old, Blakely, on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., and talks with Candace Winkler, ZERO TO THREEs chief development and strategy officer, at the eighth annual Strolling Thunder, a child and family issues advocacy event on April 30, 2024, organized by the nonprofit ZERO TO THREE. (Ashley Murray/States Newsroom) WASHINGTON Families gathered outside the U.S. Capitol Tuesday to make a fuss for babies, who they believe are being left behind by lawmakers who direct only a fraction of U.S. resources to young children. Parents and kids representing 50 states and the District of Columbia convened for the eighth annual Strolling Thunder. Moms and dads pushing strollers decked out in state license plates rallied on the Capitols East Lawn to lobby lawmakers to fund child care, establish national paid family leave, and permanently expand the child tax credit. Matthew Melmed, executive director of ZERO TO THREE, the organization behind the event, rallied parents to tell their representatives that the 11 million babies in the U.S. make up 3.4% of our population, but 100% of our future. Youre here with the pork producers and the insurance lobby and the pharmaceutical industry. Members of Congress dont normally see real people, and they rarely see babies and toddlers, particularly babies and toddlers who need to have their diapers changed on their desks. And thats what I encourage you to do if you need to have that happen, Melmed told the crowd. The nonprofit ZERO TO THREE bases its advocacy on health and developmental research findings in infants up to age 3, the years the group describes as the most important for lifelong mental health and well-being. Melmed praised top Democratic appropriators Sen. Patty Murray of Washington and Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut for achieving a $1 billion increase for child care block grants and Head Start in this years government funding bills. DeLauro, who spoke to the crowd, said families deserve better. The cost of living has increased year after year, and more and more Americans simply do not get paid enough to live on, let alone to raise a family, the Connecticut lawmaker said, promising to advocate for the reinstatement of a fully refundable child tax credit. Diapers, child care, formula Candace Winkler, a former Alaska resident and current ZERO TO THREE leader, sat on the Capitol lawn next to Sabrina Donnellan who traveled to D.C. from Girdwood, Alaska, with her 13-month-old Blakely to advocate for lower child care costs and paid family leave. Winkler, the organizations chief development and strategy officer, said the group of families would divide up in the halls of Congress Tuesday to meet with their representatives about six key policy issues, including permanently expanding the child tax credit to pandemic levels. Weve seen that time and time again that families are using those resources for diapers, child care, formula and things their babies and their family needs. And its really critical for their success, WInkler said. The current child tax credit is $2,000 a year after tax liability, but the amount a parent could receive per child under 17 in a refund check is capped at $1,600 in 2023. The credit phases in at 15% on every dollar after earnings of $2,500. As the U.S. was digging out from under the COVID-19 economic crisis, Congress approved a one-year expansion of the tax credit to $3,000 per child under age 18, and $3,600 for those under age 6 including for families who made $0 in income. Lawmakers made the entire amount refundable, and a portion of it was sent to families in monthly installments. Advocates hailed the research findings that showed the temporary move was a game changer for lifting children from poverty in the U.S. A current bipartisan proposal, widely supported by U.S. House lawmakers, to temporarily expand the child tax credit until 2025 though not to pandemic levels is currently stalled by U.S. Senate Republicans who liken aspects of the bill to a welfare program. The proposal, as passed by the House, would increase the credits refundable portion to $1,800 in 2023, $1,900 in 2024 and $2,000 in 2025. The legislation would also increase the phase-in rate to 15% per child, simultaneously in other words, 30% for a family with two children, 45% for a family with three, and so on. Credit card debt for child care Cruz Bueno, a parent from Rhode Island, shared her story of racking up credit card debt to enroll her 11-month-old Rosie in child care, along with her 2-year-old sister Amalia. Putting Rosie into daycare means that we must put a halt to our dream of buying a home, said Bueno, an economist who lives in Warwick with her husband, Xhuljan Meta. One of the stipulations of our mortgage pre-approval was to keep our credit card balances low. Even so, we remain hopeful that one day in the not-so-distant future we will be able to buy a home to raise our girls and pass on wealth to them, she said. When asked about the Strolling Thunder event at Tuesday mornings regularly scheduled House Republican press conference, House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana said, Theres lots of ideas out there. What we stand for, what our party stands for, is support of families. We support infants and children, and theres an appropriate role to play in that. The devils always in the details on legislation, so Im not sure exactly what theyre proposing, but all of us are looking at those avenues. We want to support families. Thats good public policy, Johnson said. In our view, the best way often for the government to do that is to step back and allow the local and state officials to handle their business at that local level. Rep. Elise Stefanik, House Republican Conference Chair, said the GOP is proud to be a pro-family conference. There are many of our members who have proposed innovative solutions one is rural child care. Home-based child care, thats an issue Ive worked with many of my colleagues on the Education and Workforce Committee, Stefanik, of New York, said. But the economy, the border, crime, these issues, these crises caused by Joe Biden, they impact every family. The post Parents tote toddlers to D.C. to press for expanded child tax credit, child care funds appeared first on Michigan Advance. A school bus moves through a flooded street April 10, 2024, in Lake Charles when severe weather included three tornadoes in the area. (Photo courtesy of Corey Arvie) LAKE CHARLES The school superintendent for Calcasieu Parish is facing calls for his resignation after he chose not to cancel classes April 10, when three tornados hit the area. Shannon Lafargue defended his decision in a video statement, saying he kept schools open based on the information available to him and prioritized safety. However, many community members are angry the superintendent did not cancel school, saying he put students, teachers and staff at risk. Bus drivers are particularly upset, as they were forced to drive through dangerous conditions, including flooded streets and winds of more than 25 mph. Bus routes were further impacted six days later when more than 30 drivers decided not to report to work in protest. Emails the Illuminator obtained show Lafargue was aware the National Weather Service modified its risk forecast for severe storms April 10 to level 4 out of 5 as early as the morning of April 9. The worst of the weather struck between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. The National Weather Service confirmed three separate tornadoes touched down in the Lake Charles area on the morning of April 10. They included an EF-2 tornado with winds up to 115 mph near McNeese State University, and two EF-1 twisters in Cameron Parish. At the April 16 Calcasieu Parish School Board meeting, District 11 representative Phylis Ayo asked for a formal investigation of how the school superintendent handled the April 10 weather event to determine where the breakdown in communication occurred. Something went down, and we dont know what it is. A formal investigation needs to happen sooner rather than later, Ayo said. A unanimous board vote was needed to add an item to the meetings agenda for the proposed investigation. District 8 Representative Eric Tarver said he would not support the motion, drawing boos from the standing-room-only audience. Board members Billy Breaux, Glenda Gay and Dean Roberts also voted against the agenda change. At a special board meeting April 30, Lafargue recommended school board members approve a delayed school start protocol for future weather events. Bus drivers also got the opportunity to air their grievances, with many saying Lafargue owed them an apology. Bus driver Sharon Welcome said school district officials have previously failed to prioritize the safety of bus drivers, students and teachers during severe weather. Its not the first time. Its not the fourth or the fifth time that something like this has happened. Enough is enough, Welcome said. Im not going to jeopardize myself for your negligence. The buck stops with you, bus drivers, Kathy Landry, district representative for the Louisiana School Bus Operators Association, told drivers in the audience. As your rep, anytime you dont feel its safe to drive that bus, you dont have to, and the federal government will back us on that one. Corey Arvie said he had seven students on board when the severe weather struck April 10. The conditions left them stuck in the middle of the road, less than 2 miles away from the tornado that struck Ryan Street. Arvie said his bus was facing toward the wind, and he worried about tree limbs crashing through his windshield. Today marks 20 days that Ive dealt with trauma, crying out of nowhere, trying to earn the trust of parents again to be their bus driver, Arvie said. Its hard getting up every morning knowing that these parents are trusting us with their kids lives, and any wrong turn, any little mistake can cost a life. Its hard for us to keep going right now. Arvie said bus drivers should be represented on the school board and among school district leadership. I really do feel like there should be a bus driver, either on the crisis team, in an office, because no one knows what we go through on a day-to-day basis. Teri Johnson, a Southwest Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees representative, asked Lafargue to apologize to those in the audience. I havent earned your trust. Im going to do something about it tonight, Lafargue responded. It may be too late, but at least from this point forward, no matter what happens to me, our district is going to be better You voiced your opinion. I said in that video, that didnt resonate with you, that this will never happen again. You are the most valuable people I take full responsibility, and everything that goes with that is an apology. The school board approved a delayed start policy that would go into effect when severe weather threatens, allowing school to begin as late as 10 a.m. According to District 10 School Board member Tony OBanion, the board has received evaluation forms that would decide Lafargues future with the system. He told the Illuminator the board will go into executive session during its May 14 meeting to discuss the evaluations and will decide whether Lafargues contract will be renewed by June 30. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Parents want school superintendent removed for holding classes in severe weather appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. Photo illustration by Eric Harkleroad of KFF Health News. A team of Montana researchers is playing a key role in the development of a more effective vaccine against tuberculosis, an infectious disease that has killed more people than any other. The BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guerin) vaccine, created in 1921, remains the sole TB vaccine. While it is 40% to 80% effective in young children, its efficacy is very low in adolescents and adults, leading to a worldwide push to create a more powerful vaccine. One effort is underway at the University of Montana Center for Translational Medicine. The center specializes in improving and creating vaccines by adding what are called novel adjuvants. An adjuvant is a substance included in the vaccine, such as fat molecules or aluminum salts, that enhances the immune response, and novel adjuvants are those that have not yet been used in humans. Scientists are finding that adjuvants make for stronger, more precise, and more durable immunity than antigens, which create antibodies, would alone. Eliciting specific responses from the immune system and deepening and broadening the response with adjuvants is known as precision vaccination. Its not one-size-fits-all, said Ofer Levy, a professor of pediatrics at Harvard University and the head of the Precision Vaccines Program at Boston Childrens Hospital. A vaccine might work differently in a newborn versus an older adult and a middle-aged person. The ultimate precision vaccine, said Levy, would be lifelong protection from a disease with one jab. A single-shot protection against influenza or a single-shot protection against COVID, that would be the holy grail, Levy said. Jay Evans, the director of the University of Montana center and the chief scientific and strategy officer and a co-founder of Inimmune, a privately held biotechnology company in Missoula, said his team has been working on a TB vaccine for 15 years. The private-public partnership is developing vaccines and trying to improve existing vaccines, and he said its still five years off before the TB vaccine might be distributed widely. It has not gone unnoticed at the center that this state-of-the-art vaccine research and production is located in a state that passed one of the nations most extreme anti-vaccination laws during the pandemic in 2021. The law prohibits businesses and governments from discriminating against people who arent vaccinated against covid-19 or other diseases, effectively banning both public and private employers from requiring workers to get vaccinated against covid or any other disease. A federal judge later ruled that the law cannot be enforced in health care settings, such as hospitals and doctors offices. In mid-March, the Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute announced it had begun the third and final phase of clinical trials for the new vaccine in seven countries. The trials should take about five years to complete. Research and production are being done in several places, including at a manufacturing facility in Hamilton owned by GSK, a giant pharmaceutical company. Known as the forgotten pandemic, TB kills up to 1.6 million people a year, mostly in impoverished areas in Asia and Africa, despite its being both preventable and treatable. The U.S. has seen an increase in tuberculosis during the past decade, especially with the influx of migrants, and the number of cases rose by 16% from 2022 to 2023. Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death among people living with HIV, whose risk of contracting a TB infection is 20 times as great as people without HIV. TB is a complex pathogen that has been with human beings for ages, said Alemnew Dagnew, who heads the program for the new vaccine for the Gates Medical Research Institute. Because it has been with human beings for many years, it has evolved and has a mechanism to escape the immune system. And the immunology of TB is not fully understood. The University of Montana Center for Translational Medicine and Inimmune together have 80 employees who specialize in researching a range of adjuvants to understand the specifics of immune responses to different substances. You have to tailor it like tools in a toolbox towards the pathogen you are vaccinating against, Evans said. We have a whole library of adjuvant molecules and formulations. Vaccines are made more precise largely by using adjuvants. There are three basic types of natural adjuvants: aluminum salts; squalene, which is made from shark liver; and some kinds of saponins, which are fat molecules. Its not fully understood how they stimulate the immune system. The center in Missoula has also created and patented a synthetic adjuvant, UM-1098, that drives a specific type of immune response and will be added to new vaccines. One of the most promising molecules being used to juice up the immune system response to vaccines is a saponin molecule from the bark of the quillay tree, gathered in Chile from trees at least 10 years old. Such molecules were used by Novavax in its COVID vaccine and by GSK in its widely used shingles vaccine, Shingrix. These molecules are also a key component in the new tuberculosis vaccine, known as the M72 vaccine. But there is room for improvement. The vaccine shows 50% efficacy, which doesnt sound like much, but basically there is no effective vaccine currently, so 50% is better than whats out there, Evans said. Were looking to take what we learned from that vaccine development with additional adjuvants to try and make it even better and move 50% to 80% or more. By contrast, measles vaccines are 95% effective. According to Medscape, around 15 vaccine candidates are being developed to replace the BCG vaccine, and three of them are in phase 3 clinical trials. One approach Evans center is researching to improve the new vaccines efficacy is taking a piece of the bacterium that causes TB, synthesizing it, and combining it with the adjuvant QS-21, made from the quillay tree. It stimulates the immune system in a way that is specific to TB and it drives an immune response that is even closer to what we get from natural infections, Evans said. The University of Montana center is researching the treatment of several problems not commonly thought of as treatable with vaccines. They are entering the first phase of clinical trials for a vaccine for allergies, for instance, and first-phase trials for a cancer vaccine. And later this year, clinical trials will begin for vaccines to block the effects of opioids like heroin and fentanyl. The University of Montana received the largest grant in its history, $33 million, for anti-opioid vaccine research. It works by creating an antibody that binds with the drug in the bloodstream, which keeps it from entering the brain and creating the high. For now, though, the eyes of health care experts around the world are on the trials for the new TB vaccines, which, if they are successful, could help save countless lives in the worlds poorest places. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. The post The path to a better Tuberculosis vaccine runs through Montana appeared first on Daily Montanan. Patients at Fla. Abortion Clinic Leave Supportive Messages for Each Other on Bathroom Wall "All of the messages are empowering and focus on women supporting women and people being there to support each other," a Planned Parenthood supervisor said SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Planned Parenthood building -- stock image Women are leaving messages of support for one another in a Florida abortion clinic as state laws have shifted reality for many. Morgan Daniel, the health center supervisor at Planned Parenthood Jacksonville, spoke to Good Morning America on Friday, May 3, about the inspiring words that have now become a beacon of hope. Related: Arizona Narrowly Repeals 1864 Abortion Ban After 2 GOP Senators Break with Party "I couldn't tell you what the first message was," Daniel said. "That space is private, and nobody can see them writing those messages, so that's part of why it is important, to be able to have that outlet in private." John Parra/Getty An abortion rights activist, July 2022 The messages began appearing ahead of Floridas six-week abortion ban, which went into effect this week. About a year ago, staff members at the clinic noticed the messages on the wall near the baby changing station in the bathroom. As time went on, more and more patients joined in, leaving notes to uplift others going through similar situations. "Traveled 5 hrs b/c of laws in my state," one wall message reads. "My body my choice. We matter." Related: Pregnant Florida Woman Denied Emergency Abortion, Sent Home from Hospital: I Knew I Would Die Within Days (Exclusive) According to Daniel, "All of the messages are empowering and focus on women supporting women and people being there to support each other. The health center supervisor continued, "The majority of the messages are saying encouraging words like, 'You've got this. You have people stand by you. You're safe. You're making the right decision for you and where you're at in your life.'" Last month, the Florida Supreme Court upheld a 15-week abortion ban that was signed into law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in April 2022. It was announced that the ban on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy would take effect on May 1. John Parra/Getty An abortion rights activist, July 2022 Floridas bans like those put forward by Republican elected officials across the country are putting the health and lives of millions of women at risk, President Joe Biden said in a statement issued by the White House on April 2. These extreme laws take away womens freedom to make their own health care decisions and threaten physicians with jail time simply for providing the medical care that they were trained to provide, the statement continued. Related: Rape, Incest Victims Must Show Proof to Get Exception to Florida's New Abortion Ban Biden, 81, added that he and Vice President Kamala Harris stand with the vast majority of Americans who support a womans right to choose, including in Florida, and called upon Americans to vote in support of a reproductive freedom ballot initiative this November. Also speaking to GMA on Friday, Michelle Quesada, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of South, East, and North Florida, said, "The wall now is more important than ever. 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. "These are messages of real-life experiences, real moments where someone was within our health center to receive this care that they desperately needed and deserved, and now there are going to be many patients who come to us and see that and, unfortunately, they'll be beyond the gestational age to get the help they need in our center, she added. Daniel referred to the messages as empowering. "It's important for the patients to be able to have some sort of uplift and to be able to see, again, that they're not alone, she said. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. PD: Woman struck, killed when she failed to use crosswalk while crossing street PD: Woman struck, killed when she failed to use crosswalk while crossing street EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 66-year-old woman was struck and killed by a car early Friday morning, May 3 in Northwest El Paso when she failed to use a designated crosswalk, El Paso Police said. Argelia Luzina Benavides, 66, was crossing the street at about 6 a.m. along the 1700 block of Northwestern Dr. when she was struck by a car, police said. Pedestrian crash leads to serious injuries in Northwest El Paso She was taken to a local hospital where she died from her injuries, police said. Police say Benavides failed to use a designated crosswalk and did not yield the right of way to a car that was traveling along the road. Police said the driver was unable to avoid hitting Benavides and stayed at the scene. This is the 21st traffic fatality in El Paso so far this year, which is the same number as last year at the same time of year. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Neville Chamberlain, pictured at Heston Airport on his return from a summit with Hitler in Germany - Hulton Archive It was the trip from which Neville Chamberlain returned speaking of peace for our time just months before such hopes were dashed by the outbreak of the Second World War. Now the return ticket for the flight taken by the prime minister to a summit with Adolf Hitler is to go on sale at auction. Mr Chamberlain and his aides boarded the flight from Heston, near Heathrow, to Munich, on Sept 29 1938 at 8.30am. He returned the next day using the ticket BA/WS 18249, and after disembarking from the aircraft waved the agreement he claimed had secured peace. A large crowd cheered and applauded him rapturously, in the belief that war had been averted. The Prime Minister stood in front of a British Airways Lockheed14 Super Electra (G-AFGN) aeroplane and said: The settlement of the Czechoslovakian problem, which has now been achieved is, in my view, only the prelude to a larger settlement in which all Europe may find peace. The ticket issued to the prime minister is expected to fetch up to 15,000 This morning I had another talk with the German Chancellor, Herr Hitler, and here is the paper which bears his name upon it as well as mine. Speaking later at Downing Street he once more raised hopes of peace for our time. But the illusion was shattered when less than a year later Hitler invaded Poland and Britain found itself at war. The auction includes 11 other ticket counterfoils from the Prime Ministers party and they will be offered at the Dominic Winter sale near Cirencester in Gloucestershire on May 23, with an estimated price of between 10,000 and 15,000. Chris Albury from the saleroom said: Chamberlain had flown to Germany twice without success prior to this visit. Chamberlain flew back to England on Sept 15, 1938, convinced he had averted war - Corbis War looked inevitable because of Germanys demands over Czechoslovakia and the Prime Minister was relaying this likelihood to the House of Commons when a message reached him that Hitler would host a conference. Also invited were the Italian leader Benito Mussolini and Edouard Daladier, the French prime minister. The Dictionary of National Biography states that: The relief was indescribable. For the moment differences were forgotten, and the goodwill of the whole House was with him as he left for the last stage of these momentous events. The Lockheed Electra plane which carried Chamberlain to Germany and back for the last-ditch summit - Royal Air Force Museum/Hulton Archive Mr Albury continued: Just after midnight on Friday 30 September, the Munich agreement was signed and later that day Chamberlain flew the three hours back to Heston. What followed would for many define Chamberlains career and legacy and tar him with the brush of appeasement so rejected by his successor Winston Churchill. These ticket counterfoils are important artefacts which many believed had delivered a message of peace, but in fact were just a prelude to the Second World War. The tickets of not only Chamberlain but his entire entourage are in the sale They were consigned by the family of a late aviation enthusiast who spent many years building his collection. They will also be of interest to collectors of political memorabilia, Second World War enthusiasts and museums and institutions. Chamberlains ticket has his name and title, The Rt Hon Neville Chamberlain, written on it in pen. The phrase peace for our time used by Chamberlain is often confused with the phrase peace in our time from the Book of Common Prayer. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. One person was killed Friday night in a hit-and-run crash, police said. Around 9:20 p.m. Friday, officers responded near Independence Avenue and Indiana Avenue on reports of a crash involving a pedestrian. Police say a silver Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was traveling west on Independence Avenue when it struck the pedestrian. The pickup fled the scene and a witness followed them to another location, police said. The driver of the pickup truck later returned to the scene of the crash. Capt. Jacob Becchina, a spokesman with the Kansas City Police Department, said there is evidence a second vehicle may have also struck the pedestrian and fled the scene in an unknown direction. The pedestrian was taken to a hospital where they were pronounced dead. As of Saturday morning, the age and gender of the victim have not been provided. According to Becchina, the crash marks Kansas Citys 39th traffic fatality of 2024. Pharmaceutical companies knowingly sold a treatment infected with HIV to the NHS, The Telegraph can reveal. Internal documents from American pharmaceutical companies show they knew a wonder drug made from human plasma could transmit HIV to patients, but they sold it regardless. Some 1,250 people in the UK contracted HIV in the 70s and 80s from Factor VIII, a treatment for the bleeding disorder haemophilia. Up to 5,000 more also contracted hepatitis C. The Infected Blood Inquiry will report later this month on mistakes that allowed Factor VIII contaminated with HIV and hepatitis C to be imported into the UK and prescribed to patients on the NHS. Survivors who have been seeking justice for 40 years expect the final report on May 20 to be critical of Factor VIII manufacturers, successive governments, and doctors. The report will also explain how as many as 26,800 people contracted hepatitis C from blood transfusions. When the first three people with haemophilia came down with AIDS in the US in July 1982, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warned the fatal illness could be caused by a blood-borne agent in Factor VIII. In December 1982, Bayers Cutter Laboratories discovered chimpanzees had developed AIDS-like symptoms after also being treated with Factor VIII, according to an internal memo. However, the company didnt warn patients about the potential risks. As the dangers became clear, Bayer kept selling Factor VIII. Having created a safer, heat-treated version without viruses in February 1984, Bayer continued to sell the HIV and hepatitis C-contaminated Factor VIII until August 1985. The UK kept prescribing the dangerous version of Factor VIII until late 1985, and it never recalled it from hospitals. Cutter rejected the idea of recalling its infected Factor VIII from Asian countries in 1984 because it could cost up to $2 million worth of sales, according to documents published in The Poison Line: Life and Death in the Infected Blood Scandal. A year later, the companys marketing plan said, AIDS has not become a major issue in Asia. The company outlined how it would dump the infected product in countries including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Argentina. It added that hysteria over AIDS could reduce our sales by as much as $400,000. In another case, Revlon Healthcare-owned Armour Pharmaceuticals suppressed evidence from 1985 to 1986 that HIV had been discovered in its safe version of Factor VIII, which had been heat-treated to kill viruses. Rather than withdrawing the faulty product from sale, the company deemed the problem a marketing issue and covered it up. Six patients in the UK contracted HIV from that version of Factor VIII which had been licensed as safe from blood-borne viruses. Dr Alfred Prince, a researcher at the New York Blood Center, found traces of HIV in Armours heat-treated Factor VIII in October 1985. But the company reacted to it as a financial threat, rather than a public health risk. The issue is not one of regulation, but rather of marketing, said Dr Mike Rodell, vice president of regulatory and technical affairs at Revlon Healthcare. He said the company was at risk of losing $6 million in sales. Armour and Dr Rodell, both of whom were acquitted by a Judge of criminal charges of negligence in Canada, chose to keep the information secret from the US Food and Drug Administration and keep selling the high-risk Factor VIII. After Dr Peter Jones, head of the haemophilia centre in Newcastle, told Armour four patients had tested positive for HIV after using the treatment, the company denied HIV had ever been found in its product. It took the company seven months to warn the Department of Health that traces of HIV had in fact been found. A further two children had been infected with the virus by October 1986 when it was withdrawn from the UK. We see precisely the same attitude from Armour here as we do throughout the whole period in which people are being infected, said Jason Evans, director of Factor 8. Its clear that Armours overriding concern is market share and profits, not patient safety. He added, People were infected through the deliberate sale of a product that was known to be infected. If thats not criminal, I really dont know what is. No charges have ever been brought in the UK for anyone involved in the infected blood scandal. Christopher Bishop, former marketing manager, managing director of Armour in the UK and one of the only pharma representatives to give evidence at the Infected Blood Inquiry, said the delay in reacting to news that patients in the UK and Holland had contracted HIV was to prevent patients from panicking. I was aware of the Prince study, he said. The concern was that this was putting the frighteners into patients without the full facts being available. Quizzed by the Inquiry over why the company insisted the product was safe while still conducting tests, Mr Bishop said, Until further information was available and proven ... we were still confident that our product was safe. Sir Biran Langstaff, chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry, pushed back: But if youre investigating whether it is safe, how can you be confident that it is, without waiting? In other words, have you not got it perhaps the wrong way around, that you cant be confident until youve done the investigations and they show there is no reason to worry? Mr Bishop replied: Well, one way is a negative way of putting it, the other way is a positive way. Before antiretroviral treatments for HIV became available in the mid-1990s a diagnosis was viewed as a death sentence. The associated stigma led to people losing their jobs, struggling to get mortgages and being publicly attacked. It was clear from the 1970s that Factor VIII transmitted hepatitis C but US companies continued to pay high-risk donors for their plasma at centres in prisons, impoverished city centres, nightclub districts and STI clinics. A spokesman for Bayer said it is cooperating with the Infected Blood Inquiry and it would be inappropriate to comment in detail before the report. Bayer is truly sorry that this tragic situation occurred and that therapies that were developed by Bayer Group companies, and were prescribed by doctors to save and improve lives, in fact, ended up causing so much suffering to so many. CSL Behring, which acquired Armours manufacturing facilities in 2004 said: We cannot comment on the historical activities of Armour Pharmaceuticals. The Poison Line: Life and Death in the Infected Blood Scandal by Cara McGoogan is out now. Listen to Bed of Lies, a six-part Telegraph podcast laying bare one of the biggest medical disasters in history, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred podcast app. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Physicists Say They May Have Found a Powerful Glitch in the Universe Einstein 2.0 Researchers have discovered what they're calling a "cosmic glitch" in gravity, which could potentially help explain the universe's strange behavior on a cosmic scale. As detailed in a new paper published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, the team from the University of Waterloo and the University of British Columbia in Canada posit that Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity may not be sufficient to explain the accelerating expansion of the universe. Einstein's "model of gravity has been essential for everything from theorizing the Big Bang to photographing black holes," said lead author and Waterloo mathematical physics graduate Robin Wen in a statement about the research. "But when we try to understand gravity on a cosmic scale, at the scale of galaxy clusters and beyond, we encounter apparent inconsistencies with the predictions of general relativity." "It's almost as if gravity itself stops perfectly matching Einstein's theory," he added. "We are calling this inconsistency a 'cosmic glitch': gravity becomes around one percent weaker when dealing with distances in the billions of light years." Glitchuationship In response, the team came up with a new model of such a "glitch" that modifies Einstein's theory to resolve these inconsistencies. "Think of it as being like a footnote to Einstein's theory," Wen said in the statement. "Once you reach a cosmic scale, terms and conditions apply." It's one possible solution for a problem that astronomers and physicists have been racking their brains over for decades. "Almost a century ago, astronomers discovered that our universe is expanding," explained coauthor and University of Waterloo astrophysics professor Niayesh Afshordi. "The farther away galaxies are, the faster they are moving, to the point that they seem to be moving at nearly the speed of light, the maximum allowed by Einstein's theory." "Our finding suggests that, on those very scales, Einstein's theory may also be insufficient," he added. According to Afshordi, their suggested patch for a "cosmic glitch" is only the beginning. "This new model might just be the first clue in a cosmic puzzle we are starting to solve across space and time," he said. More on the expansion of the universe: Physicists Suggest Universe Is Full of Material Moving Faster Than Light Lidia Lominevksa, who fled her house in Ocheretyne on foot after a bombardment, sits in a shelter in Pokrovsk - GENYA SAVILOV/AFP The Ukrainian village of Ocheretyne has been battered by fighting, according to new footage as Russian troops continue to make advances in the countrys eastern Donetsk region. It came as firefighters in Kharkiv worked overnight on Friday to put out a major fire caused by an exploding drone attack that wounded four. Ukraines military has acknowledged the Russians have gained a foothold in Ocheretyne, which had a population of about 3,000 before the war, but says that fighting continues. Moscow has been pounding Kyivs depleted, ammunition-deprived forces with artillery, drones and bombs. Not a single person is seen in the footage, and no building in Ocheretyne appears to have been left untouched by the fighting. Most houses, apartment blocks and other buildings look damaged beyond repair, and many houses have been pummeled into piles of wood and bricks. A factory on the outskirts has also been badly damaged. The footage also shows smoke billowing from several houses, and fires burning in at least two buildings. Drone footage shows devastation inflicted on Ocheretyne, a target for Russian forces in the Donetsk region - KHERSON/GREEN Among those who have scrambled to leave the village in recent weeks is Lidia Stepanivna Lomikovska. The 98-year-old woman walked almost 6 miles alone wearing a pair of slippers and supported by a cane in one hand and a splintered piece of wood in the other after she was separated from her family while fleeing to safety last week. I woke up surrounded by shooting all around so scary, Ms Lomikovska said in a video interview posted by the National Police of Donetsk region. Describing her journey, the nonagenarian said she had fallen twice and was forced to stop to rest at some points, even sleeping along the way before waking up and continuing her journey. Once I lost balance and fell into weeds. I fell asleepa little, and continued walking. And then, for the second time, again, I fell. But then I got up and thought to myself: I need to keep walking, bit by bit, Ms Lomikovska said. She was eventually spotted by Ukrainian soldiers and handed over to the White Angels, a police group that evacuates citizens living on the front line, who took her to a shelter for evacuees and contacted her relatives. Ms Lomikovska is helped by a Ukrainian police officer after her six-mile journey with only a cane and a wooden stick for support - UKRAINIAN NATIONAL POLICE OF DONETSK REGION I survived [the Second World War]. I had to go through this war too, and in the end, I am left with nothing. That war wasnt like this one. I saw that war. Not a single house burned down. But now, everything is on fire, she said to her rescuer. Elsewhere, firefighters in Kharkiv were battling overnight to extinguish a major fire after Russian forces struck with exploding drones, Oleh Syniehubov, the regional governor said on Saturday. Four people were wounded and a two-story civilian building was damaged and set ablaze overnight. The four, including a 13-year-old, were hurt by falling debris, he said on the Telegram messaging app. Ukraines military said Russia launched a total of 13 Shahed drones at the Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions of eastern Ukraine overnight, all of which were shot down by Ukrainian air defences. Mr Syniehubov said Russia also bombed Kharkiv on Friday, damaging residential buildings and sparking a fire. An 82-year-old woman died and two men were wounded. In recent weeks, Russia has stepped up attacks on Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, in an attempt to terrorise its 1.3 million residents. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Poland's Foreign Ministry has issued a statement regarding Russia's malicious actions in cyberspace. Source: a statement by the Polish Foreign Ministry, as reported by European Pravda Details: "Poland stands in solidarity with Germany and with Czechia following the malicious cyber campaign against their political parties and democratic institutions. Both countries have publicly attributed the responsibility to the Advanced Persistent Threat 28 controlled by the Russian Federation," the statement said. The statement said that Poland, as a country that was one of the targets of APT28 attacks, "strongly condemns the repetitive and unacceptable malicious cyber campaigns conducted by the Russian actors". "Our position is expressed in the statements of the European Union and NATO. We call on all States, particularly Russia, [the] private sector and individuals to adhere to the principles of responsible behaviour in cyberspace," the statement said. Poland's Foreign Ministry stressed that in the face of the constant growth of threats in cyberspace, "Poland is committed to protecting national critical infrastructure, building resilience and bolstering cyber defences". Background: Earlier on Friday, the EU condemned Russia's malicious cyber campaign against Germany and Czechia. NATO also expressed solidarity with Germany and Czechia in connection with the cyberattacks carried out by a Russian hacker group and is ready to consider a coordinated response to the threat. On 3 May, the German Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian Embassy's charge d'affaires in reaction to last year's Russian cyberattack on the ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD). Support UP or become our patron! Poland says it too targeted in Russian cyberattacks across Europe The Polish government says it was the target of a Russian-backed hacking group that has carried out cyberattacks across Europe, including Germany and the Czech Republic. Photo courtesy Government of Poland May 4 (UPI) -- The Polish government says it was also the target of a Russian-backed hacking group that European and U.S. officials claim has carried out a series of cyberattacks against democratic institutions in Europe. Poland's foreign ministry confirmed in a statement issued late Friday it had been targeted by the Russian hacker group known as Fancy Bear or APT28. Polish officials did not elaborate on the extent of the attempted cyberattacks. The statement came shortly after Germany and the Czech Republic confirmed those countries were also targeted by the same Russian-backed hacker group. "Poland stands in solidarity with Germany and with Czechia following the malicious cyber campaign against their political parties and democratic institutions," the Polish foreign ministry said in the statement. "Poland, being also among targets of the APT28, strongly condemns the repetitive and unacceptable malicious cyber campaigns conducted by the Russian actors." Germany said it summoned the acting charge d'affaires of the Russian embassy in Berlin to answer questions about a Russian cyberattack last year aimed at the governing Social Democratic Party. The European Union and NATO on Friday both condemned the attacks and Russia's involvement against all three countries. "The malicious cyber campaign shows Russia's continuous pattern of irresponsible behavior in cyberspace, by targeting democratic institutions, government entities and critical infrastructure providers across the European Union and beyond," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement. "The EU will not tolerate such malicious behavior, particularly activities that aim to degrade our critical infrastructure, weaken societal cohesion and influence democratic processes," he added, referring to the June elections to the European Parliament. NATO also called on Russia to comply with its "international obligations." Germany earlier on Friday confirmed the attacks against it, while at the same time offering supporting words to the Czech Republic. "The Russian cyber attacks are a threat to our democracy, which we are resolutely countering. We are acting side by side within the EU , NATO and with our international partners," German Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said in a statement. "We will not allow ourselves to be intimidated by the Russian regime under any circumstances. We will Continue to massively support Ukraine, which is defending itself against Putin's murderous war," she said. The United States also weighed in Friday, strongly condemning what it called "the malicious cyber activity by Russia's General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), also known as APT28, against Germany, Czechia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Sweden. "We join Germany in attributing specific malign activity carried out by APT28 that targeted a German political party," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in an official statement. Meanwhile, the Kremlin dismissed the European allegations of cyberattacks as "groundless." "The U.S. authorities simply have nothing to demonstrate in support of their insinuations," Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov said in a social media post. "It is obvious that such provocative bogus stories will only intensify as the U.S. presidential election is coming up, as it was the case in previous years. Local politicians feel like masters of the situation, escalating the alleged 'Russian threat' and distracting voters' attention from pressing issues," he wrote. Police arrest man in death of man found near Las Vegas Strip LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Police arrested a man in the shooting death of a man found near the Las Vegas Strip, records showed. Loth Rodriguez, 67, was arrested on charges of open murder on Friday, records showed. Police investigate man found dead near Las Vegas Strip, police say On April 28, police responded to the 800 block of East Sahara Avenue where they located the body of a man who was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound, police said. Rodriguez was scheduled to appear in court on Saturday, records showed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. (KRON) A mans dead body was found buried in Hayward after his alleged murderer shot him to death several days prior, the Hayward Police Department reports. The suspect, Andres Sanchez, 38, from Hayward, has since been arrested. The victim has not yet been identified. Woman arrested for illegal SF gambling den; guns, drugs, machines seized The shooting occurred early in the morning on April 26. Police said witnesses encountered two men arguing on San Antonio and Hayman Streets in Hayward. Witnesses said one man grabbed a handgun and started shooting at the other. Despite believing the man was killed from being shot, witnesses didnt make a call to 9-1-1 until two days after the shooting on April 28, police said. Officers responded to the scene but found nobody there. They then contacted nearby local hospitals about the shooting, but no victims were located, police said. Further investigation identified Sanchez as a suspect. Officials also found Sachez to have outstanding warrants. On April 30, witnesses saw Sanchez riding an ATV by some train tracks on Tennyson Road and Leidig Court. Officers arrived on the scene and attempted to contact Sanchez, but he immediately fled on his ATV, police said. Sanchez then traveled southbound and jumped over a wall into a residential neighborhood before barricading himself in the garage of a private residence near Chance Street in Hayward. The two homeowners were able to exit the home without injury as officers arrived and contained the area, police said. Hayward PDs Special Response Unit, assisted by the Fremont Police Department and the Alameda County Sheriffs Office, responded to the scene and began negotiations with Sanchez. After hours of negotiation, Sanchez peacefully surrendered and was taken into custody, police said. 11 SAP Nortenos South Bay street gang members charged for racketeering Later in the day, at 9:45 p.m., detectives located the body of a man with apparent gunshot wounds near the area of the original shooting. Police said the body had been concealed with dirt and debris, and they believed that the man had been dead for several days. Information on the body found is not being released at this time due to formal identification protocols set by the Alameda County Sheriffs Office, police said. Sanchez was since arrested for his outstanding warrants, felony evasion, home invasion robbery, and murder. This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Scinto at 510-293-7176. This is Haywards fourth homicide of 2024, HPD said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Israeli army vehicles block a road during a raid in the West Bank town of Deir al-Ghusun near Tulkarem. Mohammed Nasser/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Five Palestinians were killed and a police officer injured in an anti-terrorist operation by Israeli security forces in the West Bank on Saturday. During a twelve-hour operation north of the town of Turkam, soldiers and police surrounded a house in which suspected members of a terrorist cell were staying, according to a police spokesman. After shots were fired from the building, the security forces returned fire with various weapons systems. The building was also attacked twice by an Israeli drone. Military equipment and weapon parts were seized in the building, the statement added. According to Israeli reports, the victims were members of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamist Hamas organisation. They are said to have killed one soldier and injured another in an attack in April. The Palestinian Health Ministry in the West Bank stated on Saturday that two of the five victims were members of the Al-Qassam Brigades. There has been an increase in attacks by Palestinians in the occupied West Bank in recent years. Since the beginning of the Gaza war following the Hamas massacre on October 7 last year, the situation has worsened once again. According to the Ministry of Health in the West Bank, at least 473 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military operations, confrontations or their own attacks since then. At the same time, there has also been an increase in violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians. Israeli army vehicles block a road during a raid in the West Bank town of Deir al-Ghusun near Tulkarem. Mohammed Nasser/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa The protest at UCL on Saturday: both groups called for a ceasefire in Gaza - Guy Bell/Shutterstock Police held back crowds of protesters outside University College London (UCL) on Saturday as Israel-supporting demonstrators faced off with a pro-Palestine crowd. The counter-protest came in response to a pro-Palestine encampment that has been set up at the universitys campus in Bloomsbury, London. UCL students have pitched tents near the main campus building to show their opposition to the institutions position on the Israel-Hamas war. Around 100 Palestine supporters banged drums and waved flags on Saturday while chanting free Palestine over a megaphone. They held signs saying divest from death and no justice, no peace. An individual speaking over a megaphone told the group not to talk to police. They were faced by around 50 Israel-supporting demonstrators with a megaphone, chanting: Terrorist supporters off our streets. Anti-Semites off our streets. Both sides were heard calling for a ceasefire. Police asked the rival protesters to keep to opposite sides of the street - Guy Bell/Shutterstock More than 40 Metropolitan Police officers were on the scene with a fleet of marked police vehicles parked nearby. Officers marshalled the crowds on either side of the road. Three men carrying signs saying Hamas are terrorists and holding Israel flags walked across the street to face down the Palestine-supporting crowd. Officers immediately grabbed the men and escorted them back to the opposite side of the road. Police were seen restraining other pro-Israel demonstrators who attempted to cross the road. Despite this, police allowed pro-Palestine activists who had similarly crossed the road, to shout in the faces of the Israel-supporters for several minutes. Officers then spoke to the group and asked them to return to their original position. One Israel supporter who was wearing a T-shirt with enough is enough written on it told The Telegraph: University campuses have become threatening and racist places both in the UK and the US. There is currently a climate of fear and loathing in these places that I will not stand. That is why I am here, to stop these groups intimidating people. Sharon, who chose not to give her second name, was demonstrating in support of Israel. The 47-year-old executive assistant from West London said: These people are openly supporting Hamas which is actually a criminal offence and they are calling for Hamas to destroy a whole country of people. Pro-Palestine protesters crossed the street to confront the pro-Israel group - Guy Bell/Shutterstock Its really wrong on every level and not acceptable. They are chanting intifada, which is a call for an uprising, and Khaybar, Khaybar, ya yahud, which means slaughter Jews. Hamas are bloodthirsty terrorists who want to murder Jews. She added: Police havent been policing the demonstrations which is why we are here to help them identify these criminals. The police simply cant be bothered. Its not acceptable. Thats why its important to be here and to show we are not scared, and that we will not be bullied. When approached by The Telegraph, Palestine supporters refused to speak. The Metropolitan Police was contacted for comment. Elsewhere, pro-Palestine protests were staged across the country. Protesters calling for a ceasefire were seen outside a Barclays bank on Tottenham Court Road, London. They claimed that Barclays is one of the biggest funders of the arms trade with Israel. Barclays has been contacted for comment. The bank has previously explained that its investments reflect the shares held by its private wealth and retail customers and said it would cease any relationship with any business where we saw evidence that it manufactures cluster bombs or components. In Leeds, a similar demonstration was held, with footage on social media showing around 100 people standing outside Leeds Art Gallery, chanting: We are the people, we wont be silenced, stop bombing Gaza now, now, now! One Israel supporter at UCL told The Telegraph campuses were 'becoming threatening places' - Guy Bell/Shutterstock Pro-Palestine activists also disrupted a students union awards dinner at the University of Leeds on Thursday night, injuring a security guard during a demonstration. It is understood the security had been provided by the Leeds University Union, and that a female employee suffered a minor injury in the disruption. Footage of the incident emerged on Saturday showing the crowd jostling with security personnel who were attempting to prevent them entering the event. A spokesperson for the University of Leeds said: We are deeply disappointed that an annual celebration of outstanding student contribution to University life held by and for students was temporarily disrupted by a demonstration by protesters entering the event. While we respect the right to freedom of expression within the law, we have communicated clear guidance regarding protests to those currently camped on our campus. The university said it would be taking appropriate action against the students. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Police investigating incident where man was shot in his face in southwest Atlanta The Atlanta Police Department is investigating a shooting that left a 20-year-old injured in southwest Atlanta. According to APD, officers were flagged down while on patrol around 8:25 p.m. on Friday night near Stanton Road SW about a person shot. When officers arrived, they found a 20-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his face. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Police said the victim was alert, conscious and breathing when they found him and he was taken to the hospital for treatment. A preliminary investigation revealed the incident itself happened at 1890 Plaza Lane SW in Atlanta, according to police. Now, APD investigators from the Aggravated Assault Unit are working to determine what happened and the investigation remains ongoing. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Police search for suspects after double shooting in central San Diego SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Police are searching for suspects after a man and woman were shot in the Stockton neighborhood Friday night. According to the San Diego Police Department, officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 3100 block of L Street around 10:30 p.m. Bodies of three missing surfers found, Baja California authorities say Upon arrival, police located a 34-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his right lower leg. Officers provided first aid to the victim, and continued investigating the incident. A short time later, the department said a 35-year-old woman suffering a gunshot wound to the abdomen was also found in the area. Both victims were transported by ambulance to local hospitals. Police said they are expected to recover from their injuries. Neither victim could provide a suspect description or details regarding the incident. The departments Street Gangs Unit was notified of the incident and is investigating. Anyone with information related to the double shooting is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. DENVER (KDVR) Police have identified a third person of interest in an April homicide at a Glendale apartment complex after two suspects were arrested last month. Investigators want to speak to Blake Andrew Warren, 20, who is believed to have crucial information about the shooting death of Gianni Fernandez, according to the Glendale Police Department. Warren is described as around 5-foot-9 and 140 pounds with black hair and brown eyes, and he has a very distinct tattoo on his right hand of what appears to be a clock face with Roman numerals, the department said. Blake Andrew Warren Fernandez, 20, was shot and killed at the Urban Phenix apartments in the 4700 block of East Mississippi Avenue. Another person, whom family members identified as Fernandezs best friend, also was shot but survived. Gianni Fernandez Police said three people were seen fleeing from the apartment complex at 2:59 a.m. that Friday, April 5. Police said the victim invited a woman to the complex, who was later seen opening the security gate to allow two men inside. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Two of the suspects were taken into custody in April. Police said Caleb Choice, 22, surrendered to police in Glendale, and Sarah Sandoval, 21, was arrested in Texas. Anyone with information is asked to contact the tip line at 303-639-4328 or by email at AMCDONALD@glendale.co.us. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Polish Foreign Minister says Putin should be wondering what Ukraine's Western allies might do next Radosaw Sikorski, Polands Minister of Foreign Affairs, has said that Russian leader Vladimir Putin should be kept in the dark about the Wests possible next steps. Source: Radosaw Sikorski in an interview with BBC World, as reported by RFM24 and European Pravda Details: Citing French President Emmanuel Macrons statement that he is not ruling out the possibility of deploying Western troops to Ukraine, Sikorski said that Putin should be put in a position where he is not sure what the West might do, instead of ruling out certain scenarios. When asked whether Poland was considering sending its troops to Ukraine, Sikorski said he was not going to reveal Polands plans in order to "make Putin wonder what we will do and not always reassure him that we wont do certain things." "We are spending the biggest proportion of our GDP [on defence] in NATO, 4% of GDP, and we might go higher next year," Sikorski said. When asked whether Russia posed a direct threat to Poland, Sikorski said that he does not think Putin will be reckless enough to attack a NATO member state, but added that he was reckless enough to attack Ukraine, something that has contributed to his status as a war criminal. Sikorski said the war can only end when Putin realises that the costs of continuing it, both in terms of human lives and in terms of financial losses, outweighs the importance of the goal he wanted to achieve. However, Sikorski said, it might take time for Putin to arrive at this realisation. Finally, when asked about the role of diplomacy in bringing this war to an end, Sikorski said that there are a lot of potential intermediaries, including Turkiye and the UN. He added that although China could force Putin to end this war, he currently sees no indications that Putin wants to negotiate. Background: Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto believes that French President Emmanuel Macrons willingness to consider deploying Western troops to Ukraine has aggravated tension around Russias war against Ukraine. In late February 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron said following a meeting of European leaders that he proposed that Western countries send their troops to Ukraine. Macron later said that he maintains his opinion that European troops could be deployed in Ukraine and thinks it would be the right thing to do. Support UP or become our patron! PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Following a days-long occupation, the Portland State University library isnt projected to re-open until later this fall. According to a letter sent to the campus community this afternoon, PSU President Ann Cudd toured the Branford Price Millar Library on Friday morning and realized it was not suitable for occupation. VIDEO: Extensive look at the destruction left inside the PSU library In lieu of the library, Cudd announced university staff is working to implement remote services and find alternative study spaces for students. The president also said PSU has experienced a great deal of stress this week with disruptive closures. I also know there is still much hurt and anger surrounding the protests, the ongoing violence in Gaza and the disturbing scenes that have played out in our midst, Cudd wrote. I know many of you will continue to raise your voice in protest and I am in full support of your right to do so. At the same time I expect that protesters will not intimidate and harass students or other members of our community. Portland authorizes contract with oversight team monitoring city police She added that PSU will continue to back the law, as well as university policies related to trespassing and damaging property. Cudd has postponed the Presidential Investiture Ceremony, which was initially to be held on Friday, May 10 at the Viking Pavilion. This will give my team more capacity to plan for the Boeing Forum and other opportunities for healing campus events, she said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Sunday, May 5, 2024 is recognized as Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day across the United States. The date was selected because the Montana congressional delegation persuaded the U.S. Senate to pass a resolution declaring the national day of awareness because May 5 was the birthday of Hanna Harris, a 21-year-old member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe who went missing on July 4, 2013. She would have turned 32 today had she lived. On Friday, the White House released a presidential proclamation for Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day, 2024. In the proclamation President Joe Biden says: "Across Indian Country, justice for the missing has been elusive for too long." Read the entire presidential proclamation below. Presidential Proclamation For decades, Native communities across this continent have been devastated by an epidemic of disappearances and killings, too often without resolution, justice, or accountability. On Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day, we honor the individuals missing and the lives lost, and we recommit to working with Tribal Nations to end the violence and inequities that drive this crisis, delivering safety and healing. Across Indian Country, justice for the missing has been elusive for too long. Too many Native families know the pain of a loved one being declared missing or murdered, and women, girls, and LGBTQI+ and Two-Spirit individuals are bearing the brunt of this violence. In the depths of their grief, the work of investigating these disappearances, demanding justice, and fighting for the hopeful return of their loved ones has fallen on the shoulders of families. Legions of brave activists have sought to change that. We need to provide greater resources and ensure the accountability that every community deserves. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. During my first year in office, I signed an Executive Order directing Federal agencies to join Tribal Nations in responding to this crisis with new urgency. Since then, the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior have worked together to accelerate investigations and bring families closure in ways that respect their cultures and the trauma they have endured. The Department of the Interior created a unit dedicated to this work, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation has hired personnel to focus on these cases and ensure that victims families are heard throughout this process. Further, as a result of an effort spearheaded by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland when she was in the Congress, Federal agencies are responding to and implementing the recommendations of the Not Invisible Act Commission a commission composed of loved ones of missing or murdered individuals, law enforcement,Tribal leaders, Federal partners, service providers, and survivors of gender-based violence to combat this epidemic. We will continue working with the governments of Canada and Mexico through the Trilateral Working Group on Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls to make sure our efforts are coordinated and incorporate Tribal input. At the same time, we are supporting efforts within the community to crack down on gender-based violence in Indian Country. We reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 2022, which included historic provisions to strengthen Tribal sovereignty and safety, expanding Tribal jurisdiction to include prosecution of non-Native perpetrators of stalking, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and child abuse for crimes committed on Tribal lands. Further, my Administration invested in training for law enforcement and Federal court officers to ensure they respond to cases of gender-based violence through a trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach. My new Budget designates $800 million for the Department of Justice to support VAWA programs, including a new grant program that will work to address the missing or murdered Indigenous persons crisis. The United States has made a solemn promise to fulfill its trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations and to help rebuild Tribal economies and institutions. Ending this devastating epidemic is an important piece of that work. Today, we mourn with the families who have lost a piece of their soul to this crisis, and we honor the Indigenous activists and advocates who have summoned the courage to shine light on the tragedy. Their actions have already saved countless lives. Together, we will resolve these unanswered questions and build a future for everyone based on safety, security, and self-determination. NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 5, 2024, as Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. I call on all Americans and ask all levels of government to support Tribal governments and Tribal communities efforts to increase awareness and address the issues of missing or murdered Indigenous persons through appropriate programs and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth. JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR. About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net At least six contenders for the former president's running mate Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C.; Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio; Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y.; South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and North Dakota Gov. Doug Bergum attended a Republican donor retreat Friday and Saturday in Palm Beach, Florida, in what looks like a series of auditions. PALM BEACH, Florida - Sen. Tim Scott said the GOP doesnt need a 2024 campaign message tailored to Black voters, while Sen. Marco Rubio delivered a similar message about Hispanic voters and immigration to a group of GOP donors gathered at a closed-door event in South Florida on Friday. Both Scott, who is Black, and Rubio, who is Hispanic, are top minority leaders in the Republican Party who are on presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trumps short list of possible running mates. They are viewed as leading vice presidential contenders, in part, because of their potential appeal to demographics the GOP has struggled with. If picked by Trump, either senator would make history paired this November against Vice President Kamala Harris, herself the first woman and Asian American to hold the office. Yet both Rubio and Scott downplayed the role that race would play in the presidential campaign to the group of GOP donors Friday, according to three people who were in the private event and spoke with USA Today. The senators' remarks show how emphasizing race or gender can be a fraught issue within a party that has long skewed older, whiter and male and often talks about prioritizing merit over identity. The Republican National Committee hosted the spring retreat for major donors over the weekend at the Four Seasons oceanside luxury hotel in Palm Beach, which is located a few miles north of Trump's Mar-a-Lago private club and personal residence. The event drew some of the partys top elected leaders, many of whom are believed to be on Trumps list of potential running mates. The weekend was an audition of sorts for the vice presidential contenders. In addition to Scott and Rubio, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, New York Rep. Elise Stefanik and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem spoke to donors and mingled with them throughout the weekend. All are considered potential Trump running mates. Some Republicans in and out of Trump's orbit say they believe it would be a good political move for the former president to pick a woman or among the men with diverse backgrounds as a way to balance out the Republican ticket as it challenges President Joe Biden and Harris. Polls show Trump has made inroads with Black and Hispanic voters, and choosing a running mate who might appeal to these demographics could help cement those gains. A female candidate could help Trump's message to voters on abortion, an issue that has bedeviled his campaign. Ive always been an advocate of a woman as a VP because I think you have some strong women, Steve Bannon, who served as chief strategist in Trump's White House, said recently on Donald Trump Jrs show "Triggered." Rally goers, 45th President Donald Trump and Marco Rubio are seen at the Save America Rally at the Miami Dade County Fair and Expo in Miami on Sunday November 6, 2022. ORG XMIT: 2634540 (Via OlyDrop) GOP leery of identity politics But many in the party are leery of picking a candidate solely for a quality like race or gender, and both Scott and Rubio seemed to tread carefully around the issue over the weekend, according to the three people at the donor event who spoke with USA Today. The senators spoke at a welcome dinner Friday that included three of their fellow Republican colleagues from the U.S. Capitol, Sens. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Mike Lee of Utah and Rick Scott of Florida. RNC Chairman Michael Whatley asked the group questions, including this inquiry posed directly to Tim Scott: Were doing much better with Black and Hispanic voters. What do you recommend that we do to expand on this trend? said Richard Porter, a GOP donor, attorney and Republican national committeeman from Illinois. Tim's response was: We need to recognize that we don't need a 'Black message," or a 'Hispanic message.' We need to have an American message and then take that message to people all across the country, Porter added. That message resonated with Porter, a member of the RNC since 2014. Thats who Tim is. He hasnt succeeded by being the Black candidate, hes succeeded by being an American candidate, a guy that advocates for everyone who tries to lift themselves up by their own bootstraps, Porter said. Rubio delivered a similar message but in a different way, Porter said. In speaking about illegal immigration and how Hispanics view the issue, Rubio said Democrats dont understand the range of views among Hispanic voters. They misread Hispanics voters they do not support open borders Porter said of Rubios comments. In fact, open border immigration angers many Hispanics voters because they are people building families and this issue impacts their families, their schools, their communities and their job opportunities. Rubio invoked his father, a Cuban immigrant. He said, For example, my dad didnt look in the mirror and see a 'Hispanic man.' He saw a father, a man with responsibilities to his family and a job in a hotel like this working events like this one,' Porter said of Rubios comments. Columbia, South Carolina | Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump greets supporters during an election night watch party at the State Fairgrounds on Feb. 24, 2024 in Columbia, S.C. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), applauding to Trumps left, endorsed the former president for another four-year term on Jan. 19. Contrast with Democrats That type of messaging contrasts with Democrats, who often explicitly seek to include minorities and women. Many Democrats pushed Biden to pick a Black woman as his running mate in 2020, and he ultimately selected Harris. The GOP has rebelled against that view, crusading in recent years against diversity, equity and inclusion policies in schools and businesses. The sensitivity around DEI may help explain why Scott and Rubio are eager to downplay race. "I don't think people would be selected because they're a minority, I think that they'll be selected because they're the right one for this role," said Van Mobley, a GOP donor and Wisconsin activist who was attending the RNC retreat. Chuck Strauch, a major GOP donor from South Carolina who served as CEO of various public companies, also attended the dinner with Rubio and Scott and confirmed their comments on race. Scott said It doesnt make any difference whether Im Black or white, Im an American, according to Strauch. Instead of emphasizing race, GOP leaders argue their economic message will resonate among voters across all demographics and is the reason working class voters have increasingly gravitated to Trump, including Black and Hispanic voters. That was Tim Scotts point of view, we are not gonna win unless we appeal to the things that make sense to the ordinary people, the working class, the blue collar worker, Strauch said. Rubio is confident Trump will win a good portion of the Hispanic vote, Strauch said. His point is that he thinks the Democrats have taken that segment of the population for granted, as they have perhaps for Blacks, that was his message, Strauch said. WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 16: (L-R) Governor of South Dakota Kristi Noem speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump listens during a meeting about the Governors Initiative on Regulatory Innovation in the Cabinet Room of the White House on December 16, 2019 in Washington, DC. President Trump encouraged further action to reduce unnecessary regulations that the administration says are holding back American businesses. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) 'What I'm interested in is leadership' Being a minority shouldnt matter in whether a candidate is selected to be Trumps running mate, Strauch said, although he conceded it does with some people. Theres definitely merit, I dont have to agree with it but the point is that there is merit to it, Stauch said of having a minority running mate, adding that when it comes to picking a vice president What Im interested in is leadership. Burgum and Noem spoke to GOP donors during a breakfast event Saturday. Noem has been under fire for writing in a recently-released book that she killed a 14-month-old pet dog. The dog thing didnt come up, Strauch said. She was in a friendly audience. Strauch said he believes Noems revelations about killing her dog likely took her out of the running to be Trumps running mate. Bannon and Trump Jr. questioned Noem's judgement on Trump Jr's show last week. It probably has taken her out of the race, you know a lot of people dont like shooting dogs, Strauch said. Burgum talked about economic issues such as deregulation and tax cuts. Approached by USA TODAY while he was walking to a car waiting to transport him to Mar-a-Lago for a lunch event with Trump Saturday, Scott declined an interview through an aide. Vance told USA TODAY I have no idea if I am on the short list to be Trumps running mate and added I want to help Trump out wherever I can. Rubio, who faced blistering personal attacks from Trump during the 2016 Republican primaries and soon after made amends, spoke briefly with USA TODAY before Fridays dinner. The 52-year old senator said he hasnt had conversations with the Trump campaign about serving as vice president. Im interested in serving America but Ive never talked to anybody about it except for reporters, Rubio said. The RNC spring retreat also included a welcome reception Friday with House Speaker Mike Johnson and Stefanik and an update on the presidential race from top Trump campaign aides Chris LaCivita, Susie Wiles and Tony Fabrizio, who talked about fundraising and polling in various states, according to multiple media reports The aides said Trump's campaign raised $76.2 million in April, the New York Times reported, and that they believe Minnesota and Virginia are in play, according to NBC. The luncheon with Trump on Saturday featured Donalds, former 2024 GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Rep. Wesley Hunt of Texas. A Saturday evening "soiree" is planned with Vance and three leading Republican candidates for U.S. Senate seats this November: Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana, Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania and Bernie Moreno of Ohio, according to a schedule obtained by USA TODAY. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's minority VP prospects downplay race at Palm Beach donor event Pro-Palestine protesters marched toward the University of Michigans commencement stage Saturday as ongoing campus protests over Israels conflict in Gaza roll into graduation season. Videos taken by eyewitnesses at Michigan Stadium show dozens of protesters walking through the aisles holding Palestinian flags. The protesters could be heard reciting chants such as disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest, and Israel bombs, U of M pays, how many kids have you killed today? Pro-Palestinian protestors have begun demonstrating during the University of Michigan's commencement ceremony in Ann Arbor, MI. pic.twitter.com/PEl9AmxET3 Annie Bryson (@anniebryson28) May 4, 2024 The protest took place early on during Saturdays ceremony, which continued without incident. The schools university police blocked the protesters from fully reaching the stage and shepherded them to the back of the stadium, The New York Times reports. No arrests were made at the graduation ceremony, but video from the night before shows Michigan State Police pushing back against student protesters outside the University of Michigan Museum of Art, leading to at least one arrest, according to nonprofit news outlet Bridge Michigan. Michigan State Police did not immediately return Rolling Stones request for comment. Anxiety over pro-Palestine protesters disrupting graduation ceremonies has plagued universities for weeks before the ceremonies are set to take place. The University of Southern California canceled its main graduation ceremony last week due to escalating fallout from barring the schools valedictorian speaker from making a speech at graduation. In another instance, the University of Vermont canceled its commencement speaker, United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, on Friday after she vetoed resolutions calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, which led to students protesting her appearance.. Though student protests against the war in Gaza have taken place since the conflict began on Oct. 7, the movement gained significant attention after students at Columbia University established its Gaza Solidarity Encampment on April 17, demanding the university divest from Israel or else it will continue to occupy the campus. In the weeks since, dozens of Gaza solidarity encampments have popped up on campuses across the country, with some schools such as Brown University and Pomona College agreeing to student demands to quell further action, while other colleges including Columbia University and UCLA have called police on students, escalating the already-tense situation on campuses. More than 2,000 student protesters have been arrested over the past month, according to the Associated Press. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Pro-Palestine protesters take to the streets in Downtown Norfolk calling for a ceasefire NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) Protesters filled the streets in support of Palestine in Downtown Norfolk on Saturday. The protesters are calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. One sign read out from the river to the sea while another cited a quote from Nelson Mandela about the necessity for Palestinians freedom. Below are photos taken by WAVY staff of the protest. Protesters marched over a mile down City Hall Avenue, down Granby Street and up around Brambleton Avenue. It was something protester Tariq Jawhar said theyve been doing every Saturday from the weekend after the Israel-Hamas war broke out. Its a diverse crowd and people come out here and everyone, theyre coming united for one cause, Jawhar said. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 34,000 Palestinians have died in the war. Jawhar told 10 On Your Side its a humanitarian crisis. Its a crime and a stain on humanity, Jawhar said. It reflects on how we do, how we act. Were going to sit by and let this happen? Saturdays demonstration came on the heels of many other pro-Palestine protests at colleges and universities across the country. Many of those ended with protestors, including students and staff, being arrested. Earlier in the week, more than 80 protesters were arrested at Virginia Tech. One woman at Saturdays protest declined to reveal her name but said shes a Virginia Tech alumna and is against the schools response. I was disappointed to see how administration handled the whole situation. The students made an effort to talk with administration. They werent willing to do that and then their ultimate response, the whole thing was to have students arrested, she said. She told 10 On Your Side that theres a misconception that all of the protests going on in the United States are violent. The people out here protesting, theyre not doing anything that puts genuine safety in question, like the intention is to be peaceful and to protest like Palestinians rights to liberation and their land. Protesters said theyll continue to march in Downtown Norfolk until their demands of a ceasefire are met. Check with WAVY.com for more updates. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Students gather to march and rally at Columbia University in New York - Caitlin Ochs/Reuters Some pro-Palestine US university groups are co-opting the nationwide campus protests and radicalising Americas students, it has been claimed. New York Citys mayor, Eric Adams, this week warned the countrys young people were at risk from outside agitators who are co-opting the demonstrations to create chaos. This is a global problem that young people are being influenced by those who are professionals at radicalising our children, he said. US-based groups monitoring the demonstrations have also cautioned that some of the organisers of the campus protests have been found to be celebrating terrorism. Campus protests at US universities such as Columbia and UCLA have become a flashpoint in the debate over Israels war against Hamas, which has seen around 35,000 people killed, according to Gazas Hamas-run health ministry. Half of those are believed to be children. Thousands of students spanning Americas east and west coasts have brought their institutions to a standstill with the demonstrations, which at times have escalated into violent clashes with hundreds of arrests. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which describes itself as the worlds leading anti-hate organisation, has identified Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) as a key instigator of the campus movements. Demonstration are taking place across US universities - Andrea Renault/Cover Images SJP has been around since the early 1990s and has more than 300 chapters across the US, many of which have helped organise the college encampments and building occupations. According to its website, its mission is to develop a student movement that is connected, disciplined, and equipped with the tools necessary [to] achieve Palestinian liberation across what it describes as occupied Turtle Island - the US and Canada. ADL describes SJP as a radical group with a history of engaging in anti-Semitic and pro-terror group rhetoric. In the days following the Oct 7 attack by Hamas, which saw around 1,200 Israelis killed and 250 people taken hostage, the national leadership of SJP and many of its campus chapters explicitly endorsed the actions of the terror group, the ADL said. They praised a historic win for the Palestinian resistance and some university chapters also issued pro-Hamas messaging, according to research by the ADL. The content included using silhouettes of paragliders, interpreted as a reference to some Hamas fighters methods, and the promotion of Palestinian liberation by any means necessary. Via their social media, the group gave advice to students on what to wear to protests - comfortable clothes and running shoes - what to bring - water, an energy bar and a bandanna in case of surveillance - and even how to respond to arrests - dont linger too long or pigs [the police] will kettle the march free the comrade and keep it moving. Campus protests at universities such as Columbia and UCLA have become a flashpoint in the debate over Israel's war against Hamas - MICHAEL M. SANTIAGO/AFP Some of the groups campus chapters have since been suspended by universities, including at Columbia. SJPs national wing has unequivocally condemned the ADLs baseless allegations, insisting neither its national wing nor its local chapters support terror groups. In a joint statement on their websites, SJPs national chapter, Jewish Voice for Peace and the Council on American Islamic Relations said: The ADLs latest intimidation campaign is based on a highly problematic definition of anti-Semitism that attempts to conflate criticism of the Israeli government or Zionism with anti-Jewish racism. This is as dangerous as it is baseless. Justin Finkelstein, from the ADLs Center on Extremism, said SJP was one of the main organisers behind the protests that have swept the US and a factor in leading to students becoming more radical - but far from the only culprit. He also pointed to Within Our Lifetime United for Palestine, which has been very active in the protests in New York City, as well as Palestine Action, which has both US and UK branches and focuses on engaging in direct action. The national or local chapters of groups including American Muslims for Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace, Palestine Action, Palestinian Youth Movement, Party for Socialism and Liberation, Samidoun, Students for Democratic Society and Young Democratic Socialists of America and have also played key roles in the campus protests, according to the ADL. Mr Finkelstein also highlighted that the protests had also been co-organised or infiltrated by other inflammatory, radical groups, outside agitators and lone vigilantes. He said many of those attending the rallies might not necessarily know, or be aligned with, everything the protest organisers have said. Protests have erupted at campuses across the US - CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/Shutterstock I think they exploit the ignorance of folks, he said. So what happens is you have people who dont know a lot about the subject who might feel sympathy towards Palestinians, but not justifying Hamas terrorism like SJP does... [but] because of that ignorance they get swept in. Some of the campus protests were the result of months of training and planning by longtime activists and left-wing groups, according to the Wall Street Journal. The newspaper reported that students at Columbia University consulted with the national wing of the SJP, veterans of campus protests and former Black Panthers. At Chapman University in Orange, California, students from SJP helped set up a protest camp in the early hours of Thursday morning shortly after police dismantled a much larger site at the University of California, Los Angeles. Consisting of around 15 tents, students held hand-painted signs with slogans such as Free Palestine and Ceasefire Now. One of the organisers, Dariush, 18, said he and other organisers were members of SJP and wanted to get the college to divest from companies that did business with Israel or helped its military. I think that the backlash is just inevitable in a social movement, he added. If youre not receiving that backlash, somethings probably going wrong. A Jewish SJP member and organiser, Myth, rejected any suggestion he and his colleagues were brainwashing other students. What we provide our colleagues and our peers is education. We do not push a certain viewpoint on them, he said. We have educational materials and stuff they can do their own reading on. We believe that people whore educated about it will inevitably end up on the side. But not everyone is convinced. Professor Ann Licata, a lecturer in Spanish, denounced the encampment and said the students didnt know anything about the issues they were trying to raise. They have no inkling of the whole history of the situation. They dont understand that many Jews, Muslims, Catholics, and LGBT all live together. I was just in Israel in August and I saw a very different Israel than what is being portrayed in the news, she said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Trinity College students have hung Palestinian flags, banners saying 'Trinity funds genocide', and assembled more than 40 tents in front of the building - Laszlo Molnarfi/PA Students at Trinity College Dublin protesting against Israels war in Gaza have set up an encampment that has blocked the entrance to one of Irelands top tourist attractions. It is the latest in a series of pro-Palestinian demonstrations to have swept universities across the US, the UK and France. Since Friday night, students have used benches to block the entrance to the Book of Kells exhibition, which houses the manuscript book created by Celtic monks in about 800 A.D. They have also hung Palestinian flags, banners saying Trinity funds genocide, and assembled more than 40 tents in front of the building. As with the US college campus protests, students are calling for Trinity to cut financial ties with Israel. We have hit Trinity with petitions, open letters, meetings with university officials and when these went ignored, we escalated, Laszlo Molnarfi, the Trinity students union president, said in a statement to Trinity News. The students' union has said that 'the book of Kells is now closed indefinitely. No business as usual during a genocide' Writing on social media, he said: The Book of Kells is now closed indefinitely. No business as usual during a genocide. The students have said they intend to remain on campus until their demands are met. The protest comes after Trinity Colleges students union said it had been fined 214,000 euros by the university for financial losses incurred because of protests not exclusively about the war in Gaza in recent months. In a post on social media, the college said: Trinity supports students right to protest within the rules of the university. It added that access to campus was restricted to students, staff and residents with college ID cards only. In a statement last week, Linda Doyle, the head of the university, said Trinity College was reviewing its investments in a portfolio of companies, and that decisions on whether to work with Israeli institutions rested with individual academics. The Trinity encampment is the first set up in Ireland, which has long been a champion of Palestinian rights. Its government has pledged to formally recognise Palestine as a state soon. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Plans to develop offshore wind energy areas off the Oregon coast are moving forward after the United States Department of the Interior announced a proposal on Tuesday to sell wind energy leases in Coos Bay and Brookings. The lease proposal, from the departments Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, includes more than 195,000 acres and could power more than one million homes. The department is now looking for feedback on several proposed lease stipulations, including offering bidding credits to bidders who commit to supporting workforce training programs for the floating offshore wind energy industry, developing a domestic supply chain for the industry, or a combination of both. Portland ranks in top 10 cloudiest U.S. locations, others rank higher Another proposal would provide bidding credits to bidders who commit to community benefit agreements with tribes, local communities, and other stakeholders impacted by the lease development. As we move forward with offshore wind energy in Oregon and the Gulf of Maine, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management remains dedicated to close collaboration with our government partners and key stakeholders, said BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein. Were excited to unveil these proposed sales and emphasize our commitment to exploring the potential for offshore wind development from coast to coast. The Interior Department said the proposed sale follows engagement with Tribes, local communities, and federal and state agencies, noting they prioritized avoiding offshore fishing grounds for the wind energy areas. Gresham High School staff blasts student safety, call for principals ouster BOEM said it will work with its Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Forces which includes members of federal, state, and Tribal governments to coordinate the potential sales. In a press release, the Confederated Tribes of Coos Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians said they are extremely disappointed in the decision to move forward with the sale of leases of Wind Energy Areas. According to the Tribe, the acreage in the proposal is within the Tribes ancestral territory and are important areas for tribal fishing. Schmidt v Vasquez: The battle to be Multnomah County DA The Tribe has consistently urged that BOEM delay moving forward with wind energy development until a better understanding is made of the impacts to fish, wildlife, the marine environment, and cultural resources important to the Tribe, said Tribal Council Chair Brad Kneaper. No one, including BOEM has an understanding on how wind development will impact the fragile marine environment. Recently, the Tribe urged Governor Kotek to ask BOEM to delay lease sales to help get more information and allow the Oregon Roadmap process to play out, Chair Kneaper furthered. Commercial fishing interests separately requested such a delay. This only makes sense because the Roadmap may be a futile effort without a commitment from BOEM to actually consider the recommendations of the Tribe, the State, and coastal stakeholders. The proposed lease sales come after federal officials finalized Oregons wind energy area proposals in February. In a statement to KOIN 6 News, Rep. David Gomber chair of the Oregon Coastal Caucus said The Coastal Caucus simply cannot support any further steps by BOEM toward development until Oregon can complete its Offshore Wind Roadmap. The federal government owes the people of the Oregon Coast the due diligence required to ensure that these turbines wont disrupt both our coastal economy and its ecology. The Coastal Caucus stands in firm opposition to lease auctions at this time. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) The brother of the man found dead in an alley in Malaga spoke out about the tragedy that is now surrounding their family. Deputies say a person discovered a body facedown in an alleyway along Frank Avenue between Muscat and Grand Avenues on April 30 at 4:40 a.m. The man was identified as 43-year-old Jonathan Franco of Fresno, and he suffered a gunshot wound to the upper body and was dead. He was well loved, well respected. Hed help you with whatever you need. He is a beautiful person, said his brother. Manuel Tinoco, Francos brother, says he found out about his brother passing from the news. I didnt believe it. And I see it on the news, and I still dont believe it. Im still like what happened? and its sad the way it happened, he said. They shot him in the face and they just tossed his body like he was nothing. He was somebody, he was somebodys family. People loved him. Tinoco says they do not want something like this to happen to anybody else, and says he would not wish this on anybody. The brothers had about a 10-year-age gap, and Tinoco says he, as the older brother, should protect his younger brother. Im the older brother, I should protect him and watch over him. These were cowards that did this, Tinoco said. They took a big part of me when they did this. Tinoco asks anyone with information about his brothers death to come forward and call the Fresno County Sheriffs Office. A GoFundMe page was set up to assist the family with funeral expenses. To donate, click here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. What do protesters at Miami University want? What has the university said? What to know Over the past week, universities across the nation have been at the center of pro-Palestine protests in which students have organized marches and encampments to demonstrate solidarity for an end to Israel's war in Gaza. In Ohio, protests have been reported at Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve University and most recently, Miami University in Oxford. The protest began Thursday evening with a march and concluded with an encampment at the University Seal, located right in the heart of campus outside of Roudebush Hall. Here's everything we know about the protest as of Friday evening: Students began setting up an encampment on the Miami University campus Thursday night, May 2, 2024, as part of a protest to "show solidarity and demand the university disclose and divest its funds from the extremist Israeli genocide of Palestinians." Are protests allowed at Miami University? Students are allowed to protest and march in outdoor areas of the campus. However, protests cannot disrupt teaching, research or previously scheduled events. Are non-students protesting? Miami University Students for Justice in Palestine, a student group that describes itself on social media as connected to the university, organized the pro-Palestine march and encampment. They were also joined by the university's chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America, according to a statement from the university. According to university rules, non-students can only demonstrate on campus perimeter sidewalks designated by Miami, and have to comply with the same rule as staff and students. What are the protesters demanding? According to a statement from the Students For Justice in Palestine, the protest is to demand that Miami University disclose and divest its funds from companies involved in the "perpetuation of this genocide." More specifically, they want the university to stop investing in companies that do business with Israel. "Miami students are joining together in solidarity to demand our university to disclose and divest its funds from the extremist Israeli genocide of Palestinians," the statement reads. The student group met with Miami University President Gregory Crawford on Wednesday, a day before Thursday's protest, to present their demands of disclosure and divestment. However, their efforts were mostly unsuccessful, according to the statement from Student for Justice in Palestine. What has the university said? Shortly after the protesters had set up the encampment Thursday, Miami University issued a statement: "The safety of our students is Miami Universitys top priority, and that priority will guide university actions in this unfolding situation. Students for Justice for Palestine, a student organization, held a march this evening (May 2), and were joined by the Young Democratic Socialists of America. As with any demonstration, university staff have been present to maintain student safety and ensure that university policy is followed. Unfortunately, participants have chosen not to follow university policy. Those present have been informed that they are currently violating policy and must come into compliance." A number of protesters stayed at the encampment overnight and some are still there as of Friday afternoon. The university issued a second statement Friday, saying the student organizations that set up the unauthorized encampment have since come into compliance with the university's policy. "Encampments create the need to provide continuous safety and security resources, which can divert these important resources away from the rest of our community," the statement reads. "They can interfere with students ability to attend classes and prepare for finals and can strain the resources and facilities of the buildings located nearby. We continue to prioritize providing support and care for all of our students. Throughout this year, members of our student life staff have been in regular contact with students and student organizations discussing their concerns and supporting their well-being. We will continue to do so." What can't protesters do? Protesters are not allowed to use amplified sound, create temporary structures or leave behind literature. Miami also imposes safety measures, such as restrictions on campfires and outdoor camping. Can Miami University have protesters arrested? Demonstrations that block traffic or pedestrians, prevent access to a building or space, prevent a space from being used for its intended purpose or disrupt school activities could lead to an arrest, Miami's website states. Was there any opposition to the protest? Enquirer media partner Fox19 reported that a group of Jewish students gathered across from the encampment in opposition. As of Friday evening, there were no reported clashes between any of the opposing groups. Hillel, a Jewish student group at Miami University, said in a statement on social media that it is aware of the protest and is continuing to provide support to Jewish students. "We are hopeful that the protest will be peaceful and that Miami affiliates will eschew the antisemetic language and incidents that have happened on other campuses," the statement reads. "Our top priority is the physical and emotional safety of our students first, foremost, and always." "While students have a right to protest, they do not have a right to intimidate or threaten Jewish and Israeli students their classmates, peers, and for some, fellow Jews who may have different viewpoints," Hillel added in their statement. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What to know about pro-Palestine protests at Miami University in Ohio A protest has been organised in the Czech city of Brno against pro-Russian bikers with ties to Putin attending a motorcycle rally marking the end of World War II in Europe. Source: Ceske Noviny news outlet, as reported by European Pravda Details: A large banner reading "We welcome the delegates of the Russian terrorist Federation" and a group of people with flags of the European Union, NATO, and Ukraine were waiting today in front of the main entrance to the Central Cemetery in Brno for the arrival of supporters of the pro-Putin group Night Wolves, who came to lay wreaths at the monument to the Red Army. The protest has been organised by the Kaputin group. "Our group has repeatedly held similar protests since the annexation of Crimea in 2014 to draw attention to the dangers of Russian imperialism," said Piotr aniewski on behalf of the Kaputin group. The reason for the protest was a stop on the Victory Road action organised by Night Wolves MC Europe, a branch of the Russian motorcycle club Night Wolves, which has ties to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. The motorcyclists began their 10th journey this year in Michalovce, Slovakia, stopping at monuments to those who died in World War II along the way. They will arrive in Prague's Olsany on Monday. In addition to Czechs and Slovaks, Night Wolves fans from Germany, Macedonia and Estonia came to support them. The group passed by the protesters and headed to the Red Army's Tomb of Honour. The Czech and Slovak anthems were played there, and the participants laid wreaths and flowers at the monument. After that, the bikers and their supporters passed by the protesters with flags again. The bikers did not react to their presence, and several protesters entered into a discussion with them. One of the Night Wolves' supporters tried to put out a cigarette on a Ukrainian flag, but no serious clashes broke out between the two sides. The Kaputin group is preparing the next protest for Monday when supporters of the Night Wolves are expected to arrive at the Olsany cemetery. The group's Russian members are not attending the motorcycle rally, as they have been banned from entering Czechia. This is part of the sanctions imposed by the European Union after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Every year, the Night Wolves motorcycle club organises rides through European countries, including Czechia, to mark the anniversary of the end of World War II. However, their actions provoke outrage from the authorities, as the association is often called extremely nationalistic. In addition, the leader of the Night Wolves, Aleksandr Zaldostanov, is on the US and EU sanctions list for supporting Russia's annexation of Crimea. Background: The Czech government has privately renewed calls to ban Russian diplomats from travelling freely within the European Union after Prague and Berlin accused Russia of systematic cyberattacks. Support UP or become our patron! Protests grow after NYPD shuts down encampments at NYU and New School Protests grow after NYPD shuts down encampments at NYU and New School GREENWICH VILLAGE, N.Y. (PIX11) After police shut down tent encampments at two more New York City colleges on Friday morning, protests against the actions took place, involving far more people than had been involved in the encampments. Organizers and participants said that it was an indication that the crackdown only serves to enhance and enlarge their protest movement. NYPD leaders answer questions on protests, crime, subway safety & more Erica Williamson was one of hundreds of people who came out to the plaza in front of NYUs John A. Paulson Center late Friday afternoon. [Im] out here to protest all the repression, she said, responding to the shutdown of the tent encampment that had been in the plaza for most of the week. Another protester, Hannah Siegel, echoed that sentiment. Its everyones obligation to protect this university, she said in the NYU plaza, as a place where people of color can continue to exist and thrive. Around 6:00 a.m. police took down the tents at NYU, and at the New School, about 15 blocks north. By early afternoon, work crews were scrubbing down the sidewalk in front of the Paulson Center. They were removing messages written in chalk calling for NYU to divest to withdraw its financial holdings in corporations with ties to Israel and the war in Gaza. NYU calls in NYPD to clear out pro-Palestinian protest encampment The work crews were next to about a half-dozen NYPD officers and NYU public safety agents who stood behind metal barricades. The barriers had been set up to keep people out from where the encampment have been. Officers had arrested 13 protesters whod been in the tents. Robert Jereski lives nearby. When he saw that the NYU encampment had been taken down, he said that he was very disappointed. Just washing them away and not respecting their rights to speak, to protest, Jereski said, What kind of country is this? Meira Gold is an NYU professor whod advised the protesters in the encampment. Im really angry, she said upon seeing the empty space where the tents had been. This is illegal, she continued. It is a privately-owned public space. So, right now, the NYPD and NYU are illegally occupying this walkway. Signage on the building facing the plaza where the encampment had been clearly states that the plaza is open to the public. Meanwhile, at the New School, protesters were on hand on Friday evening. They had marched there from NYU, connecting the two locations where the NYPD had removed encampments. Veteran ESU sergeant accidentally pulled the trigger while clearing Columbia protesters: NYPD In the case of the New School, that had happened around 6:00 a.m., also. 43 people were put under arrest. It happened three days after officers removed protesters at Columbia University whod taken over Hamilton Hall there. On Friday, though, the NYPD had to address the fact that an ESU sergeants gun had gone off when cops entered the building in the Tuesday night raid. At a news conference on Friday morning, Assistant Chief Carlos Valdez, who oversees the NYPDs Emergency Services Unit, took questions about what had happened. Its called an accident for a reason, he said about what the eight-year veteran of the departments most elite unit had done. He unintentionally pulled the trigger of his weapon and discharged his firearm in an area of Hamilton Hall where nobody had been at the time of the police action, Valdez said. Moving forward, the chief continued, we will obviously counsel the officer and send him to retraining, and re-evaluate him, and well take it from there. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)A police officer fired their gun when they came across a suspect during an hours-long search in York County for people who ran from a stolen vehicle, according to new details released by State Police. State Police in York said in a news release that two men face charges from the Thursday morning search for the suspects who ran from a stolen vehicle after they crashed in New Freedom Borough. The two men, Christian Wright, 19, and Marquis Brown, 19, both of Maryland, were charged with felony counts of receiving stolen property and conspiracy theft along with misdemeanor counts of loitering and prowling at night time and evading arrest, court documents show. Brown also faces a misdemeanor count of fleeing and or attempting to elude officer. Officer justified in fatal York County nursing facility shooting: District Attorney Online court documents show that Wright and Brown are locked up in York County Prison on bail set at $50,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 16. According to a news release, Southern York County Regional Police Department got a call for a suspicious person in New Freedom Borough at about 2:25 a.m. and were told that someone was pulling on door handles trying to get in a vehicle. Officers found a suspicious vehicle that tried to flee but hit a curb and became disabled, then the occupants got and ran, the release states. Officers were able to find out the crashed vehicle was stolen. When an officer found a man, who was wearing a facemask, inside another vehicle he requested him to get out but the suspect did not listen and drove away. The vehicle was recovered near the scene Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter During this incident, the officer shot his gun, Troopers say, but no one was struck or injured. Eventually the duo, who State Police say where in the first stolen vehicle, was taken into custody after a search that involved multiple law enforcement agencies in York County. State Police say they are still investigating. This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Rayne man wanted by police in connection with armed robbery Rayne man wanted by police in connection with armed robbery RAYNE, La. (KLFY) The Rayne Police Department is currently trying to locate Demoine Joseph Declouette of Rayne, who has a warrant out for his arrest in connection with an armed robbery. Authorities said Declouette and a Hispanic male co-worker, who has yet to be identified, are accused of assaulting someone with a dangerous weapon at a Rayne convenience store while stealing the victims keys from his vehicle. The incident happened on April 27 around 10:50 p.m., according to RPD. Police described Declouette as a 46-year-old Black man, whos 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing approximately 220 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on Declouettes whereabouts, is urged to call Rayne Police Department or 911 in case of an emergency. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Latest Posts For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. REAL ID deadline is one year away. What Californians need to know SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) After several deadline extensions, most recently in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Homeland Security officials have once again set the REAL ID deadline, and its approaching faster than any of us would like to admit. Planning to fly or visit a federal facility in the near future? May 7, 2025 is the date you need to know. You may have a REAL ID already: How to know A REAL ID is a federally accepted drivers license or ID card. Getting one is optional, however you will need one to fly within the U.S. or to enter any federal buildings like military bases and federal courthouses after the deadline. Passed by Congress in 2005 following a 9/11 Commission recommendation, the REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards of incorporating anti-counterfeiting technology, preventing insider fraud, and using documentary evidence and record checks to ensure a person is who they claim to be, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. All 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and four of five U.S. territories are already issuing REAL IDs ahead of the federal deadline. Federal Reserve says interest rates will stay at two-decade high until inflation further cools Once the deadline is here, every air traveler 18 and older will need a REAL ID. There are some exceptions like if you have a U.S. passport, passport card, military ID, enhanced drivers license, or other federally accepted identification. TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the U.S. so parents dont need to worry about getting their kids a REAL ID. To apply for a REAL ID, Californians can visit REALID.dmv.ca.gov to fill out the online application and upload any required documents like proof of identity, proof of California residency and their social security number. They must then visit a DMV office in person. If you choose not to get a REAL ID, you will get a drivers license or ID card that states Federal Limits Apply. Millions could pay more for internet access after government program expires Initially set to go into effect in 2008, the REAL ID deadline has been postponed several times. The deadline is now just one year away May 7, 2025. Most recently, the deadline was extended from April 2021 to May 2023, then again from May 3, 2023 to the current May 7, 2025. As of January 2024, nearly 16.9 million Californians have a REAL ID. Do you still need to get your REAL ID? Visit Californias DMV website for everything you need to know. Visit dhs.gov/real-id for a countdown to the deadline, an interactive tool to find out if youre ready, and a state-by-state guide to getting a REAL ID. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. In reality, its a scammer: Mobile police say social security calls not from the department MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) The Mobile Department is issuing a warning after they received several complaints today from residents stating the Mobile Police Department is calling them to address their compromised social security numbers. No clothes? No problem: Nude cruise to set sail from Florida next year Although the numbers used appear to be coming from the department, MPD said, In reality, its a scammer. The department notes that they will not contact residents and ask for their social security numbers or any other personal information. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. See the photos: East Sparta firetruck responding to fire collides with tractor-trailer An East Sparta Fire Department tanker truck collided with a semi-truck on Saturday morning in the 2800 block of Faircrest Street SW. Two occupants of a the tanker, which was responding to a fire, and the semi-truck driver suffered minor injuries, authorities said. CANTON The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a collision between a firetruck and tractor-trailer on Saturday morning. According to Canton Fire Department, an East Sparta Volunteer Fire Department tanker truck was responding to a fire at PSC Metals in Canton Township when it collided with a tractor-trailer on the Interstate 77 overpass at Faircrest Street SW around 10:27 a.m. The crash caused the tractor-trailer to flip on its side and the tanker sustained heavy front-end damage, the department said in a news release. Three people two in the tanker and the semi driver suffered minor injuries and were taken to local hospitals for evaluation. State troopers and Canton police blocked access to the overpass and Interstate 77 southbound ramps. Additionally, a stretch of Faircrest from Sherman Church Road to just before the Interstate 77 northbound ramps were closed during the crash investigation. An East Sparta Fire Department tanker truck collided with a semi-truck on Saturday morning in the 2800 block of Faircrest Street SW. Two occupants of a the tanker, which was responding to a fire, and the semi-truck driver suffered minor injuries, authorities said. No other crash details were available. As for the blaze, a recreational vehicle caught fire while PSC Metals workers were cutting it or disassembling it around 10 a.m., said Chris Smith, chief of the Canton Township Fire Department. He said the flames spread to other materials in a nearby pile before it was extinguished. There was no report of anyone injured from the fire. Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On X (formerly Twitter): @bduerREP An East Sparta Fire Department tanker truck collided with a semi-truck on Saturday morning in the 2800 block of Faircrest Street SW. Two occupants of a the tanker, which was responding to a fire, and the semi-truck driver suffered minor injuries, authorities said. This article originally appeared on The Repository: Firetruck collides with semi on I-77 overpass in Canton A late-night hot spot in Kansas City, Kansas, and food truck owners across Wyandotte County, will operate without interference from county staff or police while elected officials craft a new law governing the small businesses, according to Mayor Tyrone Garner. Following an outcry from food truck vendors, Garner said on Thursday that a moratorium would be imposed on enforcing the law that regulates the hours the trucks can be open. City and county employees had been delivering papers to vendors through so-called educational blitzes. Garner advised affected business owners to rest assured those actions will pause until a policy resolution is reached. The (county) administrator has assured me that until the Unified Government commission can get some type of policy that they can agree on from this body to either maintain or to alter or enhance or make the changes that they think that they will approve at some point, there will be a (moratorium) on UG staff interacting with people on Central Avenue or anyone else in regards to food trucks, Garner said during Unified Government Board of Commissioners meeting Thursday night. So you can rest assured of that. And if you have any issues with that, please contact my office or the administrators office with those concerns. At issue are years-old city and county ordinances that received new attention through actual enforcement. Under the local laws, mobile food businesses must close shop by 7 p.m., except for Fridays and Saturdays, when the cutoff is 8 p.m. Those codified hours of operation went largely unchecked during and after the COVID-19 pandemic as food trucks drove up business in KCK, including for an established group offering tacos and other Mexican-style cuisine at the corner of 18th Street and Central Avenue. But that changed in the wake of complaints forwarded to elected commissioners as well as the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, directly. Among those unhappy with the current practice are brick-and-mortar restaurants faced with new competition and residents bothered by added noise and traffic. In past weeks, the Unified Government launched a campaign that officials say was meant to bring mobile food vendors up to speed on the current law. The messages delivery method drew some community disapproval when staff members were joined by KCK police officers, an approach critics viewed as heavy-handed. No citations were given, according to the Unified Government, as some businesses were found to be without proper paperwork and advised to take corrective measures during the enforcement action. Meanwhile, food truck owners feel shorter hours lead to an unsustainable decline in business, saying much of their clientele shift workers and bar patrons, for examples come out at night. And they say theyve been forced to lay off employees to make ends meet. During an open mic session in City Hall on Thursday night, a handful of the business owners repeated those concerns to their elected officials. Among them was Leonardo Nolazquez, who reminded commissioners of the tax revenue the small business owners contribute to the community. That supports the schools. (The food truck owners) pay for your checks, police, fire department, and I can go on and on and on, said Nolazquez, who helps run the family-owned Taqueria Hernandez at 18th and Central. Area activists have also stepped in. Louise Lynch, of Community Conscious Action Network, is asking elected leaders to consider establishing a public plaza for food trucks and allow nighttime sales, among other things. They do serve an integral part of this community. Theyd like to really have that done at the plaza. They want to be a permanent staple there and have security that they wont have to relocate and lose their clientele, she said. Earlier this week, the mayor unveiled several proposed changes to city and county ordinances with regard to mobile food trucks. Under Garners proposal, the businesses would be allowed to remain open between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m. the following day, seven days a week. Trucks could park in a single location for up to eight hours per day. The proposal would also add restrictions. Suggestions include a ban on public parking of the food trucks within 100 feet of a restaurant, heightened penalties for illegal dumping and tweaks to the city code for noise disturbances. Commissioners Christian Ramirez, 3rd District, and Andrew Davis, 8th District, have also been working to draft a solution. Theyve voiced support for changes that balance the needs of small business owners and broader concerns raised from within the community. Davis called a special meeting of the Unified Governments Neighborhood and Community Development standing committee to take place May 15. Revisions to city and county policy concerning food trucks operating within public areas will be the topic of discussion. It is my desire to make sure that we have a good balance in the policy that isnt just beneficial to the mobile vendors. But its also beneficial to our food establishments, our commercial storefronts that are there, as well as the residents that are nearby, Davis said. Edgar Galicia, executive director of the Central Avenue Betterment Association, has also advocated for food-truck vending hours to be expanded. And he welcomes any relief available to the small business owners in the interim as the policy discussions progress. I think that would be an immediate benefit to the families and the business owners that are suffering right now, Galicia told The Star. I think we need to continue the conversations, continue expressing the needs of these business owners. But also, I think we need to acknowledge the fact that the members of the Unified Government, starting from the mayors office, are trying their best to help us, Galicia added. So, let them help us. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas vows to continue his bid for an 11th term despite bribery indictment FILE - Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, speaks during a hearing of the Homeland Security Subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Capitol Hill, April 10, 2024, in Washington. In a statement released Friday, May 3, Cuellar denied any wrongdoing amid reports of pending indictments related to the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) WASHINGTON (AP) For two decades, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar has stood out as a moderate Democrat along the Texas-Mexico border, bucking his party at times over guns and immigration while seldom facing a tough reelection. But a federal indictment accusing Cuellar of federal conspiracy and bribery charges is putting the Laredo native who was first elected in 2004 in a different spotlight. Cuellar, 68, and his wife, Imelda, 67, were taken into custody Friday in connection with a U.S. Department of Justice probe into the couple's ties to the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan. The congressman professed his innocence after the indictment was revealed and vowed to continue his bid for an 11th term in November, saying, Everything I have done in Congress has been to serve the people of South Texas. The Cuellars are accused of accepting nearly $600,000 in bribes from an Azerbaijan-controlled energy company and a bank in Mexico. In exchange, Cuellar allegedly agreed to advance those entities' interests in the U.S. The couple surrendered to authorities, made an initial appearance before a federal judge in Houston and were each released on $100,000 bond, the DOJ said. Cuellar's family is a political fixture along the border: His brother is the sheriff in Laredo, and his sister, a former municipal judge, is also on the ballot this year, running as a Democratic candidate for state representative. Several of Cuellar's allies in the district, which stretches from the Rio Grande to the San Antonio suburbs, expressed surprise over the indictments but said they would still support his reelection. Cuellar's moderate politics have helped him maintain support in places where Democrats have lost ground, like Starr County, a rural and agricultural part of South Texas. It is extremely surprising for me because Ive known Henry for many, many years," Starr County Judge Eloy Vera said. "Hes always been a very straight guy, you know, very sincere. I mean, hes done so much for us in Starr County. I hate to see this going on. President Joe Biden won Starr County by a slim, single-digit margin. Two years later, Cuellar won it by 40%. Sylvia Bruni, chair of nearby Webb Countys Democratic Party, said she would trust the legal system to work fairly and her focus would remain on elections. We have a campaign to advance, our Democracy at stake," she said in a statement. Cuellar released a statement Friday saying he and his wife are innocent of these allegations. Before I took action, I proactively sought legal advice from the House Ethics Committee, who gave me more than one written opinion, along with an additional opinion from a national law firm, the statement said. Furthermore, we requested a meeting with the Washington D.C. prosecutors to explain the facts and they refused to discuss the case with us or hear our side. In addition to bribery and conspiracy, the couple face charges including wire fraud conspiracy, acting as agents of foreign principals and money laundering. If convicted, they could be punished with up to decades in prison and forfeiture of any property linked to proceeds from the alleged scheme. The payments to the couple initially went through a Texas-based shell company owned by Imelda Cuellar and two of the couples children, according to the indictment. That company received payments from the Azerbaijan energy company of $25,000 per month under a sham contract, purportedly in exchange for unspecified strategic consulting and advising services. In reality, the contract was a sham used to disguise and legitimate the corrupt agreement between Henry Cuellar and the government of Azerbaijan, the indictment says. Imelda Cuellar is alleged to have sent a falsified invoice to the energy company's Washington, D.C., office under the agreement, saying her work was complete. In fact, Imelda Cuellar had performed little or no legitimate work under the contract, the indictment says. The indictment alleges that an Azerbaijani diplomat referred to Henry Cuellar in text messages as both el Jefe and boss, and also that a member of Cuellars staff sent multiple emails to officials at the State Department pressuring them to renew a U.S. passport for an Azerbaijani diplomats daughter. Cuellar was at one time the co-chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus. The FBI searched the congressmans house in the border city of Laredo in 2022, and Cuellars attorney at that time said he was not the target of the investigation. Cuellar, one of the last anti-abortion Democrats in Congress, narrowly defeated progressive challenger Jessica Cisneros by fewer than 300 votes in a primary race in 2022. Cuellar has been among his party's loudest critics of Biden, particularly over the administration's response to a record number of migrant crossings on the border. His moderate politics have aligned him at times with Republicans on issues including abortion and guns. ___ Gonzalez reported from McAllen, Texas. Sean Murphy contributed from Oklahoma City. After the prosecution rested its case against a Wichita Falls pastor accused of sexually abusing three young girls, church members took the stand to testify for the defense Friday. Ronnie Allen Killingsworth, 78, was indicted on six counts of indecency with a child in connection with incidents involving three girls between 2000 and 2011. Killingsworth was free Friday from jail on $150,000 in bonds. Killingsworth The victims testified earlier in the trial that sexual abuse happened in the pastors office at Rephidim Church in Wichita Falls. Texas Ranger Matt Kelly was on the stand Friday in 78th District Court to testify about his investigation into the case. He told the jury he talked to the suspects son, Allen Killingsworth, a detective with the Wichita Falls Police Department. Kelly testified Allen Killingsworth questioned the validity of the alleged victims accusations and gave him a list of people to contact but refused to testify. Others in the church declined to be interviewed. More: Trial to start for WF preacher accused of indecency with children Sgt. Michael Jones of the Wichita Falls Police Department testified about his investigation of a rape allegation one of the pastors alleged victims made in an unrelated case. He told the jury his report was hand delivered to the Wichita County District Attorneys Office, but that office said it never received it. Jennyfer Rosado, a trauma counselor who contracts with Patsys House Children's Advocacy Center, testified that she counseled one of Killingsworths victims in 2020 regarding an unrelated sexual assault. She said that during the session, the woman told about an incident of sexual abuse at a church when she was a child. Rosado reported the incident to Child Protective Services as required by law. She told the jury the woman suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Samantha Torrance, forensic interview supervisor at the Alliance for Children in Fort Worth, testified that she had watched recorded interviews with the alleged victims and read law enforcement reports. Under questioning from prosecutor Bill Vasser, she said most child victims of abuse do not make an immediate outcry because of shame or guilt. She testified that abusers often groom their victims by showing them special attention or giving them gifts. More: Prosecutor: Preacher accused of child sex crimes is a "charismatic cult leader" The first witness for the defense was Steven Bucci, a retired Army colonel and former Green Beret who offers security consultation to churches and schools. The issue of security at the church came up in previous testimony with witnesses describing measures that included locked doors and the presence of guns. Bucci told the jury he inspected the church earlier in 2024 and found it had very good security. He was complimentary of the way some walls and cabinets had been filled with sand to protect against gunfire. He said a pistol, rifle, shotgun and ammunition were kept in the pastors office. More: In packed courtroom: Victims provide details of indecency allegations against pastor Defense attorney Ron Poole called longtime church member and deacon Douglas Slaybaugh as his first witness. Poole attempted to have 32 hours of Killingsworth sermons provided by Slaybaugh on a thumb drive offered into evidence. Vasser objected to the move, calling it a surprise. Judge Meredith Kennedy did not allow the thumb drive into evidence. Rephidim Church members testified Friday on behalf of their pastor, Ronnie Allen Killingsworth, who is accused of sexually abusing children. Slaybaugh testified that after Killingsworth was indicted on the sex charges, the pastor told the congregation the indictment was an effort to close down the church. Slaybaugh told the jury he never saw children go alone into Killingsworths office as the alleged victims testified, and he said nothing could persuade him the allegations against Killingsworth are true. Lanita Hardin, longtime secretary at the church, said the only child she ever saw alone with Killingsworth in his office was his granddaughter. Congregation member Tracy Shawn testified Killingsworth always said one-on-one sessions with children would be inappropriate. Member Samantha Blair said she felt her children were safe at the church. Testimony will resume Monday morning. If convicted, Killingsworth could face up to 20 years in prison on each count. Suspects are considered innocent unless convicted in a court of law. This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Prosecution rests in child indecency trial of a Wichita Falls pastor Protestors at the Pro-Palestine encampment at Tufts Universitys Medford campus disassembled the demonstration Friday night. The Gaza Solidarity Encampment had stood since April 7 but came down Friday after negotiations with the university to cut ties with Israel broke down, Students for Justice in Palestine at Tufts posted on Instagram. The student group did not offer specifics regarding why the encampment ceased. The administration offered our Gaza Solidarity Encampment a bad-faith deal that fails to end the universitys complicity in the ongoing genocide in Palestine. The administration even refused to comply with our demand to extend amnesty to students involved in the Gaza Solidarity Encampment and recent protests for divestment. We would also like to announce that simultaneously, we have taken down the encampment. This is not related to the negotiations, the organization wrote. Tufts executive director of public relations Patrick Collins told Boston 25 News the school was pleased that the demonstration on Academic Quad had stopped but confirmed it was not as a result of an agreement with the university. Earlier this week, more than 250 Tufts University students threatened to boycott the schools upcoming commencement on May 19 amid pro-Palestinian protests on the Medford campus and across the nation. In an open letter addressed to Tufts President Sunil Kumar, more than 250 members of the graduating class have pledged to boycott commencement if the university employs police violence, sweeps the encampment or arrests students. The university also announced they would issue a no-trespass order to the protesters. 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 SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Republican gubernatorial candidate Phil Lyman has selected a new running mate after his first pick for lieutenant governor was ruled ineligible to run for office on Friday. Lyman has announced Natalie Clawson a Utah County native and BYU graduate with a B.S. in Political Science and a Juris Doctor degree as his new pick for the position of lieutenant governor. She was reportedly admitted to the Utah State Bar in 2003. PREVIOUSLY: Layne Bangerter, Republican gubernatorial candidate Phil Lymans choice for running mate, ruled ineligible for candidacy Courtesy of Phil Lyman I am thrilled to be joined by Natalie in this campaign, Lyman said. She brings an impressive skill set, connections, integrity, and experience to the office that will be vital as we move Utah back to the right direction. Clawson has been involved in politics on a grassroots level, Lyman said in a statement Saturday morning. She is reportedly a sponsor of the Secure Vote Utah initiative, worked for BYUs Center for International Law and Religion Studies, and researched and published on issues related to law and religious freedom. Lyman referred to Clawson as a strong defender of the First Amendment and religious freedom. Serving in her school community as a PTA and School Community Council member, Natalie has had opportunities to advise on educational policies and to actively fight to support and protect our children, Lymans statement reads. Natalie Clawson and her husband Craig are residents of Highland, Utah, just south of Salt Lake City, and are parents to five children. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. House Republicans have launched more than 30 investigations into the State Department since taking power in 2023, an unusually high number that is fueling partisan tensions, a POLITICO review of records and other information has found. Republicans say the probes are meant to hold a wayward Biden administration accountable. Democrats call it politically motivated harassment. A few of the investigations are well-known, such as the probe into how the department handled the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. But others have gotten less attention, such as probes into a human rights grant partly aimed at helping atheists overseas, another into the State Departments efforts to promote diversity and a grant that could have been used to fund drag shows in Ecuador. Democratic lawmakers and State Department officials say this particular chapter of the growing partisan rancor on Capitol Hill is affecting U.S. foreign policy: It distracts U.S. diplomats from their jobs when they need to be focused on crises in places such as Ukraine and the Middle East. The department will continue to respond to congressional oversight, but the reality is global threats and foreign policy challenges do not cease when we are responding to document requests, State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said in a statement. House Democrats argue several of the probes have nothing to do with serious national security matters or preventing waste, fraud and abuse. Instead, many seem designed to highlight policy differences. Others, they say, are designed to stoke culture wars to rev up the Republican base ahead of Novembers presidential election. Those include investigations into the departments human rights programming; the plans for a $20,000 grant aimed at supporting the LGBTQ+ community in Ecuador that may have included drag shows (those plans were altered); and examinations of the Global Engagement Center, the initiative whose efforts to fight foreign disinformation are viewed with skepticism by some on the right. Among the Republicans most vocal about their frustrations with the State Department is Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.). He argues that State is intentionally drawing out investigations with slow responses. They believe in these [policies], but they know that they should not be taking place and so they don't want to answer for them when they get caught red-handed. Does he believe that the investigations are distracting from U.S. diplomacy? They need to be distracted from the foreign policy that they're conducting, Mast said. If we do not distract them from doing bad foreign policy, then U.S. service members are going to pay the price. The exact number of House investigations into the State Department is unclear, with estimates ranging from 38 to 45 for this Congress, according to information shared by department officials and lawmakers in a little-noticed March 21 hearing. Its hard to make a historical comparison because theres a lack of solid data, with one problem being that various committee and State Department leaders may define investigation differently. Still, Democratic congressional aides, former U.S. diplomats and others with ties to Capitol Hill said that even the low-end figures appear well above normal for probes into the State Department. Like others in this story, many were granted anonymity to candidly discuss sensitive issues. Its unclear how the number of congressional probes into State compare with other departments. Theres no proof yet that the investigations have undermined any of States work, and department officials are careful not to publicly make such a claim. But department employees say the time consumed by probes from digging up and reviewing documents, to responding to questions, to time spent in interviews, to dealing with follow-up queries and more takes a toll on their day jobs. It also affects morale among younger, low-level staffers who fear being attacked by high-profile lawmakers. We get the work done, but it has an impact on the day-to-day diplomacy, one State Department official said. During the March hearing, Republicans did not dispute the estimated number of investigations. But, in response to questions for this story, Olivia Late, spokesperson for the GOP side of the committee, said the State Department often conflates standard document requests or questions with investigations. (State Department officials have said their count of investigations is separate from routine information requests.) The House Foreign Affairs Committee is the main flashpoint. It has opened at least 19 of the probes, according to statistics laid out at the March hearing. At that point, State Department officials had spent some 50,000 staff hours responding to the HFAC probes, producing more than 24,000 pages of documents and more than 100 hours of testimony. Not all of the probes are as complicated or active as others, but it is unclear how many have been formally completed. Republicans have acknowledged the toil involved in responding to their queries, but they say the State Department is to blame because it fails to properly answer their requests, forcing them to keep asking. Department officials frequently offer late, vague responses to questions, even in classified settings, Republicans say. When they do hand over documents, they are often heavily redacted and of little use, Republicans complained. Democrats dismiss the accusation that the department is stalling and say Republicans just dont like the answers theyre getting. A lot of these are policy disagreements, not violations or obstruction, said Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.). This administration has gone to incredible lengths to meet the substantial demands of the majority. The fact that several of the inquiries appear to have been leaked to conservative media raises Democrats suspicions that the investigations are more about politics than accountability. Congressional oversight and fact-finding about real problems are critical for our national security, but Republicans instead see their oversight authority as a tool for fringe MAGA fishing expeditions, spending taxpayer dollars to pursue politicized investigations that are as paper-thin as they are frivolous, said Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the ranking Democrat on HFAC. HFAC Chair Mike McCaul (R-Texas), however, insisted in a statement that none of this is a distraction. Its about ensuring accountability and transparency into programming that State Department officials get away with because they are not straightforward with Congress and/or use rhetoric to disguise exactly how money is being used. In one case, new information is leading to a sense of vindication for McCaul and other Republicans. The case involves a $500,000 grant that touched the sensitive topic of religion. Republicans accused the department of giving the money to a group that promotes atheism and humanism, questioning if it was constitutional. The department says the grant was about helping atheists, humanists and others facing religious persecution, and that none of the money promoted a particular belief. The effort, the department said, is about protecting religious freedom, which includes the freedom to not believe. In February, a congressional staff delegation looked into the grant while on a visit to Nepal and India that also included other agenda items. The fact that any trip time was devoted to the grant probe raised the ire of some Democrats, who said it was a waste of resources. But Republicans noted that the delegation included Democratic staffers, with Late, the Republican spokesperson, saying that there was only a single, one-hour meeting on the atheism grant during the trip. This week, the State Department notified HFAC leaders that it had recently learned that the grant recipient had shared with it the wrong training slides when earlier asked for its work materials. The department is seeking the correct slides to see if the group violated rules, according to a State Department letter obtained by POLITICO. Late accused the State Department of not being truthful about the situation. Democrats dont deny that several of the Republican-led probes could yield important information. One, for instance, is about the departments questionable handling of the suspension of Iran envoy Rob Malleys security clearance. And McCauls top priority appears to be the probe into the Afghanistan withdrawal. Democrats, generally speaking, are on board with looking into why that process was such a debacle. But theyre unhappy with how McCauls team has been releasing its findings on Afghanistan. Crow said the Republican chair and his aides cherry-pick their facts and their data. Rick Haglund: SOAR incentives fund flying too high, some Dem and GOP lawmakers say Mark Lyons/Getty Images If theres one thing Michigan lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have mostly agreed on over decades, its handing out billions of dollars of tax breaks, cash and other incentives to businesses promising to create jobs. But now theres growing bipartisan support for reigning in those incentives, which some lawmakers say are not producing an adequate return on taxpayers money. Democratic and Republican lawmakers are taking aim at the massive Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) Fund. SOAR was created in 2021, largely to support electric vehicle production after Ford Motor Co. shocked Lansing by announcing $11.4 billion in battery and electric vehicle assembly plant investments in Tennessee and Kentucky. SOAR has handed out about $1.7 billion to Ford, General Motors and other corporations building an electric vehicle industry in the state. State Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who chairs that bodys Community and Economic Development Committee, said in a March floor speech that creation of the SOAR Fund felt like a reaction, rather than a comprehensive economic development plan. Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) speaks at a press conference with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) and House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) during the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) However, since that time, a lot has happened, the Royal Oak Democrat said. And quite frankly, markets and economies change. Weve seen some of the projects weve invested in using this tool resize, downsize. Weve received pushback. And I think sometimes we have to take hard lessons in acknowledging that sometimes even with the best intentions, things may not turn out the way that we wish, McMorrow said. Automakers are retrenching as electric vehicle sales, while growing, are falling far behind industry forecasts. Ford, which has received $1 billion from the SOAR Fund and other tax incentives, has cut 800 jobs from the projected 2,500 workers it expected to hire at its planned Marshall battery plant. GM, which was awarded $600 million from the SOAR fund in 2022 for a $4 billion electric truck investment at its Orion assembly plant in Oakland County, has delayed production there from this year until late 2025. McMorrow says the state needs a more holistic economic development strategy that relies far less on trying to create jobs by forking over cash and tax breaks to businesses. She cited Michigans failed 2017 effort to land Amazons second headquarters, despite being prepared to offer $4 billion in incentives. Amazon told us we didnt even crack the top 20 because we didnt have talent and we didnt have transit, McMorrow said. In March, the Senate passed bills she and several others sponsored that will spend more on public transit, child care, housing, revitalizing downtowns and neighborhoods, and other quality-of-life issues Democrats say will help the state attract new residents and jobs. This is an entirely new approach to how we view economic development here in the state of Michigan, focusing on the quality and livelihood it will bring to Michigan families, workers and their communities, said Sen. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.). The plan would rename the SOAR Fund the Make It in Michigan Fund. Its centerpiece is the Michigan 360 program that would take half of SOAR Fund money up to $250 million and spend it on community investments. That approach is in line with recommendations from Gov. Gretchen Whitmers Growing Michigan Together Council, a group of state leaders charged with developing ideas on how to expand Michigans long-stagnant population and boost prosperity. Its major recommendations were to establish Michigan as an innovation hub, build a lifelong learning system and create thriving, resilient communities that would attract young talent. Republicans also are sore at SOAR. House Republicans last month rolled out their jobs plan that tightens oversight of the fund and calls for unused SOAR cash to be returned to the general fund. House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) participates in a panel discussion with Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Twp.) and House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) at the Mackinac Policy Conference on June 1, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Doling out billions of dollars to a few electric vehicle battery plants wont turn our whole economy around, House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) said. Hall cited a Bridge Michigan analysis that found Michigan is primarily subsidizing manufacturing jobs that often pay less than the states median wage of $45,510. And those manufacturing jobs have precipitously declined over the past four decades. But House Republicans jobs plan basically recycles old ideas that didnt grow the economic pie, including cutting taxes and business regulations, and restoring a Right to Work law. The plan has no chance of being adopted by a Democratic-controlled Legislature. But Senate Democrats effort to overhaul SOAR also faces potential opposition from fellow Democrat Whitmer, who recently told the Detroit News shes afraid to unilaterally disarm in the state economic development incentive wars. States are playing a highly addictive game in competing for business investment. GOP former Gov. Rick Snyder once lamented that costly financial incentives were the heroin drip of state government. Are Lansing policymakers finally ready to go to rehab? The post Rick Haglund: SOAR incentives fund flying too high, some Dem and GOP lawmakers say appeared first on Michigan Advance. A rising Republican lost her seat in the Trump era. Now she's trying a comeback. In 2016, Kelly Ayotte was a rising star in the GOP. In 2017, she was a former senator. Now, the New Hampshire Republican is seeking to return to a different political world than the one she left, as she mounts a bid to become the Republican nominee for governor of her state. One of the biggest differences between then and now: her posture toward Donald Trump. And while Ayotte spent the last seven-plus years out of office, she stayed connected in the political and policy spheres before her next opportunity netting millions on corporate boards, writing on state and national issues in newspapers and, early in the Trump administration, advising one of his Supreme Court picks through the Senate confirmation process. In 2016, Ayotte was nearing the end of her first term in the Senate, establishing herself as a key GOP voice on national security, at the same time as Trumps unexpected political rise. Like many Republicans at the time, Ayotte initially backed Trump but then withdrew her support just weeks before Election Day in 2016, after the Access Hollywood video of Trump emerged, in which he spoke about touching women without their consent. I cannot and will not support a candidate for president who brags about degrading and assaulting women, Ayotte said at the time. She went on to narrowly lose her re-election bid to now-Sen. Maggie Hassan, a Democrat, as Trump also narrowly lost the state. Now, Ayotte is back on the national political stage, running for governor. And, shes endorsed Trump, offering a full-throated rebuke of President Joe Biden. Her Republican primary opponent, Chuck Morse, endorsed the former president earlier in the 2024 race as they both seek to succeed retiring GOP Gov. Chris Sununu. Asked if Ayotte had always planned to run for governor in the future when she was still in the Senate, a former aide told NBC News, She was very committed to citizens of the Granite State during her time as senator, and I think its a natural succession for her to choose to run for governor. The path from then to now After the end of her Senate term, Ayotte stuck around briefly in Washington, serving as an adviser to then-Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch during his Senate confirmation process before she returned to New Hampshire. But in the intervening years between leaving the Senate and running for governor, Ayotte spent her time in the private sector and made over $2.1 million in cash fees serving on corporate boards between 2017 and 2023, according to an NBC News review of corporate proxy statements. The figure does not include any stock she was awarded while serving on the corporate boards, which could also total in the millions, and it includes only reported data from public companies on whose boards Ayotte served, like Blackstone, Bloom Energy, Boston Properties, News Corp. and Caterpillar, not private companies where she was also reported to have served on boards, like Blink Health and Citronics. At different points in 2023, Ayotte owned over 16,000 shares of Blackstone stock and over 7,000 shares of stock in Boston Properties, according to Securities and Exchange Commission filings. In January 2024, she also reported owning over 50,000 shares of News Corp. stock. Ayotte also served in advisory roles for several other companies, like Chubb Insurance, Microsoft and Revision Military. It is not at all unusual for former politicians to join corporate boards after leaving office. Republican candidate for Governor of New Hampshire Kelly Ayotte (Brian Snyder / Reuters file) According to one study by researchers at Harvard and Boston universities called Capitol Gains: The Returns to Elected Office from Corporate Board Directorships, almost half of all former senators and governors serve on at least one board after leaving office. The study also estimated that winning a Senate or gubernatorial election increases the probability of later serving on a corporate board by roughly 30%. Theres actually a causal relationship between winning elections and getting these board seats, Maxwell Palmer, an associate professor of political science at Boston University who co-authored the paper, told NBC News. In a statement, Ayotte told NBC News, After leaving the Senate, I had two important priorities: first, being more present with my husband and two children as I couldnt be due to the Senate schedule, and second, putting my life experience to work helping New Hampshire and American businesses grow, compete, and succeed. She added, Over that time, I gained a great deal of experience working with companies at the highest level. This, in addition to my many years of public service as a prosecutor and attorney general, round out my skillset and have prepared me to lead our state forward and ensure New Hampshire remains safe, prosperous, and free. Beyond serving on boards in the six years between the end of her Senate term and the launch of her gubernatorial campaign, Ayotte also kept contributing to policy debates. As a member of the Afghanistan Study Group, building on an area of focus for her as a senator, she co-authored a report in 2021 urging the Biden administration to postpone the deadline for the required withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. She also authored a letter to the editor in The Washington Post in 2019 about the GOPs plans to tackle climate change. In the letter, Ayotte critiqued a recent article that she said failed to take into account several examples of recent Republican leadership on advancing clean-energy solutions. As a former senator and strong public advocate with a track record of advancing policy in the clean-energy space, I feel compelled to set the record straight and give credit where it is due. When she wrote the letter, Ayotte was also serving as an adviser to Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, a right-of-center nonprofit aimed at pushing Republican politicians to advocate for clean energy solutions. She also zoomed in on more local issues in the press. In 2021, Ayotte also wrote an op-ed in the New Hampshire Union-Leader criticizing Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess for seeking to strip the [police] department of ... independent oversight and seize control. At the time, Nashuas Police Commission was the last in the state whose commissioners were still appointed by the governor, rather than locally. Ayottes allies are quick to point out that despite her service on corporate boards and in various political roles since leaving the Senate, shes also sought to return to her New Hampshire community in more average ways. One person who used to work with Ayotte told NBC News, Since leaving the Senate, its not unusual to see her at the Penguin Plunge, or in the carpool line at her childrens school, where she serves on the board. Theyre just, you know, theyre just regular New Hampshire parents, the person added. Now, Ayotte is trying to climb back onto the political ladder and lead the state. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A former Miami-Dade Police officer may have gotten a clean slate after an appeals court this week overturned his 2022 conviction on charges of battering a woman during a rough arrest and lying on an arrest report. But images of his actions, caught on video, will live forever on the internet and in the minds of many people in South Florida. Floridas Third District Court of Appeals found that the prosecutors argument that Alejandro Giraldo falsified the arrest form was subjective, and that, because intent to falsify could not be proven, the battery charge should also be dismissed, the Herald reported on Thursday. But that doesnt make the harrowing footage of the former field training officer, taken by police body camera and a bystander video, any less disturbing. With the possibility that Giraldo who was in charge of training other officers could ask for his job back, its on the Police Department and a new sheriff who will be elected in November to ensure something similar wont happen again. Giraldos 2019 encounter with Dyma Loving, a Black woman who called the police claiming a man pointed a gun at her, should not have ended the way it did and even people in law enforcement have agreed. Loving and a friend were clearly upset and angry as responding officers peppered them with questions, but the videos dont show her presenting a threat to them. During the interaction, Giraldo threatens her with a Baker Act the temporary detention of people impaired by mental illness telling her he doesnt like the tone of her voice, that shes acting disorderly. After Loving asks, Why do I have to be corrected when my life is in danger?officers push her toward a fence and then to the ground before arresting her. Its as if Loving was the suspect, and not the person who called 911 to report an alleged crime. The president of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association, Steadman Stahl, told the Herald on Thursday that Myself and others were disappointed in what we saw in the video. Then-Police Director Juan Perez, who fired Giraldo, said in 2019 he found the actions depicted on the video very troubling. He told the Herald on Thursday he was surprised by the appellate courts decision. Giraldo apologized to Dyma during his 2022 trial, at which he was sentenced to 364 days in jail. His lawyer told NBC6 on Thursday, He certainly of course wishes that this whole event did not happen both for her and for himself. Were Loving a white man, and not a young Black woman, would she have been treated differently by police? In an arrest report, Giraldo called her belligerent, irate and stated she began to scream at us causing a scene. The District Court of Appeals found that Giraldos subjective account of the events depicted doesnt rise to the level of knowing or intentional falsification of the report and that causing a scene is a matter of perception though its hard not to draw a link between those words and the stereotype of the angry Black woman. To prove the official misconduct felony charge, the state had to prove Giraldo knowingly and intentionally falsified the document. To make the optics of this case worse for police, the white man that Loving and her friend said pointed a gun at them was not initially arrested. He was taken into custody more than a week after the incident. Police blamed the delay on having to continue to interview witnesses and preparing a risk protection order to ask a judge for permission to seize his weapons, the Herald reported in 2019. Loving was arrested but charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence were later dropped. The State Attorneys Office said at the time, those charges could not be supported by the evidence. I ask that you do not define me based on the six-minute video, Giraldo said in a statement at his sentencing hearing. From a legal point of view, he got what he wanted but trust in police is a lot harder to rebuild. Click here to send the letter. Russian forces attacked Sumy Oblast 120 times in 28 separate attacks throughout the day, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported on May 3. The communities of Khotin, Yunakivka, Myropillia, Bilopillia, Krasnopillia, Esman, Seredyna-Buda, Mykolaiv, Velyka Pysarivka, and Shalyhyne were targeted. Throughout the day, Russia assailed the border communities with mortar, artillery, drone, missile, tank, and rocket launcher attacks. Explosives were also dropped by drones onto a community. The town of Seredyna-Buda, with a pre-war population of about 7,500 residents, experienced the bulk of the attacks reported with 19 explosions recorded in the area. The community is located directly on Ukraine-Russia border. No casualties or injuries were reported throughout the region. Russian strikes against Sumy Oblast have become increasingly destructive in recent months. Amid intensified attacks, Ukrainian authorities ordered increased evacuations from the region. Amid warning of a Russian summer offensive, Ukraine has begun to plant additional landmines and build fortifications along the Sumy border. Read also: Sumy Oblast fortifies amid looming threat of Kharkiv attack Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia claims Ukraine deployed ATACMS in last night's strike on Crimea The Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS. Photo: Getty Images Russian occupation forces in Crimea have claimed that Ukraine deployed ATACMS missiles to strike the peninsula on the night of 3-4 May, with Russian air defence downing all missiles. Source: Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation Details: The Russian Defence Ministry said that Russian air defence systems shot down four US-made long-range ATACMS missiles. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a meeting during his visit to the Kharkiv region following the devastating Russian attacks. -/Ukrainian presidency/dpa Russian news agencies reported on Saturday that Moscow has issued an alert for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, citing a wanted list from the Interior Ministry in Moscow. According to the wanted list, a criminal case has been opened against Zelensky. However, the ministry did not specify the supposed charges. Russia has already placed other high-ranking politicians on the wanted list, including Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. The measure has no direct impact on Zelensky, as the Ukrainian president is not on Russian soil. It is seen more as a symbolic act. Russia has justified its invasion of Ukraine with the alleged oppression of the Russian-speaking population in the neighbouring country. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin in March 2023. The ICC accuses Putin of being responsible for the abduction and deportation of children and minors from Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine to Russia. Moscow refers to the incidents as evacuations. Update: Russia launches drone attack on Kharkiv, injuring at least 4 Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being updated. Russia launched drone attacks on Kharkiv in the early hours of May 4, damaging civilian infrastructure, and injuring at least four people including a child, Kharkiv regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on Telegram. According to Syniehubov, Russian forces launched two drone strikes hitting infrastructure in the Osnoviansky district of the city. Two women aged 52 and 89, as well as a 13-year-old girl have been injured as a result of the attack. Another women is being treated for shock. The 52-year-old woman and 13-year old were hospitalized, Syniehubov said. A large-scale fire broke out as a result of falling debris of a downed Shahed-type drone. One of the targets was a two-story office building. At least two explosions were heard in the city of Kharkiv around 1 a.m. local time, Suspilne reported. On May 3, Russian forces attacked central Kharkiv with glide bombs, hitting residential buildings, and killing an 82-year-old woman. A 66-year-old man was also injured in the attack and a 78-year-old man suffered from shock. A tram, which had been carrying passengers at the time of the attack, was also damaged. Russia recently intensified attacks against Kharkiv, using missiles, glide bombs, and drones to destroy energy infrastructure and kill civilians. Read also: Updated: Russian attack on Kharkiv kills woman, injures man Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President Volodymyr Zelensky has been placed on a criminal "wanted" list by Russia for unspecified crimes, it was reported on May 4. Zelensky now appears on a list of alleged criminals compiled by the Russian Interior Ministry, which said he was being sought "under an article of the criminal code" without providing further details. His entry includes details such as his date of birth and a pre-full-scale invasion picture of the president, Russian media reported. . pic.twitter.com/GC7k0guuSe SOTA (@Sota_Vision) May 4, 2024 Zelensky joins several other international figures who the Kremlin have taken exception to since the launch of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Earlier in February, it became known that Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas was put on the wanted list in Russia, the only head of state on the list at the time. In retaliation for issuing an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin last year, it added members of the International Criminal Court in September. The Investigative Committee of Russia opened a case against the ICC members responsible for issuing the arrest warrant, namely Prosecutor Karim Khan and judges Tomoko Akane, Rosario Salvatore Aitala, and Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godinez. All four ICC officials were later added to Russia's wanted list, sparking denouncements by The Hague court. The ICC in March also issued arrest warrants for two Russian military commanders for carrying out strikes on Ukrainian electricity infrastructure during the winter of 2022- 2023. Lieutenant General Sergei Kobylash and Admiral Viktor Sokolov "are each allegedly responsible" for a number of war crimes, including "directing attacks at civilian sites," the court said. Read also: New ICC chief on Putin: Heavens vengeance is slow but sure Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia has opened a criminal case against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and put him on a wanted list, the state news agency TASS reported on Saturday, an announcement Ukraine dismissed as evidence of Moscow's "desperation". TASS reported that the Russian Interior Ministry database showed Zelenskiy was on a wanted list but gave no further details. Ukraine's foreign ministry noted Russian President Vladimir Putin was himself subject to arrest under an International Criminal Court warrant. "We would like to remind you that unlike the worthless Russian announcements, an International Criminal Court warrant for the arrest of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on suspicion of war crimes is quite real, and subject to implementation in 123 countries," the foreign ministry said in a statement. It said the Russian announcement was "evidence of the desperation of the Russian state machine and propaganda, which can think of no other way to attract attention". Russia has issued arrest warrants for a number of Ukrainian and other European politicians since the start of the conflict with Ukraine in February 2022. Russian police in February put Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Lithuania's culture minister and members of the previous Latvian parliament on a wanted list for destroying Soviet-era monuments. Russia also issued an arrest warrant for the International Criminal Court prosecutor who last year prepared Putin's war crimes warrant. (Reporting and writing by Vladimir Soldatkin and Elaine Monaghan; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Giles Elgood) In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy inspects the fortification lines in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, Tuesday, April 9, 2024. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP) Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministrys database. As of Saturday afternoon, both Zelenskyy and his predecessor, Petro Poroshenko, featured on the ministry's list of people wanted on unspecified criminal charges. The commander of Ukraine's ground forces, Gen. Oleksandr Pavlyuk, was also on the list. Russian officials did not immediately clarify the allegations against any of the men. Mediazona, an independent Russian news outlet, claimed Saturday that both Zelenskyy and Poroshenko had been listed since at least late February. In an online statement published that same day, Ukraines foreign ministry dismissed the reports of Zelenskyys inclusion as evidence of the desperation of the Russian state machine and propaganda. Russia's wanted list also includes scores of officials and lawmakers from Ukraine and NATO countries. Among them is Kaja Kallas, the prime minister of NATO and EU member Estonia, who has fiercely advocated for increased military aid to Kyiv and stronger sanctions against Moscow. Russian officials in February said that Kallas is wanted because of Tallinns efforts to remove Soviet-era monuments to Red Army soldiers in the Baltic nation, in a belated purge of what many consider symbols of past oppression. Fellow NATO members Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have also pulled down monuments that are widely seen as an unwanted legacy of the Soviet occupation of those countries. Russia has laws criminalizing the rehabilitation of Nazism that include punishing the desecration of war memorials. Also on Russias list are cabinet ministers from Estonia and Lithuania, as well as the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor who last year prepared a warrant for President Vladimir Putin on war crimes charges. Moscow has also charged the head of Ukraines military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, with what it deems terrorist activities, including Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian infrastructure. The Kremlin has repeatedly sought to link Ukraines leaders to Nazism, even though the country has a democratically elected Jewish president who lost relatives in the Holocaust, and despite the aim of many Ukrainians to strengthen the countrys democracy, reduce corruption and move closer to the West. Moscow named de-Nazification, de-militarization and a neutral status of Ukraine as the key goals of what it insists on calling a special military operation against its southern neighbor. The claim of de-Nazification refers to Russias false assertions that Ukraines government is heavily influenced by radical nationalist and neo-Nazi groups - an allegation derided by Kyiv and its Western allies. The Holocaust, World War II and Nazism have been important tools for Putin in his bid to legitimize Russias war in Ukraine. World War II, in which the Soviet Union lost an estimated 27 million people, is a linchpin of Russias national identity, and officials bristle at any questioning of the USSRs role. Some historians say this has been coupled with an attempt by Russia to retool certain historical truths from the war. They say Russia has tried to magnify the Soviet role in defeating the Nazis while playing down any collaboration by Soviet citizens in the persecution of Jews, along with allegations of crimes by Red Army soldiers against civilians in Eastern Europe. A Russian court has sentenced a Ukrainian POW to 18 years in a maximum security penal colony, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported on May 4. Vladyslav Plahotnyk was accused of "participation in a terrorist organization" and "training for terrorism," by being a member of the Azov battalion which Russia has declared a terrorist organization. The court in Rostov-on-Don has been the site of several trials of Ukrainian POWs. Last month Dmytro Yevhan, a Ukrainian servicemember who was captured defending the Azovstal steelworks plant in Mariupol, was sentenced to 20 years. Serving in the 36th Marine Brigade, Yevhan lost both his hands during the fighting in Mariupol. He refuted terrorism allegations, asserting he was acting in defense of his country and fulfilling military duties. Ukrainian prisoners of war have been subjected to rough conditions and systemic torture in Russia, according to POWs who have been been returned through swaps. Ukraine is open to considering an all-for-all prisoner of war (POW) exchange, and will discuss the idea at the upcoming Peace Summit in Switzerland in June, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 3. "It's desired that we swap all-for-all. All reasonable countries support this route," Zelensky told recruits while speaking at the National Academy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. "We are conducting exchanges, but they are slower than we would like." The last reported prisoner exchange occurred on Feb. 8 with 100 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) returned from Russian captivity. Before that on Jan. 3, 230 prisoners were exchanged in the largest prisoner exchange since the start of Russias full-scale invasion. Read also: Families of captive Azov fighters desperately wait as Russia obstructs prisoner swaps Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian drones hit Kharkiv twice: large fire breaks out, four people injured, including child Two strikes by the Russian Shahed attack drones were recorded in the city of Kharkiv on the night of 3-4 May. A total of four people were injured, including a child. Source: Ihor Terekhov, the mayor of Kharkiv, on Telegram Details: Terekhov said that both strikes hit civilian infrastructure facilities in the Osnovianskyi district of the city. There is a large-scale fire at the scene of one of them. Updated at 01:57: Terekhov clarified that the number of casualties has increased to three, including a child. Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, reported at 02:10 that a civilian two-storey office building in the Osnovianskyi district of Kharkiv caught fire as a result of the falling debris of the downed Shahed drone. A fourteen year-old and a woman were taken to hospital, and another 89-year-old woman was treated at the scene. Firefighters are extinguishing fires in civilian infrastructure and trees at two more addresses. Syniehubov added that the number of casualties had increased, following a report of a 52-year-old woman who was wounded. Background: At midnight, the Russians launched a group of attack UAVs from Russias Belgorod Oblast. The drones were flying southwest. During the Russian drone attack, explosions rocked Kharkiv. Support UP or become our patron! Russian nighttime drone attack on Kharkiv: Ukrainian police report on condition of teenage girl, 13, injured in strike Russian drones attacked the city of Kharkiv on the night of 3-4 May. Photo: Serhii Bolvinov/Facebook Russian forces attacked the Osnovianskyi district of the city of Kharkiv with Shahed loitering munitions on the night of 3-4 May. A teenage girl, 13, sustained lacerations caused by glass shards. Source: Serhii Bolvinov, Head of the Investigation Department of the Main Directorate of Ukraine's National Police in Kharkiv Oblast Details: Bolvinov noted that the teenage girl was sleeping near a window during the attack. Her home is located near a long-closed service station that was targeted by the Russians. "The teenage girl, 13, has lacerations to her hands and feet and small fragments in her right eye. The blast wave smashed the windows in her room and shattered glass. Medical workers are washing out small pieces of glass," Bolvinov said. The girl's mother suffered bruises but was able to accompany her daughter to hospital. Two other women from neighbouring houses have reportedly been injured. The Russians launched Shaheds on the city from the territory of Belgorod Oblast, Russia, at midnight. In addition to the service station, a civilian two-storey office building and warehouses have been severely damaged. Background: Firefighters were still dealing with the aftermath of Russian large-scale drone attacks on the city of Kharkiv as of the morning of 4 May. Earlier, it was reported that the vice-rector of the International Humanitarian University had been killed in a Russian attack on the city of Odesa. A ballistic missile carrying a cluster munition left 23 people injured, including a 4-year-old girl. Support UP or become our patron! Three Russian students studying in Finland were detained for allegedly exporting unspecified dual-use goods - items that are suitable for military capabilities, Finnish outlet Yle reported on May 3. No details were released as to which dual-use goods the students are accused of exporting. Dual-use goods typically refer to a wide-range of items, including technological and electrical components, chemicals, lithium batteries, motors and servomotors for drones, and other various equipment that can be used for military purposes. The European Union has adopted various sanctions targeting dual-use goods, although it is currently unclear if the suspects are accused of violating international sanctions. According to Yle, the three accused - two men both aged 25, and an 18-year-old woman - were detained on April 30 in the town of Kajaani. The three students were detained in the dormitory of Kainuu Vocational College. According to investigators, all three suspects hold Russian citizenship. The Kajaani City Court is slated to determine if formal charges will be filed in the coming days. The minimum prison term for illegally exporting good ranges between four months and four years. Read also: SBU arrest man who allegedly spied on Ukrainian positions while walking dog Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Alexander Vinnik, a Russian suspected cybercrime kingpin who was arrested in Greece in 2017, convicted of money laundering in France three years later and is now awaiting trial in California, has pleaded partially guilty, TASS news agency cited his lawyer as saying on Saturday. The lawyer, Arkady Bukh, said that as a result of the plea bargain he now expected Vinnik to get a prison term of less than 10 years. "He pleaded guilty on a restricted number of charges," TASS quoted Bukh as saying, adding that Vinnik had faced life imprisonment. "The culmination of the negotiations was a deal with the prosecutor's office. We expect that the prison term will be up to 10 years." Vinnik, accused of laundering more than $4 billion through the digital currency bitcoin, was arrested in 2017 in Greece at the request of the United States, although Moscow has repeatedly demanded he be returned to Russia. He was extradited to France from Greece where he was sentenced to five years in prison for money laundering before he was sent back to Greece and then on to the United States in 2022. The U.S. Department of Justice has said Vinnik "allegedly owned, operated, and administrated BTC-e, a significant cybercrime and online money laundering entity that allowed its users to trade in bitcoin with high levels of anonymity and developed a customer base heavily reliant on criminal activity." The maximum penalty for the U.S. charges against Vinnik is 55 years in prison, according to the U.S. Department of Justice website. (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Frances Kerry) Civilians injured and facility ablaze due to Russian strike on Kharkiv photo Russian forces struck civilian infrastructure in the city of Kharkiv on the afternoon of 4 May. Six civilians sustained injuries in the attack. Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov; Ukraines Air Force 4 , Telegram all photos: Oleh Syniehubov on Telegram Quote: "The invaders have once again attacked the civilian infrastructure of Kharkiv. Early reports indicate casualties. Details are being investigated." Details: At 16:23, Ukraine's Air Force warned of the threat of ballistic missile attacks in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, and Kirovohrad oblasts. At 16:21, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported an explosion in the city. Later, the official noted that the strike caused a strong fire at a production facility in Kharkiv's Industrialnyi district and added that information about the casualties was being gathered. Updated: Syniehubov reported three casualties in the strike, while Terekhov indicated four. At 17:45, Syniehubov said that another woman was hospitalised. The number of casualties thus rose to five. At 19:17, Syniehubov said that six civilians were injured in the Russian attack on a civilian industrial facility in Kharkivs Industrialnyi (Industrial) district. There are four women (aged 39, 36, 21 and 18) and two men (both aged 21) among the casualties. All six worked at the facility and sustained blast injuries. Several outbuildings next to a private house caught fire near the industrial facility. Support UP or become our patron! A lorry delivering drinking water to residents in Beryslav in Kherson Oblast came under Russian fire on the morning of Saturday, 4 May. Source: Kherson Oblast Military Administration Details: It is specified that the Russians attacked the vehicle with drones. The lorry was completely engulfed in flames, but fortunately no one was injured. Support UP or become our patron! Yahoo Finance After China announced broad measures to rescue its economy, Chinese stocks surged, our Chart of the Week shows. It's not the first time the country has attempted to get out of the recent doldrums, but the market's reaction says this time might be different. The Russians attacked energy infrastructure facilities in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast overnight on 3-4 May. A substation was damaged, resulting in two mines being disconnected from the power supply. Source: Ukrainian Ministry of Energy The Russians attacked Dnipropetrovsk Oblast over the past day; specifically, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration reported damage to critical infrastructure facilities in the Pavlohrad district. Two mines were left without power. The substation has already been repaired. "Yesterday, consumer needs were met through self-generation, commercial imports, and emergency assistance. During the peak evening hours, an emergency electricity supply was requested from the energy systems of Romania, Poland, and Slovakia. The total volume of emergency supply amounted to less than one per cent of daily electricity consumption," the statement said. Poland, Romania, and Slovakia provided emergency assistance to the Ukrainian energy system over the day. Scheduled power outages are in effect in Kharkiv Oblast and Kryvyi Rih. Background: Five Shahed drones were downed in the Pavlohrad district of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, but a critical infrastructure facility and three houses were damaged on the night of 3-4 May. Support UP or become our patron! Mothers in hospitals in the Russian-occupied part of Luhansk Oblast are being threatened that their newborn children will be taken away if neither parent can prove that they have Russian citizenship. These actions violate Article II(d) of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention). Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW) Details: Artem Lysohor, Head of Luhansk Oblast Military Administration, said that from 6 May, mothers giving birth in hospitals in the occupied part of Luhansk Oblast will have to confirm citizenship of the Russian Federation for at least one of the parents of newborns in order to be discharged from hospital. ISW analysts noted that if this report is true, such actions violate Article II(d) of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which defines genocide as the imposition of measures designed to prevent births in a group of persons who are part of a national, ethnical, racial or religious group. Russian occupation officials continue their efforts to militarise and indoctrinate Ukrainian youth in occupied Ukraine. On 1 May, the "Luhansk Peoples Republic" ("LPR" is a self-proclaimed and unrecognised quasi-state formation in Luhansk Oblast ed.) announced that it was developing a new textbook that would teach the modern history of the occupied Luhansk Oblast in accordance with Russian educational standards. On 2 May, Vladimir Rogov, the occupying official of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, stated that 200 children had recently taken part in military-patriotic games of the Russian military-patriotic youth organisations Movement of the First and Yunarmiya in the occupied cities of Berdiansk and Melitopol. To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 3 May: Ukrainian officials continue to highlight that Russias main goal for 2024 remains the seizure of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts as Russian forces plan for their summer 2024 offensive operation. The first deliveries of resumed US military assistance reportedly arrived in Ukraine earlier this week, although it will likely take several additional weeks before Western weapons and ammunition arrive to frontline areas at scale. Ukrainian officials indicated that Russian forces in Ukraine have not significantly increased in size in recent months, but that the Russian military continues to improve its fighting qualities overall despite suffering widespread degradation, especially among elite units since the start of the war. Ukrainian officials indicated that the Russian military will likely maintain its current personnel replacement rate and will not generate the significant number of available personnel needed to establish strategic-level reserves for larger-scale offensive operations in 2024. Pavliuk stated that neither Russian nor Ukrainian forces will be able to achieve victory in Ukraine solely through attritional warfare a consistent throughline that Ukrainian officials and military analysts have emphasised in recent months. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu issued a notably candid assessment of recent Russian advances in Ukraine and refrained from sweeping claims about the success of the Russian war effort, possibly in an attempt to temper domestic expectations about Russias near future successes in Ukraine ahead of the summer 2024 Russian offensive operation. A Russian insider source, who has routinely been accurate about past Russian military command changes, claimed on 2 May that the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has replaced several high-level Russian commanders in recent months. NATO stated on 2 May that it is "deeply concerned" about intensifying Russian hybrid operations on NATO member territory and that these operations constitute a threat to Allied security. UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron announced the United Kingdoms intent to provide long-term support for Ukraine and stated that Ukrainian forces can conduct long-range strikes within Russia with UK-provided weapons. Russian forces recently marginally advanced near Kupiansk, Avdiivka, and Donetsk City. Rostec General Director Sergei Chemezov announced that Russian state-owned defence conglomerate Rostec is increasing its production of all variants of guided glide bombs during a 3 May meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. Support UP or become our patron! By Sachin Ravikumar LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's Labour Party won mayoral polls in London and central England on Saturday, in crushing defeats for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's unpopular Conservatives ahead of a national election due later this year. While Labour politician Sadiq Khan's re-election as London mayor was widely expected, Labour also snatched a surprise, narrow victory in the central West Midlands region that is home to Britain's second-largest city of Birmingham. The wins are Labour's latest in local elections to councils and mayoralties on Thursday and could fuel fresh calls for Sunak to step down. Opinion polls predicted that Labour will win the next national election, propelling Keir Starmer to power and ending 14 years of Conservative government in Britain. Sunak has said he intends to call a vote in the second half of the year. Conservative West Midlands Mayor Andy Street lost to his Labour opponent Richard Parker. Street's 37.5% of the vote was eclipsed by 37.8% for Parker, a razor-thin margin translating to 1,508 votes. Street, who has served as mayor since 2017, ran a campaign emphasising his personal record on investment while downplaying his Conservative affiliation. He publicly disputed Sunak's decision to scrap the high-speed HS2 rail link from Birmingham to Manchester last year. Parker had sought to link him to the unpopular national government. "I believe a Labour mayor working with a Labour government will help get Britain's future back," Parker said in a speech following the result. Starmer said the result was beyond Labour's expectations. "People across the country have had enough of Conservative chaos and decline and voted for change with Labour," he said in a statement. Sunak had been counting on getting an electoral boost from recent announcements on defence spending and the progress of his divisive plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. Khan's victory in London, his third in a row, came despite some public anger over knife crime and the Ultra Low Emission Zone that charges drivers of older, more polluting vehicles a daily fee. "It's been a difficult few months, we faced a campaign of non-stop negativity," Khan said in a speech after the results showed he had won 43.8% of the vote against 33% for the Conservatives' candidate, Susan Hall. "For the last eight years, London has been swimming against the tide of a Tory (Conservative) government and now with a Labour Party that's ready to govern again under Keir Starmer, it's time for Rishi Sunak to give the public a choice." Khan, 53, became the first Muslim mayor of the British capital in 2016. Hall had made scrapping ULEZ a centrepiece of her campaign but the 69-year-old Donald Trump fan made a series of gaffes and faced accusations of racism after being found to have engaged with far-right content online. In one bright spot for Conservatives, Ben Houchen won re-election as mayor of Tees Valley in northern England on Friday. (Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar; Editing by Gareth Jones and Cynthia Osterman) The Special Air Service Regiment is facing a perfect storm of being operationally overstretched while recruiting from a shrinking talent pool, senior defence sources have claimed. Cuts to Army troop numbers mean that Britains special forces have struggled to recruit enough personnel to meet their operational and training commitments with both the SAS and the Special Boat Service (SBS) undermanned, defence sources have disclosed. A Freedom of Information (FOI) request by The Sunday Telegraph has revealed that almost every infantry regiment, from which the SAS recruits the vast majority of troops, is short of personnel, some by almost 100 soldiers. The FOI reply shows that all five of the Kings Guards regiments are understrength, with the Scots Guards being the worst recruited. Key units such as tank, artillery and engineering regiments, which also supply personnel to the SAS, are facing troop shortages too. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) did not include figures for the Parachute Regiment, whose soldiers make up 50 per cent of the SAS, and the Royal Marines, who supply the vast majority of troops to the SBS. But figures obtained by The Telegraph last week revealed that since 2016, the strength of the Parachute Regiment had fallen by almost a tenth from 2,200 troops to 2,030 in October 2023, while the Royal Marines have fallen by more than 1,000 marines from 7,110 to 6,040. The Ranger Regiment, which is composed of about 660 personnel and is described by the MoD as Special Forces capable, is also facing troop shortages. According to the MoD, the Rangers should be composed of four units of 250 personnel each. When the war on terror began in 2001, the Army was composed of around 110,000 personnel but the current trained strength of the British Army stands at 73,150, a figure which will reduce to 73,000 by next year. The last time the Army was this small was in 1770, just prior to the US War of Independence when George III was on the throne and the Army was composed of 48,000 troops. More now leaving than joining Meanwhile, the size of the SAS and SBS has remained the same and their operational commitments have increased, although now both units received operational support from the Special Forces Support Group, which is largely composed of Paras. Both the SAS and SBS are currently deployed in Iraq, Syria, the Baltics and have reported as undertaking training missions in Ukraine. Troops from the SAS and the SBS also conduct numerous training missions around the world, especially in Africa, where they help train the special forces of the UKs allies. Two special forces selection courses are held every year and those who pass are given the option of serving in the SAS or the SBS. Up to 100 experienced soldiers attend each course but fewer than 10 are usually selected and the recent courses have produced even fewer recruits. Defence sources have said that more members of the special forces are now leaving than joining which is placing SAS and SBS personnel under even more strain. One source told The Sunday Telegraph: The SAS is about to be hit by the perfect storm of over-tasking and being understrength it simply cannot recruit enough personnel because it wont lower its standards and the talent pool is now too small. Something will have to give very soon. Its alway been a struggle to get enough volunteers of the right calibre to join the SAS and the SBS but it is even harder now. Extremely demanding and rewarding The Special Reconnaissance Regiment, which is also part of the Tier 1 Special Forces Group, has a different selection process and recruits both men and women from all three of the armed forces and so the recruiting pressures are seen as being not as severe. The SAS source added: Life in the special forces is both extremely demanding and rewarding but it is not as glamorous as most people, even in the Army, think. It is a continuous round of unrelenting operations and training interspersed with leave. The toll is huge and it is little wonder that the regiment has the highest divorce rate in the Army. Colonel Phil Ingram, a former Army Intelligence Corps officer who worked with the special forces during his career, said: A shrinking number of personnel in the military will have a disproportionate impact on special forces recruitment as the pool of potential volunteers is reducing. The Paras have survived numerous troop cuts because they are a traditional feeder for SF but this is a growing worry and an unsustainable situation. Modern conflicts need increased special forces smaller recruiting pools have a severe negative impact. This puts more pressure on those already in SF roles and that impacts retention. This is not a healthy cycle for our wider security. An MoD spokesperson said: By spending 75 billion more on UK defence over the next six years, we will be the biggest defence power in Europe, and have already deployed 20,000 personnel this year to the largest NATO exercise in a generation. Headline numbers do not define the British Armys effectiveness and we are already making the Army more integrated, agile, and lethal, helping protect the UK at home and abroad. Increasing recruitment and improving retention across the Armed Forces are absolute priorities and we have put in place a number of measures, including improved career opportunities and making it easier for people to re-join, on top of the largest pay increase in more than 20 years. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A Russian correctional officer was arrested in Kharkiv for allegedly spying on Ukrainian defense position and providing Russia information in preparation for a air attack on military facilities - all under the guise of walking his dog, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) announced on May 3. According to the SBU, the accused was allegedly involved in identifying Ukrainian radar stations anti-aircraft missile systems, with the intention of covertly passing along the information to Russian agents. During the SBU's investigation, cell phone photos of potential targets were seized from the accused. The man first came to the attention of Russian intelligence officers after he wrote of his pro-Kremlin support on Russian Telegram channels. The unnamed man would then allegedly communicate with intelligence officers through anonymous messenger applications. The accused is charged under Ukraine's Criminal Code and faces up to eight year in prison, if convicted. Read also: Updated: Fugitive ex-SBU official charged with illicitly acquiring $830,000 in assets Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Will SC be hotter and wetter than normal in summer 2024? What Farmers Almanac and NWS predict Get ready for a scorching and muggy summer, South Carolina. Temperatures across the state have jumped significantly in the past week or so, but thats just the beginning of what to expect in the coming months. Though many Americans consider Memorial Day weekend (May 25-27 this year) as the start of summer, the official first day of the summer solstice is June 20 for the Northern Hemisphere. Both the Farmers Almanac and the National Weather Service are forecasting hotter and wetter summers for South Carolina than usual this year. Farmers Almanac extended forecast The Farmers Almanac summer weather forecast calls for a warm, hot and muggy summer for most of the nation. The Southeast in particular faces soaking showers and steamy days. A U.S. map that shows general summer weather forecasts for 2024, according to Farmers Almanac. According to Farmers Almanac, South Carolina will kick off June with rain and thunderstorms. The weeks of June 8 and June 16 will experience a rise in humidity and more thunderstorms. Expect the month to round out with humidity and more thunderstorms as well. There will be a bout of hot but dry weather the week of July 4, followed by a week of heavy rains, Farmers Almanac states. More thunderstorms and hot temperatures are predicted toward the end of July. Showery rains will continue into August. Temperatures are expected to get oppressively hot the week of Aug. 8. Dont expect rain chances to let up toward the end of August, but temperatures should cool a bit, Farmers Almanac states. How Farmers Almanac predicts the weather Founded in 1818, the Farmers Almanac uses a secret formula that includes components such as sunspot activity, tidal action, the position of the planet, to predict long-range weather forecasts. The forecasts are typically made two years in advance. Fans of the Farmers Almanac have, over the years, calculated that the predictions are accurate 80-85% of the time. NWS summer forecast The NWS Climate Prediction Center calls for a 40% to 50% of South Carolina having above normal temperatures in June, July and August. A U.S. map that shows temperature predictions from June through August. The coastal areas of South Carolina are predicted to have a 33% to 40% chance of above normal rainfall from June to August. A U.S. map that shows rainfall predictions between June and August. However, the rest of the state may see a greater 40% to 50% chance of above normal rainfall for the summer, the NWS predicts. 'He Was Scaring Her': New Documents Detail What Ohio Dad Did Before He Allegedly Executed 3 Sons Chad Doerman is accused of murdering his three sons Rachel Brown/Facebook Clayton, Hunter and Chase Doerman Warning: This story contains graphic descriptions of violence Chad Doerman the Ohio man accused of killing his three young sons on June 15, 2023 was allegedly mumbling and carrying around a bible in the moments before police say he killed his children. "(He) was mumbling, 'Chad knows what's right,'" amended court document obtained by Fox 19, the Cincinnati Enquirer and WCPO allege, adding that he was also carrying around a bible. "He then began to get into the gun safe, which was located in the master bedroom." When Doerman's wife saw his behavior, she said he was scaring her, that she did not like what he was doing, and that she would call his parents, the documents state, Fox 19 reports. Subsequently, Doerman allegedly told her he was just kidding, and laid down in the primary bedroom. His wife and one son joined him, the documents claim, per the outlet, but then Doerman allegedly took his gun and shot his son. Immediately, [the mother] called 911 and began to render aid," the documents state, per Fox 19. "An open 911 call captured [the mother] screaming for her other children to run." Related: Police Say Man Killed 3 Sons and Then Confessed to Police. His Lawyer Says His Rights Were Violated Doerman's other two sons and his stepdaughter ran out of the house, but Doerman allegedly chased down his sons and shot them to death, say police. The boys were later identified as Clayton, 7, Hunter, 4, and Chase, 3. As his stepdaughter continued to run away from Doerman, she was "stopped by a passerby and [she] advised that her father was killing everyone, the documents allege, per Fox 19. Chad Doerman/Facebook Clayton, 7, Hunter, 4, and Chase, 3 Deputies arrived at a home in Monroe Township and allegedly found Doerman sitting on the steps with a rifle beside him, WXIX reported, citing the sheriff's department. All three boys died at the scene and their mother was injured after reportedly trying to intervene. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Doerman was indicted on nine counts of aggravated murder, eight counts of kidnapping and four counts of assault in connection with the deaths of his sons, according to the Associated Press, Fox 19, and WCPO. According to WCPO, he has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Related: Ohio Father Accused of Killing 3 Young Sons Indicted, Allegedly Planned Attack for 'Several Months' Clermont County Sheriff's Office Chad Doerman In March 2024, Doerman's alleged confession to the murders was thrown out after a judge ruled it was inadmissible after finding that he was not properly advised of his Miranda rights, PEOPLE previously reported. Doerman is set to go on trial this July. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Scholz: 'We must stand together' against right-wing extremism German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at the Democracy Congress of the SPD and the Party of European Socialists (PES). Christoph Soeder/dpa Following an attack on a German politician which injured him seriously, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for united action against right-wing extremism. "Democracy is threatened by something like this, and that is why shrugging our shoulders is never an option," said Scholz. "We must stand together against it." Matthias Ecke, 41, is a member of the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and a current lawmaker in the European Parliament. He was attacked by four assailants while putting up campaign posters in the eastern German city of Dresden late on Friday evening. Police said on Saturday that Ecke was seriously injured and taken to hospital for treatment. At a democracy congress for the upcoming European elections in Berlin, Scholz said on Saturday that the attack on Ecke was depressing. The fact that such things happen also has something to do with the speeches that are made and the moods that are created, said Scholz, referring to the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD). The SPD's leaders in Saxony blamed the AfD and other right-wing extremist groups for sowing hatred against democratic politicians and warned that right-wing supporters "are now completely uninhibited" and see democratic politicians as "fair game." German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at the Democracy Congress of the SPD and the Party of European Socialists (PES). Christoph Soeder/dpa EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A school in South-Central El Paso was placed on a secure protocol Friday afternoon, El Paso Independent School District said in a statement sent to KTSM. Tinajero PK-8, 5505 Robert Alva Ave., was placed on a secure protocol after an incident on campus involving law enforcement, the district said. The campus is safe, district officials said, but pickup times have been impacted. El Paso ISD Police Services are facilitating supervised release of students at this time. We ask your assistance in imploring the community to practice patience if they are picking up their children at the school or are otherwise in the area, according to a statement sent out by EPISD. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Scientists find concerning accumulation of pollution in ocean: 'The ocean floor has become a resting place, or reservoir' Plastics are piling up all around us, and now, scientists say, they're also piling up on the ocean floor. What happened? New research estimates that up to 11 million metric tons (more than 12 tons) of plastic pollution is sitting on the ocean floor, reported CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, via Phys.org. "We discovered that the ocean floor has become a resting place, or reservoir, for most plastic pollution, with between 3 [and] 11 million [metric] tons [about 3.3 to 12.1 million tons] of plastic estimated to be sinking to the ocean floor," said Denise Hardesty, CSIRO senior research scientist. The plastics accumulate there, she said, before breaking down into smaller microplastics that mix in with ocean sediment. While previous studies have looked at microplastics on the seafloor, this research is the first of its kind, taking into account larger items like nets, cups, and plastic bags. Why is the study concerning? According to Phys.org and the World Economic Forum, a garbage truck's worth of plastic enters the ocean every single minute. The International Union for Conservation of Nature explained that ocean organisms sometimes eat this waste and it moves up the food web, eventually ending up in our bodies. This is dangerous, as several chemicals used in plastic production are known carcinogens that can cause developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disorders in humans and wildlife. And according to the study's lead author, Alice Zhu, the estimate of plastic pollution sitting on the ocean floor could be 100 times more than what we believe is floating on the surface. We already know that ocean plastics endanger wildlife like seabirds, whales, fish, and turtles who may mistake plastic for prey. Most of these animals die of starvation as their stomachs become filled with plastic, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. They can also suffer from lacerations, infections, reduced ability to swim, and internal injuries, the organization said. Similarly, plastic waste on the ocean floor affects plants and animals who live and hunt in this zone, and can move up the food chain. What can I do to help with ocean plastics? Luckily, a number of companies and governments are hopping on board to reduce plastic pollution. For instance, McDonald's U.K. has banned all plastic cutlery. And major beer brands like Coors Light are getting rid of plastic packaging rings. Meanwhile, a lot of plastic alternatives are popping up, and scientists have discovered how to break down plastic using hungry wax worms and fungus. You can do your part by reducing the amount of plastics you use in your daily life: ditch single-use water bottles, invest in reusable grocery sacks, support brands with plastic-free packaging, and switch to bar shampoo and conditioner. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Scientists discover new mammal species in Colorado that gives clues on diversity DENVER (KDVR) Researchers at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science discovered a new mammal species from 65 million years ago. A fossil of a skull and jaws of the newly discovered species were uncovered near Corral Bluffs on the edge of Colorado Springs, according to the museum. The rocks that the fossil was found in date back to a few thousand years after the extinction of the dinosaurs. List: Free days at Denver museums, zoo and more in 2024 Rocks from this interval of time have a notoriously poor fossil record and the discovery and description of a fossil mammal skull is an important step forward in documenting the earliest diversification of mammals after Earths last mass extinction, said Dr. Tyler Lyson, Museum Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology in a release. The discovery was several years in the making. Dr. Tyler Lyson joined the museum in 2014 as the Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology. He wanted to answer questions about what happened during the first million years after the mass extinction of dinosaurs. Lyson and his team looked into the geology of locations like Bolivia and Argentina but decided they better check in Colorado first. And funnily enough, we ended up making the big discovery right here in Colorado, within the city limits of Colorado Springs, Lyson said. Its crazy because you never think these big discoveries are going to happen in your own backyard. Garden guide: When to plant flowers, fruits and vegetables in Colorado The museum said the site has a unique preservation of diverse species including plants and animals. In 2016, after months of digging and breaking apart large rocks, Lyson opened a rock to reveal a complete skull of a mammal that roamed the earth just after the dinosaurs went extinct, the Carsioptychus. After that discovery the team continued finding more mammal skulls belonging to different species, ultimately leading to a grant for additional research from the National Science Foundations Frontier Research in Earth Sciences program, which is the largest grant the museum has ever received. An assortment of remarkably complete fossils found at Corral Bluffs, including turtle shells and skulls, crocodilian skulls, and mammal skulls and lower jaws. (Rick Wicker, Denver Museum of Nature & Science) The team of paleontologists from the Denver Museum of Nature & Scientists explore the fossil rich Corral Bluffs study area located just east of Colorado Springs. (Rick Wicker, Denver Museum of Nature & Science) Volunteer Sharon Milito helps make a plaster jacket at Corral Bluffs. L-R: Bryce Snellgrove; Sharon Milito; Tyler Lyson. (Rick Wicker, Denver Museum of Nature & Science) Corral Bluffs has produced hundreds of complete fossil animals, including the four mammal skulls above that tell the story of how and when mammals increased in body size and took over the world. (Frank Verock, Howard Hughes Medical Institute via Denver Museum of Nature and Science) The Corral Bluffs study area has produced a wealth of fossil plants and animals that tell the story of how life recovered after the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. (Rick Wicker, Denver Museum of Nature & Science) How CU students challenged a popular astrophysics theory The 5-year project began last summer, and researchers published a study including the newly discovered species in April. The new species was named Militocodon lydae in honor of two of the volunteers who helped with the research project, Sharon Milito and Lyda Hill. The museum said the animal was roughly the size of a chinchilla and was part of a group of animals that brought up the rise of modern hoofed mammals like deer, cows and pigs. Due to a poor fossil record at the time, scientists do not know much about how and when life rebounded after the mass extinction. Thanks to the discovery and ongoing research with the grant, the museum said scientists are now able to paint a vivid picture of how and when life rebounded after Earths darkest hour. Lyson said the new species discovery provides important clues about how mammals diversified over time in the wake of Earths last mass extinction. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Deep Cuts A team of researchers has identified the deepest known sinkhole on Earth so deep that they have yet to reach its bottom. The Taam Ja' Blue Hole (TJBH), which is located underwater, off the coast near the border between Mexico and Belize, was once thought to be the second-deepest of its kind, as CBS News reports. But according to a new paper published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, the site may be far deeper than previously thought, extending at the very least to a daunting 1,380 feet below sea level, making it the deepest known blue hole on Earth. To put that number in perspective, the deepest known point on Earth is called Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, which is around seven miles (36,000 feet) deep. The TJBH, however, is located a mere two miles off the shore of Mexico, while the Challenger Deep is almost 200 miles from Guam, an extremely remote island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Even more enticingly, the researchers believe that the hole is connected to an extensive network of underwater caves and tunnels, making it a tantalizing place to look for yet-undiscovered marine biodiversity, since holes like it are often teeming with life. The discovery highlights just how much there is still to learn about our planet's oceans. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, we've only explored five percent of the Earth's oceans, despite them covering almost 70 percent of the planet's surface. Tight Squeeze As their name suggests, blue holes are vertical caverns or sinkholes that are filled with seawater. Many formed during previous ice ages, when low sea levels allowed rain and chemical weathering to bore into limestone-rich landscapes. The team of Mexican researchers conducted a scuba diving expedition in December, attempting to map the environmental conditions in the TJBH. Using a set of probes attached to a cable-deployed instrument, they attempted to measure the hole's incredible depth, concluding in their paper that it's "the world's deepest known blue hole, with its bottom still not reached." The team also found that the water's properties below 1,312 feet closely resembled those of the Caribbean Sea, suggesting the hole may be connected to the ocean via "potential subterranean connections." Understandably, the team is now keen on coming back to figure out its true maximum depth and explore the suspected system of caves and tunnels an endeavor likely as anxiety-inducing as it is mesmerizing. More on marine science: Scientists Alarmed by Spike in Ocean Temperatures Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell unveiled an 8-year, $1.45 billion levy proposal to fund transportation safety and maintenance on Friday, May 3. Mayor Harrell highlighted his commitment to community input throughout this proposal, which builds upon previous city plans like the Seattle Transportation Plan and the One Seattle Plan. Over the last month, weve received feedback from thousands of Seattle residents who want a transportation system that is safe, connected, and well maintained this proposal will help get us there, said Mayor Harrell. With a focus on the essential needs of our city and its residents, this levy proposal will deliver projects and improvements to keep people moving and to keep people safe. No matter your preferred method of transportation, these investments are designed to make trips safer, more reliable, and better connected, so every Seattleite can get where they need to go. A majority of the proposals budget will go toward constructing and maintaining streets, bridges, and transit systems. A large portion will also go towards community-requested Vision Zero safety improvements to streets, sidewalks, crossings, and intersections to reduce traffic collisions and fatalities. As a further commitment to community engagement, the proposal will allocate an additional $100 million to fund top priorities raised by community members, such as sidewalk repairs and enhanced pedestrian connectivity to light rail stations. Seattles current transportation levy provides roughly 30% of SDOTs budget, funding transportation services in the city for 18 years. Property-owning taxpayers currently pay $24 per month under the levy, which expires this year. This new levy proposal would increase the monthly cost by $17. The Seattle City Council will review the proposal and consider referral to voters for the November 2024 ballot. For more information, visit the Seattle Department of Transportation website. An auditing firm that counted Trump Media among its clients has been barred from practicing accounting for committing massive fraud, the Securities and Exchange Commission said on Friday. BF Borgers and its owner, Benjamin F. Borgers, were charged with deliberate and systemic failures to comply with audit standards in more than 1,500 filings, the SEC said on Friday. The firm also falsely claimed to clients that it was adhering to those standards and falsified documents to make it appear so, according to the agency. To settle the charges with the SEC, the company has agreed to pay a $12 million civil penalty, and Borgers will personally pay $2 million. Both are also permanently suspended from practicing as accountants. Neither responded to CNBCs request for comment. Gurbir S. Grewal, director of the SECs Division of Enforcement, slammed Borgers and his sham audit mill in a statement. Ben Borgers and his audit firm, BF Borgers, were responsible for one of the largest wholesale failures by gatekeepers in our financial markets, Grewal said. As a result of their fraudulent conduct, they not only put investors and markets at risk by causing public companies to incorporate noncompliant audits and reviews into more than 1,500 filings with the Commission, but also undermined trust and confidence in our markets. BF Borgers' sudden demise "will force hundreds of companies ... to hunt for new auditors, scour old audits for potential problems, and scramble to meet public company regulatory deadlines," Bloomberg reports. Since 2022, those clients included Trump Media & Technology Group its largest client, according to Bloomberg. After Trump Media went public in March following a messy merger with Digital World Acquisition Co., its board voted to keep on BF Borgers as its auditors for 2024, CNBC reported. A spokesperson for the company told CNBC, Trump Media looks forward to working with new auditing partners in accordance with todays SEC order. The former presidents media company is not mentioned in the SEC filing. Trump Media shares did fall about 7% when news of the settlement broke, as The New York Times points out, though the stock price later bounced back somewhat. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) Crackdowns on college campus protests against the war between Israel and Hamas continue. Here at home, the second protest just this week at UB North ended peacefully Friday. This comes just days after more than a dozen people were arrested at a demonstration there on Wednesday. Hundreds of pro-Palestine protestors marched around campus claiming there was police brutality during the first protest Wednesday. It ended with a prayer before police surrounded everyone and started attempting to massively arrest people. So, I would say it was peaceful and police officers that were called in by administration made it aggressive and brutal, said one UB student protestor. Around 400 pro-Palestine protesters, lead by the UB Chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, gathered at UB north campus Friday afternoon. Just two days before, 15 people, eight not from the university, were arrested and two officers were assaulted following a demonstration. None of these students intended to do any damage, none of these students intended to violate any law and most of them, when they were told to leave, they left! We were surprised why they were arrested. Those who wanted to stay there and get arrested, they got arrested. Thats their call, said UB faculty member and community activist Husam Ghanim. In contrast, Fridays protest was peaceful with no reported arrests despite having more people than Wednesdays. Hundreds gathered in front of Capen Hall before marching through campus, calling for the University to divest from Israel, also demonstrating a response to Wednesdays show of force. 50, 60 protestors. There are 200 officers. And it was overkill. It was unnecessary because it makes it very provocative when people are rallied up, added Faizan Haq, the founding president of the WNY Muslims organization. Law enforcement were on standby Friday. UB released a statement saying, police learned that outside protestors were planning to occupy UB buildings on Friday. As a precaution, they closed several campus buildings and roads before the protest began. They also turned away individuals attempting to enter the campus in cars with camping equipment. In multiple other statements, UB has said they are committed to a welcoming, inclusive, respectful and safe environment. Still some students tell me they dont feel safe, which is affecting their studies. Ive been getting hate comments and threats due to a video that was created. Im scared to be on campus right now. I dont put headphones in anymore and I always have to look behind my shoulder now, said UB senior Brandon Meyer. In response pro-Israel supporters are holding a march to stop Jewish hatred at UB north on Monday followed by an antisemitism student panel to hear their stories of discrimination firsthand. Latest Local News Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. 'We are serious': Houthis offer to educate US students suspended in campus protests DUBAI Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi militia, which has disrupted global shipping to display its support for Palestinians in the Gaza conflict, is now offering a place for students suspended from U.S. universities after staging anti-Israeli protests. Students have rallied and set up tents at dozens of campuses in the United States to protest against Israel's war in Gaza, now in its seventh month. Demonstrators have called on President Joe Biden, who has supported Israel's right to defend itself, to do more to stop the bloodshed in Gaza and demanded schools divest from companies that support Israel's government. Many of the schools, including Columbia University in New York City, have called in police to quell the protests. More: Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis and beyond: Who are the Iran-backed groups in the Mideast? After police cleared an encampment of protesters at NYU in Manhattans Greenwich Village earlier in the day, several hundred students and other protesters returned to the campus May 3, 2024 to hold a rally in support of Palestinians in Gaza. Among the protesters was a group of Orthodox Jews who dont recognize the state of Israel. "We are serious about welcoming students that have been suspended from U.S. universities for supporting Palestinians," an official at Sanaa University, which is run by the Houthis, told Reuters. "We are fighting this battle with Palestine in every way we can." Sanaa University had issued a statement applauding the "humanitarian" position of the students in the United States and said they could continue their studies in Yemen. More: Hamas and Iran celebrate anti-Gaza war protests taking US colleges by storm "The board of the university condemns what academics and students of U.S. and European universities are being subjected to, suppression of freedom of expression," the board of the university said in a statement, which included an email address for any students wanting to take up their offer. The U.S. and Britain returned the Houthi militia to a list of terrorist groups this year as their attacks on vessels in and around the Red Sea hurt global economies. The Houthi's offer of an education for U.S. students sparked a wave of sarcasm by ordinary Yemenis on social media. One social media user posted a photograph of two Westerners chewing Yemen's widely-used narcotic leaf Qat. He described the scene as American students during their fifth year at Sanaa University. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Houthis offer education to students suspended in US protest crackdown RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) Amid the pro-Palestinian protests at UNC-Chapel Hill and on college campuses across the country, North Carolina state House Speaker Tim Moore (R) filed a bill this week that would define antisemitism in state law. The bill, which is called the SHALOM Act, comes as the Anti-Defamation League reported a 361 percent increase in antisemitic incidents in the three months following the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel. Any kind of hate speech whatsoever needs to be dealt with, but we see right now who the targets are. The targets are clearly Jewish students, said Moore, who is running for a seat in Congress. When does it cross that line? It has clearly crossed that line. You have folks literally right now celebrating the murder of innocent people. The bill uses the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances definition of antisemitism which describes it as a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. That can include rhetorical and physical manifestations. Under the bill, the definition is used as a tool and guide for training, education, recognizing, and combating antisemitic hate crimes or discrimination and for tracking and reporting antisemitic incidents to the state. Abby Lublin, executive director of Carolina Jews for Justice, said she opposes the bill, raising concerns about whether it could conflate criticism of the Israeli governments policies with antisemitism. This bill and its chilling effect on speech and its chilling effect on protests actually makes us less safe, she said. This bill serves to further division and fear rather than fostering understanding and inclusivity. It prioritizes political agendas over the well-being and rights of Jewish citizens. Protesters take down U.S. flag on UNC campus quad, replace with Palestinian flag She said the legislature should pass a bill Democrats have filed in several sessions that would establish a broader hate crime law in North Carolina. Speaker Moores bill includes a provision saying it is not meant to diminish or infringe on rights protected by the First Amendment. It strikes that balance between the First Amendment, the right for folks to go out and protest peaceably, but balances against and punishes hate speech and intimidation, Moore said. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a similar bill this week, broadening the legal definition of antisemitism. It passed by a margin of 320-91. Its unclear if the Senate will act on it. Phil Brodsky, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Raleigh, said he supports Moores bill. His group will meet with state leaders next week to advocate for its passage. This week were seeing it in the schools on college campuses. Its not the protests, but its the outright hatred and antisemitism were seeing on signs and things that people are saying and the way theyre targeting students, he said. Antisemitism is considered the worlds oldest hatred. But, we do need a modern definition of what it is today. Brodsky said he thinks it draws a clear distinction between criticism of policies and hatred. This does not infringe upon any sort of democratic debate on issues. This is about targeting Jews for being Jewish. Its about denying the Jewish peoples right to exist, he said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com. Shooting outside lounge kills 1 man, sends 3 others to hospital Shooting outside lounge kills 1 man, sends 3 others to hospital UPDATE: WREG has confirmed that the shooting took place at 3562 Kirby Parkway, not 3582 Kirby Parkway. Police originally said the incident occurred at 3582. ****** MEMPHIS, Tenn. An overnight shooting in Hickory Hill led to one man dying and three others being sent to the hospital. At 2:45 a.m., officers responded to a shooting outside of 3582 Kirby. Scene after overnight shooting outside of Las Brasas. One man was pronounced dead on the scene, one man was taken to Regional One Hospital in critical condition and another was taken to Regional One Hospital in non-critical condition. A fourth victim arrived at Baptist East by personal vehicle. If you have any information regarding this incident, call Memphis CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH. Memphis murders and homicides 2024 For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. UPDATE - SATURDAY, MAY 4 The search is over for the runaway Zebra in North Bend. Regional Animal Services of King County, along with several people involved in the search, were able to coral the zebra Friday evening in the Riverbend neighborhood. The zebra captured, now known as Shug, will start its journey to Montana. David Danton says he was able to help coral the final zebra with white bread and oats. He says once the zebra started eating the food, they were able to close the makeshift gate they made behind her. I was able to close the gate behind it by making a big weeping curve around it rather than trying to get passed it quickly, Danton said. Some locals have voiced their concerns about how the zebra was caught by Danton and the group. Danton told KIRO7 they did everything right and that the zebra is safe and sound. Because the zebra is number one, right? Ive got the zebra in the back of trailer right now and we are making our way to Spokane because weve gotten to know the owner, Danton said. Danton is currently transporting the zebra to Montana. He says he will send us updates once the zebra is reunited with its owner. FRIDAY, MAY 3 A zebra that had been on the loose in the woods near Snoqualmie and North Bend since Sunday has finally been corraled, but locals are questioning the methods behind her capture. Last weekend, four zebras escaped from a trailer east of Seattle, with three of them being quickly recaptured. The fourth, a female mare named Shug, eluded capture for almost a week. The zebras were being transported from Washington to Montana when the driver stopped her trailer to secure it when the zebras got loose and scrambled into a nearby neighborhood. Breaking! (5-3-24 at 5pm) Friend of friend who is in North Bend with her daughters 4th grade camping trip chaperone/dad on solo stroll and caught this video #Zebra pic.twitter.com/eyzZiaWRZo Sheila Stickel (@SheStickel) May 4, 2024 On Friday, King County officials closed off trail access points along the Snoqualmie Valley Trail in the Boxley Creek Natural Area, and discouraged hikers and dogwalkers from using the areas as they worked to secure the animal. In a statement from Regional Animal Services of King County, the mare was safely captured and will be transported to Montana. Private citizens with animal control officers worked to make the rescue Friday night. The zebra appeared to be in good condition, according to RASKC. #BREAKING Shug the zebra (the last of 4) has been found after wandering North Bend, WA for days. This is where she was captured. She is safe, in good health and heading back home to Montana More @ 11pm on @KIRO7Seattle #zebra #Washington #news pic.twitter.com/sD6w5OlcnM Samantha Lomibao (@samanthalomibao) May 4, 2024 Additionally, Friday night, KIRO 7 News received a phone call from Susan Burk of North Bend, who was working with Dallas Clark, on behalf of the zebras owner to facilitate the capture of the zebra. In a statement, Burk and Clark say the following occurred: This evening we were notified that there was a group of trucks with horse trailers parked near the location where the zebra has been seen. These vehicles had stickers on them that said Zebra Roundup Crew with a sponsorship from Inspire Homes. The leaders of the group, David and Julie Danton, owners of Embrace Horsemanship and Inspire, had been on site at the original property where the first 3 zebras were captured. Julie Danton was removed from the property that day and David was advised he was not welcome back on the property either. When we approached the group to let them know we were handling the zebra rescue, Julie stated that they were working with the vet, the sheriffs office and the owner. We confirmed that the vet who came out for the first rescue, an equine specialist with experience working with zebras in Africa, who was working with us, had not been engaged with them. The Sheriffs Office confirmed they were not involved and would not come to the location unless the group trespassed on private property. The owner of the property where weve been working, confirmed they were not welcome to come there. Once I was able to get ahold of the zebras owner, she confirmed that she wanted us to continue our work where we were and that she had hired them to work their area. Weve worked all week to get the zebra into an area where she was comfortable. We had feeding stations set up and worked with King County to close the nearby trails, as bicycle riders and hikers with off leash dogs were scaring the zebra. We had metal panels being set up today, and the vet scheduled to tranquilize the zebra tomorrow so she could be safely moved into a transport vehicle. We spoke with the owner on a 3 way call with the vet, who advised her that we should be allowed to continue our efforts and that the other team should stand down. Despite this, the decision was made to let that group continue. Mountain bikers, working for the Danton group, entered the closed trails and drove the zebra away from our area and to the location they are working from. The Danton group currently has the zebra in a metal panel corral. She is limping. David Danton has unfurled a banner on the property with his business name, Inspired Homes, on it. They arent taking action to move her into a safe, secure transport vehicle. Because David Danton has unfurled banners for his business on scene, we believe he is waiting until media arrives to ensure the zebra is moved quickly to a safe space. We are a group of locals that care about the zebra and have worked with her best interest in mind. We havent asked for money or media attention. Ultimately, we hope that she is safely captured and removed from this circus. David Danton appears in several Facebook videos with North Bend Mayor Mary Miller, wearing a patch that says Zebra Roundup Crew, sponsored by Inspired Homes. David Danton and Mayor Miller are on-site and waiting for Sugar the Zebra to show up. #InspireHomes #ZebraRoudupCrew #northbendwa #zebraescape #KingNews #tacomawa #komonews Posted by Inspire Homes on Friday, May 3, 2024 Six people shot at birthday party on Long Island: police WESTBURY, N.Y. (PIX11) Six people were shot at a Long Island home Friday night, according to police. Police officers responded to a call of shots fired at a home located on Pepperidge Road in Westbury, at 10:45 p.m., authorities said. More Long Island News Witnesses on the scene said the shooting happened at a birthday party, sources said. First responders rushed the victims to a hospital for treatment. The victims include one adult and five minors, authorities said. Investigators are looking for multiple suspects. The investigation remains ongoing. Charline Charles is a digital journalist from Brooklyn who has covered local news along with culture and arts in the New York City area since 2019. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Sources: Hamas and Qatar teams in Cairo for talks on Gaza deal Palestinians inspect the destroyed buildings after the Israeli attack on Al-Maghazi refugee camp as Israeli attacks continue in Gaza City. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Teams from the Palestinian militant group Hamas and mediator Qatar arrived in the Egyptian capital on Saturday for further talks on a ceasefire and hostage release deal with Israel, sources at the Cairo airport said. Both teams arrived aboard a flight from Qatar, they added. Egypt's state-affiliated television al-Qahera News also reported the arrival of a Hamas delegation in Cairo and cited "significant progress" in negotiations to reach the deal. The broadcaster, citing what it termed as a high-level source, said the Egyptian security team engaged in the negotiations had reached a "consensus formula" on several contentious issues. No specific details were given. Israel has been bombarding the Gaza Strip from the ground and air since Hamas militants launched an unprecedented attack on Israel in October of last year that left about 1,200 people dead. As part of the latest mediation efforts, Hamas, which abducted some 250 people from Israel on October 7, was presented with a proposal for a ceasefire in return for the release of remaining hostages. A response is still pending. More than 100 hostages were released during a six-day truce in November. It is unclear how many of those remaining in captivity are still alive. As of Friday, the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry said the death toll in Gaza from Israeli attacks since the war began stood at 34,622, which was 26 more than the prior day. Months of mediation by Egypt, Qatar and the United States in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas have yet to result in a breakthrough. A diplomatic push to clinch a deal has picked momentum over the past days. Late Friday evening, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at an event in Arizona that it was challenging to understand Hamas' thought process. "The leaders of Hamas that we're indirectly engaged with through the Qataris, through the Egyptians, are of course living outside of Gaza, living in Qatar or living in [Turkey], other places, and the ultimate decision makers are the folks who are actually in Gaza itself with whom none of us have direct contact," he said. Blinken said if Hamas was really concerned about the well-being of the Palestinians, then agreeing to the ceasefire deal that is on the table should be a "no-brainer." On Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it carried out an airstrike on a rocket launch site in the southern Gaza Strip. Fighter jets hit the militant site near the city of Khan Younis after a rocket was fired from there toward the Ein HaShlosha kibbutz on Friday, the IDF said. In addition, a mortar launching site in central Gaza was also destroyed, a statement said. The Israeli navy has also conducted strikes along Gaza's coast over the past day. According to Palestinian security services, the Israeli army attacked a building in the village of Abasan in the east of Khan Younis and shelled refugee camps in the central part of the Palestinian territory. It said at least one Palestinian was killed in the the Israeli navy strikes. Palestinians inspect the destroyed buildings after the Israeli attack on Al-Maghazi refugee camp as Israeli attacks continue in Gaza City. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Palestinians inspect the destroyed buildings after the Israeli attack on Al-Maghazi refugee camp as Israeli attacks continue in Gaza City. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Sources: Hamas and Qatar teams in Cairo for talks on Gaza deal Palestinians inspect the destroyed buildings after the Israeli attack on Al-Maghazi refugee camp as Israeli attacks continue in Gaza City. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Teams from the Palestinian militant group Hamas and mediator Qatar arrived in the Egyptian capital on Saturday for further talks on a ceasefire and hostage release deal with Israel, sources at the Cairo airport said. Both teams arrived aboard a flight from Qatar, they added. Egypt's state-affiliated broadcaster al-Qahera News also reported the arrival of a Hamas delegation in Cairo and cited "significant progress" in negotiations to reach the deal. The broadcaster, citing what it termed as a high-level source, said the Egyptian security team engaged in the negotiations had reached a "consensus formula" on several contentious issues. No specific details were given. Israel, meanwhile, is reportedly not sending a team to Cairo. A delegation will only be sent to Egypt once Hamas has responded to the current proposed ceasefire agreement, Israel's Kan radio reported on Saturday, citing a government representative. Israel plans to send a delegation to continue indirect negotiations with Hamas if the militant organization agrees to the draft deal presented, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz quoted a high-ranking Israeli official as saying. Israel has been bombarding the Gaza Strip from the ground and air since Hamas militants launched an unprecedented attack on Israel in October that left about 1,200 people dead. As part of the latest mediation efforts, Hamas, which abducted some 250 people from Israel on October 7, was presented with a proposal for a ceasefire in return for the release of remaining hostages. A response is still pending. More than 100 hostages were released during a six-day truce in November. It is unclear how many of those remaining in captivity are still alive. As of Friday, the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry said the death toll in Gaza from Israeli attacks lanuched in response to the October 7 attacks stood at 34,622. Months of mediation by Egypt, Qatar and the United States in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas have yet to result in a breakthrough. A diplomatic push to clinch a deal has picked momentum over the past days. Late Friday evening, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at an event in Arizona that it was challenging to understand Hamas' thought process. "The leaders of Hamas that we're indirectly engaged with through the Qataris, through the Egyptians, are of course living outside of Gaza, living in Qatar or living in [Turkey], other places, and the ultimate decision makers are the folks who are actually in Gaza itself with whom none of us have direct contact," he said. Blinken said if Hamas was really concerned about the well-being of the Palestinians, then agreeing to the ceasefire deal that is on the table should be a "no-brainer." On Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it carried out an airstrike on a rocket launch site in the southern Gaza Strip. Fighter jets hit the militant site near the city of Khan Younis after a rocket was fired from there toward the Ein HaShlosha kibbutz on Friday, the IDF said. A mortar launching site in central Gaza was also destroyed, a statement said. The Israeli navy has also conducted strikes along Gaza's coast over the past day. According to Palestinian security services, the Israeli army attacked a building in the village of Abasan in the east of Khan Younis and shelled refugee camps in the central part of the Palestinian territory. It said at least one Palestinian was killed in the the Israeli navy lstrikes. Palestinians inspect the destroyed buildings after the Israeli attack on Al-Maghazi refugee camp as Israeli attacks continue in Gaza City. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Palestinians inspect the destroyed buildings after the Israeli attack on Al-Maghazi refugee camp as Israeli attacks continue in Gaza City. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said a toddler was killed in a shooting Friday night in Southeast D.C. Officers responded to the sound of gunshots in the 2300 block of Hartford Street SE just after 9 p.m. They found 3-year-old Tyah Settles who had been shot at a nearby fire station. Crews with DC Fire and EMS and MPD provided aid until the United States Park Police were able to airlift her to a nearby hospital. Despite lifesaving efforts, Settles died there. The mother is going through tremendous pain, said Joseph Johnson, the areas Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner. And I dont think the mom, the family or anyone would want any other family to suffer like this. DC police: Toddler dies after being shot in Southeast Investigators believe the toddler was in a car in the 2300 block of Hartford Street SE at the time of the shooting. DC News Now crews spotted six cars with damage from the shooting. Its just wrong. The whole situation wrong, said Antwan Jordan, who lives near the crime scene. I mean, even if you are with kids, you should be able to have fun, but you cant even have fun living in these types of neighborhoods. Anyone with information is asked to call MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text the departments tip line at 50411. A reward of up to $25,000 is offered to anyone with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Rep. Freiberg is speaking into a microphone. She is wearing a pink coat with large earrings. Rep. Barbara Freiberg authored the bill that would remove student enrollment quotas for charter schools. (Allison Allsop) Louisiana charter schools might soon be able to remove certain enrollment requirements for students with disabilities and economically disadvantaged students. Its a move that parents of those students feel limits their options in a school system based on choice. House Bill 708, authored by Rep. Barbara Freiberg, R-Baton Rouge, moved out of the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, despite initial pushback from some committee members and the public. It heads next to the Senate floor and, if approved, would have to go back to the House for concurrence on a committee amendment. In 2015, former Sen. Dan Claitor authored a bill to add the language to state law that Freiberg is trying to remove. Claitor spoke to the committee in opposition to Freibergs bill. Under Claitors bill, certain charter schools must have a percentage of students equal to 85% of the disabled or economically disadvantaged students in the local school district. For example, if 55% of a local school districts population is economically disadvantaged students, 46.75% of the charter schools enrollment must be economically disadvantaged students. Sen. Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, questioned the reasoning behind Freibergs bill. I am a hundred percent charter, but I dont understand the resistance, Mizell said. I dont understand taking the rule out that gave us the only protection saying charters are absolutely fair across the board. Proponents of Freibergs bill said the quotas are unfair because charter schools are held to a higher standard than other public schools. Standard public schools are not required to enroll a certain number of students with disabilities or economic disadvantages. The quotas only give people who have an ax to grind an ability to go in to be able to cause harm, said Kenneth Campbell, previously the executive director of charter schools for the Louisiana Department of Education. Some charter schools have selective admissions and have resisted providing special education services, although theyre required at public schools under state and federal law. Proponents also argued it is not fair to require that parents provide their household income or childrens disability details on charter school applications when public schools do not require the same information for enrollment. Opponents of the bill reminded the committee that since Claitors law was enacted in 2015, the number of charter schools in compliance with the enrollment quotas has increased but is still not adequate. According to a Louisiana Legislative Auditor report in 2022, 10.3% of charter schools required to serve a specific number of economically disadvantaged students did not meet the requirements. The rate is an improvement from the 2016-17 school year, when 21.3% charters did not reach their quota. The report also says multiple schools repeatedly failed to meet the economically disadvantaged requirement. It did not include information on how many schools were meeting the requirement for students with disabilities. Opponents of Freibergs bill were also concerned that removing the quota would allow bad actors. If we remove that requirement for charter schools to even serve those populations, there are going to be schools that figure out ways to avoid serving those children, said Tania Nyman, an education advocate from East Baton Rouge Parish. And that is not going to be beneficial for the community at large. Although the proposal removes goal lines for charter schools, it still requires the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to create rules and regulations to oversee charter schools in this capacity. The stipulation was added as an amendment in committee. Ashley Townsend, deputy policy chief for the Louisiana Department of Education, explained to committee members that BESE would essentially create a complaint process for parents to turn to if they feel that a charter school is discriminating against children with disabilities or those who are economically disadvantaged. Ben Lemoine, BESEs executive director of governmental relations, indicated that board members support Freibergs legislation. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Special education, income quotas could be removed for charter school enrollment appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. Dr. Shurita Thomas-Tate was awarded the Kathryn J. Munzinger Advocate of the Year Award by PFLAG Springfield/SWMO at a reception April 21 at Q Enoteca on Commercial Street. Springfield school board member Shurita Thomas-Tate was honored with the Kathryn J. Munzinger Advocate of the Year Award by PFLAG Springfield/SWMO at a reception April 21. Thomas-Tate was among six nominees for the award, named for LGBTQIA+ advocate and volunteer Kathy Munzinger. Munzinger has served in many roles on the PFLAG Springfield/SWMO board and now serves as regional director for the Central Region of PFLAG chapters and the PFLAG National Board of Directors. We are so grateful for Kathys continued service to PFLAG and our greater community as well as the impact she has made and is making in cultivating a more inclusive world, said Melisabeth Johnston, program and communication director of PFLAG Springfield/SWMO. Thomas-Tates nomination pointed out that she was the only Springfield school board member to support the LGBTQIA+ community with an official statement of support for LGBTQIA+ students and staff. She stood alone in this show of support for our community, the nomination stated. And for this she deserves to be publicly recognized for bravely doing the right thing by listening to our community and supporting our students, even when no one else had the courage to do so. Thomas-Tate is an associate professor in Missouri State Universitys Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, founder of Ujima, which offers free monthly literacy and language experiences for children, and is serving her second term on the Springfield school board. Other nominees included Ashley Quinn, the Rev. Emily Bowen-Marler, Tammy Dixon, Kyler Sherman-Wilkins and Christi Lancaster. The reception, which was held at Q Enoteca on Commercial Street, also included a celebration of PFLAGs 2024 scholarship recipients. Each student received a $2,500 check to help with education expenses. The recipients are John Dove, a Missouri State University student pursuing a masters degree in education; Gwendolyn Schwarz, who has been accepted to the University of Virginias media studies masters program; and Tad Monnig, a graduate student in the master of international affairs program at MSU. The PFLAG Springfield/SWMO Scholarship was created in 2018, developed from the scholarship program originally created by Springfields FOCUS after that organization dissolved, Johnston explained. The program has expanded since 2018, as it has more than doubled in size thanks to a considerable donation from Springfield Black Tie as well as generous donations from various individual donors, she said. We also have many more towns in SWMO participating, with applicants from across the region. This is made possible thanks to the many LGBTQ+ affirming counselors and teachers that passed along our information to help their students succeed. The applications for next year's scholarship will be open in the fall and can be found at www.pflagswmo.org. PFLAG also offers scholarships for LGBTQ+ people who have faced barriers to finish their high school education. The Jim House HISET Scholarship, in collaboration with The GLO Center, covers testing fees for the HISET (formerly the GED) as well as a small stipend for study materials, transportation, childcare, or other needs. Applications for that scholarship are rolling and also available on the website. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: School board's Shurita Thomas-Tate is PFLAG 'Advocate of the Year' Editors note: This story has been corrected to note the shooting involved a deputy. OCEANSIDE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) State Route 76 was closed in both directions for several hours in Bonsall Saturday due to law enforcement activity, authorities said. The San Diego Sheriffs Department reported in an update Saturday evening that deputies arrived at the intersection of Mission Road and Via Montellano at 11:37 a.m. after receiving several calls of a man waving a handgun and a knife while walking along SR-76 at Old River Road in Bonsall. When deputies arrived on the scene, they gave several commands for the man identified as Patrick Wendell Lowell, 66, of Escondido to drop the handgun and knife he was holding in each hand while they waited for backup, including a police helicopter and a canine unit. According to the sheriffs department, Lowell allegedly refused to drop his weapons and two deputies fired their service weapons multiple times, hitting Lowell in the legs and lower body. Lowell was taken into custody and given first aid until paramedics arrived to take him to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Traffic was shut down in both directions on SR-76 between Mission Road and Via Montellano, near the Oceanside border, as authorities investigated the incident. Authorities asked the public to avoid the area and find alternative routes while the area was closed. A Caltrans camera showed motorists being diverted on SR-76 during the response, as seen in the image below. State Route 76 Lowell faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and an outstanding felony warrant. The weapons were recovered from the scene. The sheriffs department said the two deputies involved were not injured during the incident and have been employed by the San Diego Sheriffs Department for three and five years. Both are currently assigned as patrol deputies from the Vista Patrol Station. SR-76 fully reopened to traffic by 6 p.m. Saturday, Caltrans said in an update on X. Deputies with the Vista Sheriffs Station and Fallbrook Sheriffs Substation assisted at the scene. The San Diego Police Departments Homicide Unit is investigating the deputy-involved shooting per protocol. Anyone with more information is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 619-531- 2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. With a law now in effect preventing abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, Florida health-care regulators Thursday released emergency rules related to treating medical conditions that pose dangers to the lives of pregnant women or unborn children. The state Agency for Health Care Administration published two rules that apply to hospitals and abortion clinics. The rules came a day after the six-week law took effect, significantly restricting abortion access in the state. Regulators focused on certain medical conditions that might occur after six weeks of pregnancy and can present an immediate danger to the health, safety and welfare of women and unborn children in hospitals and abortion clinics, according to the rules. Those conditions are premature rupture of membranes, commonly known as a pregnant womans water breaking prematurely; situations when prematurely ruptured membranes cause doctors to induce births and babies die; ectopic pregnancies; and treatment of what are known as trophoblastic tumors. Read: Florida law preventing abortions after 6 weeks of pregnancy goes into effect The rules involve record-keeping and reporting about the treatments. One of the rules requires hospitals to have written policies and procedures about maintaining records related to treating the conditions. It also includes directives about what must be included in policies. As an example, the rule said that, under the hospital policies, when a woman is diagnosed with premature rupture of membranes, the patient shall be admitted for observation unless the treating physician determines that another course of action is more medically appropriate under the circumstances to ensure the health of the mother and the unborn baby. If doctors choose another course of action, they would have to document the reasons. Also, both rules say that it does not constitute an abortion if doctors try to induce live births and babies die because of prematurely ruptured membranes. Similarly, treatment of ectopic pregnancies and trophoblastic tumors will not be considered abortions. The hospital rule would require doctors to document such treatments in patients medical records. Read: VP Harris in Jacksonville, spotlights abortion issues as Florida ban takes effect An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg grows outside the main cavity of a womans uterus. The fertilized egg cant survive, and the growing tissue may cause life-threatening bleeding, if left untreated, information on the Mayo Clinics website said. Trophoblastic tumors form during abnormal pregnancies, with some tumors malignant but the majority benign, according to information on the Cleveland Clinic website. What is known as gestational trophoblastic disease is rare, the website said. Florida lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2023 approved the six-week abortion limit. But it did not take effect until Wednesday, a month after the Florida Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of a 15-week limit passed in 2022. The Supreme Court ruling also allowed the six-week law to move forward. Read: Women who had abortions voice their concerns with Floridas new abortion ban The law includes limited exceptions for when abortions can be performed after six weeks. For instance, it would allow abortions if two physicians certify in writing that, in reasonable medical judgment, the termination of the pregnancy is necessary to save the pregnant womans life or avert a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman other than a psychological condition. But the laws opponents have contended that the exceptions are impractical and that the six-week limit will threaten the health of women who might have a variety of medical conditions but are unable to obtain abortions. The rules published Thursday in the Florida Administrative Register pushed back against opponents, citing disinformation. The Agency (for Health Care Administration) finds there is an immediate danger to the health, safety, and welfare of pregnant women and babies due to a deeply dishonest scare campaign and disinformation being perpetuated by the media, the Biden Administration, and advocacy groups to misrepresent the Heartbeat Protection Act (the six-week law) and the states efforts to protect life, moms, and families, the rules said. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The Alaska Supreme Court is seen on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, in Juneau. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) The Alaska Supreme Court is seen on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, in Juneau. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) The administration of Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy asked Friday for the state Supreme Court to plan to rule quickly on whether a judges ruling will go into effect in July that held two provisions of the state correspondence education program to be unconstitutional. The administration filed two documents with the court on Friday: one notifying the court that the state would appeal six points of Anchorage Superior Court Adolf Zemans ruling, and another that asked the court to set a hearing schedule that would allow the court to rule whether the hold Zeman put on the ruling ends on June 30, or whether it will be extended. The filings came a day after Zeman issued the hold, known as a stay, and his final judgment in the case, which bars public money being spent on private schools through the correspondence allotment program. The state said Zemans ruling has created uncertainty for correspondence families and districts and that Alaskas public educational system will remain in limbo until this Court rules. Only this Court can resolve the uncertainty that this case creates for Alaskas educational system and everyone touched by it, so the Court should do so as quickly as possible, wrote Margaret Paton-Walsh, a Department of Law attorney representing Deena Bishop, the state superintendent of education and early development. The state filing added that while the state is seeking the courts decision by June 30 on whether to extend the stay or not, if the court doesnt extend the stay, the state wants to know the reasons why. To that end, the State respectfully requests an expedited briefing schedule that will allow for the Court to issue a full opinionincluding sufficient explanation to allow the legislature to make any statutory changes that may be necessarybefore the superior courts order takes effect, Paton-Walsh wrote. If the court decides to extend the stay, the state is asking for a full opinion before the legislative session beginning in January 2025, according to the filing. Alaska has had a correspondence program since before statehood. But legislation introduced by Dunleavy that passed in 2014 when he was a state senator added the two provisions that Zeman ruled against. One placed into law the allotment program, which reimburses correspondence expenses, and the other required school districts to provide correspondence students with learning plans while also limiting what the state can require of these students. How the allotments were used came into question in 2022, when Jodi Taylor the wife of Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor published a step-by-step description of how families can use the allotments for classes at private schools. Families, supported by the NEA-Alaska school union, filed a lawsuit challenging the use of allotments for private schools in January 2023, saying it violated the state constitution. The entire section of the Alaska Constitution on public education is three sentences, the last of which is: No money shall be paid from public funds for the direct benefit of any religious or other private educational institution. The administration maintains that the use of the allotments is constitutional. In a news release on Friday announcing the appeal plan, Attorney General Taylor said a longer stay is the best solution in the near term. I would caution putting into place anything permanent, but rather keeping the current statutes as they are (because the Alaska Supreme Court could uphold them, requiring no changes to our program), Taylor said. Any potential solution should be tailored to the interim only and cause the least disruption to existing programs, while recognizing the judges decision. This is why a stay remains the best option for stability. The post State seeks quick Alaska Supreme Court ruling in appeal to resolve correspondence education issues appeared first on Alaska Beacon. State of the Union: Enlargement nostalgia and new challenges in the EU State of the Union: Enlargement nostalgia and new challenges in the EU Twenty years ago this week, the European Union saw the biggest enlargement round ever. On May 1st, 2004, ten states simultaneously joined the bloc, seven of them from beyond the former Iron Curtain. Some called it the Big Bang. In a rather mute celebration, the European institutions in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg were lit up for the occasion this week. EU Council President Charles Michel advocated new members: Enlargement is vital for the future of the EU because without enlargement there is, in fact, a risk for a new Iron Curtain, and this would be extremely dangerous, if you would have an unstable neighbourhood with a lack of prosperity or lack of economic development. Whether countries like Serbia, Georgia or Ukraine will get a seat at the Brussels table any time soon is doubtful. In the ongoing election campaign for the European Parliament enlargement is not a hot topic, to put it mildly. Speaking of the campaign This week, people started speculating about a new political alliance, previously unheard of, namely a coalition of center-right and far-right parties. When asked about it during a debate, the Commission president and center-right candidate Ursula von der Leyen had this to say: "It depends very much on how the composition of the Parliament is and who is in what group." This fits well with a statement by the hard-right prime minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, who would love to team up with von der Leyens European Peoples Party: In addition to being the leader of the Brothers of Italy, I am the leader of the European Conservatives, who want to play a decisive role in changing the direction of European policies. Melonis party leads the polls in her country, and she aims to replicate the scheme at power in Italy: an alliance of EPP and far-right groups ECR and Identity & Democracy. Polls suggest that the next European Parliament will shift even more to the right, as nationalist and populist parties seem to be gaining ground. Some observers already predict a legislative agenda paralysed by a solid right-wing block. But a recent analysis by the European Council on Foreign Relations shows there are a lot of cracks in this block. We spoke about it with Pawel Zerka, senior policy fellow at the ECFR and the lead analyst on European public opinion. Euronews: So, your recent polling suggests deep divisions between Europes far-right parties. How, for example, does this play out when it comes to support for Ukraine? Zerka: So, this is one of the areas where the parties of the far right will struggle to agree. Not just far right, Eurosceptics as well. So obviously there are some parties, like Alternative for Deutschland, or a Geert Wilders' party in the Netherlands, who are much more on the side of no longer supporting Ukraine and seeing the European current support as warmongering. But there are parties, of course, like Polish Law and Justice, which are strongly supportive of Ukraine. And even in Italy, Giorgia Meloni has shown to be a strong transatlanticist and a reliable, supporter of a European line of support for Ukraine. Euronews: What about a hypothetical exit from the EU - isnt that a pet project that nationalist parties are plotting? Zerka: It's no longer that fashionable in Europe. And many of the European far-right or anti-European or Eurosceptic parties have chosen right now to focus on repairing Europe from inside rather than leaving the EU. Euronews: Were just weeks away from election day what would be a strategy to counter the far-right in the election campaign? Zerka: The problem I see right now is that many of the parties of the far right, have the electorates which are strongly mobilised. So, their voters believe that these are important elections and they, largely, want to go and vote, whereas the electorates of the pro-European side are often quite demobilised, as if people didn't understand what are the stakes of this election? Why should that matter? So, my main recommendation for the leaders of pro-European parties is to express quite clearly to their voters why those elections are important. Euronews: And what about the voters of far-right parties, can they still be swayed? Zerka: Rarely. I think that the question is mostly about whether they will be strongly mobilised or whether some of them would stay at home. If the pro-European side reminds the voters about the various risks that voting for AfD in Germany, Marine Le Pen in France or Kaczynski in Poland brings, then perhaps some of the people who are currently saying, yes, I would like to vote for those parties. Maybe they will think twice. In other news, were now a week away from one of the biggest European events of the year, the European Song Contest, hosted by the Swedish city of Malmo. While technical and artistic preparations are well under way, the event is causing major headaches for the Swedish security authorities. In a 23-page report, most of it classified, law enforcement summarises serious threats to the competition. Like cyber-attacks, denial-of-service attacks or civil unrest. Authorities are also coping with the fact that Sweden is a prime target for violent Islamist terrorist organisations. In addition, major protests against Israels participation in the contest are expected. Swedish police believe they are prepared for all kinds of scenarios. They hope the European Song Contest proceeds smoothly and I guess they also want Sweden not to win this time, so that someone else can host the event next year. High-voltage transmission lines provide electricity to data centers in Loudon County, Va., home to the worlds largest concentration of data centers. Lawmakers in Virginia and other states are rethinking how incentive programs for data centers may impact the electric grid, clean energy goals and utility rates for other consumers. Ted Shaffrey/The Associated Press State Sen. Norm Needleman championed the 2021 legislation designed to lure major data centers to Connecticut. The Democratic lawmaker hoped to better compete with nearby states, bring in a growing industry, and provide paychecks for workers tasked with building the sprawling server farms. But this legislative session, hes wondering if those tax breaks are appropriate for all data centers, especially those with the potential to disrupt the states clean energy supply. Particularly concerning to him are plans for a mega data center on the site of the states only nuclear power plant. The developer is proposing an arrangement that would give it priority access to electricity generated at the plant, which would mean less carbon-free power for other users. That affects our climate goals, he said. Its additional demand of renewable energy that we would have to replace. Needleman, co-chair of the Senate Energy and Technology Committee, is now reconsidering details of the state incentive program as he works on legislation to study the impact of data centers on the states electric grid. Mistakes now, he said, could lead to a real crisis. Compared with other employers that states compete for, such as automotive plants, data centers hire relatively few workers. Still, states have offered massive subsidies to lure data centers both for their enormous up-front capital investment and the cachet of bringing in big tech names such as Apple and Facebook. But as the cost of these subsidy programs balloons and data centers proliferate coast to coast, lawmakers in several states are rethinking their posture as they consider how to cope with the growing electricity demand. From the outside, data centers can resemble ordinary warehouses. But inside, the windowless structures can house acres of computer servers used to power everything from social media to banking. The centers suck up massive amounts of energy to keep data moving and water to keep servers from overheating. Data centers are the backbone of the increasingly digital world, and they consume a growing share of the nations electricity, with no signs of slowing down. The global consultancy McKinsey & Company predicts these operations will double their U.S. electric demands from 17 gigawatts in 2022 to 35 gigawatts by 2030 enough electricity to power more than 26 million average homes. Some states, including Maryland and Mississippi, continue to pursue incentives to land new data centers. But in other states, the growth of the industry is raising alarms over the reliability and affordability of local electric grids, and fears that utilities will meet the demand by leaning more heavily on fossil fuel generation rather than renewables. In South Carolina, lawmakers have started to question whether these massive power users should continue to receive tax breaks and preferential electric rates. In Virginia, home to the worlds largest concentration of data centers, a legislative study is underway to learn more about how those operations are affecting electric reliability and affordability. And Georgia lawmakers just passed legislation that would halt the states tax incentives for new data centers for two years. Georgia is home to more than 50 data centers, including those supporting AT&T, Google and UPS, according to the state commerce department. Georgia Republican state Sen. John Albers, a sponsor of the Senate bill, said the significant growth of data centers in his state has helped communities and schools by boosting property tax revenues. But, considering factors such as water and electric use, he said the return on the states investment is not there and that initial findings do not support credits from the state level. Nationwide, data center subsidies were costing state and local governments about $2 million per job created, according to a 2016 study by Good Jobs First, a nonprofit watchdog group that tracks economic development incentives. That figure has certainly ballooned in recent years, said Kasia Tarczynska, the organizations senior research analyst, who authored the report. The Georgia bill now sits on the desk of Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, whose office did not respond to a request for comment. The Data Center Coalition, a trade group representing tech giants including Amazon, Google and Meta, is urging a veto. Josh Levi, president of the organization, said data center companies are investing billions in new Georgia data centers, making metro Atlanta one of the nations biggest industry hubs. Levi noted that lawmakers in 2022 extended the states tax credit program through 2031. The abrupt suspension of an incentive that not only has been on the books, but that was extended two years ago, I think signals tremendous uncertainty, not just for the data center industry, but more broadly, he said. Levi said the data center industry has been at the forefront of pushing clean energy. As of last year, data center providers and customers accounted for two-thirds of American wind and solar contracts, according to an S&P Global Market Intelligence report. Fundamentally, data is now the lifeblood of our modern economy, he said. Everything that we do in our personal and professional lives really points back to data generation, processing and storage. Electricity hogs In fast-growing South Carolina, lawmakers have pointed to data centers as a major factor in rising electricity demand. As part of a broader energy bill, the legislature considered a measure that would prevent data centers from receiving discounted power rates. Republican state Rep. Jay West said inducements such as reduced power rates are appropriate for major, transformational endeavors. He pointed to the BMW factory in Spartanburg, which employs 11,000 people, draws in major suppliers and pumps millions into the state economy. While data centers boost local property taxes receipts, they dont do much for the state, he said, and shouldnt receive preferential rates. And they are being built faster than new energy generation can be added. I do not speak for my caucus or the [legislative] body in saying this, he said, but I dont think South Carolina can handle more data centers. The House provision on data center utility rates was quickly struck in a Senate committee, the South Carolina Daily Gazette reported. Lynn Teague, vice president of the League of Women Voters of South Carolina, said that change was made with no public discussion. Teague, who lobbies the legislature, said South Carolinians, including more than 700,000 people living in poverty, shouldnt have to pick up the tab for tax or utility breaks for major data center firms. We have companies like Google with over $300 billion in revenues a year wanting these folks to subsidize their profit margin at the same time that theyre putting intense pressure on not just our energy, but our water, she said. Lawmakers saw data centers as a possible successor to South Carolinas declining textile industry when they approved the data center incentives in 2012, The State reported at the time. One Republican bill sponsor, then-state Rep. Phyllis Henderson, also cited North Carolinas success with data center incentives, saying South Carolina was just losing projects right and left to them. But on the Senate floor earlier this month, Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, a Republican, described data centers as electricity hogs that arent really providing a whole lot of jobs. Rippling effects Virginia has been a hub for data centers for decades, touting its proximity to the nations capital, inexpensive energy, a robust fiber network and low risk of natural disasters. Now, Virginia lawmakers are increasingly scrutinizing the industry. Thats in part because data centers have moved into traditionally residential areas, said Republican state Del. Ian Lovejoy, who represents a Northern Virginia district. He sponsored two pieces of legislation this year affecting data center land use issues. One would have prevented data centers from building too close to parks, schools or neighborhoods; another would have altered land use disclosure rules for developers. Theres no way to power the data center inventory thats being proposed and is likely to be built without substantial increases to the power infrastructure and power generation, he said. And thats going to have rippling effects far away from where the data centers are being sited. Aaron Ruby, spokesperson for Dominion Energy in Virginia, the states predominant electric provider, said data centers, like other classes of customers, pay for the costs of their electric generation and transmission. He said the company forecasts consumers monthly bills to grow by less than 3% annually over the next 15 years. That increase, he said, is due to the companys significant investment in renewable energy projects. While Dominion is all in on renewables, Ruby said it doesnt foresee being able to meet increasing demand with only renewables. Thats just not physically possible, he said. Dominion has pointed to data center growth as a key driver of its increasing electricity demand. In one state filing, the company said Virginias data centers had a peak load of almost 2.8 gigawatts in 2022.That was 1.5 times the capacity of the companys North Anna nuclear plant, which powers about 450,000 homes. It is heart-stopping just the scale at which these things are growing and the power theyre sucking up, said Kendl Kobbervig, the advocacy and communications director at Clean Virginia, a well-funded advocacy group pushing for renewable energy, campaign finance reform and greater oversight of utilities. She said the state must address how data centers could undercut its clean energy goals and how the industry is affecting the utility bills of everyday households and small businesses. Over the past two years, Clean Virginia has tracked more than 40 proposed bills related to data centers. Most of those efforts stalled this session as some lawmakers elected to wait on the results of a study announced in December by the states Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission. The lack of action frustrated many lawmakers and residents. I dont know exactly what the study is going to say that we dont already know, said Democratic state Sen. Suhas Subramanyam, who sponsored a bill that would have required data centers to meet certain energy efficiency and clean energy standards to be eligible for the states lucrative sales tax exemptions. I think we already know that data centers take up a lot of power and present a lot of challenges to our grid. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and Twitter. The post States rethink data centers as electricity hogs strain the grid appeared first on North Dakota Monitor. Ministers and MPs have been urged by the statistics watchdog to provide the source when quoting death figures from the Hamas-run health ministry and to recognise their limitations, amid claims the numbers cannot be trusted. Last month, The Telegraph reported that Sir Michael Ellis, the former attorney general, and Andrew Percy, his fellow Conservative MP, had written to the UK Statistics Authority to alert it to an admission by Hamas that it has incomplete data on a third of Gazan deaths. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says that at least 34,596 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war sparked by the Oct 7 attack, but the veracity of their statistics has been disputed. In a reply to the two MPs, Sir Robert Chote, the chair of the UK Statistics Authority, said: As you will appreciate, it is beyond our remit and our capability to assess the accuracy of casualty statistics in an overseas conflict. Tracking the number of fatalities is challenging in any conflict and there are often inaccuracies and inconsistencies in real-time reporting. There is always the potential for numbers emerging from a conflict situation to be contested, and for there to be suspicions that they reflect a particular narrative. Sir Michael Ellis KC, whose letter prompted a response from the statistics watchdog He added: Given these uncertainties and potential sources of bias, it would be desirable for ministers, shadow ministers and other parliamentarians to state the source of any estimates they use in the public domain and to recognise the limitations attached to them. UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLI) a voluntary group of lawyers who support Israel has also written to the UK Statistics Authority about Hamas casualty figures. In his response to UKLI, Sir Robert said that he urged ministers, shadow ministers and other parliamentarians to give the source of any numbers they quote. Sir Michael told The Telegraph: This intervention from the UK Statistics Authority is a timely reminder for the media, all parliamentarians, and indeed everyone that Hamas is a vicious terrorist organisation which carried out the worst massacre of Jews since 1945. Extreme care must be taken by broadcasters and those in public life when quoting Hamas figures. Eminent statisticians worldwide have made it clear the figures are not reliable. It is essential that trusted sources here in the UK do everything they can to avoid carelessly disseminating Hamas propaganda as if it were the gospel truth. Children in the Gazan city of Rafah on Friday, queuing for humanitarian aid - Doaa Albaz/Getty Mr Percy said: For months politicians, the media and others have blindly repeated casualty figures provided by a terrorist organisation with not only a history of rape and murder, but of open manipulation of statistics. I am therefore pleased that the Statistics Authority have rebuked those who repeat these figures without any reference to their very questionable source or without any apparent appreciation that they may be less than accurate and being used to support a biased political narrative. As in all conflicts, civilians are dying in this war and every innocent death is a tragedy but the repeating of highly questionable figures from a murderous terrorist death cult is directly fueling hate on our streets, particularly towards the British Jewish community. Politicians, the media and others should be more careful when parroting facts from Hamas. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Dozens of people came out to protest in Boise on Friday night and into Saturday calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The demonstrations come amid growing anti-war protests and as students nationwide form encampments on college campuses to call for their universities to divest from companies with links to Israel. The protest in Boise began Friday night at the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, where protesters left flowers to honor victims of genocide everywhere, Boise to Palestine, a group that says it is seeking the liberation of Palestine, wrote on its Instagram. Demonstrators then marched downtown and set up an encampment near the Capitol. Many remained at the site overnight, though protesters said police removed tents early Saturday. Idaho State Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment. At the protest site on Saturday morning, people flew Palestinian flags and displayed signs that read Free Palestine, Stop funding genocide, and End U.S. complicity in genocide. A long piece of fabric displayed the written names of tens of thousands who have died in Gaza. Supporters of Palestine set up an encampment in downtown Boise to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Protesters said that the tents were meant to be symbolic for the families in Gaza whose homes have been destroyed and are living in tents. The Associated Press reported over 34,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to local health officials. Several protesters said they came out to stand up in solidarity with Palestine, to raise awareness about whats going on in the region and to oppose the U.S.s financial support of Israel. Many said they werent comfortable sharing their names out of fear for their safety. Boise State Students for Palestine also had a list of demands for the university, including ceasing current and future endowment investments into companies affiliated with Israel and any other perpetrators of the genocide in Gaza, committing to being transparent about finances and securing amnesty for those who speak out about Palestine. Boise State sent out a message on Friday that warned against disrupting commencement ceremonies, which were being held Saturday. The university said it would make safety a top priority and that it wouldnt tolerate actions that disrupt the operations and events of the university, the shouting down of speakers, or violations of law or university policy. Over the last week there has been unrest on college campuses across the country related to conflict in the Middle East, the email, signed by Boise State President Marlene Tromp and the university leadership team said. We are concerned and troubled by the distressing news coverage on campuses showing an escalation of violent confrontations, destruction of property, and more. Supporters of Palestine hold a protest in downtown Boise. Those at the protest site on Saturday morning remained peaceful as several cars that drove by honked to show their support. Supporters dropped off food, water and other supplies throughout the morning. The Idaho chapter of IfNotNow, a national organization that describes itself as movement of American Jews advocating to end U.S. support for Israels apartheid system, in a post on Instagram called for an end to the mass slaughter of Palestinians and pushed back against claims that equated anti-Zionism with antisemitism. As Idaho Jews, we know what antisemitism is, and calling for an end to genocide, calling for an end to Israeli occupation, calling for Freedom in Gaza never has been and never will be anti-semitic, the post said. Over the past several months, protests have taken place in Boise in support of Palestine and Israel. In November, more than 1,000 people attended an event put on by the Idaho Stands with Israel Coalition after an Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel. The U.S. military had to pause its project of building a pier off the coast of Gaza to deliver humanitarian due to bad weather, the Pentagon said Friday. U.S. Central Command officials temporarily paused offshore assembly of the floating pier off the coast of Gaza after high winds and sea swells caused unsafe conditions for soldiers working on the surface of the partially constructed causeway, the command said in a statement. The partially built pier and military vessels involved in its construction have moved to the Port of Ashdod, in Israel, where assembly will continue. As many as 1,000 American service members are helping set up the floating pier in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Gaza, a project that the Pentagon has initially estimated will cost $320 million. Announced during President Bidens State of the Union address in March, the structure will consist of an 1,800-foot-long causeway that will be attached to the shore and is meant to support the U.S. government and its partners in getting more humanitarian aid to civilians in the territory. Officials had hoped to complete work on the pier by the end of this week but the unsafe seas will likely delay them by several days. Once up and running, the pier is expected to initially support 90 daily truckloads of humanitarian aid into Gaza and ramp up to about 150 trucks a day. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Student Fatally Shot by Police After Bringing Gun to Wisconsin Middle School: Could Have Been a Far Worse Tragedy Police officers responded to the threat and used deadly force, authorities said Ron Koeberer/Getty Images A stock image of police tape Wisconsin police officers shot and killed a middle school student who brought a gun to campus in Mount Horeb in Dane County. The Mount Horeb Area School District was locked down on Wednesday, May 1, due to a report of someone with a weapon outside the middle school, said the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) in a news release. Police officers responded to the threat and used deadly force, the release continued, identifying the person as a student within the school district. The student was 14-years-old, according to Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR). Officials also said that the incident took place outdoors and that the student with the weapon never gained entry to the school buildings. Police added that no one else at the school other than the student who brought the gun to campus was physically injured. Related: 17 Years After Madeleine McCann's Disappearance, Questions Remain Unanswered: 5 Things to Know Authorities said that no law enforcement officers were injured during the incident, and they were wearing body cameras. The middle school initially announced the threat on Facebook on Wednesday at about 11:30 a.m. local time, writing: Community members, there has been an active shooter at our middle school this morning. The individual did not breach entryway. Police department is helping to scope out our building to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Shortly after the initial post, the school confirmed the threat was neutralized outside of the building. It added in another post, per ABC News: An initial search of the middle school has not yielded additional suspects. As importantly, we have no reports of individuals being harmed, with the exception of the alleged assailant. Related: 2 Teens Turn Themselves in After Video of Boaters Dumping Trash Into Ocean Goes Viral In a press conference, Attorney General Josh Kaul confirmed that the student with the gun was fatally shot, though he did not give additional details, like whether the student had exchanged gunfire with police, per CNN and WPR. Mount Horeb Area School District Superintendent Steve Salerno stressed the importance of security systems in place like locked front doors, which the school district already had in place, during the press conference. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. If there's a story to be told of today, it's a story of an amazing staff that have rallied in support of our beautiful children, Salerno said, per CNN and ABC News. This could have been a far worse tragedy. The school district was closed on Thursday, May 2, WPR reported. The school district said in a social media post that they were carefully planning for the upcoming days and would update parents on a new schedule. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Pro-Palestinian student activists have one last opportunity to make a big impact before campuses are barren for the summer: commencement. Tens of thousands of families and friends will flock to campuses across the country starting this weekend to see their loved ones celebrate the conclusion of the degree even as the schools crack down harder on the demonstrations, with more than 2,000 people arrested so far. Colleges will be keeping a close watch and will themselves be under a watchful eye for how they handle disruptions during the celebratory season. I do expect to see [disruptions], said William Jacobson, a law professor at Cornell University and founder of EqualProtect.org. I think that the threat of disruption of commencement has been used to extract concessions from schools in negotiations with protesters. Multiple schools have reached deals with their protesters to get encampments taken down peacefully, including Thursday at Rutgers University, where administrators agreed to a bevy of demands including amnesty from punishment for activists. I think that just demonstrates the power of our student movement, that were mobilizing basically the entire student population at each of these schools so that the administrations, which have been deaf to us for so long, not listening to our demands, are now accepting them at face value and making deals that the organizers, the Palestinian organizers themselves, deem appropriate and are accepting these deals, Batya Kline, a student organizer at Wesleyan University, previously told The Hill. Northwestern University and Brown University also struck deals, getting commitments from the activists that no disruptions would happen at commencement. Far more schools have opted for police force to get rid of their encampments, and even at those that did reach agreements, not all protesters were happy with the situation. Jacobson said neither route will fully prevent activists from making their presence known at graduation ceremonies. I do believe there will be disruptions, whether theyre organized officially by these groups or not. That is a supreme pressure point on the schools that the schools, I think, are very sensitive to, he said. I think what you will see is very similar to what you see when controversial speakers appear on campus, Jacobson added, saying that instead of a large gathering trying to take over the proceedings, he could see sequential efforts such as one person will stand up and scream, and that person is taken away. Twenty seconds later, a second person stands up and screams, and that goes on and on and on. Universities are under the watchful eye of Republicans and other critics who say they have failed to rein in antisemitism on campus. These antisemitic, anti-American radicals will seize on any opportunity to hijack the spotlight to harass and intimidate Jewish and pro-Israel students, so we expect to see disruptions at public functions, including graduations, said Liora Rez, founder and executive director of StopAntisemitism. We dont know what measures universities are taking to prevent graduation disruptions. For schools that showed a weak response to the pro-terror demonstrations on their campuses, like Columbia and UCLA, we expect their actions will not be adequate. For those who have so far shown leadership and good judgement, hopefully they will exercise the same with their graduation policies, she added. The University of Southern California (USC) has canceled its main commencement ceremony, alleging safety concerns after first canceling the speech of its pro-Palestinian valedictorian. The school has provided no details about why it says it could not provide a safe environment for the commencement. The first major commencements up this weekend include the University of Michigan and Ohio State University. Michigan is also among the schools that has been called to participate in a House hearing later this month regarding antisemitism on campus. Neither Michigan nor Ohio State currently has Gaza encampments set up. Instead of cancelling graduation ceremonies out of fear of antisemitic disruptions, institutional leaders should grow a backbone and fight back against antisemitism on their campuses with decisive action and moral clarity, said House Education Committee Chair Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.). While some say the schools need to set out clear rules for disruptions, others take it a step further. We recommend a zero-tolerance policy for abusive and discriminatory speeches such as we witnessed at the CUNY Law graduation in 2023. Pre-approve speeches and cut the mic if theres any deviation, Rez said. In 2023, the commencement speaker for the City University of New York (CUNY) law school criticized the New York Police Department and accused Israel of indiscriminately killing Palestinians. The speech caused backlash, and the school decided not to allow any student speakers this year. Students at the school filed a lawsuit last month against their institution, saying that move violates their freedom of speech. I would love to see people see this moment of students across the country [] coming together to say like we want whats happening in Gaza to stop, Ale Humano, a student at CUNY School of Law, said when asked what they would like to see out of this commencement season. Even all of us that are thinking about graduation, theres so many people right now that are going like but this matters more right now, they added. Were hoping we can start kind of curtailing that taking away of a very essential First Amendment right for students, not just within our school, but across the country to be able to speak on this issue, because we are seeing it be taken away and seeing students get censored, said Humano. They said aside from potential pro-Palestinian protests and speeches at commencement, actions such as those from the president of the American Civil Liberties Union help bring their cause forward. The ACLU head had backed out of speaking at CUNYs commencement due to the schools restriction on student speeches. Protesters have spent weeks in the headlines, but Jacobson warned that interruptions to graduation ceremonies in particular could rub the public the wrong way. Disrupting these sorts of events, I dont think necessarily advances the goal of the cause, he said. Theyre acting out in a manner and in a place that is inappropriate and essentially punishing fellow students rather than punishing the school or punishing Israel. So I think this may be ultimately a futile effort. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Zacharias Lowery, 29, has been arrested in connection to a homicide that killed 26-year-old James Chambers III in north Charlotte, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. On Saturday, CMPDs Violent Crime Apprehension Team found and arrested Lowery. He was taken to the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office and charged with murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. PREVIOUSLY: Deadly shooting in north Charlotte The shooting happened around 10:45 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, in the 5100 block of Hoover Drive, off of Nevin Road. CMPD later said a man, Chambers III, was suffering from gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorties say the investigation is still active. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. This is a Developing Story . Check back for updates For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The suspect in a fatal shooting this past Thursday in south Columbus remains in Franklin County Jail after a judge set his bond at $1 million Saturday. Lawuan Williams, 19, was issued the cash/surety bond during an arraignment hearing in Franklin County Common Pleas court. Online records show Williams remains in custody at Franklin County Jail. Man sentenced to prison in relation to Tanger Outlets lockdown According to Columbus police, Williams allegedly shot and killed Najaa Ellman, 20, following an argument Thursday afternoon on the 700 block of Reinhard Avenue. Police said officers found Ellman suffering from a gunshot wound at the scene, where he was pronounced dead at 3:08 p.m. Williams fled the scene in a 2020 Nissan Altima, which was later found near the intersection of East Livingston Avenue and Kenilworth Place, police said. Williams, who was hiding in a nearby home, surrendered to police. Williams is set to appear for a preliminary hearing on May 13. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. A man was fatally shot by police in Port Angeles Friday morning, according to the Clallam County Sheriffs Office. At about 9:52 a.m. on May 3, officers responded to a Hold Up alarm at a Chase Bank in the 100 block of West Front Street in Port Angeles. Officers with the Port Angeles Police Department, deputies from the Clallam County Sheriffs Office, and officers from the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe also responded. According to deputies, two officers initially responded and found the man armed with a handgun outside the bank. Officers said he was non-compliant, and shots were fired by the officers. Medical aid was provided by the officers until paramedics arrived to assist. Despite their efforts, the man died. Detectives with the Kitsap Critical Incident Response Team are taking control of the investigation. Eden Golan, the Israeli contestant, has been told not to leave her hotel room - Gil Cohen-Magen/AFP Sweden is tightening security ahead of hosting the Eurovision Song Contest, with police given larger weapons and reinforcement officers brought in from Denmark and Norway. It comes amid warnings of large demonstrations planned in Malmo, the host city, to coincide with the event. Protest are planned for May 9, when Israel will take part in the second semi-final, and May 11, the day of the final. Protesters say they will challenge Israels participation in the contest amid the war in the Gaza Strip, in which thousands have died. Eden Golan, the Israeli contestant, has been told by Israels Shin Bet security service not to leave her hotel room because of security concerns. Petra Stenkula, the Malmo police chief, said the country was already on a terror level of four out of five, and that protests over Israels participation in the competition had already been held in Malmo. She said there were no specific threats to the event, but the alert level was raised last August, following Quran-burning protests that angered the Muslim world. Demonstrators gathered last month to protest against Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo - Johan Nilsson/AFP Drones will be used for surveillance, and guests will have to pass through airport-style security controls when entering venues. The European Broadcasting Union, the Geneva-based organisers, have also said they reserve the right to remove any Palestinian flags and pro-Palestinian symbols at the show. It follows months of controversy over Israels entry. Eden Golon, the countrys contestant, had to modify the lyrics and title of her original song October Rain after it was deemed too political and said to reference the Oct 7 Hamas attack. The European Broadcasting Union then permitted Ms Golon to compete with the renamed Hurricane. As many as 100,000 visitors are expected to arrive in Malmo for the week-long festivities, while 200 million viewers worldwide are expected to tune in. The south-western city is home to 360,000 people and is one of Swedens most diverse, but the Jewish community of around 1,200 people has said it is worried about being targeted by protests. Theres a certain feeling of apprehension, of tension, Felix Krausz Sjogren, a guide at the synagogue in Malmo, told Reuters, about the planned protests. On Thursday, Israels National Security Council issued an advisory warning against travel to Malmo, citing well-founded concern that terrorist elements will exploit the protests and the anti-Israel mood to carry out attacks against Israelis attending Eurovision. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Sweden is on high alert and security is being tightened in its third largest city Malmo, ahead of next weeks Eurovision Song Contest. 100,000 extra visitors expected to the city over the week of festivities. BBC News quotes Malmo police chief Petra Stenkula, who said the whole country was already on a terror level of four out of five. More from Deadline The website reports that Malmo will see one of the countrys biggest ever policing efforts, with extra personnel drafted in from across Sweden, as well as neighbouring Denmark and Norway. Swedish police are normally armed. And it cites a Swedish internal police report which described the country as a priority target for violent jihadist groups, and cited risks of unrest, cyber attacks and broadcast disruption. Large demonstrations are scheduled outside the venue, to be attended by those slamming Israels participation this year, in context of the nations actions in Gaza. This follows months of controversy ahead of what has become an unprecedently politically charged Contest. Israels entry Eden Golan was forced to change her song lyrics and title, after the original entry was deemed too political by the European Broadcasting Union. Sweden is hosting the worlds largest live music event after artist Loreen won last year in Liverpool, UK. 1000 Swedish musicians signed an open letter earlier this year urging Israels exclusion, and artists on both sides of the Israel-Gaza conflict have spoken out. UK entry Olly Alexander previously signed a petition demanding Israels attacks on Gaza be stopped, and in March he wrote on social media why he had decided to participate in the Contest, organisations asking him publicly to boycott in response to Israels participation. Alexander wrote on X (formerly Twitter): As a participant Ive taken a lot of time to deliberate over what to do and the options available to me. It is my current belief that removing myself from the contest wouldnt bring us any closer to our shared goal. He added that he had discussed the dilemma with entries from other nations, and they had come to the same conclusion. Alexander added that he supported all actions demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, the return of Israeli hostages and a journey towards peace: I hope and pray that our calls are answered and there is an end to the atrocities we are seeing taking place in Gaza. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Despite films like "Jurassic Park" depicting Tyrannosaurus rex as nothing more than a stupid killing machine, Dr. Suzana Herculano-Houzel believes the mighty dinosaur "deserves better." Herculano-Houzel is no passive dinosaur observer. The Vanderbilt University neuroscientist is an expert in comparative neuroanatomy, as well as editor-in-chief of The Journal of Comparative Neurology. In 2023 that journal published a paper she authored about the intelligence of theropods, a clade of dinosaurs which includes Allosauruses, Spinosauruses, Giganotosauruses and of course the iconic Tyrannosaurus. By analyzing data from T. rex remains as well as data from the theropod's closest living bird relatives, including emus and ostriches, Herculano-Houzel concluded that theropod brains had in excess of three billion neurons. That would mean they had more neurons than baboons, with perhaps even enough intelligence to use tools the T. rex's notoriously tiny arms notwithstanding. Yet other scientists quickly pounced on Herculano-Houzel's paper, with a recent study in the journal The Anatomical Record criticizing the argument's supposed "several crucial shortcomings regarding analysis and interpretation." Perhaps most importantly, the group of paleontologists, biologists, geologists and other scientists disagree with Herculano-Houzel comparing theropods to birds in her analysis, saying that she instead should have used lizards as her basis. The introduction refers to "the consensus of crocodile-like cognition in these animals, a position informed by comparative anatomical data." From there, the paper made other assumptions that the scientists felt needed to be publicly challenged. "The methods used in the original paper are characterized by several shortcomings such as assuming the brains of many dinosaurs were very densely packed with neurons because they were warm-blooded," says one of the new paper's co-authors Hady George, a PhD student of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol. "This led to over-exaggerated neuron number estimates, and this was then argued to be evidence for many dinosaurs, including T. rex, to be capable of complex behaviors, such as tool use." Tyrannosaurus-rex The authors also contest Herculano-Houzel's assumption that one can predict different dinosaurs' metabolisms, aging rates and other life history traits based on the existing data. "We are not inherently against their conclusions, as it is fascinating to think about dinosaurs in this new light, but the shortcomings of the methods used and the lack of consideration for other lines of evidence that more accurately predict metabolism and life history traits in fossil animals render their conclusions highly questionable," George says. Herculano-Houzel is defiant against such criticism, taking particular umbrage by a statement by paper co-author and University of Southampton paleozoologist Dr. Darren Naish that T. rex were "more like smart, giant crocodiles, and thats just as fascinating. From Herculano-Houzel's perspective, it is both inaccurate and unfair to lump in the T. rex with its distant crocodilian relatives, regardless of the qualification that they would have been "smart" crocodiles. Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. "I absolutely stand by my original findings, and I want to do right by dinosaurs," says Herculano-Houzel. "They do not deserve to go back to being considered as dumb as crocodiles just because a group of paleontologists used their credentials (which I don't have; I am a neuroscientist) to back up an erroneous apples-and-oranges comparison due to a beginner's mistake in their analysis." Herculano-Houzel also said that "this is a smear job on T. rex," one she claims the authors committed because "they had an opinion from the get-go: that T. rex had crocodile-like cognition." Simply put, Herculano-Houzel says previous paleontologists take it for granted that "an animal that large could not have been smart, even with a respectably monkey-sized brain." "I have already shown that body size is irrelevant, but never mind that," said Herculano-Houzel, observing that her original study "followed the data" and was correct in comparing T. rex to close bird relatives like ostriches, chickens and ducks. Although her critics say this is like comparing apples to oranges, Herculano-Houzel argues that her results prove "they were all applies." "Think of T. rex as a scaled-up ostrich in body and brain size as well as number of neurons," Herculano-Houzel said. She argues her critics inaccurately divide all birds into two groups, thereby mixing theropods' closest cousins with more distant relatives like pelicans, egrets, albatrosses and penguins. Using a twist on the "apples and oranges" expression, Herculano-Houzel explained why she believes their reasoning is flawed. "It's like mixing apples and oranges in the juicer then complaining that the drink doesn't taste like an apple, so it couldn't have been an apple going in," says Herculano-Houzel. "Given their decision to mix theropod dinosaurs with pelicans, albatrosses and penguins, the result is that theropod dinosaurs then appear to not have had bird-like brains already. But go to their graph knowing what the species are, and you will see T. rex exactly along the line together with ostriches and chickens and ducks exactly like I showed. Apples." George did not characterize the scientists as entirely opposed to the hypothesis that T. rex could have been intelligent. He instead argued they provided evidence "that dinosaurs did not have neuron estimates as high as those estimated in the original paper." In addition to what George described as their "convincing argument" that the neurons in dinosaur brains were not as densely packed as those in modern bird brains, the scientists also argued "various other lines of evidence like gross anatomy and trace fossils can collectively better inform on dinosaur metabolism and life history traits than neurological variables such as relative brain size alone." The authors did not definitively conclude one way or the other on the question of dinosaur intelligence, aside from arguing that it is "a very complicated topic that cannot be understood using only neuron number estimates." While that last observation may seem counterintuitive, George said that there are some bird species with large neuron counts that do not have the capacity to use complex tools, even though other bird species with comparable neuron counts do have that ability. Similarly, although some dolphin species have billions more neurons than humans, George said there is no evidence that they are more intelligent than humans. "Overall, neuron counts do inform on intelligence, but are very limited in telling us what exactly animals are capable of," said George. He instead pointed to other kinds of evidence, such as the fact that many dinosaur species had elaborate head crests and feather fans. "Both of these adaptations have been argued to be socio-sexual display structures," said George. "Additionally, many dinosaurs have been found together, suggesting they might have once lived together. Many dinosaurs probably engaged in sophisticated communication with each other to live in groups and find mates, and this indicates at least some level of impressive intelligence." As far as Herculano-Houzel is concerned, though, "the absolute number of neurons in the cortex (or telencephalon) certainly is by far the best known correlate of cognitive capacity." She is unmoved by a paper that Smithsonian Magazine declared "official refutes" her own. "It's really a pity," says Herculano-Houzel. "Like I said, T. rex deserves better. My hope is that open-minded paleontologists who read my original paper have already restarted revisiting the data on T. rex-associated fossil record and reconsidering it with new eyes that are accepting of the possibility that maybe they did, yes, make and use tools, and maybe even had a culture." Tabor City firefighter dies in vehicle accident, department says TABOR CITY, N.C. (WBTW) A Tabor City firefighter died Saturday morning following a vehicle accident. Danny Nobles Jr., 20, was the passenger in a single-vehicle wreck that happened around 1:30 a.m. on Highway 501 Business in Conway, Horry County Deputy Coroner Petty Bellamy said. Nobles was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was taken to a local hospital with unknown injuries. Please keep his family as well as the fire department in your prayers in the coming days, the Tabor City Fire Department wrote on its Facebook page. Horry County Fire Rescue also sent support to the North Carolina department, offering assistance in the coming days. Join us in sending the best to our partner to the north, Tabor City Fire Department, as theyre going through the excruciating pain of having lost one of their own. Our heart is with you, TCFD! Call on us however you need us, it posted to Facebook. Conway police are investigating. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. A Tacoma woman is dead after he partner snapped, and punched and stomped her more than 50 times, according to new court documents. COURT DOCUMENTS: KIRO 7 News obtained court documents from the Pierce County Prosecutors Office to learn more about the investigation into a woman who was recently killed. The womans body was found in front of North G Street Apartments, which is owned by Tacoma Housing Authority, on North G Street Wednesday overnight. Detectives said officers found a woman lying on the ground in front of the building with a large pool of blood near her head Wednesday at about 2:30 a.m. The victim was later identified as 52-year-old Melissa Davis, a spokesperson for the county prosecutors office said. Investigators said a security member told them that he was patrolling the area at about 12:45 a.m. when he saw a man crouched down near someone who was lying in the gutter. The man was rubbing the back of the person who was lying face down on the ground, the document said. When asked if they were okay, the man said they were fine, the security member told detectives. The man was later identified as 61-year-old Michael Cooley, investigators said. Detectives said they later found a bloody concrete block near a tree, which had a slight blood trail from where the victims body was found. A neighbor nearby told police that she heard a man and a woman arguing outside, adding that she heard a woman yell Oh, God no. The neighbor did not think much about it and went back inside her home, she told police, since she often hears loud voices from the North G Street Apartment building. Police looked through the apartments surveillance footage, which captured a woman walking out of the front entrance of the apartment to the front curb, near the road. The woman was wearing the same red shirt, black pants and brown shoes as the victim. Minutes later, police said they saw a man push the woman to the ground and walk back inside the apartment building to unit 305 where Cooley lives. The surveillance video later captured the man walk back to the woman on the ground where he removed her jacket. He is later seen walking towards the back of the building with the jacket, investigators said. Detectives said they later found a white jacket inside a community trash can covered in blood. Police arrested Cooley in connection to Daviss death. During an interview with investigators, Cooley told police he was going to help the victim on the ground, but she told him, He was going to go to jail for the rest of his life. He said he was not going back and began to stomp and kick the victim. Cooley admitted that he was triggered by the victims words and punched and stomped her over 50 times. Jail records show Cooley was previously convicted of second-degree murder in Virginia in 1986 where he was sentenced for 17 years in prison. A friend of the victim told police that Davis and Cooley were in a relationship, which began in January of 2024. The prosecutors office told KIRO 7 News Cooleys bail was set at $1 million. TENANTS: KIRO 7 News talked with tenants who live inside the apartment about the recent death. A woman, who asked us to not identify her due to safety concerns, said she knew the victim. All I saw was her dead body out front. I knew it was her, she said. I felt sorry for her daughters. She got twin daughters. Sad, theyre in their early 20s, she added. Really nice girls. Yeah, how do you accept that? The woman told KIRO 7 News that the recent death is part of an ongoing issue at the apartment where violent behaviors and incidents continue to happen. She said she was a victim of an assault at the apartment. He just pounded me. Pounded me. Pounded me. I was just begging him not to kill me, she said. I couldve got killed too. KIRO 7 News asked her if she had reported the incident to Tacoma Housing Authority and the response she received. They just totally blew it off. They totally blew me off, she said. I feel like what happened to me, I had big bruises on my forehead. They should have implemented something at that time. KIRO 7 News also spoke with another tenant, who also asked us to hide her identity due to fear of the agencys retaliation. She said she knows the suspect, who lived near her. I had to avoid him Mike because he was in my face one time and I had to go around avoiding him. I shouldnt have to do that where I live, she shared. The tenant told KIRO 7 News that she saw the suspect near his unleashed dog. I said, Why do you let your dogs run off leash? Oh my gosh, he instantly snapped. He was instantly irate, angry at me. She said, I didnt know if he was going to come after me. I didnt know what he was going to do in the moment. She said she has witnessed and experienced violent behaviors and incidents for years. Its just a nightmare because thats kind of how it is. Thats the mentality here. They let very, very, very, very mentally ill live here. Serious substance abusers. Serious troublemakers. They create a history of trouble and they still get to live here even though the police come here and see them all the time. They still get to live here around us, and we have to walk around in fear and be alert, she said. I have been reporting regular since 2019. The woman shared a number of emails that showed her reporting her concerns to management, which dated as far back as 2020. KIRO 7 News asked her about managements response to her concerns. I felt like I was kind of being blown off. And I felt like, how come its still going on? I reported it over and over and over, and its still happening, she said Our housing lease rules are strict. It says you cannot have any egregious behavior, repeated violations. And thats what happens here all the time. Constant repeated violations so I continue to complain and report. She said Tacoma Housing Authority threatened her due to her complaints. There came a point they (THA) threatened me with a violation of my lease, which threatens my housing just for making too many complaints about these problems. About these problems they wont fix, she added. Its horrible. Its very scary. Where am I going to go? I dont want to be out there homeless in a tent. Where am I supposed to go? Thats a horrible dilemma, she added. Why should I have to think like that living here? Why cant I have my safety? Why cant I walk around here and feel safe? Why do I have to walk in fear? Lots of us have complained endlessly for years and they have done nothing. I feel like if they had stepped up with security measures, that (recent death) maybe wouldnt have happened. TACOMA HOUSING AUTHORITY: KIRO 7 News reached out to the Tacoma Housing Authority about the recent death investigation, the tenants concerns and accusations. A spokesperson for the agency shared the following statement: We are aware of the tragedy that occurred in front of the G Street Apartments earlier this week. THA immediately responded to our residents by providing support and counseling resources. We are continuing our on-the-ground response and our cooperation with the Tacoma Police Department in their active investigation. Our staff takes resident complaints seriously. Once a complaint is received, interdepartmental teams work promptly with all parties to mediate and resolve the issue. With respect to resident privacy and confidentiality, we do not disclose the specifics of tenant backgrounds or complaints. Regarding security measures, we have security cameras and contracted security staff regularly patrolling our properties. Security staff was on-site on the morning of the incident and provided support to police on the scene. Surveillance footage and statements from security were shared with the Tacoma Police Department. We are committed to providing support to the family of the victim and to all who have been affected by this tragic and senseless loss. Taiwan will have Trump's support if he wins, ex-appointee says Former U.S. President Trump's criminal trial on charges of falsifying business records continues in New York TAIPEI (Reuters) - A former U.S. ambassador appointed by Donald Trump said on Saturday he believed the former president would again support Taiwan if he wins back the White House. Taiwan, claimed by China as its own territory despite Taipei's objections, received strong backing from Trump's 2017-2021 administration, including arms sales, which have continued under the government of President Joe Biden. Trump spoke to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016 shortly after he won the election, prompting anger in Beijing - as the United States does not officially recognise Taiwan's government - and glee in Taipei. James Gilmore, Trump's ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, told reporters in Taipei that Trump was not an isolationist but was trying to get U.S. allies to take their own defence more seriously. "I believe that President Trump will be supportive of Taiwan when he becomes president. He was in his first term," said Gilmore, visiting Taipei to speak at the Taiwanese think tank the Center for Asia-Pacific Resilience and Innovation. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, is set to face Biden, a Democrat, in a rematch in November's presidential election. Gilmore will meet Tsai on his trip though not President-elect Lai Ching-te, who takes office on May 20, due to scheduling issues. He said he would report back to Trump on his visit, and pass on any messages from Taiwan if given them. "I fully expect to write a memorandum and submit it to President Trump. What he does with these memos people send him we do not know," he said. "But I have made up my mind that I can be helpful." Gilmore, the Republican governor of Virginia from 1998 to 2002, added he thought lines of communication between Taiwan and the United States were already strong and he did not think he needed to serve as a messenger. The United States is democratically governed Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier, to the frequent anger of China, which has ramped up military and political pressure against the island. Taiwan has hosted several Republican lawmakers this year as part of bipartisan delegations visiting the island, including in February Mike Gallagher, then-chair of the House of Representatives select committee on China. Gallagher said on that trip that no matter who wins the elections, the U.S. would continue to support Taiwan. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by William Mallard) Taking time during a rager of a news week to applaud the efforts of 3 N&O journalists For readers of a certain age, a rager is when your ornery neighbor brings over a six pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon PBR for you hipsters early on a Friday evening and the banter about weather and politics turns into a heated argument over whether David Thompson could beat Michael Jordan in a game of H-O-R-S-E right NOW. We learn so much from the young. Rager has many definitions, some not suitable for publication. A wild party rager these days can prompt a viral GoFundMe campaign that turns into a pseudo-political movement that raises $516,672 all because of frat bros who recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The half-million-plus raised could have bought 574,080 half-pitchers at The Bantam Rooster bar in Five Points back in the day. For that much beer, you and your ornery neighbor could add Grant Hill to the greatest Triangle game of H-O-R-S-E ever. Lynwood R. Toney, proprietor of Bantam Rooster Tavern, is seen pulling pints of Schlitz in 1974. Note the 90 cents price for a half pitcher. (The Bantam Rooster is closed, but Visuals Editor Scott Sharpe is a reliable source.) The News & Observers party-hardy approach is a bit sedate. We mention standout journalists during our morning staff call. And occasionally we order cake. So, in a rager of a local news week, lets politely applaud three N&O journalists (among many) who always deserve a party. Dawn Vaughan for being The N&Os Capitol Bureau Chief and breaking new ground with our popular Under The Dome podcast. We tried something different on Tuesday with Under The Dome: Live!, a live event moderated by Dawn with two rising political stars Sen. Vickie Sawyer, a Republican from Mecklenburg County, and Sen. Natalie Murdock, a Democrat representing Durham and Chatham counties. News & Observer Capitol Bureau Chief Dawn Baumgartner Vaughn (right) leads a conversation with State Sen. Vickie Sawyer, a Republican from Mecklenburg County (left) and Sen. Natalie Murdock, (center), a Democrat representing Durham and Chatham counties. Our event was on the same night the Carolina Hurricanes wrapped up its first-round Stanley Cup series, so lets say we had about 18,000 fewer folks who spread across aisles at the NC Museum of History. But the senators lived up to Dawns expectations for podcast guests to be knowledgeable, relevant, intelligent and witty. This from Dawn: The most comments I get from listeners are about the asides from the conversation, or an offbeat Headliner of the Week choice. That shows that theres something for everyone to connect with in North Carolina politics. (Sign up for Under The Dome and other newsletters on newsobserver.com sites and our app.) Tyler Dukes for Private Eyes, his must-read report on how Flock, a private tech company, has installed at least 700 cameras in more than 70 counties and municipalities across North Carolina while earning millions in public money. Tyler is a talented investigative reporter who needed to be thorough and resourceful to bring together this detailed assessment. As Tyler reports: Compared to some other states, North Carolina has little oversight into how law enforcement agencies audit their use of license plate reader systems. Private Eyes incorporates several stories available in The N&Os In the Spotlight, one of our new initiatives focused on accountability reporting. He reports on how security cameras are stirring debate for a Knightdale HOA and how police errors with license plate cameras have led to wrongful arrests. Its great work in the publics interest. Chip Alexander who recently celebrated his 45th anniversary at The N&O. We ordered cake and coaxed Chip to let us say nice things. He obliged, accepted the congratulations and finished his version of a late-night rager by covering the Canes Game 5 win on Tuesday. Chip started his career changing ribbons on typewriters. Now, hes a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) star. Chip Alexander If that greatest game of H-O-R-S-E ever happened, Chip would be on first-name basis with David, Michael and Grant. Five years ago, some Boston sports-talk radio rager tried to rattle Chip. Didnt happen. The incident came up during the Reddit AMA and prompted a May 13, 2019 letter to the editor headlined: Chip Alexander should be commended for his perfect Southern style. Wrote Marvin Waldo: I have known Chip Alexander since we both attended Everett Cases Basketball School for boys in the early 1960s. It is in his perfect Southern style to simply move on from the outrageous way he was dealt with by the WBZ-FM host who so rudely cut him off because of his Southern accent and the premise that no Southern reporter could know anything about hockey. Hey Beantown, our precious Triangle receives national acclaim every day and is filled with folks from all over the U.S. Chip is the perfect representative for us all, and kudos to Chip for his many years of handling his job with dignity and professionalism. And to the guy that cut him off, your mom taught you better! Yall come back now, you hear? Now, thats a rager worth celebrating, too. Keg stands might be an important element of some ragers. Bill Church is executive editor of The News & Observer. His definition of rager is what someone does silently in a long, long line when the customer at the counter who changed their order three times realizes they have to pay for the purchase. Tears on the stand and Trump's hands in everything: Here's what you missed on Day 11 of Trump's hush money trial In bombshell testimony Friday, Hope Hicks relayed cascading concerns inside Donald Trumps 2016 presidential campaign as a lewd tape and allegations that he had had affairs with a Playboy model and a porn star emerged in the waning days of the election. A close aide to Trump who spoke daily with him, Hicks said Trumps campaign feared the potential ramifications of the Access Hollywood tape on the pending election. She also testified that Trump did not want the newspaper delivered to his home on the day that a story about his alleged affair with Playboy playmate Karen McDougal was set to run. The ninth witness in the trial, Hicks took the stand tentatively. Im really nervous, she told the room, her blonde hair falling in soft layers around her shoulders. Later, she began to cry as an attorney for the defense, Emil Bove, began to ask about her early years working for Trump on real estate at the Trump Organization. Hicks reluctantly adds to the prosecution's narrative A rapt jury hung on Hickss every word as she discussed the all-out effort to control a report so explosive that coverage of it pushed a category 4 hurricane out of the news. She said Trumps small, close-knit campaign feared the potential ramifications of the Access Hollywood tape on his prospects in the election. Hicks, who joined Trumps 2016 presidential campaign after working for his real estate company, was a trusted off-again on-again advisor to Trump during his administration. She followed him to the White House where she took on a role handling communications, largely operating behind the scenes. Hicks offered observations on Trumps relationships with key employees at his real estate company and said she spoke daily with him. Crucially, she offered the court a clear recollection of many of the events and conversations that prosecutors have presented in their case against Trump, including with his one-time fixer Michael Cohen and former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker. Earlier, Pecker had testified how Hicks was in and out of an August 2015 meeting at Trump Tower with Trump and Cohen where the magazine publisher agreed to be the eyes and ears of the campaign, and where they discussed a plan to catch-and-kill potentially damaging stories. Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records related to the payments Cohen made. He has denied all charges. Hicks testified to Trump having his hands on everything Hicks echoed Pecker, who described Trump as a micromanager. Trump was very involved in the media strategy for the campaign, Hicks said. He knew what he wanted to say and how he wanted to say it; he deserves the credit for the different messages that the campaign focused on. It was a small team, and when Hicks, then the campaign spokeswoman, received an email from a reporter asking about the Access Hollywood tape, she recalled forwarding the request for comment to a close circle of advisers, some of whom remain with Trump today. Denials After learning of McDougal and Stormy Daniels who said they had affairs with Trump and were paid to stay quiet from a Wall Street Journal reporter who had reached out for comment, Hicks said she sought to buy a little extra time by having Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner call Rupert Murdoch, the papers publisher. Ultimately, she issued a statement that denied awareness of any agreement between the National Enquirer and McDougal and that McDougals claim of an affair with Trump was totally untrue. That Hicks include a specific denial about the affair came as a request from Trump, she said, and was told that inklings of an affair were untrue. Hicks paints Cohen in an unflattering light Hicks told the court that Trump told her about a conversation he had with Cohen after the New York Times reported that Cohen claimed he paid Daniels without Trump's knowledge. Trump seemed to affirm that Cohen told him the same. But Hicks, asked whether this seemed in line with the Cohen she knew, called Trumps account into question. I did not know Michael to be an especially charitable or selfless person; he is a kind of person who seeks credit, Hicks said. She also attested to the fact that Cohen was not an employee of the campaign, and had acted independently, sometimes in ways she deemed problematic. He liked to call himself a fixer or Mr. Fix-it, but it was only because he had broken it in the first place, Hicks said. Merchan corrected Trumps claim he cant take the stand On Thursday while talking to reporters outside the courtroom, Trump claimed that the gag order intended to stop him from disparaging witnesses in the press, also will prevent him from taking the stand. But thats not true, Merchan said Friday. As the name of the order indicates, it applies only to statements out of court, Merchan said, adding that Trump has the absolute right to testify. Trump was fined $9,000 this week for violating the gag order, with Merchan warning that continuing to do so could force the judge to jail him. Trump, in fundraising messages, has used the order to fuel his campaign and warned he could be thrown in jail as he tells his supporters he is being silenced. Yet Merchan demurred when the prosecution asked about cross-examining Trump if he is to testify about his gag order violations. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A small high school in Northern California canceled classes Friday after four staff members and a student contracted an unidentified illness, police said. A school resource officer was called to Salisbury High School, located in Red Bluff, for a report of an intoxicated 16-year-old girl, police said. The campus falls under the Red Bluff Joint Union High School District as a continuation school. As the investigation progressed, four staff members felt ill and were taken to a hospital. The girl was also taken to the hospital, police said. Red Bluff Joint Union High School Superintendent Todd Brose told the Red Bluff Daily News that there was no evidence of fentanyl intoxication. Each staff member has since been released from the hospital, and school officials canceled school for the day in part due to the lack of staff, Brose said. The girl, who was released from the hospital, was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication and violating probation, police said. Salisbury High School will reopen on Monday. Related video: Burger King drive-thru employee held at gunpoint, police say (NBC News) An 18-year-old Dominos delivery driver was shot at multiple times after he parked in the wrong driveway while dropping off food at a home in Tennessee, police said. Caiden Wheeler told officers he was delivering pizza to a home Monday on North Poole Street in Ashland City, about 25 miles northwest of Nashville. Man stabs brother following altercation at Lakeland home: PCSO The victim stated that he thought he was parked in the right driveway but when he got out to deliver the pizza the next door neighbor flagged him down, a criminal complaint states. Wheeler said he walked through the yard, delivered the pizza and got back into his truck. Read the full story at NBCNews.com. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Teen pleads guilty to manslaughter charge in 2023 stabbing death of KCK teacher A teenager pleaded guilty in Jackson County Juvenile Court to voluntary manslaughter in the April 2023 killing of a Kansas City, Kansas teacher. The teen, whose identity is protected in the justice system, was accused of killing 44-year-old Wyandotte High School teacher Jamie Craig at her apartment on April 29, 2023. The juvenile was initially charged on May 12, 2023, with second-degree murder and armed criminal action by the Office of the Juvenile Officer, which handles prosecution in criminal cases involving minors. The juvenile was 14 at the time of the murder charge. A judge ruled in December 2023 that the juvenile would receive services in the juvenile justice system rather than be certified as an adult. The juvenile pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, a class B felony, and armed criminal action on Feb. 22. The alleged motive and circumstances surrounding Craigs death remain mostly unknown. According to court documents filed in support of a search warrant, police officers were dispatched to the 1700 block of East Missouri Avenue for a welfare check. Officers were met at the front door by a 3-year-old who told them his mother had a boo boo. They found Craig dead inside the apartment with apparent stab wounds, according to police. A neighbor told police that they saw someone leave the apartment and carry something out to the trash. Police said they found a gray backpack and a bloody white towel in the apartments dumpster. Following his guilty plea, the juvenile was committed to the Division of Youth Services for residential placement until the age of 19. The Stars Bill Lukitsch contributed to this report. ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) The Roanoke Fire Department says multiple tenants are displaced after an apartment fire at the Brandywine Complex on Winthrop Ave on Friday, May 3. According to the fire department, crews were dispatched at 11:45 p.m. to the Brandywine Complex on the 2300 block of Winthrop Drive. The fire was quickly upgraded to a second alarm response due to the occupancy type, building present, and the intensity of the fire. Local fire department closing due to first responder shortage after over 20 years of service Firefighters report they were able to quickly suppress the fire. However, the flames caused fire, smoke, and water damage to the building. The Red Cross is working with tenants that have been displaced by the fire. Two residents were removed by fire personnel from the building, but no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. (courtesy, Roanoke FireEMS Department) (courtesy, Roanoke FireEMS Department) For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. In an historic moment for working people in the South, several thousand Volkswagen workers recently voted to unite in a union with the United Auto Workers. The Chattanooga victory comes despite harsh corporate campaigns and the efforts of six Southern governors to crush and intimidate the workers. Previous tries to unionize failed, but something different happened this time. Not least of what happened is the Big Three strike last year in which 46,000 auto workers shut down plants, seeking pay raises, better working conditions, and limits on a two-tiered wage system that divides workers to drives down wages. Workers won at least 25% pay hikes, with some temporary workers nearly doubling their pay. And they won union protections for workers in the emerging electric vehicle sector. Another view: As UAW lobbies Tennessee Volkswagen workers on unionizing, auto workers should be wary Workers did not take the bait from Big Three executives Big Three workers were fed up with being told to accept good enough while profits reached a quarter of a trillion dollars in the last decade and CEO pay for a week rivals what worker pay is for an entire year. In all, the strike victory will transfer billions in profits into the pockets of its workers, while those corporations are expected to remain very profitable. When Big Three executives told UAW workers their demands could make them uncompetitive with automakers in the traditionally anti-union South, they did not take the bait. Instead of pitting workforce against workforce, Big Three workers and their leader, Shawn Fain, reached out to those workers, calling on them to be future UAW members, not competition. Volkswagen workers proved their strategy right. They too are frustrated with executive pay topping $10 million a year while they work for significantly less than UAW members, have far fewer benefits, and struggle to manage time off work to care for their families. Working people are on the cusp of a unique opportunity as union workers are winning, clawing back a fair share of a generation of profits that they were denied. That is true not only in the auto industry and in the South, but in service industries as well, and large majorities of Americans are on their side. Workers should have a chance at the American Dream too Gallup polling shows an historic level of support for unions, with more than two-thirds of those surveyed expressing approval and a majority believing stronger unions are good for the country. Support is even stronger among younger people, with 88% of those younger than 30 approving of unions. Corporations compete against each other, as they should, but their workforces should not be manipulated into being warriors on the corporate team to drive down living standards. Letter to the editor: Critics dismissed and denigrated unionization at Volkswagen plant, but workers won the day By uniting across industries, workers can take labor costs out of competition allowing business to thrive on innovation and quality, not a chipping away of the middle class. That raises living standards for all workers. That is the American Dream, and Volkswagen workers in Tennessee have proven the dream is not dead, that it lives on. Efforts to unionize thousands of other auto workers across the South are underway, including soon among Mercedes Benz workers in Alabama. Brian Hale It is fitting timing for the victory on April 19, just days before May Day. While marked virtually around the globe as a day to stand up for workers rights, May Day is uniquely American, stemming from a massive strike to win the eight-hour workday 138 years ago in Chicago. It was the same year financier Jay Gould notoriously said, I can hire one half of the working class to kill the other half. Their victory seemed unattainable in the context of the times. Time will tell if victory in Chattanooga is the beginning of an historic wave, but there is no doubt it is an historic moment. This election is big, said Kelcey Smith, a worker in the paint department at Volkswagen. People in high places told us good things cant happen here in Chattanooga. They told us this isnt the time to stand up, this isnt the place. But we did stand up and we won. This is the UAW (@UAW) April 20, 2024 Kelcey Smith, a Volkswagen worker who voted for the union, sees it this way: People in high places told us good things cant happen here in Chattanooga. They told us this isnt the time to stand up, this isnt the place. But we did stand up and we won. This is the time; this is the place. Brian J. Hale, a Tennessee native, is president and CEO of Ullico, the only union-owned investment and insurance company in the U.S. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: UAW vote in Tennessee: Volkswagen workers forge a path for the South I was in my apartment last Thursday morning when I received a text message. Thinking of you today. Sending love. Let me know if you need to talk. I thought, What a sweet message to receive first thing in the morning. I have the best friends. He replied, Im seeing the headlines and immediately thought of you. In that moment, the feeling in my entire body changed. My face went cold. I rushed to check my emails. Links to news articles flooded my inbox. I am one of the six women who testified against Harvey Weinstein during his 2020 trial in New York. Last Thursday, a New York appeals court overturned Weinsteins conviction on the basis that my testimony and the testimony of two other Molineux witnesses gave him an unfair trial. When I first read the news, I was too shocked to cry. This wasnt supposed to happen. I was in complete disbelief. Frozen. And then it all started to surface. A mix of emotions and thoughts burst out of me in a cry that I havent felt in years. I was home alone and didnt have to pause to explain my tears or pull myself together while someone consoled me. I was allowed to feel every bit of it. Images and memories of the losses I suffered, and sacrifices I made by coming forward flashed through my mind like a montage on repeat. Wulff departs Manhattan Criminal Court during an intermission in testimony on Jan. 29, 2020, in New York City. David Dee Delgado/Getty For three years leading up to the trial, I cried privately and spent countless hours with lawyers and in the Manhattan D.A.'s office preparing to testify about something that I hadnt even come to terms with myself. Relationships were challenged because I wasnt able to disclose everything I was going through. Friendships were lost. It was one of the most difficult times in my life and the lows lasted years after the trial ended. When the shock of the overturned conviction wore off, I sat still. In that calm, I realized if I had to do it all over again, I would. There was no preparation for how vulnerable and exposed testifying made me feel. The levels of anxiety and fear that I reached pulled me into moments when I didnt think I could do it. I wanted to walk away. Sitting on the witness stand was indescribable. Imagine the sound and feeling of being trapped in a glass bottle, while strangers look so closely at you from all angles. The day before the sentencing hearing, I wrote that my only goal was to help other survivors hold Weinstein accountable. I didnt step into this role for me. I did it for Jessica, and Mimi, and Annabella, and Dawn, and Lauren, and all of the women whose stories so closely resembled my own. The trial brought six women together and gave them an unspoken bond. No matter where our journeys lead us in this life, I will be forever connected to five incredible people that I am proud to call friends. On March 11, 2020, Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in state prison. That same day, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. Headlines about #MeToo and #TimesUp were suddenly replaced with death tolls and CDC guidelines. The news cycle moved on as if the world forgot about our trauma. Wulff speaks to the media outside the courthouse after Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison on March 11, 2020. Roy Rochlin/Getty Ive done much self-reflection and repair since the trial ended. Ive accepted that testifying has made me stronger. I spent 15 years ignoring my trauma and suppressing shame. Almost none of my friends and family knew about the assault. Even my husbandmy greatest champion and my heart didnt know until headlines came out. By coming forward, I didnt just have to grapple with what the jury (or the world) would think of me. I didnt just have to confront the people closest to me, who had no idea what Id gone through. I had to face myself. When the trial ended, I leaned into activism. I wanted to educate myself on what I went through, what many others have gone through, and the laws that should be protecting us. I thought I could be an advocate for change. This was my distraction. I was still ignoring my trauma. After a couple of years, I realized that I was hurting more and more. The work I was doing required me to be vulnerable and all I wanted to do was protect myself. I finally came to terms that I needed to deal with my assault and the impact that testifying had on me. I needed to step away from everything I was doing. I didnt know where to begin. I resurrected old hobbies that brought me joy, picked up new ones that didnt stick, changed bad habits for better ones, and even reevaluated my relationships. Ive fallen in love with spending time alone, with slowing down, and quieting the noise. Ive found this to be the most empowering as it has allowed me to be more intentional in my life. This is my self-care and this is the journey that I am on and hope to be on for the rest of my days. I say this to remind anyone suffering with trauma that self-care is not optional, and it looks different for everyone. And yes, self-care does mean that you are a priority and that you are important. With the conviction overturned, many survivors are justifiably angry. Weinsteins conviction getting overturned should remind us that we have more work to do. It shines a spotlight on the uncomfortable reality that our laws were not written with sexual abuse survivors in mind. We must keep using our voices to fight for change. We cant let this setback set us back. The Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, has said he will retry the case and I am grateful. Weinstein must be held accountable for the lives hes hurt. Weinstein Wheeled Into Court as Prosecutors Vow to Retry Him Justice comes at a cost; if Jessica and Mimi testify, their wounds will be torn open yet again. Theyll have to relive their trauma over and over and over. The appeals court stated that my testimony served no material non-propensity purpose. I am not an expert in the laws, but I do know that my story matters. While this ruling feels like a setback, I am here, of my own accord, still healing as I write this. I will keep fighting. If the six of us disappear like the defense hopes we would, then abusive men like Weinstein win. Whatever happens next, Im grateful for all of the support I have received. Coming forward and supporting brave women like Jessica and Mimi introduced me to my healing more than I ever knew was possible. No court ruling will ever take that from me. 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. When Thai racer and actor Saranyoo Prachakit announced online that he was breaking up with cannabis because it was altering his brain, he didnt think it would cause such a stir. But within hours of posting his candid update on Instagram in late April, his words were plastered across the nations television screens. I decided to stop using weed and any products because I cant understand small words or cant focus seriously, the 40-year-old, known locally by his nickname Beam, told The Telegraph. [Im] not motivated [to do] anything. Im too slow, like a sloth. His experience appears to have struck a chord with millions of Thais, with mounting pressure for legalisation to be reversed later this year. The sudden decision to completely decriminalise the drug in June 2022 defied Thailands reputation as hard on drugs and was controversial from the off. Saranyoo Prachakit says he "can't understand small words or can't focus seriously" But in the two years since, accusations that it was a political calculation which ignored public health have grown, with even progressive political parties viewing the experience as a failure. There have been reports of more young people dropping out of schools, growing rates of addiction to harder substances, and farmers struggling to make a living from growing the crop due to oversupply. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has said he wants to restrict use to medicinal purposes once again, as was the case prior to 2022, and tabled a draft cannabis bill earlier this year to close loopholes enabling recreational use. Cannabis policy will be medical cannabis, he said in an interview shortly after taking office last year. On recreational use, I do not agree with that. Analysts say new regulations are expected at the end of the year. There have been negative impacts on our society, community, children especially from recreational use, said Dr Natthanan Vijitakorn, a fellow at the Thailand Development Research Institute and head of a project assessing the cannabis fallout. A cannabis farm in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand where cooperatives grow the drug - Theppabut Sangsuk/Theppabut Sangsuk The positives, those are unclear, made worse by insufficient law enforcement of the few regulations that do exist. With little oversight, business has since boomed. Some 6,000 dispensaries have opened nationwide, especially in the capital and tourist hotspots, while more than a million farmers are growing the plant. According to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the sector could be worth $1.2 billion (934 million) by 2025. And although it is illegal to sell cannabis to anyone under 20, lax enforcement means its easy for young people to get hold of it, according to Phuvit Prasarthai, head of the Child and Family Development Organisation in Nakhon Ratchasima, eastern Thailand. Rise in use Before legalisation, the use of cannabis was not distinctly noticeableI think maybe five to ten per cent of young people used cannabis. I would say now its 50 per cent. Data nationwide is patchy, but the available figures suggest there has definitely been a substantial rise in use. One study from the Centre for Addiction Studies, published last year, found almost 25 per cent of people aged between 18 and 65 had used cannabis since it was decriminalised, compared with 2.2 per cent in 2019. Meanwhile, smoking among 18 and 19-year-olds has jumped tenfold, from 0.9 per cent in 2019 to 9.7 per cent last year. In deprived neighbourhoods in Nakhon Ratchasima, Mr Phuvit said that he has seen a rise of behavioural problems linked to cannabis use, warning that many of the teenagers he works with have fallen behind at school, or dropped out altogether. But he is most concerned that it is a precursor to more serious addictions, including methamphetamine. Gateway to other drugs Dr Sahaphume Srisuma, a toxicologist at the Ramathibodi Poison Centre in Bangkok, agrees. Legalisation has not seen harm reduction, he said. Instead it has been a gateway to other drugs for these kids. Doctors are concerned by what theyre seeing, and challenge the idea the drug is totally safe. At the Ramathibodi Poison Centre, which provides advice to non-specialist doctors across the capital, the number of calls for advice dealing with cannabis side-effects jumped from 252 in 2020 to 550 in 2022. The National Institute of Drug Abuse Treatments main treatment centre in Bangkok has also seen a rise in emergency room patients with cannabis in their system - from 243 of 1,243 presentations in 2022, to 1,072 of 1,661 in 2023. Similarly, the proportion of cannabis users on the psychiatric ward rose from 8.3 per cent in 2020, to 32.15 per cent last year. There has been a lack of education about potential risks, which differ for everyone, said Dr Sahaphume. Cannabis has medicinal benefits if it is used safely, as a product prescribed by professionals to educated individuals but this is only a small proportion of users in our country right now. Economics are also at play. When the Bhumjaithai party pushed through decriminalisation, they argued it would be a financial boon for many poorer farmers in their stronghold in eastern Thailand. But a surge of growers, coupled with illegal imports, has limited returns for many. No profit When we grew rice, we could make a profit of 3,500 baht [75] per rai [1,600 square metres], said Theppabut Sangsuk, a member of a cooperative in Nakhon Ratchasima. The farmers thought they would make at least 10 times that with cannabis, he said, but weve had no profit because we cannot sell it. Instead, theyre 10 million baht in debt. It was 100 per cent a mistake. We feel misinformed by the government, we invested a lot of money to grow cannabis and havent seen any returns, Mr Theppabut said. So much money, gone. Pro-cannabis growers said this issue would have been solved if the government cracked down on cannabis cowboys, restricted on licences, and made fewer unrealistic promises. Theres definitely an oversupply issue, said Kitty Chopaka, a cannabis campaigner and shop owner. But issues could be solved with a review of regulations. It would be crazy to think this would work perfectly immediately that doesnt mean we need a complete clampdown. She argued that cannabis is being demonised and blamed for other societal problems: Its a bit like blaming violence on games, or laziness on social media. The more problematic drugs of choice are cough syrup, kratom, codeine, meth these are a lot cheaper than cannabis A cough syrup bottle costs about $1.8, cannabis on average is $10 per gram. What kids have that money? Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A man who was suspected of theft is now charged with assaulting a Memphis Police officer. Robert Wade, 41, is facing charges of assault against a first responder, resisting official detention, evading arrest, and theft of merchandise less than $1,000. According to Memphis Police, officers responded to a call at the OReilly Auto Parts store on North Cleveland Street at 7:35 p.m. Thursday. An employee reportedly told police that a man wearing jeans and a construction vest stole items from the store. The man, who police say was later identified as Wade, had tried to get into a burgundy Jeep Cherokee, but the driver drove off and left Wade after spotting an officer. Wade then allegedly fled the scene on foot. Dog missing after AR bank robbery, police chase Memphis Police say Wade ran through the parking lot carrying a car battery and socket set. An officer reportedly chased Wade around the northeast corner of the parking lot and gave him loud verbal commands to stop running. When the officer tried to take Wade into custody, Wade allegedly began resisting and struck the officer in the face, knocking him to the ground. According to police, Wade then got on top of the officer and put his hand around the officers neck. Police say the officer removed Wades hand, but Wade allegedly put his elbow against the throats. Memphis Police say an OReillys employee witnessed the altercation and told investigators that it looked like Wade was trying to choke the officer out. According to police, the officer struck Wade in the face several times and was able to roll Wade onto his back. Another officer reportedly arrived on the scene. Memphis Police say Wade gave up when he saw the other officer and was taken into custody. Police say the car battery and socket set were returned to the store. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Relatives of hostages and their supporters hold flags during a protest calling on the government to sign a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Several thousand people demonstrated in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening in favour of a negotiated solution for the release of Israeli hostages held by the militant Islamist group Hamas. There was also loud criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and calls for new elections. Protesters held banners and signs aloft reading "Negotiate now, resign later." The father of one of the Israeli hostages criticised that the government's own survival seemed more important than the hostages. He called on the government to agree to a ceasefire in exchange for the return of the hostages. Israeli telvision broadcaster Kan, citing a government representative, reported that Israel is not sending a team to the negotiations in Cairo for the time being. Israel will only send a delegation to Egypt once Hamas has responded to the proposal for an agreement, according to the report. "Netanyahu is once again trying to torpedo the only chance we have to save the hostages," a statement from the hostages' relatives said. An Israeli offensive in the city of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip would be a "death sentence" for the hostages, emphasised the brother of a man held in Gaza. Netanyahu could not remain Prime Minister "with the blood of 132 hostages on his hands." Opposition leader Yair Lapid said that the government should send a negotiating team to Cairo that very night "and tell them not to return without a deal". Relatives of hostages and their supporters hold flags during a protest calling on the government to sign a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Relatives of hostages and their supporters hold flags during a protest calling on the government to sign a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Three dead, one seriously injured in shootings involving one family in two Kentucky counties A Russell Springs woman shot and killed her sister before shooting her brother, who in turn fatally shot her in Russell County Friday, Kentucky State Police said. And in what authorities say is connected to that incident, a man in Pulaski County was found dead of a gunshot wound in a separate shooting, Pulaski County sheriffs officials said. A local funeral director said that victim was the husband of the woman who shot her siblings. Authorities have not confirmed that information. She shot her husband first, Wilson Funeral Home Director Daniel Wilson told the Herald-Leader Saturday. The investigation is very much ongoing, Pulaski County Coroner Clyde Strunk said Saturday. Its still very raw. The investigation began at about 6:30 p.m. Friday in Pulaski County, when the sheriffs office there was alerted to a shooting victim on Brown Ridge Road, according to a news release from the sheriffs office. When deputies arrived, they found a male victim lying beside the road approximately 200 feet from his residence deceased from what appeared to be a gunshot wound, sheriff officials said. That man was Larry V. Gosser, a retired Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officer, Wilson said. Kentucky State Police said Pulaski County 911 operators contacted them at 7 p.m. and asked for help finding a Ford F-150 driven by Angela Gosser, 56, of Russell Springs. Angela and Larry Gosser were married, Wilson said. At 7:24 p.m., Russell County 911 operators called state police, asking them to respond to a shooting at Darryl Wilsons home in Jamestown, where they found him and Angela Gosser shot. Darryl Wilson is Gossers brother, state police officials said in a news release. In the early stages of the investigation, state police officers said in a Saturday news release they believe Gosser went to Wilsons home on South Ky. 619 and forced her way inside with a gun. State authorities said Gosser and Wilson exchanged gunfire, and both were shot. Wilson was taken to University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital with life-threatening injuries, state police said. Gosser was pronounced dead at the scene by the Russell County coroner, authorities said. While they were at Darryl Wilsons home, state police said they were asked to do a welfare check on Gossers sister, Jennifer Wilson, 57, of Russell Springs. Family members had been unable to reach her and were concerned about her safety, relatives told police. State police said they, along with Russell County sheriffs deputies, went to Hammond Road in Russell Springs, where they found Jennifer Wilson fatally shot in the drivers seat of a Toyota Camry that was partially off the road. It appears, state police said in their release, that before she went to her brothers house, Gosser had fired multiple rounds into the passenger side of a vehicle her sister was driving, striking her in the head. Jennifer Wilson was pronounced dead by the Russell County coroner, officials said. The funeral director, Daniel Wilson, said Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements for Larry V. Gosser, Angela Gosser and Jennifer Wilson. He offered details of the individuals identity on Facebook Saturday. He said he is not related to the family but was their neighbor. Theyve always been close to our family, and its an honor to serve them, he said. On Saturday afternoon, Strunk declined to identify the 73-year-old man who was found dead in Pulaski County. He also did not say whether the man was a family member of Gosser, Jennifer Wilson or Darryl Wilson. Strunk said the mans body was taken to Frankfort for an autopsy. The Pulaski County Sheriffs Office is handling the case involving the 73-year-old man. These shooting investigations are preliminary, but Sheriff (Bobby) Jones wants everyone to know that there is no further danger to the public, Pulaski County officials said. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) criticized the hosts of The View for attacking him for being the only Black Republican senator but said the Black GOP has momentum. Im never surprised when the ladies at The View go at it again, he said in a video posted on social media platform X. Theyre attacking me for being the only Black Republican in the Senate. Scott said time and time again the women of the talk show have helped defeat Black Republicans who are running for Senate. The South Carolina senator was responding to comments made by co-host Sunny Hostin, who said if Scott were picked as former President Trumps vice president, he wouldnt help him gain Black voters in the upcoming election. Scott, who suspended his GOP primary bid last November and later endorsed Trump in January, is rumored to be one of the potential running mates for the former president. If anyone thinks that Tim Scott is going to bring over a bunch of Black men, they really need to just get with it, because Tim Scott is the only African American senator in the Republican Party for a reason, Hostin said Friday as the women discussed which lawmaker would help Trump attract the most voters. Former Trump administration aide Alyssa Farah Griffin, also a co-host, said Democrats have only had a few more Black lawmakers in the Senate than Republicans. Hostin said Democrats recently had Black lawmakers in all of the top publicly elected offices in the country. Scott argued that the co-hosts were afraid of the Black GOP base. Four out of 10 Black men wanting to vote for the Republican Party, doubling the number of Black women interested in voting for the Republican Party, he said. What theyre afraid of is the monopoly is over. The Republican Party, the GOP, on the move in my community, Scott continued. God Bless America. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. FILE PHOTO: A billboard of Gnassingbe is pictured on a street in Lome LOME (Reuters) - Togo's ruling party has won 108 out of 113 seats in parliament, according to the final provisional results of last month's legislative election announced on Friday. The sweeping majority secured by President Faure Gnassingbe's UNIR party follows the approval of controversial constitutional reforms by the outgoing parliament that could extend his 19-year rule. The new charter adopted in March also introduced a parliamentary system of government, meaning the president will be elected by parliament instead of by universal suffrage. Opposition parties were hoping to gain seats in the April 29 vote to enable them to challenge the UNIR party after they boycotted the last legislative poll and left it effectively in control of parliament. The election had been delayed twice because of a backlash from some opposition parties who called the constitutional changes a manoeuvre to allow Gnassingbe to rule for life. Constitutional amendments unanimously approved in a second parliamentary vote earlier in April shortened presidential terms to four years from five with a two-term limit. This does not take into account the time already spent in office, which could enable Gnassingbe to stay in power until 2033 if he is re-elected when his mandate expires in 2025. (Reporting by Alice Lawson; Writing by Sofia Christensen; Editing by Nick Zieminski) This file photo shows Mark Aboueid, owner of Santa Cruz Market in Ventura, holding a bottle of Huy Fong Food's Sriracha. The iconic rooster-stamped sauce could disappear from store shelves again this summer. Huy Fong Foods' iconic rooster-stamped Sriracha could disappear from store shelves again this summer this time because of an off-color pepper supply. In an April 30 letter to wholesale buyers, the company said it was canceling deliveries of all products, including its chili garlic and sambal oelek, after starting Monday due to issues with the current chili supply. "We have determined that it is too green to proceed," the missive read. Though the green tinge doesn't affect the sauce's quality or flavor, Huy Fong Foods wrote, the company plans to halt production until at least Labor Day, when the next pepper growing season begins. The company said in emailed responses to the Ventura County Star that the document is real but said "at this time, we have no comment." Huy Fong sent a similar email to USA TODAY. For 28 years, Huy Fong's richly red Sriracha was made with peppers from a single grower: Underwood Ranches in Camarillo. But that closely knit partnership devolved into a contract dispute and legal battle that ended in 2019 when a jury awarded $23.3 million to Underwood. Jurors said Huy Fong breached its contract and fraudulently withheld information from Underwood. Huy Fong turned to other growers, but that pepper pipeline has so far proved unreliable. The company halted production in June 2022, saying a drought affected the quality of peppers from its suppliers in Mexico. Huy Fong Sriracha reappeared on shelves a few months later, but supplies remained low through much of 2023. The green-capped bottles made a comeback late last year, around the time it emerged that an anonymous buyer was making the rounds among California pepper farmers, asking them to plant hundreds of acres of jalapeno crops. Huy Fong growing pains with new peppers for Sriracha Stephanie Walker, co-director of the Chile Pepper Institute at New Mexico State University, said the green tint in the latest round of peppers could be due to a too-early harvest. Jalapenos start green, said Walker, but go red and develop sweeter flavor as they mature. Growers typically target a maximum percentage of green peppers in their harvest, she said. Craig Underwood, the owner of Underwood Ranches, said the loads of peppers his farms delivered to Huy Fong targeted a maximum of 10% green peppers. Walker said her guess was that the new crop wasn't fully mature. The future may not be brighter. Walker said growing peppers in the crop's current southwestern U.S. hotspots, always a challenge, is getting more difficult as available manual labor decreases and global temperatures increase. Peppers are sensitive to weather extremes, she said, and a poorly timed heat wave can ruin a crop. Underwood now makes his own version of the famous sauce. Instead of a green cap and rooster, Underwood's Dragon Sauce bottles are topped with a black cap and decked with a twisting golden dragon. Dragon Sauce has seen some early success, finding its way onto the shelves of Costco and provoking a piquant internet debate on how it compares to Huy Fong's current product. Underwood said he's not surprised Huy Fong has had trouble establishing reliable pepper sources. His farm's own pepper growing practices developed over nearly three decades of slow growth, from an early 50 acres up to a peak of 2,000. At the height of the Underwood-Huy Fong relationship, the farmer said, the ranch was shipping out 50 loads of peppers a day for 10 weeks in a well-rehearsed annual routine. "[Huy Fong] has just not rebuilt that structure that we had," Underwood said. 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 or follow him on Twitter @isaiahmurtaugh and @vcsschools. Support this work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Sriracha shortage looming? Huy Fong halts sauce's production Montana VA to honor nurses The Montana VA Health Care System will honor its many nurses throughout May in recognition of National Nurses Month, featuring the theme of "Advancing Nursing and Transforming Healthcare." Despite the many challenges in their work, the nurses at the Montana VA serve selflessly and with joy, said Duane Gill, Montana VAs interim executive director and Navy veteran. "I am proud of all 549 Montana VA nurses, and I encourage everyone to show their appreciation for these incredible people throughout the month. "As the son of a 48-year RN, nurses have always held a special place in my heart," he said in a news release. "I want to thank every nurse who works for the Montana VA Health Care System for their continued dedication in caring for our nations heroes. Montana VA will host a series of themes each week to celebrate our nurses. The first week of the month will be Optimizing and Informing the Nursing Practice, followed by Strengthening the Nursing Workforce, Lifelong Learning and Career Development, and finally, Inspire an Industry Leading Culture. The celebration will include an awards and recognition ceremony on May 6. The guest speaker will be Dr. M. Christopher Saslo, the assistant under secretary for Health for Patient Care Services/chief nursing officer for the Veterans Health Administration. In this role, he serves as the principal executive for oversight of nursing, social work, caregiver support, connected care, pharmacy, sterile processing, geriatrics and extended care, population health, patient centered care and cultural transformation, physician assistants, and rehabilitation and prosthetics. The MTVAHCS serves over 49,000 enrolled veterans across Montana. Bair family topic of meeting The Bair family a tale of one of Montanas wealthiest but little known families will be discussed at the May 20 meeting of the Last Chance Gulch Corral. A Montana legacy founded in the Klondike, sheep and Hollywood, the Bair family left Montana with its grandest private museum and one of the state's largest ranches. Tis the tale of Charles Bair and his daughters Alberta and Marguerite. Your presenter knew both Alberta and Marguerite. Visit the large Bair ranch home, for example, featuring solid gold plumbing fixtures in the guest suite and an entire home decorated with handmade wallpaper specially created in Paris for the Bairs. The Bair legacy is available for all to see just 90 minutes from Helena. Come and meet these incredible people. The dinner will be 6 p.m. May 20 at the Delta Hotel - Natatorium Room. The menu is Montana steak sandwich or chef salad. Each is $35. Email your reservation at historycorral@gmail.com or call 406-475-3406. Email is preferred. Reservations must be in before noon on May 13. If you cancel after that date, you will be charged for your meal. If you make a reservation in your name but someone else will be using it, please let us know. Checks are preferred in payment for meals, but we do take cash. Please make payable to Last Chance Gulch Corral. It is helpful during registration if your check is already filled out. We do not accept credit cards. Meet the therapy pets event Does your pet love meeting and connecting with all kinds of people? Are they calm and well-behaved and have good social skills? You and your pet might be interested in volunteering with Intermountain Therapy Animals. To learn more about this unique kind of volunteering that yields great satisfaction and reward, please join us at a Meet the Therapy Pets Event on 3 p.m. May 11 at Dee-O-Gee pet supply store, 2030 Cromwell Dixon Lane in Helena. Please do not bring your pet to this event. Call Shannon to reserve your spot 406-438-1243. EKG machines provided to clinic The Broadwater Community Health Foundation has provided new electrocardiogram (EKG) machines to Billings Clinic Broadwater in Townsend. EKG machines perform a test that records the electrical signals in the heart. They show how the heart is beating. During an EKG, sticky patches called electrodes are placed on the chest and sometimes on the arms or legs. Wires connect the patches to a computer, which prints or displays results. This invaluable contribution will help ensure prompt and accurate diagnoses for patients in need of cardiac care. The investment of more than $25,000 is a testament to the foundations commitment to improving the well-being of community members. This will allow health care professionals to deliver a high standard of care to patients suffering from cardiac conditions. Billings Clinic Broadwater is better equipped to diagnose cardiac abnormalities, enabling timely interventions that can potentially save lives. Their investment in our hospitals cardiac care capabilities is a testament to their commitment to the well-being of our community, said Justin Tiffany, Billings Clinic Broadwater CEO. Learn more about Billings Clinic Broadwater at www.billingsclinic.com/broadwater. Volkman to lead Daughters of the Nile Daughters of the Nile would like to announce the crowning of Terrie L. Volkman as Queen of Sapphira Temple No. 79, Helena, Montana, for 2024-2025. Daughters of the Nile is an international fraternal organization that was founded in 1913 and strives to be a leader among women throughout the world in promoting friendship, character building, intellectual benefit and service to others. Sapphira Temple No. 79 was chartered Nov. 1, 1947, and has 294 members spanning 50 towns/cities throughout Montana, as well as 18 other states and Canada. Its only charitable endeavor is Shriners Hospitals for Children and their medical facilities throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Daughters of the Nile contribute donations of over $2 million annually to Shriners hospitals with an additional $1 million in items for the medical facilities and volunteer hours. Members sew clothing, make quilts, do special projects requested by the hospital, provide books, toys, games and other educational/recreational materials, and sponsor parties for patients and their families each month. Sapphira Temple No. 79 has fundraisers planned throughout the year. Recruitment and retention are key factors to the success of this international fraternal organization. If you are 18, related by birth or married to a Shriner, Master Mason, or a Daughter of the Nile or are a majority member in Good Standing of a Masonic related organization for girls, or who was a patient, with or without Shrine or Masonic relationship, at a Shriners Childrens facility and wish to join Sapphira Temple No. 79, contact Ann Steward at (sapphira79recorder@gmail.com) Learn more about Helenas June ballot Want to know about whats on the June 4 ballot in Helena and ask questions? Attend the League of Women Voters of the Helena Area public meeting 4:30-6 p.m. May 13 at the Lewis & Clark Library, 120 S. Last Chance Gulch. To join the meeting on Zoom, register in advance at: Helena Fire Chief Jon Campbell and Police Chief Brett Petty will speak about their departments current needs and the related mill levy and bond issues on the ballot. The proposed mill levy and bond would fund additional police and fire department staff and equipment and construction of a third fire station. The League will also give an overview of the 10-year local government review process guaranteed to Montana citizens in their state constitution. On the June ballot, citizens can vote on whether they support forming a Local Government Review Commission to study the current form of local government and whether it should be changed. To arrange a presentation on the local government review process, or if you have questions about it email lwv.helena@gmail.com. For more LWV information, visit https://my.lwv.org/montana/helena Holocaust observance discussed The Montana Jewish Project will have a Holocaust Memorial Day presentation with Andrew Laszlo Jr., 4-6 p.m. May 5, at 515 N. Ewing St. Laszlo was the only member of his family to survive the Holocaust and was at Bergen-Belsen at the same time as Anne Frank. After the war, he came to America penniless and became a famous cinematographer (Shogun, Rambo: First Blood). He was honored in the U.S. Capitol for 2004 Days of Remembrance alongside Elie Wiesel. Andrew Laszlo Jr. of Billings, who didn't know his father's secret until his 40s, will tell us about his dad's memoir to keep the story alive and help prevent it from happening again. The presentation will be livestreamed on Zoom. If you would like to attend via Zoom, please select that ticket option below and the link will be emailed to you. Let me cut to the chase so no one wastes time overanalysing this: we must not change our leader. Changing leader now wont work: the time to do so came and went. The hole to dig us out is the PMs, and its time for him to start shovelling. Ive lost count of the number of election counts Ive attended over the decades. But I cant recall one quite so dramatic as the one in Fareham this week. We shed tears of sadness because long-standing councillors were convinced we had lost, followed by tears of relief upon realising we had scraped through. In my small part of the world Conservatives held on because of strong local leadership, low council tax and well-managed local finances combined with first-class local services. It pains me to say it, but I must be honest: it was with no thanks to the national Conservative brand. Fareham Tories bucked the trend despite the national government. From the south coast to the Midlands or London, wherever I knocked on doors and spoke to our voters, the message was too often: Were lifelong Conservatives but youre not a Conservative Party anymore. We cant vote for you. Show some backbone. You dont need the psephological expertise of Prof John Curtice to see that the national Conservatives are in deep trouble. This weeks earthquake must be a wake-up call. It would be reckless to treat the victory in Teeside as evidence of the path to victory at the general election. Ben Houchens win is an outlier, focussed on his leadership and thanks to his delivery, not the Governments. More illustrative are the 400 council seats lost, the crushing result in London and the loss of heartlands like Dorset and North Yorkshire. If we continue like this, we will hand over the keys of power to Labour without much of a fight, either because we have failed in the scramble for the centre ground or because we are destroyed from the Right by Reform. As I warned in November, the Prime Ministers plan is not working and he needs to change course. Otherwise, we are heading for a Keir Starmer government with his band of hard-Left fanatics set to undo Brexit, open our borders and meddle pointlessly with everything from employment laws to the number of bins you put out each week. Any Tory who says otherwise is insulting your intelligence. But all is not lost. The public are not rushing to vote for Sir Keir, though they feel sorely let down by us. They want a reason to vote Conservative, but we are failing to provide them with one. We need to be frank about this if we are to have any chance of fixing the problem. On tax, migration, the small boats and law and order, we need to demonstrate strong leadership, not managerialism. Make a big and bold offer on tax cuts, rather than tweaking as we saw in the Budget. Place a cap on legal migration once and for all. Leave the ECHR to stop the boats. Tangible improvement to our NHS and tougher sentences for criminals. Start holding failing police chiefs to account so that antisocial behaviour, shoplifting and knife crime are actually sorted out. Take back control of our streets from the extremists. And instead of paying lip service in guidance on transgender ideology in schools, lets actually change the law to ban the abuse of our children. The Westminster team needs to stop ploughing on regardless and start listening to our troops on the ground and the British people who are crying out for a reason to vote Conservative. Were not here to pander to the civil servants or the Times columnists arguing for incrementalism so we can spare their dinner party blushes. Either we start fighting to win now, or well have no one else to blame when this weeks political earthquake is made to look like a mere tremor come the general election night. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Suella Braverman is one of the major Tory figures the Lib Dems believe is under threat - Zuma Michael Gove, Jeremy Hunt and Suella Braverman are among Tory big beasts at risk losing their seats later this year, an analysis of the local election results has found. The Surrey constituencies of Mr Gove, the Levelling Up Secretary, and Mr Hunt, the Chancellor, are under threat, according to research by the Liberal Democrats. The analysis also marks Alex Chalk, the Justice Secretary and MP for Cheltenham, and Sir John Redwood, the MP for Wokingham who was Margaret Thatchers policy adviser, as in danger. In the Surrey police and crime commissioner elections, the Tory candidate won but the Lib Dem vote share rose by 10 per cent which the party says serves as a warning to Mr Gove and Mr Hunt. The Conservatives lost four councillors in Reigate and Banstead, which had been the last of Surreys district and borough councils left in Tory control until it too fell in March. Meanwhile, the party lost all five of its council seats at Cheltenham Borough Council, with four going to the Lib Dems and one to the Green Party. The Lib Dems said they made unexpected progress in Mrs Bravermans Hampshire council of Fareham, gaining four councillors. The Conservatives retained overall control but lost five of their seats, with four going to the Lib Dems and one to Labour. The Lib Dems won 20 of 33 councillors in Sir John Redwoods Wokingham constituency, and the Conservatives no longer have any. A Lib Dem source said the analysis showed time is up for the Tory big beasts, adding: We are going to redouble our efforts to oust senior Conservative MPs who have taken their seats for granted. The Home Counties are turning their backs on a Conservative party they no longer recognise. The Liberal Democrats are flipping the electoral map on its head. Mr Gove has spent more than a decade at the heart of British politics, while Mr Hunt has spent nine uninterrupted years in the Cabinet, including six as Britains longest-serving health secretary. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Incarcerated learners take part in a Mount Tamalpais College educational program at San Quentin State Prison in San Quentin, Calif., in July 2023. Currently, California stands as the sole state with a fully approved Pell-eligible prison education program, at Pelican Bay State Prison through California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt. (Eric Risberg/The Associated Press) When the U.S. Department of Education announced last summer that federal Pell Grants would become available to incarcerated college students, lawmakers and state corrections agencies scrambled to adjust statutes and step up potential partnerships with universities. But nearly a year later, colleges and agencies are recognizing the steep administrative challenge to winning approval from the U.S. Department of Education. So far, just one new program eligible for the federal financial aid grant in California has gotten off the ground. Were going to see an impact its coming. Its been a bit slow to arrive because of this quality focus within the regulations, said Ruth Delaney, who leads a program at the Vera Institute of Justice to help scale up college programs in correctional institutions. Whats great is that theres a lot of energy in colleges and corrections to start new prison education programs. Pell Grants were officially restored for incarcerated students in July 2023, following a nearly 30-year federal ban that prohibited most incarcerated students from receiving the aid. The ban was one of the provisions in the sweeping 1994 federal crime bill signed by President Bill Clinton. More than 750,000 incarcerated students could potentially become eligible for Pell Grants. But to qualify, they must be below the family income limits and be at a prison that offers a college program approved by the federal Department of Education. To date, only one program has been fully approved, at Pelican Bay State Prison in northern California. Students there will be eligible to receive Pell Grants starting next fall to study for a degree in communications from California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt. Still, officials from state corrections agencies in Maryland, Michigan and Wisconsin told Stateline that since Pell dollars became available, more colleges and universities have become interested in establishing prison education programs. Since last summer, 44 state corrections agencies and the federal Bureau of Prisons have developed applications or other systems to approve prison education programs, according to the Vera Institute of Justice. There are people in prison who have been waiting 30 years for this opportunity to come back, and they are just so eager to enroll, Delaney said in an interview. Anything we can do to move quickly to get high-quality programs in place thats what wed like to see. State action The Pell Grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Education, is provided to low-income students across the country to help cover college expenses. Most students apply online using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Incarcerated students are usually required to submit paper applications because internet access is restricted. The current maximum grant is $7,395 for a full academic year. College saved my life. It was a place where I could be free. I could read, I could learn, and I could grow. It was very transformative for me, and I realized that my life wasnt over. Alexa Garza, an analyst for The Education Trust who was formerly incarcerated While states pay to house incarcerated people in their prison systems, many dont pay for higher education; prison college programs often rely on alternative funding, such as donations and state grants. Some are a part of a federal pilot program called the Second Chance Pell Experimental Sites Initiative, which has included about 40,000 incarcerated learners. Otherwise, students have to pay out of their own pockets or use scholarships and donations from nonprofits and colleges. No matter how its paid for, the goal of providing college-level instruction in prisons is to make it easier for incarcerated people to reenter society once they are released and to connect them to meaningful, good-paying jobs. College saved my life. It was a place where I could be free. I could read, I could learn, and I could grow. It was very transformative for me, and I realized that my life wasnt over, said Alexa Garza, who obtained two associate degrees and a bachelors degree while incarcerated in Texas. Garza now works as a Texas policy analyst and higher education justice initiatives analyst for The Education Trust, an education access advocacy group. Prison education advocates say its important for schools to expand the college experience in prison beyond just offering classes. That means fostering meaningful relationships between professors and students. I didnt have family in the courtroom. I had professors in the courtroom, said William Freeman, who served time in Maryland and now leads the Justice Policy Fellowship at The Education Trust. Now, Im a first-gen everything college graduate, homeowner. I dont think my parents ever made the kind of money Im making now. Many state lawmakers have worked, with varying outcomes, to boost prison college programs in anticipation that Pell Grants could help more incarcerated students earn degrees. In Washington state, for example, a law set to take effect in June will allow more incarcerated learners to seek both federal and state financial aid grants to cover the costs of postsecondary education programs. Marylands legislature has sent Democratic Gov. Wes Moore a bill that would require that the state corrections department help incarcerated students in accessing Pell Grants and set goals for participation. Moores office said the legislation is under consideration. A Florida bill that would have allowed students to be eligible for in-state tuition even if they had been incarcerated in the state in the past year made it out of House and Senate committees but was tabled before the legislature adjourned. And in Montana, lawmakers grilled state corrections officials after a legislative audit found that prison education and workforce programs are limited, featuring long waitlists and inequitable access between private and public facilities. New programs and partnerships Corrections agencies and colleges in several states have recently announced new partnerships, with some soon to become Pell-eligible. Marylands corrections department recently announced a memorandum of understanding with the University System of Maryland to provide incarcerated students with the opportunity to obtain bachelors degrees or credit-based certificates from any of the 12 system universities. The university system will also be able to accept Pell Grants. Danielle Cox, the state corrections departments education director, said she aims to have a college or university program at every state facility by 2027. In Utah, female incarcerated students at the Utah State Correctional Facility can apply to a new bachelors program at the University of Utah through the schools Prison Education Project. At least 11 of 15 prospective students already have received their admissions decisions, according to Erin Castro, an associate professor of higher education at the University of Utah and co-founder of the Prison Education Project. This is the first time that the flagship public institution is admitting a currently incarcerated cohort, Castro said. The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services and Southeast Community College are expanding their partnership to offer more higher education opportunities to students in five state facilities. The college enrolled 229 students this spring semester, and also is working on gaining the federal approval to offer Pell Grants as an official prison education program. The college now offers an associate of arts degree in academic transfer, and in the fall will offer an associate of applied science in business and more career and technical education programs. Bureaucratic barriers Navigating the new application process from the U.S. Department of Education has required significantly more administrative labor, some advocates say. At least one university so far has decided to pull the plug on its prison education program. Georgia State University cited the feds new rules for Pell Grants and a $24 million budget cut as reasons to close its program this summer, according to Open Campus, a nonprofit news outlet that reports on higher ed. The program has been in operation since 2016. The shape and tenor of this new system is causing significant damage to the framework of college-in-prison, Jessica Neptune, the director of national engagement for the Bard Prison Initiative at Bard College in New York, wrote in an email to Stateline. Much of the recent policy work related to Pell, especially, is moving in a direction that makes it harder and harder for colleges to just be colleges and not criminal justice interventions, she said. The Department of Education did not directly respond to advocates concerns about the new application requirements but said it held a negotiated rulemaking process that enlisted significant stakeholder input to put forward the best regulations possible. Some prison education advocates also argue that the new bureaucratic process isolates the mission of educating incarcerated students from that of other students and encourages the othering of current or formerly incarcerated individuals. Whenever we are creating separate systems for individuals particularly when theyre incarcerated that reinforce processes, isolation and marginalization, it is not going to go well, said Dyjuan Tatro, a senior government affairs officer with the Bard Prison Initiative and a Bard College alum. Incarcerated students should have the same access to Pell Grants, full stop, as any other students in this country, Tatro said. This article first appeared in Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom network, as is the Nebraska Examiner. Stateline maintains editorial independence. The post Transformative: More college programs are slowly coming into prisons appeared first on Nebraska Examiner. This article was written by Rawan Sabah, a pharmacy student in Gaza. Never did I imagine I would be writing today, nor did I anticipate learning the practical aspects of my studies before the theoretical ones. Nor did I ever expect to find myself living in a tent in such a desolate land. I am 20 years old and a pharmacy student at Al-Azhar University in Gaza. Seven months ago, I had a quiet, beautiful life with my parents, sisters, and brother. We had a home we loved, recently built, in the north of the Gaza Strip. On Oct. 15, everyone in Gaza received a warning, and all residents in the North were ordered to flee to the South. Initially, we didnt take it seriously and chose to stay home, until the bombings commenced. Fear quickly engulfed us, especially when our neighbor received orders from the Israeli army to flee because they were preparing to bomb the area. Both our homes were targeted and destroyed. Subsequently, my family was displaced to different places until we finally decided to go to my grandmothers house in the south of the strip. Initially, we thought it would only be for a maximum of two weeks, as we had done in previous wars. Unfortunately, we ended up staying for four months. Tens of other relatives and close family friends sought refuge at my grandmas house. Thinking we would return home soon, we had left all our belongings behind; I only took three summer pajamas with me and packed them in my laptop bag. In my grandmas apartment, there were 21 people crammed together. We had no water or electricity. Food was scarce, and there was no privacy. I witnessed a fatal altercation over access to water one person was killed. We only had one meal a day, eating solely to survive, not for enjoyment. Despite being displaced, we received no aid. I began providing medical care for my aunt, who required a diclofenac injection for severe flu. As a second-year pharmacy student, this was beyond my level of training, as it hadnt been taught at university. However, I took additional practical courses to enhance my skills during my studies, including first-aid and basic medical courses. Soon I was helping other patients in their houses. I administered the injection and was able to sew injuries and administer insulin injections. When my aunt cut her hand deeply while washing dishes, she needed stitches. Despite the severe bleeding, due to her diabetes, I managed to provide her with the necessary medical care. Later, the majority of the wounded in the area started coming to my grandmas house asking me for necessary medical care, especially after Nasser Hospital was targeted. I cleaned wounds and sutured cuts. The practical courses I have taken at university saved peoples lives here. When I first took them, I did not know they would ever be important pharmacists dont usually find themselves in warzones. On Jan. 23, 2024, Israel instructed that we evacuate Khan Younes, plunging us into survival mode. Inside our house, a civil war of sorts ensued, with everyone focused on their own survival. My uncle, along with my grandma and his family, had a tent, but my family and my aunts family had nowhere to go. With only the bare essentials, we began our journey on foot. We fled Khan Younes and stumbled upon a random place along the way. I was terrified; this day will be etched in my memory forever. Along the path, we discovered blocks of empty, unfurnished rooms with no windows. Desperate for shelter, we sought refuge in one. It was a harrowing experience; the biting wind seemed to penetrate our very bones, and the rain soaked our mattresses and clothes. However, at that moment, food and clothing were the least of our concerns. That night, my mum and my aunt exchanged silent, tearful glances. My aunt and her eight children huddled together on one mattress, while my family crowded onto the other. The mattresses were cold and damp; we placed the wettest part on the ground and the least cold part on top. We had no extra clothes or food; the children were starving, and we were emotionally drained. Tears flowed freely in that bleak room. At 8 a.m., I awoke with my mum, while everyone else was still asleep. We left the house trying to find someone to help. My dad had a heart attack last summer. Since then, he has been suffering complications and his medical condition is deteriorating. My mum was trying to find somewhere safe for him. While walking, my mother was crying. We trudged on for over half a mile or so, when a man in his car stopped in the middle of nowhere. He asked my mum where she was heading. She replied, I do not know, while wiping her tears. I wanted to justify her answer but it was so accurate that I stopped. We truly didnt know where we were going. The man offered us a ride. He was not a taxi driver. For a moment I thought he was a psychotherapist, at least from the way he was talking. He was very calm in the midst of all this chaos. The stranger man informed my mum that the place where we were staying was extremely unsafe. He explained that everyone had already fled their homes, which explained why homes were empty. He warned us that Israeli tanks were nearby and could block our escape. He said we were lucky to survive and added that if we do not leave, we will die from either bombing or hunger. With no network available, we were completely cut off from the world. My mum pleaded with him to take us to a safer location. He agreed and called someone he knew to arrange for a tent. We were instructed to return by 4 p.m. to pick up the tent. Upon our return to our room, our family was stressed and anxious, not knowing where we had been. We had been promised tents before, but when we went to pick one up, we realized it had either been given to someone else or was just another false promise. This time, we decided not to take our belongings with us but to check if a tent was available with my father and brother before making any decisions to move. We had no other place to stay in, apart from this room. Leaving everything with my aunt and her children, who stayed behind, we set out to verify the existence of the tent. Arriving at the location, the man said the tent was available but not in this location. We also realized that it needed many tools for setup, none of which were available. My parents, being elderly, stayed with some locals, while my brother and the man who helped us with the tent went to pick up the necessary tools. I was left to safeguard the car they used to move us. Night fell at 10 p.m., and I found myself alone, a night I will never forget. Finally, around midnight, the tent was set up, and we slept on the floor inside, with no covers, no mattresses, and no food at all. The following day, on Jan. 25, we managed to get my aunt settled in the tent. We washed our clothes with seawater; we had no access to a stove or wood to make a fire. We relied on canned food for sustenance. Some kind-hearted individuals took pity on us and offered tea, especially for my sick father. Using seawater for bathing was challenging, as it was dirty and contaminated with sewage. I soon realized I had developed an allergy from bathing in the sea. Fortunately, being a pharmacist, I was able to identify my medical condition. With no toilet facilities available, we refrained from eating or drinking to avoid needing to use the toilet. At night, we had to stay awake until morning to use the neighbors toilet, which was a source of embarrassment. On Jan. 26, I fell extremely ill with a severe bout of the flu and fever, exacerbated by sleeping without covers. As I lay there, unable to move my body, news of an accident on the highway reached us: A car had collided with a 10-year-old child riding a bicycle. Despite my own condition, I faced a critical decision. I had two choices: to muster the strength to try and save the childs life or to leave him to his fate. Summoning all my willpower, I administered first aid, stabilizing the childs head to prevent further injury. I stopped his skull bleeding. I engaged him in conversation, ensuring his memory was intact. For a moment I thought he had a concussion. Thankfully, he remained conscious as I wrapped his head and tended to him until the ambulance arrived. From that day on, I became known as the doctor. The following morning at 6 am, there was a knock at the door. I rose to find a child with a fever and a cold, accompanied by his worried mother. My father and brother graciously left the tent to give them privacy. The mother, displaced and without proper clothing or cover for her baby, was desperate. Lacking medications, the situation was dire. To make matters worse, she was giving cold water to her 4-month-old baby, Younus, with no wood to make a fire. I quickly measured the babys temperature and instructed my cousin to heat water. I had baby formula someone had donated. I warmed the water and provided it to the baby. Soon, his condition improved significantly in the following days. Following this, tens of patients and wounded began arriving daily, prompting me to convert my parents tent into a medical point. It was essential to ensure privacy for women, men, and children seeking treatment. I found myself dealing with complex cases such as deep wounds requiring stitches, young men and women with bullets that I needed to remove, and children requiring respiratory treatments. Furthermore, I provided aid to women who had recently given birth, ensuring their wounds were thoroughly cleaned and dressed to prevent inflammation. Each day, I made rounds with my medical tools, visiting every woman in her tent to provide medical assistance and change their bandages. In February, tragedy struck when a sniper shot young men who tried to fill in a tank of water next to my tent. A woman was shot in the arm. I performed emergency intervention to remove the bullet and staunch the bleeding. Unfortunately, I ran out of supplies to close the wound properly, so she had to be sent for further treatment in Rafah. Later, the camps administration informed the Red Crescent that I was running low on medical supplies. Previously, I was using my own supplies that I purchased while I was in Khan Younes. Consequently, the Red Crescents medical team contacted me, conducting a thorough assessment of my capabilities to ensure reliability. After reaching an agreement on a systematic approach to documenting cases being treated, they provided me with essential first-aid tools. They supplied me with suture kits, iodine, ointments, bandages, and pain relief medications, including specially formulated options for the elderly. While these tools were crucial for preventing fatalities, they were insufficient for treating the broader medical needs of the community. They instructed me to try to save peoples lives and wait for the ambulance but there is no guarantee that the ambulance will arrive. The most daunting part of this predicament was the scarcity of medications. Many patients in the camp had no alternative health care options, lacked the means to travel to Rafah, and had no financial resources to purchase medications. I urgently needed anti-inflammatory drugs, cold syrups for childrens fevers, and basic medications like paracetamol, panadol, and others for gastroenteritis. Living near the sea, I would receive 20 to 30 people suffering from pneumothorax, colds, and flu, necessitating medications to alleviate their symptoms and eliminate infections in the displacement camp. I also needed a sphygmomanometer and glucometers, but unfortunately, the Red Crescent did not have enough of them. They gave me two glucometers but with no batteries so I could not use them. We do not have batteries at all here. These basic tools are essential for any medical point. People were hesitant to take medications they were not accustomed to. Additionally, the medical point supplied some vitamins, but it resulted in allergic reactions among people, eroding their trust in the medications provided. The most horrifying moment I witnessed was when a sniper shot at the neighboring tent while its occupants were filling the water tank. I rushed to check on the wounded, but the sniper continued firing. Despite people shouting at me to take cover, I didnt hesitate and immediately went to assist the woman who was shot. While everyone else was lying on the floor, I focused on reaching her, acting purely on instinct without considering the consequences. Another challenging situation arose with Menna, a 1.5-year-old child, who developed a high internal fever, causing her temperature to rise to 41 degrees Celsius, resulting in muscle spasms. In a desperate attempt to prevent her from swallowing her tongue, her father placed his finger in her mouth, leading to the child inadvertently biting down and almost severing his finger. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, I intervened immediately, carefully flipping her body. I succeeded in getting his finger out of her mouth. I spent two hours by her side to gradually lower her temperature. With no medications available, I resorted to placing her in a bowl of cold water, continuously monitoring her progress. She did not appreciate the cold water and harbored resentment toward me for saving her life, avoiding eye contact whenever she saw me. . The most harrowing experience I faced personally was when my dad fell critically ill. My dad had a heart attack last year which necessitated a coronary stent. During the war, he developed a severe chest infection that compromised his ability to breathe, exacerbated by the lack of oxygen available for inhalation. His medical condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to him losing consciousness. Urgently, we rushed him to the American Hospital, but due to the severity of his condition, he was transferred to Abu Yousef Al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah. While my mum and brother accompanied him to the hospital, I remained behind to assist others in the tent. I was between the hammer and the anvil. While I wanted to be with my father, I had to stay to save other peoples lives in the camp. Abu Yousef Al-Najjar Hospital, however, was ill-equipped to handle complicated cases like my fathers. Being a small clinic serving 1.5 million people, they lacked essential equipment, such as an echocardiogram for assessing heart conditions. The doctors were under immense pressure, particularly because my dad had multiple allergies to medications, and they didnt have allergy testing capabilities. Despite their best efforts, when they administered injections, my dad fainted once more, necessitating allergy medications and a three-day stay in the hospital before he was discharged. My dad relies on the medication Forxiga for his heart condition. We had to embark on a journey across the Gaza Strip to find his medication, eventually locating it in Deir Al-Balah. However, its no longer available. We are trying to help him get out of Gaza to Egypt, but it is too expensive for us $5,000. My message to the world is that the situation here is catastrophic, unbearable, and costly. We resort to bathing in the sea. Food is scarce, water is polluted, and the conditions are dire. For a family of 21, we were provided with only 2 potatoes, 5 tomatoes, and 2 cucumbers, after waiting in line for six hours. I long for this war to end so I can complete my studies and contribute to my community. Despite being only a year into university and having taken a few practical courses, Ive been able to save lives through my experiences here. Ive learned vital steps and interventions that I was only supposed to learn in my fifth year of university. These people have put their trust in me, and Im determined to continue helping them. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Trial delayed for Ohio father accused of killing his sons as attorneys seek death penalty exclusion The trial for a Clermont County father accused of killing his three young sons has been delayed. Chad Doermans trial was originally scheduled for July, but the date has now been vacated, our news partners at WCPO in Cincinnati reported. >> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Attorneys for Ohio father accused of killing his 3 young sons ask for death penalty to be dropped This comes after Doermans attorneys filed a motion asking Clermont County Judge Richard Ferenc to find Doerman ineligible to receive the death penalty. In the filing, they cited serious mental illness at time of offense. An initial hearing on the filing was held Friday afternoon and Doermans attorneys have agreed to submit an experts report supporting Doermans mental illness by June 3. There will now be a pre-trial hearing in August to determine whether Doerman is eligible for the death penalty. The delays mean that it is likely Doerman will not go to trial this year, WCPO reported. A potential complication arises if that is the case, as Ferenc is scheduled to retire at the end of the year. Another judge would need to take over the case. If Doerman is found eligible for capital punishment, then that potential new judge would need to be death penalty-qualified. >> RELATED: Court docs reveal new info about moments before Ohio father allegedly killed his 3 young sons As News Center 7 previously reported, Doerman faces 21 separate counts in connection to the actions that took place on June 15, including nine counts of aggravated murder. Hes since changed his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity. Hes been accused of shooting his three sons; 3-year-old Chase, 4-year-old Hunter, and 7-year-old Clayton, execution-style, killing them all. He allegedly confessed to the killings, but the judge threw out his confession last month after ruling that Doermans Miranda Rights were violated. KENT, Ohio (AP) Dean Kahler flung himself to the ground and covered his head when the bullets started flying. The Ohio National Guard had opened fire on unarmed war protesters at Kent State University, and Kahler, a freshman, was among them. M1 rifle rounds hit the ground all around him. And then I got hit, Kahler recalled, more than 50 years later. It felt like a bee sting. But it was far worse than that a bullet had gone through his lung, shattered three vertebrae and damaged his spinal cord. He was paralyzed. Protesters peaceful at Ohio State pro-Palestine demonstration Four Kent State students were killed and Kahler and eight others were injured when National Guard members fired into a crowd on May 4, 1970, following a tense exchange in which troops used tear gas to break up an anti-war demonstration and protesters hurled rocks at the guardsmen. It was a watershed moment in U.S. history a violent bookend to the turbulent 1960s that galvanized campus protests nationwide and forced the temporary shutdown of hundreds of colleges and universities. Now the shootings at Kent State and their aftermath have taken on fresh relevance, with students demonstrating against another far-off war, college administrators seeking to balance free-speech rights against their imperative to maintain order, and a divided public seeing disturbing images of chaotic confrontations. Dean Kahler, who was shot an paralyzed at Kent State University on May 4, 1970, holds a photograph he took of a U.S. National Guardsman talking to students during the 1970 anti-war protest, during an interview in his home Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Plain Township, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Kent State is planning a solemn commemoration Saturday, as it does every May 4, with a gathering at noon on the commons, near where troops killed students Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer and William Schroeder in a 13-second volley of rifle and pistol fire. Kahler, meanwhile, is keenly watching this new generation of college students demand an end to military action, and wondering if colleges are making some of the same mistakes. I question whether college administrators and trustees of colleges have learned any lessons from the 70s, Kahler said in an interview at his home outside Canton, Ohio. I think theyre being a little heavy handed, a little over the top. More than 2,400 people at dozens of U.S. colleges and universities have been arrested in recent weeks as police break up demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas war, according to an Associated Press tally. Police in riot gear have dismantled tent encampments, cleared protesters from occupied buildings and made arrests, mostly for refusing orders to disperse, although some have been charged with vandalism, resisting arrest or other offenses. Things have been much quieter at Kent State, a large public school in northeastern Ohio where officials say they have long strived to promote civil dialogue. The wealthiest person in Ohio, according to Forbes new state list Largely driven by our history, were always and consistently about a couple of things. One is, we embrace freedom of speech, said Todd Diacon, the universitys president. And another thing is, we understand what happens when conversations, attitudes become so polarized that someone that doesnt agree with you becomes demonized that that can lead to violence. Kent State has leaned into debates about the war in Gaza, inviting students from opposing sides to share perspectives, said Neil Cooper, who directs Kent States School of Peace and Conflict Studies. There can be a temptation to try and not to talk about these issues because theyre too difficult, too challenging, and, you know, theres a concern that talking about them will make them worse, Cooper said. Our approach has been very different. FILE A general view shows tear gas and students during an anti-Vietnam war protest at Kent State University in Kent Ohio, May 4, 1970. U.S. National Guardsmen opened fire during the protests killing four students and wounding five. (AP Photo/Larry Stoddard, File) The demonstrations at Kent State have been peaceful, but theres still an undercurrent of tension, and there are both Jewish and Palestinian students who dont feel safe, said Adriana Gasiewski, a junior who has covered them for the school newspaper. Gasiewski worries about the powder-keg atmosphere at schools like Columbia University, where the current wave of protests originated last month and New York City police have repeatedly clashed with demonstrators. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, has called on the National Guard to be deployed to Columbia, although New York officials have said police can handle the protests. President Joe Biden said Thursday he does not want troops to be deployed to campuses. My biggest fear is they bring the National Guard to Columbia and that its like history repeating itself with May 4, Gasiewski said. Temple University historian Ralph Young is seeing clear echoes of the Vietnam war protest movement. Gun misfires during robbery as employees flee Columbus gas station I think they do compare in scale and impact, said Young, whose books include American Patriots: A Short History of Dissent. Just as in the 1960s and 70s, he said, the current crackdowns only get more and more people angry and I think itll just magnify the protests, and spread them further into other campuses. The parallels dont end there. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has said outside agitators are fomenting antisemitic protests. In 1970, Ohio Gov. James Rhodes, who made the decision to send National Guard troops to Kent State, accused external groups of spreading terror, calling them the worst type of people that we harbor in America. Students then were furious that President Richard Nixon was bombing Cambodia instead of winding down the war as he had promised. Days before the shootings, demonstrators had clashed violently with police in downtown Kent, and the universitys ROTC building was set ablaze. Then, on May 4, Chic Canfora joined several hundred fellow students on the commons, protesting not only the war but the presence of troops on campus. Canfora escaped injury. Her brother, Alan Canfora, was shot and wounded. Now a journalism teacher at Kent State, she worries that campus administrators elsewhere are using the militant actions of a few to paint all protesters as violent and worthy of the kind of heat that they want to send in to these situations. I think that all university campuses should get together and figure out how to allow students to be what students have historically been, the conscience of America, Canfora said. Central Ohioans receive letter claiming hackers have their information. Is it real? Gregory Payne, an Emerson College scholar and expert on the Kent State shootings, said Vietnam-era protesters certainly worried about getting drafted, but they also took a moral stand, as are todays protesters who see the U.S. as complicit in the disproportionate death toll of Palestinians resulting from Israels response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. Theyre protesting, you know, a war that is atrocious for all sides involved. And I think that theyre attempting to bring attention to it. People can question some of the strategies and tactics. But I think there will be a legacy and there will be a defining characteristic about this era, too, Payne said. My hope is that there is not death and bloodshed like we saw in Kent State. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Read our ongoing coverage of Donald Trumps first criminal trial here. After a drab week of testimony in People of New York v. Donald J. Trump, a bit of excitement finally entered the courtroom Friday when former White House communications director Hope Hicks showed up to testify against her former boss. There was no dramatic confrontation between Trump and the 35-year-old image of youth within the Trump administrationHicks did not appear to look at her boss directly when entering or exiting the courtroom, or much at all during the testimony itself. For his part, Trump initially glanced at Hicks, before closing his (beautiful blue) eyesas he has done throughout the proceedingsduring the most sordid parts of questioning. The most dramatic moment came at the start of cross-examination, when Trump attorney Emil Bove began to ask Hicks about her time at the Trump Organization, and Hicks began to cryseeming to wipe away a tear with a tissuebefore taking a 10-minute break to recompose herself. What made Hicks cry? Its honestly hard to say. All Bove said was I want to talk to you about your time at the Trump Organization, and that was enough to set Hicks off. Maybe the right question is: What else happened at the Trump Organization? Regardless of the answer, it is hard to envision how the jury will react to the near-breakdown of Hicks, who had revealed only one or two damaging bits of information about her former boss during the prosecutors questioning. Hicks, one of the most practiced public relations professionals in the country, appeared incredibly polished during that questioning. It was only when cross started that she seems to have felt the emotional weight of testifying against her former boss. That emotional crinkle aside, it was when Hicks testified about the Trump teams response to various scandals that one of the most damning moments of the entire trial occurred. Hicks testified to how Trump reacted when Cohen confessed in a statement to the New York Times Maggie Haberman to making the Stormy Daniels payment. According to the testimony, Hicks had a conversation with Trump the next day in which he seemed to indicate knowledge of Cohens payment. Mr. Trump was saying that he had spoken to Michael, Hicks said, before correcting herself to call him President Trump (presumably because he had already been elected at that point). President Trump was saying that he had spoken to Michael and that Michael had paid this woman to protect him from a false allegation and that Michael felt like it was his job to protect him and thats what he was doing. She added: And he did it out of the kindness of his own hearthe never told anybody about it. At this point, the prosecutor asked whether this was in character for Cohento pay $130,000 out of the kindness of his heartand Hicks responded, like many of the other witnesses have, by taking potshots at Cohen. I would say that would be out of character for Michael, she acknowledged. I didnt know Michael to be an especially charitable person, or selfless person. [Hes] the kind of person who seeks credit. The point was that Cohen would not have done this for Trump just out of the goodness of his heart without the knowledge of the boss. That the president tried to sell this as the story to Hicks is ridiculous, something Hicks seemed to acknowledge while still detailing only what had been said. This ability to dance around the true subject has proved to be the modus operandi of former Trump Organization staffers throughout the trial. He thought that it was a generous thing to do and he was appreciative of the loyaltythats all I remember, Hicks concluded. How the jury will interpret the idea that Cohen was acting generously and alone remains to be seen. The most damaging portion of Hicks testimony, though, came in the follow-up to this episode. According to Hicks, Trump wanted to know how it was playing in regard to the Daniels story, which broke two years after Trump was elected. Specifically, Hicks said, he wanted to know my thoughts, opinion about this story vs. having a storya different kind of storybefore the campaign had Michael not made that payment. She continued: I think Mr. Trumps opinion was that it was better to be dealing with it now [in 2018], and it would have been bad to have that story coming out before the election. This is the key charge that prosecutors are trying to make: that the thing Trump truly cared aboutand the reason the payment had been madewas winning the election. That would make it an illegal unreported in-kind contribution to his campaign, which is the central charge that elevates the falsifying business records case from a misdemeanor to a felony. Expect to hear this portion of Hicks testimony repeated forcefully during closing arguments. Its much more important than the waterworks. These two moments werent the only dramatic parts of her testimony either. Hicks was also on the stand to comment on how she, as press secretary, and the Trump campaign itself reacted to the bombshell release of the Access Hollywood tape on Oct. 7, 2016. Its fair to say that Hickswho, during her time in the administration, often came off almost as a surrogate daughter to Trump due to her closeness to Ivanka Trump and to the president himselfbeing asked to read Trumps Grab em by the pussy comments aloud to situate everyone to the story had the entire room spellbound. When questioned about receiving an email from David Fahrenthold asking the campaign to comment prior to the release of the tape, she described it dryly as a video where Mr. Trump and Billy Bush are having an inappropriate conversation about a woman. Then, when asked to read the transcript of the tape Fahrenthold sent her, she sped through it, taking just a moment to read part of the lengthy transcript before declaring herself finished. When prodded to specifically read the longer Grab em by the pussy section, she spent a little longer on that before, again, cutting it short, saying, Im good. She described her immediate reaction as being very concerned, particularly about the lack of time to respond, with the Washington Post planning to publish within a couple of hours of sending the comment request. Her initial response, in an email forwarded to other members of the campaign team, was deny, deny, deny. She also wrote that there was a need to hear the tape to be sure. Hicks laughed uncomfortably at the obvious misstep of this responsethe tape would soon become live and impossible to denyand said she sent it because its a reflex. The fallout from the tape was a full-on crisis for the campaign. This is when prosecutors allege that efforts to seal a hush money deal with Daniels went into overdrive. This was pulling us backwards in a way that was going to be hard to overcome, Hicks acknowledged through a fog of public relations jargon, seeming to downplay the significance of Republican officials initial response to the tape. In the end, though, Hicks delivered a perfect description of how big a story it was: We were anticipating a Category 4 hurricane making landfall somewhere on the East Coast [that weekend], and I dont think anybody remembers where or when that hurricane made landfall, she testified. It was all Trump, all the time, for 36 hours. The next big witness seems likely to be Cohen, who will have to make the case that Trumps reaction to that crisis was to buy Daniels silence. Well see if he takes the stand next week. Former President Trump posted a campaign ad on his Truth Social site praising various counter protesters on college campuses, including students who held up the U.S. flag. While campuses struggle to get control of their students, at UNC Chapel Hill, they are bringing order back, the video begins. The ad shows clips of pro-Palestinian students protesting across the country. It then shows photos and videos of students at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill who held up the American flag at their campus demonstration. Members of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity were seen in viral posts holding up an American flag while activists threw items at them. The incident occurred Tuesday, when pro-Palestinian supporters replaced the American flag with a Palestinian flag. The scene resonated with people across the country, and a GoFundMe was set up to throw the fraternity a Rager. Its raised over $500,000 so far, including a $10,000 donation from billionaire investor Bill Ackman. The ad continued, splicing together news segments from Fox News and Primetime with Jesse Watters, where they responded to the students who demonstrated. The ad said the students stood strong despite being pelted with bottles and rocks. It called the UNC fraternity brothers the most popular college students and said they were patriotic for defending the American flag. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre praised the groups actions. She said all Americans have the right to peacefully protest, but its not right to forcefully take down the American flag and replace it with another one. She said it was admirable to protect the American flag. The UNC protest is one of many happening on college campuses across the country. Students are calling on their universities to divest from Israeli companies or companies that supply weapons to Israel in its war with Hamas. Despite many protests remaining peaceful, a growing number of demonstrations have been met with counter protesters who support Israel. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Donald Trump in court last month. (Photo by Jabin Botsford-Pool/Getty Images) Policy, politics and progressive commentary The Trump campaign and its Republican allies on Friday filed a lawsuit challenging Nevadas ballot receipt deadline. Nevada law allows for mail ballots postmarked on Election Day to be accepted and counted if they are received by county election officials within four days. This year, Election Day is Nov. 5, meaning ballots postmarked on or before that date must be accepted and counted if they are received by election offices by 5 p.m. on Nov. 9. Plaintiffs in the new lawsuit argue that practice violates federal law and as a result valid, timely ballots are dilated by untimely, invalid ballots. They are asking the court to block the counting of any mail ballots received after Election Day.. The lawsuit was filed in federal court by Trumps reelection campaign, the Republican National Committee, the Nevada Republican Party and Donald J. Szymanski, a Nevada voter. Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar, Clark County Registrar of Voters Lorena Portillo and Washoe County Registrar of Voters Cari-Ann Burgess are named as defendants, as are the county clerks for Clark and Washoe. Aguilar, in a statement provided by his office, said Nevadas elections are some of the most secure, transparent, and accessible elections in the country and that voting by mail is a key component of accessibility. Our office will not comment on ongoing litigation, his statement continued, but I hope the RNC is putting as much time and energy into educating voters on how to participate in elections as they put into suing the state of Nevada. Nevada Democrats were quick to call the lawsuit baseless. Nevada State Democratic Party Executive Director Hilary Barrett said in a statement the lawsuit is yet another tactic to undermine democracy and disenfranchise thousands of Nevada voters by limiting when ballots can be accepted even when postmarked by Election Day. The ballot receipt deadline lawsuit is one of three Republicans are pursuing in Nevada. The others are challenging a state law protecting election workers and its voter roll maintenance policy. The post Trump and Republicans file suit to nullify Nevada ballots mailed on Election Day appeared first on Nevada Current. Numerous scary details came out of Donald Trumps recent interview with Time magazine, but few were more eye opening than an exchange that, in my opinion, didnt garner the attention it deserved. When asked about his authoritarian rhetoric regarding being a dictator for a day and suspending the Constitution, Trump responded, saying, I think a lot of people like it. Now, in fairness, Trump insisted that he was only joking and being sarcastic when he said these things. Moreover, he suggested that normal people get it, while the overwrought press (who find joking about these things dangerous and are worried about norms and the social fabric) keep getting trolled by him. How South Dakotans Really Feel About Kristi Noem This argument breaks down, however, when you consider that some of Trumps most loyal fans took him seriously and literally when he summoned them to the Capitol on Jan. 6. Many of those rioters (or, as Trump calls them, hostages) said they were simply taking their marching orders from the president. Trump may have committed something of a Kinsley gaffe in that Time interview, which is to say that he inadvertently revealed something truthful: Many of Trumps supporters like authoritarian talk, and a subset of those folks probably wouldnt mind a real dictator (so long as their guy was the autocrat). But is it possible that more than a handful of kooks feel this way? Globally, authoritarianism has always had an appeal. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, a median of 31 percent across 24 nations are supportive of authoritarian systems and people on the ideological right are more likely than others to support it. There seems to be a deep-seated romantic yearning inherent in the human psyche that causes many people to prefer a despot over the messiness and abstractness delivered by liberal forms of government. But what about America? We are, after all, a liberal nation that has all sorts of institutions and ideas (such as the rule of law, checks and balances, etc.) to guard against the passions of the mob, as well as the potential rise of strongmen. Take Trumps Warning of Violence for What It Isa Threat Well, it turns out that we might not be so exceptional after all. According to a PRRI survey released last year, Just under four in ten Americans (38 percent) agree with the statement, Because things have gotten so far off track in this country, we need a leader who is willing to break some rules if thats what it takes to set things right The number is even higher for Republicans, with nearly half (48 percent) of GOP respondents agreeing with the statement. (Note: The largest cohort to agree were Hispanic Catholicsat 51 percentwhich could be a telling development for those trying to discern why Trump has been doing better among some minority voters, despite his racism.) Arizonas Abortion Ban Repeal Is a Win and a Loss for Dems Arguably even more alarming, the PRRI survey also showed that nearly a quarter of Americans (23 percent) agree that because things have gotten so far off track, true American patriots may have to resort to violence in order to save our country These measurements are buttressed by scholar and authoritarian expert Matthew C. MacWilliams, who, in 2020, surmised that approximately 18 percent of Americans are highly disposed to authoritarianism, while 23 percent or so are just one step below them on the authoritarian scale. When added up, MacWilliams says that roughly 40 percent of Americans tend to favor authority, obedience, and uniformity over freedom, independence, and diversity. Now, its fair to say that someone could favor a robust law-and-order regime and still not want an out-and-out dictatorship. But few dictators show up saying they want to be dictators; its easy to see the slippery slope between what these surveys measure and an authoritarian regime. The good news is that authoritarianism is still not a majority position. Still, how many of us would have guessed a few years ago that so many of our fellow Americans harbored these authoritarian tendencies? Most of us would have assumed that espousing dictator rhetoric would be a death knell for any modern American politician. But somehow, Trump instinctively understood something that the rest of us did not. Is the Libertarian Party Too Bigoted Even for Trump? This is why, despite two impeachments, four indictments, the comments about being dictator for a day, etc., Trump is either winning or tied with Joe Biden in most polls. If you want to understand why Trump continues to say outrageous things that would seem to go against his political interests, the survey numbers mentioned previously suggest theres a method to his madness. As Trump said, a lot of people like it. And because Donald Trump can win the presidency with less than 50 percent of the vote, it might just be enough to win the 2024 presidential election (which, hopefully, wont be our last election). Regardless, for a startlingly large number of Americans, Trumps authoritarian tendencies are a feature, not a bug. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Texas Tech Health El Paso is hosting commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 4 for its newest graduates in health care of the Hunt School of Nursing and the Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. The Hunt School of Nursing ceremony started at 9:30 a.m. at the Starlight Event Center, 6650 Continental Drive. The Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences ceremony is set to start at 4 p.m. at Texas Tech Health El Pasos Medical Sciences Building II, 137 Rick Francis St. Renowned for its innovative education, the university has notably addressed the critical nursing shortage in our Borderplex. About 90% of our nursing school graduates choose to remain and practice within the region after completing their education. A cornerstone of social mobility in El Paso, Texas Tech Health El Pasos yearly economic impact is $634 million, affirming its role as a key transformative entity, read a press release sent by TTUHSC. Hunt School of Nursing: Just before National Nurses Week, which runs from May 6 to May 12, this commencement ceremony will celebrate 72 students whove earned their bachelor of science in nursing. The schools Dean Stephanie L. Woods, Ph.D., R.N., who also holds the schools Hunt Endowed chair in nursing, will give this years keynote address. Pat Gordon, an El Paso native and a member of the Board of Regents of the TTU System, will deliver remarks. He serves as vice chair on the Academic, Clinical and Student Affairs Committee and is a member of the Regents Rules Review Committee. The school is home to the only accelerated program in the region where students can earn a B.S.N. in just 16 months. Since 2012, the school has graduated 1,347 nurses. Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences The school will honor 29 students whove shown extraordinary commitment to advancing biomedical research and sciences. This cohort includes 20 recipients of masters degrees and nine recipients of post-baccalaureate certificates. Diego Pedroza, Ph.D., will be the keynote speaker for this years ceremony. He is an alumnus of the Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Regent Gordon is also expected to deliver a message to the graduates. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. MARANA Tucson, Marana and the Metropolitan Domestic Water Improvement District will build new treatment plants to remove hazardous PFAS chemicals from the drinking water supply with the help of federal and state funding. The announcement was made by local leaders on Thursday at an event held by the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA last month set enforceable limits for the so-called "forever chemicals" in drinking water, aiming to protect public health by reducing exposure. Worldwide, the use of these human-made chemicals, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, has tainted water supplies and contaminated soils. PFAS have been widely used in numerous industries and products, including firefighting aqueous film-forming foam, which is deployed in fire responses and drills at airports and military bases. They are hard to destroy and can accumulate in the environment. In Arizona, some utilities acted to contain and treat PFAS in groundwater, or found new water sources, before the federal order. Tucson and Marana made out-of-pocket investments and began treating the water for PFAS about three years ago. Louis Valencia, chief water quality operator with Marana Water, gives a tour at the Picture Rocks Water Treatment Campus, on May 2, 2024. Thursday's announcement was held in front of one of these plants, less than a month after EPA announced official maximum contaminant limits for five PFAS chemicals. That wouldn't be possible "if you didn't have communities like Marana, Tucson that were leaning in, that were leading, that we're taking the risk on behalf of their customers and then worrying about the money after they made the right decision," said Timothy Thomure, deputy city manager of Tucson and a WIFA board member. EPA's Regional Administrator Martha Guzman said state and city officials at the event are "problem solvers." "It takes leadership and it takes people committed to making sure that their constituents have safe drinking water," she said. "Obviously a big part of these solutions take money." Reducing danger: Firefighters face cancer risks from harmful chemicals. Here's how they're working to limit exposure Money will help build plants Speakers touted the $9 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will be distributed to public water systems across the U.S. to help address contamination from PFAS and other emerging contaminants. Karen Peters, executive deputy director at Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, gives a speech at a press event on May 2, 2024, in Marana. Local leaders celebrated the new drinking water standards for PFAS substances and federal funding that will help public water systems protect public health. Arizona has $42 million of that money available for PFAS testing, treatment, infrastructure improvement and education. The fund is administered between the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and WIFA. WIFA can give a total of $14.8 million of the funding in "forgivable principal" each fiscal year to water systems a forgiven loan. But it has other sources of money, like the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, to provide additional loans. They urged utilities to seek their help. Tucson received a $33 million loan for the construction of a new treatment plant, and received loan forgiveness from WIFA for $10.1 million. The effort will help get 28 contaminated wells, northeast of Tucson and south of Marana, back online, as The Arizona Republic previously reported. The town of Marana received a $16.1 million loan from this funding to help pay for two PFAS treatment plants which began operating in 2021. The town also received about $8 million in forgiven principal for two other PFAS-related water projects. Marana's Picture Rocks Water Treatment campus is one of two treatment plants removing PFAS and 1,4 dioxane from drinking water. The facility, operating since 2021, treats water through a process that includes UV light, advanced oxidation, and granulated activated carbon filters. The Metropolitan Domestic Water Improvement District, or Metro Water District, which serves about 70,000 customers in unincorporated Pima County, will install two well-head treatment systems with granular activated carbon using about $730,000 from WIFA, a 100% forgivable loan. From a different funding source, it also received a $1.2 million grant from ADEQ to install an advanced oxidation process at both sites. The Tohono O'odham Nation received a $50,000 grant to help test wells for PFAS contaminants close to the affected area Tucson Water is treating. ADEQ has also invested some of that money to help public water systems in Globe, Star Valley and Payson. Twin Lakes Mobile Home Park and the town of Chino Valley are also in ADEQs pipeline for federal funds, the agency said. What to know: Are PFAS really 'forever chemicals'? It's complicated Where is the contamination coming from? PFAS contamination in the area likely comes from industrial manufacturing and the use of firefighting foam on military sites and airports. High levels of PFAS in groundwater are found near Davis Monthan and the Morris Air National Guard Base. The plume traveled northwest affecting wells in other systems. Groundwater around Glendales Luke Air Force Base, Yumas Marine Corps Air Station and the former Williams Air Force Base near Mesa also has high PFAS levels. Across Arizona, at least 70 water systems have a well with PFAS levels above the EPA limit, according to ADEQ data. Marana and Tucson each have two treatment plants that deal with PFAS. Louis Valencia, chief water quality operator with Marana Water, gives a tour at the Picture Rocks Water Treatment Campus, on May 2, 2024. Tucson expects to have a new PFAS treatment facility online by the end of 2026. It will also install an ion-exchange system in one of the existing plants to improve PFAS treatment. The utility is still dealing with TCE and 1,4 dioxane contamination from industrial and military defense activities from the 1940s to the mid-1970s. Long-term clean-up in the Tucson International Airport Area Superfund site is still not over, and the PFAS contamination plume has added a new challenge. Marana, which has a lesser but still high concentration of PFAS in several wells, will also expand treatment, with three new plants costing about $12 million each, according to Marana Mayor Ed Honea. Two highly productive wells in unincorporated Pima County are also affected. Joe Olsen, general manager of the Metropolitan Domestic Water Improvement District, said that has forced the utility to rely on less productive wells. With the WIFA funding, they will install granular activated carbon filters in each well to treat PFAS, which should help contain the plume. Some of the wells were also affected by TCE and 1,4 dioxane. ADEQ awarded $1.2 million to Metro Water so they can also install an advanced oxidation process treatment facility. The whole system would operate just like the existing Marana plants, but at a smaller scale. Utilities continue to monitor PFAS closely and have temporarily closed some affected wells. Robert Jaramillo, a community leader who suffered and lost relatives from the water contamination in Tucson's southside, said he applauds the proactive approach to PFAS. "What's frustrating to me: the ones that should be paying for the cleanup are the responsible parties," he said. "Where are they in this whole picture? Where are they?" EPA designated two PFAS chemicals, PFOS and PFOA, as "hazardous substances" in April under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, or CERCLA. Guzman, with the EPA, said that translates to: "this is a chemical that you have to address in all Superfund sites that have it." Clara Migoya covers agriculture and water issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to clara.migoya@arizonarepublic.com. You can support local journalism in Arizona by subscribing to azcentral. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tucson-area providers will build PFAS treatment plants What happened Turkey said late Thursday it has indefinitely suspended all trade with Israel over the "worsening humanitarian tragedy" in Gaza. On Wednesday, Turkey's foreign minister said Ankara will join South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, and Colombia became the third Latin American country to sever diplomatic ties with Israel over its Gaza war, following Bolivia and Belize. Who said what Imports and exports to Israel "have been stopped, covering all products," until the Israeli government "allows an uninterrupted and sufficient flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza," Turkey's Trade Ministry said. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is acting like a "dictator," Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on X, "disregarding the interests of the Turkish people and businessmen, and ignoring international trade agreements." What next? Hamas said Thursday it is sending delegates back to Egypt for cease-fire talks, raising hopes for a promising proposal to end the war. The United Nations estimated it could plausibly take until 2104 to rebuild Gaza if the fighting stops now, or until 2040 under "the most optimistic scenario," said their report. Two finalists picked for next director of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Kaitlin Lovell, left, and Debbie Colbert, right, are the two finalists to become the next director of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Two finalists have been picked to become the next director of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Debbie Colbert and Kaitlin Lovell were selected from a pool of 30 candidates to lead an agency with more than 1,000 employees and the often polarizing task of managing the states fauna. Either would become the first woman to ever hold the position in the agency with a history dating back to the 1800s. Curt Melcher, who had been director since 2014, retired in April. Colbert is current ODFW deputy director for fish and wildlife programs while Lovell leads the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services on stream restoration. They were chosen by a subcommittee that included two members of the Fish and Wildlife Commission and two representatives of Gov. Tina Koteks office. The candidates will have a public question and answer session Friday before the full commission meeting at ODFW headquarters in Salem. Afterward, the commission may pick the new director. The meeting is open to the public and will be streamed live at: www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission/ An online form remains available until 5 p.m. on Tuesday to submit questions for the candidates during the public question and answer. The job is one of Oregons more challenging, often putting the agency in the middle of the states urban-rural divide over issues such as wolf and cougar management, hatchery versus wild fish, and the cost for fishing and hunting licenses, among many other issues. Other candidates considered were Shannon Hurn, ODFW deputy director for administration, and Jason Miner, former natural resources policy advisor for former Gov. Kate Brown. Debbie Colbert Debbie Colbert is a finalist to become the next director of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Colbert has worked for two decades on natural resources issues, according to the biography provided by the hiring committee. Since 2021, Colbert has served as ODFWs deputy director for fish and wildlife programs, overseeing fish, wildlife, habitat, and regional programs statewide as well as legislative engagement. In this leadership role, she has been thrilled to collaborate with ODFWs many talented staff, hunters, anglers, tribal leaders and staff, volunteers, landowners, state and federal agency staff, elected officials, and statewide advocacy groups, the biography said. In 2023, Colbert served three months on special assignment to the governors natural resource office. Previously, Colbert served six years as the board of trustees administrator at Oregon State University. Before that, she worked for five years as ODFWs deputy director for administration. Colbert earned a bachelor's degree in biology and has a master's in oceanography and a doctorate in interdisciplinary oceanography. She was selected as a 2022 National Conservation Leadership Fellow. Debbie is passionate about working with diverse groups to advance Oregons fish, wildlife, and habitat, the biography said. Kaitlin Lovell Kaitlin Lovell is a finalist to become the next director of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lovell has led the City of Portlands efforts to protect and restore fish and wildlife and their habitats since 2007, the provided biography said. Lovell has strategically transformed degraded waterways, resolved competing land uses, protected fish and wildlife against acute climate impacts, and centered frontline communities, especially Indigenous communities, in fish and wildlife management, the biography said. Prior to working for Portland, Lovell worked as an attorney for Trout Unlimited on salmon recovery, hydropower and hatchery issues throughout Oregon and the West Coast. A lifelong resident of rural places, including 22 years on her Colton area farm with her husband and son, she knows firsthand the challenges and rewards of living with wildlife, adapting to climate change, and the critical role of working lands in habitat protection and restoration, the biography said. Lovell is a graduate of Bucknell Universitys environmental science program and Cornell Law School, with legal expertise in the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act. Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 16 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. Urness is the author of Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon and Hiking Southern Oregon. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Finalists picked for director of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Two teens arrested after student was hit by bullet fired near Dunbar High School WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said it arrested two teens in connection to a shooting that happened Friday morning near a high school in Northeast D.C. On May 3 at about 9:55 a.m., police responded to the 100 block of N Street for the report of a shooting. When police arrived at the scene, they found a teen girl inside Dunbar High School who had been grazed by a bullet. Student inside Dunbar High School in DC hit by bullet fired from outside The teen was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police arrested and charged 18-year-old Zaharia Graves and a 17-year-old boy, both of Northeast D.C. with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Carrying a Pistol without a License and Endangerment with a Firearm. Anyone with information should call MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Departments TEXT TIP LINE at 50411. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Workers sort packages at the Amazon AGS5 facility on October 27, 2022, in Appling, Georgia. Two U.S. Senate Democrats plan to introduce a bill to address quota systems they say lead to injuries for warehouse workers. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images) WASHINGTON Two Democratic U.S. senators announced Thursday they plan to introduce a piece of legislation that would require large companies to disclose quota practices to workers and prevent those quotas from interfering with a workers health. The Warehouse Worker Protection Act would put an end to the most dangerous quotas that plague warehouses, Democratic Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts, a sponsor of the bill, said. There is no published bill text yet. Markey said the bill would require companies to notify workers of the quotas they need to meet and ban quotas that rely on 24/7 surveillance or are likely to lead to violations of health and safety laws. He added that companies that dont comply would be investigated by the Department of Labor and could face fines and penalties. Injuries at Amazon Markey was joined outside the U.S. Capitol by workers who shared their stories of being injured on the job at Amazon warehouses, along with Democratic Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith and Sean OBrien, the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Smith said that big companies like Amazon care about efficiency and cost savings and maximizing their profits. Theyre experiencing record profits at the same time that the people whose labor they are earning profits on the backs (of), are experiencing completely unacceptable levels of injuries, she said. The speakers singled out Amazon for quota practices that endanger workers, though Markey said the Seattle-based e-retail giant is not the only company that engages in a quota system that harms workers. Amazon may be at the front of the pack with an injury rate double the national average, but the rest of the big warehousing companies are close behind, he said. Some of Amazons quota practices include constant monitoring to measure how many items a worker scans, with automatic flags for workers below a certain percentile, and monitoring how long employees take on bathroom breaks and other time off task, according to a Thursday report by the National Employment Law Project. The Amazon warehouse injury rate is twice that of the private-sector average for all industries and tens of thousands of warehouse workers each year experience serious injuries requiring medical treatment, according to the report. OBrien said that Amazons business model pushes workers to the brink and creates a culture of fear. Warehouses can be very dangerous places to work if safety isnt made a priority, he said. Wendy Taylor, an Amazon worker in Missouri who is organizing for a union, was injured at work in March. I was injured at work because of Amazons inhumane work rates, because of the exhausting pace in the physical work me and my coworkers do, she said. Taylor said she fell and hurt her knee, but when she went to the company medical center, she said they (refused) to let me see a doctor when I asked, sending me back to work. She eventually went to her own doctor, who diagnosed her with a torn meniscus in her knee. This experience (shows) how hard it is to get timely, adequate medical treatment from a company that breaks down my body and speeds up my aging for shareholder profits, she said. In a written statement, a spokesperson for Amazon pushed back against some of the comments from senators, including claims that workers lack adequate bathroom breaks and see fixed performance quotas. Its a common misperception that Amazon has fixed quotas, but we do not, the spokesperson said. Our Time Logged In policy assesses whether employees are actually working while theyre logged in at their station. Our employees can see their own performance at any time and can talk to their manager if theyre having trouble finding the information. The spokesperson also said claims that the injury rate at Amazon is double the industry standard are misleading. Many large companies that should be included in these comparisonscompanies like Walmart, Target and Costcoreport almost all of their injuries under different OSHA reporting categories, the spokesperson said. Brian Wild, a spokesperson for the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, said in a statement that the industry group does not support the bill, arguing that it could lead to delays and price hikes. The bill includes provisions that inappropriately tip the scales to union bosses at the expense of employees and employers by inviting labor organizations to participate in investigations, essentially granting union leaders access to potentially coerce or harass worksites under the guise of worker safety, Wild said. Seeking bipartisan support Markey said there is bipartisan support in the Senate for the bill, as well as the House. We just want to build this out, Markey said. It should not be a Democrat or Republican thing, its a worker safety bill. A warehouse protection law went into effect in Minnesota last year, but advocates have raised concerns that Amazon is not complying with the law. Several other states, including California, New York, Oregon and Washington, have passed legislation similar to what Markey and Smith are proposing. The post U.S. Senate Dems Smith, Markey to push warehouse worker safety bill appeared first on Michigan Advance. Administrators at the University of California, Riverside reached a deal with pro-Palestine student protestors Friday to end their encampment and agree to their demands. Students at UC Riverside organized a sit-in on campus on April 29 demand that their university disclose investments and funding linked to Israel and divest from companies and institutions that are complicit in the Israeli occupation, apartheid, and genocide of Palestinians. In the agreement reached with student leaders Friday, UC Riverside stated that the college will take steps to be transparent about its investments. With students, it will also explore the removal of its endowment from the broader University of California systems investment office and the reinvestment of it in a manner that will be financially and ethically sound for the university with consideration to the companies involved in arms manufacturing and delivery. The universitys business school has also discontinued its study abroad programs to Israel. This agreement does not change the realities of the war in Gaza, or the need to address antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of bias and discrimination; however, I am grateful that we can have constructive and peaceful conversations on how to address these complex issues, UCR Chancellor Kim Wilcox said in a statement sent to faculty and staff on Friday night. The chancellor did not respond to HuffPosts request for additional comment. This is not the end of UCRs complicity, and we will continue to hold our admin accountable. This is a step closer towards a liberated Palestine, the UCR chapter of Students for Justice In Palestine wrote in a social media post. Our work is not done. Innocent people are still dying, enduring displacement, and suffering. This is a small victory in many, many more to come, the group said in a separate post. Colleges across the country, including 10 UC campuses, have set up encampments and demonstrations on their campuses over recent weeks to protest Israels war in Gaza and to demand that their schools divest from Israeli institutions and companies. The University of California system overall has opposed calls to boycott and divest from Israel, saying it impinges on the academic freedom of our students and faculty and the unfettered exchange of ideas on our campuses. UCR is the first UC school where campus officials have reached a peaceful resolution with the student protestors, joining at least threeothers nationwide. Last week, more than 200 UCLA students, faculty and staff were arrested at a Palestinian solidarity encampment on campus that was destroyed by police. Similar police responses have fueled unrest at other pro-Palestine student protests across the country. More than 2,100 people have been arrested at these protests on college campuses nationwide, according to an Associated Press tally last week. Related... Protestors at the University of California, Riverside reached an agreement with school officials to end the pro-Palestinian campus occupation Friday night. The encampment began on April 29 as protestors occupied the area beside Bell Tower. The movement was led by the universitys chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. Protestors demanded the university disclose its investments and funding and that it should divest from companies and institutions that are complicit in the Israeli occupation, apartheid, and genocide of Palestinians. There were also calls for UCR to sever ties with Israeli universities, including student exchange programs, according to the Press-Enterprise. A negotiation meeting took place on May 1 and a planned rally later that day drew several hundred participants to the campus. On Friday, campus leaders and demonstrators successfully reached an agreement to end the encampment no later than Friday, May 3, by midnight, according to UCR officials. The University of California, Riverside campus with the Bell Tower seen in Riverside, California. (Getty Images) I am pleased to share that we have reached an agreement that will result in the peaceful conclusion of the encampment, said UCR Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox. It has been my goal to resolve this matter peacefully and I am encouraged by this outcome which was generated through constructive dialogue. As part of the agreement, university officials settled on these terms: All currently public information on UCs investments will be posted to the UCR campus website. It will continue to be updated as the UC releases more information. The goal is to get full disclosure of the list of companies in the portfolio and the size of the investments. The UCR Administration agrees to form a task force that includes students appointed by ASUCRs Diversity Council and faculty appointed by the Academic Senate to explore the removal of UCRs endowment from the management of the UC Investments Office, and the investment of said endowment in a manner that will be financially and ethically sound for the university with consideration to the companies involved in arms manufacturing and delivery. The goal of this task force is to produce a report to present to the UCR Foundation Board of Trustees by the end of Winter Quarter 2025. The task force will be formed by the end of the Spring 2024 quarter. Commitment to bimonthly meetings with the AVC of Auxiliary Services and an ongoing review of Sabra Hummus consistent with existing product review processes until we can find a resolution. The School of Business has discontinued Global Programs in Oxford, USA, Cuba, Vietnam, Brazil, China, Egypt, Jordan, and Israel. UCR will modify its approval process for all study abroad programs to ensure compliance with UCs Anti-Discriminatory Policies. The encampment at UC Riverside is one of many pro-Palestinian demonstrations taking place on college campuses across the country in response to the Israel-Hamas War that began on Oct. 7, 2023. In Southern California, protests and rallies took place at USC, UCLA, UC Irvine, UC Berkeley, Cal State Long Beach, Pitzer College in Claremont and UC San Diego. Most campus demonstrations remained peaceful despite violence breaking out at UCLA on April 30 when dozens of pro-Israeli protestors, many wearing white masks, swarmed the campus and attempted to dismantle the pro-Palestinian encampment that overtook Royce Quad since April 25. Workers clean up the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus after police evicted pro-Palestinian students, in Los Angeles, California, early on May 2, 2024. Hundreds of police tore down protest barricades and began arresting students early Thursday at the University of California, Los Angeles the latest flashpoint in an eruption of protest on US campuses over Israels war against Hamas in Gaza. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA MAY 2: Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest at UCLA as the US Police attempt to disperse the crowd, in Los Angeles, California, USA on May 2, 2024. (Photo by Grace Yoon/Anadolu via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA May 2: Police officers push pro-Palestinian protesters backwards after an oder to disperse was given at UCLA early Thursday morning. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) A large encampment of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA MAY 2: Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest at UCLA as the US Police attempt to disperse the crowd, in Los Angeles, California, USA on May 2, 2024. (Photo by Grace Yoon/Anadolu via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA May 2: Police officers clash with pro-Palestinian protesters as a fire extinguisher is deployed at UCLA early Thursday morning. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Police react while pro-Palestinian students stand their ground after police breached their encampment at the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in Los Angeles, California, early on May 2, 2024. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA MAY 02: A California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer detains a protestor while clearing a pro-Palestinian encampment after dispersal orders were given at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus, on May 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. The camp was declared unlawful by the university and over 100 protestors who refused to leave were detained during the operation. Pro-Palestinian encampments have sprung up at college campuses around the country with some protestors calling for schools to divest from Israeli interests amid the ongoing war in Gaza. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers clear a pro-Palestinian encampment after a dispersal order was given at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus, on May 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Workers clean up the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus after police evicted pro-Palestinian students, in Los Angeles, California, early on May 2, 2024. Hundreds of police tore down protest barricades and began arresting students early Thursday at the University of California, Los Angeles the latest flashpoint in an eruption of protest on US campuses over Israels war against Hamas in Gaza. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES CA MAY 2, 2024 Police tear down the tents on the UCLA campus Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Workers clean up the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus after police evicted pro-Palestinian students, in Los Angeles, California, early on May 2, 2024. Hundreds of police tore down protest barricades and began arresting students early Thursday at the University of California, Los Angeles the latest flashpoint in an eruption of protest on US campuses over Israels war against Hamas in Gaza. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) Workers clean up the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus after police evicted pro-Palestinian students, in Los Angeles, California, early on May 2, 2024. Hundreds of police tore down protest barricades and began arresting students early Thursday at the University of California, Los Angeles the latest flashpoint in an eruption of protest on US campuses over Israels war against Hamas in Gaza. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA MAY 02: A California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer detains a protestor near encampment graffiti while clearing a pro-Palestinian encampment after dispersal orders were given at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus, on May 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. The camp was declared unlawful by the university and over 100 protestors who refused to leave were detained during the operation. Pro-Palestinian encampments have sprung up at college campuses around the country with some protestors calling for schools to divest from Israeli interests amid the ongoing war in Gaza. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Police patrol as workers clean up the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus after police evicted pro-Palestinian students, in Los Angeles, California, early on May 2, 2024. Hundreds of police tore down protest barricades and began arresting students early Thursday at the University of California, Los Angeles the latest flashpoint in an eruption of protest on US campuses over Israels war against Hamas in Gaza. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) Workers clean up the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus after police evicted pro-Palestinian students, in Los Angeles, California, early on May 2, 2024. Hundreds of police tore down protest barricades and began arresting students early Thursday at the University of California, Los Angeles the latest flashpoint in an eruption of protest on US campuses over Israels war against Hamas in Gaza. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) Police make an arrest as they face-off with pro-Palestinian students after destroying part of the encampment barricade on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in Los Angeles, California, early on May 2, 2024. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images) Workers clean up the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus after police evicted pro-Palestinian students, in Los Angeles, California, early on May 2, 2024. Hundreds of police tore down protest barricades and began arresting students early Thursday at the University of California, Los Angeles the latest flashpoint in an eruption of protest on US campuses over Israels war against Hamas in Gaza. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA MAY 02: A California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer detains a protestor while clearing a pro-Palestinian encampment after dispersal orders were given at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus, on May 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. The camp was declared unlawful by the university and over 100 protestors who refused to leave were detained during the operation. Pro-Palestinian encampments have sprung up at college campuses around the country with some protestors calling for schools to divest from Israeli interests amid the ongoing war in Gaza. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA MAY 2: Pro-Palestinian protestors build a makeshift wall in an encampment at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus on May 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. The camp was declared unlawful by the university and many protestors have been detained. Pro-Palestinian encampments have sprung up at college campuses around the country with some protestors calling for schools to divest from Israeli interests amid the ongoing war in Gaza. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA May 2: Police officers clash with pro-Palestinian protesters as a fire extinguisher is deployed at UCLA early Thursday morning. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES CA MAY 2, 2024 Police at one of the buildings on the UCLA campus Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Workers clean up the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus after police evicted pro-Palestinian students, in Los Angeles, California, early on May 2, 2024. Hundreds of police tore down protest barricades and began arresting students early Thursday at the University of California, Los Angeles the latest flashpoint in an eruption of protest on US campuses over Israels war against Hamas in Gaza. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES CA MAY 2, 2024 Police and protestors face off on the UCLA campus Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Police face-off with pro-Palestinian students after destroying part of the encampment barricade on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in Los Angeles, California, early on May 2, 2024. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images) Pro-Palestinian protestors refused to leave the UCLA campus after officers arrived and a dispersal order was given on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) Police officers arrived as a dispersal order was given to a large encampment of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) Around two dozen enforcement vehicles seen on the campus of UCLA on May 1 after violence broke out against pro-Palestinian demonstrators and pro-Israeli counter-protesters. (KTLA) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA MAY 2: A Pro-Palestinian protestor barricades a door in an encampment at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus on May 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. The camp was declared unlawful by the university and many protestors have been detained. Pro-Palestinian encampments have sprung up at college campuses around the country with some protestors calling for schools to divest from Israeli interests amid the ongoing war in Gaza. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA MAY 2: <> on May 1, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images) A large encampment of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) A large encampment of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) A large encampment of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) US Police officers stand guard near a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), after clashes erupted in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. Clashes broke out on May 1, 2024 around pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of California, Los Angeles, as universities around the United States struggle to contain similar protests on dozens of campuses. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA May 1: Pro-Palestinian protestors and pro-Israeli supporters clash at an encampment at UCLA early Wednesday morning. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA May 1: Pro-Palestinian protestors protect themselves from pro-Israeli supporters next at an the encampment at UCLA early Wednesday morning. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) A large encampment of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) Pro-Palestinian protestors refused to leave the UCLA campus after officers arrived and a dispersal order was given on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA MAY 2: Pro-Palestinian protestors barricade a door in an encampment at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus on May 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. The camp was declared unlawful by the university and many protestors have been detained. Pro-Palestinian encampments have sprung up at college campuses around the country with some protestors calling for schools to divest from Israeli interests amid the ongoing war in Gaza. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA MAY 1: Signs supporting Pro-Palestinian protestors are seen in an encampment at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus on May 1, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. The camp was declared unlawful by the university and many protestors have been detained. Pro-Palestinian encampments have sprung up at college campuses around the country with some protestors calling for schools to divest from Israeli interests amid the ongoing war in Gaza. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA MAY 02: A California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer detains a protestor while clearing a pro-Palestinian encampment after dispersal orders were given at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus, on May 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. The camp was declared unlawful by the university and over 100 protestors who refused to leave were detained during the operation. Pro-Palestinian encampments have sprung up at college campuses around the country with some protestors calling for schools to divest from Israeli interests amid the ongoing war in Gaza. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Remnants of the pro-Palestinian protest encampment at UCLA on May 2, 2024. (KTLA) The agitators threw fireworks at the encampment and attacked demonstrators with bear or pepper spray. Many people were seen punching and fist-fighting on the lawn during the late-night ambush. The next day, a large police presence surrounded UCLA and declared the encampment an unlawful assembly. Officers worked overnight to eventually clear the massive encampment. Around 210 people were arrested or detained and hundreds more left the campus voluntarily. Removal of the tents at the UC Riverside encampment have begun and will be cleared by Friday at midnight. UCR values students right to practice peaceful free speech, as well as our Principles of Community and the safety of our students, staff, faculty, and visitors, said Chancellor Wilson. This agreement does not change the realities of the war in Gaza, or the need to address antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of bias and discrimination; however, I am grateful that we can have constructive and peaceful conversations on how to address these complex issues. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. UK Defence Intelligence forecasts increase in Russian losses in the next 2 months UK Defence Intelligence expects that in the next two months, Russian losses in the war against Ukraine will be greater due to offensive operations. Source: UK Defence Intelligence review dated 4 May, as reported by European Pravda In April 2024, the average daily number of Russian casualties (killed and wounded) stood at 899. "It is likely that Russia's casualty rate will again increase over the next two months as they renew dedicated offensive operations in eastern Ukraine. This follows a slight decrease in the pace of operations over the past two months since the fall of Avdiivka," the review states. The intelligence service said that the total number of Russian casualties since the invasion began exceeds 465,000. UK intelligence asserts that Russia has adapted its military to a war of attrition, which relies more on quantity than quality. "This reliance on mass will almost certainly continue for the duration of the Ukraine war and have long-lasting effects on Russia's future army," the review concludes. Background: In a previous review, UK Defence Intelligence reported that Russia had been forced to withdraw about 40 aircraft of various types from the area of the Kushchevskaya airfield after a recent Ukrainian strike and to redeploy them to numerous airfields further from the original missile launch areas. UK intelligence has also analysed reports of a record number of desertion cases being considered by military courts in Russia, as well as a record number of requests from Russians for asylum in foreign countries. Support UP or become our patron! Unlike other universities this weekend, the University of Kentuckys commencements on Friday and Saturday went off without a hitch. UK conferred 5,736 degrees and waved goodbye as 4,300 students walked in the annual May commencement ceremonies. Students in the class of 2024 had an unusual college experience, beginning their freshman year in the midst of a pandemic. Many graduates did not have a high school graduation ceremony because of COVID, so this was the first time many walked across the stage adorned by regalia. Weve been waiting for this a long time, agriculture education graduate Bethany Field said. Were getting the chance to actually have an in-person graduation. Fellow agriculture education graduate Dylan Driskell called his class resilient, and praised the bravery it took to continue college in the midst of a global pandemic. We loved our time here at college. UKs a great institution, he said. I feel very proud of myself and my fellow graduates, and Im just excited for whats next. There were no protests or mentions of the war in Gaza at commencements Friday or Saturday. While UK graduations ran smoothly, the same cant be said for others across the country. The University of Southern California canceled its main commencement ceremony, following the arrest of 93 people at a pro-Palestine protest on campus. Students at Columbia University in New York are worried about the status of their commencement, having been the site of a nationally publicized encampment protest. Protesters interrupted commencement exercises at the University of Michigans Music, Theatre and Dance ceremony Friday night. They were met with jeers, boos and chants of USA, USA. A young rally participant leading rally chants with megaphones during the peaceful Free Palestine rally at the William T Young Library lawn on UKs campus on May 1, 2024, in Lexington, Ky. At UK on Wednesday, hundreds of protesters rallied to show support for Gaza. The rally remained peaceful, and there were no arrests. (Bloomberg) -- A dispute between the UK and Ireland over a surge in asylum-seekers is threatening to upend their already fragile relationship. With elections on the horizon for the leaders of both countries, neither side appears likely to back down. Most Read from Bloomberg Disagreements between Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his newly installed Irish counterpart, Taoiseach Simon Harris, burst into view this week as the government in Dublin advanced emergency legislation allowing it to return asylum-seekers to the UK. Sunak hit back, vowing not to abide by a previous agreement to take them, so long as Irelands fellow EU member, France, refused to accept migrant returns from Britain. The episode has renewed worries about the recent settlements on post-Brexit trade across the Irish Sea and power-sharing between unionists and nationalists in Northern Ireland, which remains part of the UK. At the heart of those agreements is maintaining an open north-south border on the island of Ireland, despite the UKs exit from the European Union in 2020. The flow of people across that frontier is now coming under greater scrutiny in Dublin as Sunak ramps up his campaign to stop the boats carrying migrants across the English Channel from France. Harriss justice minister, Helen McEntee, told a parliamentary committee last week that 80% of those seeking international protection in her country had come from the North. On Thursday, authorities in Dublin renewed efforts to clear migrant encampments outside Irelands international protection center in the capital. Irish media reported that the republic would post police near the border with the North, a controversial idea that was quickly denied by the Department of Justice. The Irish police said its members wouldnt be assigned physically to the border. The dispute is fraught with centuries of history between Ireland and the islands former colonial rulers in London. An integral part of the Good Friday Agreement, which brought an end to the decades long conflict in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles, was an open border. Continued movement across the border was also one of the most contentious issues between the UK and the EU in the aftermath of the Brexit referendum. And Harris, who took control of the ruling Fine Gael party after the surprise resignation of Leo Varadkar in March, needs to look strong while standing up to Britain ahead of an election that must be held within 10 months. Im not sure how they are going to get over it anytime soon, said Muiris MacCarthaigh, head of politics and international relations at Queens University Belfast. They need to cooperate but any rowing back on commitments particularity by the British government, politically it would be disastrous. Immigration has become one of the top issues concerning voters in Ireland amid a crisis in housing. Over 1,800 asylum-seekers are currently homeless and sleeping on the streets. Sunak faces similar pressures at home, where the populist Reform UK party founded by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage has pledged net zero immigration as it attempts to cut into the ruling Conservative Partys vote. With asylum-seekers surging into the country including a record 7,567 in the first four months of the year Sunak has passed law allowing migrants to be deported to Rwanda and rebuffed Harriss request to accept more for Ireland. Harris, in turn, said that the country wouldnt provide a loophole for another countrys immigration challenges. An Irish court ruling in March precipitated the current standoff. In a remarkable parallel to a similar decision by the UKs highest court last year, the Irish tribunal determined that the UK wasnt a safe country to send asylum-seekers back to in light of Sunaks Rwanda plan. That effectively froze a 2020 operational agreement between Ireland the UK that allowed for the transfer of asylum-seekers between the two sides. While no migrants had been sent under that deal, the bill approved by the Irish cabinet sought to restore its viability. Sunak has said that the UK had no legal obligation to accept asylum-seekers returned from Ireland. Speaking to ITV news, Sunak said he was not interested in a returns deal if the EU didnt allow the UK to send asylum seekers back to France. The tensions were apparent after UK Home Secretary James Cleverly canceled a meeting with McEntee on Monday on the sidelines of an intergovernmental conference, citing diary issues. While Irish Deputy Prime Minister Micheal Martin and British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris tried to show a united front when they met later that day, the immigration spat continued to rattle on. The political calendar ensures high stakes for both sides. Local and European Parliament elections are to take place in Ireland on June 7. Sunak, whose party suffered widespread losses in UK local elections on Thursday, hopes to make a crackdown on what he calls illegal immigration a centerpiece of his campaign in a general election expected later this year. There is definitely a sense that British-Irish relations are currently on a roller coaster, said MacCarthaigh, of Queens University Belfast. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Ukraine says close to $500,000 in reconstruction funds for Borodianka 'disappeared' Around Hr 19.8 million ($498,000) in reconstruction funds allocated to the heavily damaged Kyiv suburb of Borodianka "disappeared," Ukraine's State Audit Service said on May 3. Borodianka, once a town of 12,000 people 40 kilometers (~25 miles) northwest of Kyiv, suffered widespread destruction in the first weeks of Russia's all-out war against Ukraine. Significant funding has been directed to the town and other places that bore the brunt of the initial Russian onslaught. After an audit of the Borodianka town council, auditors determined that there was a discrepancy of Hr 14 million (around $353,000) related to plastic-metal windows, which were earmarked for installation but never actually put in. The auditors also found that purchasing and installing materials at prices above their market price resulted in a loss of Hr 5.2 million ($131,000). The State Audit Service said that local governments should "ensure more thorough control" over reconstruction funding and added that the case had been referred to the Prosecutor General's Office to determine whether there had been criminal wrongdoing. Read also: Ukraine wants to make reconstruction transparent. Will it work? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine shoots down Russian Su-25 aircraft in Donetsk Oblast, Zelensky says Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated. Soldiers of Ukraine's 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade shot down a Russian Su-25 fighter jet in Donetsk Oblast on May 4, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address. Russia is carrying out intense attacks in multiple sections of the eastern front, which covers much of Donetsk Oblast, after it captured the city of Avdiivka in February. Moscow shifted its focus toward Chasiv Yar, an elevated town that potentially opens the way to further advances into the region. The Su-25 is used to provide close air support for Russian troops on the ground. "Well done. I thank all our soldiers at the front in combat missions at combat posts," Zelensky said. Russia's total losses during the all-out war amount to about 673 aircraft 348 planes and 325 helicopters, according to Ukraine's General Staff. The General Staff's figure could not be independently verified. Subscribe to newsletter War Notes Subscribe Russia used eight missiles of various types against Ukraine and dropped nearly 70 guided aerial bombs on border settlements and positions at the front within a day, according to Zelensky. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov also reportedly briefed Zelensky on "the actions of specific units in specific areas" at the front. "We are aware of all aspects of the situation now," Zelensky said. Ukraine is facing a "new stage" in the full-scale war as Russia is preparing to expand its offensive, Zelensky said earlier. Russian forces are trying to advance in the Lyman, Bakhmut, Kupiansk, Novopavlivka, and Avdiivka sectors in the east of Ukraine, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on May 4. Read also: Battle of Chasiv Yar begins: On the ground with Ukrainian forces defending city key to Russias plans Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine's air defence downs 13 of 13 Shahed drones launched by Russia at night Mobile fire group. Photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine The Russians launched 13 Shahed attack drones on the night of 3-4 May and Ukraines air defence has destroyed all of them. Source: Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of Ukraine's Air Force, on Telegram Details: The Russians launched 13 Shahed attack drones and four S-300 anti-aircraft missiles on the night of 3-4 May. All launches were made from Russias Belgorod Oblast. As a result of air defence efforts, anti-aircraft units and mobile fire groups from the Air Force along with the rest of the Defence Forces destroyed 13 attack drones within Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's Air Force on missiles used in Russian strikes on Odesa, Dnipro and Kharkiv on Orthodox Easter eve Russian occupying forces attacked Odesa Oblast using a Iskander-K cruise missile, used a S-300 anti-aircraft missile system to hit the city of Kharkiv, and tried to strike the city of Dnipro with a Kh-59 guided missile on Saturday 4 May. Source: Ukrainian Air Force in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda Details: The Ukrainian Air Force reported that on Saturday evening, the Russians attacked Odesa Oblast firing an Iskander cruise missile (civilian infrastructure was damaged, and three people were injured, local authorities inform) and used an S-300 anti-aircraft missile system to hit Kharkiv. In addition, Ukrainian air defence shot down a Russian Kh-59 guided missile on the way to Dnipro. Answering Ukrainska Pravda's question about the type of missile the Russians used on 4 May to attack the capital, the Air Force said that this information was being established. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's Foreign Ministry described Russia's putting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the wanted list as evidence of the desperation of the Russian state machine and propaganda. Source: Ukraine's Foreign Ministry Quote: "Russian reports about the alleged addition of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs' wanted list demonstrate the desperation of the Russian state machine and propaganda, which are at a loss for what else to invent to garner attention. We would like to remind everyone that, unlike the worthless Russian announcements, the International Criminal Court's warrant for the arrest of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on war crimes charges is real and enforceable in 123 countries." Background: The website of Russia's Interior Ministry posted a message about President Volodymyr Zelenskyy being put on the wanted list. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's Defence Forces shot down a Russian Kh-59/69 guided missile near the city of Dnipro on the afternoon of 4 May. Source: Air Command Skhid (East); Ukraine's Air Force Quote from Air Command Skhid: "A unit of Air Command Skhid destroyed a Kh-59/69 guided missile in the Dnipro district (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast) at 16:16." Details: At 16:15, the Ukrainian Air Force reported a high-speed target moving towards Dnipro. Support UP or become our patron! The Southern District Military Court has sentenced Ukrainian prisoner of war Vladyslav Plakhotnyk to 18 years in prison in Rostov Oblast of the Russian Federation. Source: Nastoyashcheye Vremya, Rostov Oblast Prosecutor's Office Details: Plakhotnyk was found guilty of participating in the activities of a terrorist organisation (Article 205.5, paragraph 2 of the Russian Criminal Code) and undergoing training for the purpose of carrying out terrorist activities (Article 205.3 of the Russian Criminal Code). The prosecutor's office stated that in July 2023, 18-year-old Plakhotnyk voluntarily signed a contract for military service in the Azov battalion, after which he was sent to the training centre of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and subsequently took part in hostilities in Luhansk Oblast. The Russian court sentenced Plakhotnyk to 18 years in prison, with the first 3 years in prison and the rest in a strict regime penal colony. The sentence has not entered into force. Russian media outlet Vazhnye Istorii, citing Verstka, noted that since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian courts in the occupied territories have passed more than 160 sentences on Ukrainian military personnel. The average sentence imposed on Ukrainian defendants is 21 years. The minimum sentence handed down to Ukrainian servicemen is eight years in a penal colony. Support UP or become our patron! FILE - Sudanese Children suffering from malnutrition are treated at an MSF clinic in Metche Camp, Chad, near the Sudanese border, on April 6, 2024. The United Nations food agency warned Sudans warring parties Friday, May 4, that there is a serious risk of widespread starvation and death in Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan if they dont allow humanitarian aid into the vast western region. (AP Photo/Patricia Simon, File) UNITED NATIONS (AP) The United Nations food agency warned Sudans warring parties Friday that there is a serious risk of widespread starvation and death in Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan if they dont allow humanitarian aid into the vast western region. Leni Kinzli, the World Food Programs regional spokesperson, said at least 1.7 million people in Darfur were experiencing emergency levels of hunger in December, and the number is expected to be much higher today. Our calls for humanitarian access to conflict hotspots in Sudan have never been more critical, she told a virtual U.N. press conference from Nairobi. Sudan plunged into chaos in mid-April 2023, when long-simmering tensions between its military led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces commanded by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, broke out into street battles in the capital, Khartoum. Fighting has spread to other parts of the country, especially urban areas and the Darfur region. The paramilitary forces, known as the RSF, have gained control of most of Darfur and are besieging El Fasher, the only capital in Darfur they dont hold, where some 500,000 civilians had taken refuge. Kinzli said WFPs partners on the ground report that the situation in El Fasher is extremely dire and its difficult for civilians wanting to flee the reported RSF bombings and shelling to leave. She said the violence in El Fasher and surrounding North Darfur is exacerbating the critical humanitarian needs in the entire Darfur region, where crop production for staple cereals like wheat, sorghum and millet is 78% less than the five-year average. On top of the impact of escalating violence, Kinzli said, WFP is concerned that hunger will increase dramatically as the lean season between harvests sets in and people run out of food. She said a farmer in El Fasher recently told her that her family had already run out of food stocks and is living day-to-day, an indication that the lean season, which usually starts in May, started earlier. Kinzli said she received photos earlier Friday from colleagues on the ground of severely malnourished children in a camp for displaced people in Central Darfur, as well as older people who have nothing left but skin and bones. Recent reports from our partners indicate that 20 children have died in recent weeks of malnutrition in that IDP camp, she said. People are resorting to consuming grass and peanut shells, Kinzli said. And if assistance doesnt reach them soon, we risk witnessing widespread starvation and death in Darfur and across other conflict-affected areas in Sudan. Kinzli called for a concerted diplomatic effort by the international community to push the warring parties to provide access and safety guarantees for humanitarian staff and convoys. One year of this devastating conflict in Sudan has created an unprecedented hunger catastrophe and threatens to ignite the world's largest hunger crisis, she warned. With almost 28 million people facing food insecurity across Sudan, South Sudan and Chad, the conflict is spilling over and exacerbating the challenges that we've already been facing over the last year. In March, Sudanese authorities revoked WFPs permission to deliver aid from neighboring Chad to West Darfur and Central Darfur from the town of Adre, saying that crossing had been used to transfer weapons to the RSF. Kinzli said restrictions from Sudanese authorities in Port Sudan are also preventing WFP from transporting aid via Adre. Sudanese authorities approved the delivery of aid from the Chadian town of Tina to North Darfur, but Kinzli said WFP can no longer use that route for security reasons because it goes directly into besieged El Fasher. On Thursday, gunmen in South Darfur killed two drivers for the International Committee of the Red Cross and injured three ICRC staff members. On Friday, U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffith called the killing of aid works unconscionable. Kinzli said the fighting and endless bureaucratic hurdles have prevented WFP from delivering aid to over 700,000 people in Darfur ahead of the rainy season when many roads become impassable. WFP currently has 8,000 tons of food supplies ready to move in Chad, ready to transport, but is unable to do so because of these constraints, she said. WFP urgently requires unrestricted access and security guarantees to deliver assistance, she said. And we must be able to use the Adre border crossing, and move assistance across front lines from Port Sudan in the east to Darfur so we can reach people in this desperate region. Residents in a Beverly Grove neighborhood are terrified after a burglary crew has relentlessly targeted the area in a string of costly thefts. Neighbors said the burglars are hitting homes on an almost daily basis, oftentimes staking out potential properties before striking. Many homeowners have increased security measures by installing cameras and motion sensors around their properties. However, it seems those preventative measures have not deterred the thieves. Over the last several months, multiple attempted break-ins were captured on surveillance cameras but the suspects ran away when they realized someone was home. Burglars ransacked a Beverly Grove home as residents remain on edge amid continuous thefts plaguing the neighborhood. Suspect being caught by police after attempting to break into a Beverly Grove home. Two male suspects seen walking in a Beverly Grove neighborhood before breaking into a home. Burglars smashed the glass backyard door of Eddie and Linas Beverly Grove home on May 2, 2024. A male suspect seen casing Eddie and Linas Beverly Grove home on May 2, 2024. A male suspect seen casing Eddie and Linas Beverly Grove home on May 2, 2024. Burglars ransacked a Beverly Grove home as residents remain on edge amid continuous thefts plaguing the neighborhood. Two male suspects seen walking in a Beverly Grove neighborhood before breaking into a home. Burglars ransacked a Beverly Grove home as residents remain on edge amid continuous thefts plaguing the neighborhood. Suspect being caught by police after attempting to break into a Beverly Grove home. Burglars smashed the glass balcony door of Eddie and Linas Beverly Grove home on May 2, 2024. However on May 2, the suspects finally succeeded after homeowners Eddie and Lina left their house in the morning. The suspects were seen climbing on the backside of the home to gain entry through a second-story balcony, They smashed in a glass door and ransacked the house, escaping with items such as family heirlooms, jewelry and other valuable property. Eddie and Lina said there have been nearly a dozen burglaries in the area over the last several months, leaving many homeowners afraid. I think that were under siege, Eddie said. I dont know how else to put it. Every day theres something going on in our street and the streets surrounding us. Every day we dont know whos getting attacked, whos getting broken into, whos getting home invaded and its all hours of the day, all hours of the night. We dont feel safe in our own homes, Lina said. Its not okay. Its no way to live. A recent attempted break-in was unsuccessful after a homeowner was able to catch a burglar in his backyard at a home on Maryland Drive. The victims said they later received a note from the district attorneys office, explaining plans for the suspects prosecution but have not heard any updates since. Eddie, Lina and other victims believe the same criminals hit two other homes in the neighborhood just a week earlier. Those thefts were captured on surveillance footage as the thieves were seen rummaging around. Its just terrible that this is what its become, Lina said. It trickles down. Look at our local government, look at our district attorney. Whats happening? Its not working. Whos benefitting from all these changes? Not us. Anyone with information on the break-ins can call the Los Angeles Police Department at 1-877-527-3247. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) is set to become top Democrat on the House subcommittee that crafts Homeland Security Department (DHS) funding, replacing Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) shortly after he was indicted on bribery charges. Aides confirmed the news, first reported by Bloomberg Government, to The Hill on Friday afternoon. A House Democratic aide said Underwood, who was previously tapped to serve on the subcommittee in 2021, will immediately begin serving as ranking member on the GOP-led subcommittee. The news comes shortly after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffriess (D-N.Y.) office confirmed Cuellar would be stepping down from the role following reports that the Texas Democrat and his wife had been indicted. Cuellar has been alleged to have accepted nearly $600,000 in bribes and laundered the funds. Jeffries office said that Cuellar would take leave pursuant to House rules. Henry Cuellar has admirably devoted his career to public service and is a valued Member of the House Democratic Caucus, the office said. Like any American, Congressman Cuellar is entitled to his day in court and the presumption of innocence throughout the legal process. Pursuant to House Democratic Caucus Rule 24, Congressman Cuellar will take leave as Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee while this matter is ongoing. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The University of Vermont (UVM) has canceled United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfields commencement speech amid pro-Palestinian protests on campus as protests sweep colleges across the nation. We are looking forward to the upcoming Commencement ceremonies and the opportunity to celebrate our 2024 UVM graduates, Suresh Garimella, the universitys president, said in a message to the university community Friday obtained by The Hill. After their years of hard work and commitment to success, they deserve a weekend of ceremony and celebration befitting their accomplishment, Garmimella continued. It is with regret that I share that our planned speaker, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, will not be joining us to deliver the Commencement address. An Instagram post by UVMs chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine celebrated the cancellation, calling Thomas-Greenfield a war criminal. Pro-Palestinian protestors on college campuses across the country have aimed their ire at President Biden and his administration for their handling of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Democratic National Committees college outreach arm, the College Democrats of America, has also voiced solidarity with the pro-Palestinian protestors and slammed the White House over how it has dealt with the conflict. The White House has taken the mistaken route of a bear hug strategy for [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] and a cold shoulder strategy for its own base and all Americans who want to see an end to this war. Each day that Democrats fail to stand united for a permanent ceasefire, two-state solution, and recognition of a Palestinian state, more and more youth find themselves disillusioned with the party, a statement by the College Democrats reads. President Biden criticized aspects of some recent pro-Palestinian protests including property damage in prepared remarks at the White House Thursday. Destroying property is not a peaceful protest, its against the law. Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduation. None of this is a peaceful protest, threatening people, intimidating people, Biden said. Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protests have erupted across higher education institutions in recent weeks, leading to hundreds of arrests and causing several universities, including UVM, to adjust their graduation plans. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. US and Israeli officials say finalizing any ceasefire deal could take days As negotiators meet in Cairo on Saturday, US and Israeli officials say any potential agreement on a framework that would pair a temporary ceasefire with a release of hostages in Gaza would likely be followed by continued negotiations over the finer details of the deal. A final deal between the two parties is expected to take several more days to negotiate. Negotiators have made progress on the technical aspects of a potential deal, but two Israeli sources say it could take a week to finalize the deal itself. A US official echoed this point Saturday, saying even if Hamas accepts the deal as proposed, it would take several more days to hammer out some of the details that would eventually result in a truce. Those discussions could also be difficult and stretched out. American officials continue to view the talks with cautious optimism, describing progress but still mindful that previous efforts have fallen apart at the last minute. A women looks at photos of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza on May 1, 2024, in Tel Aviv, Israel. - Amir Levy/Getty Images As Hamas met with mediators in Cairo on Saturday, Mossad Director David Barnea remained in Israel. But Israeli sources said he could quickly head to Egypt if Hamas agrees to the framework. CIA Director Bill Burns, who has acted as a key interlocutor for the United States in the multiparty talks, is in Cairo, a person familiar with the matter says. CNN has reached out to other mediators in the negotiations. CNNs MJ Lee, Alex Marquardt, Kareem Khadder, Mostafa Salem and Eve Brennan contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) With Michigan U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow retiring, the field has narrowed in both parties. 6 News is looking at the four-person GOP primary. Its a pretty good bet that if you were offered $1,000 to name all four of the remaining GOP candidates for Stabenows soon-to-be-vacated Senate seatwell, to be generous, most of you would not be counting the cash. Fifty-four percent of voters are undecided on this racewhich is another way of saying the candidates have a tough assignment to build some name ID. Undecided leads in Michigan Republican Senate race For example, mid-Michigan former GOP Congressman Mike Rogers is looking at the 30% of voters who dont know who he is. West Michigan former GOP Congressman Justin Amash clocks in with 48% of voters not knowing who he is. Former Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., speaks at the Vision 24 conference on Saturday, March 18, 2023, in North Charleston, S.C. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard) And then there is GOP businessperson Sandy Pensler. He actually ran for the GOP Senate nomination against John James. Despite the statewide attention, 59% of the voters dont know him. And 69% of the citizens have no idea that Dr. Sherry ODonnel is running. In the head-to-head, Rogers has the lead with 32% of the vote. Amash is next, with a distant second at 8%. Pensler follows with 3%, and theres Dr. ODonnel with 2%. Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Rogers, which is why many feel he is the frontrunner, and odds are on the favorite to win. FILE In this June 12, 2019, file photo, Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., listens to debate on Capitol Hill in Washington. Amash says he is launching an exploratory committee for the 2020 Libertarian Partys presidential nomination. The Republican-turned-independent said on Twitter, Tuesday, April 28, 2020, that the U.S. is ready for new leadership. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File ) The challenge for Amash is that he voted to impeach Trump, which means very few Trump voters in Michigan would plunk for him. The primary is this Aug. 6. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. Security personnel gather near the entrance of the Wuhan Institute of Virology during a visit by the World Health Organization team - NG HAN GUAN/AP The US shared gobsmacking evidence with Britain at the height of the Covid pandemic suggesting a high likelihood that the virus had leaked from a Chinese lab, The Telegraph can reveal. In January 2021, Five Eyes intelligence-sharing nations were convened to discuss the possibility of a lab leak as the US warned that China had covered up research on coronaviruses and military activity at a laboratory in Wuhan. In a previously unreported phone call that month, Mike Pompeo, the former US secretary of state, presented evidence that supported the lab leak theory to Dominic Raab, then the Foreign Secretary, and representatives from Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Speaking to The Telegraph, two Trump administration officials accused Mr Raab and the UK Government of ignoring the lab leak theory because of resistance from government scientists who supported the explanation that the virus had jumped between animals and humans. Mr Pompeo presented a summary of classified American intelligence reports collected in the early days of the pandemic and compiled by the State Department. The intelligence reports themselves are understood to have been shared separately with the UK via the Five Eyes network between October and December 2020. We saw several pieces of information and thought that they were, frankly, gobsmacking, said one former official who worked on the intelligence that informed Mr Pompeos report. They obviously pointed to the high likelihood that this was indeed a lab leak. Dominic Raab and Mike Pompeo, the then US secretary of state, in 2020 - Kirsty O'Connor/PA Archive In one document, which has since been released by the State Department under Freedom of Information laws, US officials warned of consistent stonewalling by China after the virus was first discovered and accused local officials of gross corruption and ineptitude. The research revealed for the first time that Chinese military officials had worked with the Wuhan Institute of Virology in the years leading up to the pandemic, and that some researchers at the lab had become ill shortly before the virus was first recorded nearby. It also showed that Chinese scientists had carried out gain of function research at the institute, which has since become a key piece of evidence for the lab leak theory. The theory has become a divisive topic among scientists and government officials in the years following the pandemic and has prompted two investigations by the World Health Organisation, which China has been accused of obstructing. British government ministers including Boris Johnson initially dismissed the possibility that Covid had been created by scientists, arguing in June 2021 that the advice that we have had is that it doesnt look as though this particular disease of zoonotic origin came from a lab. Two former officials claimed the UK had ignored the evidence presented by the US because ministers saw the lab leak claims as a radioactive American political issue fuelled by public disagreement between government scientists and Donald Trump. Once the thing became fundamentally political, the ability to pursue it internationally really just collapsed because no one else was interested in touching it, said one of the officials. I think [Five Eyes] were kind of annoyed by the way the issue had become treated in US politics. Both separately named Sir Jeremy Farrar, a member of the Governments Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies as one of the leading opponents of the lab leak theory within the British government. A majority of scientific experts have long said that they believe an animal to human interaction was the most likely cause of the first infection. However, some Government figures, including Michael Gove, have since said that they believe the virus was man-made. In November, Mr Gove told the Covid Inquiry that there was a significant body of judgment that believes that the virus itself was man-made and that presents its own set of challenges. Both the FBI and US Department of Energy have said they believe a lab leak is the most likely cause of Covid, while other agencies have said they think it occurred naturally. Joe Biden, the US president, has said he does not know where the virus started, while the US National Intelligence Council said last year it probably emerged and infected humans through an initial small-scale exposure. UK ministers are now facing calls to expand the terms of the Covid Inquiry to include an investigation into the origin of the virus. The Telegraph understands that the call in Jan 2021 was deliberately held on an open line without security encryption in the hope that Chinese intelligence agencies would hear that Western countries were aware of military activity in Wuhan. We did that deliberatelywe wanted to put pressure on the bad guys, said a State Department source. Ten days after the call, in which officials said the UK was unwilling to assist with a US-led lab leak investigation or share its own research, the summary compiled by Mr Pompeos officials was released to the public in a fact sheet. Those involved in the release said they took care to avoid revealing the sources or methods of US spy agencies, and that it was just the tip of the iceberg of the underlying intelligence that had been gathered. A UK government spokesman said: There are still questions that need to be answered about the origin and spread of Covid-19, not least so we can ensure we are better prepared for future pandemics. The UK continues to support the World Health Organisation in its expert study of the origins of Covid-19. It is important that China and other countries cooperate fully with the researchers. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Graduation ceremonies at the University of South Florida went off Saturday without incident a stark contrast from the campus protests that occurred during the past week. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations had sparked heated clashes with police on campus, resulting in the arrest of at least 10 protesters. But on Saturday, as hundreds of graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas, the atmosphere was one of celebration and accomplishment. No protests were held during the afternoon ceremony for students at the Yuengling Center in Tampa. Kevin Watler, a USF spokesperson, said law enforcement was on site to ensure safety and security. Its a very exciting time for friends and families, Watler said. We want to make sure that continues to go on. Jason Peraza, 31, was there to see his youngest brother graduate from the Muma College of Business and was glad the ceremony was peaceful. Each one of us has a story to celebrate, Peraza said. Were here to celebrate with my brother. A graduation ceremony that celebrates Latino students culture at the University of Texas at Austin will go forward off campus, despite cuts to diversity programs that left the event unfunded. The cancelled Latinx Graduation will take place thanks in part to the League of United Latin American Citizens, the nation's oldest Latino civil rights group, and online donations. UT cut off funding for the symbolic Latinx Graduation and graduations for other groups as part of its eradication of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and the elimination of some 60 employees working on DEI. This followed the enactment of a state law banning DEI initiatives in public colleges and universities. UT shuttered its Multicultural Engagement Center and defunded Latinx Community Affairs, which organized the graduation. UT also cut off money for Black Graduation, GraduAsian and the Lavender Graduation, which celebrates LGBTQ students. These ceremonies are held in addition to the universitywide graduation and those held by the different academic departments. Latino students lamented the elimination of a ceremony that focused on the bicultural heritage of many graduates and their families. The Latinx Graduation was bilingual and allowed for multiple family members to attend. It included Latino food, music and decor that is not present in the universitywide or individual school graduations. Latino programs, events such as the Latinx Graduation and venues such as the shuttered multicultural center, have been seen as important to recruiting, retaining and graduating Latino students, particularly at the states flagship, which has lagged in enrolling Hispanic students. The events' cancellations left students to scramble for other ways to hold the events and pay for them. The university alumni group, Texas Exes, is holding multicultural celebrations where families can meet and greet but not actual graduation ceremonies. Latino students tried to turn to private donors, but initially only raised $2,000, well short of their estimated of its GoFundMe goal of $9,000, and not enough to secure a venue. Katherine Ospina, outreach chair of Latinx Community Affairs, one of the groups UT stopped funding, said the students did not want to end up with a deficit. She began cold-calling elected officials and Latino organizations, including LULAC. The funds were going to cover security, printing, insurance, chords for students to wear, and graduation speakers. The group had cut other costs such as music and the buffet they've held at previous Latinx graduations. "The venue was going to be its own cost in and of itself so LULAC said they would be more than happy to cover the venue costs," she said. Austin elected officials also discounted the cost of the venue, the Austin Independent School District Performing Arts Center. "Among my cold calls, LULAC was one of them and they were 100%," she said. This year's Latinx graduates will be given an orange chord, a color of the monarch butterfly, to drape across their shoulders, Ospina said. Monarchs, which migrate from Mexico to the U.S. and back, have been used in the immigrant community and by young immigrants who call themselves "Dreamers." The chord represents the Latinx Graduation theme of "dreaming for better." "It's so easy to feel deflated after all this," Ospina said. "But Latinos have always survived as part of their dream for better." Before Texas' anti-DEI law, the university allowed the group to hold the graduation in Gregory Gym on the campus, that has a capacity for thousands of people. While speaking to NBC News, Ospina looked at the status of the GoFundMe and discovered the group's $9,000 goal had been met. The money is not just for the graduation. Its purpose is to help the next group of students hold the new student orientation, leadership symposiums and other events that were ended when UT eliminated their funding. Another student, Liany Serrano, who is in charge of the group's special events, had set up the GoFundMe. "Oh my gosh!" Ospina said after opening the GoFundMe site during the phone interview with NBC News. "That's crazy. We just met our goal just now." Because LULAC is helping out with the graduation cost, the GoFundMe money can be used for the other events, she said. Domingo Garcia, LULAC president, said that when he learned UT was ending the Latinx and other graduations it reminded him of the group having to intervene on students' behalf when Humble High School in Texas barred students from wearing serape stoles at graduation last year. "We helped the teacher with graduation there and I just think students should be proud of their heritage and their culture and have a certain way that recognizes that, especially because many of them are first-generation college graduates from the top state University of Texas," he said. Garcia said the Texas anti-DEI law is "regressive" and "xenophobic." LULAC was founded in 1929 and its creators included professionals and veterans from upper and middle class sectors of the Mexican American community who fought for civil rights and equal treatment as U.S. citizens. "We are celebrating our 95th anniversary. What better way to celebrate than to celebrate those young men and women who are going to be part of the future of America in business, education and government?" Garcia asked. "That's what our legacy is about." For more from NBC Latino, sign up for our weekly newsletter. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com AUSTIN (KXAN) The University of Texas at Austin Police Department plans to file at least one charge for a gun-related crime in connection to Mondays protest, a UT spokesperson told KXAN. A total of 79 people were arrested Monday after a group of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered on the South Mall at the University of Texas at Austins campus in the afternoon and set up several tents in the area. The university issued a dispersal order, and law enforcement responded shortly after. PREVIOUS: 79 arrested on UT campus during Monday protest, sheriffs office says Seventy-eight of the people arrested were charged with criminal trespass. One person has an additional charge of obstructing a highway or passageway, and one was charged with interfering with public duties, according to the Travis County Sheriffs Office. According to a UT source, 46 of the 79 people arrested on Monday were not UT students. Mike Rosen, the assistant vice president for university communications at UT, said in part in a statement to KXAN that UTPD was in contact with the Travis County District Attorneys Office regarding the gun-related crime. Abigail Jones contributed to this report For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Utah fields nearly 4,000 bogus" reports in first week of trans bathroom ban A form to report violations of Utahs transgender bathroom ban has received almost 4,000 entries, none of which were deemed legitimate. The form, launched on Wednesday by the state auditors office, allows anyone to file a report on a violation of the "Sex-Based Designations for Privacy, Anti-Bullying, and Womens Opportunities" act with near-total anonymity. The Utah law, passed in January, sets the definition of female and male to the sex assigned at birth or on their unamended birth certificate, restricting transgender individuals from accessing preferred bathrooms and locker rooms in government-owned buildings like public schools. We didnt see anything that looks credible, Utah Auditor John Dougall told the Salt Lake Tribune, adding that reports were pretty easy to screen. For example, if they have my name as a complainant, you know, Im not complaining. The form is still accepting responses, and is mandated by the act. The Utah State Auditor was specifically tasked with establish[ing] a process to receive and investigate alleged violations and referring violations to the states Attorney General, who could fine government violators up to $10,000 per violation per day. The bill took full effect on Wednesday, months after it passed nearly along party lines, despite backlash from the ACLU of Utah and LGBTQ+ watchdog groups. I would assume the Legislature probably didnt think through what kind of public backlash might happen, Dougall told the Tribune. Per 404 Media, the form also initially dumped submissions into an unprotected and easily accessible database before being password-protected. Missouri decommissioned a similar form in 2023, which sought tips on gender affirming care in the state before being flooded with fake stories and bot-scripted spam. Utah Republican governor candidate Phil Lyman and his first pick for lieutenant governor Layne Bangerter (left) enter a Third District Court courtroom in West Jordan for a hearing on a lawsuit to include Bangerter on the primary ballot, on May 3, 2024. (Alixel Cabrera / Utah News Dispatch) A judge decided on Friday that Phil Lymans first running mate choice doesnt meet the Utah Constitutions residency requirements to be eligible for the office of lieutenant governor. This is the end of the brief legal fight against the Lieutenant Governors Office, which oversees the states elections, to include Bangerter on the primary ballot, Lyman said. Hell find a new running mate by noon on Monday, to meet the states new deadline for the primary ballot, he told reporters after the judge announced his decision. Utah law says that a candidate for that office must be a state resident for five years next preceding the election. The court was tasked with determining how to interpret the term next preceding, as Bangerter, a former Donald Trump administrator and campaign director, had lived in Utah for many years throughout his lifetime, but was a resident of Idaho in 2021. Third District Court Judge Matthew Bates decided in a West Jordan court room that previous Utah Supreme Court decisions had ruled that next preceding meant immediately before the election, so Bangerter didnt meet the election criteria. He also denied the restraining order filed by Lyman, who won the Utah Republican Partys nomination during the state GOP convention last week. Layne would have been a huge asset to the state of Utah. Its really unfortunate. And we didnt go into this flippantly. We looked at the language, obviously, there (were) lots of arguments for and against, and the fact that it came out against us, we take that we take the judges (decision), Lyman told reporters. Its very disappointing for me, personally, that Layne wont be my running mate. Bangerter agreed and said that while the judges decision was disappointing, theyll abide by it and move forward. It is what it is, Bangerter said. Judge decision shuts down election interference claims The interpretation of the next preceding term solved the conflict of whether the Lieutenant Governors Office acted lawfully while not allowing Bangerter to file his candidacy. The issue, Lymans attorney argued, was about election interference and whether the interpretation of the law would prompt a delay that could cost Lyman the primary election. But, the Lieutenant Governors Office argued that including Bangerters name in the ballot would go against the law. According to Chad Shattuck, an attorney representing Bangerter and Lyman, the Lieutenant Governors Office didnt take the necessary steps when Bangerter tried to file his candidacy. A clerk refused to read the constitution regulation and take his oath, Shattuck said. Shattuck also cited controversy around Utah Rep. Celeste Maloys 2023 candidacy because she wasnt an active registered voter in Utah at the time she filed to run, and her candidacy was accepted. Utah code doesnt create a gatekeeping role for the Lieutenant Governor Office, he said. However, Daniel Widdison, an attorney representing the Lieutenant Governor Office, argued the main difference between both cases was that Maloys eligibility concerns were part of the Republican Party bylaws, not something the lieutenant governor had to resolve. Widdison added that the office could either contest the candidacy after filing or not accept it if the clerk was aware of ineligibility in advance. The court is being asked to tell our constitutional officers and other sworn officers to ignore the oath that they took to enforce and uphold the Constitution, Widdison said, in order to accommodate this specific candidate who sadly doesnt qualify. Ultimately, the judge said he had no choice but to conclude that Bangerter wasnt eligible to serve as lieutenant governor. I have great respect for the cherished institutions that we have to vote for elected officials, and to run for elected office. But I run up against the Constitution of the State of Utah, which declares that no person is eligible to be lieutenant governor unless they have been a resident citizen of the state for five years next preceding the election, Bates said, which clearly meant, at the time of the ratification of the Constitution, the five years immediately before that election. After the decision, Lyman said his team believed Bangerters candidacy would be legitimate. Its interesting. And I do feel like its a little bit of selective application of the law, because weve seen other cases where candidates kind of were allowed to go all through the process before they were challenged on this, Lyman said, and this should have happened on this application. Lyman will continue his campaign with a new running mate. He said he hopes this case helps clarify other requirements, perhaps with new legislation. This shows with the Lieutenant Governors Office, there are a lot of deficiencies on their forms, a lot of ambiguity, a lot of ambiguity from the legislative side of it, Lyman said. (It helped) to give clear language that didnt exist in this case. So I think this helped to clarify and well move forward with that. Political reactions After the news of the court decision, Brian King, the Democratic Party nominee for the governors race, said the lawsuit and Lymans candidacy as a whole was a product chaos that results from validating the most extreme elements of the Utah Legislature. King also attacked Cox, accusing him of being complicit in this chaos by supporting bills with short-sighted policies that hurt the most vulnerable and cheerleads culture ware lawsuits, all to score political points and appease his base. In response to Kings attack, Matt Lusty, a spokesperson for Coxs campaign, said that the governor is proud to support conservative policies, such as school choice, pro-life initiatives and tax cuts. The Governor appreciates the broad support he has from everyday Republicans across the state, Lusty wrote. A recent Morning Consult polling showed the Governor with 69% approval and only 19% disapproval among all Republican voters. The post Utah governor candidate Phil Lyman must find new running mate after judge rules his pick ineligible appeared first on Utah News Dispatch. April 18, 1968: Demonstrations by Black Power students advocates threatened to call a halt to the All-Comers Track Meet at the University of Texas at El Paso. With protests at universities across the country, we decided to take a look at protests students at the University of Texas at El Paso have participated in over the years. From protesting immigration law to American hostages in Iran and racism, here are eight protests UTEP students participated in. UTEP campus protests between the 1960s and early 2000s April 18, 1968: Demonstrations by Black Power students advocates threatened to call a halt to the All-Comers Track Meet at the University of Texas at El Paso. April 18, 1968: Demonstrations by Black Power student advocates threatened to call a halt to the All-Comers Track Meet at the University of Texas at El Paso. May 7, 1970: Students from the University of Texas at El Paso leave the campus at the beginning of their protest march. Earlier the group of about 300 students had joined in memorial services for students slain by National Guardsmen at Kent State University in Ohio. May 7, 1970: Students from the University of Texas at El Paso leave the campus at the beginning of their protest march. Earlier the group of about 300 students had joined in memorial services for students slain by National Guardsmen at Kent State University in Ohio. Dec. 4, 1971: Thirty University of Texas at El Paso students were arrested during a campus protest by Chicano students demanding the resignation of Dr. Gary Brooks. Dr. Brooks is vice president for student affairs. Dec. 4, 1971: Thirty University of Texas at El Paso students were arrested during a campus protest by Chicano students demanding the resignation of Dr. Gary Brooks. Dr. Brooks is vice president for student affairs. March 12, 1976: EPCC students demand justice for forced resignations March 12, 1976: EPCC students demand justice for forced resignations of two top administrators at the campus. Nov. 17, 1979: University of Texas at El Paso students protest hostage situation in Iran. Led by Richard Hatch an John Kelly. Nov. 17, 1979: University of Texas at El Paso students protest hostage situation in Iran. April 11, 2006: UTEP students protest proposed changes in immigration law. April 11, 2006: UTEP students protest proposed changes in immigration law. Oct. 20, 2015: Several University of Texas at El Paso students and professors rallied against the new Texas law that will allow people with a concealed handgun permit to carry a handgun on campus. Oct. 20, 2015: Several University of Texas at El Paso students and professors rallied against the new Texas law that will allow people with a concealed handgun permit to carry a handgun on campus. March 12, 2019: 50 students and others, led by UTEP and El Paso gay advocacy group members, protested against Heather Wilson, chanting, "We don't want Heather," and "We deserve better." March 12, 2019: 50 students and others, led by UTEP and El Paso gay advocacy group members, protested against Heather Wilson, chanting, "We don't want Heather," and "We deserve better." This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: UT Texas El Paso protest: 1960s-mid 2000s student protests U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield will not be speaking at this year's commencement, the University of Vermont announced on Friday evening, six days after pro-Palestinian student protesters pitched tents on the campus green outside Andrew Harris Commons. Thomas-Greenfield infuriated pro-Palestinian activists when she vetoed resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza on three separate occasions. Her removal as commencement speaker is included in a list of five demands to the university from student protesters and the subject of a rally held during the second day of the encampment on Monday, April 29. This the second demand UVM has agreed to meet since protesters erected the tents, following the lead of thousands of other college activists nationwide who have set up similar school encampments. UVM student protests at a pro-Palestine rally on April 29, 2024. "After their years of hard work and commitment to success, they deserve a weekend of ceremony and celebration befitting their accomplishment," said UVM President Suresh Garimella in an email about graduating students. "It is with regret that I share that our planned speaker, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, will not be joining us to deliver the Commencement address." UVM's first concession was agreeing to disclose all financial investments in the university's $800 million endowment by the end of the week, but has yet to do so. The protesters' other three demands include cutting ties with weapon manufacturers, Israeli companies and all companies aiding the Israeli occupation of Palestine; agreeing to an academic boycott of Israeli institutions; and providing amnesty to all protesters. UVM protesters say that until UVM meets all their demands, the encampment will continue. Palestinian-American Wafic Faour listens during a pro-Palestinian rally on April 29, 2024. Attendees called for UVM to remove Linda Thomas-Greenfield as the college's commencement speaker for that year due to her voting track record on the Israel-Hamas war. Protesters may face consequences for continued camping Despite this win for protesters, Garimella warned that campers may face consequences if they do not take down the encampment. "While I am grateful to the students and university leaders who have engaged in conversation, I note that the demonstration has been continuously in violation of university policies since its inception," Garimella said. "Those who continue to violate UVM policies do so intentionally despite having been given the opportunity to express themselves within campus rules. Therefore, regrettably, appropriate student conduct processes have been initiated for those who have persistently violated university policy." Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: UVM cancels graduation speaker, UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield Is your vehicle a target for thieves? See the 15 makes, models stolen the most in Wichita Although Kia Soul and Hyundai Sonata were the top stolen vehicles in Wichita in the first two months of this year, Chevrolet Silverado was the most stolen vehicle in Wichita overall from January 2020 through February. There were 584 Silverado trucks stolen during the four-year period, or 5.6% of all 10,375 vehicle thefts, according to an analysis of Wichita Police Department data. Honda Accord was second with 354 thefts, followed by Honda Civic and CRX with 343. Dodge Ram 1500 pickups came in fourth with 229, followed by Ford F-250 with 217. For all of 2023, there were 156 Silverados stolen. Dodge Ram 1500 came in second with 78 reported thefts, and Ford F-250 was third at 68 thefts. The Silverados account for nearly 7% of all 2,339 vehicle thefts reported to Wichita police in 2023. Whats happening nationally The trend in Wichita is similar to whats happening nationally. Chevrolet Silverados and then Ford F-series trucks were the No. 1 and No. 2 stolen vehicles nationwide in 2022, according to the latest available data by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. The Chevy and Ford trucks were also the most purchased new and used vehicles in 2023 and 2022, according to magazines Car and Driver and Autoweek. In 2022, Honda Civic and Honda Accord were the third and fourth most stolen vehicles, followed by Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Elantra and Kia Optima, according to the NICB. Neither Hyundai or Kia had a vehicle in the Top 10 in any other year going back to 2016. Although Kia and Hyundai thefts in Wichita are done by a mix of youth and adults, Wichita Police Department Lt. Kim Warehime, who heads the agencys auto theft section, says Wichitas truck thieves are almost all adults stealing for financial gain. Why are so many Kias and Hyundais being stolen in Wichita? Its that online challenge Some are being stripped and parted out, she said. They will take the doors off of one truck and put on another. Or they will take the bed of the truck and put (it) on another Some are taken to another state and sold. She cautioned anyone buying a vehicle off of Facebook Marketplace to check whether its stolen. People can call any of the police bureaus during normal business hours to see if a vehicle identification number comes back stolen, although thieves can change VINs to hide that. You can also do a title check and have your insurance company inspect the VIN. Top 15 vehicles stolen in Wichita Here is a list of the Top 15 make and model vehicles stolen in Wichita from 2020 through February. The number is how many have been stolen during that time. Chevrolet Silverado, 584 Honda Accord, 354 Honda Civic (and CRX), 343 Dodge Ram 1500 (pickup), 229 Ford F-250, 217 GMC Sierra, 193 Ford F-150, 171 Honda CRV, 162 Chevrolet Impala, 161 Chevrolet C/K 1500, 159 Ford F-350, 151 Ford Fusion, 140 Toyota Camry, 132 Hyundai Sonata, 128 Hyundai Elantra, 126 Contributing: Amy Renee Leiker with The Eagle Has a vehicle make and model you own been stolen? Search the database below to see vehicles reported stolen to the Wichita Police Department since late 2019. You can search using any or all of the fields below. To see all thefts, simply click search. The database includes December 2019 to February 2024. If you see a blank field, it means police did not know or provide the data. Some vehicles do not have a make, model or year listed because police did not provide that data. You can find the Wichita police beat you live or work in using the departments Find My Wichita Police Beat search tool, located at the bottom of each patrol bureaus webpage. Or click here and scroll down. Is your vehicle a target for thieves? See the 15 makes, models stolen the most in Wichita What are the most expensive vehicles stolen in Wichita? Here are some of them A Green Party candidate shouted Allahu Akbar! after being elected to Leeds city council, while his supporters unfurled a Palestinian flag behind him. Mothin Ali, who won the Gipton and Harehills seat with 3,070 votes, said his election to the council was a win for the people of Gaza. Delivering a victory speech after the result was announced, he said people are fed up of being let down by a Labour council and concluded by saying: We will not be silenced. We will raise the voice of Gaza. We will raise the voice of Palestine. Allahu Akbar! Mr Ali was one of dozens of candidates around the country who ran on a Gaza ticket and, in doing so, defeated their Labour rival. Meanwhile in Walsall, Naheed Zohra Gultasib has held her seat in the Pleck ward. She was one of six Walsall Labour councillors who quit the party in November over Sir Keir Starmers refusal to back a ceasefire in Gaza. Discontent This is for Gaza, this is for Palestine, Gultasib said in her victory speech, to cheers and chants, as well as murmurs of discontent. You showed [Labour] that they cannot take your vote for granted. Akhmed Yakoob, a pro-Palestinian independent candidate running for West Midlands mayor, secured nearly 20 per cent of the vote in Birmingham which one of the seven areas which make up the combined authority. Across the country, Labour support plummeted in areas with a high Muslim population, analysis by The Telegraph has found. The analysis focused on wards in council areas with the highest proportion of Muslim voters Blackburn, Bradford, Pendle, Oldham and Manchester showed Labour support dropped by an average of 25 points. In Pendle, wards with Muslim populations higher than 10 per cent saw Labour support decline, on average, by 43 per cent. Meanwhile, those with smaller populations saw support surge by 15 per cent. In Blackburn, support in those Muslim areas fell by 35 per cent. Across all five areas, Muslim areas dropped support by at least 12 per cent. Policy changes Sir Keir Starmer faced calls to make a series of policy changes to win back the trust of Muslim voters. It is understood that members of his shadow Cabinet intend to raise the issue with him in the coming days. Ali Milani, national chair of Labour Muslim Network, said: There is no question now that Muslim communities concerns and anger is translating into real votes. A clear message has been sent in these local and mayoral elections. The concerns we have raised for months have now come to fruition. Mr Milani said Labour must now take extraordinary steps to show we have learned the lessons and we are seriously committed to rebuilding trust. He explained: We need to take a serious leadership role in the UK and abroad in stopping the war and tackling the human rights violations against Palestinians. Islamophobia The Labour Party has to support calls for an immediate arms embargo and support the ICC investigation into war crimes make it clear that we respect and accept their judgements. We have to show we are taking Islamophobia seriously, in legislation and in our own party structures. However, polling experts said the Muslim voters who have turned away from Labour this week are likely to have a limited impact on results in the general election. Chris Hopkins, the political research director at Savanta, said: Labours vote falling away in some Muslim areas shows that the party still has plenty of work to do among some communities over its response to the conflict in Gaza. That said, its likely to have a limited impact at a general election, when constituencies are larger and the vote determines the next government rather than local authority control. James Johnson, co-founder of JL Partners and a former Downing Street pollster, said: The big caveat is that these places tend to be safe Labour seats and the general elections tend to be more about who will be the next prime minister. Those two combined might mean that in seat terms, it doesnt have a huge effect. Most important issue But he added that we are now seeing the fledgling signs of a reconfiguration in British politics where Muslims are voting on very different issues to the wider public. He pointed to a recent survey carried out by JL Partners for the Henry Jackson Society which found that one in four British Muslims name the Israel/Palestine conflict as their most important election issue compared with just three per cent of the public. Shear Brow and Corporation Park, a ward in Blackburn where 83 per cent of the population is Muslim, saw the starkest declines as Labour support fell from 91 per cent in 2021 to 27 per cent in this years election. Brierfield West & Reedley in Pendle, where 54 per cent of the population is Muslim, saw vote share decline by 61 per cent. Across the nine authorities with a population with more than 15 per cent Muslims, Labour lost 18 seats, with no net gains in any area. Independents gained 18 seats across the same areas. In the wards where Labour lost to independents, just one had a Muslim population lower than 30 per cent: Royton South in Oldham. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Warning: Video contains graphic footage. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) An ATV driver suffered serious injuries after crashing into a police cruiser in New Haven, Connecticut, on Sunday, police officials said. Police said officers were patrolling the citys East Rock Park around 3:40 p.m., following reports of ATV riders using Farnam Drive to access the park a road thats been only open to pedestrian traffic since 2020. The officers had been part of a team assigned to dirt bike/ATV detail, in the hopes of addressing ongoing complaints of riders driving recklessly around the city. SEE IT: Miami TSA catch man hiding snakes in his pants Once on Farnam Drive, officers noticed an ATV driving fast on the same road, heading in the direction of multiple pedestrians. In footage of the incident, the officer operating the cruiser slowed down and angled the vehicle to block the lane where the families had just passed. Police said the position of the cruiser also allowed the ATV driver to move to the side and pass. Instead, the oncoming ATV driver lost control and struck the front passenger side window of the cruiser, the video shows. (New Haven Police Department) (New Haven Police Department) The driver was transported to a hospital with serious injuries, according to police. Child killed, another injured after bounce house swept up by wind This is an unfortunate and stark reminder of the extreme dangers of illegal ATV and dirt bike riding on city streets, both for pedestrians and the operators of the vehicles themselves, New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson said in a statement Tuesday. While were glad the family was protected from harm, what happened to the driver is tragic, and we hope for his complete and speedy recovery and we urge the public not to engage in this type of activity, Jacobson said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The U.S. Navy christened the future USS Robert E. Simanek as the newest Expeditionary Sea Base ship Saturday. The ship honors U.S. Marine Corps Private First Class Robert E. Simanek, Ret., who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Korean War at Outpost Irene, Korea. Pfc, the Navys press explained. Simanek, according to General Dynamics NASSCO, shielded fellow Marines from a grenade at the Battle of Bunker Hill during the Korean War. He was presented the Medal of Honor in 1953 by former President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The San Diego ceremony took place at General Dynamics NASSCO, located at 2798 East Harbor Dr. The event was closed to the public. Bodies of three missing surfers found, Baja California authorities say Several speakers delivered remarks at the ceremony, including the following: David J. Carver, President, General Dynamics NASSCO Master Chief Britt Slabinski, USN (Ret.), President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Brigadier General Robert Weiler, USMC, Assistant Division Commander, First Marine Division Vice Admiral Yvette Davids, USN, Superintendent, U. S. Naval Academy The Honorable Scott Peters, U. S. Representative, California`s 50th District The Honorable Sean Coffey, General Counsel of the Navy Ms. Ann Simanek Clark, Daughter of Private First Class Robert E. Simanek (pictured below) (Credit: General Dynamics NASSCO) For those unfamiliar with the term, a ship christening is believed to bring good luck and safe travel to the vessel, according to Lockheed Martin. More information can be found here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. A former county employee has been charged with sexually assaulting two teen boys inside Wayne County's troubled juvenile jail. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Svetlana Kuryanova, 33, of Farmington Hills, with two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. The charge is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. The allegations in this case are among the most disturbing ones that I have seen. It is hard to wrap my brain around the fact that this occurred in the juvenile detention facility, and charged defendant is allegedly responsible for this illegal behavior, Worthy said in a news release issued Saturday morning. William Dickerson Detention Facility in Wayne County. Kuryanova is in the Wayne County Jail and is expected to be arraigned Monday. An attorney for Kuryanova could not be immediately reached Saturday morning. A phone number listed for Kuryanova was disconnected when called Saturday. The alleged assault of the residents, ages 16 and 17, happened at 7 p.m. April 8, according to the news release. The facility is located in the William Dickerson Detention Facility, a vacant adult jail in Hamtramck that the county moved into in fall 2022 to improve safety. County officials caught "suspicious activity involving a female staffer and two male residents" on its live video feed of the housing units and began an investigation, according to a statement from county spokeswoman Kimberly Harry. The employee was fired, she said. "This single bad actor is not representative of the values of Wayne County and the hardworking men and women of the Juvenile Detention Facility," Harry said in the statement. "Furthermore, she intentionally circumvented policies, procedures, and security measures that have been put into place to ensure the safety and security of the youth in our care. "Wayne County is committed to ensuring that all bad actors are prosecuted to the full extent of the law. This is the second allegation that an adult at the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Center sexually assaulted a youth. In January, a state staffer on-site to monitor operations at the county facility was arrested in an investigation into whether she sexually assaulted a 15-year-old male resident. That investigation is ongoing, officials said. Officials did not identify the woman and did not provide details of the alleged incident. State officials at the time said the employee was suspended without pay pending their investigation. After that arrest, Evans removed all state monitors. The state had placed the round-the-clock monitors in March 2023 following allegations that a 12-year-old boy was sexually assaulted by other youths at the facility. The Free Press has reported since the summer of 2022 on overcrowding and understaffing problems at the facility, which critics have called inhumane and dangerous. Wayne County Executive Warren Evans touted significant strides in improving the countys troubled juvenile jail in his State of the County address in March, saying that the facility is now a safer and more nurturing environment. Contact Christine MacDonald: cmacdonald@freepress.com or 313-418-2149. Follow her on X: @cmacfreep. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ex-Wayne Co. juvenile jail staffer charged with sex assault of teens A pro-Palestinian encampment was erected on the campus of Cal State L.A. last week. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) After police forcibly removed pro-Palestinian encampments at two universities this week, college leaders across California are grappling with how to move forward with protests on other campuses. The high-profile law enforcement operations that cleared a massive camp at the heart of UCLA and evicted protesters at Cal Poly Humboldt who had occupied buildings were in some ways unique. Elsewhere, the camps and other protests have been smaller and less disruptive. But pro-Palestinian protesters calling for an end to Israeli military actions in Gaza at other California campuses have vowed to continue their encampments. And that puts university leaders in a tough spot. College presidents at places like USC, UCLA and Columbia University who have supported the arrests of students have faced a swift backlash from some. Yet the camps have been a source of controversy, especially if they interrupt campus operations. Some officials have said they are willing to allow the encampments to remain as long as they stay small, orderly and positive. UC Riverside on Friday struck a deal with protesters to end their camp in exchange for concessions. But many campuses have not indicated how tolerant leaders will be. Tension are also high at USC, where an encampment remains despite earlier arrests. Read more: Ali: Mocking Gaza protesters as 'gluten-free warriors' was fun until a mob at UCLA attacked them At least 25 people were arrested early Tuesday at Cal Poly Humboldt. The same night at UCLA, a large group wearing black outfits and white masks attacked pro-Palestinian protesters, hurling objects and attempting to tear down barricades surrounding the encampment. The violence prompted criticism over the university's handling of the protests. By Thursday, more than 200 had been arrested after police moved onto UCLA's Westwood campus to push protesters out and begin dismantling the camp. Encampments remain in full swing at California campuses, including UC Irvine, Occidental College, Sacramento State, San Francisco State and others. At least two other Southern California colleges Chapman University and Cal State L.A. joined the movement last week. Students at Cal State Long Beach held a rally Thursday, but have said there are no plans for an encampment. Read more: California college campuses become lightning rods for pro-Palestinian protests UC Riverside Administrators and pro-Palestinian student organizers reached an agreement to end an encampment on the Riverside campus. The camp, which has been up since April 29 was to have been removed by Friday night. The college has agreed to form a task force to explore removing the college's funds from UC systemwide investments to manage it in a "financially and ethically sound" manner, according to the agreement. "It has been my goal to resolve this matter peacefully and I am encouraged by this outcome which was generated through constructive dialogue," Chancellor Kim Wilcox said in a statement. "This agreement does not change the realities of the war in Gaza, or the need to address antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of bias and discrimination; however, I am grateful that we can have constructive and peaceful conversations on how to address these complex issues." Pro-Palestinian protesters form an encampment in the central part of the UC Irvine campus on Monday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) UC Irvine Student representatives met with UC Irvine leadership last week to discuss whether the university would agree to their demands for divestment from companies with ties to Israel and weapon manufacturers in exchange for an end to the campus encampment. But talks were not fruitful, according to student organizers. Protesters have asked for an end to "violent extremism" funding, promised amnesty for student protesters, a commitment to an academic boycott of Israel and removal of what the group calls "Zionist programming." UC Irvine leaders proposed a meeting between the student organization and college representatives to discuss UCI Foundation investments if protesters agreed not to have any other encampments or rallies on campus including at commencement a student organizer said in a video posted Thursday to Instagram. The student protesters declined. "UCI Admin proposed a bull draft proposal and threatened their students and community members with violence, but we, the student movement for Palestine, the UC Intifada from the encampments on campus, are steadfast, we WILL NOT capitulate," the group wrote on Instagram. Read more: Photos: Clashes at pro-Palestinian demonstrations on California campuses Campus police handed out citations last week, leading to escalated tensions between officials and protesters. However, the university has not made any moves to dismantle the encampment. UCI spokesperson Tom Vasich said Friday that officials are "looking to engage in productive conversations with the organization's student leaders to find a solution." "We always support our students' free speech rights to protest peacefully on campus," he said, "though encampments may also infringe on the academic and research responsibilities of the university." UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman said in a statement that administrators have reached out to students in the existing illegal encampment and have asked them to move. The space they have occupied is in an area where classes are taught and research is conducted, Gillman said. We hope that our students and other affiliates do not insist on staying in a space that violates the law, violates our policies and disrupts our mission, he said. Read more: At USC, arrests. At UCLA, hands off. Why pro-Palestinian protests have not blown up on UC campuses Occidental College Despite the unrest at other colleges, student protesters at Occidental College say they plan to continue their encampment until their demands are met. But they have developed evacuation plans to keep students safe if violence occurs. We have identified certain buildings to hide in just in case counterdemonstrators do arrive, and certain points on campus to regroup, said Matthew Vickers, a co-organizer of the encampment. Vickers said he's confident that any threats made to the camp will not come from school administration, as the university told organizers it has no plans to call in police. Concerns [of safety] are mostly quelled, he said. The atmosphere remains pretty joyous and relaxed; however, [safety] is definitely something people are considering. Negotiations are ongoing with the college's administration on their demands, which include an emergency trustee meeting to vote on halting investments in Israel and a statement from the college recognizing the genocide and calling for a cease-fire, Vickers said. A Gaza solidarity encampment was created on the campus of Cal State University L.A. last week. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Cal State Los Angeles Students at Cal State L.A. on Wednesday formed an encampment in the campus quad. Students for Justice in Palestine said in a statement that their demands include the university calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, a promise not to suspend or discipline any protesters, a commitment to an investment audit and pulling all tuition money from any funds related to Israel, and a vow to engage in a boycott of partnerships with universities or institutions that "invest in, support and legitimize the Zionist regime." "We demand a fully funded, free CSULA and CSU system that is not beholden to Zionist and imperialist private donors," the group said in a statement. Organizers have vowed to remain on campus until demands are met. Cal State L.A. officials wrote in a statement that the university is continuing to monitor the encampment and that it "values free speech as essential to higher education and a strong democracy." "We are committed to supporting the rights of students and others to assemble peacefully, to protest and to have their voices heard in a lawful manner that does not pose risks to the safety and well-being of others or to themselves. Our focus is on ensuring that our campus is a safe and welcoming environment," the statement read. Read more: With remains of UCLA camp tossed in dumpster, Gaza activists assess the future Chapman University Roughly 30 students at the private university in Orange formed a tent encampment Thursday in a grassy area between Memorial Hall and Wilkinson Hall. Duran Aziz, a member of Students for Justice in Palestine, told KABC-TV the group is looking for Chapman "to divest now from companies that profit off the genocide in Gaza." The encampment at Chapman one of the more recent in Southern California does not have barricades around it and the only people allowed to sleep on campus are students. "It's really very open and people can come and go," said Molly Thrasher, Chapman's director of public relations. "It's peaceful and the dialogue between the administration and students is very open. It's respectful. What we're seeing at other campuses, it's just not how it's unfolding here at Chapman." Read more: Police report no serious injuries. But scenes from inside UCLA camp, protesters tell a different story Pitzer College The encampment at Pitzer College in Claremont, which has a student population of just over 1,200, has not seen significant pushback from the college, according to a student organizer. The camp, which was built more than a week ago, consists of about 35 tents and roughly 40 students. The atmosphere is really joyful, said Pitzer senior Sophie McClain, a co-organizer of the encampment. Weve been really lucky that weve had limited to no repression from the college. Bella Jacobs, another organizer, said the school's board of trustees has agreed to disclose some portions of the schools military investment in Israel, a topic that's been at the center of discussions across many campuses. The students have done their research, and we know that disclosure and divestment takes time and commitment, Jacobs wrote in a letter to Don Gould, chair of the board of trustees. Our demands are an invitation to live up to Pitzers core values." The students plan to stay at the encampment on Commencement Plaza or find other creative ways of demonstrating until they can negotiate their demands with administration, according to the letter. Read more: Jailed students, a canceled commencement, angry parents: USCs Carol Folt takes on critics LAPD officers work to clear the USC campus on April 24 amid a demonstration against the war in Gaza. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles) USC At USC, where Los Angeles police arrested 93 people on suspicion of trespassing on April 24 as they cleared an encampment at the center of campus, a reestablished campsite was set up the following weekend. The encampment at Alumni Park has grown to at least 40 tents and roughly 50 people, according to student organizers. Despite the arrests, students said theres currently not a strong police presence surrounding the camp, aside from a few campus safety officers. Times staff writer Teresa Watanabe and intern Jenna Peterson contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. After weeks of pro-Palestinian protests on campuses nationwide have led to more than 2,300 arrests, many universities are now regrouping in preparation for their upcoming commencement ceremonies, with some taking place as early as this weekend. The University of Michigan, Northeastern, Arizona State and Ohio State are among the schools where protests have occurred and are slated to have graduation ceremonies this weekend. School administrations are issuing warnings that anyone planning on disrupting the ceremonies will be removed from campus, as students at dozens of institutions continue to protest in support of Palestinian human rights. A person waves a Palestinian flag. (Joseph Prezioso / AFP - Getty Images file) Police watch as pro-Palestinian protesters create a human chain around an encampment set up. (Joseph Prezioso / AFP - Getty Images) Please show respect for everyone who has come to share in the experience, Arizona State University said on its website. Individuals who engage in inappropriate or disruptive behavior may be removed from the event. Students waved Palestinian flags during Saturdays commencement at the University of Michigan. Banners in the sky displayed messages such as "DIVEST FROM ISRAEL NOW! FREE PALESTINE!" and "WE STAND WITH ISRAEL JEWISH LIVES MATTER." In a statement issued following commencement, University of Michigan assistant vice president for public affairs Colleen Mastony said approximately 75 protesters staged a demonstration at the beginning of the program by walking up to the main aisle and chanting. They were escorted by public safety personnel to the rear of the stadium, where they stayed until commencement ended. A Palestinian flag flies over supplies set up for Columbia's upcoming commencement ceremony. (Alex Kent / Getty Images file) "There were no arrests," Mastony said. "Peaceful protests like this have taken place at U-M commencement ceremonies for decades. The university supports free speech and expression, and university leaders are pleased that todays commencement was such a proud and triumphant moment, worthy of the achievements of our extraordinary graduates." Palestinian protesters at a rally. (Andrew Spear / Getty Images) Administrations are also hiring extra security and screening attendees at venues, The Associated Press reported. Columbia University, where police cleared a weekslong encampment and the campus' Hamilton Hall, is rethinking its commencement ceremony planned for May 15, according to a source at the university. After a meeting with top university leaders Friday, two members of student government said administrators indicated they are not sure they can hold a commencement ceremony on the main Morningside Heights campus in Manhattan because of security concerns. The source at the university said the main commencement ceremony was slated to be canceled, but smaller events were still being planned. As of Saturday, it is unclear if final decisions have been made. University students rally and marching. (Katie McTiernan / Anadolu via Getty Images file) Protests continue to linger on campuses across the country, with ongoing activities at New York University and the New School in New York. The University of Virginia's department of safety and security on Saturday declared a protest on campus and "unlawful assembly" and asked the community to avoid the area. Local police and other law enforcement departments were on campus, where an encampment was set up. In a statement, the university said protesters refused to disperse, leading to 25 people being detained and accused of trespassing. It was unclear how many of them are affiliated with UVA, the school said, adding, "The scene was declared stable around 4 p.m." At Princeton University, a group of students have initiated a food strike as part of their protest in support of the Palestinian cause. Leaders of the campaign, Princeton Israeli Apartheid Divest, did not specify how many students are taking part in it. "Participants will abstain from all food and drink (except water) until our demands are met," the group said in an Instagram post. "We commit our bodies to their liberation of Palestine. PRINCETON, hear us now! We will not be moved!" At the University of Mississippi, a group of pro-Palestinian protesters was surrounded by a larger and rowdier group of counterprotesters Thursday. Police had to escort the protesters in the pro-Palestinian group into a building for their safety. Videos of the protest posted on social media show the larger crowd, which appeared to contain about 200 mostly white young people, surrounding and shouting down the multiracial group of between 30 and 60 pro-Palestinian protesters. People hold placards and wave Palestinian flags. (Benjamin Cremel / AFP via Getty Images) Pro-Palestinian demonstrations are now gaining traction across the world, from London, Paris and Rome to Sydney, Tokyo, Beirut and beyond. The protests around the globe were launched in response to Israels monthslong military assault on the Gaza Strip, but students told NBC News they were also inspired by the dramatic scenes from colleges in the U.S. in recent weeks. Pro-Palestinian protests have sprouted up at Sciences Po in France, the University of Leeds in England and the University of Sydney in Australia. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com It was a "brutal" defeat for the cause of women's rights, and for the #MeToo movement, said Moira Donegan in The Guardian. Last Thursday, the 2020 conviction of Harvey Weinstein for rape and sexual assault was overturned by the New York Court of Appeals. The Hollywood producer's trial had been a "symbolic milestone": after accusations were made against him in 2017, more than 100 women came forward to accuse Weinstein of sexual harassment, assault and rape. Their stories sparked the global #MeToo reckoning and led, eventually, to his conviction. The new ruling doesn't mean that Weinstein will walk free; he was also convicted of rape in California in 2022 and was sentenced to 16 years in jail. But it does seem like a shocking reversal, an indication that the gains of #MeToo are being lost. Weinstein 'entitled to due process' The truth is that the criminal case against him "has been fragile since the day it was filed", said Jodi Kantor in The New York Times. New York prosecutors made "a series of gambles", and ultimately they did not pay off. While Weinstein's alleged victims "could fill an entire courtroom", only two of them could support a New York criminal trial. (Many of the accusations were of sexual harassment, which is a civil violation, not a criminal one; most did not take place in New York; others fell beyond the statute of limitations.) So prosecutors put a number of women on the stand as so-called "prior bad act" witnesses, to "establish a pattern of predation". But New York law in this area is complex, and the move risked violating a cardinal rule of criminal trials: "defendants must be judged on the acts they are being charged with". The appeal court made the right decision, said Melanie McDonagh in the Evening Standard. Weinstein's lawyers argued successfully that the trial was flooded with "irrelevant" evidence. People are "entitled to due process". Even "creeps like Weinstein" are "innocent until proved guilty". The 'he said, she said' problem Yet the ruling "highlighted the striking gap between how we've come to believe women inside the courtroom and outside it", said Jessica Bennett in The New York Times. The difficulty with prosecuting sex crimes is that they generally have few witnesses, and come down to "he said, she said". #MeToo seemed to offer a way round that: an "army of voices" could be assembled to show a pattern of offending, to support individual women's testimony. In other states, prosecutors are given more latitude. The case will "revive debate about whether the rules for such convictions need to be updated". Milly Gonzales, 31, who works with domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking survivors, supports abortion rights. She said the repeal of Roe v. Wade in 2022 was devastating. (Baylor Spears/Wisconsin Examiner) Editors note: This story is the second in a series about a group of people from Wisconsin trying to come up with policies to address abortion and its root causes that could be applied nationwide. Their larger goal is to find common ground on one of the most divisive issues in America. MADISON, Wis. For the 14 abortion-rights opponents and supporters recently recruited to find consensus solutions on abortion and family well-being, their first major agreement was that Wisconsin has some of the best cheese in the nation. Their second was that even where abortion is outlawed (currently in Wisconsin thats after 20 weeks gestation), life-saving treatment for the pregnant person should not be. If the mothers having to make a choice between do I live or does my child live, she gets to make that choice, said Bria Halama, a 31-year-old white, Catholic clinical mental health counselor in Milwaukee. In the past, she said she struggled with her stance on bodily autonomy and faith, but now opposes abortion and seeks to honor both the mother and child. Five of the participants in the Wisconsin Citizen Solutions on Abortion & Family Well-Being defend the concept of consistent life ethic, which opposes the intentional ending of human life from conception until natural death. One exception they account for is called the doctrine of double effect, a principle that says that sometimes doing something morally good (for example, saving a pregnant womans life) will have a morally bad side effect (ending the unborns life, for example), and that this is morally permissible as long as the bad effect was not intended. All 14 Wisconsinites agreed that situations like ectopic pregnancies are medical emergencies that need to be treated regardless of any abortion ban. But theres an ultimately unresolvable dispute over how to determine life-threatening, something that OB-GYN Dr. Kristin Lyerly told the group is rarely black and white and always unique to a particular pregnancy. (Lyerly has since stepped away from the Starts With Us project because her recently launched congressional campaign conflicts with its nonprofit status.) However, there is a slight shift in some of the abortion opponents thinking on medical interventions to save the fetus when a pregnancy is terminated to preserve maternal life. When Halama suggested that within the exception for maternal health emergencies they include a caveat that all efforts should be made to save the baby, Lyerly pushed back. I really struggle with that, because there are babies that are born as a result of an abortion that are alive but are not likely to live, Lyerly said. And the parents will wrap their babies and hold them until they die instead of taking them away and poking them with needles and putting a breathing tube down their throats and making them suffer and experience pain until they die. And I think that some people would choose one and other people would choose the other, and I cant make that decision for my patients. Halama agreed with Lyerly that efforts to save fetal life may not always be the best option in all circumstances. And so did Thomas Lang, a Catholic from Janesville who opposes abortion. I really appreciate that, Lang said. Because we can bring that to end-of-life-care, too, where you know, the breaking of the ribcage, enough already. Youre prolonging death, youre not prolonging life here. Another place of early agreement in the same realm involved miscarriage management. Stories of women being turned away from hospitals with non-viable pregnancies persist around the country and are the subject of the second major U.S. Supreme Court case since Roe v. Wade was overturned, which justices heard Wednesday. But theres also a story around this table. Participant Heather Martell shared with the group that her first pregnancy, at 19, ended in a miscarriage. She alleged that her doctor would not evacuate the pregnancy because of the doctors anti-abortion beliefs and that she bled for months before seeking treatment at a Planned Parenthood clinic. I almost died because of a pro-life agenda, Martell told the group. The participants initially agree on a proposal that says that receiving medical care for miscarriages should not be subject to a states abortion laws. Dispute resolution on steroids Facilitating these sessions were Mariah Levison and Kelly Wilder from Convergence Center for Policy Resolution, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that for about a decade and a half has helped opposing groups in the public and private sectors find consensus on a range of policy issues like education, poverty, and health care. But what typically takes Convergence at least a year for each project, Starts With Us has asked them to do in three days (they will eventually add a fourth day in early April). This is the same methodology like on steroids, Levison, Convergences CEO and president, told States Newsroom. The Minnesotan said she has worked in dispute resolution her whole career, but abortion is a new topic for both her and Convergence, which facilitated Starts With Uss inaugural session, about gun rights and safety in Tennessee; a third session on immigration is being planned for later this year. Fourteen Wisconsin residents of diverse backgrounds and stances on abortion rights met for three days in December and a day this month to try to arrive at consensus solutions on abortion access and family well-being. (Baylor Spears/Wisconsin Examiner) Beyond agreements on policy proposals, Levison said the larger goal is to help people build trust and understand each other. And its the role of Starts With Us as a civic engagement nonprofit to elevate these examples of understanding and agreement and try to change the narrative that issues like abortion and guns and immigration are intractable. For the first three days of the session last December, camera operators filmed the participants, while the rest of the team watched in a makeshift video village in a drafty hallway space. In the months since, theyve used the footage to help tell the groups story and to give Wisconsin residents (and those in other states) a different option on abortion policy that isnt just relegated to ban vs. no ban. They invited States Newsroom to observe the December sessions, though everything said was initially off the record unless participants gave permission to be quoted. Levison told the participants they must find OPTIONS: Only proposals that include others needs succeed. She had them consider the example of a neighbor complaining about the others constantly barking dog. A real consensus solution, she explained, goes beyond keeping vs. getting rid of the dog. And she instructed them not to compromise; if a proposal would cause anyone heartburn, it didnt go on the final list. As in a jury, even one dissenting vote can tank a proposal. In the group, the biggest sticking points are: fetal health; maternal health that might not be immediately life-threatening; and sexual and domestic violence and whether someone should be forced to procreate with an abuser. The teams are broken into two groups to facilitate better discussion. By the end, participants will raise their voices, burst into tears, slam a folder. Kai Gardner Mishlove, the executive director at Jewish Social Services, quickly becomes the groups emotional stabilizer, guiding them through deep breathing during tense moments. But they keep showing up, and listening. Walls coming down Heading into the cold December night after the second day of heavy discussions, Thomas Lang told States Newsroom that his wife knows the very night their eldest of three was conceived. The 61-year-old property manager grinned as he remembered her reciting a prayer before being intimate on their honeymoon. There is a purpose and meaning of sexual intimacy, said Lang, who supports the teaching of natural family planning as opposed to artificial birth control. Hes very much in love with Amy, whos 11 years younger and whom he met on the dating site Ave Maria Singles 15 years after a divorce and annulment from a relationship with which he shares three adult children. One of the basic principles behind the proper use of NFP is that married couples should always have an openness to life. Of the 14, Lang is among those on the most restrictive end of the spectrum, a stance informed by his deep Catholic faith, his mothers abortion regret, his six living children, as well as two miscarriages and a stillbirth. To support his position, he repeatedly cites the 1968 papal encyclical Humanae Vitae and the legislative director of Pro-Life Wisconsin. And unlike some of the other abortion opponents in the group, Lang is comfortable using the word murder to describe what Lyerly does for a living. He doesnt expect to connect with her. Throughout the initial three-day session, the OB-GYN from Green Bay patiently answered medical questions, described abortion procedures, and explained how she views abortion morally. My obligation to my patients is to make sure that Im helping them with the right thing for them, Lyerly said. If Im taking care of a woman from the Jewish faith, they have a very different perspective than my Catholic patients than my agnostic or atheist patients. So my job is to understand where theyre coming from and to make sure that they feel fulfilled and well taken care of and have what they need to be able to live their lives according to their morals. At one point Lyerly obliged Lang when he asked her to switch from clinical language (fertilization, products of conception) to his preferred terms (conception, baby), a move that frustrated several of the abortion-access participants but endeared her to him. I would have been repulsed to have met an abortionist before this meeting, Lang told Lyerly on the second day of the session, but I cant tell you how much you enamor me with regards to the way you put yourself in your patients shoes. I would love you to be my wifes doctor. (He later acknowledged to States Newsroom that this could never happen because Lyerlys compassion is incoherent without principled procreative and life ethics.) With Lang and Lyerly at opposite ends of the spectrum, the 14 were able to come to only small agreements about when abortion should be legal and accessible, but found more common ground on how to mitigate some of abortions root causes, which many of the participants have experienced. University of Wisconsin-Madison obstetrics and gynecology professor Jenny Higgins presents U.S. reproductive health data to the Wisconsin 14 on day one of the Wisconsin Citizen Solutions on Abortion & Family Well-Being, December 8, 2023. (Baylor Spears/Wisconsin Examiner) Kateri Klingele, 25, a white mental health professional and co-founder of Wisconsin Student Parents Organization at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has two children. Not only was Klingele navigating poverty and school during her two unplanned pregnancies, but she was also incredibly sick. She was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum, which resulted in her being fed intravenously during both pregnancies and delivering both her children early due to malnutrition. She said she also experienced partner abuse and was on every social support available, living in constant terror of falling off the so-called benefits cliff. But shes firm that abortion should rarely ever be an option because she believes that ending the life of a child is wrong and does not end other issues, like abuse and poverty. I am deeply troubled by this idea that providing an abortion and ending the life of a child is a way to stop domestic violence, Klingele told the group. As someone whos experienced that, whats harmful is the treatment of being abused. Whats harmful is that theres insane wait lists for domestic abuse survivors housing. But my sons were not the problem here. Her life experience has brought her to the opposite conclusion to other participants who work with domestic and sexual violence survivors, like Monique Minkens and Milly Gonzales. In 2022 I could see both perspectives, especially as a person of faith, Gonzales told the group. But it scared me when Roe v. Wade was repealed. It was devastating, especially in my work, seeing how it affected women and all persons that are able to have children. Sometimes we dont think through decisions that people have to make and how those decisions impact the babies that are being born. Meanwhile, Halama, who said she has counseled patients facing crisis pregnancies, began to grapple with the idea that maybe the hardline anti-abortion stance doesnt reduce the most amount of harm. Am I coming from a place of pride? Am I coming from a place of rigidity and not loving compassion? Halama told the group on the third day. This is just like to challenge maybe us pro-lifers, but I dont know, are we working so hard to eliminate this harm, and harming women who are in these positions of domestic violence, and in these positions of discrimination, when we know that we have a merciful God? I dont know what to do with that because its so hard for me to concede on something that in my mind is harming, [but] I dont know if having this harsh black-and-white stance on [abortion] is the right way to do it. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE Back in video village, the sometimes chatty or snacking Starts With Us staff are rapt looking at the screens. Someone whispers: Wow. Theres also an understanding reached between Klingele and Ali Muldrow, a Black abortion fund director, where Muldrow agrees with Klingele about treating people with disabilities with compassion and not suggesting that they should not be born. I want you to know with my whole heart and soul that I dont think we should be universally killing people with Down syndrome, Muldrow told Klingele. A variety of health factors inform why people terminate pregnancies, and to suggest that people simply dont want children with disabilities is insensitive to the complexity of information people obtain about the health and quality of life that factor into peoples decisions around pregnancy, Muldrow later clarified to States Newsroom. I think folks who are anti-abortion access take disability into consideration when youre talking about the fetus, but they dont seem as willing to acknowledge disability as a factor for the pregnant person. Unlikely partnership On the second day, during breakouts, Klingele smiles kindly at Lyerly and explains that the intentional ending of a pregnancy should not be legal. I think there should be no criminal charges on women for seeking that, Klingele said. But with regard to providers, I think there should be penalties. So, I want to look at you when I say this because I value you and I care about you and I know you care about your patients and about their children. But poisoning them and pulling them out of the womb and vacuuming, whatever terms you want to use, destroys their dignity. I appreciate your perspective, Lyerly replied. The next day she addressed some of the participants notions of her work. I sit here with people who might be shouting at me as a doctor entering an abortion clinic. Someone who yesterday essentially said I should be in jail. Im a murderer, right? But every time that I trust women and understand that they know whats best for them, every time I perform an abortion for someone, we acknowledge that theres a life there. And we honor that life. And I know that that sounds crazy. But we do the best that we can under every circumstance. And these are hard, hard decisions and everybody is different. But I would offer to you that we do love them both. And thats the next point of common ground: Klingele clarifies that she doesnt believe abortion providers should be incarcerated, which as Lyerly points out, they could have been under Wisconsins temporary abortion ban that went into effect after the Dobbs decision. Klingele ultimately cant answer what it means for abortion providers if termination is illegal; she said shes more concerned about making it easier for people to give birth and parent safely. I dont have all the laws or regulations, she told Lyerly. But I see ending a life as wrong and there are consequences for doing something thats wrong. But the two found that they agree on a lot more outside of abortion. Lyerly told States Newsroom that the two have agreed to work together in some capacity. Starts With Us head of programs Ashley Phillips told States Newsroom she was heartened but not surprised to see participants agree and connect. Its hard to hate up close, Phillips said. And when you have the opportunity to sit for three days across the table from one another and have nuanced discussions about both your lived experience and the issue at hand, its not surprising that youre able to humanize and learn and grow. And its still beautiful to see. Tomorrow: A doctor gets heartburn. The post Where is the common ground for abortion-rights opponents and supporters? appeared first on Utah News Dispatch. A line of Denver police officers blocks off a street in Denver on July 13, 2021 in order to deter a small group of protesters, citing safety concerns. (Moe Clark/Colorado Newsline) A Colorado bill that would have added protections for law enforcement whistleblowers died Friday on the House floor. House Bill 24-1460 was rejected in a 31-33 vote after sponsors offered two third-reading amendments to create a working group to discuss what further law enforcement retaliation and whistleblower protections are needed. The amendments took all previous provisions out of the bill in hopes of saving it. Initially, state Rep. Leslie Herod and state Rep. Jennifer Bacon, both Denver Democrats, offered an amendment removing all provisions of the bill below a legislative declaration that explained why the Legislature pursued the bill and established a working group that would have included legislators, law enforcement, whistleblowers and attorneys. Bill sponsors agreed to support a Republican-drafted amendment in lieu of theirs that included additional interested parties in the proposed working group. While that amendment passed, the bill still lost after several legislators again showed concern with the last-minute process the bill went through and the idea of approving substantial amendments on final reading. Democrats have a strong majority in the House. As originally proposed, the bill would have required that law enforcement agencies investigate allegations of misconduct made against their officers and prohibited retaliation against an officer who files a complaint. An amended version of the bill that the House preliminarily approved would have established a working group and allowed officers who have been retaliated against to remove flags on their name in the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training Board database. The POST database allows the public to see police certifications, terminations and resignations, investigations and credibility disclosures among other disciplinary actions against individual officers. A joint statement from Herod and Bacon said they are deeply frustrated that the bill died as people from both parties have shown understanding that there is a problem they must address, but not enough people decided to take action. We need public trust. We need buy-in from officers who have been sexually assaulted ... We need buy-in from the public that if they call their legislator we'll do something about it. Rep. Jennifer Bacon With more and more officers coming forward with their stories, sponsors, and other supporters will continue to work on this regardless of whether or not law enforcement leadership will come to the table, the statement says. It is our hope that those who refused to engage in a meaningful conversation will change course and join us at the table. Bacon said the final version of the bill was a way to solidify in writing that interested parties will come together to determine a solution everyone could get behind. We need public trust. We need buy-in from officers who have been sexually assaulted, Bacon said. We need buy-in from the public that if they call their legislator well do something about it. I hear that all the time in here. Thats who we need buy-in from. State Rep. Shannon Bird, a Westminster Democrat, said that while she respects problem solving from sponsors on the floor the bill still tried to make really important policy on the fly. This needs to be done in a better process, Bird said. The problem, its important and deserves proper process so that we do this right and we have buy-in for true change. State Rep. Gabe Evans, a Fort Lupton Republican, echoed the need for better conversations with stakeholders interested in having a seat at the table. We can print words on the page and say these folks are going to come together, but if the trust isnt there as a result of the process, that impacts the outcome of this, so I urge a no vote on this, Evans said. Law enforcement opposition Legislators who spoke in support of the bill acknowledged that it wasnt perfect, but a working group would have been a starting point to continue transparent discussions to get future attempts at such legislation right. State Rep. David Ortiz, a Littleton Democrat, said that without the working group codified in the bill, these conversations are going to happen in the dark. Theres nothing that we do in here that is perfect, but this offers a very open and transparent opportunity to have these discussions, Ortiz said. This is what the stakeholders are asking for. It even had input from the other side of the aisle. State Rep. Bob Marshall, a Highlands Ranch Democrat, said that while he was initially a very strong no on the bill because of limited engagement with interested parties, the creation of a working group over the summer would allow for more feedback than the introduction of a new bill at the start of next session would. He also noted that other issues that are far more impactful across the state have also been addressed toward the end of session, particularly property taxes. In a joint statement, Stephen Schulz, president of the Colorado Fraternal Order of Police, and Amy Nichols, executive director of the County Sheriffs of Colorado, committed to work on an objective review and analysis to help make substantive recommendations addressing workplace protections for law enforcement. We appreciate that the majority of House members shared our concerns about the need for a robust stakeholder process before passing legislation of this importance, the statement says. Ensuring law enforcement employees have due process protection and a safe and healthy work environment are serious, complex issues that warrant responsible and thoughtful solutions. Debate on the bill has been tense from the start given the strong opposition from law enforcement leaders and the sponsors continued commitment to help the whistleblowers whose experiences inspired the bill. Bill sponsors repeatedly mentioned McKinzie Rees, a former Edgewater police officer who ended up with anuntruthfulness label on the POST database because the accusations she made against a superior officer werent taken seriously, Rees said. The officer who she alleged assaulted her pleaded guilty to counts of unlawful sexual contact and official misconduct in January. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Whistleblower protection bill fails after last-minute attempt to create interim working group appeared first on Colorado Newsline. Use of white privilege makes online discussions more polarized and less constructive A wide variety of historical, economic and cultural forces combine to allow a larger percentage of whites to climb up the socioeconomic ladder than Blacks and Hispanics. Some people call the combined effects of these forces white privilege. Though these words are commonly used, research by Lia Bozarth and me has found that use of white privilege on social media can actually decrease support for racially progressive policies. We found that the term can increase online political polarization and lead to lower quality conversations on social media. In particular, the term drives some whites who would otherwise support efforts toward racial equality away from online conversations. Effects of using white privilege In the past decade there has been a push on college campuses to re-title buildings named after people involved with slavery or discrimination. We used the issue of renaming these buildings as a way to examine how language affects online conversations. We recruited 924 U.S. residents from Amazons Mechanical Turk for our experiment. Half of the research participants were given a social media post containing the following question: Should colleges rename buildings that were named after people who actively supported racial inequality? The other half saw an identical question, except the term racial inequality was swapped with white privilege. We randomly chose which half received each question. This random assignment allowed us to show causality and gave us confidence that the choice of language created the effects we saw. We asked the participants to respond to their question, and also measured how likely they were to engage with the post in the first place. We then focused on the set of people who were likely to engage with that post online. The term white privilege had two effects. The first was to decrease the quality of conversation among both whites and non-whites. There were more comments that insulted people, attacked the question itself or simply made no sense. The second effect was to make the set of responses less supportive of renaming the buildings and more polarized. The people who were asked about racial inequality were, on average, very supportive. Those who thought it was a good idea to rename college buildings outnumbered opponents more than 2-to-1. A laptop user is shown in this illustration typing a variety of mean-spirited comments. asiandelight/iStock via Getty Images But the group that was asked about white privilege was strongly divided, with just as many opponents as supporters. This shift was caused completely by a change in some whites. Use of white privilege caused 50% of whites who would have been supportive to become ambivalent or hostile. We dont know which half would have changed their minds. But, due to the experimental design, we can be confident they were there. In addition, we found that many of the supportive whites just chose to avoid the conversation altogether. While they might have expressed their support for stopping racial inequality, they wouldnt join a conversation about white privilege. Because the terms white privilege and racial inequality have different meanings, we performed an extra analysis to understand what caused these effects. What we found was consistent with other research suggesting a process called motivated reasoning. In this experiment, the different meanings of the terms white privilege and racial inequality didnt seem to directly affect how people reasoned about renaming buildings. Instead, we found evidence that the difference in language first affected whether they were supportive of renaming buildings. Only after deciding on an opinion did they find reasons to support it. Polarization or misunderstanding? Our results offer insight into one mechanism underlying the polarization and vitriol we see on social media. Online users who feel strongly about a topic will post about it using strong language, such as white privilege. This language will get people riled up toward one side or another. And the people who might be good mediators such as supportive whites in our study are less likely to engage. The people who remain are then more likely to share extreme views. They create online posts, and the cycle continues. The result is social media dominated by outrage and extremism, rather than respectful discourse. Some people Ive talked to have been genuinely surprised by these results. Others thought they were obvious and not even worth researching. This is notable, because it suggests that some of the conflict we see online is not caused by malice, but by a lack of understanding. Social identity dynamics In our study, the term white privilege changed the behavior of some whites. But the psychology behind this change is common to all humans. In fact, the psychological research that first examined this effect focused on Blacks performance in school. The term white privilege taps into a deep-seated tendency as old as humanity. As social creatures, humans are naturally inclined to split the world into us and them. This can lead to thinking of others and sometimes ourselves as a stereotypical member of our group. Further, we are members of multiple groups simultaneously, according to our age, profession, race, politics and family roles. At any given moment, social cues affect which group is the most forefront in our minds. This natural tendency to view ourselves through a social identity allowed Germanic tribes who had been warring with each other to band together to drive back invading Romans. It enabled whites to view Blacks as inferior throughout much of American history and led some Blacks to agree with that view. It played a role in anti-Muslim sentiment after 9/11. Its involved in political partisanship and in protests against authoritarian regimes. And its one reason we feel more comfortable in a group of people like ourselves. Phrases like white privilege play on this reasoning by implying that all whites are similar and have the same negative traits. A businessman is seen in this illustration covering his ears and ignoring the loud noise. sesame/DigitalVision Vectors via Getty Images Unsurprisingly, the accusation even subtly implied that everyone in your race is bad can create strong reactions. Some people will just disregard the speaker entirely. But many others will feel intense visceral emotions such as anger, which can lead us to be more confrontational, or shame, which can cause people to withdraw. When faced with the term white privilege, its not surprising that some whites will look less favorably on the speakers ideas. And it makes sense that the whites who are more sympathetic will tend to withdraw. Of course this reaction, which psychologists call social identity threat, is not unique to white people. At some point in their lives, everyone feels unwelcome or devalued because of a group they identify as part of, whether thats being Black, white, Hispanic, young, old, female, male, Christian or atheist. A sticky problem Surveys show that an overwhelming majority of Americans think that everyone should get an equal shot at success, and numerous studies have shown that race is involved in economic opportunity and social mobility. While the data is clear that racial inequality persists in America, its causes are complex and have so far proven intractable. Meanwhile, social media users spend their time attacking each other, giving the impression of an outraged and polarized citizenry. Effective communication about personal topics like race can be challenging. The careful use of inclusive language is one way to gather public support or at least promote meaningful discussion. Words matter, and our research demonstrates how phrases like white privilege affect the way controversial issues on race are perceived. [Get the best of The Conversation, every weekend. Sign up for our weekly newsletter.] This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Christopher Quarles, University of Michigan Read more: Christopher Quarles 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. Why lawmakers want to remove an even broader spectrum of criminal records from public view PROVIDENCE With tens of thousands of crimes committed in Rhode Island already purged from state records as if they never happened, the Senate on Thursday unanimously approved legislation to potentially purge thousands more. Under current law, a person with an expunged criminal record can legally say they have never been convicted of a crime, unless they are applying for certain jobs, such as teaching or work in an early childhood education facility. The court record of their convictions would also be removed from public view. Sen. Jake Bissaillon, who by day works for Justice Assistance, a tax exempt nonprofit dedicated to "reducing the social and monetary costs of justice," called the bill now headed to the House for consideration the next step in a years-long effort by the public defender's office and others to give people with criminal records a fresh start. What does current law allow? Current state law allows: the expungement of a single felony from the record of a first-time offender 10 years after completion of their sentence, the expungement of "fewer than six" misdemeanors from the record of someone with no felony convictions five years after completion of their sentence. Bissaillon's bill would remove the no-felony requirement for the expungement of multiple misdemeanors. Why it matters? Bissaillon told colleagues the current no-felony requirement "flies in the face of basic fairness, runs counter to our goal of rehabilitation and defaces the principle of restorative justice,'' exacerbating "the economic struggle and societal stigma that comes with a record." Though it's unstated in his bill, Bissaillon has acknowledged it could potentially allow the expungement of a more serious felony committed by someone with multiple expunged misdemeanors who was not, in fact, a "first offender." No one else spoke for or against the bill before the 36-to-0 vote. Jake Bissaillon The Senate passed a second expungement bill Bissaillon's bill was one of two expungement bills that cleared the Senate on Thursday, with backing from the state Public Defender's Office and the Commission for Human Rights. The other bill, sponsored by senator and former state prosecutor Matthew LaMountain, would make it easier to expunge a felony conviction for a drug crime that is now considered a misdemeanor, as is now true for the possession of small amounts of drugs like cocaine and heroin. When he first proposed the reduction from a felony to a misdemeanor in 2019, Attorney General Peter Neronha called it a "common-sense reform." "It's time we recognize like many other states have that simple drug possession is not felony conduct," said Neronha. How many conviction records have already been expunged? Thousands Each new opportunity for the expungement of records has marked a victory for the criminal-defense lobby, advocates for minorities and, in past years, the gun lobby, who try year after year to persuade lawmakers to remove more crimes from the states public records to open doors that might be closed to people with convictions. Rhode Islands existing laws were used to remove 11,598 cases from the public record in 2014 alone, the last year for which The Journal has numbers readily available. The five-year count at that point: 59,516 cases expunged. And that was before lawmakers, as a matter of policy, allowed the removal from public view of upwards of 24,000 marijuana possession cases, with 10,000 more to go, the court administrator recently told legislators. But the push to remove criminal records from public view has long coincided with a push, by some of the same lawmakers, to require more criminal background checks. This year, Sen. Frank Lombardi is a co-sponsor of Bissaillon's bill to remove the no-felony standard for expungement of multiple misdemeanors. He is also the lead sponsor of a bill, slated for a vote by the Senate Commerce Committee on Tuesday, to require state and national criminal background checks on drivers for hire, including drivers for transportation-network companies. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Why lawmakers want to remove more criminal records from public view Why are so many Kias and Hyundais being stolen in Wichita? Its that online challenge Keely Richardson was awakened by police with some bad news: They had found her 2014 Kia Optima totaled. It had been stolen 20 feet from her bedroom at her home near Harry and Broadway. It was completely messed up, she said. The rims were all cracked. The bumper was pretty much off. They hit something. There was a huge dent in my windshield, the ignition was gone, it was pretty gross. The 27-year-old was lucky enough to have gap insurance to cover the few thousand dollars that her primary insurance wouldnt. But the Feb. 8 theft added a lot of stress just months before the birth of her first child. The thefts of John Eshelmans Hyundais have left the 25-year-old about $10,000 in debt. Hes still waiting to see what gap insurance will cover. Both times Eshelman found his vehicle stolen outside of his apartment near 21st and Oliver when he was headed to work. Police found his 2019 Hyundai Ioniq out of gas at an apartment complex near Rock and Kellogg in October. It wasnt damaged, but the person left marijuana in the cupholder, he said. After getting that car back, he wrecked it hitting a deer. He got a 2015 Hyundai Genesis Sport Edition. It was stolen in March. The thief collided with another vehicle near 26th and Grove, totaling it, before taking off on foot. Its taken up my personal life, even my mental capacity and its just been frustrating, he said. Trying to get where I want to be and thats not helping for sure (its a) bump in the road. Hes now driving a 2011 Buick Regal. He had just one requirement when he went to get a new vehicle, his third, in less than six months. Just not to get another Kia or Hyundai, he said. Wichita is seeing a national online crime trend of stolen Kias and Hyundais. Those thefts have risen sharply in recent months, even though Chevrolet Silverados are still the top theft targets over the last four-plus years. Wichita started seeing a notable jump in Kia and Hyundai thefts in September, with 37 vehicles stolen the most for any one month from January 2020 up to that point, according to police data from 2020 through February. The single-month high came in January, with 51 thefts, 23% of all vehicle thefts reported. In February, the most recent month The Eagle obtained data for, those brands accounted for 16% of thefts. Kia Soul was the No. 1 vehicle stolen in Wichita in the first two months of the year combined; Hyundai Sonata was No. 2. If Kia and Hyundai thefts continue at this accelerated rate, the number stolen this year will far surpass thefts reported in 2021 (108), 2022 (154) and 2023 (182). Thefts from nationwide trend adding up in Wichita Kia and Hyundai thefts have exploded across the country since 2020 following an online trend started by the Kia Boys, a loose collective of teenage car thieves. Monthly Kia and Hyundai thefts in Milwaukee increased eightfold in less than a years time to 824 in August 2021 before decreasing dramatically; Chicago saw a 14-fold increase in less than six months to 1,431 in October 2022 before dropping back off, according to Vice. An anti-theft device on the Korean companies U.S. models between 2011 and 2022 made them an easy target, which led to a class-action lawsuit where the companies agreed to a $145 million settlement for victims. We are very pleased that it will allow customers who have been impacted by vehicle thefts to receive several additional benefits, Kia told USA today. Hyundai told the news outlet that it was committed to the comprehensive actions we are undertaking to assist customers and communities affected by the persistent thefts of certain Model Year 2011-2022 vehicles not equipped with push-button ignitions and engine immobilizers. The settlement was expected to cover about 9 million affected vehicles. The preliminary settlement was reached in October 2023; a judge is expected to give final approval before July 15. Kim Warehime, a Wichita police lieutenant with the auto theft section, said most children who steal the Kias and Hyundais dont realize the consequences for them or the effect it has on the victim. They (will) purposely try to do donuts or think they can do something that their driving skills cant do and a Kia cant handle, Warehime said. They think they are just messing around having a good time but they dont understand that they are making adult decisions that will affect the rest of their lives. She said adults steal the vehicles too, but that is usually for financial gain versus a thrill ride. In one instance, a Derby woman in her 20s had her 2015 Kia Soul stolen four times in Wichita in less than five months, according to theft reports. One way WPD has been targeting the thefts is by trying to arrest people in the groups, hoping that will deter the others. But there are far fewer arrests than there are vehicle thefts. There are three detectives in the auto theft division, Warehime said. Wichita averages about 200 vehicle thefts a month. In the cases involving the Kia Boys, the teens will often act in a group and drive the vehicles recklessly before dumping them. About 91% of the Kias and Hyundais stolen from 2020 through February were recovered or found, compared to about 79% for all vehicles in that time. There were 658 Kia and Hyundai thefts during that time and 10,375 thefts of all vehicles. Richardsons Kia Optima was found by police wrecked in a neighborhood near Pawnee and Rock. It had vomit on the side of it. She had gotten a notice from Kia and taken her vehicle in to get a security upgrade in response to the thefts. It didnt matter; the thieves still took it. Really just having that independence of having my own car, having that taken away from me, especially while I am pregnant, has been really stressful, she said. The money situation is very stressful, especially with welcoming a new baby. Because of the rampant thefts, some national insurance companies have stopped covering the vehicles and others require a premium to insure them, according to Clites Insurance Associates in Wichita. Southwest Wichitas 67217 ZIP code was the most-theft prone for Kias and Hyundais between 2020 through February 2024, with 77 vehicles stolen, an analysis of police data shows. The most theft-prone police beat in the city for those years was Beat 16 in west Wichita, which generally covers Maple to 13th Street and Tyler Road to west of I-235 along the Big Ditch, with 49 Kias and Hyundais stolen. Hyundai Sonatas (128) and Hyundai Elantras (126) were targeted most often. Soul was the most stolen Kia model (82). Other car thefts Todd and Tonya Millers daughters 2020 Hyundai Elantra and Frank Dorions 2015 Kia Optima were both stolen overnight in February. Todd Miller woke up at his home near 21st and Maize on Feb. 8 and noticed his daughters vehicle gone. He called her to ask where she was. She answered, saying she was in her room. Weve lived here 20 years and weve never had one problem here, ever, Miller said, adding he thinks it was targeted because it was a Hyundai. Stuff like that, as a rule, is not very common around here. The vehicle was found at a QuikTrip in south Wichita with drugs in it. Their daughter had left the keys in the vehicle. Little damage was done. Still, after the tow, ordering a new key fob and a cleaning because of concerns about the drugs possibly being fentanyl, it cost them around $1,000. We were the fortunate ones, Todd Miller said. Police said it very rarely happens that we get the car back in good shape. Tonya Miller said: It was just scary to wake up in the morning and the cars not here. Dorions 2015 Kia Optima was stolen overnight Feb. 16 outside of his home near 31st Street South and Seneca. A 19-year-old Wichita man was arrested driving the car at 3 p.m. three days later. The vehicle was stolen despite having a security upgrade that was covered by Kia, he said. It doesnt work, obviously, the 57-year-old said. I guess Im the lucky one. This guy used it for (a few days) days. Smelled like a pot factory in it. Dorion said insurance covered the cost of roughly $4,500 for damage to his bumper cover, stereo and the dash around the steering wheel. Dorion said he also is filling out paperwork to get part of the Kia and Hyundai settlement. They make it so complicated most people give up on it, he said, but Im not giving up on it. He said when he called Crash Champion near West and Kellogg for repairs, the person said: Oh yea, Kia Boys got you. Austin Krogmeier, service adviser at that repair shop, said the Kias and Hyundais had similar damage: broken rear-passenger window and damage to the steering column. He said they saw a spike in January, February and March, but the number had dropped off the first couple weeks of April. Im definitely not saying its gone, he said. I think its going to be around until everyone gets their upgrade or they start getting caught. Contributing: Amy Renee Leiker with The Eagle Has a vehicle make and model you own been stolen? Search the database below to see vehicles reported stolen to the Wichita Police Department since late 2019. You can search using any or all of the fields below. To see all thefts, simply click search. The database includes December 2019 to February 2024. If you see a blank field, it means police did not know or provide the data. Some vehicles do not have a make, model or year listed because police did not provide that data. You can find the Wichita police beat you live or work in using the departments Find My Wichita Police Beat search tool, located at the bottom of each patrol bureaus webpage. Or click here and scroll down. Is your vehicle a target for thieves? See the 15 makes, models stolen the most in Wichita Where is your vehicle most likely to be stolen in Wichita? Here is what the data shows What are the most expensive vehicles stolen in Wichita? Here are some of them On March 30, 1867, U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward and Russian envoy Baron Edouard de Stoeckl signed the Treaty of Cession. With a stroke of a pen, Tsar Alexander II had ceded Alaska, his countrys last remaining foothold in North America, to the United States for US$7.2 million. That sum, amounting to just $138 million in todays dollars, brought to an end Russias 125-year odyssey in Alaska and its expansion across the treacherous Bering Sea, which at one point extended the Russian Empire as far south as Fort Ross, California, 90 miles from San Francisco Bay. Today Alaska is one of the richest U.S. states thanks to its abundance of natural resources, such as petroleum, gold and fish, as well as its vast expanse of pristine wilderness and strategic location as a window on Russia and gateway to the Arctic. So what prompted Russia to withdraw from its American beachhead? And how did it come to possess it in the first place? As a descendant of Inupiaq Eskimos, I have been living and studying this history all my life. In a way, there are two histories of how Alaska came to be American and two perspectives. One concerns how the Russians took possession of Alaska and eventually ceded it to the U.S. The other is from the perspective of my people, who have lived in Alaska for thousands of years, and for whom the anniversary of the cession brings mixed emotions, including immense loss but also optimism. Russia looks east The lust for new lands that brought Russia to Alaska and eventually California began in the 16th century, when the country was a fraction of its current size. That began to change in 1581, when Russia overran a Siberian territory known as the Khanate of Sibir, which was controlled by a grandson of Genghis Khan. This key victory opened up Siberia, and within 60 years the Russians were at the Pacific. The Russian advance across Siberia was fueled in part by the lucrative fur trade, a desire to expand the Russian Orthodox Christian faith to the heathen populations in the east and the addition of new taxpayers and resources to the empire. In the early 18th century, Peter the Great who created Russias first Navy wanted to know how far the Asian landmass extended to the east. The Siberian city of Okhotsk became the staging point for two explorations he ordered. And in 1741, Vitus Bering successfully crossed the strait that bears his name and sighted Mt. Saint Elias, near what is now the village of Yakutat, Alaska. Although Berings second Kamchatka Expedition brought disaster for him personally when adverse weather on the return journey led to a shipwreck on one of the westernmost Aleutian Islands and his eventual death from scurvy in December 1741, it was an incredible success for Russia. The surviving crew fixed the ship, stocked it full of hundreds of the sea otters, foxes and fur seals that were abundant there and returned to Siberia, impressing Russian fur hunters with their valuable cargo. This prompted something akin to the Klondike gold rush 150 years later. Challenges emerge But maintaining these settlements wasnt easy. Russians in Alaska who numbered no more than 800 at their peak faced the reality of being half a globe away from St. Petersburg, then the capital of the empire, making communications a key problem. Also, Alaska was too far north to allow for significant agriculture and therefore unfavorable as a place to send large numbers of settlers. So they began exploring lands farther south, at first looking only for people to trade with so they could import the foods that wouldnt grow in Alaskas harsh climate. They sent ships to what is now California, established trade relations with the Spaniards there and eventually set up their own settlement at Fort Ross in 1812. Thirty years later, however, the entity set up to handle Russias American explorations failed and sold what remained. Not long after, the Russians began to seriously question whether they could continue their Alaskan colony as well. For starters, the colony was no longer profitable after the sea otter population was decimated. Then there was the fact that Alaska was difficult to defend and Russia was short on cash due to the costs of the war in Crimea. Americans eager for a deal So clearly the Russians were ready to sell, but what motivated the Americans to want to buy? In the 1840s, the United States had expanded its interests to Oregon, annexed Texas, fought a war with Mexico and acquired California. Afterward, Secretary of State Seward wrote in March 1848: Our population is destined to roll resistless waves to the ice barriers of the north, and to encounter oriental civilization on the shores of the Pacific. Almost 20 years after expressing his thoughts about expansion into the Arctic, Seward accomplished his goal. In Alaska, the Americans foresaw a potential for gold, fur and fisheries, as well as more trade with China and Japan. The Americans worried that England might try to establish a presence in the territory, and the acquisition of Alaska it was believed would help the U.S. become a Pacific power. And overall the government was in an expansionist mode backed by the then-popular idea of manifest destiny. So a deal with incalculable geopolitical consequences was struck, and the Americans seemed to get quite a bargain for their $7.2 million. Just in terms of wealth, the U.S. gained about 370 million acres of mostly pristine wilderness almost a third the size of the European Union including 220 million acres of what are now federal parks and wildlife refuges. Hundreds of billions of dollars in whale oil, fur, copper, gold, timber, fish, platinum, zinc, lead and petroleum have been produced in Alaska over the years allowing the state to do without a sales or income tax and give every resident an annual stipend. Alaska still likely has billions of barrels of oil reserves. The state is also a key part of the United States defense system, with military bases located in Anchorage and Fairbanks, and it is the countrys only connection to the Arctic, which ensures it has a seat at the table as melting glaciers allow the exploration of the regions significant resources. Impact on Alaska Natives But theres an alternate version of this history. When Bering finally located Alaska in 1741, Alaska was home to about 100,000 people, including Inuit, Athabascan, Yupik, Unangan and Tlingit. There were 17,000 alone on the Aleutian Islands. Despite the relatively small number of Russians who at any one time lived at one of their settlements mostly on the Aleutians Islands, Kodiak, Kenai Peninsula and Sitka they ruled over the native populations in their areas with an iron hand, taking children of the leaders as hostages, destroying kayaks and other hunting equipment to control the men and showing extreme force when necessary. The Russians brought with them weaponry such as firearms, swords, cannons and gunpowder, which helped them secure a foothold in Alaska along the southern coast. They used firepower, spies and secured forts to maintain security, and selected Christianized local leaders to carry out their wishes. However, they also met resistance, such as from the Tlingits, who were capable warriors, ensuring their hold on territory was tenuous. By the time of the cession, only 50,000 indigenous people were estimated to be left, as well as 483 Russians and 1,421 Creoles (descendants of Russian men and indigenous women). On the Aleutian Islands alone, the Russians enslaved or killed thousands of Aleuts. Their population plummeted to 1,500 in the first 50 years of Russian occupation due to a combination of warfare, disease and enslavement. When the Americans took over, the United States was still engaged in its Indian Wars, so they looked at Alaska and its indigenous inhabitants as potential adversaries. Alaska was made a military district by Gen. Ulysses S. Grant with Gen. Jefferson C. Davis selected as the new commander. For their part, Alaska Natives claimed that they still had title to the territory as its original inhabitants and having not lost the land in war or ceded it to any country including the U.S., which technically didnt buy it from the Russians but bought the right to negotiate with the indigenous populations. Still, Natives were denied U.S. citizenship until 1924, when the Indian Citizenship Act was passed. During that time, Alaska Natives had no rights as citizens and could not vote, own property or file for mining claims. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, in conjunction with missionary societies, in the 1860s began a campaign to eradicate indigenous languages, religion, art, music, dance, ceremonies and lifestyles. It was only in 1936 that the Indian Reorganization Act authorized tribal governments to form, and only nine years later overt discrimination was outlawed by Alaskas Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945. The law banned signs such as No Natives Need Apply and No Dogs or Natives Allowed, which were common at the time. Statehood and a disclaimer Eventually, however, the situation improved markedly for Natives. Alaska finally became a state in 1959, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Alaska Statehood Act, allotting it 104 million acres of the territory. And in an unprecedented nod to the rights of Alaskas indigenous populations, the act contained a clause emphasizing that citizens of the new state were declining any right to land subject to Native title which by itself was a very thorny topic because they claimed the entire territory. A result of this clause was that in 1971 President Richard Nixon ceded 44 million acres of federal land, along with $1 billion, to Alaskas native populations, which numbered around 75,000 at the time. That came after a Land Claims Task Force that I chaired gave the state ideas about how to resolve the issue. Today Alaska has a population of 740,000, of which 120,000 are Natives. As the United States celebrates the signing of the Treaty of Cession, we all Alaskans, Natives and Americans of the lower 48 should salute Secretary of State William H. Seward, the man who eventually brought democracy and the rule of law to Alaska. This is an updated version of an article originally published on March 29, 2017. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: William L. Iggiagruk Hensley, University of Alaska Anchorage Read more: William L. Iggiagruk Hensley is affiliated with: Chair, First Alaskans Institute, Vice Chair, Aqqaluk Trust, member of the Democratic Party, Vice Chair, Charter College, Professor, University of Alaska Anchorage *Editors Note: This story has been updated with comments from the NM Racing Commission. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) If you were hoping to bet on the big race at a New Mexico casino, youre out of luck this year. New Mexico casinos say they arent offering wagers on the Kentucky Derby. So, why not? The short answer is that the states casinos simply arent going to get the simulcast signal from Kentucky. Without that signal, all bets are off. But you can still watch the races at some casinos without betting. New Mexicos seniors lost over $17 million to scams last year Heres the way horse racing works: States have horse associations (in Kentucky, thats the Kentucky Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association) that send out race simulcast signals to other states. Generally, those associations can control who receives signals and who doesnt. This year, the Kentucky Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association (Kentucky HBPA) decided New Mexico doesnt get access, according to the New Mexico Horsemens Association. There is precedent . . . that gives the horsemen, the owners of racehorses and the trainers of racehorses, it gives them the ownership of the show that they put on, explains Paul Jenson, a veterinarian and the president of the New Mexico Horsemens Association. The casino has to have a contract with the horsemens group who represent the majority of the horsemen in that jurisdiction. Ismael Izzy Trejo, the executive director of the New Mexico Racing Commission, says each of the players in New Mexico casinos, the racing commission, etc. did their part to try to get the derby this year, but the final say was up to Kentucky HBPA. The story circulating around the New Mexico horse racing world is that a feud between two New Mexico groups may be the reason why Kentucky HBPA cut off New Mexicos access. KRQE News 13 called Kentucky HBPA, and the group hung up without providing comment. But a horseracing news website quoted the president of Kentucky HBPA as saying the choice to block the signal was deliberate and in reaction to the New Mexico Racing Commissions beef with the New Mexico Horsemens Association. New Mexicans should check bank accounts after healthcare cyberattack That feud between the two New Mexico groups goes back years, and state lawmakers even tried to ease some of the tension by passing a bill in 2023. Yet, the tension remains. The two groups have been in and out of court and arguing over racing purse money and the long-term vision for horseracing in the state. Ultimately, the dispute is impacting the entire field of horseracing. The money thats bet on the Kentucky Derby here in New Mexico, it helps the Horsemens groups medical benefits (a portion of it goes to their medical benefits). A portion of it goes to the purses, which is the prize money that New Mexico horsemen get to run for. And a portion of it goes to the Equine Test Fund, which is the [Racing] Commissions fund in which we pay for drug testing to assure integrity in our sport here, Trejo explains. So, without the simulcast signal, each of those players lose out. The other innocent people in this saga is the race fans. Jenson also says New Mexicans are losing out because of the dispute. Were all losing. The racetracks are losing that income, the Horsemens Association is losing some of that [simulcast] income, he says. Although casinos in New Mexico wont be able to take bets for the race, some are still planning on broadcasting the race. So, if you want to just enjoy watching the race at a casino, both Isleta Casino and the Albuquerque Downs Casino say they will have the races on TVs. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. UPDATE: As of Sunday afternoon, the Oakmont fire remains at 30 percent containment, where it has been since Saturday. All lines have held throughout Saturday night and into Sunday morning, according to the New Mexico Forestry Division. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A forest fire near the town of Timberon, New Mexico, has burned 100 acres and is zero percent contained, according to a news release sent out by the New Mexico Forestry Division late Friday night, May 3. The Oakmont Fire was discovered at about 12:30 p.m. Friday. All roads into and out of Timberon are restricted and a temporary shelter has been set up at Cloudcroft High School. The area of Sacramento Drive and Paradise Valley Drive in Timberon are under a mandatory evacuation order, according to NM Forestry Division. Timberon is located in the Sacramento Mountains and is about 30 miles south of Cloudcroft in Otero County. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. The area around Wilmington, North Carolina, was once rock-ribbed Republican red. No longer. Its contested territory in what may be the most contested state in the country this year. Donald Trump had planned a rally in Wilmington earlier this month but was rained out at the last moment. Trump promised to return with a bigger and better rally later. Joe Biden visited Wilmington on Thursday, after a detour to Charlotte to meet with the families of four law enforcement officers killed on Monday while serving an arrest warrant. It was his second visit to North Carolina this year and is unlikely to be his last. Related: The culture war in North Carolina is playing out in the race for governor I want to get Joe Biden to Wilmington, the state senator Natalie Murdock of Durham said last week, before Biden announced the trip. Murdock is helping coordinate the Biden-Harris campaign in North Carolina. She noted that Biden won New Hanover county in 2020 after Hillary Clinton lost it four years earlier. Were going to have a field office out there, she added, explaining plans for boots on the ground to get out the vote. The outsized political attention on Wilmington reflects a granular effort to win voters in the persuadable places, the swing districts in swing states. Trump won North Carolina in 2020 by a margin of 1.3%, his narrowest state victory. The most recent Emerson College poll shows Biden running behind Trump by five points, with 10% undecided. But North Carolinas political map is a pointillist portrait of post-pandemic population change, with cities such as Charlotte, Durham and Wilmington booming from domestic migration while other communities bleed residents to places with economic vibrancy. Two-thirds of North Carolinas population growth between 2010 and 2020 was non-white. About 400,000 people have moved to North Carolina since 2020. Trumps margin in 2020 was less than 75,000 votes. Growth is the story of Wilmington. The beach town vacation spot has expanded beyond Saturday farmers markets and upscale restaurants on the river for tourists, attracting pharmaceutical research, banking and logistics today. I moved to Wilmington 22 years ago. And when I moved here, I didnt even realize you were allowed to live here all year, said David Hill, a pediatrician and the Democratic nominee for the North Carolina state senate. I can say that if you drive down the street, you will see acres and acres of what was forest when we moved here just five years ago, that is now in part sand and in part foundations and newly built homes. Many census tracts around Wilmington in Pender, Brunswick and New Hanover counties doubled in population between 2010 and 2020. During the pandemic, growth accelerated, with both Pender and Brunswick countys population increasing by 15% since 2020. The seventh district is held by Michael Lee, a real estate attorney and a relative moderate in the Republican-led senate. The district, covering most of New Hanover county, has been targeted by national campaigners as one of North Carolinas few legislative seats that can be flipped, despite a ruthless redistricting that moved much of downtown Wilmington into a neighboring district last year. Related: They had absolute power: the US congressman driven out by Republican gerrymandering One of those precincts was the highest-turnout precinct for Black voters, and it has now been put into deep-red Brunswick county, Murdock said. It is one of those races that was still going to be competitive, but they did not do us any favors with that map. I mean, it is one of the most gerrymandered of this cycle. Republicans have a 30 to 20 advantage over Democrats in the state senate and a 72 to 48 advantage in the state house; precisely the 60% margin needed in each chamber to override a veto by North Carolinas Democratic governor, Roy Cooper. Cooper has blocked legislation restricting abortion access and expanding gun rights, but Republican lawmakers have overridden dozens of vetoes, from bills banning transgender hormone therapy for minors to changes in election laws. Cooper is term-limited and will be out of office in January. Republicans cannot afford to lose one seat in either chamber if they also lose the governors race, and the fate of the gubernatorial race is an open question given North Carolinas history of ticket splitting and the nomination of the lieutenant governor, Mark Robinson, who has a record of extreme, racist and homophobic comments and faces unpleasant revelations about his financial and business history. National Democratic campaigners are hoping that a backlash against restrictive abortion laws will fuel turnout statewide. But local contenders in closely divided districts have largely avoided the culture war rancor and are focusing on community concerns. Lee, for example, published a column this week taking issue with the New Hanover school systems $20m shortfall, describing it as evidence of poor financial decisions made with short-term pandemic funding. Though the population around Wilmington has been exploding, public school enrollment has not: the local system has fewer students now than before the pandemic. Lee chairs the senates education committee, and has been leading the state senates efforts to expand North Carolinas private school voucher program. The committee approved a bill on Wednesday to add $248m to the program next school year, on top of the $191m the program received this year. Applications for the vouchers, worth up to $7,468, outstripped funding after a surge of interest. (Lee did not respond to repeated requests for comment for this story.) Related: Trump one week, Biden the next: what do presidential polls teach us? Newcomers chasing Wilmingtons burgeoning film industry or simply looking for a better climate while working from home are wrestling with crowded roads, rising housing costs, access to healthcare and the other downsides of rapid growth, Hill said. Their interests do not easily map on to a highly partisan political framework. Characterizing North Carolina in the same sentence as some of the more extremist states in the south fails to give the population of the state credit for really being quite centrist, Hill said. I think when you look at what our rightwing extremist supermajority has done, it would be easy to lump our state and with some states that are more extremist, but I dont feel and I think we have good evidence to tell us that they dont really represent the state as a whole. A conservative news site co-founded by Ben Shapiro secretly obtained a gag order against its former host Candace Owens even while publicly negotiating to debate her, according to a new report. The Daily Wire, which "ended its relationship" with Ms Owens in March after clashes over Israel and antisemitism, has repeatedly said it wants to organise a debate between her and Mr Shapiro. But on Thursday, the veteran journalist Glenn Greenwald reported that The Daily Wire had persuaded a private arbitrator to ban Ms Owens from publicly disparaging the company, citing her demand for debate as an example. The company reportedly told the arbitrator that while it did not object to "healthy debate" in principle, her method of requesting and negotiating it constituted a breach of her contract. "The Daily Wire has ensured that the debate with Owens that they publicly claimed to want could not, in fact, take place," wrote Mr Greenwald, who did not explain the source for his story. "Any such debate would be in conflict with the gag order they obtained on Owens from expressing any criticisms of the site or of Shapiro." I dont know your international travel schedule, Candace. I know when youve wanted to talk to someone in the past, youve flown across the world to make it happen. You asked for a debate. Ben agreed to a debate. You dont want it on a DW channel? Fine. We can live-stream it https://t.co/looi1lXYOV Jeremy Boreing (@JeremyDBoreing) April 6, 2024 In response, The Daily Wire's co-CEO Jeremy Boreing told Mr Greenwald that it was "inaccurate to the point of being false", without denying any specific facts. "Im sure you can appreciate how fraught a high profile break-up like this is. For that reason, we are trying to resolve our issues with Candace privately," he reportedly added. Ms Owens told Mr Greenwald: "I wish I could comment on this, but I can't". The Independent has asked both Ms Owens and The Daily Wire for comment. It marks the latest twist in a long dispute between Ms Owens and Mr Shapiro, which has seen both parties publicly insult and belittle each other since the start of the Hamas-Israel war last October. The rumors are true I am finally free. If you would like to support my work, you can head to https://t.co/fOcTKYQDFk where you will be directed to my locals page. Or, you can give a gift at https://t.co/SB1L1WZYwW There will be many announcements in the weeks to come. Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) March 22, 2024 Mr Shapiro, who is Jewish and styles himself as a champion of free speech, strongly supports Israel's government and once claimed that Palestinians "like to bomb crap and live in open sewage" (though he later narrowed his remarks to only "Arabs who actively seek Israel's destruction"). Ms Owens, a Black woman who rose to fame by calling on African-Americans and other people of colour to abandon the Democratic Party, has criticised Israel's brutal treatment of Palestinian civilians and the USA's continued willingness to fund it. However, she has speculated about a "gang" of Jewish criminals manipulating Hollywood and the media, liked antisemitic tweets on X (formerly Twitter), defended antisemitic comments by Kanye West, and claimed that the problem with Hitler was merely that he "had dreams outside of Germany". I am currently on a leave of absence from my executive duties @realdailywire while overseas producing #thependragoncycle. In my current capacity, I cannot fire Candace Owens. Thats something Ben and I have in common since he is also not an executive in the company and cannot Jeremy Boreing (@JeremyDBoreing) November 17, 2023 Initially, Mr Boreing said that there was still a home for Ms Owens at The Daily Wire. "Even if we could, we would not fire Candace because of another thing we have in common a desire not to regulate the speech of our hosts, even when we disagree with them," he wrote last November. "Candace is paid to give her opinion, not mine or Bens. Unless those opinions run afoul of the law or she violates the terms of her contract in some way, her job is secure and she is welcome at Daily Wire." Mr Greenwald himself is no stranger to controversy. After receiving a Pulitzer Prize for his work with US intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden for The Guardian, he founded left-wing investigative news site The Intercept. In 2020 he resigned from the company after accusing it of politically motivated censorship, and has since become a darling of conservative media outlets for his strident criticism of left-leaning activists, journalists, and politicians. MOUNT HOREB, Wis. (WFRV) As authorities continue to investigate the deadly shooting outside of a Wisconsin middle school on Wednesday, the DOJ has provided some additional details; including the type of rifle the student was carrying. According to the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ), its Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is continuing its investigation into the shooting and killing of a juvenile male student who was carrying a rifle outside of Mount Horeb Middle School around 11:10 a.m. on May 1. Officers say the student was first reported by a citizen who called 911 to report a subject moving toward Mount Horeb Middle School with a backpack and what appeared to be a long gun. Intoxicated 19-year-old Sheboygan friends call 911 after one shoots the other, 1 in custody Mount Horeb Police Department officers responded to the school where they spotted the subject who matched the description in the area of the middle school, east of the main entrance at 900 Garfield Street. Officers directed the subject to drop the weapon, but the subject did not comply. The subject pointed the weapon at the officers, after which law enforcement discharged their firearms, striking the subject. Lifesaving measures were deployed but the subject died on scene. Wisconsin DOJ It was noted that the weapon recovered at the scene was determined to be a Ruger .177 caliber pellet rifle. No law enforcement officers, students, staff, or witnesses were physically injured during the incident. Involved law enforcement, all of whom were wearing body cameras, remain on administrative leave, per agency policy. 5 injured in Outagamie County crash after car fails to yield to SUV, under investigation DCI is leading this investigation and is assisted by the Wisconsin State Crime Lab, Wisconsin State Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Dane County Sheriffs Office, Verona Police Department, Cottage Grove Police Department, Madison Police Department, Monona Police Department, Fitchburg Police Department, Iowa County Sheriffs Office, Green County Sheriffs Office, Blue Mounds Police Department, Cross Plains Police Department, Shorewood Hills Police Department, a DCI Crime Response Specialist, and members of the DCI Digital Evidence Unit. All involved law enforcement are fully cooperating with DCI during this investigation. DCI is continuing to review evidence and determine the facts of this incident and will turn over investigative reports to the Dane County District Attorney when the investigation concludes. Local 5 will continue to provide updates to this story as more information comes in. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry (GHCCM) hosted an event on April 26 to formally name the GHCCM Medical Clinic. It is now recognized as the Dr. John Earl Medical Ministry Clinic. More than 80 family and friends were in attendance to honor the memory of Dr. Earl including his wife, Jane Earl. The unveiling and the naming service recognized the passion, service, and dedication that John Earl provided to his patients throughout his career in Hickory. Molly Sain, GHCCM executive director, honored John Earl by reflecting on his volunteerism at the ministry. Dr. Earl leaves behind a legacy of faith, compassion, and true dedication to serving those who are in greatest need, Sain said. He set an example of how we should all be showing Gods love to others and how sometimes, all it takes to save someones life is by being a friend. John Earl was a partner of Hickory Family Practice for over 40 years. He was a beloved physician and cared for his patients and staff with extraordinary kindness. He helped to establish the Hickory Soup Kitchens walk-in clinic in 1992, which later became the Medical Clinic of Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry. His strength, wisdom, humility, gentle spirit, humor and compassion for those living in the margins of life were unparalleled, Sain said. From the inception of the medical clinic, Earl served faithfully as a volunteer sharing his medical skills. The GHCCM medical Clinic provides a wide range of services to patients who are uninsured in Catawba and Alexander County. Offerings include primary care, specialty care, dental and vision care. In 2023 the medical clinic served 634 patients representing 5,743 appointments. The mission of GHCCM encompasses the care and compassion for the whole person by offering financial assistance to help clients stay in their home; showers, washer and dryer and mail service for the homeless; medical care and a full-service pharmacy for the uninsured in Catawba and Alexander counties. The educational classes at the Whole Life Center provide transformational opportunities. Some of the offerings include finding financial well-being, spiritual growth, having a healthier lifestyle and computer skills building. GHCCM is a nonprofit organization that offers hope, health and healing to those experiencing homelessness or living in poverty. As stated by Sain, The word health in our mission statement encompasses physical, emotional, spiritual, mental and financial well-being. The ministry is dependent on funding from foundations, grants, churches, businesses and individuals. The budget for 2024 is $1,580,980. The public is invited to make a donation to ensure the longevity of GHCCM and its mission to serve the most vulnerable in the community. For more information or to donate, visit www.ccmhickory.org or call the ministry at 828-323-0979. MOUNT HOREB, Wis. Police in Wisconsin fatally shot a student who had pointed a pellet rifle in their direction outside a middle school, according to the state's Department of Justice. On Saturday, the Wisconsin DOJ released an update to its ongoing investigation into the fatal shooting outside Mount Horeb Middle School. The DOJ said someone called 911 shortly before 11:15 a.m. Wednesday after observing a person moving toward the middle school with a backpack and "what appeared to be a long gun." The state's attorney general later confirmed that the subject was a male student and a minor, but did not say which school he attended. Officers from the Mount Horeb Police Department responded to the scene where they found a person matching the reported description east of the school's main entrance. The officers ordered the student to drop the weapon, but he did not comply. According to the DOJ, that's when the student pointed a weapon at the officers, who then shot and killed him. People wait for their children outside the Mount Horeb School District bus station in Mount Horeb, Wis., where students were taken after an active shooter situation at the middle school, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Authorities said without giving details that the A Ruger .177 caliber pellet rifle was recovered on the scene. Officials said the student never gained entry to the school. "No law enforcement officers or witnesses were physically injured during the incident," the DOJ said. The officers involved in the shooting were wearing body cameras. They are on administrative leave. Wisconsin DOJ's Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the multi-agency investigation. "DCI is continuing to review evidence and determine the facts of this incident and will turn over investigative reports to the Dane County District Attorney when the investigation concludes," the DOJ said. Mount Horeb is located about 25 miles west of Madison. A young boy's generosity, rewarded Longtime Trump aide Hope Hicks takes the stand in New York trial Louisiana boy receives surprising reward after generously giving away his only dollar MEMPHIS, Tenn. A Selmer, Tennessee, woman is facing charges after she was accused of driving drunk with her young child in the vehicle. According to an affidavit, a trooper responded to a crash on Highway 14 near Old Brownsville Road Thursday. The driver of a silver Ford Focus reportedly crashed into the rear of another vehicle and drove off of the roadway. Court documents say the trooper identified the driver as 25-year-old Josie Bass. The trooper reportedly noted that Bass had dilated pupils, slurred speech, and difficulty maintaining her balance. 3 hurt in Midtown crash, including child; 1 ejected from vehicle The affidavit says Basss 5-year-old son was in the vehicle unrestrained. The child reportedly suffered abdominal injuries from the crash and was taken to Le Bonheur Childrens Hospital for treatment. Court documents say Bass went to Le Bonheur to be with her child. While at the hospital, she reportedly underwent field sobriety tests and performed poorly on all of them. Court records say investigators searched Bass vehicle and found four THC vape pens, two jars containing THC wax, and marijuana on the front passenger floorboard. The affidavit says that Bass license had already been suspended in September 2020 for failure to file insurance. Bass has been charged with child endangerment, driving under the influence, and driving with a suspended license. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Woman Arrested After 2 Killed in Alleged Arson Attack at Sofa Store in Phoenix Katisha Susan Smith is facing first-degree murder, arson and drug-related charges Getty Stock photo of a fire A woman has been arrested after a fire at an Arizona furniture store killed two people. According to ABC 15 Arizona, local news site Arizona's Family and Fox 10 Phoenix, Katisha Susan Smith has been arrested in connection with a fire that broke out on Saturday night, April 27, before 10 p.m. local time at the Phoenix-based store J&J Sofa Manufacturing that resulted in the deaths of two unidentified people. Smith, 44, faces two charges of first-degree murder and a charge of arson in connection with the incident, as well as unrelated drug charges, per the outlets. Maricopa County Sheriffs Office officials and Phoenix Fire Department were called to the scene of the fire near 59th Avenue and Buckeye Road on April 27, according to the outlets. They were unable to save the building, which was completely destroyed in the fire. Arizona's Family reported that while on the scene, a local business owner approached officials with surveillance video footage that showed an SUV driving up to the furniture store and two people exiting the vehicle. The video reportedly showed a woman, later identified as Smith, handing an object to an as-yet-unidentified man, who then lit the object on fire and threw the object toward J&J Sofa Manufacturing before both parties got back into the SUV and drove away. ABC 15 reported that arson investigators found one unidentified person dead soon after they began investigating the scene, and a second unidentified body was found the next day. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. The Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner has classified both deaths as homicides, per Arizona's Family. According to both Arizona's Family and ABC 15, a police report about the incident states that Smith, who was identified because of her tattoos, told officials that she was forced to participate in the incident. Fox 10 reported that Smith's bond is set at $1 million. Any of her co-conspirators have not been identified. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) A San Francisco woman was convicted of stealing more than $60,000 worth of merchandise from the Target at Stonestown Galleria, the San Francisco District Attorneys Office said. Aziza Graves, 43, pretended to pay for the items at self-checkout machines before stealing them. Individuals such as Aziza Graves commit egregious thefts through brazen and repeated conduct that greatly impacts retailers ability to operate and serve the general public in their area. These crimes demand accountability and we need to send the message to others who engage in open and brash thefts that, with the support of our local law enforcement partners, our office will continue to pursue and prosecute those involved, DA Brooke Jenkins said. Woman arrested for illegal SF gambling den; guns, drugs, machines seized Graves stole from Target dozens of times between Oct 3, 2020, and Nov. 16, 2021, the DAs office said. She would take items off the shelves to self-checkout, scan every item, insert a small amount of money and leave. The San Francisco Police Department followed and surveilled Graves twice after she left Target with goods she did not buy. She was later seen selling the stolen goods at UN Plaza to people who sell stolen goods or general passersby. Graves was arrested in November 2021 and accused by officials of stealing more than $40,000 worth of merchandise over the course of 120 visits to Target. San Francisco Police Department Chief Bill Scott described her as a particularly brazen and prolific retail theft offender. She was originally charged with eight felony counts of grand theft and 120 misdemeanor counts of petty theft. Graves was convicted of one felony count of grand theft and 53 misdemeanor counts of petty theft. One of these counts stemmed from a theft at Abercrombie & Fitch and the rest happened at Target. Graves is currently not in custody. She faces up to three years in state prison. The Associated Press contributed to this story. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Woman found guilty of shooting man in face, neck in College Park, sentenced to decades in prison A College Park woman was convicted in Fulton County court for shooting a man in the face on Sept. 11, 2021. According to the Fulton County District Attorneys Office, Alicia Kirk was arrested by College Park police after a violent altercation with a man she was living with. The DAs office said Kirk had moved into the residence with the man, bringing her four children, granddaughter and mother with her. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] While Kirk was supposed to only stay there for two weeks, she ended up staying at the home for six weeks instead, according to the DAs office. When the victim asked her to leave, she refused. The DAs office said the man then went outside and called 911 to have police help him remove her, but before officers arrived, Kirk came out with a gun and shot him in the face and neck. TRENDING STORIES: Even after injuring him in the shooting, Kirk shot him three more times before going back into the house. When the victim called police a second time, now reporting the shooting, police came and found Kirk outside, the DAs office said. Officers searched the home, finding the gun Kirk used and confiscating it, according to the DAs office. After presenting 911 calls, bodycam footage, shell casings and even the gun used at trial, plus testimony from the man Kirk shot, a Fulton County jury found Kirk guilty after half an hour. It is irresponsible and dangerous to settle personal disputes with firearms, and I am relieved that the victim in this case survived being shot multiple times, Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis said in a statement. I hope the victim finds peace in this conviction and is able to move on, living his life free from fear and further harm. As a result of her convictions for three counts of aggravated assault, aggravated battery and possessing a weapon during a felony. A Fulton County judge sentenced Kirk to serve 25 years in prison. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) A woman accused of kidnapping and forcing a missing woman off a cliff over two years ago was indicted in April by a DeKalb County Grand Jury. 44-year-old Loretta Carr is charged with capital murder (kidnapping) in connection to the death of Mary Isbell. Carrs daughter, Jessie Eden Kelly, was also charged with capital murder for Isbells death. Inmate serving life sentence out of Jackson County dies in ADOC facility The indictment states Carr intentionally caused Isbells death by forcing her off a cliff into Little River Canyon after she had kidnapped her. Isbell had been reported missing to the Hartselle Police Department and DeKalb County Sheriffs Office (DCSO) by her ex-husband. She was last seen in November of 2021. Isbell reportedly had family in Hartselle but was last known to live in DeKalb County. On June 28, 2023, DCSO said remains were found at the Little River Canyon National Park by a search team. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences Huntsville Laboratory identified the remains found at the canyon as Mary Elizabeth Isbell. DCSO Chief Investigator Nick Brown said that one of the women cooperated and helped lead authorities to Isbells remains. Carr was arrested on June 25, 2023. Kelly was in custody in Pennsylvania The capital murder charges stem from multiple other laws broken during the incident including kidnapping, according to officials. Officer grazed by bullet, Skyline man dead after officer-involved shooting Investigators also said they found physical evidence at Isbells home, leading to the arrests of Carr and Kelly. According to a criminal complaint filed on June 26, Carr is accused of kidnapping Mary Isbell in October 2021. Brown described what the women did to Isbell as inhuman and brutal. Court records show that Carr has an arraignment hearing set for May 8, while Kelly has a status conference set for June 6. The state is seeking the death penalty against Carr. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A woman who rescued a dog from the streets and tried to get it into an official shelter says she was turned away by the city-run shelters in Fresno and Clovis, as well as Fresno Countys shelter. Meriah Ramirez says she found the dog in Fresno on April 22, close to the intersection of Church and Elm avenues. She said the dog appeared to be sick and possibly pregnant. Fresno dog rescuer says euthanasia may be the only answer I feel a lot of people turn a blind eye to animals running around because there isnt any help, said Ramirez. What do we do? Ramirez says she could not leave the dog until she knew she was safe, but the need came at the same time many shelters say they are at capacity due to Fresnos overpopulation crisis. Ramirez says that, after a warning from management for where she was living, she reached out to Fresno Humane Animal Services via text for help. Fresno Humane Animal Services provides services for animals found within the unincorporated County of Fresno, according to their website. The text message she received in response read Fresno Humane is currently under county-mandated modified intakes. This means that animals entering our shelter need to meet specific criteria. We are unable to take the dog you found. Fresno County confirms this position, revealing to YourCentralValley.com in a statement that the shelter is indeed overcapacity. After being turned away by Fresno Countys shelter, Ramirez says she went to the City of Fresnos shelter. Upon arriving at the Fresno Animal Center, Ramirez says she was told that they could not take the dog unless the dog was injured. Ramirez alleges that the employee told her to leave the dog where she found it and not look back. The City of Fresno has been contacted for a statement in response to this interaction. Ramirez then tried contacting the City of Clovis response team Clovis Animal Services (CAS) via text. Officials there responded that they had seen her post on social media that the dog was found in Fresno and directed her back to the Fresno Animal Center. Fresnos dogs are being taken to Oregon to help with overpopulation In a statement to YourCentralValley.com, Clovis Animal Services states that if an animal is found outside the City of Clovis, the finders are referred to the appropriate facility responsible for the jurisdiction where the animal was found. This helps control the overall intake for our facility and, more importantly, it allows for pets and their owners to have a better opportunity to be reunited. Animals have a much lower reclaim rate if they are turned over to a facility that is not close to where they were found, as owners often dont think to look for their lost pets in shelters outside of their area. In this case, the area where the dog was found was not in Clovis and the finder was asked to contact Fresno for further assistance and guidance. Clovis Animal Services Ramirez says she was able to find the dog a home but was left feeling overwhelmed and disappointed with the response from the shelters. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. TOPEKA (KSNT) An inmate serving time for a first-degree murder conviction at the Topeka Correctional Facility (TCF) is dead Saturday. The TCF reports in a press release that Asa Hashanna Adams, 36, is dead on May 4. Staff found her unresponsive in her unit and began life-saving measures until emergency medical workers arrived. David Thompson with the TCF says Adams was pronounced dead by medical staff with the cause of death under investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI). Any inmate death at a Kansas Department of Corrections facility must be investigated by the KBI. Adams was serving time for a life sentence at the TCF for a first-degree murder conviction from Sedgwick County. Her sentence began on Sept. 30, 2008. KU students join nationwide protests over Gaza conflict For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. A Jackson County woman is suing two Kansas City police officers in federal court after they entered her home without a search warrant and arrested her in her undergarments. Around 10:10 p.m. on October 23, 2023, TeLissah Johnson saw two unexpected visitors on her home security camera, according to court documents. One was an unfamiliar woman. The other was her ex-boyfriend. Two Kansas City police officers, identified in court documents as Eric Lyles and Joseph Turley, approached Johnsons house next, where they spoke to the ex-boyfriend. Officers began knocking on Johnsons door and saying they needed to talk to her, according to Johnsons affidavit. When she opened the door partially, officers told her she was under arrest for violating an order of protection, court documents allege. No orders of protection against Johnson exist. Johnson alleges Lyles and Turley forced their way into her home and handcuffed her while she stood in her bra and underwear. The pair then searched the home without presenting a search warrant or telling her what they were looking for, according to court documents. Court documents allege that Johnsons ex-boyfriend called police to the home after Johnson refused to let him in. The man allegedly told police that Johnson was his wife and that he had important legal documents inside. According to Johnson, her ex-boyfriend never lived in the home or stored any of his things there. Lyles and Turley eventually took off the handcuffs and left with no explanation, according to Johnsons affidavit. Johnson also alleged that the officers pointed their guns at her during the search. They failed to file a report after the fact explaining why, as is required, according to court documents. To me, that indicates theyre so used to this pervasive abuse that it doesnt even dawn on them that theyre also breaking Missouri law and federal law, said attorney Henry Service, who will represent Johnson at trial. The Kansas City police department was unavailable for comment. Lyles and Turley do not deny that they went to Johnsons house and placed her under arrest, according to court documents. The whole incident was filmed on the officers body cameras. Johnson told the United States District Court that she no longer feels safe in her home after the events of October 23. Now, shes individually suing both Lyles and Turley in federal district court. She is also suing Jackson County at large. Service, Johnsons attorney, said he thinks Kansas City police were not altogether truthful about what happened the night of Johnsons arrest. It shows a complete reckless disregard for the individual, Service said.Its almost as if they didnt care who they were doing it to, and whether that person had individual feelings. Johnsons attorneys are aiming for high compensation, Service said. Were hoping for enough monetary damages so that it gives any police officer pause if they ever feel like treating a private citizen like this again, Service said. Communities have been complaining about this type of thing for years. Johnson previously appeared in Jackson County courts in 2021 when she tried to sue her former employer, Menard Inc., for wrongful termination. Johnson was fired two weeks after filing an internal complaint alleging race discrimination. Neither Turley nor Lyles have been involved in a civil court case before. Women: Would you rather meet a bear or a man alone in the woods? Id pick the bear | Opinion Women: If youre alone in the woods, would you rather meet a bear or a man? The answer, for many women it seems, is a bear. This societal revelation has, of course, made a lot of men very mad rather proving our point. Opinion The question went viral online this week, prompting discussions and arguments between the sexes worldwide. The comments from women on these posts and videos are harrowing: At least the bear sees me as a human being. People would believe me if I said I was attacked by a bear. If I survive the bear attack, I wont have to see the bear at family reunions. My own, long-dead, grandfather was both a lumberjack and a pedophile; so I know Id much rather meet a bear in the woods, too. At the very least, Id know the bears intentions, and no one would ask me what I was wearing in the woods, or if I led the bear on somehow with my feminine wiles or bare shoulders. The men who are angry about this fail to see the hypocrisy in their response: Even in a hypothetical situation, they cant accept a woman saying no to them. Ill admit though, this whole scenario is possibly slander to an attacking bear, I mean. Allegations of an attack could ruin a bears life, and I heard he has a bright future ahead of him on Stanford Universitys Tree Climbing team. (Unfortunately, no bears were able to be reached for comment.) In all seriousness, according to the North American Bear Center, on their charmingly-named website, www.bear.org, bears are incredibly unlikely to kill someone. Writes the Bear Centers founder, Dr. Lynn Rogers: The 750,000 black bears of North America kill less than one person per year on the average, while men ages 18-24 are 167 times more likely to kill someone. Every year, there are 433,648 victims (age 12 or older) of rape and sexual assault in the U.S., according to the Sexual Assault Victims Advocacy Center. One out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime, while only 1 out of every 33 American men have, and 1 out of every 10 rape victims are male. The National Institute of Health found that men who have been raped overwhelmingly report the perpetrator was another man, in 87% of cases. Every 68 seconds another American is sexually assaulted, statistically by a man, reports the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. Meanwhile, black bears have killed just 61 people in North America in the last 124 years. You have a much higher chance of being killed by a dog (30-50 people per year), a swarm of bees (100 people per year), or by lightning (28 people per year). Thats not to say bears arent scary. Theyre just far less scary than meeting a strange man alone in the woods, and much more likely to understand no than a man. (Bears) most common aggressive displays are merely rituals they perform when they are nervous, Rogers wrote. Well, at least bears have that in common with men. I will, in writing this column, likely receive at least one email from an angry man telling me he hopes I will be raped by a bear in the forest. I guarantee you, the irony will be lost on him. WV governor candidate Patrick Morrisey makes campaign stop in Lewisburg LEWISBURG, WV (WVNS) West Virginia governor candidate Patrick Morrisey made a stop in Lewisburg the evening of Friday, May 3rd, 2024. Folks across Greenbrier County came out in droves to support him. He wasnt the only candidate in attendance. U.S. Senate candidate Alex Mooney was also in attendance. He says it was an incredible showing from supporters. WVSOM 47th annual commencement These are pretty informed voters so Ive gotten a pretty good response. This is time as Vivek said, 11 days until the election. Now is when people are very engaged, most people Ive talked to even before and now are looking for an alternative Alex Mooney, U.S. Senate Candidate Morrisey started with a fiery speech about recent successes on the campaign trail. But Morrisey didnt come alone. Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy came out to endorse Morrissey. Ramaswamy said there isnt a better candidate to be the governor of West Virginia. Crumbl Cookie countdown comes to an end I think this man based on his actions, not just his words but his actions, has demonstrated to me hes in for the fight to do it when its hard. I think he is gong to be a great governor and set a good example of what is possible in this country Vivek Ramaswamy, Former Republican Presidential Candidate The event ended with final remarks from Ramaswamy. Morrisey said he feels good about his campaign with only a few days left. I feel very good going down the home stretch. Voters are going to know theres one proven conservative with a record of getting big things done. The other guys may be some nice people but their record doesnt compare Patrick Morrisey, West Virginia Governor Candidate For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. Before my election to the Miami-Dade County Commission in 2011, I had participated in various demonstrations geared at accelerating the restoration of the Coconut Grove Playhouse. At one of them, organized by Coconut Grove activist Nathan Kurland, we welcomed the appearance and support of hometown Hollywood actor Andy Garcia. As the commissioner with jurisdiction over Coconut Grove, I immediately began discussions with then-Mayor Carlos Gimenez, who was elected in the same special election as I. The thrust of the county mayors approach was initially similar to mine: We both wanted to regain control from the private operators, who had been struggling financially, leaving the theater closed and in disrepair. That was accomplished with the help of then-Lieutenant Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera, who crafted and passed legislation retroactively dispossessing the private non-profit and giving control of the Playhouse to a combination of public entities. A three-way lease agreement was entered into, involving the state, county and Florida International University. Under that agreement, the county was supposed to deliver a completed playhouse by October of 2023. We had $20 million to work with, funds coming from the 2004 General Obligation Bond (Building Better Communities). However, the architects chosen for the redesign felt that this was not enough for a total restoration of a theater as large as the 1,100-seat historic one. At that point, I started working with private sector donors and with the City of Miami (through its then-Mayor Tomas Regalado) to fill in the gap of what was estimated as another $25 million needed to restore the Playhouse. When I couldnt convince Mayor Gimenez to accept a pledge of substantial funds from one private group (headed by former Adrienne Arsht Center chairman, Mike Eidson), I convened two Sunshine Meetings with then County Commission Chairman Esteban Bovo Jr. The thrust of my proposal was to accept the idea of a moderate-sized theater, take advantage of the city of Miamis offer of substantial funding, and get started with a 500-seat theater that would maintain the facade and include amenities such as a plaza as well as a black-box theater for educational use. The city of Miami chipped in with $10 million pledged by Mayor Regalado. This funding formula was later enhanced with the participation of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who restated the citys pledge of $10 million (from its own general obligation funds, approved in 2017). Mayor Suarez added another $5 million from the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District. We were getting close to the needed funds. The lieutenant governor, the district county commissioner, and the newly elected mayor of Miami endorsed a larger Playhouse that was more in line with the original, historical one. Mayor Gimenez initially supported the compromise but soon thereafter proposed a mixed-use facility that included a tiny 250-seat theater, a handful of retail shops and a huge parking building. That idea, which the county is still advancing, was objectionable to several preservationists, Mayor Suarez and the Historic and Environmental Preservation Board, as detailed in a recent OpEd by Mike Rosenberg. So its all in the courts now, which is a shame because the judiciary is not meant to or equipped to solve those kinds of artistic-architectural-funding battles. In the meantime, the October 2023 deadline imposed by the State of Florida to complete the project has passed - with nothing even started. It would behoove the various parties, the state, the county and FIU to suspend litigation and sit down to negotiate a solution. That solution should be along the lines previously agreed to that preserves much of the historic playhouse structure, eliminates the shops and finds the private component necessary, through naming rights, to fund the mid-size facility that fully respects the 1927 design by famed architect Richard Kiehnel. Xavier Suarez is a former mayor of Miami and a former Miami-Dade Commissioner. Rockville General Hospital is one of three hospitals in Connecticut owned by Prospect Medical Holdings. (Shahrzad Rasekh/CT Mirror) Yale New Haven Health is asking the Connecticut Superior Court to be let out of its contract with Prospect Medical Holdings for the purchase of Manchester Memorial, Rockville General and Waterbury hospitals. YNHH is suing Prospect, from whom it is trying to purchase the three Connecticut hospitals, charging that Prospect breached its contract with Yale by defaulting on rent and tax liabilities, allowing its facilities to deteriorate, mismanaging assets, driving away physicians and vendors and engaging in a pattern of irresponsible financial practices. YNHH had announced in 2022 that it reached a deal with Prospect to buy the hospitals for $435 million. But following a cyberattack in August and revelations that Prospect owes tens of millions of dollars to vendors, physicians under contract at the hospitals and the state in taxes, Yale asked Prospect to revise the purchase price. The two sides have not reached an agreement, YNHH officials said Friday. Prospect has refused to negotiate in good faith, Dana Marnane, a spokeswoman for the health system, said in a statement. Yale New Haven Health has remained committed to the success of the transaction, cooperating with the Office of Health Strategy and engaging in good faith discussions to attempt to reach an agreement with Prospect. Despite numerous notifications by Yale New Haven Health that Prospect has failed to uphold the [contractual] obligations and closing conditions, Prospect has refused to acknowledge and address these breaches. In a statement Friday, Prospect Medical officials called the lawsuit a blatant, 11th hour attempt by Yale Health to back out of the contract. Prospect believes Yale is in breach of the Asset Purchase Agreement that was signed by both parties more than two years ago and we will be seeking legal remedies, including completion of the transaction, to ensure Yale keeps its word to our communities, they wrote. Despite the claims made by Yale in its complaint, Yale only notified Prospect for the first time of its concern that there had been a material adverse effect on the hospitals finances and operations on March 27, 2024. In response, and following Yales failure to obtain an $80 million grant from the state, we offered Yale a good-faith price reduction in an attempt to move the negotiations forward and complete the transaction. Prospect officials said patient volumes and finances at their Connecticut facilities have rebounded significantly. In fact, our hospitals performance has returned to levels comparable to those reported in the months leading up to February 2022 the month of February 2022, and the subsequent financial periods through signing on October 5, 2022, at which point Yale committed to the deal, they said. The state approved a certificate of need authorizing the acquisition in March. Over the last 18 months since the [contract] was signed, Prospect and the selling entities have subjected the businesses to a pattern of irresponsible financial practices, severe neglect and general mismanagement, lawyers for YNHH wrote in the lawsuit. As a result, the Prospect hospitals administrators have admitted that they are going through a very significant financial challenge and that their situation is dire. Gov. Ned Lamont, who was briefed earlier this week about the lawsuit, said he believes Yale still is open to completing the purchase if Prospect is willing to resolve questions over the finances and value of the properties. Get to the table, make the deal. I think they [Yale] feel like there has been some foot dragging. They have questions about some of the representations. But its time to get the deal done, Lamont said. The governor said he hoped the lawsuit would move the sale forward, not kill it. Lawyers and courtrooms always make me a little nervous. They seem to slow down a process, but also maybe it gets people to focus on the issue at hand, he said. This has been going on for quite some time. The Connecticut Mirror previously reported that surgeries at Prospects Connecticut hospitals were being postponed because health care providers didnt have the needed resources. Contracts with traveling nurses and technicians were in jeopardy and had remained in place only on a week-to-week basis at one point last fall, physicians at the hospitals said. An anesthesiologist group sued over nonpayment of more than $3 million. And the cyberattack that crippled operations also set the hospitals back further financially, executives have said. In January, CT Mirror reported that Prospect neglected to pay $67 million in taxes. The state has filed three liens against the California-based company. Prospect and the selling entities have not complied with their obligations to providers, failing to pay their physician groups, medical staff and vendors and, in turn, damaging irretrievably their relationships with the very individuals and entities that allow the businesses to provide medical care to their patients, lawyers for Yale wrote in the lawsuit. Prospect and the selling entities have failed to ensure that their information technology systems have even the most basic protections against data breaches, and in fact, a damaging ransomware matter and system compromise occurred in August 2023, resulting in the compromise of protected health information and personally identifiable information of thousands of patients and employees. Yale officials said they previously had warned Prospect that it had violated the contract, including in a March 27 letter. Rather than attempt any steps to rectify the breaches and satisfy the closing conditions, defendants only response has been to seek to delay the outside closing date, attorneys for Yale wrote in the lawsuit. It is now clear that Prospect and the selling entities have not satisfied and cannot satisfy the [contracts] closing conditions. House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford, said Friday he worries the deal could fall apart. We have to be concerned, he said. The impact to people who go there for health care, the impact to employees, the impact to the communities in which those hospitals are located it would be a significant harm if the hospitals were to fail. I think Yale is trying to do right by ensuring that these hospitals can continue to operate and serve the communities they serve. If this is one way to hold Prospect accountable, then so be it. Waterbury Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski Jr. said Friday that its crucial for Yale to complete the sale. I was initially concerned when I heard about the lawsuit, but after having some conversations with high level folks at Yale, it really is a bargaining chip to try to get Prospect to the table and negotiating in good faith, he said. Its very important to us that Yale steps in and takes over that hospital. We need two fully functioning, quality hospitals in Waterbury to meet our needs. Prospect has until May 30 to make a court appearance in the case. Connecticut Mirror Reporter Mark Pazniokas contributed to this story. Connecticut Mirror is a content partner of States Newsroom. Read the original version here. The post Yale New Haven Health wants out of deal to buy Prospect hospitals appeared first on Rhode Island Current. After years of talking and planning, ground breaks for new Wayne County Jail Back in the 1970s, Wayne County Sheriff Travis Hutchinson was just 20 and starting his law enforcement career at the new, state-of-the-art Wayne County Jail. Now, Hutchinson said, hell end his career just as construction gets underway on a new facility and a renovation of the nearly 50-year-old facility. Its overwhelming for me to retire this year, he said, and not see it through. Wayne County Sheriff Travis Hutchison talks about how the new jail will help the Sheriff's Office and staff. The project, expected to take nearly three years and cost nearly $60 million, had its ceremonial groundbreaking Tuesday in what currently is the Wayne County Justice Center parking lot on North Walnut Street. Its been a morning thats been a long time coming, said county Commissioner Ron Amstutz, noting jail expansion has been on the commissioners to-do list for eight years, predating any of the current three commissioners. Phase 1 - new construction; Phase 2 - renovation of existing jail But former Commissioner Ann Obrecht was on hand to see the project designed by Strollo Architects and to be built by Bogner Corp. get underway. The project, Amstutz said, will be done in two phases, with the new construction first. Once that is complete, inmates and services will move there while the existing jail is renovated. The current jail, he said, is an increasing barrier to delivering the justice we need to deliver. Facility will have 200 beds, 54 for specialty cases Once the project is finished, there will be 200 beds, 54 of which will be for specialty cases inmates with mental health or medical issues, as well as those who require segregation from the general population. Funding is coming from a variety of sources, including federal and local funds and a $15 million state grant. The money was part of $50 million in funds the Ohio General Assembly set aside for county jail projects in 11 counties. The official first shovel full of dirt was thrown at the end of the groundbreaking ceremony. Actual construction on the 2 1/2-year expansion project will begin May 13. Traditionally, the General Assembly has not wanted to support local jail projects, said Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, who was on hand for the Tuesday ceremony. But, he said, lawmakers are becoming increasingly aware of aging jails in the state, as well as the need to provide mental health and re-entry services inside corrections facilities. Husted praised Wayne County for its collaborative effort to get the project off the drawing board. Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted congratulated Wayne County on the years of hard work it took to get to the groundbreaking point. The state pledged $15 million dollars to the jail project. It had been a priority set by the Community Corrections Planning Board, made up of cross section of jail stakeholders. Congratulations on your planning process, he said, and now youre about to get this project started. Tami Mosser is the executive support specialist for the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Wayne and Holmes Counties. This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Wayne County breaks ground for new 200-bed jail in Wooster Why York voters should support short-term rental ordinance To the Editor: Yes on Article 64, Short-term Rental Ordinance. I am heartsick from the proliferation of STRs in my neighborhood, York Harbor. Yes, it is a traditional summer vacation area. However, aside from the sometimes noise, constant toxic smoke, and the uncertainty of safe rental conditions, the explosive growth of what I call unregulated, unstaffed motels, (turnover of groups of 15 and 20 in three or four nights), is destroying my neighborhood. Within a few doors of me, there are now three STRs with an aggregate of 21 bedrooms, and within another half a block, there are an additional three STRs with an aggregate of 25 bedrooms. The proposed ordinance will allow 92 adults and unlimited children under 16. Im heartbroken because my sense of place has been so dramatically altered in such a short time. Every home that comes up for sale turns into an investment. I want to be clear that I am not talking about the 34-bedroom properties or owner-occupied properties. Two of the six properties cited above were full-time neighbors who occupied the B&Bs. Three of the properties were single-family homes that had full-time and summer neighbors. A home next door for sale appears to be the next. I am also heartsick because this ordinance offers me little relief. Let me be clear. Today, STRs are illegal in York. Article 64 would rectify this by making STRs allowable in all districts. Article 64 does not put anyone out of business. Just pay a fee, abide by the rules of conduct and safety, and conduct business as usual. Perhaps I get less smoke and a clear complaint process. Property rights cut both ways. Guests STRs that meet basic safety and fire codes. Ill take what I can get. Please vote yes on 64. Jim Smith York Vote for Marilyn and Todd for York Selectboard To the Editor: We are fortunate to have a can-do, open, civil, responsive Selectboard. Two members of that outstanding team are up for reelection: Todd Frederick and Marilyn McLaughlin. They deserve to be reelected. Lets not go back to the bad old days. York is well led by the sitting Selectboard. Marilyn and Todd have done an outstanding job. If, at the close of balloting on May 18, they have received a resounding vote of confidence, that will be a true win for York. David Chase York York divided? Short-term rental ordinance regulating Airbnbs sparks dueling campaigns Short-term residential rental ordinance 'good' for York To the Editor: The April 2024 Town of York Voters Guide provides a detailed explanation of Article 64 to establish a short-term residential rental ordinance. The amendment is proposed to address an important issue facing the residents. As a homeowner living near summer rentals, I welcome the towns efforts. I also cannot understand why any responsible landlord would not be in favor. It is good for those who rent properties responsibly and makes accountable those who do not. Unfortunately, stories abound about overcrowded rentals that are disruptive to neighborhoods and lead to related problems, including trash storage, overflow parking (a public safety issue when blocking sidewalks), hazardous unpermitted open fires, and disrespectful late-night parties. This amendment is good for the town of York. It will make York more attractive to reputable visitors and for those who are not, provide some relief to residents. Richard Topping York York residents endorse candidates for the May 18 town election and sound off on proposed short-term rental ordinance. Reelect Marilyn McLaughlin to York Selectboard To the Editor: Im so grateful to Marilyn McLaughlin for running for reelection to the York Selectboard. I wish we had five Marilyns on the board, with her clear-headedness, her vision, and her values that lead us in the right direction for the future of York. She hears the voices in the community that are not always sufficiently considered. Marilyns reliable commitment to supporting climate change initiatives is especially appreciated - that important work much too often plays second fiddle to other less urgent priorities at the top of our government. I hope youll join me in giving Marilyn a strong winning margin in her bid for reelection and send a message to our Selectboard that they would be wise to tune into Marilyns voice and look to her leadership. Sincerely, Rozanna Patane York Harbor York election 2024: New candidates, key issues in School Committee race York Selectboard: If it aint broke, dont fix it To the Editor: Two well-known candidates are seeking votes to retain their positions on the Select Board in York, Dr. Marilyn McLaughlin and Todd Frederick. We are very fortunate to have a diverse Selectboard team. They are different in experience, thought and gender. As a youngster, Todds family vacationed in York, and he eventually moved here, met and married his wife, and they chose to live in York. Todd has consistently demonstrated leadership skills during his time as Selectboard chair. His activism in recognition of military veterans throughout the year is well known to residents. Always a respectful listener, Todd listens to understand and take action when necessary He manages the sometimes difficult public comments and presentations at board meetings with respectful kindness. He has led the board in many projects, including the new Town Hall. Please vote for Todd Frederick so that we will have his continued service to our community. In 2019, Marilyn McLaughlin brought new energy and thoughtful insights on issues being discussed by the Selectboard. Marilyns energy is still present today. She comes prepared to meetings and demonstrates knowledge of agenda subjects. She asks questions and often engages colleagues and those appearing before the board. As a physician and community volunteer, Marilyn often hears current concerns of Yorks citizens. This connection with our business leaders and residents informs her view on questioning and resolving challenging issues. She has been a strong supporter of YCSA and addressing Climate Change issues in our community. Please vote for Marilyn McLaughlin to remain on the team. There is an old saying, If it aint broke, dont fix it. Yorks Selectboard is a team. Bette Rose York Reelect Marilyn McLaughlin to York Selectboard To the Editor: I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for Dr. Marilyn McLaughlins continued presence on the York Selectboard. Ever since moving to York in 2014, Dr. McLaughlin has been deeply dedicated to the York community. A long-time Rotarian, Dr. McLaughlin served as the president of the York Rotary from 2016 to 2017 and continues to be an active and enthusiastic member, helping York support urgent needs in Maine and connect to the world. She has also served as the chair of Mission and Service at St. Georges Episcopal Church. As a physician, Dr. McLaughlin gives skilled, compassionate care to countless cancer patients every year, while simultaneously showing up as a committed public servant. As a Selectwoman, Dr. McLaughlin will continue to use her energy, intelligence and persistence to benefit York, helping us to navigate the challenges of climate change and make wise decisions for the future. Kate Gardoqui Cape Neddick Fredericks and McLaughlin for York Selectboard To the Editor: Vote for Todd Fredericks and Marilyn McLaughlin to be reelected to the town Selectboard. Both of these candidates represent different, if sometimes overlapping, constituencies. They work extremely well together and with the larger board. This is evidenced by the boards respectfulness to one another which has encouraged all the members to be frank regarding their differences and their opposing views. Under Fredericks leadership, this board has worked efficiently and tended well to the towns business. As a result, we are seeing the completion of the Town Hall project, continued progress on the beach green way district planning, successful hiring of a new town manager, and a well-functioning town government. I support Fredericks, who brings vast experience and knowledge of public service to our town and steadfast support for our military veterans as evidenced by the creation of the towns Veterans Committee. Dr. McLaughlin, despite the heavy demands of her work, fully participates in the work of the board and brings her deep caring for the town and its citizens to every meeting of the board. With McLaughlin, what you see is what you get. As evidenced at Candidates Night, her thoughts, actions, and behaviors are all about facilitating the health of others. I appreciate her strong support of the towns Climate Action Plan and affordable housing. She is always ready to remind the board to pay attention to the social and financial struggles of our more vulnerable neighbors. Finally, her respect for fairness and diversity greatly contributes to the current collegial nature of the board and its ability to get things done. Please support both candidates and vote for them as part of an effectively working Selectboard. Thank you Jim Smith York Wade Fox for York School Committee To the Editor: As a former employee of the York school system for 16 years, I am endorsing Wade Fox for the School Committee. We need someone with an understanding of finance, budgeting and the difference between needs and wants. We need someone who is not afraid to ask tough questions and follow up to get the answers to these questions. Wade is that person. This years increase is estimated at 11.2%. Our school enrollment has been declining for the past 10 years. We need to look at class sizes and teacher-to-student ratios. This decline has led to future considerations of school consolidation or a completely new school project. Yorks school ranking in the state has fallen significantly. In the Fiscal Year 2025 Plan, the challenges have been clearly outlined. Now, we need concrete plans to get real results. To quote Wade, The plans must be flexible but not fragile. Every plan meets obstacles that should not deviate us from our ultimate goal. The high assessed property values of York provide limited funding from the state for our schools. Thus the bulk of school funding falls upon the taxpayers. Working with the Budget Committee, the School Committee must balance the needs of the schools with a fiscally responsible budget that is fair and reasonable to the taxpayers of York. A tax base is not a blank check. It is time to bring someone with a fresh perspective and skill set to the school committee. The dynamics, roles and responsibilities of the School Committee must change to be effective. I am convinced that Wade Fox is the person to do this. Please join me in voting for Wade. Judith Hogan York York needs to approve short-term rental ordinance To the Editor: I am writing to urge York voters to approve Article 64. I think we can all agree that short-term rentals are businesses; right now, we can only guess at the number of short-term rental businesses that exist in York. Passing the ordinance would require short-term rentals to be permitted like other businesses. It would also require short-term rentals to meet basic safety requirements, including fire extinguishers, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and emergency egress. At present, there are no enforceable safety requirements for short-term rentals. Safety requirements are consistent with what we ask of most businesses in town. The ordinance would also provide a process for neighbors complaints about loud, late parties or other bad guest or owner behavior. Right now, only a 911 call is available to make complaints, and I think we can all agree there is better use of the emergency number. Passing Article 64 will not put any short-term rental owner out of business. The ordinance does also not put restrictions on the size of the short-term rentals. I would also like to urge York voters to vote for Todd Fredricks and Marilyn McLaughlin for Selectboard. Todd has provided strong, respectful leadership to the board, and has a proven track record of a strong commitment to York. Marilyn has brought a wealth of experience from her work as a York Hospital physician and volunteer work with Rotary to the Selectboard. The town benefits from having different perspectives on the Board. In sharp contrast to past Selectboards, this one works. Lets keep it. Connie Hanley York Why voters should reject York Route 1 sewer extension To the Editor: On May 18, in the town of York, you will be voting on a number of articles. I would like to call your attention to Article 51. This article is for the sewer extension on Danica Road and three commercial properties on Route 1. In support of this original town project, the Superintendent of the York Sewer District has worked tirelessly to seek out funding for the project and was able to secure a grant of $1.5 million in support of what was to be a much larger project, but downsized significantly. The selectmen, on the other hand, have done little in support of the project other than pontificate on what the Sewer District should or shouldnt do to complete the project. So here we are with Article 51, where the town would like your yes vote so they can assess the taxpayers with another $1.5 million to support the project. If you are a taxpayer, this may not seem like a big deal, but the three commercial properties on Route 1 mentioned in the article are probably three of the most prosperous businesses in town. Adding insult to injury, if you are one of the 5,000 York Sewer District customers, you have already paid for your own sewer connection, and now should you vote yes on this article, you will be subsidizing the sewer connection for others. As treasurer of the York Sewer District, my first responsibility is to do what is most economically beneficial to our existing customers. This isnt it! Vote no on Article 51 until the town can fully fund its portion of the project. Heres a thought. Release some of the money from the York Village betterment boondoggle. Surely, a ton of money has to be available there. Barry Davis York York Selectboard race: Allen challenges incumbents in wake of husband's death Short-term rental ordinance is good for York neighborhoods To the Editor: Fellow York neighbors, In the scheme of things, I am a relatively new resident of York Harbor. I have only been living here for 27 years. However, I have been coming to York for over 40 years. I live a stone's throw from the York Harbor Post Office. What brought me to York Harbor is the charm of the area and the quiet residential community that is so close to the ocean. In any community, one expects to see changes over the years. However, the influx of short-term rentals has been rapidly spreading through this relatively quiet area. I do not see this as a positive change as single-family homes are transitioning into multi-family party houses that are absent any on-site management or supervision. On many evenings, the smoke from the fire pits saturates the area. We love to sit on our porch in the evening, but there are many occasions when we have to go inside to avoid it. I am flabbergasted by the pushback on the short-term rental ordinance, not to mention the false information that is being spread to back the opposing view. Anyone who has taken the time to read the proposed ordinance will see that: The ordinance does not impose any new taxes on York residents. The town is not hiring a third-party monitoring company. The proposed ordinance supports neighborhoods and the tourism economy by implementing reasonable safety measures and standards. Please take the time to read the ordinance, and you will see that this ordinance is a good thing for York and its residents. Thank you, and please vote yes on 64! Jim Hope York Harbor Frederick and McLaughlin for York Selectboard To the Editor: I read the article yesterday about Carol Allen running against Todd and Marilyn for a Selectboard seat. I am sure Carol is very capable, and I am sorry she has suffered a loss. However, Todd Frederick and Marilyn McLaughlin are doing a fine job, and neither one should be replaced. I am always glad to see people step up to serve, but, in this case, it isnt currently necessary. Georgia C. Bennett York Vote for Carole Allen for York selectwoman To the Editor: Carole Allen is a lifelong resident of York and has been involved in town government in the past. She is well known to many of our residents, understands the history and structure of the town government, and is willing to ask questions and work together for the best solutions. She served on the Selectboard from 1994-2003 and was involved with the original writing of the Town Charter, which she knows well. Her background in business served her well while working at York Hospital Financial Services for 26 years. Her recently deceased husband, Jerry Allen, served on the Budget Committee for 10 years through 2021.They both were actively engaged with the American Legion, and she is a 27-year member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. Recently, Carole has been involved in seeking reasons for why the property tax cap for seniors was repealed, since she understands the concerns of seniors on a fixed income. She is very supportive of the York Hospital and will work to maintain it as it is necessary for the community. Her experience and character will help guide York given the many issues presented on the ballot this year. She also knows the Selectboard has much work ahead of them, and she is up for the challenges of working together to meet those challenges. Carole will work for all constituents of our town. Mary Andrews York No on Yorks Article 64, short-term rental ordinance To the Editor: Article 64 is a regulatory sledgehammer to a minor issue. The proposed ordinance incorporates by reference sections R310 and R311 regarding egress and emergency escape requirements in the International Residential Code. In the IRC, these standards only apply to new construction and alterations to a house, not to existing buildings. By implication, Article 64 is trying to make existing homes conform to a code for new construction. For conformity to the code the proposed ordinance uses the phrase to the greatest extent possible as determined by the code enforcement officer. This is vague and ambiguous, and what does to the greatest extent possible mean? It certainly is a tool that could and may be intended, to make it impossible for older homes to comply and thus be denied a short-term rental permit. If compliance with this code is truly a safety issue then all homes should have to comply, not just a rental. This is just one example of overreach in the proposed ordinance. Some regulation may be warranted, but 64 is an excessive solution. Jay Moroney York Let common sense prevail: Vote no on 64 To the Editor: There are many reasons to vote no on Article 64 on Yorks ballot. One of which affects us all: Higher Taxes. It will ultimately end up costing the town and, hence, the taxpayers of York. Its hard to overstate the financial hardship that will ensue if the proposed short-term rental ordinance (Article 64) gets voted in. This can be seen by looking through several different lenses, whether it be the administrative burdens it will place on the town, wasting precious resources of both code enforcement, police, fire, or the legal challenges that could potentially burden the town. Not all of this will be put on the shoulders of town staff, as the town plans to hire a global company to administer some elements of the ordinance for $90,000 a year initially. Each of these areas should bring up major concerns and questions from the taxpayers of York. There is nothing in this proposed ordinance that cannot be remedied by enforcing existing code enforcement ordinances. Are the residents of York aware that there are current ordinances currently in place that deal with safety, noise, trash, and parking? Voting yes for Article 64 will introduce another unnecessary layer of government wasting taxpayer money. York taxpayers will ultimately have to shoulder financial and administrative costs and administrative inefficiencies, if this proposed ordinance passes. Let us not waste hard-earned taxpayer money. Let us stop pretending this ordinance will solve any of these issues. Make no mistake, this ordinance is a solution looking for a problem. Please use common sense and vote no on 64. And dont fall for the fantasy that the government can solve all your problems. Vote no on 64. Bottomline it is simply not needed! Mark Kinton York Take a stand against plastics by voting yes on York's Article 66 To the Editor: We know that plastics are bad for our health, but just how bad? In a March 2024 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, it was found that of the 304 people who had their carotid arteries cleared of blockage, 60% had micro and nano plastics embedded in the blockage material (plaque). More concerning than having plastics embedded in blood vessels was that these people had a 4.5 times higher risk of all causes of death, heart attack or stroke in the 34 months they were followed. (NEJM, Marfella et al, 3/7/24). When I was helping to clean up Mount Agamenticus, I picked up plastic that disintegrated in my hands, having broken down in the elements. These tiny particles flow down to our drinking water and the ocean, where fish take them in, and then we take them in. We can make choices about what plastics we let into our environment and our bodies. Voting to keep plastic straws, stir sticks, and single-use plastic utensils from being used by food and beverage providers in their sales and distribution would help us to reduce plastics. As a 40-year resident of York and a physician, former state representative, and School Committee member, I am proud we already restrict single-use plastic bags and polystyrenes. I am proud of the students who have worked hard to bring in local businesses to help craft this ballot article. Please join me in support of Article 66, the very last article on the ballot. Patty Locuratolo Hymanson York This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: York voters sound off on May 18 election, short-term rentals: Letters Days after President Joe Biden delivered a White House address condemning violence at campus protests, the Young Democrats of America issued a sharply worded denunciation of Biden and asserted its support for the protesters. One source familiar with the groups plans said the Young Democrats 12-member executive board passed the statement with a slim majority. The statement from Young Democrats, an organization that claims a membership of 20,000 Democrats under the age of 36, warned Biden that his stance on the Israel-Hamas war and his criticism of the protests risk the support of a key demographic in a major election year. With so much at stake in the upcoming election, the party cannot afford to alienate the voters who showed up for Democratic candidates in 2020 and delivered victories up and down the ballot, the group said in the statement. We stand in solidarity with these peaceful demonstrations and continue to call on the Biden administration to back an immediate and lasting ceasefire as well as the release of all Israeli hostages. The group pledged to continue to support Biden in his election year, but stated that its members are disheartened by the lack of urgency shown by the administrations handling of the conflict, and its inability to heed the concerns of young people. The Young Democrats took particular issue with Bidens characterization of the protests as violent and disorderly, arguing that disorder is sometimes necessary in political movements. President Bidens remarks that Dissent should never lead to disorder, ignores the history of our country and flies in the face of its values. From the streets of Selma to the classrooms of Little Rock students have always been at the heart of political dissent in America, the statement said. The group also diverged from Biden on his support for Israel in its war against Hamas after the Oct. 7 terror attacks, urging the president to rethink the disastrous policy of unfettered support for the Israeli government, which has led to unthinkable bloodshed and suffering for the Palestinian people. Zach Shartiag, the chair of Young Democrats Jewish caucus and a member of the groups 12-person national board, denounced the statement in a comment to Jewish Insider. It is very disappointing for YDA to kick off Jewish American Heritage Month with a statement that both trivializes the seriousness of campus antisemitism and undermines support for Joe Biden, Shartiag said. Its very frustrating for the entire Jewish caucus to be excluded from input when a statement is rushed out on Shabbat. The Young Democrats statement comes the same week that the College Democrats of America, another major force in the party, issued its own statement standing with the protesters. The College Democrats top Jewish activist accused the groups leaders of ignoring her requests to forcefully condemn antisemitism. A spokesperson for Young Democrats did not respond to a request for comment on Friday. View comments PORTLAND Ore. (KOIN) The last of four zebras who escaped from a trailer on a Washington highway was captured by officials Friday evening after being on the run for almost a week. Washington State Patrol officers began working to corral the four zebras on April 28 when they were seen roaming the highway. Four zebras escaped onto the highway near North Bend, Washington on Apr. 28, 2024. (Courtesy: Washington State Patrol) Authorities say the driver who was transporting the zebras to Montana stopped to secure the trailer when they escaped on I-90 eastbound near exit 32 close to North Bend. Damascus veterinarian and nonprofit Dogs of Chernobyl get presidential praise WSP said the community came together to help contain the loose animals and three out of the four were successfully wrangled within a few hours. The trio then continued their journey east back to Montana the following day. According to Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC), the fourth zebra, now known as Sugar or Shug, wandered around the Cascade foothills for most of the week. But Friday evening, RASKC animal control officers and community members managed to recapture Shug just southeast North Bend and reportedly found her in good condition. It was a privilege to be part of the successful rescue of this now-famous zebra, said RASKC Animal Control Sgt. Samantha Moore. Seeing her safely loaded into a trailer and on her way home is the best outcome we could have hoped for, and exactly what I wanted to see as an animal control officer. The owner of the zebras is now working with officials in Washington state to house Shug until she can be taken back safely to Montana. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Ukraine is open to considering an all-for-all prisoner of war (POW) exchange, and will discuss the idea at the upcoming Peace Summit in Switzerland in June, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 3. "It's desired that we swap all-for-all. All reasonable countries support this route," Zelensky told recruits while speaking at the National Academy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. "We are conducting exchanges, but they are slower than we would like." The last reported prisoner exchange occurred on Feb. 8 with 100 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) returned from Russian captivity. Before that on Jan. 3, 230 prisoners were exchanged in the largest prisoner exchange since the start of Russias full-scale invasion. Previously, Moscow had gone months without a POW exchange, refusing to continue the practices in an alleged effort to turn Ukrainian families of POWs against their own authorities. Zelensky said that despite some skeptics believing that an all-for-all was only possible after the end of the war, he hoped that there was "an opportunity to try to make this happen earlier," pointing towards the upcoming peace summit which is being held on June 15-16. Zelensky noted that Ukraine has three priorities for the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland: energy and nuclear security, free navigation of the Black and Azon seas, and the humanitarian issues of an all-for-all POW exchanges, as well as returning Ukrainian children who have been forcefully deported to Russia. Russia, the aggressor in the ongoing war, will not be invited to the Peace Summit "at this stage," the Swiss government announced on May 3. Read also: Presidential Office: Joint negotiating position to be submitted to Russia after Switzerland peace summit Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Zelenskyy briefed by Ukraine's commander-in-chief and intelligence chief : We are aware of all the aspects of the current situation Zelenskyy and Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Stock photo: Office of the President of Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has received reports from Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU). Source: President's evening address Quote: "This morning Oleksandr Syrskyi delivered a long report. The Commander-in-Chief spoke particularly about our frontline positions, concrete actions of our units, and particular directions. I thank each of our warriors for their resilience! The Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov also delivered a report today. We are aware of all the aspects of the current situation." Details: Zelenskyy also emphasised that "Russia can only be forced to leave Ukraine alone." "And this will happen. Our strength will definitely make it happen. The strength of our people, our military strength, the strength of our unity with the world, the strength of our partners the strength of our diplomacy," he said. Zelenskyy stressed that the Global Peace Summit in June "will be held, and it has to be successful, no matter how hard they try to sabotage it." "Putin does not want peace, he is insane, and every day his state does new things to prove it. And to overcome this evil, to overcome the war, we need the maximum unity of the world. We achieve the results together," he emphasised. Support UP or become our patron! Zelenskyy: Russia has launched over 380 attacks on Ukrainian cities over this week video Russian troops have conducted over 380 attacks on Ukrainian cities and regions this week, and decisions on air defence systems and weapons for Ukraine are urgently needed to protect lives. Source: Zelenskyy on Facebook Quote from Zelenskyy: "Timely and sufficient decisions on air defence for Ukraine and timely weapon supplies for our warriors are what we need right now to protect lives. Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Kherson, and Odesa regions. Russian terrorists have shelled our cities and regions more than 380 times this week alone. And it happens every week of this war. Russias daily deliberate terror against our people, cities, and villages can be stopped. Our partners have all of the necessary systems and weapons to enable Ukraine to protect lives." Details: Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to Ukraine's partners who understand the importance of supplying air defence equipment. Support UP or become our patron! If you can believe it, AMD just turned 55 years old. The CPU and GPU manufacturer celebrated its 55th anniversary by restoring old photos of AMD employees taken in 1969 through Ryzen AI. AMD also AI-upscaled a 14-year-old video special taken during its 40th anniversary featuring Nvidia CEO Jensen, of all people. AMD showed several restored photos from the company's history. The first was an archival photo of AMD's twelfth employee, Rich Previte. Previte worked at AMD for 30 years in various roles and was even the CFO and President of AMD for some time. Before his time at AMD, he was part of the U.S. Army as a finance officer, and later a financial analyst for the Western Development Laboratory of Philco Corporation. He graduated with a degree in business from San Jose State University. After retiring in 2000, he consulted on the spinout of AMD's non-volatile memory business that even eventually became Global Foundries. Image 1 of 5 AI restored images from AMD's 55th Anniversary Special Blog Post Image 2 of 5 AI restored images from AMD's 55th Anniversary Special Blog Post Image 3 of 5 AI restored images from AMD's 55th Anniversary Special Blog Post Image 4 of 5 AI restored images from AMD's 55th Anniversary Special Blog Post Image 5 of 5 AI restored images from AMD's 55th Anniversary Special Blog Post AMD restored two more images, one taken during its groundbreaking in 1969 and another that was captured during the merger between AMD and Monolithic Memories in the 80s. In 1969 (the year AMD was founded) AMD broke ground on its first building the 915 DeGuigne in Sunnyvale California. Years later in the late 80s, AMD merged with Monolithic Memories to become the world's largest integrated circuit manufacturer at the time. The image of the merger shows AMD CEO Jerry Sanders and Monolithic CEO Irwin Federman sealing the deal. With the help of Topaz Video AI, AMD upscaled its 40th-year anniversary special to 4K. The video shows most of AMD's past employees congratulating the company for its 40 years of service. But, the surprising tidbit is at the end of the video where Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang makes a brief appearance. In the video, Hung wished AMD a happy 40th anniversary and stated that AMD was responsible for giving him his first-ever job in the industry. This is in fact true, before Nvidia was founded in the early 90s, Jensen Huang worked at AMD from 1984 to 1985 designing bleeding edge CPUs for the company. His time was brief but there's no denying that Huang indeed worked for AMD, before he became AMD's prime competitor in the GPU space after AMD overtook ATI in the 2000s. We wouldn't be surprised if Huang's learnings at AMD helped spur him to create Nvidia in 1993. (Huang's ties with AMD go deeper than just his employment in the 1980s. Huang is a relative of current AMD CEO Lisa Su as well.) AMD also showed off some images of the Saturn V rocket and the Apollo 11 take-off that were colorized with Ryzen AI. Photo restoration and video upscaling was done through Adobe Photoshop Neural Filters and Topaz Photo/Video AI on a single AMD Ryzen AI-based laptop. AMD has had a crazy ride since its debut in 1969. The company has been at the forefront of modern technology since the beginning, being responsible for making the worlds first 64-bit CPU, and the first CPU to reach 1 GHz. It has also been under incredible trials with the company almost going bankrupt in the 2010s before Lisa Su took the helm and saved the company. Today, AMD is at the bleeding edge of CPU technology thanks to its Zen architecture and XDNA NPU. With Zen, AMD has been able to build the Best CPUs for Gaming, and with XDNA AMD has been able to be one of the first manufacturers to build a CPU with AI-hardware acceleration capabilities. Hainan, a Chinese island thats geographically closer to Hanoi than Beijing, is known as the Hawaii of China due to its sandy beaches and temperate weather. But theres another reason tourists from around China are flocking to Hainan these days: space. The city of Wenchang is home to a rocket launch center and a tourist industry that caters to a growing interest in space-related tourism. China has made no secret of its desire to develop tourism here, drawing inspiration from Floridas Cape Canaveral the launchpad for many famous NASA space missions. CNN visited Wenchang, on Hainans northeast coast, to experience the thrill firsthand ahead of the May 3 launch of the Change-6 probe, which aims to explore the far side of the moon in its 53-day mission. The interior of the Hilton Wenchang looks more like a space center than a typical tropical resort. From celestial scenes in the corridors to a rocket on the breakfast buffet, the sprawling property is inspired by the nearby Wenchang Launch Center. A space-themed afternoon tea served at the Hilton Wenchang. - Justin Robertson/CNN At the hotel gift shop, visitors can find space-inspired kids toys, stuffed animals and models. Ahead of the May moon mission, the hotel offered a special aerospace-inspired afternoon tea. For around $30, guests were served a platter with planet-style bite-sized cakes, chocolate planes and astronauts, and a mousse-filled rocket, garnished with blue and pink sugar crystals representing the heavens above. The space theme continues around Wenchang. Rocket designs hang from light poles and there are several displays of Chinese spacecraft perfect for a selfie or family portrait. Bottled water sold in stores comes in containers shaped like rockets. The growth of Chinas space program has fueled more interest in all things aeronautic. Hotel representatives tell CNN that room rates at the Hilton Wenchang can be seven times higher when theres a launch. Visitors can watch the takeoff from the hotels beach. State media in China reports that 1.5 million people have visited Wenchang in the past two years, while the number of hotels has gone from five to more than 50. Unsurprisingly, the space program has instilled a sense of national pride in China. Thats certainly the case for photographer Yan Zehua, who has a stand in Wenchang where he sells his work on postcards. Although its my 24th time, maybe, to see the rocket launch, Im still excited about this, he told CNN. Spectators gathered on a beach in Wenchang to watch the Long March-8 Y3 carrier take off in March 2024. (Photo by Liu Guoxing/VCG via Getty Images) - Liu Guoxing/VCG/Getty Images Parents also brought their children for the big moment. Several told CNN that they hoped getting to see a launch up close would give the kids an interest in science and technology. This is our first time digging lunar soil from (the far side of) the moon, one mom said. So we are happy to watch (how it is done). And I brought my daughter to watch this together. Space-inspired attractions are just one way that China is diversifying its tourism offerings on Hainan beyond the beach. A Hello Kitty-themed resort and park is under construction with a tentative opening date in 2025. In addition, its easier for tourists from around the world to visit Hainan than other regions of China. The island is visa-free for residents of more than 50 countries, including the United States, Canada, France, New Zealand, Malaysia and Japan. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Methane polluters beware. Israel-based Momentick just landed $6.5 million to supercharge its technology, which seeks planet-warming methane leaks using advanced algorithms and satellite imagery. The seed funding will help the company expand its market reach, according to a report posted on LinkedIn by Climate Insider. "Momentick's mission is to provide a one-stop-shop emissions intelligence platform for countries, industries, and companies in order to demonstrate social responsibility and achieve their sustainability goals," Momentick CEO Daniel Kashmir said in the post. The company claims that its blend of calculations and a "robust range" of satellite data provides customers with a low-cost way to pinpoint methane leaks on land or offshore, expediting action on the dangerous fumes. Methane is a powerful, planet-heating gas with 80 times the warming force of carbon dioxide during its first two decades in the air, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. Often, aging dirty fuel infrastructure is the source of massive leaks. Turkmenistan, for example, leads the world in super-emitter events. These are methane leaks at exceptional levels. The country had a spew in 2022 that released 471 tons an hour. There were more than 1,000 such events around the world that year that could turn into "climate tipping points," as the Guardian reported. The media site also noted last year that Turkmenistan's leaders were planning to address the hazards. It seems that Momentick's team might have an apt way to keep tabs on those trouble spots. An example of a satellite image shows a before-and-after look at a section of the planet using Momentick's algorithm to help pinpoint a leak. It's highlighted by a splotch of pastel colors, noting pollution concentration in parts per million. The pollution rate is also noted. In this case, it's a disastrous 628 kilograms, or 1,384 pounds, an hour. Satellites are being utilized by planet-minded innovators elsewhere to help keep an eye on environmental health, in addition to methane spouts. In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Quub is developing hundreds of small satellites to monitor the state of lakes, rivers, and other natural resources. But contributing to the solution doesn't require a spacecraft. There are numerous ways to help reduce the volume of pastel methane bursts showing up on Momentick's satellite feeds. Using renewable energy reduces dependence on dirty fuels and the need for infrastructure that eventually leaks. Meanwhile, cutting your food waste by just 5% can prevent pounds of methane-producing waste from heading to the landfill each year. Eating still tasty "ugly food" and using some storage hacks can help. For now, the bigger super-emitters and other large leaks might be identified by space-based watchers out of Israel. "Momentick is excited to reveal its technology to the world, working with customers on greenhouse gas emissions intelligence," Kashmir said in the Climate Insider story. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet. A blue orb is in the foreground and a red one in the background. Both are in space. Recent reports of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) detecting signs of life of a distant planet outside the solar system are, unfortunately, somewhat premature. That's the conclusion of research conducted by scientists from the University of California Riverside (UCR). While likely to disappoint all of us eager for the confirmation of extraterrestrial life, however, it doesn't mean the JWST won't find traces of life in the atmosphere of an extrasolar planet, or "exoplanet," in the future. The recent excitement around the potential detection of life signs on an exoplanet started in 2023 when the JWST detected potential "biosignature" elements in the atmosphere of the exoplanet K2-18 b, a super-Earth located around 120 light-years from Earth. Though many exoplanets are extreme, violent or at least "alien" in nature whether they're blasted by intense radiation from their stars, lack a solid surface or are frozen relics at the edge of their systems K2-18 b was a tantalizing target in the search for life because it is rather similar to our planet. Related: James Webb Space Telescope forecasts clouds of melted rock on this blisteringly hot exoplanet An Earth-like ocean world K2-18 b is between two and three times the width of Earth with 8.6 times the mass of our planet. It's also located in the habitable zone of its star, the region neither too hot nor too cold to support liquid water. The exoplanet is thus theorized to be an ocean, or "hycean" world, replete with liquid water a vital ingredient for life as we know it. Unlike Earth, however, the atmosphere of this exoplanet seems to be mainly hydrogen rather than nitrogen. "This planet gets almost the same amount of solar radiation as Earth. And if atmosphere is removed as a factor, K2-18 b has a temperature close to Earth's, which is also an ideal situation in which to find life," team member and UCR project scientist Shang-Min Tsai said in a statement. The key takeaway from the 2023 investigation of K2-18 b, conducted by University of Cambridge scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope, was the discovery of carbon dioxide and methane. These molecules were detected without traces of ammonia, which indicated that this should indeed be a hycean world with a vast ocean under a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. But there was also the hint of something else something very exciting. An illustration of a vast ocean with a red sky above. A bright star is seen in the sky. "What was icing on the cake, in terms of the search for life, is that last year these researchers reported a tentative detection of dimethyl sulfide, or DMS, in the atmosphere of that planet, which is produced by ocean phytoplankton on Earth," Tsai said. That means if DMS is accumulating to detectable levels, there must be something on K2-18 b, possibly a lifeform, producing it at 20 times the rate found on Earth. There's icing on the super-Earth cake, but can we eat it? Because the detection of DMS was inconclusive, however, even the team leader of the investigation, University of Cambridge scientist Nikku Madhusudhan, urged caution with regard to the discovery of DMS. He said future JWST observations would be needed to confirm its presence in the atmosphere of K2-18 b but not everyone got the memo. However, that inconclusive nature of the DMS detection also prompted the UCR team to follow up on the detection. "The DMS signal from the JWST was not very strong and only showed up in certain ways when analyzing the data," Tsai said. "We wanted to know if we could be sure of what seemed like a hint about DMS." What this second team found with computer models accounting for hydrogen-based atmospheres and for the physics and chemistry of DMS was the original data was unlikely to point to the detection of DMS. "The signal strongly overlaps with methane, and we think that picking out DMS from methane is beyond this instrument's capability," Tsai said. That means the JWST will need to look at the world with instruments other than the NIRISS (Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph) and NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph) used to conduct the initial investigation that detected hints of DMS. Fortunately, Madhusudhan's team is continuing to observe K218 b with the JWST's other primary instrument, the MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument), as the researchers gather more intel about the environmental conditions on the exoplanet. "The best biosignatures on an exoplanet may differ significantly from those we find most abundant on Earth today," team leader and UCR astrobiologist Eddie Schwieterman said. "On a planet with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere, we may be more likely to find DMS made by life instead of oxygen made by plants and bacteria as on Earth." RELATED STORIES: James Webb Space Telescope spots neutron star hiding in supernova wreckage James Webb telescope detects the earliest strand in the 'cosmic web' ever seen James Webb Space Telescope glimpses Earendel, the most distant star known in the universe Is this slight disappointment a setback for scientists searching the cosmos for signs of life? Not a chance nor does it overshadow the initial investigation's importance as a step forward in our understanding of hycean worlds, some of the most promising targets in that search. "Why do we keep exploring the cosmos for signs of life?" Tsai asked rhetorically. "Imagine youre camping in Joshua Tree at night, and you hear something. Your instinct is to shine a light to see what's out there. That's what we're doing too, in a way." The new study discussing these findings was published on May 2 in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. What did Morro Bay Power Plant look like when first built? Surprise: There was only 1 stack The first smoke stack in Morro Bay began scraping the sky 69 years ago. Pacific Gas & Electric Company was building their 16th steam-electric plant the sixth since World War II. Lighing of the Worlds Largest Lamp was one of the activites on the program. PG&E dedicated the Morro Bay Power Plant July 8, 1955. The initital facility had two generating units sharing one smoke stack. The $44 million plant could generate 300,000 kilowatts, enough to power the city of San Francisco. PG&E/Tribune file The plant was dedicated July 8, 1955, with speeches and the lighting of the Worlds Largest Lamp. The site is again in the news with a proposal by Vistra to build a 600 megawatt battery electric storage facility on the site of the former fossil fuel plants tank farm. The battery plant can store surplus generation from solar or wind power to release during peak demand. The former Morro Bay Power Plant site on April 25, 2024 where Vistra has proposed a battery electrical storage facility. The battery facility will be located on the former oil tank farm in foreground and hidden behind the current sand berm that was a containment for the tanks. David Middlecamp/dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com Local residents have voiced concerns over safety as the proposal moves through the city planning process. Vistra is also holding community outreach meetings. The battery facility is designed to have more than half the power capacity of the defunct steam plant that in later years usually ran on natural gas, though there was an oil tank farm to fuel it as well. Back in the 1950s, PG&E was in a desperate race to keep ahead of Californias explosive population growth and two units, at a cost of $44 million, would share the first smoke stack and generate 150 megawatts each. Generating capacity would increase soon to a total of 1,002 MW with the addition of two more units, each with their own stack. Vistra project development director David Yeager looks at the inside of obsolete technology, a 450-foot-tall smoke stack at the Morro Bay Power Plant, on April 24, 2024. David Middlecamp/dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com The steam plant was closed in 2014, the 59-year-old technology was no longer economical to operate. And to be fair, how many 1955 electric devices still pull electrons today in the average home? The Telegram-Tribune published a special 8-page section on the new plant on July 7, 1955, the day before it was dedicated. Telegram-Tribune shows one smoke stack started the Morro Bay Power plant built by Bechtel for PG&E in July 1955. Morro Bay plant joins PG&E system: California power system gains industrial giant The Rock at Morro Bay has competition today from The Stack, a 450-foot structure that stands as a man-made California landmark atop the Pacific Gas and Electric companys steam plant. The stack serves to emphasize the size of the $44,000,000 structure, fourth largest producer of electricity in the entire PG&E system. The plant joins 15 other steam plants and 57 hydroelectric plants as a key source in supplying the ever increasing power needs of a constantly expanding northern and central California economy, according to company officials. Dedication of the plant, scheduled to begin operations in the near future, will be held July 8. New features Featured at the opening will be the unusual and modern fluted aluminum architectural finish, its system for converting sea water to fresh water, the enormous steel and concrete stack, and the submarine pipeline for delivery of fuel oil from ocean-going tankers. PG&E dedicated the Morro Bay Power Plant July 8, 1955. The initital facility had two generating units sharing one smoke stack. The $44 million plant could generate 300,000 kilowatts, enough to power the city of San Francisco. PG&E/Tribune file The largest single industrial investment in the south central coast area, the plant when completed will provide enough electricity to serve all the power needs of a city the size of San Francisco, officials pointed out. Fuel which provides the electricity will be used at the rate of 50,000 gallons a day, when operating at full capacity. The fuel oil is stored for use in four 7 million gallon tanks which have been constructed near the plant. A 24-inch diameter submarine pipeline runs approximately 4500 feet off shore in Estero Bay just north of the Rock. It permits sea borne oil delivery by tankers anchored in a specially prepared mooring site. Oil is pumped from the tanker down to the pipeline through a 12-inch rubber hose. The generators will be rated at 150,00 kilowatts apiece. The plant has been constructed with a look in the future, and additional generating units may be added as needed. How it works Superheated steam jetting into the turbines at high pressure causes the turbines and generators to rotate at 3,600 RPM. Inside each generator casing, a rotor, which is a large electromagnet on a shaft, is whiled rapidly within a stator, which houses a great number of copper coils. Electricity is produced in the coils and is drawn off through copper bus bars. PG&E dedicated the Morro Bay Power Plant July 8, 1955. The initital facility had two generating units sharing one smoke stack. The $44 million plant could generate 300,000 kilowatts, enough to power the city of San Francisco. PG&E/Tribune file For each of the two generating units, there is one boiler-furnace 139 feet high, equal to a 14-story building. Sixty miles of tubing in each boiler form a wall of water around the furnace interior. This water is turned to steam, then superheated and passed under high pressure through a nozzle to the vanes which turn the turbine. The cycle is simple: fuel to the boiler where steam is created, steam to the turbine where motion is created and motion to the generator where electricity is created. Electricity produced by each generator at 18,000 volts travels through two banks of transformers where it is stepped up to higher voltages. Then it goes to either the 230,000-volt switchyard or the 150,000-volt section nearby where it is pooled with the output of the other generator for transmission over cables strung on steel towers cross-country to substations. Electricity is raised to these high voltages for more economical transmission over long distances. PG&E dedicated the Morro Bay Power Plant July 8, 1955. The initital facility had two generating units sharing one smoke stack. The $44 million plant could generate 300,000 kilowatts, enough to power the city of San Francisco. PG&E/Tribune file PG&E dedicated the Morro Bay Power Plant July 8, 1955. The initital facility had two generating units sharing one smoke stack. The $44 million plant could generate 300,000 kilowatts, enough to power the city of San Francisco. PG&E/Tribune file PG&E dedicated the Morro Bay Power Plant July 8, 1955. The initital facility had two generating units sharing one smoke stack. The $44 million plant could generate 300,000 kilowatts, enough to power the city of San Francisco. PG&E/Tribune file PG&E dedicated the Morro Bay Power Plant July 8, 1955. The initital facility had two generating units sharing one smoke stack. The $44 million plant could generate 300,000 kilowatts, enough to power the city of San Francisco. PG&E/Tribune file PG&E dedicated the Morro Bay Power Plant July 8, 1955. The initital facility had two generating units sharing one smoke stack. The $44 million plant could generate 300,000 kilowatts, enough to power the city of San Francisco. PG&E/Tribune file PG&E dedicated the Morro Bay Power Plant July 8, 1955. The initital facility had two generating units sharing one smoke stack. The $44 million plant could generate 300,000 kilowatts, enough to power the city of San Francisco. PG&E/Tribune file New Doomsday Plane Will Allow U.S. Government To Live On In Event Of Nuclear Hellfire You may have heard of the famous Doomsday Plane, meant to keep the government up and running even if our world has been eviscerated by nuclear hellfire since the early 1970s. Well, now it seems were getting a second generation of the plane to the tune of $13 billion. Who knows, maybe the Cold War will finally turn hot. The Sierra Nevada Corp was awarded the massive contract by the U.S. Air Force to build a successor to the E-4B Nightwatch Doomsday Plane. Sadly, that isnt its real name itll actually be called the Survivable Airborne Operations Center or SAOC. Work on the SAOC will be carried out in Colorado, Nevada and Ohio, according to CPR News. The project is expected to be completed in 2036, so the Air Force is just going to need the world to hold itself together for another 12 years. Basically, what the Sierra Nevada Corp will do is take a regular commercial jet (probably a 747-8i, but nothing is confirmed) and then militarize it to meet the Air Forces requirements. Heres a little more on the backstory and purpose of the E-4B, according to Reuters: While typically used to transport the U.S. secretary of defense, the E-4B is designed as a mobile command post capable of withstanding nuclear blasts and electromagnetic effects, allowing U.S. leaders to deliver orders to the military in the event of a national emergency. The E-4B is also capable of refueling mid-air and features conference and briefing rooms and advanced communications equipment. The Air Force currently operates four E-4B aircraft with at least one on alert at all times. The fleet of highly-modified Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets has become increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain as parts become obsolete. The current E-4B is expected to reach the end of its service life in the early 2030s, right around when the new plane is ready to go. Funny how that works. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Mister Softee goes high tech. Track the ice cream truck in Bucks County Childhood summer memories are sweet, among them chasing after a Mister Softee ice cream truck rolling down your street. But you dont have to chase anymore. Theres an app for it. The New Jersey-based ice cream seller has outfitted its fleet with tracking software, easily accessible by downloading the Mister Softee tracking app, said a representative at Mister Softee world headquarters in Runnemede in South Jersey. The app is available in the Apple app store and on Google Play. Mister Softee, a summertime favorite, can now be tracked wherever there's a truck cruising a local route. The first we learned of it was on a Bristol Borough social media page, when a resident, Dave Brews, using the app, posted a screen shot of a Mister Softee truck making its way through the Harriman section of the borough. Just in case anyone is interested, he wrote. Yes, they were. This is probably the most useful post Ive EVER seen in a community group, wrote Amanda Mc. Look at you doing the Lords work. Lol. Thanks for sharing! said Jamie Kessler. And there were a couple like this: You can track all you want try catching it. All you do is watch him blow by. Mister Softee mascot stands in front of the classic box truck. For fans, the company's familiar jingle has been a soundtrack to summer since 1960. The Mister Softee jingle is a soundtrack of summer in Bucks County. While you may recognize the tune, the lyrics are largely unknown. They were written in 1960 as a radio jingle by the late Lester Waas, according to the companys co-owner, James Conway. The creamiest, dreamiest soft ice cream/You get from Mister Softee/For a refreshing delight supreme/Look for Mister Softee Theres more, but you get the drift. Mister Softee was launched in 1956 in Philadelphia by William and James Conway, and is still owned by the family. It moved to Runnemede in 1958. Its 350 franchisees drive 625 trucks in 18 states, according to the company web site. JD Mullane can be reached at 215-949-5745 or at jmullane@couriertimes.com. This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Mister Softee offers app to track ice cream truck in neighborhoods The truth is out there. People from the southwestern US to Scandinavia and the far reaches of Eastern Europe posted footage of an unidentified flying object they saw mysteriously coasting overhead in a spiral pattern Thursday evening. Completely clear skies, and I see a super blurry white light (no flashes like a plane), coming straight at me horizontally. It then goes straight up and FREAKING [DISSAPPEARS], one user frantically posted to X along with a video of the object. SOMEONE EXPLAIN PLZ, they added. Somebody, please tell me this isn't a UFOCompletely clear skies, and I see a super blurry white light (no flashes like a plane), coming straight at me horizontally. It then goes straight up and FREAKING DISSAPEARS. Checked, and there we NO rocket launches or anything like that pic.twitter.com/QLRPMAlQBU miz eh 30 (@mizerytv) May 3, 2024 Another account aggregated video of the UFO flying over palm trees in Southern California. A Canoga Park resident in Los Angeles posted footage, too. Another man in Arizona caught the anomaly on camera at around 9 p.m. local time. He offered another vivid description. Was an orange light surrounded by fog in an otherwise completely clear night, the eyewitness posted. Went up and eventually disappeared. Video doesnt do it justice. In Finland, a user on Reddit posted a photo of the vivid object at twilight. Footage of the strange object quickly went viral online. Reddit No idea what it was, they wrote with the caption. Just saw an UFO! Surely no airplane. Took a video too, moved towards the horizon slowly and disappeared. However, there might be a rather terrestrial explanation. On Thursday, there were two SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches spread across the East and West coasts, according to Space.com. The first flew out of Vandenberg Space Force Base north of Santa Barbara, California, and the later one left Flordias Cape Canaveral at 10:37 p.m. Eastern time. Alpha Centauri, a space enthusiast group based in Ukraine, also posted about seeing a Falcon 9 trail overhead. Over some regions of the country, the second stage of the Falcon 9 carrier could be seen, the group wrote. The object was seen from the US to Eastern Europe. X/NRAyoungboy Two SpaceX flights were active around the time of the sightings. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY / USA TODAY NETWORK Last year, a study found that Elon Musks SpaceX launches were triggering a large uptick in UFO reports. One launch created an alien-induced panic in New Jersey last September. Another 2023 mission delighted a photographer in Alaska who captured a SpaceX ships spiral passing through the northern lights. A space plane lights its rocket motor in space, with the curve of earth in the background. Virgin Galactic will fly again next month, if all goes according to plan. The company announced on Wednesday (May 1) that it's targeting June 8 for its seventh commercial spaceflight, a suborbital jaunt called, fittingly enough, Galactic 07. It will be Virgin Galactic's second spaceflight of the year, after the Galactic 06 mission on Jan. 26, and its 12th overall to date. Related: Virgin Galactic launches researchers to suborbital space on 5th commercial flight (video) Virgin Galactic uses an air-launch system that consists of two vehicles: A carrier aircraft called VMS Eve and a suborbital spaceliner known as VSS Unity. Eve lifts off from a runway with Unity beneath its wings, then drops the spacecraft at an altitude of about 45,000 feet (13,700 meters). Unity then fires up its onboard rocket motor, blasting its way to suborbital space. Passengers aboard the space plane experience a few minutes of weightlessness and get to see Earth against the blackness of space. A ticket to ride on Unity currently sells for $450,000. Galactic 07 will depart from Spaceport America in southwestern New Mexico, carrying four passengers in Unity's cabin. Virgin Galactic has not yet identified these people, but the company has given us a bit of information about them. Three are private astronauts, one apiece from New York, California and Italy. The fourth is "an Axiom Space-affiliated researcher astronaut who will conduct multiple human-tended experiments," Virgin Galactic wrote Wednesday in a Galactic 07 mission update. Axiom Space is a Houston-based company that has organized three crewed trips to the International Space Station to date, all of them using SpaceX hardware. Axiom also plans to assemble and operate its own space station in Earth orbit later in the 2020s. RELATED STORIES: Virgin Galactic launches 3 of its original space tourist customers to the final frontier (video) Who is Virgin Galactic and what do they do? How Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo passenger space plane works (infographic) During the Galactic 06 mission in January, an alignment pin that helps secure Unity to Eve detached unexpectedly from the carrier craft. This happened after Unity had separated and begun flying freely and did not endanger anyone involved in the flight, according to Virgin Galactic. Nevertheless, the company conducted an investigation along with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). That work is now done, and steps have been taken to ensure the issue doesn't crop up on Galactic 07 or other future flights, according to Virgin Galactic. "The FAA has accepted Virgin Galactic's final investigation report, as well as the corrective actions that have been made to enhance the retention mechanism of the pin and the addition of a secondary retention mechanism," the company wrote in Wednesday's update. While Boeing's passenger planes glitch, NASA is entrusting the company's spaceship with 2 astronauts' lives Boeing is about to fly NASA astronauts to the International Space Station for the first time. Boeing's latest airplane malfunctions don't necessarily mean the astronauts are in extra danger. Still, the FAA, NASA, and other aerospace experts have questioned Boeing's overall safety culture. Defense and aerospace giant Boeing is about to fly astronauts in space for the first time. NASA's Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are set to climb aboard Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spaceship on Monday evening, rocket through the skies, and cruise around Earth until the spaceship docks to the International Space Station early Wednesday. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams conduct suited operations in the Boeing Starliner simulator at NASA's Johnson Space Center. NASA/Robert Markowitz They're scheduled to live on the space station for about a week, then brave a fiery plummet back to Earth with the spaceship deploying parachutes to land in the southwestern US. This Crew Flight Test mission is over a decade in the making. Starliner is finally catching up to SpaceX's Crew Dragon, which has been working overtime to ferry astronauts to and from the ISS for NASA while Boeing lags behind. Boeing might be fresh on your mind for another reason, though. Its latest series of passenger-plane woes began in January, when a panel ripped off a Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner shortly after it took off from Portland. Several people were injured, but luckily nobody was in the seats beside the gaping hole that opened on the plane. The hole where a panel tore off the side of a Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner shortly after it took off from Portland in January. NTSB/AP Then Alaska Airlines and United Airlines both reported loose parts on their grounded Boeing planes. The Federal Aviation Administration launched a six-week audit of Boeing and its supplier, Spirit AeroSystems, while the Department of Justice began a criminal investigation. Does any of that affect the astronauts' safety aboard Starliner? "This is a clean spaceship and it's ready to launch. And I can tell you from NASA's point of view, we don't launch until it's ready," NASA chief Bill Nelson told reporters on Friday. NASA clearly trusts the spaceship now, but there have been problems. On its first attempt to fly to the ISS uncrewed, in 2019, a software error caused the spacecraft to burn through its fuel shortly after launch, forcing an early return to Earth. Dozens of other issues were uncovered during that flight. Then, a problem with valves in the propulsion system delayed its second attempt, which ultimately reached the ISS. In some aerospace experts' eyes, the airplane issues aren't completely irrelevant. The Boeing Starliner spacecraft is lifted at the Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex-41, where it will be stacked atop an Atlas V rocket for its first crewed flight, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. NASA/Kim Shiflett "I really don't think there's one direct connection," George Nield, former associate administrator of the FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation, told Business Insider. "It's different people, it's different missions, even different cultures probably within those units," he added. "But at the same time, senior leadership does have a very important role to play in setting the overall safety culture, setting overall priorities, and setting the expectation of the ability to speak out." In response to a request for comment, a Boeing spokesperson referred BI to four of the company's public Starliner press briefings with NASA. The spokesperson did not specify which comments in the briefings were relevant. Boeing's safety culture has been a concern to the FAA and NASA The FAA investigation found dozens of manufacturing problems at both Boeing and its supplier, including inconsistencies in employees' understanding of quality control and procedural problems on the plant floor, The New York Times reported. An expert review panel also reported "a disconnect between Boeing's senior management and other members of the organization on safety culture," as well as doubt about whether the company's safety-reporting system "ensures open communication and non-retaliation." Bjorn Fehrm, an aeronautics industry analyst at the Leeham Company, says Boeing's problem is its history of focusing on key performance indicators, or KPIs. "It changes the criteria for advancement in the company," Fehrm told Business Insider. Rather than being a good engineer, he says, KPIs incentivize being a good politician. They make shareholders happy, but they don't always result in the best product. The Alaska Airlines plane malfunction is "a symptom of the sickness," Fehrm said. "The sickness is the 25 years of culture which is prioritizing numbers before best knowledge on what to do." That culture was also behind two deadly crashes of 737 Max planes in 2018 and 2019, Fehrm says. NASA, too, investigated Boeing's company culture after the error-ridden 2019 Starliner test flight. Doug Loverro, a NASA associate administrator overseeing the program at the time, said that the two deadly 737 Max crashes were on his mind when he launched that inquiry. Ethiopian police officers walk past the debris of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 plane crash. REUTERS/Baz Ratner/File Photo After those disasters, Boeing hired a new CEO and board members with engineering backgrounds and established an Aerospace Safety Committee. Those were definitely improvements, Fehrm said, but it doesn't change the middle management that has filtered up by embracing KPIs. "The desire to get the production rate up to the max is still there, and the old habits of cutting some corners in order to shape numbers are still there," Fehrm said. "The culture of Boeing is an oil tanker. It's a ship," he added. "You can only turn so fast." Spaceflight is riskier than aviation Hazmat teams work around Boeing's Starliner spacecraft after it landed at White Sands Missile Range's Space Harbor in New Mexico, ending its second uncrewed orbital flight test. NASA/Bill Ingalls NASA and Boeing have calculated the probability that a catastrophic mishap causes astronauts to die on a Starliner flight euphemistically, they call this scenario "loss of crew." NASA's minimum requirement for crew safety was a 1 in 270 chance of loss of crew. Boeing exceeded that with 1 in 295, according to Steve Stich, who manages the NASA Commercial Crew Program that birthed Starliner. He added that those calculations are for a full 210-day mission, while Whilmore's and Williams's test flight lasts just one week. Of course, odds like that would never fly for commercial airplanes. Spaceflight is so much more dangerous than aviation in part because it's so much younger. For more than 100 years humans have been building and flying planes, making deadly mistakes, and learning from them. The US has flown about 400 crewed spaceflights, and four of them have resulted in fatal malfunctions, according to a 2020 analysis. That's a 1% fatal failure rate, which is 10,000 times greater than the rate for commercial airliners. Spaceflight involves extreme environments and powerful rocket engines. There are simply more hazards the further you go from the ground. "Even after many years and many hundreds and thousands of flights on an airplane, we still have to have a healthy safety culture. And that same situation applies to space activities, even more so," Nield said. Starliner has extra safety features Starliner's flight on Monday is a test, and the spacecraft has already been through a rigorous testing process at NASA's behest. Boeing has fired the spacecraft's thrusters on the ground, tested its parachutes, and launched it and immediately aborted in order to test the mechanism that would jettison the spacecraft away from a failing rocket. Boeing also completed a series of reviews and corrections to resolve issues it discovered during its two uncrewed flights. The astronauts have played a very hands-on role. "We've got our fingerprints on every single procedure that exists for this spacecraft," Wilmore told reporters in a Q&A on Wednesday. Starliner also has extra safety measures built into its design, Whitmore and Williams said in the Q&A. For one, it has no "black zones" parts of the flight trajectory where a certain type of spacecraft failure would be unsurvivable. That's partly thanks to its unique ability to switch between three different flight modes: fully automatic, manual control with computers, and a backup mode that's fully manual with no computers, as a failsafe. Starliner can also abort its flight anywhere from the launchpad "all the way up through orbit," Williams said. "We're on the tippity top end, so we'll be ok," she added. Read the original article on Business Insider Go Truck Yourself After getting a "lemon" Cybertruck, an EV YouTuber is demanding a replacement and says he has state law on his side. In a frustrated post on the Elon Musk-owned X-formerly-Twitter, YouTube personality Lamar MK said that although he's had his Cybertruck for nearly two months, he's "only been able to drive it for about two weeks." That's because the brutalist pickup has been taken in for maintenance on three separate occasions where it's still currently trapped, he says. "My truck wasnt just plagued by one issue," the vlogger wrote. "It has had all the major issues." Rizz Lemon This isn't the first time the North Carolina-based YouTuber has taken to social media to complain about the "lemon" he received and to detail its many malfunctions. At the end of April, MK suggested in a video that his Cybertruck "dream" was morphing into a "nightmare" as he experienced the gamut of problems that others have reported: difficulty steering, flashing "weird error codes" on the car's internal screens, and a failure to charge. In the same video and a prior X post, MK admitted he wasn't able to enjoy the car he'd spent $100,000 on, and pleaded with Tesla's multi-hyphenate CEO to send him a new one. "Just give me a new truck, Elon Musk," the vlogger cajoled. Fool Me Twice Now, however, MK is through asking. In his latest X post, the Carolinian Tesla stan pointed out that under the state's so-called "Lemon Law," he's entitled to either repair, reimbursement, or replacement. Because he's been in for multiple repairs already and because he's holding out hope that a new one won't be as crappy as his current one MK said he wants the latter. As the vlogger claims, his Cybertruck has a vehicle identification number (VIN) suggesting that it was one of the first few thousand made, "so hopefully, a newer one coming off the production line has made the necessary fixes to address all these issues." "I respectfully request an expedited replacement Cybertruck to be delivered to the Raleigh service center as soon as possible," MK said. "My patience can only go so far." More on Cybertrucks: Videos Show Cybertruck Owners Crushing Fingers in Frunk Door Washington residents who plan to run for public office can file for election starting Monday at 8 a.m. Candidates must file for election to put their name on the ballot. They must do so between Monday, May 6, and Friday, May 10, when filing closes at 5 p.m. The deadlines are strict, said Kathy Fisher, elections manager for Yakima County, but she and other employees of the Yakima County Auditor's Office are here to help. "We are here to answer questions, regardless of the position someone is running for," she said. Those running for local office such as Yakima County commissioner or precinct committee officer file to run through the Yakima County Auditor's Office. People running for a seat in the Legislature, like state senator or representative, or for statewide positions like governor file through the Washington Secretary of State's office. The Yakima Herald-Republic will focus its coverage on local elections, including races for Legislature in Districts 14 and 15 and county commissioner seats. To learn more about the ins and outs of our election coverage, check out our FAQ or share your two cents in our survey. How does filing work? Candidates can file for office online, in person, through the mail or by email and fax. All options except filing by mail run from May 6-10. Filing by mail opened April 22, Fisher said, but Yakima County had not received any candidate filings as of Tuesday. Candidates can file in person at the Yakima County Auditors Office in the Yakima County Courthouse between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the filing period. They can also file online any time during the five-day filing window. Fisher recommended this option. It is easier, she said. It just really streamlines the process. She added that the information entered goes directly into the Elections Offices system. It also automatically sets up email reminders for other deadlines in the elections process. To file for office, a candidate fills out a form including their name, basic personal information, campaign contact information and political party preferences. What do you need to file for office? Not a lot, Fisher said. To qualify for a position, someone needs to be a citizen and registered voter living in the district they want to run in. For example, to run for the District 3 County Commissioner seat, a candidate must live in that district. To run for a state senator position, the candidate must live in the district that state senator represents. Fisher said a persons address is based on the address they use for voter registration. Fisher said that address can be changed at any time someone could change their address and file for office in one visit to the county auditors office. State or county officials verify candidates voter registration and address when they file for office. There is a filing fee to run for office. Prospective candidates must pay 1% of the annual salary of the position theyre running for. For a position that makes $45,000 a year, for example, the filing fee would be $450. Those who cant afford filing fees can petition to have them waived. Fisher said filing fees are required by state law and help pay for services provided by the auditors office. She added that its good for prospective candidates to want to serve their community. What does a person need? Fisher said. I would also add an interest in serving the public. Thats where it starts. How can people campaign before they file for office? Filing starts next week, but sharp-eyed Yakima County residents have likely noticed candidates have already announced they plan to run. Candidates are allowed to start campaigning at any time. When they do, they must start tracking their campaign finances for the Washington Public Disclosure Commission, which makes the information available to the public. But its filing for office in May that makes the campaign official, Fisher said. (Announcing the campaign) means theyre getting a jump start on campaigning. Once they announce ahead of time, they have to file their public disclosure paperwork, she said. Its filing that declaration that puts their name on the ballot. The public disclosure commission is a separate entity from the Secretary of State and county auditors. Who is running for office in Yakimas local elections? This years elections will include high profile races for important state and federal positions, like governor and president. Those races will be covered extensively by many news outlets, so the Yakima Herald-Republic will focus its efforts on local races. To learn more about our election coverage plans, check out our FAQ or send us questions directly. Here is a list of who has announced their intention to run for some of those positions and could file next week: County Commissioner District 3: Represents much of the Lower Yakima Valley in county government. LaDon Linde and Elpidia Saavedra, both Republicans, have announced campaigns. County Commissioner District 2: Represents much of the City of Yakima and that urban area in county government. Incumbent Republican Kyle Curtis has announced his campaign for this seat. State Representative for District 14: Represents much of the Lower Yakima Valley, East Yakima and East Pasco in the state house in Olympia. Two state representatives are elected. These races have no incumbents because of redistricting. Democrat Chelsea Dimas announced a campaign for Position 1. Democrat Raul Martinez announced a campaign but has not specified a position. Debra Manjarrez and former Grandview Mayor Gloria Mendoza plan to run as a Republicans. State Senator for District 14: Represents much of the Lower Yakima Valley, East Yakima and East Pasco in the state house in Olympia. Incumbent Republican Curtis King, R-Yakima, plans to run after moving his residence. Democrat Maria Beltran is running against him. State Representative for District 15: Represents much of the West Valley, East Valley, Upper Yakima Valley and an eastern part of Benton County. Republicans Jeremie Dufault and Bryan Sandlin, the districts incumbent, have announced campaigns for Position 2. Chris Corry, who represented District 14 before the boundaries changed, announced a campaign for Position 1. Longtime Position 1 Rep. Bruce Chandler, a Republican, is stepping down after 26 years. State Senator for District 15: Represents much of the West Valley, East Valley, Upper Yakima Valley and an eastern part of Benton County. There is no election for this seat this year. Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, will continue to serve in the position for the remaining two years of her term. In addition to those seats, eight Yakima County superior court judges are up for election this year. Whats next after filing? There are a few dates for candidates to keep in mind once filing closes on May 10. Fisher said candidates who wish to withdraw have until May 13 to change their minds and have their names removed from the ballot. If they change their mind afterwards, they can choose not to campaign, but their names would still be on ballots. There are no refunds of filing fees, she added. Candidates are also asked to submit information for voter pamphlets by May 21. That gives elections staff time to put candidate statements and photos in a primary voting guide, which will be issued before the primary election in August. New Delhi: The government announced that it had lifted the ban on onion exports on saturday. The decision is expected to greatly benefit traders in Maharashtra. However, the government has set a minimum export price of USD 550 per tonne for onions amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in India. The decision arrives just before upcoming voting phases in Maharashtra's key onion-producing regions. The government reinstated a 40 percent export duty on onions last night. In August of last year, India introduced the same rate i.e 40 percent export duty on onions which was scheduled to remain in effect until December 31, 2023. (Also Read: Six Adani Group Companies Receive Notice From SEBI; Know Why) "The export policy of onions is amended from prohibited to free subject to MEP of $550 per metric ton with immediate effect and until further orders," The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) announced in a notification. (Also Read: RBI Tweaks Rules To Cut Risk Banks Face In Exposure To Capital Markets) The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution last month announced in an official statement that the government had approved the export of 99,150 tonnes of onions to six neighboring countries including Bangladesh, UAE, Bhutan, Bahrain, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka. Onion traders and farmers, especially from Maharashtra had been demanding for the lifting of the export ban. They argued that it would allow farmers to get a better price. However, the government had resisted these demands as they were concerned that allowing onion exports could push up domestic prices. Here's a list of the constituencies where Maharashtra's Phase 3 polls will be held: Baramati, Raigad, Dharashiv, Latur (SC), Solapur (SC), Madha, Sangli, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, Kolhapur, and Hatkanangle. Notably, the phase 3 voting in Maharashtra is set to take place between 7 AM to 6 PM. TN Class 12 Result 2024: The Tamil Nadu School Education Board will be releasing the TN Class 12 Result 2024 on May 6, 2024. Students can view the TNDGE HSC +2 exam results and scorecards on the official website, tnresults.nic.in. TN HSE 12th Exams 2024 were held from March 1 to March 22, and the evaluation was finished on April 13, 2024. Over 7.5 lakh students are awaiting results. However the time for the release of results is not confirmed yet. To pass the Tamil Nadu Class 12th exams, students must acquire a minimum of 35 marks in each subject. Tamil Nadu Class 12th examination pass criteria require students to achieve at least 35 out of 100 available marks in each theory subject. Students must obtain a minimum of 70 marks in theory, 20 marks in practicals, and ten marks in the internal evaluation for subjects that contain practicals. TN Class 12 Result 2024: Heres how to download marks memo Visit the official website of the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Government Examinations at tnresults.nic.in, dge.tn.gov.in. On the homepage, click on the link that says, 'TN HSC Result 2024'. In the following step, click the result link. Enter your roll number and date of birth into the designated areas. Click'submit' to check. Tamil Nadu HSC 2024 Result Go through and download it. Take the printout for future reference. TN Class 12th Result 2024: Past year trends According to Covid-19 standards, the Tamil Nadu Class 12 board exams were held last year between March 13 and April 3, 2023. The Directorate of Government Examinations issued the TN Class 12th Results 2023, which has a pass rate of 94.03%. Girls performed better than boys, with a pass percentage of 96.38% versus 91.45% for boys. Superannuation provider UniSuper says it is experiencing a service disruption which began with Google Cloud. one of its third-party cloud providers. In a statement, UniSuper thanked members for their patience and apologised for this snafu. Google Cloud later said this statement was a joint one from both organisations. "We are working in partnership with Google Cloud around the clock to have services restored for members as soon as possible," the superannuation firm said. "Were not able to confirm a timeline for resolution at this stage, but will keep members informed. "Google Cloud has confirmed that the disruption is an isolated incident, not the result of a malicious act or cyber-attack, and UniSuper data has not been exposed to unauthorised parties as a result of this issue. "UniSuper has teams dedicated to assisting members who may be experiencing difficulty." The Finance Sector Union said the outage was preventing fund members from accessing their own superannuation information; this also meant UniSuper was unable to pay staff accurately or, in some cases, at all. Finance Sector Union national assistant secretary Nicole McPherson said the outage followed UniSupers decision just last week to outsource roles in the Delivery and Information Business Unit. This is the very same unit and people who are now working double time to fix this massive problem, she said. Outsourcing has become a major issue at UniSuper and is putting staff and Fund members at enormous risk. We can clearly see what happens when we dont keep vital jobs in house and in Australia, which would minimise the risk of issues like this happening this debacle reflects the true cost of outsourcing. McPherson said of greatest concern was the disgraceful lack of transparency by UniSuper as to the ramifications of the outage. UniSuper has so far provided very little information about the true extent and impact of this outage, she said. Over 600,000 fund members have not received any information about what this outage means for them, nor have they even been told its happened. In times of crisis, staff and fund members deserve honesty and answers yet no one seems to know whats going on. Its outrageous that at a time like this all UniSuper is worried about is its public image. The FSU said it had written to UniSuper chief executive Officer Peter Chun calling for an urgent briefing on the impacts of the outage. After this statement was issued, the FSU said UniSuper had since communicated news of the outage to members, but provided neither a timeframe for a resolution nor any genuine answers as to its impacts. Google Cloud has made no public statement about the issues at UniSuper. A Google Cloud spokesperson said: "We are partnering closely with UniSuper to find a resolution as soon as possible and sincerely regret any inconvenience this situation has caused. "We can confirm this is an isolated incident and not the result of malicious activity. UniSuper's data has not been exposed to unauthorised parties outside the organisation as a result of this issue." New Delhi: An army man was killed and nine of them were injured after their behicals skidded off the road and fell in a gorgeon Saturday in Anantnag of Jammu and Kashmir,officials said. The incidennt took place near the Verinag area of the south Kashmir district. Nine army personnel were injured and rushed to the hospital, officials said, PTI reported. They added that out of nine injured, one jawan succumbed to his injuries. As per officials, the vehicle lost control and vehical skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge. New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar denied the recent remark of US President Joe Biden describing India as "xenophobic". Jaishankar exaggerated that India has always been open and welcoming for all the people across the world. EAM also denied the allegation that the Indian economy was faltering. While speaking with the Economic Times, Jaishankar said that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) introduced by PM Modi showcases India's welcoming nature. Recently, Biden has made this remark that India, China, Japan and Russia carry a "xenophobic" nature which is responsible for their economic trouble. In between the campaign for re-election at a Washington fundraising event, Biden stated that America's economy is growing because it welcomes immigrants to its soil. "Why? Because we welcome immigrants. We look to -- the reason -- look, think about it. Why is China stalling so badly economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia? Why is India? Because they're xenophobic. They don't want immigrants," the US President said, ANI reported. "India is always... India has been a very unique country... I would say actually, in the history of the world, that it's been a society which has been very open... different people from different societies come to India," Union Minister said in the interview. He said that the CAA introduced by the Modi government opened the doors for people who are in trouble. "I think we should be open to people who have the need to come to India, who have a claim to come to India," he said. New Delhi: Canada on Friday released the initial findings of its public inquiry into foreign interference in the country's elections and accused India, China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran of being involved in such activities. The report accused India of engaging in activities related to interference in Canada's political processes and "influencing Canadian communities and politicians" The report highlighted that concerns about Khalistani separatism in Canada drove the main target of Indian influence efforts. The report noted that India undertakes foreign interference activities which aim to align Canadas position with Indias interests on key issues, particularly with respect to how the Indian government perceives Canada-based supporters of an independent Sikh homeland (Khalistan). Importantly, it recognises Canada-based Khalistani violent extremism though that is described as relatively small and adds that India does not differentiate between that and lawful, pro-Khalistani political advocacy. These activities, report said, may not be directed at influencing Canadas democratic institutions, but are still significant. India directed foreign interference activities related to the 2019 and 2021 general elections, it said, adding that proxy agents may have attempted to interfere in democratic processes, reportedly including through the clandestine provision of illicit financial support to various Canadian politicians as a means of attempting to secure the election of pro-India candidates or gaining influence over candidates who take office. In some instances, the candidates may never know their campaigns received illicit funds. It noted, There was no indication of Indian-based disinformation campaigns in the 2021 general election. The interim report was issued by the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions, which is headed by Justice Marie-Josee Hogue and the final report, with recommendations, has to be delivered by December 31. The report noted that the countrys agencies view China as the biggest threat to the Canadian electoral space by a significant margin. Other countries engaged in such activity are identified as Russia, India, Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran, among others. The report stated Pakistan has conducted foreign interference against Canada primarily to promote political, security and economic stability in Pakistan and to counter Indias growing global influence. India has already rejected as baseless allegations questions about any interference in Canada. In April, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, in a statement, It is not Government of Indias policy to interfere in democratic processes of other countries. In fact, quite on the reverse, it is Canada which has been interfering in our internal affairs. We have been raising this issue regularly with them. We continue to call on Canada to take effective measures to address our core concerns. New Delhi: Canadian police have arrested and charged three men in connection with the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, an individual designated as a terrorist by India. This development unfolds amidst continuing inquiries into alleged links with the Indian government. As per court records cited by Canadian news outlet CTV News, Karanpreet Singh (28), Kamalpreet Singh (22), and Karan Brar (22) are each accused of one count of first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder in relation to Nijjar's demise. However, India has consistently refuted this accusation. In September 2023, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that the Indian government had informed Canada that it is not part of the Government of India's policy to engage in actions such as the killing of Nijjar. Speaking at a press briefing, RCMP Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, head of the Federal Policing Program in the Pacific Region, underscored the ongoing and intensive nature of the investigation into Nijjar's homicide. "Three suspects have been arrested and charged for their alleged involvement in the killing of Nijjar.... We are not able to make any comments on the nature of evidence... Nor can we speak behind the motive of murder of Nijjar... However, I will say this matter is very much under active investigation," he said. "There are separate and distinct investigations ongoing into these matters, certainly not limited to the involvement of the people arrested today, and these efforts include investigating connections to the government of India," Teboul also said. The indictments allege that the conspiracy unfolded in both Surrey and Edmonton between May 1, 2023, and the day of Nijjar's killing. Scheduled updates on the case from the BC RCMP and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team were announced for 12:30 pm PT on Friday. Nijjar's assassination triggered diplomatic tensions between Canada and India after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau disclosed intelligence investigations regarding a potential link between the Indian government and the killing. Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc refrained from confirming any connection to the Indian government, asserting that such inquiries should be directed to the RCMP, as reported by CTV News. "I have full confidence in the security apparatus of the government of Canada and the work of the RCMP, and the work that the (Canadian) Security Intelligence Service does," Leblanc affirmed. "The police operation that you see ongoing today confirms that the RCMP take these matters extremely seriously. But questions with respect to particular links or non-links are properly put to the RCMP," he added. Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by the National Investigation Agency in 2020, was shot and killed as he came out of a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on the evening of June 18, 2023. The video of his killing that reportedly surfaced in March recently, showed Nijjar being shot by armed men in what has been described as a 'contract killing'. The killing led to accusations from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the government of India had a hand in the killing -- a claim that was denied by India and led to the deterioration of diplomatic ties between Canada and India. New Delhi: Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's death probe has been in the media since last year, especially after Canada started making false allegations about India's role in Nijjar's death on June 18, 2023. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of being involved in Nijjar's assassination without any evidence or witnesses. Meanwhile, India has strongly opposed this statement and said that Hardeep Singh Nijjar is a Khalistani terrorist, and his killing was the result of a gang war. In today's DNA, Zee News' Ram Mohan Sharma, analysed how Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is supporting Khalistani terrorists to avoid losing the pro-Khalistani vote bank. Watch Today's Full Episode Here: Three people have been arrested in Canada named Kamalpreet Singh, Karanpreet Singh and Karan Brar in connection with the Nijjar's death. These arrests have been made by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police from Alberta. As per the police, these three had three responsibilities, the first had to find the location, the second was the driver and the third had the responsibility to open fire. In 2021, all three accused came to Canada on a Student visa but no one was taken admission in college. Apart from the arrest of these three accused, the police are still looking for more accused in connection with Nijjar's death. Along with this, it is also being said that an investigation is going on to find out India's connection with Nijjar's murder. An Indore sessions court on Saturday denied BJP politician Akshay Kanti Bam and his father anticipatory bail on Friday in an attempt-murder case involving a 17-year-old, citing no possibility the accused would be taken into custody. In a major setback for the Congress in Indore, its candidate Akshay Kanti Bam withdrew from the race on April 29, the deadline for withdrawal of nominations, and joined the BJP. After considering both parties' submissions, Additional Sessions Judge Vinod Kumar Sharma dismissed Bam and his father Kantilal's application for anticipatory bail. "There is no apprehension of arrest of the accused in this case, therefore, the provisions of Section 438 CrPC are not applicable," the judge said.'' The Additional Sessions Judge also said that in the current circumstances of the case, the accused should appear in court and participate in the advance proceedings, and if necessary, they can file an application for regular bail in the case under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code. A first class judicial magistrate (JMFC) of Indore had on April 24 ordered the addition of Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code in the FIR lodged against Bam and his father for assaulting a man 17 years ago over a land dispute, on the plea of the victim's side. The magistrate had also ordered the father-son duo to appear before the sessions court on May 10. Barely five days after this order, Bam took the step of withdrawing his name as the Congress candidate from Indore. The application, on which Bam's legal troubles have increased, was filed on April 5, just 13 days after his candidature was announced as the Congress candidate from Indore on March 23. According to police officials, a FIR was filed against Bam, his father Kantilal, and others on October 4, 2007, for attacking a man named Yunus Patel over a land dispute. The FIR was filed under sections 294 (obscenity), 323 (voluntarily causing harm), 506 (criminal intimidation), and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, he stated. Patel claims that during the incident, Satvir Singh, the operator of a security agency, fired at him with a 12-bore gun at the request of Akshay's father, Kantilal. Satvir Singh, the accused, later died. Banaskantha: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday made a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for often mocking her brother Rahul Gandhi as 'Shehzada'. Addressing a rally in Banaskantha, Priyanka Gandhi alleged that while Rahul Gandhi had walked 4000 kilometres, PM Modi had been sitting in his palace and would not understand the plight of farmers. "PM Modi calls my brother 'Shehzada'. I want to tell you that my brother walked 4,000 kilometres, met the people of the country and asked them what are the problems in their lives. On the other hand, emperor Narendra Modi lives in palaces. How will he be able to understand the helplessness of farmers and women? Narendra Modi is surrounded by power. People around him are afraid of him. No one says anything to him. Even if someone raises his voice, that voice is suppressed," she said. PM 4,000 . , ? , ? pic.twitter.com/OGoeVvgrMl Congress (@INCIndia) May 4, 2024 It may be noted that PM Modi has been referring to Rahul Gandhi as 'Shehzada' in his election speeches. On May 3, the PM took a swipe at the Gandhi scion for not contesting the Lok Sabha election from Amethi. "I told you earlier that the Shehzaada would start looking for another safe seat for himself, fearing defeat in Wayanad. He was so afraid after losing Amethi in 2019 that he bolted all the way down South, to Wayanad. Now, he has escaped to Raebareli. These people often go around telling people, 'Daro maat' (don't be afraid). It's now my turn to say the same to them--'Arey daro maat, bhaago maat' (don't be afraid! don't flee!)," he said. Continuing her attack on the Prime Minister, Priyanka alleged that he is only concerned about big people and not the common man. "Look at the working style of today's Prime Minister. Gujarat gave PM Modi respect and gave him power, but he is seen only with big people. Have you seen PM Modi meeting a farmer? Farmers protest against the black laws. Hundreds of farmers are martyred, but the Prime Minister does not even go to meet them. Then as soon as the elections come and they feel that they will not get votes, then PM Modi changes the law," she said. Priyanka Gandhi also accused the BJP of planning to change the constitution. "You get rights from the Constitution. The biggest right is to vote. Along with reservation, the Constitution has also given citizens the right to question and agitate. Therefore, when BJP people say that the Constitution will be changed, it means that they want to snatch away the rights of the people," she said. "Mahatma Gandhi ji, who was the greatest personality in the world, was born in the land of Gujarat. Many great men including Shri Sardar Patel ji, and Veer Ranchhod Rabari ji were born here. Many great men of the country fought against the British government for independence. They liberated the country and gave us a constitution. Therefore, we all have to understand the importance of the Constitution," she further added. Priyanka Gandhi will also campaign in Karnataka's Haveri later in the day. New Delhi: Karnataka BJP President BY Vijyendra on Saturday denied the knowledge of sexual abuse allegations against Hassan JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna and emphasised that issues can not adversely impact the two parties in the ongoing general elections. BJP state president informed that he has not received any letter against the allegation made against JD(S) leader Revanna. Vijayendra's reaction comes after BJP's G Devaraje Gowda claimed that he had written a letter to the state president in December 2023, informing him about the alleged explicit video clips related to the MP. Gowda also warned that this become an embarrassment to the party if he was fielded as the NDA candidate from the Hassan constituency. Gowda was the party's candidate for the Holenarasipur Assembly seat in the May 2023 assembly election against Prajwal's father H D Revanna. "The claims that Vijayendra was aware of the incident and a letter was written to me as the state President in this regard is not true. The person who has said it, please question him....Such incidents should not happen, everyone should bow down their heads in shame because of such incidents," Vijayendra said, PTI Reported. Vijayendra denied that had not received any letter and said, "I have not received any letter till this moment. I'm saying this with full responsibility...As the state president I'm saying that on this pen drive (containing explicit video clips) matter, the claims that one had written a letter to me sharing the information about the scandal is far from the truth." JD(S) party is headed by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, they joined NDA last year September. Both the parties are contesting in Lok Sabha Election 2024 together. The 33-year-old Revanna Prajwal is the grandson of Deve Gowda. He was the NDA candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha Seat of Karnataka, which went to polls in phase 2 on April 26. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi On Saturday launched a blistering attack on the Congress, asserting that previous Congress-led governments were weak in dealing with Pakistan. He claimed they handled Pakistan with leniency, resulting in terrorist responses from across the border. PM Modi emphasized that the 2014 Lok Sabha elections marked a significant shift in India's stance towards Pakistan regarding terrorism, all due to the power of a single vote. Further escalating his attack on Congress, Modi said that Pakistani leaders are banking on Rahul Gandhi becoming India's Prime Minister after the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Adressing an election rally in Jharkhand's Palamu PM Modi said, "Earlier, terrorists used to freely kill innocents and governments used to write love letters to Pakistan. But Pakistan sent more terrorists in response to letters. But with the power of your one vote, I said enough is enough; today's new India doesn't give the dossie." #WATCH | Palamu, Jharkhand: Addressing a public rally PM Modi says, "In the Congress government, there used to be bomb blasts, terrorists used to fire bullets and the government used to send them love letters. They had 'Aman ki Aas'. Pakistan used to send more terrorists than pic.twitter.com/wX2xfWAWfn ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2024 This is New India, 'Ghar mein ghus ke maarta hai'. There was a time when people from Jharkhand and Bihar, used to go to protect our nation were dying for the country on borders. It was a monthly occasion. Coward governments of Congress used to cry about it in the whole world," said PM. "The surgical and the Balakot strikes shook Pakistan. Now Pakistan is crying all over the world and is shouting, 'Bachao, Bachao. Leaders in Pakistan are praying that Congress' Shehzada becomes the PM. But the strong India only wants a strong government now," he added. The Prime Minister further said that Naxalism, terrorism, and Article 370 were rooted out from the nation after 2014. "With the power of your one vote, the wall of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir was buried under the ground. In Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, from Pashupati to Tirupati, Naxalism and terrorism were spread and this land was drenched in blood. Your one vote fulfilled the hopes of so many mothers and liberated this earth from Naxalite terrorism," he said. Earlier today, former Pakistan Minister Fawad Chaudhry praised Rahul Gandhi saying that he has a socialist ideology inside him. "Rahul Gandhi like his great Grandfather Jawaharlal has a socialist in him, problems of India and Pak are so same even after 75 years of partition, Rahul sahib in his last night speech said 30 or 50 families Owns 70 per cent of India wealth so is in Pakistan where only a business club called Pak Buisness Council and few real estate Seth's own 75% of Pak wealth.. fair distribution of wealth is the biggest challenge of capitalism," Fawad Chaudhry posted on X. Karnataka MP Sex Scandal: Following the arrest of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda's son and JD-S MLA H.D. Revanna, his son Prajwal Revanna, the prime accused in the Karnataka sex video scandal, is expected to surrender to the authorities, news agency IANS quoted a senior party leader as saying on Saturday. According to JD-S leader and former minister C.S. Puttaraju, Prajwal Revanna, the current JD-S MP from Hassan, is expected to fly down to India and surrender. However, Puttaraju did not say when Prajwal Revanna, who has reportedly fled the country, will return to India and surrender. "The SIT has arrested H.D. Revanna. "He will obey the law and follow the necessary legal procedures," he stated. A woman who was kidnapped and believed to be among the victims of the sex video scandal involving sitting JD-S MP Prajwal Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, was freed from a farmhouse in the Mysuru district on Saturday by the Karnataka Police Special Investigation Team (SIT). Rajagopal, the personal assistant (PA) of JD-S MLA H.D. Revanna, the father of Prajwal Revanna, from whose farmhouse the abducted woman was rescued, has now been taken into custody by the authorities. H.D. Revanna, the main suspect in the kidnapping case, was taken into custody by the SIT earlier on Saturday. After receiving a tip, the SIT officers went to the farmhouse where the woman who had vanished on April 29 was imprisoned. Rajagopal had vanished since the SIT traced the missing woman to his farmhouse. The woman will be brought to Bengaluru and her statement will be recorded. Meanwhile, the SIT has reportedly tracked Prajwal Revanna's movements in Budapest, Hungary's capital. The SIT is working with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to issue a Blue Corner notice to Prajwal Revanna, allowing them to track his movements. H.D. Revanna has been named as the primary accused in a sexual harassment case filed at Holenarasipur Town police station, as well as the kidnapping of a victim of the sex video scandal involving his son at K.R. Nagar police station. Both complainants worked as domestic helpers at Revanna's home. The cases are being investigated by the SIT. On Saturday, the SIT tracked down the kidnapped woman to a farmhouse owned by H.D. Revanna's PA in Mysuru district, and her confessions are expected to strengthen the case against the former JD-S minister and his son. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Dy CM Shivakumar React To HD Revanna's Arrest Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters that he would not interfere in the matter. "Action should be initiated as per the law," he went on to say. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stated, "We will not interfere in anything related to this matter. Allow them to seek legal protection in court." Shivakumar also stated that the proceedings should be conducted in the manner suggested by former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. Kumaraswamy quoted a Kannada proverb, stating that those who commit crimes should be punished. Secure document storage and records lifecycle solutions provider ZircoDATA has been hit by the Black Basta ransomware gang, with the company saying it had noticed unauthorised access of its servers on 28 February. The breach appears to have exposed thousands of records of victims of family violence and sexual assault as also the personal information of about 60,000 former and current students of Melbourne Polytechnic. Like all ransomware gangs, Black Basta only attacks systems running Microsoft's Windows operating system. Somewhat ironically, ZircoDATA advertises what it terms "versatile shredding services for your unique security needs". While Australia's recently appointed national cyber security co-ordinator Lieutenant-General Michelle McGuinness released a long statement on X on Friday about the breach, she did not give any reason as to why it was being disclosed only after more than two months. McGuinness is the second person to occupy this post; the first, Air Marshall Darren Goldie, is on leave andover what has been referred to as a workplace matter while serving in the air force. He was moved a few days before the Federal Government was due to release a new cyber security strategy. Goldie was recalled to the Defence Department to face possible action under the Australian Defence Forces disciplinary processes on 15 November 2023. Some of thr shredding services offered by ZircoDATA. Screenshot from company's website Black Basta has released a list of documents which are among those purloined during the attack. The gang claims to have stolen 395GB of data, including documents relating to finance, IT, public, RM/RM Corp, personal users folders, and documents which were confidential and subject to non-disclosure. It provided a list of files from ZircoDATA's Windows systems and also screenshots of passports and driving licences, A copy of a confidentiality and non-disclosure deed from a legal firm is among the files released on the dark web In a statement issued on 29 February, ZircoDATA said: "On 8 February 2024, we became aware that an unauthorised third party accessed our system and encrypted some files. Working with our cyber security experts, we took immediate steps to contain the situation, restore from back-ups and investigate the incident. "While since this time we have not identified any further unauthorised access, on 22 February 2024, our team identified an allegation on the dark web that some of our data has been stolen. We have been urgently investigating this allegation with the assistance of our experts. "At this stage, our investigation has not identified any evidence suggesting that personal information relating to our customers (or their customers) has been impacted. Please understand that the investigation is ongoing. "We have reported the incident to the Australian Cyber Security Centre, the Australian Federal Police and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. "If you provided services to or received services from Birch Creek Hill Investments and/or any of its related businesses prior to 2022, and disclosed identification documents, we ask that you please contact us at services@zircodata.com.au "This way we can assess whether you are impacted and advise on recommend steps to mitigate the risk of misuse of your personal information." A part of the Black Basta post about the breach. Screenshot by Sam Varghese In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), McGuinness said: "The National Office of Cyber Security has been co-ordinating a response from the Australian Government, states and territories to a cyber incident that impacted ZircoDATA in February. "ZircoDATA first publicly advised it had been impacted by a cyber incident in late February. Today, one of its impacted clients, Monash Health, has disclosed it has been affected by the incident. "It is the responsibility of ZircoDATA to notify impacted clients, and the National Office of Cyber Security has been supporting it to do so. "My team has been engaged with ZircoDATA on understanding and addressing the incidents impacts since mid-March. The National Office of Cyber Security has been assisting ZircoDATA in ascertaining the full extent of the compromise and supporting both the organisation and its affected government clients to identify impacted victims and to meet their obligations to notify them. "Monash Health has disclosed that a selection of its archived data, including very sensitive data from family violence and sexual assault support units dating from 1970 to 1993, has been exposed by the breach. "This is a distressing development for those who have, or believe they may have, been impacted by this exposure. In particular, I want to acknowledge the impact this news will have on affected victim-survivors who had been supported by Monash Healths services. "We continue to work with our Victorian counterparts to ensure this group has as much support in place as possible. "Assessing the full extent of the breach is a time-consuming process and ZircoDATA is still trying to determine the full list of affected persons and organisations. Disclosures occur once there is certainty around the information affected, the safety of victims, and readiness of support services. "Our focus in this incident is supporting victims, and ensuring individuals who have had their information exposed are provided with the appropriate wraparound support services they need. "While work is ongoing, it is clear this breach has also affected other government entities who are clients of ZircoDATA. The majority of these entities are still in the process of working with ZircoDATA to identify impacted data and any victims, and are yet to begin notifying impacted individuals. There are clear processes for ZircoDATA and the affected government entities to work through. "The National Office of Cyber Security will continue to support affected government entities in working with ZircoDATA on the process of identifying victims and notifying them. The impact for most government entities is likely to be minimal." Contacted for comment, Brett Callow, a seasoned ransomware researcher from the New Zealand-based security firm Emsisoft, said: "Too many companies claim to have no evidence that customer information was impacted, only to have to subsequently admit that it was. "Its a bad look for the companies concerned, and its unfair to the individuals concerned. Itd be far better if those companies simply said it was too early for them to be able to say. That way, people know where they stand." NEW DELHI: Telangana Police has said that it will re-investigate the Rohith Vemula death case after his family members raised doubts over the closure report filed in the case which contended that he was not a Dalit and the fear of his real caste identity being exposed forced him to commit suicide. The closure report filed by the Telangana Police a month ago gave a clean chit to all the accused in the case. "As some doubts have been expressed by the mother and others of the deceased Rohith Vemula on the investigation conducted, it has been decided to conduct further investigation into the case. A petition will be filed in the Court concerned requesting the Honble Magistrate to permit further investigation into the case. The Investigation Officer in the case was Asst. Commissioner of Police, Madhapur and the final closure report in the case was prepared last year i.e. before November 2023 itself based on the investigation conducted. The final closure report was officially filed in the jurisdictional court on 21.03.2024 by the Investigation Officer," the Telangana Director General of Police was quoted as saying by ANI. Rohith Vemula death case | "As some doubts have been expressed by the mother and others of the deceased Rohith Vemula on the investigation conducted, it has been decided to conduct further investigation into the case. A petition will be filed in the Court concerned requesting the ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2024 Vemula, a PhD scholar at the Hyderabad Central University, was found hanging from a ceiling fan in a hostel room on January 17, 2016. He was allegedly upset over disciplinary actions taken against him by the university. BJP Demands Apology From Rahul Gandhi Invoking the closure report filed by the Telangana Police in the Rohith Vemula death case, absolving Union Minister Smriti Irani and three others, senior BJP leader Amit Malviya has accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of politicising the incident for political gains. Malviya questioned if the Wayanad MP would apologise to Dalits after the closure report in the death of the research scholar at the University of Hyderabad. Taking to his official X handle, the BJP's IT Cell head shared a clip of Rahul purportedly speaking on the Rohit Vemula death case in the Lok Sabha. In the clip, Rahul is heard questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'silence' on the matter. "Rahul Gandhi used the floor of the House to politicise Rohith Vemula's death for his ugly politics. Now that Telangana Police, under a Congress government, has filed a closure report, stating that Vemula did not belong to the SC community and died by suicide, will Rahul Gandhi apologise to the Dalits? The Congress and so-called 'secular' parties have often used Dalits for their politics but have always failed to provide them justice. This is yet another instance," Malviya posted on X. Rahul Gandhi used floor of the House to politicise Rohit Vemulas death for his ugly politics. Now that Telangana Police, under a Congress Govt, has filed a closure report, stating that Vemula did not belong to the SC community and died by suicide, will Rahul Gandhi apologise to pic.twitter.com/xkdEx7zgiq Amit Malviya ( ) (@amitmalviya) May 4, 2024 Weighing in on the closure report, BJP spokesperson Ajay Alok alleged that Congress created a false narrative around the death of Vemula. Speaking to ANI on Saturday, the BJP leader said, "The issue is not whether he (Rohith Vemula) was Dalit or not. Questions should be raised of those who did not allow Parliament to function, claiming that the BJP government is anti-Dalit. They politicised the issue and built a false narrative around it." People from all walks of life are doing their bit to promote the awareness on voting - the best tool to celebrate biggest festival of democracy. One such activist is Dr. Savitha Rani.M. A pioneering figure in the realm of Jala Yoga, Rani has taken initiative aimed at inspiring social responsibility alongside her aquatic yoga prowess. As the general elections in India begin, Dr. Rani performed a special Jala Yoga session, emphasizing the importance of exercising the fundamental right to vote. She has been practising for 20 years and has achieved remarkable feats in the practice of Jala Yoga, mastering 45 water asanas and setting records like an unprecedented 8-hour nonstop Jalayoga session. Her dedication to popularizing Jala Yoga extends to global platforms, including events like KumbhaMela 2022, showcasing her commitment to preserving and promoting this unique discipline. Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Rani shared, Yoga, ever since its origin, has been evolving continuously and has reached across the globe. Yoga means 'to unite'to create a union between the mind, body, and spirit, as well as between the individual and the universe. Her passion for Jala Yoga was ignited over a decade ago when she accepted a challenge posed by her mother: to perform yoga on water. Despite the initial difficulties and numerous near-drowning experiences, Dr. Rani persevered, ultimately mastering the art through self-discipline and determination. Yoga on water is a combination of yoga, meditation, pranayama, and swimming, Dr. Rani explained. Performing various asanas on water requires focus, determination, and a strong gut to maintain balance. It took me over 5-6 years to master, but the rejuvenating experience it offers makes it all worthwhile. Recognizing the transformative power of yoga, especially on water, Dr. Rani has been steadfast in her mission to educate and inspire others. While she refrains from directly teaching due to the time-intensive nature of the practice, she eagerly imparts knowledge through lectures and workshops, spreading awareness about the benefits of Jala Yoga. In her latest endeavor, Dr. Savitha Rani.M performed a special Jala Yoga session with a unique focusto encourage citizens to fulfill their civic duty by participating in the general elections. Recognizing that voting is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of democracy, Dr. Rani seized the opportunity to leverage her platform and inspire others to exercise their democratic privilege. New Delhi: Homegrown artificial intelligence (AI) company Ola Krutrim on Saturday announced to open up its cloud platform to enterprises, researchers and developers to build their own products, along with launching a mobile app. The cloud platform will provide access to AI computing infrastructure, Krutrims foundational Models and open-source models to developers. The Krutrim AI assistant app, built on the companys own large-language model (LLM), will simplify leveraging the power of AI for everyone, the company said in a statement. (Also Read: Google Doodle Pays Tribute To India's First Woman Wrestler Hamida Banu, Who Defeated Famed Wrestler Baba Pahalwan In Just 94 Seconds) "In line with our Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of 'Viksit Bharat', we are committed to developing full-stack AI capabilities in India, for the world," said Bhavish Aggarwal, Founder, Ola Krutrim. The AI company in January this year became India's fastest unicorn, and also the first AI unicorn in the country. (Also Read: ChatGPT Integration, New Camera Features Land On Nothing Phone (2a) With New Update; Check Specs, Price) "Our Krutrim assistant app will revolutionise the adoption of GenAI with its ability for a seamless integration into everyone's life," Aggarwal said at an event here. Krutrim has announced Model-as-a-Service (MaaS), offering developers access to its LLMs as well as open-source models being hosted on its cloud at cheaper costs. The company said it is also planning to release models for voice, image understanding and generation, and pre-tuned LLM agents. In recent weeks, protests in support of Palestinians over the conflict in Gaza have rocked America, leading to clashes between police and demonstrators, resulting in the removal of protest camps multiple times. However, students are still continuing to protest at some places. What do Pro-Palestinian Protesters Want? At protest sites, students have demanded a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the cessation of American military aid to Israel, divestment from arms suppliers to universities, and companies profiting from war. Demonstrating students have also demanded apologies for those students and faculty members expelled for participating in protests. Who are the Pro-Palestinian Protesters? Protests in support of Palestine have seen participation from students, faculty members, as well as external activists from Jewish and Muslim communities. Organizing groups include organizations like Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace. Some Jewish students have expressed feeling unsafe on campus and intimidated by alleged 'anti-Semitic' chants.It's interesting to note that in Texas University, Austin, among the 79 individuals arrested on April 29, 45 had no affiliation with the university. Who are the Anti-Protest demonstrators? In response to Pro-Palestinian demonstrators, Israeli-American and Zionist groups, along with members of the Jewish-American community, have been protesting. In Los Angeles, hundreds participated in a counter-rally organized by the Israeli Advocacy Group and the Israeli American Council. On May 1, a scuffle broke out between members of a Zionist group and Pro-Palestinian demonstrators at the University of California, Berkeley. At Mississippi University, hundreds of students protested against Pro-Palestinian demonstrators on May 2. Some displayed American flags and banners in support of former President Donald Trump. What has been the administration's response? Some university administrations have relied on local police to arrest demonstrators and clear camps and protest sites. Others have allowed protests to continue or reached compromises. At Manhattan Campus, police were sent to disband a camp set up by students the day after it was established on April 18. On April 30, police again raided the camp and the occupied building, resulting in dozens of arrests. California University, Berkeley has permitted the Pro-Palestinian campus camp to remain as long as it does not disrupt campus operations or pose a threat of violence. Northwestern University, Brown University, and Rutgers University are among colleges that have agreed to dismantle camps. Brown is considering divestment from companies linked to Israel. Rutgers has agreed to establish an Arab cultural center and consider the creation of a Middle East studies department. What's the impact on daily campus life? Columbia University has had to switch to virtual classes several times. Southern California University canceled its main stage graduation ceremony. This decision followed the cancellation of a Muslim student's closing speech and the removal of the Pro-Palestinian camp by police, leading to dozens of arrests. California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, canceled personal classes after students locked themselves in an administrative building. Michigan University has said it will allow freedom of expression and peaceful protest at its May graduation ceremonies but will enforce 'adequate disruptions'. Political Leaders' Reactions Democratic President Joe Biden said on Thursday that Americans have the right to protest but not to spread violence. However, demonstrators have criticized his administration for funding Israel with money and weapons. Republican candidate Trump for the 2024 election termed the protests on campus as 'forceful hatred.' He did not comment on the police raid on Columbia on April 30, calling it a 'beautiful thing to watch.' The judge presiding over an anti-trust case against Google, brought by the US Department of Justice and state attorneys, is debating whether he should sanction the search behemoth over what the DoJ has termed "routine, regular, and normal destruction" of evidence. The case, filed in October 2020 by the Federal Government and joined by 38 states, said it was aimed at stopping Google "from unlawfully maintaining monopolies through anti-competitive and exclusionary practices in the search and search advertising markets and to remedy the competitive harms". It was given the go-ahead in August last year. During the case, Judge Amit Mehta has heard the DoJ claim Google had a policy of telling its employees to turn chat history off by default when discussing sensitive topics, including Google's revenue-sharing and mobile application distribution agreements. Ars Technica reported that the DoJ and state attorneys-general said these worked to maintain Google's monopoly over search. DoJ lawyer Kenneth Dintzer told Mehta on Friday, the second day of closing arguments, that communicating with history off showed Google's anti-competitive intent to hide information as the company was violating anti-trust law. The judge agreed that this policy left a lot to be desired as the default policy as it did not constitute best practice. But Google lawyer Colette Connor said the DoJ should have been aware of this practice occurring at Google as the company had openly told the attorney-general of Texas, who was involved in the case, about it. Connor further argued that what Google had done did not merit sanctions as there was nothing to show that the missing material would have resulted in any difference in findings in the case. Dintzer argued that Connor's claim about disclosing this practice to the Texas attorney-general did not satisfy Google's obligations under the federal rules of civil procedure. Mehta gave no indication whether he was seriously thinking of sanctioning Google, allowing both sides a chance to make their public remarks before the trial ended. Attorneys from the states accused Google of supporting default deals in order to keep the search ad ecosystem frozen, while the DoJ said the evidence of Google's monopoly was similar to that found against Microsoft during an anti-trust trial in the late 1990s. Dintzer said much in the same way that Microsoft had blocked rivals on its own systems, Google had locked in Android and Apple mobile users either as the default general search engine or as the only general search engine on offer. Google has claimed that every company which used its search engine had done so because it was the best available. Mehta's ruling is expected at the end of the north American summer or else early in September. Were Google to lose, then the judge could order its business to be broken up and also impose sanctions for destroying evidence. [Provisional translation] (Japanese immigrants and descendants) More On May 2, 2024 (local time), Prime Minister Kishida visited Brasilia in the Federative Republic of Brazil.The following day, on May 3 (local time), Prime Minister Kishida exchanged with Nikkeirepresentatives and attended the welcome ceremony, before holding a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The Prime Minister then held a signing ceremony of memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and a joint press conference. CHARLESTON Eastern Illinois Universitys Lumpkin College of Business & Technology has officially launched its Illinois Small Business Development Center. Mattoon native Amy Patrick is serving as director of Eastern's SBDC, which has located its central office within the Elevate Innovation Center, LLC at the Cross County Mall in Mattoon. The university reported in its announcement that another office set to open this summer in Effingham. Together, Eastern's two SBDC offices will have an eight-county focus area spanning Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Moultrie, and Shelby counties. Easterns SBDC began its partnership with Elevate in 2023 with the goal of broadening access to professional business advising, training, and state and federal resources. This was made possible through grant support from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and Small Business Development Lead Center. A connection to the university gives the regions small businesses a wider network of resources, enabling increased support for both new and existing small businesses as they look to grow and expand, Patrick said in the press release. The center is ready to roll up its sleeves and get to work. Eastern recently made its SBDC launch announcement in honor of the U.S. Small Business Administrations celebration of National Small Business Week, April 28-May 4. To kick off the 2024 Small Business Week, Eastern's SBDC hosted a regional Chamber of Commerce After Hours networking event on April 25 at Elevate. Next week, the center plans to host a Commercial Lenders Forum in Effingham in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Eastern's SBDC has already been at work behind the scenes for more than a year. The university reported that Patricks leadership during the centers conceptual phases has led to a collaborative planning process and a list of no-cost services now available to established small businesses and start-ups. Those services include providing consultants and advisors, workshops and training, networking and community engagement opportunities, market research and financial analysis, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and strategic road mapping activities. Eastern reported that Patrick, as a lifelong resident of Coles County with more than 25 years of experience in professional development, is invested in the SBDCs efforts and wants to see the whole region prosper. As part of her work at the SBDC, Patrick also has helped advise and mentor the Coles County ClassE high school entrepreneurship program students who meet at Elevate. The ClassE students honored Patrick for her service with a surprise award at their Community Leaders Breakfast on April 18. Patrick said the Illinois SBDC at Eastern Illinois University is here to cheer on local entrepreneurs, support economic growth, and celebrate the spirit of innovation in the community. Whether you need help running a business, coming up with marketing ideas, figuring out finances, or planning for the future, the SBDC at EIU will have your back," Patrick said. Interested small business leaders and entrepreneurs are encouraged to reach out to Patrick directly for more information. The Illinois SBDC at EIU can be reached at sbdc@eiu.edu or by calling (217) 258-7233. Kernersville police arrested three people on Thursday and charged them with destroying evidence and other actions they allegedly took to help a suspect try to avoid arrest in a 2021 fatal shooting in Winston-Salem. On the night of Sept. 11, 2021, police went to a house in the 2900 block of Bon Air Avenue and found Timothy Lee Jackson, 58, with a gunshot wound to the torso. Jackson died of his injuries. Nathaniel Darnell Hood, who is now 47, turned himself in to police later that month and was charged with murder and possession of a firearm by a felon in the death of Jackson. Hood was jailed with no bond allowed and is awaiting trial on the charges. Kernersville police said that on Thursday, they executed arrest warrants in the 1700 block of Waverly Oak Drive and charged three people with being accessories after the fact in the 2021 shooting death of Jackson. Charged were Lisa Edmond, 43, Kenneth Patterson, 26, and Kenyetta Patterson, 28. Each posted a $100,000 secured bond and was released following the arrests. According to the arrest warrants, the three allegedly knew that Hood had done the shooting, and tried to help him escape detection, arrest and punishment for the crime. The warrants allege the three destroyed evidence, staged an alternate scenario for the shooting and called in a false report about the shooting. Insurance companies have not released loss figures for last week's tornadoes in Nebraska yet, but damage totals are likely to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. In fact, one report puts the likely damage at over $500 million. Real estate data firm CoreLogic estimated the reconstruction cost in Nebraska at $531.6 million from the tornado outbreak. The company estimates more than 1,200 homes in the state sustained at least 30% damage. Nebraska got off easy compared with Iowa, however, with CoreLogic estimating that state had more than 3,900 homes damaged and incurred more than $1.1 billion in losses. More than a dozen tornadoes touched down in Nebraska on April 26 and at least four of them reached EF-3 strength, meaning they had winds in excess of 135 mph. The National Weather Service said they were the strongest tornadoes to hit eastern Nebraska in nearly 10 years. Most of the tornadoes hit in sparsely populated rural areas, causing little if any damage, but three twisters all of which clocked in at EF-3 strength with winds exceeding 150 mph hit the Lincoln and Omaha areas. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has validated damage to about 400 homes, mostly in Douglas and Washington counties, including 160 that were destroyed, according to Gov. Jim Pillen. However, the total number of damaged properties appears to be much higher. As of Tuesday, Douglas County said there had been 834 reports of property damage from the Friday storms, ranging from total destruction to minor damage. The worst damage in the Lincoln area was to the Garner Industries manufacturing plant at 98th Street and Cornhusker Highway, where three people were injured when the roof collapsed. The building looks to be a total loss. The company has declined to comment about the damage, but it appears it likely sustained losses in the eight-figure range. The building is assessed for tax purposes at nearly $4.7 million, but that figure does not include any of the fixtures or machinery inside. Local officials have said only about a dozen homes in Lancaster County sustained storm damage. In a Thursday request for federal disaster assistance, Pillen said there has been at least $11.5 million in damage to public infrastructure, which includes about $1.4 million in Lancaster County, including $1.1 million in damage to Lincoln Electric System structures and $250,000 to a Lincoln Water System pumping station. It could be some time before the total damage to private property is known, but thousands of insurance claims have poured in so far. State Farm, which is the largest property insurer in the state with about 23% of the market, had seen 775 Nebraska property damage claims and about 1,000 automobile claims as of Thursday. It's also had about 750 total claims from Iowans. "At this time, it is still too early to determine the financial impact of the storms that swept through Iowa and Nebraska," said spokesman Benjamin Palmer. American Family Insurance, which also is one of the top property insurers in Nebraska, said it has seen more than 1,000 total claims in Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri. The company, which is privately held, said it does not publicly disclose claims losses from weather events. The vast majority of insurance losses are likely to come from the homes that were damaged and destroyed. According to the Great Plains Regional Multiple Listing System, the median price of a newly constructed home in Douglas County year to date is about $417,000. Apply that to the at least 160 homes that need to be rebuilt, and it comes to nearly $67 million, which doesn't even account for the replacement cost of the contents of the homes, nor does it take into account homes that have heavy damage but don't need to be rebuilt. Scott Holeman, a spokesman for the Insurance Information Institute, said rebuilding costs from storms can vary from market to market based on factors that include local home values and supply chain and labor costs. He said it also depends on whether property owners' have policies that include the cost of full replacement. "This moment in time kind of illustrates why it's important to have replacement coverage," Holeman said. On top of the damage to homes and businesses was the damage done at Omaha's Eppley Airfield. Steve McCoy, the airport's chief information and development officer, said 27 private planes were damaged by the tornado that hit the airport's general aviation area. He said he didn't know the types of aircraft that were damaged and how extensive the damage was, although photographs taken after the storm hit show several aircraft that appeared to be severely damaged. According to Sandhills Global, a Lincoln-based company that publishes equipment guides, prices for private aircraft have increased significantly over the past few years. As of January, Sandhills listed the average price for a used single-engine piston aircraft at $264,000. The average price for a turboprop airplane was more than $2.1 million, while the average price of a business jet was $12.1 million. Those prices would seem to indicate that the damage to the planes at Eppley could easily be tens of millions of dollars. The twister also destroyed four Eppley-owned hangars, causing roughly $6 million in damage, as well as a handful of privately owned hangars. Luckily, the tornado left the commercial air service side of the airport untouched. Despite the damage, McCoy said it is "business as usual" at the airport, and it was expecting a normal amount of private air traffic for this weekend's annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting. "We're completely unimpeded by the damage from last week," he said. Photos and videos: Tornadoes sweep across Lincoln and Omaha areas Aurora offers classes BURLINGTON Aurora Health Care is offering the following programs: Stepping On 10 a.m. to noon Mondays, through June 3, Love Inc., 480 S. Pine St. More information about this seven-week falls prevention program is available at aurora.org/events. Living with Chronic Pain 10-10:45 a.m. Tuesdays, May 14 through June 18, telephonic. Visit aurora.org/events for more information. Babysitting Classes 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 19, Aurora Wellness Center, 300 McCanna Parkway. For more information, visit aurora.org/events. Free Blood Pressure Clinic 8 a.m. to noon and 1-4:30 p.m. every Wednesday. To make an appointment, call 262-767-8000. Childbirth and Beyond Get ready for a new addition through free, ongoing classes, including Preparing for Labor and Birth, Bringing Baby Home, Breastfeeding Basics and Infant CPR & Safety. Learn more by visiting https://bit.ly/ALMCchildbirth. Movement and Music This free class for people with Parkinsons disease incorporates stretches, strength training, posture, balance and walking drills, as well as vocal exercises. Manage Parkinsons symptoms and improve quality of daily life while having fun. Modifications will be provided to ensure a safe and effective setting for all participants. Caregivers are also welcome. Register at mail@wiparkinson.org or 414-312-6990. Stroke Support Group This group provides emotional support through opportunities to interact with others who have experienced a stroke. Informational programs also will be provided about stroke/brain attack. The group welcomes individuals newly diagnosed, those with a history of stroke and caregivers. Learn more by visiting https://bit.ly/ALMCstroke. Memory Cafe Memory Cafe is a comfortable, free social gathering that allows people experiencing memory loss and a loved one to connect and build new support networks at the Aurora Wellness Center, Classroom C. For information, or first-time attendees, contact Chad at 262-212-3596 or csutkay@touchinghearts.com. Walk with a Doc Get out, get active and enjoy good conversation from 8:30-9:30 a.m. on the third Saturday of the month at Burlington High School, 400 McCanna Parkway. Learn about a current health topic, then spend the rest of the hour enjoying a walk at your own pace and distance with a medical provider. The program is free, and no registration is required. Meet at the front entrance vestibule by the flagpole. Art Therapy Open Studio Open Studio is an art group designed to aid in self-expression relaxation, and personal growth. Open Studio is open to current and past cancer patients, companions and caretakers. Each session is facilitated by a credentialed art therapist and will include a featured project. All supplies provided. Learn more by visiting https://bit.ly/AMCBarttherapy. Medicare Counseling Free counseling and support services are available from a certified counselor with the Wisconsin State Health Insurance Assistant Program. The counselor can help with a variety of things including enrollment. Contact Amy Waldoch at 262-948-5862 or amy.waldoch@aah.org to schedule an appointment. For more information about Aurora Health Care programs, www.aurorahealthcare.org/classes-events/ or call 800-499-5736. 1. Yes. They look better and require less maintenance. Most high-end housing areas have them. 2. Yes. Wood fences can weather and look unsightly, plus masonry walls help to block sound. 3. No. Residents should have a choice of what kind of barriers are put up near their homes. 4. No. Allowing a variety of materials will be better for aesthetics, and costs may be lower. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say. Masonry walls may be sturdier, but mandating them is problematic. Vote View Results CHARLOTTE, N.C. United Methodist delegates on Friday repealed their churchs longstanding ban on the celebrations of same-sex marriages or unions by its clergy and in its churches. The action marked the final major reversal of a collection of LGBTQ bans and disapprovals that have been embedded throughout the laws and social teachings of the United Methodist Church over the previous half-century. The 447-233 vote by the UMC's General Conference came one day after delegates overwhelmingly voted to repeal a 52-year-old declaration that the practice of homosexuality is "incompatible with Christian teaching and two days after they repealed the denomination's ban on LGBTQ clergy. Its the UMCs first legislative gathering since 2019, one that featured its most progressive slate of delegates in memory following the departure of more than 7,600 mostly conservative congregations in the United States because it essentially stopped enforcing its bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination. The delegates voted to repeal a section in their Book of Discipline, or church law, that states: Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches. Clergy will neither be required nor prohibited from performing any marriage, according to existing law that the conference affirmed with minor revisions Friday. On Thursday, delegates approved Revised Social Principles, or statements of the church's values. In addition to removing the language about homosexuality being incompatible with Christian teaching," that revision also defined marriage as a covenant between two adults, without limiting it to heterosexual couples, as the previous version had done. But while Social Principles are non-binding, the clause removed on Friday had the force of law. Regional conferences outside the United States have the ability to set their own rules, however, so churches in Africa and elsewhere with more conservative views on sexuality could retain bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy. A pending amendment to the church constitution would also enable the U.S. region to make such adaptations. The change doesnt mandate or even explicitly affirm same-sex marriages. But it removes their prohibition. It takes effect Saturday following the close of General Conference. Editor's Note: Last week we brought you the first of four programs called A Princess of Mars. Our story is from a series of books by American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs. They are science fiction stories, a mix of imagination and science. Last week, we met John Carter who begins the story. He enters a cave deep in the desert in the state of Arizona. There something happens. He does not know how, but he has been transported to the Red Planet, Mars. He quickly learns that gravity on Mars is much less than on Earth. The lack of gravity makes him very strong. He can even jump very high without trying. He finds a low wall that surrounds a group of eggs. The eggs are opening. Out come small, fierce-looking green creatures. When we left John Carter, a green adult creature carrying a long sharp spear was coming toward him. Paul Thompson adapted this story was adapted for VOA Learning English. Paul Thompson and Mario Ritter produced it. Shep ONeal was the voice of John Carter. Steve Ember was Tars Tarkas. And Barbara Klein was Sola. And now, the second program in our series, A Princess of Mars. JOHN CARTER: The creature with the spear was huge. There were many other similar creatures. They had ridden behind me on the backs of large animals. Each of them carried a collection of strange-looking weapons. The one with the large spear got down from the back of his animal and began walking toward me. He was almost five meters tall and a dark green color. Huge teeth stuck out of his face, and his expression showed much hate and violence. I immediately knew I was facing a terrible warrior. He began moving quickly toward me with the spear. I was completely unarmed. I could not fight. My only chance was to escape. I used all my strength to jump away from him. I was able to jump almost thirty meters. The green Martian stopped and watched my effort. I would learn later that the look on his face showed complete surprise. The creatures gathered and talked among themselves. While they talked, I thought about running away. However, I noticed several of them carried devices that looked very much like rifles. I could not run. Soon, all but one of the creatures moved away. The one who had threatened me stayed. He slowly took off a metal band from his arm and held it out to me. He spoke in a strange language. JOHN CARTER: Slowly, he laid down his weapons. I thought this would have been a sign of peace anywhere on Earthwhy not on Mars, too? I walked toward him and in a normal voice announced my name and said I had come in peace. I knew he did not understand, but like me, he took it to mean that I meant no harm. Slowly, we came together. He gave me the large metal band that had been around his arm. He turned and made signs with his hands that I should follow him. Soon we arrived at the large animal he had been riding. He again made a sign with his hands that I should ride on the same animal behind him. The group turned and began riding across the land. We moved quickly toward mountains in the distance. JOHN CARTER: The large animals we rode moved quickly across the land. I could tell from the surrounding mountains that we were on the bottom of a long dead sea. In time we came to a huge city. At first I thought the city was empty. The buildings all were empty and in poor repair. But soon I saw hundreds of the green warriors. I also saw green women and children. I soon learned about many cities like this. The cities were built hundreds of years ago by a people that no longer existed. The green Martians used the cities. They moved from one empty city to another, never stopping for more than a day or two. We got down from our animals and walked into a large building. We entered a room that was filled with fierce green warriors. It was not difficult to tell that these were the leaders of the green Martians. One of them took hold of my arm. He shook me and lifted me off the ground. He laughed when he did so. I was to learn that green Martians only laugh at the pain or suffering of others. This huge warrior threw me to the ground and then took hold of my arm again to pick me up. I did the only thing I could do. I hit him with my closed fist as hard as I could. The green warrior fell to the floor and did not move. The others in the room grew silent. I had knocked down one of their warriors with only my hand. I moved away from him and prepared to defend myself as best I could. But they did not move. The green Martian that had captured me walked toward me. He said in a clear voice: TARS TARKAS: "TARS TARKAS -- TARS TARKAS. JOHN CARTER: As he spoke, he pointed to his own chest. He was telling me his name! I pointed to my chest and said my name, John Carter. He turned and said the word, Sola. Immediately, a green Martian woman came close. He spoke to her. She led me to another building and into a large room. The room was filled with equipment carried by the green Martians. She prepared something for me to eat. I was very hungry. I pointed to her and said the word Sola. She pointed at me and said my name. It was a beginning. Sola was my guard. She also became my teacher. In time she would become a close and valued friend. As I ate my meal, my lessons in the language of the green Martians continued. JOHN CARTER: Two days later, Tars Tarkas came to my room. He carried the weapons and the metal armbands the green warriors wear. He put them on the ground near my feet. Sola told him I now understood some of their language. He turned to me and spoke slowly. TARS TARKAS: The warrior you hit is dead. His weapons and the metal of his rank are yours, John Carter. He was a leader of one small group among our people. Because you have killed him, you now are a leader. You are still a captive and not free to leave. However you will be treated with the respect you have earned. You are now a warrior among our people. JOHN CARTER: Tars Tarkas turned and spoke softly. From beyond the door a strange creature entered the room. It was bigger than a large dog and very ugly. It had rows of long teeth and ten very short legs. Tars Tarkas spoke to the creature and pointed at me. He left. The creature looked at me, watching closely. Then Sola spoke about the creature. SOLA: His name is Woola. The men of our tribe use them in hunting and war. He has been told to guard and protect you. He has also been told to prevent your escape. There is no faster creature in our world. And in a fight they can kill very quickly. Do not try to escape, John Carter. Woola will tear you to small pieces. JOHN CARTER: I continued to watch the creature named Woola. I had already seen how the green Martians treated other animals. They were very cruel. I thought, perhaps this beast can be taught to be my friendmuch like a dog on Earth. I walked close to the creature and began speaking in much the same way I would speak to a dog or other animal on Earth. I sat down next to him while I talked softly. At first he seemed confused. I believe the creature Woola had never heard a kind word. For the next several days I gained the trust and friendship of Woola. In a few short days Woola was my friend and fierce protector. He would remain my loyal friend as long as I was on Mars. JOHN CARTER: Several days later, Sola came to me with a look of great concern. SOLA: John Cartercome with me. A great battle is about to take place. An enemy is coming near this city. We must prepare to fight and we must be ready to flee. JOHN CARTER: Sola, what enemy is this? SOLA: A race of red men who travel our world in flying machines. A great number of their machines have come over the far mountain. Take your weapons with you and hurry. JOHN CARTER: I collected my sword and a spear. I hurried out of the building and joined a group of warriors moving toward the end of the city. Far in the distance I could see the air ships. They were firing large guns at the green warriors. I heard huge explosions. The green warriors were firing back with their deadly rifles. The air was filled with the sound of violent battle. Suddenly a huge air ship exploded. It came down, crashing near me. Red Martians were falling from the side of the huge ship. And then it exploded! Join us again next week as we continue A Princess of Mars in VOA Learning English. Download activities to help you understand this story here. Now its your turn to use these Words in This Story. In the comments section, write a sentence using one of these words and we will provide feedback on your use of vocabulary and grammar. __________________________________________________ Quiz - A Princess of Mars, Part Two Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz _________________________________ For Teachers This lesson plan, based on the CALLA Approach, teaches the strategy of summarizing to help students understand and remember the story. _________________________________________________ Words in This Story spear - n. a weapon that has a long straight handle and a sharp point warrior - n. a person who fights in battles and is known for having courage and skill device - n. an object, machine, or piece of equipment that has been made for some special purpose equipment - n. supplies or tools needed for a special purpose armband - n. a band worn around the arm, esp. to show who you are Ramen is a kind of Japanese noodle dish. It might be the worlds favorite Japanese food. Ramen has increased in popularity in the U.S., South Korea and other countries. The dish is also growing in popularity with foreign visitors to Japan. NielsenIQ is a service that reports on product sales. It said sales of ramen in the United States have risen 72 percent since 2000. Technomic, a food service industry research company, said versions beyond the traditional soup are appearing in many restaurants. Del Taco, a Mexican chain, recently introduced Shredded Beef Birria Ramen, for example. Experiencing ramen Ramen remains very popular in Japan. Some Japanese go to ramen shops two or three times a week. In Tokyo, people sometimes wait for an hour to get ramen. Often cooked right before your eyes, the noodle dish starts at around $6.50. It comes in different flavors and there are local versions, too. Flavors include salty, soybean-based shoyu or miso paste. Sometimes the dish is spicy. Sometimes there is no soup at all but a sauce to dip the noodles in. Foreign visitors are becoming increasingly interested in ramen, too. Frank Striegl guides visitors to ramen restaurants for a special food experience. Im probably a talking bowl of ramen, said Striegl as he led a group of American tourists through part of Tokyos Shibuya neighborhood. The groups visit is what Striegl calls the ultimate ramen experience. The tourists go to restaurants where ramen is served in very small bowls. These bowls are about one-fourth the size of a regular ramen bowl. The guests eat smaller amounts so that they can try six different kinds of ramen, two at each restaurant during the tour. Its not just, of course, about eating delicious ramen, but also learning about it, said Striegl. He is a Filipino American who grew up in Tokyo. He calls ramen peoples food. A lot of countries around the world have their version of ramen, he said. So, I think because of that, its a dish thats easy to understand. Its a dish thats easy to get behind. While the tourists were enjoying their noodles, Striegl gave a short history of ramen. He said its roots date back to the samurai period. Samurai were historical Japanese warriors. A Japanese military leader, a shogun, took a liking to Chinese noodles. That started a tradition of making local versions of ramen that continues today. Katie Sell was a student on Striegls tour. She called ramen a kind of comfort food, especially in the winter. Get a group of friends, go have some ramen and just enjoy it. Kavi Patel is an engineer from the U.S. state of New Jersey. He said he was happy that he included ramen on his tour of Japan along with visits to famous places like the ancient capital of Kyoto and the deer park in Nara. Im having good fun, he said. Im John Russell. Yuri Kageyama reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English. ___________________________________________________ Words in This Story noodle n. a long thin food made from flour that is boiled chain n. a series of restaurants that are mostly the same and operated or licensed by the same company flavor n. the taste of a food or ingredient paste n. a soft, wet mixture tourist n. a traveler who goes to places for enjoyment shogun n. one of a line of military leaders ruling Japan until the revolution of 186768 comfort food n. a favorite food that is satisfying and often linked to good memories Turkey pork is an original holiday dish that will be a great decoration for the Easter table. It is not only incredibly tasty and juicy, but also less caloric than, for example, pork boiled pork. ADVERTISIMENT Food blogger Olga Ryabenko told us how to cook turkey pork pie so that it is not dry. On Instagram, she also showed which stuffing is best suited to this dish. Ingredients. Boneless turkey thigh - 1 pc. Parsley - 50 g Garlic - 4 cloves Mustard - 1 tbsp. Honey - 1 tbsp. Paprika - tbsp. Salt Pepper Water - 150 ml Method of preparation 1. Cut the thigh, but not completely. 2. Finely chop the parsley, grate the garlic, and mix everything with honey, mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper. Rub the meat inside with the mixture and roll it into a roll. Tie it with culinary thread. Season with salt and pepper on top. ADVERTISIMENT 3. Wrap the meat in cling film and leave it to marinate for 2 hours (even better, overnight). 4. Cover the baking sheet with parchment, put the meat and pour in the water. 5. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour 30 minutes at 180. 6. Then open the foil, raise the temperature to 210 and bake for another 20 minutes. A 19-year-old Madison man was sentenced Friday to eight years in prison for shooting another man last year on Madisons South Side. In a letter to Dane County Circuit Judge Nicholas McNamara, Phillip L. Walker Jr. wrote that he was sorry to the person he shot on July 23, and also to his family and the community, because I know Ive hurt them as well. Accounts of the incident still vary, but all agree that Walker was in a car that stopped in the 2900 block of Coho Street, where Walker got into a conflict with two men on the street that ended with Walker pulling out a gun and shooting the man in the left shoulder. Walker was initially charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide, but under a plea agreement he pleaded guilty in February to first-degree reckless injury. A separate and unrelated third-degree sexual assault charge was dismissed as part of the agreement, but McNamara was allowed to consider it in deciding a sentence for the reckless injury conviction. Walker and his attorney, state assistant public defender Erin Nagy, asked for a three-year prison sentence, while Assistant District Attorney Timothy Verhoff suggested the eight-year term. Walkers time in prison will be followed by four years of extended supervision. McNamara said he saw promise in Walker, in part because he accepted responsibility for his actions, he completed his high school equivalency and performed other coursework in jail instead of wasting that time, and also because a large contingent of family members and other supporters came to court to show how much they care for him. McNamara said the case merited a prison sentence because of the seriousness of the shooting. He called Walker one of the luckiest people to appear before him, not only because so many people love him but also because you shot a man in the chest and he walked away. Others who shoot people in the chest, he noted, can wind up with homicide convictions. Dane County Board Chair Patrick Miles on Friday announced that he will nominate attorney Erin Welsh to fill a vacancy due to the resignation of Sup. Cecely Castillo in the 7th District, which covers parts of south and west Madison. Miles chose Welsh from among three candidates after a public hearing at Wingra School on Thursday. Also seeking the appointment are Ronan Rataj, a UW-Madison student who previously served in the Dane County Youth Governance Program, and Lee Leigh, a court reporter at the Dane County Courthouse. Welsh, who works as the deputy director of the Office of Crime Victim Services, described her top issues for the district as affordable housing, mental health and crisis intervention, protecting parks and sustaining natural resources. I believe she brings important skills and experience to the board, which will prove valuable as we face the opportunities and challenges this term, Miles said. The County Board will consider the nomination on Thursday. Castillo resigned to take a position as the County Boards chief of staff starting on April 15 but still appeared on the April 2 ballot and was reelected. She declined the post, and her temporary successor will serve until a new election in 2025. Photos: First day of the Dane County Farmers Market on the Square The City of Manila celebrated the appointment of prominent businessman and philanthropist Francis Chua to the Board of Regents at the Unibersidad de Manila (UDM). During the universitys technology week, a golden bust was unveiled on May 2, 2024 in Chuas honor, recognizing his significant contributions that went beyond his role as a regent. - Advertisement - I believe that if we want our country to prosper, it has to start with good education. While education holds the key to unlocking better lives for our children, I also believe that education should start in our very homes, not in school, Chua said. He encourages parents to be exemplary figures for their children, utilizing their knowledge and learnings to contribute to the countrys development. He acknowledges the Philippines vast natural resources and agricultural abundance, highlighting the potential for growth and prosperity. Thats why I encourage parents to be a good role model for our children. We should set a good example and be the best example to our kids, he added, urging parents to serve as positive role models for their children, emphasizing the importance of responsible behavior. Chuas generosity extends far beyond financial donations. He actively supported the establishment of UDMs technology wing, providing not only modern computer hardware but also building lecture rooms, equipping computer laboratories, modernizing classrooms and restrooms, and replacing outdated furniture. He understands the City of Manilas need to keep pace with the evolving demands across various academic disciplines. Chua acknowledges the limitations of the city government in providing for all its constituents needs. He is recognized as a key figure in realizing the dreams and aspirations of countless UDM engineering students. While serving as Philippine ambassador to Peru, Chua, an engineer and philanthropist, remained dedicated to UDMs development. His contributions breathed life into the universitys technology wing, ensuring all classrooms were air-conditioned and well-maintained. The City government prioritizes supporting learning institutions, and with the help of individuals like Chua, achieving educational goals becomes a shared responsibility. I am a humble businessman, Chua said. His passion lies in advancing the Philippine education system, believing that a better education is the cornerstone of national prosperity. Expressing his gratitude to those who chose UDM for their childrens education, Chua also believes in holding local government officials accountable to their mandate of providing free education to Manila residents. As 4 defense chiefs hit dangerous activities in SCS New United States Indo-Pacific Command chief Admiral Samuel Paparo said Washington must be ready to answer Chinas grey zone activities. This as the defense chiefs of the Philippines, Japan, the United States, and Australia collectively called out Chinas dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea. - Advertisement - The Chinese Embassy in Manila said the temporary special arrangement reached during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte allowed small scale fishing around the West Philippine Sea but restricted access by military, coast guard and other official planes and ships. It said the Marcos administrations decision to renege on the deal is the basic reason for the ceaseless disputes at sea between China and the Philippines over the past year and more. The statement was made after the quadrilateral meeting among Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III, Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru, and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles at the US Indo-Pacific Command headquarters in Honolulu, Hawaii. In a joint readout, the four ministers said they strongly object to the dangerous use of coast guard and militia vessels, and that they are seriously concerned over the ongoing situation in the East and South China Sea. They reiterated serious concern over the PRCs (Peoples Republic of China) repeated obstruction of Philippine vessels exercise of high seas freedom of navigation and the disruption of supply lines to Second Thomas Shoal, which constitute dangerous and destabilizing conduct, it read. The defense ministers also emphasized the need to uphold freedoms of navigation and overflight, and called on China to abide by the 2016 Arbitral Ruling on the South China Sea. Paparo, for his part, said: Our world faces a complex problem set in the troubling actions of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) and its rapid build-up of forces. We must be ready to answer the PRCs increasingly intrusive and expansionist claims in the Indo-Pacific region, Paparo said. Some call it the grey zone. My friend General (Romeo) Brawner from the Republic of the Philippines has a phrase called ICAD and he has renamed grey zone, which sounds otherwise benign and dull into ICAD which is Illegal, Coercive, Aggressive, and Deceptive, he added. Security and maritime law experts define grey zone operations as tactics or activities that are below the threshold of what constitute an aggression to prevent the country from using self-defense. In the West Philippine Sea, experts see Beijings dangerous use of coast guards and maritime militia vessels as well as water cannons against Filipino civilian vessels as examples of grey zone tactics. Paparo said the US Indopacom will also concentrate on ways to help partners maintain peace while safeguarding their sovereign rights. We will safeguard the international order characterized by transparency, cooperation, fair competition, and the rule of law. Well bring all to bear in all domains, harnessing an integrated capability supporting partnerships to maintain peace and security while safeguard sovereign rights, he said. The Indopacom is Americas oldest and largest combatant command responsible for an area described by Austin as a priority theater of operations for the US. It consists of at least 380,000 soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians, coast guardsmen, and US Department of Defense civilians. Showcases its brand with Drive Your Friend Campaign Dongfeng Motors (DFM) Philippines launched an exhilarating event last May 2, 2024, unveiling a new lineup of high-tech, sustainable vehicles alongside its Drive Your Friend campaign at the Metrotent Convention Center in Ortigas. The event, which merged the thrill of a car reveal with musical theater, brought to life the Aeolus Huge, Forthing Friday, and Nanobox models, along with new offerings such as the Rich 7, Nammi, Forthing U-Tour, MHero, and Aeolus Mage. - Advertisement - Within just six months of operations, Dongfeng Motors has successfully penetrated the Philippine market, established a strong presence, and gained traction among consumers, shared Mr. Brennan Lim, Deputy CEO of Legado Motors, Inc. (LMI), the company that distributes Dongfeng in the Philippines. Despite being a new player in the industry, Dongfengs sales performance has exceeded expectations, demonstrating the markets positive reception of the brand. The companys focus on sustainability, exceptional quality, and customer centricity has led to notable achievements in market penetration, product launches, sales performance, dealer network expansion, brand recognition, and customer satisfaction. The event also introduced the newly formed Team Dongfeng under Legado Motors, comprising industry veterans and dynamic new managers who will lead the brand to greater success and solidify its position in the Philippine motoring landscape. Dongfeng Philippines is offering the widest variety of propulsion choices to Filipino customers who may or may not be ready for that radical switch to electric just yet, said Atty. Albert Arcilla, the new Managing Director of Dongfeng Philippines. The lineup showcased a symphony of vehicles, including the compact electric Nammi, the sporty Aeolus Mage crossover SUV, the technology-packed Rich 7 pickup truck, the spacious Forthing U-Tour MPV, and the powerful, fully-electric MHero SUV. Dongfeng Motors, a brand that resonates with quality, innovation, and excellence, has quickly established itself as a formidable player in the competitive Philippine market, Lim said. It has been at the forefront of promoting eco-friendly practices in the automotive sector, demonstrating our dedication to a greener and more sustainable future. The new DFM models are now available for viewing at showrooms in Pasig, Alabang, Cavite, Marcos Highway, Pampanga, and Tarlac. CAIRO, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Hamas has sent a delegation to Cairo in response to an Egypt-proposed initiative for a truce with Israel in the besieged Gaza Strip, two Egyptian sources told Xinhua Saturday on condition of anonymity. "Egypt was informed by Hamas that a delegation from the movement was heading to Cairo on Saturday with the intention of concluding and implementing a truce agreement with Israel," they said. Hamas responded to the initiative proposed by Egypt after getting Egyptian guarantees that it could lead to stopping the conflict in Gaza, they added. Cairo, they said, warned Hamas of the escalation of the situation in Gaza if an agreement was not reached. CIA Director William Burns will go to Egypt as part of the tripartite guarantors of the deal, namely Egypt, the United States and Qatar, they noted. A Hamas delegation visited Cairo on Monday and then left to prepare a written response to the truce proposal for the ensuing meeting, Egypt's state-affiliated Al-Qahera News TV channel quoted an unnamed official as saying on Monday. The Egyptian initiative includes three stages, aimed at exchanging Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, taking necessary measures to reach a ceasefire, and restoring sustainable calm. The first phase is 40 days, and it stipulates a temporary halt of military operations between the two sides, an exchange of detainees and prisoners, and the return of internally displaced civilians to their areas of residence in Gaza. It intends to facilitate the entry of intensive and sufficient quantities of humanitarian aid, relief materials and fuel into Gaza, as well as the equipment needed to remove rubble and rehabilitate and operate hospitals, health centers and bakeries in the enclave. The proposed deal also aims to facilitate the entry of the supplies necessary to establish shelter camps to accommodate displaced Palestinians who lost their homes during the conflict. Cairo, Doha and Washington mediated a week-long truce between Israel and Hamas that ended in late November 2023, which included a swap between Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages as well as more humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza. Israel estimates that there are about 134 Israeli hostages in Gaza, 70 of whom Hamas said were killed in random Israeli raids. Israel holds more than 9,000 Palestinians in its prisons, whose conditions have worsened and some of whom have died since Israel began its attacks on Gaza, according to Palestinian organizations. Israel has launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, following Hamas's surprise attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people. The ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has killed more than 34,600 Palestinians, besides many unreported under the rubble, and wounded over 77,800 others, according to Gaza health authorities. It also led to massive destruction of homes and infrastructure in Gaza. 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 A personalized mRNA vaccine to treat melanoma has now reached late-stage trials in the UK. This is just the latest step in improving the cure rate of cancer. This form of cancer therapy harnesses the power of the body's immune system to target and eradicate cancer cells. During the phase 2 trials, the vaccine was shown to reduce the risk of cancer returning in people who were undergoing treatment for melanoma. The phase 3 trials the vaccine is currently entering will recruit thousands of participants in order to better understand just how effective personalized mRNA vaccines are in treating melanoma. Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, has been a formidable challenge for doctors due to its aggressive nature and tendency to spread. It's usually caused by exposure to ultraviolet lightbut in many cases we don't fully understand why it occurs. Early melanomas can be cut out surgically. But if the cancer is more advanced, or if it has spread to the lymph nodes or other places in the body, patients will need drug treatment too. We've made massive improvements in treating melanoma, especially with drugs that enable the immune system to recognize melanoma cells and kill them (known as immunotherapy). But despite the tremendous successes here, sometimes these drugs are very toxiccausing inflammation of lung or gut tissue, for example. Other times, they fail to work, so melanomas return or spreadknown as relapse. Enter personalized messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccinesa cutting-edge therapeutic approach that leverages the body's own immune system to fight cancer, potentially with fewer side-effects than existing treatments. Personalized vaccines An mRNA vaccine works by introducing fragments of mRNA (messenger RNA) into the body. The main function of mRNA is to copy and carry genetic information from our DNA to other cells. In the case of a cancer vaccine, these mRNA fragments introduce tumor-specific antigensabnormal parts of cancerinto the body. These antigens are unique to cancer cells and serve as targets for the immune system to recognize and attack. This means that once the immune cells are primed, if any melanoma cells begin to form in future they'll know to attack and destroy them. The immune system will also kill any residual microscopic melanoma cells that could be lurking inside patients. One of the keys to the effectiveness of personalized mRNA vaccines lies in their customisation to each patient's unique genetic makeup and tumor profile. By sequencing a patient's tumor DNA, researchers can identify the specific mutations and antigens present in their cancer cells. This information is then used to design a personalized mRNA vaccine tailored to target the patient's specific tumor antigens. The patient's mRNA sequences are then enclosed in lipid (fat) nanoparticles which act like miniature cargo carriers to deliver the the mRNA into the patient's body via an injection. Once inside the body, the mRNA molecules instruct the cells to produce the tumor antigens, triggering an immune response that spreads throughout the body. This immune response targets and eliminates cancer cells bearing those antigens. The immune system plays a pivotal role in cancer surveillance and elimination. This is why mRNA vaccines are increasingly being investigated as a form of cancer treatment, as they train the immune system to recognize and mount a targeted response against cancer cells bearing specific antigens, effectively enhancing the body's ability to identify and destroy them. But cancer cells have many techniques they use to avoid detection, allowing them to grow and spread. As such, we don't currently know whether mRNA vaccines will work alone, or work best in conjunction with existing cancer therapiesand whether vaccines should be deployed as an early or late line of defense against cancer. At present, the melanoma mRNA vaccine appears to work best when used alongside other cancer treatments. The initial results of the phase 2 trials showed patients who used the personalized mRNA vaccine alongside the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab had a 49% lower risk of death or melanoma recurrence three years later compared to those who only took the immunotherapy drug. The phase 3 trials will build on this work, investigating the vaccine in a larger group of people. Hopefully the study will confirm the phase 2 findings and the drug will become available to melanoma patients in the future. A personalized mRNA vaccine for melanoma would offer a new avenue for treatmentwhich may increase quality of life and the cure rate of this type of cancer. Vaccines are also being studied for other cancer types, including lung cancer. Research has also shown personalized mRNA vaccines may be effective for treating pancreatic cancerbut again we need more information from larger studies. Personalized mRNA vaccines represent a paradigm shift in cancer therapyoffering a highly targeted and adaptable approach to treatment. By harnessing the body's immune system to selectively target cancer cells, these vaccines hold enormous potential to improve outcomes and quality of life for patients. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. A large donation from the Japanese government to the Mansfield Center established a new chair position in Japanese and Indo-Pacific Affairs at the University of Montana. The $5.1 million donation, announced this week, created the new post, according to a news release from the university. The grant was awarded in recognition of Mike Mansfield, the longest serving U.S. ambassador to Japan. The new chair plans to foster opportunities for multidisciplinary education in Japanese and Indo-Pacific studies, including trade, rural affairs, public health, language, society and culture, the news release stated. Because of your generosity, we will be able to better support our shared interests in promoting deeper understanding of Japanese politics, foreign policy, Japan-U.S. relations, and research and exchanges on the promotion of a free and open Indo-Pacific, UM President Seth Bodnar said of the donation. Endowed chair positions attract talented professors who can elevate a universitys impact and profile in the academic world, the release stated. They are prestigious roles that are among some of the highest honors a campus faculty member can earn. Consul General of Japan in Seattle Makoto Iyori visited UM on Thursday for a celebratory lunch with Bodnar and Mansfield Center Executive Director Deena Mansour. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis and UM Foundation President Cindy Williams also attended, along with Mansfield Center board members. UMs Department of World Languages and Cultures offers the most Japanese courses in Montana, and the Japanese language and literature program is the second-largest language-based program at UM, the news release stated. Several UM students study in Japan each year at one of eight of UMs partner campuses. Visiting Japanese students also come to Montana in return. This grant reflects Mansfields lasting legacy of addressing the complex issues facing the world today through deep cultural understanding and rigorous scholarship, said UM Associate Professor of Japanese Brian Dowdle. I am excited by the range of new courses made possible by this gift, which will not only complement our students cultural and linguistic training but also ultimately better prepare them for work in the public and private sector. Mike Mansfield was the U.S. ambassador to Japan from 1977 to 1988 under U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. ORANGE CITY, Iowa -- A Hinton, Iowa, woman was arrested for trespassing late Thursday after hopping a train in Sioux City because she didn't want to drive home while intoxicated. According to a Sioux County Sheriff's news release, Shannon Heckler called 911 and told the dispatcher she was on a northbound train and wanted to get off. She told dispatchers she was intoxicated and thought it was safer to get on the train than drive home. Authorities contacted BNSF Railway, which alerted the train's crew to stop the train. The train stopped near Sioux Center, Iowa, and a sheriff's deputy located Heckler walking on the railroad tracks near the intersection of 370th Street and U.S. Highway 75. According to a complaint filed in Sioux County District Court, Heckler's speech was slurred, she smelled of alcohol, had trouble maintaining her balance and told the deputy she had been drinking too much. A preliminary breath test registered a .191% alcohol content, more than twice the legal limit of .08% Heckler, 46, was arrested for public intoxication, and BNSF asked she be charged with trespassing. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Sioux County Sheriff's Office reminded people to call a friend, Uber or find another way to get home rather than drive drunk. "While we appreciate not driving a vehicle after drinking too much alcohol, and we are certainly glad no one was injured, we would suggest NOT climbing aboard a moving BNSF Railway freight train to get you home. ... All kidding and fun aside, please dont drink and drive," the post read. According to Mansehra District Police Officer (DPO) Shafiullah Gandapur, a First Information Report (FIR) against the suspect has been lodged at the Garhi Habibullah police station. Confirming the assault, Gandapur stated, "A case has been registered under the Child Protection Act. The suspect has been successfully arrested." He further stated, "We have collected evidence and formed a special investigation team. I am personally overseeing this case," as reported by Dawn. In a video statement on X, Gandapur assured, "We have met the victim in the hospital today. We assure the family that justice will be served, and the authorities will punish the accused strictly according to the law." A statement from the DPO''s office stated that a deputy superintendent of police, the Garhi Habibullah station house officer, and the case''s investigating officer have been directed to "conduct the investigation on merit" and ensure the accused is punished. DPO Gandapur also instructed the Victim Support Service Team Mansehra to provide the girl with medical aid and psychological treatment. Over the past two decades, Pakistan has witnessed a troubling shift in social development approaches, with an increasing focus on sacralising development to appease Muslim sensibilities. This trend has compounded existing challenges within Pakistan''s colonial and Islamic legal framework, exacerbating the stigma surrounding gender and sexuality while elevating clerical authority above human rights advocacy. According to Sahil, an NGO dedicated to children''s welfare, a total of 4,213 child abuse cases were reported in 2023. These cases spanned all four provinces, Islamabad, and Gilgit-Baltistan, encompassing instances of child sexual abuse, abduction, missing children, and child marriages, Dawn reported. (ANI) VMPL Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], May 4: GIBS Business School is honored to announce their inclusion among India's premier Business Administration institutions, according to the Global Human Resource Development Center's 2024 rankings. This remarkable recognition speaks volumes of GIBS's dedication and excellence in business education. GIBS has accomplished an outstanding feat by being named fifth among India's Top BBA Colleges of Eminence, remaining fifth in Karnataka and 6th overall across South India. These rankings reflect not only its dedication to quality education but also demonstrate it as a premier institution within both regional and national contexts. GHRDC rankings are widely respected and use stringent criteria to assess institutions on aspects such as teaching pedagogy, innovation, research, and entrepreneurship (IRE). GIBS's consistent high rankings in these categories demonstrate its innovative approach to business education that integrates theoretical knowledge with practical application. GIBS Business School stands out from its competition through its distinctive educational framework and Finishing School module, which equips students for real-world challenges by connecting academic theories with business practices. This integrated approach ensures GIBS graduates not only enter the market with confidence, but are poised to transform it. GIBS's emphasis on research and innovation fosters an environment in which academic curiosity flourishes, leading to groundbreaking ideas and solutions that benefit business. Furthermore, their commitment to entrepreneurship equips students with skills needed to start and manage successful companies - helping shape the next generation of business leaders. This ranking accomplishment is the result of the hard work and perseverance by GIBS's faculty, students, alumni network and alumni network. They have successfully expanded business education and contributed significantly to building an exemplary legacy at GIBS. "GIBS Business School was established with one goal in mind - cultivating and developing tomorrow's leaders," explained Ritesh Goyal, the Founder & Managing Director. "These rankings demonstrate our success in fulfilling this objective while upholding our pledge of providing transformative education that is inclusive yet forward-thinking." GIBS is immensely appreciative of its community and stakeholders for providing it with continuous support in achieving and maintaining its outstanding standards of education. Moving forward, the school remains dedicated to expanding its educational offerings while giving its students unparalleled opportunities for personal and academic development. GIBS Business School: "Developing the Leaders of Tomorrow with Today's Business Wisdom" GIBS Business School, situated in Bangalore's vibrant city center, has earned itself a stellar reputation as an exceptional provider of management education. Renowned for its BBA and PGDM programs, this premier business school boasts one of the premier business schools in the region with an innovative blend of theoretical learning experiences combined with hands-on practical practice to meet modern business demands. GIBS' BBA program stands out as one of the premier BBA colleges in Bangalore and is carefully tailored to give its students an excellent grounding in business principles and entrepreneurship. Renowned for its successful placement record, GIBS ensures its graduates not only excel academically but are highly sought-after by employers - making GIBS one of the top BBA placement colleges in Bangalore. GIBS stands out among Bangalore PGDM colleges with its outstanding PGDM offerings, making the school an exceptional PGDM college. The curriculum is aligned with that offered by other top MBA/PGDM schools in Bangalore and is intended to foster innovation and strategic thinking; students at GIBS gain hands-on experience through live projects and interactions with industry leaders, making GIBS an outstanding choice when applying for admissions into PGDM programs here. GIBS' commitment to affordability and quality can be seen through its highly affordable PGDM course fees, making high-quality education accessible to a broad spectrum of students. As such, its accessibility and excellence have earned GIBS its place among the premier PGDM colleges in Bangalore. For students embarking on their business education journey, GIBS offers straightforward BBA and PGDM admission processes with comprehensive support throughout. Prospective students will find everything they need for an easy transition into academic programs at GIBS. No matter the course you pursue - BBA or PGDM - GIBS Business School offers you the ideal platform for success in business. Situated at Bangalore's heart, surrounded by both startups and established enterprises, its strategic location serves as the perfect environment for budding professionals looking to make an impressionful first impression in their chosen professions. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) India and Australia have held discussions under the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) negotiations between the two countries to review the progress made after nine rounds and the way forward for its completion to reach a balanced outcome. An Indian delegation led by Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal had "very constructive and productive discussions" on various trade and prospective investment-related issues with the Australian delegation led by Deputy Secretary George Mina from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Canberra as well as the businesses in Sydney and Melbourne for deepening the existing economic relations between the two democracies, taking advantage of the trade complementarities and expertise and unexplored potential both economies have, a Commerce and Industry Ministry release said on Saturday. In the first Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) under India-Australia Economic Co-operation and Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA), both sides acknowledged the smooth implementation of the ECTA and briefly elaborated on ECTA implementation issues including MRAs on organic products, market access issues related to products like okra, pomegranate, grapes, cottage cheese, macadamia nuts, lentils and avocado. They also elaborated on TRQ administration, pharmaceutical pricing control in Australia particularly on Generics, progress made by the working group on whisky and wine aiming to address regulatory challenges and promote trade of these products, outcomes of the ECTA sub-committee meetings and the need for their regular meetings for a timely resolution, areas of mutual interest including coastal tourism, critical mineral and collaboration for establishing disease-free zones for shrimps and prawns in India. "Discussions were also held at the chief negotiators level between Additional Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal from DoC and Assistant Secretary Ravi Kewalram from DFAT under India-Australia CECA negotiations to review the progress made after nine rounds and the way forward for its completion with a view to reaching at a balanced outcome, building on the achievements of India-Australia ECTA, keeping in mind the sensitivities on both the sides," the release said. It also explored areas of effective cooperation in various sectors, going beyond the traditional approach to FTAs "for a deeper integration of the economies". Australia is an important trading partner of India in Oceania region with merchandise trade between India and Australia reaching around 24 billion USD in 2023-24, signalling significant potential for further growth. The Joint Committee Meeting serves as a vital platform for both nations to further strengthen trade ties and explore new opportunities for bilateral economic cooperation in areas such as trade facilitation, investment promotion, as well as cooperation in other areas including support for technology. JCM also adopted the Rules of Procedure for the Joint Committee and established an institutional mechanism, first of its kind for FTAs for the regular exchange of preferential import data on monthly basis. It also briefly deliberated on an integrated approach for the forthcoming CEO forum event for promoting investments, in particular on startups. The JCM meeting also addressed certain critical services issues, including the consideration of India's request for the facilitation of cross-border e-payments and mutual recognition agreements in professions like nursing and dentistry. The release said that the commitment to "remove the ENT/LMT requirement" in line with the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement was reiterated, alongside discussions focusing on facilitating the mobility of healthcare workers between the two nations, promoting tele-medicines. "The JCM reaffirmed the commitment of both India and Australia to foster a robust and mutually beneficial economic relationship, paving the way for enhanced cooperation and prosperity for both nations," the release said. The meeting also touched upon the WTO issues. The release said the Commerce Secretary made it amply clear on the importance of the support of Australia for early resolution of the long pending issue of a permanent solution to public stockholding (PSH). Australia sought the support of India for the plurilateral arrangement for domestic support for services. Both the sides agreed to discuss these matters inter-sessionally, if required. Meetings with the businesses and business associations including Australia India Business Council and Chambers of Commerce in Sydney and Melbourne as well as CII explored areas of mutual interest, the release said. "It was evident that given the existing potential, businesses are eager to work together including capacity building and vocational training, hiring of skilled professional and caretakers such as healthcare workers, nurses through skill gap mapping exercise, need for mutual recognition of standards, collaboration on critical minerals, digital connectivity including cross-border payment system, finance, education, agri, dairy and food processing, transport and storage, sports, pharmaceuticals, silicon wafers, space and medical equipment," the release said. "Overall, these meetings revealed the extreme eagerness of the businesses and governments of both sides to work hard and bring new synergy to take the strategic partnership to a new level, bringing in significant benefit to businesses and citizens," it added. (ANI) The Visakhapatnam police have busted a group involved in cheating people by pledging fake or duplicate gold and currency, with the arrest of five people in connection with the fraud, officials said on Friday. The accused who have been arrested were identified as Gorla Hemachandra Rao (34), Kunnuku Hemanthkumar (29), M Subbareddy (28), Danala Srinivas (34) and Janna Sunil (27), all the residents of Vizianagaram, Assistant Commissioner of Police of Pothinamallayya Palem Sunil said. According to the police officials, they also apprehended one more person, namely Somesh. "Upon receiving a tip from the Task Force, the police caught the gang members who were involved in cheating people with fake gold and currency on Thursday at Anandapuram. The gang reportedly targeted those hoping to make a fortune in a short period of time," he said. The ACP further said that the accused planned to dupe people by urging them to pay a certain amount of money to the gang, promising to give them an even higher amount in return. "The six individuals left the city in one car and two two-wheelers. Along with them, they carried fake cash, gold biscuits, coins, and a chemical that would be useful in making fake cash notes. Together, the individuals planned to dupe people by urging them to pay a certain amount of money to the gang, promising to give them an even higher amount in return. For instance, an individual would be lured with the promise of Rs 10 lakh in return for a comparatively small payment of Rs 2 lakh from the victim," he said. (ANI) A team of fire tenders reached the spot to douse the fire. The cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained. However, no causality has been reported in the incident. Further details are awaited. (ANI) The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Mumbai, conducted search operations at several locations in Pune, Nashik, and Kolhapur on Thursday in connection with the Ponzi schemes and illegal forex trading platforms operated by businessman Vinod Tukaram Khute, his family members, and associates from Dubai, according to a press release from ED. The ED, during the search operation, seized cash, bank funds, fixed deposits, and jewellery to the tune of Rs 5 crore and froze them along with various incriminating documents and digital devices. As per a release by the ED, it initiated an investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by Bharti Vidhyapeeth Station, Pune, against Vinod Khute, Santosh Khute, Mangesh Khute, Kiran Pitamber Anarase, Ajinkya Badadhe, and others for duping and cheating common people in the name of Ponzi or multi-marketing schemes and forex trading platforms that promised exorbitant returns and collected more than Rs 100 crore. The ED investigation, it added, revealed that Vinod Khute, who is absconding and suspected to be presently residing in Dubai, is the mastermind of various illicit multi-level marketing and Ponzi schemes, illegal trading, crypto exchange, and wallet services through the VIPS Group of companies, Global Affiliate Business, Kana Capital, Real Gold Capital and Phoenix FX. "The search operations unveiled a network of distributors enticing and luring the common public into investing in bogus, illicit schemes, illegal trading, and the activities of Vinod Khute. Funds are being collected through various bogus and shell entities that were layered into a complex web of transactions, ultimately resulting in the withdrawal of proceeds into cash and then siphoning off to Dubai by conversion to crypto and virtual assets or through Hawala channels," the ED added. Earlier, in this case, ED conducted search operations and issued 3 provisional attachment orders, resulting in the attachment of various bank balances, immovable properties of Vinod Khute and his relatives in India and Dubai amounting to Rs 70.86 crore. Further investigation is under progress, the ED added. (ANI) To ensure free, fair and transparent elections, all 98 polling booths in Daman will be videograped, and livestreaming will be broadcast to the Election Commission of India and Collector office in the district, Daman's Deputy Collector Priyanshu Singh said on Friday. In an interaction with ANI, Daman's Deputy Collector Priyanshu Singh, and Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) shared details about the election preparation going on in the Union Territory. "This time, just to ensure free, fair, transparent and safe elections, we have taken several steps. All the 98 polling stations in Daman District will have livestreaming facilities, and the livestream will be broadcasted in the Election Commission of India, in the collector office and to all the other relevant stakeholders," Priyanshu Singh said. The senior officer said that the local administration has ensured that there are sufficient and well-prepared facilities in the polling stations, which include toilet light, basic table chairs, furniture, water arrangements, etcetera. "The local administration is also deploying sufficient teams to manage everything and also keeping sufficient teams in reserve, keeping in view if, at the last moment, there is any additional requirement, some teams fail to perform or because of any other requirement," he added. Speaking about the EVMs, he said that the voting machines have been thoroughly tested by officials. "The polling booths will also be equipped with facilities like ramps and wheel chairs for all the physically disabled people and senior citizens, creche and child care facilities for women. Two volunteers are deployed to assist people with disabilities and senior citizens. A facility of pick-up and drop-off has been made for all the persons with benchmark disabilities and over-85-year-old voters who did not offer home voting facilities," Singh said. About security arrangements, he said that sufficient security forces have been deployed and for these forces, basic minimum facilities like water, accommodation related facilities, and travel-related facilities have been arranged. He also shared the plans for managing 12 vulnerable polling stations and 17 critical polling stations in the Daman districts. "We have deployed sufficient force so that voters can feel safe and are able to cast their vote in a completely unbiased, free and fair manner," he said. Daman's Deputy Collector also stated that there is one designated model polling booth with special arrangements like a selfie point and a separate mascot called 'voter didi' with whom one can take selfies and post them on social media. One pink booth is dedicated exclusively to women with various facilities, he further added. The Lok Sabha elections for Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu are scheduled for May 7. (ANI) Congress leader Arun Reddy, who handles the 'Spirit of Congress' X account and is the national coordinator for social media of the party, has been sent to 3-day Police custody in connection with Union Home Minister Amit Shah's doctored video case. After the IFSO unit of the Delhi Police arrested him late on Friday night, he was produced before the judge who sent him to 3-day custody. In the doctored video, the Union Home Minister is purportedly heard saying that the BJP stands against the reservations in the country. However, during his address at a public meeting in Congress-ruled Telangana, Shah said, "If the BJP forms the government here, we will withdraw the unconstitutional reservations to Muslims. We will ensure that the SCs, STs and OBCs get quotas as guaranteed under the Constitution." Congress MP Manickam Tagore who is the Telangana Congress in-charge alleged that the arrest was a misuse of power by the Union government. In a post on X, Tagore said "Our Telangana colleague Arun Reddy, has been detained by Delhi Police for 24 hours with no information or FIR disclosed. We demand the immediate release of Arun. This authoritarian misuse of power by the regime is condemnable. #ReleaseSpiritOfCongress, #ReleaseArunReddy." On Tuesday, the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of Delhi Police issued summons to 16 individuals across seven to eight states in connection with the circulation of a 'doctored' video featuring Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The summons were issued under Sections 91 and 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), asking the persons concerned to join the investigation and provide relevant documents and electronic devices as evidence. According to police sources, those summoned include six members of the ruling Congress in Telangana, including Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. They, along with other persons from several states, were asked to appear for questioning on May 1 at the IFSO unit in Delhi's Dwarka.CrPC Section 160 allows police to summon a person for investigation, while Section 91 allows police to seek specific documents or gadgets to be presented as evidence. The BJP's Telangana unit filed a complaint against the CM and the Congress' state chief, Revanth Reddy, at the Cyber Crime police station, accusing the party of fabricating and morphing the speech of Amit Shah. The complaint stated that the Telangana Congress Pradesh Congress Party, on its official X handle, posted a 'morphed' and 'fabricated' video of Amit Shah. (ANI) The Delhi High Court has issued notices to the Centre and the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and others on a plea moved by the Judicial Service Association seeking direction to expedite the availability of government residential accommodations to Delhi Judicial Services Officers and Delhi Higher Judicial Services Officers. The bench of Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora on May 2, sought responses from all respondents, including the Union of India through the Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice, State (NCT of Delhi) through its Chief Secretary and Registrar General, Delhi High Court and fixed the matter for July 16. A plea moved by the Judicial Service Association Delhi submitted that at present, the total working strength of judicial officers in Delhi is 823, however, there are only 347 residential accommodations available in the judicial pool. Hence, around half of the judicial officers in Delhi have not been provided any official residential accommodation. The said statistics clearly show that the current state of affairs vis-a-vis availability of government accommodations for judicial officers in Delhi is abysmal, plea stated The need for providing official residential accommodations to judicial officers has been long recognized and it is high time that the said need is effectively catered. In 1958, the 14th Law Commission of India Report observed the difficulties faced by judicial officers to procure suitable residential accommodations, and the plight faced by them in personally securing rented accommodations. The plea further submitted that the situation today is not much different, where judicial officers of the Petitioner association have to travel faraway distances to find suitable accommodation, apart from having to undergo the stress and pressure of finding a suitable accommodation with a suitable landlord. It's also stated that the number of residential accommodations available in the Central Pool and State Pool are far higher in number than that available in the Judicial Pool. It also submitted that until such time that there is sufficient availability of constructed residential accommodations for judicial officers, the judicial officers may be allowed to apply for accommodations under the Central Pool and State Pool. The plea added that the House Rent Allowance (HRA) provided by the government to judicial officers in Delhi, is grossly inadequate for procuring suitable and appropriate residential accommodations in Delhi. It also submitted that at present, the HRA provided is 27 per cent of the basic pay of judicial officers. The amount of HRA being provided to judicial officers is grossly inadequate when compared to the market trend, and it is impracticable for several judicial officers (especially up to J-5 level) to rent out suitable and appropriate accommodations in the areas surrounding court premises. It is further submitted that several of these judicial officers also have their families to support, and it is even more difficult for them to be able to locate suitable and appropriate accommodations inside Delhi. As a result, the majority of the lower-level judicial officers have to take properties situated in Faridabad, Noida and Ghaziabad, which causes them huge difficulty in commuting between court and their residence, plea read. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda on Friday hit out at Madhya Pradesh Congress Committe Chief Jitu Patwari for his offensive comments against former minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Imarti Devi. Dewda said that it is because of such statements that Congress is in the condition it is right now. "If somebody makes such statements, it's naturally that party will be offended, such things should not be done. Now people will make a decision on this. Because of the kind of situation Congress is in right now, they're distracted and making such statements," Dewda said. Patwari made the objectionable remarks against Imarti Devi during a public rally in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior on Thursday which stirred a controversy between the BJP and the Congress. BJP leader Imarti Devi also registered a complaint, in writing against Congress leader Jitu Patwari for his objectionable comments against her. The Congress leader has been booked under Section 509, and Section 3 of the Atrocities Act, Madhya Pradesh Police informed. BJP leader Jyotiraditya Sindia took potshots at the Madhya Pradesh Congress Chief for his objectionable remarks against the BJP leader and said that such a "shoddy" statement by the Congress chief shows his and Congress' mentality towards women. "In the coming days, the women of the state will give an answer to Congress on this," Scindia said. Imarti Devi is a former Congress leader and a loyalist to Scindia, who had switched sides to the BJP along with him during a political upheaval in the year 2020. She was a minister in the state, but after joining the BJP, she contested in a by-election and lost. Amid the ongoing debate on the Congress leader's comments on the BJP leader Imarti Devi, BJP Madhya Pradesh MLA Riti Pathak asked Congress' Priyanka Gandhi about her views on the words used by the Congress leader for a woman. Riti Pathak told ANI, "Although, I have been hearing such statements from the Congress side. But I want to ask Priyanka Gandhi through this statement. Yesterday, she came to Morena and talked big about women's empowerment. What kind of attitude did Jeetu Patwari have for a woman? What would you like to say about the words that have been used?" Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president, Jitu Patwari, apologized on Friday for his controversial remark against former minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Imarti Devi. Patwari also clarified that his intention was not to hurt anyone's feelings and that his statement was being twisted and presented out of context. "Yesterday, I was questioned about an audio clip there. At that moment, my intention was only to avoid that question. The remark I made in that context is being twisted and presented out of context. Imarti Devi ji is my elder sister, and an elder sister is just like a mother. So, I will only say that my context was only to avoid the question, apart from that, I had no other intention. Still, if anyone's feelings have been hurt in any way, I express regret and apologize," Patwari told ANI. (ANI) Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bihar said that the BJP leaders are in depression and on June 4, INDIA alliance will form the government. Speaking with ANI, Tejashwi Yadav said, "It's a good thing that Modi ji is coming here. He could have invited Trump (Former American President Donald Trump) and Putin (Russian President Vladimir Putin) as well." He added, "All the leaders of BJP are in depression... 'Sun bhai sun, desh ki dhun, on 4th June, INDIA alliance is coming'. We are going to form the government on June 4." The RJD leader also slammed the PM for making statements regarding the AIIMS and said, "When PM came, he said in his speech that AIIMS has started... The PM should go and check the condition of the place." Yadav also asked the PM to talk about the work done by NDA MPs in Darbhanga, Jhanjharpur, Madhubani. "If Modi ji is coming, he should talk about the work done by NDA MPs in Darbhanga, Jhanjharpur, Madhubani, who have been in power in these regions for 15 years..." Stepping up his attacks, Yadav also accused PM Modi of snatching jobs from the youth. "He snatched employment from 60 per cent of the youth of the country. He should talk about the work done in the past 10 years. He should talk about why he still hasn't given the status of Special State to Bihar." Yadav added further, "He (Narendra Modi) had to reopen the sugar mills of Chhapra, Motohari, and Nawada but it hasn't been done yet. Neither jute mills opened nor sugar mills... These people only betrayed the people of Bihar." On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is campaigning in the states of Bihar and Jharkhand. In Bihar, the PM will visit the district of Darbhanga. Forty seats in Bihar are undergoing polls in all seven phases. In 2019, the BJP-led NDA swept the state by winning 39 out of 40 seats, while Congress won just one seat. RJD, a formidable force in the state, failed to open its account. (ANI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to ensure that "all parties responsible are brought to book" in connection with the alleged obscene video case involving Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna. In the letter, Rahul Gandhi stated, "I am writing to you regarding the horrific sexual violence unleashed by the sitting Member of Parliament from Hassan. Prajwal Revanna sexually assaulted and filmed hundreds of women over several years. Many who looked up to him as a brother and son were brutalized in the most violent manner and robbed of their dignity. The rape of our mothers and sisters warrants the strictest possible punishment." He also acknowledged the ongoing probe by the SIT formed by the state government. "The Congress party has a moral duty to fight for justice for our mothers and sisters. I understand that the Karnataka government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the grave allegations and a request has been made to the Prime Minister to cancel Prajwal Revanna's diplomatic passport and get him extradited to India at the earliest," Gandhi stated in his letter. "I request you to kindly extend all possible support to the victims. They deserve our compassion and solidarity as they fight their battle for justice. We have a collective duty to ensure that all parties responsible for these heinous crimes are brought to book," the letter mentioned. He also expressed his "shock" that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was aware of the allegations back in December last year. "I am deeply shocked to learn that as far back as December 2023, our Home Amit Shah was informed by G Devaraje Gowda about Prajwal Revanna's antecedents, especially his history of sexual violence and the presence of videos filmed by the perpetrator. What is even more shocking is that despite these gruesome allegations being brought to the notice of the senior-most BJP leadership, the Prime Minister campaigned and canvassed for a mass rapist," the Congress leader said. "Furthermore, the union government wilfully allowed him to flee India to derail any meaningful investigation. The deeply perverse nature of these crimes and the absolute impunity enjoyed by Prajwal Revanna with the blessings of the Prime Minister and Home Minister deserves the strongest condemnation," he added. He also highlighted the ethnic violence that hit Manipur last year where many women allegedly faced sexual abuse and the alleged sexual harassment against women wrestlers. "In my two decades in public life, I have never come across a senior public representative who has constantly chosen silence in the face of untold violence against women. From our wrestlers in Haryana to our sisters in Manipur, Indian women are bearing the brunt of the Prime Minister's tacit support for such criminals," the letter stated. HD Revanna and his son, Prajwal Revanna, who is the sitting MP and candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha constituency, are facing a probe by a Special Investigative Team (SIT), constituted by the Karnataka government, over allegations of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation following a complaint by a woman who worked in their household. Revanna was booked in an alleged sexual harassment case on April 28 based on a complaint lodged with Holenarasipura Town police. The case was registered under sections 354A, 354D, 506, and 509 of the IPC on charges of sexual harassment, intimidation, and outraging the dignity of a woman. As per the complaint, the victim claimed that Prajwal Revanna and his father, HD Revanna, had sexually assaulted her. Amid the ongoing investigation into the alleged 'obscene video' case, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said on Saturday that a second lookout notice has been issued against both JD(S) MLA HD Revanna and his son, Prajwal Revanna. The first lookout notice was issued against HD Revanna and his son Prajwal Revanna after they sought time to appear before the investigation team. HD Revanna has been booked on a charge of kidnapping in connection with the 'obscene video' case. The action was taken based on a complaint lodged by the son of a woman who was allegedly "abducted and sexually abused." Earlier this week, the Ministry of External Affairs said that Prajwal Revanna had travelled to Germany on a diplomatic passport and that no political clearance was either sought from or issued by the MEA regarding his travel. Addressing a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the Ministry did not issue any visa note for Prajwal to visit any other country. CM Siddaramaiah had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the Union government to cancel the diplomatic passport of Prajwal and ensure his return by making use of diplomatic and police channels. (ANI) Amid incidents of forest fire reported in the state, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami convened a review meeting at Uttarakhand Sadan, New Delhi, on Saturday. The meeting focused on strategies to tackle forest fires, address the drinking water crisis, and ensure smooth preparations for the Chardham Yatra. The state has recently witnessed an alarming increase in forest fires, prompting concerns about environmental safety and the impact on local communities. Senior state officials, including Chief Secretary Radha Raturi and DGP Abhinav Kumar, attended the virtual meeting conducted by the Chief Minister. Earlier on April 27, the Uttarakhand Chief Minister conducted a high-level review meeting regarding the prevention of forest fires reported from various parts of the state. The meeting was held in Haldwani, following a massive fire that broke out in the Ladiyakata area of the Nainital Air Force Centre on Friday and continued for over 36 hours, sweeping through dense forests in the mountainous region. Chief Minister Dhami spoke to the media after the meeting and informed that the leaves of all the officers and employees of the forest department had been cancelled because of the increasing incidents of forest fires in the region. In the last 24 hours, numerous incidents of forest fire were reported from various parts of Uttarakhand, destroying hectares of forest land, said Dhami on April 27. The Indian Army was pressed into service as forest fires continued to rage in Uttarakhand, with the Kumaon region being the worst hit. CM Dhami said that the Indian Army and Air Force helicopters assisted in controlling forest fires in the state that reached Nainital after raging for over 36 hours and burning several hectares of green cover. The Chief Minister said that the fire poses a substantial challenge and that all necessary resources are being mobilized to address the situation. The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed MI-17 helicopters to assist in the firefighting efforts. These helicopters were lifting water from Nainital Lake to douse the flames, resulting in a temporary halt to boating activities on the lake. Rahul Anand, Executive Officer of the Nainital Municipal Corporation, explained that safety precautions were taken to allow the IAF helicopters to collect water from Nainital Lake. According to the official, the IAF choppers conducted aerial surveys over the Nainital, Bhimtal, and Sattal lakes, identifying suitable locations from where it could lift water for the dousing operation. The choppers, with sacks and buckets hanging by a rope from them, were spraying water over the affected forests surrounding Nainital. As per reports, forest fires have become an annual feature and the change in weather conditions resulted in soaring temperatures. Uttarakhand starts experiencing forest fires in mid-February when the trees shed dry leaves and the soil loses moisture due to a temperature rise, and this continues till mid-June. (ANI) After Telangana police approached the court requesting permission for further investigation in the case involving the death of PhD scholar, Rohith Vemula, actor-turned-politician and BJP leader Suresh Gopi said that the court has said there is no issue and if the state government wants to reopen it then they can. Rohith Vemula died by suicide in January 2016 allegedly upset over disciplinary actions taken against him by Hyderabad Central University where he was pursuing a PhD. BJP's candidate from Kerala's Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency, Suresh Gopi is in Telangana as part of BJP's election campaigning. Speaking to ANI on the case, the BJP leader said, "Rohit Vemula case, I was in Parliament then, in 2016 when this row started. If they need to reopen it then let them reopen it and find the villains. Who are the accused I don't know I'm not aware. The court says there is no such issue. If the ultimate truth jumps then what will happen." Speaking on the decision of Telangana police to reopen the case, High Court advocate Jaya Vindyala said that it should be handed over to the CBI or any other special investigation team. Vindyala was the advocate in the case during its initial stage and is an eyewitness. "I appeal to Telangana CM Reventh Reddy to probe this case once again and investigation should be done by an IPS officer and it should be handover to a special team, CBI, CID or SIT then the real facts will come out," Jaya Vindyala told ANI. Earlier in the day, Rohith Vemula's family met with Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and submitted a representation urging the Congress government in the state to reinvestigate the case. Radhika Vemula, mother of Rohith Vemula said that the Chief Minister has assured that a fair enquiry will be conducted again adding that "this government will deliver us justice." "The closure report was given based on the incidents that happened in 2018. There was no enquiry after that. We have come to meet the CM today as the report has been given now. The CM has assured that a fair enquiry will be conducted again," Radhika Vemula told ANI on Saturday. "We have also talked about the case of the other students who were suspended along with Rohith. Those students are not getting jobs because of the cases and the PhD students are doing agricultural jobs. The CM also assured to look into those cases as well. We believe that this government will deliver us justice," she added. Rohith Vemula's brother Vemula Raja said, "After the filing of the Closure Report the Telangana DGP has given a statement that they are going to reinvestigate the case and they will file a petition in the High Court. We have given a representation to the CM who has promised us a fair and transparent investigation to deliver justice to Rohith Vemula. We believe that the Congress government will reinvestigate the case." Speaking on the closure report, the Telangana DGP said that they will file a petition requesting permission for further investigation in the case. He further said that the closure report was prepared before November last year and officially filed in court in March 2024. "As some doubts have been expressed by the mother and others of the deceased Rohith Vemula on the investigation conducted, it has been decided to conduct further investigation into the case. A petition will be filed in the Court concerned requesting the Magistrate to permit further investigation into the case. The Investigation Officer in the case was Asst. Commissioner of Police, Madhapur and the final closure report in the case was prepared last year, that is before November 2023 itself based on the investigation conducted. The final closure report was officially filed in the jurisdictional court on March 21, 2024, by the Investigation Officer," Telangana DGP said. Vemula was found hanging from a ceiling fan in a hostel room on January 17, 2016. He was allegedly upset over disciplinary actions taken against him by the university. (ANI) After assuming the role of Director General (DG) of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Rajasthan, Dr Ravi Prakash Meharda outlined his priorities on Saturday in combating corruption in the state, backing the state government's "zero tolerance" policy towards corruption. Upon taking charge, the DG, ACB Meharda said, "My priorities are set: to timely resolve cases, strengthen the information system, and decrease the pendency. We all know about the government's priority, which is zero-tolerance. We will all work in that respect." Expressing his approach towards addressing the challenges faced by the state, Meharda mentioned that he would engage in constructive dialogue with his team. "I have joined today, and among all the peculiar issues in the state, I will discuss with the team and bring out some scheme that could be beneficial for the state. We will support the government in its 'zero tolerance' policy towards corruption. While following the directives given by the government, if there are any issues like a shortage of resources in the ACB, we will expect those to be fulfilled by the government," he added. Following his transfer from the position of DG SCRB and cybercrime, IPS Ravi Prakash Mehra assumed the role of DG of Rajasthan ACB on Friday. He is a senior IPS officer from the 1990 batch. IPS officer Hemant Priyadarshi has been relieved of his duties in the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) by the state government in Jaipur. As per the directive, Hemant Priyadarshi will now serve as the Additional Director General (ADG) of the Special Crime and Records Bureau (SCRB) and Cyber Crime in Jaipur at the Police Headquarters. Previously, ADG Sachin Mittal held the responsibility for cybercrime, but now he will solely oversee the Recruitment and Promotion Board. (ANI) Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress's Jairam Ramesh asked the PM to clarify whether he will remove the 50 per cent reservation limit on SCs, STs, and OBCs. Speaking with ANI, Jairam Ramesh said the Congress manifesto promises to raise the reservation limit as it is necessary for the SCs, STs, and OBCs to get their full rights. He said, "We have promised in our 'Nyay Patra' that we will increase this limit of 50 per cent reservation because it is necessary for SC, ST and backward classes to get full rights." He added further, "The Prime Minister has not broken his silence on this. Rahul ji has raised this question again and again. Our Congress President has repeatedly raised this question. Prime Minister please clarify, will you remove the 50 per cent limit or not?" In 1992, the Supreme Court had held that caste-based reservations cannot exceed 50%. Expressing his views on the nomination of KL Sharma from Amethi, Ramesh praised Sharma and called him a grassroot worker with experience of 40 years. "KL Sharma has been a party worker for the last 40 years. He is working in Amethi and Raebareli. Smriti Irani is for five years but he has been working for 40 years on the grassroot level. He worked on several issues," he said. Ramesh added further, "He (KL Sharma) went to each and every village and has the experience of 40 years." Expressing confidence in KL Sharma, Ramesh added, "And you will see that on June 4, KL Sharma will win from Amethi and Rahul Gandhi will surely win from Raebareli. Jairam Ramesh criticised the BJP candidate from Amethi, Smriti Irani, and said that she doesn't do any work and only defames Rahul Gandhi. "Smriti Irani doesn't have any other work and only defames Rahul Gandhi. She rises to fame in the BJP by defaming Rahul Gandhi. Her language is inspired by PM and we don't take her statements seriously." On Rahul Gandhi contesting Lok Sabha polls from two seats, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, " Didn't Narendra Modi contest from two seats? Didn't Sushma Swaraj contest from two seats? Didn't Atal Bihari Vajpayee contest from two seats? Union Home Minister (Amit Shah) has said that Amethi and Raebareli are traditional seats. So it is realistic for Rahul ji to fight from traditional seats." Notably, voting in Amethi and Raebareli will be held in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls on May 20. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. (ANI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday accused the BJP of staging a "drama" around the Sandeshkhali incident, adding that the BJP has now been exposed. During a rally in Nadia, the Chief Minister said, "They (BJP) had prepared a good drama around Sandeshkhali. The BJP has been exposed. I had been saying for many days that this is a conspiracy and a drama prepared by the BJP." On Saturday, a video of a sting operation surfaced that has stirred up controversy in Sandeshkhali which was broadcast by a local television channel. In the alleged video, a person, purportedly a BJP Mandal (booth) president named Gangadhar Koyal is heard saying that Sandeshkhali women, who weren't sexually assaulted, were projected as 'rape' victims at the behest of the LoP. Claiming that Suvendu 'helped' him get this done, the person in the video said that the former told him that the TMC's strongmen in the area wouldn't be arrested unless he is falsely implicated in a "rape case". However, the news channel that broke the alleged sting operation did not check the veracity of the clip. Mamata also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over molestation allegations against Governor CV Ananda Bose, saying, "The representative of the Centre, the honourable governor, what is he doing with the employees of Raj Bhavan? PM, who gives big messages about Sandeshkhali, did not give any message (on the molestation allegation against Governor Bose)." An employee at the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata on Thursday alleged that she was sexually harassed by Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose. The woman approached the Hare Street police in Kolkata and lodged a complaint against the Bengal Governor. Following allegations, West Bengal Police have formed a separate team to probe molestation allegations against Governor CV Ananda Bose, made by a woman employee at Raj Bhavan. Although the Trinamool Congress (TMC) remains a member of the INDIA bloc, it has decided not to enter into a seat-sharing alliance with its partners in the Opposition alliance, which includes Congress and the Left. The main competition in most constituencies of the state is between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC won 34 seats in the state, while the BJP had to settle for just 2. The CPI (M) won 2 seats, while the Congress bagged 4. In the 2019 general elections, the TMC dropped to 22 seats, while the BJP saw the lotus bloom in 18 seats. The Congress brought up the rear, winning just 2 seats. West Bengal, which sends 42 MPs, to Parliament, is voting in all seven phases. Polling for six Lok Sabha seats in Bengal was held across the first two phases on April 19 and 26. Polling for the remaining parliamentary seats will be held on May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. (ANI) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for politicising the death of University of Hyderabad PhD scholar Rohith Vemula without allowing the law and enforcement agencies to do their work in the case. Nirmala Sitharaman was addressing the students at Deccan College in Pune. When asked about the interference in the research institutes by political parties, including the ruling party, how can freedom of thought be safeguarded? Sitharaman said, "I don't think this is the issue at all. There is speculation that the government may not support some research--no, not at all. Every research is fine but the research must be data-based and data-driven with regression methodology. It has no political agenda underlined. Research should be research but if there are political agendas, there would be political responses too from the ruling party or any other party." "I tell with an example that came yesterday, Rohith Vemula. In an unforunate incident, without allowing the university to handle it with sensitivity, the case was dragged to the streets of India, and a narrative was built that this government is suppressing, this government is not allowing students and is against the SCs. Today, the same people who dragged the unfortunate family on the street should stand up before the entire country and apologise for politicising the incident," she added. She further said that the toxic involvement of the narrative that was framed did not come from the government; it came from the people with vested interests. "The left-liberal groups and leaders in the opposition, who say 'mohabbat ki dukan', actually perpetrated this problem, spoke so badly, and spoke also in the Parliament about his interpretation," the Finance Minister said. "The allegations were levelled against the then education minister and the government because the university happened to be the central university. Political interference, intorlence, and hate lie not with the government but with the vested interest groups, who do not lose any opportunity to bring toxins," she added. "Rohith Vemula had dignity that has to be respected, dragging him and his mother in the name of protecting the Dalit cause. We all respect the Dalit cause; the reservation given by the constitution is affirmative support," Sitharaman said. Hitting out at Rahul Gandhi, the Finance Minister said," Speaking in the parliament was the worst example. The issue was dragged along without allowing law and enforcement agencies to do their jobs; the matter was given political colour and tone." Vemula, a PhD scholar at the Hyderabad Central University, was found hanging from a ceiling fan in a hostel room on January 17, 2016. He was allegedly upset over disciplinary actions that were taken against him by the university. (ANI) The "anti-Hindu" face of Congress has been exposed, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said on Saturday, lambasting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for terming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's underwater prayers at the submerged ancient city of Dwarka "drama." Notably, PM Modi on February 25 dived into the Arabian Sea off the coast of Gujarat to perform underwater prayers at the ancient site of Lord Krishna's Dwarka city. Poonawalla also questioned the silence of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav over the "insult to Lord Krishna". "The anti-Hindu face of the Congress has been exposed. On one hand, the PM, a Krishna devotee, goes to Dwarka and offers prayers under the sea. On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi mocks it and calls it a drama. Recently, Kharge was creating a rift between Ram and Shiva devotees. Statements like 'Sanatan is a disease', all of this is coming from Congress and its allies. After opposing PM Modi, the Congress is now opposing Lord Krishna. Those who call themselves 'Yaduvanshi' like Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav are silent," Poonawalla said. "They (Congress) have not just come out with a Muslim League manifesto, but their manifestation is also like the Muslim League. The anti-Hindu hatred in their manifestation is now obvious," he added. On Friday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that Prime Minister Modi had made a joke of politics. "Kabhi Pakistan ki baat karega kabhi samundar ke neeche jaake drama karega...mazaak bana rakha hai rajneeti ka" (Sometimes he speaks about Pakistan, sometimes he goes underwater to do drama; he has made joke of politics), Gandhi said at the rally on Friday. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after the Wayanad MP had mocked the Prime Minister's visit to Dwarka on February 25 where he dived into the Arabian Sea off the coast of Gujarat to perform a puja. Prime Minister said that "Congress' Shehzada mocked his pooja at the holy site for vote bank politics". "Lord Krishna went to Gujarat from here (UP). I was born there and now I am in Uttar Pradesh. Kashi made me their MP. When I went to Dwarka, with full devotion I offered prayers but Congress' Shehzada said there is nothing as such to offer prayers. He is insulting the thousands-year-old tradition and our faith just for his vote bank politics. He said nothing lies under the seas. And I want to ask those who called themselves Yaduvanshi in Bihar, if you are a true Yaduvanshi then how are you sitting with a party that is insulting it," PM Modi said. (ANI) Cinch Wireline Services President Frank Thomas Tom Shumate, Jr., stands across the street from the Hipolito F. Garcia Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse before a hearing Friday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. He was later sanctioned for failing to turn over business records to the bankruptcy trustee. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News A bankruptcy judge has issued sanctions against the president of a San Antonio-area oil field services company involved in allegations that business records were burned after a subpoena was issued for them to be turned over. Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Craig Gargotta found that Frank Thomas Tom Shumate Jr., head of Marion-based Cinch Wireline Services LLC, has failed to cooperate with the bankruptcy trustee by not providing him the companys books and records or access to its assets as required by law. I dont want to puff up my importance, but when a federal judge tells you to cooperate, you cooperate, plain and simple, Gargotta said during a Friday hearing on the trustees request for sanctions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Craig Gargotta. Jessica Phelps / Jessica Phelps Gargotta said he will rule that trustee John Patrick "Pat" Lowe, who is administering the Chapter 7 case, is entitled to take possession of business records and computer servers, wherever they may be, as part of the sanctions. He also ruled that Lowe and his lawyers will have the right to access the Corpus Christi and Midland offices of Cinch and related businesses. A lawyer for the trustee told Gargotta that he was denied access April 19 in Corpus Christi, when Shumate's lawyer physically blocked his entrance. In addition, Gargotta gave the trustee the authority to conduct a forensic investigation of the areas in the Corpus Christi yard where Lowe alleges the records were burned. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The bankruptcy trustee administering Cinch Wineline Services LLCs Chapter 7 case alleges in a lawsuit that the companys books and records were burned on orders from its certified public accountant. A photo of the alleged burn pit was included with the lawsuit. court documents Marshals called Before issuing the sanctions, Gargotta informed Shumate that there were two federal marshals in the courtroom in the event he didnt agree to provide records and access to Lowe. "Im going to take a lunch break, and were going to get you your answers, Mr. Lowe, the judge said. If we dont get those answers by the time we resume back from lunch break, I will ask the U.S. marshals to remain here until we get those answers. After lunch, Butch Boyd, an attorney for Lowe, reported to the judge that Shumate complied with the instructions and agreed to give access. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In admonishing Shumate before the lunch break, Gargotta while pointing out he was making no findings said that if he thinks bankruptcy crimes have been committed, he will refer the case to the Justice Department. Last month, Lowe filed a lawsuit alleging Shumate, Executive Vice President Timothy Gaines Pollard and others have participated in a civil conspiracy involving the fraudulent transfer and theft of more than $50 million in assets prior to the companys Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing. As part of the lawsuit, Lowe said a Cinch employee allegedly set documents on fire and left them burning overnight at the Cinch property in Corpus Christi. The incinerated documents were then buried, the trustee alleges. The evidence strongly suggests that, at a minimum, Mr. Pollard and/or Mr. Shumate were complicit in the burning of those documents, Gargotta said. Last month, Pollard was indicted on 16 counts of failure to pay the IRS employment taxes related to his construction company. He has pleaded not guilty in that case. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The judge found that the burning of documents also involved Loretta Higgins, a certified public accountant handling Cinchs books, who had been subpoenaed to turn over records. Cinch Wireline Services President Frank Thomas Tom Shumate, Jr., arrives at the Hipolito F. Garcia Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse for a bankruptcy court hearing Friday. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Contempt threat Gargotta noted that hes been involved in bankruptcy courts for 35 years as a law clerk, assistant U.S. attorney and for the past 17 years as a judge and cannot recall such difficulty in the trustee obtaining books and records. The judge indicated he also will consider monetary sanctions against Shumate after presented with evidence by Lowe's lawyers. They are seeking $10,000 for fees related to their efforts to get the business records. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Shumate appeared in court for the first time Friday under the judges order. He was facing the possibility of a contempt of court hearing if hed failed to show. He answered questions from the witness stand for a little more than two hours, indicating he took a hands-off approach to Cinch and let others run the business. Boyd asked Shumate if he had read court documents in various litigation involving some of his businesses. Sir, I dont have a college education, Shumate answered. Me reading all this right here, I dont understand what Im reading a lot of times. I didnt go to law school. I pay attorneys to do this. I dont know how to read and understand half of this. He blamed Cinchs bankruptcy on a former employee he has accused of stealing $4.5 million. If we had that $4.5 million that he stole today, none of us would be here, Shumate said. Id be about $5 million to $10 million richer if I never seen that man in my life. Cinch has listed no assets and about $3.2 million in debts in an amended petition. Friday was the fourth day of court proceedings on Lowes request for a preliminary injunction preventing defendants in his lawsuit from destroying records or taking assets that belong to the companys bankruptcy estate. The judge previously issued a temporary restraining order. The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on a plea challenging the Allahabad High Court's acquittal of Moninder Singh Pandher and Surendra Koli, accused in the 2005-06 Noida Nithari killings. A bench of Justices BR Gavai, Satish Chandra Sharma and Sandeep Mehta sought responses from the Uttar Pradesh government and others on an appeal filed by Pappu Lal, the father of one of the victim girls. In October last year, the Allahabad High Court acquitted Pandher and his domestic helper Surendra Koli in some of the cases concerning the Nithari killings and overturned the death penalty imposed on them by the trial court. It had acquitted Koli in 12 cases and Pandher in 2 cases, where they were earlier held guilty for murder and awarded the death penalty by the trial court in these cases. The CBI had registered 16 cases against Koli and Pandher over the rape and killing of girls that had shocked the nation. The case came to public attention in December 2006 when skeletons were discovered in a drain near a house in Nithari village, Noida. Pandher was the owner of the house and Koli was his domestic help. Koli was made an accused in all of the cases on various charges, including murder, abduction, rape, and the destruction of evidence. However, Pandher was named in six of them. Koli was convicted of committing multiple rapes and murders of various girls and was sentenced to death in more than 10 cases. (ANI) A male cheetah Pawan was rescued from Rajasthan's Karoli district under challenging conditions after after straying from Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh and crossing into Rajasthan, said an official statement on Saturday. The animal is being shifted to Kuno National Park and will be released in the wild. Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Director Lion Project in a statement said, "With an enormous crowd of onlookers and the animal cornered at the crest of the ravine after darting, the animal had to be handled physically to prevent it from tumbling over the ravine. After the successful rescue, the animal is being shifted to Kuno National Park and will be released in the wild." It is notable that Pawan was free-ranging in Kuno and crossed the inter-state boundary moving amidst a human-dominated landscape early today morning. "Considering the safety of the animal and the people, a decision was taken to rescue Pawan. Kuno National Park management extends its gratitude to the staff of the forest and police department of Rajasthan for their support in the operation," the statement added. (ANI) In his campaign to bolster support for BJP candidates, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reached the Guna Lok Sabha constituency of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday. He urged voters to throw their weight behind Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. CM Yogi extolled the achievements of both the Central Government and the Scindia family, imploring voters to turn out in large numbers to vote in their favour. During his address, he launched a scathing attack on the Congress Party, criticizing various provisions outlined in their manifesto, ranging from surveying the property of the majority to giving food preferences to minorities. CM Yogi remarked, "While Modi ji emphasises the importance of preserving heritage, Congress proposes taxing it. This stance suggests a stifling environment where discussions on revered sites like the Ram temple or Krishna temple would be discouraged." He continued, "They intend to survey your ancestors' income and confiscate half of their belongings under the guise of inheritance tax. The Congress wants to impose Aurangzeb's Jizya tax, which no Indian will accept." During the event, Jyotiraditya Scindia greeted CM Yogi by presenting him with an 'angvastra' and a statue of Lord Shri Ram. Directing his criticism towards the Congress further, CM Yogi emphasised the Modi government's commitment to honouring public trust, fostering a sense of security, and actively pursuing welfare initiatives for the underprivileged. "In contrast, the Congress manifesto embodies precisely the opposite ethos," he added. Reflecting on history, CM Yogi highlighted Aurangzeb's reign, infamous for its cruelty, particularly the imposition of the Jizya tax. He drew parallels to the present, criticising the inclusion of a similar tax proposal in the Congress manifesto. "While Modi ji advocates for heritage preservation, the Congress proposes a heritage tax. This Congress seeks to forcibly implement Aurangzeb's Jizya tax, which no Indian will accept," he added. CM Yogi emphasised that if Congress came to power, there could be endeavours to undermine the reservation quotas for both OBCs and Scheduled Castes. "Congress has done this in Karnataka," he remarked. He added that if the INDI alliance government, led by Congress, were to come into power, it would grant minorities the freedom to eat the food of their preference. "Congress has now stooped so low that it is talking about supporting cow slaughter in the country. Will you allow cow slaughter to happen on the land of Ram and Krishna?" Regarding the connection between Guna and Ayodhya, CM Yogi stressed the significance of Ayodhya's Ramjanmabhoomi movement, considering it a source of pride for Guna as well. "A leading voice in this movement was that of Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia ji. Despite her commitments, she remained actively engaged in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement." CM Yogi stated further, "Today you are fortunate that you have got Jyotiraditya Scindia, who has a vision of development as your leader." He lauded Scindia's significant role as the union minister in the unprecedented progress witnessed in the Civil Aviation sector, highlighting the doubling of airports from 74 to 150 during his tenure. Yogi added that it has contributed immensely to realising the Prime Minister's vision of making air travel accessible even to those wearing slippers. CM Yogi emphasised the overwhelming support for the return of the Modi government, stating, "There is a unanimous call across the nation for 'Phir ek bar Modi Sarkar.'" Reflecting on the progress achieved over the past decade, CM Yogi remarked, "More development has been witnessed in these 10 years than in the preceding 75 years. Previously, hunger was rampant, but now, 80 crore people receive free ration. No one is deprived of medical treatment." Enumerating the government's public welfare initiatives, the CM highlighted the opening of PM Jan Dhan accounts for 50 crore impoverished individuals, the provision of Kisan Samman Nidhi to 12 crore farmers, and the distribution of free LPG connections to 10 crore underprivileged individuals. He further stated that crores of people have received housing, and plans are in place to provide housing for those who are yet to receive it within the next 5 years. He called for collective efforts to build a self-reliant and developed India. Expressing confidence in an overwhelming victory for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, he declared, "Uttar Pradesh has resolved to adorn Modi ji with a garland consisting of all 80 beads. Now, I urge you to pledge your support to the Bharatiya Janata Party on all 29 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh." On this occasion, Madhya Pradesh BJP President BD Sharma, former minister and MLA Gopal Bhargava, Lok Sabha in-charge Shailendra Barua, convener Radheshyam Parikh, District President Alok Tiwari, former minister and MLA Brajendra Yadav, MLA Jagannath Singh Raghuvanshi, Jaspal Singh, Pratap Bhanu Singh, Sachin Chaudhary and other dignitaries were present. Meanwhile, Union Minister and BJP candidate Jyotiraditya Scindia lauded CM Yogi, describing today as a monumental occasion for Ashok Nagar in Guna. "Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ji graces us with his presence today. The footsteps of a figure who has set unprecedented records in development and progress have touched this land. While many may not be aware, there exists a familial and spiritual bond between Maharaj Yogi Adityanath ji and the Scindia family." He remarked that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's popularity extends across the nation, and his transformative efforts, focusing on development in Uttar Pradesh have earned him renown nationwide. "At the national level, we have a 'Karmayogi' in the form of PM Modi, and in Uttar Pradesh, we have Yogi ji. The convergence of 'Karmayogi' and 'Yogi' has occurred on the soil of Uttar Pradesh. Yogi ji serves as an exemplary figure for us. Inspired by the developmental strides made in Uttar Pradesh, we aspire to usher in a similar wave of progress in Guna," he said. (ANI) Trinamool Congress (TMC) General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee warned that if the central leadership of the BJP does not issue an apology to the people of the state within 48 hours, it will be interpreted that the BJP devised a plan to belittle West Bengal. "I will tell the leaders of the Centre that if you do not apologize to the people of Bengal within forty-eight hours, otherwise (it is right to think that) this conspiracy was hatched on your instructions to belittle Bengal," he said. On Saturday, a video of a sting operation surfaced that has stirred up controversy in Sandeshkhali which was broadcast by a local television channel. In the alleged video, a person, purportedly a BJP Mandal (booth) president named Gangadhar Koyal is heard saying that Sandeshkhali women, who weren't sexually assaulted, were projected as 'rape' victims at the behest of the LoP. Claiming that Suvendu 'helped' him get this done, the person in the video said that the former told him that the TMC's strongmen in the area wouldn't be arrested unless he is falsely implicated in a "rape case". However, the news channel that broke the alleged sting operation did not check the veracity of the clip. Earlier in the day, while sharing a clip from the alleged sting operation, TMC leader and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, claimed on his official X handle that the people should see through the BJP's attempts to tarnish Bengal's image and reputation to advance and achieve its political ends. "I am shocked beyond words to see the Sandeshkhali sting video. Every citizen must witness the Bangla Birodhi BJP's orchestrated attempt to defame and malign WB for their petty political ends. This abhorrent act epitomises the grossest abuse of power in history. Shame!," Abhishek posted from his official X handle on Saturday. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, too, posted about the alleged sting video from her official X handle, stating, "The shocking Sandeshkhali sting shows how deep the rot is within the BJP. In their hatred for Bengal's progressive thought & culture, the Bangla-Birodhis orchestrated a conspiracy to defame our state on every possible level. Never before in the history of India has a ruling party in Delhi tried to malign an entire state and its people. History will witness how Bengal will rise in rage against Delhi's conspiratorial regime & ensure their Bishorjon (they will be consigned to the waters)." "A viral video today exposed how the BJP left no stone unturned to malign Bengal. From "mass rape" to "arms seizure," every claim was BOUGHT and STAGED by none other than @SuvenduWB People won't forgive these Bangla-Birodhis. Bengal's mothers & sisters shall avenge this!" read a post on the TMC's official X handle. Shahjahan, the key Sandeshkhali accused, is currently behind bars in connection with the attack on a team of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) while it was in the process of raiding his residence in connection with the alleged ration scam. Earlier, a CBI team visited the Rajbari area of Sandeshkhali to probe land-grabbing charges against the now-expelled TMC strongman. He was arrested on February 29, 55 days after being on the run in connection with the assault on the ED team. Earlier, the Calcutta High Court, which has been arbitrating on the Sandeshkhali case, stated that the CBI, in its report, mentioned huge volumes of land-grabbing allegations and a lack of proper cooperation from the state authorities. The court also directed the state to deploy more staff to help with the investigation. The women of Sandeshkhali in the North 24 Parganas district came out on the streets earlier against the ruling TMC and Shahjahan, accusing the strongman and his aides of perpetrating gross excesses and atrocities on them while also gobbling up their land. Multiple women on the island accused Shajahan and his aides of "land-grab and sexual assault" under coercion. (ANI) The property is linked to a case of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS) that is registered in the police station Rajouri, the police said. As per the police, the property is related to the accused namely Vikal Chogga son of Vimal Chogga resident of Ward 12 Rajouri. He is booked in a case Under Section 8/21/22/25/27 - A of the NDPS Act in PS Rajouri. The said property comprising of four-storied business establishment is situated in the heart of the Rajouri city and is valued at around Rs 1.74 crore, police said. Police said that the mentioned accused had erected this empire from the money he accumulated by selling drugs to the local youths. One Eco car valued at Rs 7 lakh also stands attached in the case earlier, police said. The action of attachment/seizure of property was made by a police team headed by Additional SP Rajouri Musadiq Basu along with Deputy SP Headquarter Ashwani Sharma, Inspector Aejaz Ahmed Wani, PSI Sahil Choudhary along Executive Magistrate Sham Lal. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajouri Amritpal Singh said that "the Rajouri Police reiterates its commitment towards eradicating drugs peddling menace from society and tightening the noose against those involved in it. More similar action in times to come is expected, the SSP added. SSP Rajouri said that "there is a zero-tolerance policy of Jammu and Kashmir Police against drug peddlers and it is evident from massive action taken in the Rajouri district in the past." (ANI) Hours after JD (S) leader HD Revanna was taken into custody by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) officials, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that those who commit crimes need to be punished. "SIT is taking the action that needs to be taken. They are doing the work as per the law. Those people who commit crimes need to be punished," Kharge told ANI. Janata Dal (Secular) party leader HD Revanna was taken into custody by Special Investigation Team (SIT) officials in Karnataka on Saturday. The arrest is related to a kidnapping case filed against him at the KR Nagar police station in Bengaluru. Earlier, a special court for the People's Representative in Bengaluru rejected the interim bail application of JD(S) leader HD Revanna and JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna in connection with the alleged "obscene videos" case. HD Revanna has been booked on a charge of kidnapping in connection with the 'obscene video' case. The action was taken based on a complaint lodged by the son of a woman who was allegedly "abducted and sexually abused. "In his complaint filed with KR Nagar police in Mysuru, the man said his mother worked as a housemaid at HD Revanna's home for six years before returning to her village, where she worked as a daily wage labourer. The man later discovered a video allegedly depicting the sexual abuse of his mother by incumbent MP and Hassan Lok Sabha candidate Prajwal Revanna. He said that soon after the video was revealed, his mother went missing. He then filed a kidnapping complaint against HD Revanna and Babanna. The Holenarsipura MLA and his associate were booked under Sections 364A (kidnapping for ransom), 365 (kidnapping with intent to cause harm), and 34 (common intention) of the IPC. The FIR, registered by KR Nagar police, also lists HD Revanna as accused number one and another man, identified as Babanna, as accused number two. HD Revanna and his son, Prajwal Revanna, who is the sitting MP and candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha constituency, are facing a probe by a Special Investigative Team (SIT), constituted by the Karnataka government, over allegations of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation following a complaint by a woman who worked in their household. The FIR has been filed at the KR Nagar police station in Mysuru and a case under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 376(2)(N), 506, 354A(1), 354(B), and 354(c) and also under relevant sections of the Information Technology (IT) Act has been registered against the JD(S) leader. Revanna was booked in an alleged sexual harassment case on April 28 based on a complaint lodged with Holenarasipura Town police. The case was registered under sections 354A, 354D, 506, and 509 of the IPC on charges of sexual harassment, intimidation, and outraging the dignity of a woman. As per the complaint, the victim claimed that Prajwal Revanna and his father, HD Revanna, had sexually assaulted her. Prajwal Revanna is the grandson of party supremo and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda. The Karnataka government has constituted a Special Investigation Team to probe the alleged obscene video case against Prajwal Revanna. (ANI) The Congress hit back at actor-turned-politician and BJP leader Kangana Ranaut for her controversial remarks against its leaders Vikramaditya Singh and Rahul Gandhi and advised her to correct historical facts. While addressing a public rally in the Sundernagar area of Mandi Parliamentary Constituency, Kangana took a jibe at Vikramaditya Singh and Rahul Gandhi over dynasty politics and said that both of them have a magic stick for development and talk only about non-practical things. Responding to this, the Congress leaders dare Kangna to come up with facts and give data of any BJP leader who has contributed their personal property to the nation. The National Media Coordinator for the AICC, Amrit Kaur, said that wherever Kangana Ranaut goes, she creates a mess. "Wherever Kangana Ranaut goes, it just creates a mess. Earlier, she created a mess in Bollywood, and now she is creating a mess in Mandi. Her statements are ridiculous; I don't know how she was made a candidate from Mandi by the BJP. Earlier, Sunny Deol was MP and he did not appear after being elected, the same Kangana is going to do. People here want to know where she was during the Himachal floods. She is going to lose by a very big margin. She doesn't have anything to say; she is in frustration and is speaking badly about anything; she doesn't have any contribution to the state. I got to know that she had registered an FIR against her neighbours here; we don't want to give much importance to her," she said. Kaur said that Kangana should first check the facts about her party leaders and speak about dynastic politics. She also questioned her qualifications on which she got a BJP ticket from Mandi. "If she says that Rahul is interested in politics, I want to ask her what her contribution to the state is and on what basis she got a ticket from the BJP. What is the qualification for which you got a ticket and why will the people of the state vote for you instead of electing Vikramaditya Singh? She has been fighting and creating a mess everywhere; I want to ask her: will she create the same after she is going to get defeated?" Kaur added.The AICC spokesperson for Himachal Pradesh, Vikram Lohia, said that Kangana Ranaut is using very controversial, derogatory language and distorted facts about Indian history. "The language used by Kangan Ranaut is unfortunate. I want to tell you that the language you are trying to use is derogatory language against Indira, Sonia and Rahul ji. You claim to be the daughter of Himachal Pradesh and at the time of great need, you were not with the people of Himachal. You tried to earn money in Maharashtra and Mumbai instead of being supportive of the people," said Lohia. "You have been talking of dynasty politics; can't you see the family politics of Anurag Thakur in your party? I would appeal to the people of Himachal Pradesh to elect an MP who will remain with you and serve you. I hope the day will not come here where people will have to paste posters to find out MP," he added.Amit Bawa, National Media Coordinator of the AICC, said that Kangana Ranaut will have to correct the facts of history and the people of Mandi will reply to her through votes. "I would like to tell you that Kangana Ranaut has neither knowledge of Indian history nor does she know anything about the geography of Himachal Pradesh. She is talking about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel; it is a historical fact that he died in 1950. The Indian government was formed in 1952, and I got to hear her speech. I would suggest she read the history of classes 9 and 10. She says India gained independence in 2014, sometimes she compares Moti Lal Nehru and Jawaharlal Nehru with Adani and Ambani. On behalf of the people of the Mandi area of Himachal Pradesh, I want to ask her that Adani and Ambani are trying to capture the property of the nation and Moti Lal Nehru had donated his property for the growth of the country," Bawa said. "Apples and oranges can't be compared. She needs to correct her facts. The people of Mandi want to know her and make it clear in public in Mandi if she can name a single leader of the BJP who has donated land or property or a single penny for the country. We have numerous such people and leaders. During the disaster, our Chief Minister himself initiated to contribute to the flood-hit people in the state," he added. "I want to ask the BJP that they have been propagating 'Beti Bachao and Beti Padhao'; wrestlers were protesting against the BJP leader for sexual harassment and I want to ask Kangana Ranaut why she was mum and silent on this issue. She is questioning Sonia Gandhi ji; she sacrificed her husband for the nation and today she is there for the unity and integrity of the nation. As far as she talks about family politics, she should see Anurag Thakur first. Everyone knows the contribution of Virbhadra Singh in HP so there is no comparison of Kangna with Vikramaditya Singh here. The people of Mandi will reply in elections," Bawa said further. (ANI) Former Jammu and Kashmir DGP Shesh Paul Vaid slammed Pakistan after terrorists attacked an Indian Air Force convoy vehicle in the Poonch sector, stating that the neighbouring country will not tolerate seeing people of Jammu and Kashmir exercising their democratic right. "Information has been received that the Indian Air Force has been attacked in Mendhar Poonch. Five IAF personnel have been injured. Casualties are being feared. It is not surprising. Because the election tempo was building up in this area," said Shesh Paul Vaid in a video message posted on his official social media platform, X. Five Indian Air Force personnel are injured in the attack and getting treatment. In the area of the incident, Indian Air Force Garud Special Forces have been positioned. The Army and Jammu and Kashmir police troops are engaged in the operations against terrorists involved in the incident, according to security forces officials. "How can Pakistan establishment tolerate the fact that the people of Bharat especially Jammu and Kashmir will exercise their democratic right? They are denying democracy to their people. Special attention needs to be given to this area," added the former DGP of J-K. GD Bakshi (Defence Expert) told ANI, "From the last two-three years, we have seen that the Inter-Services Intelligence and Army of Pakistan is again reviving terrorism in the Rajouri-Poonch area. They are trying to infiltrate. Troops are alert. We have to hit across the border like the Balakot airstrike". The attack came ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in the Anantnag-Rajouri seat for the 2024 general elections. Troops who have sustained injuries in a terror attack in the Poonch sector in Jammu and Kashmir have been airlifted to Command Hospital, Udhampur for further treatment," Officials said. Terrorists attacked an Indian Air Force vehicle convoy in the Poonch sector in which military personnel have suffered injuries. The injured troops are undergoing treatment at a hospital. "The injured troops have been airlifted to Command Hospital, Udhampur for further treatment," Officials said. Following the attack, forces have stepped up patrolling and checking vehicles in the area. After the attack which took place in the evening around the Shah Sitar area in Poonch sector security forces launched a search and cordon operation, security forces' officials said. "An Indian Air Force vehicle convoy was attacked by terrorists in the Poonch district," officials said. They said that the local Rashtriya Rifles unit has started cordon and search operations in the area. Officials further said the vehicles have been secured inside the air base in the general area near Shahsitar. The elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being held in five phases from April 19 to May 20. (ANI) Congress President Malikarjun Kharge extended condolences over the death of personnel of the Indian Air Force in a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. In a post on X, Kharge wrote, "Deeply pained by the cowardly terror attack on the IAF vehicle in Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir. We strongly and unequivocally condemn this dastardly terror attack and join the nation in standing together against terrorism." "Our deepest condolences to the family of the brave air warrior who made the supreme sacrifice. We hope that the injured air warriors recover at the earliest and earnestly pray for their well-being. India is united for our soldiers," he added. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also extended condolences over the death of personnel of the Indian Air Force. Condemning the attack by terrorists on the Air Force's convoy, Rahul Gandhi in a post on X, wrote, "The cowardly terrorist attack on our Army convoy in Poonch of Jammu and Kashmir is extremely shameful and sad," Rahul Gandhi said. "I pay my humble tribute to the martyred soldier and express my condolences to his bereaved family. I hope that the soldiers injured in the attack recover as soon as possible," he added. An Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel was killed and four others were injured in a terror attack in Jammu's Poonch district on Saturday evening. The area where the attack took place falls between Surankote's Sanai Top and Mendhar's Gursai area in the border district. "An Indian Air Force vehicle convoy was attacked by terrorists in the Poonch district," officials said. The injured personnel were evacuated to Udhampur for treatment on IAF choppers, where one of them succumbed. After the attack that took place, security forces launched a search and cordon operation, security forces' officials said. They said that the local Rashtriya Rifles unit has started cordon and search operations in the area. Officials further said the vehicles have been secured inside the air base in the general area near Shahsitar. The elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being held in five phases from April 19 to May 20. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Pathanamthitta Anil K Antony on Saturday exuded confidence in his party's victory and said this election is rare because a two-time sitting PM is going for the third election, and there is zero anti-incumbency. Lauding BJP, he said, "We are making gains everywhere... Even in Kerala, we are going to see a historic performance... We are in a winning position in Wayanad also." Meanwhile, hitting out at the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his decision to contest from Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli, his opponent in Kerala's Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, Annie Raja, CPI candidate, said it is an "injustice to voters." Annie Raja said that it is about political morality and by not informing the Wayanad voters of his intention, Gandhi was being "unjust" to them. "In a parliamentary democracy, an individual can contest from more than one seat so he is using that democratic right. Now his filing nomination from Raebareli is an injustice to the voters of Wayanad. It is unjust to the voters because he never mentioned even once that he intends to contest another seat simultaneously. It is about political morality," the CPI leader told ANI on Friday. "It is important that you speak truth to the voters and then they will decide whom to vote for," she added. She further said that Gandhi contesting from Raebareli and not from Amethi is not any "political issue" nor does it "make any difference in a democratic setup". "This is a democratic setup and no constituency is permanent for any candidate. We are in this for five years and then the next election will be announced. So you can fight from anywhere," Annie Raja said. (ANI) Annasofia Scheve covers trending news for the Express-News. She can be reached at Annasofia.Scheve@express-news.net. Annasofia has bachelor's degrees in journalism and political science from the University of Missouri. She is an Ohio native, and wrote for Cincinnati Magazine and the Cincinnati Enquirer before joining the Express-News in 2023. Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was turned away from a polling station during the United Kingdom's local elections due to his forgetfulness regarding ID, a requirement he himself had introduced while in office, CNN reported. Polling station officials had to refuse Johnson's attempt to vote in South Oxfordshire on Thursday when he arrived without the necessary photo ID, CNN reported, citing PA media. Johnson made a subsequent trip back with the required identification and successfully cast his vote. The mandate for photo ID in voting was established under Johnson's Conservative government through the Elections Act 2022, a move that garnered significant criticism upon its inception. The UK's Electoral Commission cautioned in 2023 that the requirement could disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of individuals, particularly affecting the unemployed and ethnic minorities. A report from a cross-party group of Parliament members in March echoed concerns, highlighting the risk of millions of voters being disenfranchised in future elections due to flaws in the electoral registration system. It pointed out that the ID requirement restricted voting access, especially since only certain forms of ID were deemed acceptable, according to CNN. Among those affected by the ID policy on Thursday was army veteran Adam Diver, who expressed disappointment when his veterans' ID card was rejected at the polling station. Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer extended an apology to Diver, acknowledging the timing mismatch between the ID issuance and the legislation. He pledged efforts to rectify the situation before the next opportunity arose. The local elections, spanning more than 100 councils and various mayoral positions, unfolded across the country on Thursday. Preliminary results, with roughly a third of the outcomes announced, indicated substantial losses for the ruling party, including over 100 council seats and a parliamentary seat in a by-election. These outcomes align with national polls, which depict Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his party trailing significantly. Moreover, the results signal a potential victory for the opposition Labour Party in a hypothetical general election held imminently, CNN reported. (ANI) A Chinese media organisation, Caixin Media, is distancing itself from participating in Asia's high-profile journalism award, Nikkei Asia reported. According to the same news report, this move is being initiated by the Chinese media organisation due to rising domestic pressure on those seen to be cooperating with foreign entities. While quoting senior members Nikkei Asia report mentioned that Caixin Media, which won the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) awards for five straight years from 2014 to 2018, has stopped submitting entries in recent years "for obvious reasons," two senior staff members at the company told. "We cannot submit, even if we get invitations from overseas organizations, we just cannot participate," said one of them. SOPA was founded in Hong Kong as a not-for-profit organisation in 1982, aiming to champion the best journalism practices in the Asia-Pacific region. Its members include Bloomberg, The New York Times, and several Taiwanese media outlets. State media China Daily used to be a member too. Similarly, Shanghai-based Sixth Tone, launched by The Paper, a digital news outlet run by the state-owned Shanghai United Media Group in 2016, also did not submit any entries this year. Both The Paper and Sixth Tone dropped out of SOPA membership this year as well. The change follows a management overhaul late last year when Shanghai United Media Group set up a Shanghai Global News Network in October. Sixth Tone has since been a part of the network and is no longer under the supervision of The Paper, a senior executive from Shanghai United Media Group told Nikkei. In reference to another media organisation 'The World of Chinese' dropping out Nikkei Asia quoted local sources claiming that "In the current political atmosphere, participating in overseas awards certainly carries political risks. I understand the choice made by the Chinese media, as survival is more important," said one prominent journalism professor in Hong Kong, who asked not to be named. Furthermore, the professor also claimed that "there are not many Chinese-language entries in SOPA already. If more Chinese language media drop out of the awards, it may have some impact on the authority of SOPA itself." However, the SOPA did not comment when asked for a comment by Nikkei Asia. The same report claimed that, Chinese media organisations Caixin and Sixth Tone have come under serious scrutiny from nationalists for their sometimes critical reporting of Beijing. Moreover, Caixin's investigative reporting has been repeatedly attacked by nationalists for "handing a knife" -- a Chinese idiom referring to providing someone with weapons to fuel criticism of another party -- to the West to "smear China." Sixt Tone on the other hand, in several of its reports reviewing the oppressive Zero-COVID measures, used words like "baby bust," "housing crisis," "gender violence," and "COVID" which highlighted a gloomy picture of the country. The project triggered a backlash from nationalists, who attacked the outlet for "frequently winning the West-acknowledged international awards such as SOPA" with "a clear Western filter that smears China." "The current situation is that submission for international awards like SOPA is not allowed from above, and those below are also scared to submit" a senior executive of Sixth Tone stated. He also informed Nikkei Asia that after the attack by nationalists on their outlet Shanghai, the authorities asked to write self-reflections. Luwei Rose Luqiu, an associate professor at Hong Kong Baptist University, said Chinese media's distance from SOPA indicates a further tightening of press freedom in the country, to the point where even the space for Chinese English media, which used to be relatively lenient and aimed to align with international peers, is narrowing, the report mentioned. "However, for Chinese media, whether to participate in SOPA has little impact because such awards do not affect their readership," she added. (ANI) "In the past 18 months, I've maintained readiness for talks, but not for deals," Khan affirmed, highlighting his stance against fleeing the country, contrasting it with the actions of figures like Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif. Rejecting negotiations with certain political entities, Khan clarified, "We are ready to hold talks with everyone, except three political parties - PML-N, PPP, and MQM-P," as reported by ARY News. Addressing the government's tactics, Khan accused it of exerting pressure through fabricated cases, citing the Toshakhana case as an instance of political victimization. Referring to legal proceedings, Khan pointed out discrepancies, noting dismissals of references against Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari while alleging government efforts to prolong proceedings in the cipher case. In a plea to the judiciary, Khan urged swift adjudication, cautioning against protracted proceedings. He decried what he termed as government attempts to orchestrate "drama" in the fake marriage case. Responding to speculations, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan clarified that no messages for dialogue had been received, affirming Imran Khan's stance. "We will publicly confirm if we receive any invitation for talks," he asserted. Rejecting clandestine negotiations with the incumbent government, Gohar Khan emphasised PTI's commitment to transparency, categorically denying any prospect of "secret talks," ARY News reported. (ANI) India and Sweden held the 7th session of Foreign Office Consultations in Stockholm on Friday and welcomed the progress in all areas of bilateral cooperation and deliberated on the way forward in priority sectors of innovation and sustainability, trade and investment. During the talks, India and Sweden stressed on the need to focus on new emerging technologies like semiconductors, green steel and green batteries. The two nations discussed security aspects, including cyber security and counter terrorism and agreed to consider having joint collaborations in the defence sector, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release. In a press release, MEA stated, "Both sides welcomed the progress in all areas of bilateral cooperation and deliberated on the way forward in priority sectors of Innovation & sustainability, trade & investment and stressed on the need to focus on new emerging technologies like semiconductors, green steel and green batteries." "The contribution of LeadIT under India Sweden Industry Transition Partnership in combating climate change found a special mention. The two sides also discussed security aspects including cyber security and counter terrorism and also agreed to consider having joint collaborations in the defence sector," it added. For the meeting, the Indian side was led by Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Pavan Kapoor and the Swedish side was led by Jan Knutsson, State Secretary, Sweden's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, the officials appreciated the robust and fast growing economic ties and noted the importance of holding the India Sweden Innovation bridge, India Sweden Innovation day and India Sweden Sustainability day and termed it an "important step" towards enhancing business to business relations. The two sides appreciated the presence of a large Indian community in the Sweden, which forms an important link which they stressed forms an important link between two nations. India and Sweden expressed satisfaction over the growing cooperation to further strengthen India-EU bilateral cooperation. The two sides agreed to hold the next round of consultations at a mutually convenient date in New Delhi. In a press release, MEA stated, "They exchanged views on cooperation in the reform of the UNSC especially in the build up to the Summit of the Future." "They noted with satisfaction the growing cooperation to further strengthen India-EU bilateral cooperation and emphasized the need for early conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-EU FTA. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest," it added. The ties between India and Sweden were established in 1949 and are foundedon shared democratic values. 2023 marked 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Sweden, according to Indian Embassy in Sweden statement. India and Sweden have had longstanding close relations based on common values, strong business, investment and research and development (R&D) linkages and similar approaches to meet global challenges of peace & security and development. (ANI) The warship, INS Sumedha deployed for anti-piracy operations in the Arabian Sea, intercepted fishing vessel Al Rahmani in early hours of April 30, according to the statement released by Indian Navy Spokesperson on X. The ship's boarding team and medical specialists boarded the fishing vessel and rendered medical acceptance to the crew member. The Spokesperson stated, "In a swift response to a distress call, #INSSumedha, mission deployed for #antipiracy ops in the #ArabianSea provided critical medical assistance to an Iranian FV (with 20 Pakistani crew), for a near drowning case of one of its crew member." "Responding swiftly to the distress call, INS Sumedha intercepted FV Al Rahmani in early hours of #30Apr 24. Ship's boarding team & medical specialists boarded the FV & rendered medical assistance to the crew member, who was experiencing laboured breathing with active seizures," it added. The Indian Navy Spokesperson said that the patient after medical management was conscious and relieved clinically. "Post medical management, the patient was oriented, conscious and relieved clinically. Relentless efforts by mission deployed units of #IndianNavy symbolises its steadfast commitment towards safeguarding and assisting seafarers operating in the region," Indian Navy Spokesperson posted on X. On April 28, Indian warship, INS Kochi, responded to the maritime security incident involving an attack on a Panama-flagged crude oil tanker, MV Andromeda Star PM, Indian Navy said in a statement. (ANI) The distressed oil tanker was intercepted by the Indian Navy ship and an aerial recce was carried out by the Indian Navy helicopter to assess the situation. Additionally, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was also deployed onboard the distressed vessel for residual risk assessment. A total of 30 crew (including 22 Indian nationals) are reported to be safe and the vessel is continuing its scheduled transit to the next port, the Indian Navy said in its statement. "The swift action of IN ship reiterates the commitment and resolve of the Indian Navy in safeguarding the seafarers plying through the region," it added. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has rejected recent remarks by US President Joe Biden describing India as "xenophobic" and emphasised that the country has been open and welcoming to people from diverse societies. Speaking to the Economic Times, Jaishankar also refuted the allegation that the Indian economy was faltering. The Union Minister said that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government showcases India's welcoming approach. On April 2, Biden had said the "xenophobic" nature of India, China, Japan and Russia is responsible for their economic troubles and argued that America's economy is growing because it welcomes immigrants to its soil. He made the statement while campaigning for his re-election at Washington fundraising event and argued that Japan, along with Russia and China, would perform better economically if the countries embraced immigration more. "Why? Because we welcome immigrants. We look to -- the reason -- look, think about it. Why is China stalling so badly economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia? Why is India? Because they're xenophobic. They don't want immigrants," Biden said. Jaishankar said in the interview published on Saturday said, "First of all, our economy is not faltering." "India is always... India has been a very unique country... I would say actually, in the history of the world, that it's been a society which has been very open... different people from different societies come to India," he said. Jaishankar stated that Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government showcases India's welcoming approach. He said, "That's why we have the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act), which is to open up doors for people who are in trouble... I think we should be open to people who have the need to come to India, who have a claim to come to India." Rejecting the criticism of CAA, Jaishankar said, "There are people who publicly said on record that because of CAA, a million Muslims will lose their citizenship in this country." He further said, "Why are they not being held to account? Because nobody has lost citizenship." During the roundtable on The Economic Times, Jaishankar also spoke on the ongoing anti-Israel protests in American university campuses and criticised a section of the Western media for its biased coverage, suggesting that it is "very ideological" and not "objective" reporting. He said that this section of media wants to shape the global narrative and is targeting India. In response to a question on reports claiming India's involvement in targeted killings of terrorists in Pakistan, Jaishankar said, "Terrorists are there in large numbers. Statistically, where they will be in large numbers, things will happen to them. Now they have created an industry which is the terrorist's industry... things could happen there." Meanwhile, hours after Biden termed India, Japan and other nations, "xenophobic," the White House clarified the President's intentions, emphasising his "respect" for allies and partners. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre asserted that the President's comments were part of a broader message emphasising the strength derived from America's immigrant heritage. She stressed that Biden's focus remains on bolstering diplomatic relationships with nations such as India and Japan, evident in his actions over the past three years. "Obviously, we have a strong relationship with, India with Japan, and the President if you just look at the last three years has certainly focused on those diplomatic relationships," she said.(ANI) Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman has announced that his party would hold a "grand event" at the Lahore's tower Minar-i- Pakistan on September 7 this year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1974 decision that declared Ahmadis as non-Muslims. He made the remarks in a conference held on the Palestinian issue. Maulana Fazr-ur-Rehman, a prominent politician, who served as Pakistan's Leader of the Opposition from 2004 until 2007. He said, "7 September, 2024....this will be the 50th anniversary of declaring Ahmadis as non-Muslims in 1974 and. On this day, I announce that the golden jubilee will be celebrated at Minar-e-Pakistan. The whole country will participate in it." The ongoing hostility of the Pakistani state toward Ahmadi community and other religious minorities in the country has given people like Maulana Fazl-ur- Rehman more confidence. Minority communities in Pakistan, including Ahmadis, Christians, Hindus, and others, have experienced persecution and targeted violence in addition to discrimination in the workplace and educational system. The Ahmadi community, which was officially declared non-Muslims four decades ago is increasingly under attack. Furthermore, there are instances of hate speech, conspiracy theories, and anti-semitic propaganda in some spheres of Pakistani society, such as the media, religious discourse, and online forums. JUI-F chief defended the Hamas attack on Israel, saying it was carried out to make the world aware of the plight of Palestinians. He said, "Hamas attack has again highlighted the Palestine cause. The struggle to liberate Palestine has started again. The other side will not be ready to take steps back, but the world sees the action of Hamas as a step towards the liberation of Palestine." On October 7, Hamas terrorists stormed into nearby Israeli towns in an unprecedented surprise attack. They kidnapped several people and killed dozens of more. Following this, Hamas launched a counter-offensive against Israel. Earlier in April, Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP), a non-government organisation (NGO) from Pakistan had raised its voice, for the protection of minorities, their properties, and worship places, the HRPF said in a statement. The NGO expressed severe concern, highlighting the recent attacks on churches, Hindu temples, Ahmadiyya's mosques, and minority towns and the grabbing of agricultural land, homes, graveyards, and worship places, among other properties. HRFP noted that the violations are increasing day-by-day, however, there are no strategies or policies to stop such violation. (ANI) While observing World Press Freedom Day, media bodies voiced concerns over the state of free media in Pakistan, with a focus particularly on mainstream media and social media restrictions during election days, Pakistan-based Dawn reported. The Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) has committed to continue the constitutional and legal struggle for freedom of expression in Pakistan and face unfavourable circumstances head-on. In a statement, AEMEND said that journalists and media outlets in Pakistan face severe challenges, as state and non-state actors have been placing restrictions on television programmes, shutting down broadcasts, pressing for the termination of journalists, creating unnecessary pressures, and making illegal demands. AEMEND said, "Such tactics are increasing by the day," adding, "Character assassination of journalists, especially women journalists, is part of this campaign, and political party workers are also part of such malicious campaigns," according to Dawn report. It said these tactics are aimed to suppress journalists and restrict freedom of expression. AEMEND further said that illegal restrictions on social media, sending notices to journalists and other institutions, shutting down mobile phone and internet services on important occasions, restricting the coverage of targeted political and non-political activities and the issuance of illegal notices by PEMRA are actions taken to deprive people of their right to information, which it stressed is against the spirit of democratic societies. In its South Asia Press Freedom Report, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said that four journalists were murdered and women journalists in Pakistan faced harassment online and offline. The IFJ further said, "Pakistan's women journalists faced similar harassment both online and offline; they are in a minority, and their voices are unheard," Dawn reported. Meanwhile, the Freedom Network has released its annual Pakistan Freedom of Expression and Media Report 2024 titled as "Erosion of free speech: The silencing of citizens, political parties, and media." In the report, it highlighted Pakistan's socio-political-legal and media industry-related factors and developments affecting the freedom of expression by the people and media, according to Dawn report. On May 3, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan called on the government to ensure fair treatment to journalists and protect them, stated a press release from the organisation. In a statement, HRCP demanded that the government should ensure fair and timely remuneration for journalists and media workers, develop mechanisms to protect against attacks, hold accountable those responsible for their illegal detention, and protect the right to freedom of expression. the HRCP raised concerns over recent threats given to Hamid Mir for advocating free speech. The same statement claimed that the state and law enforcement agencies have taken no steps to hold the perpetrators accountable. The HRCP demanded that "such oppressive and heinous tactics must stop. Freedom of the press, which is considered the fourth pillar of the state, is indispensable for the stability of a healthy democracy. It said that the state must demonstrate its commitment to protecting the freedom of the press, and ensure the rights to life, job security, freedom of expression, and fair wages for all journalists and media workers, especially dissidents. (ANI) Judge Arshad Javed ordered the police to ensure the appearance of nine suspects in the Jinnah House attack case, and five others in the Askari Tower case on May 15. Moreover, the judge also ordered the suspects to furnish fresh bail bonds before appearing in court. The suspects include Attaur Rehman, Abdul Rehman, Ikramullah, Abdul Hadi, Amanullah, Ali Hassan, Shahbaz Siddique, Rubina Rizwan, Irfan Jamil, Saeed Shah, Mohsin Gull Agha and Muhammad Parvez, according to Dawn. Earlier on Friday, an ATC granted interim pre-arrest bail to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf former leaders Jamshed Iqbal Cheema and his wife Musarrat Iqbal Cheema in seven more cases related to the May 9 riots and further directed them to join the investigation. Judge Arshad Javed approved the bail petitions of Cheema and his wife until May 21, subject to the furnishing of surety bonds worth Rs 100,000. Moreover, they had sought bail in the cases of attacks on Askari Tower, Shadman police station, party offices of the PML-N and others, Dawn reported. Earlier in February, the couple had surrendered before the court as they had been declared proclaimed offenders in several cases of May 9 riots against them. During the May 9 riots, military installations were attacked by 'PTI workers' after the arrest of the former prime minister Imran Khan. Last month, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on Wednesday filed a plea seeking acquittal in the May 9 violence case, Pakistan-based ARY News reported. Imran Khan's lawyer Naeem Panjutha, appeared before the court and filed a plea for the PTI founder's acquittal. (ANI) Striking against the freedom of speech and expression, Pakistan's paramilitary Frontier Corps opened fire at the people protesting peacefully in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. Prominent Baloch activist, Mahrang Baloch also shared about the firing by the Pakistan security forces and called it a sheer violation of the public's fundamental right to protest and peaceful assembly. Mahrang expressed her condolences to the injured on X and said, "Disturbing to hear the paramilitary Frontier Corps has opened fire on peaceful protesters in Chaman. This is a sheer violation of the public's fundamental right to protest and peaceful assembly. My condolences and solidarity are with those affected by violence perpetrated by state institutions. Chaman sit-in protesters demand should be addressed." Four people were killed and twenty-one others were injured on Saturday in a shooting by Pakistani military forces, TOLO News reported. TOLO News is an Afghan news channel and website broadcasting from Kabul. Officials of the Chaman protest movement stated that this incident occurred following protests due to the blockage of the Spin Boldak-Chaman crossing. TOLO News reported that Sadiq Khan Achakzai, a member of the Chaman protest movement, told TOLOnews that Pakistani military forces opened fire on protesters on Saturday afternoon during a break for bread and prayers. Maulana Mohammad Yousuf, spokesperson and advisor of the Chaman protest movement, told TOLOnews that the attack by the Pakistani military is unacceptable. Maulana Mohammad Yousuf said, "The martyrs have fallen, and some of the injured have been transferred to Quetta while others are still here. We condemn this action by the government {of Pakistan} and demand that the government accept the people of Chaman's request legally and put an end to their injustice." Pakistani military forces set fire to the tents of protesters and imprisoned more than 50 of them, TOLO News reported. It is reported that demonstrations against the killing of protesters by Pakistani military forces are still ongoing, and members of this movement have said they will continue these protests to obtain their rights. (ANI) Liz Teitz covers environmental news and the Hill Country for the San Antonio Express-News. She writes about the San Antonio Water System, news in New Braunfels and Comal County and water issues around Central Texas. She can be reached at liz.teitz@express-news.net. Liz joined the Express-News in June 2023. She has been a reporter for eight years, covering housing, government, education and other topics for the Ouray County Plaindealer, Hearst Connecticut Media Group and the Beaumont Enterprise. Liz grew up in Rhode Island and graduated from Georgetown University. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said that India has "very strongly countered" China by deploying thousands of troops along LAC and emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government will never compromise when it comes to national security. Addressing an event in Bhubaneshwar on Saturday, Jaishankar, underscoring tensions with China, said that in the last four years, attempts have been made to put pressure on India by bringing a lot of troops to the Line of Actual Control. He added that thousands of Indian army troops are deployed there to counter. "We have very strongly countered it. Today, thousands of troops of the Indian Army are on deployment in the line of LAC alongside China. We are very clear; we are there, we are strong, and we are deployed," he said. Praising the Indian armed forces, Jaishankar noted that any action we have to take as per the circumstances, "our armed forces will naturally be the best judge of it." "When it comes to national security, the Modi government will never make a compromise, it can be cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, it can be pressure on the border from China. It can be terrorism we had in the past from the Myanmar border before we did the land boundary agreement, even from Bangladesh," he said. EAM emphasised, "We are very clear for us, Bharat first: security first. There is no compromise." Earlier this year, Jaishankar stated that he had told his Chinese counterpart that unless they found a solution on the border, they should not expect the relations between the two countries to be normal. He said that China violated the agreement in 2020 and brought troops to the LAC and India has to keep its defence in check. "I have explained to my Chinese counterpart that unless you find a solution on the border, if the forces will remain face-to-face and there will be tension, then you should not expect that the rest of the relations will go on in a normal manner; it is impossible," he said, adding, "It's not like you can fight here and also do business with us, you can't do that." When asked about whether the harsh relations between India and China will affect the overall important relationship between the two countries, he explained that both countries have had some agreements since the war in 1962. However, China violated those agreements. (ANI) Russian leader Valeria Gorokhova, visited Chattisgarh from May 2 to 4 as part of the international programme "Know BJP," organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party. The delegation comprises diplomatic representatives from Israel, Nepal, Uganda, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Vietnam, the Russian Embassy stated. The delegations were acquainted in Raipur and were detailed with the activities of the local branch of the BJP. They were told about the features of preparations for the third stage of the general elections, scheduled to be held on May 7. Moreover, the delegations were also introduced to the local leadership of the party and functionaries of its youth and women's organisations, the Russian Embassy said. Participants in the programme were invited as guests of honour to large-scale election roadshows of the BJP in Raipur and Takhatpur as well as to a meeting with prominent public figures of the state capital in the format of live communication. Chattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy CM Arun Sao organised separate receptions, during which "Valeria Gorokhova discussed with the state leadership the prospects for the development of inter-party cooperation among the regions.," the release stated. During campaign events, the BJP functionaries repeatedly emphasised to voters the friendly relations of India with Russia. Moreover, the Indian colleagues demonstrated a high level of hospitality and willingness to expand bilateral dialogue with Russia in various spheres. (ANI) In its statement, the military media wing said that it was during an intelligence-based operation conducted by them that the report of terrorists' presence in the region came to the fore. The military's media wing in a statement stated that the security forces conducted an IBO on the reported presence of terrorists in the North Waziristan area. "The security forces personnel gunned down six terrorists after an intense exchange of fire, while the hideouts of terrorists were also destroyed during the operation," the ISPR said, according to ARY News. The slain militants were responsible for the targeted killing of several residents in North Waziristan. The law and order across Pakistan continue to remain in a deteriorated state as violence, targeted killings, and blasts have become the new normal. Last week, four terrorists were killed in an IBO in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's (KP) Khyber district. According to the military's media wing, security personnel carried out an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Khyber district due to the reported presence of terrorists. In an intense exchange of fire, not only the terrorists were killed as a part of the operation but their hideouts were also destroyed. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from them, the ISPR said, according to ARY News. There has been an increase in terrorist activity across the country, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the proscribed militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan's truce with the government expired in November 2022. (ANI) The residents claim that the Taliban took five community leaders in order to discuss the demands put forth by protesters, however now their fate remains unknown. Anti-Taliban protests in Darayim, Badakhshan, began on Friday, May 3; according to Badakhshan villagers, after the initial protests, Taliban fighters resorted to firing at the people to quell them, killing at least one person. Protesters reported that after this individual's death, Darayim residents continued their march, according to Khaama Press. According to the Khaama Press report, demonstrations started after Taliban fighters invaded the housing area with the intention of burning poppy fields but instead "molested women in their homes." Local Taliban authorities confirmed that one person was killed in these protests. Meanwhile, several videos circulating online showcased protesters in Badakhshan saying they do not want the Taliban's "Islamic Emirate" in this province. Furthermore, demonstrators in Darayim, Badakhshan, claim that Taliban members harass and threaten the residents of this district, street by street and home by house. According to one demonstrator, the Taliban violate the "honour, religion, and privacy" of the people. These demonstrators accuse the Taliban of destroying people's houses and inflicting oppression and injustice on them. As of now, Taliban leaders in Kabul have not responded to the demonstrators in Badakhshan's Darayim area. (ANI) WSO2, a company that provides API management and identity and access management (IAM) services for enterprises, has been acquired by Swedish investment giant EQT. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but TechCrunch has learned via sources that the deal values WSO2 at "more than" $600 million, with EQT attaining a "significant majority" stake for the price. WSO2's products include an open source API manager, comparable to something like Google's Apigee, which businesses use for building and integrating all their digital services, either in the cloud or on-premises. The company offers tangential services such as API management specifically for Kubernetes, as well as its flagship Identity Server a little something like Okta that companies use for managing identity and access functionality in their apps, such as single sign-on (SSO). WSO2, which was founded out of Sri Lanka in 2005, had raised around $130 million in funding from the likes of Intel, Cisco and Goldman Sachs, with its most recent tranche coming via a $93 million Series E round in 2022. An official valuation was never announced, but articles from some outlets at the time reported a valuation of more than $600 million. So that would mean WSO2 has remained somewhat stagnant, though the "more than" facet here could disguise some movement in the company's valuation. A strong track record WSO2 co-founder and CEO Sanjiva Weerawarana has a strong track record in the open source sphere, particularly among Apache Software Foundation projects, and he was one of the main designers of the cloud-native Ballerina programming language. Since 2017, Weerawarana also drives for Uber, which he says is designed to "challenge the norm" and make it more socially acceptable in his native Sri Lanka. WSO2 is a fairly well-distributed company, in keeping with the ethos of other businesses founded around open source. While the company counts a U.S. HQ in Santa Clara, and many of its senior leadership team are spread across the U.S., its center of gravity lies in Sri Lanka where much of its workforce is located including Weerawarana, who's based in the capital Colombo. With that in mind, it's worth noting that the acquisition was actually made by an EQT subsidiary called EQT Private Capital Asia, formerly known as Baring Private Equity Asia, which EQT procured in 2022 for 6.8 billion to serve as its private equity vehicle for Asia. With a global spread of customers that include AT&T, Honda and Axa, this is something that EQT Private Capital Asia partner Hari Gopalakrishnan says was a key part of its decision to invest. Moreover, with cloud computing and AI driving demand for security infrastructure, WSO2 was a particularly appealing proposition for an investment firm with recent form in the enterprise software space. "Software is a key focus sector for EQT, and WSO2 is a strong company that has scaled globally with an enterprise customer base spread across the US and Europe," Gopalakrishnan said in a statement. "[We] believe that the company is well-positioned to capitalize on long-term trends such as digital transformation and rising GenAI adoption." EQT say that it expects the acquisition to close in the second half of 2024. "The malicious cyber campaign shows Russia's continuous pattern of irresponsible behaviour in cyberspace, by targeting democratic institutions, government entities and critical infrastructure providers across the European Union and beyond," Josep Borrell, the bloc's foreign policy chief, said in a statement on Friday on behalf of the 27 member states. "The EU will not tolerate such malicious behaviour, particularly activities that aim to degrade our critical infrastructure, weaken societal cohesion and influence democratic processes," he added, referring to the June elections to the European Parliament. Using similarly critical language, NATO called on Moscow to abide by its "international obligations" and stressed the alliance would "employ the necessary capabilities in order to deter, defend against and counter the full spectrum of cyber threats." Both put the blame on APT28, an acronym for Advanced Persistent Threat Actor 28, a cyber espionage group linked to Russia's military intelligence service (GRU). In Germany, APT28 is accused of compromising e-mail accounts of members of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the leading force in the ruling coalition. Berlin has already summoned the acting charge d'affaires of the Russian embassy. "This is absolutely intolerable and unacceptable and will have consequences," said Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. In the Czech Republic, the group is said to have targetted some state institutions by exploiting a "previously unknown vulnerability in Microsoft Outlook," the country's foreign affairs ministry said on Friday. The interference began in 2023, it noted. The publishing of findings by the two countries prompted the denouncing statements by the EU and NATO, which were released almost simultaneously. The news comes amid a high-alert atmosphere in Eastern and Nothern Europe over the dangers posed by Russian hybrid warfare. In recent days, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden and Finland have sounded the alarm about the jamming of GPS signals, which forced Finnish airline Finnair to suspend services to Tartu, a city in Estonia. The phenomenon is seen as a new attempt by the Kremlin to retaliate against sanctions imposed over the invasion of Ukraine. "These incidents are part of an intensifying campaign of activities which Russia continues to carry out across the Euro-Atlantic area, including on Alliance territory and through proxies," NATO said on Thursday. "This includes sabotage, acts of violence, cyber and electronic interference, disinformation campaigns, and other hybrid operations." Rep. Henry Cuellar and his wife allegedly took nearly $600,000 in bribes, indictment says Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas and his wife have been charged with accepting nearly $600,000 in bribes from two foreign entities, according to an indictment in federal court in Texas. The alleged scheme took place from late 2014 through at least November 2021, the indictment says. The congressman and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, made their initial court appearance on Friday in Houston and were released on a $100,000 bond. They are facing several charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery of a federal official, violating the ban on public officials acting as agents of a foreign principal and money laundering. In a statement on Friday, Cuellar said: I want to be clear that both my wife and I are innocent of these allegations. Everything I have done in Congress has been to serve the people of South Texas. Cuellar said in his statement that actions he took in Congress were in the interest of the American people and vowed to continue his bid for reelection in November. The congressman also defended his wife, saying that, The allegation that she is anything but qualified and hard working is both wrong and offensive. The actions I took in Congress were consistent with the actions of many of my colleagues and in the interest of the American people, Cuellar said. Prosecutors say that Henry and Imelda Cuellar crafted two yearslong schemes to get bribes from foreign entities an oil and gas company wholly owned and controlled by the Government of Azerbaijan, and a bank headquartered in Mexico City. In exchange for bribe payments from the Azerbaijan oil company, Cuellar agreed to perform official acts in his capacity as a Member of Congress, to commit acts in violation of his official duties, and to act as an agent of the Government of Azerbaijan and the bank, the indictment says. Among those promises, prosecutors allege Cuellar agreed to influence US policy through a series of legislative measures relating to Azerbaijans conflict with neighboring Armenia, by giving a pro-Azerbaijani speech on the House floor, inserting language favored by Azerbaijan into legislation and committee reports, and advocating for series of legislative measures relating to Azerbaijans conflict with neighboring Armenia. The Texas Democrat also allegedly promised to influence financial regulations in a way that would benefit the Mexican bank and its affiliates, including by working to pressure the Executive Branch on anti-money laundering enforcement practices that threatened their business interest and supporting revisions to the criminal money-laundering statutes. The couple received the bribe payments through shell companies owned by Imelda Cuellar, prosecutors say. They allegedly used the proceeds from the bribery schemes to pay taxes, pay down debt and spend tens of thousands of dollars at restaurants and retail stores. One purchase was for a $12,000 custom gown, according to the indictment. Cuellars home and campaign office in Laredo, Texas, were raided by the FBI in 2022. The charges against Cuellar are not yet publicly available. A spokesperson for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries released a statement shortly after Cuellars charges were reported, saying that the congressman is entitled to the presumption of innocence. But, spokesperson Christie Stephenson said, Cuellar will temporarily step down from his top spot on a House Appropriations Subcommittee while the investigation is ongoing. Henry Cuellar has admirably devoted his career to public service and is a valued Member of the House Democratic Caucus. Like any American, Congressman Cuellar is entitled to his day in court and the presumption of innocence throughout the legal process, Stephenson said. The National Republican Congressional Committee swiftly called on Cuellar to resign. If his colleagues truly believe in putting people over politics, they will call on him to resign. If not they are hypocrites whose statements about public service arent worth the paper theyre written on, Delanie Bomar, a spokesperson for the NRCC, said in a statement. CORRECTION: This story has been updated to reflect that a spokesperson for Hakeem Jeffries released a statement following news of Cuellars charges. This story and headline have also been updated with additional developments. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Encampment raid at NYU, hunger strike at Princeton as campus battles rage across US: Live updates Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news on campus protests for Friday, May 3. For the latest news, view our live updates file for Saturday, May 4. NEW YORK - Arrests piled up at several colleges, 14 Princeton University students launched a hunger strike, and police raided an NYU encampment Friday in the latest battles on college campuses that have pitted university officials against their own students over the war in Gaza. The protests calling for a cease-fire and for universities to divest from Israel and Israeli companies have spread from coast to coast since police arrested over 100 students at an encampment outside Columbia University's main library on April 18. Since then, thousands of people have been arrested during protests on college campuses. The hunger strike at Princeton comes a week after students launched a Gaza Solidary Encampment and after 15 protesters were arrested two while setting up tents and 13 who took over Clio Hall on Monday in a sit-in that lasted about 90 minutes before police shut it down. Students said administrators have ignored their repeated requests for meetings and have been accused of "abusive" actions. "Millions of Gazans continue to suffer due to ongoing siege by the State of Israel. Two million residents now face a man-made famine. Join us as we stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people," organizers said in a statement. Outside New York Universitys John A. Paulson Center, students scrambled Friday morning to fill trash bags with their supplies and bedding after being awoken by an early morning raid. Workers surrounded by NYPD officers cleared the remains of their encampment. The NYU Palestine Solidarity Coalition said in a statement that 14 students were arrested during the raid. A spokesperson for the NYPD said officers arrested 13 people at New York University but did not specify what charges they faced. At The New School, a private research university in New York City, 43 people were taken into custody and at New York University, 13 people were arrested, according to a spokesperson from the NYPD. Adam Young, a freshman at the New School, got emotional as he recounted waking up surrounded by police officers Friday morning. Im feeling distraught as a student representative, I was crying the entire morning. I just stopped like 20 minutes ago, he said. I saw my friends walk out in handcuffs and (with) bruises. Im 18 years old, I should not have to watch my friends do that. Israel supporters rally near MIT pro-Palestinian encampment Pro-Israel protesters gathered a short distance from a pro-Palestinian encampment at Massachusetts Institute of Technology Friday afternoon. Massachusetts Avenue, which runs in front of MIT, was closed off, diverting city buses on one of busiest local routes between Boston and Cambridge around the protest. A small number of pro-Palestinian counter-protesters wearing keffiyehs and handing out flyers stood on the other side of the street, outnumbered by a large police presence. Students remained encamped a short distance away, enclosed in a fence set up overnight by the administration, and now decorated with Israeli and American flags and signs representing Jews against Genocide and others. Karen Weintraub Pro-Palestinian students at Princeton launch hunger strike Fourteen Princeton University students launched a hunger strike on Friday announcing they wanted to call attention to the suffering of people in Gaza and to demand the university divest from companies tied to Israel's military campaign. Students said in a video posted to social media they were outraged by Israel's actions to block food, fuel, clean water and electricity into the Gaza Strip, where over 30 people have died from dehydration and malnutrition, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The hunger strike, students said, was "in response to the administration's refusal to engage with our demands." The students said they plan to strike until the administration meets with students to discuss disclosure about their investments, as well as divestment and cultural and academic boycott of Israel. They also called for amnesty from criminal and disciplinary charges for participants of the sit-in, and to reverse campus bans and evictions of students from housing. Hannan Adely, Bergen Record NYPD says sergeant accidentally fired gun during Columbia's Hamilton Hall raid An NYPD sergeant accidentally discharged his firearm while trying to break into a locked empty office in Columbia University's Hamilton Hall "to make sure there was no one hiding inside" as police cleared out protesters who occupied the building Tuesday night, NYPD Assistant Chief Carlos Valdez said at a news conference on Friday. Valdez said the weapon accidentally went off when the sergeant transferred it from his right to his left hand as he reached inside a broken window to unlock the office door. The bullet landed on the floor, and no one was injured. "He was clearing the room," Valdez said. "We have to prepare for anything that may be in that room that could possibly be of harm to the officers or to civilians." The sergeant, who has served on the force for eight years "with an impeccable record," will receive retraining and reevaluation, Valdez said. Questioned why NYPD did not release information about the incident at an earlier news conference, Deputy Commissioner Tarik Sheppard said the department doesn't normally release information about accidental discharges. "I think we could have talked about it, but I don't recall it coming up organically," Sheppard said. "I knew it would come up eventually because it always does, so it was no rush for us to talk about this," he added. Sheppard said the NYPD also won't release body camera footage of the incident because police protocol does not require it in accidental discharge incidents. More: President Biden breaks silence on campus unrest: 'Violent protest is not protected' More than 70 arrested at SUNY Purchase protest encampment More than 70 students and faculty members at SUNY Purchase were arrested on Thursday night at a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus, the Rockland/Westchester Journal News, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. Officers detained the protesters when they refused to disperse after quiet hours began at 10 p.m., Betsy Aldredge, assistant director of public relations for the college, wrote in a statement released Friday morning. The protest started around five hours earlier. "Those who didnt disperse after multiple warnings of consequences were arrested for trespass violations, most without incident," Aldredge said. Westchester County Police and New York State Police joined campus police to disband the protest, according to Aldredge. Those arrested were taken to local police precincts because campus police had limited capacity to hold them. Aldredge said student protesters would go through a student code of conduct process. "As the investigation continues, a few individuals may face additional charges," she added. According to the WESPAC Foundation, a local organization that announced the encampment at the Purchase campus, organizers launched the protest "in response to the college administrations refusal to listen to students concerns about the state schools financial ties to and complicity in the Israeli occupation, apartheid and genocide. SUNY Purchase is located in Harrison, New York, around 30 miles north of downtown New York City. Police cleared the library at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, of pro-Palestinian protesters on Thursday. New York University protesters arrested in early morning raid Outside New York Universitys John A. Paulson Center, students scrambled Friday morning to fill trash bags with their supplies and bedding after being awoken by an early morning raid. Workers surrounded by NYPD officers cleared the remains of their encampment. The NYU Palestine Solidarity Coalition said in a statement that 14 students were arrested during the early morning raid. A spokesperson for the NYPD said officers arrested 13 people at NYU on disorderly conduct and trespassing charges. Last week, more than 130 pro-Palestinian demonstrators were arrested on campus at NYU, about half of whom were unaffiliated with the institution, according to a statement from university president Linda Mills. City police were called to NYU Friday morning after the private university "requested our assistance to disperse the illegal encampment on their property," Kaz Daughtry, NYPD deputy commissioner said on X, formerly Twitter. The post included a video in which police walked through an outdoor encampment, telling the demonstrators in and outside of their tents, "You have the opportunity to leave," and, "Grab your stuff and go." Students planned to return to the area later Friday for a rally. Arrest will not deter us from our steadfast solidarity with our Palestinian siblings, the coalition said in a statement. NYU faculty picket outside president's office in support of protesters Outside NYU's Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, dozens of people joined a faculty and staff picket line in support of student protesters hours after police cleared an encampment on the Manhattan campus. Elisabeth Fay, a clinical associate professor, said picketers chose the location because the building houses President Linda Mills office and they hoped to put pressure on Mills and the administration to communicate with students. Fay, who has worked at the university for 10 years, said faculty members are angry and troubled at the decision of university leadership to allow the NYPD to arrest students last week and early Friday morning. She said the presence of the NYPD on campus has been distracting and distressing, particularly for marginalized students. We want cops off our campus now, we want NYU to negotiate with student activists, and were demanding amnesty for all students, faculty and staff who are facing discipline, sanctions or criminal charges related to peaceful protests, Fay said. NYU protest carries on after encampment cleared A large group of protestors gathered outside NYUs Paulson Center Friday evening where NYPD cleared an encampment of demonstrators in the same location about 12 hours earlier. At the center of the protest a leader recounted the events of the morning as the crowd shouted shame. Signs throughout the crowd read Anti-Zionism is not antisemitism and Cops off campus now. We are the voice of many Jewish communities around the world who stand in opposition to the existence of the Jewish state said Rabbi Joseph Cohen, who stood at the edge of the crowd with several other men dressed in religious garb. Whats happening in Palestine is a catastrophe not only for Palestinians but also for Jews, because our religion is being misused to perpetrate a crime and a genocide on the Palestinian people living in Gaza right now." Anna Kaufman Chaos at The New School as police converge on student protesters Adam Young said a student yelled for everyone to wake up early Friday as police vehicles unexpectedly surrounded the University Center at The New School. He said officers, some of whom were carrying batons, vastly outnumbered the protesters and quickly surrounded the group. Police gave protesters a chance to leave before making arrests, but in the chaos, Young said, one person with diabetes had to leave medication behind and another who uses a cane could not get out fast enough. The NYPD did not immediately respond to a request for comment on these allegations. This is not okay and it is disgusting, Young said. NYU students scramble to leave encampment ahead of raid After spending the night at the encampment, Ryna Workman, a third-year law student at NYU, woke up early to go to the bathroom when security at the Paulson Center told her the building was on lockdown. Seconds later, she said, security pushed aside the barricades at the encampment to make room for the NYPD. Workman said she rushed to wake up students at the encampment and gather books and electronics before police began making arrests. I was mostly worried because I didnt know how many people were still asleep and which tents to check, she said. It was very scary. Workman, who spoke to USA TODAY from 1 Police Plaza, said none of the people taken into custody have been released, as of Friday morning. UC Riverside admin, students reach deal to take down encampment The University of California, Riverside administration and student protesters reached an agreement to disassemble a pro-Palestinian encampment on Friday, joining a small group of colleges to announce deals amid the wave of demonstrations across campuses. UC Riverside students agreed to take down the encampment by midnight Friday in exchange for disclosure and review of the universitys investments, and modification of the approval process for study abroad programs to ensure it aligns with the universitys anti-discriminatory policies. The agreement also said the business school has discontinued its global programs in several countries including Israel. This agreement does not change the realities of the war in Gaza, or the need to address antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of bias and discrimination; however, I am grateful that we can have constructive and peaceful conversations on how to address these complex issues, said Chancellor Kim Wilcox. Northwestern University became the first major university to publicly announce a deal on Monday. Brown University and Rutgers University have also announced agreements with students to end encampments. Vermont school says U.N. ambassador will no longer be commencement speaker U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield will not be speaking at this year's commencement ceremony, the University of Vermont announced Friday evening, six days after pro-Palestinian student protesters pitched tents on the campus green outside Andrew Harris Commons. Thomas-Greenfield has vetoed three resolutions calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, infuriating pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Her removal as commencement speaker is the second of five demands to which the university has agreed. "After their years of hard work and commitment to success, they deserve a weekend of ceremony and celebration befitting their accomplishment," said UVM President Suresh Garimella. "It is with regret that I share that our planned speaker, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, will not be joining us to deliver the Commencement address." UVM's first concession was agreeing to disclose all financial investments in the university's $800 million endowment by the end of the week but has yet to do so. The protesters' other three demands include cutting ties with weapon manufacturers, Israeli companies and all companies "involved in the occupation of historic Palestine," agreeing to an academic boycott of Israeli institutions, and providing amnesty to all protesters. UVM protesters say that until the administration meets all their demands, the encampment will continue. Megan Stewart, Burlington Free Press Tensions rising at Massachusetts Institute of Technology CAMBRIDGE, Mass. Campus police at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology erected a green fence around a student encampment overnight and closed most campus buildings to those without IDs on Friday morning in anticipation of a midday rally. Protesters not affiliated with MIT registered with the city of Cambridge to hold a rally in support of Israeli and Jewish students in front of the school's main entrance on Massachusetts Avenue, across the street from the encampment. Counter-protesters are also expected. In an early morning letter to the MIT community, university President Sally Kornbluth said the school is "making every appropriate preparation for these rallies, with strong support from local police." The letter reiterated concerns for the safety of students in the encampment and on campus which she also shared in a video released Saturday. "I ask that members of the community join us in doing everything possible to keep the peace," she said. Karen Weintraub More: Amid arrests and chaos, Columbia's student radio station stayed on air. America listened. Civil rights investigation opened into Columbia treatment of Palestinian students, lawyers say The U.S. Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights on Thursday opened an investigation into Columbia University for how it's treated Palestinian students and allies, lawyers said. The civil rights complaint, filed on April 25 , alleges unequal treatment by Columbia administrators, including President Minouche Shafik. Four students and the student organization, Students for Justice in Palestine, told federal officials they experienced harassment, death threats and doxing on campus since the start of the war, according to the complaint filed by Palestine Legal, a legal aid organization. For months, Columbia has not only failed to take action to protect Palestinian students and their allies speaking out for Palestinian freedom from racist harassment and discrimination, but actively engaged in differential treatment, Radhika Sainath, a senior staff attorney for Palestine Legal, said in a statement. This investigation could not have come at a better time, as we just saw Columbia escalate its crackdown against Palestinian students and their allies by bringing in the NYPD to brutally arrest student protesters for the second time in less than two weeks. USA TODAY obtained a copy of the Department of Education letter announcing the investigation. The Department of Education didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. The university said it doesnt comment on pending investigations. During a news conference Wednesday night, Layla Saliba, a Columbia student in the complaint , described how the university disregarded her and other Palestinian Americans who have lost countless loved ones killed by Israeli forces. Saliba has lost 15 relatives, including a cousin killed last week. Other students have lost even more family members, she told hundreds gathered. We are all grieving and the university does not care, she said. They want to appease their donors and trustees so bad that they are willing to use systematic violence against us, and they think it's OK. This is not OK. More than 30 people arrested at Portland State University More than 30 people were arrested at Portland State University on Thursday after demonstrators twice occupied the school's main library. Beginning around 6 a.m. on Thursday, officers began working to clear the library where protesters barricaded themselves, according to the Portland Police Bureau. Multiple demonstrators were arrested, including one person accused of blasting an officer with a fire extinguisher. Around 9:30 a.m. police reported that the building was cleared, adding that "a hostile crowd remained on scene." Portland State University officials "secured the library with plywood and erected a fence" as Portland police officers left the scene. However, a short time later, "trespassers had torn down the fence and broken back into the library," police said. An additional eight people were arrested. Seven officers suffered injuries, the most serious being a knee injury that required ambulance transport to the hospital, police said. The police have not said how many of those arrested were students, faculty, or staff at the university. In a statement, the Portland Police Bureau said it would soon release the identities of those arrested. Earlier this week the school asked police to help remove dozens of protesters occupying the building. Last week the university paused seeking or accepting gifts or grants from Boeing pending a review of weapons sales to Israel. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hunger strike, raids, arrests across US as campus protests rage: Live The sign for a womens bathroom at the Capitol in Salt Lake City is pictured. The sign for a womens bathroom at the Capitol in Salt Lake City is pictured on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Utahs public schools, state agencies and other publicly owned or controlled facilities must now start complying with Utahs new law that restricts transgender people from accessing the bathrooms and locker rooms of the gender they identify with. While the law, HB257, took effect immediately when Gov. Spencer Cox signed it in January, certain provisions had a delayed effective date to give government entities a few months to comply with the law. On Wednesday, those measures took effect. Starting this week, the Utah State Auditor is now required to receive and investigate alleged violations of government entities not complying with the law. A new page on the Utah State Auditors complaint hotline website went live on Wednesday, where Utahns can file complaints of government violations. The Utah State Auditor is limited to assessing a government entitys compliance with HB257, the auditors website notes, and does not review or make any determination on the actions of private individuals, nor does the State Auditor investigate or determine an individuals sex or gender. The law requires government agencies to contact law enforcement if they receive complaints or allegations about criminal behavior in a privacy space, which includes going into a sex-designated changing room that doesnt correspond with their biological sex, according to the bill. The alleged violation must have occurred at a publicly owned or controlled facility, program, or event, the auditors website states. When possible, citizens should make a good faith effort to address and resolve concerns with the government entity before submitting a complaint to the State Auditor. If an auditors investigation substantiates a violation and if a government entity fails to cure it within 30 days, the auditor could refer the violation to the Utah Attorney Generals Office, and the school or agency could face a fine of up to $10,000 per violation per day, according to the bill. Utah Auditor John Dougall told Utah News Dispatch on Wednesday afternoon his office had not yet received any official complaints. But given Utahs government agencies only now are required to comply, time will tell whether his office will receive any. Allegations would not be made public unless the auditors office investigates and details the findings in an audit report, Dougall said. Thats a standard practice for how his office handles complaints. How are schools and students responding? In the weeks leading up to the May 1 effective date for state agencies, public schools have been scrambling to prepare students and teachers for the laws requirements. Like many of the other 10 Republican-controlled states with similar bathroom restrictions, Utahs rollout has been roiled in confusion for Utah families amid a patchwork of plans that differ across districts, the Associated Press reported. The Utah Legislature left it up to individual school districts to determine how to communicate the bills new restrictions and requirements. The law also requires schools to create privacy plans for students uncomfortable with using group bathrooms. Boys must use the boys bathroom/locker room and girls must use the girls bathroom/locker room, the bills sponsor, Rep. Kera Birkeland, R-Morgan, posted on X ahead of Wednesdays deadline. If for some reason that doesnt work for a student, they need to use a single occupancy bathroom/locker room. Schools have until May 1st to create and implement their protocol to enforce the law passed in HB257. Failure to do so would mean a $10,000 fine per day, per incident. Boys must use the boys bathroom/locker room and girls must use the girls bathroom/locker room. If for some https://t.co/E3zrkDNtiU KeraBirk (@KeraBirk) April 18, 2024 The states largest school districts (Granite, Alpine, Davis and Salt Lake City) told the AP their principals have been trained to address bathroom concerns on an individual, case-by-case basis with discretion and empathy for LGBTQ+ students. However, Graham Beeton, a Salt Lake City fifth grader who uses he/they pronouns, told the AP the need to create a privacy plan with the school district can be isolating, and he doesnt understand why the government cares which bathroom he uses. It hurts me, Beeton told the AP. I might be uncomfortable going into that restroom, so I want to go into a different one, but the law doesnt say that I can. During the bills debate on Capitol Hill, Birkeland and other Republican supporters argued it wasnt meant to target transgender individuals. Rather, they said its intended to protect Utahns, especially women, from uncomfortable encounters while creating more privacy spaces for everyone. (The law also requires government agencies to include single occupant facilities in new construction, as well as consider the feasibility of retrofitting or remodeling existing buildings to include unisex bathroom facilities). Critics of the bill, which included a handful of Republicans and all Democrats, argued it singles out transgender individuals, an already vulnerable population, by forcing many of them to use facilities where they dont feel safe or comfortable while painting them in a criminal brush. What does the law do? HB257 includes no explicit penalties to punish a transgender person for simply entering a government-owned bathroom they identify with unless there are circumstances or behavior that cause affront or alarm. Then they could face enhanced criminal penalties if they get charged with lewdness, trespassing, unlawful loitering or voyeurism. The law, however, does make it a crime for a person to simply enter a sex-designated changing room that does not correspond with their biological sex and they could also face increased criminal penalties for other crimes committed in that situation. The bill defines stand-alone bathrooms separately from changing rooms, which include fitting rooms, locker rooms, communal shower rooms and restrooms that are attached to changing rooms, according to a page Equality Utah and the ACLU of Utah created to address frequently asked questions about the complex bill. The law applies only to public schools and government-owned buildings, such as the Utah Capitol, and city or county buildings. In K-12 public schools, the law restricts access to bathrooms, changing rooms and locker rooms. In other government-owned facilities like country recreation centers or public universities, it only explicitly restricts access to sex-designated changing rooms. The laws restrictions do not apply to privately owned buildings. The law also includes exceptions: if a person has legally amended their birth certificate to correspond with the sex-designation of the changing room and has undergone a primary sex characteristic surgical procedure. Equality Utah and the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah pointed out on their fact sheet that HB257 does not require Utahns to show documentation or paperwork to access a bathroom or privacy space. However, they also noted the law requires government entities to contact law enforcement in response to complaints or allegations about criminal behavior, which could include simply accessing a sex-designated changing room that doesnt correspond with someones biological sex. Accordingly, people that others suspect do not belong in a particular privacy space might be subjected to interactions with law enforcement even when those spaces are not covered by the law, Equality Utah and the ACLU of Utahs fact sheet says, which included a link to resources to help Utahns know their rights when interacting with law enforcement. They also note the law does not include a measure for individuals other than law enforcement officers to investigate or otherwise confront anyone for any purpose in relation to the bills prohibitions. If you are confronted by someone other than law enforcement about your use of a restroom or changing room, we advise you to use your best judgment about how to react and stay safe given all of the circumstances in that situation, Equality Utah and the ACLU of Utah said. For more answers to frequently asked questions, read the entire FAQ sheet here: HB267 FAQ SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post How is Utah enforcing its new transgender bathroom law? appeared first on Utah News Dispatch. Noticing flags at half-staff in Washington this weekend? This memorial service is why Wondering why flags are at half-staff this weekend? Its not just Washington. Across the country, flags are being lowered in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation organizes a memorial weekend each year to honor firefighters who died serving their communities. It includes a large memorial service on Sunday, May 5. States are asked to recognize the memorial and direct their state agencies to lower their flags to half-staff, like federal agencies do. Governor Jay Inslee did just that, issuing a directive for lowered flags on May 5. Half-staff flag directive in WA The state governor is responsible for issuing flag directives. There is a set list of days that flags should be flown at half-staff, and the Governors Office will announce any additional dates. You can sign up for email updates to be notified whenever a flag directive is ordered. In the past, Inslee has called for lowered flags for deaths in law enforcement, state employee deaths, and in recognition of significant events, like the 10-year anniversary of the Oso landslide. Additionally, federal directives can be issued by the president, which leads to subsequent governor directives in individual states. In this case, legislation has been in place since 2001 recognizing the foundation and memorial service, ordering flags to half-staff each year on the day of the service. Gov. Inslee is one of the state leaders who has honored the foundations request for states to follow suit. All state agency facilities have been directed to lower their Washington state and U.S. flags to half-staff on May 5. In order to accommodate hours of operation, Inslees directive states no objection to lowering the flags at the close of business on Friday, May 3. Flags should remain lowered until close of business or sunset on Sunday, May 5, or first thing the next day. Other entities, businesses and citizens are encouraged to join in recognition as well. School districts in Washington state often take part in the directives. National Fallen Firefighters memorial The memorial honors firefighters across America who have died on the job or from injuries sustained while on the job. This year, 226 firefighters are being honored, including 89 who died in 2023. Six are from Washington. When you lower your flag this year, you will recognize the brave men and women who died protecting their communities from natural and manmade emergencies and disasters and those who carry on the proud tradition, states the foundations website. The foundation is based in Maryland, at the memorial park in Emmitsburg. For those being honored, the foundation offers travel and lodging assistance for immediate next of kin, and family members meals are provided. The weekend is full of events and resources for these families. The memorial service takes place at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on May 5 and is livestreamed on multiple platforms for those who cant attend. How to honor fallen firefighters The foundation offers other methods for commemorating the memorial weekend and honoring fallen firefighters, like a virtual remembrance banner that can be signed online. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation also organizes three other nationwide commemorations: Bells Across America, Light the Night and Sound the Sirens. Bells Across America asks fire stations, churches and other buildings with bells ring the bell during the weekend in honor of the fallen firefighters, in an homage to the telegraphs once used for fire station communication. There are currently no participating locations registered in Washington. Light the Night asks that fire departments, businesses, landmarks and family homes be lit up red all this week. Multiple locations in Washington are signed up to participate. Sound the Sirens is an effort through local fire departments, who will sound their sirens at noon on May 5 in honor of the notification made through fire alarm telegraphs for a fallen firefighter. Women protest in support of access to abortion medication in March 2023 outside the federal courthouse in Amarillo. Amarillo Mayor Cole Stanley and Mark Lee Dickson, director of Right to Life of East Texas, say the city has become a focal point in the national fight over abortion access. David Erickson, FRE / Associated Press Mayor Cole Stanley said Amarillo has become a trophy for people on both sides of the abortion issue. Photo courtesy of the Cole Stanley campaign Mark Lee Dickson, director of Right to Life of East Texas, answers a question during a 2022 panel discussion in Austin. Dickson says Amarillo is a key battleground in the national fight over abortion access. Josie Norris/Staff photographer LUBBOCK Anti-abortion activists in Amarillo say they have collected enough signatures more than 10,000 to force the City Council to reconsider a policy that would outlaw using local streets to access an abortion in other states. Organizers submitted the petition to the city in late April. If they were indeed successful in collecting the required number of signatures the city secretary must validate the signatures the council would be required to take up the issue early this summer. Advertisement Article continues below this ad However, voters in the Texas Panhandle city may have the final say. The council can accept, reject or amend the ordinance presented to them. Depending on the councils decision, the residents behind the signature gathering can demand the issue go to the voters. Amarillo stands apart from other conservative areas of the state. More than a dozen cities and counties, including Lubbock County, about 120 miles south of Amarillo, have passed similar policies, according to a tally kept by supporters of the bans. Amarillos City Council first took up the issue in October, just one day after Lubbock County commissioners approved the ordinance making it the largest county to do so. In December, the council signaled it was willing to pass an ordinance that focused on restricting access to abortion-inducing medication for medical abortions, and regulating the disposal of human remains. That version of the policy would have removed the travel ban entirely a key component for anti-abortion advocates, as Interstates 40 and 27 run through the city. Legal scholars have said the so-called abortion travel bans have questionable enforcement mechanisms, making them more a ceremonial declaration than a legally binding statute. In an interview with the Texas Tribune, Mayor Cole Stanley said Amarillo has become a trophy for people on both sides of the issue. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Stanley has previously expressed concerns about the ordinance being misrepresented to residents and thinks that could have been the case with the petition, too. I think a large percentage of those people that signed the petition havent read it, Stanley said. I think they were asked Hey, are you pro-life or pro-choice? And I dont think it goes any further than that for the majority of those signatures. The original ordinance supporters are pushing would not punish the pregnant woman seeking an abortion. But anyone who aids and abet the procedure could face a private lawsuit from other citizens. This is the only enforcement mechanism for the ordinance, creating a system for neighbors to turn on each other to collect reward money. Some council members voiced their dislike of the idea in previous meetings. Stanley said the proposed ordinance, which was drafted by anti-abortion activists, does not reflect local law. He said the council has drafted a document that is in line with local and state policies. These two documents are very similar, Stanley said. The main difference is theres not anything that oversteps on civil liberties to drive on a road or to travel in between states. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Stanley said he hopes the council can propose their version of the ordinance, and supporters of the ban would agree and withdraw their petition. This would stop the debate before it goes to the polls. Jana May, an Amarillo resident who started the petition process, said she would be open to working with the City Council on the matter. I would like to see what their negotiations want to be and sit down and have a conversation about it, May said. It could be something as simple as using a different word here and there. May said she is praying for God to change the hearts of the council members and that she hopes the council approves the ban. Supporters worked up to the last minute to get signatures, May said. These efforts were amplified by out-of-town anti-abortion activists including Mark Lee Dickson, director of Right to Life of East Texas. May said Dickson brought in families from other cities to get more signatures in time. Billboards also were seen around the city that pushed their message, including some saying Thwart Biden, prohibit abortion trafficking, and Stop Soros, prohibit abortion trafficking. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dickson said Amarillo is a key battleground in the national fight over abortion access, including a lawsuit by the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine against U.S. Food and Drug Administration over mifepristone access. When that case was filed here, it put Amarillo at ground zero, Dickson said. So all across America, people have been paying attention to whats going on here. Fariha Samad with The Amarillo Reproductive Freedom Alliance disagreed and said this fight is on a local level. The advocacy group has been fighting the ordinance since it was first introduced and held a meeting earlier this week. It was originally supposed to be the groups celebration, as they thought the petition would not have enough signatures to turn in. Now, the group is gearing up for the next part of the battle. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Pennsylvania has investigated more than a dozen UFO incidents in the past decade, records show The March 2023 conjunction of Jupiter and Venus photographed from the International Space Station. The appearance of the two planets close together in the sky prompted multiple UFO reports in Lebanon County, according to records from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. (NASA photo) Mysterious lights following a motorist on a dark country road, a saucer-shaped craft hovering over a suburban subdivision, and a flaming orb falling into the woods are among phenomena Pennsylvania residents have reported to authorities, state records show. After the head of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) casually mentioned during a legislative hearing earlier this year that the agency tracks UFO sightings, the Capital-Star obtained records showing PEMA has investigated more than a dozen such events in the last decade. We take all reports and we share it with the appropriate agencies to be able to investigate, Padfield told members of the state House Appropriations Committee in February. Often dull and tedious, state budget hearings nonetheless are a chance for the Legislature to grill administration officials about how they plan to spend the taxpayers money. The cabinet secretaries flesh out the details of the governors budget proposal but deliver few bombshells. Every once in a while, however, an answer prompts lawmakers to look up from their stacks of white papers with surprise and demand more. It was thus as Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Randy Padfield fielded a question from state Rep. Ben Waxman (D-Philadelphia) about potential threats to the states nuclear power plants from drones and unmanned aerial vehicles. We have had reports of unidentified flying objects in the past, Padfield said before quickly moving on to the role of the Federal Aviation Administration in regulating drones. So, wait. Run that back again. What did you say about UFOs? House Appropriations Committee Chairperson Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia) asked when Padfield had finished his answer. Padfield replied that PEMA occasionally gets reports of lights in the sky from county 911 centers and upon investigation authorities can attribute them to astronomical or earthly sources, such as helicopter traffic around the Pennsylvania National Guard base at Fort Indiantown Gap. Most of them are unfounded, or theyre attributable to some other mechanisms, Padfield concluded, prompting another follow up from Harris. So, what about the un-most? Harris asked. Youre talking like ET phone home or something? Padfield conceded that some sightings are undefined and are difficult to understand unless the person reporting the phenomenon gets pictures but everything is passed along to the appropriate agencies. Not satisfied with Padfields answer, the Capital-Star filed a right-to-know request with PEMA seeking records of unidentified flying objects and aerial phenomena and, for good measure, encounters with unknown beings including those of suspected extra-terrestrial or cryptozoological nature. PEMA responded, perhaps appropriately, on April 1, with 40 pages of records on UFO reports passed to the Commonwealth Watch and Warning Center, which receives reports of certain events from county emergency dispatch centers and distributes them to appropriate state and federal agencies. This embedded content is not available in your region. The records PEMA provided in response to the right-to-know request go back to 2013, when the agency received a half-dozen UFO reports. Padfeild said during the budget hearing that some sightings are easily explained. That was the case last year when multiple people called 911 in Lebanon County to report suspicious lights and a hovering object that made no sound. One caller in Bethel Township reported that the lights had followed his wife from Hamburg in Berks County to their home and that the object was stationary in the sky above their house. Another in the city of Lebanon reported seeing an oval shape that changed colors from gray to black to transparent and all she could see were the objects lights. Those calls happened on March 1, 2023, which was the height of a convergence of Jupiter and Venus in the night sky, when the planets appeared to almost merge into a single point of light. The spectacular astronomical event had been widely reported in the news, PEMAs records noted. Stan Gordon, a Westmoreland County resident who operates a 24-hour UFO, bigfoot and cryptid reporting hotline, said he regularly receives reports from across the state. Gordon said he became fascinated with UFOs as a kid in the 1950s. He describes himself as the principal investigator of Pennsylvanias most famous UFO case. In 1965, residents across six states saw a fireball cross the sky. Residents of Kecksburg said they saw an object shaped like an oversized acorn make a controlled crash into the woods not far from where Gordon lived. Four years later, Gordon set up his hotline. Its never stopped ringing, Gordon said, adding that the number of cases, including reports of unexplained objects in broad daylight and at close range, has increased in recent years. Many are resolved with a little bit of research, he said. Weve always taken these cases very open mindedly. We approach them scientifically. Starlink satellites, which are launched dozens at a time from a single rocket, appear as a train of lights in the early evening sky and have prompted many recent reports. High altitude balloons and plumes of rocket exhaust and other space research activities also look unusual but are attributable to human activity, Gordon said, adding that he has never seen a UFO himself. Other reports are less easily explained. On Sept. 21, 2023, a Shermans Dale man reported a UFO with eight vertical lights he described as white, yellow, and a hint of green hovering about 200 feet above the road near a Perry County gas station. The man attempted to take a video with his cellphone before the lights disappeared but he later discovered the video had not been saved, the PEMA records say. A Lower Saucon Township man called the Northampton County 911 center Dec. 19, 2021, to report a flying saucer with seven or eight lights on its underside over his development. Police responded but its unclear from the records whether they took any action. PEMA provided the caller with contact information for Gordons hotline, the records say. Montgomery County authorities investigated after an Upper Pottsgrove Township man reported a glowing orb about the size of a small aircraft fell from the sky on Sept. 15, 2014. The object, which he described as orange and yellow fire-colored, floated behind the treeline and did not reappear. An officer who responded reported seeing flashes in the area but no other suspicious activity. There are a lot of cases that are very, very detailed that are not easy to explain away, Gordon said. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Pennsylvania has investigated more than a dozen UFO incidents in the past decade, records show appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Revealed: The extremist views of fifth Gods Misfits murder suspect who believes he is a bloodline American The extremist views of the fifth Gods Misfits murder suspect have been revealed in unearthed court documents which show he believes he is a bloodline American who is not subject to the laws of the United States. Paul Grice, 31, was arrested 24 April, for the kidnapping and murders of two mothers in rural Oklahoma who police believe were lured to their deaths during a pre-arranged child custody visit. The bodies of Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, were found buried in a hole underneath a dam on 14 April, two weeks after they went missing after going to pick up Butlers children from a birthday party. The car theyd been driving in had been found abandoned, with signs of a struggle, including blood and bullets (but no weapon). Four people were arrested and charged with murder the day before the bodies were found: Tad Bert Cullum, 43; Tifany Machel Adams, 54; Cole Earl Twombly, 50, and Cora Twombly, 44. Cullum had done some concrete work on the dam around the time the women went missing. Adams, his partner, was the paternal grandmother of Butlers children and they, along with Grice, went to the Twomblys home regularly for God Misfits meetings. Although Grices name had been mentioned in arrest affidavits from the start, he was not arrested until weeks after his four friends. He made his first appearance in court this week alone, his wife and children reportedly having left town after news of his involvement in the murders. Sorry for their loss, he told reporters asking if he had a message for the victims families as he walked into the courtroom. Months before the murders, Mr Grice made several bizarre statements, including claiming his children as his property and that he is not a US citizen, according to court records from 2023, obtained by The Independent. I am not a sovereign citizen. I am not a resident, employee or citizen of the United States government, the court document read. My relationship to that Federal entity as far as jurisdiction is that of a non-resident alien to the Corporate United States government, also known as an American State National, or Lawful Bloodline American. Paul Grice is the fifth member of the self-proclaimed Gods Misfits group to be charged with murdering two women from Kansas (OSBI/Texas County Sheriffs Department) I am a free and natural man, described by the Lord God in Genesis 2:7 as a living soul, living under Gods law and his grace alone, the document continued. I claim my children, it reads, listing their names and birthdates, as he adds they are his God-given property and subject to none other. It continued with, there is a maximum law that says what one creates one controls: the government did not create my children and therefore does not control my children. God created my children in their mothers womb with my sperm and are my creation, my property, and I waive none of my God-given rights or duties in the upbringing of my offspring. All are believed to be part of an anti-government, religious group calling themselves Gods Misfits. Tad Bert Cullum, top left, Cora Twombly, top right, Tifany Machel Adams, bottom left, and Cole Earl Twombly, bottom right, were arrested and charged with the murder and kidnapping of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley (AP) Investigators said that Mr Grice had been arrested based on the evidence and information gathered from the case. Mr Grice then admitted to investigators that he was part of the planning, killing and the burial of both Butler and Kelley, according to his arrest affidavit. Mr Grice had been named in the first arrest affidavit released a week ago relating to the other suspects, obtained by The Independent, along with couple Barrett and Lacy Cook, a couple who also have ties to the Gods Misfits group. But at the time Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) spokesman Hunter McKee told The Independent that there are no other suspects at this time. Days before Mr Grices arrest, his landlord told NewsNation that hes a good man with a young family who works hard and is the kind of guy to just come up and shake your hand. Hes not in custody so I have no reason to believe that he had anything to do with it. There have been a lot of questions about the 5th person named in the Kansas moms murder affidavits - Paul Grice. We have learned he was taken into custody and questioned by investigators, but released. I spoke with his landlord and former employer: pic.twitter.com/moRSyl7hYx Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) April 19, 2024 Investigators interviewed Ms Twombleys 16-year-old daughter, identified as CW, who described her mother, and the other four suspects, including Mr Grice as being part of the group Gods Misfits. Investigators found that Gods Misfits held regular, weekly meetings at both the Twomblys and Cooks homes. Social media searches have revealed no online presence of the Oklahoma-based Gods Misfits group. There is another group called Gods Misfits on Facebook but they sought to distance themselves from the Oklahoma murder case this week, and said they had nothing to do with it. The group did not appear to be mentioned in 2023 court documents, but seemed to outline Mr Grices beliefs in which he slams the government and compares America to a frog being boiled to death. Our educational propaganda system is a joke, our children are taught only what the fraud of the government wants known and nothing more, according to the court documents. The awful knowledge and horror of betrayal by my own government of which I was once so proud, is now unbearable sorrow that I must now carry to my grave; but I shall do as a free man. He continued: Perhaps the American people are like the frog that is heated slowly to a boil in a pot of water. If we had detected the heat sooner, we could have jumped out, saving both the Republic and ourselves. Will the American people just sit back like the frog and let the water boil, letting the government sacrifice their childrens lives and futures to benefit some foreign slaves and aborigines? he asks per the documents. I dont think so, and i for one, in the capacity of a Citizen, want no part of this moronic agenda with that insane policy. One of his last statements claims that, above all, the vilest evil is the destruction of our unborn children a thing so horrible vile that even maggots in filth do not do. Investigators learned that Mr Grice, Ms Adams and Mr Cullum had phone conversations in the early morning hours of March 30 the day the women vanished. Mr Grice and Mr Cullum were together at Mr Grices home later that same day, according to the affidavit. Arguments over the custody of Veronica Butlers children appear to have been at the heart of the slayings, according to prosecutors, with one of the suspects Ms Adams being the grandmother of Ms Butlers children. Court filings revealed that a problematic custody battle had raged since 2019 between Ms Butler, Ms Adams, and her 26-year-old son, Wrangler Rickman, over two children aged six and eight. Ms Adams is the childrens paternal grandmother and they had been staying with her, investigators said, while her son Wrangler Rickman, 26, is in a rehab facility. Ms Butler was allowed supervised visits on Saturdays. The day before she disappeared, Ms Butler was told by Ms Adams that her usual, paid supervisor was not available, and she should bring her own chosen person. Ms Kelley, a preachers wife, was that chosen person. On 30 March, the pair were driving towards the agreed pick-up point for the children on Highway 95 when they were allegedly diverted from the road by two members of the Gods Misfits group, according to police. The Twomblys allegedly blocked the road so that the two victims would be directed to where Ms Adams and Mr Cullum were positioned at a desolate crossroads. This booking photo provided by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation shows Tifany Machel Adams. On Saturday, April 13, 2024, Oklahoma authorities said they arrested and charged four people, including Adams, with murder and kidnapping in connection with the disappearances of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley (AP/Facebook) Their car was later found by Ms Butlers relatives with signs of a severe injury. Police found blood on the ground, along with Ms Butlers glasses and a broken hammer. In Ms Kelleys purse, they found a pistol magazine but no firearm. When the other four suspects were arrested, investigators alleged that the group had plotted for weeks to kill Ms Butler, stating that they lured the two women to the point where they vanished. Ms Twombleys daughter CW, told investigators that her mother named five people the four arrested suspects, including herself, and then also Mr Grice as being involved in the deaths of Butler and Kelley. She alleged that the group, Gods Misfits had tried more than once to kill Ms Butler in February. One plan had been to throw an anvil through the womans windshield in order to make her death look like an accident. On 29 March, Mr and Ms Twombly told their daughter that they were going on a mission the next day, so likely would not be there when she woke up, according to the affidavits. The couple returned home at around noon and told the girl to clean the interior of their Chevrolet pickup. Ms Twombly told her daughter that things did not go as planned, but that they would not have to worry about her [Butler] again, the court documents said. CW alleged that she had asked why Ms Kelley had to die and her mother told her that she wasnt innocent because she had supported Butler, the documents said. Searches of Ms Adams phone showed that she had looked up taser pain level, gun shops, prepaid cellular phones and how to get someone out of their house. Three prepaid phones, purchased by Ms Adams, pinged at the location where the womens car was later found. Two of those phones were found in a pasture below a dam, around eight miles away, where a hole had recently been dug and then filled back in. Those devices had shown up close to the Twomblys residence and another home, a police affidavit said. Ms Adams had provided burner phones for the suspects to use so they could communicate without using their personal devices and CW saw two burner phones charging on her mothers bedroom nightstand. It is unclear what happened following the apparent abductions or how the victims died. The Medical Examiners Office is yet to release its report. Ms Adams, who served as a GOP chair in Cimarron County, Oklahoma, and her boyfriend Mr Cullum, and Mr and Ms Twombly, appeared at the Texas County Courthouse in Oklahoma, on 17 April, wearing bullet-proof vests, to hear the charges against them. Their next court date is set for May. Russian trainers relocate to Niger airbase where some US troops still stationed Russian trainers relocate to Niger airbase where some US troops still stationed Russia has moved some troops onto an airbase in Niger where a small number of US forces remain, but Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said he doesn't see it as a significant issue. According to a US official, most American troops previously stationed at that base in Niamey have departed. The arrival of Russian trainers in the West African country about three weeks ago came in the wake of Nigers decision to order out all US troops. The order has impacted US military operations in the Sahel, a large region south of the Sahara Desert where groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group are active. The Pentagon has said the US troops will depart but has not provided a timeline. When Russian troops arrived last month, it was unclear where they were staying. The Niamey base, Austin said late on Thursday, is located at the capital city's Diori Hamani International Airport, and the Russians are in a separate compound and dont have access to US forces or access to their equipment. He said the US will continue to watch the situation but he doesn't see it as a significant force protection issue. A US official said the Russian forces are on the other side of the Niamey facility, known as Airbase 101, and that other international forces - such as the Germans and Italians - also reside. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss troop movements. It's unclear how many US troops remain at the Niamey base. The Russian presence on the base comes as tensions remain high between Washington and Moscow over the ongoing US support for Ukraine's military. About 1,000 US troops are still in Niger, but the bulk of them moved to what's called Airbase 201 near Agadez, some 920 kilometres away from the capital, not long after mutinous soldiers ousted the countrys democratically elected president last July. A few months later, the junta asked French forces to leave and turned to the Russian mercenary group Wagner for security assistance. In October, Washington officially designated the military takeover as a coup, which triggered US laws restricting the military support and aid that it can provide to Niger. Since then, diplomatic efforts to restore ties with Niger have been unsuccessful. Until recently, Washington considered Niger a key partner and ally in a region swept by coups in recent years, investing millions of dollars in the Agadez base, which has been critical to US counterterrorism operations in the Sahel. The US also has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in training Nigers military since it began operations there in 2013. The Pentagon also has said the US will relocate most of the approximately 100 forces it has deployed in neighbouring Chad for now. Chad is also considering whether to continue its security agreement with the US. KAGOSHIMA, May 04 (News On Japan) - A memorial service for the former Imperial Japanese Army kamikaze pilots who died during the Battle of Okinawa at the end of World War II was held on May 3rd in front of the Chiran Peace Kannon Hall in Minamikyushu City, Kagoshima Prefecture. A representative of the bereaved families vowed to continue "passing down the preciousness of life." Approximately 630 relatives attended, commemorating the 1,036 squadron members who perished. Kamikaze attacks were primarily launched from Kyushu, Okinawa, and Taiwan, with Chiran base recording the highest death toll of 439. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the memorial service, which has recently been held on May 3rd to accommodate relatives from across the country more easily. Source: Kyodo TOKYO, May 04 (News On Japan) - In the case where the bodies of a couple were found burned in Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture, it has been revealed that a man, suspected to be the one giving instructions, stated that he was directe to go to the empty house, where the assault is believed to have taken place. Hikaru Sasaki, 28, and three others were arrested last month for conspiring with their companions to set fire to the bodies of Ryutaro Takarajima, 55, and Sachiko Takarajima, 56, in Nasu Town. Sasaki is believed to have directed Ayaken Hirayama, 25, who has also been arrested, on how to dispose of the bodies, but he had stated that "there was another person giving instructions." In subsequent interviews with investigators, it was revealed that Sasaki said he went to the empty house "on instructions." In an empty house in Shinagawa Ward, where the Takarajima couple are believed to have been assaulted, traces of bloodstains being cleaned with detergent have been found. Source: ANN The Texas Department of Public Safety said they have found two children missing from Carrizo Springs. An AMBER Alert that had been issued in the wake of their disappearance Friday afternoon has been canceled. According to the Dimmit County Sheriffs Office, they were searching for 7-year-old Alva Clay and 5-year-old Royce Cruz. Both children were last seen around 2 p.m. in the 1900 block of Jay Street in Carrizo Springs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 7-year-old Alva Clay was last seen in Carrizo Springs Texas Department of Public Safety 5-year-old Royce Cruz was last seen in Carrizo Springs. Texas Department of Public Safety Alva has brown hair and brown eyes. She is 4 feet and 5 inches tall. Royce has black hair and brown eyes and is 4 feet tall. He was last seen wearing a blue polo shirt and khaki shorts, Texas DPS said. ALSO READ: DPS identifies two men killed in Comal County helicopter crash Police are looking for 37-year-old Dora Cruz in connection with the abduction. Cruz has blonde hair and brown eyes and stands 5 feet and 1 inch tall. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Dimmit County Sheriff's Office said they are searching for Dora Cruz, 37, in connection with the abduction. Texas Department of Public Safety She was last seen in Carrizo Springs wearing a white, pink, and yellow shirt. Norfolk Schools in Malawi founder Joe Mtika (front row, from left), mayor Wild Ndipo, then-Northeast Community College president Michael Chipps and Norfolk mayor Josh Moenning pose with other officials at a 2018 ceremony celebrating Norfolk and Blantyre, Malawi, becoming sister cities. Supporters say the school and nonprofit has helped dozens of Malawian teenagers get a U.S. college education and better their lives. Some students and host parents said Mtika has made false promises leading students to arrive in Nebraska with no money, housing or way to pay for school. 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. BRICS members meeting in Moscow rejected a South African proposal to include the Polisario separatists thesis in the agenda of a meeting on the MENA region. South Africas representative was isolated as the sole country to seek to impose a proxy conflict imposed by Algeria to unsettle Morocco, at a time the MENA region is facing transformative challenges that threaten global peace and security. The proposal was also rejected by Russia, not to mention backers of Moroccos full sovereignty over the territory such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE. South Africa has previously failed to invite the Polisario into a BRICS meeting in Johannesburg last summer. As Chadians head to the polls on Monday (6 May) to conclude a three-year political transition, the countrys transitional leader, General Mahamat Idriss Deby, is widely expected to win the presidential race easily, especially after the junta had violently repressed much of the opposition. Idriss Deby seized power three years ago succeeding his father, Idriss Deby Itno, who had ruled Chad with an iron fist for three decades. The 37-year-old four-star general initially promised to hold elections within 18 months, but his government postponed the poll and allowed him to run for president. Deby junior has said the election will return the country to constitutional rule, but the few remaining opposition groups have called for a boycott of the vote, which they say will undoubtedly be rigged, with the aim of establishing a Deby dynasty. The most prominent challenger of Mahamat Deby is Prime Minister Succes Masra but many remain doubtful about the motivation for his candidature, some suggesting that it is a mere strategy to legitimize Debys expected election as a president. The disillusionment is reportedly high among voters in the African country as their hopes for a true change and renewal are dim. This perception was also echoed in a recent analysis by the US-based Council on Foreign Relations aptly titled Chads Democratic Transition. With his most significant opponents either co-opted or eliminated, and critical electoral institutions stacked with his supporters, Deby Itnos victory is all but certain, says the article that also questions why anyone is calling the events unfolding in Chad part of its democratic transition. Chad is the first in a string of countries in the Sahel region which experienced coups in the past four years. Chadian elections results are expected on 21 May, with the possible second round to be held on 22 June. King Mohammed VI reiterated his call for Israel to put an immediate halt to its offensive on Gaza and called for allowing the delivery of humanitarian aid in the strip. In my capacity as Chairman of Al Quds Committee, I incessantly reiterate my call for an immediate, lasting and comprehensive halt to this unprecedented offensive, as well as the authorization of the delivery of humanitarian aid to all Gaza strip, the king said in a speech, read on his behalf, at the OIC summit. The brave Palestinian people is undergoing a situation of extreme gravity that is worsened by constant attacks by settlers in the West Bank, at the instigation of Israeli officials, said the King. The King recalled that Morocco had sent humanitarian aid to Palestinian brothers in Gaza and Jerusalem and lauded similar efforts by friendly and brotherly states. The King stressed the need for putting an end to Israeli provocative acts that hamper progress towards the two-state solution and recalled that the Gaza strip is part and parcel of Palestinian territories. I reiterate my categorical rejection of all forms of forced displacement or collective punishments and acts of reprisal targeting our Palestinian brothers, he said. The King also called on influential states to uphold their historic responsibility in putting an end to the war and working for a relaunch of the peace process that would lead to a two-state solution. Gambias President Adama Barrow, Chair of the 15th summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has hailed the unwavering support provided by King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, to the legitimate Palestinian cause. In his opening address at the Summit, taking place in Banjul April 4-5 under the theme: Enhancing Unity and Solidarity through Dialogue for Sustainable Development, the Gambian president also praised the tireless efforts engaged by the Monarch to alleviate the sufferings of Palestinians and help them achieve a just and lasting peace in the Middle East region. He also pledged to promote unity, solidarity, and sustainable development within the Islamic world. Mr. Adama Barrow voiced commitment to prioritize initiatives that enhance economic cooperation, foster cultural exchange, and address pressing issues, such as poverty and access to education and healthcare. King Mohammed VI is represented at the Banjul summit by Minister of Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, who delivered a speech on behalf of the Sovereign. The Moroccan delegation also includes Foreign minister Nasser Bourita and several senior diplomats. In his speech, the Monarch reiterated urgent call for an immediate, sustainable, and comprehensive end to these unprecedented acts of aggression, and for allowing unfettered access of humanitarian aid to the entire Gaza Strip. Following the brutal aggression on Gaza, my heart bleeds for the proud Palestinian people, who now live in extremely dangerous conditions that are a stain on the worlds conscience, said the King, decrying the attacks perpetrated by extremist settlers on the West Bank, at the behest of Israeli government officials. He also recalled the humanitarian assistance delivered directly to Gaza and to al-Quds, as well as the support provided by Bayt Mal al-Quds Agency to the inhabitants of al-Quds and some hospitals. The Gaza Strip is part of the unified Palestinian territories, which must enjoy peace and independence, in keeping with a two-state solution and in accordance with international resolutions, underlined the Monarch. He called for an end to the illegitimate, unilateral Israeli measures affecting the occupied Palestinian territories, including al-Quds al-Sharif and the holy al-Aqsa Mosque, and which are designed to change the legal and cultural status of the city of al-Quds al-Sharif. The OIC Secretary-General, Hissein Brahim Taha, said the Palestinian cause remains the OICs central issue and urged Islamic countries to press the international community to stop the aggression and genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif. He also called on the OIC member countries to continue to mobilize international support for the recognition of the State of Palestine and help it gain full UN membership. A pair of TIF-related studies and bids to start work on North Plattes industrial wastewater treatment plant leads Tuesdays City Council agenda. The meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall council chamber, 211 W. Third St., and will be shown on Allo Communications Channel 1 and the citys YouTube channel. For access to the YouTube livestream and the councils agenda book, visit ci.north-platte.ne.us/government/city-council/agendas-minutes. Council members will consider recommendations from the citys Planning Commission to declare the site of a planned northwest townhome development substandard and blighted and a block near the downtown Federal Building extremely blighted. Josh Rhoads of Grand Island, whose Horizon Builders LLC plans to build the townhomes near West 18th Street and Hayes Avenue, said unexpected trouble with sewer-main depth means hell have to give up on building the six seven-plexes without tax increment financing. The nearest gravity flow sewer main to the site isnt deep enough to serve the townhomes without spending an extra $1.1 million to build up the sites elevation. That tipped the project toward needing TIF to work financially, Rhoads told the planning panel April 23. Rhoads unplanned request split the Planning Commission, which voted 6-2 in favor of recommending adoption of a study favoring TIF eligibility. One member was absent from the vote. The council also will decide whether an already TIF-eligible block bounded by West Second and Third streets and North Chestnut and Walnut streets also qualifies as extremely blighted under a five-year-old state law. Charles Burwick, 212 W. Circle Drive, hopes to build two 14-unit apartment complexes and a 48- to 50-stall parking lot on the bulk of the overgrown, mostly empty block. Two rental homes on Walnut would remain for the time being. Extremely blighted status under state law opens special funding preferences to affordable housing developers. It also gives a developer up to 20 years, rather than TIFs usual 15, to gradually recover an agreed-upon portion of construction costs from increases in the projects taxable value. Also Tuesday, the council will decide whether to award a bid for earthwork to expand the wastewater treatment plant on Newberry Access to also treat industrial wastewater from the future Sustainable Beef LLC plant. The 2022 Legislature provided $20 million for installing the needed additional equipment from Nebraskas share of federal COVID-19 relief. Information on bidders and their bids wont be available until after theyre submitted Monday, City Engineer Brent Burklund said in a council memorandum. In other business, council members will: Consider whether to grant microTIF incentives to the Lincoln County Community Development Corp. to redevelop a vacant lot at 708 S. McCabe Ave. The project would be North Plattes 12th under the four-year-old microTIF program, which applies both to buildings at least 60 years and to single vacant lots platted at least 60 years ago. Decide whether to award a $262,000 bid to Murphy Tractor & Equipment of North Platte for one 2024 John Deere wheel loader with high lift. Vote on whether to ratify Mayor Brandon Kellihers appointments of Tanner Pettera to the citys Board of Adjustment and Beverly Duran and Shala Raska to the Library Advisory Board. Those nominations are part of an eight-item consent agenda. Lubbock residents are voting on a proposed ordinance that would decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. Jason Fochtman/Associated Press A woman holds a flag during a 2022 rally at the governors mansion in Austin to advocate for legalizing marijuana. Lubbock residents are voting on a proposed ordinance that would decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. Jay Janner, MBR / Associated Press In conservative Killeen, it was apparently the veterans. In eclectic Denton, the college community. In left-leaning Austin, most likely the white liberals. But who will show up at the polls to decriminalize marijuana in staunchly right, rural-adjacent, fiercely independent Lubbock? The slow green wave of voter-driven marijuana decriminalization in Texas hit the largest city in the South Plains on Saturday, as Lubbock residents voted on a proposed ordinance that would decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its a test, not just for the movement, but for direct democracy in the Lone Star State. The proposed ordinance if approved would instruct Lubbock police to stop arresting adults for possession of less than 4 ounces of marijuana in most cases. Texas is one of 26 states that has not fully legalized marijuana. The 24 states that have include both liberal California and conservative Montana. For an issue like pot which is nearly impossible to label politically support in this city of 265,000 could come from anywhere. We have people who would classify themselves as far right who are for this, said Adam Hernandez, a candidate for mayor and communications director for Lubbock Compact, the organization behind the local effort. Weve got people obviously on the other side of the spectrum, and everybody in between, and theyre from every profession, every age group. The opposition is easier to identify. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The outcry against Proposition A, as its called, appears to be pipelined largely through the megachurches and hard-right, pro-law enforcement GOP state leaders. Where Hernandez sees evidence of widespread support signatures for the ballot initiative came from all over the city, he said his opponents carry huge bullhorns. State Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, has come out strongly against the effort. Burrows released a video recently calling Proposition A part of a nationwide effort by the left to undermine our public safety laws and saying they were funded by liberal megadonor George Soros to change the fabric of our great nation and put our neighborhoods and values under siege. Next well see local ordinances proposed to defund the police, to decriminalize shoplifting, to allow squatters to stay in houses rent free, and even Green New Deal ordinances to shut down our oil and gas industry, Burrows says in the video. Lets send a clear message that Lubbock is still a conservative beacon of hope in a country that is losing touch with morality and the rule of law. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Passage in Lubbock would signal support among the same voters who overwhelmingly banned abortion by the same direct-democracy mechanism in Lubbock even before Texas lawmakers did. It would illustrate favorable opinion for the issue in the same county that overwhelmingly turned out for President Donald Trump in the 2020 election. And it would run counter to the stances of and maybe even lay pressure on most of the anti-marijuana GOP politicians the region sends to Austin, whom advocates have been unable to convince after years of awareness and lobbying campaigns. Were building local movements that put pressure on City Hall to comply with the will of voters about marijuana reform, said Mike Siegel, political director for Ground Game Texas, which is pushing for similar ordinances across the state. Perhaps, Hernandez said, if enough cities adopt such policies, state lawmakers will follow the will of their constituents. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thats why decriminalizing marijuana in such a hard-to-crack conservative stronghold could dramatically boost the movement to pass similar voter-driven ordinances in other regions of Texas outside the liberal metropolitan areas, supporters say. We think that Lubbock is a bellwether, if you will, or that it will at least be a wake-up call if it passes, Hernandez said. It would help the overall movement for sure. Because the state has ignored the citizens on this issue for several years. Thats key to any effort to decriminalize weed across the state because there is no process in Texas for a voter-driven statewide referendum that would let voters from the Rio Grande Valley to the Panhandle decide what they want their marijuana laws to be. There is little hope for a law in favor of marijuana decriminalization or outright legalization while hard-right social conservatives are in charge of the state. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the Senate, and his allies have blocked legislation that would relax marijuana laws in the past. Theres even less hope for a constitutional amendment, which would be the only way to put the question to voters across the state. Only lawmakers can pose a statewide question and to do that, it would need two-thirds support from a historically unenthusiastic Legislature. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Support for varying levels of marijuana reform polls upward of 65% statewide. The Texas House signaled its support for expanding access to medical marijuana by overwhelmingly supporting legislation last session that would have added a host of conditions allowed by the states medical marijuana program, including depression and anxiety. But proponents have not been able to find enough support in the Legislature to get anything to the governors desk. Thats a breakdown of the democratic process, said Siegel, a candidate for Austin City Council. Texans want some sort of marijuana reform but a minority of Texas Republicans, led by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, are preventing this from happening. Texas does allow direct democracy voter-driven lawmaking, as opposed to politician-driven lawmaking in municipal elections. Voters can collect signatures to force ballot measures that create or strike down city ordinances. Historically, that right has been frequently exercised without pushback from legislative leaders, in cities large and small, on a host of issues ranging from texting bans to paper bag restrictions. However, state leaders have begun to push back. During the last legislative session, the Legislature approved a law that effectively prohibits cities from putting in place certain policies that might go beyond state law, such as requiring employers to have paid sick leave. Burrows, the Republican House representative from Lubbock, led the effort to pass the bill. The law, while in effect, is being challenged in court. More recently, Gov. Greg Abbott stopped short of taking a position on the Lubbock ordinance but took aim at the effort, saying the issue of cities trying to supersede state law was really bigger than just the issue about marijuana on the ballot. They dont have the authority to override state law, Abbott told a KAMC reporter last week. If they want to see a different law passed, they need to work with their state legislators. Abbott added: If we have every city in the entire state of Texas picking and choosing which laws the state has passed that they are going to enforce, that would lead to chaos legally in the state of Texas and so its an unworkable system. State leaders took a similar position when city governments themselves began enacting ordinances to create sanctuary cities for undocumented immigrants, saying that cities may not enact statutes in direct opposition to state law. We have had a lot of situations where cities have passed ordinances, but the state can come in and pass laws that supersede them and say, No, you cant do that, said Sherri Greenberg, an assistant dean at the University of Texas at Austin LBJ School of Public Affairs and a former state representative. So you have this issue of local control versus state preemption. Usually, the state wins. Paxton is suing five of the cities that have voted to decriminalize marijuana Harker Heights ordinance was immediately repealed by the City Council and has threatened Lubbock with similar legal action if it follows suit. To sidestep potential legal action, supporters included a section in Proposition A that ratchets it down to a budgetary suggestion prioritize other crimes over marijuana violations if courts decide that Lubbock cant decriminalize a substance without the blessing of state lawmakers. But the proponents of marijuana decriminalization are determined to make a statement, even if it means that theyre testing the legal limits of what voters can demand of the laws in their communities. The new ordinances, Siegel said, are about the voters telling the cities how to allocate their resources. The permissive laws around low-THC cannabis, known as hemp, in Texas offer a strong argument for allowing the ordinances to stick, he said. The Texas Constitution allows for home-rule cities, and home-rule cities are allowed to set priorities of prosecutorial discretion, he said. Unlike the discourse over similar propositions in places like Austin, where marijuana already had been unofficially decriminalized for years before it was voted on in 2022, the battle in Lubbock has been divisive, emotional and personal. Epithets hurled on social media, marquee politicians hitting the airwaves and signage in front of megachurches highlight the intensity of the fight. Hernandez was even accused, by a pastor in the pulpit of a large local church, of trying to turn Lubbock into a sanctuary city for the cartel. The City Council already has rejected a similar proposal. The mayor and the sheriff have come out against it. Locals are at powerful odds with each other. Voters hit the polls early at double the rate they did in the 2022 municipal elections, and while its unclear at this point whats driving them, Hernandez and others who are watching the election say its likely Proposition A thats stirring up unusual interest. Only about 10% of Lubbock registered voters have, for the past four decades, regularly turned out to municipal elections. Residents in the citys more affluent southwest neighborhoods are voting early at a higher rate than those in Lubbocks lower-income east side communities, data from the Hernandez campaign shows. Supporters point to statistics that show that while marijuana is used by a broad swath of people in all demographics, white and affluent included, arresting people for small amounts of marijuana creates huge disparities in the justice system and has bigger implications in the lower-income communities of color. In Lubbock, for example, Black residents account for 8% of the population but 29% of the marijuana arrests, according to a report by Ground Game Texas. Similarly, Latinos make up 37% of the population but nearly half the arrests. Hernandez, who has been involved in community politics for years in Lubbock before his run for mayor, said Lubbock has plenty of challenges more important than marijuana which he said criminalizes people for minor crimes. Weve got serious issues that we deal with here that are much more serious than somebody having a joint in their car or being in possession, he said. Property crime, sex trafficking, gang activity, gun violence, domestic violence. And we dont have unlimited police resources. Opponents say that Lubbock should stop the movement in its tracks. Photo: Gabriella Gregor Splaver This article is a collaboration between the Columbia Daily Spectator and New York Magazine. On Friday, April 26, photographers for the Columbia Daily Spectator set up a white backdrop in front of Butler Library, opposite the encampment student protesters had erected days earlier on the campuss central lawn. They began asking anyone who walked by students entering and leaving the encampment, professors, counterprotesters, and those just trying to get to the library if they would stop for a portrait. Those who said yes were given tape and a marker and asked to write their message to the university and affix it to their clothing. Many were apprehensive about being documented in this moment. Some worried about being doxed, others about losing their visas; even some tenured professors were too nervous about the repercussions. To help alleviate their concerns, they were given the option of covering their face or turning their back to the camera. For the next three days, ending on Monday, April 29, the Spectator staff returned to campus, setting up in various locations to capture a wide cross section of the Columbia community, including at Dodge Hall, where many students attended class on Monday, and at the Amsterdam gate, which, during the height of the protests, was one of the few entrances to the grounds. The backdrop hung against an exterior wall of Hamilton Hall, which would soon be occupied by protesters. Overall, more than 100 members of the Columbia community participated. Whatever their message, the experience of wearing it seemed to transform them: The subjects often stood taller, defiant, empowered. April 18: Right after the first arrests, the police began guarding the lawn while hundreds of protesters and onlookers stood in shock. Spectator photographer Asha Ahn Photo: Asha Ahn This article is a collaboration between the Columbia Daily Spectator and New York Magazine. On April 30, armed police officers swarmed the Columbia University campus for the second time in two weeks, shutting down a student occupation of Hamilton Hall and clearing what was left of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment. Students had first seized part of the South Lawn, then the attention of the entire Columbia community, and then the national political narrative, as imitation protests in support of Palestine erupted at colleges across America. By refusing to leave unless Columbia committed to divest from Israel and cut ties with Tel Aviv University, among other demands, the students were acting in the shadow of 1968, when protesters dramatically took over buildings, including Hamilton, to resist the Vietnam War and the universitys racial politics. Those events established Columbias reputation as a hotbed of dissent where social and political change takes root before spreading to the rest of the country often at great cost to the institution. As the school itself notes about 68 on its website, It took decades for the University to recover. The encampment and the takeover of Hamilton represented a dramatic escalation of months of activism on campus. Since the October 7 attack on Israel and its subsequent war in Gaza, which has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, the school has been the site of intense protests and counterprotests with bitter debates on campus over antisemitism and Islamophobia, genocide, and free speech. Overseeing it all was a new president, Minouche Shafik, whose inauguration had come just three days before 10/7 and who had scarcely begun to acquaint herself with the Columbia community when the campus was thrown into crisis. With national political figures and billionaires agitating for the removal of other Ivy League presidents, Shafik was charged with resolving standoffs among groups with vastly divergent interests: deep-pocketed donors used to getting their way, faculty with the security of tenure, and students who believe Columbia is betraying its legacy as an engine for progress. As the encampment impasse played out, it became clearer than ever that people were living in two different Columbias. As pro-Palestinian protesters built a community of hope and solidarity around their support for Gaza, many pro-Israel students reported feeling unwelcome and organized their own counterprotests on and around campus. Some of the latter group packed their bags and left, while many of the former were hauled off to jail and suspended. The staff of the Columbia Daily Spectator, the nearly 150-year-old undergraduate newspaper, has been covering every minute of this story. Recently, New York Magazine asked us to create this report, leveraging our intimate knowledge of the university and its people to tell the story from the inside. Our reporters, writers, editors, and photographers polled more than 700 Columbians to better understand what happened, took more than 100 portraits of members of the community, and compiled this oral history of the two weeks that forever changed our university. Isabella Ramirez, editor-in-chief, Columbia Daily Spectator The First Encampment Mid-April at Columbia usually represents the homestretch of the academic year as students finish their classes, cram for finals, and take study breaks on the lawns. Meanwhile, the staff prepares the grounds for Commencement. On the morning of Wednesday, April 17, Shafik was in Washington, D.C., scheduled to address Congress about antisemitism on campus. Hours earlier, in the dead of night, pro-Palestinian students began executing plans to occupy the schools South Lawn. April 17: The tents in the first encampment were uniformly aligned in a systematic way. This was the calm before the storm of the first arrests. AA Laura, a senior: Its so hard to be here and to know that the tuition I pay is going to fund the genocide in Gaza. Id been doing marches and protests all year in solidarity. But there was never a moment where I felt hopeful. Like, Joe Bidens not going to care. And then hearing that there was this escalation planned it was like, Okay, we could be in a situation where we suddenly have negotiating power. The planning was super-confidential. If you wanted to let someone in on it, you had to swear them to secrecy, one-on-one. I went to my professors office, and I was like, Put your phone on airplane mode. Disconnect from Wi-Fi. This is whats happening. Liam,* a junior: For me, joining was a bit of an impulsive decision. I was like, I just need to do it. I take out $50,000 in student loans every single year, and it sucks. I have to work 20 hours a week to pay off the interest. I hate sitting here knowing Im working my ass off only so my money can go to supporting genocide. It boiled down to my integrity we are the students of this school, we are their funding. K., a senior: I had learned so much about the precedent of organizing at Columbia and understanding that we have this massive history of protests and that there are all these eyes on us. I have so much privilege being here. Im from a first-gen, low-income background. So I knew that if there was ever going to be an escalation, it was something I wanted to be a part of. I consulted a lot of my friends about it, and at first a lot of us were questioning whether this would be a fully planned, well-thought-out action, which in hindsight is ridiculous. It was incredibly well planned. And it made sense that they had to withhold certain information for safety and security. Laura: I finished my thesis on Tuesday and then I threw up because I was so nervous. I spent the day emotionally preparing. I had some friends who were going in with me, so that night we met at my apartment, packed our bags, and went to campus around 1 a.m. K.: At first, all we knew was that we were occupying some part of Columbia. Even on Tuesday morning, there was no set location we knew about. I just assumed, Oh, for historys sake, lets occupy Hamilton, great, lets camp out in the hallway. Were gonna have a slumber party. I had no idea it was going to be an actual camp. Columbias policies forbid political demonstrations. Students gathered at various points around campus with their gear, trying not to arouse suspicion, and waited until it was time to move to the South Lawn in groups they called platoons. The campus gates at West 116th Street on Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue were wide open. K.: We were all sitting in a circle on the lawn wearing black. And were just like, Theres no way Public Safetys not going to come up to us and ask, What are you doing? I dont believe you can bring all these supplies onto the main lawn without getting stopped by security. My friend and I were joking, Whats our cover story? Maybe were the Barnard Outdoor Adventure Club. Laura: It was so smooth and well coordinated. We immediately started pitching tents, and within 20 minutes, it felt like there were 40. It was really unbelievable. K.: At some point, they started assembling the first big white tarp. It was really cute because its just a bunch of college kids trying to pitch a big-ass wedding tent. Steven,* a junior: The organizers started to put together community standards for the camp and a governing structure, in terms of like, Were meeting twice a day at these times. It was clear they knew how essential that was for the camp to continue. We took a vote on Wednesday night on whether to continue the encampment. And it was unanimous. K.: We racked up so many food donations it was ridiculous. We started organizing all the food stuff because it was slowly coming in a bunch of carts: Costco hummus, Honey Nut Cheerios, fruit, granola bars, Dunkin Donuts coffee, soy milk. I was like, At least they have alternative milk. And then they said we had a camping toilet. Ive seen those, and this was not a camping toilet. It wasnt even a bucket. It was like a bucket with no bottom, and it had a little lip thing and these little black trash bags that you put on there. You would do your thing, and there were poo gels to make it smell better. And then you would close up the bag and throw it in the bigger bag of everyones shit. Steven: I missed a lecture on Wednesday about literature and cultures of struggle in South Africa. I was outside of my tent, and I heard my name. So I went to the fence and two students from the lecture that Ive never talked to called me over and they were just offering to, like, bring me food or whatever I needed. I obviously asked about class, and they said, You didnt miss anything. April 17: Organizing student groups had just put out a call for the student body to picket around the encampment at the start of its first night. I felt transfixed seeing so many community members unite to protect their own community. GD In Washington, Shafik began testifying before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce at about 10:30 a.m. The hearings title: Columbia in Crisis. Two other Ivy League presidents, Harvard Universitys Claudine Gay and the University of Pennsylvanias Liz Magill, had appeared months earlier and flubbed a question about whether calls for genocide against Jewish people were against their universities policies. Both had to resign. Determined to avoid their fate, Shafik spoke hawkishly, detailing disciplinary actions she had taken against students and sharply criticizing members of her faculty. Stacy,* a professor: The terms of the questioning were just completely false. The question of whether or not Columbia is willing to protect its students against antisemitism has very little to do with whether students who are concerned about genocidal military tactics should be able to speak about that publicly. Those are two separate issues. Adam Tooze, a professor: I realized, Oh dear. This is how she is going to cope with this? What is her response going to be? It turns out to be a technocratic hard line. The students occupation of the South Lawn overshadowed Shafiks testimony and became the center of attention on campus as did the organization behind it, a coalition of more than 100 student groups known as Columbia University Apartheid Divest, or CUAD. While students who opposed the war in Gaza were galvanized, many pro-Israel students continued to bristle at the protesters use of slogans like From the river to the sea and Globalize the intifada. Henry Sears, a senior: I had a lot of complex feelings around the encampment. I support their right to free speech. However, some of the speech we were hearing out of there was really horrible. Rachel Freilich, a freshman: About that time, when I would walk around campus, I would tuck in my dog-tag necklace, which says BRING THEM HOME. I wouldnt really walk around with a Magen David a Star of David necklace, either. I didnt want to get harassed. I didnt want to get hurt. And I dont want my professors to profile me because Im a Zionist. It felt like I had to hide an integral part of who I am. Parker De Deker, a freshman: As President Shafik was testifying about the implications of antisemitism, ironically, antisemitism was rapidly increasing at a rate I had never seen before on our campus. I dont mean the protesters sitting on the lawns. Them sitting there and exercising their rights to free speech and advocating for peace in the Middle East is not antisemitism. What is antisemitism, though, is the numerous experiences Ive been faced with. Wednesday evening, I was walking from my dorm to go to Chabad, a space for Jewish students at Columbia, and someone yells, You fucking Jew, you keep on testifying, you fucking Jew. I had clearly not been in Washington, D.C., that day testifying. I was not involved in anything political. I was simply a Jewish student wearing my yarmulke. The First Arrests The more than 100 individuals occupying the South Lawn understood there would likely be significant consequences from both the university and the police. On April 18, Shafik suspended all of the students and authorized the NYPD to enter Columbias private property and clear them out. Early that afternoon, dozens of officers, many wearing riot gear, began their sweep. Hundreds of onlookers watched the largest mass arrests at Columbia since 1968. April 18: All of the arrested students looked traumatized as they walked away peacefully. Around me was the deafening roar of students and community members screaming and crying. GGS Laura: Im a senior; Im supposed to graduate. Im also a low-income student. A lot was on the line. My parents had been sending all these messages: Please leave. You cant afford to be there. Im really close to my family, so it was heartbreaking: Theres other students there who have so much money, and thats not you. And Ive worked so hard at so many jobs for you to go to this school, and now youre throwing it all away. And This is not going to matter. You being there or you being outside doesnt make a difference. But I asked myself, What am I willing to give up? If people in Gaza can keep giving up everything, its not a big deal to be arrested for a few hours. K.: We had been briefed on what to do if we got swept by the police. The plan was to form two concentric circles: people of color on the inside, white people on the outside. We were informed that its harder for cops to arrest you if youre sitting. So the plan was, once we knew cops were coming, to sit in your circle. Laura: It was really emotional to be sitting in the circle with all these people some of them my friends and some I barely knew. But were all holding hands. The person next to me and I were holding hands really tight. K.: The cops had that big-ass annoying speaker blaring, If you do not get up, you will be arrested. Steven: I was taken with another person who was crying a lot. And as we were walking out, our arresting officer was like, Oh, its just summonses, which I thought was so weird because it was his attempt to comfort us, right? Its almost this admission that you have some awareness that what youre doing is wrong. K.: Our arresting officer was trying to make small talk. She was like, Come on, guys. You can talk to me. Im also just a person. Then she goes, But you guys know it was your president who told us to arrest you? The arrests shocked nearly everyone at the university and intensified national scrutiny of Shafiks handling of the protests. Now under suspension, the arrested students found themselves alienated from campus. Some were placed under a strange kind of house arrest: They could remain in their dorm rooms but could lose access to housing if they left. Students at Barnard, who are subject to a different disciplinary process, were evicted from college housing and lost their access to campus dining. (Within days, Barnard reached agreements with most students to end their suspensions and allow them back on campus.) Henry: The arrests were difficult to watch. Even though these were people who I very much disagreed with on many things, it was hard to see them, my fellow students, carried off campus by the NYPD. Elizabeth Ananat, a professor: The students were left homeless in New York City. I never thought that I would be part of an organization that causes people to be on the street in the middle of the night. It was such an unnecessary cruelty and a betrayal of everything. Soph Askanase, a junior: Barnard loves to tout itself as a progressive institution that builds student activists, leaders of the future. They love to talk about the incredible organizer voices that have come from the university in the past, yet this is how theyre treating the organizers on this campus now. The Pro-Israel Protests Shafiks decision to call in the police was widely understood to have backfired, and pro-Palestine students at colleges from California to Florida began to organize campus occupations that would follow Columbias lead. Meanwhile, in Morningside Heights, some who considered themselves pro-Israel were now sympathetic to the arrested students while many others felt reassured by the university enforcing its existing policies. Jewish students reported numerous instances of antisemitism both inside and outside the campus gates, and pro-Israel students organized demonstrations of their own. One protest, at Butler Library, had been arranged prior to the encampment; another took place at the Sundial, a popular meeting place at the center of campus. The biggest, the United for Israel March, happened outside the gates and was organized by conservative media figures. Multiple students reported instances of racist and Islamophobic harassment from protesters. Chloe Katz, a junior: One day at noon, we stood in front of Butler Library. We had authorization. We put duct tape over our mouths to represent the women who are being silenced in the media and on campus when they express what happened to them or people they know the horrific sexual violence that occurred. We linked arms and had signs saying RAPE IS NOT RESISTANCE and HAMAS WEAPONIZES SEXUAL ASSAULTS. We were near the encampment, and soon after we began, they began their own protest. They were chanting things like Glory to our martyrs and Globalize the intifada. Rachel: We went to the Sundial protest on Saturday night, and we were playing Jewish songs. We replayed this song One Day probably 20 times, just a song of peace. And as we were singing, people were just chanting at us and screaming slurs. In the moment, I didnt think that I was in danger I was just surrounded by so many people and so proud to be a Jewish person on campus. But when I got back to my room, I sort of broke down. I was just like, Wow, I was really in danger. Chloe: When I saw that people were organizing a counterprotest, I immediately wanted to join. But my father said, Please dont go, I dont think its safe. And unfortunately, he was 100 percent correct. What I saw from the videos is my friends expressing their opinions, singing peaceful songs, holding up Israeli and American flags and they had water thrown on them. There was an attempt to burn an Israeli flag. One of my friends was surrounded. Eve Spear, a senior: I saw a video of a student holding a sign that read AL-QASAMS NEXT TARGETS, pointing at Jewish students my friends. When I got there, one individual was leaning forward, taunting my friend to his face, and I started videoing because I thought my friend was going to get punched. You need proof it would be hard enough to say that this happened. They were screaming at us: You fucking inbreds, Uncultured ass bitches, and All you do is colonize. When we walked off campus, a new person screamed at us, Go back to Poland! I was physically shaking. We had one student who is six-five, and he made sure we all crossed the road, but neither Public Safety nor the NYPD ensured our safety. We all had to make sure one another got home safely. I live in the dorms and we have campus security there and usually I dont lock my door. That was the first time I was like, I need to lock my door. I was worried: What if people are following us? Saturday night was antisemitism in its most blatant form. Lily,* staff: I consider myself Jewish. When Ive been on campus, I have felt uncomfortable with the things some pro-Israel protesters are saying, but I have not felt unsafe. What I keep seeing is the conflation of not being comfortable with being unsafe, and I think its kind of a cop-out for the university to say this is about antisemitism. My opinions on the college really changed when pro-Palestine protesters were sprayed with a chemical. If it had been the Jewish or pro-Zionist students that were sprayed, we would be in a very different timeline. The Second Encampment The South Lawn has two grassy fields, and at the first encampment, protesters had occupied one of them. Immediately after their arrests, as Columbia staff were dismantling their tents, hundreds of other students crossed a fence onto the other patch in a show of solidarity. April 18: I was surprised by how quickly the second encampment started to form after the first was dismantled following the arrests. You can really see how many students came to support their community by the amount that hopped the fence to start their own encampment. JG Laura: It was autonomous and spontaneous. There was no organizing. They just jumped. Sueda Polat, a graduate student: The universitys response galvanized people in a way that was surprising even to me as an organizer. I remember running through the crowd trying to find friends, a megaphone. Im trying to corral people into doing something that they previously didnt know they would be doing. We jumped the fence and it felt like we were crossing a line that we couldnt come back from. Liam: When I was sitting in the van going down to 1 Police Plaza, Id been thinking, Man, we fucked up. Weve been arrested. Its over. Then coming back and getting on campus and seeing that it had been reinstated it was almost a feeling of incredulity. People really want to do this again? We literally just got hauled off arent you risking the same thing? And obviously, the answer was unanimously yes. Jared, a graduate student: They arrested a hundred people, and a thousand more sprang up in their place. People were sending food from all over the world. They donated on Venmo. Alumni showed up with supplies and blankets. An organization brought a bunch of meals to Earl Hall, and I was running back and forth. It took like three trips to bring everything in. April 20: At this point, protesters in the second encampment had no tents for two days, it was raining, it was really hot. And the supplies just kept coming. All of a sudden, there were tarps and tarps full of supplies. GGS April 20: The dancing in the second encampment was the strongest moment of camaraderie in all of the days of the encampment. Press and onlookers couldnt help but bop their heads and smile. GGS The second encampment would remain for days to come. The situation was something of a standoff: Shafik seemed to indicate that she would not call for the police again, and while the protesters engaged in negotiations with her administration, the university made no major concessions. Campus life went on: Members of the faculty held teach-ins on the lawn, a weekend for admitted high-schoolers came and went, and Jewish students celebrated Passover. Meanwhile, Columbia became a magnet for high-profile politicians, including Representatives Ilhan Omar (whose daughter Isra Hirsi had been arrested and suspended), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Virginia Foxx. The Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, was booed while giving a speech on campus condemning the protests and telling students to go back to class. April 22: When the teachers who were protesting came into Milbank Hall to deliver letters to Barnards president and dean, students started crying and hugging them because they felt relieved that teachers were speaking up for them. GGS April 24: Students looking at the second encampment from Butler Library at midnight. Elizabeth: To watch Mike Johnson describe students as overprivileged when so many of our students are first-gen or low income and are doing things at great risk to themselves to have that treated as if they are coddled was offensive and infuriating. Aharon Dardik, a sophomore: The Friday night prayers, Kabbalat Shabbat, in the encampment were beautiful. There was a real sense of community and resilience and attempts to fuse the love and joy of Shabbat with being in the encampment even in the face of oppressive forces. Jillian, an undergraduate: We had dabka lessons, which is a Palestinian dance. We had the Peoples Library for Liberated Learning. There were books in there we could check out. A main takeaway for me was applying the learning Ive done in my own classes, where we have talked about transnational movements against imperialism, capitalism, colonization. There was a really strong understanding that all of these struggles were intertwined. Sueda: Its important to realize how grounded we are in Palestine. I see Palestinian journalists who are my peers, the same age as I am, who have had their universities destroyed, demolished by the occupation forces, send us tweets saying theyre proud of us when were in a relatively safe area, nothing in comparison to the genocide theyre facing. It reminded us that we cant stop. Jude Webre, a lecturer: National media outlets have already written the narrative of whats going on, and theyre not interested in understanding the position of the protesters on the inside. So they report more on whats happening outside the gates, which is a different thing. In my mind, the problem isnt the young people on the inside; its the adults on the outside who really escalated the situation because of their own preconceived notions of whats going on. Jared: I made the decision to skip my familys Passover and go to the Passover Seder in the encampment because I kept seeing stupid-ass people online talking about how this movement was antisemitic. To me, it embodied the spirit of Passover, which is the liberation of oppressed people. From left: April 26: The electrolytes station was great to see because it was hot when I took the photo. Were all feeling a certain pain, and thats usually when the university is supposed to be there to help. GGSApril 26: It had been a week and a half of the second encampment, and people had established different stations in tents, such as the Peoples Library, which were a symbol of the community that was emerging from the encampment itself. SR From top: April 26: The electrolytes station was great to see because it was hot when I took the photo. Were all feeling a certain pain, and thats u... more From top: April 26: The electrolytes station was great to see because it was hot when I took the photo. Were all feeling a certain pain, and thats usually when the university is supposed to be there to help. GGSApril 26: It had been a week and a half of the second encampment, and people had established different stations in tents, such as the Peoples Library, which were a symbol of the community that was emerging from the encampment itself. SR From left: April 26: At this point, everything was orderly. I looked at it and realized how much everyone had gone through in the past couple of days that we still hadnt had time to process. GGSApril 26: The Passover setup felt really good because everyone was happily enjoying the holiday together. People were constantly going back and forth taking extra food. GGS From top: April 26: At this point, everything was orderly. I looked at it and realized how much everyone had gone through in the past couple of days ... more From top: April 26: At this point, everything was orderly. I looked at it and realized how much everyone had gone through in the past couple of days that we still hadnt had time to process. GGSApril 26: The Passover setup felt really good because everyone was happily enjoying the holiday together. People were constantly going back and forth taking extra food. GGS The claim that outside agitators were fomenting unrest, made by Eric Adams and others, fueled anxiety among many pro-Israel Jewish students. On April 21, a campus rabbi wrote to nearly 300 Jewish students telling them to leave campus for their own safety. The university also announced that students could attend classes virtually in order to avoid campus and deescalate the rancor. Columbia administrators barred a prominent student protester, Khymani James, from campus after strikingly violent remarks he had made on social media including Be grateful that Im not just going out and murdering Zionists resurfaced and went viral. Shiri Gil, a junior: At this point, Im not saying Im Jewish, Im not saying Im Israeli. Im barely on campus because I feel threatened. My friend was called a Nazi and physically pushed off the lawn where the encampment is a space where everyone can be, a public place for everyone. Parker: If you are a Jew who has any level of support for Israel, then youre not welcome in progressive circles. In the lobby of my dorm, I ran into a Jewish student who was leaving. He was flustered and frantic and had a whole bunch of things that he needed help with. And as were trying to get his stuff out of the Lerner Hall turnstile to get out to Broadway, where his father is picking him up, people are beginning to stare at us and getting visibly upset. And they say, We are so happy that you Zionists are finally leaving campus. And another student goes, You wouldnt have to leave if you werent a supporter of genocide. One morning, I was walking out from the Amsterdam gate to an Uber, and this individual on the street yells at me and says, Keep on walking, kike. The hardest thing about it I dont think he was a student. He looked like a fully grown adult. I really do appreciate that there are members within CUAD who are advocating for students not to have to go through this, who say this doesnt represent their movement. Thats important to me. The saddest thing is our university isnt standing up for its Jewish students. Rachel: I left campus Sunday afternoon. I just couldnt be there anymore. I didnt feel safe. I had seen videos of people sneaking into campus through the gates. We didnt know what was coming into campus we didnt know what was in their bags, we didnt know who these people were. And people were already getting violent outside the gates, screaming Yeah, Hamas and Burn Tel Aviv to the ground. A lot of family members have told me that I should transfer. But realistically, Im not going anywhere. Its very important to stand our ground and show them they cant force Zionist Jewish students out of their campus. Ege Y., a lecturer: I am a Muslim faculty member, and Ive definitely not felt welcome as a Muslim. Provocateurs have approached faculty as we linked arms to protect our students from harassment. They called us supporters of terrorism. I also know colleagues who have been doxed and whove been threatened by their own students. Rebecca Kobrin, a professor: Theres this narrative that its all anti-Israel and no antisemitism. And theres this other narrative that its all antisemitism and none of it is about Israel. And I believe that we just have not modeled listening to each other. Henry: I think its important to highlight that while Jewish students definitely feel less safe on campus, its not just us. There have also been actions against Muslim or pro-Palestinian or Palestinian students. Were all having to deal with this horrible campus environment. At the General Studies Gala, I saw a bunch of students who had their keffiyehs ripped off and were called terrorists, sluts, and whores. The Takeover of Hamilton Hall In negotiations with the protesters, Columbia floated modest changes to its policies, including greater transparency on investments, and offered to fund health and education efforts in Gaza, among other proposals. But the students wanted nothing short of full divestment from Israel. On April 29, Shafik announced that the talks had failed and gave the students a deadline to disperse or else face consequences more serious than before. Members of CUAD voted to stay put. Sueda: The process of negotiations no matter how much the university claims it was in good faith, it was not. We were also being surveilled by the university. We were told that the rooms we were caucusing in were bugged as well as the room we were negotiating in. On several occasions, we were followed. It felt like we were in a movie. With the deadline expiring at 2 p.m., hundreds picketed around the South Lawn, chanting, It is right to rebel. Columbia, go to hell. With no apparent move by the university to clear the camps, things were relatively calm until just before midnight. In the early hours of April 30, a new encampment formed on the lawn in front of Lewisohn Hall with at least a dozen tents; students climbed Alma Mater, the iconic statue at the center of campus, to wrap her neck with a keffiyeh; and there was more picketing. Suddenly, dozens of the picketers broke from their line and charged toward Hamilton Hall. After breaching the building, the protesters sprinted up the stairs, lugging wooden tables and chairs from classrooms to block the doors from the inside. They taped black trash bags over security cameras, shuttered the blinds, plastered windows with newspapers, and chained the doors shut through shattered panes of glass. From a balcony, protesters hung a banner renaming the building Hinds Hall, after Hind Rajab, a 6-year-old Palestinian girl whose death became a symbol of Israels destruction of Gaza. Outside Hamilton, other protesters formed a human chain while erupting in chants and songs. April 30: I ran toward Hamilton because people started entering and breaking the glass, and I was reacting based on intuition because I hadnt registered what was happening. Student journalists in front of me were clamoring to see. SL Carla Mende, a graduate student: I was out there filming it with a documentary team. We had a hunch something was going to happen. We were positioned all over campus like, Oh my God, theyre moving here. Theyre moving there. What are they doing? And at some point, the picket started, and then they started going to Hamilton. It was all very quick. They immediately started picketing in front of the building, linking arms, putting out trash cans and picnic tables, all of that. The banners went up. And then a building was occupied on our campus. It didnt feel like real life. April 30: Around an hour after they had occupied the building, protesters flooded onto the balcony and renamed it with the Hinds Hall banner. They seemed victorious, as if this was the moment when it was clear that they had done it. HC Alex Kent, a freelance photographer: As soon as they reached the doors of Hamilton, they just went straight in. There was a lone security guard whos by the door who was really taken aback. People behind me came out with barricades. It was 15 or 20 minutes before both the doors were shut down. It was very intentional and purposeful, and even what was damaged, like the windows, was all out of functionality. The protesters just wanted the Facilities workers out. It almost was like they were pleading with them, like, Please, we need you to leave. You dont get paid enough to deal with this. April 30: I felt very safe getting close to the students who were blocking Hamilton. Inside, I was able to see a Facilities worker, a photojournalist, and people barricading the doors. GGS Administrators put the campus on lockdown. By 8:30 p.m., hundreds of officers in riot gear, some wielding batons and tactical equipment, marched down West 114th Street and encircled the campus. Columbia issued an emergency message to students to shelter in place. S.M., a junior: I could sense the atmosphere of fear and anticipation from looking at everyone. Protesters were whispering to each other like, Are they actually going to come? It was all these people willing to sacrifice themselves and use their physical bodies as barriers. And thats exactly what they ended up doing. April 30: Protesters began forming a human chain in front of Hamilton Hall, and it seemed like they were all informed of what was going on. I noticed some fear in their eyes but also a strong sense of determination. SL April 30: I took this photo right after they locked the doors and occupied Hamilton Hall. Student protesters were locking arms so others couldnt enter. For student reporters, there are very clear personal stakes that we dont fully comprehend until after the fact. SL April 30: It was the first time that demonstrators outside of Hamilton Hall were able to see inside the building. It was an energizing moment, where those inside and outside Hamilton connected with each other. GL Kent: Around eight oclock is when the police started surrounding. They started prepping the outside perimeter. And it was that eerie silence before the storm where everyones waiting for the police to enter. At Shafiks request, hundreds of police stormed campus. One group of officers surrounded and entered the second encampment, searching tents for protesters. Another line of officers used a mechanized ladder to enter Hamilton Hall via a second-floor window facing Amsterdam Avenue, while others flooded toward the buildings main entrance. Protesters linked arms in front of Hamilton as police approached with raised riot shields. As the human barricade gave way to arrests, protesters reported numerous incidents of police brutality. In six minutes, cops used power tools to breach a barrier made of bike locks and metal picnic tables before entering with guns drawn. One shot into an office, apparently by accident. Cameron, a sophomore: The police came in droves. Students ran and fled from them, screaming. The police forced everyone all bystanders, including myself, other students, press, media, medics, and legal observers into nearby buildings. We saw the police push one individual down the stairs. We saw them violently arrest students. I was barricaded inside John Jay Hall. April 30: We had stayed up all night in Butler covering the occupation of Hamilton Hall. It was around 9:30 a.m. after the occupation, and we had just found out three hours prior that we were ostensibly locked into campus for the foreseeable future, so Spectator staffers began sleeping wherever we could in the library. YS Carla: I was just watching streams and streams and streams of cops come in. I would say that it was about 500 cops; it was insane. They were flooding in with body shields and heavy machinery, like giant hammers other stuff that I dont really know what it even was. It looked scary, honestly. Gillian Goodman, a graduate student: Its clear that their directive was to clear out the area of onlookers, including people clearly marked as medics and basically all press, within the span of about 15 minutes. When we really realized we were going to be barred from campus, people started trying to stand their ground more. At that point, the police behind me pressed their baton into my back and pushed me out with it. April 30: Freshmen students watched from their dorm as the police entered campus through the Carman gate. The Public Safety officer had just told them they werent allowed to leave their dorm building. GGS April 30: We were just forcefully shoved off the street, and freshmen in their dorm were watching because it was a historic moment. I dont think your political views matter in that moment because what was about to happen was so shocking that everybody peered through their windows to watch. HC April 30: I noticed all of the students coming to their windows in Hartley Hall to watch the police sweep. They had the best view of Hamilton out of everyone, and it was someone in that building who took the viral video of an officer throwing a protester down the stairs. GGS Sueda: We were engaged in verbal combat with the NYPD. I was telling them, This is our campus, and youre not keeping us safe; youre endangering us. And one officer had the nerve to say, Were here to keep you safe. Moments later, they threw our friends down the stairs. I have images of our friends bleeding. Ive talked to friends who couldnt breathe, who were body slammed, people who were unconscious. Thats keeping us safe? S.M.: We were all pushed into John Jay and then they ended up barricading the doors with their batons. There were a lot of students asking the officers, Oh, could I please go home? How long are you going to keep us here? And through the locked doors, theyre like, Oh, you guys are gonna stay here a while. The bathroom was shut down for maintenance, so we didnt have a bathroom for three hours. Gillian: There could have been a much higher level of violence. I think were lucky that nobody was hurt in a way that they cant come back from. April 30: There was a line of six students peacefully sitting on the ground, and police were nearby. All of a sudden, I saw the cops rush in with no notice, throw a barricade onto them, and yank them apart. GGS April 30: I didnt mean to take this photo. The cops began to kettle us, threatening to arrest us. It was terrifying. Moments ago, Wyatt, who was taking video, and I were standing and then the next moment, they were moving toward us so quickly. GGS April 30: I felt her anger. Public Safety officers had been smiling the whole night as the NYPD made arrests. It was difficult to see the people that are supposed to protect you smiling at students crying instead. GGS Kent: They were pushing protesters up against the gate and arresting them. They moved everybody all the way back to the Sundial, and I was able to photograph the NYPD sweeping the tent area; they used flashlights to make sure there was nobody still hiding. At this point, they moved most of the media so far back that the only way to see what was happening was through a very long lens. And I saw them pull out protesters from Hamilton Hall. Gillian: The protesters were entirely peaceful; they didnt move, they didnt initiate any kind of violence or intimidation with the police. They didnt pick up a stone and throw it. They literally did not move, and they sang until the police came. April 30: All the students cheered as the protesters in Hamilton Hall successfully hoisted up their food. I think it was a really personal moment because of the Hooda halal food, a campus staple. GGS April 30: The WKCR team was huddled around watching one of their journalists write a message that they hoped to get up to the protesters inside Hamilton. They even shouted that they could throw a microphone up to the protesters for comment. GGS April 30: I was next to John Jay Hall, camped out for the day, when I heard clapping in the distance. It was a symbolic moment to look up and see the flag flying from Hamilton Hall, especially because I was used to the sight of helicopters and drones in the sky. GGS Tooze: It was a moment of horror when I went up to the barriers the physical force of the NYPD, the menace and the threat that was there. It was a horrible ending, which had, I think, a certain necessity to it. Its hard to see how this was going to go another way, as much as I regret it and as much as I would have hoped and dreamed that the administration would see reason and move to a more imaginative, different position. Webre: People were not shaken by the takeover of Hamilton Hall. They were shaken by the police presence on campus. It was a huge overreaction. And honestly, the first time was bad enough, but the police in the first instance were quite professional and the whole thing was handled as well as it could have been. The action at Hamilton Hall was so over-the-top. Shafik has continually chosen escalation, and thats a huge failure of leadership. Jillian: The violence student protesters experienced at the hands of the police is connected to the violence Israel is carrying out. We know that police are sent from the United States to be trained in Israel by IDF soldiers, and we know that they share military tactics and weapons and technologies. This is not to say that what protesters experienced here is at all comparable to what people in Gaza are experiencing right now. But we understood that it was all connected. April 30: I was on Law Bridge surrounded by students in their pajamas who had come outside to watch the police sweep from above. Then the Correction bus with arrested protesters came by and people started cheering for them. GGS April 30: I had just gathered the bravery to go outside because I was worried about getting arrested as the cops yelled at us earlier. Suddenly, the street filled with chanting, and I saw cops bringing people into the bus. I could almost see their faces through the window. HC In the aftermath of the sweep, under Shafiks direction, the campus remained sealed off to most students and faculty and heavily fortified by police. A day after the mayhem, as a strange quietness and emptiness filled the university, Shafik was seen emerging from the broken doors of Hamilton, escorted by guards. J.,* an administrator: This whole experience, the last six, seven months, its going to stay with me for the rest of my career, if not the rest of my life. Frankly, its going to be one of those moments where people ask, whether its five or ten or however many years from now, Where were you when ? And were all going to have to have an answer. May 1: Even though the encampment was gone, I could still see the traces of it. It shows more that something is missing, rather than something that was ever there. SH * Some respondents asked to be identified by their first initial to protect their identity. Others are using pseudonyms, which have been marked with an asterisk. Photographs by Gabriella Gregor Splaver, Stella Ragas, Asha Ahn, Heather Chen, Gaby Diaz, Judy Goldstein, Sydney Lee, Grace Li, Yvin Shin, and Heidi Small. President Minouche Shafik walking away from Low Library on a closed campus on May 1. Photo: Kelsea Petersen The Columbia Daily Spectator and New York Magazine conducted this poll of 719 students, professors, and others between April 26 and May 2. Only active members of the university community, verified by email, were able to participate. Answers that do not sum to 100 percent indicate blank, neutral, or uncategorizable responses. What is your role at Columbia? Undergraduate student: 69% Graduate student: 23% Faculty or instructor: 5% Staff: 3% Administrator: <1% Do you consider yourself Atheist or agnostic: 39% Jewish: 35% Christian: 15% Muslim: 3% Hindu: 2% Buddhist: 1% Other/prefer not to say: 5% Do you consider yourself Female: 61% Male: 34% Nonbinary: 4% Prefer not to say: 1% What are your political views? Very Conservative: 0% Conservative: 5% Moderate: 18% Liberal: 40% Leftist: 35% Other/too complicated to explain: 2% On Speech: Antisemitism at Columbia is a problem. 11% Strongly disagree 22% Disagree 19% Agree 33% Strongly agree Islamophobia at Columbia is a problem. 8% Strongly disagree 15% Disagree 25% Agree 34% Strongly agree I can freely express my political views on campus. 29% Strongly disagree 28% Disagree 16% Agree 8% Strongly agree I have views on the conflict that I avoid saying publicly. 6% Strongly disagree 14% Disagree 24% Agree 41% Strongly agree I feel safe on campus. 17% Strongly disagree 24% Disagree 24% Agree 17% Strongly agree I hope that the pro-Palestinian protesters demands are met. 30% Strongly disagree 7% Disagree 13% Agree 45% Strongly agree On the university president: Illustration: Kelsea Petersen What did you think of Minouche Shafiks testimony before Congress? 37% She said what was necessary to avoid Claudine Gays fate. 23% She sold out her students. 13% I dont know enough to say. 12% She couldnt handle the questioning. 3% She was excellent. Her administration has handled the demonstrations well. 77% Strongly disagree 13% Disagree 3% Agree 1% Strongly agree Illustration: Kelsea Petersen What do you think of her decision to authorize the NYPD to arrest protestors? 57% The aggression was totally unwarranted. 19% Im glad she came down hard. 12% She made an understandable mistake under pressure. How do you feel about Shafik? Pusillanimous and antagonistic toward the principles of liberal education. A coward who puts her students down to appeal to the people in power. She suuuuucks. Strongly respect her. Her hands are tied. I doubt any other university president under the same pressures would act differently. She has been placed in an impossible situation. This often happens to women of color who hold positions of power. Bad decision after bad decision but who would replace her? Most likely someone worse. A young president who has made grave missteps. Im ashamed. Bootlicker. It takes a different level of incompetence to have everyone from both sides of this issue calling for her resignation. Impulsive, insincere, and silent. I had extremely high hopes, and she has proven she cannot handle the job. Im having a hard time seeing the importance of a university president, and it almost seems like some sort of puppet role. Cowardly, incompetent, and neoliberal to the core. Anybody who calls in the NYPD to crush a student protest is morally unfit to lead a university. Universities need wartime presidents now. Its impressive how poorly her short time here has gone. lose-lose situation that I hope she somehow wins. I have met with her twice. She seems to be making decisions on a moment-by-moment basis rather than with intention. Furthermore, I think she is listening to the loudest and most powerful voices and is ignoring the concerns of students. Shes basically doomed. And honestly? Good riddance. She is a servile careerist. She was never a scholar or professor. She is a middle manager taking orders from donors and politicians. (Respondents who said spineless or a variant: 15.) Should Shafik resign? 50% Yes. 32% Yes. Shes stifling freedom of speech. 10% Yes. Shes doing too little to combat antisemitism. 8% Yes. For other reasons. 40% No. 10% Other. On protesting: Illustration: Kelsea Petersen How closely are you following the protests at Columbia? 50% Its all I can think about. 43% Its become a bigger part of my life. 4% Im a lot more focused on academics. How have the protests affected your friendships or romantic life? Its hard for me to be friends with people who arent on the same moral level as I am. Ive found myself reaching out to friends I fundamentally disagree with, just making sure theyre okay. Im surprised by my behavior, but I think its my own way of resisting cruelty. Many new friendships. Many friendships destroyed. I have lost almost all my non-Jewish friends. My romantic life is confined to the Israeli sphere. All my friends hate me. This has narrowed my dating prospects abysmally. How have they affected your academic work? Professors are worried about speaking about the conflict due to fears of getting fired. Students are policing one another and recording classes without consent. Im supposed to be writing three papers, but I am compelled to check Instagram every five minutes in case something is happening. All I can think about is the protests. But lets be clear: This is the point. The point of protesting is to disrupt and distract. It is working. As a person of color, I am scared to go to libraries knowing there are dozens of cops outside. I lost my internship because I went crazy. As you watch similar protests spread across the country from Columbia, how do you feel? 49% Pride 31% Horror 6% Indifference Have you participated in any campus activism recently on any side? 58% Yes 29% No 13% Thinking about it How has your stance on pro-Palestinian activism changed? 73% My position is unchanged. 9% I was supportive at first but after things escalated, Im against. 6% I wasnt supportive at first but after things escalated, Im in favor. 12% Other The consequences protesters have faced including arrests and suspensions are appropriate. 53% Strongly disagree 10% Disagree 9% Agree 22% Strongly agree Thinking of the disruption, is it worth it? 45% Yes this sort of action and debate is why were here. 31% No I feel cheated out of my Columbia experience. 14% Sort of Im annoyed, but its a sacrifice worth making. ON whats next: Professors and instructors: What are your students learning from all this? They are more powerful than they might have known. How the public sphere functions and how many so-called liberal institutions in western democracies are completely illiberal. They are learning about the difficulty of social and political change, about the cynical power maneuvers of politicians and the wealthy, and about the gap between media representation and reality. They continue to be reminded that older generations do not understand the violent world theyve grown up in. Furthermore, they now believe the adults dont care to understand. Nothing. I fear they are learning that this is a cynical institution that will sell them out even to get nothing in return. Lawlessness. Students: What would you say to someone considering applying to Columbia? Applying here is both the best and worst decision Ive ever made. Columbia only likes the idea of students being outspoken about issues. We are the protest Ivy. We believe in action. Take care of yourself at this institution, because the administration will not. This institution will not protect you. You need to be content with the notion that we keep each other safe and prepared to fight for it. Attending any elite institution presents the possibility of being thrown onto the global stage. Dont just come here for the name. Make sure this is something you can handle. Dont let this deter you from pursuing such an incredible opportunity to learn. The value of the academic rigor at Columbia remains unchanged. The problems on campus are not unique to Columbia. Rather, they are endemic to a model of higher education in which universities are beholden to the political wills of their elite donors. The university should be a means to an end. Come with a clear goal. (Respondents who said Dont: 39.) Administrators: What do students misunderstand about Columbia, the institution? It is a business, and you should not forget that. Columbia University has existed for 270 years. This too shall pass. They seem incapable of grasping complexity. Staff members: What does the conflict between students and the administration look like from your perspective? We are working with a bunch of amateurs. Watching the administration handle things has really helped with my ever-present imposter syndrome. The administration is functionally disinterested in the perspective of students, individuals they perceive as transient participants at best, naive or puerile at worst. As the world focuses on transitioning to green, there are big questions about whether new oil and gas resources should be developed. On the one hand, new oil regions present the opportunity to develop lower-carbon oil and gas through less damaging operations. On the other, the International Energy Agency (IEA) and environmental organisations say it is vital to transition away from fossil fuels to green alternatives and leave any new oil in the ground, to achieve global climate aims. However, many recent oil discoveries have been made in low-income countries across Africa and the Caribbean, offering them the opportunity to develop their natural resources for significant revenues, which is difficult for many to turn down. For decades, the Western World has been exploiting fossil fuel resources to provide power worldwide and bring in high revenues. This has led regions such as China, the U.S., and the European Union to be some of the worlds biggest polluters. High levels of greenhouse gas emissions produced from fossil fuel production and industrialisation have contributed to climate change, an issue that the governments of many high-income states are attempting to tackle through decarbonisation and a green transition. However, a global green transition will require support from governments around the globe, from both rich and poor nations. To combat climate change, the IEA recommends that oil and gas producers decrease their production and leave any new oil discoveries in the ground. However, there is still not enough renewable energy capacity to make the switch, meaning that the global demand for fossil fuels remains high. In addition, many oil discoveries in recent years have been made in Africa and the Caribbean. These regions are looking increasingly attractive to producers looking to develop low-carbon oil operations and move away from existing depleted oil fields. Oil and gas majors insist that developing these regions would help decrease the carbon emissions associated with oil and gas production, as well as help low-income countries improve their economies. The World Bank estimates that the African continent held around 40 percent of the natural gas discoveries from 2010 and 2020. Many countries have increased their reliance on the region following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions on Russian energy, as they seek out alternative gas supplies. However, environmentalists worry that developing new oil and gas regions could quash efforts to tackle climate change. To ensure there is enough energy to replace the demand for gas, significantly more investment must go into developing the worlds renewable energy and nuclear power capacity. In addition, high-income countries must provide financing for developing countries to establish their renewable energy industries and allow them to turn down the opportunity to earn high oil and gas revenues. Nevertheless, turning down money is a difficult pill to swallow, particularly as many African and Caribbean powers view the Western World as highly hypocritical. The African Energy Chamber believes that At a time when both African and Caribbean nations are making great strides towards developing recently discovered oil and gas reserves, countries whose development was driven by hydrocarbons are accelerating efforts to transition to a renewable energy future. This transition has seen wealthy nations establish a green agenda, one which does not take into consideration Africas economic needs. Macky Sall, the President of Senegal a country which discovered a deposit of 15 trillion cubic feet of gas in 2015 explained, How can you tell people in Africa, where half the population does not have electricity Leave your resources in the ground? He added, There is no sense in that, and it is not fair. We need an energy transition that is fair. Meanwhile, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the President of Guyana, a massive new oil power, stated, Did you know that Guyana has a forest that is the size of England and Scotland combined a forest that stores 19.5 gigatons of carbon, that we have kept alive? Im going to lecture you on climate change. We have kept this forest alive that you enjoy, that the world enjoys, that you dont pay us for, that you dont value, in response to calls to leave its oil in the ground. Further, many believe that Africas fossil fuel problem stems from the decades-long involvement of foreign oil majors who have exploited the regions resources. Vanessa Nakate, a Unicef goodwill ambassador, says Oil and gas giants have sold African leaders big promises that gas is the key to development. But this weeks analysis by energy experts at the IEA makes those seem even more dubious. It predicts that beyond 2025 there could be too much natural gas in the global energy system, causing a gas glut. Nakate calls for greater investment in Africas renewable energy sector, which would give leaders across the region a reason to leave their fossil fuel resources undeveloped. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: It seems that the Kremlin is having a hard time accepting that Russia is playing second fiddle to China when it comes to trade in Central Asia. The reluctance of Russian officials to acknowledge trade reality was on display at a late April trade fair, held in the Uzbek capital Tashkent. In a speech at the exhibition, Igor Kamynin, Russias deputy trade representative, claimed, at least in the case of Uzbekistan, that Russia and China were "equal partners with an equal share in trade turnover" in the eyes of Uzbek leaders, according to a TASS news agency report. Kamynins reasoning literally rests on wishful thinking. To put Russia and China on the same trade level, he cited aspirational trade targets for 2030, in which Uzbekistan hopes to increase annual trade turnover with both Moscow and Beijing to $20 billion each. Official Uzbek trade figures for 2023 take a pin to Kamynins bubble world, showing a wide trade-turnover gap between Russia and China at present. Uzbek-Russian trade turnover last year amounted to $9.8 billion, almost 30 percent lower than the Uzbek-Chinese total of $13.7 billion. China is holding its lead so far this year, according to Uzbek official sources. Bilateral trade turnover with China during the first quarter of 2024 amounted to $3.01 billion, while Russia trailed at $2.5 billion. If the existing pattern holds for the rest of the year, the value of Uzbek bilateral trade with Russia will remain flat while Chinas total will experience a decline. Uzbekistan is not an anomaly in the Russian-Chinese regional trade rivalry. Official statistics for 2023 show China surpassed Russia in trade turnover with all five regional Asian states. By Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Imposing a tax on big fossil fuel companies could boost climate finance by up to $900 billion by the end of the decade. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has repeatedly emphasized the need for higher levels of climate funding to meet global climate goals and achieve a green transition, but finding this money is not so easy. A recent report has potentially identified a way to raise funds to develop the renewable energy capacity of low-income nations, thereby helping the global green transition. A new Climate Damages Tax report, published in April by the organization Stamp Out Poverty, suggests that taxing major fossil fuel companies based in some of the worlds richest countries could help raise billions of dollars in funding to tackle the effects of climate change and support the development of renewable energy projects in low-income countries around the globe. Levying a tax on firms in the wealthiest Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries could provide as much as $720 billion in climate funding by 2030. The report shows that the tax could be established within existing tax systems. A rate of $5 per tonne of CO2 starting this year in OECD countries and increasing by $5 a tonne each year would provide $900 billion in funding by 2030. The authors suggest that $720 billion of this could be used to contribute to the Loss and Damage Fund, to support countries most affected by climate change. The remaining funds could be used to help communities in richer countries to undergo a green transition in line with national aims. Several organizations support the aims of the report, including Greenpeace, Stamp Out Poverty, Power Shift Africa, and Christian Aid. The joint director at Greenpeace U.K., Areeba Hamid, explained We need concerted global leadership to force the fossil fuel industry to stop drilling and start paying for the damage they are causing around the world. A climate damages tax would be a powerful tool to help achieve both aims: unlocking hundreds of billions of funding for those at the sharp end of the climate crisis while helping accelerate a rapid and just transition away from fossil fuels around the world. The Loss and Damage Fund was introduced at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai last year, following years of pressure from low-income countries to develop a fund to help alleviate the burden of climate threats on the developing world. Around 200 countries supported the creation of the fund. Many states across the developing world are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and do not have the means to tackle climate change or develop their renewable energy capacity to support a green transition. The fund was established to help countries around the world to combat climate change. Representatives from 24 countries must now decide what form the fund should take, which countries should contribute, and where and how the money should be distributed. The first board meeting for the Loss and Damage Fund is set to take place in Abu Dhabi next week, where the board will select a host for the fund expected to be the World Bank as well as discuss other specifics. There have been several delays in establishing a board for the fund, with the first meeting being pushed from January to May, which has attracted criticism over the lack of action. There has been further criticism over the participation restrictions to the inaugural meeting. Amnesty Internationals Climate Advisor Ann Harrison stated, Amnesty International and other climate justice organizations are deeply concerned about restrictions imposed on the participation of civil society organizations at the first board meeting of the Loss and Damage Fund. Harrison added, This inaugural meeting should set a precedent by enhancing and welcoming the participation of civil society, not severely limiting its involvement. Full involvement of civil society would help reflect the views of the often diverse and marginalized communities whose rights are most affected by the climate crisis. The Paris Agreement states that richer countries have a greater responsibility to tackle climate change as they have historically been the biggest carbon emitters. High-income countries participating in the COP summits have repeatedly stated their dedication to raising funds to support a global (rather than just a local) green transition, by contributing to the development of renewable energy capacity in low-income nations and supporting them in their fight against climate change. However, to date, little has been done to raise these funds and develop new projects. Raising money through the introduction of a tax on oil and gas producers in rich, high-polluting countries, such as the U.S., the U.K., Japan, Spain, and Canada, could help raise funds for developing countries, as well as attract greater investment in the Fund. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Natural gas markets have recorded a sharp spike in the current week with Henry Hub prices jumping 24% to $2.06/MMBtu as Europe mulls cutting off more Russian gas. Last month, EU energy chief Kadri Simson signaled that the EU executive has "no interest" in pushing Kyiv to renew its 5-year contract with Moscow, responsible for the supply of ~5% of Europes gas. TotalEnergies (NYSE:TTE) CEO Patrick Pouyanne has predicted that natural gas and LNG prices will spike after EU sanctions Russian gas from the Yamal LNG project. Traders are also concerned about the possibility of a harsh European winter after going through two mild winters in a row. However, these fears could be overblown with Europes biggest gas supplier experiencing a natural gas boom. European companies have signed numerous sale and purchase agreements for U.S. LNG since Russia invaded Ukraine, most of which are for 20 years. Last year, Europe imported 167 bcm of LNG, ~46% from the U.S. With Europes gas appetite set to continue growing, the Eagle Ford shale of South Texas, traditionally an oil play, is increasingly exploring its gassier side. The second-largest U.S. shale basin came into sharp focus in March when TotalEnergies revealed plans to acquire the 20% interest held by Lewis Energy Group in the Dorado leases operated by EOG Resources Inc. (NYSE:EOG) in the Eagle Ford shale gas play. The Dorado field will allow TotalEnergies to increase its U.S. natural gas production by 50 Mcf/d (million cubic feet a day) in the current year, with the potential for an additional 50 Mcf/d by 2028. This implies the Dorado field could supply nearly a third of TotalEnergies U.S. natural gas output of 340 Mcf/d. With over 10 million tons (Mt) in 2023, TotalEnergies was the number one exporter of U.S. LNG. The Eagle Ford is home to nearly 100 oil and gas companies, including Big Oil names such as BP Inc. (NYSE:BP), ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP), Devon Energy Corp. (NYSE:DVN), Hess Corp. (NYSE:HES), Shell Plc (NYSE:SHEL), Pioneer Natural Resources (NYSE:PXD) and CNOOC (China National Offshore Oil Corporation). Eagle Ford Gas Boom Sital Mody, natural gas president at energy infrastructure company Kinder Morgan Inc. (NYSE:KMI), is highly bullish on the Eagle Fords natural gas prospects. Mody has predicted strong production growth by the Eagle Ford Shale out to 2030 thanks to the favorable economics and low nitrogen content of natural gas produced in the basin. According to data from S&P Global Commodity Insight, natural gas production from the Eagle Ford Shale averaged 5.2 Bcf/d in 2023; Kinder Morgan has forecast that production will grow by another 2.5 Bcf/d, or nearly 50%, by 2030, and probably rival that of the Haynesville. Kinder Morgan sees opportunities to blend high-nitrogen gas from the Permian with Eagle Fords low-nitrogen gas to serve demand for nitrogen-sensitive LNG customers on the Gulf Coast. LNG producers typically maintain nitrogen content below 1% to maximize the heating value of the gas and prevent damage to storage tanks. "As the Permian gains market share to serve these LNG facilities ... it's going to be a bigger issue. We do believe that the low nitrogen content that's in the lean Eagle Ford will be of value as you start to satisfy all the incremental LNG demand," Mody told investors. Last month, Kinder Morgan reported that its natural gas pipeline segment recorded a boost from higher margins realized on its storage assets and higher volumes on its gathering systems. On the earnings conference call, CEO Kim Dang said he expects "significant new natural gas demand" rising from energy-intensive tech such as AI, crypto mining and data centers. "We expect demand for natural gas to grow substantially between now and 2030, led by more than a doubling of demand for liquefied natural gas exports and a more than 50% increase in exports to Mexico," Dang said. "The emphasis on renewables as the only sources of power is fatally flawed," Dang added, arguing that Big Tech leaders, "like the rest of us, realize that the wind doesn't blow all the time and the sun doesn't shine all the time." Back in March, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicted that the countrys natural gas production will decline in 2024 at a time when demand is expected to hit a record high. According to the EIA, dry gas production will ease from a record 103.79 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in 2023 to 103.35 bcfd in 2024 as several producers lower their drilling activities thanks to low gas prices. However, the EIA sees output rebounding in 2025 to 104.43 bcfd as gas prices recover. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: AUSTIN Anne-Marie Jardine cried while looking at her best graduation portrait a jolt searing through her body as she realized just how tainted it all is now. The University of Texas at Austin senior smiled for the photo to celebrate her academic success, her classic stole and gown vivid against the green double doors of Sutton Hall. Just days later, she was zip-tied around the wrists and loaded into a police van just yards from that picturesque backdrop, as state troopers broke up a pro-Palestine rally that she and many others thought would be harmless. Jardines final weeks as an undergrad have been disillusioning, since she became one of the reported 136 arrests police made during two protests in late April. The police response and campus unrest have cast a dark cloud over the states flagship as impacted students struggle through final exams and impending commencement ceremonies. Texas state troopers in riot gear try to break up a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Texas, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Austin, Texas. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP) Jay Janner/Associated Press I was gonna have a cake; it was gonna be orange and adorable, the 22-year-old said, referencing her upcoming graduation party and the schools trademark hue. I think Im gonna change the color for sure, because I dont want to look at it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jardine is among those who have soured on the institution in a rebuke of President Jay Hartzell and his decision to call officers to campus. Other students remain uncomfortable or angry at the pro-Palestinian activity that continues in highly visible spaces. And then there are the students who have not taken part in the activism and see the heavy police presence as a damper on an otherwise joyful time of year. The tenor at UT has changed for students, regardless of whether they are pro-Palestinian, pro-Israel or entirely removed from the debates about the war in the Gaza Strip. University of Texas police officers block access to East 21st Street as students pose for senior graduation photos in a large campus fountain Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin in Austin. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer It was definitely unsettling at first, said Vianca Sula, a Houston-area senior who held a photo shoot with her friends on Thursday, in sight of police. Even walking to class, walking through a crowd, Im very on edge. Students across the country have navigated tense campus climates since Hamas Oct. 7 raid on southern Israel, with movements building until they reached a turning point last week with larger-scale protests and encampments at Columbia University in New York. Those inspired similar demonstrations at colleges nationwide, resulting in escalating police encounters as university administrations condemn the activity for disrupting academic activities and violating their policies. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The University of Texas was swept into the spotlight early on, when Hartzell and Gov. Greg Abbott called the Texas Department of Public Safety to intervene in a Popular University for Gaza event that the Palestine Solidarity Committee student group organized on April 24. A pro-Palestinian protester yells "Free Palestine" as she is handcuffed by University of Texas at Austin police on the campus Monday, April 29, 2024, in Austin, Texas. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman via AP) Aaron E. Martinez/Associated Press Protesters yell at police after police officers used pepper spray and flash bangs to clear the crowd blocking police vehicles from leaving the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, Monday, April 29, 2024. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman via AP) Aaron E. Martinez/Associated Press A group of students pose for a graduation photo in a fountain near a group of protesters, not pictured, Thursday, May 2, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin in Austin. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Erica Howard, a graduate student at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, cries during a prayer vigil Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin in Austin. Im a mother and Im crying for those families, she said about families in Gaza. It just breaks my heart. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer A security officer removes barriers along East 21st Street on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin in Austin. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Graffiti mars a bench Thursday, May 2, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin in Austin. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer University of Texas police officers block access to East 21st Street as a student poses senior graduation photos in a large campus fountain Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin in Austin. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Students take graduation photos as police sit nearby and watch protesters Thursday, May 2, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin in Austin. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Dominic Romo poses for a senior photo on a grassy mall where protests have taken place in the previous days Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin in Austin. Its sad to see the universitys response to everything, he said. But, Im on my own path. He added that he hopes the students who were arrested during protests get to graduate. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Chris Smalls, president of the Amazon Labor Union, talks with pro-Palestinian protesters about the value of organizing during a teach-in on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin in Austin. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Alex Blum, right, talks with two men who ran up to a group of protesters and tried to talk with them and film them after a prayer vigil Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin in Austin. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Jasmine Rad, left, laughs as her friend Barry Seitz cleans bird poop out of her hair during an interview with journalists Thursday, May 2, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin in Austin. The pair are part of Longhorn Students for Israel. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Mia Cisco, a junior at the University of Texas at Austin, talks about her experience being arrested during a protest Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin in Austin. Its demoralizing, its degrading, she said. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer State troopers try to break up a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Texas, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Austin. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP) Jay Janner/Associated Press University of Texas police officers group together to monitor the ongoing anti-war demonstrations and protests in solidarity with Gaza and Palestinians on the campuss South Mall on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Austin, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News University of Texas police officers talk in front of the UT Tower on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Austin, Texas. The university has had an huge increase in law enforcement presence due to several large anti-war demonstrations from protestors in solidarity with Gaza and Palestinians. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Pro-Palestinian protestors participate in a prayer vigil during a small gathering at the South Lawn on the University of Texas campus on Wednesday afternoon, May 1, 2024, in Austin, Texas. A protest scheduled for earlier in the day was postponed to May 5. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News University of Texas employees put up barricades along the UT Tower steps to restrict movement around the South Mall on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Austin, Texas. The university has had an huge increase in law enforcement presence due to several large anti-war demonstrations from protestors in solidarity with Gaza and Palestinians. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News A University of Texas graduate watches university employees put up barricades on the UT Tower steps on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Austin, Texas. The university has had an huge increase in law enforcement presence due to several large anti-war demonstrations from protestors in solidarity with Gaza and Palestinians. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News A University of Texas graduate, left, gets his picture taken in front of the UT Tower university employees put up barricades along the steps on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Austin, Texas. The university has had an huge increase in law enforcement presence due to several large anti-war demonstrations from protestors in solidarity with Gaza and Palestinians. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News The university twice asked the organization to call off its protest, taking issue with a stated intent to occupy campus. The students insisted they aimed for a peaceful gathering and proceeded with the demonstration, but a march down a major campus thoroughfare became mayhem when mounted troopers arrived a move that has been lauded by some and criticized by others as aggravating a peaceful situation and preempting the protesters First Amendment rights. Around 57 people were arrested on Class B misdemeanor charges of criminal trespassing, although all of those, including Jardines, were later dropped. Demonstrators returned to campus on Monday and again clashed with law enforcement, leading to the arrests of 79 whose charges mostly remain on the books. The university estimates that more than half of the people who faced legal trouble were unaffiliated with UT. UT PROTESTS: Austin photojournalist charged with misdemeanor assault after colliding with police at UT protests Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police on horseback on my campus is something that I dont think anyone ever wants, said Josh Hoffman, a Jewish doctoral student who opposes the protesters' rhetoric but has mixed feelings about the administration and polices approach. This is my last spring semester here. It certainly does color the end of the experience. Josh Hoffman, a Ph.D. student in computer science, looks toward a group of pro-Palestinian protesters and the university tower Thursday, May 2, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin in Austin. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer School in the shadow of protests In some ways, the responses to continuing encampments at the University of California at Los Angeles and Columbia University have served as warnings to pro-Palestinian students at UT. They still gather most days on the South Lawn, where many of their peers were arrested, but they now hold quieter teach ins to help others learn about the purpose of divestment. Those mimic calls around the country for universities to pull their assets from companies that protesters believe are complicit in the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza. The scope of the horror abroad is a deeply personal issue for students who are Israeli, Jewish, Muslim or Palestinian, some of whom have family in the Middle East and some who simply feel the stakes are too high for those overseas and for the perpetuation of antisemitism or Islamophobia in the U.S. and elsewhere. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hamas initial attack killed around 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages in Israel. The resulting military offensive against the militant organization has now killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, cited by the Associated Press. Showing up to protests and counterprotests feels like a duty for many at UT, who also face the reality of being college students in America physically distant from the war and dealing with their own troubles at home. A woman prays during a vigil Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin in Austin. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Jardine, of Austin, said she remains unsure whether she will receive her diploma, even though her charges were dropped. University officials have declined to comment on whether the arrested students will be allowed to attend graduation, citing federal privacy law. If anything, it made me even more reassured that I made the right choice for a degree because I really do care about this, said Jardine, who studied international relations and global studies with a focus on the Middle East. But yeah, I do not like that school. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The spring semester ended in confusion for students who left the Travis County Jail only to show up for finals in the following days. Aryel Mejia, an aerospace engineering senior from Dallas, remembered from the lockup that she had an exam the following morning, and her friend emailed the professor to reschedule the test on her behalf. Aryel Mejia cries as she talks about her experience getting arrested during a protest the previous week, on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin in Austin. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Emotionally processing the arrest was nearly impossible as Mejia completed her exams. She at least hopes to attend her engineering ceremony but plans to skip the university-wide commencement with all of the school pride and the pomp and circumstance. She is ready to leave UT. Its almost disrespectful to be like, 'Oh, were gonna arrest all these students,' and two weeks later, were gonna celebrate our students for graduating, Mejia, 23, said. I dont know. I wouldnt want to be there. Mia Cisco, a junior from Austin, said she and others are trying to continue their support for the Palestinian movement while avoiding rearrest. (The group has scheduled its next protest for Sunday.) But walking near the area she was apprehended has been a mental struggle, and Cisco has had difficulty focusing on her academics for the first time in her college career. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its like a place of re-trauma every time I step foot on campus, said Cisco, a 23-year-old Ukranian American and Muslim student. Like, how much am I willing to retrigger myself for an 'A' right now? Mia Cisco, a junior at the University of Texas at Austin, talks about her experience being arrested during a protest Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin in Austin. Its demoralizing, its degrading, she said. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Avoiding campus The haze over UT also exists for Jewish and Israeli students who view the ongoing protests as a major source of anxiety. Some had vocalized fears for their own safety since Oct. 7, citing antisemitism hurled at them from classmates, sprawled on walls as graffiti, or overheard while walking past the Palestinian demonstrations. Estimates place UTs Jewish population at 3,000 on a school of almost 52,000, and the community is active. Barri Seitz, of Atlanta, spent most of her freshman year creating a group called Longhorn Students for Israel, meant to give voice to a cause she identifies with and push back against the persistent antisemitism she says she has seen on campus. Barri Seitz, a Plan II honors student, listens as her friend Jasmine Rad talks about their experiences with anti-semitism on campus Thursday, May 2, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin in Austin. The pair are part of Longhorn Students for Israel. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Many of the protesting students are adamant that they stand against the Israeli governments treatment of people in occupied Palestinian territories, not against Jews, and they draw a separation between the antisemitism they say they rebuke and the anti-Zionism that many support. Students like Seitz and her organizations incoming president, Jasmine Rad, say the delineation is not so clear anymore. Some Jewish students say they do feel either uncomfortable or unsafe on campus, heightened by UT communications with vague details on confiscated weapons and physical assaults or threats to staff and police, suspected to be perpetrated by nonstudents or individuals unaffiliated with the university. A UT source said authorities recovered a flyer with apparently pro-Hamas propaganda from a dismantled encampment on Monday. If I can get work done at a coffee shop or in my dorm, like, Im avoiding campus, Seitz, 19, said. And it hurts because I know thats what these groups want. Josh Hoffman, a Ph.D. student in computer science, wears a Texas Longhorns-themed kippah Thursday, May 2, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin in Austin. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer She has appreciated the universitys willingness to take action as some of her classmates call for Hartzells resignation. Hoffman agreed that he is thankful to UT for recognizing Jewish students' concerns, although he is trying to balance the feeling with his distaste at videos and reports which show UTs pro-Palestinian protesters being handled with alleged force. I do think there is something to be said about the university setting the tone of the conversation very early on, said Hoffman, a 27-year-old from the Chicago area. On the other hand, like, you know, students being pepper-sprayed in the process theres no looking at it and going 'Wow, Im so glad.' Mejia, Cisco and Jardine described being picked out of a crowd and offering no resistance when authorities rounded them up for arrests. They came for solidarity, but Jardine ended up feeling like a zoo animal. Tears welled in Mejias eyes as she described the moment she understood that others were watching her being apprehended. Cisco has since felt a sense of loss about the UT she loved, an institution which she does not believe is on the right side of history. Police pepper spray pro-Palestinian protesters blocking police vehicles from leaving the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, Monday, April 29, 2024. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman via AP) Aaron E. Martinez/Associated Press There are ways that I dont think Im going to be taking pride in the rest of my academic career here, she said. I do feel like I was lied to, like, I feel I bought into a lie about the University of Texas. Cisco is getting through the semester like everyone else. Some can do that better than others, though, evidenced by the inevitable rumblings on campus as students ready for graduation. On Thursday, a group of students posed for a photo on the tower steps, overcast and more hushed than one might expect this time of year. A sudden pop of confetti interrupted the quiet, and sitting on a lawn nearby, many pro-Palestinian protesters jumped. Washington County officials provided updates on the impact of the Arbor Day tornado outbreak at a meeting Friday in Kennard, Nebraska. Hundreds of residents gathered at an auditorium in the town southwest of Blair to hear about the next steps toward rebuilding after the tornado that hit areas of the county April 26. The tornado entered Washington County after sweeping through the Elkhorn and Bennington areas. It eventually crossed the Missouri River and dissipated southwest of Modale, Iowa. The National Weather Service classified the tornado as an EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. County officials said six injuries from the tornadoes were reported and no deaths. Despite very few injuries, officials and residents shared stories of the extensive damage. Washington County Highway Superintendent David Kruger described a local road worker having to leave his destroyed home to help clear roads so emergency vehicles could get through. Erv Portis, assistant director of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, told those gathered at the meeting that the damage from the tornado was some of the worst hed ever seen. This one ranks near the top of the bad because its so many individual property owners, he said. I have great compassion for you. Portis outlined how affected residents can apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance, which starts by visiting www.DisasterAssistance.gov, calling 800-621-3362 or downloading the FEMA mobile app. FEMA has approved funds for both public assistance and individual assistance for those affected by the tornadoes in Douglas and Washington Counties. Individual assistance is issued more rarely than public assistance, Portis said, and the last time Nebraska received individual assistance funding was after the 2019 floods. Local law enforcement agencies and fire departments said they all worked together to respond to the affected areas and received assistance from neighboring agencies. Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson said he has asked the National Guard to keep affected areas secure. We can only do so much for so long before we need to ask for help, he said. Maria Moreno, divisional emergency disaster services director at the Salvation Army's Western Division, said the agency was continuing to operate out of the Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch located off of Highway 133. She said they are working closely with other organizations like the American Red Cross and First Lutheran Church in Blair to provide support for those affected. When I arrived here, I was astonished by what the community had stepped up and done," she said. "We are here for the entire time that you need the support. Photos: National Weather Service office in Valley tracks tornadoes for Omaha metro Gov. Jim Pillen said Friday that Nebraska can reduce property taxes if people change their attitudes and are willing to give a little for the greater good. "If we decide to do what's best for Nebraska and everybody decided to participate, we can do it," he told a Bellevue town hall audience, as he launched a renewed effort to win public support for his property tax reduction plan. The governor plans a series of summertime town halls across Nebraska expected to lead up to a promised special session of the Legislature focused on property taxes. Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly will make the case at additional events. Nebraskans across the state have made clear that they expect state leaders to solve the property tax crisis, Pillen said. While we are counting on the Legislature to develop the right solution, all Nebraskans must be part of this conversation." While the governor said Nebraska must find a way to reduce the amount of property taxes paid and referred to the 40% goal he set earlier this year, he offered little new information about how he would achieve that goal or when he might call a special session. Pillen told one questioner Friday he had no timetable for a special session, saying "we're going to have it when we're ready and when we're going to win." But he also told listeners shortly thereafter that the session would be "later this summer" and would "be done before school starts." 'All ideas are on the table' In his presentation, the governor walked listeners through the history of the plan presented to the Legislature this year, which involved raising the sales tax rate and increasing taxes on various goods and services to pay for property tax reductions. The plan also included property tax caps on cities and counties and tighter revenue caps on schools. Pillen came up empty-handed when the regular session ended in mid-April, after opposition to the various tax increases in the plan proved too difficult to overcome. Not even a scaled-back version of the plan, without his initial 2-cent sales tax increase or even the later 1-cent proposed hike, could garner enough votes. On Friday, the governor added the idea of eliminating virtually all the sales tax exemptions passed over the years. His earlier plan would have eliminated selected exemptions. Applying the sales tax more broadly would allow the rate to be lower, yet bring in more money, he said. That money could then produce meaningful property tax reductions. As an example, he said, if agricultural inputs faced a sales tax of 2%, it would add $8 to the $400 cost of planting an acre of corn this year. But if property taxes on that acre were $100 and could be reduced by 40%, that farmer would come out ahead, he said. All ideas are on the table, but we must pass a plan that provides transformative property tax relief to hardworking Nebraskans. We must get this done, Pillen said, warning that the amount of property taxes paid in the state are on track to continue rising if no change is made. Some at the town hall questioned whether large out-of-state landowners would get the same property tax reduction as other landowners, since they are unlikely to share in paying other taxes to support the governor's plan. Others asked whether there would be guarantees of property tax reduction or if local governments would find ways around the caps. One woman challenged the governor's assertion that the sales tax only covers discretionary purchases, saying she doesn't consider purchases such as clothing optional. She said the sales tax is regressive, meaning it falls more heavily on lower-income people. But another woman said she doesn't have enough money left to maintain her 1959 house once she pays property taxes and insurance on the home. One person expressed shock that there would be opposition to reducing property taxes. Pillen responded that groups he called "political goobers" have been scaring lawmakers and the public about the plan. To counter those pressures, he urged audience members to call their lawmakers. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of April 2024 Anthony Franze is a native Texan and very passionate about covering any weather that is thrown at him. He can be reached at anthony.franze@express-news.net. Anthony earned a degree in Meteorology from Valparaiso University in 2017. He has worked as a broadcast meteorologist for six years, one at NBC Montana and the next five at NewsWest 9 in Midland before joining the Express-News in July 2023. In his free time, Anthony enjoys watching sports, checking out local restaurants and breweries, and getting outside whenever the heat allows for it. If you have any story ideas, questions about the weather or restaurant suggestions, drop him a line. Ghanaian importers of various products have applauded NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for his proposal to grant businesses tax amnesty as well as introduce a flat duty rate in cedis under his government. Dr. Bawumia, as part of his major policies to transform the country, announced a major overhaul of the present tax regime and import duties charged in US dollars. At a meeting in Accra with a group of women importers, Dr. Bawumia reiterated his commitment to implementing these policies and his address was welcome with delight from the audience. Dr. Bawumia stressed the present tax regime is unfavorable to businesses due to its cumbersome nature, hence bringing a policy that will eradicate this problem. "The present tax system is confusing and traders even find it difficult to calculate what they have to pay...Also, as you have just confirmed, many traders complain of harassment from tax officials which should not be the case. People who are already paying taxes should not be regularly harassed", Dr. Bawumia said. "I am bringing a new policy, if you help me to be President, to make the tax system very simple, transparent and easy to calculate", he pledged, adding "to kick off the new tax regime I will be introducing in 2025, by the grace of God, I will grant tax amnesty to businesses so that we start on a fresh note to help businesses". He continued; "I have also realized that charging import duties in US dollars affect traders due to exchange rate fluctuations. Our import duties are also higher than our neighbors in Togo; so many people smuggle goods from Togo. Another new thing I want to bring is that I will introduce a flat duty on containers which will be charged in cedis. This will ensure predictability and also significantly reduce import duties as we will not go higher than Togo." Dr. Bawumia explained to the traders that he has done careful examination of the present situation and its negative impact on businesses and revenue mobilization and therefore expressed optimism that his policies are bold solutions to help importers and traders. He urged them to support his bid to the Presidency to enable him implement these policies and many more to advance Ghana's development. The audience applauded Dr. Bawumia over his vision and offered prayers for him. The women importers are the latest trade group to welcome Dr. Bawumia's tax reforms; several groups including GUTA and spare parts dealers have equally endorsed the NPP presidential candidate's policies. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Tamale West Hospital in Ghana has received a significant boost in its efforts to combat malaria, thanks to a generous donation of antimalarial medications from Bliss GVS Pharma Ghana. The donation comes at a crucial time as the world continues to fight the malaria disease, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing one of the most pressing public health challenges in the region. Malaria remains a major health concern in Ghana, particularly in areas like Tamale, where transmission rates remain high. The burden of this mosquito-borne disease weighs heavily on communities, affecting both health and economic prosperity. In the face of such challenges, initiatives like Bliss GVS Pharma Ghanas ACT for Africa, a Malaria Free Continent campaign aimed at prevention and treatment, are essential in reducing the impact of malaria on individuals and families. Bliss GVS Pharma Ghana's donation of antimalarial medications to Tamale West Hospital exemplifies corporate social responsibility in action. By providing essential medicines like Lonart, Gsunate, and others, the pharmaceutical company not only supports the hospital's efforts to treat malaria cases effectively but also contributes to the overall goal of malaria control and elimination in the region. "We are pleased to partner with Tamale West Hospital in the fight against malaria especially as World Malaria Day approaches," said a representative from Bliss GVS Pharma Ghana, Mr. Ibrahim Mumuni. "This donation as spearheaded by the Managing Director of Bliss GVS Pharma, Mr. Gagan Sharma reflects our commitment to improving access to healthcare and promoting community well-being, especially in areas affected by preventable diseases like malaria. We have been making donations, and this year marks our fourth consecutive year of doing so. With access to quality antimalarial medications, the hospital can enhance its capacity to diagnose and treat malaria cases promptly, thereby reducing complications and saving lives. Moreover, this support reinforces the hospital's role as a frontline institution in the battle against malaria in the Tamale community. Receiving the items on behalf of Tamale West Hospital, Dr. Billah Bagamsah, Head of the Pharmacy Department, expressed gratitude to Bliss GVS Pharma Ghana for the good gesture. He said, Malaria is among the top three mortalities in the hospital and this donation will go a long way to curb and reduce the incidence rate. He added that Pregnant women and children under five years are the most vulnerable groups. So, well be targeting them. If you check our OPD attendance, currently, as the rain has started, the OPD attendance for malaria is increasing and these products will help the hospital treat this illness. Bliss GVS Pharma Ghana's commitment to supporting Tamale West Hospital underscores the power of partnerships in tackling global health challenges. By working together, stakeholders from the public and private sectors can make significant strides towards a malaria-free future for all. In the commemoration of World Malaria Day, let us celebrate initiatives like the donation from Bliss GVS Pharma Ghana, which brings hope and relief to communities affected by malaria. Together, we can continue the fight against malaria and move closer to the goal of a healthier, malaria-free world. 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 Kate Gyamfua, the National Womens Organizer for the New Patriotic Party, has taken a jab at the founder and leader of Movement for Change, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen. Kate Gyamfua reprimanded Alan Kyerematen for breaking away from the party. Alan Kyerematen resigned from the New Patriotic Party following the partys presidential election which saw Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia become its flagbearer. Alan accused the leadership of the party of manipulating the election against him and opted out to form his own political movement dubbed the Movement for Change with its symbol being a butterfly. Speaking on Peace FMs morning show Kokrokoo, Kate Gyamfua described Alans action as a sin against the NPP and left him to karma. You were a Minister for 8 years under Ex-President Kufours regime and also became a Minister for 7 years under Nana Addo Dankwas administration. But you rise against your government because you went for primaries and wasnt voted for not because you were rigged or Bawumia went unopposed. There is indeed karma! God will judge every issue, she said. She exclaimed; This thing where people who benefit from the party stand against it is a sin. There is karma. 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 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 newly discovered dodecahedron photographed during the dig. Credit: Norton Disney Archaeology Group Roman dodecahedra are something of an enigma: there is no known mention of these 12-sided, hollow objects in ancient Roman texts or images. First discovered in the 18th century, around 130 dodecahedra have been found across the Roman Empire, although it is interesting that the majority have been found in northern Europe and Britain, and none have been found in Italy. Dodecahedra are quite intricate, featuring a number of round holes, with knobs framing the holes. It would have taken a very skilled craftsman to make them. They are made out of a copper alloy and would have been quite expensive, due to the amount of time and metal that was used to create them, which adds to their intrigue. I am part of the local archaeology group behind the recent discovery of a Roman dodecahedron in Norton Disney, near Lincoln. It has been quite a whirlwind for our group, from the shock on the day of finding the object, where everyone on site was buzzing with excitement and disbelief, to dealing with all the attention both nationally and internationally. It has been wonderful to witness the interest in our find and the history of Norton Disney. There have been numerous suggestions by archaeologists and the public as to what dodecahedra could have been. Some theorize that they were religious objects, knitting tools, measuring instruments or stress toys. Due to the high level of skill involved, some have suggested that they were a way for a master craftsman to demonstrate their expert abilities. There is no uniformity in the size or shape of the dodecahedra found so far, nor in their metal composition or even in the level of craftsmanship. If they were important objects, we would expect to also discover contextual evidence in the archaeological record, such as depictions in paintings or mosaics. It does feel that this object will remain a mystery for some timewhich might be why so many people are fascinated by it. The Norton Disney dodecahedron In June 2023, the Norton Disney Archaeology Group (NDAG) (of which I am the treasurer) carried out a local community dig in a field close to the village of Norton Disney, Lincolnshire. Four trenches were opened, and it was in trench fourin what appeared to be a large pitthat a perfectly crafted dodecahedron was found. It's the 33rd to be found in England and the first to be found in the Midlands. There are a few things that make this find particularly special. First is its size, as it is thought to be one of the largest examples in Britain. Second is the high level of preservation of the object. As Richard Parker, the secretary for the NDAG, explained: "Ours is in absolutely fantastic condition. It is completely undamaged and there is no evidence of any wear at all." The dodecahedron has undergone some initial analysis in order to try to provide some more clues about it. A handheld XRF (X-Ray flourescence) analysis, a technique used to analyze element composition, was carried out by archaeometallurgist Gerry McDonnell, an expert in the past use and production of metals by humans. It revealed that the composition of the object was mostly a mix of copper alloy (75%), with tin (7%) and lead (18%). The Norton Disney dodecahedron measures around 8cm across and weighs 245 grams. It has also been scanned using a 3D scanner in collaboration with the University of Lincoln, and later this year it will be sent to Newcastle University for some further scientific analysis. The site of the find itself is interesting. Pottery shards from a number of the trenches ranged in date from the Iron Age up to the Roman period, showing a long, continued use of the land. There is also a Roman Villa close to the site that was excavated in 1935. Skeletal remains found at the villa suggest that it was occupied in the late Roman period, and that the villa site was later reused as a burial ground. In 1989, a metal detectorist discovered a Romano-British horseman deity figurine in the vicinity of the Roman villa, which is currently housed at the British Museum. There is still so much to learn about the site and the dodecahedron itself. The trench where it was found was not fully excavated in 2023 due to time and financial constraints (the NDAG is solely reliant on donations), as it was found on the penultimate day of the dig. But the NDAG will be returning to the site this June to reopen a couple of trenches and fully excavate the pit where the dodecahedron was found. This will hopefully provide a better picture of exactly what the site was used for and why the mysterious dodecahedron was placed there. 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: NASA astronauts Suni Williams (L) and Butch Wilmore (R) will be the first humans to travel aboard the Boeing Starliner into space. Launch day is finally here: Boeing's Starliner capsule blasts off Monday to the International Space Station on its first crewed missionseveral years after SpaceX first achieved the same milestone. The flight, a final test before Starliner takes up regular service for NASA, is critical for the US aerospace giant, whose reputation has suffered of late due to safety issues with some of its passenger jets. Starliner, which was first ordered a decade ago by the US space agency, has had a bumpy ride to the finish line, with surprise setbacks and multiple delaysa saga Boeing is eager to complete. Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are set to leave Cape Canaveral at 10:34 pm Monday (0234 GMT Tuesday) aboard the capsule. Starliner will be propelled into orbit by an Atlas V rocket made by United Launch Alliance, a Boeing-Lockheed Martin joint venture. Wilmore and Williams, Navy-trained space program veterans, have each been to the ISS twice, traveling once on a shuttle and then aboard a Russian Soyuz vessel. "It's going to be like going back home," Williams said. As for the Boeing spacecraft, Wilmore said, "Everything is new. Everything's unique." "I don't think either one of us ever dreamed that we'd be associated with the first flight of a brand new spacecraft." For NASA, the stakes are also high: Having a second option for human space flight in addition to SpaceX's Dragon vehicles is "really important," said Dana Weigel, manager of the agency's International Space Station program. Weigel said the flexibility could help NASA manage emergency situations, such as problems with a particular space vehicle. Boeing's Starliner capsule is seen at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida in April 2024. Setback after setback Starliner is scheduled to arrive at the ISS at about 0500 GMT Wednesday, and remain there for a little over a week. Tests will be performed to check it is working properly, and then Williams and Wilmore will reboard the capsule to return home. A successful mission would help dispel the bitter taste left by the numerous setbacks in the Starliner program. In 2019, during a first uncrewed test flight, the capsule was not placed on the right trajectory and returned without reaching the ISS. Then in 2021, with the rocket on the launchpad for a new flight, blocked valves forced another postponement. The empty vessel finally reached the ISS in May 2022. Since then, Boeing has been working on the crewed test flight so the capsule can be certified for NASA's use on regular ISS missions. It had hoped to carry out that flight in 2022, but problems kept cropping up, notably in the parachute system used to slow the craft when it returns to Earth's atmosphere. "There are a number of things that were surprises along the way that we had to overcome," said Boeing executive Mark Nappi. "It certainly made the team very strong, and very proud of how they have overcome every single issue that we've encountered." he added. "It's pretty typical that a human spaceflight vehicle from design to flying humans is about a 10-year period." An Atlas V rocket carrying a Starliner capsule takes off from Cape Canaveral in Florida in May 2022. 'Very embarrassing' NASA associate administrator Jim Free predicted the mission would not be hiccup-free. "We certainly have some unknowns in this mission, things we expect to learn, being a test mission. We may encounter things we don't expect," Free said, noting that Starliner is just the sixth US-built class of vessel for NASA astronauts. SpaceX's Dragon capsule joined that exclusive club in 2020, following the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and space shuttle programs. Once Starliner is fully operational, NASA hopes to alternate between SpaceX and Boeing vessels to ferry astronauts to the ISS. In 2014, the agency awarded fixed-price contracts of $4.2 billion to Boeing and $2.6 billion to SpaceX to develop these capsules. "Everybody thought Boeing was going to get there first," Erik Seedhouse, an associate professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, told AFP. "And so that SpaceX got there way ahead of Starliner was very embarrassing for Boeing." Even though the ISS is due to be mothballed in 2030, both Starliner and Dragon could be used in the future to taxi humans to future private space stations, which several companies are planning to build. 2024 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: Research and development version of the oral insulin capsule. Credit: University of Sydney/ Stefanie Zingsheim. An international team, led by researchers from Australia, have developed a system using nanotechnology that could allow people with diabetes to take oral insulin in the future. The researchers say the new insulin could be eaten by taking a tablet or even embedded within a piece of chocolate. The new nano carrier, tested in mice, rats and baboon animal models, could help people with diabetes avoid side-effects linked to insulin injections such as hypoglycemia (a low blood sugar event, when too much insulin has been injected). These animal studies have shown that the greatest strength of the nano-scale material is that it can react to the body's blood sugar levels. The coating dissolves and releases the insulin when there is a high concentration of blood sugar and importantly does not release the insulin in low blood sugar environments. The new oral insulin uses a type of nano-scale material that is 1/10,000th the width of a human hair. The material acts similarly to acid resistant coating on tablets, which protects it from being destroyed by stomach acid. But this new coating instead surrounds individual insulin molecules and becomes a "nano carrier"acting like a courier to ferry insulin molecules in the body to the places it needs to act. The findings are published in Nature Nanotechnology. It is estimated 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, and approximately 75 million of these inject themselves with insulin daily. Around 1.5 million deaths are directly attributed to diabetes each year. In 2021, it was estimated more than 1.3 million Australians were living with diabetes. Lead author Dr. Nicholas Hunt from the University of Sydney's School of Medical Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine and Health, says the development of a safe and effective oral insulin has been a challenge since insulin was discovered over a century ago. Research and development version of oral insulin capsule. Credit: University of Sydney/ Stefanie Zingsheim. "A huge challenge that was facing oral insulin development is the low percentage of insulin that reaches the blood stream when given orally or with injections of insulin," says Dr. Hunt, who is also a member of the University of Sydney Nano Institute and Charles Perkins Center. "To address this, we developed a nano carrier that drastically increases the absorbance of our nano insulin in the gut when tested in human intestinal tissue." Preclinical testing in animal models found that, following ingestion, the nano insulin was able to control blood glucose levels without hypoglycemia or weight gain. There was also no toxicity. "Our oral insulin has the added benefit of greatly reducing the risk of hypoglycemic episodes. For the first time we have developed an oral insulin that overcomes this major hurdle," said Dr. Hunt. Human trials are expected to start in 2025 led by the spin out company Endo Axiom Pty Ltd. Endo Axiom Pty Ltd was founded by Professor Victoria Cogger, Professor David Le Couteur AO and Dr. Nicholas Hunt, after 20 years of research. Dr. Hunt and his team were driven to develop oral insulin technology given it could help lighten the economic, health and well-being burden related to diabetes management for patients. Lead researchers Dr. Nicholas Hunt and Professor Victoria Cogger. Credit: University of Sydney/ Stefanie Zingsheim. "We wanted to devote our time to develop successful oral insulin technology because we believe it will help people with diabetes have more control over their condition." Senior author Professor Victoria Cogger, director of The ANZAC Research Institute, said the development of oral insulin is the culmination of many years of scientific endeavor and collaboration. "It's wonderful to see our work published, supported by Endo Axiom and reaching clinical trials?to be able to lead a change in the way we treat a disease that impacts so many people," she said. Professor Cogger said when her work first began on creating an oral insulin it was a purely scientific question, but then a family member became impacted by type 1 diabetes. "Life is strange and along the way my family was impacted by a type 1 diabetes diagnosis, and I really started to understand the reality of what life is like on injectable insulin therapy. "Having that lived experience has driven the project in many ways and created an impetus to improve life for all people living with diabetes. My hope is we can reduce the multi-faceted burden of diabetes through easily accessible oral insulin." More information: Nicholas J. Hunt et al, Oral nanotherapeutic formulation of insulin with reduced episodes of hypoglycaemia, Nature Nanotechnology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01565-2 Journal information: Nature Nanotechnology 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 Record-setting storms in 2023 filled California's major reservoirs to the brim, providing some relief in a decades-long drought, but how much of that record rain trickled underground? Shujuan Mao of Stanford University and her colleagues used a surprising technique to answer this question for the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. They analyzed changes in the velocity of seismic waves traveling through the LA basin, tracking these changes in space and time between January and October 2023. As Mao reported at the Seismological Society of America (SSA)'s 2024 Annual Meeting, their study found that groundwater levels almost completely recovered at very shallow depthsabout 50 meters below the surface. However, only about 25% of the groundwater lost over the past two decades was replenished at about 300 meters and deeper, likely because it is more challenging for stormwater to percolate into deeper layers of the earth. "That means that a single epic year of storms is not enough to restore the groundwater depletion accumulated over the recent droughts. It takes many more wet years for the deep aquifer to fully recover," Mao said. Groundwater contributes more than 60% of the water supply used in California during drought conditions, she noted. Mao and her colleagues are pioneering the use of seismic data to understand groundwater levels in the Los Angeles basin, as a complement to other methods used to measure groundwater levels. The most traditional method involves digging wells, which is expensive and only offers a "point scale measurement," Mao explained. "You don't know what the level is between two wells, or in other aquifer layers shallower or deeper relative to your well." More recently, researchers have been using satellite measurements to detect small changes in Earth's surface deformation or gravity field, which works well to infer changes in groundwater storage over time and area. "These surface measurements couldn't tell us what's happening at different depths," said Mao, "but that's where we as seismologists can help." With data from 65 broadband seismographs in the Southern California Seismic Network, the researchers looked at changes in the propagation speed of seismic waves. The data they used are the "background" seismic vibrations generated by the oceans, winds, and human activitynot the seismic waves associated with earthquakes. "These background seismic vibrations are continuous, which allow us to measure and monitor the seismic velocity changes continuously," Mao said. Seismic wave speed varies with the mechanical state of materials that the waves are passing through. When the groundwater level increases, the pressure in the porous space among rocks increases, and the seismic waves propagate slower through this porous rock. The researchers found that their estimates of groundwater storage calculated from seismic velocity change compared well with groundwater storage measurements from well and satellite data. The researchers also found prominent aquifer replenishment in San Gabriel Valley and Raymond Basin, likely due to surface or subsurface flows from the San Gabriel mountains. The combination of a dense seismic network and a pressing water shortage made Los Angeles "an ideal place to showcase how existing seismic data can contribute to the monitoring, understanding, and management of groundwater aquifers," said Mao. Seismic data would likely be integrated with many types of measurements to produce the comprehensive picture of groundwater dynamics needed to manage the valuable resource in a data-informed and sustainable manner, she added. Mao, who will be an assistant professor at The University of Texas at Austin in August, said she will apply seismic techniques in Austin to monitor how aquifers in that region respond to artificial recharge operations. 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 boat sits on a dried-up reservoir bed in southern Vietnam's Dong Nai province last month. More than 100 temperature records fell across Vietnam in April, according to official data, as a deadly heat wave scorches South and Southeast Asia. Extreme heat has blasted Asia from India to the Philippines in recent weeks, triggering heatstroke deaths, school closures and desperate prayers for cooling rain. Scientists have long warned that human-induced climate change will produce more frequent, longer and intense heat waves. Vietnam saw three waves of high temperatures in April, according to data published Friday by the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, with the mercury peaking at 44 degrees Celsius (111.2 Fahrenheit) in two towns earlier this week. The mark is only slightly below the highest temperature ever recorded in Vietnam44.2 C on May 7 last year. In all, 102 weather stations saw record highs in April, as northern and central Vietnam bore the brunt of the heat wave, with temperatures on average 2-4 C higher than during the same period last year. Seven stations recorded temperatures above 43 C, all on Tuesday. The most dramatic sign of the extreme weather hitting Vietnam came in the southern province of Dong Nai, where hundreds of thousands of fish died in a reservoir. Images showed locals wading and boating through the 300-hectare Song May reservoir, with the water barely visible beneath a blanket of dead fish. The mass die-off was blamed on water shortages caused by the heat wave and poor management. The Vietnamese weather agency is predicting more hot weather in May, with temperatures expected to be 1.5 to 2.5 degrees higher than in previous years. While April and May are normally the hottest time of year in Southeast Asia, experts say the El Nino effect is making this year's heat particularly intense. Bangladesh and Myanmar saw April heat records broken, heatstroke has killed at least 30 people in Thailand since the start of the year, and high temperatures were partly blamed for a deadly explosion at a Cambodian ammunition dump. Roman Catholic bishops in the Philippines are urging the faithful to pray for rain and lower temperatures, after the heat forced the government to close tens of thousands of schools. The Indian megacity of Kolkata has sweltered through punishing heat, peaking at 43 C for the city's hottest single April day since 1954. Even mountainous Nepal has been hit, with the government issuing health warnings last week and firefighters battling unusually severe wildfires. 2024 AFP One man is dead and three others wounded after a gunman opened fire on the guests at a baby shower in New York City. The NYPD tells HNGN that it happened early Saturday morning in Queens. Officers were called to investigate an assault at Volume Seventeen, a relatively new venue at 108-11 Atlantic Ave., at around 1:30 a.m. Police found a 24-year-old man shot in the chest. EMS rushed him to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center but it was too late to save his life. A 26-year-old man had been shot in the right arm and a 45-year-old man was suffering from a gunshot wound to his left leg. They were hospitalized in stable condition. A 43-year-old man later showed up at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center with gunshot wounds to the right arm and left leg. He was listed in stable condition. The glass doors to the venue had at least 11 bullet holes in them. Decorations littered the floor after the shooting. Gifts including boxes of diapers were also scattered inside the venue. There were no arrests in the case and the NYPD didn't have a motive. The identity of the victim who died was being withheld pending family notification. Emergency workers with Caney Creek Fire and Rescue navigate flooded streets on Friday. Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle Caney Creek Fire and Rescue personnel work in River Plantation subdivision during flooding on Friday, May 3, 2024 in Conroe. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Visitors to Javaman Coffee on Friday morning in Atascocita seemed concerned as storms flooded areas nearby. I dont want to sound all doom and gloom, but its not a good feeling. Theyre coming in and looking at one another and its not a good feeling, said owner Mark Norelli. Some Javaman customers experienced flooding during Hurricane Harvey, Norelli said, and on Friday many were talking about what to expect. Some customers came to the coffee shop to work remotely because they had lost their internet connection at home. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Small businesses around Houston this week navigated disruptions to their operations, such as employees who couldnt come to work, fewer customers and canceled appointments, as storms and flooding ravaged the area. CenterPoint Energy said outages had affected about 8,000 customers, while Entergy Texas said about 13,100 of its customers were without service Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, Harris, Montgomery, Waller and Liberty counties were among those under a flood watch until at least Friday evening, the National Weather Service said earlier in the day. LIVE UPDATES: Parts of Montgomery County experience worst flooding since 2016 Jack Maxey, at Jims Do It Best Hardware in Montgomery, said people were buying ponchos, sandbags and flood barriers. One customer came in to buy cinder blocks to raise furniture off the ground, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When its raining, its not too busy, but when its flooding, people are more concerned with personal property, trying to do what they can to get through it, Maxey said. Hannah Quijada, owner of HQT Bridal Tailoring in the Kingwood area, said she navigated a two-and-a-half-hour commute on Thursday, compared with her 10- to 15-minute drive from New Caney. She normally takes Kingwood Drive, which was closed. It was easier Friday morning, but she anticipated challenges getting back home. Quijada said she had to cancel about 10 appointments since Thursday, and she was canceling Saturday appointments out of caution. She said HQT usually adds extra time to work with brides-to-be in case of unexpected events, such as sickness and bad weather. Thankfully, everyone appears to be calm about it so far, Quijada said. At Painted Tree Boutiques in Kingwood, employee Carmen Martinez said she expected more customers early Friday morning as prom season continues. Painted Tree, which had to close Thursday morning because of the weather, is home to vendors selling clothes and home decor items. But in the first hour of business Friday, she had no customers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At Flowers of Kingwood, owner Robin Martinez said the flower shop could not make deliveries Friday morning because of the weather, and four employees couldnt make it in. Any work that weve already done, its lost work, said Martinez, who works with fresh flowers. She said shes supposed to deliver flowers Saturday to events that include a wedding near Lake Houston. But shes faced similar challenges before. Its happened in the past, Martinez said. We just regroup, move on and do the best we can. Cinco de Mayo has arrived and local bars and restaurants are offering deals to satisfy the craving for margaritas and Mexican food. For those who would rather celebrate the holiday at home, try one of these three Quad-Cities made salsas. Snoop's chips and salsa Part of the experience of Snoop's chips and salsa is tracking him down. James 'Snoop' Ramirez runs a catering business out of the Stern Center in downtown Rock Island. He doesn't keep normal store hours, but when he's in and has homemade chips and salsa to sell, customers flock. Ramirez said he is in the process of finding a place of his own where he can have customers come in consistently. Until then, customers are encouraged to call and place an order. He'll get back to you as soon as he can. "It's kind of goofy, but if you call me I'll take care of you," he said. His chips and salsa have become lore over the last 15 years, he said, with word spreading through Facebook and especially from his customers. For those who found this article too late to place an order, he's the main chip provider at Jennie's Boxcar in The Rust Belt in East Moline. On Sunday they're open 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Where to get it: Call 309-314-8197. Call 309-314-8197. What he's offering: Mild salsa, hot salsa, queso, guacamole, enchiladas. The origin story behind this company started, of all places, on a boat. Friends and now co-owners Haylee Sommers and Heather Scrowther were boating with their families when they discussed purchasing a lily pad. In between bites of Scrowther's homemade salsa they discussed how expensive it would be to buy the floating foam pad when Sommers came up with an idea. They could just sell the salsa and make money that way. "It was kind of a joke and it was fun to come up with a logo and a name," she said. "One summer of awkwardly selling salsa out of our boats turned into a six year business so far and we're going strong." Scrowther's recipe is one she's been using for the past 15 years and is always a hit at parties, she said. Once it was clear their sales were also a hit, they started selling it at The Edge Eatery in Rapid City then eventually in Hy-Vee's in the Quad-Cities area. The salsa is homemade in Moline and can be bought at a variety of places. A full list is on the company website: www.lock14damgoodsalsa.com. Where to get it: All area Hy-Vee stores; Highland Packing, Colona; Prep to Table, Moline; Red Barn Boutique, East Moline and Geneseo; Brownies Tavern, East Moline; Docs Inn, Silvis. All area Hy-Vee stores; Highland Packing, Colona; Prep to Table, Moline; Red Barn Boutique, East Moline and Geneseo; Brownies Tavern, East Moline; Docs Inn, Silvis. What they're offering: Mild, spicy, habanero salsas. James 'Lobo' Lopez is so good at the salsa business he even has his own storefront. Last fall he purchased the former Cones on the Corner building in East Moline and turned it into his salsa headquarters. Like the other greats, he started making salsa for friends and family and before long had an entire customer base. Initially, all the cooking was done at his home in his spare time. In 2018, he moved into Healthy Harvest in Rock Island and used their kitchen. After that he found a shared space in Bettendorf, but always had his heart set on returning to East Moline, if possible. Now, that dream is a reality. The grab and go section will be stocked and open from 1-6 p.m. on Saturday. Where to get it: Hey Bryans, East Moline; Olde Towne Bakery, Moline; G's Gourmet Popcorn, Moline; Sallies, Rock Island; AWAKE Coffee Company, Rock Island; Porters Village, Hampton; Country Store, Geneseo; Colona Legion, Colona; Fricks, Davenport; Players, Davenport; The Pour House, Davenport; Awake Coffee Company, Davenport; The Quarry, Bettendorf; Harley Corin's, Bettendorf. Hey Bryans, East Moline; Olde Towne Bakery, Moline; G's Gourmet Popcorn, Moline; Sallies, Rock Island; AWAKE Coffee Company, Rock Island; Porters Village, Hampton; Country Store, Geneseo; Colona Legion, Colona; Fricks, Davenport; Players, Davenport; The Pour House, Davenport; Awake Coffee Company, Davenport; The Quarry, Bettendorf; Harley Corin's, Bettendorf. What he's offering: Mild or hot salsa Tony's Grocery What good is salsa if there aren't chips to enjoy with it? Tony's chips are a Quad-Cities staple and have been organic and non-GMO since their inception in 1947. Last May, after a 76-year run as a family business, parent company Tony's Grocery was sold to a new owner. But, everything from the recipe to the iconic blue and yellow packaging stayed the same. And, the origin story is almost as good as the chips. After immigrating to the United States, Tony Saucedo and his brother found work with the Rock Island Lines. The family lived in a box car until they could save enough money to buy a small home on what is now Hero Street. That house later became a tortilla factory when Saucedo had a hard time transporting tortillas from the market in Chicago back to Silvis before they spoiled. The brown building is still the home of the Quad-Cities' only tortilla factory. And possibly, the Quad-Cities' favorite chip. Where to get it: 135 Hero Street in Silvis 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday or all area Hy-Vee and Jewel locations What they're offering: Tostado shells, taco shells, tortillas, Tony's chips, and more Photos: Las Salsas Dona Mary Cocina Mexicana opens in Moline Gary Clark is the weekly nature columnist for the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News. He also publishes feature articles in state and national magazines and has written four books: "Texas Wildlife Portfolio," "Texas Gulf Coast Impressions," "Backroads of the Texas Hill Country" and "Enjoying Big Bend National Park." Gary is also a contributing author in the book, "Pride of Place: A Contemporary Anthology of Texas Nature Writing." He has won eight Lone Star College writing awards and is the recipient of the Houston Audubon Society 2004 Excellence in Media Award and the Citizens' Environmental Coalition 2010 Synergy Media Award for Environmental Reporting. Gary is professor of business and developmental studies at Lone Star College--North Harris. In 32 years at the college, Gary has served as vice president of instruction; dean of Business, Social and Behavioral Sciences; associate dean of Natural Sciences; professor of marketing; professor of developmental writing; and Faculty Senate president. He is a recipient of the Teacher Excellence Award. Gary has been active in the birding community for more than 30 years. He founded the Piney Woods Wildlife Society in 1982 and the Texas Coast Rare Bird Alert in 1983. He served as president of the Houston Audubon Society 1989-1991 and purchased the North American Rare Bird Alert for Houston Audubon in 1990. He was vice president of the Board of Directors for the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory 2001-2008. He currently sits on the Board of Advisors for the Houston Audubon Society and Gulf Coast Bird Observatory. He is also a member of the American Mensa Society. Mexican fugitive from American justice returned to face charges in California Mexico City, Mexico A fugitive from the American justice system has been returned to the U.S. to face charges. In compliance with the Extradition Treaty signed between Mexico and the United States, the Attorney General of the Republic (FGR) extradited a fugitive of Mexican nationality required by the Superior Court of the State of California. On Saturday, Antonio F was handed over to U.S. marshals for the 2019 murder of his then-girlfriend. According to a statement by the FGR (Fiscalia General de la Republica), Antonio F was wanted in San Joaquin County for the crime of homicide. In June 2019, Antonio F stabbed his girlfriend with a knife causing her death, they reported. Antonio F was detained in Chignahuapan, Puebla, and held for U.S. extradition purposes. He was delivered to U.S. authorities Saturday morning from the Mexico City International Airport from where he was returned to California to face charges. Tulum International receives first Canadian flight with arrival of Air Canada from Toronto Tulum, Q.R. The Tulum International Airport received its first Canadian flight Friday with the landing of Air Canada. The Canadian airline made its inaugural landing at the Mexican airport around 2:30 p.m. Tulum time from Toronto. Governor Mara Lezama was at the airport for the Air Canada landing. She says the first landing is a significant event for tourism and the economy of Quintana Roo as she lead the ceremony for the inaugural flight. This new direct service marks an important milestone in the states international connectivity and reinforces Quintana Roos commitment to international tourism, she said. This connectivity will allow visitors to enjoy rural populations, learn about our cultural, historical, gastronomic and artisan wealth and represents a new alternative to experience, to live the New Era of the Mexican Caribbean, she added in a statement Friday. Tulum International welcomes its first Canadian flight. Photo: CGC May 3, 2024. Mara Lezama explained that the opening of this route is the result of collaboration between the government, Air Canada and local communities who together, work to make Quintana Roo an increasingly accessible and attractive destination on a global level. We invite all travelers from Toronto and Canada to discover Tulum and the many treasures our state has to offer, Lezama said Friday from the airport. Canadian travelers will be able to fly direct to Tulum from Toronto and Montreal. Photo: CGC May 3, 2024. Air Canada representatives in Mexico, Luis Noriega the General Director for Latin America and Gunther Leudesdorf, the General Director for Mexico, were also at the Tulum airport for the Air Canada landing. The Tulum International Airport is connected with numerous international destinations that now incudes Canada. Photo: CGC May 3, 2024. Air Canada offers direct flights to Tulum from Toronto on Fridays and Sundays, and as of May 4, direct from Montreal on Saturdays. Air Canada operates the routes with an Airbus 320 with capacity for 168 passengers and two classes of service. Following Hurricane Harvey, contractors staged equipment for the Army Corps of Engineers' dredging of the West Fork of the San Jacinto River east of Highway 59, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018 in Humble. Mark Mulligan/Staff photographer Following Hurricane Harvey, crews began an emergency dredging operation in the San Jacinto River West Fork on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018. Courtesy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers The Conroe Fire Departments Rapid Intervention Team deploy a boat to rescue a resident from her flooded home aftermath of a severe storm on Thursday, May 2, 2024 in Conroe. The rising water from the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, downstream from Lake Conroe, flooded homes and roads along FM2854. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Col. Rhett Blackmon, commanding officer and chief engineer for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District, answers questions during a press conference on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at Judson Robinson Sr. Community Center in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer A helicopter flies above the San Jacinto River, that has rose out of its banks in the aftermath of a severe storm on Thursday, May 2, 2024 in Conroe. The rising water from the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, downstream from Lake Conroe, flooded homes and roads along FM2854. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Some Kingwood-area residents are worried that sediment roiling in the flood-ravaged San Jacinto River will create blockages like those that sent floodwater into nearby homes during Hurricane Harvey. LIVE STORM UPDATES: Houston-area flood threat will remain as authorities brace for the worst "It's percolating right now, let me tell you, it's moving along," said Bob Rehak, a Kingwood retiree who follows the area's flooding and sits on Harris County's Community Flood Resilience Task Force. He said he was concerned this week's fast-moving water will push sediment into new sand banks near his community, even after the Army Corps of Engineers dredged out much of the former accumulation after Harvey. Rehak said storms always reshaped the riverbed. During Harvey, he said, so much sand was added to existing bottlenecks that two large sandbars blocked 90% of the river's flow along its west fork, pushing backed up water into the neighborhood. After this weekend, he expects to find new sandy choke points in the river. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "The peak hasn't even hit us yet here in Kingwood," he said. Rehak has pointed to the miles of open sand mines farther up the river as the source of its problematic volumes of sediment, picked up by fast-moving currents during floods. In the past, the Texas Aggregates and Concrete Association has refuted these claims, saying that the operations' sand removal is reducing the total sediment that could be pulled into the waterway. Jason Krahn, the chief infrastructure and operations officer for the Harris County Flood Control District, said all rivers and streams move a certain amount of sediment and woody debris regardless of human intervention, sometimes catching at key locations along the route. "It's just going to be something that has to be managed in time," said Krahn, noting a "balance between flood risk mitigation for the folks who live around that area and the natural processes." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Krahn said that large sandbanks like those dredged out by the Army Corps after Harvey are likely to form over time, rather than all at once. That leg of the river system contains two managed bodies of water with dams to control their flow: Lake Conroe, managed by the San Jacinto River Authority, and Lake Houston, owned by the city. But neither of those authorities nor the county flood control district say they are in charge of managing new sedimentation in river stretches. Tim Garfield, a retired geologist whose Kingwood home was one of an estimated 16,000 in the area that flooded during Harvey, said he spent months after trying to ensure the sandbank at the river mouth in his area was part of the Army Corps' dredging plans. Corps contractors did dredge it, after some debate with local officials, but Garfield said he worries that the work was insufficient and "just gave it a haircut." Another major flood "will back sediment right into the part that they did dredge in no time," he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After Harvey, Army Corps officials said they were authorized only to restore the river to its pre-storm condition. Though the federal agency dredges 30 to 40 million cubic yards of material annually in the Galveston area to keep big ships and their cargo moving, the San Jacinto River is not a federal navigable waterway. "The sedimentation from recurring annual flows in the San Jacinto River are not within the USACE Galveston Districts FEMA Mission Assignment or current assignments," said the Corps' Galveston-area spokesman Neil Murphy. Their work after Harvey with contractors Great Lakes Dredge and Callan Marine, which they said removed more than 2.5 million cubic yards of accumulated sediment, was a specific federal response to the disaster. Since Harvey, the state water authority has also given funds to independent county and city projects to dredge portions of the waterway. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In Henrik Ibsens An Enemy of the People, whose current Broadway revival was nominated for five Tonys this week, a small-town doctor, now played by Successions Jeremy Strong, discovers that the natural springs on which the town depends for its livelihood have become contaminated with waste from the local tannery. As a result, the people who travel for days to bathe in the towns waters for their health have instead been sickened by them. He rushes to print his findings in the local paper, but once the papers editor, a self-styled radical, discovers what the doctors report would meannamely that the springs would be closed for years, throwing people out of work and depriving them of the income they use to buy his newspapershe and the towns leaders agree on an alternate plan of action: to put it to a vote. Instead of simply presenting the townspeople with the truth, why not call a public meeting, and let them decide whether they want to hear it? The results go just as the leaders intend: The doctor is shouted down, branded a traitor, and publicly attacked, barely escaping with his life. Some time before that, the people who will orchestrate the doctors fate wax poetic about the importance of democracy. Society, they argue, is like a ship, and everyone should have a hand on the tiller. It takes an out-of-town visitor, a sailor, to point out the flaw in their analogy: That actually wouldnt work at all well on a ship. In theory, a community meeting is democracy in its essence, the way the ancient Greeks did it. In practice, its messy at best, and infuriating at worst, a forum for NIMBYs and book-banners to shout down more moderate voices until they get their way. Sometimes, especially in fiction, theres a lone voice of reason who overwhelms everyone with their command of the facts. But more often, that lone voice ends up like the good doctor, quivering on the floor as angry villagers cover him in filth. Not even The Simpsons Marge can out-talk the Harold Hillesque traveling salesman who sells her fellow Springfieldians on the idea of an extremely expensive monorail. But Main Streets still all cracked and broken! she cries. Sorry, Mom, Bart retorts. The mob has spoken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having gritted my teeth through, and rolled my eyes at, a few such meetings in recent months, Im surprised to find that my favorite scene of the year involves a group of concerned citizens, a PowerPoint presentation, and several dozen folding chairs. The scene in question comes from Ryusuke Hamaguchis Evil Does Not Exist, his follow-up to the Oscar-winning Drive My Car. The movie takes place in a small Japanese village called Mizubiki, whose placid rhythms risk being disrupted when a Tokyo company puts forth a plan to build a luxury camping site in the neighboring forest. Matters come to a head at the public forum where representatives from the firma talent agency called Playmode that has for some reason decided to pivot to glampingpresent their proposal to the townspeople for the first time. And for 20 virtually uninterrupted minutes, thats all we see: villagers and would-be developers going back and forth about the minutiae of septic runoff. Its riveting. Advertisement As opposed to the screaming free-for-all were used to seeing (or living through), Hamaguchis community meeting is virtually free of aggression. One young hothead tries to lunge out of his seat, but hes restrained by older, more temperate hands. Thats not to say its without conflict. As the duo from Playmode lay out their plans, the townspeople start to question them, particularly on the matter of waste management. The capacity of the sites septic tank is exceeded by the number of people its scheduled to serve, and while the developers argue that its average occupancy will be around half-full, the townspeople see right through them. Any waste thats not properly processed, they argue, will flow into the towns water supply, fouling the dazzlingly clear lakes and streams on which the camera lingers elsewhere in the film. The owner of the local udon shop pipes up and says she moved from Tokyo specifically because of how the towns water makes her noodles taste. Alter that, and her business could dry up overnight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The people of Mizubiki have other objections: the risk of wildfires started by careless city dwellers, especially since the developers arent planning to pay for overnight supervision, and the disruption to the migration of local deer. But they keep circling back to the subject of water, as the two people from Playmode grow more and more flummoxed. This wasnt the issue they expected to be pressed on, certainly not in this much detail, and besides it seems like these people might have a point? The title of Evil Does Not Exist might seem a tad ponderous, but I think Hamaguchi means it in the most straightforward way possible. This isnt a world where people are innately one thing or another, certainly not in any moral sense. They behave according to instinct and incentive, a drive toward individual achievement or communal protection. The people from Playmode arent bad, and their actions do have a cause: a post-COVID subsidy from the Japanese government for new construction projects. Perhaps it was well-intentioned, and doubtless much-needed, but in this case its prompting a company with no experience in the field to plop down a potentially destructive development in a sensitive area, on a deadline too short and a budget too strained to evaluate its impact. And the townspeople dont treat them like villains. They argue their case with calm persistence, rarely even raising their voices. The udon-shop woman doesnt demand that the outsiders keep their hands off her water supply. She just asks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps its the understated assurance with which Evil Does Not Exists community meeting plays out that makes it so engrossing. The movie trusts us to understand whats at stake without needing to heighten the drama or vilify the ignorant. An Enemy of the People points to the faults in the system as well, but its conclusion feels profoundly undemocratic. Theres the wise man who knows best, the powerful manipulators who look out for their own interests, and the largely unseen rabble whom the latter faction bends to its will. The doctor may seal his fate by comparing educated men like himself to elegant purebreds and the masses to mangy curs, but hes not exactly wrong, just bad at small-town politics. In Mizubiki, its the ordinary people who have the most knowledge, but even theyre acting more out of self-preservation than the devotion to any higher principle. Like the wild deer who populate the towns unspoiled forest, theyre peaceful until theyre threatened, and when they are, theres no telling what theyll do. Maybe, after years of watching people turn every public forum into an audition for social-media stardom, its just a balm to watch the process work the way its meant to, with people arguing toward a common goal rather than simply wearing their opponents down to a nub. Lifes dramatic enough as it is. Quick pop quiz: Prior to this week, what was Taylor Swifts last new No. 1 hit on Billboards Hot 100? I know, I know its a little hard to keep up with her relentless output. If you are among the Americans only passively aware of Swifts oeuvre, you might think her last No. 1 was the moody one where she says hi, shes the problem, its her. But Anti-Hero hit No. 1 nearly 18 months ago. What about that percolating bop about the hottest days of the year? Improbably, Cruel Summer reached No. 1 last fallnot only late for summer, but four years after its original release as a Lover album cut. But nope, there was another new Taylor No. 1 after that. Heres the correct answer, in the form of a question: Does anybody remember Is It Over Now? Advertisement Is It Over Now? debuted at No. 1, fueled by the release of Swifts latest rerecording, 1989 (Taylors Version), last November. When that supersized LP reboot arrived to predictably gargantuan sales, one of its bonus tracks from the vault benefited from the rising tide. A burbling meditation on lost love, Over spent just one week on top. I didnt bother covering it for this Slate No. 1 hits series, because wed just covered Cruel Summer, and Over seemed like a rounding errora fluky side effect of Swifts newest album-release gambit, not a hit anyone beyond rabid Swifties would remember by 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How wrong I was! Over had legs. It amassed a very respectable 22 weeks on the Hot 100 from mid-November through early April, about half of those weeks in the Top 20. It became a radio smash months after its arrival, peaking in March at No. 3 in all-genre airplay and No. 1 at pure pop stations, the first Taylors Version track to top radio playlists. (And its not like DJs were hurting for Taylor material all those months: Cruel Summer is still one of radios 10 most played singles.) Though I remain a bit skeptical that Is It Over Now? will ever rank highly among the pantheon of Taylor Swifts greatest hits, it has to be regarded as a legitimate hit, not a barnacle clinging to the hull of Taylors pop dominance. Advertisement I bring up Is It Over Now? to offer a benchmark for assessing the latest flotsam to wash up with a Swift tidal wave: Fortnight, a song that happens to be Track 1 on Swifts new megablockbuster album The Tortured Poets Department, happens to be a duet with Post Malone, happens to be the new track with a music video, and now happens to be No. 1 on the Hot 100. Advertisement Advertisement In short, you dont need me to tell you why this song is No. 1. Its obvious. What none of us can answer is whether Fortnight will be remembered as a classic Taylor hit or a side effect of Swifts biggest album launch ever, the moment when she beat her own record by sweeping the Top 14 slots on the Hot 100. Other first singles from prior Swift LPs, like Look What You Made Me Do, Cardigan, and Willow made big Hot 100 splashes but fell off quickly and never became lasting radio hits. Will Fortnight go down as an Anti-Hero, an Is It Over Now?, or a Look What You Made Me Do? Could it maybe even be Taylor Swifts Billie Jean? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OK, that last hypothetical is a laughFortnight is no Billie-style bangerbut hold that thought, because someone was just asking recently whether Swift has generated any songs worthy of that Michael Jacksonlevel cultural footprint. At least in terms of raw numbers, Swift is certainly putting Jacko-level points on the board. The final tally: In its first week, The Tortured Poets Department shifted a whopping 2.6 million album units, making it her biggest-opening album ever. Depending on how you count, thats either the second or third biggest opening week in modern Billboard history (after 1991, when the charts became far more accurate). Its about 800,000 shy of Adeles 25 opener of 3.4 million in 2015, and just a couple hundred thou higher than the 2.4 million copies of No Strings Attached that N Sync sold in 2000. Of course, comparing 2024 numbers to 2000 numbers is apples and orangesthat N Sync number was straight CD sales. Nowadays, in Billboard parlance, album units include traditional full-album sales plus aggregated streams and downloads of individual tracksand Tortured Poets was certainly helped by the fact that its Swifts longest album ever at 31 tracks, including its second disc The Anthology. Nonetheless, even limiting Swifts tally to traditional commerce, her numbers are stunning: Tortured Poets sold 1.91 million copies the old-fashioned way (including an astonishing 859,000 vinyl LPs). That gives her the third biggest pure-sales week ever, behind Adele and N Sync. Among Swifts own sales, Tortured Poets outsold her previous career high, last years 1989 (Taylors Version), by more than half a million copies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The streaming numbers were similarly gargantuan. Altogether, Tortured Poets 31 tracks racked up 891 million streamsthe largest streaming week for an album ever, beating the 25 tracks from Drakes 2018 album Scorpion by nearly 150 million. Again, album length helpedas country megastar Morgan Wallen showed us by making his last two LPs over 30 songs, more tracks means more streams for the charts. But Swifts streams per song number was also exceptionally high: Fortnight generated 76.2 million streams by itself, edging out Olivia Rodrigos big opening week for Drivers License three years ago. (The alleged Tay-versus-Liv rivalry persists!) And finallyhave I buried the lede?on the Hot 100, not only does Swift lock down Nos. 114, beating her own 2022 record when 10 songs from Midnights blanketed the Top 10. She also debuts all 31 Tortured Poets tracks on the big chart, from Fortnight at No. 1 to Robin at No. 55, another all-time record for most song debuts by an artist in a single week. Advertisement Are you surprised by any of this? Im not, given the ongoing hegemony of last years Time Person of the Year. Im almost underwhelmed she didnt lock down chart positions Nos. 131! Swifts second imperial phase is now so outsize and full of superlatives that its a bit hard for any of her feats to shock us anymore. (In 2022, when I covered the many chart feats of Midnights, I wrote about how truly gobsmacking it was for a pop hitmaker 17 years into her career to achieve new chart firsts. Im not gobsmacked anymore.) At a certain point, this makes it hard to judge either the album or its songs as arteven pop art. Like, is Fortnight our nations No. 1 song only because it leads off Swifts new behemoth, or is it on top because its an exceptional song? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One mans opinion: Among chart-topping lead singles from Taylor Swift albumsseven of her last eight LPs (all but Lover) led off with a Hot 100 No. 1Fortnight is a little better than average, which makes it a very good song. Its not quite at the level of Anti-Hero, the lead single from Midnights, which boasts some of Swifts all-time greatest hooks and has added catchphrases to our lexicon, or my sleeper fave Willow from Evermore, with hypnotic guitar playing by co-writer-producer Aaron Dessner and a gossamer Swift melody thats quite literally bewitching. On the other hand, Fortnight is a damn sight better than Look What You Made Me Do from Reputation, which will remain forever encased in the Swiftian grievances of 2017, and while its not as funny as Reds We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, its also less snarky and self-amused. Id rank Fortnight somewhere between Folklores Cardigan and 1989s Shake It Offa moody bop thats almost as moody as the former, not quite as boppy as the latter. Advertisement Coproduced and cowritten by Swift with her longtime trusted collaborator Jack Antonoff, Fortnight is sneakily catchy, not unlike Anti-Hero the first time you heard it. Riding a heartbeat-pulse synth line, it never tries to break out of its dreamy, listless tempo, which complements the longing and regret in the lyrics. All my mornings are Mondays stuck in an endless February, Swift sighs, and I was a functioning alcoholic til nobody noticed my new aesthetic, and, I love you, its ruining my life. Tortured poet indeed! The song should probably feature an honorary writing credit for another Antonoff client and Friend of Taylor, Lana Del Rey. With its drowsy vocal phrasing and woozy melody, Fortnight is arguably the most LDResque hit in Taylors historyand Im counting her actual 2022 Del Rey collaboration Snow on the Beach, in which we heard precious little Lana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, Fortnight has its own underused duet partner, the songs third co-writer, Austin Post, aka Post Malone. But this guests limited presence is a plus: There is just enough Post Malonesome fine, gentle harmonizing and a few melancholy vocal lines from him toward the songs end. I daresay Swift makes better use of Malone than Beyonce does on Cowboy Carter. (What is it with that dude and regal pop stars this year?!) This is Posts first credited Hot 100 No. 1 in nearly five years, since 2019s Circles, and can I take this opportunity to say I called it on this genre charlatan? Long after his bleary mid-10s chart-toppers Rockstar and Psycho got him tagged as a rapperI always put that term in scare quotesPost has finally embraced what he really is and always was, an alt-pop hook boy disguised as a dirtbag rocker. Thats exactly how Swift uses him on Fortnight, and he has a bigger presence in the songs Fritz Langindebted, silent-film-style music video than he does in the song, playing the tortured (former? would-be?) lover to Taylors mad-bride figure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The big open question is whether Fortnight will wind up a canonical Taylor Swift hit, the kind your parents, or your surly friends who claim to ignore Swift, know exists. Will it reach a Michael Jackson level of cultural ubiquity? Thats the question posed recently by Neil Tennant, the witty frontman of veteran British synthpop duo Pet Shop Boys. The shots were firedvery droll, lowkey shotsaround a, um fortnight ago, tied to the release of the Boys own new LP Nonetheless. In a live-audience interview hosted by the Guardian, Swifts new album came up, and Tennant said mostly kind things about Swift as a cultural spectacle but said his appreciation had limits: Taylor Swift sort of fascinates me as a phenomenon, because shes so popular and I sort of quite like the whole thing. But then when I listen to the records for a phenomenon as big [as she is] where are the famous songs? What is Taylor Swifts Billie Jean? Advertisement Advertisement Swifties did not take kindly to this opprobrium, and of course the media hyped up the rivalry into Tennant slamming and taking swipes at our billionaire pop overlord. But I (a Gen-X lover of Pet Shop Boys, so caveat emptor) understood the nuanced point Tennant was making: What are the undeniable Swift hits, the Dancing Queen or Stayin Alive or Baby One More Time that would make even skeptics give it up? Tennant is not without bona fides. He was a music critic in the early 80s before he was a pop hitmaker. (Welcome back to our diminished critical world, Neilyou take on Swift, you take your chances.) He is widely credited with coining the now-ubiquitous term imperial phase to describe the moment when a pop act can seemingly do no wrong; in fact, I noted Neils coinage a full decade ago in this column to describe Swift circa Blank Space, which now seems naive of me, given how doubly imperial she now is. And, the snide Swiftie might ask, whats Pet Shop Boys Billie Jean, smartass? Thats easier than they might think: Itd be West End Girls, which topped the Hot 100 in 1986 and is still so culturally omnipresent Drake tried to sample it just last year without paying for it. (Did he think it was a public utility?) Still, while West End Girls is the canonical Pet Shop Boys hit, Im not sure even Tennant would argue that its Billie Jean. However tarnished Michael Jackson is as a public figure, Billie Jean is undeniable, so undeniable even queasy Jackson avoiders turn it up or take to the dance floor. Your mom knows Billie Jean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate Its Time for Men to Make an Admission About Taylor Swift Read More Does Swift, sturdy as her songcraft is, have even one hit that reaches that level? At the Guardian event, one Pet Shop Boys audience member shouted out Shake It Off, which sure, has the mom factor and still makes punny news headlines the way Madonna will never live down Material Girl, but I dont think even Swifties will be insulted when I say Shake is far from Taylors greatest hit. (Rolling Stones resident Swiftie Rob Sheffield ranked it 135th in her 274-song catalog, dead in the middle of the pack.) On the other hand, All Too Well is Swifts most acclaimed hit, a legitimately good song that was the centerpiece of last years Eras tour. But even after it belatedly topped the Hot 100, the 10-minute heartbreak anthem never became a song youre likely to hear on the radio, the way youre likely to hear American Pie. Even now, it feels like a closely guarded Swiftie secret. Advertisement If I were to answer Neil Tennant, Id say Taylor Swifts famous songs are Blank Space, Anti-Hero, and, with an asterisk, All Too Well. Decades from now, when Swifts vast catalog is boiled down to a couple of hits the way Etta James is reduced to At Last and Mariah Carey and Brenda Lee are being reduced to their Christmas hits, these are the songs I think will survive the purge. On the other hand maybe Swift isnt trying for Billie Jean. The whole point of The Tortured Poets Department, fans and critics agree, is that Swift, even after five years of already furious activity, had to get these 31 songs out of her system. The volume is the point. The other widely agreed point is that Tortured Poets grows on youI already like it better than I did a week ago, and some early potshotters are now partially recanting or even admitting they were too hasty in dismissing it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Id say thats especially true of Fortnight, a bleak pop song whose melody has not-so-gradually infected my brain. Like the rest of Swifts new magnum opus, its fan service thats somewhat inscrutable but also oddly relatable. I dont think it will ever beto invoke that tired word that Zillennials now use way too muchiconic. Its too intentionally small-scale, a piece of mass-appeal termite art. But it didnt set a one-day Spotify record on the backs of rabid Swifties alone. This is the unique value proposition of Taylor Swift: She takes the songs-in-bulk approach of peak Bob Dylan and achieves the blockbuster stats of peak Michael Jackson. Fortnight may not be Billie Jean, and its certainly not Blowin in the Wind, but shes opened up her own blank space in which to write her name. Read our ongoing coverage of Donald Trumps first criminal trial here. After a drab week of testimony in People of New York v. Donald J. Trump, a bit of excitement finally entered the courtroom Friday when former White House communications director Hope Hicks showed up to testify against her former boss. There was no dramatic confrontation between Trump and the 35-year-old image of youth within the Trump administrationHicks did not appear to look at her boss directly when entering or exiting the courtroom, or much at all during the testimony itself. For his part, Trump initially glanced at Hicks, before closing his (beautiful blue) eyesas he has done throughout the proceedingsduring the most sordid parts of questioning. Advertisement The most dramatic moment came at the start of cross-examination, when Trump attorney Emil Bove began to ask Hicks about her time at the Trump Organization, and Hicks began to cryseeming to wipe away a tear with a tissuebefore taking a 10-minute break to recompose herself. What made Hicks cry? Its honestly hard to say. All Bove said was I want to talk to you about your time at the Trump Organization, and that was enough to set Hicks off. Maybe the right question is: What else happened at the Trump Organization? Regardless of the answer, it is hard to envision how the jury will react to the near-breakdown of Hicks, who had revealed only one or two damaging bits of information about her former boss during the prosecutors questioning. Hicks, one of the most practiced public relations professionals in the country, appeared incredibly polished during that questioning. It was only when cross started that she seems to have felt the emotional weight of testifying against her former boss. That emotional crinkle aside, it was when Hicks testified about the Trump teams response to various scandals that one of the most damning moments of the entire trial occurred. Hicks testified to how Trump reacted when Cohen confessed in a statement to the New York Times Maggie Haberman to making the Stormy Daniels payment. According to the testimony, Hicks had a conversation with Trump the next day in which he seemed to indicate knowledge of Cohens payment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Trump was saying that he had spoken to Michael, Hicks said, before correcting herself to call him President Trump (presumably because he had already been elected at that point). President Trump was saying that he had spoken to Michael and that Michael had paid this woman to protect him from a false allegation and that Michael felt like it was his job to protect him and thats what he was doing. She added: And he did it out of the kindness of his own hearthe never told anybody about it. At this point, the prosecutor asked whether this was in character for Cohento pay $130,000 out of the kindness of his heartand Hicks responded, like many of the other witnesses have, by taking potshots at Cohen. I would say that would be out of character for Michael, she acknowledged. I didnt know Michael to be an especially charitable person, or selfless person. [Hes] the kind of person who seeks credit. Advertisement The point was that Cohen would not have done this for Trump just out of the goodness of his heart without the knowledge of the boss. That the president tried to sell this as the story to Hicks is ridiculous, something Hicks seemed to acknowledge while still detailing only what had been said. This ability to dance around the true subject has proved to be the modus operandi of former Trump Organization staffers throughout the trial. He thought that it was a generous thing to do and he was appreciative of the loyaltythats all I remember, Hicks concluded. Advertisement How the jury will interpret the idea that Cohen was acting generously and alone remains to be seen. The most damaging portion of Hicks testimony, though, came in the follow-up to this episode. According to Hicks, Trump wanted to know how it was playing in regard to the Daniels story, which broke two years after Trump was elected. Specifically, Hicks said, he wanted to know my thoughts, opinion about this story vs. having a storya different kind of storybefore the campaign had Michael not made that payment. She continued: I think Mr. Trumps opinion was that it was better to be dealing with it now [in 2018], and it would have been bad to have that story coming out before the election. Advertisement Advertisement This is the key charge that prosecutors are trying to make: that the thing Trump truly cared aboutand the reason the payment had been madewas winning the election. That would make it an illegal unreported in-kind contribution to his campaign, which is the central charge that elevates the falsifying business records case from a misdemeanor to a felony. Expect to hear this portion of Hicks testimony repeated forcefully during closing arguments. Its much more important than the waterworks. Advertisement Advertisement These two moments werent the only dramatic parts of her testimony either. Hicks was also on the stand to comment on how she, as press secretary, and the Trump campaign itself reacted to the bombshell release of the Access Hollywood tape on Oct. 7, 2016. Advertisement Its fair to say that Hickswho, during her time in the administration, often came off almost as a surrogate daughter to Trump due to her closeness to Ivanka Trump and to the president himselfbeing asked to read Trumps Grab em by the pussy comments aloud to situate everyone to the story had the entire room spellbound. When questioned about receiving an email from David Fahrenthold asking the campaign to comment prior to the release of the tape, she described it dryly as a video where Mr. Trump and Billy Bush are having an inappropriate conversation about a woman. Then, when asked to read the transcript of the tape Fahrenthold sent her, she sped through it, taking just a moment to read part of the lengthy transcript before declaring herself finished. When prodded to specifically read the longer Grab em by the pussy section, she spent a little longer on that before, again, cutting it short, saying, Im good. Advertisement She described her immediate reaction as being very concerned, particularly about the lack of time to respond, with the Washington Post planning to publish within a couple of hours of sending the comment request. Her initial response, in an email forwarded to other members of the campaign team, was deny, deny, deny. She also wrote that there was a need to hear the tape to be sure. Advertisement Related From Slate The Science Behind Trumps Courtroom Snoozing Read More Hicks laughed uncomfortably at the obvious misstep of this responsethe tape would soon become live and impossible to denyand said she sent it because its a reflex. The fallout from the tape was a full-on crisis for the campaign. This is when prosecutors allege that efforts to seal a hush money deal with Daniels went into overdrive. This was pulling us backwards in a way that was going to be hard to overcome, Hicks acknowledged through a fog of public relations jargon, seeming to downplay the significance of Republican officials initial response to the tape. In the end, though, Hicks delivered a perfect description of how big a story it was: We were anticipating a Category 4 hurricane making landfall somewhere on the East Coast [that weekend], and I dont think anybody remembers where or when that hurricane made landfall, she testified. It was all Trump, all the time, for 36 hours. The next big witness seems likely to be Cohen, who will have to make the case that Trumps reaction to that crisis was to buy Daniels silence. Well see if he takes the stand next week. The Surge simply has a hard time believing that there could be skulduggery in Louisiana politics, but we must follow the story. You may recall that Louisiana, like Alabama, was required to draw a second majority-Black congressional district in order to comply with the Voting Rights Act after a long legal fight culminating in last years Allen v. Milligan case at the Supreme Court. What the Surge found suspicious about Louisiana, though, is that it obeyed the courts mandate without much of a fight, unlike Alabama, which continued to try to push the envelope. We might now know why. The second majority-Black district that Louisiana drew, the 6th District, was suspiciously snaky when more compact majority-Black options were available. And this week, a federal court struck down the new map, arguing that it was too much of a racial gerrymander against the non-African American plaintiffs in the case. So Louisiana is, once again, without a map as this fight continues to work its way through the legal system. There are a couple of theories as to why Louisiana drew this map the way it did when other options were available. The first is that the new districts contortions were necessary to meet the political goal of eliminating the seat of Rep. Garret Graves, who had made too many enemies. The second theory is that it was a Republican setup to get the new map thrown out and to again move through the legal system broader questions about whether the Voting Rights Act is too mean to white people. Why not both? A woman, who only gave her name as Lisamarie, checks on two of her puppies after her neighborhood was evacuated due to severe flooding on Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Channelview. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Channelview Fire Department and Sheriffs get ready to help evacuate due to severe flooding on Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Channelview. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer The bridge over Lake Houston along West Lake Houston Parkway from Kingwood to Atascocita is seen after it was closed due to high water on either side of the thoroughfare, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Kingwood. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer A woman, who only gave her name as Lisamarie, wades water as she checks on an elderly resident inside his RV after their neighborhood was evacuated due to severe flooding on Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Channelview. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer A man walks through flood waters on River Oaks Drive on Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Woodlock. Woodlock is just off 242. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Channelview Fire Department and Sheriffs get ready to help evacuate due to severe flooding on Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Channelview. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer A car sits submerged on Woodhollow Drive on Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Woodlock. Woodlock is just off 242. Karen Warren/Staff photographer People drive through flood water on Atascocita Shores Drive on Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Atascocita. Karen Warren/Staff photographer People gather to walk around bridge over Lake Houston along West Lake Houston Parkway after it was closed due to high water on either side of the thoroughfare, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Kingwood. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer A family pulls over to witness the severe flooding on Idle Glen Roadway on Saturday, May 4, 2024, in New Caney. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Severe flooding is seen on Idle Glen Roadway on Saturday, May 4, 2024, in New Caney. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer A stranded care is seen near the bridge over Lake Houston along West Lake Houston Parkway after it was closed due to high water on either side of the thoroughfare, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Kingwood. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo describes seeing power lines relative to flood water before going up in a helicopter at David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport to survey flood damage around the northern section of Greater Houston, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Spring. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo speaks before going up in a helicopter at David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport to survey flood damage around the northern section of Greater Houston, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Spring. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Homes are inundated due to severe flooding on Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Channelview. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer A home is inundated due to severe flooding on Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Channelview. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer A neighborhood is seen inundated due to severe flooding on Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Channelview. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer The bridge over Lake Houston along West Lake Houston Parkway from Kingwood to Atascocita is seen after it was closed due to high water on either side of the thoroughfare, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Kingwood. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer A woman is rescued by boat from her home by Montgomery County Sheriffs Office deputies on River Plantation Drive, Friday, May 3, 2024, in Conroe. Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle UPDATE: Storms and flooding in Houston are not over yet. See the latest updates on Harris County floods. Expect a brief break today from the recent storms before showers return on Sunday, potentially exacerbating flooding across the region. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo warned that more rain is soon expected in the Houston area, which could lead to additional flooding she said during a news conference Saturday morning. Officials have rescued more than 170 people and 122 pets amid mass flooding across multiple areas around Houston, though there have been no deaths or serious injuries tied to the flooding. Severe impacts from the flooding are expected to be seen into Sunday, Hidalgo said. We dont expect other issues today with rainfall, but I want to be very clear that were not out of the woods yet and that level of uncertainty remains. Water levels are expected to rise between one and two feet along the west fork of the San Jacinto Saturday evening, which could affect areas including Kingwood and Forest Cove. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Harris County Judge said there are plans to reduce the emergency Management alert from level one, or maximum readiness, down to a three tomorrow if the weather looks up. The transition would come along with damage assessments and efforts to get residents back to their homes. Many people evacuated their homes in preparation for the flooding, others doubted that the flooding would become as severe as it did. We were basically sitting ducks. We knew that the river was coming, we issued the emergency alerts to people's phones," Hidalgo said. "At some point, like I said, even I had a hard time believing we were actually going to hit the power lines and, indeed, we did." The water rose nearly as high as the power lines close to the East Fork of the San Jacinto. Other areas had water up to rooftops. Hidalgo described the flooding along the East Fork as the worst one since Harvey. The H-E-B on Kingwood Drive is closing early Saturday out of "an abundance of caution," store representatives said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The location at 4517 Kingwood Drive will shut its doors at 3 p.m. with plans to reopen mid-morning Sunday. The H-E-B at North Park will remain open. Kingwood has been the center of major flooding that has pushed throngs of residents to evacuate. Aerial footage shared by Mayor John Whitmire's office shows extensive flooding on roads and surrounding homes. More heavy rain is expected Sunday, according to the weather service. Crews that converged in flood-ravaged parts of the Houston area have rescued more than 600 people since the heavy rainfall and flooding started earlier this week, according to reports from individual counties. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Harris County agencies have rescued 176 people and 122 pets as of 10 a.m. Saturday, according to the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. In Montgomery County, 390 people have been rescued by authorities, along with 95 animals. Those 390 people were split into two categories by the county's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. They have recorded 52 people as being rescued from life-saving situations with another 338 evacuated from situations that aren't considered life-threatening. The National Weather Service provided a forecast update Saturday morning that includes Harris County as an area that is at slight risk for excessive rainfall overnight. The service is expecting 1-to-3 inches of rain with some areas potentially receiving 5 inches of rain. The heavy rainfall is most likely to appear after midnight. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The flood watch for Harris County and other Southeast Texas counties, including Montgomery and Liberty, is still in effect until Sunday afternoon. The Mayor's Office tweeted Saturday morning that its focus remained on the Kingwood area, which has experienced significant flooding during the past few days. Whitmire previously encouraged Kingwood residents to evacuate during his media briefing Friday afternoon at Kingwoods Fire Station 102. Do not wait until it's too late and then you endanger our first responders, Whitmire said Friday. So leave this afternoon. Heavy rainfall Friday in Baytown resulted in a domestic wastewater overflow but the city said its drinking water has not been impacted. Residents can be assured that their drinking water is safe to drink, Baytown City Manager Jason Reynolds said in a media release. The city estimates more than 100,000 gallons of wastewater was released in the Black Duck Bay receiving stream and the Goose Creek receiving stream. The overflows stopped at 11:05 p.m. Friday. The West Lake Houston Parkway Bridge connecting Kingwood and Atascocita is closed due to high water on both sides of the bridge. Other closures in the area include the McKay Bridge that connects Huffman and Atascocita via FM 1960 East and the underpass along Eastex Freeway at Hamblen Road near the Bevil Jarrel Memorial Bridge. Elsewhere in Southeast Texas, the San Jacinto River Authority is releasing 20.945 cubic feet per second of water from Lake Conroe. The lake level was at 203.07 feet at 7:15 a.m. The Red Cross provided a list of items for people to bring to one of its shelters if they plan on staying during the flooding. The list includes prescription medications, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies, important documents and other comfort items. For people with children, the Red Cross also suggests bringing formula, diapers, toys and other things that would be helpful during this time. The Red Cross does have medical equipment and assistive technology but its availability might not be immediate depending on different factors. Some Kingwood-area residents are worried that sediment roiling in the flood-ravaged San Jacinto River will create blockages like those that sent floodwater into nearby homes during Hurricane Harvey. Bob Rehak, a Kingwood retiree who follows the area's flooding, said he was concerned this week's fast-moving water will push sediment into new sand banks near his community, even after the Army Corps of Engineers' dredged out much of the former accumulation after Harvey. Even if the sandbars reform and homes face new risk for flooding, it's far from certain who will be responsible for dredging the river. The sedimentation from recurring annual flows in the San Jacinto River are outside the scope of the Army Corps of Engineers' work in the region, said the Corps' Galveston-area spokesman Neil Murphy. Their work after Harvey was a specific federal response to the disaster, he said. The Coast Guard helped a 12-hour-old baby girl move hospitals after flooding in Cleveland prevented her from being transported by ambulance. A report came in Friday morning to the Coast Guard saying a recently born baby girl had low oxygen levels upon delivery at Texas Children's Hospital in Cleveland. The facility doesn't have a neonatal intensive care unit and flooding made traveling by vehicle to a different hospital impossible. Instead, a helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Houston took the baby and mother to Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, where the baby's condition was stabilized, Coast Guard officials reported Friday night. The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management said they are bracing for the worst of the flooding Saturday and Sunday on the east and west forks of the San Jacinto River. Residents in Houston and its northern suburbs, including The Woodlands, Conroe and Huntsville, can expect continued widespread flooding as rivers and creeks continue to rise. Officials continue closing roads in the greater Houston area due to high water levels and as more rain is expected to hit the region throughout the weekend. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said the surge of flood water heading toward Lake Houston remains unpredictable. You may think, if you live in those neighborhoods, that the things have leveled off and youre good to go, but this threat is ongoing and its going to get worse, she said. It is not your typical river flood, she said. This is much worse. Harris County, Montgomery County, Waller County and Liberty County, along with other counties north of the Houston area, are all flood watch until at least Sunday afternoon, the National Weather Service said Saturday morning. Houston and its northern suburbs, including The Woodlands, Conroe and Huntsville, could continue to see widespread flooding as they wait for swollen rivers and creeks to recede. Once a few morning showers and thunderstorms pass, well have a short reprieve from the heavy rainfall through the afternoon. However, it wont last long as more storms are forecast for Sunday. Another strong disturbance will move over Texas with a warm front traveling north across Southeast Texas. The Red Cross provided a list of shelters in the Southeast Texas area for people needing refuge or a place to stay as heavy rainfall and flooding continues to hit the area and evacuation orders were in place. Harris County Philippian's New Faith Baptist Church 7858 Angus Street Houston, TX 77028 Greenhouse International Church 200 W. Greens Rd Houston, Texas 77067 Liberty County Calvary Baptist Church 816 N. Blair Ave Cleveland, TX 77327 Colony Ridge Community Center 1680 County Road 3549 Cleveland, TX 77327 Montgomery County Sts. Simon And Jude Catholic Parish 26777 Glen Loch Dr The Woodlands, TX 77381 AV Bull Sallas Park Show Barn 21675-C McCleskey Rd New Caney, TX 77357 Polk County Dunbar Gym 1103 Dunbar Street Livingston, TX 77351 San Jacinto County San Jacinto County Disaster Shelter 255 Live Oak Coldspring, TX 77331 In 2001, a Vietnam-era student radical named David Horowitz decided to once again start causing trouble on campus. A few years earlier, several scholars and activists had begun to argue that the U.S. should pay reparations to descendants of slaves. Horowitz, whose politics had taken a sharp right turn since the 1960s, thought that this was a very bad idea. So he contacted several college newspapers, seeking to place a full-page ad, during Black History Month, titled, Ten Reasons Why Reparations for Slavery Is a Bad Ideaand Racist Too. The ad, which had been adapted from a Salon column he had published the previous year, seemed designed to stir passions on the campuses where it ran. In it, Horowitz deemed reparations an extravagant new handout that is only necessary because some blacks cant seem to locate the ladder of opportunity within reach of others; argued that the reparations claim is one more assault on America, conducted by racial separatists and the political left; and asked the question: What about the debt blacks owe to America? Horowitzs inflammatory arguments were not very well received. Many of the newspapers to which Horowitz submitted the ad rejected it entirely. At Brown University, angry students stole thousands of newspapers in which the ad had been printed. At the University of California, Berkeley, students marched on the offices of the student newspaper, prompting its editor in chief to publicly apologize for running the ad in the first place. The mainstream media soon picked up on the furor, and the ensuing press attention ended up making all of the students involved look like twits, while giving Horowitz exponentially more attention than the ads alone would have in the first place. Advertisement Perceptive observers surmised that this had been his goal all along. In addition to his position on reparations, Horowitz also harbored a grudge against American academia, which he had reportedly called a dictatorship of the left. (He has since written several books expounding on that tendentious thesis.) The polemical advertisement was clearly designed not to engage in good faith with the notion of reparations, but to elicit isolated intemperate reactions among campus activists. Then, Horowitz could use those reactions to advance the notion that all of academia was biased and intolerant, while he, the author of books such as Hating Whitey and Other Progressive Causes and The Politics of Bad Faith: The Radical Assault on Americas Future, came across as the righteous party. Hell of a trick! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I thought about the Horowitz reparations hubbub this week, as I watched cops march on college campuses all across the country, charged with clearing encampments of students and others who were protesting the grim excesses of Israels war in the Gaza Strip. Lots of people have written lots of things about the Gaza campus protests, the various official responses to them, the validity of the arguments being advanced, and the relative merits of the tactics being used to advance and/or squelch those arguments. But no matter your opinion on any of these topics, no matter what you might think about the protests and how theyve played out, I suspect that everyone can probably agree on at least one thing: No one in the history of the universe is more easily rolled by bad-faith right-wing agitators than college students, professors, and administrators. Advertisement Whenever conservative demagogues are looking for patsies and suckers to help them make the left look like fools while advancing some stupid reactionary talking point, they know exactly where to turn: the sun-dappled quads of American academia. Students, professors, and administrators consistently fall into traps set by right-wing political actors, traps that are generally designed to use isolated incidents of alleged identitarian excess on campus in order to disparage liberalism more generally, thus sending swing voters into the all-American arms of whichever sturdy Republican candidates are up for election that year. Colleges and universities are the American rights absolute favorite punching bag, because their denizens never see the uppercut coming, and they never, ever learn to sidestep the blow. Theyre like the Washington Generals: They lose, lose, lose, lose, lose. Advertisement Advertisement Spinning alleged campus excesses into a broader political narrative of liberal chaos and disorder has been a favorite conservative tactic since at least the late 1960s, when Main Street disapproval of the youth-driven protests over the Vietnam War helped to narrowly deliver the 1968 presidential election to an anthropomorphic sheet of sandpaper named Richard Nixon. Modern-day right-wing media have basically built their brand on the backs of left-wing students and professors, whose minor protests and marginal curricula have been consistently inflated into Major Issues by commentators eager to disparage academia and liberalism more generally. The contemporary Republican notion that America is on the brink of collapse is in large part a culture-war trope propagated by activists such as Christopher Rufo, who have spun their own willful misinterpretations of obscure academic disciplines such as critical race theory into boogeymen with which to terrify viewers and voters into thinking that their heritage is under direct attack. Advertisement Advertisement Its not hard to understand why the reactionary right bears such a grudge against academia. For one thing, the collegiate spirit of free inquiry and rational debate flies directly in the face of Trumpian because-we-said-so authoritarianism, not to mention the begged questions and other logical fallacies that animate modern Republican discourse. The identity-based disciplines found at many schools threaten a reactionary worldview rooted in the purported superiority of some monochromatic past; many on the religious right, meanwhile, seem to see heresy in the ways that liberal arts educations try to teach students to think for themselves. And I have long suspected that some of todays most stridently disingenuous Republican pundits and politicians are motivated in part by bad memories of their own college years, in which they felt isolated within their own conservative worldviews and subsequently transmuted those feelings into seething lifelong resentments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Or, hey, maybe theyre just political opportunists who know that collegiate actors will consistently make the sorts of moves that allow the right to portray them as fools. There was probably a bit of all of this working on New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik when, a few months ago, she hauled various university presidents into Congress, insisted that certain student protesters use of the word intifada and phrase from the river to the sea directly equated to calls for genocide, and then watched them fumble their responses in truly embarrassing fashion. Related From Slate America Needs to Grow Up Read More The subsequent resignations of the presidents of Penn and Harvard, respectively, were unforced errors on the parts of highly educated people who, first, should have more directly challenged Stefaniks partisan premises, and, second, should have probably realized that the en vogue campus notion that speech sometimes equates to violence would eventually be co-opted by right-wingers eager to exploit campus unrest for their own political gain. (Im often reminded of how, back when the rise of the social web was leading a lot of otherwise-smart people to profess that the internet would soon bring about a state of digital utopia, the writer Evgeny Morozov kept making a very trenchant point that almost nobody wanted to hear: Bad people know how to use the internet, too.) The scalps of Liz Magill and Claudine Gay were nice trophies for the ambitious Stefanik, who is rumored to be in contention for Donald Trumps vice presidential slot. But the hearings and subsequent leadership turnover also helped to promote the narrative of widespread chaos on campusa narrative thats a boon to Republicans in an election year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So it wasnt much of a surprise when Congress held a second round of hearings about alleged campus antisemitism. And it wasnt much of a surprise when, eager to avoid the fate of her former peers, Columbia University president Nemat Shafik seemed directly receptive to her inquisitors premises and took a harder-line stance against alleged campus antisemitism than did her predecessors. And it also wasnt surprising, when, in direct response to Shafiks testimony, Columbia students set up a protest encampment on the lawn outside Butler Library, which was followed by multiple police actions, complementary protests at other schools nationwide, and the flood of media attention that has turned this manufactured campus crisis into front-page national news for weeks on end. Advertisement For the purposes of this column, lets set aside questions of the merits of the protests and the various police and administration responses to them. Its incredibly obviousto me, at leastthat pretty much all of the relevant parties here got rolled by the American right. On the hunt for footage and storylines that they can then inflate into broader narratives of chaos, intolerance, and disorder in a critical election year, the right spun campus protests over Gaza into congressional hearings on campus antisemitism, and trusted that everyone involved would respond so ineptly that theyd be able to exploit the whole thing for months. Advertisement Advertisement And, mark my words, that is exactly what right-wing politicians and media outlets will do. Even though the campus protests may die down once the semester ends, the footage and discussion of them will live on throughout the spring and summer. The right will draw false equivalencies between the brief occupation of Hamilton Hall and the events of Jan. 6; theyll disparage President Joe Biden and liberal politicians for allowing the protests to happen; theyll fold it into deathless narratives of decaying liberal cities and elitist intolerance; and theyll make everyone involved look like idiots while portraying themselves as the righteous partiesthe heroes of this whole stupid situation. David Horowitz is probably very proud. Social media has been abuzz with opinions along with raised-eyebrow and WTF emoji, following the unexpected death of a second person who had been publicly critical of the safety of Boeing airliners. Cyber satirists are asking what is more dangerous: being a Boeing whistleblower or flying on the 737 Max? Joshua Dean, 45, had worked for Spirit AeroSystems, a key subcontractor in the production of 737 Max airliners. He died Tuesday after suddenly becoming ill. His death came less than two months after John Barnett, a 787 Boeing production-quality managerturnedwhistleblower, was found dead in his truck with a gunshot wound. No official cause of Barnetts death has been determined, but suicide is suspected. If the news led you to consider, even for a moment, that foul play was involved, you are not alone. Dean and Barnett were two of many who challenged Boeings claim that the company really does put safety first. The fact that theres speculation and worry brewing around their deaths, among people online and those closer to Boeing alike, is in and of itself a concern. If other safety whistleblowers and their lawyers get spooked by the buzz, if they stop talking, and if they are worriedyou should be too. Two decades ago, Taylor Smith, 63, was one of three Boeing workers who sued the company. The trio had documents showing a key supplier was using defective parts to build the 737 Maxs predecessor, the 737 Next Generation. Advertisement This was happening at the same factory in Wichita, Kansas, where Joshua Dean would make similar allegations about substandard parts going onto the Max years later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, Smith got a text message from her ex-husband about Deans death, suggesting foul play: This could have been you. She agreed: I think God every day that we didnt have something like that happen to us. William Skepnek, who represented Smith, along with co-workers Jeannine Prewitt and James Ailes, is not surprised that his former clients would link Dean and Barnetts deaths to whistleblowing activities. I cannot help but believe that everybody who is with Boeing or has ever been with Boeing and knows things has reached that conclusion, said Skepnek, who spent more than a decade on the shoddy parts case, which was dismissed in 2014. Advertisement What rang familiar about Deans death was the sudden onset of illness in an otherwise healthy and relatively young man. During their ordeal at Boeing, Smith and Prewitt complained of mysterious ailments including, they claimed, exposure to toxic mold. The company that supplied the faulty parts was audited by a team from Boeingand the president of that company threatened violence against that team, Prewitt has previously claimed. It says something about Boeings culture: Thats a huge red flag that a supplier feels so confident that he could tell a team of 14 people from Boeing that they were going to be shot, she told the documentarian Tim Tate in 2010. Advertisement Years later, other whistleblowers are reporting the same kind of language around violence. At a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing in mid-April, Sam Salehpour, who worked in Boeings South Carolina Dreamliner factory, testified he raised a safety issue in a meeting at the Dreamliner factory. He recalled his boss saying, I would have killed anyone who said what you said if it was from some other group. Advertisement These kinds of statements in public hearings or around the watercooler ratchet up a sense that Boeing cannot be trusted that Smiths lawyer says is warranted. Advertisement Theres nothing that Boeing says that I can believe. Ive seen them lie. They lied with the NG and now apparently, theyre lying with the Max, Skepnek told me. I think they are a murdering company. Theyve murdered hundreds of people at least. When I asked Boeing about the public speculation that the whistleblower deaths are linked and a result of their criticism of Boeing, spokeswoman Jessica Kowal declined to comment, as did Spirit AeroSystems, where Dean worked. The two lawyers who represented Dean and Barnett are calling for thorough investigations. Advertisement Its an absolute tragedy when a whistleblower ends up dying under strange circumstances, said Robert Turkewitz, who along with attorney Brian Knowles has been an advocate for both men. It should be of concern to everybody. Advertisement Advertisement The lawyers had a meeting Friday with officials in Charleston, South Carolina, where they planned to ask for details of the investigation into Barnetts death. Were asking them to produce everything for us. Video and test results, autopsy, forensic testing. Were asking for them to show the video at the hotel and the video of the police body cams, Turkewitz said. We want to make sure they did an honest investigation. Related From Slate Why Is the DOJ Treating Boeing With the Same Leniency It Gave Jeffrey Epstein? Read More The same kind of investigation is needed for Deans death, he added, because any lingering uncertainty could muzzle people who have important information. Advertisement What we dont want to happen is the deterrence of whistleblowers, Knowles told me after Deans death. Whistleblowers play an important role in the safety of society. Since I started writing about air safety in 1996 and met my first Boeing whistleblowers, stories about threats, firings, intimidation, and gaslighting have been common. So when I visited Wichita last month to see for myself the massive Spirit AeroSystems factory complex where the 737 Max fuselage is assembledand where, Dean alleged in 2022, holes were incorrectly drilled into plane partsI was careful. Advertisement Dean was still alive, but I knew about Barnetts recent death. All the accumulated nervousness passed on from Boeing whistleblowers was firmly in mind. I parked some distance away from the property and was sure to lock my vehicle. Then I sent an email to Skepnek, the lawyer who handled the defective parts case against Boeing. Advertisement Advertisement You are the person who knows my whereabouts, I wrote. I added, I have no plans to kill myself. Did I feel a little foolish? Sure. Id succumbed to Stockholm syndrome, a captive identifying with the many whistleblowers Ive come to know in a career writing about air disasters. Whether the deaths of Dean and Barnett are sinister or benign, the swirl of speculation adds another complication to an already difficult decision for would-be whistleblowers. In light of these deaths, an uneasy path just got more so. Being a whistleblower is like walking on broken glass because if you make one wrong move youre injured, Prewitt told me of her two decades speaking out about the hazards on the 737 NG. Youre going to get cut and youre trying to figure your path through it so that you survive. A Briton's Slovak airman ancestor, we review a Chinese restaurant, and Slovakia slips in press freedom ranking. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Good evening. Here is the Friday, May 3 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes. New prosecutors to supervise Kuciak case Prosecutor Vladimir Kuruc. (Source: SME - Marko Erd) More than six years after the murders of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova, the legal case against the man accused of masterminding the killings, Marian Kocner, remains unresolved. The original prosecutors, Matus Harkabus and Daniel Mikulas, recently decided to quit the prosecution service after they were not allowed to relocate from the General Prosecutors Office in Bratislava to the prosecutors office in Zilina. General Prosecutor Maros Zilinka did not explain to them why he declined their requests. The task of assigning elite prosecutors to prosecutors offices, and to cases, fell to Zilinka after the government's controversial decision to abolish the Special Prosecutor's Office was enacted in March. His handling of the office's former staff and its cases prompted eleven of the prosecutors to write an open letter in which they severely criticised his management and decision-making. Now, the news website Aktuality.sk reports, prosecutors Vladimir Kuruc and Peter Kysel are being assigned to take over the Kuciak case. It is currently at the Supreme Court, with a panel of three judges led by Peter Paluda studying the case file, which contains more than 39,000 pages. Kuruc previously supervised the so-called Caiaphas case, prosecuting the lawyer Marek Para, who has since been appointed a legal aide to Prime Minister Robert Fico and was one of the authors of the new Penal Code (which is currently subject to a challenge in the Constitutional Court). It is not known if Kuruc will continue to oversee the case. Kuruc was also a witness in the corruption case against his former boss, ex-special prosecutor Dusan Kovacik. The latter was convicted and is now serving a prison sentence. Peter Kysel supervised the gangland cases against the Sykoras and the Kratky brothers. He successfully convicted Alena Zsuzsova of the contract killing of a Hurbanovo mayor, for which she was sentenced to 21 years in prison. Zsuzsova, who was an accomplice of the alleged mastermind of Kuciaks murder, Marian Kocner, was convicted in the Kuciak case last year. The prosecutors dealing with the Kuciak case have changed several times in recent years. Like Harkabus and Mikulas, Kysel and Kuruc were among the signatories of the open letter criticising General Prosecutor Maros Zilinka. MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE Media: Slovakia has fallen 12 places in the latest media freedom ranking published by Reporters Without Borders on May 3, which is World Press Freedom Day. Slovakia has fallen 12 places in the latest media freedom ranking published by Reporters Without Borders on May 3, which is World Press Freedom Day. Business: Green buses will take holiday-makers to the Croatian coast during the summer. See how much you will pay for tickets. Green buses will take holiday-makers to the Croatian coast during the summer. See how much you will pay for tickets. Opinion: The British International School Bratislava writes about futureproofing children for an uncertain world. The British International School Bratislava writes about futureproofing children for an uncertain world. How to spend your weekend: The antiques bazaar in Stupava and a day of board games in Pezinok are just some of our weekend suggestions. The antiques bazaar in Stupava and a day of board games in Pezinok are just some of our weekend suggestions. Restaurant review: Briton Mark Taylor visited this Chinese restaurant in Bratislava for the first time in 1999. It's still there, so he returned to experience the food and some nostalgia. 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 THE WEEKEND Why this British student wants to become a Slovak Robbie Harris (Source: Archive of R. H.) When Robbie Harris told his friends about his Slovak ancestor, they were amazed. No wonder: Pavel Jozef Pukancik was an airman serving in Britain's Royal Air Force during the Second World War. In an interview with The Slovak Spectator, Harris explains why he too wants to become a Slovak. FREE EVENTS IN BRATISLAVA Schumann under the pyramid The next 'Organ Concert under the Pyramid', held at Slovak Radio's iconic inverted pyramid building, will take place on May 12. Entry is free. For more details, search for 'Koncerty RTVS'. illustrative stock photo. (Source: Tomas Benedikovic) On Saturday, a group of hikers will meet at Nivy bus station for a challenging hike to Geldek (694m) and Jelenec (695m) in the Small Carpathians. IN OTHER NEWS Lukas Machala , a government official whose name has been mentioned among possible candidates to lead the planned new government-controlled state broadcaster, Slovak Television and Radio (STVR), thinks the Earth might be flat. No, he really does. , a government official whose name has been mentioned among possible candidates to lead the planned new government-controlled state broadcaster, Slovak Television and Radio (STVR), No, he really does. The United States has strongly condemned what it says is malicious cyber activity by Russias General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), also known as APT28, against Germany, Czechia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Sweden . also known as APT28, against Germany, Czechia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Sweden A Ukrainian suspected of collaborating with a Russian-funded disinformation site is reported to be in Slovakia. The interior minister has denied knowing anything about him, but his own ministry says it is investigating the case. The interior minister has denied knowing anything about him, but his own ministry says it is investigating the case. Slovenska Sporitelna bank will adjust its fee schedule from July. The changes will apply to cross-border debit and credit card payments. SpaceX accounts will be scrapped. If a client does not opt for a different account by June 30, the bank will change it. A new Premium package for 13 per month will be introduced. Changes will also affect cross-border payments to Serbia, the UK, Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. (SITA) The changes will apply to cross-border debit and credit card payments. SpaceX accounts will be scrapped. If a client does not opt for a different account by June 30, the bank will change it. A new Premium package for 13 per month will be introduced. Changes will also affect cross-border payments to Serbia, the UK, Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. (SITA) Support for EU and NATO membership in Slovakia has surged after a plunge in 2023, and stands at some 70 percent for both structures, shows the latest Globsec survey, mapping the opinions and moods of the population in nine CEE countries. As for the question of who is primarily responsible for the war in Ukraine, 40 percent of respondents in Slovakia mentioned Russia for the second year in a row, while 51 percent blamed the West or even Ukraine. Slovenska Posta, the national postal operator, has issued a postage stamp to mark the 100th anniversary of the commissioning of the Prague - Bratislava - Kosice air connection. The motif of the postage stamp is an Aero 14 plane, which was the first to fly on this route, and a map of Czechoslovakia with the motif of Slovak mountains. (Source: TASR/Slovenska posta) WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND: Expect cloudy weather, with occasional rain showers. The highest daytime temperature could be up to 27C in some regions. (SHMU) NAME DAYS IN SLOVAKIA DURING THE WEEKEND: Florian (Saturday), Lesia/Lesana (Sunday), and Hermina (Monday. 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 and Instagram (@slovakspectator). https://sputnikglobe.com/20240503/us-military-base-under-fire-in-eastern-syria---source-1118247831.html US Military Base Under Fire in Eastern Syria - Source US Military Base Under Fire in Eastern Syria - Source Sputnik International A US military base came under missile fire in the Omar oil field in the province of Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria, local source has told Sputnik. 2024-05-03T23:15+0000 2024-05-03T23:15+0000 2024-05-03T23:15+0000 military syria deir ez-zor us military base us military presence omar oil field https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0c/0e/1105436450_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_ac73fea2aefe6176dd10e7562cfa5be2.jpg "Seven missiles were fired at the US base in the Omar oil field, three of them landed inside the base from the southeastern side, the other four missiles landed in the vicinity of the base," a source said on Friday. Columns of smoke could be seen at the scene, a source added. Since the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in October 2023, the US and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria have been repeatedly attacked by missiles and drones that Washington believes belong to pro-Iranian groups.Iranian authorities said the armed groups that carry out attacks have nothing to do with Iran and do not receive any orders from it. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240211/two-us-military-bases-under-fire-in-eastern-syria---sources-1116719042.html syria deir ez-zor Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us military base in the omar oil field, us military base came under missile, us bases were attacked in syria, us bases in syria, omar oil field in the province of deir ez-zor https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/corruption-speeded-up-ukraines-retreat-more-than-weapons-shortage-1118257014.html Corruption Sped Up Ukraine's Retreat More Than Weapons Shortage Corruption Sped Up Ukraine's Retreat More Than Weapons Shortage Sputnik International The rapid crumbling of Ukrainian defenses, leading to military retreat, prompts questions about the Kiev regime's failure to maintain the front line. 2024-05-04T15:57+0000 2024-05-04T15:57+0000 2024-05-04T19:42+0000 ukraine russia's special operation in ukraine volodymyr zelensky valery zaluzhny kiev russia russian armed forces opinion corruption us military aid https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/1b/1117005078_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_5ce44393b64858f68f2e7e44ff68a94d.jpg Russian troops continue to advance along the entire 1000-kilometer-long front line and squeeze the Ukrainian military from the Donetsk People's Republic after the liberation of Avdeyevka. After taking control of Chasov Yar and Ocheretino, the Russian Armed Forces will get access to the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration and destroy the Kiev regime's defense line west of Avdeyevka. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently criticized the West for hesitating to provide air defense systems, weapons, and ammunition, citing it as the primary reason for his military's failures. However, it has been revealed that the shortage of ammunition has not been the Ukrainian Army's main issue.Kiev previously allocated almost 38 billion hryvnia ($960 million) to build a multi-layered network of fortifications; however, Ukrainian troops testify that the lines of defense barely exist, as quoted by the Associated Press. The Ukrainian military contends that these works should have been completed last year during a temporary operational pause, rather than amid a retreat."But the situation has changed. Moreover, we see that this happened rapidly, and, most likely, unexpectedly. The Ukrainians probably saw what it was leading to, but they could not openly admit it, because they feared it could impact financing. They had to maintain some kind of optimism among Western partners. This let them down, catching them off guard," he explained.Where is the Money?Funds allocated to strengthen Ukrainian defenses were stolen with the tacit approval of the nation's government officials, presumed Vadim Mingalev, a military expert and political analyst. He likewise drew attention to the fact that Andriy Yermak, a Ukrainian film producer who was appointed by Zelensky as the head of his office, supervised the project. The Ukrainian president also played a role in this farce by visiting the sites that were nothing short of Potemkin villages, i.e. an impressive facade designed to hide an inconvenient truth, the expert noted.According to Mingalev, the fuss surrounding the US $61 billion tranche arose from the Kiev regime's desire to allocate a portion of these funds towards its delayed fortification construction projects.Military purchases and tenders are currently classified and do not go through Ukraine's public procurement platform ProZorro, allowing corrupt politicians and their business partners to steal quietly, according to Kozyulin. Moreover, he added, the same individuals who seize these funds are responsible for overseeing their expenditure.One might ask why Ukrainian authorities and business sectors are shooting themselves in the foot by undermining the country's defensive capabilities.Echoes of Zelensky-Zaluzhny ClashContradictions between the Ukrainian civil authorities and the army still exist, according to Sputnik's interlocutors. Kozyulin wonders what happened to former Commander-in-Chief General Valery Zaluzhny, who was named the new Ukrainian envoy in the UK in March but has remained in the shadows since. The expert doesn't rule out that the maverick general was arrested. Last November, Zaluzhny openly advocated Ukraine going on the defensive, much to the displeasure of Zelensky and his party fellows.The situation appears bleak to the West, which had received assurances from the Kiev regime regarding the construction of defenses and the Ukrainian Armed Forces' ability to withstand the Russian advance, according to Sputnik's interlocutors. The experts suggested that the Zelensky regime deceived its backers, raising the possibility that Western politicians may also be implicated in Ukraine's systemic corruption. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240501/imminent-liberation-of-rabotino-will-nullify-only-propaganda-victory-of-zelenskys-counteroffensive-1118215382.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/ukraines-total-military-casualties-in-donetsk-reach-5100-in-past-week-1118253676.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/russia-puts-zelensky-on-wanted-list-1118254142.html ukraine kiev russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova ukrainian military retreat, ukraine defense line, ukrainian defense line construction, ukraine rare defense lines barely exist, ukraine war, shortage of ammo in ukraine, shortage of manpower in ukraine, corrupt politicians stole money allocated for building defenses, volodymyr zelensky, valery zaluzhny https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/hamas-delegation-to-arrive-in-cairo-on-may-4-with-goal-to-reach-ceasefire-deal---movement-1118247990.html Hamas Delegation to Arrive in Cairo on May 4 With Goal to Reach Ceasefire Deal - Movement Hamas Delegation to Arrive in Cairo on May 4 With Goal to Reach Ceasefire Deal - Movement Sputnik International Hamas will send a delegation to Cairo on Saturday with a goal to reach an agreement on ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian movement said on Friday. 2024-05-04T01:32+0000 2024-05-04T01:32+0000 2024-05-04T01:32+0000 world israel hamas gaza strip the wall street journal cairo hostage ceasefire https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/1e/1116483146_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_7275bc97acba0b372dd32fcc60c31049.jpg "We emphasize the positive attitude with which the movement's leadership has responded after studying the recently received ceasefire proposal. We are going to Cairo with the same spirit to reach an agreement," Hamas said in a statement. The Wall Street Journal has reported that Israel gave Hamas a week to strike an agreement otherwise the Jewish state vowed to start its offensive in Rafah.Earlier, CNN, citing sources, released some details of a new proposal to Hamas, prepared by Egyptian mediators regarding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of Israeli hostages. According to him, the new proposal was drafted with the help of Israel.The first phase of the agreement includes the release of 20-33 hostages over several weeks in exchange for a pause in hostilities and the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel. The length of the cease-fire would depend on the number of hostages that could be released. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240429/rafah-operation-looms-will-netanyahu-defy-bidens-warnings-1118179825.html israel gaza strip cairo Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International hamas delegation to cairo, ceasefire in the gaza strip, the palestinian movement hamas, israel hamas negotiations https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/israeli-police-step-up-security-in-jerusalem-ahead-of-holy-fire-descend-ceremony-1118250835.html Israeli Police Step Up Security in Jerusalem Ahead of Holy Fire Descend Ceremony Israeli Police Step Up Security in Jerusalem Ahead of Holy Fire Descend Ceremony Sputnik International Israeli police have significantly reinforced security measures in Jerusalem around and inside the Old City ahead of the ceremony of the descent of the Holy Fire at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a Sputnik correspondent reported. 2024-05-04T07:38+0000 2024-05-04T07:38+0000 2024-05-05T10:47+0000 world israel jerusalem church of the holy sepulchre holy fire easter https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107824/52/1078245230_0:72:1024:648_1920x0_80_0_0_21f90ff4695cef13a6b57487733d6012.jpg Crowds of worshipers have gathered at the entrance to the Old City, where the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is located, hoping to see the ceremony. Police are not allowing organized groups of pilgrims into the Old City yet. Nevertheless, the number of visitors to the Old City this year is much lower than in previous years due to the escalation of the regional conflict and the resulting logistical problems, as many airlines continue to avoid flying to Israel. According to Orthodox tradition, the Holy Fire is a miracle that occurs every year at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Holy Saturday, the day before Orthodox Easter, when a blue light emanates from the tomb of Jesus Christ. Last year, Israeli police significantly limited the number of worshipers who could attend the Holy Fire ceremony. No more than 2,400 people were able to witness the miracle of the descent. In previous years, nearly 10,000 pilgrims were allowed into the church. israel jerusalem Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International israeli police, jerusalem, holy fire, old city, christianity, easter, church of the holy sepulchre https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/nato-steadfast-defender-drills-indicate-preparation-for-potential-conflict-with-russia--1118251772.html NATO Steadfast Defender Drills Indicate Preparation for 'Potential Conflict' With Russia NATO Steadfast Defender Drills Indicate Preparation for 'Potential Conflict' With Russia Sputnik International NATO's large-scale Steadfast Defender drills indicate that the alliance is preparing for a "potential conflict" with Russia, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Saturday. 2024-05-04T09:14+0000 2024-05-04T09:14+0000 2024-05-04T09:30+0000 military russia-nato showdown nato russian foreign ministry cold war military drills https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/01/1116539881_46:0:1340:728_1920x0_80_0_0_8c45a3a7339a47033abcbd0c0c301148.png NATO kicked off Steadfast Defender 24 in January. The war games are running through May and include over 90,000 troops from all 32 member states. During the drills, the allies plan to test out a conflict scenario against a "near-peer adversary" in accordance with Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which states that an attack on one ally is considered an attack against the entire NATO and allows for the provision of appropriate assistance. "Right now, NATO is conducting its largest drills since the Cold War, Steadfast Defender, near the Russian border. According to their scenario, using all the tools, including the hybrid ones and conventional weapons, they are exercising coalition actions against Russia. We have to admit that the NATO states are seriously preparing for a potential conflict with us, about which, by the way, high-ranking NATO representatives are openly talking about," Zakharova said in a statement published by the Russian Foreign Ministry. Speaking about NATOs accusations against Russia of hybrid attacks on the alliance Zakharova said Moscow considers them as disinformation, which increases the degree of anti-Russian hysteria.On May 2, the North Atlantic Council adopted a statement, accusing Russia of hybrid attacks against the alliance's member states."The North Atlantic alliance and the leadership of some individual member states are doing what they are the best at - spreading disinformation, increasing the degree of anti-Russian hysteria in order to justify unprecedented levels of militarization in Europe," Zakharova said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240121/natos-steadfast-defender-drills-raise-risks-of-inadvertent-escalation---moscow-1116301842.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia-nato showdown, nato drills, russia on nato drills, steadfast defender drills, russia nato hybrid warfare, disinformation https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/protesters-opposing-the-gaza-war-block-access-to-millennia-old-religious-text--1118258000.html Protesters Opposing the Gaza War Block Access to Millennia-Old Religious Text Protesters Opposing the Gaza War Block Access to Millennia-Old Religious Text Sputnik International Students at the Trinity College Dublin (TCD) have ended up blocking access to the Book of Kells a famous 9th century Celtic gospel manuscript stored at the university in protest against Israels brutal military campaign in the Gaza Strip. 2024-05-04T16:47+0000 2024-05-04T16:47+0000 2024-05-04T16:47+0000 world israel dublin gaza strip boycott, divestment and sanctions (bds) movement students protest https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107632/47/1076324774_0:21:1280:741_1920x0_80_0_0_16cae8b4e9b070e57bb4fc715ab8b3f3.jpg Students at the Trinity College Dublin (TCD) have ended up blocking access to the Book of Kells a famous 9th century Celtic gospel manuscript stored at the university in protest against Israels brutal military campaign in the Gaza Strip. On the evening of May 3, protesters from the TCDs student union and the colleges Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement set up a tent encampment on the Trinity Colleges campus. According to local media reports, some 43 tents have been erected by 70 students participating in this protest. Trinity College Dublin Students Union President Laszlo Molnarfi announced that the protesters want the university to sever ties with Israel per the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions principles which, according to him, are supported by the vast majority of students and staff. We plan on staying here indefinitely, our message is there is no business as usual during a genocide, Molnarfi told PA news agency.And when our academic institution, Trinity College Dublin, has ties to Israeli companies, entities and universities that are complicit in the war industry, we must speak up, he added. That is why we are doing this. And we must speak up in this disruptive, powerful way. Because when we tried to engage with the authorities, with petitions and letters and meetings, we were met with shameful silence. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/student-protests-across-us-unlikely-to-match-political-impact-of-1960s-movement-1118250475.html israel dublin gaza strip Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International student protests, gaza war protests, trinity college dublin https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/qatar-ready-to-accept-possible-formal-us-request-to-oust-hamas-leaders---reports-1118250948.html Qatar Ready to Accept Possible Formal US Request to Oust Hamas Leaders - Reports Qatar Ready to Accept Possible Formal US Request to Oust Hamas Leaders - Reports Sputnik International Qatar is ready to accept the US demand that Doha expel the leaders of Palestinian movement Hamas from its territory and expects to receive such a request soon if Hamas rejects a newly proposed hostage deal, The Times of Israel reported on Saturday, citing a source familiar with the matter. 2024-05-04T07:55+0000 2024-05-04T07:55+0000 2024-05-04T07:55+0000 world middle east qatar islamic state antony blinken hamas israel israeli-palestinian conflict israel-gaza conflict palestine-israel conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0b/14/1104452979_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_a3dbfda684d4fbd5a5f3c3baa0f76496.jpg US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Qatar in April to oust Hamas if the movement continued to turn down ceasefire agreements with Israel, The Washington Post reported on Friday, citing US officials. The United States may approach Doha with a request to expel Hamas members if the movement rejects a new hostage deal, the source told the newspaper. However, according to an unidentified Israeli official, Hamas is more likely to come back with an amended offer than to reject it outright. Anything less than a positive response to the deal could give Washington an impetus to formally demand the removal of Hamas leaders from Qatar, the source said. Earlier this week, US President Joe Biden and Amir Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar held a conversation on securing the release of hostages and implementing a ceasefire in Gaza after Hamas was offered a 40-day ceasefire and the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for freeing Israeli hostages. Biden said that the US, along with Egypt and Qatar, would ensure the deal's full implementation, urging Al-Thani to work on the release of hostages. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240501/us-students-pro-palestine-protests-political-fallout-and-biden-admins-dilemma-1118204005.html qatar israel Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International qatar hamas, israel hamas row, qatar hamas ousting, hamas ousting from qatar, palestine israel conflict, doha, biden al-thani The Conroe Fire Departments Rapid Intervention Team deploy a boat to rescue a resident from her flooded home aftermath of a severe storm on Thursday, May 2, 2024 in Conroe. The rising water from the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, downstream from Lake Conroe, flooded homes and roads along FM2854. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer A helicopter flies above the San Jacinto River, that has rose out of its banks in the aftermath of a severe storm on Thursday, May 2, 2024 in Conroe. The rising water from the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, downstream from Lake Conroe, flooded homes and roads along FM2854. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer The San Jacinto river flows out of its banks under FM 105 near Sapp Rd. Thursday, May 2, 2024 in Conroe. (Kirk Sides/Houston Chronicle) Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Officials in Harris and Montgomery County encouraged residents to make preparations to seek shelter elsewhere as weather predictions showed the effects of Thursday's storms could worsen throughout the weekend especially since areas across both counties had already been inundated with water. By Friday evening, officials had rescued several people from the rooftops of their homes along the East Fork of the San Jacinto River and urged residents along the rivers West Fork to leave while they still could. The impact of the storms on communities near the river may raise questions about how the watersheds network of waterways and dams work. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What areas are in the San Jacinto River watershed? According to the Harris County Flood Control District, the San Jacinto River watershed runs through Houston, Galena Park, Pasadena, Deer Park, Baytown, Humble, La Porte, Morgans Point, Shoreacres and Seabrook. It covers parts of Harris, Montgomery, Waller, Walker, Grimes, Liberty and San Jacinto Counties. In Harris County, the watershed includes the San Jacinto River, the Houston Ship Channel, Cotton Patch Bayou, East Fork San Jacinto River, Boggy Bayou, Patricks Bayou and Panther Creek. How does water flow through the San Jacinto River? Water from the San Jacinto River flows from Huntsville through Lake Conroe and Lake Houston. It goes through eastern Harris County into the Houston Ship Channel before traveling to the Galveston Bay. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Why was Lake Conroe and Lake Houston created? Engineers created Lake Houston as a water supply reservoir, according to the Harris County Flood Control District. Officials say it's not meant to provide "significant storage" during flooding events. It's situated four miles north of the unincorporated community of Sheldon and about 18 miles northeast of Houston in Harris County on the San Jacinto River. Developed to serve as an alternative water supply to the City of Houston, Lake Conroe sits seven miles northwest of the City of Conroe on the West Fork of the San Jacinto River in Walker County and Montgomery County. Who decides when to open the Lake Conroe Dam? Per the Texas Water Development Board, the San Jacinto River Authority and City of Houston have water rights to Lake Conroe. The San Jacinto River Authority maintains the lake and dam facility. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What would happen if the dam wasnt opened? In accordance with operational practices, the San Jacinto River Authority must protect the spillway gates plus the dam's earthen embankment. Additionally, it must make sure the peak flowrate released from the dam remains lower than the peak inflow coming into the lake. When officials don't open the dams, they run the risk of water flowing over the top of the spillway gates. Authorities say when there's a rise in lake levels, they must raise the gates so that "excess storm flows can be passed under the gates." What is the difference between the West Fork and East Fork of the San Jacinto River? The West Fork of the San Jacinto River begins in western Walker County and flows through Montgomery County where it eventually merges with the East Fork of the San Jacinto River on the northeastern rim of Lake Houston. The water ends up in Galveston Bay. Advertisement Article continues below this ad TRACKING OUTAGES: Texas Power Outage Tracker The East Fork of the San Jacinto River starts in San Jacinto County where it then travels through Walker County to Harris County where it joins Caney Creek and the West Fork of the San Jacinto River to create Lake Houston. Who operates the Lake Houston Dam? Although the City of Houston owns Lake Houston, the Coastal Water Authority operates and maintains it. The Texas Water Development Board states the Coastal Water Authority handles any issues related to irrigation, recreational, mining and municipal when it comes to Lake Houston. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Where does Lake Houston water go when it's released? https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/russian-forces-down-4-ukrainian-atacms-missiles-over-crimea-at-night-1118249079.html Russian Forces Down 4 Ukrainian ATACMS Missiles Over Crimea Russian Forces Down 4 Ukrainian ATACMS Missiles Over Crimea Sputnik International Russian air defense systems shot down four ATACMS missiles over Crimea in the past night, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday. 2024-05-04T04:38+0000 2024-05-04T04:38+0000 2024-05-04T06:53+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russian armed forces russian army army tactical missile system (atacms) russian defense ministry us arms for ukraine ukrainian crisis https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/13/1117417217_0:94:3122:1850_1920x0_80_0_0_f0d2bacdcd76240a9f866d8155719f2a.jpg ATACMS missiles are one of the overhyped weapons supplied by West to Kiev regime. In the course of the special military operation, Russia has consistently warned against arms supplies to Ukraine, shattering the myth of NATO's superiority and proving the ineffectiveness of NATO weapons in modern warfare."Over the past night, an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack using US ATACMS tactical missiles against facilities on the Russian territory was stopped. Four tactical missiles were destroyed by air defense systems on duty over the territory of the Crimean peninsula," the ministry said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240502/modular-version-of-buk-m3-air-defense-to-hunt-down-western-missiles-1118221247.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia's special military operation, russian air defenses, russian armed forces, atacms, us arms for ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/sacrifice-not-in-vain-grave-of-ukraines-foreign-legion-commander-found-in-german-cemetery-1118249983.html Sacrifice Not in Vain? Grave of Ukraines Foreign Legion Commander Found in German Cemetery Sacrifice Not in Vain? Grave of Ukraines Foreign Legion Commander Found in German Cemetery Sputnik International The Russian Defense Ministry earlier said almost 6,000 foreign mercenaries had already been eliminated since the start of the special military operation. 2024-05-04T07:13+0000 2024-05-04T07:13+0000 2024-05-04T07:13+0000 world russia ukraine germany grave mercenary troops strikes https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/04/1118249828_4:0:1280:718_1920x0_80_0_0_bd75609de4d78dbc2221a85a7a8b70ba.png German mercenaries fighting on the side of the Kiev regime continue to die in Ukraine. Sputnik recently discovered another one of them - Stefan Roland Puri, buried in a cemetery in a Bavarian town near Nuremberg.Apart from inscriptions on satin ribbons claiming that Puri's "sacrifice was not in vain," there is nothing else on the grave to suggest that the 37-year-old died for the interests of a foreign country hundreds of miles from Germany.German media previously reported that Puri, who arrived in Ukraine in April 2022, was killed during a Russian artillery attack on Ukrainian positions in March 2024, when he was serving as the commander of the Ukrainian Foreign Legion unit.Notably, Puri's grave is located in the same cemetery where another German mercenary, 38-year-old Rene Muller, is buried. He joined the Ukrainian Foreign Legion in 2022 and died a year later in a Russian mortar attack.In a separate statement, the Defense Ministry stressed that the Kiev regime uses foreign mercenaries as "cannon fodder" and that "their lives are not spared by anyone in the Ukrainian command."The MoD has repeatedly warned foreign citizens against traveling to Ukraine, emphasizing that mercenaries are not combatants under international humanitarian law, which is why they dont have a right the prisoner of war status. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240118/youre-going-to-be-a-target-mercenaries-wont-be-given-a-pass-by-russia-1116241603.html russia ukraine germany Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg russian special military operation, graves of german mercenaries, foreign country, german media, ukrainian foreign legion's unit, kiev regime https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/student-protests-across-us-unlikely-to-match-political-impact-of-1960s-movement-1118250475.html Student Protests Across US Unlikely to Match Political Impact of 1960s Movement Student Protests Across US Unlikely to Match Political Impact of 1960s Movement Sputnik International Pro-Palestine protesters on college campuses across the United States are unlikely to produce the same political impact ahead of the presidential election as their Vietnam War-era peers, as their political demands lack vested interests and are influenced rather by the growing radicalization of academia, experts told Sputnik. 2024-05-04T06:45+0000 2024-05-04T06:45+0000 2024-05-04T06:45+0000 analysis us college campus protests israeli-palestinian conflict palestine-israel conflict israel-gaza conflict gaza strip gaza violence https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/03/1118235411_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_93a7214cc62f8e726d58855a33d37fcd.jpg Numerous demonstrations have emerged on college campuses across the United States in recent days against the US military, financial and diplomatic support for Israel's military operations in Gaza. Students are calling on their universities to condemn Israel's military campaign, to divest from companies linked to Israel and to discontinue study abroad programs at Israeli universities, among other demands. Paul Gottfried, the editor-in-chief of Chronicles: A Magazine of American Culture and Raffensperger professor of Humanities emeritus at Elizabethtown College, pointed to what he described as an increased radicalization of US higher education. Political analyst Keith Preston, for his part, pointed out similarities between past and present anti-war protests, saying that both cases involved the left protesting a liberal government Lyndon Johnson's in the 1960s and Joe Biden's now in the name of anti-imperialism. Protests and PresidentsThe protests against the Vietnam War have been widely seen as something that helped weaken the Democrats' grip on the White House and paved the way for the Republican administration of Richard Nixon. Preston did not rule out that the current protests could have a similar effect. At the same time, Gottfried is skeptical that the current events will be able to peel off many votes from Biden come November. gaza strip Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us campus protests, us pro-palestine protests, campus us crackdown, us protests palestine, palestine-israel conflict, hamas protests https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/switzerlands-initiative-on-ukraine-conference-makes-no-sense---top-belarusian-diplomat-1118250275.html Switzerland's Initiative on Ukraine Conference Makes No Sense - Top Belarusian Diplomat Switzerland's Initiative on Ukraine Conference Makes No Sense - Top Belarusian Diplomat Sputnik International Switzerland's initiative to convene talks on Ukraine makes no sense without the participation of Russia and Belarus and it will not be possible to achieve results at such a meeting, Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik said in an interview with Sputnik. 2024-05-04T06:09+0000 2024-05-04T06:09+0000 2024-05-04T06:09+0000 world ukrainian crisis switzerland ukraine russia https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/04/1117742349_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_2c7bb98b00ac2e9311a355acdbf4f77f.jpg "I would like to note the futility of these initiatives, which sounded just the other day from Switzerland, to convene a peace summit, a peace conference on Ukraine without Russia's participation. This initiative has no prospects, no real diplomatic sense, because it is simply not designed to reach a concrete agreement," he said. Minsk has not received an invitation to this meeting, Aleinik added. Media reported that the Swiss government has decided to hold a peace conference on Ukraine in Burgenstock in June this year. The Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that the Swiss conference will revolve around the so-called "Zelensky peace formula," which is why the Burgenstock summit will be a "fruitless waste of time," since the "Zelensky peace formula" is nothing more than a "figment of a sick imagination." Moscow has repeatedly signaled its readiness for negotiations, but Kiev has imposed a legislative ban on them. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240430/how-biden-showed-the-world-the-us--nato-are-paper-tigers-1118198425.html switzerland ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International switzerland ukraine peace, zelensky peace formula, russia switzerland, european security, peace plan ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/trump-has-plan-to-end-ukraine-conflict-but-will-not-unveil-it-to-keep-leverage---reports-1118249678.html Trump Has Plan to End Ukraine Conflict But Will Not Unveil It to Keep Leverage - Reports Trump Has Plan to End Ukraine Conflict But Will Not Unveil It to Keep Leverage - Reports Sputnik International Former President Donald Trump has a detailed plan for how to resolve the Ukraine conflict peacefully, but will not unveil it before the upcoming US election, The Telegraph newspaper has reported, citing a source close to Trump. 2024-05-04T05:15+0000 2024-05-04T05:15+0000 2024-05-04T05:15+0000 world ukrainian crisis donald trump ukraine https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/10/1117963176_0:112:2154:1324_1920x0_80_0_0_b224cacb890ce13dd62499fcf41273fa.jpg "There is a plan, but hes not going to debate it with cable news networks because then you lose all leverage," the source was quoted as saying by the newspaper on Friday. Trump president plans to limit his campaign to simple message that he will end the conflict, intending to win over voters in the United States who would like a peaceful resolution to the conflict, the source said. "He wants to stop the killing. Thats the bumper sticker: Trump will stop the killing," the source added. Trump has repeatedly said that he would end the conflict within 24 hours.Russia launched the special military operation to protect the people of Donbass from the constant attacks of the Kiev regime and to denazify and demilitarize Ukraine. Western countries increased their military support to the Kiev regime with the unrealistic goal of inflicting a "strategic defeat" on Russia. Moscow has repeatedly warned the West against military supplies to Ukraine, stressing that this would only fuel the conflict without any chance of influencing the course of the special operation. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240430/biden-uses-ukraine-to-have-his-political-cake-and-eat-it-too-1118186480.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia's special military operation, ukrainian crisis, donald trump, nato expansion, ukraine nato, trump ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/ukraines-total-military-casualties-in-donetsk-reach-5100-in-past-week-1118253676.html Ukraine's Total Military Casualties in Donetsk Reach 5,100 in Past Week Ukraine's Total Military Casualties in Donetsk Reach 5,100 in Past Week Sputnik International The Ukrainian armed forces have suffered over 5,100 military casualties in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) in the past week as a result of operations by the southern, central and eastern groupings of the Russian armed forces, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday. 2024-05-04T12:16+0000 2024-05-04T12:16+0000 2024-05-04T12:16+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russian armed forces ukrainian crisis ukraine https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/04/1118253765_0:160:3075:1890_1920x0_80_0_0_13ad8477321f6ecb39a0396698bc3035.jpg "During the week, in this direction [as a result of actions by the central grouping of Russian forces] Kiev lost more than 2,405 servicepeople, three tanks, including US-made Abrams, 20 armored combat vehicles, including four US-made Bradley, 27 vehicles, 33 field artillery guns, including 14 of Western manufacture," the ministry said. As a result of successful operations, the units of the central grouping of Russian forces improved the front line and liberated the towns of Novobakhmutovka, Semenovka and Berdychi in the Donetsk People's Republic. They also defeated formations of 14 Ukrainian brigades and repulsed 66 enemy counterattacks in the areas of Leninskoe, Umanskoe, New-York, Novokalinovo, Ocheretyno and Netailovo, the Defense Ministry said. In addition, units of Russia's eastern grouping improved their tactical position during the week, with Kiev losing up to 745 troops, the ministry said. Russian troops of the southern grouping continued to advance deep into Ukraine's defenses over the past week, defeating 14 brigades and repelling four counterattacks, with Kiev losing more than 2,000 soldiers, it added. The western grouping of Russian forces destroyed one tank, three armored fighting vehicles, two Grad MLRS combat vehicles, and 27 field artillery pieces, including 13 Western-made, while Ukraine lost up to 975 soldiers, the ministry said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240503/ukraine-loses-over-111000-troops-in-2024---russian-defense-minister-1118239100.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia's special military operation, ukrainian crisis, russia wins, russia defeats ukraine, ukraine death toll https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/us-aid-package-doing-next-to-nothing-in-ukraine-1118247582.html US Aid Package Doing Next to Nothing in Ukraine US Aid Package Doing Next to Nothing in Ukraine Sputnik International Last month, US President Joe Biden signed an aid package earmarking $61 billion to Ukraine. Despite pledges of quick delivery, the situation has not changed for soldiers on the front lines. 2024-05-04T00:15+0000 2024-05-04T00:15+0000 2024-05-04T00:15+0000 analysis mark sleboda volodymyr zelensky joe biden kiev russia ukraine defense ministry army tactical missile system (atacms) patriot https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/1d/1117647382_0:316:3077:2047_1920x0_80_0_0_4af47fead49380e99865cd4dc9754866.jpg The lack of an impact of the latest US aid package to Ukraine on the frontlines can be boiled down to two things: It was never what it was billed to be, with estimates suggesting only $14 billion of the $61 billion are marked for new weapons and not simply refilling US stockpiles, and a complete lack of manpower that Ukraine can use on the front.The US aid package, first of all, wasnt all that it was cracked up to be. A lot of it is premised on orders for aid that still has to be actually produced, international relations and security analyst Mark Sleboda told Sputniks Fault Lines on Friday. It might arrive in a couple years time and didnt include some of the big things that the Kiev regime really needs [including] Patriot systems.Even Western media has had to admit Russian gains on the battlefield, both before and after the aid package passed, going as far as to call the recent gains a breakthrough.Russia has made significant gains across the front line, particularly towards Ocheretino, North of Avdeyevka, where a military bloom seems to be taking place. Russian forces also expelled Ukrainian forces from Rabotino, the peak of Kievs failed counteroffensive from last year.There has been a sudden renewal of desperation among Kievs Western benefactors since the aid has failed to make an impact, Sleboda explained, which prompted French President Emmanuel Macrons recent saber-rattling around Ukraine. We saw this [desperation] through February and March, and then there was a brief, maybe not even quite a week, of these absurdly uplifted spirits when the US aid passed.After signing the bill, Biden admitted that one of the most advanced weapon systems included in the aid package, long-range ATACMS missiles, were already supplied to Ukraine back in March, eliminating any hope they could change the reality on the ground since they were already in use as Ukrainian defenses continued to collapse.In an article published in Western media on Thursday, the head of the Ukrainian intelligence agency the SBU, Vadym Skibitsky, admitted that Kievs troops are still facing a weapon shortage and that the Chasov Yar, a Ukrainian stronghold west of Artemovsk, will eventually fall.Last month, authorities in Kiev suspended foreign consulate services for men aged 18 - 60 in an attempt to force them back to Ukraine and presumably to the front lines. On Friday, Ukraines Defense Ministry also reduced medical exceptions to avoid conscription, forcing some cancer, HIV and tuberculosis patients to serve, some on the frontlines, after an updated medical examination performed by a military medical commission.This summer, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to travel to Switzerland for another so-called peace negotiations, the fourth such event that declined to invite Russia, obviously the most critical country to any possible peace negotiations.These are billed as pushing Zelensky's peace formula, which is an absurd demand for Russia's unconditional surrender, Sleboda explained. Zelensky wants Russia to pull out all of its troops, pay reparations [and] all Russian leaders have to go to war crimes trials. Oh, and Zelensky would like a little pretty little pink pony, too, right? This is the absurd demand from the losing side that Russia unconditionally surrender.Instead of helping Ukraine, its leaders insistence on hanging out for as long as possible will only compel Russia to push for regime change and unconditional surrender itself.On Thursday, Western media posted an article titled No Safety in Retreat: Ukrainian Soldiers Say Rear Defensive Lines Barely Exist Amid Russian Advance. It described Ukraines desperate attempts to build fortifications ahead of the rapidly approaching Russian forces.We entered the war with nothing, a member of Ukraines engineering force told a media outlet, noting that they were only given equipment from the 1960s and shovels. Accordingly, thats the kind of trenches we made. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240429/us-aid-cant-buy-troops-ukrainian-soldier-says-no-one-willing-to-join-army-1118169794.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240503/why-chasov-yars-fall-could-become-turning-point-in-ukraine-conflict-1118242585.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240425/poland-and-lithuania-may-help-press-gang-ukrainians-into-kiev-regimes-military-1118113986.html kiev russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ian DeMartino Ian DeMartino News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ian DeMartino ukraine, us aid to ukraine, situation in ukraine ,updates on ukraine, did us aid help ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/us-air-national-guard-opposes-transfer-to-space-force-without-governors-consent-1118249522.html US Air National Guard Opposes Transfer to Space Force Without Governors Consent US Air National Guard Opposes Transfer to Space Force Without Governors Consent Sputnik International A host of US Air National Guard leaders from various US' states spoke against Legislative Proposal 480 that would transfer the Air Guard's space units to the US Space Force without governors' consent. 2024-05-04T04:56+0000 2024-05-04T04:56+0000 2024-05-04T04:56+0000 americas us colorado alaska florida defense department national guard california hawaii us national guard https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/06/1081994689_0:287:3058:2007_1920x0_80_0_0_be16d96fb503072e06de2936dc51c439.jpg Legislative Proposal 480, which the Defense Department submitted for consideration to the Senate Armed Services Committee, has drawn a storm of criticism and strong opposition in the ranks of the US National Guard and among state governors. The governors estimated that the proposed change would affect the lives of about 1,000 people in the Air National Guard space units across seven US states, including Colorado, Alaska, California, Hawaii and Florida. According to Chief of the National Guard Bureau Gen. Daniel Hokanson, Proposal 480 seeks Congress' permission to allow the Air Force to bypass federal laws and take away 14 Guard units across seven states without the consent of these states' respective governors. In other words, the proposed legislation would create the basis for removing 14 units from state control and reassigning them to the federal government, which, according to the governors, would seriously disrupt gubernatorial authority over the National Guard.Instead of transferring space units to the Space Force, Gen. Bruno suggested establishing a Space National Guard, adding that it would cost zero dollars to the Defense Department to accomplish that. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240228/us-army-national-guard-grounds-all-helicopters-after-deadly-crash-in-mississippi-1117028895.html americas colorado alaska hawaii Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us air national guard, legislative proposal 480, us space force, us domestic security structure, us forces community, senate armed services committee, chief of the national guard bureau gen daniel hokanson https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/us-france-fleeing-to-last-bastion-of-franafrique-1118248131.html US, France, Fleeing to Last Bastion of Francafrique US, France, Fleeing to Last Bastion of Francafrique Sputnik International The United States and France are working to establish a "beachhead" in the last bastion of "francafrique" an African analyst told Sputnik. 2024-05-04T03:42+0000 2024-05-04T03:42+0000 2024-05-04T03:42+0000 africa mark sleboda africa insight americans niger france senegal us africa command (africom) economic community of west african states (ecowas) sputnik https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/08/1112466671_0:0:2952:1662_1920x0_80_0_0_85a857b8f479132010f7a13bd774cf8b.jpg The United States and France, having been kicked out of much of the African Sahel, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad, are fleeing to Cote d'Ivoire, aka the Ivory Coast, and Senegal which are among the few remaining places on the continent where French influence still holds significant sway.Francafrique was a term used by then Cote d'Ivoire President Felix Houphouet-Boigny in 1955, who advocated a close relationship with France while ostensibly maintaining the countrys independence. It has since been used to describe other countries with a close relationship with France and eventually became a prerogative term to describe countries under French neo-colonialism.The withdrawal of US troops from Niger will take some time, as they have sensitive and expensive equipment there that they would not want to leave behind, especially with Russian forces taking over counterterrorism activities and training in the US absence. This has led to an awkward situation with US and Russian troops occupying the same air base, albeit in different sections of the compound.Last year, the military leadership in Niger deposed President Mohamed Bazoum and installed a new government. Not long after, they demanded that French troops leave the region, which eventually happened after it became apparent that Bazoum would not return to power despite economic sanctions and saber-rattling from ECOWAS, an economic alliance in West Africa.That coup and expulsion of French troops followed similar stories in Mali and Burkina-Faso in the years prior. Then in March, the government of Chad requested that US troops leave bases in that country, a request that the US granted earlier this week. That brought the count of Sahel countries expelling Western forces to four in just the last few years.While US forces were allowed to remain in Niger for a time, it was always an uncomfortable relationship. They never trusted the US would support [them], Ibrahim Yahaya, deputy director for the Sahel Project at the International Crisis Group, told Al-Jazeera.Last week, Michael Langley, the commander of US Africa Command (AFRICOM) visited Cote dIvoire to reaffirm the US commitment to the country. Kouakou said that is where US forces are expected to end up next. Very few people thought they were going to go there because Cote d'Ivoire is" an area where France holds sway, Kouakou explained, noting that the US submarine deal with Australia that reportedly angered French officials was likely making French officials feel a little bit suspicious of the US.These are the two most important places, sort of the bastion, sort of outpost of French neo-colonialism that are now under attack morally from the other Sahel countries that have expelled their former colonial rulers, Kouakou said. Senegal and Cote d'Ivoire, and especially Cote d'Ivoire, noting that Gabon and Cameroon are also important to France in the region.The United States has been in Niger since 2012, setting up bases there ostensibly to support the governments fight against terrorism. The former Boko Haram was reportedly gaining steam there and in more recent years Daesh* and al-Qaeda branches have been established in the Sahel region.The issue Niger and other countries had with the arraignment was that it severely limited their sovereignty according to Kouakou. For example, all the activities taking place on the bases, coming and going Niger is not aware of how many people are [in the bases], who's coming in, what materials they're moving in, and then the landing fees of the US aircraft are free, so theyre not paying taxes at all.Since the US entered Niger in 2012, instances of terrorism in the Sahel exploded from less than 200 incidents in 2011 to more than 800 incidents in 2021.* Also known as ISIS, ISIL, and the Islamic State, an internationally recognized terrorist group outlawed in Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240503/russian-forces-in-separate-compound-on-niger-base-no-access-to-us-forces-1118234709.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240430/us-losing-footprint-across-africa-as-niger-chad-demand-military-forces-pullouts-1118186233.html africa niger france senegal mali burkina faso cote d'ivoire Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ian DeMartino Ian DeMartino News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ian DeMartino francafrique, us leaves chad, us leave niger, us going to cote d'ivoire, us in ivory coast, france in ivory coast, russia in africa https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/veteran-activists-trained-us-students-for-months-ahead-of-pro-palestinian-outcry---reports-1118251279.html Veteran Activists Trained US Students for Months Ahead of Pro-Palestinian Outcry - Reports Veteran Activists Trained US Students for Months Ahead of Pro-Palestinian Outcry - Reports Sputnik International The ongoing pro-Palestinian protests by US students were preceded by months of training with experienced activists, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Saturday. 2024-05-04T08:17+0000 2024-05-04T08:17+0000 2024-05-04T08:17+0000 world us college campus protests us palestine palestine-israel conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/03/1118235042_0:114:3238:1935_1920x0_80_0_0_d258a5b0de0697cd51ec1b39d0f96795.jpg On Friday, US media reported that at least 2,000 people had been arrested across the United States in recent weeks for their participation in pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses. The political tactics that have served as the basis for some of the student demonstrations are the result of many months of training with longtime activists and support from left-wing groups, WSJ reported, though adding that there is no central command controlling the pro-Palestinian student movement. A few months before the spark of the protests, demonstration organizers at Columbia University launched consultations with such groups as the National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) and veterans of the student protests, the newspaper reported. The NSJP has reportedly urged US students to stand against those colleges that invest in ventures that conduct business with Israel until they abandon this policy. Numerous pro-Palestinian demonstrations have rocked college campuses across the US in recent weeks as protesters are urging an end to US military, financial and diplomatic support for Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip, which have resulted in the deaths of more than 34,600 Palestinians. Students are also calling on their universities to condemn Israel's military campaign in Gaza, to divest from companies linked to Israel and discontinue programs of study abroad at Israeli universities. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/student-protests-across-us-unlikely-to-match-political-impact-of-1960s-movement-1118250475.html palestine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International campus protests us, student protests us, palestinian protests, pro-palestine outcry, unrest campus us, anti-israel protests A flood watch for Southeast Texas remains in effect through Sunday afternoon. National Weather Service After multiple days of heavy rainfall, with some spots in Southeast Texas picking up more than a foot of rain in that period, Houston and its northern suburbs, including The Woodlands, Conroe and Huntsville, could continue to see widespread flooding as they wait for swollen rivers and creeks to recede. Once a few morning showers and thunderstorms pass, well have a short reprieve from the heavy rainfall through the afternoon. However, it wont last long as more storms are in the forecast on Sunday. Another strong disturbance will move over Texas with a warm front traveling north across Southeast Texas. LIVE STORM UPDATES: Sheriff says flooding will reach rooftops of homes Advertisement Article continues below this ad With ample moisture and lifting from the disturbance, this will enable rain chances and flooding concerns to persist into the rest of the weekend. The bulk of the rain on Sunday will be north of Interstate 10; however, rainfall totals could add up to another inch. Because of this addition rainfall, the National Weather Service is keeping much of Southeast Texas under a flood watch through 1 p.m. Sunday. Forecasters said they are focusing on the potential for another inch to 3 inches of rainfall Saturday night into Sunday morning, especially with soils already saturated in the watch area. Flash flooding and river flooding have occurred across Southeast Texas, where several locations have recorded more than a foot of rain since Monday. Pivotal Temperatures through the weekend will be comfortable and near normal with lows in the 70s and high temperatures in the low 80s. Beyond the rain, the main weather story heading into next week will be the increased heat and the prospect of Houston's hottest temperatures so far this year. Dry weather will build in on Monday and well expect a lot of sunshine with temperatures climbing into the mid-90s by Thursday. We'll be looking at temperatures about 5 to 10 degrees above normal for this time of year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Heat builds next week in Houston with the hottest temperatures so far this year in the extended forecast as early as Wednesday. WeatherBell Flood risk persists this weekend Despite the dry weather next week, we could still be dealing with river flooding across Southeast Texas. Out of 178 river gauges the National Weather Service in Houston monitors, 42 are showing flooded conditions, and because of inflow, many are forecast to crest over the weekend or into early next week. The Trinty River near Goodrich will peak at 49 feet, 13 feet above flood stage, on Saturday. The San Jacinto River near Sheldon will crest at a height of 19 feet, 9 feet above flood stage, on Sunday morning. The West Fork San Jacinto River near Humble will reach 61 feet on Sunday, about 12 feet above flood stage. The Trinity River near Moss Bluff will peak on Tuesday morning at 17.5 feet which is more than 5 feet above flood stage. Flooding remains one of the top weather-related killers in the United States, especially when in a car. Six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult and it only takes 12 inches of rushing water, or the height of your cowboy boot, to float most vehicles. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Floodwaters can have other hidden dangers that can cause sickness, injury, or even death. Resist walking through flooded waters because there could be animals and insects floating in the water such as fire ants and snakes. Sharp objects and debris can lurk in the water as well as live wires that could electrocute you. Dangerous chemicals and sewage also could mix with the water. Another half-inch to an inch of rain is expected through the weekend in Southeast Texas. Pivotal While the rainfall totals we've seen this week in Houston have been excessive, its not surprising that we are seeing flooding in May. Since 2020, this is historically Houstons second-wettest month of the year, behind June, with an average monthly rain total of 5.61 inches. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Outside of the Houston area, near Davy Crockett National Forest, the small town of Groveton recorded 23.56 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service. Closer to the city, we had several locations that topped 8 inches of cumulative rainfall in the past five days ending at noon Friday: Iredell County Emergency Management encourages residents to plan and prepare for hurricanes and other severe weather by updating their emergency plans and supply kits. Hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. To encourage residents to prepare, the National Weather Service has declared May 5-11 as Hurricane Preparedness Week in North Carolina. Iredell County has been impacted by hurricanes and/or tropical storms almost every year over the past decade, which brought heavy rains, high winds, and the threat of tornadoes. Protecting your family during a disaster such as a hurricane or severe weather means having an emergency plan and kit, which will provide for you and your loved ones for up to a week. Having a plan and being prepared improves your chances of surviving and recovering from the damage of severe weather. Creating an emergency plan is as easy as visiting ReadyNC.gov and downloading a plan template. Once youve written your emergency plan down, be sure your family takes the time to practice so everyone knows where to go and who to contact when disaster strikes. If you have an emergency plan, now is also the time to make sure all the information is up to date and talk to your neighbors about their plans, especially those who may need assistance such as senior citizens. Emergency Management also urges Iredell County families and businesses to gather important documents, such as a copy of their drivers license, insurance policies, medical records, as well as bank account statements, and put them somewhere safe, such as a fireproof box or a safe deposit box, where they can quickly be accessed in case of an emergency. Make sure to review and update homeowners or renters insurance policies to ensure they include coverage for damage from natural disasters and be sure to have flood insurance. When assembling an emergency supply kit be sure to include enough non-perishable food and water to last each family member three to seven days. Other essential items include: First-aid kit Weather radio and batteries Prescription medicines Sleeping bag or blankets Changes of clothes Hygiene items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and deodorant Cash Pet supplies including food, water, bedding, leashes, muzzle and vaccination records Face masks and hand sanitizer Iredell County residents should stay informed during severe weather by using a battery-powered radio for weather and evacuation information and should know evacuation routes in their community. When asked to evacuate, residents should leave the area immediately. Once your plan and kit are up to date, take the time to mitigate damage to your home or business by taking some commonsense measures such as trimming trees, covering windows, securing loose outdoor items and more. As part of your family emergency plan, include places you may be able to stay if you have to evacuate. If youre asked to evacuate due to potential danger, do so. Youll not only be protecting yourself but also emergency responders who may have to risk their lives to save you if you dont evacuate. More information on hurricanes and overall emergency preparedness is online at www.ReadyNC.gov. A recent national study found Washington falls behind in preschool access compared with other states, reinforcing the assertion from local education leaders that the demand for early-learning programs has far outpaced funding. The National Institute for Early Education Research report found in the 2022-2023 school year, Washington's two state-funded preschool programs Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program and transitional kindergarten served a combined 16 percent of 4-year-olds and 8 percent of 3-year-olds. Washington ranked 33rd in the nation for preschool enrollment for 4-year-olds and 17th for 3-year-olds. Educational Opportunities for Children and Families, which oversees Head Start and the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program in Southwest Washington, serves about 1,100 children across Clark, Cowlitz and Pacific counties. CEO Rekah Strong said her organization lacks funding to serve an additional 4,000 eligible students in the area. "We were the linchpin that got us through the pandemic, but we have very heavy challenges coming out of the backside of the pandemic," Strong said. "Early learning and the child care community is heavily supported on the backs of women, particularly women of color, but compared to any similar program that is a basic infrastructure of government, we are way underfunded." Although Washington lawmakers have made strides toward expanding access to early education through recent legislation, it's still not enough to meet the demand, said Joel Ryan, executive director of the Washington State Association of Head Start and the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program. "We have addressed at the state level putting more dollars into early learning, but it's nowhere near enough and at the federal level. We still have a long way to go," Ryan said. "Even though we're a very underfunded program and there are a lot of challenges and things going on, the program is really well regarded. While we could do a lot better with access, we're making progress toward serving more kids." 'Not enough dollars' Head Start and the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program help families prepare their children ahead of kindergarten. Transitional kindergarten, a newer early-education program, is intended for 5-year-olds who have missed the cutoff for kindergarten or who are turning 5 before the following school year. According to the study, Washington's Department of Children, Youth and Families enrolled 15,808 children in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program during the 2022-2023 school year, up 801 children from the prior year. The state spent $11,503 per child enrolled that year, down $40 from 2021-2022. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction enrolled 5,244 children in transitional kindergarten during the 2022-2023 school year, an increase of 2,117 children from the previous year. State spending per child was $13,259, up $88 from 2021-2022. Ryan said the combination of Head Start's difficulty attracting staff, paired with the number of children who needed targeted services, decreased accessibility throughout the pandemic. While slots have increased since then, the demand for early-education programs continues to skyrocket, especially because isolation from the pandemic stunted some children's development, and more families are seeking those services, Ryan said. "The ECEAP program was meant to address the challenges that the pandemic has laid in front of us: deepening poverty, public health issues, family engagement, helping people get back to work in terms of jobs and working with the whole family," Ryan said. "You need really well-trained people. You need additional resources to support those kids and their families as a whole. Both the Head Start and ECEAP programs just simply do not have enough dollars to do those things at the moment." Supporting families For decades, Head Start and the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program have provided early-learning education to children. But beyond that, the two programs offer wrap-around services to support the family unit, including housing resources, meals and transportation, Strong said. Stevonne Fuller, a Vancouver mom of two, is among those families. Her 5-year-old son, Lucious, has speech difficulties and struggled to socialize during the pandemic. "Once he turned 3, he faced a lot of difficulty socializing because people didn't understand him. They would often leave him," Fuller said. "It was painful for me as a parent, because I recognize how hard it must be to face that level of rejection at such an early age." Fuller enrolled her son in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program in January 2022. There, he received support through an individualized education program, a special education plan for students who may be struggling in school. Once a week, a speech therapist visits her son's classroom and helps him with enunciation. Luscious is now set to start kindergarten in the fall, and his speech has significantly improved, Fuller said. "It takes a village. The support has been invaluable," she said. "He's really doing a great job now, and his growth has been amazing. I wholeheartedly believe we need more support for ECEAP in the community. I really do hope we get more funding because it really closes the learning gap." In order to recruit more staff, Educational Opportunities for Children and Families partners with Clark College to train parents who might be successful staffers and help pay for their education in child and family studies. But there is still work that needs to be done, including ensuring leaders in early education receive livable wages and increasing access to programs by widening the application criteria for families, Strong said. "We're going into families, we're breaking generational trauma and helping them chart an entirely different path," Strong said. 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 Taiwan stands out as a beacon of democracy, innovation and resilience in an increasingly autocratic region. But this is under growing threat. In recent years, China has used a variety of "gray zone" tactics to pressure Taiwan to accept the Communist Party's attempts at unification. This has included an onslaught of cyberattacks, which not only pose a significant threat to Taiwan's national security but also seek to undermine its democratic processes. These attacks range from phishing attempts to sophisticated malware intrusions. Website defacement attacks and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are often seen during significant events, such as the August 2022 visit of Nancy Pelosi, then-speaker of the US House of Representatives. Government agencies, educational institutions, convenience stores and train stations are among the targets. So, how is Taiwan defending itself from these attacks? And can it continue to do so as China's tactics become more sophisticated? Millions of cyberattacks a day Despite Taiwan's technological prowess and robust cybersecurity measures, it continues to be a major target for malicious actors seeking to sow chaos in the country. According to senior government officials, Taiwan receives some five million cyberattacks a day. And Frontinet, a US-based cybersecurity firm, has found Taiwan experienced just over half of the billions of malware attacks detected in the Asia-Pacific region in the first half of 2023. The intensity of cyberattacks reached new heights during Taiwan's January 2024 electionsa critical juncture in its democratic journey. The Ministry of Digital Affairs reported on the widespread use of social engineering tactics to compel people to click on links or download files, which then allowed perpetrators to steal sensitive information. One particularly alarming incident involved a "threat actor" named Earth Lusca, which targets organizations of interest to the Chinese government. From December to January, this actor emailed a malicious zip file entitled "China's gray-zone warfare against Taiwan" to selected targets, including government and educational institutions and news media in Taiwan. The file was designed to install malicious software to infiltrate computer systems. It also included documents written by experts in TaiwanChina relations, believed to have been stolen from the authors or agencies that own them. The timing of these attacks, peaking just 24 hours before the elections, underscored their strategic intent to undermine Taiwan's electoral integrity. Disinformation and deepfakes These efforts to destabilize Taiwan are not confined to conventional hacking techniques. Disinformation campaigns are also causing political, economic and social harm to the country. In the lead-up to the elections, for instance, a deluge of false narratives and fabricated content circulated on social media. These targeted the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which advocates for Taiwanese sovereignty. Among the most egregious examples was the dissemination of a 300-page e-book entitled "The Secret History of Tsai Ing-wen" (), laden with baseless allegations about the Taiwanese president aimed at eroding the public's trust in her and her party. It claimed, for example, that Tsai's mother was a prostitute. It also portrayed Tsai as a vile, morally corrupt dictator who is sexually promiscuous and hungry for power. Taiwanese security officials said the book bore the hallmark of the Chinese Ministry of State Security. Using AI tools such as Capcut, developed by the Chinese technology giant ByteDance, the book's developers also produced and disseminated fake news videos for social media. Featuring AI-generated voices and fake news anchors, these videos were produced with alarming efficiency and promptly replaced if they were taken down by platforms. Furthermore, rumors circulated on social media about DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te having illegitimate sons, and other candidates having extramarital affairs. The videos used deepfake technologies to make the claims appear more real to deceive the public. Although these campaigns were not entirely successfulLai won the presidencythey are still a cause for concern. Orchestrated disinformation campaigns are becoming more sophisticated and widespread, especially with the support of generative AI and deepfake software. And their potential to influence public opinion or fuel political polarization could gradually weaken Taiwan's democracy and create instability. And these tactics can also be replicated elsewhere. Other countries worried about the impact of cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns on their elections and democratic institutions should be paying attention. How Taiwan is responding In response to these multifaceted threats, Tsai, the outgoing president, has stressed that cybersecurity is synonymous with national security. However, the country's existing cybersecurity regulations primarily target cybercrime. Because of the blurry line between cybercrime and cyber warfare, Taiwan needs to adopt a more holistic approach. This should encompass preventive measures, rapid response strategies and enhanced public-private and international collaborations. For example, Taiwan is now developing its own satellite internet servicean alternative to Elon Musk's Starlinkto reduce the potential harm from severed underwater internet cables. Working with the American Institute In Taiwan, the government is also promoting a US Department of Defense cybersecurity framework for local businesses to make them more resilient to attacks. And in January, Taiwan's Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau established a new research center aimed at combating the threat of online disinformation. Non-governmental organizations such as the Doublethink Lab, Cofacts and the Taiwan Factcheck Center are also playing a significant role through real-time monitoring of foreign influence and disinformation campaigns and fact-checking services. However, with advances in technology, cyberattacks and disinformation will evolve. This is why other components are essential to build a comprehensive cyberdefense strategy. This includes increased investment in cybersecurity infrastructure, fostering digital literacy and promoting responsible online behavior. Only through collective vigilance and concerted efforts can Taiwan safeguard its democratic values in the face of relentless cyber threats. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. From left to right: Harris County Appraisal District board: Amy Lacy, Kyle Scott and Kathy Blueford-Daniels. Houston Chronicle Staff Democratic primary candidates for Texas State District 15, Jarvis Johnson and Molly Cook, debate on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Houston. The debate was sponsored by the Bayou Blue Dems for the runoff election that will fill Houston Mayor John Whitmires former Senate seat. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Didnt know today is Election Day? No shame in that. The May 4 Uniform and Special Election has received scant media attention. Youre also forgiven if you assumed were referring to the primary runoffs; those are later this month. Todays ballot includes some key contests worthy of your attention: three newly created, nonpartisan races for the county appraisal district board. In addition, residents of Senate District 15 can pick who will temporarily fill Mayor John Whitmires old seat through the end of this year. Less than 2% of eligible Harris County voters 33,652 out of roughly 2.5 million have voted early. That means that if you do bother to participate today, you have a relatively high chance of swinging the results, especially if you grab a few friends and family on the way to the polls. As usual, the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board conducted background checks, talked to candidates and debated their strengths and weaknesses to make the recommendations below. The once-crowded Democratic race to replace Whitmire has narrowed to two candidates with starkly different backgrounds and philosophies of governance. They will face each other in back-to-back elections. After voters decide today who will fill the current term through the end of the year, the candidates will face off again in the May 28 runoff to see who gets the seat for a full term. We recommend state Rep. Jarvis Johnson, 52, because of his governing experience in the Texas House and on the Houston City Council. We see the strengths of challenger Molly Cook as well. The 32-year-old emergency room nurse and tireless organizer has successfully made waves without an official title. Shes driven two high-profile local movements; one opposing the Interstate 45 rebuild that has helped produce some community wins and another to renegotiate the balance of power in the regions council of governments. But Johnson knows the lay of the land in Austin, hes willing to work with Republicans in the GOP-controlled chamber and, in that endeavor, his less ideological, more practical approach will help. His priorities are solid: defending public education, reforming the criminal justice system, Medicaid expansion and environmental protections. Being an effective Democrat in the Texas Senate these days takes skill and savvy, not just passion. Johnson, luckily, has them all. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When voters approved a constitutional amendment last year that cut property taxes, they may not have noticed that they also greenlighted three new positions on the appraisal boards of larger counties. The timing of the election, on a little-noticed date that all but guarantees low turnout, has led some progressives to suspect a plot. Nearly every aspect of local government depends on tax revenue thats based on property appraisals. Is this a first step in Republicans plans to defund blue cities and counties? After meeting the candidates, our worries were largely assuaged. Voters in Harris County can choose among qualified people who seem committed to keeping property taxes flowing to schools, parks and police while also encouraging a more transparent process that taxpayers can trust, including those who choose to protest their appraisals. Position 1: Kathy Blueford-Daniels While on the Houston ISD board from 2020 until the state takeover in 2023, Kathy Blueford-Daniels, 66, served as the appointed member on the Harris County Appraisal District board. Shes also served as a panelist hearing appeals from property owners. That experience, combined with her many years as a community activist in Fifth Ward and as a community liaison for Democratic state Sen. Borris Miles, will allow Blueford-Daniels to be effective from the start. She wants to build on the work shes already done with the chief appraiser to hold community workshops in areas where families often lose generational wealth because they dont have the resources or knowledge to navigate tax exemptions, protest their appraisals and resolve heirship disputes. Bill R. Frazer, 73, earned our endorsement when he ran unsuccessfully for Houston controller a decade ago. Hes got impressive credentials as a certified public accountant and retired business executive, and was endorsed by the conservative C Club in this race. He said hed try to set minimum qualifications for the panelists who hear property tax appeals experience in real state, accounting or the law. A third candidate, Ramsey Isa Ankar, did not meet with the editorial board. Position 2: Kyle Scott Advertisement Article continues below this ad Fortunately, voters have several strong candidates to choose from for this position. We believe Kyle Scott, a 46-year-old entrepreneurship professor at Sam Houston State University, is the most prepared. His ideas for auditing tax abatements and regularly evaluating the chief appraiser could improve customer service and fairness. Melissa Noriega, 69, has the most experience in elected office as a former state representative and Houston City Council member. In addition, shes served as a senior leader with Houston ISD and the mega-nonprofit BakerRipley. Pragmatic, knowledgeable and rooted in community, shed make an excellent board member. So would Austin Pooley, a 33-year-old former appraiser who now works in the energy industry. He described the district as well-run but with room for improvement. Janice W. Hines, a licensed tax attorney, advocates for a sliding scale for taxing longtime owner occupants, which would likely require new legislation. Jevon German, who has experience in accounting, would focus on educating residents and helping them apply for tax exemptions. Position 3: Amy Lacy Two candidates stood out. Pelumi Adeleke a 39-year-old Harvard Business School graduate and leader at Amazon Web Services endorsed by the AFL-CIO would bring her management and data crunching chops to the role. She argues better methods of appraising properties could lead to more fairness. Amy Ngo Lacy, 54 and a lawyer who has worked as an arbiter for disputed appraisal cases, impressed us with how clearly she explained why ordinary home and small-business owners need more transparency about the process. In a screening, she told the story of a car repair shop owner hit with a massive increase in his tax bill. Lacy came to this country from Vietnam at age 5 and identifies as a Republican. Mark V. Goloby, 66, would use the board position as a bully pulpit to advocate for changes to the law. Thats what hes been doing for years, fighting the 313 tax abatements to corporations that lacked accountability. Yet worthy as his calls to action are, they dont necessarily qualify him for this board position. J. Bill, 28, spoke about the loss of generational property wealth in his own family, but like Ericka McCrutcheon, the owner of a construction contractor who ran for City Council in 2019 and 2023, he does not have as relevant a professional background as other candidates. Want to stay up to date on our most recent thought-provoking editorials, columns and Letters to the Editor? Our Opinion-focused 'SaysHou' newsletter delivers our weekly highlights, directly to your inbox. Sign up now. Pro-Israel protestors rally across the street from a pro-Palestinian student encampment on the campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Friday, May 3, 2024, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Charles Krupa/Associated Press Regarding "What student protesters teach us about the real world | Opinion," (May 2): I, too, admire the passion of some of the students as they sincerely protest injustice, and Im deeply troubled by the loss of life among Palestinians. But watching any news coverage makes it clear that theres a significant number who just dont understand the history and facts of the situation, some are apparently outside professional agitators, and many are calling for something different than justice. Different like the end of Israel; the death of Jews. When they say We are Hamas they show support for the mass murder and cruelty of Oct. 7, and support Hamas intentions of repeating it as many times as it takes to eliminate Israel. When they say From the river to the sea and Globalize the Intifada, they suggest getting rid of Israel, and Jews, by any means necessary. Many likely dont really understand that thats the message theyre communicating, and I write that off to the fact that theyre the words of still developing minds. But that doesnt excuse the ignorance, and it doesnt justify glorifying them for their bravery and willingness to speak their minds. In denouncing Israel for defending itself, there doesnt appear to be any understanding of the horrors Hamas perpetrated on innocent people. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Of course, there are many arguments regarding how Israel has chosen to fight back, but the protesters have lost sight of the fact that Israel didnt choose this war. Hamas did. And Hamas could end it tomorrow by releasing hostages and making the simple statement that Israel has a right to exist. Where are the demands by protesters, including their professors and administrators who should know better, for those two steps? Brian Smith, Houston I respect this writer's opinion and like the fact that she looks for nuance. That is so important and so often missing in today's public discourse. But when protests turn disruptive, the subject is changed. Change by any means possible or via mob rule is incompatible with an enfranchised democracy. Looking back on the great civil rights protests and their eventual success I am reminded that the protests were nonviolent. And yes, I know they were often met with violence from the authorities. But they proceeded with the credibility of nonviolence and with the hard and brilliant work of the NAACP legal team. I served and fought in the Vietnam War and found the protesters claims without merit. The American people, the United States Congress and the media back then lost faith because of the ongoing lies from President Lyndon B. Johnson and Secretary Robert McNamara. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But despite the long list of the war's mistakes and tragedies, it did serve to deter the spread of communism in southeast Asia. When the communists took over in 1975, hundreds of thousands of innocents were jailed or slaughtered in Vietnam and Cambodia. Protesters spit on us when I returned home in 1969. I think students are being misled to think that simple protesting can change the world. If you want to change the world, and I hope you do, roll up your sleeves and find some everyday hard work that will actually make a difference for justice. Or maybe you would rather just protest and demand that somebody else do the work. Chris Van Arsdel, Houston Regina Lankenau's column overlooks the fact that sometimes students are trying to teach us things that are the opposite of the truth. Examples of such lies: Advertisement Article continues below this ad (1) Israel is committing war crimes. It is Hamas that committed war crimes, while Israel has gone to great lengths to avoid them. Those clamoring for Ceasefire now or From the river to the sea seem to want Hamas to survive so that they can kill and kidnap more Jews. (2) Israel is committing genocide. It is Hamas that clearly states in its charter that they wish to annihilate the Jewish people. In fact, the Arab population has steadily grown in the territories since Israel won them in the Six-Day War in 1967. (3) Advocacy for Free speech and assembly rights. Too often, these protests have disintegrated into hate speech and even physical attacks on Jews, sometimes led by non-students. Why do many of these demonstrators wear kaffiyehs? So that they cant be identified while committing crimes. In 1968, protestors were quite open about who they were and many stood up for the truth about the Vietnam War. In 2024, whos telling the truth? Not the demonstrators, some of whom want to send Jews back to Poland. Daniel Horwitz, Houston I found it difficult to believe that an editor could possibly hypothesize that amid protesters' hate speech, illegal trespass, violence, campus closures, creation of a fearful, toxic atmosphere for Jewish students and so on, these students could possibly teach real-world lessons. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Her entire column attempts to rationalize the protests and suggest that something positive occurred. Ask the Jewish students and those attempting to attend to their studies if they feel that way. John H Reed, Jr., Houston I have watched with disgust as college students and outside agitators violate laws and ignore rules. Revealing the outcome of privileged and coddled upbringings, these students make me suspect they are ignorant of the Israeli/Palestinian history and are being hoodwinked by well-financed agitators whose sole purpose is to foment hate, discontent and chaos in a country they loathe. Still more disturbing to me is the support demonstrated by Chronicle opinion pieces and letters to the editor. Ms. Lankenau, assistant op-ed editor, expressed a feeling of awe and believes institutions should laud students for their bravery in agitating for real-world change. Supporting these protests and describing them as peaceful is an insult to anyone who can objectively think for themselves. A peaceful demonstration does not establish a tent city that infringes on others' access. It does not spew hate and encourage the annihilation of an entire race of people. It does not occupy buildings and inflict destruction on property. How disturbing to me that an editor of this paper, and seemingly so many others, consider those actions laudable and worthy of awe. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Raymond Ruiz, Houston I am a liberal but have mixed feelings about the protestors' aims, intentions and practices, as well as whether or not their demands are reasonable or achievable in the "real world." What I'm not mixed about is seeing all the wanton and purposeful destruction of both city and college property and grounds. How does spraying libraries with graffiti, smashing windows and breaking furniture advance anything? Or forcing the cancellations of classes and graduations that affect all students? And who is left to pick up the trash and detritus after the protesters are safely back in their dorms, apartments and parents' homes? Mostly low-paid Black and brown sanitation, security and groundskeeping employees. Some will say, "What's that compared to the utter destruction of Gaza?" That's a false and faulty comparison. When these students graduate and find employment, if they're still so passionate, maybe they'll contribute part of their paycheck to an aid organization. That will help Palestinians far more than any chanting, sign-waving or screaming. Bob Ruggiero, Houston I disagree with most of Lankenau's column. For the students to be teaching us about the "real world," there are a few things they have terribly wrong. When protesters argue that From the river to the sea" means freedom for all to live together, they ignore the fact that Hamas, the group elected by Palestinians, has stated in their charter they want the removal of all Jews from the region. There is a long list of examples of Arab neighbors, especially Palestinians, attacking Israel and declining compromise or a "two-state solution." At some point, to prevent death by a thousand cuts, the Israelis felt it was time to prevent further attacks. Was it really a disproportionate response, as stated in the column, to a group that wants them removed forever from the region and that continually attacks them? A group that slaughtered, raped and captured the elderly, women and children and filmed it! The group that in Gaza and other regions hides among their own civilians to avoid Israeli attacks. Where is the discourse about that from these protesters in "the real world"? There is only silence! Yes, the protesters do deserve freedom of speech in our country, but that does not include threats or disrupting others in the pursuit of their own freedoms. Destruction of property and occupying buildings is not peaceful protest. Other students are trying to go to classes, and finals are coming up. They are disrupting the entire college campus and removing others freedoms. Until these student protesters acknowledge some of these truths in their discourse, holding Hamas accountable in their dialogue and granting that Israel has the right to exist without attacks, they will not be in the real world. Skip Fix, Katy Regarding "Gov. Greg Abbott and UTs president fell for Hamass trap by crushing student protests," (April 30): Chris Tomlinson's article on Gov. Greg Abbott shutting down the protests at the University of Texas at Austin is an embarrassment to the Houston Chronicle. Compare Abbott's early intervention in these protests to what is happening in New York and California. Thank you, governor, for shutting down these events in the early phase so we dont have to deal with them in the later phase. Arthur Willis, Houston In response to Tomlinson's commentary today, I believe that conjecture is not necessary in this situation. Im sure that most people would choose Gov. Abbotts response to the UT anti-Israel demonstration over that of Columbia Universitys. Especially if you are a serious student! Juan Campo, Houston During a demonstration Thursday, pre-med student Rawan Channaa discusses demands for the University of Texas at Austin to pull its investment from companies demonstrators believe are complaisant in deaths of Palestinians. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Regarding Understanding and nuance at UT protests? Not when Greg Abbott has a say | Editorial," (April 28): It is truly inspiring to witness the courage, passion and moral clarity displayed by students now protesting at the University of Texas at Austin and other campuses across the country. They are following the honorable tradition of student movements in my lifetime against segregation in the early '60s, Vietnam in the late '60s, apartheid in the '80s, Iraq in 2003, wealth inequality in 2011. Almost without exception, their voices help to bend the arc of history towards justice. Administrators and politicians trying to stifle or ignore these calls for justice and peace will eventually be found, as always, on the wrong side of history. Steve Smith, Sugar Land Advertisement Article continues below this ad Regarding "What student protesters teach us about the real world | Opinion," (May 2): Thank you for this insightful and forthright column. As someone who has been to Palestine twice with the International Solidarity Movement (20 years ago), I find the current situation horrifying, including the violent repression of speech and protest here and in Europe (particularly Germany!). I cannot help but think we are now seeing how so many people went along with or covered their eyes and ears there, here, and elsewhere in the 1930s and '40s. By the way, I was at Columbia University in 1968. Susan Chadwick, Houston A wonderful column. The photos and commentary from Palestine are heartbreaking. I am proud of the thoughts and concerns this writer expresses so elegantly. I graduated from a small Baptist school in Northeast Texas, hardly a bastion of free thinking and intellect. The Vietnam protests were simply ignored and generally considered as unpatriotic rabble, if they were considered at all. It wasnt until I returned after a year in Vietnam, and began reading about that country and its history, that I began to perceive the rationale behind the protests. Took me a long time to evolve. As this writer so wonderfully stated, the bravery and passion from these students should be admired, not demonized. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dennis Boyter, Spring That was a beautifully written column. Thank you. Sonya Letson, Amarillo Regina Lankenau's terrific column mentioned that a certain professor (fortunately NOT of music!) at Columbia University claimed to be unable to play John Cage's "4'33"" for his class because they would have had to listen to protesters instead of "birds and people walking by in the hallway." As someone with three degrees in music and also one who had the honor to hear Mr. Cage speak about his music, I think that Ms. Lankenau's characterization of that professor as "tone-deaf" did not go far enough. Another word would have been "censorship." For those who may not know, Cage was an avant-garde 20th-century American composer who simply believed that any sound, organized or unorganized, can be considered music. His seminal composition "4' 33"" was composed for piano in three movements, during which the pianist sits in silence at the keyboard for four minutes and 33 seconds, thus forcing the audience to listen to whatever random or chance sounds may be occurring at that time and in that space. By definition, no two performances would ever be the same. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I believe Mr. Cage would have been delighted that his piece at that specific moment in that setting would have required this "tone-deaf" professor and his class to listen to student protests he obviously wanted to censor. Birds and people walking by in the hallway can be heard at times, but so, too, can Russian tanks be heard rolling into Prague, or, in this case, protesters who wish to draw attention to atrocities in Gaza. Mr. Cage emphatically implored his listeners to hear it all; the good, the bad and the ugly. That's why his music was defined by music historians as "chance" music. William Carlton, Tyler I agree that students have their First Amendment right to peacefully protest their viewpoints (regardless if others agree). Gov. Greg Abbott seems confused on the First Amendment and may require an educational refresher on the subject. In the real world protesting is not an activity employers value. Google recently terminated 50 employees who were protesting the company conducting business with the Israeli government. The current college encampments appear to look more like waste hazard sites than an actual protest (I am surprised the Environmental Protection Agency hasnt investigated this matter). Also, in the real world in almost any organization getting along with others, or what is referred to as "agreeableness," is an important trait and employees who continually protest conflict with the mission of the organization. Of course, college students have a right to peacefully protest. However, aren't there assignments and projects to be completed, along with final exams to study for? Unfortunately, in the real world reality isnt optional. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Peter Parlapiano, Houston This column was wonderful. It was nuanced thinking, written in disciplined prose. Lankenau's alma mater would be proud. The matter transcends politics. I have often been on the side of the Israeli state when conflicts have warranted a stance. However, the Oct. 7 raids had the effect of shining a light on the injustice and savagery of Zionist policies and Israeli military force. Hamas should not have killed Jewish civilians. Israel should desist the unrestrained murder of Palestinian citizens in pursuit of war. War is bad enough, but within that choice, soldiers on both sides are fair targets. Israel has violated that long-held tenet most egregiously. Vince Anderson, Houston Advertisement Article continues below this ad Congratulations to Lankenau on her powerful, straightforward column about the rights of students to protest the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Students and concerned citizens have every right to speak out about the United States' ongoing military support of Netanyahu's murderous regime. Their protest our protest is in no way an attempt to diminish the horror of Hamas' brutal attack on Israeli civilians on Oct. 7, 2023. But guess what? Two wrongs still don't make a right. Anne Geyer, Houston Well-done opinion piece. Ronald Reagans popularity was built a lot on him speaking out about young civil rights protesters. His advisers famously said, "You will make parents angry." Instead Reagan voiced their anger at their own children, thus creating a split between lots of adults and their children. Im so sorry for the Oct. 7 music festival attack and for what has happened in Gaza but wonder constantly, when Jews talk about the horror of the festival event, why does no one ask them to answer for the horrific actions that were taking place daily in Gaza and the West Bank before that tragic event? Virginia Hill, Montgomery Regarding "Gov. Greg Abbott and UTs president fell for Hamass trap by crushing student protests," (April 30): In Chris Tomlinsons column theres a succinct definition of Hamas: A hybrid between the murderous ISIS movement and the Ku Klux Klan. Its attack on Israelis and foreign civilians on Oct. 7 was barbaric and shameful, with rape, torture, mutilation and incineration. Those authorizing, planning and carrying out the attack should and must be brought to justice. But whats happening before our eyes in Gaza isnt bringing that justice or freeing Hamas hostages, who include American citizens. Instead, it may be creating future terrorists. After the Holocaust, the world saw the pressing need for a Jewish homeland. The United States has been Israels staunch friend and supporter since the countrys founding in 1948. But good friends need to tell friends hard truths. Bombing Gaza isnt freeing the hostages or weakening Hamas. Its scandalizing the world and ruining Israels reputation. Our support for Israel must be unwavering. But it cant be unconditional. The bombing needs to stop, the refugees need to have access to desperately needed aid and the sick must be tended. Could we send a hospital ship? Israelis and people around the world, Jewish and non-Jewish, see the futility and folly of the Netanyahu governments policy in Gaza. And sending the police after peaceful campus protesters isnt helping. What will help is respectful listening, negotiation and prayers. In the meantime, Im contacting my representative and Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz to express my hopes for a swift and peaceful end to hostilities. I urge my fellow citizens to do likewise. Nancy Perich Daly, Houston Regarding "UT president: It wasn't a protest. It was criminal trespassing. | Opinion," (May 2): I just read University of Texas at Austin President Jay Hartzells opinion piece defending his decision to invite the Texas Department of Public Safety onto campus to break up student protests. I think it is important for your readership to know that while criminal trespassing was the pretense for the many arrests that happened on both April 24 and April 29, so far all those charges from the first wave of arrests have been dropped due to lack of probable cause. Indeed, Travis County Attorney Delia Garza has said that processing the excessive UT campus arrests is creating a strain on the criminal justice system. Such a misuse of resources seems like a much greater safety concern for our community than groups of college kids and their allies peacefully sitting on the ground. Alida Louisa Perrine, faculty member, The University of Texas at Austin Id like to be able to ask Dr. Hartzell, under oath, one simple question. That would be: "Did you/UT request assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety, or were you/UT told by the governors office that DPS officers were being sent to the campus?" Im pretty sure I know the answer. David Bradley, Spring I think it's completely inappropriate to allow free reign for this university president to submit his op-ed when it seems he refuses to talk to reporters at his own local newspaper. He needs to be accountable for the decisions he's made that have harmed his students. As a former UT student, I find his actions disgraceful. Czechia and Germany on Friday revealed that they were the target of a long-term cyber espionage campaign conducted by the Russia-linked nation-state actor known as APT28, drawing condemnation from the European Union (E.U.), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the U.K., and the U.S. The Czech Republic's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), in a statement, said some unnamed entities in the country have been attacked using a security flaw in Microsoft Outlook that came to light early last year. "Cyber attacks targeting political entities, state institutions and critical infrastructure are not only a threat to national security, but also disrupt the democratic processes on which our free society is based," the MFA said. The security flaw in question is CVE-2023-23397, a now-patched critical privilege escalation bug in Outlook that could allow an adversary to access Net-NTLMv2 hashes and then use them to authenticate themselves by means of a relay attack. Germany's Federal Government (aka Bundesregierung) attributed the threat actor to a cyber attack aimed at the Executive Committee of the Social Democratic Party using the same Outlook vulnerability for a "relatively long period," allowing it to "compromise numerous email accounts." Some of the industry verticals targeted as part of the campaign include logistics, armaments, the air and space industry, IT services, foundations, and associations located in Germany, Ukraine, and Europe, with the Bundesregierung also implicating the group to the 2015 attack on the German federal parliament (Bundestag). APT28, assessed to be linked to Military Unit 26165 of the Russian Federation's military intelligence agency GRU, is also tracked by the broader cybersecurity community under the names BlueDelta, Fancy Bear, Forest Blizzard (formerly Strontium), FROZENLAKE, Iron Twilight, Pawn Storm, Sednit, Sofacy, and TA422. Late last month, Microsoft attributed the hacking group to the exploitation of a Microsoft Windows Print Spooler component (CVE-2022-38028, CVSS score: 7.8) as a zero-day to deliver a previously unknown custom malware called GooseEgg to infiltrate Ukrainian, Western European, and North American government, non-governmental, education, and transportation sector organizations. NATO said Russia's hybrid actions "constitute a threat to Allied security." The Council of the European Union also chimed in, stating the "malicious cyber campaign shows Russia's continuous pattern of irresponsible behavior in cyberspace." "Recent activity by Russian GRU cyber group APT28, including the targeting of the German Social Democratic Party executive, is the latest in a known pattern of behavior by the Russian Intelligence Services to undermine democratic processes across the globe," the U.K. government said. The U.S. Department of State described APT28 as known to engage in "malicious, nefarious, destabilizing and disruptive behavior" and that it's committed to the "security of our allies and partners and upholding the rules-based international order, including in cyberspace." Earlier this February, a coordinated law enforcement action disrupted a botnet comprising hundreds of small office and home office (SOHO) routers in the U.S. and Germany that the APT28 actors are believed to have used to conceal their malicious activities, which, among others, comprised the exploitation of CVE-2023-23397 against targets of interest. According to a report from cybersecurity firm Trend Micro this week, the third-party criminal proxy botnet dates back to 2016 and consists of more than just routers from Ubiquiti, encompassing other Linux-based routers, Raspberry Pi devices, and virtual private servers (VPS). "The threat actor [behind the botnet] managed to move over some of the EdgeRouter bots from the C&C [command-and-control] server that was taken down on January 26, 2024, to a newly set up C&C infrastructure in early February 2024," the company said, adding legal constraints and technical challenges prevented a thorough cleanup of all ensnared routers. Russian state-sponsored cyber threat activity data theft, destructive attacks, DDoS campaigns, and influence operations is also expected to pose a severe risk to elections in regions like the U.S., the U.K., and the E.U. from multiple groups such as APT28, APT29, APT44 (aka Sandworm), COLDRIVER, and KillNet, per an assessment released by Google Cloud subsidiary Mandiant last week. "In 2016, GRU-linked APT28 compromised U.S. Democratic Party organization targets as well as the personal account of the Democratic presidential candidate's campaign chairman and orchestrated a leak campaign ahead of the 2016 U.S. Presidential election," researchers Kelli Vanderlee and Jamie Collier said. What's more, data from Cloudflare and NETSCOUT show a surge in DDoS attacks targeting Sweden following its acceptance to the NATO alliance, mirroring the pattern observed during Finland's NATO accession in 2023. "The likely culprits of these attacks included the hacker groups NoName057, Anonymous Sudan, Russian Cyber Army Team, and KillNet," NETSCOUT said. "All these groups are politically motivated, supporting Russian ideals." A report released by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) in December 2023 said that DDoS attacks are increasingly fueled by warfare and geopolitical motivations, stating the current DoS threat landscape is influenced to a great extent by the emergence of recent armed conflicts around the world, allowing threat actors to choose targets without any repercussions. The developments come as government agencies from Canada, the U.K., and the U.S. have released a new joint fact sheet to help secure critical infrastructure organizations from continued attacks launched by apparent pro-Russia hacktivists against industrial control systems (ICS) and small-scale operational technology (OT) systems since 2022. "The pro-Russia hacktivist activity appears mostly limited to unsophisticated techniques that manipulate ICS equipment to create nuisance effects," the agencies said. "However, investigations have identified that these actors are capable of techniques that pose physical threats against insecure and misconfigured OT environments." Targets of these attacks comprise organizations in North American and European critical infrastructure sectors, including water and wastewater systems, dams, energy, and food and agriculture sectors. The hacktivist groups have been observed gaining remote access by exploiting publicly exposed internet-facing connections as well as factory default passwords associated with human machine interfaces (HMIs) prevalent in such environments, followed by tampering with mission-critical parameters, turning off alarm mechanisms, and locking out operators by changing administrative passwords. Recommendations to mitigate the threat include hardening human machine interfaces, limiting exposure of OT systems to the internet, using strong and unique passwords, and implementing multi-factor authentication for all access to the OT network. "These hacktivists seek to compromise modular, internet-exposed industrial control systems (ICS) through their software components, such as human machine interfaces (HMIs), by exploiting virtual network computing (VNC) remote access software and default passwords," the alert said. Jen Rice is a reporter for the Houston Chronicle covering Harris County government. She can be reached at jen.rice@houstonchronicle.com. A native Houstonian, Jen graduated from Barnard College at Columbia University and earned a master's degree from University of Texas at Austin's LBJ School of Public Affairs. Before coming to the Chronicle, Jen spent three years covering City Hall for Houston's NPR station. Her reporting has aired nationally on NPR's Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Here & Now. When Winter Porto submitted a federal financial aid application in February, she believed she had taken another step in her quest to go to college. Then, the Lincoln High School senior waited, and waited. Eventually, Nebraska Wesleyan University, where Porto plans to study history and social sciences education, told her that her Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) information was missing. I thought it was all done, but we found out my mom missed a button on the form, Porto said. We didnt get an email saying anything was wrong until a few weeks ago. In a panic, Porto tried to log onto the U.S. Department of Educations website to click the button allowing the Education Department to access her mothers tax information to automatically fill in that information on the FAFSA, but the website was down. Its been really stressful, she said. Ive been worried that I wont get a Pell Grant or any other financial assistance and will have to take out a bunch of student loans. Porto is among thousands of Nebraskans who have been frustrated by the process to apply for federal student aid this year after the rollout of a simplified version has been rife with processing delays and technical glitches. At this time in the college application process last year, for example, there were 9,804 graduating seniors in Nebraska who had started the FAFSA, and 9,451 who had completed it, according to the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education. In this college admission cycle, amid technical problems that have led students and parents unable to complete the form, affix their signature, or correct errors, just 8,922 graduating Nebraskans have started the form a 9% drop from the previous year. Of those, 8,842 have completed the FAFSA form a 6.4% decline from the previous cycle which has allowed them to receive financial aid letters from the colleges they hope to attend, allowing families to make informed decisions for their students, the coordinating commission said. Those drops come as there are roughly equal numbers of public school graduates this year compared to last, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Across the country, only 30% of graduating seniors have completed a FAFSA, which marks a precipitous 36% drop in completions from the same point last year, the Education Department said last week. And the problems have also affected returning students as well. Of the 45,883 new and continuing students who have submitted a FAFSA this year, 9,764 were rejected because the applicants had missing information, while 17,962 have had to be reprocessed because of technical issues. Jodi Vanden Berge, the director of college planning and outreach at EducationQuest, a nonprofit organization that works to improve access to higher education, said Congress goal of simplifying the FAFSA and reducing the number of questions it asked from 100 to about 30 was admirable, but the implementation has been flawed. (Congress) wanted to simplify it so there were less questions and it was less daunting for parents and students to complete, Vanden Berge said. They also wanted to make the transition easier for pulling (Internal Revenue Service) information over into the FAFSA. (The U.S. Department of Education) made some good changes, I just think they released it before they actually had time to properly test the system and make sure it was going to work, Vanden Berge added. The problems have forced many colleges and universities to push back the traditional May 1 deadline for accepted students to commit whats known as National College Decision Day. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, for example, extended its enrollment deposit deadline to May 15 to provide students and their families with necessary time to evaluate financial aid offers. Although the delays are beyond the universitys control, UNL is doing its utmost to minimize confusion and disruption to the financial aid process for Husker students and their families, the university said in a statement. We fully expect the issues to be resolved in ample time for students to make informed decisions about their college choices. UNL said it did not expect the delays in FAFSA submissions to affect enrollment figures for the 2024-25 school year, although other colleges and universities have expressed concern that some students might not matriculate if they do not have a financial award letter in time. Nebraska Wesleyan has seen the delay in FAFSA processing affect the number of students who have received a financial aid award this year amid a strong first-year applicant pool that has exceeded previous years by several hundred students. Bill Motzer, vice president for enrollment management, said the liberal arts university in northeast Lincoln has sent financial aid award letters to about 900 new students so far this year. Normally, NWU would expect to make offers to 1,300 by this point in the enrollment process. My biggest concern is students are dissuaded from completing the FAFSA, particularly students most at risk: low-income, first-generation students who would benefit the most, Motzer said. But Nebraska Wesleyan hasnt been sitting idle. While the university did not move its May 1 deadline, it has hosted events and conducted outreach to help students and parents navigate the FAFSA, even developing its own FAFSA form to help families in making a decision. Tom Oschner, director of scholarships and financial aid, repurposed an old early action program form used by Nebraska Wesleyan to give students and their families an idea of what kind of financial aid they could expect before the FAFSA filing window was opened. He also used worksheets detailing how the Education Department planned to calculate its Student Aid Index formerly known as Expected Family Contribution to create his own spreadsheet giving families a preview of what their financial award letters would look like. Families want to make decisions and they need time to look at that and are being left in limbo, Oschner said. The biggest problem is if those families are waiting for offers from other schools who are waiting on FAFSA information. The mock award letters from Nebraska Wesleyan spell out to families that the information is preliminary and could change based upon the actual FAFSA information, Oschner said. We hope its helpful for those who want to make a decision, he added. On Tuesday, Education Department officials said they are continuing to make progress in correcting the issues that many students and families have faced while also partnering with regional and local leaders to bring FAFSA completions up. Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten, a former school administrator, said the department has reached out directly to 700 superintendents nationwide to offer support and resources for the FAFSA as part of an awareness campaign. We want to continue to raise awareness about the importance of encouraging all high school seniors to submit FAFSA forms so they dont leave money on the table, Marten told reporters in a conference call. James Kvaal, undersecretary of education, said its been a challenging year for the FAFSA, but the department has made strides in recent weeks, processing 8.3 million submissions, and has made 1 million corrections, mostly to the most commonly seen issues. Education Department officials said students can expect their FAFSAs to be processed and information to be sent to prospective colleges within 1-3 days. Porto said she was able to complete the FAFSA on Sunday evening, a milestone she thought would arrive a lot sooner in her college-going process. Other soon-to-be college students have said the same thing. Were all kind of struggling in the same way, she said. "I thought it all was going to be super easy. I knew (the FAFSA) was kind of complicated before these changes, but this has made me really nervous. Best colleges in Nebraska Best colleges in Nebraska #10. Doane University #9. Concordia University, Nebraska #8. Nebraska Wesleyan University #7. Union College (Nebraska) #6. University of Nebraska at Kearney #5. University of Nebraska at Omaha #4. Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health #3. College of Saint Mary #2. Creighton University #1. University of Nebraska - Lincoln A missing woman was found dead in a burned-out car in Bamberg County. Now her boyfriend is charged with murder. Megan Faith Bodiford, 25, of Blackville, was found dead and burned in her vehicle on Turn Ray Road, just outside of Denmark. She was less than three miles from the home of her boyfriend, 28-year-old Jarrett Haskell Davis of Ghents Branch Road. Davis is charged with murder, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, first-offense possession of a weapon by a person convicted of a violent felony, third-degree arson and desecration of human remains. Bodiford reached out to a friend at 9:48 p.m. April 25, according to a Bamberg County Sheriffs Office incident report. Bodiford asked the friend to call law enforcement if she didnt hear from Bodiford within 30 minutes. The friend told deputies Bodiford feared for her life and thought Davis would kill her. The friend reported Bodiford missing just before 8 p.m. April 26, according to the incident report. At 5:45 p.m. April 27, the sheriffs office asked SLED to assist in the search of Davis home. The request for a warrant was based on: Prior call history. Concern for the safety of Bodifords 4-month-old baby, who lived in the home. Davis having an outstanding warrant for second-degree domestic violence. A SLED agent told a Bamberg County deputy that he was familiar with Davis and agreed that the property, must be searched for Bodiford or any evidence of a crime, the report states. AT&T began providing the sheriffs office with cellphone data from Davis phone at 8:31 a.m. April 28. Bodifords phone had been off too long for a last-known location, the report states. Just over an hour later, a search warrant was obtained for Davis home and it was executed at 10:52 a.m. Authorities took Davis into custody without incident as he was coming out of a shed in the back yard, an incident report states. SLED found the 4-month-old girl in the living room. Medics checked her out and she was in good shape. The girls maternal grandmother came to the scene and took custody of her. As the search continued for Bodiford, authorities found a burned vehicle with a body inside of it on the afternoon of April 30. Three days later, SLED announced that Bodifords remains were found inside of her vehicle on Turn Ray Road. SLED claims Davis shot and killed Bodiford and then set her vehicle on fire. The investigation is ongoing. SLED is handling the case at Bamberg County Sheriff Kenneth Bambergs request. If Davis is convicted, he faces up to life in prison. In South Carolina, a life sentence doesnt allow parole. Bodifords funeral arrangements havent been announced. (TBTCO) - Thi truong bat ong san, nhat la can ho tai cua ngo khu Tay TP. Ho Chi Minh ang tro thanh tam iem thu hut su quan tam cua nhieu nha au tu va nguoi mua o. Suc hut chinh la do ha tang giao thong trong iem ngay cang uoc chu trong nang cap va mo rong. Qua o, thi truong nay khong chi gop phan thuc ay giao thuong va phat trien kinh te trong khu vuc ma con giup gia tang gia tri bat ong san. Amazon claimed that around 60% of packages are being delivered to customers in one day or sooner, all thanks to its Prime membership benefits. The result showed an increased performance for the company as it used to be only around 50% during the second quarter of 2023. Amazon Prides on Speedy Delivery With Prime Subscription Amazon Prime membership allows its subscribers to receive their packages with two-day shipping. The company currently charges $139 per year to its customers which comes with other perks. In its first-quarter earnings report, the e-commerce giant shared its plan to make same and next-day delivery the standard. Amazon also hinted at doubling the number of facilities in the U.S. in the next years to improve same-day delivery services. "As we get items to customers this fast, customers choose Amazon to fulfill their shopping needs more frequently," said CEO Andy Jassy in his letter to shareholders. Data have also shown that consumers tend to spend more and more frequently if they know the packages will arrive early, according to RBC Capital Markets. Amazon to Improve Same-Day Delivery Amid Impressive Numbers The e-commerce giant currently has more than 55 same-day delivery facilities in the U.S. These sites are mostly located around metro areas and are known for their large storage capacity. Amazon also has a strict procedure for its same-day packages which allows them to condense the fulfillment process. The route of the package will be shortened with fewer stops, leading to a lesser cost of delivery per shipment. Last year, the company revamped its network, splitting into eight regions instead of utilizing a national model. The move has proven to be effective, resulting in faster and cheaper deliveries for Prime members. Other big retail companies have also tried to follow Amazon's footsteps in promising speedy deliveries. Walmart promised a 30-minute delivery time while Target launched its own loyalty program that offers same-day delivery within an hour. How you want this to go? You want me to kill you and your son, or you want me just kill you alone? This was the question posed to 40-year-old Anna Ellis yesterday, when she was attacked by a man known to her at her home on Dibe Road, St James. Ellis, who was stabbed multiple times, was able to speak with reporters yesterday afternoon while police were conducting a search for her 12-year-old son, who was kidnapped following the confrontation. The smartphone industry is one of the fastest landscapes in the technology field. Every year, phone companies race to release a new feature that will set them apart from their competitors. Samsung is known for its Galaxy series, Apple for the iconic iPhones, and Google for the Pixel lineup. Each company holds a significant market share and has established brand loyalty among its customers. On the other hand, Sony has been quietly making waves with its Xperia lineup. The electronics company has been credited for its long history that started in Japan. Despite not being as noticeable as other companies, Sony presents a good challenge to industry leaders. Curious about the Xperia lineup? Here are some subtle yet impactful ways how Sony competes with Samsung, Apple, and Google: Read Also : The PS5 Pro Can Offer Constant 60 FPS for Optimized Games Impressive Camera Features Sony smartphones are well-known for their unparalleled camera system for their smartphones. Their lineup of phones usually features cameras with high megapixel counts, high sensitivity, low noise, and more dynamic range. These allow their smartphones to capture detailed photos with better quality. Moreover, Sony implements some of its existing camera elements from its own mirrorless camera lineup. For instance, smartphones are designed for fast and accurate focusing along with AI image processing. Sony also prides itself on creating smartphones that are capable of handling pro camera features. This allows even professional photographers to experiment with their manual controls through a smartphone. Display Technology Sony utilizes the Triluminos display technology for its Xperia phones, ensuring that they have accurate color reproduction. It also results in more lifelike and vivid colors on the screen compared to other brands. In addition, the company also incorporates X-Reality Engine into its smartphone display which is usually seen on their TVs. It provides enhanced image clarity, sharpness, and contrast by analyzing pixel-by-pixel in real time. Investment in Software, Hardware In terms of software, Sony smartphones are known for their clean and simplistic interface. There are slight modifications from the usual Android look which Sony did to improve the functionality and overall experience. The company is known for its multimedia expertise and it usually reflects on its smartphone's software. Their phones often feature high-resolution audio support, audio enhancements, and advanced camera functionalities, which are all exclusive to the brand. In terms of hardware, Sony prides itself on its long-lasting battery life and fast charging abilities. The company also ensures that models have durable construction made of premium materials. They often come with water and dust resistance as well. Unique Features Sony offers an exclusive integration with PlayStation services and content. This allows users to access their console games and streams. They can also check on their communities without using the console. Gamers can also resume their gaming progress through the phone. On the other hand, Sony launched a unique feature that allows users to access frequently used apps by simply tapping the edge of the smartphone's display. This was found useful for people who are looking for more efficiency and convenience. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the devastating consequences drugs like fentanyl are having on communities across the country during a visit Friday to Tucson. We see (fentanyl) affecting virtually every American community, Blinken said during one of his stops here. Forty percent of Americans know someone who died from opioid overdose. We had about 100,000 or-so overdoses last year. About 75 percent of those related to a synthetic opioid. He noted how Tucsons proximity to the border puts the community on the forefront of trying to cope with the influx. As best we can tell, about 95 percent of the fentanyl thats coming into this country is actually going through these legal ports of entry (at the border), its not being smuggled across between them, Blinken said during a stop at Tucsons emergency call center, where he was joined by Mayor Regina Romero and officials from Pima Countys health department and the citys Public Safety Communications Department. About $35 million in federal funding is on its way to the state to help combat the crisis. That funding will be going toward a number of things that will help to confront the effects of the influx of opioids, Blinken said. Its bringing together all of the different factors, because it cant just be a law enforcement issue, he said. Weve got to spend the money on (public awareness campaigns), treatment, prevention ... housing. Blinken noted the State Departments Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats, which has brought together over 150 countries, and companies within those countries, to share best practices, share information, and work to get ahead of this. In early April, Arizona Katie Hobbs signed the fentanyl sentencing bill HB 2245, the Ashley Dunn Act, a piece of legislation that will allow for enhanced sentencing for those convicted of selling large quantities of fentanyl. Our state has been flooded with this cheap and deadly drug in recent years, and we need more robust tools to deter those illegally selling large quantities of it in our state, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes commended the bill in a news release. This legislation is one of those tools allowing for enhanced penalties for those selling over 200 grams of fentanyl, or the equivalent of 2,000 fentanyl pills. HB 2245 penalizes first-time offenders who sell or transfer fentanyl by a minimum four-year sentence, escalating all the way up to 20 years. Along with the emergency call center stop, Blinken tour one of the citys passport centers. Romero said that the city council and the Pima County Board of Supervisors will both look to pass resolutions next week to declare the southern Arizona fentanyl situation an emergency. Its because of federal dollars that we have been able to create programs like the Community Safety, Health and Wellness (department), the Housing First program, and Department of Justice funds have helped us create the community service officer positions. In four years we went from zero to 140 community service officers... This is the frontlines of (much of that work Blinken does) throughout the world. Additionally, the two bodies will be entering into an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) to figure out how they will be further spending funds from the One Arizona Distribution of Opioid Settlement Fund, Romero said. Blinken was set to head to Sedona Friday night to speak with U.S. Sen Mitt Romney, to discuss current U.S. foreign policy and the Secretary of States recent trips to China and the Middle East. From a distance, the ghost-pale infant looked lifeless, wrapped in a blanket and tucked in the arms of a woman walking slowly along the steep road that tracks the Arizona-Mexico border wall, about 20 miles east of the Sasabe, Arizona port of entry. But when Dr. Belen Ramirez got out of her vehicle last Monday, stepping into the cold morning air to assess the 8-month-old girls condition, Ramirez found the baby was alive, but very lethargic with shallow breathing. Ramirez, a family physician with global humanitarian-aid nonprofit Doctors Without Borders, determined the baby likely had low blood sugar. Her Central American mother told the doctor shed crossed the border into Arizona at 2 a.m., and began the trek toward Sasabe overnight, in search of Border Patrol agents to surrender to. The nursing mother was barely producing milk, due to dehydration, and was running out of powdered formula, said Ramirez, who has been leading a Doctors Without Borders team in a medical-needs assessment along the Arizona-Mexico border for the past four weeks. Her team has concluded a dire medical situation exists in this far-flung area of the border where since last fall, large numbers of asylum seekers have been crossing into Arizona and often waiting eight to 12 hours, or in some cases overnight, before they encounter Border Patrol agents they can surrender to. In the winter months, aid workers reported some waited two or three days in wet and snowy conditions, before agents picked them up for processing. Anticipating brutal summer conditions, local humanitarian aid groups now backed up by the visiting team from Doctors Without Borders are pleading with state and federal agencies to better assist civilian volunteers in their life-saving work at the border wall in Arizona, particularly in this hard-to-reach area east of Sasabe. There is a humanitarian medical crisis happening here, Ramirez said. We are very worried about the summer months. If they dont have shelter, if they dont have water, if they dont have a timely transport to the area where theyre being processed, it could be fatal. Migrants are now facing both cold nights and hot days at the border. Daytime temperatures are still only in the high 80s, but are already perilous for healthy adults who arrive dehydrated, and especially so for those with chronic medical conditions, or those who are very young or elderly, Ramirez said. For Southern Arizona volunteers who have been sounding the alarm for months, the corroboration from Doctors Without Borders is a relief, said Laurie Cantillo, board chair for Tucson-based Humane Borders, which typically focuses on establishing water stations for migrants deeper in the southern Arizona desert. But the nonprofit requested the visit from Doctors Without Borders last November, after encountering dire medical situations along the border wall, she said. Its validating, Cantillo said. A respected, independent medical group agrees there are major medical needs here. In a statement to the Arizona Daily Star, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said since last spring, when the surge in migrant surrenders at the southern border began, there havent been any deaths among asylum seekers surrendering to agents although migrant deaths continue deeper in the desert, with more than 4,100 sets of remains discovered in Southern Arizona since 1990, including 40 reported so far this year. Ramirez said the lack of deaths at the wall east of Sasabe is largely thanks to the dedication of the civilian volunteers acting as first responders. She said the coordinated, volunteer-led response at the border in Southern Arizona is unlike anything shes seen before. Im personally in awe, she said. Its eye-opening for us to see volunteers from 20 years old to 88 years old. We found an amazing community here. Volunteer groups, including the Tucson, Green Valley and Ajo Samaritans, and No More Deaths, have been coordinating for months to ensure a daily humanitarian presence in this hard to reach place, a nearly three-hour drive from Tucson. Volunteers say Border Patrol has been more responsive to the area in recent months, and now conducts multiple daily pick-ups east of Sasabe, due to pressure from humanitarian groups. But Border Patrols transport capacity is still insufficient for the volume of arrivals. Weve noticed a higher degree of cooperation, said Tucson Samaritan Charlie Cameron. But weve received nothing from any other federal agencies, no responses to our pleas for help. Were just reconciled that were on our own, and were going to continue to have to do it. Closed gaps push migrants east Asylum seekers sometimes arriving independently, but usually shepherded by human smugglers have been pushed further east from Sasabe, as gaps in the border wall have been closed by the Biden Administrations ongoing construction work. Previously asylum seekers could cross through gaps in the wall just a few miles from the port of entry, but theyre now entering where the border wall ends, as the mountainous terrain becomes impassable. Thats more than 20 miles from Sasabe, over rollercoaster-steep hills that many vulnerable migrants struggle to climb and that only four-wheel-drive vehicles can navigate, Ramirez said. Border agents tell volunteers that many of their transport vans cant scale the steep hills to reach the waiting migrants. Late last year, No More Deaths established a make-shift camp east of Sasabe, to offer migrants basic shelter as they await border agents and to store aid groups supplies. But as nearby gaps in the border wall have been sealed, the camp is now seven miles from where most migrants are crossing lately, at the end of the border wall. If temperatures go up, if people need to walk those seven miles (to the camps shelter), Im 100% certain well have fatalities, said Andy Winter, a former EMT and migrant-aid volunteer from Vermont who has been living at the camp in his RV for the past three months, assisting migrants daily. In this country, with the resources we have, that is just shameful and cant happen. Cameron of the Tucson Samaritans is a former National Guard member and he doesnt understand why the state hasnt called in the Guard to use their all-terrain vehicles to rapidly transport asylum seekers arriving here. While the Red Cross provided volunteers with 300 blankets and 400 meals last winter, its not enough, he said. A large shade structure and port-a-potties are desperately needed east of Sasabe, Cameron said, where a sanitation crisis is also brewing, as the rudimentary latrines dug by volunteers are insufficient for the volume of migrant arrivals. State, federal agencies response Neither CBP, the American Red Cross in Arizona, nor the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, known as DEMA the agency responsible for emergency response in the state gave an interview in response to the Arizona Daily Stars request. They only provided emailed statements. We are constantly monitoring the dynamic and complex situation on the Arizona border, said Gabe Lavine, DEMAs emergency management director, in a statement. But state agencies can only be involved at the border wall at the direct request of CBP, which has jurisdiction over the land adjacent to the border wall, except on sovereign tribal lands, Lavine said. In this case, CBP has not requested assistance, and has not indicated to us that their contracts and resources are inadequate, Lavine said. We are hesitant to take action on federal lands without an unambiguous invitation by the federal government. Ramirez said her team was able to meet with Justin De La Torre, deputy chief of the Border Patrols Tucson sector, and CBPs chief medical officer, to share her organizations concerns. The team has a follow-up meeting with De La Torre scheduled within the next week, and Ramirez hopes to hear the agencys plans to boost humanitarian resources east of Sasabe, she said. In an emailed statement, CBPs assistant public affairs commissioner Erin Waters said CBP adjusts resources in response to shifting migration patterns. The fact remains that we continue to experience serious challenges along our border; we need Congress to take action and provide additional resources and tools to address them, she said. An additional CBP statement said that, east of Sasabe, the Border Patrol has surged personnel and transportation resources to respond to the increase in encounters in the area some of the hottest, most isolated, and dangerous area of the southwest border where individuals have been callously sent by smuggling organizations to walk for miles, often with little or no water. Tucson sector chief John Modlin was not available for an interview last week, but CBP annually holds press conferences, most recently in March, warning migrants of the mortal danger of crossing the border illegally, particularly in the summertime. The sheer volume of people crossing here magnifies these risks, Modlin said at the March event. It puts every life at more peril than ever before, from every single adult trying to evade our agents, to infants being carried by their families into this unforgiving environment. For Cantillo, thats all the more reason for federal agencies to make more plans now to avoid crises this summer. The Border Patrol itself has said this is likely to be a dangerous and deadly summer, Cantillo said. With Sasabe, we all know whats coming. Why wait until the numbers are so high, and people get sick and die out there? Why not get ahead of this and establish a temporary shade structure at the end of the wall? Cameron said border agents communicate with aid workers about their pick-up schedules, usually three times a day and one overnight pick-up, and are often grateful for the status updates shared by volunteers on the border. I know many of these border agents would do whatever they could to save them, he said. But they dont have the resources and the support to do that. But other agents are hostile to volunteers, threatening them with arrest if they transport a migrant with urgent medical needs to the Border Patrol station, Winter said. As long as advocates are not furthering the journey of migrants, and are taking them directly to Border Patrol, theyre not violating the law, volunteers say. They actually chase us off the wall, Winter said. They threaten us with arrest. They accuse us of all sorts of things, like working for the cartels, when folks are just out there providing food and water, first aid, and occasionally people are transported. Arrivals up in Sasabe Border-wide, the number of migrant apprehensions was down in April, a departure from the usual spring-time surge, according to the Washington Office on Latin America. The decrease is likely related to Mexicos crack-down on migrants traveling northward, which advocates say came at the behest of U.S. officials and has resulted in an increase in abuses suffered by migrants. Yet in the past few weeks, arrivals east of Sasabe have surged, aid workers say. Over the fall and winter, arrivals here often topped 400 people per day, while earlier this year some days there were just a handful of arrivals, or none. But lately, between 100 and 200 migrants have been arriving most days, volunteers told the Star. Migration patterns are always evolving and depend on many factors, Ramirez said. Outbreaks of violence between criminal factions south of the border wall in Sonora influence where smugglers decide to drop off migrants at the border wall. Last year aid workers working out of the small border town of Sasabe, Sonora, Mexico, said a war that broke out between criminal factions there, sending hundreds of residents fleeing to the U.S. and shifting smuggling routes both further east of Sasabe, and further west toward Lukeville and the Tohono Oodham Nation. U.S. policy drives chaos, advocates say Human rights advocates say U.S. border policy compels many asylum seekers to make dangerous journeys by failing to provide legitimate, safe means of requesting asylum, or seeking work visas, at U.S. ports of entry, where infrastructure already exists to receive them. Instead, deterrence policies encourage asylum seekers to cross between ports of entry, not only putting them in danger but also burdening border agents, whose primary mission is supposed to be intercepting illegal activities and apprehending migrants who try to evade border agents. Agents have been devoting most of their time and resources to processing migrants who willingly surrender, Tucson sector chief Modlin has told the Star. While its legal for someone to request asylum once theyre on U.S. soil no matter how they entered the country the current arrangement defies logic, and endangers vulnerable people, said Aryanna Tischler of No More Deaths. Every port of entry should process asylum seekers, Tischler said. Thats a really simple decision within the government to change this policy, which would avert this crisis thats happening all along the border. The Biden Administration has touted its CBP One smart phone application as the only legitimate means of securing an appointment to request asylum for most migrants. But the DeConcini port of entry in Nogales is the only port that accepts CBP One appointments in the 700 miles between Calexico, California, and El Paso, Texas, and it only accepts 100 appointments a day, according to the Kino Border Initiative. Thousands of migrants are currently camped along the Mexico side of the U.S.-Mexico border, trying to enter the U.S. the right way, advocates say. Numerous human rights groups including Human Rights First and Doctors Without Borders have reported on the grave dangers would-be asylum seekers face as they wait, including rampant kidnappings, extortion and assault. For many, the risks of waiting are too great. In Arizona, aid workers say theyve encountered migrants who had been waiting more than eight months for a CBP One app appointment in Nogales, Sonora. Eventually they ran out of money, or feared for their lives, and decided to cross between ports of entry out of desperation. Advocates say the requirement to use CBP One is an impossible hurdle for many asylum seekers. The smart phone app is beset by glitches, and inaccessible to migrants without the right kind of smart phone, or access to WiFi. Were making it difficult for people to come in a regular way, Ramirez said. Nobody takes this route (crossing between ports of entry) for fun. Those who dont use the CBP One app will eventually be denied asylum and face bans on re-entry when they have their asylum hearing but for most, those decisions are years away, due to U.S. lawmakers failure to adequately fund the overwhelmed asylum court system, advocates say. U.S. immigration courts now face a backlog of 3 million cases, according to data from Syracuse University researchers who manage the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, or TRAC. Despite the dangers and despair for those waiting at the border, volunteer Winter said hes witnessed acts of generosity and courage among the migrants hes encountered in his three months camping east of Sasabe, including families taking unaccompanied minors under their wing, like the 5-year-old unaccompanied girl Winter saw picked up by border agents. Winter said hes seen migrants refuse water from volunteers, saying theres someone up the road who needs it more. Its just people helping people, carrying other peoples children. Theyve gone through hell and theyre still hopeful, and theyre still resilient, and theyre still trying to protect each other, Winter said. Thats an amazing thing to witness. Theyve inspired me to work harder and actually be a better person. A retired Oklahoma City professor became the first black student at the University of Oklahoma in 1948, but he had to sit in an alcove separated from other students by a wooden railing. His admission to the OU graduate school came after a three-judge federal court ruled he must be given equal educational opportunities. He took advantage of that and enrolled. But George W. McLaurin, who was seeking a doctorate in school administration, was forced to eat at a special table in the cafeteria and was assigned a small table for studying on the fourth floor of the library amid stacks of newspapers for the first semester. "Naturally I was under a handicap, and the pressure was terrific," McLaurin said of his first semester. "But I feel it was an accomplishment." That didn't end the fight against segregation for McLaurin, 61, who had retired after 33 years of teaching. He quietly continued his studies and appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, claiming the restrictions impaired and inhibited his ability to study, engage in discussion and exchange views with other students and, in general, learn his profession. The high court agreed in a 1950 ruling that annulled segregation at the graduate level and followed that with a 1954 ruling forbidding segregation in public schools. McLaurin finished his course work, but in spite of the ruling opening Oklahoma's colleges to blacks, he did not receive a degree. Tulsa attorney Amos Hall announced he planned to start an investigation of why McLaurin didn't pass his doctorate examination, but apparently that investigation wasn't pursued. McLaurin's admission to OU was preceded by the case of Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher, a black woman who applied to the OU law school in January 1946. She was rejected at that time under terms of Oklahoma's segregation statutes. Her case was still in the courts when McLaurin was admitted. When McLaurin applied for admission to OU, he was rebuffed by a state law dating back to the first Oklahoma Legislature in 1907 that provided a heavy fine for any administrator or teacher who operated or taught classes where white and black races were mixed. Langston University was established for blacks seeking a bachelor's degree. Those seeking professional training in medicine, law, pharmacy, engineering, nursing and other graduate courses had to go out of state. Oklahoma followed the traditional Southern practice of providing grants for black students to go out of state for advanced degrees. An article in Ebony magazine called the McLaurin family the "most educated family in Oklahoma." McLaurin, who died in 1968, had received a bachelor's degree from Langston and a master's of science in education from the University of Kansas. One son had a doctorate in economics. Another son and a daughter both held master's degrees, and all three had taught at Langston University, as had McLaurin. His wife, Peninah, who died at the age of 74 in 1966, had more than 300 college hours and bachelor's degrees in economics and English. The McLaurins had moved to Oklahoma in 1910, and Peninah McLaurin had begun the segregation fight in 1923 when she tried to enter OU. They sent their children out of state when they were 13 to complete their educations. "I wrote the University of Oklahoma asking if I could enroll," she said. "They wrote back and said my credits were acceptable but state law prohibited my attending the white school. I wrote back and asked if I could take extension courses. They gave me the same answer." When the Fisher case developed, the McLaurins decided to do something to help the situation if they could. "I told Mr. McLaurin he was the right person," Peninah McLaurin said. "But it wasn't until the last day of enrollment that he decided to go ahead." McLaurin wrote his doctoral dissertation on "Growth of the Separate Schools Since 1910 in Oklahoma." The dissertation included his own case. Like this column? Read all the columns in the Only in Oklahoma series from the Tulsa World Archive. (Photo : Unsplash/ Nitish Meena) The thriving job market post-pandemic owes much to America's immigrant workforce as Americans age out of the labor force and low birth rates persist. The Rising Statistics of Immigrant Workers Helping The U.S. Economy Thrive According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, immigrant workers comprised a record 18.6% of the workforce last year, filling open positions in the agriculture, technology, and healthcare sectors, where employers face challenges. The labor force participation rate for foreign-born workers increased slightly to 66% despite a smaller-than-anticipated job increase in April. Jennie Murray, CEO of the National Immigration Forum, highlighted the shortage of workers joining the labor force, and the birth rate has decreased by 2% from 2022 to 2023, emphasizing that immigrant workers are not displacing jobs but are contributing to the workforce, helping to strengthen it and support economic recovery efforts. The increased presence of immigrant workers is anticipated to enhance U.S. output, with projections suggesting a gross domestic product growth of $7 trillion over the next decade. Congressional Budget Office Director Phillip Swagel highlighted this in a February statement alongside the 2024-2034 CBO outlook. READ ALSO: New Zealand Observing "Unsustainable" Migration Levels, Implements Additional Criteria for Visa Rules Restriction Filling Labor Shortages Through Recruiting Workers From Other Countries Goodwin Living, a nonprofit faith-based elder-care facility in Northern Virginia, provides daily care for 2,500 adults and heavily depends on immigrant workers. CEO Rob Liebreich states that approximately 40% of its 1,200 employees are foreign-born from 65 different countries. With the aging American population requiring more assistance, the facility anticipates the need for additional workers to fill growing gaps in staffing. Liebreich informed CNBC that approximately 70% of 65-year-olds are projected to require long-term care in the future, emphasizing the necessity for a substantial workforce to meet these needs. Liebreich stated that one of the most effective methods of filling these positions is recruiting individuals from other countries, citing the competitive nature of attracting global talent. In 2018, Goodwin initiated a citizenship program offering financial support, mentorship, and tutoring to employees seeking U.S. citizenship. To date, 160 workers and 25 of their family members have secured citizenship or are undergoing the process through Goodwin's program. The Prominence of Immigration Concerns Ahead of The Election Workers are not obligated to remain with Goodwin upon obtaining U.S. citizenship. Still, those who choose to stay typically extend by 20% longer than those who do not participate in the program. Expediting and simplifying the process is desperately needed to attract and retain the global workforce and maintain competitiveness in the global economy, according to Liebreich. As we look towards November, immigration is expected to be a prominent topic on the presidential campaign trail and of interest to voters as President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have both visited the southern border in recent months to address concerns about the influx of migrants entering the country. RELATED ARTICLE: Advocates Supporting US Immigrants, Urges President Biden in Granting Work Permit for Long-Term Undocumented Individuals 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Many international hi-tech firms are competing for investment opportunities in Vietnam due to the countrys enhancements of workforce and infrastructure, Choi Joo Ho, CEO at Samsung Vietnam, told the opening ceremony of the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) 2023 - 24 education program in Hanoi on Friday. He underlined that Vietnam has demonstrated its role as part of the global supply chain. Multiple international tech companies have entered Vietnam to sound out opportunities to make investment, so the demand for tech talent is surging, Choi said. He expected the Samsung-sponsored education program to help Vietnam turn out numerous skilled tech workers to meet the needs of international companies which do business in the Southeast Asian nation. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, called on South Koreas Samsung to expand its operation in various fields such as training, artificial intelligence (AI), big data, Internet of Things (IoT), semiconductor, smart production and cybersecurity. University students join a tech training course co-held by Samsung and NIC in Hanoi. Photo: B. Ngoc / Tuoi Tre The SIC program, co-held by Samsung and the Vietnam National Innovation Center (NIC), is aimed at equipping young people with knowledge about AI, IoT, and big data. Some 200 Vietnamese students from the Vietnam National University of Hanoi and FPT University will benefit from the program, which features two AI training courses, two IoT training courses and two big data training ones. These courses run until August. The Samsung Innovation Campus program geared up for young people has been launched in 36 countries worldwide such as the United States, Germany, Spain, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. The program kicked off in Vietnam for the first time in 2019. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu will visit Vietnam next week to attend the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu battle that marked the victory of the Vietnamese revolutionary army over French colonialists on May 7, 1954. Minister Lecornu accompanied by Patricia Miralles, Secretary of State to the Minister for the Armed Forces, with responsibility for veterans and remembrance will represent France at the battle anniversary at the invitation of Vietnam, the French Embassy in Hanoi confirmed on Friday. The event will take place next Tuesday, May 7, in Dien Bien Phu, the capital city of Dien Bien Province in northern Vietnam. On that day in 1954, the Vietnamese revolutionary army won a globe-shaking victory over French colonial troops after a 56-day military campaign in Muong Thanh Valley, Lai Chau Province, which is now Dien Bien Province. Vietnams invitation to this celebration and the coming visit of French Minister Lecornu demonstrate the good bilateral relations, the friendship between the two countries, and the common desire of both sides to strengthen their partnership, the embassy stated in a press release on Friday. Lecornu will meet with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Defense Minister Phan Van Giang and head of the Party Central Committees Foreign Affairs Commission Le Hoai Trung before attending the anniversary. During their stay in Vietnam, Lecornu and Miralles will also visit the battlefield relics in Dien Bien Phu and meet with a number of Vietnamese and French veterans. On this occasion, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces and the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense are expected to sign a letter of intent on strengthening cooperation in defense. Miralles is scheduled to attend a ceremony marking the completion of the Muong Thanh Bridge lighting system, a project funded by the French city of Lyon and the French Development Agency and implemented with the support of light experts from Lyon. The coming visit by Minister Lecornu will not be the first time that a French politician has visited Dien Bien Phu. In 1993, French President Francois Mitterrand visited the former battlefield as part of his visit to Vietnam. Six years ago, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe also spent about three hours on the battle relics in Dien Bien Phu during his visit to the Southeast Asian country. However, these visits did not coincide with Vietnam's anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory. Therefore, the attendance of Lecornu at the upcoming anniversary on May 7 is of great significance. For the first time in history, the Vietnamese have invited France to this commemoration, a sign of their desire to build a relationship for the future, AFP reported, quoting the French ministry as saying on Friday. The coming visit demonstrates the spirit of closing the past, and looking to the future, based on which the two sides work together for the development of the two countries and peoples, French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet said in an interview with the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) on Tuesday. I believe that this will be a very important moment for bilateral relations because we show the Vietnamese, the French, as well as the whole world that together we can look back at the past, accept it, and after 70 years, we can become friends and stand together on the former battlefield to build the future, the ambassador commented. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Read what is in the news in Vietnam today: Politics -- French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu will visit Vietnam and attend the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory on May 7, according to the French Embassy in Hanoi. -- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Friday sent a telegram to Chinese Premier Li Qiang showing his sympathy over human and asset losses caused by the collapse of an expressway section in China's Guangdong Province that killed at least 48 people on Wednesday. Society -- Moderate rain poured down in many parts of Ho Chi Minh City early on Saturday morning. Scorching heat is forecast to continue in the city at noon, while the southern metropolis might experience rain, strong winds and thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evening, according to the southern weather center. -- Ho Chi Minh City Chairman Phan Van Mai urged the Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways to remove all obstacles, and complete all relevant procedures to pay contractors working on the first metro line project in a bid to put the link into operation this year, heard a meeting held on Friday to review the citys socio-economic performance in April and in the first fourth months of the year. -- A man was killed by a lightning strike while he was catching frogs in Long An Province, southern Vietnam on Friday. -- The prime minister has asked the Ministry of Health to step up efforts to oversee food safety at tourist sites, dining rooms of schools, industrial parks and street food stalls to prevent food poisoning as several food poisoning cases have recently been reported. Business -- Many international hi-tech firms are competing for investment opportunities in Vietnam due to the countrys enhancements of workforce and infrastructure, Choi Joo Ho, CEO at Samsung Vietnam, told the opening ceremony of the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) 2023 - 2024 education program in Hanoi on Friday. World News -- Mexican authorities have located three bodies in the state of Baja California where one American and two Australian tourists were reported missing, according to three sources with knowledge of the investigation, Reuters reported. -- China on Friday launched an uncrewed spacecraft on a nearly two-month mission to retrieve rocks and soil from the far side of the moon, the first country to make such an ambitious attempt, according to Reuters. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in southern Vietnams Dong Nai Province have detained the Chinese director of a wood processing company for investigation of the boiler explosion that occurred at a factory of the firm on Wednesday, killing six workers including a Chinese national. Feng Yong, 39, director of Sunrise Wood Trading Production Company Limited, located in the provinces Vinh Cuu District, has been kept in custody, while seven other foreigners have been banned from leaving Vietnam to serve the ongoing investigation, the Dong Nai police department said on Friday. The fatal industrial accident occurred at about 8:10 am on May 1 at one of three factories of the company, when about 30 workers were on duty in the boiler area, killing six aged 32-39 on the spot and injuring five others. Local police were called to the factory, also in Vinh Cuu, to examine the scene and carry out rescue operations. The wounded workers were taken to Thong Nhat General Hospital in Dong Nai and they have generally been in stable health conditions after intensive treatment, the provincial Health Department reported. According to initial investigation, the explosion was caused by a technical fault in the boiler, which was repaired on the day before the accident, according to VnExpress. In a recent announcement, the company decided to suspend its operation until May 31 to deal with the consequences of the tragic accident. The firms management board extended its sincere apologies to all staff for the recent tragedy, saying the explosion was an unfortunate, unexpected and unforeseeable event. The board offered condolences to the families of the dead victims as well as to the injured workers. It affirmed that the company has prepared a plan to give compensation and support to all the victims, while waiting for the results of the investigation. All workers will receive a months basic salary for May the period of suspension of operation while getting full payment as normal for April, the board said in the announcement. It also called on all employees to unite with the company to overcome this difficult period. This company operates three factories, including two in Vinh Cuu and the other in Trang Bom District, employing a total of 400 Vietnamese and 15 foreign workers, according to the provincial Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Peoples Committee of Soc Son District in Hanoi is authorizing inspections into an incident where a local landfill overflowed with wastewater, which then flows into roads and streams. A leader from the Soc Son District Peoples Committee on Saturday confirmed that the sludge spilled from the Nam Son landfill, one of Hanois largest, situated in the northern part of the city, on Friday. We have instructed various units and agencies to investigate and provide a report to the district regarding the cause. Once an official report is available, we will provide further information to the press, stated the official. Wastewater overflow from Nam Son landfill floods the streets, as captured in this image circulating on social media platforms on the night of May 3, 2024. Late on Friday night, the images of the incident were disseminated on social media platforms. The images depict the wastewater as pitch-black, with mud, covering roads and streams. Previously, Le Thanh Nam, director of the Hanoi Department of Natural Resources and Environment, announced plans to transform the Nam Son landfill into a photo spot for young people in the near future. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Several non-tourist sites and prohibited areas in Da Nang City, the capital of central Vietnam, are drawing young tourists, sparking concerns over environmental pollution and danger. Apart from sightseeing, these unexpected visitors camp and litter in prohibited locations, such as special-use forests, and dangerous beaches and streams. Though local authorities have signs restricting people from accessing the sites, the situation remains rampant. Thousands flocked to Son Tra Peninsula each day during the five-day holiday commemorating Reunification Day (April 30) and International Workers Day (May 1) from Saturday last week to Wednesday this week. Among these visitors were many who crossed special-use forests to access streams and beaches. One day, X.Q., 24, and her friends went camping on Ghenh Bang Beach, 20 kilometers from downtown Da Nang. Q. and her friends traveled along a path through a forest to reach Ghenh Bang Beach. The path was rough, which made us want to conquer the site, she said. It is a headache as after young peoples visitors, several sites that are not open to visitors were filled with waste. Ngo Truong Chinh, a forest ranger in Son Tra District, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that some beaches on the peninsula have yet to be exploited for tourism. A man saved from drowning at Ghenh Bang Beach in Da Nang City on May 1, 2024. Photo: Doan Nhan / Tuoi Tre However, the beaches are public places, so tourists are not banned from visiting the sites. Instead, many warning signs have been put near the beaches. To approach these beaches, visitors must travel across special-use forests, while prevailing laws regulate that people are banned from entering special-use and protected forests if they have not received permission from local authorities, Chinh underlined. Over the past few years, there have been several drownings at streams in Hoa Bac Commune under Hoa Vang District, according to a police officer in the commune. On March 24, a 11th grader in Da Nang City drowned at the Vung Bot stream area while swimming with his friends. Many other streams in the commune are dangerous, so local authorities have put signs of danger there to prevent visitors from swimming. However, some tourists have ignored the warnings, said the officer. Ghenh Bang Beach in Son Tra District, Da Nang City has yet to be exploited for tourism. Photo: Moon Black Police officers conduct regular patrols to disperse groups camping near these streams to ensure the safety of tourists and protect the environment. Yet, some young people tend to enter the deep woods for camping and exploration. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! With 35 years of expertise in sushi research, Professor Hibino Terutoshi from the University of Aichi Shukutoku in Japan's Aichi prefecture, stands as one of the worlds foremost sushi experts. For his latest endeavor, Terutoshi has returned to Vietnam as the curator of the "I Love Sushi" exhibition hosted by the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam and open to the public until Sunday. During an engaging talk show at the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Hanoi on April 21, Terutoshi raised an intriguing question: Could Vietnam be the birthplace of an ancient form of sushi - the Japanese signature dish? Sushi has evolved into numerous variants over time. Photo: Danh Khang / Tuoi Tre Referring to ancient Japanese records dating back to the 8th century, Terutoshi noted that sushi was indeed suggested as having made its way from China to Japan over a millennium ago. Among these records lies a Chinese document from 2,000 years ago which hints that the dish may have originated in the Mekong River basin. To delve deeper into this hypothesis, Terutoshi has taken field trips to Cambodia and southern Vietnam. There, he encountered dishes reminiscent of ancient sushi, such as "Mam bo hoc" in Tra Vinh Province, where cooked rice is fermented with fish - a practice similar to the ancient preservation methods of sushi. Japanese sushi has transcended national borders, captivating diners worldwide. Photo: Danh Khang / Tuoi Tre However, some argue that dishes like "Mam bo hoc" were introduced to Vietnam by the Khmer from Cambodia, raising doubts about Vietnam's connection to ancient sushi heritage. Undeterred, Terutoshi has also visited northern mountainous provinces such as Tuyen Quang to discover culinary traditions akin to ancient sushi. Insights from Vietnamese culinary experts point to regions like Phuoc Son District in central Quang Nam Province, where locals preserve fish through sour fermentation - a practice offering tantalizing clues to sushi's distant origins. Sushi has been a symbol of traditional Japanese cuisine for over 1,200 years, and understanding its evolution from salted fish and fermented rice to today's vinegar-infused rice is essential to unraveling its enigmatic past. Various hypotheses exist regarding the origin of sushi. Photo: Danh Khang / Tuoi Tre Sushi Sugata-zushi utilizes scented fish, with vinegar-infused white rice to achieve the desired sourness, expediting the fermentation-free production process. Photo: Danh Khang / Tuoi Tre Sushi Oshinuki-zushi comes in various shapes, often made by newly married women to strengthen familial ties by gifting them to their parents-in-law. Photo: Danh Khang / Tuoi Tre Sushi Izushi, a type of nare-zushi (nama-nare), enjoys immense popularity in Hokkaido, particularly during the New Year. Photo: Danh Khang / Tuoi Tre Maki-zushi has emerged as a simple and economical food option, often wrapped in nori seaweed for easy consumption. Photo: Danh Khang / Tuoi Tre The Japanese sushi exhibition will continue until May 5, 2024. Photo: Danh Khang / Tuoi Tre Bo-zushi features sugata-zushi fish fillets without the head and tail, pressed with white rice bars, a favored dish for festivals and commemorative events. Photo: Danh Khang / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! TCN Special Correspondent New Delhi: Sambhal is one among the Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh where polling will be held on May 7 third phase of ongoing general elections. Muslims constitute nearly half of the population here, yet the constituency has so far sent only one leader from the community to Parliament. Support TwoCircles Shafiqur Rahman Barq was elected as an MP from here in 2009 and again in 2014. The BJP has also once won the seat, which came into existence in 1977. In 2014, when the saffron party had won 71 out of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh on its own, the lotus had bloomed here as well. However, it failed to repeat the victory in 2019. From 1977 to 2014, the SP has won the seat for a maximum number of times. Yadav leaders have traditionally dominated the district by winning it six times. Samajwadi Party (SP) founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and his brother Ram Gopal Yadav were elected as MPs from Sambhal in 1998, 1999 and 2004 respectively. In 1977, Janata Party candidate Shanti Devi had registered a landslide victory from here for the first time, though Congress Brijpal Singh Yadav snatched it from her in the 1980 elections. The grand old party retained the seat in the 1984 elections when Devi, who had by now crossed over to the Congress, once again emerged victorious. In 1989 and 1991, Shripal Singh Yadav won from here as the Janata Dal candidate. In 2009 and 2019, Shafiqur Rahman Barq emerged victorious first as a BSP candidate and then as SP nominee. This time again, the BJP is trying to repeat its 2014 performance by fielding Satyapal Singh Saini once again. Let us understand the political equations of the seat. In 2014, BJP candidate Saini had defeated Barq. However, his victory margin was only 5,000 votes. But in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Barq defeated Saini as a SP candidate by 1,74,000 votes. After Barqs death, the SP has made his grandson and Kundarki MLA Ziaur Rahman Barq as its candidate. According to Chanakya political consultancy, Muslims constitute 50% of Sambhals total population. Apart from Muslims, Yadavs account for 10% of the districts total population. The SP hopes to get support from both communities (the partys traditional support base). There are 2.7 lakh Scheduled Caste voters in this seat. The BSP factor The BSP has also won the seat twice. In 1996, DP Yadav and in 2009, Barq won the seat on the BSP ticket. But Barq later crossed over to the SP. Seeing the large concentration of Muslims, the BSP has pinned hope on Shaukat Ali. He has been MLA once on SP ticket. Therefore, Sambhal is witnessing a triangular battle in this years election. The effect of Acharya Pramod Krishnan Acharya Pramod Krishnam, who had been with the Congress for a long time and was also the political advisor to the partys National General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, has now joined the BJP. He is the peethadishwar (head priest) of the Shri Kalki Dham. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Kalki Dham temple in a grand function here on February 19. The construction of the grand temple is in progress on war footing. The BJP hopes that it can win again with the help of Krishnam and Hindutva. Sambhal Lok Sabha seat has five assembly segments Chandausi, Asmauli, Sambhal, Kundarki and Bilari. Among these, the SP won four seats in the 2022 Legislative Assembly, while the BJP added the reserved seat of Chandausi in its kitty. Sambhals neighbouring Lok Sabha constituencies such as Moradabad, Rampur and Amroha also have a significant Muslim population. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP could not win these seats. But at that time, the SP, the BSP and the Rashtriya Lok Dal had contested in an alliance; whereas the RLD is with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) this time and the SP and the Congress are contesting in the fray as partners of the INDIA alliance. The BSP is not a part of any political alliance and is contesting alone. By Park Jin-hai BTS fans have collectively raised their voices in response to concerns that the ongoing conflict between BTS agency, HYBE, and its sub-label, Ador, could tarnish the stars reputation. In a full-page paid announcement placed in local newspapers on behalf of "BTS's Fan ARMY," fans demanded that HYBE and Big Hit Music adopt a responsible attitude toward addressing indiscriminate attacks and obscenities directed at the boy band. They also called for clear announcements regarding immediate legal action and the progress being made in this regard. "HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk and CEO Park Ji-won should cease using the media to shield the agency's negative internal and external issues behind BTS. We stand by BTS, not HYBE," BTS fans strongly urged. In the midst of mudslinging between HYBE and Ador HYBE filing a complaint against Ador CEO Min Hee-jin for an alleged attempt to seize management control, countered by Min accusing HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk of abuse of power and mismanagement the feud has unexpectedly embroiled HYBEs flagship group BTS. Groundless rumors have surfaced, including one suggesting a close connection between BTS members and HYBE with Dahn World, an organization viewed by some as a cult promoting meditation and self-improvement practices. Additionally, recently leaked judicial findings regarding chart manipulation by HYBE during the promotion of BTS' album in 2015 have reignited fans' anger. The controversy surrounding those allegations was directed at HYBE, but instead of offering a proper explanation, HYBE issued a rebuttal claiming that BTS was being subject to organized slander, a BTS fan commented on a video clip on YouTube reporting ARMYs collective action against the agency. ARMY called for the protection of the K-pop boy group in the announcement. "There is no reason for the existence of an agency that does not protect its artists. We know that failure to fulfill the agency's obligations can usually be a factor in terminating the contract," they warned. BTS fans staged a demonstration by sending trucks to HYBE headquarters in Seouls Yongsan District on Wednesday carrying mobile billboards with messages like, "When will we see artists being protected?" Additionally, they delivered around 30 wreaths on Thursday, which were placed in front of the building. The ribbons attached to these wreaths carried messages such as, "HYBE is shirking its responsibilities" and "Amid endless owner risks, we hope BTS will part ways with HYBE." Shriya Sharma, TwoCircles.net New Delhi: Despite flagship missions such the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban (PMAY-U) or the Mukhyamantri Shehri Awas Yojana being in place to provide pucca houses to eligible urban households, the promise of a dignified abode remains elusive for many in Faridabad. Support TwoCircles The district in Haryana epitomizes the intricate dynamics of urbanization, population growth as well as socio-economic disparities. Despite being the most densely populated city in the state, it grapples with the highest concentration of slum dwellers within its borders. As per a 2022 study by the Scholars Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, an international journal, Faridabads landscape is dotted with 64 sprawling slum areas, including AC Nagar, Sanjay Colony, Mujeswar and Azad Nagar to name a few. A staggering 46% of the districts populace, suggests the 2001 census, finds shelter within the confines of these makeshift settlements. These unauthorized enclaves, entwining themselves with the citys main roads, highways and railway tracks stand as monuments to decades of unplanned growth and socio-economic neglect. Dreams of a home I submitted required documents a few years ago but have not received any response so far, reveals Anagshree, a 63-year-old resident, who has endured two decades of hardship. Her sentiments echo the disillusionment felt by many others who have been failed by the bureaucratic machinery tasked with delivering on these promises. We stood in the crowd all night with our documents, but nothing happened, she further adds. Sharing the same disappointment, Mahendra Sharma, the president of the Resident Welfare Association of the area, blamed the Faridabad Municipal Corporation (FMC)s administration for its alleged careless attitude towards its work. The last time when forms were circulated in the city for applying for a pucca house under the scheme was five years ago, but the struggle for a home remains, he says. The last years invitation for applications under the chief ministers scheme, which is ostensibly aimed at addressing the housing needs of economically weaker families, has done little to assuage the skepticism of the citys residents. We know about the scheme but have not received any benefits, remarks Laxmi Singh, 43, a mother of three, with her tone tinged with resignation. Commenting on the failure of PMAY in providing adequate housing facilities to the poor, FMC City Project Officer Dwarka Prasad, who is also monitoring the enactment of the scheme in Faridabad, says, We cannot take any action before the next election. All the development work has been halted till then. He further adds that there have been no instructions from the main authorities. In light of the Union Cabinets decision to extend the implementation period of PMAY-Urban until December 31, 2024, the slum dwellers offer a sobering reflection on the prospects of meaningful change. When we could not get a house built in the last nine years, what difference will one year make? they muse. Uncertain future The settlement nestled beneath the Badkhal highway has been a makeshift refuge for nearly a hundred families for over two decades. After a devastating fire ravaged the area in 2019 leaving its inhabitants dispossessed and vulnerable, the spectre of demolition looms large, casting a pall of uncertainty over their future. Every time we have to change our shanty because the municipal authorities come and demolish them, laments Sanju, a 46-year-old widow who has called this place home for a decade, with her voice trembling with apprehension. Addressing her fear, she further adds, The news just came that they will start building the road again. It means they will probably demolish our homes again. With no support for basic facilities like drinking water and electricity, people of the area continue to live a life of challenges and unfulfilled dreams. My entire life has passed in Faridabad without a home, says Premvati Singh, 56, who has been living here for the past 15 years. Ramni Prabhakar, former general secretary of the Manufacturers Association of Faridabad, had poignantly called Faridabad as the Dharavi of North India in a 2008 interview with The Times of India, drawing a parallel to Mumbais iconic slum district. Slums in Faridabad are an acute problem due to the high magnitude and quantum of slum dwellers living in the city, says Dr Gaurav Antil, deputy joint commissioner of the civic body. Abstaining from voting? With Haryana poised to go to Assembly polls after the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, the residents of Badhkal constituency find themselves at a crossroads. Disillusioned by years of political rhetoric and unfulfilled promises, Dharampal, 47, a father of six, reflects on the futility of casting his vote. With his voice tinged with bitterness, he asserts, There is no point in voting. His sentiment finds resonance with Meeta, 45. What is the use of voting when government schemes do not not reach us? she asks. The poor are being pushed onto the sidewalks, while the rich travel the world, she says after failing to register a home for herself under the PMs scheme. No one comes to see the poor people, remarks Dharampal, with his words heavy with the weight of neglect. Meeta interjects solemnly. But they are first to come to ask for our votes. Whoever we vote for comes and helps us get a voter ID card. These observations encapsulate the paradox of political engagement in marginalized communities, where the presence of leaders is fleeting, yet their pursuit of votes is relentless. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Muslims being discriminated, Rahul Gandhi told; WATCH his reply Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at a public meeting Saturday was told that Muslims in India are being discriminated because of their religion. Sunday May 5, 2024 0:03 AM , ummid.com News Network [Jamia student Faraz Hussain sharing with Rahul Gandhi the issues Muslims are facing in India.] New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at a public meeting Saturday was told that Muslims in India are being discriminated because of their religion. To this Rahul Gandhi replied he was aware that Muslims are in trouble and assured them things will change soon. My name is Faraz Hussain and I am from Jamia. My name in itself is discriminatory, a Jamia Millia Islamia student told Rahul Gandhi. Faraz was one of the hundreds of youth who had gathered in New Delhi to discuss with Rahul Gandhi the issues they were facing, especially because of Agniveer Yojna, unemployment and joblessness. When invited on the dais to share his grievances, Faraz Hussain looked a bit hesitant. I found here everyone talking about education and employment. I want to share with you all a special type of discrimination. My name is Faraz Hussain. I am from Jamia and my name in itself is discriminatory, he told Rahul. The way Muslim youth and women are being discriminated in various institutions, so what is the framework on which Congress will work to address the issues Indian Muslims are facing? he asked. Replying to Faraz, Rahul Gandhi said the Constitution of India that guarantees equal rights to all citizens is framework of the Congress party. Our framework is the Constitution, and the Constitution of India clearly says every citizen of the country is equal. Hence we will have no discrimination based on caste, religion, race or colour, he said. Rahul Gandhi also said that the ideologies of Congress and BJP are poles apart, and the Congress is fighting an ideological war with the BJP. We want everyone to live here in harmony and respect. There is no confusion. I am aware you are in trouble. But, dont worry. Things will be alright soon, he assured the Muslim youth. Faraz Hussain was one of the hundreds of youths invited by the Congress Party to discuss with Rahul Gandhi at what the party billed as Nyay Munch. Watch Video Addressing the youth, Rahul said the Agniveer Yojna has been disastrous for not only the youths but also for the Indian army. He also said the Congress if voted to power will cancel the scheme. Rahul Gandhi also outlined the promises the Congress Party has made in its manifesto including pehli naukri pakki (apprenticeship for youth) and direct fund transfer scheme for women which has been named as Mahalakshmi scheme. Of late, the Congress Party has been accused of being silent on the issues faced by the Muslim community in India. The critics also claimed that the party manifesto has also ignored the issues facing the community. The analysts however said the Congress Party manifesto talks about various schemes and guarantees for the minorities that also include the Muslims. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Palestinian scribes covering Gaza war awarded UNESCO World Press Freedom Prize Palestinian journalists covering Israels brutal war in Gaza have been named as Laureates of the 2024 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, the organisation announced Thursday May 02, 2024. Saturday May 4, 2024 11:40 AM , ummid.com News Network Paris: Palestinian journalists covering Israels brutal war in Gaza have been named as Laureates of the 2024 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, the organisation announced Thursday May 02, 2024. The Palestinian journalists were conferred the UNESCO awards following the recommendation of an International Jury of media professionals at an award ceremony held on the side-lines of the World Press Freedom Conference in Santiago, Chile Thursday. 'Solidarity and Recognition' The UN body described the moment as a strong show of solidarity with the Palestinians in a time of darkness and helplessness. In these times of darkness and hopelessness, we wish to share a strong message of solidarity and recognition to those Palestinian journalists who are covering this crisis in such dramatic circumstances. As humanity, we have a huge debt to their courage and commitment to freedom of expression, Mauricio Weibel, Chair of the International Jury of media professionals, said. Hailing the decision to award the Palestinian journalists, UNESCO Director General, Audrey Azoulay, said: Each year, the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Prize pays tribute to the courage of journalists facing difficult and dangerous circumstances. Once again this year, the Prize reminds us of the importance of collective action to ensure that journalists around the world can continue to carry out their essential work to inform and investigate. 'Gaza war deadliest for journalists' Over 100 journalists and media workers, a majority of them Palestinians, have been killed in the first seven months of the Israeli brutal war in Gaza started in October last, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). The CPJ has termed the " deadliest since 1992 " the first two months of the Gaza war. The relentless and indiscriminate Israeli bombardment of Gaza has also forced some Palestinian journalists to quit their profession . The UNESCO has been at the forefront in condemning the killing of journalists at the hands of the Israeli Occupation Forces since Oct 7, 2023. I can't believe how many colleagues we've lost, no less important is the resilience of those journalists who remain in Gaza", Palestinian journalist Nasser Abu Baker said while accepting the UNESCO press freedom award. "The award reflects the appreciation of UNESCO and this international organization's concern and responsibility towards protecting journalists and freedom of the media", he added. According to reports, the award ceremony has been very emotional and many of those present were crying. There were many people in the room who were crying. There were a lot of emotions and very strong applause, Al Jazeeras Lucia Newman, reporting from Santiago, said. Among the journalists killed in Gaza are many working for the Doha based broadcaster. About the Award Created in 1997, the annual UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize honours an outstanding contribution to the defence and/or promotion of press freedom anywhere in the world, especially when this has been achieved in the face of danger. It is the only such prize awarded to journalists within the UN System. The award is named after Guillermo Cano Isaza, the Colombian journalist who was assassinated in front of the offices of his newspaper El Espectador in Bogota, Colombia, on 17 December 1986, and funded by the Guillermo Cano Isaza Foundation (Colombia), the Helsingin Sanomat Foundation (Finland), the Namibia Media Trust, Democracy & Media Foundation Stichting Democratie & Media (The Netherlands), and the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. HCM CITY Rental rates for industrial land in Viet Nam are forecast to slightly increase in the coming time, experts said. According to CBRE, the surge in the next three years will be 3-9 per cent per year in the North and 3-7 per cent per year in the South. Meanwhile, the company said, the asking rent of ready-built factories and warehouses is predicted to slightly increase by 1-4 per cent per year in the next three years. The company attributed price increases to the wider co-operation between Viet Nam and other economies. As Viet Nam has enhanced its diplomatic relations with major economies recently, it is expected that the country's economy in general, and its manufacturing and industrial real estate sectors in particular, will benefit and continue to develop, the company said. An Nguyen, senior director, head of CBRE Vietnam branch in Ha Noi, said: "To maintain its position as a destination for foreign investment in the region, Viet Nam needs to continue focusing on improving infrastructure, including road connectivity, the power grid, and industrial zones. It also needs to enhance the quality of its workforce and adjust relevant incentive policies accordingly. Viet Nam's industrial real estate market maintained positive activities during the first quarter of 2024. Manufacturing activities also showed promising signs in the first three months of the year, with exports and imports registering growth rates of 17 per cent and 13.9 per cent year-on-year, respectively. The processed and manufactured industrial goods sector accounted for 88.1 per cent of total export turnover. For the industrial land market, industrial land rental rates in tier 1 markets of the northern region experienced a slight increase of 1.2 per cent quarter-on-quarter and 7.8 per cent year-on-year, averaging US$133 per sq.m. Meanwhile, industrial land rental rates in tier 1 markets of the southern region remained stable at $189 per sq.m, showing year-on-year growth of 2.4 per cent. Due to the absence of new industrial parks entering operation during the quarter and the continuous attraction of new tenants to existing industrial parks in tier 1 markets of the northern region, the occupancy rate increased by 1.3 percentage point to 83 per cent. The absorption area during the quarter reached nearly 110 hectares, with notable transactions such as the 10-hectare Victory Giant Technology factory in Bac Ninh Province. However, in the southern market, due to relatively limited industrial land availability, the occupancy rate remained stable at 92 per cent with an absorption area of just over 20 hectares. Domestic and foreign manufacturers have tended to expand to tier 2 markets such as Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Tay Ninh, where industrial land supply is relatively abundant and rental prices are more competitive compared to tier 1 markets. In the ready-built warehouse and factory markets, several large-scale projects continued to launch in the northern region during the first quarter of 2024, mainly concentrated in the Bac Ninh market. With the introduction of new supply, the average occupancy rate in tier 1 markets of the northern region reached 70 per cent for ready-built warehouses, a decrease of 6 percentage points quarter-on-quarter, and 87 per cent for ready-built factories, unchanged from the previous quarter. The average rental price for ready-built warehouses and factories in tier 1 markets reached $4.7 and $4.9 per sq.m per month, respectively. In terms of demand, positive developments in the market came from high-tech manufacturers, such as semiconductor production and motor technology, who continued to expand in Viet Nam by leasing production facilities, such as VDL (Netherlands) and Tecnotion (Netherlands). According to CBRE, after a period of strong growth, the southern ready-built warehouse and factory markets did not see any new supply in the reviewed quarter. New projects are still in the construction and completion phase. However, the absence of new supply has had a positive impact on the operations of existing projects. In terms of average rental rates, the rental prices for ready-built warehouses and factories in the southern market remained stable compared to the previous quarter, reaching $4.6 and $4.9 per sq.m per month, with a year-on-year growth rate of 2.2 per cent for ready-built warehouses and 3.9 per cent for ready-built factories. Similar to the northern market, the demand for ready-built warehouses and factories in the southern region comes from high-tech manufacturers and renewable energy, as well as the expansion of e-commerce companies such as JiaWei (Taiwan) and Shopee (Singapore), CBRE said. VNS HCM CITY A centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) in HCM City is scheduled to be officially launched in September, with a mission to be Viet Nams top facility in advising national industrial policies, piloting their implementation in the southern metropolis, and promoting economic transformation in the revolution. The facility, the second of its kind in Southeast Asia and the 19th worldwide, is expected to be located in the Saigon Hi-Tech Park. It is established as part of cooperation between the Vietnamese Government and the World Economic Forum (WEF) for the 2023-26 period and under a deal signed between the chairman of the municipal People's Committee and WEF leader earlier this year. Deputy Chairman of the HCM City People's Committee Vo Van Hoan expressed his hope that the centre will become a platform not only for the city but also for the entire country to shape the development of Fourth Industrial Revolution strategies in line with the overall national development strategy, contributing to the global trajectory of technological advancement. Manju George, heading the strategic impact and integration platform at WEF, noted that the C4IR in the city will benefit from the synergy of leading Vietnamese technology enterprises and leverage the knowledge and experience of the global C4IR network to provide support, advice, proposals, and recommendations for solutions, policies, and initiatives in line with Viet Nams directions and international technology trends. Kim Byoungho, chairman of the Board of Directors of HDBank a founding member of the C4IR in HCM City, said that its establishment is a significant step forward, contributing to creating breakthrough momentum towards the goal of developing HCM City into a modern industrial service city, as well as a hub for economy, finance, commerce, science-technology, and culture in the region. VNS A Korean reported to have been missing for over two weeks while traveling in Paris was found alive and unharmed, ministry officials said Saturday. The Korean Embassy in France said they were able to identify the whereabouts of the missing 30-year-old male, identified only as Kim. He is reportedly safe, the embassy said, though it did not provide further details as per the family's request. Kim flew into France from India around April 17 but disappeared on April 19, a day after meeting an acquaintance in the 1st arrondissement of the city, according to the officials. The embassy earlier said it recently reported the incident to the French police on behalf of Kim's family and provided them with the necessary consular assistance. (Yonhap) HA NOI Many banks have recently announced plans to significantly increase charter capital to improve the capital adequacy ratio (CAR) and strengthen financial potential for credit and business expansion. Techcombank has presented to shareholders a plan to increase capital from nearly VN35.23 trillion to more than VN70.45 trillion through issuing shares from equity sources. Under the plan, the banks shareholders who own 100 shares will receive 100 new shares. At the annual general meeting (AGM) of Military Bank (MB), a proposal to increase charter capital by some VN8.58 trillion in 2024 was approved. Besides the capital increase of nearly VN7.96 trillion through stock dividends, MB will continue its plan to make private placement of an additional 62 million shares, equivalent to a charter capital increase of VN620 billion. Implementation time for the plan is from 2024 to the second quarter of 2025. Shareholders of LPBank has also approved a plan to offer up to 800 million additional shares to existing shareholders to increase charter capital from nearly VN25.58 trillion to nearly VN33.58 trillion at the minimum offering price of VN10,000 per share. The same plans have also been seen at SeABank, OCB, ACB, VIB and Nam A Bank, of which SeABank will increase its charter capital by more than VN5 trillion to VN30 trillion; OCB by nearly VN4.17 trillion to nearly VN24.72 trillion; ACB by VN5.8 trillion to more than VN44.66 trillion; VIB by more than VN4.4 trillion to VN29.79 trillion; and Nam A Bank by nearly VN3.15 trillion to more than VN13.72 trillion. Latest statistics of the State Bank of Vietnam show as of January 2024, the total charter capital of the entire banking system was more than VN1 quadrillion, an increase of 0.7 per cent compared to the end of 2023. Of the total, the group of State-owned banks had a total charter capital of VN217.88 trillion, equivalent to the end of 2023; the group of joint stock commercial banks had a total charter capital of VN543.19 trillion, an increase of 0.12 per cent; and the group of joint venture and foreign banks had a total charter capital of nearly VN163.17 trillion, unchanged compared to the end of 2023. The capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of credit institutions and foreign bank branches according to Circular 41/2016/TT-NHNN as of January 2024 reached 11.84 per cent, of which the groups of State-owned commercial banks and joint stock commercial banks reached 9.72 per cent and 11.89 per cent, respectively. According to experts, the need to raise charter capital stems from requirements of improving the CAR, increasing the risk provision ratio, rising medium and long-term capital sources, and promoting investment in technology. Banking expert Nguyen Tri Hieu said though the CAR of Vietnamese banks has improved, it still has not reached international standards and the average level of the banking industry in the region. The CAR of Vietnamese banks is still at low level compared to that of Indonesia (22.6 per cent), Philippines (17.2 per cent), Singapore (17.1 per cent), Thailand (19.6 per cent) and Malaysia (18.5 per cent). Hieu said, many banks in Viet Nam have not fully implemented the pillars of international banking standard Basel II, while some countries in the region have applied Basel III or part of it so charter capital increase is considered necessary to improve financial capacity and ensure the stability of the Vietnamese banking system. It is forecast that 2024 will continue to be a challenging year for the banking industry as bad debt risks tend to increase. Therefore, charter capital will play an important role as a buffer to provide necessary resources for banks to cope with challenges and fluctuations in an unstable economic environment. VNS HA NOI The Vietnamese Government has given green light to foreign investors to invest in developing oil and gas storage and supply infrastructure system, but they cannot participate in distributing, importing and exporting petroleum. This was part of the recently approved plan to implement national petroleum and gas storage and supply infrastructure planning for 2021-30 period with a vision to 2025. State budget will prioritise the development of national storage infrastructure while the private investment will be used to develop storage infrastructure for commercial purposes of enterprises. The Government encourages private investment in developing the national storage infrastructure following the established planning and standards to serve the national reserve goals. To ensure national defence and security as well as social security, the Government also eyes to develop petroleum storage system in border areas, islands, and remote areas. These localities will develop storage systems below 5,000cu.m in consistency with the national planning. Under the plan, the focus will also be on developing the petrol stations along new roads and in new urban areas with an appropriate roadmap to reduce the number of small-scale and inefficient stations. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will be in charge of implementing and supervising the development of petrol and oil storage systems, ensure quality and progress as well as economic efficiency. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam has been applying itself to making institutional, infrastructure, and manpower improvements in efforts to attract more foreign investment, especially in such big industries as electronics and semiconductor, said Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment o Thanh Trung. He made the remark at the Governments regular press conference on May 4 in response to the medias question about some large foreign businesses interest in the Vietnamese market. Trung pointed out that foreign businesses invest in not just Viet Nam but various countries. Their investment decisions depend on many factors of which objective factors, subjective factors, and Viet Nams readiness are main ones. Objective factors include the geopolitical and economic situation in the world, the region and Viet Nam, investment trends, and the shift of supply chains among countries around the globe. Subjective factors include investment strategies and targets of businesses, the suitability of each country and region to them, resources, and implementation feasibility. Meanwhile, the Government, the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), and other ministries and sectors have been striving to promote the institutional, infrastructure, and manpower readiness of Vietnam to attract those firms, he noted. In terms of regulation, Trung elaborated, the country has been perfecting policies, laws, mechanisms, and policies to improve the business and investment climate. It is also considering specific mechanisms and attractive incentives for technology, semiconductor, electronics, and chip companies. Viet Nam has been working to ensure the best possible transport infrastructure, including road, waterway and air transport facilities, along with infrastructure serving production such as electricity. Hi-tech parks and innovation centres are also being developed to create an even better environment for investors. Regarding human resources, it has been building concrete programmes, Trung went on, saying that aside from the units capable of training and researching like universities and big companies, the Government and the Prime Minister assigned the MPI to draft a plan on training 50,000 engineers for the semiconductor industry, and the draft has already been submitted. He revealed that foreign businesses highly value the Governments determination to develop the semiconductor and chip industry. Aside from the US, investors from Japan, the Republic of Korea, have Taiwan (China) have also moved to make investments in Viet Nam. The Deputy Minister expressed his belief that with efforts by the Government and agencies, clearer results will be recorded in the time ahead. - VNS HA NOI Many ponds and lakes in Ha Noi, currently, are being illegally filled and encroached. This is really not a new story, but it remains a difficult problem for local authorities. In addition to being illegally filled and encroached, the lack of water flow in many lakes causes the lake bed to dry out and become covered with vegetation, creating conditions for illegal encroachment and filling of lakes. Ha Noi has about 122 lakes, and 13 rivers flowing through it. In the 2015-20 period, the urban natural water surface area decreased by more than 203ha because more than 60 per cent of ponds and lakes were filled and levelled. It is time to put in place strong and fundamental solutions to protect lakes and ponds, to protect the city's green lungs. Ponds and lakes are not only the green lungs of the city, but also a place to store and drain excess water during the rainy season. Without a timely solution, at some point, Ha Noi will not only lose these green lungs but also suffer from flooding and poor drainage every rainy season. A typical example is Song Lake, located in ai Mo Ward of Nam Tu Liem District. This is a large lake with clear blue water creating a fresh space for neighbouring residential areas. However, over the past 5-6 years, the encroachment of the lake has become more and more serious. The issue got out of control recently when the lake dried up and its bed became bare and overgrown with wild grass. Taking advantage of this, people have continuously dumped waste into the lake to fill the space and illegally build workshops and other structures. Vice Chairman of ai Mo Ward Nguyen Viet Hung told Kinh te & o thi (Economic and Urban Affairs) newspaper that the practice of dumping waste to fill Song Lake has happened for many years. In particular, since there was an asphalt road connecting Thang Long Avenue to the Vinhomes Green Villas residential area, illegal dumping of waste into the lake has become more complicated because the road to the lake is more convenient, said Hung. In order to address the situation, the local authority has taken many measures such as digging separation trenches and building barricades, to separate the edge of the lake from road, Hung said. However, due to the authoritys limited staff and the large area involved, the inspection and handling of illegal waste dumping still face many difficulties, he said. Similarly, oi Lake in inh Cong Ward of Hoang Mai District is also being destroyed by dumped waste. Frustrated by the situation, residents living nearby contributed their own money to build a security gate to prevent people from illegally dumping waste into the lake. Another example is Lang Pond located in Tay Ho District. Although it has not been seriously threatened by waste dumping like Song and oi lakes, for many years this pond has had lower water levels and it continues shrinking. Pham Van Cuong, a resident in the districts Quang An Ward said: For a long time, Lang Pond was practically abandoned, and some people used it as a place to plant trees. Witnessing this, we who once enjoyed the fresh air that Lang Pond had brought could not help but feel sad, Cuong said. The biggest concern of people in this area is that there is no longer any water source, so the possibility of reviving this pond is very small. Even more worrying, once the pond cannot be revived and is turned into a high-rise building, ecological and climate change dangers will become even more severe. To deal with the encroachment of ponds and lakes, many localities have built embankments around ponds and lakes. However, a new problem soon arose, causing more pollution. Waste sewers from people's houses, restaurants, eateries and workshops discharge directly to ponds and lakes, making these places no different from giant waste tanks and always emitting an unpleasant odour. Mass fish deaths in many large ponds and lakes have occurred regularly for many years, without no solution. From a legal perspective, lawyer Bui inh Ung from the Ha Noi Bar Association said that to protect Ha Nois lakes and ponds, it is necessary to assign specific responsibilities to localities where those lakes and ponds are located. "Local governments must be the unit to manage and protect lakes and ponds and bear the main responsibility when lakes and ponds in the area are illegally encroached or filled," said Ung. In addition, acts of encroachment and destruction of ponds and lakes must be imposed strict sanctions, the lawyer said. Associate Professor Dr Truong Manh Tien, member of the Viet Nam Union of Science and Technology Associations, said that to effectively protect lakes and ponds from pollution and illegal encroachment, first of all, it is necessary for ponds and lakes to have owners so that someone can take responsibility whenever a problem or incident happens to that pond or lake. According to this expert, solving the problem of pond and lake pollution requires resources, technology and especially the participation of the whole community. The community here means a community of residents who supervise, community of scientists who help with technology issues, and community of businesses who fund the maintenance and protection of ponds and lakes," Tien said. Early last year, the Ha Noi People's Committee issued a list of 3,164 lakes and ponds that cannot be filled to tighten management and make it public for people to implement and avoid unclear regulations in handling violations. But in fact, in recent years, the effectiveness of pond and lake protection has not been improved; many ponds and lakes are still polluted and continue to be encroached without a plan to resolve the issue. It is time to pay more attention, protect lakes and ponds from pollution, renovate them, creating a civilised appearance for the capital city. Lakes and ponds are extremely valuable for urban people, said Pham Ngoc ang, vice president of the Viet Nam Natural and Environment Protection Association. VNS HA NOI - Muong Thanh rice paddy field, the largest of its kind in northwestern Viet Nam, spans over 140sq.km across communes and wards in ien Bien District and ien Bien Phu City in the northern province of ien Bien. Besides its economic value of yielding the renowned ien Bien rice brand, the paddy field also holds historical significance intertwined with the ien Bien Phu Campaign. Muong Thanh paddy field has nurtured the lives of the local ethnic communities for generations. However, in November 1953, when thousands of French soldiers parachuted into the heart of the Muong Thanh area to seize ien Bien, the locals were forced into concentration camps while their properties were looted and the rice fields were devastated and abandoned. Throughout the following months, the field became a stronghold of the French colonial forces, witnessing the fierce battles between the Vietnamese soldiers and the French colonists. During the ien Bien Phu Campaign in 1954, it transformed into a fortified battleground, with numerous trenches and bunkers scattered throughout. After 56 days and nights of fierce and resilient resistance, Vietnamese soldiers forced the French forces to surrender and leave the Muong Thanh rice field, as well as withdraw from ien Bien Phu. Following the victory of the resounding campaign, a movement was launched to fill bomb craters, clear landmines and collect barbed wire to restore the prosperous Muong Thanh rice field. After 70 years, the ravages of war have receded. Today, the field has become a vast rice granary in the northwest region. Benefiting from favourable natural conditions and climate, the Muong Thanh rice field is renowned nationwide for its delicious and famous rice varieties such as seng cu, nep nuong (sticky rice), lut o (red rice), lut en (black rice), nep than (black glutinuous rice), and tam thom (fragrant rice). According to Chairman of the People's Committee of ien Bien District, ien Bien Province, Bui Hai Binh, the rice cultivation area in Muong Thanh rice field covers 3,990 hectares, with an average yield of 6,3 tonnes per hectare. The average annual production of the entire field reaches over 47,000 tonnes, accounting for 79.94 per cent of the district's total rice production. "Muong Thanh rice field has provided an abundant source of food and a prosperous life for the people of ien Bien. Now, we are focusing on promoting the ien Bien rice brand even further," he said. VNS PARIS Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has suggested the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) coordinate with Viet Nam to implement their cooperation focuses. At a meeting with OECD Secretary General Mathias Cormann on the sidelines of the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting 2024 (MCM), which took place in Paris on May 2-3, Son called on the organisation to continue its support for the implementation of the 15 projects within the Viet Nam-OECD action plan for 20222026. The two sides should step up their partnership on the basis of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) they signed, he continued, suggesting the OECD facilitate Viet Nams more intensive integration into its specialised bodies, and help the country understand and contribute more to the building of global governance policies, especially in finance, tax, economy, development, digital policies, investment, and science-technology. The minister presented Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs thank-you letter to the OECD, in which PM Chinh appreciated the organisations invitation for Viet Nam to attend the MCM, and its support for the countrys co-chairmanship of the OECDs Southeast Asia Regional Programme (SEARP) for 2022-2025. For his part, Cormann highly valued Viet Nams role as well as its active and responsible contributions to the SEARP, saying he is willing to work together with the country to select the specialised bodies that can help it seize global trends and standards in service of its making of suitable development policies. On this occasion, Son met with Assistant Minister for Trade and Assistant Minister for Manufacturing of Australia Tim Ayres, during which the Vietnamese official suggested the two sides soon complete the action programme to implement the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. This would create a firm foundation for them to deepen their collaboration across spheres, particularly economy, trade, investment, agriculture, education-training, and labour, while expanding cooperation in such new areas as green economy, energy transition, and digital transformation, he said, suggesting Australia continue its official development assistance (ODA) to Viet Nam in climate change response and human resources development. Ayres highlighted coordination between the two countries as SEARP co-chairs for 2022-2025, and affirmed Australias support for Viet Nams efforts in enhancing its relationship with the OECD. The minister also noted his support for the cooperation project between Viet Nam, Australia, and Laos, and his wishes for stronger cooperation with Viet Nam in all fields. On May 3, Son had a meeting with his Japanese counterpart Kamikawa Yoko, where he called on Japan to increase its investment in Viet Nam in new realms like semiconductors, and help the Southeast Asian nation join its regional supply chain. He also suggested the two countries foster cooperation in culture, people-to-people exchange, labour, and personnel training. Kamikawa, for her part, said Japan backs the initiatives, orientations, and priorities proposed by Viet Nam to promote cooperation with the OECD, and agreed to forge cooperation between the two countries at multilateral forums like the OECD and the ASEAN. Japan will continue its assistance to Viet Nam in industrialisation and modernisation in the new context, she pledged. As part of his working trip, Son visited the headquarters of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) in Paris, where he met with OIF Secretary General Louise Mushikiwabo. The minister said Viet Nam always support the OIFs efforts in promoting cooperation for peace and development in the world, noting Viet Nam will attend and actively contribute to the 19th Francophonie Summit slated for October in France. Mushikiwabo stressed that the OIF attaches importance to Viet Nams role and position in the Francophone community, and promised to help Viet Nam enhance its economic, trade, investment and tourism ties with French-speaking countries in a sustainable manner. The OIF will strengthen cooperation with Viet Nam in spreading the language, and provide French language training for Viet Nam's peacekeeping forces, she said, adding the organisation stands ready to admit Vietnamese officials to work at its Secretariat. VNS HA NOI Mai Tien Dung, the former Minister and Chairman of the Government Office, has been arrested and is facing prosecution for allegations of power abuse during his tenure. The apprehension was revealed by Lieutenant General To An Xo, Spokesman of the Ministry of Public Security, during a regular Government press conference on May 4. General Xo said the arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into bribery and abuse of power cases in Lam ong Province and other related localities. Mai Tien Dung, born in 1959 in Ha Nam Province, was a member of the 12th and 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam. During his career, he has held the positions of Secretary of Ha Nam's Provincial Party Committee and Minister and Chairman of the Government Office. Recently, he was disciplined by Politburo with a warning for violations related to the rescue flights repatriating Vietnamese citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. After obtaining the arrest warrant from the Supreme People's Procuracy, the Ministry of Public Security took Dung into custody in April 30. At the conference, General Xo also provided updates on the ongoing investigations into two major corruption cases involving the Phuc Son Group and the Thuan An Group. In the Phuc Son Group case, he revealed that the Investigation Police Agency had so far prosecuted 23 suspects and would continue to expand the investigation. In the Thuan An Group case, the agency has prosecuted eight suspects, including Duong Van Thai, Secretary of Bac Giang's Provincial Party Committee, who was charged with abusing power while performing duties. General Xo also provided details of the Thuan An Group's alleged wrongdoings. Between December 2014 and December 2023, the group won 32 bid packages in 16 provinces and cities with a total value of over VN23 trillion (US$905 million). VNS HA NOI On May 7th, the Paris Court of Appeal will hold a hearing related to the civil lawsuit between Tran To Nga, a French citizen of Vietnamese origin, and the American chemical companies that supplied the US Army with Agent Orange for use in the Vietnam War. On this occasion, the International Association of Democratic Lawyers has issued an Open Letter to the court expressing their views on this case. The full text of the Open Letter is as follows: OPEN LETTER TO THE PARIS COURT OF APPEAL The International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL), a worldwide NGO of progressive law professionals with consultative status at ECOSOC in the UN, has, for many years, been working to support the Vietnamese victims of the Agent Orange that the US Army sprayed in Vietnam during the wartime. In 2004 the IADL instituted a lawsuit in the US Courts seeking compensation for the victims. In 2009 IADL organized an International Peoples Tribunal of Conscience to investigate and determine liability of the United States Government and the chemical companies, which manufactured Agent Orange to be used in Vietnam War. The IADL is of the view that the United States Government had engaged in an illegal war of aggression against Vietnam and was therefore liable to the people for the results of that war and that chemical companies were jointly liable for manufacturing chemicals, most specifically the Agent Orange, which is known to contain high levels of dioxin, one of the most toxic substances known to man. There are currently many children and grandchildren of those exposed who are being born with Agent Orange related birth defects and illnesses. IADL appreciates the tireless efforts of Ms. Tran To Nga, one of the victims of the Agent Orange, in bringing the lawsuit to the Court against the US chemical companies that produced and supplied Agent Orange to be used in Vietnam War. This lawsuit brings justice to not only Ms. Nga, whose first child died of heart defects and second child suffers from a blood disease, but also to all victims of this dangerous chemical substance in Vietnam and in the world. And its not only for the current generation, but also for future generations and for a world of peace and justice! IADL is not satisfied with the Evry Court Decision made on 10 May 2021 saying it did not have jurisdiction to hear the case on the ground that the companies were acting "on the orders" of the U.S. government, which was engaged in a "sovereign act. IADL considers this ruling untenable, because the US chemical companies were not forced by the U.S. Government but voluntarily joined the bidding and produced the poison, therefore they should be responsible for their production and the court should have the jurisdiction to hear it. IADL believes that Evry Court did not consider the fact that the production of the toxic chemicals for the US military in the Vietnam War was not compulsory for the chemical companies, but they were free to participate in tenders to produce toxic chemicals for profit. The Court also did not consider the fact that the chemical companies had known that dioxin was a highly toxic substance, but still intentionally changed the technical process of synthesizing the two herbicides 2.4-D and 2.4.5-T to shorten the production time of Agent Orange to reduce costs and increase profits while increasing the dioxin content already present in substance 2.4.5-T. Knowing that upon Ms. Tran To Ngas appeal, on May 7, 2024 the Paris Court of Appeals will open a hearing to decide the rightfulness of the Evry Court Decision, IADL strongly calls the Paris Court of Appeals to reject the unreasonable decision of the Evry Crown Court. We request that the Paris Court of Appeal review this decision carefully and consider all relevant factors thoroughly to issue a fair ruling so that victims of Agent Orange can have a fair compensation for the miserable injuries they have been suffering. This well-deserved justice is long overdue and IADL will be side by side with the victims until they are duly compensated. IADL also calls for all other outrages of international humanitarian law against innocent civilians be stopped immediately. Yours very truly, Tran To Nga, born in 1942 in Soc Trang Province, was a reporter for the Liberation News Agency and was exposed to dioxin during the war. Medical examination shows that the level of dioxin in her blood is higher than the regulated limit, leading to serious health effects. She suffers from five out of the 17 diseases recognised as the diseases caused by Agent Orange. Not only her, but her children also have heart and bone deformities. Her first child died at the age of 17 months due to a congenital heart defect. In May 2009, Tran To Nga testified at the International People's Tribunal of Conscience in Paris for Vietnamese Agent Orange victims. Later, with the support of French lawyers and activists who advocated for Vietnamese Agent Orange victims, she decided to sue the American chemical companies. VNS HA NOI The Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs has proposed the Japanese Government receive Vietnamese labourers in restaurants and food processing production companies. These are two areas that Viet Nam has advantages, according to the ministrys survey. Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Ba Hoan made the proposal during his recent meeting with Nakano Hedeyuki, Japanese vice minister of justice. Hoan said in recent years, the number of Vietnamese labourers working in Japan has accounted for over 50 per cent of the total number of the Vietnamese working abroad every year. The two sides an have jointly conducted internship and exchange programmes such as technical internship, specified skilled workers, bringing Vietnamese nurses and midwives to work in Japan under the Viet Nam - Japan Economic Partnership Agreement. Hoan said in March, the ministry coordinated with the Japanese side to successfully organise an exam to assess skills in nursing care and agriculture. According to Nakano Hedeyuki, on March 15, the Japanese Government submitted to parliament the bill on reforming foreign internship programme as Japan wants to retain immigrant workers longer to address the labour scarcity due to an aging population. The reform will be implemented through a new programme focusing on developing skills and protecting workers' rights. "The Japanese government wants to attract foreign talent to work in the country for a long time, improve their skills and, importantly, prevent the risk of abusing workers' rights, he said. The new programme, if approved by the Japanese parliament, will take effect from 2027. In the future, Viet Nam will be the first priority partner in labour, he said, hoping that the two sides will soon start negotiations to exchange and discuss the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation. Nakano Hedeyuki said that Japan currently has 12 fields and occupations that receive specified skills. The Japanese Government recently added four specified skilled occupations that foreigners can work in as 'skilled workers', including road transport, railway transport; forestry and timber to alleviate labour shortages in these occupations. He hopes that Viet Nam will conduct surveys to provide specific and accurate information which serve as a basis for Japanese agencies to consider continuing to expand recruiting workers in skilled professions. VNS BA RIA-VUNG TAU The People's Court of Con ao District, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province recently tried a case involving the purchase, possession, and transportation of four hawksbill sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) eggs in April. According to the case file, in June 2023, while traveling with her family to Con ao, Le Thi Chi, (born in 1992, from Ha Noi), asked Pham Anh Tuan (born in 1997, from Quang Binh Province), a taxi driver, to find hawksbill sea turtle eggs. Tuan took Chi to meet Luong Kieu Tinh (born in 1980, from Kien Giang Province) to buy five turtle eggs at a price of VN250,000 per egg. Subsequently, Chi asked her mother-in-law, o Thi Le Hoa, to conceal these eggs in her suitcase to take them home. However, the individuals were detected and apprehended by law enforcement at Con ao Airport. Additionally, the examination results from the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources under the Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology determined that the four round objects in Hoa's suitcase were hawksbill sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) eggs. Another object could not be identified as a species because there was no DNA sequence result available. The People's Court of Con ao District, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province sentenced Luong Kieu Tinh (supplier of the sea turtle eggs) to 12 months in prison. Taxi driver Pham Anh Tuan (facilitator of sea turtle egg sales) received a 12-month prison sentence, which was suspended in favour of a 24-month probation period. o Thi Le Hoa and her daughter-in-law Le Thi Chi were fined VN500 million (US$19,680) and VN550 million respectively. The Hawksbill turtle, scientifically known as chelonia mydas, is one of five species of sea turtles naturally occurring in Viet Nam. They are also afforded the highest level of protection according to both Vietnamese and international regulations. In the list of prioritised protected species, hawksbill turtles are included in the appendix accompanying Decree 64/2019/ND-CP and Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). VNS Korea is in final consultations with China and Japan to hold a long-stalled trilateral summit of their leaders on May 26 and 27, according to the foreign ministry, Saturday. "South Korea, Japan and China agreed to hold the summit at the earliest date convenient for all sides," an official at the ministry said. "We have been in consultations with Japan and China as the current chair country." Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Qiang are expected to visit Seoul to meet with President Yoon Suk Yeol as Korea is the current rotating chair. The trilateral summit was last held in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu in December 2019. The summit was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and deterioration in Seoul-Tokyo relations over the issue of compensating Korean victims of forced labor during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. Talks of reviving the summit gathered momentum amid a dramatic warming of Seoul-Tokyo relations after South Korea said in March last year it will compensate the Korean victims on its own without asking for contributions from Japanese companies. (Yonhap) IEN BIEN The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) in the northern province of Dien Bien on May 4 evening offered incense and lit candles at Martyrs Cemetery A1 in ien Bien Phu city in memory of fallen soldiers on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of ien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954-2025). At the ceremony, local youths and representatives from the HCYU Central Committee and the administrations of ien Bien and the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang laid a wreath at the monument and offered incense at all tombs in the cemetery. The activity showed the profound gratitude of Vietnamese people in general and ien Bien youths in particular for the soldiers who laid down their lives for national independence and freedom. Martyrs Cemetery A1, built in 1958, is the resting place of 664 martyrs, but only four of them were identified - To Vinh Dien, Be Van an, Phan inh Giot, and Tran Can. The battle in Dien Bien Phu occurred between March and May 1954 under the command of General Vo Nguyen Giap. The victory led to the signing of the 1954 Geneva Accords in which France agreed to withdraw its forces from its colonies in Indochina. The Dien Bien Phu Victory on May 7, 1954, is considered a glorious golden milestone in the Vietnamese nations history of fighting foreign aggressors for national independence. It marked the complete collapse of old colonialism all over the world, paving the way for the movement of rising up to struggle for national liberation in colonial countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. - VNA/VNS The anti-corruption investigation office questioned the commander of the Marine Corps, Saturday, as part of a probe into an alleged influence-peddling case related to the death of a young Marine last year, according to officials. Marine Corps Commandant Lt. Gen. Kim Kye-hwan appeared at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, in the morning, while remaining tight-lipped when reporters asked him questions. Kim is suspected of being involved in the process of exerting undue influence on the military prosecution's handling of the inquiry involving a Marine - Chae Su-geun - who died during a search and rescue mission for civilian victims of flooding after heavy downpours last summer. In October, Col. Park Jung-hun, the Marines' former top investigator, was indicted on charges of insubordination and defamation of his superior after he handed over the probe findings regarding Chae's death to the civilian police despite then Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup ordering the Marine Corps' top commander to hold on to them for more legal deliberation. Park, who spearheaded the preliminary probe into the case, has claimed Kim ordered the case to be scaled down, citing requests from the Presidential Office. The military investigation team initially planned to refer eight suspects to the police over the Marine's death but was found to have later reduced the number of suspects to two. Park said Kim told him he was instructed to scale down the number of suspects after the then defense minister talked on the phone with "the VIP," which refers to a high-level official at the presidential office, on the matter. Kim reportedly denied the allegations and testified he never mentioned "the VIP" during his conversation with Park in a military prosecution probe last year, accusing Park of cooking up a story. After questioning Kim, the CIO is expected to summon former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and former Vice Defense Minister Shin Beom-chul on similar charges. (Yonhap) A man in his 40s was taken into custody by police for threatening a woman with a weapon in Seoul's southern district of Gangnam, Saturday morning, according to officials. Police said they dispatched officers to the scene after receiving an emergency report that a man was holding a woman hostage in a store selling household items near Gangnam Subway Station at about 9:30 a.m., and the officers detained the suspect about 25 minutes later. The victim is known to have been safely rescued. Police said they were investigating the motive of the crime and plans to ask for an arrest warrant on charges of attempted murder. (Yonhap) Brian McFeeters, senior vice president and regional managing director of the US-ASEAN Business Council, said that in the context that global investment flows are changing significantly, investors are seeking stable destinations. ASEAN is on the radar of many US companies for their investment, McFeeters told a plenary session within the ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) held last week in Hanoi. It is estimated that more than $360 billion has been put into the bloc by US investors so far. In ASEAN, Vietnam is one of the more attractive markets, where US companies have funded export-oriented sectors and then export goods back to the US, McFeeters added. According to Vietnams Ministry of Planning and Investment, cumulatively as of March 20, the US was Vietnams 11th largest foreign investor with total registered capital of over $11.83 billion for over 1,350 valid projects. Currently, the US is among the key export markets of Vietnam. Two-way trade between both countries soared from $450 million in 1995 when the two countries established their diplomatic relations, to $110.6 billion last year. The figure hit $29.7 billion in the first three months of 2024, up from $23.7 billion recorded in the same period last year. ASEAN encouraged to embrace global flows The US Export-Import Bank and Vietnam Development Bank recently signed a $500 million MoU to support US export financing to advance Vietnams green economy transition, infrastructure projects, and climate-related projects. However, McFeeters underlined that US investment into ASEAN should have been higher if investors had not faced some hurdles in applying digital solutions. Many cumbersome procedures remain and we want ASEAN to go digital more quickly, he said. For example, many small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are facing great difficulties with data storage as they are cash-strapped. Currently, a shared cross-border database is not applied in the region. If we have one, it will make it more favourable for investors. ASEAN leaders recently highlighted the ever increasingly pivotal role of digital technology in achieving an innovative, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economic growth in the region. Negotiations on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement are expected to be completed at the end of 2025, making it favourable to enterprises to perform with shared digital platforms. It was reported at the AFF that revenues from the digital economy last year in ASEAN are estimated to have reached $100 billion, up by eight times from 2016. The figure is expected to hit over $1 trillion in 2030. This year, under the chairmanship of Laos, ASEAN member states have committed to build the bloc into a more competitive investment environment, with Vietnam saying it will make bigger efforts to lure in more funding from the bloc and its partner countries. ASEAN ministers last month introduced 14 priority economic deliverables in various sectors, embracing agriculture, tourism, energy, intellectual property, digital transformation, SMEs, and others, as well as initiatives to strengthen supply chain and narrow the development gap among ASEAN member states. For trade, the ministers have agreed to further opening markets to ensure food security and strengthen the resilience and sustainability of the regional supply chain; not using new non-tariff measures; building up foundations for intra-bloc trade facilitation to support supply chain connectivity; and utilising digital technology and commerce to support businesses. Oh Young Ju, Minister of SMEs and Startups in South Korea and former South Korean Ambassador to Vietnam, told the AFF that the South Korean government is considering various programmes to help this nations companies to cooperate with businesses in Southeast Asia. This is aimed to creating effective supply chains for enterprises who can contribute to the regions economic development. The South Korean government also commits to facilitate all ASEAN businesses to participate in supply chains of South Korean enterprises, Ju said. ASEAN leaders have tasked economic ministers to future-proof the ASEAN Economic Community including through enhancing policies, strengthening protection, as well as ensuring transparency and certainty of relevant laws and regulations, and promoting convergence in competition policy while still considering each member states sensitivities and levels of development to attract quality and sustainable funding. At the end of 2022, regional member states also agreed that they should adopt a holistic approach to building a competitive facilitation climate, which will allow them to lure in more foreign direct investment within the bloc and from its five partners of China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. To keep ASEAN as a centre of economic growth, it must boost its economic links, expand intra-bloc markets and unleash trade and investment flows, stated Vietnams PM Pham Minh Chinh. Member states need to remove obstructions on policies and institutions, while stably keeping intra-bloc supply chains in order to improve the regions resilience against global challenges. It should also focus on reviewing and upgrading existing free trade agreements and negotiating new ones between ASEAN and its partners so as to create new momentum for economic development, the PM added. ASEAN Future Forum 2024 enters first session The first session of the ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) in Hanoi on April 23 focused on fast and sustainable growth for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Ministry provides media training on global integration The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) held a workshop on April 25 to provide media training on global integration, UNESCO, and ASEAN for reporters and editors from press agencies in Hanoi. UK supports ASEANs economic integration The UK delegation to ASEAN held a seminar in Jakarta, Indonesia on April 24 to discuss the ASEAN-UK economic integration programme. Signatory countries have agreed to cooperate on regulations and standards, thus reducing non-tariff barriers. They have accepted common obligations on food regulations, environmental protections, the digital economy, and regulations governing investment, labour, financial services, and other sectors. In addition, member countries have agreed to exchange information on state-owned enterprises, as they could be a source of unfair competition. Patrick Lenain, senior associate Council on Economic Policies As a modern trade agreement, the CPTPP includes provisions to liberalise trade in services and in digital data. The agreement also helps to remove digital barriers, like data localisation requirements. Financial services are included, allowing banks to operate in other member countries on a level playing field with domestic firms, while it also includes rules to protect investors from unfair, arbitrary, or discriminatory treatment. Five years on, there is no doubt that Vietnam has increased its exports to the CPTPP 500-million customer market, and it has gained greater access to consumers in Australia, Canada, Japan, and Mexico. According to the International Monetary Funds Direction of Trade Statistics, exports of merchandises to CPTPP members increased by an impressive 42 per cent since the agreement entered into force. This is an illustration of a general increase in intra-CPTPP trade. For example, Vietnamese exports to Canada almost doubled in five years to reach over $6 billion last year. While impressive, Canada remains a small market for Vietnamese exporters relative to the United States and China. What is more, almost half of these exports to Canada are electronic equipment, such as Samsung and Apple smartphones a lack of diversification that can be risky in the case of changing consumer preferences. Exports to Australia have also increased fast, with about $5.6 billion sold by Vietnamese exporters last year. The pattern is similar, with a strong concentration in consumer electronics such as mobile telephone and only limited diversification outside this category. Exports to Japan represent a more impressive value of $24 billion, but with little gain since the entry into force of the CPTPP. Meanwhile, Vietnams exports outside the CPTPP trading bloc have increased fast in fact even faster with a growth rate of 49 per cent since 2018. Most impressively, exports to the United States have more than doubled during this period and now approach $100 billion. Vietnamese exports to China of about $60 billion outweigh the sales to any of the member countries. Because it excludes key players such as China and the United States, the CPTPP fails to imprint a strong impulse onto Vietnams economy. The share of exports to the trading bloc is only 15 per cent, whereas exports to China and the United States alone account for almost half of the countrys total exports. Of course, small gains matter and access to new markets may be a crucial milestone for individual exporters but the integration of Vietnam in global value chains is mostly driven by its trade with China and the United States. While the gains achieved by the CPTPP may seem modest at present, this could change in the future. The accession of new members, such as the United Kingdom, has the potential to elevate the CPTPP to a more prominent position in the global trading landscape. However, it is important to acknowledge the challenges that CPTPP faces. For instance, the likelihood of China joining the agreement remains low, and the prospect of a reversal of the United States decision seems improbable under present circumstances. Improving the functioning of the CPTPP could help. It lacks a secretariat such as the European Commission Directorate-General for Competition in charge of monitoring and enforcing trade rules and preventing anti-competitive behaviour. What is more, the CPTPP dispute-settlement mechanism is rarely used, reducing the incentive to avoid discriminatory measures. In the meantime, Vietnamese exporters could do more to fully take advantage of the CPTPP and boost their exports. As an illustration, exporters should always provide certificates of origin complying with the trade agreements provisions. To take advantage of low tariffs granted under the trade treaty, exporters need to show evidence of minimum content originating from member nations. As they get more familiar with the CPTPP, Vietnamese firms will learn to take advantage of its provisions and expand their reach to customers overseas. However, these procedures are time-consuming and costly for small- and medium-sized enterprises, which would benefit from help to improve their export readiness. As recommended by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the relevant ministries and government agencies should broaden their support to such businesses in export promotion by providing market information, access to export consultancy, and opportunities for business programmes. By proactively leveraging the CPTPP and collaborating with other governments to expand its membership and strengthen implementation, Vietnam can chart a path of sustained economic integration on the global stage. Through strategic partnerships, it can unlock the full potential of the CPTPP, facilitating greater access to international markets and fostering economic growth. By prioritising inclusive policies and equitable distribution of benefits, Vietnam can ensure that the rewards of global economic integration are shared among all citizens, contributing to widespread prosperity and improved welfare of the people. CPTPP milestone marks nations economic integration Vietnam is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Prof. Dr. Andreas Stoffers from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in Hanoi reflects on the multifaceted impact of this landmark agreement on the nations economic landscape. Names like FPT have been active in engaging with M&As for a decade, Photo: Shutterstock At last weeks AGM, Thanh Cong Textile Corporation (TCM) announced its acquisition of the SY Vina textile plant. The plant was previously under the ownership of E-Land Asia Holdings Pte. Ltd. This strategic purchase provides TCM with a crucial dyeing permit, facilitating the companys foray into high-value fabric segments targeted for the US market. The acquisition of SY Vina not only equips us with essential dyeing capabilities but also propels our diversification into premium textile products, noted a TCM executive. Earlier in March, FPT Corporations strategic acquisition of Next Advanced Communications from Japan substantially enhances its expertise by incorporating 300 skilled Japanese engineers specialising in strategic consulting, design, and systems planning. Do Van Khac, CEO of FPT Japan, said, This acquisition is a key component of our strategy to generate $1 billion in revenue from the Japanese market by 2027, with plans to ensure that more than half of the workforce in Japan consists of international employees. FPT is navigating significant challenges such as Japans ageing population, labour shortages, and complex IT systems, he added. Our approach involves building a robust local engineering team and partnering with Japanese enterprises to maintain seamless operations amid geopolitical hurdles. We are also committed to cultivating a diverse workplace culture, Khac said. FPT has been actively engaging in mergers and acquisitions (M&As) since 2014, targeting leading global technology firms. Last year, it also acquired 80 per cent of AOSIS, a French technology consultancy, significantly expanding its network and adding a substantial number of tech experts in Europe. The AOSIS integration widens our European and global footprint, enhancing our ability to support clients digital transformation journeys, an FPT spokesperson stated. Before the AOSIS transaction, FPT had already made significant moves in the global market by investing in US-based Landing AI, and acquiring Cardinal Peak, a North American tech engineering firm. Coteccons Construction Corporation in February announced the successful acquisition of 100 per cent interest in two infrastructure-focused businesses, Sinh Nam Metal Vietnam and UG Mechanical & Electrical Vietnam. Both companies are notable for their foreign investment-backed operations. This move marks a significant expansion for Coteccons, previously recognised for its robust portfolio in civil and industrial construction. With these acquisitions, the company strategically broadens its capabilities into infrastructure projects, including airports, transportation networks, and various public works. In December 2023, Coteccons acquireda full stake in electromechanical company Sinh Nam Metal Vietnam, aiming to broaden its operational scope and enhance its market presence through diversification and brand strengthening. Established in 2008, Sinh Nam Metal designs, manufactures, and installs aluminium and glass facade systems, coupled with offering project management services for mid to high-end projects. These initiatives underscore a revival in the prominence of domestic enterprises within the global M&A landscape. Prominent Vietnamese corporations have been actively purchasing foreign companies in deals often exceeding $100 million since 2019. Notable players include Masan, Vinamilk, Gelex, Thaco, REE, and Bamboo Capital Group (BCG). In late 2021, BCG and BCG Financial emerged as the largest shareholders in AAA a non-life insurance company from Australian insurance group IAG. A fortnight ago, BCG revealed its plans to enhance AAA Insurances capitalisation and list it for trading on the Unlisted Public Company Market. Hopes raised for M&A improvement in 2024 With 2023 focused on finding a balance to move towards sustainable development, Vietnams mergers and acquisitions market is forecast to converge, ready for a new growth phase. Notable new inked M&A deals set tone for the rest of the year Although the start of the year often spells a quieter period for mergers and acquisitions, 2024 has seen some notable deals announced. The AWEEV project from CARE International has provided better livelihoods for women in Ha Giang province, Photo: Van Viet The role and position of ethnic minority women in Ha Giang is steadily improving, thanks to some major initiatives. At Tien Nguyen and Yen Thanh communes of Yen Binh town in Quang Binh district, the positive initial results of a project Advancing Womens Economic Empowerment in Vietnam (AWEEV) by CARE International is clear. Truong Thi Nhau, a Dao ethnic woman in Tien Nguyen commune, lives in extremely tough conditions in Quang Binh. From the centre of the commune, it is only a few kilometres to Hong Son village, where her family lives, but the roads are craggy and steep, barely big enough for a motorbike to pass through. Coming from a poor household, her only assets were two buffaloes, swept away by floods in August 2022. At that time, we were too depressed. Both my parents had passed away so we had no support, and the two children are too young. Our capital and assets were swept away, while the loan for buying the buffalo had not been paid yet, she said. One year later, Nhau was asked to join the goat farming group under the AWEEV project. She got a loan of $200 without lending rates to buy two breeding goats. Learning from others, Nhau and her husbands goat farming business thrived. Five more goats were soon born. At the current goat price of about $5 per kilogramme, we have earned some profit based on the $200 initial loan, she said. Several other women are receiving loans in the goat farming group of Hong Son village. Every household can borrow for 18 months, divided into two principal payments. The purchased goat breeds are growing very well and the herd is increasing rapidly. Realising the effectiveness of the project, other women want to join the group. They not only receive preferential loans, but are also guided in knowledge, skills, and sharing experiences in the economic model, said Dang Xa Tram, head of the group. The village has many ponds and lakes, along with good climate and soil. Some women have chosen raising short-necked ducks adapted to climatic conditions. The AWEEV project has provided capital at $1,250 and egg incubators, and the first 10 households have already received interest-free loans for six months to develop the flock. Hoang Thi Lien, a group member, said she raises ducks for meat and eggs. For sales, we dont need to carry them far. We post it on the Zalo group of the village womens union to sell them immediately. Every duck can sell for $10, Lien said. Quang Binh district is located at the western tip of Ha Giang province. With an area of nearly 792 square kilometres, it is home to many ethnic minority communities like Mong, Dao, Tay, and Pa Then, whose incomes mainly come from agricultural production, forestry, and services. The area has a poverty rate of 26.4 per cent. Support to start a business In addition to livelihood model groups, in early 2023, CARE announced support activities for women to start businesses, enhancing economic empowerment for ethnic minority women. Hung Thi Dang of the Pa Then ethnic group, whose population is over 5,000, said that Thuong Binh village in Yen Thanh commune was a well-known tea-growing area of the province. Seeing the potential of the tea market and the ways to improve the income of tea growers, Dang thought of a factory to process tea. In early 2023, CARE organised a competition to support women in starting a business, she participated and convinced the organisers to support part of the costs, machinery and equipment, and training in tea processing techniques. Although tea is the main source of income, very few people have the skills of care, and harvesting, and do not know how to improve the quality of tea buds. We sold to wholesalers at very low prices, Dang said. Then participating in a project supporting womens startups, she received guidance, and training, and was able to draw up a business plan. Three months after building the factory and receiving technical training CARE provided four machines for free and a loan of tens of thousands of US dollars, she started producing and selling good-quality dry tea at higher prices than before. Before working in tea, my income was only about $120-160 per month by doing numerous things. And now, my monthly income is about $290-330, so my livelihood is getting much better in addition to creating some jobs for other people here, Dang said. In Yen Binh town, Hoang Thi Hiens mushroom growing workshop has been developing well. She had the idea of growing mushrooms since 2008, but her dream came true after getting assistance from the AWEEV project, which has already provided an interest-free loan of more than $4,580 and a potting machine worth more than $1,250. I started with 20,000 mushroom gourds and can now deliver high standard and quality products to the market, Hien said. Empowering ethnic women Nguyen Thi Quyen, chairwoman of the Quang Binh districts Womens Union, said that six of 15 communes in the district that are under the coverage of CAREs project were struggling, and some villages do not even have electricity. CAREs project has made a great impact on the socioeconomic development of the district, especially contributing to hunger eradication and poverty reduction for ethnic minorities, Quyen said. In 2022, the poverty rate of the entire district was 15.08 per cent and decreased to 9.24 per cent by the end of 2023. And the rate of near-poor households in was 11.32, and 7.83 per cent, respectively. All aspects of womens lives have been changing significantly. CARE supplied numerous production materials such as banana slicers, wood-saving stoves, and kitchens at kindergartens, so that women spend less time doing housework, less time taking care of their children, and more on business and taking care of themselves. Over recent years, the economic status of ethnic minority women has improved remarkably. Awareness of womens economic empowerment and gender equality is raised. Ethnic minority women are gradually asserting themselves and being autonomous in orienting their familys production and business, Quyen said. In six communes, there are 32 self-managed livelihood and savings credit groups, including over 730 members, lending to nearly 150 women, with annual savings of over $40,000. The women are excited because they have money to borrow on a rotating basis, and they still have savings to divide at the end of the year. Some new business ideas, that were once only cherished in their heads, have been supported. Some women have succeeded in their own startups. The communitys and mens awareness of women has also changed, and some work that used to be carried out by women is now taken care of by men. Nguyen Duc Thanh, manager of development projects of CARE International in Vietnam, said that the AWEEV project supported women-led livelihood development to improve the economic wellbeing of ethnic minority women. The project puts women at the centre, developing economic models that women themselves discuss, decide on and choose to invest in, suitable to the conditions of each area. That is one of the most outstanding aspects of AWEEV, Thanh said. AWEEV, funded by the Canadian government, is being implemented for 2021-2025 by CARE International. Its target is over 2,630 ethnic minority women and men in the districts of Tam Duong in Lai Chau province and Quang Binh in Ha Giang province, with a total cost of more than $3.45 million. The project will directly contribute to the national programme on socioeconomic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, as well as the national strategy on gender equality. The project addresses key issues, such as supporting livelihoods, reducing the burden of care work, improving womens decision-making, promoting access to financial services, and enhancing the economic status of ethnic minority women. Brighter Path programme hosts empowerment meeting for ethnic minority girls VinaCapital Foundation and the Vu A Dinh Scholarship Fund convened ethnic minority female scholars from the Brighter Path programme for its Annual Empowerment Meeting from August 15-18 in Hanoi. Mong ethnic people in Thanh Hoa enjoy better quality of life Home to over 19,500 Mong ethnic people, the central province of Thanh Hoa has carried out a number of socio-economic development programmes and projects to give a facelift to areas where they live. What is Vespa's key approach to leverage the power of its people as well as the creativity of Vietnamese artists and craftsmanship? To me, the market is an ongoing conversation around the emotions and stories that people and Vespa convey to each other. The main players are the Vietnamese people, who make everything possible by harmonising with the vibes that Vespa does express: liberty, art, happiness, smile, joy of life, and feelings. At Piaggio, we emphasise that People is our fifth brand, besides the four iconic brands of Vespa, Piaggio, Moto Guzzi, and Aprilia. The people at Vespa are an ecosystem of all our employees, our partners, our suppliers, authority agencies, and most importantly, our customers, who are always at the core of our strategies and daily actions. The market is an ongoing conversation around the emotions and stories that people and Vespa convey to each other. With the strong development of the Vinh Phuc factory, what is the secret of Vespa to explore Vietnamese creativity? Our Vinh Phuc factory is a laboratory for creating emotions which are infused into each product. Our factory might feature the application of the most advanced technology and automotive machinery. However, it is not the deciding factor: people are the factors that make up our personality and brands DNA. We aim to foster an environment where everyone is valued and respected while contributing to the creation of joy. To me, this endeavour is not merely a job; it's a mission in which delivering a customer-centric mindset has become the winning formula, fulfilling with the finest craftsmanship in art and culture. Consequently, when customers purchase a Vespa, they're not just buying a scooter; they're investing in a narrative, a piece of artistry. Why did Vespa choose Vietnam as the brand's next destination? 16 years ago, Piaggio Group identified the emerging potential of Vietnam, and was determined to establish the first 2-wheel factory and the first research and development (R&D) centre of Asia here in Vinh Phuc. From that beginning, Vietnam was set as Piaggio Group's central hub for the Asia-Pacific region. Ever since, the R&D centre has strengthened the bond with our headquarters in Italy, celebrating the Italian design mindset which has escalated us to be one of a few global trendsetting companies. Thanks to that collective collaboration, Vietnam has become our homeland and fortress in Asia. There are various factors behind our decision to choose Vietnam. Vietnam offers a suitable geographic and business landscape for our industry, alongside strong potential for development. More than that, by sharing a common love for beauty and design as the Italian, the Vietnamese people have wholeheartedly embraced the essence of Vespa, creating a harmonious fusion of vibes that embodies the ethos of Italian and Vespa culture. This April also marked the seventh anniversary of my arrival in Vietnam. Over the past seven years, I have been not only a businessman, but a people of this land, living and working in my own home. And that gives me a lot of positive energy and a source of motivation to continue thriving in my journey. The Spotless Strategy is not a destination but a mindset for us to constantly rise and conquer new challenges. Could you share more about Piaggio Asias Spotless Strategy being implemented across the region? The strategy is our guiding narrative focusing on core values: paying attention to the individual, product quality, a long-term vision, and devotion to customers. Our job is to combine technology, engineering, and emotions to craft and deliver the most distinctive products. Every day we seek relentless progress, drive continuous innovation, and empower individuals. This is not a destination, but a mindset for us to constantly rise and conquer new challenges. This strategy is the spirit of Vespa, with our collective effort to reach higher standards every day. It is a never-ending journey, of which we will strive to go beyond the norms to become more spotless in every aspect, from product design to customer experience. We gradually reflect on the Spotless Strategy through our daily activities and constant encouragement to our employees, so that they feel motivated to explore and be ready to tackle challenges for self-improvement. Most importantly, we should always be proud of this journey. In celebrating Vespas 78th birthday, can you share more about upcoming plans for future development in Vietnam? Vietnam stands as the first and most important market in Asia, where our mission is to set the best practice in the region. Undeniably, Vietnam's market plays a pivotal role in propelling Vespa's progress throughout Asia. In a rapidly changing world, adaptability and an open mindset are imperative. Tomorrow will not be the same as today; thus, we should always keep moving forward while upholding the fundamental trajectory of customer-centricity modality. As Vespa celebrates its 78th anniversary, we will remain committed to continuous improvements. Through narratives rooted in our customer approach, we aim to evoke a sense of joy, happiness, and beauty among our supporters, leaving them yearning for more. AEO certification a testament to Piaggio's success Piaggio was awarded the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) certification on March 6 in compliance with its alignment with Vietnam Customs standards and practices. VIRs Bich Ngoc discussed this significant milestone with Gianluca Fiume, general director of Piaggio Vietnam and president of Piaggio Asia-Pacific. Piaggio Vietnam honoured by General Department of Vietnam Customs Piaggio Vietnam has been recognised with the designation of the Authorised Economic Operation (AEO) by the General Department of Vietnam Custom, in compliance of international trade standards and high level of business ethics. What are the key focuses of the initiative and how will it benefit the businesses of the two countries? Takeo Nakajima, chief representative of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in Hanoi In March, the Vietnam-Japan Joint Initiative in a New Era kicked off, integrating the previous 11 working teams into five. The initiative will focus on improving the legal and institutional system and addressing fundamental business needs. These needs include energy transition, innovation promotion, strengthening supply chains, and developing highly skilled human resources. Although the basic structure remains the same, involving various Vietnamese ministries and agencies, the public and private sectors, and progress presented approximately two years later, the content has become more symbolic of Japan-Vietnam relations as business partners. For example, transitioning to green energy is vital for Vietnam and the wider region, including Japan. Vietnam can employ technology and business models from Japan and other countries. Also, as we see more business promotion elements, there is an increasing overlap with JETROs activities. We have focused on promoting innovation and enhancing supply chains over the past three years. We want to contribute to this area with tools such as matching companies and providing information. How has Japanese investment changed since the launch of the Vietnam-Japan Joint Initiative in 2003? It started as an agreement between the leaders of both countries. The governments, Japanese companies, and industries will work together to improve Vietnams investment climate. It is a remarkable initiative that will enhance Vietnams attractiveness and create a win-win relationship between the two countries. Government agencies and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam are collaborating alongside counterparts in this country. The joint initiative has undeniably succeeded, significantly expanding investment from Japan to Vietnam. The initiative, with its substantial improvements in investment conditions and the reassuring message of dialogue remaining open, has instilled confidence and peace of mind in investors. Japanese investment in Vietnam has expanded dramatically. In 2003, investment was $4 billion, accounting for just 9 per cent of Vietnams total. Year by year, the value and share have grown, reaching $75 billion and a 16 per cent share in 2023. Japan is a crucial investor for Vietnam, ranking third in amount and second in number. In addition, the two countries are binding partners in official development assistance, trade volume, and peoples and tourism exchanges. In order to further enhance Vietnams industrial competitiveness, a public-private partnership initiative was launched about two decades ago, based on consensus between the leaders of Vietnam and Japan. How has it been performing so far? The initiative has a cycle of approximately two years. The two sides define specific issues in each field as an action plan to visualise the progress towards the final meeting. The evaluation consists of four levels from implemented to not implemented, and the ratio of implemented and progressed as planned has reached approximately 80 per cent. In each phase, Japan and Vietnam identify up-to-date issues and work towards improvement, so the impact of their progress in solving problems is also significant. For example, in the eighth phase, from October 2021 to March 2023, both sides discussed Vietnams judicial precedent system, investment law, labour environment, the securities market, renewable energy, innovation, and many other areas. International investors are eyeing opportunities in AI and semiconductors. How about Japanese firms? AI and semiconductors are paramount sectors for Japan, and there is a two-way movement to attract investment to Japan and Vietnam. Regarding investment in Japan, foreign IT companies with strong AI capabilities are investing in Japan. The need is increasing dramatically due to changes in Japans industrial structure, consumer behaviour, and labour shortages. From Vietnam, major IT players such as FPT and CMC and emerging tech startups like NTQ have expanded into Japan and are actively growing. The same goes for semiconductors. In the past few years, semiconductor giants such as Taiwans TSMC, Micron Technology, and SanDisk have announced notable investment plans in Japan. Also, the number of cases in which Japanese IT firms conduct AI development in Vietnam is rapidly increasing. The Japanese head offices outsource their tasks to their Vietnamese subsidiaries. Additionally, Vietnamese IT companies in Japan get more contracts from Japanese firms and exercise AI development work collaboratively with their Vietnamese bases. FPTs biggest customer is Japan. In Vietnam, there is an increasing number of collaborative projects in retail and transportation using AI between Vietnamese IT firms and Japan. Japanese investments in the semiconductor industry in Vietnam are mainly in equipment manufacturing. Japans strengths lie in equipment, materials, sensors, memory, and electronic substrates, essential elements of the semiconductor industry. Each company may decide where to manufacture these products, but Vietnam is one of the substantial bases. Vietnam also has strengths in semiconductor programming and software development. Renesas Electronics, for example, fully utilises Vietnams development capabilities. Vietnam - Japan extensive strategic partnership President Tran Dai Quang and his spouse will pay a State-level visit to Japan from May 29 and June 2. The visit aims to bolster the close relationship and political trust between senior leaders of Vietnam and Japan, contributing to strengthening the bilateral extensive strategic partnership. By Robert Neff On February 24, 1893, the British warship, HMS Caroline, sailed along the coast of Korea near Geomundo Islands. On board was 32-year-old Sub-Lieutenant William Stanley Lambert an officer who was definitely not happy. He had been temporarily assigned to this ship to replace a lieutenant who, in an evil moment, had become too ill to go to sea. For nearly a month, Lambert would sail with HMS Caroline as it traveled to Shanghai, Geomundo Islands, various ports in Japan and then return to Hong Kong. Lambert was no stranger to Korean waters. In fact, amongst the crew, he was probably the first to visit the kingdom even before it opened to the West when he was only 12 years old. His is an interesting history, but Lambert is not the protagonist nor subject of this article, it is his Captain, Charles J. Norcock, and what he viewed on that night. It was just after 10 p.m., When Captain Norcock witnessed a strange spectacle of lights in the sky about 30 kilometers off the coast of Jeju Island. According to Norcock: It was a windy, cold, moonlight night. My first impression was that they were either some fires on shore, apparently higher from the horizon than a ships masthead, or some junks flare up lights raised by a mirage. To the naked eye they sometimes appeared as a mass; at others, spread out in an irregular line, and, being globular in form, they resembled Chinese lanterns festooned between the masts of a lofty vessel. They bore north (magnetic), and remained on that bearing until lost sight of about midnight. As the ship was passing the land to the eastward at the rate of seven knots an hour it soon became obvious that the lights were not on the land, though observed with the mountain behind them. Undaunted, the warship continued with its voyage, but the following night, at just about the same time, the strange lights reappeared: The globes of fire altered in their formation as on the previous night, now in a massed group, with an outlying light away to the right, then the isolated one would disappear, and the others would take the form of a crescent or diamond, and hang festoon-fashion in a curved line. A clear reflection or glare could be seen on the horizon beneath the lights. Through a telescope, the globes appeared to be of a reddish color, and to emit a thin smoke. Throughout the following day, the Caroline continued along Koreas southern coast without incident. As in the previous night, the strange lights once again appeared at about 10 p.m. Norcock carefully noted the night was clear, cold and lit by the moon, and there was no land in the direction of the lights when they were first detected. The lights seemed to shadow the warship throughout the night, running parallel to it, and only disappeared with the mornings dawn. Norcock could not explain it. From the direction the lights had appeared, there was no land, so he probably ruled out fires on shore or the Bonghwadae (signal-fire sites) of Jeju Island. I find his account interesting, especially when compared with Lamberts letter to his parents. Lamberts letter was filled with common sailor complaints and said nothing about these lights: Nearly all our sea work may be described as headwinds, rough sea and rain. We went from Shanghai to Port Hamilton [Geomundo] south of Korea where we stayed four hours. Thence to Kobe, where we stayed a day & got a run ashore. Norcock, however, claimed that while in Kobe, he learned his ship was not the only one to have witnessed these strange lights. Captain William C. Castle, the commander of the HMS Leander, also confessed to seeing the lights. He initially thought they were a signal by a ship in distress but when they approached the lights, the lights altered their altitude. Unsure of what he was seeing, Castle surmised that it was volcanic activity on Mount Halla. Pressed for time, he resumed his course. Actually, these were a well-known phenomenon in Japanese waters especially when the weather was very cold, stormy and/or clear. Various writers, including a guide book for travelers, discussed the possible causes for these sea fireworks that sometimes sent up two to three feet tall strange weird flames that stretched for miles. But these usually lasted for only a few seconds before they reappeared elsewhere. Norcock concluded his experience was something in the nature of St. Elmos fire, but one modern writer, Martin Shough, speculates the likely cause was Japanese squid fishing boats using fire as lures. Shoughs book, Redemption of the Damned, Vol. 1, Aerial Phenomena (2019), examination of this incident is a wonderful read, however, like myself, he was unable to find HMC Carolines logbook. I think it would be very interesting to see what the deck officer wrote. Was he impressed or startled by the lights, or was he like Lambert, who was so unimpressed that he didnt even bother to mention it. Robert Neff has authored and co-authored several books, including Letters from Joseon, Korea Through Western Eyes and Brief Encounters. As a part of its long-term development strategy, this project is expected to bring a significant transformation to this immunonutrition giant. Business acceleration and ambition for market share growth Over the past five years, VitaDairy has achieved rapid growth and is often seen as a "case study" by competitors in the industry. With the business landscape showing positive signs of recovery, the competition among big players is becoming more intense, and VitaDairy is no longer satisfied with its pioneering position in the market. The company has invested heavily in a partnership with KPMG and SAP to launch V-UP. Digital transformation has become inevitable for businesses globally. It requires strong ambition and determination from businesses to transform and prime themselves for greater growth. Therefore, VitaDairy's partnership with the world's leading names in ERP is a big strategic move that will help the company optimise resources, improve business efficiency and business development, and achieve its long-term strategy and vision. The extent of VitaDairy's ambition to increase its market share is currently unknown, but the brand's growth over five years has been remarkable. An unofficial report suggests that its revenue has increased 20 times thanks to its ability to address the complex challenges of market demands. Among these challenges, immunonutrition has been the most prominent, followed by specialised nutrition and liquid milk. The latest ranking by Vietnam Report reveals that VitaDairy is the only food and beverage company to make it on to the top 10 list of the fastest-growing companies in 2024, alongside financial and industrial giants. Time for VitaDairys transformation Established in 2005 and specialising in the nutrition segment, VitaDairy has had to face severe market changes. The founders, who were accustomed to providing medical and health restoration treatments for patients, were not experienced in developing a business. However, in 2018, after undergoing a significant overhaul and thanks to the contribution of the younger generation, VitaDairy underwent a remarkable transformation. Following the overhaul, VitaDairy leaders have redefined their missions and shifted their core business to the immunonutrition segment to better address consumers needs. This move has allowed VitaDairy to offer a complete menu of dairy products that cater to the Vietnamese market. Thanks to the new strategic focus, despite being a relatively new player in the dairy industry, VitaDairy has emerged as one of the leaders in the field. Over the past five years, the company has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to exclusively acquire the ColosIgG24h colostrum ingredient from a prominent American corporation for its product development in Vietnam. VitaDairy consistently conducts marketing and product launches, sales promotions, and after-sales campaigns across all channels. Its new product launches are strategically developed with a consumer-centric approach, which has gained popularity and generated significant discussions on social media platforms. The company's new products constantly occupy prime shelf space at major supermarkets and retail stores. VitaDairy has been expanding its manufacturing ecosystem, which includes nutrition formula and liquid milk factories, as well as warehouses, in both the northern and southern regions. Additionally, the VitaDairy Tasmania dairy farms in Australia have grown significantly and now employ thousands of workers. With its current manufacturing capacity and skilled workforce, VitasDairy is well-positioned for further growth opportunities. VitaDairy has a clear ambition to establish a global presence in the immunonutrition market. It is evident that this business has made a positive contribution to the nutritional formula market, the dairy industry, and the Vietnamese economy. VitaDairy's boldness and determination to keep up with global trends along with similar efforts of other local enterprises are a positive sign for the Vietnamese economy. Dairy groups take on greener vision Being more environmentally minded in terms of both products and supply chains could be a gateway to help dairy businesses get closer to consumers as well as expand export markets. VitaDairy partners with KPMG Vietnam on digital transformation VitaDairy Vietnam JSC and KPMG Vietnam have signed a deal to implement digital transformation, with the help of Hanoi-based software company SAP Vietnam. WATERLOO A Denver man is in front of a jury for the second time in a 2022 fire that claimed the life of his friend. John Walter Spooner, 61, was convicted of arson during a November 2022 trial for the blaze at 309 E. Second St. that killed Tony Grider, 60. On Wednesday, testimony in front of a new jury began in Spooners trial for first-degree murder, a charge that carries a mandatory life sentence upon conviction. Assistant County Attorney Charity Sullivan charged Spooner under a felony murder theory, arguing that while Spooner may have not intended to kill Grider, Grider died after Spooner committed the arson. Defense attorney Nichole Watt maintains Spooner didnt start the fire. And in this trial, the defense has something it didnt have in the first proceeding testimony from experts who will dispute the states version of how the fire broke out. During opening statements, Watt characterized Griders home as a hoarder house, noting that Grider had held it out as a sober living facility. She said the situation at the house wasnt very sober and was the scene of suspected meth use. Spooner, a longtime friend of Grider, had been staying at the house for several days before the fire. On the night of Aug. 18, 2022, Spooner remained in the first-floor living room after everyone else headed for bed, said Ellen Hammett, who was also staying at the home. She said she was uneasy around him. I felt uncomfortable around Mr. Spooner, Hammett told jurors. Just past her bedroom door, she heard Spooner pacing around and people arguing outside. A short time later around 6:25 a.m. a neighbor noticed Spooner walking around outside, flicking a lighter and talking about lighting it up and something about they will come out and that he did what I had to do. The neighbor recorded Spooner with her phone and then drove off. From there, a security camera from a nearby church recorded footage of Spooner walking up to Griders front porch and tossing a gas can. Smoke and flames could be seen a short time later. Hammett and Daniel Luck, who lived upstairs, were able to escape with the help of passersby who noticed the smoke. But Grider, a heavy sleeper, wasnt as lucky. Sullivan said fire investigators determined the fire started on the front porch. Watt said a defense expert concluded the fire started in the living room area, possibly with an extension cord or rope lights or with a discarded cigarette butt. Jurors also got a glimpse inside the room where Grider spent his last night. In photos taken after the fire, jurors could see pink-and-white giving way to soot encrusted black walls and ceiling. A bed was against one wall with a cross hanging above it. An ajar wooden door was also covered in soot on the hallway side. Lt. Josh Heller with Waterloo Fire Rescue described how he was in the first engine on the scene. Firefighters immediately hooked up hoses and sprayed water on the flames that engulfed the porch. We extinguished the majority of it to make it safe for us to advance. There were still some hot spots . But at that point, rescue was more important than fire suppression, Heller said. As they topped the stairs which had acted as a chimney, funneling all of the heat and smoke into the second story firefighters found Griders bedroom. The door was open, and Grider was unconscious face-down on the floor next to the bed. Heller shook him and got no response. We used a sheet that was on the bed and rolled him onto that sheet and took that sheet back down the same way we came, Heller said. Grider was taken to UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital and declared dead about an hour later. By David A. Tizzard Human existence is a funny thing. We are smart. We are stupid. We are capable of breathtaking feats of beauty, heart wrenching moments of cruelty, and pure nihilism as we sit, glued to a rectangular square, watching video after video play, showing everything but teaching nothing. Some believe we are driven by power, some by pleasure. Viktor Frankl, however, explored our need for meaning. His was the suggestion that if we have a why, we can endure any what. Make us taskless, jobless animals and we expire. Provide our lives with a purpose, and we flourish. When we experience meaningless, we become more prone to addiction and depression. The likelihood of us falling into ennui increases. And from that position, we then seek to fill the void in our lives with hedonistic pleasure, porn, materialism, greed and all sorts of neurotic obsessions. We aim our existence at happiness and find only the opposite. Instead of revolution, we get depression. This is modernity. This is Korea a country far safer, freer and developed than it has been at any time in its history. And yet the media tells us everyone is unhappy. Perhaps people are not unhappy. Maybe they are struggling for meaning. The great goals of the country have been achieved. The military has been overthrown. The fields have been turned into shopping malls. The women released from their cultural straightjackets. But now what? Where is the "why" of all of this? For what purpose has all this been achieved? To kick dirt in Japans face? To show Pyongyang they chose the wrong path? Most young people care about neither of those. Ode to the young They are devoid of meaning. Their gods have been killed. Their tasks removed. And the capitalist system tells them, endlessly, buy, buy, buy. Be yourself. Be happy. Be YOU! That is the ultimate goal in life: to be an authentic product. A collectors item. A unique commodity. Irreplaceable. A constant state of becoming the next thing you are meant to be. It costs money. You will be alone. You will compete. But it is the path to success. The century of the self. The planet of one. The temple of my selfies. Careless angels are in charge. They give us disease. A pain in our being, feeding off us. And if only we pay the cost, they will be gone. Shut your eyes, dont look. These are the times we are scared of. Fate haunts us. The winners and losers will be clear. We fake our smiles. Our proverbs, collective wisdom, and religious texts all warned us of such folly. Seek not yourself. Do not pursue narcissism. Find beauty in the other. Pride comes before the fall. No man is an island. These ideas held on for so long because they not only matter, they point to a truth. A deep truth. Something that carries across the eons, transcending national borders and fleeting cultural changes. As humans, we are not of today. We are not of yesterday. Instead, we are of an immense age. Carrying tens of thousands of years of programing inside us. Just as a dog will always be a dog, and a fish will always be a fish, so we as humans will always be a human. And there is an instruction manual to this life. More than one, in fact. And they all remind us that we are meant not to exist for ourselves. That, in the grand scheme of things, we do not matter. Zoom out and we become one in a great chain of existence. Only by becoming part of the chain do we become great. But if we seek to become great, we break the chain. The message of the apple blossom Bernardo Kastrup is a philosopher gaining a lot of traction online for his views on Idealism. The basic proposition of this being that the world is Mind. One Mind. The reality of the world is not the material condition we see in front of us. This is just the physical manifestation of the reality which lies beneath. In the same way, we as humans are defined not by our bodies but a deeper reality. When we experience sadness, this manifests physically in tears. But the sadness is a reality within us. Our body is a reflection of something unique to us, something Schopenhauer called will. Deep down, beyond the religion, the culture, the society and the ego, there is a unique thing of me. Something not necessarily called David The world, for Bernardo, operates in a similar way. Just as our body is a reflection of internal world, so is the external reality a manifestation of a singular internal world. We are all part of this world but dissociated. We have forgotten our connection to the singular existence. The forgetfulness is, in a sense, necessary. The world is a difficult place and we need to survive. Its no good telling ourselves that time isnt real and nation-states are social constructs. Race is just an ideology and progressive and conservative politics are born from the same seed. That might be the truth but we need to navigate reality otherwise we will stumble and fall. Everywhere and anywhere. So what meaning do we have? What, amidst all of these words, do we take away from our role in life? Bernardo taught me a very important lesson during our recent conversation. Instead of happiness, we should seek service. We should be like an apple on a tree. Our existence is dependent not only on the tree from which we were born, but it is also our duty to grow, ripen, fall, and then make way for the next apple. If we try to break this chain, if we seek to make the world about us, we face only disappointment, despair, and a death we cannot bear. Only through service can we dance with the incredible lightness of being required from us. We should be a violin and allow ourselves to be played by nature. To be open, receptive, and in tune with the world and people around us. Listen, learn, and let go. It is only through such behavior that we truly gain something worthwhile. A mantra I approach all of this with a mantra I have tried to instill in my hundreds of students recently: No fear, no anger, no envy. The last one is probably the hardest. We are encouraged to compete, to judge, to post, to compare, to score, and evaluate. But when I tell them their lives are about more than them and their own happiness, they look at me strange. Like they know thats true. They know thats what their grandparents would tell them. Or the person at the church, temple, or mosque if they still went. They know that the old wisdom would be beneficial to their lives. And so they sit in silence. Taking it in. Absorbing. Realizing. Until they move. They come to me. They speak, without fear, without anger, and without envy. They wake up. They see what life is. And slowly, so very slowly, everything becomes a little bit easier. Everything starts to make sense. There is meaning. Dr. David A. Tizzard (datizzard@swu.ac.kr) has a Ph.D. in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He is a social-cultural commentator and musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He is also the host of the "Korea Deconstructed" podcast, which can be found online. NEW YORK (AP) Anti-war demonstrations ceased this week at a small number of U.S. universities after school leaders struck deals with pro-Palestinian protesters, fending off possible disruptions of final exams and graduation ceremonies. The agreements at schools including Brown, Northwestern and Rutgers stand out amid the chaotic scenes and 2,400-plus arrests on 46 campuses nationwide since April 17. Tent encampments and building takeovers have disrupted classes at some schools, including Columbia and UCLA. Deals included commitments by universities to review their investments in Israel or hear calls to stop doing business with the longtime U.S. ally. Many protester demands have zeroed in on links to the Israeli military as the war grinds on in Gaza. The agreements to even discuss divestment mark a major shift on an issue that has been controversial for years, with opponents of a long-running campaign to boycott Israel saying it veers into antisemitism. But while the colleges have made concessions around amnesty for protesters and funding for Middle Eastern studies, they have made no promises about changing their investments. I think for some universities, it might be just a delaying tactic to diffuse the protests, said Ralph Young, a history professor who studies American dissent at Temple University in Philadelphia. The end of the semester is happening now. And maybe by the time the next semester begins, there is a cease-fire in Gaza. Some university boards may never even vote on divesting from Israel, which can be a complicated process, Young said. And some state schools have said they lack the authority to do so. But Young said dialogue is a better tactic than arrests, which can inflame protesters. Talking at least gives the protesters the feeling that theyre getting somewhere," he said. "Whether they are getting somewhere or not is another question. Protesters at the University of Vermont notched a victory when the administration announced Friday that their commencement speaker, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, would no longer be giving an address to graduates later this month. The protesters, who erected an encampment Sunday, had demanded Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield's speech be removed from the upcoming ceremony because of her role in the U.S. vetoes of multiple UN cease-fire resolutions. Israel has called the protests antisemitic; its critics say the country uses such allegations to silence opposition. Although some protesters were caught on camera making antisemitic remarks or violent threats, protest organizers some of whom are Jewish have called it a peaceful movement to defend Palestinian rights and protest the war. Administrators at the University of California, Riverside, announced an agreement Friday with protesters to close their campus encampment. The deal included the formation of a task force to explore removing Riverside's endowment from the broader UC system's management and investing those funds in a manner that will be financially and ethically sound for the university with consideration to the companies involved in arms manufacturing and delivery. The announcement marked an apparent split with the policy of the 10-campus UC system, which last week said it opposes calls for boycott against and divestment from Israel. While the University affirms the right of our community members to express diverse viewpoints, a boycott of this sort impinges on the academic freedom of our students and faculty and the unfettered exchange of ideas on our campuses, the system said in a statement. UC tuition and fees are the primary funding sources for the Universitys core operations. None of these funds are used for investment purposes. Demonstrators at Rutgers University where finals were paused due to the protests on its New Brunswick campus similarly packed up their tents Thursday afternoon. The state university agreed to establish an Arab Cultural Center and to not retaliate against any students involved in the camp. In a statement, Chancellor Francine Conway noted protesters' request for divestment from companies doing business with Israel and for Rutgers to cut ties with Tel Aviv University. She said the the request is under review, but such decisions fall outside of our administrative scope. Protesters at Brown University in Rhode Island agreed to dismantle their encampment Tuesday. School officials said students could present arguments for divesting Browns endowment from companies contributing to and profiting from the war in Gaza. In addition, Brown President Christina Paxson will ask an advisory committee to make a recommendation on divestment by Sept. 30, which will be put before the schools governing corporation for a vote in October. Northwesterns Deering Meadow in suburban Chicago also fell silent after an agreement Monday. The deal curbed protest activity in return for the reestablishment of an advisory committee on university investments and other commitments. The arrangement drew dissent from both sides. Some pro-Palestinian protesters condemned it as a failure to stick to their original demands, while some supporters of Israel said it represented cowardly capitulation. Seven of 18 members subsequently resigned from a university committee that advises the administration on addressing antisemitism, Islamophobia and expressions of hatred on campus, saying they couldn't continue to serve with antisemitism so present at Northwestern in public view for the past week. Michael Simon, the executive director of an organization for Jewish students, Northwestern Hillel, said he resigned after concluding that the committee could not achieve its goals. Faculty at Pomona College in California voted in favor of divesting from companies they said are funding Israels war in Gaza, a group of faculty and students said Friday. The vote Thursday is not binding on the liberal arts school of nearly 1,800 students east of Los Angeles. But supporters said they hope it would encourage the board to stop investing in these companies and start disclosing where it makes its investments. This nonbinding faculty statement does not represent any official position of Pomona College, the school said in a statement. "We will continue to encourage further dialogue within in our community, including consideration of counterarguments. Meanwhile, arrests of demonstrators continued elsewhere. About a dozen protesters who refused police orders to leave an encampment at New York University were arrested early Friday, and about 30 more left voluntarily, NYU spokesperson John Beckman said. The school asked city police to intervene, he added. NYPD officers also cleared an encampment at The New School in Greenwich Village on the request of school administrators. No arrests were announced. Another 132 protesters were arrested when police broke up an encampment at the State University of New York at New Paltz starting late Thursday, authorities said. And nine were arrested at the University of Tennessee, including seven students who Chancellor Donde Plowman said would also be sanctioned under the school's code of conduct. The movement began April 17 at Columbia, where student protesters built an encampment to call for an end to the Israel-Hamas war. More than 100 people were arrested late Tuesday when police broke up the Columbia encampment. One officer accidentally discharged his gun inside Hamilton Hall during that operation, but no one was injured, the NYPD said late Thursday. Over 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict in the Gaza Strip, according to the Health Ministry there. Israel launched its offensive after Oct. 7, when Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took roughly 250 hostages in an attack on southern Israel. Gabriela de Anda says she had a career and a life in San Antonio when everything changed in five hours. A full-time business analyst for a national company, de Anda, 58, suddenly found herself a caregiver. Members only My mother was Dads primary caregiver and was 10 years younger than my dad. I never thought my mother would die before my dad. She had a heart attack and died in one day, de Anda says. There was no backup plan. It was Oct. 21, 2021, on a Thursday night, she says. I was here Friday morning and I havent left. I just walked away from my apartment, de Anda says of her possessions now in storage. Im the only girl in the family and Im Hispanic and I really believe culture plays a role. Typically, its left to the daughter to care for parents even though I left home at 17 and have a masters degree. Gabriela de Anda moved back home to Texas to care for her father, Crescencio de Anda, 88, after the sudden death of her mother. Gabriela de Anda Turning chaos into action How de Anda became the default caregiver for her 88-year-old father, Crescencio de Anda, is all too common for many adults. When she left her apartment that day in 2021, she never expected to make the 150-mile move back into her childhood home in the border town of Del Rio, Texas. Shes among an estimated 42 million U.S. adults who are informal and unpaid caregivers to adults age 50 or older. With growing numbers of individuals who arent partnered, dont have children or are estranged from family, those who work in the caregiving space say having a backup plan for caregiving isnt talked about enough until something happens. Theres an initial moment of chaos, says Brian Carpenter, a professor of psychological and brain sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. The family gets galvanized into figuring out a new caregiving plan. Now that the primary caregiver is compromised, other people have to step up and that brings stress into their lives. You cant ignore the emotional stress of having to step up the caregiving, says Carpenter, a clinical psychologist whos heard of such instances in his private practice. A second step is deciding whos going to do it and agreeing on it. Carpenter notes that often families dont know all the things the caregiver was handling for their loved one, which adds to the scramble. Charlie shows off a sketchpad of ink drawings as his son, Carlos, looks on. The prolific artist and sculptor was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2017. Preston Gannaway Needing a secondary backup caregiver Eldest son Carlos Luis Olivas III assumed the primary caregiver role when his father, Carlos Luis Olivas Jr., now 83, was diagnosed with Alzheimers in 2017. Later, Olivas asked his younger brother to move back home to Sacramento, California, from North Carolina to help with the care, which he did in 2019. Despite what Olivas calls a partially planned template of a plan, his brothers 2022 death upended things. We utilized an emergency backup plan with my brothers passing and then we had to use another backup plan when I broke my leg in August of 2023, says Olivas, 56. His daughter Eva Acuna-Olivas, 27 who lives with her father and grandfather had to balance her work and school with caregiving for several weeks while her father went through rehab for his broken leg. Because his father had bought long-term care insurance, Olivas says they do have limited hours of Monday-Friday caregiving help. By Park Jae-hyuk Mercedes-Benz is facing a 300 million won ($220,000) lawsuit from a Korean owner of the luxury German vehicle as well as a former janitor who quit his job after smashing the car into 12 other vehicles while attempting to park it at an apartment complex in Seoul, according to the plaintiffs' attorney, Friday. The plaintiffs claimed that the accident resulted from the sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) of the vehicle. They are also considering reporting Mercedes Korea CEO Mathias Vaitl to the police. We will file a complaint with the Seoul Central District Court next week against the German headquarters, as well as its Korean importer and dealership, said lawyer Ha Jong-sun of law firm Naru, who specializes in lawsuits against foreign carmakers. Last month, the 77-year-old janitor surnamed Ahn crashed into the parked vehicles while moving a Mercedes GLC on behalf of its owner. Video footage of the accident show the car moving backward while its brake lights are on, and then lunging forward. While I was driving carefully with my foot on the brake pedal, the car rushed forward suddenly and stopped after crashing into multiple vehicles, said Ahn, who left the company he had worked for more than a decade. Ha emphasized that a resident of the apartment complex heard the car make a roaring sound, which may prove that the vehicle had a defect. The lawyer added that he will ask the court to order Mercedes-Benz to preserve data on the event data recorder, electronic control unit and autonomous emergency braking system. The German carmakers Korean importer vowed to make all-out efforts to help the customer figure out the cause of the accident by analyzing the cars driving data. If the SUA is verified, the manufacturer should take responsibility for the accident. However, data compiled by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority showed that there was no single verification of a SUA in 766 suspicious accidents that occurred between 2010 and 2022. Korean law stipulates that a driver should verify a SUA. Without verification, Ahn should take responsibility for the accident. Rohan Nayak, a seasoned professional in business development, holds the position of Business Development Manager at Admatazz. With a rich background in cultivating client relationships and driving revenue growth, Nayak brings extensive expertise to the table. His strategic approach and keen understanding of market dynamics have enabled him to forge successful partnerships and expand business opportunities for Admatazz. Passionate about delivering value and fostering long-term collaborations, Nayak is dedicated to driving Admatazzs growth trajectory through innovative strategies and exceptional client service. In conversation with Adgully, Rohan Nayak, Business Development Manager, Admatazz, speaks about the importance of strategic partnerships in fostering business growth and innovation. He elaborates on how cultivating strong relationships with clients and stakeholders can lead to mutual success, driving revenue streams and unlocking new opportunities. Could you share the key milestones that led you to where you are today in the industry? I began working as a marketing intern in 2017, then a social media intern in 2019, two more part-time social media intern roles that I did simultaneously in 2020, and finally, I began working as a social media executive in 2021 after college. Im eternally grateful for the creative learnings and the core understanding of digital marketing I gained from these roles, but I soon realised that the role was not for me. I was always more business-oriented and wanted to understand a little more about the commercial aspects of the projects I was working on. Of course, my social media roles involved extensive client interaction, but only after closing deals and onboarding clients. I was missing the most exciting parts! Hence, the switch from social media to business development. The initial few months at Admatazz consisted purely of learning the ropes of lead generation, understanding commercial and pitching processes, client interactions, etc. Once I was able to gauge a better understanding of a business developers role, I was able to work on projects with less and less supervision, which allowed me to evolve from an executive to a manager. Since then, I have been given multiple opportunities to seek out, convert, and manage multiple projects for a lot of clients, whether this be social media, web development, performance marketing, or SEO. In your experience, what are some common challenges that young professionals face when starting their careers and how can they overcome them? The biggest challenge I faced right after college was What do I want to do now? Honestly, I was clueless. I didnt know whether I wanted to work in sales, marketing, PR, operations, or start my own business (following in the footsteps of my father). The only reason I chose to work in digital marketing was because it was something that I was familiar with from multiple previous internships. Once I started working in the industry, I gained a lot of knowledge, experience, and, most importantly, clarity about what I wanted to pursue. What I would suggest to any young, struggling individuals is to just begin working in their desired field, and everything else will fall into place (as long as you actively keep planning ahead). Idleness never helped me. A moment of clarity for me was when I looked back at my college experience. The degree that I pursued was Liberal Arts, which is usually referred to as a jack-of-all-trades degree. Although I had selected my major subject of business studies and pursued a minor in media studies, if you think about it, thats exactly where I eventually ended up in business development at a digital marketing agency. How do you stay updated on the latest trends and developments, and what resources or strategies would you recommend to young professionals seeking the same? Personally, Im always browsing through online media journals on a weekly basis. Apart from that, Im an avid LinkedIn user. Browsing through that platform on a daily basis usually helps you to keep a pulse on your respective industry (considering youve built a strong network of people within your industry). Ive also recently subscribed to Harvard Business Reviews magazine and feel like that has been an incredibly useful tool to aid in my learning process. Even though its not marketing-focused, theres definitely some great insights in every edition. What led you to pursue a leadership role at a young age, and what are your long-term leadership goals? The first year at Admatazz involved a substantial amount of learning and growing. Some of it was specific to my role: How do we generate more leads? What service would the client most benefit from? Does the client need SEO and media both or something else entirely? And it was also from an agency standpoint: How do we improve our internal processes? Are we maximizing our potential from a creative and strategic perspective? Do we need to position ourselves differently? This year of learning was vital for me, and I think I naturally fell into a managerial role afterwards, since that was the logical next step. My long-term goals, as of now, are to continue learning and growing from here and help my agency expand as much as it possibly can. What strategies do you use to motivate and inspire your team members or peers? One thing that Ive learned from my last two years of experience is that theres always going to be a lot of ups and downs in business development. Sometimes, you might get a sudden influx of service requests (and might not even understand why), and it becomes a little stressful to personally interact with each of them. During down time (usually towards the end of the year), there might barely be any new service requests or much activity at all, and staying motivated is very difficult. During both of these times slightly stressful and very boring, respectively continuing to stay motivated gets difficult. Since I recently learned that this is natural and part of the industry/ role, its given me and my team enough relief to enjoy the down times (with a lot of research time!) and bear through the busy periods (with maximum utilisation of effective systems). What initiatives have you taken to develop your leadership skills and knowledge? Apart from consistently learning more about my industry through LinkedIn, news, and platforms such as HBR, Im also a massive fan of audiobooks (sorry bookworms!), spending at least 7-8 hours a week absorbing as much information as I can. Genres can range from marketing to self-development to business development to management to basically anything else that I find interesting. But I ensure to stay consistent with this practice. What advice would you offer to aspiring young professionals aspiring to leadership positions? My only word of advice would be to be a sponge and consistently keep learning and absorbing as much as you can from your work environment. As long as you have a goal in mind and continue to put in the effort, youll eventually get there. A personal care and grooming appliance brand, Caresmith, has responded to the Bombay Shaving Company debacle with a 'print advertisement' of their own. Rushabh Shah, co-founder of Caresmith, shared a post filled with sarcasm, targeting Bombay Shaving Company's CEO, Shantanu Deshpande, who faced backlash over a viral print advertisement. The ad reads: 'Dear Shantanu. You may or may not have hair. But our Head Massager Doesnt C.A.R.E. This satirical take on BSC's 'Dear Prachi' ad expresses Caresmith's wish that no one should be bullied into purchasing their products. Shah, in a sarcastic tone, mentioned their lack of funds for a newspaper ad and suggested sponsorship through purchases of their head massagers. He also ridiculed the hate received by Shantanu Deshpande. Meanwhile, a print ad by Bombae, BSC's sister brand, aimed to show unity with UP state Class 10 topper, Prachi Nigam, who faced trolling due to her facial hair. However, netizens criticized the move as opportunistic. Manisha Kapoor, CEO of ASCI, revealed that the ad is under investigation after being reported on social media. S Jaishankar, foreign minister has highlighted the significance of setting forth the ten-year record of the Modi government to the public so to infuse confidence among voters and equated this record to an insurance policy, announing that it is serving as proof of the achievements and commitments of Modi. In an exclusive interview with News18, S Jaishankar addressed the significance of strong leadership in navigating global challenges, citing the need for experienced leadership in times of tension and conflict worldwide. He noted the growing interest among voters in foreign policy matters, reflecting on his extensive interactions across various states. Responding to queries about managing news flow, Jaishankar explained the structured approach of the ministry, including the establishment of situation and control rooms during crises. He underscored the importance of swift decision-making and adherence to Standard. Operating Procedures (SOPs) in handling emergencies. Speaking about his career choices, Jaishankar revealed his initial preference for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) due to his academic background and interest in international affairs. He acknowledged the accessibility and popularity he enjoys among the youth, attributing it to his relaxed demeanor and commitment to public service. Addressing criticism of government functioning, Jaishankar emphasized the inclusive decision-making process under Prime Minister Modi's leadership. He highlighted the collaborative approach in cabinet meetings and foreign tours, where every voice is heard and valued. Regarding the issue of Muslim reservation raised by Congress, Jaishankar criticized the party's approach, likening its manifesto to a blend of Muslim League and Maoist ideologies. He asserted the Prime Minister's stance against reservation based on religion, highlighting the government's commitment to equality. Jaishankar's remarks drew attention to the ongoing debate over the reservation policy, particularly in Karnataka, where the Congress government has proposed a 4% quota for Muslims. He emphasized the need for clarity and consistency in addressing social and economic disparities without resorting to divisive measures. On Rahul Gandhi's comments about Indian democracy being in danger during his overseas visits, Jaishankar expressed disappointment, urging politicians to refrain from airing domestic grievances abroad. He cautioned against inviting external interference in India's internal affairs, citing historical precedents and emphasizing the importance of maintaining national unity. Addressing Rahul Gandhi's assertions about Chinese encroachments, Jaishankar refuted claims of silence, highlighting historical context and infrastructure developments. He clarified misconceptions surrounding China's activities in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, citing past instances of border disputes and emphasizing the government's commitment to border negotiations. Switching to election dynamics, Jaishankar commented on the possibility of achieving a substantial victory margin. He dismissed opposition skepticism, expressing confidence in voter turnout and the Modi government's track record. Jaishankar projected optimism for reaching 400 mark electoral milestone, attributing it to public trust and the government's proactive governance approach. Reflecting on international election observation, Jaishankar welcomed foreign interest in India's electoral processes, affirming positive intentions behind such engagements. He underscored the importance of transparent electoral practices and dismissed foreign media criticisms as uninformed perspectives. In discussing language preferences, Jaishankar emphasized the natural evolution of language usage, particularly in political discourse. He highlighted the BJP government's emphasis on Hindi, aligning with the linguistic preferences of many leaders and constituents. Regarding election turnout and Microsoft's warnings of potential interference, Jaishankar expressed confidence in India's robust electoral system while acknowledging the challenges posed by advancements in technology. Addressing allegations of EVM tampering and border tensions, Jaishankar debunked misconceptions and provided historical context, emphasizing the government's efforts to strengthen border infrastructure and resolve disputes diplomatically. In response to queries about India's global standing, Jaishankar highlighted the country's resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic growth trajectory. He emphasized India's role as a civilization power and the need to assert its cultural identity on the world stage. Regarding the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal and other contentious issues raised by a newspaper based in England, Jaishankar emphasized the primacy of law and elections. He dismissed suggestions that legal proceedings should be halted during election periods, citing international norms and urging consistency in legal enforcement. On the topic of intruder killings, Jaishankar offered a blunt assessment of Pakistan's role in fostering terrorism. He suggested that individuals engaging in illicit activities should face consequences, regardless of their location, underscoring the need for accountability. Shifting the conversation to lighter topics and when inquired about Jaishankar's holiday plans. Jaishankar, downplayed the notion of vacations under Modi's governance, emphasizing his dedication to duty. Pointing to his previous visit to Kashmir, he expressed interest in exploring Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, citing its burgeoning tourism industry and historical significance. Jaishankar expressed optimism about the upcoming elections, citing faith in the Modi government's track record and commitment to fulfilling promises. He underscored the importance of presenting a strong and stable government to address the aspirations of the Indian populace. Hyderabad Police withdraws closure report stating Rohith Vemula was not a Dalit 2 Police have filed a closure report before a local court in its probe into the death of Rohith Vemula, a student of the University of Hyderabad, claiming he was not a Dalit and died by suicide in 2016 as he feared that his real caste would be discovered. The police also gave a clean chit to the accused in the case, citing a lack of evidence. The then UoH vice chancellor Appa Rao Podile, former BJP MP Bandaru Dattatreya, former BJP MLC N Ramachander Rao, along with some ABVP leaders, were among the accused in the case. The Cyberabad police that investigated the case informed the court that Rohith Vemula did not belong to the Scheduled Caste and that he was aware of it. Vemula died by suicide in 2016. The deceased had multiple issues worrying him which could have driven him to commit suicide, the report said. In addition to this, the deceased himself was aware that he did not belong to Scheduled Caste and that his mother got him a SC certificate. This could be one of the constant fears as the exposure of the same would result in a loss of his academic degrees that he earned over the years and be compelled to face prosecution. Further, the report said, Despite best efforts, no evidence could be found to establish that the actions of the accused have driven the deceased to commit suicide. Vemulas death in 2016 snowballed into a political controversy with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacking the Central government and the then Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani slamming alleged attempts to project it as a caste battle. The Congress had then attacked Smriti Irani, Bandaru Dattatreya and other BJP and ABVP functionaries in connection with the suicide of Rohith Vemula and over alleged discrimination against students from marginalised sections in universities. When contacted, Rohith Vemulas brother Raja Vemula declined to comment. Citing the closure report, BJPs IT department in-charge Amit Malviya said, truth prevails. He said on X, Telangana Police files closure report in Rohith Vemula case, claiming he was not a Dalit and died by suicide, absolves then Secunderabad MP Bandaru Dattatreya, MLC N Ramchander Rao and University of Hyderabad V-C Appa Rao, besides Union Minister Smriti Irani and ABVP leaders. Truth prevails. He referred to a 2017 post by Rahul Gandhi in which the Congress leader had alleged that Vemula was murdered because he was a Dalit to slam him. Gandhis irresponsible campaign vitiated the environment in higher learning educational institutes across India and put Vemulas family through immeasurable pain and misery, Malviya alleged. But he (Gandhi) had no compunction raising the spectre of caste oppression, to suit his sinister agenda, using thousands of students, particularly from the Dalit community, as canon fodder for his regressive politics. He should apologise to both, the student and Dalit communities, Malviya said. Meanwhile, a group of students protested at the University of Hyderabad and raised slogans against BJP, Smriti Irani and former UoH Vice-Chancellor Appa Rao. Authorities are asking for the publics help identifying two women who robbed three men at gunpoint in Birmingham. The robbery happened Sunday, April 28, in the 1900 block of Finley Boulevard, said Officer Truman Fitzgerald. Police are trying to identify two women suspected in the armed robbery of three men on Birmingham's Finley Boulevard.(Birmingham Police Department) The suspects stole undisclosed valuables from the victims. No one was injured. Anyone who knows the identity of the suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Tipsters can remain anonymous and could receive up to $5,000 if their tip leads to an arrest. By David Gambino | The Decatur Daily, Ala. Minutes after Decaturs municipal court opened Friday morning, the assistant city attorney asked to be dismissed. A family law attorney representing pro bono seven Steve Perkins supporters charged with disorderly conduct said none of her clients were interested in a plea deal. How long you been doing this? assistant city attorney Chip Alexander, filling in for the city prosecutor, asked attorney Laura Powell before the judge entered. Powell said shes been practicing law since 2011 but acknowledged that representing so many clients at once was new to her. A lot of things are new to me in Decatur, she said. How long have you been doing this, Chip? Thirty-four years, Alexander responded. Powells clients included Kurstin White, Kourtney West, Tyric Taylor, Dakota Simmons, Alex Owens, and Jaheim Malik. Judge Takisha Gholston, after explaining the rules and expectations of her courtroom, began reading the names on the docket. A seventh defendant, David Snyder, entered the room just as he was called and had not yet retained counsel. All seven defendants were sworn in collectively by Gholston. Then, Alexander told Gholston that before she entered, Powell gave a riveting soliloquy on the city and advised her clients not to take any settlements. He requested he be dismissed and, his request granted, began collecting his things. Who do you represent? Gholston asked Powell. Everyone here, Powell said. She thinks! Alexander said, halfway to the exit. They forgot about Snyder. Alexander turned back toward the bar. Want a free lawyer? Powell asked Snyder. Snyder said yes, so Alexander turned again and left the courtroom. Without hearing the citys plea deal offerings, the defendants were then dismissed to await trial. They want their day in court Afterward, Alexander, from his sixth-floor office, said he had prepared offers for each defendant, although he couldnt elaborate on the specifics of each offer, as they were case-by-case. In my experience, its always worthwhile to get an offer, he said. She (Powell) chose not to do that, and there was no reason to sit down and watch the show. So, I asked the judge if I could come on up and let them be set for trial. Despite numerous attempts, Powell did not respond to requests for comment. Criminal defense attorney Tony Hughes, who plans to represent some of the charged Perkins supporters at trial, said Powell is one of several attorneys working collectively for the same cause. There are several people that have been charged in Decatur that are in a similar situation, Hughes said. What theyre doing is exercising their constitutional rights, and they dont believe that theyve broken any laws in the city of Decatur. They want their day in court, and its our position that theyre going to get their day in court. They want to be able to be heard and to defend these charges against them. Of Powells involvement, Alexander said its very unusual for an attorney to take on so many clients at the last minute. Its a huge risk, because before you get in a case, you should make sure you dont have conflicts, he said. Theres a lot of due diligence you have to do. But thats up to her; she makes the decision who she represents. It seems to me youd like to at least hear because from the offer you can get an idea how strong the case is, what to expect, etc. Its just the next step in the process. Didnt have to agree to anything today but, you know, the lawyers Ive been dealing with since I started at least want to hear what the offer is. Powells role on Friday was merely to accompany the defendants and enter not guilty pleas, according to Hughes. He also said it was premature to discuss settlement offers, as the defendants have yet to receive discovery (evidence) from the city of Decatur. I find it odd that a prosecutor would make a comment regarding pending cases in his court and whether or not they wanted to accept a plea offer or not, Hughes said. I find that odd, in this case. david.gambino@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2438. ___ (c)2024 The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.) Visit The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.) at www.decaturdaily.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Senior diplomats from Korea and the United States discussed the need for a joint response to potential ramifications from overcapacity in China's solar industry during their talks on energy security in Houston, Texas this week, a Seoul official said Friday. Deputy Foreign Minister for economic affairs Kim Hee-sang made the remarks as he and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Energy Resources Geoffrey Pyatt led the 10th Energy Security Dialogue (ESD), Tuesday. "As the issue about overproduction of Chinese solar industry products is now quite a significant one, having a negative impact across the world, (we) talked about how Korea and the U.S. will cooperate," he told Yonhap News Agency. He noted that discussions on joint responses revolved around a two-fold approach involving respective countries' import control measures against China's provision of excessive subsidies, and cooperation in developing more technologically competitive products. "We had discussions on cooperating in responding to China's low-price offensive through respective countries' superior technologies to produce more technologically superior products," Kim said. The ESD was arranged to discuss bilateral collaboration on decarbonizationtion efforts, clean energy cooperation, and securing diversified critical mineral supply chains, the State Department said prior to the meeting last week. (Yonhap) Some prosecutors say they do not understand all of the nuts and bolts of a bill in the Alabama legislature that could criminalize librarians. The proposed legislation, HB385, says anyone who believes a library book is obscene or harmful to minors can file a complaint with the library and their district attorneys office. The library then has seven days to review the complaint and remove the book. If they dont it could be a misdemeanor crime. But what counts as harmful? And who gets to decide? CJ Robinson, the district attorney for three counties north of Montgomery, described the bill as a wide open net, saying that it doesnt specify what counts as obscene or harmful to children. Tim Douthit, chief trial attorney for the Madison Countys District Attorneys Office, said the bill does define harmful material but that it does not specify who decides what qualifies as a crime. He said he interprets the bill to mean that police officers would have the discretion to decide whether a book was harmful to minors. If after seven days such a book was not removed from the shelf by a local librarian, officers could make an arrest. The district attorney does not make any determination, he said. Were not going to go through books and decide what is and is not harmful. They just have to let us know that theyre letting the library know, he said of the seven-day notice window. Robinson said that the bill doesnt even say who should be arrested in the case of a violation. Who are we prosecuting? said Robinson. Are we prosecuting the director of the board? Are we prosecuting the board itself? Are we prosecuting the manager? Are we prosecuting the actual person that put the book on the shelf? All those things are questions. Librarians in Alabama have said they fear that the proposed legislation will have a chilling effect on free speech and reading, as it exposes them to arrest if they shelve books that some residents find offensive. Douthit said if the police arrested someone for violating the law, it would then be up to the courts to decide whether the person is guilty. Technically, as the law is written right now, theres a definition of material harmful to minors, but there is no arbiter, pre-arrest of whether or not material is actually harmful to minors. Alabamians already have the right to complain about library books to local library boards. Just last year, more than 100 books were challenged statewide, with local boards in some instances removing books or relocating them from the childrens section to the adult section. As the district attorney for Chilton, Autaugua and Elmore counties, Robinson is the top law enforcement official in Prattville, a small city north of Montgomery that has been the epicenter of the battle over library books and debates over censorship in Alabama. Robinson said he spoke to several fellow district attorneys in the state who had similar questions about how the proposed legislation would actually work. The Alabama District Attorneys Association did not immediately respond to requests for comment, nor did the sponsor of the legislation state Rep. Arnold Mooney, R-Shelby County. AL.com contacted more than two dozen other district attorneys in the state who did not respond to requests for comment. James Tarbox, the district attorney for Coffee County, said he did not feel comfortable commenting before the legislation is enacted. Robinson said if the bill passes as written, prosecutors across the state will require a lot of training to make judgements about things like artistic and literary value. How do we go about applying a moving target of the standard? he asked. The proposed legislation passed in the state House of Representatives on April 26. At a Senate committee hearing this week, lawmakers passed the bill 6-0 but discussed making changes to it before it goes to the full Senate for a vote. There are just three days left in the legislative session. The bill defines material harmful to minors as anything that lacks literary or artistic value and, The average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the material, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient. It goes on to specify that sexual conduct, breast nudity and genital nudity are not suitable. The legislations definition of obscenity includes, sadomasochistic abuse, flagellation or torture in an act of sexual stimulation, by or upon a person who is nude or clad in undergarments or in a revealing or bizarre costume. A Birmingham police officer was held in the Hoover City Jail for 48 hours after his aunt allegedly lied to police, saying he shot at her during a family dispute, authorities said. Hoover police were called Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. about an altercation in an apartment parking lot in the 400 block of Crowne Woods Drive. The 911 caller reported an altercation in the parking lot involving her nephew whom she identified as a police officer employed by the City of Birmingham, a statement from Hoover police on Friday read. The caller -- Joni V. Langford Green, 51 -- told responding Hoover officers her nephew shot at her during an altercation in her apartment just before she called 911, Hoover police said. Police found evidence of a bullet impact inside the apartment and detained the nephew at the scene. He was placed on a 48-hour investigative hold in the Hoover City Jail while the claims were investigated and detectives searched for corroborating evidence. Detectives received numerous conflicting statements from involved parties and independent witnesses and ultimately discovered the male had accidentally discharged a firearm several days prior while he was cleaning it, resulting in minor property damage, the Hoover police statement read. No one was hurt and the gun being accidentally discharged was not reported to Hoover police. There was an argument between the homeowner and her nephew on the night of the 911 call, but the caller falsely reported the accidental gunshot occurred as part of the argument, Hoover police said. Hoover police said the investigation indicated there were ongoing domestic issues within the family that led to these events occurring. The facts of the case were presented to Hoover Municipal Court and the Jefferson County District Attorneys Office in Bessemer. No probable cause was found to formally charge the male with a criminal act and he was released from custody, Hoover police said. Green was charged with falsely reporting an incident, police said. She was booked into the Hoover City Jail on $500 bond on Friday. Birmingham police said the officer is on leave pending a Birmingham Police Department Internal Affairs investigation. Birmingham Police Officer Truman Fitzgerald said Hoover police officials have kept them informed throughout the investigation. The officers name was not released. A 7-Eleven store clerk has been arrested in the stabbing of a man behind the store after an argument involving a spear and a pocketknife, police in Florida said. Police arrested 34-year-old Danny Waiters on Wednesday and charged him with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon following a series of arguments at the Bradenton convenience store. Detectives say Waiters told them he stabbed the man, who is in his 60s and frequently carries a spear, after the man approached him behind the 7-Eleven and they argued. During Tuesdays argument, police say the man displayed the spear but did not threaten Waiters with it. At one point, the store manager told the man to leave the property, when Waiters intervened and began arguing with the man again, according to police. When the man with the spear turned his back on employees, police say Waiters stabbed him once with a pocketknife. Detectives said Waiters told them he believed the man was going to grab the spear. The stabbing victim underwent surgery and is recovering, police say. Police said Waiters turned himself in Wednesday morning. 2024 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A Mississippi man died in a crash with a tractor-trailer in Alabama on Friday night, state troopers said. Ronald J. McKinney died at the scene on Interstate 20 in Lincoln, a small town in Talladega County, according to a press release from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. McKinney, 54, was from Booneville, Mississippi. He was not wearing a seat belt, said Senior Trooper Vu Quang in the release. McKinney was driving a Chevrolet Silverado that struck a Freightliner tractor-trailer just after 11 p.m., troopers said. Troopers are investigating. Birmingham police on Friday asked the publics help in identifying a suspect they say helped assault and rob a man at gunpoint over the weekend. The victim was injured in the gunpoint robbery perpetrated by three suspects Sunday in the 1100 Block of 3rd Avenue West. Valuables were also stolen from the victim. Police released photos of the suspects vehicle along with two images of one of the suspects: Birmingham police on Friday asked the publics help in identifying a suspect they say helped assault and rob a man at gunpoint over the weekend.Birmingham Police Department Anyone with information on the robbery or who can identify the suspect or the suspects vehicle was asked to call CrimeStoppers at 205-254-7777. Tipsters may remain anonymous and can received an award of up to $5,000. English News China, France set exemplary model of win-win cooperation in energy sector Alwihda Info | Par People's Daily - 1 Mai 2024 Solar photovoltaic is also one of the clean energy sources that EDF is working on in China. In early April this year, EDF's wholly-owned subsidiary, EDF Renewables, officially inaugurated its distributed photovoltaic project at the Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone. The project has a total installed capacity of 5.4 megawatts and is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 4,500 tons annually. It is reported that EDF Renewables is currently engaged in green electricity production in more than 20 provinces in China. By Zhang Baoshu Energy technology is one of the key areas of cooperation between China and France. Over the past 60 years since the two countries established diplomatic relations, the two sides have leveraged their respective comparative advantages in this field and achieved fruitful innovation in energy technology. Particularly, they have set an exemplary model of international scientific and industrial collaboration in civilian nuclear energy, oil and gas resource development, and new clean energy sectors. As a remarkable outcome of China-France nuclear energy technology cooperation, the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant, located in the eastern part of Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province, is the first million-kilowatt-class commercial nuclear power plant in the Chinese mainland. It has laid a solid foundation for China's subsequent nuclear power construction and development. In December 1978, China announced the introduction of French nuclear power technology and equipment. Four years later, China's State Council approved the use of French nuclear power technology and equipment in the construction of the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant, marking the beginning of the cooperation between Chinese and French nuclear energy scientists and engineers in building the plant. Over 100 Chinese technicians were sent to France to receive training, and gain knowledge and experience in the operation, maintenance, and management of nuclear power plants. This experience led to the rapid growth of Chinese technical personnel and accelerated the progress of China's nuclear power industry. Entering the 21st century, China and France once again joined forces in the field of nuclear energy technology and collaborated on the construction of the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant in Guangdong province, which utilizes the EPR, or European Pressurized Reactor, a third-generation nuclear power solution. It is the first EPR plant in the world. In the realm of nuclear energy technology innovation, China and France have engaged in long-term and in-depth collaborative research. They have established multiple collaborative laboratories and jointly implemented hundreds of cooperative projects. More than 1,000 experts have been exchanged between the two sides for training, discussions, and research. Recently, China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec) and French energy company TotalEnergies reached an agreement to jointly operate a new production line for the production of sustainable aviation fuel, also known as biojet fuel, using waste oils and fats. It is reported that using biojet fuel can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 50 percent compared to traditional petroleum-based aviation fuel. Sinopec holds independent intellectual property rights in the technology for the production of biojet fuel, while TotalEnergies is one of the leading sustainable aviation fuel producers in Europe. The collaboration between the two companies is expected to contribute to the green transformation of the international aviation industry and low-carbon development. TotalEnergies is a globally renowned oil and gas company and has been deeply involved in China's oil and gas technology innovation and resource exploration and utilization. According to Wang Wei, a researcher at the China Institute of International Studies, TotalEnergies has participated in exploration activities in China's Bohai Bay, Beibu Gulf, South China Sea, Yellow Sea, Zhujiang River Estuary Basin, and Tarim Basin. It has also made diversified investments in China's oil and gas industrial chain. Through cooperation, TotalEnergies and its Chinese counterparts have enhanced their technological capabilities and accumulated rich experience, achieving mutual benefits and win-win outcomes. Expanding into the international oil and gas market is one of the goals of China-France oil and gas technology cooperation. Wang stated that TotalEnergies and its Chinese counterparts learn from each other's experiences and technologies, thus forming a synergetic force. Adapting to local conditions, they have established sound partnerships in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Canada for mutual benefits. The cooperation between China and France in the field of clean energy is also flourishing. The Groix Island and its surrounding waters in northwestern France are well-known for their wind resources. About 10 kilometers away from the Groix Island, there is the site of a pioneering demonstration project for floating offshore wind power developed by China General Nuclear Power Group and its French partner, Eolfi, which covers about 20 square kilometers of sea area. "Europe is expected to install 50 gigawatts of floating offshore wind turbines by 2030. China General Nuclear Power Group, in collaboration with its French partner Eolfi, has taken the lead in the Groix project, showcasing their strong technological capabilities. In the future, the project will lead the development of the offshore wind power industry in France and even Europe, making contributions to the development of clean energy in Europe," said a senior executive of China General Nuclear Power Group Europe Energy. The French company leading the offshore wind power market in China is EDF, France's leading electric utility company. In November 2021, the phase-5 of an offshore wind power project developed by the company in Dongtai, east China's Jiangsu province, in collaboration with China Energy Investment Group (CHN Energy), was connected to the power grid full-capacity and started power generation. The project is the first offshore wind power project with both domestic and foreign investment in China. Solar photovoltaic is also one of the clean energy sources that EDF is working on in China. In early April this year, EDF's wholly-owned subsidiary, EDF Renewables, officially inaugurated its distributed photovoltaic project at the Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone. The project has a total installed capacity of 5.4 megawatts and is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 4,500 tons annually. It is reported that EDF Renewables is currently engaged in green electricity production in more than 20 provinces in China. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Progress made in desertification control along Yellow River Basalt rocks made into national flag carried by Chang'e-6 probe Prospering telemedicine a reflection of China's rapid internet development Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News Xi's visits to European countries promote healthy, stable China-EU relations Alwihda Info | Par People's Daily - 1 Mai 2024 China always views its relations with the EU from a strategic, long-term perspective, and takes the EU as a high priority in its external relations. Xi's state visits to the three European countries will undoubtedly further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the EU. This will provide more stability to a turbulent world and inject more impetus into global development. By He Yin, People's Daily Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay state visits to France, Serbia and Hungary from May 5 to 10. This will be the first visit to Europe by China's head of state in nearly five years. Against the backdrop of intensifying global turbulence, the China-EU relationship holds strategic significance and global influence. It bears upon the pillars of world peace, stability, and prosperity. Xi's upcoming visits to the three European countries will inject strong impetus into the development of the relations between China and the three countries and the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, and bring more stability and positive energy to the fast-changing world. France is the first major Western country to establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level with the People's Republic of China. China-France relations have long been at the forefront of China's relations with Western countries. The unique history of bilateral relations have shaped the "China-France spirit" featuring independence, mutual understanding, foresight, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi and President Macron, China-France relations have maintained a sound development momentum, with fruitful strategic communication, practical cooperation, deeper people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and sound communication and coordination in international and regional affairs. Faced with a complex and volatile international situation, China and France both insist on independence and win-win cooperation, both oppose the division of the world and bloc confrontation, and both practice multilateralism and uphold the UN Charter and international law. The international community expects China and France to form a common position and speak with same voice on major issues bearing on world peace and stability, as well as the future of mankind. Xi's visit marks the second visit by a China's head of state to France in five years. It coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries and is of great significance to building on the past achievements and charting the course for the future. Further consolidating political mutual trust and strengthening solidarity and cooperation will bring China-France comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level, inject new impetus into the sound and steady development of China-EU relations, and make new contributions to world peace, stability, and progress. Serbia is China's first comprehensive strategic partner in Central and Eastern Europe. The two countries have nurtured an iron-clad friendship, serving as a model for friendly relations between China and European countries. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi and President Vucic, China-Serbia relations have enjoyed robust growth. The two countries have firmly supported each other on issues of core interests and major concerns, enjoyed solid political mutual trust, achieved fruitful outcomes in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and maintained close coordination in multilateral arena. The robust and powerful China-Serbia cooperation is in the fundamental and long-term interests of both countries and peoples. This visit will be Xi's second visit to Serbia in eight years. During the visit, the two heads of state will have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest. The two sides will hold discussions on elevating the positioning of bilateral ties and charting the course for future development. The upgrading of China-Serbia relations will not only bring greater benefits to the two peoples but also strengthen the power to uphold international fairness and justice, making greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary. Hungary is an important country in Central and Eastern Europe and China's important partner in Belt and Road cooperation and China-Central and Eastern European countries cooperation. In recent years, in the face of a complex and volatile international situation, Hungary has remained committed to being a force of peace and stability in Europe, resisting interference and pressure, and steadfastly deepening cooperation with China. China and Hungary are comprehensive strategic partners who are committed to their respective development in line with their national conditions. The two countries have achieved fruitful results in mutually beneficial cooperation across various fields, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples. The in-depth cooperation between the two countries demonstrates that China is an opportunity rather than a challenge, a partner rather than a rival for Europe. The joint invitation extended by Hungarian President Sulyok and Prime Minister Orban to President Xi to visit Hungary fully demonstrates Hungary's high regard and earnest expectations for this visit. This milestone visit will elevate bilateral relations to a new level and open a new chapter for China-Hungary friendly cooperation, which is conducive to maintaining regional and global peace, stability, and prosperity. China and the EU should be characterized rightly as partners, and cooperation should be the defining feature of their relationship. As two major forces advancing multipolarity, two major markets in support of globalization, and two major civilizations championing diversity, China and the EU share extensive common interests, with cooperation and consensus far surpassing competition and disagreements. China always views its relations with the EU from a strategic, long-term perspective, and takes the EU as a high priority in its external relations. Xi's state visits to the three European countries will undoubtedly further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the EU. This will provide more stability to a turbulent world and inject more impetus into global development. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Progress made in desertification control along Yellow River Basalt rocks made into national flag carried by Chang'e-6 probe Prospering telemedicine a reflection of China's rapid internet development Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) Eric Cortellessa, a Time staff writer who obviously dislikes Donald Trump, nevertheless scored a long interview with him. Time published both Cortellessas summary and the interview transcript. Sometimes, they are two different things. Mostly, though, Cortellessa, listening to what Trump says, sees as foul the points Trump makes and cannot comprehend that normal Americans could agree. The disconnect is stark. You can tell immediately that Cortellessa dislikes Trump because he says the interview occurred in Trumps fever-dream palace. Right there you have the snide take one expects from the journalist class. And then theres his claim that Trump plans an imperial presidency, which is not true (especially compared to Bidens lawlessness regarding borders, student loans, etc.). Lastly, Cortellessa is one of the class of journalists whose compulsive verbal tic is to deny that the election was stolen. Its worth quoting in full Cortellessas summation because these are the key points that show the disconnect between the media and Trump: What emerged in two interviews with Trump, and conversations with more than a dozen of his closest advisers and confidants, were the outlines of an imperial presidency that would reshape America and its role in the world. To carry out a deportation operation designed to remove more than 11 million people from the country, Trump told me, he would be willing to build migrant detention camps and deploy the U.S. military, both at the border and inland. He would let red states monitor womens pregnancies and prosecute those who violate abortion bans. He would, at his personal discretion, withhold funds appropriated by Congress, according to top advisers. He would be willing to fire a U.S. Attorney who doesnt carry out his order to prosecute someone, breaking with a tradition of independent law enforcement that dates from Americas founding. He is weighing pardons for every one of his supporters accused of attacking the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, more than 800 of whom have pleaded guilty or been convicted by a jury. He might not come to the aid of an attacked ally in Europe or Asia if he felt that country wasnt paying enough for its own defense. He would gut the U.S. civil service, deploy the National Guard to American cities as he sees fit, close the White House pandemic-preparedness office, and staff his Administration with acolytes who back his false assertion that the 2020 election was stolen. I cannot compress Trumps two-hour interview into a post, but Ill sum up what Trump actually said and how Americans might view his points, without Cortellessas hostile filter in the way. Trump on immigration. Trump says he intends to deport 15-20 million illegal aliens. He points to Dwight Eisenhowers efforts for support. (Maybe he read my post.) Ordinary Americans will agree with Trumps points about the rule of law and the destruction the illegal aliens bring with them. When Trump says hell rely on states and the National Guard but will use the military if absolutely necessary, Cortellessa frames the latter possibility as a posse comitatus violation. However, Trump correctly counters that he wouldnt be executing laws against Americans but would repel a huge invasion of around 20 million people, many of whom are fighting-age males from hostile countries. Trump also rejects the resurrection of the Obama attack that hed build detention camps, saying that one doesnt need them if one deports illegal aliens. Regarding locales that want to be sanctuaries, he says that they can do it but kiss goodbye to federal fundsan appropriate response to lawlessness. Finally, Trump emphasizes that hes going to get that wall built and will follow Supreme Court rulings. Trump on abortion. Trump says rightly that abortion is not a federal issue. Nor does he worry that hell have to veto a federal abortion bill because itll never happen. Trump refuses to say anything about mifepristone, the abortion pill, saying that hell have an official statement ready soon. Trump also refuses to be baited into commenting on what states do to enforce their abortion laws. Its irrelevant whether Im comfortable or not. It's totally irrelevant because the states are going to make those decisions. In other words, to the extent Cortellessa implied that Trump was encouraging state police to monitor womens pregnancies, thats a serious misrepresentation. My guess is that most non-radical Americans support Trumps positionits a states rights matterwhich also aligns with the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision. Trump on withholding funds appropriated by Congress. I cant quite tell, but I think that this refers to Trumps insistence that, as President, he has the constitutional mandate to guide foreign policy...and that means using allocated funds in the way that best effectuates goals that benefit America. This is probably constitutionally correct, and most people would agree with his insistence that America must come first. Trump on controlling the U.S. Attorney. Trump says he would fire a rogue U.S. Attorney, and again, hes correct. To the extent the FBI is under the control of the Justice Department, weve seen incredible abuses of power thanks to the US Attorneys policies and procedures. When a U.S. Attorney engages in hyper-partisan political warfare, not on behalf of the Constitution and the law and regulations of the United States, but to use his office to achieve political goals, he needs to be brought to heel or ousted. Trump on the January 6, 2021, protesters. Trump says hed consider pardoning every one of them. Thats a good reason on its own to elect him. As Trump correctly says, were looking at a two-tier system, which is sad, I say its (a) unconstitutional and (b) the death of the rule of law in America. Moreover, as theres increasing evidence that January 6 was a set-up followed by a cover-up, its even more outrageous that peoples lives are being destroyed for walking peacefully between the ropes through Congress. Trump on withholding defenses from deadbeat European and Asian countries. Leftists hate America, but they love Europe, so much so that they believe America must defend Europes borders while abandoning its own. Trump rightly holds, and his supporters will agree, that America has no obligation to spend its treasure and blood for Europe when European countries cant even be bothered to cough up their own money for their defense. As for Asiawhich is TaiwanTrump was cagey and drowned Cortellessa in meaningless double talk. Trump on gutting the U.S. Civil Service. The U.S. Civil Service is too big, too expensive, too inefficient, and way too partisan. This partisanship infects just about every agency except for the Border Patrol. From the FBI to the CIA to the National Park Service to the IRS, they all need to be trimmed, and most should be relocated to flyover country to break the D.C. Swamps hold on them. Again, while Cortellessa is shocked, most normal Americans would agree with Trump. Trump on using the National Guard to protect American cities. Yes, of course. Its eminently reasonable for a modern president to do the same when Antifa, BLM, and Hamas rioters (and whatever else the left cooks up) are destroying American cities, and leftist governors and university administrators refuse to call out their National Guard. (Thats why Eisenhower called the Guard to protect blacks in Alabamathe governor refused to act.) Trump on closing the White House pandemic-preparedness office. Trump rightly points out that this is giving out pork. He adds that, with what COVID taught, the administration now knows how to mobilize the resources it needs if necessary. Correct. Trump on who would staff his administration. As noted, Cortellessa gives away his leftist creds with his reflexive claim that the 2020 election, which has proven to be riddled with fraud, was totally honest. When asked whether he could staff his administration with people who deny election interference, Trump says that he wouldnt feel good about it because its so obvious that it happened. In other words, people who deny the obvious are too stupid to work for him. I strongly suggest you look at the whole interview, which covers many more topics than the ten above. I addressed only those ten because Cortellessa seemingly thought theyd be the most harmful to Trump. Image: Donald Trump. YouTube screen grab. The U.S. Treasury Department gave automakers, Friday, additional flexibility on battery mineral requirements for electric vehicle tax credits on some crucial trace minerals from China, such as graphite. The department said it would give automakers until 2027 to remove some hard-to-find minerals such as graphite used in anode materials, and critical minerals for electrolyte salts, binders, and additives. New rules took effect Jan. 1 restricting Chinese content in batteries eligible for EV tax credits of up to $7,500, which sharply cut the number of eligible vehicles. Automakers have since made changes to supply chains and won restored eligibility for many vehicles. Treasury has temporarily exempted graphite and other trace critical minerals from strict new rules barring materials from China and other countries deemed a Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC), including North Korea, Russia and Iran. John Bozzella, who heads the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a group representing major automakers, said the new Treasury rules "appear to recognize the realities of the global supply chain by providing some temporary flexibility in terms of where the critical minerals in EV batteries can be sourced." Senate Energy Committee Chair Joe Manchin harshly criticized the decision Friday, saying the administration has made clear it "will break the law in pursuit of their goal to flood the market with electric vehicles as quickly as possible." He said Treasury has "provided a long-term pathway for these (FEOC) countries to remain in our supply chains." The new rules, required under an August 2022 law, are designed to wean the U.S. EV battery chain away from China. Abigail Hunter, executive director of SAFE's Center for Critical Minerals Strategy, said Treasury's decision to create a two-year exemption for graphite sourcing should be temporary. "We need a clear exit strategy, lest we continue our dependencies on adversaries and further undermine the competitiveness of U.S. and allied critical minerals projects," Hunter said. China currently accounts for 70 percent of global output of graphite, which is used to make electric battery anodes, the negatively charged portion of the battery. The FEOC rules came into effect Jan. 1 for battery components and will do so in 2025 for critical minerals used to produce them. Treasury said in December that the materials being exempted each accounted for less than 2% of the value of battery-critical minerals. Manufacturers may temporarily exclude certain impracticable-to-source battery materials from FEOC compliance until 2027 as long as they demonstrate how they plan to comply by then, Treasury said. "Imagine an EV that complied with all IRA eligibility requirements but is kicked out of the program because of a trace amount of a critical mineral from a FEOC," Bozzella said. "That makes no sense." The 2022 law allowed qualifying EV buyers to use tax credits as a point of sale rebate from the start of this year. So far in 2024, more than 100,000 credits have been used at the point of sale, representing more than $700 million in upfront savings, Treasury said. (Reuters) Joe Biden is buying votes again. His tax revenue proposal for fiscal year 2025 promotes targeted tax increases that affect white individuals more than other groups with the goal of helping to ease racial wealth inequality. By raising taxes on accumulated wealth based upon income and capital gains, a Treasury Department analysis shows that black and Hispanic families could see a reduction in wealth disparity. The disparity cause: whites tend to own assets subject to capital gains tax and/or fall into higher income tax brackets. As part of his tax proposal, Joe Biden proposes an expansion of the child tax credit, including a temporary raise in the per-child amount and a permanent restoration of the full refundability provision. The Treasury Department reports that this proposal will help alleviate the wealth racial disparity because a greater percentage of blacks and Hispanics have historically benefited from the credit. Preston Brashers, research fellow for tax policy in the Heritage Foundation's Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget, said, "Taxing capital gains at 44.6% at the federal level -- not to mention state taxes -- would be economic suicide... the net result would be less tax revenue, not more. The middle class and working class would be slammed with mass layoffs and lower real wages." Chris Edwards, the Kilts Family Chair in Fiscal Studies at the Cato Institute, said, "Left-wing Biden economists seem unable to appreciate that raising taxes on capital hurts labor. Capital and labor work together to produce economic growth. They are complements. The Biden economists seem to hold the Marxist view that capital and labor are bitter enemies, and that the only way that labor can win is for the government to crush capital." The Biden bunch is big on 'root causes.' Biden uses taxes to achieve parity rather than address the root cause of wealth and income inequality. This is yet another manifestation of DEI. Equity focuses upon tailoring policies, in this case tax policy to the circumstances of specific individuals or groups to achieve an equal outcome. Biden is in favor of racial equity over racial equality. Whatever happened to everybody being treated equally? Not gonna happen on Biden's watch. Image: Easy-Peasy.AI Hillary Cass, OBE, is a prominent and acclaimed British pediatrician. After four years of investigation, she just published her Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People to the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom. After she and her team reviewed the literature100 plus studies on hormone and puberty blocker interventionsthey concluded that there is remarkably weak evidence on the issues of efficacy and safety. They concluded that gender-affirming care should be offered with extreme caution or not at all for minors until better studies and more reliable evidence are available. Here in America, doctors and institutions have aggressively adopted gender interventions, sometimes with very little investigation into the nature and magnitude of a persons/childs alleged gender dysphoria. These aggressive attitudes and approaches took a big hit from Dr. Cass. Dr. Cass expressed concern about pressure in favor of so-called gender transitions from parents, teachers, social media, and health professionals, all of whom minimize the problems of treatment and emphasize the danger of not treating. Those health professionals who are concerned about this aggressive approach are intimidated into silence and influenced by gender change bullies and polemicists with a commitment to the aggressive gender transitioning agenda. The report notes, too, that minors are innocent and can easily be manipulated by people with agendas. Having politely castigated the virtually non-existent research into gender dysphoria and effective responses, especially in children and adolescents, the report makes 32 recommendations for the NHS, all of which fall into three obvious categories: better research, better mental health assessments, and caution going forward with treatments. Image made using an image by freepik. Thus, the report urges that the way forward should be guided by the evidence of efficacy and safety. Gee, you think? Isnt that what medicine is all about: Do No Harm? The patients welfare should be the priority. For two decades, I have belonged to the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, a physician organization founded in the 1940s to oppose the socialist invasion of healthcare. I am also a member of the Do No Harm organization, which Stanley Goldfarb, a nephrologist, founded to protect American medicine from the disastrous effects of Marxist/socialist identity politics. Both organizations oppose so-called gender transition programs (see here and here). I consider gender transition activities to be political, ideological, and unethical human experimentation. So-called transgenderism used to be about cross-dressing males, a kink or fetish that saw them get sexual pleasure when they presented themselves as women (usually highly sexualized women in revealing gowns and high heels). Some women took dressing in male clothes to the same sexual extremes. For the Marxists, social and cultural tolerance were the watchwords for integrating transgenderism into the mainstream. They were, they claimed, another oppressed minority, just another lifestyle choice, deviant, but to be accommodated, no up-tight traditional moralists allowed to blow the whistle or call a time out, even when pedophilia and grooming became commonplace and sex trafficking of children a real problem. The current transgender movement is an end product of the phenomenon of defining deviancy down, a political-cultural revolution of anything goes sexual conduct and lifestyles, as they saysex, drugs, and rock and roll, but more--deviant sex, lesbian and homosexual, sex orgy lifestyle choices, sexualization of children with pedophilia not far behind. A new world emerged, Judeo-Christian moral restrictions gone, Katy, bar the door. Theres another thing happening here: In laypersons terms, Munchausen Syndrome is when someone fakes an illness for attention. The medical people call it a factitious disorder imposed on oneself. Munchausen by proxy happens when a person caring for another fakes an illness for that person to garner caregiver attention. The most common type is a mother faking a childs illness. Its possible that Munchausen by proxy is driving trans identification. However, its not just a mother with a personality disorder creating and influencing a vulnerable child. The other proxies are deviant teachers, child care providers, activities supervisors, and social media influencers, all of whom are groomers preying on vulnerable young minds. The tranny explosion in the young is like the sudden explosion of LGBTQ, a form of socially engineered mass psychosis, energized by people fascinated with fetishistic sexual deviance. Since the Cass reports publication, a group of anonymous UK psychologists has publicly apologized for the psychology communitys and the National Health Service Gender Identity Development Service clinics malfeasance. They failed to assess adequately minors with gender dysphoria, resulting in irreversible harm. Certainly, the psychology community should be held accountable. Their manifest failures should cause the earth to tremble under the feet of the malefactors in this matter, in Europe and, more so, in America and Canada, where leftist nutty professionals who pushed the gender project violated every existing ethical rule of medical and psych practice, flagrantly violating ethical rules, even statutes and common law rules regarding consent to medical treatment. The transgender program is a human experiment program that ideologically-driven nihilists pushed. The medical and psych professions shamed themselves, whether through affirmative actions or silence. Will there be an accounting? Maybe, right after an accounting on the malfeasance in the COVID mattermaybe. John Dale Dunn is a 50-year emergency physician, 40-year lawyer, 20-plus-year corrections physician, medico-legal consultant, academic, and writer. For 20 years, he provided patient care and consultation for his home town mental health services programs. This article actually has nothing to do with Trump, yet that is all the public will see. Trump Medias accounting firm charged with massive fraud BF Borgers, Trump Media & Technology Groups independent accounting firm, was charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday with widespread fraud and accused of operating a sham audit mill. The SEC made no allegation of wrongdoing against Truth Social owner Trump Media (DJT), which is not mentioned in the charges from the regulator. The SEC accused BF Borgers of deliberate and systemic failures, including fabricating audit documentation and falsely representing to clients its work would comply with accounting standards. The agency described this as massive fraud taking place between January 2021 and June 2023 that impacted more than 1,500 SEC filings and more than 500 public companies. The CPA firm made 1,500 fraudulent filings that involved 500 public companies that did not include Truth Social, yet somehow the only company listed in the article was Trump's that certainly didn't have an SEC filing in the time period involved. Maybe Reuters could tell us who the 500 companies are so the public knows. Reuters clearly didn't care. The sole purpose of the headline and article was to interfere in the election. Isn't it pathetic that this firm was so fraudulent and yet somehow the SEC is so incompetent that it didn't file charges until after Trump's company went public? The fraud trial in New York against Trump earlier was a joke because there were no victims, and the current trial against Trump over accounting issues in a hush money payment flap is a joke because there is no crime. In the future, maybe the Justice Department and New York could make sure that no political candidate tries to do anything that hides information from the public that may be embarrassing. The list of things that most of the media has intentionally hidden from the public about candidates who they campaign for would be immeasurable. Think of: John F. Kennedy, LBJ, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden for a short list of people the media has protected. Bill and Hillary didn't write checks to the "bimbos" to prevent their "eruptions." They sent out people to destroy them. Paula Jones was effectively called trailer trash by the very pleasant Clinton campaign operative, James Carville. Thank goodness there were no recordings of these Democrats using the word "p****." That seems to be the word that is now unacceptable. Alvin Bragg, other prosecutors, and the media seem to believe they can get a guilty plea because Trump used the word around twenty years ago. I hope the jury isn't that stupid. The media and other Democrats just pretend they are offended by the word. This is all a bad joke and it shows how corrupt the media, the Justice system, and other Democrats are. They have set out to destroy Trump since before he took office, They can't stand the thought of someone giving the power, money and freedom back to the people. They interfere in elections every day as they seek to protect their fiefdom. It is a joke that people like Al Gore, John Kerry, Michael Bloomberg, and Nancy Pelosi got medal of freedom awards when all of them are seeking to take away our freedoms every day! They fly in private jets while they tell us that we can't drive gas cars or use gas appliances. Image: Michael Nuccitelli, Psy.D. via Flickr // public domain Regardless of any particular details, the pandemic of Hamas-inspired campus unrest has pushed news of Trumps hush money trial down to well below the fold. It has also put Bidens presidency in a most uncomfortable spotlight. I seriously doubt that such was the intent of the organizers of these events. Various explanations are being proffered as to who is behind this and why this is happening. Some conservative commentators are pointing their fingers at the classical Marxist demand to replace traditional oppressive authority with their own. Jihadis are inclined to tout the rising tide of Islamic supremacy. College culture in its modern, snowflake-coddling sense is also a prime suspect. I just cant fail to notice any spontaneity in all of this. George Soros, the archetypical James Bond villain, cannot escape consideration but where necessary, hes pretty good at covering his tracks. Others are also under suspicion and all their motives are fairly similar: destabilization of the existing order. Antisemitism seems to be the ostensible motive...but is it really? Even before Hitler, there just werent that many Jews in the world. Yeah, they tend to revere education and knowledge and are more than willing to exploit such accomplishments for material benefits. But so what? Lots of folks have very similar ideals. What may be behind antisemitism is that Jews dont look very different from Gentiles hence, the Third Reich was compelled to make them wear yellow stars of David. Human decency being what it is, the king of occupied Denmark wore one as well. Colleges are certainly the focus of this phenomenon. Initially, the administrations took a hands-off position which allowed things more fully to develop. They mistakenly tried to avoid bad optics...which was obviously inevitable. In my student days, things got so bad that Governor Reagan had to call in the National Guard to shut things down. The campus, however, wasnt touched at all. We just burned down the Bank of America that was across the street. The university was our home. Drifting back to unintended consequences, it seems seriously unlikely that Hamas and leftist campus radicals could possibly benefit by another Trump presidency, let alone with the Republicans having working majorities in both houses of Congress. This is speculation, but Trump was already holding his own in spite of edge-to-edge lawfare. And Biden could not possibly benefit by having to face a perplexing challenge, while also declining further into senility. In this years election, only ten Republican senators have to face the voters while 23 Democrats have the same challenge. The disarray on college campuses, from coast to coast, is not likely to enhance the appeal of those in fear of bad optics, let alone actual serious consequences. Oh, yeah then theres this pesky thing called the economy. Vegetative Biden continues to say that things couldnt be better, but he gets taxpayer-funded room and board, so he doesnt have to go shopping for provisions. Finally, to show the arbitrary nature of antisemitism, I present a joke that I read many years ago in World Press Review. The Soviet Union had not yet crashed and burned, and so a rural Soviet grocery store posted a sign in its window saying it would be having meat for sale tomorrow. Shortly before dawn, a line began to form in front of the store. As the sun began to rise, a clerk began to open the store. He walked down the line of waiting consumers and told them, Yes, we have meat. But we dont have enough for everybody here in line. So all the Jews will have to leave. Time passes, and the clerk comes out again and walks down the line. Then he says, Yes, we have meat. But we dont have enough for those who are not members of the Communist Party. And thus, the line got a lot shorter. As the day continued, the clerk came out again and told the line, We just dont have enough meat for everybody here in line so only veterans of the Great Patriotic War can have any meat. Finally, as the sun set, the clerk came out and said to the few shivering remainders, Im sorry. We really dont have any meat. The few shriveled, suffering old commie veterans look at one another and blurt out, The Jews get the best of everything. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. On April 30, Illegals fly freeand secretly, was posted at American Thinker. Its the tale of the Biden Administration flying unvetted illegals directly across our secure and closed borders into America at taxpayer expense. Illegals apply and are approved via an app specially written to circumvent immigration law. Most government produced software fails miserably, but they got this one right. It was, until recently, a more than top-secret program, and planes loaded with illegals landed, during the night, at airports across America. Now we know more, including where those illegals have been landing. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data is revealing the more than 45 cities in the U.S. that hundreds of thousands of migrants have flown into via a controversial parole program for four nationalities with the vast majority entering the U.S. via airports in Florida. During an eight-month period from January through August 2023, roughly 200,000 migrants flew into the U.S. via the program. Of those, 80% of them, (161,562) arrived in the state of Florida in four cities: Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa Bay, according to DHS data obtained via a subpoena by the House Homeland Security Committee and provided to Fox News. The policy was first announced for Venezuelans in October 2022, which allowed a limited number to fly or travel directly into the U.S. as long as they had not entered illegally, had a sponsor in the U.S. already, and passed certain biometric and biographical vetting. The program does not itself facilitate flights, and migrants are responsible for their own travel. Nonsense. All of this is done online though a DHS app. As with virtually every illegal, there is no way to verify the identities of any of these people, nor can they be checked for criminal records. As to biometric vetting, double nonsense. How do you vet, via an app, anyone? How can you tell if a photo they sent is actually them, or if any other data relates to them? And if data from their country of origin is available, how can it be trusted? Its highly likely these are people their regimes want to send anywhere else, and particularly America where they can do damage to the hated Americans. And sponsors? No doubt various America-hating NGOs have long lists of such sponsors, existing or fictional (likely the latter) the Biden DHS is more than happy to credit. These are the four countries involved known so far: Graphic: Fox News Screenshot Cuba? Democrats/socialists/communists (D/s/cs) hate Cubans that want to immigrate because theyre anti-communists, love America and want to assimilate; they want to become Americans. Whats most likely is these particular Cubans are regime-approved infiltrators, ready to perform or support acts of sabotage and terror against Americans. And Nicaragua, Venezuela and Haiti? There must be, if only by process of elimination, some decent people living in those places, people who might want to assimilate, who have the ability to contribute to America rather than live here parasitically, but what are the odds those are the people those countries are allowing out? Notice which state has been the primary recipient of this immigration largess: Graphic: Fox News Screenshot Thats right: Florida. Surely the Mummified Meat Puppet Administration (MMPA) wouldnt do that on purpose? Theyd never do that as a means of punishing Gov. Ron DeSantis and Floridians for not only refusing to turn blue, but for serving as one of the primary free states to which refugees from blue states flee? Theyd certainly not do that out of rage over how successful Florida has been in suing D/s/c mandates and opposing the federal governmentwould they? Theyre not political and vindictive, are they? Americans have become so used to the MMPA serially violating the Constitution and the law in general little surprises them, but this too is a direct violation of American immigration law, and a violation of Joe Bidens oath to see the law is faithfully executed. Of course, virtually everything Bidens handlers have done in relation to immigration is a violation of immigration law, national sovereignty and security. These unidentifiable illegals are getting a free ride, not only across our border, but anywhere else in the country they wish to travel. Contrast that with Americans stranded in hostile foreign countries who have to fork over payment in advance to reserve a seat on the far too few American flights out when the State Department screws up another country and is forced by public outrage to acknowledge theyve left hundreds, even thousands, of additional Americans behind in mortal danger. And now they want to do the same for Palestinians, some 80% of whom are Islamists. But thats another article. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. As the Class of 2020 high school graduates missed their traditional commencement ceremonies due to a pandemic, the Class of 2024 college graduates now face a different disruption: pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses. This has become the largest groundswell of campus unrest since the anti-Apartheid and Vietnam War protests of previous decades, affecting over 50 universities across more than 30 states. As the nation prepares for graduations, campuses like the University of Michigan and Ohio State University are taking extraordinary security measures, such as metal detectors and bans on banners and signs. These protests demand an end to the war in Gaza and call for divestment from Israel, but what is truly at stake here is the nature of the ideology being championed in these demonstrations. It is both perplexing and deeply concerning to see a narrative that frames Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, as a beacon of social justice and freedom! The core of Hamass governance in Gaza, which the protesters seem to overlook, is steeped in tyrannical control, suppression of freedoms, and blatant disregard for human rights, particularly those of women and children. The very notion that such a regime could be associated with social justice is not only a gross misrepresentation but a dangerous delusion that threatens to mislead our youth on college campuses across the nation. It is crucial to question the integrity and motivations of these pro-Palestinian groups that venerate a government under which women's rights are trampled and children are exploited as human shields. Is the importation of such ideals to American universities not only inappropriate but harmful to the fabric of our educational institutions? Should we not be alarmed that these protests could sow seeds of divisiveness based on a distorted image of freedom and justice? To the young minds caught in the crossfire of these protests: it is imperative to scrutinize the realities behind the slogans and banners. Freedom and social justice are noble pursuits, but aligning with groups like Hamas undercuts the very principles these terms stand for. As future leaders and thinkers, it is your responsibility to discern the truths obscured by the chaos of activism, ensuring that the causes you champion truly align with the values of liberty and equality for all. In conclusion, as the university campuses continue to be the battlegrounds for these protests, it is vital for the academic community and its stakeholders to maintain a clear perspective on what is being advocated. No educational ceremonyespecially one that marks the culmination of years of hard work and achievementshould be overshadowed by advocacy for a regime that stands against everything our institutions of higher learning represent. Let us ensure our universities remain beacons of true knowledge and justice, untainted by the advocacy of oppressive ideologies. Jerry McGlothlin serves as the CEO of Special Guests, a publicity agency known for representing guests who are dedicated to helping preserve and advance our Constitutional Republic and maintaining a Judeo-Christian ethic. Image: Fars Media Corporation, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY 4.0 DEED (Image source from: Facebook.com/MaaHinglajYatraPakistan) All about Hinglaj Yatra, the Largest Hindu festival in Pakistan:- Hindu devotees arrive at the ancient Hinglaj Mata cave temple to participate in the annual festival in Hinglaj, Lasbela district, Balochistan province, southwestern Pakistan. More than 100,000 Hindus are expected to climb mud volcanoes and steep cliffs in southwestern Pakistan as part of a three-day pilgrimage to one of the faith's holiest sites. The rise of a sheer mud volcano marks the beginning of religious rituals by Hindu pilgrims in southwestern Pakistan. They climbed hundreds of steps and scaled rocks to reach the top, threw coconuts and rose petals into a shallow crater, and visited Hingraj Mata, an ancient cave temple that was the center of three days of worship. Ask God's permission to do so. The dramatic setting of Balochistan's Hingol National Park is the setting for Pakistan's largest Hindu festival, the Hingraj Yatra, which begins on Friday and ends on Sunday. Organizers say more than 100,000 Hindus are expected to participate. Muslim-majority Pakistan is home to 4.4 million Hindus, who make up just 2.14% of the population. Hingrajmata is one of the few Hindu holy sites that continues to attract large numbers of pilgrims from all over the country every year. Muslims and Hindus generally live peacefully in Pakistan, from which most Hindus immigrated to India when it was partitioned by British colonialists in 1947. But relations between the rivals remain strained, leading to attacks on Hindu temples in recent years. Hindus believe that Hinraj Mata is one of the places where Sati, the goddess of marital bliss and longevity, fell to the earth after her life ended. Maharaj Gopal, the temple's senior cleric, explains why people flock there. "This is Hinduism's holiest pilgrimage," Gopal said. ``He will visit the temple for three days, and whoever worships accordingly will have all his sins forgiven.'' Journeys begin hundreds of kilometers away, mostly in the neighboring province of Sindh. Hundreds of packed buses depart from cities such as Hyderabad and Karachi and travel along the Makran Coastal Road, which encircles southern and southwest Pakistan. But with little parking or vehicle access to the holy site, many pilgrims disembark and walk across dry, rocky terrain to complete their journey, sometimes barefoot and carrying children and luggage. It is a few kilometers (miles) from thehighway to the mud volcano, and almost 45 kilometers (25 miles) from there to Hingraj Mata. In a desert-like environment, the wind swirls and kicks up dust that hits your eyes, nose, and mouth. The festive mood and colorful costumes of the pilgrims contrast with the dry landscape. Strong gusts of wind distort people's celebratory cries of 'Jai Mata Di' and 'Jai Shiv Shankar'. Kanwar Kumar, 28, visited the temple for the first time with her husband. "We've been married for six years, but we haven't had a child yet, so I'm hoping for the goddess's help," she said. "We believe that no one goes home empty-handed. All wishes will be fulfilled by Hingraj Mata." Googles upcoming Pixel 8a has leaked in almost every way imaginable, save for some key details like the majority of specs, but now thanks to a source Android Headlines can confirm all specs for the upcoming Android device. As one might expect, there are a lot of similarities between the Pixel 8a and its predecessor. Of course, theres some new stuff in there too. This is modeled after the Pixel 8 series, after all. With Googles new phone announcement looming, it shouldnt be too surprising that nearly everything would leak ahead of time. This is pretty standard stuff at this point for phones coming from most of the major manufacturers. So, it was probably inevitable that more information would come to light before Google officially revealed the phone. Front and center will be two major upgrades that Google didnt offer on last years Pixel 7a the storage and the displays refresh rate. The Pixel 8a will come with up to 256GB of storage which is double what Google offered on the Pixel 7a. Its also bumping the displays refresh rate up to 120Hz. These are big changes that will make a difference in the user experience. Youll have more room for storing photos, videos, apps, or whatever else, and the higher refresh rate will make for more enjoyable scrolling. The peak brightness is also increasing to a maximum of 2,000 nits (1,400 nits HDR). The rest of the display specs are the same though. Its an FHD+ 6.1-inch OLED screen with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 cover glass, HDR support, and a >1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. Pixel 8a specs include a slightly larger battery We say slightly because it is a very small increase. However, an increase is an increase. And Google is increasing the battery capacity. The Pixel 7a has a typical battery capacity of 4,385mAh and a minimum capacity of 4,300mAh. The Pixel 8a is bumping these up to 4,492mAh and 4,404mAh respectively. Google says this can last for up to 24+ hours, or up to 72 hours with the Extreme Battery Saver mode. This isnt really different from the Pixel 7a, aside from the specs page for it listing 24 hours and not 24+ hours. In the end, the battery is likely to last nearly the same amount of time, albeit a bit longer. The phone will also still support Qi wireless charging. Users will get updates for 7 years Just like with the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, the Pixel 8a will get 7 years of updates. Not just security updates or feature drops, either. 7 years of OS, security, and feature drop updates. So you wont need to upgrade your phone and step into something new for a long time. Provided you arent swayed by flashy new hardware. This bit is interesting because, in a separate exclusive leak from last month, we reported that the phone would come with 7 years of security updates. This was based on an image we had obtained of the Pixel 8a marketing for what is likely going to be on the landing page for the product. This specifically referred to security updates and nothing else. So it was suspected at the time that it might just be security updates. But we can confirm today that the 7 years of updates do indeed include updates for the OS and updates for feature drops. So rest assured, you wont be left behind if you go for this over the standard Pixel 8. Worth noting is that the 7 years starts from when the device first lands on the Google Store in the US. Not from when you purchase the phone. The cameras remain unchanged, but there are new camera features This information is nothing new since it has leaked in previous reports. However, now we can confirm the camera features from those leaks are accurate. While the cameras themselves remain unchanged from last years Pixel 7a, the Pixel 8a will come with some new camera features. This includes the AI-powered Magic Editor, as well as Best Take and Ultra HDR. Everything else is relatively the same which is to be expected. Night Sight, Photo Unblur, Magic Eraser, Portrait Mode, Portrait Light, its all here. For the video side of things, Audio Magic Eraser is present. This is another feature Google launched alongside the Pixel 8 series. So feel free to use the Pixel 8a to record as many videos as you want without fear that the background noise will ruin the audio. Aloe will be one of the official colors Its already been leaked that the Pixel 8a will be offered in four colors. Porcelain, Obsidian, Bay, and what was thought to be Mint. But it turns out, the green color isnt actually called Mint like it is for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Google is calling this new color Aloe officially. That should be pretty evident when you compare the two side by side. Because the Pixel 8a is a much brighter green, with cases to match. Interestingly, our sources details dont mention anything about the phone coming in a Coral color. And yet, there is apparently going to be a Coral case option. So perhaps Google will release a Coral Pixel 8a down the road. All the rest of the specs for the Pixel 8a seem to be pretty much the same as the Pixel 7a. Aside from the Tensor G3 chipset that Google is pulling over from the Pixel 8 series instead of using the Tensor G2. In terms of cost, youre looking at $499 for the 128GB variant and $559 for the 256GB variant. Google Play Books has unveiled a delightful update that caters to both avid readers and young minds. With this update, you dont have to scour the web or navigate clunky apps anymore. Instead, the new Play Books brings a treasure trove of free audiobook previews on YouTube that will transform how you discover your next listen. Free audiobook previews now on YouTube Yes, you read that right. Google has launched a dedicated YouTube channel for Google Play Books that brings thousands of audiobook previews. Now you can effortlessly browse captivating snippets of fantasy epics, heart-wrenching memoirs, or nail-biting thrillers. All of these happen within the familiar YouTube interface you already know and love. This update not only offers a convenient and free way to find your next literary adventure. But it also makes it much easier to explore the world of audiobooks. Free childrens ebooks with Read & Listen Google Play Books has also unveiled over 300 free childrens ebooks, complete with the innovative Read & Listen feature. Picture your child getting lost in a captivating story while the pages magically turn on their own, narrated by soothing voices. This is a surefire way to ignite a love for reading in young minds, fostering comprehension and engagement. Stay organized with the Upcoming section in the Play Books app Keeping track of your next literary adventure just got easier with the Upcoming section in the Play Books Android app. This nifty feature acts like your own personal librarian, organizing all your pre-orders within a clear calendar view. No more scrambling to remember whats coming next. You can even filter by specific authors or series to stay on top of releases that perfectly align with your interests. Encouraging young readers with Reading Rewards And for young readers, Google is introducing Reading Rewards, a gamified way to encourage consistent reading. As children explore the world of ebooks within the Play Books Android app or Google Kids Space, theyll be rewarded with digital stickers upon reaching reading milestones. These little tokens of appreciation add a touch of fun and motivate young minds to keep exploring new books. This Google Play Books update isnt just a collection of features. Its a testament to the companys dedication to making audiobooks more accessible than ever before. With its free audiobook previews readily available on YouTube, Google is poised to disrupt the industry. Hopefully, these will make it easier and more enjoyable than ever to discover your next auditory adventure. So, whether youre a seasoned audiobook enthusiast or simply curious to explore this exciting format, Google Play Books has something special waiting just for you. The US witnessed one of the largest tech trials in history last year. The trial started back in September, and the main part of it ended in November. What was left in the trial were closing arguments from both Google and DOJ sides, which wrapped on May 3. Weve had two days of them. Google vs DOJ trial wrapped with closing arguments, were waiting for Judge Mehtas ruling Everything is in the hands of Judge Amit Mehta now. A ruling is expected later this year, though were not sure when exactly will that be. Even though the majority of the trial was closed to the public, a lot of details surfaced. Weve been covering the trial consistently. The trial wrapped with the Department of Justice and plaintiff states arguments on Thursday and Friday. Thursdays arguments focused on Googles alleged anticompetitive conduct in the general search market. On Friday we saw a focus on Googles allegedly illegal conduct in search advertising. Google was also under fire from the DOJ over some chat messages that were not revealed and could have been relevant to the case. As many of you know by now, the government is trying to show that Google locked up key distribution channels for the general search engine market, as The Verge put it. That managed to block its rivals from growing, in a way. If Google is found guilty, major fine & changes are expected If Judge Mehta agrees with the DOJ, in the end, Googles behavior will be considered anticompetitive, and that could bring major changes to the table. Google will also face a major fine. Googles lead litigator, John Schmidtlein, disagreed with the DOJs arguments in the case. He said that Google has won with a superior product. Judge Amit Mehta said that the importance and significance of this case is not lost on him, and that he realizes it will not only affect Google, but the public as well. As already mentioned, Judge Amit Mehta did not provide a timeline for his decision. It is expected at some point in 2024, but well simply have to wait. He has a major decision on his hands. A senior Hamas official on Saturday said the group would not accept a truce that did not completely end the Gaza war, accusing Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu of "personally hindering" a deal. Qatari, Egyptian and US mediators met a Hamas delegation in Cairo on Saturday in the latest bid to halt the devastating almost seven-month-old war that has triggered worldwide protests. They were to hear the militant group's response to a proposal that would halt fighting for 40 days and exchange hostages for Palestinian prisoners, according to details released by Britain. But a senior Hamas official insisted late Saturday that the group would "not agree under any circumstances" to a truce that did not explicitly include a complete end to the war, including Israel's withdrawal from Gaza. The official, who asked not to be named, condemned Israeli efforts to secure a hostage-release deal "without linking it to ending the aggression on Gaza". He accused Netanyahu of "personally hindering" efforts to reach a truce due to "personal interests". A top Israeli official had earlier accused Hamas of "thwarting the possibility of reaching an agreement" by refusing to give up its demand for an end to the war. Despite months of shuttle diplomacy, mediators have failed to broker a new truce like the week-long ceasefire that saw 105 hostages released last November, the Israelis among them in exchange for Palestinians held by Israel. Previous negotiations stalled in part on Hamas's demand for a lasting ceasefire and Netanyahu's repeated vows to crush the group's remaining fighters in the southern city of Rafah, which is flooded with displaced civilians. Israel has yet to send a delegation to Cairo. The Israeli official told AFP that it would do so only if there was "positive movement" on the proposed framework. "Tough and long negotiations are expected for an actual deal," the official added. A senior Hamas source close to the negotiations told AFP they would resume on Sunday. More deaths The war broke out after Hamas's unprecedented Oct. 7 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israel's retaliatory offensive against Hamas has killed at least 34,654 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. Gaza's civil defence agency and hospitals reported more deaths from Israeli strikes in Rafah as well as areas farther north. The United Nations says more than 70 percent of Gaza's residential buildings have been completely or partly destroyed, and rebuilding will require an effort unseen since the aftermath of World War II. Accepting a ceasefire deal with Israel should be a "no-brainer" for Hamas, who are "the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire", US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said late Friday. The prospect of an assault on Rafah has sparked deepening international concern. The senior Hamas official on Saturday said Israel would bear "full responsibility for insisting on entering Rafah instead of ceasing the aggression". The World Health Organization says 1.2 million people, half of the Gaza Strip's population, are sheltering in Rafah. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Friday warned that "a full-scale military operation in Rafah... could lead to a bloodbath". UN humanitarian office spokesman Jens Laerke said an assault on Rafah could "strike a disastrous blow" to agencies struggling to provide aid. The war in Gaza has also triggered a surge in violence in the already restive occupied West Bank, where Israel said on Saturday its troops killed five Palestinian "terrorists" during a 12-hour siege near Tulkarem. At least 496 Palestinians have been killed in the territory by Israeli troops or settlers since October 7, according to an AFP tally. Egypt's Al-Qahera News, which is linked to the intelligence services, had quoted an unidentified high-ranking source as saying "there is significant progress in the negotiations" and that the mediators had "reached an agreed-upon formula on most points of contention." But the senior Hamas official said late Saturday the talks had ended for the day after "no developments". The top Israeli official, who spoke anonymously, said a sign of progress would be if Israel sent a delegation to Cairo led by Mossad intelligence service chief David Barnea. The continued captivity of Israeli hostages in Gaza has caused rising political tensions, with some protesters accusing Netanyahu of seeking to prolong the war. Demonstrators have regularly taken to Israeli streets demanding the government reach a deal to bring the hostages home, with thousands again protesting in Tel Aviv on Saturday. "War is not holy, life is," the protesters chanted. The Israeli government says 128 hostages remain in Gaza, including 35 the military says are presumed dead. Wartime wedding U.S. President Joe Biden has come under mounting domestic pressure to leverage more concessions from Netanyahu's government over its conduct of the war. A letter signed by 88 congressmen from Biden's Democratic Party expressed serious concern over Israel's "deliberate withholding" of aid for Palestinian civilians and urged Biden to consider halting arms sales unless Israel's conduct changes. At U.S. urging, Israel has facilitated more aid deliveries into Gaza in recent days but UN agencies say that has not averted advancing famine. World Food Programme chief Cindy McCain said in an interview published Friday that there was already "full-blown famine in the north (of Gaza) and it's moving its way south". In a rare break from the daily struggle to survive, dozens of Palestinians gathered under decorative lights in Khan Yunis for a mass wedding on Friday. The grooms, one of them on crutches, wore matching dark suits over white shirts. The war remained close, though. The Israeli military said it struck a munitions site in the Khan Yunis area on Friday after a projectile was fired towards Israel. (AFP) 4 May 2024 at 2:41 am The Duke of Sussex is expected to meet with the King during his trip to the UK next week, it has been reported. Harry will attend a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games at Londons St Pauls Cathedral on Wednesday May 8. The Sun reports the duke is very keen to meet with Charles, with their previous meeting coming in February following the Kings cancer diagnosis. It has also been reported that any potential meeting is unlikely to include the Prince of Wales, with William scheduled to be away from the capital on Thursday and Friday. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Yaroslav Sabitov/PA) The duke is expected to give a reading at a service of thanksgiving marking a decade since the inaugural Invictus Games London in 2014. It will be the first major event he has attended in Britain for some time. Organisers say there has been no confirmation of any other royals attending, or if the Duchess of Sussex or the couples children will be in the UK. The service is scheduled two days after Harrys son Archie celebrates his fifth birthday. Harry last met with the King following Charless cancer announcement in February (Ben Birchall/PA) Actor Damian Lewis is set to recite the Invictus poem during the service. Representatives from Invictus Games participating nations, including members of the wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veteran community, will also be in attendance. Following the ceremony, Harry and Meghan are scheduled to head to Nigeria after being invited by the west African countrys chief of defence staff, who met Harry in Germany last September at Invictus Games Dusseldorf. Harry and Meghan moved to the US in 2020 after stepping down from royal duties. Iga Swiatek produced a stunning fightback to battle past Aryna Sabalenka and win the Madrid Open title after a high-quality final which lasted more than three hours. The world number one had taken the opening set before Sabalenka, looking to retain her title at Manolo Santana Stadium, regained momentum to level and then forged 3-1 ahead in the decider. Swiatek, though, showed all of her experience to mount a recovery and save three match points before coming through a tense tie-break to complete a 7-5 4-6 7-6 (7) victory. World number two Sabalenka had two championship points when leading 6-5 at the end of the deciding set, but was unable to convert either as Swiatek again dug in to find a winning return at the crucial moment. The first six points of the tie-break stayed on serve before a booming forehand from Sabalenka brought up a mini-break, but Swiatek immediately recovered again. With the scores locked again at 5-5, Sabalenka sent a return long to give Swiatek a mini-break and her first championship point of the match only for the Belarussian to produce an ace. Swiatek was then left serving to save the match after another over-hit forehand, but again Sabalenka could not make the most of her chance, with two long returns swinging momentum back to the world number one. Sabalenka, 25, lashed over another backhand, which dropped just out of the court as Swiatek completed a remarkable recovery. Swiatek had lost only one set across her five wins in Madrid on the way to setting up a repeat of last years final, which Sabalenka had won in three sets. The 22-year-old Pole, already a three-time champion at Roland Garros, has now secured the one big European clay tournament which had eluded her. It is always a challenge playing against you Aryna, so thanks for motivating me and forcing me to be a better player, Swiatek said on court after winning her 20th career title. Thanks to my team for sticking with me through ups and downs. I hope we are going to continue progressing. Aryna Sabalenka just came up short in the defence of her Madrid Open title (Bernat Armangue/AP) Sabalenka paid tribute to Swiateks efforts. Congrats on another great tournament Iga, you are doing an incredible job and hopefully next year it (title) goes to me, Sabalenka said during the presentation ceremony, broadcast on Sky Sports. It was a great match and a long one, hopefully we will recover well for the next tournament. Ivan Toneys goal drought stretched to 10 matches as Brentford fought out a 0-0 draw with west London neighbours Fulham. The England striker found the net against Belgium in March but has not scored for the Bees since the middle of February and is now on his longest run without a club goal since playing for Peterborough in 2019. Not that there was much riding on a distinctly low-key derby between two sides safe from relegation and nowhere near a place in Europe. While Toney did not have a sniff at goal, Raul Jimenez should have won it for Fulham only to fire their best chance over. Fulham had most of the ball but Brentford created the clearer opportunities during the first half, a case in point being when Willian surged forward only to turn and give the ball back to Toney. The 28-year-old fed strike partner Bryan Mbeumo, who raced forward only to see his shot deflected on to the crossbar by a desperate challenge from Calvin Bassey. The rebound fell to Keane Lewis-Potter, but his effort bounced straight into the arms of Cottagers keeper Bernd Leno. Centre-half Pinnock briefly joined the Bees attack and his header across the penalty area found captain Christian Norgard, whose volley flew across goal and wide with Toney unable to get a touch at the far post. Just before the break Keane Lewis-Potter chased a long cross-field ball towards the left corner, beat full-back Timothy Castagne and dinked an effort over Leno, but the danger was cleared by defender Issa Diop. Fulhams two best chances in the opening half fell to Alex Iwobi, who fizzed a drive inches over the crossbar and then embarked on a mazy run along the edge of the penalty area only to shoot straight at Mark Flekken. The second half was all Fulham, looking for only their second win in seven short trips along the Thames. Iwobi squared the ball to Andreas Pereira, who sidefooted his shot narrowly over from 20 yards. Iwobi then lifted a cross to the far post, from where Rodrigo Munizs downward header was held by Flekken, before Castagne headed over from Pereiras corner. The points ought to have been Fulhams with 15 minutes left when Adama Traore outmuscled Yehor Yarmoliuk and crossed for fellow substitute Jimenez, only for the Mexican striker to blaze a golden chance over from 15 yards out. Flekken made a late save low down to deny Traore as the Bees held out for a point from a derby that will not live long in the memory. Jannik Sinner has joined Carlos Alcaraz in withdrawing from the Italian Open in Rome next week because of injury. The Australian Open champion pulled out of the Madrid Open on Wednesday ahead of the quarter-finals with a hip problem and will not be fit in time for his home tournament. Sinner now faces a race to be healthy for the French Open later this month, with Alcaraz in the same boat as he continues to battle a forearm issue. Jannik Sinner is forced to withdraw due to an ongoing hip injury. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Jannik! We'll see you soon at the Foro Italico. #IBI24 | @atptour pic.twitter.com/oIdBycNwI7 Internazionali BNL d'Italia (@InteBNLdItalia) May 4, 2024 Sinner wrote on X: It is not easy to write this message but, after speaking again with the doctors and specialists about my hip problems, I have to announce that unfortunately I will not be able to play in Rome. Obviously Im very sad that I didnt recover, it being one of my favourite tournaments ever. I couldnt wait to come back and play at home in front of the Italian crowd. I will still come to Rome for a few days and stop by the Foro Italico. Thank you for your messages of support which I appreciate very much! Now I will work with my team and doctors to be ready for Roland Garros. It remains to be seen whether world number four Daniil Medvedev, who was also forced out of Madrid by injury, will compete in Rome, but Novak Djokovic is set to return after opting to miss the tournament in the Spanish capital. Max Verstappen won the sprint race in Miami as Fernando Alonso accused Lewis Hamilton of arriving like a bull as they collided at the first corner. Verstappen controlled the 19-lap race which was interrupted by an opening-lap safety car after Hamilton was involved in a coming together with Alonso to claim a dominant win. Charles Leclerc finished second for Ferrari with Red Bulls Sergio Perez third. RBs Daniel Ricciardo started and finished an impressive fourth with Hamilton originally finishing eighth following a ding-dong battle with Kevin Magnussen. However, Hamilton was penalised for speeding in the pit lane, dropping him to 16th. Great start to Saturday in Miami! Max wins and Checo in P3 Result Max P1! , LEC, Checo P3 , RIC, SAI, PIA, HUL, TSU, GAS, SAR.#F1Sprint || #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/9SswpqjVW0 Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) May 4, 2024 Pole-sitter Verstappen held off Leclerc on the short run down to the opening bend at the Hard Rock Stadium to lay down the foundations for a victory which sees him extend his championship lead over Perez from 25 points to 27. But the action unfolded behind Verstappen with Hamilton taking centre stage. The seven-time world champion, starting from a lowly 12th, enjoyed a strong getaway in his Mercedes before slinging his machine down the inside of an unsuspecting Alonso, four places ahead of him on the grid. Hamilton bumped into Alonsos Aston Martin who then collided with team-mate Lance Stroll. Lando Norris was minding his own business on the outside of the opening right-hander only for Stroll sent out of control by Alonso to hit the British drivers McLaren. LAP 1 / 19 SC deployed Lando is out Contact in the pack tags the right-rear of the McLaren, and it's game over.#F1Sprint #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/8uE3oiD9eX Formula 1 (@F1) May 4, 2024 Stroll and Norris both retired with damage while Alonso had to limp back to the pits with a puncture. Whoa, said Alonso, 43, over the radio. Hamilton arrived like a bull. Hamilton was on the intercom, too. There was a gap on the inside so I went for it, he said, protesting his innocence. The stewards noted the first-corner flashpoint but they took no further action allowing Hamilton to continue in ninth spot. Out came the safety car and when the race resumed on the fourth lap of 19, Verstappen made no mistake to blast away from Leclerc and retain his lead. Daniel Ricciardo secured an impressive fourth (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) The attention returned to Hamilton as he attempted to clear the Haas of Magnussen. However, the Dane was not prepared to let Hamilton by without a fight, using all of his machinery, and then some, to prevent the Briton from swooping by. However, the stewards took a dim view of Magnussens aggressive defence and hit him with a 10-second penalty, but the fight continued. He just drove into me, said Hamilton, and on lap 15 he then accused Magnussen of pushing him off the track at the chicane allowing RBs Yuki Tsunoda to make his way ahead. A lap later, Tsunoda and Hamilton cleared Magnussen and Hamilton then found a way past the Japanese driver which looked to have earned him the final point. But the Mercedes driver was penalised for driving too fast in the pit lane under safety car conditions, dropping him way down the order. Hamiltons team-mate George Russell finished 12th. Sadiq Khan is re-elected as the Mayor of London There is little point in sugar-coating the results of last weeks local and mayoral elections. Almost across the board, they were bad for the Conservatives. In London, Sadiq Khan has won an unprecedented third term with an increased majority. Andy Streets knife-edge result in the West Midlands came despite his personal popularity and his incontrovertible successes as mayor. The last results to be declared by councils completed the picture of Tory gloom, with further losses of councillors. It is vital that the party does not learn the wrong lessons from this political bruising. That danger is particularly acute in London, where pundits are already suggesting that the Conservatives fundamental mistake was to choose a candidate who was too Right-wing, that her campaign was too divisive, and that they should have shifted towards the so-called centre ground instead. Susan Hall who suffered some unforgivably nasty attacks on her character should not be turned into a scapegoat for the Tories losses. Yes, London ought to have been winnable for the party. In the Ulez rebellion, they had a ready-made populist revolt, ripe for being exploited. The housing situation has become intolerable for many. Violent crime including attacks on police officers is now of massive and growing concern to Londoners. And Mr Khans mismanagement of the transport network gave ample room for the party to articulate an alternative. Nor is the capital a Labour city, as even some Tories seem to think, with an inbuilt progressive majority. Ms Halls 32.7 per cent share of the vote was higher than the Conservative share nationwide. It is often forgotten that 40 per cent of Londoners voted for Brexit, while the Conservatives dominated swathes of the capital including parts of the centre until quite recently. Boris Johnson won two terms as mayor, and not by governing as a municipal socialist. At the centre of his first victory was opposition to the expansion of the congestion charge zone. He campaigned on lower taxes for Londoners. The Conservatives should have chosen a higher-profile candidate with existing name-recognition: if you are to win from the Right in London, you need an existing platform and an independent streak. But there was nothing wrong with Ms Halls political strategy given the constraints of an extremely unpopular Conservative government. If she had not put opposition to Ulez expansion at the heart of her campaign, if she had not repeatedly attacked Mr Khans weakness on crime, it is quite possible that the Tories would have done even worse. She did not receive anywhere near enough support from the national Conservative Party, which failed to capitalise on the huge government bailouts to Transport for London. If she had moved Left, many more Right-wing voters would surely have either stayed at home, or backed Reform. The real lesson from Mr Khans victory in the London mayoral race is that he was able to benefit from Labours dominant position in the national polls, though he appears much less popular than Sir Keir Starmers party. His win also illustrates the flaws inherent in the current system of devolution. When it was introduced by the Blair government, it was claimed that it would guarantee better decision-making, more tailored to the interests of local people. Power that had been hoarded in Westminster and Whitehall would flow back to the people, who would hold their new political leaders accountable for their mistakes. It has not worked out that way at all. British devolution does not resemble the American federal system in which tax competition encourages state leaders to pursue growth-friendly policies, and state governors are genuinely accountable to their voters. It has tended to produce leaders who take credit for anything good that happens, while blaming central government for any failures. Reforming this broken system is becoming increasingly urgent. But, for now, the Conservatives must concentrate on improving their standing in the national polls. Rishi Sunak has taken some promising steps in recent weeks in areas such as defence spending, welfare reform and immigration. He must go further. The party has a great deal to do to win back younger voters, many of who, fairly or not, blame it for the housing crisis. Home ownership has long been a pathway to conservatism, and it is one that should not be shut off. Finding a way to build more homes in and around London will be essential. Mr Sunak should also address the taxes and regulations devastating nightlife. Sir Keir has not yet sealed the deal with the electorate, and many voters remain rightly concerned about what a Labour majority government would bring. The policies pursued by the likes of Mr Khan in London, or the devolved Labour government in Wales, show that the partys instincts remain to raise taxes, crush enterprise and exploit net zero as an opportunity to impose authoritarian measures on groups such as drivers. But if they are to defeat Labour, the Conservatives must themselves be clear to the electorate about what they believe. That will not be achieved by shifting to the supposed centre ground, or by seeking to steal the Lefts clothes. It will be achieved by governing with conviction as conservatives. Sadiq Khan makes a speech as he is re-elected for a record third time as mayor of London on Saturday. Photograph: Alastair Grant/AP Keir Starmer was advised by his team to get an early night on Thursday before the first election results started to come through at dawn the next day. They booked the Labour leader into a hotel at a secret location in the north-west, so he could be bright and breezy when celebrating an anticipated parliamentary byelection win in Blackpool South. But the early-to-bed plan didnt work out quite as expected. Labours campaign chief Morgan McSweeney took calls from his anxious boss throughout the early hours until Starmer was told the result from Blackpool soon after 4.30am. In their sleep deprived state, the main consideration for Starmer and McSweeney was not so much confirmation of the win a Labour victory was pretty much assured but the size of the swing. McSweeney told Starmer the figure. It was huge 26%. In the same call he also told his boss how he had now achieved four out of five of the biggest byelection swings to Labour from the Tories, in the past 12 months alone. The other three were in Selby and Ainsty (21.3%), Tamworth (20%) and Wellingborough (19.3%). While Starmer was, apparently, mildly put out to hear he had not surpassed the record 28% swing in Dudley West in 1994, it was in every other respect the best news possible. Everyone knew Labour would do well in Blackpool and in the local elections, and the Tories would take a hammering. But the question given that the overall trend of Labour wins had been factored in was how well and how it would play out in the media. Momentum was vital. As the Blackpool results were followed by those for 2,636 council seats, 10 mayoralties and 37 police and crime commissioners, Starmers party was in pole position from the outset. A senior Labour figure said: What we had to do was get off to a good start, and then allow the Tories as little room as possible to go into TV and radio studios and say: well Labour fell short of expectations here, didnt do as well as everyone thought there.We had to win big at the start to show the wind continuing to build in our sails. Thats what we did. By early Friday morning the omens, long term and short, were pretty dire for the Tories. A big factor was not just the collapse of their vote, but also the performance of Reform UK which had polled more than 3,000 votes (16.9%) in Blackpool South. It was Reforms best performance in a parliamentary byelection to date. Although it failed by just more than 100 votes to push the Tories into third place, the partys performance was evidence of how this new force, which could soon be led by Nigel Farage, could split the rightwing vote with devastating effects for Rishi Sunaks party at the general election. On his victory lap in Blackpool, Starmer was looking ahead: This seismic win is the most important result today. This is the one contest where voters had the chance to send a message to Rishi Sunaks Conservatives directly, and that message is an overwhelming vote for change. When the first council results came in, the pattern of Labour gains was confirmed. And the trend was, with a few exceptions, mirrored nationwide. Not only was Labour seizing back areas it had ceded to Boris Johnson in 2019, but it was also winning in once untouchable Tory strongholds. In Rushmoor, Hampshire, which includes Aldershot, it gained seven seats, all at the expense of the Tories, to end with 21 of 39 seats, taking control for the first time in the councils history. Labour councillor Gareth Williams rubbed salt into Tory wounds: That we have won this seat, the home of the British army, shows the Labour party has changed under Keir Starmer.. In heavily pro-Brexit areas Labour was also taking back control, including in Thurrock, Essex and on Hartlepool borough council. In North East Lincolnshire another Brexit stronghold the Tories lost full control. In Redditch, in the West Midlands, Labour took back power. But it was not all plain sailing for Starmer and his party, particularly in areas with large numbers of Muslim voters. Independent candidates were making strides. The Greens were surging, scoring a historic result on Bristol city council where they gained 10 seats, mostly from Labour, to become the largest party. Labour lost control of Oldham council after a number of independent councillors ran on a pro-Palestine ticket. Labour had run Oldham council for 13 years but anger at Starmers approach to a Gaza ceasefire, combined with local factors, hit the Labour vote. The party hung on in nearby Blackburn but only just, with independents gaining eight seats. Labour activist Michael Chessum said there were some warning signs the party should heed: While Thursdays results point towards a Labour win at the general election, two developments ought to act as a brake on the partys hubris. The first is the success of the Greens and some independents, who have patchily carved out an electoral space to Labours left. The Greens are now the largest party in Hastings and Bristol, and frustrated Labours hopes of winning in Norwich. Starmers support for Israels Gaza war has cost Labour dearly among Muslim voters. He added: Usually, electoral alternatives to Labour spring up when the party turns right in government. For them to gain so much traction with it still in opposition is unprecedented. Much to their relief, the Tories narrowly retained control in Harlow, and they milked it for all it was worth. Local MP Rob Halfon described the outcome as the biggest comeback since Lazarus. Suddenly some Conservatives were starting to see a faint hope that overall the results might not be that bad, and a possibility that they might emerge with a story to spin of Labour falling flat. The Tories damage limitation effort went into overdrive when news came through that Ben Houchen had held the Tees Valley mayoralty for them, albeit after a campaign in which he dissociated himself almost entirely from the national party. Houchens vote was down since 2021 from 73% to 54% and Labours up 14% to 41%. Even in his victory speech and interviews Houchen did not wear a blue rosette and said his party had to do better nationally. We need to give [voters] the reason to vote for us and we havent given them that yet, he said. But this did not stop former Tory Cabinet minister Andrea Leadsom from hailing the Houchen result as a sign of Labours essential frailty, and Tory strength. She called him an archetypal Conservative. I dont think Labour has much to be smug about when we see the result in Tees Valley which is at the heart of levelling up, she added. The Transport Secretary Mark Harper argued that he did not see how Labour could win a general election if it could not win in areas like Tees Valley. Buoyed by Houchens success the Tories turned their minds to the West Midlands mayoralty and hoping above hope that their mayor, Andy Street, would also cling on. Rumours began to spread on social media many spread by Conservatives of Labours London mayor Sadiq Khan being in trouble as a result of anti-Ulez feeling and Muslim voters being furious with Starmer over Gaza. But it all had the feel of Tories clinging on to a life raft that was fast sinking, and a desperate effort to cloud Labours successes by denying reality in a way that was reminiscent of Donald Trump. By Friday afternoon more results were coming in that were more terrible news for the Tories and very good for Labour. Tory MPs who had threatened to try to oust Sunak were suddenly putting up the white flag and resigning themselves to the fact that there was nothing they could do. David Skaith took the inaugural mayoralty of York and North Yorkshire for Labour, which covers Sunaks own constituency of Richmond. Labour also won inaugural mayoral contests in the North East and East Midlands. Elections guru John Curtice said the Tories overall vote tally had equalled record lows in 1995 and 2013. Support was down 11 points in votes for police and crime commissioners compared with 2021. Meanwhile the Liberal Democrats took control of Dorset council and headed the popular vote share in a number of parliamentary constituencies in Surrey and the home counties, held by Tory big beasts. It means Ed Daveys party will go into the general election campaign increasingly confident of ousting the likes of Jeremy Hunt, Michael Gove and others. Then Saturday afternoon, with Andy Street rumoured to be on the brink of defeat in the West Midlands mayoral race and bundle recounts ordered, all the talk of Khan being in trouble turned out to be no more than rumour as he romped home comfortably to take a third term. The Street rumours, however, were true: Labours Richard Parker clinched the vote. As expected, Andy Burnham also won in Greater Manchester. All the big mayoralties are now under Labour control. Overall, Labour had done what it set out to do in the last set of local elections before a general election later this year. A senior member of Starmers team said: We have got some problems like losing support over Gaza but I think we will deal with that. We are achieving what we set out to achieve which is to be a party for the whole country. The Rwanda scheme is aimed at deterring migrants from illegally crossing the Channel to the UK - Chris J Ratcliffe/Reuters The first Rwanda deportation flight could take off on July 1, a court document has shown. It is the first time a specific start date has been mooted for the Governments flagship scheme, which is aimed at deterring migrants from illegally crossing the Channel to the UK. The revelation emerged on Friday after the High Court rejected a request from ministers for more time to prepare for a legal challenge to the scheme. The First Division Association, a Civil Service union, has launched a judicial review into whether officials complying with ministerial orders to ignore possible European Court of Human Rights injunctions grounding flights would be put in conflict with international law and, by extension, the Civil Service Code. The judge, Mr Justice Chamberlain, revealed that the Government had said that the earliest a removal is expected to take place is July 1 to 15. Ordering that the case should be fast-tracked to a hearing in early June, he said there was a powerful public interest in hearing the First Division Associations case long before the first flight was scheduled to take place. July 1 is in line with the timetable set out by Rishi Sunak last month after the Government finally succeeded in getting its Rwanda Bill through Parliament. On April 22, the Prime Minister said: The first flight will leave in 10 to 12 weeks. A source close to James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, told The Telegraph: We will be fully focused on working to the timeline set out by the PM. Speaking to The Telegraph, Mr Cleverly said civil servants had a duty to implement ministers decisions. Asked about the legal action, he said: The role of a Civil Service is to implement the decisions of Government. It is really clear and unambiguous. That is the way the British system works. You have a politically impartial Civil Service delivering on the commitments made by the elected government. Thats how it should remain. Separately, the Asylum Aid charity has said it is preparing legal action over the Rwanda plan. It claims caseworkers given the task of deciding who goes to Rwanda have been given instructions that mean they will effectively ignore evidence of harm, despite a duty to take it into account. Alison Pickup, the Asylum Aid director, said: We have brought forward this legal action to ensure that the Home Office properly considers any individual cases against removal to Rwanda, including on the grounds that they would be returned from Rwanda to the place they fled. Defending the Rwanda scheme, Mr Cleverly said: The point is we have a commitment to protect our borders, to protect the integrity of our borders, and we will do that. It is the right thing to do for people in this country, and also dissuading people from putting themselves into the hands of evil criminal gangs, who care nothing about their safety, is also a moral imperative. Last week, immigration officials started detaining migrants ahead of the planned Rwanda deportations. Pictures and video released by the Home Office showed uniformed immigration officers carrying out a dawn raid. A Home Office spokesman said: The first illegal migrants set to be removed to Rwanda have now been detained by highly-trained teams following a series of nationwide operations this week. We will get flights off the ground to Rwanda in the next nine to 11 weeks, creating the deterrent effect to help break up the people smuggling business model and stop the boats. Canadian police arrested three men, Friday, over the killing last year in Vancouver of a Sikh separatist, whose death has been linked to the Indian government. The murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar plunged Canada and India into a serious diplomatic crisis last fall after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested Indian government involvement in the homicide. India dismissed the allegations as "absurd" and responded furiously, briefly curbing visas for Canadians and forcing Ottawa to withdraw diplomats. Three Indian nationals, two aged 22 and one aged 28, were arrested Friday and charged with first degree murder and conspiracy charges. They are accused of being the shooter, driver and lookout on the day Nijjar was killed. They were arrested by police in Edmonton, in the neighboring province of Alberta, where they reside, and are being held pending further proceedings. All had been in Canada for between three and five years, police said at a news conference. "This investigation does not end here. We are aware that others may have played a role in this homicide," said Mandeep Mooker of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's homicide investigations team. 'Credible allegations' Nijjar who immigrated to Canada in 1997 and became a citizen in 2015 advocated for a separate Sikh state, known as Khalistan, carved out of India. He was wanted by Indian authorities for alleged terrorism and conspiracy to commit murder. On June 18, 2023, he was shot dead by masked assailants in the parking lot of the Sikh temple he led in suburban Vancouver. Trudeau announced several months later that Canada had "credible allegations" linking Indian intelligence to the killing and expelled an Indian official, spurring the diplomatic tit-for-tat with New Delhi. Mooker said Canadian police are still investigating the ties of the suspects, "if any, to the Indian government." "It is a bit of a sigh of relief that the investigation is moving forward," Moninder Singh, a close friend of Nijjar, told AFP. "It is ultimately India who is responsible and hiring individuals to assassinate Sikh leaders in foreign countries," said Singh, spokesperson for the British Columbia Council of Gurdwaras. In November, the U.S. Justice Department charged an Indian citizen living in the Czech Republic with allegedly plotting a similar assassination attempt on American soil. Prosecutors said in unsealed court documents that an Indian government official was also involved in the planning. The shock allegations came after U.S. President Joe Biden hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a rare state visit, as Washington seeks closer ties with India against China's growing influence. U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed that the plot on American soil was approved by India's top spy official at the time, Samant Goel, The Washington Post reported this week. Canada is home to some 770,000 Sikhs, who make up about two percent of the country's population, with a vocal minority calling for an independent state of Khalistan. (AFP) Sir Simon Clarke, the former housing secretary, received a donation - Anadolu A former Cabinet Minister has accepted a donation from a company after the Ministry of Defence (MoD) raised significant national security concerns about its proposed infrastructure project. Sir Simon Clarke, the former housing secretary, accepted 5,000 from Aquind on March 27, just days after the MoDs misgivings were made public. Aquind wants to lay a 2 billion cable between Portsmouth and Normandy, which it says could supply five per cent of the UKs electricity. Viktor Fedotov, a Russian-born oil executive, is the companys non-executive director while Ukrainian-born Alexander Temerko, one of the Conservative partys largest donors, is a director. Both men have British citizenship. A letter to the planning inspector, published last month, revealed that the MoD said it has significant national security concerns about Aquinds proposed project. The MoD asked for a six-week extension to finalise its representations to the planning inspectorate, adding that the sensitive nature of its concerns meant that a new process needed to be set up. Officials felt that the MoDs concerns were not suitable for submission during the ordinary planning process, whereby representations are generally made public. Details of national security concerns They are pressing for a new, secure channel of communication to be established so that the details of their national security concerns can be submitted in confidence. Ultimately Claire Coutinho, the energy secretary, will decide whether the project should be given permission to go ahead. Last year Kwasi Kwartengs decision when business secretary to refuse permission for the interconnector was overturned in the High Court. Stephen Morgan, the Labour MP for Portsmouth South, urged ministers to scrap the Aquind project for good. He said: Since this project started, Alexander Temerko has donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to the Conservative Party and nearly one in 10 Tory MPs have accepted money from Viktor Fedotovs businesses. It is stunning that MPs of the governing party continue to accept money from Aquind and its owners given the serious alarms that have been raised about the project, not least by the Ministry of Defence which expressed serious national security concerns just months ago. Portsmouth people are long overdue clarity and confirmation on whether this project will go ahead, given the disastrous consequences it will have on our city. Russians role obscured Fedotov is a Russian-British businessman who previously headed up a number of Russian oil companies including the Caspian Pipeline Consortium. His role in Aquind had previously been obscured on Companies House under a rare security exemption. Temerko was born in modern-day Ukraine and moved to Moscow for university. He became a prominent supporter of former Russian president Boris Yeltsin and held senior posts in the Russian Defence Ministry in the 1990s. He was a senior executive at the Russian oil and gas company Yukos but fled to London after being pursued by Russian prosecutors who accused him of stealing shares in a different oil company, as well as forgery, and perverting the course of justice. A British judge turned down Russias bid to have Temerko extradited on the grounds that it was politically motivated. Temerko said at the time that he believed the motivation for the charges was Vladimir Putins desire to silence his critics. More recently, he has become an outspoken critic of the presidents invasion of Ukraine. Since 2012, Temerko has personally donated over 700,000 to dozens of individual Tory MPs, while Aquind Ltd has donated a further 1 million to the Conservative Party. Other MPs to have previously accepted donations from Aquind or Offshore Group Newcastle (OGN) Ltd which Aquind was a subsidiary of until 2015 include Jeremy Hunt, the chancellor, Tom Pursglove the immigration minister and Simon Hart the chief whip. More than 30 MPs took donations Former ministers are among over 30 Tory MPs to have previously accepted donations from Aquind or Temerko, including Brandon Lewis, Alok Sharma, Dr Liam Fox and John Whittingdale. Ben Iorio, an Aquind spokesman, said the company is ready and willing to address the MoDs concerns in good faith. He added that it is disappointing that they have failed to even outline the nature of the alleged concerns. We remain fully committed to transforming the UKs energy security and affordability through building Britains newest electrical link to Europe, he said. The manner of the MoDs last-minute interference will have negative impacts on all proposed developments and marine users in and around Portsmouth, including renewable energy, interconnectors, fisheries, import and export at the harbour, and many others. The uncertainty caused by their opaque response and unwillingness to engage to resolve any concerns sends a chilling effect to other developers and investors seeking to build and finance major projects in the UK. Furthermore, Aquind is a British company, and all of Aquinds directors and shareholders are British citizens. Any donations made are in strict accordance with all regulations and with total transparency. Supporting and donating to political parties is the right of all British citizens and companies, and a fundamental part of the democratic process. A Government spokesman said: Our priority will always be maintaining our national security and any new infrastructure will not jeopardise this. It would be inappropriate to comment on a redetermination process whilst it is still ongoing. Sir Simon Clarke was approached for comment. MEP Matthias Ecke needed surgery - MATTHIAS RIETSCHEL/REUTERS A German politician in Chancellor Olaf Scholzs party had to undergo surgery after being beaten up while campaigning, the ruling Social Democrats (SDP) said on Saturday. Matthias Ecke, a member of the European Parliament standing for re-election next month, was attacked while putting up posters in Dresden on Friday evening. He was taken to hospital and required surgery for his injuries. Police said the 41-year-old was hit and kicked by four men and that the same group had apparently attacked a Green Party worker minutes before in the same street. Democracy is threatened by this kind of act, Mr Scholz told a congress of European socialist parties in Berlin on Saturday. It was the latest in a series of incidents raising political tensions in Germany ahead of the polls. Serious attack on democracy Mr Scholzs SPD, launched their official campaign for the June 9 vote with a rally last week in Hamburg, the chancellors home city. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, also a Social Democrat, said that if its proven that the assault on Mr Ecke was politically motivated, it would represent a serious attack on democracy. Ms Faeser said: We are experiencing a new dimension of anti-democratic violence. She promised tougher action and further protective measures for the democratic forces in our country. Government and opposition parties say their members and supporters have faced a wave of physical and verbal attacks in recent months and have called on police to step up protection for politicians and election rallies. Opposition workers also faced intimidation Many of the incidents have occurred in the former communist east of the country, where the far-Right and anti-establishment Alternative for Germany party (AfD) is expected to make gains in the European elections and in German state elections in the autumn. Last week, the car carrying the vice-president of the German parliament, Katrin Goring-Eckardt of the Greens, was surrounded for nearly an hour by protesters as she tried to leave a rally. The opposition Christian Democrats and The Left party say their workers have also faced intimidation and seen their posters ripped down. Mainstream parties accuse the AfD of links to violent neo-Nazi groups and of fomenting an increasingly harsh political climate. A prominent AfD leader, Bjorn Hocke, is currently on trial accused of using a banned Nazi slogan. Germanys domestic intelligence service has placed some chapters of the party under surveillance. The branch of the Social Democrats in Saxony state, where Mr Ecke is their lead candidate for the European elections, said their campaign would go on despite fascist methods of intimidation. The branch leaders, Henning Homann and Kathrin Michel, said in a joint statement:.The seeds that the AfD and other Right-wing extremists have sown are germinating. These people and their supporters carry responsibility for what is happening in this country. Victoria Atkins has been urged to make changes to the scheme - Heathcliff O'Malley for The Telegraph The Health Secretary has ordered a review of the vaccine compensation scheme after a surge in claims following the pandemic, The Telegraph can disclose. Victoria Atkins has asked officials in her department to draw up options for reforming the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS), which campaigners have said is no longer fit for purpose. It comes amid concern that the scheme is struggling to cope after becoming overwhelmed by a huge volume of claims from those suffering side-effects after Covid vaccines. In 2019, 27 claims were made, with that number followed by 26 in 2020 and 41 in 2021. This rose to 480 in 2022 and 4,008 last year, according to figures from the Department of Health. Separate figures, released under freedom of information requests, reveal that, up to April 26, 11,022 claims have been made to the scheme in connection with Covid vaccines. In an apparent about-turn earlier this week, AstraZeneca admitted for the first time in court documents that its Covid vaccine can cause a rare side-effect. The pharmaceutical giant is being sued in a class action over claims that the jab, developed with the University of Oxford, caused death and serious injury in dozens of cases. The Government has indemnified AstraZeneca against any legal action, but has so far refused to intervene. Conservative MPs have been pressing ministers to reform the VDPS, which they argue does not adequately compensate those who have suffered severe side-effects from Covid vaccines and been left unable to work. Esther McVey, a minister without portfolio, is understood to be among those pressing Ms Atkins to make changes to the scheme. The VDPS awards a one-off 120,000 tax-free payment to people who have been severely injured, and to the families of those who have died, as a result of vaccination against certain diseases including Covid. In order to qualify for the payment, individuals have to be deemed 60 per cent disabled. Sir Jeremy Wright, a former attorney general, has raised concerns about the scheme with Ms Atkins as well as with Rishi Sunak. He said the Government needed to act swiftly to reform the scheme because the class action case against AstraZeneca is not a good look, adding: They cant ignore this problem they have to confront it. Sir Jeremy said he believed mass vaccination was a good thing but stressed that people who were injured should be properly looked after. The Government should either get involved in the AstraZeneca case and settle with the claimants or should raise the amount claimants receive under the VDPS, he added. Peoples confidence in vaccination is absolutely crucial, he said. If they dont think there is a safety net there, their confidence in that vaccination policy will diminish. Charlet Crichton, who founded the charity UK CV Family, which supports those who have suffered side-effects from Covid vaccines, said the scheme was antiquated and no longer doing what it was set up to do. Ministers say you can use the 120,000 payment to fund litigation but you cant, because vaccine damage cases are long, drawn out and costly, she said. You would need a couple of million to take the pharmaceutical companies to court. Earlier this week, it emerged that some families whose loved ones died after taking the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine have abandoned attempts to sue the company after being told they were likely to lose. People whose relatives were harmed after having the jab pulled out of the High Court case after being told they would be unlikely to succeed with their claims because a leaflet issued at the height of the pandemic warned of a rare side-effect associated with the vaccine. The document, given out at vaccination centres, said extremely rare cases of blood clots with low levels of platelets have been observed following vaccination with Covid-19 vaccine AstraZeneca. Legal experts believe it could potentially protect the pharmaceutical firm against cases brought by families whose relatives were given a dose supplied after April 7, 2021. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: We have already scaled up and modernised the operations of the VDPS to allow cases to be processed more quickly, including by digitising the application process and increasing the number of administration staff to ensure claimants receive outcomes as soon as possible. People stand near rows of tents near the International Protection Office (IPO) in Dublin In 2017, when Britain began its disengagement talks with the EU, Ireland laid down two inviolable principles. First, no border: not so much as a matchstick to mark where the EUs customs territory began. Second, no direct talks between the London and Dublin. If the Brits had anything to say, they should talk to Michel Barnier. Funny how things work out. Over the past week, as asylum claims have surged, Irish politicians have begun to clamour for a bilateral returns arrangement with Britain. They say that 80 per cent of claimants are crossing from Northern Ireland to escape the threat of deportation to Rwanda. And they want those migrants turned back at the well, the border. Theyre leaving the UK and they are taking opportunities to come to Ireland, crossing the border to get sanctuary here and within the European Union, as opposed to the potential of being deported to Rwanda, says Micheal Martin, now the deputy prime minister. Hang on. Until practically last week, Martin, along with other TDs, was insisting that the border be invisible. Even a traffic camera, of the kind found on every major road in Britain and Ireland, would supposedly risk a return to violence. Yet in reality, there was never the slightest prospect of Britain raising border infrastructure. It was the EU that claimed checks were needed to preserve its single market. But, for whatever reason, the rest of the world, along with a chunk of Remainer opinion here, stubbornly refused to grasp this point, and it somehow became Britains responsibility to prevent the EU from raising customs posts. We bent over backwards to do it, accepting what amounted to an internal border on our own territory in order to accommodate a neighbouring country (and getting no thanks for it). Yet, after all that effort, all the hassle of red lanes and the not for sale in the EU stickers, Ireland suggested that it was planning to deploy a hundred police officers at the border, before apparently backing down. Ulster Unionists point out wryly that those officers were needed half a century ago. A hundred peelers along the border would have been useful when IRA units were in the habit of withdrawing into the Republic to regroup. But, as Unionists learned long ago, international pressure is never applied to Dublin. Irelands own politicians are aware of the irony. This is the challenge, that we have advocated for an open border on this island, says Helen McEntee, the justice minister. Still, we may be sure that Joe Biden wont breathe a word of criticism. These border rows only ever work one way around. Britain is always in the wrong. Funnily enough, the UK never wanted border checks in the first place. When Irish self-government was being negotiated in 1920, David Lloyd George held out until the last minute for a common customs territory, arguing as a Gladstonian Home Ruler that it was impractical to have tariffs within the British Isles. But Irelands Provisional Government insisted on installing customs posts. Since the Belfast Agreement was negotiated in 1998, there have been two attempts to impose a hard border. Neither came from UK. The first was during the foot-and-mouth epidemic in 2001 when Ireland (not unreasonably, given the importance of its beef industry) sent hundreds of security officers to the border. The other was in 2021 when the EU, piqued because Britains vaccine rollout was faster than its own, ordered the border to be shut a decision it had to reverse hours later. Even bigger than the volte-face over the border is Irelands abandonment of the idea that policies within EU competence must not be discussed bilaterally. Again, this principle was laid down very clearly during the Brexit talks. Negotiations can only happen between the UK and EU, said the then Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar. We are not going to allow negotiations to move to an intergovernmental level in any way. Britain reluctantly accepted that principle. I say reluctantly because Varadkars predecessor, Enda Kenny, had been willing to have technical discussions on how to keep the border open. Those talks were starting to yield results. But Varadkar was not interested in pragmatic solutions. He seemingly wanted Brexit to be reversed or, if that proved impossible, at least punished. He aimed to do so by flipping what he saw as the historical imbalance in power. Instead of being the stronger party in talks with Ireland, Britain would be the weaker party in talks with the EU. Yet Ireland is now demanding an intergovernmental deal with the UK on the return of immigrants. In other words, Britain would be obliged to take illegals back from Ireland, but unable to return them to France. Plainly no British government should agree to that. Any returns agreement would have to be between the UK and the EU as a whole. I have no doubt that Rishi Sunak would be happy to take back illegal entrants from the EU who had first come to the UK, but only if it worked both ways. The trouble is that Brussels has little interest in such a deal because more sans-papiers pass through EU territory on the way to Britain than the reverse. Instead, it wants Britain to join its burden-sharing scheme, whereby asylum seekers are spread around the member states. We would be crazy to participate, given our geography. Although you might not think so from our headlines, we have fewer asylum per capita than most EU states. In the last year that we were covered by the EUs returns scheme, 2020, it worked heavily against us. We tried to return 8,502 failed claimants to EU states, but they accepted only 105 (1.2 per cent). They, by contrast, sought to send 2,331 failed claimants here, and we accepted 882 (37.8 per cent). Incredibly, Starmers policy is to go back in to such an arrangement. Indeed, he sees it as a goal rather than as a concession. Unsurprisingly, the EU has no interest in a returns deal with Sunak while it has the prospect of getting what it wants from Starmer. I have a lot of sympathy with Ireland both in general (I am, as you might infer from my name, one of six million Brits of Irish descent) and on the issue of illegal immigration. The same pull factors that draw people to Britain, above all low unemployment and the English language, make Ireland the obvious destination as Britain finally gets serious about deportations. I dont want to go back to Africa, said a Somali interviewed in Dublin this week. Rwanda is no good for me. I am here to build a new life in Europe. He had travelled from Calais via London and Belfast one of the first of what may turn into a wave of people once the flights start leaving for Kigali. That population movement is no fairer from an Irish than a British point of view. We both have relatively generous immigration regimes, but those regimes are undermined by illicit entrants. If Britain really were the villain that Irish politicians pretend, it would detain boat people on their arrival in Kent, house them in an asylum centre in Newry and point them to the border. But that is not the country we are. We want Ireland to solve this problem alongside us which would also, incidentally, help France, by reducing the flow of people to Calais. The best course for Ireland would be to pursue the Rwanda scheme jointly with the UK. Sadly, Irelands leaders seem to have determined that collaboration with the EU, whatever its cost, is always preferable to working with the UK. Meanwhile, other European countries are moving towards their own versions of Rwanda-style scheme, considering third-country destinations for deportations, and the federalist European Peoples Party has endorsed the idea. How bizarre it would be if, just as the rest of Europe is coming around to Britains way of thinking, Starmer were to follow through on his commitment and scrap the scheme. Where do you suppose that would incentivise illegal immigrants in Europe to move? No wonder Brussels wants a Labour victory. London Mayor Sadiq Khan and his wife Saadiya arrive to cast their vote in the London mayoral election If Susan Hall is far-Right, how are the Left now describing neo-Nazis? The Tory candidate for London mayor was repeatedly smeared during the election campaign. It started with her rival Sadiq Khan likening the hair salon owner, 69, to Donald Trump, before going on to suggest that some of the things [Susan Hall] has said and done are racist. He backed up the accusation by citing examples including her liking Enoch Powell, and amplifying a rainbow swastika, as well as suggesting that the black community has a problem with crime and advocating more stop and search. The reality was rather different. Hall liked a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, which stupidly suggested Powell should be included in a set of playing cards featuring great British prime ministers. And she responded to a rainbow swastika image, idiotically posted by the Lefts other bete noire, Laurence Fox, with a facepalm emoji. The mother of two has also questioned whether the Notting Hill carnival should be relocated in the interests of public safety, and liked a post on X describing Khan as the nipple-high mayor of Londonistan. While some may question the wisdom of all this online activity, shadow health secretary Wes Streetings suggestion that a win for Susan Hall and the Conservatives is a win for racists, white supremacists and Islamophobes the world over, was an insult to the electorate. The casualisation of terms like far-Right and alt-Right is of course designed to move the centre ground further to the Left by making mainstream views, ones often held by the majority of the population, appear extremist. During a public meeting in Ealing last year, Khan even suggested that some of those who opposed his deeply unpopular Ulez (Ultra Low Emission Zone) were a part of the far-Right, adding: Some are Covid deniers, some are vaccine deniers and some are Tories. Perish the thought that they might be opposed to the London Mayor and his self-indulgent policies because they find him to be the intolerant one, engaging in precisely the dangerous and divisive gutter politics Streeting accused Hall of promoting. Those who voted against Khan because they think hes completely useless are certainly right just not in Labours sense of the word. Turnout for the London mayoral elections was 40.5%, down 1.5% on 2021. Composite: Guardian Design/Getty/The Guardian Sadiq Khan has been elected mayor of London, winning a historic third term after a dramatic contest. Khan was declared the winner over the Conservative candidate, Susan Hall, on Saturday afternoon, with 43.8% of the vote. The London mayor was booed as he began his victory speech. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, thank you, London, he told an audience at City Hall before a heckler walked across the stage shouting, Khan killed London. He pressed on, noting: Its been a difficult few months. We faced a campaign of non-stop negativity, but went on to praise his team for leading a campaign that responded to fearmongering with facts, hate with hope, and attempts to divide with unity. Hall, his rival, appeared stony-faced as Khan made his speech, and slightly shook her head in disapproval as Khan told the crowd he would be a mayor for all Londoners, including those who did not vote for him. Khan had described the battle as a close two-horse race when polls predicted he had a 25-point lead over his Tory rival, in what appeared to be an effort to encourage Labour loyalists and more apathetic Londoners to vote. According to London Elects, which manages the mayoral and London assembly elections, voter turnout was only 1.5% down on 2021, at 40.5%. Bexley and Bromley, led by the Conservatives, had the highest constituency turnout with 48%. Khans team became confident of winning the race after Labour took the North East and West Central constituencies from the Conservatives. On Saturday morning, the Labour leader, Keir Starmer, had said he was confident of Khans victory and described the mayoral race as effectively the last stop on the journey to the general election. Speaking in Mansfield, in the East Midlands region that has selected the Labour candidate as its first mayor, Starmer said: He [Khan] has got two terms of delivery behind him and I am confident that he has got another term of delivery in front of him. But look, if you look across the country, I am standing here in Mansfield in the East Midlands, where we have won a significant victory in the mayoralty here, but that is the pattern across the country. The victory in London followed a tense Friday night, described by Labour sources as a 24-hour vacuum because a pause on London mayoral counts had enabled excited Tory activists to fill social media with rumours of polling predictions being completely wrong and Hall posing a much greater threat. It led some Labour insiders to believe the possibility that the candidates could be a few points apart. This mayoral election was the first held after changes to the voting system that were introduced by the Conservatives. It had been made into a first-past-the-post contest with photo ID required at polling stations, measures that had been expected to harm Labours vote. Aides working for Khan had argued that a Labour victory would be heavily reliant on turnout. Senior Labour figures acknowledged that the partys stance on Gaza had weakened support in local elections in areas such as Oldham, Pendle and Bolton. It led some to accept early on Saturday that London voters could still send the party a message, despite Khans call for an immediate ceasefire weeks after the 7 October attacks. Activists warned that some voters in London felt the party had taken its core vote for granted, as Keir Starmer celebrated historic wins in Blackpool, Hartlepool and Thurrock on Friday. A London Conservative MP criticised Halls campaign for being too focused on channelling anti-Khan sentiment and failing to provide voters with a vision of what she would actually do, contrasting her campaign with those of other Conservative mayoral candidates. Ben Houchen and Andy Street are both up against the difficult climate Susan Hall is also facing an anti-Tory sentiment but with bold ideas, they are making it through, they said. In London theres been no positive vision and Hall is hardly a local champion. She has only set out what she wont do. The results came after more Labour victories in mayoral elections in the north of England on Saturday. Steve Rotheram won the Liverpool mayoral election, while Andy Burnham was re-elected in Greater Manchester and Tracy Brabin won a second term as mayor of West Yorkshire. Sadiq Khan, Labours re-elected mayor of London, speaks next to the Conservative candidate, Susan Hall, as results of the mayoral election are declared. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters Before the counting had even started, senior Tory sources were briefing that their candidate for London mayor, Susan Hall, had pulled off a spectacular, and unlikely, victory. Despite the Labour incumbent, Sadiq Khan, having a consistent polling lead throughout the contest, Tory insiders briefed journalists that the mood was chipper at the Conservative headquarters on Friday night after polls closed, and that they were utterly convinced Hall had won. Such was their conviction that even some London Labour figures, who probably should have known better given no votes had yet been counted, began privately questioning whether the result could be tighter than they had expected. Related: Sadiq Khan elected London mayor for third term in further boost for Labour Khan himself had expressed concerns earlier in the week about the assumptions being made about a Labour victory, wary of complacency dampening his vote. People said Scotland was a Labour country, weve all seen how that ended, the nervous London mayor told the Guardian on Tuesday. I remember being told by Ken Livingstones team in 2008 that there wasnt a cat in hells chance of Boris Johnson winning. We know how that movie ended. But as the votes mounted up for Khan, and it became apparent to even the more creative elements of the London Tory party that turn-out did not automatically translate into more votes for Hall, party insiders had to admit they had been wrong. While senior party figures pointed the finger of blame at overexcited activists, despite the rumours appearing to originate from CCHQ, Labour sources noted the 24 hours between votes being cast and counted had left a moral vacuum to suck in social media speculation. Khans allies were reassured after hearing voter turnout was 40.5%, only down 1.5% from 2021 despite the introduction of voter ID. It had been one electoral change that Khan had feared could greatly hamper his vote at this election. The results when they came spoke for themselves, with Khan piling up votes right across the capital, including in super constituencies in the west and south-west of the capital that had previously been held by the Tories. At about 2pm, Labour called victory. And contrary to suggestions his vote would suffer as a result of extending the Ulez road user scheme, it appears to have done him some favours. He took some of the Green partys vote share in Merton and Lewisham, after weeks spent arguing that the London mayoralty was a two-horse race. Its clear green voters heeded Sadiq Khans message that if they didnt vote for him, in this first past the post voting system theres a risk theyd end up with a Conservative mayor, Susan Hall, who was less enthusiastic about green policies, said Prof Tony Travers of the London School of Economics, while noting the Liberal Democrats did much less tactical voting. Related: Local elections 2024: full mayoral and council results for England The mayors allies will also have taken some comfort from the fact he seems to have retained Muslim voters and also, despite his stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict going further than the national Labour party, managed to keep the support of many Jewish voters in Barnet and Camden. One Labour loyalist likened Khan to being the sweetener for a Labour government, noting his policies were able to attract leftwingers crying out for radical change, while also impressing those closer to the centre. Yet his victory, while his biggest yet over the Tories in London, was still substantially below Labours national polling lead. The last-minute speculation over the result may have given some Tories a temporary reprieve, but their defeat in London simply foreshadows an even bigger one at the general election. Biden speaks from the White House about the campus protests sweeping the US. Photograph: Nathan Howard/Reuters At the height of the tensions on US campuses this week, with Republicans gleefully seizing on student unrest as an election issue that could propel Donald Trump back into the White House, Joe Biden tried to steer a middle path. Weighing the democratic right to peaceful protest and the political necessity to stem disruption, Biden declared that order must prevail. Threatening people, intimidating people, instilling fear none of this is a peaceful protest, Biden said in a statement on Thursday. Dissent is essential for democracy Theres the right to protest. But not the right to cause chaos. His comments were his most notable intervention yet in the face of campus protests against Israels war in Gaza. The protests are a potential minefield for Biden. As his lead over Trump among younger voters continues to slip significantly from its 2020 levels and as he tries to fend off Republican attacks, he risks alienating young voters by siding with police. On the other hand, as riot police have moved against pro-Palestinian encampments and arrested thousands of people, senior Republican figures and Trump himself have been pushing hard to depict the US president as losing control and allowing Americas universities to slide into upheaval. Fox News has lavished round-the-clock coverage to what it has portrayed as a perfect storm of Democrat chaos, with riot police moving into occupied buildings on Columbia campus and open brawling at UCLA after a pro-Israel group attacked an encampment with sticks and fireworks. The events have diverted attention from the Trump trial in New York, where he is facing charges over a hush-money payment to an adult film star. That has confounded hopes among Democrat strategists that details from the trial would deal a blow to the Republican campaign. The focus of Fox and other conservative media on the pro-Palestinian protests marks a shift from other areas of supposed disorder allegedly caused by Biden administration incompetence particularly the US-Mexico border, where there has been a continuous inflow of asylum seekers. Trump posing, somewhat incongruously given his current legal predicament, as the law-and-order candidate led the chorus on his Truth Social media platform. He called for a COMPLETE LOCKDOWN of Columbia and other universities similar to what he claimed had been imposed on the area outside the Manhattan court where he is on trial, supposedly to stop his supporters gathering. His pronouncement came after he had minimised a 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia where a counter-protester was killed and after which he was condemned for saying there had been fine people on both sides as a peanut compared with the current protests. Trump is attempting to capitalise on a febrile campus atmosphere in which Jewish and pro-Israel students have complained of antisemitism and being subjected to threats. So far, analysts say, there is scant evidence of the images of campus upheaval having a radical effect on voter attitudes although some caution that this may change if protests continue into the autumn. Biden is conscious of parallels with previous instances of student protests sweeping through American campuses, and producing arguably decisive effects in presidential politics. In 1968, mass demonstrations against the Vietnam war spilled over into the Democratic national convention in Chicago coincidentally, the city that will stage this years event, where Biden will be formally adopted as his partys candidate resulting in violent street clashes with police and punch-ups on the convention floor. The anarchic scenes were followed by the defeat of the Democratic candidate, Hubert Humphrey, then the vice-president, to the Republican Richard Nixon. With polls showing the president running neck-and-neck with Trump, but behind in most battleground states, the Biden campaign could be forgiven for fearing that the current tumult might be instrumental in engineering a repetition. Analysts, however, point out that the Gaza war does not resonate with the American public in the same way as the war in Vietnam, where more than half a million US troops were deployed by 1968. The raw numbers [of protesters] would have been a lot bigger in 1968, said Kyle Kondik of the Centre for Politics at the University of Virginia. The current protests are certainly large, but it does seem like Vietnam was fundamentally a lot different [from Gaza]. You had young people being drafted to fight overseas, America was engaged heavily in fighting a land war overseas. The US has indirect involvement in Gaza in terms of funding. But its different and less impactful overall. I dont think the race has changed in any kind of a significant way. Other observers say that even for voters under 34, a cohort among which polls have shown Bidens lead over Trump to be slipping significantly, Gaza plays a much smaller role than the passions emanating from college campuses would indicate. Amy Walter, of the Cook Political Report, told the Wall Street Journals free expression podcast: What we see from the data is that for voters under 34, the top issues are the same as the top issues for folks over the age of 34, which the economy and the cost of living they are concerned about issue of gun violence. In a possible indicator that Gazas electoral impact even younger voters may be limited, an NBC focus group of college students opposed to US support for Israels military offensive revealed that few planned to vote based on the issue although some said they would opt for third-party candidates such as Jill Stein of the Green party or Robert F Kennedy Jr. Yet for Biden, even that could have disproportionately negative effects. Walter said: If you take just a small percentage of younger people who feel very strongly about this issue and say, I cannot vote for Trump, but Biden is no good, Im staying home for Biden that might be a lot. He has a coalition thats dependent on voters who dislike Trump coming back to him. What electoral bearing the protests have could be decided by the effectiveness of the very crackdowns Republicans have been calling for especially when combined with the imminent end of the academic year, which will see most students leaving campus. JD Vance, the Republican senator and outspoken Trump ally, may have inadvertently highlighted a Republican dilemma when he posted on X: No civilization should tolerate these encampments. Get rid of them. With more than 2,000 protesters having been arrested, that process may already have begun, apparently with Bidens blessing. If the college clampdowns successfully quell the protests, it would deprive Republicans of the images of chaos they crave unless the war in Gaza continues to rage, fuelling future protests. Writing in New York magazine, Jonathan Chait said it was in Trumps interests for the protests to carry on a development he connected to a continuation of the war in Gaza into the autumn, thus triggering a fresh round of unrest at the height of the election campaign. In a recent social-media post, Trump demanded, STOP THE PROTESTS NOW!!! Chait wrote. If they are still going on during a prospective second Trump term, he will probably stop them with maximal violence. In the meantime, he fervently wishes them to continue through November. Students celebrate reaching a deal with Brown University, in Providence, Rhode Island, on 30 April 2024. Photograph: Joseph Prezioso/AFP/Getty Images For about a week, the cluster of tents raised by students at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, stood in solidarity with Palestinian civilians in Gaza and with students protesting at other campuses across the US. Then, on Tuesday, the tents quietly vanished from the grassy quad at the heart of campus. There were no riot-gear-clad crackdowns from police and no assaults from masked groups to spur disbandment. Instead, Brown chose a different path: it negotiated. Related: Israelis voice sadness and defiance over Gaza protests on US campuses While semesters at other schools speed toward a violent close complete with canceled classes and commencement celebrations, scenes of brutal yet unsuccessful attempts at quelling the protests, and aggression from opposing groups that has heightened already inflamed tensions Brown is one of several universities that have sought a more amicable solution. Northwestern University in Illinois, the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, Rutgers University at New Brunswick in New Jersey and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis have also brokered agreements with students, while others, including Wesleyan in Connecticut and the University of California at Berkeley, have allowed the protest encampments to continue. . The outcomes from these divergent approaches remain uncertain; while some of the more extreme examples of suppression have been met with public shock and condemnation, protests have persisted. At Brown, students who agreed to dismantle their demonstration in exchange for a seat at the table in an upcoming meeting with the Corporation of Brown University did so knowing that a satisfying answer to protesters demands for divestment is far from a guarantee. But the movement, which erupted in response to a conflict thousands of miles away, has brought one closer to home into sharper focus. The protests in support of Gaza are testing the bounds of students rights to free speech and shining a spotlight on the deepening political divides over the culture on college campuses. Students are pointing out contradictions between being asked to be free thinkers and then finding themselves challenged when they think they are thinking freely, said Dr Manual Pastor, a professor and the director of the Equity Research Institute at the University of Southern California, whose research focuses on the power of social movements. Schools have long grappled with this balancing act, both encouraging diverse perspectives and limiting its expression in the name of safety. But these simmering tensions have come to a boil as political divides widen. Since the start of the protests on campus last fall, conservatives have argued theyre a symbol of how an out-of-control left has come to dominate US campuses. Its an issue the GOP-led House has pursued with vigor, launching an investigation into federal funding for schools where protests have lingered, and scrutinizing presidents of some of Americas most prestigious universities whom they allege have allowed an escalation in antisemitism. That intense scrutiny, and the response of prominent university donors, has incentivized some schools to take a heavier hand, Pastor said. In December, the presidents of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard were forced to resign after a heated hearing on their actions to limit pro-Palestinian protests. The president of Columbia University, Minouche Shafik, who was called to testify in April, vowed to take a strong approach. The next day, she unleashed swarms of New York police department (NYPD) officers on student protesters. Meanwhile, tensions on campuses have only intensified. Thats why some universities have tried to use this moment as an opportunity, choosing to foster dialogues around the emotionally fraught issue rather than trying to remove it with force. At Wesleyan, where the student encampment has quadrupled in size since Sunday, faculty have taught classes among the tents. President Michael S Roth said that, though it violates university rules, the protest wont be cleared as long as it remains peaceful. As long as we all reject violence, we have opportunities to listen and to learn from one another, he said in a statement posted on X. In an interview with the Guardian late last year, Roth who is Jewish and a critic of the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement largely driving these protests championed debate and disagreement. His mission, he said, was to ensure students feel safe and wont get harassed or intimidated, but youre not so safe that you dont encounter offensive comments or invigorating debate. Im trying to model this openness that has limits, he added. Its an ethos echoed in Browns approach. Universities were built to hold disagreement and grapple with competing views. This is an essential part of our mission of advancing knowledge and understanding, Browns president, Christina H Paxson, wrote in a letter announcing the agreement. With a nod toward a shared sense of concern about the confrontations seen at other universities and an acknowledgement of stark differences in beliefs about the events unfolding in the Middle East, she added that she is confident that the Brown community can live up to the values of support for free expression within an open and respectful learning community. Student protesters at UC Berkeley say they have, for their part, also tried to engage their community in discussion when confrontations arise, which has helped limit flare-ups of tension and ensured that they can keep the protest going. They plan to stay for the long haul. Things are OK on the Berkeley campus, said Yazen Kashlan, an organizer and graduate student at UC Berkeley on Wednesday. Students are protesting and exercising their right to free speech, so it hasnt been confrontational. There have been skirmishes. On Wednesday evening, videos of a small fight began circling on social media as Israel-supporting counter-protesters tussled with someone near the encampment. Campus officials condemned violence on both sides and are investigating the incident, which they said resulted in minor injuries. Still, the growing encampment has not been met with security or police, and university administrators have kept lines of communication open. Protesters at Berkeley have four main demands: they want the university to vocally condemn the violence in Gaza and call for an end to it, and to divest all UC financial holdings connected to the conflict. They also want UC Berkeley to academically boycott Israeli universities and create a permanent Palestinian studies program. There are other goals, too, Kashlan said: The way I see it, one of the wins this movement can already claim is awareness aligning the struggles of the global south and generally oppressed people in this one cause. To Kashlan, a successful outcome is how people connect with the protest and the cause they hope to elevate. It is a moral imperative, he added, noting that thats how students hope to enact change in a conflict thats so far away. Even with a more open approach, discussions of a divisive issue firmly rooted in identity, religion and ethnicity have at times devolved into rhetoric thats left some students and members of the broader campus communities feeling targeted or unsafe at some schools. Its why UC Berkeley administrators say they are investing in more dialogue. We are built for a world thats painted in shades of grey, not black and white, said Dan Mogulof, a spokesperson for UC Berkeley. We need to support diversity of perspective and civil discourse, and dialogue across all variety of divides thats imperiled right now. The school has doled out $700,000 to fund new plans and programs that encourage a culture shift on campus and promote civil discourse. Among them will be mandatory training for students, faculty and staff on Islamophobia and antisemitism and a new course on conversation across the divides. We are not turning a blind eye to any of this and we are not throwing our hands in the air, Mogulof said. We are marshaling all the educational resources we can to support our principles of community. Still, he said, changing the schools investment strategy isnt on the table. As the semester draws to a close, its also not a sure thing the encampment will be allowed to continue. Security at the school is keeping a close watch, Mogulof said, and is ready to step in if they deem campus life is being disrupted. Other schools that first prioritized dialogue have shifted course. Dartmouth, an Ivy League university in New Hampshire, scheduled several events and discussions in recent months discussing the situation in the Middle East. But on Wednesday, soon after the first tents of a protest encampment were raised, officers from the Hanover police department cleared the site, arresting 90 people including history professor Annelise Orleck, a former chair of the schools Jewish studies department who has taught at the school for 34 years. And, some protesters have succeeded in getting their calls answered. The Evergreen State College agreed on Tuesday to set up a task force that will map out its divestment from companies that profit from gross human rights violations and/or the occupation of Palestinian territories. Meanwhile, the cause aligning these protesters across the country has largely been lost in the rhetoric over whether their tactics are wrong or right. While crackdowns against student protesters feed the news cycle, updates about the carnage that continues in Gaza has been pushed to the background. For Pastor, dialogue will be needed to help produce the potential for peace, both at American universities and in the Middle East. In the context of all this back and forth, the real pain being experienced in the Middle East on the part of Gazan parents seeing their children crushed under bombardment or Israeli parents who lost a young person they thought was safely going to a rave, he said. Even as we challenge the asymmetry of power and the complex history, that is all being lost right now. If we are to return to any kind of lasting peace, he added, it will only be lasting if theres empathy. Sir Keir Starmer has struck a conciliatory tone with voters who have turned away from Labour over its stance on Gaza. The Labour leader said he was determined to win back the trust of those who had snubbed his party in the local elections as a result of his approach to the ongoing conflict. While the overall picture for Labour in the local polls was a positive one, it lost a smattering of council seats to independents and to George Galloways Workers Party of Britain. In the tightly-fought contest for the West Midlands mayoralty, Labour won by just 1,508 votes over the Tory incumbent Andy Street. (PA Graphics) Labour candidate Richard Parkers victory over the Conservative incumbent may have been higher had former Labour voters not lent their support to independent Akhmed Yakoob, who stood on a pro-Gaza ticket. Speaking in Birmingham after the result, the Labour leader said: I say directly to those who may have voted Labour in the past, but felt on this occasion they couldnt, that across the West Midlands we are a proud and diverse community. I have heard you. I have listened. And I am determined to meet your concerns and to gain your respect and trust again in the future. The party failed to regain control of Oxford after a string of prominent defections over its messaging on the Middle East crisis, and in a similar blow, lost control of Oldham Council in Greater Manchester to independents. Labour also lost council seats to independents in Blackburn with Darwen and Bradford, while the Workers Party of Britain gained from it in Rochdale. In Manchester, Labour deputy leader of the council Luthfur Rahman lost his seat to Shahbaz Sarwar of Mr Galloways Workers Party. Speaking at the Manchester count, Mr Galloway proclaimed a Sarwar family victory and signalled this was related to Gaza. Its a story of a group of people who were faithful to the Palestinian cause from the first to the last, Mr Galloway said. Russia has opened a criminal case against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and put him on a wanted list, the country's state news agency TASS reported Saturday, citing the Interior Ministry's database. The entry it cited gave no further details. Russia has issued arrest warrants for a number of Ukrainian and other European politicians since the start of the conflict with Ukraine in February 2022. Russian police in February put Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Lithuania's culture minister and members of the previous Latvian parliament on a wanted list for destroying Soviet-era monuments. Russia also issued an arrest warrant for the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor who last year prepared an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin on war crimes charges. (Reuters) A 10-month-old girl who was abducted in Clovis, New Mexico, was found Monday, according to the FBI Albuquerque Division. A suspect is also in custody, officials said. The infant, Eleia Maria Torres, was taken to a local hospital as a precautionary measure, the Clovis Police Department said in a press release. PHOTO: In this photo released by the New Mexico State Police, Eleia Maria Torres is shown. (New Mexico State Police) The suspect, Alek Isaiah Collins, 26, from Manvel, Texas, was arrested Monday in Abilene, Texas, and is being held on charges of aggravated robbery and assault on a peace officer, though other charges are pending, according to Abilene Police. Officers located a home in North Abilene where the suspect was reportedly staying, and at 4:30 a.m. local time on Monday, narcotic agents set up surveillance on the home, and the subject was eventually taken into custody without incident, according to police. The baby was taken into protective custody and was evaluated by medical personnel, according to police. In addition to the alleged abduction, Collins is being investigated in the double murder of Torres' mother, another woman and the shooting of the baby's 5-year-old sister in New Mexico last week. PHOTO: Two women were found dead in Ned Houk Memorial Park near Clovis, N.M., on Friday, May 3, 2024. A 5-year-old girl was also found injured and a baby was kidnapped, police said. The baby and suspect were found three days later. (KOAT) Collins has a United States Marshal hold on him in reference to the alleged New Mexico killings and kidnapping charge, officials said. MORE: Ohio 5-year-old abducted by foster mother, believed to be in danger: Police Two women were found dead at Ned Houk Memorial Park, a recreational area north of Clovis, on Friday with apparent gunshot wounds, police said. Authorities also found a 5-year-old who was suffering from a head injury. The child is currently recovering at a local hospital, Deputy Chief of Clovis Police Trevor Thron said Sunday. MORE: Ohio 5-year-old abducted by foster mother, believed to be in danger: Police "Our hearts are with the victim and her family during this incredibly difficult time," Thron said of the 5-year-old child. "And we fervently hope for swift and complete recovery." The women were identified as Samantha Cisneros, the mother of the baby and the injured 5-year-old, and Taryn Allen, both 23 years old, from Texico, New Mexico. Officers on the scene discovered an infant car seat, an infant stroller, and a small baby bottle left at the scene, and immediately began searching for the infant, according to officials. An Amber Alert for Torres was issued on Friday. Abducted 10-month-old girl has been found, officials say originally appeared on abcnews.go.com By Jonathan Landay WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Scores of lawmakers from U.S. President Joe Biden's Democratic Party told him on Friday that they believe there is sufficient evidence to show that Israel has violated U.S. law by restricting humanitarian aid flows into war-stricken Gaza. A letter to Biden signed by 86 House of Representatives Democrats said Israel's aid restrictions "call into question" its assurances that it was complying with a U.S. Foreign Assistance Act provision requiring recipients of U.S.-funded arms to uphold international humanitarian law and allow free flows of U.S. assistance. Such written assurances were mandated by a national security memorandum that Biden issued in February after Democratic lawmakers began questioning if Israel was upholding international law in its Gaza operations. The lawmakers said the Israeli government had resisted repeated U.S. requests to open enough sea and land routes for aid to Gaza, and cited reports that it failed to allow in enough food to avert famine, enforced "arbitrary restrictions" on aid and imposed an inspection system that impeded supplies. "We expect the administration to ensure (Israel's) compliance with existing law and to take all conceivable steps to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza," the lawmakers wrote. Biden's memorandum requires that Secretary of State Antony Blinken report to Congress by Wednesday on whether he finds credible Israel's assurances that its use of U.S. arms adheres to international law. At least four State Department bureaus advised Blinken last month that they found Israel's assurances "neither credible nor reliable." If Israel's assurances are questioned, Biden would have the option to "remediate" the situation through actions ranging from seeking fresh assurances to suspending U.S. arms transfers, according to the memorandum. UN SAYS FAMINE ADVANCING IN GAZA Israel denies violating international law and limiting aid in its war against Gaza's ruling Hamas militants, which was triggered by their Oct. 7 onslaught into Israel in which they killed more than 1,200 people and seized more than 200 hostages. More than 34,000 Palestinians have died in nearly seven months of fighting, according to Gaza's health ministry, which has devastated the coastal enclave and left most of the population of 2.3 million displaced amid dire food and water shortages. U.N. World Food Program Executive Director Cindy McCain told NBC News that there was now "full-blown famine" in northern Gaza. In excerpts of an interview to be aired on Sunday on Meet the Press, McCain told NBC that she hoped for a ceasefire accord so that more aid could be delivered faster. "There is famine full-blown famine in the north, and it's moving its way south. And so what we're asking for and what we've continually asked for is a ceasefire and the ability to have unfettered access," said McCain, the widow of the late Senator John McCain. U.S. officials say that while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has taken steps that have boosted aid deliveries, the amounts remain insufficient. The lawmakers also condemned Hamas' Oct. 7 attack in their letter, endorsed Israel's right to exist and expressed support for U.S. efforts to broker a ceasefire and a second hostage release. Israel, they noted, recently opened more aid routes and crossing points into Gaza that have allowed in more aid trucks. But the lawmakers expressed "serious concerns" over Israel's conduct of the war "as it pertains to the deliberate withholding of humanitarian aid." They urged Biden "to make clear" to Netanyahu "that so long as Israel restricts, directly or indirectly" aid to Gaza "the Israeli government is risking its eligibility for further offensive security assistance from the U.S." (Reporting by Jonathan Landay, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) At least 224 people have been rescued from homes and vehicles in Harris County, Texas, an official said Saturday night, with more rain expected over the weekend in the wake of strong storms and downpours that damaged homes and triggered evacuations. No deaths or serious injuries have been reported, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo told CNN, adding 153 pets have also been rescued during a deluge that has left livestock stranded. Its been really sad to see the impact of peoples livelihoods, homes, infrastructure as well as just the public infrastructure, Hidalgo told CNN Saturday. Were really asking folks to give it a minute before they go back home. Most of the weekend rain will fall over western and central Texas, but a chance of heavier rain returns for the greater Houston area on Sunday. The heaviest downpours in central Texas will occur upstream of the flooding in Houston which is located in Harris, potentially exacerbating flooding in a region where 12 river gauges have reached major flood stage. This weeks storms were just the latest in a series of brutal weather events that have pounded the state since early April. Dozens of tornadoes have hit from the Panhandle to the Gulf Coast, some areas of the state have been pounded with softball-sized hail and months of rain has fallen in East Texas in intense spurts, causing rivers to rise to levels not seen since the devastating floods of Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The Storm Prediction Center issued a tornado watch for southwestern Texas including San Angelo and Del Rio until 10 p.m. local time. Severe thunderstorms capable of producing a few tornadoes, hail as large as grapefruit and damaging winds up to 70 mph are possible across the region this afternoon and evening, according to the center. The risk for a strong tornado may maximize during the late afternoon to early evening timeframe, the center warned. A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect from southeastern New Mexico into northwestern Texas until 10 p.m. local time. It includes Abilene and Midland in Texas, and Carlsbad, New Mexico. The forecast comes as some communities north of Houston picked up nearly two months worth of rain Thursday. This rainfall plunged roadways underwater and forced rivers to overflow, leading to evacuations and water rescues. The bridge over Lake Houston, along West Lake Houston Parkway from Kingwood to Atascocita, was closed due to high water on Saturday in Kingwood, Texas. - Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle/AP Heres whats happened in South Texas Friday evening: San Jacinto County, 60 miles north of Houston: About 100-200 homes are affected by floodwaters and mandatory evacuations are in effect. The event is 85% worse than Hurricane Harvey, Emmitt Eldridge, the countys emergency management coordinator, told CNN. Eldridge said since they are downstream from Dallas along the Trinity River, we are expecting to see a lot more water because of additional rainfall. Anything they deal with, we deal with, he added. According to Eldridge, there have been at least 58 water rescues in the county so far. More rain is expected in the area next week. Walker County, about 70 miles northwest of Houston: Authorities are calling the floods historic there as well. This has been a historic flood for Walker County. We have flooded more from this event than we did during Hurricane Harvey, Sherri Pegoda, Walker Countys deputy emergency management coordinator, told CNN. According to Pegoda, two communities are underwater along the Trinity River and are only accessible via high-water vehicles. Almost all roads in Walker County were completely submerged Monday night and into Tuesday, Pegoda said. We still have approximately 43 roads that are flooded with several major washouts and a couple of bridges that have been compromised. At least 42 high-water rescues have been performed in the county since April 28, she added. Polk County, about 80 miles northeast of Houston: A mandatory evacuation order remains in place for low-lying unincorporated areas as severe weather is expected to impact the area Sunday, the Polk County Office of Emergency Management said in a Facebook post. Areas under evacuation orders are along the Trinity River and below the Lake Livingston Dam. Our area may receive up to 1 to 3 inches of rainfall with isolated amounts of up to 4 to 8 inches possible, the post said. The county is under a flood watch until 7 p.m. Sunday, the post said. Roughly 700 homes have been flooded, according to emergency management officials, who warned additional rainfall could keep flood levels on the rise in the coming days. A total of 1,000 homes are in a mandatory evacuation zone in the county, Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy told CNN. A flood warning remained in effect Friday for the county. The judge said they were concerned and keeping an eye on what was happening north of the county with the flooding because it would impact the area. Due to continuous rainfall across East Texas and rising levels in creeks and rivers, flood levels may increase. Please remain aware of changing flood levels along the Trinity River and ALL low-lying levels. If you wish to evacuate, please do so now!, the emergency management office recently said in a Facebook post. Harris County, which also includes several northern Houston suburbs: Mandatory evacuations have been in place since Thursday for residents on the east side of the East Fork of the San Jacinto River. The river hit major flood stage on Thursday and is forecast to crest Saturday morning just a few feet shy of the record level during Harvey. We want you out of this area this is a life-threatening situation, Hidalgo said at a news conference. The level of water rise anticipated will impact elevated structures and may rise to reach rooftops or power lines, according to Hidalgo. In the Harris County suburb of Crosby, a school bus driver spotted flooding over a road that had not yet been barricaded, stopped the bus and had the middle and high school students on board exit through the rear door, according to a statement from the school district. Another bus brought the students to school, where they were provided with breakfast and dry clothes, the statement added. Flooding in Livingston, Texas. - Drone Bros Liberty County, about 45 miles northeast of Houston: The Coast Guard transported a 12-hour-old baby girl by helicopter from Cleveland, Texas, Friday. The girl was experiencing low oxygen levels at Texas Emergency Hospital, which does not have a neonatal intensive care unit, according to a news release from the Coast Guard. Due to flooding, she could not be transported by ambulance on the ground. The helicopter took the girl and her mother to Texas Childrens Hospital in Houston, where the baby was reported to be in stable condition, the release added. Voluntary evacuations due to flooding were also in place for Montgomery County, just to the north of Harris County. Disaster declarations are active for over a third of Texas counties after Gov. Greg Abbott expanded the storm-related declarations in response to the flooding, according to a news release. Additional counties could be added in the coming days, particularly with more storms in the forecast. Parts of eastern Texas have received anywhere from three to seven times their typical rainfall over the last three to four weeks. The repeated bouts of heavy rainfall soaked soils, making many areas extremely prone to both flash and river flooding. Nearly a foot of rain fell in some spots from Thursday to Friday morning, delivering the final blow. Periods of rain will continue through Friday evening, and an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain are possible. The worst flooding is confined to southeastern Texas where at least a dozen river gauges including parts of the San Jacinto and Trinity rivers are in major flood stage, the highest level, as of Friday morning. Several more sites are forecast to experience major flooding by the weekend and could meet or exceed record levels set during Harvey. Hurricane Harvey created a widespread flooding disaster in Houston after dropping 30 to 40 inches of rain across the entire metro in just 48 hours. While this weeks ongoing flooding is notable, its much less widespread and occurring north of where Harveys worst rain fell. Powerful storms rolled across the state As torrential rain flooded eastern Texas, severe thunderstorms spun up tornadoes both north and south of the Abilene area in west Texas. There were eight reports of tornadoes Thursday, according to the Storm Prediction Center. A large and extremely dangerous tornado impacted the towns of Hodges and Hawley about 10 miles north of Abilene Thursday evening. Around 30 homes in Hawley were shredded by the tornados winds, with entire sections of some homes left completely exposed. Cars in the area also sustained damage from flying debris. There were numerous injuries, but no deaths as of Friday morning, Hawley Police Chief Brad Wilson told CNN. At least one area school district is allowing students to study from home or take time to recover Friday, following Thursday evenings damaging tornado. The Hawley community has been hit pretty hard and we have several families that have lost homes, the Hawley Independent School District said in a Facebook post. A home damaged by storms Thursday in between Hawley and Hodges, Texas. - KTXS Rainfall totals from flooding in Texas and Louisiana this week showed nearly two feet of rain in five days, according to the National Weather Service. Totals ranged from 23.56 inches in Groveton, Texas, to 18.42 inches in Livingston, Texas. CNNs Allison Chinchar, Sara Tonks, Ray Sanchez, Andy Rose, Joe Sutton and Paradise Afshar contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) Thorpedo Anna capped her biggest victory with one impressive burst. The filly went wire to wire in the 150th Kentucky Oaks on Friday, pulling away from a charging Just F Y I to win by 4 3/4 lengths in the slop at Churchill Downs. Thorpedo Anna's quick splits in her longest race over a muddy surface made it even better for trainer Kenny McPeek. I felt really confident, even the first half-mile, McPeek said, crediting breeder and co-owner Judy Hicks. Shes just fast. Judys bred a beautiful filly here, and shes got gear on top of gear. The dark brown horse was briefly the top choice before going off at 4-1 odds and staking her claim right away in the $1.5 million marquee race for 3-year-old fillies. She led by at least a length over Fionas Magic with Ways and Means and Into Champagne in the mix heading into the far turn. Just F Y I charged into contention entering the stretch, but jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. took Thorpedo Anna up a gear to break away and cover the 1 1/8 mile in 1:50.83 for her fourth victory in five starts by a combined 22 1/4 lengths. It was McPeek's first Oaks triumph after three runner-up finishes. Hernandez also earned his first Oaks win. It looked like there was no speed to our inside, the rider said, "so we thought that if we let her run under the wire in the first turn, she would get good position, which she did. From there, she is just such a naturally talented filly, she went quick through the half and the whole way around there, really. "She was just doing it with her ears up and cruising along. Thorpedo Anna paid $10.98, $6.06 and $3.06. Just F Y I returned $5.06 and 3.98 for second, and Regulatory Risk paid $11.82 for third. Just F Y I jockey Junior Alvarado said his mount ran a great race but Thorpedo Anna was simply better. Turning for home I thought I had a chance to win the race but I was just second-best, Alvarado said. Thorpedo Anna arrived at the Oaks off a four-length victory in the Grade 2 Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas on March 30. She posted an 8 1/2-length victory in her debut at Keeneland in Lexington and added a nine-length rout in an allowance optional claiming race at Churchill Downs before closing last year with second in the Grade 2 Golden Rod Stakes. McPeek noted that Thorpedo Anna was a little nervous before the Fantasy Stakes but shook it off to take over halfway and win. That wasn't the case before the Oaks with 107,236 looking on at Churchill Downs. Today she got out there and she was just cool, calm, taking it all in, he said. When I (saw) the way she was in the postparade, I thought, man, its going to take a really, really good horse to beat her today. Friday marked the week-old spring meet's first day with off conditions on Churchill Downs' upgraded surface installed last year as part of several safety changes that followed last springs spate of 12 deaths at the historic track. That total included seven horses in the week leading up to the Kentucky Derby and two on the Derby undercard. The first half of the 13-race card went off under a steady drizzle, and the rain tapered off to intermittent showers throughout the afternoon. An allowance optional claiming race on turf was moved to the dirt and resulted in eight scratches. ___ AP horse racing: https://apnews.com/hub/horse-racing In a study that looked at hundreds of venomous snake species and a list of habitats, researchers say they've discovered clues in models indicating a significant change in the geographical distribution of snake species into areas where human populations aren't prepared. An international group of researchers say that if Earth hits 5 degrees Celsius warming, venomous snakes could migrate in large numbers. One of the study authors, Professor Pablo Ariel Martinez, said the international community might be able to take steps now to prevent a potentially dangerous mass migration. Out of the venomous snakes that were mapped in the study, 43 species are from Africa. The researchers looked at snakes classified by the World Health Organization into two main species categories: type one, is considered high risk and likely to cause death or a severe injury; type two, is considered to be low risk. 30 of the African snakes studied are considered to be type one, and 13 are considered to be type two. WHO and authors in this latest study call these "medically relevant venomous snake species." Researchers looked at 209 of these venomous snakes and models predicting migration by 2070. Researchers say substantial losses of suitable survivable habitats will happen. The study authors wrote how climate change is "expected to have profound effects on the distribution of venomous snake species." Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf Europe AP via Scripps News Scotland's leader resigns after conflicts over climate change, gender identity weakened government The researchers also found that in some areas, some snakes that risk the safety of humans could actually gain suitable habitats, including in countries like Niger, Namibia, China, Nepal and Myanmar. In these areas, multiple venomous snake species from neighboring geographical regions could migrate to those countries, increasing the number of venomous snakes. Areas of southeast Asia and Africa could see an increase in venomous snake bites in countries on those continents, researchers say. There's a two part risk they say, where in some lower-income countries a loss of snake biodiversity could occur in the decades ahead, while climate change could also cause increased challenges for public health as snake species migrate. It was estimated that somewhere between 81,000 and 138,000 people die each year from snakebites. Estimates say around 400,000 people are left with permanent disabilities each year after snakebites. California snowpack in 2024 Climate Change AP via Scripps News Study says California's 2023 snowy rescue from megadrought was a freak event. Don't get used to it The researchers made up of public health experts and ecologists from Brazil, Costa Rica, Spain and Germany used mathematical models to predict where optimal climate conditions will exist for various snake species, as the years go by, approaching 2070. One interesting note the researchers made is on how snake venom is used in making medications for various disorders and conditions including for cancer, high blood pressure treatments and neurological diseases. The study found that if snakes migrate in large numbers from their original habitats, this could affect how countries develop treatments used for a number of disorders. May 4, 2024 at 2:39 AM Alyse Sparkman used to read stories about babies born in unusual places and think, That will never be me. Then she gave birth at a seafood restaurant. It was right out of a movie, Alyses husband, Sean Sparkman, 35, tells TODAY.com. On April 27, Alyse, who was 37 weeks along in her pregnancy, began experiencing consistent contractions. The Sparkmans were certain it was go time and headed to the hospital, but doctors concluded that Alyse wasnt in active labor and sent her home. Sean and Alyse Sparkman outside Sunday Brunch (Courtesy Sean and Alyse Sparkman) At that point, the Sparkmans decided they would grab a light bite to eat at Lilys Seafood Grill and Brewery in Royal Oak, Michigan. It was 75 degrees outside and they were excited to enjoy a meal on the patio. Apparently, the couples unborn daughter was very eager to join them. Alyse was still chewing her first bite of trout Caesar salad when she felt her water break. She alerted Sean to what was happening and he took off sprinting to get their car. He would have had to teleport to get back in time. Two minutes after her water broke, Alyse had a newborn baby girl on her chest. Im sitting at a light and she calls me and says, I had the baby, Sean recalls. When Sean realized she wasn't kidding, he felt his heart sink. "I was like, Oh no, I cant believe I missed it. I feel so bad,'" Sean recalls. "She goes, Dont feel bad just get here! Penelope Lily. (Courtesy Sean and Alyse Sparkman) In a stroke of luck, the Sparkmans were seated next to two retired nurses, who were able to untangle the babys umbilical cord, which was wrapped around her neck. "She came out purple," Alyse says. After the baby let out her first cry, fellow diners erupted into cheers and applause. God is good, the Sparkmans say in unison. The Sparkmans gave their daughter Penelope the middle name Lily in honor of where she made her entrance into the world. It really worked out because we had originally chosen Danielle, but we werent crazy about it, Sean says. We both love Lily. Penelope, who weighed 4 pounds, 8 ounces, at birth, was discharged from the hospital two days later alongside her mom. Penelope joined brothers Logan, 5, and Quill, 3. The restaurant will be placing a plaque dedicated to Penelope Lily at the table where she was born a gesture that Sean calls "pretty cool." This article was originally published on TODAY.com Senate conservatives are urging Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to back off her attempt to oust Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), saying its a waste of time and Congress has higher priorities ahead of the November election. Greene filed her motion to vacate a month ago to protest the Speakers handling of Ukraine aid, government spending and reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and Republicans have been dreading the moment when she forces a vote on the resolution. The Georgia Republican announced Wednesday she would move next week to bring it to the floor. Only two House Republicans have publicly backed her effort, and shes not finding any more support among the ranks of Senate conservatives, many of whom believe Johnson is the right person to steer the conference and that a leadership change today would be political malpractice. Its a horrible idea, Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) told The Hill. Moses could not do a better job than what Mike Johnson is doing right now. I think hes doing the very best possible [job] in the situation with a slim majority where the Democrats control the Senate and the White House, he continued. Theres not a more conservative person over there that can be elected Speaker than Mike Johnson is. Johnson has been largely dismissive of Greenes effort to remove him from the Speakership using the same mechanism a different group of conservatives used to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in October. He recently said in an interview that he does not consider Greene a serious lawmaker. We do the right thing and we let the chips fall where they may, Johnson told NewsNation, which is owned by the same parent company as The Hill. Greenes push is widely expected to fail. Johnsons conservative critics in the House have previously indicated they have little appetite for a repeat of the three weeks of chaos that ensued after McCarthy was removed. And Democratic leadership, along with rank-and-file members of the party, have pledged to help save Johnsons gavel after he put Ukraine aid on the floor, where it easily passed. Still, leading conservatives in the Senate wish the effort would go by the wayside. I think it is utterly ridiculous and counterproductive, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), who is running for the Indiana governorship this year, noted the effort could harm the Republican agenda for the remainder of the year and said conservatives dont support it because there is no real fallback option. It took three weeks and multiple failed candidacies for the House GOP conference to elect Johnson. Whos raised their hand that would want to be [Speaker]? Braun asked. Greenes effort has also been stymied by former President Trumps support for Johnson in recent weeks. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) also threw his full support behind the embattled Speaker earlier this week. Im relieved as I think all of America is that the chaos in the House will be discontinued, McConnell told reporters Wednesday. I think its a benefit to our country, a benefit to the House, a benefit to the reputation of Congress. While Johnsons recent series of bipartisan deals to keep the government open and to move on aid for Ukraine have angered a number of conservatives, many of them have been hoping to avoid a motion to vacate vote on the floor despite Greenes insistence of putting members on the record. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), a leading House Freedom Caucus member, said recently that the ability to oust a Speaker exist for reasons, but they should be deployed sparingly a sentiment shared by some of his Senate colleagues on the right ahead of the November election. Most members would much prefer to focus on putting Trump back in the White House and winning control of Congress instead of what they see as a one-sided, petty fight. I think well be in a better position going into the fall if we stick together as Republicans, said Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), a former House Freedom Caucus member herself. Dont do it, dont do it. That would be my suggestion, she added. Even those most dissatisfied with Johnson in the Senate GOP ranks wont go so far as to throw their lot in with Greene this time around. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said multiple times in a brief interview that Johnson has done a terrible job since taking over the gavel, but declined to say whether he is supportive of the Georgia Republicans actions. They have to decide that. Thats not for me to say, Paul said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is facing a threat a few of his Republican predecessors can relate to: members of his own party vowing to oust him from power. While Johnsons predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., became the first speaker ever voted out of office last October and John Boehner, R-Ohio, bowed out amid threats of a potential ousting in 2015, it was a Republican speaker more than 100 years ago who first faced an intraparty revolt against his leadership. Joseph Cannon, known as Uncle Joe, ruled the House from 1903 to 1911 and is now the namesake of one of the Capitols office buildings. During his term, the Republican from Illinois clashed with the growing progressive movement within his party; a tension that boiled over into a floor fight over the future of the speakers role. With Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., saying she will force a vote next week on deposing Johnson, here is a look back at how Cannon took on his own Republican rebels in 1910 by calling for a vote to oust himself. Czar Cannons total control While the U.S. Constitution specifically names the job of House speaker, it only states that the House shall chuse their Speaker. Thats it. As a result, the jobs responsibilities have developed and morphed over time depending on who has wielded the gavel. By the time Cannon came to power, the speakership had been transformed from that of a presiding officer to a powerful party leader. The speaker named all of the committee chairmen and chaired the Rules Committee himself, which directs the flow of legislation to the House floor. Joseph G. Cannon poses for a photograph with a cigar. (Harris & Ewing Collection / Library of Congress) Cannons control was so notoriously ironclad that he was referred to as Czar Cannon. In his 1964 book Mr. Speaker: Four men who shaped the United States House of Representatives, biographer Booth Mooney tells of a constituent who asked his representative for a copy of the House rules, only to receive a photograph of Cannon in return. While Cannon was largely popular among his peers, he clashed with Republican progressives. These members introduced foolish or unconstitutional bills, not with the slightest hope that they would become laws but simply to cater to a demagogic or ignorant element and blame him, Cannon said, according to Uncle Joe Cannon: The Story of a Pioneer American, which was written by his secretary, L. White Busbey. This friction came to a head in March 1910. The revolt of 1910 It all started with a bill about the census. On St. Patricks Day in 1910, Rep. Edgar Crumpacker, R-Ind., took to the House floor to say he had a resolution of privilege related to the census. Matters considered privileged have precedence over other legislative business on the floor. But the debate over the census resolution was soon overshadowed when Rep. George Norris, R-Neb., one of the leading progressive Republicans, rose to speak. Mr. Speaker, I present a resolution made privileged by the Constitution, the Nebraskan said. When directed by Cannon to present it, Norris read his proposal to reorganize the Rules Committee by expanding its membership and booting the speaker off of it. That would be a major blow to Cannons power. Rep. John Dalzell, a Pennsylvania Republican, immediately cut in to say the resolution from Norris was not privileged. Cannon chose not to rule immediately on that question, so days of intense debate ensued. The galleries in the chamber crowded with spectators and reporters filled every seat available for them, according to newspaper accounts. Speaker Cannon is fighting the battle of his life, observed The Washington Times on the evening of March 18 as floor debate continued. If he loses this, he is down and out. Members of Congress at the Capitol (Library of Congress) For those unable to see the proceedings in person, newspapers across the country followed the events closely, with headlines like The Tottering Tyrant, Make War on Uncle Joe, and Speaker Cannon Doomed. Even President William Howard Taft was riveted by the press accounts of the fight, according to United Press wire reports, which said that he eagerly devoured the details of the anti-Cannon fight. Eventually Cannon had to make a decision on whether the resolution from Norris to alter the Rules Committee met the criteria to be privileged. On March 19, after two days of intense debate, Cannon said it did not. In a rebuke of his authority, the House voted to overrule him, and after more debate adopted the change to the Rules Committee. Cannonism was dead, dead as a doornail, the speaker recounted in Busbeys book. But Cannon was not done yet. Cannon calls his opponents bluff As Norris moved to adjourn, Cannon asked for a moment to speak. The speaker addressed the chamber, saying he had two options: resign or declare a vacancy in the office of the speaker and let this new coalition majority of progressive Republicans and Democrats pick his replacement. Cannon said resignation was off the table because it would be a confession of weakness or mistake or an apology for past actions, when he was not conscious of having done any political wrong. The Republican side of the chamber erupted in applause. Then Cannon put the Republican rebels to the test. He said he welcomed a vote to boot him from office. A Democrat followed through and called for such a vote. When given the chance to remove Cannon, the progressive insurgents balked. Only nine voted to oust him, so the vote failed 155-192, with eight members voting present and 33 not voting. His Scepter Taken Away, Cannon Is Left On Throne, is how The Sunday Star in Washington, D.C., summed it up. Cannon would later say in Busbeys book that on that day the Speakership was taken from me amid the rejoicings of my enemies, and it was then handed back to me. While Cannon remained as speaker the rest of the session, control of the chamber flipped to Democrats following the 1910 midterm elections. He chose not to serve as minority leader but stayed in Congress until 1923, when he retired two months before his 87th birthday. Three bodies were found Friday in the Mexican region where an American and two Australians have been missing for several days, multiple sources told CNN. Authorities havent confirmed if the bodies correspond to the three missing tourists, a source said. But a local police source told CNN that authorities have found their pickup truck, burned out, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) from where the bodies were found. The human remains were found on a cliff to the south of Ensenada municipality, Baja California, according to two security sources and a member of an activist group specialized in searching for missing people. American Jack Carter Rhoad and Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson were reported missing on April 29, according to Reuters, citing the Baja California prosecutors office. The three friends are believed to have been on a surfing and camping trip near Ensenada town, about 60 miles south of Tijuana. This picture shows Callum (far right) and Jake Robinson (far left) with their family. - Callum Robinson/Instagram Mexican officials previously said a vehicle, tents, and a cell phone had been found during searches of the area where the men were last seen. Three Mexican nationals were being questioned in connection with the case, though it is unclear if they are suspects. One of the sources said the area where the bodies were found about 50 miles south of Ensenada town is difficult to access and that rappelling equipment will be used to recover the bodies. The burned-out white pickup truck had been discovered at a ranch in Santo Tomas, a local police source told CNNE on Friday. Despite the lack of identifiable markings, which were burned off, the vehicle was confirmed to be the same one Callum Robinson posted an image of on Instagram a week ago, according to police sources working on the investigation. Around noon on Friday, a CNNE producer witnessed investigators removing the truck at the Santo Tomas ranch. Investigators took the car to a police station for further investigation, CNNE witnessed. A US State Department spokesman told CNN it is aware of reports of the located bodies and is closely monitoring the situation, adding: At this time we have no further comment. The family of Jake and Callum Robinson were on their way to Mexico, hoping to get as close as possible to the area where they were last seen, they said in a statement to Channel Nine News, a CNN affiliate. The Robinsons said: Callum and Jake are beautiful human beings. We love them so much, and this breaks our hearts. Channel Seven, also a CNN affiliate, reported that the siblings had attended the Coachella music festival a week before crossing into Mexico from San Diego, planning to surf for a few days, citing another statement from the family. Surfing is a passion they both share. Our only comfort right now is that they were together doing something they passionately love, the parents said in a statement to Channel Seven. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com High waters flooded neighborhoods around Houston, Saturday, following heavy rains that have already resulted in crews rescuing hundreds of people from homes, rooftops and roads engulfed in murky water. A flood watch remained in effect through Sunday afternoon as forecasters predicted additional rainfall Saturday night, bringing another 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 centimeters) of water to the soaked region and the likelihood of major flooding. Friday's fierce storms forced numerous high-water rescues, including some from the rooftops of flooded homes. Officials redoubled urgent instructions for residents in low-lying areas to evacuate, warning the worst was still to come. This threat is ongoing and its going to get worse. It is not your typical river flood, said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the top elected official in the nations third-largest county. She described the predicted surge of water as catastrophic." Schools in the path of the flooding canceled classes and roads jammed as authorities closed highways taking on water. For weeks, drenching rains in Texas and parts of Louisiana have filled reservoirs and saturated the ground. Floodwaters partially submerged cars and roads this week across parts of southeastern Texas, north of Houston, where high waters reached the roofs of some homes. More than 11 inches (28 centimeters) of rain fell during a 24 hour period that ended Friday morning in the northern Houston suburb of Spring, according to the National Weather Service. In the rural community of Shepherd, Gilroy Fernandes said he and his spouse had about an hour to evacuate after a mandatory order. Their home is on stilts near the Trinity River, and they felt relief when the water began to recede Thursday. However, the danger grew while they slept. Next thing you know, overnight they started releasing more water from the dam at Livingston. And so that caused the level of the river to shoot up by almost five or six feet overnight, Fernandes said. Neighbors who left an hour later got stuck in traffic because of flooding. The Harris County Joint Information Center told KPRC-TV that 196 people and 108 animals had been rescued by emergency response agencies in Harris County. Elsewhere, in neighboring Montgomery County, Judge Mark Keough said there had been more high-water rescues than he was able to count. We estimate weve had a couple hundred rescues from homes, from houses, from vehicles, Keough said. In Polk County, located about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northeast of Houston, officials have done over 100 water rescues in the past few days, said Polk County Emergency Management Coordinator Courtney Comstock. She said homes below the Lake Livingston Dam and along the Trinity River had flooded. Itll be when things subside before we can do our damage assessment, Comstock said. Authorities in Houston had not reported any deaths or injuries. The city of more than 2 million people is one of the most flood-prone metro areas in the country and has long experience dealing with devastating weather. Hurricane Harvey in 2017 dumped historic rainfall on the area, flooding thousands of homes and resulting in more than 60,000 rescues by government rescue personnel across Harris County. Of particular concern was an area along the San Jacinto River in the northeastern part of Harris County, which was expected to continue rising as more rain fell and officials released extra water from an already full reservoir. Judge Hidalgo issued a mandatory evacuation order Thursday for those living along portions of the river. Most of Houston's city limits were not heavily impacted by the weather, except for the northeastern neighborhood of Kingwood. Officials said the area had about four months of rain in about a week. Houston Mayor John Whitmire said rising flood waters from the San Jacinto River were expected to impact Kingwood late Friday and Saturday. Shelters have opened across the region, including nine by the American Red Cross. The weather service reported the river was above 75 feet (22.86 meters) Saturday morning after reaching nearly 78 feet (23.7 meters). The river is expected to fall below the flood stage of 58 feet (17.6 meters) Tuesday afternoon and continue falling to about 50 feet (15.24 meters) Wednesday. The greater Houston area covers about 10,000 square miles (about 25,900 square kilometers) a footprint slightly bigger than New Jersey. It is crisscrossed by about 1,700 miles (2,736 kilometers) of channels, creeks and bayous that drain into the Gulf of Mexico, about 50 miles (about 80 kilometers) to the southeast from downtown. The city's system of bayous and reservoirs was built to drain heavy rains. But engineering initially designed nearly 100 years ago has struggled to keep up with the citys growth and bigger storms. (AP) A San Diego jury on Friday found two anti-fascists guilty of conspiracy to riot, in a case that became a bellwether for legal action against the political movement. The two defendants had faced a raft of various charges related to rioting and assault during a protest in a beach neighborhood in the aftermath of the tumultuous 2020 election. In that protest, on Jan. 9, 2021, members of the Proud Boys and other supporters of then-President Donald Trump had rallied and clashed with anti-fascists. But only the anti-fascists had faced charges. Prosecutors set out to convince a jury that the assailants were not simply individual participants, but that they had conspired under the banner of Antifa, essentially acting as a criminal gang. Brian Lightfoot and Jeremy White were both found guilty of conspiracy to riot at the protest. Jeremy White, center, was found guilty of conspiracy to riot in a San Diego trial that tested the role of the group known as Antifa, May 3, 2024. But the decision was split, as many other charges did not lead to conviction. The jury, which deliberated for more than a week, failed to reach a verdict on most of the most serious assault charges against Lightfoot, found him not guilty of one assault, and found White innocent of the one assault he was accused of committing. For the individual defendants, the verdicts represented a lighter possible sentence for Lightfoot, but possible prison time for White, who said he was heartbroken. And attorneys for both defendants said the verdicts represent a huge blow to the anti-fascist movement and to protesters in general, at a time when a new wave of protests has sprung up on college campuses across the country in opposition to the war in Gaza. I think the door is wide open to now hold lawful protesters in violation of conspiracy law, said Curtis Briggs, who represented White. Antifa on trial On Jan. 9, 2021, a group of assorted Trump supporters, Proud Boys and members of the extreme right in San Diego, including people with a history of violence at local protests, marched around Pacific Beach shouting slogans and calling on anti-fascists to fight with them. A pedestrian jogs past counter-protesters, some carrying Antifa flags, as they wait to confront a "Patriot March" demonstration in support of Donald Trump near the Crystal Pier on Jan. 9, 2021 in the Pacific Beach neighborhood of San Diego, California. Some of the protesters were met by a cadre of several dozen anti-fascists, many dressed head-to-toe in black. Over the afternoon, the anti-fascists approached and violently confronted the protesters, spraying some with pepper spray and assaulting others. In other incidents, the protesters attacked leftists and onlookers. A year later, the San Diego district attorney announced charges against 11 individuals all of them antifascists. The case drew extra attention for its overt focus on Antifa, which is generally understood as a leaderless ideology, rather than an organization. Far-right commentators and conspiracy theorists like Alex Jones and Tucker Carlson and conservative politicians, all the way up to Trump, have long claimed Antifa is not just a social movement but an organized, shadowy army. All of the original defendants were charged with conspiracy to riot, and prosecutors portrayed them as an organized, malicious force that came to San Diego to pick a fight with supporters of former President Donald Trump, just three days after the Capitol insurrection. Judge Daniel Goldstein presided over the trial, which was a novel legal test of the idea of Antifa. The defense questioned the motivation of Stephans office and filed a motion seeking to have her dismissed from the case. The top prosecutor, a Republican who left the party to run in the nonpartisan DA election, has a history of supporting conspiracy theories about Antifa. A former federal prosecutor told USA TODAY the decision to charge only one side of the fracas was idiotic. Its an insult to the public's intelligence to suggest that that's a legitimate prosecution. It's not. It's selective prosecution, said Patrick Cotter, who now works in private practice. Last two Antifa defendants Brian Lightfoot at the conclusion of his San Diego trial on May 3, 2024. Lightfoot was found guilty of six of the 16 counts he faced, but was found guilty of conspiracy to riot at the 2021 Pacific Beach protest, which tested a legal theory about the group known as Antifa. Of the 11 original defendants, nine cut deals with prosecutors that saw some of them agree to multi-year prison sentences. Two, Los Angeles residents Lightfoot and White, decided to argue their cases before a jury. They were represented by civil rights attorneys, who told USA TODAY they took on the cases because of their potential impact on the broader anti-fascist movement. Of the two defendants, Lightfoot was facing the most charges. He was accused of spraying pepper spray at Trump supporters and of committing assaults likely to commit great bodily injury. During closing arguments of the trial, prosecutors said he came to San Diego ready to commit violence. Deputy District Attorney Makenzie Harvey argues that defendants in the case were part of an organized conspiracy under the banner of Antifa. He wanted to fight, said Deputy District Attorney Makenzie Harvey. They were here looking to commit violence. Of the 16 counts he faced, Lightfoot was found guilty of six. The jury could not make a decision and hung on nine of the charges, and found him not guilty of one of the charges of assault. John Hamasaki, Lightfoots attorney, noted that his client was never offered a plea deal by prosecutors prior to trial. He called Fridays verdict a repudiation of the District Attorneys efforts. It looked like the jury really did an independent and thorough job looking at the facts and coming to a decision, Hamasaki said. I feel pretty good, Lightfoot told USA TODAY. I was at peace with it. White was less upbeat. I was heartbroken it felt surreal that they could find us guilty of that, he told USA TODAY. This is a group of prosecutors and cops who have never once prosecuted the violent white supremacists that we were counter-protesting that day. Briggs said the verdict doesnt make sense, since his client was convicted of conspiracy to riot, but acquitted of actually ever committing any crime on the day. Its illogical, Briggs said, adding, about White: Hes devastated. Hes a political activist who cares about his community who is now facing jail time. The San Diego District Attorneys Office sent USA TODAY a statement thanking the jury for their service: This was a complex case with 11 defendants indicted and now all convicted nine by guilty pleas and two by jury verdict. The DA team worked tirelessly on this case in order to be sure our community remains safe, and that the rule of law is followed. White told USA TODAY he is committed to appealing his conviction. He said he is less worried about the impact of the case on his own life, and more concerned about the future of the anti-fascist movement and the broader protest movement. The prosecutors did everything they could to make us look like this criminal gang or terrorist cell, he said. It has bad implications for protestors out there trying to fight against fascism, against police brutality and state repression. Hamasaki agreed. As were looking at all these protests happening around the country, I think this bodes ill for a lot of people if prosecutors are looking to file felony conspiracy charges against people who are involved in active first amendment behavior, Hamasaki said. It can have a chilling effect. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Antifa trial in San Diego ends in two landmark guilty verdicts Welcome to Woodstock for capitalists. Tens of thousands of Berkshire Hathaway shareholders and Warren Buffett fans flocked to Nebraska this weekend to consume Berkshire (BRKB)-owned Sees Candies and Dairy Queen Dilly Bars, compete in newspaper-throwing contests and, perhaps most important, to see the Oracle of Omaha speak in person. This year, however, the event struck a more solemn tone. Buffett appeared for the first time without his longtime business partner and friend Charlie Munger, who died in November. Greg Abel, the expected successor to Buffett who runs Berkshires noninsurance operations; and Ajit Jain, who runs the companys insurance business, joined Buffett on stage. However, the warm back-and-forth and Mungers whip-smart (and often sarcastic) remarks are absent. Buffett, 93, opened Berkshires 2023 annual report with a dedication to Munger, who died at age 99, just 33 days before the milestone birthday. Buffett said Munger was the architect behind the conglomerate they built together. In the physical world, great buildings are linked to their architect, while those who had poured the concrete or installed the windows are soon forgotten, he wrote. Berkshire has become a great company. Though I have long been in charge of the construction crew; Charlie should forever be credited with being the architect. The pair first met in 1959 and three years later Munger began working in money management, the letter notes. In 1978, Munger joined Berkshire Hathaway as vice-chairman and sat by Buffetts side, quick with a quip or a sage piece of advice. Charlie never sought to take credit for his role as creator but instead let me take the bows and receive the accolades. In a way, his relationship with me was part older brother, part loving father. Even when he knew he was right, he gave me the reins, and when I blundered he never never reminded me of my mistake, wrote Buffett. A question of succession Mungers passing has brought up the question of succession at Berkshire. Abel, 61, was named heir apparent in 2021 and Buffett has worked to insure investors that Berkshires stock (BRK.A), which closed at $603,000 per share on Friday, has a strong succession plan in place. I dont have a second choice. I mean it is that tough to find. But I have also seen Greg in action and I feel 100% comfortable, Buffett said at the shareholder meeting last year. Greg is inheriting a good business and I think hell make it better. Here come earnings Berkshire also reported its 2024 first quarter earnings on Saturday morning. Buffett famously releases his quarterly report over the weekend so that investors have time to fully digest its contents before trading opens again on Monday. Berkshires operating profits rose to $8,825 per Class A share. Berkshires Class A stock has risen nearly 10% this year, beating the total 7.5% of the S&P 500. It closed the first quarter with a net profit of $12.7 billion, less than half of the $35.5 billion it reported for the same period last year. Berkshires insurance underwriting business, one of its major holdings, made $2.6 billion in the first quarter, a $185% jump from $911 million in the first quarter of 2023. Last year, insurance underwriting generated earnings of $5.4 billion for the conglomerate, up from a loss of $30 million in 2022. Berkshire also bought back $2.6 billion in stock last quarter. Saturdays report showed that Buffett is sitting on a record pile of cash. Berkshire has about $189 billion in cash and equivalents, breaking 2023s record high $167.6 billion. The stockpile has led some investors to speculate on whether Buffett is planning to acquire a new company to add to his portfolio. This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Bengaluru: Karnataka JD(S) MLA H.D. Revanna, son of former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda, was taken into custody on Saturday by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), minutes after a court here rejected his anticipatory bail plea in a kidnapping case, officials said. The former minister was picked up from the Padmanabhanagar residence of his father and brought to the SIT office. The woman was allegedly abducted to prevent her from testifying against BJP-JD(S) Hassan candidate Prajwal Revanna who faces cases of sexual abuse after several explicit videos surfaced in recent weeks, police sources said. Police had rescued her from a farmhouse allegedly belonging to an aide of Revanna at Kalenahalli village in Hunsur taluk of Mysuru district. The case was registered against Revanna, a former minister, and his confidant Sathish Babanna in Mysuru on Thursday night for allegedly abducting the woman. The case was registered on a complaint filed by the woman's son, who also alleged that his mother was sexually abused by Revanna's son Prajwal Revanna. Babanna has already been arrested in connection with the case. Meanwhile after the SIT issued a look-out notice for Prajwal Revanna, sleuths told Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday stated that there was a possibility of the CBI serving a blue corner notice against the absconding Hassan Lok Sabha member who is stated to be in Germany. Once the blue corner notice is issued, the investigation in the case will go expeditiously. The Chief Minister gave directions to the sleuths not to be negligent or cause delay in initiating steps to arrest Prajwal. Sleuths have expressed confidence that they will arrest Prajwal and bring him to the state as soon as they get any tip-off from the airports. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a letter to Siddaramaiah to extend all possible support to the victims stated that he had appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cancel Prajwal Revannas diplomatic passport which he has used to flee the country. The letter from Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Union government led by the BJP had willfully allowed Prajwal to flee. In my two decades in public life, I have never come across a senior public representative who has constantly chosen silence in the face of untold violence against women. From our wrestlers in Haryana to our sisters in Manipur, Indian women are bearing the brunt of the Prime Ministers tacit support for such criminals, Rahul Gandhi wrote. NEW DELHI: In one of his fiercest election speeches in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday raked up the 2002 Godhra train arson, an issue that he rarely mentions even at such events, to attack the Congress-led UPA and the then railways minister and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav for practicing appeasement politics at a rally in Bihars Darbhanga. Earlier in the day, the PM addressed two rallies in Jharkhands Palamu and Lohardaga and later in the evening, he held a roadshow in Uttar Pradeshs Kanpur, where he continued his attack on the Opposition over corruption, votebank politics and "attempts to change the Constitution for providing reservations to Muslims". Addressing his third rally of the day in Bihars Darbhanga, Modi raked up the 2002 Godhra train arson issue and accused Lalu Prasad of trying to save those responsible for burning alive more than 60 kar sevaks. It is because of this appeasement politics that the father of Bihar's shehzada (allusion to Tejashwi Yadav) had tried to save those who were responsible for the Godhra train burning incident," said Modi, adding that after all, it was the rule of Sonia madam. He (Lalu Prasad Yadav), who has himself been convicted (in fodder scam cases), was railway minister. He set up an inquiry committee and got a report, which exonerated those guilty of the horrendous crime. But the court threw the report away," said Modi. Kicking off his gruelling campaign schedule for the day from Palamu, Jharkhand, the PM took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi without naming him and said Pakistan wanted him as the Prime Minister, but India wants a strong country with a strong government. "Maa Bharati's disrespect won't be tolerated anymore. New India's surgical and air strikes shook Pakistan, which was known for supporting terror attacks on India during the Congress regime The new India knows how to enter enemy territory and strike... Shaken by the surgical and air strikes, leaders in Pakistan are now praying that the Congress' shehzada' becomes PM of India... But our strong nation wants a strong government and leader," Modi said at the rally to campaign for the BJP candidate from Palamu, V.D. Ram. The Prime Minister said that earlier, after any terror attack on the country, the Congress-led governments were "helpless". But that has changed under the strong BJP-led government at the Centre. Now, Pakistan is seeking help from the world to save the nation. He told the audience that their one vote had contributed to the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya after generations struggled for 500 years, as well as the scrapping of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. The Congress and the INDI alliance want to usurp your land. They want to snatch SC, ST and OBCs' quotas to provide reservations to Muslims by altering the Constitution. Till I am alive, I will not now allow any such design of the Congress to succeed, he asserted. In his address, the Prime Minister claimed that over 25-crore people came out of poverty in the last 10 years of the NDA government. He said: The Congress never bothered for the welfare of people. The party's shehzada was born with a silver spoon and poses for the camera when he visits the house of the poor. But it is my commitment to transform IndiaThere has been no blot of corruption on me in the past 25 years as Chief Minister and Prime Minister. I don't own a home or even a bicycle... The corrupt JMM and the Congress leaders have amassed huge wealth for their children. In Sisai, Lohardaga, Modi said the NDA government has unmasked corrupt forces and all those who indulged in corruption will face action under law in the next five years. Hitting out at jailed former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren without taking his name, Modi said: "The former Jharkhand CM is behind bars for corruption... Modi is committed to wipe out the menace of corruption. In the next five years, all those who indulged in corruption will face legal action," he said. The INDI alliance leaders, neck-deep in corruption, hold rallies, including in Delhi and Ranchi, voicing support for corrupt people, which reveals their true character, the PM said. Modi also blamed the Congress for the backwardness of tribal districts, alleging that food grains used to rot in godowns during the UPA regime from 2004 to 2014, while tribal children died due to starvation. Modi said the NDA government ensured that the poor got access to the internet unlike the Congress, which was against it. Today's youths are the heroes of social media. The Congress had made the internet a thing for the rich, but Modi ensured it became available for the poor. We made mobile data affordable for all," he said. The PM also slammed the Congress for not taking any action against Maoists to preserve the party's votebank. He said: But, as long as Modi is alive, no one will be allowed to put tribal lives at risk. Modi also accused the Opposition parties of trying to rob SC, ST, OBC and tribals of reservations because of the disillusionment these deprived sections feel towards the INDIA bloc. The INDI alliance is trying to divert reservations to Muslims. They are going against the views of Babasaheb Ambedkar and first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, neither of whom was in favour of reservations on religious lines," Modi claimed. He also slammed Tejashwi Yadav for bringing up the "Hindu Muslim narrative" at rallies while talking about the Agnipath scheme and said, When we talk about the martyrdom of Captain Hameed, do we think of him as a Muslim? Without referring to Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav by their names, he said, "There is a shehzada in Delhi and one in Patna, both of whom think of the country as their jaagir (fiefdom)." He added: Their mindset was exposed when they raised questions about the surgical strikes and spoke ill of the armed forces." A large crowd cheered for the Prime Minister at the Kanpur roadshow in Uttar Pradesh. Mr Modi visited the Gumati Gurdwara before starting his roadshow in support of the BJP's candidates for the Kanpur and Akbarpur Lok Sabha seats. Mumbai: NCP founder Sharad Pawar on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a worrisome family situation. Reacting to Mrs Modis comment that the NCP split because Mr. Pawar could not take care of his family, the NCP founder asked if the PM took care of his own family. In an interview, Mr. Modi had said that Sharad Pawars problem is not political but family feud. The split in NCP happened over the issue of who should be Mr. Pawar's successor, he said. There is no sympathy for Mr. Pawar. People think if he cannot hold his family together, how can he take care of the state of Maharashtra, the PM said. Both the factions of the NCP have been contesting against each other in Baramati Lok Sabha constituency, which is home turf of Sharad Pawar. Supriya Sule, three term MP and daughter of Sharad Pawar, is contesting against Sunetra Pawar, wife of Maharashtra deputy chief minister and NCP national president Ajit Pawar, in Baramati Lok Sabha constituency. This is the first time, when Baramati is witnessing Pawar versus Pawar battle. In a response to Modis remark on him, the NCP founder said, I know about Mr. Modi. When did he took care of his family? But I dont want to go to stoop to his level level. His family situation is worrisome I should not speak on personal things. The Prime Minister has not maintained the decorum. It will not be appropriate that I should also not maintain the decorum. Claiming that Mr. Modi is not confident over his alliance candidates victory, the NCP founder also said that the Prime Minister is coming to Maharashtra several times because of that. The way the Prime Minister is repeatedly coming, it reflects that he does not have confidence, he said. Mr. Pawar also expressed confidence that the Congress will win 10 to 12 seats in Maharashtra, while his party will win eight to nine seats out of ten seats. There will be a huge difference in the result of this year (general election) and the last (general election) result (2019), he said. by Melani Manel Perera A course dedicated to their protection was held at the Caritas Village and attended by 200 women. Significant contribution made by migrant labour to the national economy through remittances recognised. Colombo (Asia News) - The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Singapore organised an awareness-raising programme for women migrant workers. The objective of the course, held late last month at the Caritas Village, was to empower and educate female workers about a safe working environment, the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry explained. The event, attended by 200 women, was organised in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Business Association in Singapore. A first edition was held in September 2023. The speakers who delivered the course were from the Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MoM), the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training (FAST). Sri Lanka Business Association President Lakshanthi Fernando emphasised the importance of informing female migrant workers of the dangers that can arise in the workplace, while Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Singapore, Senarath Dissanayake, acknowledged the significant contribution made by the migrant labour force to the national economy through remittances. Addressing the participants, he cited the importance of maintaining high standards and efficiency, mentioning that a 24-hour assistance section of the embassy is dedicated to ensuring the welfare and safety of migrants, particularly women workers. All participants received an endorsed certificate from the Sri Lankan Embassy and other bodies in Singapore committed to the safety of female migrant workers, including the Centre for Domestic Employees and the Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics. by Sumon Corraya The rite presided over by Archbishop Bejoy N. D'Cruze in St Mary's Cathedral. A gift to strengthen the various activities at the service of the diocese. From the new bishop, who is 61 years old, the invitation to the people of God to support his ministry with prayer. Dhaka (AsiaNews) - The ordination of Bishop Subroto Boniface Gomes as the new auxiliary bishop yesterday was a great moment of celebration for the archdiocese of Dhaka. Presiding over the rite, held at St Mary's Cathedral in Ramna, was the capital's archbishop Bejoy N. D'Cruze. About two thousand people were present, including Card. Patrick D'Rozario, eight Catholic bishops, 200 priests and nuns. Apostolic Nuncio Mgr Kevin Randall, and Religious Affairs Minister Faridul Haq Khan, also graced the event with their presence. After the ordination, Bishop Subroto Boniface Gomes expressed his deep commitment to preaching the Word of God, emphasising the importance of the cooperation and support of the Catholic community. He humbly asked for prayers for himself and the Church in Bangladesh, envisioning a society united in beauty and solidarity. Acknowledging his own limitations, Auxiliary Bishop Subroto expressed gratitude to God and Pope Francis for the call to this new ministry, urging all Christians to accompany him with prayer. In his homily, Archbishop Bejoy N. D'Cruze, who is also president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh, emphasised the role played by the Catholic Church in Dhaka in pastoral care, spiritual guidance, humanitarian aid and administration, made possible thanks to the dedication and competence of the priests and people at various levels within the diocese. Archbishop D'Cruze thanked Pope Francis for the gift of an auxiliary bishop to enhance the collaborative nature of the episcopal ministry and strengthen the various service activities of the diocese. Archbishop Bejoy also commended Subroto Boniface for his exemplary service as a priest and assistant secretary of the Bangladesh Catholic Bishops' Conference, emphasising his simplicity, prayerfulness, sense of responsibility and compassionate nature towards the less fortunate. Minister Faridul Haq Khan also praised the activities of the Catholic Church in Bangladesh, congratulating the new auxiliary bishop and wishing the prelate good health and long life. Bishop Subroto Gomes, born on 19 November 1962, comes from Purbapara village in Rangamatia parish in Kaliganj, Gazipur, near Dhaka. A priest since 16 April 1990, he served initially as an assistant in the parish of Tejgaon. For his commitment and leadership qualities, he was later appointed Assistant General Secretary of the Bishops' Conference and later Spiritual Director of the Holy Spirit Major Seminary. In his last assignment before his appointment as auxiliary bishop, Mgr Subroto had been parish priest of the Tejgaon parish. 4 May 2024 11:43 (UTC+04:00) Ulviyya Shahin Read more During COP29 in Baku, there will be ample opportunities for effective collaboration between Azerbaijan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Rachel Thompson, the Country Director for ADB in 11 countries, including Azerbaijan, stated, Azernews reports. "This returns to the ADB member country, which is evolving during the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference over the years. I consider this to be a very important meeting. The Azerbaijani government has clearly identified climate financing as a significant priority," Thompson noted. ADB is also committed to climate change and related climate financing: "I believe we will have many opportunities for fruitful collaboration, and we at ADB are eagerly looking forward to working together with the Azerbaijani government to ensure the successful implementation of COP29." --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 4 May 2024 09:00 (UTC+04:00) Baku hosted an event themed Team Europe Initiative on Mine Action in Azerbaijan on Friday. In his opening remarks, Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Azerbaijan Peter Michalko noted the EU sparing no efforts in collaborating with Azerbaijan across various domains, including the mine threat issue. Addressing the event, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Head of Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev said: The Republic of Azerbaijan faces a significant challenge due to landmine and explosive remnants of war (ERW) contamination, resulting from nearly three decades of military occupation by Armenia. Azerbaijan ranks among the most heavily mine-contaminated countries globally, with an estimated 1.5 million landmines and an unknown number of ERWs contaminating around 12% of the nations territory. This poses severe risks to civilians and hinders socio-economic development. From the end of the war in 2020 until April 27, 2024, there have been 212 landmine explosion incidents, resulting in 356 victims, including women and children. These incidents underscore the urgent need for mine clearance and victim assistance. Over the last 30 years, the cumulative toll of landmine victims in Azerbaijan has reached 3,435. Armenias refusal to provide accurate maps of the landmines it planted on Azerbaijani territory complicates demining efforts and obstructs the return of 800,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes. Given the immense adverse humanitarian impact, and considering that lingering landmine contamination represents a challenge to achieving peace and reconciliation, Azerbaijan relies on adequate political and practical support from the international community for its demining efforts as a matter of human solidarity. Given Azerbaijan's relatively developed institutional capacity and training frameworks, the most critical form of assistance needed at this juncture is direct financial donations to amplify the scope of operations, Hikmet Hajiyev noted. Other priorities include mine victim assistance, technical surveys and feasibility studies, data management, technological advancements, implementing geospatial methodologies, technology layering to refine clearance needs, support for female demining teams, mechanical demining enhancement, mine detection dog (MDD) training, demarcation, fencing, and explosive ordnance risk education (EORE), the Assistant to the President emphasized. Highlighting Azerbaijans International Initiatives to Raise Awareness and Foster Cooperation on Mine Action, Hikmet Hajiyev stated: Internationally, Azerbaijans efforts extend beyond seeking foreign assistance for its landmine issue to raising awareness and fostering international cooperation and solidarity. Azerbaijan has spearheaded the following initiatives: - Hosting annual international mine action conferences in Azerbaijan. Jointly organized with UNDP, these conferences have become the key venue for political dialogue on mine action. The next conference is scheduled for May 30-31, 2024, in Zangelan and Baku, focusing on the environmental impact of landminesa topic aligned with our presidency of COP29. We look forward to high-level participation from the EU and its member states. - Initiating the NAM Contact Group on Humanitarian Demining. Upon recommendation by President Ilham Aliyev, the NAM adopted a decision last year to establish this contact group, which commenced its activities in September. - Highlighting the adverse impact of landmines on cultural heritage. Azerbaijan is a strong advocate for the protection of cultural heritage during armed conflicts. In 2016, Azerbaijan sponsored a UNESCO military manual on protecting cultural property. Last year, UNESCO adopted a landmark resolution on the impact of landmines on cultural heritage. As a direct follow-up to this resolution, a special conference is now being held in Aghdam dedicated to this topic. -Together with the UN, Azerbaijan is establishing a UNDP-ANAMA Center of Excellence for mine action training. Azerbaijan is already aiding other nations with similar problems by sharing its experience and know-how. The establishment of this center will significantly augment the training assistance capacity of ANAMA. Any support from our international partners, including the EU, for the establishment and activity of this center will have a multiplying effect. - Azerbaijan adopted a national SDG on mine action and initiated the adoption of a global SDG within the UN, Hikmet Hajiyev mentioned. Regarding today's main theme, as His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev noted a few days ago, mine action could become one of the most important pillars of Azerbaijan-EU cooperation. In this context, we appreciate the announcement of the Team Europe Initiative to support Azerbaijans mine action efforts as a practical follow-up to the high-level political dialogue. This mechanism is intended as a framework to coordinate and mobilize assistance from the EU and its member states. Indeed, such an initiative is long overdue. We look forward to learning more details about this initiative, most notably its financial parameters. We hope the level of funding will be commensurate with the size of the problem we are facing. Moreover, we expect that identifying priorities for practical projects within the Team Europe Initiative will be based on host country ownership. What we need is actual demining. As President Ilham Aliyev said: If you don't want to give the money to us directly, you could give it to a company that will come and demine if you wish to help. The EU has a unique chance to support peace and development in the region. We hope that launching this Team Europe Initiative will be the first step in ensuring an even-handed approach in EUs assistance policy toward the region and in upholding the objective needs of Azerbaijan, as the only side which suffered hugely from the former conflict, the Presidential Assistant added. Other speakers at the event included Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission and Vugar Suleymanov, Chairman of the Board of Azerbaijans Mine Action Agency (ANAMA). Following the screening of a video on landmine threat, Peter Michalko briefed the participants about the Team Europe Initiative on Mine Action. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 4 May 2024 10:00 (UTC+04:00) Ulviyya Shahin Read more Permanent representative of Azerbaijan to the UN Yashar Aliyev handed over to his colleagues in the world organization letters of invitation to COP29 addressed by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to the leaders of a number of countries, the press service of the Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan to the UN said, Azernews reports. "As preparations for COP29 continue, invitation letters addressed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the heads of state and government of El Salvador, Libya, Micronesia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Senegal, Seychelles, Syria, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Venezuela were handed over by the permanent representative of Azerbaijan [at the UN] to his distinguished colleagues accredited at UN headquarters in New York," the statement said. This November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 70,00080,000 foreign guests. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 4 May 2024 15:33 (UTC+04:00) An extended group of 30 people from the National Club of International Travelers of Norway, Vagaclub, has observed the mine clearance process in Jojug Marjanly village, Jabrayil district, Azernews reports. This concluded the visit of international travelers to Azerbaijan's Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur regions. The delegation visited Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur for three days, traveling along the route Fuzuli-Shusha-Aghdam-Lachin-Jabrayil. To note, the visit of a delegation of foreign travelers to the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation started on May 2. The delegation of 30 representatives of the National Club of International Travelers of Norway, Vagaclub, was headed by Jorn Augestad. Meanwhile, nine visits to Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur were made by representatives of major travel networks: ETIC, MTP, TCC, NomadMania, as well as Turkish Travel Club, British Piki Reels, and Swedish Club 100. Altogether, more than 360 international travelers from 46 countries had the opportunity to learn about the situation in the liberated territories during the trips that took place. Through them, millions of people around the world received detailed information about the real situation in Garabagh. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 4 May 2024 16:58 (UTC+04:00) International travelers, after visiting the Khudafarin bridge, have visited the territory of Jojug Marjanly village, Jabrayil district, Azernews reports. There, travelers got acquainted with mine clearance operations by the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA). They were informed that during almost 30 years of occupation, Armenia had contaminated these territories with mines. To note, the visit of a delegation of foreign travelers to the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation started on May 2. The delegation of 30 representatives of the National Club of International Travelers of Norway, Vagaclub, is headed by Jorn Augestad. The delegation visited Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur for three days, traveling along the route Fuzuli-Shusha-Aghdam-Lachin-Jabrayil. Meanwhile, nine visits to Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur were made by representatives of major travel networks: ETIC, MTP, TCC, NomadMania, as well as Turkish Travel Club, British Piki Reels, and Swedish Club 100. Altogether, more than 360 international travelers from 46 countries had the opportunity to learn about the situation in the liberated territories during the trips that took place. Through them, millions of people around the world received detailed information about the real situation in Garabagh. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 4 May 2024 16:18 (UTC+04:00) On May 4, the third meeting of the Organizing Committee was held in connection with the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Azernews reports, citing AZERTAC. Speakers at the meeting were the Head of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Chairman of the Organizing Committee Samir Nuriyev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, President-Designate of COP29 Mukhtar Babayev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Anar Alakbarov, Minister of Health Teymur Musayev, MP Sevinj Fataliyeva, Deputy Head of the Department of Foreign Policy of the Presidential Administration, head of the secretariat of the COP29 Organizing Committee, Habib Mikayilli, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, COP29 Lead Negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev and others. Head of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Chairman of the COP29 Organizing Committee Samir Nuriyev provided information about the work done within the framework of the preparatory process for COP29 during the period since the last meeting and the implementation of the Action Plan for COP29 in this regard in accordance with the tasks of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. Samir Nuriyev pointed out that the logo and slogan of COP29 have been determined. He said that "Let's be united for the sake of a green world!" was chosen as the motto of COP29. The Chairman of the Organizing Committee emphasized that the design and on-site preparations are currently being carried out in and around the stadium as he stated that the COP29 and the Leaders' Summit will be held at the Baku Olympic Stadium. Speaking about the priorities of Azerbaijan during COP29, Samir Nuriyev pointed out that the preparation of the Action Agenda of the COP29 Presidency is in its final phase. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 4 May 2024 14:32 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed the law On Approval of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Turkiye on the Abolition of Double Taxation in Respect of Taxes on Income and Prevention of Tax Evasion, Azernews reports. According to the document, the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Turkiye on the Abolition of Double Taxation in Respect of Taxes on Income and Prevention of Tax Evasion signed on February 19, 2024, in Ankara was approved. Besides, the head of state signed the law On Approval of Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Turkiye on cooperation in the field of veterinary medicine". The document approves the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Turkiye on cooperation in the field of veterinary medicine signed on February 19, 2024, in Ankara. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 4 May 2024 21:04 (UTC+04:00) Jeyhun Bayramov, Azerbaijan`s Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan during his working visit to Gambia. During the meeting, the sides hailed the current high level of allied relationship between Azerbaijan and Turkiye, highlighting the significant role of the Shusha Declaration as a roadmap for comprehensive cooperation development. The two also emphasized the crucial role of the Azerbaijan-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, and the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation in ensuring sustainable, solid, and long-term relations development. They also underscored the importance of the Middle Corridor for cargo transportation between East and West amid current geopolitical realities. The FMs noted that the allied relations between Azerbaijan-Turkiye are manifested in multilateral platforms such as the UN, the Organization of Economic Cooperation, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Organization of Turkic States, emphasizing the significance of continuing and strengthening coordinated activities and mutual support between the two fraternal countries. Jeyhun Bayramov briefed his counterpart on the current state of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process and recent developments, including outcomes from the Azerbaijan-Armenia state commission on border delimitation. The meeting also covered other issues of mutual interest. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 4 May 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00) Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Economic Relations Peter Szijjarto criticized French President Emmanuel Macron's statements about the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine. According to Azernews, the head of the Foreign Ministry of Hungary said this on the air of the LCI TV channel. "We consider these statements as a threat and we understand very well that if the Western troops are on the territory of Ukraine, the scale of the war will increase significantly," Szijjarto stressed. According to the Hungarian diplomat, "the escalation of the conflict would be very dangerous." In his opinion, the West should move from supplying weapons to seeking peace. "Instead of supplying Ukraine with new weapons, sending troops there or using nuclear weapons, it is necessary to end this war, cease fire and start peace talks," he suggested. According to the diplomat, "the presence of European or American troops in Ukraine would mean crossing the red line." --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz A recent march by 1,100 Muslim protesters, mostly asylum seeker illegal immigrants, in Hamburg, Germany demanded that the German government be replaced by a Muslim caliphate. A caliph is a Muslim supreme religious leader. https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/germany-calls-for-caliphate-during-1100-strong-islamist-demonstration-in-hamburg/ Meanwhile, here in the US, the Biden Democrats just slipped an appropriation of $3.5 Billion into a foreign aid bill to bring more Muslim "refugees" from the Middle East, probably mostly Palestine, to the US. To make matters worse, nominally "Republican" Senator Thom Tillis, and his buddy in the House, Congressman Greg Murphy voted FOR that Biden bill. https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2024/05/04/ron-johnson-biden-prioritizing-gaza-refugees-over-americans-to-win-michigan/ Polls in Germany show that a majority of the German public is fed up with what illegal immigration is doing to their country. A just released poll conducted for the Nius Media Group, found that 52% believe that "Germany should no longer be accepting refugees from Muslim countries" while 34% disagreed. On another question, 57% agreed that "in certain areas of my town, I feel I am no longer in Germany", while 54% said they were "afraid that Germans will become a minority in Germany," while 37% did not have that fear. https://rmx.news/article/majority-of-germans-reject-muslim-immigration-express-fear-of-becoming-a-minority-in-germany/ Officials with the Massachusetts health department have launched an incident command system meant to safeguard access to care and minimize any potential service disruptions amid Dallas-based Steward Health Care's ongoing financial troubles. The incident command system will support better coordination between state agencies, hospitals, community health centers, labor groups and other stakeholders, officials said in announcing the news May 3, according to reports from local news outlets. The command system will be led by Gregg Meyer, MD, senior vice president for quality and safety at Boston-based Massachusetts General Hospital and Massachusetts General Physicians Organization. It is designed to "safeguard care and services at Steward Hospitals," and respond to any "transitions in care" at Steward facilities that would affect healthcare access across the region, according to WBUR and NBC affiliate WBTS. State officials emphasized that Steward's hospitals remain open. "As part of emergency operations activation, the [department of public health] has formalized an incident command system to coordinate the regional planning work already underway," Robert Goldstein, MD, PhD, commissioner of the state's department of public health, said in a statement to news outlets. The system, "incorporates the ongoing external monitoring in all Steward hospitals, enables DPH to rapidly respond to any clinical needs or issues that arise, and fosters increased communication with other regional healthcare organizations, first responders and community leaders," he added. In February, the health department deployed monitors to Steward hospitals across the state to ensure adequate resources are available to deliver safe care, and that staff are supported. In March, Steward announced it was looking to transfer ownership of all nine of its Massachusetts hospitals. It has maintained that it has no plans to close hospitals. Read more about the health system's financial troubles here. Last month, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey's administration began holding meetings with hospitals and community health centers to discuss uncertainty surrounding Steward's financial struggles, and how the state's healthcare system can best meet the needs of patients and providers should a Steward facility face closure or a contraction of services. Expenses per provider remained considerably higher than revenue generated in the first quarter of 2024, although there are signs the gap could be closing, according to the Kaufman Hall "Physician Flash Report," released May 2. Kaufman Hall based their findings on a monthly report from Syntellis Performance Solutions, part of Strata. The report gathered data from more than 200,000 employed providers, including physicians and advanced practice providers. Net patient revenue per provider full-time equivalent was $383,881 for the first quarter, up 4% from the same period last year. Total direct expenses per provider FTE hit $620,729 for the quarter. Expense growth has slowed over the last three years, with a 5% growth from 2022 to 2023 and just 3% growth from 2023 to 2024. "Labor expenses are a growing proportion of total expenses, a trend that is unlikely to change significantly. Organizations should shift from optimizing downstream revenue to optimizing downstream margins," the report authors advised, noting hospitals and physician organizations can evaluate provider specialties by outcomes or other metrics when they aren't big revenue drivers. Provider productivity was up 4% as measured by work relative value units. Physician wRVU per FTE was 5,979 for the first quarter, up 6% year over year. Physician compensation jumped 3% to $364,319, down from 6% growth between 2022 to 2023. Labor expenses continue to rise while support staff decline across specialties. Labor was 84% of total expenses in the first quarter, and support staff per 10k provider wRVUs dropped 6% year over year to 3.14, even after an 8% drop from 2022 to 2023. Report authors recommended organizations find better ways to use APPs for higher physician productivity. Here are specific data points from the first quarter report. Median net patient revenue per provider FTE by specialty cohort were: 1. Primary care: $471,000 2. Medical specialty: $377,000 3. Surgical specialty: $393,000 4. Hospital-based specialty: $250,000 Median physician wRVU per physician FTE by specialty cohort was: 5. Primary care: 5,560 6. Medical specialty: 6,742 7. Surgical specialty: 6,626 8. Hospital-based specialty: 5,239 Median physician paid compensation per physician FTE by specialty cohort: 9. Primary care: $297,000 10. Medical specialty: $412,000 11. Surgical specialty: $480.000 12. Hospital-based specialty: $360,000 Median support staff FTEs per 10,000 wRFUs by specialty cohort: 13. Primary care: 4.48 14. Medical specialty: 2.47 15. Surgical specialty: 2.87 Mark Hamill shows off the sunglasses given to him by President Joe Biden (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Star Wars actor Mark Hamill dropped by the White House on Friday for a visit with President Joe Biden and walked away with a pair of the presidents aviator sunglasses and a greater respect for the office. I love the merch, he said, taking off the glasses during a quick appearance at the White House daily press briefing following his meeting with Mr Biden. Hamill, 72, famous for playing Luke Skywalker, kidded with reporters that he would take a few questions as long as they were not about Star Wars. I was honoured to be asked to come to the White House to meet the president, he said. Mark Hamill said he loved the merch after being presented with a pair of Joe Bidens aviator sunglasses (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Hamill has been to the White House before, during the Carter and Obama administrations, but he had never checked out the Oval Office, and that was quite something, he said. Mr Biden showed off photographs and other Oval Office items, Hamill said. Hamill said the president told him to call him Joe, to which Hamill offered an alternative suggestion: Can I call you Joe-bi-Wan Kenobi? He liked that, said Hamill, who also voiced the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series. Both Hamill and the White House were vague about his reason for visiting. But Hamill, a Democrat and Biden supporter with a huge social media following, has been posting about the presidents re-election campaign this week. May The First Not Quench Your Thirst For Bidens re-election, he wrote on May 1. On Friday he posted: May The Third Be Absurd That The Guy Who Tried To Steal A Fair Election Is Allowed To Run Again, a reference to Donald Trump and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. May 4 is unofficially Star Wars Day, in part because of the famous Jedi phrase May the force be with you. The pun goes, May the fourth be with you. Hamill also lent his voice to Air Alert a downloadable app linked to Ukraines air defence system. His voice urges people to take cover whenever Russia unleashes another aerial bombardment on Ukraine. May the fifth be delicious for the celebration of Cinco de Mayo Forget the stereotype authentic Mexican food is complex, with many flavours and textures, and doesnt have to be overly spicy Pork with mole rojo and pumpkin seed rice Paula McIntyre Sat 4 May 2024 at 08:00 Cinco de Mayo, the fifth of May, is a public holiday in Mexico where they honour the military victory in 1862 over Napoleons invading French forces. With the increased popularity in Mexican food, this day of celebration now has a wider global audience. Mum of girl abused by NI youth worker says there are days she doesnt want to go on The girls mother said: She very much feels those in charge of her care do not have an understanding of the impact this has had on her. Married father-of-two John Beckett got to know his victim, a 14-year-old girl, through his job and developed an inappropriate relationship with her Ciaran O'Neill Sat 4 May 2024 at 10:20 The mother of a young girl abused by a youth worker has criticised the support offered to her daughter. The team at the Oh Yeah Music Centre winning the award in London The Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast has made history after winning a prestigious award in London. The Cathedral Quarter venue was celebrated as part of the annual Music Week Awards in the JW Marriot Grosvenor House in London. Its the first venue in Northern Ireland to win the award. The winner was chosen from a shortlist of 10 venues from all over the UK, including The Windmill in London, The Green Door Store in Brighton and the Leadmill in Sheffield, and was decided by public vote. It dedicated the Grassroots Venue: Spirit of the Scene award to the music community in Northern Ireland, saying it was a collective win for the significant impact local music has on the community, as well as its contributions to events, tourism, and the broader music industry. To win this award means everything. Not only is it official recognition at a major industry awards event but its also a public endorsement of our work, Charlotte Dryden, CEO of the Oh Yeah Music Centre, said. Live music makes a huge collective economic and social contribution to our lives, and we are so proud to bring this home to Northern Ireland. Thank you to everyone that voted for us and massive thanks to Music Venue Trust for making sure grassroots venues are recognised at this prestigious event. Mark David, CEO and founder Music Venue Trust, said: This award is about recognising the incredible work delivered by hundreds of fantastic grassroots music venues in every part of the UK. The Oh Yeah Centre is the perfect winner of this award, encapsulating the very best that the grassroots sector offers; fantastic programming, community engagement, support for the very best new talent. The Oh Yeah team have done so much for music in Northern Ireland and beyond, and its great to see that work celebrated with the Spirit of the Scene Award. The matter was raised at a meeting of the councils People and Communities Committee at City Hall this week (stock image) Belfast City Council is to look at ways of tackling nuisance pigeon feeding. The matter was raised at a meeting of the councils People and Communities Committee at City Hall this week. Balmoral Sinn Fein councillor Geraldine McAteer raised an item on the agenda on the feeding of pigeons as a public health nuisance. She said: I am sure other councillors get emails from constituents about the problems associated with people feeding pigeons on an extremely regular basis, and the build up of pigeons around houses. It is causing a lot of problems in terms of their ordinary daily life. I have an email here from a lady who basically says that her children, when they were toddlers, couldnt use their outdoors space because of the excrement from pigeons, and the amount of feathers. Currently they have to carry out very regular cleaning to reduce all the excrement, on exterior furniture and toys, to make it safer for their small children to play. They have spent a lot of money to have the roof cleaned quite a number of times, and has attracted multiple mice infestations. They are not able to enjoy the amenities of their own home. She added: I have had quite a number of these emails. It is an environmental health issue. This has to do with the health and indeed wellbeing of constituents. Ms McAteer asked officers what powers the council had to tackle the problem. DUP councillor for Botanic Tracy Kelly said: I get this on quite a regular basis, it happens especially in inner city communities. We grew up feeding the pigeons, and children love it. This is not only attracting pigeons, it is attracting vermin, and seagulls are becoming a bigger issue in the inner city and city centre. But I dont know what to say to constituents, because on one hand you have someone that likes to throw a piece of bread, but another person who says they dont want it on their door. Ms McAteer said: People are feeding so intensively that it is causing problems with their neighbours. A council officer said a report would be brought back on the issue before the committee. She said: In the legislation that currently exists, there is nothing about feeding pigeons. There is nuisance legislation, which is part of Clean Neighbourhoods, but it has to be at a level where it is actionable in court, that is, beyond reasonable doubt criminal behaviour. Just as with noise, it has to be provable that one house is affecting another. The standard to be reached, insofar as it is an accumulation really affecting a persons health from one house to another, would be very high. She said she would look at the numbers of complaints coming through the system in a new report and bring an update on legislation. In February Ards and North Down Borough Council agreed to draft a by-law to control the feeding of pigeons in Conway Square, Newtownards. Fines issued as a penalty for contravention will be as high as 500. The by-law would only be actionable in the council-owned section of the square, which accounts for approximately 60% of the area. Application of a by-law for the entire square would be subject to agreement with the Department for Infrastructure. A similar by-law exists for Trafalgar Square, by the Greater London Authority which bans feeding of birds. Sixth such incident in six months as latest report highlights the dangers many reporters face on daily basis for just doing their job Debra Tice (right), mother of journalist Austin Tice, with National Press Club president Emily Wilkins during a forum in Washington, DC to discuss the cases of Tice, who was kidnapped in 2012 in Syria, Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter arrested in 2023 on spying charges in Russia, and Alsu Kurmasheva, a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist who is also detained in Russia The UK has risen three places to 23rd in the annual world press freedom index published by Reporters Without Borders, while the Republic of Ireland has fallen back to eighth. The publication on Friday came on the day the Belfast Telegraph received news of another threat to one of its journalists, the sixth such incident in six months. Journalists in Northern Ireland have become accustomed to late-night phone calls and knocks on the door from the police, said Eoin Brannigan, editor-in-chief of the Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life. Members of the press have been killed in Northern Ireland, so threats will always be taken seriously. Staff at the Belfast Telegraph, Sunday Life and our sister paper the Sunday World are not alone in receiving them. However, there seems to be an acceptance they somehow go with the territory. Such an attitude cannot be tolerated. We will continue to liaise with the PSNI, who deserve credit for their diligence in making us aware of these incidents, to make sure everything that can be done will be done to help journalists go about their work in peace. Norway retained its spot at the top of the rankings in a report which finds that media freedom around the world is being threatened by the very people who should be its guarantors political authorities. Allegations of police surveillance of journalists here were also highlighted by RSF UK director Fiona OBrien, as well as the chilling effect of abusive lawsuits aimed at silencing investigative reporting, attacks on exiled journalists and rising online harassment. Despite a small drop in its score, the United Kingdom (23) has risen three places due to the movement of other countries around it, she said. Largely, the situation is stable, with the overall rating remaining satisfactory, though, in a year which has seen mass lay-offs in the industry, it is worrying to see the economic context indicator slip from satisfactory to problematic. Fiona OBrien from Reporters Without Borders The countries where press freedom is good are all in Europe, and more specifically within the European Union, which has adopted its first media freedom law. Ireland has dropped out of the indexs top three countries, replaced by Sweden, while Germany is now one of the top 10 countries. Press freedom is nonetheless being put to the test in Hungary, Malta and Greece, the three lowest-ranked EU countries. Further east in Europe, the conditions for practising journalism are deteriorating due to the scale of disinformation and censorship of media outlets falsely accused of undermining national security or terrorism. This is the case in Russia (162nd), Belarus (167th) and Turkmenistan (175th), while in Georgia (down 26 to 103rd), the ruling party is cultivating a rapprochement with Moscow. As a result of improvements in its security indicator fewer journalists killed and its political indicator, Ukraine (61st) has moved up 18 places. At least 100 journalists have been killed in Gaza between October 7, 2023 and May 1, 2024, according to the RSF. The United States (55) has fallen 10 places due to increasing attacks on journalists from political players. Gavin Robinson said the Irish government had questions to answer on cases including the 1976 Kingsmill massacre. Gavin Robinson has accused the Irish government of being hypocritical on legacy. The DUP interim leader said the Republic had repeatedly failed to face up to its role in the Troubles while seeking to lecture the UK government on the past. Last week Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee claimed 80% of asylum-seekers are going into the Republic of Ireland via Northern Ireland. The Irish Department of Justice later said that 91% of applications at the International Protection Office (IPO) so far this year were made there for the first time rather than at an airport or at a port. Fans hold up a banner on the 14th minute during Arsenals Premier League match against Bournemouth in memory of 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin (Adam Davy/PA) Arsenal have led tributes to Daniel Anjorin after the teenager was murdered on his walk to school on Tuesday. Daniel, a 14-year-old Arsenal fan, was attacked with a sword in Hainault, east London, and suffered fatal wounds to his neck and chest. The club showed his picture on the big screens ahead of their Premier League game against Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon. Fans applaud on the 14th minute during Arsenals Premier League match against Bournemouth in memory of 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin (Adam Davy/PA) During the match there was also a moving moment of applause throughout the Emirates Stadium in the 14th minute, with a banner reading RIP Daniel among the crowd. Daniel died on Tuesday morning when an armed man went on a violent rampage. Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo, a dual Spanish-Brazilian national living in Newham, was charged with murdering the teenager and appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday. The boys family told Sky News he was a wonderful child who was well loved and hard working, adding that his death leaves a gaping wound in the family. No family should have to go through what we are experiencing today, they told the broadcaster. Any family will understand its an absolute tragedy. The club showed Daniels picture on the big screens ahead of their Premier League game on Saturday afternoon (Adam Davy/PA) Staff and pupils at Bancrofts, an independent school, said they have been left in profound shock and sorrow at his death. A statement said: We are devastated by the heartbreaking news of the death of Daniel Anjorin, who attended our school. This has left us in profound shock and sorrow. Daniel joined Bancrofts at seven years old and quickly became a core member of our community. He was a true scholar, demonstrating commendable dedication to his academic pursuits. His positive nature and gentle character will leave a lasting impact on us. The school was also hit by tragedy last summer after former pupil Grace OMalley-Kumar was stabbed to death in Nottingham as she tried to save her friend Barnaby Webber from a knife attacker. The shock victory of Richard Parker in the West Midlands was the latest in Labours domination of this years mayoral elections. Tory candidate Andy Street had hoped to cling on in the region, but the Labour challenger beat him with a majority of just 1,508 votes. Speaking after the result was announced, Mr Parker said that his election shows people are calling for Labour, and calling for change. Labours Sadiq Khan speaks as he is re-elected as the Mayor of London (Jeff Moore/PA) The Conservative loss was part of a double blow for the Prime Minister after Labours Sadiq Khan secured a historic third term as Mayor of London. Mr Khan said its time for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to call a general election. Labour notched up a string of wins by high-profile incumbents as well as scoring a clean sweep of victories in those parts of the country that were voting for a mayor for the first time. In the East Midlands, Labours Claire Ward became the regions first elected mayor with a majority of more than 50,000 votes over Tory Ben Bradley who also sits as MP for Mansfield and leader of Nottinghamshire County Council. Meanwhile, Labours Kim McGuinness won the new North East mayoral election with a majority of 58,399 over independent Jamie Driscoll. And Labours David Skaith won the new York & North Yorkshire mayoral election which includes the Prime Ministers Richmond constituency with a majority of almost 15,000 over the Conservatives. Defeated Conservative Andy Street (Jacob King/PA) A number of the re-elected Labour mayors took aim at the Government or called for a general election after the result was announced. In Liverpool, incumbent Steve Rotheram got 68% of the vote, then urged the Prime Minister to call a general election, saying we are ready when you are. Andy Burnham said Britain desperately needs a new Government and a fresh start after he was re-elected as Greater Manchester Mayor with 63.4% of the vote. Paul Dennett, who was re-elected as Salford City Mayor with 61.5% of the vote, said the Westminster and Whitehall model of governing was clearly broken and detached from ordinary peoples lives. Labours Oliver Coppard retained his job as South Yorkshire Mayor with just over 50% of the vote and said he will join millions of people across the north in calling out this Government for their failure to level up our country. Andy Burnham speaks as he has been re-elected as Greater Manchester Mayor (Peter Byrne/PA) Labours Tracy Brabin retained her job as West Yorkshire Mayor after winning more than half of the votes. In five of the 11 contests, Labour not only finished first but won more than 50% of the vote: This is no mean feat in elections held under the first-past-the-post system, where having multiple candidates on the ballot often means the winner does not end up with over half of the popular vote. Indeed, this exact scenario happened in the five other mayoral contests won by Labour candidates: London (where Mr Khan got 43.8% of the vote), the North East (41.3% for Ms McGuinness), East Midlands (40.3% for Ms Ward), Birmingham (37.8% for Mr Parker) and York & North Yorkshire (35.1% for Mr Skaith). Elections for the East Midlands, North East and York & North Yorkshire mayors were being held for the first time, meaning there was no incumbency factor to boost the chances of a particular party. They also took place in areas that will be key Conservative-Labour battlegrounds at the next general election particularly the East Midlands which contains a high number of marginal seats. (PA Graphics) Seen in this context, the sole Tory success in this years mayoral contests, the re-election of Ben Houchen in Tees Valley, is very much an outlier, though he did like most of the other incumbents manage to win more than half of the vote (53.6%). Only three candidates stood in the Tees Valley contest Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat which was the lowest number in any of this years mayoral elections. Labour sources pointed to Lord Houchens much-reduced majority, saying the swing against him would be enough to give Labour victory in all the parliamentary seats in the Tees Valley, and claimed he had only managed to win by campaigning as a pseudo-independent. Lord Houchen denied that he had sought to distance himself from Mr Sunak, saying: People around here know Im a Conservative. Labours shock victory in the West Midlands mayoral election was a phenomenal result which was beyond our expectations, Sir Keir Starmer said, as the Conservatives were trounced in the local elections. Tory candidate Andy Street had hoped to cling on in the West Midlands, but Labour challenger Richard Parker beat him with a majority of just 1,508 votes. The Conservative loss was part of a double blow branded disappointing by the Prime Minister after Labours Sadiq Khan secured a historic third term as Mayor of London. This phenomenal result was beyond our expectations, Sir Keir said. Defeated Conservative Andy Street listens to Labours Richard Parker speaking as he is elected as the new Mayor of West Midlands (Jacob King/PA) People across the country have had enough of Conservative chaos and decline and voted for change with Labour. Our fantastic new mayor Richard Parker stands ready to deliver a fresh start for the West Midlands. But Sir Keir struck a conciliatory tone as he told voters who had turned away from Labour over its stance on Gaza he was determined to win their trust again in the future. Speaking in Birmingham, the Labour leader said: I say directly to those who may have voted Labour in the past but felt that on this occasion that they couldnt that across the West Midlands we are a proud and diverse community. I have heard you. I have listened. And I am determined to meet your concerns and to gain your respect and trust again in the future. Labour has lost seats in a smattering of councils to independents and George Galloways Workers Party of Britain over its approach to the conflict in the Middle East. But the party dominated mayoral elections across England, winning in Liverpool, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, and in Greater Manchester, where Andy Burnham returned to power. (PA Graphics) This was despite a move to a first-past-the-post system of voting in all mayoral elections which critics said would favour the Conservatives. It was only in the Tees Valley mayoral contest where the Prime Minister could take solace in a Tory victory. Lord Ben Houchen retained the region for the Tories on Friday, amid denials he had sought to distance himself from the Conservatives during the campaign. Mr Streets loss may have an impact on the Prime Ministers defence against backbench Tory challenges to his authority. The Prime Minister urged his party to stick with his leadership and his plan for Government. Mr Sunak said: Its been disappointing of course to lose dedicated Conservative councillors and Andy Street in the West Midlands, with his track record of providing great public services and attracting significant investment to the area, but that has redoubled my resolve to continue to make progress on our plan. Suella Braverman, the Conservative former home secretary was quick out of the gate to lay the blame for Tory losses at the door of Downing Street. But she insisted ousting the party leader wont work, adding: The hole to dig us out of is the PMs, and its time for him to start shovelling. She urged Mr Sunak to adopt strong leadership, not managerialism on tax, migration, the small boats and law and order. Outgoing West Midlands mayor Mr Street meanwhile urged the Conservative leader not to stray rightwards and stick to a moderate path in order to win votes in the future. Asked if he is worried the party is drifting to the right and over-emphasising the threat from Reform UK while ignoring other voters, he told Sky News: I would definitely not advise that drift. The psychology here is really very straight forward, isnt it? This is the youngest, most diverse, one of the most urban places in Britain, and weve done, many would say, extremely well over a consistent period. The message is clear: winning from that centre ground is what happens. Results are in from 106 of the 107 councils in England that held elections on May 2 and they show Labour has won 1,140 seats, an increase of more than 200. The Liberal Democrats beat the Tories into second place, winning 521 seats, up nearly 100. The Tories are just behind on 513 seats, down nearly 400. The change in seats is the difference in the number of councillors compared with the state of the parties just before election day. Canadian police have made three arrests in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP, File) Canadian police said on Friday that they have made three arrests in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader last June in suburban Vancouver. The death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar became the centre of a diplomatic spat with India. Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner David Teboul said three suspects have been arrested and charged in the slaying of the 45-year-old by masked gunmen in Surrey, near Vancouver. But he said police could not comment on nature of the evidence nor the motive. This matter is very much under active investigation, Mr Teboul said. Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau sparked a diplomatic feud with India when he said in September that there were credible allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of Mr Nijjar. India had accused Mr Nijjar of links to terrorism but angrily denied involvement in the slaying. Nijjar, an Indian-born citizen of Canada, was a plumber and also a leader in what remains of a once-strong movement to create an independent Sikh homeland, known as Khalistan. But he had denied allegations of ties to terrorism. The three suspects are Indian nationals Kamalpreet Singh, Karan Brar and Karampreet Singh, and they were arrested in Edmonton, Alberta, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superintendent Mandeep Mooker said. This investigation does not end here. We are aware that others may have played a role in this homicide and we remain dedicated to finding and arresting each one of these individuals, Mr Mooker said. A bloody decade-long Sikh insurgency shook north India in the 1970s and 1980s, until it was crushed in a government crackdown in which thousands of people were killed, including prominent Sikh leaders. The Khalistan movement has lost much of its political power but still has supporters in the Indian state of Punjab, as well as in the sizable overseas Sikh diaspora. While the active insurgency ended years ago, the Indian government has warned repeatedly that Sikh separatists were trying to make a comeback. A student adjusts a sign at an encampment on the grounds of Newcastle University, protesting against the war in Gaza (Owen Humphreys/PA) Pro-Palestine demonstrators are disrupting open days at Cambridge as Britains leading Jewish student group calls on universities to do more to tackle antisemitic hatred on campuses. Activists are telling prospective undergraduates and their families they will be complicit in Israels genocide in Gaza if they apply to Trinity College, which is said to have invested in an Israeli arms company last year. Students across the UK have started to gather in protest against the war in Gaza, with encampments set up in cities including Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds. This follows a series of violent clashes at campuses across the US, most prominently at Columbia University in New York. Activist group Cambridge Stop The War shared a video on social media with the caption No Open Day As Usual for Trinity College Cambridge! Criticism is focused on a reported investment last year of 61,735 in the Israeli arms company Elbit Systems, one of the largest defence suppliers to the Israeli military. The Wren Library of Trinity College, Cambridge (Nick Ansell/PA) Demonstrators have called on the college to end its complicity in genocide and divest from Israel in response to its military operation in the Gaza Strip. They have not yet set up an encampment but have started to target open days for the mathematics course at Trinity, arguing the highly regarded course and college will be extremely vulnerable to bad publicity. The Union of Jewish Students has called on British universities to take their duty of care to Jewish students seriously. A letter published on the groups X page said: Jewish students are angry, they are tired, and they are hurt by the continuous torrent of antisemitic hatred on campus since October 7. And as Jewish students begin their exams, their peers seek to replicate scenes of hatred from US campuses, with protesters already having called to globalise the Intifada, to support the Houthis in Yemen, and to not engage with Zionists. While students have a right to protest, these encampments create a hostile and toxic atmosphere on campus for Jewish students. Let us be clear, we will not stand for this hatred. It is time that universities take their duty of care to Jewish students seriously. Calls to divest from Israeli businesses and support the Palestinian-led boycott, divestment and sanctions movement have become common on British campuses. Several groups have said they will stay on campus sites indefinitely until university leaders discuss demands. Protest organisers across the UK have said pro-Palestinian demonstrations will spread, but they do not expect to see any repeat of the violence witnessed at US campuses. According to The Guardian, David Maguire, the vice-chancellor of the University of East Anglia (UEA), said protests at UK universities had been generally peaceful but agreed that events like those in the US could happen here. Trinity College has been contacted for comment. A man accused of intimidating his uncle has been remanded into custody. District Judge Oonagh Mullan said that because Scott McKeown had a significant criminal record, she had no confidence he would abide by bail conditions. Man jailed for raids on popular Belfast bar and Greek restaurant Burglar sentenced to 17 months in prison after breaking in to Laverys pub in Belfast Lavery's bar John Toner Sat 4 May 2024 at 14:50 A man has been jailed after breaking into a Belfast bar armed with a knife and stealing 10,000 worth of iPads, mobile phones and booze. Bennington, VT (05201) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to cloudy skies and rain overnight. Low around 35F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to cloudy skies and rain overnight. Low around 35F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. GREENFIELD While in the back of a police car several years ago, Sunderland police say that Taaniel Herberger-Brown threatened to murder the officer behind the wheel and his family. I like your earlobes, Herberger-Brown said, according to a police report. They are going to make a great necklace. Herberger-Brown later pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening to commit a crime, specifically murder, and he went through court programming and treatment. Now, he is facing a murder charge after police found the body of Christopher Hairston in the downtown Greenfield apartment that Herberger-Brown had recently vacated. His landlord called police in late April after he went into the apartment and encountered a foul smell and blood. Herberger-Brown was arrested last week by the Albany County Sheriffs Office at Albany International Airport in New York, where he told officers that someone broke into his Chapman Street apartment, attacked him, and that the mans heart stopped, police wrote in a report filed in Greenfield District Court. He has yet to be extradited and arraigned in Massachusetts. In his past case, a man at Cliffside Apartments in Sunderland called police in September 2020, and reported Herberger-Brown broke through his door and went into his apartment. He believed Herberger-Brown was intoxicated. Another neighbor called reporting a disturbance. Sunderland police arrested Herberger-Brown, who lived in the building. On the drive to the jail, he repeatedly yelled that he would kill the police officer transporting him, a police report reads. He began to list specific ways he would be murdering my family, the officer writes in his report. He commented about how he would kill the officers child and feed the body to the officers mother. He threatened rape, disembowelment and murder against various people, it says. He also threatened suicide. In Greenfield District Court, Herberger-Brown pleaded guilty to threatening to commit a crime, assault and a misdemeanor charge of breaking and entering. Prosecutors dropped other charges, including disturbing the peace and trespassing, records show. For about a year, he complied with court-ordered treatment, and in 2022, the court found he violated his probation. He was ordered to go to Soldier On, a nonprofit agency that works with homeless veterans. The organization has a program, the Veteran Justice Partnership, which helps veterans in need get treatment instead of jail time, according to its website. Herberger-Brown secured a Soldier On bed in July 2022, according to court documents. He was involved in Collaborative Treatment Court and graduated in May 2023, his case docket notes. His court records show he had several other encounters with police in Franklin County. Previously, he had been ordered to participate in Soldier On programing and to not use alcohol as part of a 2019 case in which he plead guilty to trespassing, destruction of property and breaking and entering at the Greenfield home of a woman he knew. Today, Herberger-Brown is facing a homicide charge for the death of Hairston, a 35-year-old Pittsfield man. Hairston attended Taconic High School and Berkshire Community College, according to his obituary. He was passionate about drumming and involved in various music groups. In 2010, he spoke to The Berkshire Eagle about his music work, playing in two bands and teaching. Music makes you feel good, and were sending out good vibrations, he said of one music group he played in. Chris Stix was a fun-loving spirit with a big, open heart, infectious laugh and deep understanding of rhythm and being in the pocket, as he would say, his obituary reads. His contribution and connection to the drum community reached far and wide. He will be deeply missed by so many. Herberger-Brown is still being detained in New York. At a hearing on April 29, he declined to waive his extradition proceedings. His next court hearing is scheduled for May 31 in Albany County Court. This Story in History is selected from the archives by Jeannie Maschino, The Berkshire Eagle. Joe Durwin is a local historian specializing in research on residential and commercial properties for owners in Berkshire County. He can be reached at info@berkshirehomehistory.com Katherine Winston, seen in 2015, will perform with Michael Aaron on May 27 as the Lee Chamber of Commerce celebrates its 100th year. You are the owner of this article. Ralph Gardner Jr. is a journalist whose work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and New York magazine. He can be reached at ralph@ralphgardner.com. More of his work can be found on Substack. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of The Berkshire Eagle. Frankie Valli said immortalising the story of the Four Seasons in the Broadway musical Jersey Boys was one of the hardest things that Ive ever done in my life. The Four Seasons frontman, whose hits include Cant Take My Eyes Off You, Big Girls Dont Cry and Grease, was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday during a ceremony which also marked his 90th birthday. Advertisement Valli accepted the star on behalf of Four Seasons members Bob Gaudio, who was not able to attend the ceremony, as well as late bandmates Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi, who were all inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Frankie Valli and Jackie Jacobs attend a ceremony honouring Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) This is really a highlight in my life, especially having my sons here and my wife, Valli said of his two children and fourth wife Jackie Jacobs, whom he married in June last year. Advertisement The Four Seasons were formed in 1960 in New Jersey and the groups music and story has since been enshrined in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, Jersey Boys. It was later turned into a film, directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Clint Eastwood. Frankie Valli and fellow original Four Seasons member Bob Gaudio (Steve Parsons/PA) Advertisement Jersey Boys was certainly one of the hardest things that Ive ever done in my life, Valli said. It took 10 years to get somebody who might be interested in even thinking about doing a play. We had some offers for movie of the week and everything we looked at wasnt just up to par as far as we were concerned. Soon after that we hooked up with a company and they brought the whole thing to light and made it all happen. Advertisement The crowd sang Happy Birthday to Valli to celebrate his 90th birthday, before hearing a message from 81-year-old Gaudio. Franki Valli point to his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) When I was a kid, playing in a band was a dream. Having a show on Broadway was a bigger dream and now a star on Hollywood Boulevard, he said. Advertisement So thank you all for letting us beat you with our music and a personal thanks to my partner forever Mr Valli for still doing the heavy lifting. The ceremony also heard from music industry executive Irving Azoff, who described Valli as a national treasure and truly a man for all seasons. Gavin And Stacey star Joanna Page has said that she does not know how Nessas proposal to Smithy in the 2019 Christmas special will pan out. On Friday the shows co-creator, James Corden, said the BBC sitcom would return for its final episode on Christmas Day this year. Advertisement Loose Women star Page, 47, plays Stacey in the comedy series, which follows the relationship between her character and a man from Essex called Gavin. In a one-minute special of her BBC podcast, Off The Telly, which she co-hosts with EastEnders actress Natalie Cassidy, Page said they will review it on their show. Im so excited, the Welsh actress said. Advertisement I cant believe that we can finally say about it and talk about it and I dont have to keep it to myself any more. Im so excited to see the gang again and to start filming and I cant wait to find out if Smithy has said yes. I cant wait to find out whats happened to everybody. Advertisement Well just to say to everyone whos asked about another G&S we just got the word from the BBC this morning its definitely occurrin!! Larry Lamb (@larrylamb47) May 3, 2024 Advertisement Im going to have to keep that script away from your (Cassidys) little paws. But, yes, were going to be able to review it on our show at Christmas. On Friday Page wrote on Instagram: O my god its happening!!! So excited!!! Last ever Gavin and Stacey! Christmas Day @bbcone. Cant wait to start filming!! In February, Page told The One Show presenters Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas: I dont know anything at all. Joanna Page and Ruth Jones during filming for the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special which aired in 2019 (Andrew Matthews/PA) Ive got no other information. Absolutely nothing. US outlet Deadline reported on February 13 that a new special was in development/pre-production stages and that it would be produced by Steve Coogans Baby Cow, Jones Tidy Productions and Fulwell 73. The show, which picked up multiple accolades including Bafta and British Comedy Awards gongs, also stars Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb as Gavins mother Pam and father Mick, while Melanie Walters portrays Staceys widowed mother Gwen. Former chat show host Corden plays Gavins best friend Smithy, while his co-creator Ruth Jones, stars as Staceys friend Nessa. Lamb wrote on X, formerly Twitter: Well just to say to everyone whos asked about another G&S we just got the word from the BBC this morning its definitely occurrin!! The 2019 festive episode of Gavin And Stacey scored the highest overnight Christmas ratings in 12 years, attracting an average audience of 11.6 million viewers, making it the biggest festive special since Christmas Day 2008. Alison Steadman, James Corden and Melanie Walters celebrate with the Comedy award for Gavin And Stacey, at the National Television Awards 2010 (Zak Hussein/PA) By the new year, it had been viewed by 17.1 million people, making it the biggest scripted programme of the decade at the time. The special also won the impact award at the National Television Awards in 2020. Jones went on to create and star in Sky One comedy drama Stella, for which she was nominated for a Bafta, and she has also written novels. Corden has been cast in a London stage production of political drama The Constituent, which opens at The Old Vic in June, and has starred in the Prime Video comedy series Mammals. Actress Kate Beckinsale has attended a gala event on behalf of Britain's King Charles' charity following her health issues. In March, the Underworld star, 50, posted a selection of now-deleted photos on social media from what looked to be a hospital bed and did not disclose the reason for her apparent stay in the medical facility. Advertisement On Thursday, the Van Helsing actress was back in the limelight and posed for photos at the Kings Trust Global Gala at Casa Cipriani in New York. Kate Beckinsale attends The Kings Trust Global Gala at Casa Cipriani (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) At the event, Beckinsale wore one of her signature hair bows and paired a white, ruffled, one-shoulder organza gown with giant, white, platformed heels and dangly earrings. Advertisement The sheer dress was made up of several layers of fabric which draped across one side of her body, the other half of the dress featured a slit that showed off her leg. On Easter Sunday, Beckinsale uploaded a picture from what looked to be a hospital bed which showed her wearing rabbit-themed socks. Kate Beckinsale wore a sheer, ruffled dress (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) Advertisement She also hinted at her health woes when she uploaded photos of her wearing a tummy troubles survivor T-shirt in April. The words sat alongside a cartoon rabbit, surrounded by flowers, wearing armour and carrying a shield and sword. Five years after the most recent episode of Gavin And Stacey, the show will return to our screens one final time. The show launched its cast into mainstream fame, with many of them becoming household names. Advertisement Since the show ended for the first time in 2010, and returned for a Christmas special in 2019, the cast have gone on to other, bigger, projects. Mathew Horne Mathew Horne, 45, had starred in The Catherine Tate Show before he played Gavin Shipman. Since the show, he and James Corden have appeared in a BBC sketch show called Horne And Corden, and the horror comedy film Lesbian Vampire Killers. Advertisement Joanna Page (Jordan Pettitt/PA) The comedian and actor also appeared in comedy series Bad Education, which starred Jack Whitehall, as the eccentric headteacher Shaquille Fraser. The show was a hit with audiences and Horne reprised his role for the 2015 movie. Advertisement He also appeared in The Nan Movie, a character from The Catherine Tate Show, and BBCs black comedy series Inside No. 9. Joanna Page Joanna Page, 47, shot to fame after she played Stacey Shipman, but she was also known for Christmas classic Love Actually in a scene opposite Sherlock star Martin Freeman. After Gavin And Stacey, she played Queen Elizabeth I in Doctor Whos 50th Anniversary Special. Advertisement She is also a regular panellist on Loose Women and co-presents her BBC podcast Off The Telly alongside Natalie Cassidy, who plays Sonia in the soap EastEnders. James Corden and Julia Carey (PA) James Corden Advertisement James Corden, 45, has achieved huge success since last playing Smithy, hosting multi-Emmy Award winning The Late Late Show from 2015-2023, and was previously known for The History Boys. The hit American chat shows Carpool Karaoke segment has featured Britney Spears, Madonna, Adele and Harry Styles among dozens of A-list stars. Corden has presented the Tony Awards, the Brit Awards and the Grammy Awards. He was also made an OBE in the 2015 New Year Honours for his services to drama. The actor and producer has also been in several musical films including The Prom, Cats and Cinderella, and voiced Peter Rabbit in the film of the same name and its sequel. Corden has lived in the UK and California and will star in a London stage production of political drama The Constituent, which is set to begin at The Old Vic in June. Ruth Jones Joanna Page and Ruth Jones (Andrew Matthews/PA) Ruth Jones, 57, met Corden on the set of ITV comedy show Fat Friends, sparking a collaboration that resulted in Gavin And Stacey and her starring role as Nessa Jenkins. She recorded a version of the Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers song Islands In The Stream, alongside her co-star Rob Brydon. Entertainment Gavin And Staceys Joanna Page in the dark about a... Read More The track, a reference to the hometown of the Gavin and Stacey characters, became a UK number one hit and featured Sir Tom Jones and Robin Gibb. Jones has also released three books and presented several BBC holiday programmes. Her series Stella, in which she played the titular role, ran for six series. The Welsh actress is currently starring as Mother Superior in Sister Act: The Musical at Londons Dominion Theatre in the West End. More than 40 asylum seeker tents have been pitched along the Grand Canal in Dublin. The new encampment is situated close to the International Protection Office on Mount Street, where a large number of tents were removed last Wednesday. Advertisement At the time, barriers were erected along Mount Street to prevent more tents being set up - and international protection applicants were warned they could face fines if they returned. The majority of asylum seekers were offered alternative accommodation in CityWest or Crooksling, however, a number of people returned to Dublin city centre without anywhere to stay. Migration has become a big issue in recent months, and it is at the centre of the ongoing diplomatic spat between Dublin and London. Minister for Justice Helen McEntee recently claimed up to 80 per cent of asylum seekers were crossing the border from Northern Ireland, which UK prime minister Rishi Sunak claimed was a sign that his Rwanda scheme is working. While Ms McEntee "stands over" the figure, Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin has said it wasn't "statistical". In line with trends across Europe, the number of people arriving in the State to claim asylum has soared in recent years to reach record levels. There was a 415 per cent increase in the number of applications in 2022 compared to 2021, and a 186 per cent increase from 2019. In 2022, there were 13,651 applications for international protection, while 2023 saw 13,277 applications. Donald Trump's pledge to fight what he calls "anti-white feeling" in the US will likely embolden allies who seek to dismantle government and corporate programmes created to battle racism and boost diversity in American life. Some high-profile supporters of the former US president, now the 2024 Republican presidential candidate, say policies for safeguarding people of colour in classrooms, workplaces and charities should be repurposed to protect the rights of white people as well. Advertisement "I think there is a definite anti-white feeling in this country," Mr Trump told Time in an interview published on Tuesday. "I don't think it would be a very tough thing to address, frankly. But I think the laws are very unfair right now." Mr Trump did not specify examples of anti-white bias nor policy prescriptions in the interview. But Mr Trump's campaign website lays out several plans, and some of his allies are making detailed recommendations should Mr Trump win back the White House from Democrat Joe Biden in a November 5th election. One Mr Trump proposal would reverse Mr Biden's executive order requiring federal agencies to assess whether underserved communities - including people of colour, LGBTQ Americans and rural Americans - can adequately access their programmes. Advertisement Critical race theory At campaign rallies, Mr Trump pledges to strip funds from schools teaching critical race theory, an academic concept - rarely taught in public schools - that rests on the premise that racial bias is baked into US institutions. One campaign adviser, Lynne Patton, told conservative activist and journalist Laura Loomer in an interview posted on Friday that she expected a second Trump White House would refuse federal money to any schools, companies or charities that enacted hiring practices under Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs, widely known as DEI. Rights advocates assail what they view as any efforts to deny communities of colour equal footing. They say the programmes Mr Trump wants to dismantle exist to reverse centuries of documented inequities. "There's always been an ability to foment this kind of anxiety and frustration among many whites whenever an effort to level the playing field for non-whites has been successful in any way," said Tricia Rose, director of the Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in America at Brown University. Advertisement One Trump ally, Gene Hamilton, told Reuters the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division must ensure that corporate programs meant to boost diversity in the workplace are not themselves discriminatory. The department could derive its authority, he said, in part from Section VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Passed during a time when Black Americans campaigned aggressively for civil rights, the act prohibits hiring or compensation decisions based on "race, colour, religion, sex, or national origin." Mr Hamilton, who served in the Justice Department under Mr Trump, says the act should protect white people as well. For instance, a hiring program meant to boost the number of people of color in the workplace should not exclude other applicants. Advertisement Such a focus would depart dramatically from the Civil Rights Division's historic role of protecting marginalised groups. In recent years, it has led investigations into police departments for alleged racism against Black Americans and sued companies for discriminating against immigrants. "Programmes and policies ... that deny benefits or employment to Americans solely because of their race or their sex or anything of the sort is violative of that central tenet that has held the country together," said Mr Hamilton, who laid out his views in a policy book published by a consortium of Trump-friendly think tanks known as Project 2025. A policy blueprint for a second Trump term While the Trump campaign has distanced itself from the project, the consortium has drafted a policy blueprint for a potential Trump administration. Many of the former US president's allies are involved. Advertisement In practice, official race-based complaints of anti-white workplace discrimination appear to be rare. For instance, only a fraction of race-based claims before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, an independent government agency, are filed by white people, who make up the majority of the American workforce. Still, a majority of self-identified Trump voters believe that white Americans face discrimination. Some 53 per cent of self-identified Trump voters responding to a March Reuters/Ipsos poll said they believed that white people in the US are discriminated against because of the colour of their skin, compared with 14 per cent of self-identified Biden voters. One Project 2025 chapter, co-written by conservative economist and Trump adviser Stephen Moore, argues the Treasury Department should seek to fire employees who willingly take part in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs. The chapter does not specify the programs it considers to be a form of DEI, but the term often suggests a desire to increase diversity and make people of colour more comfortable in the workplace. Time magazine comments Asked about the Time magazine comments and the measures Mr Trump would take to address anti-white bias, his campaign said in a statement that Black and Hispanic Americans were more interested in immigration, crime and pocketbook issues than matters of race. About 85 per cent of Black Americans said in a 2021 Gallup poll they were dissatisfied with how Black people are treated in America. "In his second term, President Trump will uplift all Americans regardless of race or religion," said Mr Patton, the campaign adviser. Asked about the Time interview, Biden's campaign said Mr Trump's policies would make life harder for communities of colour. "Trump is making clear that if he wins in November, he'll turn his racist record into official government policy, gutting programs that give communities of color economic opportunities," said Kevin Munoz, a campaign spokesperson. In practice, some of the more radical proposals may be tricky - though not impossible - to implement, according to legal scholars. For instance, while Civil Rights Act protections apply to white people, the Justice Department often lacks the authority to sue private employers under Title VII. There are, however, several situations in which the Justice Department could get involved, said Susan Carle, a professor at American University. One example could include situations where a company holds contracts with the government, she said. Patrice Willoughby, senior vice president at the NAACP, said the civil rights organization would be prepared to organize boycotts of certain companies that acquiesced to attacks on equity programs. "When necessary we will not hesitate to use our economic power," she said. Canadian police said on Friday that they have made three arrests in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader last June in suburban Vancouver. The death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar became the centre of a diplomatic spat with India. Advertisement Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner David Teboul said three suspects have been arrested and charged in the slaying of the 45-year-old by masked gunmen in Surrey, near Vancouver. But he said police could not comment on nature of the evidence nor the motive. This matter is very much under active investigation, Mr Teboul said. Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau sparked a diplomatic feud with India when he said in September that there were credible allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of Mr Nijjar. Advertisement India had accused Mr Nijjar of links to terrorism but angrily denied involvement in the slaying. Nijjar, an Indian-born citizen of Canada, was a plumber and also a leader in what remains of a once-strong movement to create an independent Sikh homeland, known as Khalistan. But he had denied allegations of ties to terrorism. The three suspects are Indian nationals Kamalpreet Singh, Karan Brar and Karampreet Singh, and they were arrested in Edmonton, Alberta, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superintendent Mandeep Mooker said. Advertisement This investigation does not end here. We are aware that others may have played a role in this homicide and we remain dedicated to finding and arresting each one of these individuals, Mr Mooker said. A bloody decade-long Sikh insurgency shook north India in the 1970s and 1980s, until it was crushed in a government crackdown in which thousands of people were killed, including prominent Sikh leaders. The Khalistan movement has lost much of its political power but still has supporters in the Indian state of Punjab, as well as in the sizable overseas Sikh diaspora. While the active insurgency ended years ago, the Indian government has warned repeatedly that Sikh separatists were trying to make a comeback. Britain's Prince Harry is expected to meet with King Charles during his trip to the UK next week, it has been reported. Harry will attend a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games at Londons St Pauls Cathedral on Wednesday, May 8th. Advertisement The Sun reports Harry is very keen to meet with Charles, with their previous meeting coming in February following his father's cancer diagnosis. It has also been reported that any potential meeting is unlikely to include the Prince of Wales, with William scheduled to be away from the capital on Thursday and Friday. Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (Yaroslav Sabitov/PA) Advertisement Harry is expected to give a reading at a service of thanksgiving marking a decade since the inaugural Invictus Games London in 2014. It will be the first major event he has attended in Britain for some time. Organisers say there has been no confirmation of any other British royals attending, or if Harry or the couples children will be in the UK. The service is scheduled two days after Harrys son Archie celebrates his fifth birthday. Advertisement Harry last met with his father following Charless cancer announcement in February (Ben Birchall/PA) Actor Damian Lewis is set to recite the Invictus poem during the service. Representatives from Invictus Games participating nations, including members of the wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veteran community, will also be in attendance. Advertisement Following the ceremony, Harry and Meghan are scheduled to head to Nigeria after being invited by the west African countrys chief of defence staff, who met Harry in Germany last September at Invictus Games Dusseldorf. Harry and Meghan moved to the US in 2020 after stepping down from royal duties. More severe flooding is feared in Houston, Texas, after heavy rains led to crews rescuing hundreds of people from their homes. A flood watch remains in effect until Sunday afternoon as forecasters predicted additional rainfall on Saturday night, bringing another 1-3in of water to the soaked region and the likelihood of major flooding. Advertisement Fridays fierce storms forced numerous high-water rescues, including some from the rooftops of flooded homes. Heavy rains have brought flooding to Houston (Houston Chronicle via AP) Officials redoubled urgent instructions for residents in low-lying areas to evacuate, warning the worst is still to come. Advertisement This threat is ongoing and its going to get worse. It is not your typical river flood, said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the top elected official in the nations third-largest county. She described the predicted surge of water as catastrophic. Schools in the path of the flooding cancelled classes and roads jammed as authorities closed highways taking on water. A quick hitting and colder winter-like Spring storm will impact the region from Saturday through Sunday morning, bringing strong winds and brief periods of heavy Sierra snow with some spillover into NE CA & W NV. Winter-like conditions are likely in the Sierra. #CAwx #nvwx pic.twitter.com/tongrjVtsK Advertisement NWS Reno (@NWSReno) May 3, 2024 For weeks, drenching rains in Texas and parts of Louisiana have filled reservoirs and saturated the ground. Floodwaters partially submerged cars and roads this week across parts of south-eastern Texas, north of Houston, where high waters reached the roofs of some homes. Advertisement More than 11in of rain fell during a 24-hour period that ended on Friday morning in the northern Houston suburb of Spring, according to the US National Weather Service. The Harris County Joint Information Centre told KPRC-TV that 196 people and 108 animals have been rescued by emergency response agencies in Harris County. People have been evacuated by boat from their homes (Houston Chronicle via AP) Advertisement Elsewhere, in neighbouring Montgomery County, Judge Mark Keough said there had been more high-water rescues than he was able to count. We estimate weve had a couple hundred rescues from homes, from houses, from vehicles, he said. In Polk County, located about 100 miles north-east of Houston, officials have done over 100 water rescues in the past few days, said Polk County Emergency Management Coordinator Courtney Comstock. She said homes below Lake Livingston Dam and along the Trinity River have flooded. Tim McCanon sits on the road with his dogs after being rescued by the Community Fire Department during severe flooding in New Caney, Texas (Houston Chronicle via AP) Itll be when things subside before we can do our damage assessment, Ms Comstock said. Authorities in Houston had not reported any deaths or injuries. The city of more than two million people is one of the most flood-prone metro areas in the country and has long experience dealing with devastating weather. Hurricane Harvey in 2017 dumped historic rainfall on the area, flooding thousands of homes and resulting in more than 60,000 rescues by government rescue personnel across Harris County. Of particular concern was an area along the San Jacinto River in the north-eastern part of Harris County, which was expected to continue rising as more rain falls and officials release extra water from an already full reservoir. On Thursday, Judge Hidalgo issued a mandatory evacuation order for those living along portions of the river. A child in a car seat is taken out of a boat as residents are evacuated by boat from their homes by Montgomery County Sheriffs Office deputies (Houston Chronicle via AP) Most of Houstons city limits were not heavily impacted by the weather, except for the north-eastern area of Kingwood. Officials said the area had about four months of rain in about a weeks time. Houston Mayor John Whitmire said rising flood waters from the San Jacinto River were expected to have an impact on Kingwood late on Friday and into Saturday. Shelters have opened across the region, including nine by the American Red Cross. The weather service reported the river was above 75ft on Saturday morning after reaching nearly 78ft. The river is expected to fall below flood stage of 58ft on Tuesday afternoon and continue falling to about 50ft on Wednesday. Kevin Spacey has denied new allegations of inappropriate behaviour from men who feature in a Channel 4 documentary released next week. In a new interview with former GB News presenter Dan Wootton titled Kevin Spacey: Right Of Reply, the two-time Oscar winning actor said he will no longer be speechless. Advertisement Last year, Spacey was acquitted of a number of sexual offences alleged by four men between 2001 and 2013 after a trial in London, and he also won a US civil lawsuit in October 2022, after being accused of an unwanted sexual advance at a party in 1986. Kevin Spacey finally gets his Right of Reply. Ive got nothing left to hide you are my jury. In a Dan Wootton Outspoken World Exclusive, as Channel 4 tries to cancel him again, the Oscar-winner gives his first interview in 7 years and responds to EVERY allegation and more! pic.twitter.com/a1GmudgisM Dan Wootton (@danwootton) May 3, 2024 Advertisement The Channel 4 documentary titled Spacey Unmasked is said to feature testimony from men regarding events they say took place between 1976 and 2013, and relate to what they describe as unwanted sexual behaviour from Spacey, according to an email from Roast Beef Productions to Spacey which the actor revealed during the interview. The two-part series is set to air on May 6th and May 7th. Advertisement I take full responsibility for my past behaviour and my actions, but I cannot and will not take responsibility or apologise to anyone whos made up stuff about me or exaggerated stories about me, 64-year-old Spacey told Wootton. Ive never told someone that if they give me sexual favours, then I will help them out with their career, never. Ive clearly hooked up with some men who thought they might get ahead in their careers by having a relationship with me. But there was no conversation with me, it was all part of their plan, a plan that was always destined to fail, because I wasnt in on the deal. Advertisement Over the last week, I have repeatedly requested that @Channel4 afford me more than 7 days to respond to allegations made against me dating back 48 years and provide me with sufficient details to investigate these matters. Channel 4 has refused on the basis that they feel that Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) May 2, 2024 Advertisement During the interview, Spacey denied accusations of any illegal behaviour, and went on to reference progressing the careers of others through his charitable foundation. Were there times when I would flirt with some of the people who were involved in those programmes who were in their 20s? Yes, he said. Did I ever hook up with another actor? Yes. Did I make a clumsy pass at someone who wasnt interested as it turned out? Yes. But I was not employing them, I was not their boss, I was oftentimes just swimming in for an hour here or there as a well-known actor to lend support to answer questions. That may not have been the best decision and it is not one that I would do today, but it happened. It wasnt illegal, and nor has it ever been alleged to have been illegal. Actor Kevin Spacey described his experience as a life sentence (Yui Mok/PA) Spacey said he has struggled to get back to work after being acquitted of all criminal charges, describing his experience as a life sentence. Speaking about the US lawsuit, he said: Even if it wouldve happened, its the type of occurrence that when I was in my 20s, it would have been simply embarrassing but not criminal. Getting emotional, he continued: I cant go through this again, allowing myself to be baselessly attacked without defending myself. On Thursday, the US star claimed he had repeatedly requested that Channel 4 give him more than seven days to respond to the allegations made about him in their documentary and said the broadcaster refused. Spacey was one of the most recognised faces in Hollywood when allegations of sexual misconduct were made in 2017, leading streaming giant Netflix to cut ties with the actor. A representative for Channel 4 has been contacted for comment. Mick Jagger briefly waded into Louisiana politics, taking a verbal jab at the states conservative governor, as the Rolling Stones performed at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The band had finished You Cant Always Get What You Want during Thursday evenings set when Jagger began talking about inclusion, according to New Orleans news outlets. Advertisement We want to include him, too, Jagger said of governor Jeff Landry. Even if he wants to take us back to the Stone Age. Jagger did not mention specific policies. Louisiana governor Jeff Landry was quick to hit back at the Rolling Stones frontman (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate via AP, File) Advertisement Mr Landry is a Republican who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump. He was the state attorney general before taking office as governor in January. He has supported controversial conservative legislation and causes including a near-total abortion ban, a prohibition on gender-affirming medical care for young transgender people and harsher sentences for crimes. Advertisement Mr Landry hit back at the 80-year-old Jagger on social media. You cant always get what you want, he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. The only person who might remember the Stone Age is Mick Jagger. Love you buddy, youre always welcome in Louisiana! Advertisement Mr Landry, 53, hashtagged the post #LoveMyCountryMusic. Narinder Kaur is seeking legal advice as police continue their investigation into a social media post by Laurence Fox in relation to an upskirting offence, her agent has said. In a now-deleted tweet, posted on Tuesday, Fox shared a compromising image of Kaur, a broadcaster who rose to fame on Big Brother and now appears regularly on Good Morning Britain and GB News. The post remained on Foxs account until it was deleted on Thursday. Advertisement Kaurs agent told the PA news agency she is seeking legal advice as the police investigation continues. Broadcaster Narinder Kaur (Ian West/PA) They said: Narinder is understandably upset and still coming to terms with whats happened to her. Advertisement She thanks everyone who has supported her so far. Shes currently seeking legal advice and awaiting further response from the Metropolitan Police. Posting on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday, Kaur confirmed it is now a police matter and said the image was unimaginably mortifying as she thanked people on the social media platform for their support. I know people are saying not to feel embarrassed and mortified but I am. Im so incredibly upset that people are looking at my privates and laughing. Its unimaginably mortifying, she said. The Metropolitan Police told the PA news agency it had been made aware of a post on social media regarding an upskirting offence and was investigating the circumstances. Advertisement Fox addressed the situation in an extended post on X on Friday, in which he said he would like to apologise to Kaur and then went on to say its not my fault Kaur was pictured in the compromising image. He also criticised Kaur, those who support her, and those who want to silence him. Upskirting, taking pictures of people under their clothes without their permission, became a specific criminal offence in 2019. Offenders can face up to two years in jail and be placed on the sex offenders register. The police investigation comes a week after Fox was ordered to pay 180,000 in damages to two people he called paedophiles in a social media row, after losing a High Court libel battle. Advertisement The former actor used to present on GB News but was fired in October following an on-air rant about journalist Ava Evans. The PA news agency has contacted Fox for comment. Star Wars actor Mark Hamill dropped by the White House on Friday for a visit with President Joe Biden and walked away with a pair of the presidents aviator sunglasses and a greater respect for the office. I love the merch, he said, taking off the glasses during a quick appearance at the White House daily press briefing following his meeting with Mr Biden. Advertisement Hamill, 72, famous for playing Luke Skywalker, kidded with reporters that he would take a few questions as long as they were not about Star Wars. I was honoured to be asked to come to the White House to meet the president, he said. Mark Hamill said he loved the merch after being presented with a pair of Joe Bidens aviator sunglasses (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Advertisement Hamill has been to the White House before, during the Carter and Obama administrations, but he had never checked out the Oval Office, and that was quite something, he said. Mr Biden showed off photographs and other Oval Office items, Hamill said. Hamill said the president told him to call him Joe, to which Hamill offered an alternative suggestion: Can I call you Joe-bi-Wan Kenobi? He liked that, said Hamill, who also voiced the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series. Advertisement Both Hamill and the White House were vague about his reason for visiting. But Hamill, a Democrat and Biden supporter with a huge social media following, has been posting about the presidents re-election campaign this week. May The First Not Quench Your Thirst For Bidens re-election, he wrote on May 1. On Friday he posted: May The Third Be Absurd That The Guy Who Tried To Steal A Fair Election Is Allowed To Run Again, a reference to Donald Trump and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Advertisement May 4 is unofficially Star Wars Day, in part because of the famous Jedi phrase May the force be with you. The pun goes, May the fourth be with you. Hamill also lent his voice to Air Alert a downloadable app linked to Ukraines air defence system. His voice urges people to take cover whenever Russia unleashes another aerial bombardment on Ukraine. A well-known UK-Palestinian surgeon who volunteered in Gaza hospitals said he has been denied entry to France to speak at a senate meeting about the Israel-Hamas war. French authorities did not give a reason for the decision to bar Dr Ghassan Abu Sitta. Advertisement The medic was placed in a holding zone in the Charles de Gaulle airport and will be expelled, according to French senator Raymonde Poncet Monge, who had invited him to speak at the senate. Its a disgrace, she posted on X. I am at Charles De Gaule airport. O was supposed to speak in tge French parliament. They are preventing me from entering France. They say the Germans put a 1 year ban on my entry to Europe Advertisement Ghassan Abu Sitta (@GhassanAbuSitt1) May 4, 2024 A French official said Dr Abu Sitta was turned away because he is barred from entry to all Schengen zone countries based on a German request. Advertisement Dr Abu Sitta posted on social networks that he was denied entry in France because of a one-year ban by Germany on his entry to Europe. Germany denied him entry last month, and France and Germany are part of Europes border-free Schengen zone. He posted on Saturday that he was being sent back to London. The French foreign ministry, interior ministry, local police and the Paris airport authority would not comment on what happened or give an explanation. Dr Abu Sitta had been invited by Frances left-wing Ecologists group in the senate to speak at a colloquium on Saturday about the situation in Gaza, according to the senate press service. Advertisement The gathering included testimony from medics, journalists and international legal experts with Gaza-related experience. Ghassan Abu Sitta, chirurgien qui operait a l'hopital Al-Shifa a Gaza et qui devait intervenir lors du colloque que j'organise aujourd'hui au Senat, a ete place en zone d'attente a l'aeroport Charles de Gaulle et sera expulse. C'est une honte! @GDarmanin que comptez-vous faire? https://t.co/Pl0BNIeeAy Raymonde Poncet Monge (@PoncetRaymonde) May 4, 2024 Advertisement Last month, Dr Abu Sitta was denied entry to Germany to take part in a pro-Palestinian conference. He said he was stopped at passport control, held for several hours and then told he had to return to the UK. He said airport police told him he was refused entry due to the safety of the people at the conference and public order. Dr Abu Sitta, who recently volunteered with Doctors Without Borders in Gaza, has worked during multiple conflicts in the Palestinian territories, beginning in the late 1980s during the first Palestinian uprising. He has also worked in other conflict zones, including in Iraq, Syria and Yemen. France has seen tensions related to the Middle East conflict almost daily since the deadly October 7 Hamas incursion into Israel. In recent days and weeks police have cleared out students at French campuses holding demonstrations and sit-ins similar to those in the United States. Iveth Luna - "One of a Kind" | Red Street Records May 3, 2024 Nashville, TN Red Street Records bi-lingual CCM artist Iveth Luna released her brand new song, One of a Kind, available everywhere today (listen HERE). The song drops closely behind her leading single, Right On Time (HERE) and kicks off a massive run of Spring and Summer tour dates. Todays track, written by Luna alongside AJ Pruis and Cindy Morgan and produced by Pruis, encourages listeners to trust in Gods perfect creation. Iveth expresses the inspiration behind her song and shares, I felt a tug in my heart to write a song to my younger self. What would I say to her knowing what I know now? My hope is that this song feels like an embrace of love and truth. We are uniquely and wonderfully made in the image of God, and that makes us one of a kind. After a recent string of shows opening for both Micah Tyler and Mike Donehey of Tenth Avenue North, Iveths new music kickstarts a run of over forty tour dates spanning across the US on the Community Worship Nights Tour accompanying Jeremy Rosado, Bay Turner and Stephen Stanley starting May 8th. To see Iveth Luna LIVE in a city near you, visit https://www.ivethluna.com/. A Russian-linked ransomware gang is behind a major hack that has hit about 200 Australian organisations and breached federal government agencies, exposing the data of thousands of family violence and sexual assault victims, students and passports holders, cybersecurity experts say. Black Basta, a known cyber ring, held a dark web auction for the information that was stolen from Victorian data management firm ZircoDATA early this year, alerting authorities. A cache of sensitive files has been associated with a Russian-linked hacking group. Credit: Getty Images In online forum posts seen by this masthead the group claimed its haul totalled 395 gigabytes, attaching as proof scans of passports, including individual immigration identifiers, and other sensitive documents it said were looted from ZircoDATAs clients. Another hacking group, Crypmans, also hit ZircoDATA in January, according to other dark web posts and breach alerts. They are all utterly shameless. Jackie O, somehow endearingly, recalls the time she slept with a man who turned out to be a superfan of the show. Then the prime minister calls in. Hes actually enjoying this. Anthony Albanese celebrates the one-year anniversary of Kyles wedding, where he sat next to Kyles mum. Then they all had a serious discussion about domestic violence. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Sandilands and son Otto at the radio hosts wedding last year. Credit: Twitter I should be scandalised and reaching for the off switch, but theres a compelling quality to this. And Kyle and Jackie Os market share in Sydney where they are No.1 is an incredible 16.1 per cent. TUESDAY An older lady tells the team she is 69. Please dont go there, I silently plead with my digital radio. Kyle goes there. He presses in a cheeky tone: does she do the deed often? Loading Its an occasional treat, she says. Got to keep it special. She sounds like shes enjoying herself. Is this a tacky exploitation of an older woman for content or a spirited examination of a seniors sexuality in the best tradition of Gloria Steinem circa 1971? Later, in the Only Lying! segment, young Wendy rings her elder cousin, Nancy, to fool her into thinking that she spent their $4000 winter travel money on a doggy day spa for her shih tzus. You spent $4000 on your ugly dogs! Nancy is keeping the bleep man busy. You need psychiatric help! You and your dogs can go f--- yourself. Wogs Out of Work could not have scripted a sharper exchange. When the ruse is revealed, both women are, of course, thrilled. WEDNESDAY Bella is a stripper, single and six months pregnant. Like many in the trade, shes had a bit of work done. Yes, I have the fakies. But shes still working so she can provide. Kyle, in his ceaseless questing for details, wants to know more. Do you provide extra services? Bella is unflappable. I dont put willies in my mouth, Im a bit of a germaphobe. Jackie O arrives for Sandilands and Tegan Kynastons wedding last year. Credit: Rhett Wyman She insists on condoms, giving Kyle an opening, telling the listeners that Jackie O is bareback all the way. Oh, what a queen, Bella says light-heartedly. Jackie has no comeback. While the national debate is squarely focused on online harm to children, I wonder how many kids are tuning into this conversation about unprotected sex. Its all part of Right or Wrong? a modern morality tale segment in which listeners phone in with their opinions. A 21st century FM radio equivalent of Geoffrey Chaucers saucy 14th century The Canterbury Tales, which were just as filthy. Meanwhile, over on the ABCs RN Breakfast, they interview the head of Homelessness Australia. Auntys listeners might be surprised to learn the ABC is a fan of Kyle and Jackie O, using your tax dollars to buy frequent ad slots on the KIIS FM show. Does Patricia Karvelas know about this? THURSDAY I can barely face my porridge. The KIIS doctor is on. A woman calls with a boil on her ... I hit the off button and flee to the gym. Later, Kyle says he is going to phone Albanese to tell him that domestic violence funding programs have to actually get to the victim and not be stuck in a bank account. He movingly recounts how he tried to protect his younger brother from harrowing domestic violence when his dad assaulted his mum. I can still see that as if it just happened half an hour ago. These things they dont leave little minds. They are in your head forever. FRIDAY Every single caller gets $5000 today, thanks to a sponsor. MoNique, an Oscar-winning African-American actor and comedian, attacks former talk show host Oprah Winfrey her frequent use of the n-word is bleeped out in the grab. Who are we to edit the voice of a Black woman out because our white ears dont want to hear it? Kyle muses. Newsreader Brooklyn chimes in: What if Spotify edited out all the songs with the n-word in them? A debate over censorship is something I really wasnt anticipating. Its worth noting Kyle and Jackie have been found in breach of the commercial radio code of practices decency provisions by media regulator ACMA, including last year over remarks about the Tokyo Paralympics. The show now employs two censors. Loading For all the shows crudity similar to US shock jock Howard Stern the quizzes, the talkback, the showbiz all hark back to the Bob and Dolly Dyer classic era of radio. When I earlier said they were shameless, this was not an attack but an observation: they are utterly lacking that often corrosive emotion when talking about who they really are. And mostly, they leave their callers and listeners feeling good about themselves. Theres a sense of community here. And more often than not, I left them and went out into my life with a smile. In these troubled times, thats a good thing. So yes, I shall tune in again. The OMNIA building in Kings Cross is an example of considered redevelopment. Credit: Steven Siewert She cited the example of the hourglass-shaped OMNIA apartment building in Kings Cross, which retained 90 per cent of a 1960s-era hotel that it replaced, as an example of how developers can transform detracting buildings without tearing them down. Mosman Council has 51 detracting buildings out of 1369 properties in heritage areas. The councils planning rules encourage the ultimate replacement of a detracting building with one deemed to be less assertive or for sympathetic alterations during redevelopment. A council spokeswoman said detracting buildings are no longer built in Mosmans heritage areas, but this could change under the state governments housing reforms which will allow higher density housing near railway stations and town centres. North Sydney Council has 243 uncharacteristic buildings - compared with 1816 contributory properties - which a council spokeswoman said were mostly built before the creation of conservation areas and included large 1960s-era apartment blocks. Councils such as Hunters Hill, Inner West, Parramatta, Strathfield and Woollahra councils also classify buildings in their heritage areas, but do not list properties lacking in heritage values. Bayside Council has identified 40 buildings in the Botany Township - one of its two HCAs - as uncharacteristic, which includes new housing, residential flats and large multi-storey commercial buildings. The council plans to identify uncharacteristic buildings in four new heritage areas, a spokeswoman said. Burwood Council is also planning to classify each building in its 21 HCAs as contributory, neutral and intrusive or detracting. Georges River Council will consider the demolition of more than 100 intrusive buildings in its three heritage conservation areas if a building proposal contributes, improves and is sympathetic to the character and significance of an HCA. Northern Beaches Council has 22 heritage conservation areas governed by different rules according to the former local government area it fell into before amalgamation. There are no heritage conservation areas in councils such as Blacktown, Fairfield and the Sutherland Shire. Hornsby, Ku-ring-gai, Waverley and Willoughby councils do not classify buildings in heritage areas. Hunters Hill mayor Zac Miles said concerns about the impact of the proposed housing reforms on local heritage and the harbour foreshore were shared by other councils in Sydney such as Inner West, North Sydney and Canada Bay. The move away from place-based planning to a blanket approach is a huge deviation from how planning has always been done in NSW and could result in the wanton destruction of the heritage, character, streetscape and tree canopy of swathes of greater Sydney, he said. Planning Minister Paul Scully said local councils will retain the capacity to approve, modify or reject a development under the state governments reforms to boost housing supply. Heritage and new housing can coexist, he said. However, new heritage listings must not be used to avoid delivering new homes. Scully said Mosman and Hunters Hill councils should not be afraid of considering terraces, townhouses and small apartments blocks in their suburbs. These housing types are part of Sydneys past and should be allowed to be part of Sydneys future, he said. Were in a housing crisis, and we have a shared responsibility to address it. No one benefits if individual councils are trying to sit this issue out. University of NSW architectural history and theory senior lecturer Cristina Garduno Freeman said classifying buildings as contributory, neutral, or detracting is an easy-to-understand framework for a complicated problem not perfect but workable. But she said the significance of buildings and heritage areas could change with time. What we value now is not what our grandchildren will value in 50 years time, she said. Adaptively reusing buildings that are classified as detracting is not enough. Gerard Reinmuth, founding director of architectural practice TERROIR, said the councils classification of buildings came out of a tradition of heritage assessment we now need to challenge and that buildings should be inventively re-used where possible not bulldozed. Architect Gerard Reinmuth in front of a residential property which has been sympathetically redeveloped. Credit: Steven Siewert The cities that we value for their beauty and where we take overseas holidays are the result of the accrual of different buildings over time, the result of which is a rich and picturesque townscape, he said. Reinmuth, who is also an architecture professor at the University of Technology Sydney said, changing views of history also influences opinions on what types of buildings should be preserved. For example, a building that we might consider an exemplar of early English architecture might be considered by indigenous Australians as representing repression of or violence against them, he said. Associate Professor Cameron Logan, an architectural and urban historian at the University of Sydney, supports the councils approach of identifying detracting buildings at odds with heritage values of a neighbourhood. The point of the designation is that in planning terms demolition of such a place will not harm the established heritage values, and so change is easier to justify for those properties than for the properties recognised as contributory or neutral, he said. However, Logan said heritage assessments for conservation areas in the past focused too much on a particular period or style of architecture. We should be focused on expanding our understanding and appreciation for the existing environment rather than putting ugly buildings in front of the firing squad, he said. Demolition is sometimes necessary and almost every adaptive reuse project, for example, is a mix of demolition and conservation. But we dont need to create special hit lists. As concerns grow about the impact of the NSW governments planning reforms, Logan said there was a risk of undermining good urban design. When done well, urban design recognises the value of existing places and enables urban intensification, he said. Meanwhile, property industry figures such as Tom Forrest, the head of developers lobby group Urban Taskforce, have reservations about heritage classification systems for different reasons. Loading Images show extensive fire damage to the newly renovated park. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, with police appealing for anyone with information to get in contact. The Fenwick Park playground in Mitchelton was set on fire. Credit: Echo News Facebook/Anny Moore Police conducted patrols of the area but were unable to locate any individuals who may have been involved in the fire. Emergency services were called to Fenwick Park on Samford Road at about 1.10am. Police are investigating a suspicious fire at a playground in Mitchelton overnight. Councillor for Enoggera Ward Andrew Wines took to Facebook and Instagram to express his disappointment in the alleged act of vandalism. I can only say I feel gutted to see Fenwick Park in this state, one of the best playgrounds in the district burned to the ground, Wines said. We will rebuild, and you trust that whoever is responsible will be appropriately held to account. Wines also remarked on the cost of damage to a public amenity. However, local protests have not led to significant outbreaks of violence, and the pro-Palestine demonstrators have not occupied university buildings in their campaign against the Israel militarys operation that Hamas says has killed 34,000 people. But some Jewish student groups have raised concerns about displays of flags associated with terror groups, chants on violent uprisings, alleged harassment and intimidation, and public statements such as that of a key Australian National University protest leader who claimed the Hamas terror group deserve our unconditional support. The University of Melbourne student encampment in protest against the war in Gaza. Credit: Simon Schluter Shorten said university chiefs were straddling a tricky line between upholding the freedom to protest and standing up for the rights of Jewish students made to feel answerable for the actions of a foreign government. Freedom of speech is not unfettered, and it doesnt give a right to bully and coerce and intimidate, he said. The former Labor leader pointed to reports he had received about activists photographing students in class if they refused to stand up in support of the Palestinian movement. In another case, a tutor advised a student to skip class if they felt uncomfortable with it being held alongside an encampment. Loading Whats the point of a code of conduct if some people think theyre above the law? It cant be a selective code of conduct, Shorten said. Dutton has argued that the protests are racist, and says Jews are being targeted in a way that would not be accepted for other minority groups. These people are highly paid individuals running profitable institutions and for them to wash their hands of these protests is an absolute disgrace, Dutton said of university chiefs. But protest leaders have denied claims of antisemitism and say their action is aimed at Israels war policy and getting rid of links between Australian universities and Israel. In a sign of drastically divergent political opinion on Israels brutal military campaign, Greens leader Adam Bandt challenged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to back the protests and said that breaking them up would be anti-democratic. Social movements throughout history have had a place on campus, and these brave students are drawing attention to an invasion backed by Labor that has killed tens of thousands of civilians so far, he said. Albanese met Jewish leaders in Sydney on Friday to discuss their communitys safety. Students must feel safe at university classes, he said in a statement after the meeting. The feuding over campus demonstrations represents the latest outbreak of local tension stemming from a Middle Eastern war that has seen Labor under attack from the pro-Israel Coalition on its right flank and the Palestinian-supporting Greens on its left. Revelations that western Sydney teenagers charged with terrorism after the Wakeley church stabbing were discussing murdering Jews have heightened anxieties within the Jewish community about the threat posed by radicalism. Nasser Mashni, president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network. Credit: Justin McManus Fuelling their sense of alarm is a push by Australias top Palestinian advocate, Nasser Mashni, to grant a visa to Palestinian liberation hero Leila Khaled, who hijacked planes in the 1960s and has celebrated the October 7 Hamas attacks. Facebook owner Meta has intervened to block posts about Khaleds planned Australian speech at an event alongside Mashni, who recently spruiked Australias university protesters in an appearance on Iranian state TV. Loading University of Sydney vice-chancellor Mark Scott said incidents being investigated included allegations that a driver spat at university staff while making an unauthorised delivery to the encampment, slogans being graffitied on building walls and protesters blocking City Road. Scott said he was shocked by vision from a childrens excursion organised by an external group and held at the camp last week when children were heard chanting slogans calling for intifada. But he cautioned that terms such as intifada, which means uprising in Arabic, and other anti-Israel slogans did not necessarily constitute conduct breaches. Over the years you can go back to the Vietnam War, the conscription debate there have always been strongly held views and intense debates, he said. Thats part of who we are. Our instinct is never to pre-emptively shut down free speech and debate and the right to protest. It was a direct pitch to Victorias struggling renters: the promise of a new body to fast-track the resolution of the often fractious and costly disputes that arise between tenants, landlords and agents. As part of his swansong housing announcement in September, then-premier Daniel Andrews promised a faster, fairer and cheaper alternative to the overwhelmed Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Then-premier Daniel Andrews, with then-deputy Jacinta Allan, releasing the housing statement in September last year. Credit: Elke Meitzel But government emails reluctantly released to The Sunday Age under Freedom of Information show state bureaucrats werent able to answer even basic questions about the new body, Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria, after it was announced. Now, more than six months later, those same queries still cant be answered. The blue-faced honeyeater has the right idea, making herself at home between huge green fronds in the meticulously landscaped gardens of the new Swell Hotel. At this sophisticated hotel-motel, expertly reimagined within what was once the Byron Bay Motor Lodge that sat on this corner of Butler Street for over a decade, youd never know youre right in the heart of Byron. Its a quiet, Mediterranean-inspired pastel-pink spot with 16 rooms, a wellness offering, and a cosy bar with a mustard velvet couch. Windows open and cleverly double as bay window-style seating. Were keen to achieve the goals of Byrons famous sign Cheer up, slow down, chill out and were in good stead to tick it off within minutes of arrival. Swell opened in October, following that extensive renovation and six months as flood relief displacement housing in 2022. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size The life of Robert F. Kennedy Jr took an odd turn in 2005. Possibly because of his own sons nut allergy or possibly because, as he would later say, other parents had been approaching him with concerns, he became worried that vaccines might be the cause of a spike in childhood neurological disorders. This was not new territory. The British doctor Andrew Wakefield had already made waves in 1998 for his claims that the MMR (combined measles) vaccine was linked to a rise in autism cases. He was subsequently found to have fraudulently falsified his research and was banned from practising medicine. But the notion that some vaccines were a danger that was being covered up by the establishment was conspiracy catnip for Kennedy, nephew of president John F. Kennedy (JFK) and son of former United States attorney-general Robert F. Kennedy. RFK Jr, who until that point had a storied record as an environmental lawyer, dived into the topic with zeal, sharing his findings in Rolling Stone and on the website Salon. I devoted time to study this issue because I believe that this is a moral crisis that must be addressed, he wrote, quoting one activist as telling him: The damage caused by vaccine exposure is massive. Its bigger than asbestos, bigger than tobacco, bigger than anything youve ever seen. His research, though, was problematic, and the story had to be corrected several times after publication. It was later disavowed entirely. Robert F. Kennedy Jr at a forum in New York City in July 2023. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted But the die was cast. Kennedy shrugged off the criticisms and doubled down on his vaccination theories, which helped propel him, nearly 20 years later, to run for president of the United States. His constituents are a curious coalition of anti-vaxxers, Bitcoin evangelists, libertarians, disaffected Democrats, manosphere podcasters and those old enough to still remember, misty-eyed, the golden years of the Kennedy familys Camelot. Dismissed by some as a no-chance crank when he announced his campaign in 2023, RFK Jr had been polling strongly enough to be taken seriously, with around 12 per cent of the popular vote in May, which had dropped to 4.2 per cent in 26 polls after Kamala Harris entered the race in August: still not nothing. If he sticks around until polling day, theres an outside chance he could sway the result in a close race towards Harris or Trump. Which is why his opponents have been paying attention. Advertisement And sometimes its hard not to. Most recently, there has been the incident involving the bicycle and the bear. RFK Jr said in a video, posted on social media in August, that in an episode of high-jinks in 2014 he dumped a dead bear cub in New Yorks Central Park and staged it to look like a bike had hit it. In the video, he explains he had been driving in the Hudson Valley when a woman in a van in front of him had hit and killed the cub, which he then put in the back of his car, intending to skin it and store its meat. But he had been out hawking (hunting game using a hawk), then had a late dinner then had to go to the airport. At that time, this was the little bit of the redneck in me, he tells comedian Roseanne Barr in the video. I wasnt drinking, of course, but people were drinking with me who thought this was a good idea, he says. I had an old bike in my car that somebody asked me to get rid of. I said, Lets go put the bear in Central Park and well make it look like he got hit by a bike. The discovery of the bears body sparked a police investigation. In the video, RFK Jr explains that fact-checkers at The New Yorker had asked him about the incident ahead of the publication of a story about him. Looking forward to seeing how you spin this one, @NewYorker he wrote with the video post. If this sounds unusual, consider another story that came to light this year, about a particular health struggle of RFK Jr: he said he had, at one point, suffered some memory loss due to a dead parasitic worm being found in his brain. So who, exactly, is Robert Francis Kennedy Jr? Why is he running for president? And why are the major parties so concerned? Robert F. Kennedy Jr with his uncle, John. F. Kennedy, flying home from the Democratic National Convention of 1960, at which JFK had been nominated as presidential candidate. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted Who is RFK Jr? The Kennedys, for a long time but not any more, per se, were considered the royal family of the United States, explains Thomas Whalen, a presidential historian at Boston University. RFK Jr is a member of the third generation of the Kennedy dynasty. He was nine when JFK was assassinated in a motorcade in Dallas in 1963, and 14 when his father was shot in a Los Angeles hotel after claiming a win in pursuit of the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968. Advertisement He was in the hospital after his uncle had been shot, and at 14, he was a pallbearer for his father, says David Nasaw, an emeritus professor at the City University of New York, who has interviewed several Kennedys including RFK Jr. From that point on, he lived the most troubled life. RFK Jr veered into drug addiction in his teens and 20s, and was eventually sentenced to two years probation for possessing heroin after he fell ill in an aeroplane toilet in 1983. To satisfy the conditions of his probation, he volunteered for the environmental activist group the Natural Resources Defence Council, a turning point. Robert and Ethel Kennedy with four of their children (from left) David, Robert Jr, Joseph and Mary in 1957. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted We talked about [the addiction episode] at some length, says Dick Russell, a long-time friend of Kennedy and author of the recent biography The Real RFK Jr: Trials of a Truth Warrior. He felt that this was, you know, a struggle that had really shaped his life in the sense that he was able to recover and become an environmental lawyer. He was somebody who had been through a lot of tough times. And he had been able to not just maintain himself but become a stronger person. Loading In 1995, New York Magazine called him The Kennedy Who Matters amid a push to protect the citys water supply. In 1999, Time named him a hero of the planet for his work at the not-for-profit Riverkeeper. Career highs included cleaning up the notoriously polluted Hudson River; a battle to close the nuclear power plant Indian Point; and work to defeat dams in Chile and Peru. He spent a month in prison in 2001 for protesting against US naval exercises on a Puerto Rican island; in 2013, he was arrested and fined in Washington, DC, with one of his seven children, son Conor, while rallying against the extension of an oil pipeline between Canada and the US. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was a pallbearer at the New York funeral of his father in 1968. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted Advertisement His early career in public life fits a well-trodden path in the Kennedy family. His grandfather, Joseph P. Kennedy an investor whom Fortune placed in the top 16 wealthiest US individuals in 1957 was US ambassador to Britain and intended for his fortune to enable his family to pursue public life. Ted Kennedy, another of RFK Jrs uncles, was elected to the Senate nine times. His aunt, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founded the Special Olympics. None of them went into business or tried to make money, Nasaw tells us. It was mostly the same with the next generation, the grandchildren. Some of the Kennedys in public service Of RFK Jrs 10 siblings, two have entered politics. His cousin, Caroline Kennedy, is the US ambassador to Australia. Meanwhile, the Kennedy family connection with what used to be called the jet set endures (think Marylin Monroe; Jackie Kennedy-Onassis). RFK Jr is married for the third time, to actress Cheryl Hines, who played the wife of Larry David in the TV comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm. Son Conor briefly dated Taylor Swift. In RFK Jrs home office in Los Angeles, he reportedly has a stuffed tiger (a gift to his father from Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia) and a stuffed bat from the actress Glenn Close, godmother to one of his two daughters. He has been brought up as a Kennedy to believe in himself, says Nasaw, to believe that hes the smartest, most charming man in any room. But there is also something different a tendency to view events through the prism of conspiracy and corruption. He has this brooding intensity. When he visited RFK Jr for an interview in the early 2000s, Nasaw was impressed. I didnt sense anything out of the ordinary, he says. Then Kennedy gave Nasaw a book to read. He was surprised to later find it was a super-conspiracy theory that blamed the CIA and US Defence Department for JFKs assassination. Im a historian, and I know all this literature backwards and forwards, and Id never heard of this book, Nasaw says. It was more outlandish than anything Id read. Nasaw says this is a worrying mix. Theres a hubris and egotism thats taking him beyond bounds. Bobby Kennedy Jr., who developed a love of falconry, handles an augur hawk in a wildlife television special in 1975. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted Advertisement What does RFK Jr believe? RFK Jr was born into a family at the centre the biggest conspiracy theory in US history that JFKs assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, wasnt acting alone. That there was a second shooter that day in Texas, that JFK was killed by the Mafia, or the CIA, or both. Thats the first conspiracy that this young boy has to confront, says Nasaw, who believes the swirling theories and distrust of official findings impacted his worldview. If there was ever a young man, a human being, who was destined to get into trouble and see the world as one giant conspiracy, it was Robert Kennedy Jr. His scepticism and distrust of official stories initially found an outlet in environmental work as he took on corporations and regulators, inspired, he has said, by the work of Rachel Carson, whose 1962 treatise Silent Spring warned America of the dangers of the insecticide DDT. If Kennedy had stuck to environmentalism, he might have achieved the heroic role he craved as a child, writes Andrew Miller in The Economist. But the instinct had a logic and momentum of its own. Indeed, he was universally well regarded until he delved into vaccination science, says his biographer, Dick Russell. People that had been supporting him all along suddenly decided not to because they felt like he was overstepping his bounds. He has subsequently made remarks or raised questions about 5G networks being used for mass surveillance and to control behaviour, antidepressants playing a role in rising school shootings, that Republicans stole the 2004 presidential election, that Wi-Fi opens your blood-brain barrier, and that chemicals in water play a role in transgender identity. He says, however, that he is not an anti-vaxxer but has concerns over the way some vaccines are manufactured. In 2018, he went to see Sirhan Sirhan, the man convicted of killing his father, at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, a California state prison outside San Diego. After that meeting, he called for the investigation to be reopened. (RFK Srs widow, Ethel, and most of his children have opposed Sirhans release.) RFK Jr, an environmental lawyer, on Earth Day in 1995. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted While RFK Jrs most notable passion is to link childhood vaccines to autism a claim the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has debunked he was turbocharged during the COVID-19 pandemic, calling mandatory vaccination policies a crime against humanity. Advertisement Three people were shot late Wednesday afternoon. Two of the men, 19 and 21, have died as a result of their injuries. Chattanooga Police were dispatched at 5:26 p.m. to a person shot call in the 1100 block of Arlington Avenue. When officers arrived on scene, they found two men with life-threatening injuries. The officers immediately began life saving measures. Chattanooga Fire and Hamilton County EMS responded and took over the life saving measures.EMS transported the two men to a local hospital. CPD's Homicide Unit responded to conduct the investigation. CPD's Crime Scene Unit responded to process the crime scene. After the shooting, the suspect or suspects fled the scene prior to when officers arrived. Later, a third person arrived at a local hospital in a personal vehicle. He had non-life threatening injuries from a gunshot wound. Authorities are working to determine if the third person was shot at the Arlington Avenue location. Chattanooga Police ask anyone with information regarding this incident to call 423 698-2525. Blood Drive May 2023 Louis Brill, Public Works Sara Puckett, Finance Wesley Stokes, Public Works director Previous Next The Signal Mountain Police Department is hosting a blood drive with Blood Assurance on Monday, May 20 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.The event will be held at the Signal Mountain Town Hall, in the parking lot behind the gym at 1111 Ridgeway Ave. in Signal Mountain.Use this link to sign up for a time slot."We had a great response in January and are hoping to continue the trend," officials said. "There are openings for appointments remaining. Help us fill all of those open appointment slots."